Dragon Ball Z: The TV Specials

A few years ago, I got my hands on the entire Dragon Ball Z Movie Collection, everything from Dead Zone to Resurrection F.  I was so excited to have it all at last that I couldn’t help but jump into an impromptu two weeks of reviews.  I looked at 2-3 films a day during that period of time looking at the best, worst and the Goten and Trunks levels of bad that culiminated in Bio Broly becoming the first Anime I reviewed to score a 0/10.  One thing has bugged me in hindsight: if I looked at all the Movies…where are the two TV Specials?  I’d always had them, why not throw them into the mix?  The answer is…I just didn’t.  But now, since I’ve covered every theatrical film from Z to Super to the OG Dragon Ball, it’s time to rectify that.  So for todays little double feature, you’re getting both Bardock and Trunks Specials.  Guess this means I’ll have to look at that GT Special at some point too…Crap Baskets.
 

BNA: Brand New Animal Part 3 Episodes 9-12

Michiru’s search for answers to her Beastmanitis comes to an end with revelations that rock her world and that of all of Anima City.  Meanwhile, Alan Sylvasta slowly unveils the fruits of his labor and his final endgame for the Beastmen, using Nazuna as an unwilling pawn and putting Shirou in the crosshairs of the law.  As chaos threatens to engulf the safe haven of the Beastmen, Michiru and Shriou reach a mutual crossroads.  After all they’ve been through together, what kind of future will they choose and will it mean the end of relations between Humans and Beastmen or will it be a brand new beginning for Anima City?
 
Despite some questionable lapses in logic and a last minute reveal that was totally unnecessary, BNA: Brand New Animal finished as strongly as it began.  It helps that the finale continued the shows trend of TRIGGER trying to do something different with the show unlike its predecessors.  The finale had some pretty big moments and battles but wasn’t necessarily on the scale of say Kill La Kill or Promare, and you know what, that’s ok.  Sometimes Earth or Universal shattering spectacle isn’t needed when you get to see characters you like win their final battles while reaching a natural conclusion to their particular arcs.
 

T5W#340-Top 5 Katsucon Cosplay Photoshoots I’ve Attended

While things might be getting more under control with the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the fact of the matter is I’m still passing on Katsucon (I would say for the second year in a row but nothing happened last year so I guess this is the first time ever).  That said, I’m not here to woe about it, I’m here to talk about how awesome of a cosplay hotspot Katsucon has always been and will likely continue to be in 2022.  The Gaylord Hotel and Convention Center in National Harbor has become synonymous with Katsucon, containing both superb interior and exterior locations for photoshoots both Private and Public.  If you’ve never been, I highly recommend finding a video tour or something (I might post my own from a previous year over the weekend, who knows).  And if you plan on going to Katsu, my advice…go in blind and discover the wonders of the place first hand.  Hmm, think I’ve gotten off topic.  Anyway, the place is perfect for any and every kind of photoshoot.  So today on Top 5 Wednesday, I’m counting down the Top 5 Katsucon Cosplay Photoshoots I’ve Attended.  Couple of rules: gonna try and not double up on particular years, gonna aim for one Photoshoot pick between 2015 and 2020 (that might be tough since some years had better Photoshoot memories than others).  Second, I make it a mission to attend a Sailor Moon and Fate/Stay Night Photoshoot at every con I go to.  So as tough as task as it is, I’m gonna pick only one from either of those series for this list.  Think that’s it, on with the show.

 

BNA: Brand New Animal Part 2 Episodes 5-8

Just when Michiru finally got settled into her new life in Anima City, fate throws her the ultimate curveball.  Before she became a Beastman, Michiru’s best friend, Nazuna, became one and was captured by an unknown group.  Now Nazuna has resurfaced in Anima City as the figure head of the Church of the Silver Wolf.  As the group grows in popularity thanks to Nazuna’s unique abilities, Michiru finds the one bond she’s held onto from her old life tested.  But the safe haven for Beastmen has dark secrets hidden behind closed door and now those secrets are starting to come out.  How far will Michiru go to keep her best friend in her life and save her new home?

After a strong opening that mixed Studio TRIGGERs expert animation with smart social commentary, BNA took a second to let the levity in, even during another serious topic, before diving right into what’s going to be the core plot of the rest of the series.  Michiru’s time in Anima City is about to get even more interesting and so’s Shirou’s for that matter.  And yes, the race relation comparisons continued, showing that the tepid relationship between Beastmen and Humans hasn’t just recently become strained, it’s always been that way.
 

BNA: Brand New Animal Part 1 Episodes 1-4

Welcome to a world where Humans and Animalized Human Beings known as Beastmen, walk the streets.  However, persecution against Beastmen is at an all time high.  Anima City stands as a safe haven for Beastmen looking to live in peace, free from Human interference and violence.  It is here that Michuru Kagemori has come to.  But this cute Tanuki isn’t looking just for safe harbor.  Michuru claims to be a Human who just one day changed into a Beastman herself.  The search for answers only gets more complicated when Michuru discovers that there are those who want to tear down Anima City for their own purposes.  Her only hope for survival lies with a wolf named Shirou.  Together, they can solve the mystery of Michuru.  Together, they can save the city.

Last Summer, the Summer of TRIGGER event took over the Gundam Anime Corner.  During this time, I looked at Studio TRIGGERs three major Anime TV Series (at the time): Kill La Kill, Little Witch Academia: The Series and Darling in the Franxx, as well as their first big feature film, Promare.  BNA: Brand New Animal, their latest TV offering, came in a little late in the game for me and even though I couldn’t fit it in with the rest of its TRIGGER brethren, I always wanted to check it out and give it its due here on the blog.  After all, Studio TRIGGER is a big name and any project they churn out merits attention, whether the show be a masterpiece or…look you know I hate Darling in the Franxx, let’s not go back there.  BNA looks lively and vibrant and bearing everything that makes a TRIGGER production a TRIGGER production.  So, how about we don’t waste anymore time.  Welcome to Anime Zootopia, er BNA: Brand New Animal.