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Archive for June, 2009

No really, the post title almost writes itself.

Eden TV ends in a serious but hilarious way and there’s like so many things I don’t fucking understand (like the missiles getting shot back down by the NEET’s or Takizawa’s final request or No.1’s cryptic “there’s still time” comment or Juiz) and there’s gonna be 2 more movies, The King of EDEN and Paradise Lost coming within the year to probably absolve all the mysteries surrounding the Selecao system. Man, talk about a protracted ending.

So… Takizawa is now the King/Prince of Japan. And he erased his memories again. Man I wonder what was he thinking and what’s gonna happen from now on. Also the show needs more of No. 7. Gawd, she’s hawt.

©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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LOL WTF. That split-second strict/cute personality change of hers is really her deadliest weapon isn’t it? Poor Hitoyoshi.

ALSO WTF EYECANCER IN THIS CHAPTER OF AKUNE d#@r!asd!@#$@sd!!!

©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Soon we will all get acquainted with just how tough Sergeant Major Chirico Cuvie really is…

Now that I am pretty much done with college I can finally get to taking care of some unfinished business namely watch the entire VOTOMS series in chronological order, sadly I only have the original series, Pailsen Files, Roots of Ambition, Last Red Shoulder, and Big Battle on hand. I hope to unearth Shining Heresy some time this century but I can’t seem to find it at the moment. Nevertheless I plan on watching it in chronological order instead of order of release. As an introductory movie I am not sure if it works or not since I saw Pailsen Files first which actually comes after this one. Still while Pailsen Files seemed chock full of huge cinematic mecha battles Roots of Ambition doesn’t seem to toss out as many Scopedogs on the screen, though since there was no CG I suppose doing it the old fashioned way prevented such a sight, not that it made it a terrible movie. As a starting point it does establish what Chirico is and gives a description of what Pailsen thinks he is.

In the end I kinda felt sad for Carson.

Chirico doesn’t really grow much as a character and to be honest I suppose the real main character is the Red Shoulder Unit that includes Chirico, Carson, Gregore, Byman, and Murza. For an elite unit even the Red Shoulders seem to suffer from horrible attrition though given how regular units suffer far worse I suppose percentage-wise Pailsen’s unit might actually suffer less than the regulars because of their intense and lethal training. As for the initiation I am surprised that the Red Shoulders could actually field two or more Corps though in the Gilgamesh military I suppose that number is hardly impressive considering the tens of millions of soldiers that can be fielded at any one time (up until this point in universe the biggest battle was 20 million men on the Gilgamesh side, late one upped to 120 for the Invasion of Monad) as Pailsen Files would later show. I like how Leeman basically denoted the last four standing as survivors and returns. Even if Chirico is nigh unkillable it seems that it still doesn’t prevent him from failing and having to rely on his comrades. During the cannibalism Chirico might have ended up a mere survivor instead of a return had it not been for his battle buddy Carson. While in Pailsen Files it seemed that the regulars actually function like a military unit the Red Shoulders are pretty much a penal battalion in all but name, certainly while their training is superior it is far more lethal and I can see why the Chief of Staff was pretty ticked off that Pailsen was killing off huge numbers of regulars (not to mention wasting Scopedogs) to find the guys he wanted for his Red Shoulders. Certainly as an exercise in economy of force Pailsen probably failed since even his Red Shoulders could be dragged down by a mass of Balalant troops.

Well at least things get better when Chirico has to shack up with the boys for Pailsen Files, and all the experimenting will be done on Kochak.

As an introduction to the VOTOMS universe I think they could have done a bit better, though since it came out after the main series I suppose they can’t be faulted much for it. Nevertheless calling it the Third Invasion of Sunsa, coupled with the LZ and planet in general as a desert wasteland one can sense that this really has been a 100 year war. Underlying much of the movie is the question of luck versus training, while there is a certain value to being well trained being lucky is more often or not better than being better trained, even in military history there are generals who emerge victorious due to dumb luck. I did chuckle a bit when Gregore asked if Chirico was immortal…perhaps old Patrick was somehow related. The only thing that sort of bugs me is that we never get to hear what it is that Chirico says to Pailsen, though I suspect that we will come to it eventually in the main series. I am not sure if Leeman really had his head on straight or if Pailsen was still on his rocker given how broad the events that are of great benefit to Chirico have very broad classifications, though I suppose Chirico really is that lucky, or at the very least insanely resilient with a high damage tolerance. After all he did fight with a broken pelvis and got pretty banged up from time to time. Still at least Chirico isn’t a one man army as he did need Carson to watch his back from time to time and needed Gregore, Murza, and Byman to put him back together. I did like the credits as there was a Type 61, and it seems that Gergore got himself a decent cigar, Byman was picking up chicks, Murza was looking pissed, and Chirico said something that put the fear in Pailsen. It was also a good set up after Carson dies, but not before passing off his information to set up the trial of Pailsen that we will see in Pailsen Files. It’s nice to see that Chirico was always this nonchalant when dealing with people, though I suppose having that high pitched sound every time one thinks about his past would probably engender the same reaction in most people.

