Happy Birthday, Shotaro Ishinomori!

With all the hype we have for the 40th Anniversary of Kamen Rider and the 35th Anniversary of Super Sentai, we almost forgot the birthday of one important man who changed manga, anime and superhero shows forever, that man is Shotaro Ishinomori!

Born as Shotaro Onodera in January 25, 1938, he was 8 or 9 when modern manga first appeared, he started submitting his amateur works at the age of 12, it was until his 16 when his first story (the first manga he did was a picture story), Second Class Angel was published in Manga Shonen around 1955. Osamu Tezuka was impressed with his drawings thus, he ended up moving in Tezuka's new studio and became his assistant. That is why most of Ishinomori's early works kinda look liked Tezuka's.

It was at the year 1959 he set on his own and began using the pen name, Ishimori to inaugurate his "new life" as an artist. But it was in the year 1964 when he will become well known for his masterpiece, Cyborg 009 and like what they say, the rest is history.

Now you are wondering, how did he end up in making Kamen Rider?! Well it was because of a producer named Toru Hirayama who want to make a new kid's show and with a help of a friend approached Ishinomori for the character designs. Because of CrossFire's design (the name of the hero before Kamen Rider came to be), Toei agreed and thus, Ishinomori ended up having the Original Creator credit while Hirayama having the Producer credit.

But because of Ishinomori wanting to have changes in the last minute, we never have this hero but instead, Ishinomori wanted an adaptation of his manga, Skull Man! Since it is too scary for kids and it is not sure if the advertisers will buy it, they redesigned it with the grasshopper as an inspiration, thus Kamen Rider was born... and so is the partnership between the two which later created, Himitsu Sentai Goranger, JAKQ Dengekitai, Kaiketsu Zubat, Kikaida, Inazuman and more!

Asides from his heores, he also did serious and realistic manga titles back in the 80's such as The Cartoon Introduction to the Japanese Economy which became a surprise bestseller! It was later published in the US as Japan, Inc. This title talks about the boom of the Japanese economy back in the 80's. The other was Hotel which is an adult manga that talks about the lives and careers of the management and staff of Hotel Platon. It is also during that time on the 30th Anniversary of his career as an artist that he changed his name into, Ishinomori.

What makes this man awesome, asides that he created a lot of heroes that continues to inspire a lot of people, he is the current title holder of Guinness Book of World Records title for: Most Comics Published by One Author! What's amazing is that in Japan, he is hailed as the King of Manga, next to Tezuka who is hailed as the God of Manga!

Even if this man is gone for more than a decade, his spirit will continue to live on with his works as he continues to inspire a lot of people with his stories that are quite advanced during his time and the legacy of the heroes he created. So from all of us here, Happy Birthday, Ishinomori-sensei!

"When an era needs it, Kamen Rider will definitely return." - Shotaro Ishinomori

References: Anime News Network, Henshin Hall of Fame (Link 1, Link 2), Igadevil's Kamen Rider Page, ISHIMORI@STYLE, Skull Man Vol. 1 (Tokyopop), Wikipedia (Link 1, Link 2)

Also, special thanks to the people at 4chan's /m/ board for reminding me of his birthday!

SIC Hero Saga - Kamen Rider Kuuga: Odyssey

Since we showed to you last time Decade's on-going side story in Stronger's World, why not take a look on the original Kuuga's adventure? Kuuga has two SIC Hero Saga side stories. First is called, Masked Rider Kuuga: Odyssey (仮面ライダークウガ -オデッセイ-) which ran on Hobby Japan magazine from February to May 2002 and it is written by series producer Shigenori Takatera which expands the origins of the original Kuuga which was shadowed at the start of the series.

Odyssey has four chapters called, Linto, Grongi, Gouram and Daguva and here is the entire synopsis of the original Kuuga's origins.

The Linto's civilization revolves around coexistence with nature. The tribe magician predicts that something bad is going to happen and they need a warrior. He does some fortune-telling and the guy chosen to become their warrior is a boy named Riku. 

