#juu takahashi

[grimbunnies]

Hinata: "I did it! Just like you taught me!"

[despair-to-future-arcs]

DRA Concept Character HC Voices

//Now these guys are mostly minor characters or they were mention by characters in FTEs, so I'll place what voices fit them;

Aiko Meada - Patina Miller (Mostly for her role as Sera from Hazbin Hotel)

Juu Kinjo - Will Arnett (Mostly for his role as Butterscotch Horsemen from Bojack Horseman)

Kouhei Sasaki - Sean Chiplock (Mostly for his role as Guido Mista from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part 5)

Rika Takahashi - Tabitha St Germain (Mostly for her role as Rarity from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Yuzuki Ashida - Ashleigh Ball (Mostly for her role as Rainbow Dash from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

Hanzo Kisaragi - Burnie Burns (Mostly for his role as Tai Yang Xiao Long from RWBY)

Kojiro Otori - Alex Hirsch (Mostly for his role as Stan Pines from Gravity Falls)

[uenodivision]

Hypnosis Mic Shuffle Team, Vol. 3 (Part 4) (Cont.)

Kingdom

Yuki "Ice King" Kuraokami

Iwao "TRIXT4R" Masuda

Fleuret "Crusader" Oshiro

Victory!

King and Queen

Max "Ōkami" Soukoku

Juu "10" Judice

King and Queen

Evil Eye

Nadya "Vipera" Kuromiya

Meari "Bloody Mary" Miracle

Aika "VeeXn" Yumi

Sumire "Diabla" Shinomiya

Jump on the Bandwagon (Chuohku Diss)

Bonus Tracks!

The Dirty Dawg

Sayaka "Rhopalocera" Miyuki

Samatoki "Mr. Hc" Aohitsugi

Ramuda "easy R" Amemura

Kuko "Evil Monk" Harai

Ichiro "MC B.B." Yamada

Jakurai "ill-DOC" Jinguji

TDD Reunited -Still on Top!-

You Can Run, But Can't Hide (Diabla & Scorpion Den Diss) (Juu Solo)

Queendom

Lola "Aphrodite" Takahashi

Shian "Ready or Not" Meizono

Taria "Misfit" Chinen

Aika "VeeXn" Yumi

Reika "Belladonna" Aichi

Kokomi "Snegurochka" Morozov

HypMic's Baddest B*tch

Credits

Yami Long - Casting Director/Music Producer

Renata Knight - Visual Director

Lily Spade - Choreographer

Ryan Frazier - Costume Designer

Zephie - Makeup Artist

Trivia:

More songs and artists were added as a result of the success from the first two Shuffle albums.

This is the first Shuffle album that featured a ParaLive Tournament.

Team Ruby from the tournament was the only team whose members did not include a division leader.

[grimbunnies]

Noboru and Haruka host a festival at Steamed Bun Springs. Their new guests enjoy mingling with the islanders.

[nekojima-neighborhood]

By popular demand, Nekojima is now availible as a suburb to attach to your main hood!

Download Nekojima as a Subhood

Please read the Original Download Post for a full list of requirements, and other information

Install by placing it here: C:\Program Files\EA GAMES\The Sims 2 Open For Business\TSData\Res\NeighborhoodTemplate

I would advise backing up your neighborhood before attaching Nekojima, just in case!

Mootilda’s subhood selection mod may be required for this hood to appear correctly on the “add a subhood” screen”.

I haven’t tested this version of the neighborhood much, so please report any issues you have!

If you have trouble with graves not appearing in the churchyard, try running the Hoodchecker!

Townies, strays and NPCs are likely to appear outside of Nekojima, so if you suddenley have a lot more stray cats running around, an elderly lady delivering mail & a stunning new paper delivery girl, that’s why :P

Townies and NPCs will have their names randomly generated when a subhood is attached. They have family links to each other and were chosen to fit the hood so changing their names back is recommended! Guide on doing that here.

I’ve included a full list of Townie/NPCs under the cut with their names but won’t be doing the same for the cats, sorry!

Saiun Watanabe (waitress at Ikuradon), her ex-husband schoolteacher Yuki Okido (schoolteacher), and their kids Maro Okido & Sekai Okido.

From left: Eshima Nagata (retired doctor), her brother Akinari Nagata (retired fisherman), his daughter Chiyo Nagata (bartender/owner of KiraKira!!!) and his wife Itsumi Nagata (mail lady NPC). They’re distant relatives of Minoru Fujiwara.

