symphonic☆panty

Idolm@ster Live For You! OVA

2008-03-02T23:06:00.000-08:00

Well, after much hype and excitement ever since it was announced in fall of last year, it's finally here -- Idolm@ster has finally gotten its first anime adaptation!!!

Whazzat..?
....what are you talking about, of course this is the first one.

...Xeno...Xenoglo-what? Sorry, no hablo espanol.

As much as I'm sure that ruse fooled no one, I too watched some of 2007's Idolmaster meets Gundam adaptation, but quit very early on due to lack of interest and time, and due to genuine frustration from the character rapage. Though maybe I'll finish watching it eventually; I've heard it's really not that bad.... if you're not really an Idolmaster fan at all.

However, this OVA, that came with the new Idolm@ster: Live For You! game, is definitely the real deal -- no swapped professions, new character designs or different seiyuu (though at the same time, no awesome action scenes or SUPAR SUNRISE BUDGET).

Though to be honest, overall I didn't think it was that bad. The art wasn't great (despite it being a one-episode OVA...(;´Д`) ), but I didn't think it was nearly as bad as a lot of people are complaining about it to be. I'd put it roughly along the same lines as what we got in MagiPoka or something. Also, for nothing more than a 15 minute episode, there really isn't that much to look forward to in terms of story, but it wasn't terrible. Here's a rundown..

All of the idols are getting ready for an event for fans to take place tomorrow evening. On the way home, Haruka tags along with Chihaya who's decided to stay late and do some last minute warm-ups. A little later, Miki comes with drinks. (<-- this is important)
The girls wake up after oversleeping on the train they were supposed to take home and are now at a train station in the middle of nowhere, with no way to get back. Miki sees a taxi (<-- also important). But, their luck gets even worse when the taxi they were riding breaks down and they're forced to stay at a creepy old mansion for the night. The three girls take a bath (A bath in the large, frightening, and unfamiliar house filled with strange men. Brilliant.)
A little later, Miki wakes the other two up to tell them that their housemates don't exactly seem the friendly type (they've apparently beaten the crap out of the taxi driver), and without delay, the girls are off running for their lives. They (illegally) hitch a ride on a truck and try to make their way back to Tokyo...however, they're caught and are forced off, leaving them again in the middle of nowhere.
Apparently, this had all been a stunt for some sort of "Punk'd"-esque television show (Haruka and Chihaya were drugged into going to sleep by Miki, and the taxi driver and men from the house were all actors). However Miki is quite shocked to wake up and find out that things didn't go as planned (they actually got on the wrong truck). With only hours to go before the fan event, the girls call home and find out they must bus-ride their way to a train station to make it to Tokyo in time. How they manage to do so without any money is a mystery.
Unfortunately, the girls are too late and the train leaves without them! (aww..) But Haruka taps into that place all innocent anime main characters have and swears to keep going despite all of these obstacles before her -- their fans are counting on them after all! In the end, Miki nudges at the fourth wall a little in mentioning that it would be great if a giant robot of some kind would come down and rescue them. There is no robot, but instead Iori's father's helicopter comes to the rescue, and the girls make it in the nick of time. The three girls happily run to their friends. Haruka falls down (<-- important).

THE END!

Now..
Why would they plan this on the day before such an important event?
Where the hell was the staff in this production supposed to be??

These are among some of the things I would have wondered while watching this, if I wasn't so fucking stoked at the very fact that I was watching it in the first place. Being the huge Idolmaster fan that I am, getting to see these girls do their hijinks in something other than a drama CD was a treat all on its own. Not to mention that since it's so short, I've been able to watch it over a number of times now -- probably around 10, in fact (not including my most recent viewing to take screenshots. Either way, I wish I could stop...)

Of course it would have been nice if the episode wasn't necesarrily so Haruka-Miki-Chihaya centric, but those three do seem to be the defacto main heroines.
But really, probably only 2 of the other characters had more than 30 seconds of dialogue. What a waste..（´・ω・）

By the end of the credits roll, however, I was almost half-expecting a next episode preview or something. Everything about it seemed so much like it was a pilot episode to an actual TV show, what with the focus on the 3 main girls and all. Focus on the many relationships between the other characters could be left for later episodes, and I wouldn't at all mind 12 more episodes of this. Hell, I'd even stick around for another 25.

...but probably no more than that.

Shigofumi ep. 7 & 8

2008-02-23T21:48:00.000-08:00

Remember when I wondered if these folks could die after already being dead?

Well, I guess these two episodes answer that question.
Yes, that, and many of the other questions I posed in my last post have been answered in these two crazy, disturbing, violent, crazy, well-acted, and ultimately crazy climactic episodes.

Wait, ...."climactic"? Aren't there supposed to be four more episodes after this..??

Read the rest!

Sorry if the hidden post makes it look like this was going to be a long entry -- it was mostly just to hide the oncoming spoilers, I really don't have that much to say.. (^^;

While I don't plan on doing a complete play by play like with episode 5, I will mention a few important things.

Important things like how stark raving mad Fumika's father is.
You see, in episode 7 he gets a home visit from the young lady newly placed in charge of his work, Natsuka's (Fumika's old middle school buddy) elder sister. And after he notices that it's started to rain, he thus proceeds to quite flamboyantly lose it. Though not at all in a bad way. It in fact made him endearing, I'd say.
Of course, disregarding the creepiness (that was there already, anyway).

Endearing I should say, until Fumika arrives to hand him a shigofumi from a former fan, and he in turn shoots her with her own gun.

And so ends episode 7. It was an ending that had me punching things and going "what the hell!!?"

But in order to save you the same frustration of having to wait a week to find out what happens next, here's episode 8 right now!

So how is it, one may ask, that Fumika is able to work as a deliverer of shigofumi, while at the same time residing at a hospital, perfectly alive? Well that's because it's just her sister that's dead.

...her made up one.
....that lives inside her head. (still following?)

We see that Fumika was certainly a happy child, and that Kirameki was pretty great dad. Except for the times when he'd write the drafts to his novels, using his daughter's naked skin as a canvas. It doesn't help that most of the time he was venting his rage toward his ex-wife (Fumika's absent mother), and causing Fumika intense pain.
And so Fumika split into Fumi and Mika, Mika always bright and cheery, there to cheer her sister up when things got hard, and when things got really hard, she was of course also there to shoot people.

Impressions:
Taking a short time-out here, I have to say that this is a very interesting and well done take on the issue of split personalities. Sure the good girl/nightwalking bad girl scenario has been done before, and at times done quite well, but this one I think hovers closer to reality, in dealing with the reasons why and times Mika emerges. But enough of this Psych 101 jibber jabber.

Needless to say, the Fumika we know today is of course the stronger Mika, who has perished along with the real Fumika's ability to think entirely (for now).
We find all this from Fumika herself, in fact, after she eventually ejects the bullet her father shot into her from her body (why did Kanaka make such a fuss if she knew she was going to be OK..??).

But there's no time for this -- we've been flashbacking so much there're only 5 minutes left in the episode! Fumika pins her helpless father, in a final attempt to kill him and protect her real half. However, she cannot bring herself to it.
Or rather, Natsuka's sister doesn't let her. And with her calming big sis words, she makes everything better.
The authorites will not be notified, Kirameki will work on a new novel, start paying for Fumika's hospital care, and we'll all act like none of this ever happened!

Impressions:
And just to prove that we're serious, next week will be a hot spring episode! happy anime, happy anime～

Heh, I may sound like I'm making fun of the whole thing, but this was a very good pair of episodes. Did I mention the acting? Because it was really good. Perhaps most notably on Kana Ueda's part -- GJ, her.

I'm glad they didn't kill Kirameki. He's awesome.

Natsuka and her sister (why can't I remember her name?) make for two very enjoyable characters, as well. I especially like the way Natsuka caught on with the whole "giant talking stick" deal pretty quickly.

Sometimes I wish Kanaka had a face...

So all in all, this series hasn't let me down at all yet. Though there still exists that question of what the climax of the show will be, with so much divulged and resolved already, and with so much room to spare.
I guess next we'll have to deal with the whole problem of Fumika's fate (and right now, things aren't looking too good for our gun-toting, silver-haired version of her..). But as I said before, best not to speculate and just enjoy the ride.

Next ep, we'll likely be getting some backstory on our ol' pal Chiaki. Or something like that. Either way, she's got a prominent role again, and that makes me so happy I won't even punch anything this time!

Shigofumi ep. 5

2008-02-03T20:23:00.000-08:00

Shigofumi is by far my favorite anime to come out of this current season.

....it's also the only anime to come out of this current season that I happen to be watching. (^^;
However, I don't particularly mind -- I have a pretty good feeling that I'm at least following one of the better ones. (To be honest, over the past year the amount of currently airing anime I choose to watch in any given season has really begun to hover from 0-3 for some reason...)

But I didn't want to blog about Shigofumi immediately -- mostly because I don't think I would have done a good job at blogging about episodes 1 and 2, since I'd have to steer clear of the massive spoilers. And besides those two're probably best experienced first hand anyway.
Episodes 3 and 4... I probably was just too lazy to talk about. (it happens..)

However, there's nothing stopping me from blogging about ep 5, which has turned out to probably be my favorite episode of this show since the first two. Granted, it's for completely different reasons. Most of those reasons centered around the fact that this ep was filled with hefty amounts of.. (though I try not to use this word too often) moe~

Like episode 4 before it, ep 5 features our heroine Fumika teaming up with her polar opposite of a coworker, Chiaki, who up until now had been the only reason I'd sit trough that terrible, terrible OP theme by Ali Project -- I knew I'd like her character (she reminds me of Touhou's Marisa...).
Also, this episode deals with quite a large amount of adorable cats (moe count: 1!). Why? Well because this ep's shigofumi just happens to be addressed to a certain little kitty named Schrodinger. Chiaki and Fumika are to deliver letters to him from the old couple who he used to live with. However, delivering a letter to a cat has been proving to be a little difficult..

So Chiaki has the brilliantly cartoonish idea to use catnip in order for lil' Schrodie to come to them instead. After a failed attempt to steal the catnip on Chiaki's part (see!? there's that Marisa thing again..!), the two girls get accosted by two overly friendly gentlemen, which leads us to see a side of Fumika we've never seen before -- that side being the top of her head, when one of the boys knocks off her hat after they're berated by them (moe count: 2! <-- don't ask how).
Fumika thus quite violently returns the favor and in the process of doing so, acquires the money they were carrying with them (you can almost hear the RPG victory music play..).

Also, while this is going on, Kaname (the young man from episode 3 who knew the real Fumika in middleschool) is contacting old friends in hopes of finding her whereabouts. We find out that he actually once confessed to Fumika (but was turned down), and that Fumika is currently in a hospital. Hnnn...

But as Chiaki brings up in one scene where she and Fumika are in the midst of Operation Catnip, deliverers of shigofumi are chosen only from people who have died. Why is it that Fumika, however, seems to be growing older? (I think we can guess..) Unfortunately, this serious conversation is cut short as we soon find out that Fumika has quite the cat phobia (moe count: 3!!). And we really get to see a new side of her this time -- in her squeaks and squeals you can really hear Kana Ueda's voice come out (I sometimes forget that she does the voice of her...)

This scene is perhaps only topped by a few moments later when Fumika wakes up quite flustered in Chiaki's lap (she fainted??) and Chiaki offers her a drink of water. Though she also rather awkwardly brings up the common anime adage of it being an indirect kiss. However if they're both girls, as she goes on to explain, there really should be nothing to worry about right? (yeah right. moe count: 4! ( ´∀`)ノ)

In one final attempt to capture Schrodie, the two girls don their wings and fly to a demolition zone where a building is to be torn down. Chiaki follows Schrodie into the building only for the time limit on her wing use to run out. Fumika thus uses her expert knowledge of machinery operation (and handy ability to turn invisible) and saves Chiaki from going down with the building (can she die....twice..?).
Apparently, Schrodinger had traveled all the way to the building simply in order to go home. And both shigofumi addressed to him included nothing more than the key to the door of the apartment so the little kitty could go inside and sleep in his own bed once again, if at least for a little while... (*sniff* moe count: 5....!)

Impressions:
There are a couple other things I could talk about concerning this ep (such as the perils of the real Fumika, the appearance of her father, and of course, the flat-chested exchange between Fumika and Chiaki), buuuut I think I've said enough already.
This ep does however bring up some great speculation opportunities. Such as what will become of Fumika in the end? Will she return to the world of the living, finally completely die, or perhaps stay in this limbo she's currently in?
Well, I've been quite content with how the show's going so far, so I think I'll just be happy seeing what road the show ultimately takes without trying to spoil myself.

