THAT Animeblog

Canaan, Episode 2- The Canaan Identity

Calawain — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:54:01 +0000

With Crusader out doing his soldier’s duties for a week, I will be stepping in to comment on this week’s episode of Canaan. I hope this entry’s title reference isn’t lost on our otaku readers, but I was pleasantly surprised by the multiple action scenes this week. You’d think it was a Hollywood flick with all of the car chases, explosions, and gunfire. But then the flat chested protagonist who kicks ass with super-powered eyes reminds us that this is Type-Moon and not Hollywood.

Alright, who didn’t see this rescue coming from a mile away? A bit heavy on the really transparent foreshadowing by conversation… Obviously its those incompetent American spec ops/mercs/etc., right Japan!

Not only Engrish, but standing up next to a very explodable vehicle in the open shooting at a helicopter with just a rifle! (hint, use the terrain for cover) Regardless, good quality action just like last week. PA apparently has both the budget and the ability to keep up high quality action scenes for long periods of time. I’m very impressed by the effort so far, it’s rare to see a non-Sunrise show be like this (movies/OVAs notwithstanding).

I hate amnesia plot devices. How lazy do you have to be?

Jealous because she’s hotter and seems to enjoy life more than you?

Context everyone!

Whoa, it’s not every day that you see a car chase in anime. Are you sure Matt Damon isn’t hiding somewhere? I think the most amusing car chase I have ever seen in a movie was from The Bourne Ultimatum. The sheer ridiculousness of attempting a car chase in midtown Manhattan was something else. Needless to say, both Matt Damon’s and his pursuer’s vehicles were thoroughly trashed by the end.

Pop idols are not exactly what I would consider car chase music…

Jouji Nakata has such a manly, badass voice.

Oh man, yet another action scene. That was one crazy old man, although I am quite curious as to how an elderly fellow like that gets called “onii-chan” by the young man he was with. One assumes it has something to do with viruses and birthmarks, but who knows.

Hello titties, I mean kitty?

This is definitely a show I’d like to see on Blu-Ray. I have yet to buy any anime on BR to complement my action movie collection, but I certainly plan on at least trying out Sword of the Stranger. This is definitely a candidate for R1 licensing considering the action focus of the show, and previous success with Type-Moon works. Crusader may be gone again next week, so its possible that you’ll be stuck with me for episode 3 as well, we shall see.

Yoku Wakaru Gendai Mahou, Episode 1- Loli Nopan

Calawain — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:30:16 +0000

This week is the first “real” episode of Yoku Wakaru, with some strange time travel shenanigans and the like. Although, the most amusing part is probably the early gratuitous bare loli ass shot that came out of nowhere. Thankfully it wasn’t censored to death like Princess Lover.

I dig the shift from the comedic antics of episode 00 to the battlan animu we have in episode 1. The battle animation was pretty decent as well, displaying a lot of motion and without heavy use of speedlines or other shortcuts. It’s no Kara no Kyoukai, but I’ll take it.

I guess that is actually a really neat trick, this ability of hers to convert code into washbins. It may not do anything harmful for the most part, but look at Touma from To Aru Majutsu no Index. He was pretty badass with just cancelling stuff, albeit possessing a mean right hook and an arrogant streak that Koyomi does not appear to possess herself.

This brings back memories of programming class.

This kid gets a hot loli’s panties thrown at his face, and seemingly gets to keep them, and what does he do? Cry! Wow man, you may only be in elementary school, but seriously you just set back your ascension to manhood a few years with that. Learn to embrace the pantsu, grasshopper.

Time travel in the first episode? My head hurts. If I hadn’t seen episode 00 I would have been completely confused as to what is going on in all of this. Although, seeing that episode doesn’t really explain everything, it was a bit jarring seeing Koyomi pop up.

We here at THAT do not condone loli abuse.

Oh yeah, that is one hot Santa. I’ve always dug a sexy Santa costume on a woman. Well anyways, I enjoyed the episode, enough to likely blog another one at least. While I still don’t know what direction this show is heading in, whether it be comedy, action suspense, or both, I am at least comforted by the fact that so far they have done both comedy and action decently. The characters (especially Yumiko and Misa) look promising, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt for now. It also helps that this is being simulcast on Crunchyroll so it takes no effort to watch and I get it quicklike.

Heavy Recon: Aoi Hana - 01, Mazinger Z - 13, Sora no Manimani - 01, and Umi Monogatari - 02

Crusader — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 06:05:17 +0000

Gorgeous, Delicious, YAKKK DECULCHA!

I guess I can thank Uncle Sam for making all my traveling arrangements for me, though I wish the crabby old man would have given me a better flight than one at 0600 on a Sunday. Ah well as such I have much ground to cover but not a lot of time to do it. Well here goes a quick recon report on Aoi Hana - 01, Mazinger Z - 13, Sora no Manimani – 01, and Umi Monogatari - 02.

Aoi Hana – 01: Kawamori Strikes Back

Beware of sis-cons driving cars…though he might as well get a pedobear suit with accompanying van.

It certainly seems to be much more slice of life than other yuri series I have seen and as such there doesn’t seem to be a tall dark and bishojo to act as the Chikane-class alpha female. Instead in an interesting reversal the super tall Fumi Manjome-san is the cry baby with the washboard. In contrast her designated life partner Akira “Achan” Okudaira seems to be the brave one. Incidentally it seems that Aoi Hana seems to have it in for dudes with sis-con as Shinobu is a butt monkey who likes his imouto a little too much. I suppose that Zyl will have a field day drawing comparisons between Shinobu and Stripey as is the way of Red Zakus. Both may go to different schools but it seems that both go to all girl schools. Achan’s school seems to also have an attached loli-school whose students are simply criminally cute. Even if Fumi is no Katie, she still gets three admirers off the bat who assume that she is Chikane-class and hope to get her into their drama club so they can yuri tea parties. A-chan gets no yuri harem or fan club, but it seems that Kyoko Ikumi has locked S-Foils in attack position and is ready to make a milk run on Achan. I wonder if Kyoko is going to aspire to become Chikane-class because that would be fucking sweet. To be sure there probably were other embarrassing incidents for Fumi, but why they chose her wetting herself is beyond me…In any case Fumi’s cousin and long time yuri pal Chizu gets a pineapple cakey and is sent off to marry some dude. Fumi is understandably distraught that it was time for Chizu to marry and pretend to be heterosexual.

All in all I will watch because it is yuri, and that cakey thing was like a FALCON PUNCH to the gut.

