TNT: The Bears Bear a Bare Kuma Chapters 1-26 by Kumanano

I’m covering a series I’m rather fond of for this week’s Translation Necessary Thursday. It’s The Bears Bear a Bare Kuma Chapters 1-26 by Kumanano!

Plot Synopsis: Yuna, a 15 years old girl started playing the world’s first VRMMO. She has earned billions of yen in stocks. She confines herself in her house playing the game without going to school. Today, a huge update has arrived. She obtains a non-transferable rare bear outfit. But the equipment is so embarrassing that she can’t wear it even in the game. Furthermore, when she answers the survey regarding the new update and relaunches the game, she appears in unknown forest in a bear outfit. Where is this? Email from God? Different world? If she wears the bear outfit she’s completely overpowered, but if she takes it off she’s a normal girl. Her adventure starts just like that, with Yuna doing as she likes.

Plot: This is an incredibly laid back series, and honestly a great change of pace series for those who are swamped by various action packed novels or games. This is probably one of my favorite Light Novels just for that quality, not to mention Yuna is a bad ass girl who is crazy smart. While most Isekai novels have male leads who go off to defeat the “Demon King” or the like, Yuna just doesn’t give a shit and does what she likes. Sort of like the honey badger, but way more adorable.  The fact that she’s pretty much stuck in a Bear Onesie is just icing on the cake.

Characters: This is a story completely centered around Yuna, and she’s the star of the story. That’s not a bad thing, as she’s a rather awesome lead character. That being said the rest of the cast is just as fun, and Fina is probably my favorite side character. That or the guild receptionist.

Overall: A hilarious and laid back read. If you want a good change of pace or just a good laugh, The Bears Bear a Bare Kuma is just the thing for you.

For those who like: Isekai, Fantasy, Magic, Overpowered Lead, Awesome Female Lead Characters, Fantastic Plot, Great Cast of Characters. Oh and Teddy Bears.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above. But how can you hate all that? Like really, what are you? A monster?

Retro Game Friday: Jet Force Gemini

This week for Retro Game Friday I’m covering a game I’m shocked I never covered before. It’s Jet Force Gemini!

Plot Synopsis: Jet Force Gemini begins with the three heroes, Juno, Vela and Lupus in orbit around the planet Goldwood after barely escaping the destruction of the entire Jet Force fleet at the hands of Mizar, who has been capturing and enslaving a race of survivors known as the Tribals. When they are attacked by several drones, the three decide to abandon their ship and go off on their own separate paths to stop the invasion.

Plot: The plot is okay, not amazing, but it’s better than Destiny’s non existent story.

Gameplay:  The three heroes all play slightly differently, but there are some things that are the same like the targeting and general movement. However Juno can walk through lava, Vela can swim indefinitely and Lupus can hover for a short period of time. The gameplay itself is actually pretty good, however the fact that you have to rescue every Tribal to beat the story is more than a bit annoying, especially since you can accidentally kill them with friendly fire. Or on purpose if you’re just in a mood for destruction and mayhem. The game also has local co-op where the second player can play as Floyd, a robotic drone that hovers above the characters and can open fire on enemies.  The multiplayer was okay, but really not that amazing compared to now a days.

Art: The art has definitely aged poorly, but it was pretty freaking awesome back when it released.

Music: I don’t remember a whit of it, sorry.

Overall: If you get the chance to play this, give it a whirl it’s pretty fun. That being said it does require a lot of effort to actually finish the story which is more than a bit frustrating.

For those who like: Sci-Fi, Third Person Shooters, Action, Adventure, Drama, Decent Plot, Great Gameplay.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.