Sometime between last Summer and now I talked about what shows I watched back in the 90’s that drew me to the current anime that I watch now. Long before A. Goldman and I created this blog I was a bit of a loner as a child, as during the time that I was growing up in the early 90’s I was never really exposed to any anime, nor did I have any friends that liked a lot of the same shows that I did. Back in 1993 at the tender age of four I was a huge Super Mario Bros. fan; I owned a Nintendo Entertainment System (that my mother bought for me), and logged in at least 30+ hours a week beating each level – especially the ‘most-hated’ water levels! At the time I was seven years old my mother bought cable (comcast to be exact), and every day after school I would come home and watch Cartoon Network. Back then there were shows like Scooby-Doo (the early 70’s version), Swat Katz, Tom & Jerry, and many others.

In 1997 I came home and turned on the TV to get ready to watch my favorite shows, and that’s when it happened. What happened on my screen would change my life forever. What happened on my screen is the reason why I am who I am today. That was the day that Toonami came to play! What I was watching didn’t look anything like the shows that I watched when I was four or five (which was Barney and Sesame Street at the time). The style looked different, as there were so many vivid colors and unusual hair styles on the characters. No one ever told me that what I was watching was anime, as the first show I found myself watching was in fact Tenchi Muyo. Up until my 10th birthday I found myself watching more and more shows on this action-packed cartoon block called Toonami, but by Fall of 2000 my mother found a brand new job located in the northwest district of Baltimore, Maryland.

We moved out of the Heldrey Square neighborhood right after the Baltimore Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV in 2001, as I found my new home in Reisterstown, Maryland. From there I went to school at Franklin Middle from 2001-2004, and during this time I was still in Dragon Ball Z mode before this new show came around called Naruto. Honestly I wasn’t a huge fan from the get-go because, well, I was still heavily into DBZ. It wasn’t easy making friends in middle school due to the fact that I had now found this thing called ‘anime’ and have fallen in love with it.

When it comes to middle and high school you’re automatically ‘placed’ in a social circle that fits everything that you like, dislike, and otherwise. I’ve seen all the movies and TV shows where the social status of both middle and high school students was stereotypically portrayed through four different groups; Jocks, Cheerleaders, Outcasts, and the Nerds. You can guess what clique I fell in.

During my 7th grade year I was still into anime, but I was also into shows like Dexter’s Lab, Ed, Edd, n’ Eddy (which is basically ‘The Three Stooges‘ for Millennials), and Samurai Jack! Due to my girth as a heavy-set Afro-American with High-Functioning Autism (HFA), I was picked on a lot to the point where I would have nervous breakdowns and threatened to hurt people because they wouldn’t leave me alone. Trying to fit in was a nightmare, as making/finding friends who liked anime as much as I did was very hard, and I feared that they would make fun of me if I was that one kid who like something that everyone else was unfamiliar with. That is…until my met my friend of 16 years who is my partner on this blog today!

Middle school was indeed tough, but watching anime and Toonami got me through some tough times – even throughout high school. Naruto taught me to never give up on my dreams, and DBZ showed me that with enough hard work, even the ones they consider ‘weak’ can surpass the ones they call ‘strong’. I never though that I would learn so much from anime, as many of the characters have gone through similar trials that I’ve gone through while growing up; such as being bullied in school, finding it hard to make friends who like the same things you do, and being excepted for who you are.

Anime was something different. It wasn’t like anything that I’ve seen before I found it, and they way that it told a story was far deeper than anything I could’ve ever imagined at the time of watching it. Now staring at the beginning of my 30’s I’m proud to call myself an anime fan, and because of that, I find myself seeing life from a whole different lens than I did when I was younger. (I’m not THAT old, guys! XP)

The best advice I could give you if you’re a younger fan going through the trials of middle and high school is to never give up! There may be people who will make fun of you for liking anime, but they can go suck rocks for all I care! Believe me when I say that it may be hard now, but it’s gonna get better! Anime to me was more than just a medium, it helped me find out where I belong, and that’s with awesome people like you!

This one is dedicated to all the awesome fans out there! Stay nerdy! 😉

It’s Monday night and we’re back with another exciting filler post! Last time we did a post about an American anime title we know growing up called Kappa Mikey from Nickelodeon. This time we’re back with another one that many fans know of, if you happen to be a fan of any projects/shows done buy the guys n’ girls at Rooster Teeth. (Famous for the Red vs. Blue series!) This one is heavily anime inspired; as it has gained major popularity throughout the community via Crunchyroll, as well as a manga series. Tonight we shine the American anime spotlight on a web series we like to call, RWBY!

For those of you who are veterans of the show (and have watched it all the way to its upcoming 6th season), you’re already aware of what to expect. For the ones who haven’t seen the series at all (and don’t want to be spoiled), we’ll give you the overview of what you’re in for once you decide to give it a shot.

The story is about four girls who have enrolled in Beacon Academy located in the kingdom of Vale; Ruby Rose, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, and Yang Xiao Long who is Ruby’s half-sister. Together they live in the world of Remnant composed of four kingdoms that happen to be plagued by the Creatures of Grimm, as mankind battled for survival against these monsters until the discovery of an element that helped them fight back called Dust. These four women train to become huntresses and guardians of Dust by the mysterious Ozpin, as they battle against the evil forces of Roman Torchwick and the terrorist organization known as White Fang, to prevent Dust from falling into their hands.

