Wrestlemania 31 Predictions w/ Shino Phoenix!!!

Guess who’s back!!!

Hello all wrestling fans!!!! How are you today!? I hope you are feeling great and excited because tonight is grandest night of them all, it is our Superbowl, March Madness, World Cup, Stanley Cup Finals, and NBA Finals in one amazing night it is Wrestlemania baby!!! The closing chapter to last years storylines, new beginnings, and surprises! Who knows what may happen tonight?!

Tonight is special so are these predictions!!! It isn’t just me this time I brought in a guest with me! Oh yes, not any ordinary guest, I brought in my blood brother Josh aka Shino Phoenix! My first ever guest and I wouldn’t have it any other way! We recorded our predictions at the crack of midnight. Edited for your reading pleasure because rambling. You can view it after this intro! Two different predictions, one grand show! Let’s get right into it!

Oh I do owe the readers an explanation on why Wrestling Wednesdays and the other predictions stopped, but that will show up on the next update for the website.

Enjoy Wrestlemania 31 & these predictions with my brother!!!

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Wrestlemania!!!

MC Zero X: Hello everyone it’s Matt aka MC Zero X, I am doing something special, I am going transcribe this recording I am doing with my brother that’s right! First ever guest predictions piece! We’re going to get into everything today, but first off what do you want to be called today?

Shino Phoenix: Well you can call me whatever you want, but call me Shino.

MCZX: We’ll call you Shino Phoenix! Pretty much we are going through the entire Wrestlemania 31 card. I think…this one is going to be a really good show….I have to work, but that’s besides the point. Let’s just jump right into Wrestlemania 31. Let’s start with the pre show because there are two matches on the pre show this year.

Fatal Four Way Tag Team Match: Tyson Kidd and Cesaro (c) (with Natalya) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) (with Xavier Woods) vs. Los Matadores (Diego and Fernando) (with El Torito) vs. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) (with Naomi)

MCZX: Let’s start with my guest, let’s hear his predictions and analysis I guess on who he thinks will win the match

SP: TO me, I think Tyson Kidd & Cesaro will retain. I mean they faced Los Matadores a lot of times and pretty much got their skills hands down. The New day are just here to entertain the audience if you think about it. They are just kind of meh-ish. And The Usos, the only problem they have to worry about is Jey’s shoulder. I’m giving it to Tyson Kidd & Cesaro because they earned it.

MCZX: So you’re going with Tyson Kidd & Cesaro

SP: Yeah, let’s hear yours

MCZX: I have a feeling just for the freebird rule to be back in effect, as much as I don’t like the New day, they might give it to the New day just to have the freebird rule. If they were smart I think they would have Tyson Kidd & Cesaro are gonna retain. My pick is Tyson Kidd & Cesaro. I don’t see any of these three teams taking the belts away for any reason. IF the Ascension were in this maybe I’d say them, but since they aren’t in this I’m just going to stick with Tyson & Cesaro. They have been doing good work and the tag team should stick together a little longer.

The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal

MCZX: I hope the winner of this one will actually elevate someone’s career. I’m going to go to Shino here what is your prediction of this match?

SP: I’ve been wanting to get into this for a long long time. This is a really tough one.

MCZX: It is!

SP: I want to start with Hideo Itami first. Yeah he’s upcoming, a rising star, moving up a little bit slowly. If he wins that it would elevate him even more, not just in NXT, but the main roster spot as well. I want to give it to Mizdow for a big slap in the face to the Miz, but then you have Curtis Axel. Who doesn’t like Axelmania to be running wild?

MCZX: People who don’t like Curtis Axel obviously.

SP: That’s a good one. If I had to pick an actual winner…am I forgetting someone? Oh yeah Ryback.

MCZX: Yes Ryback’s the wild horse.

SP: Yeah. I mean he has never held a title. Why not give him a trophy huh? That would elevate him for title shots and give him more opportunities. I like Ryback just give him an opportunity! If I had to choose I’m going with Hideo Itami.

MCZX: So you are going with a top NXT guy?

SP: Pretty Much!

MCZX: OK! I think Axelmania is going to run wild and they are going to play off of this. The Mizdow/ Miz thing should have been a separate match on the pre-show. Anyway, I see Mizdow possibly winning this to prove he is better than the Miz, but I feel like the Miz will cost the Mizdow the match leading to Mizdow getting his revenge on the Raw after mania. Ryback would be interesting…he would be a good fit to win, Hideo Itami winning this would be very interesting. To play it safe, I would pick Ryback to win this, but in my heart I want Axelmania to run wild!

