*** Anime Movie Impressions ***
— Lupin the Third: Mine Fujiko no Uso - “Fujiko’s Lie” —
Animated by Telecom (All post Koike directed Lupin films and past earlier TV series)
Directed by Takeshi Koike (Redline & “World Record” for “The Animatrix”)
Written by Yuya Takahashi (All past Koike directed Lupin films plus the 2015 TV series)
This is the final film to the Takeshi Koike Lupin trilogy and if you were expecting some raunchy, highly sexual spy escapades with Fuji-chan then you will be disappointed here, in fact this act is more or less Fujiko’s “adventures in babysitting”. In the story you find our bodacious fem-fatale working with middle-aged single father as a make-shift maid as well as to help take care of his 10 year old boy, however Fujiko has her eyes set on the location of a $500 million stash that the father embezzled from the mining company he worked for. Then we find out the company has now sent in a hitman that only goes by the name of “Bincam” and he uses mystical powers that seem to control sand and dust around him as well as able to put anyone into a trance and make them do anything that he tells him to do, and where the hell did they get this freaky guy? The dark brotherhood of mutants? The quality of the final film is still as stylish as the other two past ones with some pretty decent animation qualities and CG work but I found this one the most boring of the three and the story isn’t as engaging or intriguing as the others, plus the main villain just doesn’t look all too right in a Lupin story and seems too out of place. At least we got a couple more boobage shots from Fuji and the final fight at least makes this a worth while watch but this is definitely the least rememberable of the trilogy. The movie is yet again only an hour long as the other two but for the trilogy as a whole I believe it’s well worth checking out for all Lupin fans and still highly like the much more mature take on the series and really love to see more of the series done like this. As far as this movie alone I’m scoring this 7 crotch grabs out of 10. All three films are now out on BluRay from Discotek Media.
*** Anime Series Final Impressions ***
— Fate/Grand Order: Zettai Majuu Senen Babylonia —
This is purely what I call a “popcorn anime”, the story is definitely not an award winner but it’s more or less all about the spectacle of action, animation, badass battles, visual effects, and FREAKING LOUD NOISES!! God damn! They brought up the sound up to 11 on this one! Plus this is all based on a free-to-play “gatcha” cell phone game anyway so don’t expect this to be much of a thought provoking series. However, overall, I had a pretty fun blast getting through this anime, it doesn’t have much of the more rememberable characters from the main-line “Fate” series but you will grow to love this wild cast of spiritual fighters this series has to offer. Keep in mind you don’t have to play the original smartphone game to get into this series and honestly this could act as a decent starting point for getting into it but please make sure you watch the “first order” special before diving into this one so at least you understand the story’s main situation much better. Plus another season was just announced that will be based on the next major story chapter and I will be gladly looking forward to the awesomeness of that whenever it comes out. The series scores 8 Ishtar finger shots out of 10. The entire series is currently streaming on Funimation and Hulu, it will also be all available to stream on Crunchyroll and VRV by the end of April.
— Id:Invaded —
With the anime done by the well respected director, Ei Aoki, I had high hopes to have this one be a greatly rememberable and worth watching series, and I’ll definitely agree that the story is very well done with twists and turns that will keep you guessing during the show and supporting with a great cast of characters. Yet the biggest problem this series has is the overall quality and execution, studio NAZ is really not a highly respected anime studio and none of their past anime works have been very successful, I’m sure they really wanted to have this as their most prominent series made but personally it just didn’t really turn out all that great. At least I’ll give positive props to J-rocker MIYAVI for creating some rockin’ tunes for the show. I’m not saying to avoid this series at all costs and I’m sure there will be a whole bunch of people that will more enjoy this than I did but I was more hoping this would turn out much better looking compared to the other anime directed by Aoki-san. I’d say it’s still a worth while series to check out, especially if you are a big fan of Christopher Nolan films and much of the story seems lifted from bits and pieces of Nolan’s past works (Inception is possibly the most taken from here) but your mileage will vary with this and may not be a real keeper in your books yet it’s not for me. I give this series 7 layer dives into the “Id wells” out of 10. The entire series is currently streaming on Funimation and Hulu and is also streaming English dubbed on Funimation.
— Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken! —
Absolutely love to give a shout out to both director Masaaki Yuasa and the amazing team over at Science Saru in making one of the most original and creative TV anime series that I’ve seen in quite a long time! Sadly, I personally didn’t think it was a 100% masterpiece and the story as well as it’s overall quality does chug around here and there but if you are able to stick with it then you will be treated to some highly imaginative spectacles. In fact the short alien war anime film shown at the end alone makes this whole strange trip well worth your time. Plus I know I will be humming that insanely addictive opening theme at least until the end of next year, hell I don’t think that “easy breezy” song will ever leave my head, ever. I don’t think everyone will be a big fan of it’s art style and plus the show does throw at you a whole lot of design notes and text that I’m sure even Crunchyroll had a huge bitch of a time translating it all but please, please try your best to check into this series and give it a decent shot, if you are not liking it by the time you get to the “machete girl” anime then I’d say pass on it but I had a super fun time with this and I really hope you do the same. I give this series 8 basketball sneaker backpacks out of 10. The entire series is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and VRV, also just announced Dark Horse Comics will be releasing the original manga series in the U.S. in the near future.
— Somali and the Forest Spirit —
If you were to look up “wholesome anime” in some giant search tool database then this series needs to be it’s flagship example (that and “Yuru Camp”) and gosh darn it this is such an unbelievably cute and wonderful series to experience. I hate to make spoilers here but was more hoping episode 12 would not be the extremely sad, final moments of our gentle giant forest golem and at the end we find out that this journey will be continuing on but the question is for how long and at what costs. Sadly there is no second season planned yet, the original manga series is still technically on going but I really want to see this tale all the way to it’s hopefully happy end. The overall quality of the series is absolutely amazing and bravo to the background art team for making some highly stunning visuals and surroundings, yet I’m not sure if the whole “adventures in babysitting” story will please everyone and hate to say Somali is kind of a dumb, annoying brat but I’m gonna say this anime needs to be experienced at least once in everyone’s lifetime and praying this will be continuing in the near future. THE HUMAN CHILD MUST BE PROTECTED!!! I give this series 9 homemade baked soufflés out of 10. The entire series is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and VRV with an English dub version also streaming on Crunchyroll, sadly the original manga series is unlicensed.
— Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun —
Let me be honest here, even though the original manga series is categorized as “shonen”, this is really not a male-friendly series and I more believe it’s better made for the girlies. Some flags that give me that impression include: we got the ditzy, blushing female lead that we follow with little cute spirit creatures roaming around her and much of the other main cast of protags and antags are cute school boys and other males, plus there is even some seasonings of boys love in the story too. At least I will give props to Studio Lerche for creating some highly unique art-styles to the series and they make it like you are watching moving colored version of the original manga come to life, sure the animation qualities aren’t the the most spectacular here but they definitely make it interesting to watch. Plus that opening theme is still a rockin’ banger of an anime tune. The end of episode 12 pretty much leaves the story way too open-ended and according to Yen Press, the U.S. publisher of the original manga, the anime goes over the first seven volumes and so far there are 12 released in Japan so I’m sure a second season will planned in the near future. Even with it’s more girl-friendly tones I did find the series fairly interesting and I’m digging all of the supernatural aspects of the series but as far as watching any more of it is questionable, it’s fun but may not be everyone’s cup of tea. I rate this series 7 steps on the “misaki stairs” out of 10. The entire series is currently streaming on Funimation and Hulu with an English dub also streaming on Funimation, the original manga series is being released by Yen Press and is currently up to volume 9.
— In/Spectre —
Going to be honest here again but this whole anime could of been done in only six episodes, why they had to drag a single case story for 10 freaking episodes is well beyond me and would of been nice to have more supernatural spirit cases with our cute and cuddly Kotoko-chan afterwards. Yeah, yeah, I’m sure the original, ongoing manga and novel series most likely couldn’t support another story to fill in but as is you just got a 12 episode anime that is so stretched out to friggin hell, and they explain everything way too thoroughly and sometimes I’m saying “ok, ok, now just to get the point already!”. Also I hate to be bitchy but the anime never confirmed what happened with the admin of the “Steel Lady Nanase” website, it did show assumptions on what happened but I don’t believe the anime ever follow-upped on it. On the positive side I did greatly enjoy the main antags of Kotoko and Kuro and their escapades into the realm of the Japanese supernatural and “yokai” situations. plus studio Brain’s Base did some nice quality work to the series and nothing seemed too under average, although more wished they put in better animation effort into the opening and ending themes. Honestly I really would not mind seeing another anime season of this being made and love to see more mysteries that the story is offering here but I’m more afraid that the show will just drag me to “jigoku” and back again. These ghosts are busted a 7 out of 10. The entire series is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and VRV with an English dub streaming on Crunchyroll, the original manga series is being released by Kodansha USA and is currently up to volume 11.
