Let's Rock and Roll!

Oh my God this is not a drill! It's actually fucking happening, a Star Fox 64 HD Remake is coming! I can't tell you how long I've been thinking and dreaming about a HD version of my third favorite video game of all time, and holy fucking shit it's better than I could have ever possibly dreamed of!

Okay, so obviously this is yet another redo of Star Fox 64 because it's the best selling game and most critically acclaimed game in the series, and I get it, why is Nintendo doing this yet again? I feel like I'm the wrong person to answer this because this is EXACTLY what I wanted. And also, I'm seeing people saying they've never played the series before, so what better way to introduce new fans than with the best game in the series?

First things first, can we talk about how Nintendo just dropped this out of nowhere and gave us a heads up 10 minutes before a direct?! I'm not complaining, but holy shit, give a guy some time! The game looks fucking gorgeous for an HD Remake, and it's Star Fox 64 alright, but I noticed they're going to have more cutscenes, which means a more in depth story in general, which is always a plus in my book. You got your single player, multiplayer, replayability, and new challenge mode which'll give a gave that had tons of replayability even more of it.

One of the big talking points is how the crew looks now with a new "realistic" approach, and I don't mind it, in fact I quite like it, besides Falco's bird look, but that's not his fault since birds look like crap in general. They definitely go back to their SNES cover art style here and those puppets were weird but cool looking so I approve. And look at James McCloud! He looks so GODDAMN cool! And I can't wait for the music if the songs I heard in the direct are an amazing preview to the full soundtrack.

I think the only thing left to talk about is what the overall tone of the game will be like. I think so far it keeps the cheesy feel of the N64 game well, just a little bit more serious, but not to the level of Assault. Also the game looks and feels like a fusion of Star Wars and Top Gun, and I am here for it.

If you never played the Star Fox series before I suggest playing 64 first before touching the others, it's truly the best experience and a great gateway to the rest of the series before this comes out. Now if you'll excuse me I have to sacrifice my other games to get this one.

Number One Contender

So Sailor Moon has a lot of possible opponents for Death Battle, and I mean a LOT. Given that she's a very iconic anime character, it's not surprising that she has so many people wanting her to fight so many characters. But today I wanted to showcase a few that I think could be a good choice for Sailor Moon, and a couple I think don't work.

Vs Goku

I mean, I don't think I have to state for the 64th time why I think Goku would be a great pick. It's a big time legacy matchup for both series, and it's still very debatable. I've done everything I can for this matchup, from thumbnails, to my pitch video, so nothing more needs to be said for Goku.

Vs Pegasus Seiya

If I were to think about it objectively, Pegasus Seiya is probably Sailor Moon's best opponent. Both series clash well with connections, tones and themes, plus Seiya has a shitton of hax to make Wiz and Boomstick go crazy. It would be one of the greatest cosmic Death Battle matchups of all time without question. If Goku isn't picked as her opponent, I would definitely be down for Seiya. But also Goku Vs Seiya is a legacy matchup too that would make Central and South America go crazy so...

Vs Cardcaptor Sakura

As far as Magical Girl matchups go, I think this is the quintessential Magical Girl matchup. Usagi and Sakura can bounce off each other very well, Usagi's magic versus Sakura's cards is a fun dynamic that can go very hard. Not much to talk about other than this is another big time legacy matchup.

Vs Sora

I know nothing about Kingdom Hearts except from Nintendo Power and Smash Bros., but I think this would be a kickass matchup. Great dynamic and fight potential, plus this gave me perspective on how batshit insane Kingdom Hearts is, and I'm not talking about the plot. I think the only thing going against it is that this matchup just gained popularity about 2-3 years ago so it's easily the most recent matchup here.

Vs Madoka

Flame Shields up Okay, this is easily gonna be the controversial matchup and a long explanation so here we go. Once upon a time I used to like this matchup, I thought it would be a nice debate between two of the most well known magical girls in the world. Dear GOD did this get so fucking toxic so much over the years, I'm pretty sure even Bill Vs Discord didn't get this bad, and that got so toxic that threads got locked. I feel like if you don't know the characters and story and you only know them by how iconic the two are, then yeah it sounds like a good matchup. However, as someone who's seen the anime and manga for both series, I just don't like this anymore and I don't think it works at all.

