Saturday, November 29, 2014
JAXA - DPR special movie
from kalaacom 3D http://kalaacom.blogspot.com/2014/11/jaxa-dpr-special-movie.html
Friday, November 28, 2014
Review: Ranma 1/2 Set 3
After reviewing Ranma 1/2 set 2 earlier this month, I knew it was time to hunker down and dig deep. This series had a seven season run, and while this latest re-issue from Viz Media has resequenced the episodes to align more with the manga, there are still seven planned sets. It would seem as though 50-60 episodes in would be the appropriate time for Ranma fatigue to set in, which in my mind, makes set 3 a make-or-break experience.
The premise of Ranma 1/2 should be familiar enough by now: Ranma Saotome of the Anything Goes School of Martial Arts has fallen victim to a Chinese curse that turns him into a girl when he's splashed with cold water, and back to a boy when splashed with cold water. Several other characters are under similar curses, and much hilarity ensues at the show's large cast of characters falls in love with one version of Ranma or the other, and so on.
Does set 3 do the trick to keep things interesting, or does it start to grow stale?
Read more...
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Draw: Animator Expo's fourth short is out for revenge
Gather around, people. The next short in the Japan Animator Expo project has been uploaded (NSFW) onto their Website before its targets could draw their weapons. While the fourth piece doesn't bring the abstract goodness that ME!ME!ME! brought last week, Carnage has some neat elements that could be amazing if the short were to be fleshed out in the future.
As always, each piece brought their own unique style to the table, and Akira Homma's (Worked on Key animations for Sky Crawlers and Hal) designs looks great with the short's watercolor-like style. Combined with the textures, the piece itself give the Wild West setting a great nod. On top of that, the story reminded us of that you can never hide from past evil deed-- even if you lived an honest life afterwards.
Since there has been a good amount of variety between the four Animator Expo shorts, I can't wait to see the different visual styles that'll grace our presence when the rest of the weekly shorts arrive. If anything, December'll be an eventful month for anime shorts.
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Annotated Anime: Unlimited Blade Works episodes 4-7
Happy Thanksgiving to all our American readers, as well as you savvy non-Americans who've appropriated their holiday as an excuse to stuff your faces! You might be full of coma-inducing food right about now, but we've got a nice hot dish of recaps for you, packed to the brim with the fall season's tastiest animation!
Ufotable may be sticking to its strange, see-saw pacing for its rendition of Unlimited Blade Works - once again I stand by my assertion that it would be better as a bi-weekly one-hour program, but doesn't disappoint whenever one of its odd-numbered episodes comes to the fore.
Read more...
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Wednesday, November 26, 2014
GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE Episode #2 -- Special Review
Episode 2 of Ghost in the Shell: Arise, wasted no time in shifting into high gear, telling the story of an ex-soldier who, at the beginning of the story, is brought before a war crimes tribunal, and sentenced to death for a series of hideous war crimes he allegedly committed while fighting in a conflict overseas.
The soldier swears these accusations are false, but the country refuses to believe him. Therefore, in a desperate move, the soldier enlists the aid of a few former army comrades to help him hack into the city’s computer grid, shut down the systems which control all the traffic in New Port City, and direct that processing power toward opening PANDORA, a computer system which, if unlocked, will reveal all of Japan’s most precious government secrets to the world.
== TEASER ==
Motoko must race (or…y’know…move as quickly as she can considering the entire city is locked down in one giant traffic jam) to try and stop the soldier and his comrades (several of whom viewers will recognize as Motoko’s future co-workers in Section 9) before their dangerous plan to clear the soldier’s name ends up irreparably destroying Japanese national security.
I said in my review of Ghost in the Shell Arise Episode 1 that I appreciate the fact that this prequel series seems to spend much more time than other G.I.T.S. series exploring human emotions, and highlighting the fact that characters are acting based on things like loyalty, friendship, and a sense of justice than just pure calculating logic. And that dynamic certainly holds true for episode 2 as well.
