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Lupin III: A Woman Named Fujiko Mine Episode 03 Review

Episode 03, "The Lady and the Samurai"

    *****SPOILERS*****   Synopsis:  Fujiko poses as the tudor for the king of Astria’s three grandchildren as valuable artworks are within reach on a train. A mysterious samurai, Goemon Ishikawa, appears on the train, claiming to be an entertainer. His mission is to assassinate the king. The train becomes out of control after sabatoge and Goemon is determined to stop it. Goemon cuts the rear cars away from the main body and saves everyone. At the castle, Fujiko encounters Goemon again, her only captured treasure the king’s belt. She kisses him and retreats. He runs off as well.    Comments:   This episode introduces the anachronistic samurai, Goemon Ishikawa XIII, who uses his sword, the Zantetsuken ("Iron-cutting blade"). He’s a man who believes in honor and has a great pride. In this, they have him as an assassin, but he ends up saving the day. He’s the kind of guy who is a little awkward, because his ideals are so out of place with modern society. Despite his hard looks and stern nature, he’s some times got a naivete when it comes to women, as it shows in this episode. He tries to be a gentleman, and even averts his gaze from Fujiko’s nakedness (well, he averts it after a while). You can say that he is entranced much in the way Lupin is, but Lupin is a bit more savvy and understands that women can be fickle.    By the way, I have to applaud Daisuke Namikawa’s performance as our SAMURAI FRIENDO. He makes Goemon sound very sharp and serious. I was a little skeptical when they brought him on in Blood Seal~Eternal Mermaid to replace the aging Makio Inoue. Inoue, who had played Goemon for decades (also Captain Harlock a few times), was so great in that role, and Namikawa was known for boys and young men, and I wasn’t sure he could pull it off. However, he does an excellent job in sounding battle-hardened, if a bit misplaced.    We get a bit more look into Fujiko’s psyche in this episode. Just as she told Jigen in the last episode that she’s constantly outrunning her past, she tells Goemon here that just like with him, "There’s no place for me anywhere, either." She’s constantly moving around, as a thief, never settling anywhere. And there’s a bit of sadness to her regarding that. Whereas Lupin is happy just having a challenge, Fujiko seems to be trying to fill a hole in her life (no, not that hole, pervs). I wonder if we’re going to get any further insights into her past. It’s also worth noting that Fujiko sacrifices her chance to get a lot of those treasures for the sake of helping to save the king’s grandchildren. We get some softness from her, a kindness she was lacking before. We see that Fujiko is indeed capable of caring for others.    The only flaw of the episode was that, well, I’m no train expert, but won’t that type of train stop on its own without coal being fed to it?    Favorite scene of this episode was, of course, Goemon cutting all those bullets in half. Priceless.  

Overall Score:

4.5 out of 5

 
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Gundam AGE Episode 26 Review

Episode 26, "The Earth… is our Eden"

*****SPOILERS*****   Synopsis: The Veigans target Nortrum, a Federation production base. Flit makes the Diva the flagship of the fleet defending it. Desil is outraged that he’s in the reserved forces. The Diva’s mobile suit team launches. Zeheart launches as well. Combat begins. Asemu uses his Double Bullet to great effectiveness. Desil appears and fights both Asemu and Woolf. The Federation fires a giant laser weapon that the main Veigan ship survives intact due to Zeheart’s warning. Desil activates his ability to control other mobile suits, but Woolf saves Asemu, only to be run through by Desil. After telling Asemu to become a super pilot, Woolf’s mobile suit explodes. In a rage, Asemu attacks Desil, destroying his mobile suit. Flit launches in AGE-1.      Comments:   This was an awesome episode.    Killing off Woolf could prove to be a big mistake in the future, since he was such a good character and added something to the mix, but he went out like a champ, saving Asemu so he can live on to be a SUPAA PAIRUTO. What I liked was that the death was a little surprising, but not completely out of nowhere. There were a few death flags before this, but when he kept surviving, they were easy to ignore. But I guess I should’ve known by the speech he gave Asemu in the last episode that something would happen to him. The result is that this death actually has a bit of impact, both on the characters and the viewer. My only problem is that somehow nobody gave a shit about Grodek’s death (except Flit for about a moment), but Woolf’s death is  mourned by all. Grodek probably can’t rest in piece because of that.    The Federation has a big ol’ beam weapon that increases the effect of the Diva’s main cannon. I think it was pretty neat, even if it didn’t really do much. I want to see a similar to Zeta Gundam or 0083 fight to defend the laser parts so it can fire. I think the remaining members of the Losers Eight should attempt that.    The loser Desil finally meets his end, not at Flit’s hands, but by his son’s. That was a great beatdown. Only unlike Flit, Asemu showed no mercy at all. For a moment I thought he might, but nope, Desil’s gone. It’s about time. That guy’s single-minded pursuit of Flit put himself and his comrades in danger. This is one less headache for Zeheart, who by the way, seems glad to be rid of him, despite them being family. I love how Desil’s mobile suit could control the others, though. He should have taken better advantage of that, but he was too obsessed and wasn’t thinking clearly.    Speaking of losers and death flags, when is that obnoxious redheaded guy going to die? If I had any problem with this episode, it was my trouble caring for this guy or the glasses girl. I mean if there aren’t death flags waving everywhere on this guy, I don’t know what a death flag is. Forced romance with a non-character? Admitting his desire to marry her? Her agreeing to marry him just before he leaves for combat? I think maybe Sunrise is mocking the people who think his death is coming. It would be hilarious if this guy survives the entire generation only to be killed right away in the third one.    The action in this episode was excellent. Especially when Asemu let loose.      Overall Score:

