Every three episodes I'm gonna review and revise my speculations... 'cause why not.
Also, isn't this season so amazing? I'll do some kind of actual review once it's over, but. Yeah, I'm loving every second of it.
Episode 1 did include the Roots case; in fact it was the cold open. The rest of the episode was the Emi mini-arc. It did not include the omake where Tsubomi goes to Spirits & Such. This was such a great first episode. I loved the decision to start with the Roots Case. This gave us Mob's first line: "Again, can you not summon me on such short notice?" to mirror his opening line in season 1: "Master, I asked you not to summon me on such short notice." Hilarious.
Episode 2 was the Urban Legends arc, as we knew it would be. The only major change from the manga was that the Kuchisake-onna was changed to the Dragger, who was a similar spirit overall. I'm not clear on the reason for this; the Kuchisake-onna is a real urban legend in Japan on par with Bloody Mary when it comes to cultural awareness. Some have said that the reason is that the Kuchisake-onna is copyrighted; others have said it was too gory for the anime so had to be toned down. Either way, the change was fine as it still got the same points across as in the manga.
Episode 3: The only twist from this episode was that the bullying scene from the beginning of Mogami arc was moved up to the middle of this episode to separate the two parts of the Ghost Family case. This was a great decision and helped the pacing a lot.
Revisions to my speculations:
Episode 4: It will not include the bullying scene since that was in Episode 3. They will probably skip the invitation thing entirely and just show Reigen and Mob on the train on their way there. Based on the title of this episode ("Inside"), I think that it will go up to the point that Mob enters to mind world. Splitting it here definitely means that Mogami arc will only be two episodes.
Episodes 5-7: No changes to my earlier predictions.
Episode 8: This is where the omake with Tsubomi going to Spirits & Such will be. I'm sure of it. It will lengthen this episode which will also include the marathon and Mob seeing smoke coming from his home.
Episodes 9-12: No changes to my earlier predictions.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Thursday, January 10, 2019
2019 Goals
1. Start the GIS program. I have been accepted into the program, so I should, like... do it.
2. Along with the new education, get a new job or at least switch tracks at my current place of employment. I don't wanna do community outreach anymore! I'm not even good at it!
3. Make more YouTube content. I've been making a few more videos recently, and I'd like to continue. It's fun.
4. Write. I've been shying away from numerical goals recently (setting myself up for failure) but let's say... publish at least 20 posts on this blog.
5. Travel somewhere. Yeah, somewhere. Maybe a road trip out west to a national park over the summer.
6. Start home-brewing. Second time's the charm.
Um... I'm just going to publish this now and add to it later on if I can come up with more goals.
2. Along with the new education, get a new job or at least switch tracks at my current place of employment. I don't wanna do community outreach anymore! I'm not even good at it!
3. Make more YouTube content. I've been making a few more videos recently, and I'd like to continue. It's fun.
4. Write. I've been shying away from numerical goals recently (setting myself up for failure) but let's say... publish at least 20 posts on this blog.
5. Travel somewhere. Yeah, somewhere. Maybe a road trip out west to a national park over the summer.
6. Start home-brewing. Second time's the charm.
Um... I'm just going to publish this now and add to it later on if I can come up with more goals.
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Mob Psycho 100 Season 2 Speculation
Since I last posted about Mob Psycho 100, my infatuation with the anime/manga has only grown. We are now only a few short days from the premiere of season 2, which I will see in the theater!
Still, I have no patience so I'm speculating on what will happen each episode. This is based on the manga, and also on what we have seen from the trailers. I just want to write this down so I can see how close I am.
Episode 1: The first episode will be relatively light. Hard to say how exactly they will open it -- they may add an action sequence to begin, like with season 1. This episode will mostly be the Mob's Girlfriend mini-arc. Mob runs for student council, embarrasses himself, and then Emi confesses her feelings for him (Mob doesn't know at first that she lost a bet). I agree with the speculation that a case will be added to this episode to help with the pacing and add action; From the trailer, I bet it's going to be the Roots case. People have also speculated that the omake where Tsubomi and one of her friends go to Spirits & Such for dating advice will be in this episode. This will give us a scene without Mob (and some Ritsu time) which will greatly improve the pace, and it fits the theme of the episode. These little interludes will help lengthen and pace-out the episode, but it will be a light and fun episode. Nothing earth-shattering... yet.
