In Memoram: Ian Fraiser "Lemmy" Killmister

I know it's a little early before the new year, but this just came to my attention, and I can't ignore it.

On December 28, 2015, Ian Fraiser Killmister, better known as "Lemmy" Killmister, the guitarist & lead vocalist of Motörhead, passed away at the age of 70 due to an aggressive form of cancer. I'm legitimately at a loss of words ladies & gentlemen: last month we lost Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, and now we've lost Lemmy. I find myself fortunate that I asked for Bad Magic, their most recent album, for Christmas. I haven't listen to it yet, but after finding this out......It's getting a listen to.

As a more recent fan of this band, Lemmy's death has hit me pretty hard. While I've known about the band for a long time, it wasn't until I watched Razorfist's "Metal Mythos" video on the band late last year that my appreciation for the band truly grew. If you're interested, check out the link below.

Metal Mythos: Motorhead (Updated)

I truly can't think of anything else to say......other than this: Ian Fraiser "Lemmy" Killmister, if God lets you into Heaven, be sure to kick a little ass!



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Some more details about his passing.

Death Details

Anime Review - Love Hina Christmas Special

Welcome to the final post of 2015, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

This review harkens back to my old blog, and to a tradition that I did for at least 2 to 3 years. During that time, I covered the Love Hina movie collection around this time, looking at 1 movie a year. Going in order, it’s only fitting that I take a look at the first in the series. Since it’s also close to Christmas, I find that it’s natural for me to examine the holiday merriment of the Love Hina Christmas Special. Enjoy!

Story/Setup
Taken from the DVD case:

“If you make a wish on Christmas Eve will it come true?

It’s Christmas, and at the Hinata Apartments, that means gifts, parties, and...utter chaos.

While sneaking around searching for gifts, Kaolla and Sara discover a letter in Naru’s room. It’s none of their business, so of course they read it: “I Always Loved...” What does this mean? Who does Naru love?

Everyone has their suspicions, but to find out, they plan to follow her! Meanwhile, Keitaro’s fallowing Naru as well. What’s going on? Car chases! Subway chases! Bicycle chases! Keitaro and Mutsumi in a Love Hotel!! The creator of Love Hina!

It’s five minutes to midnight...will the truth be revealed?”

That’s really it. At it’s very core, the story of this special is very typical of something you’d find in the world of Lova Hina. Nothing heavy, no high horse, etc. It’s a simple goofy, silly, and slightly emotional adventure. If you liked this style of story, then you’re going to have a blast! If not, then this will be incredibly insufferable.

Animation
If you recall from my very first review on the Love Hina main series, you might remember that I said the animation was typical Ken Akamatsu, and that same thought applies here: it’s nice, bright, colorful, etc. I don’t have anything else to say apart from that!

Voice Acting
If you’ve seen the main series, you’ll recognize everybody immediately. Like the main show, everybody puts on a performance that’s essentially the same. Your opinion on the voice acting here will all depend on the main series: If you’re like me, you’ll enjoy it for the most part. If you have a problem with the dub, you won’t like it, and you’ll probably switch to subs.

Characters
I know I’ve repeating things, but this special is connected to the Lova Hina universe, and as such contains characters you’ll immediately recognize. Like the voice acting, your opinion on the characters all depends on what you thought of them in the main show. You’re either going to like them, or you’re going to hate/loathe them.

Availability & Pricing
Unlike like the main series, Funimation never acquired the rights to this special, or the subsequent specials (Love Hina Spring Special & Love Hina Again). As such, they’ve remained Bandai Entertainment series, and finding Bandai anime is something of a challenge. Best Buy is immediately not an option: you can’t find it in stores, and it’s not on their website either. F.Y.E. is a little more likely: while they may not have a unopened copy in store, they may have a used copy available. While you can’t grab it online from them new, they do have the price for such starting at $25.98. Used copies are slightly higher, at $28.99 in price.

Your best chance of acquiring a new or used copy will be Amazon. However, Amazon is much more expensive: as I’m typing this, there are only 11 copies available to buy, with an uneven mix between new & used. A price for a new copy starts at a staggering $48.50 in price, which is a little high for this OVA (As much as I like it). Used pricing is considerably lower, starting at a cheaper $10.69, which is far more humble.

Overall Impression & Rating
Of all the Love Hina specials that were released, it’s the Christmas special that I consider to be the best of the three. It’s the one that feels most like Love Hina, and has most of what made that show great/horrible. It’s perfect for this time of year, and makes for a great expansion on the Love Hina universe. Recommended as much as Love Hina was!

The Love Hina Christmas Special gets a 8 out of 10.

So this was a look at the Lova Hina Christmas Special. Like the main series, this movie is flawed, but there are some fun aspects. This concludes 2015 here on the Heavy Metal Otaku blog. I hope you’ve enjoyed the content I put on here, and I look forward to what comes in 2016. Until then, have a great Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa, and a happy new year!



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If you're curious as to what I thought about the main series, check out the link below.

Love Hina (Main Series)

Metal Overview - Eisbrecher

Frosty greetings, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

Yes, today is the final Metal Overview of 2015. What started out as a experiment, instead turned into one of my favorite articles I like to write for this blog. As the weather has become particularly chilly, the band for this last overview was an easy choice. A band that’s simultaneously as cold as the highest mountaintop, as massive as the largest glacier, and as emotional as a grand opera. Heck, even the band’s name embodies all things heavy, icy, and powerful. The band in question.....is the Industrial artists known as Eisbrecher!

Ah, Eisbrecher. You’ll recall from my Top 10 Singers & Bands list that I placed this band at the number 2 spot, and I still stand by that choice. Eisbrecher is younger, fresher, and one of the top Industrial groups known in the world. Maybe not as popular as Rammstein is, but they are most certainly near the top. A band that knows how to bend the heaviness of metal, with power & sweeping emotion, Eisbrecher has released some of the best Industrial Metal albums to date. In honor of the coldest month of the year, I found it only fitting that Eisbrecher is the last band I do an overview on in 2015. So put on some winter clothes, and take a look at the snow-touched mystics known as Eisbrecher. Enjoy!

Eisbrecher (2004)

And so begins the career of Eisbrecher. In 2003, lead singer Alexander “Alexx” Wesselsky left his prior band Megaherz due to creative differences. Shortly after leaving, Alexander hooked up with Noel Pix, who once was a part of Megaherz himself (He worked on the synths, guitars and programming for Megaherz's albums Kopfschuss and Himmelfahrt). After getting together, the began creating some songs, and then on January 26, 2004, the two released their self-titled debut, Eisbrecher (Icebreaker). Released in Europe by ZYX Music, and Dancing Ferret Disks here in the states, the first 5,000 copies were unique for the fact that they included a blank CD, and the band game the buyers permission to copy the music onto the CD. Eisbrecher did this as a form of protest for what they felt was a "criminalization" of their fans, and it’s a little clever in my opinion.

