Author: D&A Anime Blog

VENTilation Station with OG Founder: New PSG!

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So…what do I wanna VENT about?!

This is my ANGRY KING BOO Face!!!

This right here, is a NEW series that I’ll be doing; where I VENT about things that dig into my skin, like the scarabs from The Mummy. There are some things (and possibly people) that I’m going to roast, and will do so in the most comedically-angry way possible. Normally I’m on the gray side of things when it comes to online debates, but in this series; any opinions you have about whatever I say going forward, will be treated as toilet paper that I will wipe my ASS with! Now onto the VENTilation!! New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt!

I love you…but we got some issues!

Now, I know what many of you are thinking…

“OG! It’s been 15 years, we never thought we’d SEE a Season 2!”

“OG! I miss Jamie and Monica too, but the NEW cast IS trying!”

“OG! I thought you liked the show and gave it a chance, so why switch up now?”

Listen, I hear everything that you’re saying, and many of you have valid points. It HAZBIN 15 years since we last saw the show; with that crazy twist of an ending that sent most Stocking simps into a spiral, over the fact that she was ACTUALLY a demon. A LOT has changed, and plus that’s a WHOLE Alpha generation ago! Ya’ll remember the story of how this show happened; the director and the crew got drunk, got inspired by “Drawn Together”, and when they came back, they started working on the concept of Panty & Stocking. Then the rest was history!

It was one of the most craziest shows I ever had the pleasure of watching, and when the dub got announced, OH boy! Jamie, Monica, and the rest of the OG crew understood the assignment; to make dat motherf*ka raunchy as hell! I’m surprised Adult Swim didn’t pick this show up (and it really needs to). I’m not gonna go over everything that happened in the OG series, so you’ll have to GO watch it if you haven’t seen it!ย 

“So…what’s the problem with Season 2?”

Chill! I’m getting to that!

[1st VENTilation: The Dub RECAST!!]

Had to get the obvious one out of the way. When the announcement got made in 2023, everybody was cranked all the way to 11! Fans were rising from the grave that we haven’t seen since 2012, and this hype was justified even further when the SUB trailer dropped in 2024! (It even had the OG Japanese cast reprise their roles, with the exception of one or two.) Keep in mind that it was only the teaser trailer, and if that was the sub, we could only imagine what the dub trailer was going to be like! (Especially with Jamie and Monica HOPEFULLY returning!)

Then the DUB trailer finally hits!

Um…what?

Listen, I have absolutely no hate nor shade towards the NEW cast of the NEW show, but on the same token, you have to acknowledge how mad and disappointed many OG fans were when this trailer dropped. The hype for this show went from 1000-to-zero the second the first line of dialogue was spoken. NO WHERE IN THE TRAILER do you hear Jamie OR Monica, or even some of the rest of the OG cast! (OG Garterbelt being recast I understand, besides it’s 2026 so we already knew that was happening.)

Maybe it would’ve been FINE if this was a partial recast, and Amazon & Pixelogic would’ve kept Jamie and Monica as the MAIN girls. Welp, that didn’t happen. Now I know there are many, MANY theories about the recast having to do with the ‘Weeb War of 2019’, but if we’re still doing that in 2026, GO OUTSIDE!!!ย  ย 

Dis What “Outside” Looks Like!

[2nd VENTilation: The SCRIPT!!]

The recast was a shock, but I probably would’ve forgiven it…if it wasn’t for the script. I know we live in a microwave society when it comes to dubs (as they used to take a year or two after the original sub came out), but man, the OG Panty & Stocking dub has GOT to be the exception! The sub came out in 2010 and the dub didn’t drop until two years later, then they slapped that thang on DVD with some hilarious extras. Keep in mind the reason why the OG dub was iconic, was because the main cast was DIRECTLY involved with the dubbing process! They had that cake, and ATE it too!

Not to mention when promoting the OG series at conventions, they had cosplayers dancing on stripper poles as Panty and Stocking! That is the best ‘On-the-Nose’ advertising I’ve ever seen! We ain’t get that with New PSG in the U.S. (In Japan, that’s a whole different story!)

“Cool story bro, what’s wrong with the script?”

Jamie’s NOT on it! No Jamie, no sauce.

It was 90% direct translation, and 10% adaptation. That 10% being the Poly brothers. Hunter and Corey were amazing as the Poly boys, and I’m SO glad the director let them add some adlib flava to their characters; cuz’ that direct dub translation was BORING AS HEEL! I guess this is what happens when you make a series like this from sober circumstances–with ‘Suits’ and Compliance Officers.

[3rd & Final VENTilation: Amazon Prime Exclusive!!]

I know Crunchyroll mad as hell they didn’t get it first! Making this series an Amazon Prime Exclusive, to many angry OG fans in their words, was a ‘dumbass choice’! Don’t even get me started with the whole ‘Banana Fish’ situation, cuz’ that’s a whole nother ‘VENTilation’ for a later date! Most of us don’t even like Amazon that much, and throw in the fact that they played a part in the recast of the OG cast, and you can really say that you hate em’ like bad breath during Taco Tuesday!

They probably thought this series was going to be as big and popular as…well ya’ll know what this show reminds another fanbase of. (Go back to the joke I made at the beginning of this rant!) Don’t expect there to be a Blu-Ray dub release of this show, cuz you’ll have to order the Blu-Ray sub straight from New PSG’s website.

“Okay, you made your point. You HATE the show! Now, can we go?”

Slow down, Sonic! I ain’t reach the verdict yet!

On the one hand; I’m happy that the show finally came back after 15 years, as I along with the OG fanbase never thought we’d see the day. There are two things I like about the NEW series; the NEW transformations (lawd have mercy, they did NOT have to make Stocking that DAMN fine!), and the music. No shade to Courtney and Christina, I think they are very talented (even though I like Jamie and Monica a little bit more), I just wish the writing was BETTER! That’s it! (Now ya’ll can’t say that I hate them cuz’ at LEAST I gave them a chance by watching the WHOLE series start-to-finish!)

My opinion is valid. My VENTilation is over!

OG Founder!

Out!

OG Founder: Why I Like DJing & Producing, More Than Watching Anime in 2026!

