Throwback #77 - Suit & Tie (Attack of the Covers Part 2)

JT's renowned hit song "Suit & Tie" sums up my thoughts on today's cover picture where we see the Bleach characters looking casual, badass, and suave in their suit & ties. This was features on chapter 182, a long LONG time ago. In the picture, we see (from left to right) ~ Ganju, Uryu, Hisagi. Ichigo. Kenpachi, Hitsugaya, Renji, Byakuya, Ukitake, & Kyoraku. There's one figure (near Ganju) that I can't make out while an arm of one character and a torso of another are shown on the left & right sides of Ichigo. Best part of this picture....they're all wearing their shades. They have that vibe of "I don't give a F what you say," know what I mean? With their Suit & Ties, sunglasses, and all posing for the cover page, this is one badass cover that makes me wanna say "Dayum." This is also one of first covers where we see Hisagi & Renji smoking, you don't usually see that. Of course Kenpachi's the only one w/his sword unsheathed whereas Uryu is the only one trying to fix his glasses to try and look the part. Ichigo being in the front doesn't surprise, but seeing Ukitake & Kyoraku was ~ they're so tiny that they are merely in the  background. My guess on the person I can't make out next to Ganju in the back is Shinji. Who knows, but what I do know is that this is one badass group shot.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Throwback. Look forward to Throwbacks on Fridays. Until then, you all stay classy. Reminder: Attack of the Covers Throwbacks #76-86 will be going on for 10 weeks.

WBCR - How? Who? What? Why? (Grade: B)

Continuing off from last week's chapter, Kyoraku ascertains whether or not the Soul Society's biggest threat, Aizen Sousuke, could be used as a possible war potential agains Yhwach & the Wandenreich. Kyoraku undid one of the seals (mouth) keeping Aizen imprisoned, but all of a sudden ~ he approaches from the darkness with all of his seals undone. Meanwhile, while Kamikake takes its effect on making Ukitake the Soul King, Yhwach is distressed as he sees Kamikake taking effect on the original Soul King as his body vanished. The quakes have stopped, but the reiatsu that will be able to sustain the gate isn't enough. Out of the ordinary, Kurotsuchi & the Visored appear and suggest the Reiatsu Amplification Machine. Kisuke is surprised, but no less wondering why Kurotsuchi waited long to tell him that such a machine exists. According to Kurotsuchi, it was only meant for "worst case scenarios." And that pretty much concludes the chapter. It's more set-up, but I am eager to see what'll Aizen do now. How did he undo his seals? Did he undo it awhile ago and just chill? Did Yhwach have something to do with it? Perhaps he was already unsealed the moment he was imprisoned due to the effects of Kyouka Suigetsu? Who knows ~ but this leaves the fans wondering ~ Who? What? How? Why? As for the Machine that amplifies reiatsu, it figures they'd have something so convenient to be able to help sustain the opening of the gate. It was nice seeing Lisa & Nanao reunite alongside the Visored, but it was even more surprising to see Yhwach so distressed. He's usually "all is according to plan," but in this case ~ he didn't know the right hand of the Soul King himself got involved. This is the first we've seen Yhwach look so worried and, much like Aizen Sousuke's defeat, it comes to show that evil cannot triumph without good standing in its way. Overall, I give this week's chapter a solid Grade: B.

So what did you think of this week's chapter? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Comment below and let me know. As always, look forward to WBCRs whenever chapter's available. Until then, you all stay classy now. Throwback post will be up tomorrow. 

