Anime Sunday: CHOYOYU Episode 01 Impressions

This week for Anime Sunday I’m back with a look at a series from Fall 2019. It’s my CHOYOYU Episode 01 Impressions!

Plot: The plot isn’t the standard Isekai, there’s no obvious evil to defeat and the main characters are already the top of their respective fields while they were on Earth which makes their arrival to this new world really quite interesting. Honestly it’s kind of refreshing to have this take on the Isekai genre, even if I have read and watched other series somewhat like this, but not quite done the same way.

Characters: Tsukasa seems to be our main male lead, although the rest of the “Prodigies” are all quite interesting, though we don’t get many insights into their pasts just yet, I imagine later cover them. Or at least I hope they do.

Art: The art is pretty good, although not nearly as good as my gold standard of ufotable, Project No. 9 did a pretty good job nonetheless.

Music: The music is pretty decent, although I didn’t get a chance to watch the opening or ending themes, the score did fit the series pretty well.l

Overall: A good take on the Isekai genre, it’s not super original, but it does pretty well standing out in a flooded market.

For those who like: Isekai, Fantasy, Overpowered Protagonists.

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

Movie Monday: The Hunt for Red October

This week for Movie Monday I’m back with another true classic. It’s The Hunt for Red October!

Plot: This a military thriller in the truest sense of the words, and the plot is pretty amazingly done. It’s got pretty much everything you could want from political intrigue to heart-pounding action sequences. I can’t say much more without spoiling it, but I will say that this has the Jack Ryan character from many of Clancy’s other novels and movies featured prominently in this one as well.

Casting: Sean Connery is cast as the Russian lead, Marko Ramius who pilots the titular Red October and Alec Baldwin who portrays Jack Ryan. The rest of the cast is just as well done, but these two really took the spotlight and they did a great job of it. Ironically Connery was not the first pick for Ramius.

Cinematography: It’s very well done, and considering how impractical filming on a real sub is they did a great job portraying it. The effects weren’t super amazing, but they weren’t terrible either.

Music: The music was pretty great, which is pretty obvious once you consider it won an Academy Award for Sound Editing. While it’s mostly done in English, the switch between Russian and English at the beginning was pretty well done.

Overall: A fun movie that you probably ought to watch if you haven’t seen it before.

For those who like: Military Fiction, Thrillers, Drama, Action, Sean Connery and/or Alec Baldwin.

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

Serial Saturday: Our Chaoz Chapters 48-67 by SlyOkami

This week for Serial Saturday I’m back with more chapters in Kyle’s adventures. It’s Our Chaoz Chapters 48-67 by SlyOkami!

Plot Synopsis: Having come to the decision to attempt to negotiate with the Dezol legions, the Blood Pack Mercenaries are now dealing with the aftermath of the attack of the Demon Prince and a new recruit to the guild. But how much will change with their changing allegiances? How will forces from both the Divine and Mortal worlds will react to this sudden change?…

Plot: This is probably one of the bigger turning points in the series, and this entire set of chapters really reflects that. It’s a fun ride as well.

Characters: We get to meet a ton of new people, but mostly it’s still focused on those we know. Sparta is a great new addition to the cast though.

Overall: A solid set of chapters that comes right after one of the more bizarre plot twists I’ve ever seen.

Bookish Wednesday: Cherry Blossom Girls by Harmon Cooper

This week for Bookish Wednesday I’m back with another LitRPG, sort of. It’s Cherry Blossom Girls by Harmon Cooper!

Plot Synopsis: I was a just normal guy until the night the cherry blossoms bloomed, the night that Grace appeared on my doorstep. A failed sci-fi writer, a gamer, but a normal guy nonetheless. Grace was everything I was not, a psychic shifter, beautiful beyond my wildest imagination, a government conspiracy waiting to be unraveled…

Plot: The plot of this is rather bland. Honestly while it takes a ton of influences, and states what those are, it also isn’t turning it into something new or interesting. If you’ve ever read the original Elfen Lied manga you’ll know the story of the book pretty freaking quick. It’s not new, and it’s not that great. Another thing against it is that the book is constantly swamped with our main character’s, Gideon, thoughts. It’s also a plot point, Gideon is constantly thinking about things, and usually in a rather stupid way. There are some clever tricks, but honestly the guy is like a giant walking self-insert for the author and it’s not even attempting to be subtle.

Characters: Our leads are okay characters, with our two female leads being much more interesting than Gideon. Honestly I’d almost rather have her be our main Point of View except that we’d still get to hear all of Gideon’s thoughts anyways.

Overall: A mediocre LitRPGish story that has heavy influences by a ton of things, including Elfen Lied, but doesn’t really innovate at all. The fact that our lead is a self insert of the author doesn’t help at all.

For those who like: Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, LitRPGs, Action, Drama.

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

TNT: Black Belly Miss Chapters 121-160 by North Night

This week for Translation Necessary Thursday I’m back with the fourth set of chapters in Jun Wu Xie’s adventures. It’s Genius Doctor: Black Belly Miss Chapters 121-160 by North Night!

Plot Synopsis: Having started her quest to redeem her and her families fame, Jun Wu Xie now is at the palace with the high official’s at sword point. However the Emperor has just arrived on the scene and the Second Prince came along as well. However can he stop Wu Xie now that she’s determined to raise her familie’s fame and reputation?

Plot: This is a really fun set of chapters, where the title becomes even more self evident if you didn’t pick up on that already. And by fun I mean Wu Xie has absolute control over the entire situation and acts and looks like the badass she really is.

Characters: We get a couple new faces, but really the star of this set of chapters is Wu Xie. Honestly she’s probably one of my favorite female leads out there just because she’s absolutely resolute in her desires.

Overall: A very fun and solid set of chapters that showcase the best of this series.