tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33674982651066938832024-03-05T10:30:26.421-08:00Burning Lizard StudiosThe Media Blog of Derek BownDerek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.comBlogger666125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-45724330795606197292014-03-01T17:58:00.001-08:002014-03-01T17:58:27.692-08:00Our New Location!To everyone that has been following this blog, I thank you all. I apologize for not updating more often, work and life just got in the way. I've also been working on getting a new site set up. It doesn't look like much, but I'll be posting reviews at the new<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.com/">Burning Lizard Studios</a></b></span><br />
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Reviews will be somewhat the same, with some minor tweaks here and there. I hope to see you there!Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-11832602630792294082013-07-26T16:37:00.000-07:002013-07-26T16:37:02.805-07:00Episode 057 - July 22, 2013 - Why Aren't There More Fantasy Manga? | Fairy Tail Vol. 13<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Episode 057</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">(<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/n2xku2ydrtae67g/Manga%5E3_Episode_057.mp3">MP3</a> | <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/kp4hpww8pd93pps/Manga%5E3_Episode_057.m4a">M4A</a>)</span></b></div>
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Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of July 22, 2013. This week we ask the question, "Why aren't there more western themed fantasy manga?" In the end it comes down to immersion, and what the writers themselves are most comfortable writing. We also discuss Fairy Tail Vol. 13, the beginning of the Fighting Festival Arc. Warning: Due to certain events in this week's issue, this episode is a bit on the graphic side.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes!</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1935429329/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1935429329&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Buy Fairy Tail Vol. 13 Here!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1935429329" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-59581349055821524992013-07-25T01:14:00.002-07:002013-07-25T01:14:14.623-07:00Episode 056 - July 15, 2013 - The Top Five Fathers in Manga | Fairy Tail Vol. 11 - 12<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Episode 056</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">(<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/8u5ab6l772gc68i/Manga%5E3_Episode_056.mp3">MP3</a> | <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/sc9cb8g6dhrwcut/Manga%5E3_Episode_056.m4a">M4A</a>)</span></b></div>
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Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of July 15, 2013. This week we celebrate Father's Day a couple weeks late by listing our top five fathers in manga. We finish up the Tower of Heaven arc in Fairy Tail by discussing volumes 11 and 12. If you've ever had a problem with the ending of that arc be sure to listen to this episode, because we go a bit in depth and explain why certain events happen the way they do, and what they really mean.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612622828/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1612622828&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Buy Fairy Tail Vol. 11 Here!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1612622828" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612622836/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1612622836&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Buy Fairy Tail Vol. 12 Here!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1612622836" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-16701449651345765312013-07-14T17:54:00.000-07:002013-07-14T17:54:54.873-07:00Episode 055 - July 8, 2013 - The Top Five Old People in Manga | Fairy Tail Vol. 10<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Episode 055</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">(<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/zcaqkkdkzd0m5s2/Manga%5E3_Episode_055.mp3">MP3</a> | <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/dba794q0uu8tui9/Manga%5E3_Episode_055.m4a">M4A</a>)</span></b></div>
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Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of July 8, 2013. This week we talk about a staple of manga, badass old people, and we rank which are the most awesome. We also discuss Fairy Tail Vol. 10 in our continued effort to catch up with this series.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/161262281X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=161262281X&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Buy Fairy Tail Vol. 10 Here!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=161262281X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-77052489642342068682013-07-03T10:21:00.001-07:002013-07-03T10:21:28.542-07:00Episode 054 - July 1, 2013 - The Portrayal of Overweight People in Manga | Fairy Tail Vol. 9<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Episode 054</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">(<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/ra5a9lwcrupcjcp/Manga%5E3_Episode_054.mp3">MP3</a> | <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/gtoy1lhn8r08lv8/Manga%5E3_Episode_054.m4a">M4A</a>)</span></b></div>
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Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of July 1, 2013. This week we discuss the portrayal of overweight individuals in manga, is it good? Is it bad? And why exactly are things the way they are? We also continue our discussion of Fairy Tail, this week with volume nine.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612622801/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1612622801&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Buy Fairy Tail 9 Here!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1612622801" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b>
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Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-18991099063179648222013-07-01T09:00:00.000-07:002013-07-01T09:00:00.208-07:00Manga Reviews: Fairy Tail Volume 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Story</span></strong><br />
In the aftermath of the war against Phantom Lord, Fairy Tail is investigated by the government. They are found innocent, but remain under heavy scrutiny by the magic council. While the guild is being rebuilt, Lucy slips away to confront her father about his actions against her guild.<br />
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With everything wrapped up the team is able to start going on jobs again, in a one off chapter they put on a play for a failing theater house, and in another Lucy finds herself embroiled in the mystery of Loke's past.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></strong><br />
While volume eight was all about action with a little bit of comedy, volume nine has little action, and rather focuses on the aftermath of the previous arc and comedy. It's important because it gives readers a chance to breath in between the larger arcs. I was a bit surprised, however, that we only really get one single chapter story before moving on to another multi-chapter story. Granted there's no big bad to defeat in Loke's story, but it's still an important character moment for him, much like how the last two arcs had been important character moments for Lucy and Gray.<br />
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The followup to any action packed story is the most crucial part of any manga. Most readers will stick around if the action is really good, but the chances of keeping readers is increased when the non-action chapters are well done. And in this case we not only get to see the beginning of Juvia stalking Gray, we also get what I consider the funniest bit of comedy in the entire series.<br />
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In regards to Juvia, while stalkers are a serious matter, and I could see why some would use her behavior this volume against her, I can't help but just be entertained. It's cute and funny, and I really can't ask for more out of a breather chapter.<br />
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The Frederick and Yanderica story is by far the funniest thing to come out of <i>Fairy Tail</i>. Even after multiple rereads I find myself chuckling and even laughing out loud.<br />
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Loke's story, which takes up exactly half the volume, wasn't my favorite story the first time I read it. I confess that at the time I was a bit of a shipper, and seeing Lucy spending so much time with a character that wasn't who I shipped her with annoyed me. But, that would be a silly way to judge a story, so instead I'm glad that I have since locked my inner shipper deep away and can approach this from a rational standpoint.<br />
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After this reread I must say that I enjoyed Loke's story a lot more than I did initially. What strikes me most is how it gives Loke his own little arc, without there being some kind of demon from his past to defeat, something that Mashima has done quite literally in previous arcs. In Loke's case his big bad is his own sense of guilt, and rather than defeating this demon through brute force that acts as a metaphor for friendship, in this case Loke is literally saved by the power of friendship.<br />
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Though, I will always be wondering <i>what</i> exactly Karen had Aries do for those men. I most definitely know what I thought back when I first read this story-I was reading a lot more of the pulpy seinen variety of manga back then and my mind kept jumping to the worst assumptions-and it certainly contributed to why I didn't like this story at first. Since then I've actually gotten a bead on what Mashima's writing style is, and I think I can definitely say that he didn't intend for us to assume the worst. Or at least I hope he didn't. Otherwise I might start hating this story again.<br />
