Next Club Meeting: December 14, 2024, at the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Animatrix Network is an anime & manga fan club located in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We usually meet on the third Saturday of each month (except when holidays or conventions coincide). The meetings are free and open to the public. Join us for a day filled with anime.

This site provides news, reviews, commentaries, and previews of the world of anime and everything it inspires, such as live-action films, comics, music, art, and other weird things to enjoy and contemplate.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

SCARY MOVIE ENDINGS!

WARNING: SPOILERS!
[Source: Yahoo!MOVIES] You know how it goes: a horror movie is wrapping up, and you're starting to get that safe feeling — that mix of triumph and relief that you made it all the way to the end credits without too much psychological damage. And just when you're about to turn on the lights and commence with cleaning up all the popcorn crumbs from the couch, BOO! There's one final fright to keep you up all night.

Here are nine of those instances — and in GIF form, just to make sure they're imprinted on your brain forever and ever.


"The Blair Witch Project" (1999)
The final moments of this DIY horror classic consist of poor Heather screaming and freaking out (even more so than usual), stumbling around in the dark as she cries out for her pal, Michael the Map-Discarding Idiot. She finally catches up to him at the very end, only to find her fellow filmmaker standing completely still as he silently faces the wall ... an ominous image alluded to earlier in the film. This calls for more screaming and freaking out from Heather ... and then collapsing to the floor after being attacked by some unseen force. Shudder!

"Candyman" (1992)
The pupil becomes the master in this adaptation of Clive Barker's short story "The Forbidden," in which graduate student Helen Lyle's (Virginia Madsen) folklore exploration introduces her to the tall tale of the Candyman ... and turns her into an urban legend herself by the film's end. And sometimes you can summon an urban legend by chanting their name a few times, as poor Trevor (Xander Berkeley) discovers as he turns to face Helen's vengeful spirit ... and Candyman's hook. Bring on the strobe light!


"Carrie" (1976)
Carrie White made short work of her prom, a few cars, and a gas station before turning her psychic fury onto her Bible-thumping mama and really bringing the house down. Even though she seemingly met her demise under all the burning rubble, Carrie's still the stuff of nightmares as she ensures that Sue Snell (Amy Irving) will never have sweet dreams for the rest of her life. You can keep your damn flowers, lady!

"The Descent" (2006)
It looked like Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) was home free. After falling down a hole and being knocked unconscious, she came to and managed to climb up a huge pile of bones towards daylight, squeezing through a narrow opening, and finally escaping from the cave chock full of creepy-crawly creatures. She ran to her car and sped off, pulling over momentarily to throw up all over the side of the road. And BAM! There's Juno (Natalie Mendoza), her husband's mistress whom she supposedly left for dead, quietly judging her from the passenger seat. For the love of God, NEVER GO SPELUNKING.

"The Evil Dead" (1982)
Poor Ash (Bruce Campbell). He thought he was rid of the demonic forces that destroyed his friends and wrecked his cabin. Unfortunately, burning the "Naturon Demonto" in the fireplace only served as a pause button, as the film ends with Ash getting smacked in the face by some unseen evil. And so one of our great horror movie heroes — and human punching bags — was born.

"Friday the 13th" (1980)
Y'all remember that it's actually Jason's mom who's the big baddie in the first "Friday the 13th" movie, yeah? The first summer in Crystal Lake ends with Mrs. Voorhees (Betsy Palmer) and Alice (Adrienne King) engaging in mortal combat by the water, during which our young heroine manages to decapitate the psycho lady with her own machete. Alice then climbs into a canoe and falls asleep on the water (hey, why not?), where she's later awakened by the calls of the police on the shore. Alice comes to, only to be attacked by a decayed Jason, who pulls her into the briny deep. It ends up being a dream (a trope that the series will end up using and abusing muchly over the years), though one that sets up what will become one of the most iconic horror villains of all time.

"A Nightmare on Elm Street" (1984)
Freddy Krueger's final victim in the very first "Elm Street" movie isn't another hapless teenager but rather one of their parents: specifically, Marge (Ronee Blakley), the mother of our heroine, Nancy (Heather Langenkamp). Marge appears well and sober as she promises her daughter that she'll stop drinking, seeing her off as Nancy joins her pals in Glen's (Johnny Depp) convertible. However, the pattern of the car's roof is revealed to look a lot like Freddy's trademark sweater, and as a screaming Nancy is driven off, Freddy's arm smashes through the window of the front door, pulling poor Marge (or an inflatable doll version of her, anyway) through the tiny opening. Whoa!


