Retro Animated X-Men series Debuts Today

Hey O&G Fans, Today the first retro animated X-men series by animator Joel Furtado premiered  the first episode, featuring Wolverine and Jean Grey vs a Sentinel. The series is inspired by the 90's X-men comic book and cartoon. Here is a look at the episode:
 

X-men: Danger Room Protocols - "Episode1: Part1" Disclaimer X-men: Danger Room Protocols and the following presentation is in no way affiliated with Marvel or Fox Studios. Characters remain the property and copyright of their respective owners.This is a fan series intended for private use only and not a commercial product.

KONOSUBA -God's blessing on this wonderful world! Episode 1 Review

Gamer Kazuma dies in a freak accident, and is met in the afterlife by a crass goddess, Aqua. 

Konosuba - God's blessing on this wonderful world is an anime that might seem familiar to some based on  the influences from shows like Sword Art Online. However don't let the comparisons this show will get turn you off. This show is its own identity and pretty damn entertaining.

The main protagonists Satoru is a gamer who never really leaves the house. He just stays in the house and plays his favorite rpg games. When I was first introduced to Satoru I immediately asked myself. How many times are we're going get the no life otaku/gamer stereotype in these shows? Satoru seems to have no ambition, pretty much a loner and only lives for games. This type of character is simply becoming the normal in anime. Anyway Satoru decides to finally go outside but only to buy a limit edition copy of his next game. While on the way home he sees a girl is about to get hit by a car and pushes her out the way. As stated in the synopsis Satoru dies. He then is offered the chance to choose his afterlife. He can go to heaven,  go back to Earth or something else. That something else is fighting the Devil King in a parallel universe and having special powers. Satoru chooses the last choice and the story really begins. 

Konosuba really picks up once Satoru and his companion Aqua enter the new world. If you're a fan of RPG games you will like the nods of the format the anime has layed out. The show is viewed like playing an RPG. The characters enter the town, they talk to the people for information and go the Guild to register for a class or quest. This aspect made me ignore Satoru one note character and just allow myself to immerse with the story. The world is beautiful with different type of classes from mages, adventurers and more. Satoru gaming experience makes him a natural how to survive. However he learns he's not such a hotshot as he believes. This knowledge kind of dampens his ego a bit and forces him to train hard to level up.  I would say that his companion Aqua is a show stealer. Aqua is the goddess that met Satoru in the afterlife and offer him his afterlife choices. She is sarcastic, let's her status of goddess go to her head but really cares for people. Out of the two protagonists I will think the audience will be drawn to Aqua more. She's better written, has witty dialogue and has more charisma.  The animation looks great, the music is will make you feel like you're in a RPG and the voice acting delivers. The show is nothing new under the sun but it's still entertaining.

Final Grade 8.0/10

 

Aniplex of America Announces Your lie in April English Cast

Fans rejoiced as Aniplex of America announced today at their industry panel at OTAKON Vegas their plans to release the touching drama series Your lie in April (Japanese title: Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso) on Blu-ray starting this March. The 22 episode anime series adaptation of the award-winning manga originally serialized by Kodansha will be released in 2 Blu-ray sets. Volume 1 is scheduled to be available on March 29th and Volume 2 on May 31st of this year. Pre-orders for both SKUs will begin next Monday (January 18th) on the official Your lie in April U.S. website (www.YourlieinApril.com).

Aniplex of America has also unveiled the English dub trailer confirming their cast members for the English version of the show. Under the direction of Patrick Seitz, the four main protagonists will be played by Max Mittelman (ALDNOAH.ZERO, Sword Art Online II) as Kousei Arima, Erica Lindbeck (ALDNOAH.ZERO, Sword Art Online II) as Kaori Miyazono, Erica Mendez (KILL la KILL, MAGI, Sword Art Online II) as Tsubaki Sawabe, and Kyle McCarley (DURARARA!!×2, Fate/stay night Unlimited Blade Works]) as Ryota Watari.)

Your lie in April is the anime adaptation of the manga series by Naoshi Arakawa originally serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Shonen Magazine that won the 37th Kodansha Manga Award. Since its simulcast began in October of 2014, the anime series has taken the fan community by storm. Fans were captivated by the touching story of Kousei Arima and his struggle to overcome his trauma that stopped him from playing the piano after his mother’s passing. The story focuses on the youthful drama and romance surrounding Kousei, the eccentric violinist Kaori Miyazono and their close friends.

Aniplex of America’s announcement of the English dub project being greenlit was received extremely well by fans in the summer of 2015 and their Open Audition project with Bang Zoom! Entertainment was a great success at Anime Expo® 2015. Sawako Furuya, the producer of the English version of Your lie in April is looking forward to the long-awaited release. “We know that so many fans have been very supportive of this show and anxiously waiting for the English dub,” said Furuya, “We had an amazing team of actors and staff pouring their heart and soul into this project so I am very excited to finally be able to show them this masterpiece.” The English trailer is also available on the official website.

