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Blood Blockade Battlefront is New York at its Finest
NYC often gets a bad rep. Most people either see it as a smelly hellhole filled with crime and crappy attitudes or a breeding ground for hipsters and vapid socialites. People only see what they want to see without looking at the whole picture. This makes Leonardo's all-seeing eyes of God all the more important. Instead of lumping NYC into a box, he sees it for what it truly is; a chaotic blend of volatile elements.
The storytelling of Blood Blockade Battlefront is pure chaos from beginning to end. Leonardo is thrown into a world of highly deadly scenarios with very little breathing room in between. Each episode focuses on a moment in the character's life. One episode will focus on Leonardo befriending an amnesiac monster who loves burgers and another will feature a brigade of Charlie's angels-esque spies who happen to be invisible werewolves. It's the type of show that always keeps you on your toes because you never know what to expect. Some have criticized the show for its lack of an overarching plot and treat it as if that's inherently bad. Blood Bloockade isn't the type of show that needs a complex narrative. Its biggest appeal is simply seeing its eccentric cast interact with each other. Its episodic nature made watching it a breeze since viewers are never overwhelmed with too much information.
Worldbuilding is done at a casual pace where background lore is only given when it's relevant to what's currently happening. Since most characters are already well familiar with the lore, they usually cut the small talk and get straight to the action. In this way, the narrative mirrors New Yorker's aversion to beating around the bush. Show don't tell at its finest. We need more shows that just get to the point. Rie Matsumoto, director of season 1, feels a bit different about the story than I do, though. She inserted two original characters, Black and White, a pair of siblings who share a character arc that Intersects with Leo's. Under normal circumstances, this would have been an incredibly bad move. Filler in anime tends to feel pointless and just detracts from the story. Luckily, Rie Matsumoto made sure that the filler didn't feel like filler. It was fun watching the mystery surrounding the sibling duo unravel with each episode. It eventually culminated in a finale that was nearly an hour long. Matsumoto took a huge risk with her bold decision, but she definitely stuck the landing.
The production values of the show are also top-notch. Pretty much every episode is a reminder of why studio Bones is such a beloved company. They seriously put their key animators to work in both seasons. The fluidity of the fight scenes always left me impressed. Character designer Toshihiro Kawamoto did a great job at bringing Yasuhiro Nightow's art to animation with his iconic style. I love how even when Toshihiro is adapting someone else's character design, his style still shines through.
Special mention needs to be given to composer Taisei Iwasaki because he really killed it with this soundtrack. It's an eclectic blend of jazz, RNB, hip-hop, rock and more genres that perfectly captures the vibe of a busy New York City. Each track is a different flavor of the city and made me feel at home. The soundtrack truly embodies the chaotic feel of the show and captures its occasional serene moments perfectly.The true musical highlights are the openings and endings. BBB is one of those shows where you feel compelled to watch the full episode because the opening and ending are too good to skip. They're all incredibly upbeat songs that make you wanna stop everything and dance. Sugar song and bitter step is one of my favorite anime endings because of it's colorful animation and cheerful aura.
Blood Blockade Battlefront is the type of show that can really resonate with native New Yorkers. We see all the highs and lows of the city almost every day and you have to be just a little bit crazy to appreciate NYC for what it is.
LET'S GOOOO!!!! After years of wisting, I'll finally get to play Strive! Haven't even played a guilty gear game since Xrd way back in high-school when it first came out. With all of my other game consoles permanently stuck in storage, Switch titles are the only mainstream games I can play. Looking forward to eventually playing this and being absolutely bewildered by the strange lore again.
Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Perfection
Scott Pilgrim Takes Off went in a direction most people would've never expected. Instead of being a standard adaptation of the beloved comic, it instead deconstructs and remixes the source material into something amazing. I mean, the comic was already a good read, but the anime is undoubtedly Scott Pilgrim at its best.
As stated earlier, the anime isn't necessarily faithful to the source material. The first episode ends with Scott Pilgrim being killed by Matthew Pattel, causing the narrative to focus on Ramona in her quest to find out what really happened to Scott. This version of Ramona is way more engaging than the aloof jerk she was in the movie. She's forced to confront her past and the toxic influence she played in her previous relationship. It was honestly heartwarming to see Ramona reconcile with her exes instead of them being beaten by Scott. The audience gets to see Ramona grow from a Mysterious loner to a woman on the path to redemption.
The anime also does a good job of giving additional screen time to most of the characters, especially since all of the exes are alive in this version. We get a better look at their daily lives and interactions with each other. By the end of the show it's pretty clear they all would've been good friends if they hadn't let their obsession with Ramona consume them in the first place. I also like how Young Neil gets better characterization here since was a mostly quiet background character in the original. He becomes a loveable idiot wannabe writer that I can't just get enough of. Roxie was the ex I felt most sympathetic for since from her perspective, Ramona was some straight girl who used her for a sexual experiment and discarded her once she was done. Her trauma is unfortunately an experience many gay people can relate to. My favorite character overall is probably Lucas Lee for constantly being himbo beefcake fanservice.