"REC" (2007)
This odd but effective 'found footage' mix of zombie thriller and demonic possession tale comes to a head when television reporter Ángela (Manuela Velasco) and her cameraman, Pablo, retreat to the penthouse of an apartment building overrun with bloodthirsty crazies, where they discover the cause of all this mess: Tristana Medeiros (Javier Botet), the poor Patient Zero of a virus that's the equivalent of being possessed by the devil (or something). Tristana, left for dead by the Vatican agent who tried in vain to cure her, is now a horribly emaciated wretch, one that makes short work of the reporters — particularly Angela, whom she drags screaming into the darkness. To be continued, natch.

"Scream" (1996)
They thought Skeet Ulrich was dead. They were wrong ... at least for a couple of seconds. Good night, killer!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Voice of 'Simpsons' Edna Krabappel Dies

Marcia Wallace
(1942 - 2013)
"Voice of 'Simpsons' Edna Krabappel"

  • [Source: FoxNews] Marcia Wallace, the voice of scoffing schoolteacher Edna Krabappel on "The Simpsons," whose wise-cracking characters on "The Bob Newhart Show" and other prime-time hits endeared her to generations of TV viewers, has died.

    "Simpsons" executive producer Al Jean called said in a statement Saturday that her "irreplaceable character," the fourth-grade teacher who contended with Bart Simpson's constant antics, would be retired from the show. Wallace was 70.

    "I was tremendously saddened to learn this morning of the passing of the brilliant and gracious Marcia Wallace. She was beloved by all at The Simpsons," Jean said. It's "a terrible loss for all who had the pleasure of knowing her."

    The statement did not provide a date for her death, or a cause.

    The longtime TV actress' credits ranged from playing a receptionist on "The Bob Newhart Show" to appearances on Candice Bergen's "Murphy Brown."


  • Wallace's trademark "Ha!" punctuated Krabappel's frequent wisecracks, and her character was also known for the catchphrase, "Do what I mean, not what I say."

    Harry Shearer, the voice of Ned Flanders on the show, said Wallace "brought this huge, positive energy" to her work on "The Simpsons."

    "She was just a warm and wonderful person," Shearer told The Associated Press. 

Friday, October 25, 2013

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Convicts. Criminals. Blackgate Prison is under new management.

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate brings the Batman Arkham games to a handheld format for the first time to Sony and Nintendo handheld systems. Featuring stealth gameplay, free-flow combat, and Batman's infamous gadgets, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate captures the genuine Arkham feel players have come to appreciate. With gripping 2.5-D graphics, fully voiced narrative, and a captivating storyline, you'll will explore deep inside the bowels of this remote island penitentiary that plays an important role in the Arkham universe.

Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate are both available worldwide on Oct. 25, 2013!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Anime Viewing Schedule for October 26, 2013

Saturday, October 26, 2013
Wood Dale Public Library
"Okay, okay, I'll go to the club meeting this month!"
Main Meeting Room, 10:15 am to 5:00 pm
(Click on links to view Video Previews)
10:15 - 11:05    My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU eps. 5-6 [Video]
11:05 - 11:30    Kill la Kill
[Video]
11:30 - 12:45    Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet eps. 11-13 (end) [Video]
12:45 - 1:35      Kyokai no Kanata 1-2 [Video]
1:35 - 2:15        Club Meeting / Announcements [Video]
2:15 -3:05        Sword Art Online ep. 21-22
[Video]
3:05 - 3:55        Attack on Titan eps. 18-20 [Video]
3:55 - 4:45        Coppelion [Video]

