Year: 2024

Training’s Almost Over. Muzan is on the Move

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S4 Ep 7 Review

So, the Hashira Training Arc is already ending, and it’s happening soon. I knew that this arc was going to be short, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this short. That being said, even without reading the manga in advance, I already knew that this whole arc was going to be the calm before the storm. I just didn’t expect the storm to roll in so quickly.

Gyomei’s Backstory is SO SAD!

Tanjiro and his friends continue their training under Gyomei, and thankfully, Tanjiro and Inosuke have made some progress. Both of them are now able to move the boulder, though the effort almost causes Tanjiro to pass out from dehydration. Thankfully, Gyomei is there to give him water to drink, so he doesn’t die of thirst. And in the process, Gyomei opens up about his past…and it is so sad!

Gyomei was born blind, meaning that the lack of irises wasn’t just an artistic choice. Yet that didn’t stop him from living the humble life of a priest and taking care of a group of orphans. They didn’t have much, but they were still happy together. However, one night, one of them stayed outside after dark, and ran into a demon. To save himself, he sold out everyone else, leading to the demon slaughtering all but Gyomei and one other child. Then he snapped and somehow managed to beat them to death with his bare hands, an act that deeply ashamed him.

It gets worse. When the authorities showed up, they mistook the little girl’s words to mean Gyomei killed everyone and arrested him. It was only thanks to Kagaya, the head of the Demon Slayers, that he escaped execution.

…Sweet mercy, that is a sad story. No wonder the man is always seen crying like that. He’s haunted by his failure to save most of his adoptive family and for lashing out like he did. He was in the right to do so since it was self-defense, but even so, the act of killing someone is not something one should take lightly. So, when Gyomei chooses to praise Tanjiro for saving the villagers in the Swordsmith Village, he means it. He doesn’t Tanjiro to make the same mistake he did.

Too Late, Demon Slayers. The Shadows Have Arrive

And with that, Tanjiro finishes his training with Gyomei and heads to the next Hashira…is what I would say! However, the forces of darkness are already converging on the Demon Slayer Corps!

Throughout the season, Muzan and his army of demons have been laying low. That’s because Muzan is using one of the Upper Ranks powers to help locate Nezuko and the head of the Demon Slayers, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. And as Sanemi manages to catch one of those demonic eye monsters, he realizes something horrible: they’ve already been found out.

Sure enough, the final moments of the episode are dedicated entirely to Muzan showing up at the Ubuyashiki Mansion and confronting Kagaya. And much like all the important moments in Demon Slayer, the animation is knocked into high gear. The way the air seems to freeze as Muzan comes strolling in wearing his white suit and hat is bone-chilling to look at. It’s as if the devil himself has descended upon the Earth; and given who Muzan is, that’s pretty much accurate!

The next episode is going to be the final one of the season, and from what I’ve heard, it’s going to be an hour long. Given how it’s setting us up for the final battle, it needs to cover as much as possible. Because once that’s done, there’s no turning back. No more funny moments, no more wholesome stuff. Just a fight to the finish with the fate of all Japan at stake. Make some popcorn. This is going to be epic.

I Give “Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima” a 4/5

This Summer, Anime is Gonna Cook!

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RJ Writing Ink’s List of Anime He’s Looking Forward to For Summer 2024

Summer is here at last! That means it’s time for Sun, surf, beach days, and enjoying some ice cream to beat the heat. And while I may never get to enjoy the carefree days of summer vacation of my childhood, nothing’s stopping me from enjoying it to the fullest. And, as a lover of good anime, summer also means new stuff to watch.

I’m RJ Writing Ink for D&A Anime Blog, and today, I’ll be talking about a few anime for Summer 2024 that I’m looking forward to. For this list, I will be limiting my choices to anime that either premiere in the summer 2024 or are returning with a new season. Shows that started airing before this will not be counted, as will shows that are getting movies. Sorry, My Hero Academia, but that leaves you out of the running. I will likely be covering most of these anime, either in one-shot posts or series reviews.

Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture

Bow to one of the kings of Mecha, for Code Geass has returned…sort of. While this series is touted as a sequel to the original, Rozé of the Recapture takes place in the alternate timeline established by the compilation films and Lelouch of the Resurrection. Set seven years after the events of the latter, the story sees the Japanese island of Hokkaido occupied by remnants of the Britannian Empire. In this brutal occupation, two brothers, Ash and Rozé, serve as mercenaries for the Japanese resistance. Armed with their knightmares and the power of Geass, the two set out to liberate the island.

That’s a surface level description, but remember, this is Code Geass. The truth is, as always, far more complicated. Rozé, like Lelouch before them, also possesses the power of Geass, which means things aren’t always as they appear. The show’s only two episodes in, but it’s already shaping up to be promising. Granted, it’s treading some of the path from the original series, but if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. The one issue? It’s stuck on Hulu, of all platforms, and Disney isn’t doing much to promote it. Spread the word to the masses, people! Code Geass is back!

