A New Derangement Syndrome Has Taken Root

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Here we go again.

You've heard of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" (TDS) where some blame Donald Trump for all the problems in the world. You've heard of "Rowling Derangement Syndrome" (RDS) where some reject J. K. Rowling because she dared to state that minors should not receive cross-sex hormones and life-altering medical procedures due to fleeting gender confusion. Now it appears that a new derangement syndrome has taken hold: "Deedee Derangement Syndrome" (DDS).

This of course concerns Deedee Magno Hall, a Filipino-American actress who began her career in The Mickey Mouse Club in the 1980s then went on to be a Broadway star. What really made her famous was voicing Pearl and several other characters on Steven Universe, an animated series that is more known for its progressive themes (pseudo-homosexuality, gender non-conformity, feminism) rather than its Judeo-Christian themes, the latter of which I found more fascinating. Pearl in particular is famous among some fans for being a female-presenting genderless polymorphic sentient rock "lesbian" and being shipped with nearly every character in the show, canon or otherwise.

So what got poor Deedee in trouble with leftist SU fans? Following Charlie Kirk (may he rest in peace) and other conservative accounts on social media. Now they are assuming she's a "MAGA chud" because if it. This is similar to the Markus Persson and Scott Cawthon hooplas: famous people from popular franchises getting crap thrown at them for being openly right-wing in a society that seemingly wants them to go away or at least keep their beliefs to themselves.

I find this hoopla particularly amusing. People really think that every person who worked on Steven Universe was a raging liberal? That could not be far from the truth as there was as much diversity of thought in the staff as there was (organic!) diversity in the show itself. Also, can people really not separate actors from characters? Acting is playing as someone you're not. Thirdly, why are people now talking about this when the show has been over for years? Who knows? I guess they just want to find something to be mad at today instead of having a life. Let us all pray for such individuals.

Watch 'Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood'!

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My sister and I recently watched Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, and it was phenomenal! I cannot recommend this anime enough. I would say it is one of the greatest anime series ever produced, up there with Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Speaking of Evangelion, I noticed several references to it in this show, which makes me think the creator was inspired by it when writing this story.

What is the story? Two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric (Ed and Al for short), attempt to resurrect their dead mother but end up disfigured instead since they broke an alchemy taboo and the Law of Equivalent Exchange(TM) took effect. Ed loses his right arm and left leg, and Al loses his whole body. Ed saves Al's soul at the last minute, binding it to a suit of armor. The rest of the series is about them searching for a way to become whole again while learning about their estranged father and dealing with a mysterious evil force that lurks in the shadows.

You can stream this series on Netflix and Crunchyroll as well as buy a physical copy. I want to try to get this on Blu-ray in the future as this is media I feel is worth preserving.

'Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars' in Development!

Some major animation news just dropped today! A sequel/spinoff of Steven Universe entitled Lars of the Stars is in development for Prime Video. Rebecca Sugar, creator of the original series, will be executive producer as well as her husband Ian Jones-Quartey who also created OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes.

Lars of the Stars, in case you don't know, is the altar ego of Lars Barriga, a side character from Steven Universe. It's also the name of a season five episode. I could say more, but I would hate to spoil those who have not seen SU. I recommend watching it for yourself to get the full story.

Personally, I hope this series will give us more lore (Gem origins, when???) and character development on the Off Colors, since those elements were sorely lacking in Steven Universe. Whether it's a full-blown epic or a limited series like Steven Universe Future, I'm looking forward to it!

RIP Cartoon Network

A few months ago, Kneon from Clownfish TV posted this video about how the daily ratings for Cartoon Network (CN) have gone through the floor as of last year, signaling the probable end of CN as we knew it. This comes after the official website shut down last year and the studio in Burbank, CA closed its doors in 2023. Indeed, all of the major American children's networks have shown decreasing numbers for over a decade as audiences rely more heavily on on-demand content for their entertainment rather than linear television. 

