Continuing from my recent Nappa x Gotham banner for the Geek blog, I made another Nappa inspired theme for the Fit blog.
So to begin I downloaded 3 images from google. I wanted to portray Nappa's intensity as the theme of the banner (fitting for a workout/exercise blog).
So after clearing out the backgrounds for each picture with photoshop, I exported the images to illustrator. For the Tien and Piccolo pictures I had to add in some solid lines in order for illustrator to recognize the lines in live trace. Ie. Tien's cut off arm is too faint because of the wavy light lines coming out. And Piccolo's picture was too faded, so I magic wand'd the outline of Piccolo and used stroke at 1px outside. Then I used pen & brush tools for other outlines.
Nappa's picture required no extra editing for live trace and it turned out well since he's so jacked in the pic.
I also had the notion to replace the crushed rock in Nappa's hand in the pic with Gaspari SuperPumpMAX (one of the most popular supplements for bodybuilders). So just downloaded a pic and live traced it.
After adding in live color to Tien and Piccolo, I exported back to photoshop.
After splicing all the images together, I duplicated the Tien and Piccolo parts twice more (so 3 layers each). One layer was put through brush stroke filter. The other layer was liquified to have that distorted effect--then I set the opacity to 50%.
After rearranging the layers to my liking and adding text titles, here's the final results.
Used photoshop and simply magic wand'd the black city and filled with red or blue (have to duplicate layer first). Then rectangle marqueed one half and delete. Adjusted layers so the half city was on top.
Nappa lineart was made from image off google. Used photoshop to get rid of everything but Nappa in the picture. Then used illustrator's live trace with some adjusted threshold/min settings. Then adjusted paths to fix gaps, and made my own paths with the pen tool/brush.
After splicing the images together, final result was this:
FINALLY, my week is complete!
The newest chapter of Fairy Tail is released!
Fairy Tail 301: The King of Dragons
The title alone screams awesomeness! My earlier prediction of the king of dragons was partly correct, but of course sensei Mashima just made every FT otaku in the world drop their jaw. This chapter alone explains so much behind the dragon and dragon slayer history. And in true Fairy Tail fashion, this newest chapter added in a mix of humour. Unfortunately the status of Sabertooth will have to wait until next week, but this chapter was well worth having to wait one more week to see what happens to Saber's emo twin dragons.
NSFW in America. Totally necessary for Japanese elementary kids.
Re-read older chapters 250-253 when Zeref awakens and Acnologia attacks
Stemming from a recent resurgence of Pokemon affliction, I re-watched the entire first season of the Pokemon TV series. The very first episode was like a tsunami of nostalgia as soon as the opening theme song hit my ears. I wish the newer generation of Pokemon fans would take the time to watch season 1. The gameboy games, trading cards, and show were all a part of a Poke culture for many of us, young and old alike. When YTV use to be good, kids got a daily blast of anime in DBZ, Gundam Wing, Sailor Moon, and of course Pokemon. Pokemon was clearly the most popular because kids got to interact with the different characters in a sense, such as playing the game more or battling cards with friends or siblings. But I'm here to discuss the TV series and not of the cultural impact Pokemon had, so here goes.
Animation 8/10
This show had very classic elements of popular Japanese anime. Loose artwork without excessive details works well with a kids animated show. But the flow of sequences and the battle scenes give older kids/teenagers something worth watching. Though the animation isn't as fast paced and detailed as the other popular animes at that time, you could be sure that there was rarely, if ever, any rehashing of scenes, which would seem imposible since Pikachu's electric attacks every episode is a bit repetitive. Nor did the artists take the lazy route in drawing "fast streaks" (ie: DBZ characters moving faster than the eye can see). Furthermore, the pokemon attacks are well animated and not glazed over as one would expect from a children's show. Be sure to watch Ash's battle vs fire gym leader Blaine, probably the best battle of the season.
Music 7/10
Let's be honest, Pokemon is more of a visual experience. All it needs is catchy theme music for whatever the mood. You have casual walk through the forest, battling, mystery, sad, and even Team Rocket music. That being said, the music does well to pull the audience in and put them in the mood to keep watching. Watch the opening theme again and be hooked.
Characters 8/10
All of the characters/pokemon are unique, colorful, and interesting in their own ways. There's quite a bit of humor mixed into each character as well, especially Brock. The reason why I give an 8/10 is because Ash at times can be the worst protagonist ever, and Jesse and James bog down the episodes with their pointless motto (it's a cool motto and all, but every episode?!). And to illuminate further on my Ash hate, the kid is simply brain dead at times. Sending in pokemon with the type disadvantage, but somehow pulling wins out of his ass. He didn't catch nearly enough pokemon to be considered a master anything. I would have much rather watched a series following Gary Oak. At least you knew he was a capable trainer who captured and trained a huge variety of pokemon. But alas, this is a kid's show so they can't make Ash too cool or there'd be no room for character development.
