WTF Fridays: I Want Candy

I'm having far too much internal conflict now to give an opinion.

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HUNTER X HUNTER #91 Presents Ultra-Violence with a Soft Touch

Spread a little thin this week because of conventions, so I don’t have time to cover the usual five-episode-chunk. Frankly, we had more plot in this one episode than that entire, interminable mini-arc with Knuckle, so it works out just as well…

Anyway, it’s episodes like this which make me wonder if we’re due for some PLUTO-style reinterpretation of this story arc in twenty years or so. That manga found more mature significance lying in some ASTRO BOY story from long ago, and I can’t help but feel like there’s plenty of deeper thematic material bubbling beneath the surface here. Granted, that feeling is largely the result of Togashi employing a number of intentionally mollifying conceits that let him get away with a lot of dark stuff in a show that’s labeled for young boys, but...

== TEASER ==

As several of you have observed, Gon and Killua are basically adult leads who are dressed as kids. That’s abundantly clear when they have that tearful scene about finally understanding weakness. I'm sorry, but even by fantasy standards, that's a thought that's simply beyond the ken of a 10-year-old. Likewise, the villains can commit any number of horrific atrocities without going too far because, at all times, they just look patently ridiculous. The scene where the King casually murders a whole family hits a little softer because he’s wearing this silly turtleshell bowler hat.

Still, there’s something about the… nature of the Chimera Ants. There’s this whole procession of how they’re born, fully-sentient, with distinct personalities that constantly clash on ideologies. Why is it that Colt has a sense of restraint and honor that the others don’t? Why do some swear allegiance to the King, while others remain loyal to the Queen? Would they be having these argument if they didn’t suddenly choose to give themselves names? And so on…

The short answer is that Togashi knows that conflict holds interest, and having the villains argue among themselves leads to more drama and complications. However, he probably didn’t want to bother with working out some involved reason for how they came together, so here you are. Whether he stumbled upon on them, or slyly wanted to hint at them, the questions are there…

…and they’re far more interesting than watching another training round with Knuckle.

Watch "The Strong X and X the Week” and decide for yourself, then read my comments about the previous episode.

About the Author

Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk

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Attack on Titan sells over 30 million volumes of manga

According to the Oricon sales charts, the Attack on Titan manga series surpassed 30 million copies sold this last week. This comes right after the release of the series' 13th volume, which itself sold over a million copies. This is pretty big news, as only Naruto and One Piece have reached those sales numbers, according to the same Oricon piece.

I knew that Attack on Titan was a runaway success, but this really gives some context to the mania. When you consider that Attack on Titan has only reached 13 volumes, it's an even bigger success story. I don't know at what point Naruto and One Piece crossed the 30 million sold threshold, but I'd wager that it was after their respective 13th volumes. I'm also curious what the numbers are like for other famous titles, especially other long-running series like Ah! My Goddess, Inuyasha, Hajime no Ippo, etc.

[via Tokyo Hive]

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Annotated Anime: Brynhildr in the Darkness 3

This episode is full of super-convenient plot elements that I am nevertheless prepared to forgive. A random fire razes Kuroha and Kana's house, destroying what little of their medication remained? Contrived, but I will forgive it. Murakami suddenly reveals that he has a photographic memory out of nowhere? Unlikely, but I can buy it. One of the witches is a magic hacker, who can do whatever she feels like to any computerized system anywhere? Okay, I'll bite.

Basically I'm willing to forgive this show anything right now because:

A) It has an awesome OP, one of the few memorable ones this season.

B) This show just did something amazing that I never thought any anime would accomplish. More on that later.

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PSA: Nendo Card Captor Sakura up for preorder!

Ever since the Nendoroid concept was a thing, I have wondered which anime characters would make a great Nendo. The whole miniature-super-deformed style made normally average looking things really cute, and already very cute things super cute. So when it comes to the protagonist of Card Captor Sakura, who is one of the cutest thing to grace anime and manga, a Nendoroid version of Sakura Kinomoto is a holy grail of sorts.

After a year of teasing, Good Smile Company finally outs Nendoroid Sakura, and you can preorder her today. Check out Tomopop for a list of sites to order from, but just note that ordering directly from GSC nets you a bonus magic wand keychain charm. If cute little figures are a thing for you or your loved ones, you probably shouldn't pass this up. Sakura is due out in September.

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The Dose: Momoiro Clover Z

Don't you start crying because the work week is up! The ladies from Momoiro Clover Z are here to wipe those tears away and begin your weekend right. Momoclo look like they are right out an issue of Wonder Woman or an episode of Saint Seiya in this stylish new video. Man, are they growing up fast.

I'm glad that they quickly move onto various outfits in the video, as the super hero outfits just aren't that flattering. They just look right in school girl uniforms, right? Naite mo Iidayo will be featured in the upcoming film, Akumu-chan --which I am unfamiliar with, but looks like some kind of buddy flick. It's pretty clear from the lyrics that Momoclo don't approve of crying, and are going to rescue you from sadder times.

I'm not sure what's going on with J-Pop right now, with all these cheesy rock ballads floating around right now. There's some bad 80's resurgence happening, and I'm just not dialed into it. Maybe I've been jamming out to BABYMETAL a bit too much, and it's skewing my tastes? It's not a bad track, just feels a bit lifeless.

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Annotated Anime: Selector Infected WIXOSS 4

The episode starts off dripping with atmosphere. A contemplative Ruuko walks home after witnessing how distraught Yuzuki was after her defeat. "If everything disappears... will Yuzuki-san's sorrow disappear too?" Terrifying words leave the protagonist's mouth. However, the tension is cut short when she encounters a overly cheerful Yuzuki at her apartment, and stays the night with her.

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