Although it was a bit jarring to see some of the characters who befriended Motoko in episode 1, turn against her and try to kill her in episode 2 (Due to their pre-existing relationship with the accused soldier, and their feeling that their loyalty to him outweighed their loyalty to Motoko), the actions undertaken by the characters in this story felt emotionally genuine throughout. I was happy to see the way the characters settled their differences and reunited as friends by the end of case. I was happy to see more members end up joining Motoko’s fledgling task force. And if Ghost in the Shell Arise continues to tell stories that focus on the human side of this brave new human/android cyber-punk world, I’ll be happy to watch those too.
Kaita Mpambara works every day to try and create shows, stories, and characters that are as exciting, energizing, and entertaining as the very best works that have been given to the world by both the western and eastern animation industries. Keep up with his musings on life, the universe and everything by following him on Facebook.
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BLEACH Ch. 606 Review
Ichigo and pals will be having some backup on the way, and the battle between Yhwach and Ichibe continues in the Reiokyu. The Soul Reaper will show the power of the brush against the sword by cutting the Quincy king into half the man he once was.
The Good
You can really understand why Ichibe was being used as the last line of defense, and am I the only one left with a feeling that there's some history between this pair? They appear to be awfully chatty and familiar with one another. I will say that I'm happier with this outcome than what I originally had in mind. I initially thought that we'd never get a full dispaly of Ichibe's abilities. I had my money on some flashback of Ichigo's training. We know that all the Zero Squad got their appointments by doing or creating something exceptional. Any guesses yet on what Ichibe did?
The Bad
Reintroducing characters we know back into the plot is reasonable enough. Mind you, I'm a person who can never get enough information when it comes to Yoruichi, but is this really the time to be introducing us to a long lost sister? This certainly explains where he keeps getting all those wonderful toys. Yushiro is certainly a cutie, but I'd more appreciate some closure on the fate of Tier. She must have some special value if Yhwach was keeping her alive.
Verdict 2/5
You know, it's a decent enough chapter. I like the action, old friends are brought back, some funny dialog, and we're introduced to someone new and interesting. I'm just starting to be more confused than anything. Not as if that's all together bad, really. Opponents are already few in number up in the Reiokyu, but more heroes are being sent up. We've gone from having a bloated cast on both ends, a bunch suddenly have power drained or they died, and now people are showing up to the party fashionably late. Perhaps this will all make sense later. As for right now, it doesn't.
Follow along with the latest BLEACH chapters yourself, tune in for the SJ Podcast, and check out the free starter pack sampler at ShonenJump.com here. You can download the free app for both iOS and Android devices.
About the Author
Kristoffer Remmell (FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek. Follow for news updates:@AnimeVicers /@FoxxFireArt / http://ift.tt/1hmMpg1 |
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FATE/STAY NIGHT: UNLIMITED BLADE WORKS Episode #5 -- Special Review
Unlimited Blade Works episode 5 achieved something that, prior to this point, I would have thought was impossible. It actually made me start to like Tohsaka Rin, the show’s main female protagonist.
For anyone who has been living in a cave and is not familiar with the Fate/Stay Night series, it revolves around seven humans, who each summon a great warrior from history, and who must compete with one another in a series of life-or-death duels until there is only one pair left alive (who will then receive the prize of being able to make a wish for anything their hearts desire).
In just about every version of Fate/Stay Night I’ve seen, (Be it the original Fate/Stay Night Anime from 2006, or the prequel series Fate Xero, or Unlimited Blade works up to this point) I’ve ended up disliking Rin. Don’t get me wrong. I acknowledge that she’s a talented magic user, highly intelligent, and she’s proven that she can hold her own in battle on several occasions. But out of all the female characters whom Fate/Stay Night’s male protagonist, Shiro Emiya, might potentially fall in love with, Rin always struck me as having the worst personality. She always came across as sort of a smarmy, selfish, spoiled, know-it-all, tsundere…brat.
== TEASER ==
It didn’t necessary improve my opinion of her when Rin discovers in episode 5 that Shiro, (who has fought beside Rin in the past, and who considers her a friend and ally), has decided to attend school without the protection of his summoned hero, Saber, and Rin’s immediate reaction is to break her alliance with Shiro and start chasing him all over the school, shooting bolts of deadly magic energy at him and trying to blowing his head off.