10:15 - 11:05    My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (Episodes 5-6)
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] The story follows loners, the pragmatic Hachiman Hikigaya and beautiful Yukino Yukinoshita who despite their varying personalities and ideals, offer help and advice to others as part of their school's Service Club. It largely depicts various social situations faced by teens in a high school setting and the psychology driving their interactions.
Episode 5 "Once Again, He Returned To His Original Path": Hachiman arrives late for his after school prep class and tries and is reprimanded by Shizuka. At the same time, another student, Saki Kawasaki also arrives late. As Hachiman leaves the class he notices Saki looking at a flyer for summer school classes. Later, Hachiman runs into Yukino, Yui and Saika having a study session at a local cafe and are joined by Komachi and her friend, Taishi Kawasaki. Taishi explains to them that he is worried about Saki since she comes home late every night. Yukino resolves to accept his worry as a request for the Service Club to determine what Saki's agenda is. At school, the Service Club try and fail using various methods to approach Saki. Later on, they learn that Saki works in a cafe somewhere in Chiba City, and track down the two most likely cafes. The Service Club discover that Saki works nights at the second cafe on the top floor of the classy Royal Okura Hotel. Here, Yukino reveals that Saki lied about her age to the management so that she can work nights there for her own reasons. The following day, Hachiman is reveals to the group that Saki is working to fund her summer school tuition so as not to burden her family, although she was inadvertently worrying her brother and solves the problem by telling Saki to apply for a scholarship. As they walk home, Komachi, reveals to Hachiman that he already knew the owner of the dog he saved in the accident, i.e. Yui, surprising him. This prompts Hachiman to cut his ties with Yui at the end of the Workplace Visit, believing that she was only nice to him out of guilt because of the accident. Upset by his words, Yui runs off. Hachiman ends with a monologue explaining that a loner such as himself might misunderstand feelings of girls when they are nice to him, so rather than fall for that "trap", he will always reject them.
Episode 6 "Finally The Beginning Between Him And Her Has Ended": As school resumes, Hachiman feels satisfied that he was able to "reset" his relationship with Yui so that she is no longer burdened by guilt. The days progress and Yui seemingly drops out of the Service Club. Shizuka pays a visit to the club and proposes a battle royale between Yukino and Hachiman to determine the winner of the wager they had set previously and tells them to find a third person to join the club. Yukino tells Hachiman that she would like to get Yui to rejoin the club by celebrating her birthday. That weekend, Yukino, Hachiman and Komachi go shopping to find presents for Yui but are initially unsuccessful. They eventually decide on buying her some type of conformativly designed clothing. Afterwards, they are confronted by Yukino's older sister, Haruno Yukinoshita, who teases Hachiman and Yukino of being a couple. As Haruno leaves, Hachiman remarks on Haruno's facade which Yukino had already known. Eventually a dog runs out of nowhere and starts playing with Hachiman. While wondering whose dog it is, Yui shows up behind them and mistakes them for being on a date and hurriedly makes to leave, but not before Yukino asks her to visit the club on Monday. On Monday, Yui shows up at the club and Yukino thanks Yui for all that she did for the club and gives her the birthday present. Hachiman also produces a present for her, and refers to their last encounter at the "Workplace Visit". Yui laments that she doesn't want their relationship to end, although this time, Yukino sincerely helps repair the rift between them by stating that by "ending" one path, they can "begin" a new one, before she leaves to inform Shizuka of Yui's return. Afterwards, as Hachiman readies to leave, he picks up the book Yukino is always seen reading, while thinking of Yukino's sincere words.

11:05 - 11:30     Kill la Kill (episode 1)
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] Kill la Kill is set at Honnouji Academy (本能字学園 Honnōji Gakuen), a fictional high school in post-apocalyptic Japan that is dominated by its fearsome student council, led by Satsuki Kiryuin. The council members wear special uniforms called Goku Uniforms (極制服 Goku Seifuku) that grant them superhuman abilities, which they use to oppress the rest of the school's students and staff. Ryuko Matoi, a student wielding half a scissor-shaped longsword, transfers to Honnouji Academy in search of the owner of the other half of the scissor blade, the person who killed her father. Defeated by the council after interrogating Satsuki over the killer's identity and whereabouts, Ryuko comes across a sentient sailor uniform she names Senketsu, who puts himself on Ryuko. Using Senketsu's special abilities, Ryuko stands up against Satsuki and her henchmen, the Four Elites, to liberate Honnouji Academy from their iron grip and find out the truth behind her father's murder.
Episode 1  "f Only I Had Thorns Like a Thistle...": Ryuko Matoi transfers into Honnouji Academy, a high school dominated by its fearsome student council, who wear powerful Goku Uniforms that grant them superhuman abilities. Searching for clues to her father's murder, Ryuko confronts the student council president, Satsuki Kiryuin, saying she is looking for the owner of the other half of a giant scissor blade she wields. She is beaten by the school's boxing club captain, Takaharu Fukuroda, using the power of his two-star Goku Uniform. Fleeing to her house and lamenting her defeat, Ryuko discovers a living sailor uniform that forcibly puts itself on her. The next day, Takaharu prepares to execute Ryuko's friend Mako Mankanshoku for treason. Ryuko arrives to rescue her and confront Takaharu again, this time using her weapon and new uniform's powers to defeat him and destroy his Goku Uniform. Afterwards, Ryuko questions Satsuki again about the wielder of the other scissor blade, who is allegedly the one who killed her father. 

