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COPPELION #1 -- Special Review

| Saturday, October 5, 2013
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COPPELION #1 -- Special Review



When the enormous, magnitude 8.9 earthquake and subsequent tsunami devastated Japan's coastal communities in March of 2011, numerous anime shows, movies and events were put on hold for a while. If a title depicted giant waves, or mass destruction of any kind, television broadcasters thought it prudent to pull them from their schedules to avoid further traumatizing the populace (and rightly so). While this affected high-profile shows such as MADOKA MAGICA - - which didn't air it's final episodes until over a month after the disaster - - it also affected shows that were still just being developed at the time.

One such victim was a show called COPPELION, a series adapted from a manga of the same name by Tomonori Inoue. Because the story is set in a future Japan where a radioactive disaster reduced the population to a mere tenth of what it was, a lot of the crew involved thought it would hit too close to home. Flash forward to today - - over two years later - - and the first episode of COPPELION has finally hit airwaves, simultaneously premiering here in the states via VIZ Media.

== TEASER ==

The show follows a squad of three girls - - Aoi, Taeko, and their leader Ibara - - as they explore the decaying ruins of Tokyo, searching for survivors. They are a special breed of genetically-engineered humans called 'Coppelion' who are immune to the effects of radiation and therefore the only ones suited for the job.

Atmosphere is the real star of the show, though, and the backgrounds of the now-decaying Tokyo are lovingly rendered with the lush greens of reforestation (which contrast sharply with the rusty reds of street signs). Tokyo is referred to by the girls as the "Old Capital," in a neat and somewhat subtle bit of world building. The slow pace of the story invites you to contemplate the kind of people that help others in the face of disasters, and whether the obligation they feel makes them closer to angels or trained animals.

Unfortunately that pace is also one of the show's bigger problems. There's just not much urgency, even when survivors are found who are in desperate need of medical attention. You also have time to think about the inconsistencies in the world, such as why the girls are told that they can't communicate with HQ with their cellphones when they had radios the whole time; and why anyone thought it was a good idea to send these girls out in school uniforms with way-too-short tartan skirts.

The premise of these girls being elite agents, trained from birth to deal with such dangerous problems, stretches disbelief a bit, as well. Aoi, for instance, is whiny and weak, even going so far as to have a breakdown in this first episode. And why - - despite having been genetically engineered with such forethought as to include a love of animals in her personality - - did those mean scientists neglect to give Taeko better vision? The poor thing has to wander around a desolate wasteland with glasses on! Would the 'nerd chic' truly be worth it after, say, she falls and they break?

To be fair, when I looking back over these gripes, they really aren't too far afield of the conceits you get used to accepting with most anime. I guess they just come into sharper relief when paired with the bleak setting. Honestly, if the action picks up (and the previews suggest it might) as these girls learn more about what happened to Tokyo after the accident, then this might be one to keep an eye on.

Watch the first episode of COPPELION (for free) at VIZAnime.com and decide for yourself. Did you find COPPELION more engaging than I did? Do you already have a crush on one of the characters? Did I mispronounce something in the article? Let us know in the talkback!

Matt Murphy is a freelance nerd and has contributed to many nerd websites. You can find him by going to where the light meets the shadow, by sending out zeta-brainwaves or by following him on Twitter .








COPPELION #1 -- Special Review

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ONE PIECE #614 - - Special Review

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ONE PIECE #614 - - Special Review



Wow… I’m… honestly at a loss for words.

Is this really the same show that had an entire episode devoted to
Luffy chasing after some guy dressed as a poodle?

Watching ONE PIECE for almost a year, now, I still feel like most of
these write-ups end up being exercises in me simply trying to understand how
all its seemingly-irreconcilable components can possibly fit together. For as often
as I’ve mused about the patent absurdity such zany characters tackling dark subject matter like drug addiction, it’d be simply dishonest to say that
this single episode was anything but a devastating wallop.

After however many episodes of build-up - - blowing off steam intermittently
with a super fight, of course
- - “Punk Hazard” has swelled to one serious
emotional crescendo.

== TEASER ==

To dissect it a little more clinically, the key to the impact here isn’t
so much about the cruelty inflicted on these innocents as it is about the tragic
futility of those trying to reverse that cruelty. Mocha’s sacrifice hits that much harder
because you’d know she’d have thought of a smarter alternative…. if only she
were older.
And she’s never going to be older, as has often been repeated to
us.

