In a nutshell, I've been hearing about Garo franchise for quite some time and recently decided to watch all of the Garo products except Anime. Before watching Garo's Anime, I wanted to share my thoughts on Garo's live-action seasons. Since Garo Live Action currently has 3 different worlds, I decided to follow 1 Garo's world before moving on. So this post will mainly focus on "Saejima family verse" as well as its spin-offs in a certain order. And I also want to be honest, I use Google Translate so hopefully some my mistakes in using words can be ignored.
I won't go on long on how good Garo's idea is, as it's probably not a surprise on the internet right now. Instead, I will focus on how I feel about the story, the characters as well as some details.
Garo: Chapter of the Black Wolf: Both op songs from this season are great, especially I rate "Savior in the dark" the best opening song of the whole Garo series. All the characters from the main and antagonists have been developed to contribute to the extremely good storyline, no one feels redundant. Perhaps Taiga, Priest Amon and Jabi appeared very short but still left an impression. Barago so far imo is still Garo's most prominent villain because of his intelligence, influence and strength. Another thing that makes Barago really an impressive villain is that he has a very close personal connection with the main cast (Kouga, Kaoru, Zero). His fake identity is also a really good twist. Gulm's character is not too surprising, but the way it build up to the moment of revealing her as a villain is very complete. Kodama has no lines at all, but is still the most memorable side villain in the "Saejima verse". I think Messiah is fine, I think she's only interesting when she possesses Kaoru. That's all I can say, because she's like the "Final Boss god after the main villain dies in a ridiculous way" from some jrpg games. Although it was first released in 2005, some episodes are still extremely unique compared to the following seasons such as: Horror disguised as a surgeon, Dantalion or the story of the father who tried to take revenge on Kouga.... I don't know if anyone agrees with this opinion, but a few episodes make me feel like it should be longer or expanded into multiple episodes instead of one episode. Because there are a lot of Horrors or a few side stories felt very interesting. This problem still lies in the following seasons.
Kiba: Dark Knight Side Story: Both Op and Ending songs are good. The animated style used throughout flashbacks is unique and was later reused in future products of Garo. It greatly improved Barago's story in the first season; and even if you don't truly sympathize with him, you can at least understand his motives and realize that Barago used to have a good side. I think Messiah's character is also improved a lot here, showing her impact on Barago's journey rather than just appearing at the end of the first season. The fight scene between Garo and Kiba imo is the most epic fight scene between these two characters in the "Saejima-verse"; even if this is just in Barago's heart, or Garo is not really real. Another interesting point about how a small detail of Elda's story ties into the next season is Garo: Makai Senki. The only criticism I can think of is the "plot hole". The fact that Messiah knew Barago caused conflict in detail in the first season when Messiah did not know who Barago was before killing him, or what Elda's fate was because she clearly did not appear in the first season or the following seasons.
Garo Special: Beast of the Demon Night: I can't say much, but Rin and Jabi are really the highlight of this film. I also liked that the film expanded on Kouga's mother, as well as the way he thinks about his mother. Tsubasa is not bad and has his character development. But perhaps the point that I hate the most in this film is that Jabi let Tsubasa touch her "heart", as forshadowing that these two characters might become a couple. Because at this point in the story, Tsubasa is a real jerk and Jabi is one of my favorite characters. This detail is no different from "punch me in the face and force me to admit it". Legules is a villain with simple motives, but he actually has a terrifying presence and a backup plan through hiding in Tsubasa's Madogu.
Garo: Red Requiem: The music in this movie is really memorable, especially the song when Rekka plays the flute or the emotional remix of "Savior in the dark". It's quite unfortunate that I can't find Red Requiem's op theme on Youtube, because it's really epic and especially its remix when "Garo vs Karma" first fought before Garo got a temporary new form. The new main cast is really good enough (except for Shiguto). Rekka except for the acting part of Mary Matsuyama at this time, she has a certain development. Akaza was only in a supporting role, but he was extremely impressed; both from his story and his sacrifice. One thing about the story that I find better than Beast of the Demon Night is that the main villain really has a personal connection to the main cast like the first season (Rekka's father story, as well as a bit of Kouga's past), instead of the "a random villain resurrected" motif. But that said, the most impressive villain imo in this movie is Kurusu instead of Karma. Although Karma's presence from the beginning of the film and her mirror feats are truly impressive, she is too lacking in personality even compared to other "Final bosses" of Garo. Also, Saori Hara's acting is not too impressive (her role as Amily later in the Ryuga-verse has improved a bit, but not much).
Garo: Makai Flash Knight:>! This is probably the best and most impressive Garo season I've seen, from the way the story unfolds to the characters. This season's first op is the most epic op I've ever heard in Garo, and I've listened to the extended version no less than a few times on Youtube. The main OP2 version is also extremely epic, especially as it plays out during the Makai Knights vs Ganon skirmish. One thing worth noting, Rei this season has more time and his own episode. As well as Zero's armor has also been modified to look stronger. I enjoyed how this season expanded on the World of Makai Knights and Makai Priests, this is truly one of the prime examples of a good sequel. The relationship between Kouga and Kaoru also grew stronger, their interactions making them the most beautiful couple in the Garo series. One thing need to mention, I personally rate Kouga's flashback construction the highest in the Garo franchise. If Kouga's flashback from the first season helps us understand Kouga's growth and development, as well as connecting the feud with Barago for killing Kouga's father becomes one of the highlights of the story. Kouga's flashbacks this season doesn't just dig deeper into his training; but it's also an expensive detail for us to really revisit after the twist with the smartest installation of the main villain this season, as well as not forgetting to install the childhood Rekka. Sigma is truly a counterweight not only to Garo, but to the entire Makai Knights. An interesting villain that combines the abilities of the Makai Knights and the Makai Priests.!< That's enough praise, now there are two things I'm quite dissatisfied with. Ganon had no clear objective, nor was her revival even in her calculations. In return, the battle with Ganon is the most epic and heroic battle in all of Garo. I have nothing against Ending music this season, plus the credits for each episode are different background scenes of Kaoru, so the credit is quite valuable to watch. The real problem is that sometimes the melody of the ending song really ruins the mood after some emotional episodes. The most typical is in the episode where an old couple murders people to pay tribute to the Horror tree so that they can meet the illusion of their son, I was really emotional until the Ending song came on and I just wanted to swear.
