TOP FIVE BEST WIND USERS IN ANIME

Anime World is such a huge universe to explore. Most of them are categorized as fantasy which involves characters with super powers. Some of them are using their powerful weapons and skills while others are making use of those nature elements and this time, allow me to list down five and the most notable best wind users.They are also known as Kazetsukai (Kaze in Japanese means Wind and Tsukai means User). This list is actually a revision from the same entry I made on June of 2008. I decided to take down Storm (X-Men) and Aang of Avatar since they are barely considered as Anime characters.Hope you enjoy this new entry.

TOP FIVE BEST WIND USERS IN ANIME

Author's Note : This entry is listed subjectively but your thoughts, opinion, and personal suggestions are highly welcomed!

TOP 5 BEST WIND USER IN ANIME

"FUUKO KIRISAWA"
(FLAME OF RECCA)

Fuuko or (Fūko) Kirisawa (Aira in Philippine adaptation) is a tsundere and is one of Recca's childhood friends. She's the quickest of the team and fights with darts called 'Kiri' and the madōgu (ancient powerful weapon)known as Fūjin, in battle which gives her the ability to enhance her speed and manipulate wind. Fujin is a gauntlet-like weapon. that gives its user the ability to manipulate the element of wind and utilize it in battles. It has five small stones (four in the anime series), with a large central stone that serves as the main source of Fūjin's power. Some of her well known techniques include Kamaitachi, Kaze no Tsume, Kazadama, Hayate, Kazamori and more. 

TOP 4 BEST WIND USER IN ANIME

"KAZEHANA"
(SEKIREI)

I guess her name itself makes her deserving enough to be in our list. Kazehana literally means "Wind Flower". She is one of the heroines in the series and is Minato's fifth Sekirei. Kazehana is described with a very relaxed personality and often becomes giddy when discussing matters of love. Kazehana is an experienced fighter who has the ability to control and manipulate wind, which also grants her a limited ability to fly. Kazehana herself stated that she had plenty of experience, fighting various types. Aside from her super sexy body figure , Kazehana is extremely a great fighter and it was shown numerous times in both Anime and Manga. Few of her notable techniques include Kaze No Tachi, Hana Senpuu, Hana Utage, Hana Sakura and Hana No Mae. 

TOP 3 BEST WIND USER IN ANIME

"KAZUMA YAGAMI"
(STIGMA OF THE WIND)

Kazuma's character is very tricky. He is considered as an anti-hero and most powerful protagonist of the series but he is also dubbed as an antagonist for a time (it reminds me of Lelouch of Code Geass at some point). Kazuma is a contractor , having entered into a contract with the Kaze no Seirei-Ou, the Wind Spirit Lord granted him the power to control wind. As a Fujutsu  (Wind Technique Practitioner,Kazuma's powers are extensive and he is by far the most powerful character in the series; able to fight as one man army due to his power being on another level compared to the rest of the characters. He can also draw upon all wind spirits in the atmosphere, which amplifies his powers, and allows him to heal his wounds. When Kazuma is under influence of great rage, it actives his black wind state. In this state, his eye are crimson red, his wind turns black and he is seen using mind reading powers.

TOP 2 BEST WIND USER IN ANIME

"FUU HOUOUJI"
(MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH)

Fuu is one of the Legendary Magic Knights sent to save Princess Emeraude. She controls the Wind. Basically, Fuu is described as the most calm, polite and most intelligent in the team. She is the brains of the team and often saves them from a lot of trouble. One of Fuu's largest strengths is her ability to strategize and to think logically. She starts displaying this ability at the start, by not panicking and thinking about what was going on.  Fuu is also a great fighter who knows how to wield sword empowered with her wind skills. Some of her notable spells includes "Winds of Healing", "Emerald Typhoon", "Winds of Admonishment", and "Emerald Cyclone". Because Fuu is attributed to Wind, her magic is mainly used for defense. Her attributed wind may also be a factoring reason why she has the most spells. She also has the ability to summon her Rune god Windam.

