FIF#236-Super Dimension Century Orguss

2062. The World finds itself caught up in  a civil war over the planets energy supplying space elevator.  During a pivotal battle, a forbidden weapon is used, with pilot Kei Katsuragi caught in its blast.  Instead of dying, Kei is propelled years into the future where everything has changed.  Kei’s arrival is detected by two feuding factions, both with their own interests in Kei and his Bronco II fighter.  With no way to return home, Kei sides with a group of peaceful traders as he fends off their foes and tries to figure out why his presence is so important to the future of Planet Earth.

 
Contrary to popular belief, including my own, of the three 80s Anime under the “Super Dimension” umbrella, only Macross and Southern Cross were chosen to become part of Robotech alongside Genesis Climber Mospeda.  The middle chapter of that unconnected trilogy, Super Dimension Century Orguss, was apparently never considered despite having several of the elements that helped make Robotech the legend it is today (for better or worse).  So how come Orguss was left out of the bunch?  Might it have something to do with that weird alien horse thingy…cause I’m kind of leaning that way myself.
 

T5W#502-Top 5 Gundam Series with the Biggest Impact/Influence on the Franchise

We’re only a couple of weeks away from the debut of Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX.  Anticipation for this one is at a fever pitch, especially after the box office results of the GQuuuuuX: Beginnings movie both in Japan and in the US.  Clearly everyone is ready for this long overdue union between the minds behind Mobile Suit Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion.  One question on my mind is: how big of an impact will this have for the franchise?  And can it measure up to other shows that stand as the core pillars of the Gundam multiverse.  To explain a bit further, we have todays Top 5 Wednesday as I share my picks for the Top 5 Gundam Series with the Biggest Impact/Influence on the Franchise.

 

Tales from Earthsea

A series of plagues ravage the lands.  Dragons are at war in the skies.  All signs point to a great catastrophe inching its way towards the land of Earthsea.  As darkness descends, : an aged Wizard, a Prince on the run and a girl with a mark band together to face an evil Sorcerer hellbent on bringing ruin to achieve immortality.  Each member of this unlikely party carries their own burdens and troubled pasts.  Only by conquering them can they defeat their shared enemy and unleash the ultimate power that can save all of Earthsea.

I cannot imagine the amount of pressure behind Tales from Earthsea given that it was the big directorial debut of Goro Miyazaki, yes the son of THAT Miyazaki.  Having to start your own Anime legacy in the shadow of one of the biggest names not just in Anime but in the world of Animation as a whole, that’s daunting.  Ignoring the loftiness of this burden for a moment, it doesn’t change the fact that Tales from Earthsea might be the worst Studio Ghibli movie I have ever seen…and that’s something you cant really say about a lot of Ghibli (at least that I’ve seen).  This is supposed to be another sweeping high adventure fantasy that the studio can do in its sleep and has accomplished wonders with less money and lesser animation techniques in the past.  Tales from Earthsea is a far cry from those accomplishments, setting its sights high with no true direction that ends up a massive mess that is just boring and joyless to sit through.
 

FIF#235-The God of High School

At long last, the greatest fighting tournament in the world has come to Seoul, South Korea.  The God of High School sees fighters from various high schools come together for a battle like no other and the winner will be granted anything their heart desires.  Mori Jin is just another aspiring Martial Artist who enters the tournament to see if the prize is real. Alongside two other gifted fighters, Mori battles his way through some of the deadliest foes both in and out of the ring.  For GOH is run by some pretty shady characters and the more victories Mori earns, the deeper he finds himself at the heart of an epic conspiracy.

 
This was another title I discovered recently while at Katsucon and not because I sat in on a screening. My friends and I were playing a “Guess the Anime OP” on Youtube and the theme for this one came out and it slapped hard.  I had to know if the show that opening was attached to could match how cool and bad ass the song sounded.  Turns out, I think it can.  The God of High School, based on a Korean Webtoon and one of Crunchyroll’s first “original” titles, looks like Tekken with a younger, wilder generation and it’s got some extra help from an Anime Studio that is firing on all cylindars right now.  But does that equal success or is it wishful thinking on my part?
 

T5W#501-Top 5 Sexiest Kunoichis

This weekend Assassin’s Creed fans are finally getting what they’ve been asking for since the first game, an Assassin’s Creed set in Japan!!!  After all when you think of assassin’s stalking you in the night using ancient mystic arts in order to carry out secret missions…what else comes to mind first before freaking Ninjas.  Assassin’s Creed Shadows is also following a new female lead, a cute Kunoichi by the name of Naoe Fujibayashi.  She may not be dressed like your typical Anime Kunoichi but that doesn’t mean she can get the job done as good as the guys.  After all, when you’re looking for sexy ladies in scantly clad outfits using looks to lure someone into a state of false bliss…again Female Ninjas should be your top choice.  And on todays Top 5 Wednesday, we’re blowing kisses and hoping we stay off the radar of these deadly beauties aka the Top 5 Sexiest Kunoichis.