From left: Osamu Inagaki (toymaker, boat-maker & unoffical “island santa”) his husband Dansuke Inagaki (retired fisherman) & Dansuke’s brother Daichi Inagaki (beach bum).

From left: Kagome Aoyama (retired fisherman) and her kids Ren Aoyama (bartender at Ikuradon) and Naru Aoyama (newspaper delivery NPC).

From left: Fumiko Natsumi (bird-watcher, retired naturalist), her brother Sadeo Natsuki (garden club), Torakku Sutsugai (P.E. teacher/town gardener/handyman/personal trainer/fireman), Taketora Ito (former gangster) & Juu Takahashi (former musician).

[satoshi-mochida]

[Possible spoilers for Mary Skelter 2]

Compile Heart has update the official website for 3D dungeon RPG Mary Skelter Finale with details on characters Otsuu, Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and Cinderella, as well as the new “Zapping” system.

Get the details below.

■ Characters: Jack’s Group

Otsuu (voiced by Rika Abe)

A former Nightmare Girl who lives for her beloved Little Mermaid.

Despite trying to become “Little Mermaid’s true prince,” she sometimes shows the bashful and soft side you would expect of someone her age.

In Mary Skelter 2, she hoped for a future in which Little Mermaid lives, which disrupted the balance of the world as a result.

It was Jack who saved her when she turned into an unsightly Nightmare and wished to reset the world in her regret.

After being able to live with Little Mermaid once more thanks to Jack’s wish, Otsuu escapes from Jail and descends to the surface.

Little Mermaid (voiced by Aya Suzaki)

A wholeheartedly loyal girl who values the happiness of others more than her own.

Her and Otsuu vowed to marry each other.

She was originally supposed to be dead, but was resurrected by Otsuu’s wish.

However, when she learned that others had to suffer as a result, she chose to accept her predetermined death.

She was saved once more by Jack, who restored the memory of the lost world, and resurrected at the Metropolitan Office.

After everyone is scattered by the onslaught of the Execution Girls, she takes aim at Jail alongside Jack and Otsuu.

■ Characters: Red Riding Hood’s Group

Thumbelina (voiced by Rie Takahashi)

Although young in appearance, she is reliable, straightforward, and the oldest of three sisters.

But in front of Jack, she is unable to be herself and even takes an aggressive attitude.

She is extremely worried about her sisters, who have gone missing in the onslaught of the Execution Girls.

Alongside Red Riding Hood and Cinderella, who she was lucky enough to link up with, she sets her sights on the Foul Feeding Overseer Tower in search of her sisters.

Cinderella (voiced by Asami Imai)

A girl with a condescending and bratty tone.

Although she is has more confidence in herself thanks to Jack, her habit of getting depressed for some reason or another is still prevalent.

The intensity of her reactions is the same as ever.

She was separated from everyone by the onslaught of the Execution Girls, but safely links up with Red Riding Hood and Thumbelina.

■ System: Zapping System

New Element: Zapping System! Switch Between Protagonists in Real-Time and Make Your Way through the Tower Base!

There are multiple protagonists in Mary Skelter Finale, and you can switch between each protagonist’s group in real-time via the new “Zapping System.”

—A jailbreak drama where six protagonists (Jack, Mary Juu, Red Riding Hood, Clara, and Shira) cross paths! And there may be even more protagonists…!

Explore the same dungeon while not being aware of each other’s presence. Use your wits to navigate each protagonist, and guide them through paths otherwise impossible to tread.

—By pressing the Zapping button while exploring a dungeon, you can switch between each protagonist’s group. On the Zapping screen, you can see various information such as the location of that group and the amount of treasures in their location.

As you progress, there may be points that you can no longer move forward. If you feel like you can no longer progress because of a dead end, switch to another protagonist and explore. By solving puzzles, you can open a door for another protagonist’s group, allowing them to progress. Make your way through the dungeon while switching between various protagonists to advance each story.

—By activating contraptions, protagonists you aren’t controlling will notice! Switch to them to reveal more!

By utilizing the Zapping System, you can solve puzzles, obtain treasures you normally would not have discovered, and more. Progress through the dungeon while switching between various protagonists!

