T5W#507-Top 5 Candidates for an Anime Thunderbolts Team

This Friday, Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe concludes (movie wise anyway, I think Ironheart’s the official last part of Phase 5) with the introduction of the Thunderbolts. In Marvel Comics, the Thunderbolts are sort of the answer to DC’s Task Force X: a group of imprisoned supervillains sent out on Black Ops assignments for the promise of a reduced sentence.  And like the Avengers, they’re usually a mix of super powered individuals and above average soldiers and assassins.  Naturally, Anime has an overabundance of these kinds of villains and anti heroes perfect for assembling such a team.  On today’s Top 5 Wednesday, I’m sharing my picks for the Top 5 Candidates for an Anime Thunderbolts Team (and honestly it’s probably a better balanced team than what they came up with for the movie but who knows I may eat those words after I actually watch it, we’ll see).

Ya Boy Kongming Part 2 Episodes 4-6

After making waves at a music festival, Eiko accepts a chance to perform at the Summer Sonia Music Festival.  To qualify, she must attain 100,000 likes on an online post.  As Eiko grapples with this new challenge, Kongming is already hard at work preparing his new strategy to assist her.  And part of that involves recruiting a reclusive and legendary Freestyle Rap Artist to their cause.  The plan to hook this new talent: Kongming will do the unthinkable and challenge this master with his own rhymes in a Rap Battle for the ages.

 
Look.  If you had one shot, one opportunity…to seize everything you’ve ever wanted, one moment…would you capture it, or just let is slip?  Honestly it’s hard not to have Eminem’s Lose Yourself, aka the main theme from 8 mile, running through your head during much of this weeks episodes of Ya Boy Kongming.  After a stellar premiere, we get to the moment that is arguably the most talked about and most associated with this series.  If you thought this show was already a win right out the gate, Kongming takes it to the next level with extra Mom’s Spaghetti.  (also I cant promise I’m done with the Lose Yourself quotes in this review.  This opportunity comes once in a lifetime after all…eh? See what I did there?)
 

T5W#506-Top 5 TV Video Game Adaptations

The Last of Us is back and it’s once again a good reminder of how much of a better time its become for Video Game Adaptations on the big and small screens.  Yes, there are still massive duds and mistakes like Halo, Monster Hunter and Borderlands.  But there’ve been more successes like Sonic the Hedgehog, Detective Pikachu and heck when we the last time it was ok to be hyped for a Mortal Kombat Sequel?  Anyway, we’re here today to talk about Video Games on the small screen/streaming services, which are becoming a new hot commodity, with Amazon greenlighting projects for God of War and Mass Effect.  But more importantly, as I mentioned, The Last of Us is back so that’s as good an excuse as any for me to talk about my favorite Top 5 TV Video Game Adaptations.  NOTE: These will only be shows I’ve seen personally…so no Arcane is not on this list and neither is Twisted Metal (though I’d really like to check that one out if Peacock ever lets it stream somewhere else).  Also, this is a mix of both Anime and Live Action projects cause if it’s based on a Video Game and it’s good, it deserves a spot on this list.

 

Ya Boy Kongming Part 1 Episodes 1-3

At the end of his life, legendary Chinese tactician Zhuge Kongming wished to be reborn into a world at peace.  To his shock, his wish is granted…kind of.  Kongming awakens in Shibuya, Tokyo in the now present day.  His exploration of this new world leads him to cross paths with Eiko Tsukimi, a gifted songstress who wants to hit it big.  Moved by her music, Kongming decides to become Eiko’s new tactician, using his knowledge of war from the Three Kingdoms era to push her towards fulfilling her dreams.

As far as ideas for an Anime go, Ya Boy Kongming might be one of the more unique in the last decade or so.  Using military strategy to progress the skill and reach of an aspiring musical artist, AND the person using said tactics is from another time period themselves?  Gotta give it to em, that’s pretty clever.  And you know what?  It’s working.  This is a title that’s been on my radar for a bit and comes highly recommended.  And now that I can check it out, here we are and the Gundam Anime Corner is all set for Eiko’s debut tour backed by her historical manager, Ya Boy Kongming.
 

T5W#505-Top 5 Biggest Questions about the New UC in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX

Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX has launched and after months of sitting on it after seeing the “Beginnings” movie, I can finally talk about one of the big major sell points of the series.  It was confirmed forever ago that GQuuuuuX takes place in an alternate Universal Century timeline, centering on the aftermath of one simple question: What if Char Aznable stole the original Gundam?  This results in some pretty radical changes for not just the One Year War but it’s aftermath as well.  With Episode 2 of GQuuuuuX detailing the history of this new UC, it feels as good a time as any to discuss my Top 5 Biggest Questions about the New UC in Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX.

