Categories
Hipster Hotline Manga

Asura’s Verdict [Hipster Hotline]

Not everyday I stumble across a manga so interesting I read all of the available chapters in one sitting. But that’s what happened when I found Asura’s Verdict, created by Utsugi Unohana.

Asura Amashiro, a kind-hearted schoolboy following his dead mother’s philosophy that all evil doers eventually receive divine punishment, lives a positive life helping others when he can. But remaining positive is hard when you’re being bullied at school. And it’s a manga, so know the bullies are total bastards.

Luckily (or not), Asura is given a mysterious key that opens the door to Hell, immediately sending anyone he chooses there without that pesky need for them to die first.

So, let’s just get to why I’m recommending this series.

1.) The art is great. It’s expressive, clean, and fits the tone of whatever scene is happening, be it cute, disturbing, or flat out horrific.

2.) The key. At the time of writing, only nine chapters have been released but I’m very interested in the key’s origins and it effect something so powerful has on our sweet little protagonist.

3.) Asura. I’m EXTREMELY invested in this character. I’m rooting for him to have a good life. He’s suffered some brutal life traumas, Y’All. But! Even nine chapters in, you can tell he’s either mentally broken or at least cracked.

Categories
anime cartoon Hipster Hotline Wakfu

Wakfu: The Animated Series [Season 4 Episode 10 Review]

Qilby! Not him! Anyone but him!

Guess I should back track before complaining about what happened to one of the best characters in the show, eh?

We start with Zombie Efrim taking Nora’s mind-controlled body out to meet their mother. Looks likes he’s all finished using Nora to whip up a portal between the World of Twelve and Necroworld, so taking a little personal time to hit mommy with a few emotional jabs is the perfect way to finish off his productive day. It also doubles as a convenient way to let our heroes know Efrim is a Necro and has been using Nora to create portals.

This family reunion also gives the heroes a heads-up that the main invasion is about to go down. Oops! Probably should’ve sent an e-mail instead, Efrim.

Poor Nora gets a one-way ticket to Necroworld. Hey? Guess who’s gonna be making portals to every planet with life for Team Toross after the World of Twelve gets Sunday brunch’d? Here’s a hint: It ain’t Chell.

What? You said you wanted to get “stoned”.

Nora learning her “dead” twin brother’s been using her to jump start an universal zombie apocalypse is harsh. Toross is loving it though. In his eyes everyone will be equal because anyone left will just be a hungry Necro looking for their next meal. In case you haven’t guessed…Toross is a bit crazy.

Categories
anime cartoon Hipster Hotline Wakfu

Wakfu: The Animated Series [Season 4 Episode 9 Review]

Oropo’s back? NOOOO!

Noximilien. Qilby. Oropo. Toross Mordal. The Big Bads of Wakfu. One of these baddies suck. Care to guess which one?

…Qilby?

WRONG! I’m so disappointed in you, dear reader. No Yugo energy dinner for you!

Last episode ended with Yugo’s capture by Mordal. We open this episode, not surprisingly, with our favorite hero confined to a Wakfu sucking tower for the nutritional enjoyment of the residents of evil in Necroworld. Talk about a biohazard.

If Yugo’s Wakfu energy’s completely drained he dies or becomes a Wakfu Zombie. But, not to worry because…

(1.) Mordal knows how to ration Wakfu and…

(2.) Yugo’s got help in the form of…Oropo.

You’ve seen it before, my fellow anime/anime-adjacent cartoon fans. The Big Bad is super powerful—almost unstoppable—so the hero(es) must find a way to level up their skills, train to become stronger, or simply bullsh*t their way to ultimate victory.

Little Yugo’s getting a bit of all three.

Welcome to adulthood, Yugo. Enjoy your complimentary stack of bills and bowl of responsibilities.

~Mind Training~

Yep. Yugo’s mind training to up his EXP Points thanks to Oropo and Bouillon, two of Yugo’s unplanned kids (I guess Bouillon’s a Eliatrope despite not having Wakfu horns. Maybe glowing eyes is enough?) living in Yugo’s subconscious? Consciousness? Whatever. It’s all bullsh*t to make Yugo powerful enough to stop Mordal once he escapes. And you KNOW he’s gonna escape at some point.

Categories
anime cartoon Hipster Hotline Wakfu

Wakfu: The Animated Series [Season 4 Episode 7 Review]

Toross Mordal wants to know your location. And, no, he’s not asking permission.