New Element: Give the Items You Pick Up to Another Protagonist’s Group! Prepare for Battle with the Item Dumpster!

The Item Dumpster is a dumpster that can be found in each dungeon. By putting the items and equipment possessed by each protagonist’s group in the box, you can transfer items to the groups of other protagonists.

There may even be places you can only go by transferring items…

■ Sound

Background Music Samples

“Ice Edge“

“Untouchable Grooving“

Mary Skelter Finale is due out for PlayStation 4 and Switch on August 27 in Japan. Read more about the game here, here, here, and here.

[grimbunnies]

[natsthinkitythinkthinkthonk]

Happy Birthday Takahiro Sakurai (June 13)

It’s his 45th birthday today! With the number of roles he has, you would never suspect that he had quite the bump in his career. He has over 300 anime roles alone! And he frequently gets more every season! He’s regarded as being in the top ten male seiyuu. He actually doesn’t need glasses despite his default appearance. He was told by his former agency 81 Produce to wear them because of his scary face. Since then, he joined Kenichi Suzumura’s Agency INTENTION. Apparently, he may or may not be married.

You can read his full biography here

Here are my top five roles for him

My full role compilation is below! Song Recommendations and Video Recommendations will be at the very bottom!

Yuu Tosaki - Ajin

Atsumu Matsuyuki (Yukiatsu) - Anohana

Suzaku Kururugi - Code Geass

Haseo - .hack//

Osomatsu Matsuno - Osomatsu-san

Meme Oshino - Bakemonogatari

Griffith - Berserk

Izuru Kira - Bleach

Francis Scott Fitzgerald - Bungou Stray Dogs

Yuu Kanda - D. Gray-man

Leon Kuwata - Danganronpa

Claude Faustus - Black Butler

Helper T Cell - Hataraku Saibou

Takashi Kamiyama - Cromartie High School

Ruki Mukami - Diabolik Lovers

Satoshi Isshiki - Food Wars

Ayame Souma - Fruits Basket (2019)

Marco Adriano - Gangsta

Kazuya Miyuki - Diamond no Ace

Tentomon and various other characters - Digimon Adventure

Youichi Fujitani - Dive!!

Sting Eucliffe - Fairy Tail

Cloud Strife - Final Fantasy

Inugami - Gugure! Kokkuri-san

Noboru Taki - Hibike Euphonium

Tazaki - Joker Game

Misaki Takahashi - Junjou Romantica

Izumo Kusanagi - K

Giyuu Tomioka - Kimetsu no Yaiba

Yuuri Shibuya - Kyou Kara Maou!

Sasori - Naruto: Shippuden

Yuuta Sakurai - Net-juu no Susume

Rui Sagisawa - Mil Admirari no Tenbin

Rabou - Noragami

Kei Agemaki - Otome Youkai Zakuro

Ferid Bathory - Owari no Seraph

Vlad Garfunkel - Phantom in the Twilight

Fakir - Princess Tutu

Shirokuma - Shirokuma Cafe

Yamato Kurosawa - Sukitte Ii na yo.

Charles de Loire - Tada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai

Uta - Tokyo Ghoul

Luka Crosszeria - Uragiri wa Boku no Namae Shitteiru

Shito Tachibana - Zombie-Loan

Shougo Makishima and Shou Hinakawa - Psycho-Pass

Zombieman - One Punch Man

Kyouya Sata - Ookama Shoujo to Kuro Ouji

Jafar - Magi

Rohan Kishibe - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable

Akiteru Tsukishima - Haikyuu!!

Arataka Reigen - Mob Psycho 100

Song and Video Recommendations:

Here are some Song Recommendations:

Be All Right

Shiro to Kuro

When You Wish Upon a Star

Now for the videos!

Additional Videos:

Sakurai talks about recording BSD

Sakurai Takahiro's Pick Up Line

Masaya Onosaka “kisses” Sakurai

Secret Base - 君がくれたもの (kimi ga kureta mono) - LIVE sang by cast @ AnoHana Fes + ending

Osomatsu Compilations: Laugh + Outburst

Role Compilation

Kenichi Suzumura and Takahiro Sakurai talk about their relationship

[AUDIO] Reigen’s laugh

Sakurai Takahiro imitates Kaji Yuki

I highly recommend the Magi Seiyuu events as well, but since he wasn’t the main focus of those, I decided not to link them.