11:30 - 12:20     Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet (Episodes 11-13 END)
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] In the distant future, mankind has taken to the stars and formed the Galactic Alliance of Humankind (人類銀河同盟 Jinrui Ginga Dōmei). The Alliance is engaged in a perpetual war with a tentacled alien species known as the Hideauze (ヒディアーズ Hidiāzu). 16-year-old Ensign Ledo is a soldier in the Galactic Alliance, piloting a Machine Caliber (マシンキャリバー Mashin Kyaribā), an AI-automated, humanoid-shaped battle suit, which he refers to as 'Chamber'. After a failed attempt by the Alliance forces to destroy an enemy super-weapon, Ledo is knocked into a wormhole and loses consciousness. When he awakens, he learns from Chamber that he has been in cryo-stasis for 6 months while his wounds were healing. Ledo learns that he and Chamber have been 'found' by a rag-tag band of 'primitive' human scavengers. Ledo quickly discovers that he is on board a massive fleet of ships on an ocean-covered planet. Chamber tells him that local star charts reveal the planet is Earth, the birthplace of humanity, a place that members of the Alliance were only familiar with from stories and believed was a myth.
Episode 11 "Supreme Ruler of Terror": Kugel contacts Ledo and instructs him to return to his side. Upon reuniting with him, Ledo learns that Kugel is struck with some disease that does not allow him to leave his cockpit. When Ledo tells him what he learned about the Hideauze, Kugel reveals that he always knew about it, just like the high command of the Gallactic Alliance, and despite that, he insists to fight them, and was all this time organizing a powerful fleet with a militaristic society with that purpose, whose intention is to rally all the humans on Earth under them. Pinion is summoned to Kugel's fleet, and much to his surprise, he is taken there by Lukkage, who is now working under him, and is approached by Kugel's Machine Caliber Striker, who offers him a post as an engineer to develop weapons for the fleet. The rest of his companions is also forced to join Kugel's fleet as well. Some time later, Kugel discuss with Ledo the next step of his plan; a large scale operation, which much to Ledo's shock, somehow involves the Gargantia.
Episode 12 "Moment of Decision": Kugel's fleet prepares itself to attack the Gargantia. Ledo tries to dissuade Kugel with no success while Pinion is approached by Lukkage who plans a rebellion at the fleet. Confused about what he should do, Ledo witness the people of the fleet throwing their sick and weak on the water and fearing that the same will be done to Bebel, he decides to confront Kugel by himself. Agreeing with Ledo's decision, Pinion equips Chamber with some extra weapons, while Lukkage and Flange make preparations for the impending uprising. Melty is instructed by Ledo to deliver a message to the Gargantia, but she almost faints by traveling so far by herself and is rescued in the nick of time by Amy. Informed about Kugel's attack, the crew of the Gargantia consider to abandon the fleet as Ledo suggested, but Amy insists that they should do something to help Ledo as well, and Oldham instructs Ridget to make use of the special key Fairlock entrusted her. The rebellion begins, and while Ledo fights Kugel assisted by Pinion's crew, the pirates led by Lukkage attack the fleet's soldiers. When Ledo finally manages to pin down Kugel and open Striker's cockpit, it is revealed that Kugel was long dead inside it.
Episode 13 "Legend of the Verdurous Planet": Striker claims that it was following Kugel's instructions after his death and eventually reached the conclusion that to ensure stability to the fleet, it was necessary for the humans to view it as their god. Both Ledo and Chamber reject Striker's offer to join its side and decide to destroy it. Unable to defeat Striker in their current condition, Ledo decides to merge his nerve system with Chamber's interface to increase its capabilites at the cost of his life, but Amy appears soon after to tell him that he does not need to fight alone. Meanwhile at the Gargantia, Ridget uses the key to activate the mass driver stored inside the main ship and uses it to bombard the enemy fleet while Pinion evacuates his crew and intends to take the enemies assaulting his ship with them, but is saved in the last moment by Lukkage. Striker then decides to attack the Gargantia but Ledo and Chamber pursue it. In the last moment, Ledo reveals that despite willing to sacrifice his life to protect his friends, his true desire is to survive the battle and return to live at the Gargantia with Amy. Chamber then relieves Ledo from duty and ejects him to safety before destroying Striker with a suicide attack. Some time after the battle, it is revealed that Lukkage, and many survivors of Kugal's fleet, joined the Gargantia and Ledo had become an experienced salvager capable of retrieving items from whalesquid territory without provoking them, and he hopes that eventually they learn the means to properly communicate with them. He also seems to be in a relationship with Amy. The episode fades out to an image of whalesquid larva attached to Chamber at the bottom of the sea.


