Song Saturday: Yes' Roundabout

How's it going lurkers? I have some exciting news, in regards to Adult Swim's Toonami block. Yes, I know today's NOT Cartoon Sunday. 

In fact, I am sharing this news for all those, who watch the block. There appears to be a schedule change as of TONIGHT. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders and Tokyo Ghoul have been moved up.

Toonami Regains Half Hour of Programming

It would be nice if Naruto Shippuden was airing at the start of the Toonami block, but I can live with its new timeslot. I believe that The Toonami  Team actually took what I said, earlier this month into consideration on Facebook.

On the official Facebook page for Toonami, I told them that in order for more viewers to have a better chance of watching JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders and Tokyo Ghoul, both shows should be airing at earlier times. Then, both of their viewer ratings would be higher.

We all know how NEUROTIC Toonami zealots can be over cartoon ratings that were already RIGGED.

Regardless, I am so excited to see Stardust Crusaders! Hopefully, Toonami plays The Bangles' "Walk Like An Egyptian." It is the ending theme song for Stardust Crusaders, after all. 

On April 29th, I published a Song Saturday blog, featuring the band's music video. TALK ABOUT THE SO-CALLED FEELS!!!

Over 3 decades later, I still have The Bangles' album, Different Light on vinyl. 

My mother bought their 2nd album for me, when I was a preschooler. What can I say? Cartoons and music videos were a major part of my childhood, during the 1980's.

Now that I think about it, not too much has changed as an adult. I suppose some can say, that "old habits die hard." 

Meanwhile, the ending theme song for JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood and Battle Tendency was a song I never heard in all my life. That was until last year.

When I heard Yes' "Roundabout" as the ending theme song for Phantom Blood AND Battle Tendency, it reminded me of the 1970's Disco group, Earth, Wind & Fire. Because Yes was a Progressive Rock band from the '70s, Jazz, Funk, Latin, and Disco can be heard in their song, "Roundabout."

This song from their 4th album, Fragile released in 1971. That was 11 years before I was born. 

Considering that I listen to some songs, which happen to be YEARS before my time, it is surprising that I have never heard "Roundabout" on radio stations.

Yes released their song, "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" 1 year after I was born. I have known about that song for the last 3 decades and still love it until this very day.

Speaking of "Owner Of A Lonely Heart," a quick sample of the song was featured in an episode of Battle Tendency. 

The song quickly played, when Joseph Joestar was in the middle of doing his Hamon training with Lisa-Lisa and Caesar Zeppeli, last season.

Since today's Song Saturday blog is mostly about the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure franchise, here is its original ending theme song by Yes.

Yes "Roundabout" Fragile (1971) JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood & Battle Tendency Ending Theme Song (2012)

Cartoon Sunday: Blue Exorcist's Season 1 Episode 1

How's it going lurkers? It has been a while, since I last talked about, much less watched the Shonen Jump Supernatural Acion Anime, Blue Exorcist. 

Nearly 2 years ago, I published a Cartoon Sunday blog, which consisted of the series' bloopers. Early on, I noticed that Blue Exorcist was somewhat similar to Vampire Knight.

     Vampire Knight (2008)

 

Blue Exorcist (2011)

 

I spent HOURS last night and earlier this morning trying to find pictures showing the physical similarities between Vampire Knight and Blue Exorcist. 

 

The preceding images were the closest I could find regarding the similarities in high school academy uniforms. Both are Horror and Supernatural Action Anime.

Vampire Knight is a Shojo Anime meant for female viewers whereas Blue Exorcist is a Shonen Anime meant for male viewers. 

In order to give a better understanding of both Action Anime, I have compiled a list showing the similarities and differences between Vampire Knight and Blue Exorcist.

Vampire Knight: 

* Shojo Horror Romance Action Anime meant for female viewers, which heavily revolves around tragedy

* Somewhat considered Horror because it has some horror elements to it, that being vampires

* Cross Academy is named after the vampire hunter now turned headmaster, Kaein Cross

* Cross Academy is a segregated high school comprised of  vampire students attending night classes and human students attending day classes

* With long distance barriers, human and vampire students can socialize with each other on campus without being attacked 

* Yuki Cross is the female protagonist, who was adopted by Cross Academy's headmmaster and later discovers that she is a Pureblood Vampire

Blue Exorcist:

* Shonen Supernatural Action Dramedy Anime meant for male viewers, which has some tragedy

* True Cross Academy is a prestigious Exorcist Cram School, which is the Japanese branch of the True Cross Order

* True Cross Order is the main organization of Exorcists and a global exorcist institution that is controlled by the Vatican

* True Cross Order has roots to Christianity and was founded by Medieval Christian Knights

* Some Biblical scripture is used in this series

* Rin Okumura is the male protagonist with the ability to see demons

* Rin and his twin brother Yukio were adopted and raised by Father Shiro Fujimoto, who was an Exorcist

* Before Father Shiro Fujimoto sacrificed his own life to protect Rin from the demons of Gehenna, Rin discovers that he and Yukio are both Satan's bastard sons

Judging by the list of these particular Action Anime, BOTH use "Cross Academy" in their high school academy names, have protagonists discovering they were adopted because they're NOT fully human, and possess supernatural powers.

In addition to what has been listed about Vampire Knight and Blue Exorcist, BOTH series have male brunette characters wearing eye patches in high positions at both the Cross Academies.

It would've been so much better if I could've found a split screen picture of Vampire Knight's Toga Yagari and Blue Exorcist's Igor Neuhaus. They wear eye patches, have brown hair, and have COLD personalities.