MAIN SHOW

AJ Lee and Paige vs. The Bella Twins (Brie and Nikki Bella)

MCZX: Personally, I feel like if we are going to do a tag match like this we should at least have divas tag titles or something. To me, this match feels like the Bella twins are going to get their comeuppances or AJ & Paige are going to blow up again. I think this would be so much better if the divas had their own tag division and the girls would have more time to wrestle. This could also lead to more time on the show. Their is potential there. They don’t have to just escort Snoop Dogg to the ring. My prediction for this one is AJ Lee & Paige. It’s about time the Bellas finally lose. I would prefer for this to be a fatal four way for the title. The Brie and Nikki thing never got explained. I mean siblings do forgive each other, but come on Nikki deserved a kick in the ass. I know this will be a good tag team match even if the majority audience does not pay attention. I hope women’s wrestling finally gets a chance this year in 2015 and not reduced to just tag team matches. The title should be on the line at Wrestlemania and that’s the bottom line.

SP:  Here’s how I want this to happen. Yeah I want AJ Lee & Paige to take it. I’m sick of the Bella twins already! The best way to end this match would have Brie turn on her sister during the match getting payback on the grandest stage of them all. Not only that, she’ll go for the Divas title versus her sister. It would be a perfect storyline to me. We should have had a Fatal Four Way like NXT, but more interesting. AJ Lee & Paige will win because they are better wrestlers than the Bellas.

MCZX: Ok! Ok! I hope the NXT divas are on the rise and reform the whole divas division. Make it wrestling. You can entertain and be wrestlers at the same time!

Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins (with Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble)

MCZX: I’m going to go…damn it…I’m going to go with Seth Rollins. The reason I’m picking Seth Rollins is Orton has nothing to gain from beating Seth Rollins. Orton already beat the crap out of him on Monday night Raw so why would Orton beat Rollins on the grandest stage of them all? Wouldn’t that hurt Rollins? Rollins wins this match elevating his career and hey his streak will still be alive. Shino what do you got?

SP: It wouldn’t make sense for Orton to beat Rollins after he dismantled him on Raw. Seth Rollins deserves it. I don’t care if you Randy Orton disagree with me or not, so Rollins has to pay the favor to Orton.

MCZX: I see a curb stomp at the end of this match and Rollins riding high with a victory at Wrestlemania on Orton. He can’t take that away from him.

SP: Exactly!

Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Bad News Barrett (c) vs. R-Truth vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Stardust vs. Daniel Bryan

SP: Very interesting match. Alright there is only two people I see to win that. Dean Ambrose and Daniel Bryan. Now for Daniel Bryan, this is my concern, his neck. This is a big disadvantage for him because if he messes up once or there is one mishap, his career could be over. I don’t understand why give him a ladder match when he could have won a number contendership match on Raw between Dolph & Dean to face the champion. If I had to pick one—

MCZX: You have to pick one!

SP: I will pick Daniel Bryan. He can overcome the odds even if that’s an injury. He can still get back up again. I mean he never held the Intercontinental title like Dean Ambrose. I’ll give it to Daniel Bryan because he will bring prestige to the belts. So it will be important.

MCZX: If Daniel Bryan wins, I already know who is going to win the next match. I hope WWE shakes things up for once. I would like to see BNB to retain the belt tonight. BNB has been getting shitcanned through this whole story. So I would like to see BNB prove his dominance tonight. I would love to see R-Truth win too! C’mon he is awesome! I’m going to pick Dolph Ziggler to go home with the title. I feel like the show off is going to steal the show.

United States Championship: Rusev (c) vs. John Cena

SP: Unfortunately, I have to go with John Cena because we all know he is going to beat him. Unless they are going to shock us with a return.

MCZX: Last year when John Cena beat Bray Wyatt. It didn’t hurt Bray’s character, but I didn’t like it. I don;t want the same to happen to Rusev. Dude I want Rusev to win because he is freaking unstoppable. What happens to Rusev after he loses to John Cena?

SP: Go for Intercontinental?

MCZX: NO! That’s going to ruin him. He is the “Brock Lesnar” that’s on the show all the time. I don’t want Rusev’s mania moment to be he lost to John Cena. I think a nice swerve would be if Sheamus somehow interferes in the match. He tries to Brogue Kick Rusev and connects with Cena. Sheamus leaves and Rusev locks the Accolade back in leading to a shocking victory and heel turn. I know that is very unlikely and my pick is doubtful, but I’m going with Rusev.

The Undertaker Vs Bray Wyatt

MCZX: THE MAN IS COMING TO DOWN TO FACE THE NEW FACE OF FEAR! SO who do you have between The Undertaker & Bray Wyatt?

SP: I am really hyped up for this match. This is a test for Bray Wyatt to prove he is the new face of fear. For all the people online saying Undertaker needs to redeem himself, It doesn’t matter! Bray Wyatt is on a roll man!

MCZX: Bray has been carrying this entire thing by himself!

SP: Where was Taker?

MCZX: It is to keep his mystique intact. SO When the MAN COMES TO DOWN it will be epic!

