Sometimes a comedy film is well conceived, but ill executed. Thus is the case with Yellowbeard, a film that almost works, but keeps finding ways to not stick the landing.
Read moreFilm Review: Yellowbeard
Anime Review: Chained Soldier Season 2
Not a lot of the heavier fanservice shows tend to get second seasons. Chained Soldier is a bit of an exception, with its combination of action and fanservice, rather than putting its focus on the fanservice itself. This makes for an interesting position for the show’s second season.
Read moreAnime Review: Oshi No Ko Season 3
The second season of Oshi No Ko got into what the progress of creating a 2.5D play is, Aqua feeling like he could move on from his revenge plan, and Ruby started a revenge plan of her own after finding Sensei (Aqua’s old body) dead body hidden in a cave. In Season 3, we get to see how Ruby goes hunting for the man behind Sensei and Ai’s murders, and ultimately, Aqua returns to the road to revenge.
Read moreAnime Review: Trigun Stargaze
Trigun Stampede served as a bit of a reboot. It worked to take some elements of the main story and the flashbacks telling the backstory of Vash and Knives (and what happened to Julai) and combine them into a new timeline. Trigun Stargaze picks up where the first season left off, and takes us to our final confrontation with Millions Knives leading up to the arrival of the rescue fleet.
Read moreAnime Review: Fate/Strange Fake
Fate/Strange Fake is the latest side story in the Fate franchise, adapted from a series of novels from Ryogo Narita, the creator of Baccano. Is it a good jumping on point for newcomers? Not in the slightest. Is it a fun ride? Absolutely.
Read moreAnime Video Review: Kowloon Generic Romance
This week, I’m taking a look at a Romantic Drama anime with a nostalgic bent.
You can find where the series is available for streaming through JustWatch: (https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/kowloon-generic-romance)
The manga is available through (Affiliate Links):
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/4teL6ri
- Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/98607/9781975345785
‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/
Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Watch my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays
Donation Links…
- Support Mutual Aid Groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
- To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
- Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive health care
- Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights
Anime Explorations Episode 43: Pop Team Epic
This month, we’re taking a turn for the wacky with the comedy “Pop Team Epic”
Next month, we’re starting the final Summer of JoJo with Stone Ocean, available for streaming on Netflix.
Opening:
Donut by Anozira
Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut
Used with permission
Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays
Donation Links…
- To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
- To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
- Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
- Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights
Anime Review: Frieren Beyond Journey’s End Season 2
The first season of Frieren was a series that successfully struck a good balance between humor and melancholy. Season 2 is in the tricky place of having to maintain that balance. Thankfully, it manages to pull it off.
Read morePicks: Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2026
Here are my picks for the Anime Awards for 2026
‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays
Donation Links…
- To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
- To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
- Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
- Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights
Anime Review: Anyway I’m Falling In Love With You Season 2
The first season of “Anyway I’m Falling In Love With You” was a series that was trying to balance the protagonists lives in the present (technically 2030) with them attempting to come to terms with their dreams in their past, and how the (unnamed) COVID pandemic was impacting them. The second season instead puts a bit more focus on these characters reconciling in the present day.
Read moreAnime Review: Lupin III Part V
Whether the Phantom Thief? In a world with a massive smart-device and web-connected-camera, LLM Fueled panopticon, what place is there for the “Leaving a note in advance of the (ultimately successful) theft Phantom Thief”? That’s not just me commenting on the current state of the world, that’s what Lupin III Part V is about. Considering this came out in 2018, this makes it feel weirdly prescient.
Read moreAnime Review: Yoroi-Shinden Samurai Troopers
Samurai Troopers, or as it was known when it aired on Toonami back in the day – Ronin Warriors, was a show I was aware of, but didn’t get a chance to watch as much of as I would have liked as a kid.
Read moreAnime (Video) Review: My Status As An Assassin Is Stronger Than The Hero’s
Been a while since I actually reviewed an Isekai series – time to look at one of the better animated ones of the past few years.
You can find where the series is available for streaming through JustWatch:
‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays
Donation Links…
- To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
- To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
- Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
- Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights
Anime Review: Steamboy
Steamboy is a film that started with monumental expectations. It was Katsuhiro Otomo’s first non-anthology film since Akira. It was his first project that basically didn’t begin its life as a manga. It took 10 years to make. It was, at the time, the most expensive anime film to make (having begun its life as a planned OVA, with 3 40-minute episodes). It was set up for failure and didn’t disappoint. I’ve finally watched it, and even with greatly tempered expectations, I didn’t go away happy.
