Tag: Burn the Witch
Top Ten Anime, Manga, and Movies of 2020
I've heard about Jujutsu Kaisen, but I thought it was just another demon manga/anime series. Considering my history with anime (Yu Yu Hakusho and Demon Slayer), I should have known not to prejudge based on tropes. Regardless, I Iove this series. It's still in the middle but I like the world building, characters, and animation so far.
Manhwa (Korean comics) has become an important source for anime adaptation. Tower of God was my first exposure to the series by Lee Jong-hui. The story centers on Twenty-Fifth Bam. Trapped with his friend Rachel underneath the mysterious Tower, he follows her into the Tower. Bam encounters challenges on each floor of the Tower as he searches for Rachel. The first season is phenomenal, ending in a shocking cliffhanger.
Is Tower of God Good?
Deca-Dence is a series set in the distant future, insect-like creatures called Gadoll have forced humanity towards extinction. I had no expectation for this series, so it was a surprise when Deca-Dence turned out to be far more sophisticated. The series was full of twists and turns, while making a critique of capitalism. Its themes are topically for 2020, and it was one of the most original anime of the year.
Deca-Dence Episode 1: Recap and Review
Pokemon: Twilight Wings
One of the biggest surprises of this year was Pokemon: Twilight Wings. A seven episode limited animated series, set in the Galar Region, the short anime series follows the citizens of Galar. Despite the short length of the series and each episode, Pokemon: Twilight Wings was impactful. All seven focused on side characters expanding the Pokemon universe through the eyes of Galar citizens. Pokemon: Twilight Wings was an emotional series with great animation.
Pokemon: Twilight Wings, a short anime series based on Sword and Shield games
I was excited about The God of High School from the moment they announced it. I wasn't disappointed. Like Tower of God, it based on the series created by Yongje Park. While the series doesn't reinvent the wheel, there are enough surprises to keep you interested. The God of High School balances humor with high octane action.
'The God of High School,': An instant hit
Burn the Witch (Manga/Movie)
The most expected manga for me was Tite Kubo's Burn the Witch. The series also released a movie of the same name. Both cover the same material, but I preferred the anime. We're introduced to the principal characters, "Noel and Ninny, the world of Reverse London, and it all ends with a battle with an ancient dragon, Cinderella." With the addition of music, sound effects, and explosions, Burn the Witch is a unique experience when animated.
Burn the Witch Episode 1–3: Recap and Review
Kimetsu no Yaiba : The Movie – Mugen Train
Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Movie–Mugen Train is the first film from the Demon Slayer series. A direct sequel from the anime series, the film retells the Mugen Train arc. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke join the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku in investigating disappearances on the Infinity Train. The movie centers on the themes of humanity and accepting death. Once again, Tanjiro emotional intelligence stands out.
Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Movie–Mugen Train Review
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep
I can't wait for the Made in Abyss series returns. In the meantime, Abyss has produced three movies. The first two were recap movies, with Dawn of the Deep telling the Ido Front Arc. Made in Abyss continues to flush out the harsh universe, as Nanachi, Reg, and Riko head down towards the center of the Abyss. Like the Demon Slayer movie, using a film to tell an arc is proving to be a wonderful decision.
Made in Abyss: Dawn of the Deep Soul, Recap and Review
Dorohedoro follows Kaiman, a man with a lizard head, as he tries to find the one magic user that cursed him. Kaiman also has amnesia, making his search even more difficult. Dorohedoro is an odd series with a strange world. Each character has unique designs and powers to match. Dorohedoro is a stylised violent series with a intriguing mystery at its center.
Dorohedoro Episode 1 Recap & Review
Haikyuu!! To the Top
I wasn't into anime sports series until Yuri on Ice. I was so impressed with the series I wanted to give another popular sports anime a chance. Haikyuu!! To the Top is the fourth season of the volleyball anime. It separates Hinata and rival Kageyama as they develop apart. Hinata learns more about volleyball without playing and Kageyama sharpens his skills with Japans best. Once reunited, Hinata, Kageyama and the rest of Karasuno battle in the Spring Tournament.