My Deer Friend Nokotan

Torako Koshi is considered a perfect and beautiful girl by her high school, but that’s a ruse. She’s actually an ex-delinquent who has gone to great lengths to keep her past hidden. Then, one day, her entire life crumbles when she saves a strange girl with antlers who enrolls at her school. Chaos ensues.

I am still trying to figure out how to describe this series since it has yet to come out. However, this will be the funniest anime of the season, possibly the entire year. The entire series is running on chaos, memes, and bad CGI deer. Studio Wit, the studio famous for Attack on Titan, is also aware of its meme-worthiness. They posted an hour-long of the show’s intro on repeat!

And it’s already been copied by others!

This show knows what it’s doing, and I look forward to seeing it.

Fairy Tail: 100 Years Quest

Ah, Fairy Tail, how we have missed you. After five years of waiting, fans will finally see the sequel to Hiro Mashima’s hit Shonen series, Fairy Tail, adapted into anime. After the end of the original series, 100 Years Quest sees the titular wizard guild’s resident fire dragon-slayer and his time take on a quest that has yet to be able to accomplish in over a century. Their journey will see them travel to new lands, come across new and old opponents, and get into all sorts of crazy hijinks. So, just another day for Fairy Tail.

Yes, I am well aware of people’s criticisms against Fairy Tail. It’s been called generic, having too much fan-service, and uses the power of friendship to ridiculous levels. However, I have plenty of my reasons for liking it:

  1. It’s got one of the best dubs out there with an all-star roster of voice actors behind it.
  2. The music is epic and uplifting to listen to.
  3. I like the series’ sense of humor!

Whenever I’m feeling down, I have to watch a clip of Fairy Tail, and I’ll feel a little less sad. Seeing this quirky, chaotic guild of wizards makes me smile.

Also, I respect that the new anime’s coming out on July 7th. For those who don’t know, that’s a pretty important date for Natsu in the series, and the events that took place on that day were one of the enduring mysteries of the series.

Suicide Squad Isekai

I still can’t believe this is a thing, but here we are: Suicide Squad has now gotten its anime. After getting caught by the authorities for the umpteenth time, Amanda Waller drafted Harley Quinn into her Suicide Squad. She then uses them as guinea pigs to test a portal that’s supposed to take them to another world. When they get trapped there, they have three days to return. Otherwise, the bombs in their necks will go off and kill them.

I salute you who thought it was a good idea to combine DC Comics and anime. Not only does this series’ existence prove how much anime has integrated itself into western culture, but Harley Quinn can now be classified as an anime waifu. I’m not entirely sold on the idea of seeing a group of villains becoming “heroes” in another world, but it’s isekai. At this point, the isekai genre is all-consuming and we should accept that. I can’t help but chuckle at how Clayface’s default form resembles Michael Jackson. However, anime fans would argue that he looks more like Muzan.

And these are just some of the ones that I’m gonna be watching! I’m probably going to be making initial reviews for many more to come!!!

Do you agree with my picks? What other anime coming out Summer 2024 are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!

Why Does Disney Get the New ‘Code Geass’ Anime?!?!

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Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Promotion

What’s the best mecha anime of all time? Well, the idea of best depends on everyone’s perspective, but it helps that there are many great mecha anime. Name most incarnations of the Gundam franchise? Most people will accept it. Neon Genesis Evangelion is an all-time classic, even if the ending was confusing. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is legendary for being so awesome, they might as well have a picture next to the word in the dictionary. And while Gurren Lagann is one of the GOATs, I only consider it the second-greatest mecha anime of all time. The number one title should be the late 2000s epic, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion.

I found Code Geass when I was in high school, and I wound up becoming obsessed with it for a good, long while. It was unlike any anime I had seen. The fight for freedom against an oppressive empire. The exiled Prince turned rebel with psychic powers leading the rebellion. The complexities as Lelouch proceeded to do morally questionable things for questionable reasons. I loved Code Geass. It was one of those stories that only happens once in a generation. It’s Dune, if Dune were a mecha anime. And that makes it so awesome! So imagine my surprise when I learned that we would be getting a sequel series set in the alternate timeline of the compilation films? Given how amazing Code Geass is, one would think this would be one of the biggest things of the Summer 2024 season.

It’s not. I looked on Twitter and more than a few people didn’t even know that another Code Geass anime was coming out. And the reason why is because it’s not on the big anime streaming platforms. It’s stuck…with Disney+ and Hulu.

Time for an intervention. This is Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture.

Britannians Refuse to Learn their Lesson

Seven years have passed since the events of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Ressurection. The Holy Britannian Empire is gone, replaced by the more benevolent Principality of Britannia, while the world remains at peace. However, not everyone from Britannia will adjust to the new reality. Four years earlier, remnants of the Empire, calling themselves the Neo-Britannian Empire, invaded Japan and conquered the island of Hokkaido. Using a high-tech barrier built to keep them out, the Neo-Britannians turn Hokkaido into a prison for the Japanese people, free to abuse them as much as they want.