The music on the band’s debut is great! Whereas Rammstein leans more towards the heavier side of Industrial Metal, Eisbrecher’s first outing comes across as more even in approach. Some of the songs were nice & heavy, but other tracks came across as emotional, melodic, and a little atmospheric. Eisbrecher’s first album is also great in the fact that it can be played in a dance club with no problem, but it can also be performed at a metal concert, and chances are it’ll go over pretty well with the crowd.

Best Track? Practically everything on the band’s first release is great. The opening track Polarstern (Polaris) creates the whole album’s mood, and the rest of the songs carry things along. My personal favorite, however, has to be the title track! Filled with a mix of dance beats, electronic bleeps & bloops, a great set of guitar & drums, and Alexander’s hard/soft style of singing, Eisbrecher is one of the tracks that helped establish themselves as a top Industrial act back in the early-to-mind 2000s.

Eisbrecher

Worst Track? There really aren’t any bad song on here. The puzzling thing about this album, however, is the inclusion of a remix (“Club Mix”) of one of the tracks on the album. Fanatica is one of Eisbrecher’s more dance oriented tracks in their catalog of songs. Relying heavily on electronics, Fanatica is the kind of tune to play to dance to, but it’s the club mix that adds an element of heaviness. Both of them are nice in all, but I do find it odd that two similar songs are on the same disk. Judge for yourself which is the better version.

Fanatica (Original)

Fanatica (Club Mix)

Eisbrecher. An opening release done right, it helped establish the band as a new Industrial act, and one that would get more popular as time would go on. Very recommended. Next album!

Antikörper (2006)

Release on October 20, 2006, Antikörper (Antibodies) is a slight deviation from their self-titled debut. Whereas that album was evenly mixed between Electronic/Industrial & Heavy Metal, this one leans slightly more towards the Metal side of things. There’s still electronic & Industrial elements, but the band had a little more emphasis on drums & guitar work. Antikörper was also different in it’s chart placement: their first record debuted at number 13 on the Deutsche Alternative Charts, while this one made it to number 10. It certainly deserves it’s spot, as the Heavy Metal tinged with Electronic/Industrial creates an experience that’s not completely unlike their debut.

Best Track? For me, I’m personally fond of the 9th track on the album, Kinder der Nacht, or Children of the Night as it’s translated. Evoking imagery of vampires & sensuality, but doing so in a tasteful manner, Kinder der Nacht also balances itself between instrumentation & electronics nicely. I particularly like Alexander’s singing in this song, as it come across as a “Controlled Fury” stying of vocal work. This is the kind of song you play at a club to get people moving, and to maybe get a little bit of slow dancing in as well.

Kinder der Nacht

Worst Track? Really the only thing I can harp about Antikörper is the slight unevenness between it’s Industrial & Metal aspects. For the most part you can’t tell, but if you listen closely, you might be able to pick out when things shift in style. This isn’t the most obvious moment of music change (More on this in a moment), but if you like your music to be more consistent, this may be a turn off. Regardless, Antikörper is a natural evolution of Eisbrecher’s first release. Their core style is intact, but they adapt & change things to match up with the likes of their fans. Definitely recommended. Next Album! 

Sünde (2008/2009)

(Original)

(Re-Release)

Now here we come to perhaps the most baffling record in Eisbrecher’s discography! Released on August 22, 2008 in Germany, August 26th in the states, and re-released in the states on March 10, 2009 (With 3 bonus tracks), Sünde (Sin) is the band’s black sheep of the bunch. Whereas their first release was an even mix between Industrial & Metal, and their second leaned slightly more towards a metal direction, this album leans exceedingly towards the Electronic/Industrial. If I were to guess, I would say that Sünde is 90% Electronic/Industrial, and just 10% Metal. Truth be told, there’s times where the whole album comes across as Electronic & Industrial. Because of this, I find this a strange album to listen to. Not that Sünde is bad, because it isn’t. It’s just that when you listen to the first two albums, and come to this one, it’s like a big case of neck-snapping whiplash. It must have done something right, as it actually debuted at number 1 on the Deutsche Alternative Charts.

Picking a best & worst track is tricky. Due to how Electronic/Industrial this album is, it creates a strange kind of cohesiveness, and thus it’s hard to pick out one or the other. Sünde only real flaw is how different it is from albums before it, and albums afterward. However, I’m rather fond of two tracks, Komm süßer Tod (Come Sweet Death) & This is Deutsch (This is German). While these songs are highly electronic, they also have the most metal within them, creating tunes that metalheads & dancefreaks can latch onto.   

Komm süßer Tod

This is Deutsch

Sünde. A simply weird album, completely different from anything else Eisbrecher has produced before & after. If you prefer more Electronic & Industrial music rather than Industrial Metal, this is the record for you. Next album!

Eiszeit (2010)

After the oddity that was Sünde, Eiszeit (Ice Age) is a return to the style of Antikörper. Released on April 16, 2010, and debuting at number 5% on the charts, Eiszeit had a healthy dose of Heavy Metal injected back into it’s veins. That doesn’t mean they completely removed the Electronic/Industrial blanket from it’s eyes: there’s still some of the dance vibes that their 3rd album created. However, that dance attitude has been mellowed because of the metal that was brought back in. If I were to describe Eiszeit to someone, I’d say it would be a “Heavy Metal Sünde”. You can certainly see this throughout the album, as the metal tracks have hints of Electronic/Industrial dance, while the Electronic/Industrial tracks are a little heavier than others.

Best Track? Once again, this is one of those records that you can pick just about anything on Eiszeit. The return of the metal elements makes this much more accessible to metalheads, and as such the metallic tracks are probably what some listeners will gravitate towards. The title track, for example, is one of these more metal-oriented songs. The electronic elements are still held accountable, but the metallica guitars & drums complement things nicely.

Eiszeit

Worst Track? While Heavy Metal came back onto this album, there’s still an uneven quality in terms of style. It’s definitely more noticeable than Antikörper, but not quite as noticeable as Sünde. You’ll definitely notice the uneven nature, and as I said when I was talking about Antikörper, you’ll hate this if you prefer more controlled music. Apart from this one thing, Eiszeit is a refreshing release when compared to their previous record. Next album!

