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Music, RWBY, Uncategorized

RWBY Fan Song: Battle at the Bar

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Hey all, it’s Kern here, coming at you with another RWBY fan song, this time about the RWBY Yellow Trailer. This fan song was inspired by Yang’s combat style, character motivations, and what little we knew of the events at the time…. a little retrospection, a whole lot of badassery, and here we have it: Battle at the Bar. As always, these lyrics are human written, but AI was used to compose the song.

[Intro] YEEAAAAHHHHHHHH!

[Verse 1] She’s tearing down the streets, the engine’s a roar, A blazing beauty, she’s ready for war! Pulls up to the curb, slams the brakes tight, Throws off her helmet, sets the world alight! With hair like fire, she’s ready to show, The storm’s just started, here she goes! Struts through the door like she owns the place, A smirk on her lips, fire in her face!

[Pre-Chorus] She steps to the bar, cocky grin on her face! Orders a drink with an umbrella in place!

Chorus] She’s the Blaze of the Dragon, lighting up the night, Fists of fury, she’s ready for the fight! With Ember Celica strapped to her arms, She’ll blast you away with her fiery charms! She’s the Blaze of the Dragon, hear her call, One punch is all it takes to make ’em fall! When the flames ignite, you better stand clear, Yang’s on fire, and she’s bringing the fear!

[Verse 2] Looking for answers, she won’t back down, Junior’s got the info, but he’s standin’ his ground! She won’t take no for an answer tonight, A fight for the truth, she’s ready to ignite! With Ember Celica, she’s breaking the floor, One punch, one blast, and they’ll beg for more! The battle’s on, you better beware, Yang’s on the hunt, and she’s bringing the flare!

[Pre-Chorus] Watch her bring the heat, the battle’s begun, The dragon’s unleashed, there’s nowhere to run!

[Chorus] She’s the Blaze of the Dragon, lighting up the night, Fists of fury, she’s ready for the fight! With Ember Celica strapped to her arms, She’ll blast you away with her fiery charms! She’s the Blaze of the Dragon, hear her call, One punch is all it takes to make ’em fall! When the flames ignite, you better stand clear, Yang’s on fire, and she’s bringing the fear!

[Bridge] (Guitar solo, wild and fast, with a slow breakdown) She’s got the power, she’s got the might, Like a comet, she’ll burn through the night! With every strike, the world will know, Yang’s the one who steals the show! (Guitar wailing as it fades out into the next section)

[Chorus – Final] She’s the Blaze of the Dragon, lighting up the night, Fists of fury, she’s ready for the fight! With Ember Celica strapped to her arms, She’ll blast you away with her fiery charms! She’s the Blaze of the Dragon, hear her call, One punch is all it takes to make ’em fall! When the flames ignite, you better stand clear, Yang’s on fire, and she’s bringing the fear!

[Outro] YEAHHHHH! She’s the Blaze of the Dragon, ohhhh! With a punch that lands, Junior’s flying through, Smashing through the window, out cold, he flew! Landing on the streets, no one hears him scream, Yang’s got the fight, but not the answers she dreams. She walks away, her search far from done, Looking for her mother, the hunt’s still on!

Well, that’s about all for this one. You may want to check out a few other pieces of our content below. Also, don’t forget that you can check us out over on our other platforms.

This has been Kern of The Demented Ferrets, where stupidity is at its finest, and level grinds are par for the course. See you next time!

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RWBY Fan Song: What I’m Sorry For

This is a Raven fan song, obviously and it’s about Yang. It’s been posted for a while now over on YouTube, but I only just got around to posting it here as well.

Music, RWBY

RWBY Fan Song: Jinn’s Observations (Remnants of Light)

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Hey all, it’s Kern here, coming at you with another RWBY Fan song…

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but as I continue to work on the RWBY fan song playlist, I’ve also begun (kind of) laying them out in what would logically be a chronological timeline order on the YouTube playlist. However, I really, really REAAAALLLLYYY (you see how bad I wanted this?) wanted to have some kind of way to tie these fan songs together into a way that highlights the much wider narrative and universe… and then, it came to me.

We’ve got that in Jinn, (who we now did the explanation in Volume 1, Chapter 1). So, this fan song is all about world building. I wanted to focus not on a set of characters, but rather, the world of Remnant at large. I really hope you enjoy it… and as always, don’t forget to follow us on YouTube and Twitch for fun content.