Certainly few mecha pilots ever had such intense training.

Overall a fairly good film to introduce the lay person the VOTOMS saga, I think that the rest of the series will not disappoint even if there is the complete absence of CG created BIG HUEG battles. I can see why VOTOMS is considered on of the few remaining real robot series that have survived up until now, even if Chirico is super human he’s not some infallible Jesus, at this juncture it seems that Chirico has a long way to go to reach godhood, if that is even his goal. For now it seems that merely surviving is a victory for him, and I doubt he deludes himself with any romantic notions. If nothing else at least he acts like a disenchanted twenty something guy which is rather refreshing given the more recent trend of mecha pilots. I still love the poor humble Scopedog, even if it has armor made of paper at least it makes for more interesting and more importantly huge Heinlein-esque battles remiscent of Starship Troopers. Even with the elite Red Shoulders attrition still affects them.

I have to say that is one ugly baby…

Well to a degree, yes. As a defensive tactic it is unreliable, but highly reassuring.

You have no idea Gergore…

Say hello to my little friend…

You mean there is another whole Corps?

I’d like to see them try…

Indeed this is the first time Pailsen has actually been early.

Is Chirico Cuvie going to have to choke a bitch?

Perhaps it was luck, perhaps it was because Pailsen couldn’t shoot his way out of a paper bag…

I am surprised you even hit at all.

The red ones go faster.

Third time is a chram…right?

Gilgamesh Prevails!

Scopedog…

I need more Scopedogs!

Ah the Balalant Fattie, at least they look impressive.

At least it did not involve some contrived childhood promise or pinky swear.

Best confession EVAR.

ZOMG Carson got he ultra rare Red Shoulder Omnibus!

I take it Chirico already has a copy…

What else could he be doing other than waste valuable military resources?

This death was permenant…

Close combat with lumps of metal…

I have to wonder how annoying it must be to clean that out after combat, carbon build up must be nasty.

Hey Type 61s…

There are so many…

What ass kissers we have here…

Oh shit indeed…

Gregore took your smokes!

I had no idea Byman was into old men…

Murza is always mad…

Now that is a parting shot.

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HOLY FUCK!!!!!1111ONEONE

I thought he’d be a sniveling rat of a villain but Godel is actually fucking powerful. He actually owned Lightning Negi! And not to mention he’s a master of Shinmeiryuu techniques, especially the supposedly highest level “Ni no Tachi” techniques. Wow. I so never saw that coming. I suspected the small boy to be one of the Shinmeiryuu but it seems he’s just holding Godel’s sword for him.

Waiting for better scans from Enigma. God damn it, Akamatsu really knows how to turn the heat up. 3 more chapters…. 3 more chapters….

©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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One of the most memorable daytos of the year.

I just finished my mandatory two weeks a year and got my ersatz degree, which was actually a brochure for the alumni association as the real thing will be mailed in a few months time… In any case after slaving away for Uncle Sam it is time to slave away for Impz who is in turn slaving away on his dissertation. The beach episode felt very familiar though the addition of Azu-nyan changed things a bit though I was more fixated on Ui and Azu-nyan going on dates. I suppose that since Azu-nyan was a later addition that the integration had to happen fairly quickly and certainly it is a plus that Azu-nyan likes to get hugged. I am glad that Mugi-chan was able to have another sleep over and spa time with her friends…I am sure that she found it very eventful. Nevertheless I did enjoy Sawa-chan who actually did a forced march through the night to catch up with her lovely charges, and Azu-nyan and Mio certainly too notice, and I must commend Sawa-chan for devising a fool proof way of identifying them in under conditions of poor visibility. I did disagree with Mugi-chan for calling off the NICE BOAT for a bit of fun on the sea, but I suppose that in a few years that there will be time for that. Still a small hint of what might have been was delightful.

