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OG Founder: Don’t Call It A Comeback!

Aside D&A Anime Blog Uncategorized

So…in the words of Cody Rhodes…

I’m pretty sure I don’t really need an introduction, as judging by the tone of my writing style, you guys already know who this is. While I’ve been away, I’ve been keeping tabs on the anime community as well as the anime industry. And so far…things have been great in a few areas, while absolute trash in others (based on the rants I’ve seen on social media). Now, I don’t wanna get anybody’s hopes up of a comeback, but just like the title of this post says, don’t call it a comeback!

When I look back at January 11, 2016 I feel like Aaron and I have done a lot in terms of our vision for D&A Anime Blog, and where we want to take it. I’ll admit, there were a few bumps in the road, as well as a couple times where we wanted to jump ship. However we hung in there during those rough times, and we’re still going strong today!

So, with that being said, I want to let you all know where I stand with D&A going forward.

[Once in a Blue Moon Drop-Ins]

While I may have stepped down as ‘CEO’ of D&A, I’ll drop in with an article or two once in a blue moon. There will be no timetable of when the drop will happen, but like an RKO, they’ll come outta nowhere!

The topics won’t be all anime, all the time. They’ll be things that I feel like talking about whenever I feel like talking about them. Again, this is not a full-time comeback, this is more of a ‘drop-in’. This also includes the “Nerdz of the Decade” podcasts, where we have guests on the show; from VAs to content creators.

[Select Anime Reviews]

I don’t really write anime reviews that much anymore, but I feel like I don’t have to since that’s covered. If there’s a series that pulls me in (like New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt), then I miiiiiiiiiiight drop a series review on it. No timetable of when it drops, it drops whenever I feel like it. Y’know? Also, there won’t be any lengthy, meaty posts (unless its a review on a show I like) from me. And consistency? Yeaaaaaaah, probably not that much.

Also, there’s something I wanted to get off my chest, that’s been scratching at it for awhile…

When I “left” D&A December 18, 2023 I was in a rough season of my life. I needed to vanish to save my friendship and my sanity, and while I was gone I had a revelation. I wanted to find my identity outside of D&A, as I didn’t want the blog and the Youtube channel, to be the ONLY thing I’m known for. That’s why on July 1, 2023 I created Club BASSMODE (BASSMODE: Nerdz Nite Out at the time), a DJ & Cosplay Party Promotion I could call my own. Its not to say that I don’t like you guys or anything, but I just didn’t like where I was at the time. Now almost two years later; I’m in a much better headspace than I was before thanks to Club BASSMODE, and Aaron and I have returned to cons. (The caveat being that they’re local, or I get booked to DJ their rave/afterparty.)

I did get to DJ Colossalcon East, so check that out here!

I’m gonna wrap this up with this.

I’m still a part of D&A even if I’m away. I don’t regret for a second about creating this platform, as its done a lot for us even though the expectations we had for it were a bit out there. Yes, Aaron and I have “split” but not in the way you’re thinking. We’re still collabing even though we’re not on the same brand. (He shouts-out Club BASSMODE, and I shout-out D&A.)

I’m not coming back full-time, but I’ll circle the area some of the time.

With that said…

OG Founder, out!

Wait, Does Kissing Really Do That to People?

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

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You Season 2, Episode 8 Review

Last time on The 100 Girlfriends, the Rentaro Family was facing its biggest crisis since the incident with Hahari! Rentaro’s tenth soulmate, the beautiful Mimimi Utsukushisugi, refuses to be part of any group with Nano in it due to a past transgression. Thus, the newcomer challenges Nano to a contest where the loser must leave the Family! How will Rentaro use his CHADtaro powers to resolve this conflict? What sort of antics will Mimimi bring to the Rentaro Family? And how saucy can this anime make the simple act of kissing?

That last question will make sense soon enough.

Mimimi’s Problem with Nano

So, after Mimimi threw down the gauntlet last time, this episode reveals the exact circumstances that led to her grudge against Nano. After winning a beauty paegant they were both in, Mimimi tried to be a good sport and extend a hand to Nano. In response, Nano rejected her, saying friendship was a waste of time. What made things worse was that Mimimi secretly entered Nano in the pageant all so the two of them could become friends, only to get spat on.

