Zealot Update (April 7, 2016)

It's been a long LONG time since I posted any updates or possible upcoming articles on the MBZ blog. I sporadically posted a humorous "Hi" post last month to clarify that I'm still around. However, there's a probably some of you (I have fans?) asking the same thing: What has happened? Well, to be perfectly honest - I'm lazy. Yes, with how things are playing out, I am unable to give you a decisive answer on when I'll be posting Bleach-related content. I've been caught up with the Bleach manga and I got to say, it's inconsistent. At times it'll be an engaging read whereas most times it falls short. I will admit the last chapter showcases Kenpachi's Bankai and, like the Incredible Hulk from Marvel's The Avengers, his skin color changes and he grows insanely powerful. He cut Thor in two (I know that's now his name, but c'mon people - it's Thor-inspired). I gotta say, Kenpachi's Bankai, to me anyways, was a twist for me. Kenpachi and Kisuke's Bankai reveal were the most interesting aspects of the most recent Bleach chapters. Aside from keeping up with the reading, I've been watching/experimenting with new Anime. Perhaps in the future I'll return on writing reviews on recent Anime(s) I've viewed. I do apologize once again for not being able to post any new content and like I've said above, I am unable to give a decisive answer on when I'll return, but I will say one thing...Despite the Bleach chapters being inconsistent, this blog was primarily based on chapter reviews and I feel like I should at least keep up with the reviews. So starting next week (or whenever chapter's out), I'll return the WBCRs. It may not be thorough because of length of chapter/content, but at least I'm starting somewhere. See you next week

- Stillmattic

Hey

I'm ok

- Stillmattic

WBCR - Into the Abyss (Chapters 647-648)

Welcome back to WBCRs where I cover the latest chapters on Bleach and give my thoughts/impressions on it. It's been quite the read since we've just witnessed a very awesome and epic moment ~ Shunsui Kyoraku went full Bankai. His opponent Lille is, of course, oblivious as to what his Bankai can do and the chapter ends with him getting f*ed over. Chapter 647 literally was setting up Kyoraku into using his Bankai whereas in this week's chapter, we see Kyoraku's Bankai affect everyone around them including: Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, & Ganju. From what I've observed, Kyoraku's Bankai allows him to change the perspective of the environment around him as something dark and depressing. With this, a sensation of fear and melancholy engulfs everyone. Lille, of course, tries to do away with him, but has sunk into Kyoraku's Bankai and may not see the light of day. Literally, these two chapters were short and straight to the point ~ Kyoraku sees that fighting Lille will be problematic and so uses his Bankai and pretty much goes full bad@$$. We've been waiting for awhile to see his Bankai and to be honest, it's very much like Kyoraku. Playing games & f*cking around with the senses ~ all a trick up Kyoraku's sleeves. While Kyoraku prepares to fight, Renji prepares to fight the Thor-looking Sternritter and Ichigo and Askin just confronted one another. So next week's chapter is looking pretty interesting. For these two chapters, though short, I'm going to give it an A. Great seeing some questions answered (What's Kyoraku's Bankai?).

What did you think of the chapter? Did it satisfy and deliver or just outright sucked and disappointed? Comment below and let me know. Look forward to WBCRs on Thursdays (when chapter's released or on weekends if delayed) Until then, you stay classy as always.

Food for Thought #8 - Do most romance Anime(s) follow the same formula?

Romance ~ it's a feeling that gives everyone a warm feeling....or perhaps a feeling of unbelievable tension . Whether you're straight, gay, lesbian, transgender, or other ~ Love is in the air. With any genre, of course TV shows & movies will capitalize on its themes. Anime is no different, but there is one difference ~ Romance is split into sub-genres (there's a lot of them, but the main focus is usually Harem. In Anime, there are Harem(s) where multiple girls/boys fall for the main protagonist (whether it's a boy or girl) and Tragic Romances where a romance ensues between a couple, but something tragic happens to the boy/girl. This brings me to a question ~ Do most romance Anime(s) follow the same formula? For the most part, I can't really say much since I've mostly watched Harem(s) and not straight up Romance Anime(s) where it's only contingent on the boy and girl getting together after multiple trials and tribulations. The only Romance Anime that I've seen and f*cking love is My Love Story. It's your typical romance, but with a twist. From what I can gather, the norm for most romances include the following components:

1) The guy is very good looking to the point of "Model" status
2) The girl is perceived as "innocent."
3) The girl's friends start encouraging girl to get with the guy
4) The guy is the "ideal boyfriend."

Not with My Love Story. Imagine all those components, but rather than the girl falling for the "Model" looking guy, she falls for the buff & intimidating fella who nobody would ever go out with. You know what, that's refreshing. Most Romance(s) always follow some sort of path that leads to:

1) The Fated Meeting
2) The Destined Date
3) The Inevitable Relationship

However, some take the time to build Romances such as building personalities, hobbies, and most of the time ~ scenarios in which it'll test the compatibility of the two characters. Some scenarios that I can think of include (but not all):

1) What would the guy do if it was raining and he saw a girl without one?
2) What would happen if the boy's and girl's were pushed into going out by their peers?
3) "The Accidental Kiss."

So personally, I think Romance(s) do follow a structure that is unquestionable. I'm not going to go into detail by Tragic Romances, but it is self-explanatory. Love ensues and like a Cupid firing its bow ~ it hurts. I know I'm not the expert when it comes to the Romance, but that's way I see it. Perhaps I'll take a gander at it again once I've explored more Romance Anime(s). For now, let's leave it at that.

Food for Thought? Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this topic. This was a very analytical and thorough FFT that didn't explore much into Anime, but of real life. Sometimes I'll provide #thetruth because, well, I'm a human and thoughts matter. FFTs will be posted every Tuesday. Like always, you stay classy as always! Here's the order of FFTs:

1) Anime: Subbed or Dubbed?

2) When does a Harem become stale?

3) What's Shipping?

4) What's Ecchi?

5) Can context be misconstrued? 

6) Why are Anime-turned Movies a bad idea? 

7) Is Hentai good or bad? 

8) Do most romance Anime(s) follow the same formula? 

Zealot update (10/18/15)

Its been quite a bumpy weekend I've had. I do apologize that I was unable to post WBCR on Thursday. Work and School have been getting quite hectic. So on October 22nd, there'll be two back to back WBCRs on chapters 647-648. Until then, be patient with me and stay classy as always.

- Stillmattic 

Watchlist #53 - Shimoneta: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist

Imagine a world where we, Fans of Anime, live in Japan. It's full of opportunities, responsibilities, and morals. However, picture that without the knowledge of profanity ~ where it it outright outlawed if you were to speak of anything profane in correlation to love & sex. Everything from how babies are born to what to feel when feeling attracted to someone else is a complex string of explanation upon explanation with no heart. There are, however, those who wish to spread profanity as a means to educate and aspire youths to have the knowledge of sexual intercourse and illustrate that porn isn't bad, but rather a way of expressing one's arousal to the opposite/same sex. If you haven't guessed it, these "terrorists" are perceived as the bad guys, but in actuality ~ who truly is the bad guy? Is it them for wanting to educate and aspire others to not be afraid to speak profanity or those who oppose as a means to stop free speech? Perhaps it is those who wish for change, but are to the point of going overboard on their ideals or it's the morals itself that are caging people's emotions & thoughts on sexual knowledge. Anyways, this brings me to the Anime I just finished watching: A Boring World where the concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn't Exist. The plot ~ I literally just explained it above. Public morals is at a all-time high and thus it's up to one woman and one man to team up in order to showcase Porn and Sex Jokes should be of the norm. Going into this Anime, it's pure eye candy. There's a lot of censorship, but it's literally parodying it because nowadays, everything is desensitized or censored. However, not all with agree that everything should be banned or censored. In radio stations for example, they play the "clean" version of rap songs or on Television where they'l censor bad words all for the protection of the public. To be perfectly honest, it's an ongoing issue to this day and whether it's for protection or just because people are afraid of free speech ~ this Anime is a prime example of showing off those themes and opposing as a means to standing up to a norm. The main heroine is funny, spirited, and loves sex jokes. She dressed in nothing but a blanket and runs around with half-naked girls and Hentai propaganda. Then there's her sidekick who becomes infatuated with her to the point where his ideals of dirt jokes are challenged just from being around her. We also have a chick who has an obsession with the main protagonist after having been accidentally kissed on the lips. We have another chick who aspires to be an artist, but gets a HUGE kick out of drawing nude pictures or shipping 2 guys together. There's so much to talk about and in every second of this Anime, I was laughing, smiling, and wishing society were more open rather than closed. This Anime started in July and ended in September with 12 episodes that is based off a Light Novel (2012-ongoing) and Manga (2014-ongoing). If I could, I'd want to meet Hirotaka Akagi, the creator of this Anime, shake his hand, and say "Thanks to you, this Anime is on my top 10 favorite Anime(s) of all time."

