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