What DID improve my opinion of Rin was what happened when she discovered that both she and Shiro were being hunted by a third party who planned to murder them both before they ever left the school grounds. As Rin set aside her differences with Shiro and worked together with him to escape the enemy’s trap, the two of them began to form a bond that (for the first time in my opinion) seemed to go beyond an alliance that was purely based on strategic advantage, and started to show shades of true friendship, loyalty, mutual respect and… (dare I say it?) possibly the beginnings of love.
I’m still not necessarily convinced that Rin is the best girl for Shiro. But I have to give credit where credit is due. If Unlimited Blade Works wanted to improve my opinion of her, this episode was definitely a step in the right direction. And if the show continues to highlight the caring, honorable side of Rin’s personality that hasn’t been shown much in the past…who knows? They might just make a Rin fan out of me yet.
Kaita Mpambara works every day to try and create shows, stories, and characters that are as exciting, energizing, and entertaining as the very best works that have been given to the world by both the western and eastern animation industries. Keep up with his musings on life, the universe and everything by following him on Facebook.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2014
ONE PIECE Ch. 768 Review
As Dressrosa is surrounded in chaos, Law reveals his last remaining secret to Doflamingo. Not just that he's one of the D, who are the enemies of the Celestial Dragons; but he's prepared and able to pull the trigger on his life.
The Good
This chapter spends little time changing gears from melodrama to heavy shonen-action mode. If you were missing something, Oda certainly put a touch of nearly everything here or there. Something that I really take away from this chapter is that Law's abilities are one of the more amazing in their potential for combat. We saw the promise in the Punk Hazard Arc, and now we're witnessing the payoff. He's a character who's abilities are appropriately balanced by limiting extraordinary power within a confined location.
One of the greatest surprises out of these brawls has to be Franky vs. Senor Pink. The two have a strange sense rivalry/respect going. The creator isn't even attempting to paint this character in a bad light. I'd really enjoy seeing more. Although, wanting so see more is sort of the theme for this week.
The Bad
I know that flashback went on longer than many expected, but was it really long enough to warrant spending so much of this chapter reintroducing us to all the main antagonists and their abilities? I think the concept of running down everyone's current location and situation is justified enough. It just took up so much space and went into a lot of extraneous detail.
Verdict 3/5
The issue moves well, and it has some really great action scattered throughout. However, I almost wonder if this was a chapter that was more crafted by editorial desire than the will of the creator. I can just imagine Oda's editor saying that so much time was spent away from current events that he needs to start this one off with a graph showing where everyone is in relation to one another. In that sense, Violamakes for a superb expositional character with her abilities. I can look past this for now. On the condition that re-re-reintroductions don't pop up once again.
Follow along with the latest ONE PIECE chapters yourself, tune in for the SJ Podcast, and check out the free starter pack sampler at ShonenJump.com here. You can download the free app for both iOS and Android devices.
About the Author
Kristoffer Remmell (FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek. Follow for news updates:@AnimeVicers/@FoxxFireArt / http://ift.tt/1hmMpg1 |
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HELLSING ULTIMATE Episode IX -- Special Review
The second-to-last episode of Hellsing Ultimate wastes no time in establishing right off the bat (pardon the vampire pun) that the world is crashing down all around our heroes and the goals the Hellsing Organization has worked so hard achieve are going up in flames.
(I mean literally, the episode begins with an airship falling out of the sky and crash landing in what used to be the city of London, but is now a burning ruin, soaked in rivers of blood and filled with thousands of dead bodies, all of whom were killed when the vampire armies of the Millennium Organization launched a full scale war against Great Britain).
Refusing to accept defeat however, Integra Hellsing, Seras Victoria, and the noble vampire Alucard vow to fight on and save the world from being destroyed by Millenium’s mad scheme, even if they must battle alone as the last three surviving members of the once mighty Hellsing Organization.
== TEASER ==
Summoning every ounce of power he possesses, Alucard is able to find the strength to defeat the nigh-indestructible vampire slayer, Alexander Anderson, and clear a path for Integra and Seras to enter Millennium’s fallen airship so that they can try to stop Millennium’s leader, Major Montana Max, who sits at the heart of the downed dirigible.
