Recap: Power of Passion

Hey everyone. It took a while to determine what I wanted to do next, so I’ve decided to just close out this month with another episode of Code Geass R2. This might be a bit of a rush compared to other things I’ve done this month, but I’ve been occupied with schoolwork and I want to get that finished first. So, let’s open up “Power of Passion.”

Picking up from the last episode, I am once again pleased that this is one of the few episodes that doesn’t begin with an introdump or endless heavy-handed exposition!

One of the bystanders outside says that they “don’t understand what goes on with the Chinese federation.” That makes two of us. Also, I’m not going to make much of the symbolism of Shirley being given a handkerchief by someone disguised as Lelouch. There’ll be another time to address that, knowing what lies ahead.

Of course, Rolo is onto his “brother,” saying that “he’s acting too nice” as they go into an underground lair, complete with a bookcase entrance like an old episode of Scooby-Doo. If you’re wondering about all the quotation marks, I’ll get to that in a moment. What I want to know is, where’s the caveman?

It turns out that “Lelouch” is actually their maid Sayoko in disguise, furthering the Scooby-Doo jokes! I would have thought it was Old Man Dithers, the creepy candy store owner!

It would have been mine if it hadn't been for those meddling kids!

So yeah, the Black Knights are still in a stalemate with the Chinese federation, with Schneizel and the Knights of Round joining the battle and the fanservice returning with a vengeance. (Sighs) This is gonna be a total clusterfuck, isn’t it?

Also their plan is to basically destroy the mausoleum they’re hiding out, knowing the Empress would die in the process. Well, there goes more of the conflict of the last few episodes I covered down the drain.

In the span of less than a minute, we get another mecha battle between Xingke, one of the Knights of Round AND another coup by the High Eunuchs! Called it!

Zero even has an escape plan ready in case of a defeat, and Kallen has been bound to a table in a scene that I’m not going to show you. Not just because of Google’s standards, but because I personally find this intended fan service less titillating than even Fifty Shades; and that’s a criticism I don’t make lightly. 

At the five-minute mark, the battle is one of the least coherent ones in the series so far, with few characters saying anything of substance that I haven’t heard in previous episodes. It’s just a mishmash of quips and political hogwash, so not really a stretch these days.

Unaware she’s no longer of any value to the Federation (trust me, it’s stupid), the Empress just runs out onto the battlefield! Why do I get the feeling if she weren’t royalty, she’d throw rocks at beehives for fun?

It gets even dumber when Xingke defends the Empress in the Shen Hu! Congratulations, you found a way to make the last episode even more pointless than it already was.

Zero has apparently taken command of the Gawain Knightmare frame and its “Druid system,” and now I’ve totally lost it. Why do I even bother sometimes?

It’s also been reformatted into the “Shinikiro,” and its special move is essentially a downgrade of the battle at the waterfall in the first season and a ripoff of the “death blossom” from The Last Starfighter. We even get a reprise of the “strategy/tactics” thing from the last episode. Well, at least it’s not repeated eightfold like the “public/communal pool” thing.

Also, to further my comment about the 2017 setting being only slightly as shitty as the actual year was; the Shanghai rebellion scenes are definitely much more uncomfortable given numerous high-profile incidents that took place in real life.

Realizing that the revolt has cost the High Eunuchs their support, the enemy retreats just as reinforcements arrive; and Xingke finally kills those obnoxious caricatures. 

Yet, Kallen is taken prisoner; and we then get another scene with Jeremiah being “enhanced” in the presence of VV. I REALLY hope this plot thread is reworked for the remaster, since it raises numerous questions that the story doesn’t even attempt to answer, to say nothing of the other ones already on the table.

So, in order to annul the political marriage completely; it’s suggested that the Empress elope with someone from Japan. Look, if I don’t care which Kardashian is getting married; I sure as Hell don’t care who marries her, or for what reason. It’s just an excuse for the dialogue to further degrade into old sitcom clichés. 

On that note, Zero gets a call from Shirley about what Milly has planned for her graduation. … We’ll talk about that one in February, since it’s the halfway point of the series and it’s part of what I have planned that month. I still don’t think the scene of her changing into her swimsuit in the locker room was all that necessary. If she’s using a mobile, why couldn’t she make that call anywhere? For that matter, why does Lelouch have his phone on him? Why wouldn’t he just give it to Sayoko to complete the facade? Maybe not in my top 10 reasons this anime disappointed me, but still.

Honestly? Between asking Shirley to help break someone up, Tamaki acting like a dumbass, and Shirley fumbling with her socks in the locker room, this episode feels less like a follow-up to what the first season laid out and more like an old episode of Three’s Company! Some of you might have to Google that one, folks. 