 

Kiki’s Delivery Service

At age 13, a young girl named Kiki sets out to find a place suitable to begin her training to become a Witch.  With her faithful guardian cat, Jiji, at her side, Kiki arrives in a beautiful seaside town that just needs her special talents.  What is her special skill?  Can Kiki find her place in this new home?  Beyond doubts and fears, Kiki presses forward starting with a one of a kind Delivery Service only a Witch can provide.

After two back to back reviews of high adventure with world ending stakes, it’s nice to see Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli give themselves a breather with a different kind of fantasy fare.  Kiki’s Delivery Service has no larger than life villain or a secret that must be uncovered to save the world.  No, this is a movie about a girl beginning a new life in a new town and she just so happens to be a Witch in training.  There’s no more and no less to this premise and even though the film does come down to things just happening on screen, it’s a chill kind of story everyone can get behind, especially when it comes to Ghibli’s usual animation powers and Kiki being so gosh darn loveable.
 

FIF#234-Bananya

Meet Bananya.  He’s a Cat who lives in a Banana.  He’s curious, optimistic and prone to getting into trouble.  And he’s not alone.  There are others just like Bananya with different personalities and looks. Together, they explore the world around them, cause some mischief and maybe, just maybe inch ever closer to their own dreams…like Bananya wishing to become a chocolate covered Banana.

 
If Hamtaro taught us anything when he suddenly popped up on Toonami, it’s that we need something adorable and nonsensical to break up the many hours of shouting, punching and perversion we watch daily with Anime.  Bananya looks very much like a successor to Hamtaro in that regard.  It’s clearly aimed at kids but the extreme cuteness of the character overshadows the bizarness of a Cat living in a Banana. 
 

T5W#500-Top 5 Favorite Photos from the Gundam Wing Katsucon 2025 Photoshoot

Holy freaking crap.  Like I knew this was coming but damn…500.  500 Top 5 Wednesdays.  Still trying to take that milestone in.  More importantly though, what could I even talk about for the big 5-0-0?  Well while working on last weeks Gundam Wing Anniversary centric list, I realized, of course I wanna talk about Gundam but I should make it unique, special, fitting for 500.  And man Im shocked I didn’t think of this sooner: it doesn’t get more unique, special and fitting than that time a few weeks back when I got to lead a Gundam Wing photoshoot at Katsucon.  This group of amazing cosplayers welcomed me into the fold and we had a freaking blast recreating moments from the series while putting our own spins on different ideas for the heck of it.  It’s one of my best experiences not just at a con but as a fan of Gundam in general.  So hell yes, that little mega event is what we’re gonna talk about.  I’m proud to present for my 500^th Top 5 Wednesday: my Top 5 Favorite Photos from the Gundam Wing Katsucon 2025 Photoshoot

 
Starring the following bad ass cool capers you can follow on the following pages:
Feyvorite Song as Heero Yuy
https://www.instagram.com/feyvorite_song/?hl=en
 
Space Greasers as Duo Maxwell (Endless Waltz)
https://www.instagram.com/spacegreasers/?hl=en
 
Cosplay213 as Trowa Batron
https://www.instagram.com/cosplay213/?hl=en
 
Emi Bee Cosplay as Quatre Reberba Winner
https://www.instagram.com/emibeecosplay/?hl=en
 
Jem Cosplay0827 as Chang Wufei
https://www.instagram.com/jem.cosplay.0827/?hl=en
 
Rhythmic High as Zechs Merquise
https://www.instagram.com/rhythmichigh/?hl=en
 
William Jay 87 as Treize Kushrenada
https://www.instagram.com/william_jay87/?hl=en
 
Wings of Tabris as Lucrezia Noin
https://www.instagram.com/wingsoftabris/?hl=en
 
Cariad as Lady Une
https://www.instagram.com/_cariad/?hl=en
 
Frozen Waffle Cosplay as Heavyarms EW Custom
https://www.instagram.com/frozen_waffle_cosplay/?hl=en
 
Mobius Melt as Deathscythe Hell EW Custom
https://www.instagram.com/mobiusmelt/?hl=en
 
 

Laputa: Castle in the Sky

Legend speaks of a floating city, the last of its kind.  Hidden deep within is treasure beyond worth and power so dangerous it could annihilate the planet.  The lives of two youths have become entwined with this legend: Sheeta, who possesses a treasure born from this city; and Pazu, whose Father glimpsed the city with his own eyes.  Together, these two must brave Assassins and Pirates determined to claim the power of this lost city for themselves, the city known as Laputa.

It’s not easy following up a film that’s become an important part of Anime history, as well as the first major stepping stone for one of the most beloved studios in the genre.  Despite this pressure, Laputa (or Castle in the Sky as it was released for some reason in the US), dares to give it a try.  Not only is this Hayao Miyazaki’s directorial follow up to Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind, it’s also the first official project and release from Studio Ghibli, whose founders and staff all worked with Miyazaki on that film.  Flying above those lofty expectations seems to be Laputa’s main approach as it dials up the high flying spectacle and action in addition to Ghibli’s usual beautiful visuals.  But is Laputa a worthy successor to the film many consider to be Ghibli’s true start point?
 

