Posted in

A Trip Down Memory Lane, Part 1

This past weekend I had the fortune of visiting my folks back home for the 4th of July weekend. While home I decided to dig out two of my toy chests, giant plastic bins, with a hodgepodge of toys from every point in my life. My main intent was to photograph some of the more memorable items. Perhaps these toys are pretty kick ass, perhaps my nostalgia glasses are on full blast, but either way it was good to see some of them again.

For the most part most of my old toys are in pretty worn condition, some barely exist anymore. Take for instance what’s left of my beloved Optimus Prime G2…

Posted in

Angel Hunt… Now on YouTube!

My first real AMV, Angel Hunt, is now on YouTube. I realize a lot of people don’t have Vimeo accounts and YouTube is more accessible (I guess) so I finally threw it up there as well. At least until someone sends ’em a bullshit DMCA take down notice because they don’t know crap about fair use. Anyhow, enjoy… again…

UPDATE! – Surprise, surprise, it’s been removed because of a copyright claim from 株式会社カラー. What a bunch of cunts. It’s clearly protected under Fair Use, as are the other 5000 other Eva AMVs currently on YouTube. read more

Posted in

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – Episode 64 (FINALE) Review

Episode 64, "The End of a Journey"

*****SPOILERS*****

Synopsis: Knox and Marcoh arrive at the military hospital to visit Mustang, who recovers in a room with Hawkeye and is quizzed on information about Ishbal. Roy has been studying to help the Ishbalan people. Marcoh offers to use a Philosopher’s Stones to restore his sight, reasoning that ultimately it will benefit the race of the people that it was made from. Mustang accepts the offer, as long as they use it to heal Havoc first. At the Armstrong mansion, Scar recovers, and Oliver informs him of Miles’ plan to help Mustang help the Ishbalans. Scar decides he will assist. Edward and Alphonse, entering Risembool, reflect on the Xingese leaving Amestris, Ling having promised to protect May’s clan when he becomes emperor. Arriving at the Rockbell home, the brothers are tackled by a welcoming Winry. Two years pass, and Edward and Alphonse talk on the roof of the Rockbell house, reflecting on the vastness of the world. In Central, Grumman, now the Fuhrer, talks with Mrs. Bradley, and they are approached by a small Selim. At the Hughes house, Alphonse explains that he and Edward plan to thank all the people who have helped them. Alphonse meets with Jelso and Zanpano, the frog and boar chimera, who hope to get their bodies back. Alphonse states his intention to travel to the East, past Xing, to visit all the countries and learn their secrets. Edward, going West, is at the Risembool train station with Winry, and in his own way, proposes to her. She accepts. The train leaves and Edward is off on a new journey. A montage of photographs of events afterwards reveals that at some point Edward and Winry have children together. read more

Posted in

Mom blames manga, library, for putting her son into “home for extensive therapy”

Looks like ignorant, irresponsible, parents are at it again…

A Japanese serial graphic novel genre popular with young teens has raised the ire of a Crestview mother whose teenage son got hold of an adult version of the genre from the Crestview Public Library. “Manga” depicts highly stylized adventure and, occasionally, violence in fantasy settings.

Margaret Barbaree, founder of a citizens’ group called Protect Our Children, presented examples from a manga book to the Crestview City Council Monday evening that she described as “graphic” and “shocking,” taken from material she said is “available to children” at the Crestview Public Library.


Click to Enlarge

“My son lost his mind when he found this,” Barbaree said of the manga book from which her examples were taken. She said her son had removed the book unsupervised from the library’s general stacks last summer and put it in his backpack. “Now he’s in a home for extensive therapy.” Earlier this year, Barbaree had circulated a petition bearing 226 signatures of citizens protesting the availability of manga, which she mistakenly referred to as “anime,” which is actually Japanese animation. However library said some patrons complained they were misled when they signed the petition. “They told us she (Barbaree) approached them at the Christmas parade and asked them to sign a petition protesting pornography in the library,” said Resource Librarian Sandra Dreaden. Barbaree said Library Director Jean Lewis explained to her that there is a demand for manga, and that the library strives to meet the needs of its patrons. Council President Charles Baugh Jr. assured Barbaree that “We have safeguards in place to protect our children and we have committees that review library purchases so they meet the standards of the [American] Library Association.” The books that concerned Barbaree “are in the library for those who wish to partake of them and they are in a section of the library” for adult patrons, said Baugh, who visited the library himself the day after the council meeting and said he found the manga available in the young adult section perfectly innocuous. “We follow up with our citizens’ concerns,” Baugh said after meeting with library staff and viewing the young adult manga. Baugh also confirmed that the book Barbaree’s son had accessed was in the general stacks well away from the children’s and young adult books. “Our library is well managed and well staffed,” Baugh told Barbaree while assuring her, “I am a family man and I understand what you are saying.” Lewis said the manga available in the young adult section of the library is oriented toward young teen readers and does not contain the adult themes of the book Barbaree’s son took. That book had been in the general stacks, on a top shelf in a section with other graphic novels and comic books not geared toward young readers. “We have policies and procedures in place to prevent underage children from accessing those materials,” Baugh said. [Crestview News Bulletin]


Nothing makes me want to stab an innocent bunny like outcry from a group called Protect Our Children. Do us all a favor and actually raise your own children and leave everyone else alone. You’re responsible for the development of your child and his understanding of the world around him. If some lousy manga is going to push him over the edge it’s safe to say you’ve failed at your job of being a parent. Imagine what would’ve happened had he read American Psycho or bothered to read up on human history. As for the manga he was reading? Robot 6 @ Comic Book Resources reported that Barbaree mentioned the comics, "The Naked Suicide Girl," and, "Psychic Academy." Psychic Academy is mundane. Skimming through the first volume, there’s some definite fan service, but no real violence or nudity. At it’s worst, near the end, the main character trips into his love interest, only to accidentally cop a feel. Terrible, just terrible. Every measure should be taken to prevent young boys from encountering any knowledge of sexuality. read more

Posted in

Under the Cel Shading – #1 Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

In a world where cartoons are pervasive in their presence and varying in their entertainment, there are so much triumphs and so much trip-ups that we can’t sit and savour them all like glasses of iced tea. So… I welcome you to what is Under the Cel Shading, where we down such moments in animation. They are the moments that are so obscure, so forgotten, so bad, so shocking, so violent, and so good, and I’m here to dole out a cool glass in this weltering heatwave that is the world of animation. And let us start with my premiere!

Posted in

The Legend of the Legendary Heroes – Episode 01 Review

The Synopsis

Legend of the Legendary Heroes is set in a mythic land of magic and sword play. It’s based off a 11 volume light novel series that ran between 2002 and 2006. It’s being produced by Zexcs and is licensed by Funimation here in the US.

The first episode starts off with a little history lesson. Ages ago a group of demons threatened the whole world, only to be saved by a man known as the Legendary Hero. He was the wielder of a new power known as Alpha Stigma.

Posted in

Occult Academy (Seikimatsu Occult Gakuin) – First Opening

Video is MIA, or you’re on the home page! 🙁


The song is Flying Humanoid, performed by Shoko Nakagawa.