12:20 - 1:10    Kyokai no Kanata (Episodes 1-2)
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] One day high-school student Akihito Kanbara instinctively goes to save his fellow schoolmate, Mirai Kuriyama from committing suicide. Following his pleads however, Mirai suddenly stabs Akihito with a sword formed out of her own blood and is shocked to discover that Akihito is an immortal "half-youmu"—the offspring of a supernatural creature called a youmu and a human. After learning that Mirai is a Spirit World Warrior and the last surviving member of her spirit hunting clan, their lives become intertwined as Akihito seeks to help Mirai gain the confidence to kill youmu so that she may stop attempting to kill him as practice.
Episode 1 "Carmine": While contemplating the act of suicide, second year high school student Akihito Kanbara notices the freshman, Mirai Kuriyama about to jump off of the school roof and instinctively goes to save her. Annoyed by his attempt to stop her, Mirai impales Akihito through the heart with a carmine sword. Some time later, Akihito and his friend Mitsuki Nase work on preparing an anthology for their Literary Club when Mirai disturbs them. It is revealed that Mirai had been stalking Akihito all week in an attempt to kill him. However Akihito outlines her futile attempts due to his immortality as a half-youmu. Afterwards, Mitsuki teases Akihito on being stalked by Mirai and advises him to steer clear of the latter. When confronted by Mirai after school once more, Akihito learns that that the Kuriyama clan was wiped out because of their powerful ability to create weapons from their own blood, leaving the former as the lone survivor. Afterwards, Mirai chases Akihito into a classroom when they are suddenly interrupted by a youmu crashing through the window, although famous Spirit World Warrior—Shizuku Ninomiya quickly deals with it. Akihito later treats Mirai to dinner and learns that she had been merely using him as battle practice before being left with an unanswered question. Meanwhile, Shizuku kills the previous youmu and extracts a crystal ore at its core. The next day, Mitsuki once again warns Akihito to avoid Mirai, but he instead chooses to talk with the latter after school. While having dinner at the playground, Akihito learns that a youmu had been haunting Mirai's home, in addition to her hate towards her cursed ability as well as the act of killing. Empathizing with her, Akihito decides to help Mirai kill the youmu and both confront it at her home. 
Episode 2 "Ultramarine": Akihito momentarily spaces out as they face the youmu although Mirai manages to drive it outdoors. Mirai chases and engages the youmu into a ferocious battle at the playground and after a bit of a struggle, strikes near its eye albeit escaping. Losing the resolve to follow through, Mirai suggests they leave it be, but ends up chasing after it following Akihito's warning of her declining living expenses. Mirai then removes her ring, amplifying her powers further and splashes acidic blood on the youmu. Now immobilized, Mirai destroys its eye—killing it in the process and revealing an ultramarine crystal at its core. Akihito then mends Mirai's wounds and offers to let her join the Literary Club, which she rejects before passing out. The next day, Akihito and Mirai take the youmu crystal to an appraiser but are instead greeted by the humanoid youmu—Ai Shindō, prompting Mirai to instinctively draw her sword before they explain the many natures of youmu and the appraising process to her. While at school, Akihito tries to gather information on the aggressiveness of the recent youmu attacks from Hiroomi Nase, to no avail. Afterwards, Akihito visits the appraiser—Ayaka Shindō to get her to reveal the contents of a postcard from his mother—Yayoi Kanbara, where she warns him of the coming of a youmu known as the Hollow Shadow—a powerful youmu lacking a physical body. Ayaka explains that following its last appearance, it easily defeated five A-level Spirit Warriors and the recent low-level youmu were probably agitated by its proximity. Afterwards, Ayaka appraises Mirai's youmu and she uses the money to treat Akihito to a beef bowl as thanks for his help. Mirai then pleads with Akihito to not get involved with her further, because she had killed someone. 


