FIF#236-Super Dimension Century Orguss

2062. The World finds itself caught up in  a civil war over the planets energy supplying space elevator.  During a pivotal battle, a forbidden weapon is used, with pilot Kei Katsuragi caught in its blast.  Instead of dying, Kei is propelled years into the future where everything has changed.  Kei’s arrival is detected by two feuding factions, both with their own interests in Kei and his Bronco II fighter.  With no way to return home, Kei sides with a group of peaceful traders as he fends off their foes and tries to figure out why his presence is so important to the future of Planet Earth.

 
Contrary to popular belief, including my own, of the three 80s Anime under the “Super Dimension” umbrella, only Macross and Southern Cross were chosen to become part of Robotech alongside Genesis Climber Mospeda.  The middle chapter of that unconnected trilogy, Super Dimension Century Orguss, was apparently never considered despite having several of the elements that helped make Robotech the legend it is today (for better or worse).  So how come Orguss was left out of the bunch?  Might it have something to do with that weird alien horse thingy…cause I’m kind of leaning that way myself.
 

T5W#502-Top 5 Gundam Series with the Biggest Impact/Influence on the Franchise

We’re only a couple of weeks away from the debut of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX.  Anticipation for this one is at a fever pitch, especially after the box office results of the GQuuuuuX: Beginnings movie both in Japan and in the US.  Clearly everyone is ready for this long overdue union between the minds behind Mobile Suit Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion.  One question on my mind is: how big of an impact will this have for the franchise?  And can it measure up to other shows that stand as the core pillars of the Gundam multiverse.  To explain a bit further, we have todays Top 5 Wednesday as I share my picks for the Top 5 Gundam Series with the Biggest Impact/Influence on the Franchise.

 

Tales from Earthsea

A series of plagues ravage the lands.  Dragons are at war in the skies.  All signs point to a great catastrophe inching its way towards the land of Earthsea.  As darkness descends, : an aged Wizard, a Prince on the run and a girl with a mark band together to face an evil Sorcerer hellbent on bringing ruin to achieve immortality.  Each member of this unlikely party carries their own burdens and troubled pasts.  Only by conquering them can they defeat their shared enemy and unleash the ultimate power that can save all of Earthsea.

I cannot imagine the amount of pressure behind Tales from Earthsea given that it was the big directorial debut of Goro Miyazaki, yes the son of THAT Miyazaki.  Having to start your own Anime legacy in the shadow of one of the biggest names not just in Anime but in the world of Animation as a whole, that’s daunting.  Ignoring the loftiness of this burden for a moment, it doesn’t change the fact that Tales from Earthsea might be the worst Studio Ghibli movie I have ever seen…and that’s something you cant really say about a lot of Ghibli (at least that I’ve seen).  This is supposed to be another sweeping high adventure fantasy that the studio can do in its sleep and has accomplished wonders with less money and lesser animation techniques in the past.  Tales from Earthsea is a far cry from those accomplishments, setting its sights high with no true direction that ends up a massive mess that is just boring and joyless to sit through.
 

FIF#235-The God of High School

At long last, the greatest fighting tournament in the world has come to Seoul, South Korea.  The God of High School sees fighters from various high schools come together for a battle like no other and the winner will be granted anything their heart desires.  Mori Jin is just another aspiring Martial Artist who enters the tournament to see if the prize is real. Alongside two other gifted fighters, Mori battles his way through some of the deadliest foes both in and out of the ring.  For GOH is run by some pretty shady characters and the more victories Mori earns, the deeper he finds himself at the heart of an epic conspiracy.

 
This was another title I discovered recently while at Katsucon and not because I sat in on a screening. My friends and I were playing a “Guess the Anime OP” on Youtube and the theme for this one came out and it slapped hard.  I had to know if the show that opening was attached to could match how cool and bad ass the song sounded.  Turns out, I think it can.  The God of High School, based on a Korean Webtoon and one of Crunchyroll’s first “original” titles, looks like Tekken with a younger, wilder generation and it’s got some extra help from an Anime Studio that is firing on all cylindars right now.  But does that equal success or is it wishful thinking on my part?
 

T5W#501-Top 5 Sexiest Kunoichis

This weekend Assassin’s Creed fans are finally getting what they’ve been asking for since the first game, an Assassin’s Creed set in Japan!!!  After all when you think of assassin’s stalking you in the night using ancient mystic arts in order to carry out secret missions…what else comes to mind first before freaking Ninjas.  Assassin’s Creed Shadows is also following a new female lead, a cute Kunoichi by the name of Naoe Fujibayashi.  She may not be dressed like your typical Anime Kunoichi but that doesn’t mean she can get the job done as good as the guys.  After all, when you’re looking for sexy ladies in scantly clad outfits using looks to lure someone into a state of false bliss…again Female Ninjas should be your top choice.  And on todays Top 5 Wednesday, we’re blowing kisses and hoping we stay off the radar of these deadly beauties aka the Top 5 Sexiest Kunoichis.