Due to the series being anime-influenced you’ll find some usual tropes and funny moments that you’d normally see in traditional anime; such as the ‘sweatdrop’ and ‘waterfall tears’. There’s also a lot of action and other good stuff in this series as well, so if that’s something you’re into or happen to be looking for, then give this title a shot!

Well, that’s it for this post, but as always we’ve got more to come right here on D&A Anime Blog! Until next time, be kind to one another and stay awesome! 😉

30 years ago we were introduced to an anime title that would trail blaze a path for many others that we’ve come to know over the years. They say that this is the G.O.A.T. of the anime world, the gateway title to ‘Otaku Paradise’, and the ‘Hall of Fame’ player to both OG fans and newcomers. That title is none other than the one and only Dragon Ball Z.

We watched the many great moments and battles from Son Goku and his friends, and continue to do so through all of his newest adventures in Dragon Ball Super. Throughout the series there have been many elements that have keep us glued to the series; such as Super Saiyan transformations and high-speed fights. One of the most popular elements of this legendary franchise is fusions. Any Dragon Ball fan knows that there are two types of fusions; one that uses a dance, and the other that uses earrings. When it comes to fusions as well as a certain saiyan duo, who’s better? Gogeta? Or Vegito?

Since the Majin Buu saga this has been a major debate among the Dragon Ball fandom. Both fused warriors have their fare share of strengths and weaknesses, but with us being who we are, we’ll leave the final decision of what side you’re on to you! So here it is guys n’ gals, our Dragon Ball Breakdown of Gogeta and Vegito!

Dance-Fusion Warrior: Gogeta

First introduced to us in the Dragon Ball Z movie Fusion Reborn, Gogeta is (of course) the ‘dance-oriented’ fusion between Goku and Vegeta. During the fight with Janemba’s new form, Goku and Vegeta try to figure out a way to defeat the monster, and Goku’s decision comes down to the two of them using fusion – something Vegeta loathes entirely (even when fighting against Buu). After failing once and becoming the fat-and-flatulent Veku, Goku and Vegeta do infact become the powerful warrior known as Gogeta. He doesn’t say anything in the Fusion Reborn movie, but in the DBS: Broly movie, he’s got a tiny bit of Vegito’s personality…and cockiness.

Potara-Fusion Warrior: Vegito

Making his first appearance in the Majin Buu arc, Vegito is the fusion between Goku and Vegeta through the use of the Potara Earrings from the Kais. After Gohan gets absorbed by the pink menace himself, Goku manages to get his hands on the divine earrings known as the Potara Earrings and asks Vegeta to fuse with him – which (again) he tries to decline from doing. Eventually Vegeta swallows his pride and merges with Goku to become the mighty warrior Vegito, and is pretty much on the verge of wrecking Majin Buu after transforming into Super Vegito. In Dragon Ball Super Vegito returns to face Goku Black in his Super Saiyan Rose’ form, but anyone who has seen the series knows how that battle turns out…

So that does it for the introductions of the fused warriors, but still…who’s better? Before we get to the final answer of this age-old question, we’ve been doing some digging and research and found some strengths and weaknesses from both warriors. Now it’s time to compare and contrast the fused warriors that are Gogeta and Vegito.

Strength as Vegito (Weakness as Gogeta): Fusion

In order to get Gogeta out in the first place you have to make sure that you do the dance perfectly. PER-FECT-LY! You gotta find candidates who are the same height and have the same power level. To some it may sound like an easy task but what would happen if the candidates you used (such as Goku and Vegeta) weren’t exactly the same size? That means no Gogeta, and the Earth would be done for. Not so with Vegito however.

Strength as Gogeta (Weakness as Vegito): Critical Thinking

When it comes to fighting (especially against Janemba) Gogeta isn’t the type of fighter that taunts his opponents with cheesy lines that stereotypical superheroes use. In fact during his battle against Janemba he doesn’t say anything at all, he just beats the living daylights out of him and obliterates him with his Stardust Breaker. In GT and DBS: Broly he talks a lot more, and becomes the most epic trash-talker in the franchise that has the skills to back it up!

Strength as Vegito (Weakness as Gogeta): Time Limit

The biggest weakness to being Gogeta is the fact that he has a 30-minute time limit as a fused warrior. Once that limit is reached he goes back to being two people once again. That would suck if you’re going up against a strong boss-live villain and your battle clock ran out. Where’s Vegito when you need him? T.T

Strength as Gogeta (Weakness as Vegito): Original Finisher: Stardust Breaker

As we mentioned before, Gogeta has an original attack called the Stardust Breaker. It may look like a colorful sphere full of sparkles, but when it was used against Janemba it tore him from the inside out and obliterated him to a burst of sparkling lights and stardust. He uses the attack again as Gogeta Blue against Broly, though it doesn’t turn the Legendary Super Saiyan into dust however.

Strength as Vegito (Weakness as Gogeta): Series Canon

Okay, this one is going to be a decision among the fans. Even though Gogeta has had more appearances in the franchise’s movies (and series if you count GT) than Vegito, he’s not technically canon according to Toriyama’s standards – even though we want him to be. Yes, Gogeta does make his DBS debut in its first movie under the Super title, but as far as being canon in the series…we’ll just have to wait and see what happens next.

And that will do it for us on this filler post on Gogeta and Vegito! We may like them both regardless of their strengths and weaknesses, but what team will you join?