SPRING BREAK!!!! A Recap, Next Meeting's Schedule, and SPRING BREAK!!!

As I'm sure you're all aware, it's Spring Break this week. So no meetings until April 29th. Here's a quick recap of our previous meeting. Remember all that stuff I said we were going to watch? Well we saw about half of it. Due to technical difficulties we were unable to watch Otaku no Video and due to general disinterest we did not show Ebichu. Instead we watched the unbelievably bizarre Nichijou (My Ordinary Life) which is incompressible so I won't even bother to explain it. Just know that it's weird. We also watched episode 1 of the hilarious super hero satire series Tiger and Bunny.

As for our next meeting, get ready to pierce the heavens with your drill! That's right folks, it's a double feature of Gurren Lagann The Movie: At Childhood's End and Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Crimson Lotus Chapter! It's going to be four hours of awesome! If you've never seen this incredible anime series, now's your chance to witness one of the most widely critically acclaimed anime series in the last 15 years!

Oops, missed a week! And our schedule for 4/15/2011

You'll have to forgive me for forgetting to post last week's schedule. I wasn't here, but from the sounds of it, it looks like we need to watch more Ebichu.

This week it's:

EBICHU MINDS THE HOUSE (Ep. 3 & 4)
- The show that introduced sex and blood to Hamtaro fans all over the world (via piracy). What more needs to be said? From Studio Gainax (Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gunbuster, Gurren Lagaan)

OTAKU NO VIDEO (Ep. 1)
- An exaggerated (to say the absolute least) tale of how Studio Gainax got their start. Featuring mock interviews with the stereotypical 90's otaku, this anime was actually a little controversial as some felt that Gainax was making fun of its own fan base. But as long as you have a sense of humor, I'm sure you'll be fine.

TIGER AND BUNNY (Ep. 1)
- The super-hero animated reality show that is quickly gaining recognition as the best new anime of the season.

JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE
- After witnessing the suicide bombing of a terrorist girl, Constable Kazuki Fuse becomes haunted by her image, and is forced to undergo retraining for his position in the Capital Police's Special Unit. However, unknown to him, he becomes a key player in a dispute between Capital and Local Police forces, as he finds himself increasingly involved with the sister of the very girl he saw die. (Description taken from Anime News Network.) This film is notable for being written by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, The Sky Crawlers, Urusei Yatsura 2: The Beautiful Dreamer)

Schedule for 4/1/11

Here's the schedule for our upcoming meeting.

PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (Ep. 9, 10)
We've come this far, why stop? Especially since all forthcoming episodes of Madoka have been postponed to sometime in April. Might as well catch up. Besides, this is where things get really fucked up.

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN (Ep. 4)
After the shocking revelation in episode 3, Banagher must now cope with his new life on the planet of the apes.

- BREAK -

EVANGELION 3.33: YOU SHALL (NOT) PASS
Shinji and the gang face their toughest challenge yet when they finally reach the Mordor. Meanwhile, Misato and her NERV colleges must face an onslaught of orcs and angels.

Schedule for 3/25/11

As per usual, our schedule is subject to change.

PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (Ep. 8,9)

Just when you thought things couldn't get worse for Madoka and friends...well it gets worse. Enjoy!

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN (Ep. 2)

We continue with the what I still feel is the best Gundam series since the 90's. Episode three sot be released by April.

BLUDGEONING ANGEL DOKURO-CHAN (Ep. 1&2)

Continuing with our apparent theme of fucked up mahou shoujo anime, we'll be checking out the infamous Dokuro-chan. Basically, imagine life with a cute angel living by your side whose always there for you. And by "always there for you" I mean she constantly kills you and resurrects you so she can distract you from doing your homework because apparently in the future you develop a lolita complex and scientifically prevent women from aging past 12. Yup.

GAKU NO TSUKAI: GYM

It's back! The show that made you believe that scaring the shit out of people and/or hitting them with things will always be funny provided they happen to be comedians. That's right, from the people that gave us the Haunted Hotel, comes the prequel that has our hosts in a gym getting screwed with nonstop for two hours.

Good times and our schedule for 3/18/11

Last week's meeting was a blast. Looks like Puella Magi Madoka Magica has a permanent spot on our line up. We're at the half way point and it only gets more messed up from here. But clearly the highlight of the evening was Gaku no Tsukai (a.k.a. The Batsu Games) How could you not enjoy watching someone get the shit scared out of them every five minutes all night long. Considering how enthusiastic the response to this show was, it looks like we'll be seeing more Batsu Games throughout the semester.