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Hey…so in the words of Cody Rhodes…

I know it’s WAY to late to say “Happy New Year”, as this is an OG Founder post the night before Valentine’s Day. By the way, for those who celebrate it and have someone special, be sure you love them and take care of them. If you’re single, eh, watch some High School DxD with a bottle of lotion and Kleenex and call it a night. (Most of ya’ll know where I’m comin’ from with that one.)

Now with the dry jokes out of the way, I feel the need to bring this lil’ thing to your attention. It’s 2026, and next month will mark 29 years of me being an anime fan. Yes, I’m ‘Unc’ and old as hell, but in the almost three decades of being a fan, I’ve seen the anime community grow and become what it is today. Now, you’d think that the show that got me into anime would be the usual suspects; Pokemon, DBZ, Digimon, and Yu-Gi-Oh. Of course you’d be right, but those are ‘childhood anime’. The show that really got me into anime, was Tenchi Universe.

This of course came up as part of the Toonami lineup, preferably the ‘Moltar Era’. Its been awhile since I’ve watched it so I might do a “One-2-One” character analysis on one, or more of the characters in a later post. Now back to the real reason behind this post; in the upcoming 29 years that I’ve been an anime fan, I’ve gone through many changes in terms of my opinions and perspectives, of where I stand in my relationship with anime in the modern era. Do I have biases towards certain shows? Yes, especially if they’re guilty pleasures. However with seasonal anime, I find myself experiencing a ‘Love-Hate’ relationship with the hype behind the quality of the shows, that have come out.

With every season; there are some outliers that deserve more attention than it receives, but with every outlier, there’s at least ten duds that are straight BOOTY! That’s another topic for another post. So, DJing and producing music…why do I like doing that, more than watching anime…?

It’s funny that I find myself saying that, because anime is the reason why I started producing music and being a DJ. Back in 2008 when Otakon was still in Baltimore, I went to the raves and stood where the DJ was. After hearing a techno remix of Daft Punk’s “Faster, Stronger!” (ya’ll know the words better than I do), I knew I wanted to be a DJ. At the time I had a passion for creating things, and that passion has led me to create D&A Anime Blog; as you guys see it today. It also led me to create my own DJ & Cosplay Party Promotion known as Club BASSMODE. You’ll hear the REAL reason why it was shut down in a future OG Founder post, and how I bounced back with NEW Thursday and Saturday Nite Events.ย 

I believe it stems from creative freedom and artistic integrity; where the music that I produce is only as good as I want it to be, and what I’m feeling at the time. Not having or being on a deadline or an anime simuldub schedule, allows my imagination and creativity to breathe, and not feel rushed. If you haven’t noticed by now from the words of this post, I’m a BIG advocate for creative freedom, and creative control. The creators of your favorite anime have the same passion about the characters and the worlds that they’ve built; from the stories they tell, to the character dynamics that we see.

In my 29 years of being an anime fan, I never thought I’d see Vegeta become who he is today, and Toriyama (rest his soul) wanted to ‘kill’ him off in the first arc. That took time to create, and the payoff was the development of a well-written character going through his redemption arc.

I don’t know, guys. I guess maybe the novelty may be wearing off (probably because I’m still icky about the recast and script for New Panty & Stocking), or maybe I’m nostalgic for titles and shows that take me back to a time when the world wasn’t so damn crazy! So to cope, I channel what I’m feeling through DJing and producing electronic music, and that’s the one thing I can control. Anime will always have a special place in my heart, so I don’t really see myself leaving it any time soon, but DJing and producing music does allow me to take a break; and be creative elsewhere.

So, what cha’ll got? Let me know what ya’ll like to do when you need a break from anime. Type in the comments down below.

OG Founder.

Out.

OG Founder: My 2025 Confessions!

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So…in the words of Cody Rhodes…

2025 has been quite a year for me, in fact I’m pretty sure its been a year for many of you guys. With our tenth anniversary coming up in early-mid January 2026, I just wanna say thank you to all of you guys and gals, that have been rockin’ with us since 2016! Since this will be the last OG Founder post of the year, I’m gonna leave you guys with my confessions.

These confessions are things that I either haven’t gotten around to doing (and probably never will), or things that I just wanna get off my chest. They’ll either be really funny, or really make you question my sanity. So here’s my gift to you, the fans of D&A, my 2025 confessions!

I Never Watched One Piece

Look, I know, I KNOW! I know Shonen fans are probably sharpening their pitchforks, or sliding into my DMs to cuss me out, but HEAR me out! The last time I set eyes on that series was during the ‘horrible’ 4Kids dub, but in my defense, the song actually was a bop. One Piece along with Naruto and Bleach are the BIG 3 that everybody knows, but real ones know that DBZ laid out the foundation. Now, do I plan on watching One Piece in 2026? Eh…mayyybe??? (I probably won’t.)

The last anime I picked up was the new season of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. (Don’t worry, I’m gonna confess something BIG on that one!) Also, I don’t really have the same amount of free time to watch anime as often as I used to, so its easier for me to bang out a 12-episode title than it is to watch ALL of One Piece. Like I said, I may (probably not) watch One Piece in 2026. Maybe…?

I Don’t Like Competitive Smash Players (That Much)

I went to a small anime convention back in 2017 with Aaron, and they just so happened to have Smash Bros. for Wii U there. Now of course, I’m coming off the heels of Brawl, so Bowser has always been my main since Melee. Me and this other dude started playing, and I playfully taunted him after smashing his character (Beyonetta) off the screen. I had NO idea he was a competitive Smash player, and while it seemed like a gesture in casual playful banter, he took it way too seriously–like its Game 7 of the NBA Finals or something!

Needless to say, I let the dude win that day. I’m just not in the mood for competitive gamers since I’m more casual-leaning, but still play for the love of the game. (See what I did there?) I may pick up Smash again, but I’ll probably pick up the 3DS edition of the Wii U since that’s the only console I have now.

