Hajime no Ippo New Challenger Ep. 1-4

I know I am a little late considering the series is up to its 15th episode by now but I was putting it off until my roommate and I finished the first series and the two movies. So here's a review of the first four episodes.
For those of you who have never heard of Hajime no Ippo; it is a boxing series. In the U.S. it is known as Fighting Spirit.

Young Ippo Makunouchi is a high school student who gets beaten up by bullies regularly. He is one day saved by Mamoru Takamura, a rising star in the boxing world. After some circumstances, Ippo falls in love with the sport of boxing and he learns how to fight. A long road and plenty of challenges await Ippo as he takes on challenger all over the globe.

Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger is the new season that continues Ippo's journey and his fellow boxers around him. The show follows right after the first season and two movies; the first four episodes focuses on Ichiro Miyata, Ippo's friend and rival, and his fight for the OPBF championship belt.

The first series ran for 76 episodes back in 2002; despite a seven year gap, the show still maintains similar animation but it looks fresher and cleaner than before. The boxing matches are the heart of the show with its over-the-top fight scenes and how it plays the drama card. Drama, suspense, pretty much everything about the show puts you on the edge of your seat.

Though I missed the rock music overtones of the first series as the have been replaced with a semi-classical sound. Even though there are still funny jokes and plenty of comic relief, the show feels much more serious this time around. Though, I am glad they still carried on the penis joke. After the end of the first match, the show jumps right into the next plot; it wasn't a bad thing, I like how they don't waste time but it just seems so abrupt and the transmission could of been smoother.
In the end, the show is definitely fun to watch and if you like movies like Rocky, I would strongly recommend this show. Just be sure to watch the first series before the second; jumping right into the second season will only leave you confused.

K-ON! Ep. 1

I like cute girls. I also like cute things. So, how about a show about cute girls doing cute things? Sounds like a great show! Or is it?


K-ON! is a show about four girls who just entered high school and they must join at least one after school activity. The light music club is in danger of disbanding since all previous members graduated so in order to save the club and to do cute things these girls decide to join.

The first to join are Ritsu, a drummer, and her friend Mio who is a Bass player. They later get a girl named Tsugumi to join who plays keyboard. The last person to join is Yui, who plays the... castanets. However, the other members believe she is a guitar prodigy.

The series is animated by Kyoto Animation who is famous for animating Haruhi Suzumiya and Lucky ☆ Star and they did a good job with animating K-ON! So far, the first episode introduces the characters and the premise of the show but otherwise nothing spectacular happens. The music is easy on the ears and the characters are soft on the eyes. The opening and closer are catchy and very happy sounding but I might be inclined to skip it in future episodes.

While the production of the show is good, what bothers me is the characters on the show. Our main character, Yui, is clumsy but she is gentle and innocent. (Maybe too innocent.) Ritsu is the hyperactive member of the group and her friend Mio is the tsundere character keeping everyone in check. Then there Tsugumi, who is the extremely polite one who is a bit of an airhead and probably comes from a rich family.

This all reminds me of another anime...



Don't misunderstand me; it isn't a terrible show. It even made me chuckle once in a while but I feel as if it has all been done before. Whether this series remains on its cliché path or finds it own way, its too soon to tell. It's not innovative but it won't offend anyone either. Hopefully, there will be something to spice up its future.

If you have a half an hour to kill and you like watching cute girls doing cute things then I would check it out but if you don't I won't hold it against you.

Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna go eat tacos...

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood Ep. 1

Whoever watches anime has most likely heard of the Full Metal Alchemist. The tale of two brothers who seek to correct their mistake by seeking for the famed Philosopher Stone. When this show first debuted, it garnered a huge following. By the time the show concluded, it became legendary. All sorts of media have been conceived, thriving on its success.

Now, if you do watch the new Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood, I have a piece of advice for you. Watch the series knowing only the characters names and background. Forget the plot, character developments, interactions and pretty much everything about the first season. This is more than a second season but a complete revision of the whole series.

Pretending that we know nothing at all about the series except the characters names, we are thrown right into the action and comedy that Full Metal is all about. Edward Elric is the Full Metal Alchemist; the youngest state alchemist in all of military history. His partner is his younger brother, Alphonse Elric; who is enclosed in full body armor and constantly mistaken to be the Full Metal Alchemist. All the characters from the previous season are back like Roy Mustang, Armstrong and even Maes Hughes. (More time with Hughes! :D)

This first episode has the Elric Brothers chasing down the "Ice Alchemist" and stopping his attempt to bring down the head of the military, Bradley. The episode is packed with over-the-top action, comedy and style by showcasing everyone's talents to stop the rogue alchemist. Whenever Ed is called short, its priceless.


The animation looks great and the character designs look a little different from the first season whether for better or worst. Romi Paku and Rie Kugimiya reprise their roles and are spot on as Ed and Al but I did notice that some of the characters have a different seiyū like Roy Mustang.

The opening is by YUI (Bleach's fifth OP - Rolling Star) appropriated titled "AGAIN" and closer "Uso" by Sid are destined to be popular hits in the near future. I don't know why but I am especially fond of the closing theme. You can check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcSwIRNQfYI&feature=related

One thing I will address is the fact that there are spoilers right from the get-go. In the opening, they show that one of the characters is a homunculi and while I have no problem since I watched the first season; new fans of the show will be caught off guard.

Even so, this is a show not to be missed. If you watched the first season, keep in mind its a brand new story with the same characters but if you never watched the first season then enjoy the ride for it's going to be one hell of a good time.

It's time for me to go but don't forget, we all live in a Pokemon world...

Valkyria Chronicles Ep. 1

Hey everyone, spring is finally here (kinda) and with the rainy season comes a new season of anime. So to kick off my very first blog I will be reviewing one of the newest titles this season.

Based of the highly praised PS3 RPG, Here's Valkyria Chronicles:


For those of you who own a PS3 but have not yet picked up this game, I highly recommend it. It is a beautiful game with its own unique art style, a great story, great characters and it won a number of awards and a cult following. If you haven't heard of the game then blame SEGA's marketing group.

The first episode kicks it off with some history and it introduces the current conflict between two nations and the country caught in between. The country of Gallia is being invaded by its bigger neighbors for its resources called Ragnite.

Welkin Gunther is a young college student who returns back to his hometown of Bruhl to help his younger sister evacuate. On his way home, he sketches the local fauna and is the arrested under the impression of being a spy. He is arrested by Alicia Melchiott; a member of the local patrol and from there his story begins from a reserved nature boy to his adventures in the military.

The animation looks great and if you look closely, the animation has a storybook feel to it; just like the game. The story has a nice pace; despite being an adaptation from a game the story doesn't feel rushed. With charming characters, Alicia stands out as a great female lead. Accompanied by a great opening and cute closer; this anime is worth the time and attention.

If you want to see the trailer follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um0SQRXWdFs

Until then, see you next time...