I hope you enjoyed this week's Watch-list post. Watch-List posts will be on Wednesdays. Until then, stay classy as always. Don't forget to check out the other Watch-list posts (in order):

1) Tenchi Muyo

2) Cowboy Bebop

3) Trigun

4) Dragonball Z

5) School Rumble 

6) Is This A Zombie?

7) Fairy Tail

8) Omamori Himari

9) FLCL

10) Gurren Lagann 

11) Shin-Chan 

12) Tenchi Muyo GXP

13) Tenchi Muyo In Tokyo

14) Power Puff Girls Z

15) Kirby!

16) Samurai Champloo 

17) Hanaukyo Maid Team 

18) True Tears 

19) Zombie Powder (Manga)

20) Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai 

21) Teen Titans
22) Yu-Gi-Oh
23) Rosario+Vampire
24) Death Note
25) Pokemon
26) Digimon
27) Big-O
28) X-Men (Anime Version)
29) D-Frag
30) Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun
31) Akame Ga Kill
32) Invaders of the Rokujyōma!?
33) OniAi
34) Ben-To
35) Testament of a Sister New Devil
36) Minamoto-kun Monogatari (Manga)
37) My Love Story (Ore Monogatari!)
38) Space Dandy
39) Wanna be the strongest in the world
40) When Marnie Was There (Film ~ Studio Ghibli)
41) The Garden of Words (Film ~ Makoto Shinkai)
42) Song of the Sea (Film ~ Tomm Moore)  
43) Nagasarete Airantou
44) DBZ: Resurrection 'F' (Film)
45) Bikini Warriors (First Impressions)
46) Yu Yu Hakusho
47) Monster Musume (First Impressions)
48) Code Lyoko
49) Ninja Scroll (Film)
50) Kill La Kill
51) Attack on Titan
52) Attack on Titan Part 1 (Live-Action Film)
53) Shimoneta: ABWWCDJDE

Food for Thought #7 - Is Hentai good or bad?

"I've seen enough Hentai to know where this is going" is a common saying amongst Anime fans as they'll either stray away from this topic, discuss it in its entirety, or outright deny all claims of ever having watched it despite having done so. So it brings the question ~ Is Hentai a good or bad thing? Well with the world being accessible with new advancements in technology, it's no surprise that porn is an inevitability. Whether it's on phones, computers, or tablets ~ Porn, like shopping or finding out about someone, is accessible through the worldwide web. I will outright say this ~ I watch porn and yes I watch Hentai. Porn is perceived as being a bad thing, but even so ~ people do it. They watch porn and get an arousal at watching men/women f*cking each other in various positions. So why categorize it as good or bad in the first place? One word I've often repeated on the blog is: Context. Yes, context for porn and hentai is very mixed considering the the only takeaway is a couple f*cking each other's brains out. Whether it's straight, gay, or lesbian, Porn, like any form of entertainment, has context that can be perceived as either positive or negative. I'm not one to say it's bad because, well, I get a kick out of watching it in the first place. I love watching Porn and I'm not afraid to say it, but I will admit there are some limits. Since we're on the topic of Hentai, there are a few that I refuse to watch because I feel uncomfortable and the context is so f*cked up:

1) Anything dealing with Tentacles
2) Rape Hentai
3) Hentai dealing with children
4) Hentai dealing with killing someone

So, in this man's opinion, watching porn or hentai is natural, but just know that the context, in this case, is perceived as neutral (good and bad). Of course there are those who oppose it just based on it being profane whereas others like to feel excited, aroused, and anticipation. I know this topic was very short, but there's not much else to say. Porn/Hentai can be f*cked up a lot of times, but we, the people, still watch it because we are than curious about sexual intercourse. There hasn't been a single person I've met that has been aroused by the opposite/same sex and have not once been curious about pornography. Trust me, it's best to accept it as it is ~ another form of entertainment that is both questionable and debatable.

Food for Thought? Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this topic. This was a very analytical and thorough FFT that didn't explore much into Anime, but of real life. Sometimes I'll provide #thetruth because, well, I'm a human and thoughts matter. FFTs will be posted every Tuesday. Like always, you stay classy as always! Here's the order of FFTs:

1) Anime: Subbed or Dubbed?

2) When does a Harem become stale?

3) What's Shipping?

4) What's Ecchi?

5) Can context be misconstrued? 

6) Why are Anime-turned Movies a bad idea? 

7) Is Hentai good or bad? 

WBCR - All Eyez on Me (Grade: A)

Shinji Hirako, alongside Lieutenant Hinamori, Rukia, and Renji leave as Captain-Commander Kyoraku Shunsui is fighting Sternritter "X" Lille Barro. Everyone is worried for Kyoraku's safety, but Shinji reassures him that if Ukitake or Yamamoto were in their shoes, they'd leave the Captain-Commander alone. They need to have faith in their peers because if they don't, then it'll just be a handicap. Kyoraku makes a bold move in moving right in front of the crosshairs of Lille's rifle, but Kyoraku managed to cut a bit of his weapon. Kyoraku continues to play around with Lille by having his shadows attack him. As Lille is stabbed, Lille's power reawakens as he explains of the true essence of "The X-Axis." Bullets will pass through his body as well as blades being unable to cut. It is of this time that Lille explains once he really opens up all his eyes ~ then a untold power will be unveiled. His form takes on the shape of white-winged creature named Zyrael (God's Judgment) and he immobilizes Kyoraku Shunsui....piercing 3x with uncertainty of how Kyoraku is. Overall, this chapter continues to get better and better because:

1) It looks as if they're preparing to unveil Kyoraku Shunsui's true power
2) Lille is showcasing a form that I don't think any other Sternritter can show
3) Perhaps a look into Kyoraku's backstory?

Like last week's chapter, I'm giving it a Grade: A. It's exciting to see a badass fight, but also be in suspense if Kyoraku survived the attack.

What did you think of the chapter? Did it satisfy and deliver or just outright sucked and disappointed? Comment below and let me know. Look forward to WBCRs on Thursdays (when chapter's released) Until then, you stay classy as always.

Watchlist #52 - Attack on Titan Part 1 Live Action (Film)

So last week, my friend and I had the opportunity in watching the live adaptation of the Anime phenomenon known as Attack on Titan. This is not an American rendition, but rather Japan has put forth the effort into making it into a reality. So...does it exceed all expectations or did it fall short? Well, for me anyways, it fell flat 100%. Apart from making MANY changes, it loses focus and changes the motivation behind the character's desires. It felt rushed and had a lot of pacing issues as well as introducing movie-exclusive characters that are just as bland as cardboard cutouts. If you guys don't know what AOT is about, it's about a young kid who witnessed his Mom get killing by a Titan and his conquest for vengeance knows no bounds when he enlists to kill them all alongside his friends Armin & Mikasa. A lot of fans were in disbelief that someone actually managed to mess up an adaptation AND it wasn't by us, 'Murica. Japan has had a pretty good resume in making good adaptations such as Death Note (2 movies and a Drama) and Rurouni Kenshin (which I heard many good things about), but in their efforts in making AOT ~ it didn't really deliver. It felt like a punch in the face to the fans rather than the swift impact of relief. Some changes I'd like to point are (and yes there are spoilers):

1) They changed Eren's motivation to kill the Titans, In the Anime, he witnessed his Mom get eaten by the smiling Titan whereas in the movie rendition, it's depicted that Eren and Mikasa are apparently boyfriend & girlfriend and Mikasa was "eaten" by the Smiling Titan. Also, Mikasa isn't a Captain.

