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Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Episode 40 Review

Episode 40, “Maze”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Boltik frets over Reinhard’s request, but insists on continuing the plan to kidnap the Emperor. Oberstein advises Reinhard to make human sacrifices if necessary. Later, the two discuss who to put on the throne in Erwin Josef’s stead. Alfred von Landsberg and Leopold Schumacher lay out their plan to penetrate Neue Sanssouci to kidnap the Emperor. They decide to use the underground passages to sneak in. Schumacher has his doubts about the mission, but ultimately decides to commit as a military man. While the Phezzani office provides a distraction for the MPs in a different part of the city, the two former members of the Lipstadt Alliance make their way through the underground labyrinth, sneak into the Emperor’s room, and steal him away in the night. read more

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Lupin Zero PV

I have my reservations (Lupin is an adult series, they’re not going to try to appeal to young kids, are they?), and I wish it was a new Takeshi Koike project (still waiting for that fourth movie), but I guess I’ll check it out. I bet it’ll be better than Part 6.

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Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Episode 39 Review

Episode 39, “Thunderclaps”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Reinhard receives a report of the arrival of Alfred von Landsberg and Leopold Schumacher on Odin. Hilda surmises its for a kidnapping plot, mostly likely involving the young Kaiser, Erwin Josef II. Upon his request to secure her property, Hilda visits his sister Annerose to get her permission. Annerose is reluctant, but is eventually persuaded to take on security. Reinhard has the Phezzani commissioner to the Empire come to his office, where he cuts through the bureaucrat’s doublespeak and makes him admit to the plot at hand, which will give Reinhard cassus belli regarding the FPA. Reinhard demands Imperial passage through the Phezzan Corridor to achieve his goal. read more

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Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Episode 38 Review

Episode 38, “Determination and Ambition”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: On Phezzan, Rubinsky reveals that he knows Rupert Kesserling is his biological son. Meanwhile, on Odin, Reinhard is incensed by the failure of the Geiersburg operation, only to reflect on it later and decide not to punish Mueller. Schaft, however, is arrested by Kesler for several infractions. Kempf’s family mourns his death, while Reuenthal wonders if Reinhard is loyal enough to his subordinates. On Iserlohn, Yang reluctantly allows Julian to formally join the military. He reiterates his desire to be a historian. read more

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Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Episode 37 Review (SEASON PREMIERE)

Episode 37, “Fortress vs. Fortress Akt IV: Conclusion”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: With all other ideas exhausted, Kempf has decided to crash Geiersburg into Iserlohn. While the Imperial fleet retreats from the battlefield, control of Geiersburg is routed through a single control chair which Kempf takes up for himself, alone. The Alliance forces concentrate their fire towards one of the navigation engines to knock the oncoming fortress off course. The engine is destroyed, diverting Geiersburg, but Kempft re-adjusts the course, hoping to take out Iserlohn with direct hits from its main cannon. However, Iserlohn fires its Thor’s Hammer twice, destroying Geiersburg and killing Kempf. Mueller is injured when a shockwave hits his ship. Two of Yang’s officers take ships out to follow and destroy the escaping Imperials, but are met with the Mittermeyer and Reuenthal fleets, who easily destroy them. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 226 – RahXephon

 

RahXephon was ostensibly influenced by the 1975 anime Brave Raideen. But if you’ve seen Neon Genesis Evangelion, and then this show, you cannot (and I did not) avoid comparing the two. It frankly baffles me that some people see this as a better show than Evangelion, though, because it’s not actually about anything. What are the actual themes of RahXephon? Aside from playing lip service to music/sound as a reoccurring element, there’s not a whole lot to the show. It’s decent, but not transcendent the way Evangelion is. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 225 – Trigun: Badlands Rumble

Ah, the Trigun movie, Badlands Rumble. It’s fun. And that’s about all I can say about it. There’s really nothing significant in its premise or execution. It’s just a filler episode with high production values. Come to think of it, the Cowboy Bebop movie was like that, too, but it seemed much more significant and well-constructed. It had more of a beating heart to it. Plus, it was Cowboy Bebop, so it was already going to be better. Which is why that movie is in my favorites and Badlands Rumble is not. But it’s not a waste of time, at least. And after the subject of my previous video, I needed that. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 223 – Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex: Solid State Society

I padded the shit out of this review, because, honestly, there wasn’t a whole lot to say about a movie that, on further reflection, isn’t one of my favorite anime after all. I should really amend my list. Not that it was very high up, but surely there’s a more deserving anime feature. But I also wanted to put in the extra material to provide a little insight as to my current mental state. And no, I don’t believe “happiness is a choice”, that’s a silly aphorism. But I have Terry make some salient points, nonetheless. And I have Pen Pen do likewise, even if I don’t really believe in everything I put in his mouth… beak. I don’t really have a cogent life philosophy, and maybe that’s my problem, but I don’t really trust people with overarching philosophies. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 222 – Mid Year English Dub Review VIII

I’m getting tired of having my videos handicapped by overzealous IP holders and foreign licensors. I just want to do anime review videos, not show entire episodes or movies. Can’t these greedy corporate cocksuckers give me a fucking break? I had to edit this video a bunch of times, if you can’t notice. It boils my blood.

My Mid Year English Dub Review is my opportunity to discuss in more detail the English dubs of the anime I’ve reviewed in the first half of my year in videos. Fortunately, I haven’t had to endure too many bad dubs over this period of time. I wasn’t overly fond of the dubs for G Gundam dub, AD Police Files, or Revolutionary Girl Utena, sure, but I had the dubs of Lupin III: Episode 0: First Contact, Big O, and Black Jack that more than compensated. read more