A New Beginning

Hello folks. I want to start off by saying Happy Holidays to any of you that celebrate them and all that jazz. Some big news for those of you who follow us at this blog, we are officially moving to a new domain, CTANCast.com. While our activities will continue, they will no longer continue here, so come join us at the new address!

Jeremiah - Episode 12

So another long hiatus kept us away from recording more episodes, we are back with Episode 12 of the CTANCast, entitled Jeremiah! This is our holiday edition, so sit back and enjoy!

Here's what's on the plate this time:

Shoujo Kakumei Utena! + RING!

More crime on the streets!

Jeremiah!

So on this episode of Jeremiah, Tom and I came back with a bang. I reviewed a Revolution! Well, actually, just Revolutionary Girl Utena. Tom took a look at Saints Row 3, the game he's been hyping up for months! Did it live up to his standards?! Find out on our show. Some news and holiday salutations make the episode a whole. So take a listen and enjoy! Could be the last episode of this year!



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Jules - Episode 11

Yeah, so we had this episode recorded like 5 days ago and edited like 4 days ago, but due to someone's laziness (mainly mine), it's not up until today. Sorry! Also to make note, during recording, you'll hear some problems with my mic during my review and so I must apologize for that, there was nothing we could really do to fix it. Other than that, I'm not sorry for anything! Enjoy the cast.

Here's what's on the plate this time:

Some wicked news!

Zombies! AHHHHH!

Take a picture, it lasts longer!

So on this episode of Jules, we talked quite a bit of news especially those concerning the merger of FUNimation and Niconico and even bigger, the VIZ Manga news of starting up a new digital magazine, Shonen Jump Alpha. We also did our little segment on Shit Otaku Say, which comes to us indirectly from Colony Drop, so please go check them out if you like anime and stuff.

Tom reviewed a little PSN game called Dead Nation, while I discussed the pretty popular (even in Japan) anime, Nodame Cantabile. Also mentioned on the podcast was the fact that pre-orders for Redline are now available at Rightstuf.com so don't delay and get your now!



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Emilio - Episode 10

Well, after an incredibly long break from our podcasting routine, Tom and I are back with a brand new episode of the CTANCast. Plenty of laughs to be had so I hope you all enjoy and hopefully we'll get back to a more regular recording schedule.

Here's what's on the plate this time:

That's some whacked out otaku shit!

It's not weird! At least not yet!

Those rascally plumbers from NY are here to unclog your toilet!

On this episode of Emilio, we have some catching up to do. We discussed a good bit of what we've done in our "spare" time as well as me managing to make a mistake of calling Naruto's seiyuu a he! See if YOU can catch it! I introduced a brand new segment on our show, which will probably not be on every episode, but every now and again, called Shit Otaku Say. It's brought to you fully by a website of the same name, which is an offshoot of the really good website, Colony Drop. CD has some fantastic editorial pieces written by grizzled Otaku veterans so give them a look see.

We then go on to discuss some anime and video games. I took a look at a Summer 2011 11 episode noitaminA block anime, Usagi Drop, while Tom delved deep into the toilets of Bowser with his look at Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story.

We wrapped up the show with some discussion of the release of Mardock Scramble and delay of the Redline release. I also took a few moments to talk about a little piece posted on Anime News Network called "The Running Man", which I encourage all to go check out. So a lot happening on this episode of Emilio, give it a listen!



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Jimmy - Episode 9

As I said last week, Stewart had it coming and got killed by his greed for string cheese. But that just means that there's now room for our new show, Jimmy.

Here's what's on the plate this time:

There's no way our podcast could be this cute!

About time!

I got nothing...

On this episode of Jimmy, Tom and I discussed a couple of news topics, one of which being that Hunter x Hunter was rumored to be getting a new anime season and earlier today, that news was actually confirmed at Anime News Network. For those of you that have been waiting for years for a new season, rejoice! It's coming this fall apparently. In other news, at San Diego Comic Con, which is coming to and end today, FUNimation announced the Blu Ray release of Dragonball Z proper; something we will begrudgingly discuss. Also on the cast, Tom finally finished the epic game, LA Noire and gives us a very comprehensive review of said game. I on the other hand, look at an often overlooked little piece of anime from 2009, titled RideBack. Now that that's done, time to go watch Captain America! Enjoy the podcast!




