Decided to change it up by reviewing a movie I loved as a kid. This was my biggest exposure to the TMNT franchise, even more than the animated series and some of the early games. I am happy to say it still holds up as a solid 80s/90s film. The endless one-liners of the turtles can sometimes detract from the darker moments, but between the middle sequence on the farm and Shredder's fight, the movie still has tons going for it.

Upcoming Schedule

November 25th: Black Butler

December 2nd: Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE

December 9th: The Helpful Fox Senko-san

December 16th: Breath of Fire II

December 23rd: Rumbling Hearts

December 30th: Donkey Kong Country 2

January 6th: Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine

January 13th: Rogue Galaxy

January 20th: Tenchi Muyo/Universe

January 27th: Final Fantasy V

Movie: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Year: 1990

Studio/License: New Line Cinema/Golden Harvest/Limelight and 888 Productions

*Community Tab for this channel is now open. Polls are open for the next reviews on the docket. Polls are open for two weeks.*

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Gameplay Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQR4uewfRZttDxzUdkkZ2Lw

Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59ybzlsnruIOmVwUHirAjQ

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TMNT 1990 Movie Logo

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This week's anime review is about a show that much like Spice and Wolf, is a slow going, yet pleasant story that has some deeper moments when it counts. A girl thrown into another world tries to use her past knowledge to create books and other novelty items in a medieval setting, but quickly learns there's magic, religion, political intrigue, and her own family and well-being at stake.

Upcoming Schedule

November 18th: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

November 25th: Black Butler

December 2nd: Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE

December 9th: The Helpful Fox Senko-san

December 16th: Breath of Fire II

December 23rd: Rumbling Hearts

December 30th: Donkey Kong Country 2

January 6th: Lupin the Third: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine

January 13th: Rogue Galaxy

January 20th: Tenchi Muyo/Universe

January 27th: Final Fantasy V

Anime: Ascendance of a Bookworm

Year: 2019-2022

Studio/License: Ajia-do Animation Works/Crunchyroll

*Community Tab for this channel is now open. Polls are open for the next reviews on the docket. Polls are open for two weeks.*

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Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59ybzlsnruIOmVwUHirAjQ

Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/citizen_strife

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This week's game review continues the journey of weirdness that is Hideo Kojima. Following the success of MGS1, Sons of Liberty improves the gameplay and visuals to a profound degree. However, the second game also introduces a few weird characters and...strange story choices.

Game: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Year: 2001

Developer/Publisher: Konami

*Community Tab for this channel is now open. Polls are open for the next reviews on the docket. Polls are open for two weeks.*

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Metal Gear Solid 2 Logo

This week's anime review takes us all the way back to 2002. A gothic sci-fi procedural drama, Witch Hunter Robin won't be anyone's perfect anime, but it has a striking style for its time, interesting power sets (both good and bad) for its witches, and a decent enough story to keep it a strong show.

Anime: Witch Hunter Robin

Year: 2002

Studio/License: Sunrise/Crunchyroll

*Community Tab for this channel is now open. Polls are open for the next reviews on the docket. Polls are open for two weeks.*

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Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59ybzlsnruIOmVwUHirAjQ

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Witch Hunter Robin Logo

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Anime: The Ancient Magus' Bride

Year: 2017-2023

Studio/License: Wit Studio/Studio Kafka/Crunchyroll

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Ancient Magus Bride Logo

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The majority of the playthrough is done, so I felt this worked as a good review of how things worked with Dragon Quest XI. DQ is comfort food personified. XI manages to keep the traditions alive, while exploring the margins of what the game franchise can be. It is up there with my favorites in the franchise (V and VIII). Part of it has to do with the strongest set of characters seen in the franchise yet, while also trying to add a bit of darker tinge to usual proceedings. The end result is a great game.

While my playthrough isn't complete just yet, it feels good to talk about the game still. Feel free to join me.

Game: Dragon Quest XI

Year: 2017-2018

Developer/Publisher: Square Enix

*Community Tab for this channel is now open. Polls are open for the next reviews on the docket. Polls are open for two weeks.*

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Dragon Quest XI Logo

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First was a solo review of Kingdom Hearts, and now that Leigh has become a regular contributor to playthroughs and podcasts, it's time to get her side of the story, since she played it for Youtube. We look back on our playthrough, and I express a more favorable opinion of the franchise as a whole. What a difference a year makes.

