Genre – Anime Fantasy Drama?
Series – 26 Episodes
Total Runtime – 10 Hours 27 Minutes
Spoilers – Not Really
Please… make it stop. This was a mistake.
The random picker chose this blind box item for the second review, and it has bogged down trying to get this series going. It’s not necessarily bad, it’s just so boring. This series is a real slog to force myself to watch the next episode. I generally make it 2/3 of the way through before pausing and wandering off. I don’t care about any of the characters, I don’t care about any of the plot, I just want it to be over.
That said, I made it to 2:55 into Episode 16 before going “Dude, this isn’t worth it, invoke Rule I already.”
If you just want a yes or no on whether to watch, there it is. Don’t do it.
It’s difficult to snark on it as I was so bored that much has slipped from my mind, and I have to rely on my notes. It says “This series should have been titled ‘TV Tropes the Anime’.” It hits archetypical note after archetypical note and doesn’t even deliver them in a fun way.
Our Plot Summary – We open with the hero protagonist’s home town burning. Bad guy has singlehandedly slaughtered his way to the shrine where the divine artifact that somehow doesn’t turn out to be a Macguffin is located only to be interrupted by hero protagonist who demonstrates his lack of cognitive function by solo rushing bad guy repeatedly despite bad guy offhand blocking every attack with ease. Until bad guy gets bored and swats hero protagonist into a support pillar. The structural damage causes the divine artifact sword to fall from its perch. Hero protagonist decides that maybe attacking with a weapon would work better, but bad guy punches him through a stone wall first, moving the fight to the courtyard.
“You were holding back?” Hero protagonist blurts, astonished.
“No shit, sherlock,” I say to myself, “Dude was no-selling everything you threw at him.” Of course, the series would go on to establish that hero protagonist is in fact as stupid as he seems.
Anyway, hero protagonist draws the impossible to draw divine artifact sword, proving himself to have a glowy sigil marking him as chosen of Alcaid, ancient warrior god and winner of the coveted “divine name most sounding like a knockoff antacid” award. Both hero protagonist and bad guy get glowy and fight proceeds through anime escalation until hero protagonist is yeeted off a cliff and bad guy returns to his army with the divine artifact sword.
Roll credits.
Roll opening credits.
Antagonist duties for the rest of the episode are taken over by recurring bad guy who appears in my notes as “Undead Man”. He is undead and possesses powers as the plot demands. He doesn’t so much lose the first encounter, or win, so much as wanders off. Undead Man comes back several times, being quite a nuisance but his actions not indicating an actual goal. So much so that I ended up just writing “What is your plan, Undead Man?” in my notes. It did finally strike me – his plan is to move the plot along. He exists solely because an antagonist is needed to move events forward for that episode and the idea of a recurring antagonist is something to strive for. Plus he doesn’t diminish the threat of bad guy. But bad guy himself barely does anything. There is no indication of a deadline, despite hero protagonist’s hurry for a rematch.
In the fantasy tropey department, the overall scheme seems to be that the stars of the big dipper choose warriors and imbue them with a mark that means they’re named character tier combatants and the five in the middle get the destined task of mitigating the chaos from the inevitable clash between the representations of the ancient war gods – in this case hero protagonist and bad guy. There is magic and undead, but no other monsters or fantastical beasts. Indeed, for the most part, only Undead Man even seems to use magic beyond the ‘channeling’ ability which is indistinguishable from generic anime powering up.
The only plot twists so far are that hero protagonist supposedly looks like the emperor, and that a different one of the party was secretly (even to him) the abandoned son of bad guy.
I don’t see the resemblance. Okay, I mean, they are drawn similarly, but these are anime characters, I expect their faces to kinda look alike. Oh, and that weird color splotching is reflected light from the water they’re standing next to. I will credit the show this – the art and animation is top notch. We’re not talking beautiful for the sake of making every frame a work of art level, but you can tell the animators knew their craft and were not into cutting corners at the expense of the visuals.
The Funimation localization team that did the English language version was not up to the level of the Japanese visual artists. At first I thought the voice acting was tolerable, but it’s not. It’s really not. Maybe I’d have a different opinion if I’d watched this subbed, but I don’t see how the genericism isn’t in the original source material too.
At several points the characters will declare things about their association with other characters that doesn’t feel earned. Often this comes in the form of a declaration of friendship, but we’ve seen these people since they first met and their behavior has not indicated even a modicum of respect, let alone friendship. Then there was hero protagonist, two hours after having woken from a bad guy induced coma (he was kicked through another wall) and yelling at the ship captain he’d just met “You are always lecturing me!” That line would have worked if directed towards the party member who was absent from the party in that sequence but not directed at the guy he’s had less than two full conversations with, neither of which was a lecture.
