Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to take a moment to share with you something special.

Tonight at 9 PM Eastern Standard Time, Cartoon Network will be airing their last Toonami block. Now, I fully admit that I haven't been watching Toonami as of late, and there are various reasons for that. However, I have some very fond memories relating to it. One day way back when I watched Moltar launch a cute little probe towards Earth; the probe decided to stay and subsequently started a lavish life at a coastal resort somewhere. At the time I was an impressionable pre-teen, glued to the TV screen, and didn't quite know just what it meant; just that there would be some new cartoons on weekdays after school instead of just on Saturday morning. Once I started to watch those toons, however, I realized that stuff was happening. Big stuff. The SDF-1 got transported all the way out to the edge of the Solar System. Voltron was resurrected. This cute blond girl from the moon and her friends spent a lot of time in short skirts. The Maximals and Predacons were stranded in the past. They even blew up planet Thundara; you maniacs!

These were big series with big stories to be told. Stories with huge machines, brave people, persistent enemies, and blossoming love, and even at times sudden tragic death. It was above and beyond what I was accustomed to, and I ate it up. I was also rapt with anticipation as the voice of Optimus Prime started to promo new shows they would be airing. After watching five guys transform into color-coordinated samurai armor, I not only learned what a samurai was, but also that a lot of the new shows came from Japan. As it turns out, the next item out of the Orient that aired at the turn of the millennium, Gundam Wing, gave me another something new. There was intrigue to the story and maneuvering in powers that be that turned the Gundam pilots from powerful voices for freedom into unwanted instigators. The technology that could allow them to win cold also make them go a bit crazy. And most importantly, this time, the good guys and bad guys weren't just defined by what insignia they wore. "Come get me, you monsteeeeeers!" Next year they had another Gundam show, The 08th MS Team, which was for whatever reason a lot shorter than Wing and part of a larger timeline, but man was it good. Shiro downright fell in love with Aina, even though they were on opposite sides of the war, and the Gundams weren't quite as invincible as they were in Wing. The first time I saw and heard a Zaku's monoeye turn on.

There was also Outlaw Star on, which had an underlying story of love to it like 08th Team, but a very different setting. I thought I was just getting the hang of this whole mecha thing with the two Gundam shows, but then Toonami decided to challenge my perceptions with not only spaceships with arms, but huge, lumbering giants that didn't need guns to get their point across. The Big O was definitely a departure from the fast paced and large-scale warfare in the Gundam series, but its charm and style were infectious. Batman had memories, but he didn't have a robot that popped up through city streets. Much later, it would be those who had aired the show here in America who would provide the impetus for giving the anime its second season. Even Gundam itself was apparently changing with the kung-fu action and fervent yelling of G Gundam. On the side there was also this very lucky guy named Tenchi who I envied.

At about this time I was getting close to graduating from high school and my time was often taken up by other matters; I couldn't watch Toonami's shows consistently any more. I came back a few times and watched a bit of some strange-looking androids with matching outfits, not to mention a certain team of young superheroes. From then on, my interests shifted a bit, and I forgot about Toonami for a while. However, if you're like me, I urge you to not forget. I'm not sure just how they did it, but the series that Cartoon Network aired on Toonami appeared at just the right time to teach me, and I'm sure others, some new lessons about life. How to hold the people and things dear to you close and protect them. How to not give up your ideals. How to question and fight against the system, even if all you have left is a broken-down machine with no proper weapons left. How to be a gentleman. How to always look at the newest thing with fresh eyes. How to love someone else by making the effort to truly understand them.

Ladies and gentlemen, I grew up with Toonami. Tonight we lay it to rest.

God bless you, sir. And may you rest in peace, Toonami. You were a large chunk of my childhood and I'm not sure what I'd have watched without you.

Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) - Its the oldest anime on my list it still has great of action and a storyline that still holds up today. Although it was cancelled during its initial run in Japan the show sparked countless sequels and spinoffs. My favorite part of the show is the idea of humans colonizing space. The protagonist Amuro might be a little whiny in the beginning but he'll grow on you as he transforms into a kickass ace pilot. It might not be the best animation but it has a distinct style that still looks great.