The first half of this episode is as much about Nano’s character development as it is about Mimimi joining the Family. Before she met Rentaro, love and friendship were utterly foreign to her. Her willingness to accept Mimimi’s challenge speaks volumes to her character development. Something that becomes more obvious over the course of their โ€œbeauty searchโ€ contest.

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Instead of judging each other by what makes them beautiful, they point out everything they find beautiful in the rest of the family. This leads to some very fun moments where everything that makes the others attractive. However, itโ€™s when they get to Rentaro himself that the real funny moment of the episode takes place.

CHADtaro humiliates himself for his Family

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Rentaro uses his CHADtaro powers to turn himself into the least attractive person they can possibly find. He shaves his eyebrows, hair, and puts on a humiliating costume all so they canโ€™t get an edge, and call the entire contest a draw! Thatโ€™s how far Rentaro is willing to go to keep his girlfriends happy!

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Mimimi almost takes this moment as another loss, but again, this episode demonstrates Nanoโ€™s character development. She may not be able to make up for her past slight, but she makes it clear that she finally understands the value of love and friendship. Which is one of the great things about this series. The girlโ€™s problems arenโ€™t fixed overnight, but thanks to the supportive environment Rentaro gives them, theyโ€™re able to work on them together! And itโ€™s enough to convince Mimimi to drop her grudge and officially join the Family.

Kissing Galore

In what is now a tradition for the series, the second half of the episode is centered on Mimimi integrating into the Rentaro Family through an activity. In this case, itโ€™s helping each of the girls reach their most beautiful selves by partaking in activities that will aid them. In this case, kissing. Lots and lots and lots of kissing.

This entire half of the episode is primarily an excuse for the anime to skirt the line between SFW and full-on ecchi. Using a new lip balm to stimulate the pleasure centers of the brain, the girls each take turns kissing Rentaro. The moments that come out of this are, suitably, hilarious. Like this!

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Or this!

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This one got crazy!

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And this one was a straight-up shoutout to Food Wars and its infamous Foodgasms.

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And look at how what happened afterwards!

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And with that, we now sit at ten girlfriends, with ninety more to go. And this season only has one girlfriend left to introduce, so thereโ€™s no telling what might happen! At least the girls will be able to remain beautiful, though!

I Give “The Beautiful and the Bold” a 4/5

Behold, the Power of Anime Baseball!

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews, Blogging, Crunchyroll, DBZ, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , ,

The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You S2 Ep 6 Review

Next to its birthplace in the land of the Stars and Stripes, the country that loves baseball the most is Japan. Baseball is incredibly popular in Japan, and it has been for more than a century. Hence why Iku Sutou is obsessed with the sport and why sheโ€™s determined to keep the schoolโ€™s baseball team running. Were this any other anime, it would treat the big practice game that Iku and the Rentaro Family has to win seriously. However, since 100 Girlfriends is a comedic parody that loves using meta-humor, this baseball episode winds up being equal parts silly and serious. But mostly silly.

PLAY BALL!

Itโ€™s the day of the big practice game to determine if the high school girls baseball team will survive. And, by the rule of funny, Rentaroโ€™s stand-ins wind up sick, conveniently allowing Hahari, Kurumi, and Mei the chance to play. But this is not the first example of how silly the anime is treating this baseball game.

The second example stems from the fact that their opponents, the Jurassic High Team, are all based on dinosaurs. Right down to their names being puns on dinosaur names.

The episode makes it clear from the start that itโ€™s not trying to treat this game seriously unless it has to. Thus, it has free reign to parody the over-the-top nature of sports anime. From the opposing team coming up with flashy names for moves to said moves breaking the girl’s bats, anime logic is in full effect here. Unfortunately, that also means that the relatively inexperienced Rentaro Family is unable to do much, especially after Iku injures her pitching hand. Before long, theyโ€™re at the bottom of the seventh inning and have yet to score a point.

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But then, the opposing team does the last thing they could hope to do. Their leader messes with Shizukaโ€™s head, making her mess up so bad, the poor girl is reduced to tears.