Lyrics:

[Spoken] Legends, stories, scattered in time, Told by history, destruction in rhyme. Heroes and villains in fading lore, They forgot what they were fighting for.

[Verse 1] From dust they rose, with hearts so bold, In lands where the shadows took hold. Born into a world without reprieve, But strong enough to still believe.

[Pre-Chorus] Darkness came with teeth and claws, No gods to pity, no cause to pause. Yet in the black, they sparked a light, And dared to dream, and dared to fight.

[Chorus] Remnants of light, they carry on, Through shattered peace and breaking dawn. With dust in hand, they forge their way, Though time forgets, they speak their name. When shadows rise to drown the soul, Even the smallest spark makes them whole. Remnants of light, don’t fade away, They are the hope that finds its way.

[Verse] Creatures of Grimm, with no remorse, Built from chaos, a soulless force. But passion burned and wisdom grew, And life returned where darkness flew. Civilizations rise and fall, Still they carve meaning through it all. A fleeting breath, a fragile gleam, Still they reach beyond the dream.

[Pre-Chorus] Prepare their guards, raise every wall, Yet strength alone won’t save them all. The brightest lights will one day dim, But in their wake, a song begins.

[Chorus] Remnants of light, they carry on, Through shattered peace and breaking dawn. With dust in hand, they forge their way, Though time forgets, they speak their name. When shadows rise to drown the soul, Even the smallest spark makes them whole. Remnants of light, don’t fade away, They are the hope that finds its way.

[Bridge] There is no victory in strength alone… But perhaps, it lies in simpler things… In honest hearts, where dreams are sown. The truth in them… the will to grow.

[Final Chorus] Remnants of light, they rise again, From dust to stars, from now to then. They are not just what’s left behind, But dreams reborn, in soul and mind. When darkness falls and all seems lost, Remember what they’re fighting for. Remnants of light, these stories stay, And guide the world… to a brighter day.

[Spoken] These are the souls of Remnant… Let their songs begin….

Well, that’s about all for now. I hope you liked it! Personally, I had fun working on the lyrics for it. This has been Kern of The Demented Ferrets! Where stupidity is at its finest, and level grinds are par for the course, I’ll see you next time… meanwhile, you can check out some of our other content below.

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Final Fantasy (NES) Review (1987)

I’m coming at you with a game review of Final Fantasy. Yep! We need to go back to where it all started. These days the game is kind of messy and doesn’t hold up the way slightly later titles do, but let’s not judge it too harshly… it did after all save Square Soft’s butt…

RWBY Fan Song: Loneliness Like Mine

Hey everyone, it’s Kern here! I’m coming at you with a RWBY fan song for the Freezer burn pair (Weiss and Yang). These two are amazing, even if they aren’t a canon ship. I hope you enjoy it!

Subjecting Kresh to RWBY: Volume 1, Chapter 1 Ruby Rose

Hey everyone, it’s Kern here, coming at you with the first actual episode of RWBY Volume 1, and Kresh’s reaction to it. In this episode, Kresh gets to see my favorite male villain, and my all time favorite character in the entire series (Glynda Goodwitch). So, let’s enjoy a good dust shop heist, and Glynda…

Music, RWBY

RWBY Fan Song: Night on the Train

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Hey all, it’s Kern here! This is another fan song that we’ve had up on our YouTube for a while, but it occurred to me that people who hang around only on the blog would never see it. Well, here it is!

Night on the Train is perhaps my favorite of the four RWBY trailer inspired songs. It’s softer, more reflective and introspective than the other three pieces by a mile. Having toyed around with the narrative of the other RWBY trailers that came before Volume 1, surely I had to play around with Blake’s core themes and emotional struggles too… however, Blake’s trailer lends itself to a much more emotional set of circumstances, and world building gets a chance to really flourish.

For this song, I really wanted to highlight Blake’s understanding that running away from Adam and the White Fang was always going to be a double edged sword. That ambition alone was never going to be enough, and that following a person like Adam really begs a few questions about what the White Fang really stands for, and what Blake herself stands for as a person.

So, this is a fan song about Blake Belladonna from the RWBY series. Overall, this song encapsulates themes from the RWBY Black Trailer, and glosses upon Blake’s volume 1-3 plot line, with references to later volumes. This song isn’t meant so much to be in the moments of the train events themselves, but rather the aftermath of it all and Blake’s reflections on the topic.