If you have NEVER watched Vampire Knight or Blue Exorcist, you should definitely watch them both and observe their similarities.

It would be nice to see the 2nd season of Blue Exorcist and the entire Vampire Knight series air on Adult Swim or possibly on another network. We all know that Adult Swim will NEVER air Vampire Knight.

The men running Adult Swim not only show disrespect towards their OWN viewers in general, but also love discriminating against women. The assholes in charge of Adult Swim and the creeps that posted on their official forum for over a dozen or so years expect women to be inferior to them.

Otherwise, the teams at Adult Swim and Toonami put on facades by pretending to promote "women's empowerment," all the while showing female characters with very LITTLE self-respect and respect for other characters.

In spite of Adult Swim and Toonami Teams' facades, I really hope Adult Swim and those running the Toonami block renew their license to re-air Blue Exorcist's 1st season, then air its 2nd season, Kyoto Saga. Its 2nd season finished premiering in Japan, a few months ago.  

There have been claims by Toonami fans that Blue Exorcist's license expired for it to be re-aired on Adult Swim, and that the Shonen Jump Supernatural Action Anime supposedly did badly in ratings. 

Considering the negativity bias coming from Toonami zealots, who fixate on cartoon ratings for every series ad nauseam, I don't know if the bad ratings statement is true.

Some of us already know how much of zealots certain Toonami fans are, when it comes to the Nielsen Ratings. 

Because Blue Exorcist uses some excerpts from the Bible, has trained exorcists, students training to become exorcists, and the protagonist just happens to be 1 of Satan's bastard sons, I believe certain viewers are or will be repulsed by this series.

Judging from the ilk of Toonami sycophants and rabid zealots I have endured on Adult Swim's forum (before it was shut down), they are threatened by Christianity, Satanism, and religion in general.

Religion "triggers" this particular ilk of fans. They CANNOT  handle the sound of religion much like the rest of us can't handle them throwing temper tantrums like 2-year-olds over a cartoon's low ratings.

I advise viewers to watch and enjoy a show for yourself, NOT  because of a show's ratings. Much like polls can be rigged, ratings can be rigged too. Every household does NOT  own a Nielsen's box.

The fact that there are men, women, and children allowing a show's ratings to control them is pathetic in itself. If you need to obsess over a show's ratings, you will NEVER enjoy ANY show.

Since TONIGHT'S Cartoon Sunday blog is mostly about Blue Exorcist, let's start from the very beginning. Simply click on the link below.

Blue Exorcist Season 1: Episode 1 (2011)

RANT: Toonami's One Piece Fandom & Their Incessant Crying

How's it going lurkers? I have been trying to decide what to share for the next 2 Cartoon Sunday blogs.

Would you like it if I shared more Animated Horror Shorts under 5 minutes long, OR would you prefer to watch something 5 minutes or longer?

Let me know what you think in the comments section below.

Aside from the next 2 Cartoon Sunday blogs, those of you, who have been subscribed to yours truly for the last several years on Xanga, Blogster, It's Not All Gumdrops & Unicorns, etc. have read my complaints about Toonami, its fanbases, and fandoms. 

Recently, I stumbled upon a blog by The Beacon explaining the differences between a fandom and a fanbase. I never really knew there was a difference. 

I always thought fanbase and fandom were used interchangeably. Apparently, that's not the case. Welp, you learn something new everyday.

According to The Beacon, a fanbase is simply a group of like-minded people, who share the same interests and show their pride as fans. Meanwhile, a fandom is more like a gatekeeping group of zealots for fans. 

In other words, EXTREMISTS that tend to alienate and can sometimes shun fellow fans if they don't share their views about certain characters, movies, shows, music, etc. with their EXTREME dedication, passion, and views.

Judging by the preceding explanation, fandoms might as well be considered loudmouth "activists" because they are extremely vocal about being an obnoxious fan. This can most definitely be said about some Toonami fans in general.

I CANNOT  help reiterating how much of obnoxious brats Toonami fans can be. 

Yes, I know that every Toonami fan is NOT  a crybaby. However, the crybabies overshadow the fans, who genuinely enjoy other types of Action Anime as well as other genres and sub-genres.

Every time a certain Action Anime fandom does not get their way about an Anime, they will act like the BIGGEST  toddlers on forums and social media sites. Otherwise, they will maliciously mock other fanbases because they didn't get their way about a series.

Some One Piece zealots are currently throwing toddler tantrums because Adult Swim's Toonami block is airing the Seinen Horror Action Anime, Tokyo Ghoul as One Piece's replacement. One Piece fans DO have a right to be upset.

Since the time Toonami chose to premiere this Shonen Jump Action Anime at episode 207 in 2013 rather than premiere it at episode 1 like most normal shows, One Piece fans got the shaft.

Premiering an Action Anime at episode 207 rather than the beginning only demonstrated, that those running this revival of Toonami have no respect for One Piece fans. Therefore, I can understand their anger and feel they are justified in feeling angry at both Adult Swim and The Toonami Teams. 

Toonami did a TERRIBLE job of handling their programming, One Piece fans, and de-escalating their toddler tantrums. 

Even though I can sympathize and empathize with One Piece fans, it does NOT give their fandom the right to maliciously mock other fanbases.

Currently, there are some EXTREMELY bitter fans within the One Piece fandom maliciously mocking us Tokyo Ghoul fans, while crying in their Monkey D. Luffy boxer shorts over Toonami replacing One Piece with Tokyo Ghoul.