Likewise, knowing that Chopper could’ve saved these kids - - if only
the Straw Hats had arrived earlier, if only he hadn’t run out of his Hulk
pellets
- - makes his helplessness all the more frustrating. Were it not for one or two
arbitrary circumstances, he would be to fix things. It’s just
like that old scene where Superman’s Pa dies of a heart attack. All that power,
and he couldn’t save them.

I guess there’s always a chance that the Straw Hats can pull a happy
ending out of this but, after this wrenching roller-coaster, it’d feel a seriously cop-out.

Watch this
episode,
"To
Save Her Friends! Mocha Runs at the Risk of Her Life!"
here and decide for yourself,
then read my comments about the previous episode here.

About the Author

Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk







ONE PIECE #614 - - Special Review

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AV MOD MATERIAL: NARUTO Ch. 648 Review

| Friday, October 4, 2013
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AV MOD MATERIAL: NARUTO Ch. 648 Review



I've hidden a melon bread under one of these hats. I'll shuffle them and whoever finds it first gets it.
I've hidden a melon bread under one of these hats. I'll shuffle them and whoever finds it first gets it.

As Naruto and Sasuke leap in to prevent the end of the Shinobi World, Hashirama's mind starts to wonder toward the distant past and the First Kage Summit.

The Good

Pretty much the only action you'll see this chapter.
Pretty much the only action you'll see this chapter.

Building frustration would be an appropriate description with last week's NARUTO chapter, but it at least hinted at some excitement for this week. That didn't work out so well. The scenes of action that we got were nice to have. Though, they were very much in the minority for the chapter. If you count them up, there are only ten panels that doesn't show people just standing around as if they were waiting for the bus.

The Bad

Oh, no. There could be a Shinobi World Shutdown.
Oh, no. There could be a Shinobi World Shutdown.

When I go into a shonen-action series, I expect some level spectacular action to be happening at some point. There was a suggestion of something amazing after last week's finale. We instead were interrupted with learning the politics of the first kage summit. Why does Kishimoto interrupt a battle to show us a bunch of guys sitting around a table arguing? It's as if you were watching WWE wrestling, then someone grabbed the controller and turned the channel to C-SPAN.

I'm not opposed to political intrigue, but this moment was hardly what I'd call intriguing. There is a time and place for this sort of flashback, and this isn't it.

Then there's my second problem with this chapter. Too much of it is also dedicated to the inner thoughts of various people comparing Naruto and Sasuke to Hashirama and Madara. If it sounds familiar, it's because this isn't the first time it's happened this arc. We get the metaphor already.

Verdict 2/5

If you wanted an issue of NARUTO where people just stood around comparing characters with other characters, and watching a bunch of old guys arguing around a table. Here's the chapter for you. Kishimoto once more keeps teasing us with a grand finale to this conflict but keeps pulling back. This chapter feels like the canon equivalent of a filler episode.

Oh well, maybe next week will be better.

Follow along with the latest NARUTO chapters yourself, tune in for the SJ Podcast, and check out the free starter pack sampler at ShonenJump.com here. You can download the free app for both iOS and Android devices.

About the Author

Kristoffer Remmell (FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek. Follow for news updates: @AnimeVicers / @FoxxFireArt / http://kristofferremmell.tumblr.com/








AV MOD MATERIAL: NARUTO Ch. 648 Review

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Date :Friday, October 4, 2013
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Anime Caption Contest! -- 10/2/13 -- AV MOD MATERIAL

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Anime Caption Contest! -- 10/2/13 -- AV MOD MATERIAL



Welcome back to the Anime Vice Caption Contest! You know the drill; we have three new images that need some funny captions! See who won the previous contest below!

Rules

  • You can caption any or all of the images!
  • You can caption the same image more than once, but not in the same post!

Your captions will be judged by the hosts of THE VICE PIT themselves; Tom Pinchuk and Sam Weller! The winners and their winning captions will be featured in the next Caption Contest post!

HELP! THE IMAGES WON'T INSERT CORRECTLY!

I've noticed some users don't always insert the images correctly in the comment section. To make sure you post the images properly, you should copy them from this post and paste them into the comment box, rather than upload the images again yourself. To do this, highlight some of the text below the images (try starting from "want to recommend") all the way up to some of the text above the images (try highlighting up to "fill in the captions!") and then right-click on that text and select "copy", go to the comment box, right-click inside that and select "paste" - then all you need to do is fill in the captions! Hope that helps, have fun!