THE BEST WIND USER IN ANIME

"NARUTO UZUMAKI"
(NARUTO AND NARUTO SHIPUDDEN)

Honestly, I wasn't really convinced at first but after analyzing his profile, Naruto is indeed a wind user. Naruto was an unremarkable student in the Academy and he struggled to perform even basic techniques. He narrowly managed to graduate from the Academy and become an official shinobi after three consecutive failure but his skills evolved rapidly throughout the series. Initially, Naruto gained access to his ability to control Kurama's power which allows him to perform his Nine Tails Chakra mode skillfully. Some of his mastered includes Taijutsu, Shadow Clone, Summoning and Rasengan until Kakashi teaches Naruto how to take advantage of his natural elemental affinity: wind. Because the Rasengan was originally intended to be combined with a user's nature transformation, Naruto sets out to combine his wind affinity with the Rasengan in which he developed the technique known as Wind Release: Rasengan and Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. Jiraiya also teaches Naruto to combine his wind affinity with the affinities of summoned toads, resulting to techniques like Wind Release: Toad Gun, and later the Wind Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet. As far as the versatility   is concerned, I personally believe that Danzo (another character from the series) is more skillful but Naruto has the strongest wind style technique.

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Other Notable Wind Users in Anime include Danzo (Naruto Shipudden), Nao Ueshima (Wind Tales), Jin (Yuyu Hakusho [image shown above]), Hayate (Pretear) and Negi Springfield. Sakura Kinomoto (when using the Wind Card)

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TOP FIVE MOST RENOWN ANIMAL PROTAGONISTS

Sometimes, a movie doesn't need a high-profile or an A-liste actor to make it commercially successful. Sometimes, all they need is a smart and witty animal to star their show and make it a big hit. We have seen a lot of Animal-related movies and most of them make us laugh and be inspired at the same time. So today, allow me to list down five of the most renown animal protagonists in movies. This entry, by the way , is listed subjectively and they are ranked based on the shows that I have already watched. Hope you enjoy it!

TOP FIVE MOST RENOWN ANIMAL PROTAGONISTS

TOP 5 MOST RENOWN ANIMAL PROTAGONIST
"THE CHIPMUNKS"
(ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS)

Chipmunks originally started as an animated singing group. The group consists of three singing animated anthropomorphic chipmunks : Alvin, Simon and Theodore. One of their greatest hits as a singing group is the famous Christmas song known as the Chipmunks Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) and in fact it won a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. It was 1959 when the characters were adapted into their very first comic book and then their first Tv series entitled "The Alvin Show" (1961-62). It took two decades when they were once featured in another animated tv series known as the Alvin and the Chipmunk which run for seven years (1983 -1990) but what exactly took them back to the spotlight is their CGI Animated/Live action film series (2007-2010). In fact, a new installment is currently in production. Of course, aside from the Chipmunks, The Chippettes also deserve a credit. 

TOP 4 MOST RENOWN ANIMAL PROTAGONIST
"STUART LITTLE"
(STUART LITTLE)

Here comes another CGI Animated/Live action rodent who truly deserves a spot in this list. Stuart Little is generally a character based on the novel of the same name.  Stuart is basically an adopted son of Mr and Mrs Little and technically the younger brother of George (they are humans). Stuart is a friendly, innocent, shy, quiet, outgoing, well-mannered, brave, fun-loving, energetic, playful little mouse who is not afraid to be himself. He is very adventurous which place him sometimes in danger.  The film was well accepted by the critics and grew up to three major installments excluding an animated series. The character and the film was also adapted in different media franchises including video games. Other animal protagonists who deserves this spot includes Paulie (a parrot).

