Final Franchise Addition: Armored Core

One of the most underrated games of all time, Armored Core, is a Robot/Mecha/Shooter game developed originally for the Playstation that also adapted over to the Playstation 2. Upon release for the playstation in the 90's, Armored Core was a huge hit and was a success as a video game. However, only a small (core) fanbase existed. For some reason, after the sales of the sequel Armored Core: Project Phantasma (FREAKING HARD TO BEAT) the game sold well, however not in the popularity it once did when the original game was sold.

Gameplay is solid, and the story goes that you are a Raven, a mercenary for hire. In all of the games, missions were available to advance your mecha and to gain currency (credits). Literally hundreds of parts were available in the first Armored Core game, and then as more of the games came out, thousands of parts can be selected to fully customize your mecha. Paint, Shoulder Emblems and Optional Parts (enhancements) all made the game more detailed. You could have a 4 legged robot with better speed, but less traction and booster power of a 2 legged model.

With the introduction of Armored Core: Project Phantasma you could now fight arena opponents and either earn parts or credits for the defeat. Be warned however, that most of the higher ranking Ravens (B+) (or in some games, the top 15) are extremely skilled with their AI. How you beat them is up to you. You not only need good skill as a gamer to beat them; you will need the right robot.

As the series transfered over the Playstation 2, graphics got a huge boost as well as modifications to the new "Core" games. You could now fight 2player vs. 2 player with a multi tap, in Armored Core 3 you could hire NPC (non player character) mercenaries to assist you, and of course with each game, more missions, levels, harder difficulties both in multiplayer (versus mode) and single player mode (normal game). You can find the games cheap now a days, and if you have the time to want to customize a mech and have fun with the game, I will gurantee that Armored Core offers a ton of solid game time that is well worth the price paid for the game.

Maintinence and Refurbishing: Firebird Line

I am currently in the process of refurbishing, repainting and re-oiling both "Firebird" and "Return of Firebird" (aka Firebird I and Firebird II) in preperations for the construction of "Revenge of Firebird", or Firebird III. Our Engineering stuff was just offloaded and the Tech Ed department is LOVING it. I expect by next wednesday we will be placing orders for our C02 cars, and begin construction immediatly.


I went over the plans last night and (of course) found Firebird III to be illegal at phase 3 of its design. What I did to improve the car (and make it legal!)

-Extended Body Bottom to fix the height to match legal standards
-Moved front axel ever so slightly down so we don't have wheel imbalance.
-Extended the nose to proportionally fit the new extended bottom
-Extra Space for Wheels. Even with spacing 5-6mm exist of wood for impact shock.

All of these things improve the car at the SLIGHT cost to maneuverability and aerodynamics. In short, if the car is constructed correctly, we will have one kick arse machine to beat. My goal and intentions, this year is to go directly after my teacher, who has had 20 years or so experience doing this. I looked at some of the other blueprints in the classroom, and so far I do not see anything that will be aerodynamically significant on the racetrack. It's my belief that my car will not only win the class competition, but I will also tie or beat the teacher. Time to get working.

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni: Season Compilation

This post is an entire compilation of the fansubbed Higurashi no Naku Koro ni anime. I have embedded the YouTube files, where you can find a lot of other anime titles as well. I will check often to make sure that these embedded links are still alive, and if they go down please report them to me at jadefalcon0@hotmail.com and I will get right on redirecting the HTML. I have split the story arcs and the episodes into seperate sections. It is recommended that you do not skip sections. Creators! If you have licensed this anime and I have not removed it from the website (and Youtube still hosts) contact me immediatly at the above email address and the archive of episodes will be removed upon request. Enjoy!

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Anime: Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni
Opening Song: Higurashi no Naku koro Ni: by Eiko Simimiya
TV Rating: Pending (TV-MA)
Episodes: 26
Compilation contains: 26 episodes
Details: Fansubs (English) in original Japanese language. Enjoy!
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Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni has been removed from YouTube. I can only assume it got too violent, or it has been liscensed. Sorry Folks.