2) Certain key characters aren't shown or rather are replaced by counterparts that we could care less about (ex: Levi isn't in the movie and is replaced by a man named Shikishima).

3) Eren and Armin look ALIKE - couldn't tell them apart sometimes.

4) If soldiers were trained in using the shifting gear, why did NO ONE know how to use it? Only Mikasa and Levi's replacement were able to successfully to deliver some badass moments.

5) Eren's 30 second love-interest with a movie-exclusive character. This not only affected him, but apparently is the reason why he became the badass Titan Shifter we all know and love.

So there is a lot more I could've pointed out, but I'm going to point out the things that the live-adaptation got spot-on

1) Sasha and Hange's personalities are spot-on
2) Eren turning into a Titan Shifter

Yes, there are only 2 things I pointed out that were actually spot-on. I could've gone on a long rant, but unfortunately my friend and I are somewhat curious to see Part 2 to see if it holds up. We'll just have to wait and find out. I already made a rant on yesterday's Food for Thought so I'm just going to leave it at that. The movie loses focuses, changes motivation, excludes key characters, and has a lot of pacing issues. I give it a 5/10 ~ it's not good nor is it terrible. I will say this ~ it's better than most American adaptations of Anime, Cartoons, & Video games....but that's not saying much.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Watch-list post. Watch-List posts will be on Wednesdays. Until then, stay classy as always. Don't forget to check out the other Watch-list posts (in order):

1) Tenchi Muyo

2) Cowboy Bebop

3) Trigun

4) Dragonball Z

5) School Rumble 

6) Is This A Zombie?

7) Fairy Tail

8) Omamori Himari

9) FLCL

10) Gurren Lagann 

11) Shin-Chan 

12) Tenchi Muyo GXP

13) Tenchi Muyo In Tokyo

14) Power Puff Girls Z

15) Kirby!

16) Samurai Champloo 

17) Hanaukyo Maid Team 

18) True Tears 

19) Zombie Powder (Manga)

20) Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai 

21) Teen Titans
22) Yu-Gi-Oh
23) Rosario+Vampire
24) Death Note
25) Pokemon
26) Digimon
27) Big-O
28) X-Men (Anime Version)
29) D-Frag
30) Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun
31) Akame Ga Kill
32) Invaders of the Rokujyōma!?
33) OniAi
34) Ben-To
35) Testament of a Sister New Devil
36) Minamoto-kun Monogatari (Manga)
37) My Love Story (Ore Monogatari!)
38) Space Dandy
39) Wanna be the strongest in the world
40) When Marnie Was There (Film ~ Studio Ghibli)
41) The Garden of Words (Film ~ Makoto Shinkai)
42) Song of the Sea (Film ~ Tomm Moore)  
43) Nagasarete Airantou
44) DBZ: Resurrection 'F' (Film)
45) Bikini Warriors (First Impressions)
46) Yu Yu Hakusho
47) Monster Musume (First Impressions)
48) Code Lyoko
49) Ninja Scroll (Film)
50) Kill La Kill
51) Attack on Titan
52) Attack on Titan Part 1 (Live-Action Film)

Food for Thought #6 - Why are Anime-turned Movies a bad idea?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, adaptations of most Anime, Cartoon, or Video games is a hit/miss. For the most part, Western audiences aren't pleased that the source material of their beloved shows & video games are being hollywoodized. However, I've also said that change doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing so long as the focus exists from where the material is derived from. I underline that sentence because a lot of Western directors try and try to interpret Anime, Cartoons, & Video games in a different way whereas they could already just borrow the source material & utilize the story, characters, settings, and themes. Hollywood has the tendency, in most recent years, in f*cking all that up because of the notion "Hey, we don't like that. We can do better." That alone shows that the directors, writers, & producers don't really have a central focus on the material, but rather are only making it for two reasons: Fans and Profit. Regardless if a movie bombs at the office, directors are still paid....at the cost that the direction of the film was poor and could possibly jeopardize the material that they were making a movie on. Films like The Last Airbender and DBZ not only pissed off fans, but also came to question what the f*ck the directors were thinking? I was excited to see a live-adaptation of The Last Airbender, but the storytelling was rushed, the editing was horrid, there was no emotion, and most of all the biggest middle finger a director could possible do is lose focus of what we loved about the cartoon. All this handed on a silver plate and what we got was disappointment and rage. I was one of those enraged fans that wanted to punch the director for making a sloppy and inconsiderate version of one the most beloved Nick cartoons of all time. I didn't want DBZ live, but I've read on what they've done ~ a student w/a love interest and horrible CGI, yeah sure why not. It's not like we haven't done that MANY times. Again, adaptations in the Western Audience's perspective is bias because directors won't like to keep focus. They'd rather make a sh*tty rendition of a movie for profit than actually try to interpret it the way the Anime, Cartoon, & Video Game did. There are fan-bases dedicated to hating on horrible adaptations and its safe to say that most Anime, Cartoon, & Video Game portrayals are done terribly. There seems to be no hope for Hollywood in producing an actual Anime, Cartoon, or Video game live adaptation where it DOESN'T lose focus. The fact of the matter is, it's very seldom Western Audiences be like "It wasn't bad. It could've been done better, but for what we got ~ it's tolerable." Only have I heard this notion a few, but mainly ~ it's all been negative upon negative feedback. IT seems that Japan has a way to make live-adaptations of their beloved Anime a lot better because....IT HAS A F*CKING FOCUS. I heard many good things about the Rurouni Kenshin live-action as well as the Death Note movies (even turned into a TV Drama on Crunchyroll). So if Japan can do it well, why are we so bent on changing it so much? Again, profit & Fans. If fans love it, they'll make a movie on it, but it doesn't necessarily have to live up its hype. The anticipation that fans seek is toyed with because directors (not all of course) can't direct an Anime, Cartoon, or Video Game adaptation without saying something around the lines of "I don't like that. It's not realistic. Fans won't get it." YES we will. For f*ck's sake, we know the material better than you do and the director, producer, and writers' jobs are to research, analyze, and observe how a Fan-serviced movie should be made. If they're doing it for profit, then they're not qualified for such a task. I want to see Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, or Zack Synder make an adaptation of an Anime, Cartoon, or Video game and have it NOT SUCK. I know Nolan has made the adaptation of Batman and Synder with The Watchmen & Batman v. Superman, but c'mon directors ~ take notes. I could go on and on on why adaptations aren't all bad, but I will admit ~ they've been lacking a lot. We got to step our game up because if we can't make a adaptation, then might as well leave it alone and not touch it. No, directors are greedy ~ need to make that $$$ with a story that's already been told. Slap their name and reimagine it and.....twas a dream unfortunately turned a reality.

Food for Thought? Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this topic. This was a very analytical and thorough FFT that didn't explore much into Anime, but of real life. Sometimes I'll provide #thetruth because, well, I'm a human and thoughts matter. FFTs will be posted every Tuesday. Like always, you stay classy as always! Here's the order of FFTs:

1) Anime: Subbed or Dubbed?

2) When does a Harem become stale?

3) What's Shipping?

4) What's Ecchi?

5) Can context be misconstrued? 

6) Why are Anime-turned Movies a bad idea? 

Tomorrow's Watch-list is on the Attack on Titan Live-Action Part 1 Adaptation. 

