T5W#381-Top 5 Alternate Universe Gundam Protagonists

We’re 8 episodes into the latest Mobile Suit Gundam adventure, The Witch from Mercury, and while my feelings are mixed, they lean more towards positive than negative.  I can feel the School vibe slowly chipping away and am eagerly awaiting when the rug is pulled out from everyone and some classic Gundam drama really kicks in.  One element I’m growing more fond of with each episode is our titular “Witch from Mercury” Suletta.  Despite her incredible social anxiety that has her stammering more than half her dialogue, Suletta is proving quite the capable lead and that dramatic turn I’m waiting for could do her some good in the long run and make her appear more like the cool and confident bad ass we saw in the posters before we met her.  Time will tell though if Suletta can measure up to Gundam leads of the past and that’s already quite the hall of fame there.  So on today’s Top 5 Wendesday, we’re gonna take a look at Suletta’s fellow Gundam Pilots and see what her competition looks like.  To make things a bit fair for her (and me), I’m going to be focusing on Gundam Pilots not associated with the Universal Century, much like Suletta herself.  And after writing down my options, wow I didn’t think there were that many Alternate U’s in Gundam, shows what I know.  Anyway, these are my Top 5 Alternate Universe Gundam Protagonists.
 

Blade Runner: Black Lotus Part 4 Episodes 10-13

While her quest for revenge is complete, there is still one mystery Elle still must solve: the man from her memory, the one who gave her the Black Lotus tattoo.  The one person Elle has come to trust most, J, a former Blade Runner, knows the truth and knows that if Elle goes after it, it could mean her end.  Seeking answers and atonement, Elle and J head off to their final battles.  The stage is set for the beginning of a bold new future and Elle is about to prove that she is indeed more Human than Human.

Considering everything that went down in last weeks set of episodes, I was wondering what more Blade Runner: Black Lotus had to tell.  Turns out, it had a little more to share after all.  As a finale, Black Lotus had some good resolution and one stand out moment that made me cheer.  But is it a GOOD ending?  Much like the rest of the series…it’s just ok.  That kind of sucks as this is the one piece of Blade Runner mythos I cant rate super high as I have past titles.  I was entertained overall but yeah, there was something lacking…ok a few things.  Let’s break it all down.
 

FIF#173-Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War

For years, Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki has faced supernatural world ending threats and triumphed over them all.  But now the greatest challenge has come, not just for him but for the entire Soul Society.  The Quincy Clan, long thought nearly extinct, has returned and vowed vengeance against the Soul Reapers, and they now possess abilities capable of negating any of their abilities, even those of their powerful Bankai.  Outgunned and outmatched, even Ichigo’s immense strength might not be enough to halt the twilight of the Soul Society and the vengeance of the Quincy.

 
When the original Bleach Anime ended back in 2012, it’s source Manga was still four long year from completion.  When the Manga did wrap at 74 volumes back in 2016, it was always a question of when that final story arc would be adapted into Anime form.  Well, that answer has arrived and in surprisingly spectacular fashion, I might add.  After a decade long absence, Bleach makes its return and thankfully, it doesn’t look like it’ll be halted by any useless filler this time around.  This is it, the Final Arc and as such, it isnt wasting time getting down to business.  Whether this is a good thing or not, one thing is certain: Bleach is back and the world has been waiting for its return for a long time.
 

Blade of the 47 Ronin

Over three centuries have passed and the legend of the 47 Ronin lives on.  When the last descendant of the valiant group is assassinated, a secret sect of Samurai reunite to discuss an ancient prophecy that can only be fulfilled one bearing the blood of one of the 47 Ronin.  However, there is another, a young thief named Luna.  Now the target of Sorcerers, Ninjas and deadly Ronin, Luna must quickly learn who she can trust and if she is worthy to continue the legacy of one of the most legendary group of warriors in history.

Why do some stories require sequels when they were just fine on their own?  The story of the 47 Ronin is an important part of Japanese History and is still revered to this day.  There have been several adaptations of it throughout film history, including a 2 Part 4 hour 1941 film and, most recently, the infamous 2013 Box Office Bomb starring Keanu Reeves.  It’s this latter version to which Blade of the 47 Ronin serves as a sequel and again…why?  In truth, you could eliminate the 47 Ronin element and nothing of value is lost and makes the movie more bargain bin than it already is.  Yeah, this Direct to Video (or streaming in this case) is pretty much another studio attempt to milk money out of a film that did poorly but apparently someone out there was dying for more.  In other words, it’s bad, like really, really bad…and yet I knew this and still decided to give it a shot (sigh, live and learn).
 