Episode 2: I believe the entirety of this episode will be the Urban Legends arc. There are plenty of cases to fill twenty minutes, as well as a new character, Shinra. From people who saw the premiere of this episode at Anime NYC, I've heard that this episode is pretty scary. That is certainly in-line with the Kuchisake-onna case, which is creepy enough drawn in the manga, so I'm sure it will be very scary animated. This will be a nice little bottle-episode, very Reigen-and-Mob-centric, but again, nothing hugely dramatic.
Episode 3: I'm guessing this episode will mostly be Chapter 58, in which Reigen and Mob take on three separate cases. For an episode to be only one chapter is a little worrisome, but these cases are very important to later developments; each of them provokes Mob to think more critically and independently. First there is a client who wants to curse someone, so Reigen pretends to put on the curse -- Mob questions whether this is moral. Then there is an esper who is stalking a woman through an out-of-body experience. For one, this is set-up for a key plot point during the Mogami arc, and this also leads Mob to question the distinction between people and spirits. In the third case, Mob refuses to exorcise a harmless family of spirits, again questioning whether spirits are less worthy than people. Back at the office, it's discovered that Reigen has been cursed by the guy he tricked at the beginning and he receives an invitation to the Asagiri mansion -- next episode. The episode will end with Mob in his bedroom at home questioning what would happen if he turned against the world.
*Note: Mogami arc could be two or three episodes. I'm not sure. If it's three, I think it will be split after Mogami reveals himself and then after Mob enters the simulation part of the mind-world after the initial interaction with Mogami. I'm leaning toward saying it will be two episodes mostly because if it's three, that leaves us not enough time to get through World Domination arc within four episodes. But that may not actually be a limiting factor if this season is longer than 12 episodes.
Episode 4: This episode will be the first part of Mogami arc. It will begin the way Chapter 59 does; Mob is bullied and rescued by Ritsu and the Body Improvement Club. Then Reigen and Mob head off to the Asagiri mansion and meet all the other psychics that are there. The possession case is introduced. Rock-paper-scissors to see who will go first. Reigen discovers that Minori is in fact possessed and the spirit reveals himself, shattering the glass. The other psychics try to fight the spirit, and Dimple tells us about Mogami: flashback. Mob tries to exorcise the spirit and fails: he does the out-of-body experience and enters the mind-world.
*Ok, seeing it all like that... That's a lot. I hope it will be three episodes in order to give everything adequate time!
Episode 5: Fight with Mogami in the mind world and then entering the simulation, with glimpses to how Reigen and Dimple are doing on the outside. Dimple comes to help Mob and there's the big fight before Mob wakes up. Matsuo catches Mogami, and Minori wakes up and apologizes to Mob. Episode ends with the continued Psycho Helmet Cult intrigue.
Episode 6: Starting with Chapter 68, it goes into Separation Arc pretty quickly, so there may be an omake at the beginning of this episode to help with the pacing. But I'm sure that this episode will include the "break up" between Mob and Reigen. If they don't add much to the beginning, it could potentially go all the way through Reigen accepting the invitation to be on TV.
Episode 7: The rest of Separation Arc, depending on where it leaves off. Reigen is humiliated on live TV, and then holds a press conference and has his character development moment. Notably, this scene will have to go down a little differently than in the manga, since the anime already used the flashback of Mob and Reigen meeting in season 1. I loved how they used the flashback, and I'm sure they will come up with something great to use here to similar effect. Mob shows up to the press conference and they reconcile. Ends with more Cult intrigue to keep that plot moving along.