The true highlight is without a doubt the animation. Science Saru brought out their A-game and their passion for the show is evident in every frame. Bryan Lee O'Malley's simple art style translated perfectly to the colorful and fluid animation fest Saru provides. The comic’s already over-the-top energy gets taken to the next level with almost everyone having high-octane anime battles that need to be seen to be believed. The art style is also a perfect blend of anime and western aesthetics. This results in a show that looks starkly different from the standard Western or Japanese cartoon. Fans have been hungry for a Scott Pilgrim cartoon for well over a decade now and the wait was definitely worth it.
The Black Dystopia of Free the Robots
Capital Steez's song Free the Robots is a tune that's been haunting my mind for the past few years. Everything from the lyrics to the vocals and rhythm is perfectly carried out. I never got to listen to any of Steez's music while he was still alive, mostly because I was still in elementary school when his career started and had ZERO interest in hip-hop at the time. Even now I'm still pedantic about the rap I choose to listen to. Capital Steez however blew me away with his 2012 masterpiece.
First thing first: I have to get credit to the producer responsible for the music, free the Robots. The original song is called Dear Diary and was released in 2007. Steez would later rap over the beat when he “borrowed” it for his single. The reason for the quotations is that the music producer Free the Robots never got properly credited for the song and many people attribute the beat to Steez rather than them. With that said, the music has an ominous and foreboding vibe to it that pairs well with Steez's cynical lyrics. It immediately lets listeners know they're in for a spooky ride.
Steez uses his lyrical wit to paint a grim picture of American society, particularly, the reality that many black Americans have to face. They also reflect Steez's deteriorating mental health and growing disillusionment with the world. Let's get started with the first verse:
"Illuminati tryin' to read my mind with a eagle eye
And the haze got me thinkin', why
We killed Osama and plenty innocent people died
We should see the signs, but we Stevie blind"
This is a blatant attack on America's war-mongering attitude. Osama's death was greatly celebrated, but the countless people who lost their lives in the name of war were treated as just a statistic. There is no glory in war. It's just senseless murder and yet people treat it as a noble cause. Wake up and stop the violence.
"No disrespect to the man or the legend, but
I'm sick and tired of askin' my brethren if
It all ends in 2011
Would God come through or would he actually forget us?
Cause, apocalypse is getting closer
But they're more focused on that lil youth sippin' soda
Fuck the sugar act, n*ggas out pushin' crack
And I lost my father figure because of that"
There used to be a common conspiracy that the world would end in 2012 and perhaps this weighed on Steez's paranoid mind. It's been noted that Steez had a very warped view of reality fueled by an eclectic blend of spiritual beliefs so it wouldn't surprise me if he genuinely believed an apocalypse was coming. Ironically, Steez ended his life two days after the world was predicted to end. He then goes on to call out how the government would rather tax the poor instead of dealing with the serious issues plaguing communities. The last line is especially brutal if you know that Steez lost his dad at age 3 so he basically lost two father figures in his short lifespan. Even though Steez acknowledges that drugs destroy communities, he himself was a very casual drug user and that only worsened his already crumbling mental state.
"So can I live? or is my brother tryin' to gun me down
Scuffle a couple of rounds 'til we hear the thunder sound
No lightening, clash of the titans
And after the violence a moment of silence
Cause I want mine the fast way
The ski mask way, lookin' for a fast pay
And instead of stickin' up for each other
Pickin' up guns and stickin' up our brothers
So fuck 'em all, I'm comin' through ragin'
And I won't stop 'til Reagan is caged in
Mom tell me I should let the Lord handle it
The arm of the law is tryin' to man-handle us
A man's world, but a white man's planet
And the doors are slowly closing while we fallin' through the cracks of it
It's a shame that flippin' crack will be
The best alternative if you don't make it rappin'
These crack houses and trap houses are trappin' us in
And in the end we're gonna remain stagnant
I ain't havin' it"
There's so much to digest with the second verse but the general idea is that the black community is self-destructing while also being under attack from white patriarchal society. Black On black violence is a topic often used as a tool to justify racist hatred, but here, Steez expresses genuine empathy. All too often are black people getting killed by their own members, by people who are supposed to have their backs. A life of drugs and violence is treated like the only option afforded to black people if they don't make it into the entertainment or sports industry. Steez is practically urging the listener to not become another statistic and to do something more with your life. This is your wake-up call.
12 years later, Free the Robots has a message that remains relevant even today. There are many people who are slumbering, completely blind to the poisons rotting society. Steez made it clear that the responsibility of changing the world lies upon those who are aware it needs to be saved. It's a shame that he lived such a short life, but it's clear that there was incredible acuity in his soul. Rest in peace.
I recently finished the penguindrum novel trilogy and I have to say it was a pretty well down adaptation. It's a perfect supplement for fans who were confused by all of the surreal symbolism the anime is known for. The novels are primarily told from Shoma's perspective, but frequently switches to other POVS. Unfortunately, Kanba never got a POV section, which is a shame since I really wanted to delve into his morally dubious mind. Shoma ended up being a more engaging character due to extra focus he got , a nice contrast from the anime. I definitely recommend these books for any Ikuhara fans out there.
Watching Giant Robo is obligatory for any and every mecha fan. Its only flaw is being too short.
