The Stories and Novels By Derek Ward
For May, I thought it would be interesting to do some Mecha recommendations. These are a bit older, but I certainly enjoyed them all.
This one has some very frenetic energy.
You can tell the impact of Gundam on this one, but I really enjoyed the storyline.
This is one where I was trying to figure things out until the very end.
One where the storyline plays with a few common tropes/concepts in anime.
This is a cute romance, but one where I was hoping the main character would fall for the other girl instead of his main interest.
A second one where I preferred the secondary love interest instead of the primary.
In this one, the main character is very annoying. Another where the secondary love interest is a far more compelling character. I’ll be honest, I couldn’t finish it, but it has a strong following.
This one’s kind of good, kind of meh, but has some interesting concepts.
The back half of 2025 looks like we’re going to get second seasons of a few of my previous faves. Needless to say, I’m excited and a bit cautious. Second seasons can be a bit of a crapshoot. Some are awesome, and some are let downs. Some completely ruin a series. Still, I’m hopeful.
A rare rom com involving adults instead of students.
Speaking of rom-coms involving students. This one has an interesting premise and done well.
Another rom-com where the stepchildren used to date – and may still have feelings for each other. And a bit of ecchi.
It feels odd recommending one that’s not technically anime and over ten years old, but damn RWBY is good.
This is a good romance/slice of life show, but the dub isn’t the best. If you can do subtitles, I would recommend leaving it on the Japanese voices.
Yes, it’s a harem comedy with all the normal tropes. Still, the story does get better – with some weird zigs and zags.
This is a good entry in the isekai genre. With a twist – as the title implies.
Another entry where the demons are more another faction and less an embodiment of evil.
Multiple videos with the same song because each are pretty darn cool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1LfZGOwjps
Today’s Reason links are going to be heavily dominated by the continuing fires in the Los Angeles area.
In defense of private firefighting firms. Because they’re doing the job that government doesn’t or isn’t capable of doing.
Looting is bad, so are curfews. This one I’m not so sure I agree, but it makes valid points. I can see both sides, but I tend to lean more to control of the area. Limiting chaos factors while dealing with a situation makes sense.
If California can relax permitting for rebuilding, then it can abolish the same rules. This is a good time to take a hard look at all those rules – including the ones that allow building in fire-prone areas.
But using price controls isn’t going to help with rebuilding.
More Reason articles.
SCOTUS upheld the TikTok ban in a narrow decision as leaders realized this might not be the best idea. The Supremes’ decision sounded very much “it’s okay in this case due to the facts, but probably not in others.” I’m also annoyed/amused by the leadership class running around like headless chickens because the law they were so happy to pass would actually go into effect.
No, Biden can’t unilaterally declare the ERA as part of the Constitution – and especially not by social media. This reeks of some underling getting control of the Twix account and pushing something out. It sounds like something that would happen in the waning days of the Biden administration.
The FDA is trying to ban cigarettes by making the nicotine content close to zero. Brought to you by the same folks who banned flavored vapes because it might harm children and fueled an increase in cigarette smoking in children. I swear, it’s like they think that people react exactly like they think they should just by passing a rule.
New Jersey raised its minimum wage and surprise, surprise, prices rose.
The SEC is trying to regulate NFT’s as securities instead of art.
With SHOT around the corner, here’s some TFB articles on some new guns.
S&W’s lever gun now comes in .357 Magnum. Well, that has my attention.
They also came out with a “Stealth Hunter” version. Or as I like to call it – “matte tacticool.”
Mossberg is “AR’ing” it’s 590 pump shotguns.
Now on to other stories.
From Reuters, a running log of events surrounding the Israel / Hamas ceasefire and hostage return. One hopes that this would be the beginning of rebuilding Gaza into a peaceful neighbor of Israel. One also is aware of history.
From the Colorado Sun, the Colorado legislature is looking to ban the sale and manufacture of any semi-auto that uses a detachable magazine. Also known as banning any modern firearm used by the general populace. (h/t The Reload).
An article on Apple pushing its transparency and noise cancellation modes on its AirPods. Honestly, I use these so much, that I didn’t even consider that they didn’t only have these modes.
From a local TV station, Big Cat Rescue has moved their animals to Arkansas and is selling their property. Honestly, this is probably a good move all around. BCR was in the middle of an highly developed area of Hillsborough that is growing even more.
From Military.com, the battle songs that defined the GWOT.
Forbes continues its Macross reporting with a piece on now that Macross is widely available, it could threaten Gundam’s popularity. I’ve already got Macross Zero slotted into my anime rotation.
Via The Brother, Arc Technica has a review of Civ 7. Knowing me, I’ll be uncomfortable with the changes for the first couple of months until I figure out the gameplay and then will just go to town on it.
This was one of the most surprisingly entertaining – and bizarre – shows I’ve encountered in a while. And the opening is very entertaining.
This is a pretty decent remake of the original. I’m trying to decide if I like it because of nostalgia or because the series is entertaining.
This was an interesting isekai with a lot of earnestness.
