Anime Bowl

Ohayocon Liveblog

2012-01-26T17:51:00.000-08:00

I am trying a grand experiment this weekend: to liveblog Ohayocon. This isn't going to be second-by-second details like my Bleach liveblogs, but I hope to at least check in as to where I'm at and what I think of the events I go to. Hopefully this allows me to update during the entire weekend.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=287816d76c" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Ohayocon Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Bleach 238 - A waste of time

2012-01-22T04:31:00.001-08:00

Bleach episode 238 review

I'm under contract to write posts for Bleach episodes until the series goes off adult swim. So despite the fact that I have nothing to say about this episode, here's the post.

Each episode is increasingly aggravating and annoying, more than the one before it. Predictability is another problem, but not as big as the aggravation factor.

Character of the episode: Momo
I don't know why.

Episode rating (out of four stars): no stars

Bleach 238 Liveblog

2012-01-21T05:34:00.000-08:00

With the road to "The Edge of Glory" having come to an abrupt end due to a train wreck, all we've got left to look forward to is Bleach. Kill me now.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=13f22c9c4b" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 238 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Most devastating Packers losses since '95

2012-01-17T15:21:00.000-08:00

Note: this is being updated after the devastating loss to the Giants in the 2011 playoffs. When I rank these losses, I don't rank them in how bad they lost (i.e., point differential), but on how bad the loss hurt the team. This is not going to be easy; I can feel my stomach churning already.

11. Rams 45, Packers 17 - 2001 NFC divisional playoffs - January 20, 2002
Brett Favre threw like 67 interceptions in this one. Actually, he probably only threw 7, which was still enough to tie a playoff record. What an embarrassment, especially after a good season where the Packers finished 12-4 and would have had a legitimate shot at winning the Super Bowl had they managed to beat the Rams. They tried a "dollar" defense against the Rams. I want my money back.

10. Falcons 27, Packers 7 - 2002 NFC wild-card game - January 4, 2003
This loss never would have happened if not for #6. I barely watched this game after the Packers got down early, including losing a fumble on a terrible call that either could not be reviewed or could not be overturned. Favre was horrendous again, and this game turned Michael Vick into a hero, probably the reason he got on the cover of Madden the next season. Now both Favre and Vick are ESPN favorites, and neither plays with the team they played with in this one.

9. Cardinals 51, Packers 45 - 2009 NFC wild-card game - January 10, 2010
The Packers came back from down by 24 points to tie the game, then after a missed Cardinals field goal, got the ball first in OT - and this was back in the days when a field goal on the first possession could win it in OT. Aaron Rodgers missed Greg Jennings on a long pass, then fumbled the ball away, and the Cardinals returned it for a TD. Everyone remembers that play, but the defense was utterly horrendous.

8. Vikings 31, Packers 17 - 2004 NFC wild-card game - January 9, 2005
Who knew that this one would be the last Packers playoff game for 3 years? Everyone remembers this one most for the Randy Moss "mooning" incident. Favre's miserable play - I believe it was 4 interceptions - was the main factor in the loss. Two things I remember most from this one - the Packers getting down 14-0 and my giving up, being heartbroken over some girl ignoring me, and then failing to watch most of the remainder of the game while crying. I was doubly upset over the girl and the Packers. Looking back at it, what hurt more? The Packers loss, no question.

7. Jets 42, Packers 17 - 2002 regular-season finale - December 29, 2002
I remember after this game figuring the season was over, and sure enough, it was. The Packers lost a chance to be the #1 seed - back before they had ever lost a playoff game at home - and ended up falling into the wild-card round. The team went from looking invincible to looking very beatable. It was one of the worst one-week stretches of football in my life, two Packers devastating losses combined with a Penn State bowl loss.

6. 49ers 30, Packers 27 - 1998 NFC wild-card game - January 4, 1999
"The Catch II" they called it. "Owens, Owens, Owens, Owens, he caught it, he caught it, he caught it, he caught it!" 3 seconds left. Made most memorable for my dad refusing to let me watch the game over some stupid argument about playing in the snow. He wasn't serious, however, given the fact that he was watching the game himself and sort of figured I was watching it too (which I did, on and off). That was back when I was too immature to realize that a NFL playoff game was a heck of a lot more important than playing in the backyard. Oh, and the Packers' dreams of going to a third straight Super Bowl were dashed, that too.

5. Cowboys 38, Packers 27 - 1995 NFC championship - January 14, 1996
This game was the first football game I ever cried over, as it was at the height of the Packers-Steelers conflict at my school, where I was heavily made fun of for being a Packers fan. The Packers had a chance to reach the Super Bowl in the very first season of my following them, but after leading late 27-24, they ended up giving up two touchdowns and losing. I can still hear John Madden, talking about how close the Packers came, and how they would have to go through so much to get back - but of course they did.

4. Eagles 20, Packers 17 (OT) - 2003 NFC divisional playoffs - January 11, 2004
Wow, I didn't remember how bad this loss was until I saw the box score. The Packers had a 14-0 lead after the 1st quarter at Philadelphia. Of course, this game is well known as "4th and 26" because of the Packers' failure to prevent the Eagles from converting on a play of that length, which would have won the game. What people forget is that before the Eagles got the ball there, the Packers had a 4th-and-1 that, had they gone for it and converted, probably would have served the same purpose. They punted, and then it was all downhill from there. A Favre OT INT - one of the worst passes I've ever seen - sealed the loss.

3. Giants 37, Packers 20 - 2011 NFC divisional playoffs - January 15, 2012
This was our year. We went 15-1 and won home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since 1996. Aaron Rodgers set the team record for TD passes, the team threw 51 total TD passes (an NFL record) and all signs were that the Packers were going to "The Edge of Glory" and going to win a second straight Super Bowl. Then the Packers played their most miserable game in two seasons, turning the ball over 4 times, giving up a Hail Mary on the final play of the first half, and never leading once. The defense looked utterly helpless and the offense looked hapless - only a couple of questionable calls allowed the Packers to score their two TDs. The dream season ended all too early.

2. Giants 23, Packers 20 (OT) - 2007 NFC Championship - January 20, 2008
This one still stings, because of the Packers' failure to return to the playoffs last season. With a home game for the NFC Championship instead of having to go to Dallas, all Packers fans figured this one would be easier. It seemed like a shoo-in, cold weather, home-field advantage, the Packers' incredible offense against some wild-card fluke in the Giants. Instead it all came crashing down when the offense sputtered (save for one 90-yard TD pass), and Favre threw a patented pick to lose the game. The Packers survived two missed field goals to get to OT, won the coin toss, but that INT will go down as Favre's last pass as a Packer.

1. Broncos 31, Packers 24 - Super Bowl XXXII - January 25, 1998
No matter what, there's nothing worse than losing a Super Bowl. You come all that way, come so close to winning it all, and come up one victory short. This one especially hurt because it honestly looked like the Packers were on their way to building a dynasty. In fact, two straight Super Bowl wins could have made them a mini-dynasty. They would have won Super Bowls 31 and 32, 30 years after winning Super Bowls 1 and 2. But the Broncos' victory - achieved on a night when I had a splitting migraine - caused me to cry myself to sleep.

So there they are. Maybe I've exorcised some demons by laying those all out there. Or maybe, I'll be updating this list next offseason.

Bleach 237 - Who cares?

2012-01-16T12:14:00.000-08:00

Bleach episode 237 review

Okay, I did laugh at the scene with Renji and Snakey and Chimpette. And we got a classic "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT????????????" from Omaeda. But do you really think I care about Bleach right now?

Character of the episode: Snakey
You're the only winner on this blog this weekend, Snakey.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

2011, Divisional: Falling off the edge

2012-01-16T01:31:00.000-08:00

2011, Divisional: Giants 37, Packers 20

This was our year.

All season long, I listened to Lady Gaga's "The Edge of Glory" as the inspiration for the season. We were on the edge of something special - back-to-back Super Bowl wins. That would truly be glorious. Winning one Super Bowl is spectacular, something they can never take away from you. But winning two in a row - you're never forgotten.

I knew there was something seriously wrong when I found out this past week that Lady Gaga was a Giants fan.

Then this game happened. From the third play from scrimmage, it was clear that the Packers were not meant to win this game. They could not defend the pass - again. They survived the first series to only be down 3-0.

Then they drove downfield, but this was different from most games this season. In most games this year, the Packers would score that touchdown, and seize control for good. This time, Aaron Rodgers missed Greg Jennings, and the Packers settled for 3.

It only took a couple passes for Eli Manning to torch the Packers and go up 10-3. I knew the team was in trouble then.

Thanks to an atrocious call by the officials, the Packers kept the ball after a Jennings fumble, then scored on a Rodgers pass to Kuhn. 10-10 - we may have been lucky, but let's face it, every team gets lucky from time to time.

The Packers then tried an onside kick - I may have called it stupid, but I also pointed out that the Packers weren't stopping them anyway, so might as well try it. Brad Jones then blocked the field goal try, and the Packers were at their highest point all evening.

Then came an Eli Manning interception, but followed immediately by a Kuhn fumble. The Giants scored a field goal to go up 13-10.

Still, everything was fine. The Packers got the ball, and although they failed to score, they punted and gave the Giants only about a minute with the ball - with no timeouts. Any reasonable defense would hold them out of field goal range - even an atrocious defense would hold them to only a field goal.

But not this defense. The defense gave up a long run where the runner somehow even got out of bounds, then Eli Manning tossed one to the end zone on a Hail Mary - and the defenders were way out of position, and the Giants came down with it. 20-10 at the half - and suddenly alarm bells were going off.

Rodgers fumbled on the first possession of the second half, at which point things began to look bleak. The defense actually played well for a quarter, enabling the Packers to pull within 7 - although they missed on a potential touchdown again.

The Packers failed on a fourth down midway through the fourth quarter, at which point the Giants took it downfield to make a field goal. Down 10, I tweeted that the Packers would have to play perfectly the rest of the way for a chance at victory.

Then came the devastating play - Ryan Grant fumbling away a completion, returned by the Giants to the Packers' 4-yard line. A TD by the Giants put the game away.

It's true that the Packers did score a TD to pull within 10, and nearly recovered an onside kick, then got the Giants in a 3rd-and-11. At this point they at least had an outside chance at a comeback - one that would require an onside kick recovery (another one had they gotten this one) but at least some hope. Instead, they gave up the first down, later gave up the touchdown, and things were out of hand.

A Rodgers interception was the most appropriate way to end this game, with a 37-20 loss.

As far as losses go, this was one of the most devastating I have ever seen. Super Bowl XXXII of course hurt because the team was one win away from being a dynasty. The 2007 NFC Championship Game hurt really badly - against these same Giants, at home - because Favre had his last chance to win a Super Bowl as a Packer. This one is very much a mixture of the two. The prevention of becoming a dynasty, with the team falling at home to the Giants. It probably ranks 3rd among losses all-time - I'll have to re-rank the list this summer.

There's nothing left to say. This team was on "The Edge of Glory." And yet we find that glory was still so far away. 15 regular-season wins, home-field advantage, all down the drain. A completely devastating and mind-numbing loss.

+'s & -'s:

+: Donald Driver, in what may have been his final game as a Packer.

-: Everyone else, and I literally mean, everyone else. Honestly, every other player on this team played an absolutely miserable game today.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 15-2, no "Glory"

Bleach 237 Liveblog

2012-01-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

What better way to marry the night than with another Bleach liveblog? This is what all the cool kids do on Saturday nights.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=af8c0cd6e3" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 237 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Bleach 236: Even Lucas could write better

2012-01-08T07:49:00.000-08:00

Bleach episode 236 review

Are the writers of Bleach at this point in the series the same ones who wrote the brilliant Soul Society arc, where there was real suspense, real drama and real reason to watch the show? It feels like the same question people asked about the Star Wars prequels. Is this the same George Lucas who wrote the brilliant original trilogy?

Chimpette is a fine character, she reminds me of Ryoko (Tenchi) for some reason. Maybe because she's tall? I'm not really sure.

Ichigo beats Zangetsu. Renji beats Snakey and Chimpette. And it turns out, their minds were being controlled!

Seriously, anyone still care at this point? Could we please fast-forward to the next arc so we can see some stuff that actually matters?

Character of the episode: Chimpette
Maybe her last award ever.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

Bleach 236 Liveblog

2012-01-07T16:12:00.001-08:00

How bad will Bleach be tonight? Find out tonight at midnight ET/11 pm CT.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=9a8c89c05d" &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 236 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

2011 NFL Playoffs Prediction

2012-01-06T10:41:00.000-08:00

AFC:

#6 Cincinnati over #3 Houston
#5 Pittsburgh over #4 Denver

#1 New England over #6 Cincinnati
#5 Pittsburgh over #2 Baltimore

#1 New England over #5 Pittsburgh

NFC:

#3 New Orleans over #6 Detroit
#4 New York GIANTS over #5 Atlanta

#1 Green Bay over #4 New York GIANTS
#3 New Orleans over #2 San Francisco

#3 New Orleans over #1 Green Bay

Super Bowl XLVI:

In the highest-scoring Super Bowl ever, the Saints pull out victory over the Patriots.

Also, as in every playoffs, an atrocious call or two in one of the Steelers games helps them pull out a close victory.