Die Hölle Muss Warten (2012)

The later period of 2010 was an interesting period for Eisbrecher. After the Summer Breeze Open Air music festival, the band’s long-time live bassist Olli Pohl left (Then replaced by Dominik Palmer). In November of the same year during Alice Cooper’s “Theatre Of Death” tour (Headlined by Alice, Eisbrecher, and Tarja Turunen), their live drummer Rene Greil was temporarily switched to Sebastian Angrand, since Greil needed surgery on his back. In February of 2011, Rene actually left the band because of health reasons (Probably related to his back), and was replaced by Achim Färber. Despite the complications the band faced, they were undeterred by the troubles they faced. Then, in February of 2012, the band released Die Hölle Muss Warten (Hell Must Wait).

Reaching number 3 on the German Media Control Charts, Die Hölle Muss Warten is a more smoothed out release. With their previous two records being uneven in terms of style, this album returns to an Antikörper state of mind. The Heavy Metal elements are very welcome, as it’s great to hear guitars & drums come at me in force, but they don’t in anyway take away from the Electronic/Industrial elements. You can even headbang along with a couple of the tracks, which might sound unusual to some of you.

Best Track? Gonna go left field for this one, and pick Rette Mich (Rescue Me) as the best song of the album. Borderline symphonic in places, Rette Mich is perhaps Eisbrecher’s most emotional & moving tune in their library of songs. I even was brought to the edge of tears almost twice when listening to this tune, which goes to show how strong it is.

Rette Mich

Worst Track? Metall, but not for the reasons some might think. An actually fantastic track, Metall’s only flaw is that it’s not available on the original album, but instead was place on the “Miststück 2012" edition. Again, great track, but not accessible where needed.

Metall

Die Hölle Muss Warten. Only one word can be used to describe this release.....recommended. Next album!

Schock (2015)

Released at the start of this year, 2015's Schock (Shock) is an interesting album. Back in February 12th of last year, the band announced on their website that they began recording music for an early album release in 2015. Due to this early release, they limited their appearances in 2014, but their ice-cold presence was still felt. On March 11, 2014, they released a special U.S. only album call 10 Jahre Kalt, which contained remixes of classic tracks & more recent hits. After that, the band was focused on creating music, so the rest of the year was uneventful apart from the limited appearances. However, it was worth the wait, and on January 23, 2015, Eisbrecher’s 6th album, Schock, was released onto the world.

Debuting at number 2 on the GfK Entertainment Charts, Schock is a fine album. In many ways it harkens back to their Antikörper period, where instrumentation edged out slightly over Electronic & Industrial elements. Sometimes obviously so, sometimes not. Other times, it seems like the other way around: the Electronic & Industrial elements have more precedent over the instruments. Due to this, the environment of this record is much more random & chaotic than anything else in Eisbrecher’s discovery. Given the album’s name, I’m going to assume that this was intentional, as getting electrocuted is quite the hectic & out of nowhere experience!

Best Track? Personally, I’m fond of 1000 Narben (1000 Scares), the 2nd song of Schock. I’m not the biggest fan of Punk music around, but I swear I hear punk undertones here & there throughout this song. Somehow & someway, I don’t mind this. In fact, I actually like the Punk undertones (If that’s actually what I’m picking up), and I think they provide to the song’s attitude. This is the kind of song you don’t want to hear in a fight, cause someone’s gonna knock your lights out!

1000 Narben

Worst Track? Only bad thing I can point out is the bipolar/multiple-personality-disorder nature of the songs. Life is Killing Me from Type-O Negative had a similar issue, but in a strange way that album had more control over it’s issue. With Schock, it feels like there’s less control in regards to this issue. Perhaps to the point of anarchy, but maybe I’m blowing this out of proportion. That said, Schock is a nice album to dance or rock out to. I might not like it as much as other albums, but it’s still awesome to listen to. Once again, another album to recommend!

Sturmfahrt (2017) ****

Okay, confession time: back when I originally did this overview back in 2015.....I was kind of half-assing things. Despite Eisbrecher being my no. 2 band of all time, I was also falling out with them in an odd way. I didn't think they were bad, but at the same time I didn't have a massive drive to seek out their music. Low & behold they managed to put out an album that was not only fantastic, but it brought me back into the group's icy clutches. Released on the 18th of August of last year (The original release date was the 25th, but got put out a week early), Sturmfahrt (Translated to Stormy Voyage) is the album that harkens back to the band's earliest material, while at the same time never feeling as old as those records. I actually recall coming across a track or two in 2017, and brushed them off as quickly as I found them. Fast forward to 2018, and I'm kicking myself for having done so.

Fun Fact: Sturmfahrt became the first album from Eisbrecher to take the number 1 spot on the German 100. It would also be in the top 10 on the Swiss & Austrian lists, taking the number 8 and number 10 spots respectively.

Best Track? In Einem Boot is a really haunting track. Conjuring the atmosphere & feelings of a submarine deep in the sea, Eisbrecher have a serious and emotional take on the experience. It's not a fast song, as it opts for a slower place when compared to some of the other songs on the album. The singing match the slower place as well, and Alexander Wesselsky never loses sight of this when he changes how loud he sings throughout the tune. Coupled with some equally haunting radar pings, and you have a song that just makes you feel like you're trapped on a vessel at sea alongside a few other hardened sailors.

In Einem Boot (On A Boat)

Worst Track? Nothing! for the first time in a while, I am keeping a firm foot in their snowy camp. In what seems like ages, Eisbrecher put out a perfect album in every way, and I am incredibly grateful. Again, the group seemed to reaching back into their early years for inspiration, and pulled out some damn good music from the coldest & deepest point in the ocean. If you don't get at least a chill up your spine while to listen to this release at least once, then something's not right!

Sturmfahrt. The album that helped me back into the band, and a fine release in 2017. If you're brave enough to tread the icy waters, you might just find this album waiting for you to listen to it. Certainly recommended!

So this was a look at the ice cold & emotionally powerful Eisbrecher. A band that’s practically made for this month, they’re a great alternative (Like Turmion Kätilöt) when compared to the more mainstream Industrial Metal artists. They might not be as popular as other popular Industrial artists, but it makes the discovery of them all the better! See you all later this week, when I’ll take a look at a OVA that’s brimming with the Christmas spirit. Until then, spread the word about this chilling band!



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Apologies for the late posting! I was busy helping a friend out this morning, and I didn't have the time to post this until now.

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(Update 1) November 23, 2018/12:58 AM/Eastern Standard Time 

Top 5 Albums That Are Perfect For December

Happy Holidays fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

We all get into the Christmas season whenever a jingle pops into our heads. That one little tune that comes across the radio (or something random on youtube or TV), and we immediately get visions of snow & merriment with the ones we love. When we come across whole albums, then the holiday season becomes a force that simply can’t be ignored. Below are 5 records that we should all listen to during this month. These releases are imbued with the essence of this month, and are either brutal & cold, or heartwarming & charming. Either way, once you listen to these, you can never ignore them when it comes to this time of year. So with that said, here are the top 5 albums that are perfect for December. Enjoy!

