It is time for another set of animated pictures that is easy on the eyes. Making this top ten is a little like trying to become an actor. Many try, but few make the cut.
We liked the visually hard edged rendering of the Enchantress Amora in Hulk Vs Thor.
While this painting featured in the credits looks nothing like that hard edged version, it is still pretty.
Chun Li remains a crowd favorite – if the crowd hangs out huddled around an arcade Street Fighter machine. Here she is from Street Fighter IV: The Ties That Bind.
How does she keep that face so pretty after all those nose-crushing, lip-bashing fights?
Princess Aurora from Disney’s true classic Sleeping Beauty has time-tested stylized good looks. Below she is dressed as the forest maiden “Briar Rose”. We like that edged style.
Naruto Shippuuden went downhill faster than Balloon Boy’s ill-fated, non-existent flight to nowhere. Never-the-less, while it is no longer worth a take, it did have a purdy enemy ninja.
What is her deadly secret? Uhh, you do not want to see her without make-up...
Our takes on Winx Club remain top hitters. The latest is season 4 part 1. In honor of that popularity we could not pass up including a picture of Flora. If you do not know who Flora is, step back from the Street Fighter machine for a minute or give Naruto Shippuuden a rest for a half hour.
Jerrica Benton… How we would like to see your Jem & The Holograms storyline with your deceived but true boyfriend Rio resolved. We have been waiting since 1988…, so it is overdue.
At least Jerrica and Rio reaffirmed their love in this final season trip to Greece. Hmm Jerrica, do you dress native like this for every destination? We want to travel with you!
Ariel, the little mermaid’s mother was Queen Athena. A lot of people seem to be searching for her online. She was quite pretty as seen depicted here from The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning.
Mom's everywhere, let Queen Athena be an inspiration to you to keep in shape.
Huntik: Secrets and Seekers is pleasantly surprising most who watch it – including us! So enough with the sad face Huntik Star Sophie Casterwill, you made the cut for this Top Ten.
Did all of Sophie's training include how to look good scuba diving? Ahh, we think it must have.
Zhalia from Huntik is not giving us a long face below, that is her usual stern expression. But inside she had a soft heart. Awww.
Bonus Poll Picture:
There was a singer in Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman who caught our eye. She seemed to get a disproportionally large amount of close ups and screen time for a nameless background character.
Is this supposed to resemble somebody in particular? If so comment who please.
In the height of the 1980′s animation boom, the people who brought you G.I. Joe and Transformers debuted Jem. A very different show, it proclaimed to be about “glamor and glitter, fashion and fame” – yet despite that it garnered surprising popularity and a decent run.
Everyone can enjoy cool looking clothes and the show took chances with all types.
However chance is, er — chancey. So much of the 80′s fashion was fun, tailored, and easy on the eyes. The three outfits depicted above are none of those. Ewwww.
Ahh the 80′s: Holograms were the rage! The technology of the future! It’s decades later… where are our holograms?
This one sentence synopsis will test even the Fortresses’ skills:
Her father dead Jerrica learns of his secret supercomputer Synergy capable of remotely projecting holograms though her jemstar earrings thus allowing her to take on the guise of Jem and lead a rock group with her sister and friends called the Holograms and a double life which in turn leads to rivalries with other bands and a strange love triangle between Jerrica, her goodhearted boyfriend/manager Rio, –and Jem!
Just look at those lights… and the piano keys? Synergy is truly “space age”!
All three seasons had distinct tones. Christie Marx, the show runner wrote many of the episodes and in season one concentrated on the fight to the top of the music world. While Jerrica’s decision to not share her double life secret with Rio made for more interesting plots, it also led to frustration. Rio was always portrayed as upstanding, and you sympathized for him as he was attracted to Jem — his own girlfriend unknowingly glitzed up with holograms!
Just look at her! Can you blame him? She also carried her Jerrica feelings over into many of her interactions with Rio as Jem. Take it from us at the Fortress, two girlfriends is 1.5 too many.
The second season spiced things up with a new member for both the Holograms and the rival Misfits. This season also contained some of the strangest, kookiest, and fantastically implausible episodes. It was as if Christie looked away for a moment and somebody put into production all the rightly rejected ideas from season one.
Beware the psychedelic Shangri La episode – you WILL believe (perhaps rightly so) that you have stumbled into someone’s LSD trip. For sanity’s sake, do not stare at this image!
What are your eyes beholding? (If they still work after the last picture.) In one of the most improbable twists of all time, Jerrica shares a group hug (and her dual identity secret) with the holographic AI Synergy, — and the President of the United States! (Gadzooks is second season over yet?)
“Next ‘Cheaters’: Rio caught on tape!”
Third season saw the quality controls back in place – more-or-less. It introduced a new rival band, the Stingers, and a love interest for nearly every female on the show, Riot.
Yes, even Jem felt an attraction for him and they kissed in one episode causing some controversy. Many viewers could not help but feel Rio had been betrayed (ignore the fact that Rio thought he liked two girls – but we knew it was only one with a minor duplicitous streak).
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We said she was a little duplicitous, not a witch. Although Rio did once criticize Jem to Jerrica – - Dude! Never step on THAT landmine again. But she sure made this outfit sing…
Riot: Only his hair was bigger than his head.
Jerrica/Jem eventually got over her infatuation with Riot (despite a later continuity error or two) and reaffirmed her feelings for Rio, but that kiss always bothered us.
We once communicated with Christie Marx on this subject and she informed us that Riot actually had a “power” over minds of women. Supernatural? Psychic? Mutant? We do not know. Christie stated that she never had a chance to clarify and follow up on Riot’s ability as the show ended prematurely.
Please Jerrica, are you really having this debate? True-hearted Rio or that dipstick in hair mousse Riot? (Remember, you cannot spell “Riot” without “Rio”.)
Looking at the third series again after that revelation, the power really is noticeable, and the relevant events make more sense. With that in mind we can go a little easier on Jerrica now.
If someone wears it in some part of the world, it is sure to find its way onto Jem. Here a French inspired outfit. I guess when fashion costs as much as the electricity to power Synergy it is not an issue. Then again at today’s energy prices…
Perhaps you prefer cowboy togs.
And just to show that she is equal opportunity, here in Native American wear. (Groowwl. One of our personal favorites.)
The Sunbow family of shows had large casts and recurring characters. Jem stood out even amongst these though with more in-depth characterizations of the stars and even recurring secondaries. Unlike the others it was more arc driven as well, something that we all take for granted in today’s anime inspired world.
Snot green hair color? Yup, she’s bad. Criminal even. The Misfits narrowly avoided manslaughter or even 2nd degree murder on a regular basis!
The format was not perfect though. We felt that many episodes were too dominated with nasty things constantly happening to the good guys. It got frustrating. There was all the bad build up and not enough release or comeuppance. 98% abuse and 2% resolution is not a good ratio.
Okay, we in the Fortress like happy endings. So sue us.
Jem holds up compared to many shows of that era due to its arc and characterizations. The fashions and tunes are hit or miss depending on your tastes, but they are interesting none-the-less. We recommend Jem for all those who want to experience a unique, quality show from that famed animation boom era.
Special thanks to Zhanneel for the additional caps.
Here she is from Street Fighter IV: The Ties That Bind.