Oh yes. There was one bad thing about this ep -- from the next episode preview there looks like there'll be no Chiaki! RAAAAAGE!! ヽ(｀Д´)ノ

Strawberry Shake Sweet 14

2008-01-22T19:40:00.000-08:00

Well the hints have been pretty obvious over the past few chapters, but it looks like Strawberry Shake may be ending soon. It's a little bittersweet (...is that a pun?) since it's been a really enjoyable series overall, but at least it gets to end in that same way.

Honestly, this chapter was such a joy to read by the end I almost...

well, picture related.

ARIA series finale

2007-12-26T03:53:00.000-08:00

工工工工工工工エエエェェ(;´Д`)ェェエエエ工工工工工工工

Venus Versus Virus vol. 6

2007-12-07T03:08:00.001-08:00

Venus... versus what..?
No... no, sorry doesn't ring a bell, really.

I'M KIDDING! As soon as I saw this volume finally come out, I ordered it faster than I could wipe the drool off my chin. I mean, it's been over half a year since the last one ffs. Not to mention the last volume left us with a bit of a cliff hanger at that.

So, was this volume worth the wait? Hmmm.... ( ´ε ` )

Read the rest!

Let's see, shall we?
Well, this probably goes without saying by now, but this volume starts right where the last left off. ...I mean really. Like, mid-conversation.

Lola continues on about just how she was able to know where Sumire was last volume by explaining her connection to Lyla (..if this stuff all seems so long ago to some people, I don't blame you. Feel free to skim over what happened here.)
Meanwhile however, Lucia isn't listening to a word of Lola's account, as she's still far too preoccupied with what she just said earlier: a man named Lucif -- Lucia's father -- took Lyla away. But how?

*poof*!!

And as if the question Lucia asked was some sort of incantation, Nahashi appears! Back already, eh? Lucia promptly demands an explanation from him as to why the fact that her father is still alive was kept away from her, and before he can even unpack his things, Nahashi's bounding back into flashback mode.

Nahashi recalls when he first returns to Lucia's home country (the name.. still not given) and to his old Professor's estate, and thus back to when he met Lola, who knew all about him. But why? Oh, I'll tell ya why.
You see, although their adopted father (or grandfather, rather) has technically passed on already, his mind is still kicking, which is why he's currently being preserved in that ice.... thing. Lola goes on to explain that as she and her sister are both telepaths they are still able to communicate with him, frozen or not. It was through this that Lola was told who to expect, after getting Nahashi's letter that he was coming over.

But once Nahashi stands before his Professor, he all of a sudden decides to stay tight lipped (I can't stop thinking of puns.. (;´Д`) ), and refuses to answer the questions Nahashi has traveled so far in order to ask him. Instead, Nahashi tells Lola all of what has been happening in Japan; news which compels Lola to travel to the country in order to see why her sister has a hand in the mayhem. It isn't until later that Nahashi once again implores the Professor to answer his questions, which he finally does! ...in a way.
Actually, a part of the ice that he was encased in sort of chipped off.. Nahashi took this as a sign that his Professor wanted to communicate with him through Lola, thus the reason why he has returned.

Thankfully, his assumption was correct (wouldn't it be something if it wasn't?). Once Lola grasps the ice, the Professor immediately begins to speak through the girl, about the chain of events that occurred when Lucia was an infant.

Well, much to her obvious dismay, Lilith, Lucia's mother, was beginning to have nightmares where she would actually kill Lucia. At the same time, the elemental markings and eye color were beginning to fade from Lucif and appear in Lucia. On the night of a meteor shower, Lilith wakes up from just such a dream. Lucif believes he sees the Magician we met last volume outside the window, and chases after him in beliefs that he's the source of these nightmares. Afraid for her husband's safety (and senses) Lilith eventually chases after him. Upon their reuniting, Lucif slays her. As the Professor and Nahashi only arrive at that scene, we're left to wonder why. As she dies, Lilith asks Nahashi to take care of her daughter, and keep her on the path of light.

A little later, Sumire dreams she's still at the Planetarium, but is being attacked by a Yoshiki-turned-virus. Lucia promptly appears to kill him, but Sumire thereupon goes berserk and returns the favor.
As she wakes up, Lucia is asleep at her bedside. Sumire notices that, but perhaps only accidentally, as she soon remembers that she left Yoshiki at the Planetarium and feels she must find out if he's all right. Thus, leaving (the apparent deep sleeper) Lucia, Sumire gets out of bed and dashes downtown, only to find that the once destroyed Planetarium is still in tact. What's going on..?

Impressions:

....And so ends an incredibly confusing and busy 1st chapter. It rather felt to me as if things were perhaps moving at light speed, but that might have just been because I was a little anxious, and was reading quickly. ..Or maybe a little of both. ...Wait, that's right, there's a whole book left..
(I swear, not as busy as that was).

Upon leaving the immaculate Planetarium, the main thing on Sumire's mind is where could Yoshiki-san be? Is he all right? Well we don't know. What we do know is that Sumire is acting pretty crazy and once found by Nahashi and Lola is coaxed to return home and get some rest. But not before being chewed out by Lucia for not letting her know she was awake (some thanks!).
..But Lucia can't stay mad for long. Once the two girls return to their room, she asks if she could come over to Sumire's bed (eh? (;ﾟдﾟ)) and explain to her what was found out earlier in the evening. Lucia discloses her new mission for the future -- of how to deal with her father, and to help Sumire protect those she cares about.

..What's that Lucia? You know all about Sumire's boyfriend?
And you're gonna help her find him, too? Wow, Lucia, you're such a good friend!! ミ☆
(....wait, what?!)

But thankfully...

Ticklish.. （　*・ω・）

..that's more like it.

So the next day, Lucia and Sumire search for clues for where Yoshiki could be; stopping by the usual park, visiting his school, asking his friends, etc. Along the way we also get a cute scene where after Sumire becomes quite depressed upon finding out that Yoshiki's been hiding a cellphone from her, Lucia dismisses love as a far too complicated and perhaps bothersome emotion.
However, Lucia reassures Sumire, saying that they'll definitely find this Yoshiki guy eventually, and that as long as they're together, it will be all right.

Little do they know, Yoshiki is actually in the custody of Ruka and Lyla. Aaaaand it's time for another flashback.

So that's what happened...

Remember when we last left Sonoka and Yoshiki, Sonoka unsheathing her sword, and then the spattering of blood? ..Well, there y'go.
The rest of the scene is narrated by Ruka, who tells us that the last things she remember before blacking out was watching that scene, hearing Yoshiki mumble a few words, and finally catching his gaze for a moment. We then find out Ruka is now against her will trapped inside her own body, currently inhabited by Sonoka's spirit. ..Oh, okay.

Oh yes, I almost forgot -- in order to counteract the stronger baddies, Lucia and Sumire themselves get upgraded a bit as well. Sumire getting a new bracelet that can now handle more than one vaccine application at once. But it's Lucia however who gets the lion's share of the improvements (much needed, at that). In addition to gaining a new, more portable gun, we learn of her mysterious (even to her) ability to control fire as inherited from her father. The details of it are a little muddy at first, and she hasn't been able to try out using it until now, as Nahashi gives her a lighter which can hold a flame for long periods of time. Which is something she'll need for this next part..

Later on, Lola meets up with Lyla after getting a telepathic signal on where they should meet. Consequently, Lyla wanted to hand over a letter to Lola. That's all. See ya later, sis.
Naturally unsatisfied with such a meaningless reunion, Lola decides to get serious.

Another 2-page spread. Just for the hell of it.

Lola demands that Lyla come back with her. Of course Lyla refuses, which only makes Lola that much more angrier. When she yells at her older sister not to leave her alone again, Lyla then invites Lola to join her with Ion. Lucia and Sumire step in in time to snap Lola out of her senses, and a short battle ensues. And Lucia's finally the one who sees most of the action again! Good for her~

But enough of that, while Lyla's still preoccupied, Lola performs a quick version of a mind meld with her sister, entering her psyche in an attempt to figure out why she's behaving so coldly to her own sister... but she only encounters Ion. Lyla gets up and blabbers on for a bit about that Key and Gate stuff we've heard before. It becomes clear that this was never Lyla to begin with, but rather Ion using the girl as a vessel to do his bidding.

Back at Venus Vangard, the gang eventually reads the letter (that had to be deciphered by Lucia's eye). It basically restates the same thing Ion told them through Lyla, but this time, as Lola is cognitive, she is able to channel her grandfather through the ice chunk once more to shine a light onto the whole cryptic Gate/Key message.

In a rather lengthy speech, he reveals everything we learned about Ion's plan to rewrite the world last volume, and also lets Lucia and Sumire know that the Gate and Key actually refer to them. On top of that we learn that Lilith's essence as a former Key is within Sumire. We learn more about Lucia's abilities. We learn why Sumire's abilities only began to appear after pricking her finger on Lucia's brooch. We learn all these things and more during the Professor's speech, which is unfortunately cut short when Yoshiki-turned-Ion apparently destroys the Professor's ice chunk with mind bullets. Upon doing so, Lola is no longer able to hear her grandfather's voice, nor is she able to sense Lyla's presence.
This sends her into quite a panic and she dashes upstairs, Lucia chasing after her. Sumire thus has her own peculiar scene where she begins to yell at the letter. But before we get a chance to laugh at her, the scene turns serious once more as she recognizes the familiar, sweet aroma about the paper -- it's the same one from the park -- the same one from whenever she was with Yoshiki-san.

dun dun DUUuuahh, whatever.

Aah AAH! Before I forget!

At the end of the volume, we get a pretty funny short of a not so average day in Venus Vangard, where Lucia and Sumire decide (or rather for Lucia, it's decided) to play dress up. Hilarity ensues.

END!

Impressions (for real, this time):
I think the first thing I noticed about this volume was how bloody thick it was -- it's really probably the longest one since the first. I usually read through a volume in one go, but this time I actually had to take a break or two to fall asleep (not out of boredom. I was genuinely quite tired. ...Okay, maybe a little out of boredom).

I'm certainly glad that Lucia's becoming useful again, especially since Sumire's starting to get on my nerves a little! ( ´∀`)ノ
Besides that, it was certainly a very eventful volume on the information side. ..For the characters anyway. Most of this stuff we've already guessed... or we watched the anime, whichever. Ah, but really this volume is starting to really show how much the manga is diverging from the anime, isn't it? "Thank Heavens" only begins to describe my relief.

On the yuri side of things, well.. I guess it's getting pretty obvious by now that Lucia's feelings for Sumire are reaching something much closer to love. Sumire however is still quite occupied with a male love interest (where have I seen this scenario before..?). But will their relationship change now that they know how they're connected? C'mooon, incest ain't so bad.
Just look at Candy Boy.

Ah, speaking of which (no, not Candy Boy..), with so much divulged in this volume, it really makes you wonder how many more are left. As long as no new villians with a new agenda and such are introduced, I don't really see VVV going on longer than maybe 4 or so more volumes. Which I guess may be a good thing. I really hate it when series overstay their welcome.
Though on the other hand, I've been getting a very strange feeling that at this rate, the story may in fact end rather bleakly. Or rather, bittersweet at best. Especially on Lucia's side. I hope I'm wrong though..

Thankfully, unlike the last vol, we're let in when the next volume will be out -- spring next year~

Yes! Pretty Cure 5 sequel KETTEI!!

2007-10-29T21:28:00.000-07:00

I feel a little bad about having my last entry about Pretty Cure sound so dismal. I swear, I still religiously watch ths show (for reasons now beyond me..).

Well, apparently now I can watch it for a lot longer, as the second season has finally been confiremed under th name Yes! pretty Cure 5 Go Go! (As in "Go Go Go!", or, "Go Go God, that's a terrible pun!"). Though really, this isn't much of a surprise. ...To some people, anyway.

Not much has been confirmed about it as of late, unlike the impressive early leaks for the first season last year. However, some speculations include Milk not gaining a human form in this current season, but in the next one, and of course the standard addition of a new character or two. Also standard, a start date of sometime in February of next year. ...Can't wait!