Garo: Lament of the Dark Dragon: (aka Kouga in the Wonderland) The most unique movie about Garo, as well as a necessary change after a Season 2. Can't remember the ending song well, but the opening part of this movie is really impressive. Kouga's costume in this movie is a welcome innovation. This is probably the most emotional Garo movie for me, Kiria's story really still resonates with me. I would say Judam is the most sympathetic main antagonist of Garo's Movies. Kakashi is the mvp of the whole movie, and the twist about his relationship with Kouga is really good. I can't say much about Meru, I just wish she appeared with normal skin rather than blue skin... cause she's really pretty :))) Kuromaru is Garo's most adorable character, I really mean it. The only negative I can think of is "why show Rei, Tsubasa and Leo if they have no role in this movie". I've heard some complaints about Kouga not having a lot of epic transformations or fighting scenes, but I don't mind for the sake of the well-explained plot reasons.
Garo Side Story: The Tougen Flute: OP and Ending were fine, Rekka's theme was re-composed and reused for her appearance in Zero's 2nd series. This is literally a special movie for Makai Priests. Jabi and Rekka are really cool, Shiguto has more acting space than in Red Requiem and Rin's reappearance also plays a part in the plot. I quite like that the first half of this movie is mostly "red herring", making us wonder which of the 2 Priests with Jabi and Rekka is the liar and quite dramatic when these two characters confront each other. The appearance of Rekka's father really touched me more than Red Requiem. That's all the positives I can say; because when Agi and Magi reveal their true nature, the quality of the movie goes down. I don't mind the LBGT element, but the way Agi and Magi are presented makes me feel like it's more of a short episode than a movie. Higari is probably the most disappointing villain to me, I mean Higari is a powerful Makai Priest but why turned into a cheap surreal monster. One thing to mention is that there are hints about the intention to pair Jabi and Rekka with 2 other male characters. I don't mind if it's just a reminder of these two characters, as well as the two actresses who also announced that they like these two characters. But from a viewer perspective, I don't like how this detail feels so random.
Zero: Black Blood: The first spin-off series with a different character as the focus instead of Garo, it lived up to what your expectations. Op and Ending song are fire. Yuna is the most interesting character in the main cast, as she is the first female character to wield the Makai Blade. Kain is just fine, there's not much to say about him other than the possibility that he has feelings for Yuna. Ring is probably the most complex and interestingly written Horror I've seen throughout the entire franchise. Although his ideals seem crazy and unreal, you can tell that he is really trying to avoid futile conflict. And he's literally chad, he's the only Horror without precedent to have a Makai Knight's wife :)) That said, but I think Ring and Iyu are probably my favorite villain couple in Garo. What I don't like about Ring is that his Horror true form is shown too weakly, as well as just a normal Horror that just big and white. One missing character that you may have noticed is Rei in my description. The story of this Spin-off is nothing to be ashamed of, but what disappoints me the most is that it doesn't have a strong personal connection to Zero. Zero is almost exclusively a supporting character in his own Spin-off. If you try to mention when Rei was "thought challenged" as to whether Ring's people were worth saving, his reaction would not have come as a surprise to this point.
Zero: Dragon Blood: The Zero sequel at least corrects one mistake from the first, offering a personal connection reason for Zero. Again, Op and Ending songs are fire. Alice Hiromi is probably my favorite character in this spin-off, the twist about her is really cleverly built throughout as well as Garo's villain in the first season. Rei is exposed to many emotions that we have not seen before, the scene where Zero loses control is one of the most valuable moments. The relationship between Rei and Alice is also much better built than his with Shizuka, who mostly appears once in Rei's flashback in Garo season one. I forgot to mention Bakura (the owner of Lupo) in Black Blood, but I think he is better represented here and plays a more important role. There's nothing more to say about Rekka than she did well; but sorry to fans of Rei x Rekka ship, their kiss scene is honestly one of the most cringe moments for me in the Garo series. Kagome is an okay character, but her loss really doesn't convince me. Her brother's death wasn't really sympathetic, he literally died like a fool. The only compensation perhaps is that it is necessary to connect her with the plot, and her sacrifice is truly touching. Edel is a villain that is not only powerful, but also terrifying. His motives and Alice's are truly understanding and sympathetic, even if you disagree with them. But Edel's ending is just as unfair as his life, I'm not satisfied with him being defeated so nonsense. At least with Kagome's situation, it can really be understood that sacrifice is needed to defeat a mighty one. But with Rekka and Rei defeating Edel easily, it was just disrespectful.
