Count up your crimes! ...I mean medals.

Watched 000 26, Gokaiger 5, and W A to Z.



Medals: This concludes the first half of OOO. The next two episodes aren't in continuity, so the real action gets paused until 29. 1000th episode of the Kamen Rider Series is 000 28. Loving this so far, cannot wait to see the mystery of the **** **** **** ends up being.



Pirates: This series is picking up steam, it starts excellent, and I keep liking it more and more with each episode. For me, this show is the anti-Goseiger. Loving it. Dwarflord, if you're looking for a show to jump into and catch up, this one is easy. Put the 13 hours into OOO because Karate Bugmen are awesome, but Taste the Rainbow Heroes doesn't get better than Gokaiger.


A Good Wind: The T2 Memory saga really could have filled 5-10 episodes instead. Everything was rushed, including/especially Joker. The battles during W's false ending were the best Joker action to be had. Eternal= Cool, but like all Movie-only KRs, he doesn't have enough backstory to really make him likable. Maybe if it was feature-length instead? Also, Trigger Dopant for the win!

Round Up

Stuff I'm watching:




Webcomics I've enjoyed recently:


Print Comics I've enjoyed recently:




Gaming:
Phase Two of Shadowrun is underway... This week is sponsored by TV Tropes.
This week, the Path will be found. It leads to Neugato City.

Power Rangers Samurai Epi 2 Review

First of all... SPOILERS!

Both for Shinkenger and PRS, so do not read if you plan on watching and have yet to.

Episode 2: Deal With a Nighlok
Based on Shinkenger Episode 4: Nightly Tears of Sympathy



So this episode was another almost direct rip. However, the fact that most of the scenes were redone with a ginger American Kiwi kid meant that the tone wildly changed. In this respect, I liked this one a lot. I thought that they did a good job portraying the scenes, and the resulting Ranger interactions felt more genuine for it.


Again, I can't stress enough how much I'm enjoying Bulk. I am especially enjoying the rumors (logical conclusion) that he'll end up being the Brown Ranger. I hope he will, and this episode shows that he at least lives in the same community as the Rangers. Angel Grove?

The Kevin/Mia characterization was less... romantic than Ryu/Mako. Their focus was on the kid, not each other. This was a pleasant changeup. They started out looking like they were going to spin this as a Blue-only focus, but changed up and almost abandoned Kevin's drive to help the rest of the team. Maybe that thread will pick up again later.

My favorite moment of the entire episode was Jayden's moment at the end. The use of Mojikara was sweet, and really seemed to appropriately awe the other Rangers. I really expect to enjoy his backstory, although something tells me I've heard it before... ;)


I have to say that my heart jumped when he called for Dragonzord power... Different Dragonzord, though.


This episode was better than the first, and I think the culture shock is wearing off to the point that I'll settle in and like it better. I give this one san Origami.

Power Rangers Samurai Ep 1 Review

First of all... SPOILERS!

Both for Shinkenger and PRS, so do not read if you plan on watching and have yet to.

Episode 1: The Team Unites



I'd like to say that this is the first adapted series I've watched in which I've also seen the source material, so expect a little bias and forgive me.

First off, this is the first episode of PR that I've ever seen that credited the Sentai script-writer. The reason it does it that it is almost a scene-for-scene rip of Shinkenger 3: An Extermination Skill Contest. There are pluses and minuses, but it is so similar that is isn't really a rewrite. The theme of having to stay away from one's family and friends in favor of the duty of a samurai is the focus here, as well as the struggle that Mike(Green) goes through to catch up with his comrades. The team gives him less instruction and guidance than they gave Chiaki, apparently letting him learn his lesson in his own way.

It's important to note that since the first episode starts with the third of Shinkenger, there is ZERO setup of the ranger team. They already have their powers, know what they are doing, and go to it. The girls got barely any lines, but they setup the Jayden(Red)-Kevin(Blue)-Mike(Green) triangle the same as Takeru-Ryuu-Chiaki. Jayden isn't a lord, or so it appears, but there isn't any characterization beyond the fact that he's more skilled than the rest of them.

What wasn't old was the re-addition of Bulk and his 'nephew' Spike (who is definately the son of Skull, and probably Kimberly as well), who were given a good scene filled with the typical hyjinx. Paul Schrier is as humorous as ever, and as long as you do your best not to worry about why Bulk is now a Samurai master and how he got back from Mirinoi, his storyline seems like it'll be a good sideshow.

Also new is the Mega Ranger Mode:


I really like this, as I always enjoy when the Americanized stuff gets new costumes or power-ups. I'd like to see them in battle, because I'm interested in seeing new fight scenes with the heavier-armored tech-sword-wielding Mega Rangers.

