The Pros and Cons of 2018

With the year winding down and just a few weeks left (still plenty of time for more surprises to be fair) let’s look at some of the notable events that occurred this year.


Gaming

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Pros:

Red Dead Redemption 2: A world that not only meets the status quo of Rockstar, but exceeds it with the amount of detail, depth of story, and seemingly endless hours of game play (with online still on the way).

Synchronizing online play: Despite some disputes on how it will all work, there has been a rise in cross-platform online play. While Fortnite is currently the only game to work across all platforms, Rocket League, Minecraft, and Hover are examples of games that play with more than the platform you may own them on.

With Microsoft supporting purchases across PC and Xbox with their play anywhere initiative, it looks to be a positive future regardless of your platform of choice.

SSBU: Possibly the final entry in the series (at least with Masahiro Sakari at the helm), this game delivers every single good thing you’ve experienced in a Smash Bros game and then some.  Touting an epic proportioned story mode and the largest cast of fighters yet, this is a must grab for any Switch owner out there.

Spider-Man: Although this is only for the PS4, when a Spider-man game is good, it’s great! Everything you could hope for in a sandbox superhero game and a bit more.

Cons:

Tell Tale: The company hit it big years ago with their Walking Dead series and came out with some promising titles after including their takes on Minecraft, Batman, and Game of Thrones. However, their lack of game play variation and poor management saw a very ugly end to the company.

Fall Out 76: This game was either going to be a hit or a miss.  Unfortunately, the launch was a huge miss.  Between the messy BETA, the amount of glitches, and the over reliance of multiplayer to compensate for the lack of story and NPC’s, the launch has been messy to say the least. It’s now lead many players to wait until Bethesda can provide more incentive to dive into their new Fall Out experiment.


Music

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Pros:

Honestly, this has been a great year for music in this writer’s opinion.  With releases like Kid Cudi’s Kids See Ghost,Anderson Paak’s Oxnard, Pusha T’s Daytona, Idles Joy as an Act of Resistance, Portal’s Ion, Sophie’s Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides, Kanye’s Ye, and Brockhampton’s Iridescence to name a few album titles there was really at least two albums in most genres this year that were great to amazing to listen to.

Cons:

The cons aren’t long in length, aside from some inflated drama with celebrities, the biggest hits came in those who passed in 2018.  One of the most tragic losses being that of Mac Miller who passed away due to an accidental overdose. Mac Miller’s untimely passing was felt by many, and his positive influence on the world will be missed even by those who never got the chance to meet him.


Cinema and Showtime

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Pros:

Marvel, hands down the current king on the super hero genre and Infinity War was a true epic to everything that had come before, with more to come this next year.  Worth catching in the theaters and a fresh take on the whole Avengers formula.

Broly is coming, again.  With the mixed success of Dragon Ball Super, a new movie is on its way and while it has yet to hit, the impact of the trailers alone is palpable and is promising an anime movie release to rival that of the Pokémon franchise.

Whether it’s via broadcast or streaming service, television shows may be at its peak right now.  The only real problem is there may be too much worthwhile content.  It’s hard to keep up with things on Netflix, Hulu, and network shows from Fox, NBC, Showtime and so on.

With a controversial split between Marvel and Guardians of the Galaxy’s director James Gunn, Warner Bros. wasted no time in penning Gunn as the new director of the sequel to Suicide Squad. One of the silver linings of the fall out is the sequel to one of DC’s bigger disappointments is getting a promising upgrade in direction.

Cons:

Marvel is also on the con side of things.  The whole franchise is huge and has plans to keep growing, but the burn out can be felt by some casual movie goers and fans alike.

To bookend the Marvel expansion issue, is the seeming end of the Netflix Marvel universe with the end of Iron Fist, Luke Cage, and Daredevil, all announced this year.  It’s not too surprising considering Disney is now going forward with their own streaming service, but is still a blow to those that enjoyed what some of these series offered on the service.

YouTube may not be considered a television or movie source (at least not legally), but it is becoming harder for new content creators to be interested in coming to the site. YouTube’s ability to pay its creators has been coming under repeated scrutiny over the past few years it does not seem to be heading for a positive resolution, especially with the EU’s Article 13 (see more here). There is some worry about any appeal to this platform’s future.


Conclusion

All in all it has been an eventful year yet again in all types of ways. We had so much to be thankful for with new groud breaking in all areas of pop culture. The bad always comes with the good and it can only be taken in stride as we continue to see and enjoy the  innovation in what we as consumers enjoy so much. We can only hope for more of the good (without more of the bad) as 2019 quickly approaches. So lets say a so long to 2018 and embrace the new year with open arms.

Embrace the New Year and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for the latest news @tehlunchboxpub!

Upcoming Anime for October 2016

October is now here so it is now time for fall anime to begin. For the first month of this beautiful autumn here are the follow you can start enjoying while putting on a nice warm sweater. Enjoy!

Time Bokan 24 (TV)

10/1/2016
Tokio is a junior high student living in the present time who is suddenly made a member of the 24th century’s Space Time Administration Bureau. Immediately, he learns that the history he has learned in the textbooks is wrong, and there is a more interesting version of history where the peerless beauty Cleopatra is actually the comic duo of Cleo and Patra, Momotarō is more of an ogre than actual ogres. Together with his teammate Karen, they use the 24 Bokan Mecha to search for the True History.

Bloodivores (TV)

10/1/2016
60 years ago, a strange case of insomnia struck the population, forcing them to stay awake for more than a full week. The victims, completely sleep deprived, all went mad. To cure this illness, a new medicine was produced, but the side effects turned the patients into vampires. Humanity went to war against this new species and triumphed, but some of the vampires managed to survive. Born from a Human and a Vampire, Mi Liu is the ringleader of a bank robbery, arrested, and transferred to a special prison of the National Defense Agency that monitors Vampires. Trying to break free with Anji, Mi Liu is attacked by strange monsters and he finds out that the prison location corresponds to the birthplace of Vampires, the old capital “Blue Town.”

