Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai Part 4 Episodes 11-13

Long before he glimpsed a beautiful wild Bunny Girl only he could see in a Library, Sakuta Azusagawa was already dealing with his own personal experiences with Puberty Syndrome.  An incident from two years ago returns and the results could be catastrophic to not just Sakuta but his sister, Kaede, as well.  Sakuta finds himself in the most difficult situation of his life and for once, he has no idea how to fix what is coming.  Will a renewed spark of hope come from a girl who appeared to him similarly two years ago…or the beautiful Bunny Girl who he has fallen in love with?

 
Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai’s Series Finale isn’t one that wraps up every single mystery.  It leaves plot threads dangling.  It doesn’t offer a sense of finality.  By rights, the fact that the story feels incomplete should be enough to make me very unhappy with the final three episodes of the series.  That isn’t the case, not at all.  For a series that suckered me in with the promise of a sexy Bunny Girl who could steal all hearts, I never expected to feel so emotional at the pause point (I wont say Finish Line…yet).  The final mystery of the series hit all the right marks and was a good final test to show how far Sakuta had come not just from the beginning, but all the way back from before the beginning.
 

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai Part 3 Episodes 7-10

Ever since Sakuta met Mai Sakurajima, his life’s become about two things: helping people with Puberty Syndrome and winning the heart of the unwinnable girl.  Two new Puberty Syndrome events appear, both hitting close to home for Sakuta and Mai.  For Sakuta, he must discover why there’s a doppelganger of his best friend, Rio Futaba, running around and starting a lewd social media account that could ruin her image.  For Mai, a sudden body swap finds her in the body of her younger half sister, Nodoka Toyohama.  And what about Sakuta’s first love, Shoko Makinohara, who has suddenly reappeared but hasn’t aged since Sakuta last saw her?

Everytime I sit down to watch a new episode of this series, I’m always surprised.  I’m surprised how deep they delve into life dilemmas with a supernatural/scifi spin.  I’m surprised how easy it is to relate to just about every character.  I’m surprised how I can actually like Sakuta while still cringing over his honest reveals of his lewd fantasies for just about every girl he meets.  I’m not surprised how easy it is to fall for Mai Sakurajima episode after episode, even the ones shes hardly in.  Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai is one giant pleasant surprise and the goodness just kept coming with two new mysteries while one big twist sat things out for now.
 

T5W#341-Top 5 Reasons Why I Keep Writing for the Gundam Anime Corner

Recently, my friend and Sailor Moon Cosplay extraordinaire Rizuki did an Instagram Story discussing the growing trend of those who are obsessed with gaining mass amounts of Followers and Likes on various social media platforms and pushing themselves to be the top influencers on the internet.  Rizuki brought up many valid points including the main point that ones own personal validation and the good times had with friends should be the driving force in your love of fandom, not the need to become an iconic figure head.  At one point, she boiled it all down to a set of important questions: Why you do what you do?  Who are you doing it for?  Why do you continue to do what you do?  Why did you join social media in the first place?  It made me sit back and think about myself.  I’ve never been obsessed with making this blog the epitome of the Anime Review Community but why do I keep writing when I know viewership and online interaction is admittedly pretty minimal?  Inspired by Rizuki’s heartfelt messages, I’ve decided to take a Top 5 Wednesday to talk about my Top 5 Reasons Why I Keep Writing for the Gundam Anime Corner.  I’m gonna see if I can answer Rizuki’s questions not just because they were asked in general, but because theyre actually good ones to revisit when you find yourself facing burnout or are in a particular slump and need to remember why you love doing what you do.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai Part 2 Episodes 4-6

Sakuta Azusagawa couldn’t be living a better life: he’s now on a direct track to a full blown relationship with his beautiful Senpai, Mai Sakurajima.  However, fate seems to have other plans as a new Puberty Syndrome phenomena traps Sakuta in a time loop.  In order to break it, Sakuta will have to help a childhood friend through her own relationship troubles, even if it puts Sakuta’s future with Mai at risk.  Can Sakuta escape his loop, help his friend and still get the Bunny Girl all at the same time?
 