Some are purposely alleging that Tokyo Ghoul is a terrible Anime, that it "glorifies cannibalism," it's intentionally "edgy" to panders to Emos and Goths, that Toonami dislikes Tokyo Ghoul because they haven't created newer promos for it, etc.

About a month or 2 ago, those within the One Piece fandom on the current makeshift forum for Adult Swim worked my last nerve so badly, I gave some of them a piece of my mind. 

So, what did I tell those bitter incels within Toonami's One Piece fandom on the makeshift forum for Adult Swim?

1) They are NOT  the only viewers watching Adult Swim

2) Those running Toonami are TRYING to attract different types of viewers by adding a Seinen Horror Action Anime like Tokyo Ghoul, for example, to the block

3) They whine TOO MUCH about EVERY little thing

4) If they depend on a show's ratings to simply like a show, they would NEVER enjoy anything 

5) Their constant nitpicking repulses other viewers like yours truly from wanting to watch other Anime premiering on the Toonami block.

Was it NOT  bad enough, that Toonami zealots spent YEARS bawling their eyes out all over the Internet about Cartoon Network canceling Toonami in 2008?

After canceling Toonami ~9 years ago, Cartoon Network's programming went to hell in a hand basket. It started premiering more boy-centric reality shows, low-brow animation, and mostly vapid cartoons from Canada. The ONLY Canadian cartoon I enjoyed watching was 6teen.

Had 6teen premiered in its entirety on Cartoon Network, it could've been aired at an earlier time on Adult Swim. Some of 6teen's episodes had nudity and other mature content, which was meant for supposedly teenagers in Canada.

Here in the good old U.S. of A. helicopter parents would've been outraged by some of 6teen's content because Cartoon Network is meant for children, whereas Adult Swim is meant for adults.

Since Cartoon Network no longer wanted the Toonami block, they dumped it on Adult Swim. 

Originally, Adult Swim was supposed to be airing more mature content because all those children, who grew up watching Toonami, in the late 1990's and early 21st Century, are now ADULTS.

The Toonami  Team claimed they wanted to grow up its veteran viewers. 

If they wanted to supposedly grow up their veteran viewers so badly, why is Toonami premiering the most childish-looking and cartoonishly generic Japanese animation on a network, which was meant for adult viewers, mainly men? How much longer until a Kodomo Anime like Pokemon is premiering on Adult Swim?

Here is something I have recently noticed about the veteran Toonami fans. They hate Anime meant for their own age group. That being Action Anime meant for adults and Anime with more MATURE subject matters. This makes me question how many ADULTS are actually watching this version of Adult Swim's Toonami block.

Judging from what I have observed over these last 5 years, veteran Toonami fans are too fixated on their childhood nostalgia and cartoon ratings. They depend on cartoon ratings (which CAN be rigged like polls and awards for awards shows and voting).

In addition, these zealots DEPEND on a patronizing CGI robot and his talking computer to get excited about watching their favorite cartoons! This is something you would expect from a damn 5-year-old, NOT someone who is in his/her 20's and 30's (Dare I even say 40's and older?)

When I was a toddler watching the Mecha Anime, Robotech in the mid-80's, having a patronizing CGI robot with a talking computer were highly unnecessary to get me excited about watching the series or any other type of animation Japanese or otherwise. 

Listening to the announcement that my favorite cartoons would be starting was satisfying enough!

Even though I enjoyed watching some of the Action Anime, that aired on Adult Swim's Toonami block over these last 5 years, a number of us veteran Adult Swim viewers are still disgusted with the fact, that Adult Swim uprooted us to pander to crybaby man-children.

Adult Swim mostly panders to Toonami sycophants that desperately cling to their childhood nostalgia on Saturday nights and early Sunday mornings. All the while, zealots continuously cry about wanting to watch the most childish programming on a network meant for adult animation.

Then, some of the other Toonami zealots fear that Toonami is getting canceled again because of the crybabies within their own fandoms constantly throwing tantrums over shows. They fail to realize that they contributed to the cancellation of Chiller TV's Anime Wednesday block, 2 summers ago.

It was bad enough that Chiller TV put almost NO effort in promoting their own Anime block this last time. That's not including the fact that only people with Direct TV and Dish Network, at the time were the only viewers with Chiller TV on our packages.

Adult Swim's Toonami fans wasted so much time nitpicking Is This A Zombie? which was only 1 out of 4 Anime premiering on Anime Wednesday, that Chiller TV canceled the block after only 3 weeks.

Most people today don't understand that we have the ability to make or BREAK entertainment, especially over the Internet.

To give a better understanding about this fandom right now, there is a LOT of infighting among Toonami fans. 

In fact, the fandoms within Toonami have just as much infighting, if not more than The Republican Party. It's THAT  bad.

If Toonami zealots including the One Piece zealots do NOT stop acting like bitter, entitled, spoiled brats and get their acts together, they WILL be the cause of Toonami getting canceled once again. 

Then, they will only have themselves to blame for their precious block getting re-canceled. This is if it DOES happen again with relentless cyberbullying, death threats, maliciously mocking other fanbases, toddler tantrums, and their extreme obsession with cartoon ratings.

With that being said, what are your thoughts about the current state of fandoms within Toonami, including the One Piece fandom?

Cartoon Sunday: Ub Iwerks' Skeleton Frolics

How's it going lurkers? Adult Swim's Toonami block finally premiered the English dub of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood, last night. I swear, that Dio character is EVIL.

Dio Brando reminds me of a certain troll I know personally from another website. I only watched episode 1 of Phantom Blood, a few months ago. 