TOP 3 MOST RENOWN ANIMAL PROTAGONIST
"WILLY"
(FREE WILLY)

Willy is a male orca whale notably portrayed by Keiko The whale. The film Free Willy is well accepted by the critics and is undeniably commercially successful film series. It grew up to three different film series and one reboot. It was also adapted in an animated series. The first film in particular has become very iconic especially its famous climax which has been spoofed several times in popular culture. Due to its popularity, Warner Brothers put so much effort to find Keiko a better home and eventually led to the establishment of Free Willy-Keiko Foundation. Keiko , however, died in pneumonia but his character is indeed a legacy. Other characters who deserves a credit includes Flipper (flipper) who is also a whale.

TOP 2 MOST RENOWN ANIMAL PROTAGONIST
"BABE"
(BABE)

Babe is more than just a commercially successful film but also a multiawarded film. Basically, it tells a story of a pig who wants to become a sheepdog. It has received considerable acclaim from critics: it was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, winning Best Visual Effects. It also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film. The film also end up with another commercially successful sequel. Babe is indeed a very iconic pig in history!

THE MOST RENOWN ANIMAL PROTAGONIST
"LASSIE"
(LASSIE)

Dogs are probably the most used animal protagonists in the movie but only few of them left a mark. Lassie is probably the most iconic of them all. Lassie is generally a collie dog who rescues two half-brothers who are lost and dying in the snow. It is very interesting to mention that Lassie first featured in an 1859 story and adapted into a novel-length in 1940 and then later into film in 1943. Since then, Lassie became a stage name. In 1954, the long-running, Emmy winning television series Lassie debuted, and, over the next 19 years, a succession of Pal(the dog who orginally played Lassie)'s descendants appeared on the series. The "Lassie" character has appeared in radio, television, film, toys, comic books, animated series, juvenile novels, and other media. Pal's descendants continue to play Lassie today. After the series ends in 1973, a second series was made (1980's) and then a Canadian Production launched another Lassie-inspired series. In 2005, a remake of the original Lassie Come Home movie was produced in the United Kingdom. Lassie continues to make personal appearances as well as marketing a line of pet food and a current pet care TV show, Lassie's Pet Vet on PBS stations in the United States. Oh and on top of that, Lassie is one of the few animals who received a star in Hollywood walk of fame. 

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Other notable animals who deserves a credit includes Beethoven (Beethoven), Marley (Marley and Me), Hachiko (Hachi), and more. 

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TOP FIVE MOST POPULAR SOLO PERFORMERS THAT CAME FROM A GROUP/BAND

We have seen a lot of music groups (quintet, quartet, trio, duo or band) who became so popular in the music industry but few of them stay and one of the reasons behind this disbandment is when a member (usually the leader) of the group decided to launch their solo careers. Most of the time, the solo career of these artists will not last for long and they usually failed to establish the same popularity except for these five listed solo performers below. These singers are those who became popular as a group and as a solo performer. This is actually a repost from by 2008 entry but I made some revisions.

TOP FIVE MOST POPULAR SOLO PERFORMERS THAT CAME FROM A GROUP/BAND

Author's Note : This entry is listed subjectively. 

TOP 5 MOST POPULAR SOLO PERFORMER THAT CAME FROM A GROUP/BAND

"DIANA ROSS (THE SUPREMES)"

Before starting her career as a solo performer, Diana Ross was once a part of a trio group known as the Supremes. In fact, Diana is one of those rare artists who got two stars at Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was well recognized as a lead singer of the Supreme and so as being a solo performer. The Supreme has become one of Motown's most commercially successful act but after an 18 year run, the group was disbanded and Diana Ross launched her solo career. Following her departure, she has launched various albums and most of them are commercially successful. Few of her hit songs include Ain't No Mountain High Enough, I'm Coming Out, Chain Reaction, Touch Me in the Morning and more. So far, Diana received multiple Grammy nominations and even some acting awards and a bunch of other recognition and in fact she received a Guinness Book of World Records as one of the most successful female artists in history. 