I’m beginning to see why this series has become such a fan favorite in the Anime community.  Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai might sucker you in for the promise of lots of time with a hot girl in a bunny girl outfit but it has much more to offer than that (and Mai is still a helluva draw).  At one moment, it’s a psychological, Twin Peaks esque mystery.  The next it’s the most chill slice of life you’d expect from Your Name or K-ON.  All the time, this is a pretty good show so far and this newest mystery for Sakuta to solve ended up being just as layered, compelling and fulfilling as when he me the Bunny Girl Senpai of his dreams.
 

Street Fighter Alpha: The Movie

The Dark Hadou-a dark energy that threatens to consume all fighters, turning them into blood lusting killers.  Street Fighter Ryu is one who possesses the potential to unleash this force and it has haunted him for years.  The sudden death of his Master, Gouken, reunites Ryu with his best friend, Ken Masters, and also sparks the sudden arrival of a boy named Shun, who claims to be Ryu’s younger brother.  As a new Street Fighter Tournament begins, Shun enters and displays the same Dark Hadou energy as Ryu.  Both soon find themselves the targets of the illusive Shadaloo organization.  Can Ryu protect Shun from these vicious fighters and keep the darkness in himself at bay? 

To me, Street Fighter will always be one of the most definitive fighting game franchises of all time, tied up there with it’s eternal rival Mortal Kombat.  The characters are infamous, their special moves are legendary.  Street Fighter is a fun experience no matter which game youre tackling from the arcade classics to the 3D smash em ups.  The Street Fighter Anime I’ve seen up until now haven’t been bad either.  We’ve checked out the impressive TV Series, Street Fighter II V, and Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie, which proved to be one of the better Video Game Movie adaptations out there.  Street Fighter Alpha: The Movie is an OVA meant to celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of Street Fighter II, aka when the franchise really entered the history books.  So, does this celebratory title do a good job at highlighting everything that makes Street Fighter fun and awesome?  The answer is No, just No.
 

Harlock: Space Pirate

In the wake of a bloody war, the Earth has been declared “forbidden” by the Gaia Coalition, who seek to protect it from billions of Humans desperate to return home.  One man stands against Gaia and its authoritarian rule: Captain Harlock, the most notorious Space Pirate in the Cosmos.  Aboard his invincible vessel, the Arcadia, Harlock strikes back at Gaia with a plan to liberate the planet back to Humanity’s hands.  In response, Gaia secretly dispatches a young operative, Logan, to the Arcadia with orders to take Harlock down.  The more time he spends with the enigmatic Harlock, Logan’s loyalties become blurred.  Already disillusioned with Gaia for his own reasons, will Logan join Harlock’s crusade…or is the legendary Captain hiding an even deadlier scheme that could put more than Humanity and the Earth in danger?

 
Ah, Captain Harlock, we meet again.  Once a major staple of 70’s and 80’s scifi Anime, the good Captain might be a recognizable name with an even more recognizable face.  However, compared to the enduring legacies of Gundam and Macross, Harlock hasn’t seen much screentime since the new millennium began, at least compared to Leiji Matsumoto’s other popular scifi franchise, Space Battleship Yamato.  Still, every once in a while we get a welcome return from Harlock and hope it’ll be an adventure worthy of following up his incredible origin tale in Arcadia of my Youth.  Granted, the last time I looked at anything Harlock related here at the Gundam Anime Corner, it was back in 2020 when I looked at the abysmal Harlock Saga, earning a rare 0/10 score.  Well, this CGI Anime spectacle from Shinji Aramaki (Appleseed, Blade Runner: Black Lotus) is definitely not a 0/10…but how much better is it compared to other Harlock outings I’ve looked at?
 

Toonami Flashback Friday Episode 7-T.I.E: Death and Rebirth

In the late Summer of 2000, Toonami began running promos for a special event dubbed “The Intruder”.  The premise was simple: a mysterious organism (the titular Intruder) latched itself onto the Absolution and began spreading throughout the ship.  It was up to Tom, guided by the Absolutions onboard AI, Sara (marking her debut on Toonami) to find a way to slow the contamination and save the ship.  The Intruder aired for an entire week of Toonami that September.  Programming ran as usual but mid run we got a new chapter of The Intruder and even got a bit of homework too.  Yep, what made this event truly special was the inclusion of special codes that viewers could use on the Toonami website to play an interactive side story to The Intruder, taking control of one of the ships Clyde repair bots (also making their first appearance).  This was the beginning of what would come to be known as the T.I.E-Total Emersion Event.  And usually when one of these came along…something big was about to happen.