Nevermind the fact that there's no fight potential or connections that work in the sense of a Death Battle, just having the matchup exist would mean either one or both characters would be extremely out of character. Let me put it this way, it would be worse than Goku Vs Superman 2 in terms of characterization. And I know people will try to say "Well Madoka killed before", well that was before she became a cosmic Multiversal law and was COSMICALLY ORDAINED to protect and save magical girls. In short, if you like this matchup then more power to you, but Sailor Moon Vs Madoka goes against their stories and characters and does a disservice to both.

Vs Sonic The Hedgehog

I'll admit, I don't really get this one. I'm not saying it's bad at all, but this one is like trying to fit a puzzle piece into a puzzle but it's not clicking. I feel like that one Steve Buscemi meme when I see these two together with me trying to be hip and cool and I'm reminded of how old I am and how we're all slowly marching to the great beyond... Anyway, I love both characters for sure, (Seriously if Sonic 06 and Rise of Lyric couldn't stop him what will?) but Sonic is someone that Goku should absolutely fight. Probably because they have more connections and more in common than Goku/Superman, who said that?

Vs Twilight Sparkle

Now here's a matchup I've really come to like, I don't have much to say with this one other than it's a great match, and the only hiccup with it is that like Sora, this one's gotten popular the last 2-3 years, so I'm not expecting this anytime soon.

Vs Star Butterfly

UGH, fine Goddammit. The last one of Sailor Moon's possible opponents and I'm not gonna lie, I fucking hate Star. Not just as an opponent for Usagi, but her character and everything that happened with her show. What happened with her show, especially that legendary bad finale, just ruined everything I liked about the show in general. She got her episode and victory, but I hope she never comes back. UGH Why was that finale so shit?!

And that's pretty much all of Sailor Moon's best opponents that I could think of. Now there are some more possible opponents for her like Wonder Woman and Supergirl, but I either don't care for them as opponents for Usagi or think they have better matchups in general. But what do you guys think? Who do you think would be best for Sailor Moon? And who do you think will win the Battle Royale to become the number one contender to fight Sailor Moon for the WWF Championship?! If ya smell- Sorry got carried away there.

Top 10 Cartoons

Last time I made a Top 10 on my favorite anime shows showcasing my love for Japanese cartoons, this time I want to list out my favorite western cartoons. I found this list to be a lot easier since I have more history with cartoons in general, so let’s see what makes the cut.

10. Recess

A cartoon about the best time during the school day? Of course it’s going to be good. An episodic series about kids at Third Street Elementary School getting into countless hi-jinks, it’s such a classic Disney cartoon, one of the only Disney cartoons I watched back in the day, Recess is still relatable to all those fun times I had as a kid. Also the School’s Out movie is still awesome.

9. Avatar: The Last Airbender

The most recent cartoon on this list, I didn’t initially see this but I remember so many people talking about it constantly growing up. I was initially shocked to see how mature Avatar could be while retaining that fun and mystical tone. Great cast of characters that I instantly fell in love with, and action that has become so unique that we’re still seeing references to Avatar to this day. Consider watching this if you haven’t yet.

8. Codename: Kids Next Door

Looking back at this show, it was freaking bonkers! An organization of kids fighting against adult tyranny, and using kid-like tech that kids would absolutely use, Kids Next Door was bonkers in all the best ways. If nothing else, I always wanted to have a treehouse and crazy tech from the show, even if it’s impossible to do so.

7. The Powerpuff Girls

One of the first shows to show how girls can be just as badass as the guys, The Powerpuff Girls was an instant hit for me. As one of the first original Cartoon Network cartoons it really grabbed your attention with the characters and action, it was also very funny with no shortage of hilarious moments. This is an instant recommendation for me as it still holds up today.

6. Dexter's Laboratory

With the first wave of original programs on Cartoon Network, I believe that Dexter’s Laboratory is the flagship series of that wave of original cartoons. It still holds up incredibly well, still very funny, and I often find myself quoting the characters quite a bit. It’s also one of those shows with a bunch of jokes, and if one joke didn’t make you laugh, there’s at least five more that will. It stands the test of time as one of Cartoon Network’s first original successes.