Dragonball (1986) - One of the best selling mangas of all time is one of my favorite animes. Simple yet compelling storytelling interlaced perfectly with comedy and action. In the beginning the story is light hearted and very funny but over time it transitions into a more darker and adult story that keeps you wanting more. Takashi Murakami, a Japanese artist and writer, wrote that Dragon Ball's "never-ending cyclical narrative moves forward plausibly, seamlessly, and with great finesse." He also said that Goku's journey and his ever growing strength resulted in the character winning "the admiration of young boys everywhere" and he definately won mine.

DragonballZ (1989) - I would say DBZ is the best sequel series ever. This is a guy's dream anime. What else would you need other than huge drawn-out battles and crazy villians. You either love it or hate it and I love it. This is one series that no matter how many times they brought it out I would buy it every time. My favorite character has to be Piccolo. Who else is green, has antennae, and still looks like a badass? 

Yu Yu Hakusho (1992) - An often overlooked anime, Yu Yu Hakusho is a great story of a young rebellious teen who dies and is brought back as a spirit detective. The best part of the anime has to be the protagonist because he is an antihero. He is loud, rude, and always hitting on the ladies. Chapter Black, a story arc about opening a gate between the demon world and the human world, has to be one of my favorite anime arcs ever.

Rurouni Kenshin (1996) - Katanas, crazy attack names, and Saito are what make this anime awesome. It is also a great story of redemption for Kenshin or Battosai the Man Slayer. The best arc is The Legend of Kyoto by a long shot. Treat yourself to this one if you haven't seen it yet.

8th MS Team (1996) - The best spinoff series from the Gundam universe. Short 13 episode series that does not get too long and boring like the usual 50+ Gundam series. This series has my favorite giant robot battle of all time. In the Shuddering Mountain Part 1, an ace pilot who looks like he has a dead raccoon on his head fights the series protagonist in a battle that lasts the whole episode. This is the only anime that I think that piloting a giant robot with two simple joysticks and two footpedals is acceptable.

Outlaw Star (1998) - I usually don't like short animes but this one is too good to pass up. Great main character with great supporting cast. The best part of this anime is the Castor Gun! Its a gun that shoots magic! What else do you need?!

InuYasha (2000) - Sometimes its a little too girly but it redeems itself in many other ways. The villain, Naraku, is a great opponent since he never dies! He always has a way out and another ace up his sleeve. Comedy relief is handled by the monk Miroku who might be related to Master Roshi.

YuGiOh! (2000) - I like playing CCGs so why wouldn't I like an anime based on one? Characters have huge eyes and wild hair and have some laughable dialogue but theres something charming about it. You know an anime is great when the fate of the world depends on a card game. 

FullMetal Alchemist (2003) - One of best animes that have came out in recent years. Great action in every episode with amazing animation. Redemption and family are major themes in the show. The relationship between Ed and Al is one of the best elements of this series. If you enjoy the show, read the manga. Its even better!

Rock Out!

-Roy

The story of Gene Starwind and Co. is quite extensive and heroic.  Watching Gene in action and seeing him change from a mis-guided sleezeball into a passionate hero is so inspiring.  Seeing the things he accomplishes just instills this sense of greatness inside of me that can't be ignored.  Watching the show as such a young child had to have played a role in shaping who I am.  As I'm sitting here, wanting to go off and do great things, back then I must have felt the same.  And having first seen the show at such an impressionable age... I'm glad such inspiration made its way into my soul.  I'm sure that witnessing it for the first time made me recognize right and wrong, made me stand up for goodness and reject evil.  Not saying I didn't know those things before... but it's reinforcement.  Reinforcement, reassurance- it's all wonderful.  When you see such a cretin go from directionless to stable and go from standing for nothing to upholding justice... it makes you realize that the good in this world truly is what's right and worth fighting for.  Not only does the main character of this bad ass show realize good is better than evil, but all the people behind the show creating it and supporting it feel the same way too.  Seeing good prevail in such an involving piece of entertainment really made me want to be a better person and it still does.  It reminds me of why I stand up for the things I stand up for.