 

Dragon Ball Z: The TV Specials

A few years ago, I got my hands on the entire Dragon Ball Z Movie Collection, everything from Dead Zone to Resurrection F.  I was so excited to have it all at last that I couldn’t help but jump into an impromptu two weeks of reviews.  I looked at 2-3 films a day during that period of time looking at the best, worst and the Goten and Trunks levels of bad that culiminated in Bio Broly becoming the first Anime I reviewed to score a 0/10.  One thing has bugged me in hindsight: if I looked at all the Movies…where are the two TV Specials?  I’d always had them, why not throw them into the mix?  The answer is…I just didn’t.  But now, since I’ve covered every theatrical film from Z to Super to the OG Dragon Ball, it’s time to rectify that.  So for todays little double feature, you’re getting both Bardock and Trunks Specials.  Guess this means I’ll have to look at that GT Special at some point too…Crap Baskets.
 

BNA: Brand New Animal Part 3 Episodes 9-12

Michiru’s search for answers to her Beastmanitis comes to an end with revelations that rock her world and that of all of Anima City.  Meanwhile, Alan Sylvasta slowly unveils the fruits of his labor and his final endgame for the Beastmen, using Nazuna as an unwilling pawn and putting Shirou in the crosshairs of the law.  As chaos threatens to engulf the safe haven of the Beastmen, Michiru and Shriou reach a mutual crossroads.  After all they’ve been through together, what kind of future will they choose and will it mean the end of relations between Humans and Beastmen or will it be a brand new beginning for Anima City?
 
Despite some questionable lapses in logic and a last minute reveal that was totally unnecessary, BNA: Brand New Animal finished as strongly as it began.  It helps that the finale continued the shows trend of TRIGGER trying to do something different with the show unlike its predecessors.  The finale had some pretty big moments and battles but wasn’t necessarily on the scale of say Kill La Kill or Promare, and you know what, that’s ok.  Sometimes Earth or Universal shattering spectacle isn’t needed when you get to see characters you like win their final battles while reaching a natural conclusion to their particular arcs.
 

T5W#340-Top 5 Katsucon Cosplay Photoshoots I’ve Attended

While things might be getting more under control with the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the fact of the matter is I’m still passing on Katsucon (I would say for the second year in a row but nothing happened last year so I guess this is the first time ever).  That said, I’m not here to woe about it, I’m here to talk about how awesome of a cosplay hotspot Katsucon has always been and will likely continue to be in 2022.  The Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor has become synonymous with Katsucon, containing both superb interior and exterior locations for photoshoots both Private and Public.  If you’ve never been, I highly recommend finding a video tour or something (I might post my own from a previous year over the weekend, who knows).  And if you plan on going to Katsu, my advice…go in blind and discover the wonders of the place first hand.  Hmm, think I’ve gotten off topic.  Anyway, the place is perfect for any and every kind of photoshoot.  So today on Top 5 Wednesday, I’m counting down the Top 5 Katsucon Cosplay Photoshoots I’ve Attended.  Couple of rules: gonna try and not double up on particular years, gonna aim for one Photoshoot pick between 2015 and 2020 (that might be tough since some years had better Photoshoot memories than others).  Second, I make it a mission to attend a Sailor Moon and Fate/Stay Night Photoshoot at every con I go to.  So as tough as task as it is, I’m gonna pick only one from either of those series for this list.  Think that’s it, on with the show.