Shūmatsu no Izetta (TV)

10/1/2016
In 1939, the imperialist nation of Germania launched a sudden invasion of its neighboring countries. This conflagration engulfed all of Europe in one fell swoop, and the era was dragged into the maelstrom of war. Then in 1940, Germania set its sights on Elystadt, a tiny principality blessed with breathtaking greenery and water in the Alps. Izetta is a descendant of a clan of witches who had passed down mysterious powers for generations. Since she was little, she and her grandmother lived their lives on the road, traveling between European countries in order to hide these powers. Fiine is the sole daughter in line to succeed Rudolph III, the ruler of the Principality of Elystadt. Since her father has been stricken by illness, she has been busy preparing for Germania’s invasion in his stead.

Digimon Universe: Appli Monsters (TV)

10/1/2016
Everyone in the world uses smartphone apps. But inside them lurks unknown creatures called “Appli Monsters,” or “Appmon.” The Appmon are AI lifeforms with the ability to think and act, and exist in the boundary between the human world and digital space. In the vast sea of the internet, the “last boss AI” Leviathan takes control of the Appmon with a virus and begins hacking every system, thus starting to control the human world from the world of the net. Haru Shinkai is led to acquire the Appli Drive, and uses it to materialize Gatchmon, a search app monster.

Tiger Mask W (TV)

10/1/2016
Two young wrestlers face each other in a recently revived underground wrestling organization, the Tiger’s Lair, which destroyed the wrestling dojo they grew up in. One took over the training facilities of Naoto Date at the foot of Mount Fuji, as well as the mask he left behind. The other dared to enter the Tiger’s Lair and won a fierce competition, receiving a jet-black tiger mask. One tiger walks the path of light, while the other walks the path of shadows. Neither one knows the other’s face. On the ring, they are natural enemies, but they have the same purpose to destroy the Tiger’s Lair!

ViVid Strike! (TV)

10/1/2016
The tagline of the anime is “Thou shalt not be afraid, I am with you.”

WWW.WORKING!! (TV)

10/1/2016
Daisuke Higashida gets a job at the restaurant because of family financial difficulties, but no one who works there is normal.

Magical Girl Raising Project (TV)

10/1/2016
A social game called The Magical Girl Raising Project allows one in tens of thousands of people to be a “magical girl” — possessing extraordinary physical capabilities and looks, as well as special magical powers that set them apart from the rest of the human race. But one day, in a district containing 16 magical girls, the administration announces that it must halve the number of magical girls to solve the problem of magical energy. At first, the 16 magical girls race to collect more “magical candy” than their competitors, but the rules quickly become twisted, and it quickly becomes a murderous battle for survival among them.

BBK/BRNK: The Giant of the Star (TV)

10/1/2016
Also known as Bubuki Buranki: Hoshi no Kyojin it’s season 2 of Bubuki Buranki.

Utano Princesama Legend Star (TV)

10/1/2016
The competition continues for who will open the Triple S international sporting event. Raging Entertainment’s HE★VENS idol group had hijacked the competition between QUARTET NIGHT and ST☆RISH, causing chaos. However, after the QUARTET NIGHT members suggest a certain idea, the three groups aim toward a new stage, with HE★VENS swearing to get their revenge on the other two groups.

Touken Ranbu: Hanamaru (TV)

10/2/2016
The year is 2205. The “historical revisionists” have begun attacks on the past in their plot to change history. The Saniwa, who have been charged with protecting history, can imbue life into objects. Strongest among these are the Tōken Danshi. The story centers around their cheerful lives.

Ao Oni: The Animation (TV)

10/2/2016
A mansion away from the village, which no one lives, is rumored to have a ghost appearing. Hiroshi visits the mansion with his classmates Takurou, Takeshi, and Mika, and gets attacked by a mysterious creature named Ao Oni. Will they be able to get out of the mansion while solving various puzzles, or… will they become crazy and just live in this mansion with an Ao Oni like that?! The daring lives of the four being played by Ao Oni starts now.

Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On

10/2/2016
This is a world where both men and monsters exist. Those who hunt the monsters are called Hunters. But in a small corner of the Hunter’s world, there are those called Riders who bond with and coexist with monsters. With their Kizuna Ishi (Bonding Stones) that allow them to awaken the hidden power inside monsters, Riders live in secrecy together with their Otomon, the monsters they formed a connection with.
Ryūto, a young boy living in the Rider village of Hakum, dreams of becoming the world’s best Rider. Having just turned 12, he sets out to find his own Otomon for himself before the ceremony where he is given his own Kizuna Ishi. Together with his kind-hearted childhood friend Shuval, his inquisitive childhood friend Lilia, and his partner Naviloo, he sets out deep into the forest, and has a miraculous encounter with a Rathalos.

Magic-kyun Renaissance (TV)

10/2/2016
A world where art becomes magic. In this world, people who can inspire passion with their Magic Arts are called Artistas, and are employed in show business. In Hoshinomori Private Magical Arts High School, where Artistas are taught, a strange new student named Ohana Aigasaki transfers into the school. Ohana is placed on the planning committee for the school’s yearly Hoshinomori Summer Festa cultural festival. She spends her romantic school life with six other boys who aim to become entertainers in the future and alongside Ohana, to be the school’s Artista Prince and Princess, only chosen once a year.

Koneko no Chi Ponponra Daibōken (TV)

10/2/2016
Also known as Chi’s Sweet Home, the combined 22nd and 23rd issue of Kodansha’s Morning magazine, which went on sale on April 28, has announced a new 3D CG anime of Kanata Konami’s slice-of-life manga Chi’s Sweet Home.