Zealot Announcement (10/03/15)

This has been a very busy & productive week. Had midterms, a part-time job on the weekends, and all while balancing out the MBZ blog. Well, it's been quite easy managing the weekly line up of Food for Thoughts, Watch-Lists, & WBCRs. However, there is one segment that is surprisingly the hardest to juggle ~ Fight Nights. Don't worry, I'm not getting rid of Fight Nights, but I will be taking a break till November. I want to try and do Fight Nights that aim at pitting other Anime against one another. Regarding the supposed last BH 2 match-up, I decided to cancel it because I thought it'd be unnecessary to match-up Hollow Ichigo And Demon Yusuke since I already took the liberty in discussing their powers/abilities thoroughly in the first BH. So, yes, for the first time in my Fight Night posting ~ I will be canceling the final event. The final score for BH 2 is:

Bleach wins 5-4 against YYH in Bleach Hakusho 2. 

1) Sojiro Kusaka vs. Shinobu Sensui ~ YYH

2) Aaroniero Arruruerie vs. Elder Toguro ~ YYH

3) Renji Abarai vs. Kazuma Kuwabara ~ Bleach

4) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez vs. Younger Toguro ~ YYH

5) Rukia Kuchiki vs. Yoko Kurama ~ Bleach

6) Tier Harribel vs. Mukuro ~ Bleach 

7) Yhwach vs. Yomi ~ Bleach 

8) Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Toshin Raizen ~ Bleach 

9) Uryu Ishida vs. Hiei ~ YYH 

I just came to that realization and I apologize for those waiting for a main event. However, I think it ended well with Uryu Ishida vs. Hiei ~ it got a lot closer than I thought. Fight Nights will continue in November. So this'll be the schedule throughout October (3 posts a week): 

Mondays - (Vacant till November)

Tuesdays - Food for Thoughts

Wednesdays - Watch-Lists

Thursdays - WBCRs

Fridays - (Vacant till November)

I'll see you all Tuesday on a brand new FFT - Why are Anime-turned Movies a bad idea followed by Watch-List/rant: Attack on Titan Live Action Part I. Stay classy as always.

- Stilmattic 

WBCR - It's all fun and games... (Grade: A)

Continuing off from last week's chapter ~ Shunsui Kyoraku reappears behind Lille Barro and the two were just about to commence their fight. Lille isn't someone to underestimate, he can shoot & pierece through anything, but the one thing he almost forgot was that Shunsui Kyoraku is the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, he's no walk in the park. Finally, we get to see Kyoraku bring back his Shikai ~ Katen Kyokotsu (Flower Heaven Crazy Bone). His Shikai abilities allows him to turn turn children's games into real life. He first demonstrated this when he fought against Coyote Starrk and now he demonstrates even more games on the sniper. He used Duruma-San Koronda and Kageokuri. Now I'm not going to lie, I'm still trying to wrap my head on what Kyoraku's abilities can do, but for the meantime, I'm going to say it's pretty unique and dangerous. We never see Kyoraku get serious, but when you see him fighting without constraint ~ he means business. His comrades have fallen one by one and the one thing he wants to do is to thwart the impending threat from the Soul Society. It was also nice to see Nanao show up, but Kyoraku doesn't want her to get involved in anyway ~ this shows that Kyoraku can't be lax as he used to be. There's a magnitude of responsibility he has to undertake and the protection of the Gotei 13 is of utmost priority. Lille thinks he has the upper hand since he gathered intel on Kyoraku, but that alone isn't enough to just stop him. Lille is quick to underestimate his opponent and believes that knowing the rules of Kyoraku's games is a disadvantage. Kyoraku sees it differently as he sees it as a even-playing field when both sides are aware of the rules and the only one who knows the rules better it the one who started the game. Lille keeps thinking that his shots missing Kyoraku are BS, but it's an afterimage. The two have already had an exchange of words and it seems that Kyoraku knows whats up. Lille may be able to pierce through anything and everything, but Kyoraku isn't to be underestimated. I dug this chapter and I want to see where the fight will go. Finally, progression is being made. I give this week's chapter an A.

What did you think of the chapter? Did it satisfy and deliver or just outright sucked and disappointed? Comment below and let me know. Look forward to WBCRs on Thursdays (when chapter's released) Until then, you stay classy as always.

Watchlist #51 - Attack on Titan

With the release of the Live-action adaptation of probably the most renowned Anime series coming out in theaters today, it's only plausible that I give my thoughts on the original Anime. For those of you living under a rock, this Anime (like SAO or KLK) are renowned and have created an enormous fan base. At least in every Con I've attended (which is only 2), I've seen someone wear something related to this Anime. It's action-packed, thrilling, emotional, and probably a landmark in Anime. It also features a kick-@$$ opening that I think a lot of Anime fans can identify with that. This Anime (like SAO & KLK) has become a franchise, a household title that all fans are aware of. Whether you're a fan of it or not, the name cannot escape you. The Manga was written by Hajime Isayama, published by Kodansha, and then made into an Anime directed by Tetsuro Araki & licensed by Madman & Funimation entertainment ~ it isn't news that an Anime THIS big would get its own live-adaptation. However, the problem is that live-action adaptations of Videogames/Anime/Books aren't always well-received. Some work and some don't ~ it's a matter of source material & direction. We already got a live-adaptation for (not all, just some):

1) Mortal Kombat (Videogame)
2) Street Fighter (Videogame)
3) Dead or Alive (Videogame)
4) Dragon Ball Z (Anime)
5 Avatar the Last Airbender (Animated Cartoon)
6) Death Note (Anime)
7) The Hunger Games (Book)
8) The Lightning Thief (Book)
9) Harry Potter (Book)

Out of the 9 I just mentioned, I only heard good things about the 3 of them (Death Note, The Hunger Games, & The Harry Potter movies). Sometimes movie studios like to change things up, but why make an adaptation when you're not going to follow the original source material. Yes changes are necessary, but when major components are missing ~ it just doesn't work. When I watched Avatar in theaters, I was so incredibly excited.....at first. When I left the movie house, I was so pissed off that I wanted to punch the director, the actors, & the studio that allowed the director to turn one of my favorite cartoons into a complete atrocity in cinema. Movie directors try to conjure up the ideal way to picture the movie, but it isn't always crystal clear. The heart of the source material could be missing because production studios like to pull our heartstrings in all the wrong ways. I'm seeing the live adaptation tonight of an Anime I like ~ will it satisfy or disappoint, who knows. Hopefully, since it's made by the folks in Japan, it won't be a total letdown....I hope. IF you haven't guessed it yet, the Anime I was talking about is Attack on Titan. I decided not to talk about the source material...yet. Next week's Watch-list post will be the Live-action adaptation of AOT & compare/contrast the Anime & Movie.

I hope you enjoyed this week's Watch-list post. Watch-List posts will be on Wednesdays. Until then, stay classy as always. Don't forget to check out the other Watch-list posts (in order):

1) Tenchi Muyo

2) Cowboy Bebop

3) Trigun

4) Dragonball Z

5) School Rumble 

6) Is This A Zombie?

7) Fairy Tail

8) Omamori Himari

9) FLCL

10) Gurren Lagann 

11) Shin-Chan 

12) Tenchi Muyo GXP

13) Tenchi Muyo In Tokyo

14) Power Puff Girls Z

15) Kirby!

16) Samurai Champloo 

17) Hanaukyo Maid Team 

18) True Tears 

19) Zombie Powder (Manga)

20) Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai 

21) Teen Titans
22) Yu-Gi-Oh
23) Rosario+Vampire
24) Death Note
25) Pokemon
26) Digimon
27) Big-O
28) X-Men (Anime Version)
29) D-Frag
30) Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun
31) Akame Ga Kill
32) Invaders of the Rokujyōma!?
33) OniAi
34) Ben-To
35) Testament of a Sister New Devil
36) Minamoto-kun Monogatari (Manga)
37) My Love Story (Ore Monogatari!)
38) Space Dandy
39) Wanna be the strongest in the world
40) When Marnie Was There (Film ~ Studio Ghibli)
41) The Garden of Words (Film ~ Makoto Shinkai)
42) Song of the Sea (Film ~ Tomm Moore)  
43) Nagasarete Airantou
44) DBZ: Resurrection 'F' (Film)
45) Bikini Warriors (First Impressions)
46) Yu Yu Hakusho
47) Monster Musume (First Impressions)
48) Code Lyoko
49) Ninja Scroll (Film)
50) Kill La Kill
51) Attack on Titan 

Food for Thought #5 - Can context be misconstrued?

