My Hero Academia comes to Toonami May 5.

Just a quick post before I go see Avengers Infinity War, the popular anime My Hero Academia will be coming to Toonami on May 5. I definitely love the news, and I will start with my experiments and my next Code Geass R2 recap after I get back. I will not give, nor shall I accept any spoilers on the Infinity War, and I will check back after that. #ThanosDemandsYourSilence

Pokémon Generation VIII Rumor Mill, other goings-on.

Hey everyone. I've been real busy with my screenwriting class lately, but I have been pleased with some of the content I've been able to put out despite my technology setbacks. I definitely want to get more out, including an experimental style for my next few recaps. Plus, my cat Rocket is getting surgery done; I hope that goes well.

Even though my gym battle showcase probably doesn't seem feasible right now under these conditions, I thought I would try something different for this post: addressing the rumor mill spinning for Pokémon Generation VIII, currently in development for the Nintendo Switch.

While precise details have been scarce compared to previous generations, it cannot be denied the promise of the game in itself has created considerable amounts of hype. The concrete details that I have personally been able to pin down are that the game will be released in the window of 2018 to early 2019 as per statements made by creators such as Tsunekazu Ishihara, who has been instrumental to the series since it began. Additionally, there is an open world concept on the table that is influenced by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. As someone who loves that game, I am very excited for this prospect (it was a good game for the Wii U to go out on, and an ideal one to lead off for the Switch; which I definitely plan to start saving up for soon).

Other rumors have already been debunked, such as a handful of supposed new starter Pokémon being outed as fakes on at least two occasions. So, for the sake of argument, I will just give my thoughts on the information that has not yet been confirmed or disconfirmed yet. I'm no quartermaster, but I will do my best as someone who usually doesn't actively speculate like this.

I definitely don't know if the game will be a full remake of the original Red and Blue, especially as someone who never played Fire Red or Leaf Green and has no plans to. It's possible, and I would have no problem with it, but I think it will most likely be a completely new experience that takes place in the same continuity but could also work as a launching-on point for newcomers; like the new God of War that just came out. I can't totally be sure about the leaked screenshots either, but I do like the idea of expanding the ride Pokémon feature from Generation VII in lieu of the HMs from before. I can definitely imagine the graphics will look excellent, and differences in using the console in portable mode and home mode won't bother me personally. I still play a lot of games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras, after all. I also like the idea of a potential new battle system. I definitely am not sure about any comparisons to the Digimon World games as someone who never played them, but the turn-based combat being changed to a more "active" combat style like in Pokkén Tournament could potentially work. Overall, I submit that we have done console-level 3D RPGs in the series before with Colosseum and Gale of Darkness, we can definitely do it again (especially since those games are high on my list for this potential Gamecube Virtual Console).

So, regardless of when the game comes out; I will have plenty to talk about in my final year of this blog; and my plan is to get my 3DS repaired, then start saving up for a Switch and get my computer repaired. I'm also going out of town next month and going to see Avengers: Infinity War this weekend, so I will hope to have some content out to start these experiments if I can. That's all for now. Bang.

Yo-Kai Watch Shadowside First Impressions, Thoughts on Yo-Kai Watch 4 on Switch.

Hello again everyone. After I expressed my dislike of the original Yo-Kai Watch anime for its 214 episodes and first 3 films (not officially recapping the third unless I hear official confirmation of Yo-Kai Watch 3 being localized); I was definitely one of the people who was more onboard with Shadowside being a total rebrand of the series.

Now that I have seen some of it as well as heard news of Yo-Kai Watch 4 and future Level-5 titles being made for the Switch... I actually think it's workable? As well as something that actually isn't that bad? Is... this what hope feels like?

Please note that even though I haven't seen the Shadowside movie yet, there will be some spoilers for the initial episodes of the anime. Also, regardless of whether or not Yo-Kai Watch 3 is localized, the fourth game being on Switch will be less of an issue since it's not region-locked. So, let's get this started.