Garo: The Makai Flower: I've heard some disappointing complaints about this season, and it's true that I have some mixed feelings. But this season still offers something unique for me, especially I feel that some of the Horrors in this season are literally the most disgusting and cruel in the entire series. For example: the Horrors masquerading as a family, one who forgot he was a Horror (by far the scariest and most disgusting episode I've ever seen). Or when Gogito (one of the Horrors of Eiris's seal) revealed his true nature, I got chills down my spine no matter how many episodes of Garo I've watched. The first op of this season didn't help much either, it's arguably the most terrifying op of Garo. It even has episodes that pay tribute to old horror works, or delve into the difficulties of Manga authors. Compared to other Episodes looking back on the journey of a season, the one in this season is without a doubt the best and smartest of the series. When it used the Found Footage style, with Gonza giving an interview to a Makai "reporter". Forgot to mention, the ending song of this season I have to say is the most emotional and best. It didn't have my issues with Season 2's Ending Song, plus the background credits are more interesting as it's mostly Mayuri and Gonza interactions. So I didn't skip credits throughout this season. It can be said that Raiga is my favorite Garo, of course the greatest and most iconic Garo is still Kouga to me. But there's something about Raiga that excites me more. Different from the stern and cold look of his grandfather and father, Raiga is more expressive and friendly. Also I don't know if anyone noticed, Raiga was a bit sadistic and ruthless when fighting Horror throughout the first half of the season. Like instead of using his sword after fighting awhile to finish, Raiga used most time with his fists to play around with his prey with a smile on his face. Mayuri is perhaps the heroine with the most tragic past in Garo, her relationship with Raiga is perhaps my favorite romantic relationship in the whole franchise. Crow is quite cool, his armor is probably not only the most badass (to me) but it also possesses a reasonableness for 2 forms. The idea of Phantom Makai Knights is really good, it reminds me of Shinobi or Black ops agents. The biggest weakness of this season imo is the way it schedules the content. Unlike the previous 2 seasons of Kouga, the big danger is that Eiris is introduced and is the focus of the whole season. But the main antagonist responsible for her revival didn't really show up until near the end. Barago was at least always present under his false identity throughout the first season before revealing his identity, Sigma constantly attacked the main cast as well as quite reasonable when he was implementing his plan so he did not appear often. Eiji is indeed an interesting character, but if only he appeared directly before the end rather than through indirect narration from other characters like Crow or Akari. Eiris is probably my favorite "Final Boss" compared to Messiah or Ganon, even though her design is just a copy of Messiah. But she is perhaps the most impressive and overpowering entity in the entire Garo series, influencing and manipulating time. She is also responsible for the disappearance of Raiga's parents, so the personal connection in this story is higher than Messiah or Ganon. As well as Light Awakening Beast Garo is the most badass form of Garo I've ever seen.
Garo: Ashura: Can't say much. But when Togi Makabe said "Garo, the golden knight" in his voice, it was truly gold.
Garo: Saejima Kouga: This is probably my least favorite Garo work, it creates too much plot holes. The only salve is probably the rematch between Kouga and Rei, Kuromaru and Kiba's return as well as the really cool "final form" of Kiba (I wish it came back at least once in Moonbow Traveler ), Garo Majestic Beast is really beautiful.
Bikuu Darkness Slasher: By far this is my favorite spin-off movie, it's also probably Garo's best plot movie. Bikuu is really a character with depth, she was already cool in Season 4. But expanding on Bikuu and Darkness Hunters, as well as the nature of their work and abilities, is really nice move. I am extremely impressed with the Op and the ending music of this Movie, it truly captures the dark nature of Darkness Hunter's work. The Soul Insertion Technique is perhaps the most impressive ability (second only to Eiris's) in Garo, the things these abilities can do really interesting and terrifying if possessed by a villain. The main villain in this movie really disgusts me with incest element, and a little shudder at the potential he can turn the world in the human brain into the real world or become a unified human mind. You can clearly see that sickness through his brainwashing of his daughtegranddaughter, as well as his willingness to kill his whole family and still consider himself "God". The villain's daughtegranddaughter character; although I wasn't surprised when I vaguely guessed her identity before revealing it, I was just surprised that she was really hot. Daichi is really a good boy, I look forward to his reappearance in future projects. The ending is also one of my favorite endings, sort of like "the bad guy isn't dead" from horror movies.
Garo: Moonbow Traveler: This is definitely my favorite Garo movie, it's truly a "love letter" to Garo fans. Even the Ouga armor that appeared from Garo's game is here, truly fan-favoring. Although I don't know anything about it, Ouga's design is really cool and powerful. The music here is undeniably excellent; the themes that appeared in Season 1, Kiba Gaiden and Season 4 are remixed extremely well. This movie combines the subtleties that have appeared in previous Garo movies, making it a truly exhilarating experience. I read some complaints "this is just a fan-service movie, nothing more"; I disagree, because it's very clear that the film delves deeper into Raiga's character and his relationship with his father. There are a few things that I didn't write much about Raiga in Season 4, because the above paragraph is too long, so I save it here. Season 4 really hasn't done enough about Raiga's thoughts on his parents aside from being sad, but in this movie at least it raises the question "Does Raiga hate his parents for leaving him alone as a child?" ". This is somewhat true when we look at act 1 and act 2 of the movie. From the above factors, it has made Raiga's character much more depth (I might add that Raiga really wasted no time in having an heir like Kouga. This guy is really fast :)) ). Kouga's image is even greater now that we know the truth why he didn't come back. Kouga is not only the great Garo, but also a father who sacrifices for his son. About Taiga (Rest in Peace, Hiroyuki Watanabe), he is truly an indispensable legend in the "Saejima-verse". His Baderu boy identity really makes me love this character more. Instead of adding a "temporary form buff", the battle combination between 3 generations of the Saejima family will be Garo's greatest battle scene. Barago once again asserts why he is Garo's greatest villain. Honestly, there aren't many villains who are as close to success and as few flaws plan in Garo as Barago is. He almost always succeeds in his intentions, he almost completely wiped out Garo. If not for the other elements of surprise (Messiah's sudden betrayal, Raiga's future son appearing through Mayuri), overall Garo's over-impressive villain. I have nothing to complain about, just wish Kouga's mother was also present with Kaoru and Mayuri when they were in the tower of Heroic Spirits.
If you've read this far, thank you very much.

