Neon Alley and Toonami

Quick review on Neon Alley. I am all for it. The more anime becomes available to audiences, the more popular it can become. I really hope that people will use it so that hopefully someday there can be a true anime channel on Television. I hate how Funimation Channel is the only anime channel on television here in the United States and the only way to get it is by buying that channel on demand. Neon Alley also seems great because you'll be able to watch anime without having to look all over the internet for free episodes all because the government and licensors are stopping videos from appearing because of copyright. But yeah, I actually think people will take the opportunity to use Neon Alley. I like how Neon Alley is giving the fans a fun, new way to enjoy anime through new means. But it does bring up a certain question: now that companies are using video game consoles to stream videos, will there come a time when video game consoles become our new mode of television?

But anyway...I am glad that Toonami is back. Yes, I know it's been almost two months now, but it's just amazing how people can bring back a channel on the air. If they can do that, they can basically bring back any old TV show from way back when. However, I am a little hesitant to say that I am glad that it is back mainly because the ratings aren't all that great. I feel, hopefully I am wrong, that it might end up getting cancelled if the ratings don't go up. Also, with low ratings, it is almost impossible to get better animes on. Right now, their lineup is decent, not good nor bad. Hopefully they'll be able to buy better shows. Another thing I want to point out is that Toonami can set the precedent to having a real true anime channel as I said above of how I want one. If Toonami were to gain great popularity, it could totally have it's own channel especially since Toonami is not just about anime, but reviews on games, upcoming realeases on games and anime, and pretty much is a great place to just sit back and watch. However, that requires a lot of money. But having a Toonami Channel will probably never happen, so just don't forget what I said. However, the anime industry is all about business. So please have your friends and anyone to watch Toonami every Saturday night or just Tivo it or autotune or whatever. But yeah, that's it. I guess they're not really reviews but hopes and opinions. Haha.

Eden of the East Pictures

Upcoming Reviews

I just want to put a heads up of what I am planning to review next. I would do them right now, but unfortunately I don't have the time right now. I'm mostly trying to review animes that aren't as popular or known I guess. Also if it doesn't have a review...I don't even know what I am saying... So, I might post them either later tonight or one by one on a different day. Not sure yet. If you have a favorite series that isn't as mainstream (or any anime really) that you want me to review or just know what my opinion is on it, just put a comment below. So without further ado, here they are: 

1. Eden of the East
2. High School of the Dead
3. Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan
4. Big Windup!
5. Casshern Sins
6. Asura Cryin'
7. The Knight in the Area
8. MAYBE Blue Exorcist

So yeah, those are pretty much it. They might not be done/posted in that order, so we'll see. But yeah, these are the ones I plan on doing and I promise not to include any spoilers that could ruin them for you.



**Quick note/Update, I really like Eden of the East so it's going to be LONG. So expect that one first.**

Puella Magi Madoka Magica

This time I am reviewing the popular Puella Magi Madoka Magica or just Madoka Magica. It's a short anime series consisting of just 12 episodes. The story at first can get a bit overwhelming and confusing while they try to give you as much information in the first episode. So here's a quick summary: a young 14 year old girl named Madoka Kaname lives a typical school life with her friends. However, she has had dreams involving a mysterious girl and herself battling a giant monster, later to be known as a witch. One day at school, a transfer student by the name of Homura Akemi appears in her class and Madoka quickly notices that she is the one from her dreams. From there, the story takes off explaining Madoka's dreams to who and what Homura is. She is a magical girl which are girls who have their souls taken out by the Kyubey, which is a creature from another alien race, to battle evil witches. However, the meaning as to how witches come into being is a startling one which makes Madoka's decision to become a magical girl even more difficult. Throughout the series Homura tries to stop Madoka from becoming a magical girl, but the Kyubey wants her to become one, for she can become the most powerful magical girl ever due to reasons later to be explained.

The animations and design of the whole anime is pretty interesting. Normally, characters aren't drawn with big, bulgy heads but this actually gave it a unique distinction among other animes I've seen. It added to the whole innocent factor of the girls who are trying to learn more about the  purpose of Magical Girls. What also set it apart from other animes was the art given to emphasize the withes' evil and strength such as drawing some cartoonish and fun while other witches were a somewhat realistic and dark. I sometimes had trouble getting used to this since sometimes the witch animations were sometimes 2D while the girls were meant to be 3D. In other words, it just seemed as if the girls were fighting flat images. The scenery was nice and simple. To me it didn't seem as if the scenery and landscape of the city was important to the story at all. 