YO so @ageofzero and I went ham on making a Giant Robo introductory powerpoint because we love GR so much. (I came up with the base and she got all the screenshots and refined everything)
if you were ever confused about this Giant Robo thing she and I talk about, here you go!! hope this helps!! go watch it!!!!
Beauty of Spring Poem
I wonder if spring ever takes a moment
To bask in its own beauty
Does it hear the songs of the birds
As they dance among the cherry blossoms?
Does it get lost in a sea of verdant botany
And true blue skies like we do?
I don't know what Spring is thinking
But I hope it knows it is cherished.
The Curse of Saki Sanobashi
I'm writing this journal entry to document my experience with a certain film. I'm probably already dead if anyone is reading this, but please read on. I hate Saki Sanobashi and what it has done to my life. Most importantly, I hate the depraved bastards who made it.
Until recently, I've been an average college girl with only one notable quality: I love searching for lost media. Most people get a thrill from watching a good horror movie and I'm no different with lost media. There's just something about the elusive nature of it that makes the hunt so fascinating. There's a countless amount of entertainment that vanishes from the public eye for whatever reason and many remain completely forgotten. That never sat well with me. Maybe it's the history buff in me, but I believe every form of content should be preserved. It's scary to think that something that brings you joy could one day be forever lost to time.
Saki Sanobashi is a name that's been plaguing me for the last few years now. Every lost media enthusiast worth their salt has at least heard of it if they haven't already joined the hunt. I'm one of the several archivists who plunged headfirst into this monstrosity of a goose chase. I, like many others, got hooked on its tragic premise of a bunch of schoolgirls trapped in a bathroom where death is the only way out. The morbid curiosity in all of us compelled us to search high and low for this elusive anime.
That was years ago.
Now? Saki remains a distant memory in the minds of once optimistic researchers. Dead end after dead end had led to the entire thing being labeled as some elaborate hoax. Even I began losing faith in the search despite all the time I invested in it. It was disheartening knowing that one of the most fascinating lost media searches of all time could be fake. I would've quit entirely had it not been for that one fateful afternoon.
It was a typically brutal winter in Toronto which meant that a snowstorm would be picking up before the day was over. I thought it best to go to my favorite comic and stock up on my favorite books before the storm trapped me at home with my girlfriend. Marque Noir was different from other comic shops in that there exists a secret section of the store only a select few know about. Because I've been a loyal customer for a few years, the owner trusted in showing me the back room. I was hesitant at first to enter a secluded room alone with a man due to being a woman, but I figured he wouldn't try anything with customers still in the store.
What I saw in that room was the stuff of wonder. Several shelves were stocked with underground comics so obscure even the most hardcore archivists probably didn't know about them. The type of comics you can't even find on the internet. It was heaven on earth for a lost media obsessed girl like me. The original post mentioned Saki being an anime, but I was desperate for any type of media out there. What's fascinating is that there were also movies stocked with the comics. The cover art on each DVD case was incredibly low quality, to the point that I assumed the store owner hand-made them himself. There were no ISBNs or distributor info anywhere to be found so my theory seemed fairly likely all things considered.
I filled my bag with as many items as I could afford( which isn't a lot for a broke college student) and excitedly swiped my card at the counter. The store owner gave me the weirdest of grins as I made my purchase. He seemed amused but almost in a mocking sort of way. He hardly ever emotes in the first place so that smile really caught me off guard.
I left the store and boarded the closest train to drop me off at the dorms. Though Halloween comes in the autumn, I feel like winter is the most ideal season to indulge in horror. The cold weather is like a reflection of the spine chilling fear I get whenever I read a good comic. I stepped inside my dorm room and immediately began browsing through my latest collection. They all looked so good I didn't know where to begin. As I rummaged through the pile of DVDs, I noticed something that threw me for a loop.
One DVD case was completely blank. The cover was pitch black and so was the back. There wasn't even anything on the spine. I couldn't imagine myself buying something like this so how it ended up with me was a mystery. Still, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't the least bit intrigued by it. There could've been literally anything on that disc and the only way to find out was to start the movie.
I waited for my girlfriend to return from campus before starting the movie. Emily's a cute brunette, but she has zero tolerance for horror. She always shrieks her head off whenever I play my movies in the living room. All that blood and gore drives her crazy. She greeted me with a kiss on the lips and then paused when she saw the devious smirk on my face. She already knew what I had in store for her. Emily, of course, protested but I pleaded with her to watch the movie with me. Seeing her scream like a child over on screen murder was sometimes more enjoyable than the movie itself. She remained firm in her stance against it but eventually broke down after enough of my begging. It feels good having things my way.
I quickly inserted the DVD into an old game station and stared at the screen with anticipation for what was about to start. After several seconds of a blank screen, some Japanese text appeared with an English subtitle that read " Requiem of the lost girls." The title naturally left me curious so I watched on with excitement.
The scene then faded back to black and what I saw after that made my blood freeze solid.
Three schoolgirls in a bathroom.
All of them had miserable looks of utter despair.
The scene was unmistakable. It was a scenario I ran over in my head countless times. It was Saki Sanobashi, the anime searched years for! Having the legendary film before me after all this time was almost too good to be true. And to think it came from my favorite comic shop. I've been shopping for years now and never even had a hint something like Saki would be there.