At last...the Final Battle has started! With a massive satellite that is dropping against the Earth and Touta's Crew ambushed by Cosmo Entelecheia and Ialda's minions.
It would be quite disappointing if all those enemies will be defeated in just 1 or 2 chapters, also considering the UQ Holders are in a massive disadvantage on both sides.
It's clear that Ialda choose the "Divide & Conquer" stragegy, also in order to stop Kirie and Santa to reach Touta and give him Negi's Secret Weapon...or whatever it is. IMO we can hope to see 4 full chapters (and maybe a half) about the battle of Pluto and the battle of Planet Earth.
1- Kirie and Santa against Otius Lauviah - would be a must. We have to know how the hell that She-Demon managed to defeat Kirie and send her in a parallel magicless universe...and with this fight Kirie may also get back her powers.
2- Nikitis and Sept against Ikku and Ba'al - i guess their battle got hinted when Nikitis stated that he has a plan to save him from the Net Bug. It should be noted that Ikku was not present in the Touta's Crew ambush on Pluto...unless he was hide somewhere but i doubt. Since Ialda managed to teleport Charon on Earth in a blink of an eye i suggest she can do the same with her henchmen. Of course we have to know what tf happened to Ba'al as well, and defeat him once and for all. High Daylight Walker vs High Daylight Walker sounds cool...and Sept may be very useful since he is Ba'al's creation.
3- Fate against Albireo + meteors - two characters stated to be equal to Evangeline. Would be an awesome fight. And i'd love to see Fate showing his true strenght and bust away some meteors.
4- Dana finger flicks Charon - it would take just 1 or 2 pages but seeing Dana's return...damn! Just let her use her laws of perspective hax to crush away Charon
All this stuff would be covered in hopefully 2 full chapters aka 80+ pages.
The other 2 (+ 1/2) chapters should be focused on Touta's Crew vs Cosmo Entelecheia and the Demons, obviously. Getting rid of fodders like Secundum would be a child play. The real deal are the Demon Barons and Jack Rakan. Let's make a count...Touta + Gengoro + Jinbei + Juuzo + Karin + Kuromaru + 2 Sisters (guess they will fight togheter as one)...7 UQ buddies.
The Demons we know so far are 4. Two cents:
- Kuromaru Angel Mode vs Agali Arept
- Juuzo vs Samurai-like Demon Girl
- Jinbei vs Demon with Mandala-stuff on his back
- Karin vs Medusa Demon (forgot her name)
Leaving Touta, the sis and Gengoro fighting the remaining minions (imo weakers than the Demons) and ofc Jack Rakan.
With a bit of luck...2 full chapters and a half would be good. Around 100+ pages.
The last 3 chapters are going to be all about Ialda Baoth, the final boss. A mix of Negi + Eva + Nagi + Ialda switching bodies vs Touta and who's left of the UQ Holders.
I HOPE the final chapter will have more pages than the classic 40+ ...like 60+ pages. In this way we can get 2 full chapters and a half about Ialda's fight. Leaving the remaning 30+ pages for a heartwarming Epilogue.