Read moreFilm (Video) Review: Mission: Impossible
This week, I’m taking a look at the movie that kicked off a blockbuster spy/heist/con franchise, with Mission: Impossible.
Mission: Impossible is available for streaming on:
‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays
Donation Links…
- To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
- To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
- Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
- Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights
Anime Explorations Episode 41: Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works
Fateuary has come again, so it’s time to discuss Unlimited Blade Works!
(Minor technical note, a bunch of my audio got dropped due to poor mike placement on my end. That said, most of my contributions to the conversation were moderation, so you should be able to hear what Tora & David have to say without any issues.)
News Links:
- Prestige Wrestling’s Roseland XIII Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knCc-PGVJz8
- The Second Ghost in the Shell TRPG: https://mailchi.mp/manticgames.com/the-ghost-in-the-shell
Next month, we’ll be watching Yona of the Dawn. You can find where that is available for streaming on JustWatch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/yona-of-the-dawn
Opening:
Donut by Anozira
Bandcamp Link: https://anoziramusic.bandcamp.com/track/donut
Used with permission
Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays
Donation Links…
- To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
- To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
- Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
- Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights
Anime Review: Cat’s Eye (2025)
It’s interesting looking at Cat’s Eye in the context of various 80s revival series like the Rumiko Takahashi revivals. Those series kept the setting in the original time, while lightly modernizing some of the more off-color jokes. Cat’s Eye – a heist series – also tones down some of the off color humor, while also leaving the core premise unchanged (Charlie’s Angels but Heists, and not wearing masks), and moving the series to the present day. That last bit is where the series starts to run into trouble.
Read moreAnime Review: A Mangka’s Weirdly Wonderful Workplace
In the Fall 2025 Season, we got an example of the genre of anime that I’d describe as “metatexual works about making anime and manga”. That series, A Mangka’s Weirdly Wonderful Workplace, isn’t as instructive or informative on how the industry works as other shows and manga series, like Monthly Girl’s Nozaki-kun, but it also avoids the self-indulgent pitfalls of Western works about how dramatic pieces of art get made. This makes for a series where a lot of the jokes just work, and it’s generally a fun experience.
Read moreAnime Review: Princess Principal
Another Anime Review this week, with a look at the Steampunk series Princess Principal.
Find out where Princess Principal is available for streaming on JustWatch:
Princess Principal is available on Blu-Ray from (Affiliate Links):
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/4b3AsNG
- Crunchyroll: https://crunchyrollstore.sjv.io/nXrONR
‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays
Donation Links…
- To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
- To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
- Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
- Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights
Anime Review: Call of the Night Seasons 1 & 2
I take a look at a couple of seasons of Anime that I’ve completely overlooked on this channel.
You can check the streaming availability of Call of the Night here:
Physical Releases of Call of the Night are available from (Affiliate Links):
- Season 1
My Favorite Anime of 2025
It’s time to take a look at my Top 8 Anime of 2025.
Footage of all anime series is used under fair use for purposes of criticism.
‘Solecism’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Please support my Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/countzeroor
Buy me a coffee at Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/countzero
Watch my Live-Streams on http://twitch.tv/countzeroor
Check out my Let’s Plays at https://www.youtube.com/@CountZeroOrPlays
Donation Links…
- To support mutual aid groups in Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/
- To support relief and recovery in Ukraine: https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/ukranian-crisis/
- Donate to Doctors Without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/get-involved/ways-to-give
- Reproductive Health Care: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search?causes=Reproductive%20health%20care
- Trans Rights: https://www.charitynavigator.org/search/?causes=LGBTQ%20rights
Anime Review: My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s
The other Isekai anime I took a look at in the Fall 2025 season was My Status as an Assassin Obviously Exceeds the Hero’s, or “My Status as an Assassin” for short. This one was much more conventional in terms of an Isekai anime, but it handles its characterization and worldbuilding much more reasonably.
Read moreAnime Review: May I Ask For One Final Thing?
I’ve been generally keeping clear of Isekai anime the last few years, also with a lot of fantasy series based on light novels. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t because those series were frequently crap. When I saw May I Ask For One Final Thing come up on the list of upcoming anime, along with one other show I’ll get to later, it seemed like a good time to put my toe back in. I’d say this was something of a pleasant surprise.
Read moreAnime Review: My Hero Academia Final Season
There’s a quote from Kurt Vonnegut where the end of it sticks in my brain, in a good way: “Goddamnit, you’ve got to be kind.” The final season of My Hero Academia (to a degree, also the previous season), I feel, builds up to that quote being the core message of the series. There will be spoilers.
Read more