June 20th, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
Watching The Humanoid is like pulling out a iconic curio from a time capsule from the 1980s. Its lead character, Antoinette, is based off of Hajime Sorayama‘s popular gynoid art designs. If ever you’ve seen a Trapper Keeper or Aerosmith album cover, you’ve probably seen his work.
Unfortunately, the plot of this 1986 OVA doesn’t contain much substance beyond the exploits of the robot’s familiar design. A long time from now, in a planet far far away, the royal refugees of a war-torn planet have made a new home for themselves on a lush, primitive planet.
However, some villainous douchebag within the empire seeks to exploit powerful ancient secrets left behind by a lost native civilization to–bum bum BUM–seize the throne and rule the new world.
Wouldn’t you know it: At the same time, our heroes’ cargo ship crash lands on the planet and unravel this sinister plot. Our heroes include such deep, three-dimensional characters as Eric (“the dude”), Dr. Watson (“the scientist”), Sheri (“the daughter”), Alan (“the black guy” or possibly “Lando”), and of course his newest creation: Antoinette (“the robot chick from the video cover, which is why you bought it, possibly mistaking it for SilverHawks“).
As this crew of clichés searches around for means to repair their ship, the robot Antoinette learns about what it means to be human, including our most mystical of emotions, love. The target of her growing affection is Eric, whose engagement with the scientist’s daughter, Sheri she covets; thankfully without murderous ambition. Had this anime drawn farther than a one-shot OVA, it could have easily become just another “Homeboy Gon’ Fuck The Robot”.
It’s no spoiler that Antoinette is not only the key to unraveling the villain’s dastardly scheme, but also is his undoing. The strength of both her robotic body combined with her suddenly-developed womanly heart allow her to bear the deadly energies unleashed by the ancient power, thus saving her love Eric, the Empire, and the world.
There are few redeeming qualities to this anime that would make it worth watching. If you were born after 1985, this anime will likely mean nothing to you. The animation is poor. The plot is hackneyed. And there isn’t even any fanservice for otaku in search of some fembot wank fuel.
Posted in Anime, Reviews | 3 Comments »
June 8th, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
Episode 37: “Check Box!”
Queen’s Blade
Run Time: 42min 51sec
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Yes, Queen’s Blade… It’s a show that we’ve treated like dental surgery. We’ve always been told that we should do it. We know it’s going to suck. We procrastinate and reschedule, but we both know that sooner or later, we’re going to have to do it. And now that we’ve done it, we’re ready to put it behind us and never ever think about it again.
Of course, misery does love company. “The Business” and I were thankful to spread out some of ours with M, who was in town to join us for Animazement.
In the Method to Madness podcast, I’m joined with my good friend Kevin “The Business” Gray to discuss great anime and video games that you should be watching as well as ones you should feel ashamed you are watching.
Posted in Anime, Podcast | 22 Comments »
June 2nd, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
To say that I wish that Animazement would never end would be much like saying, “I wish everyday were Christmas”. The body and the will can only sustain for so long before you surrender to exhaustion. It is as they say about having too much of a good thing.
It would be more accurate to say that I wish that the feelings I experience during the convention were everlasting. No doubt Kevin and I will offer our convention commentary in a future podcast, but I would like to unload a bit here while it’s still fresh in my mind…
Animazement is the highlight of my summer…sometimes my entire year. Of my peers, I am in the minority with this. Most of my friends have become disillusioned by the con; annoyed by the increasing teenage population and left wanting for substantial events. The sad truth is that our generation is no longer at the core of the fandom. Anime conventions (as well as the industry) are geared to entertain the new kids. And these kids are loud and won’t get off our lawn.
Thankfully, many of us continue to attend these conventions. While the kids come to be entertained and raid the dealers room, I approach the event as a true convention: A place where fans of all ages from all places can convene. I love meeting fellow fans to discuss favorite shows that we share, as well as discovering ones I’d yet to be exposed. While not as many, there are still features where I have the opportunity to learn about some of the history and craft of the fandom. Unlike anything you’d find in the dealers room, the Artists Alley is a hotbed of raw talent and valuable treasures. And yes, I do admit that I’ll join in some of the silly fun that the kids take part in just so I too can feel that young, if not for a moment.
So until Kevin and I can get together again in front of the mics, here’s a brief rundown of my Animazement weekend:
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Posted in Anime, Podcast | 14 Comments »
May 28th, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
Omi Gibson is the cover girl for this site’s Cosplay of the Week feature. Omi has an infamous love of Metal Gear Solid, which would explain why more than half of her 100+ costume gallery consists of Hideo Kojima characters. In fact, she’s been given special recognition from various news sites for the MGS4 Raiden costume she wore for the 2008 Tokyo Game Show in Japan.