To paraphrase Saruman from Lord of the Rings, โ€œSo you have chosen death.โ€

No one. Hurts. SHIZUKA

As saddening as it is to see Shizuka reduced to tears over the enemyโ€™s dirty playing, the episode veers right back into the realm of hilarious with what happens next. Something that, with the Internet still recovering from the high of the end of Dragon Ball Daima, has to be seen to be believed.

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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Dragon Ball Reference in a harem anime ๐Ÿ˜ญ <a href=”https://t.co/K5vqe705Pt”>pic.twitter.com/K5vqe705Pt</a></p>&mdash; Prince Vegeta (@SSGPrinceVegeta) <a href=”https://twitter.com/SSGPrinceVegeta/status/1891286768822943764?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>February 17, 2025</a></blockquote> https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Say what you want about 100 Girlfriends, but if youโ€™re a fan of Dragon Ball, you can at least appreciate the affectionate parody that this is. Right down to the iconic eye-catchers. The fact that they got this riled up because the enemy made their precious cinnamon bun Shizuka cry only makes this even funnier.

Anyone who purposefully makes Shizuka cry is deserving of death!

The Perfect Catch

By the time they end their rampage, the Rentaro Family is only four points away from winning the game. Thatโ€™s when Iku gets up to bat, and when things turn serious once more. While the story has already shown Iku dealing with her masochism, the climax of this episode has her dealing with another fear. In this case, itโ€™s her fear of hitting someone in the stands by accident.

Cue the episodeโ€™s CHADtaro moment!

And with that, Iku secured the future of the girls baseball team. The anime got to have fun with a sports episode. And the fans got to see Rentaro make out with a cool tomboy!

In a series that gives us plenty of funny moments and is all about enjoying its premise, this episode might be one of the best thus far. Top five episodes just for the Dragon Ball reference.

I Give “A Homerun Promise” a 4/5

Master Roshi Needs our Help

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, DBZ, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The following is an emergency announcement from the D&A Anime Blog concerning an important member of the Dragon Ball community.

Less than a year ago, the world of anime wept at the loss of Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball. Now, another prominent member of the anime community is in need of our help: Mike McFarland.

For those who arenโ€™t aware, Mike McFarland is a veteran voice actor with more than 400 roles to his credit. The one we should concern ourselves with the most, though, is one of the OG conossseuirs of Waifus, Master Roshi. And right now, heโ€™s in trouble.

https://twitter.com/ccarrollbeard/status/1878548074563354904?s=46&t=4W-BLvIh5yMGPeETlsL3QQ

Earlier this week, Colleen Clinkenbeard revealed on Twitter that Mike went to the hospital for what he thought was a bad ear infection. Instead, it turned out to be a brain tumor that the doctors had to get out of him. Thankfully, the operation was successful, and Mike is out of the hospital and recovering. However, with that comes another problem: paying the bills. He will need someone to stay with him until he is fully recovered, which wonโ€™t be cheap. That is why Brandon McInnis and J. Michael Tatum have set up a gofundme page to help the man cover his medical fees. Fortunately, the fundraiser has already met its goalโ€ฆbut some extra money cannot hurt.

Many Dragon Balls are still mourning the loss of Toriyama a year ago, and Iโ€™m still saddened by the loss of Rachael Lillis in that same year. So, the fact that the man who gives Master Roshi life facing something so scary is too much to bear. Fans of Dragon Ball and anime need to do whatever they can to help a man who plays one of the OG Shonen mentors in his time of need. And if this winds up being more serious than doctors first thought, we need to ensure that he has enough money for further care.

Link to the fundraiser here

And if it helps, Mike already tweeted saying that heโ€™s already up and about.

Finally, Supreme Kai Cooks!

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

Dragon Ball Daima Ep 7 Review

Dragon Ball is the template for the modern Shonen manga, and that means most mangaka learned from its successes as well as its shortcomings. And one of the franchiseโ€™s biggest shortcomings has to be how Goku comes to outshine almost every other character. Thatโ€™s expected since heโ€™s the main protagonist, but at some point, the franchiseโ€™s default strategy for dealing with the big bads became โ€œwait for Goku.โ€ Even TeamFourStar pointed this fact out in their abridged series. Thankfully, the franchise has started to learn from this in recent years by giving other characters the chance to show what they can do. And with Goku reduced to chibi-sized for the duration of Daima, his party can show that theyโ€™re not just there to keep Goku on the right path. They can fight, too, as Supreme Kai proves in this episode!

