Let’s Talk About Pokemon Gen 8: August updates! August 8, 2019

Yup August has begun and once again we’re given a short trailer for Pokémon!

• Did learn that two more of our rivals were revealed (Bede & Marnie)
• The new “villain team” is named Team Yell who are huge fans of Marnie.
• Pokémon Jobs are a thing where you send Pokémon to do tasks while you play the game (reminds me of the training stuff in World of Light from Smash Ultimate).
• Galar, like Alola has forms based on the area!

Galarian Weezing

Yup, we having Galarian forms now and the first introduced is such an interesting one with Weezing (so maybe I should assume Koffing doesn’t get one?).  Anyways, the new Weezing is now a Poison/Fairy type and interestingly enough while it does get Levitate as its ability, it has a mysterious 2nd one that wasn’t revealed!  I’m interesting to see where this one goes.

Though at the opening of Worlds, its 2nd ability was revealed to be Neutralizing Gas where it sets every Pokémon on the field with no ability (with double battles being re-introduced)

Galarian Zigzagoon, Galarian Linoone, Obstagoon

The other Galarian form introduced is for the Linoone line here changing its typing to a Dark/Normal (reminds me of the Alolan Raticate line) but what’s new this time around is that Galarian Linoone actually evolved into the new Pokémon, Obstagoon.  Interesting to see it go bipedal and such, but it’s definitely cool and a surprise it feels like the line is based more on badgers than anything else!

Morpeko

The only actual “NEW” Pokémon shown off in the trailers is unsurprisingly classified as Galar’s Pika-clone, Morpeko which is a Electric/Dark type and what makes it stand out is that depending on the ability, Hunger Switch (a new ability) if it uses the move Aura Wheel the move switches types between Electric & Dark.  It’s cute but good lord can we be finished with these Pika-lookalikes I know Pikachu is the lord and savior Pokémon, but we have so many Pika-clones.  I will be curious to see what moves it gets!

Opening of Worlds did show off a new trailer showing new things like abilities, moves, and items so let’s talk about it

• Corviknight’s Hidden Abilty is the new, Mirror Armor which bounces back stat-changing moves
• Two new items were shown, Room Service (Speed is lowered when Trick Room is active) and Eject Pack (will call back Pokemon if its stats are lowered).
• A new move, Breaking Swipe, that lowers the Attack stat to whoever it hits
• Dynamaxed Pokemon ignores Flinching moves

 

That’s it for this month maybe?  No clue if Corocoro will announce anything in the next week, but I think that’s about it for now.

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BEYOOOOONDS – Megane no Otoko no Ko/Nippon no D・N・A!/Go Waist July 17, 2019

Track Listing

1. Megane no Otoko no Ko
2. Nippon no D・N・A!
3. Go Waist
4. GIRL ZONE (Regular A only)
5. Bunkasai Jikkou Iinchou no Koi (Regular B only)
6. Toei Oedo-sen no Roppongi Eki de Dakishimete (Regular C only)
7. Megane no Otoko no Ko (Instrumental)
8. Nippon no D・N・A! (Instrumental)
9. Go Waist (Instrumental)
10. GIRL ZONE (Instrumental)
11. Bunkasai Jikkou Iinchou no Koi (Instrumental)
12. Toei Oedo-sen no Roppongi Eki de Dakishimete (Instrumental)

1. Megane no Otoko no Ko

OMG, Finally we have the debut for BEYOOOOONDS to review!  Megane no Otoko no Ko was the first song they’ve performed originally as a group (although originally without Miyo, Honoka, and Utano).  The tune does open with a pretty long dialogue set between most of the members of the group, with Momohime kicking things off!  After the intro, the tune kicks off with an upbeat EDM sound and a kind of cuteness side to it.  Just about all of the girls get some decent lines in it, especially Yuhane, Shiori, Kurumi, and Momohime for sure.  I really liked its chorus too, it’s surprisingly bubbly but hits hard too.  Honestly a great debut song!

2. Nippon no D・N・A!

I wasn’t expecting new songs to enter the fray after the group themselves had two other songs as BEYOOOOONDS (“Bunkasai Jikkou Iinchou no Koi” and “Atsui!”) but it seems we get two more new songs to listen to.  This one opens with Miyo shouting an intro and I’m just like damn!  Unlike the wild “Megane no Otoko no Ko”, Nippon no DNA! is more kind of like 90’s Eurodance and I’m kind of digging it (mixed in with a little of a feeling similar to DA PUMP’s big hit last year, “U.S.A.”.  The verses are pretty cool and the sections where Minami and Kokoro scream is cool, but I think the weak link is the chorus oddly enough.  It’s catchy, but it doesn’t really pop out for me.  Also is that a Honoka solo with the synths in the bridge?  Regardless, a lot of it is good, it’s just the chorus that comes off a smidge repetitive for me.