I dawwwed.

Achan would totally hit that…

If only she were Kati II…

Now now Fumi this not time to be picky or monogamous…

That book could be you in few days Achan…

Nice to meet you too…may it be that she is Chikane II?

It is time…

Oh shit it’s a pineapple cake…

Chizu-chan no BAKA!

Mazinger Z - 13: Up Your Arsenal

Woah there what do you mean “IF” Mazinger Z wins…?

I suppose the moral of this story is that the Right to Bear Arms is a fundamental right. Simply put, what kind of self respecting person would pass up an arsenal made by Kabuto? No one, that’s who; well, except for pansy girly men who fear weapons. Ankokuji is still loyal to the memory of his beloved Gamia, and who could blame him as Shiro turns to the loli path and suspects everyone but his mother of being a loli-con. Ankokuji put it best though, no rack = no interest, even if Lorelei is probably mecha too. While Baron Ashura was a huge butt monkey it seems that against Mazinger Z even Count Blocken becomes one too, though at least he did manage to blow up the Jet Scrander. Still Mario N7 was not long for the world as his Marionettes were no match for Ankokuji’s new arsenal. Unlike other mecha series guns are used liberally here as any mecha pilot ought to be able to fight competently outside of the cockpit like the Great Prince Ali. Ah how I miss the old days before this faux righteousness fad of more talking and less shooting took hold. So old man Stronheim seems to have a thing for Tsubasa, who is now revealed to be Kouji and Shiro’s mom, ah well I suppose coming back from the dead is as good a declaration of love as any. Still the poor man waited all his life only to find that his one and only already had two kids…ouch.

Welcome my fellow /k/ommandos.

I think Tesla just jizzed in his grave.

Ronin Warriors…

Now we need a Mazinger Z ODST

It’s part of Juuzo’s back taxes…

Ah the power of love…

And mecha…

I dub thee loli-Gamia.

Yeah I miss her too.

Gamia-hime :3

It’s me, MARIO N7!

This is my rifle, this is my gun…this is for fighting, this if for fun…

Ah the old days when arsenals were okay and there was none of this “pistol only” nonsense.

Fucking BADASS.

The power is in the armor…

Way to go puss cake.

What about dad?

Tsubasa you gots some esplaining to do…

Dude look at that chin…

Wait kids? Two of them…?

Yeah FML indeed…

Sora no Manimani - 01: Astrology in my Astronomy?!

I did not know the Wii could make something like this…

Well not really but while the first ep was well animated, pretty, and filled with bright colors; it seems to be a bit lacking on the comedy side. Moreover I think as time goes one people will find Mii-chan to be irritating, she reminds me of Tenma of School Rumble though it seems there will be little need to reset the relationships given the male to female ratio. It’s pretty clear that Saku-chan is doomed to be the bride of Mii-chan so hopefully this will be more romantic comedy than hateful harem. I hope the comedy picks up because otherwise it will probably get old quick. The episode itself was alright it had its moments though I think Saku-chan should have imagined his nemesis Mii-chan as a fat yaoi fan girl with a paddle, but a missed opportunity I suppose. At the very least it seems to have no panty shots though they probably should go more over the top. Still I suppose as long as the animation is crisp there is still hope for this. The manga is ongoing so there is some people out there who like it. If it’s going to stay more on the romantic side that’s fine though I was hoping that I would have busted a gut laughing.

Still Fumin is superior, that is all.

In Soviet Russia Miyamoto’s Miis makes you!

Quick get your your Sony Home Avatar ready!

It’s kind of great…if you happen to be a loli-con.

Saku-chan getto!

My advice get a cardboard box…and learn CQC.

Sayo-chan is embarrassed for you…

There’s always two sides to a story…

Uhh Mii-chan it was already a uniform…

I like megane-chan more…

GO MEGANE PAIR!

Dood Mii-chan’s dad looks like Saku-chan…

Yuri shot GET!

Umi Monogatari – 02: Kanon’s Ultimate Techinique…

Thank goodness at least Marin is a card carrying lesbain.

For a first mahou shojo battle it wasn’t too bad as there were fewer speed lines than anticipated and the sequence where Marin was dodging and taking pot shots was mildly Macrossian. If only Kanon called her attacks and said attack was SEKIHA TENKYOKEN, ah well I suppose this isn’t slated to be a series where Marin and Kanaon’s blood will be BURNING RED. Not much happened in terms of story but it seems that Kanon is getting some guests to her home next week. I wonder how young Kanon’s mom was if Kanon is not hitting 18 years of age, but is suppose anime being anime that it’s only a minor detail. It’s kind of funny how the turtle was mocking Kanon for not being chaste when it was Marin who actually wore something even skimpier. Still I suppose the highlight for me was predictably when Marin confessed her yuri love for Kanon who should join the yuri side after her dip shit boyfriend reneged on his promise. Not that it was the only yuri moment, it seems that the servants of Sedna take the guise of women and have a penchant for wrapping around Kanon and go all out in trying to take her first kissu. In the end I probably won’t be dropping this until 7 eps later if it starts dragging. Nevertheless I enjoyed this one much more than the first.

Chuuuu…

Ep 2 and already a confession, how about that.

And what a friend you found!

Give it time… you’ll change your tune.

Suggestive pose is suggestive…

I wonder if Kanon will age as well as her mom.

I guess Mrs. Forever 21 here wasn’t simply born that way…

More inbound…seems they all want to give you a big wet one.

She wants to love you…tenderly

The only thing that really changed was her hair…

Hehe slimy…

I think that Kanon will have many female suitors in the future…

Well you should get a load of what Marin has to wear…

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE

The power of yuri heals all wounds…

Don’t worry Marin will steal it first.

Crazy YIM Chats: Lolis, Guns and Thigh Highs.