For example (there are many, this is just one I can think of immediately)... Gene went around with a bunch of women in the beginning and didn't care much for them except for their sexual company.  But by the end of the series Gene has a certain respect for women, so much so he commits himself to one person and it's anything but sexual.  Sometimes I question why I'm so sensitive and moralistic when it comes to love..  It's so easy to just hook up and not be tied down and be sexually satisfied.  But... where's the point in all of that?  It's all just for some quick, conditional fun.  Whereas when you're a loyal person and involve yourself in a deep love, the rewards are so much more numerous and fulfilling.  Gene's change of heart reminds me why I'm so committed to Harriet and why I'm more than happy to make her my last ever love.  Gene's transition is so amazing because it's like... not only does he stand up for true love by the end, but he CHANGED.  He was one thing... and became another!  Changing one's ways doesn't come easy and by witnessing his transformation, that just brings the message home even stronger.

But okay.  I'm exhausted.  I'm surprised I wrote this much.

Wow, so I'm finally getting around to continuing this. Five more of my favorite anime OP's after the jump. Kami-chama Karin OP The Kami-chama Karin TV series was an absolute trainwreck. But part of the reason I watched as much of it as I did was the OP, the deliciously dark Ankoku Tengoku, sung by the well-known Ali Project. This OP made me think that there was, perhaps, a chance that the show would take a much darker turn. Which it never did. But I digress. This is one of my favorite OP's due to the fact that the song itself is good, and that the animation goes so hand-in-hand with the song. People once frozen spring out of vines and greenery, unclear spirits fight in the air, backgrounds shatter, and partially burnt photographs round it all out. You could easily be forgiven for believing that this is a delightfully dark twist on the mahou shoujo genre. Last Exile OP Cloud Age Symphony alone is a great song. Combined with the OP animation, it pulls the viewer right in. While Last Exile is an anime I've liked but not loved, the OP song ended up on my playlist within two episodes. The animation gives a sweeping feel, with grand shots of the sky and massive battle air ships, things exploding and people shouting orders. The only criticism I have is that some of the OP animation is recycled animation from the first episode. This is honestly too bad, although most of it admittedly fits very well with the overall feel of the OP. But even this isn't enough to bring the OP out of my favorites' list, because the music and the animation are top-notch. Maze~The Megaburst of Space~ OP How could anyone not love this OP? Ok, so the animation is a bit old, and wasn't even really that great when it first aired. But that's part of the allure - its this very throw-back kind of OP. The animation is so thoroughly 90's era, and the music (Kokuu Meikyuu, by Seikama II), with its arena rock-esque soaring guitars, is enough to make one feel giddy and nostalgic. We also get gems of lyrics such as "DIE! HARD! LIFE! Beam up!" In all honesty, the Maze OP isn't really all the great - in fact, its fairly typical of its era. But it's a lot of fun, and, really, how could I hate those silly electric guitars? Outlaw Star OP The 90's love continues. Like the Maze OP, this OP is wonderfully 90's, and a lot of fun for it. We have more electric guitar action in the song, Through the Night (Masahiko Aramachi), and more aged and a bit sub-par animation (although the quality varies throughout the OP animation, with some shots being well-done, and others being completely rocky). However, Outlaw Star does better on the animation itself than Maze does, in that its more interesting overall. I particularly like the opening flashes of light that are timed to the music, and the black-and-white shots of the different members of the main cast. I really love this OP. I'm also willing to bet that a bunch of people aren't going to agree because the animation is so aged, and the 90's J-rock isn't for everyone. But, like the show itself, it's a really fun ride. And you know what? I think I'm in love with 90's era J-rock. Princess Tutu OP Morning Grace (Ritsuko Okazaki) is a definite departure on this list. But it's classical music feel matches Princess Tutu perfectly, as does the pleasant accompanying animation. The whole thing gives a fairy tale aura to the proceedings, which is exactly what Princess Tutu is at heart. While the OP's pleasantries might be a bit deceptive in nature, it still fits perfectly. My favorite part of the animation is right at the beginning as drops fall on the surface of water, and then gather again, go up into the sky, and explode into fireworks. This sounds a lot more bombastic than it actually is, though. I also like how the song segways into the music from Swan Lake right at the end, as Princess Tutu herself dances. It's a very nice touch.