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Nonetheless, I highly recommend this volume not only as a followup to the last volume, but for the comedy and a rather well written bit of back story for a character that had until this point been mostly incidental.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/5</b></span></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-29078087954092592742013-06-30T15:21:00.000-07:002013-06-30T15:21:02.965-07:00Manga Reviews: Fairy Tail Volume 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9781612621012_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://img1.imagesbn.com/p/9781612621012_p0_v1_s260x420.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Story</span></strong><br />
Fairy Tail is in dire straits as their guild is destroyed by Phantom Lord. Even though they've managed to defeat all the Element Four, Natsu and his friends are still faced by Gajeel and the master of Phantom Lord, Jose.<br />
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With all enemies, even the formidable Gajeel, taken out, Erza is the only one standing before Jose. That is, until Makarov's miraculous recovery.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></strong><br />
The nice thing about this volume is that not only is it more or less the end of an arc so I can discuss the storyline as a whole, but it's also clearly divided into several different fights, which allows me to separate my review into digestible pieces. Say what you will about shonen action series, they can make for some pretty easy reviews. Unless of course one wants to actually sound intelligent during the discussion of said manga. Which is what I hope to do, so please, let me know in the comments how well I succeed in that aspect.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>First off, the finale to Gray and Juvia's fight. The first time I read this part of the story, this was the moment that I decided I was a fan of <i>Fairy Tail</i>. I had never seen anything quite like this fight. It was action, comedy, and romantic drama all rolled into one. Initially I just really enjoyed the humor of the fight, and the younger, less wise me got a chuckle out of the accidental grope. Now that I am a total of five years older, and have read through the series multiple times by this point, I can appreciate this moment for what it really is.<br />
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It's a character moment for someone that at the time I didn't realize would be important later on down the line. In a matter of just a couple of pages Mashima set up Juvia's backstory, he manages to invest the readers in his plight, and then he solves the problem in a way that it's little wonder Juvia would later become so obsessed with Gray. Reading through the fight this time allowed me to appreciate exactly how much Gray changed her life, just by clearing the skies for her. Though, how exactly that happened is a bit unclear, and never explained, but Mashima writes for emotional impact, not logical impact, so I for one can let it pass.<br />
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The fight between Erza and Aria, and later Erza and Jose, are both pretty much unremarkable. The first is to show how powerful Erza really is, and the second is to show how powerful Jose is. And in conjunction the two are able to pull that off pretty well. But the fights themselves aren't the best in the series, and it's a shame that Erza, who normally is treated so well by Mashima, didn't get a bigger role this volume.<br />
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Makarov and Jose's fight is interesting in that we get our first glimpse at what two master wizards can really do. But their true powers are kept more or less mysterious so as to allow Mashima not to show his hand where the ultimate power levels are concerned for his series. And while having clear boundaries are needed for fights in shonen series to really make the climax of an arc satisfying, I once again refer back to Mashima's writing style focusing a great deal on style rather than substance. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just not as filling as some series can get.<br />
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Jose has always bugged me. On the one hand there's elegance in simplicity, but on the other hand Jose goes past simple elegance into just plain simple. Jealousy and greed work perfectly fine as motivations, but I'm supposed to believe that Jose didn't consider what would happen to him after this war? Did her really think the country wouldn't intervene? Did he think he could fight against an entire country? How is someone so clearly evil the head of an official guild? It feels like Phantom Lord should have been one of the dark guilds that come into the series later on, but Mashima didn't want to reveal those yet. Or at least he didn't want to bring them back so soon after Eisenwald.<br />
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Still, we don't know enough about Jose to really draw any real conclusions about what exactly he was thinking about the deeper issues of the war he instigated. Did he really think he could get away with it? We don't know, nor can we know because that information is never delved into. On a surface level it works just fine, but one of Mashima's biggest weaknesses is the fact that he rarely goes deeper than the surface level. All it would have taken was maybe one page or less of someone in the guild asking Jose if he really thinks the country will let them get away with this. Maybe show that he's too far gone to consider that, or at least something.<br />
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Mashima's villains in general feel very disposable, and in this arc especially we could have benefited from a few more scenes of Phantom Lord interacting with each other.<br />
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But, it's time for the final battle between Natsu and Gajeel. What really struck me about this battle is that not only is this the first time we get to see two dragonslayers fight, this is the first time that we get to compare two different elements of the same type of magic. Most of the time Natsu's ability to eat fire has been a major advantage, almost entirely because of the convenience of most of his opponents having some kind of fire ability. This time, however, Natsu's ability is negated by the fact that, when you get down to it, fire really isn't all that common. Sure it can easily be made, but think of it like this, in the real world how often would you actually come across fire in a life or death battle?<br />
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Seeing Natsu at a disadvantage in this way was a first for this series, and it really helps to drama of the fight to see Natsu so clearly outclassed. Though the way that he finally overpowers Gajeel is a bit contrived, but I don't really come to <i>Fairy Tail</i> fights for anything more than a well rendered fight scene. It's satisfying overall, but could be a lot more satisfying. But, for what it is, it's quite good.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/5</b></span></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-54089208301843451982013-06-25T21:39:00.000-07:002013-06-25T21:39:02.485-07:00Episode 053 - June 24, 2013 - The Top Five Manga We Want Licensed | Fairy Tail Vol. 8<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Episode 053</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">(<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/losen9g08pa2499/Manga%5E3_Episode_053.mp3">MP3</a> | <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/dip8269pyx3p7j6/Manga%5E3_Episode_053.m4a">M4A</a>)</span></b></div>
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Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of June 24, 2013. This week we discuss manga series we've read through certain..."clandestine" means and would really love to put down some cold hard cash for. We also continue our discussion of <i>Fairy Tail</i> with a review of volume eight of the manga.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes Here!</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612621015/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1612621015&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Buy Fairy Tail, Vol. 8 Here!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1612621015" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b>
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Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-7154700381512388832013-06-19T10:12:00.000-07:002013-06-19T10:14:31.083-07:00Episode 052 - June 17, 2013 - The Top Five Sexiest Manga Characters | Fairy Tail Vol. 7<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Episode 052</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">(MP3 | <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/oon83s3881m38yb/Manga%5E3_Episode_052.m4a">M4A</a>)</span></b></div>
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Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of June 17, 2013. This week we indulge in a bit of fun and discuss which are our top five favorite sexy manga characters. We also discuss volume seven of Fairy Tail. For now the MP3 is not available due to technical difficulties. I'm working to resolve it.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes!</a></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1612621007/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1612621007&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Buy Fairy Tail, Vol. 7 Here!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1612621007" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b>