5) Vintersorg - Till Fjälls (Sample Song)

We start off this list with a trip to Sweden. Since the late 90s, Vintersorg has produced their unique brand of Folk Metal mixed with elements of Black & Progressive Metal, and have amassed a sizable army of fans since then. Their first release, Till Fjälls, is considered to be a classic amongst metal fans, and for a good reason. It’s a very moody & atmospheric album, filled with equal parts fury & emotion, and Andreas Hedlund’s vocal works is a combo of clear segments & controlled Black Metal howls. Coupled with instrumentation that combines typical Heavy Metal elements, traditional Folk instruments, and sound effects that evoke nature, Vikings, along with the supernatural, and you have a starting release that’s makes for a great metal recommendation.

4) Katatonia - Dance Of December Souls (Sample Song)

Continuing our trip through Sweden, our next album comes from a band that’s considered to have helped establish the Death-Doom genre back in the early 90s. I have to admit, Dance Of December Souls is ahead of Vintersorg’s first album, simply because it’s got the word “December” in it’s album title. On the other hand, this is a frosty album! Katatonia, particularly in their early years, created some highly atmospheric CDs, and their first outing has an incredible atmosphere! Dance Of December Souls is a seamless work, invoking elements of fantasy, the chill of winter, and the darkness that the season can sometimes bring. All of this comes together to form a starting record that, much like Till Fjälls, is a great way to begin a career. Definitely recommended!

3) Eisbrecher - Eisbrecher (Sample Song)

Truth be told, I could have picked practically any of Eisbrecher’s releases. All of them are fantastic Industrial Metal albums, filled with power, emotion, ice, and even songs about sailing. For simplicity’s sake, however, I’m going with the band’s first release, simply titled after the group’s name. You know you’re off to a good start when the first song of the album, Polarstern (Polaris), basically lists the statistics of an icebreaker ship, and to an Industrial beat. The rest of the album goes through many different emotions, all the while covering the listener in a healthy coat of frost, and coming at you with a surprising amount of heaviness. Eisbrehcer’s first album always sends chills up my spine any other time of the year, but on December, it’s icy grip is particularly potent!

2) Twisted Sister - A Twisted Christmas (Sample Song)

Now here we come to some Christmas music proper!

Okay, maybe it’s not completely proper. When it comes to Twisted Sister, everything is turned on it’s head. Even the holiday season isn’t safe, and A Twisted Christmas is proof of this! From the beginning of the first track (Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas) you know that you’re in for a twisted ride. At the same time, the band shows respect towards these classic songs in their own strange way. There’s still that Twisted Sister charm in each & every track, but at the same time there’s still some of that original heart & soul as well. If you want your Christmas season to be a little twisted, this is the album for you!

1) John Denver & The Muppets: A Christmas Together (Sample Song)

Yes fellow Otaku & Metalheads, John Denver. Perhaps one of the most un-metal musician to ever grace the world of music, I none-the-less respect this man for the legacy of Folk Music he created, not to mention how much of a decent human being he was. Mr. Denver was also known for creating some great Christmas specials, with none being more classic than his first special with the Muppets back in the 70s. Sadly, the special has never had a re-mastering: I had a hard time looking for the reason, but from what I read from one comment on youtube (On the actual special no less), the reason is because it’s not technically a Jim Henson, but a John Denver special that just happened to have the Muppets on it. The one thing that has managed to come back from time to time is the music from that special, compiled onto a record (Eventually a CD) known simply as John Denver & The Muppets: A Christmas Together.

A Christmas Together makes it to number 1 through sheer nostalgia. The music that was on this album is stuff I’ve heard since I was very young, and when it came time to decorate the tree, this CD would be the first, if not one of the first, music collections to get put into the player. I honestly can’t stress how fantastic the songs on here are. I’ll fully admit I enjoy some wackier Christmas tracks, but you’ll not find a better collection of calming holiday music out there! There’s some silliness on here, but that’s to be expected. This is Christmas music designed to warm the heart, to bring family & friends together in the spirit of the occasion, and just to create some nice feelings. No Christmas, at least in our household, is complete with this album. Recommended beyond belief!

So these were the top 5 albums that are perfect for December. Hopefully they left some goosebumbs on your arms, infused you with the holiday spirit, or some combination of the two! See you all later this week, when we’ll take a look at a metal overview that’s very much in-tuned to the season. Until then, check these albums out, and share them with your friends!



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If you’re curious about the John Denver/Muppets holiday special, then check out the link below:

John Denver Christmas Special

Top 5 Movies of 2015

Welcome to the final “Top 5” list of 2015, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

We started off with this year’s top 5 albums, and the day before yesterday we looked at the top 5 games. So let’s conclude this with a top 5 list that’ll definitely cause a debate. I’ll not waste anymore time, and show you all what I consider to be the top 5 movies of 2015. Enjoy!

5) Mr. Holmes (Trailer)

Let me start off with a movie that took me completely by surprise. I’ll rewind the clock a little: it’s Father’s Day, and my Dad wanted to go to the movies to celebrate. He picked out this film, and Mom & I were flabbergasted! Neither of us didn’t even know about this movie until the day we actually went to see it. I’m actually kind of glad I didn’t know much about this film, cause I loved it! It might not be a movie I would watch again, but the quality was fantastic. Sir Ian McKellen made for a convincing Sherlock Holmes, as he comes across as a individual with a biting wit & sharp sense of humor. The film is filled with heart, atmosphere, great acting, and a story that can get you right in the feels. I might not watch this again, but I’m still glad I got to watch Mr. Holmes. It’s elementary!

4) Jurassic World (Trailer)

It’s hilarious that there were people throwing crap towards this film. Considering how idiotic the 2nd & 3rd movies were, Jurassic World is a breath of fresh air. Invoking the spirit of the original Jurassic Park, it’s great to see dinosaurs on the big screen once again! Chris Pratt made for a great male lead, and why he may not be as charismatic as Sam Neill was in the first movie, he made up for it by chewing up every scene he was in, and adding a bit of youthful vigor to the film as a whole. The rest of the cast ranged from good to meh, but it was the dinosaurs that really took center stage, with the T-Rex from the original film coming back for one final appearance of badassery, not to mention Chris’s personal pack of Raptors. All I can say to Jurassic World is thank you for bringing back the nostalgia of the 90s. It was definitely appreciated!

