Azure Flame Reloaded

Yes, the time has come to complete my first year of previews, although unfortunately I left it so late that I’ll just ignore most of the movies, OVAs and specials to come out in December and get cracking on the series that are intended to sustain us through the cold and depressing weeks of January.

• Ayakashi: Hmm, another series named Ayakashi- when will they ever learn that this name brings nothing about bad fortune? Apparently this time around, the Ayakashi in question give special powers to their hosts in exchange for draining their life force- sounds a lot like Mushi-Uta. The series has already started, so it shouldn’t be too much effort to try episode one…eventually. Continue Reading »

In 1931, the Flying Pussyfoot sets off on a transcontinental train journey across America, but what few people realise is that this is to be a more eventful trip than usual. For aboard the train are numerous factions who are all pieces in a larger web of events that began over two hundred years ago, when a select group of people discovered the secret of immortality.

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A normal day at Azure Flame.

It’s been a year of ups and downs, of anime gems and utter disappointments- a year when I’ve alternated between craving more and feeling utterly fed up with the continuing deluge of episodes that take no account of the fact that people might have other things to do than stay in and watch all day. Nonetheless, in true years-end tradition, we must review all the new series in an Annual Round-Up, a project which I meant to periodically update through the year but ended up writing at the last minute again.

As always, red titles are those which were dropped, and blues are the picks of the year. Come back on Tuesday for the New Year Rumble, in which we take a look at the year in the life of Azure Flame.

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Hello and welcome to a very special edition of Tuesday Rumble, one designed to exploit the fact that it also happens to be Christmas Day. Since we here at Azure Flame care about our readers, we’ve decided to put together a guide to using all the resources of anime and manga to create that perfect Christmas. So, read on for a selection of tips and ideas designed to ensure that your Christmas goes as smoothly as possible.

Choose the perfect presents

The world of anime is simply brimming with innovative gift ideas (some of which I outlined last year), so why not take advantage of it? Whether you want to trade in your old car for a giant robot, upgrade your technology to the latest sentient computer kit or just invest in something a little magical, the anime catalogue has got you covered. Continue Reading »

According to legend, many years ago, a powerful god named Gestalt was banished to Earth and sealed in an island known only as ‘G’. Determined to find the truth behind these rumours, priest Father Olivier decides to leave his order and travel to G, but when he gains a travelling companion in the form of sorceress Ohri, it is only the first step in becoming embroiled in a more complicated adventure.

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The one named Karura arrived on this planet, and the world was changed forever- for little did anyone know that it was her destiny to wield the legendary sword and free the populace from the tyranny of the evil Dark Lord, whose sole purpose was to destroy the world.  Okay, so that part may not be strictly accurate, but let us join in the celebration of the inevitable process of aging, and admire the lovely picture created by Necromancer (dancing fanatics will note that the hold is reversed, but don’t be picky). Any gifts you might wish to send are welcomed, and indeed encouraged…my fat cat heavies will be round to collect them shortly.

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A while ago I reviewed the Loveless anime, and whilst it undoubtedly had potential, something about it didn’t sit right with me- I wanted to spend long enough in the world of the series to explore both the setting and the characters, and twelve episodes just wasn’t long enough to do that. In the hopes of getting a better grasp on what the creator was trying to achieve, I decided to turn to the manga, and in due course, the first eight volumes had duly been devoured (in a non-literal sense, of course).

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Lu Xun is in Angst Mode.

Taishi Ci: Snap out of it, man- there are only seven episodes left! We have to get back to Wu!

After a brief spot of HORSE, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei report in to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei: What do you mean, you were unable to defeat the Pleasure Rangers? What are you, mindless underlings?

Zhuge Liang: Do not fear, my Lord; this week’s plan will surely succeed, because instead of attacking well protected main characters, we are going after some mid-bosses from Wei.

Liu Bei: Excellent- and if you could perhaps bring back their severed Swords for me, as I seem to have lost mine.

Zhuge Liang: Now get to it- it’s time for Liu Bei and I to have wild Pleasure in the garden. Continue Reading »

In the near future, advances in technology have made it possible to create a virtual overlay of the real world, visible to anyone wearing special ‘dennou’ glasses. Unsurprisingly, the glasses are a big hit with children, but for the youth of Daikoku city, the glasses are about more than just sending email and raising virtual pets- they’re more interested in hacking, exploiting bugs and generally testing the limits of the system. But for Yuuko ‘Yasako’ Okonogi and her friends, allies and rivals, tinkering with cyberspace may reveal more than they ever bargained to find.

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Lu Xun and Ling Tong approach Zhuge Liang’s hut.

Ling Tong: Aniki, are you sure you should go alone?

Lu Xun: Yes- I need to ask Zhuge Liang to bless our union.

Ling Tong: Can I actually count on you to come back? What if he seduces you into breaking up with me?

Lu Xun: I wish- er, I mean, wait here, and if I don’t get any better offers I’ll be back for you later. Continue Reading »