Next Club Meeting: April 20, 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.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

New Pics As We Return to Middle-Earth

[Source: blastr.com] The new images from Peter Jackson’s upcoming second installment in his Hobbit trilogy feature the return of our brave little hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), the company of dwarves’ fearless leader Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen), Radagast the Brown (Sylvester McCoy) and one of Desolation of Smaug's new characters, Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans).

We also get a sort of cool little sneak peek at the moment just prior the iconic escape-in-a-barrel scene we’ve already glimpsed in plenty of trailers already.

Following last year’s An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug sees Bilbo seeking to recover the dwarves’ gold beneath Erebor (aka the Lonely Mountain) from that pesky dragon Smaug (voiced and mocapped by Benedict Cumberbatch).

Lee Pace, Orlando Bloom and Evangeline Lilly also star, respectively as the Elvenking of Mirkwood forest Thranduil, his son Legolas and new elf character Tauriel.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug opens in theaters on Dec. 13, 2013.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Disney's FROZEN - "Let It Go"


PLOT: [Warning -- SPOILERS AHEAD] Late in the night of the kingdom of Arendelle, 5 years old Princess Anna wakes her elder sister, 8 years old Princess Elsa to play using Elsa's snow magic. However when the magic goes awry, the royal family journeys into the wilderness to seek the help of trolls who remove the magic from Anna, and her memory of her sister's power. In order to protect Elsa from the world, she is ostracized from everyone, including Anna, leaving both sisters distraught and lonely. Their despair only escalates when their parents die after they go on a ship to sail somewhere when a storm erupts and a wave capsizes the boat.

Thirteen years later, it is the day of Elsa's (Idina Menzel) coronation ceremony. Dignitaries from around the world are coming to visit, including the Duke of Weselton (Alan Tudyk), who wants seize control in order to run Arendelle's profits dry. Nobody is more excited than Anna (Kristen Bell), as they are finally opening the gates to the kingdom. She is happy to see other people, and hopes for the possibility of meeting that special someone, but Elsa is still concerned about trying to control her powers. As she strolls out onto the streets, she bumps into a horse, which happens to belong to the charming and handsome Prince Hans (Santino Fontana) of the Southern Isles. Anna is instantly attracted to him. The coronation goes off without a hitch, despite Elsa's fears and she even takes time to connect with her sister at the party before Anna and Hans sneak oft to spend the evening together, quickly realizing the mutual attraction between them. Hans proposes right on the spot, and Anna immediately accepts. Elsa refuses to grant her blessing on the marriage, setting off an argument between the sisters culminating in Elsa's powers being exposed to the party guests.

Panicking, Elsa runs with Anna in hot pursuit. As she becomes more stressed and panicked, the weather starts turning colder: snow begins to fall and Elsa races across the fjord, freezing it with each step. She makes it to the North Mountain where she laments her failure at keeping the powers contained but quickly becomes more and more at ease and relaxed, free to use her powers as she pleases building a snow man, an ice palace, and an ice dress.The next morning Anna is on a hunt for Elsa, determined to return her to Arendelle, end the winter, and mend their relationship. She finds herself at Oaken's Trading Post where she meets Oaken (Chris Williams) and Kristoff (Jonathan Groff). Anna convinces Kristoff to take her to the North Mountain where the source of the winter is coming from. After an attack from wolves the pair meet the snowman Elsa created, named Olaf (Josh Gad) who shares his dreams of experiencing summer and agrees to lead them to Elsa's hideout.

The gang makes it to Elsa's palace. Anna and Elsa reunite, and while both are happy to see each other, Elsa still harbors fears of wounding Anna once again. Despite Anna's promising to stand by her sister and help her, Elsa only grows more agitated and nervous resulting in her magic flaring, this time striking Anna in the heart. Elsa, in desperation to get her sister to safety, creates a giant snow creature (that Olaf calls "Marshmallow") to throw them out. After they outrun the snow monster, Kristoff notices that Anna's hair is turning white, and he takes them to seek help. Kristoff leads Anna (who is slowly freezing) to the trolls. After a mix-up where the trolls insist Anna and Kristoff get married, she collapses and Grand Pabbie appears. According to him, only an act of true love can thaw a frozen heart or else Anna will freeze solid. Kristoff races back to Arendelle to get Anna to Hans, believing true love's kiss will save her.

