areaseven

Time's up. Answer: Komugi-chan (or five of her cosplaying as the Gatchaman team) uses the Kagaku-ninpo Hi no Tori maneuver to ram the God Phoenix against Koyori-chan's Big Sightron robot. Next question, Jeopardy!-style: "Morton's Pizza" is featured on two GONZO titles.

Try again.

Time to dust off those thinking caps. New question for today. In episode 2 of Nurse Witch Komugi, how does Komugi-chan defeat Magical Maid Koyori-chan?

Music From the Motion Picture Team America: World Police Atlantic Records, 2004 Produced by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Scott Rudin America, F**k Yeah! Comin' again to save the motherf**king day, yeah! America, F**k Yeah! Freedom is the only way, yeah! Track Listing 1. Everyone Has AIDS 2. Freedom Isn't Free 3. America, F**k Yeah 4. Derka Derk (Terrorist Theme) 5. Only a Woman 6. I'm So Ronery 7. America, F**k Yeah (Bummer Remix) 8. The End of an Act 9. Montage 10. North Korean Melody 11. The Team America March 12. Lisa & Gary 13. F.A.G. 14. Putting a Jihad on You 15. Kim Jong Il 16. Mount, Rush, More Tracks 1-10 composed by Trey Parker and Mark Shaiman Tracks 11-16 composed by Harry Gregson-Williams Lowdown If you've seen Team America: World Police, chances are you can't get enough of the movie's offensively hilarious songs. Well, nearly three weeks after the film's release, the soundtrack is now available in stores (while it's been available online since October 19). Freedom isn't free. It costs folks like you and me And if we don't all chip in, we'll never pay that bill. Freedom isn't free. No, there's a hefty f**king fee. And if you don't throw in your buck o'five, who will? Why such a long delay for the soundtrack? Apparently, the original score composed by Mark Shaiman (South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut)) was rejected three weeks before the film's release date. Harry Gregson-Williams (Shrek 1-2, Metal Gear Solid 2-3) was hired to compose a different score at the last minute. I'm so ronery. So ronery. So ronery and sadry arone. Dere's no one, just me onry, sitting on my rittle throne... The soundtrack CD features nearly all of the songs from the film (unfortunately, Kim Jong Il's ending theme "You Are Worfless, Arec Baldwin" didn't make it on the playlist). You'll jam to Team America's anthem "America, F**k Yeah" and laugh your way through "Everyone Has AIDS" (Gary's song from "Lease: The Musical"), "I'm So Ronery" (Kim Jong Il's theme), "The End of an Act" (a.k.a. "Pearl Harbor Sucked") and "Montage" (Gary's training theme). The last six tracks are Gregson-Williams' contribution to the film, which sound like they were rejected from the Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater score. Still, the BGM fits perfectly with the movie. (Of course, due to copyright limitations, "Battle Without Honor or Humanity" by Tomoyasu Hotei (first heard in Kill Bill vol. 1) is not included in this CD.) Is the CD worth buying? F**k yeah! Go to your nearest store and get this soundtrack now. Why does Michael Bay get to keep on making movies. I guess Pearl Harbor sucked Just a little bit more than I miss you. Rating: A- Links Official Team America: World Police Homepage Reference The Internet Movie Database

Speaking of which, GameStop just got their shipment of McFarlane Movie Maniacs Series 7, which includes RoboCop, Corporal Hicks (Aliens) and the cast of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. More AVP figures will be on their way as well. Also, the new Halo 2 figures by JoyRide are back in stock.

