Infernalmiko

Great write up, Tiger. And it sums up things pretty well. WTL for me is pretty much always filler, my interest level for it is pretty meh. But with some new talent rising I'm interested to see how this goes. The heavy use of foreign talent can help with going international, though they have to balance it with not going too heavily foreign and alienating some Japanese fans.

I'm curious to see how it goes. If JR is still a great announcer then it'll be awesome. At last having English commentary should be a boost to their ratings in NA.

I think Jado and Gedo are good bookers, but they might need a break to recharge. They have a good idea in building up new draws but Fale is not a guy you can push fast. Styles has the experience and seems to be winning over the fans. Fale is big, but not their only big gaijin, and he's only decent. J&G need some new ideas.

No idea about the GWF thing. I guess there's no harm in having a working agreement with them but it's not going to mean anything. I think NJPW has hit peak gaijin, so I'd be more focused on recruiting and developing some new native young lions. Though if NJPW is going to even more heavily promote in the US, getting the foreigners helps. Still sad Devitt went to WWE but it's understandable.

Meanwhile I'll be watching up on Rail Wars this weekend.

Nobody asked me, but... With a name like Doc Gallows, shouldn't he still have a western cowboy gimmick, not a painted faced weirdo gimmick? It just looks wrong. Lance Archer has improved alot in NJPW, but I literally still can't stop staring at his tramp stamp. Toru Yano continues to break the rules in every way. Even as a young lion he often got himself DQ'ed so he didn't have to take a fall. He also has antics. NJPW could use a couple more wrestlers with antics. For some wrestlers in my games I adjust the Consistency and Intensity to reflect most of the time they might be a little inconsistent and not always fully committed to the match, but when it's a main event they are always super charged up. Maybe that could be added for the next TEW. DBS is a great example of a low star power wrestler.

Bad Luck is getting the big push right now, I just hope it works. I've not seen this match yet but past matches were pretty average. There are plenty of challengers for the IWGP title now. Time for people to start stepping up to Bullet Club.

You could save yourself some of the pain by reviewing a classic now and then like El Hazard OVA series or Season 1 Ranma 1/2.

<p><span style="color:#4B0082;">Taking elements of the past seems popular,both taking things from the Sengoku-Jidai and Three Kingdoms period. Samurai Girls was at least amusing and I loved the distinctiveness of the art. The other examples just seem to be crap.</span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> Fortunately I have the 2010 Three Kingdoms show to watch. If you like Chinese historical dramas it's top notch.</span></p>

<span style="color:#4B0082;">Not to mention Girls Und Panzer, where a new girl to the school helps revitalize the school's dilapidated Tank-jutsu team and leads them to the world finals.</span>

<span style="color:#4B0082;">New Japan needs natives competing in the juniors for it to work. It may be time to start scouting the indies for more junior talent if the Dojo is not getting promising juniors.</span>

<p><span style="color:#4B0082;">I generally don't mind the crowd much. I'm used to the old school crowd's quietly paying attention to the matches and only occasionally popping sort of vibe.</span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> After a rewatch, my main concern right now is NJPW getting stale, something they seem to be aware of since they have started to shake some things up. NJPW has had feuds in the past that dragged on too long, so this is not new. But it really is time to end Suzuki-Taru and move on. </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> The Gracies just have no business being in puroresu. If they were willing to work harder as wrestlers to learn and if they were more willing to be dicks I think they could get over a little. But the Puroresu-MMA connection's time has come and gone years ago. </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> Ibuchi is over with more than teenage girls. He'd make an awesome boytoy.</span><img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> The junior division used to have the best wrestling of the night but that's no longer true and it no longer has the depth of talent it used to have. The whole junior division is getting stale, they need to freshen it up. Not just the matchups. I've seen all the spots many times already. Surprise me with something new.</span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> The IWGP match may not have been ruined by the interference, but it leading to the pin was NOT something I wanted to see. Yujiro's interference beat Okuda, not AJ Styles. Which is a shame because Styles winning is otherwise a breath of fresh air in the main event. </span></p>