Often when we invest our time into any form of entertainment, we are enthralled by certain aspects. Characters, story, setting, and themes are a recipe for any TV/Movie, but when we take another look, sometimes we catch something. When watching another TV show from beginning to end more than once, we might catch something we didn't see the first time. Innuendos are what I'd like to call them and sometimes the setting or tone captures certain symbols that might not catch fans at first. There's meaning in everything and in TV/Movie, it's no different. The only difference is that finding the message within a certain show might not catch our attention at first. You'd have to really buckle down and pay attention to each detail and, you know what, there's replay value in that. Now have I watched a TV/Movie more than once? Sure, everyone has. I've watched the movie Inception 10x in theaters and When Marnie was There 3x in theaters. Watching them again, it heightened my appreciation for the film. There is, however, one thing that I'd like to point out since I am bringing up context (Innuendos/Meanings) ~ when is the context misconstrued? Yeah, if you think about it, there are so many perspectives and anything can be interpreted in many ways. Some may have a simplistic view of a show/movie, but others may say "There's more to it than just that." When I watched the movie Whiplash 3x, I noticed that a relative of mine & I had different perspectives on the film as a whole. This means that the first, second, and third sitting, my interpretation of the movie was being much clearer and thus wasn't misconstrued as something else. The relative of mine says that Whiplash is a feel good movie and that it illustrates the theme of never giving up despite what hardship there may be. However, after watching it 2 more times & watching even an analysis video on the film, I critiqued the movie a little differently. The movie can be perceived as happy & feel-good, but I also learned that it's a movie that also illustrates the psychology behind the drives & motives in the pursuit of something greater & the idea of one's dilemma being shadowed by a driving force of reprimanding. Anime is no different when it comes to context. When people take a glance at an Anime, say Kill La Kill, newcomers will say"Dude, they're just half-naked chicks and it's over-the-top." However, I watched it and started to notice much more than what the average Anime fan would say. To be, KLK is a satire of Fan-service and over-the-top action. IT knows that it is and it's having a good time feeding it to us by means of showing cleavage, panty shots, and dramatic background songs that surprisingly build up a character's growth. Most (if not all) Fan-service Anime are innuendos by sexualizing the women by means of giving them cute voices, attractive bodies, & mesmerizing (and huge) eyes. Perspective & context aren't to be taken literally, but the idea is that it exists at all. No one thinks alike and that's the beauty of us all ~ we're all so different and yet we were born with the purpose to grow. Context doesn't just apply to entertainment ~ it applies to everyone. So yes, context can be misconstrued as something else, but that doesn't necessarily means it's all good or bad. It means perspectives are challenged and views are given rise to more analytical & observational means. As long as people don't fight over them, then that's fine. Unfortunately, we live in a society where if someone thinks differently, then that person is shunned or looked at funny. It's ironic we live in a World where violence can arise from polar opposites ~ Not everything and everyone can comply with just 1 standard meaning. There is infinite many solutions and thus, to put it in a sentence: Context can become misconstrued by anyone and everyone.

Food for Thought? Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this topic. This was a very analytical and thorough FFT that didn't explore much into Anime, but of real life. Sometimes I'll provide #thetruth because, well, I'm a human and thoughts matter. FFTs will be posted every Tuesday. Like always, you stay classy as always! Here's the order of FFTs:

1) Anime: Subbed or Dubbed?

2) When does a Harem become stale?

3) What's Shipping?

4) What's Ecchi?

5) Can context be misconstrued? 

Bleach Hakusho 2 Round 9: Uryu Ishida vs. Hiei (Finale)

VS.

Welcome back to the penultimate Round of Bleach Hakusho. So far, Bleach is in the lead 5-3 against YYH and we have only 1 more Round to go (final BH 2 post is this Friday). Without further ado, let's start off the 9th Matchup ~ Uryu Ishida vs. Hiei. Take into account that Storyline & Powers/Abilities are the deciding factors in these Fight Night posts. Let's jam! 

Storyline (Uryu)

Uryu Ishida is/was considered the title "The Last Quincy" for being a rare breed, an enemy of the Shinigami. This dates back to his father, who was fond of loathing Shinigami (EX: Isshin) as well as his Grandfather, Soken, who was killed by hollows and dissected by Mayuri Kurotsuchi because the reinforcements from the Shinigami came too later (under orders from Mayuri). Since then, Uryu has harbored a specific hatred for Shinigami and wants to prove that the Quincy are a superior race unbeknownst to him of the origins of the Shinigami & Quincy (later would be told). Uryu attends the same school as Ichigo and since learning of his Shinigami powers (from Rukia), Uryu treats him coldly and believes he is a nuisance, disgrace, and a mockery of Shinigami. It wouldn't be long before Uryu befriends Ichigo, but still they bicker over disputes amongst each kind. Uryu's hatred for Shinigami is personified in his merciless killing of hollows, but later - Uryu warms up to the Shinigami as not all are bad. He soon joins Ichigo alongside Chad, Orihime, Rukia, & Renji in fighting off various enemies (EX: Jirobo, Mayuri, Cirucci, & Tsukishima) before embarking on his own, alongside Yhwach, in eliminating the Shinigami for unclear purposes. Apart from being part of Team Ichigo, Uryu is notable as being the 2nd strongest member of their team and as a Quincy, is knowledgable and calculative when it comes to fighting his opponents. Currently, he's partaking in a war between the Quincy & the Shinigami. 

Storyline (Hiei)

Hiei is considered a cursed "fire demon" Child and and as result, was cast away forever under orders from the Ice Maidens. Hina was Hiei's mother, but later would take her own life because of her son's demise and abandonment at a such a tender and young age. Ree, Hina's friend, was forced to do the unthinkable - drop Hiei, the fire demon child, from a cliff. From there, he had to endure demons of all calibers, being adopted by bandits and eventually venturing forth for power and revenge for his banishment from his home. As soon as Shigure, the surgeon and friend of Hiei, implanted him with the Jagan eye, Hiei strove to look for the very people who cursed him. It wouldn't be long before he realized they were already dead, met Ree, and soon discovered that he has a sister. From then on, he strove to find an protect his sister, but along the way - he met Kurama and eventually allied with the Spirit Detective, Yusuke Urameshi on his endeavors against various demons of all classes. He currently is residing in the Demon World alongside Mukuro. 

Powers/Abilities (Uryu)

Uryu, when it comes to his bow and arrows, is precise, much like a marksman. He is able to stand on par with Captain class Shinigami Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Espada Yammy, and Bount Yoshi. Next to Ichigo, Uryu is the 2nd strongest member of Ichigo's group. What makes Uryu such a formidable opponent is his ability to discern, much like Kurama from Yu Yu Hakusho, opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Prime examples was figuring on former Espada Cirucci Sanderwicci's attack patterns when in her Resurreccion, Bount Yoshi's abilities in her Doll, or planning ahead a booby trap for Espada Yammy. Uryu was at his strongest when he fought Mayuri, but since then, he's grown stronger, mastering Reishi absorption, Hirenkyaku (speed), Ginto (similar to Kido), and is versatile in the utilization of his bows and arrows. Uryu, however, has had his fair share of losses - Kaname Tosen & the 4th Espada, Ulquiorra. As a proud Quincy, Uryu prides himself in his abilities and it clearly showcases that he isn't someone to underestimate, considering he holds the highest title in the Sternritter. 