Rainy Cocoa in Hawaii (TV)

10/2/2016
Also known as Ame-iro Cocoa: Rainy Color e Youkoso! Life at the Rainy Color café can never be described as boring. The arrival of the Koga brothers from England—Noel, always brimming with curiosity, and Nicola, somewhat shy and conservative—ensures that their sibling, café manager Shion, is kept on his toes. There’s also another newcomer, cameraman/photographer Jun Arisawa, who holds a mysterious connection to café owner Koji Amami. Last but not least, there’s a special photograph that incites all kinds of heartfelt and comedic reactions from the Rainy Color crew!

Show By Rock!!#

10/2/2016
Metropolis of music, MIDICITY. A kitty girl wearing gothic lolita clothing named Cyan is scouted by Maple Arisugawa, the president of a music agency. From there, she meets Chuchu (a pun off of the sound that rabbits make) the honor student rabbit girl, a net geek dog girl named Retoree (from “Retriever”), and an alien sheep (?) girl named Moa. Together, they form the band named “Plasmagica,” and aim for the top of the world.

However, the path there is long and tough, and keeping in high spirits is important. By battling against other strange bands, Plasmagica slowly grows toward a top-grade band. In the end, they’ll be a band that becomes the driving force of MIDICITY’s music industry… Maybe?

Gonna be a music millionaire!

Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans (TV 2)

10/2/2016
Second season of Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. Over three hundred years have passed since the Calamity War, the great conflict between Earth and its outer space colonies. Now Earth is ruled over by four economic blocs, and the military organization Gjallarhorn is responsible for keeping the peace. Mars, on the other hand, depends heavily on Earth’s economy.

Horrified by the appalling living conditions that Mars’ inhabitants have to bear, Kudelia Aina Bernstein, a young aristocrat from the Chryse Autonomous Region, gets involved in the Red Planet’s independence movement. She hires the services of a local company, Chryse Guard Security (CGS), to escort her on the journey to Earth to negotiate economic conditions with the earthly bloc that controls the region. The Third Army Division—consisting of Mikazuki Augus, Orga Itsuka, and many other child soldiers—are chosen to protect her.

When Gjallarhorn attacks the CGS facilities to assassinate the young revolutionary threatening their interests, Orga and his comrades must not let the attackers accomplish their goal. In fact, Gjallarhorn’s actions might turn out to be the unintentional catalyst that leads the children to be the forgers of their own destiny.

Okusama ga Seitokaichō! +! (TV)

10/2/2016
The story begins with Izumi Hayato running to be student council president. But when a beautiful girl swings in promising the liberalization of love while flinging condoms into the audience, he ends up losing to her and becoming the vice president. At the student council meeting, the newly-elected president invites herself over to Izumi’s house, where she promptly announces she is to become Izumi’s wife thanks to an agreement facilitated by alcohol made between their parents when they were only 3.

Idol Memories (TV)

10/2/2016
In the year 2035, virtual reality technology has evolved enough that people can experience world travel and other live event experiences from the comfort of their own home. In this space, idols perform live events for a worldwide audience. As worldwide popularity of idols performing in “VR Rooms” increased, the Kanon Private Academy was established on Beginning Island to train new idols. These idols compete and strive to reach the top of the “World Idol League.” Vivi, Kokona, Sena, Miku, Nanami, and Yucho are all working hard to reach that goal.

12-Sai: Chiccha na Mune no Tokimeki (TV 2)

10/3/2016
Second season. The story begins with Hanabi, a sixth-grade girl who is neither an adult nor a child. She deals with issues such as accidentally witnessing her homeroom teacher kissing, and worrying about experiencing physiological changes before her friends. The series depicts a 12-year-old girl’s innocent worries and first love.

Trickster: Edogawa Rampo Shōnen Tantei-dan Yori (TV)

10/3/2016
It is the 2030s. The Boy Detectives Club gathers under Kogorō Akechi, the mysterious detective. The group solves cases great and small using their unique skills. One day, a member of the club, Kensuke Hanazaki, meets the boy Yoshio Kobayashi. Kobayashi’s body cannot die due to the effects of the “Unidentifiable Mist,” but he yearns for death, and shirks from contact with other people. Taking an interest in him, Hanazaki invites him to join the Boy Detectives Club. Their meeting is connected to the fate tying together Kogorō Akechi, and the era’s greatest villain, the Fiend With Twenty Faces.

Mysterious Joker Season 4 (TV)

10/3/2016
Also known as Kaitou Joker 4th Season. The thief Mysterious Joker doesn’t just steal things. An audacious and elusive miracle-maker, he travels the world searching for treasure with his partner and cook Hachi. As they circle the globe, they must avoid traps set by the police and compete in various competitions to reach their final goal, the Timeslip Treasure

3-Nen D-Gumi Glass no Kamen (TV)

10/3/2016
The series re-imagines the Glass Mask manga and its characters in a school gag comedy focused on satirizing modern society.

Shakunetsu no Takkyū Musume (TV)

10/3/2016
Ever since their champion was defeated, the world of girls’ junior high ping pong has been in turmoil. Koyori is the new smirking transfer student at her junior high and she’s ready to shake up girls’ ping pong.

Stella no Mahō (TV)

10/3/2016
Also known as Magic of Stella. Tamaki Honda is a first-year high school girl who joins a somewhat peculiar “SNS-Bu” circle that makes dōjin (self-published) games.

Gakuen Handsome (TV)

10/3/2016
The school love story is set at Baramon High School, a private boys’ school for the prefecture’s most elite. The protagonist is a seventeen year old boy who transfers into the school and meets various major players on campus, such as the outlaw teacher, the soccer captain, and a childhood friend whom the protagonist has not seen for seven years. The school presents opportunities for friendship, love and conflict, and changes are now bound to happen in the main character’s life.

Nanbaka The Numbers (TV)

10/4/2016
Four men are assigned to the prison: Jūgo, a man who attempted to break out of prison and ended up extending his jail time; Uno, a man who likes to gamble with women; Rock, a man who likes to get into fights; and Nico, a man who likes anime.