3) The Kingsman (Trailer)

As absurd as Jurassic World was, The Kingsman (Along with number 2 & 1) was even more absurd. A group of gentlemen spies & soldiers, taking on bad guys with wit & sophistication, is flat out ridiculous. Bring in Samuel L. Jackson, and give him a lisp & and a phobia for blood, and you have one of the goofiest bad guys in cinema history! The spectacle of The Kingsman is fantastic as well, with a mix of old-school James Bond spy action & modern action movie sensibilities. It even manages to fit in some serious & dramatic moments, with Colin Firth providing a majority of those moments. If you want a modern-day James Bond, but with a bigger emphasis on fun, then The Kingsman is just what you’re looking for!

2) Ant-Man (Trailer)

As I was thinking about this list, I deeply considered putting Age Of Ultron here as well. Marvel’s been putting out some great movies in recent year, but I had to consider one thing, and that’s “Which movie did I enjoy more?”. As great as Age Of Ultron was, I found it’s more serious mood & attitude to be kind of a downer for me. Ant-Man, on the other hand, was a blast to watch! Considerably more lighthearted than Age Of Ultron, and perhaps some of Marvel’s movies in the past 2 years, Ant-Man had a simpler story to follow, a great cast, and again the movie was more easy going than Ultron was. Seeing Paul Rudd lead an army of ants against the bad guys, and you’ll never been the same. If you didn’t like the more grim world that was Age Of Ultron, Ant-Man is the Marvel movie for you!

Before we get to the number 1 movie of 2015, I wanted to take a look at some honorable mentions. Movies that are good, maybe even great, but there’s something that is holding them back from getting onto the main list. Maybe it’s the movie’s reputation, maybe I didn’t see it & only read about it, or some other reason that can be used. Here’s a quick look at 2015's honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions
HM1) The Visit (Trailer)

M. Night Shyamalan. I think it’s safe to say that back in the early 2000s, he kind of got in touch with his ego, and really hasn’t stopped touching. With 2015, it seems like he’s loosened his grip a little with The Visit. A found footage horror movie, The Visit has actually managed to get some people back into the Shyamalan fold. There’s no over-the-top BS, no pretentious message, no idiotic twists (Although there is a legitimate twist towards the end, but it’s earned from what I’ve heard), and there really isn’t any of the typical Shyamalan elements. I didn’t get to see this when it first came out, but after hearing all of the hype & praise, I actually give The Visit a healthy dose of respect. When it comes out on DVD, I have every intention of grabbing a copy to watch. It’s gonna be a creepy time, that’s for sure!

HM2) AnimeFest 2015 - Ouran Hosts the Black Magic Club (Trailer/Panel)

Okay, I admit I’m pulling this one out of my butt. An anime panel, on a top 5 movies post? Yeah, I can certainly see the complaints, and truth be told, I can’t completely disagree. That’s why I put this in the honorable mentions section. With that said, I loved this panel! After discovering them back in late 2013, I found that the Ootori Cosplay Group were incredibly faithful to the cast of Ouran High School Host Club, and the audience participation just made the experience that much more silly. If you’ve got some time to kill, then this panel is great for that purpose.

1) Kung Fury (Trailer)

For only a little over a half-hour (31 minutes & 3 seconds), Kung Fury is the most important movie of 2015. Simply put, you haven’t watched 2015's plethora of movies until you watch Kung Fury! A crowd-funded monstrosity of a film, Kung Fury brings back all of the ridiculous 80s movie tropes. The cheesy story, the hokey acting, the cheap special effects, etc. I’ve watched this a bunch of times since it came out back in May, and it’s only one of a handful of movies that I can watch over-and-over, and not be bored. It is that much fun, and you’re still committing a horrible sin by not watch the might that is Kung Fury! 

So these were the top 5 movies of 2015. Perhaps a little more on the lighthearted end than some of you would expect, but I think that this year it was appropriate. So with this top 5 lists out of the way, it’s time for some fun holiday posts, and then Christmas! So come back next week, when we’ll take a look at some albums that are just right for this month. See you then!


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If you’re got a half-hour to kill, check out the Kung Fury movie below. You won’t be disappointed!

Kung Fury (Movie)

Also, if you’re curious as to what movies I thought were top 5 last year, click the link below.

Top 5 Movies of 2014

Top 5 Games Of 2015

Welcome to part 2 of 2015's “Top 5” list series.

At the beginning of this week, we look a look at the top 5 albums of this year. That list was interesting, to be sure, but I think this one might top that. Like in 2014, I counted that year’s games, and this year will be do different. So here’s a look at 2015's top 5 games. Maybe you’ll grab one of these, and you might like them. Also, enjoy!

5) Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (Video)

I think it’s a safe thing to say that If one was to pick a title in the Borderlands franchise to be it’s black sheep, The Pre-Sequel will likely be on people’s list. Due to programming & other issues, the game didn’t sell as well as it’s predecessor, and received something of a lukewarm reaction from fans. Due to this, The Pre-Sequel has fallen by the wayside, which is actually a tragic shame. While it certainly has it’s fair share of problems, and doesn’t quite have as much staying power as Borderlands 2, the game itself isn’t quite the monster a lot of people make it out to be. If you liked Borderlands 2, you’ll actually find that this game provides a rough equivalent! Great gameplay, oddball characters, and a expansion of gun porn the likes of which modern shooters only dream off. Yes it’s not quite as good as the game before it, but Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel is still a fine shooter, and it’s one I would recommend in a second!

I know that I put this on the number 3 spot on last year’s list, but with the rest of the Season Pass that was added into the game, I felt that perhaps it was appropriate to give it another moment in the spotlight.

4) Five Nights At Freddy’s 3 (Video) & Five Nights At Freddy’s 4 (Video)

If I didn’t get stuck of either of these games, I would have gladly put them a tiny bit higher on the list. Sadly, frustration kicks in when the A.I. decides to mess with you, and thus Five Nights At Freddy’s 3 & 4 are stuck together at the 4th spot on this list. Despite the difficulty (I’m stuck on round 3 in FNaF3, and round 2 in the 4th game), both of these games are downright terrifying, as I came close a bunch of times to ruining my boxers! Scott Cawthon knows how to make surprisingly good jump scares, and just the idea of being stalked by the ghosts of dead children (And 1 serial killer) inside Chuck E. Cheese-style animatronics is horror incarnate. Each game, while repetitive in nature, none the less manages to amp up the scares each time, and in my opinion these two are his most scariest. If you fancy yourself some simple horror, then these two games are nice & cheap ways to get your scare fix!