Extrange — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:13:27 +0000

Just a random YIM chat that me and Crusader had about the current anime season… Read the full text after the break.

metrololiconextrange: DOOD
Crusader: what
metrololiconextrange: CANAAN
Crusader: Canaan is the shit
metrololiconextrange: thats wat
Crusader: damn right fucker
Crusader: shit was so cash
metrololiconextrange: Fuck, I’ll ninja your posts
metrololiconextrange: and do Parallel Review:
metrololiconextrange: :3
Crusader: DO IT

metrololiconextrange: also
metrololiconextrange: Needless
Crusader: what no GATTAI?
Crusader: not there yet
metrololiconextrange: *turns red*
metrololiconextrange: NOW 3 TIMES FASTER!
Crusader: i have to do aoi hana
metrololiconextrange: dood
metrololiconextrange: imagine this
metrololiconextrange: Kamina and Kamen no Maid guy had a homo affair
Crusader: SHIT CAN”T UNSEE
metrololiconextrange: and reproduced, leaving behind Adam Blade
metrololiconextrange: dood, it’s Kamina on steroids
metrololiconextrange: and Eve? Jesus, I can’t describe
metrololiconextrange: I always get dumbfolded with her scenes
Crusader: will get to it in good time
metrololiconextrange: Bakemonogatari
Crusader: but it will be hard to top Canaan
metrololiconextrange: nah, Needless is a light animu
metrololiconextrange: not even close
metrololiconextrange: but Bake…..
metrololiconextrange: epic in other ways
metrololiconextrange: with a girl that manages to be Ultra Tsun
metrololiconextrange: lemme quote her, a sec
metrololiconextrange: “My abusive language is alchemized through 40kg of copper, 25kg of zinc, 15kg of nickel, 5kg of ice that keeps my cool and 97kg of spite”
metrololiconextrange: “By the way, I was joking about the ice part”
Crusader: okay now i have to watch
metrololiconextrange: I warn you
metrololiconextrange: it was SHAFTed
Crusader: oh…
Crusader: way to kill the enthusiasm there
metrololiconextrange: works well here
Crusader: ah well i have to finish sora no manimani
metrololiconextrange: because of the violent personalities
metrololiconextrange: need to watch Dogs
metrololiconextrange: and Umineko :3
metrololiconextrange: oh WAIT
metrololiconextrange: haven’t mentioned
metrololiconextrange: the Needless ED
metrololiconextrange: I came
metrololiconextrange: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9r8w3_needless-ed_shortfilms
metrololiconextrange: so?
Crusader: dood WTF is this shit five seconds in and I quit
metrololiconextrange: lol
Crusader: you bastard
metrololiconextrange: loli yuri overload
Crusader: pfffft
metrololiconextrange: ironicaly called Agressive Zone
Crusader: i need no loli
Crusader: Canaan would be better
metrololiconextrange: lol duh
Crusader: shit was so cash girls tying girls up
metrololiconextrange: and possible lesbos
Crusader: yeah cuz it doesn
metrololiconextrange: it’s so Bakuretsu Tenshi….
Crusader: but with better action
Crusader: and thigh highs
metrololiconextrange: and crazy naked secretaries
metrololiconextrange: ….that’s it, I’ll fucking post this
metrololiconextrange: A Male View on the Current season.
Crusader: you know it was Liang Qi who was in chrge
metrololiconextrange: the one that wears the pants
Crusader: you mean faggy euro view
metrololiconextrange: shush, you are just jealous of the girls I get
Crusader: not really
Crusader: i like guns more
metrololiconextrange: ….
Crusader: far more loyal
Crusader: and they sing with the voice of death
metrololiconextrange: ….

Canaan 01: Girls + Guns + Mild Levels of Yuri = WIN

Crusader — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:47:57 +0000

Biggest Non-Mecha Fight of the Season.

As PA Works second major project (after the much loved True Tears) it certainly has gone off with a mighty bang, it looks like they came to play. It seems that PA Works can also do action sequences in addition to animating festivals. I am not sure of what exactly is going on (probably has something to do with a drug that can create artificial synthesists), but the action is all there and I suppose that is what most people will be watching it for. I like how despite the over the top the gun fu is that they take the time to animate a magazine change. Even if this isn’t billed as yuri there is enough female bonding and female arch-rivalry to make it seems as though yuri is oozing out periodically. One thing I want to mention though is how they treated their dystopia, it looks like a decent enough place to live but the willful ignorance of the populace to all the killing and bodies speaks just as powerfully if not more so than a physical waste land. My only complaint is that Canaan was using a semi-automatic sniper rifle, though in all fairness it’s really a matter of personal taste in weaponry. Still this shit was AWESOME.

BOOM Headshot.

Cool Finger Paint!

Ah here comes the moonwalk.

Ah the Yuri Eye…

Dude do you have the same tattoo artist as Prince Ali?

Hakko is HAWT too.

Well they do give free samples at Ben and Jerry’s too…

Liang Qi likes to feel her sister, I assume it’s Alphard.

O_o

Still hawt when wet…

Oh is this like Uhura’s fan dance?

Hooray for PA Works festivals.

It’s almost like I am watching the last episode of True Tears again…OH SHI-

Purple RAIN!

Your brain on Meth…

Oh a yuri dayto…

Oh Canaan you shouldn’t have…

Getting attention…

She’s like Shen Hua with thigh highs…

Totally worth it right?

AX 2009 Day Zero: Press Junket

Crusader — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:17:07 +0000

Mein Kaiser Reinhard was sorely disappointed at how they had four different places to hold the press people.

My apologies for having fallen off the face of the Earth, but I was seconded as a vehicle driver and general purpose mule for T-ono.net who generously offered me a chance to go to Anime Expo 2009 for free and gave me a place to sleep free of charge in exchange for my services and vehicle. It was a great experience for me and hopefully this will be the first part in a short series about my own experience and misadventures at AX. I skipped Icystorm’s tweet up and meeting and had to decline AnimeDiet’s offer to chill, but my taskmaster certainly made my lazy ass work. Day Zero was the AX Press Junket that sadly did not go over too well. While it is inevitable that guests would be late there were some galling mistakes that I noticed with the Press Junket. I am not sure if Mike and Jeremy from Anime Diet or if Dancing Queen of How a Girl Figures experienced the same thing, but I am sure they noticed some problems as well.

From my understanding, limited though it may be, one on one interviews have been replaced with this junket and in all fairness the principle is sound. The problem is not one of strategy, it is one of implementation. This year there were four holding pens for the press groups which was a huge mistake to begin with as the staff had to go between the 3rd and 31st floors looking for press groups. More than once some groups simply fell off the radar and the nominal head of the junket, Mr. Chase Wang, was sweating bullets going between the two towers and the 3rd floor. Since I am interested in scuttlebutt I even heard that Seiji Mizushima, Youske Kuroda, and Yun Kouga had a period of grace where no one interviewed them, despite there being press groups who were idle that did want to have an interview, my hosts being one of them. To remedy this I think they seriously need to consider just emulating the command structure of a Fire Direction Center where by everything goes to one central command post where the lists are kept and a plotting board for the locations of each press group and the status of each of the guests of honor are maintained. If it had gone well then the nominal head should not be running about with his head cut off (probably from being overwhelmed), and instead coordinating everything from a single location from which periodic status can be obtained to update a plotting board, similar to the miniatures they use coordinating the aircraft on a carrier. You simply cannot have four holding pens and expect a good level of coordination without a central command post.