3. Go Waist

So their 3rd A-side is actually a parody cover of a 1979 song from The Village People, “Go West”.  Interesting choice of song to get from but this one is an oddball with use of autotuned for portions of the verses.  Add on the fact it’s a synthy dance track as well makes it seem a bit less interesting but there’s raps too!  I don’t hear a lot of solos except the middle with Shiori, Reina, Saya, and Yuhane (mostly Saya as she has a BIG portion of the bridge).  What a bizarre section though and it just somehow works its way back to the main melody and finishes off with a Honorin piano solo at the end..  Funny song overall!

4. GIRL ZONE

GIRL ZONE is actually the first song done by Ame no Mori Kawa Umi (to which I’m still confused if it’s really its own thing or a sub-unit) but it does feature Kurumi, Momohime, Kokoro, Yuhane, and Minami and for a group that focused a little more on theatrics, this song is pretty rockin’ otherwise!  It’s got loud guitars and the group is just pretty much doing some vocal flips too.  It was a surprise to hear, but for some reason the chorus kind of disappoints me, it just doesn’t have that fire that the verses had oddly enough.  I still think it’s ok though.

5. Bunkasai Jikkou Iinchou no Koi

One of the B-sides is a 4th BEYOOOOONDS track and like “Megane no Otoko no Ko” it opens with a pretty lengthy intro from Kurumi & Saya before the song actually kicks off!  The tune is more a bit more funkier and has a bit more sass behind it which is pretty cool and I’m hearing a lot more solos here which is pretty awesome too!  The song itself though does give me some old Buono! vibes and definitely sticks out on the single too!  I will say that it’s fairly giving me B-side vibes and not so much a leading song…but it’s still a decent tune.

6. Toei Oedo-sen no Roppongi Eki de Dakishimete

Last but not least, we have the other song for the other unit (or sub-unit), CHICA#TETSU (Reina, Saya, Shiori, and Rika).  I wasn’t expecting this group to get a sparkly genki song that kind of reminds me of old Aya Matsuura songs here.  That said, I wasn’t sure how to feel because it really didn’t click much with me and the cuteness I don’t know made the song feel completely random on the single.  I mean it is nice to hear these four since they all kind of do the cute well and the echo filter added wasn’t a bad touch either!  That said, the song doesn’t quite stand out like the others from the single for me.

 

 

For a debut single, this was pretty jam-packed and well deserved considering how long it took for the group to actually get itself going (two years?).  As their debut single, I feel like BEYOOOOONDS has a pretty good start especially with 4 strong songs to back them up!  I will say I’m curious to where CHICA#TETSU and Ame no Mori Kawa Umi end up in the next year, but it’s a decent start too, although I hope CHICA#TETSU doesn’t really push for the cutesy stuff since Toei Oedo-sen wasn’t all that great to me.  I also hope to see more of Miyo, Honoka, and Utano in the future since this single didn’t really shine too much on them versus the other nine BEYOOOOONDS members.  Also maybe it’s just a pet peeve I got from this single, but I could live without the dialoguing all over the single.  Overall, it was still a great way to kick things off!

Let’s Talk About Pokemon Gen 8: E3 & July update July 9, 2019

Yup it’s finally time to talk about all the happenings that passed during E3 and the recent July video update (will mostly likely update again after Corocoro comes out!)

• So the leak that happened prior to E3 has been more or less confirmed to be true with a few things left to confirm!
• Nessa was confirmed as a Gym Leader; as well as Bea & Allister (though those two are version exclusive gym leaders)
• Gigantamaxing  was announced as a kind of Mega Evolution-type of change where certain Pokémon will change in design and are much stronger with unique moves (don’t know if there’s more differences to Dynamaxing, but it’s a thing
• We did start getting some version exclusives (the Hydreigon & Kommo-o lines in Sword and the Tyranitar & Goodra line in Shield)

That out of the way, let’s talk about the new Pokémon!

Yamper

The first up from E3 is Yamper who is an Electric-type Corgi and boy it’s super adorable!  I really found myself enjoying it’s cuteness and it has a new ability in Ball Fetch in where it’ll catch a Pokeball if it fails to catch (but just the first one).  I think it will evolve and it’ll be even cooler I’m sure!  Awesome!