I think it’s safe to say the undisputed king of the Necroworld will be this season’s Big Bad. Toross Mordal’s his name; eating wakfu’s his game. And by what looks to be six Dofus attached to his body, he’s playing for keeps. Not that it wasn’t obvious considering he kept the Eliatrope Goddess prisoner for centuries. Safe to say, the World of Twelve is screwed when he decides to take an Uber there himself.

What I find interesting is the other World of Twelve gods not only banished the E.G. to Necroworld knowing it’s residents could keep her imprisoned, but—if Nora’s correct—they did it to also gain more followers. It’s not that farfetched a theory considering Necroworld is described by Nora as a “rotten reflection of the World of Twelve”. Necroworld is the way it is because of that planet’s Dofus. It’s what could have happened if Yugo really screwed up using the Eliatrope Dofus back in the OVA.

School field trips when having social anxiety.

Not that the other World of Twelve gods care. They simply want more worshippers/followers. And you thought YouTube content creators where evil!

Categories
anime cartoon Hipster Hotline Wakfu

Wakfu: The Animated Series [Season 4 Episode 6 Review]

The Necros want a quick meal. But what happens when fast food fights back?

The World of Twelve isn’t taking the Necros invasion lightly. At least the main characters aren’t. Most of the planet doesn’t yet know how screwed they are. But no worries! Yugo and Amalia are on the job!

Most of the episode is focused on them and the Eliatropes trying to stop the invasion. Yugo and Amalia make a great team. The two were able to hold off hundreds of Necros for a few minutes without directly using wakfu. Not bad. Commence appreciative yet slightly sarcastic slow clapping.

You’re supposed to have one more sword in your mouth.

Fortunately, Nora, Qilby and some background Eliatropes decided to lend them a hand (one in Qilby’s case), forcing the Necros attacking Sadidia Kingdom to retreat. Well…actually, a mysterious Necros hiding in the shadows called off the attack. I wonder who this person could—Efrim.

There’s no point in dragging it out. We know Nora’s dragon twin brother fell while saving the Eliatrope Goddess. We learned in this episode a being drained by Necros become a Necros. 1+1=Zombie Efrim. Awkward family reunion incoming.

Categories
anime cartoon Hipster Hotline Wakfu

Wakfu: The Animated Series [Season 4 Episode 5 Review]

Invasion of the Wakfu Snachers!

What I love about this episode is watching both world-wide and interpersonal drama jamming together in dub-step harmony.

For example, the episode was almost bookmarked by the invading Cape Necros—first with their appearance in the World of Twelve and last with the group summoning a giant monster. But then, at the very end, we’re shown a quick shot of Yugo traveling to the Sadida Kingdom in order to help Amalia, defying his mother’s request to abandon this world. The main plot is slowly affecting our main characters in a natural and interesting way.

I talked about the beginning and end. Now, let’s get into the middle/meat/vegan alternate option part of the episode.

Armant and Amalia return to Sadidia after the World Leaders meeting. Armant, of course, is being a prick—concluding that the Eliatrope Goddess is a threat while also trying to gaslight Amalia into thinking she’s blinded by her feelings for Yugo because she doesn’t agree with him. What a royal pain in the tofu bird Az!

P. Necros be wanting to party, and you gotta tell them no.
Categories
Hipster Hotline

Iron Chef (Japan Version) [Hipster Hotline]

If memory serves me right, I’ve never talked about this series before.

Question: What classic tv show is now legally available for free on YouTube? No, not Dancing With the Stars? I think. (I haven’t’ checked actually.)

The answer is Iron Chef.

Iron Chef was a Japanese cooking competition television show where two cooking experts each have one-hour to make as many delicious meals as possible centered around a “theme ingredient”. The food is then presented to a panel of judges who give comments and then points for each meal. After that, a winner is decided. Simple, right?

But—like the food—the show truly shines through its unique flavor and presentation. Iron Chef is an experience. The host is theatrical. The commentators, sassy. The cooking stadium, grand. The challenger and Iron Chefs’ entrances, bombastic. And, the food, amazing.

…Well, it looks amazing. Enough, I get hungry watching every episode. Warning: Never watch Iron Chef on an empty stomach!

Categories
anime cartoon Hipster Hotline Wakfu

Wakfu: The Animated Series [Season 4 Episode 4 Review]

The true enemy of world peace—Politics.