Gameplay Video for Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Bandai Namco Entertainment has released a new video of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4. The video shows off the gameplay mechanics which stays true to previous entries. This game also will feature the biggest roster of characters to date. The game is due out in February.

Dimension W Episode 1 - Collector Review

Kyoma Mabuchi, a Collector, runs into some trouble on a job and ends up bringing back an android girl named Mira.

I think 2016 has introduced us to another bad ass in the name of Kyoma Mabuchi. The show Dimension W is off to great a start with a strong cast of characters, refreshing plot and stellar animation. In the first episode we're introduced to Kyoma. He is a man who is surrounded in mystery. All we know is that he acts as a Collector and takes certain jobs that he is hired to do. He has the same style of a mercenary but I wouldn't call that. While details of who Kyoma is not shown. I like the way they tell us through actions what type of man he is. He is a man of action. A man who is going to get the job done. He appears cold but you can sense he's a good man. I'm curious to see how he develops and what we will learn from him this season.

Dimension W also succeeds with presenting us a refreshing concept and world. In the world of 2071 the energy crisis is solved, with the discovery of cross dimensions fields known as coils. These coils have infinite source of energy which was founded in the W dimensions. The episode shows the importance of these coils and how it's the livelihood of the world. There is however coils that shouldn't be used with also amazing amounts of energy called illegal coils. This sets Kyoma on a misson to stop those who are trying to use it. The world is refreshing and I was really drawn into the situations of the coils and the effects of it. Dimension W has great animation, a good score and great characters. Episode 1 does one hell of a job of introducing us to this world.

Final Grade: 8.5/10

Rainbow Days Episode 1 Review

Natsuki is a hopeless romantic who, just after being dumped by his girlfriend, falls in love with a girl handing out tissues while dressed in a Santa costume. Will Natsuki reconnect with his dream girl?

Rainbow Days has a nice premise, concept and good execution. Natsuki was dumped during the holiday season. He meets handing out tissues and instantly falls in love.  Natsuki is hell bent on finding this girl that he met that fateful night. Natsuki can be somewhat delusional. He only sees what he his reality wants him too. Think of it like this. A girl can just being nice but he will think it's romantically link. One thing I like about the show is how Natsuki is trying to get back into the dating world. His friends show their support by trying to help him with tips, take him out and keep him in check. I like how they show how Natsuki was affected by the break up. I just wish they showed more of it. Overall this anime is off to a good start. Natsuki quest to learn more about his crush should keep you interested.

Final Grade 7.0/10

Funimation Entertainment Debuts New Anime Streaming Service, FunimationNow!

Funimation has partnered with Sony DADC New Media Solutions (Sony) to leverage their Ven.ue platform bringing both scale and unique capabilities on the digital front to launch its new ad-free streaming anime serviceFunimationNow – the first in a series of moves to take this growing genre of entertainment, and Funimation, to the next level.

Regardless of device or platform, FunimationNow subscribers will enjoy ad-free, HD streaming of Funimation’s expansive library of over 400 simulcast and catalog his number :)rary of over 400 action-packed titles.station 4 will be made available for streaming Funimation Entertainment'S ansimstitles, both subbed and dubbed, including acclaimed shows such as “Dragon Ball Z,” “Attack on Titan,” “Fairy Tail,” “One Piece,” “Tokyo Ghoul”, “Space Dandy” and many more.

FunimationNow begins its rollout in early February, when fans can look forward to completely redesigned iOS, Android, and Kindle apps, as well as brand new Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV apps.  The apps boast Airplay and Cast features, allowing you to watch on your TV from any mobile device.  Also coming in February is a brand new Windows 10 Universal app. In May, fans can also look forward to a fully re-imagined Funimation website and all new integrated experiences on Funimation gaming console apps.

Ojisan and Marshmallow Episode 1 Review

The series is about a man named Kusaka who has a fascination for marshmallows. Kusaka gets involved in a relationship with an office lady named Wakabayashi, and the story focuses on their relationship in the workplace.

Before I begin you have to know that is an anime short. It is only last 3 mins long. However in those three minutes I was pretty entertained. This anime short developed and planted seeds of a fun relationship between Kusaka and Wakabayashi. The short makes it clear that Kusaka loves marshmallows and Wakabayashi is having fun taunting him with it. There is chemistry between these two that will certainly be explored in later episodes. I did like the little play fight scene tey had. But the short didn't leave me wanting more. Maybe five minutes to establish more would be great. It was still a fun three minutes.

Final Grade: 7.0/C-