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<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0><script type="text/javascript" src="http://hb.lycos.com/hb.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://ratings.lycos.com/ratings/lycosRating.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript"><![CDATA[//><!]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://scripts.lycos.com/catman/init.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-start.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-middle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/ad/code-end.js"></script> <noscript> <img src="http://members.tripod.com/adm/img/common/ot_noscript.gif?rand=544370" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  <iframe frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" width="728" height="90" src="http://ad.yieldmanager.com/st?ad_type=iframe&ad_size=728x90&section=209094"></iframe>  </noscript> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#888888" TEXT="#080000" background="0b0785a3.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Sato's Tribute</b></FONT><B>    </b><B> |     </b><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Satos Tribute"><U><B>home</b></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cast"><U>Cast</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Episodes"><U>Episodes</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Movies"><U>Movies</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Gallery"><U>Gallery</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Polls/Quizzes"><U>Polls/Quizzes</U></A>   |   <B>Ramblings</b>   |   <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="My Collection"><U>My Collection</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id22.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ECards"><U>E-Cards</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#555555" TEXT="#080000" background="0b1d2b03.jpg"> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Ramblings</I></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="652" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 57 WIDTH="646"><div> (The following are my thoughts on the series and why I like it.  I tried to avoid any obvious spoilers.  If you haven't watched or read any Conan, give it a try.)</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#888888 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="646"><div> <B>SERIES OVERVIEW</b></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 1448 WIDTH="646"><bR> <div> Detective Conan is a more episodal and a less continuous series than many other animes. Each episode is a complete plot, usually a case (or two) resolved in a half hour, a two or three part episode, or a long special.  The series plot falls into the background compared to the episode plots, and very little development of the main series plot occurs.  The characters do not age (despite multiple holidays and birthdays), and the series operates under the premise that less than a year has passed.  (Which is a good thing.  Otherwise, Conan would be a teen again, and Ran would be nearly 30.)</div> <bR> <div> The overall plot premise is that a teenage detective witnesses an illegal deal and is poisoned by a shady character.  Instead of dying, he is shrunken and adopts a secret identity to protect his friends while trying to find the people who shrunk him, get back to normal, and bring down this crime organization.  His neighbor gives him gadgets to help level the playing field.  Through the course of events a privileged few learn his secret identity.  I'm sure you've read a similar synopsis of the plot on one site or another.  Many people find it contrived or silly -- but in the course of the series, this plot is fairly insignificant and seems to just be an excuse for having a brilliant and adorable little kid solving interesting puzzles and mysteries.  Eventually, you will grow to appreciate the series plot too, but it is the individual episodes (and all the characters you meet) that make the series really fun.</div> <bR> <div> Like most detective (and other) series, the episodes usually follow a predictable formula.  The characters (usually Conan, Ran, and Kogoro) enter a setting (accidentally or on purpose) with a group of people they never met before.  We find out their names, ages, other details.  Then a jerk is introduced, someone the other characters all know and loathe, and someone whose days are numbered.  All the characters engage in some mundane activities (dinner, a card game, karaoke, etc.), during which the jerk is absent most of the time and the "future suspects" usually have periods of absence too.  Eventually, the jerk's body shows up, someone screams, and the investigation begins (often with a call to the police).  Conan listens to some of the questioning and then pursues his own investigations while Ran attempts to keep him out of the adults' way.  Kogoro then presents his half-brained theory based on a single piece of evidence or alibi conflict.  Then Conan knocks him out and presents the truth.  The accused denies it, demands "proof," and Conan provides proof.  The murderer then confesses and explains the motive ("drove my sister to suicide" or something similar).  Kogoro wakes up and says something corny, and Ran says something about beating up Shinichi when he comes back someday.</div> <bR> <div> There are common variations to this formula.  Sometimes there is just one suspect, and Conan has to figure out how he did it and provide proof.  Sometimes the suspects are not introduced until after the crime.  Rarely is Kogoro actually hired to investigate a murder (or much else either); usually his presence is mere coincidence.  