Jumping in Headfirst

Chrome Shelled Regios Here's what happens when you make the mistake of not completely reading up on a story before you check it out. I read the first few chapters of Chrome Shelled Regios about a year before the anime announcement. It had potential as a series that was part-fantasy, part-fighting, but since I couldn't get any further with the manga, I just dropped it. When I began watching the anime, it threw me off guard to see the staunch differences. Post apocalyptic now but still mixing in school drama, my interest in this series drained. As the story developed, it grew less interesting. There's a nonsensical prequel that's interspersed randomly in each episode, that's not only never really explained, but in Engrish so it's hard to understand. Like Yozakura Quartet, you get the sense that there's a more fleshed out universe in a different adaptation, we just never get a chance to see it because the series itself doesn't know whether to adapt the ...

Young Alive!: Hm. This may be more of a ballad...oh, nevermind. Very cheery song, which fits, given the title, actually. Another song in which I'm loving her willingness to try different pacing to match up with her song. It actually sounds like an mid-career Masami Okui song, with the upbeat guitar solo near the end. I don't have much to say on this one, as this is one of those songs that you really enjoy, but there's nothing specifically stand out-ish about it? (Other than it'd be awesome to have this as Vivid's Opening theme.) Jounetsu no Counter: Oooh. This one has an opening like a dance track. Sounds like Red, except with a bassline. I love Lute playing in the background (thank my friend for that--I did NOT know the name of that instrument), and while I guess for some people it might be a weird track to dance to, I couldn't stop moving. My second favorite song on the album, and probably one of my favorite Masami Okui songs of all time. (Next ...

Last song of the year. Kirby Krackle, creating one of the greatest superhero songs of all time. The video makes it even more amazing. This song perfectly captures the life (and loneliness) of a superhero.

Unlike a lot of the "hardcore" anime watching population, I am usually unable to stomach J-Dramas. With a few notable exceptions, I find them all to be quite boring. Tokyo Dogs, with former Kamen Rider Mizushima Hiro ("Walking the path of Heaven...") as a main protagonist, is one of these notable exceptions. In addition to being hilarious, the end theme is awesome. Another case of EXILE doing good work.

Novel idea in the hands of two dope (if quirky) rappers. Check: OG Original Gamer. I gotta know what their gang sign is. The Pac-Man symbol?

Another nineties series I picked up, Saber Marionette R is three-episode OVA sequel to the far more "popular"/well-known series Saber Marionette J, penned by the writer of one of my favorite anime, Bakuretsu Hunters. The series is set three hundred years after the adventures of the original Cherry, Lime, and Bloodberry, and the hapless protagonist Otaru, and in a world that is apparently much worse off. Already, the series is off to a much less interesting start than the original, as darker and edgier is generally the more boring direction. In the end, what we are given is a far more forgettable, but more "action packed" version of Saber Marionette J. Hapless boy ends up with three hot cyborg girls. But where the original series had mysteries to solve and, (at least mildly) made one question what constitutes being a human, this series avoids all of that to shove weak fight scenes (it's not a fight if you don't have the HOPE of winning) and more misogyny ...

I am just different. That's the only answer. One of Gambino's most clever songs. That's saying a lot.