 

BNA: Brand New Animal Part 2 Episodes 5-8

Just when Michiru finally got settled into her new life in Anima City, fate throws her the ultimate curveball.  Before she became a Beastman, Michiru’s best friend, Nazuna, became one and was captured by an unknown group.  Now Nazuna has resurfaced in Anima City as the figure head of the Church of the Silver Wolf.  As the group grows in popularity thanks to Nazuna’s unique abilities, Michiru finds the one bond she’s held onto from her old life tested.  But the safe haven for Beastmen has dark secrets hidden behind closed door and now those secrets are starting to come out.  How far will Michiru go to keep her best friend in her life and save her new home?

After a strong opening that mixed Studio TRIGGERs expert animation with smart social commentary, BNA took a second to let the levity in, even during another serious topic, before diving right into what’s going to be the core plot of the rest of the series.  Michiru’s time in Anima City is about to get even more interesting and so’s Shirou’s for that matter.  And yes, the race relation comparisons continued, showing that the tepid relationship between Beastmen and Humans hasn’t just recently become strained, it’s always been that way.
 

BNA: Brand New Animal Part 1 Episodes 1-4

Welcome to a world where Humans and Animalized Human Beings known as Beastmen, walk the streets.  However, persecution against Beastmen is at an all time high.  Anima City stands as a safe haven for Beastmen looking to live in peace, free from Human interference and violence.  It is here that Michuru Kagemori has come to.  But this cute Tanuki isn’t looking just for safe harbor.  Michuru claims to be a Human who just one day changed into a Beastman herself.  The search for answers only gets more complicated when Michuru discovers that there are those who want to tear down Anima City for their own purposes.  Her only hope for survival lies with a wolf named Shirou.  Together, they can solve the mystery of Michuru.  Together, they can save the city.

Last Summer, the Summer of TRIGGER event took over the Gundam Anime Corner.  During this time, I looked at Studio TRIGGERs three major Anime TV Series (at the time): Kill La Kill, Little Witch Academia: The Series and Darling in the Franxx, as well as their first big feature film, Promare.  BNA: Brand New Animal, their latest TV offering, came in a little late in the game for me and even though I couldn’t fit it in with the rest of its TRIGGER brethren, I always wanted to check it out and give it its due here on the blog.  After all, Studio TRIGGER is a big name and any project they churn out merits attention, whether the show be a masterpiece or…look you know I hate Darling in the Franxx, let’s not go back there.  BNA looks lively and vibrant and bearing everything that makes a TRIGGER production a TRIGGER production.  So, how about we don’t waste anymore time.  Welcome to Anime Zootopia, er BNA: Brand New Animal.
 

Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai Part 1 Episodes 1-3

Sakuta Azusagawa spots a girl wandering through a library in a bunny girl outfit.  To his amazement, he is the only one who can see this girl.  She is Mai Sakurajima, his Senpai and a former popular child actor.  Her ability, or curse, to not be seen by the public ties into a mysterious phenomenon known as “Puberty Syndrome”.  As the two pair up to investigate Mai’s affliction, Sakuta and Mai discover there are other bizarre cases of Puberty Syndrome, each more strange than the next. As they search for answers, Sakuta and Mai may find more than either bargained for when they start developing feelings for one another.

When you see the promo images for a show like Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, I’m sure you’d expect some sexy adventures involving one of the most beautiful Anime girls ever created.  In a way, I kind of equate this shows beginning to that of Madoka Magica or Angel Beats: you expect one thing but an episode or two in throws the whole premise on its head and youre sticking with it for new reasons that’ll hopefully be good reasons.  I’m rambling, I know but I wasn’t sure what to expect from Bunny Girl Senpai beyond the gorgeous Mai Sakurajima…and now I’m looking forward to whatever is next for her and the titular Rascal.  As far as titles go for a Valentine theme for February, this could be a good one folks.  (So much so I’m even giving this a special Valentine’s Day Premiere).
 

Say, I Love You Part 3 Episodes 9-13

Yamato’s brief stint as a Male Model has nearly lost him his relationship with Mei, who cant bring herself to trust him around the beautiful Megumi Kitagawa.  But Megumi isn’t about to let Yamato off so easily when he tries to make things right.  Meanwhile, Kai Takemura, an old friend of Yamato’s returns to town with some old scores to settle.  But he has an unexpected goal in mind as well: winning the heart of Mei Tachibana.  If Mei and Yamato are to find their future together, they’ll have to come together to face the ghosts of their past.  Only then can they find their Happily Ever After.