4.5 out of 5

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Lupin III: A Woman Named Fujiko Mine Episode 02 Review

Episode 02, "Magnum .357"

  *****SPOILERS*****   Synopsis:  After losing a bet to Cicciolina, the owner of a casino and a mob boss, Fujiko is tasked with stealing the gun of a mob bodyguard, Daisuke Jigen. Fujiko infiltrates the rival faction as the girlfriend of Jigen’s boss, to get closer to Jigen. However, she has difficulty due to Jigen’s distrust of women. Fujiko drugs him and is able to takes his weapon. In the past, Jigen had an affair with Cicciolina and her husband found out. When he threatens to kill Jigen, the two struggle and her husband’s gun goes off, killing him. Jigen takes the blame for what happened. In the present, Jigen meets Cicciolina in a church where he’s ambushed, but takes down every gunman. She points his magnum at him and he shoots her, but it turns out the magnum was empty. It was all a set up so he could kill her. Jigen decides to give up being a killer.    Comments:   An episode of Lupin III without Lupin III! I guess Fujiko really is the main character. Although, that, too, comes into question, because she barely plays a role in this episode herself, and is more of a plot device than anything else. We do get some insight on her in the last scene though. She talks about outrunning her past. Are their some secrets about Fujiko’s past that are yet to be revealed? Interesting.    The main focus of this episode is the bearded shootist, Jigen. And more specifically, his relationship with the woman, Cicciolina. Anyone familiar with the franchise knows that Jigen has trust problems when it comes to women, especially Fujiko. But it looks like he may just be trying to distance himself as to not get too attached to anyone. With Fujiko, though, he can sense she’s trouble and takes an immediate dislike to her.    I really enjoy the short shoot-out at the church. It reminds me of hardboiled noir fiction or maybe a little bit of "heroic bloodshed" movies. I love the movement, and Jigen hiding in the dust. It lends a sharp contrast to the earlier flashback where he has sex with Cicciolina in the coffin at the same church. I think the haunting organ music used in the scene fits perfectly with both the setting and mood.    There was no doubt that from the beginning, Cicciolina was seeking death, the way she lived her life. Maybe she always expected to be killed. What she didn’t expect was falling for Jigen. She reminds me of the character Tracy from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but with a twist.    What’s with Fujiko’s constant hair color change in this episode? She’s a brunette, she’s blond, she’s black-haired. Is she wearing wigs or did she really color her hair between scenes? One thought is that the scenes don’t happen right after each other. From the scene where Jigen finds Fujiko’s knife to the one where she’s pouring tea, perhaps a few days passed. It’s not clear.    I’m loving the use of those sketchy lines as shadows. It especially works in the scene where Cicciolina was struggling for the gun her husband was holding.  Another scene where it works well is the conversation between Fujiko and Jigen at the end. There’s just a very mangaish aesthetic to the whole thing that I enjoy.    Just like in the previous episode, we get the firing of a gun at the end. Only this time it’s a real one.    Another good episode. It had a dark, gloomy, tragic feel to it, but didn’t feel maudlin. It felt very real, very palpable. According to my research, Fujiko will be meeting Goemon in the next episode. I can’t wait to see his swordplay.      Overall Score:   4.5 out of 5    
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Gundam AGE Episode 25 Review