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Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-34155926603154197372013-06-19T06:00:00.000-07:002013-06-19T06:00:04.070-07:00Manga Reviews: Fairy Tail Volume 7<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320558284l/6236660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320558284l/6236660.jpg" width="213" /></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Story</span></strong></div>
After the attack on Phantom Lord ends in disaster, Makarov is left near death, his magic power drained. Natsu discovers that Lucy has been kidnapped, and rushes off to save her. He arrives just in time to save her from her own escape attempt. After the insult Lucy serves Master Jose, Phantom Lord's guild building attacks, turning into a giant transformer capable of using a powerful magical cannon and the Abyss Break spell.<br />
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Natsu, Elfman, and Gray infiltrate the guild to take it down from the inside. There they confront and take down two of the Element Four, while Gray's battle against Juvia begins.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></strong><br />
This arc marks a high point in this series for me. It was the first really big arc that had consequences that stretched beyond any individual job. Up to this point the aftermath of any given arc was contained to that arc alone. But in this case, with the near complete destruction of the guild the fallout cannot be contained to this arc alone. For many long running shonen action and adventure series that focus on an arc by arc structure the tendency to keep elements of each arc contained to said arc is fairly common. I'd say this is the moment where <i>Fairy Tail</i>'s willingness to work outside the initial constraints work to make it one of the more worth while long running series.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><i>Fairy Tail Vol. 7</i> even manages to sneak in a tiny bit of satire of other shonen series. While this may be me reading too much into it, I like to imagine that Mashima took the opportunity to mock the overuse of rescue arcs in shonen manga by having Lucy rescued within a single volume. While reading this and the last volume for the first time I was worried that we would have to put up with the seemingly obligatory rescue arc, but was pleasantly surprised when Lucy managed to save herself for the most part. This was a great character moment for her, because it allowed her to be an actual character capable of taking care of herself, and not a plot related tool. Admittedly she needed some help from Natsu at the most crucial part of her escape plan, but in a series that emphasizes teamwork and friendship so much that can easily be forgiven.<br />
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Elfman's fight, while brief and against a forgettable character, bears all the marks of a great shonen fight. The thing to keep in mind is that most major events in a shonen fighter series need to take place in the form of a battle of some kind. The bad shonen fighters stick with basic battles, the good shonen fighters take those battles and tie in whatever the plot or character requires. In this case we get the payoff for a minor plot thread regarding Mirajane and her brother Elfman. The story being that Elfman's powers had been blocked, restrained to only his arms, because the last time he attempted to use them completely he went berserk and caused the death of their younger sister. Dead family members are a staple of shonen series, but it's good to see it well mixed with the other main element of the series, the battles.<br />
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Natsu's fight against the first of the Element Four is forgettable. While it's entertaining on its own, it fails to leave a lasting impact, and because Natsu has had many fights even by this point it's difficult to provide that extra needed spice to really make it stand out. Elfman's opponent was just as forgettable as Natsu's, but where Elfman had a grand character moment, Natsu instead has just another fight.<br />
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The first half of Gray's fight against Juvia is amazing. This fight, which carries over to the next volume, is possibly my favorite fight of the series purely because of how well Mashima mixes action with comedy and character moments. Juvia in this first instance reveals herself to be a little bit different from her initial representation. While she came across as a gloomy, emotionless woman, we discover that she has an as of yet unexplored emotional depth to her. Or, in normal person speak, she falls head over heels for Gray after just exchanging a couple sentences with him. What follows for the rest of this volume is a wealth of character development that takes Juvia from her emotionless state, pulls her through the initial infatuation, right to the rage of perceived heartbreak as she perceives Lucy as a rival for Gray's affection. Sure some might call her a lunatic that Gray should run far, far away from. But when their first meeting is this entertaining and funny I for one wouldn't mind if Gray has to suffer a bit longer at the hands of this insane yet charming young woman.<br />
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In the end <i>Fairy Tail Vol. 7</i> has comedy, drama, high stakes, and character development all wrapped up in a nice combat package. This is a volume that anyone unsure of <i>Fairy Tail</i> needs to read to get a real sense of what makes this series so great.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/5</b></span></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-81528036278003100062013-06-12T21:46:00.000-07:002013-06-12T21:46:04.556-07:00Episode 051 - June 10, 2013 - Why Doesn't Oda Kill Characters? | Bakuman Vol. 1<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Episode 051</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">(<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/yc5zubh2bgcyith/Manga%5E3_Episode_051.mp3">MP3</a> | <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/mw6ty6pba4dldt2/Manga%5E3_Episode_051.m4a">M4A</a>)</span></b></div>
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Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of June 10, 2013. This week we discuss why exactly Eiichiro Oda never kills any of his characters. We can't really know in the end, but I think we get close to a general idea of what his reasoning could be. We also discuss the first volume of Bakuman, easily one of my favorite shonen series around. Prior evidence aside.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1421535130/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1421535130&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Buy Bakuman., Vol. 1 Here!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1421535130" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b>
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Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-89806347964877129002013-06-05T09:00:00.000-07:002013-06-05T09:00:00.867-07:00Anime Reviews: Toriko Episode 102 - Toriko Finally Defeated?! The Delicate and Dynamic Power of Honoring the Food!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20102/TorikoEpisode102TitleCard_zpsf7851bff.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo TorikoEpisode102TitleCard_zpsf7851bff.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20102/TorikoEpisode102TitleCard_zpsf7851bff.png" width="320" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Story</b></span><br />
Shu shows Toriko the Bubble Fruit in the courtyard, but Toriko's hunter's instincts disturb the fruit and cause it to pop. Shu has Toriko fight him to demonstrate what honoring the food can do even with very little energy. Toriko is worn down and unable to defeat the much weaker Shu. Shu then demonstrates how honoring food can help Komatsu by defeating him in a cabbage shredding competition. <br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20102/Komatsu_zpsfec151f1.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Komatsu_zpsfec151f1.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20102/Komatsu_zpsfec151f1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></b><br />
It really goes to show how important action is to <em>Toriko</em>. After episodes and episodes of what felt like filler but wasn't actually, even a small fight is a welcome relief. There's a difference between filling time with dialogue that drags and filling time with a pointless fight. I certainly know which I prefer.<br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20102/Shu_zpsdd4766c6.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Shu_zpsdd4766c6.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20102/Shu_zpsdd4766c6.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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That's not to say this fight was pointless. In fact it introduces the idea that Toriko could power up even further, but he does it in a way that focuses more on conserving his energy rather than a new big attack. It's an idea that I don't see too often, and I look forward to seeing how the anime handles Toriko's upcoming upgrade. <br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20102/BubbleFruit_zps012b60bd.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo BubbleFruit_zps012b60bd.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20102/BubbleFruit_zps012b60bd.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The animation in the fight is a lot better than we've gotten in the past few episodes. It really helps the fluidity of the fight scenes stand out when everything else is ridiculously stiff. I know that you don't need to spend much of the animation budget on dialogue, but maybe a trickle here and there to make it look as good as the fight scenes do would be nice. Especially considering how much of this series is dialogue. <br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20102/Toriko_zpsdebabb7d.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Toriko_zpsdebabb7d.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20102/Toriko_zpsdebabb7d.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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With how much time is focused on Toriko, it's nice to see that Komatsu gets a bit of focus as well. Cooks are important in this world, so seeing more time spent developing him would be much appreciated. <br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20102/KomatsuandToriko_zpse1852cdc.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo KomatsuandToriko_zpse1852cdc.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20102/KomatsuandToriko_zpse1852cdc.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I must say that the soundtrack has gotten an upgrade as well. The overtly Japanese themes are accented by the additions to the soundtrack and I think they work nicely. <em>Toriko's</em> soundtrack doesn't vary much so it makes me wonder when the second OST will be released. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20102/WafflePig_zps53405a78.png.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo WafflePig_zps53405a78.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20102/WafflePig_zps53405a78.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whut?</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">4/5</span></b></div>