<span style="color:#4B0082;">I thought the show was fine, but not awesome. They are still building the Gracie angle, but I'm not sure how much the crowd is really into it. Taguchi seemed a step slow, I'm not sure why. The match was fine but didn't break any new ground. NJPW is taking a chance with bringing in Styles and giving him the title right away, especially with making the interference such a big part of the title win. But they clearly want to shake up the title scene and this instantly creates several new matchups. </span>

Phonetically its Kah-Zoo-Chee-Kah but in actual speech the sounds get squished together.

<span style="color:#4B0082;">For a more light hearted look at the industry, try </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animation_Runner_Kuromi" rel="external nofollow"><span style="color:#4B0082;">Animation Runner Kuromi</span></a><span style="color:#4B0082;">. It's an interesting look at the challenges facing anime makers and at only two episodes it doesn't take long to watch.</span>

<p>Believe in Kyubey.</p><p> </p><p> /人 ◕‿‿◕ 人\</p><p> </p><p> The third movie is apparently season 2 but they didn't have enough for 12 episodes. I'm looking forward to seeing it now.</p>

<p><span style="color:#4B0082;">I'm totally undecided on this. Nakamura is already a consistent world championship level wrestler, so I'm not sure he needs this win but the momentum would be nice. Goto is an eternal ozeki, so I'm not sure the win helps him much until they decide to push him past that. So we're back to Shibata who's brought a breath of fresh air with his return and the animosity that caused. Wrestling is all about creating new matchups and pushing Shibata here seems like a great way to do so. </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> Any word on Devitt and the WWE offer?</span></p>

<p><span style="color:#4B0082;">I just finished watching Madoka Magica. Really NOT what I was expecting. The opening is a lying liar! It's not cute a cuddly! Aside from that, I really enjoyed it, in that masochistic deconstructive way I enjoy dark anime. More than a few teary eyed moments. The pacing is good, building up that sense of dread and doom slowly with a few OMG moments when major points are revealed and it becomes obvious it can only get worse.</span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> Maybe I don't want to be a magical girl after all....</span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> This anime carries the All Purpose Cultural Goth Girl Miko seal of approval.</span></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Dragonmack" data-cite="Dragonmack" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="33970" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Yeah, that is what I was thinking for like 4 episodes, " Has no one ever thought about using a counter hold or raking the eyes to get out of the boston crab!!!?!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#4B0082;">And now I'm remembering back to an early event in ARSION where Mariko Yoshida (ARSION trainer) had Yumi Fukawa in a jujigatame. Fukawa went to the ropes right away and Yoshida pulled Fukawa back to the center of the ring, told her to fight it and put her in the hold again.</span></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="30254" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'll assume that reply was delivered with a hint of sarcasm.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#4B0082;">Just a teensy bit.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="30254" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>When I meant Devitt could make it in the WWE, I was under no allusions that it would be as a main eventer and get anywhere near the push he is getting in NJPW. But WWE is the one place, where performers would be tempted to collect a pay-check in the midcard.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#4B0082;">I'd be curious to see what the difference would be in paychecks. I'm very sure WWE's style is easier on the body most of the time. If he goes WWE I can't blame him, he's a professional and has a limited window to make his money in wrestling. But I was pretty disappointed the WWE could not figure out a way to use Bernard effectively. But he is 41, so maybe his body was finally breaking down.</span></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Tigerkinney" data-cite="Tigerkinney" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="30254" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><strong>IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship: Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) vs Time Splitters (KUSHIDA & Alex Shelley) </strong></strong></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> Just as I expected this was a fun opener, they worked the fast paced X-Divison/Dragon Gate style really well and everyone was on the top of their game. This style isn't for everyone (too spotty for some) but it was worked well here. Not a classic by any stretch but just a really good opener. </strong></span></p></div></blockquote><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> NJPW at it's best has a great feel for mixing in variety. You can't do just strong style or just super junior style. As long as they keep it out of the main event, I don't even mind the Gracies too much. But they really should be going full Don Frye arrogant shooter if they want to build heat.</strong></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> </strong></span></p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="30254" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><em>* There are rumours circling around that WWE have made an offer to </em></strong></span><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><em> Devitt, and that he is considering the offer. It's not that I don't think he is good enough to make it in the WWE, but to me he has a good thing going on right now in NJPW with a push that has established him as at the very least an Upper Midcarder and the Bullet Club angle which has not yet run it's course/ would be derailed if it suddenly lost it's leader. </em></strong></span></p></div></blockquote><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong> NJPW has plenty of reason to worry. After that moon push and excellently booked storyline the WWE used to get Giant Bernard over as a huge star, Prince Devitt is surely going to look at that and be tempted. No ones better at pushing the little guys than the WWE.</strong></span></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Dragonmack" data-cite="Dragonmack" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="33970" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>don't know if I would call this all that good, but Crunchyroll has one called <p> </p><p> "Wanna be the Strongest"</p><p> </p><p> which is based on japanese pro female wrestling.</p><p> </p><p> I guarantee you will never look at a Boston Crab the same way again. <img alt=";)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/wink.png.686f06e511ee1fbf6bdc7d82f6831e53.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I've not seen it but I've heard about it. Yoshiko from STARDOM voices herself on it for one episode, if I recall.</p>