In other news, I haven't posted much recently, have I?
Hehe...Hm.
well there was once a time when I was working on redesigning the page, but ended up putting that on a shelf in place of school (always school... orz). But I'm sure I'll be back soon. There are a lot of things I want to talk about!

See you then~

Yes! Pretty Cure 5 ep. 31

2007-09-13T23:11:00.000-07:00

This is the end. The end of Pretty Cure.

Maria-sama ga Miteru OVA 5: Ciao Sorella!

2007-07-25T04:25:00.000-07:00

And so, the final Marimite OVA has arrived at last, and was it ever worth the wait. We get perhaps the best animation out of the whole lot in this one, and Holy Balls, to think that I thought the fanservice in the first disk was risque -- the ankle shots in Emma ain't got nothing on this!

Anyhow, we start this latest episode off by finding out that Sachiko really sucks at making jokes as she asks Yumi to bring her back, among other things, some manjuu from Rome. Of course, this is a joke that poor Yumi does not get (seeing as it came from someone who doesn't know how to eat a burger, I don't really blame her for taking Sachiko seriously).
We then move on the Yellow Roses, who are celebrating Yoshino's near excursion with a family gathering (was it really for that?). Yoshino offers that she and Rei should probably be heading home by now. Of course, the real reason she wanted to leave was so she could have some alone time with her cousin/sister/secret lover. As a bonus, she even decides to play the role of the nice, agreeable Yoshino straight from Yumi's image of her when they were first years. It would be a shame if Rei's last memory of her before she left was of a fight, after all.
And finally, we end with Shimako, receiving a late phone call from Noriko, who in a quite sincere moment wishes her elder sister a safe trip~

At the airport, we get our first Sei appearance..!
...Only not. Mami comes with the distressing news that she only THOUGHT she heard Sei's name being announced over the speakers, when it was actually Katou Kei who was summoned (remember that -- you'll be tested later).

On the plane, Tsutako notices a great shutter chance when she sees a girl praying during take-off. However, Yumi says she shouldn't as it would be rude (to which I agree). However, soon after Yumi makes a pretty lame remark about how ~~all the people on the ground look like trash~~ the way they're looking down on everyone from the plane must be like how Maria-sama looks down on them. Oh, Yumi.... Your brain is melting.

As soon as Yumi and Yoshino arrive at their room (why...are their beds pushed together, I wonder?), Yoshino decides to hit the sack.　Yumi changes into her pajamas, takes a bath, and still Yoshino refuses to get up. Yumi soon finds out that Yoshino's come down with a pretty bad fever -- Yoshino begs Yumi to not tell the teachers and instead asks her to bring her her magic towel she's used since she was a child (so cute.. (´▽｀*) ).
Yoshino explains to Yumi that this fever is unfortunately a regular occurrence for her, but as long as she put a wet cloth to her forehead and got some sleep, she should be fine. If the teacher was to ever find out about this, however, surely she'd have to sit a good lot of the trip out, and become segregated from the group -- thus putting her right back to her pre-surgery days.
The next day she feels much better, and apologizes to Yumi for making her worry. Yumi, who is the only person in their class who knew/knows about Yoshino's condition, finally realizes why Yoshino so fervently wanted to share a room with her.

The next third of the episode plays a little like a travel magazine. If you've never wanted to visit Italy, you might start wanting to now. And if you've wanted to go before, you might start looking up plane ticket prices... (´･ω･｀)
The girls visit the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the San Marco Monastery in Florence, and climb a good way up Pisa's leaning tower (might I add that the works of art and sites were all beautifully digitally filtered/reproduced. The staff must have been slaughtered..).
Along the way, we get two very differing perspectives of Michelangelo's Last Judgement by Yoshino and Shimako and a conversation between Yumi and Yoshino about petite souer woes. We also find out that the rosary Rei gave to Yoshino was specially for her. Oh! and we also get another appearance from Sei. Only not, as over dinner Mami explains that she interviewed a girl who apparently believes she saw her. Hrmm...

When the girls climb down from the leaning tower, they're greeted by Shimako... and Shizuka! The two have been keeping touch as pen pals this whole time. And just to be polite, she even takes them into the nearby Baptistery and treats them to a short song. It's also from Shizuka where Yumi finally receives a postcard so she could finally write to Sachiko back in Japan. Her letter to her reads:

Ciao Sorella!!
I am currently in Pisa. The trip is lots of fun.
-Yumi

After some thought, she finally writes..

I miss you.

As the episode comes to a close, we get one last appearane from Sei (only......not) in the form of a Japanese speaking parrot-thing that can say "Gokigenyou" and "Cut it out, Satou-san!" (remember the airport?). Before returning to Japan Yumi and co. ask Shimako about Sei, and she replies that she knows that she came to Italy as well. She didn't meet her or anything, it was just... a feeling.
(or perhaps a plethora of clues conveniently floating about. Who knows.)

FIN!

Oh P.S., of course Yumi's letter to Sachiko arrives late. Poooor Yumi..

Well I gotta say, for an episode that mentions Sei so often it sure is funny that we DON'T SEE HER AT ALL.

*sigh*

But after all, I guess this episode was more meant to focus on our second years. The third years, and even the first years hardly get any lines at all (Touko and Kanako getting none..( ´Д`) ). Oh, and it was nice to see Shizuka again, of course~*

All in all, these OVA's have been a really fun ride. Boy, do I ever wish there were more.

..Oh wait, that's right..

Aw, hell yeah bitches.

Hitohira ep. 12

2007-06-15T02:44:00.000-07:00

(Warning: This entry contains SOME LIGHT SPOILERS
...and..confusion (the good kind this time..).)

You know, I never did get around to blogging about my favorite show last season, Hidamari Sketch. ..Even though I really wanted to, at times.

...so lazy.. orz

But I wasn't going to let that happen this time around -- oh, no.
That's because Hitohira isn't just my favorite anime for this season, it may very well turn out to be my favorite anime of the year.

Read the rest!

I'm not quite sure why I took so long to write about this -- probably because right after watching it, my thoughts about this final episode were mostly jumbled. Even right now, they still are.
I've also been spending some time watching the ep over a number of times (mostly on nico video. It's good to see that everyone got as confused as I did).

But let's get started.
Coming off of the cliffhanger that was the end of episode 11, I was expecting a lot of things with this episode. Well, I got just about none of them.... And I loved it.

Of course, there were the things that we've come to expect to be in the last episode of this series, such as Chitose finally confessing to Katsuragi, and naturally, lots and LOTS of Mugi stressing about Nono and the others (though especially Nono) leaving after graduation.

What we also got, however, is a very enjoyable party by the Drama Club (which catered to BOTH Drama Clubs) where Nono frankly apologized for splitting up the two, some as to be expected great animation, all topped off by one of the most beautiful mind fucks I've ever been subjected to...but I'll get to that later.

Early on in the show's run, I knew I liked Chitose (or Orinaru, if you've understandable forgotten her name). She's one of the show's biggest sources of comic relief, and yet she's still such a great character. She's pretty stupid, but she at the same time has a good head on her shoulders. She's helped (or at least attempted to) Mugi out of a number of her darker moments. If there's any reason why I would want to pick up the manga from where the anime leaves off, it would be to see how she fares in taking the place of Kayo in Mugi's life.

...Or maybe Kai will be the one to do that.
..Yeah, I...don't think anyone wants that, really. ( ´ε ` )

And after being a mess of emotions and unexpected cuteness throughout the majority of the series, Mirei turned out to be more the beacon of strength in this episode. Heck, this time around it was even Nono who did the crying, not her. The scene the two shared with the Prima Vera costume was quite well done, I'd say. It was short, simple, and yet conveyed what was trying to be expressed so well.

"I'm so sorry, Mirei. I wanted to be on stage with you.."

Hmm.. it's like what the Nono we see in episode 6 wanted to say to Mirei when she saw her in the mirror. Or at least something close to it. I'm really up in arms about these two, however. Is what these two share true love, friendship, or just a sort of actors' camaraderie? You decide (yeah, I'm leaning towards the first one, too, but after the roof scene, it all seems so unclear..).

And so we return to the rooftop.
(gosh, Mugi must have been cold waiting for Nono up there..)
Just thinking about this scene gives me goosebumps. The director and animation staff definitely pulled out all the stops -- and truly there was no better a place.
But of course, after watching this scene (about 5 times now, perhaps) I have many questions.

Why did Mugi have the banner for the Engeki Kenkyuu Kai? Wasn't that given to Nono?
And what else was in that bag that Mugi gave her? Though I guess that should just be all up to our imagination (hopefully it wasn't just a picture frame and card).
And lastly..

WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED??

...in the more literal sense of the question, of course.
"Magic" happened, yes, that much is certain. But... why..?
Given what is obvious to us, Mugi runs up to Nono and hands over the bag she brought for her. Finally, they clasp hands, draw their faces closer to one another and--

**PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII**
[insert WTF moment here.]

..one minute later, the two are in the same position, and eventually part. Both expressing their gratitude to each other (Nono once again doing that rare feat of calling Mugi by her first name). So... is what these two share true love, friendship, or just a sort of actors' camaraderie..? ^^;; (Oh, does it really matter?)

All in all, I can't remember the last time I felt this way after completing a series; it really was a strange plethora of emotions.
..The feeling of being so happy that its end was so beautifully handled (there are so many other things that struck me about the end but... you really just have to watch it yourself).
..And yet also sadness that with the conclusion, it also means that I won't be able to have this show to look forward to anymore...
And then once again feeling so happy and proud of Mugi for her growth, and for how bloody cool she looked (you know Noriko from Gunbuster? ..Yeah, she doesn't have anything on Mugi. ...okay, that's a lie)
And even my confusion as I tried to makes sense of what went on during Mugi and Nono's...moment.. was also meaningful to me.

And of course on on top of all of that were the emotions I've had building up from the rest of the series. I thought every episode after 8 was especially tear-jerking (with many people joking that each one was a last episode).
But as I listened to the End Theme for the last time (for real this time), I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry loudly, but I couldn't. All I had were those emotions, and a heavy heart that refused calm down after this experience.
...I think this must be what it means to be...moved. (つ∀｀)･ﾟ･

...Okay. So that was pretty terrible, but what do you expect, I just got through watching a a show about drama.

Oh, and lastly, did I mention how incredibly epic the music was in this episode? No? What WAS I thinking?

ARIA Navigation 55

2007-06-12T20:29:00.000-07:00

At first I was..
ｷﾀ━━━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━━━ !!!

But then I was like...　
　_,._
(;ﾟДﾟ) ..What the Fuck?!!

...if that made no sense, by all means, read on. But needless to say, there will be spoilers...

Read the rest!

I have to admit, I don't really read the Aria manga too often. ..And I plan to finish watching the second season of the anime.. someday. But I do like to take in small bits of the series in any shape or form whenever I have the free time, and after seeing a thread that contained this chapter on 2chan, I couldn't help but treat myself. ..But I'm boring, let's get to the story.

Dekkai Commencement

So the chapter starts off at Alice Carroll's graduation from middle school. Of course, Akari and Aika come by to congratulate her ....even though they weren't exactly invited (as a graduate of the same school, however, Aika was already privy to the date).

With school behind her, Alice is now able to focus entirely on her training as an Undine. Later that night, she admits to Athena that she in fact feels as if she could do anything right about now, adding that even she finds this new sensation a little strange. Well forget "anything", how about just having a picnic for now, says Athena.
..Well, not really.

To make things a little interesting, however, Athena offers that as the two (well, Maa's there, too) make their way to their destination, Alice play the role as Undine with Athena as her customer. Alice is quite for the plan.
...As she should be -- she does a stellar job at both gondoliering and tour guiding. Along the way, she gets a few cheerful words of encouragement from passing coworkers, all to her befuddlement. By this time, the reader most likely already knows what's coming (except for the fact that you don't know what's coming... ( ´Д`) ).

As the two enter a boat lift, they decide to take a break from the act for a while in order for Athena to give Alice feedback. She naturally has mostly good words for her... though there was the matter of Alice's singing.
Abashed, Alice admits that she's never been very good at singing, what with her small voice and all, and would probably become too concerned in whether or not she sounds all right to be able to pay attention to much else. Athena, however, gives her a few words about first being able to enjoy what is sung before one starts singing, and such a thing wouldn't matter at all. However, before she could say more, the boat is out of the lift, and the two must return to their roles of Undine and tourist.

