Symphogear AXZ – Episode 8

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The ancient rites have been completed and the door to eternity is cracking open, so I hope you folks are ready for another episode of SYYYYMPHOOOOGEAAAAAR! Last episode was mostly just a continuous series of battles from start to finish, but we did end up learning more about the internal dynamics of the Bavarian Illuminati – namely, that everyone except Tiki thinks Adam sucks, and are actually loyal to St. Germain. However, with Prelati potentially having been destroyed outright by the young Symphogears, and Adam now asking St. Germain to sacrifice her one remaining follower, it’s looking like the time for any potential leadership struggle may already be passed.

That’s generally how it goes with Symphogear, though – the enemy team starts with maybe a half dozen or so individual members, and gets whittled down over the second half of the season, leaving us with a climactic confrontation with whoever the biggest bad guy is. Structural forecasts aside, what I’m actually most looking forward to is seeing whatever new power mode Hibiki and her friends synthesize out of the “Fool’s Stone” that they’ve been seeking. Let’s hit the ground running with another episode of SYMPHOGEAR!

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Summer 2020 – Week 7 in Review

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Wednesday has arrived again, and though my ostensible “Week in Review” posts are continuing their steady transformation into a shapeless, abyssal mass of unprompted media opinions, they’re still keeping me busy with plenty to write about. This week I watched through the first half of Steven Universe’s final season, caught up on the fascinating and beautifully executed Deca-Dence, and also tossed in a fresh film for seasoning. Deca-Dence has been so damn interesting that I’m almost certainly going to write some sort of long-form essay on it, but in the meantime, I can’t exactly let Tachikawa’s statement that “we were mostly inspired by Wreck-It Ralph” go unanswered. Without further ado, let’s explore some fresh new stories!

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Why It Works: What Does It Truly Mean to Be “Over 9000?”

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I had a whole lot of fun with this week’s Why It Works article, as it fell into one of my favorite categories of criticism: thorough explorations of seemingly trivial cinematic moments. In this case, the inescapable “it’s over 9000” meme from Dragon Ball Z, a meme whose resonance and enduring nature seems to me to be a natural result of how it articulates the dramatic recalibration from the original Dragon Ball to the more self-serious Z. But enough explaining the article, let’s just get to it!

What Does It Truly Mean to Be “Over 9000?”

The Girl in Twilight – Episode 6

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Hello everyone, and welcome back. You all feeling ready for some The Girl in Twilight? So far, this show has proven itself to be absolutely full of surprises, as it shifted from the relatively grounded and thematically concise Nana arc, to the absolutely fantastical and often just-plain-ridiculous Mia arc.

Not to say Mia’s arc was bad in any way – it was actually a very entertaining ride, and Mia’s own journey was convincingly executed. Using this world of cowboys and outlaws to illustrate Mia’s desire to be more than “cute” was a neat trick; not only was it a fun way to explore her character, but it also neatly illustrated how the conditions of our own world can be just as limiting as any other, further emphasizing how there is no such thing as a “neutral” or “true” self. We are all reflections of our environments in myriad ways, and coming to terms with that is a necessary process both for learning to understand ourselves, and learning to coexist with others.

That aside, Cowboy World was also just an incredibly fun, silly adventure, and made great use of this show’s charming cast and their various duplicates. The Girl in Twilight’s excellent character writing has proven to be not just a welcome asset, but the show’s foundational bedrock – it is our understanding of the initial main cast that makes these what-if versions so compelling, and it is their overall chemistry that makes their adventures so fun. I’m eager to see what world we visit next as we continue this strange and hilarious journey!

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Pokemon Sun and Moon – Episode 18

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I have just concluded my duties on the summer season’s preview guide, meaning I am treating myself to another fun-filled episode of Pokemon Sun and Moon. I hope you’re all enjoying this journey as much as I am; while I often ramble at exhaustive length about the visual beauty and thematic poignancy of anime’s most ambitious productions, a great deal of anime’s importance to me comes down to how soothing and rewarding it is to settle down with a show as comforting as a good friend or a long, lazy nap.

As someone who watched a great deal of anime growing up, the art form’s fundamental modes of visual and emotional expression feel a bit like home to me. And when you combine that with the artistry and affectionate characterization of a show like Ojamajo Doremi, or Chihayafuru, or Sun and Moon, you end up with productions that aren’t just pleasant to watch, but a genuine source of stability and emotional support. Supporting people through difficult times is one of art’s greatest callings, and I can only hope that joining me on these journeys has given some of you that sense of support, as well. I’m glad you’re all here with me, and eager to get back to the adventure, so let’s dive into another episode of Sun and Moon!

