Some updates as to what's going on lately

So we are only 2 weeks away from the return of the Nerd Fortress podcast as well as the 20th anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise. It's very hard to believe that it's been 20 years since the Power Rangers franchise began with the premiere episode "Day of The Dumpster". And as far as I know, Nickelodeon isn't going to do anything special for the 20th anniversary which continues to show how much they care about the franchise. As far as the podcast goes, we have been able to snag somebody for a guest appearance which is better than not having anybody as a guest at all.

I know that I've been neglecting this blog for a while, but that doesn't mean I'm going to quit posting on it completely though! I've been so preoccupied with other things and didn't really feel that there was much to post about in my opinion. I would have posted about the newest thing in the AKB48 fandom causing an absolute uproar but felt that it was better to just do a post about it on my twitter.

I'm not going to go over it in full detail, but you can find out about it here and judge for yourselves!

Mayu Watanabe from AKB48 gets kicked in the head on Japanese variety TV show

And I've been trying to catch up on the new Garo series as well as Kamen Rider Wizard and Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger before I start watching the latest entry in the long running Ultraman franchise, Ultraman Ginga. And Kamen Rider Wizard has 3 episodes left before it's big finale. This is also the first time that an entry in the Neo Heisei Era of the Kamen Rider franchise where there was 51 episodes. This hasn't happened since Kamen Rider Black, the 8th entry in the Kamen Rider franchise which aired from October 4, of 1987 to October 9, of 1988.

Anyways, I'm not sure about how we are going to be releasing the premiere episode of the podcast, but Devin and myself will figure that out once we get around to it. I'm also going to be setting up an email address for the podcast for people to get in contact with us and give us fan feedback. The big show is only 2 weeks away from now! And I'm not going to be sharing anymore details than that. So that's what's been going on lately and why I haven't updated the blog in a while. See you guys in the next 2 weeks!

My thoughts on the premiere of "AKB0048"

I just recently got finished watching the debut of the anime based on the very popular J-Pop idol group AKB48 called "AKB0048"! And to be quite honest, it is very different from your usual anime that you find watching nowadays. Like I said on the last episode of The Nerd Fortress Podcast before the hiatus, I have no idea what is is about stories with a post apocalyptic future with an oppressive government that feels like that they have to have control of everything or vice versa, but it just absolutely fascinates me!

AKB0048 tells the story of 4 teens who decide to audition to become members of the fictional group AKB0048 that are the successors to the real life popular Japanese Pop idol group AKB48  in a dystopian future where music is deemed illegal after an interplanetary war broke out where the Earth's ecosystem was damaged, and humanity was forced to flee the planet.

Not only does AKB0048 perform free concerts, they also take up arms to defend not only their careers, but their fans as well from the illegal ban on art and entertainment which also labels the idols as terrorists! And did I forget to mention that there are giant mechas in this anime also? 

Unfortunately, the only way for you to experience the anime for yourself is to download the first episode at http://evetaku.com/blog/2012/04/akb0048-episode-01-released/ since the Youtube video I previously had posted has been taken down because of a copyright claim!

Also, some of the members of AKB48 like Sumire Sato, Mayu Watanabe, and Amina Sato voice the 77th generation trainees of AKB0048 while popular voice actresses such as Mamiko Noto known for her work on the Japanese versions of Gunslinger Girl, Hell Girl, Witchblade, Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple, and many others voicing the real life AKB48 member Haruna Kojima, Yukari Tamura, known for her works on the Japanese versions of games like Soul Calibur II, III, and IV, NIGHTS: Journey into Dreams, and Star Ocean: First Departure, as well as animes like Ouran High School Host Club, Fullmetal Panic!: The Second Raid, and S-CRY-ed, as well as the voice of Navi on the 35th anniversary season of Toei's Super Sentai Series, Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger as real life AKB48 member Mayu Watanabe among others!

If your a fan of AKB48 or are a fan of action and sci-fi anime like the Gundam series, then this anime is definitely worth checking out! Sadly, I don't think this anime will be dubbed into English and given a North American release since AKB48 is mostly considered either underground or unknown in the American music market that is vastly different to the Japanese music market in Japan!

So don't feel bad about downloading fan-subs of this American AKB48 fans!