Of course, people will blame streaming and the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery for this decline, and there is some truth there, but I believe there is more going on; it's the content being produced on this network. What we are seeing today is the culmination of over a decade of churning out content that are not good quality, not kid-friendly, and/or just plain weird, beginning with the premiere of Adventure Time in 2010 which was also the first original series on the channel to be PG-rated. Since then, CN transformed from a powerhouse for children's entertainment to what can best be described as "Adult Swim Junior," cartoons marketed to kids but upon further inspection contain mature themes not appropriate for little kids (ex: homosexuality, "non-binary" gender, non-marital child-bearing), appeal to older audiences like teens and young adults, and violate parents' trust, particularly shows carrying an age rating below TV-PG. Combine that with the gosh-awful PSAs about "anti-racism" and "personal pronouns," reruns of Teen Titans GO! all day with little diversity in the schedule, and barely any merch sales, and you have a recipe for disaster. It's no wonder they went under.

On a personal level, this news makes me sorrowful as someone who grew up with the network, with shows like The PowerPuff Girls (the original, not the stupid 2016 reboot), Ed, Edd, n' Eddy, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, the 90s dub of Sailor Moon on Toonami, Chowder, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, and the classic cartoons on Boomerang giving me cherished childhood memories and solidifying my love for animation. The last CN shows from the modern era I enjoyed were Steven Universe, Over the Garden Wall, and Infinity Train. At this rate, I would not be shocked if the network morphs into Adult Swim 24/7.

'The Amazing Digital Circus' Episode 2 Incoming!

 

Hello again! The semester's almost over, I have a new job, and I am ready for warm weather! Today, Glitch Productions, an Australian-based indie animation studio, posted this video that serves as a preview for episode two of The Amazing Digital Circus.

What is The Amazing Digital Circus, some of you may be asking? It is a new online animated series that premiered last year with the pilot episode, which you can see below:

The premise is about a woman who puts on a headset and is thrust into The Amazing Digital Circus where anything can happen (except for swearing). She in her new avatar meets other humans who have been in the circus for longer all led by a kooky ringmaster AI named Caine. She receives the name Pomni, and she and the other members go on wacky adventures.

In the last episode, Pomni is introduced to the world and tries to find an exit to no avail. In the new episode, most of the gang visit the Candy Canyon Kingdom and meet some candy people. It looks really exciting! We just have to wait two weeks before we can finally see it in all its glory.

Video: "WHAT WE'RE LEARNING FROM DISNEY’S ANIMATORS | Film Threat Rants"

Film Threat, an independent apolitical film review site, recently published this rant video on YouTube. Current and former animators from the Walt Disney Company have contacted the hosts, sharing their experiences and voicing their grievances toward the company and the American entertainment industry in general. It's well worth the watch.

Unless you've been under a rock for the past decade or so, the Walt Disney Company, and indeed Hollywood at large, seems to be getting worse lately. Lack of creativity and originality, leftist activism (especially identity politics shoved down children's throats in an attempt to indoctrinate them), and poor business decisions have led to many American films not performing at the box office both domestically and internationally. Some recent examples include Wish and The Marvels which became box office bombs and further alienated audiences. Meanwhile, domestic studios like Illumination and international studios like Toho are kicking butt with films like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Godzilla Minus One, both of which I have seen this year. Unless these failing studios course correct very soon, it seems they are living on borrowed time.

Watch 'Lady Oscar: The Rose of Versailles'!

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There is a new anime series that was recently added on RetroCrush titled Lady Oscar: The Rose of Versailles. You can view it for free here. I have been watching the first few episodes, and I am enjoying it immensely!

For the uninitiated, I will explain what it is. Lady Oscar: The Rose of Versailles is the 1979 anime adaptation of the smash-hit 1973 manga series Rose of Versailles by Riyoko Ikeda. The main character is Oscar François de Jarjayes, a woman born in 18th-century France who is raised as a man by her father so that he has an heir to his position as captain of the royal guard. Once Oscar comes of age, she is tasked with guarding Marie Antionette, the Austrian-born noble who marries Louis XVI and is the dauphine and later queen of France. The setting is the late 1700s, the time period before and during the French Revolution. Basically, this is Les Misérables but from the perspective of the nobility. As the series progresses, you will see how the decadence, corruption, and selfishness of the high class led to the poor lower classes rising up and initiating the Revolution.

I first came to know about this series through Revolutionary Girl Utena. Utena's dueling outfit and those of the Student Council are directly inspired by the military outfits worn by Oscar. Soon after, I began reading the first-ever official English translation of the manga which was recently published by Udon Entertainment. It's awesome. If you love manga and well-told stories with complex characters and beautiful artwork, look no further than this. It's five volumes and worth every page. The surprise success of the manga very likely led to the anime's addition to the RetroCrush catalogue.