Meanwhile, Hans, on a search for Anna after her horse returns to the kingdom without her, and the guards find the ice castle. While Hans battles Marshmallow the duke's men attack Elsa who fights back, nearly killing them both much to her own horror. At the end of the altercation Elsa's chandelier comes crashing down, knocking her unconscious. She wakes up shackled in a cell back in Arendelle. Hans pleads with her to undo the winter to no avail as Elsa is still unable to control her powers. Anna is returned to Hans, freezing more and more by the minute. She begs him to kiss her and break the curse but he refuses, revealing his plan all along was to marry into Arendelle's throne. He leaves Anna to freeze to death and goes to kill Elsa, whom he frames for Anna's "murder".

Elsa escapes from prison when she learns Hans means to have her executed for treason and heads out into the blizzard on the fjord. In the castle, Olaf comes to Anna's rescue and reveals Kristoff is in love with her. The two then travel together out on the fjord to find him, where he is racing back to the kingdom. Hans cuts Elsa off and tells her Anna is dead because of her. In Elsa's despair, the storm immediately stops, giving Kristoff and Anna the chance to reach each other. But when Anna sees Hans is about to kill her sister, she chooses instead to save Elsa, throwing herself between Elsa and Hans; she freezes solid just as Hans' sword hits her instead of Elsa. After a few moments of despair, Elsa sees her sister has thawed and come back to life because she sacrificed herself to save her sister, constituting an act of true love.

Elsa realizes love is the key to controlling her powers and thaws the kingdom while maintaining a portable cold zone around Olaf to keep him from melting. Sometime later, Elsa names Kristoff the Official Ice Master for the kingdom, while Anna gifts him a new sled and the two share a kiss. Hans is sent back to his own kingdom in chains and Elsa cuts off trade with Weselton. Elsa promises to never shut the castle gates again and skates on the new ice rink with Anna.

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

CGI Tarzan Coming 2014

In this CG animated film, Tarzan is confronted by forces of the modern world who are out to find a mysterious element from space that could be a valuable energy source for humanity or a weapon to bring about our extinction.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Brian Griffin Dies at Age 8

[Source: Yahoo!News] Brian Griffin, a white Labrador who had lived with the Griffins on "Family Guy" for 11 years, died on Sunday in front of the Griffin home on Spooner Street. He was 8. Or 56 in people years.

The cause of death was runoverness, sparked by a hit-and-run accident while Brian and mad genius toddler pal Stewie were preparing to play street hockey in front of their Quahog home.

Brian, whose shocking death (it's a comedy, Seth MacFarlane!) appears to be a permanent storyline change, has already been replaced in the Griffin clan by Vinnie, a tough-talkin' pooch the Griffins purchased at a pet store. Italian-American Vinnie, like Brian, also talks, and bears a striking resemblance to a New Jersey gangster (he’s being voiced by "Sopranos" alum Tony Sirico).

"This was an idea that got pitched in the writers' room, and it sort of caught fire, and we thought it could be a fun way to shake things up," showrunner Steve Callaghan told E! Online. "As soon as this idea came up, we started talking about what the next couple episodes could be, and we got very excited about the way this change will affect the family dynamics and the characters."
Brian, who was voiced by series creator MacFarlane, was a prolific dog who wrote novels; directed porn movies; spoke Spanish, French, and Tagalog; and was a member of MENSA. He was an Iraq War veteran and one-time police dog, served with the Peace Corps, and was a colorful character who enjoyed women, wine (or rather, a perfectly-concocted dry martini), and the occasional recreational refreshment (OK, he was a recovering coke addict).

He and Stewie shared many adventures, including a penchant for time travel, thanks to Stewie's DIY time-travel machine. In fact, it was the destruction of the machine in Sunday’s episode, "Life of Brian," that spelled doom for the family pet. Optimistic fans of Brian and "Family Guy" hold out hope that the canine could make a comeback at some point in the future, if Stewie ever gets the part to recreate the machine. And because, you know, this is a cartoon.

The lovable, Brown University-educated Brian, born to father Biscuit and mother Coco, did have the chance to say goodbye to his family, telling them, "You've given me a wonderful life. I love you all."

Damn you, vile dramatic development that made us cry during a cartoon!

Viewers of the show also expressed their sadness, disbelief, and anger at the death of a character who was certainly among the series’ favorites:
In fact, irate fans have already launched an online petition aimed at bringing their favorite cartoon pooch back from the dead. 