That Time Iย  Failed NNN at an Anime Rave, in August…

Puberty is crazy, and if you’re a guy who is going through it, just be prepared for anything. About 16 years ago, I found myself at Otakon back when it was in Baltimore. Now this was during the tail end of the ‘Wild West’ era of con culture, so believe me when I say that anime convention raves back then, were way more wild than they are now. (The afterparties is where its at in many cases these days.)

If you wanted to go to the Otakurave back then, not only did you need a badge, you also needed your ID. There were no ‘All-Ages’ raves back then, if you weren’t 18+ you weren’t getting in! Period!

After flashing my badge and showing my ID, I made my way towards the center of the dance floor. There weren’t a whole lot of people in cosplay at the rave, but I could pick out several Naruto Shippuden characters. About an hour into the rave I ran into this girl. She was a rather curvy redhead and had on a while tank top with some low rise jeans, and wore some black and white Converse sneakers. She asked if I wanted to dance and I said ‘yeah’. We started moving our arms side to side to the beat of the song, and we were both having fun. Surely nothing freaky was going to happen…right?

Well, about 2 minutes later, she went from dancing with me…to dancing ON me. A Daft Punk remix was playing and here I am with my hands around this girl’s waist, while she grinding on me. Guys, if a girl is dancing on you at the club, just make sure you have self-control. I don’t know what she saw in me, but the next two minutes of the song, ‘changed’ my life.

This girl’s left hand was on the floor, while her right hand was gripping my shirt. I saw WAY more cleavage than I needed to because of her low rise jeans. The vigorous amount of twerking she did, was enough to make me…fail No Nut November (in August). I was layered up so she didn’t notice, but I was both embarrassed and aroused at the same time.

OG Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Had BETTER Writing than New PSG!

I’m not the only one with this confession, or take. When the English dub trailer for the new season of PSG dropped, many OG fans were blasting the hell out of it; from Twitter X to Reddit. Jamie, Monica, and the rest of the cast from the OG series, were recast due to the dub going to Amazon instead of Crunchyroll. That means that it was dubbed in L.A. than Texas, and it was done by Pixel Logic than Crunchyroll. Many fans said that Amazon had enough money to fly most of the OG cast back and forth from L.A. to Texas, but I guess THAT didn’t happen, as they weren’t even called to reprise their roles.

So, EVERYTHING got changed. No creative script, no consistent out-of-pocket dialogue (even though it was there, it just didn’t hit the same), and the ‘edge’ was watered down!ย  I still have respect for the new cast and the new girls (Courtney Lin and Christina Vee), and the OG is a tough act to follow, and while I appreciate that ya’ll worked extra hard to honor the OG’s legacy, I think ya’ll fell short in a couple areas. (Especially when it came to line delivery and directional execution, both of which I’m more peeved at the director and writers more than ya’ll.)

I will say that the animation truly was a worthy sequel to an iconic cult classic. And Studio Trigger kicked it up a notch with the insanity that is Panty & Stocking. Maybe if Jamie and Monica were on the writing staff (or even ADR), I’d forgive the recast; but this is something that has caused division among OG fans and new fans of the series, and we’re hoping Season 3 fixes that!

Alright guys, this is it for 2025! May you all have a Happy New Year, if you decide to celebrate it or not!

OG Founder!

Out!

OG Founder: Kid Icarus x PSG Fanfiction Released!

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On Fanfiction.net Now!!

So…how do you wanna do this?

I know I said I’d drop my LAST fan fiction story before I fully retire from doing these, on my actual birthday; November 3rd. Well, I decided to release it two days early, so now you guys will be able to check out the first two segments (chapters) on Fanfiction.net! There are only three other crossover stories between Kid Icarus and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, however they’re either one-shot stories, or drabbles. Kid Icarus: Anarchy Uprising will be a full-blown, 28-chapter (segment) story; that takes place from the debut of the Demon sisters from PSG season one, to a new three-part finale that parodies The Hunger Games trilogy. New segments (chapters) will drop every Saturday, with the final chapter (segment) dropping May 2, 2026. This will be my last ride with fan fiction, so hopefully you guys will enjoy this one!

OG Founder!

Out!

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14520229/1/Kid-Icarus-Anarchy-Uprising

OG Founder Returns To Fanfiction!

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So…how can I put this…?

About 12 years ago, I used to be a well known fan fiction writer. I went by many names during that time; from D.J. Lewis, to DJ Returns, and November Star. Most of the fan fiction I wrote was anime crossovers. I did one with Sonic & Negima (Series), Sonic & Naruto (Series), and the most popular one; Sonic x Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt (Season 1). I’ve already made my review of the new season, as well as what I liked and disliked about the show. Which brings us here today; after a loooo~ng time away from writing stories, I thought I would give it one more shot before I FULLY retire from writing fan fiction.

So, here’s the newest crossover fan fiction; featuring Kid Icarus, and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt…

Kid Icarus x Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Crossover

[Kid Icarus: Anarchy Uprising (Kid Icarus x PSG)]

Alright so here’s an overview of what this Kid Icarus x PSG fan fiction crossover will be about.

The timeline is set right after the events of Scanty and Kneesocks’ debut. In Palutena’s Temple, the Goddess of Light tells Pit that he’s been summoned by the King of Heaven. At first he’s surprised why the ‘King of the Gods’ would summon him, but then he accepts the summons, and makes his way to the King’s Throne. As Pit kneels before the Heaven King, he tells him that he’ll be given a special assignment; to assist his daughters (Panty and Stocking) in collecting enough Heaven Coins to return home. The King then tells Pit that his daughters are the Princesses of Heaven, and next in line to assume the throne, however they must complete their trial of killing ghosts and demons before doing so.

Pit tells the King of Heaven that he’s honored that he was chosen for this assignment, as Palutena assures Pit that she’ll supply him with new weapons exclusively for his mission; including an upgrade to his primary weapon (The Sacred Bow of Palutena). Meanwhile outside of Cemetery Hills Church, Chuck gets struck by lightning before spitting out a note that reads โ€œIcarusโ€. Garterbelt picks up the note as a smirk and a look of relief appeared across his face. Pit may be honored to take on this assignment, but it’s not going to be the cakewalk in the park he thinks it is; especially considering who the ‘Princesses of Heaven’ are.

