“Dave, with Matthew, telling him to do something is hypnotism.”

broderic on September 21, 2015

Link of the Day [9.20.15]

I didn’t know that Dark Horse Comics released volume 14 of The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service this past July. I only found it in my Local Comics Shop today. I then went to see if it was an advanced copy which it wasn’t, but found out that Dark Horse will release an omnibus edition of the first three volumes of this manga.

The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service is a great manga. It follows a bunch of esp’ers whose job is to return dead bodies to their rightful place. The dead speak to them and they help the dead move on into the afterlife. It isn’t a creepy manga. Sometimes it’s gory, but most of the time it is dark. Also, funny as well. Unfortunately, it is coming out really slow as volume 14 has collected the most recent chapters from the Japanese manga magazine. It’s going to be another couple years before the next volume comes out. You should collect the omnibuses in order to catch up. Or you can borrow my collection.

http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/23-112/The-Kurosagi-Corpse-Delivery-Service-Omnibus-Edition-Book-One-TPB

“Chicago, 1968. The Democratic Convention. Hippies and yippies alike fill the streets, waging a war of peace against Mayor Daley’s thugs. There I was… watching it on TV in my dorm and drinking.”

broderic on September 11, 2015

Link of the Day [9.10.15]

I would post this tomorrow, but it would stop the momentum that is NewsRadio Quote Month. Err, I like to call it September also.

So today, umm, tonight, go check out Nogizaka46’s first documentary website. There’s no trailer there, so I don’t know what you’ll do there. I hope you get the Ikuchan banner. At least, it would make it worthwhile to click the link. In reality, I can’t wait for the fansubs of this one. I’ve been watching the AKB48 documentaries, and they are all good. The movies make you appreciate the hard work of the members, and they remind you that these are real humans — girls with feelings. I wish them all the best. And to work hard. I think I’m an idol otaku!

http://www.2015-nogizaka46.jp

“Dave, if I wanted to have this conversation I’d have hired that guy Siskel Ebert to do your job.”

broderic on September 9, 2015

I only realized lately that I don’t know the Undergirls or the 2nd Generation members. So frustrating. I want to support them all.

Today’s music break is a B-side off of Nogizaka46’s 7th single, “Barrette.” This song’s name is “Tsuki no Okisa,” and it was used as an opening number to the anime, Naruto. I’ve never watched it. You may have. Now, the interesting thing is that the music video for “Barrette” is one of the more darker Nogizaka46 videos. I should post it up. Show don’t write.

Bounced Twice

broderic on August 15, 2015

I could post tons of YouTube videos of cute Asian girls throwing out the first pitches in baseball and most all of them would be failures. This one is as well.

Why then post it at all? Shiraishi Mai.

She’s the most beautiful idol in Japan. And while she’s not my oshimen in Nogizaka46, I can’t get enough of this crazy beauty.

So, keep practicing Maiyan, you’ll eventually get a strike!

Idle

broderic on August 10, 2015

I’ve fallen down a hole and can’t get out. I’ve spent the last three months down this hole. I’ve done nothing but be in this hole. There is a light and it’s carried by cute girls.

The hole is a metaphor for being a fan of Japanese idols. They are the young girls of Japan who try very hard to win the adoration of the Japan through singing, dancing, acting, and comedy routines. They are also very cute.

They work hard for our affection, and I’ve fallen hard for their schtick.

I have lots to say on this subject since I’ve drowned in it. I’ll have some posts up about an American perspective of the idol factory. It’s very weird.

Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation

broderic on August 9, 2015

Before Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation, the theatre showed the trailer for the next James Bond movie, Spectre. In it, Bond is chasing after a shadow organization bent on taking out MI-6. Spectre is just one charismatic person, the uber Bond villain.

As I watched Mission Impossible, I had the distinct impression that I was watching the James Bond movie.

Mission Impossible had a charismatic bad guy running a shadow organization bent on taking down IMF. No need to watch the next James Bond. Catch this instead.

This installment of the Mission Impossible films rolled all the previous Mission Impossible movies into one. It had the back-stabbing of the first installment, the boring-ness of the second, a nod to the rabbit’s foot in the third, and Simon Pegg as Benjie, the comic relief from the previous one. It should’ve been awesome. It wasn’t. This installment lacked the propulsive force of the previous two and returned back to the sneaky capers of the first two. In fact, it felt like the first Mission Impossible film — the intrigues was more important than the action pieces.

Cruise was running in this one. He also had his stunt hanging on the plane. Good, but not the best. The girl was a Bond girl. She was very competent. I hope she shows up in the next one.

Watch it, but it will be better on FXX.

3 of 5 stars.

Ganbatte!

broderic on August 9, 2015

This has got to have been the worst and the best episode ever. I can’t believe she jumped. But I wanted to see Ikuta-chan do it.

Let’s rewind.

For Nogizaka46, they do stunts on the eve of the release of their singles. They did water training, which is standing under a water fall enduring it like a monk experiencing a zen moment. They parachuted from 1200 meters. They also did a 12 story bungie.

For promotion of their 8th single, they did the most extreme bungie jump ever. Wow!

This is why I root for these girls. I want them to do the best they can. They are trying very hard, and this is one way to see their efforts.

In previous promotions, they were very hesitant. In this one, she cried, but she went and she jumped. Rather quickly. A moment’s hesitation then — WAAAAAH — she was out there.

Now Nishino isn’t my oshimen, but watching this is enough to make one oshihen.