But Alucard is barely able to catch his breath before we discover that his epic battle with Anderson was really just a distraction, orchestrated by the Major to drain Alucard so that he wouldn’t be at full strength when it came time to face his (Hellsing) Ultimate opponent: Walter Dornez. A man who used to be Alucard’s friend, and who used to work for the Hellsing Organization, but was captured by Millennium, experimented on, given superhuman powers, and has now turned against his former Hellsing allies.
Alucard uses his vampiric magic to transform his body into a form that, based on the history he shares with his former friend, Alucard knows is best suited to fight Walter (A form that happens to look like a little girl? Well…I guess it makes sense in context. Sort of). And the two enemies face off! Will Alucard be able to defeat this final foe? Will Hellsing save the world? Stay tuned for my review of Hellsing Ultimate’s final episode, where all will be revealed.
Kaita Mpambara works every day to try and create shows, stories, and characters that are as exciting, energizing, and entertaining as the very best works that have been given to the world by both the western and eastern animation industries. Keep up with his musings on life, the universe and everything by following him on Facebook.
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GHOST IN THE SHELL: ARISE Episode #1 -- Special Review
Before I begin this review, I have a confession to make. I hope all you fine folks out there in internet land won’t think I’m a blasphemer for saying this but…I’ve never really enjoyed Ghost In the Shell.
Yes, I know the original Ghost in the Shell Movie was one of the quintessential crossover anime that gained attention with mainstream American film critics and helped bring Japanese animation to the attention of western audiences. Yes, I know the visuals are amazing. Yes, I know Shirow Masamune’s original Ghost in the Shell Story is unbelievably clever, intricate, detailed, and well-researched. And yes, I know the series’ protagonist, Major Motoko Kusanagi, is one of the most famous and most respected cyberpunk characters of all time.
== TEASER ==
But despite all this, I’ve never really…connected with the G.I.T.S. franchise the way other fans have. I acknowledge that Major Motoko Kusanagi and her co-workers in Section 9 Public Security are perfectly suited to their jobs of defending their futuristic city from high-end cyber crimes. But in a strange way, that’s kind of the problem I have with the series. Because the Major and her co-workers are so perfect at their jobs, so clinical, so methodical, so cold and calculating, so ruthlessly efficient and pragmatic, and so far above and beyond their enemies that they can handle any situation without breaking a sweat (which means they handle situations without building any real sense of suspense or jeopardy, two big no-no’s when writing an action/adventure crime-fighting series, in my humble opinion) it’s always been difficult for me to relate to the characters of Ghost in the Shell. In short: They’re emotionless, overpowered and they accomplish their goals effortlessly 9 times out of 10. And I find that boring.
That’s why I was so pleasantly surprised when I sat down to watch the Ghost in the Shell Prequel series, (Ghost in the Shell: Arise, which tells the story of how the Major first came to meet and befriend the other members of Section 9) and I discovered that, in addition to the usual slick visuals and detailed sci-fi storytelling audiences have come to expect from G.I.T.S., Ghost in the Shell: Arise also showcases the characters acting (and reacting, and interacting) based on real human emotions.
The series begins with a young Motoko Kusanagi eagerly plunging into the fray to try and solve the murder of a military officer who was once highly respected, but who is now believed to have been killed because he was secretly corrupt and involved in scandalous criminal activities. Motoko desperately wants to solve this case, not merely because it’s her job, but because the man who was killed was her friend, mentor, and father-figure.
As Motoko follows a deadly trail of clues that lead her to the heart of this mystery, she meets other characters (whom fans of the franchise know will become her future comrades in Section 9) who also have an emotional connection to the man, and who want to help clear his name. The adventure they have over the course of their quest takes them through bullets, bombs, bloodshed, danger intrigue, and concludes in what may be one of the most…emotionally gratifying endings I’ve ever seen in an episode of G.I.T.S.
(True, given my feelings on the rest of the franchise, that’s not exactly the highest bar in the world, but still…)
It’s too early to tell if the rest of this prequel series will continue in the same fashion as its first episode. What I can tell you is that based on what I’ve seen so far, they’ve piqued my interest, captured my attention, and I’ll certainly be watching more episodes in the hope that they keep up the good work.