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Stewart - Episode 8

Alright, Gloria's out, and Stewart's in, but for how long will he last? After a three week hiatus, the rude dudes with attitude from CTANCast are back with a bang.

This following show is about some of the things that delayed us:

This is Madness!

Tabletop Booty and Cast

Da Hood

Tom and I look at the weekend that was July 8th through the 10th, at ConnectiCon 2011. I do a small review of a little known work to most fans, Trava: Fist Planet, a short OVA and predecessor to Redline the new anime film from Madhouse. And Tom nicely wraps things up with his review of Saints Row 2... That's right, he's lied to us again, no LA Noire yet! Send him e-mails to complain! Anyway, enjoy the show, which is now 30% longer... at least for this week.



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Gloria - Episode 7

So you think you can dance? Gloria sure does. Welcome to the first episode of Gloria, yet another trial into a decent name... Let's see how this one fares. Doug was a total failure.

This show is about:

Young PeroPero

Regal PeroPero

Tom's hero, Link... He's grown old, no?

We talk some news here as usual, though I forgot to mention the coolness that Makoto Shinkai will be attending Otakon as a guest! For those of you not in the know, he's the dude that single handedly made Hoshi no Koe (Voices of a Distant Star) and more recently, 5 Centimeters Per Second. So if you're in the area, check him out!
Tom goes into his old skool drawer and digs out an old N64 classic that's been re-released for the 3DS. Link was back in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
I discuss and compare the manga and anime for Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou (Kare Kano) aka His and Her Circumstances.
And of course a lot more fun along the way. So enjoy!

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Doug - Episode 6

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Doug. From the same people that brought you Randy, Stanley, and many others! Another great show to add to our repertoire!

This show is about:

Tom's unnatural love for Kujibiki Unbalance

Vitaliy's love of taking images in the dark, with Genshiken.

In this episode, Vitaliy discussed the 2004-2007 anime Genshiken, the show for otaku, by otaku. While Tom continued his line of video gaming with a little gem from just a few weeks ago, Terraria, which you can pick up on Steam. We sprinkled in a little news and flavor for a totally volatile concoction, known as Doug. Enjoy!

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Randy - Episode 5

Welcome back to Randy? Are you confused? Don't be, just listen to our latest episode of the podcast and enjoy. This show is dedicated to passing of one of the legends of the squared circle, one "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Here he is, bringing us an elbow from the heavens and stopping the rapture. Thank you Randy.

In this episode we discussed quite a bit of news and reviewed Left 4 Dead as well as a 1990s OVA, Golden Boy. We also discussed the different anime/manga genres and hopefully dropped some knowledge on you.

PS - I mentioned in the episode the New York Asian Film Festival, which will actually be taking place from July 1st through the 14th. Click on the link there for further information as well as the full lineup of events to come.

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No episode this week

There will be no episode this week. No excuses, but I thought I should let you know. Look for the next episode next week at this time.

Stanley - Episode 4

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Stanley? Are you confused? Don't be, just listen to our latest episode of the podcast and enjoy. If that's not enough, look at the image below to see what the show is about!

That's right, that is sexy ol' me and this week on the show I discussed the shonen show, Deadman Wonderland, or as I like to call it, Running Man the anime. Tom talked about a little game called Red Dead Redemption, whose poster I'm standing next to! Finally, to go for the KO, I finished off the episode with a little discussion of the seinen work, Hana-Saku Iroha. Give it a shot, you may be amused.

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CTANCast Episode 3 - Billy and more!

So we're back again, after taking a week off for personal matters, to bring you the third exciting installment of our new podcast, "Can't Think of A Name...Cast". This week's episode features a little bit of a different format, where both Tom (Gilmorne) and I (Vitaliy aka Gokuu) decided to review numerous shows and video games respectively. Two each to be precise. After experiencing a few issues with our recording software, Audacity, we had to cut down the episode one review short. And for that we apologize. As a gift to our fans, for this travesty, I have included an image of Tom, doing what he does best.

