FIF#271-Avatar: Seven Havens

200 years after Avatar Korra brought about a global cataclysm, the world has rebuilt but lives in fear of the Avatars return.  A pair of twins living in Ellora City, one of the Seven Havens, Pavi and Nisha, discover they are both Korra’s successors: the first twin Avatars.  Hunted by humans and spirits alike, Pavi and Nisha must discover the truth behind their origins and ban together to save the Seven Havens from the possible threat of another apocalyptic event. 

 
It’s been quite the year for the Avatar franchise in 2026.  The Second Season of the Netflix Series actually learned many lessons to become far stronger than it’s first.  And while it’s criminal it didn’t get a theatrical release, the fact that we got to see Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, is miracle enough and it was awesome.  Which brings us to the next chapter of the Avatar saga and one that I’m sure is gonna divide fans on a number of levels.  Which is a shame because yeah some of the setup is head scratching but if the first episode is anything to go by, this could be one of the best entries yet to the Avatar saga.  
 

FIF#270-Gals Can't Be Kind to Otaku!?

Takuya Seo is a shy Otaku who seems destined to enjoy his favorite passions alone.  One day, he learns one of the most popular girls in his class, Kei Amane, is a secret Otaku too.  Not only that, her best friend, Kotoko Ichiji, is just as curious about their weird but fun looking interest.  Before Takuya realizes it, he has become friends with two of the most beautiful and popular girls in his school.  It’s a dream come true for the isolated Otaku who has long for friendship and it isnt long before Amane and Ichiji warm to Takuya’s kindness and end up falling for the oblivious Otaku at the same time.

 
While Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You has attracted all kinds of attention for it’s wholesome and honest romance with real world understanding, I’m surprised todays First Impression subject hasn’t gotten as much buzz, if not more.  If you think about it, the basic setup of Gals Can’t Be Kind to Otaku is eerily similar to another megahit romance Anime, My Dress Up Darling, right down to the leads being from “different worlds” and one falling more in love with the other.  There are even two absolute sweethearts who could be clones of Marin Kitagawa herself?  So I ask again: Why does it feel like this one is getting stiffed and left out in the cold this year when it’s this good?
 

T5W#586-Top 5 Godzilla Movies I’ve Still Gotta Cover in Future Godzilla Months

Well Dear Readers, November is upon us once more and you know what that means: Godzilla Month Returns.  Ever since Godzilla Minus One came out in 2023, I’ve been keeping every November clear for nothing but cheesy Kaiju action from the King of the genre.  After four years, I’ve still got a fair amount of Showa and Hesei Era Godzilla films to check out and review.  Think there’s enough for two more of these special events at least.  So which of these remaining flicks am I most excited to pick apart and in a couple of cases experience for the first time?  Well with Godzilla Month V in full swing and Godzilla Minus Zero stomping its way stateside on Friday, we’re looking ahead to the future of the King of the Monsters time at the Anime Corner on todays’ Top 5 Wednesday with the Top 5 Godzilla Movies I’ve Still Gotta Cover in Future Godzilla Months.

 

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe

Beneath the seas of Japan, something is stirring, something big.  At the same time, a series of violent attacks from bird like creatures rip across the region.  As scientists and military scramble for a response, one force is already coming to face it head on.  His name is Gamera and his has awoken to face the threat of the creature known as Gyaos.  It’s the rebirth of a rivalry dating back millennia and Gamera is the only thing standing between an invasion of Gyaos and the survival of the planet.

Godzilla’s fiery 90s swan song in Godzilla vs. Destroyah left a massive Kaiju sized hole to be filled in the hearts of fans who were still thriving for more Kaiju carnage.  Well with Godzilla off the board for the time being, the next best candidate for a good old fashioned new 90s coat of paint was Gamera, the flying turtle who was friend to the children throughout the 60s and 70s.  He may not have the same extensive resume as his spiritual cousin, but Gamera still comes roaring and smashing into the 90s with a brand new reboot powered by all the magic of Hesei era visual effects.  It may feel a bit bog standard but in terms of reintroducing Gamera to the world, it’s not bad by any stretch.
 

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II

To prepare for the inevitable return of Godzilla, the United Nations Godzilla Countermeasure Center uses the remains of Mecha King Ghidorah to construct the ultimate weapon capable of killing the King of the Monsters: Mechagodzilla.  And theyre about to get their chance to use it when a newborn Baby Godzilla is found and brought to Japan.  Godzilla’s not leaving without his son and will destroy everything to get him back.  Will Mechagodzilla be enough to halt Godzilla’s renewed assault on the world?

After the successful two punch resurrection of two of Godzilla’s most iconic foes (King Ghidorah and Mothra), Toho continues the Heisei saga with another heavy hitter in his Metallic Doppleganger.  But Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II has more surprises in store beyond the title fight with the return of another familiar Godzilla foe and a second attempt at a much hated Godzilla concept.  Theres even a human plotline worth investing in amongst the sea of useless Human characters.  With all that immediate praise, is this the Hesei Era Godzilla at its best?