Sauce (source for scrubs): https://acecombat.fandom.com/wiki/2007_game_concepts

Brave Arms

Game: Crysis-esque beat 'em up resistance game

"In the east, your fists inspire people's minds."
"This time, experience being a hero on the ground." (in contrast to PA's plane games in the past)

• Story is set in the year 2025, in Sapin, Central Osea. Backstory is that Sapin's royal government steps down, leading to an economic depression and an oppressive new government taking power. They develop a bio-augmentation suit called the "Bionic Armed Suit" (BA Suit). The player's name is Alfonso, a soldier of the BA Unit of the Sapin Security Army who takes notice of a royal member of the old kingdom, Princess Anna, who is now a resistance member. He defects to the rebels wanting to rescue her alone, knowing that in a few days, a resistance cleanup operation will be carried out. Throughout the story, Alfonso sees himself becoming a hero saving his country as well as infamous among friends and enemies alike
• Gameplay would have a "Trust" system where Alfonso's heroic actions in-game would inspire allies and friends. Kind of like MGS V's Bond system (dunno any other comparison).
• Battles tend to be close-range
• Something called "Zero Distance Battle" which apparently would inspire players to brace oncoming enemy fire. Its description is a high-speed CQC battle that combines with a diving attack
• Alfonso's BA Suit works by embedding a special device in the spinal cord, which alters the protein composition, explosively powers up the nervous system, increases muscle strength and reaction time several fold, and enables superhuman athletics.
• Main antagonist seems to be a rival named Herzog. He will apparently reveal his true intentions near some supposed final battle.
• Cutscenes would depict resistance allies living in peace under oppression.
• Gameplay involves various defense and attack tactics, along with "two-button combo action". Depending on input timing during attack trajectories, there are several ways to respond to attacks, including attack, destroy, and grab. One example is having an enemy melee you with a rifle butt and then headbutting him, causing him to lose his balance and rifle, which you grab and then fire on the enemy. You can also have "Nooruk" to assist.
• One cutscene is an OBC broadcast showing a demonstration with a female reporter (who looks like Melissa Herman) over a "GREOBAR CITIZEN RISES IN REVOLT THE MYSTERY MAN WHO INSTIGATED CIVIC ANGER (I would say "civil unrest")" headline
• Alfonso's actions throughout missions will affect the national situation and resistance activity directly, among other things. Every interlude is a news broadcast. Alfonso's allies' opinions on you are based on your performance during missions.
• A player who finishes a mission and returns to the Resistance Army hideout. Depending on how you fight and the results of your battle during the mission, your friends' attitudes and evaluations will change.

Quotes:
Soldier: Throw in more reinforcements! This guy's a monster! (picture is Alfonso charging into a barricade of enemies, with Anna and two other resistance fighters taking cover)
Anna: I know! I'm still gonna bet on him! (picture is Alfonso climbing onto a regime APC engaging a regime soldier, with Anna watching and a resistance fighter neraby brawling with another soldier)
Herzog: Unfortunately, Nabataean's (?) revival will be reality without you. (picture is Herzog engaging in a struggle with Alfonso as both men hold each other's throats by a knife, Herzog wielding an MP7. Setting is an apparent sewer)
Soldier: [Can't translate on image conversion, damn it.] (picture is Alfonso engaging in hand-to-hand combat with three regime troopers)
Soldier: Help! It's the guy who annihilated the Kuromaru Yamanishi Division! (picture is Alfonso backflipping against two regime soldiers towards a fruit stand.
Citizen: You're our hope. Do you understand? (cutscene is Alfonso being cheered on with raised fists by a crowd, with Anna beside him in the opposite direction. A rag-wearing man is patting his shoulder. Cutscene follows a completed mission)
​

Second (Season 01)

Strangereal murder mystery/detective game

"Time flies by and evidence disappears. The truth awaits revelation."
"A body was found. You must seize control of the site immediately."

• Game is a "first-person real-time murder investigation" genre.
• Story is focused on Jean Howard, a member of the Osean Bureau of Investigation (OBI; ya know, from ACZ's Assault Records)'s National Security Department's Unresolved Case Tracking Investigation Office. He lost his younger brother in the 9/11 terrorist attacks (!!!), also known as the "Four Days of Dread". This is an unresolved case he was ordered to reexamine. An elaborate investigation uncovers a tattoo-like fragment in a man's photo, which closely resembles his brother's tattoo. An anonymous email arrives at Jean, stating his brother was involved in the 9/11 attacks. The Grey Men are also mentioned in the email. At the moment, a WMD in top-secret development is stolen, with the only clue being ten mutilated fingers and the dead body of a researcher with the same tattoo.
• The emergency services number is also 911.
• "Viewpoint Mode" is triggered via right stick. Dialogue options available.
• The story has Jean perform action commands with lives hanging in the balance. Example: "Send the bomb squad ASAP!".
• Jean will fall in love with some woman with a mysterious phoenix tattoo on her back. An in-progress scene has her waking up nude with covers and the tattoo displayed fully.
• Case Correlation Diagram Mode is information obtained by Jean and his partners and colleagues through the game, all stored in the HQ.
• Incident Mode: For specific evidence, places, and people, you can hold a meeting with HQ friends conversing with you. You can discover unexpected truths from these conversations.

