Mass Effect: Paragon Lost

The year is 2185.  While whispers of a threat from the deepest reaches of space spread, a more immediate threat descends upon the galaxy: The Collectors.  As Human colonies across the Terminus Systems find themselves besieged by these insect like creatures, the colony of Fehl Prime braces for the inevitable.  Stationed there for the colonies defense is Lieutenant James Vega, the head of the Alliance’s elite Delta Squad.  Their nightmare is only just beginning as they face a threat unlike any the galaxy has ever faced.  In the end, Vega will have to make an impossible choice that could impact the future of the species.  Little does Vega know, this is only a small skirmish in the greater fight to come against the true masters of the Collectors: The Reapers.

Funny that in a month of Video Game Anime Movies, I’ve decided to start things off with 2 of my favorite Video Game sagas (the first being last weeks Halo Legends).  Taking place during the events of Mass Effect 2, Paragon Lost follows Mass Effect 3’s James Vega in what’s basically an very extended version of a conversation he shares with Shephard during that game.  It might not be the best looking coat of paint a Mass Effect Anime deserves but at its core, this is a solid addition to the franchise and builds on one of the surprise breakout stars of the third chapter of the saga.

FIF#114-Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045

Nine years after the Puppeteer, the world has changed drastically.  An economic disaster known as the Simulteneous Global Default has destroyed the value of all forms of currency, digital or otherwise.  Four nations engage in conflict, known as the “Sustainable War” in order to keep the economy going.  The roles of Public Security Section 9 have changed.  Once the secret guardians of a nation, Major Motoko Kusinagi and her team now work as a mercenary team known as GHOST, working to survive in this war torn world.  However, their former boss, Chief Daisuke Aramaki, hasn’t given up on his former subordinates yet and may have stumbled across a case that might require the Major’s help to solve.

It’s been five years since Ghost in the Shell: The New Movie but it’s been a whopping 14 since the last entry in the Stand Alone Complex series, 2006’s Solid State Society.  Fans of the beloved TV iteration of Ghost in the Shell have long held out hope for a third season.  I’m sure they weren’t expecting this.  Granted, there’s plenty to be curious about.  While SAC_2045 sees the return of SAC Head Writer Kenji Kamiyama as Writer and Director, he’s sharing directorial duties with Shinji Aramaki, who is most famous for his 3D Anime films, particularly those based on another Shirow Masamune work, the Appleseed trilogy.  What kind of potential gold could be mined from this interesting combo of creators?  Well…SAC_2045 is gonna be a curious watch but I think you’ll know from the get go whether you’re on board or not.

T5W#260-Top 5 Otakon 2015 Cosplays

Over the last month my Top 5’s have been dedicated to the Cosplays of Otakons Past…wow I really should’ve called it that from the get go…basically covering the Otakons whose cosplays I hadn’t covered yet (2010-2015).  Last week would have been Otakon 2020.  With it not happening, I instead left a nice little love letter to the Con I call home (you can check it out here: http://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/otakon-experience.html).  However, there is still one Otakon worth of Cosplays I haven’t covered yet here at the Anime Corner.  So while we’ll be back to regular business next week on T5W, it’s time to close out this little T5W mini series, I present my Top 5 Otakon 2015 Cosplays.  

Halo Legends

One of the greatest Video Game franchises of all time enters the world of Anime.  From the beginnings of a long lost civilization to the front lines of an intergalactic conflict, these are some of the hundreds of stories from the Halo universe.  Some focus on the hero of the main story, John 117, better known as the Master Chief.  Others expand on familiar faces while introducing brand new ones.  These aren’t just tales that make up the Halo universe, they’re Legends just waiting to be explored.

Last year when I reviewed The Animatrix, I made the mistake in saying that it was the only kind of team up between US and Japanese creators for that kind of Anime Anthology.  I totally overlooked the existence of Halo Legends.  The Halo video game franchise is one of my all time favs, if not my absolute favorite.  The FPS action, the lore, the scope, the visuals, the music, it’s the ultimate scifi action thrill ride.  It’s not quite perfect but it’s damn near close.  So is there a need to merge it with Anime…not really but I’m happy we have it.  Halo Legends might not reach the heights of The Animatrix but there’s plenty of novel ideas, visual inspirations and loving nods to the franchise that make it worthy of being included in the vast Halo pantheon.

Otakon: The Experience

The first time I ever heard about Otakon was around 2007.  Whispers of a large Anime Convention being held downtown, an area of Baltimore I seldom visited, kept teasing my ears.  A couple of years later while at a McDonalds in Catonsville, I saw a trio of Naruto cosplayers getting something to eat and I knew the whispers were real (well I knew it had to be a thing it’s just…whatever).  Then, in the Summer of 2010, I got the chance to attend with a friend.  I got my badge on Thursday and spent that evening at work planning out what I was going to do: what was I going to watch, what panels looked interesting, just what the heck to do in general.  I still subscribe to this today: No amount of planning can prepare you for the actual weekend itself.  Sure enough, I had a list of events in mind to go to but for a few hours upon passing the threshold to the Baltimore Convention Center on July 30, 2010…those plans evaporated.