FIF#233-Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX

Universal Century 0085.  It’s been five years since the One Year War ended in favor of the Principality of Zeon.  At the neutral colony cluster of Side 6, young Yuzuriha “Machu” Amate’s quiet life is uprooted when a Mobile Suit battle enters her colony.  In an instant, Machu finds herself behind the controls of a Prototype Gundam, the GQuuuuuX, and enters the underground world of Clan Battle.  Her ally, a mysterious artist named Shuji, who is also in possession of a Gundam of his own, a red one that once belong to the legendary Red Comet of Zeon, Char Aznable. 

 
The hype for GQuuuuuX has been insane since it was announced.  Not only is it riding high off the smash hit success of Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury, it’s also uniting Sunrise with Studio Khara, bringing the creative forces of Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion together for the biggest mecha epic of the decade.  To help get word of mouth going, Sunrise/Kahra commissioned a Compilation Film of the first 2-3 episodes of the new series, dubbed “Beginnings.”  This isnt going to be a full blown review of that film though.  Given it fits my criteria for First Impressions, might as well talk about what I’ve seen even though we’ve still got some time before the series drops proper.  So…how is GQuuuuX.
 

T5W#499-Top 5 Reasons Why Gundam Wing Was So Big on Toonami in 2000

Tomorrow, March 6, 2025, marks the 20^th Anniversary of a landmark event for the Anime community: the day when Mobile Suit Gundam Wing first dropped on Toonami.  This was and still is the show that changed everything for me as an Anime fan.  It opened my eyes to a wider world of Mecha and Mature titles and was, like for many others at the time, my starting block for rushing headlong into the greater Gundam Multiverse. Back in 2000, Gundam Wing was all anyone could talk about besides Dragon Ball Z and Pokemon.  But why exactly did Gundam Wing make such a big impact in the West?  Was there something special or was it just good timing?  Maybe it’s a bit of both.  Either way, it’s a tough five choices to narrow down but with the help of my friends from the Gundam Community, I think I’ve got em picked.  So, to commemorate Gundam Wing’s 25^th US Anniversary (subsequently it’s turning 30 this year in Japan), here are my Top 5 Reasons Why Gundam Wing Was So Big on Toonami in 2000 on todays Top 5 Wednesday.

 

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

Thousands of years after a catastrophic event nearly destroyed the Earth, the Valley of the Wind is one of the last vestiges of safety from the ever growing Toxic Jungles.  When an airship carrying dangerous and forbidden cargo crashes into her home, Princess Nausicaa finds herself the last hope to prevent an all out war that could finish off the rest of the planet.  Aided by her most trusted friends and utilizing her knowledge of the Jungle, Nausicaa races against time to save her home and bring peace between the last of Humanity and the Insectoid Giants they share a world with.

Nausicaa.  It’s a title so synonymous with Studio Ghibli that even though it was released before the groups official founding, it is still considered a part of their long lasting legacy.  And it’s for good reason it’s considered as such.  Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind stands not just as a titan of Anime filmmaking but also serves as the creation of the official Ghibli/Hayao Miyazaki playbook when it comes to their many collaborations.  Granted, other films have gone on to perfect and even improve on the formula Nausicaa presents.  So does Nausicaa stand the test of time and deserve to be held in as high regard as Ghibli and Miyazaki’s other works?
 

FIF#232-Wistoria: Wand and Sword

In a world where Magic determines and governs all, Rigarden Magical Academy trains the next generations of Wizards and Mages.  Will Serfort is a student with no talent for magic and is looked down upon by all for being allowed to attend Rigarden.  But Will has a secret.  What he lacks in magical power he makes up for with sharp and deadly skills with a sword.  Able to defeat high level monsters even his peers have trouble with, Will’s determined to rise above his standing and reach the top of his worlds protective tower, the Mercedes Caulis, and reunite with his childhood best friend, who sits as one of the five most powerful mages alive.

 
Until recently, I’ve been a fan of Harry Potter and while I’m sure the Wands and Sorcery genre of Anime is still attempting to ride what inspirational power that franchise has left, none have really been stand out hits.  Wistoria’s been one I’ve been hearing about here and there and the premise alone sounds interesting enough.  Though I have more questions than anything else by the end of the first episode, this  “What if Harry Potter had no magical potential and instead had to tough his way through Hogwarts with a sword instead?” does have promise (even though Hermione is the one who didn’t hail from a magical family and was kind of the outcast amongst the snobbish…and i’d totally watch an Anime about Hermione slicing through monsters in a Dungeon).
 