The scene goes on with talking about passion, getting a glimpse of Shirley’s delicates and Zero somehow almost forgetting he’s doing all this for Nunally. Jor-El, Arceus, Bowser, this makes no sense.

Sayoko, disguised as Lelouch is able to dissuade Shirley’s suspicions and hide the bookcase entry by suddenly making a move on her in the library. … No comment there, just this music. 

With more fan service from CC, we close on Lelouch returning to the mainland via a submarine, somehow. (Sighs) Eleven episodes down, 14 more to go.

“Power of Passion” may have been marginally better than the last episode, but it still has many of the same problems. The animation quality is marred by incoherent editing, and the story and characterization further compound the problems with R2. Despite all the talk about passion and love in this episode, this whole story feels like it was made in a vacuum. This is also a shorter recap than I hoped to have out, but I’m still glad I got out something. So, check back with me in February for what I have planned next, and it’s all going to be related in some way. Later. 

Recap: A Peacetime Reward! Who Gets the 100 Million Zeni?

Dedicated to the memory of Hiromi Tsuru

Hello everyone. Given how busy this term might be, as well as how this week is also one year since my grandfather’s passing; I thought I would finally do some of Dragon Ball Super, as a way to do a belated tribute to Bulma’s Japanese voice actress Hiromi Tsuru. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in either case, since I watched some Bulma-centric episodes of the original series, but couldn’t find enough material to work with. So, I thought I would take the easy way out and do the first episode of Super, so let’s open it up. 

The opening theme song, “ Go, Let’s Dynamic” (roughly translated) is relatively good to set the stage, and it definitely has a good sound overall. I just get pumped every time I hear it coming on Toonami, so feel free to have a listen on this link. 

It turns out this anime goes a different direction after the defeat of Majin Buu towards the end of DBZ, and the world has been at peace for six months (even longer in terms of fan wait). This, along with the movies they’re coming out with, officially de-canonize GT and give Toriyama more incentive to wash away that terrible Evolution movie, much like me. The first episode of this new chapter in the Dragon Ball Saga is entitled “A Peacetime Reward! Who Gets the 100 Million Zeni?”

Our proper opening is on Goku doing some farm work when his tractor gets stuck. He then unroots the stump that the wheel got caught on before Goten arrives with lunch and takes over. Very amusing how all those bento boxes can fit in just one piece of cloth.

Anyway, Goku laments that he has to find work instead of training; since Chi-Chi’s been on him and the Ox King’s palace burned down again. Typical: never easy, even in times of peace.

Elsewhere, on a distant planet; Beerus is sampling some of the delicacies they have to offer before deciding whether or not to blow up their planet. He’s satisfied overall, but since the dessert had a greasy aftertaste, he only destroys half the planet. This initial arc, which I’m almost finished with; is adapting the Battle of the Gods movie, and I rather liked that film. After I watch episode 14, I’m going to finally finish the Resurrection of F movie so I can properly get caught up.

As his retainer Whis asks if that was harsh, Beerus replies that the grease would make him “sluggish.” I don’t think that would be a problem if you can split a planet in half just by tapping the same claw you’re picking your teeth with. What I do know is that it was a good call choosing him for my next top 13 anime villains. 

We then cut to the mansion of Hercule Satan (yes, that is his real name); where he is once again given credit for saving everyone despite the Z-warriors being responsible. I admit he’s not a good liar, but there are worse people whose adolescent power fantasies you could indulge. So, everyone decides to just let him have it.

Speaking of which, Majin Buu comes into the room and demands food, forcing Hercule to cut the interview with the news short. It’s a long story, but the main reason why Buu is living with Hercule is basically the same reason no one tries to make him angry: even though he’s reformed, they’re afraid of what he’ll do if he isn’t fed. Even if he’s no longer evil, you don’t want to make him mad, even if he is a pile of pink slime in Hammer pants. 

Meanwhile, we see Videl and Gohan in their studies, where Gohan has gotten what translates literally to a “Difficult Book.” Oh yes: I’ve always been a fan of the Difficult Book! I enjoy it almost as much the Complicated Film!

Goten and Trunks then decide to help find a belated wedding present for Gohan and Videl; leading to a somewhat amusing scene in a jewelry store with a man quite literally flipping his wig at their comments and the sight of them flying out the door! 

Trunks then suggests getting Videl something for her skin, leading to a brief flashback of him watching Bulma in her vanity mirror. It’s rather wistful, even as someone who’s a relative newcomer to the Japanese version.

When they’re priced out of getting the gift they want at the shop, they hear of a hot spring from an old man; and he’s even kind enough to give them directions! 

