Dec 312011
 

Yes, he’s still alive. And his New Year’s resolution? The same thing it is every year: try to take over the world. But wait, before that, back to the “normal” suburbs to visit the family… And the stark amount of concentrated normality that comes with it…

Okay, so after being liberated from the education system, I wish you all belated Happy Chritsmases, Chanukahs, Kwanzas, and such holidays. And for lots of folks it’s around that time where you have some kind of lull in work, either from a winter break as a student or a day or two off from the job. With a smidgeon more time at home, what to do? Chances are there’s someone you know who doesn’t understand the passions of holy geek-dom, so how do you make things a bit more accessible to the mainstream crowd? Well, I’ve got a few recommendations of recent stuff you could show to a [normal] friend, your folks, or significant other who hasn’t the foggiest idea what the heck you talk about.

Anime Series and Films

For those who have no clue about anime other than your typical long-running confusing shonen, dive into your library and try showing that person some of these more recent titles.

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Dec 302011
 

Oh the holidays, a time for joy, family, and murder! And if you’re like me, and your family goes to the movies on Christmas, that’s exactly what you got if you went to go see the new David Fincher project.

Yes, it is that time, dear readers, when I must sit down and wrestle with whether or not it’s time to take back all the shit I have said about the 2011 re-imagining of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.


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Dec 292011
 

When I was young, I read through just about every single comic in The Adventures of Tintin series by the acclaimed Belgian cartoonist Hergé. Since the Tintin movie just premiered in theaters, I thought it appropriate to review one of the comics where it all began. The only collection of Tintin comics I actually own is The Blue Lotus, one of the slightly more controversial and difficult to find titles. It had been almost a decade and a half since I last read a Tintin comic; how did The Blue Lotus stack up when viewed from an adult perspective?

Originally serialized in Le Petit Vigntième in Brussels between 1934 and 1935, Le Lotus Bleu, as it was first known, details Tintin’s adventures in Shanghai during 1931. It was a turbulent time in the Far East: the Empire of Japan began its colonial expansion in earnest, while Western powers still vied for trading rights across China. In the midst of it all, China faced political upheaval, almost powerless to resist the coming foreign forces. But enough of the history lesson, let’s talk about Tintin!

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Dec 282011
 

The title for Fate/Zero... It's not particularly exciting I guess, though the slash mixing with the Z is kind of cool.

EDIT: Check out the review for Fate/Zero Part 2 here!

This week I’ll be reviewing what I can pretty safely say was the best anime this year. Not safely because it’s not arguable, but safely because the year is pretty much out. Anyway, the anime I’m talking about is Fate/Zero. Based in Nasu’s popular Type-Moon universe, this work was initially a light novel by Urobuchi Gen (wrote for the VN Saya no Uta, and the anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica) and has recently become an anime for the fall season. I’m reviewing the first thirteen episodes of this show since it’s going on hiatus until the spring season of next year, and there’s been enough material that I feel I can give at least the first half a good once-over in review.

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Dec 262011
 

In lieu of another Christmas themed show, I’ve decided to review the recently finished Mawaru Penguindrum. Why? Because it’s relevant. Anyway, I hope everyone’s holidays are going great, because then they’ll have ample time to watch Penguindrum.

Though not the point of this review, I often find it hard to tell who the art style caters to.

Mawaru Penguindrum is famous director’s Kunihiko Ikuhara’s newest anime (he’s famous for the various Sailor Moon anime and Revolutionary Girl Utena), and it’s animated by Brain’s Base. If you’ve watched Utena, you very much know what to expect. If not, then Penguindrum is an anime that’s laden with tons of symbolism that seek to mask the inner workings of the plot. Does Penguindrum come out to be a truly deep anime that has multiple plot and character levels, or is the symbolism too heavy handed and just there to mask a simple plot? As this just happens to be my most interesting opening question asked, you’ll get an interesting answer as well.

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Dec 262011
 

Everyone is probably more used to seeing my thoughts on comics, but believe it or not I’m also a casual anime fan. Today I’d like to tell everyone about my favorite, and probably the best, Gundam series ever made: Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. This past Saturday I sat down with a good friend to watch the series in its entirety; as I watched, I was reminded just how much I love 0080. The series, an OVA released in the early 90s, isn’t well known, but after this article I hope you’ll jump to check it out! Continue reading »

Dec 252011
 

Byakuren  Hijiri

Art by: のんべー

Hey all here’s a late Christmas post.  We here at Moar Powah! wish everyone a happy holidays!  Relax and be sure to watch plenty of sports, anime, and movies.  Also a great time to catch up on your back log of video games too :) Continue reading »

Dec 232011
 

For the next three or so weeks, since I am stuck in the middle of nowhere, I decided that since I am not a huge Christmas/Holiday buff that I was going to do the best next thing – review movies in theaters now that strike my fancy and fits this column.

Sherlock Holmes, the greatest British literary detective ever, seems to always pop up in our entertainment. If it’s not a new show on the BBC, it’s a Hollywood movie series. Hell, I even remember watching the sci-fi Sherlock Holmes animated series as a kid.

But what makes this character so popular? Why is he used over and over again rather writing some new characters? What do I look like, a philosopher?

This week on Manic Movie Magic, we’re going to take a look at the newly released mystery thriller Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

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Dec 232011
 

. . . and a happy new (galactic) year!

It’s that time of year again! When all things holly and jolly congregate to deliver an oh most cherry conclusion to another awesome year! I have to say, 2011 was great. I had some really good times this year. Looking forward to 2012 and more importantly 3/6/12 . . . ^_^!!!!! . . . it’s shaping up to be the best year yet! Unfortunately, with such merry emotions surrounding all of us, time becomes a luxury and there never seems to be enough of it. Still, with what little time I have with you right now, I’d like to offer a Mass Effect holiday greeting with Wrex as Santa Claus. For the reindeer, we have the ever-expressive Elcor. If you don’t understand their speech, then you fail big time. Anyway, hope everyone is having a wonderful and safe holiday season and merry christmas to all!

-Fifth Fleet Out-

Dec 222011
 

Dakimakuras.  Better known as body pillows.  The debate (?) rages on to whether these things are creepy or artistic.  Me personally?  It depends on what the person’s intent is for buying a dakimakura.  If you’re going to end up marrying it, you got issues.  If your going to end up…”using” the pillow in certain ways, then you got issues.  If your name is Jack Guo and you buy one, then you got issues.  However, if your purpose is to merely admire the art, then it’s all good.  Some people like to hang the covers up like a poster or wall scroll.  I see nothing wrong with that.  They’re like pin-up girls to me.  Of course, not all dakimakuras are appropriate to hang up where everyone can see them.  Buying these types of dakimakuras may be frowned upon, but it’s like porn–every guy has it, just hide it. Continue reading »