As always, human written lyrics (by me) and generative AI used to make the song and vocals.

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[Verse 1] That night on the train, I ran away, Under the cover of darkness, where shadows lay. I thought I could escape what I had done, But the past still haunts me, and it weighs a ton.

[Pre-Chorus] I thought I was fighting for something true, But my hands are stained by the things I knew. I turned a blind eye to the hurt he caused, Now I stand here, with the truth as my loss.

[Chorus] What was I really fighting for? Was it worth the cost, what’s at the core? I let them fall, I turned away, Now I’m lost in the guilt, with no words to say.

[Verse 2] I thought I was doing what I had to do, But the lies I believed cut straight through. Adam’s rage, a storm I couldn’t see, Now I know the damage, now it’s haunting me.

[Pre-Chorus] I turned away from the light I once knew, Chose a darker path, now I’m consumed. My choices echo, they still ring loud, A part of me’s lost, and I’m wrapped in a shroud.

[Chorus] What was I really fighting for? Was it worth the cost, what’s at the core? I let them fall, I turned away, Now I’m lost in the guilt, with no words to say.

[Bridge] Now I’m standing here with blood on my hands, Wondering how I let it slip through my plans. I ran from my past, but it never left, Now all I have is regret, I’m bereft.

[Chorus] What was I really fighting for? Was it worth the cost, what’s at the core? I let them fall, I turned away, Now I’m lost in the guilt, with no words to say.

[Outro] I thought I was strong, but I was wrong, Now I’m lost in the shadows, where I don’t belong. I ran away from the truth I couldn’t bear, But the guilt stays with me, forever there.

Well, that’s about it for this time around. This has been Kern of The Demented Ferrets, where stupidity is at its finest, and level grinds are part for the course. See you next time… while you’re here, stick around and check out our other posts!

Check out our other platforms and support our content. Also, please don’t forget to follow our blog for more content like this.

You can help support us through Patreon.

RWBY Fan Song: Autograph

This one is called Autograph, and the reason I made it was because I was inspired by Volume 1 of the series where Ruby comes into contact with Glynda for the first time.

Music, RWBY

RWBY Fan Song: Heart Metallic

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Hey all, it’s Kern here! For this song I wanted to focus on the semblance Weiss keeps, and the mysticism surrounding the Schnee semblance in the early volumes of the series. It almost seems like magic. Along with her emphasis on dust magic as well so tied into her abilities before she’s able to summon what she takes down, I really wanted to zero in on that single most raw talent that separates Weiss from her older sibling.

Winter is, by far, the better summoner in the series… but Weiss, is without question, the better dust mage in the family… Winter is less fluid in her abilities, but more direct in combat, and more robust as a result. Weiss is much more flexible in what she can do, effectively a glass cannon, but that comes at the cost of her abilities as a summoner.

I really tapped into that magic/mystery feeling when writing these lyrics. As always when it comes to my RWBY fan songs, the song is AI generated, but the lyrics are written by me.

(Verse 1) In the silence, I stand alone, A stage of steel, a world unknown. The echo calls, the battle near, A shadow rises, drawing near. I dance with fate, my sword in hand, A fleeting dream, I make my stand. Each step, a glyph, a trace of light, I’ll pierce the dark, I’ll win this fight.

(Pre-Chorus) No one to save, no place to run, A knight approaches, the fight’s begun. In this empty space, I carve my name, I take control, I end the game.

(Chorus) Into the light, I claim my power, A dance of dust, this is my hour. My heart’s metallic, fierce and bright, I swallow the night, I end the fight. In silence, I stand, and the echoes die, I take what’s mine, beneath the sky.

(Verse 2) Myrtenaster sings its sharp refrain, A fencer’s grace, no time to feign. With every thrust, with every twist, The knight shall fall, cease to exist. I call the dust, I call the flame, A swirl of power, none can tame. A blade of ice, a swirl of snow, In me, the knight shall fall below.

(Pre-Chorus) No mercy now, no turning back, I face the storm, I won’t be cracked. In my control, the world is still, I wield the power of my will.

(Chorus) Into the light, I claim my power, A dance of dust, this is my hour. My heart’s metallic, fierce and bright, I swallow the night, I end the fight. In silence, I stand, and the echoes die, I take what’s mine, beneath the sky.