Impidimp

The other introduced at E3 is Impadimp who has the unique typing for Dark/Fairy and while there’s not much information on it, it’s sort of freaky and cute.  Can’t wait to see what else is going on with this one and I hope it does evolve too!

Alcremie

So moving onto July’s update, Alcremie was our first shown off and wow did this cater to the sweets crowd (honestly it reminds me of Slurpuff).  As a pure Fairy type, I’m not sure how well it’ll be in the meta, but knowing it has a Gigamax form is quite interesting!

Rolycoly

I’m not sure what to think of the next Pokémon, Rolycoly who is our Rock-type Pokémon and from it’s explanation it moves around like a wheel and that’s pretty interesting since it’s based off of coal.  Would like to see more of it and curious to see if it has evolutions too and also a new ability in Steam Engine (Speed is raised if it’s hit with a Fire or Water move).

Duraludon

Last, but not least, we got our Steel/Dragon Pokémon, Duraludon to talk about and from what I’ve seen so far, it makes me wonder if Duraludon is our pseudo-legendary of Galar here.  It looks super shiny and yet powerful too!  Even so far as to have a new move (JP Name: Exhaustive Beam) where it fires a powerful beam but in return it loses half its life points.  Not sure how I’ll like it, but so far it’s interesting.

Gigamax Forms

So this is the answer to the Mega Evolutions from the 6th Gen games?  I guess this works especially so far with making Alcremie, Corviknight, and Drednaw into something a bit more wild and fierce.  I can only wonder how this stacks up in the meta, but I’m liking them so far!

 

NEXT TIME, COROCORO!

Let’s Talk About Super Smash Bros. Ultimate DLC! June 13, 2019

So the last post I made about the game was actually in the last Smash Direct they did before the game (the one that announced Ken, Incineroar, and Piranha Plant).  Though we’re halfway through 2019 and we’ve gotten quite a bit in Smash updates since the game’s release so we should talk about that eh?

Piranha Plant

So since the last post we’ve actually gotten the first 2 of 6 DLC characters playable (since the other two were just announced yesterday).  About Piranha Plant, yeah it’s not part of the Fighters Pass since it didn’t get new music or a stage, but it was kind of a nice gift regardless.  P. Plant is a pretty tricky character to play as since a lot of its special moves has a lot of quirky things going on about it, so it takes time for this one.  Though, what a surprise Sakurai would include a regular baddie to the roster (as in like a minion and not a hero or main antagonist).

Joker

So in December at the Video Game Awards, we actually got a huge bomb dropped when they snuck in a reveal trailer for Joker from Persona 5 joining the Smash Bros. cast (although it was in mystery with no in-game footage).  April was when we’d get the in-game stuffs for him (on top of new Spirits and Stage Builder (with VR added in May).  So this was a pretty big release to say the least.

Joker himself focuses a lot on kind of odd setups and managing his bar to summon his Persona, Arsene, but boosted attacks and a change in his Up+B.  I thought he’s a little more difficult to master up, but he’s quite fun to play as too…  Even his winning animation quirks is AWESOMES~.

Though let’s be honest his stage, Mementos was the more memorable part from Joker.  It’s such a vivid stage and I love the fact that it changes colors depending on the song from which game (Blue for Persona 3, Yellow for 4, and Red for 5).  Could’ve used more songs, but I’ll live.

Hero

So on Nintendo Direct yesterday, we got two reveals the first was kind of no surprise because codenames of the DLC Characters were leaked for Piranha Plant & Joker and Hero’s was “Brave”, but most people were predicting it was specifically Erdrick.  Though as it turns out that the default is Luminary from Dragon Quest XI (the main protagonists usually don’t have names as you can name them yourselves with the exception of Erdrick (from III) and Solo (from IV) who are ironically 2 of the alternate costumes alongside the protagonist from DQ8 (who fans call Eight)).

From what was shown off Hero’s gimmick is an MP bar and a menu where you can use different Magic skills, though not much was talked about (well not at all really), Hero is a bit like Robin with the mix of swordplay and magic so that’s cool.

As for the stage, not much is known about it besides it floating around Erdrea (the main setting for DQXI) and the flying whale Cetacea somehow flying about.  Very little was shown sadly and it kind of reminds me of Skyloft to be quite honest, we’ll prolly learn more in the coming weeks about it.

Banjo-Kazooie

Let’s be honest though the HUGE news was towards the end of the direct where we kind of got a similar trailer to when King K. Rool was announced but instead were we trolled again by Duck Hunt before the REAL reveal popped up and its Banjo & Kazooie!  Many fans have been hoping for this addition for MANY MANY games and we’re finally here with this duo!  Grateful to Microsoft/Rare for letting this dream happen!