The series takes place 30 years after the events of the original anime, with the Keita and the other human characters thankfully having made way for a new group of heroes. As mentioned before, there is Akinori, the eldest son of a family of fortune tellers; Touma, a young man whose parents are often away on business, and Natsume; a young woman who is apparently Keita’s daughter. There’s also her   younger brother Keisuke, who seems reluctant to accept the idea of paranormal phenomena, least of all these confounded yokai. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

As someone who was raised on the likes of YuYu Hakusho and AMC Fear Fest, I was very unimpressed by the original series’ portrayal of the premise as a cutesy “neighborhood investigation series” (when I Googled that term, I got an absurd amount of results from Investigation Discovery). To me, the fans’ view of “chill and comfy” instead translated to “safe and boring.” That’s been one of my major complaints with the series for a long time. Given how TV ratings and sales have slowed to a crawl even in Japan, it’s exactly what I said would happen. If I must bring up one big parallel with Pokémon, it’s that the series needed to evolve in order adapt to a changing market, regardless of what many fans believe.

Fortunately, this anime has downplayed or outright discarded many elements that were holding the series back in my eyes. While the jokes and toys are still there, they have been significantly changed; and not just with how the medals have given way to keys instead.  I also have no real objections to bizarre Japanese humor (I love shows like Bobobo and Mr. Osumatsu, for example), but this anime actually got some chuckles out of me by focusing less on puns and random nonsense and more on surrealism and dry wit. Given current events, the latter kind of comedy is more my forte lately.

Moreover, the supernatural horror and action elements definitely help the show live up to its potential more. If anything, the Shadowside anime has more in common with Ni no Kuni and Gegege no Kitaro (which is also having a revival and a crossover was in the movie) than the original anime, and is all the better for it.

The animation is still the strongest element, and the spooky new atmosphere is one of the things I'm liking most about the show. While Whisper and Jibanyan benefit from the new setting, I'd have to say that out of the redesigned yokai, Komasan is probably my favorite. His "Light side" form reminds me of a downscaled version of Ameratsu from Okami, and his "Shadowside" form resembles a smaller version of a Colossi from Shadow of the Colossus (looking into the PS4 remaster soon, hopefully they can do Ico soon to complete the Team Ico "trilogy" of sorts).

While not all fans know what to make of the rebrand just yet, I'm actually glad that they're actually bringing elements of action and nightmare fuel to the forefront. Notably, while Keisuke is a skeptic about the idea of yokai, I submit he probably represents some of the fans are resisting the change to the franchise's tone. It's worth noting that (spoiler alert!) he tries to pursue the same nonviolent solutions as his father and gets his ass kicked by gangsters and yokai. Moreover, they actually acknowledge that people can get hurt or killed by the actions of the yokai; and don't try to pull back from the dark elements like they have before. Given how this actually might be the first part of the series that actually might have a chance of being successful outside its home country, this might be a valuable lesson for the powers that be: don't resist the darkness, embrace it!

Since all of these are elements I suggested in some of my previous recaps of the series, I certainly believe that the fourth game on the Switch can use this to make a more interesting story than what's come before. I can understand how not everyone is happy about the news, but much like fellow series such as Pokémon, Digimon and Yu-Gi-Oh; a series has to adapt to changing tastes in order to stay profitable. If video game series didn't, we'd all still be playing Pong; I'd be wearing JNCOs and typing this on a Commodore Amiga. Given the circumstances of when you'll see this post, that will be all till the next episode. Bang.

Recap: Love Attack

Hello, everyone. Forgive the lateness of this recap, but between my screenwriting class and ittermittent technology problems; my hands have been full lately. Nonetheless, one of my main goals before my retirement is to finish my look at Code Geass R2. We're at the halfway point, so let's pick up where we left off and open up "Love Attack."

While I'm once again thankful there's no flashback introdump, there's still a major problem with clunky exposition as Lelouch discovers the Black Knights are on the school council. That's bad enough, but at least we're at the last of these unnecessary festival episodes.

Also, much like I was last time, Lelouch is horrified by what Sayoko did to Shirley disguised as him. Maybe not in my top ten infamous moments of this anime, but it is a reason why I'm reediting my content; messy online drama as of late be damned.

