Categories
Manga One Piece

I’m Scared of the Reverie (One Piece)

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Scared how awesome it’ll be!

Come on! The Reverie was first introduced in chapter 142. Wow! Been a long time coming. A meeting of world leaders. I bet the nightly parties are amazing. Heard a rumor Beyonce was performing but who knows.

I do know we’ll see returning past characters from earlier arcs like Vivi, Stelly, Dalton, and Wapol. Dalton and Wapol in the same room, that’ll be fun. Maybe Coby or Neptune will show. King Riku will probably be there. Not to mention Cersei Lannister and Princess Celestia, but only as background characters. Seriously though, maybe the third admiral, Green Bull, makes an appearance. At least one admiral must be going for added security.

Oh, the sweet sweet world building to come. The stuff between arc crusts are just as compelling as the arcs themselves. Now we get a nice plumped world building arc! We’ll learn most, if not, all the current news around the world. The hierarchy among world leaders and, possibly, Celestial Dragons. Information the World Government knows about the state of the Revolutionaries, and the most dangerous pirates. We can’t forget possible talk of eliminating the seven Warlords. And, perhaps, we may see someone with a solution to all the government’s problems. *coughtVegapunkcough*

While it’s doubtful the Strawhats themselves will make an appearance (with so many old characters returning we don’t need them there), I’ve been debating whether the Strawhats are big time enough to garner their own crisis panel at the conference.

Who am I kidding? Luffy has done WAY too much not to earn his own special bullseye target from the world!
Defeating Crocodile and Moria AND Doflamingo.
Burning the World Government flag at Enis Lobby.
Participating the the Marineford War where everyone learned he’s Monkey D. Dragon’s son.
And…beating Katakuri and escaping Totto land. That’s it, folks. That’s the tipping point. When you can beat Big Mom’s strongest subordinate AND escape Totto Land, no one can deny you. You. ARE. The. Real. Deal.
Doesn’t take a genius to realize if you beat the strongest pirate in Big Mom’s crew, there’s nowhere to go but up to Yonko tier or Pirate King. Luffy and the Straw Hats have to be stopped and the Reverie is the place to figure out how. Unless, some uninvited guests come and screw things up. Or both!

I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t put so many expectations into the Reverie but it’s been built up for so long and Oda is a master world builder. I know he’s been planning it for years. YEARS! I really, really shouldn’t…but I will. Take all my excitement Oda and give us fans something mind blowing. I know you of all people can do it.

Categories
Hipster Hotline Manga

Hipster Hotline: Baby & Me

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Baby & Me is the slice-of-life story of elementary school student, Takuya Enoki, and his younger brother, Minoru. Their mother died in a car accident so it’s up to Takuya to take care of Minoru while his dad works. Becoming your brother’s nanny while still dealing with your mother’s death is not easy for Takuya. He knows he’s missing out on the carefree life his classmates have and Minoru isn’t always an easy kid to take care of. Takuya is a good child but the stress of dealing with this responsibility is told very well. He gets mad, frustrated—it’s nice to have a main character who isn’t unrealistically positive. It’s a bad situation but he does his best to handle it, for better or worse.

Categories
cartoon Hipster Hotline

Hipster Hotline: Reboot

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I don’t how to approach this. Well, let’s start by getting the general stuff out the way.

Reboot is a great series. Sure, the computer animation doesn’t hold up, especially in the first season, but the plot is fantastic. Well, it starts getting really good in the second season. What I’m trying to say is Reboot is original, groundbreaking, and entertaining.

Reboot is the story of a world inside your computer called Mainframe, protected by a Guardian called Bob. He fights you, the user, in video games, and also computer viruses. Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Oh, boy!

*coughcough*

Anyway, like with most Hipster recommendations, it’s all about the story. Reboot is a show not afraid to be funny one episode, serious the next, though mostly it’s funny. Reboot is telling a story, and bad things happen to people, bad people even win sometimes. Things get crazy and our heroes have to handle it. Actions have consequences, weight to them. I’m painting a much darker picture of the show than I think it is but too many kids shows don’t deviate much from a standard formula. Bad things happen and by the end of the episode everything is as it was. Since I was a child I always hated when kid shows treated their audience like idiots. Reboot doesn’t do that. That’s why I love it.