Related Entries:

• Part One
• Part Two

My internship can pretty much be described as 'more of the same'. Of course, you don't know what 'the same' is so I'll explain it a little bit... accounting and paperwork. >_> That sums it up. In the morning, after the mail and packages from the post office gets dealt with, I start my paperwork. I file the previous day's work - the register/stamp/deposit sheet, FedEx and UPs reports, and department postage charges - and also enter them into various Excel spreadsheets. At the end of the month, we get a charge report for general charges from the business office (that we work to make sure our accounts balance) and we issue charge reports to all the departments that sent mailings through us so they know how much they spent for their own bookkeeping. Sound boring? It is. >_>;

I'm a little dissapointed that I don't really feel like I'm training to be a manager for this job. I know I am, a lot of managment IS paperwork. I was hoping to be in a little more on the decision-making process. Sometime this summer I'm supposed to be creating (or at least helping to create) a guide to the mailcenter services that'll be disbursed to all the faculty offices, but we'll see if that actually gets done.

Okay, on to the anime! I finished watching Outlaw Star in between the Netflix I was getting. Aisha naked, hah! Too bad it was in the middle of an episode that was more or less a joke - aside from the Caster shells, but even the aquisition of them was a big joke. The end was a little trippy, and I was hoping for a more romantic final scene. Gene just needed to cup Melfina's cheek, mutter something romantic, and lay a long kiss on her lips. But no, he had to pull on her cheek and turn it into a joke. Bah. >_>

For Netflix, I've been watching Full Metal Panic, and and I got through disc 4. I'll be having disc 5 waiting for me on monday and maybe even disk 7. That's right, you read it correctly. For some stupid-ass reason, Netflix isn't carrying disk 6. So I'll be missing three or four episodes. Hopefully it won't be too overly important, but it probably will. The season is starting to approach its close, afterall. Anyway, the whole mecha competition between the ditzy Captian and Melissa was a riot. I knew it was too much to ask to see one of them carry through with the punishment. I would have been right there with Kurz when he got his face stomped on because he requested the punishment to actually happen when it was all over. Come on, they're both hot, though the Captian has a huge cute advantage and I don't like smokers/drunks so much.

The big up-side to my internship is that I'm staying with friends during the work-week. Friends that love their anime and manga. So I've been going through their manga collection whenever there isn't anything else going on. I read the seven volumes they had of Chibi Vampire already. Cute story, some good inter-personal drama toward volumes 6 and 7. Its a little predictable though, because it was easy to tell that the two main characters would hook up at least for a while.

I've also made it into volume 10 of Negima. I'll tell you something! The manga is soo~oo~ooo much better than the anime (at least what I've seen of it). The anime was kinda stupid and silly. Sure, the manga is like that too at times, but the story is a lot better than the anime. In the anime, Negi was like 'Oh, noes! You know my secret! Now I have to kiss you before this retarted frog and this stupid cat fluffball find out that you know it and turn me into a chupacabra.' It was cute for a while, but after the whole class started to find out, I just faceplamed and turned it off. I love how the manga keeps you in touch with Negi's mentality through the process. He's a little kid, but he's carrying a huge load in his shoulders. Sure, he and the classmates get into some comic mischief from time to time, but that weight is always looming over the horizon.

Well, I think that about does it for this week. Thank you for making it this far (if you actually read what I had to say. Lord knows I would have skipped half of it if I was an outside reader. >_>;). If you didn't actually read it.. well.. at least you gave me a pageview or something. Thanks for that, then. *thumbs up* Well, see you next week!

It's hard to believe that it has been 6 years since I've first seen this anime. With New Years coming up, it's only necessary to revisit the things we love, since they're gonna be a year older.

