Resident Evil Vendetta

A botched rescue mission puts BSAA agent Chris Redfield on the hunt for an elusive arms dealer named Glenn Arias.  When Arias deploys a new kind of bio weapon based on the T-Virus, Chris’ mission leads him back to a pair of old friends: former member of S.T.A.R.S Rebecca Chambers and DSO Agent Leon S. Kennedy.  All three have faced the terror of bio weapons for years since the catastrophe of Raccoon City and all three have a personal stake in this mission.  Can they confront their demons before Arias follows through on his vendetta against the world?

Resident Evil remains to this day one of the most popular franchises in video game history.  A staple of the survivor horror genre, the series has been known best for blending pure terror and strategic gameplay for an unforgettable experience.  In recent years, however, later entries have gone more bombastic, dropping the survival horror in favor of survival action.  One could say this began with Resident Evil 4’s game changing brilliance but more so with the less impressive Resident Evil 5.  Wherever you place the change, the CG films made around these games have followed suit.  Resident Evil Vendetta, ergo, feels in the same vein as Resident Evil 5 or the much reviled 6 and less in the better vein of Resident Evil 2 or 4.

FIF#117-Message from Space: Galactic Wars

In the far future, Humanity has reached the stars and is thriving all across the galaxy.  The peace that comes with this is shattered when they encounter the Gavanas Empire, which quickly enslaves the Humans inhabiting the 15^th Solar System.  Hope remains in the form of a small band of freedom fighters.  Among them is Hayato, a rookie pilot with latent psychic powers.  Aided by his mentor, Ryu and eager Alien Warrior Balu, Hayato begins his journey to free the 15^th Solar System from the Gavanas Empire and confront his own mysterious destiny.

When Power Rangers In Space first aired back in 1999, one could think of it as the Rangers finally getting their own Star Trek/Star Wars style adventure to close out their first era which began in Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers.  Well as many know, Power Rangers is adapted from a plethora of Japanese Super Sentai series from the 70’s to the present.  I mention all of this because from the episode I glimpsed of 1978’s Message from Space: Galactic Wars, this show could be your old school answer to Power Rangers meets Star Wars…though in hindsight it might have more in common with the Tokusatsu genre, aka Kamen Rider.

T5W#263-Top 5 Most Disappointing Anime Sequels

It goes without saying, even beyond the world of Anime, if any major entertainment property, more likely a movie, performs incredibly well, a sequel is sure to be in the works.  And while the creative forces behind the original success might return, there’s a strong chance lightning isn’t going to strike twice.  Some good works are one hit wonders that are classics for a reason.  Trying to force more out of it for the sake of money or continued popularity seems foolhardy.  But that’s the nature of the beast and it’s resulted in many disappointing follow ups to some of the best Anime of all time.  Of course, I can think of 5 titles in particular who’s terribleness really cuts deep.  So onward, Dear Readers, to todays Top 5 Wednesday, the Top 5 Most Disappointing Anime Sequels.

Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture

The Armor of Mars, once thought lost to history, is being sought out by the power made Laocorn, who seeks to dominate all.  In an effort to stop him, Laocorn’s sister, Sulia, tracks down Terry Bogard, a world traveling fighter who’s just defeated one of the deadliest warriors in the world, Wolfgan Krauser.  Along with Terry’s brother, Andy; Andy’s sexy girlfriend Mai; and celebrity fighter Joe, Terry and Sulia race across the globe to beat Laocorn to a complete set of armor that, in the wrong hands, could mean the end of life as we know it.

In the era of fighting games of the 90’s, the cast of the SNK games, particularly Fatal Fury: King of the Fighters, kind of flew under the radar here in the States, save for the occasional crossover appearance in Dead or Alive and Tekken.  Still, Terry Bogard and his video game adventures were crazy popular in Japan, enough to merit a trilogy of Anime stories: two OVAs and this feature length motion picture.  As a series that constantly gets compared to Street Fighter, I couldn’t help but go into Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture thinking about the Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie I reviewed around the same time last year.  I was a little hard on that flick though I appreciated it for the dumb action fest it was.  Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture is…just ok, maybe a bit below that but not enough to say I truly hated it.

FIF#116-JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

Throughout the annals of history, a war has been raging for the better part of a century.  Every era marks a new chapter in this conflict without end and every era sees two individuals partaking in it.  One is Dio Brando, a mad man who has sworn to rise above his lowborn status and see humanity cower beneath him.  The other is a descendant of the Joestar Family, the family that once took Dio in and now he wishes to destroy above all others.  It is the one name that can challenge Dio and give mankind a fighting chance at survival.  And that name, the name given to every Joestar descendant…is JoJo.