I really couldn’t force myself to go on. Most of my persistence was in a determination not to have an abandonment so early in the review series, but I just can’t force myself to keep watching. I can’t even snark it, I’m just bored. It is so predictable I was calling plot points episodes early. I don’t like the characters. I just want it to be over.
Production Code S01E02
I honestly didn’t want an abandonment so early in the series, but… it was making me second guess the whole project.
For those of you concerned that Episodes 1 and 2 were Both Anime – Next week is a Wstern Film that you have heard of.
Sure thing, weeb.
I don’t think I qualify because of my disinterest in Japan itself.
You have to earn your accolades.
Blazing Saddles?
No, I’ve watched that one, but don’t own a copy.
Winchester 76?
Winchester 73 movie?
… by “Western Film” I didn’t mean it was in the Genre of “Western”, but that it was made by the Anglosphere, as opposed to originating in the East.
Sorry for the confusion.
You are Unforgiven.
aww… 😟
The Occidental Tourist?
So… I guess we know why this was a blind box item. Have you done any digging into whether it had any popular success or just sank into well-deserved obscurity?
I do little to no research on any item so I can avoid biasing my impressions more than they already are.
But, given that the box advertizes other projects the creators worked on rather than accolades of this work, I’m guessing it didn’t do that well.
I did find an IMDB page, where this series somehow nets a 6.4/10
The sweet spot on IMDB seems to be 4.
“So bad it’s good”?
Yes
A few nights ago I bailed out of a movie after bout three minutes. I couldn’t tell you what it was or was supposed to be about.
I’ve seen that movie. It gets great at the 120 minute mark.
A good “roll credits” song can do that.
But the movie was only 90 minutes.
Yeah, but that’s when he woke up after a refreshing nap.
Is it possible that the English translation is so bad that they’ve missed major plot elements that are in the Japanese version?
I cannot rule out the possibility. But I suspect the people who did the dub also did the subtitles, and I don’t speak Japanese.
So unless someone who does speak Japanese subjects themselves to the series and reports back…
That’s unlikely from me. I just looked it up and this isn’t usually a genre I’ll watch unless it has really strong reviews.
It did have Atsuko Tanaka voice a character and I love her voice. Sadly we lost her recently at 61.
https://myanimelist.net/people/100/Atsuko_Tanaka
Where the big-tittied anime bitches at?
I was told you were the one drawing them.
Did you shirk your tasks?
Q-san to the rescue?
I’m far, far too busy Firsting to spend my time animating anime titties. Others enact that labor for me.
Will not watch.
But did read! I’m trying to think of cultural experiences, or art, that are *so* unique to their creators’ culture, that I’ve found them to be ‘untranslatable.’ I really don’t find any, other than -say- the differences between American slavery and the Korean-subjugated -by-Japan – and I find those to be fundamentally ‘human.’ Same-same, really. Humans be human. Just different flavors of the same ice cream.
I hope you have varieties of Anime-Watch Gloves you wear for your viewings. Different tones reflect your (dis)interest and qualify your displeasure. There are lubricated ones, best for ‘femme fatale’ moments, which aid in taking off said gloves. Better sluiced for your viewing pleasure.
CNN has the most in-depth reporting on how this all happened.
What it stinks of is that Israel was applying pressure on Trump to do something on Iran the moment he took office. It forced him to try and strike a deal with Iran putting a ridiculous two month window on them to do so before. No progress is made, as you would expect on such a complex deal. Isreal says fuck it we’re attacking, and Trump for various reasons decides to join in.
Now that asshole Trump is tweeting on Truth social about regime change. Actually typed MIGA (Make Iran Great Again).
This shit is going to escalate. Iran has to respond. Keep poking them. There’s no choice.
Not to hijack the thread. Only so much can really be said about all of this. But shit is progressing.
And yet you keep saying it over and over.
I’m simply providing the latest update. If I didn’t post it, someone else likely would have because it’s kind of a big deal right now.
Far more significant than any bullshit with Ukraine that you bored us with.
Two and a half hours after publication time is more than enough leeway for general commentary.
God forbid anybody not subscribe to the view that Ukraine started the war by not utterly capitulating to Russia and forcing them to invade.
I don’t wholly disagree with your posit of Trump being in ‘Israel’s pocket.’
The simplest ‘answer’ is that things simply aligned, and folk weren’t foolish enough to miss their chance.