While watching Season 1: Episode 1, it felt more like I was watching a Soap Opera because it had Soap Opera Drama in it.

After watching the Toonami promo on Adult Swim these last several weeks, I was quite surprised by the amount of action that was shown for this series.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood Promo On Toonami (2016)

Normally, I marathon or "binge watch" Anime online but my time is spent now on many other activities both on and offline. 

Judging by the Toonami promo, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure looks like it is a combination of Dragon Ball Z (except much better) and Bleach.

Since we are already on the topics of Shonen Jump Action Anime and Adult Swim's Toonami, I forgot to mention last week, that Blue Exorcist will be getting another season!

Blue Exorcist: Kyoto Impure King Arc Anime Reveals January Premiere, More Cast

Hopefully, this next season will focus more on the character, Renzo Shima becoming a double agent.

Considering that we are already on the topic of animation with darker themes to them, I am finally sharing this particular animated short by Ub Iwerks. 

Originally, I meant to share this last October, but I was really sick. Last October, I was lucky to have even published any blogs much less work on my Halloween Music Playlist Thread for Adult Swim's seasonal sub-forum, Adult Scare.

As I was saying, I managed to find a darker animated short by Ub Iwerks. 

Iwerks had a history of working for both Walt Disney and Columbia Pictures' cartoon division. To be more specific, he produced and directed The Skeleton Dance in 1929, during his time at Walt Disney.

After Ub Iwerks supposedly had a "falling out" with Walt Disney, Iwerks launched his own studio called The Iwerks Studio in 1930. 

The Iwerks Studio was shortly lived and had shut down, during the 1936.

BTW: This all happened during the same time as The Great Depression.

In 1937, Iwerks drew Skeleton Frolics. During that time, he began working for Color Rhapsodies at Columbia Pictures. Skeleton Frolics is very similar to Disney's The Skeleton Dance.

Skeleton Frolics is in color with obviously some minor alterations whereas The Skeleton Dance was animated completely in black and white.

Ub Iwerks' [Walt Disney] Silly Symphony: "The Skeleton Dance" (1929)

Ub Iwerks' [Columbia Pictures] Color Rhapsodies: "Skeleton Frolics" (1937)

It was not until 1938, that Ub Iwerks became the director for several of Columbia Pictures' Color Rhapsodies shorts.

Iwerks' history in entertainment is quite extensive, especially when it comes to darker content. In fact, not only was Ub Iwerks an animator, but he also became an expert in special visual effects.

For example, Iwerks worked on the special effects for Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds in 1963. (It is amazing what you can learn.) 

Rather than giving you a long history lesson about Ub Iwerks, here is Skeleton Frolics for Cartoon Sunday.

Ub Iwerks' Skeleton Frolics (1937)

Cartoon Sunday: The Real Ghostbusters

How's it going lurkers? Last week, I forgot to mention that Blue Exorcist is actually getting another season! This is fantastic news for us fans! 

Hopefully with a 2nd season, there will be more exploration about the character, Renzo Shima.

The finale for this Supernatural Shonen Jump Action Anime felt incomplete much like a cliffhanger. Even though Rin Okumura is the protagonist, I still am quite fond of Renzo Shima. 

He and Rin Okumura are my favorite characters from Blue Exorcist. Shima wants to act like he is a Don Juan YET  he's a cowardly character, who's always scared of everything. That is always hilarious to watch.

Nearly 2 years ago, I remember reading a summary about the Blue Exorcist Manga and its characters. 

If memory serves me right, Renzo Shima becomes a double agent and is very skilled with his weapons. 

If this is true in the Blue Exorcist Manga, maybe Shima hides the fact that he's a lethal agent from everyone. Hopefully the Blue Exorcist Anime shows that Renzo Shima is a double agent for Season 2.

Meanwhile, are you feeling nostalgic for the 1984 Ghostbusters movie franchise? If so, there's more '80s nostalgia for you today.

Last night, I was able to locate the Ghostbusters cartoon I grew up watching during the 1980's. If you are at least in your mid-30's like myself, you should remember The Real Ghostbusters. 

The Real Ghostbusters debuted in 1986, which was 2 years after the original Ghostbusters movie. I CANNOT  believe that it has been nearly 30 years, since I last watched this '80s classic!

Being able to understand a childhood cartoon as an adult is the best part about re-watching it!

Whenever I re-watch a movie or  TV show from my youth, it is more like viewing something without blinders over my eyes; It's like being a virgin to that show or movie all over again.

There are more times, when I re-watch a show or movie and think to myself, "I don't remember this happening. When did this happen?" or "Hmm, I never thought of it that way."

While re-watching The Real Ghostbusters' pilot "Ghosts R Us," I started realizing how much the animated illustration for Dr. Egon Spengler resembles some of the characters we always see in today's Japanese animation (Anime).

This made me question if those, who did the illustrations were Japanese and/or possibly Korean.

After watching the ending credits scroll during the end of "Ghosts R Us," I saw a lot of Japanese names listed for the animation. This explained a lot to me. 

Even though The Real Ghostbusters was an American cartoon, some of the characters resembled Japanese illustrations. The illustration for Dr. Egon Spengler was an automatic dead giveaway for yours truly.

It's amazing how much you can learn by watching Japanese animation! Things that make you go hmm...

Okay, now I am REALLY showing my age here. Anyway, if you have NEVER had the chance to watch The Real Ghostbusters circa 1986, you now have the chance for today's Cartoon Sunday.

