Picked this up from Sankaku Complex

What could be wrong with this picture? The laws of physics and the reflection of light don’t seem to apply in this scene. Or maybe Natsuru just looks exactly the same from the back as the front. Then again… Kampfer is a show in which the main character can swap genders, so you gotta expect the rest of the world to be odd as well. Didn’t even notice this when watching the episode, but I think I was too busy laughing to notice small details at the time.

This episode also has one of the coolest eyecatch illustrations I have seen which is included in the gallery.

Funimation has released a test episode of Keroro Gunsō (Sgt Frog) on Youtube with english dubs for viewer feedback.

Having never read the manga or seen the anime my only knowledge of Keroro is from the myriad of references to it in other anime I have seen. The series has existed in Japan since 1999 and is still ongoing so it’s easy to see that it’s quite a popular franchise, and it’s quite interesting that it has taken 10 years to invade the U.S. Regardless of my previous lack of exposure just watching the test episode I can confidently say bring it guys… This is something I will watch.

Of course the youtube comment page is packed with the usual “you’re ruining the show” comments from the anti-dub league, but I think Funimation did a rather impressive job. Yes they had to change the dialogue a bit, and swap some of the Japanese otaku references with some western references that we would get, but I enjoyed the episode, and found it quite funny. It definitely left me wanting more.

As for the no-dub folks… There will surely be a subbed version for you to enjoy in all it’s original glory. Really… You guys should appreciate the dubbing process a lot more. Not only does a dub it make it more likely that new viewers will be exposed to the show, but it also gives a way to get the subbed versions available here. It’s good for everyone. Besides… If you are in the U.S. and have watched any of Keroro you had to have done it illegally. C’mon… Give the creators a chance to get paid for their work. I mean I am guilty of downloading when something is not available in the U.S. but I always purchase as soon as it’s released over here. Show some support so we can get even more cool stuff on this side of the pond.

For those not familiar Keroro Gunsō is a manga/anime about a platoon of alien frog-like beings that attempt to take over the world (labeled as “Planet Wus” in Funi’s test episode). The show revolves around the groups deteriorating conquest efforts.

To see the test episode visit Funimation’s Youtube page here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ5mQPVQmZ8

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Speaking of anime which reference Keroro… UPS has just dropped off my brand new shiny copy of Lucky Star Vol 4. For those who may have been confused on the 4th wondering why it wasn’t in stores… I dunno what happened. It was officially released on November 4th, but for some reason stores like Best Buy, FYE, etc are saying it doesn’t release until the 18th. Well… It has in fact released you just may have to buy it online unless you have a really good anime store near you that’s on top of things. Currently Deep Discount DVD has it listed but has not received their stock yet (as of Nov. 5th), but Amazon does have it.