Goten and Trunks find the source of the spring, and fill a whole jug of water with special properties to give to Videl! 

After a brush with a massive snake, the boys return with their gift. Gohan and Videl are pleased to see them, but Videl corrects them; as they confused the “eau de toilette” skin care solution with merely “toilet water.” I used to mix up lightsabers with Life Savers candy when I was little, so no worries. 

I know it’s taken me a while to mention this, but the animation itself on this episode is actually not that bad. The original version was infamous for how off-model it looked when it aired, but by the time the dub started; Funimation must have gotten the footage from the Japanese Blu-Ray releases. Not quite as snazzy as the movies this series sometimes adapts, but still looks good.

Later that day, Mr. Satan then gives Goku 100 million Zeni for his help; and it also turns out that he built Gohan and Videl’s new house! While it takes some prodding, Goku accepts, meaning he can go train without worrying about money!

Of course, Master Roshi wants to spend it on erotic movies, which gets him reprimanded by Chi-Chi for being such a dirty old man! Yeah, you old coot: you can get a lot of that stuff online for nothing!

We then close on the realm of the Kais, where the Supreme Kai sense a disturbance of another planet being destroyed. Figures: when it’s not massive WMDS built by the Empire (and more recently, the First Order), it’s a hungry beast from a parallel universe.

It took longer than I was hoping to do this, since I was occupied with other projects when the news broke of Hiromi Tsuru’s death from an aortic dissection: in non-medical speak, a literal broken heart. She may be gone, but her legacy will last forever among fans the world over. In addition to Bulma, her many roles included Ukyo in Ranma 1/2, Meryl Strife from Trigun; and Naomi Hunter in the Metal Gear Solid series. I do not know how future Dragon Ball material will handle her passing, especially with the current run of Super set to end in March with more to come.

For now, though; this episode was a fun start to the show; and a good way to help wash away those bad memories of GT and Evolution. Sometimes, you just wake up one day and decide you want to put this on and write about it. I mean, what would you rather watch: a fun series like this or a mediocre one like Black Clover? Seriously, Crunchyroll- don’t sell me a passable anime and try to hype it as the best ever. It isn’t. 

Anyway, depending on what happens tomorrow; I have several things planned. I will decide what I want to do next after that. There is still no official word on the English dub of the third season of Yo-Kai Watch, and the dub being recast doesn’t change anything about my plans for that series. Everything else is to be determined. So, I leave you with these words from Tsuru’s memorial service.

“If you gather the seven Dragon Balls, they’re said to grant you any wish; but not this time. I’m sorry.” Nozawa Masako, Goku’s Japanese voice actress

That will be all for now. Later.

Recap: When Shen Hu Wins Glory

Hello everyone, and welcome to my 10th recap of Code Geass R2! It’s been a while since I covered the last episode and its sham of a political marriage; and one of my plans for this year is to finish this anime, and hope the planned remaster and third season can rectify the issues of this one. So, without any further ado (this includes the usual theme song and intro dump of the last episode), let’s open up “When Shen Hu Wins Glory,” if you’ll pardon the quasi- Engrish Romanization of the original title. 

Picking up where we left off, Zero is about to abscond with the Empress in a Knightmare Frame! Of course: actually delving into what sort of consequences the actions would have politically? (Scoffs) The Hell with that: we’ve got a fucking robot! 

Admittedly, the design of this one, the Zangetsu is actually not that bad, as Zero orders Tohdoh to take care of Schneizel while he makes off with the Empress! 

As Schneizel and the Eunuchs try to leave, the plan goes to “phase three” (and I’m not talking about Marvel either) as we’re treated to another leery cleavage shot of a female pilot. Well, at least she’s in full costume this time, but I would still appreciate it if R3 and the remaster did away with this. How much overboob do you need, Taniguchi?! 

The animation, as per usual, is fantastic; but this time, editing and camera work seem much more choppy than previous episodes. I know how tight deadlines can be (I don’t like missing ones either, especially not ones I set for myself); but this definitely needed a bit more time in post.

The Zangetsu is also apparently on the same level of footing as Suzaku’s Knightmare Frame. It would be nice if we could have actually built up this development, but like most of the stuff in this anime, it just comes out of nowhere.

Again with the float unit? That plot thread was stupid in “Operation: Pacific Surprise Attack,” and it’s even dumber here. After Tohdoh disables the unit, Zero demands they break off the attack. Why? You’ve got the upper hand, you’re supposed to be a clever strategist! Do you honestly think they wouldn’t account for the escape attempt you’re making?! Jor-El, Arceus, Bowser, this is bad.