(Bridge) In the depths of the void, I take you in, Every piece of you, where shadows begin. Not a single foe is left to roam, I make their power my own.

(Chorus) Into the light, I claim my power, A dance of dust, this is my hour. My heart’s metallic, fierce and bright, I swallow the night, I end the fight. In silence, I stand, and the echoes die, I take what’s mine, beneath the sky.

(Outro) No foe remains, no battle cried, In this empty room, I stand inside. I am the storm, I am the night, And when the silence falls, I’m in the light…

I hope you liked the song! This has been Kern of The Demented Ferrets, where stupidity is at its finest, and level grinds are par for the course. See you next time! Meanwhile, check out some of our other content below.

Subjecting Kresh to RWBY: RWBY Black Trailer Reaction

Hey all, it’s Kern here. For those who might have missed it over on YouTube, our reaction to the RWBY Black trailer is now up for your viewing pleasure and hilarity. Subjecting Kresh to RWBY is all about doing exactly that, introducing Kresh to the RWBY series. Kern is a long time fan of the…

RWBY Fan Song: Silver and Ice (White Rose)

Hey all, it’s Kern here, coming at you with another RWBY fan song, this time centering around Ruby Rose and Weiss Schnee, or “WhiteRose” to those who sail the ship.

Music, RWBY

RWBY Fan Song: Night at the Grave

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Hey all, Kern here. This is a fan song made with love about the trailer that started it all. Taking a moment to reflect does the heart wonders, and there’s so much to think about when it comes to RWBY as a series.

In the release of this one single trailer, we saw hope, inclusion, promise and so much more. Words cannot express my complete gratitude to each and every soul who ever worked on this series with insurmountable effort, dedication, and sure force of gumption alone in order to make the RWBY series a reality. The series creator, Monty Oum, likely had no idea just how far the series would go when he first began brainstorming the idea… we as fans certainly had no idea, that’s for sure.

We really didn’t know what a wild ride this series would be, or the ultimately tragic real-world losses we would have to face (rest in peace, Monty). The highs, the lows, the countless controversies and strife that we as a fandom endured over these long years is something that should never be forgotten.

What culminated as a crushing blow when news came out about Roosterteeth’s closure came with yet another spark of hope from Viz Media who acquired the RWBY rights, and now amazingly, Rooster Teeth is back in action too… in short, we were knocked down as a fandom, but we’re getting back up and eagerly awaiting the news of what’s in store.

In light of that, I really just wanted to take a moment to recall where it all began, the very first true battle we witnessed in all its glory, and the journey we collectively got to have because of this series…. the lyrics are below if you want to read them.

Lyrics: (Verse 1) Ruby stands alone, the winds are light, At her mother’s grave, her heart feels tight. A quiet moment, a whispered prayer, Her thoughts with her mother, lost in the air. She turns to leave, her heart heavy with loss, But the woods grow darker, a sudden cost. The Beowolves come, shadows in the night, Ruby readies herself for the coming fight.

(Pre-Chorus) Swift as a breeze, with deadly grace, Ruby’s ready to set the pace. With Crescent Rose, she fights the night, A huntress rising, full of might.

(Chorus) Ruby Rose, watch her fight, Against the Beowolves, through the night. With Crescent Rose, she’ll take the lead, A warrior’s spirit, a heart that’s freed. Ruby Rose, she stands her ground, With every strike, they all fall down.

(Verse 2) The Beowolves close, their eyes so cold, But Ruby’s courage begins to unfold. Her weapon swings, swift and true, With every slash, they fall anew. She remembers her mother, the strength she showed, Ruby takes her stand, no matter the road. With Crescent Rose, she won’t retreat, Each swing a promise, they won’t defeat.

(Pre-Chorus) Faster than them, she makes her stand, With every swing, she takes command. A rising star, she’s breaking through, Ruby Rose, she’ll see it through.

(Chorus) Ruby Rose, watch her fight, Against the Beowolves, through the night. With Crescent Rose, she’ll take the lead, A warrior’s spirit, a heart that’s freed. Ruby Rose, she stands her ground, With every strike, they all fall down.

(Bridge) The Beowolves fade, the battle’s won, Ruby stands, but the fight’s not done. Her future’s calling, bright and clear, A journey ahead, with nothing to fear. She heads toward Beacon, to find her place, A huntress rising, ready to face.