T5W#380-Top 5 Anime Things Im Thankful For in 2022

Thanksgiving is upon us again Dear Readers and it’s been a helluva year.  For me, it’s been a year of challenges that have tested me but I’ve handling them well and life is continuing to get better.  For us Anime fans as a whole, as we move further into a Post Covid period, life returns a bit more to normal everyday.  More importantly, our favorite entertainment medium has had the best year ever in a long time with new hits, returning favs and bold strides every season.  Tl;dr, there’s a lot to be thankful for this year when it comes to Anime and it’s that time of the year when I come up with five of those for a Top 5 Wednesday…better known as the Top 5 Anime Things Im Thankful For in 2022.
 

Blade Runner: Black Lotus Part 3 Episodes 7-9

Elle tracks down the final name on her list of targets, those involved in the mass slaughter of her fellow Replicants in the desert.  Her revenge is far from finished when she learns the true mastermind behind the “Doll Hunt”, setting Elle on a collision course with the most powerful man in Los Angeles, the head of the Wallace Corporation himself.  Meanwhile, Detective Alani Davis finds herself being investigated by the LAPD following the murder of Chief Grant.  Will her inability to capture Black Lotus lead to her dismissal from the LAPD? 

Hmmmm.  You know, given all that goes down at the end of this set, you’d think we were on the final episodes of Blade Runner: Black Lotus.  Elle’s revenge quest is pretty much wrapped up, including a bonus name that took Elle to the top of the…I was gonna say Pyramid but that was Tyrell’s HQ not Wallace’s.  I guess there are a number of revelations that need to be explained and some mysteries still to be solved.  Plus not everyones storyline has been wrapped up either.  Blade Runner can leave things open ended if it chooses, no matter the tale.  Still, this set had some major things happen but I’m glad it isn’t The End just yet.
 

FIF#172-Chainsaw Man

In a world where Devils roam free, Denji makes a living as one who hunts the Devils.  Through a twist of fate, Denji makes a deal with a Devil to inherit its power and become an unstoppable monster: the Chainsaw Man.  His skill and carnage garner the attention of the Public Safety Devil Hunters, who offer Denji a chance to join their ranks…or die by their hand.  Guiding him through his new life is Makima, a beautiful and seductive agent of the PSDH who could be the best thing that’s ever happened to Denji.  Together, they tackle the underworld of Devils and God help anyone or anything that might get in their way.

 
Hoooboy they weren’t kidding about this one.  Ever since it’s announcement earlier this year, Chainsaw Man as been one of the most hotly anticipated Anime of 2022.  It’s also coming on the heels of some major hits for the Shonen Genre of Anime like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen and its fellow 2022 mega hit brethren, Spy X Family.  With that much hype behind it, there’s no way Chainsaw Man could ever live up to it right, right?  Well, I’ve been curious since I saw the first trailer and holy crap did the premiere not disappoint.  The Shonen Victory Train might’ve just bulldozed through another stop and unlike Jujutsu Kaisen, the one has me, I’ll just say that (though I’m not opposed to giving JJK another show especially since I really liked the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Movie).
 

T5W#379-Top 5 Blade Runner Scenes

Oh Blade Runner, I could talk about it all day and all night…haven’t done that before but start up a conversation about it and I’ll talk about it plenty.  The 1982 SciFi Classic is not only my favorite movie of all time, it’s also a quintessential inspiration for a lot of the Cyberpunk Genre in Anime from Ghost in the Shell to Psycho Pass, hence why I like talking about it here on my blog.  Seeing as how we’re in the middle of taking a look at the first ever Blade Runner TV Anime, felt like I should do another Blade Runner themed Top 5 Wednesday.  Initially I was thinking about quotes but yeesh that would be a two part Top 5 list and next week is Thanksgiving and I have a Top 5 planned for that.  So I’m gonna just ramble on a little bit about my Top 5 Blade Runner Scenes instead.

