FIF#265-Stellvia

2356 A.D. Almost 200 years have passed since a phenomena from space devastated the Earth, wiping out over 10% of t’s population.  Shima Katase, born in the aftermath, longs to see the stars and sets off for the one place where her dreams can come true: the Foundation Space Station Stellvia.  But she’s arriving at a time when tensions are high as the chance of another interstellar calamity is nigh.  It soon falls to Shima and the next generation of young space fairing pilots to ensure the Earth survives into the future.

 
Stellvia is an interesting and rare case for a First Impression candidate.  I’d heard neither hide nor hair of this one though maybe I’d seen a visual in a magazine back in the day and just never paid any attention to it.  No this one is getting an episode today because a friend of mine used the opening theme in a random post and HOLY CRAP it sounds amazing.  It’s not the first time I’ve taken a chance on a show based on a banger of an opening and we’ll likely be looking at another in the same vein next week.  For right now, does Stellvia set itself up as a show worthy of such masterful vocal work from Angela (the group behind the theme song)?
 

Gundam Anime Corner-Fall 2026 Update

Greetings.  Been a minute since I’ve done one of these but this summer has been a tumultuous slough to get through (and honestly Fall isnt looking to get any easier).  Still, when I have some free time and I’m not gaming or sleeping, I’m chugging away at new ideas and plans for the remainder of 2026 and 2027 for the Anime Corner.  The rest of this year is pretty much locked in save for maybe Halloween but I’ve still got a month to clear that hurdle with anything special.  Speaking of which, here’s what we’ve got coming up for October and November 2026 over at the Gundam Anime Corner.

 

T5W#581-Top 5 Legendary Moments from Akira

It is a legend of Anime, a title without boundaries.  You know it’s name…and you know…what it’s capable of.  Ok, that dramatic reenactment of one of my favorite trailer bits from Rambo 4 not withstanding: AKIRA.  The name, the myth, the legend.  What can be said about it that hasn’t been said thousands of times over in the last 38 years…holy s*** I just realized Akira turns 40 in two years.  It’s the title that is still one of the most synonymous with Anime as a whole: a film that broke boundaries at the right time and shouted to the world that Animation isn’t just a Disney kids game.  And like so many other films in 2026, it got a 4K restoration that had a brief theatrical release.  I didn’t get a chance to see it personally, though I did sneak in a teeny bit after seeing Transformers: The Movie in the neighboring theater, and man did it look as gorgeous as you’d expect cause it’s one of the most incredible looking pieces of Animation in the history of the medium.  So what the hey, for todays Top 5 Wednesday I’m citing the scenes that make this movie stand the test of time and keep us long time Anime fans coming back for more, equally eager to introduce it to a new age of Anime newcomers.  There are the Top 5 Legendary Moments from Akira.

KonoSuba: An Explosion on This Wonderful World! Part 4 Episodes 10-12

The town of Axel: the hub city for beginning adventurers of all types and classes.  Megumin has fought tooth and nail to get here and start her legendary career…except no one wants her on their party because she only knows one attack.  She’s also happened to arrive at a time when a powerful demon presence has begun to stalk the outskirts of the city, a Demon Megumin and Yunyun might be familiar with.  If Megumin can take this monster down, perhaps she’ll get the recognition she deserves and find the party she longs to join…unaware that some future miscreants just like her are lurking around town trying to start their own party as well. 

The Megumin origin story reaches the conclusion it was always aiming but does it do so in spectacular Crimson Demon fashion?  The short answer is: not really.  While there are a few good moments here and there, most of the Series Finale dances around what we all know is coming but the show doesn’t want to just let happen already.  The result are three episodes that could have been either two or, probably better, one 45 minute wrap up.  Not exactly the most exciting and overly dramatic finish befitting a Crimson Demon prodigy like Megumin.
 

FIF#264-Red River

Yuri Suzuki just confessed her feelings to the love her life when suddenly she is snatched and pulled through time.  Now she’s stranded in Hattsua, the capital of the Hittite Empire in Anatolia, thousands of years in the past, with no way to return home.  Suddenly the target of a maniacal Queen seeking to end an empire through dark, mystical means, Yuri’s only hope for survival lies in the hands of the handsome Prince Kail.  Little does Yuri know, she has a greater destiny waiting for one, one that will impact and change the history of Hattsua forever.

 
Today’s First Impression is a suggestion from a friend while hanging out at Otakon.  Red River may have a simple name but it’s premise is anything but.  Actually this is a pretty unique title that involves time travel rather than usual Isekai tropes and a few other touches to make it stand out.  What I find most curious about Red River from the premiere is its timing.  This doesn’t feel like an Anime thriving in the new age of endless Isekai’s and visual splendor.  Rather it feels like something you would have seen almost 20-25 years ago when the Manga was still ongoing.  Is this all most fascinating than the first episode itself?  Well, yes but Red River’s debut isnt bad by any stretch.