Powers/Abilities (Hiei)

What makes Hiei such a compelling character isn't just his backstory, but his powers as well. He has the Jagan Eye, capable of telekinesis, memory manipulation, and telepathy. A renowned swordsman, Hiei is unrivaled when it comes to his agility and notably, harnessing the power of the Dragon. During his fight with Zeru, he summoned the Dragon of the Darkness Flame technique and pretty much did a # on Zeru, leaving only a outline behind. Not only that, but he managed to consume the Dragon during his confrontation with Team Toguro's Bui. Hiei relentless training has made him go from wielder of the dragon to becoming the dragon itself. Hiei is also capable of harnessing fire and has combined the Dragon & Fire when fighting Kuro Momotaro. Hiei truly is a force to be reckoned with, being able to stand on par with the strongest fighters in Demon World. 

Verdict

And the winner is…

Not going to lie, this Round was pretty easy to judge. Both are bad@$$e$ in their own right, are best friends with the protagonist, have keen intellect, have been able to get out of the worst situations known to man, and even as an ally, pose a legitimate threat to everyone around them. However, as you are well aware on my blog, I'm not the biggest fan of Uryu Ishida from Bleach because, to me, he is much like Sasuke Uchika from Naruto. Sure, Uryu has had his moments, but even when he's opposing the Shinigami ~ his role is downplayed. In YYH, Hiei's role was balanced alongside Yusuke, Kurama, & Kuwabara. Hiei is my favorite (I think everyone's) character in YYH because he started off as an antagonist and then became the coolest ally in Team Urameshi. His Jagan eye & Dragon of the Darkness Flame pretty much sum up that he is not to be f*cked with. With Uryu, there's no lying that his archery skills are top-notch, but if he were to fight Hiei ~ Hiei could foresee Uryu's every move and just fire his Dragon right at him. So in terms of who'd win in a fight, yeah ~ Hiei is more perceptive than Uryu. Uryu can strategically try to outwit Hiei, but with Hiei's Jagan eye ~ it'll be a difficult target to catch. In terms of storyline, both are pretty damn tragic. Uryu lost his mentor & grandfather ~ a teacher, friend, & relative was murdered right before his eyes. With Hiei, it's much more f*ked up. Hiei brought him a son and, in her village, men are forbidden. As a baby, Hiei was thrown off a clip by Hiei's Mom's Best Friend. As a result of this loss, Hiei's Mom committed suicide and Hiei was never able to get revenge on the very people that cast him out as a Demon. Hiei, with nowhere to go, grew up  with our any parental figures. So the loss of one's relative vs the loss of his right to live ~ I think the latter is more effective. Uryu is Ichigo's friend/rival, but like Sasuke in Naruto ~ they often bicker & he always thinks he's better than our hero. To me, that's so cliche that it's become so irksome to even see him. Hiei is the clear victor in this Round. 

So who do you think won this matchup? Hiei from YYH or Uryu Ishida from Bleach? Comment below & let me know. Look forward to the final BH post on Friday. Until then, you stay classy. Here's the current score:

1) Sojiro Kusaka vs. Shinobu Sensui ~ YYH

2) Aaroniero Arruruerie vs. Elder Toguro ~ YYH

3) Renji Abarai vs. Kazuma Kuwabara ~ Bleach

4) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez vs. Younger Toguro ~ YYH

5) Rukia Kuchiki vs. Yoko Kurama ~ Bleach

6) Tier Harribel vs. Mukuro ~ Bleach 

7) Yhwach vs. Yomi ~ Bleach 

8) Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Toshin Raizen ~ Bleach 

9) Uryu Ishida vs. Hiei ~ YYH 

Bleach leads 5-4 against YYH

Bleach Hakusho 2 Round 8: Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Toshin Raizen

 

VS.

Welcome back to another installment of Bleach Hakusho where I pit the worlds of Bleach & Yu Yu Hakusho (YYH abbreviated). So far, Bleach is in the lead 4-3 against YYH, but within September, anything can happen. Bleach Hakusho 2 Fight Night posts will be on Mondays & Fridays all throughout September. Without further ado, let's start off the 8th Matchu ~ Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Toshin Raizen. Take into account that Storyline & Powers/Abilities are the deciding factors in these Fight Night posts. Let's jam! 

Storyline (Kenpachi)

Prior to becoming the 11th Captain of the Gotei 13 or heck, even before meeting his future Lieutenant, Kenpachi was born in the lawless district in the North Valley of Rukongai - Zaraki. As a child, he took it upon himself to take the Zanpaktou of a already dead Shinigami and implanted his soul upon it to make it officially his. His renowned swordsmanship improved overtime as he garnered the attention of then 11th Division Captain & current "Kenpachi," Yachiru Unohana. This was the first fight Zaraki felt anxious and fearful of his life, but later came to admire and respect her. Sometime later, he met a little girl and named her after his admirer and the district she was born in - Yachiru Kusajishi. He, alongside Yachiru, also met Ikkaku & Yumichika, now forming the current 11th Division. Zaraki Kenpachi took it upon himself to kill the current "Kenpachi" and became the new 11th Division Captain. During his time as a Captain, he was trained in the art of Kendo by then Captain-Commander, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto. 

At the very beginning of the Rescue Arc, Kenpachi Zaraki was one of Ichigo's opponents (the first two being against Ikkaku & Renji). The two fought valiantly and it came out to be a draw, but Kenpachi, admiring Ichigo's strength and tenacity, gave him the victor. Sometime after recovering, Kenpachi aids Ichigo's team in saving Rukia and challenged Kaname & Komamura, putting both his life & rank at state in aiding Ichigo's cause to rescue Rukia. It wouldn't be long before the Soul Society has to face its new enemy - Aizen Sousuke & his army of Arrancars. Kenpachi, alongside Byakuya, was forced to take-back Captain Hitsugaya's squadron as to prevent further assistance in Ichigo's rescuing of Orihime. However, deep down, Kenpachi could care less about orders as he, Byakuya, Unohana, & Kurotsuchi enter Hueco Mundo and fight against the Espada. Here, Kenpachi fought valiantly against Nnoitra. Kenpachi almost lost his life, but he remembers the Old Man (Yamamoto) teaching him Kendo. Utilizing what he taught from the Old Man, Kenpachi subdues Nnoitra. After Aizen's defeat, the Soul Society has to deal with its new enemy - the Wandenreich, led by Yhwach. Kenpachi easily defeats 3 Stern Ritters, but lost terribly to Yhwach as he holds him by the neck, almost lifeless. It wasn't until later where Captain Kyoraku, now 1st Division Captain after Yamamoto's death, tells the Central 46 that Yachiru Unohana will train Zaraki Kenpachi in the art of fighting. The two Kenpachi(s) fight with Zaraki ending up winning against his former admirer, but is saddened by her loss as it is the most entertaining fight he's ever had. He hears a voice coming from his Zanpaktou, now being able to communicate with it as he could never had in the past. It is recently revealed that he learned of his Zanpaktou's name - Nozarashi after having fought against Gremmy "The Visionary Thoumeaux and nearly saving Yachiru's life (although her whereabouts are unknown). However, before Kenpachi had anytime time to relax after Gremmy dug his own grave, the TGPZ Sisters (Thunderbolt, Glutton, Power, & Zombie) arrived, did considerable damage to both KEnpachi & his squadron, and is left on the floor - weakened by the combined efforts of the enemy attacks. Ichigo shows up in aiding the weakened Kenpachi. Later, we see Kenpachi appear before Mayuri Kurotsuchi, ready to be on the offense against Yhwach & the Wandenreich. 

Storyline (Raizen)

Raizen was the most powerful of the Demon Kings. During the coexistence of humans and demons together, Raizen was considered at the top of his peak - towering over Mukuro and Yomi in power and stature. When being chased by the League of Demons, Raizen was gravely injured and sought the help of a young beautiful woman who is proficient in utilizing poison. It was love at first sight and way way way way later, Yusuke was born. He has remained one of the strongest leaders next to Mukuro & Yomi, who by now have grown stronger. Ever since he met his true love, he has refused to eat humans, keeping his word to his true love to see her again.