Anime Review: Excel Saga

GWNETOHH Rating Status: Masterpiece, a MUST see
TV Rating: TV MA
Contains: Violence, Blood, Gore, Suggestive Themes, Sexual References, Insanity
Episode 26: Contains Violence, Blood, Gore, Suggestive Themes, Sexual References, Sexual Practices, Sexual Themes and Insanity

Where to even begin with this Anime. The story is about an organization called ACROSS, whose ultimate goal is to conquer the world, but first they will conquer F City F Prefecture. Agent Excel is the only member of across in the beginning until Agent Hyatt is rescued from the puchuu. Excel Saga in itself, is a masterpiece. There are gags about Western Culture (to name one, Jaws) as well as Eastern Culture (magazine salesman in Japan who blabber so fast trying to sell you something) that offers a perfect blend that most audiences will understand.

If you are looking to get into Excel Saga, prepare for the insanity of this anime. It not only has different plot twists going anywhere from time to time, but it turns out the main villain of the anime is a one time stand alone character from episode 8. Each episode either makes fun of another genre of anime (Examples: Gundam, Big Head Sports Anime, Sci-Fi [star wars], Dating Sim, Horror, Episode with all Gags removed, DragonBall Z spoofs, Daitzen Team/Power Rangers spoofs). The story is insanity, nearly every moment is insanity, and it really is a lot to take in in a short amount of time. You will find often that there are multiple dialogues going on at the same time and it can be hard to understand what everyone is saying or doing.

I declare the Anime a Masterpiece because of its insanity to stretch FAR beyond the envelope, but also because of the incorporation of the Author (Rikdo) and the Director (Nabeshin). They also throw in gags about the industry as a whole (Manga not selling, constant disputes between Rikdo and Nabeshin) and from the very first second of Excel Saga, you will see an early gag of this. The title mentions Excel Saga is a "Quack Experimental Anime" and this isn't far from the truth. I would recommend viewing this anime after a long time of watching, and if you are completely new to anime, avoid this one at all costs so you will not stereotype anime (and you may have no idea what is going on). Anime Fans that know moderate to deep culture references in both the Eastern and Western side of the world will enjoy Excel Saga. Perfect anime and after a few episodes, I cried when I laughed because it actually hurt to laugh.

Trivia:
-Excel Excel is Excel's Full Name.
-Agent "Hyatt" is named after the hotel chain in Japan.
-The Daitzen Team is the original Power Rangers brought over to USA by Bandai.
-Episode 26 was considered too "inappropriate" to be aired by Japanese Broadcasts, so only episodes 1-25 were aired late at night.
-Agent Hyatt is played by the voice actor who also voices "Haruka Shitow" in Rahxephon.
-Excel, from episodes 1-14 is played by the voice actor who sounds awfully a lot like Asuka Langley Soryu from "Neon Genesis Evangelion".
-Lord Ilpalazzo sounds a lot like the voice actor who did the voice for "Maxamillion Pegasus" in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist Kingdom.

Models That Never Made It

Im sitting here at my desk now, with my Engineering Class delayed due to classroom construction, as to what my next model will be after the finishing touches to the 1/100 HG Legend Gundam.

Which brings me to note, that I have a few models laying around, some I have not completed, some I havn't even started on (USS Constitution) and some I don't really want to work on or screwed up due to s0me other circumstance. I have no idea as to which one I want to finish up first.

My mind is telling me since I have further paint knowledge, and further sanding and finishing knowledge, to go ahead and complete my F-14 D Tomcat Model. When I left it off last, I messed up on the paint and did some irregular sanding (due to the complexity of the kit it isn't the best airplane model kit I have seen). Now that I have further sanding knowledge, and a new masking tape to try, I will go ahead and give this one a shot and finish her up. Im not too excited about it, however I will give it a try since I *am* bored out of my mind.

Addition: 1045 Carbon Steel Masahiro Bamboo Katana

I just received this in the mail and I am absolutely floored with the quality of the piece. Ill upload some pictures here and caption. The sword is beautiful, and upon immediate inspection the blade was not only intact, but strong inside the hilt, and above all- a mirror polish and a perfect blade (no pits etc).
Blade from an angle view, on its mount and in the sheath. How could this be a better picture, with the kit in the background, the sword bag, the sword itself, AND a Samurai X wallscroll in the background? Perfect.