Here's what we have so far for next week. (PS, I promise I'll have the schedule up faster next week.)

PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (Ep. 6 & 7)
The most shocking anime series of the current season is about to get even more twisted. This is the half way point. It's all downhill from here.

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM UNICORN (Ep. 1)

Banagher Links finds himself separated from his class when he persues a mysterious girl who calls herself Audrey Hurne. What follows changes the course of his life as well as the fate of humanity. (I'll give you a hint, it involves a Gundam!) All joking aside in my opinion, this is by far the best Gundam series since the 08th MS Team back in 1999.

****BREAK!!!!!!!****

STREET FIGHTER II: THE ANIMATED MOVIE (Uncut)

Based on the ever popular fighting game, the cast of the original classic duke it out to determine whose the world's strongest fighter. Presented uncut in all of its Chun-Li T&A glory. While personally I'm a big fan of this movie, it is pretty silly and not to be taken too seriously. So perhaps this might turn into our first Mystery Science Theater feature.

Schedule for 3/11/11

I must say that I'm so glad to see everyone embracing our older anime titles as well as our new ones. You have no idea how much it frustrates me when people who call themselves "anime fans" refuse to acknowledge some of the classics that inspired some of todays most popular titles. As I stated from the beginning, one of my goals for this club was the blend the old with the new. Once again, thank you everyone for being so open minded.

Here's what we have lined up for this week. (Subject to change so check frequently.)

GENSHIKEN (Ep. 2)

Now that we've met the guys, it's time to get to know the girl. Saki is determined to get her potential lover out of the Genshiken club. But perhaps she's being a little too closed minded.

PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (Ep. 4)

So yeah...episode 3. That was soul-crushingly horrifying. Let's watch more! Madoka is beginning to see that being a magical girl isn't all that it's cracked up to be. And just what are these mysterious witches that they're contracted to fight? What what is the purpose of mysterious Soul Gems? Find out at least one of these things in episode 4.

3000 LEAGUES IN SEARCH OF MOTHER (Ep. 2)

One year has passed since Marco's mother left for Argentina. She has found steady work and continues to support her family from afar. Meanwhile Marco, whose recently come to terms with his mother's departure, is hard at work to earn money to help support the family and one day bring his mother back home.

[Slot 4 Pending]

***Break***

DOWNTOWN NO GAKI NO TSUKAI YA ARAHENDE!!: HAUNTED HOTEL

One of the funniest shows ever made. Gaki No Tsukai is a Japanese variety show. Many know this series for their Batsu Games, where the cast is not allowed to laugh for 24 hours or they are punished (generally by getting whipped or hit with something. Ouch!) But this particular episode takes place in a "haunted" hotel, where one cast member is forced to spend the night there. However the crew spends pretty much the entire night scaring the living shit out of him. It's priceless.

Schedule for 3/04/11

This week's Club Rush was a big hit. We managed to give away all of our plushies. I'd like to thank everyone who participated this semester. Looks like we'll be having a few extra people this week. By the way, I would just like to everyone know that although we have an idea of what kind of shows we want the screen this semester we could always use some help and are always open for suggestions. This Friday's schedule will be:

PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA (Ep. 3)
- This is episode of Studio Shaft's (Bakemonogatari, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei) twisted take on the magical girl genre caused quite a stir. In fact it's become so controversial that the entire franchise is now facing a possible cancellation. Better enjoy it while we can.

GENSHIKEN (Ep. 1)
- I don't think we could could call ourselves Genshiken without paying tribute to our namesake. After all, it's a series about an Japanese media college club. I think we can relate to this one.

LEVEL E (Ep. 1)
- Wouldn't it suck if you moved into your new apartment only to find some guy wearing your clothes who claims to be an alien who intends to freeload off you? Based on the manga by Yoshihiro Togashi (Yu Yu Hakusho, Hunter X Hunter)

3000 LEAGUES IN SEARCH OF MOTHER (Ep. 1)
- The story of a little boy who leaves his home of Italy to search for his mother in Argentina. This classic anime series was directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata (Only Yesterday, Grave of the Fireflies) and among his staff was the legendary Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke)

URUSEI YATSURA: THE BEAUTIFUL DREAMER
- Director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, The Sky Crawlers) turns Rumiko Takahashi's (Inuyasha, Ranma 1/2, Maison Ikkoku) goofball harem comedy and turns it into one of the most deceivingly thought-provoking anime films ever made.

See you Friday! Same time same place.