They stick the spirit-stone Amadam in him and he becomes the first Kuuga. Meanwhile another tribe known as the Grongi use metal they found from a meteorite to make weapons and attack other tribes.

They go searching for more meteorites and the stones they find in one such expedition changes their DNA structures and gives them beast-like powers. Kuuga fights them and then N Daguba Zeba shows up in his incomplete form and slaughters people in their village. The original Kuuga later defeats him.

Source: /m/ via easymondo

SIC Hero Saga - Kamen Rider Decade: Stronger's World

SIC Hero Saga is a series of side stories based on the SIC toyline which is serialized in Hobby Japan magazine that features stories based on the featured Kamen Rider and Decade never escaped this treatment! Called, Masked Rider Decade: Stronger's World (MASKED RIDER DECADE─ストロンガーの世界─), it features Tsukasa and co. adventure in of course, Stronger's world! To those who don't know him, he is easily described as, "the man Tendou was based with."

So far, only ten chapters of this side story was released and it is still on-going! Special thanks to DecaEnd for the translations and GundamModelKits.com for the images!

Episode 1: The Delza Army! Staff Officer Steel Appears!!

It's the same afternoon, in the same Hikari Photo Studio. However, Tsukasa started to feel uncomfortable. He stands up and decides to open the door only to see middle-aged man with a cowboy hat flying in. A photo screen rolls down from the shock.

The man tells that his name is Tobei Tachibana and calls Tsukasa "Shigeru". Yuusuke and Natsumi takes a closer look on Tsukasa, they notice that he's wearing a red sweatshirt with the letter "S" on the chest and a pair of blue jeans.

Tachibana informs that Yuriko has been captured by Staff Officer Steel and pushes Tsukasa into his jeep. They soon arrive at the wasteland and Tsukasa goes to confront Staff Officer Steel. Tsukasa's opponent seems to be calling him Shigeru as well. Tachibana puts his shoulder on Tsukasa and says "Come on, just say your usual lines!"

Tsukasa decides to listen to Tachibana and starts shouting "The heavens call. The earth cries out. The crowd roars. They are calling me to defeat evil! I am just a Kamen Rider passing by!" Tachibana is angered because of the change in the usual catchphrase, Tsukasa simply ignores him and transforms into Decade.

Episode 2: Enter the Kabuto Beetle Riders!!

Tsukasa Kadoya who entered the World of Stronger has for some reason been called "Shigeru." Tsukasa kept thinking "could it be that we are like two peas in a pod? Anyways, he'll probably realize I am not that guy after transforming." However, Tachibana was simply surprised that "Stronger" had changed so much. 

"What happened to the kabuto beetle?" Tsukasa who thought Tachibana was annoying decides to transform into Kabuto. Tachibana noticed how he was so different from usual and wondered if something had happened, he went to save Tackle by himself.

DecadeKabuto used his Clock Up card and kicked around the grunts. "Hey, don't you care about the hostage!?" said Staff Officer Steel as he threw his iron ball towards DecadeKabuto. DecadeKabuto Form Rides into Kabuto's Masked Form and stopped the iron ball. Doctor Kate appears before Tachibana.

Episode 3: Rider Diend appears!!

Doctor Kate pointed to the defeated Tackle. Tachibana hurried over there, Tackle had been exposed to the Kate Gas for too long. Her body temperature had fallen drastically and her body was shaking. Tachibana kept shouting for help. Tsukasa chose to Cast Off and Clock Up only to play around with Staff Officer Steel.

Suddenly Stronger (that is, DecadeKabuto) disappeared and Staff Officer Steel exploded from all the injuries which left Tachibana completely dumbfounded. All of sudden, Tsukasa is standing in front of Tachibana. According to Doctor Kate, they can save Tackle if they can push out the Kate Gas out of her.

Tsukasa started shouting Kaito and Kaito suddenly came out from behind a rock. Tsukasa wanted to borrow one of Kaito's treasures, the Perfecter he stole from Apollo Geist in the World of RX. "I don't think there's any life inside this thing." said Kaito. "Kaito, you are a thief right? Just take the life of Doctor Kate."

