Genre – Sci Fi Anime
Movie Total Runtime – 18 Hour 1 Minutes
Spoilers – Yes
So, we finished season one without the world ending. Season two starts with a summation of the main plot and a new opening credit theme. It’s still not up to the standards of the first theme. The whole first episode felt like filler. They resume trying to kill Koro Sensei in the second episode, this time with a giant pudding. It makes sense in context. The shadowy government group that is responsible for creating Koro-Sensei (about whom we still know little) performs a more conventional attempt but gets foiled by the students.
Seriously now, I don’t care who puts him down, the dangerous organism has not retracted the threat on the planet. From a storytelling perspective, you can understand how the daily interactions with the students has made them lose sight of the underlying stakes. It’s not the bounty, it’s the end of the world. But, this is a show not about that. It’s about the ensemble, so the students recruit the ‘brother’ of Koro Sensei, who was really just a human with grafted material rather than a truly bioengineered superbeing. I don’t like him. I find his personality irritating.
I’m sitting here in confusion at a plot point in episode five. So, somehow, having a job is against school policy? It’s not that it’s illegal because of the student’s age. The issue is explicitly school policy, not labor law. This makes no sense. The only rationale I am able to come up with is “penalize poor people”. It’s not as though the student in question is having any academic troubles. Anyway, my investment has diminished in the second season. I’m starting to no longer care. Perhaps they should have trimmed the series length a bit. I donno. It did get a bit of a laugh when in rigging a sporting contest, the main campus brought in their “foreign exchange students” who were all giants who looked like bodybuilding adults. I was going to say it’d be funnier if they mentioned what country the exchange students were from. While not said in dialog, the contest was diagrammed out and we got flags for the exchange students – American, Brazilian, South Korean, and… French.
I will not make frog jokes.
The Frenchman doesn’t come into play anyway. We only find out the American’s name was ‘Kevin’ just before he exits the show. The others weren’t even of nominal importance.
We are still cycling through character-centric ensemble plots. This is what the series is about but I’m going to be honest – I think I’ve stopped caring. I want more answers regarding the main mysteries of what is wrong with Principal Antagonist, where Koro Sensei came from, and why he’s done what he’s done with the lunar destruction, and opting to teach people who he’s going to kill when he destroys the rest of the planet. I am taking it more seriously than the creators. I know the show is about the students and not the insane super cephalopod, but it’s just not working during this span of the series. When another villain comes along with a plan to end Koro Sensei albeit with collateral damage, I’m generally rooting for the guy trying to save the world, even if it means some of the students die. Yes, these villains are quite unhinged, but sometimes that’s what it takes.
So they spend time exploring the unhinged relationship between one of the students and his abusive mother. Then pivot back to the rivalry between the top students and the misfits. I wanted to point out a reference to a show I’d never seen, but they did their own fourth wall break to do that themselves. I am really hoping that the latter half of the second season takes a turn for the better.
These words pain me to write a little, because I did like the first season, and found it suitably entertaining. I had already chunked out this series into four reviews before watching it, since eighteen hours is a hefty bit of watching. This quarter has an increase in the number of times where a bad habit of mine crops up. When I anticipate awkwardness or cringe, I tend to pause whatever I’m watching and steel myself to ride out the scene. This is actually counterproductive because it drags out the awkward moments and increases the negative impact of something that would otherwise come and go. I don’t know why I do it. It’s also a risk factor in me just turning off a piece of media entirely. If it is paused, I can more readily just close VLC or the browser window it’s in and move on. If it’s playing, I’m more inclined to try to get to the credits.
So, unless something interesting happens in episodes 11 or 12, this is going to be a short review. It’s another round of hyperbolic exam episodes. This time, Principal Antagonist’s son asks the misfits to take the top spots to prove his father’s instructional philosophy wrong. The Arc continued into Episode 13, so I guess I’ll lump that into the first half too. It does finally start to give more information on Principal Antagonist’s background. Turns out he used to be more like Koro Sensei in teaching philosophy, until one of his students got bullied into suicide.
