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Lupin III (2015) Episode JP 23 (Italy 25) Review

“World Dissection, Part 1”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Leonardo da Vinci is ready to unveil his greatest masterpiece: World Harmony. Putting the population of the Italian Peninsula to sleep with an audio signal, the Renaissance Man traps each person, including Lupin’s group, in a challenge at whatever they are best at, to gauge their worthiness to live in the new world he plans to build. Is Lupin up to the challenge? Is everyone else? A mind is a terrible thing to waste on this penultimate episode of the new Lupin series! read more

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Batman & Robin Eternal #23 Review

 

Hey… hey, Tim, now, no grouping yourself with characters that do things. You hang back with Jason.

The guys flex their detailed pecs and check the specs of the enemy’s tech and begin to peck as they crack their necks, so what the heck, give it a sec and they’ll wreck Mother’s deck! Er, so basically MIdnighter and Spoiler get in on them Duke Boys’… I mean Robin Boys’ plans to rescue Harper and Cass and defeat Mother. Midnighter plays keyboard jockey and triangulates the coordination of the polarity velocitator, or something, while Steph guards Scarecrow until Jason can escort him to his new laboratory. Oh, and I guess Batgirl’s in this, too. And Katana. And Batwoman. And… Duke Thomas, I think. And Catwoman. They completely disregarded Luke Fox, however, and I am oh so glad. Time to punch some toddlers! read more

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Batman & Robin Eternal #22 Review

This issue needed more Goliath.

Damian slaps the eldes chap when he’s tired of his rap, ‘cuz he won’t take that crap and would rather scrap with Cassie’s Pap, who’s a sap and gets thrown out through a gap, and that’s the hap, so shut your yap, and prepare to clap as the story is recapped, Harp and Cass are still kidnapped, and Mother springs her trap! All this in the twenty-second movement of DC’s weekly Batman symphony. Damian gets to be the Golden Child all the Morrison fans like him as, we see the (possible) end of an antagonist, and the gal pals on the outs share a tense moment. read more

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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Episode 23 – The one where Carta didn’t G-Chekketsu herself…

 

…Cuz she G-Wrekettsu’d herself with her actions today.

What I anticipated would be a fairly intense battle between Tekkadan and Carta’s remaining forces plus Galli-Galli and Ein turns out to be a big one-sided beatdown. Mirroring the third episode of the series, the third to last episode has a Gjallarhorn soldier seeking a fight with Tekkadan. However, whereas Crank sought them out to mitigate and/or stop any further slaughter, Carta has an honour issue. Yet due to her killing of Biscuit, nevermind the fact she is wasting Tekkadan’s time, she isn’t allowed to indulge in that battle to reclaim it. Instead she’s annihilated by Mika who cares not one whit for her feels. It’s kinda sad… but kinda deserved since she warrants no sympathy in their regard. It is only by the timely rescue by Galli-Galli in a revamped Kimaris that she lives… Maybe? Her eyes somewhat glaze over in her final scene, so it is hard to tell if she died really. It’s kinda Ein all over again. read more

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Lupin III (2015) Episode JP 22 (Italy 24) Review

“I’m Going to Get You, Lupin”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Rebecca Rosellini is determined to steal Lupin III! Challenging Lupin, she springs trap after trap to capture and claim our sideburned stealer. Lupin is nonplussed by the matter, as he has his own mission, and is breaking into a secession of tanks to obtain a certain bill. However, Rebecca’s snares become increasingly elaborate, and Lupin may actually be caught! Will Rebecca collect the ultimate prize? Hail to the thief in this competition where even a safe isn’t very safe! read more

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Lupin III (2015) Episode JP 21 (Italy 22) Review

“From Japan With Love”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Lupin jets off to Japan when it seems like Fujiko’s in danger, but as usual, it’s a ruse by her to get him to steal something for her. Unexpectedly, however, it turns out the ruse is on her as well, because it was all a trap by Detective Ackechi Holmes Kousuke to capture Lupin without her knowledge! While Lupin is in captivity, Fujiko scrambles to correct her mistake and prove that underestimating her is a mistake! It’s a contest of deception as the woman called Fujiko Mine shows she’s every bit as formidable as the man who loves her! read more

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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Episode 22 – Second Pit Stop on the Road to Renewed Strength and Promise

In an episode where it could’ve been all about how everybody mourns Biscuit, the show eschews a kind of tragedy voyeurism in showcasing their emotional turmoil. This is reflected within the show through Yukinojo advising Merribit not to distract them, and let them hash it out on their own. Tis a different reality than my expectation somebody like Mika is gonna need a hugout because of last week’s death.

What is shown instead is TWICE as better as any of my predictions of Mika’s character. He isn’t the Simon or Brandon Heat I anticipated he would be, and his fealty to Orga continues its reveal of not being a thoughtless endeavour. More importantly, his confrontation with Orga at the end unveils how he KNOWS his influence on Orga as an individual, leveraging the most important promise of show to pull the guy out of his funk. In short, Mika forces Orga to be cool. Yeah, it could be said this kind of psychological play by Mika could be used negatively, but then again, this is Mika. His intervention is timely too, for I believe this is the first time since the second half began him and Orga had a meaningful moment together. With Biscuit gone, Orga might need that sturdy foundation who is Mikazuki Augus. read more

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Batman & Robin Eternal #21 Review

What a tragedy… now she can’t see Batman v Superman in theaters this March!

 

Mother, who’s hoary, has one gory back story, and how she became predatory makes Batman take inventory, all in this twenty-first installment of DC’s weekly Batman serial. The entire issue takes place in the past, whether it be Bruce following up on his encounter with Mother or the new villain’s background being told to him by some one she “helped”. And from this we see the parallel between Batman and his foe and the very different, yet similar directions they took. We also get some pretty solid art from Tony S. Daniel, making the story more palatable. read more

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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Episode 21 – Sun, Sand, and Shellshock

 

SPOILERS AHOY!

It seems wholly fitting I named the title of my article last week as the “Wrong Kind of Soggy Biscuit.” Cuz it turns out the reason it was all soggy was because of all the blood.

Now we are at the major flashpoint for Tekkadan, and like Fumitan’s death for Kudelia, Biscuit’s death for our wayward heroes will shake the foundation to their very core and (most definitely) renew their conviction. It’s a remarkably well-done death and uses the old cadences of how important characters in Gundam die to great effect. You know the one, either last episode or episodes before the character is at a physical or moral impasse regarding current events, then the episode spends its time focusing on the character, showing him eager  to set things right and help his comrades. Then the moment happens, and they’re revealed to be in a position of great distress, the shock comes and you’re wondering if that person will survive. Biscuit takes a blow from Carta Issue in order to defend Orga, and his final scenes are him pinned to the wreck of a mobile worker. I’m thinking, “Nooooo, it can’t be. But at least it’s only his legs. Maybe he’ll be in a wheelchair—“ read more

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Lupin III (2015) Episode JP 20 (Italy 21) Review

“To Hear You Sing Again”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: A Fiat 500 “Topolino” that was owned by singer Nora Anita is stolen by none other than Lupin III! The singer is close to death and her husband simply wanted to get rid of it, but the broker insists no harm come to it in any attempt to recover it, hindering Inspector Zenigata. Lupin has partnered with Fujiko to fence the car, but all is not as it seems, and a romantic Lupin may have his own reasons for stealing it. On the road of time, can fond memories keep the motor running? Lupin goes on a drive singing “Let’s Go For A Walk” in this mellow but emotional new caper! read more