It seems that Lady Cima was the one in charge of Morning Musme…

Then there was the issue of a bathroom on the 31st floor…having to go down to the second floor was bad enough (third floor bathroom was closed), but having to commandeer Toshiyuki Morikawa’s (a.k.a. Sephiroth) bathroom on occasion is not a sign of proper planning. We got the opportunity to interview Mana of Moi Dix Mois fame (who by the way can speak, because I heard it, and he doesn’t always walk around in costume, also that makes me his prophet so bow down mortals!), but the interview was pretty much sunk by the fact that the translator was simply tired (perhaps there was sufficient reason, but not in my mind a mark of professionalism on her part). I am not clear on the specifics but if a new translator is paired up with a rock star then there will be trouble, as any rock star is almost certainly too much for a rookie to handle. If Mana could deny all recording devices and photography and get away with it then he certainly is a big fish, and all big fish eat little fish of one sort or another. Also another interesting thing was that the Morning Musume translator/leash essentially dictated who could get an interview, whether or not it was because the first two groups were EPIC FAIL or that the leash was simply walking over the AX staff is something I don’t know. Nevertheless it probably did not go JUST AS KEIKAKU.

Not all members of the press met Lady Cima’s approval for interviewing her charges…

In short AX09 Press Junket is still a wonderful idea in principle, the problem this year was one of implementation. It wasn’t controlled confusion it was confusion, not because the staff weren’t trying hard enough, but just because every one had a radio did not mean everyone knew what was going on. If anything the staff was go above and beyond more than they needed to instead of simply what they were supposed to be doing and that is not right. Had Clausewitz witnessed this he would berate (and fire) those in charge for not taking fog and friction into consideration and above all having no distinguishable command structure at all. However I am willing to offer methods and proposals for a more efficient way of managing their problems of controlled confusion, a sailor method but I am confident it would invariably be better than what they used this year.

Still I learned a few things such as the iPhone voice memo app is a superior than some dedicated voice recorders, Nightow-san and Nishimura-san were quite curious about it when I popped it out. Lastly Cool shit that happened were that Nightow-san and Nishimura-san did the fusion dance pose, some dude I met pissed in Sephiroths’ bathroom, and Imaishi-san and Nishigori-san were laughing when Morning Musume (who were next door) started singing.

Yoku Wakaru Gendai Maho, Episode 00- Hot Blooded Washbins

Calawain — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:37:48 +0000

This episode is technically episode 00, a prequel of sorts one supposes. Unfortunately the only raws available were from a weak online streaming, so the video quality was a bit lacking. However, it is slated to be broadcast next week so there should be some decent quality then.

The primary reason I wanted to watch this show was getting to hear more hot-blooded Haruka Tomatsu as Yumiko, the rather busty ancient magician. I’m also enjoying Hitomi Nabatame playing the wily onee-san Misa, who is supposed to be a very strong modern magician that is teaching Kaho and Koyomi. Speaking of Koyomi, Ai Nonoka is a bit grating with her voice sounding more like Fuuko rather than Kanade, but that was expected. Not much of Kaho aside from some semi-amusing deadpan, but it’s still early.

I will admit the whole washbin jokes were pretty amusing at the start. However, I could see it getting quite old if they spend the same amount of time on the same joke in future episodes. Hopefully they move on and just keep it as a recurring side joke to complement the story.

Sorry, but I don’t really dig the DFC lolis or bloomers.

Since its a sort of prequel and not a true first episode, I guess they didn’t feel it necessary to fully explain the world setting. I get that there’s ancient magic that sounds pretty classic in terms of your average fantasy magic, and then there’s modern magic which requires programming of sorts. It has something to do with codes, and that’s about all I could garner from this episode. Hopefully we get the real scoop next episode.

Wow, the first episode and they didn’t hesitate to start right up with the service shots. As I mentioned earlier, they started with the DFC loli shots and the bloomers, but now they moved straight on to bathing without any steam and even a bare ass shot (maybe its ok because its streamed online?). They just have those strange anime bodies that lack nipples~ Yumiko is quite delicious looking though.

While there wasn’t really enough of a proper introduction to decide whether or not I’ll regularly blog this show, I was mostly entertained by the content so far. I like a lot of the voice work, and as I mentioned in the season preview, I often enjoy magic-based fantasy shows set in the modern era (especially when they are full of bishoujos). I’ve been quite satisfied with Nomad’s work in the past, here’s to hoping they can pull off another good one here.

Suzumiya Haruhi 2, Episode 14- And Various Things Happened

Calawain — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:58:43 +0000

We got some new swimsuits and summer outfits, and then same stuff happened as before. I think this was the first time I’ve ever been bored watching an episode of Haruhi. Not even joking, I’m completely out of interesting things to say about the same events we’ve experienced multiple times already…

Shin Mazinger Z - 12: The Best Day of Baron Ashura’s Life

Crusader — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:47:03 +0000

Baron Ashura you are one of the lucky few…

I’ll keep this short simple (doing reconnaissance, transport, and support for a friend’s AX shindig), Baron Ashura is one lucky bastard, thus far that was the funniest moment yet in the series beating out Sayako’s wardrobe malfunction. Lastly alas for Gamia Q5, five there were yet only one might remain, but at least she went out fighting.

Show your true colors…

Let’s not forget armament and elegant controls!

Baron Ashura likes to talk dirty…

I bet it is…

Or does he/she…?

Pilder the Ride!

The Baron is not alone…

Voice recognition error…

FISSION MAILED

WRRRRRRY?

It can bounce…

Not even a scratch…even the paint is Super Alloy Z.

Says you…

We shall see…

Fucking weird…

Since your yelling I suppose not…

Today it is not so useless…

And he will be obeyed!

The Count is a fan of the Crimson Mercenary it seems…

Count Blocken caught Baron Ashura failing to dock on tape…

Now that is a missile!

Hey something is off…

…let’s not forget the policy of don’t ask don’t tell.

Sayako: I don’t know but I can tell.

Now that must be a lie! There will be more damn it, there just has to be…

Damn Gamia Q5 only landed a glancing hit.

minaide hazukashii

Ah I see you have met General Mud…

Use can be found for the dumb and the lazy…

In short a true super robot.