Kaita Mpambara works every day to try and create shows, stories, and characters that are as exciting, energizing, and entertaining as the very best works that have been given to the world by both the western and eastern animation industries. Keep up with his musings on life, the universe and everything by following him on Facebook.
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Monday, November 24, 2014
GHOST IN THE SHELL First Connection Online Trailer
It'd be a real amusing get-around if the publisher was that anxious about selling this with a 'T' rating instead of 'M.' Don't worry - - just cover all the head-shots up with 18+ stickers!
So many cyberpunk games have paid 'homage' to GHOST IN THE SHELL, it's actually a little weird to see the property play itself for once. My first thought watching this was that it seemed like a faster and more fun DEUS EX. And that fits. HUMAN REVOLUTION might as well have been GitS: THE GAME.
== TEASER ==
There's some double weirdness, of course, in the fact that FPS games don't typically come out of the Japanese games business. The title suggests that they're... ahem.... aiming straight for online multiplayer, but I like the fact that they're relying heavily on squad-based combat and a hierarchy of RPG abilities. Play this, and you'll get a few more balanced choices in Section 9 if you don't get to play as Ms. Motoko, perhaps?
What say you, Vicers? What do the scanners on your ocular CPU units say about this?
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Anime Caption Contest! -- 11/24/14
Welcome back to the Anime Vice Caption Contest! You know the drill; we have three new images that need some funny captions! See who won the previous contest below! Thanks to Dekken for suggesting the History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi theme for this week.
Rules!
- You can caption any or all of the images!
- You can caption the same image more than once, but not in the same post!
Your captions will be judged by the hosts of THE VICE PIT themselves; Tom Pinchuk and Sam Weller! The winners and their winning captions will be featured in the next Caption Contest post!
Winners!
| Oh.. Cool.. It looks like I got the blue ball of death, damn balls don't work like they used to. ~ IWANTTHEBOOTY | |
| "Ehm, are you sure this is going to taste good after we fry it?" ~ Dekken | |
| "I know! We will become master dough makers!" ~ Vapovile |
How to Participate!
To post the images properly, you should copy them from this post and paste them into the comment box, rather than upload the images again yourself. To do this, highlight some of the text below the images (try starting from "want to recommend") all the way up to some of the text above the images (try highlighting up to "fill in the captions!") and then right-click on that text and select "copy", go to the comment box, right-click inside that and select "paste" - then all you need to do is fill in the captions! Hope that helps, have fun!
New Caption Contest!
So, are you up to the challenge? Just copy the images (READ INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE!) into the comment box below and fill in the captions!
Want to recommend some images for the contest? Go to this thread and submit images, and we'll check them out. Have fun and good luck!
About the Authors
| Kerry Chhay (Takashichea) is an Asian American Studies student who is a big wiki and anime nerd. He serves as a wiki mod in Anime Vice and an Admin in To Hollywood and Beyond Wikia(a 2nd home for Screened users). Follow him@Takashichea |
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RAGE OF BAHAMUT #3-4 -- Catch-Up
Murphix kept asking how a blatant cash-grab like this could be so good, and I think the answer’s the same as it was for BLADE & SOUL. The crew’s used the funding to tell a good story, and have cleverly managed the license requirements so they only take up a minimal amount of screen time.
The only time BLADE & SOUL broke down was when it had to start “world building,” and I suspected those scenes were bad because the crew was reluctant about them - - their hands noticeably forced by the licensors. I get the same feeling here. All the portions that deal with Bahamut (and all the hierarchies feuding about him) are definitely the weakest, but they go by with a conspicuous quickness. It’s as if the crew wants to hurry up and get it out of the way so they focus on the story they prefer.
== TEASER ==
Anyway, to pile another comparator on, this show’s often been reminding of ESCAFLOWNE. Aside from the mash-up fantasy setting, the pacing really seems to be of the same speed - - particular in how it balances told-in-ones with the larger serial arc. A lot of shows tend to lean too far in one direction or the other, but the show’s find the right middle option, so far.