 TOP 4 MOST POPULAR SOLO PERFORMER THAT CAME FROM A GROUP/BAND

"PAUL MCCARTNEY (THE BEATLES)"

Paul McCartney gained a worldwide success due to his band The Beatles. For the record, The Beatles is considered as one of the most popular and most influential acts in history of  rock music. Before the One Direction or those popular boybands of the 90's, there was once the so called Beatlemania. The group lasted for more than ten years until John Lennon initially announced his departure to the group and followed by the announcement done by McCartney. All the members of the Beatles have launched their own career after the break up but John Lennon and Paul McCartney are the only ones who received wide success with their songs. Unfortunately, Lennon was killed was shot and killed. McCartney is also widely recognized as one of the most successful composer and recording artists of all time. Few of his biggest hits include Yesterday, Ebony and Ivory, The Long and Winding Road, Lucille and more. 

TOP 3 MOST POPULAR SOLO PERFORMER THAT CAME FROM A GROUP/BAND

"JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE (N'SYNC"

Justin Timberlake rose to fame as the lead vocalist and the youngest member of the 90's boy group N'Sync along with JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass. The group sold over 50 million albums during their career and produced hit songs like This I Promise You, Bye Bye Bye, I Drive Myself Crazy and more. The group however, didn't last for long due to some legal issues with their handlers. They announced temporary hiatus two years after their massive success but no albums or singles were produced since then. Year 2007, Bass confirmed that the group was completely disbanded. Justin Timberlake , however, launched his solo album during the hiatus and his songs like "Cry Me a River" and Rock Your Body was a massive success. Timberlake ventured into acting which put his music career on hiatus but he made a successful comeback through his 20/20 Experience Album producing chart topper songs like Suits And Tie and Mirrors. 

TOP 2 MOST POPULAR SOLO PERFORMER THAT CAME FROM A GROUP/BAND

"BEYONCE KNOWLES (DESTINY'S CHILD)"

Beyonce rose to fame in the late 90's as a lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child which became of the best selling girl groups of all time. As a group, they produced hit songs like Dangerously in Love, Say My Name, Survivor, Bootylicious and more. Beyonce is performing along with other members including Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams (former members includes LeToya and LaTavia). Destiny's Child has sold more than 60 million records worldwide to date. In late 2000, Destiny's Child announced to embark on individual side projects, including releases of solo albums which was also the idea by their manager. Both Rowland and Knowles managed to establish a highly successful albums and Beyonce produced hit songs like Crazy In Love and Baby Boy. After the Hiatus, the group launched their final album entitled "Destiny Fulfilled". After her successful solo recording (a feature with Jay Z), Beyonce have launched herself as one of the best selling recording artists in history producing hit songs like Single Ladies, Listen, Halo and a whole lot more. 

THE MOST POPULAR SOLO PERFORMER THAT CAME FROM A GROUP/BAND

"MICHAEL JACKSON (JACKSON 5)"

Michael Jackson is undeniably one of the most successful recording artists in history but before launching his very successful solo career, he was once the lead vocalist of the quintet group of the early 60's The Jackson 5 along with his older brothers. During their six-and-a-half-year Motown tenure, The Jackson 5 was one of the biggest pop-music acts of the 1970s and was one of few in recording history to have their first four major label singles reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100 including songs like "I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save and I'll Be There. The group sold 150 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time. In the early 1980s, Jackson became the dominant figure in popular music. The music videos for his songs, including those of "Beat It", "Billie Jean". and "Thriller", were credited with breaking down racial barriers and with transforming the medium into an art form and promotional tool. Some of his other achievements as a solo performer includes multiple Guinness World Records; 13 Grammy Awards as well as the Grammy Legend Award and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; 26 American Music Awards, more than any other artist, including the "Artist of the Century" and "Artist of the 1980s" 

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Other Notable solo performers that came from a group of singers include Ronan Keating of Boyzone, Mel C of Spice Girls and Gwen Stefani of No Doubt

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