Finally, they reach their destination. On the knoll in front of the boat, they are greeted by Akari and Aika.. and the lift engineer, and a few high-ups from Orange Planet. Before the two get out of the boat, Athena (still in character) asks if Alice could treat them all to a song.

..And she does.

Congratulations, Shinji!

"..You know, ma'am," Alice begins through the applause of her friends
"Although I know my voice isn't the greatest, ever since I was a child I've always loved to sing. Your words reminded me of that time.
Thank you."

Athena takes Alice's hand as the rises, and removes the glove from her right hand.

ｷﾀ━━━━━━(ﾟ∀ﾟ)━━━━━━ !!!

Apparently, they were waiting for Alice to graduate before she could take this next step. ..But that's not all.
Just for the hell of it, Athena removes the glove from Alice's left hand as well. ...Wait, what?

"Congratulations, Alice.
...No, Orange Princess. From today forth, you are a Prima Undine."

Took the words out of my mouth...

Haaa.
And there you have it. The first of the three main girls to become Prima shall be the child prodigy Alice. And it all was done so wonderfully, I must say. I might have cried when I first read this, but I'm pretty sure it was just raining.

For those interested in the whole thing, the entire chapter (untranslated..( ´･ω･)) can be found here: Aria Navigation 55
Enjoy.

Maria-sama ga Miteru OVA vol 4 - Lady, GO!

2007-05-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

Y'know, even though I constantly see this book in the Marimite section of my local Kinokuniya, always taunting me, I've never really had the urge to buy it or read it online, since I've been looking so forward to experiencing it first animated.
Hrmm, so let's see. In the end, I think my favorite parts have to be:

3. Yumi's Sei moment in the Greenhouse with Kanako
2. Folk Dance
1. Shimako's Dad

Aww, yeah.
Interestingly enough, they mostly have little to nothing to do with the usually wild events (well okay, the epic race between Yumi and Kanako for Cosmo Beauty is probably tied for 3rd), but hey, this is Marimite after all. Sports Festival-ing slowly is preferred here.

Awww! I can't believe the next volume is the last one! There better be another series. It ends right where things start to get good..!! ( ´･ω･)　

Izumi Sakai (Zard) dies at age 40

2007-05-30T20:14:00.000-07:00

Featured Song: Don't You See!

I'm certain most people have heard of this already, but it truly is a tragedy.

Singer Izumi Sakai has died after sustaining head injuries in a fall from the edge of a hospital building in Tokyo, her management agency has announced. Sakai, a member of the popular group ZARD, was 40.

Sakai fell about three meters from the slope outside Keio University Hospital in Tokyo's Shinjuku-ku, apparently after coming back from a walk. The slope was slippery due to rain.

A passerby found her lying on the ground at about 5:40 a.m. on Saturday. She had suffered head injuries, and was confirmed dead on Sunday.

Source: Mainichi Daily News

Don't You See! was probably the first song I heard from Zard back in 1997. Perhaps you recognize it as well. They in fact became one of the first Japanese bands I ever followed, and it's incredibly unfortunate that we'll no longer be able to hear any more of Sakai's music..

Venus Versus Virus vol. 5

2007-05-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

Figures it could only be VVV to make me bother to start writing again.

Well, the good thing about volume 5 is that it certainly proves to be more informative and exciting than its predecessor. Unfortunately, the bad part is that in general, this volume might not be considered as "fun" as volume 4 by most. What with how little time we spend seeing Lucia and Sumire anywhere near each other. ...But who knows, maybe I can have a little fun making fun of how unfun it was.
Or something.

Read the rest!

Once again, we start right where the last volume left off. Ruka has a most pressing question for Sonoka-sama: Exactly what's up with these fragments we're collecting? And why are we doing this in the first place? And why the heck aren't we allowed to just kill that eye-patch chick and her squeaky friend??
All very good questions. However, before Ruka can admit that she's beginning to lose faith in her mistress, Sonoka reminds her just why she's still around in the first place:

You're being glib, Ruka! I've done the research. You don't know psychiatry like I...wait.

So here's the deal -- one night little Ruka (whose name isn't actually Ruka, but we never learn it, so who cares..) was being chased by a mean ol' Virus. Just as the Virus tackles her and steals her fragment, a much younger Sonoka comes by and destroys the Virus with ease (all in a scene that slightly mirrors how Sumire and Lucia met. ...Except of course Sonoka's an ass and comes too late).
Before Ruka slips entirely into Virus-dom herself, she begs for Sonoka to save her life. Sonoka complies.. but only as long and Ruka will give herself over to her as her faithful pet. Upon her agreement, Sonoka inserts the fragment back inside of Ruka and gives her new name.

Zipping back to the present (I really wanted to see them in school uniforms more..) Sonoka and Ruka are holding hands as BFF's and Ruka restates her vow to remain faithful to Sonoka for as long as she lives. Which is all the more reason why she thinks she should know what Sonoka's motives are... so.. she could be even MORE faithful. ..Yeah.
Luckily, Sonoka agrees to tell Ruka, and we get a big long talk about their mission.
Here's the rundown:

(.. .... ...ooOOOOoooh.)

"Isn't it wonderful??" Sonoka asks Ruka, hugging herself so tightly that her fingernails pierce her arms.
Ruka's quick to agree, but on the inside, she speaks for all of us in that Sonoka just sounds like some crazy, religious fanatic. Poor Ruka.. Sonoka goes on to tell Ruka that going after Lucia and Sumire was never a part of their mission. However, now (that is, in the last volume) Ion has realized that those two also play a very important role. And he will need to use them once his current body is strong enough. Besides, it's not like a mere container like Ruka could actually take them down anyway.

Ruka takes some offense to this, claiming that she's the one using the power of the fragments, not the other way around. In fact if she just had more, she could easily take down both of them if she wanted to (granted, she seems unaware of how much she's beginning to madly crave them after she sees them all neatly sitting in a bowl next to her).
Sonoka decides to test her words by upgrading Ruka with one more wind fragment. Later, Gai walks in as well, and of course Sonoka doesn't want to play favorites, so..

But! Almost when we're beginning to forget exactly who this manga is about, we get to Venus Vangard finally to see what Lucia Sumire and Lola are up to. The answer being snack time.

O SHI- (;ﾟдﾟ)

Lucia waits no time at all in getting down to business with that little thing that's been bothering me since the last volume. And with one mention of Lyla's name, Lola makes the scariest face I've ever seen (which would be on the next page..). Always the mood breaker, before Lola could explain herself, she begins to choke on her food. But unlike Sumire, Lucia isn't at all fooled by the display. Lola admits that she knows Lyla and will explain more about them.... later. Now, however, she needs to get back to work.

Sumire also remembers that she needs to get going as well (to meet up with Yoshiki-san). When the two do meet up, however, they're stealthily tailed by Ruka, who's out to prove her theory correct (and maybe a little revenge). After the movie, the two are off to the Planetarium. ..Which little do they know, is unfortunately closed today.

Meanwhile Ruka, who's still been following them, laments over that fact that even though like Sumire, she too was once a normal girl that simply got caught up in this whole Virus mess. And yet why is it that Sumire's still able to live normally and have friends and smile so widely? ...Oh well. Time to kick the crap out of her.

Ruka Sanjou!

Ruka promptly begins to go after Sumire like all hell. Sumire uses her new bracelet (that Lola upgraded), but even after going Berserk still has some trouble taking this stronger Ruka on. Though in this state she is able to realize that something about Ruka's scent seems off today..
Either way, she retreats for some time to think up some sort of plan, and considers trying to press more than one of the vaccine buttons on her bracelet, but fears that the repurcussions might involve her losing control of herself again. But there's no time to dawdle, as Ruka's already caught up with her (that was fast) and prepares to attack.
Sumire quickly presses two of the buttons at the same time... but her bracelet falls apart. Ruka's attack hits Sumire in the leg, robbing her of her ability to walk, much less run away again. From the looks of it, Sumire's pretty fucked..
...That is, until Yoshiki steps in front of Ruka's attack, taking the full brunt and sending him to the floor. And because she's such a nice girl, Ruka decides to put Sumire's would-be-boyfriend out of his misery right in front of her.

Meanwhile at Venus Vangard, Lucia seems to sense something is amiss.. right when Lola bursts through the door screaming Sumire's in trouble. At the same time, Sonoka and Lyla watch the goings on themselves, with Sonoka exclaiming, "You've finally done it Ruka".

...Yoshiki has gotten up and deflected Ruka's attack... which takes her quite a bit by surprise (to put it lightly). He grabs Sumire, and..

(Ah. That's right. I think I should mention now that if you're not exactly the biggest fan of Yoshiki, the next page isn't going to be pretty.)

Sword in one hand, bitch in the other. Savin' the day.

..says that.
Then on, no matter what onslaught Ruka brings, Yoshiki deflects it with relative ease. All the while, Sumire can't believe what she's seeing.
At that moment, Gai makes his own flashy entrance and berates Ruka for trying to have all the fun by herself (note that Gai's showing up was not what Sonoka had planned). Meanwhile, Lucia is being driven to the scene by Lola (why... is Lola driving..?) and tells Sumire to stay safe until she gets there.

Yoshiki manages to keep the two at bay somewhat, but is beginning to have trouble guarding both his flanks. Thankfully, in dodging one of Ruka's attacks, Sumire realizes that she's regained the ability to walk. Not only that, but her leg no longer feels any pain.
In blocking an attack by Gai, Yoshiki impales him with a steel rod. He says a few magic words ("kaijou" = "open"), and every fragment is evacuated from Gai's body. Ruka tries to retreat, lest Yoshiki do the same to her, but instead, he just puts her to sleep for a while.

In the end, Yoshiki refuses to leave with Sumire, saying he has more to do. However, Sumire doesn't want to leave without him. He kisses her, and gives her a few final reassuring words, and it's either one or the other of those things that sends Sumire herself into a deep trance.

Outside the building, Lucia and Lola have finally arrived (just in time!) and is greeted by a very sedated Sumire who collapses into Lucia's arms. Lucia leaves Sumire with Lola (who's now rather pissed for being stuck with all the work) and heads deeper inside the facility. She doesn't get too far, though, thanks to an especially powerful forcefield, and is left with only a vision of a strange form and another one of those pesky searing pains in her left eye.

Back in the planetarium, Ruka wakes up to find a very hungry Virus-Gai on top of her. Her attacks have no affect on him, but thankfully Sonoka shows up just in time to kill him. Yoshiki is on the other side of the room with his own problems, however, grabbing his head, mumbling "what am I?", "what is it I have to do?" et cetera, et cetera.
Sonoka seems to be most pleased with his presence however, and while laughing madly, we're lead to believe that she gives him the same service she did for Gai.

Meanwhile, 15 years ago..

The last third of the volume is dedicated almost entirely to Nahashi's memory of his time as a student at the research facility where he's currently staying, up to the time of Lucia's birth. As you can see, "Nahashi" is not really his last name, but is instead a nickname Lilith decided to give him since his real one was too complicated. (Nahashi = Nahash = Hebrew for snake)
Also, Nahashi has no real ability to see Viruses himself, and the reason why he's decided to be a student of this facility is due to the fact that his older brother was able to see them (before he mysteriously disappeared..). So in order to be able to see Viruses, along with the markings that are on both Lucia and her parents, he uses those lenses he always wears.

Lucif, Lucia's father, makes a bit of a late appearance in this flashback. Apparently, he too worked on exterminating Viruses (Lucia would be just thrilled to hear that, I'm sure) and returns to the campus after he had a very damaging run in with a man who called himself a "Magician". It's important to note that his entire upper body were covered with elemental markings.

Back in the present, Lola finally decides to explain her connection to Lyla after Lucia asks to know just how she knew where Sumire was.
Apparently, when the two of them were about 5 Lola and Lyla (FYI, Lyla's the oneechan between the two..) were adopted by the professor at the research facility where Nahashi previously studied. The two share the power of telepathy and trusted no one but each other, and their adopted father. However, one day, Lyla was kidnapped by a mysterious cloaked person. Lucia at first assumes it's Sonoka's doings, but she's wrong. It was Lucif.

dun dun DUUUUUUUN.

Impressions:
Wow! So many questions!
Like what the heck's up with Yoshiki-san? Is he all right?

Will the manga be a yuri cop-out like how people feel about the anime? (let's hope not..)

And if Lola and Lyla aren't dolls like in the anime, just what are they?
..and why was Lola driving a car..??

But perhaps he most important question of all is:
Lucia: How do I became useless?