[studyblrsyzygy]

study playlist

interdimensional portal leading to a cute place - In Love With a Ghost

where’s my love (piano solo) - SYML

sunburn - DROELOE

electric love -  BØRNS

bubble tea - dark cat, juu, Cinders

party talk - Kai Takahashi

hot chocolate - dark cat

butter sugar cream (feat. tsvaci) - Tomgg

king of the clouds - Panic! At The Disco

money - Poppy

honey lavender - ieuan

east of eden - Zella Day

without you - NCT, NCT U

epiphany - BTS (kim seokjin)

moonchild - RM

why worry - Set It Off

okay - Jackson Wang

new girl - FINNEAS

hey look ma, i made it - Panic! At The Disco 

i play my music on shuffle and whenever a certain song comes on, i take a brain break. usually i use an upbeat song and either dance just to get up and move or i just relax during it.

there’s lots of studies that say listening to music without lyrics helps you focus. i’ve found that it works just as well for me if it’s in another language that i don’t speak.

[b3crew]

King Baby Duck finally finds something to laugh about in the world, as the classic British puppet series Spitting Image makes its return. A gacha game gets almost everything right, in the form of Genshin Impact! Plus, on this week's A Bastard's Soapbox...Election Day.

PLAYLIST (with album/single links):

The Highmarts - Anata Ga Hoshiino (digital single)

Sayuri - A Bee and Circus (from the album Me)

I Am a Rocketship - The Light in Your Eyes (from the oRAnGE EP) [in stores November 20th]

SUPER BEAVER - Jiman ni Naritai (digital single)

Sandii & The Sunsetz - Battery (from the album La La La La Love - Banzai Baby) [out of print]

Alice Kat - Already Running (from the album Alice Kat)

Photon Maiden - Discover Universe (digital single)

MUCC - Alpha (from the album Aku)

Peter Colclasure - Architecture (from the album Una Corda)

LiSA - cancellation (from the album LEO-NiNE)

Sora Amamiya, Rie Takahashi, and Ai Kayano - Amayadori (CD single)

Sturgill Simpson - I Don't Mind (from the album Cuttin' Grass - Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions))

SACOYANS - Idai na Otsuge (from the album YOMOSUE)

Opening theme: "The S.S. Shitstorm" by the_Stampede (from the album A Marvel of Idiocy)

For more information on the Cultural Exchange Initiative, visit their official website, Instagram, and Facebook!

The Boston Bastard Brigade kindly encourages you to support these artists, and buy their songs/album. You can find the majority of these releases on CDJapan.co.jp, YesAsia, Amazon.com, Apple Music, the bands' official websites & Bandcamps, and your local record stores.

Promotional consideration for tracks three and nine made by Shameless Promotion PR; tracks five, six, and thirteen by Mike Rogers; and track one by The Highmarts.

[sinful-liesel]

R18 Drama CD Release List -July 2017-

Please note that unless specified, the purchase link will be for Animate International. This list is for those who want to import Drama CDs with Animate exclusive bonuses without having to use a forwarding service.

Bonus: Please note: 1. Not all Drama CDs offer a bonus. 2. Bonuses are offered only as stocks last

Missing Purchase link: The Drama CD is not available yet in Animate International. You can contact Animate International and request the series that you’re interested. I will update the link once it’s available, however, if for any reason they can’t offer it, I will try to look for another international seller.

To listen to voice sample:

Click the Japanese Drama CD name link

Look for: サンポルボイス  = Voice Sample  

Please let me know if I’m missing any or if I have any incorrect info.

Do you want to purify your soul? {Yes, take me to the SFW Drama CD section!} {No, let me drown in sin ↴ }

Release date: 7.4.17

愛属ブラッドバース vol.III 久世潤一郎編 (CV.佐和真中)

Drama CD: Aizoku Blood Birth vol. III - Junichirou Kuze (CV. Manaka Sawa) Purchase

Release date: 7.5.17

ヘンアイカレシ Vol.2 スパダリカレシとアオカンライフ 花園悠一編 (CV.土門熱)

Drama CD: Henai Kareshi Vol. 2 Hanazono Yuuichi (CV: Atsushi Domon) Purchase

Release date: 7.12.17

ボクたちの四角な関係 SIDE:1-夏目珠生 (CV.つやまろ)