Emily was confused as to why I was so excited so I told her we just discovered the holy grail of lost media. The gravity of the situation was unsurprisingly lost on her but she smiled anyway for my sake. We watched the movie unfold just like the legend went. The girls remained trapped in the bathroom and lamented their misfortune all the while. As the film progressed, the agony in their expressions became increasingly visceral. Their eyes looked so hollow, their skin was so pale. Emily clutched into my hand with a hint of anxiety in her eyes.
The tone of the video was much more somber than I expected. Seeing the girls take turns telling the others about their hopes and dreams, trying desperately to alleviate their situation, felt oddly melancholic. I was growing attached to these characters to the point I hoped they'd find a way despite that going against the lore. We eventually reached the part where the girls realized there truly was no way out of their situation...except for death.
Their deaths were just as horrid as I expected them to be. One girl goaded one of the others into drowning her in the sink and another clawed at her own neck with visceral detail. The most painful part of it all was the bloodcurdling scream the last girl emitted as she bashed her head against the wall. It was far more realistic than it had any right to be.
Despite all the fear, my heart raced with excitement. I had to write a blog post to let everyone know about my discovery! The internet would go wild once I told them the good news. I quickly went to my Tumblr to start writing, but the site wouldn't load. I tried other social media sites but nothing was working.
I tried stepping outside in the hall to get better reception but the door wouldn't budge. The knob didn't move at all no matter how hard I pulled. My girlfriend and I were both freaking out at this point. We tried opening windows, calling 911, and banging on doors, all of which were in vain. We were somehow completely severed from the outside world. I wondered how the hell was any of this possible when the image of the movie flashed into my mind.
We were trapped just like the girls in Saki Sanobashi. Was the film cursed? That seemed to be the only explanation. I should've trusted my gut instincts and never let that guy lead me to the backroom. I knew there was something off about him and now I fell into his trap. So far we've spent two weeks in this hellhole of an apartment. Food has long since run out and any sense of hope is dead. It pains me to see Emily's body as pale as winter, her eyes devoid of life. Neither of us can last much longer. I'm writing this document as a warning to anyone searching for Saki Sanobashi.
Stay the hell away from it. It is a cursed film that dooms its viewers the suffer the same fate as the girls in the bathroom. I imagine the curse will be lifted once we die and our belongings will be collected by our loved ones. Hopefully, they will see this document and spread the news. Or maybe they'll brush this off as the crazed rantings of a lunatic.
I honestly don't know anymore. All I can say is to stay safe and never attempt to watch this damned movie.
The Rolling Girls: All that Glitters Isn't Gold
I really wanted to like this show. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I wanted The Rolling Girls to be an anime that blew me away and carved a fond spot in my heart. What I got instead was a messy hodgepodge of directionless writing and worldbuilding.
The story goes that a great war took place that resulted in Japan being divided into several independent city-states with their own unique cultures. Each city is governed by a Best, a superpower individual that is supported by Rests, normal civilians who try to keep the peace. When superhero Matcha Green gets severely injured in a gang war, it's up to her sister Nozomi to fulfill her duties while traveling through various cities with her quirky group of friends. Everything about the first two episodes led me to believe this show would knock it out of the park. It started off strong with beautifully fluid and vibrant animation and a catchy soundtrack accompanying every scene.
Boy, was I fooled. The Rolling Girls does a common strategy where the studio makes sure the first few episodes have exceptional animation to draw viewers in and then drops the ball quickly. I wouldn't call the overall animation bad, but it greatly fails to capture the amount of passion showcased at the beginning. Seriously, those first two episodes were a Sakuga fest. Thankfully, the show somewhat makes up for this decline by having consistently solid art direction. The backgrounds have a watercolor aesthetic that gives the anime a picture-book feel at times. The color design also deserves special mention for how well the colors pop on screen. I've paid so much attention to color palettes before watching Rolling Girls. The color designer really knew what they were doing.
Enough with the positives, time to address the story. The story was quite honestly uneventful. It's an episodic anime where the gang travels from city to city to solve problems but it hardly ever feels like they do anything substantial. Nozomi routinely finds herself caught in the middle of conflict between two Bests, tells them to stop fighting, and that's that. The characters in conflict resolve their differences mostly through their own actions rather than anything Nozomi does. The other characters contribute even less to the story and feel more like tag alongs. There's also a subplot about the moonlight stones; mystical heart shaped stones that supposedly give people the power of a Best. The gang keeps trying to obtain these MacGuffins but they always fall out of their grasp and their endeavors amount to nothing. Did I mention that aliens randomly start to become a plot focus near the end of the series? Yeah, that's when the show officially lost me.
The Rolling Girls is a show that only has its production values going for it. It could've been something amazing if the story was up to par.
This is honestly extremely good news. One piece is finally getting a remake so it can get the professional animation quality it deserves. It's also coming to Netflix so I'm wondering what the English dub cast will be like. Definitely a must watch when it comes out.
GTA 6 Fanfic- Almost Perfect Heist
" Put ya hands where I can see them and money in the bag!"