Callaghan, who has been with "Family Guy" since its debut in 1999 and was a member of the show's original writing staff, told E! Online he is not worried about backlash from "Family Guy" devotees who are mourning Brian. 

"Only because our fans are smart enough and have been loyal to our show for long enough, to know that they can trust us," he said. "We always make choices that always work to the greatest benefit of the series."

"Family Guy" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on Fox.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Reflection - Medusa

Reflection tells the tale of the mythological gorgon Medusa, where there is no good or evil—just sorrow. Animation by Patricia Satjawatcharaphong. Music by Nik Phelps.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Justice League: WAR

The world's finest heroes establish the Justice League in order to stop an alien invasion of Earth.

Friday, November 22, 2013

First Poster for How To Train Your Dragon 2

The thrilling second chapter of the epic HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON trilogy brings us back to the fantastical world of Hiccup and Toothless five years after the two have successfully united dragons and vikings on the island of Berk. While Astrid, Snoutlout and the rest of the gang are challenging each other to dragon races (the island's new favorite contact sport), the now inseparable pair journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new worlds. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace. Now, Hiccup and Toothless must unite to stand up for what they believe while recognizing that only together do they have the power to change the future of both men and dragons.
US Release: June 13, 2014
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wiig

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Anime Viewing Schedule for November 23, 2013

Saturday, November 23, 2013
Wood Dale Public Library
"HAPPY THANKSGIVING!"
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. 7-8 [Video]
11:05 - 11:30    Kill la Kill 2-3
[Video]
11:30 - 12:45    Nagi no Asukara 1 [Video]
12:45 - 1:35      Kyokai no Kanata 3-4 [Video]
1:35 - 2:15        Club Meeting / Announcements [Video]
2:15 - 3:05        Attack on Titan 20-21
[Video]

3:05 - 3:55        Coppelion 3-4 [Video]
3:55 - 4:45        Sword Art Online 23-25 (end) [Video]

 

ANIME DESCRIPTIONS ARE BELOW -- The Next Club Meeting is scheduled for December 21, 2013 --

10:15 - 11:05    My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU (Episodes 7-8)
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 7 "Anyway, It Is Strange To Not Rest During Summer Vacation": Hachiman tries to relax during summer break, but is eventually tricked by Komachi and Shizuka, along with Yukino, Yui, Saika, Hayato, Yumiko, Kakeru and Hina Ebina to help out at an elementary school's summer camp at the Chiba Mura Park. Shizuka then explains to Hachiman that it will provide a good opportunity for him and Yukino to interact with people from other social cliques. As the activities begin, Hachiman and Yukino immediately notice Rumi Tsurumi, an elementary school loner, being shunned outright by her classmates. Soon enough, as everyone helps prepare lunch, Hachiman and Yukino observe Hayama's failed attempts to talk to Rumi, which prompts her to walk away towards Hachiman and Yukino. After introducing themselves, Rumi explains how the social disparities in her elementary school affect her, and resolves to make friends in middle school, although Yukino explains that the flaw in her plan is that since Rumi will end up in the same middle school as those ignoring her now, that behavior will likely be adopted by the new students as well. Afterwards, as the Sōbu High group finish dinner, they discuss Rumi's circumstances and try to come up with ways to help her. Later, Hachiman, unable to sleep, goes for a walk and finds Yukino out stargazing. Yukino explains that she inadvertently made Yumiko cry after spending thirty minutes refuting her arguments on helping Rumi. Yukino also tells Hachiman that she wants to help Rumi because she reminds her of Yui and that Hayama's inability to do anything for her may be bothering him. As Hachiman asks about Hayato, she explains that she knew him since elementary school and that his father is an adviser to her family's company, finally saying that she's glad she was able to come to the park and leaves for bed. As Hachiman, looks at the stars, Rumi is seen squatting alone by the riverbank.
Episode 8 "One Day They Will All Know The Truth": The next morning, while the Sōbu High group have breakfast, Shizuka has them prepare for a bonfire as well as a special 'test of courage' scare quest for the elementary children. Later that day, the Sōbu High girls have fun at the river. While watching the spectacle from the riverbank, Hachiman is joined by Rumi, Yukino and Yui and they further discuss Rumi's issue of making friends. Afterwards, Hachiman resolves to do something about Rumi's issue during the 'test of courage'. Later, as the Sōbu High group prepares for the 'test of courage' Hachiman tells them his plan, which involves virtually shattering the relationship between the group of girls who shun Rumi, and uses the dark nature of humanity's selfishness to support his hypothesis. During the 'test of courage' instead of cosplaying as ghosts to scare Rumi's group, Hayato, Rumiko and Kakeru pretend to bully them, while presenting them the option of deciding on three victims to stay. The girls unanimously decide on Rumi as the first, then in-fight amongst themselves for the remaining two. However, in a surprising turn of events, Rumi uses her camera to blind Hayato's group and helps the other girls escape. Afterwards, at the bonfire, even though nothing seems to have changed, Shizuka and Yukino praise Hachiman for his idea in their own way, while Hayato laments to Hachiman his desire to befriend him. The next day, as the Sōbu High group gets ready to leave, Yukino's sister Haruno shows up in a black limousine to pick Yukino up. After a bit of casual teasing by Haruno to Hachiman and Yui, Yukino with a pained expression, leaves. Yui recognizes the limo as the one that hit Hachiman, although he pretends that he cannot remember, when in reality he does, while expressing that the group didn't see Yukino for the remainder of the Summer break.