We are the pirates who don't buy anything

2012-01-05T09:12:00.000-08:00

The fall of Bandai in the USA has led to a lot of angry dub voice actors (rightfully so) and a lot of angry fansubbers who don't like being called out on their sin. You can make up all the excuses you want, the reason for another anime company closing has everything to do with anime fans pirating fansubs. But the question is, why is it so prevalent? It's true that pirating goes on in all sorts of other industries, but surely not as much as it does in anime. I think there's an easy answer that most people won't see.

When you go to a store where something can very easily be stolen without your getting caught for it, what is stopping you from doing it? Or when you can easily cheat someone for money, but you decide not to, what's stopping you? The answer is a moral compass of some sort. For Christians, the easy answer is the commandment that says "Thou shall not steal." (Depending on who you talk to, it's either the eighth or seventh commandment.)

The anime community, however, is full of what I'd call "anti-Christians" (people who aren't just not Christians, they hate Christians and everything about the Bible). I use anime cons as a good sampling of anime fans, because if you have the guts to go to an anime convention where you risk getting made fun of by the outside world, you definitely are a true anime fan. This is the type of stuff I've seen at anime cons:

People handing out tiny Bibles being openly made fun of
Blasphemic "Jesus" cosplays
Rants against Christianity
Vic Mignogna being insulted for his beliefs
A general distaste for any type of morality whatsoever

These are just several "clues" I can think of from the top of my head that are examples of the hatred towards Christianity shown at anime cons. If I actually documented everything, there'd be a lot more.

Why bring this up? Because if people hate Christianity, they're obviously going to hate being told something from the Bible - the command "Thou shall not steal." And if you try to make an argument against a fansubber who is quite obviously stealing his anime, he's not going to listen to an argument that includes "Thou shall not steal." (It'll be the good old "I'm not a Christian so I don't have to obey the Bible" line that is way overused. Really? So is it okay to murder cause you're not a Christian? Oh, wait - abortion. Never mind.)

Lest anyone think stealing is a "minor sin" that isn't that important, consider James 2:10, which says that if you break even one commandment, you are guilty of breaking all of it. (So much for being saved by your good works!) So let's not sweep this under the rug.

In summary, I think that the small percentage of Christians who are anime fans and the large percentage of fansubbers who steal anime are two numbers that go hand-in-hand. Sure, there are Christians who watch fansubs, I know that I did for an arc of Bleach before giving up the crime for good. But I don't think these statistics are any coincidence; instead, I think it's something to ponder.

If you do watch fansubs, please repent and start purchasing the DVDs/Blu-rays of the shows. It may be too late to save the jobs of such wonderful VAs as Wendee Lee, Stephanie Sheh, etc. But at the very least you will be doing something both legal and beneficial to others.

My conversion to RukiHime

2012-01-03T17:53:00.000-08:00

In 2011, I made an important conversion: from seeker-drivenism, purpose-drivenism and apathy to Lutheranism. Basically, it went like this: I stopped going to the seeker-driven church that all my friends went to, and I stopped going to the purpose-driven church that my parents went to. (Seeker-drivenism and purpose-drivenism go hand-in-hand.) I became apathetic about church for a while, figuring it didn't matter if I went anymore. But listening to my beloved Pirate Christian Radio convinced me to go to a Lutheran church (specifically LCMS), so now I consider myself a Lutheran. And now, instead of hearing preaching about the Steelers on Sundays, I hear the gospel.

It may sound a little contradictory to talk about Christianity and a yuri couple in the same post, but my views on fandom and my views on sin are totally different. This isn't about the morality of yuri couples or anything; this is about what I like in fandom.

Anyway, you know very well that for a long time I have been a supporter of IchiHime, the shipping of Ichigo x Orihime. I have supported that since before I watched Bleach; since I read online that Orihime had a crush on Ichigo, I went into Bleach with IchiHime in mind as a canon couple. Mark my words that I still support IchiHime and that I am still vehemently against IchiRuki.

I have come to the conclusion that my favorite pairing involving the two starring girls of Bleach (Rukia and Orihime) is not IchiHime or RenRuki, but rather RukiHime. That's right, I now ship them together. But RukiHime is not separate of IchiHime.

I believe that Rukia loves and supports Orihime more than anyone else, and she wants Orihime to be happy. Thus, with Orihime's crush on Ichigo, Rukia would support the two of them together more than anyone else. At the same time, Rukia feels the most feelings toward Orihime, while Orihime of course is close with Rukia. I get the feeling that if Ichigo and Orihime were to marry, Rukia would be their maid.

I'm not into reading RukiHime erotica fanfiction; instead, I like to focus on the dynamic of the feelings each girl has for each other. If they were to kiss, it wouldn't be an all-out romantic French kiss; it would be a gentle one-second kiss. Orihime would submit to Rukia because of her personality; Rukia would submit to Orihime because of Orihime's appearance (her height and her bigger breasts). They are the pairing that makes the most sense, even more than IchiHime. I support them fully, even if they aren't exactly the most popular pairing in the Bleach fandom.

2011, Week 17: Matt Flynn!

2012-01-03T11:37:00.001-08:00

2011, Week 17: Packers 45, Lions 41

Truth be told: I skipped the second half of the 3rd quarter and the whole 4th quarter of this game because of a sticky situation at the restaurant I was at (an obnoxious Steelers fan was giving me trouble) plus the fact that the game was meaningless. But I followed on my phone in utter amazement.

The Packers played a shootout with the Lions, in a game with more passing yards than any other in the history of the NFL. The Lions' quarterback Matthew Stafford threw for over 500 yards (one of only about seven quarterbacks to ever do so) and their star receiver Calvin Johnson had over 200 yards receiving. Yet it was Matt Flynn who stole the show.

The Packers deactivated Aaron Rodgers, refusing to let him get hurt, and also not allowing him a shot at breaking Tom Brady's TD record. Matt Flynn instead started, and he played the greatest game in the history of the Green Bay Packers organization at QB.

480 yards through the air. 6 touchdowns. Both Packers franchise records. The 5 TD performance Rodgers had last week to tie the record? Out the window. Flynn, a guy with only one start in his career, set records and played like a seasoned starter.

Down 9-0 early thanks to a Flynn fumble and an inexplicable choice by Pat Lee to take a safety on a kickoff, Flynn led the Packers into an all-out shootout, which went back and forth all day long. He threw an 80-yard TD to Ryan Grant to give the Packers a 17-16 lead. He threw a 50+yard TD to Jordy Nelson (who caught 3 TDs in the game) to give the Packers another lead. Then, he got the ball back with 2 minutes to play, down by 3.

Flynn went on a clutch drive, throwing a 40-yard pass to James Jones on a 3rd down to set up the game-winning TD pass to Jermichael Finley. Then an interception - one bright spot for the NFL's worst defense - sealed the deal for the Packers.

What Matt Flynn did on Sunday was inexplicable and absolutely outstanding. It's a shame he's a free agent, as there's no doubt Flynn will get a huge contract from some other team needing a QB. But what a way to go out as a Packer - unless there's an injury to Rodgers in the playoffs.

With no defense, it's hard to imagine the Packers cruising to a Super Bowl victory - instead, it looks like every victory is going to have to be like this one. But they certainly have the offense to keep up with any opponent.

15-1, by the way, is the best record in Packers history, and of course ties the mark for 2nd-most regular-season wins in NFL history.

+'s & -'s:

+: Flynn, Nelson, the O-Line.

-: The defense, oh my, the defense.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 15-1

Next week: First-round bye in the playoffs

In 2 weeks: Home vs. #4 New York GIANTS, #5 Atlanta or #6 Detroit on Sunday 1/15

Should auld acquaintance be forgot...

2011-12-31T01:11:00.000-08:00

Annual "Year in Review" post:

Best anime convention-related moment - ColossalCon's Anime Wheel of Fortune. Close second: Colossalcon's Hetalia Games.

Worst anime convention-related moment - Ohayocon's no-show for my panel. Close second: Tekkoshocon's Steve Blum autograph line.

Best sports-related moment - Hmmm... could it possibly be the Packers winning Super Bowl XLV?

Worst sports-related moment - Packers lose only game of 2011 to Chiefs.

Best anime development - Release of Evangelion 2.0 in theaters.

Worst anime development - Choice of Durarara!! to be put on adult swim, as it was a great disappointment.

Best Bleach dub episode - Episode 211 - Aizen embarrasses the Visoreds.

Worst Bleach dub episode - Episode 217 - Yumichika is ugly.

Anime character of the year - May Chang!!!

Best Packers player of the year - Aaron Rodgers

Best blog of the year - Beneath The Tangles

Best anime I discovered in the year - Full Metal Panic!

Worst anime I discovered in the year - Durarara!!

Overall con ratings:
Colossalcon: ****
Matsuricon: ****
A & G Ohio: ***
Erie Anime Experience: **
Ohayocon: 1/2
Tekkoshocon: no stars

Best guest of the year:
Wendee Lee, A & G Ohio. I traveled as far west as I ever have in my life (to Cincinnati!) just to see her. She was wonderful as expected. She was knowledgeable about her characters, she was happy to sign anything, and she hosted a great voice acting panel. By finally meeting her, I finally feel satisfied in my autograph collection. Close second: Cherami Leigh, Colossalcon/Matsuricon.

Best lineup of guests:
Matsuricon. This convention had 8 voice actors from Hetalia, including the lovely Cherami Leigh (Liechtenstein) and Clarine Harp (China).

Best panel:
Hetalia Games, Colossalcon. Not so much a panel but a collection of party games turned Hetalia-style which were a lot of fun.

Best lineup of panels:
Colossalcon. Maybe the only con where I was conflicted as to which panel to go to.

Best staff:
Colossalcon. As always.

Best location:
Colossalcon. As always.

Best moments, from each con:
-Ohayocon: Meeting The Eva Monkey.
-A & G Ohio: Meeting Wendee Lee.
-Tekkoshocon: The meal at Max & Erma's on Stanwix Street.
-Colossalcon: Anime Wheel of Fortune - thanks to Glenn.
-Matsuricon: The Hetalia panel.
-Erie Anime Experience: Anime Jeopardy!

Best thing I bought at each con:
-Ohayocon: N/A
-A & G Ohio: Mikuru & Konata plushies.
-Tekkoshocon: Rei & Asuka plushies.
-Colossalcon: Mamimi doll.
-Matsuricon: Xbox Fat controller.
-Erie Anime Experience: Takkun plushie.

Worst panel:
You Laugh, You Leave, Colossalcon. The worst panel I have EVER been to. Jokes making light of 9/11 and pictures of violence to children? Had I been thinking straight, I would have gone to staff and got them shut down. That stuff doesn't belong anywhere. Close second: Dirty Dirty Fanfiction, Colossalcon.

Worst lineup of panels:
Erie Anime Experience. Just not enough going on.

Worst location:
Tekkoshocon. The location completely ruined the con.

What each con needs to do to bring me back next year:
-Ohayocon: Just be there.
-A & G Ohio: Get a really good guest, otherwise I'm not going all the way back to Cincinnati.
-Tekkoshocon: Nothing. No way I'll go back.
-Colossalcon: Keep up everything as they have the last 3 years.
-Matsuricon: Probably a few quality guests.
-Erie Anime Experience: Schedule at a time when I'm not busy.

Best video game at each con:
-Ohayocon: N/A
-A & G Ohio: Neo Turf Masters.
-Tekkoshocon: NBA Jam 2011.
-Colossalcon: Mario Kart 64.
-Matsuricon: Super Mario Bros.
-Erie Anime Experience: Super Mario Bros. & Super Mario Bros. 3

Best wishes for 2012, where I'll be hoping for a Packers Super Bowl repeat, a fresh new start for my life, and maybe a little bit of enjoyable anime along the way.

2011, Week 16: Home for the Holidays

2011-12-26T21:57:00.000-08:00

2011, Week 16: Packers 35, Bears 21

The Packers clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with a big win over Chicago. Aaron Rodgers tied the Packers record with 5 TD passes, and the Packers rolled to victory. All on Christmas Day, in only the 2nd-ever Packers game on December 25th.

There were some things to be uneasy about, particularly the run defense. But it was nice to see the offense rolling again, like it should be.

With a #1 seed wrapped up, I expect the Packers to rest their starters and essentially throw the final game of the season.

+'s & -'s:

+: Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, James Jones.

-: The run defense in general.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 14-1

Next game: vs. Detroit

Durarara! 25 - And in the end...

2011-12-22T23:45:00.001-08:00

Durarara! episode 25 review

Unfortunately, Durarara ends the same way many of its episodes did - in utter confusion, total disarray, and head-scratching fashion. There's no need to go into all the crap that happened in this episode, including a disgusting moment where two sisters "tied the game" in "West Virginia" fashion. Hopefully the series is over for good, because there's no redeeming it that could possibly happen in a second season. It was an utter waste of my time, and I'm disappointed I spent all this time on it.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

Bleach 235: Utterly awful

2011-12-22T23:42:00.000-08:00

Bleach episode 235 review

Bleach was utterly awful again. I refuse to devote more than a few sentences to an episode review until there's an actually good episode, and that might not be for a very long while, if ever. There's nothing good about this show at this time.

Character of the episode: Chimpette
By process of elimination.

Episode rating (out of four stars): 1/2

2011, Week 15: Simply having a terrible Christmastime

2011-12-21T15:30:00.000-08:00

2011, Week 15: Chiefs 19, Packers 14

It had to end sometime. The Packers' long winning streak finally came to an end, on a peculiar day for it to end - the final game before Christmas Day.

