Freedom Fighter's Library: Old Updates (Jul.

December 13-15, 2007
Currently Watching: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Vol. 1; Hare + Guu, Vols. 2 & 3; Ninja Nonsense, Vols. 2 & 3; Black Lagoon, Vol. 1, School Rumble, Vol. 1 [Three months away and that's it?!]

Holy crap, I'm alive! Uh, I mean...

Sorry it's been so long since this site was last updated. For those of you who don't know, I've returned to college this fall to resume pursuing my career and my future! I've been out for far too long and now it's time to get my life back on track at long last! As a result, as you've already seen, updates here and new fanfics at Fanfiction.net will now be very scarce. It's something that unfortunately can't be helped, as I'm always very busy and barely have time to do fun things. And things related to this site and FF.net? Towards the bottom of the list.

Nevertheless, I did want to come back and have at least one update this fall - while, simultaneously, giving you all an early Christmas present! Last month, the fourth and final chapter of "The Year of Rocket's Revenge," Session: February was posted at FF.net after a two month long wait. Now, a month later, the uncut version of that entire session is now here at long last! Go check it out in the 'Adventures Series' section!

What else is new? Have you been to the Reviews and Editorials section yet? The old listing of all the previous reviews I've done? Gone! In its place, a more organized Library Card Catalog of sorts! This is Freedom Fighter's Library, after all. Hopefully now that it's a little more organized, you guys can look up the old reviews a whole lot quicker than before!

But it's just not refurbished stuff... it's new stuff! One, two, three, four! That's right, four brand spankin', hot of the presses, reviews! Two for anime DVDs, two for manga. A double dose of "School Rumble" (which was originally supposed to be added in September), an Otakon favorite that's lost some luster in "Black Lagoon" (and, 'cause of my delays, actually breaks my self-imposed six months out from release limit), and a helping of "Bleach" to quell the missing the anime from Adult Swim blues! In addition, all four reviews were subjected to my long-time-coming, more in-depth review scoring system. More precise scoring means less and less of you guys wondering why everything under the sun gets a 7 or an 8. Now I can be more precise, and the reviews are more definitive over which series comes more recommended than another! Rejoice, for now all the scores are different!

Hope you guys enjoy the early gift! If I don't update again before the end of year, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Adventures Series
- New Fanfic - The Year of Rocket's Revenge, Session: February [Full Version]

Reviews and Editorials
- New Review System!
- New and Improved Review Archive!
- New DVD Reviews - School Rumble, Vol. 1 and Black Lagoon, Vol. 1
- New Manga Reviews - School Rumble, Vol. 6 and Bleach, Vol. 20

September 1-2, 2007
Currently Watching: N/A

Whew. Been a long Labor Day weekend.

As expected, not everything that I wanted to do for the finale of THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL didn't pan out, but a few things did get up for you to enjoy.

The full version of the 7th session of "The Year of Rocket's Revenge" is finally up, with a lot of material that was cut out of the FF.net version. You'll have to read it all to find out what! Also, as announced last week, there's the last new review of the summer... the one of "Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea." Last but not least, a special presentation - a first look at "Mai-A-HiME." What is it, other than a fanfic? Go read this 'first look' to find out!

And with that, THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL comes to an end. In terms of updates, it went a whole lot better than the initial installment last year (this year's tally: two late updates, none missed). So, where do I go from here? Well, the hope is to keep my non-peak form and provide at least one update a month for the time being. I already have the September update planned out... it's just a matter of when it gets done.

Thanks for hanging out this summer, and remember, keep reading "The Year of Rocket's Revenge" and stay tuned to this website! Because, trust me, just because I'm not updating every week anymore doesn't mean there won't be any awesome updates in store for the future!

Adventures Series
- New Fanfic - The Year of Rocket's Revenge, Session: January [Full Version]

General Fanfics (Anime)
- New Fanfic - Mai-A-HiME: The First Look

Reviews and Editorials
- New Review - Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea

August 23, 2007
Currently Watching: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Vol. 8; Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea; 300

So, watched a live-action movie for once last week. Perhaps you've heard of it? A little testosterone-fueled film called "300." Or, it's supposed to be. I guess I'm not one who enjoys movies that are historically accurate, but I have to give it up to those 300 Persians who defended their freedoms and ideals to the death against overwhelming odds. Just wished it was a bit more thrilling.