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Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-28423081332945796422013-06-04T10:49:00.000-07:002013-06-04T10:49:18.033-07:00Episode 050 - June 3, 2013 - When the Main Characters Sucks! | Toriko Vol. 6<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Episode 050</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">(<a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/3emxczjuckc262w/Manga%5E3_Episode_050.mp3">MP3</a> | <a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/vd7xrd6junvt915/Manga%5E3_Episode_050.m4a">M4A</a>)</span></b></div>
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Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of June 3, 2013. This week we celebrate our fiftieth episode. It's amazing that we've managed to come this far at an almost perfectly consistent weekly release rate. Sure early on we had some weeks where we couldn't make it and had to do a double episode the following week. But for the most part we've been doing this completely consistently. This week we get to talk about what happens when the main character sucks, and how it can be fixed. We also discuss Toriko Vol. 6.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes Here!</a></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1421536943/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1421536943&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Get Toriko, Vol. 6 Here!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1421536943" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b>
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Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-5066917477415786002013-06-04T09:00:00.000-07:002013-06-04T09:00:01.257-07:00Anime Reviews: Toriko Episode 101 - People Without Gratitude Aren't Welcome! Terrifying Chowlin Temple!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20101/TorikoEpisode101TitleCard_zpsb0eb0e72.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo TorikoEpisode101TitleCard_zpsb0eb0e72.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20101/TorikoEpisode101TitleCard_zpsb0eb0e72.png" width="320" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Story</b></span><br />
Toriko and Komatsu learn about the vanishing forest disappearing when faced with threats. They reach the temple and discover that it is more violent than the forest, attacking those it feels aren't honoring the food. Criminals are brought here to be taught how to honor the food and rehabilitated. Chin Chin-Chin tells them they will learn from the assisstant instructor Shu. <br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20101/Chin_zps65fa17cc.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Chin_zps65fa17cc.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20101/Chin_zps65fa17cc.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></b><br />
I'd say that overall this episode was more enjoyable than the last. A lot of the dialogue took far longer than it should have, but there weren't any specific moments that felt like they were deliberately wasting time. It's still poor pacing, but poor pacing because of excessive dialogue and not poor pacing because air time needs to be filled. <br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20101/CowlinTemple_zps7ab157e3.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo CowlinTemple_zps7ab157e3.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20101/CowlinTemple_zps7ab157e3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know this may count as a spoiler, but I don't think anyone is being fooled like they were in the manga. Chiru is clearly a woman. I say clearly because not only is her voice actress a woman, but in this episode she's drawn with what is obviously a womanly form. It stands out because last episode she looked much more masculine, but in this episode there are more noticeable curves. Methinks that perhaps the animators decided to stop kidding themselves and just made it obvious. <br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20101/TorikoandChiru_zps8753a63b.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo TorikoandChiru_zps8753a63b.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20101/TorikoandChiru_zps8753a63b.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I like the idea of honoring the food. It makes sense in a world where everyone practically worships food, that there are people that actually worship food. Except in this case the idea is one that I've found not too uncommon in Japanese society, or at least the rural parts, that one must respect food. In the real world I've seen this in the form of finishing every bit of food on the table out of respect for the farmers that spend their effort growing it. <br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20101/ChinChin-Chin_zpsec9b4cc0.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ChinChin-Chin_zpsec9b4cc0.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20101/ChinChin-Chin_zpsec9b4cc0.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I try to be intelligent in my discussion of this series, and for the most part I think I succeed. But when I come to the games at the end of the episode I can't help but feel it's a wasted cause. The current finding game makes it very clear what age group this anime is for. Which, considering how violent it can get, is really odd. I guess TV executives in Japan have a different idea of what is appropriate for younger children. I would have thought <em>Toriko</em> was for teens. But Tina's segment at the end of the episode reminds me a lot more of something I'd see on <em>Blue's Clues</em> rather than, say, <em>Dragon Ball Z</em>. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20101/Chiyo_zps2d99a13d.png.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Chiyo_zps2d99a13d.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20101/Chiyo_zps2d99a13d.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What the...</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></b><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">3/5</span></strong></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-90073852940665489362013-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:002013-06-03T09:00:00.334-07:00Anime Reviews: Toriko Episode 100 - Put Your Hands Together and Bow! National Treasure, Chin-Chin, Appears!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20100/TorikoEpisode100TitleCard_zps83e43174.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo TorikoEpisode100TitleCard_zps83e43174.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20100/TorikoEpisode100TitleCard_zps83e43174.png" width="320" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Story</b></span><br />
Toriko and follow the fortune roll where it falls, into the vanishing forest. However, before they reach their destination, they find that the roll has been broken where a huge chunk of the forest has been scooped out. They chase who they think is the thief to the ten star Vanishing Japanese Cuisine Restaurant. When they try to enter it disappears, but a voice tells them to clap their hands together and bow. The restaurant reappears and the owner Chiru serves them a meal. But the ingredients are so delicate that they are barely able to eat any of them. After their meal the only other customer in the restaurant, and the one that helped them enter in the first place, reveals himself to be the master of Chowlin Temple, Master Chin Chin-Chin.<br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20100/ChinChin-Chin_zps63f52042.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo ChinChin-Chin_zps63f52042.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20100/ChinChin-Chin_zps63f52042.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></b><br />