SP: I’m going with Bray Wyatt for The Undertaker to pass the torch to Bray. Here’s how it should have happened, The Undertaker should have beat Brock Lesnar and then at Wrestlemania 31, Wyatt would be the one who broke the streak.

MCZX: Yeah if that happened the new face of fear thing would have stuck better. If anything, I would have had him win at 30, lose at 31 and win 32 in his home state. I don’t like the fact that Bray looks like he is going to lose regardless.

SP: It looks like a slap in the face to the fans and Bray.

MCZX: What does The Undertaker has to prove anymore? Taker is my favorite wrestler of all time, but why does he need to win this match? Is it a respect thing? Taker needs to come back looking strong? The Undertaker has done everything! I don’t want Bray to lose two Wrestlemanias in a row. If he so he better be unbeatable after this one and have the same streak as The Undertaker. I’m going to pick Bray Wyatt because I want him to win the match simple as that. The New Face Of Fear prevails and Mania fans are shocked again!

Sting Vs Triple H

MCZX: THIS IS EASY FOR ME TO PREDICT! I JUST HAVE A REALLY GOOD FEELING ABOUT THIS MATCH! I KINDA KNOW! I’m just going to get my prediction out the way right now. Sting is winning this one. Sting cannot get brought in just for Triple H to beat him and become a pompous character!

SP: What does that do for Sting?! It’s his Debut match!

MCZX: Exactly! If that happens I’m going to be legit shocked. If Sting is going to lose it will have to be because Triple H cheated. I mean Montreal Screwjob Cheated! I think that’s not going to happen. They wouldn’t disrespect Sting like that. Sting is probably going to have one of the most badass entrances of all time. Triple H will probably have one too! I hope it is a great match, hopefully a classic. Sting has to win!

SP: Game Over! Sting! I gotta say one thing The Vigilante Sting is like Batman to me

MCZX: This is new.

SP: And you got the Cerebral Assassin Triple H, he is like the Joker….I don’t know if I could compare the two he is like a joker to me….noooo

MCZX: No you have went down this road continue.

SP: Just look at Triple H, he wants to do everything his power, abuse his power to put Sting down. People like Ric Flair & Booker T warned Triple H about Sting because Triple H has no idea what he’s getting into if he steps in the ring with The Vigilante, Sting.

MCZX: The Icon…whatever WWE. He’s the Icon, The man called Sting- Whatever

SP: I know this is a new swerve I put on it, but yeah.

MCZX: Batman Vs The Joker. I think you have it reversed….It is just a weird thing. You know what fine. I don’t know why you said that, but that’s going on the blog now. Such a weird analogy.

SP: Let’s just get to the final part.

MCZX: Please you are confusing me now.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Brock Lesnar (c) (with Paul Heyman) Vs Roman Reigns

MCZX: Honestly, I have no idea where this match is going. I don’t know. I really don’t know what is going to happen tonight. This is the first time I’ve really been unsure of where this is going. At first, I kinda knew Roman Reigns was going to win because Brock Lesnar did not resign with WWE at the time. He could have went back to the UFC. About a week ago…don’t do the dance. A week passes by and Brock resigns with the WWE getting 3 million dollars for 3 years I believe. Now the future is uncertain because now we don’t know how this match is going to go down. Is this match going to be Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania 20?

SP: EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

MCZX: Yes…I know such an awful match! Will this match be a fight like the UFC? Will Heyman turn on Lesnar? Will Roman Reigns walk out with the belt? Will Lesnar retain and we now don’t have a champion on TV, but on PPVs? I just don’t know. Shino what are your thoughts?

SP: I was going to give it to Reigns. In my mind, I say Reigns has no idea what he is getting into. Look at The Rock, he got his ass kicked by Brock Lesnar and sent to Hollywood. Last year, he ended the streak. SummerSlam, he defeated John Cena. EAT. SLEEP. SUPLEX. REPEAT. SUPLEX. REPEAT. SUPLEX. REPEAT. WHAT’s that other word? SUPLEX. REPEAT. He put John Cena out of the main title picture. At the Royal Rumble, he defeated Rollins & Cena with a broken rib! Now that is a beast! A pure monster!

MCZX: If you expect me to think Lesnar is going to lose to a little spear after everything he went through with John Cena & Seth Rollins, you are insane. I’m not buying it. After he got AA’d like 4 times in that match plus a curb stomp and going through a table. You’re telling me a superman punch and a spear is going to take down the beast? Are you crazy? It’s not possible.

SP: Roman Reigns is going to have do something we have never seen before to weaken the beast.