In his own attempt to assassinate Koro Senei, Principal Antagonist nearly gets blowed up – but I predicted the way he would end up not dying when the situation was presented. Points for sticking to established rules by the show.
On to the home stretch. Next week – last twelve episodes.
The reference was to “Food Wars”. The Anime, in particular the over the top tasting reaction scenes.
I’ll have what they’re having.
https://youtu.be/d595WKX0q1M?si=CFb_-djRawohAil1
Also another harem show with the lead male voice actor from SAO. As I mentioned that was his thing for at least 5 plus years.
YouTube says “no”.
Live from 35,000 feet- heading to PA
…whaddup doh’
I think there may be more than a few TV series (or movie serials?) that have fallen into this trap – they set up a highly dramatic premise, but lose sight of it frequently in the process of churning out episodes in a timely fashion – and maybe sometimes just to prolong the series for the sake of longevity (and money.) It’s obviously been a while, but one that comes to mind that I think may have been guilty of that was The X Files.
Also…
Dare I ask to what show they were making reference?
Never mind that question – you answered it while I was composing my comment.
It’s the nature of comments sections.
Food Wars.
As a bigger fan of the “monster of the week” or really just one-off episodes than the “mythology” which didn’t go anywhere episodes, I am perfectly fine if that’s what you were getting at.
I found the aliens stuff mostly boring.
“…one that comes to mind that I think may have been guilty of that was The X Files.”
I’ve still never seen an episode of it. I was at least a decade too young to be into that when it first appeared. I know the two leads and (like many) had a thing for Gillian Anderson, and I’m culturally aware of “The Smoking Man,” though typing it out, there’s a chance that was a different show. (I don’t think I’m misplacing it, but maybe?) I think said man of smoke was adjacent to work on super-secret alien stuff. Certainly in Nevada.
You are correct about the Smoking Man (also called Cancer Man).
The thing is, the mythology sucked, it made no sense, and even after reading the Wikipedia overview to maybe fill in some of the gaps because I missed a few years – it still doesn’t make sense.
I swear Cancer Man died and came back to life at least once. I just gave up giving a shit.
A giant pudding?
You’ve never triex to kill a superpowered cephalopod with a pudding the size of a one car garage?
Okay, it was hiding a large quantity of explosives and materialss designed specifically to kill the bioengineered critters.
Shades of The Giant Jam Sandwich.
It’s a bold tactic but it damn near won Wimbledon that one time.
Simpler, older version of Stonehenge found three miles from famous site
Nice link
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyxw8550y8o
Two post holes does not a hange make.
*henge
That is an assload of extrapolation for insufficient data.
Exactly and hence my thoughts of Spinal Tap.
Sometimes a hole in the ground is just a hole in the ground,
Holy shit, Cape Verde scored!
“EXCUSE ME, IT’S CABO VERDE NOW!”
Amusingly, JP isn’t playing along.
You have to admire how OMB splits his time between important things.
https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/war-in-lebanon-casts-shadow-over-renewed-iran-u-s-nuclear-talks-f457c7e9?st=pE6C4Q&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/trump-vents-growing-frustrations-with-reflecting-pool-problems-a328b275?st=Dhb41t&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
Roughly 4 hours apart. See Sleepy Joe wouldn’t get out of bed on a Sunday.
Government contractor does poor job of applying coating, news at 11.
No bid contractor.
Stupids do stupid things. They refuse to learn, don’t they.
They knew what they were doing.
No bid contractor.
Rush job. You get what you pay for.
Whee!
NY Post headline. IDGAF;DR
Mr. wun, you are supposed to engage in performative outrage. You know, rend your garments, cast ashes on your head, vote Democrat, etc.
I voted Democrat until the late 90s or so.
Because I was convinced that Republicans were icky and hated me, brown people, and science.
