Crossing the Blues

Blade of the Phantom Master: Shin Angyo Onshi DVD Impression

Blade of the Phantom Master
A big ol’ tease, that is exactly what Blade of the Phantom Master from FUNimation is, just one big ol’ tease. Like any good tease there is also much to be attracted too in this bloody and graphic story so let’s take a look at what makes a good tease.

The Amen Osa are mystical warriors who command spiritual armies and are marked by a medallion with three horses. They protect and serve the Jushin Empire, that is until its demise and with it their order. Moving into the realm of myth only one Amen Osa remains and he moves with the wind exacting his own brand of justice. He is no savior and an encounter with a young boy out to become an Amen Osa to aid in his recovery of his true love proves just how brutal he can be. Disguised in a very disturbing manner he enters the village where the boys love, Chun Young, is being held and controlled by a miserable little noble dictator. He lets the villagers dispose of the dictator while he fights with the controlled Chun Young who only stops by seeing a familiar headband. From this time on she sticks by as the Sando, the protector servant of an Amen Osa. As they journey they are sucked into aiding a young boy found on a beach. His island has its own issues and the seemingly peaceful lord is not all he seems to be. As the truth is revealed, a truth that is bleak and disgusting. A brief look into the Amen Osa’s past reveals an epic enemy just waiting to be found. Who is this foe from the past and why does exhaustion set in so quickly? Questions and answers for another time.

What’s in a tease, something attractive that whets an appetite and leaves you wanting more. Blade of the Phantom Master does just that in spades as it reveals a world that is gritty, a combination of Fist of the North Star mixed with Jean Claude’s Cyborg but with animation and style on part with Fullmetal Alchemist. The animation is top notch, sharp and detailed but will not break molds as it holds true to the apocalyptic style seen in the above mentioned features. The action is crazy good, but limited as is the background story. This is where the tease comes in as the story sets the stage with a very hard hitting, violent story, protagonist who really does not care and an enigmatic protector. The first encounter shows what power is all about, shapes the journey and the second builds on this relationship, shows hints of a much more epic clash to come then … it ends? Yeah, this is the tease part. Just when you’re hitting ‘next’ to see more you get credits.

Overall Blade of the Phantom Master is a bloody, violent good time that, while limited, should be seen by mature anime fans. Take on the anime then look for more stories because like many an anime of the 80’s and 90’s it’s just the tip of a much bigger berg to explore.

VHS HELL: Battle Of The Rock Lords

Battle Of The Rock Lords
Battle Of The Rock Lords Back

Bleach DVD vol. 14 & 15 Impression

The Soul Society saga heads into the home stretch as Ichigo and team move to rescue Rukia while the murder of Aizen still has every court guard looking over their shoulders. Volume 14 and 15 of Bleach on DVD from Viz kicks into that anime sweet spot where action and story strike a perfect balance.

Bleach DVD volume 14Bleach DVD volume 14
Its execution day, time to bid farewell to Rukia. Almost. Ichigo shows up with zero time to spare and shows a power unheard of in one with years of training let alone having just come into his power. As Ichigo steps in to save Rukia more battles rage as Captains take on one another and Youroichi continues her fight with an old ally. As the power of a million zanpakuto stare Rukia in the face it’s an unexpectedly strong Ichigo who’s about to change the game.

Fights, it’s all about the fights. Ichigo shows up with some crazy powers, enough to stop the Sokyoku, which is pretty freaking amazing. The story continues to expand beyond Ichigo as we learn more about Youroichi as well as a few current captains. The thirteen court guards show their divisions and loyalties while the head man takes on his two main pupils. It’s just crazy action with the most powerful fighters to date. Now that Ichigo has stopped the execution can a face-off with Rukia’s brother be far off? (Nope, it starts here also, whoops, did I miss that tidbit?)