Winners!

"Repeat after me. 'Today is Caturday.' 'Today is Caturday.' 'Today is Caturday.' 'Today is Caturday.'..."
~ CapeBarnes
"Should we tell her it was only root beer"
~ Mutant_God

"Bart may have gone to the restroom... but you still... BETTER NOT LAY A FINGER ON HIS BUTTERFINGER"
~ jj_jackson

New Caption Contest!

So, are you up to the challenge? Just copy the images (READ INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE!) into the comment box below and fill in the captions!

"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"

Want to recommend some images for the contest? Go to my profile and send them to me in a PM and I'll check them out. Have fun and good luck!

About the Author

Daniel Newton is a freelance writer. You could probably describe him as an Otaku, Gamer, Brony, Trekkie, Pokémaniac and a bunch of other nerdy things. He also really likes Wine Gums. If you're into any of that you can follow him on: Twitter /// tumblr /// Google+







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AV MOD MATERIAL: ONE PIECE Ch. 722 Review

| Thursday, October 3, 2013
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AV MOD MATERIAL: ONE PIECE Ch. 722 Review



Just as Block D of the tournament is set to begin, the further events across Dressrosa are setting to explode in an all out war.

The Good

Luffy is the voice of the people.
Luffy is the voice of the people.

I had a rather humorous revelation as I was reading this week's issue of ONE PIECE. Have you ever had one of those moments when you're reading something and some character has the very same reaction as yourself just as it's crossing your mind? I had this exact moment as I read Luffy's reaction to Cavendishberate the crowd for harassing Rebecca. However, I didn't call him "Cabbage". He actually impressed me by his dramatic speech, but I still hate the guy. I can't speak for the rest of you, but I want Rebecca to win.

We shouldn't forget what we learn at the end about the formation of the World Government. It does still leave me with a question. If Doflamingo is a member of the Celestial Dragons, why does he need the title of Warlord? Seeing how the Celestial Dragons can quite literally get away with murder. I sense a flashback coming in our future.

The Bad

You annoy me, but I still laughed.
You annoy me, but I still laughed.

Sticking to the theme. I had to chuckle at myself in a way. The only thing I didn't really like about this chapter is that we're taken away from the tournament. Just ponder on how silly that seems. I was bothered that the story was focusing on the primary cast of the series. I guess my excitement had just been built up to see Rebecca fight after the previous two chapters and the one week break.

Verdict 5/5

This is a great chapter of ONE PIECE. I enjoyed reading it a lot, and I got some genuine laughs out of it. However, I was originally hesitant to score this chapter a 5 out of 5. Maybe it's just in me to favor drama in story telling. Ultimately, the score should focus on the entertainment value, and this was undoubtedly entertaining. You're getting a little bit of everything in this chapter. Add to that the rather huge information bomb Doflamingo drops on us in the final pages. This had a little bit of everything.

Follow along with the latest ONE PIECE chapters yourself, tune in for the SJ Podcast, and check out the free starter pack sampler at ShonenJump.com here. You can download the free app for both iOS and Android devices.

About the Author

Kristoffer Remmell (FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek. Follow for news updates: @AnimeVicers / @FoxxFireArt / http://kristofferremmell.tumblr.com/








AV MOD MATERIAL: ONE PIECE Ch. 722 Review

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Date :Thursday, October 3, 2013
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AV MOD MATERIAL: ONE PIECE Ch. 722 Review

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AV MOD MATERIAL: ONE PIECE Ch. 722 Review



Just as Block D of the tournament is set to begin, the further events across Dressrosa are setting to explode in an all out war.

The Good

Luffy is the voice of the people.
Luffy is the voice of the people.

I had a rather humorous revelation as I was reading this week's issue of ONE PIECE. Have you ever had one of those moments when you're reading something and some character has the very same reaction as yourself just as it's crossing your mind? I had this exact moment as I read Luffy's reaction to Cavendishberate the crowd for harassing Rebecca. However, I didn't call him "Cabbage". He actually impressed me by his dramatic speech, but I still hate the guy. I can't speak for the rest of you, but I want Rebecca to win.

We shouldn't forget what we learn at the end about the formation of the World Government. It does still leave me with a question. If Doflamingo is a member of the Celestial Dragons, why does he need the title of Warlord? Seeing how the Celestial Dragons can quite literally get away with murder. I sense a flashback coming in our future.

The Bad

You annoy me, but I still laughed.
You annoy me, but I still laughed.