MCZX: It would have to be something out of this world for him to win. The superman punch would have to be with brass knuckles or a chain or something. I also don’t see how Paul Heyman could turn on Brock Lesnar to cause him the match. What is Paul going to do a low blow? Everything Paul has said about his beast will be null invoid and it makes no sense for him to turn on Brock Lesnar. If Roman Reigns beats Brock Lesnar, it is because he won! Roman would have to win clean.

SP: If either one of them wins, I still have hope for Rollins! Let’s say Randy Orton beats Seth Rollins and the only way to redeem himself would be cashing in on Roman or Brock.

MCZX: If Rollins is going to cash in, it would make Rollins the biggest heel in the company. You just stole Brock or Roman’s shining moment away from him. It would have been perfect if Daniel Bryan was in Roman Reigns’ place. If Bryan would have beaten Lesnar and the Yes moment happens again that is how I would ruin it. Curb stomp to the repaired neck and leave the stadium with the belt. I feel with Reigns if Rollins would come down he would get a Superman Punch or a Spear. We have seen it on Raw so it wouldn’t make sense. If it was with Lesnar he would meet a F5 or an elbow!

SP: Or the Authority comes down and jumps Reigns!

MCZX: Possible. Well it is time to end this once and for all who do you have winning this match? Keep it short and sweet because we have already went over why.

SP: Brock Lesnar. The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar!

MCZX: I am also going to go with Brock Lesnar as well! That is Wrestlemania 31! What happens the Raw after?! I’m not going to even say anything

SP & MCZX: You’ll just have to wait and see!

MCZX: I’m Zero  X

SP: I’m Shino Phoenix

MCZX: Signing off. Till next time! Peace!

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There you have it! Our predictions! I hope you enjoyed that! I hope you enjoy Wrestlemania 31!!!!!! THIS IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!!! SEE YA!!!

-MCZX 

The Photo

Hey everyone! I wrote this story today. I don’t know why my imagination took me to this place, but here you go. It is one of my shorter stories out of the few I posted on here. I guess I wanted a story where the characters weren’t really set or the time or place. This is all up to the reader!  March’s story of the month! I call it The Photo. I hope you all enjoy!

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The Photo

10 years ago, I took pictures with a friend in a photo booth. It was simpler times back then. We were teenagers and didn’t have much to worry about besides high school. Simpler times.  We made a pact that no matter what could happen in the future we would keep a copy of these pictures with us.
We had a strange bond.

I don’t know why we were friends, but looking back I know why. You and I were very different from each other. I was a type a while you were a type b. You were more confrontational than I was. I was passive and handled things silently while you were aggressive and loud about everything. We were opposites of each other, and that’s why we worked. We were strange friends who could always find a middle ground.
We were the type of friends who had trouble explaining to our other friends why we were friends. We were the type of friends who could have built an empire together. We were secretly each others heroes. We were each other’s unexplainables. We were close friends who thought each other was the weird one. Close friends… Deep down, we both wanted to be like each other even just for a moment. Opposites attract right? As weird as this sounds I thought we would never grow apart despite our differences. We conquered high school together, freshman, and sophomore year of college too.

Life had other plans for us.

You grew distant around junior year of college. We stopped hanging out, but kept in touch with social media and a text here and there.
I tried to be you once and I failed miserably. I remember seeing you around at a party and I decided I should let you know about yourself for not making me aware of your presence. I did something completely out of my character.
I confronted you. I decided that I should be aggressive, brash, loud for everyone to hear. You just looked at me and smirked. You knew it I couldn’t pull it off. So in response, you tried to be me. You failed too and this made it more hilarious. You did what I normally would do when anyone would come at me like you do. You dissolved the situation in a quiet tone, being overly agreeable whenever I said something that you shouldn’t agree with and shooting passive, yet clever digs at me.  After that exchange, we both looked at each other laughed about it saying “what are we doing?!” I wondered if both of us still had our photos from the photo booth so I asked and to my surprise my friend had their copies still. So did I.
The bond still existed even if we grew a bit distant. I know it was strangest way to break the tension back then, but hey that was us.
It was just like old times again. We hung out more after that. The strange friends conquering a night, shutting down the town, and taking back the night like we did in the past.

Till senior year came by.

We both stopped talking to each other completely. No social media, no phone, nothing. I don’t know what this bond was now. I kept my copy of the photos from the photo booth. Who knows what my friend may have done with theirs. My rationalization was we were focused on finishing up in college. It was crunch time so we had to finish on top. We would finish and reunite at the graduation I would hope. Did that happen? Nope. We had to at least speak at the graduation. Did that happen? Nope. Matter of fact we didn’t even see each other. We may of had differences, but you just don’t do that. “To hell with this bond” I said ” I don’t need any friends like this”.
You see when you spend that much time with someone and they just disappear with no intent to tell you why they are leaving, it hurts. Those people hold a special spot in your heart whether you like it or not. I looked at the pictures one last time and put them in a box on graduation night.

I never looked back at them until today.