No argument here.

Kouji: This is better than your Aphrodai A isn’t it?

Hayate no Gotoku 2, Episode 13- The Heady Feeling of Freedom

Calawain — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:22:54 +0000

I’ve been waiting quite a long time for them to animate the scenes shown in this episode, and I will say I was quite pleased with the results. I still don’t plan on blogging this regularly, but as I said in the last season preview, I did mention the possibility of making some noise whenever some Hina <3 occurred. For more regular coverage of this show I would point you in Zyl’s direction.

How tempting…

I ask of you, are you my Master?

Does the urge to cause you great bodily harm count as her tsun side?

This would definitely be the dere side

Awwwwwwww

I remember the retarded debate that swirled over the order of episodes in the Haruhi DVDs. I found it to be extremely stupid, but maybe that is because I had already seen all of the episodes. Either way, people that had already seen the show fretted way too much about it, which was probably the point of this scene…

Manga panel on the bottom for comparison. As I mentioned above, I was waiting a long time to see this scene animated, as I’m sure many Hina fans out there would agree with me. Perhaps I’m biased for that reason, but it is definitely my favorite scene so far in the manga, and I’m glad the anime version did it justice. It is a great conclusion to the Hina arc, and was served appropriately by the ED dedicated to her. Curiously, the 13th episode often means that a new ED/OP is due on the next episode, so perhaps they will change it. The next couple of episodes at least should be focused on Isumi, so maybe an Isumi ED?

I was pleasantly surprised that the mangaka could do somewhat serious material in a way that was not too cheesy for my tastes. I was similarly impressed at how well he switched into significant character development in the events following the first few volumes.

I know some people have expressed displeasure of how the second season is going compared to the first. The first season was very episodic in nature, without a real developing plot, and instead devoted to a lot of humor. I really enjoyed that aim, and it was pretty much how the first several volumes of the manga went. However, around where the events of the second season begin, the manga shifts into more of a plot driven mode (albeit with random episodic humor thrown in), something JC Staff has done quite well on so far. The second season has followed the manga very closely, and I’m really enjoying it as well, but for different reasons than the first season. I love the characters Kenjiro Hata has created and take pleasure in watching them develop. Plus Hina is one of my top waifus. That always helps.

Umi Monogatari - 01: Baby Got Back

Crusader — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:32:20 +0000

Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

As a sailor I cannot help but listen to sea stories, and given that this sea story is by a big shot director I will give it a chance even if the habits of Marin and Urin are strange. So yeah they are woefully under dressed and certainly being in the frigid ocean they might want to dress a bit more warmly, though I suppose that this was unavoidable given that the origins were pachinko machines. At least the rest of the sky dwellers took notice about the strange water people. Though as it was a beach is suppose that it wasn’t too far out of the realm of possibility, certainly Marin looks enough like a gaijin so that the locals wouldn’t give her crap to her face at least as they prefer to snivel behind people’s backs, Given the OP I doubt that Marin and Urin will start dressing in a more modest fashion, though certainly if they were to do a better infiltration they will have to alter their dress code. Still I can overlook such quirks of their water people society as after all every culture has their disagreeable aspects and at least under dressing is as mild as you can get.

She speaks the truth.

So Marin is a local hero who wants to help people, and is easily distracted by shiny objects. She also has the habit of bending over instead of going prone, but at least her heart is in the right place. It seems that for Marin and Urin there is great attachment to beautiful things and how they are a reflection of righteousness instead of vanity. Still I was amused that all this fuss was over ONE RING that could not be destroyed by any means that Kanon possessed, I hope that they will either resort to dragonfire or the fires of Mount Doom to destroy it. I suppose that Marin’s seeming lack of intelligence can be attributed solely to her utter ignorance of the malicious ways of the sky-dwellers, so it can be excused for now…at least until Kanon figures out that Marin must be educated. I suppose happy go lucky Marin will complement the down and out Kanon. Speaking of Kanon while Marin is getting all the glances (to be fair Marin certainly is ugly) Kanon is certainly my favorite. The poor girl gets dumped at noon and scant hours later her dipshit former boyfriend is out with another girl enjoying the sights. I hope eventually Kanon levels up to Mogami Kyoko-class so that she can send forth her hate to strangle her tormentor. Still she does have that dark mode going for her and on occasion she does have some G Gundam mannerisms.

This hand of mine glows with an awesome power…IT”S LOUD ROAR TELLS ME TO GRASP VICTORY!

I did like the judicious use of SD where appropriate so it kept the magical girl feel and provided respite from Marin and Urin’s choice of dress. As much as I think Urin has her moments just looking at her makes me feel kind of dirty. I guess that even if every one is sporting expose midsection that a couple inches of cloth kind of make a difference. I did like Kanon’s mom though I have my doubts that she should be looking twenty and fitting into her daughter’s high school uniform, not that it is a bad thing of course… The last thing worth mentioning is the darkness which I have no clue what it is though I suppose that in good time we will see more of the story. So far for a first ep it wasn’t too bad as we met the principal characters of importance, Kanon, Marin, Urin, and Kanon’s mom. Kanon’s-ex and his new bimbo can rot in hell for all I care, undoubtedly that rather short period between break-up and new bitch probably indicates that he was a cheating son of a bitch. I am very quick to anger and even quicker to judge so I will be bashing the louse with vigor. But really fuck him.

The ED was adorable and certainly letting Urin watch the unedited version of the Little Mermaid was going to cause trouble. Still the parallel is clear beware of the land of the sky-dwellers, also the Little Mermaid was a dumb bimbo and it’s best to not do what she did, namely she should have stabbed that faithless dog that passed for a prince.

Impz’s little corner of annoyance

It is only a sign of their vanity and ill-gotten wealth, not virtue.

… And it’s good to be back. I wonder if I am a forgotten man already.

After watching Umi no Monogatari, I have a sense of ambivalence about the show. It’s not that there is something fundamentally wrong or unwatchable from the show. I mean, the girls are pretty, the animation is good and there is enough fanservice to fulfil those fans who enjoy cute little things in cute little swimsuits. The show had good production values and some major cash pumped in albeit the current economic downturn. It ended on a decent climax, and we still do not have any idea where it is going. Also, the director as repeated by Crusader a few times in private, is a big shot director that has done the likes of Kanon and Aria. Surely, nothing wrong can come out of this, right?

