Day: July 24, 2026

O.G. Founder: The Old Guard Needs A New Castle!

Aside D&A Anime Blog Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,

So…let me talk to ya!

This is not a post bashing modern anime fans; nor is it a post bashing the community, the industry, or conventions. This is however my thoughts and opinions on how I feel as a 30-year veteran of anime. I’m a member of the ‘Old Guard Anime Fandom’ (O.G.A.F.), and I’m from an era where access to the medium was not as widespread as it is today. I come from an era where it costs $150 to buy 24 VHS tapes of the first and second seasons of Ocean Dub Dragon Ball Z. I come from an era where Yaoi Paddles roamed the halls of convention centers, and people shouting outdated memes were the norm. Lately, I feel like myself and many other fans of the O.G.A.F., have felt the brunt of the shift in the atmosphere.

Many of us know it as ‘The Great Shift’.

I couldn’t find my usual picture…

Since this shift, a lot of things have changed in the anime community, as well as the industry and the convention scene. Many conventions have become more industry-driven as opposed to fan-driven. The con Runners want to appeal to a wider audience; a.k.a. A more ‘Family-Friendly’ audience, which caused many core members of said conventions to pull out and not attend them. Not only that, but this shift has drawn the attention of a group of individuals, who do NOT have the anime community’s best interest at heart. In fact they DON’T EVEN LIKE anime, but pull up to mock others who do, just for the sake of clicks and giggles!

Okay, I’m not bashing ALL modern fans, but I’m calling out the ones who are contributing to this behavior. For the rest of us who just wanna enjoy being an anime/gaming nerd, it sucks having to deal with petty incidents like this. I come from an era where if you had a disagreement about something in a show, you talked about it and in many cases, agreed to disagree. Afterwards you dapped it up and moved on. NOW IN 2026, if you have that SAME disagreement with modern fans, you’re getting DEATH THREATS in your DM’s!

The older I get, the less I wanna even be around any of this…

This is what its like to have an opposing opinion (hot take) in 2026!

POC Cosplayers, I feel ya! Do NOT even get me started on how some modern fans, treat Black Anime Fans as well as Black Cosplayers. I say this, because I’ve had a few shots come my way, and I only do partial cosplay. I can go on and on about the many incidents that have happened in the community whenever black anime fans are involved. Honestly, its tiresome!

Maybe that’s just it. As a member of the O.G.A.F. We NEED a NEW castle! A NEW space to call home that is created BY US, FOR US! No minors, No clout chasers, and NO PDFs! It’s time we have a space for Old Guard Fans, in fact its time we have conventions for members of the O.G.A.F.! I know some are gonna say that it feels like I’m alienating New Gen Fans, but ya’ll got enough conventions and spaces to go to. We need a place where ‘Oldtakus’ and ‘Unctakus’ can crash, watch old school anime, and party! The way it used to be…

I’m working on a few things in regards to that with several friends (a.k.a. a NEW Convention for OLD Guard Anime Fans), and if you feel that the Old Guard needs a New Castle, then follow us on the blog and social media platforms! Also follow Yours Truly on IG (as Avidd Minddset), to see where the next DJ & Cosplay Afterparties will be.

I hope things get better within this space, but I’m not holding my breath. So Old Guard Fans, lets put our resources together, and make something for us that we can enjoy!

Old Guard Founder!

Out!

The Legend of Love, Scopper Gaban!

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

One Piece Chapter 1169 Review

Iโ€™m going to be honest with you: I had no clue that Toei was going to be airing all the episodes of One Piece this year back-to-back. I genuinely thought that we would be waiting until the fall for the show to kick back up, but Iโ€™m not complaining. It wonโ€™t be long now until the Elbaph arc really begins in earnest. But before that can happen, the story needs to add a few more players to the board. And on the side of the pirates, weโ€™re getting an absolute legend. Not only is this man one of the most famous in the entire world, but heโ€™s also a legend of the art of love.

The Legend is Here!

So, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami are still looking for the key to Lokiโ€™s chains, with the group being on the fence about what to do afterward. To be honest, I wasnโ€™t that worried in the manga. If Loki tried anything, Luffy would just kick his ass. Heck, Luffy even says thatโ€™s what heโ€™ll do in this episode. The real concern is how Elbaph would take it. Unfortunately, any attempts by the group to fly under the radar are gone, as theyโ€™ve been found out by someone: Ripleyโ€™s husband and the father of Colon. Though, it should be his real name that should be more, and for good reason, as we get a story from the Giants that exposits why heโ€™s so important.

In the days of the Roger Pirates, there were three men who were the pillars of the entire crew; their equivalent of the Monster Trio of Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. Rogerโ€™s right-hand man was Rayleigh, but his left was a man named Scopper Gaban, and he was every bit as strong as the others. Once, when Roger was sick and resting at a hospital, hundreds of pirates showed up trying to take him out. In response, Gaban walked out of the building, axe in hand, and proceeded to single-handledly run all their fades! None of them got near Roger! And after the Roger Pirates disbanded, he settled in Elbaph, where he all but married Ripley and they had Colon. And now, that man was sitting in the ruins of Aurust Castle waiting for Luffy to show up to see what he would do.

I was absolutely floored when Gaban was introduced. He had been teased about years ago in the cover stories as this mystery man who met with Crocus, this guy who briefly sailed with Roger as his doctor. Most fans were convinced that he was another member of the Roger Pirates, and we were right! We only know a little about the lives of Rogerโ€™s old crew even after all this time, so seeing Gaban was like meeting pirate royalty. Also, I couldnโ€™t help but respect him for managing to get someone as nice as Ripley as his wife. Though I do think that one day, Oda has to explain how the technical aspects work. Otherwise, fans are going to be making weird assumptions.

Luffy Beating Loki=Being on Shanks’ Level?

At any rate, Gaban wants to ask Luffy what he intends to do about Loki, testing him. He even points out that the only reason he got captured was because Shanks had to step in and do it when the Giants couldnโ€™t. Of course, I took it, and Luffy probably took, to mean that if he managed to beat Loki, heโ€™d be on Shanksโ€™ level. Which is something that has both been a goal of his as well as a necessity if Luffy wants to become King of the Pirates. So, he gives Luffy a challenge: if he can beat him in a fight, heโ€™ll hand over the key. So, bet!

Luffy is going to need to get stronger sooner rather than later, especially since Elbaph is about to be in danger from the Godโ€™s Knights. If he can stand on the same level as Rogerโ€™s number three, then I like the odds. That, and I wanna see how he measures up to a living legend. This next episode should be fun.  

I Give “The Legend Lurking in Elbaph – The Identity of the Mountain-Eater” a 4/5