Michelle Explains Anime, Poorly

We finally find out what was in that letter, and it's not good.   Spearhead becomes Spearhead again : (   It's ok though, cos they have no family, so no one will be sad when they die : )   You killed him, right Shin?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

Shin gets a note that destroys him for some reason, and everyone in the Federacy attempts to fight off a large-scale Legion offensive.   We finally see what's been going on in San Magnolia, and I say I'm proud of Lena at least three times (possibly more, I wasn't actually counting).   It's time for you to be crushed, Lena: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

We have a relatively calm episode, which is an ok change after the straight-up carnage of the last one. However, Shin's emotional state may be deteriorating, and the Federacy is vastly underestimating how dangerous the upcoming attack will be. That's fine though, cos Shin and Raiden don't think it's a good idea to tell them the reason why Shin knows they're wrong.    Also, I mispronouce Grethe's n...

The Federacy seems pretty nice, they even made them a monument and everything. However, there's still all this weird racism going on, and they suck at fighting the Legion a lot. Someone probably dies, and it's so gory that I was impressed.   Shin doesn't seem like he's in the best place mentally.   Why didn't you save him, Shin: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  

The Spearhead gang adjusts to their new life without fighting and a lot less racism. Nobody's really happy about it, though.   Frederica is 10 and generally annoying.   Shin has a nightmare at the library (not a nice dream).     I'm dead. I still want to go home, Shin: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

We start over from zero with Lena and a new group of processors. Nothing and everything has changed.    What happens to Spearhead, though? Nothing? Where is Shin's head? Still with his body or no?   We mee t some fun new characters (if you're into annoying kids, that is).   Is it yours, Shin?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

Spearhead is low on food, fuel, and ammo. They spend the night at an abandoned school.   Kurena eats her last after dinner dessert.   Lena visits the barracks.   If, one day, you make it to our final destination, would you please leave flowers?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

Spearhead Squadron has some quiet time in the wilderness, but Shin is acting very weird, and Raiden's noticed. The gang visits the most depressing zoo imaginable.   We see the world from Fido's perspective.   Are you going to the other side of the water alone, Shin?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  

Shin and Rei fight! Lena guilts Annette into helping Spearhead! Everyone cries! Yay!   But what happens when the battle's over but you can't go home?   We're going on ahead, Major: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  

Listen to me be super stressed as I try to record this right before an inspection!   Lena's getting yelled at by just about everybody.   We know why Shin wants to find his brother, but now we get to find out why Rei wants to find him. It's probably going to be horrifying, yay!   I complain about Shin's scar.    Please don't contact us again, Major: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  

Hooray! It's finally time for the gang to tell Lena the really bad thing! It's probably going to really destroy her, but sometimes you gotta tell people the truth, right?   Also, how's Spearhead going to do with the siege of the Legion base that everyone knows is a trap? Remember last season when Ash went somewhere knowing it was a trap? I hope it's not going to be like that.   Will you remember u...

I talk a little about the shows I'm watching during the spring season.   We learn a little more about Shin and Rei's relationship and all of it is terrible. Lena remembers Rei fondly in a way that probably hurts Shin more than she can imagine.   Some people probably die this episode, sorry.   I slowly start to talk about my love for Shin while pretending I don't think you can notice.   Was he smil...

My computer's on the way out (no more keyboard, mouse, bluetooth, wifi...) so this might be a little more rambly than usual cos it's hard to edit without the appropriate tools. Sorry!   We find out exactly how Shin's been "breaking" all these Handlers and it probably isn't what you're expecting.   You're going to lose this war, Major: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  

How does Lena come back from being told she's been treating Spearhead Squadron like subhuman pigs?   We see Shin break his calm demeanor for the first time and it's not when he's talking about how many comrades he's watched die.   I try some things with the audio that you'll either love or hate (or have no real opinion about). As long as you're inside the walls, you're not our equal, Handler One: ...

Lena asks Spearhead Squadron about their pets. What's their cat's name (spoiler: I still don't know what to call it)?   Daiya, Theo, and Haruto spy on the girls and Daiya asks about yobai.   Theo finally says something and it's super mean (and accurate).   "Sorry"? Sorry about what, Handler One?: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

Lena is so well intentioned and naïve! It must be nice to have relatives in power so the military police will leave you alone when you say things that are directly against the county's ideology to a whole classroom of children.   We also learn more about how Spearhead gets supplies, how they fight, and some of their names.   You like to waste your time, huh, Handler One: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com  

A bit about the show and its production followed by episode 1.   We meet Lena and some folks in District 1. Then we get to know Shin and the Spearhead Squadron who have a habit of driving their Handlers literally insane. They seem nice though.   Yeah, I bet they're nice.   Say hello to the Reaper for me, Handler One: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

I sit down with my human friend Henrique Couto to get his thoughts on the anime, which I, for all intents and purposes, forced him to watch.     In his own words: "TLDR: glad Ash is dead."    Also, we start 86 on March 13th!    Check out Henrique's podcast here It's almost like they were paving concrete over the garden of Ash's spirit: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

Blanca meets Ash for the first time.   I get really upset about how Blanca and the world failed him (again) and talk about graffiti a bunch.   Next week is a weird kind last episode thing and the next season starts on March 13th!   The act of trying to hold control over a human being is not to be taken lightly, Monsieur:  michelle.a.eem@gmail.com   

The last bit of manga on the Banana Fish timeline, taking place in 1994, 9 years after Ash and Eiji first met. So what happens to Eiji after he returns to Japan? Does he ever find out about Ash?   Next week we wrap up the manga extras with Private Opinion!    I love your name, I know somebody whose name means the same thing:  michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

Hear how Ash and Shorter met, (yeah!) when Shorter's tasked with making sure Ash doesn't get killed during his first two months in Juvenile Detention.   I try to figure out how to read manga outloud and don't even cry once.   Next week is Garden of Light.   His eyes are light green, they just look red sometimes: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

Sayonara America,   Sayonara New York,   But I won't say sayonara to you, Ash...   My soul is always with you: michelle.a.eem@gmail.com    (PS- FINE, this isn't my second favorite anime, this is my favorite anime.) A Broken Jar: https://youtu.be/u3AeMbONvcA?si=1m-C7QhVeSDnE8KV King Park: https://youtu.be/W141hdkPVMw?si=aWwvhAqS1SIuA6Bf

Ash needs to go with Eiji.   Ash cannot go with Eiji.   Sayonara, Eiji:  michelle.a.eem@gmail.com

First I talk a little about scars because Ash doesn't have any? Yeah, I don't get it either.    Foxx tries to convince Ash to join forces, but Ash would rather kiss a slug. Unfortunately he knows everything about Ash's past (stop telling people already, Golzine!) and thinks he can break him.   Eiji shows why he is best Eiji.   Eiji picks just the worst time to teach Ash how to say "sayonara".    A...

Ash and Max go to a gay bar and Ash gets to relive some trauma!   Some folks get rescued, lots of people get shot, and even the French Foreign Legion even gets involved. And to think it's all over some very sad teenager who just wants to have a normal life.   I probably cry a little too, btw.   Nothing but crazy serial killers, Eiji:  michelle.a.eem@gmail.com