Makin' Whoopie With Maken-Ki!

Haruko from Maken-ki Fanart
by Jackson Thom

If you were looking for some high brow anime that would touch your soul, let me stop you right there.  Maken-Ki is not the one.

Last week, I said, I'd be reviewing my favorite ecchi (or fan service) animes, starting with Maken-Ki, which is definitely one of my faves.  It comes in at number five.

So, the story revolves around a the main character Takeru, a girl-crazed boy, who's just transferred to the formerly all girls school, Tenbi Academy.  He's beyond excited at this fact, because due to the fact that it was previously an all girls school, the ratio of boys to girls is fantastically in Takeru's favor.

On his first day of school, at Tenbi Academy, he walks with his childhood friend Haruko, who he hasn't seen in years, but has since developed into an exceedingly buxom and beautiful girl.  There's immediate chemistry, but neither will openly admit to it.

Kodama From Maken-ki Fanart
by Jackson Thom

Once Takeru arrives at the school, he suddenly realizes that it's  not just a school it's a training ground for young people to hone a magically elemental fighting power, to some day battle an evil unknown enemy.  This offers many changes for some exciting clothes shredding duels, which are fully sanctioned by the school, and overseen by a committee, called Maken-ki, which makes sure all of the duels remain fair.

Of course, Takeru, along with Haruko become members of Maken-ki, along with a couple others, and thus, Takeru's harem begins.  He also begins living in a dorm room of his own, that quickly becomes the home of three other girls, including Haruko, Kodama, who initially doesn't like Takeru, and another girl, Inaho, who claims that Takeru is her fiance.

The truth behind the plot of this story, is it's not really much to keep you mind occupied.  The real reason to watch this show, or any ecchi harem anime, is for the boob and panty shots, and there are plenty of those.

I only watched the first season, which is the only one that is dubbed, the second season is only in sub-titles, and I can tell you the animation is great.  They ecchi is delivered, along with the sexual chemistry between several of the characters, each revolving around the main perverted character Takeru.

There are steaming bath scenes, there are pool scenes, there are the aforementioned cloth shredding battle scenes, as well as one single episode dedicated to a french maid restaurant, where many of the main characters get part time jobs.  If you're looking for ecchi, this one delivers.

There are a couple minor blemishes on the show, however.  The main one being that there is really is no story.  The students are all preparing to battle some strange nemesis, which you do get to see later in the first season, but for the most part, there's no real payoff, so there's nothing to watch the show for, other than the boob and panty shots.

I'm not saying that's at all a bad thing, it just might be nice to give a crap about what's going on a little.

The other minor downside here, is many ecchi animes show the boob and butt shots coming into contact, somehow accidentally with another person.  This show, however, rarely does that.  There's the occasional smothering of boobs in face, but often the show revolves around Takeru, and another perv boy he befriends ogling the girls from a distance.

I'm not saying this is a let down.  I'm just saying some contact would be better.  But for the most part, Maken-ki delivers as one of my favorite ecchi animes.

If you want to know more about it, or its adaptation from the manga, check out Maken-ki on Wikipedia.

Next week, I'll review Freezing.

Ring In the New Year With Style, Bro!!!

Happy New Year
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Franch Genot

Heeeeeeey!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone had a good holiday season, and rang in the New Year with a bit of holiday ANGST.  I can't image what that may be, but I'll never tell.  Anyway, all I can say is, I hope you all had a blast.

So, the new year is upon us, and it's time for the new years resolutions.  Well, I've made mine, but since I'm also not much for keeping them, I'll also be keeping them to myself.  Anyway, sufficed to say, they're pretty amazing, if I do say so myself.

Mission From the Past
by Jackson Thom

I'm very much looking forward to 2015, and I've gotten off to a brilliant start.  I published a new piece of art to my gallery on DeviantArt.  You can see the a clip of the pic to the right.  I've also, got a few more things queued up, and on the way.  So, stay tuned.