All is not lost, though. A resistance movement has hired a pair of Britannian brothers, Ash and Rozé, known as the “Nameless Mercenaries.” Between Ash’s skill behind a Knightmare and Rozé’s strategic planning., the two of them might be enough to free Hokkaido.

In a nutshell, this series is a microcosm of the original Code Geass meets Ghosts of Tsushima. Don’t believe me? A foreign power invades an island part of a larger island nation, and elite fighters who call it home must set it free.

For the record, Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture is technically not a series. It’s being released in four acts between May and August of this year in Japan. Worldwide, though, it’s been broken up into twelve episodes.

Not Exactly Groundbreaking for Code Geass

Beyond that, though, the series isn’t breaking any new ground regarding Code Geass. As I said before, the series’ plot is a smaller-scale version of the original anime. The main protagonists can even be considered copies of Suzaku and Lelouch, but with their personalities reversed. Ash is the stoic and ace pilot in a Knightmare Frame, while Rozé is the more outgoing and the brains. Not even the Neo-Britannian’s have anymore substance to them; most of them are as racist and imperialistic as ever.

Some might consider this series unecessary since it’s not adding anything new to the franchise. However, I don’t care. Code Geass is one of the best anime I’ve ever seen, and I’m just happy that we get to have more of it. And if it does well enough internationally, then Sunrise might decide to give us some more spin-offs.

There’s just one problem: poor distribution.

Why Does Disney Get this Awesome Series?

For reasons I cannot fathom, Rozé of the Recapture is being distributed internationally by Disney, of all companies. If you live in America, you can watch on Hulu. Anywhere else outside of Japan, Disney+’s “Stars.” And none of that makes sense. Disney isn’t exactly the first company people think of when distributing anime. Nor is Hulu the go-to platform for many people looking to watch new anime. They have plenty of it, but most people these days watch it on streaming services like Crunchyroll.

The worst part is that Disney doesn’t seem to be putting much effort into promoting the series. As a result, it looks like it might end up flying under many people’s radars. I barely heard anything about it in the months leading up to its premiere. That’s not good!

That’s why I’m writing this. I’m putting out a call to arms for all fans of Code Geass, Sunrise, and Mecha anime: go out there and spread the word about Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture. Make sure more people know about this series. Do not let it fly under the radar because it’s stuck on Hulu! And if you don’t have Hulu or Disney+, hopefully, find somewhere else.

Reimagining Creativity: How to Break Through Your Artistic Block

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Creativity isn’t just an inherent talent; it’s a skill that flourishes under the right conditions. Whether you’re an artist, writer, entrepreneur, or someone looking to inject a bit more imagination into your daily life, this article from D&A Anime Blog will guide you through several effective strategies to help enhance your creativity. By exploring the following strategies, you’ll discover pathways to refresh your creative spirit and bring your innovative ideas to life.

Transform Your Space

The influence of your environment on your creativity cannot be overstated. A change of scenery or a simple rearrangement of your workspace can spark an influx of fresh ideas and perspectives. This transformation doesn’t require grand gestures; even subtle changes in lighting, adding a few plants, or introducing new art pieces can dramatically affect your creative output. The key is to create a space that inspires you, one where ideas flow freely and you feel most connected to your creative self.

Embrace Mindfulness

Mindfulness offers a powerful way to clear the mental clutter that often hampers creativity. By focusing on the present, you engage with your thoughts and feelings without judgment, allowing you to bypass the internal editor that stifles creative thinking. This practice can be as simple as dedicating a few minutes each day to meditation or deep breathing exercises. The clarity and calmness achieved through mindfulness pave the way for innovative thinking and creative breakthroughs.

Go Back to School

Changing careers can be a powerful way to reinvigorate your creativity and explore new passions. By selecting a cybersecurity program and earning a degree through an online platform, you can gain valuable skills and knowledge while maintaining your current job. With a cybersecurity degree, you’ll learn how to protect a company’s computer systems and networks from digital threats (check it out for more info). This exciting field offers ample opportunities for creative problem-solving and continuous learning, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a fresh start in their professional lives.

Foster Collaborative Creativity

Collaboration is a catalyst for innovation. Working with colleagues or friends to brainstorm ideas can unveil perspectives and concepts you might not have considered on your own. This collective creative process benefits from the diverse experiences and viewpoints of its participants, leading to a richer, more varied set of ideas. Encouraging open dialogue and building on each other’s thoughts can transform the seed of an idea into something truly groundbreaking.

