The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Everyone knows the story of the War of the Ring.  But almost 200 years before that conflict, another Legend was being written.  The country of Rohan faces civil war from an ambitious rebel, Wulf,  who seeks both the throne and a greater prize: Hera, the daughter of Helm Hammerhand.  But Hera defies Wulf’s dreams of conquest and battles to defend her people even as her country crumbles around her.  This is the story of how the fortress of Helm’s Deep came to earn its name…and the Sheild Maiden who became one of Middle Earth’s greatest unknown heroes.

The Lord of the Rings is no stranger to animated adaptations, having had three between 1977 and 1980: two from Rankin Bass and one from Ralph Baskshi.  All have their charms and devoted fans but let’s face it, Peter Jackson’s original Lord of the Rings Trilogy is THE definitive Middle Earth experience (The Hobbit not so much).  Still, Anime owes a lot of inspiration to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.  Even Dungeons and Dragons influenced fare like Record of Lodoss War have some Tolkien in their DNA.  Simply put, LotR has been long overdue for a proper Anime adaptation and there’s a ton of Middle Earth history and tales to draw from.  Focusing on the Horse loving country of Rohan isnt a bad idea.  However, The War of the Rohirrim squanders all of its potential on an overly long and cliché ridden tale that ultimately has it fall short of that mountain sized mark left behind by Peter Jackson’s Trilogy.
 

The Gundam Anime Corner 11th Anniversary

11 freaking years, yikes.  Honestly there’s been so much going on that even though I knew this was coming, it still crept up on me.  But this is still my baby and it is still March 31^st, which means today is the Gundam Anime Corner’s 11^th Birthday.  How far we’ve come with this little venture about reviewing Anime titles and just shooting the breeze.  From Eden of the East to FLCL.  From Macross Plus to Golden Boy.  From Psycho Pass to Slayers.  And, of course, basically the bulk of the Mobile Suit Gundam universe available at the moment, with Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX well on the way.  I just have to say, from the bottom of my heart, whether you’ve been reading this from the beginning or just pop in out of curiosity every once in a while, Thanks for help keeping the Gundam Anime Corner going.  And even if the readership is next to nil, this is something I love to do and have no intention of stopping.  As a matter of fact, we’ve got some big things to look forward to heading into Year 12 starting tomorrow.  Let’s see how we’re ringing in the New Year…of the Gundam Anime Corner.

 

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?