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In this edition of Anime Queue Crush, I discuss the third most popular anime series on Crunchyroll: The Asterisk War.

To be honest, the basic premise of The Asterisk War feel too familiar but this is not a condemnation of the series. If anything, it is a statement about the difficulties of developing an original or unique idea within the entertainment industry. As for The Asterisk War, it is series set in a rebuilt post-apocalyptic world in which gifted beings are divided amongst various academies and then encouraged to participate in battles amongst themselves in an exercise devised to exhibit superiority of a particular academy/multinational government conglomerate. Of course, the school-based drama features many of the common tropes associated with the genre: a new and mysterious transfer with an untapped source of power and skill, a potential harem composed of the mischievous and unabashed pursuer, the childhood friend, and the aloof tsundere that will eventually come to realize her "true" feelings for the male protagonist, gratuitous lingerie scenes, and many more overused tropes. Personally, I am not entirely sure if I will find particular satisfaction from finishing the series but my inability to simply drop a series will keep me watching. I suppose I could stand to find out more about our mysterious male and female leads as well as what the class president is scheming.

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And we are back! Anime Queue Crush is back for its second edition and in this edition, I am going to be covering yet another anime series that was not in my original anime queue:  Cyborg 009 vs. Devilman (at least, a major media company using the correct abbreviation for "versus"). Prior to watching this three-episode OVA, which is available on Netflix, I had only heard of Cyborg 009 but never Devilman (though if I did, it was only in passing). Regardless, the following are some of my thoughts on the series or special, but first:

After watching the first episode of Cyborg 009 vs. Devilman, the following thoughts or questions lingered in my mind:

(1) Why did the animators feel the need to give special attention to the breast of the female party attendee during her transformation into Lilith?

(2)  Did the winged-lion demon attempt to strangle Devilman with penis serpent?

(3)  Is Cyborg 009's primary ability only speed and does he normally get his ass handed to him in battles?

Those just a few of the many questions I had after episode one. Aside from these questions, I will say that I enjoyed the classic look of the Cyborgs though the same cannot be said of Devilman's character design. Something about Devilman's looked to similar to many poorly designed characters from the 1980s despite Devilman being from the 1970s. Personally, it appeared as though the animators attempted to update Devilman's appearance but got lazy and stopped in the 1980s.

To be honest, the story felt rather flimsy and hastily put together for the celebration of 50th Anniversary of the Cyborg 009 manga, which is most likely what happened. And honestly, what was the point of the opening battle sequence between the Apollo cyborg and 009? As well as what was the point behind the "high teen" cyborgs, Cyborgs 14-17? My guess is that the writers needed something for the rest of the cyborgs to do during the special so they put together a pointless filler side story. And they did the decision to create the "high teen" side story at the expense of giving any real meaning to the plot revolving around the specials two leads:  Cyborg 009 and Devilman.

I am not saying that the legacy of these two characters has been tarnished in any manner though I have not seen anymore from either character prior to this OVA but there is plenty more that could have been done to at least demonstrate that the effort was not some sort of nostalgic money grab. My recommendation is that if you are truly interested in these two series or characters, then you should skip this OVA and dig deeper to locate either of their original series.

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Welcome to Anime Queue Crush!  I have a load of anime to watch from years past and I am bringing you along for the ride!

In this edition of "Anime Queue Crush", I am finally getting around to starting the sequel to 2010's Durarara!! series:  Durarara!!x2 Shou.  As usual, I will try to not delve too deeply into any of the details of the series because (1) most people hate spoilers and (2) the series is just over a year old and you have probably already seen it already.  Regardless, you can think of this column as one of those terrible YouTube reaction videos only worse because it is in TEXT!

DISCLAIMER:  I prefer to watch English-dubbed versions of anime (if available) because (1) I do not speak Japanese, (2) if I can avoid reading--even subtitles--while watching a television series I will, and (3) I like to make the die-hard anime otaku cry (^.-) though not really.

Anyways, the first two episodes of the series serve as fast-paced introduction / re-introduction to the characters of the series portrayed in the manner of an out-of-continuity recap episode of a long-running anime series except it is not a recap episode.  To be honest, the manner in which the episodes, particularly the second episode, cut back-and-forth between the present which features a "fourth wall" breaking Shinra Kishitani that is trapped within a shadow sphere and the significant events leading towards the present happenings can be confusing though not really.  In truth, my primary handicap heading into the series is the fact that it has been a half-decade since I watched the original Durarara!! series.

Regardless, the series quickly hits on many of the key traits that intrigued the audience of the original series though it does feel too rushed at certain points.  One specific instance of this being the seemingly out of place sequence with Shizuo Heiwajima and the "petty thieves" in the park, but I am certain more about that particularly situation will be explained in later episodes.  Overall, I will say that I will try to work through this series quickly though I will probably discuss another series in the next edition of this column.  My advice in regards to Durarara!!x2 Shou is to give it shot but only after watching (or re-watching, if it has been some time since your last viewing) Durarara!!.

So join me next time as work through yet another one of my ridiculously backlogged entertainment media queues.  (Honestly, for an unemployed individual, one would think that all I have is time to watch anime, read comics, and play video games.)