*Note: At this point, if I'm limiting to 12 episodes, there are 5 left to get through World Domination Arc. The pacing here is a little trickier to figure out; there aren't super clear episode breaks as it's more-or-less continuous action leading up to the big fight at the end. But here is my guess of how it will go down.
Episode 8: The marathon mini-arc will provide a much needed slower pace at this point. Then, on its heels: Shou comes to the Kageyama's house, and Mob finds his house has been burned and his family is (apparently) dead. I'm not sure if that's enough content for the whole episode, but I don't think Bones can resist cliff-hangering us with that.
Episode 9: Dimple talks Mob down from an explosion. Mob is determined to find whoever did this. (Cue the OP.) The former Scars, Mob, Reigen, and the other esper kids get together. Mob falls asleep (good for him). There's a lot of exposition and talking to set things up. Suzuki makes the world domination announcement. Shou and Ritsu talk. Joseph betrays Suzuki, and we are introduced to the Super 5. Shimazaki kidnaps the prime minister.
Episode 10: Following the storylines as they progress. Shou and Ritsu. Reigen and Mob vs. the hulk guy. The Scars and children espers. The body improvement club vs. the hulk guy. Teru vs. Shimazaki. Progressing toward the big fights: Mob fights some lackeys and Minegishi, and Mogami's spirit appears from Matsuo's jar to give him some advice. (This is so much fighting? I'm not sure how this episode isn't going to feel absolutely frenetic but all of this happens basically one-after-another. There's still so much to come, so I don't see how any of this can get bumped into Episode 11. They may just have to give us more episodes...)
Episode 11: Shou vs. his dad. Mob vs. Serizawa, leading into the first Mob vs. Suzuki confrontation. Reigen shows up to help, but his plan backfires. (This is a mirror to the Claw 7th Division arc from season 1, and it's going to be amazing and possibly my favorite scene from this season.) For the second season in a row they will end with a "Reigen is dead" cliffhanger. I'll put money on it.
Episode 12: Surprise! Reigen's not dead! Serizawa saved him! The majority of this episode will be the epic fight between Mob and Suzuki, during which Mob cycles through six different 100% phases. Calm after the storm and then the broccoli, to end the season. Off Dimple: "My time has come."
I'm hoping that we will see the rest of the manga adapted in 2019, either as continuous season that's longer than 12 episodes (probably 18-24 episodes) or as a split cour. I would put my money on a split cour with 12 episodes and then after a few months' hiatus 6-8 more episodes to finish up the manga. I don't really have any evidence to back this up, I just think that's what will happen.
Okay, those are my thoughts. Let's see how good of an instinct I have for structuring and pacing an adaptation. This is just for fun, but if I'm right about anything, I will brag!
Still, I have no patience so I'm speculating on what will happen each episode. This is based on the manga, and also on what we have seen from the trailers. I just want to write this down so I can see how close I am.
Episode 1: The first episode will be relatively light. Hard to say how exactly they will open it -- they may add an action sequence to begin, like with season 1. This episode will mostly be the Mob's Girlfriend mini-arc. Mob runs for student council, embarrasses himself, and then Emi confesses her feelings for him (Mob doesn't know at first that she lost a bet). I agree with the speculation that a case will be added to this episode to help with the pacing and add action; From the trailer, I bet it's going to be the Roots case. People have also speculated that the omake where Tsubomi and one of her friends go to Spirits & Such for dating advice will be in this episode. This will give us a scene without Mob (and some Ritsu time) which will greatly improve the pace, and it fits the theme of the episode. These little interludes will help lengthen and pace-out the episode, but it will be a light and fun episode. Nothing earth-shattering... yet.
Episode 2: I believe the entirety of this episode will be the Urban Legends arc. There are plenty of cases to fill twenty minutes, as well as a new character, Shinra. From people who saw the premiere of this episode at Anime NYC, I've heard that this episode is pretty scary. That is certainly in-line with the Kuchisake-onna case, which is creepy enough drawn in the manga, so I'm sure it will be very scary animated. This will be a nice little bottle-episode, very Reigen-and-Mob-centric, but again, nothing hugely dramatic.
