Addict Overview: Tiger & Bunny

Guess who's back? Yep, after pretty much abandoning the blog, I figured I'd try giving it another shot. This time with a new anime review. The year is almost at it's end and we've gotten a pretty good bunch of anime during the spring and and winter seasons. One such show involves a concept we very rarely see in anime; superheroes. The traditional Japanese superhero wears full body spandex, a helmet and usually either rides a motorcycle or pilots a mech of some kind, such as Super Sentai or Kamen Rider. It's also a concept that's almost exclusively live-action based. If we see stuff like this in anime, it's usually in the form of parody or satire. We've never really gotten a serious superhero-centric anime before. Until now. Let me welcome you to the city of Sternbuild....

Addict Overview: Movie Edition: Transformers: Dark of the Moon

After 5 years it finally comes down to this. The final installment of Michael Bay's adaptation of the Transformers fiction to the big screen has been upon us for 5 days now and so far not only has the overall reception from fans been completely split down the middle, but once again has it come under fire from professional critics and online reviewers. So is the movie really as painful an experience as people say or are they still not over the sub-par experience of Revenge of the Fallen? Lets find out....

(WARNING: This review will contain some spoilers from the movie. If you have not seen the movie yet and do not wish to be spoiled, please stop reading now. You have been warned.)

The Game Room: Transformers: Dark of the Moon

PREQUELS ARE FUN! They're also the latest and, in my opinion, best decision to ever be integrated into movie games. Not only does it eliminate the requirement of having to follow the movie's script during development, but it also slightly lowers the chance of the game out-right sucking. The game tie-in for Transformers: Dark of the Moon is lucky enough to be a prequel to the actual movie, setting up a few things and fleshing the story out a bit more. However, does this mean it escapes the fate that most movie games face? Lets take a look....

Dark of the Display Case: DotM Voyager Shockwave

Dreads aren't the only threat the Autobots must face this time around. There's also the looming presence of the Decepticon assassin known as Shockwave. Shockwave has been making more of an impact in Transformers media, his most recent appearance being in Transformers: Animated. Now he finally makes his debut in the movie universe and he's no laughing matter. Neither is his figure, which may be one of the best figures of the year....

Dark of the Display Case: DotM Deluxe Crankcase

Not every Decepticon is well known. Some don't do much, others don't fight on the frontlines and the rest lurk in the shadows, waiting for the moment to strike. This is the function of Megatron's own secret service unit, known simply as Dreads. The Dreads function as assassins sent to eliminate anyone who is no longer deemed useful to Megatron's plans. So far we've only gotten one member in deluxe form. His name? Crankcase....

Dark of the Display Case: DotM Deluxe Ratchet

Soldiers are not the only thing needed on the field of war. You also need scouts, mechanics and, most importantly, field medics. In the Transformers franchise, this role is played by Ratchet. While he mainly stays constant from series to series, with primarily white and red colors and turning into an ambulance, the movie version of Ratchet turns into a light green search and rescue vehicle. Despite the change in appearance his function as chief Autobot medic has been kept in tact across multiple universes. So does this deluxe version of movie Ratchet do the character's justice?

Dark of the Display Case: DotM Deluxe Sideswipe

One thing that stays constant with the multiple designs of the movie Transformers is their individuality. There are humanoids, insectoids and everything in between. One design choice that is used in the movies is the wheel placement on the legs or feet, which usually serves as a way for certain characters to move around. One of the best examples of these bots is the Autobot warrior Sideswipe. For day two of DotM week we'll be looking at the latest figure of this wheeled warrior and see if Hasbro has finally done a good job of translating his unique design ques seamlessly into physical form....

Dark of the Display Case: DotM Deluxe Bumblebee

What better way to kick off a week of Transformers-related reviews then by taking a look at one of the movie's most recognizable characters? It was thanks to the 2007 Transformers movie that the Autobot known as Bumblebee was brought back into mainstream TF media and was made into one of the most recognizable TF characters to date. While he may not turn into a Beetle or have little horns on his head, movie 'Bee is still a very characteristic robot and as a result has had a metric ton of toys. Today we'll be looking at one of the newest Bumblebee figures from the new DotM line. Will it be worth the money or worth a pass?