(Chorus) Ruby Rose, watch her fight, Against the Beowolves, through the night. With Crescent Rose, she’ll take the lead, A warrior’s spirit, a heart that’s freed. Ruby Rose, she stands her ground, With every strike, they all fall down.

(Outro) Ruby Rose, with Crescent Rose, Her journey begins, the world will know. A huntress rising, a future clear, Ruby Rose is ready to persevere.

RWBY

RWBY Fan Song: Breaking Free

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Hey all, it’s Kern here! So, let’s see… a while back, much earlier this year, I made a fan song and posted it up on YouTube called “Breaking Free”, to tribute Weiss Schnee. I wanted the song to reflect a more upbeat ideology of Weiss breaking free of certain family molds, and sectional ideologies. I wanted it to be light-hearted, powerful, with sweeping vocals and in a power ballad style… I must have bashed my head against creating this thing for like a month and a half before I get it the way I wanted.

The lyrics for this one are simple, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

Lyrics:
Verse 1: Born into a legacy, cold as ice, A name carved in stone, paid the price. I was taught to stand tall, to lead with grace, But deep inside, I felt out of place. Silver and gold, the wealth that I wear, But beneath the surface, no one would care. I built these walls, so high and strong, But I’ve been running from what I’ve known all along.

Pre-Chorus: They see the Schnee, but not the girl, The one beneath, the one who’s hurled. Into a world I never chose, But I’ll stand tall, and I’ll expose…

Chorus: Weiss Schnee, breaking free, No more hiding behind the snow and the cold, I’ll be me. Through the storm, I’ll find my way, Not just a legacy, but a future to make. Weiss Schnee, watch me soar, I’ll rise from the ashes, I’ll find what’s in store. From the cold, I will fight, A Huntress reborn, shining through the night.

Verse 2: I’ve seen the darkness, I’ve felt the sting, The weight of my family, everything. But I’ve found my team, I’ve found my place, A sisterhood, a chance to embrace. Ruby’s fire, Blake’s quiet fight, Yang’s bold heart, they all ignite. And I’m no longer just what they say, I’ll carve my own path, starting today.

Pre-Chorus: I see the truth, I see the light, I won’t be held down, I’ll take the fight. I’ve got a voice, and it’s my turn, To stand tall and let the world learn.

Chorus: Weiss Schnee, breaking free, No more hiding behind the snow and the cold, I’ll be me. Through the storm, I’ll find my way, Not just a legacy, but a future to make. Weiss Schnee, watch me soar, I’ll rise from the ashes, I’ll find what’s in store. From the cold, I will fight, A Huntress reborn, shining through the night.

Bridge: The weight of my name, the chain around me, But I won’t break, I’ll set myself free. I’ll fight with my heart, I’ll stand with my friends, We’ll face the storm, together to the end. The snow may fall, but I won’t freeze, My heart beats strong, no longer at ease. The future’s ahead, it’s mine to take, I’ll face the world, I’ll never break.

Chorus: Weiss Schnee, breaking free, No more hiding behind the snow and the cold, I’ll be me. Through the storm, I’ll find my way, Not just a legacy, but a future to make. Weiss Schnee, watch me soar, I’ll rise from the ashes, I’ll find what’s in store. From the cold, I will fight, A Huntress reborn, shining through the night.

Outro: Through the snow, I’ll find my light, I’ll rise again, and I’ll take flight. No longer bound, no longer cold, I am Weiss Schnee, and I’m bold.

Well, that’s about it for now, everyone. This has been Kern, of The Demented Ferrets, where stupidity is at it’s finest, and level grinds are par for the course. If you like what we do, please consider liking and subscribing to our content. Share around our blog posts with your friends too, it helps a lot. See you next time!

YouTube Playlists of Interest:

FAIL: Fallen Angels in Limelight – rock, glam rock, hard rock.
City of Shadows Album 1 – A musical story about two cities joining together as one deep in the desert. A literal tyrant has come to lay claim to the city, and an uprising occurs.
City of Shadows Album 2 – The exciting continuation of City of Shadows. Time to set out and travel the world! This story is ongoing, with song releases every Wednesday and Friday.
Roll for Glory Album – An album dedicated to the wonderful world of DnD, and the fictional band in “Thunderous Power Kicks” (T.P.K) led by their fearless leader and Bard.
RWBY Fan Songs – Fan made songs for the RWBY series encompassing several musical styles. (Kern’s on going project).
Video Game Fan Songs – Fan made songs about video games spanning a wide variety of gaming genres and song styles (Kresh and Kern’s ongoing project).
Ferret’s Synthwave – Songs with a Synthwave vibe.

