T5W#210-Top 5 Dream Castings for the Live Action Gundam Movie (Round 2)

It’s been a bit since we first heard the confirmation of a Live Action Mobile Suit Gundam feature film being made by Sunrise and Legendary Pictures.  Things have been pretty quiet.  We don’t even know if the project is adapting or borrowing from a preexisting Gundam era or is out to make its own story.  Most importantly (maybe?) we don’t even know who’s starring in this epic live action Anime adaptation.  Well back in April as part of Gundam Month Mark III, I took a stab at some fantasy casting choices (and you can view that list here: http://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2019/04/t5w191-top-5-dream-castings-for-live.html)  But just 5 names is hardly enough to fill out a cast large enough for a Gundam feature.  So today I’m doing a second round with 5 more names and the specific (ish) roles they could play, whether its commanding from the sidelines or piloting the titular mecha itself.  Hopefully we’ll have some actual casting news soon…or I might have to do a third round muahahaha.  Before we get to that possibility, here’s this weeks Top 5 Wednesday: my Top 5 Dream Castings for the Live Action Gundam Movie (Round 2)

#5-Lance Reddick

 

Lance Reddick is an actor I feel is both underrated and underutilized.  From his poised, gentlemen stature to his beyond cool voice, Reddick has delivered solid performances as the Head of the Fringe Division in Fringe and the ever loyal Head Concierge of the Continental in the John Wick series.  His very presence screams “im in charge” without the need for raised voices.  And yet I’d be curious to see what Reddick would be like as a bad guy.  I could see him as maybe some kind of atache to the Zabi’s or even as Bask Oum from Zeta Gundam aka the head of the Titans.  Or heck, he proved he could kick some serious ass in John Wick Chapter 3-Parabellum, send Reddick out as some kind of secret assassin like Meme Midgard from Turn A Gundam.  Whatever the role, small or large, Lance Reddick would bring his all and rule it, maybe even making it one of the stand out acting jobs in a Gundam movie.

#4-Hailee Steinfeld

 

Man has this girl come so far after hitting the ground running.  Hailee Steinfeld drew immediate recognition for her star making role in True Grit and has been one of the “wow” factors of most films shes part of.  So yeah, she’s been in a few heavy hitting Hollywood blockbusters like Bumblebee, so we know Hailee is more than game with Giant Robots.  The reason I slot her into this list is for her singing abilities.  While I cant say that taking the Jpop filled route of Gundam Seed era is the wisest move to make, if they did Hailee would be a solid Lacus Clyne not just for her proven vocals (see Pitch Perfect 2 or that…no need for 3), but because she is so good at the drama aspect of any movie.  And as we all know, when it comes to Lacus Clyne, she might look like a cute pink haired pop star, but underneath it all is a bad ass seeking peace who isn’t afraid to throw down with the toughest politicians.  Beautiful voice and a commanding presence, sign Hailee Steinfeld up for any project…but more importantly this Gundam project ASAP.

#3-Sophie Turner

 

For the last 8 years, Sophie Turner has proved she knows how to play a character who knows her way around politics better than anyone as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones.  Now that her obligation to that show is over, she’s got her pick of the litter of projects considering she was one of the breakout stars of that epic show.  Sophie’s already got tried and true experience with Hollywood blockbusters thanks to her time with the X-Men franchise where she played a young Jean Grey.  If I were to pick a role for her in a Gundam movie, it might very well be someone either in the political arena or in command.  Two ideas that come to mind are maybe an older Mineva Zabi from Gundam Unicorn. or even Lieutenant Matilda, the no nonsense crush of all the boys on White Base.  Sophie Turner’s grown into an incredible actress and her talents could help the Gundam project in a big way.

#2-Richard Harmon

 

Richard Harmon is one of the breakout stars of the hit CW series, The 100.  For six seasons he’s played the sarcastic survivor John Murphy, willing to do whatever it takes to survive while preserving his own soul and making hilarious one liners in the process.  One look at Harmon in this role and I could only think of one important role to play if they go the route of the original One Year War storyline: Kai Shiden.  Kai has one of the more memorable character arcs of the original series, beginning as cynical survivor and evolving into a competent fighter who cares about the family he’s made on White Base.  Murphy totes the line back and forth between redemption and damnation and Richard Harmon could bring that same charming magic to Kai or some other equivocal role in a Gundam movie.