This is just one of those deals where WWE has no idea how to utilize a talented wrestler in current storylines. As a result, WWE has no choice but to let them go. Here's a short list of Superstars who have been released over the past year. There are more, but I doubt that anyone noticed them. A-Train (who cares about him?) Chavo Guerrero, Sr. (like anyone really cares) Goldust (his gimmick was stale, anyway) Billy Gunn (definitely won't be missed) Jeff Hardy (personal problems got the most of him) Chris Kanyon (talent completely wasted by the WWE) Jamie Noble (another case of misuse of Cruiserweight talent) Jacqueline (not that it mattered, anyway) Sean O'Haire (hit a dead end after Piper was fired) Scott Steiner (he was useless, anyway) Terri Test

Well, Sable's still dating Lesnar, and you don't hear her complaining or anything.

Last night on RAW: - Bischoff announced that he is taking a vacation for a month, and for that, he gave a stipulation to the Survivor Series elimination match between Orton/Benoit/Y2J/Maven and HHH/Edge/Batista/Snitsky. The winning team gets to be RAW GM for a month. - Flair was pissed when he found out he wasn't part of the elimination match, but Bischoff told him it's punishment for Evolution not helping him in his match against Eugene at Taboo Tuesday. - HHH ("via satellite," but actually backstage) announced he wasn't going to appear on the episode to see how the show does without him carrying it. - Backstage, Tajiri explained to interviewer Maria (former WWE Diva Search contestant) - in his limited English - that he and the whole WWE roster are fed up with HHH's backstage politics. He got punked by Batista for his troubles. - Edge managed to get more heel heat by self-promoting his upcoming autobiography during the Christian/Hurricane match. Later on the show, he cost Benoit the Tag Titles by ignoring the match. Afterwards, Edge nailed Benoit with the belt and made him tap out to his own Crossface. - WTF is Viscera doing on RAW? - Simon Dean made his first-ever RAW appearance; and I must say that he's a much better heel than Carlito Caribbean Cool. While promoting his Simon System weight-loss program, he bagged on one fan about not being able to see his penis, a female fan about how her thick arms prevent her from shaving her armpits and how she's emitting a cheesy odor, and a toothless fan for being inbred. That fan made his way into the ring to shove Simon. In retaliation, Simon suplexed him and made him tap out to a modified STF. - Another way for WWE to piss everyone off: Arab-American wrestler Muhammad Hassan and his manager Khosrow Daivari. - Orton/Y2J/Maven vs. Batista/Flair (and HHH if he shows up). An outnumbered Flair and Batista bailed out when HHH's music hit. But right when Flair and Batista regained their confidence, Tajiri - wearing a blond wig and a HHH shirt - appeared to mock the champion. In the end, Batista got punked once again by the face trio. In other news: - A-Train, Billy Gunn and Test have been released from the WWE.

Suncoast and GameStop.

I'll just go watch Ray instead.

Well, I guess I'll just go buy Cutie Honey on DVD instead.

Well, looks like the movie will get a domestic release.

Last Wednesday, I got the opportunity to meet Wendee Lee at USC during an anime/voice acting seminar. She said that a second season of Megas XLR is in the works.

Well, since this is MW, and we're talking about Tatsunoko, you should've already known the answer by now.