Sticking to the theme. I had to chuckle at myself in a way. The only thing I didn't really like about this chapter is that we're taken away from the tournament. Just ponder on how silly that seems. I was bothered that the story was focusing on the primary cast of the series. I guess my excitement had just been built up to see Rebecca fight after the previous two chapters and the one week break.

Verdict 5/5

This is a great chapter of ONE PIECE. I enjoyed reading it a lot, and I got some genuine laughs out of it. However, I was originally hesitant to score this chapter a 5 out of 5. Maybe it's just in me to favor drama in story telling. Ultimately, the score should focus on the entertainment value, and this was undoubtedly entertaining. You're getting a little bit of everything in this chapter. Add to that the rather huge information bomb Doflamingo drops on us in the final pages. This had a little bit of everything.

Follow along with the latest ONE PIECE chapters yourself, tune in for the SJ Podcast, and check out the free starter pack sampler at ShonenJump.com here. You can download the free app for both iOS and Android devices.

About the Author

Kristoffer Remmell (FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek. Follow for news updates: @AnimeVicers / @FoxxFireArt / http://kristofferremmell.tumblr.com/








AV MOD MATERIAL: ONE PIECE Ch. 722 Review

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Anime Caption Contest! -- 10/2/13 -- AV MOD MATERIAL

| Wednesday, October 2, 2013
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Anime Caption Contest! -- 10/2/13 -- AV MOD MATERIAL



Welcome back to the Anime Vice Caption Contest! You know the drill; we have three new images that need some funny captions! See who won the previous contest below!

Rules

  • You can caption any or all of the images!
  • You can caption the same image more than once, but not in the same post!

Your captions will be judged by the hosts of THE VICE PIT themselves; Tom Pinchuk and Sam Weller! The winners and their winning captions will be featured in the next Caption Contest post!

HELP! THE IMAGES WON'T INSERT CORRECTLY!

I've noticed some users don't always insert the images correctly in the comment section. To make sure you post the images properly, you should copy them from this post and paste them into the comment box, rather than upload the images again yourself. To do this, highlight some of the text below the images (try starting from "want to recommend") all the way up to some of the text above the images (try highlighting up to "fill in the captions!") and then right-click on that text and select "copy", go to the comment box, right-click inside that and select "paste" - then all you need to do is fill in the captions! Hope that helps, have fun!

Winners!

"Repeat after me. 'Today is Caturday.' 'Today is Caturday.' 'Today is Caturday.' 'Today is Caturday.'..."
~ CapeBarnes
"Should we tell her it was only root beer"
~ Mutant_God

"Bart may have gone to the restroom... but you still... BETTER NOT LAY A FINGER ON HIS BUTTERFINGER"
~ jj_jackson

New Caption Contest!

So, are you up to the challenge? Just copy the images (READ INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE!) into the comment box below and fill in the captions!

"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"

Want to recommend some images for the contest? Go to my profile and send them to me in a PM and I'll check them out. Have fun and good luck!

About the Author

Daniel Newton is a freelance writer. You could probably describe him as an Otaku, Gamer, Brony, Trekkie, Pokémaniac and a bunch of other nerdy things. He also really likes Wine Gums. If you're into any of that you can follow him on: Twitter /// tumblr /// Google+







Anime Caption Contest! -- 10/2/13 -- AV MOD MATERIAL

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Date :Wednesday, October 2, 2013
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VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE #2 - - Watch & Learn

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VISION OF ESCAFLOWNE #2 - - Watch & Learn



If anybody gets around to reviving this brand (if only just to sell
a new collection
), they’d probably get a lot of mileage out of presenting
ESCAFLOWNE as ‘the steampunk mecha.’ I
find it pretty amusing how the genre, as its labeled, has actually been around
since the 80’s, yet so few of the current crop of fans seem to have much
interest in seeking out older entries in the canon.

I mean, look at this - - it’s steampunk.

I guess the same sentiment applies to ESCALFLOWNE, on its own, as being
a criminally overlooked gem. Were I to hazard a guess, I’d say it’s perhaps
just a victim of getting straddled with an atrocious dub during the brief window of
opportunity it had to grab American TV audiences in the late 90’s/early 2000’s.
There’s no reason why, say, OUTLAW STAR should hold more enduring awareness for
American fans today - - other than the fact that it simply got to air on
Toonami during its prime.