The Packers' final loss in the 2009 regular season came in the final game before Christmas. The Packers' final loss prior to this one came in the final game before Christmas 2010. And the Packers lose this game, the final one before they host the Bears on Christmas Day.

Aaron Rodgers was off-target all day long, and it's possible that he threw away the MVP award with this performance while Drew Brees was racking up 5 TD's in Minnesota. Nevertheless, he still threw a TD and ran for one as the Packers fruitlessly tried to come back from down 19-7, failing on an onside kick and not able to stop the Chiefs' running attack.

Lots of problems for the Packers, and suddenly they go from invincible to incredibly vulnerable. Can they overcome their many injuries and rebound for a run at glory?

+'s & -'s:

+: Tim Masthay, the punter, who kept the team in it.

-: Rodgers, Mason Crosby, Jermichael Finley, the defense for most of the game.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 13-1

Next week: vs. Chicago

Bleach 235 Liveblog

2011-12-17T20:46:00.000-08:00

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=0c14db429b" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 235 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Durarara! 24 - Happy endings for all, right?

2011-12-14T20:42:00.000-08:00

Durarara! episode 24 review

Okay, so everyone's happy and stuff, it's all a happy ending. But guess who isn't happy at the end of this episode? There's someone who finished up the episode very unsatisfied with the ending. This someone isn't very important, and this someone hasn't exactly been the biggest supporter of Masaomi or Mikado the whole time. But this someone does have something to say.

That someone, of course, is me.

Seriously, the Dollars infiltrated the Yellow Scarves, and pulled off a coup? Seriously, Shizuo-chan survived being shot, and then acts as a deus ex machina? Seriously, Masaomi magically falls in love, in order that everything's clear between Mikado and Anri? Seriously, Anri's about to be awesome, and her moment gets ruined by Simon?

Seriously, I think this wasn't all that bad of an episode. But it could have been so much better if:
a) Anri killed Koizumi
b) Namie killed Koizumi
c) Erika and Walker got married while watching some hentai
or most importantly
d) Shizuo-chan died

But let's face it, I'm happy that Shinra isn't evil, and instead is being turned on by Celty. You know, those two were made for each other. I only hope they get to kiss.

For the final episode, I want some time for Anri, Erika, Walker, Shinra and Namie. Anyone else, who really cares?

(By the way, if I haven't said it already, Masaomi's English dub VA is brilliant at his role.)

Episode rating (out of four stars): **1/2

Bleach 234 - Return of the WHAT

2011-12-14T19:00:00.000-08:00

Bleach episode 234 review

Two of my cosplay friends are girls who cosplay Renji's zanpakuto in "human" form Snakey & Chimpette. They've always been brilliant with acting out those characters' personalities. The only trouble is, are they considered two characters, or just one? That's important for the "character of the episode" award.

There was some CRAP with Ichigo and also a few "WHAT"s during the episode. I'm going to harp on this "WHAT" phenomenon until it comes to an end. Is everything in Bleach a surprise? Every character acts like they should kill their opponent in one blow, then is totally shocked when they don't. It makes no sense.

Another boring episode, hopefully Snakey & Chimpette spice it up.

Character of the episode: Chimpette
Over Snakey.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

2011, Week 14: Bye-bye

2011-12-14T04:08:00.000-08:00

2011, Week 14: Packers 46, Raiders 16

Clinching a first-round bye was easy enough. It took only one offensive play for the Packers to take the lead, on a long Ryan Grant touchdown run, and that was it. The game was effectively over at that point.

The Packers would pour it on to go up 31-0 at the half, and then it was just a matter of avoiding injuries in the second half, which they failed to do. Greg Jennings tore his MCL and now is out for the remainder of the regular season. However, with the Packers having a first-round bye, he should be ready for the divisional round of the playoffs.

Aaron Rodgers had his lowest-rated game of the season, throwing 2 TD's but also one INT while tying the Packers' record for most TD passes in a season at 39.

The Packers will try to wrap up a #1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs at Kansas City.

+'s & -'s:

+: The running game, particularly Ryan Grant; the defense in general.

-: Matt Flynn, who looked less than competent in his quarter and a half or so taking the snaps.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 13-0

Next week: at Kansas City

Bleach 234 Liveblog

2011-12-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

Ready for another night of boredom (Bleach) and ridiculousness (Durarara!)? Then join me for this liveblog!

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=aac4a5ba75" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 234 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Durarara! 23 - The most ridiculous scene yet

2011-12-10T06:46:00.000-08:00

Durarara! episode 23 review

Can you believe it's been this many episodes, and I still haven't found enough motivation to write a long review yet? That's because the series continues to fail. Here, the problem with the episode is that when Masaomi goes to confront the Yellow Scarves, he ends up finding super-strength to fight them all off at once. I'd go into how ridiculous this is, but I don't need to. You realize it. Anyone realizes it. It's so ridiculous, it throws the credibility of the series into question. Oh, wait, it already was in question.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *1/2

Bleach 233 - What

2011-12-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

Bleach episode 233 review

Ever notice the overuse of the word "What" in Bleach? Every time a character pulls out a move on their opponent, that opponent goes "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?" It's so predictable, and so annoying. In fact, it's been used so much that I'm afraid I've used the title "What" for a previous blog post, and my goal is to never duplicate blog post titles.

This episode was so non-memorable that even though I liveblogged it, I don't remember what happened save for Ichigo getting embarrassed and beaten to a pulp as he does in the beginning of all filler arcs, or all arcs period save for the Pendulum arc. I do remember it sucking. That's about all that needs to be said about this episode.

Character of the episode: Rukia Kuchiki
This is one of those "insult" awards where I hate all the characters in the episode, so I just give it to one who barely appeared in the episode.

Episode rating (out of four stars): 1/2

2011, Week 13: Clutch

2011-12-07T10:47:00.000-08:00

2011, Week 13: Packers 38, GIANTS35

So the Packers finally had to come up with a game-winning drive if they wanted to win this one in regulation. With 55 seconds left on the clock, the Packers got the ball at their own 20. In a matter of two plays, Aaron Rodgers had driven the team down the field into field goal range, and a few plays later, Mason Crosby made the game-winning field goal to send the Packers to 12-0.

Magnificent performance by Aaron Rodgers, save for his one bad interception. Not so good on some of the receivers, particularly tight end Jermichael Finley, who dropped pass after pass. Jordy Nelson, however, was outstanding, and a couple of the catches he made were amazing. Same with Donald Driver.

Still some weak defense that needs to be fixed. The Packers are 3/4 of the way to an undefeated regular season. But the Packers put away the NFC North with the win and the Lions loss later, clinching the division for the first time since 2007.

+'s & -'s:

+: Rodgers, Nelson, Driver, Clay Matthews for his pick-6.

-: Most of the defense in general, particularly Charlie Peprah, as well as Finley with his drops.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 12-0

Next week: vs. Oakland

Bleach 233 Liveblog

2011-12-03T03:09:00.000-08:00

I haven't done a liveblog in a couple of centuries, but here we go, with one coming up tonight. Note that the title says "Bleach" but since the Bleach arc sucks so bad, I'll only be making fun of Bleach the whole time and actually only caring about the Durarara! episode. Sad, isn't it?

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=3fdb74c7cd" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 233 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Durarara! 22 - Siri

2011-11-28T11:13:00.000-08:00

Durarara! episode 22 review

Siri, what are the chances of Durarara! having a good ending to the series?

It doesn't look too good. Even artificial intelligence cannot figure out a way for this series to save itself.

And thus Durarara! comes crashing towards the end, with chaos and imbecility ruling the day. Masaomi is supposedly a good guy, yet he's created a gang full of members who want nothing but violence. They go to great lengths to cause big trouble for themselves. So they're all after Anri, just because she's supposedly a member of the Dollars. Now why is that such a big deal? There are thousands of members of the Dollars, yet they want to go after one girl? Ridiculous.

So a member of the Dollars with username "Siri" and a foreign accent ends up helping Anri escape. Then Anri is eventually trapped, but right when she is about to use her Saika and actually be awesome, she gets interrupted by the ever-annoying Shizuo, who has to show off his inhuman strength.

Then Mikado goes emo and decides that instead of the Dollars remaining as "a global force for good," he's going to end the Dollars and make Erika and Walker very sad. (By the way, kudos to this series finally in the second half of the series putting up the names of the characters in the intro, which actually has helped me enjoy this series so much more, because I actually know what the characters' names are.)

So at the end of the episode, Shizuo gets shot to death, or so it seems (these big characters never die). If he's dead, I'm glad, because I never liked him anyway. He was a caricature of a character who served as a deus ex machina for every tough situation.

Episode rating (out of four stars): **1/2

Bleach 232 - OOC

2011-11-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

Bleach episode 232 review

"OOC" stands for "Out of Character." Generally this is a bad thing. The point being, what's the point of having a character if they're not going to act like they're supposed to act?

OOC is generally a problem in fanfics. Naturally everyone wants two certain characters to fall in love, and unless that pair is canon, then it's not going to make much sense.

OOC should not be a problem in actual series; after all, it's the writers themselves who are writing the episodes. But, alas, it is, here in the Zanpakuto vs. Soul Reaper arc.

(Hereafter this arc will be referred to as the "Zanpakuto arc" to save time.)

Rukia is suddenly this overly-emotional girl who is going crazy over Byakuya's disappearance and falling in love with Ichigo. Renji is suddenly this uber-joyful guy who loves Rukia. Ichigo is suddenly a superhero who loves Rukia.

Does any of this make any sense to you?

It shouldn't. These characters are acting way out of character. They are not themselves, to be short. And because of that, they are just ridiculous. The episode makes no sense with them acting this way.

This episode was so painful to watch thanks to the OOC-ness of those three characters. Not to mention, even if they were in character, I'd still be criticizing it.

Character of the episode: Rukia Kuchiki
Even if she was OOC.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

2011, Week 12: Feast

2011-11-27T01:00:00.000-08:00

2011, Week 12: Packers 27, Lions 15

In what was supposed to be the hardest game of the season for the Packers, Aaron Rodgers and pals overcame a slow start and ended up rolling to an easy win. (The 12-point winning margin was only because of a garbage touchdown by the Lions with half a minute to go.)

The Packers played awful in the first half, but thanks to a tipped ball by Ryan Pickett and a subsequent interception by Clay Matthews, they ended up getting a touchdown and were up 7-0 at the half. Then the team played brilliantly in the second half, getting interceptions on defense and scoring a couple TDs, taking a 24-0 lead before the Lions finally got their first score. By then, it was too late. The Packers had taken too much time off the clock, and they easily won this big test.

If the Falcons and GIANTS lose on Sunday and Monday, respectively, the Packers clinch a wild-card berth. More importantly, the Packers are now 3 1/2 games up on the Bears and 4 games up on the Lions in the division, with 5 games to go. The Packers are also now 2 games up on the 49ers in the race for the #1 seed.

+'s & -'s:

+: Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson, Clay Matthews, James Jones, Erik Dietrich-Smith.

-: Erik Walden; despite a good performance in the game, he got arrested for battery the day after the game. And that's not acceptable, no matter who you are.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 11-0

Next game: at New York GIANTS

Durarara! 21 - A global force for good

2011-11-23T00:53:00.000-08:00

Durarara! episode 21 review

We got a little bit of action from Anri this week, or, should I call her, "Mother." More stupidity from Masaomi, who has everything on a crash course towards disaster because he can't find the courage to disband the Yellow Scarves. Same with Mikado, who thinks that making the Dollars "a global force for good" will somehow make everything better. These guys are ridiculous.

Only four episodes to go, and I'm not getting excited at all. And nothing's going to save this series, not even Anri being named Queen of Japan in the final episode. Okay, maybe that would.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *1/2

Bleach 231 - There was an episode this week?

2011-11-23T00:51:00.000-08:00

Bleach episode 231 review

This episode just plain sucked. Nothing at all happened during the episode. Rukia got attacked a couple of times. That's about it. Seriously, a complete waste of 30 minutes.

Character of the episode: Yoruichi Shihouin
For the heck of it.

Episode rating (out of four stars): no stars

2011, Week 11: Just ugly

2011-11-21T19:47:00.000-08:00

2011, Week 11: Packers 35, Buccaneers 26

This was an incredibly ugly game. After getting up to a 14-0 lead, the Packers gave up a long TD run and started to look weaker and weaker as the game went along. Sure, they still managed to match points with the Buccaneers for the most part. When they had to score touchdowns, they did. But it was not very pretty.

Aaron Rodgers threw 3 touchdown passes, including a clutch one on 3rd-and-4 late in the 4th quarter which sealed the deal. His one interception wasn't very pretty, and it came at a time where it really put the Buccaneers back in a game they were nearly out of. Mason Crosby missed a field goal from nearly point-blank range, after not having missed a kick all season long. The kick was not all that important - a 9-point lead and a 12-point lead are not all that different - but it was another sign of slippage from the team.

Altogether, the team has a lot to get together if they are to stay undefeated on Thanksgiving in Detroit.

+'s & -'s:

+: Jordy Nelson, for a huge offensive performance. B.J. Raji, for running in a touchdown on offense (he's a defensive tackle).