Legacy #23 - Rosario Vampire

I've said before many times that I'm a big BIG fan of Harem. Why? Well for starters ~ it's a unique take on the romance genre as a whole. Any guy/girl would be lucky to have so many admirers fighting for their affection, but sometimes ~ it's quite obvious and clearly painted who the main guy/girl will choose. Sometimes, however, it isn't always obvious and there are even times where it's settled that the guy/girl will choose all instead of one. When it comes to that scenario, I think it's more peaceful because, as with any romance, there'l be cliche, dopy, and sappy moments. In Rosario Vampire, it's pretty obvious who the main character likes more than the rest, but I can't help but feel like he loves them all equally. In Harem(s) like Mahou Sensei Negima or Omamori Himari, it's painted clearly on who the guy character likes and will most likely end up with. The twist with RV (Rosario Vampire) is that all the girls that fell for the main character are…monsters. We have a vampire, a succubus, a Yuki-Onna, and 2 witches. At the very start of the series, the main charter became first acquainted with the Vampire w/split personalities. However, it wouldn't be long before everyone else fell for the main character's charm, kindness, and overall innocence. To me, this was an example of a Harem where you don't really see who the main character choose, but rather ends up becoming really close friends with all of them as to avoid confrontation or conflict. It's a peaceful ending and it ends up with all sides agreeing to it. Most Harem(s) follow a simple formula = meets guy/girls, realizes he/she has a thing for one guy/girl, the other guys/girls give up on him/her, and the main guy/girl ends up with the guy/girl of their dreams. With RV, I liked all the characters, the fight scenes, and the atmosphere. Spawning 2 seasons of Anime/Manga ~ Rosario Vampire is very reminiscent of To-Love-Ru, it's unclear who the main character will choose because all his targets of affection are equally infatuated with him.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Legacy post. Look forward to Legacy posts on Thursdays. Until then, you all stay classy now. WBCR will be up sometime later. Throwback will be posted normally tomorrow. 

Affinity #78 - Will you be my friend? (Shinji & Orihime)

One Affinity that is often overlooked is Shinji & Orihime. Shinji, new to Ichigo's school, tries to befriend all of Ichigo's friend. He is seen as friendly, eccentric, and is eager to please any women he finds attractive. However, Ichigo, from the moment he laid eyes on Shinji, didn't think nothing of him and thought he was a mere annoyance. Orihime too was confused while all of a sudden Shinji wanted to befriend her. Well, it's no confidence that Shinji thought Orihime was cute and she possesses a huge rack to match. It wouldn't be until later that Ichigo discovers Shinji's true intention ~ recruiting Ichigo into the Visored. Isn't it kind of weird though that Shinji, who is very VERY old, has a thing for a 17 year old girl? I just found it rather comical that Shinji upon seeing Orihime was all nice and friendly to her in hopes to perhaps have his way with her/draw out Ichigo. This is a very minor Affinity/interaction, but this does introduce us to the character of Shinji as he is willing to put on a poker face in order to get what he wants. Shinji, you already got Hiyori ~ Orihime already got herself a man.

I hope you enjoyed this brief Affinity. Look forward to Affinities on Tuesdays. Until then, you all stay classy now.

Throwback #76 - Group Selfie (Attack of the Covers Part 1)

This picture is one of my favorite colored pictures of Team Ichigo ~ Ichigo, Rukia, Renji, Uryu, & Chad. Together, they make one hell of a team. I already discussed last week regarding two fan-service moments in Bleach, but today-Affinity #86, I'll be taking specific Bleach cover pages and talking about them. From Affinity #76-#86, this will be the "Attack of the Covers" series. Much like the Cifer Impasse, it'll have multiple parts, but this time ~ rather than talking about interactions, we talk about art & its drive behind the story. In this picture, the driving point is Team Ichigo's ongoing quest to save Orihime from the Aizen Sousuke and his Espada. This picture was introduced in Chapter 286 where Ichigo vs. Grimmjow Part 3 was taking place. The determination and courage shown in their faces explicates the importance of growth and friendship. United as one, they'll do whatever it takes to defeat the enemy & save their friend. Team Ichigo is so badass and this picture is a starting example of many epic, awesome, and colorful cover pages their are in Bleach chapters.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Throwback. Look forward to Throwbacks on Fridays. Until then, you all stay classy. Reminder: Attack of the Covers Throwbacks #76-86 will be going on for 10 weeks.

WBCR - A new vessel (Grade: B)

