You know, I've been real down about my videos lately, and doing a short video on something I'm not particularly passionate about doesn't help. But it did give me an opportunity to reflect on my slight evolution in reviewing. An evolution in that, instead of just summarizing everything that happens in an anime, beat by beat, and occasionally making snide side comments, I've taken to doing more generalized summaries with a bit more of an emphasis on characters, atmosphere, themes, and the like. In other words, I generally actually *review* anime now.

It still bums me out nobody cares, though.

Episode 36, "Fortress vs. Fortress Akt III: The Return of the Magician"

*****SPOILERS*****

Episode 35, "Fortress vs. Fortress Akt II: Fierce Fighting"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Interim Commander Caselnes is forced to trust Guest Admiral Merkatz with the defense of Iserlohn Fortress. After the retreating Imperial landing parties are targeted, Meuller is provoked into attacking with his main force. This lures him into an encirclement attack by Merkatz, who devastates his forces. He's forced to wriggle his way out of the trap. It's at this point that Mueller retrieves word that Yang Wenli is not at Iserlohn. He relays this news to Admiral Kempf, but the leader of the operation is skeptical.

I'm not having as much fun making anime review videos as I used to. A lot of it is because my videos keep getting blocked on YouTube. As soon as I start getting some views, bam, I have to start all over again. Maybe you can't see it, but I put a lot of effort into these videos and it's heartbreaking to do have to keep re-editing them for YT standards. If things keep up like this, I'm seriously considering quitting and sticking to written reviews. Not that anybody reads them.

Episode 34, "Fortress vs. Fortress Akt I: Cannon Fire"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Iserlohn and Geiersburg exchange main weapon fire, damaging both fortresses. In charge until Yang returns, Caselnes wants to concentrate on purely defensive measures. The fighter craft are sent out and engage in space dogfights, but it appears to be a feint so that Mueller can circle around Iserlohn and deploy explosive charges that damage Iserlohn's gun batteries. Empire troops penetrate Iserlohn in landing crafts, only to meet the Rosen Ritter.

Episode 33, "War Without Weapons"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: The Iserlohn garrison braces for a battle against Geiersburg Fortress, hoping they can summon Yang Wenli back in time. On Heinessen, Frederica Greenhill attempts to get Yang help from Admiral Bewcock and Joan Lebello. At the inquiry, Yang continues to deflect the questions and demands of those gathered to persecute him. However, before he can tender his resignation, word is handed down about the Empire's invasion of the Iserlohn Corridor and Yang reluctantly agrees to repel the enemy.

I'm happy to review my favorite Lupin III TV special, Episode 0: First Contact. Actually, it's one of my favorite Lupin features period, and one of my favorite anime movies. It's got everything I'm looking for in a Lupin feature: a great heist, excellent character balance, spot-on action and comic beats, a living atmosphere, good tone, and enjoyable music. It's a blast from start to finish, hitting all the right emotional notes. Fortunately, Discotek recently had this dubbed into English and put on Blu-Ray. I jumped at the chance to do a video on this.

Episode 32, "Inquiry"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Yang Wenli is summoned to Heinessen to appear before a court of inquiry, which Frederica Greenhill notes isn't supported by any Free Planets Alliance laws. Nonetheless, Yang takes the trip and appears before the court. He is questioned about his actions during the civil war and other matters. Greenhill attempts to get Yang released, with no luck. Meanwhile, Geiersburg Fortress appears in the Iserlohn Corridor.

Comments:

Episode 31, "Lost Things"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Ernest Mecklinger, the "Artist Admiral" visits Hildegard von Mariendorf's ill cousin, Heinrich von Kümmel. Meanwhile, the plan to warp Geiersburg Fortress to the Iserlohn Corridor proceeds. Admiral Kempf, in charge of the operation, says his goodbyes to his family. After a warp test is successful, Reinhard visits the place where Kircheis died to remind himself to keep his ambitions going.

Comments:

Episode 30, "A Single Fine Thread"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: In the Domain of Phezzan, machinations are set in motion, as Adrian Rubinsky plans to move his support to Reinhard in hopes of taking control once he unites humanity. This surprises the representative of the church of Terra. Rupert Kesserling is sent out on behalf of Rubinsky to plant the seeds for the upcoming conflict, including drafting former Imperial officer Leopold Schumacher and former noble Count Alfred von Landsberg for the scheme.