The story goes about with a typical ditsy sea maiden. She decided to bring a beautiful ring to the “Air land” because she wanted to return it to the beautiful person who threw it off to the sea. The story in the first episode evolves around her search for the girl and an introduction of the other cast, such as her younger grumbling loli sister. The episode ended with her loli sister unsealing a malicious soul from the tomb.

After watching the show, there is something wrong. More accurately, something is missing. Now, I am sitting down thinking: Why does the show bore me, even when the evil spirit came out? Why am I not feeling anything for these characters, like I felt for the characters in Kure-nai since the very first episode? The question goes down to the unmemorable characters. None of them interests me. Their character dynamics seems commonplace and mundane. Don’t get me wrong. Mundane can be a good tool to use in a slice of life series, or when the characters are the centrepiece of the series. This just does not strike me as a character-centric show.
Perhaps the character and series will develop fast enough and become an excellent show, but I always feel that a show on its debut should have memorable and interesting characters that will pull you in. If it is not the plot that intrigues, the characters must do that before you lose interest. Both the sea maiden leads, namely Marin and Urin, just do not ooze any unique traits or qualities that are apparent immediately.

In anime, anything is possible. Hence, demanding superficial viewers like me wants something special. It’s either you make such an extraordinary ordinary character or a really weird main lead that captures your attention (for good or for bad). When it is a half-baked character like Marin, you just find it hard to find any interest. Compared to Umi No Monogatari, Aria’s characters are refreshingly quirky, especially with Athena and Alice in the mix. It’s probably a premature prediction, but I believe that the characters are going to be dividing interest. Some will consider them to be the best ever (cute innocent girls in swimsuits, count me in!) while others might bemoan their wafer-thin depth. Prove me wrong, Umi no Monogatari.

In all, Umi no Monogatari had all the right ingredients to do well in the future. Considering how the director is amazing in his many works, it can be good. However, nothing has been striking “Must watch about the show, and I have no reason to keep watching it. Maybe, if I get to see a green haired loli swimming around in that cute swimsuit… Or not.

(Crusader: Dude it’s not like Aria grabbed people by the horns right away either… Also my sailor sensibilities place you doing something unseemly in that “corner.”)

Image Dump

Urin is also aware of how much crap the sky-dwellers have dumped into the ocean as well, Aquaman told her…

I hear the A-10s are on the prowl…

I just thought that this was kind of cute.

Ditto here.

Not all of it is mind you…

It’s funny when there is no context.

With any luck she will be the hero who slays that ingrate of an ex.

It’s amazing she passed herself off as a classmate for this long…

The fake high school student is fine too.

An advocate of technical school I take it?

I concur all you need is the ability to intimidate to be successful…

Context is important…

Damn right you are mom.

Next time bring a gauntlet so you can hit him extra hard and really rearrange his face.

Cast it into the FIRE!

Oh my god, Becky, look at her butt.

In the land of Mordor…

Yes meet your new partner…

ERUPTING BURNING FINGER!

It cannot be destroyed by a weapon we here possess.

You know not even the fire of Ancalagon could destroy it…

Maybe Marin’s habits are similar to Tom’s.

But really it was an excuse to hold your hand.

Were not at the Sammath Naur yet…

Either way it’s true.

Well her ex is certainly a bottom feeder.

What is heartbreak?

Yeah because he bought it at a 99 cent store.

Let’s not forget cheap, it’s made of scrap and plastic for crying out loud…

Shit it won’t fetch much if you pawn it…

We are more terrible than that kid…

Get a metal detector.

Then turn around
Stick it out

Even white boys got to shout
Baby got back

Well you ain’t it Miss thing…

Enemy sighted…

I expect great things from her…

Terrible but great…

Yeah I don’t know why he left you for that either…

Welcome to the best years of your life.

With a wife like that I sort of understand even if I don’t approve.

Man even Kanon is checking her out.

No she’s just a tourist…

Indeed it might have chipped and shattered.

Brilliant idea old bean, children should never go about unaccompanied.

Grab your Garmin…

ARTILLERY!

If you hear it you’re fine, if not you won’t live long enough to care…

My precious…

The Ring has a will of its own…

If all else fails duck, as a defensive strategem it is unreliable, but very reassuring.

The lesson no good deed goes unpunished…

If you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
If you’re not into yoga, if you have half-a-brain.
If you like making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape.
I’m the love that you’ve looked for, write to me, and escape.

Turns out he hates Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
He’s into yoga, he doesn’t have half-a-brain.
He dislikes making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape.
He’s not the love that you’ve looked for, do not write to him, and escape.

A knife in the dark is worth a thousand swords at dawn…

Death is only the beginning…

What can I say the real deal ain’t so happy is it?

After the Little Mermaid turned to bubbles she created a tidal wave which destroyed the Prince’s Kingdom, killed the prince and the princess while she was three months pregnant…THE END

I thought that this was cute.

K-ON 13 (END): So it was Written…

Crusader — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:39:25 +0000

It seems that Ritsu got the best plot thread this time around.

So it’s finally over and it seems this time the atmosphere was suitably muted, though not much music was made, but instead I suppose that they did gel a bit more as friends. Yui being Yui was pretty standard with her antics and wanting weird food for a hot pot. Mugi-chan got a job, Azu-nyan baby sat a kitten, and Mio went off to write another song, but it seems that Ritsu was the special one this time around who thought that she had a love letter on her hands…though it turns out that they were “lyrics” sent to Ritsu by Mio. As Ritsu is not he sharpest knife in the drawer I suppose she did not pick up on how she was the one Mio was writing about. It was odd seeing another side of Ristu that haddn’t really come out before, this time she was actually concious of how she looked and we meet one member of her family, the only thing is I am not sure why this was the time to do all that. Mugi-chan might not be the best cashier in the world I respect that she is willing to work a day in her life, if not longer. Azu-nayn was woefully unprepared to take care of a kitten, and should have at least asked for food, and the number for the veterinarian. Still having seen college girls buy a puppy as a single unit I suppose the logistics involved with a pet was not much of a consideration. I did feel that Sawa-chan was sorely missing from this episode as she should have been dateless and still looking to harass her charges…

Seriously a dog is better.

Overall it wasn’t the best series EVAR, but it was enjoyable even if the music did not feature as prominently as I had initially hoped. I suppose as a slice of life thing it works as a tale of a club of four and later five girls and their very talented Teacher Advisor. To be sure there was lots of moe fodder to be had, but in the end it was kind of the point even if it got excessive at times. In the end I can only really recommend it for yuri subtext, moe, and some moments of comedy. On that level it does succeed, but it is hardly ground breaking.

