Categories
Manga One Piece

This Barto Club Is Closed, Forever [One Piece 1126]

You mess with the red-haired bull, you get the pistol horns.

I know what Bartolomeo was thinking.

He’s on a personal mission on Gartel Island (located in Emperor Shanks’ territory) showing Luffy’s dominance by burning Shanks’ flag. And, I bet he thought his barrier-barrier fruit would protect him from any Red-Haired Pirate attack. Too bad for him, strong haki messes up many seemingly overpowered devil fruits. Not to mention, I doubt old Bart thought that Emperor Shanks himself (along with his senior officers) would pull up to confront little ole him.

That punk, Bartolomeo, actually burned an Emperor’s flag then waited for someone to show up. What the hell was he thinking?!

He’s lucky the only things he got for his transgression was a butt-whooping and his ship destroyed. But, you know? I get the sneaky suspicion Oda had Bart’s ship destroyed by Yasopp only for him to get a new ship that’s a tribute to the Thousand Sunny. And, maybe the Barto Club washes up on Elbaph? Nika fanboys + Luffy fanboys = A good time for all!

Let’s talk about how differently each Emperor is approaching finding the One Piece in this chapter. Yes, I know Chief Shanks wasn’t looking for One Piece here, but he was pretty passive about going to Laugh Tale until recently. I think his desire to find One Piece is less about want and more about keeping it from less savory people.

They’re fine. I can see their parachutes!
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
Manga One Piece

Saturnday Night Live [One Piece 1125]

You know what? I’m starting to think King Imu doesn’t like Joy Boy.

That Joy Boy haki blast sealed Saint Saturn’s fate. Imu didn’t like that one bit. I guess it triggered some serious PTSD from a previous encounter with the original J.B. Notice how Imu blamed Saturn for “Joy Boy’s” escape, not Luffy. Oh, boy! Imu has a button you should never press and Joy Boy is it. Could Imu’s desire to destroy Gear 5 Luffy lead him to making huge mistakes that’ll cost him everything? I’d say yes.

Jaygarcia Saturn is dead. Very dead. Super duper dead. There’s a clear link to the Five Elder’s power and Imu. They serve him well—everything’s good in the Mary Geoise hood. They screw-up? It’s a free trip to the Shadow Realm. A gruesome trip too. I know he’s evil, but I really felt bad for St. Satur— Hahahaha! Oh, man. I just couldn’t hold it. Yeah, that bastard deserved it.

Categories
anime Casual Callout Hipster Hotline

Terminator Zero [Hipster Hotline]

Come with me if you want to watch a Terminator anime.

No spoilers! General thoughts only.

Not really sure if this qualifies as a “hipster” series, seeing as it’s based on a popular movie franchise, but I’ll allow it this one-time because there’s never been a Terminator anime project.

Quick Opinion: I really liked it.

Terminator Zero is an anime set in the Terminator universe, but after watching all eight episodes, I don’t think there’s any required viewing of previous Terminator movies to enjoy it, but doing so will enhance your experience. This is because The Terminator franchise involves time travel and time travel is…messy.

Because of this, Terminator Zero takes place in an alternate timeline. This gives the show room to be as crazy or subtle as it wants to be without having to worry about stepping on previous continuities. And, I think, the creators took full advantage of it. Time travel shenanigans is directly addressed in the show and I think it helps accept this version at face value while posing an interesting question about whether time travel benefits the machines or humans more.

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
Manga One Piece

Dead Men Tell All Tales [One Piece 1123]

Writing super-smart characters is tough.

I’m no psychic, but I bet Oda wrote this chapter thinking how smart Dr. Vegapunk making plans to air the World Government’s dirty laundry if killed. The problem: It doesn’t fully make sense—at least to me.

1.) Why not directly state in your death message that you’re likely been killed by the World Government? That the reason this message exists is because you fear the wrath of the World Government. Now, the WG can spin the message by lying Warlord Luffy killed everyone’s beloved genius scientist.

2.) Dr. Vegapunk’s refusal to speculate on his personal theories and thoughts in his message. You don’t have to say you KNOW the WG has an Ancient Weapon. Just say that’s what you think. It’s okay to have opinions, Stella. You’re leaving a final message, not posting your dissertation. Say what have to say, promote your Pateron, then go away.

3.) Not capturing York is complete horsesh*t.. She’s a Vegapunk! You don’t know the extent of her plans. Capture her and keep her from causing anymore unforeseen damage!

4.) What the hell is brain stealth mode? That came out of nowhere. And if that’s a thing, why didn’t York account for that in her plans? Did she not know about it? You’d think she’d be constantly checking Punk Records for any indication someone discovered her shenanigans. Nope! Vegapunk Stella is a “bad liar” so that’s all she needed to look for. Really?!

You’re just now realizing that creating genius personifications of greed, violence, and evil is bad? This is what happens when you remove your brain, Y’all.
Categories
anime cartoon Hipster Hotline Wakfu

Wakfu: The Animated Series [Season 4 Episode 2 Review]

Episode Title: The Goddess of Love

What the heck? Might as well review this season one episode at a time. Especially since I’m loving the heck out of it so far.