Episode 25, "The Terrifying Mu-szell"

  *****SPOILERS*****   Synopsis: Asemu overhears his father speak with Dique about the Veigan MS head/cockpit and the pilot’s helmet, which bring out X-Rounder potential. He immediately wants the helmet. However, Flit turns down his request to use it. The Veigan Magicians Eight unit is having difficulty following orders from Zeheart. Desil overhears their conversation and tells them he’s going out with them. They close in on the Diva. Asemu attempts to take the helmet, but Dique stops him, only for him to take it after Dique leaves. In battle, Asemu takes down another of the Magicians Eight. Woolf takes another of them down. The Veigan soldiers retreat. Later, Veigan ships appear near Earth.    Comments:   So… wait. There’s absolutely no fallout from the characters to the death of Grodek? Not only does Flit seem to be over it, but no reaction from Milias, Woolf, or Dique? Does anybody but Flit even know about Grodek’s death? Is Flit having it investigated? I would have thought that for sure there’d be a funeral scene with some of the old Diva crew in attendance, like Largan, or that one guy that piloted the ship, the dude who wanted to get home to his mother. Nothing. Nobody says boo about it for the entire episode. It’s almost like it didn’t happen at all. It’s really unsettling. Grodek deserves better than this.    The writers seem to be pushing the relationship between the red head and the glasses girl, and I still couldn’t be bothered to care (even about their names). Well, it was pretty retarded that he actually proposed to her. I’m surprised he didn’t die in this episode, because proposals are death flags. Maybe it’s only a death flag if she accepts, though. When this guy dies, I’m just going to laugh at the predictability of the show. If he lives and they marry, I’m not going to care, because these characters only have shadows of personalities.    I don’t know who the biggest bunch of jobbers are in Gundam: the druggies in Gundam SEED, the Skittle Squad in Gundam 00, or the Magicians Eight (Four now) in this show. They’re supposed to be the top elite X-Rounder soldiers. But nope, they just lose and lose and lose. What a bunch of failures. Even Woolf, who isn’t even an X-Rounder, took one down. It seems like they are entirely wastes of character designs. Sunrise easily could have just made a bunch of faceless X-Rounder soldiers, not these also-rans.    And Desil, jeez, Flit doesn’t even need to be in a mobile suit to beat him. He is a loser’s loser, like Jerid Messa in Zeta Gundam, but worse. Even Jerid came close to killing Kamille at times. He’s no competition to Flit at all.    I like the point Woolf makes about just being a really badass normal, that you don’t need to be a X-Rounder to be a good pilot. He’s proof of that.      Overall Score:

3.5 out of 5

P.S. What the hell is a Mu-szell? Is that one of the Veigan mobile suits? 

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Lupin III: A Woman Named Fujiko Mine Episode 01 Review

 Episode 01, "Great Thief vs Lady Phantom Thief"