A Not So Small But Not Too Big Announcement

Ok, so yeah, for a semi-new blogger, I don't...well.....blog much. Well I plan to change all that starting next week, because next week is a very special one. What's so special about it? Well it's the release of the 3rd and final movie having to do with two warring factions of giant alien transforming robots, of course! So to celebrate, next week will be known as:

From Monday all the way through to Sunday we'll be looking at nothing but Dark of the Moon-related stuff. Monday through Friday will focus on a set of Display Case reviews covering 5 DotM toys. Saturday will finally see the second installment of "The Game Room" as we take a look at Dark of the Moon: The Game. Finally, we'll rap things up on Sunday with the first Movie Edition of Addict Overview as I share my thoughts on the film itself!

I'm really excited about doing this and hopefully it'll be the thing to get this blog back on track, so stay tuned...!

Nyoro~n: Transformers Edition

Addict Overview: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica

Where young male anime fans have shonen anime, such as Naruto, DBZ, One Piece, etc, young female fans have mahou shoujo. Mahou shoujo, or Magical Girl, is exactly how it sounds; a show where a female character or a group of female characters use magical powers to fight off the forces of evil. Sailor Moon is the most common and popular example. At first glance a mahou shoujo series may seem cutesy, sweet and girly....and that's because a lot of them kinda are. There isn't much danger that the main characters could get in, the explanation for why they have these magical powers are simplistic and the opposing force they're usually up again don't really seem like they'd do much damage if they DID succeed. There isn't enough emotion, risk or characterization involved.....that is unless you're watching Madoka Magica, in which case you're in for a surprisingly intense ride.....

Miku Hatsune hits Stateside!.......in a Toyota!

I'm a big Vocaloid fan. Not only is the music really good, but the fact that it's all done on a computer without the need of a physical singer is amazing to me. I'm not the only one who loves it, too. If you know an anime or Japan fan, chances are they know what Vocaloid is and probably have a favorite song. Now Japan has gotten a ton of Vocaloid merchandise, games, programs and even two live concerts. We US fans, on the other hand, have to resort to imports. That may change soon, though, as there have been rumors of the program being sold in American stores as well as online, which could not only open up a ton of possibilities for composers but will also finally introduce our favorite group of musical robots to the rest of the country. In fact, just a few days ago we got our first taste of US Vocaloid....just, not the way we though we would have gotten it....

The Display Case: Max Factory Figma #060 Ritsu Tainaka

I love K-On!....as if that wasn't apparent in my review of the series. Let me be more specific; I ADORE K-On! I'm super-excited for the upcoming movie, I keep track of the release dates for the manga, I have a good majority of HTT's music, including OSTs and 5 versions of "Let's Go!", I plan to buy both the Blu-Ray and standard DVD releases that Bandai put out and I own 3 of the 5 main members in toy form. In this review we'll be looking at one of those toys. In fact, we'll be looking at my favorite member who also happens to be my favorite anime character. Heck, it's thanks to her that I got into drumming! So grab your drumsticks and get ready to kick that bass as we take a look at Max Factory Figma's rendition of Ritsu Tainaka....

Writer's Block.....it's a hell of a drug!

Yes, I haven't posted in a while. Why? Well there are so many articles I wanna do, but I don't know how to go along with them. There are two series I wanna cover as well as two toys and a game. So to atleast show that I'm not slacking, here's a list of the reviews to look out for in the near future:

- Addict Overview: Clannad & Clannad: Afterstory
- Addict Overview: Lucky Star
- The Display Case: Figma Ritsu Tainaka
- The Display Case: Transformers: Reveal the Shield Lugnut
- The Game Room: Bulletstorm

Believe me, I love sharing my thoughts on stuff as much as any other up and coming reviewer, so don't give up on me just yet!

Otaku: What's True and What Isn't

Ok, last time I talked about something in need of clarification, I talked about the concept of Moe and how it's not as bad as it seems. Today I want to look at a term that can mean a few different things. The term Otaku can be considered a derogatory word in Japan. If you walk up to someone there and say "Hi there! I'm an otaku!" They'll probably give you a weird or dirty look, mouth off to you and avoid you like the plague. Why would they do that? well let's take a look....

Addict Overview: Soul Eater

Shounen anime is a pretty popular genre. It's been so since way back during the  hay day of Dragonball Z. For those of you who don't know, shounen is a term used to categorized a certain type of action anime. Usually ones that run for a long time and follow a common story structure of the main characters having to deal with an ever-increasing threat. Think DBZ, Naruto or Bleach. Today's overview will focus on a shounen series that's been gaining popularity over here in the past few months. I watched the series not long before the dubbed version hit DVD and it's become one of my favorite action anime. So let's dive into the surreal world of Soul Eater...