The Real Ghostbusters Pilot "Ghosts R Us" (1986)

Song Saturday: Ikimono-gakari's Hanabi

How's it going lurkers? Yes, I am back with Song Saturday this weekend. I already know that many of you have been waiting for over 1 1/2 month.

Can you believe that Independence Day is in ONLY 2 more days?

For this weekend, the theme is fireworks. While working on this blog last night, our neighborhood could not help hearing fireworks from the outside. 

I actually live not too far away from another park besides Hart Park. There are also firework shows at Summerfest, which is in Downtown Milwaukee.

As I was saying, the theme for this weekend is fireworks. 

Those, who are fans of the Shonen Jump Action Anime and Manga, Bleach may be familiar with today's song. It comes from the J-Pop Rock band, Ikimono-gakari.

Their song "Hanabi," meaning fireworks in Japanese was featured as an ending theme song for Bleach. To be more specific, "Hanabi" was the 7th ending theme song to the series. 

The song is also 1 of my favorite Bleach ending theme songs. Considering my favorite genres of music, "Hanabi" is a bit unusual for me to like as a song.

As most of you already know, Metal is my favorite genre. However, you may also recall that I do enjoy other music genres, including some J-Pop. 

Normally, I would NOT  be a fan of listening to the harmonicas. Therefore, Ikimono-gakari's "Hanabi" is an exception for me.

You can find "Hanabi" on Ikimono-gakari's debut album, Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari. I'm sure that all you Bleach, J-Pop, and Anime Otaku fans were just dying to know, which album you could find the song. Now, you know. You're welcome. Anyway, here is Ikimono-gakari's song, "Hanabi" for today's Song Saturday.

Ikimono-gakari "Hanabi" Sakura Saku Machi Monogatari [The Story Of The Town Where Cherry Blossoms Bloom] (2006)

Cartoon Sunday: Blue Exorcist Bloopers

How's it going lurkers? Earlier, I finished watching Parasyte -The Maxim-, Michiko & Hatchin, and Naruto Shippuden. I must remind myself NOT  to eat anything, while watching Parasyte. 

It is incredibly disgusting staring at an alien inside the protagonist's hand walking, talking, and killing people. Just gross! By no means am I squeamish about Parasyte -The Maxim.- 

However, watching this Seinen SciFi Horror Action Anime spoils my appetite, whenever eating something. Normally, I am hungry around 12 am and begin scavenging around the house for food/snacks. Therefore, watching Parasyte while eating is typically a disgusting experience.

Meanwhile, Michiko & Hatchin has only 4 more episodes left to premiere on Adult Swim. I have been asking around the board about what could be the series' replacement. It appears that no one knows anything yet. Hopefully, it will be something else worth watching. Otherwise, I will have to re-adjust my morning TV schedule.

Lately, I have been re-watching Naruto Shippuden on Adult Swim. I am far behind on watching Japan's premieres of Shippuden and there is no telling how many seasons. 

Episode 286 was the last episode I remember watching, which was several years ago. The other night, I read this article on Anime News Network about the Naruto franchise. Call me crazy, but I believe an old Carthage College classmate published this article. The name of the site's journalist reminds me of a past Creative Writing, Asian History, and Japanese classmate of mine; Her name is VERY familiar.

Anime News Network: The Neverending Debate Over The End Of Naruto (2015)

Supposedly, Naruto and Hinata are really married to each other. Sasuke and Sakura are a couple as well. Honestly, I enjoyed the original series of Naruto much better than Naruto Shippuden, so far.

Naruto was a lot funner to watch, until the entire franchise became Sasuke Uchiha centric!

You know, as much as I really like the name Sasuke, I never liked the character, SASUKE Uchiha. Personally, I always favored his older brother, Itachi and was pissed that the Mangaka, Masashi Kishimoto, killed Itachi.

The last time I streamed the Japanese premieres of each episode, I was especially disgusted to learn that popular heroes and villains were killed in Naruto Shippuden. 2 of The Legendary Sanin were killed, which was ridiculous. 

So, we are supposed to believe that Sasuke Uchiha killed Lord Orochimaru and his older brother, Itachi Uchiha (a former double agent/rogue ninja)?

Technically, Sasuke did NOT  kill Itachi. Itachi literally fought him to death and sealed all his powers into Sasuke because he knew, that he was dying but Lord Orochimaru is another issue.

I NEVER understood Kishimoto's obsession with his character, Sasuke Uchiha upstaging his protagonist Naruto. The Sasuke Centricism ad nauseam started to repel other Naruto fans.

Even though Sasuke is a popular Naruto character, Lord Orochimaru, Itachi, Asuma, Jiraiya, etc, etc. were just as popular characters, if not MORE popular than Sasuke. 

Last year, an Adult Swim friend said that Masashi Kishimoto "blows Sasuke too hard." His comment was hilarious and very true. I believe most of us Naruto fans continue reading and/or watching the franchise because we all want to know, if Naruto Uzumaki EVER becomes Hokage. 

A number of us seriously do not care about Sasuke being the usual Emo brat that he has always been.

Luckily, Japan canceled Bleach. As much as I really enjoyed watching Bleach more so than the Naruto franchise, Bleach ran its course with us fans. 

In regards to this particular series, the following article is another article from Anime News Network.

Anime News Network: Whatever Happened To Bleach? (2015)

I cannot help agreeing with this journalist. Tite Kubo definitely should've ended Bleach once Ichigo Kurosaki defeated Sosuke Aizen. 

Instead, Kubo chose to spread out his Shonen Jump Action Anime and Manga like they were turkey meat with filler arcs rather than focusing on the main arcs.