T5W#498-Top 5 Johnny Yong Bosch Anime Roles

So while I was at Stellar Con last weekend, I got to once again meet one of my favorite Anime Voice Actor heroes: the man, the myth, the Power Ranger himself, Johnny Yong Bosch.  I could gush over how huge of an honor and opportunity it was to chat with him again after meeting him for the first time at Otakon 2011.  But instead we’re gonna take a look at his extensive Anime filmography and trust me, this is definitely not an easy one.  Ever since Trigun and Akira, Johnny has had a very long and illustrious career in Anime that’s still going strong with a lengthy list of iconic characters in equally iconic series.  So which are my favs?  Well we’re gonna answer that on todays Top 5 Wednesday with my picks for the Top 5 Johnny Yong Bosch Anime Roles.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Part 2 Episodes 4-6

While continuing to avoid pursuit by the Gundam, Iria and her remaining Squad are given an impossible mission: infiitrate a Federation Base and steal their GM Mobile Suits for research.  When the mission goes horribly wrong, the survivors have no choice but to flee the planet as Zeon lines continue to crumble.  At the Battle of Odessa, Iria faces her fate, and the Gundam, in one final showdown.

I cant believe how excited I was to keep going with Requiem for Vengeance after the first three episodes.  I was worried the fully 3DCG animation would be its downfall and while I’ve still got issues, the shows overcoming those shortfalls thanks to an intense story headed by a great lead heroine and some of the best and most realistic action in the Gundam franchise in a long time.  So, does Part 2 live up to the surprising heights of Part 1?
 

Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance Part 1 Episodes 1-3

Universal Century 0079.  Eleven Months into the One Year War, the Red Wolves Mobile Suit Squadron is deployed to reinforce the Zeon defense of their European territories.  But the mission quickly turns into a nightmare as a new state of the art Federation Mobile Suit appears and begins to decimate the Zeon without mercy.  A small band of survivors led by Red Wolves leader Iria Solari flees but despite their best efforts cannot seem to escape from this new monster of war called “Gundam”.

I think it’s safe to say at this point I am a lifelong Gundam fan and anytime I hear a new entry is in the works, I get excited…except for Reqiuem for Vengeance.  Somethings always bothered me about 3DCG Anime projects, even the better ones helmed by Shinji Aramaki.  Call me old fashioned but I kind of prefer my Gundam Anime more Anime than computer Animated.  However, the few sneak peaks I did see did catch my interest and I’m happy to say that Mobile Suit Gundam: Requiem for Vengeance has a very solid start that alone makes it a worthwhile entry into the franchise.  Not only is it taking us back to the war that started it all, it’s taking us back to the point when everything changed for the Principality of Zeon and it isnt pretty for them at all.
 

FIF#231-Invincible Fight Girl

In a world where Wrestling is everything, Andy Davis has dreamed of becoming one since she saw her first live match.  However, as the child of Accountants, Andy’s future seems set in stone.  But when she proves herself defending her town from egotistical Wrestlers, Andy finds the courage to make her dream into reality.  Armed with nothing but her determination, Andy ventures into the world to find a mentor who will train her to become the Greatest Wrestler of All Time.  Can this smaller, inexperienced young girl succeed where others have failed?

 
Anime is a quintessential part of the many successes of Cartoon Network.  One need look no further than the expansive Anime legacies of Toonami and Adult Swim to see why the Networks become a gateway entry point for new fans around the world.  So it makes sense Adult Swim would want to come up with their own original animation concept that has a lot of Anime DNA spliced within.  Does Invincible Fight Girl have the potential to show off the passion and respect AS has learned from its go to genre for almost 25 years?
 

T5W#497-Top 5 Katsucon 2025 Moments

This past weekend marked the 10^th Anniversary of my very first Katsucon back in 2015.  And man did it end up being one for the ages, marked by meeting new friends, some of the best photoshoots I’ve ever attended, and more than a few pratfalls that made everyone feel like this Katsu was “cursed” (from breaking pipes to a boiling water warning for the area to a limit cap being imposed for 2026? Oh now they wanna do that?).  Personally, I loved this weekend and like always, the Wednesday after a con is where I choose my reasons why it was so awesome.  So, without further ado, my Top 5 Katsucon 2025 Moments.

Ah! My Goddess: The Movie

A dangerous prisoner is freed from a prison on the Moon.  He has a plan to change the world to his own ends but to do so, he needs one critical element: Belldandy.  Attacked by her mentor, Celestine, Belldandy loses her memory of Keiichi.  Stalked by powerful enemies and with the Goddess Network in chaos, Keiichi, Urd and Skuld must find a way to restore Belldandy’s memory and find out why she is so essential to Celestine’s plans before her cherished feelings for Keiichi fade away forever.

I’d like to start by say for the record that I do like Ah! My Goddess as a concept.  The idea of one hapless guy who becomes the luckiest man on the planet living with three bonefied Goddesses, one of which is his girlfriend, is a neat idea that lends itself to all kinds of wacky possibilities.  However, the back half of the original 5 episode Oh! My Goddess OVA ditched any humorous schenanigans in favor of a very somber and joyless love story with needlessly excessive stakes.  My fear going into the Ah! My Goddess movie was that the story would continue down that humourless, dour pathway and wow, it actually did more than that.  Suddenly out of nowhere we have a plot, villain, and action that feels like it was meant to be a Tenchi Muyo movie instead.  There’s a way I think Ah! My Goddess should operate as an Anime, and Ah! My Goddess: The Movie does not line up with that mindset.
 