Soul Buster (TV)

10/4/2016
Soul Buster is about a boy named Son Shin who lives in the present time. He breaks a seal in his dream and erases the past known as the Sangokushi period. Without knowing why, he travels back in time and gets involved with the Sangokushi timeline.

Matoi the Sacred Slayer (TV)

10/4/2016
Matoi Sumeragi, a second-year junior high school student, works part-time as a shrine maiden at Tenman Shrine in the city of Kamaya. Her close friend Yuma Kusanagi is part of the family of the shrine’s chief priest, and is a candidate to be the successor shrine maiden. One day, Matoi and Yuma walk from the school to the shrine as usual, but when they arrive, they are greeted by the shrine’s now damaged grounds, and Yuma’s parents have both collapsed from their wounds. Matoi’s father Shingo, a police detective, launches an investigation, and he comes upon a man who does not seem entirely sane, his only witness. When he holds down the man, Yuma begins the ritual of Divine Possession. Something strange then happens, not with Yuma, but with Matoi. Matoi Sumeragi, who had only wanted a normal, peaceful life, takes the role of a god, and gains the power to banish evil spirits.

Nobunaga no Shinobi (TV)

10/4/2016
Young female ninja Chidori dreams of helping the Warring States-era warlord Oda Nobunaga to achieve his goals

Natsume Yūjin-Chō Go (TV 5)

10/4/2016
Season 5 of Natsume Yuujinchou. While most fifteen-year-old boys, in one way or another, harbor secrets that are related to girls, Takashi Natsume has a peculiar and terrifying secret involving youkai: for as long as he can remember, he has been constantly chased by these spirits. Natsume soon discovers that his deceased grandmother Reiko had passed on to him the Yuujinchou, or “Book of Friends,” which contains the names of the spirits whom she brought under her control. Now in Natsume’s possession, the book gives Reiko’s grandson this power as well, which is why these enraged beings now haunt him in hopes of somehow attaining their freedom.

Without parents and a loving home, and constantly being hunted by hostile, merciless youkai, Natsume is looking for solace—a place where he belongs. However, his only companion is a self-proclaimed bodyguard named Madara. Fondly referred to as Nyanko-sensei, Madara is a mysterious, pint-sized feline spirit who has his own reasons for sticking with the boy.

Based on the critically acclaimed manga by Yuki Midorikawa, Natsume Yuujinchou is an unconventional and supernatural slice-of-life series that follows Natsume as he, with his infamous protector Madara, endeavors to free the spirits bound by his grandmother’s contract.

Kiitarō Shōnen no Yōkai Enikki (TV)

10/5/2016
Kiitarō is a boy with a strong sixth sense who is always surrounded by demons. He gets talked to by Yuki Onna (snow women), gets his bath licked by Akaname (licking demons), and lives with the Zashikiwarashi Suzu, whom he just can’t come to dislike

Bungo Stray Dogs (TV 2)

10/5/2016
Nakajima Atsushi was kicked out of his orphanage, and now he has no place to go and no food. While he is standing by a river, on the brink of starvation, he rescues a man whimsically attempting suicide. That man is Dazai Osamu, and he and his partner Kunikida are members of a very special detective agency. They have supernatural powers and deal with cases that are too dangerous for the police or the military. They’re tracking down a tiger that has appeared in the area recently, around the time Atsushi came to the area. The tiger seems to have a connection to Atsushi, and by the time the case is solved, it is clear that Atsushi’s future will involve much more of Dazai and the rest of the detectives!

Cheating Craft (TV)

10/5/2016
In a world where people have been sorted since childhood by exams, only those who excel obtain happiness. L (Learning) Types – who prioritize study – and C (Cheating) Types- those who choose not to study to pass; will battle and team up in tests. C Type protagonist Mumei, and L Type heroine Kōi battle together to pass tests.

To Be Hero (TV)

10/5/2016
“Ossan” (pops), is a handsome yet undisciplined man and a divorced father who has a job as a toilet seat designer. He lives with his daughter Min-chan, who excels in both academics and sports. One day, while on the toilet, Ossan is sucked into it and becomes a hero charged with protecting the world. In exchange, he transforms from his handsome form into a chubby appearance. Ossan’s fight to save the world and protect Min-chan begins.

Bishōjo Yūgi Unit Crane Geeru Galaxy (TV)

10/5/2016
Also known as Bishoujo Yuugi Unit Crane Game Girls, it’s the second season. The series follows three girls aspiring to become idols while also working part time at a game center. Little do they know that, in reality, they are gathered by a mysterious organization to protect the Earth from a large meteorite.

Sound! Euphonium 2 (TV)

10/5/2016
Second season of Hibike! Euphonium. After swearing off music due to an incident at the middle school regional brass band competition, euphonist Kumiko Oumae enters high school hoping for a fresh start. As fate would have it, she ends up being surrounded by people with an interest in the high school brass band. Kumiko finds the motivation she needs to make music once more with the help of her bandmates, some of whom are new like novice tubist Hazuki Katou; veteran contrabassist Sapphire Kawashima; and band vice president and fellow euphonist Asuka Tanaka. Others are old friends, like Kumiko’s childhood friend and hornist-turned-trombonist Shuuichi Tsukamoto, and trumpeter and bandmate from middle school, Reina Kousaka.

However, in the band itself, chaos reigns supreme. Despite their intention to qualify for the national band competition, as they currently are, just competing in the local festival will be a challenge—unless the new band advisor Noboru Taki does something about it.

From the studio that animated Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, Kyoto Animation’s Hibike! Euphonium is a fresh and musical take on the slice-of-life staple that is the high school student’s struggle to deal with their past, find romance, and realize their dreams and aspirations.