Another view from the other side of the scabbard. The Sword cleaning kit is clearly visible and the scabbard came in 99% perfect condition (one small scuff that I don't really care about, the scuff is about 3mm by 4mm and it really isn’t that big of a deal, the sword is still BEAUTIFUL. I looked at the scuff further, and it is not subcutaneous [meaning it can be wiped off].)
Unsheathed the Sword at the Tsuka. I was really impressed with the collar (the bronze thingy) and how easily it fit into the Saya (scabbard, sheath) yet it was snug. I am glad to say the interior of the saya is all wood, unlike my 440 stainless that have protective plastic on the inside (thus the plastic would be cut off the interior and I would have to clean the 440 stainless). This Bamboo Katana is 1045 Carbonized Steel, and must be cleaned every good 2-3 months of its lifetime (hopefully a long time). I was very impressed with the fit into the hand (a lot tighter and firmer) than my 440 stainless swords, and the rayskin was on there TIGHT just like I like it. The traditional single peg Meguki (the thing holding the tang in) is clearly present; I can't find it on my 440 stainless katana.

Just a main shot of the katana on top of my Dresser. The stand is to a piano black finish, as well as the scabbard. Top quality. With swords like these, the money you pay for them is exactly what you are getting.

The beauty to this blade, besides the mirror shine, the kissaki (or point for better loss of words). On the stainless steel blades we have a flat kissaki, because they are just for that; display purposes. This Bamboo Katana is no display sword, it is a weapon.

Your seller here is Loominosity, who on Ebay I think deals exclusively with Swords of Eastern Asian Origin. As soon as I can contact my father I will be writing positive feedback for him, because the quality of this sword is second to none and I cannot find anything wrong with the sword. It will be taken very good care of and admired as an heirloom for the future. You can visit his store at The Steel Chrysanthemum and shop around there. He has your functional katanas as well as your "out of the ordinary" swords such as Final Fantasy Swords or your fictional "Sakabato" popularized in the Anime Rurouni Kenshin. (As a note, the reason Sakabatos are made of 440 stainless is because a real carbonized one is near impossible to make and polish. Think a katana backwards).

I will tell you that his business has been very much appreciated, and the product is absolutely adored. I am new to buying swords from Ebay, and with the proper searching I found Loominosity to be an honest, upstanding Ebay seller who is selling quality Katana far below what they are worth at great prices. I now have high, set standards and will expect the best from him in the future (I will be buying from him again, duh!). The Sword is phenomenal, his service is phenomenal, and I will tell you it was AGONIZING waiting for the sword, but having it now it was so worth it. I recommend him as a good seller; if the sword does become lost you are covered. Thanks Loominosity! I am enjoying the new Katana.

-XYZPDQ (Rob)

Model Complete: 1/100 HG Legend Gundam

The model is finally complete! There are a few touch up spots to go over and a few parts to add and paint (sabers, etc) but the kit looks awesome on my desk. Will update with pics once my camera is back and working (dead batteries).

Unit Cost: $41.99
Paint Cost: $34.95
Other Costs: $5.00

Total Project Cost:
$81.94 USD
9,647(¥)
55.11₤ GBP
64.69 Euros

Atlantis Launch Sucessful

The Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off today with brilliant success. The shuttle has been plagued for the past week due to launch problems, most recently due to a fuel cell problem. The shuttle lifted off with no problems and is now currently in orbit with the earth, en route to the International Space Station (I forget, whether to undergo repairs on the station or build more of it).

Complete: 1/100 HG Legend Gundam ASSEMBLY 1

Lower Torso, Upper Torso and Head are complete today. I need to run out and get a little more paint to spray over the sabers (doh I forgot the backside needed paint!) and I need to paint the rest of the gray colored pieces black. Until then I am assembling what I can of the model. Here are some pics so far.

On the Finishing Table: 1/100 HG Legend Gundam ASSEMBLY

!