In the Chapter Black Saga, Raizen took control of Yusuke's body in his fight against Shinobu. Ending Shinobu's life, Yusuke depises Raizen since Shinbou wasn't defeated by his hands. Yusuke realizes that Raizen was the one who took control of him, killed Shinobu, and is his descendant. In the Three Kings Saga, Yusuke, chosen by Raizen, is picked up by Hokushin as his successor. Knowing thus, Yusuke goes on ahead to challenge Raizen for killing Shinobu and to personally kick his ass. Up until his death, Yusuke relentless trained until he eventually becamee the rightful ruler of Raizen's empire. At the very end of the series, Yusuke finally comes to respect and admire his ancestral father and his spirit gives Yusuke advice to be together with Keiko and to never let her go.

Powers/Abilities (Kenpachi)

Prior to becoming a full-fledged Captain, he was renowned in swordsmanship - testing out his blade to any who oppose him. Even as a kid, Yachiru Unohana, the former 11th Division Captain & 1st Kenpachi, said that she was too much for Zaraki. As a Captain, Zaraki Kenpachi learned Kendo from Captain Yamamoto - amplifying his spirit energy a lot more than when he just used one arm in swinging his sword. Kenpachi's Zanpaktou is always in its Shikai state - amplifying his Spirit energy to the point where he has become a feared and renowned Captain. He was able to take-on both Kaname Tosen & Sajin Komamura in their Bankai states and this was way before he used Kendo on Nnoitra or found out that his Zanpaktou finally communicated with him. In fighting Yachiru Unohana to the death, he unlocked his true power and resolve. One of Kenpachi's strongest attributes is his ability to endure blow by blow by his opponents - having enhanced endurance, durability, and strength in combat. Much like a brick wall, it'll take a lot before it can truly be toppled. His Reiatsu truly is unruly when it comes to combat - exerting everything when his eyepatch is off (which conceals his Spirit Energy). As a Captain, he is one of the strongest in representing the Gotei 13. As said before, Kenpachi learned of his Zanpaktou's real name ~ Nozarashi. Although its abilities are unknown, it was able to cut down the Meteorite that Gremmy imagined and anything and everything that stood in its path. It's a huge-@$$ blade that can pretty much cut through any object. 

Powers/Abilities (Raizen)

Being a Mazoku, Raizen is one of the strongest S-class demons out there; in past he was stronger than Mukuro & Yomi in their prime. Raizen's demonic energy is up there, being able to handle just about anyone in his way. Some of Raizen's abilities include energy cutter, made by just flicking his fingers and creating energy blasts from his demonic energy. His power and skills garnered the respect and admiration of Enki & his gang, former sparring buddies of the late Raizen. As well having incredible power, he, as shown in the Chapter Black saga, can possess people as he took control of Yusuke to kill off Shinobu. His love for fighting and his strength are unparallel. 

Verdict

And the winner is…

This was a one-sided victory in my opinion. I love both these guys ~ loving the fight every minute. Both surprisingly lost to the protagonist, but the difference between the two is worlds apart. One's a former King whereas the other is a Captain-level Death God. The King has reigned for many years, but his empire crumbled. The Captain-level Death God still lives and continues to only get stronger whenever on the brink of death. Both have stood atop Death's footsteps, but came nowhere near close to opening its gates. They have had their fair share of losses and from it, have only proven time and time again that their experiences are what define them as individuals and are what give them power. However, reiterating once again from what I previously said ~ this is one-sided on the basis that Kenpachi continues to deliver much more needed development to his character. Finally attaining his Shikai was no easy feat, but he managed to and was able to f*cking cut a meteorite in half like a boss. With Raizen, he was easy to deal with Yusuke, but due to his longevity declining & his reign about to come to an end, Raizen's peak of power is minimal in comparison to how he originally was. He was on top of his game ~ outranking both Mukuro & Yomi. However with Kenpachi, I think he'd just spit at their feet, smile, and have a blast challenging the best of the best. Kenpachi has much more potential and as a result, has more to prove. He's a special war potential and it clearly shows both sides don't want to get on his bade side. With Raizen, it's true he's powerful enough to pose a legitimate threat, but I don't necessarily think he's enough to scare Kenpachi. If Kenpachi isn't scared of anything, why should he be scared of Raizen? Raizen may be the strongest S-class Demon, but Zaraki is and always will be "The" Kenpachi.

So who do you think won this matchup? Toshin Raizen from YYH or Kenpachi Zaraki from Bleach? Comment below & let me know. Look forward to BH 2 posts on Mondays & Fridays all throughout September (will be posted on weekends if and only if there is any delay). Until then, you stay classy. Here's the current score:

1) Sojiro Kusaka vs. Shinobu Sensui ~ YYH

2) Aaroniero Arruruerie vs. Elder Toguro ~ YYH

3) Renji Abarai vs. Kazuma Kuwabara ~ Bleach

4) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez vs. Younger Toguro ~ YYH

5) Rukia Kuchiki vs. Yoko Kurama ~ Bleach

6) Tier Harribel vs. Mukuro ~ Bleach 

7) Yhwach vs. Yomi ~ Bleach 

8) Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Toshin Raizen ~ Bleach 

Bleach leads 5-3 against YYH

WBCR - Return of the X-Axis (Grade: A)

As Mayuri walks away from an explosion looking like a bad@SS, he notices that Pernida's nerves managed to latch onto his legs and Mayuri was unable to walk. He noticed that both Ikkaku & Yumichika were glaring at him and went on to praise that they didn't get involved in the fight as well as being in a similar position like Kenpachi Zaraki. Mayuri also informed them that he was able to reverse the zombification of Captain Hitsugaya & Lieutenant Matsumoto. Although it took awhile, the one downside that the process shortens their lifespan, but the fact of the matter still remains ~ they are alive now and are thankful for being given a 2nd chance Ikkaku & Yumichika put both Zaraki & Mayuri in the containers Nemu left behind and thanked him wholeheartedly for having saved their Captain's life. As Mayuri's container closed, he remarked at how far he's gone and how he was able to successfully create a Konpaku (made from rudimentary scraps) that is able to evolve on its own. He wished for a day that he'd finally step out of Kisuke Urahara's shadow and all he wants to do is relish in Urahara's possible reaction to this. The question that now boggles my mind is ~ did Mayuri Kurotsuchi die? The captions say (on the side of the page): "The Father, Knowing the growth of his daughter, begins to slip into an endless dream of self-satisfaction." That quote hints that he is either recovering and it'll take time or he's so drained/wounded from his fight that he is dying in peace from his accomplishments. We see a bare-naked Nemu (very nice btw) floating above as he sleeps. I hope he'll recover because recently, Mayuri has been showing more humanity to his character. If he were to die, then it isn't necessarily a bad way to go, but he's a very pivotal character when it comes to strategies and creations that'll benefit the Gotei 13 against any threat that may arise.

Next, we see Kisuke Urahara & Captain Shunsui Kyoraku alongside Renji, Rukia, Nanao, & Shinji running around looking for possible enemy encounters. From the distance we see Sternritter "X" Lille Barro about to snipe any incoming threat that may come his way. He goes on to explain that their are lunatics, idiots, or both that just decide to charge without a moment's hesitation that it could potentially be a setup. He shoots Kyoraku and goes on to explain that he actually held Shinigami to a high standard. However, turns out that the Kyoraku that Lille shot was a fake and the real one showed up and disarmed his weapon. Now, it's a battle between Kyoraku & Barro. That concludes the chapter.

In all honesty, I dug this chapter. I loved Mayuri's quick-thinking and how much more role he's been given. People think he's just a madman, but underneath that is a man who cares for his daughter despite the fact that he'll never emit any sort of emotion indicating otherwise. It's hinted at, but never pictures on his face. Now, it seems that he & Nemu will recover or both died....who knows. If he lives, then that's good news & we get to see him come up with more tricks up his sleeve, but if he does ~ then it's a sad departure from what could've been. And finally, another fight shows up ~ Kyoraku & Barro is going to be epic (I hope). Also, it's nice to see Hitsugaya & Rangiku up again ready to kick @$$. Ikkaku & Yumichika thanking Mayuri fo saving Zaraki's life is an indicator that Mayuri has garnered much more respect after having reversed the zombification process. I give this week's chapter an A.