11:05 - 11:55     Kill la Kill (episodes 2-3)
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 2  "So Sexy She Might Pass Out": Ryuko is fatigued after her battle and retreats, eventually passing out and ending up in the care of Mako's family. That night, Ryuko recalls how she was introduced to the uniform, which she decides to name Senketsu, who was created by her father. The next day, Ryuko comes across the tennis club captain, Omiko Hakodate, who knocks her away when Senketsu fails to activate. She is found by her teacher, Aikuro Mikisugi, who explains Senketsu is a Kamui that requires her blood to operate, providing her with a glove to help her in that regard. Ryuko then goes to face Omiko which, after some interference from Mako, results in a tennis match between the two. Ryuko gets off to a rough start, but soon manages to fight back with her scissor blade and destroy Omiko's Goku Uniform, winning the match on technicality. Afterwards, Satsuki herself appears before Ryuko to challenge her to a fight, wielding a blade that can cut through Senketsu, prompting Ryuko to escape.
Episode 3  "Purity": Aikuro tells Ryuko about the Life Fibers that give the Goku Uniforms their unique properties, with Kamui being uniforms made entirely of Life Fibers. He goes on to explain that Isshin entrusted him to give Senketsu to Ryuko following his death. Meanwhile, Satsuki, who is frustrated that Ryuko wore a Kamui before her, puts on a Kamui named Junketsu, which had been sealed away by her family. The next day, Satsuki confronts Ryuko in her Junketsu, overwhelming her with her new power and showing no shame in her appearance. After hearing Mako's advice that she should get completely naked, Ryuko comes to understand the true nature of a Kamui and unleashes its full power, allowing her to fight on equal ground with Satsuki. After Ryuko vows to crush Satsuki's ambitions in order to get the answers she seeks, Satsuki challenges her with facing every student she throws at her until they once again meet.

11:55 - 12:20     Nagi no Asukara (Episode 1)
Plot Summary: [Source: Wikipedia] Long ago, human civilization had lived on the oceanfloor. However, there were many humans who wanted to live above the surface and they moved to land creating a fundamental separation between the two. After their school closes down, four middle school students from the sealand have to go to school on the mainland. This is about their lives as they adjust to a new environment and the relationships with each other.
Episode 1 "Between the Sea and Land": Former students of Nami Junior High School, Hikari Sakishima, Chisaki Hiradaira, Kaname Isaki, and Manaka Mukaido are forced to attend a school on land called Mihama Junior High School. Hikari's short temper towards Manaka leads to a series of events that culminate in her being caught by Tsumugu Kihara, the son of a fisherman, who also attends Mihama Junior High. On their first day while all four are introducing themselves, they are met with disgust for being sea people and Hikari bites back just as harshly. This is an early sign showing the rift between the land and sea people descendants of a sacrifice (Ofunehiki) to the sea god. After school Manaka and Hikari visit Uroko-sama, the sea god messenger. Manaka brings an offering and after Uroko-sama tries to seduce her, she hits him in the face and is cursed with a fish growing out of her knee the next day. After class, some of Manaka's classmates start to invasively question her whereupon she hits her knee attempting to escape causing a fart sound. Her classmates laugh as she runs away into the forest in embarrassment. Lost, Manaka collapses due to being out of the water for too long and her ena, skin that allows them to live in the sea, begins to dry and flake off. Hikari and the others go looking for her. Luckily Manaka is found by Tsumugu who brings her to his house to rehydrate her. Once awake, she immediately becomes embarrassed as Tsumugu has just seen the fish on her knee. To her surprise he thinks it and her ena are beautiful. Later that evening after searching all day, Hikari meets up with Manaka and Tsumugu and misunderstanding his role, tries to pick a fight with Tsumugu. Manaka intervenes, and Hikari angry at how she was comfortable around another guy, pulls her into the sea with him.