Aside from the preceding Shonen and Seinen Action Anime, I thought it would be nice to revisit Blue Exorcist with some bloopers. 

Last year, I frequently mentioned this Shonen Jump Supernatural Action Anime. Blue Exorcist is about the protagonist, Rin Okumura being Satan's bastard son. 

Rin's foster father sacrificed his own life to protect Rin from the demons of Gehenna. Eventually, the protagonist studies to become an exorcist.

Today I found some Blue Exorcist Bloopers, which were shown at an Anime Expo Panel, 2 summers ago. The line about rolling papers had me cracking up.

Blue Exorcist Bloopers (2013)

Cartoon Sunday: Bleach's Pilot

How's it going lurkers? Last week, I read about Adult Swim shafting Bleach. 

The Anime is inching towards its series finale, in a matter of 4 more episodes. Dragon Ball Kai will be Bleach's replacement and the network isn't planning on syndicating it.

Adult Swim NEVER aired Bleach's OVA's and the "Shinigami's Cup" shorts. The network has only premiered 2 Bleach movies. 

Meanwhile, Cowboy Bebop, Inuyasha, Ghost In The Shell, etc. have been played up the ass beyond a decade. 

Bleach has been a perennial Adult Swim Anime, since 2006. It premiered in Japan 2 years prior. 

Before Adult Swim re-branded late Saturday nights and early Sunday mornings as "Toonami," Bleach and other Adult Swim Anime had better treatment. 

Now that the "Toonami" branding exists on Adult Swim rather than on Cartoon Network, the commercial breaks are longer. This is along with the rest of us viewers having our intelligence insulted by watching some patronizing CGI robot and his talking computer patronize us ADULT VIEWERS about not being a "hater." 

In between patronizing adult veteran viewers, Toonami follows it up with predominantly Shonen Jump Action Anime, American Cartoons for prepubescent boys, and video games.

Okay, I will watch Shonen Jump Action Anime, but I do NOT give 2 flying fat fucks about all that other useless, patronizing, bullshit.

I understand that networks must air commercials. Most networks including Adult Swim need money. However, I am NOT some prepubescent boy watching Adult Swim. The Toonami sycophants will justify, that Toonami paved the way for Adult Swim, Anime, etc. Yes, that's close enough.

All the while, NOT every Anime viewer watched everything on the original Toonami. Toonami was NOT every Anime fan's "Gateway To Anime."

Some of us older Anime viewers began watching Anime YEARS before Cartoon Network was ever created. It was not until Sailor Moon, that I began watching Cartoon Network's Toonami. 

Then, I stopped watching Toonami, until Naruto premiered in 2005.

In 2005, I was in my college senior year. I still didn't care about a CGI robot and his talking computer introducing shows and video games to me. All I cared and still do care about is watching my shows. I became more interested in other Adult Swim Anime.

Fooly Cooly, Full Metal Alchemist, Cowboy Bebop, Inuyasha, and Ghost In The Shell were certain shows I did NOT watch. 

The preceding Adult Swim shows never held my interest, and their Otaku/Weeaboo sycophants at 2 of my colleges aggravated the hell out of me. Anime fans of said ilk made other fans (including me) feel ashamed to love Anime.

They acted pretentious and immature about liking Japanese animation and culture. Those are 2 main reasons why potential fans refuse to like Anime.

I always read and hear about us Bleach fans being annoying. Honestly, I find those fan bases I previously mentioned to typically be really annoying.

There will always be those few stupid and obnoxious fans, who ruin a movie, show, or music genre for everyone.

Like I was saying, I originally watched Adult Swim for American cartoons, which were specifically for adults and other Anime. Scryed, Case Closed, Bleach, Trinity Blood, Code Geass, and Death Note are only naming some of my favorite Adult Swim Anime. 

After all those shows and several others ended, Bleach still premiered in America every Saturday night for these last 8 years.

Bleach's finale is approaching yet Adult Swim refuses to re-air the series from the very beginning, after it ends. The network over played all those other worn out shows and continues to do so. Talk about pandering and with double standards!

Even if Adult Swim refuses to re-air Bleach from the beginning, the network could at least air its OVA's and other movies, before shafting it and us Bleach fans for Dragon Ball Kai. 

Don't even get me started on those obnoxious Dragon Ball fanboys and girls. I am sorry, if you are a fan and happen to read this blog, but the Dragon Ball fans are WAY more obnoxious than us Bleach fans.

Throughout the last 8 years, I have enjoyed watching Bleach because I was able to sympathize and empathize with the characters, including the protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki. Originally, the series was about him.

In the beginning, Ichigo Kurosaki was a 15-year-old high school student, who could see ghosts/spirits. This included his ability to see the Shinigami (meaning "Death God" in Japanese), Rukia Kuchiki. She had to transfer her Shinigami powers to Ichigo, in order to save his family and friends from Hollows.

Hollows are soul-eating spirits.

Then, Ichigo and Rukia began solving mysteries in regards to Hollows. Later, the other Shinigami, Renji Abarai and Byakuya Kuchiki (Rukia's brother-in-law) retrieved Rukia and returned to the Soul Society with her.

Rukia was suppose to be executed because it was illegal for a Shinigami to transfer his/her powers to a living person.

Long story short, Ichigo and his friends rescued Rukia. Eventually, Bleach progressed into numerous arcs.

I can sympathize and empathize with Ichigo mostly because he has the ability to see ghosts. I am always amazed, that some religious zealots do NOT  believe in ghosts. 