Finally, Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny are indeed hotties. And it's a funny gag to have Brock fall in love in every city. Though on a weird note, the Jenny from Cerulean city stated she was the sister-in-law to the one in Viridian. So that means Cerulean Jenny's brother married their cousin from Viridian. Japan right?
Storyline 8/10
There's not many ways you can go wrong with a story based on capturing, raising, and battling wild creatures with special powers against other trainers and gym leaders. The story does lose points however for including too much filler material, especially in the lead-up to the Indigo League. For reference, the first season was over 83 episodes long, while the second season (Orange Islands) was about 50 episodes.
And like any series there must be an antagonist, played by Team Rocket's Jesse, James, and Meowth. Unfortunately, these baddies are portrayed as epic clowns. How boss Giovanni tolerates their failures is beyond comprehension. To be more accurate, Team Rocket is there for some slapstick comedy and as fodder for Ash and company to unleash their pokemon on. But seriously, how many times is enough for Pikachu blowing them away with thunder attacks? You can simply fast forward through the episode once "Prepare for trouble" is announced (more like "prepare for boredom"), because it will always end in predictable fashion. Kid's show, I know.
The end to Ash's league run was very disappointing. The show did well to keep Gary's pokemon under wraps until the end of the season, but we never got the anticipated grudge match between Pallet town's best trainers. Instead, we get to see Ash lose to his lesser clone Ritchie and his ultra mediocre team. Only two other 1st generation pokemon have been confirmed on his team, spearow and tentacool....We're suppose to believe that Ritchie made it all the way to the 5th round of the league without losing one round?
To sum up the show's story, like the game it leaves us unsatisfied and wanting more.
Which one of us sucks more?
Overall: 31/40
Not as epic as I remembered. Like all things, it's less satisfying after the first time (especially if the first time was as a kid).
So the big manga serializations' newest chapters were finally scanlated yesterday and here's my summary
Naruto 603: Rehabilitation
The flashback of young Obito continues. More is revealed about the Zetsu's (the white and spiral forms) and their links to the Gedou Mazou. They actually seem pretty docile and offer a nice comedic relief for Obito since the decrepit Madara apparently needs to nap for long periods of time to preserve what little life he has left. The implanted half of Obito's body turns out to be very handy, having properties of the 1st Hokage. And upon learning his friends are in danger, Obito vainly attempts to escape the chamber. The spiral Zetsu turns out to be a nice guy and offers Obito a hand. My thoughts on Madara is he suspects Obito's sharingran allowed him to avoid being completely crushed by the boulder. Obito indeed lost most of the right side of his body, but his sharingran and, presumably, the half of his brain survived.
Bleach 509: Tenchi Kaijin Captain Yamamoto's Zanka no Tachi South is disgustingly awesome. Yuha Bach is definitely cowering before the shinigami's destructive force. More is revealed about the Steinritter's ability to steak bankai. Apparently the explanation is very simple and disappointing at the same time. Yamamoto explains why his, as well as Ichigo's, bankai hasn't been stolen yet. And finally Zanka no Tachi North: Tenchi Kaijin (lit. Heaven and Earth Burned to Ashes) is unleashed in simplistic, destructive fashion. But the biggest surprise of the chapter came with Yuha apologizing...to himself?
Beelzebub 174: Tasumi and Takachin
A very slow paced chapter, as expected of flashbacks to Oga's non-demonic days. The highlight of their past was definitely seeing Oga's oneesan as leader of the original Red Tails gang. Back to the end of Furuichi and Oga's battle, Behemoth is still hovering about. He makes a curious observation about Furuichi having absorbed so much demonic power, likely hinting towards Furuichi stepping out from the shadows permanently.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! 503: The Ultimate Dying Will
The dying will bullet makes a cameo. The scenes of Tsuna going apeshit in his boxers at the beginning of the series were some of the funniest I've ever seen in animes. So it was curious to see what would happen to Tsuna who was shot with his dying will flame already on. With the trend of crazy armor, VG weapons, and general badassness that the series has been pumping lately leading to the end, I was expecting something similar. But the chapter surprises with a very minimalistic approach and Tsuna gets some payback on Bermuda. Though at the end Bermuda reveals his final trump card while Tsuna seems unfazed.