== TEASER ==

Now, what about the episode itself? Again, I’ll praise the virtues of show not
wasting any time in getting to throat-grabbing conflict. No sooner has Van returned
to his home, and accepted his coronation, than we see him become a king without
a crown in a realm razed by horrific enemy forces. There’s no question of why I
need to come back next episode - - I have a physical compulsion to
see what will happen to our heroes next.

Also, I figure there’s got to be a subtle science to the way Merle’s
been crafted as a character. On paper, the prospect of a lovesick cat girl
incessantly who dotes on our hot-blooded prince sounds like something that'd get real irritating, real fast. However, in practice, some combination of voice acting and
body language makes her immediately likable, almost in spite of herself.

I suppose the lack of eye-roll inducing T&A (as we expect with
every other cat girl
) might have also have a lot to do with why her presence isn’t
annoying.

Look up this
episode,
"The Girl from the Mystic Moon" and decide for yourself,
then read my thoughts on the previous episode here.

About the Author

Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk







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ATTACK ON TITAN #24 - - Watch & Learn

| Tuesday, October 1, 2013
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ATTACK ON TITAN #24 - - Watch & Learn



I’ve said this before, but one of the bigger knocks bedeviling this
show - - a real weight sitting on the other end of the seesaw, as it were
- - is that not enough care has been given to differentiate the cast. While these past couple episodes have been
wonderfully thrilling, I don’t feel any shame in admitting that the fallout of
the Female Titan’s surprise hasn’t hit me as hard as it could’ve, because I
keep scratching my head to actually remember the history Eren and Annie have.

When your cast is stuffed with countless soldiers of the same body
type, wearing the same uniforms and using the same gear, it’s really crucial to
give the important players a myriad of strong identifiers - - distinctive
names, noticeable accessories, behavioral tics, even catch phrases
- - to
make them immediately distinguishable.

== TEASER ==

I may not recall the name of the gal in the screencap above but, when
she makes her dramatic re-entrance in this episode, I remember everything else about
her on the dot. Why? Because her huge, shiny glasses are a strong visual
identifier, and she’s the only member of the cast who gets into creepy laughing
fits. What’s more - - the other character remark on this behavior and reinforce it further.
That’s a solid cluster of identifiers.

When ATTACK OF TITAN regularly goes through so much trouble, using
graphic design sensibilities to convey all the detailed tactics of a battle
plan, then it’s perplexing why it hasn’t extended the same careful sensibility
to its cast. If the show ever gets a redux to better balance its uneven
qualities, the hypothetical producers will first need to give new names to Eren,
Armin and Erwin that aren’t borderline homophones. Then, they’ll
really need to give Annie a makeover so - - in the immediate recall of
viewers who haven’t gotten to re-watch episodes and study episode breakdowns
- - there’s more to differentiate
her from Mikasa than her being the blonde supremely-skilled,
emotionally-withdrawn guardsmen with an affinity for Eren.

Watch this
episode,
"Mercy - Raid on Stohess District" here and decide for
yourself, then read my write-up on the previous episode here.

About the Author

Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk







ATTACK ON TITAN #24 - - Watch & Learn

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Date :Tuesday, October 1, 2013
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What Makes A Bad Anime Movie? -- THE VICE PIT

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What Makes A Bad Anime Movie? -- THE VICE PIT








What Makes A Bad Anime Movie? -- THE VICE PIT

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ONE PIECE #613 - - Special Review

| Monday, September 30, 2013
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ONE PIECE #613 - - Special Review



Well, at least one of these villains has finally been axed off (unless
I’m reading that scene incorrectly
). Of course, I’m sure it’s going to be
another 100 episodes before this particular plot development comes back around
with the resurrection of Monet, or the introduction of some hitherto-unrevealed
colleague who’s bent on avenging her, or whatever.

For the most part, this was another episode concerned with
moving our playing pieces from Point A to Point B on the board (or perhaps
Chamber R to Chamber E in the Punk Hazard layout
), so I’d rather take on the
discussion point offered up during Zoro’s three-front duel with Monet and Tashigi.

Frankly, that kernel of an idea was more interesting that the fight
itself…

== TEASER ==

Obviously, the topic of gender roles is an inexhaustible source of
discussion in our online bubble of fandom. Whenever we’re dealing with wish
fulfillment, it’s almost impossible for some demographic not to feel slighted
over their place in somebody else’s power fantasy. No point-of-view is ever all-inclusive
- - and the harder it tries to be, the blander it becomes. For an action
adventure to play effectively, somebody’s got to be the hero, and somebody else
has to be the villain, and somebody else has to be the victim that needs
rescuing. And it’s very hard for the
selection of those somebodies to not send a message, intentional
or no.