The zombie town episode had a great TALES FROM THE CRYPT concisety, while the pirate one did an excellent job of revealing Kaisar and Favaro’s back-story through an active plot that never got too bogged down in monologues or flashbacks. We’re seeing this larger tapestry get woven, but without little sub-arcs that run on too long (which was one of MAGI’s major failings).
And our leads are already imprisoned! The stakes have been ratcheted up that quickly. No time wasted. Whenever we get to the last episode, I’m sure this season will feel like an actual epic, and not 22-episode clock puncher.
Watch "Fog of Nebelville" and decide for yourself, then read my thoughts on the previous episodes.
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Friday, November 21, 2014
Community Spotlight -- 11/21/2014
Greetings, Anime Vice Community! Tom started this week off by dropping some news about an upcoming DRAGON BALL film, and an interview with yet another anime inspired comic series. He also took a bit of a retrospective on the Tournament Arc in the classic DRAGON BALL to see how it held up. You can find the full articles on the News page. Although, probably the biggest news of the week was some production images for the cast of the live-action ATTACK ON TITAN movie casting. Everyone looks pretty good, but let's finally see a trailer.
Well, we're now living in a post Shonen Trilogy world. Yes, there will be a new series released next year, but the core series is over. I've also been hearing rumblings that reassure that the next NARUTO story will be limited. Possibly at ten chapters. Just enough to fill a single volume.
Just a heads up, there won't be a spotlight next week, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Relax and spend more time with the family, or gorge yourself on even more manga and anime. Both are valid choices.
Anime Vice Task Initiative: Alphabetical: HERE
Anime Vice Task Initiative: Wiki Style Guide: HERE
Wonderful Wikis
WANTED Wikis
Recommended Reviews
- Be sure to check out Dream's review of The Tatami Galaxy - HERE
Blog-o-sphere & Formidable Forums
- 4 Yu-Gi-Oh! Series Coming to Crunchyroll by takashichea HERE
- MAGI CHAPTERS 245-246: THE WAR BEGINS…REMINISCENT OF ONE PIECE. by katmic HERE
- MANGA REVIEW: OWARI NO SERAPH- FRIENDSHIP AND VAMPIRES. by katmic HERE
- Naruto Manga's Anime Vice Roundtable by takashichea HERE
- Trailer for Ghost in the Shell online by Marshal Victory HERE
Anime AMV Showcase
I often times find it very difficult turning away from an AMV produced around the KATANAGATARI series. Such beautiful art that can look amazing edited well and set to a good song.
Remember, if you would like to submit something for the Spotlight. You can send me a PM, but please be sure to add "Spotlight" to the subject line I can't stress how important that is because it might just be lost in my Inbox when I clear it. Even if you have worked on something yourself and are really proud of your work. Get to work, and make more content for the next Spotlight!! Jana!!
About the Author
Kristoffer Remmell (FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek. Follow for news updates: @AnimeVicers /@FoxxFireArt / http://ift.tt/1hmMpg1 |
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WTF Fridays: Jimmy Fallon went to the Library?
Silent Library was based off a segment of a Japanese show, Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! Yes, that is a really long name. While it didn't quite pack the same punch as the original, it was a pretty funny show for a bit.
I actually had no idea that Late Night host, Jimmy Fallon and the band The Roots made an appearance, and I'm sorry I missed the original airing. This is pretty darn funny. Come on, that fish segment? WTF?
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Final Fantasy: Type-0 trailer looks gorgeous
What started off as the little Sony PSP title that just didn't want to come Stateside has finally morphed into a full fledged HD next-gen title. There's a new English trailer for the upcoming Square Enix game, and the wait until March 17 just got harder. I've been waiting way too long to meet you Final Fantasy: Type 0.
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Get a little Char history in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Blue-Eyed Casval
Man, I totally had no idea this was happening. Somehow I totally missed the news that there was a new OVA series coming out about some back story about our favorite Gundam characters. First up is the ever mysterious and charming Char Aznable in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin I: The Blue-Eyed Casval.
Born as Casval Rem Deikun, Char Aznable made his anime debut all the back in 1979, yet continues to be one of the most popular icons in anime, despite the characters demise in 1988's Mobile Suite Gundam: Char's Counterattack --which happens to be one of my all time favorite films. Above is the old trailer which debuted earlier this year, but a new one should be posting sometime today. The official site announced the voice cast as well as the theatrical run, which will start February 28th in Japan. Lucky Japanese fans will be able to pick up tickets at Lawsons in two weeks, as well as a "making of" video.