T5W#496-Top 10 Katsucon Highlights (2015-2024)

Tomorrow, the next pilgrimage to National Harbor begins.  This is a pretty big year for me and Katsucon as it marks the 10^th Anniversary of my first one in 2015.  Like Otakon, this Convention has come to mean a lot to me, giving me a whole new area to explore when it comes to Anime fandom, cosplay, Dealers Room finds, etc.  To commemorate such an occasion, I’m digging back through 9 years and 8 conventions (we all missed out on 2021 cause of the Pandemic and I skipped 2022) to pick my special, double sized Top 10 Katsucon Highlights (2015-2024).  Will any from 2025 make it onto a future redux of this list?  Only time will tell.  Til then, let’s get to reflecting on some of the greatest hits and adventures at the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center. 

 

Oh! My Goddess Part 2 Episodes 4-5

When Keiichi Morisato summoned his very own Goddess, Belldandy, he thought their romance would last forever.  But when a serious disruption in the Goddess Network damages their connection, Forever becomes Three Days Left.  As Kei and Bell come to terms with their inevitable departure, Urd and Skuld have to pull together to find the source of this chaos and find a way to keep Belldandy and Keiichi from being parted forever.

It can be hard to tell a story in a short length OVA.  It’s not impossible though.  Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket and Macross Plus both tell near perfect tales in 4-6 episodes.  However, they are paced well, don’t time jump significantly between episodes and maintain a consistent tone throughout.  While Oh! My Goddess started out strong with slice of life infused with fantasy, the final two episodes are the polar opposite, instead delivering an incredibly depressing and mostly heart wrenching final act that has had no build up and, in the end, is resolved as if the problem didn’t need to happen at all.  Does it ruin the series as a whole, short as it may be?
 

FIF#230-Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian

Alisa “Alya” Mikhailovna Kujou isnt just the top student in her class, she’s the most popular and beautiful student in her entire school.  She also has a penchant for speaking in fluent Russian when she seems irritated.  Unfortunately for Alya, the one person she directs most of these words to is Masachika Kuze…and he happens to understand Russian just fine.  Totally unaware of this, Alya taunts her would be suitor in secret while Kuze tries to navigate the minefield of beratement and adoration from the girl everyone wants a shot with.

 
Anime slice of life rom coms are a dime a dozen, almost as common as Isekai.  There’s little to have one stand out from the other.  Most have the same premise or are just a variation on what’s come before with nothing new added to the mix.  So along comes Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian and I wonder what exactly has made this one stand out amongst so many others in 2024?  The answer doesn’t lie in the show itself, most of the debut episode is standard fare.  What might help this stand out from its fellow slice of life rom coms is the main duo itself, and Alya’s gimmick.  You’d think the main joke of the series might get old quick by the end of the episode.  Surprisingly, it hasn’t.
 

T5W#495-Top 5 Raunchiest/Naughtiest Anime I’ve Seen

As much as we love Anime for bringing our greatest fantasies to life, not all fantasies involve action packed Ninja fights or flying on Dragons across mythical lands.  No, we also love Anime for it’s ability to push the envelope on what’s indecent, moral, and just plain crazy when it comes to certain explicit topics.  Sex, nudity, sensuality, skimpy outfits, there’s plenty of this in modern day Anime, barely relegated to the level of just in front of the Hentai section.  Seeing as how I just got finished looking at a particular entry on this list, let’s see who else made it to my Top 5 Raunchiest/Naughtiest Anime I’ve Seen

 

Oh! My Goddess Part 1 Episodes 1-3

Keiichi Morisato has just landed the ultimate dream girl.  Summoned by an accidental call, the Goddess Belldandy has come to aid the hapless repair man and ends up becoming joined to him for eternity.  This means nothing can split them apart no matter how hard anyone tries.  It might look like the beginning of a blossoming romance but when Belldandy’s sisters come searching for their missing sibling, heavenly havoc is bound to ensue.  But hey no one said dating a Goddess was going to be easy.

The tales of the battles over who is “Best Girl” are as old as time began.  Many, myself included, proclaim many of these beauties to be on a Goddess level of quality, i.e. Rin Tohsaka from Fate/Stay Night or Marin Kitagawa from My Dress Up Darling.  But what if the candidates for Best Girl were actual Goddesses themselves?  Feels like a long winded opening already, point is, today we’re kicking off our required Romantic themed Anime for the month of February today with the OVA classic Oh! My Goddess.  But seriously though, the battle for Best Girl in this show is gonna get pretty intense so buckle up.  Anyway, onto Part 1 of our 2 Part stay with this sort of forgotten 90’s gem.
 