October 14th: Dragon Quest XI

October 21st: Ancient Magus Bride

October 28th: Witch Hunter Robin

November 4th: Metal Gear Solid 2

November 11th: Ascendance of a Bookworm

November 18th: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)

November 25th: Black Butler

December 2nd: Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE

If you're interested in more Leigh shenanigans, check out her Twitch streams: https://www.twitch.tv/leighclipse

If you'd like to show Leigh some support, check out her branded merch and handcrafted jewelry available on her fiancé's Etsy store. From cozy t-shirts to unique jewelry, there's something for everyone. Just head to https://www.etsy.com/shop/SigmaDenCreations?ref=shop_sugg

Otherwise, if you're on the lookout for a one-stop shop for gaming electronics or accessories, check out https://deskgaming-essentials.com/

Game: Kingdom Hearts

Year: 2002

Developer/Publisher: Square Enix

*Community Tab for this channel is now open. Polls are open for the next games on my docket after completion of current playthroughs. These will be open until 2-3 weeks before LP completion.*

LeighClipse Logo Created by LeighClipse

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For more Citizen Strife content, here is some socials

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Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/citizenstrife

Kingdom Hearts Logo

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This week's anime caught me by surprise. A show with an understated romantic element bubbling underneath a racial/social commentary, plus some unique visual flair. This ended up becoming a sudden Top 10 anime for me, and I wouldn't have said that a few episodes in. However, it sticks the landing hard by sticking to its guns for the entire runtime.

Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)

October 7th: Kingdom Hearts w/LeighClipse

October 14th: Dragon Quest XI

October 21st: Ancient Magus Bride

October 28th: Witch Hunter Robin

November 4th: Metal Gear Solid 2

November 11th: Ascendance of a Bookworm

November 18th: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 Film)

November 25th: Black Butler

Anime: Nagi Asu: A Lull in the Sea

Date: 2013-2014

License/Studios: P.A. Works/NIS America

*Community Tab for this channel is now open. Polls are open for the next games on my docket after completion of current playthroughs. These will be open until 2-3 weeks before LP completion.*

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Gameplay Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQR4uewfRZttDxzUdkkZ2Lw

Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59ybzlsnruIOmVwUHirAjQ

Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/citizen_strife

Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/Citizen_Strife

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/citizenstrife

A Lull in the Sea Logo

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Time to dig back into my childhood and talk about random stuff. This time, it's Sega's turn in the spotlight. Streets of Rage, Mutant League, Road Rash, god knows what else. I just talk and talk about the Genesis, the console that does what Nintendon't.

Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)

September 30th: A Lull In the Sea

October 7th: Kingdom Hearts w/LeighClipse

October 14th: Dragon Quest XI

October 21st: Ancient Magus Bride

October 28th: Witch Hunter Robin

November 4th: Metal Gear Solid 2

November 11th: Ascendance of a Bookworm

November 18th: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 Film)

Games: Various Sega Titles

Date: 1980s-1990s

License/Studios: Sega/Various

*Community Tab for this channel is now open. Polls are open for the next games on my docket after completion of current playthroughs. These will be open until 2-3 weeks before LP completion.*

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For more Citizen Strife content, here is some socials

Gameplay Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQR4uewfRZttDxzUdkkZ2Lw

Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59ybzlsnruIOmVwUHirAjQ

Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/citizen_strife

Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/Citizen_Strife

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/citizenstrife

I rarely talk about romance shows and harems. While I did have a fondness when starting my anime fandom (Tenchi Muyo and Love Hina), the genre tends to suffer mightly from formula and inappropriate jokes that get old from time to time. Rarely do I find things hold up to my satisfaction. So, color me shocked that watching this rekindled a fascination with the property that started with the manga a few years ago.

I wouldn't know where to start with this, so I just bumrushed the show in a few days. I was floored by the twists and turns, and where each character and their relationships would go. While I'm not sure I buy the "Five Equal Brides" label, it's hard to deny the show does what it can to live up to that where it can. The movie and the ending leave a little to be desired, going VERY fast and slow at the same time, but I'd be lying if I said this wasn't one of my favorite shows of all time.

Be warned though, I am putting heavy spoiler warnings here, because I felt I needed to not over go the show in detail, but where each character and their stories ranked with me, and the end result of who ended up with Uesugi. So, obviously, if you haven't seen this, be careful: I WILL say who wins. Cause imagine that: a harem show where someone actually gets married at the end...

*Also, mind an edit about 30 minutes in. My recording software borked on me, and I had to splice two recordings together.*

Podcast Schedule (Based on Saturday Upload Dates)

September 23rd: Sega Genesis Grab-Bag

September 30th: A Lull In the Sea

October 7th: Kingdom Hearts w/LeighClipse

October 14th: Dragon Quest XI

October 21st: Ancient Magus Bride

October 28th: Witch Hunter Robin

November 4th: Metal Gear Solid 2

November 11th: Ascendance of a Bookworm

Anime: Quintessential Quintuplets

Date: 2019-2023

License/Studios: Crunchyroll/Funimation/Tezuka Productions/Bibury Animation Studio/Shaft/Pony Canyon

*Community Tab for this channel is now open. Polls are open for the next games on my docket after completion of current playthroughs. These will be open until 2-3 weeks before LP completion.*

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For more Citizen Strife content, here is some socials

Gameplay Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQR4uewfRZttDxzUdkkZ2Lw

Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59ybzlsnruIOmVwUHirAjQ

Twitch Channel: https://www.twitch.tv/citizen_strife

Twitter Feed: https://twitter.com/Citizen_Strife

Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/citizenstrife

Quintessential Quintuplets Logo

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