<p>Everyone will have stuff they love more than others. I loved EVA and had no trouble finding people to cheer for. Shinji to get a spine (thoughI easily understand why alot of people hate him), Rei to let more of her feelings through, Misato to save the day. I never really found anything to dislike about Misato, as broken as she was, she was also there to help people and willing to put herself in harms way to do it. Of course, I've watched all of Ranma and loved it as well.</p><p> </p><p> I think the one character that I can find hate in my heart for was Incognito in the Hellsing TV show. Pretty much all the changes Gonzo made were terrible and Incognito was the worst. It's not that he was a jerk or obnoxious. He was a bad character and an unnecessary change to the storyline.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Tigerkinney" data-cite="Tigerkinney" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="33970" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'd genuinely like to find out what other readers most hated anime characters are, and their reasons why.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#4B0082;"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';">This is not easy to answer. If I don't like a series I rarely watch it long enough to really start to dislike a character. I started out with some bad heat with Black*Star in Souleater but he was easy to ignore until his development started to make him more interesting and thus less annoying. It's just that his first appearance was very annoying. Excalibur is annoying but in a funny way. I could not hate him because everyone else in the series hated him, so it made it funnier.</span></span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"> </span></span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"> The only real case of hate for any character is actually in a web comic called Wapsi Square. There was a shaggy sideburn guy (Alan?) who made an appearance and came off to me as smug, condescending and subtly negging. I disliked him enough that I would quit reading the strip for a week when he appeared so there was time for him to go away. Once I realized this, I quit reading the strip entirely. There's more to it than just him, but he was a big part of it.</span></span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"> </span></span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"><span style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS';"> </span></span></p>

<p>Meanwhile, I've watched Higurashi Outbreak and Rei. Outbreak is an interesting one shot alternate world. Rei is something else. Depending on who you listen to the Higurashi people have moved fully on to 1. Milking the franchise for all it's worth. 2. Just having fun with OTT slapstick and alternate worlds. Rei fits the second of those pretty well. As Tiger says the first and last ep are pure comedy and so over the top it can't be taken seriously as canon. But they are alot of fun. The Dice Killing arc is an interesting alt world with an ending that's pretty dark. There are suspense elements and the horror is subtle in a "I can't believe they did that" sort of way.</p><p> </p><p> Next, Higurashi Kira.</p>