Dustin Cabeal 2/1/18 Dustin Cabeal 2/1/18

Review: Killing Bites E.02

By Dustin Cabeal

Usually, I don’t poke fun at the titles for anime, but “Killing Bites” irks me in a particular way given that I say it every time I’m writing a review or listening to the show. Why, why is it not just “Killing Bite” or “Morphing People Fighting to the Death: The Anime.” One of the great mysteries of anime…

Erika Suarez 2/1/18 Erika Suarez 2/1/18

Review: DARLING in the FRANXX- E.03

By Erika Suarez

Things become awkward between Hiro and Ichigo after the mock battle, and she loses focus during a mission fighting against lower class Klaxosaurs with her team. The parasites get outnumbered by their enemies and Hiro is put in a frustrating position when the APE staff refuses to let him pilot Sterlizia. Mitsuru confidently steps in to prove himself higher than Hiro by riding Strelizia, and his heedless behavior nearly gets him killed.

Dustin Cabeal 2/1/18 Dustin Cabeal 2/1/18

Review: Dagashi Kashi 2 E.03

By Dustin Cabeal

Okay, so maybe I don’t remember all the fan service from the first season. It could be much, much, much worse than it is here, but it’s hard to ignore it all together. Still, at least it’s somewhat tastefully done… I guess. I mean, I’m watching Killing Bites (terrible name) at the same time, and the stuff in Dagashi Kashi 2 doesn’t even qualify in comparison. But still, you can’t compare one show to the other, the fanservice exists, but it’s realistic. It’s not over the top or gross.

Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18

Review: Killing Bites E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

Killing Bites is a story that you can understand the existence of, but at the same time question the existence. If it were a video game, you would totally understand it. In fact, for those that remember and have played Blood Roar will probably find something to like about this series.

Usually, I would say that at the core, this is a story about people that can morph into animals and fight to the death. More than likely you’d be like, cool, I gotta check this out! But, it’s not just that. That’s what it could have merely been about, and hell, maybe it started off that simple but got lost in the boobies along the way.

Erika Suarez 1/29/18 Erika Suarez 1/29/18

Review: DARLING in the FRANXX- E.02

By Erika Suarez

Episode one lays out the mechanics of the piloted mecha suits and provides a deeper understanding how they’re used. The mecha crew we got a glimpse of in the previous episode was properly introduced. Hiro doesn't recall any memory of piloting Strelizia and only remembers the special "kiss" he had with Zero-Two. Fan Service crept up on us but is something expected from Studio Trigger and succeeds in maintaining.

Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/29/18

Review: Dagashi Kashi 2 E.02

By Dustin Cabeal

My only concern after the first episode was how the shortened time length would affect the character development and plot progression. Thankfully, that fear was addressed here in the second episode of the Dagashi Kashi sequel.

What is particularly nice about this episode is that the time isn’t split. Often the series feels as if it’s in two parts so that two candies/snacks can be addressed realistically. With this episode, it all takes place in one day. Saya and Kokonotsu are hanging out at the candy shop when a big storm rolls in and in essence traps everyone. Of course, that doesn’t stop Tou and Hotaru from still showing up. This is after they’ve introduced baseball candy in which you press a button trying to get a winner and the idea is that kids will press it a lot and pay more than they intended. Saya says it’s shady, but Kokonotsu defends it… then they hear Hotaru pressing the button way too many times trying to get a winner, which she never does.

Erika Suarez 1/26/18 Erika Suarez 1/26/18

Review: Dragon Ball Super- E.124

By Erika Suarez

The tables turn when the Saiyans incredibly new power pushes back Jiren and is almost at his breaking point to release his full strength. The elevating fight is set back for this episode, and Super solely focuses on the rest of the warriors with the battle including Dyspo, Frieza, And Gohan. We see true leadership from Gohan when he takes the shots against Universe 11’s fastest warrior while he works as a team with Frieza. Sadly, the respected warrior is let down by an unsatisfying elimination.

Erika Suarez 1/26/18 Erika Suarez 1/26/18

Review: How To Keep A Mummy- E.02

By Erika Suarez

Episode 2 changes up it's setting when Sora Takes Mii-kun to school, and we find out that keeping a mummy is actually a handful, much like caring for any pet. Tazuki is eager to know what contains inside the pudgy mummy while the episode delivers simple and effortless character development between Mii-kun and Tazuki.

Dustin Cabeal 1/26/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/26/18

Review: Dagashi Kashi 2 E.01

By Dustin Cabeal

At first glance, Dagashi Kashi is a ten-minute-long candy commercial. There is no denying that, it’s a candy commercial through and through which is why I almost gave up on the first season of the show. If I hadn’t run out of shows to watch I may never have discovered the wonderful story that’s running alongside that candy commercial.

Dustin Cabeal 1/26/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/26/18

Review: Godzilla – Part 1, Episode 1 “Planet of the Monsters”

By Dustin Cabeal

Is it just me or does seeing anything labeled “Part 1” just kind of making you cringe. It’s like, Nah, just tell me how many parts there are already. Because frankly, if you told me there were six parts left, I would be a one and done.

The story for Godzilla, Netflix’s original 3-D animation produced by Toho, is that humans have abandoned Earth after Godzilla takes over. With the help of two alien races, they blast off into space looking to find another planet to fuck up. It’s been 22 years, and they haven’t found anything. Meanwhile, their resources are running low, so they are encouraging old people to basically piss off on suicide missions. Our main character Haruo is referred to as Captain, though it’s never and I mean never established why the fuck anyone calls him that.