#1-Grant Gustin

Every movie is only as strong as its lead actor.  While he hasn’t had a lot (if any) feature film experience, Grant Gustin still stands as one of my favorite choices for a lead role in a Gundam movie thanks to his role as Barry Allen on The Flash.  Able to bring the drama while being so damn charming and funny, Grant is a hero movie goers can get behind.  In a way, I could see him playing a more competent and likeable Amuro Ray if the One Year War route were to be taken.  But Grant could easily play one of the other lead heroes from a Gundam era like Kamille Bidan, Seabook Arno or even Shiro Amada.  I guess it’s kind of funny that my two top choices for actors in a Gundam movie are both headliners of the Arrowverse (Stephen Amell was top of my last list).  Just goes to show just how special their acting is to me and the world they’ve helped build with that universe.  Who’s to say they cant do the same to Gundam?  (and to be fair, Melissa Benoist aka Supergirl was on my Top 5 Gundam Wing Fantasy Casting Choices as my pick for Dorothy Catalonia so yes you can just cast all of the Arrowverse in the Gundam movie…oh God is there a third Arrowverse exclusive round of this list in the future?).

Street Fighter II V Part 3 Episodes 9-13

Ryu and Ken’s victory over the crime organization, the Ashura, comes back to bit them in Thailand when Ryu is thrown in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.  Now the young warrior must fight to survive and reteam with Ken to bring the organization down once and for all.  All the while, the pair are learning powerful new techniques and fighting styles.  But it’s the rumor of a powerful holy man in India that catches Ryu’s attention.  Is this Dhalsim capable of continuing his training towards mastering the Hadouken?  

Punches were thrown and wisdom was gained as Ryu and Ken faced the full might of a mob organization and took a deep look inside themselves, discovering new motivations and revelations.  Even if there are one or two details that were either a little annoying or unnecessary, Street Fighter II V is continuing to excel at having a decent story with good character development and solid action.

We picked up things right where we left them last week.  As expect, Ryu vs. Sagat didn’t disappoint.  Better yet, it was equal parts kicking and punching (I can feel my bones breaking with each bone cracking hit) and surprising character building.  Turns out Sagat had a deeper tale to tell than anyone might’ve suspected but it gave him and Ryu common ground to stand on, both as rivals and as friends in prison.  Thankfully neithers stay was very long (well Sagat’s was longer but he’d been there a while already), as Ken managed to track down the men who framed both fighters and landed them in prison.  This is where one of those little annoying bits came in.  While I like that Ken is both intelligent and able to hold his own in battle, I am skeptical of his Dad being his ultimate Ex Machina in the series.  Sure Ken’s rich beyond all reason and can spend all he wants on his and Ryu’s epic adventure.  But his Dad has the ultimate amount of pull to get Ken investigative back up and even help an aspiring Doctor in India build a better hospital.  It just feels so…convenient.  Thankfully it hasn’t happened too often (yet) and Ken has been able to get himself out of jams just fine thanks to his charm and skill (though the occasional dollar bill has been thrown in from time to time).

The best part of Ryu and Ken taking down the Ashura wasn’t anything they did really (though Ryu did almost lose his arms to Boss Zotchi’s sick fetish).  It was just before the take down, when Zotchi more or less spoke with M. Bison…or can just speak “stern face” cause Bison didn’t say a word.  I know Bison has some level of psychic abilities from the games.  But still, seeing him for the first time on a distorted screen and in darkness, not saying a word, said all we needed to know about the man destined to be the big bad of Street Fighter II V.  Ryu and Ken might’ve scored a solid victory against a relenting criminal organization but it remains to be seen just how bad this is going to come back to bite them when Bison decides to turn his attention their way.

Thankfully, the boys had a bit of time to chill and get in touch with their warrior spirits after the Ashura were dealt with.  I actually enjoyed Ryu and Ken training under Dahlsim and battling each other during a test of spirit.  The two were pushed to their physical and emotional spirits, unaware they were battling each other to the point of near death.  It really opened their eyes to their “punch first, keep punching and eventually win” approach to their travels.  Ryu, in particular, got the most out of this as his journey of self discovery brought him one step closer to his signature move, the Hadouken.  Ryu was geniuley frightened of the attacks destructive properties and even had to double check that Ken wanted to hang around him if the Hadouken was an attack he couldn’t control.  Well the bromance shined through and Ken told Ryu he wasn’t going anywhere.  That and Ryu battling an imaginary Guile during his training helped open up the young warriors eyes a bit.  With all this drama and character work, it just makes the evil treasure hunter subplot of the Dahlsim arc feel so needless.  All of the misfortune that befell those douchebags just to set up Ryu and Ken’s future trial could have been jettisoned in favor of just getting the two Street Fighters into the main plot of the arc faster.