I very much dislike any US power being projected, with historic projections being long-winded. My simplest ‘explanation’ is that Trump has been given, or has been offered, info or promises to help Trump in the future. This easily ties into your thoughts of Trump being in Israel’s pocket, but it’s a curiosity worth note. What is Israel giving the US in kind? You might argue the Epstein-agent thought, which I don’t think unplausible, but *something* is certainly there. I don’t expect this ‘trade’ to be one-way. ‘We’re’ getting something out of it.
I assume information. Or promises. Both. (Why not?!)
Not saying they do have dirt on Trump (or saying they don’t either) but if someone has compromising info on you the only benefit you get is they don’t release your secret shame.
Doesn’t need the deep conspiracies though, war is a racket and it pays well and Trump has let the worst in his admin get close to him, probably via kissing his ass and flattery, and has pushed aside the best. MAGA, stupidly strangled in the crib by Trump himself at the beginning of his second term…he’s a fucking disgrace.
Months ago it was Trump learned from the first term and was doing things different. Now it seems the manipulators also learned from the first term.
They learned that sucking him off gets results apparently. Kiss his ass enough and he’ll be happy to give you a handie under The Resolute Desk. At least Graham will be pleased.
Lindsey hasn’t been this happy since McCain’s death.
Not a anime guy, so I watched Barfly last night. Excellent movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyBcmmEppGY
My friends!
Good Lord its even hot up here near the lake.
TALL ERIE CANS!
Everybody keeps talking about this heat wave. Down here in Florida, it was actually relatively cool.
It’s downright balmy the past two days in Texas.
It is 83 with Trades of 10kts. Just another day.
But since the Sun is north of us the light just pounds into you.
Oh its not heat wave per se.
Its typical June temps that the media hypes with language like “heat dome”.
Just poured a Yuengling Black & Tan into a frozen mug… It’s 93 outside and 79 inside. I always fear our poor AC unit is going to crap out. This house could use insulation, but that’s a huge and expensive job.
Tall Cayuga tumbler!
93 this afternoon. Dew point at 77. This is getting in to miserable humidity.
I just cracked a window, inhaled, and shut that window quick.
JFC gross.
I think the dew point hit 82 or 83 a couple of days last year. That’s insane. It was like being in Singapore.
The dew point is currently 78 here.
that sucks
Brochetta- I hear you hate Jews now.
Whats the official like the Firsters are taking?
I have been shunned by the Council Of Firsters, but the Firsters on the ground level follow my lead as The First Of All Firsters. We will win this.
Do Firsters equally enjoy Sloppy Seconds?
Especially when they’re your own, dropping back at the buffet?
Just me?
I would never share the intimate moments shared between Firsters with a non-Firster.
*line
“The 72 Hour Rule”, by Chris Bray:
https://open.substack.com/pub/chrisbray/p/the-72-hour-rule?r=d0r3d&utm_medium=ios
An excerpt:
A nuclear-armed Iran is a threat to its Arab neighbors, as well as to Israel, and my bet would be that this action was discussed and welcomed all over the Middle East. As a first guess, I suspect that many discussions are going on around the Gulf that we don’t know about.
And finally, don’t miss that Democrats are outraged by the strike on Iran, but were outraged ten minutes ago that Orange Man was bending the knee to Iran because Iran is a Russian client state and Orange Man Luvz Putin.
So much this.
To be fair, I don’t believe anything I hear coming out of Ukraine for years.
Wait, does that meant me might not have dropped the bombs?
I don’t believe Medvedev’s claims one bit as they pertain to this conflict. Even Pakistan, who has been making some noise along those lines supposedly, wouldn’t do it.
Whoops
I don’t believe it either. Nobody benefits. Maybe the Ayatollah personally, but not the Persian people, nor anyone in missile range.
“TACO Trump”
lol I already forgot what the left’s stupid meme was supposed to mean.
Should we check back on Tuesday?
Trump always chickens out
I always suspected Iran’s nuclear program was a bargaining chip. It’s pretty much the only way to bring the US to the negotiating table.
Their nuclear program started under the shah in 1974. They could have built one long ago if that was their goal.
Chinese cargo planes have been making lots of stops in Iran lately. Medvedev says other countries have offered to sell Iran a nuclear weapon.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iran-lawmakers-eye-page-from-north-korea-nuclear-playbook-after-us-strikes/ar-AA1HcQBr
***
Pyongyang officially left the NPT in January 2003, just two months before the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, citing concerns that the United States was planning a preemptive attack against North Korea, and went on to conduct the nation’s first nuclear weapons test in 2006.
***
Nope. Everyone wants to sell them COTS nukes now. Apparently.