In summary, there is good and bad. I'm glad there is a Power Rangers, but thus far my appetite isn't exactly sated by the action it presented. I give this one two Origami out of Five.

Kamen Rider Oz

From a mistranlation on Play-Asia to your inbox. I've got more to say, you'll hear from me later.



Inspired by the Wizard of Oz, this version of OOO uses the Kowagatte Lion, Suzuman, and Kakashi Core medals. He constantly searches to find the Yuki, Kokoro and Sumato Core medals to complete himself.

Raion Suzuman Kakashi! RaSuzuKa!

Credit to Miralupa for the initial design.

Cough.

Been sick lately. Cough cough.

Reading Dwarf Fortress bloodlines on SA. Apparently, while the main site is blocked, the forums are not. Seems like they don't understand the concept, since typically forums are sicker than main sites. Ask the channers.

Cough. Working on Shadows and Running. I've found a few good places for resources, and I'll be ready for Friday. Cough cough.

Thank you, Tea Kettle and Sugar, for having me last weekend. I had fun and it was good to flee the town for a couple days. Cough cough cough. Saw some Woodchuck on Sunday as well, good times were had. Cough COUGH. Sims 3 Ghostbuster profession! Cough. Also tomb raiding on adventures. Loving the game. Cough.

Caught Den-O Episode Blue: The Dispatched Imagin is NEWtral
I was happy with the results, but I really want Yellow to be out. Cough cough cough.

The Big Round-Up

The most important thing is that I'm all moved into the new place, which I have christened Steelhaven. Much thanks to Woodchuck, Emperor, Rider, Archangel and Jazzhands. Also Valkyrie and Dwarflord. I'm all set up, and starting to build my space for living.

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I've been watching programmes lately, as I tend to do. Torchwood 3 is ridiculously depressing... Sorry, Emperor.



I'm in the middle of Doctor Who's 2009 Specials, with only Waters of Mars and the End of Time left. Only 4 more hours of the 10th Doctor, assuming I pick up his guest spot on Sarah Jane Adventures.



Speaking of SJA, I watched the just-broadcast "Death of the Doctor" two-parter featuring 11th Doctor Matt Smith. After seeing him again after so long with 9 and 10, I really feel like 11 is "My Doctor", being the one that I started with. Emperor claims the 4th, Tom Baker.

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OOO is starting to move, now that we've gotten all setup with names and the situation is set. We'll start getting silver Core medals soon, but the elusive blue will be saved for last.


Adult action in the world of Garo is fun as well. I continue to get the DVD updates, and I'm getting excited for the new movie.



I miss Sentai. Goseiger is terrible, and I can't watch it anymore. Hopefully Pirate Sentai GoKaiger will be better next year, although I don't know about the One Piece influence.

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Watched Sons last night. They had a special 90 minute episode, now that the plot has jumped forward. After Season 3 is over, I think I'll go back and watch 1 and 2. I'm really liking it right now.

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Loving New Vegas as much as I thought I would. Although stuck in the above bunker for a while, I'm out and about. Haven't even hit Vegas itself yet.



Undead Nightmare is out today and PSN has it for $10, although I'm dead ass broke. I may pick it up next payday.

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Lastly, I want to say a gigantic thank you to everyone. Yes, everyone. My world has been dark lately, and this blog shows you how hard I've been working to distract myself from it. However, I've never been without a friend. Not once. I really appreciate that.

Rider's Fury: KRCH OOO: RaToraTa, GataKiriBa Confirmed!

Rider... You must order this now.



Thank you, JEFusion!

My New Apartment

I've taken a long weekend and I'm getting all moved in. Hurt my back a bit yesterday, but I'm still in motion. We got most of my storage moved in. The couch-bed, bookcase, table and chairs are the tough stuff still to come.

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Happy 8th Birthday, TV Nihon! Thanks for all the hard work.

Susamajii Kiva Desu

Enjoyed myself some Kamen Rider Kiva today during my off-phone time at work. I love how the interaction between two parallel time periods form drama in a fun and eerily similar fashion.

Oh, Megumi-Hime, I could just... Well, I'm enjoying you, let's just say that.

Crossover Action!

Since my TFWIKI go-box popped up with "Dalek" today, I'm inclined to watch with interest at this collision of my, well, interests.



Dalek led me to Octus, the one-time Decepticon leader. There is a passing reference to The Doctor as well.

Clearly as all references come from the Marvel UK line, the designers were Whovians as well.


Backfire is also a double-reference, with his sword being designed based on a character from the Doctor Who comics. Before you cry that a chainsword is the intellectual property of Games Workshop, think that Abslom Daak was released in 1980, whereas WH40K didn't come out until 1987.

Also of note is the appearance of Simon Furman's favorite bounty hunter appears in both universes!

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So, are there other neat crossovers?

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Lastly, is anyone up for a road trip this weekend?