So India changed some perspectives, an evil organization is KO’d and Ryu and Ken are off to reunite with Chun Li (YES!!) in Barcelona for some fun…maybe?  Idk they said she was there with her father so that might mean trouble in Spain.  Whatever happens next, we made some good progress in Street Fighter II V this week and next week I think we’re getting to another fan favorite’s debut on the show.  Those of you who know your mid 2000’s internet memes and YouTube vids be ready…cause im gonna make a few “Son of Prince” references.  See ya next Monday.

FIF#87-Fruits Basket (2019)

Having lost her mother to a car accident and her current residence being renovated, ever determined Tohru Honda has been living in a tent that just happens to be on the grounds owned by the mysterious and powerful Sohma Family.  Feeling bad for her, the handsome Yuki Sohma invites Tohru to come live with him and his cousins, Shigure and Kyo.  It isn’t long until Tohru literally stumbles into the family secret: 12 members of the family have been cursed to transform into their Chinese Zodiac member when hugged by a member of the opposite sex.  As Tohru learns more about the difficult life of the Sohma Clan, the closer she becomes with several family members…and becomes determined to find a way to free them from their curse forever.

It cant be just me noticing several Anime from yesteryear getting reboots or continuations in the last decade.  Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball and Devilman are just a few examples getting a new lease on life in this new age of Anime.  So it’s strange to see Fruits Basket getting the same treatment nearly 20 years after the original Anime aired.  But id be lying if I said that I wasn’t all onboard with it while checking out the first episode.  Believe it or not, I did read the Fruits Basket Manga and check out the original Anime when both were coming to the States (courtesy of it being one of the first big Anime and Manga my sister got into).  It’s been a long time but I do remember bits of Fruits Basket fondly.  So I know I’m not the only one whose nostalgia strings were tugged on in this new debut.

I was surprised how faithful this new Anime is staying not just to the story but the artstyle too.  There are certain images recreated from the Manga that invoke that feel good nature of early 2000’s Anime.  It’s hard to describe but the new Fruits Basket doesn’t try to look anything like most Anime you see today.  This is a nostalgia train on full steam power and it’s kind of awesome really. From the first appearance of Tohru, everything came flooding back to me at once: the gorgeous scenery of the Sohma household; the always entertaining banter between Yuki, Kyo and Shigure; the whimsically funny but heartbreaking storyline.  Fruits Basket’s first episode plays beat for beat the first couple chapters of the Manga and the first episode of the original Anime without attempting to really spice things up beyond the new animation.  And that’s perfectly ok for now.  I suspect that one thing this new iteration is destined to do is tell the complete Manga story, unlike the original series which only went up to Volume 6 (I think) and deviated from the original story at times too).  So it’s ok to run at a leisurly pace like the Manga and get the story going properly.  At least by the end of the episode we did get the big reveal of the Sohma Family secret and Tohru’s eternally priceless reaction.

I feel like for the high school kid in me, that first read a bit of the Manga in a preview guide, that I should continue on with this new Fruits Basket.  It’s hard to say if the final product will finally bring the entire Manga to life at last.  But it’s undeniable how good it is to see these characters again, feel the magic of the story and enjoy a glimpse of artwork that has aged very well and is being recreated in good hands.  I never knew how much I missed Tohru Honda or the Sohmas until I saw them again.  If you’re just discovering Fruits Basket for the first time, I think sticking with it for a bit wouldn’t hurt.  You might be in for a surprise, and I hope I am too.