Bleach DVD volume 15Bleach DVD volume 15
Ichigo and Kuchiki go all out against one another as the power of each fighter Bankai is unleashed. A new level of power is reached when Ichigo’s inner Hollow takes over for a bit, but he’s quickly put back in his place. As their battle makes everyone in the Soul Society take notice a much deadlier plot is revealed as a certain dead captain shows up alive. Aizen has been alive this entire time and he reveals his ultimate plot, one which goes back to Ichigo and Rukia’s first encounter. Aizen was using Rukia and his plot has ripped apart the Soul Society like never before. As he reveals his plan his co-conspirators show themselves and move beyond the reach of the Soul Society. In the face of larger plots enemies become friends and Ichigo is made a deputy Soul Reaper. Byakuya reveals to Rukia his past with her sister and Rukia apologizes for a post wrong. All is well except for the little Aizen issue.

The finale to the Ichigo vs. Kuchiki fight is everything that it’s supposed to be and it’s only interrupted by an even larger plot thanks to Aizen. The story is awesome and there is even more history to be revealed with Rukia and her brother as well as Aizen’s plot. The rescue is over and it’s time to head back to Earth for Ichigo and his group. The story wraps up with so much more to come, thanks to Aizen, but viewers are really treated to one hell of a fight, tons of great action and a twisting story with tons of players.

Overall these two volumes of Bleach crank up the action to obscene levels while moving along a plot that hides enough mystery to satisfy even the most seasoned anime fanatic. The animation loses zero quality this deep into the series run and it keeps pace with the manga in story points. The sprinkling of background story does not slow the story one bit. The entire rescue storyline wraps up just perfect. Bleach is a solid anime, worthy of any fans collection, it’s just good times, nuff said.

Touhou Project Papercraft: Sitting Yukari Yakumo Papercraft

Yukari Yakumo is another character in the Touhou Project and was first introduced in Perfect Cherry Blossom as the sleepy mistress of Ran. Download the model here.

Nuphedragen

Did you know that nuphedragen is the world's first diet pill to use the concept of CART and NPY? CART is the good guy that raises your metabolism, lowers your appetite, and increase insulin delivery to the muscles while NPY increases appetite, lowers metabolism, and decreases body temperature for decreased fat burning. Nuphedragen is unmatched by other pills as it uses powerful thermogenic fat burners, metabolism boosters, appetite suppressants, and mood boosters for a powerful effect.

Interview with Yoshitaka Amano


Thanks to the folks over at NEW PEOPLE I was able to have the legendary artist Yoshitaka Amano answer a handful of questions about his work with titles such as Final Fantasy and Vampire Hunter D as well as his overall impression of what is going on with NEW PEOPLE in San Francisco and what the SUPERFROG Gallery means to him, country and culture. Posted on The Examiner, this interview is one of my favorites as Amano is not only a brilliant artist but one who gets it, the crossing of cultures. Read thefull SUPERFROG Amano interview now.

VHS HELL: The Star Stealer

The Star Stealer
The Star Stealer Back


Touhou Project: Yuyuko Saigyouji Papercraft

Yuyuko Saigyouji is the final stage boss and a playable character in Touhou 7.5, 8 and 10.5. Yuyuko is a ghost and the princess of the netherworld pagoda, Hakugyokurō. Download her here.

Holiday Gifts

If you are unsure of where to buy holiday gifts, you might want to check out charitycertificates.org. There are many sites that can provide you with excellent birthday gift options but this one also allows you to do some good charity work at the same time. Here you can buy the gift or charity or even unique plastic gift cards, which are available in various styles and denominations and your recipient can designate the donation gift amount to as many as
three charities from their list of over 100 nationally recognized charities.

Max Papercraft

Max is Marshall Alexander's tribute to the book "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. You can download Max here.

Inventory Software

Do you need to keep track of your items in inventory? Things will be easier if you use an inventory software. But choosing the right inventory software to meet both your budget and programming needs can be quite difficult. If you are not sure of what to inventory software to use, the expert sales staff at POSGuys can help you.