As Villetta tries and fails to explain further, they lament what's going on with the Black Knights will have to wait. Heaven forbid we actually have plot development instead of inane comedy! If Milly even tries to tell me that "sometimes life has these filler moments," I'd tell her to go fuck herself. Why can't she board it?

Lelouch then discovers he has 108 dates set up for tomorrow, and there's even a shower scene that I am glad to omit even disregarding everything else with Shirley. Knowing what comes next, I can't really joke about it.

In addition to forgoing my usual use of screenshots, I am once again skipping the opening so I can get done with this quick and move forward with my plans.

So, thanks to Sayoko's over-zealous day planned for Lelouch, we breeze through his whole itinerary in just one minute of screen time, leaving Shirley fuming about nearly being stood up for a midnight movie. Again, not going to joke about this. I will state that I am getting my ticket to the Infinity War soon, and I don't think that will potentially melt my brain.


Anya then confronts Lelouch with a childhood photo of him from the old country. Okay, I've been looking for this Code MENT clip for a while.

Oh goody: more inane bullshit about commoners that study in castles and black market chess! Gino, Rivalz: fuck off.

I haven't even gotten to the real meat of this episode and this is already giving me a headache. Certain events as of late haven't helped either. Regardless of how late this is, I am getting this done so I can finish my work on it.

Now we're really getting to the deep shit: it turns out Milly is intentionally repeating her senior year just to keep up the nonsense she has done before. That was funnier in Dazed and Confused, to be frank. As if this wasn't bad enough, it turns tomorrow is the last festival: Cupid day! Oh dear, here we go.

The object is to take a heart-shaped pink or blue hat, and those who keep theirs at the end of the day are mates. That already sounds stupid, but it gets dumber as these festivals often do.

A scene with the main plot?  Heaven forbid something interesting happens: we need more on this nonsense hat game! I'd rather play Hong Kong 97.

Apparently, at the same time Suzaku is sitting out the ceremony (lucky bastard), Cornelia is still trying to avenge Euphemia's death; somehow. Honestly, it's astonishing how what should be a straightforward continuation is bogged down by more convoluted plotting than a DC movie, and I actually like those.

Honestly, hearing Lloyd talk about "maturity" is about as valid as a check forger wanting to be a doctor, lawyer or pilot. Really hoping the remaster or R3 kills him off.

Ten minutes in, and in addition to Nunally and Lohmeyer apparently letting Kallen go (there goes another plot thread down the toilet), Lelouch is in a foul humor about not being able to "smash the world" because of Cupid day. Not even going to touch the dumpster fire that would disprove that. I submit you could have made his character motivation compelling and consistent like Erik Killmonger, but why would you do something silly like that?


As the festival is about to begin, Milly does indeed say "sometimes you need to relax." As I said before, here is what I said to that muff garbage Lohmeyer a while ago in response: lady, with all due respect; go fuck yourself.

Regarding Lelouch "not wanting to drag Shirley into this," knowing what comes next; I'm just going to get this over with.

As if the logistics of this hat game weren't stupid enough, Rivalz is involved AND Milly puts a bounty on his hat! MORE plotless nonsense?! You really shouldn't have, no sarcasm intended!

Honestly, that's all the second half of this episode is for the most part: what actually is trying to continue the story is taking a backseat to the president's adolescent power fantasy! Also, the idea of Lelouch telling Sayoko she'll "break his character" is laughable given how flagrantly this anime has disregarded it.


Not even one episode without fanservice, Taniguchi?! I don't want that "glamour squad" anywhere in the remaster or R3. Also, there's really no point in saying "Anya has no common sense" when that's the most uncommon thing in the world right now. You'd have a better chance of finding kyber crystals than someone who has any these days!


Again, I'm not touching Shirley seemingly coming onto Lelouch in the library; especially with what's coming next.

So, apparently Shirley just gives Lelouch her hat; and the two apparently win the contest. We then close on Milly apparently ending the halfway point becoming a weather girl. What a fracking tease.