Back to the anime. From what I've seen so far, it's not much different than the manga. The advantage of watching this as opposed to reading the manga is that I can tell who the characters are when they are in full color. Manga tends to be published in black-and-white, so sometimes it is hard to differentiate the characters, especially when they are wearing similar outfits and hair-dos. But that is a minor complaint. If you love history, animation and/or anime, or just good stories in general, this is a must-see.

Video: "‘A Rugrats Chanukah’ Special 🕎 FULL EPISODE in 5 Minutes! | NickRewind"

Here is a video I found from the classic Rugrats cartoon that talks about Hanukkah (or Chanukah). Today is the first day of this celebration.

What is Hanukkah, you may ask? It is a Jewish holiday lasting eight days that commemorates the Old Testament miracle of the menorah burning for eight days with one day's worth of oil. The word Hanukkah is Hebrew for "dedication," hence the alternate name Feast of the Dedication.

Even though I am a Christian and a Gentile, I still believe it is an important event to be at least familiar with. The story of Hanukkah can be found in First and Second Maccabees. Even Jesus and first century Jews celebrated the holiday, which is recorded in John 10:22.

Anime Review: 'Sailor Moon S: The Movie'

original Japanese theatrical poster (source)

Today I'll be going over the second theatrical film based on the classic 90s anime Sailor Moon. This is Sailor Moon S: The Movie. The "S" in the title implies that it takes place at some unspecified point in the Sailor Moon S arc, which is the third season/series in the overall canon.

Why am I reviewing this during the Christmas season? Simple: it takes place during Christmas break, in much the same manner that Die Hard takes place on Christmas Eve, therefore making it a Christmas movie, technically. For this review, I will be utilizing screenshots that I took myself from the Blu-ray disc, because I finally have that capacity now (yay for me!).

'Velma' (2023) and the Stagnation of Pop Culture

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I'm finally back from a year-plus long hiatus. Today we're going to go over a show that has gotten a lot of press over the past week and that everyone seems to hate. This is Velma.

So what is Velma, you may ask? Imagine creating another tired old Scooby-Doo reboot but removing the titular character, making a side character the main character, race-swapping everyone except the straight white male (guess which one), aging it up for adults, removing everyone's unique characteristics and sucking out everything that made the franchise what it is, and adding underage nude scenes. Yes, really.

Movie Review: 'Klaus' (2019)

Welcome to the jingle. (source)

Merry Christmas! I'm still allowed to say that, since Christmas is twelve days, not one. Speaking of, today I'd like to go over a Christmas movie that, had I seen this before 2020, I would have mentioned in my 2010s movie retrospective and would have hailed as a modern classic and the best movie of 2019 with Steven Universe the Movie as a close second. This is Klaus.

'Evangelion' Officially Releasing in North America on Blu-ray!

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This is admittedly a late post after the news dropped, but GKIDS has obtained the rights to Neon Genesis Evangelion and its movies Death(true)² and End of Evangelion in North America and is releasing it on Blu-ray for the first time! There are three versions of this release: the Standard Edition (pictured above), the Collector's Edition (pictured below), and the Ultimate Edition which is only limited to 5,000 copies and is now sold out. More information can be found on the GKIDS website. I have preordered the Collector's Edition as it contains the old ADV English dub in addition to the new one. Once it arrives, I'll review it.

The snazzy Collector's Edition. Source is the same as above image.

I had discussed the bootleg Blu-rays previously, and after hearing what will be contained in the official release, I've decided to keep them. First of all, "Fly Me to the Moon" is intact, the ending theme that unfortunately will not be present in the rerelease. It also contains the original versions of episodes 21 to 24, Death(true), and then some. In short, I want to preserve some of the original material from the franchise.

DVD Review: 'Steven Universe:' The Complete Collection

Merry Christmas, everyone! Christmas Day may be over, but the season isn't. As I wished for, I received the Steven Universe complete collection DVD set from my parents Santa Claus. And boy is it pure gorgeous eye candy! There's a lot to look at here, so sit back, relax, and read along with me.

The top image is of course the box cover, and it pops with the rainbows. The art is an image of the Gem Temple and beach house from the show.

The sides of the box also contain great art and rainbow effects.

The back shows the rest of Beach City and a description as well as the logos for the show, movie, and epilogue series.