Haikyuu!! Fourth Season, Episode 1: Recap and Review
Jiraiyan	Anime	Leave a comment December 31, 2020 December 31, 2020 3 Minutes
Burn the Witch Episode 1 – 3: Recap and Review
Tite Kubo's spin-off gets animated
Burn the Witch is an anime and manga series from Tite Kubo. The one-shot was so popular that Shueisha wanted to create a movie from it. The Burn the Witch film is based on the limited four-chapter series. In other regions the film was broken up into three episodes. If you read the manga, then the content isn't new. The episode retells the four chapters released last month. We're introduced to the main characters, Noel and Ninny, the world of Reverse London, and it all ends with a battle with an ancient dragon, Cinderella.
Fans already have taken to the anime, many fell in love with Noel Niihashi. The stoic member of the Wing Bind agency, Noel seems to have become an instant fave of fans. The art style and creativity of Tite Kubo have fans excited as well. Ninny and Noel are the perfect pair whos personalities balance each other. The only downside to this series is Balgo. He a typical perve, constantly harassing Noel. I find him dumb, annoying, and distracting. If the series were longer he might grow on me, but I think the series is better without him.
However, seeing a manga series animated is often more enjoyable. The anime is visually stunning, breathing life into Reverse London. You get a great sense of danger when you can see the civilians run and hear them scream. In Burn the Witch, the dragons benefit from being animated the most. Elly is an odd birdlike, skeleton looking dragon. Her movements are almost demonic. Only anime could breathe life into Elly. With the addition of music, sound effects, and explosions, Burn the Witch is a different experience when animated.
Burn the Witch Chapter 4: Recap and Review
Jiraiyan	Anime	2 Comments October 4, 2020 October 4, 2020 1 Minute
Color cover of chapter 4 of Burn thw Witch
Chapter 4 – If a lion could speak, We couldn't understand
Chapter 4 of Burn the Witch opens with Balgo Parks whos still oblivious to his fate, finally being told that he's a wanted man by Bruno. Ninny and Noel plan to shoot a spark off then escape with Macy and Balgo. Suddenly, Elly ambushes Bruno from the sky. He prepares to attack her but she disappears using Stealth Scale. The technique is rare for a dragon, allowing Elly to turn invisible to avoid attacks. Elly attacks Rickenbacker's wing, slashing through it. She then takes to the air transforming into a larger dragon, Cinderella. She resembles a bird with dragon wings. Noel, Ninny, and Bruno are shocked that Elly turned out to be a Märchen.
Märchen are ancient dragons that existed before Reverse London. They're "progenitors" of the Dark Dragons and are authorized for elimination. There's seven in all, named after fairy tails, Snow White, Red Dress, Golden Axe, Bubbles, Sugar House, Band of Animals, and Cinderella. Each one has six talons on each hand, the ability to use Stealth Scale, and Star Ash dust that explodes. Noel claims that they only mature "nocturnally." With a new threat, Bruno decides to focus on eliminating the dragon. Bruno uses paint canisters to draw a symbol on Rickenbacker's wing. He utters the phrase, "release code 0575 unlock" which summons a Hunger Shadow. Suddenly, a dark beast emerges and jumps on Cinderella's face.
Battle with Cinderella
It attempts to bite her, but Cinderella blows it away with an energy blast. Ninny and Noel arrive to provide backup. Cinderella has one weakness, the Crown-Shaped Horn on her head. The three of them separate and surround Cinderella. Ninny and Noel cast Magic #68: Supernal Jail, trapping Cinderella within several beams of light. Bruno uses another symbol to summon Greedy Curtain, surrounding Cinderella in sludge. She responds by blowing up the sludge and the top of the roof. Noel, Ninny, and Bruno are injured as Cinderella takes flight heading towards them. Noel and Ninny erect a barrier, as Ninny wonders why she's attacking them and not Bruno.