-: The pass defense in general.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 10-0

Next week: at Detroit

Durarara! 20 - Worst reveal ever

2011-11-18T21:26:00.000-08:00

Durarara! episode 20 review

This series did itself in as totally disappointing when it finally got to an exciting moment - and then completely blew it. To summarize, all this time it's been building up to the big reveal that Mikado is the leader of the Dollars, and Masaomi, the leader of the Yellow Scarves, is going to find out at some point. And when he finally does find out, the reaction from his is... none. We never see his reaction. And that is the final nail in the coffin for this series.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

Bleach 230 - I know where this is going...

2011-11-17T16:28:00.000-08:00

Bleach episode 230 review

This filler arc is clear in its direction. In fact, I can tell you the entire plot line right now: the Zanpakuto rebel against the Soul Reapers. The Soul Reapers have to fight them, one-by-one, one or two episodes at a time, with use of other powers besides their Zanpakuto (for example, Ichigo's Hollow powers). They win all the battles until it comes down to the big boss of the Zanpakuto, who Ichigo defeats in a three-episode battle. Then life goes on as usual.

Sounds exciting, huh? Yeah, I heard you yawning.

Character of the episode: Sajin Komamura
The most air time he's ever received in an episode.

Episode rating (out of four stars): 1/2

2011, Week 10: Monday Night Blowout

2011-11-15T19:03:00.000-08:00

2011, Week 10: Packers 45, Vikings 7

The Packers played about as flawless as a game as you can get on Monday night, winning 45-7 over the rival Minnesota Vikings. From an 80-yard punt return very early on in the game to a Matt Flynn TD run late in the 4th quarter, it was near-perfect football.

Aaron Rodgers threw 4 touchdown passes, and probably could have tied the Packers record with 5 had he stayed in the game, but with the game out of reach, he came out with 10 minutes to go in the 4th quarter.

Randall Cobb returned a punt for a touchdown in the 1st quarter and also had a nice long kickoff return; however, his muff on a punt return also gave the Vikings their only TD.

The Packers have now clinched a winning record.

+'s & -'s:

+: Aaron Rodgers, the receivers, the defense, most of Randall Cobb's play.

-: Randall Cobb's muff.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 9-0

Next week: vs. Tampa Bay

No liveblog tonight

2011-11-12T12:34:00.000-08:00

It's my 27th birthday today, and a very difficult one. Hopefully I can recover from the awful things that happened to me in the last few days, but in the meantime there will not be a liveblog tonight. Enjoy the episodes.

Durarara! 19 - It's all about Anri

2011-11-09T16:19:00.000-08:00

Durarara! episode 19 review

Anri Sonohara.

If even five episodes into this series you predicted that she would be the star of the series, you deserve a gold star. Anri is the star. The "slasher" is maybe a bit eccentric, but absolutely adorable and totally moe.

What a moment when she pulled out her sword in this episode. Little Anri is so powerful. Who cares about Celty? Anri is the girl with the awesome Bleach-esque sword. I thought its name was "Psych-a" (not really) but its name is actually Saika.

As for Koizumi, he's going to bring things to a head - you know he wants a Mikado vs. Masaomi battle, the Dollars vs. the Yellow Scarves. My money's on the Blue Squares.

Episode rating (out of four stars): **

Bleach 229 - Ikkaku Elric

2011-11-08T20:01:00.000-08:00

Bleach episode 229 review

I have to admit, during the first half of this episode I wasn't paying too close attention. Actually, I take that back. While I wasn't paying too much attention, somehow I still remember it better than most Bleach episodes a few days after seeing it. I was angry about my internet connection going down and trying to fix it, and once I did, I wasn't liking what I saw on the screen.

In essence, Ikkaku had completely turned into Edward Elric, and I mean the Ed Elric in the so-called "funny" scenes when he gets all mad. Of course he sounded exactly like Ed Elric thanks to Vic Mignogna being his voice actor, so that's where I get the comparison from. And of course I like Vic; unfortunately, though, I couldn't help but think this was Ed Elric throwing fits throughout this episode.

I have to say it: I love Mizuho. One of the best minor-minor-minor characters ever. She's so minor that I wouldn't consider her for the Anime Bracket, but she's so funny. Marry her, Ikkaku! I support Ikkaku x Mizuho!

Character of the episode: Mizuho
But of course. The star of the episode, and I hope we get to see her again before Bleach ends. Considering that Bleach may last until 2100, we just may.

Episode rating (out of four stars): **

2011, Week 9: Imperfect

2011-11-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

2011, Week 9: Packers 45, Chargers 38

The way this one ended, you would have thought the Packers were the 4-4 team that can't figure things out. No, that's the Chargers. The Packers are 8-0 - perhaps with the worst defense of any team to win their first 8 games in NFL history.

Make no mistake about it: the Packers' defense scored two touchdowns in the first quarter. But they completely imploded in the fourth quarter, after an already bad enough performance.

This one required Aaron Rodgers to play perfect to win - he threw 4 touchdown passes and only threw 5 incompletions. He truly looked like NFL MVP in this one.

The defense needs to be fixed. Sure, it's all great that the Packers won't be finishing with a losing record this year, and that we've made it this far without a loss. But the way the 4th quarter went, I thought this may end up being the second 51-45 overtime loss in Packers history.

+'s & -'s:

+: Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson (amazing catches), Charlie Peprah (two interceptions, one for a TD and the other to seal the game in the final minute)

-: The defense in general.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 8-0

Next week: vs. Minnesota

Bleach 229 Liveblog

2011-11-05T16:56:00.000-07:00

What better way to warm up for an exciting Packers game with a couple of boring episodes of Bleach and Durarara!? End of a Bleach arc tonight, although probably with a filler episode, only to lead us to another filler arc.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=e04339833b" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 229 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Durarara! 18 - Only one exclamation point

2011-11-02T18:50:00.001-07:00

Durarara! episode 18 review

You may be wondering why I only put one exclamation point on the end of the title of this show when in fact it should have two. It's a twofold reason - one, my OCD (seriously - I never joke about that), and two, it doesn't deserve it. This show is nearly 20 episodes in and it still has not proven worthy of the hype or even my attention.

We get another backstory in this one, this time Masaomi's love. Interesting that I noticed her in the opening scene for the first time - was this just a case of me not paying attention earlier? He tangles with Koizumi, who will go by that name because you must remember that I use nicknames around here. Koizumi pretty much owns her and thus owns Masaomi. And Masaomi owns the Yellow Scarves.

Too bad the "Blue Squares" ruin everything for Masaomi. Speaking of the "Blue Squares," I love that van of 4 people, which include Erika, Walker and two other guys. Those four are always changing sides, flip-flopping at every moment. It's a very Survivor-esque thing to do.

So what's to be taken away from this episode? If Anri isn't evil, this show still sucks.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *1/2

Bleach 228 - And lots of fanservice!

2011-11-01T06:35:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 228 review

Lots and lots of fanservice in this episode. In fact that was the entire point of this episode. Isane Kotetsu in particular was wearing a swimsuit that was flat-out illegal. Rangiku's wasn't much better when it came to covering stuff up. Yoruichi forced Soi Fon to wear a very unflattering swimsuit, and I love how Soi Fon was so obsessed over Yoruichi.

Yachiru made lots of appearances in this episode, as did Ukitake. Of course I don't care for Ukitake, but even Yachiru I don't like as much as I did at one time. Then again, it would take a miracle to rekindle the fire I once had for Bleach.

So a watermelon Hollow ends up as the "Monster of the Day." Congratulations, Hollow.

Surprisingly a funny diversion of an episode.

Character of the episode: Isane Kotetsu
For wearing that, you finally got yourself the attention you've never gotten.

Episode rating (out of four stars): **1/2

Bleach 228 Liveblog

2011-10-29T20:36:00.000-07:00

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=2bc46cb94e" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 228 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Durarara! 17 - Anri's NOT Evil

2011-10-28T21:00:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 17 review

Anri is the slasher, Masaomi is head of the Yellow Scarves, and The Mikado is head of the Dollars. And unfortunately, Anri's NOT evil. Sad news, I know. She went from "potentially epic character" to "just another Ms. Fanservice."

Episode rating (out of four stars): *1/2

Bleach 227: Second Chance

2011-10-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 227 review

We get a second chance at seeing the events that led to the first episode of the series. Seriously, who cares? This was close to being one of the worst episodes of all time.

I'd rehash the crap for you, but really, that's like shoveling poop into your face. I'm not going to waste my time or yours with that. Let's just say that Mizuiro is a terrible character who's also a bit cheesy.

Character of the episode: Chizuru
Picking Chizuru as "character of the episode" is my way of saying "screw you" to the writers.

Episode rating (out of four stars): 1/2

2011, Week 7: It's a trap!

2011-10-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

2011, Week 7: Packers 33, Vikings 27

The dreaded "trap" game. The game that a team overlooks on their way to a much bigger game, say one in San Diego in 2 weeks. That's what happened here, and the Packers struggled mightily on defense for much of the game against an inferior Minnesota team.

In the end, Charles Woodson had two interceptions and Aaron Rodgers had 3 touchdown passes and everything was fine in Packerland. But there were some awfully tense moments in that fourth quarter until James Starks ran the clock out.

+'s & -'s:

+: Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson, James Starks' 4th-quarter running, Mason Crosby's 58-yard field goal (a new Packers record).

-: The third-down defense, Johnny on 2 Broke Girls.

Next week: BYE

The following week: at San Diego

2011 Green Bay Packers: 7-0

Bleach 227 Liveblog

2011-10-22T02:14:00.000-07:00

Join me Saturday night for a liveblog about ~~2 Broke Girls~~ Bleach and Durarara! Oh, come on, just a little bit of 2 Broke Girls can't hurt...

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=ca602a2244" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 227 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Durarara! 16 - Anri is EVIL!

2011-10-19T20:09:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 16 review

Anri Sonohara is EVIL!

That's what I took away from this episode. I really, really hope she is. If she is indeed evil, she is one of the greatest female villains ever.

After a rather so-so episode, the supposed slasher goes to attack Anri, and she pulls out her own sword. Is she the "mother" of the slasher? Is she the ultimate villain, or at least one of them? Please be the case!

Other observations:
Koizumi = has to be evil
Shinra = probably evil
Anri = not quite sure yet
Beth Behrs' bangs = the most beautiful bangs in the world
Anri's hair = almost as awesome as Beth Behrs' hair

Episode rating (out of four stars): **1/2

Bleach 226: Nothing to say

2011-10-17T05:50:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 226 review

Honestly, I have nothing to say about this episode. Yamamoto actually did something positive, and we found out that Starrk was Espada #1. There were some humorous moments during the episode, but overall not that great.

Character of the episode: Soi Fon
For her treatment of Omaeda, which was again hilarious. These two have a thing for each other.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *1/2

2011, Week 6: Ho-hum

2011-10-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

2011, Week 6: Packers 24, Rams 3

The Packers got off to a 24-0 start, with 3 touchdown passes from Aaron Rodgers, including a 93-yarder to Jordy Nelson. And then...

Nothing. A whole second half full of nothing. Neither team scored in the second half. So yes, I am happy that the defense didn't break in the second half, even though they did bend quite a bit. But it was a bit disappointing that the Packers couldn't do anything on offense in the second half, with continual drops and no running game.

A rather boring victory that left the Packers as the only undefeated team remaining in the NFL at 6-0, the first time in my football years (since 1995) the Packers were the final undefeated team remaining.

+'s & -'s:

+: Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, the defense in general.

-: A.J. Hawk for giving the finger in the first quarter, a move that ought to get him fined. Several of the receivers for dropping passes, including Greg Jennings not catching one that ended up going for an interception.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 6-0

Next week: at Minnesota

Bleach 226 Liveblog

2011-10-15T20:53:00.001-07:00

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=57ce6ef5aa" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 226 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Durarara! 15 - This is horrible... I care!

2011-10-14T05:07:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 15 review

Finally, when I'm actually looking forward to seeing an episode from this series, it goes bonkers with some bizarre storyline about a journalist trying to find the toughest man in the city. This man gets slashed, then turns into the slasher, and goes mad. It's an utterly crazy storyline, which normally wouldn't bother me, but since I was actually looking forward to the episode, I ended up disappointed.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *1/2

Bleach 225 - Back to boredom

2011-10-14T05:03:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 225 review

This episode was highly unentertaining and incredibly boring. Rangiku got hurt. Momo got hurt. Shuhei stunk it up in battle. The Third Kira did pretty much nothing. Old Man Yamamoto decides he's going to get involved.

That about sums it up, a waste of time.

Character of the episode: Sun-Sun
You know we're getting desperate when we're going with Sun-Sun as the winning character.

Episode rating (out of four stars): 1/2

2011, Week 5: Still undefeated

2011-10-12T19:02:00.001-07:00

2011, Week 5: Packers 25, Falcons 14

The Packers got down 14-0, and it looked bad. The undefeated start to the season looked in extreme danger. Slowly but surely, however, the Packers kicked 3 field goals, then took the lead for good on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to James Jones. Rodgers was unbelievable again, and maybe there is something to this MVP talk - 396 yards and 2 TDs in this one. The defense was awful on Atlanta's 1st two drives (both TDs) - then spectacular the rest of the way.

Up next: a trap game vs. winless St. Louis at home. We'll be wearing blue.

+'s & -'s:

+: Rodgers, Mason Crosby (tied the Packers' record with a 56-yard FG in the 3rd quarter), James Jones

-: Jermichael Finley, for his drops, including one that should have been a TD

2011 Green Bay Packers: 5-0
Next week: vs. St. Louis

Bleach 225 Liveblog

2011-10-08T08:14:00.000-07:00

25 weeks after the first liveblog, here's one more.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=ebf63a3f37" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 225 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Durarara! 14 - Shinra scares me

2011-10-08T08:04:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 14 review

Yeah, I don't trust Shinra. I think he's really a bad guy disguised as an innocent character. It would be a shame if that happened though, I think Celty loves him.