Chapters 1 and 2 will drop on my birthday, which is November 3rd! The fan fiction will be rated M (cuz’ it’s Panty and Stocking), and as for any ships, there will be some (but I won’t tell you what they are just yet).

Well, that’s all for now!

OG Founder!

Out!

OG Founder: The New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt Review…Sort Of

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So…how do you wanna do this?

Its over. Its done. Its finally finished.

Episode 12 and 13 of New PSG is officially in the books. There is so much to unpack here in terms of this new season of an old show, so I’ll be doing a speed run ‘spoiled-rotten’ review of the show as a whole, NOT segment by segment (cuz’ that’s too damn long)! Hope you got your runnin’ shoes on, cuz’ HERE WE GO!!

Oh…hello.

[NPSG Episode 1 & 2: SEGMENTS #1, #2, and #3]

We pick up where we left off 15 years ago (5 minutes in PSG time). Brief, Garter, and the Demon Sisters set off to collect Panty’s pieces. We find out that Stocking is NOT a damn demon, she’s just brainwashed by Corset. He tries to control her more, but ends up becoming โ€œSuper-Sized Bitchโ€ (Her ghost form). Corset said โ€œFxck Plan Aโ€, and went with Plan-B; have Stocking open up Hell’s Gate. Brief and the others collect 665 pieces of our bitch angel (as well as a TON of other tomfoolery), only for the last piece to be inside chuck. He spits it out, Brief and the others bring that piece to Panty, the BITCH is back, and she and Stocking have a Godzilla-vs-Kong style battle. Corset dies for good, the angels are back to normal, the Demon Sisters are now part of the main cast. MOVING ON!

Episode 2 is a remix of episode 1 of the original series. The cast is reintroduced, a ghost appears, there’s now Heaven and Hell coins to collect, and we get a remix of โ€œFly Awayโ€ and โ€œI Want Youโ€ from TeddyLoid; during the angels and demons transformation. The ghost dies, there’s 420 in the air, and we move onto segment 3! If you like Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh, then you’ll probably like this one. Panty owes the American equivalent of $3 billion, so she shakes up Brief as he tells here there’s a rare card worth that amount. A ghost shows up as a vengeful card player, Panty beats it with โ€œBlue Eyes White Uncleโ€, end of story! I told you we’re speed running through this, so watch the season for more in depth info.

[NPSG Episode’s 3-5: SEGMENTS #4-#6, #7-#9, #10-#12]

Panty and Stocking have another beef, so Garter send Stocking and Scanty to handle a samurai ghost. They master the ways of the samurai, while having a moment about big sisters, and why they’ll always look out for their younger siblings. Stocking and Scanty lock in, and kill the ghost. (Panty and Stocking make up afterwards.) The next segment is basically what happens when you give an anime/cartoon character a cellphone, and an IG page. The third one of episode 3 is a โ€œFast & Furiousโ€ parody, and they even did THAT scene in the end. (Real ones know.)

Episode 4; Stocking is in the running to become president, so Brief and the others get a campaign goingโ€”only to lose to See Through. (Stocking gets a solo trans formation and kills the ghost by the way.) Next segment; Panty destroys a gravestone that belongs to a cat, and Panty bonds with itโ€”only for it to be purified and its soul goes to rest. (This is the most heartwarming side of Panty all season.) Next segment is a tribute to Jack Kirby, so go watch it, I don’t have time to explain it!

Episode 5; straight Scanty and Kneesocks segment, as Scanty gotta take a sh!t, while a ghost is causing a fuss. Her and Kneesocks lock in and kill it, while Scanty finally had a flush. Next segment; Garter protects a ghost that looks like Mikey from TMNTโ€”only to be possessed by it. Panty and Stocking kill the ghost and save Garter…or so we thought. Next segment; a big homage to B-Movie Horror flicks, as well as ‘the-dumb-blondes-always-die’ troupe.

The Cotton Candy Twinks Are Here!

[NPSG Episode 6: SEGMENT #13]

The Poly Boys are HERE!! Polyester and Polyurethane pull up (Gen-Z slang and all), and give their cousins (YES COUSINS) Panty and Stocking a hard timeโ€”and NOT in the good way. The cotton candy boys thought sh!t was sweet, but they FORGOT whose name is on the title card! We’re then treated to the most beautifully-executed and sexually-charged transformations, that’ll make any virgin bust a nut. The boys lose, we’re introduced to Ramie (you’ll find out why I hate him later), and we get some plot that will become important to the story later.

[NPSG Episode 7-10: SEGMENTS #14, #15, #16-#18, #19-#21, #22, #23]

Garterbelt, Brief, and Check get sick and tired of the angels and demons bossing them around. They go to Casino City, meet the Poly Boys again, face a ghostโ€”only for the Poly Boys to steal their kill. The end! Next segment; Panty and Stocking do 25 to life, but play some NFL Football to get acquitted. (I’m taking Scanty over Mahomes any day!)

Episode 8; its pretty much โ€œInferno Copโ€ but as a parody, and its like this for the next 2 segments. The third one is a musical, where Panty’s tongue gets cut off for saying bad words. That is until ghosts possesses her mouth and gives her the ability to sing. Go watch the episode for more, cuz’ againโ€”I don’t have time to explain it!

Episode 9. WE FINALLY GET A STOCKING SEGMENT!! Stocking gang, RISE UP!! So best girl awaits for a legendary treat at the top of a summit. She has a Rock-Paper-Scissors battle, but loses. Then 100 million Stocking-variant ghosts pull up, and so does Polyurethaneโ€”but dips mid flight, leaving Stocking pissed off and calling Gunsmith B!tch for help. Let’s just say Stocking won the battle, but lost the war. Next segment; the Poly Boys try to figure out Panty and Stocking’s weaknesses, so they pull up to the church to do soโ€”and it doesn’t go as planned. (At least to them, anyway.) Next segment; a rather touching episode featuring Kneesocks, as she turns 666 this episode. Panty becomes an adoptive big sister, they fight another ghost who eats the Poly Boys, and Scanty gets her sister new glasses. Episode 10 is pretty much an Alien/Species parody, with the second segment being Conan the Barbarian. MOVING ON!!