I don't know, Lucia. I just don't know.
But what I think we do know is the answer to the first question -- I think it may be obvious that Lucif is probably acting through Yoshiki somehow. Meaning what with Sumire's connection to Lilith, their relationship would be rather fated.
..Or maybe I'm completely wrong. Who knows.

Anyway, all in all, volume 5 reminds us that VVV is after all an action comic (Ruka even uses the classic shounen line "You're 100 years to early to yadda yadda yadda"). This time around, there isn't much of a clear picture of where things will go from here. However, in this volume Lucia appears to have a seemingly growing concern for Sumire's wellbeing, and what with her now currently in a comatose state, that combination could go to some pretty good places.

The first scene of End of Evangelion comes to mind...

...well okay, it's obvious that will never happen, but let's just hope that Lucia does SOMETHING next volume.
Christ.

Venus Versus Virus ep. 12

2007-03-29T23:54:00.000-07:00

(Warning: This entry contains SPOILERS
...and maybe a little confusion.)

And to think, none of this would have ever happened if someone would have just bought Lucia a pair of colored contacts..

..Or maybe not.

Read the rest!

The episode starts off exactly where the last left off, or at least as a flashback.
Nahashi is still gravely woudned from Sumire's assualt, Sumire is still immobilized in big, glowing ball that Lucef put her in, and Lucef is still a bastard.

He greets both Sumire (as Lillith) and Lucia, hoping that they too will be able to appreciate his becoming closer to the ultimate goal of creating a new world. Lucia, unfortunately for Lucef, isn't and (tearfully) lunges at him for the kill right away.

Presently, however, it's Lucia and Sumire's birthday. Lucia (who doesn't know how to put her clothes away, apparently..) is currently waking up from a dream where things were the same as always, and Sumire and co. were busy preparing for the day's party. But, of course, it's all a dream..

Back to flashback, Lucia fails in her attack on Lucef, and Lucef begins to explain to her the type of person her mother truly was -- that she would have wanted this new world, and in fact, Lucia could see her mother again there, if she wanted to...
Apparently, Lilith, who was once tormented by her peers like Lucia was as a child, also wished the world to be destroyed (just like Lucia), and offered her fragment to Lucef. When Lucia hears this, she is of course left speechless.

However, before she gives herself in to Lucef's wishes, Nahashi (what? he isn't dead yet..?) uses a spear to break off Lucia's eyepatch, and implores her to open her eyes (literally) to the truth.
..Being that although Lilith once wished that Lucef would take her fragment and destroy the world, she now knows that she must protect the world that her daughter will now grow up in. Though knowing that Lucef would still come after her regardless, she takes her own life so that he could never have her fragment.

(Is that the reason why it disintegrated, and was placed into Sumire, I wonder..? Ah, who knows..)

Now realizing this, Lucia tells Lucef she'll never believe Lucef's words about his "new world", and is at his neck again. But this is all a minor setback for Lucef. He decides to drop all charades and get down to business (disintegrating his remaining servants, Sonoka and Yoshiki, who were apparently also fragment carriers, and dolls like Ruka and Gai). Even though he couldn't win Lucia to his side, Lucef's plan is already in action -- he tells Lucia to kill Sumire. In doing so, she will obtain her fragment and be able to become the god of the new world. If she refuses to do so, Sumire will kill her, and be the one to create the new world. Either way, the two will have no choice but to fight.

Upon hearing this, however, Lucia realizes that Sumire has begun to cry (little does she know, it's probably because she just saw her boyfreind turn into a pile of soot ( ´∀`)ノ). Seeing this, it becomes apparent that Lucia could never harm Sumire...but let's see what Lucef has to say about that. He takes Sumire away, in order to condition her so she might truly finish her "awakening".

And now, we're back in the present. Lucia greets Lola, who is still with Nahashi's body and Lola hands Nahashi's birthday present to her that was mentioned in episode nine. It's an hourglass (...nice.), and seems to move Lucia enough -- we hear her call Nahashi "father" for the first time ever. She also looks at the flowers left on her dresser, which of course reminds her of Sumire. ..And the grief all becomes too much for Lucia (man, she's such a crybaby now.... ( ´･ω･) ).

Months pass, and winter has come to Japan. Due to Lucef's powers, the world has forgotten about Sumire -- not only her friends, but her very own cousins as well (Riku now longs for a date with Kyouko...and gets one! Good for him~).

All this time, however, Lucia has been training for the day she and Sumire will meet again. Lola also has been doing.. something. And while searching the cupboards for tea, Lucia finds yet another birthday present to her, from Sumire. ..Along with a letter, that reads:

But! It's no time for sentiment, Lucia! Lola senses that Lucef is on the move, and in a perfect display of recycled animation, we're finally sent back to where that scene from the first episode left us.
(Might I add that Lola's pulled out of the action early by Lyla, who reminds her that their role is to watch.. ..wait, what? Who are these people..?)

The fight between Lucia and Sumire had some surprisingly good animation in some points, which was nice to see again, but was unfortunately a little short lived. Lucia vows to this time be the one to save Sumire the same way she did for her, and takes of her eyepatch, unleashing her glowing field of destruction (only this time, in Pretty Cure Rainbow Therapy mode).

Lucef attemps to guard himself from Lucia's onsluaght, that has begun to reach where he, Lola and Lyla stand.
..but he's prevented to do so by Lilith (??) and Nahashi (??!!) as ghosts (I'm grabbing my head now). It all seems to be the work of crafty ol' Lola, who thinks sitting back and watching is for squares. Her sister agrees.

And so, as Lucia's field stretches off into the distance, and Sumire charges madly at her, ready for the kill, Lucia admits something to herself, and to the audience:

"Sumire. I'm glad I met you too."

FIN

Impressions:
(on this episode)

the end.

As for the series as a whole, well, I suppose it wasn't all that bad.... ... ..was it?
On a slightly different topic, I see a lot of people complain about the show being false yuri -- I don't think that's true at all! The yuri is lukewarm at best, but it's certainly there. Granted, I'm an old fan of the subtlty of it all. All this in your face yuri is a bit of a turn-off, I think. (´ー｀)ノ

Otherwise, I guess there were a few loose ends here and there (a few...??). For one thing, I'm still a little clueless about Lola and Lyla. ...I wonder if I should go and watch those episodes of this show that I skipped...? ...Nahhh, I think I'll just wait for the manga.

Speaking of which, we'll soon be getting close to 3 months without a release date, much less the actual next volume of the manga, but on the bright side, next week there'll be another VVV drama CD. Who knows, maybe it might give us some clue as to what really happened at the end of this episode!

...Though I kinda doubt it.

Yes! Pretty Cure 5 ep. 6

2007-03-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

Everytime they yell "YES!" I want to claw my eye out with a pike.
(not a pointed stick -- an actual fish)

Also, it seems I was wrong about Karen not getting along with Nozomi. They in fact seem to be getting along just fine.
Who it seems she will have a problem with is Rin, which is much more interesting, since Rin will quite equally (if not moreso) have a problem with her.

In fact, this time I'm going to guess that eventually it might lead to jealousy over the amount of attention Nozomi gave (and maybe will be giving..?) Karen. She sure seemed pretty hellbent on working with Karen over the past few episodes. ..Though that may just be because of her "Kettei!" philosophy...which is really almost as equally annoying as the "Yes" thing, now that I think about it..

..No..no, the yes thing is much more annoying..

Also, has anyone else noticed that Nozomi and co. seem to be the only ones in the world with the crayola box colored hair? The hell's up with that?

Rocket Girls ep. 1 & 2

2007-03-12T00:17:00.000-07:00

Yukari Morita starts her summer vacation, travels to a remote island, becomes an astronaut, and begins and ends the search for her long lost father all in 2 episodes. ..Am I sure I didn't just watch the whole series?

Read the rest!

Needless to say, I think this show probably shouldn't be taken too seriously... but seeing as it sort of treats itself that way, it gets pretty tough sometimes.

The story revolves around Yukari Morita, a second year highschool student who attends the Neriss School for girls in Japan. ...But we'll get to her later.
SSA (Solomon Space Association) is Japan's mini answer to NASA, is located in the tropical Solomon Islands, and has been planning to send a Japanese into space for some time. ..However, due to an umpteen number of failures, the budget is worn down to nearly nothing. They are left to work with a small, weak rocket that only has power to lift a pilot under 40 kg into orbit. Of course, SSA's trained pilot(s?) are nowhere near that size (nor are they entirely willing to be sent up into that death trap), so SSA's left in a bit of a pickle.

Thankfully, at this moment Yukari just happens to be on her own little expedition to the Solomon Islands (by herself..) -- her motive being to find her father who dissappeared on the remote Axio Island during his honeymoon some 17 years ago. After getting lost and nearly killed, she meets up with a Isao Nasuda, the head honcho over at SSA, who sees Yukari as a gift from God. He offers to help find Yukari's father for her... in exchange that she help them with a little part-time job. What kind of job? Oh it's simple -- so easy, in fact, "a monkey could do it".

..And that's more or less what we get to see in episode 1. Of course, Yukari is left clueless that the "part time job" she volunteered for is actually that of a space pilot until the second episode, but she doesn't take the news too badly (noisily, on the other hand...). After all, to find her father, she'll do anything. ..At least for the summer, anyway.

Luckily, with most of the plot and setting establishment out of the way, the second episode proves to be a lot more enjoyable... especially if you're a bit of a sadist. Scene after scene is Yukari being forced into one embarassing and confusing situation after another on her first day of training, all the while demanding a proper explanation of it all (one particularly embarassing scene worth noting is when Yukari is forced to get naked in cold room in order to get fitted for her space suit. Accentuated by... an incredibly creepy doctor there for the measurements). Of course, all of this torment is still more funny than it is pitiable. ..Or at least I think it is.

The story, however, takes a few unexpected leaps forward after Yukari is shoved out a plane (still training, of course) and lands in a nearby village. She's greeted by a young, happy-go-lucky girl named Matsuri who thankfully speaks Japanese. After Yukari introduces herself, Matsuri notes that the village chief has the same last name as her. What a coincidence!

Long story short, the eccentric village chief is most certainly Yukari's father (verified by Yukari herself) and Matsuri just happens to be his daughter (and therefore, Yukari's half-sister). After a funny/serious scene that included Yukari threatening to take her father home by gunpoint, to two decide on a compromise. Yukari's father (who's name is Hiroshi, by the way) will go home with her, after Yukari goes up into space. This way, Hiroshi has time to say goodbye to his village, and Yukari won't have to ditch the job she just signed up for. So everyone's happy.

That is, if Yukari's father actually believes she'll survive the trip..

Oh and for good measure, Isao hires Matsuri (who also happens to meet the weight requirement) to be Yukari's backup pilot. Two catches in one week! What a lucky man you are, Isao!

Impressions:
Okay, disregarding how realistic it must seem to become an astronaut over summer break, this is turning out to be a pretty good show. Mostly thanks to Yukari, who kind of reminds me of Haruhi (Eri Sendai and Aya Hirano's voices sound similar to me..). This makes the times when things don't exactly go her way all the more enjoyable. Matsuri is good for a token feral girl-character, and has been proven useful (in ep 3) to give way to some surprise yuri (incest..??) moments between her and Yukari. Also, the third astronaut, Akane Miura, hasn't been seen since the first few minutes of the first episode, and I have no idea how or when she'll come into the story. ...But I do hope it'll be soon. She's so cute I fear she may already be my favorite.

Unfortunately, despite all that's going for it, it looks as if this show probably won't get much attention. Seeing as unlike other two mid-season shows (Pretty Cure 5, and Ikkitousen Dragon Destiny) it's not a part of a huge, long-running series with established popularity (former), nor is it a 24-minute panty shot (latter).

Either way, if you're into watching raws, give this show a shot. But I hope it gets subbed sometime, however... granted, with some 40 new shows coming with the Spring season, subbers might become too busy, and this show might be doomed to be overlooked... TT^TT

...Well, at least there'll be more people to sub Idolmaster! （ * °∀°）b
(seriously, even I'm gonna be all over that show.)

Venus Versus Virus ep. 8

2007-03-01T21:10:00.000-08:00

I wonder where those subbers went..?

Either way, disregarding the episodes I skipped (which I guess was just 7...and parts of 6), I decided to take a peek at this show once more. I hope there weren't any particularly huge developments in 7.. (haha...hmm.)