So I was Wrong about the Plane

At the end of the last episode, I speculated that Kibito’s prescence had something to do with Shin’s plane not working. However, it was something simpler. A rock used for the energy converter isn’t working, thereby making the plane useless. Which also makes me question why they even bothered to have it? Thankfully, Hybis, one of King Kadam’s men, shows up to give them a ride. Before the episode’s out, the team of Hybis, Bulma, Vegeta, and Piccolo have made it to the Demon Realm. Kibito stayed behind to watch the Lookout with Popo.

Honestly, this is much better than having to wait longer to see how Bulma and the others make it to the Demon Realm. Even better, it solves the issue of not having the right pin # for Mr. Warp. Way to think on your feet, Toei!

Meanwhile, Goku’s party continues to have a string of bad luck as the Gendermerie return looking for Goku. He’s able to elude them thanks to his Instant Transmission, but then they try to arrest Panzy because they (rightfully) suspect her for attacking them in that village. Another fight ensues, and the trio of Goku, Shin, and Glorio proceed to beat everyone unconcious. However, their plane gets destroyed in the process, once again hindering their travels…

…is what you’d think I’d say! However, they find an extra Gendermerie plane and decide to steal that instead. As a bonus, this will mean that fewer people will try to stop them.

Supreme Kai is Mattering Now

This fight, while nowhere near as epic as what we’re used to in Dragon Ball, is still good. The reason being that, unlike in most cases, Goku can’t handle everything on his own. For the first time since he was a kid, he’s in a position where he has to rely on his friends to help. And after years of being considered weak compared to the Saiyans, Shin reminds us just why he’s a Supreme Kai in the first place. He may be young by his race’s standards, but he’s still fairly capable.

As if to highlight the greater emphasis Shin has in this series, the next thing that he does is get rid of the collar Panzy’s forced to wear around her neck. The series already implied it, but this episode confirms that the collars the Third Demon World resident’s wear suppress their magic and can be used as tracking devices. Dr. Arinsu created them back during Dabura’s reign, so this is something that’s been going on for a longtime. It further emphasizes how unfair a place the Demon Realm is, and that it’s high time for a regime change. Given how this is a Shonen series, there’s a good chance that by the time Daima ends, those collars will be a thing of the past. Especially since Shin tells Panzy that the magic he used to break her collar can be used by anyone. Shin and Panzy could be the key to liberating the people of the Demon Realm in the near future!

In addition, this episode also reveals Shin’s true Glind name, Nahare. Just like Goku has his Saiyan name, Shin has a Glind name. Neat!

The Real Fun is Coming

The series is now seven episodes in, but it feels like the pacing hasn’t picked up at all, though that’s about to change. The episode ends with Goku and the others making it to the first of the Tamagami warriors that guard this dimension’s Dragon Balls so that he can fight them. Given what the preview for the next episode has to say, it looks like we’re in for a good fight. And while I don’t doubt the strength of the Tamagami…it’s Goku. The man is going to fight actual gods in the near future, can solo most characters in all of fiction, and has fought Superman three different times. He may not have won any of those fights, but he did put the Man of Steel through his paces. He can handle the Tamagami.

I Give “Collar” a 3.5/5

Uzumakiย is One of the Scariest Anime I’ve Ever Seen

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

Uzumaki Mini-Series Review

During the spooky season of the year, I like to ignore my usual tendency to avoid horror and find things freak me out. The problem is that there’s still that upper limit of what I can tolerate before I get too scared to sleep. I’ve gotten better at pushing that limit as I’ve gotten older, but that’s just made me look for even scarier things. And whether by fate or by coincidence, I managed to learn about Uzumaki, a mini-series on Toonami and based on a popular manga that people said would be terrifying.

They were not lying. I watched all of Uzumaki, and it’s one of the scariest things I’ve seen in years. An absolute cosmic horror from which there seems to be no escape.