Also, I continued on with "SEED Destiny," as it was finally revealed that Captain Neo Roanoke is indeed Captain Mu La Flaga, thought to be lost in the previous war. Or, to be more precise, it's his body that's back. The memories that he originally had, on the other hand...

And, finally got around to buying the latest Pokémon movie, this of course being Movie 9, "Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea!" You know what that means, right? There's a review right around the corner! In fact, it's one of the pieces of next week's super-update that'll bring THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL to an applause-filled finale! What else is going to be in that final update? You'll have to return next week to find out!

But what about this week? Well, how about we close the book on my latest Kim Possible fanfic by introducing this website's debut of the final three chapters of "Big Time!" If you haven't read the finale yet, now you definitely have no excuse!

Have a great week, and remember to return for the summer finale in seven days! Or you'll regret it... I guarantee!

General Fanfics (Non-Anime)
- New Fanfics - Big Time, Chapters 15, 16, and 17

August 16, 2007
Currently Watching: Fullmetal Alchemist, Vols. 4 & 5

Yawn... almost 5 am on Thursday morning as I write this. Yes, an early update this week - not to make up for last week's extended delay, but because I'm taking an away trip this weekend and I'm actually leaving a few hours from now. Which means I should be sleeping. And I'm driving four hours alone. That's a recipe for disaster, any sane person would probably say to me right now.

Not to mention I'm doing all this stuff for the website and writing fanfics, even as I celebrated my 25th birthday yesterday. Yeah, that's right... I'm now a quarter of a century old. Yikes!

But, I committed to keeping THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL going, so...

Uh, what's first? Umm... oh, Currently Watching. Yeah... didn't get to watch anything in my jam-packed week last time. This week was a bit better, as I got through the last two volumes of "Fullmetal Alchemist" that I haven't seen. Now comes the hard part. Finding time to squeeze in a 51-episode plus movie marathon before putting it in the archives. Oy... but that'll take a whole day, and that's if I try to get through it in one sitting!

Obviously, if 51 plus a movie is a tough squeeze giving my time constraints, then there's virtually no chance of watching the entire 100-episode "Naruto" Hundo this weekend on Cartoon Network. Speaking of which... CN and Toonami, marathon some other show on the block that doesn't involve an orange-suited ninja! Please? And stop delaying FUNimation's new dub of "One Piece" while you're at it!

As for last week... glad to see those of you who read the last chapter of "Big Time" and/or my "Otakon 2007 Journal." Thanks for the readership! It's really appreciated!

While on the subject of reading, that brings us to this week's update... which has to deal with reading. This was another last-minute addition to the review list, as I've had trouble getting what I actually did want to review. It's okay, though, as this is a personally favorite. And, back to the reading point, it's a manga review! First one this year, I think. Should really do more...

Those of you with good memories will remember that I saw "R.O.D.: The TV" in full for the first time over Christmas/New Year's week 2006. Over the past year, Viz released the "Read or Dream" manga, which features the same characters, though in a series independent from the anime other than the core character personalities and the like. I've sped through the four-volume series in the last few months, including rushing through the final volume earlier tonight. The final volume I give a high recommendation to, and you can see why by going and reading my latest review! In fact, go buy the whole series! You know you want to... 'cause Anita's so adorably cute!

That's it for this week! Only two weeks left in the summer, and trust me... the best is yet to come!

Reviews and Editorials
- New Review - R.O.D.: Read or Dream, Vol. 4

August 11, 2007
Currently Watching: N/A

So, wow... where's the time gone this week? Between completing "Big Time" (go see the final chapter at FF.net, up since Thursday!), preparing for stepping back into a certain thing called life, and, whoa, before I forget... the update a lot of you have been waiting for has finally arrived!

That's right! Although delayed a few weeks... and a couple days, due to some unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances that resulted in me taking an unexpected trip early Friday morning... you may now peruse my trip to Baltimore from last month! That's right once again... for the Otakon 2007 Journal / Con Report is up at long last!

Why is 'School' hard? Why is a certain dance so addictively fun to watch that I want to learn it? Why did I nearly die on Saturday? And what anime is this year's 'My-HiME,' in my opinion? You'll find the answers to those questions and more by... going and reading the darn thing! So go already, and be merry!

Me? I'm going to try and survive this last month of THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL!

Reviews and Editorials
- New Editorial - Otakon 2007 Journal

August 2, 2007
Currently Watching: 24, Season Two Boxset; My-Otome, Vol. 1; Fullmetal Alchemist, Vol. 3

Otakon 2007 Report, where are you? Hello? Anyone?