Do you get it? I've started to care about this show!!! Unbelievable!!!

Episode rating (out of four stars): **

Bleach 224 - Momo returns

2011-10-06T21:07:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 224 review

So Momo makes her triumphant return to Bleach in this episode, approximately 100 episodes since she was last seen. Unfortunately, since the writers are all "Evil Aizen! Evil Aizen!" they fail to make anything interesting with a possible Momo-still-liking-Aizen subplot. Instead, it's all "Momo hates Aizen now, we're all happy now." Another example of the utterly poor writing in this series.

After Soi Fon gave Bleach two breaths of life, the series goes back under again, with Rangiku and Momo sleepwalking through the episode. Bleach went immediately back to its sucky self. The only thing that's going to help out this series is if they start airing two episodes a week so they can burn off the fat quicker. (It sucks to know spoilers and that the series isn't ever going to get better.)

Character of the episode: Toshiro Hitsugaya
Because Rangiku seemed like she was half-asleep the whole episode.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

2011, Week 4: Bridge Over Troubled Water

2011-10-03T19:41:00.001-07:00

2011, Week 4: Packers 49, Broncos 23

This was the classic "trap game": the one teams overlook on their way to a bigger game (such as next week's Sunday nighter at Atlanta). But even after the Broncos stormed back from a 21-3 deficit to close within 21-17, the Packers went right downfield before the half to make it 28-17, got the ball first in the second half and scored to make it 35-17, and it was over.

It was a simply spectacular performance by Aaron Rodgers, who threw for over 400 yards, threw 4 touchdown passes and ran for 2 more (first ever to accomplish all that in a single game). Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, James Jones and Donald Driver each caught touchdown passes. And while the defense was a bit shaky again, Charles Woodson returned another interception for a touchdown, his 11th in his career, only one short of the NFL career record.

So it was an easy game, as it should have been. The offense was absolutely electric, and the Packers are really fun to watch right now.

Maybe keeping them motivated early on in the season is the fact that Detroit hasn't lost either; so this team isn't just running away with the division. Instead, they're going to have to keep the foot on the gas all the way through this season. Lots of teams get scared to do that because of getting burned out in the playoffs; hopefully instead of that happening, we can end up with a year like 1996 (13-3 and a Super Bowl win).

+'s & -'s:

+: Aaron Rodgers, Charles Woodson, the offense in general.

-: The pass rush, which got no pressure in this one pretty much.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 4-0

Next week: at Atlanta

Bleach 224 Liveblog

2011-10-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

I wasn't sure if I wanted to even do this, but I'll go ahead with it anyway.

Bleach 224 Liveblog

FMA:B 64 - Perfect ending

2011-09-30T22:20:00.001-07:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 64 review

It wasn't perfect, but it was perfect. It didn't wrap up all the loose ends, but it did wrap up all the loose ends. It didn't atone for all of the series' problems, but it did atone for all the series' problems.

I will say it right now: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's final episode was one of the greatest endings I've ever seen to a show. Absolutely brilliant and beautiful, and much more satisfying than the original's ending.*

(*However, the original does get bonus points in my book for finishing as a tragedy - the Shakespearean in me loves that.)

It started out looking like stupidity would continue. Roy Mustang is given a chance by Dr. Marcoh to restore his sight with the philosopher's stone. He's going to refuse out of piety and self-righteousness, right?

Wrong. He's no Edward Elric. But in selflessness, he chooses for the stone to also be used to heal Havoc. Very nice touch there.

Scar survives, doesn't give his real name. I'm glad he survived, he seemed to repent, and we rarely get to see repentance in anime (a foreign concept, perhaps?). If he would have given his name, it would have been more worthwhile, though.

Ed and Al make their way home, and Al looks like he's 40 years old. Poor Al! That's a little unfair to him. We get a Ed x Winry scene, which I couldn't care less about since I hate Ed.

So now it gets interesting. Ed brings up Ling, and we see a flashback to Ling talking to May Chang. Ling gives a "we got the philosopher's stone and you don't" to her, and then pretends he's such a gracious guy because he's going to "protect" the Chang clan. The same way the president "protects" me, I assume.

Not even the slightest hint of Ling x Lan Fan. I thought this was a clearly established canon couple, but you would have thought you would have seen at least something between the two of them in this episode. (Although we find out that May Chang is a princess!)

The first half of the episode ends with me still wondering where it's going. And then it all gets fixed.

Ed goes on top of his house that he's building and tries to use alchemy, but he can't (a little humor from Ed? No way!). And then he talks to Al, who says that he's going to... go east to Xing because his heart belongs to Princess May Chang! Really! Al is back to normal looks, and he uses alkehistory as a little excuse, but it's absolutely, totally clear why Al wanted to go to Xing. Princess May Chang won him over... oh, so, so sweet! It's the fulfillment of all these episodes of this show that May appeared in, that she ends up finally getting her rightful happy ending. She came to Amestris wanting Ed Elric. As the philosopher Jagger put it, "you can't always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you might get what you need." (Totally stolen from House.)

A little too much time is spent on Old Man Grumman, who is apparently the Fuhrer now. He has a long talk with the Fuhrer's wife, who is raising a perfectly naive Selim. This could have easily been cut down to a much shorter amount of time in the episode; no one really cares about any of those three characters (no, not even Selim, since this new Selim has nothing to do with the old one).

Then, Ed and Al split up - Ed goes west, Al goes east. Ed "proposes" to Winry in the worst love scene not written by George Lucas. Al brings the chimeras along because he wants them to have what he has - a body. And as it turns out, Ed has to have a metal leg anyway - so he didn't get his body totally back, after all that. But now he's satisfied with it, for some reason.

But perfect - and I mean, perfect - is the montage of photos shown at the end of the episode, including Roy Mustang as Fuhrer and a family photo with May with Al! Perfect, perfect, perfect! May Chang gets her happy ending after all! Oh, it's so sweet!

Did this episode fix all the problems with the series? No. But at the same time, it will forever be viewed in my mind in a positive light, thanks to a brilliant final episode. So in that sense, I guess it did. I went from calling this a bust like FLCL to considering it up there with the original FMA.

Character of the episode: May Chang
Who else? May's pure heart ends up winning out in the end. Who would have thought that when she entered the series way back when, that she would end up marrying Alphonse Elric? Certainly not me. Wow, congratulations May on such a great run. I hope to see you in fanfics!

Episode rating (out of four stars): ****

Durarara! 13 - Poor Anri

2011-09-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 13 review

Anri has a bad time in this episode. Poor Yuki Nagato.

(My mind's in an utter fog, so I don't remember much of this episode, just that it was better than most but still not very good.)

Episode rating (out of four stars): *1/2

Bleach 223 - Soi Fon x Omaeda

2011-09-29T14:13:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 223 review

The reason for the delay in posts is that I've been sick this week. You may think this means I've gotten better and that's why I can post now, but it's the opposite: I'm sicker but I'm just pushing myself to post.

It's too bad a great episode like this has to fall in the shadow of the FMA:B finale, not to mention to be given the half-hearted treatment here thanks to my illness. Omaeda apparently deeply cares for Soi Fon, which is shown again and again by his constant worrying about her and then his blocking of Ggio Vega's attack. Soi Fon, of course, couldn't care less about him, making this one-sided romance even cuter.

Soi Fon decides to toy with Ggio Vega for a while, then in a flash - she kills him with her Suzumebachi. 2 strikes within a second, and he's dead. So sweet... and cruel. That makes her just so awesome.

It's nice to see how much Soi Fon was in control the whole time in this battle. Her reason for taking so long was to practice for an upcoming battle that may be a little more... painful. She is the new queen of Bleach, until we get to see Yoruichi do something as sweet.

Character of the episode: Soi Fon
But of course.

Episode rating (out of four stars): ***

2011, Week 3: No problem in Chicago

2011-09-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

2011, Week 3: Packers 27, Bears 17

It was a breeze in the Windy City. The Packers just cruised right by the Bears with little trouble. The big thing the Bears were supposed to bring to the table was a running game. Matt Forte was supposed to be a problem for the Packers' defense. After a meager 2 yards for him, it was clear that the Bears were just stymied in their running game.

Aaron Rodgers threw 3 touchdown passes, all to Jermichael Finley, the tight end who missed most of last season. We knew he'd be a weapon, but we didn't know he'd be this good. Greg Jennings also had a big game receiving.

I'm starting to feel really good about the Packers, considering they passed two big early tests against the Saints and the Bears, and even overcame some adversity being down 13-0 in Carolina. Obviously it's really early, but it's fun to be enjoying the regular season in first place rather than looking up the whole time. Of course, there's those pesky Lions who may be the Packers' biggest problem this season.

+'s & -'s:

+: Aaron Rodgers, Jermichael Finley, the run defense.

-: Special teams definitely looked pretty weak in this one.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 3-0
Next week: vs. Denver

FMA:B Finale Liveblog

2011-09-23T04:02:00.000-07:00

This is it. Will Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood have a glorious conclusion, or a dreadful ending? We'll find out everything Saturday night, with this liveblog.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=43d86fa381" &amp;amp;amp;gt;FMA:B Finale Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

FMA:B 63 - Edward Elric sucks

2011-09-21T09:16:00.000-07:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 63 review

This episode showed everything that was wrong with this series and very little that was right about it.

In fact, let's get to the good stuff right now: May Chang. And that's it. May Chang is an adorable character with true compassion. She's already wrapped up the award that will be presented at the end of this series for "best character." If this series centered around May Chang, it would have been awesome. Plus she's such an awesome character that I choose to call her by her whole name.

Okay, so lots of problems with this series were exacerbated in this episode. (I knew that was a word that fit this situation perfectly, but I had to look up how to spell it.) We'll take them on one at a time.

1. Father's death: completely anticlimactic at best, completely deus ex machina at worst. This guy supposedly got the powers of Truth one moment, then he somehow loses everything in little time, before getting felled by an uppercut punch of Ed Elric's. Then Greed goes completely out of character in deciding to be ungreedy and to commit suicide just in order to hurt Father. By doing this, Greed is killed off very conveniently, as is Father, and Ling returns to normal. I am not making this up. This completely forced killing off of the remaining bad guys is something you'd see in a fanfiction. I'll in fact go one further. This is something you'd see in a bad fanfiction. "Hey, let's kill off the final 2 bad guys by having one of them go completely out of character and the other go from all-powerful to all-weak in a matter of minutes!" Seriously, this was the best the writer of FMA:B could come up with?

2. Edward Elric. Where to begin? First of all, he's the most self-righteous pietist I've ever seen in the history of fiction. He refuses to use a philosopher's stone to bring Al back, and he refuses to allow Mr. Ho to help him. Instead, he's got to think of something! And out of nowhere, he does! He comes up with the solution to all his problems, on the spur of the moment! Just give up alchemy, which he doesn't need anymore, and he gets back not only his body but his brother's too! He only just suddenly comes up with that right now, whereas the way it seems, he could have made that "sacrifice" (which wasn't really a sacrifice) at any time during the series. Worse, he commits human transmutation in order to get their bodies back! So let me get this straight: Roy is forced to commit human transmutation against his will, and he loses something; but Ed commits human transmutation on purpose and he gets their bodies back! So, so stupid.

3. Everyone just stands around and watches. Because the writer of the series clearly hates Roy, Roy is reduced to a helpless "did we win?"

4. You know what, I am getting so angry just writing this that I don't think I can write anymore, or I'll get out of control. The Edward Elric of Brotherhood is quite simply the worst character ever. He has deus ex machinas to help him out of every tough situation, he's a Mary Sue at best, he's totally self-righteous and then has everything turn out perfectly for him to prove him right. He needs to be killed brutally. The only way this series can end perfectly is if Ed Elric dies, and he's not going to.

What must happen for Brotherhood to end on a good note:

3. Ling and Lan Fan must get together. Seriously, if the #1 love story of the series doesn't come to pass, what was the point of all the romantic hints the whole time?

2. May Chang must have a happy ending. Because no one deserves one more than her.

1. Roy Mustang must get his eyesight back. Because if Ed Elric got everything for nothing, so must he.

This series is one episode away from perhaps knocking off FLCL from the #1 spot of "most overrated anime ever." And that's going to be tough to do, but it's very possible. If it can at least give me a good taste in my mouth, rather than the vomit that FLCL left in my mouth, then it shall avoid that title. Regardless, this series has been hopelessly overrated, and it can't even hold a candle to the brilliance that was the original series.

Character of the episode: May Chang
Needless to say.

Episode rating (out of four stars): 1/2

Durarara! 12.5 - Like the rest of the series...

2011-09-20T03:16:00.001-07:00

Durarara! episode 12.5 review

...this episode was filler.

The only reason I've even watched this series is because it was between Bleach and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Smart scheduling, to put it there. Too bad they couldn't have come up with a series worth watching. Then again, there aren't too many anime that are popular enough that they could come over to adult swim, most just go directly to video. How this anime got so popular, however, I do not know.

This episode felt like the rest: there's a story in there somewhere, but the way it comes out on air is completely convoluted. I guess if you can twist your postmodern portion of your brain in such a way that lines up perfectly with the airwaves of the TV, you can connect to this show's aura and find a way to connect with the program. As for me, I sit there and browse the Internet during the show because it's so confusing.