3) Raptor: Call Of The Shadows 2015 Edition (Video)

Right out of my childhood come a blast from the past! A game that in my opinion helped shape the “Bullet Hell” genre of games, Raptor: Call Of The Shadows is a classic DOS game that’s still fondly remembered & played today by fans of the PC. While not really any different from the version offered by Mountain King Studios (If you own that version, you essentially have this one), this is still a great game. One fighter pilot against a horde of different vehicular enemies (Mixed between ground, air, and buildings) across 3 different settings, the cyberpunk style of Raptor is really what sets it apart from some of the other “Bullet Hell” games. It might not be heavy in terms of story, it’s certainly heavy in terms of gameplay.....and LEAD!!!!

2) Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (Video)

Ah, Call of Duty. As much as I enjoy the series, I can’t deny that it’s reputation is in shambles. Starting back during the Modern Warfare 2 days, the franchise has gained a reputation for being highly repetitive from game-to-game, and being a money sink thanks to the DLC. Things certainly got worse when Ghosts came out, especially when the game before it (Black Ops 2) became the new gold standard for the series. With Sledgehammer Games’s first outing with Advanced Warfare, they’ve managed to regain some confidence from fans who were turned off by the previous release. They didn’t get it all back, however, but they gained enough confidence that faith is slowly returning to the franchise. Thanks to a cyberpunk-infused singleplayer & multiplayer, a great performance from actor Kevin Spacey, along with a zombie mode that rivals Treyarch’s own take on it, and you have a Call of Duty title that’s a lot of fun. Equally flawed, but fun regardless!

Before we get to the number 1 game of 2015, I wanted to take a look at some honorable mentions. Games that are good, maybe even great, but there’s something that is holding them back from getting onto the main list. Maybe it’s the game’s reputation, maybe it’s because it wasn’t released this year (Hint, Hint), or some other reason that can be used. Here’s a quick look at 2015's honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions
HM1) Hunie Pop (Video)

Markiplier. That’s all you need to know about this game. I've watched through all of his playthrough a couple months ago (And his return to the game last month), and it’s ridiculous nature, not to mention his goofy style of humor, made it an experience that’s certainly not forgettable. I’m typically not a fan of dating games, as I find them kind of superficial, but I can understand why some people get interested in them. Who knows, I might actually pick this up eventually when it goes on sale on Steam sometime.

HM2) South Park: The Stick Of Truth (Video)

While I haven’t been a fan of South Park’s recent season, I can’t deny that it’s still one of the most iconic cartoons out there, and The Stick Of Truth is practically a whole season in video game form. My Dad managed to snag this for me during Steam’s annual summer sale this year, and it was worth it! While it really doesn’t have much in the way of replay value, it makes up for this by having some of the most ridiculous humor around, and has a surprisingly good RPG system going for it as well. It’s not the most complex RPG around, but for people who enjoy a more simplistic adventure, The Stick Of Truth is up your alley. BEEFCAKE!!!!!!!! 

1) Heroes of the Storm (Video)

True story: I had Advanced Warfare at the number 1 spot for a while. Compared to Ghosts, I thought that this was considerably refreshing, and a nice change of pace compared to the previous Call of Duty game. Then in March of this year, a friend of mine managed to send me a beta invite to Heroes of the Storm. A few months later, and Advanced Warfare got pushed up the list a little. The amount of stupid fun we’ve had since March is nothing short of staggering. While it’s had a hiccup or two, I don’t hold them to how much of a blast Heroes of the Storm has been! If you’re a fan of Blizzard’s IPs (Diablo, Starcraft, Warcraft), and want a MOAB game that’s not quite as forcefully competitive as League Of Legends or Smite, Heroes of the Storm is the game for you!

So these were my top 5 games of 2015. It’s an odd mix, to be sure, but it’s a mix that’s well-suited for an oddball such as myself. I’ll see you all again later this week, when we’ll take a look at the top 5 movies of 2015. See you then!



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If you want to see what I considered to be the top 5 games of last year, check out the link below.

Top 5 Games Of 2014

Top 5 Albums of 2015

Welcome, fellow Otaku & Metalheads, to December 2015!

Yes ladies & gentlemen, it’s closing ceremonies time here on the Heavy Metal Otaku blog. We’re all fighting against the snow (Well, some of us) & trying to stay warm (Again, some of us), getting ready for Christmas, and planning out 2016's circuit of conventions. I’m doing all of this, but in the meantime I’m getting some end-of-year content for all of you. Starting off, I’m getting out my annual top 5 lists, covering albums, games, and movies!

This time around, things are slightly different. The 2014 lists were just from 5 to 1, but this year I’ve decided to put in “Honorable Mentions” sections in each of these lists. While I liked the lists from last year, adding this one thing puts a little more meat onto the bones, and makes for better & longer reading. So let’s start this series off with a more controversial list, as I’ll show off what I consider to be the top 5 albums of this year. Enjoy!

5) Ghost - Meliora (Song)

Let’s start off with a relatively recent band in the world of metal & rock. Since 2010, Ghost has been cranking out great Heavy Metal & Hard Rock songs. Combining the theatrics of Alice Cooper & Kiss, the strangeness of Rob Zombie & Black Sabbath, along with their love of horror movies, and you have a band that’s just right for the more weirder music fans out there. With their release of this year, Meliora, they continue their tradition of mixing Heavy/Progressive Metal, Hard Rock, and Psychedelic music, with the result being a fantastic album! If I had discovered this band perhaps a year or two earlier, I might have put Meliora a little higher on this list, but I only discovered this band about a fourth of the way through 2015. Regardless, Ghost’s 3rd release  is a great record, and certainly one I would recommend for anyone who likes their music on the funky side!

4) Lindemann - Skills With Pills (Song)/Eisbrecher - Schock (Song)/Turmion Kätilöt - Diskovibrator (Song)

In 2015 ladies & gentlemen, we’ve had release from not one, not 2, but 3 Industrial Metal titans! Till Lindemann’s solo/supergroup Lindemann, the more dance & electronic stylings of Eisbrecher, and the furious offerings of Finland’s own Turmion Kätilöt. Each of these bands put out spectacular albums, complete with the respective group’s signature sound & feel. You really can’t go wrong with any of these, and they would make for great gifts for anyone who likes Industrial music. Recommended all at once!

3) Draconian - Sovran (Song)

From a relatively recent band at number 5, to a relatively recent record. When I was originally conceiving this list, I actually had Diskovibrator here instead of being at number 4, simply because I thought it was slightly better than Lindemann or Eisbrecher’s offerings, but not by much. After coming across this release, all that changed. After an okay release back in 2011, along with a change in female vocalists, fans of Draconian were eagerly anticipating their next release. On October 30th, their sixth album Sovran was released to hungry fans, and it was devoured within moments. The band’s new female singer Heike Langhans has as much energy & passion as their previous (Lisa Johansson), and the rest of the band is in great shape as well. Draconian continues to show their mastery of Gothic & Doom Metal to the rest of the world, and anyone who hasn’t listened to this is doing a great disservice!!