Check out my new piece, Mission From the Past, here.  You can go on over there, and leave some feedback, or even buy a print if you like.

I also submitted the art to my Zazzle store to be sold as printed apparel.  Why not, go ahead, and check out Mission From the Past on a t-shirt?

Something else I've got on my radar is, I'd like to review some of the favorite, and not so favorite anime series.  I've got a number of them in mind, but I couldn't think of a better place to start than my TOP 5 ECCHI ANIMES!

Example of Ecchi
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Hobby Next

They are, in order:
5. Maken-Ki
4. Freezing
3. Sekirei
2. Queen's Blade
1. High School DxD

I'll start from number 5, later this week, and continue on until I've reached my all-time (so far, that is) ecchi anime, "High School DxD."

Being that I'll be starting with ecchi, my review won't be the same as other anime reviews.  I'd like to take it from a different angle.  The criteria will include amount of ecchi, usage of ecchi, chemistry of characters and dialogue, art of course, sexual tension and the story itself.

I think you're going to love it!

I'd also like to leave you with this video with this youtube video from "Baby Metal."  Let me know what you think if it.  I am still trying to process what I saw, but I think I like it.

Tis the Season, and Fallah, Lallah, Lah

'Tis the Season
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Fausto Hernandez

'Tis the season, and all that junk, and with that I just wanted to hit everyone up, and see how the year's been going, as it's almost over.

I mean come on. It's just about Christmas, and the cheer is in the air. What's everyone getting this year?  Has everyone been good, or very VERY NAUGHTY?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!  Just kidding!

Bone Cycle
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Jeff Holter

I know you've been terrible this year, just like me.  But ya know what's cool about Christmas?  Each year, after Christmas, comes New Years Day, and we all get to start over.  You know what I'm saying.  So, enjoy the debauchery.

With that in mind, I wanted to let everyone know about a couple great places I found to watch my favorite anime.

Otaku Streamers 
This is pretty much the Wikipedia of anime.  It's got everything.  It's easy to get lost there, so it's kind of aptly named..

My Hentai TV
This is a little different.  It's not your average anime.  This is the adult stuff, so, as I said above.  Enjoy the debauchery.  See what I did there?

And while you're at it, enjoy this stunning video of the WWE's Nicki Bella, as she perfectly executes her back-side spin move.  Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Moving On Up, and Junk!!!

Ms. Captain America
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Nathan Rupert

It's come to my attention that I've been living under a rock lately.  Not literally, but I'm definitely out of the loop.  For one thing.  I used to be a big writer for the online blogging community Squidoo, but now, as it is, that no longer exists.

WHAT!!!  WHAT YOU SAY?!?  Yes, it's true, Squidoo is no more.

Squidoo was bought out by, HubPages, its closest competitor, and I am now a writer for them.  Hey, what do you know!

HugPages
Photo Credit: FLickr Creative Commons License by Sharon

HubPages is fairly similar to Squidoo, in that it allows almost anyone to sign up for an account, and begin writing articles right away.  The only difference that I can see, is that they have a few more rules concerning Amazon links, and to earn money, you have to have your own Adsense account.

I guess, in a way, that puts the ownership of quality on the writers, rather than the editors.

Anyway, that's fine.  I don't much care where I get to write, as long as I get to keep doing it.

Actually, I was lying about being under a rock.  I knew it was all happening, several weeks ago, and I've been preparing for the move.  I just kind of placed myself under a rock until the dust settled, that's all.

Sword Six Concept

Anyway, I haven't been concentrating on my writing, lately, and instead, I've been able to concentrate on what I really love, and that's on drawing.  The first thing I did, was a concept sketch of Sword Six.  Check out my DeviantArt Gallery for a better look at it.

I'm really happy with how it came out, not just by the standard stance, but I've been studying a lot of manga and anime lately, and I decided to change up his armor, and I put a lot into the horse tail from the back of his mask.  I think it came out great.

