Megazone 23, Part III

500 years after the survivors of Megazone 23 returned to Earth, the Human Race lives anew in the city of Eden.  However, the peace long fought for by Shogo Yahagi is nowhere to be found within the walls of this metal paradise.  Hackers and corporations vie for control of Eden’s key systems, pushing Humanity once again to the brink of war.  Still active, Eve calls out for a new partner, Eiji Tanakada, who must finish what Shogo started lest Humanity return to edge of ruin once more.

While I had many issues with the first two chapters of Megazone 23, the story seemed to come to a conclusion with an apocalyptic, yet weirdly hopeful finale in Part II.  Which begs the question: what the heck was Part III going to be about?  The answer is this probably would have been better off as a duology but we got a third chapter instead because reasons.  The stage is reset one more time for one more go at Megazone 23 with a new cast, new setting and newfound sense of this had no idea what it wanted to be about from the get go and has just been making up as it goes right into the ground and deeper and deeper down.
 

Megazone 23, Part II

Six months later, the military of Megazone 23 is nearing defeat by the brutal and invincible Dezlag.  On the run for crimes they didn’t commit, Shogo Yahagi and Yui Takanaka take refuge with an outlaw biker gang called Trash.  However, when Eve desperately tries to reach out to him, Shogo must find the courage to stand up to those who would keep humanity under their thumbs and find a way to save what’s left of the human race before the Dezlag destroy Megazone 23 once and for all.

Well this is a little embarrassing.  I totally forgot to post this on its scheduled date of Last Friday.  So to make up for that little whoopsie, you’re getting both second and third chapters of Megazone 23 today.  Apologies for the hiccup, it’s been a little crazy lately (also feel like this rarely happens so I shouldn’t kick myself as much as I am atm.  Anyway, onto Megazone 23, Part 2.)

Watching only the first couple of minutes of Megazon 23, Part II, I began to wonder how much of this story and production was planned out in advance.  The animation is radically different, so’s the tone and the middle chapter of this trilogy dials up the violence and sex so much that it might as well be an entirely different feature altogether compared to Part I.  That is to say, not of this makes Part II any better or more comprehensible.  And while I was kind of “meh” towards Part 1, I did recognize it’s potential.  None of that is here to be found in Part II, in fact Part III will have to work hard to make anything in this OVA feature work.
 

GBT#24-The Battle of SD203

It was supposed to be a simple test flight of a prototype Gundam unit.  But somehow the location of this test was leaked.  Soon the Gundam NT-1, codename Alex, found itself surrounded on all fronts by a Zeon squadron.  Thankfully, local Federation reinforcments were close by.  Should the Zeon escape, they’d know the location of one of the Federation’s most vital test fields for their Mobile Suits.  This is what would go down in the One Year War as The Battle of SD203… 

T5W#515-Top 5 Changes Made to Megazone 23 Part I for Robotech: The Movie

Now that I’ve finally covered Megazone 23 Part 1 properly, I can finally talk about something I’ve been dying to do for a while now: its Robotech adaptation.  A couple of years back I reviewed Robotech: The Movie (Which you can check out here: http://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2023/06/robotech-movie.html ).  Short version, I hated it, a lot.  Boring, all over the place and not really amounting to the highs of the Macross Saga or even the low bar set by the Southern Cross saga, I can see why this has become the lost and forgotten chapter of Robotech.  The funny thing is though: Megazone 23, Part 1 ended up being pretty disappointing on its own.  So much so that I think I’m finding a new appreciation for the Robotech movie as a result…if I look at it as a parody dub I shouldn’t take seriously.  The funny thing is, Megazone 23 could be a good foundation for a Robotech story, it was just done the wrong way.  Point is, I wanna talk about how the original OVA was changed to fit the Robotech mold.  So after that long winded intro, here are the Top 5 Changes made to Megazone 23 Part I for the Robotech Movie.

 

Megazone 23, Part I

Shogo Yahagi’s got a near perfect life.  He’s a devil may care biker in love with a beautiful actress in the most amazing city in the world.  But when he’s given control of a stolen, experimental motorcycle, the reality he once thought fact begins to quickly unravel.  Spiraling down a conspiracy involving AI Idols, transforming machines and an unknown enemy quickly approaching, Shogo must decide how long he can deny this new reality, or if he has the courage to reveal the truth about his city and risk all out chaos.