A Horror a Quarter-Century in the Making

An anime twenty-five years in the making, Uzumaki was published as a short manga from 1998-1999 by mangaka Junji Ito. For those who don’t know who that is, calling him the “Stephen King of Japan” should be enough of a hint. Set in the fictional, Japanese town of Kurouzu-Cho, Uzumaki tells the story of high-school couple Shuichi and Kirie as a mysterious curse related to spirals (Uzumaki literally means ‘Spiral’ in Japanese) begins to corrupt the town. And the longer it goes on, the worse it gets as the town is slowly transformed by something that no one can fully explain, but everyone comes to fear.

The Uzumaki is Everywhere

One would think that a curse involving something simple as spirals wouldn’t be so scary, but if there’s one thing that I’ve learned watching this, it’s that Junji Ito can find a way to make things scary. And as the anime demonstrates, he made spirals pretty scary.

From the first few seconds of the anime, you are inundated with the image of uzumaki, both real and imaginary, in the form of the clouds in the sky to the bark on a tree to even some blades of grass. Things only escalate from there. As the anime progresses, viewers and people in-universe will start to see uzumaki in everything. Even the very inhabitants of the town start to morph and transform into grotesque abominations to conform to the spiral. Before long, you’ll be sharing in the paranoia of Shuichi, the first guy to realize something’s wrong yet refuses to get out while he can because of his family and girlfriend.

The brilliant part of this is the fact that the spiral is both natural and supernatural in nature. Spiral patterns are often found in nature in everything from shells to our fingerprints to even the part of our ear that helps us stay balanced. Spirals are also found in art and architecture, as though people have this unconcious desire to make things spiral-related. There’s something about them that gets people’s attention, and Uzumaki plays that up to levels that have to be seen to be believed.

Then again, that seems to be how the Uzumaki spread to engulf the town.  It’s like an Internet troll demanding your attention and doing crazy things to keep it, each more outlandish than the last. You have to actively resist looking at it, but the black-and-white world it’s in makes it hard to ignore.

They Had Five Years and Still Gave us Bad Animation?

One of the big draws to this series is the fact that it’s done entirely in black-and-white. This decision, plus the way the cast’s movement is animated, gives Uzumaki the feel of a motion comic…when it works, that is. The second episode managed to get flak from people for how poorly animated parts of it were near the end, and I have to agree. I usually either don’t notice bad animation unless it’s glaringly obvious, or just ignore it in favor of the story. But when I do see it, I’m going to point it out. What makes it even worse, though, is the fact that the studios had an extra five years to get it right, and they still messed up!

Just look at this in the final episode!

Uzumaki was announced at Crunchyroll Expo 2019, and was originally supposed to premiere on Toonami in 2020. However, like many things around that time, it got delayed by COVID-19 and then the delays just kept piling up.

Call the SCP Foundation if this happens to you.

Shortcomings in animation aside, Uzumaki seems to live up to the hype surrounding this terrifying manga. There were moments that didn’t just scare me but almost made me vomit in disgust. Word of advice: do not watch this alone at night if you don’t want nightmares. Uzumaki is as scary as any big horror film that you can think of. It might even be scarier since the antagonist is something that we can’t even fully comprehend or fight back against…unless you’re the SCP Foundation.

No, I’m not joking. After watching this show, the Uzumaki curse feels like something that you would have to call in the SCP Foundation to deal with. I can even see how they would handle it!

  1. Evacuate the remaining townsfolk via a non-standard method of transportation. Teleportation recommended as only viable means.
  2. Adminster amenstics to the surviving townsfolk so that they no longer remember the Uzumaki curse.
  3. Quarantine the entire town and create a false news story claiming that a disaster has rendered the area permanently uninhabitable to prevent any more victims from being taken.
  4. Monitor the town to confirm whether or not the curse is limited to the vicinity of the town.

Or if they had someone like Takatou, they could have him kill it.

I Give “Uzumaki” a 4/5

Okarun Got that Dawg in Him

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

Dan da Dan Ep 2 Review

Life is a box of chocolates. You never know what youโ€™re going to get. One day, youโ€™re minding your own business. The next, youโ€™re being abducted by aliens for your privates. Or a ghost possesses you and steals your junk. For Momo and Ken, though, both happened in the first episode of Dan Da Dan! Now Momo has psychic powers and Kenโ€™s going ghost against his will, and their troubles are far from over. To get Kenโ€™s junk back, they have to first fight another alien, and the boy has to learn how to unleash that dawg in him.

