“I Can’t Remember Anything I’ve Forgotten.”

I think I figured out what happened. Back when I began this blog, it was dedicated mostly to my books. When I posted any DVDs, it was as kind of a break. I never felt it necessary to name them inside the posts, simply noting them in the labels function, and sometimes pretty sloppily at that. In consequence, when I went looking for those vampire animes, I realized that a) I had not included all of the anime that I have or had, and that b) what I did have was not easily searchable. I have just spent two hours going back and popping names into those old posts (2020!), but not, at this time, writing up descriptions. I may yet. Things may not be perfect yet, but as the scientist on Monty Python might say, “They are better than they WERE.”

Well, here is one set of DVDs I have (Reign: The Conqueror) that never made it into the blog, though I’ve had them for years. The others? Sold? Stashed away to make room on the shelves? Whatever happened, it happened before I started Niche of Time.

Like This, But No Box

 

Reign the Conqueror (as it was released in North America, in Europe as Alexander the Great, and in South America simply as Alexander, is an anime television series that aired from September to December 1999. The series is a reimagining of the life of Alexander the Great. – Wikipedia

“In 356 BC, Alexander the Great arrives in Greece with the ominous destiny that he will become the "destroyer of the world." Inheriting the crown, he becomes king of the Macedonians and starts down a road of conquest with terrific speed. Alexander ultimately confronts his fated nemesis, Darius the Third, in a war with Persia which changes Alexander into the devil he was fated to become, assuring the destruction of all in his path, and possibly himself.” - MyAnimeList

Fullmetal Alchemist (2003) takes place in the fictional country of Amestris. In this world, alchemy is one of the most-practiced sciences; alchemists who work for the government are known as State Alchemists and are automatically given the rank of major in the military. Alchemists have the ability, with the help of patterns called transmutation circles, to create almost anything they desire. However, when they do so, they must provide something of equal value in accordance with the Law of Equivalent Exchange. The only things alchemists are forbidden from transmuting are humans and gold. There has never been a successful human transmutation; those who attempt it lose a part of their body, and the result is an inhuman mass. 

Edward and Alphonse Elric lived in Resembool with their mother Trisha and father Van Hohenheim. For unknown reasons, Hohenheim abandoned them, and Trisha soon died from an illness. After finishing their alchemy training under Izumi Curtis, the Elrics attempted to bring their mother back with alchemy. However, the transmutation backfired, and Edward lost his left leg while Alphonse was completely deconstructed. Edward sacrificed his right arm to retrieve Alphonse's soul, binding it to a suit of armor. Edward was invited by Roy Mustang to become a State Alchemist and research a way to restore their bodies, undergoing a painful medical procedure that granted him prosthetic mechanical limbs, called automail. Edward became a State Alchemist, with the title of "Fullmetal Alchemist". The Elrics spend the next three years searching for the Philosopher's Stone to achieve their goals.

I know I had about five of these DVDs (missing one in the sequence, maybe Volume 5, never completing the other volumes); I was buying them at Half Price Books. The selling or storing probably took place because the set was incomplete.

 

[Saiyuki Reload] is the sequel of Gensomaden Saiyuki, premiered on TV Tokyo from October 2, 2003, to March 25, 2004. Saiyuki Reload was licensed by Geneon in North America, and consist of 25 episodes. In the Saiyuki Reload Priest Genjo Sanzo and companions Cho Hakkai, Sha Gojyo, and Son Goku maintain their westward journey to stop the resurrection of the demon Gyoumao. As the reputation of the Sanzo Ikkou precedes them, they continue to fight demon assassins at every turn, but they must also deal with increasing tensions within their group in order to defeat a powerful enemy.” – Wikipedia

I was getting these at Half Price too, four volumes; not sure if this series was ever completed by me, either. Another anime based on Journey to the West.

 

Black Butler (animated series 2008) The series follows Ciel Phantomhive, the 12-year-old Earl of Phantomhive serving as the Queen's Watchdog. He is tasked with solving crimes in the underworld of Victorian-era London. Ciel has formed a contract with demon Sebastian Michaelis, who disguises himself as his butler, to seek revenge on those who tortured him and murdered his parents. In exchange for his services, Sebastian will be allowed to consume Ciel's soul.

Now I know the fate of these DVDs; I gave them to my niece Kelsey. She always enjoyed them.

 

Back in those days I was always sampling anime series; new ones came on Cartoon Network Adult Swim or on various streaming services available to me them. Eventually my interest dried up; they were getting gradually more sickly and less creative. I guess I could get more complete versions of old series now; some have grown and come to an end. It’s kind of embarrassing; the whole genre seems rather juvenile for a middle-aged man to start delving into. Fantasies of power and sex. Maybe it was just a symptom of a mid-life crisis.