If it were not for the slight thrill of voting against them – mostly communists – now, I might just give up entirely.
@rhy’s IDGAF: Um. *raises hand* Like many now and throughout written history, I don’t really care, ‘sadly.’ I don’t want any of it to happen. Bright spot of all the ayatollahs being killed at once? I noticed gas prices, certainly, but I don’t buy enough for it to make a difference in my wallet. I noticed people TALKING about it, however. (Not just ‘EVIL TRUMP!” but mostly.)
I’ve got far bigger and closer-to-Ev things to care about. It falls under the ‘Above my pay grade’ umbrella of shit I don’t always agree with. Like federal interest rates or washing my hands after taking a shit, others’ concerns simply do not affect me. (I fake caring about the latter with stealthily employed faucet sounds to imbue their soothing sounds upon those that DO care, but that’s just for family. (And work.))
I guess IGAF but JFC the stupid hurts.
This is dumbest kinetic action since the last one.
My local was out of Plymouth gin! How awful!
Probably two more visits until my gin passport is full-up.
@UCS: If you didn’t see, yes, I live right by Indianapolis, about 5mi north of the top of the I-465 loop in Carmel, IN.
When’s your planned trip, again?
And will you be passing through out area again?
Though by that time I may not be in the Palatial 2X-wide.
I should be passing through dayton on the Cleveland-Indianapolis leg each way. It’ll be ~16th and 24th of september give or take.
Are you a movin’ on up?
I should be in the area ~16-17th and 23-24th of September. I haven’t made my reservations except in Minne but it’ll be around those days.
I had no idea Mack trucks were made here.
Hey from Allentown.
*waves*
I was assured that they were closing all the factories down…
To be fair, it might be the only one left.
I was shocked to learn that the town I moved to a couple years ago used to have a big gun factory. It’s long gone but the towering smokestack is still a prominent landmark. Naturally, more progressive minds want to tear it down.
You know what they say about Glass Houses.
You can find them on 52nd Street?
Or Canada.
I thought it was glass tigers that were found in Canada.
Update from SiL’s bestie, the recently proclaimed “bi” gal on her business FB: “We have THREE pride festivals coming up and I can’t wait for the warm, friendly vibes. 🥰💖🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, especially in times like these.
Come by our booth and say hello! [SiL’s “handmade goods” business] will be there for Carmel Pride & Zionsville Pride and Justin and I will be holding down the [bestie’s Plus+ clothing business] fort at our very first Decatur Pride as well! ☀️ Look for our new pink tent!”
“Intentional inclusion.” Wow. People are dumb little sheep with no guiding principles. Sad thought: I’m strongly certain such breeds are happier (until shit meets fan).
Mom knew about this ‘conversion,’ and it was a rare moment I expressed why it’s happening, cuz Mom also had her bullshit face on. I compared it to religion, saying the LBGTOIUQQQ was a “community” and that’s what people are missing. (Mom agreed with this.) Their friends are saying it, doing it, so they wanna look devout! Makes her a better ally!!
Yeah it’s a community to replace other, lapsed communities. Can’t blame them too much but strong mockery is fair game.
When do we get Lust Month?
At least we know Envy Month is every month.
So, Thursday was a low-key game release “The Adventures of Elliot – The Mellenium Tales”, which prompted the mini rant nobody responded to about game key cards.
Up until the credits rolled I was going to rate it fairly positively, The game is basicall “Square Enix made a 2D Zelda title without the copyrightable elements”. Gameplay is right out of that playbook – you collect new weapons, gadgets, and magics to solve puzzled, open up new areas, or get to parts of old areas previously unreachable, and go on side quests as you advance the main story.
The main plot involves time travel to different eras, but aside from quests specifically written around it and a few bombable walls which stay bombed in the future, it behaves almost like different geographic regions. There are four eras you go to, but the dialog and plot references a fifth, and I kept expecting to get there. The final boss even has a motivation tied to something you haven’t done yet along your personal timeline in some earlier era.