My most common complain about this series is how much time is spent on things that don't need to be focused on. For example, eating the fortune roll, and even eating the food at the vanishing restaurant took up far too much time. I know it may be a bit much to complain about how much time is spent eating in a series about eating; the problem lies in how much of it is necessary. Like many Toei series a lot of time is spent on expositionary dialogue. So already that eats up a lot of time. The general feel of this episode, and many like it, is that time needs to be filled. It's not about telling the story as much as it is occupying air time.<br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20100/GiantRoll_zps6231c6f8.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo GiantRoll_zps6231c6f8.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20100/GiantRoll_zps6231c6f8.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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We all know why this is, it's because the anime can't overtake the manga. And Toei handles a lot of properties like this. They have a lot of experience adapting long running manga series into long running anime series. Unfortunately they've picked up a lot of bad habits, and a lot of what they do feels like cheating. The pacing of their shows suffer immensely. However, this does allow them to tell the story fans of the manga want to see without much filler. But if it really is aimed at fans of the manga, as I assume, then how can they reconcile the poor pacing? Fans of the manga will quickly tire of the pacing issues and instead focus solely on the manga.<br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20100/KomatsuFull_zps4c1b2691.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo KomatsuFull_zps4c1b2691.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20100/KomatsuFull_zps4c1b2691.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I will admit that <i>Toriko</i> still manages to influence me on a very primal level. Just watching them eat the fortune roll was enough to make me hungry again. Really this is the biggest strength of the anime and manga. Though doesn't it seem like a sushi roll that big defeats the purpose? Aren't we supposed to get it all in one bite? The size of that thing means it's impossible to eat anything but a single ingredient at a time. Still, it really did look tasty.<br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20100/Toriko_zps0c0a31e9.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Toriko_zps0c0a31e9.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20100/Toriko_zps0c0a31e9.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really like the idea of the vanishing restaurant. Shimabukuro does a good job of not idolizing Japanese cuisine, unlike many other foodie manga. Rather he takes a lot from international cuisine. But, for a fantasy representation of Japanese cuisine it's fitting how he represents it. Japanese is definitely one of the more delicate cuisines around, and is one that takes a lot of skill to perfect. So the idea that it takes as much skill to just eat it was a fun one. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20100/VanishingRestaurant_zps31e93e30.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo VanishingRestaurant_zps31e93e30.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20100/VanishingRestaurant_zps31e93e30.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Chin Chin-Chin really tests my maturity. I <em>know</em> there is a penis joke in there somewhere. But I will refrain from making it. For now. Knowing what happens later I can't promise I will hold off forever. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20100/KomatsuandToriko_zps55b8007d.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo KomatsuandToriko_zps55b8007d.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20100/KomatsuandToriko_zps55b8007d.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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If one can ignore the constant problems this anime brings with it then one can enjoy this episode. But because that is a caveat I can't give this episode a higher grade. There's some good stuff there, but with all the baggage attached to it most but the hardcore won't be able to properly enjoy it. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%20100/Chiru_zpsf7f6b3c9.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Chiru_zpsf7f6b3c9.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%20100/Chiru_zpsf7f6b3c9.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/5</b></span></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-16350788314285734712013-06-01T18:23:00.000-07:002013-06-01T18:23:10.250-07:00Graphic Novel Reviews: Justice League of America 004<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s5.postimg.org/m98luhmhj/2013_05_29_07_24_28_Justice_League_of_America.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s5.postimg.org/m98luhmhj/2013_05_29_07_24_28_Justice_League_of_America.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Story</b></span><br />
The JLA tracks down Catwoman and the Secret Society's location and break in. Meanwhile Catwoman breaks free from her restraints but is recaptured. The leader of the society, a very Joker-esque looking fellow, puts a gun to her head and shoots her. In the backup Martian Manhunter remembers the event that lead to the death of his whole people. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Review</b></span><br />
It's been said before, but it needs to be said again. If you're a fan of Catwoman you need to be reading this book. I won't say this is the best she's ever been written, but considering her own series right now I will say it's the best she's been written in a long time. Though I do find that her constantly name-dropping Batman is a bit odd. It's almost like the readers need to be reminded that she was a supporting character of Batman's. Which I suppose works for new readers, but for literally everyone else we don't particularly need the reminder. Though I did enjoy seeing how in this issue trying to use Batman's name backfired on her.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>That isn't to say I'm not looking forward to Batman's reaction. If nothing else I hope we actually get to see him react, if not it will feel like a wasted opportunity. Considering that Catwoman's book is currently set after the events of this issue I'm sure she isn't actually dead. If she really is dead then I'd almost say this is a bigger deal than Damian dying. She's got far more history than he does, she's been around for much longer. And with one minor exception there has only ever been one Catwoman, where there have been many Robins. Actually killing her off would take balls. Mostly because I will ragequit if she really is dead.<br />
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I apologize if I don't comment much about the other characters. This is partially because I don't know much about them, and so far this book hasn't given me all that much. At the moment they're really more like Catwoman's supporting cast than an actual team. Hopefully we can take some time off in the future and get to know them all better.<br />
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I will note that Dr Light's inclusion in this series, not as a villain, has me intrigued. Out of all the villains he's most in need of a revamp. While I think the idea that a super villain is also a rapist isn't the worst idea in the world, it's far too real world for me to fully enjoy in my comic book. So please, let's take a step away from the grim and gritty and try to stay away from rape in this future incarnation of Dr Light, shall we?<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Grade</b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/5</b></span></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-50042746796453160602013-05-29T12:46:00.001-07:002013-05-29T12:46:07.542-07:00Graphic Novel Reviews: Li'l Gotham 002 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://media.dcentertainment.com/sites/default/files/comic-covers/2013/02/BM_LG_2_t64plarwm4_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media.dcentertainment.com/sites/default/files/comic-covers/2013/02/BM_LG_2_t64plarwm4_.jpg" width="208" /></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Story</span></strong></div>
In the first story Batman and Nightwing stop Mr Freeze from kidnapping a children's choir. In the second story Catwoman vows to turn over a new leaf for the new year. But a surprise visit from Harley and Ivy test her resolution. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></strong><br />
The first thing that strikes me about this print version of the digital first <em>Li'l Gotham</em> is how well the pages are put together. In the digital release half a page of the printed edition is a full page in the digital chapters. I was afraid it wouldn't go well together when put into a full page, that there would be a clear line through the middle of each page. Fortunately the folks at <em>DC</em> are in fact professional picture people and know how to make this book look good.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>And look good it does, Dustin Nguyen's lines and colors make this a soft book not only in art, but his writing makes it a soft book in story as well. And by soft I don't mean the kind of flabby softness of the out of shape individual. Rather I mean the softness of a docile, sleekly muscled kitty. It's soft and cuddly feelings, but it has the power of talent behind it that promises this will not be a "kiddy book". I've read comics aimed at children. This is not a comic aimed at children. This is a comic <em>for</em> children <em>and</em> their Bat Fan parents. <br />
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If I had one thing to say about the art it's that the loose style Nguyen uses in his art does make it difficult to distinguish some characters. For example, in my last review I mentioned how I assumed the unknown woman could be Selina. Only she doesn't quite look the same in the second chapter of this issue. But I know there is enough variation from panel to panel that it makes it difficult to identify the many, many dark haired characters from time to time. <br />
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The best endorsement I can give for this series is that I gave the first issue to my cousin's kids. They loved it, he loved it, the only one who didn't love it was my cousin's wife because their daughter wouldn't put it down and come to dinner. I really hope <em>DC</em> takes advantage of this series and considers more well written, child friendly series. I know they've done child friendly series before, but most of the time it's the same schlock we expect kids to enjoy. If they're going to enjoy it, and become future comic readers, they need to be treated with the same respect adult readers are treated with. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></strong><br />