Characters learn, grow, change because of personal experience. And, yeah, the villains seems one-note in the beginning, but they, like Bob, Dot, Enzo and the other regular cast are evolving. It’s amazing how Reboot starts as simply a standard cartoon with a CGI gimmick becoming something more, something its creators slowly build into a complex world full of dangers, we the audience as well as the protagonists, take for granted as minor grievances, but, in reality, are capable of causing great destruction and misery.

Categories
Hipster Hotline music

“The Night Begins to Shine” (Teen Titans Go)

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Teen Titans Go is decent. I remember trying to get into it during its first season and bailed, but I have watched some funny clips and episodes on YouTube since then. It’s a gamble. You may get a funny episode or a clunker. In my opinion, the show is best watched on YouTube where fans post the best moments of the series. Alright, with that out the way, let’s talk about “The Night Begins to Shine”.

“The Night Begins to Shine” is an 80’s rock styled song made in 2005 by a band called B.E.R. It was the focus of an episode about Cyborg’s love of it. Gotta say, he’s not wrong. I like this song. I REALLY like this song. It’s so good I thought it actually was made in the 80s!

I haven’t been this infatuated with a cartoon song since Spongebob Squarepants’ Sweet Victory episode. Well, not counting Futurama’s Robot Hell song, but that’s more for adults. Can’t count anime or kids movies either, I guess. Point is, “The Night Begins to Shine” is a great song if you’re in the mood for 80’s rock. It’s, honestly, too good for Teen Titans Go. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Side note: After a little research I learned “The Night Begins to Shine” hit the Billboard charts earlier this year and it was covered by CeeLo Green and Fall Out Boy. Does that still qualify it as hipster? Well, it didn’t hit the Top 20 and I’m recommending the B.E.R. version only, so I’ll allow it.

Categories
Manga Meet The Geek My Hero Academia

Meet the Geek: Camie (My Hero Academia)

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Time to end this discussion once and for all. I sat down with Shiketsu’s very own Camie to learn if she really was who she claimed to be.

 

Redgeek: Thank you for coming, Toga. I know this is a busy time for you.
Camie: My name’s Camie. Can I get your contact info?
Redgeek: So…killed anyone lately? You know, someone blocking you on the way to school, a waiter getting your order wrong, or even—I don’t know—a high school student whose blood you consumed so you can infiltrate one of the best hero schools in the country?
Camie: Have my own Discord channel if you want to join.
Redgeek: Hmmm…. Okay, you’re a friendly young lady. Tell me about your friends.
Camie: Oh, I have lots of friends! Always fun hanging out when not training.
Redgeek: Older friends? With many hands or burn scars?
Camie: What are you talking about?
Redgeek: Look, I just wanna know if you’re Toga in disguise.
Camie: What? No way! I’m Camie, see how happy and well adjusted I am. I’m just your average Japanese girl who can’t go one chapter without talking about a boy.
Redgeek: *sigh* I really need to talk to Hirokoshi again. Anyway, if you are Camie then what’s up with that bloody knife on the table.
Camie: No, no. That’s ketchup. I was making French fries.
Redgeek: Cutting French fries after pouring ketchup?
Camie: Weird huh? Saw it on Food Network and had to try it.
Redgeek: You know, Deku figured it out. The heroes got you dead-to-rights.
Camie: Deku! Uh, who’s that? Sound’s cool.
Redgeek: Well, looks like I won’t get anything out of you. Before we go, do you have anything you want to say to all your fans?
Camie: Yes, I didn’t steal my hero costume from Black Widow. She stole it from me!
Redgeek: Okay then, this is Redgeek signing off. Goodnight.
*STAB!*
Redgeek: The hell!
Camie: Oh, sorry! I was trying to kill a fly on your shoulder. It landed in front of your heart. I’ll get it this time!
Redgeek: Nooooo!
*STAB!*
Camie: There. Got it…

Categories
cartoon Dead

Jokey Smurf Dead at 153

 

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It was bound to happen eventually. Resident practical joker and Overwatch rage quitter, Jokey Smurf died yesterday from, what else, a practical joke gone wrong.