RWBY Fan Song: Night at the Grave

Hey all, Kern here. This is a fan song made with love about the trailer that started it all. Taking a moment to reflect does the heart wonders, and there’s so much to think about when it comes to RWBY as a series. In the release of this one single trailer, we saw hope, inclusion,…

RWBY Fan Song: Breaking Free

I wanted the song to reflect a more upbeat ideology of Weiss breaking free of certain family molds, and sectional ideologies. I wanted it to be light-hearted, powerful, with sweeping vocals and in a power ballad style.

RWBY Fan Song: We’re Team RWBY

Anyway, I really do hope you enjoy this song, a lot of love and care went into it as I attempted to convey the concept of the team coming together at the end of Volume 1, and the surface level troubles that got them to end up that way…

RWBY Ice Queendom Episode 1 Review

No newbie can hope to truly understand the depth of what is actually going on without having seen Volume 1 of the original show first… so if you’re going to watch Ice Queendom, awesome! Just… uh… watch Volume 1 first too, okay?

Script RWBY White Trailer Analysis

Before I begin, I just want to make it clear that this is not the first video production of my analysis series, and there is other content available. There was a lull in making these videos as they take time to make, and I was super slow with them for a larger number of reasons.…

Character Spotlight: Taiyang Xiao Long

For the first two volumes Taiyang Xiao Long is a non-character. We don’t know anything about the man. Then volume three hits and we get our first glimpse of him through Ruby’s monologue. This monologue is as deprecating as it is full of love. Ruby stands over her mother’s grave, Taiyang has wandered off someplace.…

anime reviews, Uncategorized

Gen:Lock Season 1

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Welcome once more to our little corner of the internet!  I am Frost of the Demented Ferrets, and 

It’s time once again for another anime review. Now, while there has been more than a little debate about whether this actually counts as anime or not, it still ticks all the right boxes for me.  Interesting characters that undergo personal growth, a world that makes you want to know more about it, and a different take on Mecha all had me intrigued from the beginning.  So, let’s dive into Rooster Teeth’s Gen: Lock Season 1.

Now, I will not be including Season 2 in this review because, honestly, it departed so far from the first season that it honestly did not really feel connected at all anymore.

Gen:Lock (or GL) is an interesting and deep work, with memorable characters (Val and Cammy are two of my favorites, hands down) a good backdrop for the action (a war between two dynamically opposing societies, the Polity and the Union) and an interesting look at a possible future on both a scientific and societal level.  From a perspective on the immoral and flagrant use of advanced nanotechnology in war, and in society, to gender norms, acceptance, and transhumanism this series has so much going on under the hood.  

Honestly, it’s a very deep show, as long as you can make it past the first episode or two.  I loved seeing the characters grow and develop throughout the series.  Cammie learning about dealing with trauma and personal growth was so rewarding!  Chase also had so much growth and change throughout the series, it was an amazing performance by Michael B. Jordan, one that I will always consider one of my favorites.

The rest of the cast is also amazing, and more than a little insane.  The talent that was gathered for this show is mind boggling, from anime dub staples to people that you would never think of associating with an anime, this show never disappointed me.  

Now, it wasn’t all roses, of course.   There were more than a few awkward moments, or scenes that broke the intensity of the narrative, but I do think that they were necessary to keep the show from getting too dark and intense, and losing the heart of the show in an overly heavy deluge of emotion and angst.

I am also a huge fan of the mechanical design in this series, from the VTOL support craft, to the variable configuration fighter that Chase flies at the beginning of the series, it all showed a clear image that they sought to pass along.  The ground Mecha that both sides used were different enough while still sharing enough design concepts to make them believable as outgrowths of concurrent design philosophies.

Then we come to the Holons of Gen:Lock.  They are a good example of civilian technology being converted to military use.  The frames under the armor and weapons show their original purpose, while the external modifications clearly were made to weaponize them.

The redesigns that were done later in the season to the Holons are some of my favorite visuals in the entire series, especially Cammie’s redesign of her Holon, and her reaction to them asking her about it.