1:10 - 1:50     Club Meeting / Announcements
Cosplayers at New York Comic-Con 2013
  • Convention Coverage
  • Animation News from around the world
  • Cosplayers/Skits/Masquerade
  • Anime Music Videos
  • And other weird, interesting stuff...


1:50 - 2:15    Sword Art Online (Episodes 21-22)
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] In the year 2022, the Virtual reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) Sword Art Online (SAO) is released. With the Nerve Gear, a virtual reality Helmet that stimulates the user's five senses via their brain, players can experience and control their in-game characters with their minds. On November 6, 2022, all the players log in for the first time, and discover that they are unable to log out. They are then teleported to a place where Kayaba Akihiko, the creator of SAO, issues them a challenge; if they wish to be free and log out of the game, they must reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if their avatars die in game, their bodies will also die in the real world. The story follows Kirito, a skilled player who is determined to beat the game. As the game progresses Kirito eventually befriends a female player called Asuna who becomes his partner and lover. After the duo discovers the identity of Kayaba's avatar in SAO, the couple confronts and defeats him, freeing themselves and the other players from the game. Upon returning to the real world, Kirito learns that Asuna is trapped along a small group of SAO players against their will in another VRMMORPG called Alfheim Online (ALO) as a part of a plan devised by Nobuyuki Sugō with the intention of brainwashing Asuna and marry her in an attempt to take over her family's company. Helped by old friends from his time in SAO along new allies, Kirito manages to thwart Nobuyuki's plans and finally reunite with Asuna in the real world. Soon after, Kirito embarks in another VRMMORPG called Gun Gale Online (GGO) to investigate the mysterious connection between the game and deaths ocurring in the real world. He eventually discovers that the cuplrits behind the deaths include former members of a murderous guild he has previously confronted in SAO. After solving the murders in GGO, Kirito is recruited to assist in the development of a state-of-the-art game interface far more realistic and complex than those of the games he had previously played, but he eventually gets trapped in a game called UnderWorld (UW) where the flow of time is thousands of times faster than in the real world and is currently finding a way back to reality.
Episode 21 "The Truth of Alfheim": Kirito and Leafa reach Arun, the capital of Alfheim, located directly beneath the world tree. However a sudden announcement of an emergency shutdown for server maintenance prompt the two to find a nearby inn and log out. The next day, Suguha accompanies Kazuto to visit Asuna at the hospital. Meanwhile, in the World Tree, Asuna stumbles upon a room where experiments are being made with the brains of the other SAO players trapped in ALO. She then attempts to log out of the game by using the GM console inside the room, but is captured by two of Sugou's assistants. However, she manages to snatch a key card before being thrown back to her cell. Back in the real world, Suguha gets heartbroken upon seeing Kazuto tending to Asuna, and is comforted by Kirito after she logs back as Leafa on ALO, still unaware that both him and her brother are the same person. Later as the pair approach the World Tree, Yui suddenly detects Asuna's presence, prompting Kirito to fly ahead leaving Leafa behind.
Episode 22 "Grand Quest": Kirito rushes up to the World Tree but is blocked by a barrier. Desperate, Yui calls out to Asuna, who hears her cries and throws down the administrator's key card, which Kirito catches. Resolving to get to Asuna's location, Kirito bids farewell to Leafa and embarks on the Grand Quest himself to reach the top of the tree. Upon entering the dome at the tree's base, Kirito is faced with hundreds of valiant guardians, which he angrily battles against. Despite his best efforts, Kirito is overwhelmed and runs out of HP. Shortly after, Leafa enters the dome and grabs Kirito's flame which contains his soul, before successfully escaping to revive him. Leafa tries to talk Kirito out of re-entering the dome alone, but he remains determined. Leafa then hears him speak Asuna's name, causing her to realize that Kirito is actually Kazuto. Upon discovering one another's identities, they log out. In the real world, Kazuto then approaches Suguha, who reveals in great anguish that she had fallen in love with both of his identities and how she knew they were not true siblings. Heartbroken, Suguha shuts herself in her room leaving Kazuto outside her door in shock.