2) Motörhead - Bad Magic (Song)

There’s been some newcomers on this list, but from here on out, legends are taking over, and there’s been no legend in the Heavy Metal world like Motörhead. Since 1977, Motörhead has released some of the most iconic albums in the history of Metal, with little in the way of bad/weak records. Bad Magic, however, is quite an odd release: it doesn’t really do anything new to reshape their image, but at the same time the quality on this album is top notch, and reinforces what makes them good in the first place! Despite being 69 years old, Lemmy Kilmister still has a great voice, and his guitar work is still nice & heavy. The rest of the band is fantastic as well, will Mickey Dee giving a furious performance on the drums, and Phillip Campbell’s skill with the guitar rivals that of Lemmy himself. If you like your metal on the old-school side of things, then there’s nothing wrong with conjuring up a little bad magic!

Before we get to the number 1 album of 2015, I wanted to take a look at some honorable mentions. Albums that are good, maybe even great, but there’s something that is holding them back from getting onto the main list. Maybe it’s the band’s current reputation, maybe it’s something to do with the album in question, or some other reason that can be used. Here’s a quick look at 2015's honorable mentions.

Honorable Mentions
HM1) Paradise Lost - The Plague Within (Song)/Moonspell - Extinct (Song)

First off, let me just say that I find nothing wrong with either of these albums. If anything, they’re incredible! Both Paradise Lost & Moonspell have been around since the 90s (Paradise Lost put out their first release in 1990, and Moonspell released their first album in 1995), and in that time the two have released some of the finest Gothic Metal albums ever. Their most recent metallic offerings are great too: Paradise Lost made a return to their Death Metal roots with The Plague Within, and Moonspell continues their gothic ways with Extinct. As great as both of these albums are however, they really don’t do anything new. As fantastic as The Plague Within is, it really just feels like a refined Death Metal album from early on in their career, while Extinct feels slightly rehashed in some respects. Despite their issues, both of these albums are great to listen to, and I would recommend them to anyone who was curious.

HM2) Iron Maiden - Book Of Souls (Song)

Ah, Iron Maiden. I think it’s safe to say that since 2003, the band has really gone down with the ship. As they continued to embrace their Prog side, they lost their metal side, despite what the material may have sounded like. 2015 seems like the year that the band recovered......partially. There’s still a heavy Prog presence on Book Of Souls, but it appears that they’ve brought back some of their metallic past. You’ve got some great material on here (My personal favorite is Tears Of A Clown, the Robin Williams tribute track), but again, the Prog material makes me a little paranoid. Recommended a little more cautiously than the two albums above, but recommended regardless.

1) Faith No More - Sol Invictus (Song)

Yes fellow Otaku & Metalheads, Faith No More. Taking the number 1 spot is the Nu & Funk Metal stylings of one of the most 90s bands out there, some of you were probably expecting me to put Motörhead here, and I can’t tell you how close these two were. Practically an inch or two, and that’s not a lie! However, I had to pick the album that impacted me more: as much as Bad Magic is a badass album, Sol Invictus practically came right out of the shadows. Like I said in my review earlier this year, when I listened to this album, I felt like I was transported back to the 90s. Despite not putting out an album since 1997, Sol Invictus comes across as fresh, funky, and fun! Mike Patton’s singing is still emotional & powerful, and the rest of the band puts in their all as well. If there was one album that is a 2015 must, then Faith No More’s return is that album!

So these were the top 5 albums of 2015. It’s definitely a wild selection, that’s for sure. However, the world of Heavy Metal & Rock n’ Roll is always turbulent, so it shouldn’t be a surprise. I’ll see you again later this week, when we’ll take a look at the top 5 games of 2015. See you then!



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Here’s a link to my Sol Invictus review.

Sol Invictus (Review)

Also, if you’re interested in what I considered to be the top 5 albums of 2014 (This is especially for those who never read that list), check out last year’s selection below.

Top 5 Albums Of 2014

In Memoram: Paris

Once again, fellow Otaku & Metalheads, I bring grim tidings. Maybe even more grim than the passing of Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, but it's something I must address this.

Earlier today, what appears to be terrorist attacks took place in Paris, France. Attacks took place at a soccer game between France & Germany, and at a Metal Concert (More on this below). The situation is horrific people: at 6:32 PM, Eastern Standard Time, at least 60 people have now been reported to have been killed. This is.....I don't know what to say about this. Not to long ago France came under attack due to a political cartoon, and once again their are being victimized. I legitimately can say a thing: I could bring up words about yesterday easily. With this......can't really bring anything up. My Heart, soul, and prayers go out to those that died, along with those that are still around suffering through this. If you want more thorough coverage on the Paris attacks, please check out the links below. They'll give you better information than I will.

Paris Attacks (BBC)

Paris Attacks (CNN)

Paris Attacks (CoverKillerNation)

I hope I haven't been a downer this week. To raise everyone's spirits a little, here's a video of two guinea pigs talking about Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Enjoy.

Fluff Episode 1: Pumpkin Spice Lattes 


Update (1/8:49 PM, Eastern Standard Time): I just looked online, and the total of people dead is 118.

Update (2/9:17 PM, Eastern Standard Time): It appears as if the attacks are over with, but the death toil has stopped at a staggering 158 deaths, with many more wounded.

In Memoram: Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor

I know I put up my 2nd November review earlier this week, but after hearing about this, I simply had to talk about it.

On November 12th, 2015, Phil Taylor, known more infamously as Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, the former drummer of the iconic Motörhead, passed away at the age of 61 due to illness. Truthfully, I didn't even know the man was sick until I was watching a CoverKillerNation video (Good music channel) about it. I'll fully admit I'm more of a recent newcomer to this legendary band, having really gotten into them since late last year due to Razorfist's (Another good music channel) Metal Mythos video on the band. Despite being a new comer to this band, Phil's death has affected me greatly. While certainly not as attention-grabbing as Lemmy, Phil's drumming was spectacular, paving the way for Thrash Metal & Speed Metal to come to the fore due to his unique double-bass drumwork. Without thus remarkable style of playing, Heavy Metal would sound far too different in this day & age.

Speaking of playing, here's some track where I think this metallic monster shines. Take a moment to listen to these, and enjoy the memories!

Overkill

Bomber

Ace Of Spades

Iron Fist  

One Track Mind

Rock 'N' Roll  

I'm So Bad, Baby I Don't Care

Phil, I've never met you in person, but through your music I've come to consider you a Heavy Metal brother-in-arms. Your skill, not to mention your wild man hair, shall not be forgotten by me, nor shall it not be forgotten by the fans you earned. Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, I salute you!