Brave Witches (TV)

10/5/2016
The Neuroi, an enemy of mankind, suddenly appeared mainly in Europe in the 1930s. Only girls with special magical powers called Witches could confront the Neuroi who were difficult to destroy with ordinary weapons. In 1944, the Neuroi nest above the republic of Gallia was eradicated, and safety of western Europe has been ensured. The allied forces earnestly began planning for an oppositional operation towards central and eastern Europe. An order to scramble is given to the 502nd Joint Fighter Wing “Brave Witches” whose base is in Peterburg within the Orussian Empire.

Nazotokine (TV)

10/5/2016
Tokine Amino is the company president’s secretary at the advertising agency TEN2. One day, she’s cleaning the conference room before a meeting with a famous animation company when she finds herself surrounded in light and then is unable to leave the room. As an added a bonus, a creature named Hacchin appears like a ghost and tells her she must solve the mystery to be able to exit.

Ani Tore!! XX(TV)

10/5/2016
Sequel to Ani Tore EX. “Move your soul and body!” Each episode contains a variety of routines, such as push-ups, sit-ups, spine twists, dance, yoga, stretches, trunk training, and taichi. Five girls aiming to become idols will exercise with you, and that troubling body fat percentage will go down by 1000%…!?

Mahō Shōjo Nante Mō Ii Desu Kara Second Season (TV)

10/5/2016
Second season of Mahou Shoujo Nante Mou Ii Desukara. Yuzuka Hanami is a young, carefree girl who lives the most ordinary life imaginable. Although her father works around the clock and her mother is rarely home, she still enjoys herself and strives to be an excellent student.

Miton, on the other hand, is an alien life-form with the ability to transform his master into a magical girl, a warrior who fights evil wherever it may appear. However, there are not as many enemies as there used to be, so Miton has been out of work for a while. Starving and homeless, he has taken up residence in a pile of garbage.

As Yuzuka walks past him one day, Miton seizes the opportunity to offer his services to the young girl. Yuzuka reluctantly agrees, but when she transforms into a magical girl and discovers that her outfit is a swimsuit, she begins to have second thoughts about what she has gotten herself into!

Teekyū (TV 8)

10/5/2016
Eighth season of the Teekyuu anime series. Teekyuu is all about the wacky antics of four schoolgirls—Kanae Shinjou gets bored easily and often breaks the laws of physics to get what she wants; Nasuno Takamiya is incredibly rich and knows how to make things go her way; Marimo Bandou would probably get arrested from her actions like eating panties or kidnapping children; and Yuri Oshimoto, their ordinary junior, rounds out the eccentric bunch that forms the sole members of their school’s tennis club.

Despite their interest in learning the sport, the older girls prefer messing around, while Yuri, being the only one who actually knows how to play and the most mature in spite of being younger, has to deal with her seniors’ out of control behavior.

When these four girls come together, insanity ensues in this lightning-paced comedy about a tennis club that doesn’t really play tennis.

Flip Flappers (TV)

10/6/2016
Papika and Cocona hold the keys to open the door. When the two girls meet, their adventures in a different time and different overlapping dimension called “Pure Illusion” begin. Many things in Pure Illusion will stand in the girls’ way on their search for the mysterious crystal called the “Shard of Mimi,” an item that is said to grant any wish. However, when the girls find themselves in danger, the Shard of Mimi shines, and they are able to transform.

Bernard-jō Iwaku(TV)

10/6/2016
The story centers around a lazy girl’s love for famous literary works along with her bookworm friends. Sawako “Miss Bernard” Machida wants to be well-versed in literature but she doesn’t actually read those books! Encounter various prominent works including the Bible, The Tale of the Heike, The Great Passage, Fermat’s Last Theorem and more that she hasn’t read.

Yuri!!! on Ice (TV)

10/6/2016
Yūri Katsuki carried all of Japan’s hopes on his shoulders to win at the Gran Prix Finale ice skating competition, but suffered a crushing defeat. He returns home to Kyushu and half feels like he wants to retire, and half feels like he wants to continue ice skating. Suddenly the five-time consecutive world championship ice skater Victor Nikiforov appears before him with Yuri Plisetsky, a young Russian figure skater who is already defeating his seniors. Victor and both Yuris take up the challenge on an unprecedented Gran Prix series.

All Out!! (TV)

10/6/2016
Kenji Gion is a short first-year high school student. On his first day in Kanagawa Prefectural High School, he meets the tall Sumiaki Iwashimizu during a game of rugby. Kenji strikes a friendship with Sumiaki, and soon joins the rugby club.

Kiss Him, Not Me (TV)

10/6/2016
Kae Serinuma was an overweight fujoshi until one of her favorite characters died and she lost the weight from the shock. When she returns to school, four attractive boys ask her out, but all Kae wants is to see them kiss each other.

Keijo!!!!!!!! (TV)

10/6/2016
“Keijo” is a popular gambling sport where contestants stand on platforms floating on the water and must use their butts and chests to fight against each other to push each other off the platform. Nozomi Kaminashi, a high school student, aims to join the sport after she graduates. Nozomi was raised in a poor family and hopes to make lots of money by playing Keijo. She grew up training in gymnastics, and she has good balance and flexibility. After high school, Nozomi joins a training boarding school and enters the world of Keijo.

Girlish Number (TV)

10/7/2016
Also known as Gi(a)rlish Number. The series follows Chitose Karasuma, a university student who aims to become a voice actress (seiyuu). The stage event listing further indicates that it focuses on the profession of idol seiyuu.

Kuroko no Basuke Winter Cup Sōshū-hen: Namida no Saki e (movie)

10/8/2016
Third of three compilation films of Kuroko no Basket.

GANTZ:O (movie)

10/14/2016
Somewhere in Tokyo, there is a room. In that room is a black sphere. Periodically, people who should otherwise have died are transferred to the room. There, the sphere gives them special suits and weapons, and sends them out on a mission to kill aliens here on Earth. While these missions take place, the rest of the world is largely oblivious to them. These missions are lethal – few participants survive them. The sphere calls the shots, and it’s not the slightest bit nice. Its name… Gantz.

