blackguywatchesanime

[blackguywatchesanime]

Hiatus.

For the sake of closure, I’ll formally state that this blog is on a Yoshihiro Togashi-esque hiatus (so most likely a permanent one). I still watch anime of course, just can’t seem to find the time to write about it. To this blog’s few... maybe even handful... of readers that put up with my corny jokes and random musings...

Thank you.

#Blog

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Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens - Episode 3 Commentary

When you least expect it... knife pistol.

In this episode, Lin attempts to take out Zhang but is eventually restrained by a hitman named Ivanov. After a brief struggle, he manages to kill him using a gun disguised as a knife. He is stabbed in the process, and Banba has his doctor buddy patch him up and allows him to recuperate at his home.

Later on, Lin learns that his killer's sister is the Mayor's son, and he devises a plan where he's sold to him with Banba acting as the broker. However, Enokida sells him out and Lin's instead taken directly to Zhang and his people.

We also see that Zhang has hired the infamous Niwaka Samurai to take out both Lin and Banba, and Saitou's past as a baseball player is revealed.

This was a pretty damn good episode and this show's quickly becoming one of my favorites this season. The more I see of this grimy city, the more I want to see.

I wasn't surprised when Enokida sold out Lin. It's not like they're buddies. It's completely understandable that he didn't want to risk his health and well-being for a stranger. Still, it would've been nice if he didn't snitch. Lin deserves a break considering all the shit he's been through.

Enokida doing what he do: snitching.

Lin and Banba are going to need to start keeping their head on a swivel. I'm not really concerned about Zhang personally as I'm sure they will find a way to deal with his bum ass, but the Niwaka Samurai isn’t a joke. He seems like a real one, like a slice your head off first then ask questions never kind of guy.

#Anime #Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

Grancrest Senki - Episode 4 Commentary

Please, producers. Do it for my sanity.

In this episode... alright, I'm going to be honest. Everything moved much too fast and I wasn't able to keep up. So, no brief summary today, but it did appear that Theo gave up his status to serve under Villar so that Siluca could continue being his mage.

So it seems that Siluca's feelings for Theo isn’t unrequited. He went through great lengths to keep her by his side, and it's without a doubt that he needs her if he ever hopes to accomplish his goals. She's pretty much been the one responsible for his success up until now, if you think about it. He'd be a mess without her brain power and support.

The battles in this episode saw some casualties. The King of Savis was slain by Sir Lassic, a stranger named Sir Neyman fell in battle, and Aishela would have perished too if it wasn't for Priscilla and her healing powers. Although I don't know how she managed to remain intact to be healed in the first place, considering the Valdrind Knights' arrows appear to explode on impact.

Exploding magic arrows? How unfair.

A lot happened in this episode. I'm still trying to grasp it all, really.

#Anime #Grancrest Senki #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko - Episode 4 Commentary

Do you have a permit for that thing? Sheesh.

In this episode, Kanami and Hiyori battle Eren and Kaoru, but flee after they arm themselves with S-Equipment. Yukari sends the Elite Guard to investigate the unauthorized deployment of said equipment, and Kanami resolves to stay by Hiyori's side.

So, Kanami made a promise to stop Hiyori from killing anyone other than Yukari, but I doubt she will allow even that. When the moment comes, she'll push Hiyori aside and try to find a way to exterminate the aradama from Yukari without killing her, endangering them both in the process. That's the type of character I read her as thus far.

Because you're not about that life, Kanami.

The fight between the two duos was exciting with nice strategies being employed by both parties. Eren and Kaoru make quite the team, and I especially like the chemistry between them. The opening scene on the beach was pretty funny. Well, maybe not so much for Kaoru since she got clocked in the head with a beach ball.

So much for a relaxing vacation...

It seems like shit is getting real with the Elite Guard being deployed. Kanami and Hiyori are going to have their hands full.

#Anime #Katana Maidens #Toji no Miko #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

Kokkoku - Episode 3 Commentary

Why is he wearing the same outfit though?

In this episode, Juri awakens a hidden power that can forcefully expel a person's Specter and freeze them. She uses this ability to take the magic stone and escape. She soon meets up with her Grandpa, and they encounter more cult members. After a brief pursuit, they seem to be home free until they walk past a cult member disguised as one of the Stalled, and he attacks an unsuspecting Juri.

Juri's new palm strike ability looks pretty cool. The move reminds me of sumo wrestling, like something E. Honda from Street Fighter would have in his arsenal. So she has that, and the Grandpa has teleportation. Will the Takafumi, Makoto, or Tsubasa get their own Stasis skill?

She knocked the soul out of this man.