 
Man…that was something.  This final set of episodes was a roller coaster of challenging emotions and ideologies.  But above all, the finale of Say, I Love You was about making one final point on the key theme of the series: more than romance, more than being a couple, one strong friendship can make the biggest difference in anyones life…and it’s the most beautiful thing ever.  Yeah, yeah we got to see Mei and Yamato’s romance fully blossom and see them happy together.  Wont lie though, it was seeing the full completion of Mei’s arc and the reveal of Megumi’s true character and backstory that really brought me to tears.  It might’ve gone on a bit too long though, but overall, this was a really, really good finale.  Let’s get to it, shall we?
 

Katsucon Week Announcement

Hey there Dear Readers,

If you follow me on Instagram (@arschelgundam87), then you know that back at the beginning of January I made the tough decision to sit out this years Katsucon.  At the time, the Omicron Variant of the Covid-19 Virus was on the rise and I’m not certain large conventions are a good idea for me right now.  I know plenty of people who are still going (and also went to Magfest as well) and I wish that they have the best time.  I’m glad they get to have a Katsucon again and I hope in 2023 I can enjoy being back in the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center too.  For this year however, that wont be happening.  I’ve made peace with that decision…but it still sucks…like a lot.

Toonami Flashback Friday Episode 6-The Great Saturday Expansion

July 10, 1999.  It was Midnight.  I had no idea why I was still awake, probably waiting for Dragon Ball Z to pop up on Cartoon Network.  As 12am arrived, my TV screen was greeted to a gorgeously vast nebula with the word “Toonami” slowly arriving on screen.  Then the hull of a long ship casually glided across the screen.  Inside, dark hallways, wide though, not the claustrophobic kind like in Ridley Scott’s Alien.  Those hallways soon lit up as we inched closer to the bridge of the ship.  As soon as the door opened, the drums kicked in and a nice, smooth beat filled the air.  As the music played, a small Robot made his way up the elevator to the bridge and took his seat in what I’d assume was the Captain’s Chair.  Our tiny Captain laid it all out: His name was Tom and he was the new Moltar.  This was the birth of the “New Toonami”.  From this point on, Ghost Planet Industries would no longer be the main hub of the action block.  It would now be transmitted from this deep space vessel, “The Absolution”. Same shows, same vibe but a new host and a new look…

 

Say, I Love You Part 2 Episodes 5-8

Mei Tachibana has done the impossible: she has become the girlfriend of the most popular boy in school, Yamato Kurosawa.  For a girl who hasn’t had many positive friendships in her life, this is a brand new experience and Yamato seems keen to show Mei at every chance that he is in love with her and her alone.  That’s not to say there aren’t challenges ahead for these two.  Yamato’s popularity paints a target on Mei’s back, with almost every girl wanting Yamato for themselves.  And when a beautiful model transfers in, with her sights set on Yamato, will a steamy photoshoot between the two of them
cause Mei to abandon her new romance just as its beginning?

Any kind of story about Romance is bound to be a roller coaster of emotions.  Mismatched couple meets, falls in love, have some fun, run into trouble, nearly break up because of trouble, ends up staying together stronger than before, it’s a tale as old as time.  It only makes sense that Say, I Love You is headed into the middle portion of that story outline in it’s middle third of the series.  But while this all feels very familiar and thus a little predictable, the progress Mei is showing because of it is what’s keeping me invested, that and the actual revelation that not every single person in her school is an absolute asshat who’s always against her.
 

T5W#339-Top 5 Thoughts on Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island

After a couple of years of setbacks and delays thanks to the Pandemic, the Mobile Suit Gundam Franchise is coming back in a big way.  Sure we did get Gundam Hathaway last year but in 2022 we’ll be getting a brand new TV Series, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch of Mercury, as well as another new movie (remember when there was an almost 20 year gap in between original theatrical releases and now it’s one every 3-4 years?).  This new movie, however, isn’t 100% new though.  The announcement of a film based on Cucuruz Doan’s Island got my attention the second I heard it and now that new info is coming to light…I have some thoughts to share, and I’ve narrowed them down to five.  Ergo, todays Top 5 Wednesday will cover my Top 5 Thoughts on Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan's Island, which is currently due out in Japan in the Summer of 2022.