I can't believe I've watched this show for so long. I'm almost compelled to go through watching it till the end, am I? Wow.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

Bleach 222 - Soi Fon is the best

2011-09-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 222 review

In a week where up was down, black was white, cold was hot and east was west, Bleach ruled the day and FMA: Brotherhood sucked majorly. We'll get to the unmitigated disaster that was the next-to-last episode of FMA: Brotherhood later. Right now it's time to talk about the first good Bleach episode of the arc.

Soi Fon has taken the throne, the throne once belonging to Queen Yoruichi. That's the throne that belongs to the best Bleach character, which Yoruichi has ruled for a long time now. But every time Soi Fon appears on this show, things improve. Notice the absolutely horrid Lurichiyo arc that had one shining moment - Soi Fon kicking Ichigo's butt. Remember Soi Fon bringing some sexual tension to the Urahara-Yoruichi relationship in the utterly disasterous Pendulum arc. And now, in another terrible arc, Soi Fon has become the only captain worth watching. She's so calculating and brilliant, so wonderful to watch when she battles. Notice that she doesn't just charge headlong into battle. Notice also that she doesn't show mercy. She is cold and cruel. She has everything I want in an anime woman (except big breasts).

Were you actually enjoying yourself when watching this episode? I was. It was amazing. It was as if the show still had some soul. Let's not forget Omaeda's role in providing some good humor while showing that he has some character himself.

This was literally the best episode of Bleach since Soi Fon owned Ichigo in the Lurichiyo arc. So Soi Fon is the only good thing going for Bleach anymore. She is the heart and soul of Bleach. Ichigo sucks, Rukia sucks, Orihime's been reduced to nothing. Soi Fon is carrying Bleach on her small back, and maybe - just maybe - she can make us forget a little bit about how sucky this show has been for at least 75 episodes now.

Character of the episode: Soi Fon
Omaeda would have won it on any other day. But Soi Fon is so brilliant, her dub voice actress Karen Strassman is so excellent as her, and she is the one hope Bleach has left. Can we skip the filler arc so we can see her Bankai?

Episode rating (out of four stars): ***

2011, Week 2: Sloppy & ugly

2011-09-19T03:13:00.000-07:00

2011, Week 2: Packers 30, Panthers 23

Just an altogether ugly game, where the Packers gave up over 400 yards passing and looked quite vulnerable for much of the first half. Yet when you've got a team with this much talent, you can sleepwalk through the first quarter and then turn it on and come away with a victory. Not that I find that acceptable at all.

The Packers found themselves down 13-0 in what seemed to be a blink of an eye. The Panthers went down and scored the first touchdown, then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and kicked a field goal. Another field goal led to the 13-0 score.

Yet after that moment, it was as if the Packers suddenly woke up, and started to play. A John Kuhn touchdown run made it 13-7, and then Aaron Rodgers went long to put the Packers up 14-13. That would be the halftime score, even after some shenanigans with a 4th-down failed conversion that nearly led to Carolina points.

Then it was the typical Charles Woodson takeover, where he intercepted 2 passes and recovered a fumble. I've never seen a player like him on defense for the Packers, who just takes over games like he does. In past years he's bailed us out of clear losses; here was another bailout.

The lead was down to 23-16 when the Panthers drove down inside the 10, but Clay Matthews made a tackle on 4th-and-goal to stop a game-tying score. Rodgers then threw an 80+ yard pass to Jordy Nelson to put the Packers up by 14. That should have been the end of it, but unfortunately we had to put up with a little bit of resistance at the end, before Donald Driver caught the onside kick to end it.

So as sloppy and ugly as it was, it also was a victory. And those are quite precious in the NFL.

+'s & -'s:

+: Charles Woodson as usual, Aaron Rodgers as usual. Also kudos to Donald Driver on breaking the Packers' all-time receiving yards record.

-: The failure to show up in Carolina until the second quarter.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 2-0

Next week: at Chicago

FMA:B 63 Liveblog

2011-09-17T00:41:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, this might be a sign of the end of this blog. Considering the fact that I still have only one reader after 3 1/2 years, added to the fact that in two weeks we'll be left with only two very mediocre (at best) shows to talk about, will there be a point in blogging anymore? We'll see...

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=3bc9fa8369" &amp;amp;amp;gt;FMA:B 63 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

FMA:B 62 - Come on up for the rising

2011-09-16T05:34:00.000-07:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 62 review

I hope you listened to Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" over this past weekend. If not, go find it and listen to it, it's very appropriate about the important anniversary that was observed on Sunday. (And while you're at it, listen to Paul McCartney's "Freedom.")

Anyway, this was one of those episodes that despite so much happening, nothing actually happened until the very end. Everyone fires all this stuff at Father, but none of it works. However, somehow he's not satisfied, so he wants to go make another philosopher's stone. By doing that, he opens himself up to attack. Somehow with all these bullets and missiles flying, no one is killed.

Then, as Father is ready to kill Ed, Al decides that he's going to sacrifice himself to save Ed. Only problem is, the way it's shown, Al is just going to be with his real body for a little while. You get the feeling that Al isn't sacrificing anything; he's just waiting for Ed to win the battle so that then he can come back. I think May Chang made the biggest sacrifice, as she obviously has a crush on Al.

So now it's Ed vs. Father in the final battle. Maybe if Ed doesn't act all self-righteous and pietistic, I'll support him in this battle. He's going to win anyway... right? (Megas props to the writers if this ends up in an Evangelion-esque tragedy, but we all know that won't happen.)

Character of the episode: May Chang
She was the heroine of the episode, making that transmutation to save Ed. And she really felt like she was losing Al, whereas Al was sort of like "see you later!"

Episode rating (out of four stars): ***

Durarara! 12 - Koizumi is evil

2011-09-15T23:32:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 12 review

Yes, he is. That's about the only thing that made sense about this episode.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

Bleach 221 - Match Game

2011-09-13T23:23:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 221 review

So the battle for the four pillars is over, and now almost all of the Soul Reapers get an opponent who looks and acts exactly like them. This is either an uncanny coincidence, or completely fixed (I'll take the latter). Soi Fon seems to be destroying her opponent, even while insulting Omaeda in such a way that it seems that she may have some feelings for him. (Yes, I support Soi Fon x Omaeda.) The lazy Starrk goes up against the lazy Shunsui. This is drawn up very nicely.

Rangiku goes up against three women, one of them being a big-chested woman like herself. Her attacks don't work very well, but she dodges their attacks. The three women attacking her prove to be quite a trio with their different personalities, while Rangiku finally brings back her very lovable and funny personality. Nice to see her return to her former self for the first time in a long time.

The episode was the best in ages, although that doesn't mean it was very good.

Character of the episode: Rangiku Matsumoto
We've seen her show tiny bits of herself in more recent episodes, but finally she's back to her old self, and that's such a good thing.

Episode rating (out of four stars): **

FMA:B 62 Liveblog

2011-09-10T20:46:00.000-07:00

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=484cc14057" &amp;amp;amp;gt;FMA:B 62 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

2011, Week 1: Going Gaga

2011-09-10T03:31:00.001-07:00

2011, Week 1: Packers 42, Saints 34

I know I predicted the Packers to lose this one, but I knew we were going to win when NBC played Lady Gaga's "The Edge of Glory" during highlights of the Packers' victory in Super Bowl XLV. They're playing our song!

And so the road to "The Edge of Glory" begins. It began with a near-perfect first drive of the season, followed by a quick fumble recovery and another near-perfect drive, making it 14-0. And it was 21-7 after one quarter, with Aaron Rodgers throwing 3 TDs and having a perfect quarterback rating.

After a punt return by Saints running back Darren Sproles brought the Saints within 21-17, the Packers came right back with a drive for another touchdown, this one run in by James Starks, to make it 28-17 at the half.

Then the moment of the game: after all those kickoffs went for touchbacks, another one seemingly was going to be a touchback, but rookie WR Randall Cobb decided to take it out of the end zone, 8 yards deep! After staying up on a tackle, he ended up going all the way, to tie the NFL record of a 108-yard kickoff return! And for the first time since Allen Rossum in 2000, the Packers had returned a kickoff for a touchdown, making it 35-20.

The Saints pulled within 35-27, but were stopped on a 4th-and-1, giving the Packers a chance to go up further, and they did, with John Kuhn punching it in to make it 42-27.

However, it wasn't over yet. The Saints again scored to make it 42-34, and after a Packers punt, Drew Brees drove the team down toward the Packers end zone. A horrible call on A.J. Hawk, defensive pass interference when he clearly only hit the ball, gave the ball to the Saints on the Packers 1 with no time left.

One play, one yard. The game pretty much on the line. And when it mattered most, the Packers defense stuffed Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, not letting him score from the 1, and that was it. The Packers pulled out a shootout victory in Week 1, 42-34.

The defense looked shaky, as did the kick/punt coverage units, but the offense looked unstoppable. This could be a fun year when we have the ball.

+'s & -'s:

+: Aaron Rodgers for looking near-perfect at the quarterback position. Randall Cobb, for scoring 2 TDs in his first NFL regular-season game ever. Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson also had big games, and Donald Driver tied the Packers' record for most receiving yards in his career.

-: Pass defense left something to be desired, and Darren Sproles had a couple of really big returns, one scoring a TD, and the other one setting up a TD.

2011 Green Bay Packers: 1-0

Next week: at Carolina

FMA:B 61 - Kimblee, the hero?

2011-09-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 61 review

As my one reader knows, I put up a list of seven characters who I thought would be in the running for the coveted "character of the episode" award. I could have put up seventy, and none of them would have been named Kimblee. After all, he was dead. Killed. Kaput. And yet, here he shows up, long after his death, to shock us all.

First things first, due to a stroke of sheer luck, Father's plan goes awry and Scar kills Bradley. Speaking of whom, Bradley's dub voice actor is the best voice actor no one's ever heard of. In fact, I don't know his name myself, and I'm usually up on that stuff.

Okay, so now the important part: Ed goes to kill Pride, and he's about to fail, but Kimblee pulls a Shinji Ikari and rebels against the sea of LCL living inside Pride and turns on him. So thanks to Kimblee(!), Ed is able to kill Pride. I'll let Ed go for once. What an awesome twist! I would have never predicted that.

Edit: I guess names of these characters change every week. "Kymblee" was an incorrect spelling I saw about halfway through the season and started using. Granted, "Kimbley" wasn't right either. Sort of like the way "Soi Fon" is now being referred to as "Sui-Feng."

In other news, Father is running away, and he looks like an older version of Edward Elric. Will the final 3 episodes bring this series to a glorious close, or will it end in mediocrity?

Character of the episode: Kimblee
Brilliance. Long live Kimblee!

Episode rating (out of four stars): ***

Durarara! 11 - Stuff happened

2011-09-08T13:57:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 11 review

You explain to me what the plot of that last episode was. I give you a few Dollars if you can. Get it? Dollars? Oh man, I'm just tearing it up today.

Episode rating (out of four stars): no stars

Bleach 220 - Foxy

2011-09-06T20:58:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 220 review

Komamura is probably actually a wolf, but I like to call him a fox. I like foxes more than wolves. In another incredibly non-entertaining episode, Komamura uses his Bankai to defeat a large enemy. I was going to just talk about SCANDAL again, but this episode was just short of awful, so that it deserves to actually get its own title this time. Seriously, Bleach, if you still suck a month from now, you may just be cut.

Character of the episode: Sajin Komamura
His first ever! See you in another 50 episodes, Komamura!

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

2011 Packers season preview/predictions

2011-09-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

"The Edge of Glory."

That's the theme for the 2011 season for the Packers. In 2008 it was "The Favre Circus," in 2009 it was "Make the playoffs," in 2010 it was "Win a playoff game." I didn't think at any point prior to the playoff win in Philadelphia that we could win the Super Bowl last year. But when the Packers blew out #1-seeded Atlanta, I wrote a post titled "Uh-oh..." meaning that it suddenly became a possibility. Then it became a reality, and the Packers won the most significant championship since perhaps the Ice Bowl. Because not only was it a NFL championship, it was the ushering in of a new era in Packers football, as well as Aaron Rodgers exorcising the Favre demons in only his 3rd year of starting.

This year's theme comes from none other than Lady Gaga. "Glory" is what I consider winning back to back championships. You are remembered forever as a dynasty. The Packers had that chance at being a dynasty in Super Bowl XXXII. Then John Elway came along and made it clear that he wanted his own dynasty, and boy, did he deserve it. If the Packers returned to the Super Bowl this year, they'd reach "The Edge of Glory," but glory would still be a Lombardi Trophy away.

This is the opportunity the Packers have: to be the NFL's first true dynasty since the Patriots of the early 2000s, for Aaron Rodgers to overtake Brett Favre in the Super Bowl victories department, for all the guys who missed last season's playoffs to make their own mark this year. Every year you get a chance at winning the Super Bowl. But very rarely do you get the chance to repeat as champions. That's the chance the Packers have this year, if they can manage to win it all again.

Let's go position by position and how I rank the Packers at that position, out of four stars:

QB: ****
Aaron Rodgers is the best in the league. He proved that in last year's playoffs and especially in the Super Bowl. In case of emergency, Matt Flynn has certainly proved that he's capable of competent play. All Packers fans hope that Flynn does play this year - but only in 4th quarters of blowout victories.