Drama CD: Bokutachi no Shikaku na Kankei Side. 1 Natsume Juu (CV. Tsuyamaro) Purchase

Release date: 7.19.17

Wダーリンシリーズ 朝起きたら彼氏が2人になってた件についてw～シロの彼～ 三ロ(CV.皇帝)

Drama CD: W Darling Series - Asa Okitara Kareshi ga Futari ni Natteta Ken ni Tsuite w -Shiro no Kare- Sanro (CV: Mikado Sumeragi) Purchase

Release date: 7.21.17

Beat♯Mix vol.2 通常盤 (CV.佐和真中)

Drama CD: Beat♯Mix Vol. 2 Hayase Chihiro (CV: Manaka Sawa) Purchase 

ダメンズ先生～AFTER STORY～ 大城貴志(CV.茶介)

Drama CD: Damenzu Sensei ~After Story~ (CV: Chasuke)  Purchase

愛執の檻(CV.黒井勇)

Drama CD: Aishuu no Ori -Fujishiro Yuuto- (CV: Isamu Kuroi) Purchase

濡羽の家の祟り婚 春の章 渇き (CV.土門熱)

Drama CD: Nureba no Ie no Tatarikon Haru no Shou Kawaki (CV: Atsushi Domon) Purchase

猫のいる生活～お兄さんシロネコ・ユキの場合～ (CV.三楽章)

Drama CD: Neko no Iru Seikatsu ～Onii-san Shironeko ・Yuki no Baai～  (CV: Akira Miraku) Purchase

Release date: 7.26.17

BAROQUE ～明治享楽夜譚～ 第二夜 日下部真白(CV.切木Lee)

Drama CD: Baroque 〜Meiji Kiraku Yobanashi〜 Vol. 2  Kusakabe Mashiro (CV: Girigi Lee) Purchase

それはささやかな恋のはじまり 高浪隼人 通常盤(CV.佐和真中)

Drama CD: Sore wa sasayakana koi no hajimari Takanami Hayato (CV: Manaka Sawa) Purchase Regular | Limited 

アルコバレーノ ルイ ～サイコキネシス～ (CV.つやまろ)

Drama CD: Arcobaleno: Rui ~Psychokinesis~ (CV: Tsuyamaru) Purchase

Velvet Voice bouquet 禁断情事 妻帯者と私 (CV.杉崎和哉)

Drama CD: Velvet Voice bouquet Kindan Jouji Saitasha to Watashi (CV: Taniyama Kishou) Purchase

フマジメな関係(CV.沖野靖広)

Drama CD: Fumajime na Kankei (CV: Takahashi Hiroki) Purchase

彼のプラマイ事情1 +優しい年上 -甘いSな彼(CV.土門熱)

Drama CD: Kare no Puramai Jijou 1 +Yasashii Toshiue -Amai S na Kare (CV: Atsushi Domon) Purchase

淫蜜脱出ゲーム Vol.4 完ペキ彼氏編 (CV.佐和真中)

Drama CD: Inmitsu Dasshutsu Game Vol. 4 Kanpeki Kareshi-hen (CV: Sawa Manaka) Purchase

雇われヒーローの日常 第3巻 ベルの日常 通常盤 (CV.刃琉)

Drama CD: Yatoware Hero no Nichijou 3 Bell no Nichijou (CV: Haru) Purchase Regular | Limited

Release date: 7.28.17

後輩、拾いました。(CV.刃琉)

Drama CD: Kouhai, Hiroimashita Vol. 1 Aoyama Ren (CV: Haru) Purchase

おやすみ彼氏5～過保護な彼氏と過ごす夜～

Drama CD: Oyasumi Kareshi 5 〜Kahogo na Kareshi to Sogosu Yoru〜 (CV:Makino Hideki) Purchase

豹変彼氏～お兄ちゃんがトイレに行かせてくれません～ (CV.河村眞人)

Drama CD: Hyouhen Kareshi ~Onii-chan ga Toilet ni Ikasetekuremasen~) (CV: Masato Kawamura) Purchase

鍵のない秘密2 -海に映るメリーゴーランド- アニメイト限定盤 (CV.二枚貝ほっき)

Drama CD: Kagi no Nai Himitsu 2 - Umi ni Utsuru Merry Go Round) (CV: Nimaigai Hokki) Purchase Regular | Limited

黒い夢 第二夜 ♯34 Desk (CV.刺草ネトル・つちのと)