Two assailants charged into a busy convenience store in one fateful morning. The duo were practically glued to the hip with how they refused to leave the side of the other. Jason seemed to be the leader of the operation from the way he swaggered inside with brimming confidence while his partner, Lucia, faltered ever so slightly. They kept their guns trained on their targets as they made their way to the store's center.
A suffocating cloud of consternation hung heavy in the air, chilling the blood of almost everyone there. Crimes like this were far from uncommon in Vice City. You could hardly walk a few blocks without encountering dried blood caked up on the concrete or the cries of the helpless victim on their last day on earth. The patrons all instinctively knew that no cops would arrive just in time to save them from their darkest hour. If they remained obedient, they'd get to leave with their lives and a hungry wallet.
" You heard the man! Just give us all y'all cash and we'll be on our way."
Lucia walked around the store loading her bag with money while Jason dealt with the cashier. Everyone was quick to hand her their money before they ended up as yet another statistic. Many sobbed uncontrollably while others glared at her with barely suppressed anger. Lucia grinned wickedly as her loot steadily increased. Images of designer purses and shoes flashed in her mind, a collection of which seemed to grow every few weeks. She was about to check up on Josh when she heard IT.
The deafening sound of a bullet leaving its chamber in hot pursuit of its latest victim. Lucia moved to the front the see the cashier convulsing on the ground with a fresh bullet wound in his stomach. Hot tears raced down the cashier's face while he clutched at his wound. Lucia knew the look in his eyes quite well.
The look of someone with their back against the wall with no one to save them. A face that reflected years of pain and regret. She often held that same expression before she met Jason. Before she sold her soul for a life of degeneracy.
" That's what happens when you try to be a fucking hero!" Jason cocked his head in Lucia's direction. " This fool got some mighty balls on him, trying to take my gun like that. He's lucky I didn't blast his head off. Let's bounce."
Lucia nodded and the two dashed out of the store and into a white Toyota Ae86. As Jason burned rubber on the hot asphalt, Lucia's mind drifted to the cashier. She wondered if he too had a loved one who would mourn him should the bullet wound prove fatal. She imagined all the anger, fear, and grief that must be consuming all those customers. Lucia was usually unfettered when she was with Jason, but she couldn't help feeling that all their crimes would eventually catch up with them. Sometimes she pretended not to care and other times those dreadful thoughts kept her tossing and turning throughout the night. Either way, this was the only life she knew how to live and she was damn sure to make the most of it.
Reflecting back on ATLUSxP5
How often do you listen to playlists?
Not official soundtracks but rather a selection of songs to fit a certain mood or theme. Maybe you wonder what kind of music the next game in your favorite game series will have and one day you stumble upon a playlist that answers that question.
That's the scenario many persona fans found themselves in when they discovered the persona 5 imagining project by atlusxp5. The playlist in question was made a while before Persona 5 was officially announced so some fans thought it was a genuine look into what Atlus had in store for the future. There were even cryptic hints of a story hidden in long-since deleted videos. What atlusxp5's intentions were are ambiguous since they have never confirmed nor denied the several theories surrounding the project. Some people have said the playlist has inspired them to make a persona fangame but nothing came out of it. That's one thing that Danganronpa fans have over persona fans: when someone says they're gonna make a fan game, they typically follow through with it.
My memories of how exactly I stumbled upon the project are a bit fuzzy but I'm pretty sure it happened from listening to a jet set radio fan playlist. Yeah, that's right. I discovered a playlist by listening to a completely unrelated playlist. Playlistception! I've been a huge fan of the Jet Set radio soundtrack since 9th grade despite never playing the game so it's no surprise I'd want to listen to music similar to it. I literally typed in " music similar to jet set radio" on YouTube one day and was met with an evergrowing YouTube list of eclectic songs.
I hardly knew anything about persona at the time but that didn't matter. The mesmerizing psychedelic pop music had my ears completely captivated. It was easy to see why considering it was a fusion of all my favorite genres. It even introduced me to an obscure genre called Shibuya kei that deserves a post of its own.
Some of my favorite tracks include Rockin' My Way and Rising Core by the band COPTER4016882. The lyrics are jabberwocky nonsense just like the band's name but both songs have this upbeat electronic sound fused with high-tempo guitar work. They certainly fit the tone of persona 4 rather than p5. Another valuable mention is Freak by MEG, an energetic pop song that invokes the vibe of a girls' night out in the big city.
Talalala by dj deckstream has all the hallmarks of being a glorious final boss theme. It begins with a somber piano tune before shifting to a triumphant melody about preserving and overcoming hard times. The lyrics also do a good job of reflecting the themes of the persona franchise as a whole.
" Don't close your eyes, don't wave good-bye, just take a chance
And take a look inside your heart
Then you will find that down beneath there's a dream you've always had, so
Don't close your eyes, don't wave good-bye, just take a chance
And take a look inside your heart
See that therе is more to life than what you've been through before"
That isn't Deckstream's only noteworthy contribution. His cover of Tom's Diner is a chill jazzy tune that invokes the vibe of exploring the city while his Whatever cover by Oasis has a calming atmosphere that's perfect for the end of a long journey.