FIF#229-Blue Lock

Yoichi Isagi has been chosen for an experiment unlike any before.  He and 300 other prospective Soccer Players, all Striker positions on their on teams, will participate in Blue Lock: a new training regiment designed for one purpose: to create the Ultimate Striker, capable of taking Japan’s hand picked soccer team to the world stage.  But this is a goal that only one of these 300 players can achieve.  It’s a game that only the most savage and single minded individuals have a chance of winning.  For glory, for redemption and for a place in Japanese Soccer History, how far is Isagi willing to go to win it all?

 
We all know most Sports Anime as feel good and inspiring comfort Anime, the kind that really make you go “HELL YEAH” when something goes right.  It’s what makes Free and Haikyuu some of the best in that genre. Well Blue Lock is neither of those.  In fact it’s an entire beast all of its own.  Forget that feel good vibe of bringing a team together to win the big match.  This is a much more cruel and demented game that I’m kind of shocked any sane person would even accept an invite to try.  This is the Battle Royale of Soccer and man I can see why this is a new hit in the community…but it just doesn’t feel right to me.
 

T5W#494-Top 5 Magfest 2025 Cosplays (Sunday Only)

Magfest, for those who may not be aware, is a Video Game-centric convention held in the same location as Katsucon, the Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor, about 3-4 weeks before Katsu.  I’ve never been to Magfest but I hear good things from those who go and I still wonder how some of my friends can still do both cons back to back.  Just for the heck of it, I decided to check out the Gaylord in advance of Katsu and see what the cosplay scene for Magfest looked like on a Sunday.  Probably could have seen more if I could get into the Expo Hall but hey, I’ll take what I can get.  Normally I’d hold off on this kind of Top 5 til October but since this was a rare event, I figured on todays’ Top 5 Wednesday I’d countdown my Top 5 Magfest 2025 Cosplays (Sunday Only).  This was only a taste of the epic convention cousin of Katsu and I’m hoping 2026 will mark a full weekend stay, but we’ll see.  Anyway, onto the cosplays.

Shimoeta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist-Part 4 Episodes 10-12

An attempt to bring down Gathered Fabric leads SOX right into a trap and a shocking betrayal.  With then opposition crushed, White Peak takes his insane fetish to the next level by taking an entire school hostage.  Outnumbered and outgunned, Tanukichi and Ayame will have to pull out all the stops and form some questionable alliances to bring down this freak who’s giving SOX a bad name.  Will the Dirty Joke Terrorists become the heroes society needs or is this to be their final battle in the name of freeing this Boring Society where Dirty Jokes Don’t Exist?

Like I said at the end of last weeks set, I didn’t think we were going to see a full culmination of SOX’s crusade to bring the lewd and naughty legitimately back to Tokyo over the span of three episodes.  What we did get though was an immensely fun showdown between two groups of perverted crusaders filled with action, humor and even a payoff to a slow building romance.  The Series Finale might leave a lot to be desired, or maybe just could have been omitted altogether.  As far as epic showdowns in finales go however, Shimoneta delivered the goods.
 

FIF#228-The Eminence in Shadow

When Minoru Kageno is hit by a truck, his dreams of becoming the strongest are seemingly dashed forever.  That is until he discovers he’s been reincarnated into another world with the means by which he can attain his impossible dream.  Slowly, Kageno, now Cid Kagenou, begins to amass a following of beautiful maidens coerced into helping him into fighting a shadowy organization.  But fantasy is becoming reality and the more power Kageno builds in this new world, he must now live up to his newfound reputation and strike back against a legitimate Cult aiming to bring society under its control.

 
One common component with Isekai Anime is that the main character is 9 maybe 8 times out of 10 an overpowered protagonist, a power fantasy come to life.  While Emincence in Shadow looks to be another one of those kinds of Isekai tales, there’s one other bit that left me baffled watching the first episode.  So you know the saying, “Always be the very best you can be…unless you can be Batman”?  I couldn’t get that out of my head watching the first episode of this Isekai series.  Is that a good or bad thing and does it make me want to see where this premise goes?
 

T5W#493-Top 5 Ideas for Castlevania: Nocturne Season 3 (or future franchise entries)

Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2 dropped this weekend after two years of anticipation and…I’m not gonna lie I wasn’t a fan.  The first season was already pretty uneven for me and Season 2 did nothing to make the show worthy of the praise of it’s near perfect predecessor.  Still I’ll save more thoughts on that for a future full series review.  Today on Top 5 Wednesday, I’m talking about ideas of where Nocturne could go should it be renewed for a third season.  And even if it isn’t, the Castlevania video game franchise is pretty big and could always try again with a new story or adapting another game.  So let’s take a look at my Top 5 Ideas for Castlevania: Nocturne Season 3 (or future franchise entries).  Also I’ll be diving a little bit into Season 2 Spoilers, so here’s your SPOILER WARNING!!

Shimoeta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist-Part 3 Episodes 7-9

As SOX expands its network of connections to other Dirty Joke Terrorist Groups, new threats emerge to challenge them.  The first are the Prefects led by Oboro Tsukimigusa, who seeks to eliminate all forms of naughty display no matter how small (and give Anna the room she needs to be as wild as she wants).  Then there’s Gathered Fabric, undergarment thieves who are starting to give SOX a bad reputation.  Oh and SOX has a new member who’s so determined to make her mark even if it might do damage to SOX.  Are Ayame and Tanukuchi in way over their heads or is it time for the foreplay to end and take their plans to the next level?