From the reveal trailer, a LOT of moves from the 2 N64 games seem to be translated into the moveset, though there is a move they do (the charge and it depletes a feather…wonder if there’s a limit and what happens when it’s all gone.).

As for the stage, it was no surprise it would be Spiral Mountain, but it makes me wonder how it’ll work…there’s the bridge that goes into Gruntilda’s Lair…but there’s a scene where it looks like the stage is spiraling up (items are moving across the grass to the fore/background as if the stage is moving them).  I’m curious to see where it leads.

 

 

So now that’s all done we have only TWO more DLC characters to release (one prolly set for Winter & one for February…I’m pretty curious since it’s open season since there hasn’t been many hints to anything since a lot of it was for Erdrick and Banjo so I’m very curious to how this Fighters’ Pass ends!!!

Let’s Talk About Pokemon Gen 8!: The beginning of Generation 8! June 6, 2019

Wow, after the Pokémon event last week, I was more excited to see the first actual talks about the upcoming dual games, Pokémon Sword & Shield.

Lets talk about the big things!

• The main thing was the new way to battle with the mechanic, Dynamax which feels like a comination of Gen 6’s Mega Evolution and the Z-moves from Gen 7.  Essentially the Pokemon grows into gargatuan size to be able to damage harder (and use a unique move for each type) but the drawback is that they can only sustain this Dynamax form for 3 turns.
• We also meet the Galar region’s Champion, Leon and his brother Hop (he’s your rival) on top of two Professors (Magnolia and her granddaughter/assistant Sonia).
• The return of Gym Leaders for sure with the first shown off being Milo!  (a Grass-type Gym Leader).
• Of course there’s going to be some online stuff that’s new, especially the Max Raid Battles which seems to be in the Wild Area which is a massive landscape where many Pokemon can be found!

But let’s get to why we’re really here!  Some new Pokémon!!!

Wooloo

So the first shown off is this Normal-type Sheep, Wooloo!  From what was shown from the direct, I get the feeling that this might be an early Pokémon (dunno if it takes a certain category like the Region rat, bird, and bugs but it just feels like an early catch).  Though I am curious to see if it evolves because it seems like it has potential (though it does have Fluffy & Run Away as its abilities).  We shall see!

Gossifleur, Eldegoss

So I was pretty surprised to see our first new evolution line in this Direct so early on!  As our 2nd & 3rd Grass-type Pokémon shown off (Gossifleur & Eldegoss), I was more surprised to see that Eldegoss is the Pokémon Milo uses in his Gym Battle (which seems to be based around Dynamax).  It’s pretty cute and noteworthy also in having the first new Galar ability, Cotton Down (to which we don’t know what it does yet) and Regenerator).  I also think Eldegoss reminds me a lot of both Petilil and Whimsicott lol

Drednaw

I think the one I’m pretty much still rather confused about is Drednaw which is kind of dropped on us hahah.  This Water/Rock Pokémon does kind of have me curious (looks less scary than Barbaracle, Omastar, and Kabutops).  Though it does also look like it has potential as its abilities Strong Jaw / Shell Armor makes it seem strong especially if its Attack is high!

Corviknight

Wow, I definitely didn’t realize we never had a Raven Pokémon but it seems things have come to fruition with this edgy bird!  Though considering it kind of replaces the HM Fly (makes me wonder what is going to happen with HMs altogether since Corviknight takes you to places you’ve been to and you can ride your bike in the water, I mean it’s pretty curious).  Also, I was expecting Dark/Flying (like the Honchkrow and Mandibuzz line) but instead it’s a Flying/Steel type (like Skarmory), makes me wonder how powerful it will be especially with the abilities Pressure & Unnerve…this might be a late-game catch perhaps (or even there could be a pre-evolution too!

Zacian, Zamazenta

Before the direct ended, Masuda surprised us with one more short trailer introducing the games legendaries, Zacian & Zamazenta.  Honestly, I’m surprised with how similar they look to one another minus the fact Zacian has the sword and Zamazenta wears the shield.  Though not much else is known currently (not even they types, but I’m guessing one of the types will be Steel).  Though it definitely pushed me to getting Sword now so I’m pretty excited!

Though there was a hint of a new Pokémon during the Gym Battle scene where this kid wore a sweater with this mysterious Chipmunk Pokémon (though another LQ picture shows said Pokémon in the crowd with a Munchlax, Riolu, Vulpix, and Pikachu).  Curious to see what becomes of this…and of the current big rumor going around of that there’s 2 Squirrel/Chipmunk PKMN.