It has been 10 years since I have seen or heard from my strange friend. I have been doing pretty well for myself. I have a wonderful family, beautiful companion, stellar kids, awesome friends and a great job. Life has been great and I can’t complain.

I turned on the news today and there was a confusing report about a crime that happened in my area.
The area I stay in is relatively quiet and secure so crime doesn’t happen a lot around here. Murder though? That was extreme.

What I heard from the reporter sickened me to my stomach
The police could not determine if this was a murder or a suicide. Apparently the victim was tortured to death or did this to themselves. When the person was found, The victim had the words S O R R Y carved into their forehead before and a photo left in their right hand
The press describe the photo as two friends in a photo booth eerily similar to the photograph I’m looking at now.

 

I Can’t Understand What My Husband is Saying Review

Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken

ALSO KNOWN AS

I Can’t Understand What My Husband is Saying.

 STOP! You just got married to someone who is the polar opposite of you in such a way that you question why you are together in the first place! WHAT DO YOU DO!? TELL ME! “YOU….well….umm….you get a divorce right because love is dead?”

NO! NO NO TRY AGAIN!

“You say screw it, I effed up and I can’t turn back now?”

NO! ONE MORE SHOT!

“You ride it out?” YES!!!! YOU RIDE THAT SUCKER AND LEARN ABOUT EACH OTHER. YEAH IT IS AN ODD PAIRING, BUT DAMN IT THE RELATIONSHIP WORKS AND YOU LOVE IT!!!

“Can I go now sir, you are scaring me?”

YEAH get out of here kid go enjoy being a teen or something.

I Can’t Understand What My Husband is Saying is my future life.

I feel as if my future wife would not have any idea to my witty references towards anime, pro wrestling, video games or music and I may not have a clue to her normal life references. We are an odd couple, but we get each other. This is the most important part. You see if you can’t tell I am a blerd if you didn’t know, borderline otaku to some. If you don’t know what a blerd is…well look it up. Do the same for Otaku. If you are too lazy to that, this means the “popular women” wouldn’t come near me for the love game. I would be type casted as that friend who has good advice, but is troubled or something. However if a gorgeous well liked dimepiece (and her parents) were cool with me asking her hand in marriage…well I win lol. When I watched this anime, it felt like I was looking into the future of what could be. Enough of “ME” talk. Let’s get a couple things clear. This show is three minutes long. It is a short form style of anime. Most of these shows run from fifteen minutes to five. Three minutes isn’t unusual, but it definitely gets the job done in this series. Second thing to know this show is this show is a slice of life/comedy. This means it follows daily life, no dragons or mythical creatures or battles here. Finally, it is awesome.

Let’s dive into I Can’t Understand What My Husband is Saying.

Story: 9/10
The story follows the daily lives our two main protagonists, Hajime and Kaoru Tsunashi. These two are newlyweds and basically are going through life together. Even if they don’t really get each other. The following internal dialogue from Kaoru pretty much sets up the mood of the entire show.

Kaoru: I wonder why we got married, Was it because we’re able to understand each other’s shortcomings? Or was it because there’s no gap between our ideals and reality? Maybe we can come to love these faults. Nothing special has happened so far, yet I’m somehow happy.

This dialogue speaks volumes doesn’t it? It is so beautiful yet vulnerable at the same time. The unsureness of being in love with someone you never expected is glorious. This unsureness also invites and accepts the crazy hijinks that comes down the road. TRUST ME there are some really messed up shenanigans that come in the 13 episodes. I simply love it. *coughs* I just used that word….oh my heavens. What matters is the relationship between Hajime & Kaoru is understood between them and the rest of the world doesn’t need to know why. Granted there isn’t much objection of the two being together in the anime.

I’ll tell you this in thirteen episodes this anime tells a better story than most twenty-four episode shows. I cannot spoil exactly what that is, but it will make sense once you watch it. Do not think it is just a short form comedy show, there is a story of newlyweds being told leading to a great setup up for the second season. It even pokes fun at itself in the final episode as if this show was never going to have a second season! HAHA! 

Animation: 8.5/10
The animation in this show was handled by DAX Productions, Seven & Dream Creations. DAX Productions is a familiar group because they also worked on the last show I reviewed Amagi Brilliant Park. The shows animation varies from time to time. There are times where the animation is paying tribute to another show by imitating the art or having one of the characters do signature movement from another show. One moment that stood out to me was the nod to Neon Genesis Evangelion. Congratulations is all I have to say lol. Overall, I loved all the nods to different shows and the general art.