Cunningham: Investigator Howard, FSA Director Chrisman sent you! (picture is Howard taking a police dispatch call; scene is a crowd of EMS and police at Berkley Institute; time is 0122 hours)
Police Radio: I'm stuck with a crowd and can't get close there! (picture is Howard chasing after a suspect in the middle of a crowd; a Sukhoi buzzes by. Place is "Pillardice City (somewhat unintelligible, TBH)". Time is 0412 hours)
Michael: No! They don't know what's happening!
"Stand down!"
"The President is on a treaty schedule!"
Michael: I need Level 3 access to the apartment case materials.
"Oh, I'm gonna tell Maurice."
"No, I can't allow that."
"Jelena, you feeling good?"
"I've something I wanna hear about Jelena."
"You were the informant!"
"Orders have changed!"
"What's the status of the investigation?"
"Put on hold."
Jelena: Sir, can you raise my authority level?
"What does Jelena's mysterious message mean?!"
"The truth is far beyond your imagination."
(picture is Jean (presumably), holding a pistol as he faces a woman seemingly preparing to commit suicide by shooting herself. Takes place on top of a skyline.

Chain Limit

Game: Buddy cop action comedy movie involving airport terrorist threat

"Impossible situations, impossible decisions. This is your playground."

• Story is focused on new OBI investigator Jack Newman, who just got transferred to the Oured branch. He's stricken by the beautiful Angela. However, during the flight to Oured International Airport, a terrorist plot ensues which will shake Osea to its core. Jack is now tasked to save his country and use everything around him to defeat his enemies.
• Jack is known for his leg endurance. Think Metal Gear 2's Running Man but good. His favorite foods are cherry pie and cocoa. His relationship with Angela throughout the game is muddy and troubled.
• Tone of the game is a buddy cop flick with a national crisis at hand. Think Lethal Weapon in Strangereal.
• There will be one funny scene where Jack and Angela do a hero standoff pose, but Jack is right beneath Angela's skirt and touches it. In an apparent next scene, Angela punches out Jack for his peeping.
• Gameplay involves Jack taking advantage of the environment. A "Target Link System" allows you to target gas cylinders or just throw them into ceilings, among other things.

Smith: Well, Jack! This damn guy! (picture is Jack himself being thrown out of an airliner that was just shot down by a Sukhoi)
Angela: Hey...I don't know where the hell we are! (picture is Jack and Angela bound and gagged in a car)

Personal Notes

• Anna > Cossette, 'cuz she's gonna be way more prominent and actively fights with you :)
• The BA Suit sounds like Halo's Spartans.
• Is this Strangereal or Metal Crysis Halo Solid?
• Damn, is Second going to run on a seasonal expansion a la Hitman 2016?
• Wait, Lethal Skies' Cunningham is an Osean cop here?
• I can get Project Aces doing a supersoldier ground game, but seriously? A fuckin' detective/Ace Attorney game? Holy shit, imagine the alternate universe where all of this happened even if under third-party companies... Osea Noire, if you will.
• FSA probably stands for "Federal Security Agency", a la the NSA. I swear, if they have a Third/Fourth Echelon analog, I'll metaphorically shit myself.
• Seems like Second is meant to tie in with Ace Combat 5. In other words, while the Wardog/Razgriz are up there musing about PEACE and HARLING, our boy Jean is down and dirty investigating and pursuing bad guys.
• Man, Second sounds like Ace Combat: Heavy Rain.
• Chain Link = Ace Combat + Lethal Weapon. Can't change my mind.
• Yeah, I know the article states it was probably all an elaborate April Fools joke, but I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT. Too good to be true :)

Jinbei Shishido (#1) vs Coyote Starrk (Primera Espada)
Evangeline A.K. McDowell aka Yukihime (#2) vs Barragan Louiseberg (Segunda Espada)
Shichijuro Nanao (#3) vs Tia Harribel (Tres Espada)
Juuzou Shishimi (#5) vs Ulquiorra Cifer (Cuatro Espada)
Karin Yuuki aka Judas Iskarin (#4) vs Nnoitra Gilga (Quinto Espada)
Kuromaru Tokisaka (#11) vs Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck (former Tres Espada)
Touta Konoe (#7) vs Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez (Sexta Espada)
Santa Sasaki (#12) vs Zommari Roureaux (Septima Espada)
Iku Ameya (#10) vs Szayellaporro Granz (Ocatava Espada)

• Consider that since Iku is an android he might not be affected by Gabriel or Szayell's biology based abilities
• Szayell may still gain immunities to his atacks upon annalizing his their energy, just like he would with reiatsu
• Before the battle Szayell impregnated Yammy so if he loses he may be reborn from within his teammate's body