12:20 - 1:10    Kyokai no Kanata [Beyond the Boundary] (Episodes 3-4)
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 3 "Moonlight Purple": The following day Mirai chases a low-level youmu and after finding herself unable to kill it, Mitsuki appears and kills it, offering Mirai its crystal which she rejects as charity. Meanwhile, an interrogation officer from the Spirit World Warriors' Observation Department—Miroku Fijimu meets with Izumi Nase to discuss the coming of the Hollow Shadow. While at school, Akihito tries once more in vain to get Mirai to visit the Literary Club and in obtaining information about the latter from Hiroomi. Mitsuki later has Akihito rendezvous with him at the train yard to disclose some sensitive information she obtained from Iori Ichinomiya. Mitsuki reveals that Mirai may go after the Hollow Shadow and of her adoption by the Inami clan who lost their daughter at the hands of Mirai while confronting the youmu itself. Meanwhile, as the Hollow Shadow enters Nagatsuki City and causes the moon to cast an eerie purple glow, Akihito tries to stop Mirai from going after it. Mirai tells Akihito of her connection to the Inami clan and that she murdered her friend—Yui Inami, out of fear after the Hollow Shadow possessed her. However despite Akihito's pleas that their lives aren't different, Mirai bars him from going with her. Afterwards Spirit World Warriors in the area are tasked with setting up barriers to guide the Hollow Shadow out of the city. As the youmu in the area become increasingly influenced with malice by the Hollow Shadow, Mirai makes her way to the city limits and prepares to confront it. However Sakura Inami attacks her with killing intent just as they both become engulfed and thrown into a random part of the city by the Hollow Shadow. Finally, as Mirai becomes steadily overpowered by Sakura, Akihito shows up and knocks the latter down while stating that Mirai didn't understand his words.
Episode 4 "Bitter Orange": Akihito and Mirai flee from Sakura'a onslaught down the illusory labyrinth created by the Hollow Shadow. Arriving at a twisted replication of the train yard, Mirai becomes ensnared by the Shadow as it mimics Yui's likeness, however Akihito snaps Mirai back to reality before the Shadow kills her. Revealing its main body, the Shadow attacks Mirai who retaliates by injecting its body with a massive amount of corrosive blood which destroys it. Finding themselves back on the mountaintop, Mirai questions her self image to Akihito. As Akihito sincerely replies, the weakened Shadow suddenly possesses his body, causing him to plead with a horrified Mirai to inject him with her blood. This forces the Shadow out of Akihito and Mirai finally destroys it. Afterwards, Hiroomi, Ayaka and Shizuku show up and bar Mirai from going to Akihito's aid, instead locking him in a cage, with Ayaka explaining of Akihito's youmu half's awakening due to his human half's weakened state. Mirai then horrifically watches as Akihito undergoes a sudden transformation and goes berserk. Desperately trying to keep Akihito contained, the trio are soon overwhelmed by his immense destructive power, with his orange fireballs completely devastating the landscape. Seeing herself in Akihito, Mirai breaks into tears and locks him in a bear hug until his rampaging youmu half calms down. In the aftermath, as Akihito reawakens and despises the devastation he caused, Mirai breaks into tears following his apology. Meanwhile, after observing the struggle, Miroku decides to report back to the Society. Some time later, Mirai and Akihito go out to dinner, with the latter posing the same question she did to him, and Mirai replies with a normal response just as he did for her. In the epilogue, Izumi presents the Hollow Shadow's crystal to an unknown man, and remarks that it should stall the Society for the time being.

