STRIKE FIRST... STRIKE HARD... NO MERCY

The Karate Kid Saga Continues with Cobra Kai

The new YouTube Red flagship series premiered as our project began and is set thirty plus years after the events of the original 1984 Karate Kid movie All-Valley Karate Tournament. A down on his luck Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) seeks redemption by reopening the infamous Cobra Kai karate dojo, reigniting his rivalry with a now mega-successful auto dealership owner Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio), who has been struggling to maintain balance in his life without the guidance of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi.




The well-written story arc is now told through the eyes of Johnny, and we get to learn more about his flaws and background. The supporting Cobra Kai players are all great and serve as mirrored bullied characters to Daniel in the original film but are taught and guided by the Cobra Kai former top student, Sensei Johnny Lawrence. We root for Sensei Johnny and the new nerdy Cobras as they take on the rich and popular high school bullies in the show. 

This is a real nostalgic treat and a pleasure to watch. The first season is broken up into ten half-hour episodes and YouTube Red offers a 30-day FREE TRIAL to view this and varied programming on its streaming network. Yes, the class has binged watched a few times already. You will absolutely love Cobra Kai too!!!

Shikamaru: An anime character with a head for battle

In anime, there are characters that have a head for battle, meaning that they know what they are
doing in a fight, even if it does not seem that way.  One example of such a character is
Shikamaru from the anime Naruto. The following video example demonstrates this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOnPk4pc0Lo&t=27s - 6:26

The influence of Bruce Lee in the anime Cowboy Bebop

There are several anime that pay tribute to the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee.  The anime
that I think does it the best, and in its own, unique way, is Cowboy Bebop. The following
videos are examples of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3mpKZ9oIr8 - 9:58

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVWVPaXaouo - 1:10

Martial arts in the anime Naruto

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFfqXNmKaXE - Drunk Lee vs. Kimimaro: beginning to 4:55

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCjSKUs1bXk - 8 Trigrams, 64 Palms technique of

Neji from Naruto: 1:03

Link to anime and manga blog

https://animeandmangalectio.blogspot.com/ 

First Field Trip - The Avengers: Infinity War

Our 2018 History of Martial Arts Spring Phase Project began with a field trip to view The Avengers: Infinity War on only our second day of the project. The experience left us pretty emotionally drained [SPOILER ALERT] due to the fact that so many of our favorite superheroes die before our very eyes in the film. While I won't say who exactly, I'll leave that to your imagination until you see the movie for yourself.

We are transported to different worlds and dimensions as our favorite Marvel heroes do battle with Thanos, an extremely powerful intergalactic despot who is bent on collecting the Infinity Stones for the Infinity Gauntlet (an all-powerful glove). Possessing it, Thanos seeks to impose his will and end the universe as we know it as he commands many dangerous minions assisting him in his ultimately destructive plot.

At just under two and a half hours running time, The Avengers: Infinity War does not disappoint with its great graphic effects and superb martial arts action choreography. It leaves you wanting more.

Wonder Woman is Wonderful 💖!!!

This was an awesome movie! DC has finally done a superhero film on par with Marvel. I have been a Lynda Carter (TVs Wonder Woman) fan from way back, but Gal Gadot has really got my attention!

Great martial arts fight choreography, fantastic special effects & characters. I really liked the multi-ethnic Amazons too! They were all both gorgeous and fierce at the same time!!! 

😍

A must see for geeks and non-geeks alike!!! 👍🏾