Kaito listened to Tsukasa's words and transformed into Diend.

Episode 4: The Last Moments of Doctor Kate.

Diend tried to suck out some of the life energy from Doctor Kate, however Doctor Kate managed to get away before her whole life was sucked out, but suddenly a bullets fires through her. The Diend she was fighting was just from Diend's Illusion card. Diend is able to suck out the life energy from the wounded Doctor Kate. Kaito returns to Tsukasa and gives him the Perfecter.

Just as Tsukasa takes the Perfecter to save Yuriko an aurora curtain (aka dimension wall) appears. From the aurora curtain appears Kamen Rider Stronger, takes the Perfecter and says, "You can't save her." Tsukasa disagrees and transforms into Decade and Kamen Ride's into Kabuto. A fight between DecadeKabuto and Stronger commences.

Episode 5: The Great Fight between Kabuto Beetles.

The violent fight between DecadeKabuto and Stronger unfolds. Stronger tells Decade that if he saves Yuriko, all the Yuriko's in the other worlds will be affected as well. Stronger activates his Charge Up and Decade goes into Hyper Kabuto. 

Before Decade is able to go into Hyper Clock Up mode, Stronger uses his special attack, Super Electro Lightning Kick, on Decade. Hyper Kabuto is defeated. However, the Perfecter Stronger was holding is gone. Stronger looks in front of him and sees Decade Complete Form. The Hyper Kabuto, Stronger defeated was only one of Decade's summons.

Episode 6: The World in Chaos!

Shigeru and Tsukasa revert back to human form and Tsukasa asks Shigeru why he won't save Tackle. When Tackle died, Shigeru blamed himself for being too weak and inserted the Super Electron Dynamo in his body. Stronger says that this isn't his world because of what has happened isn't supposed to happen. Yuriko must die in this world. If this Yuriko lives, all the other Yuriko's will be affected. Stronger might not undergo the Charge Up surgery, this might cause him to lose against the Delza Army.

Tsukasa equips the Perfecter on Tackle and she's brought back to life. Tsukasa gets an uncomfortable feeling and transforms into Decade.

Episode 7: Kamen Rider VS The Great Leader!

Tackle, who came back to life, noticed a strange rocky mountain. The mountain reveals it's true identity as the Great Leader. When Shigeru sees the Great Leader, he's surprised and thinks "this is a different world." In his own world, he and the 6 other Riders had already defeated him. Shigeru notices that they are only 4 here, though Tsukasa mentions together with Yuusuke they are 5. However, Shigeru says that he can't interfere with what's happening in this world and he won't fight.

Suddenly, General Shadow appears and leaps towards Shigeru. The Great Leader throws boulders towards Tackle and Decade. Together they push away the boulder, but it's now heading towards Tachibana. Tsukasa tells Shigeru to save Tachibana.

Episode 8: Kamen Rider Kuuga Appears!!

The boulder is still rolling towards Tachibana, Tsukasa is still telling Shigeru to save Tachibana. Shigeru is refusing and says that he can't interfere with what's happening. Yuusuke appears out of nowhere and quickly transforms into Kuuga Mighty Form and saves Tachibana right before the boulder hits him. The Great Leader suddenly crushes General Shadow and is trampling on Tackle. Shigeru is still refusing to fight, which angers Decade so he turns Kuuga into Kuuga Gouram and rides on top.

Episode 9: The Remodeling of Stronger!!

Narutaki shows up through an aurora curtain and watches the fight. Decade and Kuuga are having a hard time fighting the Great Leader. Tackle is using her bike and Tachibana's jeep with wires in hopes of tying up the Great Leader. However, the wires were easily cut. Shigeru knows that the Great Leader's weak point is inside his mouth, but he's refusing to help. 

Narutaki walks towards Shigeru and tells him to defeat Decade. After hearing Tsukasa say "You are not an ally of justice, if you going to let someone die without doing anything." Shigeru decides to finally transform into Stronger and hits Narutaki (!). Stronger tells Decade about the Great Leader's weak point. 