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


1:50 - 2:40    Attack on Titan 20-21
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 20  "Erwin Smith: 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls, Part 4": With the Female Titan restrained, Erwin and Levi try to figure out its identity with no success as it is able to harden its skin to prevent them from cutting out the human inside. Jean, Armin, and the rest of Levi's squad realize it was Erwin's plan to use Eren as bait to draw out the mole within the army who joined them after the Walls fell and only told his real plan to those who were part of the Recon Corps before the fall. Meanwhile, the others wonder about what is happening inside the forest, and Levi taunts the Female Titan prompting her to give a loud scream that draws all Titans in the vicinity to her. Despite the Recon Corps' attempt to stop them, the Titans ignore the humans and eat the Female Titan's body in a frenzy, which makes Erwin call off the expedition. However, knowing that there is no confirmation that the mole has also been eaten by the Titans, Erwin orders Levi to regroup with his squad while the mole, disguised as a cloaked Recon Corps member, attacks Levi's squad, killing Günther.
Episode 21  "Crushing Blow: 57th Expedition Beyond the Walls, Part 5": Erwin tells Hange that it was a mistake to think all humans who can transform into Titans are like Eren when the Female has unique abilities that are far beyond a novices, while elsewhere the mole transforms into the Female Titan and chases after Levi's squad. Armin theorizes the mole is someone who had seen Eren transform during the invasion of Trost. Eren wants to transform into his Titan form, but the squad tells him to trust in their skills and keep moving forward. Petra, Erd, and Auruo manage to blind the Female Titan and attempt to cut off her arms and kill her. However, the Female Titan manages to quickly regenerate her right eye and kills Erd, Petra, and Auruo. Seeing his comrades dead, a grieving Eren transforms into his Titan form which gets Mikasa and Levi's attention. Believing his comrades and squad's death could have been avoided if he had transformed in the first place, Eren fights the Female Titan in a long battle. The Female Titan defeats Eren by decapitating his head and swallowing Eren. Mikasa attempts to stop the Female Titan but to no avail. She is later joined by Levi who tells her to keep their distance, as the Female Titan is getting tired.

2:40 - 3:30    Coppelion (Episodes 3-4)
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 3 "Hope": The Coppelions meet the man whose been delivering supplies and radiation suits to the survivors, Doctor Denjiro Shiba, which the girls learn from Onihei was the scientist who design the Tokyo Power Plant. Feeling responsible for the meltdown and how not all the survivors could escape Tokyo, Dr Denjiro tries to make amends by helping the survivors. However, with high level radiation spreading recently, Dr Denjiro and his assistant Kawata are unable to deliver supplies to the survivors which led them to call a distress signal for help. The Coppelions decides to help Dr Denjiro rescue the other survivors after he agrees to surrender himself to the authorities. Ibara tries to rescue a "Granny Ayame" from a museum but discovers she's been kidnapped by two mercenaries for seeing them. Ibara tracks them to military airfield where the mercenaries tried to bring Ayame into their B2 stealth jet. A gunfight ensues where Ibara manages to rescue Ayame while the men fly off on their jet. Wanting to question them for answers, Dr Denjiro and the Coppelions chases the jet on a jeep with Ibara armed with a missile launcher. 
Episode 4 "Sunset": After a wild chase which the jet attempts to kill them, Ibara manages to shoot it down which crash lands into a lake stadium. When the Coppelions arrive at the stadium, the mercenaries have just died. As they investigate the jet, they discover barrels of radioactive waste in the lake which they know realize what is going on. The mercenaries were working with Yellow Cake, a recycling waste company who have been secretly dumping radioactive waste from around the world into Tokyo, which has cause the recent rise in radiation levels, knowing no one would be coming there. Ibara becomes angry upon learning about this while Dr Denjiro feels everything is his fault and wants to atone himself. Fearing the Dr Denjiro might kill himself, Ibara tracks him at a shrine only to find him removing his helmet. With only ten minutes before the effects of the Ether's anti-radiation is gone, the Coppelions quickly drive him to the airfield to be evacuated by Onihei. However, the helicopter has yet to arrive. Dr Denjiro tells everyone to just let him die to atone for his sins but Ibara refuse. With a few seconds left, Onihei's helicopter arrives where he throws another Ether bullet to Ibara to save Denjiro. As the helicopter gets Kawata and Ayame on board, Onihei helps Denjiro get on board despite the Doctor was responsible for his family death during the meltdown. Denjiro apologies to girls for the world they now live in and gives them a list of the other survivors in Tokyo. As the Coppelions continue their mission, Aoi and Taeko assures Ibara they will always be there for her.