RB: **1/2
The question is: who's the starter, James Starks or Ryan Grant? I favor Grant because he's been around a while. But Starks certainly proved himself as a good option in the playoffs. It's nice to have a couple good guys back there.

WR: ****
Wow. Even with Donald Driver near the end of his career, the Packers have Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and James Jones, all young receivers that Ted Thompson picked out of nowhere. Then they also have Randall Cobb, who can possibly be the next rookie to light it up for the Packers.

TE: ****
Let's face it, when your team keeps five tight ends, you know that's an important position to your team. Jermichael Finley is the unbelievable talent at the position. Tom Crabtree is a key blocker who I'm glad they brought back. The other three all have potential for the team. And as you can tell, the Packers have so much talent at the skill positions on offense that it's going to be hard to get everyone a fair share of time out on the field.

OL: *1/2
As it always seems to be, there is some hand-wringing over the offensive line. The OL was serviceable, if not satisfactory, in the Super Bowl, but there are some new concerns about it. Josh Sitton is one guy we can count on, hopefully the others are strong as well.

DL: *1/2
With the loss of Cullen Jenkins, there's going to be a lot of pressure on Mike Neal to replace him. Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji are solid, but hopefully there will be more than just them.

LB: ***
A.J. Hawk redeemed himself with last season, and Clay Matthews is likely the best in the entire league. Desmond Bishop is another solid guy who made some big plays last season. There are some questions surrounding the other guys.

DB: **1/2
Perhaps my biggest concern outside of the offensive line. We know Charles Woodson is great, but he is getting older. Can Sam Shields, Tramon Williams, and whoever else the Packers have back there come up with more brilliant coverage and interceptions, like last season?

ST: **1/2
Tim Masthay is a great punter, and Mason Crosby is at least an average kicker. I'm not too concerned about the kick return game because of the new rule that will allow for more touchbacks.

Game-by-game predictions:

Week 1: New Orleans (L)
I actually think the Packers will become the first defending Super Bowl champion to lose the Thursday night opener since the gimmick began back in 2004. And I think it may haunt them down the stretch.

Week 2: at Carolina (W)
A game a Super Bowl champion should not lose.

Week 3: at Chicago (W)
I think the Bears are going to be a lot weaker, and thus make this one a bit easier than it should be.

Week 4: Denver (W)
The Packers have beaten the Broncos in their last two meetings, including a blowout win at home in 2003 that, coupled with a miracle in Arizona, sent them to the playoffs.

Week 5: at Atlanta (W)
I think the Falcons are not the team everyone's making them out to be, and that they will be much closer to mediocre this year.

Week 6: St. Louis (W)
The throwback uniforms game.

Week 7: at Minnesota (L)
Two things the Packers always struggle with: games in Minnesota, and Donovan McNabb. The combination of the two leads to a Vikings upset.

Week 8: BYE

Week 9: at San Diego (L)
The Chargers should be one of the best teams in the league this year.

Week 10: Minnesota (W)
What is with the NFL scheduling the Vikings games so close to each other in recent years? This one the Packers win.

Week 11: Tampa Bay (W)
It's at Green Bay, not in Tampa, where the Packers always seem to lose.

Week 12: at Detroit (W)
The first of three holiday games for the Packers, this one on Thanksgiving.

Week 13: at New York GIANTS (L)
This one could also end up hurting down the stretch.

Week 14: Oakland (W)
I'm trying to remember if I've ever seen the Packers lose to Oakland, and I really don't think I have.

Week 15: at Kansas City (W)
I think the Chiefs aren't going to be what they were last year.

Week 16: Chicago (W)
Christmas Day.

Week 17: Detroit (W)
On what usually is a big day for bowls, the Packers win over the Lions to wrap up the division.

Playoffs: see last post
I honestly believe the Packers will reach glory, beating the GIANTS at home, having to win in New Orleans for the NFC Championship and then shutting up the Jets for a second straight Super Bowl victory.

Can the Packers reach glory? That's what we'll find out this season.

2011 NFL season preview/predictions

2011-09-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

Last season ended with the greatest result I could have ever imagined: my Green Bay Packers defeating the hated Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl, with Aaron Rodgers winning Super Bowl MVP. Before the season I didn't think the Packers would go very far in the playoffs; after the regular season I didn't think the Packers would go very far in the playoffs! But one pick I did get right: before the season I picked the Steelers to lose the Super Bowl.

So what about this year? Who goes to Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI, and who wins it all? Here we go...

AFC

AFC East

1. New England: 13-3
The Patriots' Super Bowl is the regular season. They succeed in the regular season, win the division, and sometimes get a first-round bye too. The Patriots haven't won a playoff game since the 2007 AFC Championship vs. San Diego.

2. N.Y. Jets: 12-4
The Jets will have a great regular season, but will come up short of the division. As for the playoffs, however...

3. Miami: 5-11
Who's the Miami QB? I know nothing about this team except that Reggie Bush joined their squad over the offseason.

4. Buffalo: 3-13
Poor Buffalo. I'd love to see the Bills get up off the mat. It's not happening this year.

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh: 12-4
What, you expected Baltimore? The Ravens haven't beaten Ben Rapistberger since 2006. The Steelers will win their 4th division title in 5 seasons.

2. Baltimore: 10-6
The Ravens will do their usual stunt of losing games they should win, and thus blow a chance at the division... maybe the playoffs, too.

3. Cleveland: 7-9
If it wasn't for the name "Cleveland" I might pick this team to supplant Baltimore as the 2nd-place team in the division. They seem to have the pieces in place to actually be competent.

4. Cincinnati: 2-14
The only question for this team: how low can they go?

AFC South

1. Indianapolis: 10-6
The Colts will accidentally win this division, even Peyton Manning misses some games. There's just no one to knock them off.

2. Jacksonville: 8-8
The Jaguars will again contend for the playoffs and again come up short at the end of the season, and finally end the tenure of Jack Del Rio.

3. Houston: 7-9
This will be the Texans' 10th year in the league. They have never made the playoffs in the first 9 years, and that won't change this year.

4. Tennessee: 6-10
Chris Johnson will disappoint, and the Titans will struggle to a last-place finish.

AFC West

1. San Diego: 11-5
The Chargers will return to the top of their division after an off year last year.

2. Oakland: 8-8
The Raiders will again surprise people by actually contending for a little while, before eventually falling off near the end.

3. Kansas City: 7-9
The Chiefs regress back to their former selves and drop out of contention.

4. Denver: 7-9
Would the Tim Tebow talk please stop? They have a proven QB in Kyle Orton, and they should roll with him, even if they don't have enough weapons to succeed this year.

NFC

NFC East

1. N.Y. GIANTS: 11-5
The GIANTS will shock everyone by winning this division over the hyped Eagles, and be a Super Bowl contender.

2. Philadelphia: 10-6
The problem for this squad is their QB. Michael Vick had a career year last season, and he's not going to repeat that this season.

3. Dallas: 10-6
With a healthy Tony Romo, the Cowboys should contend for the playoffs once again, after their huge flop last year.

4. Washington: 5-11
Please tell me who their starting QB is?

NFC North

1. Green Bay: 12-4
More on them coming up later.

2. Detroit: 9-7
The Lions will be even more improved, but not as good as all the hype they've been getting.

3. Chicago: 7-9
Cutler will regress to his former self, and the Bears will stop getting all the good luck they got last year, ending up way out of contention.

4. Minnesota: 6-10
McNabb looks like a Hall of Famer when he plays the Packers, but otherwise, he's not going to be able to save the Vikings' sinking ship.

NFC South

1. New Orleans: 13-3
The Saints will be the biggest obstacle in the Packers' path this season, and we'll find out a lot about both teams on Thursday.

2. Tampa Bay: 10-6
The Buccaneers lost out on the playoffs on the strength-of-victory tiebreaker last season, meaning that the NFL's version of the BCS put Green Bay into the playoffs over them and the GIANTS. This year... it happens again.

3. Atlanta: 8-8
Last year was a fluke for the Falcons. They showed their true colors in the late season Monday Night loss to New Orleans and also their blowout loss to the Packers.

4. Carolina: 4-12
Cam Newton will not be the answer, at least not yet, and the Panthers struggle again.

NFC West

1. St. Louis: 9-7
The Rams will be the lone team in this division to finish with a winning record, thanks to Sam Bradford.

2. Arizona: 6-10
The Cardinals will again implode on defense, costing them any shot at the playoffs.

3. Seattle: 5-11
Seattle's going with who as QB? I don't know. That's why I'm not picking them to repeat as "division champions" (if you can count a 7-9 finish as such).

4. San Francisco: 3-13
Honestly, I want the 49ers to do well. I want that awesome Green Bay-San Francisco rivalry to return. But with Alex Smith as QB, the 49ers will continue to flounder.

Playoff seedings:

AFC:

1. New England (13-3)
2. Pittsburgh (12-4)
3. San Diego (11-5)
4. Indianapolis (10-6)
5. N.Y. Jets (12-4)
6. Baltimore (10-6)

NFC:

1. New Orleans (13-3)
2. Green Bay (12-4)
3. N.Y. GIANTS (11-5)
4. St. Louis (9-7)
5. Philadelphia (10-6)
6. Dallas (10-6)

AFC wild-card round:

#3 San Diego 24, #6 Baltimore 17
#5 N.Y. Jets 31, #4 Indianapolis 20

AFC divisional round:

#5 N.Y. Jets 34, #1 New England 24
#3 San Diego 20, #2 Pittsburgh 17

AFC championship:

#5 N.Y. Jets 27, #3 San Diego 20

NFC wild-card round:

#3 N.Y. GIANTS 38, #6 Dallas 27
#5 Philadelphia 23, #4 St. Louis 20

NFC divisional round:

#1 New Orleans 45, #5 Philadelphia 24
#2 Green Bay 30, #3 N.Y. GIANTS 21

NFC championship:

#2 Green Bay 34, #1 New Orleans 31 (OT)

Super Bowl XLVI:

Green Bay 34, N.Y. Jets 27 (MVP: Aaron Rodgers)

MVP: Tom Brady, New England (it's either him or Peyton Manning every year, right?)
Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Brees, New Orleans
Defensive Player of the Year: Suh, Detroit
Offensive, Defensive Rookies of the Year: Who cares?
Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick (as always)

Later I'll have a detailed preview of the Green Bay Packers in particular, who I honestly think will go on to win a second straight Super Bowl.

FMA:B 61 Liveblog

2011-09-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

Pending my job situation, I probably will not be able to have liveblogs for episodes 62 & 63. There's no way I'm missing the final episode, though, there will most certainly be one for that.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=5a126c4d30" &amp;amp;amp;gt;FMA:B 61 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

FMA:B 60 - You flew your Learjet up to Nova Scotia...

2011-08-30T21:28:00.000-07:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 60 review

"To see the total eclipse of the sun..."

So things have suddenly turned Eva-esque on FMA: Brotherhood. Instead of us getting lectured by Mr. Pious Edward Elric, we have Lilith rising out of the Earth to connect with the Black Moon. Or that's what I saw.

Things have really gotten serious, but I'm not so overcome by excitement that I'm going to rush to claim that the series has redeemed itself. It was sweet seeing May Chang back in action, even if she did completely embarrass herself. What the heck is really going on right now, I don't really know. Father seems to have won. Mr. Ho was a complete failure, and the combined efforts of Ed, Al and their teacher could not stop him.

Sorry, it's been a long week, and it just turned to Wednesday. My memory is fuzzy. I'm just going to listen to SCANDAL and wait for next week's episode.

Character of the episode: May Chang
But of course.

Episode rating (out of four stars): ***

Durarara! 10 - What happened to the plot?

2011-08-29T21:31:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 10 review

I said a couple of good things about this show for the first time ever last week, when it seemed like a plot was beginning to build up. Not an entirely interesting plot, but at least a plot. That got thrown out the window during this episode, as we went back to more nonsense. Come on, do you want me to enjoy this show or not? This is ridiculous.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

Bleach 219 - Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi!

2011-08-28T23:03:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 219 review

The original title of this post was going to be "Bleach sucks," because there is nothing positive I can say about this show anymore. However, I can't get over that SCANDAL song that starts these episodes, where they sing that "yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi" part. I have no idea what they're singing. It probably is actually meaningless. It just sounds catchy. They're in the rare air of J-pop artists with multiple good songs (remember "Shunkan Sentimental"?). This "Shojo S" song is really catchy, and I suggest you go listen to it now. In fact, listen to it 10 times in a row instead of watching this episode, if you have a choice.

Character of the episode: Soi Fon
That's right, for her one line. Seriously, I am so disgusted with Bleach anymore that I don't give a crap. Durarara!, for crying out loud, is more entertaining than Bleach, and it sucks.

Episode rating (out of four stars): no stars

FMA:B 60 Liveblog

2011-08-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

Remember these things I used to do on this blog called liveblogs? I'm going to try one of them again tonight. Expect me to not care during Bleach or that other show before FMA:B.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=53ef750e41" &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;FMA:B 60 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

FMA:B 59 - Blackout

2011-08-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 59 review

Wow. Stuff just got real here. It's as if the series finally decided it wants to be good. So here we go.

Roy refuses to do human transmutation, even as Gold-Tooth tries to force him to. Then suddenly the stupid chimeras come out and SAVE everyone. But at least there's May Chang, who tries to pick up a philosopher's stone but ends up wasting her time on useless Riza Hawkeye instead. Hawkeye's always so emo about her past, why not just let her die?