Characters: 9.5/10

Main Characters
Kaoru Tsunashi – Kaoru is Hajime’s wife. Her last name before marriage was Samura Kaoru is a hardworker and a hard drinker haha. She works at an office which basically a normal nine to five. She is a blonde, but that doesn’t mean she is stupid. She tries to understand her husband and I think deep down she knows exactly what to do to make her husband do what she wants. Hey isn’t that all women who know their man? I kid, I kid not. One instance of this was when Kaoru got Hajime to go to the movies. I won’t ruin that for you haha. Kaoru is awesome and hilarious. One cool lady for one weird fellow!

Hajime Tsunashi – Hajime is the otaku husband of Kaoru. If you don’t know what an otaku is by now, let me spell it out for you. THIS IS A PERSON WITH OBSESSIVE INTEREST IN SOMETHING. NOW, Hajime is a big otaku for anime, manga and video games. So he references plenty of different animes that may have went under my radar. I know for sure he referenced Evangelion when he said “If it’s a boy Shinji, If it’s a girl, Rei”. Hahahahah! Hajime is definitely me in a way lol. Both Kaoru & Hajime are my favorites. He is THE definition of the COOL otaku in an anime. He isn’t so over the top with the references that he is annoying, but he is subtle enough with his one liners that you’ll grow to love him. A strange guy with a bombshell wife!

Supporting Characters
Tadashi – He is Kaoru’s uncle. I mistakenly thought he was Kaoru’s father by how overprotective he was over Kaoru. I would say he may be the only small objection to the two being together. His scenes are hilarious and remind me that every uncle is protective over his niece. ESPECIALLY if he took part in raising his niece!

Miki – DESTINY F*CKER! This is one of the few friends of Hajime. I assume they are friends because Hajime met him online in a forum or something. Actually, to quote Hajime “he is more of a sacrifice”. Let’s call him a friendacrifice. This will make sense once you know why…please watch the show!

Youta Tsunashi – This fellow is Hajime’s little brother. His very effeminate little brother who is in college, but looks like he is in grade school. He has all the qualities of a girl and I thought it was his little sister. I though the He was a typo for a while lol. He definitely gets all of Hajime’s references because well he grew up with them. He also writes yaoi or stories of love between two boy characters. He releases them on the internet as Mayotama.

Rino Juse – This is one of Kaoru’s friends. She looks like a kid, but she is a grown up. That’s about all I can say about her.

Soundtrack: 10/10
There is no opening theme, but the closing theme to this show is infectious. I dare you to try and skip that song. The ending theme is called “Iikagen ni Shite, Anata” sung by Kaoru & Hajime. That’s right baller ass couple shit right there. GET ON THERE LEVEL!!! They are the stars and they sing the ending theme song! The song is 30 seconds long for the show and about 3 minutes and 21 seconds for the full deal. The 30 seconds are all you need to love this song. I believe the translation is “In Sloppy, You” or something like that. Now excuse me while I listen to the full version and jam!

Additional Mentions
I CANNOT WAIT FOR SEASON TWO!!! SHOUTOUT TO KAITOU FOR FAN SUBBING THE SHOW!!!

Conclusion
I Can’t Understand What My Husband is Saying is one of the best short form slice of life comedies I have seen. It is mostly funny, sometimes dramatic, and maybe surprising at points ICUWMHIS has plenty of re-watch value! I’ve watched the show about three times now lol. If you have 43 minutes and 30 seconds, you can finish this entire anime in one day (I did the math for you). This anime really encapsulates the complexity of relationships people cannot understand. The nerd and the popular chick, the bad boy and the good girl, the football jock and the weird goth chick, the list of odd relationships people don’t understand go on and on. We may not understand those relationships, but the people involved in those do. I feel like this anime proves that. The hardworking cool woman is married to the weird otaku guy. Strange at first glance by some, but to them it is perfect harmony. I sure believe it is.

Rating Summary
Overall Rating: 9.25
Story: 9/10
Animation: 8.5/10
Characters: 9.5/10
Soundtrack: 10/10

Amagi Brilliant Park Review

THE ANIME REVIEWS HAVE BEGUN! I had to choose between to series to start today. It was either “I Got An Issue” or the anime reviews. I figured I should do the one that I was supposed to do since last month! These! I hope you enjoy this review of Amagi Brilliant Park. I must say it doesn’t look that bad for a first timer of reviews! Enjoy! 

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Amagi Brilliant Park

What happens when a sixteen year old genius is held hostage at gunpoint and must save a dying park by? You get hijinks is what. Welcome to Amagi Brilliant Park! A park where magic is real, mascots are really mascots and world’s collide. This is Amagi Brilliant Park. A 13 episodic comedy/magic show which debuted in October of last year. It is…strange how I came across this anime. I saw Kotaku doing a poll of the best animes of 2014 and the name just caught me. This show didn’t have many votes, but I decided learn more about it at myanimelist.net. The plot seemed hilarious out of context, but once you really look at the context the plot seems unbelievable. I will tell you this show is crazy. It did not disappoint. I enjoyed watching the show from start to finish. This anime has its moments, but it did leave some unanswered questions towards the end that made me mad. I’ll tell you now that this review is spoiler free. However, I am going to touch base on two particular unanswered questions in the show. It won’t ruin the story I promise. It is just something that really bothered me once it was over. So let’s talk a little bit about Amagi Brilliant Park.