And Momo? She has to deal with the fact that her new friend has the same name as her crush.

These Two are Like Cats and Dogs

The second episode of the series starts where the first one left off: with Momo in denial that Ken shares the same name as her actor crush. Sheโ€™s so deep into denial that she immediately decides to call him Okarun from now on, a play on his alien otaku interests.

One of the best parts of the premiere was seeing how quickly Momo and Okarun establish their dynamic and relationship, and that trend continues in this episode. One minute, theyโ€™ll go from arguing like cats and dogs, and the next, theyโ€™ll be going out of their way to defend the other. Itโ€™s a very passionate and complex relationship, but thatโ€™s what makes it so enjoyable to watch. And despite how much they push each others buttons, itโ€™s easy to see how much they care for each other.

Of course, thereโ€™s still the matter of Okarun being possessed by Granny Turbo. Momo canโ€™t surpress the spirit forever, and sheโ€™s already getting close to her limit. Then, to make matters worse, the two find themselves trapped inside some kind of Domain Expansion by this giant sumo alien thatโ€™s working for the ones they met in the first episode. They still want the pairโ€™s bananas!

And this is where the episode absolutely cooks as Okarun learns how to let the dawg off the leash.

THIS IS THE DAWG!

When Okarun learns how to go ghost and use the curse to his advantage, he finds that dawg in him, and the resulting beatdown is amazing. Dan Da Danโ€™s animators cooked with the animation throughout the entire episode, but the moment when Okarun found his inner dawg cranked things up to eleven. And despite the Sumo alien cheating, Momo and Okarun outsmart them in a way that I think would make Joestar family proud. Unfortunately, immediately after the fight, Momo finally loses steam, and the curse of Turbo Granny fully takes over Okarun.

Now the dawg really is off the leash. Unfortunately, this is also when the episode chooses to come to a close.

I hate cliffhangers like this because I donโ€™t want to wait another week to find out what happens. However, the fact that I want to know what comes next now just shows how good Dan Da Dan is. And while I could just read the manga to see what happens, I wonโ€™t. I want to enjoy it as it happens! That being said, weโ€™re only two episodes in, and Dan Da Dan has already become one of my favorite anime of 2024. Itโ€™s likely going to be the series that everyone will be talking about for some time to come!

I Give “That’s a Space Alien, Ain’t It” a 4/5

Toriyama’s Last Gift in Dragon Ball Daima Starts Off Strong!

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

Dragon Ball Daima Ep 1 Review

In memory of Akira Toriyama.

When Dragon Ball Daima was announced last year at NYCC, fans were thrilled. For the first time in years, Dragon Ball would be getting a new series, and Akira Toriyama was the one who wrote it. It felt like a dream come true!

Then, in the spring of this year, the world would end up losing Toriyama. Dragon Ball Daima would be the final work that he would contribute to the world that he had created. Suddenly, it became more important than ever that Daima was a huge success. And so, the world waited with bated breath for the day when it would premiere, ready to honor the memory of a man who inspired millions of its people. Th

Iโ€™m glad to say that Toriyama didnt disappoint with his final work. He cooked us a feast of thrills and laughs.

https://twitter.com/YapapaMirage/status/1845185951586238945

Welcome Back, Dragon Ball

Since this is the first time Dragon Ball has had an anime in a while, a good portion of the premiere is devoted to getting everyone up to speed with events up to the defeat of Majin Buu. While some might see it as an issue, itโ€™s essential for two reasons. Firstly, it establishes that this will take place before the events of Super, so no Super Saiyan God or Blue. Secondly, it introduces us to the leading antagonistic group.

https://twitter.com/xAuraZora/status/1844833008559206853

Meet Gomah, Degesu, and Dr. Arinsu, the new King of the Demon Realm, the Supreme Kai of the Demon Realm, and a Core Person of the Demon Realm. While much of the rest of Universe 7 and parts of the other Universes have already gotten fleshed out, the Demon Realm has remained notably unknown until now. I think Toriyama wanted to correct that by making the primary setting of Daima, and if thatโ€™s the case, Iโ€™m glad he chose to do so before he died. He even gave them their own Dragon Balls and guardians to protect them, and retconned the Namekians point of origin to be from the Demon Realm. So, congrats Piccolo. Youโ€™re now a slug alien demon!