Anyway, the Fuhrer/Bradley/Wrath appears, as he did survive as I thought. Along with Pride, he somehow manages to "force" Roy to do human transmutation. I don't know how that works - Roy is being pinned to the ground, not moving at all, but he somehow did the transmutation? Shouldn't Bradley have been the one sent through the portal, since he was actually the one doing it?

So then Roy gets sent through to the place where Ed and Izumi are hanging out, and then the grim news is revealed - he's gone blind. Not a surprise for anyone who's seen the original series, but a difficult pill to swallow nonetheless. Let me tell you right now, if Roy doesn't get back his eyesight, but self-righteous pietist Ed Elric gets back his arm and leg, I will go utterly ballistic on this blog and really give it to the writers.

May Chang somehow gets to where Ed, Izumi, Roy and Al are hanging out, but I don't know how. I thought you had to go through the portal or something. Anyway, as Bradley fights Scar in a battle of no-names, Al rejects his own body in order to... fight? Oh, and where's Mr. Ho? Is he going to be the big hero?

Despite all my concerns, I thought this was a great episode, and it has the potential to be a last-ditch saving grace for what has been a very disappointing series. 5 episodes left. It's like golf - FMA:B is down by 5 strokes with 5 holes to go. 5 birdies and it manages to salvage itself. Maybe an eagle in there, and we're talking about a miracle comeback. But pars are unacceptable at this point. This series has to be excellent down the stretch if it is going to be remembered as a good one.

Character of the episode: Roy Mustang
May Chang really would have gotten this some time ago, but her disappearance for months on end caused me to lose some of the passion I had for her. Instead, I'm going with Roy, who has been a great character consistently and deserves a better fate.

Episode rating (out of four stars): ***

Durarara! 9 - Getting ahead

2011-08-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 9 review

It's taken 9 episodes, but this series finally has begun to have a plot. Too bad it's a boring plot. See, when Ed and Al lose their bodies, there's at least some reason for them to need them back. As for Celty, she's perfectly fine without her head, so why does she need it so badly?

If this series would stop concentrating on minor characters, and while it's at it, completely get rid of the Koizumi character, it might actually be able to pull itself up by its bootstraps and become nearly passable. Instead, it continues to be unwatchable.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

Bleach 218 - Sick of Bleach

2011-08-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 218 review

That's right, I'm utterly sick of Bleach. I don't have any reason to watch this series anymore. It's become so low in quality that there is just nothing entertaining about it. And considering that the series had the perfect chance to end (in the manga), but didn't, makes me wonder if there will ever be a satisfying conclusion to this series.

What happened in this episode? Yumichika killed his opponent, and The Third Kira was so annoying it isn't funny. That's it.

Character of the episode: Ikkaku
*yawn*

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

FMA:B 58 - Sunday Bloody Sunday

2011-08-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 58 review

There's no reason for a U2 theme this week, I just happened to come up with these two titles this week. Lots of blood in this episode - lots of it. Brotherhood suddenly became ultra gory, like something out of Grand Theft Auto. Blood is flying everywhere, all over the place. It's a little ridiculous at this point, even for someone like me who doesn't mind all the gore. Should we change the name of the series to Brotherblood?

Anyway, right away the Fuhrer is "killed off" by falling into a moat in what would have to be the most anticlimactic death to a bad guy ever. That's why I'm still expecting him to come back, because "dying" like that would be a real disappointment. In fact, it would be so pathetic that I think whoever came up with that idea of the Fuhrer just falling into a moat to death - that person deserves to be fired. Even if it's the person created Fullmetal Alchemist.

Lan Fan is given practically no time in this episode, just as May Chang got only one scene. Do the writers realize that there are now only 6 episodes left? These characters are going to end up with very undeveloped conclusions to their stories. Meanwhile, Falman of all characters is having tons of people murdered, which seems like something that Ed Elric would frown upon.

Then, while Ed and Izumi meet "the bearded bastard," as Ed hilariously calls him, Roy, Scar and Riza are still fighting off the Wraths - and losing. Then the guy with the gold tooth - who has suddenly became a major character out of nowhere - says that it's time for the fifth sacrifice - and as I predicted way back when, it's going to be Roy Mustang. Riza is wounded badly but somehow not murdered, which gives Roy no reason to do human transmutation. Yet at the end, he says "all right," even with Riza still alive. Roy should wait until she actually is dead if he's going to waste his life doing human transmutation, because if Riza's anything like Buccaneer, she could be completely slaughtered and somehow still survive.

Ridiculousness abounds in Brotherhood, and it's got 6 episodes to right the ship. It's exciting, yet nonsensical at the same time. Can Brotherhood get this ending right?

Character of the episode: Roy Mustang
Sorry, Lan Fan and May Chang, you're getting written right out of this story.

Episode rating (out of four stars): **1/2

Durarara! 8 - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

2011-08-17T13:43:00.001-07:00

Durarara! episode 8 review

Believe it or not, this was the best episode of the series up to this point. And it still sucked. I'm only reviewing these out of routine at this point, but I'm setting a limit - if by episode 10, the episodes are still this boring, I won't be doing any more posts on them.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *1/2

Bleach 217 - Ugly

2011-08-16T03:29:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 217 review

This episode was ugly. In fact, it was one of the worst episodes ever, and coincidentally, it also featured Yumichika. What is it about Yumichika that brings on horrible episodes?

This picture says it all.

Character of the episode: Yumichika
By default.

Episode rating (out of four stars): no stars

Liveblog cancelled

2011-08-12T04:11:00.000-07:00

There will be no liveblog this week, as I will be going to the Green Bay Packers' first preseason game, at Cleveland. I will most likely arrive home after the first airing of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has ended, so I won't be able to liveblog. Try to survive through those episodes of Bleach and Durarara! before the only worthwhile episode of the night comes at 1 am ET/12 am CT. And hopefully the Packers bring home a (meaningless) win.

FMA:B 57 - There are FOUR Laboratories!

2011-08-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 57 review

For starters, this was the best episode in a while, and perhaps a sign that this series may close strong. That's good news for all us faithful dub watchers.

The fight between the Fuhrer and Ling/Greed/Old Man Fu comes to a head when Old Man Fu gets severely injured, and he decides he is going to go all out with four bombs in a suicide attack at the Fuhrer. What happens next is awesome.

Old Man Fu gets completely owned.

With that, Old Man Fu's attack is deemed completely worthless. However, what happens next is not so awesome, as the impossible-to-kill Buccaneer uses Old Man Fu's distraction to stab the Fuhrer. That means that Buccaneer and Old Man Fu die, but with Buccaneer getting to be the big hero. In addition, both Old Man Fu and Buccaneer claim that they're going to hell. Funny that they both believe in an afterlife, but only in hell. Pretty depressing, if you think about it, even atheists have a better outlook on the afterlife than that.

Elsewhere, this guy with the gold tooth who appeared in maybe only two episodes beforehand is suddenly a huge bad guy who uses alchemy to light up Central. And as this happens, he asks Edward Elric how many laboratories there are. Ed answers with "four." The bad guy answers, "No, there are five," and proceeds to destroy Ed. At least that's the way I saw it, I don't know about you.

So Ed Elric, Al Elric and Izumi Curtis are now disintegrated. We end on that cliffhanger, and for a rare time I say, bravo, Brotherhood. You at least got me interested. 7 episodes to go.

Character of the episode: Lan Fan
No one really stood out, so by default the award automatically goes to a female.

Episode rating (out of four stars): ***

Durarara! 7 - Seriously?

2011-08-09T03:39:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 7 review

I have nothing left to say about this series. Wake me when it's over.

Episode rating (out of four stars): no stars

Bleach 216 - Any day now...

2011-08-08T03:40:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 216 review

Really, nothing happened in this episode. The recap took up five minutes, Ichigo didn't fight Ulquiorra, and no one important fought anyone. Omaeda threw a fit and acted way out of character. Okay, maybe just a bit out of character. I'd personally love for a Soi Fon x Omaeda pairing. Omaeda x Soi Fon would be the true "opposites attract" relationship, and besides, Yoruichi's pretty much canon with Kisuke. So Soi Fon ends up with the big fat humongous slob, and she totally controls the relationship.

Oh, sorry, was I supposed to be talking about this episode? Well, let's see, Ikkaku talks like Ed Elric, two "beautiful" men get into it with each other (Yumichika and his opponent), Shuhei fights someone, and The Third Kira also fights. There, that's it. Boring and dull. When will Loly come back for her glorious appearance? When will Soi Fon fight Ggio Vega? The fun stuff is still way off in the future.

Character of the episode: Soi Fon
Yes, for her little bit of cruelty.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

Bleach 216/FMA:B 57 Liveblog

2011-08-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

Let's celebrate the Packers' Super Bowl victory with... a liveblog? Okay, whatever.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=4cf3f64605" &amp;amp;amp;gt;Bleach 216/FMA:B 57 Liveblog&amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Why I became a Packers fan

2011-08-06T13:32:00.000-07:00

On the 6-month anniversary of the Packers' victory in Super Bowl XLV, I answer the question everyone's been asking for years: why are you a Packers fan?

The reason is not so simple. It's not simply that I liked a certain player, or I liked their colors, or I wanted to cheer for an up-and-coming team. None of those are remotely close to the reason why I chose the Packers.

In the 1994 playoffs, the first time I ever watched football with a team to cheer for, I cheered for the Steelers, who choked against the Chargers in the AFC Championship Game. The summer of 1995, I decided that I needed a favorite team - whether it be the Steelers or someone else. I had collected football helmets from gumball machines and now had a full collection.

Meanwhile, I had been reading a book about great defensive players who picked up lots of sacks in the late 1980's and early 1990's. One picture showed Joe Klecko of the New York Jets sacking Lynn Dickey of the Green Bay Packers. When seeing that picture, I felt bad for the Packers since they were being sacked in that picture, and that compassion for their team led me to choosing the Packers as one of the five teams I would choose from.

I took out five football helmets and put them in order that I thought I would choose them. The Los Angeles Raiders, the Los Angeles Rams, the Green Bay Packers, the New York Jets, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. All money was on the Raiders being chosen as my favorite team. But instead, feeling bad for Lynn Dickey being sacked in that picture, I chose the Packers as my favorite team. Lots of teams came and went as my "second-favorite team," which now is permanently set as the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the Packers have never wavered since that day in being my number one team.

So there you have it. If my 10-year-old mind had changed ever so slightly that summer 1995 day, I may have not been enjoying the greatest moment of my life when it comes to sports six months ago today. In fact, if I had chosen the Jets (a real possibility), I would have never even experienced a Super Bowl appearance for my favorite team yet. I made the right choice. I'll never go back. The Packers and I are forever connected.

FMA:B 56 - Oomp, Buccaneer!

2011-08-04T18:25:00.001-07:00

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood episode 56 review

When I was little, I thought the song "Whoomp, There It Is!" was actually saying "Oomp, Buccaneers!" and since then, it has been my theme song for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hence the bizarre title to this post.

Buccaneer, the guy with the menacing automail, gets his guts literally slashed out by Fuhrer King Bradley. Yet after seemingly three or four deaths, he keeps on getting up and continues fighting. It's one of the most ridiculous things you'll ever see in anime, something only Ichigo could survive. It continues to convince me that since Roy Mustang didn't die, no "good guys" will die for the rest of the series. Maybe Scar, but he really isn't a "good guy." I hope I'm wrong, and I hope that since Ed and Al Elric won't die, maybe at least Mr. Ho will die.

The Ling/Greed thing is pretty interesting, and he is one of the few likable characters left. Yet even his time in the spotlight is broken up by Old Man Fu. And I've become so disappointed with this series that I can't take the constant winning by the good guys. Yet I continue to have dreams on how this thing's going to finish up. I still have hope for this series to finish strong.

Character of the episode: Greed
And not Ling.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *1/2

Durarara! 6 - Shut out in the 1st quarter

2011-08-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

Durarara! episode 6 review

Apparently we're 1/4 of the way through this anime, and so far it absolutely sucks. There is not a single good thing I can say about it. There supposedly is some plot about some headless rider, but we can't get to that because we're stuck focusing on minor side stories that somehow are partially related. And we get the storyline from a convoluted narration from a minor character which usually just results in more confusion. These 6 episodes are worse than the 6 episodes of FLCL I sat through, which at least had some entertaining moments. 1/4 of the way to being the worst anime I've ever seen.

Episode rating (out of four stars): *

Bleach 215 - A Bleach SCANDAL

2011-07-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

Bleach episode 215 review

Nothing of note happened in the episode, so let's talk about the new opening. It's by the Japanese girl rock band SCANDAL. You should know SCANDAL by now because of "Shunkan Sentimental," the previous ending song for Fullmetal Alchemist, which was really good and should still be the closing song for these final episodes. The opening includes Rukia and Orihime dancing to the song, which is the first time since that annoying song by Aqua Timez in the Bount days that we had interaction between the characters on the screen and the actual song (if you'll recall, it looked like Kon was singing the opening part of the song).

The only thing good about this episode.

So while I like SCANDAL, I hated this episode. Just one big monologue by one of the worst characters in all of anime, Ulquiorra. Shipping him with Orihime is a crime.

Character of the episode: Yamamoto
Yes, he actually seemed to be on top of things in this episode, but I'm sure he'll blunder down the line.

Episode rating (out of four stars): 1/2