More of the Eunuchs? Not only do they intercept Xingke’s order to cut off the enemy’s escape with the “Dragon Calvary,” their voices just grate on my ears every time I hear them. Not only does it give me flashbacks to Mr. Funioshi from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, it just makes me wish Xingke would tear out their voice boxes just to shut them up!

So, after that, CC and Tamaki try to help the Empress escape in the back of a truck while Kallen provides air support. Between Tamaki’s inept navigation, explosions and confusing editing; it feels like watching Riding With Death again. 

Apparently CC has been here before, and Zero actually sounds like he’s about to describe what might be a real plot; but sadly, this is not to be. It just devolves into the same fauxlosophical description of international politics that I’ve seen before. I really hope they get back to the balance R1 had with these elements in the remaster and third season.

The Empress then says she isn’t sure she understands all this. Even the characters themselves aren’t buying this crap anymore, and that’s really not a good sign when there’s still 15 episodes left to handle.

As Tamaki demands a position that’s more than a glorified roadie, Zero replies that can be discussed “once this crisis has passed.” If I waited for that, I highly doubt I’d get anything done anymore. So, I just have crises galvanize me into motivating myself instead.

So, the bridge at Shen Chun is out, but it turns out the Black Knights planned for this! Krispy Kreme: I’ve covered anime from the 1960s that didn’t have this much plot contrivance! I am this close to switching back to my reruns of Voyager again, I’m serious. 

Of course, after the pursuit forces are taken out; the Eunuchs immediately drop the charges against Xingke so he can help. Which makes this scene entirely pointless! Go ahead and add that to the list.

It turns out Zero planned for this to happen, and accounted for Xingke also wanting to free the Empress. He planned a coup at the same time Xingke was. Zero, the DCEU Lex Luthor called; he wants to know how why you’ve co-opted his way of planning!

Before they can call reinforcements form India, however, they’re ambushed by another mecha: the Knightmare Frame Shen Hu from the title! Barely ten minutes in, and they’re still desperate to surprise me. I’m just letting them know they had a snowball’s chance in Hell.

To be fair, this may not be the worst episode of R2 I’ve seen or looked at here, but it is one of the most shockingly dull ones I’ve done. Even when Kallen clashes with Xingke, I don’t really feel much tension as a viewer. I feel like I’m about to nod off on my keyboard in the middle of typing. Almost six years of doing this; and I’m starting to build up an immunity to this anime.

Seriously, despite all the technobabble about the mechs fighting right now; it just boils down to a couple pilots trying and failing to one-up each other despite dwindling ammunition and supplies. That translates to “slightly less boring than shutting down my computer and looking at a blank screen for 24 minutes” at this point. 

Somehow, Kallen is taken hostage in a flurry of noise and gunfire; but Xingke is unable to finish her off due to an injury from before. Goddamn it guys: this is an even bigger tease than last time! Seriously: I refuse to defend that chess game from before; since even Deep Blue would call bullshit on it!

Despite the Chinese Federation taking Kallen hostage, the men on the Ikaruga try to hold out until the reinforcements from India arrive. … Too easy.

Even Kallen seems bored in this whole ordeal, as am I. Insert another joke about her tight red flight suit here.

You are like cinnamon!

So, Zero tries another move out of left field, feigning the idea that India is betraying them too! Really, Zero? That’s as transparent a deke as using Bo Jackson against the Eagles’ QB in Tecmo Bowl!

Zero then declares, “Now we’ll teach Xing-ke the difference between strategy and tactics!”

Strategy, noun, Oxford English definition: the art of planning and directing overall military operations and movements in a war or battle. Often contrasted with tactics.

Tactics, noun, Oxford English definition: the art of disposing armed forces in order of battle and of organizing operations, especially during contact with an enemy.

Good grief, it’s the whole “communal vs public pool” thing all over again. In any case, the script where that makes any sense in terms of realistic dialogue is currently lost somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle.

The scene even time for some photos of the welcome party from before in one of the penultimate festival episodes. Don’t worry, I have a bit prepared for when the time comes, but Suzaku questioning this as an “invasion of privacy” is downright quaint nowadays. At the risk of editorializing, I refer you to his counterpart in Code MENT and his misadventures at soup. 

Also, I can’t really joke about his comment regarding Shirley, knowing what lies ahead. It just doesn’t seem right.

So, the battle on the hill tries to play itself like it’s the battle of Mutara, rather than the Briar Patch scenario it actually is. Just as well: in the process of watching these episodes again to write about them, I never know whether I’m going to get something that’s boring or something that’s so infuriating it blows my mind. Just like Washington these days. Total coincidence: no disrespect intended!

