Author: Penguin Truth

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Some Thoughts on the Live-Action Cowboy Bebop

Our “heroes”.

 

Cowboy Bebop, the 26-episode Sunrise anime from 1998, directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, is, to me, peak fiction. You can talk about classic literature, independent theater, popular museum art, and the golden age of television or film as works of artistic brilliance, and you’d hear little argument from me, except perhaps some of the specific titles. But I think that, that specific Japanese cartoon is every bit as genius as any of the things in those categories. Maybe someday I’ll see that view as embarrassing, and some may see it as already disqualifying for my opinions, but it’s honestly where I stand. I think Cowboy Bebop is brilliant, it was shaped by brilliant minds and crafted with brilliant hands, and is the crown jewel of my anime fandom. I don’t see it as mere entertainment, I see it as genuine art. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 210 – Lupin III: Dead or Alive

As we come close to the end of the year, I want to touch upon the Lupin III franchise again, this time covering something actually good. The theatrical anime, Dead or Alive, is hardly the greatest Lupin adventure, but it’s certainly one of the better ones, especially compared to the last one I reviewed, Farewell to Nostradamus. Monkey Punch himself directed this one! Well, kind of. He mostly just worked on the opening sequence and probably consulted through the rest of it, leaving the bulk of the work to the Chief Director, Hiroyujki Yano, and the rest. But it certainly has that somewhat darker, sharper Monkey Punch Lupin touch to it. read more

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Lupin III Part VI Episode 06 Review

Episode 06, “The Imperial City Dreams of Thieves (Part 2)”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Lupin is still pursuing the mystery of the Mongolian clock as several parties converge to decipher its secrets and try to control its power. Ruriko and Sarantuya are kidnapped by the nefarious Daidoji and Goemon looks to get them back, but will Lupin get to them first and solve the riddle of the clock? And what is the nature of the Showa Era Japan that Lupin finds himself in? It’s a race against the clock as Lupin reveals not everything is as it seems! read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 209 – Samurai Champloo

Ah, Samurai Champloo, Shinchiro Watanabe’s OTHER mash up of a genre (this time, samurai period piece) and a music type (hiphop). It lives in the shadow of Cowboy Bebop, but what doesn’t? It’s still a pretty solid show with colorful characters and great action. It doesn’t need to surpass Bebop to be good.

Since nobody’s watching these videos, anyway, I figured I might as well really kick in my storyline ideas, especially since we’re nearing the end of the year, and next year I’m doing less of it (and fewer videos, period). Here we have my unfortunately poor handling of the Lithos situation. We haven’t really seen me in action except in flashbacks. And frankly, we still won’t, because the Lithos are so much stronger than I am. I think you’ll see that my showing up will not help the situation at all. read more

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Lupin III Part VI Episode 05 Review

Episode 05, “The Imperial City Dreams of Thieves (Part 1)”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Lupin suddenly finds himself in early Showa Era Japan, where he is identified as the thief Golden Mask, and pursued by Inspector Namikoshi and famous detective Kogoro Akechi. He keeps spotting familiar faces, but they’re all different people in this time period. He is convinced that taking possession of an enormous clock from Chinas Yuan Dynasty, found by a woman named Ruriko, will assist him in finding answers to his situation. But he has to contend with rivals in stealing in addition to law enforcement. Can Lupin pull off the historical heist? Trouble strikes like clockwork in this mysterious adventure in the past! read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 208 – Voice Actor Appreciation 3

So, I’ve decided to do another of these videos that highlights various voice actors for anime, three Japanese, three English-language ones. I do this because it seems like I can be a little negative in my reviews and I wanted to talk about something I do enjoy, the talents of several voice actors. Here I highlight Masako Nozawa, Koichi Yamadera, Junichi Suwabe, Michelle Ruff, Crispin Freeman, and Colleen Clinkenbeard. Next time, I’ll get back to reviewing in my usual style, and with some storyline stuff, too. read more

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Lupin III Part VI Episode 04 Review

Episode 04, “The Killers in the Diner”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis:  Two mysterious strangers walk into the White Elephant diner, a place that has become occupied by waiting hired guns. They come there as the others, looking for a man that everyone intends to kill. Which one of these scheming assassins will go home with the prize? It’s anything but a movable feast when these killers let loose!

Comments:

In 1927, Men Without Women, a book of short stories by the writer Ernest Hemingway, was published. It included stories like “Hills Like White Elephants”, “Ten Indians”, “An Alpine Idyll”, “Che Ti Dice La Patria?” and “Fifty Grand”. The subject matter of these stories varied. read more

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Lupin III Part VI Episode 03 Review

Episode 03, “Adventure Along the (Bogus) Transcontinental Railroad”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis:  Lord Marquess, eccentric millionaire, posesses both a large play train that encircles his property of realistic world environments and the first ticket ever distributed in England. Disguised as the South Ahud Republic’s President Arackney, Lupin looks to fool the old train fan while Fujiko infiltrates his property. However, Marquess’ butler Morton has his own designs on the ticket and Zenigata’s interference even further complicates matters. Can Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon avoid being arrested and save Fujiko from a gruesome fate? All aboard this fun little caper that has more detectives than sense! read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 207 – The Boy and the Beast

What is the appeal of the furry aesthetic? I watch this Mamoru Hosoda film, The Boy and the Beast, a light and fluffy, but emotionally resonant isekai adventure, and wonder. Is there something I’m missing here? I grew up watching anthropomorphic characters, but I never really got into some kind of hardcore fandom or sexual kink for them. Furries and fursonas, they’re not as taboo as they used to be, but I still don’t quite “get” it. Can I come to some kind of understanding? I hope so, or this video was pointless! read more

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Lupin III Part VI Episode 02 Review

Episode 02, “Detective and Crook”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis:  Sherlock Holmes is not amused by the antics of Lupin III in London! While Lupin looks to uncover the mystery of the movie poster and its connection to the Raven organization, law enforcement investigates him. But Holmes takes it upon himself to narrow down where the Lupin gang’s hideout is and confronts every member of them as they scramble to stop him. It’s a confrontation between the greatest thief and the legendary detective! read more

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