— Darwin’s Game —
Bottom line on this one: Just stay the frick away from this one. I know “battle royale” anime aren’t done all too often but the way this one was executed was practically a royale shit show and how I got through all the way to the end of this season is well beyond me. Plus much of the last 3rd portions of the episodes were just going through one random thing after another and a lot of it just didn’t make much sense, like in one episode you see the M.C. win the “treasure hunt” and then in the next episode you see him in some random battle arena fighting a hulking thug? Maybe my memory of the past episode was removed from all existence but that was just flipping weird. Plus how the hell did Shuka set up all of those thin wires in the warehouse to counterattack Wang’s power in the final episode? And then what the f**k happened to Kaname’s school friend? He just got new D-game powers and then boom! Deado! (think I care about spoilers with this? No) I’m sure the manga version goes over these situations in much better details (and I’m sure the art is better) and yet for the anime as is it’s really not worth it. I guess I’ll give positive points to Studio Nexus for making a couple nicely animated action and battle scenes and the opening song is pretty cool too but that’s about it. I rate this 5 transports to the digital death zone out of 10. You can see this all for yourself on Funimation and Hulu and will eventually be all streaming on Crunchyroll and VRV with an English dub version streaming on Funimation, the original manga series has yet to be U.S. licensed.
— Pet —
Now for this series I was really hoping for the anime to be a highly thought provoking and well remembered experience, especially all of the great anime talents backing up this show but at the end I was like “well…. what the f**k ever….” I really don’t want to make spoilers with this one and hate to say that the situations that are being shown during the final episodes are going to be really hard to explain briefly and I’m even still wrapping my head around them but overall this was entirely tripped out series with a mind-hack story that seems to just bounce around all over the place. Deep down, I didn’t hate it, in fact this may quite possibly be Geno Studio’s most impressive TV animation work yet and much of the dream-like effects and animation were all very well done, plus I still highly enjoy both the opening and ending themes of the series and are quite possibly high competitors for best of the year already. The story will get somewhat out of context in a couple places (beware the boat scene) and hate to say I wasn’t really pleased with it’s final end, assuming this series covered all five volumes of the original manga, but it’s definitely a highly unique anime experience to check out but it’s really not going to be for everyone, if you are looking for something that’s just “different” then by all means check into it. I rate this 7 smashed fishtanks out of 10. The entire series is currently streaming only on Amazon however the original manga series has yet to be U.S. licensed.
— Dorohedoro —
This is definitely one of those anime that’s really hard to explain but once you get to more know about the ins and outs of the world and it’s systems and follow it’s completely f**ked up nature then be ready to be treated to one of the most amusing and unique, albeit extremely violent, series for all of this season. I highly liked practically all of the characters this screwed up show has to offer and every one was really interesting to watch and by the 12th episode’s end I really didn’t want to let them go and love to see what nut-ball shit will be in store in later chapters, that is if a second season is made. Plus this anime features some of the best and most detailed background art I have ever seen and I especially loved all of the gothic architecture of the magic users realm, it’s almost like it takes place in the “Devil May Cry” universe (and wouldn’t be surprised with actual hell devils roaming around) and even the details of “The Hole” were extremely well done. Also found out that the art director of the anime is Shinji Kimura and he was also behind doing the background art for the “Akira” movie and he also worked on “Steamboy”, “Tekkonkinkreet” and “Blood Blockade Battlefront”. There is a hefty downside to this series and that’s the CG animation work for the characters, I didn’t think they were done badly but it’s much more choppier animation style still heavily reminded me of the 2016 and 2017 “Berserk” TV anime (and trust me, that was really not a good time), hopefully with it’s home BluRay release studio MAPPA and their other teams will reanimate some of the more uglier scenes better or even completely hand draw them. Also still wished the opening theme was a bit less weird and more rememberable, also for one of the various different ending themes they just reused cells, backgrounds and footage from other past endings with a bouncing mushroom and Caiman head in the mix, talk about lazy. Overall I had freakishly fun time with this one and I just know these 12 episodes really only scratched the surface of the original manga and really hoping for more anime to get made in the near future. I rate this 8 scrumptious meat pies, with a side order of Nikaido’s gyozas, out of 10. All 12 episodes will be streaming on Netflix in the near future but for now will have to resort to non-legal methods to watch, all 23 volumes of the original manga series have been released by Viz (yet due to the series age volumes maybe hard to come by).