Anime Review - Ore Monogatari (My Love Story)

Welcome to November review number 2, fellow Otaku & Metalheads!

So last week I took a look at the nonsensical Bastard. An over-the-top anime filled with Heavy Metal, Fantasy, and some of the goofiest fan-service you can find in an old-school anime. Today’s show, however, is Bastard’s opposite. There’s definitely an over-the-top nature to a degree, and there’s some goofiness to be sure. However, today’s show is filled with heart, emotion, and love. So get a box of chocolate, maybe a box of tissues, and take a look at 2015's Shojo hit, Ore Monogatari. Let the review begin!!

Story/Setup
Takeo Goda is a junior high school student with an unusual predicament. He’s tall and has the strength of Hercules, but girls don’t go for him. Because of his looks, they instead go for his handsome friend Makoto Sunakawa. Taking this as his lot in life, fate threw a wrench into the machine when on a off-hand chance to rescue a girl from a train molestor. This girl turns out to be Rinko Yamato, and this chance encounter lit a fire between the two. This turned into a relationship between Takeo & Rinko, filled with love, romance, happiness, and emotion. Along the way they encounter others who are similar to them, and do the best they can to help, all the while enjoy their time together.

On the surface, Ore Monogatari looks like your typical Shojo anime story. For the most part, this is true: there are plenty of elements you will find in a show like this. However, the surface is just a mask, and what’s underneath is simply stunning. At it’s core, Ore Monogatari is a show with heart, soul, emotion, and legitimate warmth. This is a show that will give you the feels, and you’d be feeling warm & fuzzy constantly. I’ll fully admit it, but there were plenty of times where I almost cried (Kinda like HaNaYaMaTa from last year), which goes to show how powerful the emotions are in this series. Definitely a strength!

Animation
Ore Monogatari’s animation, for the most part, is what anyone could call typical Shojo. Very colorful & cheery, large but not excessively huge eyes, etc. Everybody looks distinct from one another (Especially Takeo, but more on that in a bit), and nothing is ever truly ugly. Considering the lovey-dovey cutesy nature of the story, this brighter look is especially important. Shojo should never look ugly, and this series succeeds to the 10th degree!

Perhaps the one glaring/not glaring point of animation is Takeo himself. Takeo is quite different when compared to other male Shojo leads: He’s tall, built like a tank, and has rather large lips (This leads to a......awkward scene early on in the series). He’s the exact opposite when compared to the typical male Shojo character as far as physicality is concerned, but this bellies how strong he is emotionally (More on this below), and how much of a dependable guy he can be.

Voice Acting
At this moment in time, Ore Monogatari has subtitles only. As far as I know there aren’t any plans to bring this series over to the states, which is a shame if it never gets over here, cause I’d like to hear who hey would have picked for the cast.

Characters
Just as strong as the story are the characters. In some Shojo anime, the cast in question can some times be weak, shallow, or some combination of the two. Even if this isn’t the case, then the lack of background can be a real downer to the viewer. Thankfully, Ore Monogatari doesn’t suffer from this problem, and instead has a very likable cast of characters. I’m not kidding when I say that I liked pretty much everybody: all of the characters have a part to play, and unlike my last series, everybody gets some kind of decent screentime. It might just be a moment, or it might be a scene or two, but the entire cast provides something that contributes to the progression of the story.

Let’s start off with someone you could see from a mile away, Takeo. Like I said above, he’s the exact opposite of your normal male Shojo lead. He’s rugged, tall, and built like an Asian equivalent of the Incredible Hulk. Underneath all that, and you’ll find one of the kindest individuals you’ll ever meet. Takeo is incredibly selfless, always thinking of other people, and is highly devoted to other people. Constantly hanging out with his best friend Makoto Sunakawa   (More on him in a sec), his one flaw is that he’s constantly down on himself because girls don’t find him attractive because of how he looks, and they flock to Makoto instead. However, Takeo isn’t bitter, and instead feels that it’s his lot in life to not be with someone. Speaking of Sunakawa...

Makoto Sunakawa is kind of a oddball character. On the one hand, he’s rather cold. Not in a heartless manner, but more of the fact that he has an indifferent kind of mood/attitude. Girls come on to him frequently, but he really doesn’t pay attention apart from a few moments, and simply brushes them off without being mean shortly afterwards. On the other hand, Makoto is a kind individual on par with Takeo. Granted, he doesn’t have the physical strength of his larger compatriot, but he’s quite knowledgeable about a lot of things, and often finds himself helping his close friend, along with a select few he gradually encounters. Truly an interesting character.

Then there’s Rinko Yamato, Takeo love interest throughout the rest of the series. Practically Shojo incarnate, Rinko is bubbly, cute, and loving. In a strange way, this actually works in this show, and while a little annoying, those moments are incredibly few & far between. Unlike every other girl that came Takeo’s way, Rinko looked past Takeo’s appearance, and appreciated his strength & kindness. An avid baker & maker of sweets, her love & innocence captured Takeo’s heart, and the two are practically inseparable (Much like Takeo & Sunakawa).

However, the rest of the cast is fun to watch as well! Makoto’s sister Ai makes appearances throughout the series, and has a secret crush for Takeo. Takeo’s parents (Yuriko & Yutaka) are simultaneously goofy yet charming. Osamu Kurihara is a friend of Takeo’s, and eventually find a relationship himself with Mariya Saijo, who first encountered Takeo when she needed help training for a sports meet. Yukika Amami has known both Takeo & Sunakawa since the early years, even though she never really talked to either of them. She left anonymous chocolates for Sunakawa for years, until she finally got the courage to speak to him about getting together. This relationship didn’t last long, but it was something she wanted for a long time. It’s this kind of a cast that can really stick in your mind, and never leave.

Availability & Pricing
Currently, Ore Monogatari can only be found on major streaming sites like Crunchyroll, or one of many 3rd-party streaming sites. Check out the link below for the whole series:

Ore Monogatari (Crunchyroll)

Overall Impression & Rating
Ore Monogatari is not only an essential Shojo anime, but it’s an essential anime period! It does have a small blemish or two, but they in no way truly ruin the experience that is this show! The story is nice & simple, the animation is cheery, and the characters are just a treat to watch. If you’re the kind of person that’s not particularly fond of this genre, then you’ll find that Ore Monogatari will surprise you in a lot of ways. Either way, this is definitely a 2015 hit, and I very much recommend it!

Ore Monogatari!! (My Love Story) gets a 9.5 out of 10.

Welp, here was my other November review. I hope you enjoyed it, and now I’ll take my leave for the rest of the month. Stay safe, and have a great Thanksgiving!



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Apologies for the delay. I went out this morning for job applications, and didn't have time to put this up in the morning.