Of course they also showed Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble off, but nothing really new information-wise about them and nothing on Meltan and Melmetal so…  Still a lot of older Pokémon return too!

I guess I should mention that importantly, Pokémon Bank is going to be now Pokémon Home which be the place to store PKMN (although this will be coming in 2020 so that’s kind of a bummer, though it may not since Sword & Shield releases on 11/15

 

RUMOR: Shortly after people have found a 4chan post by someone Anonymous that leaked some information, normally 4chan posts get ignore but this one (posted last week on the 23rd), so let’s break it down!

Things that were leaked correctly!

• Rival is Hop
• Dynamaxing
• Name dropping Sonia & Leon and the mention of her Grandmother as the professor
• Name dropping Milo as a Gym Leader
• The Wild Zone being an expansive biome that has weather changes and battles against Dynamaxed Pokemon in 4-people battles (Max Raid Battles).
• Legendary is a wolf that either holds a shield or sword (Zacian & Zamazenta)
• Wooloo was talked about by name

There’s a lot that wasn’t talked about that was in this leak

 

Though with E3 & Corocoro coming up we might get one or two more new Pokémon, so I will see you next week!

Morning Musume ’19 – Jinsei Blues/Seishun Night June 2, 2019

Track Listing

1. Jinsei Blues
2. Seishun Night
3. Jinsei Blues (Instrumental)
4. Seishun Night (Instrumental)

1. Jinsei Blues

As the main A-side, Jinsei Blues is an interesting take on EDM by having a little more swing to it, but right once the vocals come in, it does become pretty much a straight shot of things they’ve done before.  Also surprised there’s like no solos to be had here for the most part (if there is, it’s just small lines).  I will say the best part is the bridge with the synth melody and bop.  Still, I think it’s just OK for the most part to me.

2. Seishun Night

Which follows suit with Seishun Night which unlike the EDM-centric vibes out of “Jinsei Blues” has a bit more focus on the funky disco stylings like in “Utakata Saturday Night!” and “Sukatto My Heart”.  At least there’s a little more oomph to it like solos and pretty hefty rap line from the main singers (Sakura, Fukuchan, Ayumi, and Maachan).  Though Miki gets some push here too.  Overall not bad here.

 

 

Momusu first single in the Reiwa era and I’m just kind of like meh about it.  Neither track really popped out me as both styles have been done before (and to dry sense at this point),  I feel like whatever they did in their last single, they should follow and separate themselves away from the EDM / Disco rut they’ve got locked in.  Hopefully since the new 15th Generation is coming soon, hopefully that’ll bring some changes.

R – RISE

Track Listing

1. RISE
2. RISE (instrumental)
3. WARM PRAYER Live Ver. (181116@Shinjuku BLAZE)
4. NO FADE OUT Live Ver. (190120@Toyosu PIT)

1. RISE

As the leading track, RISE I thought would’ve been much more of a ballad since this is Rina’s return to the music.  I do like the acoustic guitar with the synths in the background, but I really wasn’t expecting the song to have a powerful chorus with a heavy rockin’ sound to come with but I definitely enjoy this surprise a lot!  Yeah this is definitely a strong for Rina that’s for sure!

3. WARM PRAYER Live Ver. (181116@Shinjuku BLAZE)

So technically Rina announced her return last year, but she released these two tracks digitally, but these are live versions of those songs.  WARM PRAYER to be honest didn’t sound like it was live, but maybe it’s just how good the recording was.  As the ballad of the single, WARM PRAYER isn’t quite too memorable at first, saving a lot of the interesting stuff towards the end with added instrumentation.  Not bad though.

4. NO FADE OUT Live Ver. (190120@Toyosu PIT)

Now this sounds a bit more like it was performed live.  This one felt a bit more like stuff she released in the past like “Bara ga Saku Bara ga Chiru” and “Sugao no Mama” being a bit of a mix of rock and synth with a little splash of anison and I’ve missed this a lot from Rina (especially how her last works were super light pop tunes).  NO FADE OUT does offer a really powerful performance out of Rina and I am really happy about that!

 

 

Wow, its been essentially 9 years since Rina’s last physical release, “LAST SCENE” but she’s come out of her retirement/hiatus with a bang!  I wasn’t expecting to really enjoy both RISE and NO FADE OUT, but these are the most exciting songs she’s had at least since her “THANX” album which is good!  WARM PRAYER has to grow on me, but I do like the 2nd half of the track.  Still, what a great way to return to the music scene!  Although I’m not sure why she’s going by “R”…just seems weird considering how big her discography prior is XD.