Seriously, the battle between Shen Hu and Zangetsu just feels like a game of Custom Robo that I’m not actually playing. Off topic: I still don’t have a Switch yet, but if the rumors of the Gamecube Virtual Console are true, that’s one of the games I want on there. Very underrated title, but I digress.

It actually turns out that Xingke planned for this too, since the irrigation breaks and leaves everyone covered in what I presume is the same septic water this episode is made of! The whole claim of shoddy construction is nowhere near as far-fetched as the Eunuchs think either, especially these days. Also: there’s a metaphor in that water; and it’s not good.

With few options left, Zero gives the order to retreat; but not before firing off another weapon at the enemy forces. Once again, the bad news is that I have no idea what just happened to who or why. The good news is I don’t care! 

Even though I still don’t like Rivalz, this bit of him, Rolo and Shirley at the computer is actually not that far off from the state of things right now. This anime was apparently set in 2017, but things are only slightly more shitty than how that year actually was!

We then close on the various forces scattering for their next attack, with Zero having another weapon ready. There’s a little bit with the news of the coup and a decoy for Lelouch, but it’s little consequence. Ten episodes down, 15 more to go.

“When Shen Hu Wins Glory” isn’t the worst episode of R2 I’ve done, but that’s the only thing it really wins in my eyes. It’s a small booby prize when I just get a dull episode in a series full of lackluster ones. Even with the animation being well-crafted as usual, the lack of an interesting plot; clear character motivations or cohesive editing make for one of the most tedious things I’ve covered recently, and I’ve seen Black Clover. However, being a sleep aid is at least a step above trying to melt my brain into a nutrient-rich slurry. Still, with my marathon of the Pokémon movies complete, this is one of my next big projects for the coming year: finishing what I started with this series. I doubt I will be able to take back any of what I’ve said before, but I know I can’t ignore my past experiences with this if the remaster and third season are on the way. All I hope for them is to be good: that’s all. On that note, I will determine what I want to do next after I find out how busy I’ll be with class this term, and I will see you then. Later. 

Recap: You're A Star, Larvitar

"I think that inside every adult is the heart of a child. We just gradually convince ourselves that we have to act more like adults." -Shigeru Miyamoto

Hello everyone. By the time you read this, I will have had my 26th birthday; and my classes will have started back up again. This month will also see the release of Pokémon Crystal on 3DS Virtual Console, so I thought I would do something simple to get back into the swing of things. This is one episode of Master Quest I’ve been wanting to do for a while, and I thought I would do that before I get to my other content and my potential gym battle showcase later this year. For now, let’s open up “You’re a Star, Larvitar!” 

We open at the base of Mt. Silver, where Ash, Misty and Brock are on assignment from Professor Elm! Their mission is to return a Larvitar to its birthplace; since it hatched from an egg he got from a nature reserve! As Elm speaks with everyone over the phone, I must point out this is around the point the show started using digital coloring after previously using cel animation. The movies had done this fairly early on, so seeing the show itself adopt the style actually suits it fairly well.

Elm is also impressed that Larvitar seems more confident than before, since the Pokémon had a bit of a scare with some poachers before it hatched, and also had trouble opening up to people as well. This sort of mini-arc is one of the bits of Master Quest that stood out at me as I got back into the series when I was younger; and this one is probably the one I enjoyed most of all from that.

After the opening sequence, Ash decides to have a battle with another trainer named Satchel, to practice for the upcoming Silver Conference. I am still not doing any tournament arcs, and I don’t want to inundate my blog with as much content of this series as I did last year. I will still talk about the new movie as well as what Game Freak has planned for the Switch, but that can wait until I have more to address.

While Ash’s Cyndaquil has improved since the series began, Satchel still proves to be surprisingly skilled, and the latter ultimately wins with how powerful his Magby is! However, he still wants to train into a Magmar, so it will be even more powerful! I know that feeling: playing Gold and Silver again on Virtual Console; I’m definitely out of practice battling Red. Need to level up my rosters before I take him again since I was 10. 

Likewise, seeing a Quilava practice its moves inspires Ash to train more; though ironically he wouldn’t get one himself until Diamond and Pearl. Funny how that works sometimes. Kind of like how my trainers in US/UM can go into a parallel universe on the back of a gryphon or giant bat, but they can’t climb up a ledge.

Nearby, Team Rocket decides not only to make a move on Ash’s Pokémon, but all the ones in the area! They’re persistent: almost as much as these people I saw who were after a mooseberry bush. Nobody there but some shrubs!

Their gadget this time involves a giant vacuum attached to their Meowth balloon! Pardon my French, guys, but your plan sucks! Wordplay, ha!