Shockingly, Cinderella stops moving and is shot through the Crown Artery by Billy Banx Jr. Despite that harrowing fight, Ninny and Noel aren't paid very much. Billy claims that this is due to them begin charged for the damage. Bruno was given credit for killing Cinderella, enraging Ninny further. Macy becomes a dragonclad. Meanwhile, Wolfgang Slashhuat is given an application for releasing Balgo from the status of Punitive Dragon. Wolfgang notes that during the investigation of Balgo revealed that he came into contact with Macy months ago and this may have been the "trigger" that resulted in Cinderella's appearance. They decide to use him to attract Märchen. Elsewhere, Sullivan Squire investigates the location where Billy shot Cinderella. She says that she's "relieved" that she didn't underestimate the "son of a hero."
Jiraiyan	Manga	4 Comments September 20, 2020 2 Minutes
Chapter 3 of Burn the Witch opens with Billy Banx Jr. leering outside of the Top of Horns meeting room. He's confronted by Sullivan Squire, who asks "why he's here." Sullivan admonishes him for failing to "say goodbye" despite all she did for him. Confused, Billy wonders why Squire mentioned his Ninny and Noel at all. She tells him that the elimination of Balgo Parks has been approved. Sullivan implies that Bruno Bangnyfe's "methods" are particularly harsh. Meanwhile, Bruno tells Noel and Ninny that he's not "trying to kill them" Noel, in her dry tone, shocks Bruno by not knowing who he is. Ninny on the other hand is fully aware of him.
Bruno calls for a Dragon blockade on Penfront Street that excludes Balgo. After the blockade is erected, Bruno accuses Balgo of being a terrorist. Bruno tells Ninny and Noel about the execution order and that a bounty will be activated in 72 hours. Realizing that Noel and Ninny aren't going to step aside, Bruno turns hostile. Noel grabs Balgo, while Ninny asks Bruno "why he brought Macy here?" He admits to bringing her to Reverse London but he isn't responsible for the dragon. Bruno reveals that Macy is a "Watcher," a human with strong magical abilities. He deflects Ninny's, Witch Kit, which Noel grabs and fires. In the chaos of the explosion, Ninny grabs Macy and flies away.
Bruno chases Balgo
Annoyed, Bruno calls his dragon, Rickenbacker. Macy tells Ninny how she meets Elly. Macy admits that she always hated being in their group and would have quit if it wasn't for Ninny. Later she finds an infant Elly, feeding her all kinds of food. Elly preferred fruits and vegetables, got larger, and never used the bathroom. She finally felt special having Elly in her life. Suddenly, Bruno tears through the Cloth they were hiding in with Rickenbacker. He mocks them while revealing that Balgo's Punitive Dragon designation has been finalized. Burn the Witch is still filling out the universe but I starting to get the feel for how the governing body of Reverse London functions. It seems like the government is draconian, delivering harsh penalties without much consideration for the criminals. I think both Noel and Ninny will become outcasts, fighting against the government to rescue Macy and Balgo.
Jiraiyan	Manga	1 Comment September 14, 2020 September 14, 2020 2 Minutes
The cover of Chapter 2 of Burn the Witch
Chapter 2 – Ghillie Suit
Burn the Witch continues to build the universe. Light Dragons are distinguished from dark dragons in many ways. The first thing you notice is that they are adorable and look like cartoon characters. They serve the residents as "natural resources" functioning as radio wave boosters, Plant cultivation, water cleaners, and even mass transit. Ninny calls annoyed that Noel has gotten the headline in the Reverse London Press. Meanwhile, the Chief calls them with a work matter that pays five times the pay and points. An illegally reared dragon is allegedly being kept in the west. The duo head west with Balgo in tow.
When they arrive in the district, they notice an explosion in another area. Noel and Balgo rush to see what's happening. The explosion is at the empty building of the Realists a tabloid. Ninny spots someone inside the building and flies up through the window. Inside is someone that Ninny knows, Macy. She plans on destroying the building to get revenge for a negative story the Realist wrote. It's revealed that Macy used a dragon named Elly to cause the explosion. Ninny warns Macy of the potential consequences of coming into contact with the dragon, however, Macy refuses to listen. Her dragon attacks Ninny, but Noel shoots it.