Jokey Carlin Smurf, known for getting residents of Smurf Village to fall for the same exploding gift joke for decades, got the ultimate surprise trying a new explosive for use in his classic gag. The blue prankster, according to Autopsy Smurf, used too much C-4 resulting in a mishandled explosion blowing the shirtless comedian to bits. A statement released just hours ago from Obvious Smurf said “Duh! Like anyone needs a PhD to figure that out.”

Jokey’s funeral is slated to be held at Quarrel Castle with an estimated expected crowd of at least ten. Seems the joking smurf’s reputation precedes him as almost everyone thinks it’s some kind of elaborate joke. According to Jokey’s will, his funeral will be a comedy roast hosted by Pee-Wee with guest appearances from Dave Chappelle, Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer, Bianca Del Rio, Grouchy Smurf, and Jeff Ross. Get your tickets now. Wizards under two-hundred get in free. Absolutely no gift boxes allowed!

Categories
Hipster Hotline

Hipster Hotline: Power Rangers Hyperforce

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Never thought I’d put anything Power Rangers related on the hotline but here we are. Power Rangers Hyperforce is a Dungeons & Dragons type show on Twitch about five Time Force cadets from the year 3016 on a quest to stop a mysterious organization from causing destruction. All while trying to not screw up the time/space continuum.

I’m no expert D&D player, never played it all actually. My RPGs have all been in video game and book forms. I’m reviewing this from that and a podcasting perspective. It’s a show requiring imagination. If you like Power Rangers and are willing to let your mind’s eyes do the driving, you’re in for a good time.

You can either watch the show live and interact with other members of the audience via the chat room, or, if you don’t subscribe to Hyper RPG, watch the episodes a week later on their YouTube channel. That’s where my podcasting side takes over. Each episode is over two hours long,  so you can watch the video or just listen while doing other things. The creators know this and even have episodes on itunes. Basically, you enjoy the show however you like.

The story is good but it’s helped further by the great cast. Each ranger player is entertaining and able to think on their feet, er, butt, resulting in some good improv. And the show’s GM (Game Master)is good too, but, again, I’m not a D&D expert. Having Paul Schrier (actor who played Bulk in MMPR) as Hyperforce Yellow and the occasional guest ranger from the TV show gives the RPG show cannon street cred, making it genuinely feel part of ranger lore.

If you like D&D, Power Rangers, or podcasts, give Hyperforce a watch/listen. If it stays on track it’ll only get better from here. It’s morphine time! …*sigh* I always get that wrong.

Categories
Manga My Hero Academia

Camie & Tokoyami, Mystery Duo (My Hero Academia)

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Camie, are you Toga?
So, Camie are you Toga?
Are you Toga, Camie?
You’ve been stabbed by
You’ve been stabbed by
A smooth criminal

Two big questions about chapter 163: Is that the real Camie? And where is Tokoyami? Let’s start with Camie.

I think that’s Toga in disguise. Why? Because her reintroduction is too normal. Up until this chapter most readers would put money on Camie being dead and here she casually reappears ready to retake the Hero Provisional Exam. Sorry, I mean TAKE the exam. Toga impersonated her last time. I don’t think a hero candidate worth their sea salt would think someone else completing half an exam under your identity is fair. Also, if she escaped or was saved from Toga, the school would most likely know and ask her to retake the full exam. So, unless the real Camie is a scummy, that is Toga.

But, why is Toga still impersonating Camie, redgeek? I don’t know. Maybe she was asked to go to a hero school by Shigaraki. Sure, it could be her idea, but I don’t think so now. Back when she first messed with Deku I did, assuming crazy Toga was just being crazy. Now, I think the villains are planning something. We still don’t know how much time she has left in Deku’s form. Maybe…the villains are after All Might. Or, maybe it’s something bigger than that. These days I’m not underestimating Shigaraki. This dude got something planned.