T5W#209-Top 5 Anime that Make me Really, Really Mad

I love Anime.  Heck this blog being in its sixth year is proof of that, nevermind ive been into the overall fandom for over two decades now.  I love many titles from Gundam to Ghost in the Shell to Dragon Ball Z to Pokemon to Inuyasha and Full Metal Panic.  The list could go on and on about my absolute favs.  But what about the titles I don’t like, the ones that get me so riled up I am ready to go Super Saiyan just thinking about them. Well, full disclosure, it’s been kind of a rough weekend and the week hasn’t started off the best either tbh.  So for this weeks Top 5, I’m exercising my right to rant and I know 5 particular titles I can do that with easily.  Here are my Top 5 Anime that Make me Really, Really Mad.  Enjoy the comedic venting.

#5-Silent Mobius: The Series

I think I said it week after week when I was reviewing this one here at the Anime Corner, the potential for this shows greatness was squandered episode after episode.  Despite an interesting premise and promising cast, Silent Mobius never rose to the occasion.  The AMP is basically useless without its Dark Phoenix imbuned Katsumi and their technology never seems to work at fighting Lucifer Hawks.  Factor in a less than stellar backstory that is begging to be explored, villains who are just there to be there and a sense that the animation and writing staff just gave up after the first episode floundered and you have one of the saddest tragedies in all of Anime: not because of what happens to some of the main characters but because this could have been the Anime successor to Sailor Moon…and it just failed on every concieveable level for 26 episodes.  (the two part movies aren’t bad though.  Even though theyre an incomplete story id recommend checking them out anytime over the TV Series)

#4-Gundam Build Fighters Try

If Gundam Build Fighters was a love letter to me as a fan of Gundam for almost two decades, Build Fighters Try was the exact opposite.  Trading optimistic and  fun for hopeless and terrible characters, I think I was crying inside with every episode I watched.  The Build Fighters Try team had so much potential that was squandered on one characters depressing attitude and the other trying to be the Gundam Naruto.  Sure some of the Gunpla were cool but the series managed to take one of the most fun and interesting takes on one of Gundam’s most prominent staying powers and turn it into the most depressing game of torture ever played.  At least the first have of Gundam Build Divers managed to bring back some of magic of Build Fighters before the second half tried to play by Build Fighters Try rules…and broke my heart all over again.

#3-Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Move 3-Rebellion

Madoka Magica is one of those rare, perfect Anime in existence that delivers more than what was initially promised and manages to overcome the odds to join the ranks of legends like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Akira.  The first two compilation movies achieve even rarer greatness when it comes to telling a condensed version of the TV series without much content sacrificed.  And then came the third film.  And truthfully, it was ok…until the last fifteen minutes when the Danarys Targaryan of all character shifts happens and tears down everything that Madoka stood for.  Homura becomes a demon?  Madoka’s powers sealed away and theyre destined to fight each other in the future?  WHAT THE F***!!!??? Why mess up one of the most perfect endings in all of Anime with this BS twist that has gone nowhere since it was released because it was so horrible?  Believe me when I say, avoid this movie if youre watching the Anime…the TV Series is perfect as is without this forced and insulting continuation/epilogue.

#2-Ghost in the Shell (Live Action 2017)

I honest to God recently had to get a friend to change the subject when this movie got brought up because I was going to get rilled up.  Ghost in the Shell is one of my Top 3 favorite Anime fanchises sandwhiched between Mobile Suit Gundam and Dragon Ball Z.  I love pretty much every adaptation from the Oshii films to Arise.  The live action movie boils my blood whenever it gets brought up, so much so I wonder if I really should have just written a rage fueled review of it for the Anime Corner’s Third Birthday.  Eveyrthing that makes Ghost in the Shell what it is doesn’t exist in this travesty, trading metaphysics for an old and boring festival of bad 80’s scifi tropes that basically make it a fusion of Total Recall and Robocop.  Bad casting, a half assed script and nods to the franchise that never feel earned…at least Death Note 2017 was a hilarious to watch train wreck of a disaster.  Ghost in the Shell 2017 makes me wish we had the technology to erase certain memories cause this movie should be freaking purged from the history books.

#1-Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny

Oh man.  This was probably the very first low point I ever discovered for my favorite franchise.  I still remember watching this series on YouTube during my freshman year of college, hoping beyond all hope that this series would somehow get better.  Episode after episode I was proven wrong.  The sheer wasted potential of a conflict that could’ve dwarfed that of Gundam Seed.  The rapidly changing character motivations that felt more like grab bag than logical progression.  The fact that Shinn Asuka was calling the shots and claiming to be a hero when he might’ve been the biggest damn villain of the series.  Seed Destiny was the first Anime I truly regretted giving my attention to and I still to this day want those 50 episodes worth of time back.  Why…OH WHY…am I possibly planning to take a look at this one in the future for a special project I have planned for 2020?  Should make for an extended entertaining 10 part rant I can guarantee that.