Story: 7/10

As I said before, our main character, Seiya Kanie, is held at gun point by this mysterious girl named Isuzu Sento. He is asked on a date by Sento where he unwillingly accepts. I mean you would accept too if a gun is pointed at you and the shooter is very attractive. This brings us to the first time we see Amagi Brilliant Park and boy is it a dump! There is barely anyone in the park, the different parts of the park we are introduced to are shoddy and broken, AND it is right next to a sex or love hotel by accident which made me chuckle. After some jokes and gags, we meet the manager of the park named Latifa Fleuranza. She explains to Seiya that she is from a place called Maple Land and this park is full of magic. What is she some Queen? Oh my…it is Queen Latifa. Unfortunately, it is the worst park in Japan despite her being a queen. She tells Seiya that the park is in danger of shutting down. You see a group called Amagi development ran by the antagonist, Kurisu Takaya (say it fast because it sounds like another celebrity from America), wants the land. So instead of hiring someone with a business degree or bringing together a team to prevent this from happening…they enlist a 16 year old know it all. This makes sense in the world of Maple Land! To absolutely make sure Seiya can fix this problem, Latifa gives Seiya magic powers by kissing him. The power of mind reading! As if 16 year old needs to know that! This makes Seiya pass out and the hijinks begin. The story takes a wild twist once the stakes are revealed. Let’s just say those stakes make this story go from 0 to a nice 90 miles per hour IF you become attached to the characters. I remember scratching my head and just wondering why the stakes had to be so serious in such a funny show. It threw me off. Overall, the story told in 13 episodes work. I was expecting a better pay off from two things, but I guess that is in the Manga.

Animation: 8/10

The animation was done by Kyoto Animation. From what I saw the show was drawn and animated greatly. I don’t know a lot about art, but I can tell when a show looks crisps, sharp and pretty compared to a sloppy show. There were a couple of scenes that reused the same animations specifically the fight scenes between Moffle and Seiya. Besides that I enjoyed looking at this anime. Great stuff by KyoAni!

Characters 9/10

My favorite part has come! The characters! I must say, the characters of this anime were great for comedy. I couldn’t see these characters in the same light if this show was going to be a dramatic light comedy magic anime. I will say most of them are over the top.

So let’s start with our main characters.

Seiya Kanie – As I said before, Seiya is a sixteen year old narcissistic genius. He is a former child actor who used to go by the name Seiya Kodama. There isn’t much revealed about that which made me pretty mad. I would have loved to know why he stopped acting and went so far as changing his name. We get some excuse, but nothing that ever goes into depth. Anyways, Seiya can be a smartass you love to hate, but deep down he really cares for saving the park. It is for personal reasons? No. It is because he wants to be known as the guy who saved the park? No. From what I can understand he just wants to do it. I think deep down Seiya likes helping people out of impossible odds. Don’t doubt Seiya. He’ll prove you wrong or just read your mind to prove you wrong.

Isuzu Sento – The emotionless general, the stoic goddess, the gun toting tyrant, these are some of the names I gave Isuzu Sento. Sento is all of these things. If something doesn’t go right there will be a gun in someone’s face, if two people are fighting and won’t stop there will be two people shot, if a joke goes on too long someone is getting shot, etc. Basically if something goes wrong, you will be shot. Beneath that tough persona is girl who cares deeply about the park and will do anything to make sure it stays afloat. She struggles with her feelings towards certain people just like any 16 girl year old does and it is cute. It is funny how she reacts to people teasing her because of her emotions. Sento would probably shoot me for writing about that.

Kurisu Takaya – This is our bad guy. I didn’t really get much from him. Maybe because he doesn’t get a lot of screen time. There is another reason he wants the park so much, but we cannot get into that just watch the show. He is pretty generic to me. A generic villain with a funny name. Shame he wasn’t hilarious.

Latifa Fleuranza – Latifa is the princess of Maple Land and the manager of the park. She is very cheerful and optimistic. She dresses up in a white dress most of the time we see her. She looks like a child. Let’s just say that. She is very cute. She is always concerned about the park’s future and the staff. She is also a reason why the stakes in this show become extremely serious. Watch and see! We see her in the show probably seven times total and each time she impacts the story. I think she was a great base character to keep the show rolling instead of being an over the top princess with an over the top cast.

