Shenmue The Animation Episode 8: Aspiration - Summary/Review

Ryo is now living with Xiuying (Lishao Tao) in an attempt to learn about Yuanda Zhu. At the same time, he still has 2 more Wude to learn. How will this play out? Click "read more" and let's take a look.

Green Phoenix - How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom Review

As I have stated in the past, my appetite for anime can be very picky and distinctive, preferring light-hearted slice of life and romance stories to the more dramatic or dark stories that tend to become the main stays of anime seasons. I will gladly take a That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime or Restaurant to Another World to Attack on Titan anytime.

And among this list, I tend to find isekai's a surprisingly enjoyable affair, even if I do think some of them tend to come out a bit rote and tropy. Just the degree of fun of a fantasy setting, chance for silly romance moments from a harem anime, and the introduction of modern world elements to lend a degree of science fiction to the whole mix really brings me a tremendous amount of joy.

So it should come to know surprise that I found myself drawn to How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom. I was drawn to the anime due to its focus on modern technologies and political intrigue, utilizing a grounded sense of actual political acumen in our main character  rather than overwhelming magical powers granted through sheer dumb luck. But was this an accurate approximation of what we as the audience were sold. With both Part 1 and Part 2 of this show now finished, the question now arises. Was How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom good or was it just another one of the cookie cut-out generic isekai.

Could there be something more?

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Sonic Team's Biggest Problem

 

Shenmue The Animation Episode 7: Future - Summary/Review

 

Back again as Ryo continues his quest through Hong Kong. I know from the games that this is the time when Ryo has people actively try to stop his quest for revenge. However, this anime has a smarter Ryo that is looking for not just revenge but the truth about his Father's past. So, I am very curious to know how this will play out. Click "read more" and let the analysis begin.

Green Phoenix - ClueFinders 5th Grade Retrospective

 

Over the last few months, I have periodically been releasing minor retrospectives on the ClueFinders educational video game series that I and my sister grew up playing throughout elementary and middle school. In the past, I have examined 3rd Grade - The Mystery of Mathra and 4th Grade - Puzzle of the Pyramid. I found these games enjoyable to watch with a fun, if a little silly, story and premise that I think really works for the purposes of presenting good educational gameplay.

However, I never actually grew up with these two games, and was instead made aware of them from my younger schoolmates and friends, who would let me play them when I was at their home (Yes, I understand how dorky it is to play educational games at a friends house, but I also played Hearts of Iron 2 with one of my neighbors dads' as a kid so you can suck it; I do what I want).

Today's retrospective will cover the first actual game in the franchise that I ever owned, 5th Grade Adventures - Secret of the Living Volcano. And let me tell you, the story behind this one is really weird but also to my memory quite enjoyable and engaging. Even if the twist is a little out there compared to the rest of the franchise.

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Shenmue The Animation Episode 6: Dignified - Summary/Review

We have officially entered Shenmue 2 territory. My favorite video game of all time, which is going to make this difficult for me to watch without being biased. While a fair amount was cut from Shenmue 1, none of it was major content with the exception of the homeless old man. However, Shenmue 2 had a lot more story and plenty of extra content. I do not expect to see any of that extra stuff beyond an Easter Egg. (So no duck racing or collecting move scrolls.) Despite that, I am actually eager to see what they do with the Hong Kong arc since the Japan one was handled very well. So, click "read more" and let us get started.

Green Phoenix - Pompo the Cinéphile Review

 

Its not often that I get an opportunity to see a limited release film, given their comparative rarity in my area (Dayton isn't exactly the hot-button region for exclusive releases in the present day). So when my sister invited me to watch a recently released dub of a highly rated anime film, I must admit that I was intrigued and excited.

The fact that this film was also covering the power of films and the filmmaking process also deeply touched my heart and made enthralled to see just how the creators would bring such a personal subject to the screen. I absolutely movies about making movies, as seen by one of my favorite films Singin' in the Rain from 1952. So it should be no surprise then that I was immediately compelled to watch Pompo the Cinéphile, based on the manga by Shogo Sugitani.

And after having watched the film last Thursday, I must admit that I am completely enraptured and utterly enchanted by a colorful, passionate piece that absolutely understands and appreciates the power of filmmaking and the importance of every single role that goes into making those films. Pompo truly understands the magic of movies and expresses that in every frame of the film.

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