Before we go there, I’d like to mention how much I loved this episode’s opening sequence. Wakfu turned the Eliatrope Goddess’ backstory into an AMV (Anime Music Video)! The music. The animation. The emotion. It all came together in an very fun way. Although “fun” may not be the correct word given what we saw.

As far as I can tell, The Eliatrope Goddess (E.G. if you’re nasty) hung out with the other gods/goddesses of the World of Twelve, then went traveling in space and met the Great Dragon (I spent two minutes researching before running away scared from all the lore). The two had a one-night stand in space (Giving a whole new meaning to “in space, no one can hear you scream”.), Yugo and his siblings were later born, then the other gods/goddesses—not liking her Baby Daddy (I think)—banished her to Space Nevada where she was trapped by some old pink-eyed dude. Trust me, it all looks cooler in the episode.

The other gods/goddesses found out her babies’ daddy doesn’t recycle.
Categories
anime cartoon Hipster Hotline Wakfu

Wakfu: The Animated Series [Season 4 Episode 3 Review]

The Eliatropes have chosen…peace?

This seems to be what’s happening—for now. The Eliatrope Goddess is using the Cloud Eyes as giant cameras keeping watch over most of the planet, sending her kids to deal with any trouble. Sounds too good to be true? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, I’m loving Yugo’s interactions with his family. His tender moments with his Goddess mother; the antagonistic relationship between him and Qilby; and connecting with his sister, Nora, while out on a mission. It’s all a treat to see. A shame the only time I’m interested in Mr. Bland Yugo is when he’s fighting or interacting with more compelling characters.

Get those hairy balls out of my face!

Poor Qilby. I know. I know. The guy almost destroyed the world. But, being trapped in a white void for centuries would screw anyone up. I’m surprised he’s got any wits left about him at all. And, hey. Points for Qilby for trying to bury the hatchet between him and Yugo. Sweet, but futile as our dear Yugo is too sanctimonious to give his own brother a second chance. Geez, dude! He only tried to destroy the world. Stop making such a big deal about it!

Adamai’s suspicious of the Eliatropes and decides to leave. Good. Go find a cliff to jump off.

Categories
Editorial Hipster Hotline

SF Debris [Hipster Hotline]

In a world where harsh language and sarcasm reign supreme in the online review world, a man will appear to provide insight and humor to an internet starved for video essays with actual effort put behind then. I’m speaking—of course—of content creator Chuck aka SF Debris.

Do you like science fiction? Do you like science fiction reviews? Then, SF Debris is the guy you want to watch. His reviews are in-depth, insightful, and just plain fun. You’ll learn something new all the while laughing at his hot takes and overall opinions. We’re all subscribed to—or follow—at least one reviewer so amazing at the craft we click their video no matter the subject knowing you’ll have fun. SF Debris is one of those people for me.

Star Trek. Star Wars. Doctor Who. Anime (Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, etc.). Western Animation (My Little Pony, Legend of Korra, etc.). SF Debris reviews them and more! He’s been at this for years, so there’s a level of experience along with a giant catalogue of content to explore. Prepare to spend hours watching his videos, but don’t blame me when you don’t get around to taking out the trash.

Highly recommended!

OGIUE MANIAX

Anime & Manga Blog | 50% Anime Analysis, 50% Ogi

StarlitDen

Illustration, Concept Art & Comics/Manga

Captain M Entertainment

Reviews, news, retrospectives, thoughts

Adventures of The Enhancers

Saving Aquamarine City From Themselves Is Harder Than It Looks

Crow's World of Anime

Reviews and editorials celebrating amazing moments in anime.

KS Blogs

Half the comedy, all the taste

Nefarious Reviews

Anime and Manga Reviews

Between The Pages of a Book

All Things Bookish

A Richard Wood Text Adventure

Near daily discussions of Star Wars, Seasonal Anime and Video Games. As well some other stuff along the way.

Al's Manga Blog

Manga and Comics Reviews

Coffee Made Better

Stopping bad coffee.

Writing and Illustrating

Sharing Information About Writing and Illustrating for Children

Endless Monkey

Eventually, we'll hit Shakespeare

The Journal

by Inandha Dian Briliani

Anime Vestige

Your Source For Anime Info and OST Download

RJ Writing Ink

Writing About All Things Pop Culture

The Unspeakable One

I'm All About Anime/Manga, Cartoons, And Video Games(Mostly Sonic And Pokemon). Nice To Meet'cha!!

Ellen Brock

Novel Editor | YouTuber