The main plot of the episode is that Gomah has watched how powerful Goku and the others are and fears them to be a threat to his rule. So, he and Degesu (and another Namekian) travel to Earth to use the Dragon Balls to make Goku and everyone else kids so they wonโ€™t be a threat. In essence, itโ€™s the plot of GT but on a larger scale. By the time the credits start to roll, we can already hear everyone beginning to shrink down to the size of kids. And the kids shrinking down to the size of babies!

https://twitter.com/DbsHype/status/1844905014067855825

Toriyama Decided to do GT, but Better

I know that this is supposed to be serious, but I still canโ€™t help but find it funny. Toriyama took the plot of GT, the series that was made without his direct involvement, and made it ten times better. Thatโ€™s essentially him saying โ€œYouโ€™re doing it all wrong, you guys. Let the master show you how itโ€™s done!โ€ Given how Daima is meant to celebrate the franchise 40th anniversary, though, it makes sense why Toriyama would want to tell a story like this. He tried to get the series back to its roots, and it glad he got to do so before he died.

This was an excellent start to what will likely be one of the most giant anime of the year. I have no clue how long Daima will run, but I know that Iโ€™m going to enjoy it every step of the way.

I Give Conspiracy a 4.5/5

RIP to the King, James Earl Jones

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RJ Writing Ink Reacts to the Passing of James Earl Jones

D&A Anime Blog focuses on anime, but that doesn’t mean that we’re not fans of other things. Before I discovered anime, one of my favorite pastimes as a little kid was watching movies on my parents sizeable VHS collection. And two things that I loved to watch were Star Wars and the many, many animated films from Disney. Imagine my surprise years later when I learned that James Earl Jones, the man whose voice brought Darth Vader to life, voiced Mufasa in The Lion King. My mind was blown!

That just made it twice as hard on me earlier this week when I heard that he had passed away at the age of 93.

James Earl Jones Was a GOAT

James Earl Jones wasn’t just one of the GOATs; he was a king. His career spanned seventy years, and in that time, he played roles in every entertainment medium. By the time George Lucas chose him to provide the voice that would make him a legend, he had already been acting in Shakespeare and Broadway for two decades, and he had thirteen years in film under his belt to boot. And when he spoke, it didn’t matter if he was a doctor, a navy admiral, an actual king, or the Dark Lord of the Sith. People would stop what they were doing and listened to him. That deep voice of his just had this magnetism to it that made people want to listen to what he said.

The funny part thing is, he used to have a stuttering problem as a kid. It wasn’t until he discovered the theater that he managed to overcome it. And thank heavens he did, because the world was made so much better for it.

But it wasn’t just his voice that made Jones a king in all but name. It was the way he presented himself. He gave off this air of being confident yet humble, wise but also approachable. He had the presence of a king, which showed in almost every role he played. If you were to tell me that he had been a king in a past life, I wouldn’t doubt that. That’s the kind of presence that he had, and it’s what made him one of the greatest actors of all time.

JEJ Will Live on in AI Voice

And, for better or worse, his voice in his most famous role is going to live on after he’s gone. And that’s because he wanted that.

In 2022, James Earl Jones made the decision to retire as the voice of Darth Vader. At the same time, he understood how important his voice was to making Vader who he was. So, he decided to let a Ukrainian-AI company have the rights to his voice as Darth Vader. That means they can legally use his voice for as long as they want. That doesnโ€™t seem like much of a comfort, especially with using AI to recreate voices is considered controversial, but itโ€™s what he chose.