Focusing that all down onto this episode, we have Zoro’s insistent
refusal to fight women in the same way that he’d fight men; and the resultant
offense that Tashigi takes to double standard. In theory, the playing field for
these kind of stories should be totally level. In practice, however, there’s no
way we’ll react to seeing a heroine like Nami (for example) take the
kind of brutal beating that Goku routinely received from male villains like Cell without us feeling an added, and innate, level of revulsion.

So it’s interesting that Oda would choose to discuss this dilemma in
the text itself. Is Zoro’s sense of chivalry actually sexist by modern
standards? Or would we really be that comfortable watching him thrash Tashigi like
a guy? For once, I’d rather just invite you vicers to continue the discussion
here…

Watch this
episode,
"Showing
Off His Techniques! Zoro's Formidable One Sword Style!
here and decide for yourself, then read my comments about the
previous episode here.

About the Author

Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk







ONE PIECE #613 - - Special Review

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HUNTER X HUNTER #10 - - Watch & Learn

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HUNTER X HUNTER #10 - - Watch & Learn



In a weird way, this show is starting to remind me a little of this
obscure American comic, MISTER A. Essentially, the strip starred a superhero
devised by Spider-Man’s co-creator, Steve Ditko, as a mouthpiece for his
extreme and uncompromising objectivist beliefs. Supposedly, he kept trying to
insert these values into Spidey’s adventures, but Marvel Comics kept refusing
to allow their star character to go down such… unusual philosophical
directions.

Eventually, Ditko would go on to work in the independents where, uninhibited
by editorial restrictions, he was free to craft a strip that was less superheroic
serial and more illustrated treatise. As you’d expect, the titular Mister A was
a personification of objectivism (Rorschach from WATCHMEN is a milder
tribute to him, FYI
) who didn’t adventure so much as just solve situations
designed to serve his rhetorical point.

== TEASER ==

I’ve drawn this extended comparison because I’m really tickled by the
notion that HUNTER X HUNTER might actually be a platform for Togashi to explore…
potentially intense notions that he might’ve only gotten to hint at in
YU YU HAKUSHO. While I was already playing with this idea after Tonpa’s
admission of sabotage, the illustrated monologue he goes on here (about the
inherent treachery of the ‘Rule by Majority’ system) really makes
it seem like Togashi is trying to weave a larger point about competent people being weighed
down by incompetent peers.

And the drawn-out bet about our blue bad guy’s state of consciousness
only just strengthens this theory. While you can certainly make the case that
Togashi is trying to mix his heroes’ conflicts up by throwing challenges at
them which can’t be solved with punches and kicks, it still doesn’t seem
coincidental that the most consistent threats to Gon’s band are quitters.

These aren’t fearsome and mighty bullies like Toguro or Shinobu: these
are weasels trying to cheat our heroes out of victory because they possess no worthwhile
talents themselves. And if Tonpa continues to bedevil them like this, it’ll all but prove
my theory.

Watch this episode, Trick ×
To × The Trick
" here and decide for yourself, then read my comments on the previous episode here.

About the Author

Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk







HUNTER X HUNTER #10 - - Watch & Learn

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HUNTER X HUNTER #9 - - Watch & Learn

| Sunday, September 29, 2013
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HUNTER X HUNTER #9 - - Watch & Learn



This show’s really starting to seem like "THE BOOK OF
VIRTUES by way of SHONEN JUMP" with each successive challenge issued to Gon and
his pals…

Again, it’s all further evidence to substantiate my theory that Togashi must have a serious sporting background to complement his cartooning skills. The
morals about competition which are taught in this episode truly seem like they’re
coming from a guy who’s learned hard lessons from real experience; not somebody
who’s just parroting platitudes he found in some sports manga he’s
read.

== TEASER ==

Kurapika’s duel with the fraudulent gangster obviously
speaks to the real nature of poseurs and anybody who barks so loud that you can
be quite sure that their bite isn't so bad. When I was on the wrestling
team in high school, the opponents who grappled the worst were almost always
the guys who made snarly faces before the match or pointedly showed off
their scary tattoos. So yeah, that speaks to my own experiences.

Gon’s duel, on the other hand, has a more complicated message perhaps...