...

Sorry, not this week, folks.

At least with my struggles to do fanfiction writing, I still have the time to start diving into my Otakon 2007 purchase pile. After all, I gotta finish "24" eventually, and I'm just going through the process of getting through the early volumes of "Fullmetal Alchemist." But now, it's time I take a look at the sequel to my favorite anime from last year's Otakon, "My-HiME." It's called "My-Z-HiME: My-Otome"... or just "My-Otome" for short. New leads, old favorites from the previous series in different places. But is the new series just as fun as the old one?

*insert sign pointing to Reviews and Editorials section*

Sigh... another series with great expectations that ended up being dashed out of the gate. Where's my lovely Mai when you need here?

Oh well... back to my working place. Another update here in seven; a new chapter of "The Year of Rocket's Revenge" up at Fanfiction.net a little later tonight. Such are the summer doldrums, sadly.

I don't even feel like saying it this week...

Reviews and Editorials
- New Review - My-Otome, Vol. 1

July 26, 2007
Currently Watching: 24, Season Two Boxset; Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OAV 3, Vol. 3

Why, hello there! Is it Thursday already?

Not much has happened since Monday. I'm almost finished with watching the 2nd season of "24," so hopefully I'll be able to drop a mini-review of it here next week. Meanwhile, I got to see the final volume of "Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OAV 3," and all I'm gonna say is... thank you, Tenchi guys, for making us wait a decade for seven episodes that present more questions than answers.

And is dull as heck.

Anyway, by now you noticed that my Otakon 2007 con report is not here. I did start writing it, and I've pretty much finished up the Friday write-up. Still, I want to wait until the whole thing is completed, and thus, there is no similar turn-around to last year, where I churned out the Otakon 2006 Journal within a few days.

You're probably gonna have to wait another week or two.

In the meantime, a small update here, as a small part of the FAQ that I realized was outdated is brought up to speed. So there you go...

Yes, I realize that must be a huge disappointment to most of you, but trust me... as we head into the final month of THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL, there's a lot to look forward to... and that's not counting the Otakon 2007 report!

So, stay cool, and wave goodbye to July! August, here we come!

Frequently Asked Questions
- Version 1.41 now up - Updates for Section I, Notes 6 & 8.

July 23, 2007
Currently Watching: 24, Season Two Boxset.

Okay, I'm back. Anybody miss me? I know everyone did at the convention.

So now, it figures, returning to my normal schedule means I'm now rushing to get caught back up on fanfics. And that bites, because I was already behind to a point before Otakon! Sigh...

There is no actual update to speak of here... unless you count the addition of one show to the 'to be reviewed' pile in the Reviews and Editorials Section. I wanted to do a review of FUNimation's premiere of the new "One Piece" dub, but as you've probably heard by now, it didn't happen. Well, the panel did, but FUNi couldn't show any of their work so far. The best we got was voice samples from two of the VAs... Colleen Clinkenbeard (Luffy) and Brina Palencia (Chopper)... and their acts were very encouraging! I still can't wait to see the new dub! Whenever Cartoon Network gets to it that is (the current projection places the new dub's debut during Labor Day weekend).

So, no content was added to the site today, but there will still be a regular THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL update on Thursday. Will it be my Otakon 2007 con report? Actually, the chances for that are very small, given my fanfic backlog and a couple of things I want to do for the con write-up. In other words, don't expect it this week, but be pleasantly surprised if I do get to it. If there's no con report on Thursday, there will be something here to add, as I have a contingency plan or two in place just in case.

In the meantime, I'm gonna go get some caffeine in me. After all, the next installments of "Big Time" and "The Year of Rocket's Revenge" won't write themselves! That, and Otakon restoring my 'traditional' minimum-two-month backlog of anime DVDs to watch and manga to read.

July 19, 2007
Currently Watching: 24, Season Two Boxset; Naruto, Uncut Boxset Vol. 2.

Who's ready for an anime convention? I know I am!

As with last year, I'm rushing to get a few last-second things done, this update included, but I feel enthusiastic that Otakon 2007 will be the best con I've gone to yet! That's especially with a lot of things to look forward to, including... FUNimation providing a sneak peek at their new dub of "One Piece!" Hurray! Of course, it'll be even more fun if I meet one of you there! I plan to be walking around with my "Kiddy Grade" hat on like I did last year, so if you see a small Asian guy walking around the Baltimore Convention Center with it on, you know that's gotta be me! Besides, I think I was the only wearing it last year, and I didn't meet anybody! My chances have to be better this year, right?