Bruno Bangnyfe makes an explosive entrance
Ninny says that Macy "has feelings for her" and becomes jealous when other women are friendly towards her. She decides that she will attack from the roof, while Noel distracts her. However, when Ninny reaches the roof she's caught in an explosion caused by Bruno Bangnyfe. He apologizes, kinda, asking if she died because he'll need to write an incident report. Things don't look good for Macy though. If this guy doesn't kill her, then she will probably get executed. Burn the Witch is still filling out the world but we are starting to see how the society functions. That said, we haven't learned how the combat works yet. I'm going to guess that we will see in the next chapter.
Jiraiyan	Manga	1 Comment September 7, 2020 September 7, 2020 1 Minute
The cover of Chapter 1
Chapter 1 – Witches Blow A New Pipe
In 2018 Tite Kubo's Burn the Witch one-shot was released, the series is linked to the Bleach universe and features the same art style. Burn the Witch will be a limited series with only four chapters ending with the release of the anime on October 2nd. The anime will be a "theatrical anime project," that will be streamed in several episodes on Crunchyroll. Chapter 1 of Burn the Witch is 60 pages long, although it's unclear whether the other chapters will be.
Chapter 1, Witches Blow A New Pipe, reintroduces us to the main characters Ninny Spangcole and Noel Niihashi. Ninny is a famous pop star the lead singer of a girl band Cecile Die Twice, she's rude and abrasive. Noel is a super serious student. She begins the chapter chacing a Bud Buck, a creature that resembles a deer with bat wings. They're interrupted by a massive batlike creature. Noel uses the spell Blue Spark to defend herself and the Buck. Ninny arrives and uses Flash Bumper: Spell 44 that captures Noel and the Buck in a net. The biggest threat to London are dragons who are responsible for "72 percent of all deaths." The Reverse London Natural Dragon Management Agency Wing Bind is responsible for conserving and controlling the dragon population.
Burn the Witch: Tite Kubo manga one-shot review
The World of Burn the Witch
Noel and Ninny are members of Wing Bind after each job members are rewarded. Noel loses achievement points for picking a flower off the Buck while Ninny gains some for saving them. Suddenly, an explosion occurs in a distance tower as Balgo clings to the tail a fire breathing "dragon canine," Osushi. Neither Ninny nor Noel cares to help him until their told they will get overtime. Ordinary citizens are forbidden from interacting with dragons unless they pass a test. When humans come into contact with dragons they accumulate a substance in their bodies called dragotoxin. The Wing Bind has a mechanism to test for this toxin by requiring the human to lick the screen.
Humans and Dragons that violate the Dragon Contact Prohibition Act are sentenced to 100 years in prison or they will be executed. Finally, if a human develops a high enough dragotoxin they become Dragonclad. They are considered "infected" with a disease whose most significant symptom of the dragonclad is attracting dragons. Balgo is a dragonclad and is suddenly attacked by a massive dragon. Ninny uses Barrier Tape to seal off the area and Noel uses Spell 4: Stun Ball. Assuming they had subdued the dragon, Noel calls headquarters for their reward. However, the dragon is a Dark Dragon. Ninny calls for an emergency blockade, meanwhile, Noel attempts to call the Sabres. However, Ninny stops her from calling, planning to fight the Dark Dragon themselves to "prove how strong they are," and become Sabres.
The Dark Dragon
Unlike normal dragons, Dark Dragons target humans. Wing Binds are allowed to kill Dark Dragons. Ninny charges at the Dark Dragon, while Noel uses a small gun and fires off Spell 75. Elsewhere, a group discusses the presence of a Dark Dragon. They appear to be heads of each of the different Corps, present are Bruno Bangnyfe of the Magic Circle Corps: Inks, Roy B. Dipper of the Incantation Corps: Anthems, Cquntnire Milieve of the Liturgy Corps: Sacreds, Tronbone Takkinen of the Minstrel Corps: Pipers, Sullivan Squire of the Tactical Corps: Sabres, Harry Shayk of the Accounting Corps: Billionaires, Wolfgang Slashhaut of Personnel Affairs Divine Punishment Corps: Gallows, and Saka Rynn of the Development Corps: Patchworks who was absent. They conclude that Balgo Parks should be eliminated.