5. Samurai Jack

One of the greatest cartoons of the 00s, Samurai Jack is a masterclass in visual storytelling. This was the very first cartoon to show me that great stories can be done in more than just the normal ways. While having moments of fun, the show also shows how dire the situation is, given that Aku has taken over the future. With a legendary performance of Aku by the late great Mako, Samurai Jack must be seen to be believed. Also the ending is great, no shut up it is, it’s the perfect ending for Jack’s journey.

4. Batman: The Animated Series

THE superhero cartoon in my opinion, this show absolutely still stands the test of time, so much so that the other Batman shows are kinda unfairly compared to it. Me praising it does not do it justice, Batman The Animated Series is arguably the greatest piece of Batman media out there, it has influenced the mythos of Batman to this very day. Batman and Joker having defined roles with Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill bringing them to life, Mister Freeze’s transformation from one off villain to one of the Dark Knight’s greatest villains and a fantastic tragic figure thanks to Heart of Ice, which won a freaking Emmy. And let’s not forget the introduction of Harley Quinn, who depending on who you ask, has become a mainstay for better or worse. You MUST watch this if you love cartoons and/or Batman.

3. Tom and Jerry

Now we’re getting to the cartoons that are not only a cornerstone of my childhood, they shaped my humor and taste of comedy. And we’re starting off arguably the greatest cartoon slapstick of all time. I cannot tell you how many hours I lost watching Tom and Jerry on Cartoon Network, the answer is most likely thousands and counting. The ultimate cat and mouse chase, pun absolutely intended, the duo’s been doing this song and dance for over 80 years and still going! It’s classic slapstick at its finest and is a masterclass in how to do voiceless comedy.

2. Looney Tunes

Like Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes has been around for a very long time, it’s easily the oldest cartoons on this list, and just like the cat and mouse duo, the toons have most definitely left their mark on our culture. Whether it’s the classic cartoons, Space Jam, Back in Action, or the recent cartoons, the legacy of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, etc. has stood the test of time for a reason.

1. The Simpsons/Ed, Edd n Eddy

I don’t think there’s a single show out there that influenced my childhood and sense of humor more than these two, which is why they’re both at the top of this list. With Ed, Edd n Eddy you had the wacky adventures of the cul-de-sac kids and their fun during the summer, not to mention all of the sound effects that are gut bustingly hilarious, it really made you feel like you were part of that chaos. And what else can be said about The Simpsons that hasn’t been said (Besides please let it die)? The family from Springfield was a cultural phenomenon in the 90’s with some of the greatest gags and jokes I’ve ever seen from any show, let alone a cartoon. If I were to recommend both, watch all of Ed, Edd n Eddy plus the specials and movie, as for The Simpsons, Seasons 1-10 is peak comedy and made the show the juggernaut that it is today. In my opinion you won’t find better slapstick and comedy anywhere else.

Top 10 Anime

Anime has been a part of my life since 1998 and I've never looked back, sure it's got some awkward and uncomfortable things about it, but it's something I cherish near and dear to my heart. Let's not beat around the bush and get to the list.

10. Cowboy Bebop

You know it’s a good list when I start with one of the all time greats. Lasting only twenty six episodes, Cowboy Bebop is a masterclass in making sure every episode is worth it. Spike, Jet, Faye, and Ed are all household names within the anime community for good reason and that’s because they’re all likable and iconic, and let’s not forget that soundtrack and legendary intro which is just perfect. It also has one of the greatest dubs for any anime that still holds up today.

9. Mob Psycho 100

At first Mob Psycho 100 looks to be the normal anime series, but it quickly morphs into one of the greatest shows about self-love and self-improvement. The show doesn’t work without Shigeo and Reigen, with the former learning to better himself and push past his personal demons all the while dealing with being a teenage boy, and the latter dealing with the consequences of being a con-man. As much as it’s Shigeo’s story, the show wouldn’t be as beloved without Reigen’s journey as well. It’s not the typical anime with a big, bad final boss, because the final boss for both are basically themselves, and I love this anime for that.