This should have been an expansion on the original. A natural evolution showing the next stage in the conflict and examining deeper social issues. A greater examination of the lines between heroism and vigilantism. Instead, we get a friggin' ten-year-old helping the empire; an overlord with superpowers, a maid being turned into a superhero, characters I already hate being given more screentime, elite warriors making fights needlessly one sided and ruining schooltime, a once-confident chessmaster being turned into a whiny crybaby who wastes his powers on complete strangers, AND A STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT STAGING HAT GAMES! GAH!

Seven years since I first saw this episode, I still feel this way about the series and "Love Attack." That's why my next major project for this blog is to be done with the series before my retirement. Regardless of how I feel about R3, I want to be done with this series and move on.

Given how this turned out, hopefully I will be able to get you the next episode before too long. That's all for now. Bang.

Dragon Ball Super and Yo-Kai Watch: A Tale of Two Finales.

This is something that I've thought about doing for a while, so with the recent series finales to both Dragon Ball Super and Yo-Kai Watch, I thought I would briefly address the two episodes and discuss how I feel the former was able to make good use of its series end; and the latter was not as much.

Even though I admit that I was never a big fan of the Yo-Kai Watch anime (if my writing about it here is any indication), I was hoping that the finale would actually give the fans something to enjoy before the rebrand to Shadowside. Sadly, even people who were fans had mixed feelings towards it. After 214 episodes, I still felt little emotional connection to what was going on; and even in the end, what could have helped give a solid transition to Shadowside still fell victim to many of the things that I could never enjoy about the series. Not exactly a game of pinochle on the Enterprise. Still, with Yo-Kai Watch 4 in development for the Switch and Shadowside adopting a darker story, my plan for future content about the series is this: if the third game is given an official release in the US (no, the Blasters spinoff doesn't count), I will recap the third movie once my computer is fixed and end my coverage with a recap of the Shadowside movie. If not, nothing I have planned will change; especially with Psychic Specters having only sold 70,000 copies as of this writing the US, far less than what it sold in Japan and barely a single percentage point of the 7 million (and counting) copies of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.

Dragon Ball Super, on the other hand, easily is my favorite Dragon Ball finale ever. While I can understand how people feel about the show, it actually exceeded many expectations people had. It didn't just feel like a finale to Super: it felt like a finale to the past 30-odd years of the Dragon Ball story as we knew it. With a movie on the way for summer in Japan and a proposed followup called "Dragon Ball Ultra" in production, it's something that I have loved ever since I was 9 still appealing to me at age 26. Even as I'm mulling over doing a live-action recap of the infamous "Dragonball Evolution," I still am eager to see what's next.

That said, while it's clear that Yo-Kai Watch has had some sway over longtime obsessions Pokémon and Digimon; I honestly don't know how the future will look. If the Shadowside rebrand is well-received, than I will support it. However, if it flops and ends up killing the franchise, then that's that. Either way, I gotta get to my screenwriting class. I will address this further another time. See you, space cowboy.

Thoughts on Pokémon: Everyone's Story (2018) and Zeraora.

Before I get started, I apologize in advance for the delays I'm having. I also said I was waiting for enough information on this matter before I addressed it. Now I have it, so I present my thoughts on this year's Pokémon movie, Pokémon: Everyone's Story.

The current Japanese poster for the film.

The film, which is coming out roughly a year after the success of "Pokémon The Movie I Choose You," is another film that takes a different direction from the previous films; which I am definitely interested in. While some people are still skeptical of the new direction as well as demanding a total reboot, I submit the film could definitely build on the success of last year's film (which I absolutely loved) as well as put a fresh spin on previous concepts of the series.

I will address how I feel about Ash's latest redesign in a moment, but first I shall address the ensemble of new characters who will take part in this film.

First, is a young woman named Lisa. While many initially believed this character would be an older version of Serena or Lillie, I correctly suggested she would be a totally new character. She is an older female lead than normal; and a newcomer to the world of Pokémon who also has a younger brother in the hospital.