I decided to post up the WBCR today rather than tomorrow due to having a lot of free time now. This chapter surprisingly has a lot going for it considering two BIG things happened. It appears as if all hope is lost for the Soul King….or is there? Meanwhile, all the worlds (Human, Shinigami, & Arrancar) are starting to crumble. Even the Sternritters are questioning their Lord's command as he wishes for the ruination of everything and anything. However, one such person takes a bold stand and claims he can take the rightful place as the Soul King. All of a sudden, Jushiro Ukitake, the sickly Captain of the Gotei 13, unveils that since his birth ~ he has contracted a serious lung disease. As a result, his hair has become white, his body is quite frail, and the name he continuously keeps chanting "Mimihagi-Sama," is a mythical God that is said "to bestow divine protection upon those who sacrifice everything to it but the one eye it already possesses." Ukitake goes onto to explain that legends explain that it descended from the sky eons ago and is said to have been worshipped art her right arm of the Soul King. Ukitake throughout his chapter unveils a lot about his character that we didn't know. By introducing us to why he is sick in the first place, it gives us insight into that character's foundation. Ukitake is literally a vessel for Mimihagi-Sama; Ukitake's organs are being consumed by the God and is very body is now Mimihagi-Sama's possession. Ukitake knew that something like this was bound to happen and was willing to give up his life in order to balance out the world before it crumbles completely. To Ukitake, it's an "honor" to have died serving the Gotei 13.  As the chapter closes, we see someone conversing with someone in total darkness. It is revealed that Kyoraku is talking to….Aizen Sousuke. And that concludes the chapter. In honesty, this is the best chapter I've read in awhile. I like insights on character & although Ukitake had yet to show the full extent of his power, it is properly explained since his birthright everything. I do wish Ukitake fought more because I did like his Zanpaktou, but his rightful place as the replacement for the Soul King ~ he'll be a memory that won't be forgotten. When Aizen's name was said in the end, I got shivers. I was wondering when he'll be introduced. I wonder what role he'll play now and if is willing to side the Gotei 13 despite their past confrontations. Overall, I liked this chapter and I hope next week's will be just as good as today's. I give this week a Grade: B.

So what did you think of this week's Chapter? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Comment below and let me know. As always, look forward to WBCRs whenever chapter's out AND when I have the time to post. Until then and as always, you all stay classy now. Throwback post will be up tomorrow. 

Legacy #22 - Yu-Gi-Oh

It's time to Da-Da-Da-Duel! If you haven't heard of this franchise, then you've probably weren't around when this began. Spawning 224 episode Anime series in the early 2000s and a renowned variety of cards, Yu-Gi-Oh is right up there with Pokemon as being one of the most famous Anime(s) growing up as a 90s kids. The main protagonist is renowned for having spiky yellow/purple hair, his trademark "It's time to Duel" slogan, and the renowned cards he possessed: Blue Eyes White Dragon, The Dark Magician, and Red Eyes Black Dragon. Now, Yu-Gi-Oh has expanded and, to be perfectly honest, I haven't watched any of the new episodes because, for one, it has different characters. Secondly, the amount of cards they've created is just too damn high. I lost track after GX was broadcasted ~ it no longer appealed to me because the formula grew stale. The original is where it's at and, much like Pokemon, Digimon, & DBZ, its predecessors are always more memorable than its revamps. Growing up, I was fascinated with just the artwork on the cards ~ so much detail went into each card. Much like Pokemon, the design and naming of each of those creatures is just creative. The creative process to expand a franchise that's all about a over-the-top card game of monsters & traps ~ it was every kid's dream of wanting to be like Yugi. To me, this nostalgic Anime, though cliche, was very entertaining, but the part I got out of the series was trying (in vain) to collect/trade the cards and dueling my friends on whose the better duel master. Was I good? Well….average at best.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Legacy post. Look forward to Legacy post on Thursdays. Until then, you all stay classy now. WBCR & Throwback will be up tomorrow. 

Affinity #77 - Cifer Impasse (Part 6)

Welcome back to the final installment of the Cifer Impasse Affinity posts where, from Affinities #72-77, I detail a particular relationship with one singular character and his/her interactions with other characters in the story. In parts 1-5, I detailed Ulquiorra's relationships with Yammy, Ichigo, Grimmjow, Nnoitra, & Aizen. Today, I detail Ulquiorra's renowned interaction ~ Orihime Inoue. I've explained it many times before, but the emphasis on their interaction is boiled down to one word/concept ~ Heart. To Ulquiorra, Heart is a mysterious concept that bewilders him. Humans possess it, but Ulquiorra is mystified by its meaning. Emotion itself is something Ulquiorra fails to understand. Orihime is Ulquiorra's polar opposite in every way ~ she is masterful in reading emotions and understanding them like a open book. She is resourceful and wants to remedy the pain away because she is protective of her friends, physically and mentally. Ulquiorra is obedient in follow orders and doesn't no the value/patience of understanding others ~ he is a literal "dog" that follows commands and that's it. However, a dog understands emotion from whatever their masters are eliciting, but why can't Ulquiorra? Now I know comparing an Espada to a dog is pretty low, but if you think about it ~ Ulquiorra is the only Espada that  without question follows Aizen's orders whereas everyone else questions it, ignores it, or finds an alternative. Ulquiorra never doubts Aizen and that's why he has a hard time understanding what makes the Heart ~ the central, pivotal, and gravitas of a Human. Ulquiorra's interaction with Orihime opened up a side of him that he never truly unveils. He tries to learn from Orihime, but finds it hard to believe that something as important as a heart can just as easily be impaled or taken from. He even went so far as to say that opening up a human's body to see the heart could prove noteworthy ~ perhaps unanswered questions that can fancy his interest. However, it was short-lived and Ulquiorra perished before Ichigo could do any more further damage Upon seeing Orihime, she was no longer afraid. A concept that he wasn't able to grasp somehow managed to drive Ulquiorra to question whether or not it was worth a damn. He died knowing that perhaps the heart truly was something important to Humans and that emotion was the norm. It opened up Ulquiorra for a bit, but at that moment, I liked the chemistry the two shared. Orihime wanted to help Ulquiorra whereas Ulquiorra didn't know why she cared or showed any interest. Driving forces didn't permit them to interact longer, but what we do have ~ is something Orihime or Ulquiorra will never forget.

