Written by keikawa
Last weekend, Los Angeles exploded with a healthy dose of cosplayers, industry members, and fans alike to celebrate this awesome culture that we love so much.
Crunchyroll and its Live Show team rocked out the stage throwing dance parties, giving away free swag, and interviewing some amazing figures in the industry from voice actors to bands. Yes, it was a wild, wild weekend. But the most impressive element of the weekend kicked off on Friday June 29.
For the lucky few that were able to attend Anime Expo this past weekend, and moreover the Crunchyroll panel, you were first witness to the huge announcements that were released throughout the weekend. But just because you weren’t there does not mean you’re not privy to such information as well. We’ll recap everything you missed, starting with the biggest announcement of them all:
Crunchyroll is set to appear on the PS3:
The Crunchyroll application for the PS3 system will initially be available in English for
US and Canadian audiences. Anime fans will be able to enjoy their favorite shows on this console and Crunchyroll will also offer a special 30-day free trial for PS3 users who download the application from PlayStation®Network once it’s been released.
Then, we announced that Crunchyroll would ALSO be available from the Samsung Smart TV Smart Hub starting in July, with the Crunchyroll application.
While that was one of the biggest piece of news, there were a ton of announcements rolling down the pipeline:
First we announced the additions of Total Eclipse on June 13, The Ambition of Oda Nobuna on June 14, and then YuruYuri Season 2 on June 15.
Fourteen days later, this is what we announced all at the same time at Anime Expo:
Then the next day on the Crunchyroll Stage at AX, we announced the return of the highly coveted:
Cardfight!! Vanguard Asia Circuit and all the back episode to catch up users from when it stopped airing on Crunchyroll.
Later on that day, while it’s not a simulcast, Crunchyroll also announced the acquisition of “Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day” on its site. Official launch and broadcast time have not been announced yet, but fans can be sure that tears will be shed on the day it’s released, as this popular tear-jerking series could make even the most hardened person cry.
In the following days, more titles like
PES: PEACE ECO SMILE and Crunchyroll’s first Japanese simulcast drama of the season:
Vision were announced on site.
Alongside that, fans of
Chihayafuru rejoiced with the latest simulcast addition of
Utakoi , which is a historical romance story based on Ogura Hyakunin Isshu's interpretation of a collection of 100 romance poems that are used in traditional Japanese karuta card/memory game”
With one of Crunchyroll's largest summers in full swing, things seem all but wrapped up. After all, 2 NEW platforms where you can watch your favorite anime, more catalog titles to enrich your viewing experience, and over 30 BRAND NEW episodes to watch each and every week, there can't be much more to announce.
Or is it...
Written by MasakoX
I will not lie; the subject matter of this anime is something that the vast majority of society either associates with lust or stupidity; that or are just grossed out by the whole affair. That subject is drool. Mysterious Girlfriend X is about drool and how it is the basis of a loving relationship. I can imagine that I am hearing a collective 'Ewwwww!' so let me explain why I think this anime is great.
Riichi Ueshiba's romantic comedy is based around the relationship between Tsubaki and Urabe, two high schoolers whose paths meet in the traditional fashion of transfer students and the forthcoming discovery of each others' lives. Naturally they are brought together, in this case when Tsubaki tastes Urabe's drool in a fit of adolescent curiosity. He falls sick and it's up to Urabe to explain that he is suffering withdrawal; it's not your average sickness – it's lovesickness. The two then become a couple. This is all in the first episode. Not a whole season.
What makes Ueshiba's creation fairly unique from the smorgasbord of slice-of-life shows is that Mysterious Girlfriend X is a tale of a relationship being built and barriers being broken with the pair slowly discovering what makes each other tick and open up to one another. At first you think Urabe is a standard creepy character, but no. Instead, she's pretty normal in her behaviour and activities. She's just aloof. In fact, quite a way into the series you actually find out more about HER than you do of Tsubaki thus throwing your presumptions about her into doubt. The character of Urabe is a delight to behold as she is not overly cutesy (just enough to make you fall for her) and her endearing actions and, let's say generous, figure make her a notable standout character in this generation. Lastly, her voice (Ayako Yoshitani) is unlike anything I've heard. Its clipped and blunt delivery tinged with a hint of sensitivity is a breath of fresh air amongst the overwhelming amount of shrill and vapid vocal performances seen in most anime. Mysterious IS an apt word for her.
Now onto the main subject – the drool. Yes it is what makes Urabe somewhat creepy in that she gives Tsubaki his 'dose' in the form of a drooly finger, but the whole concept behind it is quite intricate and well thought out. In her eyes (hidden behind that adorable fringe), drool is a means to evaluate if there is a strong connection between two people. For her, it's a signifier that Tsubaki is the one to be her boyfriend and she does care for him sincerely; not just playing the whole 'Oh the drool says so therefore I must abide by it!' spiel. Quite a few of the instances are done tastefully and it's surprising how artistic drool can be when done right. Speaking of the artwork, it is so 90s it's not even funny. It feels like a throwback to the time before digital shading mixed with a modern twist.
To sum up, I urge you to give Mysterious Girlfriend X a chance. Look past the initial gross-out and discover a show which is unlike anything you would find in today's collection of angst-ridden teenage romps. There is a strong relationship which has a whole future in which to be played out. This is probably one of my favourite slice-of-life shows in YEARS. This could break into my top 10 anime ever; or at the very least an honourable mention. A must-see.
Written by Nate Ming
There was a time, long long ago, when my brain worked like a normal person’s. When I could see something as innocuous as, say, an octopus, or a swordfight, or a church, and just imagine those things. But after watching Queen’s Blade: Rebellion, those days are long past.
Everything is dirty now.
The sequel to Queen’s Blade, this new series picks up after the events of the women’s only Queen’s Blade Tournament from the first series, where the victor (now Queen) rules over the land with an iron fist. With the tournament abolished (and thus, no way for someone else to take over as Queen), common citizens are now trampled under the ruthless heel of the Queen’s guard.
Or... something to that effect. I’m gonna be honest with you: I was trying hard to follow the plot of this, and either I’m an idiot or it’s just structured very strangely. I’d get introduced to a character, then another, then they’d fight, clothes would be torn off, there’d be lots of bouncing, and then end scene, we’re off to meet some new faces!
But is that really a bad thing? This isn’t Masterpiece Theater we’re talking about here. This is Fight Night at the Booby Barn--100% pure, derpy fluff. Queen’s Blade: Rebellion is not at all for younger viewers, with oodles of gratuitous fanservice.
Paper-thin plot and astounding amounts of fanservice aside, Queen’s Blade: Rebellion is good, honest fun for... well, not for the whole family, but for fans of shows that are light on plot and heavy on action. All kinds of action.
Naruto Shippuden ©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved., Soranowoto © Paradores/Aniplex/ 1121, Chu-Bra © Yumi NakataEFUTABASHA^CHU-BRA Partnership, Astro Boy, Dororo, Blackjack and Phoenix © Tezuka Productions All Rights Reserved, Nurse Witch Komugi-chan Magikarte Z © ADVFilms All Rights Reserved
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