Pursue Varied Interests

Exploring hobbies outside your typical realm can significantly boost your creativity. Engaging in diverse activities, such as mastering a new musical instrument, experimenting with exotic cuisines, or venturing into uncharted hobbies, introduces your mind to fresh perspectives and ideas. This cross-pollination of interests does more than just expand your skills; it acts as a fertile ground for innovative thinking and creative problem-solving. Moreover, these new experiences can spark connections between seemingly unrelated concepts, further enriching your creative reservoir and inspiring unique approaches to artistic expression.

Broaden Your Creative Consumption

Delving into art, literature, music, or any form of creative work outside your usual preferences can significantly widen your creative lens. By exposing yourself to diverse creative expressions, you challenge your preconceptions and open your mind to new ideas and inspirations. This exploration not only enriches your understanding of the creative process but also ignites your imagination, offering fresh avenues for your own creative endeavors.

Unleash Creativity Through Play

Engaging in play is a potent strategy for nurturing imaginative thought. Playful activities create a safe space free from the fear of judgment and failure, enabling the unrestrained exploration of ideas and concepts. This atmosphere of openness is conducive to lateral thinking and problem-solving, both critical to the creative process. Moreover, engaging in play allows for the discovery of unconventional solutions and innovative ideas within a realm that values experimentation and curiosity. 

Creativity is a journey, not a destination. It thrives on new experiences, challenges, and perspectives. By embracing these strategies, you open yourself to a world of creative possibilities. Remember, every step taken to enhance your creativity is a step towards realizing your full potential. Let this guide be your compass as you navigate the vibrant landscape of your creative journey, discovering along the way that the true essence of creativity lies in the joy of exploration and the thrill of bringing your visions to life.

D&A Anime Blog is a great place for fans of Anime and Manga. We’d love to hear from you!

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WIND BREAKER is the Whirlwind Hit of Spring 2024

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WIND BREAKER Series Review

Delinquency is like a universal constant in the course of human history. It doesn’t matter what day, age, or society you look at. There are always going to be young people who go against the grain and do things like skip school, wear edgy clothes, and pick fights with others. Maybe that rebellious attitude makes them so popular in Japanese pop culture, and I can see the appeal. And while some of my favorite anime characters take inspiration from them, I’ve never been into a full-on delinquent anime before. Until I came across one of the best anime of the Spring 2024 season, WIND BREAKER, on Crunchyroll. It has all the hallmarks of a good anime: great sub and sub, good animation, nice music, and some good themes if you look hard enough.

And yes, the fistfights are cool. Think JoJo without the supernatural elements.

The Delinquent’s Paradise that is Furin High

All his life, Haruka Sakura’s been an outcast. He’s got little social skills, and his eyes and hair are both heterochromatic, making everyone think he looks like a freak. Eventually, Sakura gave up on being friendly with everyone and decided to become the delinquent everyone thought he was. Training himself to become strong, he has no time for the weak and for weaklings who think they’re strong. And once he’s old enough to go to high school, he decides to go to Furin High. Its the school with the lowest marks in the country, but the strongest fighters. A paradise for delinquents like him where he can rule!

Or so he thinks.

Once he gets to Furin High, Sakura discovers its not quite what he thought it is. While everyone there is as crazy strong as people say, they dont act like your typical delinquents. They go around protecting the town from anyone seeking to cause trouble, protecting the weak from the strong. That’s why they’re known as “Bofurin,” the Wind Breakers. And for the first time in his life, people don’t reject Sakura. Even though he’s confused by this, Sakura still aims to become the strongest at Furin while learning what it means to be accepted by others.

A Male Tsundere with a Heart of Gold! What’s Not to Like?

I know I’ve said I’ve never been into delinquent anime before, but that’s not quite true. While I’ve never been into the genre itself, I’ve seen plenty of Shonen Series that have characters with varying degrees of delinquency. Naruto Uzumaki started out as a prankster and troublemaker. Bakugo acts like a hot-headed delinquent despite wanting to be a hero. And even though he doesn’t regularly cause fights, Jotaro Kujo acts like a delinquent and doesn’t put up with people’s nonsense.

The bottom line, I’ve been exposed to plenty of misfits and delinquents in anime before. And one thing I’ve noticed about some of the best of them is that, despite their attitudes, they’ve got hearts of gold. Now imagine an entire high school of people like them, and you get Bofurin of WIND BREAKER. They’re delinquents, to be sure, but besides using their fists for justice, they are pretty friendly people.

That’s why, during the first episode, Sakura has no clue how to react to them, and he’s a big reason why I like the series.

Sakura is a tsundere. He acts like he’s tough and doesn’t care about anyone or anything, but as the first episode demonstrates, its the opposite; he does care about others. The problem is that hes been scorned and spat on for so long, the idea of people being nice to him is practically a foreign concept. Thus, he acts like any tsundere would: with hostility. Yet despite everything, he never says no to others kindness and never pushes them away. As a result, seeing Sakura begrudgingly start to open up to the other Bofurin is pretty endearing.