Best places to catch me... other than the "One Piece" premiere panel on Saturday, both the "School Rumble" panel and the Colleen Clinkenbeard Q & A on Friday. Aw yeah... Colleen Clinkenbeard! ^___^ (Oh, I guess I should mention the Elric brothers, Tomokazu Seki, and Steve freakin' Blum are coming to the convention too!)

One of the things that disappointed me last year was the scheduling of a viewing of "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya" in Japanese that was canceled... probably on account that the English distributors, Kadokawa Video, were there, and at the time, still hadn't given out the license to an American dubbing company. Of course, we since learned that Bandai Entertainment, with help with Bang Zoom! Entertainment, earned that right, and the first DVD came out on Memorial Day weekend just a month and a half ago...

And so, what better show to review than one that appeals to the most diehard anime fans? So, here's a treat for you as I leave for Otakon... a review of the first volume of "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya." Is all the hype worth it? Will this appeal to mainstream fans like myself? How the heck does one do the 'Hare Hare Yukai' dance? Do Wendee Lee and Crispin Freeman live up to expectations? Why has it taken so long for an ex-Power Ranger not named Johnny Yong Bosch to get into anime?

And most importantly... would anyone in the right mind openly admit in public of being a member of America's branch of the 'Spreading Excitement All Over the World with Haruhi Suzumiya's Brigade?' The answers await in my newest review!

I'll be spreading my own excitement this weekend in Baltimore, MD as THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL returns to the biggest anime convention on the East Coast! Hope to see you there (I MEAN IT!), and look for a con report detailing everything that happened really, really soon!

Reviews and Editorials
- New Review: The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, Vol. 1

July 12, 2007
Currently Watching: 24, Season Two Boxset; ?, Vol. 1; Gatekeepers 21, Vol. 2.

Preparations for Otakon 2007 are fully underway! It's only a week away, yet I'm anticipating this year's convention more than ever! One of the biggest hopes is that I see one of YOU there. Be a normal visitor to this site, or one who's been following my fanfiction works, or even both! If you plan to be there, I wanna hear from ya... or, at the very least, see you there! As much fun as Otakon is for one person, I do really want someone to share it with. So, please, drop a line so we can meet up!

Meanwhile, THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL remains on track, but this week we hit a planned summer lull. More on that in a sec... let me update you on the 'Currently Watching' blurb up there first.

One of the few live-action shows I watch is "24," but I started watching during the third season. I'm finally getting around to taking a look at the Season 2 boxset, which believe it or not, I got for Christmas. That's right, surprisingly, for a show I love so much, it's been sitting on my shelf for half a year already! Anyway, I may not get through the whole thing until month's end, so I won't say anything about what I think until then.

Meanwhile... I'm glad to say I take back some of the disdain I had for "Gatekeepers 21" last week. The second volume was a marked improvement... half in part thanks to the introduction of Satoka, the other half due to the fact they finally address the previous series somewhat. It's still not a great series... heck, it may barely qualify as a good one, but that may be in due to the fact that this six-episode spin-off is decidedly darker than its predecessor, and it matches the bleakness of the situation of our heroines, and consequently, the world. But ehh... even bleak can make for a bad watch sometimes.

There's actually one other DVD I watched, but you see there's a '?' up there. You see, I want to keep it a secret... since that's the disc I'm reviewing for next week's update. I'll give you a hint... it's a title that's been majorly hyped by the fanboy community, but I found myself thinking it was way too much for a simple show that didn't seem worth it.

Until I actually sat down and watched it myself. My pleasant surprise of 2007, perhaps?

But that's next week. Here this week, it's time to catch-up with the FF.net releases and bring "Big Time" and "The Year of Rocket's Revenge" up-to-date. Just in time... new installments of each of those are up now as well at FF.net. "Time" is probably two chapters from completion; "Year" is officially beginning Season Two, part of a 13-week campaign to present a new chapter every week. Even on FF.net, THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL seems poised to run a good deal of overtime into the fall...

Be back here in seven for the complete pre-convention rundown for Otakon 2007! I'll try to update earlier in the day next week to beat those of you coming from further distances. If so, hope to see you in Baltimore next weekend! If not, you all better be back here next week!

