T5W#381-Top 5 Alternate Universe Gundam Protagonists

We’re 8 episodes into the latest Mobile Suit Gundam adventure, The Witch from Mercury, and while my feelings are mixed, they lean more towards positive than negative.  I can feel the School vibe slowly chipping away and am eagerly awaiting when the rug is pulled out from everyone and some classic Gundam drama really kicks in.  One element I’m growing more fond of with each episode is our titular “Witch from Mercury” Suletta.  Despite her incredible social anxiety that has her stammering more than half her dialogue, Suletta is proving quite the capable lead and that dramatic turn I’m waiting for could do her some good in the long run and make her appear more like the cool and confident bad ass we saw in the posters before we met her.  Time will tell though if Suletta can measure up to Gundam leads of the past and that’s already quite the hall of fame there.  So on today’s Top 5 Wendesday, we’re gonna take a look at Suletta’s fellow Gundam Pilots and see what her competition looks like.  To make things a bit fair for her (and me), I’m going to be focusing on Gundam Pilots not associated with the Universal Century, much like Suletta herself.  And after writing down my options, wow I didn’t think there were that many Alternate U’s in Gundam, shows what I know.  Anyway, these are my Top 5 Alternate Universe Gundam Protagonists.
 

Blade Runner: Black Lotus Part 4 Episodes 10-13

While her quest for revenge is complete, there is still one mystery Elle still must solve: the man from her memory, the one who gave her the Black Lotus tattoo.  The one person Elle has come to trust most, J, a former Blade Runner, knows the truth and knows that if Elle goes after it, it could mean her end.  Seeking answers and atonement, Elle and J head off to their final battles.  The stage is set for the beginning of a bold new future and Elle is about to prove that she is indeed more Human than Human.

Considering everything that went down in last weeks set of episodes, I was wondering what more Blade Runner: Black Lotus had to tell.  Turns out, it had a little more to share after all.  As a finale, Black Lotus had some good resolution and one stand out moment that made me cheer.  But is it a GOOD ending?  Much like the rest of the series…it’s just ok.  That kind of sucks as this is the one piece of Blade Runner mythos I cant rate super high as I have past titles.  I was entertained overall but yeah, there was something lacking…ok a few things.  Let’s break it all down.
 

FIF#173-Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War

For years, Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki has faced supernatural world ending threats and triumphed over them all.  But now the greatest challenge has come, not just for him but for the entire Soul Society.  The Quincy Clan, long thought nearly extinct, has returned and vowed vengeance against the Soul Reapers, and they now possess abilities capable of negating any of their abilities, even those of their powerful Bankai.  Outgunned and outmatched, even Ichigo’s immense strength might not be enough to halt the twilight of the Soul Society and the vengeance of the Quincy.

 
When the original Bleach Anime ended back in 2012, it’s source Manga was still four long year from completion.  When the Manga did wrap at 74 volumes back in 2016, it was always a question of when that final story arc would be adapted into Anime form.  Well, that answer has arrived and in surprisingly spectacular fashion, I might add.  After a decade long absence, Bleach makes its return and thankfully, it doesn’t look like it’ll be halted by any useless filler this time around.  This is it, the Final Arc and as such, it isnt wasting time getting down to business.  Whether this is a good thing or not, one thing is certain: Bleach is back and the world has been waiting for its return for a long time.
 

Blade of the 47 Ronin

Over three centuries have passed and the legend of the 47 Ronin lives on.  When the last descendant of the valiant group is assassinated, a secret sect of Samurai reunite to discuss an ancient prophecy that can only be fulfilled one bearing the blood of one of the 47 Ronin.  However, there is another, a young thief named Luna.  Now the target of Sorcerers, Ninjas and deadly Ronin, Luna must quickly learn who she can trust and if she is worthy to continue the legacy of one of the most legendary group of warriors in history.

Why do some stories require sequels when they were just fine on their own?  The story of the 47 Ronin is an important part of Japanese History and is still revered to this day.  There have been several adaptations of it throughout film history, including a 2 Part 4 hour 1941 film and, most recently, the infamous 2013 Box Office Bomb starring Keanu Reeves.  It’s this latter version to which Blade of the 47 Ronin serves as a sequel and again…why?  In truth, you could eliminate the 47 Ronin element and nothing of value is lost and makes the movie more bargain bin than it already is.  Yeah, this Direct to Video (or streaming in this case) is pretty much another studio attempt to milk money out of a film that did poorly but apparently someone out there was dying for more.  In other words, it’s bad, like really, really bad…and yet I knew this and still decided to give it a shot (sigh, live and learn).
 

T5W#380-Top 5 Anime Things Im Thankful For in 2022

Thanksgiving is upon us again Dear Readers and it’s been a helluva year.  For me, it’s been a year of challenges that have tested me but I’ve handling them well and life is continuing to get better.  For us Anime fans as a whole, as we move further into a Post Covid period, life returns a bit more to normal everyday.  More importantly, our favorite entertainment medium has had the best year ever in a long time with new hits, returning favs and bold strides every season.  Tl;dr, there’s a lot to be thankful for this year when it comes to Anime and it’s that time of the year when I come up with five of those for a Top 5 Wednesday…better known as the Top 5 Anime Things Im Thankful For in 2022.