This is a cute “found family” / “odd couple” series.
New year, and time for links. I took a break and a bunch of stories happened. I’m not going to recriminate myself. I needed it. Anywhoo, this is also a bit of a tab clearing edition, so hold on.
Reason first.
New European rules have pretty much enshrined USB-C. I like USB-C. I think it’s a great technology. I hate it being forced down everyone’s throats at the point of Europe’s guns. I also hate that this will make it harder for new charging technology to be brought forward.
Based on their track record last time around, and looking at a recent ruling, the US Supreme Court is not going to be a rubber stamp for Trump.
Last week was the ten year anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo massacre – and Reason has a thinkpiece on the cowardice of the leadership class to blame freedom of speech than murderers. Fanatical murderers are the ultimate heckler’s veto, and the cowardice of institutions to admit that has been a growing embarrassment.
Coverage of Meta’s decision to eliminate “fact-checkers” among other changes. There’s been talk that Zuck is not only trying to ingratiate himself with the incoming administration, but finally feels the environment is strong enough for him to push back against the “hostage-takers” among his staff. Both of which are kind of pathetic reasons when you think about it. It still gets me a result I want, considering FB is normally how I distribute the blog.
The feds jailed a Montana rancher for – checks notes – cloning a sheep.
Ohio is going to charge people to get access to body cam videos. I’m actually going against Reason on this one. Since fees are capped at $750, it may be reasonable. However, considering governments generally are horrible at timely providing information, I can sympathize with organizations worried it’s just another speed bump in transparency.
Reason examining Biden’s decision to block the sale of US Steel to Nippon Steel.
On to other news stories.
The Free Press is covering the current scandal in the UK about the plight of girls being raped and authorities ignoring it. Plus the anger of the politicos at Elon for shining a light on their disgrace instead of their underlings for not handling the issue.
NYT covers the new congesting pricing implemented for entering Manhattan. Congestion pricing is one of those ideas I like in concept, but don’t trust the government to implement. For example, all the fees from this new tax are supposed to go to a public transit system already overfunded and incompetent with no demand for improvement in the system.
Headline from the Economist – “Why people over the age of 55 are the new problem generation.”
WaPo on the shadow war between India and Pakistan.
Bloomberg on the power demands of new AI datacenters and it’s probable impact on the grid. This might be the needed kick in the pants to decentralize and modernize the nation’s power grid. And get more nukes.
From Reuters, Apple is to pay $95 million to settle a privacy case because of Siri. First, that’s a blow to Apple’s self-image of being the best in privacy. Second, I assume all the personal assistants are always listening.
Also from Reuters, US court stops last minute implementation of net-neutrality rules. As much as I hope that’s the nail in the coffin for that particular gambit, people still want to implement communism.
Wired has a think piece on why families should establish secret passwords.
Tampa Bay Times reports on the death of a Scientologist spokesperson turned vociferous critic. Cancer sucks.
With CES, we have some neat new tech.
The Verge discusses BMW’s new iDrive. The idea of a Heads-Up Display for the car intrigued me, and the limited one on the BMW that The Wife and I rented last summer was nifty.
Also from The Verge, LG has a new “AeroCatTower” which will purify the air while your cat sits – and weighs them. Depending on the cost, one of these may show up at Ward Manor. It’s just too nifty.
From CNET, a tiny kitty that sits on your cup and blows on hot beverages to cool them.
Engadget has a couple of articles on new power devices – Ecoflow’s new solar hat and Anker’s new solar umbrella.
A light item.
Like I did last year, I will include the trailers for the top five. The rest will be grouped into “Loved”, “Liked”, “Meh”. Each category will be alphabetical.
Top 5
Loved
A Sign of Affection
Ai Yori Aoshi
Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian
Banished From the Hero’s Party
Bocchi the Rock!
Bottom-Tier Character Tomozoki
Chiling Out In my 30’s After Being Fired From The Demon King’s Army
Chillin’ In Another World With My Level 2 Super Cheat Powers
A Couple of Cuckoos
Days With My Stepsister
Fruits Basket
Hanndyman Saito In Another World
Higehiro
I’m Giving The Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness
I’m the Villainess So I’m Taming the Final Boss
I’ve Somehow Gotten Stronger When I Improved My Farm-Related Skills
Love After World Domination
My Love Story
One-Punch Man
The Apothecary Diaries
The Devil Is A Part Timer
The Ice Guy and His Cool Female Colleague
The Magical Girl and the Evil Lieutenant Used to be Archenemies
Tomo-Chan Is a Girl
Liked
Azumanga Daioh
Don’t Toy With Me Miss Nagatoro
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Full Metal Panic
Highschool of the dead
KanColle
Love Hina
Macross Frontier
My Hero Academia
Recovery of an MMO Junkie
Space Battleship Yamato 2199
The Asterisk War
Meh
Arpeggio of Blue Steel
Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skill
Hokkaido Girls Are Super Adorable
I Got A Cheat Skill In Another World
The Foolish Angel Dances With the Devil