I hope you enjoyed the finale of the Cifer Impasse Affinities. Look forward to Affinity posts on Tuesdays. Until then, you all stay classy.

BCC Round 3 Special Valentine's Preview ~ Nalu vs. Ichihime (featuring new collaboration w/MIKandIK3)

VS.

It's been quite some time since Fight Night posts have been around, hasn't it? Over a month ago, BCC 2 was up ~ pitting the world of Videogames & Anime together. However, starting in March 2015, BCC will return. However, to tip off Valentine's Day, new collaborator & good friend MIKandIK3 will be pitting the best known couples of Bleach & Fairy Tail ~ Ichihime (Ichigo & Orihime) vs. Nalu (Natsu & Lucy). It's no coincidence that these two Anime(s) are full of very VERY sexy women. In March, MIK & Stillmattic will be pitting 11 FT & Bleach chicks together to bring you ~ BCC Round 3 (BVFT). Since it's MIK's first time, take it easy on him ladies and gentlemen. So without further ado, let's get this show on the road. For this Valentine's post, I will be giving the verdict. Deciding factors, as always, include Storyline, Personality, & Appeal. 

Storyline (Nalu)

The story how these two met was in the very beginning of the series. Our main heroin Lucy Hreatfilia and Natsu Dragnell, along with his companion Happy, meet and after some taking down the evil wizard Bora, using awesome magic and burning down half the town. Natsu then invites Lucy to join her dream wizard gild “Fariy Tail.” As the story progresses Lucy joins Natsu, Gray and Erza on many exciting adventures with many heartwarming developments. Though the two are great friends and trust one another, they are not technically a couple in the actual story. Not once in the over 400 chapters in the Manga dose Natsu show any interest in Lucy. He seems to exploit Lucy’s sex appeal rather than be attracted to it. However, there is one chapter that Natsu dose ask Lucy to come meet him by the big tree at night, and what’s more he tells her, “It’s important that it’s her.” Lucy getting confused ends up actual thing and fantasizing about Natsu! When she finally arrives she finds that Natsu only wanted her to come for her to call her celestial spirit Virgo to help dig for buried treasure under the tree. It ends with Lucy socking him and running away saying “I’m such a fool!” That’s the closest they have come to actually being a couple. Though they may not have a bond that the two share love for one another. Natsu and Lucy have a bond of friendship and trust in each other as partners. 

Story (Ichihime)

When first introduced to these characters, it was pretty clear the direction of where'll their friendship will go. These two lovebirds attend the same High School, but both are polar opposites in every way. Ichigo often gets himself involved as a target for thugs and the lowlife whereas Orihime is weird, eccentric, and often considered naive. However, Ichigo's meeting with Rukia soon would change the course of their time together. What initially started off as classmates soon turned into teammates ~ Orihime herself garnered powers due to Ichigo's profound influence on his friends & family. It wouldn't be long before Team Ichigo (Ichigo, Orihime, Uryu, & Chad) would go toe-to-toe against the strongest of villains ~ Aizen Sousuke, Jin Kariya (Filler), & the main antagonist, Yhwach. Orihime's growth as a character stems from her maturity in dealing with the supernatural whereas Ichigo already has a feel of the supernatural due to his unknown knowledge of his parents' backstories. It wouldn't be long before Orihime herself develops romantic feelings for Ichigo ~ seeing him in trouble, fighting for everyone he cares for, and risking his own life if necessary ~ all these attributed to Orihime's grown attachment to Ichigo. As the story progresses unfortunately, no developments of the two have been noted. Throughout the Hueco Mundo/Fake Karakura Town Arc, Ichigo did everything in his power to save Orihime, but no hint of feelings were noticed. In the 4th Bleach movie, we see Orihime embrace Ichigo from behind; Ichigo understands that the mantle of responsibility he has to endure doesn't always have to be burdened alone. That "hug" moment is what got me thinking ~ These two need each other and despite one showing affection towards the other, they are inseparable as friends, allies, & protectors. 