And speaking of Tsubasa, his reason for becoming a recluse was revealed when he tried to hide the fact that they were kidnapped from Makoto. Apparently, a scary experience(s) in his childhood led to him developing PTSD and then social anxiety. I feel for the guy, he's had a rough life.

This woman Majima seems to be in the know. I'm not sure if I buy her reasoning for not explaining herself. She claimed she couldn't disclose much because she wasn't sure they would trust her, but isn't that backwards? Logic tells me that they would trust her more if she didn't withhold information.

This was a good episode, and again it ends with Juri finding herself in a bad situation. How is she going to get out of this one? It doesn't look like she has time to dodge or anything like that. I'm sure the episode preview revealed her fate but that's precisely why I don't watch them. They reveal too much and I like surprises.

#Anime #Kokkoku #Commentary

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DARLING in the FRANXX - Episode 2 Commentary

They are about to operate a giant robot, obviously. Get your mind out of the gutter!

In this episode, the people in charge decide to test Hiro's piloting abilities by having him take part in a mock battle. However, he can't partner with Zero Two or use Sterlizia. Hiro must pilot Delphinium with Ichigo but they are unable to form a connection, even after kissing like he did with Zero Two. This failure leaves both Hiro and Ichigo shaken to the core.

I first need to address the elephant in the room. The way they pilot the Franxx is hilariously sexual. And with the camera angles, along with all the sweating and panting, I'm not sure if they are operating heavy machinery or getting busy. I know fan service sells but this is a bit much, at least if the show wants to be taken seriously.

We got to spend a bit of time with the cast, and they turned out to be quite colorful. There's the laid back guy with the glasses, the flirty girl, the big guy that can't stop eating bread, and so on. There's also some interesting relationships going on, like the hothead that has beef with Hiro.

You’re going to take that, Hiro?

The design of the mecha were also colorful and interesting. They each had their own characteristics and were easy to tell apart. If I had to pick a favorite, it's probably the Franxx that was in the first episode, Sterlizia.

This was a good episode. You can cut the tension between Hiro, Ichigo, and Zero Two with a knife. Let’s see what happens when their drama reaches its breaking point.

#Anime #DARLING in the FRANXX #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

#Anime #Killing Bites #Eruza Nakanishi #GIF

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#Anime #Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens #Xianming Ling #GIF

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Beatless - Episode 2 Commentary

Excuse me?

In this episode, Arato's sister Yuka enters Lacia into a modeling audition. We learn about the concept of analog hacking which involves controlling people by exploiting their subconscious.

So, I felt this episode was pretty uninteresting.

It seems like the show as whole is building up to a man vs. machine kind of thing, but it's getting there at a snail's pace. In this episode for example, most of it was centered around the fashion model story line and the analog hacking concept. Only in the last few minutes did we get a glimpse of the tension between the people and the hIE.

Get it, girls!

Still, I'll keep watching. There's potential here. I really do like the worldbuilding in this show. And oh, the soundtrack is pretty good too. It features several electronic songs, and the opening’s a certified banger.

#Anime #Beatless #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

Killing Bites - Episode 2 Commentary

Rated G this anime is not.

In this episode, Hitomi saves Yuyu from the nude girl in a trenchcoat which happens to be Ryoko, a porcupine hybrid. However, before Hitomi can kill her, a man named Ichinosuke breaks up their fight. He later asks her to join the Ishida Zaibatsu and though at first reluctant, she eventually agrees to do so.

Later on, Hitomi meets Eruza, a cheetah hybrid, at Yuya's school. They fight after Eruza steals her drawers but it's broken up by a representative of the Mitsukado Zaibatsu. He states that participants in the next Destroyal are forbidden to fight beforehand.

This episode was pretty exciting. There were two fights, one featuring a Porcupine hybrid and the other a Cheetah. On top of that, we got more tidbits about the ratel. I had no idea those little guys were such badasses.

I dare someone to challenge my knowledge of the honey badger after this anime ends.

Out of the several new characters introduced, I'm interested in Ichinosuke Okajima the most. He seems a lovable and reliable guy. I wonder what animal he transforms into? My first guess was a bear, but a bear appeared later in the episode and it wasn't him. I'm thinking now that he's an elephant? Or a rhinoceros? It has to be something big and powerful, for sure.

I'm still wondering about Hitomi's relationship with her guardian. She sure does seem willing to bend over backwards to please him. There was a brief flashback where she seemed to be getting attacked in an alley. Perhaps she was abandoned by her parents and he saved her life?

And oh, the moment of the episode was when Eruza stole Hitomi's panties. Despite all the fanservice in the show, I did not expect that to happen. What does she intend to do with them, anyways? Do I even want to know?

Next up is the Destroyal, which appears to be a competition of some sort, perhaps even a tournament.

#Anime #Killing Bites #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens - Episode 2 Commentary

We have a very different definition of soul food, Banba.