Decade jumps down behind Stronger and uses a Final Form Ride card. Stronger suddenly turns into a huge Kabuto Beetle called Strong Zecter. Tackle jumps up on Stronger's back. Stronger and Kuuga flies towards the Great Leader.

Episode 10: Capture the Riders! Long Live Delza!!

Stronger and Kuuga flies towards the Great Leader's mouth, but the Great Leader closes his mouth and they lose their chance to fly in. Kuuga suggest that they should use Decade Assault, but it seems like that Kuuga Gouram's fangs aren't able to hold down the Great Leader's body. Tackle moves from Stronger to Kuuga and tells him to rotate and attack the face. The lower jaw is missing and Stronger seems to be standing on the upper jaw. Stronger says that they should hurry and get inside his mouth.

Suddenly a dazzling light covers Tackle, Decade and Kuuga. When the light disappears, Kuuga has changed to a Kuuga no one has seen before. To be continued.

All I can say is, this. Is. Interesting. Asides that it added few more details regarding the impact of the AU worlds with each other, the fact that they used the original Stronger adds the epicness that this side story has. Considering that most SIC Hero Saga side stories are canon, I say it might take place between BLACK RX and Amazon's worlds. So guys, what can you say about this?

Goukaiger Ranger Shots!

Our pirates! Trying to steal each others spotlight!

With Goukaiger starting this February 13, 2011, a couple of the show's actors posted some pictures related to their new jobs (less Ichimichi Mao aka GoukaiYellow aka Luka Milfy) in their respective blogs, and here are some of those shots!

Go-OnRed with GoukaiRed in one photo! Aaaand, what happened to Sousuke's hair?

Oh noes! Captain Marvelous wants to eat Alata... and Go-onBlack doesn't do a thing!

Wait. Ichimichi Mao is a Bleach fan? Also, Yui Koike displaying her script for Goukaiger!

Special thanks to gantar, Wonderwall and kinamoto for the pics!

Yearender 2010: Random Anime Lists!

Here is the second part of my Yearender 2010, this time, random anime list in various categories! Some of them are just my personal opinion, while some are based on facts. So yeah.

Top 5 Anime Titles (Philippine Free TV)

5. Yatterman (TV5)

For a few good reasons, it is fun, condenses the classic Yatterman anime into 50 something episodes, plus, the mecha found is cool looking! Plus, the sounds made by the mini-mecha sounded so cute!

Para sa ating tagumpay! Yatta! Yatta! Yattaman! (For our victory! Yatta! Yatta! Yatterman!)

4. Clannad and Clannad: Tomoyo Another World OVA (TV5)

The story is good, the dubbing was... well, in the middle and airing the OVA on TV is good way to end a good series since it is pretty rare that an OVA will air on free TV.

3. Lucky Star (TV5) & My Bride is a Mermaid (Studio 23)

For Lucky Star, asides that it replaced Haruhi, I love the amount of anime references made. About My Bride is a Mermaid, it is just one fun anime title to watch.

2. Casshern Sins (TV5) & D. Gray-Man (TV5) & Gundam 00 (TV5)

Triple tie! These shows have their own advantages and weaknesses. Casshern's advantage is the story and the good dubbing, its disadvantage is that it might cause you to fall asleep in some episodes (it happened to me he he). D. Gray-Man, same case with Casshern except that its disadvantage is that TV5 cut it short with the arc that featured Jasdevi. As for Gundam 00, dubbing had some rough edges but overall, one fun show to watch; another disadvantage is that TV5 cut it short. TV5, this 2011 you have quite an amount of episodes to pay for your anime fans!

1.5. Toradora! [TV5 (I said, Top 5 and if you do the math, there is still 1.5, 2.5 and the like)]

After its "Endless Eight" last year, finally! TV5 was able to finish it, but it some minor changes, Ryuji's VA was replaced due to its original VA, accordingly, went to Canada to seek better pastures but it didn't hinder the quality of the dubbing. The never made the same edits that caused Toradora! fans to be pissed about it last time and instead, they just stayed faithful and true with the material... which is epic.