The p5 imagining project is a prime example of how important music curation can be. Even if the songs aren't original pieces, they still do wonders to solidify the vision crafted by the project's creator. It's intriguing how a well crafted playlist can create such a vivid image of what Persona 5 theoretically could've been. I've always envisioned p5 as an experimental psychedelic acid trip type of game. Imagine an alternate universe where Studio Shaft was a videogame developer that made a JRPG with Kunihiko Ikuhara as the director and suda51 as co-writer that combined the aesthetics of the world ends with you, the Monogatari series, punk rock dadaism, and panty and stocking. That's the kind of atmosphere atlusxp5 laid out in my mind. It's the kind of game that's sadly far too ambitious to exist in real life. Maybe. One can only dream.
For additional info, I suggest going to the Imagining Project Tumblr page and watching Youtuber Blue's video on the matter.
Links:
Rokka no Yuusha Volume 2 Review ( Spoilers)
It's no exaggeration when I say that Rokka no Yuusha Volume 2 is one of the most enjoyable novels I've ever read. It was heavily drenched with drama and suspense to the point it was almost impossible to put down. This volume boldly opens up with a scene of Mora standing over Hans' dead body while a flustered Rolonia desperately tries to heal him. It's a daring choice to have such a heavy spoiler within the first few pages, but learning what led up to it is just as interesting.
Mora is the primary focus of this volume which means readers get a deep dive into her psyche. I was initially annoyed with Mora due to how determined she was in the first volume to antagonize Adler any chance she got. It struck me as odd that the wisest of braves acted so headstrong and even used deception to further increase tensions against Adlet. We then discover the reasoning behind her madness; a fiend general infected Mora's daughter with a parasite that will kill the girl unless Mora kills one of the braves before a certain date. This internal drama puts Mora in a much more sympathetic light and makes the readers root for her even when her deceptive ways appear once again. She's definitely a morally complex character that's much more layered than I expected her to be.
Besides Mora's inner conflict, there's still the issue of the seventh brave. The group remains suspicious of each other and often keeps at an arm's distance for fear of becoming a victim. I feel that the seventh may not be a malicious person due to their lack of action. They had multiple chances to make their attack on the squad but have yet to do so. It's possible the 7th might have been forced into their position or may not even be aware they're fake. In any case, the Braves' distrust of each other is possibly as deadly as the fiends.
I have to give praise to Ishio Yamagata for his natural talent for keeping readers on their toes. The fight scenes were vividly described with rich detail and Tgurneu's witty tactics made it impossible to predict what he'd do next. It's clear that the Braves are vastly outmatched by the fiends' numbers and strength which begs the question of how they'll ever stand a chance against the Majin. It was incredibly satisfying reading Adlet deduce Tgurneu's scheme since that was the only real form of victory the group has made thus far. It's a small step in the right direction.
Jojolands Chapter 6- Jungle Warfare part 1
At only 27 pages, this is the shortest chapter this far and has the most minimal plot progression. The gang is walking through a forest and discovers that the diamond along with other valuables have escaped their grasp. Dragona notes that it seems that Rohan's belongings are somehow drawn to the lava rock and somehow bypass securement. I still think the rock has some supernatural origin similar to the locacaca cause that's the only explanation.
The mysterious strings make their return, getting Jodio tied to a tree and sewing Dragona and Paco together. To make things worse, Usagi has disappeared with all the valuables. Now the drama is really picking up. Many have theorized that Usagi will turn out to be a traitor but I don't think such a major reveal would happen so soon. He's probably just off somewhere trying to find a way to take out the cats. I definitely think there's more to him than meets the eye and he probably has a few tricks up his sleeve. Overall, this was a quick chapter to go through that was lacking in content.
One Piece Film Red is Cinematic Gold
The latest one piece film is a visual and musical feast for fans old and new alike. The center focus is on Uta, a childhood friend from Luffy's past who is none other than Shanks' (adoptive) daughter. She uses her talented singing skills to charm the audience and usher in a new era of peace. But at what cost will she manifest her dreams?
Uta is an exemplary example of an anti villain done right. She grew up seeing how much despair pirates cause with their mayhem so she set out to make songs to soothe the hearts of their victims. She genuinely wants what is best for the world but goes about it in the worst way possible. I loved the dynamic she had with Luffy. It started out as a cheerful reunion between two distant friends before their clashing ideals results in conflict. Luffy embodies the idea of freedom while Uta uses forceful measures so everyone follows her version of happiness. This contrast makes the drama all the better. Seeing Uta devolve from a high spirited girl to a broken martyr was so gut wrenching to sit through. I truly feel that she's one of the best female characters in the entire franchise from just one movie alone.
The animation and music were also stunning throughout the entire movie. Uta's musical numbers were vividly animated and full of detail. Character designer Masayuki Sato elevated Oda's designs to the next level and brought them to perfection. I wish he was the main character designer for the anime, but the art has improved ever since the Wano arc began so I'm content. The animation goes full throttle during the final battle against Tot Musica where all the straw hats and Shank's crew team up, albeit indirectly. One piece has never looked so eye catching before. Luffy briefly tapping into gear 5 in the final battle was icing on the cake.