I've been excited about this series for years and it didn't disappoint. I have always loved the art style of Tite Kubo, although his story choices aren't always great. However, he does create interesting universes. Burn the Witch chapter 1 is largely an introduction to that universe. Chapter 1 reintroduces our main characters while introducing several new ones and setting up the conflict. Each character feels real and is visually distinct. This chapter could have felt overwhelming with all the new jargon but I thought it was paced well. That said, it's disappointing to hear that this series is going to be limited, but considering Tite Kubo's health issues I guess this is the most he can do. There's still a lot to explain, but I'm excited for the rest of this series.
Burn the Witch can be read for free on Mangaplus.
Jiraiyan	Manga	5 Comments August 25, 2020 August 25, 2020 3 Minutes
Samurai 8's failure, Burn the Witch, and an argument for a Bleach sequel
Emperor Carnage discusses why he thinks Samurai 8 failed. Personally, I liked what I saw from the series. However, I must admit that I hadn't read a chapter since I reviewed the Volume One last year. I guess with "fans" like me the series was doomed. I have every intention of completing and reviewing the series. I just have to decide if I will review each remaining volume or the entire series.
the main selling point of the series was "A new series from the creator of Naruto!" Naruto was a MASSIVE series for Shonen Jump; they were probably expected a similar reception. Especially sense their biggest series, One Piece, is setting up its endgame. For all the joke, I think the flashback is enough proof: One Piece only has a few more years left in it. Shonen Jump needs something to be just as popular to fill the void. "Samurai 8" just couldn't do it.
Emperor Carnage
A Battle scene from Samurai 8
Dreager1 finally gets around to reviewing Burn the Witch. Tite Kubo's One-Shot has gotten a manga series and anime. Dreager1 doesn't respond well to one of the characters, Balgo. Who I agree is really annoying.
Balgo is really my main problem with the series. Every scene with him is pretty brutal. He's only got Noel on his mind and only in a very superficial way. While this is supposed to be comedic it definitely falls short of that and becomes irritating almost instantly. There is just no way you can root for the guy or even feel bad for him. The dynamic that the series is going for completely falls flat and it will heavily limit Burn The Witch's potential. I'm hoping that he will ultimately get written out and was just made up for the opening pilot. They've gotta get rid of him.
Dreager1
Finally, JCR Comics Art discusses whether Bleach should get a direct sequel on top of a spin-off (Burn the Witch) and the anime of the final arc. While it seems that Boruto is doing well, I'm personally don't think sequels (especially future generations) work well. I have my problems with the way Bleach ended, so I agree that the characters didn't get satisfying endings.
One of the biggest complaints for the finale of Bleach was that a lot of characters not only didn't get a proper ending, and there were QUITE A FEW characters in the roster of Soul Society, but also, several characters weren't revealed to have lived or died in the final battle! While the sequel doesn't necessarily need to be a full blown series, perhaps it could be an installment that simply ties a bow on the characters that we all grew to know during Beach's time as one of the most popular Shonen series around!
Jiraiyan	Anime	5 Comments March 29, 2020 March 29, 2020 2 Minutes
Bleach Returns in 2021 and Burn the Witch gets serialized
Burn the Witch One Shot Cover
Bleach rumors have been circulating the internet for years. Now they have been confirmed. Weekly Shonen Jump announced the return of Bleach on Twitter. Shonen Jump will announce the news on YouTube, with streaming starting at 9:45 am on March 21, 2020. Written and illustrated by Tite Kubo, Bleach was a serialized manga series in Weekly Shonen Jump. The manga ran from August 2001 through August 2016 and has sold over 90 million copies. An animated TV series ran from 2004 to 2012. However, the anime ended before the final arc.