It seems to say that
if you’re entering into a competition where your opponent is exploiting gaps in
the rules to his advantage, then it’s perfectly honorable to find other
omissions that'll help you out, in turn. Maybe more specifically: if your opponent’s
using a corner of the game that works to his strengths, then you’re well within
rights to find another corner that plays to yours. If he’s smarter,
and he’s using slight-of-hand to fool you into agreeing to use a trick candle,
then you can go ahead and use your superior physique to run up and blow his
candle right out. Nobody said it was against the rules, did they?

Again, that second notion isn’t as simple as “Winners never cheat” or “Hard
work always wins,” and that’s because it’s a real lesson, not a cliche. I guess that undercurrent is part of why this show so often works in spite of itself.

Watch this episode, Beware ×
Of × Prisoners
" here and decide for yourself, then read my comments on the previous episode here.

About the Author

Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk







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ATTACK ON TITAN Spoilers! -- 9/26/13 -- THE VICE PIT

| Saturday, September 28, 2013
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ATTACK ON TITAN Spoilers! -- 9/26/13 -- THE VICE PIT



Recent Vice Pit sessions on...

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You can check out every episode of the Vice Pit here.

Be sure to submit questions and topics for a future Vice Pit session here. We will answer them!








ATTACK ON TITAN Spoilers! -- 9/26/13 -- THE VICE PIT

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Anime Questions Answered!!! -- 9/27/13 -- THE VICE PIT

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Anime Questions Answered!!! -- 9/27/13 -- THE VICE PIT



Recent Vice Pit sessions on...

Recent sessions in Vice Pit: Undercover...

You can check out every episode of the Vice Pit here.

Be sure to submit questions and topics for a future Vice Pit session here. We will answer them!








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HUNTER X HUNTER #10 - - Watch & Learn

| Friday, September 27, 2013
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HUNTER X HUNTER #10 - - Watch & Learn



In a weird way, this show is starting to remind me a little of this
obscure American comic, MISTER A. Essentially, the strip starred a superhero
devised by Spider-Man’s co-creator, Steve Ditko, as a mouthpiece for his
extreme and uncompromising objectivist beliefs. Supposedly, he kept trying to
insert these values into Spidey’s adventures, but Marvel Comics kept refusing
to allow their star character to go down such… unusual philosophical
directions.

Eventually, Ditko would go on to work in the independents where, uninhibited
by editorial restrictions, he was free to craft a strip that was less superheroic
serial and more illustrated treatise. As you’d expect, the titular Mister A was
a personification of objectivism (Rorschach from WATCHMEN is a milder
tribute to him, FYI
) who didn’t adventure so much as just solve situations
designed to serve his rhetorical point.

== TEASER ==

I’ve drawn this extended comparison because I’m really tickled by the
notion that HUNTER X HUNTER might actually be a platform for Togashi to explore…
potentially intense notions that he might’ve only gotten to hint at in
YU YU HAKUSHO. While I was already playing with this idea after Tonpa’s
admission of sabotage, the illustrated monologue he goes on here (about the
inherent treachery of the ‘Rule by Majority’ system) really makes
it seem like Togashi is trying to weave a larger point about competent people being weighed
down by incompetent peers.

And the drawn-out bet about our blue bad guy’s state of consciousness
only just strengthens this theory. While you can certainly make the case that
Togashi is trying to mix his heroes’ conflicts up by throwing challenges at
them which can’t be solved with punches and kicks, it still doesn’t seem
coincidental that the most consistent threats to Gon’s band are quitters.

These aren’t fearsome and mighty bullies like Toguro or Shinobu: these
are weasels trying to cheat our heroes out of victory because they possess no worthwhile
talents themselves. And if Tonpa continues to bedevil them like this, it’ll all but prove
my theory.

Watch this episode, Trick ×
To × The Trick
" here and decide for yourself, then read my comments on the previous episode here.

About the Author

Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk







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AV MOD MATERIAL: NARUTO Ch. 647 Review

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AV MOD MATERIAL: NARUTO Ch. 647 Review



I'm trying, Hashirama. I'm trying.
I'm trying, Hashirama. I'm trying.

The First Hokage struggles to keep up the heart of the Shinobi Alliance as the Infinite Tsukuyomi looks to be inevitable. Though pushed into a corner, Naruto finds the will to continue the good fight and stop Obito's plot.

The Good

My favorite part of the chapter.
My favorite part of the chapter.