[NPSG Episode 11: SEGMENTS #24-#26]

This one’s a Brief and Chuck segment! There’s not much to say about it, so go watch the episode if you wanna know more. Next segment; Indiana Brief, Pangelia Jolie, and Stocking are in an ancient ruins looking for a pen!s rock. They run into the Demon sisters, they have a Season 1 Episode 6 battle, the ghosts appears and absorbs Brief, and the Poly Boys do a cameo. Next segment; another STOCKING SEGMENT!! LET’S GO!! Honekoneko’s torn, Tom Croose Jr. appears from the future 2049 (or something), Stocking fights him, then looks for Gunsmith to travel back in time. They find a younger Garterbelt who was the one who made Honekoneko, and fixes the one that Stocking brought to him. Somehowโ€”Stocking messed up the timeline, and hilarity ensues.

Ramie on that “Uncle Scar” timing…

[NPSG Episode 12 & 13: SEGMENTS #27, #28, #29, and #30]

Episode 12 is a Christmas special centered around Kneesocks, as she and the gang are trying to go to Lingerieland. This segment is pretty much the calm before the storm. Next segment; Panty, Stocking, and the rest of the gang go to Heaven, and meet the Anarchy sister’s parentsโ€”who got caught in a scandal. Ramie appears with the Poly Boys, steals the crown to become the King of Heaven, turns Panty and Stocking’s parents to stoneโ€”and ‘seemingly’ kills them.

Episode 13 picks up where episode 12 left off. Ramie is in his ‘Uncle Scar’ arc, and plans to overthrow Heaven, and start a war with Hell. Brief and Garterbelt find their way back into Heaven, Panty and Stocking try to stop their uncle and the Poly Boys, but end up getting turned to stone. Final segmentโ€”all hell breaks loose in Heaven. Panty and Stocking seemingly ‘died’ at the hands of their uncle and the Polys, and thought sh!t was sweet. Once again, they FORGOT whose name is ON THE TITLE CARD!! Plot armor gets explained by Garterbelt, as the Anarchy and Demon sisters run the fade with Ramie and the Poly Boys. Studio Trigger does Studio Trigger things, Ramie and the boys get a vacation, the king and queen of Heaven are back on the throne, and the gang go to Lingerieland. Brief confesses his love to Panty, so that ship has finally sailed. Happy ending right? Nah. The king of Hell pulls up, drags Panty and Brief down with em’, and we get another cliffhanger of an older Stocking who is now a priestess; with the son of Panty and Brief, and the daughter of…well you’ll have to wait another 15 years.

Ok, I’m done!

…No I’m not!

[Praise and Grievance]

While the second season of New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt didn’t miss a beat when it came to the animation and action, as seen in the original series. It didn’t go without a praise as well as a grievance from the OG fans, and the new fans. So, here it is.

PRAISE: We Got A Second Season!

After the cliffhanger from the original series, fans were begging for a second season. They waited years and years, as the team that worked on the original series, left to form Studio Trigger. With PSG in Gainax limbo, a second season didn’t seem possibleโ€”until Studio Trigger got the rights back in 2022. The year after that we got a promo, and the year after that we got a teaser and the main trailer, and this year, we got the second season!

GRIEVANCE: The OG Cast Got Recast!

This one is one of the biggest grievances if you’re an OG fan of the OG season. Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial do NOT return as the beloved title characters from the first season, as they and the rest of the cast got recast. Why? Because Amazon bought the streaming rights, and thus took the dub to L.A. (meaning its dubbed by a different studio, that being Pixelogic Media). Believe me when I say this ruffled the feathers of OG fans, while many newer fans admitted they were going to miss the original cast, but hoped OG fans would at least give Courtney Lin and Cristina Vee a chance. They both know how legendary the OG dub is (thanks to Jamie and Monica), and that they were going to work twice as hard to match their energy. Me personally, they didn’t do too bad, but for many OG fansโ€”they know what’s in their heart; they want a redub/director’s cut with Jamie and Monica! (Also the writing didn’t hit the same since Jamie is not the lead writer.)

In Conclusion…

The 15 year wait was worth it, and we hope we don’t have to wait another 15 years.

As of this post, I’ll be taking a break from reviewing anime and posting about it. Like I said, I post whenever I feel like it.

OG Founder!

Out!

OG Founder: Anime Confessions & NPSG Impressions!

Aside D&A Anime Blog Uncategorized , , , ,

Okay…how do you wanna do this…?

Guys, I gotta confess something to you, and this won’t be the only one either. Hope you’re sitting down for this, cuz’ I’m not sure what you’re reaction will be afterwards. Ok, here we go.

I don’t watch anime that much anymore.

I know, I know. Some of you are wondering ‘But why? There are so many good shows out this season! You’ve got Solo Leveling, Demon Slayers’ Final Arc, DanDaDan, like c’mon bro you’re missing out!’ Yeah, yeah, you don’t have to tell me. I know that there are some good shows out, and for many fans they think its the best thing since sliced bread. However when you’re an OG anime fan from the trenches, you get REAL selective of what shows you watch, because your tastes have changed over the years. Matter of fact, the last anime I’ve touched was Fena: Pirate Princess. It was an original anime about pirates that WASN’T One Piece!

Nobody talk about this anymore…

I know I’ve talked about it before, but the anime community is totally different from the time I grew up as an anime fan; especially coming from the 4Kids era of anime dubbing. Speaking of dubbing, how we feeling about the New Panty & Stocking dub? (*goes and reads the comment sections*) Oh…damn…ouch…harsh.

Demon brainwashing created this…let that sink in.

Well, before I address the elephant in the room, I wanna lock this in. You ready? Here we go.