If Shimoneta excels at anything it’s being a world of anything goes, nothing is ever clean revolution.  While its material can be a little much even for me, I’m legit enjoying this show a ton and laughing at most of the absurdity.  The stuff that does make me cringe uncomfortably is still there (and even gets the explanation I theorized was the case in my last review) and there’s a new character I just cant bring myself to like.  Does this mean Shimoneta is losing steam and that the earlier episodes are the best ones?  Definitely not and let’s break down why.
 

FIF#227-Love After World Domination

When the evil Secret Society Gekko threatens the world with fiery destruction, an elite fighting force of five young warriors is assembled to combat them: Freezing Sentai Gelato 5.  Unbeknownst to both teams, the unthinkable has happened.  Reaper Princess Desumi Magahara and Gelato Red Fudo Aikawa have fallen in love.  Determined to make their blossoming romance work, Fudo and Desumi enter a forbidden relationship where they spend their private time trying to navigate being a couple and their public time staying mortal enemies on the battlefield.

 
I’ve been on a bit of a Super Sentai kick lately, so this is a pretty timely Anime to get brought to my attention.  Being a casual Power Rangers fan, I know it’s not uncommon for series to have a subplot similar to Love After World Domination’s premise.  However, I’m pretty certain none of them have been played for laughs quite like this.  LAWD is a full blown Rom Com offering with a side of Super Sentai action, tropes and gags…and a pretty adorable couple to lead the way it seems.
 

T5W#492-Top 5 Macross Plus Songs

Well they overshot it by a couple of weeks into 2025, as opposed to the promised 2024, but we finally have what we’ve been long promised: a whole plethora of Macross titles making their US debut on Disney+.  So where did I start?  Macross 7?  Macross Delta?  Well I might have plans for those later this year so, no.  Nope, I started with an old friend: Macross Plus.  While the subtitles might be a bit of an issue, there’s no denying this legendary OVA looks more amazing than ever in high definition.  I could talk about my favorite scenes but how about we talk about the one part of this Anime whose power no one can deny: the OST by Yoko Kanno.  This mix of sweeping orchestral composures and future techno tunes could be considered Kanno’s Magnum Opus (or maybe a very close second behind Cowboy Bebop).  Today on Top 5 Wednesday I’ll be counting down my picks for the Top 5 Macross Plus Songs.  No orchestral stuff, just the lyrical melodies sung by digital songstress Sharon Apple or Myung Fang Long.

 

Shimoeta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist-Part 2 Episodes 4-6

To further her plans for a social sexual awakening across the city, Ayame Kajou targets a mythical buried treasure in Yotsuga Forest.  But there’s more than just the Decency Police standing in SOX’s way.  The Student Council President, Anna Nishikinomiya, has had an awakening and Tanukichi is not prepared for what he’s unintentionally unleashed.  And with a new breed of Peace Makers about to be rolled out, keeping ones dirty little thoughts and urges secret is about to become a lot harder.  That wont stop Blue Snow and SOX, not when the world deserves to let its freak flags fly without shame.

Just when I thought I knew what I was getting into with Shimoneta, along comes this newest set of episodes that proves I have no idea at all.  This show continues to make the case of it being just a straight up Hentai but for mainstream audiences, especially in the case of one character (and it isnt Blue Snow).  It can make me feel uncomfortable (FYI wear headphones when watching this so the neighbors don’t ask questions), but Shimoneta is still nailing its hilarious social commentary and dialogue that’s snappy and continually creative with its sexual innuendos and work arounds. 
 

FIF#226-Terminator Zero

2022.  Mankinds war against Skynet continues with no end in sight.  1997. Scientist Malcom Lee, plaguged by apocalyptic visions, conceives a specialized computer that could avert the future.  Skynet sends a new Terminator back to the past in order to stop Lee and ensure it’s own existence.  A lone resistance fighter named Eiko has fought against this type of monster before and volunteers to stop another from destroying the future.  With mere days before Judgement Day arrives, the final battle for the future begins.

 
Are we really in need of a Terminator Anime at this point?  Ask anyone and they’ll say the franchise rightfully so topped out at T2: Judgement Day.  Except maybe for The Sarah Connor Chronicles TV Series, any subsequent sequel afterwards has failed to reach the heights of the first two legendary films and the failure of Terminator: Dark Fate seems enough to put the franchise out to pasture for good.  Yet we now have a Terminator Anime to try and redeem the franchise one more time.  It’s a new story, new cast, as of the first episode no ties to John Connor or Arnold Schwarzzenegers’s iconic T-800.  It’s completely fresh.  So is it enough to get invested in the Terminator one more time?
 