Erika Suarez 1/19/18 Erika Suarez 1/19/18

Review: DARLING in the FRANXX E.01

By Erika Suarez

The beautiful animation and escalating action was a lot to take in for this premiere. Studio Trigger (Kill la Kill, Little Witch Academia) and A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, Fairy Tail) presents you with a new mecha series that enthralls us in a captivating story about children who are put into pairs of opposite sex to pilot robots named Franxx and are used in missions to fight off mechanical enemies. The children are downgraded by this life they live, but it's the only way to prove their existence and be valued in the unknown wasteland they reside in.

Dustin Cabeal 1/19/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/19/18

Review: Devilman Crybaby

By Dustin Cabeal

When you see the word “Crybaby” it's hard to take anything seriously. We all know what a crybaby is and so adding that to the title characters name gives a connotation that most would shy away from. With a lot of anime though, if you watch based on the name or judge by the name, you’ll be surprised or disappointed. I say that because the name is actually brilliant, but you’ll have to watch the show to truly understand why.

Erika Suarez 1/19/18 Erika Suarez 1/19/18

Review: How To Keep A Mummy - E.01

By Erika Suarez

Mummies are officially cute after watching How to Keep a Mummy. The title of the show throws you off guard and your presented with an overload of cuteness for an undead creature. This television anime adaption follows a high schooler Sora Kashiwagi that practically lives on his own and takes on the household duties because his adventurous father is out traveling the world. Sora gets an unusual gift from his father’s adventures, and it's different from the rest of his frightening presents that he’s sent in the past. The enormous package turns out to be a mummy’s tomb. Inside, a creature is revealed, and it's a puny and helpless mummy that makes you want to cradle it in your arms.

Dustin Cabeal 1/19/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/19/18

Review: Juni Taisen: Zodiac War

By Dustin Cabeal

If there’s one thing I can’t forgive in any form of storytelling, it’s a bad ending. It doesn’t matter if it’s a movie, anime, manga, comic, commercial… if you’re telling a story, you better stick the ending. That doesn’t mean it needs to be a happy ending, but it should match up with the rest of the story. If say, your story is about people fighting to the death for a wish to be granted; then the winner better have an amazing wish lined up. If you can’t see where I’m going with the review, well, then sit tight we’ll get there. Also, if you want to hear me talk about this show in full spoiler detail, you can do that on Super S – Anime Podcast E.042.

Erika Suarez 1/19/18 Erika Suarez 1/19/18

Review: Dragon Ball Super E.123

By Erika Suarez

Universe 7 is hanging by a loose thread on this episode as we watch the warriors fail in many attempts to take down their opponents and making it worrisome for their fate in this 7-minute tournament. The main focus is on Jiren, Goku, And Vegeta while the rest of the warrior’s battles feel like they’re just there. We receive a shocking reveal from Vegeta when he unleashes a higher power that could work against the unstoppable warrior. Goku gets tactical with his fight against Jiren that delivers an intense and accelerating battle.

Erika Suarez 1/13/18 Erika Suarez 1/13/18

Review: Dragon Ball Super E.121-122

By Erika Suarez

After a few disappointing episodes, it finally led to some to great ones that we’ve been waiting for. Episode 121 gives a perfect set up for the showdown between the last remaining universes, 7 and 11. Universe 3 releases their trump card that was surprisingly acceptable and a worthwhile fight against universe 7’s warriors. For the latest episode, Vegeta intervenes in Goku’s fight between Jiren and delivers some intense Saiyan action that leaves us on the edge.

Dustin Cabeal 1/11/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/11/18

Review: Blend S

By Dustin Cabeal

I was surprised to see a meme based on the opening of Blend S. I suppose that shows how mainstream anime has become. Too bad the meme sucked! I’ve yet to see one that made me laugh and even worse, I couldn’t think up a joke that would make the meme funny. All that aside, Blend S was one of the best anime of 2017. It came close to making my Top 5 list, and if I had done an expanded version, it would definitely be on there.

Dustin Cabeal 1/11/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/11/18

Review: My Girlfriend Is Too Much To Handle

By Dustin Cabeal

You’re probably saying, “doesn’t this have a different title” and you’d be correct, but I don’t like that title, so I went with the title Amazon gave it because even they were like, “no, we’re not calling it that.” The actual title has a translation that doesn’t quite translate to another language, but roughly it’s virgin with sexual knowledge. Hence the banana.

Erika Suarez 1/8/18 Erika Suarez 1/8/18

Review: The Ancient Magus' Bride - e.01-13

By Erika Suarez

The Ancient Magus Bride delivers an intriguing fantasy love story between Elias, a Sorcerer with demonic features, and his fiancée Chise. This forceful relationship becomes unsettling to watch after Chise is bought in an auction and taken in by Elias as his new apprentice and soon to be wife. Everything feels sudden and new for the young apprentice when she is entranced by an enchanted world of magic stirred in with Celtic Mythology.

Dustin Cabeal 1/5/18 Dustin Cabeal 1/5/18

Review: Recovery of an MMO Junkie

By Dustin Cabeal

Recovery of an MMO Junkie is unusual in that it’s a budding love story between two adults. Now, that might sound like old hat if you’re not an anime viewer, but you’d have to dig and dig to find another anime like Recovery. Sure, there are plenty of romance stories in anime and manga form, but they tend to have a specific look and pacing to them. Recovery looks a lot like a typical slice of life show, mostly because it's also a slice of life story… about playing MMOs.