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Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory (Japanese) - Episodes 1-3

Already liking this more than The Second Raid. The first episode I basically spent trying to adjust to the new, actually HD, animation and trying to remember exactly how TSR ended. Even within episodes 2 and 3 there’s been a lot more progress made than in the entirety of TSR, so I look forward to watching more.

Also, am I going crazy or did they change how they render Tessa’s first name? I thought it was written as Teresa before but it’s written as Teletha here in IV.
 
Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? III (English Dub) Episode 12 (Complete)

TONIKAWA: Over the Moon for You (English Dub) Episode 12 (Complete)

Bottom-tier Character Tomozaki Episode 5 Group outing.

King's Raid: Successors of the Will Episode 19

So I'm a Spider, So What? Episode 5 Fiery pits.

The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter Episode 5 Curse breaker.

WIXOSS Diva(A)Live Episode 5 Playstyle rotation.
 
Back Arrow episode 5 Brawn and brains.

Jujutsu Kaisen (TV) episode 17 Clash.

So I'm a Spider, So What? episode 5 Fire and pride.

Tremors (Film) A lot of fun and a great UHD release from Arrow Video.

Sword Art Online: Alicization episodes 8-24 (Complete. I liked this overall - episode 10 aside - and thought the story was decent but the antagonists and final fights felt a tad lacklustre to me. I’ll get around to the next season eventually, especially if AL can release it.) 3.5/5
 
Arte, 2020, Funimation Streaming, Japanese language with subtitles

Started another anime with my mother last night, I pulled up Funimation on my HTPC so we could watch it streaming on my big theater screen. We marathoned the first 8 episodes of Arte, so only have 4 more episode to finish it. Man, this is another exceptionally good anime drama, but with just a small amount of some light humor in the story which is perfect after finishing the totally serious Hanasakeru Seishonen series. Both of us are loving this show - I sure hope this one gets a Blu-ray release!
 
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Horimiya (English Dub) Episode 1

The Day I Became a God (English Dub) Episode 10

Warlords of Sigrdrifa (English Dub) Episode 10

Horimiya Episode 5 Misunderstanding and first names.
 
Yatogame-chan Kansatsu Nikki s3 e4
School lunches.

Re:ZERO s2 p2 e5
More memories. Started with one backstory, which didn't really finish, and then went back to the one from last week, which is still ongoing by the end of the episode. This is so slow, I'm wondering if they will ever get back to what Subaru initially set out to do at the start of the season before we get to the end of it!

Dr. Stone s2 e4
Full steam ahead.

Heaven's Design Team ep 5
A hellish request.

Jujutsu Kaisen ep 17
Sisterly hate.
 
Full Metal Panic! Invisible Victory (Japanese) - Episodes 4-12 Complete

Well damn, I really liked this season, with it being on par with how I felt about the first season and really hope that Xebec (or someone, anyone, please god damn it) can do a final season to adapt the last 3 novels of material. Otherwise, the ending of this season is a pretty big “**** you, read the novels” ending.
Episode 10 really dipped in quality and even had me googling for screencaps of the broadcast version just to check that the AL discs used the correct masters, everything about that episode is just so awkward visually. The CG and choreography of the mechs was pretty hit or miss throughout the season for me personally.
Storywise it was great to see pay off for development and story stuff set up during season 1 and season 2 (or 3 depending on your counting). Laevatein is a good upgrade but has the potential to be too powerful.
Anyway, if season 5 never happens I’ll happily read the light novels when the translation is finished.
 
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Laid Back Camp S2 ep5

City Hunter ep7-9 (rewatch)

With this newest release, I think you can really appreciate the attention to small throwaway details in the production. When the Triad group’s champion gambler throws a coin in the air, for example, you can actually recognise it as a Hong Kong half dollar.
 
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Dark Myth
interesting little story and felt very educational. Not sure how much of the religious mythology was accurate but I enjoyed it. And creepy horror elements were well done. (Its not a great dub)

Red Hawk
Entertaining. Gets better as it goes along.and by the end I was pretty invested. Also the dub improves as the films goes one and has some great sweary bits in the final act.

Bungo Stray Dogs Season 1
Very good show. Basically great all round. Glad I jumped in and bought all of it. Good characters, story, animation, intrigue. Cant wait to see where it goes.

Okko's Inn rewatch
Enjoyed it in the cinema but my God it's gone up 1000% in my estimations on this rewatch. After my grandma died last year and I couldnt go to the funeral because covid meant fights were cancelled and I couldn't get there in time (hadn't seen her in a year and was due to go out there a week later made it so much worse) this film with its main question of how to deal with grief in a heathly way really hit home. It's so well made and so well told and I loved every character. It pretends to be a whimsical tale but is a thought provoking well realised tale of something much more emotional.

My Ex
For MVMs live action selection. Decent horror film with a subtle twist I enjoyed.
 
Dr. Ramune -Mysterious Disease Specialist- episode 5 A darker story this week.

Horimiya episode 5 Meet the father.

Soul (Film) Arguably one of Pixar’s most mature outings in places, though I didn’t care much for the antics halfway through with the body-swapping. I also loved the film score, which featured wonderful jazz renditions alongside Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross’ more sparse and atmospheric compositions.

Crash (Film) Another disturbing but well-made film from David Cronenberg - one of my favourite auteurs, based on J.G. Ballard’s novel of the same name. The UHD is another winner from Arrow Video as well.

Tada Never Falls in Love episodes 1-13 (Complete. A series that starts as more comedy/SoL before the romance aspects gradually become more prominent, leading to fairly predictable plot progressions and a pleasant enough conclusion.) 3.5/5
 
@WMD A nice write-up on Okko’s Inn. I reviewed this for the site back when it was coming to Home Media and enjoyed it for similar reasons you did.
 
HWR said:
Soul (Film) Arguably one of Pixar’s most mature outings in places, though I didn’t care much for the antics halfway through with the body-swapping. I also loved the film score, which featured wonderful jazz renditions alongside Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross’ more sparse and atmospheric compositions.
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I still haven't seen this. I've only heard good things so I should really get on it!
 
HWR said:
@WMD A nice write-up on Okko’s Inn. I reviewed this for the site back when it was coming to Home Media and enjoyed it for similar reasons you did.
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Thanks. It was interesting it affected me way more than the first time I watched it. I even held off buying it until it was cheap and in a sale. But I have to say I'm so glad I rewatched it. Its surprisingly mature and I shed some tears this time it got me so invested!
 
WMD said:
It pretends to be a whimsical tale but is a thought provoking well realised tale of something much more emotional.
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I concur, it's one the whole family could watch and enjoy whilst the older members could take in the beautifully worked in themes of coping with loss and grief. In particular I loved the scene in the car with the focus on Okko's keychains, beautifully done. I'm always impressed at how the best animes can be a catharsis/coping mechanism/escapism from life's trials and tribulations. I'm sorry for your loss dude, these times can be incredibly harsh, though I guess the loss of a loved one is never really easy to deal with. I hope things continue to get better for you.
 
Mardock Scramble 1-3 (amusing engine dynamic naming methodology for the different parts) - Overall interesting cyberpunk story though despite some comparisons having made to Ghost in the Shell it pales in comparison for me. Not a bad one to watch if in the mood for cyberpunk.

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo - Unique visuals that match the far futuristic sci fi theme very well, though I found the kalaedoscopic effect jarring and not to my taste. Beautifully crafted series though and has me hooked despite the well known premise, halfway through so far.
 
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