So would every one…

Certainly it seems that the bully Mio trend has gotten into full swing as Sawa-chan did devise a most interesting rite of initiation, even better she decided to start with the best part. Now that Azu-nyan is also ruined for marriage she too will have no where else to go but K-ON. The spat between Ritsu and Mio was most unfortunate as it seems that Ritsu holds a special place in her heart for Mio. I don’t hold any one party to be guilty certainly the end did justify the temporary ill will as Nodoka is now part of K-on whether she knows it or not. After all a band that begs together, stays together. While Mugi-chan was unable to diffuse the fight, it is good to see that Azu-nyan realized that she had a secret weapon in her arsenal that might very well bring peace on earth. In the end I hope Ritsu and Mio are not more closely bound to one another that their destinies will be as intertwined as their corporeal bodies. While I suspect Ritsu is fairly low on the popularity rankings there is no denying that she is probably number one in Mio’s heart as Ritsu knows the sound of Mio’s footsteps and that their minds are one, which can only mean one thing…that they have spent many a night together, though doing precisely what is a matter of debate… Still congratulations to Nodoka in joining Sawa-chan’s garden of otome, I hope she takes well to her initiation which I hope will come with much pomp and ceremony with Sawa-chan’s inventive outfits.

Next time there better be a good concert…

Wouldn’t we all…

Ritsu likes having a little sister like Azu-nyan…

Some girls have all the luck…

Well get in there Ritsu, you are family after all…

Et tu, Mugi?

Ah paradise…

Oh Ritsu even in other people’s fantasies you are always copping a feel.

Yes it seems we are invading Normandy again, it won’t be the last time this year either…

I like it when Mugi-chan is all flustered.

You now Mio you should do the Mugi dance too…

It seems Ritsu-nee also knows how to push Azu-nyan’s buttons too…

Yes time for the two of you to have some alone time, yes…

Well you should help your little sister…

Next year it will be the Palace of Versailles.

Why not…

I like a lass who likes explosives.

You require more firepower.

How about adding more fuel?

A happy Mugi-chan is a lovely Mugi-chan.

I cannot help but be moved to pity for poor Sawa-chan.

Optimal postion…

How alike these two are…

What? That change in skin tone is hardly permenant or distinguishing.

I cannot help but wonder what could have possibly taken her down at this point.

This one is for the ages.

At least it was not a sex tape…

Spinal Tap?

How about “The Temptations”?

Good luck to her future husband, assuming Ui some how loses out…

I thought Gitah was a boy…

Ritsu is the master.

Is that so…

Weep not for Mugi-oujo has made some changes in inventory.

No but Mugi-chan is…

Hehe that’s funny.

I think actually might help.

I suppose every couple gets into a fight at least once if not more…

Listen to her!

Because she is an eager young rookie with everything to prove.

I see Sawa-chan has taught you well.

I told you Ritsu had her uses.

I do believe that penance must be exacted, I am sure Ritsu will be creative.

I hope then Ritsu will take the rest with her as they go WILD!

Lady Mugi hath spoken!

Ritsu can feel Mio no matter the distance…

Because she thinks you should all share a bed.

Yes I did dawww too.

Welcome to the family Nodoka…

Sawa-chan is the decider…

The name is irrelevant, only synergy matters.

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Presenting to you the greatest threat to Japan’s 20-year olds; Ayasaki Hermione! (manga comparison here)

Oh god so much more moe than the manga makes it out to be oh god.

©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Recently, ANN of all places posted this interesting article of a survey conducted in Japan on which anime characters the respondents wished to marry. Most of the characters on the lists shouldn’t be particularly surprising, and its somewhat tilted toward currently running shows, but it’s amusing nonetheless.

For those of you too lazy to click, here’s the waifu list:

1. Mio Akiyama (K-ON!)

2. Hinagiku Katsura (Hayate the Combat Butler)
3. Taiga Aisaka (Toradora!)
4. Rukia Kuchiki (Bleach)
5. Yuki Nagato (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya)
6. Azusa Nakano (K-ON!)
7. Chrome Dokuro (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!)
8. Sheryl Nome (Macross F)
9. Yui Hirasawa (K-ON!)
10. Asuka Langley Sohryu (Neon Genesis Evangelion)

Three of my top 5 waifus are shared (namely Mio, Hinagiku, and Yuki, and not necessarily in that order), but none of the rest approach top waifu status for me. The other members of my top 5 would be Rin and Kagami, of course. It’s unfortunate how fickle fans are, as the majority of choices are from currently running shows. Toradora was likely still running when this survey was conducted, and Macross F only ended a few months ago with a movie coming up. As for Eva, Anno is currently releasing all of those new movies that I haven’t seen…

Husbandos:

1. Kyouya Hibari (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!)

2. Gintoki Sakata (Gintama)
3. Toshiro Hitsugaya (Bleach)
4. Mukuro Rokudo (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!)
5. Sougo Okita (Gintama)
6. Date Masamune (Sengoku Basara)
7. Tsunayoshi Sawada (Katekyo Hitman Reborn!)
8. Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach)
9. Sebastian Michaelis (Kuroshitsuji)
10. Toushirou Hijikata (Gintama)

What also amuses me is the popularity of the Gintama men. I mean, the show’s humor is very, very low brow, with tons of toilet and sex humor. I would have figured that females would be turned off by that kind of material. Perhaps they are just so enamored with the sexy men that they don’t care? Is that like me watching K-ON because of Mio even though I find the quasi-plot to be dull and often just stupid?

