Samurai Champloo

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"Samurai Champloo" is a 26 episode long anime that takes place in Edo Japan.  However this particular anime is most noted for combining modern referencing into Edo like settings, also "Samurai Champloo" is well known for being one of the very few anime that use hip-hop in its soundtrack.  This anime starts out with random encounters that that develop into a partnership where the group sets out on a quest together hence the main plot.  The three main characters are Fuu, Mugen, and Jin who are on a quest to find a samurai who smells of sunflowers.

In all this series was heavily action packed and not short on laughs.  The episodes in this series are more like random events that happen on the groups journey rather than episodes that pertain to the plot.  Once you get more towards the last few episodes, mainly the last three, the plot really begins to unfold.  Each episode throughout the series however has its own feel to it, some episodes are just plain hilarious while other are very serious or very sad.  Not much consistency or constant vibe given off from this anime but it does however keep the audience at a lose as to what will happen next making it an interesting series.  The main characters in this series are very rich in personality as well as polar opposites in personality.  Fuu the helpless and clumsy girl leading the group, Mugen the rough cut bad ass who will pick a fight with anyone, and Jin the well mannered highly educated samurai who knows how to use a sword as well as his mind.  In all this anime was an action packed thriller/roller coaster ride that had its ups and downs, what really held this show together were the fight scenes, the show lacked depth.

Good:
-Action Packed
-Characters had rich personalities
-Combined an action packed anime with good balance of comedy
-Ending was one the audience could enjoy (Especially episodes 24-26)
-Soundtrack was original

Bad:
-Random assortment of episodes, no real plot following
-No essential vibe to series, each episode stood on its own
-Show started off fast and furious not very original

Scully Rating: 8.3 out of 10     

Bloodlord of Vaasgoth

"Bloodlord of Vaasgoth" is a card from the "M12" set.  "Bloodlord of Vaasgoth" is a 3/3 for 5 mana Vampire Warrior with the ability to pump up the rest of your Vampires.  This creature has Flying, as well as Bloodthirst 3 which gives him three +1/+1 counters if the turn you cast him damage was dealt to your opponent.  But the good thing about this card is that while this creature is on the battlefield every time you cast a Vampire  they also get Bloodthirst 3.  In all a good card to help make your Vampires stronger but not a consistent beneficiary, but has the potential with the proper combos.  

Great for Vampire decks.

Good:

-Has flying.

-Gives other Vampires creatures that are cast while he is on the battlefield Bloodthirst 3.  

-If cast at the right time it becomes a 6/6 instead of a 3/3.    

Bad:

-Costs 5 mana for a 3/3.  

-Requires you to cause damage to your opponent the turn you cast the other Vampires otherwise Bloodthirst 3 is useless.

-Only benefits Vampires. 

Scully Rating: 8 out of 10 

Jace's Archivist

"Jace's Archivist" is a card from the "M12" set.  "Jace's Archivist" is a 2/2 creature for 3 mana with a powerful ability.  Pay one blue mana and tap "Jace's Archivist" each player discards his or her hand, then draws cards equal to the greatest number of cards a player discarded this way.  With a deck built around making your opponent discarding his or her deck this card is a must have.  Taking "Jace's Archivist" and combining him with "Jace, Memory Adept" can prove to be an even more deadly combo for your opponent.  In all a good card, built for a specific purpose, making your opponent discard his or her deck.  

Great for blue, mil, and blue-black decks.  

Good:

-A low costing card that can repetitively make an opponent discard and redraw his or her hand

Bad:

-Also effects the player using "Jace's Archivist", a player must be careful when using this card because he or she can easily self-inflict defeat.  

Scully Rating: 9 out of 10

Jace, Memory Adept

"Jace, Memory Adept" is a card from the "M12" set.  "Jace, Memory Adept" is a plainswalker that is powerful for any mil deck.  Jace's (+1) ability allows his controller to draw a card and make an opposing player take one card off of the top of their library and put it into the graveyard.  This is an ok ability if you are trying to build up to his last ability and target a larger number of opponents, or trying to draw a card.  Jace's (0) ability allows him to take 10 cards off the top of a target players library and put them into the graveyard.  This is a great ability if you are playing against a single opponent.  Jace's (-7) ability allows his controller to make any number of players each draw twenty cards.  This is an amazing ability if you are facing off against a large number of opponents and are trying to mil their decks, however at the same time giving your opponents the ability to pick and choose what cards they want to keep.  Or in a blue-black deck make opponents draw twenty cards then discard their hands.  In all this new Jace is designed for both single opponent and multiple opponent game play.  