โ€œThe OG dub of Panty and Stocking IS the definitive way to watch the series. Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial (hate em’ or love em’) will ALWAYS be the definitive English VAs of OG Panty and Stocking, along with the rest of the OG cast. Even if they don’t come back to the series in the long run, they have solidified their names in PSG dub history, and nobody can take that from them! Even the new cast acknowledged how legendary the OG series is, and that they’ll work really hard to match/capture the same energy. It’s been 15 years since the OG series dropped, and a LOT has changed in the industry since then. We didn’t think we’d get a second season at all, but by God it’s here!โ€

Now that we’ve got that rant/speech out of the way, let’s talk about the shock to the system that was the recast. When the dub trailer for New PSG got announced, all the hype that the fans of the OG series had, was killed. Panty didn’t sound like Jamie, Stocking didn’t sound like Monica, Scanty was ok, Kneesocks wasn’t too bad, Brief sounded like his OG VA, and Garterbelt…was FINALLY voiced by a Black Man! (*insert Kendrick Lamar’s TV Off Instrumental*) Studio Trigger understood the assignment, and the cherry on top was the redesign of his lips!

Like myself, fans of the OG series reacted to the new voice cast reveal in one of two ways; sheer disappointment over the fact that the whole OG cast was recast, and denouncing the dub in favor of only watching the sub since most of the OG Japanese voice cast is back. It was shocking to find out that the OG cast (especially Jamie and Monica) was not returning (even though they REALLY wanted to), and that Amazon didn’t even bother to give em’ a holla, or anything. As usual fans speculated that the recast had something to do with Jamie and Monica’s involvement in the ‘Weeb War of 2019’, and frankly…I’m past that.

With Crunchyroll in the state that it is now, I can see why Studio Trigger gave the series to Amazon Prime Video. Yes, this will probably mean New PSG will be in ‘Amazon Jail’ long after the series is over, so it won’t get the ‘DBZ Kai’ treatment OG fans are hoping for; for it’s Home Media Release. (Who knows maybe it will, but I dunno.) Look, I know I said I was going to talk about my first impression of the New PSG season, so here it is…

I like it, I really like it!

It’s FYRE!!!

I know we’re only 3 episodes (6 segments) in, but Studio Trigger didn’t miss a beat! The OST is bangin’, and the New Opening sounds like an early 2000s Disney Channel Original Movie. If you’re a fan of the OG dub and are expecting New PSG’s dub to be on the same level (or even better) in terms of localization, I hate to tell you this, but you’re gonna be disappointed. (Its not the Jamie Marchi 2012 Remix you’re hoping for.)

However, if you’re not attached to the OG cast, then you’re gonna like the New PSG. Who knows how many seasons and movies we’ll get from this franchise, but one thing’s for sure, the B*tches are BACK, and Stocking will ALWAYS be BEST GIRL!!

Oh yeah, my other anime confession…

I never watched One Piece. It’s too damn long.

OG Founder!

Out!

OG Founder: Panty, Stocking, and the Power of Nostalgia!

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So…where do I begin?

The 2010s was a decade many of us remember fondly; from dance anthems like โ€œGangnam Styleโ€, to the 2016 Golden State Warriors winning the NBA Championship. Sure, it had its highs and lows like any other decade before it, but when it came to anime, there was one title that was in a league of its own. Some say that it was an Adult Swim contender, while others praised it for being ‘different’. Many fans thought it would never return, but after 15 years when the world needed them most…they returned! The B*tches of Anarchy are BACK!! Let’s GO!!!

It’s been 15 years…

(*Record scratch*)

Hold it! Something’s off. I can’t say for sure, but did Panty’s dub voice always sound like that? Is there something in her throat that isn’t what WE think it is? No? Then what is it? Wait…they did what? They WHAT?!

Ok. So word around the community page is that even though Panty & Stocking have returned for the long-awaited season 2, the cast that we’ve come to know…is not on the show. I’m not sure if it was an executive decision or one made by the OG cast themselves, but all we know is…Jamie Marchi and Monica Rial, are not on the show. I know this is usually the part where fans speculate it may have something to do with a ‘certain individual’, but since the show is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, there’s a bit more to it. Before I get into that, let’s go back to what made the first season of PSG special in the first place.

…You know what, scratch that. I’m sure this video will explain it.

Nostalgia is powerful. I feel like with the current age that we live in, where close to 200 anime titles are released each year, some fans are saying the we might be reaching our next anime bubble burst. The once clowned-on hobby is now socially accepted, and has become a part of modern-day geek culture. Things seem to be going good in terms of new shows coming out, and new fans talking about said shows, however deep down, there’s an outcry from OG anime fans for a much simpler time. A time where anime felt like ‘anime’; with story-driven and character-driven plot lines, and where the emotional turns of those stories and characters connected with you. The nostalgia from Panty & Stocking however, can be akin to how we felt about the infamous Ghost Stories dub. We ALL know that it can never EVER be dubbed like it was in 2004 today, but that’s what made that show fun! The same can be said about OG Panty & Stocking.

Newer fans of the show probably never watched season one (or even care to watch it), which is why they love New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. Studio Trigger picked up right where they left of 15 years ago, so we’re pretty sure the high octane action from the first season, will be in the second. (Which it is, because I watched the first episode.) They’ll be a full review once the show is done, so stay tuned for that. Now, back to nostalgia…

Can’t believe it’s been 15 years!

The OG cast bought a different flavor and energy to the first season dub, and add a touch of Marchi’s spice to the script, and you got a 5-star dish that Gordon Ramsey would be proud of. I think that’s what’s missing, and that’s why fans hold the OG PSG in such high regard. I’m sure that if given enough time; Courtney Lin (New Panty VA), Christina Vee (New Stocking VA) can really bring the Anarchy Sisters to life. I’m happy Garterbelt is played by a Black man (though I probably would’ve asked Samuel Jackson if he wasn’t busy, in fact…I would’ve forgiven the complete recast if he was cast as Garterbelt).

So…here’s how I’m gonna wrap this up. PSG has returned after 15 years and heavy amounts of red tape, and while it didn’t return with the same dub cast that made it famous back in 2012, some fans are a little more forgiving (even though it still hurts). Just like many of you guys, I went through the five stages of grief when I found out Jamie and Monica were not returning (even though they really wanted to). OG fans have expressed discontent with the new dub cast, but I just hope we don’t have another Darling-in-the-Franxx situation (or anything even remotely close to that level). It’s been 15 years, so let’s just see how all of this plays out.

OG Founder

Out!