Just to start matters off, this chapter had a lot negative points, but we'll get to those in the next portion of the review. The strongest part of this chapter for me is actually the scene that comes completely out of left field and makes little sense. I'm speaking of when Naruto's memories and emotions are being bridged across the alliance via Ino's jutsu. While I'm tiring of the see-saw pacing we've found ourselves stuck in. This moment created a lot of scenes of emotional connection to those surrounding our hero. One of the more touching must be Hiruzen finding out this way that his son has died in his absence. I wish this had been more of the focus.

The Bad

Obito, how many times are we going to have this same discussion?
Obito, how many times are we going to have this same discussion?

It's becoming incredibly difficult to endure this this back and forth pattern that Kishimoto has created this arc. This scene of Naruto rising from despair to have the will to fight should be both incredible and exhilaration. At least, it would have been if this hadn't been the 'third time' this arc the very same thing has happened. Things go bad, Naruto loses heart, Obito says a bunch of annoying prattle, someone else does something to inspire Naruto, then dramatic power-up scene.

What annoys me the most is that it undercuts Hinata's great scene connecting with Naruto, and it replaces it with Sasuke...yet again.

Then there's Karin. Amazing how a character can appear for such a small amount of time and still create such a negative impression on a chapter. She's in a war zone and surrounded by death. Yet it's all she can do to contain herself from wanting to lick the guy who stabbed her and left her for dead. Her level of sycophantic behavior would make Harley Quinn look like a militant feminist.

Verdict 3/5

Don't be under the impression that this is a bad chapter. Many of the moments in the context of this issue are good, but I also can't ignore that we've had these very moments multiple times within this very arc. We may be able to take solace in the idea that this could possibly be the last time we'll have to go through this cycle. With so much of the Shinobi Alliance at death's door, things couldn't get too much worse -- knock on wood. Kishimoto may have finally set the stage for the classic come back from behind scene to put a lid on this arc.

Follow along with the latest NARUTO chapters yourself, tune in for the SJ Podcast, and check out the free starter pack sampler at ShonenJump.com here. You can can download the free app for both iOS and Android devices.

About the Author

Kristoffer Remmell (FoxxFireArt) is a freelance graphic artist, writer, and over all mystery geek. Follow for news updates: @AnimeVicers / @FoxxFireArt / http://kristofferremmell.tumblr.com/








AV MOD MATERIAL: NARUTO Ch. 647 Review

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How Bad is GATCHMAN CROWDS? -- THE VICE PIT

| Thursday, September 26, 2013
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How Bad is GATCHMAN CROWDS? -- THE VICE PIT

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Anime Caption Contest! -- 9/23/13 -- AV MOD MATERIAL

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Anime Caption Contest! -- 9/23/13 -- AV MOD MATERIAL



Welcome back to the Anime Vice Caption Contest! You know the drill; we have three new images that need some funny captions! See who won the previous contest below!

Rules

  • You can caption any or all of the images!
  • You can caption the same image more than once, but not in the same post!

Your captions will be judged by the hosts of THE VICE PIT themselves; Tom Pinchuk and Sam Weller! The winners and their winning captions will be featured in the next Caption Contest post!

HELP! THE IMAGES WON'T INSERT CORRECTLY!

I've noticed some users don't always insert the images correctly in the comment section. To make sure you post the images properly, you should copy them from this post and paste them into the comment box, rather than upload the images again yourself. To do this, highlight some of the text below the images (try starting from "want to recommend") all the way up to some of the text above the images (try highlighting up to "fill in the captions!") and then right-click on that text and select "copy", go to the comment box, right-click inside that and select "paste" - then all you need to do is fill in the captions! Hope that helps, have fun!

Winners!

"781,782,783 hit combo!"
~ SamJaz
"NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. NOPE."
~ RavenBuster

"When will my reflection show who I am inside?"
~ CapeBarnes

New Caption Contest!

So, are you up to the challenge? Just copy the images (READ INSTRUCTIONS ABOVE!) into the comment box below and fill in the captions!

"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"
"Caption me!"

Want to recommend some images for the contest? Go to my profile and send them to me in a PM and I'll check them out. Have fun and good luck!

About the Author

Daniel Newton is a freelance writer. You could probably describe him as an Otaku, Gamer, Brony, Trekkie, Pokémaniac and a bunch of other nerdy things. He also really likes Wine Gums. If you're into any of that you can follow him on: Twitter /// tumblr /// Google+







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