 
Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Episode 2 of GQuuuuuX and the “Beginnings” Movie
 

KonoSuba: God’s Blessings On This Wonderful World 3 Part 3 Episodes 8-11

To protect her family name, Darkness leaves the party and agrees to marry the depraved noble Alderp.  Rocked to the core, Kazuma must decide if it’s best to leave Darkness to her decision or try to talk her out of it.  But it isnt long before Kazuma decides to do something big and stupid to save his friend from a lifetime of misery.  It’s time for Team Kazuma to crash a wedding and hope they don’t end up enemies of the entire country in the process.

The Season Three Finale of KonoSuba was a change of pace for the series.  Instead of ending on another epic battle against a huge final boss, we got the boss fight early and ended on something of a more dramatic and emotional note than before. It wasn’t bad by any means, this is still KonoSuba after all.  Still, it feels weird when three seasons in the general comedy show shifts gears to get introspective and sometimes flat out dark, especially with some of the teases to come in already announced Season 4.  There’s A LOT to go over in this one so let’s break it all down.
 

T5W#504-Top 5 Things I Wanna See in Netflix’s Devil May Cry Season 2

Years after it was announced by Castlevania creator Adi Shankar, Netflix’s Devil May Cry finally dropped last weekend and…it was alright.  I’ll admit I liked it overall better than Season 2 of Castlevania: Nocturne but I can see why some fans of the games aren’t too thrilled overall with it (particularly when it comes to Dante and especially Lady).  Overall though, I had fun running through it and definitely think there’s room to improve and stuff to look forward to in a potential Second Season.  What ideas can I offer as a long time DMC fan?  Well that’s what we’re here to talk about on today’s Top 5 Wednesday, the Top 5 Things I Wanna See in Netflix’s Devil May Cry Season 2.  Let’s rock.

 
(Also, will be talking FULL SPOILERS for Devil May Cry Season 1, you have been warned).

KonoSuba: God’s Blessings On This Wonderful World 3 Part 2 Episodes 4-7

Desperate to continue living the high life in the Capital, Kazuma accepts a job tracking down an illusive thief.  Only there’s a couple problems with that: First, the thief is an old friend and Second, the job has to do with a special request from Kazuma’s favorite Goddess, Eris.  With his options limited, Kazuma teams up with Chris to obtain a Divine Treasure, even if it means he has to face off against his clumsy teammates in the process.

Well we wanted a party in the Capital and damn Konosuba delivered.  All of the craziness from the countryside that comes with this show came to Iris’ little Kingdom and no one was prepared for the results or the commotion it cause.  Some light thieving, some action, a ton of hilarity, heck we even got a nice pause to set up another arc that will have my favorite girl front and center.  Is KonoSuba 3 shaping up to be the new benchmark for the series?  Let’s jump back in and try to answer that.
 

T5W#503-Top 5 Roles Sydney Sweeney Could Play in the Live Action Gundam Movie

After a long bit of silence, there’s been some substantial movement on the Live Action Gundam Movie project.  Well to be fair, nothing’s been confirmed yet but articles have been popping up everywhere that the film is about to snag a pretty big cast grab.  Sydney Sweeney’s become one of the most in demand actresses in the last few years.  As gorgeous as she is talented, Sydney’s wowed audiences through her breakout roles in HBO’s Euphoria and feature films like Anyone but You (and tbh Madame Web robbed us of seeing her kick ass in a sexy Spider Woman costume).  The big question is: who could she be playing in the movie?  If we don’t get a synopsis beforehand, it could settle just what timeline the Gundam Movie will be set in.  But for now, todays Top 5 Wednesday looks at the Top 5 Roles Sydney Sweeney Could Play in the Live Action Gundam Movie and it’s a pretty wide range too as I’ve tried to keep it to one option per timeline.  However, let’s start with a more likely choice shall we?

KonoSuba: God’s Blessings On This Wonderful World 3 Part 1 Episodes 1-3

After a near disastrous adventure with the Crimson Demons, Kazuma’s enthusiasm is at an all time low.  But when he gets a summons for a meet and greet with the Kingdom’s First Princess, Kazuma sees the opportunity of a lifetime.  Even better, Princess Iris wants to about Kazuma’s adventures so much, she virtually kidnaps him.  It’s the start of a new life for the wayward adventurer…until Aqua, Megumin and Darkness arrive to drag his butt back home.

I cant imagine what it was like for fans of KonoSuba to wait for this one.  Here at the Anime Corner, it’s only been a few months since I looked at the first two seasons and the movie.  For others, there was a seven year gap following Season 2 in 2017, even with the Legend of Crimson movie in 2019 that’s still five years.  That’s a long wait, especially for a breakout Isekai hit that was on fire from the get go.  Thankfully, that fire has not cooled and KonoSuba is back and just as fun as you remember it for its third Season Premiere.