Personalities (Nalu)

Natsu Dragneel is carefree and reckless in nature, and, despite his consistent brawls with the other members of Fairy Tail, he is a fiercely loyal and protective friend. He is willing to go down fighting for his friends, regardless of how futile it might seem. Natsu has a straightforward mind, and often tackles issues with a "hands on" approach. His solution to problems often involve violence. Even when disrespected or faced with obvious hostility, Natsu rarely ever reciprocates the feelings, and often forgoes grudge-holding. 

Lucy takes exceptional pride in her appearance and is very confident in her sex appeal, often exuding a certain amount of vanity. Despite this superficial attitude, she is a clever, kind, and genuinely caring person. Lucy is passionate for literature and is in the process of writing her own novel about her adventures with Fairy Tail although she does not like telling anyone about it. Aside from her interest in writing and reading prose, she also likes shopping, cooking and assertive men.

Personalities (Ichihime)

Much like I explicated in the Story aspect of Ichihime, these two couldn't be any different. Ichigo was often targeted by thugs and lowlifes, but he was able to manage on his own because of his enhanced strength, agility, and durability. His orange hair alone was seen as a prejudice amongst everyone because Ichigo was always being harassed or attacked because of the color of his hair. That didn't stop Ichigo from kicking @SS & taking names of course. Orihime on the other hand, like I said, is weird, eccentric, and naive. She's a klutz, humorous, friendly, and kind. These are the aspects that define Orihime, but after her time with Ichigo ~ she matured. She grew stronger, grew more courageous, more hopeful, and is able to read emotions as if it were drawn on their faces. Orihime's maturity and independence are what make her such a interesting character ~ she's going outside of her norm and adapted to the changes happening around her so easily. Ichigo already has a feel of the supernatural, but, much like Orihime, he too matured ~ creating a web of strength in order to protect those he cares for. In the end, their personalities are much like the water ~ pure, divine, and rich in nature. 

Appeal (Nalu)

Though Natsu and Lucy aren’t an official couple, the fans have took the initiative and created, (as Still Mattic calls it), NaLu. I understand why, the rough and tough hero and the incredibly sexy heroin getting together is what most people like to see. Though Natsu can act like an immature child at times he has good points too. He has a deep love for the guild and all its members that he accepts and his family. Lucy the blond lovely goddess that has such and radiant smile and a sexy body that men admire, and heart that is big enough to hold love for everyone in Fairy Tail. 

Appeal (Ichihime)

Ichigo's a Hunk, isn't he? I mean his bulging muscles should be a hint that fighting various enemies will give guys six-packs. And Orihime got BIG BEEWBZ! Holy Crap they big jiggling when she jumping and carrying watermelons. Ichigo is lucky that such a hot cutie with bulging assets has a thing for him. I mean, I adore Ichihime being together not just because of their looks, but because of their time spent together defined who they are and has made them stronger. Although not an official couple, Ichihime often is speculated as being the #1 couple of Bleach. I know people are going for Ichiruki, but hey ~ more power to them. To me, this is my favorite Bleach couple & is up there on my Top 10 Favorite Anime Couples. Damn Ichigo, make a move on Orihime. Her jiggly puffs are just waiting to be jiggled. 

