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Stellar Blade (2024)
Stylish and sexy, Seoul-based studio's 'Stellar Blade' will take the industry by storm
Earth has been destroyed and humanity as we know it is mostly extinct, with survivors living primarily on an off-world colony. To wage war against the grotesque monsters on the planet's surface, platoons of Very Sexy super soldiers are dispatched. It's not long until they're all wiped out save for a sole survivor, Eve, who serves as the player-controlled protagonist. As a vassal onto which overly sexualized violence is projected, her characterizations are anything but consistent. At times, she's a completely helpless fawn in need of rescue and devoid of agency. On the other hand, she's an unstoppable killing machine who can pull off gravity-defying displays of viscera against behemoth abominations without breaking a sweat. Perhaps my personal favorite, she's a nurturing and messianic figure helping bring humanity together by solving their everyday struggles. These dichotomies make for a conflicted, humanized character you can't help but hold out hope for to the bitter end.
Stellar Blade is an objectively great game, plain and simple. The love and passion poured into it is palpable, and despite my minor issues with frustrating platformer passages plaguing most role-playing games, the style doesn't outweigh the substance. Captivating combat, vibrant visuals, and a sublime soundtrack all come together to form a world almost as enchanting as our protagonist and make Stellar Blade very easy to recommend.
Rurôni Kenshin: Meiji kenkaku romantan: Kenshin - Himura Battosai (2023)
Elation beyond explanation: the Battousai is back
The 2023 adaptation of Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan makes a strong and nostalgic return with its first episode. Staying true to its source material, this adaptation captures the essence of the original series while adding a modern touch. Despite its nostalgic appeal, the anime avoids feeling outdated and manages to blend in seamlessly with contemporary shounen anime. The setting, characters, villains, and motivations all feel relevant in today's anime landscape. In terms of production, the animation is solid, capturing the essence of the original artwork while providing a smoother and more polished visual experience. The action scenes flow seamlessly and maintain a sense of coherence.
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu: The Magician Doesn't Come Back (1995)
At 2:55 on June 1st, Space Calendar 800...Yang Wen-li's time stopped at age 33.
"Should the value of fire be denied, simply because arson exists?"
"I believe that being ruled by the worst democracy, is preferable to being ruled by the best autocracy."
"The 'freedom not to get involved,' is perhaps the most valued freedom we have in this country."
Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu stands alone in the storytelling landscape, and there's not a particularly close second. Just one of the countless things the series does so well is it's depictions of war - rather than attempting to conceal or romanticize it, LoGH faces these horrors head-on and, as it so often does, forces you to ask yourself the hard questions from the other side of the screen. Admiral Yang had so much more to accomplish, on and off the battlefield. For the man who was humanity's shining star to die not fighting the Empire's dictatorship, but alone in a cold, dark place, at the hands of an unknown assailant is unheard of for any other series. Furthermore, to kill off your protagonist in the penultimate season and leave so much content and conflict in his wake, is perhaps the biggest testament to Tanaka-sensei's unparalleled and masterful writing I can think of.
Fruits Basket: Because I Was Happy (2019)
Protect Hanajima at all costs
You know Hanajima is a good person when she isn't trying to excuse her behavior - nearly killing a boy - instead feeling scared of her powers and of herself. Rather than justify the use of her power with words like 'he deserved it' or 'he started it' etc. Even in primary school, understanding that she nearly killed a person. As a viewer, I probably would have understood why she would kill him so I believe it's a testament to just how strong of a person Saki Hanajima truly is; hats off to Takaya-sensei for providing us such a beautiful story and characters, and major props to TMS for the beautiful adaptation thus far.