I believe good anime never gets old, and in this case, Outlaw Star most definitely does not. Since I only have a few days left for Winter Break, I figured why not bring out some old DVD's. I've had this dvd set for quite a while, and it was well worth the money! I plan to talk about all the episodes, more important or what I consider interesting episodes I'll have more than 1 mini screencap. Less important episodes will get 1 cap and probably be bundled together in single posts. I'll probably end up doing key episodes only. But.. here's episode 1 to start us off. (Hope the nostalgic feeling is unbearable! ^^) I apologize for the crappy screencaps, I formatted them kinda small.

Episode 1 - Outlaw World

The episode opens with Gene Starwind and his partner Jim aboard the Outlaw Star, the most advanced Grappler Ship in the galaxy. An intense battle between the crew and some unidentified ships shortly follows while Gene explains how he wanted to be in space. After the snazzy intro, Gene is shown watching a space shuttle lifting off. He only spoke one word. "Space."

The next scene is a chase. "Ice" Hilda has apparently stolen from space pirates, with them on hot pursuit. After a slight struggle, Hilda's ship blasts away, obliterating the Grappler Ships behind her. She says, "To stay here is death. To go, is death."

Forward to Gene and Jim's quite formal introduction, playing cards in a friendly bar, being attacked by a revengeful brother, all while looking very, very cool.

A rather pointless scene, where Gene gets a girl, though it does explain his desire to go to space. I don't remember this scene on Toonami; it was most likely omitted.

It's not too long until our two main characters Hilda and Gene are connected. The pirates tracked Hilda down to Sentinel III, Gene's hometown of Locust. Disguised as "Rachel," Hilda designates Gene as a bodyguard, and takes them to an abandoned building.

The trip however is not a joyride, as a few encounters with these powerful pirates using "Tao Magic" force Gene to use his Caster gun. According to Wikipedia, it is a "magic pistol effective against Tao priests and other things of supernatural origin." Things start to heat up after Gene takes down one of the pirates.

Arriving at the site, Hilda shoots Gene and takes Jim inside to retrieve a case. Gene blocked the bullet and was not hurt, which quickly turned the tables on Hilda. With a gun to the back of her head she is forced to say the password to the case, and Jim opens it.

Inside, is a girl. And..thats where the episode stops.
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Not as much a review as it was a summary ^^; Hopefully you didn't read all of this, but rather was reminded of how great this show is, and.. gone out of your way to watch it again by now.

To fully satisfy my nostalgic feeling I'm watching it in English again, as that's how I first saw it. I love how after each "next episode" preview Gene says "You better get ready!"

Thanks for reading!

O AXN abre um novo espaço na sua já diversificada programação, dedicado ao género anime, inspirado nos “comics” Manga, a partir de Sábado, dia 20 de Outubro e todos os fins-de-semana, das 12:45 às 15:25. Baseada no canal Animax que possui uma já longa história de sucesso na Ásia e América Latina, esta é mais uma proposta que decerto irá agradar aos inúmeros fãs deste tipo de animação. Se quiseres saber a programação, é só continuar a ler.

Preparem-se e desfrutem do que de melhor se faz por terras do sol nascente, com séries de culto como “Inuyasha”, uma comédia romântica “shônen” (mais centrada na acção que nos sentimentos); “Outlaw Star”, a história de Gene Starwind, que sempre quis ser fora-da-lei (ele e o seu amigo e colega Jim não “torcem o nariz” a nenhum trabalho, sobretudo se forem contratados por uma mulher atraente…); “Trigun", que é passado num planeta e num futuro longínquo, o tempo e o espaço onde decorrem as aventuras de Vash, um pistoleiro solitário que se converteu numa lenda viva; “Orphen”, onde a Torre de Fang é a maior e melhor escola de feiticeiras de todo o planeta (os seus alunos são respeitados devido ao bom uso que fazem da magia, mas um deles foi devorado pela ambição e converteu-se numa ameaça para todas as criaturas vivas…); “Samurai Shamploo”, onde Fuu, uma rapariga de 15 anos, trabalhava numa casa de chá até esta ser destruída depois de uma violenta rixa entre Mugen, o vagabundo, Jin, o samurai errante, e os guarda-costas do filho do Daikan dessa povoação; entre outras “pérolas” que vão fazer as delícias de muitos…
Fonte: Revista “Zapping! TV Cabo”

Well here is mine! In no particular order

Note that as well Two are by the same Seiyuu, he's my favorite seiyuu ever! Two are covered in tattoos, two are red-heads, two have plenty of scars and one looks kinda like my boyfriend but punk and not as manly.