I cried, it was so fitting!  I had to rewatch that scene over again because I loved it so much.

Even the ending of season one was pretty close to perfect.  It closed off a major plot point, while opening a massive one and showed incredible growth and development in the characters.  Acceptance, hope, pushing ever onward while striving to move past the scars that hold you back, it had it all.

It made the train wreck that was season two even more insulting, I have to say.

Check out the adventures of GL 1, and let me know what you thought!

Let the good times roll!

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Anime, anime reviews, Uncategorized

Anime Review: 86

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Welcome once more to our little corner of the internet!  I am Frost of the Demented Ferrets, and it’s time once again for another anime review. This is one of the ones that I have wanted to do for some time, ever since I saw the first episode, in fact.  I am a huge fan of mecha anime, and when you throw in such things as child soldiers, morally questionable practices, and the search for what you truly care for you have an explosive powder keg of potential.

Of course, spoiler warnings do apply.

86 is an anime adaptation of the light novel series that was written by Asato Asato in 2017.  It follows the events of a war that is being fought between the unmanned weapons of two warring nations.  

At least, that is what is being said.

The truth is something far darker, and with much more dire meanings for all those that are involved.

The Republic of San Magnolia has been locked in a dire war for its very existence against the unrelenting machines of the Legion for years, but if you looked around the neat streets and carefully maintained parks of the 85 districts, you would be hard pressed to believe it.  The people go about their daily lives, their silver hair blowing in the wind and their silver eyes without a care in the world while propaganda plays behind them on every screen.

It is a strange disconnect from the hellish battlefield that lies just beyond the massive wall that protects them.

Outside, in the 86th district, the Juggernauts that compromise the Republic’s defense fight against the superior machines of the AI controlled Legion, in a bloody war that sees no ‘human’ deaths.

Regardless of how much blood is spilled by the 86, the people who are actually fighting the war.

The truth is far darker, and one that even those that know look away from for the most part.  The Juggernauts are piloted by those that have had their rights stripped away from them, the ones that have been declared to be ‘unevolved pigs’ by the government of the Republic.  Overseen by “Handlers” who have never once stepped foot on the battlefield, the people of the 86th district fight and die for little more than their pride, their determination to live another day serving as the one thing that they have to keep pushing forward.

This is the horrible truth of the ‘unmanned’ drones that fight to stop the implacable advance of the Legion.

The animation itself can easily be broken into two sections, the battles in the Juggernauts and the events that take place outside of them.  Where sometimes the production of the rest did fall flat at times, the CGI battle scenes always impressed.  It was clear that the production issues that plagued the series in the wake of COVID and other issues had not impacted that side of the anime as much as it did the rest.  

The designs of the mecha were inspired, and did not fall into the usual lanes of most other anime.  There were no massive, humanoid battle machines.  Instead, we saw designs drawn more from a practical viewpoint.  Multi-legged walkers that took a far more practical outlook on warfare, but still delivered a truly dynamic visual experience.  Honestly, it reminded me in parts of the spider tanks of another certain franchise.  Or even the quads of Battletech.

As a fan of mecha, I approve.

The music and visual style of the series have always been spot on, if you ask me.  The music and art have always set the stage very well, from the opening to the ending they did an amazing job of conveying the feel of the series, and the weight of it all.  The choice of using CGI for a good portion of the battle sequences was certainly the right thing to do, as it made the battles very fast, very fluid and incredibly dynamic.

The adaptation is where I think they really hit a home run.  The light novels don’t actually focus on the 86’s lives all that much, not in the first volume or two, at least.  There are also the usual issues with English translations of Japanese light novels, mostly keeping track of who is talking and doing what in a scene.  That was resolved very well in the anime, as were a lot of the ‘blank’ spots in the lives of the 86.  I have read the light novels, and watched the anime, and I have to say that I really do love the anime.

I just wish that they had adapted more of it.

I am pretty sure I could write another entire blog just about the world building, and the surprising depths that lie there.  From the decadent, hedonistic lifestyle of the Republic where the only real impact that they seem to be feeling from the war itself is a lack of real foodstuffs and resources, to the relative freedom of the 86 outside of the walls.  The existence of psychic phenomena, the existence and structure of the other countries, and even the horrifying truth of the Legion and the Empire that spawned them.  Honestly, I could read the series just for the world building alone.