Episode 3: I'm guessing this episode will mostly be Chapter 58, in which Reigen and Mob take on three separate cases. For an episode to be only one chapter is a little worrisome, but these cases are very important to later developments; each of them provokes Mob to think more critically and independently. First there is a client who wants to curse someone, so Reigen pretends to put on the curse -- Mob questions whether this is moral. Then there is an esper who is stalking a woman through an out-of-body experience. For one, this is set-up for a key plot point during the Mogami arc, and this also leads Mob to question the distinction between people and spirits. In the third case, Mob refuses to exorcise a harmless family of spirits, again questioning whether spirits are less worthy than people. Back at the office, it's discovered that Reigen has been cursed by the guy he tricked at the beginning and he receives an invitation to the Asagiri mansion -- next episode. The episode will end with Mob in his bedroom at home questioning what would happen if he turned against the world.
*Note: Mogami arc could be two or three episodes. I'm not sure. If it's three, I think it will be split after Mogami reveals himself and then after Mob enters the simulation part of the mind-world after the initial interaction with Mogami. I'm leaning toward saying it will be two episodes mostly because if it's three, that leaves us not enough time to get through World Domination arc within four episodes. But that may not actually be a limiting factor if this season is longer than 12 episodes.
Episode 4: This episode will be the first part of Mogami arc. It will begin the way Chapter 59 does; Mob is bullied and rescued by Ritsu and the Body Improvement Club. Then Reigen and Mob head off to the Asagiri mansion and meet all the other psychics that are there. The possession case is introduced. Rock-paper-scissors to see who will go first. Reigen discovers that Minori is in fact possessed and the spirit reveals himself, shattering the glass. The other psychics try to fight the spirit, and Dimple tells us about Mogami: flashback. Mob tries to exorcise the spirit and fails: he does the out-of-body experience and enters the mind-world.
*Ok, seeing it all like that... That's a lot. I hope it will be three episodes in order to give everything adequate time!
Episode 5: Fight with Mogami in the mind world and then entering the simulation, with glimpses to how Reigen and Dimple are doing on the outside. Dimple comes to help Mob and there's the big fight before Mob wakes up. Matsuo catches Mogami, and Minori wakes up and apologizes to Mob. Episode ends with the continued Psycho Helmet Cult intrigue.
Episode 6: Starting with Chapter 68, it goes into Separation Arc pretty quickly, so there may be an omake at the beginning of this episode to help with the pacing. But I'm sure that this episode will include the "break up" between Mob and Reigen. If they don't add much to the beginning, it could potentially go all the way through Reigen accepting the invitation to be on TV.
Episode 7: The rest of Separation Arc, depending on where it leaves off. Reigen is humiliated on live TV, and then holds a press conference and has his character development moment. Notably, this scene will have to go down a little differently than in the manga, since the anime already used the flashback of Mob and Reigen meeting in season 1. I loved how they used the flashback, and I'm sure they will come up with something great to use here to similar effect. Mob shows up to the press conference and they reconcile. Ends with more Cult intrigue to keep that plot moving along.
*Note: At this point, if I'm limiting to 12 episodes, there are 5 left to get through World Domination Arc. The pacing here is a little trickier to figure out; there aren't super clear episode breaks as it's more-or-less continuous action leading up to the big fight at the end. But here is my guess of how it will go down.
Episode 8: The marathon mini-arc will provide a much needed slower pace at this point. Then, on its heels: Shou comes to the Kageyama's house, and Mob finds his house has been burned and his family is (apparently) dead. I'm not sure if that's enough content for the whole episode, but I don't think Bones can resist cliff-hangering us with that.
Episode 9: Dimple talks Mob down from an explosion. Mob is determined to find whoever did this. (Cue the OP.) The former Scars, Mob, Reigen, and the other esper kids get together. Mob falls asleep (good for him). There's a lot of exposition and talking to set things up. Suzuki makes the world domination announcement. Shou and Ritsu talk. Joseph betrays Suzuki, and we are introduced to the Super 5. Shimazaki kidnaps the prime minister.