Blade Runner: Black Lotus Part 2 Episodes 4-6

The truth has been revealed: Elle is the sole survivor of the mass slaughter of a band of experimental Replicants in the desert.  Fueled by grief and anger, Elle sets out to punish those responsible for the massacre.  Carving a swath of carnage across the city, Elle’s activities finally put her on the radar of the LAPD.  And upon learning what Elle is, they dispatch the one person capable of taking her down: A special kind of cop trained to handle Replicants…his name is Marlowe but most know him by his official title: Blade Runner.
 
The journey of the Black Lotus continues and man, it is a very, very slow journey.  Ok, so Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 arent the swiftest or most action packed scifi films ever made.  Theyre slow but brimming with atmosphere, good characters, strong philosophical debates and an engrossing world to get lost in.  Black Lotus…has some of those qualities but it’s taking the slow burn approach a bit too far.  Over the span of three episodes, there are at least 2 good ones and one that couldve been folded into one or both considering very little of consequence happens.  Feels wrong to be talking bad about something Blade Runner related but I wont hold back if I think Black Lotus isn’t living up to its true potential.
 

FIF#171-Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

In the dystopian world of Night City, advanced cybernetics can make you become whoever you’ve longed to be or make any twisted fantasy come to life.  For David Martinez, it’s a life beyond the cushy confines of his pricey prep school.  When tragedy strikes, David finds himself broke and without a family.  All he has is an experimental piece of tech that few can identify.  Striking out on his own, David crosses paths with a beautiful theif, Lucy, who introduces him to the underground world of violence, desire and chaos, a place where David can find his own dream and make it reality.  It’s here David can join the ranks of his idols, the Edgerunners, better known as Cyberpunks.

 
No matter it’s current game state, Cyberpunk 2077 will forever be mostly associated with its disastrous launch back in 2020.  After years of hype and build up, the dystopian scifi shooter arrived to a massive amount of technical performance issues, game breaking and meme spawning bugs and a general feeling of being unfinished…which it was for past gen consoles (apparently it’s much better on current gen though).  It’s not the first time a game’s been released like this but it’s one of the more high profile cases.  As such, I haven’t even bothered to touch it, even if it’s a game right up my alley.  Just as well, when I heard there was a Cyberpunk Anime coming, I wasn’t interested.  But then I saw some of the initial ads and noticed the animation.  This didn’t look like just another half assed Netflix CG Anime project.  No, the studio working with Netflix on this one is none other than Studio Trigger.  THAT alone got me interested, enough to do a first impression.  And you know what?  It’s not half bad, maybe Cyberpunk 2077 would work better as an Anime than a game after all.
 

T5W#378-Top 5 Anime Sequels That Took A Long Time to Arrive

We’re a few weeks away from the highly anticipated release of James Cameron’s sequel to his game changing scifi epic, Avatar.  Whether or not you’re looking forward to it (I’m not, Black Panther 2 is top priority atm), it’s hard to believe we’re finally gonna get Avatar: The Way of Water after almost a decade of delays.  The original was released back in 2009, which means come December 2022 it will be the end of 13 years of waiting.  It got me to thinking: as an Anime fan, I should be used to this.  After all, we’re still waiting on continuations of classic series like Panty and Stocking or Haruhi Suzumiya or that Yuri on Ice Prequel (that apparently has been shelved for now…crap).  The waiting game is nothing new to Anime fans which is why on todays Top 5 Wednesday I’m counting down the Top 5 Anime Sequels That Took A Long Time to Arrive.  Clearly I’ve missed a few so feel free to shout out titles you’re still waiting for or waited half a lifetime or more to see.  Anyway, onto the list.

Blade Runner: Black Lotus Part 1 Episodes 1-3

2032 AD.  Ten years after “the Blackout”, a young girl named Elle wakes up in Los Angeles with no memory of who she is or how she got there.  Her only clues are an encrypted camera and a series of violent images involving a massacre in the desert beyond the city.  Elle’s search for answers may bring her more than she bargained for when she discovers deadly abilities of her own, abilities far beyond those of a Human.  Indeed: Elle is a Replicant, her very existence a crime on Earth.  It isn’t long before the authorities discover her and a man hunt begins.