This has nothing to do with this episode, but I think I'm having an easier time thinking of the anime and the manga separately. There's a part in episode 6 where it's pointed out that Lucia is bad at flower arranging. ..I sort of thought that would have been something she was probably good at (the femenine side of her seems to be markedly strong). But maybe I'm wrong. Or maybe the anime's wrong. Either way, that was something that bothered me.
One thing ep 8 and 6 have in common is some good animation in places. Granted, 6 probably edges in the lead a little thanks to some good direction, but it's good to see that the budget is at least going to the places that count.

Good episode this time nonetheless. Though.. ...smiling Lucia is kinda scary.
As the end of this ep and the preview to the next one allude, however, Sumire's heart is still most likely fixated on Yoshiki-san. Though maybe now this might be something that bothers Lucia (more than it already did..?).

...when is Lyla going to do something besides be creepy?

Shiina Ringo+Junpei Shiina - Kono yo no Kagiri

2007-02-16T20:38:00.000-08:00

Featured Song: Kono yo no Kagiri

I like Shiina Ringo.

..and there's a good chance you might, too. For a Japanese artist, she has her fair share of western fans, I think. It helps that she's been around for a while (personally, I first fell in love with her from her Mayonaka wa Junketsu single, so I guess since... ....well, a couple years ago). However, if you're perhaps newer to Japanese music, or have just never heard of Shiina Ringo yet (where the hell have you been? ..No, no I kid.), then I'd be honored to introduce you to one of my favorite artists.

The title song of this single (Shiina's first in a long, long time) is actually a duet sung with her brother Junpei, who I'm not as familiar with (or interested in, really) but I'm glad they did it. They both sound great, dispite the fact that their voices don't quite mesh (their singing styles are a little different). Or maybe that's one of the song's charms..? I dunno, take it as you will.
The song itself is also great. Sung mostly in english, matched with a wonderful showtunes-esque score by composer Saito Neko, and coupled with a slightly underwhelming PV that I thought didn't really match the song's granduer (but did help me remember how much the song reminds me of Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet").

Keeping in the trend of the title song, the CD's c/w song, Sakuran is entirely in english and also very good. ...But rather makes me miss hearing Shiina sing in Japanese. Granted, her english is of course very good, so who am I to argue? Oh, and for the third song on the single there aren't any lyrics at all.

Shiina's next album, Heisei Fuuzoku, will be released on February 21. And it will be her first real album as a solo artist since 2003. Welcome back. (´ー｀)ノ

Yes! Pretty Cure 5 ep. 2

2007-02-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

Remember when I said I'd never blog about this series again?
..Yeah, I lied.

Oh, Pretty Cure. Why can't I quit you..?

This particular ep is all about Rin -- her personality, her past, and ultimately her joining the ranks of Pretty Cure. The subs're already out, I think, so a lengthy review is a little unecessary. ...I actually wanted to do this one earlier, but my week was rather busy.. Plus, unlike a lot of other shows, it's so hard to find a quality raw of pretty cure (c'mon, Japan, get your priorites straight ヽ(｀Д´)ノ).

Since in every other Pretty Cure, the heroines more or less obtain their powers at the same time, I was interested in seeing how this show would go about recruiting the other girls. ...I have to say, I did not expect Nozomi to start the ep by going right up to Rin and saying "Hay I'm a magical girl wanna be one too lolz?".
That was funny. As was Rin's (after she finally got proof that Nozomi hadn't just gone completely insane) flat refusal of "Nah".

Now I have to say, I think that these reactions were pretty realistic... all things in perspective, of course. Especially when we find out the motives behind them -- most notably Nozomi's reasons. Seeing as Rin has basially been poor, hopeless Nozomi's support since they were kids, it's pretty normal to assume that she'd hope Rin would be there to stand by her side this time.

Rin initially sees things a little differently. And who could blame her? Being a magical girl must really be a pain in the ass. Especially when your plate is as full as her's. But on top of that, we find out that Rin is a bit of a 'fraidy-cat (charm point..! ( ´∀`)　). And when she finds out just how dangerous Nozomi's chosen line of work is, she urges her to get out while she still can. When faced by Nozomi's strong resolve to not give up her new adopted dream, Rin has no choice but to fight alongside her, using the excuse that in this dirty job, someone's going to have to look after her.

This episode was great, and executed in that good ol' entertaining/funny/heartwarming way that Pretty Cure does best.
And speaking of heartwarming...

itai no, itai no
tondekee~~

*rolls around in the cuteness*

Also, I don't watch Naruto, but Junko Takeuchi did a great performance as Rin this ep -- I'm looking forward to hearing her more. I wonder if people who watch both shows will have trouble not thinking of Naruto whener Rin speaks? ...I wonder if those people even exist..?
Anyway, after this episode, I have no doubt that Karen and Komachi's ep is going to win by the buckets. Though I sort of don't think they'll put their background episode so close to these two's. ..So who knows when that'll be...
Meh.

Venus Versus Virus ep. 5

2007-02-11T01:28:00.001-08:00

Ya know, I hate to admit it, but I've been wondering whether or not I should keep following this show after all. But I'll get to that later.

This episode formally introduces Pikachu...I mean Ruka, who works under Sonoka (the evil chick with the glasses) and just LOEVS to pester Sumire. Though there are a good amount of discrepancies, the main story behind this ep actually takes place in the last chapter from the 2nd volume, so damn is this show moving fast (I wonder if it'll be 12/13 episodes rather than 26..?). But anyway, in this episode we also get..

And now, back to what I was saying earlier on -- it's not that I don't like the anime.. more like.. I don't like it as much as I do the manga (lol, well that part is at least obvious). Anyway, whenever I personally choose to watch an anime over its manga counterpart, it's mostly just because of the fact that I love my seiyuu and I love my OSTs. ...and right now, it seems that this show doesn't really have either of those two things going for it (well, except for Lucia's voice. Sumire's voice is okay, too, but it kinda irks me sometimes).

But more than anything, I think what will make me want to stop watching the anime is because... (and this might be because I was introduced to the manga first) but.. somehow I think I'd rather be spoiled by the manga and then see it again in the anime, instead of the other way around.
Granted, I've already been spoiled concerning a few things -- the true nature of Lucia's brooch, and then in this episode we get a little more insight on Lola and Lyla's relationship. But what about when we get to the important things? (i.e., the yuri).

Oh well. This might just be how I'm feeling now, fresh off reading the 4th volume. And forcing myself to ignore the anime could be tough, seeing as there's a chance the next vol might not come out until June. D:
Anyhow, where we stand, we're still far from the anime catching up to where the manga is, so at least for the next couple of weeks, I'll still be watching. ..Or at least until Rocket Girls starts. I've been looking forward to that, y'know. Perhaps alone..

Yes! Pretty Cure 5 ep. 1

2007-02-08T03:44:00.000-08:00

Do you remember when you watched the first episode of Pretty Cure (the original series, that is)? Well, it doesn't matter if you thought it was shit (like a lot of people did) or not, given that you haven't been following this series nonstop, if you were to watch the first episode of Pretty Cure 5, you'd very likely be blown away. I sure was. Sorta.

Jesus bleedin' Christ what merchandising can do for a franchise. I will forever wish the VVV anime had a budget like the one of this children's show. But I digress..

The stage this time is Sankurumieeru (I know that transliterates to something, but damned if I'm gonna figure it out) Academy, which like the original series, is a girls' school. If the title doesn't give it all away, Pretty Cure will now be a group of 5 girls, instead of the regular two, and the occasional third wheel. Our group of girls is as follows.

Nozomi Yumehara is a girl with a name full of puns. Also, like many classical mahou shoujo leads, she's an idiot. But though she may not be very good at nearly everything, she is a girl of pure intentions, and is quite bent on finding something of her own that she can do. Meaning this show could possibly go into the 100's of episodes. She will transform into Cure Dream.

Rin Natsuki is Nozomi's althletic childhood friend with a good head on her shoulders. For the first time, the popular sports wiz of the group actually isn't made the character the show focuses on, which I think is definitely for the best. I really like her -- she reminds me of Ichino from Battle Athletes. She will transform into Cure Rouge.

Urara Kasugano is a child actress who just transferred into the school as a first year. Before I watched the show, she seemed like the "spunky younger character that talks in the third person a lot"-sort of archetype, and I thought I wouldn't like her. However, I was surprised to see that she actually seemed to be a very mature, almost serious character. I now look forward to seeing her go crazy underneath the pressures of stardom. She will transform into Cure Lemonade.

Karen Minazuki is definitely the "Sachiko" of the group. She's a third year student from a wealthy family, student council president, and is also pretty no-nonsense. I like her alot. Conflicts between her and Nozomi (especially when on Pretty Cure duty) will be inevitable. She transforms into Cure Aqua.

Komachi Akimoto may not fit the bill looks-wise as much as her best friend Karen, but she'll probably be this series's new Honoka. She's polite, soft spoken, and a member of the Library Commitee. A tough job, I'm assuming, as this school has a library that can quite possibly put Congress's to shame. Might I add that between her and Karen, there are yuri vibes that are off the chart, but I've learned not to hold my breath when it comes to this show.
Though she seems gentle, according to the site she can get pretty angry sometimes, which I'm looking forward to seeing like all hell. She will transform into Cure Mint.

I also think I should mention that while in the library, she notes to Karen that Nozomi somewhat resembles her(Karen). And I can see it now -- though they won't actually be the best of friends most of the time, Karen will probably be one of the characters that resembles Nozomi the most in that although she excels at and has been thoroughly trained since birth in about everything, she too won't really know what she truly wants to do. She might realize this eventually, but probably won't admit it..

..Or at least that's just what I saw. Maybe it was just me.. I feel safe stating these assumptions now as there's a good chance I'll never blog about this series again.

So anyway, in addition to the amount of characters, the show's mascots are also different. No, they're still annoying balls of fluff that say their names after just about everything they say, but now they actually have the ability to transform into people instead of just cellphones. Very handsome bishounen, in fact. And the main character actually developes a crush on one of them (yes that's right. you didn't read any of that wrong).

The villains also seem a little scarier this time around. While watching, I was beginning to wonder if this show was still okay for young kids. Though that may be because I'm a wimp.
Like the 2 series before it, Pretty Cure 5's villains have a token monster they use to take care of their dirty work that has a name with a not-so hidden meaning (Zakenna → Fuzakena, Uzaina → Urusai na). This time we have Kowaina, who I think is an improvement on both. For one thing, it doesn't explode into apologizing stars when defeated, and secondly.... it's pretty darn creepy. Jeez, If there's anything that might make me stop watching this show, it would be so I wouldn't have to hear that thing's voice..!

So all in all, I was pretty surprised by this show's first episode. I may end up watching more episodes of it than I origianlly thought. At least more episodes than I did Splash Star.
Though the similarites are there, at least this time around, the characters aren't so blatant clones of our original Pretty Cure duo. Which I think is good. And though I'm sure a number of people don't really like the idea, but I think the fact that there are now 5 girls has it's upside. For starters, there's a lot more things you can do with this amount of characters. So while I think Splash Star may have been a bit of a filler series, at least this time we may be up for a run that could challenge that of the original show.

I hope I'm not getting and SS fans mad now. I didn't watch much of the series, but I'm sure it was lovely... in it's own way.
....Let's just come to an agreement that the original is still the best.

We miss you, Nagisa and Honoka. Please make a cameo as background characters in this show or something. (;´Д`)

Venus Versus Virus vol. 4

2007-02-06T01:32:00.000-08:00

(Warning: This entry contains SPOILERS...that.. may or may not relate to the anime, but still, spoilers. And you know what that means.
So if you'd rather not hear where and how the manga's progressed in terms of plot and character developments, then for God's sake, don't read further!)

No, I haven't given up on the anime, I'm still very much a follower of it, even though I may be a little strained (granted, it seems to be getting better).

What I am quite fervently following, however, is the manga, which fills me with joy and glee with each volume (well, actually, the third one was a little "meh", I thought). However, the fourth installment of the series was finally released about a week ago, and it's certainly filled me with said joys and glees. It may in fact actually be the best yet.

Read the rest!

..In my opinion, anyway.
What I thought was wrong with the third vol, actually, was that it might have spent a little too much time on needless action, and showing off Sumire's newfound powers (or rather, control of them). Some of the chapters, to be honest, seemed to almost downright be filler. The quality of the art in some places didn't really help that, either.