It turns out the balloon is a decoy, and they’re going to wheel their haul away in a truck! Also, I just love how Quagsire’s expression is the same content look among all their booty. Those throwing shade at the Generation VII player characters need only look here. Koffing may have mastered that same chipper expression through everything, but Quagsire is a close second in my book.

Ash, who was also sucked up along with Cyndaquil, is left tied up and bound in a nearby cabin! I’m not going to question anything, but I am going to play this music.

So, before Team Rocket can drive off with their catch; Larvitar is not only able to puncture their tire by biting into it, but can also dig through the floorboards! Pretty useful moves, and came around quick from acting like a statue to strangers a little bit ago.

After Larvitar chews through Ash’s ropes, even though Ash is disappointed that Larvitar could have gotten hurt; he is glad Larvitar is all right and came to get him.

The next step is freeing the captive Pokémon, and Larvitar is able to provide another distraction by puncturing their tire again! It was probably made by Firestone. Ash’s Noctowl is able to find the truck and lead everyone else to it, and Cyndaquil and Magby are able to burn through the container holding them so they and the others can escape! 

When Jessie, James and Meowth; they’re aghast, and state that stealing something that’s already stolen is still theft. Technically, yes; but Ash rightfully calls them out for stealing first in what’s actually one of my favorite reaction images from the series. His face is just fantastic.

I AM NEVER GIVING YOU PIKACHU, YOU HEAR ME YOU LIMP DINGUS?!
AND YOUR MOUTHWASH DOESN'T CUT IT EITHER!

All of Ash’s Pokémon and the other trainers arrive, and now the fun truly begins! As a way to commemorate six years since starting this blog and almost ten years since I started getting back into the series; the battle that ensues between Ash, Misty, Brock, Satchel and Team Rocket is just so outrageous that I absolutely love how it speaks to my inner 10-year-old!

With one last push, Satchel’s Magby evolves into a Magmar! With the combined might of Magmar and Ash’s Cyndaquil, Team Rocket is sent blasting off once again! Nice little breather for my birthday, especially with what I’ve got lined up next. 

Satchel thanks Ash for his help training, and then we close as he sets off to take Larvitar to the nature preserve! I’m honestly surprised he can carry Larvitar without injuring himself, as its weight in the Pokédex is 158.7 pounds standard, 72 kg metric. Even more in one of the Sun and Moon episodes I saw in Japanese, where (spoiler alert!) he can do the same to Cosmoem despite that weighing roughly 1.1 tons standard, and just a smidge under 1,000 kg metric! I only have a handful more episodes like this I want to cover before retirement, but for now, I’m going to enjoy this.

“You’re a Star, Larvitar” is a very solid episode for me to help lead off another year of doing recaps on this blog; full of sharp, colorful animation and battles that make great use of the Pokémon they have at hand. I only have a handful of episodes like this I want to cover here, but based on what I have planned next; it was either going to be one of these or my 10th episode of Code Geass R2. So, I understandably decided to get a rock kaiju baby out of the way first. Anyway, I will keep trying to preorder Crystal on 3DS eShop; and I will be moving up what I had planned next on account of class starting back up. Next time will be my 10th recap of Code Geass R2! See you, space cowboy!

2018: Year of the Dog With Countless Possibilities.

Hello everyone. Now that I've gotten back from dinner with my family; I thought I would briefly lay out some plans I have for the coming year ahead.

Now that I've finished my look at all the Pokémon movies, coverage of the anime will be back to my usual "whenever I feel like it" basis. I'm still contemplating a gym battle showcase before too long, but I'm still trying to figure out how to approach it.

I also intend to finish what I started with Code Geass R2, with sixteen episodes of the series remaining. I highly doubt I will be able to take back what I've said about the ones I've already done; but I don't want to. If what I've heard about the remaster and R3 are true, they will have to do quite a bit to wash the disappointment of R2 away. I honestly hope they're not just going to go the "Renew Your Vows" route, since it's a similar problem of an elephant in the room that so large, it could carry the Maja Rajah around India. Granted, I want to forget a lot of what I've seen, but Sunrise can't just ignore it if they're doing this.

As for Yo-Kai Watch: my plans are still largely the same. I have a backlog of episodes that I haven't tapped yet, but I'm waiting for an official airdate for the dub's third season. I will only recap the third movie if the third game is given a US release, which I cannot confirm or disconfirm. However, I would appreciate if people stopped claiming the 3DS is being discontinued this year because of the Switch (it isn't, both Reggie and Kimishima have pledged their support past this year). Also, the voice actors being recast doesn't change anything; since it's not the first time this happened. It happened with Pokémon, it happened with Sailor Moon; and it happened with Dragon Ball as well. I'm not pulling the trigger just yet, since barring Johnny Yong Bosch and to some extent Joey D'auria, most of the cast seemed wooden to me. Maybe it will be like some anime where the voice actors are an improvement. One Piece sure benefited from that, and Funimation has done such a good job with Dragon Ball that I keep forgetting about the infamous Saban/Blue Water dub; but that's beside the point.