  *****SPOILERS*****   Synopsis:  Master thief Lupin III crashes a marriage ceremony between a cult leader and his mistress. However, he soon finds out that the bride, a woman named Fujiko Mine, is after the same treasure that he is: the secret to a powerful drug the cult uses. The cult leader imprisons them both, intending to execute them. However they both manage a way out of their situation. Lupin suggests they compete for the prize. The two of them both find their way to where a giant statue made of the drug is. The police, led by Inspector Zenigata arrive thanks to a note Lupin sent. The island begins to fall apart, but Lupin has a plan, rocketing out on the statue, with Fujiko close behind. Ultimately, the statue falls into the ocean and dissolves, leaving traces of the drug on the surface of the water.      Comments:   I love me some Lupin III!   I have to applaud this episode for doing what any other Lupin III TV series has done before: that is, do an episode that establishes Lupin. The first series’ first episode was about some criminal organization that had something vague against Lupin and he seemed more like a secret agent in that episode. The second series did a first episode that was a callback to the first series first episode, no heists there. The third series did a pretty mediocre "here we go again" kind of first episode. But this, this has a first encounter, that is the one between Lupin and Fujiko, establishes Lupin and Fujiko as thieves, establishes Lupin’s reputation, have an actual incident of stealing, and gives a pretty good view of what the franchise is as a whole. They even throw in the classic Lupin "I’m going to steal X" note.    You’ve just got to love both Lupin and Fujiko in this episode. Fujiko is not ashamed to use her feminine charm (TITS) and cleverness to get what she wants, but Lupin is also very crafty and gets the better of her on occasion. They’re a great match for each other. But the way this episode plays out, Lupin seems very much the main character of this show that supposedly revolves around Fujiko. He’s got all the answers, all the moves, and he’s the one who comes the closest to claiming the treasure.    There’s full-frontal nudity up the wazzoo in this. Even the opening credits depict nipple pinching. It tries to come off as classy and artsy, but it doesn’t quite make it. On the other hand, it doesn’t seem cheap and tawdry, either. It’s not exaggerated much and it seems more seductive, a means to an end.    And just look at the art and animation of Takeshi Koike, the driving (lol) force behind Redline. The character art is very unique, but brings to mind the classic Lupin III manga by Monkey Punch. Lupin has a wealth of expressions, both subtle and wacky, and is rendered in a way that reveals his supreme confidence. They don’t shy away from Fujiko’s dangrous sexuality, either. Inspector Zenigata, who doesn’t do a lot in this episode, looks somewhat intimidating and hardboiled. I love the flare of the animation’s movements and how the art changes to reflect the action in it.    The voice acting is rather excellent. I think this is some of Kanichi Kurita’s best work as Lupin. He can sound very cool and smooth, but also very silly, and expresses all of that very well. I didn’t think he could do this type of Lupin as well as Yasuo Yamada did in the first TV series, but he pulls it off rather well. And Miyuki Sawashiro, still fairly new to the part of Fujiko, came off youthful, vibrant, and sexy. I’m still waiting to hear more of Koichi Yamadera’s Inspector Zenigata.    The music is, well, jazzy, but understated. It does help illuminate the mood of the actions, and gives it a classy atmosphere, but it’s not really remarkable in any way. I know it’s too early to say this, but I kind of miss Yuji Ono. Still, it’s not bad music in the slightest. Though it might disappoint those waiting to hear the second TV series theme music.    The whole thing definitely feels a bit like the original manga, or the first TV series. It’s got a bit of a sternness to it, a feel of danger. I like it.      Overall Score:   4.5 out of 5    
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Toonami Renaissance?

I owe a great deal of credit to Cartoon Network for making me the anime fan I am today. Of course, I also owe Sci-Fi (SYFY, or whatever they’re calling it this second) and Encore Action Channel as well, but let’s put them aside. When I was still a burgeoning anime fan, with only Ronin Warriors and the first two seasons of the Dragon Ball Z dub under my belt, Cartoon Network entered my life, and so did a programming block called Toonami (like a tsunami of cartoons!). It didn’t just affect me, but an entire generation of anime fans, and cartoon fans in general. read more

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Gundam AGE Episode 24 Review

Episode 24, "X-Rounder"

