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This is the best of the modern Baki stuff, but is brought down by the series worse flaws. Explanation after explanation drags the pacing, especially toward the end. However, we got ridiculous characters and interactions. Baki himself is at his best self in this arc. He is cocky with his rivals and kind to the little guy, which is especially refreshing after the last exchange with Mohammad Ali Jr.

Biscuit Oliva is back as the main villain. Baki and father are messing with President George Bush. One guys fighting style is just being 3 guys. It is a fun time.

Mushikago no Cagaster is a decent show, but doesn't elevate to anything incredible. It's clearly trying to ride the Attack on Titan craze, which unfortunately just makes me think of a better show. That said, the monster designs are great & the animation is solid. The effects work is a highlight for me.

The music is great all around, I'll definitely be revisiting the ost in the future.

Most of the characters are well developed, giving a great sense of who they are and how they became that person. However, there's clunkers in the side cast that were blander than bread. Also, there's some questionable ... middle eastern stereotypes through out the whole show.

Mushikago no Cagaster isn't something you'll regret missing, but at 12 episodes it's an easy watch.

Ice is a huge mess, but far from the trash that most reviews make it out to be. The cast is strong all around, but its main character is a perfect mix of kick*ss and caring. The art can be distractingly cheap at times, but the action never disappoints.

However, Ice is a huge mess. There's several attempts at these high art metaphors or allegories or cinematic somethings. I have no clue what it was trying to say. It doesn't help that there's several shots of untranslated text vital to the story. There's some Ghost in the Shell levels of pretentiousness here without the directing chops ... of GitS.

At 3 episodes, Ice is an enjoyable, easy watch, despite its glaring flaws.

I'm giving Swordgai a 5, but it fills a niche that's hard to come by. It revolves around tragedy and drama. And it's good at tragedy when it stays on target. Unfortunately, it gets extremely cluttered due to poor direction and some plot elements that never go anywhere. A few characters so up out of nowhere. Additionally, the art is stiff for the most part.


If you're looking for a tragic drama, it will do it if you don't have anything else. Also you can watch it in dub, so that's a plus. If you're really intent on the concept, the manga is complete and probably ... better paced.

Rekka (or Recca in english) is a 90s shonen and that's literally a good enough description for you to understand it. It's exactly what you'd expect. It's got a squad of teens with supernatural weapons. They encounter enemies one by one. Eventually it leads to the a tournament arc.

I shouldn't be so harsh, cause it's really not bad. Most of the characters are enjoyable and those that aren't around long enough to be too much of a bother. The animation is shifty, sometimes awful sometimes eye popping. The story kind of a mess. Half the plot points are rushed to an end or don't ... make sense to begin with.

If you're looking for some 90s cheese, this isn't a bad place to go. (Especially since it's free on youtube).

Gatchaman Crowds is something that could have been amazing. Unfortunately, it hit some complications. The show is a parody and or satire action, superhero (kamen rider) show.

First, what sells this show is the characters. They are great, just great. I love the main character. God, I love the villain. They all feel real yet also whimsical.

Now for bad. The story. Put simply, the story starts okay, but deteriorates into confusion and let downs. That wouldn't be too bad if was just a parody, but it's not. Gatchaman Crowds has elements of parody, reconstruction and even deconstruction. (That means it's a show about shows, kids!) ... All that's fascinating, but the meta elements are not done smoothly and intrude upon one another. For example, the "super-forms" of our heroes are build up as this eventful reveal when actual they happen randomly and without much importance.

Now for the weird. The art. Gatchaman Crowds' art is stylist and beautiful, but it came with cost.
In order to spread the creator vision, they made some cuts. The design of the Gatchaman (the super-forms) are disappointing. They lack a kick to them, like fast food joint pretending their better than McDonalds. Also, the fights are just as lack luster.

Overall, Gatchaman Crowds would be something to watch if you're looking for something keep your brain on. It's fun and smart, but got a few too many ideas in it's head to fit perfectly.