I’ll say this for Tekketsu no Orphans – when the flag is raised, it sure doesn’t take long to salute. Iron-Blooded Orphans is a bit of a vexing show, to be honest.  It’s one of those series that you tend to like in spite of its flaws, and of course […] Read more

There are no coincidences in space… The feels were running pretty hot and heavy in this week’s episode of Tekketsu no Orphans, which still has all the earmarks of a story setting up for some major tragedy but has yet to really bring the hammer down.  The first requirement for […] Read more

Wait for it – it’s coming. If the ultimate test of whether a series is working or not is whether you feel anything for the characters (worry, for example) Kidou Senshi Gundam: Tekketsu no Orphans is definitely working for me.  I think it’s a testament to the experience and savvy […] Read more

Meat and cookies don’t always stand for meat and cookies. It’s always interesting to see the response to episodes of a Gundam series in the usual places where people vote on such things (you’re familiar with these popular sites, I’m sure) especially a Gundam show like this one with its […] Read more

He’s not exactly Craster, but that doesn’t mean Naze Turbine is a swell guy. Once again Tekketsu no Orphans turned on a dime, ditching last week’s action-driven style for a dialogue-heavy episode full of emotion.  Once you get past the whiplash I rather like that this series has the ability […] Read more

What one takes away from this episode hinges on, I expect, what one brings into it. I have no quibbles with this episode of Iron-Blooded Orphans, and I expect it’s going to be greeted quite favorably by the audience.  No reason why it shouldn’t – it’s a very solid mecha […] Read more

So far Tekketsu no Orphans is sticking pretty close to the template, but it seems to be working. I had a chance to see Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterun da (Anthem of the Heart) this weekend, which I bring up here because like Iron-Blooded Orphans, it’s a collaboration between Nagai Tatsuyuki and […] Read more

This week’s message is clear: you just can’t trust Hitler.  Who knew? For my money that was definitely the best episode of Tekketsu no Orphans so far.  I like Gundam episodes that are succinct, focused and to the point – when it comes to this mythos, in my view simpler […] Read more

It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for.  In Gundam, anyway. Iron-Blooded Orphans is certainly shaping up as an interesting show, albeit one with some discernible flaws (and I’m not talking about the quite significant drop in animation quality this week).  The first four episodes have generally […] Read more