Another reason I keep hoping that they will adapt the next arc of the story, since things get really wild from where they left off. 

If you are a fan of realistic, gritty war anime where death is waiting around every corner and very few characters have ‘plot armor’, where the characters are very much at a disadvantage and have very real, very living personalities to them, then I hope that you will give 86 a shot.

Just don’t lose your head.

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Anime, anime reviews, Uncategorized

Anime Review: Another

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Hello all, to our little corner of the internet! I’m Frost, and today I want to talk to you about one of my favorite anime of all time.  And since it’s the season, it seemed appropriate.

Of course, spoiler warnings apply.

The anime Another is one of the best examples of what makes Japanese horror so unique that I have ever watched.  It’s gory and bloody, but not in the ‘Have a pile of body parts’ way that a lot of American horror is.  It has a plot, it has interesting characters, and it makes you think.  It was produced in 2012 by P. A. Works based on the novels by Yukito Ayatsuji, and for a ten year old anime, I think it still makes an incredible showing.

The story is good, if you ask me.  Twenty-six years ago, there was a girl in class 3-3 that was the kind, popular person that everyone was attached to.  You know the type, the one that the entire class just seems to gravitate around, the one that becomes the very heart and soul of the class?  Yes, that one.  Her name was Misaki.

Then…  She died.  The class started to go through the classic stages of dealing with grief, but they got stuck on denial.  One day, one of them pointed at her empty desk and said “She isn’t dead, she is right there.” Then the other members of the class started to do it, as well.  Even the teacher became part of this.  It went so far that at their graduation, the principal included Misaki’s chair at the ceremony.  It was even in the final class photo.

The thing is, there were no empty chairs in the picture.

Ever since then, this particular class, class 3-3, has been cursed.  The door has been opened, and they have been brought closer to death.  Every year, there is an extra desk in the class, one that no one knows of.  And the person who sits in that desk is no longer alive.

How does that work, you wonder?  Wouldn’t they know who the extra was, who was the other?

Wouldn’t the fact that there was Another stick out like a sore thumb?

That is where the next part comes in.  For the entirety of the school year, no one knows. Their memories have been altered. Everyone just knows that everyone in their class should be there.  They remember each other, no one stands out.  Every list of names, every photo, conforms to this new reality.  This new perception.

No one knows who the extra person is.  They can suspect, they can wonder, but the exact person is unknown.

They have tried many things over the years to counteract this curse, to stop the cycle of deaths from starting, but the one that they have settled on is to decide before the school year who the Other is.  Who to treat like they don’t exist, so that there is the correct number of students in the class.  The person who they ignore to make the numbers right.  The one they will exclude to balance the books.

Then, an outsider gets thrown into the mix.  A transfer student who doesn’t know the rules, who missed all the planning sessions.  Who doesn’t have a clue about the hell that is about to be unleashed.  Someone who had reasons to not be present, to have to change schools the way he did.

He interacts with the class, and one girl in particular.  Misaki Mei, who the rest of the class treats like she doesn’t exist.  Like they can’t see her.

Things go downhill fast from there.  The preparations have been upset, and the curtain rises on their little drama.  The cycle begins, and the curse shows no mercy.

What makes it even worse, is the fact that as you start to get to know the characters, you start to get connected to them.  You begin to learn who some of them are, as people, before tragic  things begin to happen.  It is one of the things that I have always found impactful about the Japanese style of horror.  They are not shy about letting you get to know the characters before they do awful things to them.  It is definitely the style I prefer over the bloody slasher flicks of American cinema.  It makes the impact more meaningful, and the dread more visceral when you have some level of emotional attachment on the line.

I would recommend Another for anyone who is a fan of the Japanese’s unique take on horror.  The fans of Final Destination, the Sixth Sense and other deeper horror series.  The visuals are very strong, and disturbing, even if they are starting to show their age.  They are used like a scalpel, to cut straight to the heart of the situation.  To show just how sudden death can be, how unexpected…  How inevitable.  The use of foretelling and symbolism really drive things home, and make re-watching it an interesting experience.  

There is a reason this has stuck at the top of my list with all the others that have come out before and since it.  There might be shows that look better, or that have a different approach to telling their stories, but few have ever really made the kind of impact that Another has on me.

So, I hope you watch it, and see if you can figure out who is…

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