Drama CD: Kuroi Yume Dai ni Ya #34 Desk (CV: Netoru Irakusa, Tsuchinoto) Purchase

君の声に恋してる 楓-kaede-First

Drama CD: Kimi no Koe ni Koishiteru -kaede -First (CV: Manaka Sara) Purchase

slow slow XXX... White (CV.土門熱)

Drama CD: slow slow XXX... White (CV: Atsushi Domon) Purchase

slow slow XXX... Pink (CV.土門熱)

Drama CD: slow slow XXX... Pink (CV: Atsushi Domon) Purchase

Release date: 7.31.17

Prison～氷上教示の場合～ (CV.鳩マン軍曹)

Drama CD: Prison Vol. 4 Hikami Kyouji (CV: Hatoman Gunso) Purchase

迷いアリスと不思議の国-Mad Tea-party- チェシャ猫編(CV.魁皇楽)

Drama CD:  Mayoi Alice to Fushigi no Kuni -Mad Tea-party- Cheshire Neko Hen) (CV. Kaiouraku) Purchase

[grimbunnies]

[grimbunnies]

Ikuradon hours.

[natsthinkitythinkthinkthonk]

SSSS.GRIDMAN - Thoughts

I finished that whirlwind of an anime! On my quest to finish a lot of anime I missed in 2018, Gridman was at the top of my list! My brother recommended it after finishing it, and I can say that *ahem* I actually enjoyed it. I usually do not like mecha, and even though this show is far from original (it’s a parody of the original Ultraman) I found myself admiring the world they built. 

I can say that if you don’t like fanservice, this is not the anime for you. I’m not a fan of fanservice, but I am not deterred so easily. Let me put it this way, the director (forget the exact position) requested thicc ass and thighs and boobs just go without saying at this point. It wasn’t disgusting like some ecchi out there, but they will make their presence known. I found that it got in the way sometimes though. If it means anything, the female characters have a lot of good moments together, and this anime (in its entirety) does pass the Bechdel test.

Bechdel Test:

The work has to have at least two women in it,

who talk to each other,

about something besides a man.

Story and Characters

Yuuta Hibiki is a first-year student in high school living in Tsutsujidai who wakes up without his memories. Yuuta later meets Hyper Agent GRIDMAN who is inside an old computer. Yuuta's quest to fight Kaiju and to discover the meaning behind these events along with finding his memories begins.

The synopsis I made was a bit vague, but that’s what it’s about essentially. In terms of the story, it seems quite light and not that deep, but it doesn’t stay that way for too long. The fights aren’t meaningless, and it’s not a “my power is greater than yours” type of thing. It slowly builds up until a few episodes from the end. While I think the plot twists they pulled were cliche, I still found it exciting. I think I’m going to stop treading around spoilers and just say the plot twists very vaguely. It has to do with creation itself, the meaning of existence, and what is humanity, what is the world, and who are these characters exactly? It will have you questioning everything at times because they don’t answer all the questions they set up (leaving viewers to theorize for themselves). I will include my personal two cents below. But hopefully, that explains enough without spoiling everything. And if you don’t like plot, there are giant robots and fanservice (I say this sarcastically, but I know there are people out there). 

In terms of characters, we have a likeable cast for the most part. I think I wanted the female characters NOT to be overshadowed by the fanservice, but *shrugs* it was inevitable. They both contributed a lot to the show besides the camera angles and sexualized shots. It’s a shame that the focus was taken off that. Besides that, the cast is nice, and I didn’t have any character that I hated enough to say, “TAKE THEM OUT”. In fact, the character I didn’t like still ended up playing a large role and was still cool overall. 

I feel like they could’ve done more with best girl Rikka, but that’s just my opinion.

Art

Studio Trigger is known for its fluid animation, awesome fight scenes, and fanservice. With its main series being Kill La Kill and the notorious Darling in the FranXX (seriously, their robot design is whack), this isn’t too surprising that they took this on. Both are essentially known for fanservice everywhere, and DITF is known for its *ahem* big robots. But this studio is also known for Little Witch Academia, Inferno Cop, and Kiznaiver which aren’t as sexualized from what I hear. Although it's not that old, Trigger has made their presence known. 