Its not just Sakura, though. The anime’s only eleven episodes long so far, but a good deal of that time is spent fleshing out the side characters in the coolest way possible: fighting.

There’s More to Fighting Than just Fists in WIND BREAKER

I know it sounds cliche, but there are some things that can’t be communicated through words alone. Sometimes, the best way for people to truly understand each other is by trading blows from their fists. In that regard, the fights between the members of Bofurin and those they fight can become whole philosophical discussions. I’d explain better, but its best to watch for yourself. And the animation used for the fights is also pretty incredible. It’s just normal people trading punches and kicks, but the way the anime does it feels as good as any shonen battle.

WIND BREAKER is one of the best anime to come out of the Spring 2024 season, and I think that it’s a must-watch for fans of delinquent characters. The fighting is awesome, the characters are great, and the emotions it tries to convey can make a grown man tear up a little. I really love it!

I say WIND BREAKER is a must-watch anime for 2024

Gyomei’s Training Makes Everything Before Look Weak in Comparison

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S4 Ep 6 Review

This Hashira Training Arc may have little action, but does it show how hard the Demon Slayers are working themselves! Even though he breezed through the earlier portions, the last episode of Demon Slayer saw Tanjiro starting to really exert himself. Mitsuri’s flexibility training made men scream. Obanai hated Tanjiro’s guts for being friends with Mitsuri. And Sanemi? Tanjiro got banned from training with him for standing up for Genya! However, all of that pales in comparison to the training under the strongest Hashira, Gyomei Himejima (the one who’s always crying.)

Can we go back to Mitsuri or Obanai? They weren’t trying to kill him!

This is Brutal!!

So, having made it to Gyomei’s training course, Tanjiro and Zenitsu realize two things. Firstly, its very simplistic, consisting of strength training exercises. Secondly, and this is the most important, they’re all brutal beyond belief!

Standing under a freezing waterfall until they pass out! Lifting gigantic logs over their heads!And pushing a massive boulder hundreds of feet! And they have to do that every day until they pass out!

The whole experience is so brutal that several of Tanjiro’s fellow trainees call it quits and bail. You could call them cowards, but knowing your limits is important. Yet Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu persist in it, with Tanjiro working the hardest, and unlocking a very important power: his Demon Slayer Mark.

Tanjiro is Unlocking His Shonen Transformation

Tanjiro has unlocked his Mark before when under extreme circumstances, but he’s never been able to control it. He doesn’t know how he activates it, but realizes that if he learns that trigger, it could be make all the difference. And thanks to some advice from Genya and Gyomei’s brutal training, Tanjiro starts to know what makes it work for him. The memories of his murdered family. The last words given to him by Rengoku. By remembering how he felt, Tanjiro starts to gain better control over his Mark. The episode ends before showing us the full extent of the results, but Tanjiro is on the right track.

Muzan is on the Move

And not a moment too soon, as Muzan is moving from amidst the shadows.

This season has seen a massive absence of the Demons that the Slayer Corps must fight, and for a good reason. Muzan is marshaling his dark army for the final battle. However, there’s more to it than that. He’s looking for two people: Nezuko and Kagaya Ubuyashiki. And he’s using one of his Upper Four, Namiko, to do so.

I had to watch a video on YouTube explaining this, but Namiko might be the most important of Muzan’s remaining minions. Firstly, she can create those little eye-monsters that he’s using to scout the location of the Corps to find Nezuko and Ubuyashiki. Secondly, those videos revealed that she’s the source of the Infinity Castle that he uses as his headquarters. So, taking her out will be an essential part of this final battle.

As I was watching this episode, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Tanjiro. I knew that the Hashira Training Camp would be brutal, but Demon Slayer has a way of making it even worse than we can imagine. Or that’s just me. Either way, the episode’s ending shows that Tanjro’s training under the strongest Demon Slayer (physically) is not done. Judging by the title to the next episode, I’m hoping to learn more about Gyomei’s past. Specifically, why is he always crying? It’s out there, even for the Hashira’s!

I Give “The Strongest of the Demon Slayer Corps” a 4/5

Now the Real Training Begins, Tanjiro!

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S4 Ep 5 Review

Citizens of the internet, I have been a fool. Since Tanjiro has done so well with Hashira boot camp until now, I thought he could handle the rest of it. Little did I know that he only handled the easiest parts of the whole thing. From here on out, he’s going through the meat grinder of three Hashiras.

I loved watching this, but I still feel bad for the poor guy.

Mitsuri Proves Ballet Isn’t Girly.

When I was a little boy growing up, I never understood the concept of guys doing ballet. I dont think I thought less of guys who did, but I just didn’t understand why they would do it, or wear the outfit required. Now that I’m an adult, I see that ballet is a physically intense dance that requires great physical strength, flexibilty, and stamina.

Why mention all of this? Because Mitsuri’s training is all about ballet. And increasing flexibility. It’s painful!