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Sagara Sousuke
Anime: Full Metal Panic (2002)
Seiyuu: Seki Tomokazu

Well Full Metal Panic was one of the first anime I ever really saw. It was right when I was just getting into anime, after I saw Neon Genesis Evangalion, Outlaw Star, and Chobits. I was just starting out in the anime scene not having seen many shows I mostly went off of my brother's taste in anime. (I wasn't allowed to download anything so he had to do it for me and so instead of looking for something myself I just watched what he had already had in his collection.) Sousuke was a character i fell in love with, his quirkiness, and definitely his way of saving the day. The way he does love Kaname but doesn't really know how to express it. He was always a favorite of mine.

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Kamina
Anime: Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann (2007)
Seiyuu: Konishi Katsuyuki

Kamina is the epitome of a Gar Character, he's so manly and almost full of himself but you know he's also unsure of himself and only acts this way to bring up the moral of his troops. He's just Kamina, there is really no other way to describe him. He's badass, and sexy, yet playful and caring. Without Kamina there is no Gurren Lagann, this series needed him to progress, yes he got axed. But his presence did not go unnoticed, they keep referring to him and without Kamina, Simon is nothing but an orphan who can dig. Plus Body the whole Tattoos deal is awesome. Yet in real life I don't like tattoos...

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Nobuo "Nobu" Terashima
Anime: Nana (2006)
Seiyuu: Seki Tomokazu

You'll notice in most of my list are bad boys, men who are tough and kick ass. Men with scars and are manly with a sense of defending whatever they believe in. Nobu is different, he's the sensitive type. Keep in mind this list is more of what kinda men I'd like a Harem with but Nobu is really the man I'd date and want a relationship with. He's kind, sweet, plays the guitar, shy, and when he loves someone he loves them so much it hurts. Why Hachi went with Takumi instead of Nobu I'll never know but she's crazy to turn him down for that jerk.

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Abarai Renji
Anime: Bleach (2004)
Seiyuu: Itou Kentarou

Renji, Renji, Renji. What more can I say he's sexy. Who doesn't love a fire crotch with a residing hairline who is also covered in tattoos. I don't know I guess I'm crazy but his badass-ed-ness makes up for everything. Even though I'm actually attracted to male character with Tattoos and Red hair. Plus a big sword always helps to win over my heart. ___________________________________________________________

Gene Starwind
Anime: Outlaw Star (1998)
Seiyuu: Shibuya Shigeru

The lone outlaw, a Slacker and pervert who only wants the easy way out. But when the moment strikes he takes his destiny into his own hands and saves the day and gets the girl. Outlaw Star was one of the first anime I ever saw. Second actually, I loved this series. If it weren't for the lightheartedness of Outlaw Star after i saw Evangalion I would never had continued to watch anime. I would have thought, that it's all crazy mind fuck series out there. But this after this series I was hooked.

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Technically I think I get one more guy in there with me. But I really can't think of someone else who would be suitable for the list. Maybe Post time skip Simon. Maybe Ichigo from Bleach as well but I didn't want two from the same show. Holland from Eureka Seven might have been a good choice as well. I can't exactly choose Takahashi Ryousuke cause I really only like him for his car. So I'm quite happy with my choices.

J-List is a peaceful island of Japanese pop culture for you

I had vague memories of it during it's run on Cartoon Network a million years ago and stuff like that just stays with you. It was a great series. It was fun, a bit corny at some points, but hell I loved it.

It must've taken *DW3Girl ages to make this. I would've preferred if it were Jim, Melfina or Suzuka, 'cause I hate Gene, but, hey, if it's a semi-obscure anime, you take what you can get!