The animation in this was pretty darn good. It did everything I wanted (I AM NOT REFERRING TO THE DARN FANSERVICE. I AM TALKING ABOUT FIGHT SCENES). The robots were awesome-looking, and the fights were over-the-top explosive and fun to watch. I’m not a fan of mecha but watching these detailed human-like machines fight and battle each other was exciting!

[”GET ‘EM!!!” - me in the background]

But yeah, the fanservice is heavy to the point where it overshadows the female characters’ actions and sometimes what they’re saying even if it’s important to plot. I don’t mind giving the characters idealic bodies. I just mind the extent of the animators going, “Hey! Did we mention this character has great [insert body part]? Let’s do a pan(ty) shot! How about some yuri baiting?” Ships are built on the actions and what people say and the relationship, not by bait. Most of the gifs that pop up when I search “ssss.gridman” has to do with these shots. There’s even a thing up that’s promoting the body pillow covers with these characters-- I’ll leave it at that. Just a reminder that these are first-year high schoolers. Let’s enjoy some non-sexualized gifs that respect these girls but also pay respect to their design (look at those eyes).

Gridman himself says that he wouldn’t have been able to do it without her. She provides good reasoning and insight. She isn’t afraid to speak up and has more connections than the two other characters. She’s also quite capable and smart just like the other characters. She’s the most normal and down-to-earth. In that way, she reminds me of Hiyori from Noragami.

She is one of the main characters too! She’s mysterious and works her magic behind the scenes. She’s crafty, witty, idealistic, and she’s really creative. She has unique interests that truly drive the series.

Sound

THE OP AND THE ED ARE BOTH AMAZING! I REALLY LIKE OP AND ED. I DOWNLOADED BOTH.

The score provides a lot too! I can’t say it’s the type where I say, “I’m downloading the OST” but for twelve episodes, I sure got hyped when the OST took flight.

I really liked the voice acting for this. Both Yuuya Hirose and Yume Miyamoto are new to voice acting, but Yume has been acting for a long time since she’s in the large famous group called the Himawari Theatre Group which seems to farm talented youth like Kouki Uchiyama, Miyu Irino, Mamoru Miyano, Ryohei Kimura, Yuuto Uemura, and Sumire Morohoshi just to name some off the top of my head. Yume has range, but I really liked the voice she used for Rikka. I really want to hear her take on more roles. Hikaru Midorikawa playing Gridman was also great because it was like a senior leading the youth. Soma Saito was in the main cast too! He was in a few anime that season. He was good comic relief, and he fits the character so well. Reina Ueda has impressed me with her performances in supporting roles in anime like ReLife and Net-juu no Susume, but this was even better. I really look forward to seeing her in more roles soon. The rest of the cast was filled with people I’ve heard before with exception to Ryousuke Takahashi as Calibur. Everything else worked out great, but as much as I like Kenichi Suzumura... I think a newbie would’ve fit the role a lot better. That was a bit of a slip-up.

Spoiler Zone

But what do I think happened at the end? Besides leaving us hanging with no reasoning or any sign of a sequel, here’s my hot take:

I think Akane comes from the real world, goes to this world because she's tired of real life and wants to control a setting. She takes this alternative universe and wreaks havoc with the help of the main bad guy. She alters things to the point of no return, but after the disorder has reached its peak, Gridman is called in. She is sent back to her own world with only a select few keeping the memories of this ever happening. She isn't a god, but she was a human given the abilities of one by the villain who represents disorder and corruption himself. Gridman is a being who restores order.

But what about the ships?

As much as there is a ton of material for both Akane x Rikka and Yuuta x Rikka respectively, I think the fact that Akane no longer being around ultimately makes me prefer the other one. Hey, Rikka can be bisexual and still choose Yuuta. They’re good together too.

It’s implied in the end that Gridman chose Yuuta because he sat beside Akane and also because he likes Rikka, and Gridman is also wingman. He worked so hard to get them together. He even said to her in the end that Yuuta will remember his feelings for her (not said whether it’s romantic). 

In the video below, you can see why I ship it because he says he likes her, her main love interest is gone anyway (Akane is no longer in that universe), and I was good with either with me leaning more towards this one anyway because the other ship was a little too allusive, not as straight-forward, and just look at the look on Yuuta’s face. Do you want to break him? Do you want to break his soul? My heart goes out to the poor guy.