Obanai Iguro Needs to Chill!

Thats nothing compared to his next teacher, Obanai Iguro, though. He hates Tanjiro right from the start, mainly because hes in love with Mitsuri and is livid at how friendly she is with him. Though, he’s not any better with any of the other trainees. The man ties them posts for annoying him, then makes Tanjiro fight him while trying to avoid hitting them.

The point is pretty obvious: Obanai wants to make sure the Slayers do not hesitate to strike, or the demons will kill her. That being said, seeing him treat the trainees like punching bags is demoralizing. However, it does lead to yet another interesting duel between Tanjiro and a Hashira.

The duels in Demon Slayer are some of my favorite parts of the anime, and for good reason. That animation is so incredible!

In the end, Tanjiro passes, but Obanai still hates him. However, the last Hashira is worse than all the others: its Sanemi! AKA, the Hashira who stabbed Nezuko and tried to tempt her with his blood! And he still hates Tanjiro.

Sanemi is Too Harsh on Everyone!

Now working with Zenitsu and Genya, Tanjiro spends the whole time-fighting Sanemi in brawl after the brawl. That alone is brutal, but its for the sake of training. However tbings take a tjrn for the worse when Tanjiro learns something: Sanemi is Genya’s older brother, and he makes it clear he doesn’t want Genya in the Corps.

As the older brother to Nezuko and his late siblings, Tanjiro can’t understand why Sanemi can be so cruel to Genya. When things escalate to an outright fight, Tanjiro starts defending Genya. Even if he can’t use breathing styles, his eating demons meant that they won in the swordsmith village.

No dice. Not only does Sanemi not lighten up, but Tanjiro gets banned from training with him.

If I had to guess, though, I think Sanemi has a good reason for being mean to his brother. He knows how being a Demon Slayer means a very short life, even with their skills. Since Genya can’t use breathing techniques, the likelihood of him surviving is even lower. The only issue I have is that he should come out and say it.

Tanjiro is In for Even Worse!

Either way, Tanjiro and Zenitsu head to their next Hashira camp with Gyomei. And it looks like its going to be even harder than all of them!

I dont know how much longer the Hashira Training Arc will be, but I’m really hoping that the season doesn’t end in the middle of the coming final battle. That would be so lame! In addition, I’m enjoying getting to see these light-hearted moments!

I Give “I Even Ate Demons” a 4.5/5

This Might Be the Worst Day of Rudeus’ Life

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Mushoku Tensei S2 Ep 22 Review

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…You know, there’s an interesting thing about spoilers some people dont get. Even knowing what happens beforehand only sometimes makes things easier to read or watch. The Red Wedding is still horrific. Watching Ace die at Marineford is still traumatic. And what happens in this episode of Mushoku Tensei is still horrifying. I held back on watching this episode until I finished it in the light novel, and I procrastinated on that despite knowing how it would end. It was just too traumatic to want to sit through. Even so, I knew that this was the climax of Turning Point 3 for Rudeus, so I steeled myself for what happened. Rudeus and Paul pull out all the stops to rescue Zenith, but even with their strength, they cannot win without great sacrifice.

The Ultimate Boss Fight

After locating the true circle leading to the teleportation labyrinth’s final floor, the group comes face-to-face with their ultimate goal: Zenith. She’s inside magic crystals, frozen in suspended animation, and it is not made clear if she’s alive or dead.

That’s the good news. The bad news? That hydra that appears in the opening is guarding it. And when Paul pulls a Leeroy Jenkins and charges right in, the party learns two bad things. Firstly, since its a hydra, it can regenerate. Secondly…its scales are immune to magic.

They have to knock Paul out and run before they get killed. As someone who’s played games with many tough bosses, I know this is the right move. Rushing into a boss fight without knowing everything can kill you. And Rudeus’ group doesn’t have the luxury of returning from death.

Rudy Has Never Considered his Parents…His Parents.

Even though they made the right call, Paul can’t help but snap at Rudeus for remaining calm. He points out how cold he’s being when his mother, the woman who gave birth to him, is in danger. Which brings up an uncomfortable subject. Paul and Zenith might be his biological parents, and Rudeus cares about them, but…he’s never seen them as his parents.

It’s not entirely Rudeus’ fault. He had lived a whole other life before being reincarnated, and from the way he talks about them, he wasn’t that close to his original parents. He regrets it, but at the same time, he’s never done anything to correct it. He mentally calls Paul and Zenith by their first names rather than “Dad” and “Mom,” highlighting the emotional walls he’s put between them. And not helping matters is the fact that Rudeus hasn’t seen Zenith in ten years. Its not like he’s as close to her as he is to Paul. And its going to be something he will regret before the day is out.