Well readers, what are your thoughts and selections?

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But you have to admit it, it’s sooooo like her.

God damn it, why is Nishizawa such a good girl! It’s so hard to support Hinagiku and Nishizawa at the same time! GAH!

©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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A newly serialized and surprisingly enjoyable manga. Decided to check it out after seeing it pop out so much in Manga-Updates new releases.

Kurokami Medaka is pretty damn awesome and while she may be a bit like Haruhi, she’s much more likable and more charismatic than her. The “Kyon-kun” of the series isn’t a total pushover either and complements her perfectly. I suppose that was the manga-ka’s aim.

Jokes are more funnier and easier to get too. Already a fan of this manga and I sure hope it goes somewhere. You can more info here.

©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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I guess this is somewhat related since it IS an anime adaptation.

*Ahem*, anyways, my friend got some invitations for the event so I tagged along to watch it despite having zero interest and expectations in it. Quite normal after the Chun-Li and Dragonball movie, but I am kinda glad to say that the movie actually exceeded my expectations and provided me with about one and a half hours of hilarity and comedy. Of course of the unintentional kind.

The movie actually got off to a pretty good start since they did keep to the story pretty well in the first 45 mins or so where they faithfully adapted the original material, up to the B-52 takeoff scene. Saya was actually… Saya and the action scenes were pretty acceptable for the B-Grade level-ness they exuded. It was kinda marred by horrible censorship, random afro brothers, random explosions, Assasin Creed roof jumping and the final clincher of Saya taking a shortcut of the cut-through-the-damn-walls kind.

Then they ran out of the original material and the REAL hilarity ensued. There was this whole “main plot-ish” thing about Saya hunting for the leader of the “Oni”, called Onigen (seriously, OniGEN?) and the scriptwriters went on a walk in the park with their own original storyline. And we all know how Hollywood scriptwriters are when it comes to original writing. Seriously, Hollywood, don’t you guys have any decent scriptwriters? And are you guys even paying these people properly? Sigh….

So how hillarious was it? Remember Onigen? Supposedly the leader of the Oni, oldest, cruelest and vilest of them all? It’s actually a woman. And she’s Saya’s mother. Which they revealed in a Star Wars-esque moment in the climax of the movie which would’ve been an incredible twist EXCEPT FOR THE FACT WE ALL SAW IT COMING FROM MINUTE 46:00:00?

And the dialogue was gawdawful horrible. There’s one part where token blonde… well, actually the smartest character of the show, Alice says to Saya… “There’s more to life than just Onigen.” I kinda replied, “For everything else, there’s always Mastercard.” which earned the wrath of my friends, ha ha ha. Not to mention Onigen, played by Japanese actress Koyuki, is speaking in ENGRISH ALL THE TIME. So yeah, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO TAKE HER SERIOUSLY WHEN SHE SPOUTS LINES LIKE “Your power I gave you. Your long life I gave you too.” Should’ve just fucking made her speak in Japanese instead of forcing her to speak English.

Saya’s character also got totally turned 180 degrees after the middle of the movie and she turned from the cold, no hesitation Saya to the brooding emo driven-by-revenge type of character. Who I must mention was so fucking useless that when she and Alice was getting attacked by an Oni on the highway she didn’t respond to it at all, leaving poor human Alice to fend it off by herself until the truck they were on fell in to a ravine. What the shit was that?

And there was also random shit like Weekly Shounen Magazine appearing in the movie (I swear I saw either Negima or Tsubasa in it), the aforementioned afro brothers, SuperSaya-n flying scene and a lot, and I really mean A LOT, of tsukkomi chances for this movie. Only good part of it was when Saya’s guardian, an old guy named Kato, squared off against a whole team of ninjas by himself. Pretty GAR and doomed too. He said like 3-4 deathflag-confirmed lines before going to fight them, LOL.

But overall, this is a B-Grade movie that really knows it’s a B-Grade movie and revels in the B-Grade-ness of it. Highly recommended to go watch if you kinda want to laugh yourself off with cheesy action scenes, cheesy dialogue and cheesy storylines that end abruptly without explaining anything.

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