Im happy to say that the Legend Gundam is coming around the 3/4 lap there on the raceway. Final Paint is being applied to parts that I was not happy with, and I have begun the inking process on panel lines and so forth. The issue is, not overdoing the inking, but doing enough of it. Top coat was sprayed onto the tree pieces to protect the paint during assembly. I should have pictures of the completed model by next weekend at the latest, by the earliest, Monday or Tuesday.

Even More CO2 Racecar Shennanigans!

Sorry folks the scanner is broken at the moment. Here are my plans for Firebird III, the third Firebird in my Firebird series. This design will TOTALLY kick booty on raceday. Let's see if this can beat the teacher (master) or get close.....

The problem with the project is, that the car is made out of a very light and fragile wood called Balsa Wood. It flexes easy, is easy to handle and work with, but it will break with a small flick of the wrist. If the car is not engineered properly, the axel will be coming out of the hole and the tires flying off in different directions on the race track. Other than an outline of my plan, I will not release any further details to the car until the end of races.

The car was designed in mind to lowly ride the air column, and have those exra air pockets large enough to help propel the craft forward. Since this car is not powered by an engine, but a co2 canister, we can consider this a Land Assault Vehicle, basically a rocket car strapped with a huge tank. As such, the aerodynamics should be treated like one. Let's see if my design can piece the air and rival that of a Master....
Note: At the time of this posting, Firebird III is in "Phase 3" of development.

More CO2 Racecar Shennanigans!

I am once again making another C02 racecar for Engineering II. This time the car is made out of balsa wood, so weight really will not matter. The rules remain the same, except the difficulty level is notched up a bit. You see, we have to make the car correctly so that we minimize the chance of the car breaking. If the car goes TOO FAST for its own good, the axel will split the very sensitive balsa wood and we will have a no-go. Design, Enginuity and Skill. What will I cook up next? once I get my scanner working I will load up my design plans.

To learn more about the actual national competition, head on over to http://www.science-of-speed.com/ and remember, I am not entering this into the competition persay, rather I am trying to beat my teacher, who happens to have been doing this for a while!

Anime Spotlight: Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni

You will stay in Hinamizawa and like it here. If you do not, may the curse of Oyashiro-sama bestow his WRATH upon you....



Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni, or "When the Cicadas Cry" (roughly) is a horror genre Anime that has many plot twists and double meanings in this killer lolis thriller. This anime was created this year in June 2006, and is currently under the anime radar because it is so brand new, and is not liscenced. (As a quick note, the fansubs for the anime are legal UNTIL licensing is available.) I believe that this will quickly become a very favorite anime, heck I have seen it probably before a lot of Japanese Anime fans have and I LOVE IT.

The story goes that Maebara Keiichi (did my best to spell the name right!) has just recently moved to Hinamizawa. He has met many friends since arriving here and has recently joined a club at his local school. However as time progresses, Keiichi [Kay-eeechi] realizes that his new friends are NOT who they imply to be. Apparantly, fights happened years before with the manager of a Dam Construction project, which was going to put the town underwater (the town is situated in a rural valley.) The Manager was dismembered and killed, and the local townsfolk blamed it on the curse of Oyashiro-sama. Every year on the night of Watanagashi, 2 people from the village are "spirited" or "demoned" away as sacrifices, and two more will be killed to quell the wrath of Oyashiro-sama. Who are Keiichis friends really? Does the curse of Oyashiro-sama really exist? do YOU believe it exists? What is the story behind the murders and missing townspeople? Check out Youtube.com to see the fansubs to about episode 21 of 26. Remember, once the anime is liscensed and widely distributed, your gonna have to ditch the fansubs if Youtube hasn't already. Thanks and enjoy one of the best animes I have ever seen.

FINAL WARNING.
The anime "Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni" is extremely violent and goes into a lot of detail with things including body dismemberment, blood, stabbing, and torture. I would definatly NOT recommend this anime if you do not have the stomach for it. Look past this anime right here, right now at this point if you do not want to get seriously scared or grossed out. You have been WARNED. I only write so many things in Red.