I Wish That Rudy had Brought More People With Him

At any rate, what Rudeus, Roxy, and the Fangs of the Black Wolf is the equivalent to the final boss of an MMORPG Dungeon. They’re all strong, but they’re at a disadvantage. Paul and (to a lesser extent) Elinalise are the only ones that can damage it. And those magic-proof scales mean Rudy, Roxy, and Talhand can’t even scratch. Even so, they do have a plan. Cut off the heads, cauterize the wounds with magic at point-blank range, rinse and repeat until they win. They do float around the idea of heading back to town and recruiting more adventurers, but Paul will have it later. His wife is finally in arm’s reach, and he’s so eager to rescue her that he won’t wait any longer.

If I seem misgivings about this, it’s because I do. I’ve had them since Rudy decided to join the rescue mission with only Elinalise. If he had asked any friends he made at Ranoa U for help, they probably would’ve gone with him. If Badigadi were still hanging around, that would’ve been even better since the guy’s immortal! Most of all, though, what I knew was coming next made me wish now more than ever that Eris hadn’t left. They could have prevented what comes next if she had stuck around.

The Fight that Fans Waited for.

The following fight is nothing short of the best in the entire season. I know there has been a limited amount of fighting in season two, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s amazing. I’d even call it one of the best anime moments for 2024! The fluid animation, the music, the setting. Moments like this make Mushoku Tensei a cut above most isekai! Everyone was magnificent, and seeing Paul and Rudy fight alongside each other was a privilege.

This only makes the outcome even more difficult to consider. Rudy losing his arm would be bad enough, but Paul…

Paul…

I had known this moment for a long time. But, again, I needed more time to watch. Nor does the Drama CD detailing Paul’s final thoughts.

And the fact that this episode came out on Father’s Day 2024? Whoever distributes the anime in Japan intentionally did that to make it an even bigger tearjerker than it already is.

This Doesn’t Feel Like a Win

The rest of the episode is nothing but one massive tearjerker. Telling everyone back in town about Paul’s death. Rudy looking at the bloody stump where his arm once was. And the biggest kick in the pants? When Zenith finally awakens, she doesn’t remember anything. She can’t even speak!

I don’t know who feels worse: Rudy for knowing that his getting distracted led Paul to sacrifice himself, or the Black Wolves for not being fast enough. Lilia, knowing that the man she loves is dead and her best friend may never recover. This might be the worst day of Rudy’s life.

F in the Chat for Paul

The thing is, I don’t think that Paul regretted the choice he made. Despite all his flaws and self-deprecation, Paul was a good Dad. He made some mistakes, but so does everyone. And despite telling Rudy to save his mom even if it killed him, he still gave his life to save Rudy. Anyone who deserves to be called a parent would sacrifice themselves if it meant their child got to live. And if I ever have kids, I hope to God I can be that good.

And, since no one else is going to say it, I want to: think about how everyone that knew Rudeus would react if they learned he died? His friends at Ranoa University would be wracked with grief. Once she found out, Eris would likely never forgive herself for leaving Rudeus to train without saying goodbye. She might even take her own life out of guilt! And worst of all, imagine how utterly broken Sylphie would be? Her husband, her first friend, the man she loved, would be dead. Their child would grow up never knowing their father! That’s messed up!!!

This might be the worst day of Rudeus’ life. Almost dying at the hands of Orsted was traumatic. Having Eris leave him? Mentally scarring. But this? This is the sort of thing that would break a lot of people. All that he can do now is pick up the pieces. Next episode, we have the season finale. Then, we’ve got a long wait for the inevitable third season.

Please pay tribute to Paul Greyrat. He may not have been a perfect dad or a perfect human being, but he did well in the end.

I Give “Parents” a 5/5

Good Heavens, Roxy Has Got it Bad!

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation S2 Ep 21 Review

By decree of High Priest Rudeus, all Roxy stans are asked to report to their local Temple of Roxy to pay homage to her Roxyness. Their blue-haired goddess of wisdom/waifu has returned to bless the world with her teachings.

That’s just my way of saying that after more than ten years, Rudeus has reunited with his beloved Master Roxy. Having saved her from certain death in the labyrinth at the end of the last one, this episode of Mushoku Tensei focuses primarily on the reunion between Master and Student. And I know that I was pretty critical about last week’s episode and how it ended. However, seeing what happens this week, I’m glad they waited. Its all kinds of heartwarming.

I should probably mention this now: the group has a new problem. Roxy…is in love.

How I Met My Future Husbando

The episode starts with a brief look back at how Roxy has survived in the labyrinth by herself for so long. And while I’m glad that the anime did dive into it, I still think the light novels did a better job conveying how bad things were for her. However, that gets overshadowed by it jumping immediately to the reunion between master and student. And this moment is not just significant because it’s the first time Rudy has seen Roxy since childhood. He doesn’t know it, but he did something greater than he can imagine.

I didn’t mention it in my recap of Roxy’s journey throughout season one, but there’s a moment when she tells Elinalise what she’s looking for in a guy.