<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">5/5</span></strong></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-45081290600701358992013-05-28T20:07:00.001-07:002013-05-28T20:07:32.933-07:00Graphic Novel Reviews: Talon 008<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://s5.postimg.org/k83d1oobb/talon2012008000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s5.postimg.org/k83d1oobb/talon2012008000.jpg" width="208" /></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Story</span></strong></div>
Casey and Sarah are captured by the Court. When Calvin is brought back to life they are used to force him to do the Court's bidding. The first task they send him on is taking out the Talon currently allied with the <em>Birds of Prey</em>. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></strong><br />
There's a strange realm where plot events are predictable but still satisfying. This issue falls into that realm. I think the main reason I'm not pulling out the, "Psha! I called that months ago!" card is because I'm genuinely interested to see what happens next. It's a big shift from the status quo of the book, and where we go from here will be very intersting. I'm not a fan that I'll have to buy <em>Birds of Prey</em> to get the next part, but I will do it just so I can see Calvin playing the role of the villain. That last page has me really excited to see what happens next. I don't usually put much importance in the whole "I want to see these characters fight" mentality. But I really, really want to see him fight the <em>Birds of Prey.</em><br />
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<a name='more'></a>I did feel that the Butcher was a bit...weird. I know he's meant to be monstrous, but the way he's drawn this issue makes him look less like a large murderer and more like a distant cousin of Venom. I guess it works, it just requires switching my brain over from "realistic Batman" to "fantastical Batman" mode. I know the Butcher has always been big, but for some reason he seemed unreasonably big this time around. <br />
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Bane's invasion should be a lot of fun, though I expect another crossover event. I'm of two minds there. On the one hand I read most of the Bat Books anyway. Then again modern crossovers are unwieldly things that tend to satisfy a lot less than they once did. Still, it's Bane, his invasion of Gotham deserves the big treatment. To see it begin in the pages of <em>Talon</em> gives this book a level of legitimacy that it didn't have before in relation to the other Bat Books. And so far this version of Bane is one of the better representations we've gotten in the past few years. <br />
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<em>Talon</em> is a great book because it can be enjoyed mostly apart from the main continuity of the Bat Books, without some of the issues plaguing those books, while at the same time giving that familiar vibe that fans of <em>Batman</em> are looking for. If you haven't read it yet, pick up the back issues and get caught up because this is a book worth following. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></strong><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">4/5</span></strong></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-5092211502312060962013-05-28T19:29:00.001-07:002013-05-28T19:29:14.472-07:00Graphic Novel Reviews: The Dark Knight 020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2013/05/Batman_The-Dark-Knight_20_Full-665x10241-300x461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2013/05/Batman_The-Dark-Knight_20_Full-665x10241-300x461.jpg" width="208" /></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Story</span></strong></div>
Batman investigates the murders while Natalya is kidnapped by the Mad Hatter. Despite his conviction that she was perfect, after Natalya leaves a large scar on his face he decides she is not his Alice and must be disposed of. Batman realizes that Natalya has been taken and races to find her. But he is too late and the Mad Hatter throws her out a helicopter to die on the bat signal.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></strong><br />
I could be very, very sarcastic during this review. In fact last week that was my gut reaction. Since then I've had time to cool down, realize there were more important things in life than bad comic books. But, I imagine as I get back into the books coming out this week I'll find a couple of stinkers to ruin my mood. <br />
<br />
I don't think anyone is surprised at Natalya's death. People that haven't read any <em>Batman</em> books before couldn't possibly be surprised by her ultimate fate. Batman has kept his secret identity for a long time, that doesn't happen when every girl he ever revealed his secret to managed to survive their respective story. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>What gets me about this issue is that Natalya's death is meant to mean something. Unfortunately since everyone could see this end coming, the impact is lost. And since she has not been around for very long, we haven't had time to <em>see</em> how much she meant to Bruce. Instead we had to be <em>told</em> how much she meant. Sure, we're technically <em>shown</em> how much she meant. But it's all done through dialogue, and it's all layered so thick over the past several chapters that it was less subtle character building and more a flashing neon sign over her head reading "Road Kill". <br />
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I'm not too keen on the art. I'd love to read a <em>Batman</em> story with this art, but the shift halfway through the story makes it far too jarring. I hope Kudranski sticks around for the next storyline, since I would like to read a dark story with his art from the very begining. Sadly the writing probably won't be up to snuff. <em>The Dark Knight</em> is currently next on my chopping block. I already get a lot of Batman per month, and out of all of those titles this is the most superfluous. I started reading with the Scarecrow story because I was promised a good run. It was decent, and this one was mostly decent. But a lot of the events are poorly executed to the point where I don't see it worth my time reading these week by week, let alone taking the time to review them. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></strong><br />
<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">1/5</span></strong></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-53421986975606353522013-05-28T11:16:00.000-07:002013-05-28T11:16:16.554-07:00Episode 049 - May 27, 2013 - Why Hiramaru and Aoki's Relationship Sucked | Toriko Vol. 5<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/download/az4n3uegtbx9l2c/Manga%5E3_Episode_049.mp3">Episode 049</a></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of May 27, 2013. This week Moe doesn't get to do much talking for the first half because I'm too busy ranting about how much I hate the relationship between Hiramaru and Aoki in <i>Bakuman</i>. Think I'm crazy? Agree with me? Listen to this week's episode and find out why exactly I believe that. We also talk about Toriko Vol. 5.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes Here!</a></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1421536935/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1421536935&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">Buy Toriko, Vol. 5!</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1421536935" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></b>
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Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-47410214771549630712013-05-21T11:04:00.000-07:002013-05-21T11:04:05.610-07:00Episode 048 - May 20, 2013 - Moms in Manga | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure - Phantom Blood<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/play/9jabfda770777jd/Manga%5E3_Episode_048.mp3">Episode 048</a></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to Manga^3, your one stop for manga news and commentary, for the week of May 20, 2013. This week we talk about something we probably should have talked about last week, namely, Mom's in manga. We don't really have any kind of thesis statement going into this, we mostly just list off the moms from manga we do know, what they do, and try to figure out the general trends for how they are portrayed in manga. We also take a look at part one of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://burninglizardstudios.blogspot.com/p/manga3-archives.html">Listen to Old Episodes Here!</a></span></b></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-17975744312687127842013-05-19T09:00:00.000-07:002013-05-19T09:00:03.817-07:00Anime Reviews: Toriko Episode 099 - Too Huge! The Giant Fortune Roll, Completed With a Pro Wrestling Move!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%2099/TorikoEpisode99TitleCard_zps6ad03e92.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo TorikoEpisode99TitleCard_zps6ad03e92.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%2099/TorikoEpisode99TitleCard_zps6ad03e92.png" width="320" /></a>
</div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Story</b></span><br />
Toriko and Komatsu go to get some special seaweed, called eco nori, a kind of seaweed found only in one special place. They travel to the lands of Aimaru and his Gourmet Knights, who then take them to Eco Village, where the seaweed turns out to be the out layer of a certain kind of tortoise. After Toriko charges all the solar batteries for the tortoises, they return to Monchi with the seaweed. He then creatures the fortune roll, by wrestling the ingredients into submission.<br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%2099/MadamFish_zps4449d72d.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo MadamFish_zps4449d72d.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%2099/MadamFish_zps4449d72d.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></b><br />
