Dirty Pair

 For what initially i thought to be an ecchi fanservice series with its somewhat suggestive name, Dirty Pair turns out to be yet another hidden gem among Sci-Fi anime! The premise of this series lies around the misadventures of Female crimefighting agents Kei and Yuri forming a duo named Dirty Pair whose infamy spread across the galaxy. Dirty Pair Tv series took episodic formula where Kei and Yuri encounter a case each episode with a good share of wacky and serious moments.

For a Sci-fi series made by Sunrise in mid 80s, the writing quality is surprisingly good and had some attitude defining the charm of 80s Sci-fis, a stark contrast with Tomino's works in the same period who seems only waste potentials after another. To me what makes Dirty Pair stand apart is its depth of the futuristic setting which is quite ahead for its time and sometimes not fully surpassed by its successors.

Kei and Yuri are portrayed as a pair of problematic misfits who only cause troubles but completely competent Agent when the situation requires. Being one of the pioneer of its Genre, Dirty Pair sets up important trope for its genre. If you like Cowboy Bebop and prefer something lighter, Dirty Pair is a good choice. Considering i am sold with the Tv series, i will at least complete the Original OVA series.

Yami starting playing Arknights

 Recently there is a new Gacha game called Arknight that has been gathering a significant amount of hype among FGO Community for some reason. Getting slightly tired with FGO Gacha Hell, i joined the bandwagon and tried to give this game a spin. This newcomer Gacha Game released by the same Publisher of Azur Lane and Girls Frontline no doubt had it takes that makes it deserve its recent attention. 

Monster Hunter Nendoroid 1284 Nargacuga Female Blademaster

 Straight out from the Winter Wonderfest early this month, another Monster Hunter characters landed on Nendoroid lineup! There were two Nendoroids for Monster Hunter series revealed during Winter Wonfes 2020 which are Zinogre and Nargacuga Blademasters and the latter is the one up for Preorder already! Just like MHW Rathalos Blademaster, Nargacuga will come in two versions, regular and DX with the latter add more effect parts and an extra weapon. Nendoroid 1284 will be released for 5000 & 6800 Yen for the Regular and DX version respectively with August release schedule. Nargacuga is the flagship monster from Monster Hunter Freedom Unite which was the turning point of MH Franchise into a Blockbuster AAA title. Made from a sneaky and stealthy wyvern, Nargacuga's Armor is quite memorable because it basically grants hassle-free Evasion set and i remembered to pull some cheese with the set back when i was a noob in MH series. I will get the regular version because the DX parts doesn't really appeal to me. I already have 4 MH Nendoroids by now and will keep getting more as long the character appeals me and certainly look forward to Zinogre's. I wish someday GSC will make another MH Nendoroid that have Lance as part of the weapon.

Odin Sphere Parfom Gwendolyn Review

The Valkyrie takes up the flight.

Konosuba Legend of the Crimson

After about 6 months from the initial release, The Konosuba Movie managed to be aired in my local cinema! I give the movie an automatic watch considering I am kind of Aqua's follower. Overall the movie gives you what you expected from a Konosuba series, though i suppose it is not as hilarious compared to TV series considering the scarce time for development. 

The legend of crimson movie covers the 5th volume of LN where Kazuma's team visit Megumin's hometown chock full of Chuunis and facing yet another Demon Lord's General. In the end Kazuma still shows his worst side in the movie and resorts to pathetic means to defeat the big boss yet again. As expected Megumin becomes the main focus of the movie but at very least Aqua had some nice moments though not as much crying. Overall you won't miss much skipping the movie as the Light Novel still stands as the definitive source material. But if you are fan of Megumin, you will be in for quite a treat!

Hi-Metal R L-Gaim Mk-I

 Just like other mecha anime, i am looking for a physical representation for L-Gaim after i finished watching the TV series. While L-Gaim is another mecha series that ends up to be a wasted potential at the hand of Tomino, i am quite sold by the concepts that Mamoru Nagano tried to sell. I guess after Bandai made series of Hi-Metal mechas for Sunrise 80s mecha series, L-Gaim is soon to follow after. With the prototype shown around end of 2019, Bandai had announced the product release for Hi-Metal L-Gaim. The product will be released for 18000 Yen scheduled for July 2020.