Verdict (By Stillmattic)

And the winner is…

This was a very tough decision to make considering I'm a HUGE fan of both these couples. NaLu seems to be the pivotal Fairy Tail Fan-couple much like Ichihime in Bleach, However, boiling it down to "Whose the better couple?" and "What makes them a powerhouse?" ~ I had to go with NaLu. For one, NaLu has been more built up and hyped than Ichihime in Bleach. Lucy's attachment to Natsu not only stems from having been a part of Fairy Tail, but their teamwork has made them a lot more closer. In comparison to FT, Orihime's attachment stems from Ichigo's courageous acts as a Shinigami, but have you ever noticed that their teamwork is very different to NaLu? Hear me out on this one ~ NaLu's teamwork is equal ~ both have powers and have hair their fair share of battles & helping out one another. Ichihime on the other hand is ~ Ichigo is the brawns & Orihime is the emotional support. I wished Orihime's role was utilized more because, like I've said many MANY times, Orihime has been sidelined. You would never EVER see that with NaLu ~ both are equally important because we grew up with them. Their time together made them stronger because of their adventures whereas with Ichigo & Orihime, Orihime grew attached because Ichigo saved her (Damsel in Distress Cliche). Lucy can be seen as a damsel, but she was able to manage her own in combat. With Orihime, nope. Orihime may have God-like abilities, but she always had to rely on somebody else to help save her in the end. Ichigo & Natsu are equally powerful in their own right, but at the end of the day ~ NaLU has more gravitas to the Fairy Tail storyline than Ichihime does in Bleach. 

So who do you think is the better couple? NaLu from Fairy Tail or Ichihime from Bleach? Comment below and let us know. Thank you so much for reading BCC Round 3 ~ Bleach vs. Fairy Special Preview featuring new collaborator MIKandIK3. BCC Round 3 will officially start sometime in March and will run for 11 battles. Until then, you all stay classy & Happy Valentine's Day to everyone and anyone. Stay classy!

WBCR - World Crumbles (Grade: C)

So….this week's chapter once again was a very VERY short read. It can be summed up in two sentences. Ichigo's Quincy blood drove him to unintentionally slay the Soul King. With the Soul King's Death, the Human, Arrancar, & Spirit World begin to crumble as a result. That sums up the chapter in all honesty. I said before that the anticipation of a chapter is long gone, but how much longer until something, I don't know, exciting happens? We see Karin & Yuzu being affected by the Earthquake whereas Kisuke, who was confident that everyone was going to according to plan, goes a complete 360 and says that it's too late. The Soul King's death is the balance of all 3 worlds and, due to Yhwach's influence on the Quincy blood, inadvertently controlled Ichigo into delivering the final blow. The only thing that interests me is what 13th division Captain Jushiro Ukitake is thinking. What is he contemplating? Is there some sort of way to reverse all this? Will the Manga pick up or will it drag on much like DBZ? Who knows! Overall, I give it a a C ~ it's more set-up (even if it's slow af). I don't hate Bleach, but I want something to happen other than the cliche of "All hope is lost."

So what did you think of this week's Chapter? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Comment below and let me know. As always, look forward to WBCRs whenever chapter's out AND when I have the time to post. Until then and as always, you all stay classy now. Throwback post is below.

Throwback #75 - Fanservice II!!

Remember this cover page? It was the first time we see our two heroines, Orihime & Rukia, actually covering their naked bodies while in the hot spring. That is FREAKING awesome. Orihime has big BEEWBS and just by looking at how the towel is wrapping around her, it looks as if it was about to fall. That smile of her + her hairstyle ~ all too cute and good to be true. And then there's Rukia, who, despite not possessing big melons, is pretty cute herself. When she got her haircut, I fell in love with her even more ~ I don't know, something about cute-haired girls man. Upon feasting my eyes on this cover page, I knew that Tite Kubo couldn't escape the fan service. People who often are fans of something try to find the service as a fan. In this case, seeing a partially naked Orihime & Rukia covered in a bath towel ~ it was so sexy. We don't usually see Rukia strip down. It was refreshing to see our two heroines who've come to know and love almost bear their BEEWBS & @SS in this cover page. I don't know what else to say other than ~ DAYUM!

I hope you enjoyed this week's Throwback. Look forward to Throwback posts on Fridays. Until then, you all stay classy now.