Ado absolutely killed it on this soundtrack. I've been a fan of her since discovering usseewa and she doesn't disappoint at all. Each song captures how Uta feels at the current moment in the film and sheds light on her character. My favorite songs are the victorious sounding "Backlight" and the captivating haunting " Tot Musica", which is also the name of the ultimate villain in Red. Fun fact, Tot Musica was composed by legendary composer Hiroyuki Sawano, the same guy who worked on titles like Promare and blue exorcist. He's not the only high profile name on the list either. New Genesis is composed by Yasutaka Nakata, a man who played a pivotal role in the 2000s J-pop scene. I'm hoping these ambitious musical collabs become more common in one piece soon.
Overall, One piece film Red outshines all other films in the franchise with its gripping character drama and impeccable soundtrack. You can officially watch the movie on Vudu.
Jojolands Chapter 5 Review- November Rain
This chapter continues the mystery of the elusive diamond. Even as Dragon tries multiple times to steal it, it keeps returning by Rohan's side. This is kind of similar to the Gucci oneshot where Rohan has a Gucci handbag that causes any items he puts inside it to disappear. It's safe to assume that the diamond has supernatural properties and might even be this part's equivalent of the Rocacaca fruit. Rohan secures his victory by tying up Dragona and calling the police on the gang.
This victory is short-lived since Jodio quickly traps Rohan by using his stand and then tying him up, reflecting the previous chapter's cover of Rohan in bondage. Jodio uses the lava collection to goad Rohan into calling off the police, knowing that he places great value on the rocks. I'm curious to see what the true nature of the lava rocks will end up being. I theorize that the rocks might come from a volcano with esoteric properties like the devil's palm or the wall's eyes. The chapter ends with the mysterious cat from earlier watching the gang leave and is joined by a crowd of identical cats. It'll be so awesome if it turns out that all these cats share the same stand. I wonder if they're a form of guardian spirit for Rohan's home since they only attacked Jodio's gang once they began robbing the place.
The diamond heist went off to a rocky start but the gang managed to pull through. Let's see how they'll fare against their feline pursuers.
Yoshi-p and Xenophobia in gaming
Ff16 is causing a buzz online due to its producer Naoki Yoshida defending the game's lack of diversity under the guise of " Historical realism ". Ah yes, the game where you can summon mythical beasts and cast magic spells is so deeply trenched in realism. Naoki's statements are outright xenophobic even if he didn't intend them to be as such. He's reinforcing the idea that people of color have no place in fantasy worlds and that their existence is somehow more esoteric than literal dragons. I never knew we were so special that we outshine all manner of Mythical Gods and monsters just by breathing.
Even if you want to but into the historical accuracy nonsense, various articles online provide proof of Africans living in medieval England so there's no need to have such a vanilla white cast. Perhaps Naoki should do his research before making outrageous claims. Black people have existed in Europe for while now. We've been here and yet he acts as if we don't exist. Don't y'all ever get tired of making all white fantasy games anyway? A little melanin here and there never killed anyone. Well, except for Mihoyo because they avoid the color brown like its poison. It's crazy how they made two regions based on South Asia and the Middle East with no dark skin characters in sight. And no, using the absolute lightest shade of brown possible doesn't count as representation. Even real life white people have darker tans than the Genshin Impact cast.
It's gotten to the point that a small number of fans are boycotting ff16 in the name of diversity. Similar to Hogwarts Legacy, I don't believe it's a good idea to boycott a game simply because of a disagreeable opinion from the staff. Boycotting won't change anything or inspire Naoki to do better. The best thing to do is to call out Naoki's Ideology and state why diversity is so important in media. Developers and Producers need to be made aware of how their actions affect their fans, particularly fans of color. POC have every right to exist in the world of fantasy.
Jojolands Chapter 4 Review- Vs Rohan Kishibe
I wasn't kidding earlier when I said part 9 is poised to be the most risque part yet. We have Jodio on the cover tying up Rohan in bondage; eager to perform any dirty deeds Araki has planned for his alter ego. Quite the zesty way to start off the chapter. All jokes aside, our chapter begins with Jodio warning the gang that Rohan is approaching them while they struggle with the mysterious string. It really must be a stand attack since even a pair of scissors isn't enough to break it. Usagi's attempts at convincing the others that the cat is a stand user falls on deaf ears and Paco brushes it off as nonsense. Paco's gonna look like a real fool if the drug addict turns out to be the smartest one in the group.
There was a funny scene where Dragona insists everyone puts on their masks and Usagi does as told… by putting on transparent fabric over his face. He is definitely shaping up to be one of the most eccentric characters in the entire series already and that's saying A LOT! It's also humourous how the gang decides to weird extremely loud and garish clothes to pull off a heist as if anybody wouldn't be able to recognize them from miles away. Then again, everyone in Jojo dresses like they just came from a Met Gala so maybe it would be a case of finding a needle in a haystack of fashionistas.
With their deft expertise, Paco and Dragona use their abilities to finally remove the words. I have a feeling this is how stand "battles" will play out for part nine. It won't be straight up fighting, but rather, characters escaping from traps and puzzles that stand between their objectives. The gang almost makes it out of the house but Rohan shows up just in time to reclaim his diamond. He incapacitates the squad with his heavens door and learns of their motives. This version of Rohan must have 20/20 vision because he was reading their bodies from a good few feet away. Dragona is the only one left standing and seems prepared to take the diamond, but it mysteriously bounces away from them. It seems like even the diamond itself is of supernatural origin. So excited to see where this leads.
