Anime Reviews: Bakuman Episode 24 - Call and Eve

 

Second to last episode.  Go!

Well, we're almost there, the end of the first season.  It's been an interesting several months for me, watching this show.  On the one hand I find the slow pacing of this series somewhat deplorable, especially in the early stuff; but with how things are picking up it looks like the second season could be a definite winner.  And then again, at least there was an ongoing story to this one that actually kept me coming back, as opposed to some other anime (that will remain nameless) that I've been loosing hope for.

Anime Reviews: Beelzebub Episode 10 - A Disciple was Gained

 Watch the Show Here!

This is not what was previewed at the end of episode nine.  I'm not sure why, but they've rearranged the broadcast order after the earthquake and tsunami.  Just as well, what they previewed did not look good, and was another two half episodes.  Then again, this is filler again.  How can a show have so much filler so early on?  I'm starting to think I'm just going to put my hopes into the manga getting licensed for the states.  The anime is turning into a lost cause.

Anime Reviews: Fairy Tail Episode 70 - Natsu vs. Gray!

Watch the Show Here!

I have to say, I am absolutely flabbergasted.  In my previous review I said that I had high hopes for this filler, but in the back of my mind I knew, absolutely knew that there was no possible way filler could be any good.  Well not only is this episode not stupid, it's actually pretty good.  Insofar that I wasn't bored out of my mind, which is high praise for filler.

Anime Reviews: Bakuman Episode 23 - Tuesday and Friday

I didn't plan for this to happen, but it's appropriate nonetheless that I review episode twenty three of Bakuman on the twenty third of March.  Including this one there are only three more episodes left of the first season, and after that several months before the second season starts.  I've said before that I wouldn't be continuing the reviews through the second season, but since I've gotten the hang of three reviews a week I have been considering continuing to review the series.  We'll have to see how my circumstances are in the fall, but chances are good I'll be picking up the second season for my weekly reviews.

Impulse Reviews - Graphic Novels: Mouse Guard - Winter 1152 and The Amulet of Samarkand

In light of there being no Beelzebub anime to review this week, instead I'll be giving you a quick look at two graphic novels I read over the weekend.  The first is the second volume of the Mouseguard series, and the second is the graphic novel adaptation of The Amulet of Samarkand.  One is good, and the other is a disappointment to the medium.  I'll let you find out for yourselves which is which.

Anime Reviews: Fairy Tail Episode 69 - Call of the Dragon

Watch the Show Here!

Don't look now; It's Filler Time!

Anime Reviews: Bakuman Episode 22 - Solidarity and Breakdown

Fukuda and group head up the editing department and start to raise a fuss about KOOGY using dirty tactics to get votes.  The editors argue against doing anything because now that he's announced his entry they can't remove him without raising an uproar.  Mashiro notices Hattori looking at him, and remembers how Hattori commented about not wanting to see a manga like Colorfusical win.  After Fukuda argues with the editors for a while Mashiro reaches a decision and convinces him that they just need to beat KOOGY's use of fans with their superior manga.

Anime Reviews: Beelzebub Episode 09 - Love is a Hurricane

Watch the Show Here!

Furuichi is absolutely furious at Oga, not only does he have Hilda living under the same roof as him, but now he's making the move on Kunieda.  Oga of course calls bull on Furuichi's evaluation of the situation, and explains that his plan is to push Beel off on to Kunieda.

Anime Reviews: Beelzebub Episode 08 - We Meet Again

Watch the Show Here!

And here is the episode I've been waiting for ever since this anime started.  The chapter(s) that this episode is based on were what convinced me that the manga would be worth reading.  What the heck am I talking about?  Well, let's take a look and find out, and maybe, just maybe, you too will decide that this anime is worth your time.

Anime Reviews: Fairy Tail Episode 68 - A Guild For The Sake Of A Single Person

Watch the Show Here!

It occurred to me that every review following the last one would forever be biased by how amazingly, awesomely entertaining episode sixty seven was.  I would say that you should never expect any good review for this series ever again, because there's no way Fairy Tail has anything to offer after that amazing climax.

Anime Reviews: Bakuman Episode 21 - Literature and Music

Mashiro starts loosing sleep trying to keep up with the schedule that Hattori set for them.  He has trouble staying awake during school, and even has trouble walking without almost passing out.

Anime Reviews: Beelzebub Episode 07 - The Demon Lord Makes His Park Debut

Watch the Show Here!

Well...now that we've put that filler behind us we finally get back to the story...that looks suspiciously like filler.  Well, at least the majority of the episode is taken from the manga, with only a bit of padding added to flesh it into a full episode.  So overall it is not terrible, and actually really funny again.

Editorials: Anime DVD Pricing

 
I wouldn't be saying anything new if I were to say that we want our anime DVDs cheaper.  But looking at prices right now I don't think I can really complain.  Sure DVD sets start off at a ludicrous forty dollars, or more.  But those prices eventually drop, to the point where there is little excuse to buy them and I find it harder and harder to hang on to my bill-paying-money rather than buying incredibly cheap One Piece DVDs.

They're seriously cheap. Buy them!

Anime Reviews: Fairy Tail Episode 67 - I'm With You

Watch the Show Here!

Were that every episode was as this one.  Not to say that the other episodes are no good, but this episode just takes the cake because it is the climax of this arc.  A good climax is hard to pull off, an excellent climax is almost impossible, and I don't believe in a perfect climax; and while this episode is just about excellent, I think it is about as close to perfect a climax as any anime is going to get for an individual story arc.  I'm With You takes everything at its disposal, great animation and a powerful score, and uses it as perfectly as possible.  I literally felt like cheering during the first half of this episode.