<i>Toriko</i> is one of those series where if you take a couple of week's off like I did you come back wondering what the heck you're watching. Thus it was for me, after a few weeks of not watching the anime, and reading the more series current storyline of the manga. Coming back to what is essentially a filler, yet not really since it was in the manga, is very odd. I find myself asking, "Did I really just see that?" more and more often.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%2099/TorikoandTerri_zps25f98ec9.png.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo TorikoandTerri_zps25f98ec9.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%2099/TorikoandTerri_zps25f98ec9.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My expression throughout most of this episode.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
This episode dragged on a lot longer than I thought it should have. Perhaps it's because there was not enough material left before the actual plot needs to move on, otherwise I imagine they would have made this another double story. The parts with the eco village were interesting, if some of the more ludicrous stuff I've gotten from the series.<br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%2099/Board_zps9bed6eef.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Board_zps9bed6eef.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%2099/Board_zps9bed6eef.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I found, however, that this series' weakest point is the tropes that can be found in far too much anime. For example, Monchi and his brother are beyond irritating. The voices are bad enough, but the fact that their entire personality is based on a single phrase or word is frustrating as heck. I find this kind of thing works best in the manga, but when put into motion and voiced these character quirks get real old real fast. And the fact that the anime always spends more time focusing on them gets to me.<br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%2099/Monchy_zpsc79a0d33.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Monchy_zpsc79a0d33.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%2099/Monchy_zpsc79a0d33.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ultimately I found this episode suffered most from my having been away from the series for so long. I found myself getting annoyed much faster at smaller things that I ignored up to this point. Toriko and Komatsu's vocalizations of wonder, also known as the "Ooooooooh!" get real annoying the further you get into the series. I think this is a weakness of anime in general, especially series produced by <i>Toei</i>. They just spend far too much time focusing on the most basic of tropes and characteristics. Which is a complaint I've heard from many friends that don't care for anime. I can't argue against that, because I find myself agreeing with it more and more.<br />
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<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%2099/FortuneRoll_zps3be1b470.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo FortuneRoll_zps3be1b470.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%2099/FortuneRoll_zps3be1b470.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course that has more to do with the types of shows that I watch, so expanding my horizons might not be a bad idea. I may need to get away from all this shonen, or at least watch more other shows on top of that. The comforting sense of familiarity is starting to wear thin where shonen series are concerned. One could say I've left the honeymoon stage and am now starting to notice some of the more irritating habits.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/BurningLizard/media/Toriko/Episode%2099/Aimaru_zpse075fdfe.png.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo Aimaru_zpse075fdfe.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://i1052.photobucket.com/albums/s449/BurningLizard/Toriko/Episode%2099/Aimaru_zpse075fdfe.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>2/5</b></span></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-8005797386440509692013-05-18T16:25:00.003-07:002013-05-18T16:25:38.203-07:00Graphic Novel Reviews: Batman Li'l Gotham 001<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2013/04/Batman_Lil-Gotham_1_Full-665x10241-300x461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2013/04/Batman_Lil-Gotham_1_Full-665x10241-300x461.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Story</span></b><br />
In the first story Batman explains halloween to Damian. The two run into the rogue's gallery enjoying a holiday meal at a restaurant. And in respect of the holiday Batman lets them finish their meals before the police storm the restaurant.<br />
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In the second story the Penguin attacks a thanksgiving parade, protesting against the wholesale consumption of turkeys during the holidays. Batman and Robin take him down and then return to Wayne manor to enjoy thanksgiving dinner with the rest of the family.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></b><br />
I often have trouble reviewing books that I like. Generally I end up saying a long winded version of, "Yeah, it was good." But every once in a while there comes a series that while I initially don't have much to say, as each new chapter comes out I find myself with more and more to say. One such series is <i>Batman Li'l Gotham</i>. This newish series by Dusting Nguyen and Derek Fridolfs has been coming out as a digital first with new chapters being published as they coincide with major holidays.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>While this theme has been enjoyable, and in fact feels like a much lighter take on the basic concept of <i>A Long Halloween</i>, it does mean that the release schedule can be somewhat erratic. Generally, when there is a new holiday coming up you can expect a new chapter, but since holidays aren't exactly consistent it does mean that when exactly new chapters come out vary by a great deal.<br />
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I think it should come as no surprise to anyone scanning my blog that I love child friendly entertainment. But only so long as it's well written and well drawn or produced. <i>Li'l Gotham</i> is a prime case of a series for children that is not only well written, but also beautifully drawn. This is <i>THE</i> series for <i>Batman</i> fans to be reading, no matter what their age. Are you a fan of the Bat Family? Well, forget all the other <i>Batman</i> books out there. <i>THIS</i> is the book you need to be reading if you like seeing them all get along.<br />
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Do you have children that you want to introduce to <i>Batman</i> because it is the best franchise in the world and no child of yours will be a fan of anything else? But while there are excellent animated series for them to enjoy you find that the comics are far from kid friendly? Fear not, because <i>Li'l Gotham</i> is the kid friendliest series DC is currently publishing.<br />
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The stories, all centering around holidays of course, are light hearted enough, yet written with sincerity. Not only can they be enjoyed by children, but longtime fans of <i>Batman</i> will have a blast picking up on the cameos for some of the less well known, yet still loved, Bat Family members. And the little joke about everyone always forgetting about Jason is not unappreciated.<br />
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I will say though, that at times it becomes difficult to tell certain characters apart when they aren't in costume. The big scene during the second chapter, when they are all gathered together for thanksgiving dinner, did give me a run for my money as I tried to figure out who was who. Ultimately I was able to figure out that I was looking at Bruce, Dick, Jason, Tim, Damian, Barbara, Alfred, Colin, and Katana (at least I'm pretty sure it's her based on later chapters), but I can't figure out who the third woman is, the one with the short black hair. I have three guesses, first off Zatanna, except I don't think it's her because her hair on the cover and in later chapters is much longer in the back; Cassandra is an option, except her bangs are a lot longer on the cover; my last choice would be Selina, and she would make sense considering her placement in the two panels, and her hair matches Selina's most, except in a later chapter she looks a bit different, except I can't be sure if that's a slight change in the art style or what. Either way I'm going to stick with the unidentified woman being Selina, because not only does she match her the closest, but that's who I would like it to be. If anyone else has any guesses let me know in the comments. And if Dustin Nguyen wants to shed light on this, please, Mr Nguyen, if you're reading this for some reason, I need to know!<br />
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Tangent aside, this is not only the cutest <i>Batman</i> book around, it's also the most satisfying. As a fan of <i>Batman</i> and his extended cast I get the most pleasure from the simplest things. Sometimes I want a dark <i>Batman</i> story, and sometimes I just want to see Dick feeding Barbara a forkful of what I assume are green beans.<br />
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Like the holidays themselves, it's the small moments that mean the most. The time you can spend with your family, whether they are your real family or a fictional family you're reading about in a comic book, really are the best times to be had. For many of us fans we've become so invested in these characters that we feel we know them on a real personal level. And while we all love Batman's exciting adventures, sometimes we just want to sit back and enjoy a thanksgiving dinner with them.<br />