3:30 - 4:45    Sword Art Online (Episodes 23-25 END)
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 23 "Bonds": Kazuto thinks back to the time when he was ten and learned that he was not related with Suguha, which resulted in him becoming detached from his family and increasingly engrossed with online gaming. However, due to his extended period trapped in SAO, he decides to make amends with his family. Wanting to sort things out, Kazuto asks Suguha to meet him in ALO. As Leafa contemplates whether she should stop seeing her brother in-game anymore, she runs into Recon, whose unsuccessful attempt to confess to her cheers her up. Leafa then challenges Kirito to a one-on-one duel, during which they both end up throwing it to apologize to each other. After Kazuto explains he won't be able to say what he thinks of Suguha until Asuna is rescued, Leafa agrees to help him in his quest, dragging Recon along with her. Kirito once again takes on the guardians, this time with assistance from Leafa and Recon. As the number of guardians keep increasing, Recon uses a self-destruct spell to create a gap for Kirito to get through, but it is filled up all too soon. Just as things look dire, Sakuya and Alicia arrive with their armies to back them up. Using Leafa's sword, Kirito manages to break through the guardians and reach the top, only to find a system administrator-locked door in his way. Then, using the admin key card Asuna gave them, Yui manages to open the door, teleporting her and Kirito to a new location.
Episode 24 "Gilded Hero": Arriving at the top of the World Tree, Kirito and Yui finally manage to reunite with Asuna. However, they are suddenly hit by high gravity magic, which forces Yui to retreat, and are confronted by Oberon. As Oberon reveals his plans to control the human mind is almost complete, he chains Asuna up and starts to molest her in front of Kirito, who is stabbed into the ground by him. As Kirito falls into despair, he hears the voice of Akihiko, who encourages him to stand up and fight, realising the pain is nothing compared to the pain of SAO. Using Akihiko's administrative abilities, Kirito manages to strip Sugou's ID of its privileges and challenges him to a fight with no pain absorption, showing him what true pain is before finishing him off. After logging Asuna out, returning her to the real world, Kirito meets with the remnant of Akihiko's memory, who gives him an item called The Seed before leaving. After returning to the real world and giving his thanks to Suguha, Kazuto makes his way to the hospital to reunite with Asuna.
Episode 25 "The World Seed": Rushing to the hospital, Kazuto is attacked by an injured Sugou with a knife at the parking area. Kazuto manages to disarm him, and after considering everything Sugou has done, Kazuto spares his life. Kazuto finally meets with Asuna where they have a tearful reunion. On May 16, 2025, Kazuto and Asuna have returned to school, attending a special school for students who were trapped in SAO. As they have lunch, Kazuto reveals Sugou was arrested by the police after their fight and the crimes he committed were exposed by one of his employees. The 300 players that were trapped by Sugou were freed but his experiments shocked the public. Due to the scandal, Asuna's father and his higher ups resigned and shut down ALO with other VRMMORPG following it. Later, Asuna, Kazuto and Suguha heads to Agil's bar along with Liz, Silica, Yoruko, Kains, Sasha, Yulier, Thinker, along with Klein and his guild where they have a party to celebrate for clearing the game SAO. Agil analyzed "The Seed" to be a program that allows anyone with a server to create their own VRMMORPG and transfer players to other VRMMORPG easily. "The Seed" is uploaded to the internet which revives the VRMMORPG genre. Later that night in Alfheim Online, Kirito meets up with Leafa where they share a dance and a heartfelt conversation in the sky. Directly afterwards the floating castle Aincrad from SAO is brought into Alfheim Online which Kirito then declares he intends to finish clearing all 100 floors of. He is met with their friends from SAO and Alfheim Online flying towards the castle.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Old Spock vs. New Spock - Audi Commercial

What happens when old school goes head to head with new school in a battle of speed and wits? Leonard Nimoy takes on newbie Zachary Quinto and his all-new Audi S7.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Next Club Meeting is November 23, 2013

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Be thankful for anime!

Wood Dale Public Library
520 N. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, IL  60191
Main Meeting Room
Saturday, November 23, 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 November 23, 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