'She-Ra: Princess of Power' Is Actually Pretty Good

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It is now December, and with it an opportunity to update this blog. Today I'll be talking about the classic 80s cartoon She-Ra: Princess of Power. The 2018 Tumblr fanfic reboot can suck it.

I recently started watching this series out of curiosity on YouTube on a curated playlist that has all the episodes in order. You can see it for yourself here. I am currently on episode 18 as of this post, and from what I've seen, it's actually really good.

I unfortunately didn't grow up with this series since I was not an 80s kid and it didn't air reruns on any major network during my formative years. Thankfully with modern technology previously unwatchable titles are now accessible.

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The premise of the show is as follows: Adora is a force captain of the Horde, an evil organization that has been conquering planets. One day, Adora finds out that she is the long-lost twin sister of Prince Adam/He-Man who was kidnapped as a child and raised by Hordak and Shadow Weaver to serve the Horde. She discovers a magic sword, and when she raises it and shouts "For the honor of Grayskull!" she transforms into She-Ra. She's like proto-Sailor Moon.

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Oh yeah, and her horse can transform too, similar to He-Man's pet tiger. Neato.

Adora leaves the Horde and joins the Rebellion. Keeping her other persona a secret, Adora as She-Ra helps those in need and fights off the Horde with He-Man and the rest.

The animation is limited as was typical of television cartoons of the time, but it makes up for it with its storylines and characters. My favorite character so far has to be Kowl. Madame Razz is a close second.

I'll be watching more and may do a series overview once I've finished. I'm quite impressed by this, and I hope the rest of the series will continue promising.

'Hayop Ka!': A Netflix Original Film from the Philippines

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How was I not aware of this movie until now?

To preface, I'll state upfront that I am half Filipino on my mother's side. Growing up, I didn't think I would ever see explicit Filipino characters outside of what was produced in the Philippines. That changed in 2017 when I saw Lars Barriga from Steven Universe make an ube cake in one episode. It blew my mind to see a Filipino character in a major Western production. Ever since then, I've been interested in seeing Filipinos in mainstream media.

So imagine my surprise when I found the trailer for a Filipino animated film being produced for Netflix:

Content warning: violence, implied sex scenes

Hayop Ka!, which means "you animal" in Tagalog, is a story about a cat named Nimfa who works as a saleswoman. She has a dog boyfriend who works as a janitor. One day she meets another male dog who is rich, and after falling for him she must decide if she will go for him or stay with her boyfriend. Basically, a generic love triangle story that has been told millions of times before.

The animation and backgrounds look very impressive for an international non-anime film. The characters are anthropomorphic animals along the veins of other Netflix properties like Beastars and Aggretsuko. Heck, the main character almost resembles Nicole Watterson from The Amazing World of Gumball minus the blue fur.

I would like to see this out of curiosity, but unfortunately, it isn't available in the US, only in select regions. As long as this is better than The Nutshack, the gosh-awful attempt to have a mainstream television series featuring a Filipino cast, then I'd consider this a win for Filipino animation, or at least a step in the right direction.

'Steven Universe' Complete Collection on DVD!?

Hallelujah!

Over the weekend, one of my online friends brought this to my attention. Steven Universe is getting a complete series release on physical media for the first time! The complete collection includes the series, the movie, and the epilogue series Steven Universe Future as well as tons of special features.

As expected, some fans are frustrated that this is only on DVD when there should be a Blu-ray version as well. I understand their concern, as Blu-rays have much better picture and audio quality, but for me I don't really care. In fact, this is convenient since I can play this on my computer and take screenshots. Eventually I want to discuss this series and offer my personal take on it.

The collection is currently available for pre-order on the WBShop for $89.99 and on RightStuf for $80.99. The item releases on November 3rd, the day that the show aired its first episode back in 2013.

To end this post, here is the image of the back of the box. Let's hope and pray this collection doesn't disappoint!

ADDENDUM (10/5/2020): More details have come out about the release, which you can read here.

Video: "Classic SHE-RA Used by Media to ATTACK 1980s Cartoon Fans?!"

Content warning: course language

After a couple months of hiatus, here is another YouTube video from Clownfish TV, because I love their commentary on pop culture. Kneon and Geeky Sparkles analyze a cringe-inducing article on SyFy Wire that attacks 1980s cartoons and 80s kids to make the argument that modern animation is much better and more "progressive." The author of the article is someone who wasn't even alive during that time, likely a Millennial or Gen Z.