And guess who just checked all those boxes without even realizing it? The whole thing’s made even funnier because she doesn’t realize at first that her knight in shining armor was the boy she taught. That and Rudy puked from shock. I couldn’t stop laughing at that. Or the idea that Rudy somehow sensed her presence and charged through the walls like the Hulk to get to her.

The rest of the episode does show the party, Roxy now included, as they continue their efforts to reach the bottom of the labyrinth. However, beyond the smug grin Paul gets when Rudeus praises him (dads like to look cool in front of their kids), the main focus is on Roxy and Rudeus. It should be pretty obvious that Roxy has fallen head over heels for Rudeus. The side glances she gives him. Her acting more awkward than usual. The silent fist pumps when she asks him to go on a date in another labyrinth when this is over. Everyone can see that Roxy has got it bad for her former student.

The sad irony: Rudeus is oblivious to this.

I’ve noticed this has been a problem with every relationship Rudy has had with a girl up until now. Events from his first life left him with such low self-esteem, he’s unable to tell when someone’s actually into him. Thats part of why things went so bad when Eris left despite (in her eyes) making it clear she loves him. Now that I think about it, every girl he’s tried to date has had to make the first move! He thinks so badly about himself that he can’t understand when the women are into him!

Thankfully, Paul manages to give Rudeus some pretty good advice.

While the setting for the moment changes from the way they use the bathroom, I still liked Paul’s speech to Rudeus about his two swords. It’s pretty obvious to viewers that it’s a clever metaphor for his two wives. He may have only planned to marry Zenith, but that doesn’t change the fact that Lilia is just as important to him and needs them both by his side to be the best he can be.

Or, in simpler terms, Paul knows Roxy’s into his son, and he’s giving Rudy his blessing.

This might be one of my favorite episodes of the entire season, and for good reason. Roxy has been largely absent from the series until now, but that may no longer be true. However, if this feels like the calm before the storm, that’s because it is. The red, ominous-looking teleportation circle that the party finds within the sixth level of the labyrinth has all the hallmarks of a point-of-no-return. And since the anime opening already spoiled things, yes. They’re going to have to fight a Hydra. So, prepare for that!

I Give “Magic Circles of the Sixth Stratum” a 4.5/5

Tokito Needs to Lighten Up for Everyone’s Sake

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S4 Ep 4 Review

Now that Tanjiro is healed, he’s participating in the Hashira Training bootcamp. And apparently, that also means he’s helping the other trainees deal with their own issues. First, he got Giyu to join the camp, and then he gave the slayers under Tengen the fire they needed to get through their training. Now, he’s on to Tokito, and he’s not holding back on any of them! When Tanjiro becomes concerned, it falls to get Tokito to lighten up, or else none of the trainees will make it.

Tanjiro Helps Tokito Lighten Up

Ever since he regained his memories, Tokito has changed for the better. Whenever he talks to Tanjiro, Tokito is always smiling and showing real emotion. It’s clear that their shared experience fighting in the swordsmith village has changed Tokito for the better…to an extent.

As Tanjiro witnesses first-hand, while Tokito gets along well with him, he’s as cold and harsh as ever to everyone else. As a result, while he passed Tanjjro in five days, everyone else has to stay behind. And they’ve been training under him for two weeks.

Given how they’re fighting demons in what will be the final war, it’s expected for Tokito to be so harsh. He has to make sure they’re able to survive the final battle, so he can’t afford to go easy on them. However, he’s so blunt that its demoralizing everyone. And, once again, Tanjiro has to help.

His solution: paper airplanes.

Team-Building is Important for Morale

I never took Tokito as someone who was into paper airplanes, but its a pretty fun hobby. There are even actual competitions for paper airplane making and flying. And Tanjiro challenges Tokito to a contest to see who can fly the furthest. If he wins, Tokito has to be nicer to everyone.

He gets his butt kicked! But while he lost the battle, Tanjiro wins the war.

The sight of everyone laughing and making paper airplanes and throwing them into the air together is pretty inspiring. Its like a metaphor for how the Demon Slayer Corps can go further working together than they can alone. Or a symbol of the hope that they carry for all of Japan. Either way, Tanjiro breaks the ice between Tokito and everyone, and thus, he can go on his merry way.

I’m really enjoying this training arc. Its giving us plenty of chances to enjoy time with all the Slayers. Additionally, the anime even went out of its way to add a new scene to the story in the form of a three-way duel between Obanai, Sanemi, and Tokito. And it’s awesome!

It’s moments like this that remind us why Demon Slayer has proven so popular. The animation is art in motion, and I love it. I wish that more anime could pull off what Demon Slayer manages to do! If we get more scenes like this, then I don’t mind waiting another season for the final battle. This stuff makes it worth it.

That, and now I wanna make my own paper airplane.

I Give “To Bring a Smile to One’s Face” a 3.5/5