The second big thing I did, was my first big animation effort.  It an animated short of my newest character, named "Coot."  He's a pervy old man who can't be bothered by the rest of the world, unless that involves some young girl in a short skirt.

Please check out the animation, and let me know what you think.

I'm proud of the animation, because it's my first, but more importantly, I did it all with freeware applications, such as InkScape, Synfig Studios and Audacity.  So, I'm extra special proud of all the work I put in.  It took several weeks from story-boarding to finally uploading it to YouTube.

Suicide Girl
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Suicide Girls

I have a few ideas for my next animated adventures, but I'm not exactly sure where I'll go from here.  I'll just have to wing it.

So, hey, why not just subscribe to my YouTube Channel, to make sure you get the latest updates.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by!

It's Almost the End of Summer, Y'all!!!

End Of Summer
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by carina

Welcome to the end of summer!

It's crazy, right?  One minute, we're buying a new bathing suit, making sure there's enough sunscreen, and all of a sudden, WHAM!!!  And it's back to school.  Kind of leaves me feeling a little in the dust.

Anyway, I guess the big news is, Squidoo is going under.  You know, the place I've been writing articles for since last February.  Seems, they've sold out to their competitor, HubPages.  You can read all about the move, at Squidoo and HubPages.

I've gone ahead and created myself an account over there, and all of my Squidoo articles are supposed to move over flawlessly, but we'll see.  You can find me there, at boneworld on HubPages.

Naia From Strange Frame
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by GB

In the mean time, I have been doing some good stuff.  I recently saw an amazing animated movie, called Strange Frame, and boy was it strange all right.  You can read my review of it at Take a Chance One Strange Frame -- a Different Kind of Love Story.

Strange Frame is a Sci-Fi Jazzy lesbian love story, that follows two star-crossed lovers through riot filled streets, and a corrupt dystopian future on the moons of Jupiter, where people are augmented for servitude, and used for force labor.  It's quite a romp.

I've been drawing quite a bit, and I have a number of things nearly ready, but much of it is still in that, I just want to touch it up stage, that things never seem to get out of for me.  I did draw another concept for Sword Six.  I put it out on my DeviantArt gallery.  You can check that out here, at Sword Six Concept.

It's just a sketch, but I like the way it came out.

Other than that, there's not much else to tell, so have a great rest of the summer everyone.  And leave me a comment if there's anything you want to see.

Wave Bye To Summer
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Alex Dram

Thanks for stopping by.

Where Bone Be At, Y'all?!?

This Is Me
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons Photo by Philip Howard

Whoa, where've I been???

You know, it's kind of a funny story.  I'd like to tell it, but I'd just waste a lot of time.  The summer months have been harsh, and I've been trying desperately to keep up with everything all around me, including a busted bathroom pipe from the third to the second floor.  To a hot-water heater that seems to be going south, to my family in super-saver mode for our Disney vacation this September.

That's right!  We're finally biting the bullet, and going to Orlando.  That is, as long as our house doesn't suck away all of our money.  I've been hanging drywall, talking to the plumber, laying tiles and trying to draw and write when I can.  Let me show you what I've done.

I wrote a number of great articles on Squidoo.  Each as diverse as the last.

Hot Summer Beach

The first article I wrote was an homage to the summer months.  It's a lesson in How To Draw a Hot Hot Summer Scene.  Check it out, to see how to draw a beach babe and hunk, on a sandy beach.  Aaaaah, I can her the crashing of the waves.

The second was an exhilarating romp to review the fast paced action anime Attack on Titan.  You know the one I'm talking about.  Everyone is talking about it.  Eren, Mikasa and the other one.  You know.  Anyway, check out Fight To Live On Attack On Titan.