The last scene cuts out before you see the true heartbreak on his face. He invites her out for dinner, and she’s like, “Sure!” He does a small “yatta!” then she says, “But fitting all of us would be difficult.”

Me: I’m sorry for your loss. (+f = I have paid my respects)

For these scenes, I don’t think Yuuta was fully asleep or Gridman was really that determined to play wingman.

Edit: @italiantea commented this link which explains a lot of the leftover things! It’s a bit long, but if you’re confused about the ending, you might find this a good read!

https://mobile.twitter.com/i/moments/1076999602388299776

[b3crew]

After talking about his newfound gig, King Baby Duck gets excited over the digital release of the classic anime series City Hunter! However, his joy is short-lived when an iconic Boston venue closes its doors for good. But then, our host is filled with happiness yet again thanks to the new show Wave, Listen to Me!, although he has a slight problem with its protagonist.

PLAYLIST (with album/single links):

GIRLFRIEND - Kagebōshi (from the album HOUSE)

TM NETWORK - Get Wild (from the City Hunter: Shinjuku Private Eyes -VOCAL COLLECTION-)

HALLOWS - In a Sleeping World (from the Subtle EP)

Ringo Sheena  - Chastity at Midnight (from the compilation album Apple of Universal Gravity)

DA PUMP - This is DA world (from the Heart on Fire EP)

Brendan Benson - Evil Eyes (from the album Dear Life)

fox capture plan (feat. Yosh of Survive Said The Prophet) - Curtain Call (digital single)

SOIL & "PIMP" SESSIONS - Lost Memories (from the album Man Steals the Stars)

I LIKE TRAINS - The Truth (from the album KOMPROMAT) [in stores August 21st]

STUDY - Can now, Can now (CD single)

Harumi - Pride (CD single)

The Birthday Massacre - Crush (from the album Diamonds)

Ryuko Takahashi - Peaceful Days (digital single)

Opening theme: "The S.S. Shitstorm" by the_Stampede (from the album A Marvel of Idiocy)

For more information on the Cultural Exchange Initiative, visit their official website, Instagram, and Facebook!

The Boston Bastard Brigade kindly encourages you to support these artists, and buy their songs/album. You can find the majority of these releases on CDJapan.co.jp, YesAsia, Amazon.com, Apple Music, the bands' official websites & Bandcamps, and your local record stores.

Promotional consideration for tracks three and nine made by Shameless Promotion PR.

[b3crew]

King Baby Duck returns from PAX East 2020 to find...that the SXSW Festival had been cancelled. But he doesn't want the episode to be a downer, as he gives all of the highlights of Boston's biggest gaming convention. From huge titles and indies to some of the future multiplayer hits of 2020, our host picks the brightest spots of PAX East that everyone else should be keeping a keen eye on!

PLAYLIST (with album/single link):

Vickeblanka - Shekebon! (from the album Devil)

Rie Takahashi - Iwanai kedo ne. (from the Karekai Jouzu no Takagi-san 2 Cover Song Collection)

The World/Inferno Friendship Society - All I Can Do To Help You With Your Nightmares Is Keep You Up Late (from the album All Borders Are Porous To Cats)

GLAY - Anata to Ikite Yuku (from the album NO DEMOCRACY)

Rico Sasaki - Play the world (digital single)

Easy - Crystal Waves (from the album Radical Innocence) [in storers April 24th]

fhána - Code "Genius"? (English Ver.) (from the "Hoshi o Atsumete" single)

SPITZ - Magatta Boku no Shippo (from the album Mikke)

Ender Bender - Star Killer (from the EQ EP) [in stores April 24th]

TsuShiMaMiRe - Bad Dream Bear (from the album Tsushimamire)

Brian the Sun - Paradigm Shift (from the orbit EP)

Ghost - Mary On A Cross (from the single Seven Inches of Satantic Panic)

MONKEY MAJIK - Metamorphose (from the album northview)

Opening theme: "The S.S. Shitstorm" by the_Stampede (from the album A Marvel of Idiocy)

For more information on the Cultural Exchange Initiative, visit their official website, Instagram, and Facebook!

The Boston Bastard Brigade kindly encourages you to support these artists, and buy their songs/album. You can find the majority of these releases on CDJapan.co.jp, YesAsia, Amazon.com, Apple Music, the bands' official websites & Bandcamps, and your local record stores.

Promotional consideration for tracks six and nine made by Shameless Promotion PR.