Jojolands Chapter 3- Search the Mansion for the Diamond!
Sorry for the lack of a review last month. I had a lot going on in my life at the time but on the bright side I get to review this chapter on my birthday! That's an awesome gift to myself.
Our chapter begins with Jodio stealthily sneaking past Rohan while he's swimming and takes a peak and a pink dark boy manuscript laying around; revealing to be quite a fan of Rohan's art. Dragona meanwhile leads the other two members through the entryway as they break in. Though their attempt to find the diamond doesn't yield any immediate results, the gang instead discovers that Rohan has been thoroughly researching volcanoes and has a room full of cooled lava in flasks. It isn't until Rohan enters the mansion that they finally find a safe. Usagi and Paco play lookout while Dragona attempts to crack open the safe with smooth operators. All seems to be going well but something is amiss.
Throughout this chapter, a mysterious stray cat has been walking around the mansion. The gang questions the identity of the cat and even Rohan doesn't know where it came from. Usagi seems to be especially curious about this feline. It was cool seeing Dragona use their expertise to open the safe and discover the diamond. It's interesting to note that a chunk of cooled lava is also there. I wonder if this could somehow be linked to the rock human or if this is a separate story arc.
Everything seems to be in the clear until an odd piece of string wraps around Paco's ankle so tightly that he bleeds before also attacking Dragona too. The two are confused but Usagi seems confident that the cat is a stand user who set up this attack. Usagi is definitely a character that is more than meets the eye. He's the one who educates the gang about the difference between a flask and a beaker and what 'A'a lava is. He isn't just some goofy drug addict. I totally see him being a trickster who fools everyone with surprising moments of intellect.
Overall, this chapter had even less action than the previous one but still raises some interesting questions.
Everyone wants to be a Barbie- Short Story
Stacy desired beauty more than anything in life. She grew tired of playing the role of a background set piece in someone else's story. The men at her job paid her no mind and the women often mocked her plain Jane appearance. Life was not kind to people like her; people who were destined to be loveless. Every day she scorned her bloated body, crooked nose, and heavy eye bags. Why couldn't she be like the girls who pranced around on social media? They always danced on screen wearing the latest trends while a legion of fans cheered them on in the comments. A lifestyle like that was a dream as distant as the farthest stars.
Diets didn't work. Neither did makeovers. Stacy remained a prisoner in her ugly skin. There were times when she wanted to end everything and other times when she fervently latched onto the possibility of true beauty. It was on one fateful morning she took the first step toward turning her dreams into reality.
Dr. Faust was his name. He stopped Stacy during a morning jog and presented her with an opportunity she couldn't turn down.
" Excuse me miss, but you're exceptionally beautiful. Far too beautiful to spend your morning all alone. Allow me to be of service." The man handed her a sleek pink business card. His tall figure was clad in an all black suit and bowler hat despite the warm spring weather. According to the card, he ran a small modeling agency located on the outskirts of the city.
" I can help you realize your true potential and show the world how pretty you are."
Stacy was stunned. No one, let alone a handsome older man like Faust, had ever complimented her appearance. Her heartbeat pulsed rapidly and her breath was stifled. Was this how Cinderella felt when the Prince offered her his hand? Stacy happily entered the car and allowed the tall stranger to drive her to his business.
The exterior of the building was a far cry from what Stacy expected it to be. It was a modest abode in plain grey colors and looked borderline decrepit. It looked more like something from a housing project rather than a modeling studio. All the signals in her brain were telling Stacy to run away but she dreaded possibly losing her only chance at stardom. She buckled down her fears as she followed Faust inside.
Inside the building hardly looked any better than outside. Cobwebs were growing in dust covered corners and an odd disinfectant odor invaded Stacy's nostrils. Her pulse quickened with each step she took up the metallic staircase blanketed in rust. By the time it dawned on her that leaving effective immediately would be in her best interest, a large metal door came to loud shut behind her.
" We have arrived, my dear. It's time to let your inner beauty blossom." Dr. Faust flicked on the lights to reveal a scene straight from hell itself. Several mannequins were lined against the walls in uniform fashion. Each one of them had bulbous bodies caked in heavy layers of dirt and dried waste. Some wore office attire while others wore clothing on the more… erotic side. Most striking of all were their hollow expressions. They were almost completely devoid of emotion or color but Stacy could feel a faint ping of pain upon looking deeply into their eyes.
Stacy frantically rushed to the door, grabbing desperately at the knob that refused to turn. Her vain attempt to flee was met with guttural laughter from her captor. " Why so eager to run? I told you I can bring out your true beauty. There is nothing more desirable in my line of work than a woman in complete tranquility. No movement. No emotions. Nothing but abject stillness."
Stacy could only scream in pure agony as the syringe was stabbed into her arm. The vile concoction made her body almost instantly go limp. Her legs could no longer support her weight so she went plummeting to the ground. She couldn't even plead for mercy while Faust towered over her with a manic smile plastered on his face. From his pocket he pulled out a scalpel covered in dry blood.
" It is now time to begin the operation. You shall become the perfect girl within due time."