Nurse Witch Komugi-chan Magi Karte ( ナースウィッチ小麦ちゃんマジカルて ) Tatsunoko/Kyoto Animation/Toshiba Entertainment/Pioneer LDC, 2002 ADV Films, 2004 Directed by Yasuhiro Takemoto (The SoulTaker) and Masatsugu Arakawa (Time Stranger Kyoko) Rated 15+ for violence, T&A & HLA. Spinoff of the 2001 TV series The SoulTaker. When the evil Ungrar threatens to unleash a catastrophic virus on Earth, the guardian Mugimaru travels to the planet to look for a hero to vaccinate the threat. Instead, he bumps into Komugi Nakahara, a former cosplay idol barely making a splash in the film industry. Using her newly-acquired powers, Komugi transforms into the magical Nurse Witch Komugi-chan to confront her new rival - Magical Maid Koyori-chan. Little does she know that Koyori is also her classmate and best friend. Story: C We've all seen otaku-based companies like GAINAX and GONZO parodying the industry giants. In the case of Nurse Witch Komugi-chan Magi Karte, it's the other way around. Animation giant Tatsunoko, along with Toshiba and Pioneer, throw jabs at fanboys while, at the same time, parodying themselves. The best example is on episode 2, when Komugi-chan (dressed as all five members of the Gatchaman team) squares off against Koyori-chan (dressed as Tekkaman) and the giant robot Big Sightron (a parody of Gold Lightan). Unfortunately, the series is only limited to fan service and a few laughs. It's funny, but not as good as Excel Saga or other parody anime titles. Episode 2.5 is almost a waste of time, as it's mostly music videos. Animation: B Don't expect any high-caliber animation here. Just something that looks decent and has some flashy colors. Akio Watanabe ports his SoulTaker character designs to Nurse Witch Komugi-chan. Soundtrack: B+ There are some catchy songs by UNDER17's Haruko Momoi, who plays Komugi-chan. As for the soundtrack (by Ryuji Takagi), it's barely noticeable. Also featured in the soundtrack is the "Big Sightron" theme by Akira Kushida (Sentou Mecha Xabungle, Shinkon Gattai Godannar!!). Sub vs. Dub Reprising their roles from The SoulTaker are Haruko Momoi (Tenbatsu Angel Rabbie, Mii in Popotan) as Komugi-chan, Mitsuki Saiga (Tsukasa in .hack//SIGN, Junior in R.O.D -The TV-) as Kyosuke, and Yukari Tamura (Ranpha in Galaxy Angel, Talim in Soul Calibur II) as Asuka. Also starring are Ikue Ohtani (Pikachu in Pokemon, Merle in Escaflowne) as Koyori-chan, Yuji Ueda (Sexy Commando Gaiden: Sugoi-yo! Masaru-san, Keitaro in Love Hina) as Mugimaru, Atsuko Enomoto (Steel Angel Kurumi, Misaki in Angelic Layer) as Megumi, Michiko Neya (Nancy in Read Or Die and R.O.D -The TV-) as Runa, Akiko Hiramatsu (Yukari-sensei in Azumanga Daioh, Miyuki in You're Under Arrest) as Yui, and Masaya Onosaka (Vash in Trigun, Don Patch in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo) as Shiro. For the English version, ADV brought in Jocelyn Loewen (Merle in Escaflowne, Quess in Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack) and Brad Swaile (Mousse in Ranma 1/2, Nightcrawler in X-Men: Evolution) to reprise their SoulTaker roles as Komugi-chan and Kyosuke, respective. Personally, I wouldn't care, as both ADV and Ocean Group's dubs are sub-par. DVD Extras: B+ Surprisingly, the DVD comes with some pretty entertaining omake. Headlining the extras is a "How to Anime" documentary hosted by a plush-doll version of Mugimaru. Also included are episode trailers, character introductions and textless opening/ending sequences. Not worth clamoring for is the English audio commentary by Jocelyn Loewen and ADR director Scott McClennen. The Bottom Line Nice try, Tatsunoko. Leave the fanboy service to the smaller companies. Links Komugikko Club (Japanese) ADV Films' Official Nurse Witch Komugi Homepage Reference Anime News Network

Exactly what I intended to use. Good job, Noriko.

Yeah, I know. Especially a rising talent like Yukari Fukui, who is so kawaii...

