I loved 2012’s Girls Und Panzer. Initially perceived to be some maudlin, meaningless, moe animu with a gimmicky contrivance, it turned out to be the exact opposite. It was a brisk, well-executed, tale with likable characters, great camaraderie, great production values, and most importantly a genuine desire to make the latter part of the title (tanks), authentic as all get out. It did not get bogged down by hyper-existential dilemmas, pointless filler, cynicism, or even apocalyptic endgame scenarios. It was a well-crafted tale of a bunch of girls and their tanks as they grow together as a team and as individuals on the road to glory.
Reviews
Otaku Evolution Episode 42 – The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Otaku Evolution Episode 42 – The Melancholy of… by ellbell01
Don’t panic! It’s a mostly harmless 42nd episode of Otaku Evolution, where I cover The Hitchhiker’s Guide to High School. I mean, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.
So wait… is Haruhi Zaphod? Itsuki is Ford, Mikuru is Trillian, and Yuki is Marvin. Maybe I’m trying too hard to make this fit.
– Penguin Truth
(2015)
After the Cel Shading – Inside Out
Wow, feels like forever since we’ve seen a Pixar movie, especially one with the creative spark that defined its most memorable stories. After a trifecta of mostly eh from 2011 to 2013 (Cars 2 was Cars 2, Brave can go die in a fire, and Monsters University while likable was highly unnecessary), Inside Out breaks that streak with its incredibly creative premise and Pixar’s deft hand in tugging heartstrings. I believe we’re finally back, baby.
So apparently deep in our heads we are manned by a quintet of emotions: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust. They help us react to the world around us and in turn maintain important memories as well as keep up the foundations of personality (manifested in various island worlds). In one particular girl, Riley (Kaitlyn Dias), things are awry due to a family move from Minnesota to San Francisco. Unsure of the situation, her emotions (Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black, Bill Hader, and Mindy Kaling respectively) are at odds with how to make things work. However, before they can do any of that, Sadness (who is always kept at bay by Joy) causes a situation where she and Joy are jettisoned away from where the emotions man Riley’s disposition, along with her most important memories. So now it’s up to them to get back in time before the three remaining emotions, despite their best efforts to aid her, lead Riley to inadvertent self-destruction.
After the Cel Shading – Gundam Build Fighters Try
Go back to the beginning and Try again, show.
In the final episode of Gundam Build Fighters Try, there was a contest where the winner was chosen based on his or her peerless design and craftsmanship of their own Gundam plastic model (Gunpla). At the end, it came down to two finalists: one of the three protagonists and his rival. Their numbers were 6 and 9 respectively. Initially the victor was thought to be number 9, but it turns out that the card was upside down, and the protagonist was the true victor after all.
After the Cel Shading – Rolling Girls
"Rambling, Failing, Scrounging Girls. For others. For themselves. Even if they’re destined to be a ‘mess’"
What a fucking waste of time this was.
No… really. That’s how I felt once I finished the final episode. It’s always the promising ones that getcha feeling like this. They have an interesting concept, a number of factors of high quality and promise, but then they squander it in ways that surprise. Initially you’re perturbed and all: “Huh, I’m not sure about this, but maybe something will come from it.” Then those shows end their runs and you’re left in a state of confusion about what happened and how to think/feel about it. When you finally come to your conclusion, you are left in a state of anger and disappointment that the show you just watched could’ve been SO much more. Such is the case with Rolling Girls.
The Heroic Legend of Arslan Episodes 1-6 Review
Synopsis:
The Kingdom of Pars stands above all other nations in its region, remaining unmatched in its military might for years under the command of its warrior-king, Andragoras III. However, a rival nation, Lusitiania, has designs on conquering Pars. The young prince, Arslan, is sheltered and gentle, and unprepared for his first battle with the Lusitianian army. During the battle, the Parsian army is betrayed by the general Kharlan, who helps lure them into a trap. Andragoras is forced to flee, and his forces lose heart, falling quick victim. The Lusitianian forces, guided by a man named Silver Mask, take advantage of this retreat to corner the king, then they attack the royal capital, Ecbatana. Arslan goes into hiding with the warrior Daryun, and they seek the asisstance of the retired tactician Narsus and his servant Elam. However, Silver Mask and Kharlan are looking for Arslan even as they lay seige to the capital. Can Arslan and the kingdom of Pars survive this sudden turn of fortune?
Lupin III Part I Episode 03 Review
Episode 03, "Farewell, My Beloved Witch"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Lupin happens upon a troubled young woman named Linda, being chased by a group of criminals called the Killers-in-Killers. Teaming up with Jigen, he discovers that the syndicate wants a scientist named Dr. Heinlein’s research which converts a certain flower, the Third Sun flower, into a powerful explosive. Linda is the doctor’s assistant who was trying to leave their island laboratory, and the Killers wanted to ensure she stayed. Fujiko also wants the Third Sun flowers, but her plane is shot down by the Killers. Lupin is captured, but escapes with Jigen’s assistance. Lupin, Jigen, and the scientist burn the Third Sun flowers, but Linda also dies. The scientist is killed and Lupin infiltrates the Killers’ submarine to sabatoge their Third Sun-powered missile. In the end, the missile is disabled, but Lupin, Jigen, and Fujiko are left with nothing to show for it.
Lupin III Part I Episode 02 Review
Episode 02, "The Man They Call A Magician"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Fujiko is being pursued by a mysterious and dangerous man, Pycal, who she stole something from. Lupin and Jigen struggle to protect her, but Pycal appears to have strange powers, including being immune to bullets, levitation, and shooting flames from his finger. Though Lupin discovers the secrets behind Pycal’s abilities, he appears to fall to his death. But Lupin is clever and turns the tables, using the very same techniques as Pycal to gain an advantage. Pycal is overwhelmed and his secret formula goes down in flames along with him.
Lupin III Part I Episode 01 Review
Episode 01, "Is Lupin Burning…?!"
*****SPOILERS*****
Synopsis: Lupin III participates in a suspicious Formula One-style race. The race is a trap from the Scorpion crime syndicate to destroy Lupin and dominate crime in Japan. Lupin’s operative, Fujiko Mine, is captured, and he has to switch places in the race with his ally Jigen so he can rescue her and confront the organization’s boss. All the while, Lupin is pursued by Inspector Zenigata, dogged chaser of Lupin. Lupin manages to destroy the Scorpion group’s headquarters and race track, but Fujiko betrays him to the law. Lupin manages to slip away, and shows Fujiko that there’s no hard feelings.
Batman vs Robin Review
****SPOILER-FREE SYNOPSIS*****
Synopsis: Batman is having a little trouble with his new Robin. Namely, it’s his son, and he was raised by his assassin mother to use deadly force at any threat. Robin’s had to rein himself in, but now finds himself tempted by the arrival of a mysterious assassin garbed in the guise of an owl, who wants to take the young boy as his own partner. Batman finds that the owl man is one of many working for a secret society in Gotham who want Bruce Wayne as a member, and have a hard time saying no. Can the Dark Knight keep both his son and his city from slipping away into the darkness the owls dwell in?