The story itself was alright. It wasn't great. It did have some flaws while some characters had no real purpose in being in the actual main plot. At times it felt awkward or just not making any sense. Even the Japanese voice actors sounded as though they got tired of working on the anime because their reactions felt off or not as emotional as it should have been. It really could have been better. It was decent. Just that. Decent. Would I watch it again? Probably not. My favorite character was Kyubey though. His whole purpose/mission and persona was amazing. The story did seem as though it was being rushed in the final few episodes as they were just blowing by all this information that seems like it would be crucial to the ending, but not all of it was. The ending had you asking questions instead of letting you feel it ended nicely.

Overall, I thought it was OK. I would give it a 6.5 or 7 out of 10. It really could have been better. I did feel somewhat emotional after what happened after Mami's situation, but after that, you're just waiting for Madoka to become a magical girl since you already know by the first episode she's going to be one. Some characters did get annoying, but some really aren't lasting characters. In other words, most of these characters will be forgotten by the time you finish watching this anime. I wouldn't recommend it as a "must see" but more as a "watch when you have the time". If you feel the urge to quit after a few episodes, then just read the episode summary. No big deal. I've seen better. Not saying that it's bad, but I've seen better.

Black ★ Rock Shooter

Even now that I finished it, it still doesn't make any sense. Not to take away from the quality of the anime, but the story is somewhat confusing and rushed. At first, it takes a while to get used to the action scenes, but once you do, the story goes  on from there. In other words, the action and the art do not stop the story at all. Black ★ Rock shooter is about a young middle school girl named Mato who lives a carefree life never hating anything or anyone. However, there are two world: the real world in which Mato lives in and the other world full of battling doubles of the real world. Black Rock Shooter happens to be Mato's double. I don't want to give away the story so I will stop there. It is an interesting story.

First I should talk about the art or the animations. It was fantastic. Amazing! I could not believe how incredible the animations were. Most of the battle scenes were shot in 3D giving the action a more realistic, dimensional approach or view. I loved the fighting scenes. It was just mind-boggling. The only downside, however, was the fact that it could be overwhelming at times especially for those not used to having that much 3D in one anime. Even the scenes where they are in their own reality seemed great. Overall, the animations were just perfect.

Now for the second part of my opinion. The story, as I said earlier, seems rushed which is what leads to it being confusing. Each episode (8) centers on Mato, but it also gives emphasis to the other characters. In other words, each episode centers on both Mato and one other character. I believe that they could have made the story flow smoothly if they were to add more episodes. All the important stuff that should have been elaborated on was kept out of the main storyline while the simple things were left on. The characters are interesting in their own right, for their unique personalities and decisions are crucial to the story. Mato's especially has you wondering about your own life.

Overall, I think the story could have gone a multiple of directions. I also strongly believe that their will be a second season mainly due to the many holes that need to be filled. I enjoyed this anime, but not to the point where I truly believed it was great. Being only 8 episodes, it is a good anime to watch to kill time. I wish that this anime received more publicity than it currently has. It's sole contributor to its fame is the figmas and OVA that received the fame beforehand. If you want to watch an anime with great animations, then I strongly suggest this one. Either way, do not really expect it to be great. It's good, but not amazing. I would give it a 7/10 mainly because of it's great animations. Hopefully the second season, if it happens, isn't as rushed.

Anime Expo or Any Other Convention Tips

This post is mostly for those who are attending Anime Expo for the first time this weekend, but these tips could probably be used by those who go to any other convention.

