Category: Anime

Gunslinger Girl: IT IS SO SAD

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 2011 lulled me into a false sense of security. Metal Fighter Miku was far from the best anime I ever watched but it was not horrible. In fact we loved episode ten. And we actually had to CHOOSE between that and Rune Soldier. It was so nice to participate in secret Santa and not make it into Sophie’s Choice when we decide what to watch. This year sadly was a return to the normal grind we have with secret Santa.

Our choices were Kaiba, Mysterious Girlfriend X, and Gunslinger Girl. There was a palpable sense of dread between Narutaki and I when we were trying to pick which of the three shows to watch. Kaiba was out because it would have meant the Kickheart diehards would have won and that is like letting the terrorists win (also WE watched an episode of the series in the past and were colossally turned off). Narutaki could not watch Mysterious Girlfriend X partially for personal reasons and partially BECAUSE PEOPLE LICKING EACH OTHERS SPIT IS DISGUSTING. So all we were left with was Gunslinger Girl. We had already read the first three volumes of the manga so in a way we were going over territory we had already crossed. But this let us see if the anime did anything different that might let us enjoy it more. Also we had already been bitten by this snake so we hoped we would be slightly more immune to its poison.

I had read a bit of the manga for Gunslinger Girl a while ago so it wasn’t too big of a deal to retread the ground with the anime. But I didn’t enjoy the manga so I wasn’t very enthusiastic.

Everything I said about the manga ends up going for the anime as well: some politics and plots are interesting but isn’t the focus enough of the time; the girls lives are so so so sad that I stop caring almost immediately; and it has a tendency to be quite talkie.

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All the Titles Fit to License, 2012 Edition

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This year we started a new monthly column, The Line-Up, where we listed all the new (and rescued) U.S. licenses, newly streaming titles for the U.S., and new anime and manga news from Japan. One of the fruits of this is having a clear, albeit incredibly long, snapshot of all the series picked up in 2012 for U.S. distribution.

Looking at this, it is hard to feel like the stateside industry is struggling. But then again, it would be interesting to see a list like this for some of those prime time years in the mid-2000s, maybe it would be double this!

Some industrious fellow could also probably break this down into genres to see what is in and out of favor.

Let us know in the comments if we missed any so we can add them.

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The Speakeasy #036: Sundowner, Saying Goodbye to 2012

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Drink #036: Sundowner,
Saying Goodbye to 2012

As is tradition, for our final episode of 2012 we look back on the news and licenses for the year. It is always nice to reflect on what was the most important trends and new pieces from the year now that we have a little distance. Certain things that seem so bloody important when they first happen can fade wordlessly into the woodwork just as easily as some minor points turn out to be monumental in reflection. It is also a great to be thankful for what titles we get. This is always a nice way to round out the year so we can go into 2013 hoping for the best.

I hope to see everyone for another year of podcasts as The Speakeasy enters its third year with a new opening and closing. Until then: Cheers!

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And now your helpful bartenders at The Speakeasy present your drink:

Sundowner

  • 1 1/2oz Malibu Rum
  • 5oz Pineapple Juice
  • 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Shake all ingredients and strain into a cocktail glass.