2:15 - 3:05    Attack on Titan (Episodes 18-19)
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] In an alternative, middle-ages setup, the human population is dwindling in numbers. With the advent of Titans, giant humanoid creatures that attack and devour any human on sight, what remains of civilization is protected by three concentric walls, hundreds of kilometers long and around fifty meters tall, called Wall Maria (the outermost wall), Wall Rose and Wall Sina (the innermost wall housing the capital). All efforts to expand the human territory beyond the walls have failed so far, but the citizens inside remained safe for a hundred years, until two unusual Titans, a colossal one, sixty meter tall and another one, covered with a hardened shell, break through Wall Maria, bringing the other Titans inside, forcing mankind to once again face its greatest threat to ensure its survival. The series follows the story of Eren Jeager, a young boy whose father disappears after his mother is killed during the fall of Wall Maria. Years later he enlists into the army, accompanied by his adopted sister Mikasa Ackerman and their childhood friend Armin Arlelt. When the Titans threaten to break further through Wall Rose, Eren discovers that he possesses the ability to temporarily transform himself into a Titan. Seen as a threat by some, and a ray of hope by others, Eren joins his companions in a war to protect what still remains of mankind, making use of his newfound power while looking for answers to the mysteries surrounding the Titans, the walls, and his own existence.
Episode 18  "Forest of Giant Trees: 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls, Part 2": Armin, Reiner, and Jean are left stranded after their encounter with the Female Titan leaves them with only one horse, but they are soon saved by Krista who arrives with extra horses. They wait for the order to withdraw, but to their surprise, they discover their operation is continuing albeit heading in a different direction. Meanwhile, news reaches the center group about their right flank being annihilated by the Female Titan as the latter continues to wreak havoc within the formation. Soon, the whole formation reaches the Forest of Giant Trees with only the center row entering it while the rest defend the forest from Titans. Eren realizes something is wrong when his squad has no idea what Erwin's orders are and what Levi is doing. As the Female Titan chases them at their heels, the squad desperately await Levi's command to attack, but Levi instead tells his squad to cover their ears as he fires his flare gun.
Episode 19  "Bite: 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls, Part 3": Levi fires a noise round and tells the squad to keep moving forward. With more of the rearguard getting killed by the Female Titan, Eren begs his squad to let him fight but they tell him to trust Levi's decision. As he considers turning himself into his Titan form, Levi tells him to choose to be either a monster or a member of the Recon Corps. Eren starts remembering when Hange, Levi, and his squad had him try to transform into a Titan for experimental purposes but was unable to. During a break when he tried to pick up a teaspoon, Eren suddenly partially transformed, much to the squad's shock. They almost attacked him but Levi ordered them to stand down. Hange deduced that Eren is able to transform into a Titan not by solely injuring himself but also due to his desire to fulfill his goals. The squad apologized to Eren and told him they should trust each other. Remembering this, Eren decides to trust his squad's plan. It is then revealed that Levi's squad is bait to lure the Female Titan into an ambush where Erwin and his men fire hundreds of grappling hooks at the Titan, trapping it. Levi leaves his squad to meet up with Erwin to find out who the Female Titan is. 