Gengoro Makabe (#6) vs Aaroniero Arruruerie (Noveno Espada)
Nikitis Lapp (#8) vs Yammy Llargo (Cero Espada)
Conditions

• While the match upstairs are recomended you may consider that they're all fighting in the same battlefield so they may help each other if necessary
• Those that win their fights may help their teammates if they're compelled to do so
• takes plase in reverse mars
• Everyone is in character
• No chances of civillian casualties
• Both teams have a day prep
  • Szayellaporro may use Roca Paramia to spy on his opponents before hand
  • The Uq holders may use Kirie time return once
• Rules that apply to Reiatsu may also apply to magic and technology based powers

So as of the recent chapters, I'm really curious (and cautiously hopeful) about the direction that Akamatsu-sensei is going to take with Kuromaru's gender.
^{First I want to acknowledge that while I am part of the Asian diaspora, my ideas about gender and sexuality are understood through a Western lens, and as such, this analysis/these reflections are necessarily flawed and incomplete.}
So ever since I caught up with the current arc, I've been thinking about Kuromaru's gender (again).
Kuromaru has been referred to in gender neutral terms (e.g. sibling). I'm cautiously hopeful and optimistic because while this could just be a tactic to keep suspense going, it's also possible that Kuromaru's "final gender reveal" is that they are agender, genderfluid, x-gender, or some other term.
And like, it doesn't have to be declarative, or a grand statement. It could just be like Konoka and Setsuna's marriage in the Negima epilogue, where there's plausible deniability for people who hate LGBTQ+ people and also have close to no reading comprehension (or really like tragedy and bury your lesbians). They both got married on the same day, it's been a repeated theme of the manga that they're head-fucking over heels in love with each other, so you'd have to be incredibly willfully "SLAM MY EYES SHUT, GAY PEOPLE SHOULDN'T GET 2 MARRY" to ignore that. Their love for each other is canon, imo.
So what if it's similar with Kuromaru's gender? What if people just keep referring to them with gender neutral terms? Or they decide on he/him pronouns but retain their more female gendered primary and secondary sex characteristics when they manifest and continue to try and win over Touta's romantic affections???
Kuromaru has in many senses been freed from the biological constraints of their body. They have arguably fulfilled their duty to their clan, having sacrificed their life for to become the sword....The choice they had to make at age 16 about which sex characteristics (primary and secondary) to manifest is no longer there. They have literally become an "object" or "spirit of an object" (I'm not sure if they can be described as "kami" but that's also an idea).
Their struggle with gender to me seems like it has always been about the "roles" that each sex/gender expression has to offer them, and the perceived clash between them. Being a man, and being able to be Touta's equal, to take up the sword and thus their duty.... VS being a woman, being able to be a prospective partner of Touta, and being able to enjoy "an ordinary life".
And heavily heavily tied into that binary choice is Kuromaru's understanding of duty and morals and what they "owe" for their life, to their clan...
Here's the thing though: I've never felt that Akamatsu-sensei has been that limited in his ideas of gender, and specifically what women can do. The fact that he writes interesting complex female characters is what drew me to his other works after I stumbled upon Love Hina while in primary school (lol). (He does tend to recycle personality archetypes though).
In Negima, when Evangeline tries to force Setsuna to harden her resolve and choose between the path of the swordsman or woman (protector vs ordinary happiness), Setsuna decides ultimately that she will strive for both. And her particular struggle has to be considered in the context of the fact that she was raised in a very Asian (Japanese) martial arts/sword school, the very same that Kuromaru is raised in. They both have a fuck load of guilt issues about duty and worth, especially their worth and value to the clan. (Me: Weeps in East Asian)
(The other Negima characters do go through similar struggles - e.g. Asuna's choice between an ordinary life VS that of magic, weapons, and intrigue, but the question of being able to fall in love or have crushes is never a question of "I have to sacrifice love for this" like it is in Setsuna's case).
So why not the same for Kuromaru? What if they can "have it all". They're literally a ridiculously powerful "spirit" now, I don't see why they can't just manifest however they want. Thoughts?

Just started this comic, and now am at chapter ~150. Till now these 2 numbers are quite underwhelming. Lets look at their performance
Karin

1. 1st mission arc : disabled and tied up by Chao. took too long to finish the fight and assist her juniors, and then get blown to the moon. Have almost zero contribution to the fight. At least kuromaru alerted the numbers
   
2. Vs fate arc : old timeline -> got warped (i think?) by Fate. new timeline -> did nothing spectacular. the victory goes to kirei for her plan and she even wasted her 1 question to fate
   
3. sayoko arc : got ambushed and taken out of battle. again, took too long to free herself to be useful to the battle
   
4. vs negi arc : tried to stall rakan but got stomped
   

Ikku is roughly the same with zero to little contribution in the fight. Being an elder number, i expected more from them. I doubt that they redeem themselves as there's ~10 chapter left till the latest chapter
What's your thoughts?