Adventures Series
- New Fanfic: The Year of Rocket's Revenge, Halftime Recap Special, Part 2

General Fanfics (Non-Anime)
- New Fanfic: Big Time, Chapters 12, 13, and 14.

July 5, 2007
Currently Watching: Sonic the Hedgehog: The Complete Series; Ninja Nonsense, Vol. 1; Gatekeepers 21, Vol. 1.

So, it's been quite the interesting week, hasn't it?

First of all, welcome to all of you who have discovered the site through my editorial from last week regarding the upcoming dub of "One Piece." It's nothing that's exactly revolutionary, but it is something that a lot of people are overlooking. Naturally, I had forgotten that Anime Expo was going on that very weekend, and that FUNimation was going to announce the cast for the new dub. And lo and behold - already some questionable controversy.

Now, if you remember from my Otakon report from last year, I mentioned that I'm a huge fan of Colleen Clinkenbeard, who voices some of my favorite anime characters, including Rachel of "Case Closed" and Eclair of "Kiddy Grade." Now, I was one of many who would've loved Colleen to end up voicing Nami. But, to my surprise, she was cast as Monkey D. Luffy, the lead character! Wow... I was stunned. I'm wondering... can she pull this off? I really hope so, because a lot of the hardcore fans of the anime understand that she is one of the biggest pieces in the revival of an anime that was completely slaughtered by 4Kids. I hope she and the rest of the cast pulls through...

As for the newbies... make sure to look around, as there's plenty to see... including a new update! But more on that in a second...

As I prepare for Otakon 2007 (yes, I'm pre-registered now and have started the countdown... only two weeks to go!), I'm trying to prepare by handling my backlog of anime that's still sitting on my shelves! One title I've been wanting to watch is "Ninja Nonsense," and I finally got around to it. It's what it sounds like... it's pretty much nonsense. But it kinda works the way anime comedies work with me... it's unfunny at first, but got much better as more characters were introduced. The show is dubbed by Right Stuf, a company in New York, and so I was wondering who voiced Shinobu, the show's lead character, since she sounded familiar. After doing some research, my instincts were right, since apparently she is the same person who voices Dawn in the "Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl" dub! Talk about a small world! (Want even more trivia? Veronica Taylor - Ash and May in the 4Kids' version of "Pokémon" - is also in this dub, voicing Shinobu's younger sister, Miyabi!) Pretty neat, huh? (And this coming from a person who's used to not hearing New York-based dubs from any company but 4Kids.)

"Gatekeepers 21," on the other hand... not as amusing as the original "Gatekeepers" series. They dropped the campy stuff and got way, way too serious. And way too boring. Thank goodness it's only six episodes (over two volumes).

Anyway, I suppose I've rambled on long enough. Time to get to what you've all been waiting for - and supposedly, this may cause another round of commotion to follow up last week's "One Piece" editorial. For those of you who are unfamiliar with me, I must confess that I consider "Sonic the Hedgehog," the two-season, 26-episode series that aired on ABC starting in 1993, one of my favorite cartoons of all-time. So, to my delight, when Shout! Factory, which specializes in bringing old '80s and '90s cartoons on DVD, announced this set, I was ecstatic. It came out a few months ago, and I finally got around to getting it, watching it, and now, writing a review for it!

The review of "Sonic the Hedgehog: The Complete Series" is easily my longest review to date, because I just go on and on and on about stuff. The question is... does the series still hold up after more than a decade since it's cancellation? I've already reviewed two of my favorite cartoons of my childhood before - "Gargoyles" and "Chip N' Dale Rescue Rangers" - and they ended up on opposite ends of the rating scale! Where does my #1 hog, "Sonic," fall? The answer may actually surprise you... but you'll have to read the review to find out in what way!

Also note that this is the first review with screenshots that when you click on them, they'll get bigger! This'll eventually be done with all the other reviews with screenshots, as well as any planned to be with them from this point on (though there aren't any in the works at present). No more squinting at those little pictures at the bottom of the review if you don't want to!

Whew... I'm pooped. Because I'm running behind this week, I had to actually do work for the site and fanfiction writing as well to keep on schedule yesterday, when I should've relaxed because it was a holiday. Well, whomever said summer was supposed to be the doldrums of the year never met me, huh? Or THE SUMMER OF CONCEPTIVE UPDATES AND JUNK: THE SEQUEL!

Next update in seven!

Reviews and Editorials
- New Review - Sonic the Hedgehog: The Complete Series

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