MUSIC MONDAY! POKÉMON X & Y: JAPANESE ANIME THEME!

POKÉMON X & Y: JAPANESE ANIME THEME!

This week I decided to feature the Japanese opening for the latest Pokémon anime, X & Y, where it appears Ash's journey continues from Unova to Kalos, where new experiences, from meeting friends to catching new Pokémon to overcoming new challenges, await. It is all very French.

This season, our immortal champion seems to have grown just a little bit, maybe a year or two, from his most recent incarnation. Much like the Doctor, in his newest regeneration, Ash will seek out new companions to help him repeatedly save the world from destruction. In fact, early on, Ash performs daring heroics, captured on Kalos's news channel, by stopping a Garchomp on a rampage. It appears this Ash is much more mature, strategic, and competent than the last. This season his companion is, once again, a girl from the region he is exploring:

P.S. Pikachu is still badass and adorable.

Serena is based on the female protagonist of the region's main series games, much like May & Dawn were from their respective region, and seems to have a very vivacious, outgoing, and friendly personality with a hobby/interest in fashion. Her mother is a Rhyhorn racer who hooks her up with Professor Sycamore to get her first Pokémon Fennekin and meets Ash. Yet, this isn't the first meeting because, while Ash doesn't recognize her, Serena knows him from her past. Perhaps we can discover something about Ash's past? Will we get to see the Ash that fought in the time war? Perhaps we'll learn about his home planet? Am I confusing you?

Last but not least, Ash's other two companions are the Lumiose Gym Leader, Clemont, a nerdy but keen inventor, and his little sister, Bonnie, who wants to help her brother find a bride and become a Pokémon trainer herself when she becomes older. With a Dedenne following our friends on their journey, perhaps she will get her wish soon.

P.S. Team Rocket are still funny.

P.S. POKÉMON ORIGNS (ENGLISH DUB) DEBUTS NOV. 15TH!

WORD OF THE DAY! 9/21/13!

heist [hahyst]
noun
1. A robbery or holdup, especially a well-planned out affair.

EX. I know that I'm not alone in loving Team Rocket. They're the Bulk & Skull of the Pokémon anime. They're bumbling antagonists that you can root for, even though you know they're doomed to fail. I'd love to play a modded heist in Payday 2 as Team Rocket, with characters like Jessie, James, Meowth, Butch, Cassidy, Wobbuffet as part of the mission, to rob the new Pokémon bank.

SOURCES: nerdragecomic.com & cad.comic.com

WORD OF THE DAY! 3/14/13!

grunt [gruhnt]
noun
1. Slang. A soldier, especially low ranking soldier or infantryman.

EX. I always wanted to play a game as a Team Rocket Grunt.Well, I always wanted that as an option. Well, wait, let me explain. The idea of Pokémon Black & White being titles in the game series have been bouncing around since as long as I can remember, at least before Pokémon Gold & Silver were known by young fans like myself. Except, in my imagination, the game wasn't just a generation leap forward-- in fact, such an idea as adding like a hundred new Pokémon wasn't something I really considered to be the main draw of each sequel. I thought the sequels would be like Pokémon Yellow and focus on telling a story in Kanto, the setting of the original games and the original anime, that had not been told yet. I thought it would be cool if, rather than just being a Pokémon trainer, they had a game that focuses on the struggle between the Pokémon Police and Team Rocket. In Pokémon Black, you would be a Team Rocket Grunt who works his way through the ranks to become the Head of the Organization and, in Pokémon White, you are a Police recruit who works their way up to saving the world from a big Team Rocket scheme. Instead of starting with Charmander, Bulbasaur, or Squirtle, you would start with Pokémon that matched your theme, ex. Team Rocket Grunts would start out with like an Ekans or Koffing, perhaps, and Police recruits would start out with Growlithe.

And, now that I'm older, I wanted Pokémon: The Departed-- getting older means getting a lot more silly, I suppose.

WORD OF THE DAY! 9/25/12.

House [hous]
noun
1. A building in which people live, a residence for human beings.
2. (often first letter capitalized) A family including ancestors and descendants.
3. A building for any purpose.
4. A theater, concert hall, or auditorium.