Zegapain ADP (movie)

10/15/2016
Animation studio Sunrise has announced at AnimeJapan 2016 that its 2006 mecha anime series Zegapain will be re-edited into a movie titled Zegapain ADP. The movie will also include new scenes not present in the TV anime.

Kubikiri Cycle: Aoiro Savant to Zaregoto Tsukai (OAV)

10/26/2016
It’s the vacation of a lifetime, a trip to a remote island filled with geniuses–and murder. On Wet Crow’s Feather Island, a tiny speck in the Sea of Japan, lives Akagami Iria, the exiled daughter of a powerful family. Born into great wealth, she was a princess of the highest pedigree–until she was cut off by the leader of the Akagami Foundation. For the last five years, she’s lived on Feather Island with her maids. But she hasn’t been alone. She has invited the best minds Japan has to offer to come and stay with her.

Eiga Mahō Tsukai Precure! Kiseki no Henshin! Cure Mofurun! (movie)

10/29/2016
Mahoutsukai Precure! Movie has teddy bear fairy Mofurun transforms into a new PreCure girl named Cure Mofurun with the power of the legendary “Negai no Ishi” (The Stone of Wishes) that can make any wishes come true once in a hundred years. It is also confirmed that a five-minute full CG short “Cure Miracle to Mofurun no Mahou Lesson!/Cure Miracle and Mofurun’s Lesson of Magic!” will be screened with the feature film. The CG-illustrated two characters will give a dance performance of the insert song of the film “Tadashii Mahou no Tsukaikata (The Correct Way to Use Magic)” sung by Mayu Watanabe (AKB48 member).

(source: animenewsnetwork.com, myanimelist.net, crunchyroll.com)

Jessica Jones Stuns With New Netflix Trailer

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It won’t be long before Jessica Jones makes its way into the Netflix catalog as the next show in Marvel’s Defender series. With all the anticipation, you just know there’s gonna be a follow-up trailer to really give fans a better look at what’s to come. And fortunately for us, we got one today.

The new trailer is a stark opposite from the initial teaser. The new trailer leaves much less to be desired with extended looks at all the major characters including Luke Cage(Mike Colter), The Purple Man (David Tennant), and of course Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) herself. Without going any further and spoiling anything else just take a look at the trailer.

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see what this series has to offer. Daredevil started off strong and I expect Jessica Jones to hit the ground running and pick up where its contemporary left off.

Watch all episodes of Marvel’s Jessica Jones November 20 on Netflix


Stephon W. is a contributing Editor for Teh Lunchbox Publications and sorry, he doesn’t do social media. But you can follow the team on facebook (Teh Lunchbox Publications), and on twitter @tehlunchboxpub

 

Daredevil Season Two Teaser!!!

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The Man without fear is coming back soon and it looks like there is nothing holding back the fans from seeing what is to come next. What started off as a grainy video leak from this weekend’s New York Comic-Con turned into a high quality full length teaser not even 24 hours after the initial leak. It’s all over and now it is here for your viewing pleasure.

True to the “teaser” moniker there’s not much to see, but still plenty to get excited over. The glimpses of some of the new cast of characters should serve well to entice people to tune in to the second season of what is already considered one of the best shows on Netflix and quite possibly the best live-action adaptation of any superhero. Although no one knows if the upcoming season will be enough to top the first, there is no doubt that the hype as already started so I guess it’s up to them to live up to it (I don’t think they’ll have any trouble with that).


Stephon W. is a contributing Editor for Teh Lunchbox Publications and sorry, he doesn’t do social media. But you can follow the team on facebook (Teh Lunchbox Publications), and on twitter @tehlunchboxpub

 

AMC’s The Walking Dead Casts Tom Payne For The Role of Jesus In Season 6!

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That’s right! The Hollywood Reporter confirms fan favorite Paul Monroe (aka Jesus) will appear in season six of AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Tom Payne will grace the screen as the familiar character whose debut came in issue 91 of Tom+Payne+Physician+Premieres+Vienna+oGr56KDxYTnlRobert Kirkman’s Walking Dead comic book. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Payne’s work, check out the short-lived HBO series Luck where he plays Leon Micheaux (it’s quite the series and he’s very good in it).

It stands to reason that if Jesus is gonna come in for The Walking Dead’s sixth season (and stick around for the seventh as rumored), then there’s no doubt that fans will see a certain antagonist with his trusty barbed-wire bat very soon as well. But for right now, we’ll definitely settle for Jesus character who is being described as “a rare logical man and skilled adviser with a strong sense of morals and values who is well-adapted to the new world.”

AMC’s The Walking Dead will return for season six on Sunday, October 11 at 9 p.m. ET/PT with a special 90-minute premiere episode.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter


Stephon W. is a contributing Editor for Teh Lunchbox Publications and sorry, he doesn’t do social media. But you can follow the team on facebook (Teh Lunchbox Publications), and on twitter @tehlunchboxpub

 

Rick and Morty: From The Staff

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So, around this time every Sunday I’m usually winding down. Maybe get a nice workout in (it’s actually not very nice), get a shower, and prepare a good dinner (mostly cold cereal). Guess you can say my evenings can get a bit crazy right? Afterwards, I settle in and prepare to watch one of my favorite shows on television in Rick and Morty before the nights end… except last week that didn’t happen. Last week Rick and Morty saw a break at the halfway mark through its second season on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. Needless to say, my night was underwhelming after that. Now some of you are thinking “What’s so great about Rick and Morty?” or something similar. Well, for those who have been living under a rock or are still on the fence about it, let’s dive right in shall we?