1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

The two episodes every Friday factor caused me to get glued with FMA: B so much. The good dubbing also adds it up. Nica Rojo did a good job for her performance as Edward Elric that in some point, it is kinda on par with Romi Park (Trivia: Nica Rojo, according to her blog is a fan of Romi Park, heck, she even posted the link of her blog in her link list!). Hopefully, they will finish FMA: B this year!

"They Promised They Will Air It" List: Unfulfilled Promises (Philippine Free TV)

For references, check it here and here. And so, the top 3 shows that they promise that they will air it last year but failed to do so.

3. New Pokemon episodes on GMA (according to the teaser, Battle Frontier-onwards)

Nah. I prefer the surprise return of One Piece with new episodes.

2. InuYasha (TV5)

Seriously, they should have aired it so that we can have...

1. InuYasha: The Final Act (TV5)

Accordingly, they also have the rights for this title but they never had the chance to air it due to the rapid changes that is happening on TV5.

Top 5 Anime Titles (Japan)

5. Shiryaku! Ika Musume

It is like Keroro Gunso except that she doesn't have a platoon, forced to slave herself in the family she ended up with and she doesn't have a proper game plan! What's making it worst is that... she didn't study the top world well! The moe is just a bonus.

4. Occult Academy

A rare supernatural anime title that doesn't involve much magical powers add the fact that it screams good ol' Scooby Doo! Probably, one of the best titles that is released this year!

3. Highschool of the Dead

Zombies! High schoolers killing zombies! Boobies! Panty shots! More boobies! Cycle goes back to zombies and so on...

2. Bakuman

Yes, this show had a slow start but it is something interesting. I love how they explore much on the trails between our two protagonist while Shonen Jack, I mean, Shonen Jump starts doing some hidden product placements.

1. Digimon Xros Wars

Simple. Back to basics Digimon. They ignored the things that was established in the other 5 Digimon shows and decided to come up with something new. Death means death here in this series, heck, they even have one episode in which Ba'almon was forced to kill his comrades who where mind controlled... and there was no DigiEgg in sight! It being written by the same guy who did Kamen Rider W, the return of the Goggle Boy and the fact that it is Sentai-ish in terms of gimmick is just a bonus!

Note: I haven't finished watching Durarara!!, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, K-ON!! and Heroman yet. Durarara!! is kinda slow for me as of now, but with the proper introduction on Masked Rider, I mean, Celty, I guess I will also love this show.

Top 5 Male Anime Characters (Random)

Like what the title says, random. In short, I will include those characters that I watched asides from the titles that aired in Japan last year.

5. Pride (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

Looks can be deceiving, that is why I love Pride. Asides that he is within the military for quite sometime and the one that works behind the shadows, the fact that he looks like an innocent 5-year-old makes you cause to scratch your head and scream "Fuuuuuc-" for a few minutes.

4. Yami Yugi (Yu-Gi-Oh!)

If you don't know this Yami Yugi, then you didn't watched the first Yu-Gi-Oh! anime series produced by Toei back in the 90's! This is the epitome of Yami Yugi. He plays people mind games and crushes their minds once they break the rules or they lost the game. Seriously, why did Kazuki Takahashi call this other persona Yami (Dark) Yugi if he didn't do something that is dark and just plays children's card games?

3. Kohta Hirano (Highschool of the Dead)

Just one fat guy that shoots zombies with an improvised nail gun is just enough to describe how awesome this guy is.

2. Akito Takagi (Bakuman)

Just a lighthearted version of Light Yagami of Death Note except that he wants to write stories on his notebook for Moritaka to approve if it is worthy to be turned into a manuscript for Shonen Jum... I mean, Jack!

1. Casshern (Casshern Sins)
The world that Casshern lived is not a magical world in which after he saves this world, everything will return back to normal, but no, it didn't that is why this year, Casshern is my favorite anime character.