1. I recently came across a video on YouTube (mTANGproductions' channel) that explained an ingenious way to remember 3 important rules: the 6-2-1. They are necessary for con-goers. The 6 represents the 6 minimal hours of sleep one must get to last the whole day. You do not! want to sleep less because it will strain your brain and body trying to keep up with everything that is going on around you. Not fun. 2 is for the amount of times you should eat; however, try not to eat too much junk food especially cookies and chocolate, for those will knock you out with an upset stomach. Trust me, it is not a pleasant feeling. -__- Take some granola bars, Corn Nuts, peanuts, or any other small snack to keep you going with out having to keep feeling hungry. Don't worry, you'll forget about eating after spending the whole day at Anime Expo or any other convention. And finally, 1 is for the number of showers needed. It gets so hot in the summer, especially in Los Angeles. Being from Southern California, I am supposed to be used to the extreme levels of heat, but there comes a time when it is just unbearable. Inside the Exhibit Hall can be worse than the temperature outside because of the amount of people crowded inside trying to look or buy stuff. If you need to, just step away from the crowd and sit down at the tables provided for you at the sides. You don't want to be sweaty and overcome with heat exhaustion to the point where you pass out in the middle of the Exhibit Hall. Please take a shower. You'll smell really bad later. :/
2. A tip on those table and chairs on the sides, it seems as though those that happen to go to Anime Expo always crowd themselves around the main tables and chairs on the right. It comes to a point where you can't even find a seat. Because of this, the left side is practically empty or used up by less people. I recommend finding a seat on the left since you will find one. Also, don't be shy to ask those around you if you can sit down at their table even if you don't know them. Chances are they will let you have a seat granted you don't annoy them. ***Also, please don't sit in the middle of the Exhibit Hall. It can get very annoying having to walk around those that just sit in your way and they get super mad at you for stepping on their cosplay, but in fact it's their fault. Just saying...***
3. Take lots of water. And I MEAN TAKE A LOT OF WATER!!!!! I recommend at least taking a liter water bottle, but not a gallon since that cann be tiresome carrying it around with you. Also, take a Gatorade or Powerade to help you rehydrate since too much water can be bad for you. Also, it just helps to add variety and not get tired of drinking only water. 
4. Take comfortable clothing and shoes. Don't take any wild shoes or clothing unless it's for cosplay. Take some running/walking shoes since they are meant for long hours of use. I also recommend taking some shorts and a short sleeve shirt. Jeans can and will get hotter as the day progresses and will only wear you out. Also take a hat for those long, long, long, LONG lines to get your Badge/Pass since you will be out in the sun. You need something to cover yourself with. I wouldn't take an umbrella however.
5. Have a good breakfast before you go or arrive at the convention. 
6. Prepare for long hours of waiting if you plan on getting an autograph. It can get insane and hectic.
7. Try to get in line for a panel at least 30 minutes to an hour before it starts if you want good seats. 
8. If you just want to relax, I recommend going into one of the viewing rooms to just sit down and watch animes. Sometimes you might find one that you really like, but never heard of. 
9. Try not to go crazy on spending at the Exhibit Hall. Sometimes you can haggle the prices a little with vendors who aren't a part of those bigger companies like Funimation and Aniplex. I recommend trying to lower the prices on the later days like Sunday and Monday. The most common amounts that vendors lower are $2, $3, $5, or $10. Nothing more. Another good idea is trying to get two for one price like getting a poster as well as a button for the poster price.
10. Take something to entertain yourself with even if it's your iPod or mp3 player, manga, or video games. You will definitely need something to pass the time with. 
11. Try to at least know ahead of time what you will try to buy or really want from Anime Expo. Be it autographs, posters, Nendoroids, Figmas, wall scrolls, or anime, make a list of items you will be searching for. Check the cons' schedule online to see where all the vendors are or where each panel and event is taking place. You do not want to be rushing everything at the last minute before con is over. Also check the map so as to know how far everything is and how long it would take you to get there. 
12. If at all possible, eat outside of the Convention. Never buy food inside because it is all too costly. 
13. Try to buy a fan if you can or bring one from home. A portable one such as a battery powered one or paper fan. 
14. Arrive for your pass/badge at least 1 hour before the convention starts or opens. The earlier you arrive the better.
15. Try to take a backpack with you to carry all your stuff. A handbag is convenient, but it can get heavier if you buy more stuff. 
16. Remember that some of the stuff you find can be cheaper on the internet, but if you believe it's super special or cheaper there, go for it. ***Be careful with pirated and fake items. Check the item's packaging and clues to it being fake.***
17. And finally, HAVE FUN!!!!! It's a time to simply enjoy all things anime and manga. There will be many freebies so be sure to get those as soon as possible. If you find a con-exclusive or con-only item, buy it if you can and want to. It can be a super cool souvenir to take home since many of those will hardly ever be found on the internet for sale. Enjoy yourself and be super careful of those around you. If you see something malicious or anything or anyone that can cause harm, inform the nearest staff member or security. They will be wearing certain shirts to separate from the crowd.
18. Happy Times!!! : )