 Hi-Metal Lineup is the non Gundam equivalent for  Metal Robot Spirits, but this particular rendition of L-Gaim feels more like Metal Build because this one stands 22cm tall. While i don't think the diecast parts would be as much as Metal Build, i think it should satisfy the collectors at very least. L-Gaim as a mecha series was an interesting one because it had some attitude and tried to make something different among the peers of its time. L-Gaim at its time is the closest thing to mecha version of Star Wars, had it been made as an OVA in late 80s i think L-Gaim's potential would have been more fully realized. Over the time i think i end up preferred L-Gaim Mk I over Mk-II because it feels more balanced overall, considering the latter doesn't really feel as proper successor mecha. Even if L-Gaim Tv Series is a flop, the spiritual successor FSS put its design to good use as Engage SR-1 and Junchoon. I wonder which 80s Mecha series will follow next in the Hi-Metal Lineup

Starship Troopers Figma SP-124 Warrior Bug

 Being one of the most respected Sci-Fi series out there, Starship Troopers didn't really have many merchandise in recent times after the Verhoeven's Movie. The prototype has been around for a while, but we are finally getting an action figure for the iconic Warrior Bug in Figma Format! The Figma Warrior Bug will be released in October 2020 with 11000 yen price tag. I think the Warrior Bug Figma is around 1/24 scale and it will come with two pre-painted Mobile Infantry Marine figure with one being the short end of the stick of Warrior Bug's claw. Apparently this version of Warrior Bug is based from the Traitor of Mars Movie though the only noticable difference is the Marine Armor design compared to the movie. The Warrior Bug rendition in Figma Format no doubt looks really fierce and deadly as they are portrayed in the movie even if it is not 1/12 format which could have cost double at least. Out of the CGI series while Traitor of Mars is a terrible movie, Starship Troopers Invasion is still an enjoyable ride. Lastly I am still waiting for Mobile Infantry Marine Action Figure that comes with reasonable price.

Fate/Stay Night 1/7 15th anniversary Dress Figure Premium Set

 2019 marked the 15th Anniversary for Fate Franchise which have come a long way! Certainly this joyous occasion deserved a celebration and while it is late by a year, Goodsmile Company had commited for their part! For 15th anniversary of Fate/Stay Night, GSC will be releasing figures each for the original 3 Main Heroines; Saber, Rin and Sakura in the 15th anniversary dress. The figures are sold separately, but GSC gave an option for complete premium set which had all 3 Main Heroine figures in a single package and come with special packaging and bonus goodies. The 15th Anniversary Premium set will be sold for whopping 45000 Yen with Mid 2021 release schedule.

 This is no doubt another Holy Grail for diehard Fate fans though i wonder who will get the complete set considering Fate Fans usually have one specific favorite out of the three Main Heroines. The choice of the 15th anniversary dress is quite particular as they are basically Short Dress with long gowns attached flowing on the side and rear. Practicality issue aside, i suppose the dress design supposed to emphasize the youthfulness of the three main heroines even after 15 years have passed especially with Saber being the main eternal heroine after all. 45000 Yen is not the amount of money i am willing to spend for PVC figure but i am still willing to get a Nendoroid Petit set of the 15th anniversary version should GSC ever consider one.

Revisiting Sengoku Rance

It has been more than 10 years since i played this legendary Alicesoft title! Sengoku Rance, among many VN titles is the one that make me hooked into Visual Novels. Rance series had been a Big Shot in its industry and one that had survived Three Decades worth of journey, an achievement that not many can brag about. The Visual Novel basically all about adventure of warrior named Rance who is known for his extreme lust. An unlikely material for a Hero, but he had what it takes to save humanity with him going for an epic adventure in each iterations. Recently i decided to get back into Rance series once again starting from Sengoku Rance after i saw some videos of Rance X which served as the epic conclusion for an epic series.

Rance series had one of the best Fantasy JRPG setting out there with its rich amount of worldbuilding that even puts many JRPG to shame, not something expected from an 18+ Visual Novel. While majority of the groundwork laid in the Kichikuou Rance, Sengoku Rance is one of the sequel that actually put better use on them complemented with very good gameplay. AFAIK Rance series gameplay are mostly Wizardry esque JRPG but for once Sengoku Rance is a grand strategy game which makes you lead an army and unify JAPAN. Therefore this is actually one of the best gateway for Rance series of all 10 titles in the series. At the moment i am doing my first run and now close to complete the game. Back then i only finished the True History and Isoroku Route, but this time i will finish Kenshin's route at very least. If you are interested in Visual Novel, Rance is one of the best one out there if you prefer the JRPG genre.

FLAG

 One of the last Ryosuke Takahashi anime works and probably his most realistic take on mecha series. FLAG is a mecha anime with war documentary format covering a scenario of Modern World conflict. For once this mecha anime took on perspective of a Journalist who is attached to a Top Secret UN Military task force that uses Experimental Mecha called HAVWCS for their military operations. FLAG captures the nature of Modern Warfare quite well taking a shot on Civil War scenario conflict on NotTibet which essentially mirrors a Proxy War between Superpower nations. While the Mecha used in the series is not flashy,  HAVWCS particularly showcase how a mecha fits in modern war which are swift and brief in nature. Despite FLAG still have the typical symptoms of Ryosuke Takahashi's mysticism. the production team did a good homework on the Politics and Warfare aspect which counterbalance the former.