  *****SPOILERS*****   Synopsis: Flit meets with Grodek in a bar. Grodek tells Flit that there’s a traitor in the Federation. On the Diva, Flit gets out of the brig. While out in the colony, he encounters Zeheart. Asemu admits that without fighting he won’t be acknowledged by anyone.  Zeheart pulls a gun but Romary arrives and distracts him. Asemu takes Zeheart’s gun and turns it on him, but Romary puts herself in between them. Zeheart escapes in his mobile suit. Asemu sorties in the Gundam, engaging Zeheart in battle. Flit arrives on the scene in the AGE-1 and Asemu is told to back up the other units in the fight with the Magician Eight units. Flit engages Zeheart and the two match each other’s abilities. Dique sends the AGE-2 a new part, the Double Bullet. Asemu devestates the Magicians Eight, killing two of them. Zeheart the others retreat. At the same bar, Flit waits for Grodek, but Grodek is followed by a man who stabs him. Before Grodek dies he erases the data he had with me. The man is also killed.     Comments:   NOOOOOOOOO, GRODEK! Why’d they have to kill of one of the best characters (probably the best character from Gen 1)? Though, I have to admit, I kind of had a feeling this would happen, especially when meeting with Flit and telling him he had important information that he would get to him the next time. Why not give him the information right away, if it was that important? And now that information is gone because Grodek deleted it, so now all Flit has to go on is a hunch that something fishy’s going on.    Blue Desil, Yark Dole’s son, being the person to kill Grodek, fit well. I mean, Grodek totally rubbed it in his face after he killed his father. But then Blue Desil himself gets shot by a bunch of guys in trenchcoats, so it seems kind of a waste to bring him back just for that. Why didn’t Blue Desil become a Veigan pilot like Desil? And who are those guys in the trenchcoat working for? I’m guessing it’s that somebody who Grodek was suspicious of. But if the trenchcoat guys wanted Grodek dead, why not just shoot him themselves? The middle man seems kind of pointless.    Man, is Milias going to be depressed.    But let’s get to Romary. Romary Romary Romary. They actually went in the direction I wanted them to, with Romary defending Zeheart. Nevermind that Zeheart and his lackies have been trying to kill the crew of the Diva, it looks as though Romary has stronger feelings for him than she does Flit. Could it be that she’s in love with him instead of Asemu? Asemu now views her as a traitor. Interesting. Though predictably, I still fully expect a full reconciliation, because the third gen kid looks like he’s Romary’s son. It would be interesting if it were somebody else’s, though. Like Dique’s daughter, Arisa. She’s pretty awesome.    Well, the Magicians Eight- or should I call them the Magicians Six?- is a unit of X-Rounder jobbers. I guess they’re following in the footsteps of the druggies from SEED and the Skittle Squad from 00. We know almost nothing about them except that they seem to be intended to be a special squadron and they’re really cocky. But as soon as Asemu got that Double Bullet part, they were out of luck and jolly well fucked. Kind of a waste.    Overall, though, it was a good episode. A lot of good drama. I expect quite a bit of fallout in the next episode.     

Overall Score:

4 out of 5

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Gundam AGE Episode 23 Review

 Episode 23, "The Suspicious Colony"

  *****SPOILERS*****   Synopsis: Grodek Aiona is finally released from Federation military prison. After the defeat at the Big Ring, Zeheart hears the complaints of the ace Magicians Eight unit. The Diva arrives at the Solon City colony, with Flit accompanying them, to investigate the Techno Solon company.  While Milias speaks with a representative, Woolf goes undercover and discovers a hanger with Veigan mobile suits. Flit intends to launch mobile suits, but Asemu objects on the grounds that there could be civilian casualties. Flit orders a launch and they arrive just in time to save Milias and Woolf. However, the city is damaged in the battle. After a while, Asemu decides to go into action with the AGE-2 and takes down the enemy MS. The secret Veigan base self-destructs. Asemu is put in the brig for his actions. Flit meets with Grodek.      Comments:   It must really get on Milias’ nerves, having to take orders from Flit. I mean, he was just a little brat and now he’s utterly bypassed her in rank, for no good reason. Just because somebody’s a great pilot doesn’t necessarily mean they have what it takes to command. Did Flit just suddenly become command material after that battle with the Veigans years ago? If I were Milias I’d have quit the Federation in disgust. It’s bad enough they railroaded Grodek, but it seems like Flit only became a commander because he was a talented pilot. I haven’t seen anything that points in another direction.    Am I missing something here, or is the show trying to make us care about the redheaded guy and the girl with the glasses that works with Dique? Is this some sort of subplot that will lead to something relevant to the work as a whole? Because so far I’m not really getting into it. I really don’t care if redhead gets with glasses girl. You can tell, because I have no idea what the names of those characters are and I’m watching the show. They both just seem like flat, bland characters who the viewer is supposed to find cute because of their awkwardness. But I’ll give this a little time to see what blossoms.    Flit’s kind of a jerk. I don’t like his attitude. I know they’re at war with the Veigans but he seems pretty stringent. Grodek seemed to be a bit more flexible and had a warmer feel to him, even if he was out for revenge just like Flit. Though I have to admit, Flit was probably right to do what he did in this episode, and his reasoning was pretty sound. If they don’t act an even greater tragedy could occur. If Flit hadn’t ordered the MS deployment, it was very likely that Milias and Woolf would have been captured or killed. Asemu volunteered for the military, so his little tantrum was a bit hypocritical. Especially since he went out in the AGE-1 on his home colony a bunch of times and could have put civilians at risk.    I really like that the grunt suits are using Titus parts. I wonder if they’ll be using Spallow soon.    Oh, and Grodek is back! So Flit outranks him too, probably! Shit.    

Overall Score:

3.5 out of 5

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