Area 88 is a fine show. It’s nothing special, no match for the original OVA, but it does have its good aspects and notable moments. There’s a lot of detail put into the aircraft and procedure and the dogfights are interesting, if brief. Much of the drama comes from what happens on the ground. But the show doesn’t look great and some of the characterization is anemic. It just doesn’t have the overwhelming personality and charm of the OVA. But it’s not a waste of time.
Author: Penguin Truth
Otaku Evolution Episode 254 – Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods
Akira Toriyama, creator of manga like Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball, and Sand Land, sadly passed away on March 1, 2024. He left behind a legacy of colorful work, worlds of wonder that continues to impact people the world over. Since I review anime, and not manga, I wanted to pay tribute to Toriyama in a way that reflected his own personal efforts, so I chose a Dragon Ball Z movie that he actually had influence over, Battle of Gods, whose story he constructed. Of course, I also mentioned his work in video games.
Otaku Evolution Episode 253 – Star Blazers (Space Battleship Yamato) 2199
I reviewed Space Battleship Yamato 2199 partly because I wanted to discuss the original series (which I also rewatched for this video), but also because the remake is pretty damn good on its own. The Yamato franchise is almost iconic as Gundam, at least to me. I just recently discovered a whole 8-episode series, 2205 (The New Voyage) was released a few years ago as a sequel to 2202 and Crunchyroll still hasn’t licensed it! And there’s more Yamato coming out! What else am I missing out on?!
Otaku Evolution Episode 252 – City Hunter: Secret Service
Ah, City Hunter. It reminds me a lot of Lupin III. Except, you know, not as good. Sure, the TV series is pretty fun and has a variety of different stories and situations for Ryo to get into, but when they try to extend it beyond that, it can be painful. Take this special, Secret Service, for instance: the movie-only characters are dull and the story drags unnecessarily. Could it be that City Hunter is better in small doses? Ryo certainly is.
Shinjuku Private Eyes, now that’s a worthwhile City Hunter feature! Maybe I should have reviewed that.
RIP Akira Toriyama (1955-2024)
Otaku Evolution Episode 251 – Mobile Suit Gundam SEED
Otaku Evolution is back, baby! 2024 starts with me finally getting to a particular anime bête noire of mine, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. I just do not understand the popularity of this fizzless, lifeless drudge of a show. The “characters” are bland, the plot is largely recycled, the production values are average at best, and there’s just no joy or magic to it. It’s frankly one of the most soulless anime I’ve ever watched in my life. But it’s so popular! Why?!
Well, anyway, I’m back, and it looks like I got into a little trouble over the Putin thing. Ah well.
Be Forever Yamato: Rebel 3199 Teaser
The second season of the Yamato remake wasn’t as good as the first (unlike in the original series), but I still have high hopes for these movies (which will probably be split up into episodes). Actually, I might review Yamato 2199 this year!
Otaku Evolution Episode 250 – Year End English Dub Review X
One final video for 2023, folks! As usual with my last video of the year, I go over the various English dubs of the anime I’ve covered in roughly the second half of the year. The strongest dubs were probably Gundam Unicorn and One Piece: Episode of East Blue, though I think most of the dubs I covered in this half of the year were at least decent. ADV’s dub of Macross notwithstanding. (Yikes.)
My bookend material for this year ends with kind of a surprise, but I was building up to it the entire year. If only it was so easy to take out political strongman in real life. But there’ll be consequences in the next stage of the story (though I’m taking it easy next year with the story bits). Anyway, enjoy!
Otaku Evolution Episode 249 – (Top 10) Favorite Anime Fights
I can only imagine the deviant debauchery you disgusting, rotting, booze-bloated wastrels are participating in this holiday season. You’re making the headless statue of Baphomet weep with joy and anguish as you drip the hot candle wax on the genitals of your willing, but bound, sacrifice to the dark ones, sneering with contempt for human life as you spit in the milk of human kindness and charity with your godless rituals. Long have you stripped these holy days of their reverent luster, replacing it with the cheap, gaudy sexual thrill of breads and circuses, with their fala-lala and ring-a-ding-ding. You’re on Santa’s naughty list. You haven’t contributed a single fucking penny to my Patreon, either. For shame.
Otaku Evolution Episode 248 – Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine
I’ve got to say, The Woman Called Fujiko Mine is probably my favorite piece of Lupin III media, at least outside of Castle of Cagliostro (which is mostly because of the pure craftsmanship of the film). You’d think that if somebody tried to make a Lupin series a commentary on sexual politics and feminism (which I don’t go that much into in the video, mind you), they would fail miserably and the show would be a laughing stock of the franchise. But no, it’s very formidable. It may take a couple of viewings to really drive home how good it is, but when it does, it does it hard. I was glad I took this opportunity to talk about it.