Giving you mouth to mouth…

I see Mugi-chan’s habbits are starting to rub off on the rest as well…

I guess Ritsu also gets maidenly feelings too.

Some nothing…

Mugi-chan could sense that Ritsu might fall…

Mio should have confessed at this point.

Oh look a job!

Like I said cats suck.

She works hard for the money…

Kind of scary but I do like those twin tails…

Wow so there is someone who can do worse than British cuisine…

I can see why Ritsu would rather have Ui…

If only she changed up her hair every now and then…

For once I agree with Yui.

It’s so fun to watch.

It’s good to be the center of attention, yes?

If only the adoring public could verify that…

If only I could reach into the screen.

I bet she is…

That sounds pretty damn intimate.

I can see where she drew her insipiration from…

Mio must be curious then…

I think Mio meant from a different aspect probably from the vertical…

“Lyrics” must be code for yuri confession, duly noted.

Well what say you?

It was even hand written…as they say, it is written.

Suzumiya Haruhi 2, Episode 13- Fabulous Boy

Calawain — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:43:55 +0000

The numbering convention for this new season irritates the hell out of me. That being said I was happy we finally got into a bit of story here and more Nagato. This likely means new episodes for at least another 2 weeks to resolve this storyline if they plan on animating most of it. Good times.

BEEFCAKE

Different swimsuits this time…at least they showed some varying dialogue and scenes as to make it not look like they just re-used last week’s footage to save money. I also have noticed that these past two episodes have been a bit more overt with the fanservice then in season 1. Not that I’m complaining or anything, just an observation.

Those eyes…and I’d be bored to after doing the same stupid crap 15,000 times.

Hello there.

That’s a hell of a Groundhog Day. Or for those younger readers who watch more anime then older American movies, where are you K1?! On second thought, you people should all go watch the movie Groundhog Day if you haven’t. It’s classic cinema dammit. Damn kids these days.

Too close! Don’t think I’ve seen such high yaoi bait content in a Haruhi episode before. Beefcake Kyon, multiple instances of flamboyancy and fabulousness from Itsuki, and then this scene…it was pretty steamy. Maybe they felt a need to balance out the service a bit?

Crusader’s Observations

The man of the hour, and perhaps at this point the only man…

So it was pretty much the same as last time sans the Itano Circus, but what new stuff there was I did enjoy. Mikuru laid on the helpless moe girl on a bit thick, but by now I suppose that is about as much as can be expected of her at this stage. I confess I could have gazed into Yuki’s eyes 15,498 times, but I suppose that the only good thing repetition is for is developing muscle memory. I live in freaking San Francisco so the flamboyancy is hardly an issue though I do like how Itsuki is at least acting boldly and decisively, in contrast Kyon is turning out to a bit of a pussy in not confronting issue and trying to weasel his way out of having to do anything, failing to realize Yuki’s plight was simply the most egregious of his crimes. Even when the moment of truth came he hesitated, just goes to show that just because you are a heterosexual doesn’t disallow cowardice. My respect for Itsuki actually grew for once as he seemed to piece everything together and did request Kyon act as he was the only one who could. I fail to recall his eyes being fully open on this many occasions. While Kyon mired himself in his own ignorance Itsuki was the first to realize that poor Yuki had been aware of the temporal loop, Mikuru calling him first indicates that even Mikuru realizes just how reliable Itsuki is. In my line of work that is something highly valued and certainly it seems that if given half the chance that Itsuki could easily gain a reputation for getting the job done.

Then you sir would be incredibly brave.

Transformers 2: the Great GM Bailout

Crusader — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:15:08 +0000

Optimus Prime and his Autobots ist mein Kameraden.

To start off this post is simply meant to address poor tj_han’s NERDRAEG over Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, hopefully before he pulls out all of his hair as Michael Bay suckers more people (he even got jpmeyer) into watching this film one of them presumably being tj_han unless he got in for free. First thing one needs to know is that Michael Bay is no artist he is anything but subtle (among other things), but the thing he does have is a big budget and Transformers is to be honest true to the spirit of the entire franchise and by that I mean toy whoring and making money, hopefully by now tj_han will realize Hollywood has no taste and that their only real saving grace is having a bigger pot of money than everyone else, otherwise Bollywood would have destroyed them long ago. Also hopefully by now he can stop flaming people for being what he considers ignorant sheep, which I value for tax paying purposes and one ought to sheer their sheep not burn them alive. I see Michael Bay’s Transformers trilogy (Bayformers if you prefer) as one long commercial that I for one just want to see how far they will go in pimping products and how much Uncle Sam is willing to show off taxpayer money that has been spent on weapons that bring joyous oblivion to the enemies of freedom. The Mountain Dew Transformer (Dispensor) shooting out cans of soda should have made it plain what Michael Bay is out to do. So without further ado I dedicate this post to poor Singaporean Conscript tj_han to enlighten him about one of his major gripes, the one pertaining to Uncle Sam and other things.

Best Recruiting Film EVAR

He will have my vote in 2012. Optimus Prime loves America more than anyone I know and he’s an alien!

I’ll cut tj_han some slack because he is a poor oppressed conscript drafted unwillingly into Singapore’s army at a young age as photographer or what I call a cushy public affairs job, not that I blame him for being cunning and crafty the lucky git. Believe it or not Uncle Sam isn’t liked much by the majority of his ungrateful nephews and nieces many of whom have become chickenhawks or hippies and when one of them is willing to talk to the old coot is overjoyed at a chance to show off his prized collection of weapons like an otaku would show off his limited edition stuff and his ero-game collection. Transformers 1 was a chance to pimp the F-22 and V-22 which had incredibly controversial development cycles, now that that budget war is over it was high time to get more volunteers hence it has always been a recruitment film otherwise why waste the jet fuel and ordinance? Unlike a conscript army where unemployed high school graduates can be dragged out and forced to work; Uncle Sam has a heart of gold while your ODEX overlords do not. Thus Uncle Sam needs volunteers and what better way get as many as he can than by telling his nephews and nieces that they might actually get a chance to fight alongside Optimus Prime and get Arcee to give them a ride. Also the railgun thing was probably a joke too since if tj_han knew then he would have realized just how much effort the US Navy has put into to pursue holy grail that is the railgun. Also carriers need lots of people to crew it and there is never enough crew so it was time to pimp them too especially after the Mission Accomplished debacle… Also if tj_han really does hate Uncle Sam he is racist because Obama is President now, and how typically Asian is that for him to be afraid of the negroes…tsk tsk comrade let’s try not to live up to Asian stereotypes and practice Kung Fu instead. Also it would mean that I will have to give tj_han a Glasgow Smile (WHY SO SERIOUS?) so we can all be friends again because Impz would be sad if we could not get along and because his trappiness thinks tj_han should smile more. Also it’s not Uncle Sam’s fault that Optimus Prime would rather fight alongside Americans, Brits, and Jordanians than him (honest it’s because he doesn’t blog about Shin Mazinger Z).

