The Gundam Anime Corner 12th Anniversary

While I usually open one of these special pieces reflecting on how long I’ve been working on this massive endevor, I want to share a quick story first.  Back in late 2025 I was asked by a couple of friends to officiate for them at their wedding (don’t ask how or why I’m able, even I don’t 100% get it).  It was a huge honor to be asked but something always nagged me besides pressure to not mess up on the couples big day.  Why was I the one picked for such a prominent role in the wedding?  Don’t get me wrong: everything went fine, smiles, happiness, dancing, the whole shebang.  But I did get a moment to ask the bride and groom and they looked surprised I was asking.  Not only was I their top pick for the job but a lot of that faith came down to my writing over on the Anime Corner.  Let me tell you: Everything just froze for a few seconds.  A compliment like that, that my blog and my writing skills were what convinced two special people to let me partake in their big day in a vital role…woof.  It’s…yeah…
 
So as you can imagine, it’s one thing to talk about 12 years of writing, ranting and trying to come up with Top 5’s every week.  But when your work touches the lives of people in such a way.  That’s the biggest damn compliment my blog has ever received and it lets me know that every week I feel like a review doesn’t have enough UMPH or entertainment value or the Top 5’s or First Impressions might be lacking, something about this little corner of the internet is accomplishing what I always hope but never always get confirmation on: introducing new titles to old and new Otaku and making someones day better even if it’s just for a few minutes.  I feel so much pride and happiness in the Gundam Anime Corner right now that the right words cant even properly describe it.
 
And you know what?  12 years in…oh baby we’re still running with it and still going strong and as we cross into Year 13, wild rides await.  Ok before I start crying over that amazing memory, how about a quick breakdown of what’s coming from now until mid summer.
 
April-Popcorn and Pokemon

One of the biggest entertainment giants is turning 30 this year and it’s about time these little battle critters got some time on the Gundam Anime Corner.  We’re kicking off Year 13 with a Pokemon 30th Anniversary Movie Marathon.  I’ll be looking at the first five Pokemon theatrical features that got a stateside release between 1999 and 2003.  These include: Pokemon: The First Movie-Mewtwo Strikes Back; Pokemon 2000: The Movie-The Power of One; Pokemon 3: The Movie-Spell of the Unown; Pokemon 4Ever-Celebi: Voice of the Forest; and Pokemon Heroes-Latios and Latias.  And for even more celebratory Pokemon fun (and incase you might’ve forgotten cause it’s been a few years) you can also check out my review of Pokemon: Detective Pikachu from back in 2019 right here: (https://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2019/05/pokemon-detective-pikachu.html).  Pokemon Top 5 themed lists too?  We’ll see, there’ll be at least one probably.

 

May-June-TV Reviews are back

We’ve been doing a lot of movies and stand alone features lately.  So it’s about time we go back to looking at some actual Anime TV Series eh?  Both of these titles have been shuffled around a little bit from their originally intended review dates but now they’re locked in.  In May, we’ve got the latest TV epic from the man behind Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo, Shinichiro Watanabe’s Lazarus.  Then in June, we’re blasting back into the Danger Zone with the newest (and as of this writing latest) entry in the high flying Macross franchise, Macross Delta.  Apparently there’s more idol fare than mecha action.  Is that true?  If so will it hurt the viewing experience?  Whatever happens, it cant be nearly as bad as Macross 7 right?
 

July-Extended Summer Series Review

The countdown to Otakon is on and you know what that means.  It’s time to look at another lengthy Anime series and this year I’ve chosen a different kind of title that comes highly recommended from trusted sources.  We’ve seen Gundams, Heroic Servants and Sailor Senshi take on the Extended Summer Series Review challenge.  This year, we’re looking at the classic Bishojou historical epic: The Rose of Versailles as well as the 2023 Netflix Anime Feature Film.  It’s not my usual go to title but again, the praises have been sung continuously about this one and the First Impression I did a year or so ago showed promise.  Honestly, I might be starting this one sooner rather than later cause I’m pretty excited for something new, thrilling and from the golden ages of 70’s Anime.
 
And that about takes care of announcements.  Oh and yes, while it doesn’t have an official release date yet, you bet your ass that I do have a tentative date locked in for Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe…it’ll be here by August right?...RIGHT?  (Actually they just announced theatrical screenings in the US are starting May 15^th so expect a review sometime around Memorial Day weekend).  Anyway, enjoy today’s Anniversary Review of One Piece: Into the Grand Line and join me in wishing the Gundam Anime Corner the happiest of birthdays.  Let’s rock.