Recently T.H.A.T. Anime Blog graciously published my aspirations for the robot show of the future. In it I asked for two things: 1) an entry-level kids’ show that has strong merchandising potential so as to create new fans organically, and … Continue reading
Broken Blade 04 is Breaking Out the Right Moves
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VOTOMS: Case; Irvine (of the Rebellion) Kind of Sucks
For what it’s worth I think VOTOMS: Case; Irvine is a pretty accessible show that provides a fast-paced robot spectacle and lightweight grimdark melodrama. Database animals can tick off their boxes from their checklists (worldly temptress girl with big boobs, … Continue reading
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One Million Page Views! Thank You All!
I’ve made many milestone posts – all means to encourage myself to keep at this hobby, to minimize slacking, and get better at doing things. One thing I’ve never marked in these posts is page view milestones, knowing that page … Continue reading
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Mazinkaiser SKL 02 and The Language of Violence
Hyperbole aside, since this episode does have some moments of bomb-diffusing, telepathic boob activities, and maybe some other thing that I can’t seem to remember. It is otherwise a constant series of physical violence. It’s remarkable, really. Two set-piece sieges: … Continue reading
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The Possibility of Being SUPER (Robot) and Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn 03 (Also, an Offering of Sympathies to the Japanese People Affected by the Magnitude 8.9 Earthquake)
[click image to enlarge] Before anything else, I invite you to join me in offering sympathies to all the families affected by what could be the strongest earthquake that hit Japan. Yesterday an 8.9 magnitude monster ripped Northeastern coast of … Continue reading
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The Purpose of Anime and Manga (Part V)
[Part IV] In this ongoing series I explore (along with fellow blogger friends) a concept of watching shows and reading manga for particular purposes, which I find personally more useful than categorizing them in genre lists. Those lists are still … Continue reading
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Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn as a Eulogy for the Newtype
While the Universal Century continued with its wars and the involvement of Gundam in them via Gundam F91 (film), Crossbone Gundam (manga), and Victory Gundam (TV), for some fans such as myself the story of the Universal Century was the … Continue reading
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Shooting Star Gakusaver is One of The Funniest Things in Robot Anime
Humor and comedy in robot anime is almost always an element within a larger set in the recipes that tend to favor drama. Even when the shows back in the 70s are decidedly children’s fare, I remember that the laughs … Continue reading
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The Genius For War and Legend of the Galactic Heroes
A big part of my esteem for Legend of the Galactic Heroes is its portrayal of the conduct of warfare (and and related policy) by its characters. I highly appreciate both the successes and failures made by the various admirals … Continue reading
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Nominations for Sai Mecha: The Super Dimensional Robot Tournament
It’s coming, and you can send your nominations to executiveotaku AT gmail DOT COM for up to fifteen (15) individual robot units. The rules are all posted on the site, but here in this post I intend to demonstrate the … Continue reading
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Unfinished Business with UFO Robo Grendizer
Here’s a show that I very vaguely remember from my first encounters with television. Along with Sesame Street, Mickey and Donald Disney cartoons, Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies, the first shows I’ve ever seen are super robot anime. The trouble … Continue reading
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Why EVERYONE is Wrong About Gundam & Robot Anime in General
Except myself, that is. Gundam (and robot anime in general) is a weekly (more or less) 30-minute toy commercial. Well, it is, and it isn’t. Or, it’s not a very good one. Or, Bandai sucks at making 30-minute toy commercials. … Continue reading
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Hey Fight Fans, Don’t Miss Kizuna Ichigeki
I know next to nothing about this Young Animators Training Project: Kizuna Ichigeki, only that it’s made by this new(?) animation outfit called Ascension. The young animator in this case is Hongo Mitsuru, who directed the film, and who is … Continue reading
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The Many Ways Avatar: the Last Airbender Remembers Love For Anime
There's a good reason that many people mistake Avatar: the Last Airbender for an anime, and it's not just the stylized character designs and facial expressions (though those are a big part of it). In the last ten years, a number of Western cartoons have emerged that emulate those aspects of anime, but more often than not, they ultimately have more in common with other Western cartoons than Japanese ones. That isn't true of Avatar—the series shows its influences proudly, and without a doubt, those influences are mostly anime. Continue reading
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WHY WE CAN HAVE NICE THINGS, or, How The Gundam Fandom Can Find Their Own Personal Newtype
When I was still a complete outsider to the Gundam fandom (I consider myself still pretty much a newfag) I was utterly fascinated by how disgusting it is. I still am. It’s still disgusting. Why? War is hell, etc. There … Continue reading
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Tiger and Bunny is an Anime for Old Men that Kids Should Definitely Watch
It’s novel for anime, a spin on the Captain Amazing character from the Mystery Men (1999) film. I don’t love that film, though I found it novel and funny in places. So, there’s no nostalgia for me here. That said, … Continue reading
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An Abridged History of the Super Robot Wars Franchise (Part 1)
While I’ve always wanted to get into these games in a major way, my inability to read moon runes prevented me from enjoying any of them (I tried playing α 3 on my old Playstation 2, but failed). It wasn’t … Continue reading
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Mazinkaiser SKL 03: The LAST WORD on Super Robot Violence
This short OVA is complete. It’s legacy is to accomplish what the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Movies failed to do: to deliver the best robot battles involving super robots. To be fair, Lagann-Hen had nowhere to go but bigger and … Continue reading
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A Fanboy’s First Impression of Super Robot Wars Z 2.1
The latest title in the established Super Robot Wars franchise is finally here! I’ve played dozens of games in the series and I can honestly say that I like all of them, at least to some degree. I’ve had my … Continue reading
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Cho Jikuu Yosai Macross: Remembering the Killer Episodes (05-08)
How easy it is to forget how good this show actually is, even without apologizing for animation, illustrations, datedness, and what have you. These four episodes (and beyond) just smashed my expectations of how much I’d enjoy the rewatch. But … Continue reading
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