In this episode, it's revealed that Ling actually intends to protect Banba as a way to get back at his boss, Zhang. Banba eventually offers to pay Ling's debt in exchange for information. Later on, Ling makes the call to bossman to inform him that their deal is over, but he's hit with some shocking news.

This show's pretty brutal. Hakata's a twisted place and we saw that again in this episode. Torture, human trafficking... What's next? Somehow, I doubt it's sunshine and lollipops.

If you live in a city where people casually offer their torturing services, it's probably time to move.

I feel bad for Xianming Ling. I thought his boss was going to increase the debt, like "Oh, you forgot the interest. We need another 5 million." but instead he kills his sister, the very person he was working so hard to reunite with. That's just wrong.

Someone needs to talk to my man Saitou and tell him to make better life choices. Knowing the type of people in Hakata, why would you spend money that was wrongly given to you? It's no surprise that he's in some shit again.

So, it begins. Ling's revenge tour.

#Anime #Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

#Anime #Grancrest Senki #Theo Cornaro #GIF

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Grancrest Senki - Episode 3 Commentary

This is before they told her how much screen time she’d actually be getting in this episode.

In this episode, Theo battled against the King of Savis, eventually defeating him after being joined by neighboring Lords.

I don't want to talk about this show's pace again. At this point, it's beating a dead horse. It's pretty clear that this breakneck pace is what we can expect every week, and it's not all that bad, so moving on...

The field battle in this episode was very nice. I was surprised when a guy was shown getting his head sliced clean off. I mean yeah, there was something like that in the first episode, but here it was onscreen. There was also that scene with the archer that was pretty cool.

Legolas who?

So it seems that Siluca a thing for Theo, or at least that's how I interpret all the blushing she does around him. It's hard to tell if he feels the same way. You can never really tell what a blockhead like him is thinking.

But I think it's good they had a discussion about the dynamics of their relationship. Although she means well, it'd be a problem (if not now, maybe down the line) if any person under him developed a tendency to act boldly without first consulting him, especially if this person wasn't as intelligent as Siluca or had his best interests in mind.

I was hoping to see more of Priscilla. She seems like a fun character and I like her design. Maybe next episode she'll get more than like a minute or two of screen time? What do you say, producers?

#Anime #Grancrest Senki #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

Katana Maidens: Toji no Miko - Episode 3 Commentary

Sayaka said fuck a door. The glass in the window shatters just fine.

In this episode, Kanami and Hiyori call the digits that was given to them by Mai in the previous episode. It turns out that it belongs to a woman named Rui Onda, a former Toji and student from Minoseki. At the request of Minoseki's president, she allows them to take refuge in her apartment.

Meanwhile, back at the Sword Administration, the lack of urgency in pursuing the runaways frustrates President Yukina of Renpu Academy, and she sends her girl Sayaka after them.

Someone’s awfully manipulative...

Sayaka pinpoints their location and makes a grand entrance by jumping through a window. After a brief fight, Kanami manages to disarm Sayaka and de-escalate the situation.

I liked this episode. We got acquainted with a few new faces and learned that Hiyori can throw it down in the kitchen. We even got a nice little fight at the end.

I wonder who that girl was in Kanami's dream. I want to say it was her mom, but I'm not sure. They looked to be around the same age. It'd make more sense if it was a late friend. We'll probably find out soon, if they didn't say it already and I just missed it.

And someone needs to tell Yukina to calm down. She’s going to lose her voice yelling all of the time.

#Anime #Katana Maidens #Toji no Miko #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

#Anime #Kokkoku #Juri Yukawa #Jiisan #GIF

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Kokkoku - Episode 2 Commentary

Did they steal their name from a swingers club?

In this episode, we learned the identity of the baddies Juri and company met while on their rescue mission. They are members of a cult-like organization known as the Genuine Love Society and are after the Master Stone.

It was also revealed that a monster called the Handler, or the Herald (depending on who you ask), will appear and attack those who try to break the rules of Stasis. We saw an example of this when a guy's head was crushed because he tried to harm a person that was frozen in time, which is apparently against the rules.

Warnings? Nah, the Herald doesn’t have time for that shit.

I thought this was a pretty good episode. The plot is thickening and the introduction of a new character, Ms. Majima, has me intrigued. What are the details surrounding her first visit to Stasis, and what’s her relation to Juri?

I have to give a shout-out to the Grandpa. Quite frankly, I'm in love with his character. He's hilarious and provides much-needed comic relief. After all, this show can get pretty tense. Case in point, the ending to this week’s episode where Juri finds herself in a very unfavorable situation.

#Anime #Kokkoku #Commentary

[blackguywatchesanime]

#Anime #Killing Bites #Hitomi Uzaki #GIF