In this episode we reviewed some Magicka for the soul, a little bit of [C]-Control, and some Scott Pilgrim vs. The World... the Game, for good measure. So check it out!

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As a special bonus... due to the fact that I had to omit my review of a certain show called Blue Exorcist, I will do a little written review here on the site today.

Well, you may wonder, what makes a show about exorcism so amazing or unique? Perhaps nothing. So going into this, I wasn't really expecting much, just your run of the mill typical shonen show. And while it didn't particularly prove to be too much more than just that, what it happened to do with its shonen formula was just good enough for me.

Let's talk a little bit about the plot of the episode, since this is the first episode overall. In the first episode we are introduced to our protagonist, Rin Okumura who's a Class A troublemaker, or so you think initially, until you figure out that he's always just thrown into situations where he has to commit acts of violence, even if they are in a noble cause.
So Rin is taking care of some "bullies", who seem to be shooting crossbows at pigeons in a park. I'd say that's noble enough, but he gets a great lecture about it from his dad, a man who's a priest in a church. At this point we are also introduced to his brother, Yukio, who is a model student and human being in general. Yukio is about to leave to a university called True Cross University with the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor, something that Rin could only dream of.
Shortly thereafter we also discover that his dad is an exorcist. A plot point we find out when Rin, on his way to a part-time job interview, oversees his father talking to a woman with her young daughter.
There are some "hilarious" hijinks at his job application where he gets hired and almost promptly fired for, again, doing a noble thing by helping the same girl whom he saw at the church earlier. And it was at this point that we were introduced to the demons, who know doubt will be the enemy to Rin throughout the story.
After being grounded by his father for the debacle at his interview, Rin meets up with the same bully he had beat up very early on in the episode. Except this time, the bully has come with a vengeance.
Now I won't go into great detail as to what happens in the rest of the episode, since I'd encourage you guys to go see it for yourselves. What I will say is that you basically find out that Rin is the son of Satan and a human female and that he has awoken! What does that mean? You'll have to watch successive episodes to find out... or read the manga.

THE GOOD
The animation in this show is very good. The studio A-1 Pictures is a decent one that created some memorable shows such as Ookiku Furikabutte (Big Windup), Working!! (Wagnaria!!), and probably most popularly Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler). The art style isn't anything incredibly original or unique, but it is sleek and nicely done and I can tell that the fight sequences in this show will be great, as showcased by a few parts of the first episode.
Besides the animation, the characters were likeable overall and I'm interested to see how the story develops and where it goes from here.

THE BAD
As mentioned before, the show is not very original. Same overused shonen cliches still exist in this one, so if you're sick and tired of those, the show is probably not for you. The music is not really noticeable either. It didn't add anything to the story nor did it subtract from it, so that's a wash in general.

THE UGLY
Well... I just needed to finish that cliche there... there wasn't anything truly ugly in this show and the fact that our main character will be using a katana, from the glimpse we got of one, makes me a bit excited.

So in conclusion, this show is your run of the mill shonen fighting show, but it looks nice and there are katanas in it. You be the judge and go check it out! It's available for streaming from a number of sources.

Personally, I'll give it a few more episodes to see where it goes.

CTANCast Episode 2 - Daniel

Hey guys, while initially off to a slow start, we're picking up steam and getting ready to roll on with another great episode of the Can't Think of A Name...Cast. This time, Tom (aka Gilmorne) takes a look at the brand new released game, the long awaited sequel to the original, Portal 2.



During the weekend of the recording of this podcast, I had gone down to Boston to participate in the anime gathering known as Anime Boston 2011. Listen to my assessment of the convention and my complete thoughts on it.

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Can't Think of A Name...Cast Episode 1

Hey guys, I know it's been forever since we've actually updated the page, but today it's with some actual new content! Here is the brand new podcast that myself and Gilmorne have been putting together.



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