Top 5 Female Anime Characters (Random)

Like what the title says, random. In short, I will include those characters that I watched asides from the titles that aired in Japan last year.

5. Konata Izumi (Lucky Star)

Asides that she was dubbed by Aya Hirano in the Japanese version, Hazel Hernan did justice to her voice the Filipino dub. Her being quite an otaku is just a bonus!

4. Kuroneko (Oreimo)

Compared to Kirino, I prefer her over her. Sure, Kirino was cute but after the fifth episode, I just lost interest on her due to her being quite a common tsundere type if chick.

3. Mio Akiyama (K-ON!)

How can I describe it? I guess that she being the cutest bassist around is enough for me to describe plus, I love her voice!

2. Saeko Busujima (Highschool of the Dead)

Compared to the other two, I prefer Saeko than a pink haired chick that wears glasses and that slut. Just her cold stare and her kicking serious zombie ass is just enough for me to love her.

1. Celty Sturluson (Durarara!!)

I only watched five episodes of Durarara!! but seriously, she instantly became my personal favorite this year. She rides a motorcycles, wears tight leather, wears a helmet that has cat ears... and carries a scythe! All she needs is to have her helmet light up and starts doing funky poses while wearing a belt so that I would bow down to her. :P

P.S. If you don't get the last sentences, you haven't watched Kamen Rider!

Yearender 2010: Top 5 Anime and Toku News!

With the year 2010 about to take its final bow, let's take a look back on what I think, made the top 5 headlines in terms of anime and tokusatsu this year.

Anime News (Philippines)

5. TV5's "Endless Eight" ends, and they aired quite a number of prominent anime titles... namely, D. Gray-man, Lucky Star (that replaced Haruhi which is still not yet over), Clannad, finished Toradora!, continued FMA: B, and aired Gundam 00.

4. Eyeshield 21, screwed by Nickleodeon.

3. HEROtv slowly getting its mojo back, Animax Asia still continues to dominate with Kaichou wa Maid-sama, Fairy Tail and K-ON!/K-ON!!.

2. Studio 23 airs dozens of anime titles this year which includes titles that didn't aired on HEROtv nor ABS-CBN. Also, QTV gave us quite a teaser for their treat for anime fans next year!

1. TV5 ANiMEGA leaves for a while, returns with Gundam 00... in Saturday and screwed again by Pacquiao fights. Since then, TV5 ANiMEGA's sked becomes unstable.

Anime News (Regular)

5. More Anime Adaptations in Japan and outside Japan (US included).

4. One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Fullmetal Alchemist dominates this year!

3. A balance between Mamoru Hosoda's recognition in terms of being a director and the great loss of Satoshi Kon in the industry.

2. Tokyo International Anime Fair 2011 seems to be screwed because...

1. Ishihara's Youth Ordinance Bill also known as Anime and Manga Regulation Bill.

Tokusatsu News

5. Kamen Rider Dragon Knight is famous... in Japan!

4.Tokusatsu films mostly, on top of the box office.

3. Kamen Rider W dominates.

2. Saban is back, and reacquires the Power Rangers franchise from Disney and decides to adapted Samurai Sentai Shinkenger into Power Rangers Samurai!

1. Toei's announcement of their plans for Super Sentai and Kamen Rider's respective anniversaries next year.

I guess that will be all this year! Now, what will be the top news for 2011? I guess we should wait for 2011! Happy New Year everybody!

Otaku’s Verdict 2010 – Ukiya’s Fearless Forecast

With the nominees are out, and the voting period begins this December 5, it would be best if I will tell what I think the titles that will win this year’s OV poll. Take note to readers, this is just one man’s opinion and I would base my forecast with the signs that I saw in the Philippine online anime community.

Terrestrial TV

Platinum Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Soul Eater and Gintama were discussed in the online community as titles that aired in ABS-CBN and that are it. Soul Eater is quite popular but it never left a mark as a titled aired by ABS-CBN but more as a title aired in cable. As for Gintama, the controversy of its improper airing was talked for some time and that’s it. Gundam 00 aired and it left quite a mark especially the choice for Alleluyah Haptism (Which up until now, I am pissed with the wrong choice Lapat-Tinig did).