But my biggest one of late is a pre-Halloween extravaganza, in which I give a detailed explanation on how to create your very own sparkle skull Halloween decorations.  There's a ton of designs.  You get to draw them, glue them, sparkle them and hang them.  Go on, and find out how to Create Your Own Sparkle Skull Decoration.

Blue Skeleton Rising For Holiday

Along with that, I have a new skeleton drawing of my own, that I've submitted to my Zazzle store, so that all who would like to check it out, can take a look, and purchase it if they so please.  It's called Skeleton Rising For Holidays.  Please check it out, and let me know what you think.

Many people who know me, know that one of my big goals is to one day create a comic or an animation of a story idea that I have.  Well, I may be just one step closer to that dream.  You see, I've stumbled upon a site that hosts webcomics, Smack Jeeves.

Smack Jeeves offers its authors the ability to submit pages of their comics at will, and in some cases, they offer the ability to print them into booklets.  Some might call these comic books.  Eeeek, I can't wait.  I am steadily trying to get my comic together to begin submitting pages.  I am very excited, although I am working very slowly, because I'm old.  So, hold onto your shorts.  Not literally, because you'll be holding on for a while.

Armored Rifle Girl

Here's someone who went the comic route on his own.  Caroline Toons is going X-Rated all on his or her own.  I can't quite can a handle on this site, or who owns it.  There's no details on that, but I really like the art, and the aesthetic.  It looks great, so I thought I'd promote it.

And finally, for Roku users, and other people fed up with paying for overpriced cable, here's a site to help you find the movies you want for free.  Where to Watch will help you get your TV fix, and more, from movies to TV shows.  It'll show you where to look and how to find it.

Anyway, that's all for now.  Thanks for stopping by!

Heating Up Heavy Metal and Pencil Drawing

Memorial Day Weekend
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by yarntail

The summer heat is upon us, and it is Memorial Day weekend, for many of us.  It's a good time of years, as schools are letting out, vacations are being planned, and schedules are changing.

One thing this brings out is the barbecue, and later sundowns.  It's great, really.

Anyway, what have you all been up to?  Because, I've been doing quite a bit of drawing, myself.  I have nothing  ready to publish, just yet, but there's a few things I'm excited about on the horizon.

A couple things I am very excited about, are two lenses I wrote over at Squidoo.

Heavy Metal Cover Oct. 2003
Photo Credit: Flickr Creative Commons License by Rene Walter

The truth is, a lot of people may come to realize, I took to drawing later in life.  It was something that was always sort of boiling in the back of my mind, but for some reason, I always had some other priority on my mind.  But do you know what always stuck out to me, a number of animated films.  And one of those was Heavy Metal, an 80's Cult Classic.

Heavy Metal is one of the all-time most amazing cult classic adult animated films.  It's loaded with drugs, sex and mind blowing rock-and-roll.  It's the kind of movie you either love or hate, but either way, you'll remember it.

Pencil Drawing

The other lens I wrote, had a lot to do with my Philosophies in pencil drawing.  As most people know, I took to drawing sometime in 2011, and in that time, I've progressed quite a bit.  I'm obviously no master, but I draw almost everyday, and I've learned a considerable amount, about Pencil Drawing As a Hobby, and I was eager to share what I've learned.

The article is a list of six things that I think many people probably stumble upon, when they are trying to learn to draw, or at least just follow along with a lesson.  It's the kind of thing that people who draw frequently are familiar with, but someone who's just picked up a pencil for the first time, may not know.

A couple other things, I still haven't watched Metal Hurlant Chronicles, although I am still very excited to see it.  It's now available on both Vudu and M-Go, which are services available to Roku customers, but I just haven't had the time to watch it.

I have, however, connected with two of the actors of the show on Twitter and Facebook.  They are M H Rahman and Marem Hassler.  I couldn't tell you which episodes they appear on, but I can't wait to find out.  However, what this does mean, is me and these two people are totally friends, and we could totally get together, like right now, and junk.  I'm serious!

Anyway, thanks for reading!