I can understand Atheists not believing in ghosts. Although, I NEVER understood why certain religious zealots (generally speaking and acknowledging other religious groups) don't believe in ghosts. This can most definitely be said about some Christian zealots.

We are praying to spirits. How can we NOT believe in them?

Before I started having my own premonitions and getting death warnings from ghosts, as an adult, I always believed in them. 

I know cynics and skeptics will read today's blog, roll their eyes, and say, "Whatever! You're crazy. It's all in your head." No, this is NOT  "all in my head." Sometimes ghosts visit me, in order to prepare me for a death in the family or another person's death.

Last Sweetest Day for example, a ghost's shadow appeared outside my bedroom window. Suddenly, it dissipated into thin air! The day after, 1 of my great-aunts died from Breast Cancer. On October 19th, it will be 1 year since her demise.

So, this Cartoon Sunday, I have Bleach's pilot both in Japanese with English subtitles and in English dub.

Can you or can you not handle watching Anime in Japanese with English subtitles? The choice is yours. 

Anyway, here is Bleach from the very beginning.

Bleach Season 1: Episode 1 "The Day I Became A Shinigami" [Japanese] (2004)

Bleach Season 1: Episode 1 "The Day I Became A Shinigami" [English] (2006)

Let me know what you think!

Cartoon Sunday: The Powerpuff Girls' Too Pooped To Puff

 How's it going lurkers? It is Cartoon Sunday. Just in case some of you didn't already know, Blue Exorcist will be premiering its English Dub next Sunday on Adult Swim. It's great, that it will be premiering sooner than expected. 

Originally, Blue Exorcist was supposed to have been premiering, next month. Had it been MY choice, I would've premiered it much sooner rather than premiering that shitty Space Dandy Anime. 

Okay, I understand that Space Dandy is a Seinen Comedy Anime, but it's stupid and obnoxious. I would love for Blue Exorcist to air before or after Bleach as opposed to waiting until 12:30 am on Sundays to watch it. 

If I were in charge programming for the Swimnami Toonami lineup, here's how I would've scheduled the shows:

10:30 pm Naruto Shippuden

11:00 pm Bleach

11:30 pm Blue Exorcist

12:00 am Black Lagoon

This would've been a better arrangement on Swimnami Toonami than what Adult Swim already has on their schedule. I have no respect for Space Dandy or One Piece. They're stupid and annoying shows, not to mention money wasted. Space Dandy alone was catching a lot of flack weeks before its world premiere. 

I don't know about everyone else, but I can think of other Anime from Japan, that can afford to be world premiered. Space Dandy wouldn't have even made the list UNLESS viewers love having their intelligence insulted.

Meanwhile, it still would be refreshing to have Shojo and Josei Anime on this Toonami rebranding, as well as some other female animation. Like I have said in the past, since Adult Swim chose to acquire Cartoon Network's reject cartoons for boys, they also could've acquired The Powerpuff Girls. 

The Powerpuff Girls had a history of being on the previous Toonami block. The cartoon was originally meant for the adult demographic. Believe it or not, The Powerpuff Girls has a lot of hidden messages and pop-culture references, that Generations X and Y will understand. 

Most diehard fans of The Powerpuff Girls franchise are still complaining about its reboot from last month on The Powerpuff Girls' Stalkbook Faceboook page. The fans are not a far cry from staging a revolt against Cartoon Network. That's how upset they are over The Powerpuff Girls' reboot. 

Since it's Cartoon Sunday, I decided to share another mini-epiosde from The Powerpuff Girls. I would love to share the cartoon's "Reeking Havoc" and "Super Zeros" episodes, but there aren't any episodes re-uploaded to YouTube. 

Instead, I chose to share the video link to The Powerpuff Girls' episode, "Too Pooped To Puff." In this episode, The Powerpuff Girls go on strike because Townsville has become lazy, entitled, and overly dependent on them to the extent, that they have the girls doing their own jobs for them. 

Click on the following video link:

The Powerpuff Girls "Too Pooped To Puff" (1999)

Cartoon Sunday: The Powerpuff Girls' Bubblevicious

 

How's it going lurkers? Once again, it's Cartoon Sunday. Remember last week, when I mentioned the promo Adult Swim aired, during their so-called Toonami block?

The network premiered a promo called "The Ladies of Toonami." I wanted to share the promo on here last week, but someone did not upload it to YouTube, until more recently. I re-watched the promo on YouTube.

The Ladies Of Toonami Promo: (2014)

Then, I read both the comments both on YouTube and on Adult Swim's forum. 

What is the verdict for "The Ladies Of Toonami" promo?

Most saw "The Ladies of Toonami" promo as a joke because most of the female characters are from Shounen Anime with damsels in distress and emotionally weak female characters. If you don't know what I mean by "Shounen," in Japanese the word means "boy." Whenever Cartoon Network and Adult Swim both premiere Anime, it's typically for boys and occasionally a series meant for men. 

The Shounen Anime may have physically strong female characters, but they are always emotionally weak and/or they are damsels.

Before last week ended, Adult Swim announced that the Seinen Action Anime, Black Lagoon would premiere in late March on its Swimnami Toonami block. I currently have nothing bad to say about Black Lagoon because I have yet to watch it and would like to keep an open mind.

Every time I was about to watch the series, I always ended up doing or watching something else. On the positive side, Black Lagoon is a Seinen Action Anime series, which is meant for men.

Seinen Anime has more mature content than Shounen Anime. It is only fitting for Adult Swim to premiere actual animation for its ADULT viewers. If only Adult Swim would premiere some Josei Anime (which is meant for women), that would be fantastic.