After its improper end, many fans demand for FMA: B to be back in TV, add the fact that the anime is about to end in Japan when the request flooded. Its return back on TV after last year’s interruption was well received by fans and this title definitely deserves to win the Platinum award.

Gold Anime: D.Gray-Man

Reborn! and Naruto Shippuden were requested by most fans to be back for a new season but the ABS-CBN run was barely discussed online. Most of the Naruto fans discussed the current events that are happening in the manga, if my memory serves me correctly, the council of Kages. As for Reborn!, the ABS-CBN run was discussed for a short while, but it never left quite a mark.

As for Golgo 13 and Casshern Sins, they were never talked about. Only hardcore fans talked about those titles. That leaves DGM. DGM was popular before it aired on TV5 but after the series started to air on TV, the number of DGM fans increased, Allen Walker fangirls (It is all thanks to Jefferson Utanes) increased and the show was demanded by most fans to be back on TV after its run was interrupted for the second time.

Silver Anime: A strong fight between Hajime no Ippo: The New Challenger and My Bride is a Mermaid

The choice for the silver award is difficult. Most titles were barely talked about so it is hard for me to think which title is popular with the community. My choice was based on the popularity of the title in the masses and the amount of art related to the title that I see online.

Bronze Anime: A strong fight between Prince Mackaroo and Maki Baoh

The unofficial Prince Mackaroo Facebook fan page has reached over a thousand fans while our white wonder, after its run last year returned on TV due to the popularity of this show. Plus, who doesn’t love a lazy prince a horse-donkey-thing that likes to s*** a lot?

Teen/Drama Anime: A strong fight between Clannad and Lucky Star

Why no Toradora!? It is because Clannad and Lucky Star are on the list! These titles are highly requested by fans that when Clannad aired this year, fans went wild that they can watch this title legally and another reason for them to go wild is the choices for some characters.

Lucky Star was an unexpected title that aired this year that I myself after seeing it aired on TV decided to immediately write a blog entry about it! Plus, the choices for the main four were positively received by most fans.

Tokusatsu/Live Action: Kamen Rider Hibiki

Since there is no JDrama on the list, Hibiki-san will definitely win this year! He will win people! He will!

Rerun Pick – ABS-CBN/Studio 23: Naruto Shippuden

For a simple reason: ABS-CBN knew how to tease its viewers. With Season 2 reruns, fans assumed that they now have the license for the next season, which is technically season 5 and 6 in Japan.

Rerun Pick – TV5: Special A

Seeing the demand for this show to be back, this title deserves the award. Seriously, in every TV5 anime post that I see back then, a lot of fans repeatedly repeats the same lines to return Special A… and they did! Is it me, or Jeff’s voice charmed a lot of fan girls this year?

Rerun Pick – GMA/QTV: Hayate the Combat Butler

Need to say more?

Channel of the Year: TV5

TV5 had quite a year for anime. Aside from its controversial ending of its ANiMEGA block last June in favor for Asian drama, until its return months later bringing Gundam 00 in its arsenal and later, it ended in favor for old Pacquiao fight reruns till its soft return with Lucky Star and Golgo 13 reruns. Studio 23 is quite a good contender as I mentioned it in my previous post but they never gave us titles that were popular in Japan up until now. If they did a run on Naruto or any popular ABS-CBN title such as Katekyo Hitman Reborn! I think Studio 23 had a fighting chance in winning Channel of the Year.

Cable/Satellite TV

Platinum Anime: K-ON!/K-ON!!

Ignore the bad dubbing and just focus on the subbed version of it! This year is definitely the year of Ho-kago Tea Time and Animax was just on time to bring it in cable shores! Considering how popular the title is right now, this title deserves the top spot!