[Via ANN]
Read more...
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ATTACK ON TITAN Live-Action Movie Cast Photos
Wall guardsmen have basically become the new Ghostbusters (as far as convention cosplay is concerned). There were so many strutting around Anime Expo this year that the LA convention center would've been thoroughly prepared if Colossal Titan ever spontaneously appeared.
Of course, that was all still amateur costuming. You had to wonder what professional outfits would look like...
== TEASER ==
Well, here are all of the live-action ATTACK ON TITAN movie's official cast portraits,at once -- recon photos relayed by Crunchyroll. There's an impressive level of weathered authenticity on display. These guardsmen really do look like they've been through hell and back. And the casting actually does look quite spot-on to the characters' personalities.
However, the compositing with the scenery, and the fact that the exact same lens flare has been inserted into every single photo, doesn't instill a ton of confidence in how the effects will be handled in this two-part feature. We've still yet to see any trailer (beyond a covert car commercial, of course) but anybody wondering how this epic spectacle's going to look in motion should probably take a gander at the PARASYTE movie trailer, and prepare for some admirable-for-what-it-is-at-least CGI work.
Now, what do you Vicers think? Would you take this ensemble over the GURREN LAGANN players?
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A Daily Dose of Music: Owl City featuring SEKAI NO OWARI
It takes a lot to surprise me nowadays, but I was truly shocked when my friend sent me this one. The Minnesota based indie rock band, Owl City has teamed up with Japan's SEKAI NO OWARI on their newest song, aptly named Tokyo. I never really got into Owl City as they sounded a bit too much like a watered down version of The Postal Service, but when their songs came on the radio I never really tuned out.
This new track is not too bad. It's still way too Ben Gibbard-y from my tastes, but Fukase's added vocals make the track a bit more charming. At the very least it's nice to see the Tokyo rock band get some recogniztion. I just wish they didn't have the Asian sounding synth lines added in there, just kind of cheapens the whole thing. Gong!
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Thursday, November 20, 2014
BLEACH Ch. 605 Review
The Soul Society struggles to find their footing after the most recent turn in the war, and Yhwach faces the heavy handed tactics of one of the Zero Squad's best to enter the Reiokyu.
The Good
I was actually pretty surprised by the way this battle between Yhwach and Ohso (Ichibe Hyosube) has played out this week. I honestly thought we were at the point in the story where the Vandenreich were going to start steamrolling over the Zero Squad, but they still have plenty of fight left in them.
The Yhwach part of it is the most shocking. Classically, Kubo makes his boss villains nigh untouchable. Just look how long it took anyone to even land a single blow on Aizen. Yet here, Ichibe is giving Yhwach a galactic level face palming. He's pushed the Quincy king into a corner and has forced him to resort to drastic measures just to hold his ground. I sort of enjoy that, and I doubt he'll be pulling another bait and switch, as he did in the fight against Yamamoto.
The Bad
I really didn't have any trouble with this chapter. However, I am reflecting upon certain matters revolving how SHONEN JUMP handles finales. Which is really better? This finale for BLEACH was announced well over a year ago, and no timeline for the closing. It's obvious that it's not going to be any time soon. Perhaps mid next year. NARUTO , on the other hand, just had the finale announcement dropped so suddenly that I think many suffered figurative whiplash.
Verdict 3/5
For as long as this battle has gone on, I'm actually surprised how much I'm enjoying myself. Admittedly, I don't think it's the incredible. I just can't deny that I'm at least entertained, and I'm reveling in witnessing this villain getting swatted around as one would with an annoying fly. Let's also not forget that it's been a very long time since we've seen Yhwach actually do anything on his own behalf. I'd much rather see this final villain overcome a powerful foe to show his strength over Aizen's constant trolling tactics.
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About the Author
Kristoffer Remmell (FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek. Follow for news updates:@AnimeVicers /@FoxxFireArt / http://ift.tt/1hmMpg1 |
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