Great for blue, mil, blue-black, and control decks.      

Good:

-(0) ability is powerful in single opponent game play

-(-7) ability has great potential in single and multiple opponent game play

-(+1) ability is ok allows you to draw a card, but is a little weak

Bad:

-A 5 mana costing plainswalker, a little high compared to past versions of Jace.  

Scully Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Spirit Mantle

"Spirit Mantle" is a card from the "M12" set.  "Spirit Mantle" is a white enchantment for 2 mana that gives a creature +1/+1 and protection from creatures.  This enchantment makes it easy to get one of your big creatures to deal direct damage to your opponent without being blocked by your opponents creatures.  Only problem is that the enchanted creature is still open to spells and abilities not controlled by creatures.    

Great for white decks.

Good:

-Cheap costing enchantment

-Gives a creature protection form creatures 

Bad:

-Only protects against creatures 

Scully Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Personal Sanctuary

"Personal Sanctuary" is a card from the "M12" set.  "Personal Sanctuary" is a horrible rare from from "M12" set.  During YOUR turn prevent all damage that would be dealt to you.  Why the heck wold you play this card at all.  Opponents do most of there damage during their turns from creatures and spells so why prevent damage during your turn.  Yes it prevents instant's from being played during your turn that cause damage to you but....why would your opponent do that during your turn if this card is out.  In all this card is crap, some combos to use this card do exist but are hard to get off and not very consistent with the number of cards involved.  

Not good for any deck.

Good:

-Nothing

Bad:

-Prevents damage during your turn.......why????

Scully Rating: 0.5 out of 10

Grand Abolisher

"Grand Abolisher" is a card from the "M12" set.  "Grand Abolisher" is a 2/2 for 2 mana with the ability to prevent your opponent from casting spells, abilities from artifacts, creatures, or enchantments.  This is an amazing card for people playing against blue decks.  A creature that only cost 2 mana with the ability to prevent your opponent from doing anything during your turn.  

Great for any white deck.  

Good:

-A 2/2 for 2 mana with the ability to prevent your opponent from casting spells or using abilities artifacts, creatures, or enchantments during your turn.

Bad:

-A weak creature that is easy to get rid off.  

Scully Rating: 9.8

Gideon's Avenger

"Gideon's Avenger" is a card from the "M12" set.  "Gideon's Avenger" is a 3 mana costing 2/2, white human soldier creature with the ability to get bigger.  Whenever a creature an opponent controls becomes tapped, you put a +1/+1 counter on "Gideon's Avenger".  This ability is incredible for a little 2/2 human soldier, especially in a soldier deck or any white deck for that matter.  With the large amount of white cards that tap opposing creatures as well their are a large amount of good combos that can be made for white with this card.  Not a game winner but a definite problem for your opponents.   

Great for soldier, and most white decks.

Good:

-A 2/2 for 3 mana with the ability to get much stronger over time. 

Bad:

-Great build up card, but his ability depends on the opponents performing a certain task.

Scully Rating: 9.8 out of 10

Angelic Destiny

"Angelic Destiny" is a card from the "M12" set.  "Angelic Destiny" in a 4 mana costing enchantment that gives a creature +4/+4, flying, first strike, and makes it an Angel along with its other creature types.  But the best part about this particular card is the fact that when the creature dies this enchantment instead of going to the graveyard goes back to your hand to be used again.  A useful card for almost any white deck.

Great for any deck that runs white and angel decks.  

Good:

-Costs only 4 mana 

-Returns to your hand if creature dies

-Gives creature +4/+4, flying, first strike and an angel in addition to its other types 

Bad:

-Nothing

Scully Rating: 10 out of 10