Moe: A Big To-Do About Nothing

The anime community tends to unanimously agree and disagree on a lot of topics and issues. More so then most other fandoms. Unfortunately, that's not always a good thing. For instance, it's a big trend for the majority of the community to come down on or hate a specific anime or manga and it's fandom just because it's popular, such as K-On!! or Haruhi Suzumiya. On the flipside, we can get annoyed when a really good piece of fiction doesn't get the recognition we feel it deserves, like Summer Wars' consideration for an Oscar nomination. But, just like every other fandom I'm a part of, there are some things rub me the wrong way. One of those things is the anime community's stance on a certain characteristic that's been popping up a bit more recently. A characteristic that includes ditziness, big eyes, and cute actions. Let's talk about Moe....

The Display Case: Iron Man Legends Titanium Man

Oh Marvel Legends. You were such a highly praised and much loved collector-oriented line of wonderfully detailed and perfectly articulated characters from all across the Marvel Comics universe. The line went through a lot of changes since it's beginning, especially after it's move from Toybiz to Hasbro, who's had it's ups and downs with the license at first. Now a days, though, Marvel Legends are a very rare find, with only one or two 2-packs coming out every year. Thankfully though, Hasbro has said that 2012 will herald the return of Marvel Legends and to wet our tongues have given us a 6 inch line of Iron Man figures until then. The Iron Man Legends line's first wave is pretty typical with two Iron Men and a War Machine, but the fourth figure is of a character fans have been wanting since his cancelled prototype was shown close to five years ago! Ladies and Gents; I give you Titanium Man!

New review going up soon...

Yeah, I haven't added anything new in over a week. I'm currently finishing up a new Display Case entry, but it may take an extra day since I need to charge up my camera. But to the two or three people that actually give a crap about my humble little blog, don't worry. I don't plan on letting this site die so easily....

The Display Case: Max Factory Figma #002 Haruhi Suzumiya

Where there is yin there must also be yang. In my case, where there's a review of a western action figure there should also be a review of a figure from the east, the land of the rising sun, the ever-popular Japan. So why not make one more installment of The Display Case focusing on an imported figure? When it comes to imported Japanese collectibles there's a very small chance that you'll end up disappointed with what you've received. That's usually how good the products are. Action figures are no different. There are three major players in the imported action figure business that collectors go gaga (no, not THAT gaga) for: Revoltech, S.H.Figuarts and Figma. In this review we'll be looking at a Figma figure to be specific. While Max Factory, the makers of Figma, are readying to celebrate their 100th release, let's turn the clock back to when they just began the line and take a look at their second release. Though, there IS one thing I need to know from you before I introduce her. That is.........well..........do you believe in aliens, ESPers or time travelers?

The Game Room: Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds

A new day, a new type of review. This time we'll be focusing on a certain fighting game that has been taking the gaming world by storm after a ten year hiatus. What happens when you take some of Marvel Comics' most iconic heroes and villains and pit them against some of Capcom's more prominent heavy-hitting game stars? Well, that's obvious. You get the ultimate battle with the fate of two worlds hanging in the balance...

Addict Overview: K-On!!

I love all types of anime, but one of my favorite genres has to be Slice of Life. Don't get me wrong, I love watching giant mecha battles and manly men beating the crap out of each other as much as everyone else, but more then anything I love watching anime dealing with the trails and tribulations of everyday life with some comedy and maybe even some drama thrown in for good measure. Of all the SoL series I've watched, though, there's one that stands out to me. So much so that I have no problem calling it my favorite anime series of all time. And to think it's nothing more then a story about five girls with a passion for music.....

The Display Case: Transformers Reveal the Shield Bumblebee

So to start this site off, why not do a review. As I mentioned, I collect a ton of stuff. One of my more prominant collections consist of those popular robots that turn into cars and trucks and planes and tanks and guns and cassette players and toasters and microscopes and whatever else you could think of. Yes, of course I'm talking about Transformers.

Konnichiwa and Welcome....

The name's Joe, aka the Anime Addict. After spending some time wondering how to overcome my boredom, I've decided to start this here blog. You'll be able to find some thoughts on different anime series as well as other geeky things, such as toy reviews, movie and game thoughts and other such nonsense. If you're a geek, otaku, nerd or any variation of the three, then I hope you enjoy your time here. As a first-time blogger I promise to make things as interesting as I can.