Say, I Love You Part 1 Episodes 1-4

As a young girl, Mei Tachibana experienced friendships so toxic, it’s caused her to hate the very thought of making friends.  Now in High School, Mei is a social outcast, walling herself off and making herself one of the most despised girls in school.  That all changes when she accidentally strikes Yamato Kurosawa, the most popular boy in school.  Yamato finds himself drawn to the isolated Mei and wants to become her friend.  It’s been years since Mei’s had anything resembling a positive friendship.  Could Yamato break that spell…and could more blossom from this newfound friendship?

Well we’ve crossed into February, aka the Month of Love and Romance.  This year, I’m already set to look at the mega popular hit Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai…but at the request of a good friend of mine, I’m gonna tackle another romantic Anime as well and this one…hmmmm this is definitely outside my wheelhouse.  I’d never even heard of Say, I Love You until my friend kept bringing it up in conversation.  Seeing as how I had some empty review slots to fill (thanks in part to me not doing Katsucon this year) and I haven’t done a review request from this friend, why the heck not.  So, Say, I Love You…interesting premise for sure.  How does a romance work between the most popular boy in school and the most anti social girl in existence?  The answer…is complicated.
 

Toonami Flashback Friday Episode 5-Going All In

By the Summer of 2000, Toonami had multiple Anime hits in their rotation.  Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon and Gundam Wing had taken America by storm and offered a little bit of something for everyone on Toonami.  The action block had become THE place to be Monday-Friday and by the Summer of 2000, the block had been given an extra hour due to its popularity.  While other non Anime series found their way into the fun like Reboot and Cartoon Networks own The Powerpuff Girls, Anime was now more at the front of Toonami’s arsenal than ever before.  Today on Toonami Flashback Friday, I’ll be looking briefly at 5 of those offerings.  I’ve reviewed most of them here on the blog already, one is in the process and the other…well who knows what the future holds.  Onto the collection.

 

Trese Part 2 Episodes 4-6

For some time now, Alexandra Trese has been receiving ominous warnings of an oncoming storm that will shatter the fragile peace between Humans and the Monsters of the Underworld.  Enemies from Trese’s past combine forces and soon all of Manila is under attack.  When one near fatal encounter hits too close to home, Trese finds herself thrown into the greatest battle of her life.  Between betrayals and revelations and in desperate need to call in every favor she has, will Alexandra live up to the expectations of her families lineage?  Or will all out war consume her city and possibly the world?

 
In many ways, I wish Trese was a series longer than 6 episodes and I wonder if more is planned in the future.  If not, the second half of the series definitely amps up the action and intensity and offers plenty of chilling and disgusting dark imagery to satisfy the action/horror fandom.  Sadly, little of this and the continued expansion of the amazing world of Filipino Folklore helps make the lead heroine any more likeable than last time.  Sure, some actual emotion does shine through from time to time but those moments are fleeing as Trese remains in one mode 24/7, “Ready.  Always Ready.”
 

T5W#338-Top 5 Final Fantasy VII Theme Songs

On January 31, 1997, the world of Video Games was forever changed with the release of a title that is still widely regarded as one of the greatest Video Games ever made (fans of VI will go to war over this for all time but that’s neither here nor there): Final Fantasy VII.  The game broke new grounds for JRPGS and thanks to a highly successful run on the original Playstation, it put Final Fantasy on the map in a big way, making each subsequent entry an event to watch out for.  Why did VII get so much praise?  Where to start?  The timeless story, the unforgettable characters, the gorgeous graphics, that heart shattering death scene…or all the above really.  For me and others, one critical element is the music.  Longtime Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu returned for his 7^th straight score for the series, creating tunes that have remained iconic staples of the entire franchise.  Today on Top 5 Wednesday as my offering to FFVII’s 25^th Anniversary, I’m counting down my picks for the Top 5 Final Fantasy VII Theme Songs, songs any hardcore gamer, JRPG fan or just fan of good music in general should have on a playlist somewhere.