This is the third time this year that Iโ€™ve had to talk about a celebrity I care about dying on this blog, and that can get to me. It doesnโ€™t help that I do think that Toriyama and Rachael Lillis were gone too soon. Heck, James Earl Jones was 93 and I still think it was too soon for him to die! But death eventually comes for all of us, and while it may hurt, we shouldnโ€™t let that hold us back. James Earl Jones left behind an incredible legacy, one thatโ€™s going to be remembered for decades, maybe even centuries after weโ€™re all gone. So, while Iโ€™m going to be taking time to mourn, I think itโ€™s more important to look at how much of a positive impact he had on the world. And when the time comes for us to celebrate Star Wars 50th anniversary and the remaining cast and crew reunite for the inevitable spectacle that will come from it, I know James and those who passed on will be there in spirit.

Rest in peace, King. You have earned it.

How to Expand Your Audience as a Manga Artist

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In the vibrant world of anime and manga, artists continually strive to carve out a unique space and connect deeply with an ever-growing fanbase. Achieving recognition in this dynamic industry demands more than raw talent; it requires strategic visibility, genuine community engagement, and continual learning and adaptation. Here, we explore diverse strategies to help anime and manga artists enhance their visibility and establish a strong foothold in the industry.

Participate in Fairs and Exhibitions

Participating in local art fairs, pop-up shops, and exhibitions provides invaluable opportunities for anime and manga artists to showcase their work. These events attract a diverse audience, including potential fans, collectors, and industry professionals. Engaging in such events not only increases your physical visibility but also offers networking possibilities. Displaying your art in public spaces helps build your reputation and can lead to significant career advancements.

Forge Partnerships for Wider Exposure

Collaborating with other creatives can significantly expand your reach. Partner with fellow artists, writers, or influencers to create joint projects that tap into each other’s audiences. Cross-promotion can introduce your work to new fans and build a more substantial online presence. This collaborative approach not only diversifies your portfolio but also fosters a supportive community of like-minded creatives.

Strengthen Business Skills with an MBA

If youโ€™re planning on launching a business in the anime and manga industry, it  requires a blend of creative talent and sharp business acumen. To enhance your management capabilities and strategic thinking, consider advancing your education. Opting to get an online MBA degree can equip you with critical skills in business strategy, management, and leadership. This education not only sharpens your self-awareness and self-assessment but also prepares you to navigate and thrive in the competitive marketplace.

Unify Your Brand Identity

A consistent brand identity across all platforms is crucial for creating a memorable presence. Develop a distinct style that reflects your unique approach to anime and manga. Ensure that your branding is cohesive across social media, websites, and promotional materials. Consistent branding helps your audience recognize and remember your work, establishing a strong and professional image.

Build Authority with Workshops

Offering workshops or courses is an excellent way to share your expertise and build authority within the anime and manga community. By teaching others, you position yourself as a knowledgeable and respected artist. Workshops also provide opportunities to connect with fans and aspiring artists, fostering a sense of community. Sharing your skills not only enhances your credibility but also strengthens your fan base.

Discover Untapped Markets

Exploring niche markets or underserved audiences can open up unique opportunities for anime and manga artists. Identify specific sub-genres or themes within anime and manga that are less saturated and focus on creating content for these areas. This approach can help you stand out and attract a dedicated and passionate fanbase. By catering to niche audiences, you can carve out a distinct and recognizable place in the industry.

Keep Your Portfolio Fresh

Regularly updating your portfolio with new work is essential for maintaining engagement with your audience. Continuously create and share new artwork, sketches, and short stories to keep your portfolio dynamic and exciting. A fresh and regularly updated portfolio demonstrates your growth and versatility as an artist. This practice keeps your audience interested and encourages them to keep coming back for more.

Engage with Your Audience

Actively seeking feedback and engaging with your audience is vital for fostering loyalty and improving your work. Interact with your fans on social media, ask for their input on your projects, and use their feedback to enhance your creations. Engaging with your audience builds a strong community and shows that you value their opinions. This interaction not only improves your work but also strengthens the bond with your fans.

As the anime and manga landscape continues to evolve, artists must remain adaptable and proactive in their strategies for gaining recognition. The integration of direct engagement, strategic education, and innovative collaborations can significantly amplify an artist’s presence and influence within the industry. By nurturing their craft and their community, anime and manga artists can not only achieve recognition but also sustain a flourishing creative career, making every stroke of the brush a step toward lasting success.

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