Blog, Blog, Bloq

 With the upcoming adaptation of Ace of the Diamond Act II's Second Season, I've been thinking about how this series has stood so tall within the sports genre. This thought came off of my recent viewing of Oblivion Battery. Mainly because they're both about Baseball, but also because they both handle their storytelling quite well. With Oblivion Battery, you have a more individualized story revolving around a team of misfits that featured top High School Baseball players. Whereas AOTD featured a top level High School and the structures within that make the machine run. So, Oblivion Battery ended up feeling like the product of modern sports anime/manga, while AOTD definitely harkened back to its older contemporaries. And this might just be more of a lack of knowledge on these types of sports series, but I have never really seen anything like AOTD before. The series has shown so many different characters and changing teams as the story progressed, while balancing them like no ...

 The year of 2025 is coming to a close, and typically I write about my Game of the Year. But this time around, I did not finish my favorite game to its fullest. So, the next one may be about that, who knows. In favor of scrapping that idea, I have decided to write about the end of One Piece's original TV Adaptation. Something that I never really thought could happen, especially after 25 years of it. While I welcome the change for the series, I'm really gonna miss the behemoth. Now, One Piece may actually last forever. Regardless, I am going to talk about my history with the anime and go over some of my favorite parts.  My first experience with the One Piece Anime was through the 4Kids Rap. I remember seeing it on Saturday mornings and immediately peacing out. I had no tolerance for the goofy pirate rap when I could be watching Sonic X, Yu-Gi-Oh!, or TMNT. So, for years that was my impression of One Piece. A TV show with a really bad rap song for an intro. This impression would...

 The time has finally come for another Mononoke Movie. A series that I can't get enough of. There's nothing out right now that matches the creativity and chaos that makes Mononoke so unique. Even when looking at contemporaries like In/Spectre or Mushishi, Mononoke manages to take everything a step further. Where In/Spectre feels like a more violent and less complex version of Mushishi when it comes to the investigations of Spirits. Mononoke takes a more fantastical approach. A key aspect that has made the TV Series and Movies pop that much more. But this isn't a catch-all for Mononoke, this piece is about my thoughts on the second film, The Ashes of Rage.  A surprise sequel that expands on the Ooku (The Harem of Palace of Lord Tenshi) after the events from Phantom in the Rain. With the first film focusing on the Lower Rank Maid Activities and the stress that comes with the service, the second film delves into the Upper Rank Concubines. And what better way than to put the fo...

 This past Spring, the world was treated to Apocalypse Hotel. An Original Anime from CygamesPictures that was directed by Kana Shundo, with a script penned by Shigeru Murakoshi and Sotaro Wada. And to be frank, I was enthralled. The series did a remarkable job at showcasing this hotel at the end of the world. Ultimately, I think it left a mark worth noting.  I came across Apocalypse Hotel when I was looking at the Spring Season of Anime as the Winter Season was ending. And what drew me in was the name. An "Apocalypse Hotel? I wanna know what that's about?" I didn't really need a description or trailers for viewing purposes. I wanted to just jump in and see what all the fuss was about. A method that I trust with television shows more than movies. But even then, I will just dive into any movie that mildly interests me. It builds character and insight. You can tell when something is going to careen off the edge, and when something is going to hit. And Apocalypse Hotel wa...

 This time around I had a few ideas of what to write about. And the one I landed on involves "Side Characters". Not to be confused with Supporting Characters, who are more involved with the main cast and overall story. So, why have I decided on something like this? Well, I thought it would be fun to talk about specific cases from varying genres. This also gives me a reason to talk about an unlikely candidate.  But to ease into the topic, I am going to use One Piece as a springboard. And the perfect character for this, is none other than Curly Dadan. The mountain bandit turned surrogate parent, is without a doubt one of the most slept on characters in the whole series. There's an argument for a more in-depth look at the character, but for now, I am going to focus on what makes her so great. ( Disclaimer : If it wasn't already apparent, spoilers for everything in this post.)  Prior to Dadan's physical debut in the Anime and Manga proper, she is casually mentioned by...

 I want to start this off by saying, RIP to David Lynch. A Master of Horror, who's influence is seen at so many levels of media. Without people like him, we don't get many of the movies, shows, or games that we do. But the reason I am here, is for Perfect Blue.  An incredible and uncomfortable film that was made by Satoshi Kon and the talented team at Madhouse. Prior to my first watch, I really didn't know much about the movie. And I think that is important. Because my only frame of reference was that the main character, Mima, was an idol and being stalked. But what I experienced was much more harrowing.  Perfect Blue goes on the shelf as one of those movies that makes even the most steeled individuals uncomfortable. I say this because I am one of those individuals. I can watch and play most Horror media without being phased. I grew up on stuff like Friday the 13th. Gore is not going to deter me from anything. But there comes a time when even I get tripped up. While there...