There is also an oddball named Kagachi (note: until there are official English names for each character, this and future posts about the movie shall use romanized Japanese names), who has gained a reputation for his tall tales. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Other players include a researcher named Trito, who lacks self-confidence despite his intelligence. I don't know whether he'll be a sort of discount Clemont, but we'll see.

There is also a curmudgeonly old woman named Hisui, who is constantly being followed by Pokémon despite disliking them. Ha! Never heard that one before.

Last, but definitely not least, is a young woman named Largo, an apparent orphan who lives in the forest. Insert Rey or Square Enix reference here.

Team Rocket will also play a supporting role in the movie, as will the mayor of the setting "Windy City" (roughly translated from the Japanese "Fuura City") Oliver and Lisa's aforementioned infirm brother Riku.

While not a complete remake of "Pokémon The Movie 2000" (still my favorite of the original three) as some suggested, the film does have a similar premise: it's an ensemble cast taking part in a "Festival of Winds," and it will deal with how they all cross paths.

Though I admit Lugia coming back is cool, as a Pokémon I still love; like the last movie; the powers that be decided to say: "and now for something completely different: Zeraora!"

Official artwork of Zeraora.

Yes folks, the rumors regarding the worst-kept secret of Generation VII (thanks to that datamine a while back) are true: Zeraora will be making its official debut as Pokémon no.807, and will be playing a role in the new movie. While some objected to how the official reveal was handled, personally, I'm already liking the design and initial moves; and I can't wait to hear more. Much like the movie itself, I can imagine this beast will get an official release stateside before the year is out.

Although some detractors of the last movie still have reservations towards this one, personally, I can't wait to see how the story plays out. I am also well aware that rebooting any beloved property in this day and age is a crapshoot, regardless of how frequent they are. Besides, even if a story uses elements from what came before; if they didn't screw with my expectations at least a little bit, it would honestly be kind of boring. That's why I'm enjoying the new incarnations so much lately, and I'm eager to see more (especially with Nintendo, Game Freak and Creatures hard at work for Generation VIII on the Switch, saving up for that after I get repairs done on my computer and 3DS).

One thing that most people can agree on, however, is that the animation looks fantastic. Studio WIT (Attack on Titan, Seraph of the End) is doing some very impressive work with OLM even in these early stages of promotion; and even though Kunihiko Yuyuama is handing the reins to Tetsuo Yajima; I believe the movie is in good hands with him; given his work on the XY series and the "Pokémon Origins" miniseries.

Now, I shall address Ash's latest redesign. Even though I don't know what to make of all the Rule 63 of him (though I still think he makes a surprisingly good lady given the most recent Japanese episode I've seen), it's really not that different from the design we have right now. It uses elements from all the previous incarnations of the character, least of all his outfits using all three primary colors. I still would love a real version of his new hat (since mine are seeing a bit of mileage), and I'm still working on another new cosplay for Halloween this year. Fortunately, given how the character customization in the game is (really hope the Switch entry expands things further), it shouldn't be too hard to find the combo for the jacket, pants and running shoes. It's like a fusion of all his previous outfits from other series (OS, AG, DP, BW, XY, the new show and the last movie), and this racing stripe on his shirt I feel is pretty sharp. 

One last thing: regardless of what I decide to do for my next episode of the series to recap, I think I shall make my full look at the movie my last piece of Pokémon content for this blog. There's been a lot going on outside this blog lately, and I've been contemplating retirement for a while now. So, like with the last movie, I will do a full recap once the English dub is released officially in the United Sates; since I don't want to inundate my blog with as much content as I did with the last movie. Before I go, don't forget what happened to the man who got everything he always wanted: He lived happily ever after.

RIP Isao Takahata 1935-2018

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata, who has died of causes related to a heart condition at age 82. His work in the world of anime is quite extensive, and his credits with the studio include acclaimed films such as Grave of the Fireflies and Kiki's Delivery Service.

As a fan of the studio and their work, I wish the best for Takahata's family, friends and coworkers. May he rest in peace.