What did you think of the chapter? Did it satisfy and deliver or just outright sucked and disappointed? Comment below and let me know. Look forward to WBCRs on Thursdays (when chapter's released) Until then, you stay classy as always.

Watchlist #50 - Kill La Kill

We've just reached the 50th Watch-List post and it's only appropriate that I discuss with you my favorite Anime. Many of you would think that Bleach is my favorite Anime hands down, but it's not. My favorite Anime of all time is none other than the renowned Kill La Kill. Practically all the posters/wall-scrolls in my room are made up of KLK as well as possessing a wooden replica of the Scissor Blade & a KLK themed backpack. I also have KLK keychains that are latched onto my car keys and, at each Anime Con I attend, will most likely end up buying something KLK related. So yeah, Kill La Kill has has a profound influence on my Anime viewing. Now if you ask if its mainly because of the Fan-service, then no that's not the primary reason why I watch it (though it is a reason). Kill La Kill has great over-the-top action scenes, amazing visuals, memorable characters, and a killer soundtrack followed by the theme song Before my Body is Dry (Don't lose your way). Produced by Studio Trigger, Licensed by Madman Entertainment, and has broadcasted on CrunchyRoll & Toonami, Kill La Kill is a phenomenon that cannot be missed. I watched the subbing/dubbing of it and both hold up pretty well. So if you ask me, what's the story ~ here's my condensed version of the plot: A girl named Ryuko enters Honnouji Academy to find the person who killed her father & stole 1/2 of a scissor blade. However, Honnouji Academy isn'y any ordinary school ~ students possess Goku uniforms ranging from 1-3 stars and it enhances their strength, durability, agility, & sensitivity. It's up to Ryuko to adjust to her life in Honnouji Academy while finding his father's killer. That sums it up in the first 13 episode. Kill La Kill has 24 episodes and, much like any Anime, also had a OVA released sometime later (so technically 25). I can go on and on about why I praise Kill La Kill, but it's just an pretty damn entertaining Anime. It certainly does parody Ecchi/Fan-service and you know what, that's pretty refreshing considering that it seems that its the norm of most Romance/Drama Anime is to sexualize girls by showing off their body parts/upskirts. Studio Trigger in making both Kill La Kill & Gurren Lagann have proven that they can make some pretty damn interesting Anime while making it over-the-top, giving it a lot of badassery, & also a lot of heart. I will stop here for now, but I highly suggest taking a look at Kill La Kill (KLK). If I could, I'd want to meet the Director of the Anime, Hiroyuki Imaishi and Illustrator of the the Manga, Ryo Akizuki and give them both high-fives, hugs, & a selfie proclaiming that I LOVE KILL LA KILL. Now that I've covered 50 Watch-list posts, the 100th better be more grand. 

I hope you enjoyed this week's Watch-list post. Watch-List posts will be on Wednesdays. Until then, stay classy as always. Don't forget to check out the other Watch-list posts (in order):

1) Tenchi Muyo

2) Cowboy Bebop

3) Trigun

4) Dragonball Z

5) School Rumble 

6) Is This A Zombie?

7) Fairy Tail

8) Omamori Himari

9) FLCL

10) Gurren Lagann 

11) Shin-Chan 

12) Tenchi Muyo GXP

13) Tenchi Muyo In Tokyo

14) Power Puff Girls Z

15) Kirby!

16) Samurai Champloo 

17) Hanaukyo Maid Team 

18) True Tears 

19) Zombie Powder (Manga)

20) Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai 

21) Teen Titans
22) Yu-Gi-Oh
23) Rosario+Vampire
24) Death Note
25) Pokemon
26) Digimon
27) Big-O
28) X-Men (Anime Version)
29) D-Frag
30) Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun
31) Akame Ga Kill
32) Invaders of the Rokujyōma!?
33) OniAi
34) Ben-To
35) Testament of a Sister New Devil
36) Minamoto-kun Monogatari (Manga)
37) My Love Story (Ore Monogatari!)
38) Space Dandy
39) Wanna be the strongest in the world
40) When Marnie Was There (Film ~ Studio Ghibli)
41) The Garden of Words (Film ~ Makoto Shinkai)
42) Song of the Sea (Film ~ Tomm Moore)  
43) Nagasarete Airantou
44) DBZ: Resurrection 'F' (Film)
45) Bikini Warriors (First Impressions)
46) Yu Yu Hakusho
47) Monster Musume (First Impressions)
48) Code Lyoko
49) Ninja Scroll (Film)
50) Kill La Kill 

Food for Thought #4 - What is Ecchi?

In any form of entertainment, there is always a target audience. Not everyone likes the same thing and interests differ. Interests & Aspects of entertainment are separated into categories called genres. There's a lot of genres to cover: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance, Drama, Horror, etc. Primarily though, most forms of entertainment are split between two specific terms: Fiction & Nonfiction. Fiction, as you are well aware, are events that take place in a fictional setting meaning that it isn't based on any real-time event where nonfiction is based on something that did happen in real-time. Movies, TV Shows, & Cartoons fall under this category and, for the most part, it's primarily compiled of fictional characters, settings, and are filled with fictional themes that tackle various aspects that range from comical to serious. Anime, like TV Shows, has a wide range of genres, but there is one specific genre that I'll be covering today that seems only Anime is capable of doing. That term is titled "Ecchi."

What is "Ecchi?" Ecchi is a sub-genre of Romance/Harem & is pretty much Fan-Service. I have not once seen a Harem where Ecchi wasn't involved. Ecchi pretty much is a primary theme in the Anime, is this a good or bad thing? For many, it's a pretty damn good thing whereas others don't take too kindly to it and rather watch something else. Ecchi is a word in Japanese that primarily translates to anything relating to lewd conduct. In Anime, genitalia or intercourse is never seen, but rather is implied. Call it sexual innuendo, mixed messages that come across as either perverted or hinted as repulsive. So why show Ecchi? Well, I can sum it up in one word: FANSERVICE. Fans take kindly to see lewdness in Anime such as bouncing boobs that defy logic, panty shots of women, and situations in sex is implied. There are a lot of Ecchi Anime, but ones that I think are perfect examples of Ecchi include (but not limited to):

1) To-Love-Ru

2) Monster Musume

3) Highschool DxD

4) Kill La Kill

To-Love-Ru is, if not, the most Ecchi-est Anime/Manga I've seen and it pains me to say it, but it's so motherf*cking beautiful to see a man with so much kindness & bad luck to be able to get into the scenarios he ends up in. An ongoing theme is the main character falling and somehow getting tangled within a girls' boobs or pussy. It's hilarious to see, but the audience is so jealous that we can't help but imagine ourselves in his shoes. To have that kind of bad luck & have a way with women, it's definitely the work of fiction. The other Anime(s) I've listed to have various degrees of Ecchi, but by far a show that completely parodies Ecchi & Fan-service is Kill La Kill. The outfits, the over-the-top shots pictures, & the logic that definitely defies it ~ KLK is parodying the boobs, panty shots, nosebleeds from men, and OMGs from everyone. 

So do I recommend Ecchi? I'll admit it's not for everyone, but if you're into fictional animated boobs & panty shots, I don't see what's wrong with it. It's a work of fiction after, none of this matters in real life ~ just know the difference is all. The whole emphasis of Fan-service & Ecchi is to encompass the idea of sexualizing people & scenarios and somehow turning it into comedy.That's my interpretation of it anyways, but there are a lot more ways to describe what Ecchi is. 

Food for Thought? Comment below and let me know your thoughts on this topic. FFTs will be posted every Tuesday. Like always, you stay classy as always! Here's the order of FFTs

1) Anime: Subbed or Dubbed?

2) When does a Harem become stale?

3) What's Shipping?

4) What's Ecchi?