After listening to this, I have much more respect for 80s cartoons. I am growing increasingly tired of creators rebooting old properties to make it in their image to push an agenda (looking at you, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power!) when they should be making original content instead.

TV Show Review: 'Schoolhouse Rock!'

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School is or was a reality for almost all of us. We learned the basics like math, history, language, science, and so forth. For some of us, learning these subjects were hard. It could be difficult understanding things like multiplication and the three branches of government. Where could we turn to when we needed help? Other than tutors and family members, children living in the 1970s onward received aid in the form of animated television shorts known as Schoolhouse Rock! These music videos, which aired between programs on ABC, taught a generation how to multiply, how bills became laws, and how conjunctions function, among other things.

An interview with creator George Newall included in the complete series DVD box explains the creative genesis and impact, which I will reproduce here:

Q: HOW DID SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK GET ROLLING? 

A: It all started in 1972 on a horseback ride in Wyoming where my boss, David McCall of McCaffery & McCall Advertising, heard his young son, who couldn't begin to remember multiplication tables, singing Rolling Stones and Grateful Dead lyrics. When Dave got back to New York, he commissioned Bob Dorough to set the multiplication tables to rock music. Bob responded with "Three is a Magic Number." The lyrics were so visual that my partner, Tom Yohe, drew a storyboard and met with Michael Eisner, who was then ABC's Vice President of Children's Programming. On the recommendation of the legendary animator, Chuck Jones, Eisner bought it on the spot. All it took was that one meeting. And that first song is still my favorite.

Q: LOOKING BACK, WHY DO YOU THINK IT WORKED SO WELL?

A: We never wrote "down" to kids. And we weren't in the television business. We had good paying day jobs and didn't worry about whether or not the shows would be picked up for the next season. Most importantly, we had the music of Bob Dorough, Lynn Ahrens and Dave Frishberg. Their songs gave Tom a creative leg up to start with. It was their music made visual by Tom's enormous talent for animation design that guided Schoolhouse Rock. Who could ever forget that "...sad little scrap of paper sitting on Capitol Hill"?

(Third question relates to one of the shorts which I will not spoil; thus I will skip it.)

Q: WHEN DID YOU BEGIN TO REALIZE THE IMPACT YOU WERE MAKING ON YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD?

A: We'd been off the air since 1986 when, in the early nineties, Tom got a call from Dartmouth College asking him to participate in a symposium sponsored by the senior class. Expecting 30 or 40 kids in a classroom, Tom was shocked to find himself in the largest auditorium on campus overflowing with 900 students who were boisterously singing our songs and clapping along -- before he showed a single film. A year or so later, while giving a seminar for the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, a student stood up and said, "I don't think you guys realize that Schoolhouse Rock defined my generation." No, we hadn't realized that.

-- May 21, 2002

Video: "Netflix SHE-RA Was a Multi-Million Dollar FANFIC"

To follow up from my last post, I present this video. Kneon and Geeky Sparkles from Clownfish TV on YouTube discuss She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Turns out there were issues present in the series long before the finale. Let this be a lesson on how not to reboot existing IP.

"Catradora:" More Evidence of the Homosexual Agenda in Children's Media

If I didn't know who these were, I would've sworn Catra was a dude. Source in the link below.

Welp, they've done it again, folks.

In the fifth season of Netflix's She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, a long-running fan ship "Catradora" was made canon when the main lead Adora and former villain Catra kiss. More info can be found in the link below, courtesy of One Angry Gamer, though I'll warn you that the ads and some of the comments are NSFW:

Netflix's She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power Turns She-Ra Into A Lesbian

I didn't bother with She-Ra (not even a fan of the original), but honestly, I'm glad I didn't, and I'm not surprised in the least. The show already had so-called "queer representation" when one side character had two dads and one character identified as "non-binary," though at least in the latter, the character wasn't human and could shapeshift. What makes this egregious is that this is a reboot, and Adora was interested in men in the 80s. It reads like bad fan fiction and is a slap in the face of the original. Even if I don't give a flying fudge about this show, I can't help but be reminded that this is just one of many recent entries in the world of children's media that showcases and glorifies homosexual relationships, and it isn't slowing down anytime soon. Quite the opposite, actually.