Another banger of an episode! Episode two basically puts a bow on season three’s remaining characters and introduces us to the important characters of this season.

This includes the Eliatrope Goddess and Nora, Yugo and Adamai’s mother and sister respectively. And we can’t forgot their evil brother Qilby. He’s free from the state of Vermont—oh sorry—the White Dimension and ready to…I don’t know. Do stuff? I just love how eager he is to narc on Yugo for locking him up. Qilby’s that kid who always starts sh*t with his siblings but tattles the second things don’t go his way. I love it.

We’re also introduced to a blind Cra assassin. He’s listening in on the Percedal Family. What could that mean? Here’s a hint: He’s not gonna offer his services as a nanny.

Categories
Manga One Piece

AA Haki Batteries [One Piece 1122]

Let’s pour out a little oil for our robot homie.

Emet, the (not so) little robot that could. And he did—save Team Straw Hat, that is. But I don’t think anyone could guess he’d do it by unleashing Joy Boy’s haki. I wonder if Joy Boy specifically thought King Imu would be the one causing problems for his robotic friend in the future? Emet should be strong enough to take on just about any threat. Storing haki inside his buddy, Joy Boy probably thought Emet’s opponent would be a living being(s) too powerful or immune to standard weapons. Hmm… I’m really curious when Joy Boy and Emet had that conversation. My guess it’s near the end of their adventures together or even the last time they spoke.

Joy Boy’s haki (I presume) caused the Elders to retreat. Was it them specifically affected or was it King Imu? Are the Elders and King Imu linked in some way? Do the Elders even have devil fruits or does their power come directly from Imu? Hmm… That would help explain their immortality and invulnerability. So, if Imu goes down, the Five Elders go down with him. Interesting, if true.

I don’t know what’s crazier: St. Mars already back at Mary Geoise just chillin’ while waiting for his pizza delivery or King Imu spazzing out over Joy Boy’s big D. energy haki.
Categories
Manga My Hero Academia

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes [My Hero Academia 430] [Finale]

We Are Here…at the end.

It’s the end, Y’all. Or, at least, an end. Will we see a My Hero Academia sequel one day? A continuation of My Hero Vigilantes? More My Hero movies in the future? Maybe. But for now, we’ll focus on the end of this era. The end of My Hero Academia.

Let’s take the scenic route, shall we? I’d like to give my thoughts as I read through the chapter, touching upon anything and everything that comes to mind.

Nice color spread. The final time we’ll see all of Class 2-A drawn together in color, which explains why Aoyama is there along with a visible Hagakure.

Yep. There’s a time skip. Not much of a surprise. The only question was how far Kōhei Horikoshi would jump the story along. Another expected surprise is Kota becoming an U.A. student. But, look what we have here? The Mysterious Boy is also a student! I love it! This is the beginning of Horikoshi giving us a taste of what’s been going on without diving into details. He’s letting our imagination do the hard lifting, which is fine. Every single details doesn’t have to be explained. We can infer what happened or simply wait for those stories to be told one day. Welcome to the world of a time skip ending. You’ll get used to it, kid.

Kamui Woods x Mt. Lady. Gran Torino x Recovery Girl. Deku x Melissa. Tentacole x Sugar Daddy. Shippers eatin’ good today.

Izuku Midoriya’s a hero course teacher! I never really thought about Deku’s career path after losing One For All. Him becoming a teacher makes sense. It’s interesting that Deku is monologuing the lessons he learned at age seventeen. Didn’t he defeat All For One when he was sixteen? Hmm… An error, maybe?

Deku’s writing. Remember: The manga was always framed in a way where Deku’s talking about events like they had already happened. Looks like Horikoshi is bookending the series with us seeing Deku writing about the events he’s talked about since Chapter One.

Categories
Manga My Hero Academia

A Helping Hand [My Hero Academia 429]

Never underestimate the power of kindness.

It’s not just something awful happening. It’s the feeling no one else cares what you’re going through that also hurts. Being alone when the going gets tough is something I wouldn’t wish on almost anyone. Looking at you, Bluegeek.

Which brings me to Ochaco Uraraka and the Mysterious Boy. Both of them going through a difficult time. Both of them in need of someone who cares. I’ve come down on Horikoshi at times, but I absolutely praise the man for not only showing his characters saving the world but wanting to improve society itself.

They can finally catch up on watching The Bear and House of the Dragon.

Uraraka got bogged down by thoughts of the world passing Himiko Toga by, and therefore, wouldn’t care about her feelings about the dead villain. Mystery Boy was about to lash out at a world he thought passed him by as he suffered alone for years. Just the sheer act of empathy from Class 2-A and the Old Lady changed their lives forever. Will empathy prevent all future crime and sadness? No. But it will lessen it to a degree, and in turn, make the world a better place to live in.

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