First Gamera, now everyone else is getting new projects!

First, AnE/Blue Exorcist is finally getting a new anime! Based on the rough drawings and animatics shown on the official website, I'm guessing they're picking up where the Kyoto Arc left off in animating the manga as the images seem to be from the Inari Arc. Hopefully, they'll continue through the end this time as the manga feels only a few chapters away from its finale.

Next, there's Kaiju No. 8 getting an anime. This is a manga I haven't mentioned much but have been following for a couple years and much enjoying. It's not a favorite-favorite, but it's a solidly fun comfort food sort of series. Sometimes, I just want to see quirky characters fight monsters with super-powers, cool tech, and camaraderie. I'm a simple gal at heart.

Lastly, I'm happy to see that the adorable Spy x Family is slated for yet another season plus a movie.

And, it's not new, but while I'm fangirling, I'm also going to mention "Villainous/Villanos", a cartoon centered around the evil Black Hat Organization, which offers gadgets and other services to villains struggling with those pesky superheroes. I haven't watched anything from Cartoon Network in years because I didn't care for their brand of humor. So, of course, when I did, I'd pick the series that's not available in the US. But, a friend and some YouTube clips intrigued me, and, with some help, I've now been able to watch all six full episodes, the shorts, and most of the (subtitle only) specials. It's a very fun show. It's not usually my thing to like a show expressly about the bad guys, but I really have been missing old-school over-the-top, evil-and-loving-it cartoon villains. And, goodness knows eldritch abomination bad boss Black Hat definitely fills that role with his wicked cultured facade... behind which lurks fangs, tentacles, and a guy who will spoil your favorite show as readily as he'll devour souls for payment. Besides, there's always adorable experiment 505 and comically abused chief mad scientist, Flug, to root for.

So, yes, fannish ramblings from me. Since they're spoilery, I'll put the "Ao no/Blue Exorcist" ones behind a cut.

( Ao no/Blue Exorcist Recent Chapters Rambling )

Continuing my kaiju obsession, I finally broke down and bought this recent Gamera set. It is very nice. The older release I had tended to subtitle only plot critical dialogue and occasionally missed some of that. And, it was sub-only, so... Oh, and catching this in the opening credits of "Gamera vs. Barugon" was hilarious.

Lastly, finally watched the movie "Ladyhawke", which MintySage has been singing the praises of for years. I somehow missed this movie back in the 80's. Having seen it now, I enjoyed it. Oddly, it reminds me of "Dragonheart". It's a fantasy, but there's exactly one fantasy element - the curse - in the same way "Dragonheart" has only the one, last dragon. Still, the cast and scope is so small and focused this works fine. The weirdest element is the synth score main title music. It sounds more like the opener to an 80's TV show than a serious fantasy movie. But, it definitely put me in that 80's groove.

This is not at all the next Ao no/Blue Exorcist drabble I'd planned. Instead, this is a random, short short I'd had sitting in my files aaaalmost finished ever since the Aomori Arc/Shura's backstory, which this is set immediately after. Also references that look Yukio makes at the end of the Kyoto Arc when Bon's father, Tatsuma, is telling Rin he reminds him of Shiro.

( Legacy (Ao no/Blue Exorcist )

So, this next entry in the "Pact" story was supposed to introduce Shiemi. For that matter, the entire storyline was supposed to take only about three or four parts. But, what are plans? Nothing to plotbunnies, that's what. This follows Pact and Revelation.

( Brotherhood (Ao no/Blue Exorcist )

I've read several nice stories lately from a variety of series. Here are my top picks.

( Click for Fic Recs... )

That story prompt jordannamorgan sent me about identical twins sharing a demon has proven very inspirational. Even though, again, this little ficlet has almost nothing to do with it. Also, no, I don't plan to continue this. It's an idea that's mostly been done, and I wrote my version almost entirely for the punchline. And, because Shiemi's awesome.

( Double Dipping (Ao no/Blue Exorcist )

So, ever since I saw the Ao no/Blue Exorcist movie with all the (completely un-commented upon) weird ruins beneath True Cross Academy, I've wondered about the school's origins and its connection to Mephisto, who is, after all, the King of Time. And, I want to write something about all that one of these days. This is not that something. Though it started that way before mintysage and I veered off into silliness.

( Wordplay (Ao no/Blue Exorcist )

...Here are two more fanfic recommendations because some nice stuff has showed up in the Ao no/Blue Exorcist fandom recently.

( Click for Fic Recs... )

Okay, this drabble got completely out of hand and, at 500 words, is more of a ficlet. Anyway, here's some more wishful thinking for the upcoming manga. In which Rin and Izumo go to rescue Shiemi from whatever the Grigori have planned...

( Rescue (Ao no/Blue Exorcist) )

I haven't gabbled about Ao no/Blue Exorcist recently, so I'm going to do it now.

Starting with this awesome Rin and Yukio wallpaper jordannamorgan made for me as a gift. The text is lyrics from the song "Fighters" by Ravenface, which is oddly fighting for the twins.

And, now for some manga gabble. ( Click for rambling gabble )