Bonus Track: Music in the Key of Z part 3

bonus track
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Super Robot Mazinger Z (via nikitac)

Although humans can fight for good
Give it all they've got
Men are weak as they're flesh and blood
Mazinger is not
Without power men are lost in this world where fighting never stops.
He fights evil and works for happiness
Our Mazinger Z
When men's minds yield to evil
And their spirits are in chains
Mazinger Z
Mazinger Z
Guard the future of our people
You are our hope

We know this world may someday end
Lands fall into seas
Earth is subject to evil powers
Not Mazinger Z
Without power men are lost in this world where darkness threatens all.
He fights evil and helps keep peace on earth
Our Mazinger Z
When men's heart yield to evil
And their souls can not be free
Mazinger Z
Mazinger Z
Give us courage to fight darkness
You are our hope

Theme of Z




Gaming Images: Fate/unlimited codes and The Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces


I usually don’t callout too many gaming images but here are two exceptions to the rule, both posted on The Examiner. Why, because they both appeal to niche anime/manga titles. The first, Fate/unlimited codes, is where it all begins for Fate/stay night, the anime (Geneon, FUNimation) and manga (Tokyopop) that is based on the long running gaming franchise in Japan. It’s coming out on PSP and it’s about dang time US gamers got a taste of the sweet Holy Grail war. The pics show off characters from the game, of course not in actual pixel form, but still fun to look at. The second game is based on The Sky Crawlers which saw DVD and Blu-ray release by Sony earlier this year. The movie was ok and could have used more action and this is where the game looks to head with aerial combat but a different, future, storyline. Odd title for the Wii to pickup but one fans of the anime should dig.

Right or Wrong? (Making Moral Decisions)

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Claymore DVD vol. 6 Impression

Claymore DVD Volume 6
The best action is saved for last in this sixth volume of Claymore from FUNimation. The battle with Rigaldo reveals there is more to Claire, much more than the lowest ranking Claymore should have to hide.

Claire steps up and pusher her limits to take on Rigaldo, a level of power even her secret sharing Claymore are worried about. Her body undergoes rapid transformations as she awakens her lower body to gain more speed. As she battles Raki arrives and sees exactly what Claire is. Well past her limits Claire finally bests Rigaldo, a feat shocking to everyone, even the young Pricilla. Upon seeing Claire’s power the adolescent Pricilla reverts to her awakened state and takes on Claire as she mistakes her for Teresa. As she grows Isley revels what occurred with Pricilla, why she is young, why she repressed her memory. The remaining Claymore pursues this new battle as they realize Claire is not capable of winning alone even with her secret revealed. Claire consumed not the flesh of a Yoma but Teresa, in order to become a Claymore. A little test by the Organization that begins to show why Claire possesses such power. As the battle wages Pricilla fully awakens, a terrifying proposition as the power she possessed before was enough to wipe out a team of high number Claymore. Claire makes the choice to go beyond her limit to fight and the battle turns in her favor with a price. A sacrifice is made, a friend confronts Claire and she is brought back from beyond her limits all the while Isley watches on. The battle over, neither for good or bad, it’s time for Claire and Raki to go their way with a promise to unite with their fellow Claymore later and take on the Organization.

This battle was not in the manga. This parting of ways, reuniting of Claire and Raki was not in the manga. It’s different, way different but that can happen with a manga and anime for the same story. The art is same as ever, unique but not as good as the manga. The action is crazy fast in this volume with these two final battles, Rigaldo and Pricilla. It is by far the best volume and offers up action not seen to this point, superb to say the least. While the action, character development, sacrifice is all top notch the parting of ways, the overall ending leaves a WTF feeling. If, (big if) there is a second season of Claymore then the fight with the other Creatures of the Abyss and confrontation with the Organization will all come to a head but that is not the feeling one gets at the end of this volume. More like a nod to fans enjoy the anime but get the full story in the manga.

Overall a really good series that fans of the manga will enjoy, but like me, say huh at the very end. For fans jumping into Claymore I suggest picking up the manga with volume 12. It’s a bit different from the anime but continues the story, quite good.