Omi was very generous to agree to a Q&A interview with me, so that those who admire her work may better get to know the woman who’s made so many men’s fantasies a reality.
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Posted in Anime, Cosplay, Cosplay of the Week, Games, Interviews | 2 Comments »
May 25th, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
Episode 35: “Wessiiiiide!”
California Crisis
Run Time: 52min 56sec
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California Crisis is Japan’s love letter to California. It is the state that I once called home before I fled to escape falling into the ocean under the weight of smug hippies and “undocumented immigrants”. However, after a decade of living in NC, the nostalgic parts of me continue to look back to fond memories of the majestic wonders that inhabit So. Cali.
This anime reminded me of how little I’m missing.
I dedicate this episode of the podcast to my homies still kickin’ it on the West Side. As Riverside (and most of the valley area) is the Golden State’s roach motel, I pray they too can one day escape to lands with smog-less blue skies and fertile, green-laden earth.
In the Method to Madness podcast, I’m joined with my good friend Kevin “The Business” Gray to discuss great anime and video games that you should be watching as well as ones you should feel ashamed you are watching.
Posted in Anime, Podcast | 8 Comments »
May 18th, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
Episode 34: “Tell Me About Your Mother…”
Baki the Grappler
Run Time: 47min 33sec
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Baki the Grappler has some serious frickin’ issues! You go in looking for your daily testosterone fix, but you walk out with an unsettling lesson in anthropology.
To become the Alpha male, one must dominate over all others. The ultimate sign of dominance over another man is to not only beat him in combat, but also steal away his mates. And since our fathers are the iconic male figure as we grow up, it is only once we’ve beaten and usurped him that we truly feel dominant over all.
Read that last paragraph again, do some math, and try not to vomit.
In the Method to Madness podcast, I’m joined with my good friend Kevin “The Business” Gray to discuss great anime and video games that you should be watching as well as ones you should feel ashamed you are watching.
Posted in Anime, Podcast | 9 Comments »
May 11th, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
Episode 33: “This One’s For You…T. Bone Wang.”
Dark Cat
Run Time: 55min 33sec
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Dark Cat isn’t some trick pony you see at the side show by the sea shore. It’s an OVA from 1991 that is probably best lost; buried under the heap of anime obscurity.
This is a show that could have made for an exciting horror anime or hentai…had it chosen to be either of those things. In fact, it never quite graduates beyond being “almost” anything. There are mystical cat superheroes, romantic drama, haunted children, and bizarre tentacle monsters. Yet we cannot claim that Dark Cat is about any of those things.
Apparently, to our surprise, this OVA survived into the DVD era and is available for well under ten bucks. But is it worth it? Unless its audience is a late-night drunken get-together with you and your buddies, I might pass.
In the Method to Madness podcast, I’m joined with my good friend Kevin “The Business” Gray to discuss great anime and video games that you should be watching as well as ones you should feel ashamed you are watching.
Posted in Anime, Podcast | 9 Comments »
May 4th, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
Episode 32: “Ma-sa-ta-ka Ta-ka-ya-na-gi-sama”
Tenjho Tenge
Run Time: 47min 27sec
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Tenjho Tenge? Hells yeah! That’s a show about punching! AND kicking! And boobies. And also some…Wait, what was that last one? DAMMIT!
So here we are once again–much as we were with Basquash!–torn between cheering on the super-sweet martial arts beat-down action, only to be quickly deflated by the contamination of fan service. Our dark nemesis, fan service…
In the Method to Madness podcast, I’m joined with my good friend Kevin “The Business” Gray to discuss great anime and video games that you should be watching as well as ones you should feel ashamed you are watching.
Posted in Anime, Podcast | 6 Comments »
April 28th, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
Egoraptor, the mastermind behind the infamous Metal Gear Awesome, has produced a series of cartoons that sums up every freaking anime we revile in the podcast with striking accuracy.
The third episode of Girlchan in Paradise has recently been released on Newgrounds, with plenty more in his gallery to devour.
Posted in Anime | 1 Comment »
April 20th, 2010 by The Grey Ghost
Episode 31: “Double-Barrel Rocket Launcher Shotgun Mod”
Urban Square
Run Time: 44min 04sec
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Urban Square is a guilty pleasure from the 1980s that we mustn’t let fade into obscure oblivion. While Kevin and I give this OVA its due ribbing, this should not detour you from seeking it out for yourself. It’s woven with threads of cheesy humor and manly action that’s become a lost art to modern CGI-dependent blockbusters.
There’s no reason not to watch this movie immediately after reading this…unless they finally make Jason Vs. Jaws. Then watch that first. But after that, Urban Square.
In the Method to Madness podcast, I’m joined with my good friend Kevin “The Business” Gray to discuss great anime and video games that you should be watching as well as ones you should feel ashamed you are watching.
Posted in Anime, Podcast | 1 Comment »