But I digress, the 3rd volume is still a great read, and of course crucial if you want to know what the hell's going on in the first chapter of this volume (not to mention the effect it casts over the rest of the entire book).

The first chapter of the 4th volume picks up right where the third leaves off -- the middle of Sonoka's planned hunt for fragments (which are to my understanding, small glass-like shards that exist in people that have the ability to see Viruses, and what apprently keeps them from becoming Viruses themselves).

So close, yet so far..

Aw, darn it Sumire, just when you get control of your Berserk side, it comes right back and bites you in the ass. Well, at least it helps her become pretty cool again (picture related).
After she scares Ruka off, she of course succumbs to her insatiable appetite for Lucia and heads to where the twin-tailed girl is currently fighting Gai. Through some persuasion and very clever double entendres (and of course, her sharp claws) she causes Lucia to lose her eyepatch for the first time.

This was a very interesting scene. Though she did cover her bare eye the one time she took off her eyepatch in the anime, the implication that she has a deep stigma about it doesn't come through at all. It being off numerous times in the OP doesn't really help that either.
The fact that Lucia was beginning to be attacked by that creeping darkness problem is most likely a factor in her erratic behavior, but Lucia also demands thar Sumire not look at her (Sumire however, who's still in Berserk mode, mentions that it's pretty).
Thanks to her eye's mysterious power (..of being very bright, I guess) Gai's KO'd. So with him out, and Ruka scared out of her wits, the good guys win by forfeit.

Oh, and if you're wondering what happened to Layla, she took herself out of the game early on her own accord. She wanted a snack.

Now, for a good part of the book, the girls mope. Or rather, Lucia mopes. Sumire mopes, too, for a little while, but is soon cheered right up by Yoshiki-san's gentlemanly charms.
...Speaking of him, he's been getting stranger and stranger.. He's not normal, that much is clear. However, I don't quite think he's with the bad guys, per se. He might actually be in a completely unrelated faction, and could possibly go to either side. I'm interested to see what happens.

Dun Dun DUUNNN...

Well doesn't she look familiar.
Anyhow, after receiving a mysterious letter, Nahashi decides to go ahead and take a trip back to Lucia's home country, where he'd spent time as a researcher and met Lucia's mother. He thus very formally leaves Sumire in charge of Lucia's "delicate condition", and the two girls become their only company.
Though despite Sumire's efforts, Lucia only moves herself further away from Sumire, going as far as to move out of the room the two share and spending time alone in Nahashi's room. The two girls both blame their individual faults for the distance.

Nahashi, however, while revisiting an old building happens upon a rather intriguing young lady... You can probably tell who it is from the picture so why bother explaining.

Back in Japan, Sumire gets an idea from Yoshiki-san that she should find a way to cheer Lucia up. And her brilliant plan is to stage a picnic by luring Lucia out saying there's Virus trouble in the park (stupid, but adorable).
...Granted, this plan of course fails miserably.
Adding insult to injury, Lucia tells Sumire that the two of them are essentially just strangers, and that she shouldn't force herself to reach out to her. Sumire, quite broken now, promptly leaves. Later, Lucia finds the picnic basket Sumire'd prepared on the table outside.

Sumire, while taking a walk to collect her thoughts actually makes it as far as Youji's house (you remember him, right? Tsukuyo's brother, who's quickly becoming a recurring character..). She visits the boy and tells him of Lucia's condition. While the two talk, Sumire learns of the present Lucia gave him, and Youji gives Sumire a letter he wants her to give to Lucia. So she might cheer up.
While returning home, Sumire is approached by Layla who recognizes Sumire..and consequently Lucia, who is suddenly standing right behind her (wtf? did she teleport?). Though once again, the creepy little goth loli poses no real threat, as now it is time for her tea. And just as quickly as she enters, she's gone again.

Kill me, Miriell--erruhh, Sumire!!

Once returning to Venus Vangard, Sumire gives Lucia Youji's letter. It seems to strike a chord within her. Many of Lucia's anxieties and insecurites concerning herself spill out onto the floor in this scene. She refuses to believe someone cares about her, and forces Sumire into Berserk mode, telling her to attack her.
..But she doesn't (if you don't count that slap to get her back to her senses). In a touching scene, Sumire admits that not only can she not kill her friend, but she refuses to treat her like a stranger.

..Touching, that is, as observed by Lola, who's just arrived at the shop and saw the whole display.
Naturally, the girls mistake Lola for Layla (note: you can tell the difference by the mole under her right eye, actually), and promptly attack her... which causes Lola to spill her chocolate (oh hell no). This thus sparks a shortlived free for all between the three that was mostly entertaining.

I'm flying, Jack, I'm flying! ( ´∀`)ノ

Oh god, I cannot hold back my love for this part.
After everything's settled and Lola's moved into Nahashi's room (not before making it her own), Sumire and Lucia discuss their new houseguest. Lucia mentions the she (very wisely) doesn't quite trust her yet. Sumire, put off my Lucia's still cold attitude tries to think of a way to soften her up a little.

And she does.
..and it works magic! ミ☆

...But only for a little while. Just when the two are getting cozy, the mood is broken yet again when Sumire's cellphone begins to ring. It's none other than Yoshiki-san, very awkwardly asking her out on a spur of the moment date. And suddenly, Sumire's on a cloud.
Before she can even get down, her school mates call her to plan some hang out time tomorrow, and Sumire is all for the plan.
..When she finally returns to the room, however, she finds Lucia has pulled the curtain on her bed and decides to go back to her own bed, assuming she'd gone to sleep before her. ...She hadn't. (つД｀)･ﾟ･

Anyhow, the next day, Lola goes out early to do Lola stuff, and Sumire admits to Lucia that she'd actually invited her friends over to Venus Vangard to spend some time. ..News that Lucia takes surprisignly well. The two clean up the previously closed shop and wait for their guests... that very soon come in squawking like geese at everything they see -- Lucia included. The entire scene is all very enjoyable, I think. It was nice to see Lucia in her very un-Lucia-like shopowner-mode again, that we first see her in early in the first volume. And when Lola comes back and the girls all have (a very strange) dinner, we get to end the last chapter on a happy, relatively stress-free note. Something else that we haven't seen since volume one.

Mystery(?) Solved

Oh yeah, and if it wasn't enough, we learn something else about Lucia this volume -- her age (and I guess Sumire's as well). This was actually something I'd been wondering for a very long time. To be honest, I would've guessed her to be a little older (I was thinking along the lines of 16-18, actually), but 15 is just fine.

Impressions:
Well that was awesome.
This volume had everything that I wanted to see. There was very little action in it, unlike the last volume, but where it did exist, it was total win. The first chapter really had me excited, too. It helps that we get the return of Sumire's Berserk side (who strangely enough, is really one of my favorite characters, i think.)

Huh, so Lola isn't an anime-only character after all. I'm not sure if I like the anime's way of having her as a main character to start with, over the manga's way of having her show up later at this point. Either way, I'm not minding this trade out for Nahashi at all.
It's probably a necessary plothole, but I wonder if Sumire and Lucia questioned Lola about her uncanny resemblance to Layla (who I guessed was her twin)? Well, it'll be interesting to see what'll happen when these two meet up again (if they've ever even met before..)

This was a very good volume for Lucia. I mean, really good. Not only do we get to know what goes on inside her head more, but she's put in a great deal of positions where she becomes rather... cute.
It was certainly something to see the usually calm and collected girl go through so many different emotions. And now I like her even more.
Granted, this isn't to count out Sumire, who as always, has her fair share of cute scenes. I for one thought it was adorable that Sumire seemed to be amused by the fact that Lucia's bed smells of a mixture of her perfume and cigarettes. Unfortunately, though, she comes up a little short in terms of character development this time. I mean, this girl REVOLVES around Yoshiki-san as if he were the sun.

Oh, but speaking of the bed scene, as good as that part was, I think the best part was probably the times when after Sumire'd gotten out of bed, there'd be a panel of Lucia's silent frame, as she pretended to be asleep. There's so many things I want to say about it, but.. Oh well.

There are a few other things in the volume that I didn't quite cover, but hey, I've gone on long enough as it is. They're mostly minor details, really, and things concerning the villains and their agenda, which can be given more attention in later issues. This volume was all Lucia and Sumire. And that's how I likes it.

Makino Yui - Tenkyuu no Ongaku

2007-01-28T13:27:00.000-08:00

Featured Song: Kami to Hairpin to Watashi

(Man, I wish I'd never found out about this Touhou thing..)

Anyhow, I've just received my copy of Makino Yui's album Tenkyuu no Ongaku (Music of the Planet) and thought it was about time for an update.

Most people probably know this girl as the voice of Misaki from N.H.K. ni Youkoso (and, subsequently, the singer of the show's second ed theme). Others might know her as the the singer of the OP themes from both seasons of ARIA. Either way, she's an up and coming seiyuu with a wonderfully cute voice (that makes her sound hardly older than 12), and she's come out with her first album.

Seeing how much I loved the singles for both ARIA OP's I knew for at least that part of it, I'd enjoy this album. However, almost every song on the CD turned out to be a treat -- I'm really happy with it. I especially like Shiawase no Tameiki and Omna Magni (from Sousei no Aquarion), both of which I've never heard before. I think that anyone who liked any of her stuff from her previously released singles to check out this album. You might be surprised.

Why Kami to Hairpin to Watashi?
Some people might recognize this title as Aika (cv Chiwa Saito)'s image song, from the ARIA Vocal Album. However, this version features Yui doing her own rendition of it -- which leaves me with a dillemma: which one do I put in my iPod? (;´Д`)
I actually have the same problem with this CD's version of Amefuribana, which features some new string accompaniment that wasn't on the single's version. It sounds lovely, but I've already become so used to my old version of the song.

So there's my own little personal problem (and maybe your's too..??). In the end, I think I'll keep Chiwa Saito's version of this song, since it's more personal to her character, and maybe swap out the old version of Amefuribana for this one eventually... or at least try it out.

(I worry about stupid things..)

COMPLETE TRACK LIST
1. Omna Magni
2. Undine
3. Shiawase no Tameiki
4. Modokashii Sekai no Ue de
5. Symphony
6. Euphoria
7. Jasmine
8. Natsuyasumi no Shukudai
9. Kami to Hairpin to Watashi
10. Yume no Tsubasa
11. Towa no Omoi
12. CESTREE
13. Amefuribana
14. Amurita

Kami to Hairpin to Watashi
(Japanese Version)

いつもどおりの朝　あたりまえの日々
そらは眩しく晴れてても　私は

岸辺を過ぎる風　すこし目を細め
「いつか」じゃなく今日から変わろうと決めた

短く聞いた髪を映して
キラリ　光った涙に手をふるの
さあ　新しい季節が始まるわ

いつもどおりの朝　きらめいて見える
気がついたの　いつだってあなたがいたから

短く切った髪に選んだ
キラリ　ちいさなお気に入りのピンで
ほら　新しい季節を迎えるの

街中が今　輝き出すわ
フワリ　やさしく髪を揺らす風も
さあ　新しい季節が始まるわ
新しく生まれ変わるの

Kami to Hairpin to Watashi
(Romaji Version)

itsumo doori no asa atarimae no hibi
sora wa mabushiku haretete mo watashi wa

kishibe wo sugiru kaze sukoshi me wo hosome
"itsuka" janaku kyou kara kawarou to kimeta no

mijikaku kitta kami wo utsushite
kirari hikatte namida ni te wo furu no
saa atarashii kisetsu ga hajimaru wa

itsumo doori no asa kirameite mieru
ki ga tsuita no itsudatte anata ga ita kara

mijikaku kitta kami ni eranda
kirari chiisana o ki ni iri no pin de
hora atarashii kisetsu wo mukaeru no

machijuu ga ima kagayakidasu wa
fuwari yasashiku kami wo yurasu kaze mo
saa atarashii kisetsu ga hajimaru wa
atarashiku umare kawaru no

Kami to Hairpin to Watashi
(English version)
An ordinary morning, to a typical, uneventful day
The sky was dazzling, it was sunny and I

squinted my eyes from a sudden breeze from the riverbank
I decided "Not 'someday', but today is the day I'll change myself"

Glistening, the tears that fell onto my hand
reflected my shortly cut hair
Now, a new season shall begin

An ordinary morning has become so radiant in my eyes
and I realized, it's because you were always there

I've decided to cut my hair short
And with this glistening hairpin I've come to like,
See, I'm facing a new season

The entire town seems to burst forth with brilliance
Softly, my hair began to sway with a gentle breeze
Now, a new season shall begin
And I feel as if I'm born again

Saint October ep. 2

2007-01-13T03:09:00.000-08:00

Something terrible's happened.