EX. I wonder what the other Houses of Kanto would be? I'd assume Ketchum, Oak, and maybe Rocket? Lemme see if I can get their mottos: Ketchum would be "Do you have clean underwear?" or "Gotta Catch 'Em All!" (obviously) , Oak "What was the motto of our clan again?" or "Smell ya later!" and as for House Rocket, "Surrender now or prepare to fight" or "Blasting off again".

Also, remember, "The next generation is coming."

WEEKLY ROUND-UP! 5/14-5/20/12.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP PRESENTS:

POKE-POLITICAL HUMOR WEEK!

7. WORD OF THE DAY! 5/17/12. Vindicator.

At this point, it would be completely pointless for me to tell you to go see The Avengers at your local cinema. I might even recommend it in 3-D, if this wasn't as common knowledge as how awful Adam Sandler is, possibly, a terrible scam artist on top of being the driving force behind a production company that puts out pure malevolent garbage every year. And it would be equally without purpose for me to declare that Pikachu is best rodent.

6. WORD OF THE DAY! 5/19/12. Buzz-Saw.

Alas, poor Woodman, you never had a chance. First, you were kind of a terrible idea. A wooden robot? Really?! Secondly, you're attacks are pretty useless. I've never heard of someone being killed by a flying leaf. And thirdly, and most importantly, how is a wood-based robot going to last ten seconds against a psychopath boy robot shooting buzz-saws?

5. WORD OF THE DAY! 5/15/12. Brutality.

I suppose that the pokemon experiences of Red/Blue are just so inexplicably branded in the minds of people in my age group that it is nearly impossible not to deign Satoshi Tajiri, Creatures Inc, and Game Freak to be diabolical geniuses.

4. MUSICAL MONDAY! PARRY GRIPP IS MADE OF INTERNETS!

Not much to say here. As usual, I listen to the previous weeks Musical Monday subject when I type these and Parry Gripp is just made of happy feelings.

3. WTF WEDNESDAY: THE ADVENTURES OF KIM JONG UN
 
"I am the morbidly obese one! Top doctors say his weight is ideal for his height and build!"

Thank you, North Korea.

P.S. Now, kindly liberate yourselves.

2. WORD OF THE DAY! 5/16/12. Recruitment.

 Think about it; Kanto is f'd up. 10-year olds, presumably nuisances, are expected to leave home and survive by enslaving monsters. Its a farce! Seriously, who wouldn't want to join Team Rocket? At least they're honest and evil, instead of whimsical, deceptive, and evil.

1. TABLETOP TALES: AVACYN: BATTLE CRUISER OPERATIONAL DECK!

Commons are the back bones of any good standard deck, especially in limited. Avacyn's Pilgrim is a card I want to have two of in my first hand every time I play this deck, alongside a forest. He'll help you hardcast those angels with ease and chump blocks in a pinch. Odds are, I'll probably tinker with this deck, take it back to standard, and take it to a Friday Night Magic event some time soon. As usual, I appreciate any advice and comments on my decks.

WORD OF THE DAY! 5/16/12.

via Halolz

recruitment [ri-kroot-muhnt]

noun

1. The act or process of obtaining new members for an organization, occupants for a position, or individuals for a job.

2. Physiology. an increase in the response to a stimulus owing to the activation of additional receptors, resulting from the continuous application of the stimulus with the same intensity.

EX. Team Rocket recruitment is blasting off at the speed of light.What could go wrong with an organization ran by the new Chancellor of Kanto? Just look at those stylish black uniforms and red 'R' symbols. Nothing bad has ever happened involving youths wearing black uniforms, with red symbols on them, and a license to pick on anyone they please. 

Plus, look at the sweet Pokemon you will get if you join the greatest organization ever and help us birth a new nation. 

Male & Female partners preferred, but there is no discrimination based on sexuality in Team Rocket. Seriously. Like none. Wink wink. Nudge nudge.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP! 4/16- 4/22

WEEKLY ROUND-UP PRESENTS

FOR THE LOVE OF TEAM ROCKET WEEK!

7. WORD OF THE DAY! 4/21/12. Alpha & Omega

Two of the most successful articles from the early days of the blog were a funny little diversion I called "The Book of Pokemon." Its basically the result of me using my shoddy fan knowledge of the Pokemon universe to create a biblical text that gets more insane with each entry.

