1/144 SchnabelGeist resin kit by Kallamity

MG Narrative/Unicorn Remix

Falldog’s Gunpla Collection – State of the Hanger 2024

Real Grade Zeong – Gundam Base Limited Clear

MG Psycho Zaku Thunderbolt Diorama

Otaku Evolution Episodes 285 – Why The American DBZ Soundtrack Sucks

Otaku Evolution Episode 284 – Dragon Ball Super: Broly

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Otaku Evolution Episode 290 – Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata and the Two Lupins

I know, it’s a short video. I even had to pad it out with bookend material (though hey, at least I have Netanyahu in captivity!). But Lupin the IIIrd: Zenigata and the Two Lupins is just a 50 minute feature, so give me a bit of a break. I have longer videos in the future, just trust me. (Though I’m having trouble with the next one already.)

Takeshi Koike’s Lupin features have all been pretty good, but I think this one might be the best. It actually has a little thematic meat on it. It’s more than just a good time, though it is also that. You see the characters actually reflect on the meaning of justice and its validity. It’s great to see Zenigata get more of a role in a Koike feature, too, though there’s no shortage of Lupin himself. Plus the mad bomber Lupin who somehow always makes it out of the explosions! read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 289 – Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Sorry it’s been so long! Between watching this show, I’ve taken to deep bouts of depression, leaving me sleeping most of the day. My therapist told me to stop taking naps, but it can be hard not to.

Anyway, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is an interesting mecha anime that can impress at times, but ultimately doesn’t make my favorites list. Why don’t I adore this Pizza Hut-sponsored collection of mind games and political intrigue? Well, just go take a look at the video and find out. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 288 – Mega Man Maverick Hunter X: Day of Sigma

I’m not entirely sure why I agreed to review Day of Sigma to begin with. Somebody suggested it in my comments and I just kind of thought, “Yeah, why not?” Maybe it’s because I owe so much to the Mega Man franchise, with my edited sprites. But I could have chosen a better representative than this half hour game prologue, couldn’t I? I mean, it’s not bad, it’s actually kind of fun, but it’s so short, there’s not much to say about it. It’s not exactly awash with themes and profundity, now is it? It’s just a small little trifle. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 287 – Star Blazers (Space Battleship Yamato) 2202

It miffs me to no end that this is probably the last time I’ll get to talk about this franchise on Otaku Evolution, but Star Blazers/Space Battleship Yamato 2202 is at least a decent (if just a bit inferior) sequel to the original season of the remake. I just wish it weren’t so monomaniacally addicted to shocking revelations every episode. The effects wear off after a while, folks. You start to feel jerked around.

Otherwise, a pretty good show. And it deserves to have its sequels dubbed into English, too. But I guess it just didn’t do numbers for FuniRoll. Sigh. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 286 – Mid Year English Dub Review XII

Here’s where I get to talk about the English-dubbed versions of the anime I’ve covered in the first half of 2026. So it’s not a particularly long video, but I still put some effort into it, so watch anyway!

I’d say the best dubs I’ve run into this half of the year were the ones for Gundam: The Origin and Lupin III: Part IV. The Dragon Ball Super: Broly one was pretty good, too (though I’m still not going to talk about whatshisname, that sex pest). It was good to get a variety of different studios in there in this first half. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episodes 285 – Why The American DBZ Soundtrack Sucks

I don’t get it, folks. I really do not understand the popularity of the American soundtrack to Dragon Ball Z, outside of base nostalgia. It’s so tacky and borderline racist to replace the music to begin with, but then to do it with music that is such an enormous departure from the original sound is even more insulting. Most of the Faulconer Productions score is lousy, or utilized poorly, or both. Especially when compared to Shunsuke Kikuchi’s fantastic orchestral score.

After this, no Dragon Ball for a while, okay? I’ve done two videos in a row and… wait, I’ll have to talk about the Broly movie again in my next video, because it’s an English Dub Review video. Well, other than that, no Dragon Ball for a while. I’m burned out on the franchise. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 284 – Dragon Ball Super: Broly

So, this is a tale of redemption. I always expected Dragon Ball Super: Broly would be as lame and forced as the previous Broly entries, but by reinventing aspects of the character, they (finally) made him a worthwhile addition to the Dragon Ball canon. I completely discounted this movie for years, believing it was just another Broly stomp romp, and especially hating the Dragon Ball Minus aspect, but never actually sitting down and watching the entire thing. Now that I have, I understand its popularity. It’s a damn fine DB movie. Might be the best entry in decades, it’s certainly among the best. And for that, I apologize. I was wrong. It happens (though rarely). read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 283 – Lupin III Part IV

I just love Lupin III. Especially when Lupin III is good, and Lupin III: Part IV is quite good, indeed. It has just the right balance of standalone capers and ongoing storyline, and is bursting with energy and fun. It was just what the franchise needed after years of mediocre TV specials (though The Woman Called Fujiko Mine came out just a few years before it, and that’s arguably the best series): a return to form for Lupin. Not too soft, not too rough. A great balance.

It also happens to have my favorite new Lupin character in ages, MI6 Agent Nyx, who I am so upset never appeared in anything after this. At least Rebecca got a cameo in Part V, but I’ll get to that another time. read more

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Otaku Evolution Episode 282 – Flame of Recca

Flame of Recca is one of those shows I saw as a teen, back when I was just getting into anime, that I thought was pretty neat, only to revisit and realize it’s not so great after all. It’s a shonen action series that feels pretty diminished when compared to a lot of other, better shonen action series… especially Yu Yu Hakusho, which it feels like a lesser version of. I tried to find all the positives I could about this show, but try as I might, there wasn’t a whole lot to say about it. read more

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