OG Founder: So I Pulled Up To HanaCon…

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So…how do ya’ll wanna do this?

Last year, I stepped away from going to a lot of anime conventions due to personal reasons; the biggest one being disposable income. Being an anime fan is expensive. From Crunchyroll subscriptions to budgeting for anime conventions, we nerds kick out at LEAST $10k-$20k in disposable income a year. I’m surprised we can’t even write that off on our taxes, unless you’re claiming your hobby as a business expense. I guess that’s why many fans decided to become professional cosplayers, anime content creators, and even voice actors; cuz’ at least you get paid to be a guest at the con! (At least the voice actors and professional cosplayers do.)

So yeah, I did step away from the scene for a bit, but now I’m back with a brand new bag! As much as I like going to big name conventions; like Otakon and Zenkaikon, I’ve decided to stay local, and go to smaller anime conventions. This past weekend I pulled up to a small anime convention in Bethesda, Maryland (about an hour from my house). It was held at the Silver Spring Civic Center, and it was called…HanaCon.

HanaCon 2025

When Aaron and I stepped into the place, it did kind of remind me of Khromakon only because of the venue space. Last time I talked about the difference between Classic and Modern anime conventions, so if I were to grade HanaCon based off of that, I’d say this convention has a classic feel with a modern twist. With both Aaron and I being ‘Certified Uncs’ in the anime community, larger conventions are rather overwhelming and crowded as hell! So we decided to shop local, and came to this convention.

Despite the size, there was actually a good amount of programming for its debut year. One new thing that I saw at this convention, that I didn’t really see at other small local conventions, is The Maid Cafe. They’re a staple in the mid-size and large conventions, and have grown in popularity within convention culture. While we didn’t get the chance to go to any panels, most of our time was spent in the Dealer’s Room. A lot of the vendors were local to the DMV, and even some of our Baltimore friends were there! (Shout-out to Crystal Soul Cosplay!) We even stopped by a few of the cosplay guest tables to get a couple pictures, and chop it up about anime and nerd stuff, cuz’ why not?

Of course an anime con can’t be an anime con without a rave party, and DJ Taylor Senpai did just that! Once all the panels were over, many of the attendees headed over to the Moonlight Overdrive Dance Party. The area kind of reminded me of a high school dance with an EDM theme, as the song selection had a little bit of everything (including EDM). I danced a little bit to some of the tracks (including Cupid and Boots on the Ground), and by doing so, I was gassed after 3 minutes…but still had fun. If my brother and his dance crew were there, they would’ve shut the party down!

HanaCon Lobby

So in conclusion; HanaCon is a really cool anime convention, and now that it’s making its way to Towson, MD next year as a 2-day convention, it’ll be twice as good! Will Club BASSMODE be there and throw an official afterparty for them? Only time will tell. With Stellar Con and Miryokucon now back in Baltimore, plus a brand new Anime/Horror themed convention called KurayamiCon (is pullin’ up Halloween 2026), the Baltimore Anime Con Scene is BACK and better than ever!

OG Founder

Out!

OG Founder: Classic vs. Modern Anime Conventions

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So…how do ya’ll wanna do this?

I don’t think there’s a lot to say about this topic that hasn’t already been said before. If you’re an anime fan, you’ve probably been to a few of them. If you’re a casual fan, you might have heard about them from a friend, and attended at least one of them. If you’re a non-anime fan, then this won’t be of any interest to you. What am I getting at you ask? It’s simpleโ€”anime conventions!

Anime conventions have been a part of anime culture since…anime became popular. It’s basically Disneyland for geeks and nerds who fell in love with the medium. They were also a place where you can meet new friends, talk about your favorite shows, have silly debates, and engage in fandom activities that were created by the fans themselves. To a lot of OG fans and con attendees, that’s what’s missing from a lot of modern anime conventions. Back in the 2000s the con scene was much different compared to how it is now; from your Yoai paddles and glomping complete strangers, to shouting out dead memes and the occasional โ€œButt-scratcherโ€. It was the ‘Wild West’ in terms of what was deemed appropriate, and acceptable.

Now those days are gone, and have been replaced with a more modern ‘Family-Friendly’ atmosphere, in terms of how anime conventions are marketed towards a broader audience. There’s even been one convention that tried to ban cosplay. You heard meโ€”BAN COSPLAY!! Image going to an anime convention, and you can’t even cosplay ANY of your favorite characters (even if they aren’t wearing any skimpy clothing). What is the point?! I got a lot more to say about conventions; from how they used to be when I first started going, to how they are now. So check it! Classic vs. Modern Anime cons!

Otakon 2016 (Baltimore, MD)

For this post I’m gonna break down what I mean by ‘classic’ and ‘modern’ anime conventions. I’ll be comparing both of them on these attributes; Structure, Programming, Nightlife, Budget, and Sense of Community. Let’s kick it off with the first one.

[STRUCTURE: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]

A lot of us don’t think about it but the way an anime convention is structured, determines its longevity in the convention circuit. This boils down to the location of where its held, how accessible it is, what amenities are available, and the cost of badges. Being an anime convention organizer, these are the logistics that you have to take into account; on top of promoting, marketing, and advertising your convention to the public.

With classic anime conventions, the only places you had that wouldn’t break the bank, were hotels. Hotel-based anime conventions are how ALL anime conventions started out as. You rent out a large ballroom and 2 or 3 side rooms for panels and games, then work out a contract with the general manager where they would give you a room block deal, for attendees who wanted to stay the night. The cost of a weekend badge was probably $50 or less, and the amenities were pretty good…if the con was at a really good hotel. OG fans and attendees loved this type of structure, because the con experience felt more personable and intimate.

As anime got bigger and popular, so did anime conventions. Now they take on a more modern structure, where they still have to make sure they keep track of the logistics I talked about earlier. Some modern conventions do use the classic structure, while others are ran from large convention centers. Depending on the convention some of the aminities they have are actually pretty good, as with a bigger venue comes better programming (sometimes). Marketing and advertising are pushed to the max (which is usually the result of a larger budget), and the convention experience is dependent on the attendee themselves. Of course in terms of money, you’ll spend 10x less at a classic anime convention, than a modern one.