If you look for something different than your typical mecha series, you could try giving FLAG a watch for a change. While Obsolete had the potential to surpass this anime and Gasaraki by far margin, the former still owes many things to its predecessor to reach its rightful place.

Metal Armor Dragonar

 Metal Armor Dragonar is one of the most iconic mecha series in 80s which has been in my watchlist for a long time since my exposure to it from Another Century Episode. Back in its time, Dragonar is probably intended to be possible Gundam successor and it certainly got what it takes to be a top tier Mecha Anime considering Sunrise definitely tried to make good use of their accumulated knowledge of Mechas from the 80s. However many things went awry with Dragonar which unfortunately make this series turns out to be another wasted potential in the end, which is partly the reason why Gundam is still running to this day.

Licorne 1/7 Jeanne Alter 3rd Ascension

 Jeanne Alter, being one of the most popular waifu from FGO no doubt gets plenty of PVC figures dedicated for her and we are getting another notable one made by Licorne! If you think last year's Alter 1/7 Jalter was pricey, this one will put even more dent on your wallet. The prototype of this Jalter figure have been around for more then a year already being shown at Wonderfests after another but finally the manufacturer feels ready to release the product. Licorne's figure for the 3rd Ascension of the Dragon Witch will be sold for 31500 yen with January 2021 release schedule. The Licorne's Jalter figure comes with possible swappable faceplate but had Wyvern Skull as part of the accessory which is rather questionable choice. Nevertheless Licorne do manage to capture the Sadistic personality of Jeanne Alter but it is up for debate if it surpass Alter's rendition of her. Since i already had the Dress version of Jalter, this is an easy skip for me. You can check my review for Max Factory 1/7 Jeanne Alter Dress here

Gasaraki Robot Spirit Type 17 Tactical Armor Raiden

 From Late 90s Sunrise Mecha series Gasaraki, Bandai for some reason decided to make a Robot Spirit out of this relatively obscure series after more than 20 years Gasaraki Aired. Back then the only merchandise available for Gasaraki series was Bandai model kit which was relatively affordable. This particular Robot Damashii rendition of Raiden cost 7500 yen and will be scheduled for May 2020 release. If this Robot Spirit was made 5-7 years ago i think Bandai could have sold them under 5000 Yen because with 7500 price tag, only diehard real robot fan willing to buy one. Since i am Yutaka Izubuchi's fan, i will get Raiden in the end as it exemplifies the Aesthetics of Izubuchi's real robot.  Though i recall Raiden's colour scheme was green in the anime not the desert color that is used for the Robot Spirits.

Gasaraki would have been a good Real Robot series if it wasn't ruined by Ryosuke Takahashi's penchant for mysticisms. The series had solid portrayal of Global Politics with modern warfare even though it will be boring for viewers that are not into this kind of thing. The recent Bandai Visual's animation Obsolete seems to be a good spiritual successor of Gasaraki which could accomplish what its spiritual predecessor unable to. If this RoDA sales particularly well which is unlikely, Ishtar Mk2 and Kugai would likely follow suit.

Early January 2020 Loot

 Actually something i gathered from last month and as usual, if it is not mecha related toys then it will be FGO related merch. I tend to get the mecha related toys after i finished watching the series which applies to Yamato and Gun X Sword, Robot Damashii Volkein is certainly a good rare catch for my recent hauls. I got myself Nendoroid Ishtar since she visited my Chaldea and likely will get one for Eresh someday when she also heed my summon. While i tend to avoid Disney merch due to disdain for their shady practice i decided to get some Toy Story 4 goodies, Bunny and Ducky is the MVP on the movie thus i bought their Cosbaby and I got Bo Peep's sheep for someone's present. I think it will be difficult to for me to cover the review for these toys in this month since i need to take plenty of things in my Real Life at this time. But Volkein will likely be the first to get the review i think.

Shinchou Yuusha: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious

 First post for 2020 and it is about another Kadokawa's Isekai Anime that i watched from last season! I tend to avoid Isekais in general because they are hotbeds for escapism and power creep wrapped in poor writing. But i give Shinchou Yuusha a try after seeing the Main Heroine Goddess is associated with Aqua and Ishtar and the anime is an entertaining ride if mediocre. The main premise of Shinchou Yuusha is your usual Isekai Protagonist summoned to save the world from Demon Lord. But this one come with a twist where the Main Hero is extremely paranoid to the point that he overprepared everything much to the annoyance Goddess in charge of him. Shinchou Yuusha is basically what happens in RPG Campaign where a powergamer face a Killer DM campaign. The main source of entertainment from Shinchou Yuusha comes from Goddess Ristarte antics stemming from her lust toward the main protagonist which cements her position as another Damegami. If you like Konosuba, you will likely enjoy this series as well because it really has the same vibe with the former. As for me i am looking forward to Ristarte's Nendoroid to complete my Damegami set