T5W#491-Top 5 Story Ideas for Star Wars Visions 3

Depending on who you ask, Star Wars is in an overall interesting state at the moment.  People either love the expanding universe TV Series or think theyre as bad (if not worse) than The Rise of Skywalker.  One thing we can all agree on is that Star Wars Visions is an awesome anthology series and it’s about time we got news that a third volume has been announced for release sometime in 2025.  Unlike the more worldwide offerings of Volume 2, Volume 3 will be returning to Visions original Anime roots with 9 new stories from a plethora of studios including Studio Wit, Trigger and Production I.G.  My one fear of this approach is that while Anime and Jedi go hand in hand, Volume 1’s biggest shortcoming was it was all lightsaber duels and little else (as cool as those were).  Volume 2 mostly looked past that with tales involving some Jedi but a lot of everyday people in various adventures across the galaxy.  I really want Volume 3 to continue in this direction so for todays Top 5 Wednesday I’m sharing my Top 5 Story Ideas for Star Wars Visions 3.

Shimoeta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist-Part 1 Episodes 1-3

Tokyo is under siege by a nefarious terrorist.  In a society free from the horror of inappropriate language and potty mouthed humor, Blue Swan seeks to restore the wild side of living by any lewd way possible.  When Tanukichi Okuma arrives at the prestigious and pure high school in the country, he discovers he’s been brought here specifically to track down Blue Snow, who may be a student at this academy.  But soon Tankukichi finds himself an unwilling accomplice in student Ayame Kajou’s sexual revolution and high school living is about to change for the wilder

To begin our Anime Corner coverage for 2025, I’ve decided to try something a bit more…risqué and it’s probably the most wild title I’ve covered here since Panty and Stocking.  But it’s hard to resist the challenge of reviewing a show like this.  When I saw the first episode in the middle of 2024 I could not stop laughing and even though we only checked out that sole episode, I wanted to see more of this messed up world and how Ayame was going to give everyone the change to let their freak flags fly.  Well that time has come and we’re spending the month seeing a repressed and sheltered society get brought back into the light of the freaky.  Welcome, Dear Reader, to Shimoeta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist.
 

FIF#225-DanDaDan

Momo Ayase is the granddaughter of a Spirit Medium who believes in Spirits but not Extraterrestrials.  Her classmate, Ken Takakura is the opposite, obsessed with UFOs but refusing to believe in ghosts.  A dare between the two sends them spiraling into a bizarre adventure where both of their beliefs become real and begin wrecking havoc on their daily lives.  Thankfully, these encounters have given Momo and Ken the abilities to fight back against the unknown, no matter how random or dangerous it may be.

 
Welcome Dear Readers to the first First Impression Friday of 2025 and the kick off of its historic Tenth Season.  And boy…have I picked a challenge for myself by popular demand.
 
There are shows that are constantly recommended to me that I kind of get but at the same time have my reasons for not jumping right into them.  Frieren? Subject materials kind of heavy for me.  Trigun Stampede? Cant get past the animation and Vash’s new haircut.  DanDaDan?  Well this is something new even by my standards.  And as far as first impressions go, yeesh I don’t even know where I stand.  It mostly makes me wonder if my friends are ok cause theyre enjoying it and…you know what I’m getting ahead of myself.  Why has this sleeper hit of 2024 left me so perplexed after one episode?
 

T5W#490-Top 5 Ways Evangelion has Infiltrated Gundam

Welcome Dear Readers to 2025 and we’re kicking off a brand New Years Day with a brand new Top 5 Wednesday (cant believe we’ll be at 500 T5Ws in a few weeks).  As you know, we’re weeks away from the debut of the next chapter of the Mobile Suit Gundam saga, Mobile Suit Gundam: GQuuuuuX and all the crazy action that comes along with it.  As I talked about in my T5W about the reveal announcement back in 2024, what’s got me most excited is this being a co-production between Studio Sunrise and Kahra, aka the studios behind Gundam and the Rebuild of Evangelion film series.  It’s a long overdue team up but I wouldn’t say this is the first time Gundam and Eva have crossed paths.  To be more specific, Neon Genesis Evangelion is such an influential title in all of Anime and attempts have been made in the Mecha genre in particular to replicate or enhance those thoughts.  Gundam is no exception an in our first T5W of 2025, I’ll be breaking down what I think are the Top 5 Ways Evangelion has Infiltrated Gundam.

 

Welcome to the Gundam Anime Corner 2025

Happy New Year Dear Readers.  Is it just me or did we make it through 2024 by the skin of our teeth?  Maybe it was me dealing with…well a lot.  But, as always, when the going gets rough, that’s when I turn to the Anime Corner for comfort and I hope that in the coming year, it can be grown and strengthened as such.  After all, this is my own personal corner of the universe to chill and talk about Anime, Video Games, how Anime ties into mainstream Hollywood movies, Conventions, First Impressions, Top 5 Lists, all that jazz.  I’ve definitely got some fun ideas for new features in the coming months and those main events are still a ways off (and need a lot more prep time).  Til then, how about we talk about what is all set and ready to roll, including, for a change, what’s coming up in March for the Gundam Anime Corner’s 11^th Birthday (11, yikes).