Supporting Cast

Moffle – Moffle is the fairy of candies. He inhabits “Moffle’s Sweet House”. He is a mouse with a hat, the leader and head mascot of the park. I mentioned before he and Seiya fight a lot and that’s because they don’t get along. Well eventually they do, but they don’t get along. It all stems from Seiya calling him a rip off of another mascot. Moffle hates being called a rip off. I thought Seiya was referencing Mickey Mouse when he said something along lines of “Mackey”. I was wrong. I did some research and found out he is a rip off of Bonta-Kun from “Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu”. Now excuse me while I guard against a barrage of punches.

Macaron – The fairy of music. He is founded at Macaron’s Music Theater. He has a short fuse just like me and will go find himself or inspiration when he is tired of music. Ok I tried to cover for him. I tried to cover for an anime character. He just doesn’t play the violin when he is inspired. He looks like a sheep and his best friend from my understanding is Tiramie.

Tiramie – My favorite supporting character! Every time Tiramie is on the screen I am laughing my ass off. He (despite having a very girly voice. I thought Tiramie was a girl) is the fairy of flowers. He can be found at Tiramy’s Flower Adventure. Picture a love boat ride for couples or lonely people who hate themselves…that is Tiramy’s flower adventure. He takes the form of a pink dog and he is extremely perverted. Tiramie is a professional when working, but off the clock Tiramie is basically Quagmire from Family Guy minus all the sleeping around. I don’t know if he does get laid, but he is on the prowl a lot. Tiramie said something so funny that I was crying. He referred to female masturbation as “itches the ditch” and I died laughing. It was the classiest moment of the show and I learned something LMFAO! Tiramie is the best supporting character when it comes to jokes!

The Elementario Fairies – These fairies had an entire episode dedicated to them so I had to include them. If you could not tell by the name, these fairies represent the four elements. They can be found at Elementario! You have Muse who is the leader of the group. She controls the fairy of water and she works very hard to make her group awesome. Then you have Salama the fairy of fire who is very lazy. Kobori, the fairy of earth who is stoic and likes peace. Finally we have Sylphy who is the fairy of wind who is extremely dumb. No let’s say expressive. She puts a new spin on the word airhead (rimshot). Despite this, she is the most balanced out of the three. She doesn’t have a con unless being too expressive is a con. The Elementario fairies are great for the show. They didn’t grow on me, but I enjoyed their screen time.

Soundtrack: 7/10

I don’t have much to say here. The opening song “Extra Magic Hour” by Akino with bless4 will get stuck in your head if you listen to it enough. I would not allow that to happen because of one small issue I had with the song. The claps in the song. There is only one when I expect two on the two beat. I don’t know why that specific gripe elicit that reaction, but I didn’t like it. The ending theme song “Let’s Go to Elementario!” by Brilliant 4 didn’t do it for me. It wasn’t a bad song, but it wasn’t a song I would sit through to get to the previews. I just skipped it. The soundtrack you hear throughout the show was very fitting.

Additional Mentions

Stick around for the previews of each episode. Those segments are called Show and Tell and they showcase a piece of the park. The delivery alone makes the segment worthwhile.

I kept calling the show Amagiri for some reason. I don’t know why I kept doing that.

I have to address the three things that never really get answered in the show. One is the love arc they started. I won’t spoil who, but it will be obvious if you have been paying attention. Two characters grow fond of each other. It is more obvious on one character’ end than the other, but the show never really resolves that. It just ends with “hey…that’s it…you know what they feel!” I just felt like that was cheap way to resolve that.

Two, there isn’t much backstory on why Seiya stopped acting. There was no mention of a moment or a flashback where Seiya wanted to stop acting as a child. I wish the show would have picked up on that

And finally three, the missed opportunity of Seiya’s magic power. Sure he uses it when he needs it, but the show’s writers could have included some funnier moments where Seiya abuses that power. I thought that could have been great with the type of person Seiya is. It just bummed me out we don’t see much of it.

Conclusion: 8.1.

Amagi Brilliant Park is very fun show with a decent story and great cast of characters. The soundtrack is nice even if I don’t care that much for the ending song. The art and animation is done extremely well by Kyoto Animation. Shoutout to Vivid fan subs for doing a great job translating and subbing the show. They are a great group who do quality work.

I think teenagers and young adults would like this show. It felt like that was the demographic. This show doesn’t think its viewers are stupid or treats them like they are dumb.

I would recommend this anime to anyone who wants to watch something quick and funny. It is 13 episodes! You have four hours to watch the show in its entirety. Don’t expect a super heavy show here. It is going to make you laugh and maybe tear up once at the most. There are a couple of loose ends that don’t get tightened up, but besides that the show is a fun one. It was one of the funnier shows of 2014 next to Kill La Kill. Give it a shot you might like Amagi Brilliant Park.

Rating Summary

Overall Rating 8.1/10

Story 7/10

Animation 8/10

Characters 9/10

Soundtrack 7/10

Till next review. I am MC Zero  X! Peace!