3:05 - 4:35    Coppelion (Episodes 1-2)
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] In 2016, a catastrophe occurs after a nuclear meltdown from the nearby Odaiba nuclear power plant contaminates Tokyo, forcing the government to order its citizens to evacuate. 20 years later, Tokyo has become a ghost town due to the high levels of radiation which the government has banned entry for anyone. When a distress signal is received from Tokyo, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force dispatches 3 teenage girls from the Dispatch 3 Special Force Coppelion. Due to genetic engineering, the Coppelions are immune to radiation while also possessing special skills. Thus the Coppelions journey to the ruined capital to find survivors.
Episode 1 "Puppet (Coppelion)": The Coppelion unit, composed of Ibara Naruse, Aoi Fukasaku and Taeko Nomura, are teenage girls who have been genetically engineered to be immune to nuclear radiation, are sent to an abandoned and contaminated Tokyo after the JGSDF receives a distress signal from the city. After finding a survivor, who is dying from high levels of radiation, Ibara chooses to save the man and gives him a cure despite orders from her superior officer and vice-principal, Colonel Onihei Mishima, not to do anything. After the survivor is airlifted to safety, Aoi and Taeko questions themselves are they even human which Ibara assures they are. The next day, as the Coppelions continue to search the distress signal, Onihei shows a live news show the power plant that cause the nuclear meltdown. While Taeko goes to befriend a wild dog, Ibara and Aoi discovers a survivor's body who died by suicide, only to be attacked by a feral wolf. After tranquilizing the wolf, Ibara and Aoi fears the dog Taeko befriended might be feral as well and goes to rescue her. 
Episode 2 "Future": Ibara and Aoi finds the dog injured and Taeko taken hostage by a survivor. After subduing him, the survivor, Mitsuo Kawabata, asks for their help in finding his daughter Miku. Mitsuo brings the Coppelions to his underground home at a hospital where he lives with his daughter and wife Yukiko, where they managed to survive thanks to a ration truck that comes every week. Mitsuo reveals he didn't call for help because he, Yukiko and his late wife, Miku's mother, were prisoners who escaped during the confusion of the meltdown. Believing Miku might be at her late mother's grave in a stadium, Ibara, Taeko and Mitsuo heads there while Aoi stays with Yukiko. Meanwhile, Onihei learns the radiation suit from the survivor they rescued has better protection than theirs. Ibara and Taeko discovers Miku is not in the stadium and learns from Aoi that Yukiko has disappeared. After learning from Aoi that Yukiko went to prison for killing her own child and wants to be a better mother for her step-daughter, Ibara realizes Yukiko took Miku hostage because she didn't want to leave Tokyo. After tracking Yukiko to a leaning hotel thanks to Taeko's dog, Ibara confronts Yukiko, who the latter reveals she doesn't want the family to be rescued because she's afraid she and her husband will arrested, leaving their daughter alone. After convincing Yukiko for her step-daughter's sake, half of the hotel collapses, which Ibara is able to save Miku due to Yukiko's sacrifice. Hoping to get Mitsuo from the stadium, Onihei sends Ibara by copter but due to the stadium's dangerous radiation levels, Mitsuo slowly dies while grateful the Coppelions rescued his daughter. Before Onihei leaves with the girl, Aoi apologizes to Miku that they could not save her parents but they must go to find other survivors which Miku thanks Ibara and wishes her luck. 

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

DC Showcase: Catwoman

The first solo tale centered around Catwoman. The felonious feline's adventure takes her through the seedy streets of Gotham City. Catwoman is voiced by Eliza Dushku (Dollhouse, Tru Calling).
WARNING: MATURE THEMES/NSFW

Monday, October 21, 2013

BEST 5 of 5! - ETC at NY Comic-Con 2013

Here are the best 5 things at New York Comic-Con:
  1. Cosplay
  2. Watchdogs
  3. Walking Dead
  4. Comics
  5. Cosplay 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

The Next Club Meeting is Saturday, October 26, 2013

The Next Club Meeting is Saturday, 
October 26, 2013


Join us as we celebrate Superman's
75th Anniversary
http://youtu.be/ebXB0lBoaQ0

Watch this wonderful animated short

Wood Dale Public Library
520 N. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, IL  60191
Main Meeting Room
Saturday, October 26, 2013
10:15 AM - 5:00 PM

Our next club meeting will be at the Wood Dale Public Library
Main Meeting Room (on your right as you enter the front doors), 
on October 26, 2013, from 10:15 AM to 5:00 PM 
(until the library closes).

There is public transportation available. 
A Metra train-stop is located within walking distance. 

Please note: If you are driving, please park your car 
on the south side of the building (not the front) in order to 
make room for other library patrons.
 
A Viewing Schedule will be posted soon.
 
Hope to see you all there!

(Click below for maps