Well, I finally saw it. And I'm gonna have to give it a double-cover. So here now is another episode of... Top wo Nerae 2! Die Buster ( トップをねらえ2！ ) GAINAX/View Works/Victor Entertainment/Bandai Visual, 2004-2005 God help us if this gets licensed... Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki (FLCL) Not Rated (Suggested 16-Up). Contains violence, T&A and suggestive HLA. Nono is a clumsy waitress who dreams of becoming a space pilot. One day, she meets Raruku, a member of the elite psychic pilot team "Topless". But when space monsters appear from out of nowhere to wreak havoc on Mars, Raruku calls out her Buster Machine - codenamed "Dix-Neuf" - to subdue the threat. During a battle with a Space Monster, Raruku gets the surprise of her life when she sees Nono use her super-strength to help Dix-Neuf destroy the alien. From that point, Nono hangs along with Raruku in hopes of becoming a member of Topless. Story: D- The original Gunbuster series was nothing short of legendary, boasting an excellent storyline, outstanding animation and one of the best endings in anime history. It should've ended there. Unfortunately, GAINAX decided to milk the Top wo Nerae! franchise with a sequel subtitled Die Buster. In only one episode, Die Buster reeks of continuity loopholes and no sense of plot direction. Nono has major character issues while Raruku is unappealing as an onee-sama type character. In short, Die Buster is every Gunbuster fan's worst nightmares come true. Animation: B- FLCL may be a great title, but its artwork belongs nowhere in the Gunbuster universe. Dix-Neuf (designed by Yoshitsune Izuna of Gad Guard fame) is downright ugly, not to mention unappealing in function. Not to mention that the 3D animation by View Works (Area 88, Heat Guy J) looks completely out of place. Soundtrack: B Kohei Tanaka (Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, Sakura Wars), who composed the soundtrack for the original Gunbuster series, returns with a new musical score for this OAV. Unfortunately, there's nothing memorable here other than a synthetic-sounding remake of the Gunbuster theme. Cast Die Buster features Yukari Fukui (Kokoru in Petite Princess Yucie, Yayoi in MØUSE) as Nono, Maaya Sakamoto (Hitomi in Escaflowne, Reika in RahXephon) as Raruku, Miyuki Sawashiro (Puchiko in Di Gi Charat, Mint in Galaxy Angel) as Tykho, Mitsuo Iwata (Kaneda in AKIRA, Itsuki in Initial D) as Nichola, and Takumi Yamazaki (Isamu in Macross Plus, Ferio in Magic Knight Rayearth) as Casio. The Bottom Line GAINAX hates you, and it shows with this poor excuse for a Gunbuster sequel. It ranks down there with Gravion and Godannar as one of the worst giant robot anime titles of the new millennium. Links Official Top wo Nerae 2! Homepage (Japanese) GAINAX's Official Top wo Nerae 2! Homepage (Japanese) Reference Anime News Network

No way in hell am I gonna buy anything from that store. Especially with a name like that.

We have the bundle for sale in-store. (Gamestop) Yeah. I sold two of them today. If only I had my own PS2...

This past Monday on RAW: - Following a humiliating defeat and a haircut at Taboo Tuesday, Bischoff called it a night off, proclaiming that "the inmates are in charge of the asylum." Well, that means the backstage politics take to the ring. - As expected, HHH saw it fit to call the shots on the episode. However, as Evolution surrounded Christy, they were confronted by Y2J, Maven, Benoit and the rest of the face roster. - After jobbing to everyone for over three years, WWE decided to give Maven a major push by having him defeat Batista. - Another HBK interview. Yawn. - Will someone please send Snitsky back to the drawing board? He's the RAW equivalent of Heidenreich. - During the Flair/Orton rematch, Batista attempted to interfere, only to be pounded by Benoit/Y2J/Maven all the way to the back. Meanwhile, HHH nailed Orton with a steel chair, giving Flair the win. As HHH and Flair proceeded to do a mudhole stomp on Orton, they found themselves surrounded once again by the entire RAW face roster. In the end, everyone ganged up on HHH before Benoit landed three German suplexes on him and Orton did his RKO on him. - If a face stable is in the works to combat Evolution, please don't make Orton the leader.

Yeah, like Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude and The Guy Game.

Yeah, I'll have a hell of a day tomorrow when 400+ people will pick up their copy of GTA:SA at GameStop. But then again, that'll be nothing compared to November 9th at midnight, when 1,200+ will get their hands on Halo 2.