The final Bleach arc the Thousand-Year Blood War will get an anime adaptation. Tite Kubo's Burn the Witch will be serialized starting in the summer and get an anime adaptation starting in the fall. For those who are unfamiliar, Burn the Witch manga follows two witches, Noel and Spangle, working in the Western branch of Soul Society. As members of Wing Bind, they protect and control the dragons in Reverse London. They battle Dragons called Disguisers, which take control over corpses. The series takes place 12 years after the Blood War. While I have my issues with the Thousand-Year Blood War arc I can't wait to see it animated. I hoped that Burn the Witch manga would get serialized as well.
The first thing you'll notice between Burn the Witch and Bleach is how similar they are. This shouldn't be surprising considering Tite Kubo is the creator and they exist in the same universe. I'm excited to find out about the Wing Bind, the Conservation Rangers, and how they connect to the Soul Reapers. It's possible that characters from Bleach (particularly the next generation) will make cameo appearances. Hopefully, we will get more insight into the Soul Society. If you haven't done so already check out my review of Burn the Witch.
Jiraiyan	Anime	Leave a comment March 18, 2020 March 18, 2020 1 Minute
Burn the Witch: Tite Kubo manga one shot review
Seemly following on the heels of Hiro Mashima, creator of Fairy Tail and now Eden's Zero, Tite Kubo, creator of Bleach, has now released a one shot called Burn the Witch. While, not a full manga series yet, one shots are often 15-60 pages. They tell a complete story, hoping to garner enough support to be turned into a full series. The process is similar to a television pilot.
The 62 page manga, Burn the Witch as the title suggests is about witches in London. Dragons are the main adversaries in this manga. Dragon were once reasonable for "72 % of all deaths," the residents of "front London" were unable to see the dragons, but citizens from "reverse London" could. The story focuses on to witches, Wing Bind 1st order conservation ranger, Niihashi Noel and 2nd order, Ninii Spangle.
The "dragons," are varied in design and uses in reverse London. The Conductor is used for "electric generation," the Hammerback for "minerals," the Wooly Wally "textiles," the Matchbox for "fuel," the Blue Appetite for "medicines," and the Meatball for well food. The design of the dragons a weird and original, I liked them. Ordinary citizens from reverse London are banned from coming into contact with the dragons.
This is were the witches and wizards, whom passes the exam to become a member of "the wing bind agency." I instantly thought of Harry Potter, but that's not a bad thing. Meanwhile, in London a dragon sprouts out of a puppy and Niihashi and Ninii are ordered to exterminate it. The dragon is called a "Dark Dragon," when "dragons come into contact with negative human emotions," they become a threat to humanity.
They're intelligent and can speak "the human language." The dragon they're facing is a "disguiser," a dragon that "takes over a corpse." Balgo the obligatory perv, taking care of the "corpse," of the puppy he named Osushi-chan, but he's in denial about his death. Just as Ninii attempt to capture Balgo's friend, another disguiser attacks her. The new dragon "Selvie," believes that by eating both witches he can gain "immortality."
Ninii claims that it's a myth, but Selvie believes that he won't know for sure unless eat's them. Selvie use to be the friend of Balgo that was killed saving his life when the were 7. He was hit by a train while protecting Balgo. Selvie attacks Ninii, but Balgo blocks it and is bitten. Balgo begins the typical, "we are friends and I'm going to save you," speech. Niihashi steps in and destroys Selvie with "Absolute Dragon Shutter." After being bitten by a dragon, Balgo becomes a "haunted one." Haunted ones are classified as dragons and must be protected.
I really enjoyed this one shot, it didn't reinvent the wheel but I found it charming. While I was gravely disappointed with how Bleach ended, I hoped Kubo may learned from how poorly that series ended. The most interesting part was the last two pages of the one shot that featured a reference to "soul society," and a not so subtle reference to "Bleach" on the last page, seen in black letters in the title "Burn the Witch." Is the Burn the Witch universe part of the Bleach universe? Is Kubo going to create a spin-off? Time will tell, but I hope Burn the Witch becomes a series.
Jiraiyan	Manga	11 Comments July 14, 2018 March 14, 2020 2 Minutes