Other usual themes in the series include: Sonoko's crush of the moment is a jerk or a killer.  Harmless kid fun (contests, treasure hunts, day at a park) usually become the most violent or dangerous episodes.  Ai's cynical commentary and Genta's food obsession often provide Conan needed inspiration for his train of thought.</div> <bR> <div> The predictable formula should not be viewed as a weakness but rather as a strength of the series.  It makes the unexpected moments all the more enjoyable.  Kogoro's streaks of professionalism and brilliance would not be as fun if he wasn't a bumbling drunkard most of the time.  Sometimes the actual case or motive (Writer's block?? That's a motive??) is unique or interesting.  Most exciting are those very rare occasions when the series plot is advanced somehow or when Conan's identity is questioned, suspected, or even discovered.  I love when a recurring character makes an unexpected appearance.  (Heiji and Eri are especially fun, and I never see Makoto coming!)  Sometimes a previous minor character (once a suspect) shows up again, like Kogoro's old judo club buddy.  Many of the semi-regular minor (even some semi-major) characters were introduced to the series as suspects (like Yoko Okino or Shiratori) or become suspects at some point (like the magician Kazumi).  When Kaito Kid or Vermouth (masters of disguise) are involved even all the regular characters become suspicious.  Occasionally, viewers are privy to scenes and details not witnessed by the main characters, but the writers design such scenes masterfully, so even when you see what is going on, you can never be sure if things are as they seem.  (Movie 9: <I>Strategy Above the Depths</I> is a great example)</div> <bR> <div> My favorite deviation from the usual formulaic episode is the police plotline.  (I doubt I would enjoy it as much if it happened more frequently.  Some enjoyment is in the waiting and the surprise when a new installment is released.)  The police-centered episodes are a strange combination of police drama and junior high hijinks.  Sato has the ability to induce juvenile behavior in all her male coworkers, and Takagi ends up so distracted he would botch things up without the kids to keep him on task.  Even amid the male posturing and rumors and silliness, the police manage to remain a formidable and effective crime-stopping force.  The episodes are packed with more action than usual cases, full of chase scenes and sometimes gunplay.  While the kids drive the plot, the focus is always clearly on the police in these episodes.  Takagi's blunders somehow manage to better his standings with Sato and infuriate his male coworkers, but thanks to the kids (and Takagi's inability to say no to them or Sato), he solves the cases and comes across as the hero of the day.  Aside from Shiratori, the police let Conan do whatever he likes, and Conan rarely puts on his child facade around them.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#888888 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="646"><div> <B>ABOUT DUBBING</b></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 932 WIDTH="646"><bR> <div> It is nice to be able to watch TV without reading.  I do enjoy the Funimation dubbed releases (as long as I get to see the originals too), but there are a few things that bother me.</div> <bR> <div> I don't like that the dubs are pretending the series is not set in Japan.  It is nice that they try to make things accessible to Americans, but they give the audience too little credit.  It is silly to try and ignore the landmarks and writing.  Plus, the writers/translators seem to stretch for their compromise statements/scenarios, and it really shows.  If something seems confusing or doesn't sound quite right, it is most often the thing that was changed for the American audience.  I know some things cannot be avoided (like references to Japanese magazines we've never heard of), but other things would have been far more fun if left alone.  (Like the scene in the first Kaito Kid episode when Conan gives his secret password as "Holmes" and Ran's is "Lupin.")</div> <bR> <div> It also bothers me when the meaning of the dialogue is changed.  Minor cultural things are no big deal, but sometimes motives are changed, and that seems awkward.  It just feels off.  Sometimes a little piece of dialogue can alter the mood or alter a character in some small way.  In the original dialogue of <I>The Time Bombed Skyscraper</I>, for example, Kogoro gets angry that Shinichi put Conan in harm's way, but in the dubbed version, he's mad at Jimmy for asking Conan for help instead of him.  It might seem like a small change, but it changes the situation from Kogoro showing his concern and protective side to him just being jealous.</div> <bR> <div> I don't like the name changes.  They do help me keep the suspects straight while a plot is unfolding, but I wish the main characters were not renamed.  The names in Detective Conan all have significant meanings (mostly named after figures in mystery literature), and changing them was unnecessary -- unless you're under the delusion that the series doesn't take place in Japan...</div> <bR> <div> I think the kids' and Ran's character lost a little in translation.  Rachel's voice captures her strong and determined nature, but it lacks the inflections of innocence and fragile emotions.  When I watch the original Japanese version, Ran's character can bring tears to my eyes, but I have not found the same empathy with Rachel.  The kids lack a lot of "cuteness" with their English voices too.  Conan's American voice isn't bad (even though Minami is amazing), but Mitch and Amy sound like different characters altogether.