Legacy #21 - Teen Titans

Although not really an Anime, Teen Titans incorporated had a lot of heavy Anime influence (notably faces & gestures). It was, at the time, my favorite show on Cartoon Network and for a lot of good reasons. Mixing in comedy, action, & Superheroes ~ what possibly could go wrong? We have our brave leader, the female love interest from another world, a badass half-man half robot, a shapeshifting being, and a secluded female who learns to open up to her friends. Together, they are the Teen Titans. Encountering various enemies from Slade, the H.I.V.E Academy, Trigon, & The Brotherhood of Evil (led by the Brain) ~ Teen Titans was quite the watch. When combining action & comedy, sometimes that chemistry doesn't work all the time. For TT, it worked out well ~ plenty of awesome scenes while still maintaining its charm and charisma. The Teen Titans opening was also sang by J-pop Artists PuffyAmiYumi and, from time to time, it was either sung in English or in Japanese. Overall, Teen Titans is a phenomenon for its time and spawned 4-5 seasons. Of course we'd like to see it thrive and continue, but alas it wasn't picked up to continue. Teen Titans Go! is its successor and, for now, I'll leave it at that (I have a long rant on that for next week's Legacy post).

I hope you enjoyed this week's Legacy post. Look forward to Legacy post on Thursdays. Until then, you all stay classy now. WBCR & Throwback will be up tomorrow. 

Affinity #76 - Cifer Impasse (Part 5)

Welcome back to another installment of the Cife Impasse Affinity posts where, from Affinities #72-77, I detail a particular relationship with one singular character and his/her interactions with other characters in the story. In parts 1-4, I detailed Ulquiorra's relationships with Yammy, Ichigo, Grimmjow, & Ulquiorra. Today, I detail Ulquiorra's affinity with none other than his Leader, Aizen Sousuke. Ulquiorra, much to the dismay of the other Espada, is obedient every single way. He follows orders and never questions authority. One thing that was never addressed was how Aizen met Ulquiorra. The only interaction we know of is how Aizen got to meet Starrk, Baraggan, & Harribel. With Ulquiorra, nothing. Well, the same can also be said with Espada #0, 5-9. However, I do know Aizen used his power, manipulation, and nature in allying with the Arrancar. Ulquiorra, much to Grimmjow's disappointment, followed orders as he, alongside Yammy, encountered a orange haired boy cloaked in black (Ichigo Kurosaki). Ulquiorra deemed he was of no threat to Lord Aizen, but Grimmjow saw it differently ~ a chance that was slipped away due to Ulquiorra's "negligence" of the matter. However, Aizen only praised Ulquiorra for following orders and Ulquiorra, honored to have received a compliment, bowed in his favor. To me, Ulquiorra is Aizen's perfect soldier ~ obedient, dutiful, and never having any unwavering emotions/feelings otherwise. Aizen even went out of his way to assign Ulquiorra to guard Hueco Mundo while he goes to Fake Karakura Town. He wouldn't assign anyone with that task unless it was Ulquiorra. It's pretty much an affinity of Leader & Soldier.

I hope you enjoyed Part 5/6 of the Cifer Impasse Affinities. Next week is the Cifer Impasse  Finale detailing a very important interaction ~ Ulquiorra & Orihime. Look forward to Affinity posts on Tuesdays. Until then, you all stay classy.

WBCR - Dat sword though (Grade: C)

Preparations are nearly complete as Kisule Urahara prepares a gateway into the Royal Palace. He is going to need all the help he can get, but at the same time feels doubt that the plan for survival may be minuscule. Of course, the Captains are taken back by this (Sui-Feng & Kenpachi notably), but they do not care because in this situation ~ it's a life/death battle ~ aka a War. Hiyori & the rest of Visored are suiting up as well ~ it's time for old grudges to be forgotten as they all prepare for what's coming to them. Meanwhile, Ichigo, Ganju, Orihime, Chad, & Yoruichi confront Yhwach who, with most evil villains, have foreseen that he is to do battle with the main protagonist. However, Ichigo bodies reacts to the sword that impaled the Soul King. The supposed "Quincy" blood inside him unsheathe the blade and supposedly dealt the final blow on the Soul King. In other words ~ Ichigo's Quincy Half brought upon the destruction of the Soul Society. Yhwach knew of this whereas his friends are all like "WTF?" And that pretty much sums the chapter. I am curious to know why all of a sudden Ichigo's "Quincy" blood now manipulates him and also, why Yhwach waited for Ichigo to deal the final blow? I think perhaps it had to do with the whole: "He did it" scenario in which Yhwach merely is a collaborator on the Soul King's demise. I wonder if the War will ever pick up and whether or not, again, certain characters will come back (*cough* Arrancars & Xcution). For now, it's merely more set-up and more monologues. I give this week's Grade a: C. Not great, but it's set-up so it's passable.