I also have many surprises planned; you will just have to wait and see what they are. That will be all for now. Later.

The Next Top 13 Anime Villains.

Hey everyone. I know the past year was totally bonkers, but I certainly hope I can keep adjusting over this year. Still, as someone who enjoyed doing my Top 13 Anime Villains this time last year, I thought I would do a follow-up list with more candidates I didn't cover before, as well as some choices that may or may not surprise you. So, I present the Next Top 13 Anime Villains!

13. Emperor Charles Vi Britannia (Code Geass R1)

While I still have plenty to say about how badly R2 messed with this character, the R1 characterization of the Emperor is still an ideal combination of traits that can make a solid choice to lead off this list. An ambitious tyrant, an abusive parent and a cruel, power-hungry despot are all qualities that were more than enough to make him a looming threat throughout the first season of Code Geass. I will have much more to say about how R2 undid this over the course of this year, but it's still a good way to lead things off.

12. Beerus (Dragon Ball Z: Battle of the Gods/Dragon Ball Super)

When I heard that Toriyama was going to get directly involved with Dragon Ball again after being hands-off for GT (he made some artwork, but did not personally write or direct any of it), I was ecstatic. As a villain that was made for the Battle of the Gods movie and the first arc of Super, Beerus definitely stood out. While he may not be my favorite villain overall (I am contemplating doing a separate list for Dragon Ball villains later on down the line), he definitely has a sense of playfulness to go with his otherworldly strength. Were it not for his retainer Whis, or the amount of delicious treats that can only be found on certain planets, he could easily reduce everything he sees to dust in the time it takes to blink. His reign in Universe 7 is exceeded only by his brother in Universe 6, Champa. Overall, he was an ideal first threat to revitalize the series after GT and Evolution (even Toriyama hated that movie). [Side note :I still want to recap some of Super soon, and do something to offer a belated tribute to Bulma's Japanese actress, Hiromi Tsuru.]

11. The Witch of the Waste (Howl's Moving Castle)

While Howl's Moving Castle may not be my favorite Miyazaki film, it is on the list. Moreover, while I realize this villain takes some liberties with her counterpart from the book; she still stood out, and she's one of many reasons why the film is a very creative work overall. I also think it's a nice touch that she's taken out of the film before its final act, which you rarely see in any film. Even though the Witch of the Waste is just outside the top 10, it's proof that it was tough for me to do this list, much like it was last year with all the choices I have next.

10. Beelzemon (Digimon Tamers)

I have made no secret about how much I have enjoyed Digimon Tamers, so it's only natural I would include Beelzemon on this list. As the personification of Impmon's desire to grow stronger without bonding with a tamer, the design and weaponry highlight his original persona perfectly. In many ways, when he realizes what he's done later on in the series; his transformation into an ally and anti-hero makes him in my eyes; the anime equivalent of Deadpool. He's not the last villain that takes this path on my list either, so I have some affinity for antagonists like that.

9. Yami Marik (Yu-Gi-Oh)

Last year, I was split on which Yu-Gi-Oh villain I wanted to include; and this was one of the choices I had in mind. The personification of Marik Ishtar's inner darkness posed a very great threat from his introduction in Battle City; I'm once again surprised how little the abridged series had to change with his character. His character provides a wide range of gleeful malice over the course of his tenure in the show, and this sort of villainy will also be a factor in other entries on my list.

8. Accelerator (A Certain Magical Index/A Certain Scientific Railgun)

Now we're getting into some of the juicy stuff. Accelerator is easily one of the most delightfully twisted villains in the universe of A Certain Magical Index and A Certain Scientific Railgun, taking great pleasure in causing the protagonists pain. I am enjoying the seres immensely for how it uses the fantasy, high school and science fiction genres; and with more content on the way, I am eager to see what kind of mayhem and chaos Accelerator will unleash next.

7. Dio Brando (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)

Dio as he appears in the Phantom Blood manga.

You thought there wasn't going to be any Jojo's Bizarre Adventure coverage, but it was me, Dio! Now that I have that meme out of the way, I can honestly see why many people like Dio even as a relatively new viewer of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure. Given how his name for a departed rock star permeates throughout the whole series, I can expect to see much more of his misdeeds even as I continue my viewing of the series. I am still not recapping it, but I can honestly say his reuptation is well-deserved.