But, what about the heroes? Deku figured out the link between Toga and Camie during the Overhaul arc. I know a lot happened, but no way our tactical, always thinking Deku somehow forgot about that. Yet, it wasn’t touched on at all after the fact. I think there’s some off-panel shenanigans going on. Deku told the authorities and they set a trap for Toga. Endeavor IS on assignment. The new number one is hunting for League members and is hoping Toga will lead him to the biggest fish, Shigaraki!

Categories
Survive video games

Survive: Johto Region (Pokemon)

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How long can I survive in my favorite Pokemon region?

Let’s start with the basics. No, actually let’s start with that ariados about to attack me. I hate spiders! I escape but need a pokemon. Don’t have a fishing rod so no water pokemon for me, damn—love my water pokes. Okay, no choice but to grab that wild metapod. Takes a while but it evolves into a butterfree. Beat down a couple six-year old’s level four rattata and get enough money to buy my Big Butt (butterfree’s name) a pokeball.

I can live off berries but need a job. I buy more pokeballs and start catching pokemon, but since I’m not officially registered I can’t catch more than six, no PC boxes. So much for becoming a Gym Leader. It’s the underground pokeworld for me. I use my perfectly balanced team of six pokemon (Butterfree [Big Butt], Raichu [Evil Pikachu, I should change its name], Gengar [Gengar, Was in a hurry that day], Azumarill [Wizard of Az], Sandslash [Prince, everyone should have a pokemon named after Prince], and Umbreon [Fido, so hipster]) and begin building my reputation as a strong pokemon trainer, getting the attention of Team Rocket. Won’t take long before I’m an executive, mowing down some punk kid with a typhlosion who thought he could mess with me.

Team Rocket ultimately does dissolve leaving me to form my own group, Team Tricycle. See, it’s non-threatening so the cops won’t take us seriously. In a couple years, I’ll build enough power to…what the hell am I trying to do again? Oh, yeah, survive. I’m just having so much fun!

Okay, factoring the time taken to catch and train pokemon, the amount of wild pokemon, and sheer annoyance of pokemon contests, I can survive the Johto Region for…

Categories
anime Hipster Hotline

Hipster Hotline: Colorful (anime)

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I need a hug.

Colorful is an anime movie released in 2010 about a boy, Makoto Kobayashi, who dies but gets another chance at life inside the body of a boy who committed suicide. With no memories of his previous life, Makoto picks up where the boy left off, seemingly surviving his suicide attempt.

This movie hits close to home. While I never attempted suicide I have thought about it in the past and I certainly been bullied and had an overall lonely school life. It was hard to watch at some points. While not bullied the same way as Makoto, I had my share of bad experiences. But, it wasn’t about the bullying as much as feeling things would never get better. That the normal attitude of most people was constantly set to Uncaring Asshole. Why is the world like this? Why can’t I have a friend? Will things always be this way?

Colorful can’t answer give you solid answers, nothing can. Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don’t, but what the movie does is allow people to see that if you want your life to change, you have to change. A little perspective goes a long way, and if you can focus on being a better you, maybe, something good will happen. It’s not easy, but it is possible.

We learn over the course of the movie about the boy who committed suicide, his family, and why he killed himself. It’s a slow build that keeps you watching, even throwing in some unexpected twists that I won’t even try to touch on. This is a movie best watched knowing the bare minimum. Now, before you dismiss the movie as a bummer fest, there are hopeful moments. You’re rooting for the main character. Yes, the story gets dark, but that means when good things happen it’s that much more meaningful.

Colorful isn’t a movie trying to give advice how to stop bullying. It’s about hope and forgiveness. Life isn’t simple, or maybe it is and we make it complicated, I don’t know. All I know is that this is a great emotional movie deserving of anyone who felt they didn’t belong or just wanted a friend. The highest of recommendations.

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