While I feel like it’s fervor has died down a bit, I cant help but think of a time when everyone was talking about the oddly named JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.  My initial glimpses of it made me think of a far more flashy Fist of the North Star, though maybe with a lot less gore.  I was also aware of some of the Anime and Manga’s more wacky attributes.  So I thought it was about time I take a look at the first episode of this series and…yeah I can see why it’s hyped so much.

T5W#262-Top 5 Forthcoming Anime Projects in 2020 and 2021

It’s no surprise that Anime, like everything else in the world, has taken a massive blow thanks to the impact of the global pandemic still going on around the world.  The entertainment industry as a whole is in a strange state with countless films and tv shows being delayed or sent straight to streaming.  And yet, while we continue to weather the storm, plans are being made to get back to work when the world is in a safer state.  This goes double for the Anime Industry.  There have been a mix of delays along with announcements of projects still forthcoming in 2020 and it feels right to go over five of them today.  So, please enjoy my Top 5 Forthcoming Anime Projects in 2020 and 2021 and know that when we establish the new normal post pandemic, we’ll all have something to look forward to.

Bayonetta: Bloody Fate

For centuries, a war has been fought between the forces of light and darkness.  The Umbra Witches who served the dark were thought destroyed by their enemies, the Lumen Sages over 500 years ago.  In the present, one still walks among the living, dealing death and destruction to the forces of Heaven who threaten the Earth.  Her name is Bayonetta: a witch without a past and a penchant for raising Hell wherever she goes.  The announcement of a historic religious event leads her to the city of Vigrid, where a bevy of Angelic foes and a mysterious rival wait for her.  When the past comes knocking, will Bayonetta be subject to a truly bloody fate?  Or is it the destiny of a child of the darkness and the light to be humanities salvation?

Bayonetta might just be one of the best video games of the 21^st century.  Basically, it’s Devil May Cry with a sexy female leading lady who gets into some of the craziest, mind bending action sequences the human mind can think of.  The game is a thing of beauty and it’s content is just begging to be adapted into an Anime.  Thankfully, Bayonetta: Bloody Fate delivers everything that made the game that inspired it so legendary while also doing a few things differently and, in my opinion, theyre changes for the better.

FIF#115-Is it Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?

In a world where the Gods walk among the humans, becoming a dungeon crawling adventurer is the dream of many.  One such hopeful soul is Bell Cranel.  When the beginner is almost killed by a monster in dungeon, he is saved by the woman of his dreams, The Sword Princess Aiz Wallenstein.  Little does Bell know, he has a special skill that boosts his abilities and experience gathering so long as he keeps his mind focused on one goal: winning the heart of the Sword Princess herself.  Creatures of the darkness and the deepest dungeons beware: Bell is coming for all of them and nothing will stop him from finding love in a Dungeon.

As Issekai continues to dominate the world of Anime, its hard to forget that there are still straight up fantasy Anime set in fantastical worlds of swords and sorcery.  Besides it’s rather long title, Is it Wrong to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon seems like harmless fun from its first episode, though it’s the little things about the world where it set that intrigue me the most.

T5W#261-Top 5 Popular Isekai before Sword Art Online (aka the Issekai Boom)

Even if you’re new to the Anime medium, there’s no doubt you’ve heard the term “Isekai” a few times.  The term translates to “Another World” and usually features a protagonist transported from his home world (usually modern day Japan) to, you guessed it, another world (a fantasy realm has been the popular choice).  This subgenre didn’t just boom in the 2010’s, it was its own Big Bang.  Beginning with the monumental success of Sword Art Online in 2012, there have been dozens of Isekai shows over the years, I don’t even want to try and count them.  Most follow the same cut and paste formula with different variations but it has become the genre of choice for Anime Studio projects looking to make it big.  While Isekai thrives on SAO and other titles like Re:Zero or That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, the genre has been around long before SAO came on the scene.  Isekai titles weren’t popping up every couple of months back then but there were a few golden classics that shouldn’t be forgotten in the new heyday of the genre that sees no signs of stopping anytime soon.  So, on todays Top 5 Wednesday, I’m counting down my Top 5 Popular Isekai before Sword Art Online (aka the Issekai Boom), so any Anime with an Isekai feel before 2012.

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.