I’ve been a Blade Runner fan for well over 20 years now, ever since I saw a rare showing of the Theatrical Cut on the Scifi Channel.  Since then, I’ve eaten up just about every piece of Blade Runner product I could from the other cuts of the original film to the better than it deserved to be sequel.  Blade Runner has been a staple of the Scifi and Cyberpunk genre since it first came out in 1982, it’s kind of a big deal.  It’s influence has been felt across every part of the entertainment industry from Hollywood blockbusters like The Matrix to Anime like Akira and Bubblegum Crisis.  Needless to say, a Blade Runner Anime is way long overdue. Yeah we got an Anime short film that served as a lead in to Blade Runner 2049 (and it was freaking awesome, you can find my review of Blade Runner: Blackout 2022 right here: http://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2017/10/blade-runner-blackout-2022_44.html).  But I’m talking about a true to form TV Series that takes everything that makes Blade Runner such an iconic franchise and gets its due from the genre that’s arguably benefited from it the most.  Hence, we have Blade Runner: Black Lotus, a CG Anime series with some heavy talent behind the mics, story and animation.  The question is, will it be any good?  As a life long Blade Runner enthusiast, the pressures on for this one with me…so how does it start? It starts…ok. 
 

FIF#170-Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury

Ad Stella 122.  Humanity has reached the stars and a new economic system has prospered from it.  The Beneritt Group runs the Asticassia School of Technology, where the youth of today train to use the technology of tomorrow, including new advanced Mobile Suits.  Hailing from the planet Mercury, a young girl named Suletta Mercury transfers into the School.  With her she brings a Mobile Suit once outlawed, the powerful Gundam Aeriel.  On her first day, Suletta saves a beautiful girl from an arranged marriage, only to become her new groom to be in the process…and take her first steps into a brand new world beyond the home she’s known.

 
Back in September, I looked at the Prologue for The Witch from Mercury and was very surprised.  With the premise seemingly being set around young pilots at a Mobile Suit Academy, I was worried the series would be veering into cutesy Reconguista in G territory with random cheerleaders popping in to do dance numbers and everything.  Much to my relief, the Prologue was very intense and pretty dark, a strong continuation from the last major Gundam TV effort, Iron Blooded Orphans.  It set the stage pretty well and made me really look forward to checking out the first episode of the series proper.  Well, that day has come.  The first new Gundam TV Series in seven years (that isn’t a Compilation or a Build Divers series), is here.  How is it?
 
(BTW if you want a refresher on my thoughts on the Prologue, you can check out that previous First Impression right here: http://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2022/09/fif169-mobile-suit-gundam-witch-from.html)
 

T5W#377-Top 5 Moments from Mobile Suit Abridged Gundam Wing Episode 10

Well todays my 35^th birthday and its wild to think about the fact that I’ve reached my mid 30s and also how big of a part Anime continues to play in my life.  This genre, this blog, all of the good things that have come with them, my life wouldn’t be what it is without Japanese Anime or the Gundam Anime Corner or the friends I’ve met along the way.  Alright, enough sappiness.  What am I going to talk about in this Top 5 Wednesday that happens to fall on my birthday?  Well, how about we talk about Gundam?  And not just any Gundam.  Incase you missed it, the comedic geniuses from Operation Meatier have returned with a brand new episode of Mobile Suit Abridged Gundam Wing…after a near 2.5 year long wait (I only know that because they acknowledge it in the episode).  MSAGW has become one of my all time favorite Abridged series, up there with Team Four Stars Dragon Ball Z and Hellsing Ultimate Abridged.  It might be just a bit more special because of the fondness I hold for Gundam Wing while also learning to address its faults and laugh at how ridiculous it gets at times.  And let me tell ya, OPMeat hasn’t lost their touch, their sense of humor or their love for this series cause I was laughing a ton while watching this episode.  So, to celebrate their return and my birthday, on todays Top 5 Wednesday we’ll be looking at the Top 5 Moments from Mobile Suit Abridged Gundam Wing Episode 10.  It’s actually kind of rare I focus on one episode in particular for a Top 5, usually it’s looking back at a season, sets of movies, etc.  It’s a good first if that is the case.  Anyway, Commencing Mission.