</div> <bR> <div> That said, I will make my positive comments.  Dubbers are really amazing, and I appreciate that is it very difficult (more than regular voice acting).  Meguire and Richard's American voices are fantastic.  They really capture the characters, and I miss them when I watch the Japanese versions.  The other voice actors do very well too, and I liked the voice chosen for Shiratori (renamed to Santos) for the first movie.  I also like some of the creative liberties the writers took with the dialogue, especially injecting more humor.  While the "Americanizing" can sometimes be hurtful to the story or characters, often it is amazing what they can do to make the plot understandable without changing to too much.  (You can see what I mean by watching the "TV Drama Film Shoot Murder Case")  Oh, and kudos to the Funimation people for not changing the first movie much at all and instead simply explaining the Japanese hints and riddle.  I'm a very critical person, but my only complaint was that one line from Richard -- oh and the continuation of pretending they aren't in Japan; that's as silly as the Lupin III dub pretending they are in the 21st century.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#888888 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="646"><div> <B>THE MANGA</b></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 322 WIDTH="646"><bR> <div> I wish I could read Japanese...  That said, the English releases are fantastic and not changed the way the dubbed show is.  Whether you are completely new to the series or have seen every episode, you should read the manga!</div> <bR> <div> Of course, the manga came before the anime, so it is all the original stuff right from Gosho Aoyama's head (and then translated to English ;) ).  The story line is very close to the anime (or vice versa), but the manga contains a lot of details and extra little parts that never came to TV.  The manga is more continuous with transitions between cases and other details too.  Some things are in a slightly different order.  Takagi is introduced much later and Akemi Miyano much sooner.  The artwork is very fun, and little surprises or inside jokes are fun too (a cameo by Zenigata?).  There are even a couple cases that were never on TV at all.  Gosho Aoyama's commentary at the end of each volume is a lot of fun too.</div> <bR> <div> When I read the manga, I can hear the score from the show in my head, and I imagine a strange mix of Japanese and American voices.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#888888 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="646"><div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>PERSONAL TOP 10's</b></FONT><B> </b>(and other rankings)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 688 WIDTH="646"><bR> <div> Solely my personal opinion, probably differs from your own.  (All of these movies/episodes are best if you are up-to-date on episodes or mangas before the particular one mentioned.)</div> <bR> <div> <B>Movies Ranked</b></div> <div> 1. Captured in Her Eyes <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(2000)</FONT></div> <div> 2. Strategy Above the Depths <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(2005)</FONT></div> <div> 3. Magician of the Silver Sky <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(2004)</FONT></div> <div> 4. Countdown to Heaven <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(2001)</FONT></div> <div> 5. Private Eyes' Requiem <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(2006)</FONT></div> <div> 6. Crossroad in the Ancient Capitol <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(2003)</FONT></div> <div> 7. The Last Wizard of the Century <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(1999)</FONT></div> <div> 8. The Phantom of Baker Street <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(2002)</FONT></div> <div> 9. The 14th Target <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(1998)</FONT></div> <div> 10. Time Bombed Skyscraper <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >(1997)</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Top 10 Episodes/Cases</b></FONT><B> </b>(that I've seen)</div> <div> 1. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episode 345:</FONT> Head-to-Head Match With the Black Organization</div> <div> 2. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episode 304:</FONT> Trembling Metropolitan Police Headquarters 12 Million Hostages</div> <div> 3. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episode 132 to 134:</FONT> Magic Lover's Murder Case</div> <div> 4. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episode 81 and 82:</FONT> The Kidnapping of a Popular Artist Case </div> <div> 5. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episode 118:</FONT> The Naniwa Serial Murder Case</div> <div> 6. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episode 130 and 131:</FONT> The Stadium Indiscriminate Threatening Case</div> <div> 7. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episodes 57 and 58:</FONT> Holmes Freak Murder Case</div> <div> 8. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episode 76</FONT>: Conan vs. Kaito Kid</div> <div> 9. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episodes 316 and 317:</FONT> Tarnished Masked Hero</div> <div> 10. <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Episodes 61 and 62:</FONT> A Ghost Ship Murder Case</div> <bR> <div> <B>Top 7 Couples</b></div> <div> 1. Kogoro & Eri</div> <div> 2. Takagi & Sato</div> <div> 3. Shinichi & Ran</div> <div> 4. Mitsuhiko & Ai</div> <div> 5. Heiji & Kazuha</div> <div> 6. Yusaku & Yukiko</div> <div> 7. Makoto & Sonoko</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#888888 HEIGHT= 20 WIDTH="646"><div> <B>OTHER ANIME THAT I'M INTO</b></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 128 WIDTH="646"><bR> <div> ~ <A HREF="http://www.lupinofficial.