Gold Anime: Fairy Tail

It is one of the most talked about new anime titles coming from the person responsible for Rave Master. The airing of Code Geass and D.Gray-Man on HEROtv were criticized because if TV5 didn’t air it first, they will not air it on cable. Plus, the Code Geass dubbed was heavily criticized by many fans since it lacks the impact given by the TV5 dub (The HEROtv dub has some good choices for the voices, but the rest… meh).

Silver Anime: Eyeshield 21 – Season 2

Fans waited for a long time to see this series end! Finally, Sena’s American football exploits with the rest of the Devil Bats continues! This title is probably, one of the most awaited titles that fans wish to see end on TV… and it never failed us.

Bronze Anime: Pokemon Diamond and Pearl

Considering that, only a few people appreciate the titles found in this category, only Pokemon, basing on the choices that the people will pick in the list.

Teen/Drama Anime: Kaichou wa Maid-sama!

This is one of the most talked about anime titles this year. Add the fact that Animax will air it after Japan airs it makes it deserving for the crown!

Tokusatsu/Live Action: Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight

RPM and Max are both great shows but since most people have the notion that RPM is just your average PR show (Unless they really did watch RPM), I guess Dragon Knight will vent the other titles in the list.

Channel of the Year: Animax Philippines

They had a good year. A VERY good year. I think I do not need to explain my reasons why this channel will win this year.

Miscellaneous

Japan’s Newest Title: Ika Musume

Seeing how the squid have invaded most Pinoy Facebook fan pages, I guess she will be the runaway winner for this category.

Japan’s Newest Tokusatsu/Live Action Title: Kamen Rider W

Seeing how epic the show is, OOO has a long way to go.

Philippines’ Master of Epic Fail: Eyeshield 21 – Season 2

Everybody knows that it had a finish run on cable, everybody knows that the series is almost finished, but it was interrupted because of Nick shows replacing the show. Princess who? Only a few people watched that! One Piece? Wait. They had One Piece reruns?!

Philippines’ Most Improved Record: Toradora!

After the Endless Eight incident back then, this title definitely deserves the spot. Ed and Al can wait since the title has not yet finished its Philippine free TV run.

Popularity

Male Anime Dubber of the Year: Fourth Lee (Mobile Suit Gundam 00, TV5)

Hands down.

Female Anime Dubber of the Year: Nica Rojo (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

I love her performance as Ed Elric of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood! I can say that it is on par with the dub of the first series and partly comparable with Romi Park’s performance.

Anime Director of the Year: -

Next please!

Male Anime Character of the Year: Allen Walker

I think I you know why!

Female Anime Character of the Year: Yui Hirasawa or Winry Rockbell or Lenalee Lee (BLACK ROCK SHOOTER!!!)

It’s hard to think which of these two will win this year! But I have hopes that Lucy might at least be part of the top winners.

I’ll skip the next four categories since I never attended any of those conventions nor played those games.

Anime Theme Song of the Year: Period by Chemistry

For a series that talks about alchemy, the grand daddy of Chemistry, I think this song will win asides that it is catchy. I know, Take the Wave is also a good song but it is not as good as Chemistry IMO. About No, Thank You! I had a hard time adjusting with this song.

Japanese MV of the Year: Shunkan Sentimental by SCANDAL

The other videos are good, but Shukan Sentimental is better.

Anime Status for 2010: Good

I won’t say bad nor stable due to the amount of good titles we had this year and the fact that a lot of titles especially titles that aired in Animax that are expected to air after a year aired only a few day after it aired in Japan! Plus, the fact that the Pinoy fandom is quite active compared to the previous years proves that this is indeed a good year for anime.

Random Fun: Vegeta's Face

I was bored and decided to play with this screenshot I got from the Dragon Ball OVA, Yo! Son Goku and Friends Return!! (Which I will review in the coming days) In which, in a certain scene, Vegeta sees his brother's wife, Gure and he has this kind of expression seen on top. So, I decided to play with that face by creating a motivational posters!

Ah, priceless... and Vegeta becoming a little humble.

So, what caption can you place on Vegeta's pic?