“This world isnt real and everything you’ve ever believed is a lie.”  It’s an idea that when executed right can lead to some amazing and thrilling science fiction tales.  Need evidence of this, look no further than 90s classics like Dark City, The Matrix, or even Anime like The Big O.  Mageazone 23 is seen as a major influence on at least two of those examples (The Big O, not so sure but they do both have Mecha).  And while, yeah I can see why it is, at the same time, is this really the landmark classic fans of 80s mecha say it is?  I mean it’s pretty and has some great mecha designs and the story does have promise.  That said, I have problems and whether or not they’ll be ironed out in Part II or Part III remains to be seen.  But first, let’s go over this opening chapter of this classic trilogy.
 

Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture Part 4 Episodes 10-12

Under the guise of peace talks, Norland unleashes a new technological horror on the entire planet.  As the Black Knights and other worlds forces face a desperate struggle, Roze and Ash prepare for their final battle with Norland.  But nothing can prepare them for the revelations left to discover, truths that will test their resolve like never before.  What price is too great to save the world and how far will Roze and Ash go to attain their own redemption?

During my first review of this series, I noted how Roze of the Recapture felt a lot like Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  It eased us back into the world of Code Geass with a familiar set up and promising new characters.  As time went on, this analogy began to become more apparent.  If the first third of this saga was The Force Awakens, then the middle half was The Last Jedi.  Which means that the final chapter of Roze of the Recapture is sadly The Rise of Skywalker.  I didn’t even realize until just as I sat down to write just how apt that comparison really is.  Does that mean Roze of the Recapture ends up being a total wasted effort?  Not entirely but it’s still the weakest Code Geass project to date though.
 

GBT#23-Gunpla Builder Randomizer Part 3

For today’s Gunpla Builder Randomizer episode, I’m keeping it less random and more intentional.  These four entries today are some of my all time favs due to personal connection and how much fun and satisfaction I got out of building them.  Speaking of which, the first one on this list is a doozy, the biggest and most complex Gunpla I’ve built to date…and it isnt even a Master or Perfect Grade.

 

T5W#514-Top 5 Live Action Anime Adaptations Michael B Jordan Could Direct

Besides being one of the most talented and awesome actors living among us at the moment, Michael B. Jordan is a huge, huge fan of Anime.  Much of his love medium can be seen in his 2023 diretorial debut with Creed III, from the Anime easter eggs in Adonis’ room as a kid to how Jordan staged his actions sequences with Anime flair and imagery.  I’ve heard recently that it’s always been a dream of Jordan to direct an Anime feature film and let me tell you, Creed III is as Live Action Anime a film as you can get to I’d say he’s more than proven he has what it takes.  Naturally this presents the question: which title should he take on?  And could Michael B Jordan succeed where most filmmakers have not (rare exceptions to the rule there may be).  Well Top 5 Wednesday answers the call to this challenge as I present my picks for the Top 5 Live Action Anime Adaptations Michael B Jordan Could Direct.

 
Side Note: I’m going to be looking at titles that have not had a live action adaptation of any kind on the big or small screen.  So while some choices are obvious: No Dragon Ball Z.  No Bleach.  And while there was an easter egg of a Lupin III poster in Creed’s room, Lupin III did get a live action movie a few years back, so that wont count either.
 

Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture Part 3 Episodes 7-9

Guilt ridden over what she’s done to Ash, Roze finds herself captured by Norlan’s demented right hand man, Christoph.  At the same time, Neo Britannia launches an all out campaign to exterminate the Japanese resistance groups once and for all.  As all hope begins to fall around the Seven Shining Stars, Ash rushes to Roze’s aid.  But does he intend to rescue her or kill her?

Roze of the Recapture isnt quite living up to the legendary standards of the Code Geass name and nowhere was that more evident than in last weeks set of episodes that managed to make mecha action pretty boring.  Part 3 of 4 still carries many of last weeks hinderences (and in some cases doubles down hard on them).  But I have to say that Roze and Ash are doing their damndest to carry this not so great spin off on their collective backs cause it’s thanks to them that this set even slightly rebounded this week.  There’s plenty of the good, the bad and the ugly to look at so let’s jump in shall we?
 

GBT#22-Gunpla Builder Randomizer Part 2

NGL, it’s hard choosing four random Gunpla to highlight in a special like this cause, well save for a very select few, I’m proud of all of them.  Also helps to have a handy guide of who I’ve shared and who I haven’t too.  Anyway, what will the Gunpla Builder Randomizer select today?

 

T5W#513-Top 5 Thoughts on the Resident Evil: Requiem Reveal Trailer

It is about damn time.  This past weekend during the Summer Game Fest, a lot of big upcoming titles (and a Call of Duty Black Ops Sequel no one really wants) were announced.  For me, I’ve you’ve read this blog long enough you know what got me most excited.  After years of rumors, anticipations and a perfect remake of a classic, Resident Evil: Requiem was revealed to the world with a release date of February 27, 2026.  Yep this is the first new mainline entry since 2021’s Resident Evil: Village and we’ve got a lot to talk about with what’s been revealed, what could be waiting in the wings, and how an often neglected spin off game I’ve never played fits into all of this.  So lets ponder together, these are my Top 5 Thoughts on the Resident Evil: Requiem Reveal Trailer.