In regards to Megan Fox

Starscream had issues with working with Megan Fox…until he tried her toast.

I do believe that beauty has always been in the eye of the beholder, I could not possibly care less if there are men who find her hawt. It’s like how Yui beat out Ui in popularity love blind and seemingly retarded as well. Besides she is a law abiding citizen of these United States. Also it seems excessively mean to call her ugly and fake as she has been punished enough by having to make out on camera with Shia LaBeouf.

The source of all his troubles…

He gave Shia LaBeouf an acting career in exchange for for his dignity…

It’s actually the Devil. It is no secret that Shia LaBeouf has signed a deal with the Devil as nothing else can explain the ease in which he gets jobs as an actor and hos is movies don’t always bomb. It’s like Indiana Jones 4 his movies just kinda just turn to shit that some how makes money. Against the Devil there can be no victory because the Devil was created through the collective fapping and lustful thoughts of all otaku. It’s time to learn to live with it and stop demanding a refund from Michael Bay and start doing figure reviews again. If a 21% on Rotten Tomatoes could not stop people from seeing it one can only resign themselves to the inevitable conclusion that suckers are born every minute and the rantings and ravings of one enlightened genius is all but stifled in the face of people with no taste. If you want to get back you money I suggest you start selling bootlegs of Michael Bay’s films, the problem is actually finding a buyer. What can I say comrades? Shit happens, Michael Bay got to do Transformers (if only that online petition had succeeded) and George Lucas got to do Episodes I-III and Indiana Jones 4. Now let us pray to Haruhi-sama for deliverance and another light novel.

Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go help the Autobots hunt Decepticons and have tea with my personal hero Soundwave. Lastly it was also part of President Obama’s plan to bail out GM, thank you all who saw the film so that we may keep making oversized gas guzzling turcks and SUVs.

I hope he can play my Betamax tapes too…

Yeah I still can’t believe Michael Bay is spearheading the franchise now…

They are still out there…

Heer and Now (2nd Anniversary Plus Some of Slaving Away for Impz) Plus Image Dump

Crusader — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:34 +0000

Ah memories…

Well about two months ago back in April I should have marked my 2nd blog anniversary but things have not really been normal to say the least. Well I suppose that this post will at least mark the start of my terrible twos in which case quality will plummet as will output (Mwahahahaha). I started the year off by getting my apartment broken into and making E-5. Now that my academic career is at an end it basically fell upon me to make good on my newfound responsibilities at work, which meant having a whacked out schedule of extended hyperactivity every now in then. In July it will be a brutal month as I get to fly to Virginia twice in the same month to the same place, knowing what I know now it basically means four or more red eye flights unless the paper work goes over well. Still I do get to make the traditional after graduation road trip, and hopefully that will be a bit more interesting than the usual. While summer looks to be a hit or a miss at least there is the promise of the Macross Movie (Which will be Gorgeous Delicious DECULCHA!). So here goes the mandatory late as hell rant I am supposed to do at the end of every blog year, which is conversely an opportunity to muse aimlessly in a futile effort to put together a post.

Oh Mazinger Z how I lament that your tale is shrouded in obscurity.

While Impz might have gone from gun monkey to desk jockey in the Singaporean Corps of Conscripts, I haven’t earned the right to chain myself to a desk just yet, to be perfectly honest I am finding just how magical a time being an E-5 is. I get the headaches of an E-6, and the physical exhaustion of being an E-4, but at least I do get a little extra here and there and most importantly I am still low enough on the great totem pole to evade responsibility. I also just lost my other half (partner in crime/co-worker) so I get to have twice the work load until I finish training the E-4, but at least she’s a good learner and I don’t have to baby sit an E-3 with “issues.” All in all I am edging towards the point that I might end up as exhausted as Zeon. I suppose this comes with the territory as I suspect that most bloggers are students rather than overworked soldaten, certainly there will probably come a point where the number of posts per week simply declines.

Also now that college is over and done with I actually got back into my other hobbies, and oddly enough while I have some issues with Valkyria the anime I still love the game to pieces to the point I actually want to do my Imperial Guard in Gallain colors and find some local saint who does resin casting for female Cadians/Kasrkin because I must have a model to represent Jane “Kill ‘em All” Turner (hey if anyone knows one drop a line). It also saddens me that there is very little enthusiasm for Shin Mazinger Z, but I suppose it might be time to bring out the reserves of stuff I have been meaning to watch but haven’t, Guin Saga, Eden of the East, etc. I still need to settle for a format on doing VOTOMS since condensing it into one post per arc would make it tl;dr, not that I think too many people are interested in going back in time to see what mecha was before yaoi, cowards, harem, and idiot soapbox preaching started taking hold.

I suppose it has been good going for the last two years plus some, but it has been a long time since I actually watched a shoujo series since Skip Beat! ended, though I am hoping there will be a point where the anime starts up again. Still the manga is still running along smoothly so it partially makes up for it. I suppose I am growing old if it’s becoming more fun to reminisce about the old days. If nothing else at least when Gundam 00 aired I could placate myself with the additional activity of praising the Immortal Colasour and his marrying above him. Well so far it’s been a good run even if productivity has slackened as of late. I hope that there will be a series that I will genuinely love to pieces that I can put into words come summer. As much as I like Shin Mazinger Z it’s pretty simple and I suppose very niche these days as it lacks modern aspects of mecha. Valkyria is turning out to be a re-interpretation of the game storyline that I don’t find terribly agreeable but it was always meant to be a festival of mediocrity that only fans of the game would stick with to the bitter end. Ah well with a Gundam Unicorn Movie due out within my life time and the promise of a Macross Frontier Movie with 70% redone animation I guess there is much to look forward to. So as a extremely premature celebration of a Macross Frontier largely free of QUALITY animation IMAGE DUMP GO!

There is a correlation…