Episode 10: Following the storylines as they progress. Shou and Ritsu. Reigen and Mob vs. the hulk guy. The Scars and children espers. The body improvement club vs. the hulk guy. Teru vs. Shimazaki. Progressing toward the big fights: Mob fights some lackeys and Minegishi, and Mogami's spirit appears from Matsuo's jar to give him some advice. (This is so much fighting? I'm not sure how this episode isn't going to feel absolutely frenetic but all of this happens basically one-after-another. There's still so much to come, so I don't see how any of this can get bumped into Episode 11. They may just have to give us more episodes...)
Episode 11: Shou vs. his dad. Mob vs. Serizawa, leading into the first Mob vs. Suzuki confrontation. Reigen shows up to help, but his plan backfires. (This is a mirror to the Claw 7th Division arc from season 1, and it's going to be amazing and possibly my favorite scene from this season.) For the second season in a row they will end with a "Reigen is dead" cliffhanger. I'll put money on it.
Episode 12: Surprise! Reigen's not dead! Serizawa saved him! The majority of this episode will be the epic fight between Mob and Suzuki, during which Mob cycles through six different 100% phases. Calm after the storm and then the broccoli, to end the season. Off Dimple: "My time has come."
I'm hoping that we will see the rest of the manga adapted in 2019, either as continuous season that's longer than 12 episodes (probably 18-24 episodes) or as a split cour. I would put my money on a split cour with 12 episodes and then after a few months' hiatus 6-8 more episodes to finish up the manga. I don't really have any evidence to back this up, I just think that's what will happen.
Okay, those are my thoughts. Let's see how good of an instinct I have for structuring and pacing an adaptation. This is just for fun, but if I'm right about anything, I will brag!
Tuesday, January 1, 2019
2018 Goals Evaluation
As always, a look back at my goals for 2018.
1. Apply for Food Corps
I did not do this. I don't think I would have wanted to move to a different state for a year anyway.
2. Host regular dinner parties with friends.
My friends... never hang out with me. lmao
3. Start home-brewing.
Didn't get around to this! I did make some serviceberry wine over the summer (it sucks), so I took a trip to the homebrew store and browsed a little. But I have not tried brewing beer yet.
4. Go on a trip somewhere.
Went to Santa Barbara and Yosemite and it was great!
6. Garden this summer, in some capacity.
I didn't do much gardening, just watered the campus garden a couple times. But I hung around the garden enough, and had some fun foraging on campus over the summer.
7. Play guitar more often.
I've been playing pretty regularly all year!
8. Keep coding websites a little.
I did this! I streamlined some code for previous projects, and I worked on some new stuff.
9. Start writing again.
I wrote a lot more this year than I have in a while. I wrote a lot of blog posts, and some fiction as well.
10. If you don't care about these goals in a few months, don't feel guilty about it.
Yeah, you know I don't feel guilty.
1. Apply for Food Corps
I did not do this. I don't think I would have wanted to move to a different state for a year anyway.
2. Host regular dinner parties with friends.
My friends... never hang out with me. lmao
3. Start home-brewing.
Didn't get around to this! I did make some serviceberry wine over the summer (it sucks), so I took a trip to the homebrew store and browsed a little. But I have not tried brewing beer yet.
4. Go on a trip somewhere.
Went to Santa Barbara and Yosemite and it was great!
6. Garden this summer, in some capacity.
I didn't do much gardening, just watered the campus garden a couple times. But I hung around the garden enough, and had some fun foraging on campus over the summer.
7. Play guitar more often.
I've been playing pretty regularly all year!
8. Keep coding websites a little.
I did this! I streamlined some code for previous projects, and I worked on some new stuff.
9. Start writing again.
I wrote a lot more this year than I have in a while. I wrote a lot of blog posts, and some fiction as well.
10. If you don't care about these goals in a few months, don't feel guilty about it.
Yeah, you know I don't feel guilty.
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