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If you like Batman, if you like real family friendly entertainment, then go pick up the first issue of this series, and go read the new chapters on comixology or on your DC digital comics app. And while your at it, buy an extra copy for your kids.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>5/5</b></span></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-1139578319819092192013-05-18T15:48:00.003-07:002013-05-18T15:48:27.165-07:00Graphic Novel Reviews: My Little Pony Friendship is Magic 007<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cc.wwbtc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/MyLittlePony07-covRIrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.cc.wwbtc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/MyLittlePony07-covRIrd.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Story</span></b><br />
Nightmare Rarity and her shadow creatures overpower the ponies, while Luna is sent back to help Ponyville prepare for the upcoming invasion. The Mane Six are locked up, with only Spike left free. He sneaks into the castle, but is caught in an illusion of Nightmare Rarity's. He manages to see through the deception, but is unable to fight back against the corrupted Rarity. Now all that's left are the ponies on earth. And only one issue left to go in this story.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></b><br />
There's something about fart jokes that, no matter how innocuous or how only one is used in an entire issue, the simple fact that one was made lowers the esteem many readers have for the entire work. I don't really take it into account when considering my grade for this issue, but it did give me pause when I read it. "Really?" I thought, "We're going there?"<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Other than that, it seemed like this issue was shorter than the past few issues have been. Though I think that's something that has been plaguing the current creative team. And in fact I find that in general a lot of comics are moving towards fewer panels per page with more emphasis on the art and larger artistic layouts.<br />
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I bring this up because I've been spending the past week reading through Don Rosa's backlog of <i>Donald Duck</i> comics. The reason this is relevant is because Rosa has a very specific style where every single panel is not only packed with information, but he also packs an extra four panels in per page compared to his peers. Which already at the time had more panels than current comics do. This meant that he cold tell much longer stories in much less space. More than once I'd be into a story and look back at how many pages I'd read and realize I was only on the second page. I think more comics could take a page out of Rosa's book and pack their panels just a little more densely. It's tricky to do, and unless the artist is up to the task it won't look good. But considering how much more story this would give us per month I think this is a style that more artists and writers should consider adopting.<br />
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That's my main opinion of this month's comic. It was good, but we've gotten a lot of good, and to really make an impact we need phenomenal. Otherwise we're just left with a good story that we're being given in smaller chunks than is really necessary. Just a little more content per month and I think we'd be doing a lot better.<br />
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Still, I've enjoyed this run, if not quite as much as the first storyline, and I'm interested to see how this all wraps up next month. If nothing else, the comic series has been a blessing for fans of the show, providing at least a bit of new content. It's good, but not great, and I think just a little more effort would help improve this creative team's work significantly. But, I'll refrain from commenting on the story as a whole until next month.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>3/5</b></span></div>
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If you liked the review, consider picking up the trade:<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1613776055/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1613776055&linkCode=as2&tag=burnlizastud-20">My Little Pony Volume 1: Friendship Is Magic</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=burnlizastud-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1613776055" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367498265106693883.post-89838398491696265312013-05-18T15:22:00.002-07:002013-05-18T15:23:03.603-07:00Graphic Novel Reviews: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe 002<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s1.postimg.org/vjoo0gncv/3041768_he_man.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s1.postimg.org/vjoo0gncv/3041768_he_man.png" width="207" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Story</span></b><br />
Teela reveals that she does not recognize Adora for being Adam's sister, but because she was apparently an imaginary friend of hers. Or so she thought. They fight, but ultimately have to retreat when Adora's forces start butchering civilians to force a surrender. What is left of the royal forces and the Masters of the Universe convene at Castle Grayskull. King Randor explains that their enemies are the forces of Hordak, though none of his people believe that they are being attacked by an old legend.<br />
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Adora's forces discover where the remnants of the resistance are gathering and orders surveillance on the old castle. She sends a projection of herself as an emissary, to order their surrender, but the Masters of the Universe refuse.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Review</span></b><br />
So I guess in this version Teela and King Randor knows that Adam is He-Man. I <i>think</i> I remember that from the mini-series. I can't be certain. Actually, that's something I've always been wondering about. I know that He-Man originally came out when secret identities were the cool thing. But it's never made sense why Adam had to hide that he was He-Man. I understand that it's to protect those close to him from danger, but it doesn't work as well here the way it does with Batman and Spider-Man for example. With Batman he needs to keep his identity secret so that his enemies don't go after him when he needs to rest, as well as to protect himself from being prosecuted by the police. With Spider-Man it's to keep those he loves out of harm's way. But with He-Man all his loved ones are either powerful warriors, or at risk anyway, like his parents. What exactly would Skeletor gain by knowing He-Man is Adam? Perhaps he could target him directly, but he seems to target Adam and those around him fairly regularly anyway. And if he was so powerful that he could get to Adam in the capital city, then he would have taken it over by this point anyway.<br />
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It will be interesting to see where this series goes now that Adam's secret identity has been revealed. I think so far I've been able to enjoy this series and its accompanying mini-series because my familiarity with the <i>He-Man</i> franchise is somewhat limited. I know the basics, but have not seen much of the original TV show or read any of the comics or books.<br />
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I do find that Teela's personality seems a bit exaggerated from what I do know about her. A bit too wise-ass than what I normally pictured her as. Then again, her personality did seem to vary from incarnation to incarnation, so it isn't unheard of. But she goes beyond being a strong woman to being what too many writers think a strong woman is. Namely one that is actually just really, really rude. I know that everyone was thinking what she says about Mekaneck, but it still wasn't exactly called for. I mean, sure his powers aren't useful in battle, but what if they need to look over something really tall?<br />
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We've gotten a few hints that something is going on with Adora, and apparently Queen Marlena is missing. So I imagine we'll be finding out in a few issues what is going on there.<br />
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The constant jabs by Adora at He-Man and Teela being a couple were amusing. I don't know whether anything will actually come of that, but it certainly supports my theory that DC is filled with nothing but shippers.<br />
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Overall this issue in particular feels very self aware. There are a lot of jabs not only at the not entirely supported by the source material idea that Adam and Teela had a thing going on, but also at some of the sillier aspects of the source material. It betrays a possible lack of sincerity on the writer's part. Like he's saying, "Now I know this is silly, but bear with me." Personally I think that treating the material you're working with sincerity and respect is always a better idea than trying to make it look like you're in on the joke. So far it's only happened in this one issue, and the rest of the book is really enjoyable, so as long as this doesn't become a running theme I'll reserve docking this issue any points.<br />
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I can't speak for fans of <i>He-Man</i>, but for casual viewers or the uninitiated like myself this is a fun enough read. On its own merits I think it's a good jumping in point for people new to this franchise. Most people know enough about it to get at least something out of this series. But, in that regard there is a certain level of insider knowledge needed to understand what is going on. Basing my opinion on myself, as a non-fan coming into the franchise, I might know a bit more than the average non-fan. I had to look up who Adora was after the last issue, not because I didn't know but because I had to confirm that I was right. So perhaps a little bit of research is needed to understand some of the smaller stuff, but overall I found this issue pretty accessible.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The Grade</span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>4/5</b></span></div>
Derek Bownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05904294101323626951noreply@blogger.com0