Rick and Morty is an Adult Swim original created by Dan Harmon (Community) and Justin Roiland (Fish Hooks, Adventure Time). The show’s most titular characters are of course Rick; the brilliant, but sociopathologic scientist and Morty; the unassuming and anxiety riddled teenage grandson (both voiced by Justin Roiland). After being absent for 20 years, Rick has returned to move in with his daughter Beth son-in-law Jerry and has turned their garage into his own crazy lab for his experiments and adventures. Now that He’s back, Rick takes Morty (and recently Morty’s sister Summer) on adventures through time and space.


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Rick himself is one of the funniest character the show has from week to week. His crass humor and stark delivery makes his interactions with any character a treat. Every situation that he finds himself in is never too much to handle and Morty, while apprehensive and easily shaken at the beginning, has started to slowly take on his grandfathers demeanor (although it never stops them from butting heads). Summer seemed like your run-of-the-mill 17-year-old with annoying drama and constant angst, but after her experiences with Rick and Morty, she is changing in her own right as she is experiencing more of what her younger brother has already become desensitized to. Their adventures intertwine a lot later in the first season and have become common throughout the second season. Beth and Jerry seem to have their own dealings away from the rest of the family and deal with more menial issues comparatively. Despite the fact that their adventures look much less interesting on the surface, more times than not they can be just as funny and entertaining.

Now this is not your normal late-night animation. The jokes are frequent, but are often clever and done with a purpose other Screen-shot-2014-01-21-at-10.03.59-AMthan humor. Nothing is one note as there are always multiple stories going on from episode to episode. While other shows use multiple stories, they often fall flat and only serve to fill time with no substance. Characters often don’t change or do so only when the plot requires them to be reminded of it. Things go back to the same every week. With Rick and Morty, that isn’t the case. Things happen to people. And they change, for better or worse. Emotions get the best of the characters. Situations don’t work out and you see how that affects the characters and the decisions they make in future episodes. The audience can still see some of the humor coming from a mile away. What they don’t see is that sometimes the jokes can be accompanied by some true and heavy introspective moments that can turn a hearty laugh from viewers into a somber silence.


Rick and Morty is always good for a solid laugh. It is also good for a deep look into the vices that plague many in real life. It serves as a reminder that even a show that goes so far out of the norm in art and story and one that is set in an outrageously different universe, can make relevant and invoke seminal emotions in scenarios that show characters (and as an extension, real life people) as complex beings. Rick and Morty is back this Sunday and I couldn’t be happier. For those of you haven’t seen it or don’t get it, just check it out once or twice. You may laugh. You may even cry. Or you may just hate it. Either way, it won’t kill you to give it a look.

Rick and Morty returns tonight and catch new episodes every Sunday at 11:30 pm EST / 10:30 pm CT on Cartoon Network


Stephon W. is a contributing Editor for Teh Lunchbox Publications and sorry, he doesn’t do social media. But you can follow the team on facebook (Teh Lunchbox Publications), and on twitter @tehlunchboxpub

Premiere Announcement and Teaser for Marvel’s Jessica Jones

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It won’t be long now as the announcement has been made that Marvel’s Jessica Jones will be released on November 20, 2015. 12:01am PST / 8:01am GMT is the time when everyone will be able to watch and the 13 episode series will be available in all Nexflix territories. Along with the announcement, Marvel was kind enough to debut an amazing teaser for everyone to see. Check it out below.

Jessica Jones is the second edition into Marvel’s collection of live-action Netflix series. Daredevil was the first, premiering on April 10th of this year, with expectations of Luke Cage and Iron First to come soon after. The collection of series will culminate with Marvel’s The Defenders, a crossover show involving all the superheroes from the previously listed series.


Stephon W. is a contributing Editor for Teh Lunchbox Publications and he’s on board with the Jessica Drew series. You can follow the team on facebook (Teh Lunchbox Publications), and on twitter @tehlunchboxpub

Upcoming September Anime!!!

I meant to post this article up earlier but better late than never right. Plus I also plan to do videos of my first impressions on some of these anime too. Keep a look out for me JuliRageMage on Teh Lunchbox  Publications Youtube Channel. Anime coming up this September includes:

Aru Hi Inu no Kuni kara Tegami ga Kite (OAV)
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9/3/2015

The original novel and manga adaptation focus on letters sent from deceased dogs to their former owners. The anime adaptation stars P-chan, a dog whose owner abandoned him.

Kaiketsu Zorori: Uchū no Yūsha-tachi (movie)

9/12/2015

The the film is based on Yutaka Hara’s Kaiketsu Zorori series of children’s books, the movie will tell an original story. Hara’s books follow Zorori, a mischievous bandit fox who dreams of becoming the “King of Pranks.” Zorori aims to “build my own castle and make a beautiful princess my wife,” and he embarks on one misadventure after another with his two boar companions Ishishi and Noshishi.

Anthem of the Heart (movie)

9/15/2015

Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda is the original Japanese title and it’s about  a girl named Jun whose words have been sealed away. She was once a very happy girl, but because of a certain thing she said when she was very young, her family was torn apart. One day, the egg fairy appeared in front of her and sealed away her ability to talk in order to stop her from hurting anybody else. Since this traumatic experience, Jun lives in the shadows away from the limelight. But, one day, she is nominated to become an executive member of the “community outreach council.” On top of that, Jun is also appointed to play the main lead in their musical.

Gekijō-ban Haikyū!! Shōsha to Haisha (movie)

9/18/2015

Is the second of two-part compilation movies based on Haruichi Furudate’s Haikyū!! series. The movie covers the second half of the first season of the manga’s anime adaptation.

Diabolik Lovers More, Blood (TV)

9/23/2015

It’s the second season of Diabolik Lovers series, which is about Yui Komori who used to see dead people. But as troubling as past glimpses of spirits, poltergeists, and psychic phenomena may have been, they pale into insignificance compared to what she’s about to discover once she’s forced to transfer to a new school. Because it turns out that her own history is very different from what she thought it was, and she has a very different kind of family waiting for her. Now she’ll be sharing her living space with six very attractive young men, though not a single one is human. And while her new dorm mates may be brothers, and their attraction to her involves her bloodline, “brotherly” is the last word to describe their intentions. In moving from her father’s church to becoming the object of six blood lusting young vampires’ affections, Yui will undergo the most shocking, soul ripping and draining experience any teenage girl could imagine in her wildest fantasies… or most salacious nightmares.