I play the game on global server and I notice some difference between game versions in the character selection section.
​
For global. I have added some names by projecting newcomers from other versions :
Hero Team : Kyo Kusanagi (Kyo NESTS) / Benimaru Nikaido (Benimaru 2003) / Goro Daimon
Psycho Soldier Team : Athena Asamiya (Ahena 2002 UM) / Sie Kensou / Chin Gentsai
97 Special Team : Riuji Yamazaki / Blue Mary / Billy Kane
Ikari Team : Ralf Jones / Leona Heidern (Orochi Leona) / Clark Still
Real Orochi Team : Chris (Orochi Chris) / Yashiro (Orochi Yashiro) / Shermie (Orochi Shermie)
Sports Team : Heavy D! / Lucky Glauber / Brian Battler
Kim Team : Kim Kaphwan (Kim XIII) / Chang Koehan / Choi Bounge
Dad's Team : Heidern / Saisyu Kusanagi / Takuma Sakazaki (Mr. Karate)
N.E.S.T.S : K' / Maxima / Whip
Yagami Team : Iori Yagami (Crazy Iori) / Mature / Vice
Boss Team : Orochi / Rugal Bernstein (Omega Rugal) / Goenitz (Goeniko)
96 Boss Team : Geese Howard (Nightmare Geese) / Wolfgang Krauser / Mr. Big
Random Team : Eiji Kisaragi / Kasumi Todoh/ Shingo Yabuki
Art of Fighting Team : Ryo Sakazaki (New Mr. Karate) / Robert Garcia (Robert 2002 UM) / Yuri Sakazaki
Guest : Nakoruru / Haohmaru / Ukyo Tachibana
N.E.S.T.S : Kula Diamond / Foxy / Angel
Women Fighters Team : Chizuru Kagura (Maki Kagura) / Mai Shiranui (Mai Remake) / King
N.E.S.T.S : Igniz / Krizalid / Zero (Clone Zero)
Fatal Fury Team : Terry Bogard (Terry 2003) / Andy Bogard / Joe Higashi
Mystery Boss Team : Adelheid / Shion / ...
N.E.S.T.S : Bao / Momoko / Nameless (Momoko & Nameless positions have been switched in korean version)
Remote Team : Mukai / Magaki / Saiki
03 Lead Team : Ash Crimson / Elisabeth Blanctorche / Shen Woo
Female Teen Team : May Lee / Hinako Shijou / Li Xiangfei (there positions have been switched in korean version)
​
??? Team : Instinct Iori / Flame Kyo / Leona XIII
??? Team : Tung Fu Rue / Shun'ei / "Meitenkun" (I have added the last one like KOF KIV)
??? Team : Vanessa / Seth or Lin / Ramon (Lin is alone in another team in korean version)
??? Team : Oswald / ... / ...
??? Team : Robert XI / Athena XIII / Small Dragon Kensou (I guess he will be the last on this one)
??? Team : Jhun / "Raiden" / "Hwa Jai" (I have added the two last one like KOF XII)
??? Team : Nekomimi Leona / "Cutie Terry" / ... (I guess Japan version will get her and maybe as third one a new version of Yuri or Kula or Miss X)
Garou MOTW Team : "B. Jenet" / "Gato" / "Tizoc" (like KOF XI)
​
Verse, Mizuchi, Malin, Hotaru Futaba, Rock Howard, Kusanagi, Duo Lon are all projected to be part of the game (cf wiki)
​
Here a list from differents games of playable characters who already made apparitions in KOF, NGBC, SNK vs series :
Fatal Fury : Duck King, Jin Chonshu, Jin Chonrei
SVC Chaos : Shin Mr. Karate
KOF XIII : Evil Ash (final boss not playable)
KOF XIV : Gang-il, Luong, Hein, Xanadu, King of Dinosaurs, Silvie Paula Paula, Kukri, Mian, Nelson, Zarina, Antonov, Najd, Alice, Bandeiras Hattori, Mui Mui, Love Heart
Art Of Fighting : Lee Pai Long
Buriki One : Gai Tendo, Silber, Sho Hayate, Jyazu
Last Blade : Kaede, Moriya Minakata, Akari Ichijou, Keiichiro Washizuka
Samurai Shodown : Earthquake, Hanzo Hattori (SS), Genjuro Kibagami, Asura, Shiki
Savage Reign/Kizuna Encounter : King Lion / Shishioh, Kim Sue Il, King Leo / Shin Shishioh
Burning Fight : Duke Edwards
World Heroes : Hanzo Hattori (WH), Fuuma Kotaro, Jeanne d'Arc, Mudman, Neo Dio
Neo Geo Battle Coliseum : Ai, Yuki, Goodman
SNK Gal’s Fighters : Miss X
SNK Heroines : Tag Team Frenzy : Thief Arthur, Skullomania (female)
Aggressors of Dark Kombat : Kisarah Westfield
Metal Slug : Fiolina Germi, Marco Rossi, Mars People
King of the Monsters : Cyber Woo
​

Kuromaru has no healing items and only his default armoknife. No accessories. Battle takes place in a plain such as this
Fight is, of course, to the death.