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Big Windup! – Episode 1

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today we’re embarking on a new journey, as we explore the first episode of 2007’s baseball-focused drama, Big Windup! I didn’t really know anything about Big Windup! before starting this project, save for a general familiarity with its character art, so I of course went to work checking out the staff and such to get some picture of what I’m in for. That led to me discovering this was directed by Tsutomu friggin’ Mizushima, and with that, my anticipation for baseball action was thoroughly primed.

If you’re not familiar with Tsutomu Mizushima, I’d describe him as a workmanly director with a particular mastery of editing, meaning his shows usually benefit from both high-paced narrative momentum and phenomenal comedic timing. His shows are defined less by specific visual signatures than a general sturdiness of form and lightness of tone, and his recent catalog is brimming with fine shows like Girls und Panzer, Shirobako, Witch Craft Works, and Prison School. Both Witch Craft Works and Prison School clearly demonstrate he’s able to augment his style to match the aesthetic of his source material, and beyond that, I’m also excited to see an award-winning sports manga by a female mangaka.

As a final point, this first episode is directed by Mizushima himself, with animation direction by the show’s character designer and Chief AD Takahiko Yoshida, meaning we’re undoubtedly in for a blueprint of the show’s intended style going forward. With all that established, let’s check out the first episode of Big Windup!

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Summer 2020 – Week 6 in Review

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. This week I continued my journeys through two acclaimed American productions, as I powered through the last quarter or so of Breaking Bad, along with the fourth season of Steven Universe. They’re both fascinating shows with a great deal to cover, and though I’ve had my differences with Breaking Bad, the show certainly put its best foot forward in its final act. Beyond that, I also checked out a Schwarzenegger classic that I hadn’t seen since my childhood, and remembered once again that Schwarzenegger movies are pretty fun. We’ve got plenty of art to cover, so let’s not waste any more time, and get started on another Week in Review!

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Bodacious Space Pirates – Episode 6

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Hello everybody, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time! Today I’m excited to dive back into Marika’s celestial adventures, as we join her intrepid team for another episode of Bodacious Space Pirates. The show’s previous episode served as the climax of its second mini-arc, as Marika, Chiaki, and their classmates managed to fend off an enemy boarding attempt, making excellent use of resident tech expert Lynn’s hacking skills, as well as Marika’s own confidence and quick thinking. Having passed what was essentially her pirate captaining practical exam, Marika has also come to a personal decision: she’s ready to take on her father’s legacy, and assume leadership of the Bentenmaru.

Of course, we’ve still got some preparations to consider before setting sail on that great starry sky. For one thing, Marika should probably set about actually recruiting her yacht club classmates, who’ve already proven they’re pretty much bridge-ready. And also, apparently Chiaki is a pirate captain too? That seems worth investigating. Regardless, the sails are beginning to unfurl above our young leads, and I’m eager to see their journey begin. Let’s get to it!

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Pokemon Sun and Moon – Episode 17

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Right now it is technically summer where I am living, which in local terms means the weather outside shifts at random between punishing, stagnant humidity and unrelenting rainy downpours. Even as I sit in my office (aka my bedroom), my air conditioner can do little to protect me from the swampy tension in the air, which clings to my clothes and utterly dishevels my beautiful hair. I am tired of this damnable place, but fortunately, I also know a place where summer works exactly how it’s supposed to – the islands of Alola, which just so happen to also be brimming with adorable pokemon and thrilling adventures-in-waiting. So let’s not waste any more time reflecting on the atmospheric deficiencies of my own climate, and instead take a trip back to some islands that embody the very best of slice of life and children’s animation. Let’s explore another episode of Pokemon Sun and Moon!

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The Big O – Episode 6

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to Wrong Every Time. Today I’m delighted to be returning to The Big O, that exceptional mix of noir and giant robots that we all enjoy so much. Well, at least I’m greatly enjoying it; it’s a delight simply exploring the diverse sights of Paradigm, and Roger and Dorothy have made for dynamic, endearing tour guides.

Along with the show’s excellent art design and likable cast, what I most appreciate about The Big O is its willingness to embrace the weirdest consequences of its genre mix. While it’d be easy to construct a series of propulsive, action-packed murder-mysteries in the context of this world, The Big O has instead embraced both gothic horror and noir’s tendency towards ambiguity and even surrealism, frequently spending more time luxuriating in the atmosphere of Paradigm’s mysteries than following clues towards a destined end. Personally, I think ambiguity and atmosphere tend to be far more effective worldbuilding tools than outright exposition; through presenting a world with a rich sense of place but no clear answers, The Big O grounds us in the day-to-day experience of Paradigm, while implying there is more to this world than we could ever know. Let’s sift through the detritus of the sleeping city, as we explore a new episode of The Big O!

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