So what did you think of this week's Chapter? Good? Bad? Somewhere in between? Comment below and let me know. As always, look forward to WBCRs whenever chapter's out AND when I have the time to post. Until then and as always, you all stay classy now. Throwback post is below.

Throwback #74 - Fanservice!

Remember that time when Tite Kubo made all of our dreams come true when he drew the Fanservice picture of the Bleach women at the Beach? I think we all did as it was featured in Bleach Artbooks for the World to see. Notable standouts of course include Orihime, Rangiku, Yoruichi, Rukia, & surprisingly Isane. Orihime, Rangiku, & Yoruichi are the Big 3 in terms of possessing a huge rack, but it came to a surprise that Isan'e isn't all that bad. Her swimsuit I think is the most revealing out of all of them in the picture. Rangiku is flashing her little @SS, but hey ~ ain't nothing wrong with that. Other women in this picture include Sui-Feng (holding the watermelons), Tatsuki, Hinamori, Yachiru, Kiyone (Isane's younger sister). Unohana (WAY in the back), Kukaku (also WAY in the Back), and Nanao (Way WAY in the Back). This comes to show that most Anime(s) cannot escape the Fanservice Hype and as the title suggests, it gave us, the fans, service. Personally I'd want Tite Kubo to make more fan service pictures, but of course only a man can dream.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Throwback. Look forward to Throwback posts on Fridays. Until then, you all stay classy now. WBCR will be up soon.

Legacy #20 - Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai

Haven't you wished that you can make friends and make that into a club? Colorful characters that end up becoming the best of friends soon realize that their camaraderie is what defines their club & their ongoing pursuit to unraveling the secrets/gimmicks of friendship. Of course initially perceived as an Harem Anime, I found this Anime to be categorized as a slice-of-life comedy. Growing up, I had 2 very close friends (whom I'm still friends with today). Unfortunately, it was the 3 of us against the World as, with most schools, it was a divide between popularity & unpopular kids. However, as soon as I enrolled into High School ~ I started conversing more with people, being more open, and creating more opportunities to get closer to my peers. It wouldn't be long before I had a group of friends to call my own as I, with the help of my best friend MechG, restarted up the Anime Club. Through this, we forged friendships, made memories, played games, and essentially realized that doing stuff as a group was more fun than being alone. That is essentially what this Anime is about ~ outsiders/outcasts who find themselves coincidentally meeting as if fate were smiling upon them. Started off as a bumpy road, this Anime learned to make me laugh, appreciate the value of friendship, and be open with the togetherness we share as a whole. Sure it has Romance elements, but hey ~ it's school. A part of life is a journey towards finding our own path ~ creating friendships and finding that one special person are essentials. To me, this Anime embodies the meaning of friendship alongside its perks and its definition. Spawning 2 seasons (24 episodes + Season 3 hopefully coming up), this Anime is full of mischief, hilarity, and overall displaying the affection of friends that come from different places.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Legacy post. Look forward to Legacy posts on Thursdays. Until then, you all stay classy now. WBCR & Throwback will be up sometime tomorrow. 

Affinity #75 - Cifer Impasse (Part 4)

Welcome back to another installment of the Cife Impasse Affinity posts where, from Affinities #72-77, I detail a particular relationship with one singular character and his/her interactions with other characters in the story. In parts 1-3, I detailed Ulquiorra's relationships with Yammy, Ichigo, & Grimmjow. In Part 4, I detail a very minor interaction ~ Ulquiorra & Nnoitra. This was shown in one scene in both the Anime/Manga where Nnoitra takes a little interest in Aizen & Ulquiorra's handling of Orihime's imprisonment. Nnoitra, much like Grimmjow, is hard-headed, impatient, and isn't as calculative as Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra, much like Aizen, takes precautions and is always 3 steps ahead of the game. This is why their is a rift between certain Espada ~ power, rank, and egos clash. Grimmjow despises Ulquiorra whereas Baraggan, the 2nd Espada, thinks he's powerful than all of the Espada combined. Nnoitra teases Ulquiorra in this scene, telling him not to be a sore loser and just tell him of their intentions on Orihime/Aizen's plan. Overall, this scene depicts that Nnoitra, despite being weaker than Ulquiorra, isn't intimidated by him whatsoever. Ulquiorra could just as easily mop the floor with him in his final form.

I hope you enjoyed Part 4/6 of the Cifer Impasse Affinities. Look forward to Affinity posts on Tuesdays. Until then, you all stay classy.