Black Lagoon Trailer: (2006)

If necessary, Adult Swim could premiere The Powerpuff Girls on its Swimnami Toonami block. After all, Cartoon Network used to air The Powerpuff Girls on their Toonami block.

Original Opening For The Powerpuff Girls: (1998)

Years ago, The Powerpuff Girls appealed to both genders of different age demographics. 

The cartoon is so popular that Christian Bale, who played in American Psycho and the Batman Begins franchise, sang The Powerpuff Girls' ending theme song in an ABC News interview.

Originally, when the cartoon was made, it was a short meant for the adult demographic and was called "Whoopass." Because Cartoon Network liked the show so much, it was aired for the younger female audience.

The content was toned down and the cartoon was re-named "The Powerpuff Girls " by the late '90s. The cartoon was on Cartoon Network for several years and won Emmys.

Last week, Cartoon Network premiered The Powerpuff Girls' reboot.

Opening For The Powerpuff Girls: (2014)

Honestly, I was highly unimpressed. The Powerpuff Girls' illustrations recently changed.

When the original series was created during the '90s, their signature illustrations were meant to resemble 1950's futuristic art quality, as opposed to the more recent CGI appearance. The reboot's animation quality is so bright, that it has a glare; The art quality is so bright and blinding, I could barely focus on The Powerpuff Girls' reboot premiere.

I reiterate, The Powerpuff Girls' reboot is VERY hard on the eyes.

Luckily, the original cartoon still airs on The Boomerang Channel, which is affiliated with Cartoon Network. 

Recently, my grandmother has been bored with what's airing on TV and wants to watch cartoons. This is besides watching her usual national news and televangelist channels. 

Since my grandmother wants to watch more cartoons, I got her into watching The Powerpuff Girls on a nightly basis.

Considering how much I have mentioned them in today's blog, I decided to share a classic episode of The Powerpuff Girls. This episode is "Bubblevicious."

Bubbles is the cute and innocent blonde, who everyone loves to underestimate as a Powerpuff Girl. Blossom is the leader and level-headed redhead out of the 3 sisters. 

Out of the 3 sisters, Buttercup is the mean and feisty brunette, as well as the tomboyish lemming, who loves taunting and bullying Bubbles. 

Anyway, "Bubblevicious" is mostly about Bubbles proving that she is "hardcore," when it comes to fighting villains. Click on the following video link:

The Powerpuff Girls Season 1 Episode 9: "Bubblevicious" (1999)

Christian Bale Partially Singing The Powerpuff Girls Ending Theme Song:

Anna H's Christmas Anime Blog Special: Lucky Star

How's it going lurkers? I hope you're all safe, warm, and finished with all your Christmas shopping. 

Originally, I planned to share American Dad's "The Story Of Minstrel Krampus". "Minstrel Krampus," which aired on TV ~2 weeks ago, explained some of the history behind Krampus in satirical form. 

Apparently, FOX deleted the episode from YouTube and only kept the clips. Then, I YouTubed episode 37 from the Shonen Jump Comedy Anime, Gintama. From Season 1 of Gintama, there was a Christmas episode titled, "People Who Say That Santa Doesn't Really Exist Actually Want To Believe In Him." This particular Christmas episode was ALSO removed.

Speaking of Santa Claus, I find it incredibly irksome hearing people say, "There's no such thing as Santa Claus." If more people actually cared to conduct their own research, they would've learned that Santa Claus WAS a real person, centuries ago. 

The same applies to Krampus. Krampus was Santa Claus/Saint Nicholas' evil sidekick, who gave children lumps of coal for misbehaving. Sometimes Krampus threw them in his red sack, whisked them away to hell, and ate them.

Rather than taking on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge by ruining Christmas for EVERYBODY (mainly for children), adults should really tell children, that Santa Claus was a real person centuries ago. We as adults SHOULD carry on Santa Claus' jolly tradition for CHILDREN. 

Also, adults (you know who they are) need to STOP being so damn miserable and NOT project that same misery onto everyone around them, including children.

I always felt it was so mean-spirited and ignorant for people to say, "There's no such thing as Santa Claus" and to taunt children for believing in him. They must be some of the same skeptics, who don't believe in ghosts, or that we actually landed on the moon.

Well, since it is Christmas Eve and because I had no such luck in sharing American Dad or Gintama, I decided to share Lucky Star's 11th episode, "Various Ways To Spend Christmas Eve." 

Lucky Star is a Shonen Slice of Life Comedy Anime and is mostly considered a "Slice Of Life" Anime because of its comedic depiction of daily life in Japan. Imagine Seinfeld in the form of a Japanese cartoon about high school girls.

Lucky Star includes the holiday seasons surrounding the characters Konata Izumi, Miyuki Takara, and the fraternal twins, Kagami and Tsukasa Hiiragi. In Japan, it seems as if their Christmas Day celebrations are similar to Americans celebrating Valentine's Day. I say this because the Native Japanese seem to emphasize their need to have dates on Christmas.

I am NOT saying that people in other countries do not do this for Christmas. However, it seems as if having a date is a requirement in today's Japanese culture for the holiday.

Luckily in Lucky Star, there is not a huge emphasis on having a date for Christmas. Although, they do bring up the topic frequently. 

Anyway, I will let you sit back and watch Lucky Star's episode 11, "Various Ways To Spend Christmas Eve."

Lucky Star: Episode 11 "Various Ways To Spend Christmas Eve" (2006)

 

 

Here's a Gintama bonus clip for laughs.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!