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.lupinofficial.com/"><U>Lupin III</U></A></div> <div> ~ <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GetBackers" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GetBackers"><U>Get Backers</U></A></div> <div> ~ <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenchi_Muyo!" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenchi_Muyo"><U>Tenchi Muyo</U></A></div> <div> ~ <A HREF="http://www.advfilms.com/titles/loki/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.advfilms.com/titles/loki/"><U>Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok</U></A></div> <div> ~ <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigun" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigun"><U>Trigun</U></A></div> <div> ~ <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_Bebop" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_Bebo"><U>Cowboy Bebop</U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <B> <div style="width:480; background-color:rgb(216,233,237); text-align:center;"> <div style="background:rgb(129,172,201); height:4px;"> <img src="http://www.quizilla.com/images/blue_drk_corner1.gif" style="float: left" height="4" hspace="0" /> <img src="http://www.quizilla.com/images/blue_drk_corner2.gif" style="float: right" height="4" hspace="0" /> </div> <div style="background:rgb(129,172,201); padding: 0pt 0pt 5px;"> <span style="font-size:12px; color:rgb(255,255,255); padding:3px; font-family:Arial;"><strong>Get Backers Personality Quiz</strong></span> </div> <div style="padding:5px; text-align:left; font-size:12px; font-family:Arial; background-color:rgb(216,233,237);"> <center><img src="http://images.quizilla.com/G/goddess112/1058908501_quizshido1.jpg"><br/>You are Shido! Although you can be cold and distant and a bit of a loner, once a certain someone captures your heart, you'll protect your precious person with your life. You have the ability to handle animals and know how to respect them, which is why they help you out whenever you need it. Your uncanny connection to animals as well as your excellent fighting skills makes you a great warrior!<br/>Take this <a target="quizilla" style="color:rgb(0,0,0)" href="http://quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=17&url=http://www.quizilla.com/users/goddess112/quizzes/Get+Backers+Personality+Quiz">quiz</a>!<br/> <br/><a href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=18&url=http://www.quizilla.com/" target="quizilla"> <img border="0" src="http://www.quizilla.com/images/codepastes/30qzlogo.gif" style="padding:2px;" /></a> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"> <a style="color:rgb(0,0,0);" target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=18&url=http://www.quizilla.com">Quizilla</a> | <a style="color:rgb(0,0,0);" target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=21&url=http://www.quizilla.com/register">Join</a> | <a style="color:rgb(0,0,0);" target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=20&url=http://www.quizilla.com/makeaquiz.php">Make A Quiz</a> | <a target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=42&url=http://www.quizilla.com/users/goddess112/quizzes/">More Quizzes</a> | <a style="color:rgb(0,0,0);" target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=19&url=http://www.quizilla.com/codepastes/?quizid=185702">Grab Code</a></span> </div></div>  </b></div> <div> <B> <div style="width:481; background-color:rgb(216,233,237); text-align:center;"> <div style="background:rgb(129,172,201); height:4px;"> <img src="http://www.quizilla.com/images/blue_drk_corner1.gif" style="float: left" height="4" hspace="0" /> <img src="http://www.quizilla.com/images/blue_drk_corner2.gif" style="float: right" height="4" hspace="0" /> </div> <div style="background:rgb(129,172,201); padding: 0pt 0pt 5px;"> <span style="font-size:12px; color:rgb(255,255,255); padding:3px; font-family:Arial;"><strong>Which Lupin character are you most like?</strong></span> </div> <div style="padding:5px; text-align:left; font-size:12px; font-family:Arial; background-color:rgb(216,233,237);"> <center><img src="http://images.quizilla.com/S/SangoEnthusiast/1058557553_uresgoemon.gif"><br/>You're Goemon.<br/>Take this <a target="quizilla" style="color:rgb(0,0,0)" href="http://quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=17&url=http://www.quizilla.com/users/SangoEnthusiast/quizzes/Which+Lupin+character+are+you+most+like%3F">quiz</a>!<br/> <br/><a href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=18&url=http://www.quizilla.com/" target="quizilla"> <img border="0" src="http://www.quizilla.com/images/codepastes/30qzlogo.gif" style="padding:2px;" /></a> <span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:12;"> <a style="color:rgb(0,0,0);" target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=18&url=http://www.quizilla.com">Quizilla</a> | <a style="color:rgb(0,0,0);" target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=21&url=http://www.quizilla.com/register">Join</a> | <a style="color:rgb(0,0,0);" target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=20&url=http://www.quizilla.com/makeaquiz.php">Make A Quiz</a> | <a target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=42&url=http://www.quizilla.com/users/SangoEnthusiast/quizzes/">More Quizzes</a> | <a style="color:rgb(0,0,0);" target="quizilla" href="http://www.quizilla.com/redirect.php?statsid=19&url=http://www.quizilla.com/codepastes/?quizid=180361">Grab Code</a></span> </div></div>  </b></div> </td> </tr></table></body>