6. Vicious (Cowboy Bebop)

I have made no secret of my love for Cowboy Bebop over the years, and one of the many reasons why is how Vicious managed to be easily the best villain that Spike dealt with over the course of the show. He's a character that is the polar opposite of Spike in every way, and the one foe that always managed to make all his appearances some of the most dramatic and involving of the show. With Toonami putting this anime back in rotation again, you can bet I'm going to relive every moment of their as I have since I was 12.

5. Crocodile (One Piece)

Much like Dragon Ball, One Piece has such a wide array of villains that I could make a whole list of just them; without even having to go through all the cells in Impel Down either. Crocodile's classy presentation is exceeded only by how ambitious he is as a villain, and cruel. He not only controls the entirety of the water supply in Alabasta with his Devil Fruit powers, but also wants to overthrow the whole kingdom with the help of Baroque Works and use the backdrop of an already ongoing civil war to further destabilize the kingdom of Alabasta. He also is an individual that has a very strange amount of respect for his adversaries, whether they're Princess Vivi or Luffy. So, he's equal parts dangerous tyrant and respected "legitimate businessman," perfect to round out the top 5 of my list.

4. Ryuk (Death Note)

As I continue to wash my hands of the live-action Netflix remake; I shall continue to include characters from the original source material with the shinigami Ryuk! While many villains on this list were motivated by greed, power, or malice, Ryuk was unique for a simple reason: he was bored, and wanted to treat humanity like his toys; hence what led to the Death Note coming to our world. He is an ideal contrast to Light's desire for an ideal world, and even the liberties that were taken with his character in the Netflix movie couldn't deter his appeal (though Willem Dafoe was at least one of the few people that was actually trying in the movie).

3. The McDougal Brothers (Outlaw Star)

Left: Harry McDougal. Right: Ron McDougal

One of the things I'm enjoying most about rewatching Outlaw Star as of the HD remaster is how distinct the McDougal brothers are as villains, and not just in terms of design (with Ron's scar on his lips and Harry's bluish-green hair). Much like Vicious, the McDougal brothers are the antithesis of Gene Starwind's character; being less motivated by adventure and caring more for pillaging and murdering anyone that crosses them, including others searching for the Galactic Leyline. Ron is generally the more aggressive of the brothers, while Harry is much more depraved for wanting to jump Melfina's bones. I am more than halfway through the remaster's broadcast, and regardless of whether or not they finally air the hot springs episode; I am most likely picking up the complete series DVD and Blu-Ray in the near future. I am considering even doing more in 2018, since in many ways, this anime is actually better than I remember it.

2. Commander Viral (Gurren Lagann)

I know what many of you are thinking: "one of the villains of your favorite anime only makes the second spot, Steven?" Well: that's how things happen sometimes. Still, I knew that I would have to include this Commander Viral, given his arc over the course of the show. All the beast generals had unique personalities and designs, and Viral was no exception. As a noble demon, he is bound by a sense of honor even with his enemies. An early example is after the hot springs episode, he demands that Team Gurren get dressed, stating that "fighting NAKED naked apes will win me no honors." After the time skip, he even becomes an ally in the fight against the Anti-Spirals, and the vocal performance by Sam Riegel is one of the many characters of his nature he's had the honor of voicing. I am also enjoying hearing Nobuyuki Hiyama's performance in the subs, and he has one of my favorite music cues of the whole series. It was honestly another tough call between this entry and my top pick, but here goes.

1. The Puppet Master (Ghost in the Shell)

Courtesy: Screen Junkies

As I put 2017 to bed at the stroke of midnight, I can officially start putting the ill-conceived live-action remake of Ghost in the Shell behind me. Even though the film's critical and commercial failure may have been a big stain on any future live-action adaptations (very skeptical about Battle Angel Alita, for example); it still couldn't deter how influential and wonderful the original source material is. Though the new film attempted to repurpose both Cutter from the manga and Kuze from the Stand Alone Complex TV series to diminishing returns, the villain that has stood out the most at me is the one from the 1995 film: The Puppet Master. In an age where the internet, AI and robotics continue to grow and change with each passing year; the Puppet Master was ideal to personify that change. More than anything, the Puppet Master's motivations were not born from any of the traits that I detailed in the above entries. It had no form of its own: it was data in cyberspace that wanted to know what it meant to be human, at any cost. That's a key reason why I consider this film to be every bit as important an entry in science fiction revolving around what it means to be human in the machine age as Blade Runner and the first two Terminator films, and the main reason why I have chosen this villain to be the top entry on my list.

While there are no honorable mentions this time around, I will most likely do one final list to close out this trilogy; since I don't want to keep milking this. I don't work for Konami, after all. Happy New Year, everyone; and I will be back soon with more content. Later.