8. Cardcaptor Sakura

Talk about a comfy as fuck series, you’ll also notice that most of the entries on this list have great intros as well. One of the most famous shows of the Magical Girl genre, Cardcaptor Sakura is about Sakura Kinomoto releasing the Clow Cards and having to get them back while dealing with everyday life shenanigans. It’s just loads of fun and so comfy you feel like you’re sitting on a cloud and then fall through the cloud.

7. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Easily the darkest show on this list, because you know, it’s about war, Brotherhood does a fantastic job showing the horrors of war, how nobody benefits unless you’re a literal fucking monster, and the cycle of neverending violence. Watching the stories of Ed, Al, Winry, Mustang, Hawkeye, Maes, Scar, and so many others play out in the story, no one is spared from the cold, harsh reality of life, paying off with one of the greatest endings to a show I’ve ever seen. Also, fuck Shou Tucker, all my homies hate Shou Tucker, fuck Shou Tucker forever.

6. My Hero Academia

If we go by the manga, this is the most recent series on this list. A series that started during the superhero boom of the 2010s, My Hero Academia grabbed my attention by the second episode and never looked back. So many great characters to root for and hate, mostly for the right reasons, I think My Hero Academia is one of the very best examples of why we love superheroes as a society. Plus All Might is the best, I love him very much, he is just the very best.

5. Yu-Gi-Oh

What do you get when you combine Ancient Egypt with trading card games? Turns out, fucking nonsense! This will always be a special series because it's the first one I bought the entire manga for. Yu-Gi-Oh always felt like an abridged series before the concept of an abridged series was even a thing. Whether it was the manga/Season 0 craziness, or Duelist Kingdom and Battle City, Yu-Gi-Oh became a favorite while becoming one of the best card games in the world. It’s a series that while the original has long ended, still endures with new characters and stories, but the original will always be my favorite.

4. FLCL

The most unique series on this list, only six episodes of the original series but what a fucking fantastic six episodes. It’s weird because I believe the best age to watch this is when your around the same age as Naoto, it’s a huge coming of age story for Naoto with Haruko being not just the catalyst for all the chaos that happens in the show, but also Naoto’s puberty and growing up into a teen. It’s balls to the walls crazy and absolutely a must watch.

3. InuYasha

This was a big one for me growing up, not only did it have a great cast of characters, not only was it shockingly violent and gory at times, and boy howdy was it, but it also had a great romance story. In fact, I’ll go on and say that this has probably the best love triangle I’ve ever seen, that’s not saying much since so many others are fucking terrible, but I digress. InuYasha is also home to one of my all time favorite dubs in anime, check that out when you can, but also it just looks gorgeous. The digital animation still holds up, don't get me wrong, but that hand drawn cel animation is still the stuff of legends.

2. Sailor Moon

Anyone who’s known me long enough, or seen my tastes in anime knows exactly what the last two on this list will be, it’s the least kept secret of this list. It’s no secret that I adore Sailor Moon as a series, with the 90’s anime being my personal favorite. A great cast of characters with some of the most iconic transformations in anime history, looks gorgeous to this day, amazing soundtrack, there’s little wonder as to why this is not only the most famous Magical Girl series, but one of the most iconic anime of all time. And I want to point out that this was a deconstruction of the genre, unlike Madoka like some people think, with the manga and parts of both the 90s anime and Crystal, being much darker than the previous magical girl shows that came before it. Paving the way for future shows of the genre, Sailor Moon is a magical trailblazer.

1. Dragon Ball

I’m not exaggerating when I say that Dragon Ball has had more of an impact on my life than any anime ever. I mean what else is there to say about the most famous anime in the world, Akira Toriyama’s masterpiece not only changed my life, but changed the world with the story of Son Goku. So many iconic moments to choose from that has reshaped anime today, from the Goku/Vegeta clash to the Super Saiyan reveal, to Gohan’s shining moment against Cell, Dragon Ball is the series that has been the cornerstone of anime to me, and as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary this year, Dragon Ball shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.