Zenkaikon 2019 VA Panel

[PROGRAMMING: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]

If the structure of an anime convention is its foundation, then the programming is the bones and muscle. The program itinerary is an important part of the convention experience, next to the lifeblood which is the attendees themselves. Back in the 90s and 2000s the programming for anime conventions, was facilitated by anime fans themselves. Because it was more fan-driven, it lead to a lot of creative programming for fans; such as AMV contests, karaoke sessions, VHS/DVD anime screenings, LARP sessions, and club meetups. Also keep in mind that no one under the age of 18 even went to anime conventions back then, which is why there was a lot more 18+ programming to be found at classic conventions.

Programming for modern cons is much different because a lot of it is industry-driven. While its cool to see some promotional trailers for the latest anime at your favorite convention by FUNimation and dem’, I feel like fan-driven content from fan-driven panels have become less common around these parts. Its even effected the amount of 18+ content and panels you see at modern anime conventions; where its become either less numerous and sanitized, or pushed out due to the ‘Family-friendly’ model that modern anime conventions have moved towards.

As a DJ, this has even effected how I look at the nightlife aspect of classic and modern anime conventions. Which, is what I’m gonna talk about!

Otakon’s Otakurave 2015

[NIGHTLIFE: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]

I know this is an aspect that some nerds don’t care about too much, but if you’re among the group that likes to party, there was a COMPLETE difference between classic and modern anime conventions! For this segment I’m going to go by conventions of the mid 2000s and early 2010s.

Anime convention nightlife of the mid 2000s was something special. Many nerds weren’t old enough to go clubbing, so what did classic anime conventions do? They turned either a ballroom, or a main hallway into a classic 90s-style nightclub. This was also when the ravers came to anime conventions; you wouldn’t find them anywhere near the con, until the sun went down. This was also when rave parties started being incorporated into anime conventions. Also, they didn’t let just anybody into the rave, they actually had staff act as bouncers, and they checked your ID (not your badge) before you could enter the function. Classic anime convention raves were basically a kid-free zone, where party animals and controlled degeneracy ruled the dancefloor.

Modern conventions have this too, however some of their in-house raves don’t hit the same. What do I mean by this? I’ve been to a modern anime convention rave a few years ago in PA, and saw nobody in my age group there. In fact the only people that were there, had to be no older than twelve! (Who let’s middle schoolers in an 18+ rave?!) They were mostly girls, in the tightest of shorts, throwing ass on each other! I wasn’t on EDP timing, so I had to dip! (I’ve gone to other 18+ modern con rave parties and had ass thrown on me from cosplay and rave girls, plus we were of age and they were one-off twerks.)

Some anime conventions don’t even have in-house raves at all, in fact they outsource to local third party promotions in their area. For AnimeNYC and other Midwest conventions; they got SonicBoomBox, Sexy Nerds, Otakus With Attitude, and more. All I can say for classic and modern anime cons in terms of the nightlife is…just be careful. These areas are usually where anime fans and weebs get drunk, and when that happens, a lot of bad things (can) happen. I could go on about this, but I’d rather move on.

Running a con is expensive!

[BUDGET: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]

While structure and programming are vital to the foundation of an anime convention, revenue is what truly keeps it alive. Anime conventions are expensive enough as it is when you’re an attendee, now image if you had to throw one of your own…?

Everything I sad in the structure part of the post costs money; the hotel block, the venue, the guests, and the entertainment. Back in the 90s and 2000s you could throw a decent 2 or 3-day convention at a hotel for about $15-20K. You’d have basically all the local amenities and good programming, plus a couple of dub voice actors as well for meet-n-greets and autographs. (This is also when I said a weekend pass was $50 or less for cons back then.)

If you look at how much a modern anime convention badge costs now, especially in 2025, you’d probably question if that anime convention is even worth the hype to go. There’s no way a weekend badge at a modern convention, should cost that same price as a pair of Jordans, or Beyonce tickets! Badge prices shot up after Covid because of two years of lost revenue for anime conventions. Even so, some nerds will still pay it! (Plus a lot of modern anime conventions have a 7 or 8-figure budget, so they can bring out big name voice actors, and Japanese bands.)

All of these things are important, but the one that really brings this all home, is this…

Us at my Club BASSMODE DJ & Cosplay Party!

[SENSE OF COMMUNITY: Classic vs. Modern Anime Cons]

Let’s not beat around the bush here. Out of the four attributes that I spoke about when it comes to classic, and modern anime conventions, this one is the MOST important! This is the one that can make or break the overall anime convention experience. If I were to be 100% honest on this one, I’d say that classic anime conventions did it better!

Back then there was a greater sense of community within the anime community. It was easy to make friends who loved anime as much as you did. Everyone loved each other and didn’t bicker about common nonsense debates; such as powerscaling, waifu wars, etc. It felt more tightly knit as well as organic and real, plus if you were a cosplayer, it felt like fun and not a competition. It was more than just fans coming together because of their love and passion for anime, it felt like family.

All of that changed when anime became mainstream. Modern anime conventions (especially the BIG ones) do not have that same sense of community, like they did 20 years ago when they were grass-roots cons. It’s not to say it isn’t there, it just…doesn’t hit the same. Now that anime conventions have become more industry-driven, and have taken the Family-Friendly approach to become more marketable to big sponsors, the original sense of community they once had…becomes irrelevant.

In the past 15 years that I’ve gone to anime conventions; I’ve seen them grow, and I’ve seen them go. Some organizers are passionate about the community, while others are in it for the money. These are the attributes and aspects of anime conventions that can either make them famous for the right reasons, or infamous for the wrong ones. Right now I no longer go to large anime conventions anymore; even if they may have more to offer in terms of programming, guests, and entertainment. It’s probably why I stay local, and if you’re a local anime fan, be sure to support your local anime convention.

For older fans like myself we were there when anime was an underground niche. The same could be said for anime conventions, as they were birthed from the small local anime clubs that they started. As anime grew so did anime cons, and though they’re no longer the small niche nerd spaces they once were, there will always be small cons that carry classic vibes.

OG Founder

Out!