 

Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture Part 2 Episodes 4-6

With the sudden death of Emperor Calis, Sakura is named the next Empress of Neo Britannia, with no one aware of her true identity.  Meanwhile, the true ruler of Neo Britannia, Norland, orders the Damocles fortress to exterminate a Japanese district with the last remaining F.L.E.I.J.A. warheads.  As the Seven Shining Suns launch a desperate attempt to capture or destroy the Damocles, Roze learns a startling truth about Ash and the role he played in her Fathers death.

The premiere of Roze of the Recapture didn’t set the world on fire like the original Code Geass did but was a serviceable start.  But I found myself becoming weirdly kind of bored and uninvested in the new fight against Neo Britannia and what’s worse, I was similarly bored with the action.  Yeah Chapter 2 of this 4 Part saga kind of flounders not because it’s playing things safe but because its not giving me a reason to care about the bulk of the cast on screen.  It’s a complaint made even worse by the inevitable return of some familiar faces and I’m way more curious about what they’ve been up to since the last time I saw them.
 

GBT#21-Gunpla Builder Randomizer Part 1

Well it’s certainly been a minute for this one hasn’t it?  It’s been well over a year since the end of Season Two of Gunpla Builder Thursday but that hasn’t meant I’ve stopped building Gunpla.  Far from it, I’m well up to…let me check…160 models, mostly High Grades with a few Master Grades here and there.  Considering I’m doing a big summer event around Mecha, makes sense to bring back Gunpla Builder Thursday once again and this time, we’re doing things a little differently.  There’s not gonna be any in depth analysis of builds.  Instead you’re gonna get a random assortment of up to four models a week, with little blurbs about who they are and maybe a teeny bit of history depending on how well I know the Gunpla in question.  So, without further ado, Season Three of Gunpla Builder Thursday begins with our first Randomizer episode.

 

T5W#512-Top 5 Reasons why GQuuuuuX still sits in the Shadow of The Witch from Mercury

You know I had a feeling this would become a norm with Top 5 Wednesdays once Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX started airing.  Since it runs on Tuesdays, its in the perfect position for me to watch and then comment as if I’m doing a way in advance preliminary review for the show before it happens…eventually (no one knows whether or not GQuuuuuX is only going to be 13 episodes or 26 or more than that).  While I do still believe that there’s hope for GQuuuuuX to improve after the promise of Episode 8, Episode 9 comes with reminders that GQuuuuuX isnt living up to its full potential.  Not to mention, it’s coming off the heels of one of the Gundam franchises most successful entries: Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.  So as we start to close in on the finale of GQuuuuuX, be it Season or Series Finale, and it’s something I’ve been wanting to chat about for a while, todays Top 5 Wednesday will be focusing on the Top 5 Reasons why GQuuuuuX still sits in the Shadow of The Witch from Mercury.

And I PROMISE, somehow, Next Wednesday will have a Non Gundam/Non GQuuuuuX topic.
 
Also, Also, SPOILERS for Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuX Episodes 1-9

Code Geass: Roze of the Recapture Part 1 Episodes 1-3

Years after the fall of Britannia at the hands of Lelouch Vi Britannia, Neo Britannia rises from the ashes of the fallen empire.  It quickly recaptures the former Area 11 and the Japanese find history repeating itself under the same oppressors once more.  Two siblings, Roze and Ash, are Britannian’s who rebel against this tyranny and aid the struggling Japanese resistance.  For Roze, this war is personal and she has the ultimate weapon to fight it…the power of Geass.

Despite being billed as the next big Gundam level Mecha franchise by Sunrise, we’ve hardly seen anything from Code Geass since 2019’s Lelouch of the Re;ssurection.  But hey, maybe the franchise is playing the long game since it doesn’t seem to be in a rush to pump out yearly spin offs and continuations.  All that said brings us to the start of our next big title in the Gundam Anime Corner’s Mega Mecha Summer Event: Code Geass: Roze of the Rebellion.  So, how is this brand new starting point for the franchise…and how much is it still relying on it’s main poster boy to gain interest?
 
(BTW, Roze of the Recapture was originally released as a 4 Part film series in theaters but was broken down into twelve episodes for a TV run.  Not sure if there’s any changes or if it just remains the same a la Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 but the TV Series is what we’re going with just FYI.)