anime

Posted in

Otaku Evolution Episode 162 – Record of Lodoss War

Can you believe Record of Lodoss War was based on a bunch of D&D sessions? Personally, I couldn’t really get into D&D, despite my geeky nature. Too many stats, dice, etc. I do like it as a storytelling engine, but the downsides outweigh the advantages to me. Meanwhile, RoLW seems like a heavily edited series of sessions, because there’s no way things went this smoothly.

I did, actually, play some GURPS RPGs, at some point. I couldn’t navigate that if you asked me now, I’d have to refamiliarize myself with it, but it was pretty fun. I even ran a superhero game once, though it was a hot mess. I kind of miss those days. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Otaku Evolution Episode 161 – Stand By Me Doraemon

It’s not often an anime gets me teary-eyed, and embarrassing as it is, this one did, and I wasn’t expecting it. Sure, Doraemon as a franchise is family-friendly and leans heavily on the warmth of childhood fantasy, so you would expect Stand By Me Doraemon to try to tug at the heartstrings as shamelessly as possible. Well, it succeeded.

It’s kind of weird that, even though this has an English dub, it was never released over here. I mean, it even features the likes of Johnny Yong Bosch, Mona Marshall, and Spike Sp— Spike Spencer?! Well, no production is perfect. Anyway, it’s a solid dub, Americanizations aside. They should really get this one out on Blu-Ray over here sometime. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Otaku Evolution Episode 160 – Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (Part 2)

I decided to, for whatever reason, do a “previously on” segment for this two-parter, partially in the style of Gundam Wing itself. I suppose it just pads the runtime, but then, so does my little Gundam Wing Theater bit (though I loved doing that).

What’s up with all the grandiose speeches in Gundam Wing? I mean, you certainly get your fill of verbal onslaughts regardless of whether it’s in the After Colony or Universal Century timelines, but Gundam Wing seems addicted to these odd philosophical bludgeonings. It gets annoying, mostly because it’s usually a lot to say a little. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Otaku Evolution Episode 159 – Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (Part 1)

Welcome back to Otaku Evolution!

This session is the first part in a two-part Gundam Wing review. Why two parts? Because of a few reasons. One, it gives me more time to gather all my thoughts and feelings about this 49-episode TV show. Second, so I can concentrate on the good things about it in this first part and the bad things in the next. I even have some additional pixel elements for my presentation next time, so I need time to work on that, too. So it’s not just laziness on my part.

I thought I’d start the video with a bit of a refresher of the “universe” I review in, too, and in the style of Gundam Wing itself. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Otaku Evolution Episode 158 – Year End English Dub Review VI

 

Once again, I’m evaluating all the English dubs from the anime I’ve reviewed in the second half of the year. It’s a pretty good variety of dubs, in terms of studios. The only two titles that share the same one are Eden of the East and Lupin III: Island of Assassins. And the quality is likewise varied, with the troublesome Mewtwo Strikes Back dub from 4Kids, the just kind of “there” of X TV, despite it’s excellent cast, and the highs of FLCL‘s classic masterpiece of a dub. Lots of shades in the spaces between, too. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Otaku Evolution Episode 157 – Christmas Grab Bag 2019

I always have a certain level of fun creating the Christmas episodes, even when I get a touch of seasonal depression myself. Normally, I really enjoy the holidays, at least initially, but when other people around me aren’t keeping up to my level of excitement, it bums me out. It figures, the one time of year I put aside most of my cynicism (most, not all) is when some people decide to get pouty. But then, as a shut-in, I don’t have to deal with a lot of things other people do, so who am I to judge? As of this description writing, I’m pretty okay, chilling and playing Christmas music. Christmas is next week, so let’s hope I can keep up the positive vibes. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth•
Posted in

Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Episode 24 Review (SEASON FINALE)

Episode 24, “My Friend”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Peace has returned to the Free Planets Alliance. However, Yang Wen-li has his doubts as to the nation he’s saved, and its leader, Job Trunicht. Yang is surprised when he hears Imperial Admiral Merkatz has defected, and plans to take him at his word. Trunicht and his inner circle discuss what to do with a reluctant Yang, but he has no fear and leaves it be for the moment. Reinhard, now recognized as a duke, and de facto in charge of the Empire, visits Siegfried Kircheis’ grave on Odin, while Yang visits the graves of Jean-Robert Lapp and Jessica Edwards on  Heinessen. But meanwhile, on Earth, the cult of Terra waits to see if their machinations pay off. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth••0
Posted in

Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Episode 23 Review

Episode 23, “Farewell to the Days of Old”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Reinhard is presented with the war prisoners at Geiersburg. Farenheit is brought into his fold. Ansbach makes an attempt on Reinhard’s life, but misses, and fatally injures Kircheis in the struggle, then commits suicide. Reinhard is devestated by the loss of his dear friend, seeing and talking to nobody for several days. Oberstein contacts Annerose in an attempt to stir his superior from his seclusion, which works. Meanwhile, Minister of State, Lichtenlade, is taken into custody to prevent his schemes into stopping Reinhard’s rise to power. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth••0
Posted in

Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Episode 22 Review

Episode 22, “The Fall of Goldenbaum”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis:  Kircheis confronts Reinhard over the Westerland Incident and the latter’s allowing it to happen. This creates a small rift between the two as Lohengramm’s forces close in on the nobles. Said nobles, meanwhile, are dwindling after failures in battle and bad publicity. Flagel is determined to challenge an admiral one-on-one and is rejected by Reinhard’s men. He is ultimately killed by his own subordinates after refusing to listen. Admiral Merkatz’s own subordinate saves him from a suicide attempt and suggests he defect to the Free Planets Alliance instead. And Prince Braunschweig’s assistant, Ansbach, forces him to die by poison to go out with dignity. Geiersburg Fortress is occupied by the new power in the Empire. read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth••0
Posted in

Legend of the Galactic Heroes: Die Neue These Episode 21 Review

Episode 21, “Victory For Who’s Sake?”

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis:  The last obstacle between Heinessen and the Yang Fleet are the twelve defense satellites that circle the planet, Artemis’ Necklace. First, Yang has Bagdash announce that the coup on the FPA government was orchestrated by Reinhard von Lohengramm. This astonishes and angers the National Salvation Council, but Real Admiral Lynch admits it’s true. At this point, Yang destroys the satellites with propelled masses of ice that shatter them. Lynch kills Admiral Greenhill and is, in turn, killed by Greenhill’s subordinate. The coup is over. Frederica mourns the loss of her father. Order is restored to Heinessen and Job Trunicht reemerges, in care of the Earth cultists. On Phezzan, Adrian Rubinsky assigns Boris Konev to spy on Yang Wenli.   read more

Penguin Truthby Penguin Truth••0