Wake Up, Girls! Seishun no Kage (movie)

9/25/2015

Movie sequel of Wake Up, Girls!, which is about Green Leaves Entertainment; a tiny production company on the verge of going out of business in Sendai, the biggest city in Japan’s northeastern Tohoku region. The agency once managed the careers of magicians, photo idols, fortune-tellers, and other entertainers, but its last remaining client finally quit. In danger of having zero talent (literally), the president Tange hatches an idea of producing an idol group. On the brash president’s orders, the dissatisfied manager Matsuda heads out to scout raw talent. Matsuda makes a fateful encounter with a certain girl.

Aria the Avvenire (OAV)

9/26/2015

New Aria work produced for the “Ao no Curtain Call” project to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the broadcast of the first Aria TV series.  The anime adaptation is on the planet Aqua, a world once known as Mars, Akari Mizunashi has just made her home in the town of Neo-VENEZIA, a futuristic imitation of the ancient city of Venice. The technology of “Man Home” (formerly Earth) has not entirely reached this planet, and Akari is alone, having no contact with family or friends. Nonetheless, the town, with its charming labyrinths of rivers and canals, becomes Akari’s new infatuation, along with the dream of becoming a full-fledged gondolier. Reverting to a more “primitive” lifestyle and pursuing a new trade, the character of Akari becomes both adventurous and heartwarming all at once.

Tokyo Ghoul: Jack (OAV)

9/30/2015

An incident involving a human-devouring Ghoul occurs in Tokyo’s 13th Ward. To seek the truth behind what happened to his friend, the rebellious high school boy Taishi Fura pursues the Ghoul named Lantern with the young ace investigator Kishō Arima. The story follows how the ace investigator Arima and the talented 7th Ward investigator Taishi Fura first met.

source: animenewsnetwork.com; myanimelist.net


Julisa I. is a contributing Editor for Teh Lunchbox Publications. Follow her on Teh Lunchbox Publication’s youtube channel along with the rest of the crew on twitter @tehlunchboxpub

 

Check Out the First Episode of CW’s Vixen!

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If you haven’t heard, The CW is expanding their superhero universe with a ton of new characters and shows; one of which is an animated short web series based on DC’s Vixen character.

As one of the CW Seed original series, Vixen follows a young Mari McCabe (Megalyn Echikunwoke) as she tries to learn more about her family’s history as her mystical totem necklace is the only link she has. Now it is only a five-minute weekly digital short so there’s not much else to say (yet). If you need a small fix over the next couple of months before The Flash and Arrow make their return, hit the link here and take a peek a Vixen… I mean it’s only five minutes, you can spare that… right?

Source: CW Seed


Stephon W. is a contributing Editor for Teh Lunchbox Publications and he can’t wait for The Flash season two. Follow the team on facebook (Teh Lunchbox Publications), and on twitter @tehlunchboxpub

August Upcoming Anime!!

This month has a very very very small list compared to the upcoming anime in July but there is still some stuff that is worth taking a look at. Have fun watching all of these anime!!!

Boruto -Naruto the Movie (movie)

8/7/2015
Boruto is the son of the 7th Hokage Naruto who completely rejects his father. Behind this, he has feelings of wanting to surpass Naruto, who is respected as a hero. He ends up meeting his father’s friend Sasuke, and requests to become his apprentice.

Yuruyuri Nachu Yachumi! (TV)
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8/20/2015
It’s just extra episodes for Yuru Yuri Nachuyachumi! Which is about, upon finding some camping equipment in the clubroom, the Amusement Club decide to go camping together for summer vacation, with the student council deciding to tag along. After spending the day making curry, the girls form pairs to go on a test of courage before hitting a bathhouse together.

Gekijōban Date A Live: Mayuri Judgment (movie)

8/22/2015
The movie adaptation that was announced at the end of the final episode of Date A Live II.

Aikatsu! Music Award: Minna de Shō o Moraima SHOW! (movie)

8/28/2015
An Aikatsu! All-Star awards ceremony will take place. The film will feature songs and stages featured throughout the anime series.

Yowamushi Pedal (movie)

8/28/2015
After winning the fierce Inter High race, Sakamichi and the other Sōhoku team members receive an invitation to compete in the Kumamoto Hi Province Mountain Range Race towards the end of summer. The top-tier teams from around the country compete in this race, including Sōhoku’s rivals Hakone Academy (which yearns to take down Sōhoku), Kyoto Fushimi, and Hiroshima Kureminami — as well as Kumamoto Daiichi High School’s team led by Shin Yoshimoto.

Gakuen Handsome the Animation (OVA)

8/28/2015
The school love story is set at Baramon High School, a private boys’ school for the prefecture’s most elite. The protagonist is a seventeen year old boy who transfers into the school and meets various major players on campus, such as the outlaw teacher, the soccer captain, and a childhood friend whom the protagonist has not seen for seven years. The school presents opportunities for friendship, love and conflict, and changes are now bound to happen in the main character’s life.

Lupin the Third (TV 2015)

8/29/2015
Lupin will be starring as the main character in this upcoming series set to take place in Italy and San Marino. Reflecting its setting, the anime will debut in Italy before airing in Japan. Lupin III fans will note that the titular thief now has a blue coat, following his earlier appearances in green (first series and some OVAs), red (the second series as well as most films and television specials) or pink (third series).

Source: animenewsnetwork.com; myanimelist.net


Julisa I. is a contributing Editor for Teh Lunchbox Publications. Follow us on twitter @tehlunchboxpub