Never go with COTS Nukes, you get locked in to the vendor, and you never know what kind of poison pill is in the hardware. When it doesn’t go boom or goes boom at the wrong time, you are left with no recourse.
Will IOT nukes work when the internet is down?
Evacuating the pallets of cash.
Daily Mail headline: “My husband got pregnant by another man – here’s how our lives transformed.”
First comment on the article: Enough with this nonsense already!
Impregnated husband giving birth
I think we made fun of that flapdoodle earlier this week.
I’m surprised they let the poor kid live but hoo-ey that kid is gonna be messed up.
I’m waiting for the markets to open tomorrow. See what stocks, gold and oil do. Then read the tea leaves to see what direction we’re heading.
They were already wrong after Israel launched the attack so why would I trust that shit now?
Now they’ll probably panic after yawning before, and it will mean nothing.
The markets aren’t wrong though our interpretation may be.
don’t call us, we’ll call you . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4njPe2_rho&list=RDi4njPe2_rho&start_radio=1
Watching the tv series version of Shooter. Marines wearing woodland camo in AFG. I can’t suspend my disbelief.
Is that odd? We got only 2 sets of DCU for 15 months in country in 2003. We were free to wear woodland BDU whenever. It was always a mixed formation. Weren’t Marines though, so who knows. Maybe they were different.
Interesting. Got 4 sets in 2000.
But… they would have been wearing marpat, desert or woodland digital, not woodland camo. And not woodland camo combat shirts (not bdus).
https://www.reddit.com/r/Anarcho_Capitalism/comments/1li51hf/we_have_completed_our_very_successful_attack/#lightbox
Rip fred smith.
Hey Glibstafarians!
🤪🏖️☀️
Gonna be a warm one round these parts.
Stay cool, y’all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A12-KN5UijA
🎶🎶
Today’s outrage brought to you by “big flag”.
https://twitchy.com/warren-squire/2025/06/23/a-new-foreign-flag-for-the-last-for-months-ukraine-palestinian-mexican-iranian-n2414606
Better ditch my green T-shirt or people might think I’m flying the Libyan flag.
Stupid, just stupid. I don’t agree with our actions vis a vis Iran but I won’t be flying an Iranian flag anytime soon.
lol I joke-called it a few days ago.
Don’t let the commies get you down. 😋
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy46iOwWQiE
Bonus track! 🎶🎶
👂🪱
78 here (overnight low), forecast high of 94. Humidity currently 83%.
Whee 🤮🤮🤮
Our thermometer, which runs too hot when the sun hits it, read 79 at 4:30 this morning.
75 Here, predicted high of 98.
Currently 94% humidity.
Mornin’, reprobates.
Morning, Glibblits. First break and the shop is blissfully chill.
I try to find The Most Interesting encounter or event of the day. That seems an easy, productive way to get ideas.
I’m also bummed that, if I pursue writing as a career, my obvious In is to write about The Incident and the oddities of navigating the world w brain damage.
Plenty of material, and interesting, important, to express. I need an editor, or better, myself w some focus. (Where to start?)
Kick ass today. It’s got a solid, positive vibe.
suh’ fam
whats goody
TALL SWEATY CANS!
/gonna be hot today
78 deg here and 80% humidity.
Not much room for the sweat to go anywhere.
Extreme Heat Warning and Air Quality Alert. Good day for indoor activity unless the power goes out…
Your power went out?
No, but I don’t trust the grid to handle the load brought on by triple digital temps and 75 degree dewpoint.
One of my Window AC units is temporarily out of commission. 🙁
(I have to fix the drain so that the condensate goes where I want it rather than the floor. It’s not a big fix, but I can’t run it until I do.)
Hi, U. Better get that fixed pronto, or that room.will be off limits.
I am aware of the risks. There is a saving grace that the room in question is on a sheltered northern exposure, and is adjacent to a room with a working AC unit, so with the door open it has stayed bearable for the time being.
Have you checked the thermostat?
Two days of heat and now back to averages. 75 today and the 10 day forecast is for more of the same. So far no mosquitoes and few deer flies, just enough rain to keep the weds growing in the garden.
weeds but you knew what I meant
You mean you don’t have Wotan’s Days growing in your gardens?
He’d prefer unweds growing in the garden.
Good morning!
Morning. I think I’ve gotten the Optic properly secured finally. I’m going to see if I can’t zero it this week.
Lily goes to the boarder tomorrow. I expect her to spend all of her time in the pool. Hopefully Dakota is there for a few days.
given the weather, the pool might be the best place for her to spend her time.
I can’t believe that a show with such a generic name would be so generic.
I know, right? I’d have thought they’d be more original.