But then the credits rolled without that fifth era and the remainder of the plot. It basically ended on sequel bait. This soured me on it instantly.
oh, and for a squeenix game, finishing it the sunday after it arrived while doing a bunch of other stuff at the same time.
… it’s awfully short, like my abortive comment.
“…the mini rant nobody responded to about game key cards.”
I don’t have the foggiest idea of what a game key card is. Back in my day, buying the “game key card” was buying the game. The last game I actively played was Warcraft III and I never played multiplayer. You unlocked shit by beating each stage.
I can’t imagine myself sitting down and playing a game for hours, or longer than 30min, though I ‘should.’ Oddly sensibly, I imagine it’d be good for me. Force me to focus. *shrug*
It’s nonsense Nintendo rolled out with the Switch 2.
It is a cartridge that goes in the game cartridge slot, but which only has a game key on it – no data. You must have it in the slot to play the game, but have to download the game data from the internet and use internal storage for it. It combines the worst parts of physical game cartridges (having to keep track of the object and swap it out to play) and the worst parts of digital purchases (having to download it and use up your limited storage space)
Nobody who plays games likes them. There are still physical cartridges with game data for the system, so it’s buyer roulette what comes out of the box as they are not clearly labelled.
I don’t play no games, life is too short.
“life is too short to have fun”?
You lost me.
In my research after your first post people were saying they are labelled. Maybe not “clearly”? I dunno. I have zero desire to fiddle with game media so I have not in, jeez, more than a decade I guess.
My problem was I bought on amazon. I didn’t find out until I saw the fine print on the box that it was a key card and not an actual copy.
Given the size of the game, it’d easily fit on physical media.
I didn’t know you were referring to that game. I thought I did reply, stating my ignorance of what a “game key card” is. Maybe not.
Anyway, that was on my wishlist and I bought it Friday not knowing it was just released. I did have fun with it until this afternoon when came my first rage-quit so I’m looking elsewhere for the near future. I only got two eras in and I suspect you are WAY better at these games than I am. I find I have
way lessno tolerance for the die/rinse/repeat cycle anymore.I only died in the plot mandated event.
I also played on easy, so make of that what you will.
I am playing on easy. I gave up on the boss battle inside that big flower, where you’re supposed to feed it bombs. I kept trying to throw my last bomb into the fucking thing and that companion bitch who won’t shut the fuck up already kept yapping something about bombs not working or some shit. After three times of that I just tapped out.
I find I am less capable or interested in this sort of game anymore. Meh. It’s not like I don’t have a huge backlog of other stuff.
yeah, you need to toss a bomb in front of it when it inhales, when it swallows, the bomb goes off and stuns it so you can do some sword work until it recovers. I don’t know what happens if you run out of bombs. if it was well designed as a boss, there would be additional lesser enemies spawning that could drop more bombs, as it’s a key mechanic for the fight.
It was obvious what to do. But I kept running out of bombs because everything was getting to frantic for my lack of skill and I think the other baddies it spit out were feeding me one bomb at a time each round. So I was constantly left with one bomb and the boss would not suck it in. It would only suck me in.
PS. I had the thing down to like 10% health. That is what pissed me off the most.
I’m sorry.
That guy was the boss in the demo version, and I had a fight more like that in the demo. I guess having fought it before amde this time easier.
Nah, I’m just not that good at boss battles. Never have been but I used to get a lot farther in such games than I do now.
I have a whole stack of old favorites I can’t get as far as I used to. Doesn’t bother me too much because if I’m not having fun I’ll just quit and find something else.
OMWC’s moronic employee from yesterday must have cousins in the U.S. Post Office. I sent a check to Vanguard early in Jan. to the address shown on their remittance coupon. It never arrived. Yesterday, I got the envelope back marked “Undeliverable as addressed.” Five f**** months to make a needless roundtrip of about 40 miles.
If you have ever visited one in person, you know this to be absolutely true.