6. WORD OF THE DAY! 4/16/12. Hebetude.

Oh the glory days of playing Pokemon Blue back in the day. Unfortunately, my handicap made it difficult... Did I mention that growing up I sucked at video games? It took me nearly two decades to finally getting around to finishing up Zelda: Ocarina of Time on my own and I have never gotten around to catching a Mewtwo.

P.S. I've never used a Masterball.

5. WORD OF THE DAY! 4/16/12. Sucker Punch.

Super Mutant Magic Academy is probably my favorite web comic I've discovered in a good long while. The humor is pretty damn smart, using a mix of brainy humor, grim irony, and visual gags to create a truly special experience.

4. WORD OF THE DAY! 4/22/12. Deviant.

Not only did I finally get around to sharing this incredible X-Men & Scott Pilgrim crossover art I've had squatting in my download folder for moths, I got to talk a little about the rivalry of intellectuals to sculpt the youth into their proteges.

3. MUSICAL MONDAY! HOLY MUSICAL B@MAN!

I've probably listened to this musical from Starkids about 10 times over the last week and I think it might be my favorite of the bunch. The above fancomic encapsulates a tiny iota of the awesomeness that is the Holy Musical B@man! This is a must-see for all musical fans, very potter musical fans, and Batman fans.

2. WTF WEDNESDAY! TEAM ROCKET IS BACK?!

I was more than happy to share my old chum's work with you guys again. His Pokemon stuff is pretty funny and pretty weird. I hope you guys check it out and, if you like it, help him out by liking it or subscribing.

1. TABLE TOP TALES: KING OF THE HILL DECK

This is probably the best deck I've ever built. I began with the materials provided in the Koth duel deck and then I combined it with the dozens of Red Rares I've collected since last semester when I started collecting. From the Claw of Valakuts to the Conquering Manticore, I built a casual competitive deck that is a blast to play.

"I SELL PROPANE AND PROPANE ACCESSORIES!" -HANK HILL, KING OF THE HILL

WTF WEDNESDAY! TEAM ROCKET IS BACK!

 WTF WEDNESDAY PRESENTS

TEAM ROCKET IS BACK!

My old friend Matt "Mapp Pears" Pierce AKA SAKKET AKA pugfarts has made some interesting animation over the years. In particular, some of his most popular videos involve Pokemon characters, in particular Wooper, but today's subject video focuses on combining his most disturbing invention with everyone's favorite inept villains, Team Rocket. You can watch it by clicking the link above, or if you want to see his other pokemon related videos, click one of the many links below.

GO AWAY WOOPER!

POKEFRIENDS! STARRING WOOPER!

MAGIKARP!

HAYDUNN IS A PRETTY COOL GUY!

Maybe its just me, but every time I see one of his videos pop up on my subscription feed I feel my heart do a happy little cart wheel. In a style that emulates the most bizarre lows of Japanese animation with the most delightful highs of shows like Adventure Time with Finn and Jake and  The Misadventures of Flapjack, his cartoons are almost always guaranteed to make someone in the room uncomfortable. But hey, if you find whimsy and gleeful exuberance to be uncomfortable than why are you watching cartoons to begin with?

WINGO!

His Deviantart Page.

WORD OF THE DAY! 3/31/12.

devastation [dev-uh-stey-shuhn]
adjective
1 Destruction, desolation, etc.
2. The reduction of an object, idea, or state into a ruined or useless form.
3. To put an end to an object, idea, state, etc.
4. To defeat completely.

EX. "Prepare for a return to traditional values
         And prepare to focus on religious issues
        
         To protect America from devestation
         To enslave all pokemon within our nation
         To denounce the evils of truth and drugs
         To extend our reach to the Moon above
         Giovanni
         Meowth
         Rocket Party, steer the country to the Right
         In November vote for us before election night!
        
         Arceus bless America. "- A Message Brought to you by the Supporters of Giovanni-Meowth 2012.

As long as he keeps those darn Obamacare pokeman centers out of America, I'll be happy! Those things are death camps and..um...herp...Muslim! Yeah! Muslim!