Welcome to the New Year everyone! This year we’ve got some great things over the horizon for 91.8 The Fan and The Current. Specifically, this article is going to be the first in a run of occasional op-ed pieces where I’ll voice my thoughts and opinions, and even speak with many of The Fan’s personalities to get their Current Thoughts.

Those who may have been keeping track of the website’s coming’s and going’s know that I am still one of the newer guys here at 91.8 The Fan. As such, I haven’t had many opportunities to meet, let alone work with, my fellow crazy nutjobs until I volunteered to help our very own Kanashimi at Chi-Fi on my only day off.

In this special series of articles, I aim to highlight some of the best that Chicago has to offer to fans of anime, manga, and Japanese culture. As a native of the Chicago suburbs, I’ve attended numerous conventions, large and small, and have always come away with great times and greater memories. No convention has given me as many memories, opportunities, friends, and great times as Anime Central, and this year was no exception at all.

The Current is back after its brief hiatus to bring you some high flying, anime girl fighting, bullet hell action! Just recently released back in July, the Suguri Collection consists of two shoot-em-up games: SUGURI and Acceleration of SUGURI X-Edition HD. However, these two games introduce some interesting mechanics to switch things up within the genre.

It’s rare for a player like me to experience the pure excitement and energy that comes from receiving an adrenaline rush during a heated battle, but that is exactly what happens every time I jump into a match in Titanfall.

It happens to every gamer: The game is turned on, or a cutscene just ended, and the player is back in control... except they aren’t really in control. The game flings them across the map or under the world, and the player can’t help but sit in disbelief.

It is common knowledge that our society values a good education and hard work, but, at the same time, it is understood that there should be time to relax and unwind. What happens when your education becomes about that which relaxes you most?

Many people look back at their high school years and remember days full of awkward moments, hilarious adventures, tough teachers, new friends, and hoping to find that special someone.

In 2006, the Nintendo DS was making its way through the first years of what would become a monumentally successful reign over handheld video gaming, full of great games, interesting redesigns, and new innovations in game design and development. One of the most interesting games to ever hit the handheld was iNiS’ Elite Beat Agents.

As a huge gamer, I always keep my eye out for games that look interesting and get me pumped up! With the advent of the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, many games are popping up to push these new powerhouses and bring video gaming to new heights; both old and new games are showing off their quality graphics, smooth gameplay, and new features left and right.