Street Fighter II V Part 2 Episodes 5-8

Ryu and Ken are having a grand old time in Hong Kong, their first stop on their world tour to find the best fighters.  They’ve already come out of Kowloon City victorious and even have the beautiful and capable Chun Li as a tour guide.  Now Ken will face off with a popular Hong Kong Martial Artist who aspires to be an action film legend.  And Ryu will learn the first steps of a technique that will change his life forever.  All the while, more fighters are coming out of the woodwork for the two heroes.  Simple bouts are one thing but what happens when Ryu and Ken go to war with one of Asia’s most powerful crime syndicates?

 

For a show that seems set on sending Ryu and Ken around the world (not quite so in 80 days…ok ill stop now), Street Fighter II V gave them a bit of an extended stay in Hong Kong.  Though I was hoping theyd be going at a swifter pace with the story, the Hong Kong adventures haven’t been a bad thing.  Things improved from a strong beginning and only got better right up until the plane right to the next destination.  In short: not a bad second week for Street Fighter II V.

 

After not getting his shot at a one on one with Guile, Ken got to step in and battle Martial Arts legend turned Action Star Fei Long.  Definitely a much more hot headed Bruce Lee, Fei Long was a great addition to the cast and his fight with Ken was amazing.  I like how the director of Fei Long’s film wanted to catch it all on film and edit it for the final movie he was putting together.  This lead to great back and forth battle moments between Ken and Fei Long while the film crew tried to keep up (and also keep Ryu from talking during filming which was funny).  Best yet, Chun Li finally got in on the action and managed to throw down with a group of assassins sent to kill her and her father, Dorai.  Sure Ryu, Ken and Fei Long helped settle things down but Chun Li was given a good chance to shine at last and reminded us why she’s one of the best, and sexiest, characters in video game history.

 

Ryu also got to begin his journey to the move we all know him best for: the Hadouken.  Much like Goku with his Kamehameha Wave in OG Dragon Ball, it’s def not a technique that can be mastered overnight.  But Ryu got the basics down from aged Master Yo, who I wonder if we’ll see again (Ryu’s gotta learn the rest at somepoint, somehow right?).  It was a rather cheery encounter, bookended with this weeks climax that saw Ryu thrown in a Bangkok prison thanks to the assassins he and Ken encountered in Hong Kong.  Here, Ryu went through a torture scene that was unnecessarily brutal and extensive.  The continuous bloody whipping our poor dude got is probably a reason this series never found its way to a Toonami broadcast (Ive been wondering why this never came to be during the late 90’s early 2000’s period of Toonami history).  Still, Ryu got his payback in with some of the inmates and set the stage for what’s sure to be an epic fight against another Street Fighter regular: Sagat.

 

Speaking of fights, the Streets of Rage like battles I mentioned in the Kowloon City arc last week carried over this week too.  By now though, I was alright with battles being group based rather than one on one.  We still got our typical Street Fighter duels like Ken vs. Fei Long.  But seeing Ryu, Ken, Chun Li, Fei Long and Dorai facing Ashura assassins together was a treat and everyone got to show off fine.  That said, it does suck that Chun Li wont be continuing her adventures with Ken and Ryu to Thailand and beyond, at least for the moment.  I feel like we waited a bit to see her in action and only got a glimpse of what she’s truly capable of.  Eh, I’m sure she’ll be back.  After all, Chun Li is probably as famous, if not more, than Ryu and Ken or franchise baddie M. Bison (who’s organization was alluded to be in cahoots with the Ashura).  It’d feel wrong not to include her in more of the action.

 

Some needlessly darker moments aside, Street Fighter II V gave us a very strong second round after lasts weeks stellar debut.  Hong Kong was a great place to kick off the action packed grand tour of Ken and Ryu and Bangkok promises even more ferocious violence when Ryu steps into the prison ring with Sagat.  What can I say, so far this series has more than earned the “V” in its title.  See ya next week for more travels and fist fights.