— Isekai Quartet 2 —
Even though yet another season was just announced after the end of it’s second I’m going to say that this is going to be the final time I’m going to experience the high school antics of our lovely multi-anime cast of isekai series characters. At least I’m fortunate enough to know much about all of the numerous cast this series throws at you because I’ve watched all available anime episodes of each series portrayed yet even still think that it’s an extremely high requirement in order to get the best experience out of this series. Then it looks like the series maybe eventually plop in characters of “Cautious Hero” which I have never seen any episodes of at all and possibly others that are produced by Kadokawa. The first series was fairly amusing to watch and did get some decent funny chuckles out of it but for this season it just seemed more of the “same-old-same-old” and with situations that just seemed over twice as more dumb than what was in the first. At least I still get a kick out of the 16-bit video game graphic ending song in each series. I rate this school of hard knocks a 6 out of 10. Both seasons are streaming on both Crunchyroll, VRV, Funimation and Hulu with an English dubbed version of the 1st season streaming on both Crunchyroll and Funimation, also the first season is out on BluRay from Funimation.
— Ishuzoku (Interspecies) Reviewers —
I’ll be making this one brief, despite it’s no-holds-barred sexual raunchiness for the whole series, deep down, I had fun watching this, even with situations that got me saying “you got to be f**king kidding me!” and no damn wonder both Funimation and Amazon had to drop their streaming of the series entirely. Also, honestly Studio Passione should consider doing more hentai-ish works and I wouldn’t be surprised they put in more effort into this than most other hentai anime productions. Just a word of warning, the original manga series, let’s just say is quite less “graphic” than this series and instead of seeing our horny adventurers “party” you only get their written texts of their reviews and more have to use your imagination to find what happened. If you don’t mind the oddball and utterly horny weirdness of the whole story and situations then you could have an enjoyable time with this but I’m really not forcing you to check into it. The original manga is still ongoing, also there is a bonus spin-off manga series too so the chances for another season are fairly positive. I rate this 7 trips to the succubus tower out of 10. There are no official U.S. streaming sites for the anime yet and will have to resort to non-legal methods to watch them, the original manga and light novel versions are being released by Yen Press.
*** Continuing Series ***
— My Hero Academia —
Talk about ending the season with a bang, hell more like a damn nuclear explosion!! The battle with Endeavor and the new flying hero “Hawks” against a heavily upgraded version of “Nomu” that was in the very first season of MHA was just balls to the wall amazing and absolutely featured the best animation and action sequences this whole season had to offer. Just a damn shame you had to trudge through 24 episodes of a fairly mediocre story and some really dumb situations to get to this point. I will admit, the mid-season battles against “Overhaul” were fairly enjoyable and also the big school rock show episode was pretty fun to watch but everything else in between was just blah-blah stuff and I will still overall vote this as the worst season this series has to date. It’s not a complete and utter disappointment but compared to what I experienced from the past three seasons I personally thought it was. Now with season 5 in the works it’s probably going to be a while, maybe more than a year, until we see what more villainous dangers will be in store for our gifted youngsters, also really hope to see more of that bunny girl, she was hot. :) Was watching on Crunchyroll, it’s also streaming on VRV, Funimation and Hulu along with all past seasons.
— Railgun T —
It’s pretty interesting to get into much more detailed stories of characters that were briefly shown either during past seasons of Railgun or the main Magical Index series, in this case it’s another level 5 ranked “esper” Misaki whom can mind control and brainwash anyone from a certain TV remote control she carries, also apparently her mind is linked to a giant neural computer that is actually made of her brain matter that was grown to the size of the freaking “mother brain” from the Metroid games, what the frick? Still a bummer that episodes have been delayed due to COVID19 concerns, we just now got to episode 10 and with current world events it’s highly unknown what is going to happen with future episodes, even same goes with any newer series airing this April. Watching on Crunchyroll.
— Food Wars —
Again, I’m only on season two, yet even in highly predicable shounen anime like this one it’s sometimes not guaranteed to have the main hero win a major battle yet I just know he will use his loss to become much more stronger for the next bout. Actually it was pretty hilarious that his tournament dish started fairly mediocre for the judge’s tastes but then he revealed a secondary component and it’s was like saying to them “THIS ISN’T EVEN MY FINAL FORM!!!”. Still a bummer he lost (to what and whom, well, you gotta watch the show for that) but still having fun experiencing the culinary nuttiness of it all, and another bummer is I only have two more episodes left of the 2nd season and really not sure if Toonami will be continuing this series but will just have to wait and see, sure I could watch more on Crunchyroll but really not sure when. Watching on demand through Adult Swim.
— Black Clover —
Go! Go! Clover Rangers! Honestly think the Black Bulls hideout will never be the same again after this whole magic elf battle is over with. Also really dig the new “water valkyrie” spell Noelle has gotten herself. The battles and situations on where I am (almost toward the end of last fall season’s episodes, I believe) have been going ok but they’re nothing all too spectacular, yet being pretty close to the season finale I’m sure Studio Pierrot has in store some banging and impressive animated spectacles up their sleeves. Watching on demand through Adult Swim.
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