I think somewhere, in waiting for this next episode to air, and a couple more times of watching the OP and ED sequences, I've actually started looking forward to this show.

Granted, my anticipation was mostly for naught this time around, as this episode was more or less filler. Or to be more exact, your standard second episode for most mahou shoujo anime, complete with coping with new found powers and transformation abilities, further establishment of the setting and characters, and yet another stupid threat that arises and is soon vanquished. Jeez, literally everything about this show reminds me of Pretty Cure..

I also noticed for the first time, the school symbol of the school Kotono and Natsuki attend. And it happens to be an upside-down cross. Now, if you've perhaps attended Catholic school for most of your life (like a certain blogger, here..), you might recognize that as a perfectly innocent, albeit not-so-often used symbol in the Catholic Church, which this anime very well could be alluding to. However, what with the gothic theme about the show, it very well could be alluding to a perhaps more commonly known satanic emblem. ^^;
Granted, it's most likely really none of the above in this case, and is actually meant to represent the Hangman Tarot Card, since the cards are pretty much what this show is all about.

Speaking of hangmen, what was up with this episode's creepy new character, Kafka. I mean seriously, what the flying fuck?

And lastly, I'm starting to have my apprehensions about Joshua. Not only does he have a suspiciously shady side where he seems to be overly unfair to poor Koushiro, but he also hits Kotono in this ep! I know he gives his reasons, but MAN! You just don't DO that!
ヽ(`Д´)ノ

And so, as this ep ends, I forget why I was looking forward to this show to begin with. I'm sure I'll start becoming anxious for the next all over again come Wednesday, only to be let down again, in a wretched, wretched spiral.
BUT! That may not actually happen next ep, as we'll finally start paying attention to Natsuki. That means more Fukui Yukari time～♥

Venus Versus Virus ep. 1

2007-01-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

Well, it's finally here. I've been a big fan of this manga for a few months, and as I mentioned before in the entry on the Ouverture finale, I was very much anticipating its anime adaptation.
...Though not without a few hesitations. For one thing, I've never really liked a number of the names that became attached with this anime's production, but decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and wait until I watched the actual show before I made any judgements on the anime version. And so I did.

The episode starts off in a scene filled only with snow and an old church. We meet Lucia, the show's twin ponytailed main character with the gothic lolita complex, apparently emptying her gun in a fight with something inside. Outside, she meets up with Sumire, the show's other main character who's looking pretty pissed (as her lack of eyes illustrates). Lucia precedes to point her gun at her, but then quickly confesses that she's actually out of bullets. The two girls then pull out knives and square off... just as the scene ends.

The sheer overextravangance of that scene would have very near killed me, if I wasn't looking so forward to seeing the OP. The song, Bravin' Bad Brew, is actually very good, I think. Easily one of the best this season, so far. ..Too bad the OP animation is a little underwhelming.

Anyway, we're very soon introduced to some people that will eventually become familiar faces in the show, such as Mika and co. (Sumire's classmates) and Nene and Riku (Sumire's cousins. The former being her older sister type, that is in the highschool division of the same school she attends, the latter being the hapless elementary schooler with a crush on her). She even bumps into Yoshiki-san. Who I think I'll explain later. All this while Lucia waits for Sumire over at the Venus Vangard shop with a customer.

But not just any customer. One by the name of Toudo Risa who has the ability to see the hidden "Demon Exterminator" note at the bottom of the Venus Vangard flier. She's in fact come to the shop hoping Lucia and Sumire would be able to do just that, what with a mysterious, monstrous shadow following her around and her friends suddenly beginning to disappear. Lucia, who previously seemed rather uninterested and suspicious of Risa's story, thus determines the culprit to certainly be a Virus and decides to take her case in a rather quick change of heart.

In the park where Risa last saw the shadow, we get a lot of searching for Viruses, a lot of explanation of Viruses, but no Viruses. Oh, except for the one that attacked Sumire.. but she didn't really see. Wow, so useless.
Lucia then goes into her room to check on an exhausted Risa, who is currently borrowing her bed. She uses this oppertunity to take off her eyepatch and give the girl an.. "examination", but soon is overcome with pain. She tells Sumire that she'll have to take over this case, much to Sumire's surprise.

Later, Sumire is in Risa's room where she's doing a stellar job of being a bodyguard by falling asleep. Suddenly, the mysterious shadow slithers out of Risa's sleeping frame, and prepares to attack Sumire.. just as Lucia steps in to stop it. She explains that Sumire was just being used as bait so that the Virus would show its true form (much to Sumire's chagrin), and a battle ensues. After a few elevations in the animation quality level, and some not-so-fancy shooting by Sumire, Lucia manages to take the Virus down.

...But not for long. It resurfaces, even more horrible and tentacle-y than before, and takes poor Sumire hostage, preparing to devour her. Lucia, however, steadies her gun and fires it -- at Sumire.
This sets off a reaction in Sumire's body, sending the mousey girl straight into Beserk mode. ..A mode in which she makes quick work of the Virus formerly holding her captive. However, she's still hungry. She taunts Lucia, telling her that she's next. The two square off once again, in a scene that mirrors the opening. However, Lucia is currently no match for a very hungry Sumire.. but before she can strike, the bullet's effects wear off, and she collapses into Lucia's arms.

...All seen via creepy eye-monster cam by a mysterious woman (Sonoka), and her gang of shadowy miscreants.

Opinions (warning; light spoilers)

And there you have it. To be honest, I didn't much care for this episode the first time I watched it, but after the second viewing, I didn't mind it too much. Maybe it just took me a while to get used to all the new things. After all, if you've read the manga, some explanations of plot points you'd hear in this episode will be nothing new but the overall story, on the other hand, seems to have been turned on its head.

The most obvious of changes, of course, being the new character, Lola. She seems a little superfluous, really, taking over part Nahashi's job of working in the background, and will probably be used to fill a number of cliches in this show. Her very presence is a cliche, after all. Granted, she may eventually come into real use later on, seeing as she seems to be the twin of Layla -- someone who really is a character in the manga, and on top of that, a villain (we see her in the OP, standing next to Lola, actually). However, this all doesn't change the fact that her voice is pretty annoying (what with her seiyuu being Ayumi Tsuji, who previously did Minamo in Gokujou Seitokai. ..Man, that brings me back).

But speaking of voices, I'm quite impressed, so far. Minori Chihara sounded a little squeaky as Sumire a few times, but was good overall. I knew she would do a good job for Sumire's Beserk side, however. Though what I was really impressed by was relative newcomer Ayahi Takagaki's job as Lucia. I thought she was a great choice, and I'm very glad they decided to make the change from Hitomi Nabatame, who did the audio drama. Sakura Nogawa ain't too bad a choice for Nene, either.

But getting back to the story, in addition to adding characters, I certainly think they're speeding things along quite frankly. So far, 3 volumes of the manga have been released and Lucia is yet to remove her eyepatch. And yet, the anime wastes no time having her take it off within roughly the first 10 minutes. Hell, it's off in the bloody OP.
I also thought it was weird that Sumire would bump into Yoshiki-san already. Especially weird, since the girl apparently fell in love with him at first sight in the manga. This time, she goes about her merry way without giving him a second thought.

But probably the most important of the changes that the anime makes: Lucia wasn't anywhere near a cigarette for the entire. episode.
I mean seriously, wtf? Man, if I don't see her light up soon, I'm gonna forget why I have such a ridiculously huge crush on her. And that's the last thing I want to do.

P.S., I like to pick on Sumire, but actually I like her just as much as I do Lucia. ..Well, almost.

Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight! ep. 1

2007-01-07T15:14:00.000-08:00

What an awesome last episode.

..Oh wait, no, this was the first one.

The "Massugu GO!" protagonist Amamiya Manami ("Manabi") was cute, funny, and not too annoying (yet). I didn't even notice she was voiced by Yui Horie until she started singing.
The supporting cast were rather cliche'd as well, but I mostly enjoyed them a lot (except for the retarded one).
The scene when Manabi became student council president was nice, albeit rather confusing.
The song was enjoyable, although a little too long.
And of course, the animation was gorgeous.

All topped off by a not-so-spectacular ending song by Megumi Hayashibara (but Megumi Hayashibara none the less).

This turned out better than I expected. Let's see how long ufotable can keep it up this time.

Saint October ep. 1

2007-01-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

I don't know why I watched this show. Maybe it's because I've recently caught a cold, this was the first anime of the winter season, and I was dying for something new.
Going into it, I was mostly looking forward to seeing how bad this show was. When I first checked it out, after all, it merely seemed like a show that would shamelessly milk the widely popular goth loli craze.

...and believe me, it does. It really, really does.

However, little did I know, this show by no means takes itself seriously (I'm not sure why I thought it would) and is actually a rather poorly disguised Mahou Shoujo show. And for some reason, I think I kinda enjoyed it.

Don't get me wrong though, this show is pretty dumb. The story focuses on two girls: Kotono -- the well-meaning, hard working main character, with a hair ribbon that conveniently looks like a pair of cat ears.
..and Natsuki -- a very high-class young lady who looks suspiciously like Shinku, and for some reason has a fang that appears at random. She's also voiced by Fukui Yukari, who in my book = love.
The two girls (both 14) work part time at a detective agency fighting crime with their flying contraptions. Recently, there's been a string of kidnapping and of course, the girls are on the case. ..And that's where the first episode begins.

I probably wouldn't have gone on much further if I wasn't charmed out of my mind by the catchy OP theme (complete with its own karaoke), sung by the three main girls (one of which won't be introduced until a few episodes later). It somehow convinced me with its cuteness to throw away my prejudices with the show and just kick back and give it a try. And after the introduction of a few new characters, the fateful meeting between the main character and the mysterious little boy, the description of the main character's tragic and mysterious past, and a rather gross transformation scene, my claim to the stupidity of this show is unwavered.

But, still I have to admit that through it all, it was kinda fun. The characters are likeable, the animation is decent, and the villains look so ridiculous it's hilarious. ..It was almost like I was watching Pretty Cure again. I, in fact, had to remind myself that this was actually a show that was aired at night and aimed to otaku. That.. still doesn't make much sense to me, really.

There are going to be a lot of people that won't like this show, and perhaps even more people that will be disappointed. But I think I might still watch it. Why? Because..

..I smell yuri.
(the things I'll do for it, I swear..)

Rozen Maiden Ouverture ep. 2

2006-12-23T19:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was so mad at Shinku. However, with this episode, I've forgiven her.
..Kinda like how the range of emotions go with almost every episode of Rozen Maiden.

The conclusion to this 2 part special starts basically right where the first left off. Perhaps now that Shinku knows just who this strange doll is, she begins to treat her with more respect. ..Or at least a little more, as Suigintou will still have nothing of this new-fangled "civilized communication" thing. However, Shinku's forced to go back into defensive mode when Suigintou lunges at her brooch, remembering it from her flashback from episode 1. Shinku thinks she's up for a fight after all, but after Suigintou begins to cry once more, Shinku abandons all hope for her until morning.

The next day, Sarah finds the new doll rather strange. Not only by her stand-offish behavior, but also due to her ghostly, very undoll-like appearance. She then rather candidly asks Shinku if she will soon beat her up, which surprised me a bit. Sarah may not quite understand the meaning of the Alice Game, but I certainly believe that she feels a bit of pride in knowing that she has a doll that you don't want to mess with.

However, Shinku will do nothing of the sort. She instead treats Suigintou with compassion; becoming not only her friend, but her new teacher of sorts, and helping Suigintou learn how to walk every night (which also confuses Sarah to no end). Suigintou however, seems to treasure her time with Shinku. She asks her if her walking will make father happy, which Shinku happily confirms. However, there is something also very heavily weighing on her, as her expression whenever Suigintou is not looking at her indicates..

Later, Sarah is awoken by Shinku once again heading out to fight Souseiseki.
She asks Shinku that if the Alice Game decrees her to defeat all other Rozen Maidens, what does she plan to accomplish by leaving Suigintou as she is.
However, Shinku tells Sarah there is no need to worry about her, and asks Sarah to be kind to Suigintou. Little do the two of them know, however, but Suigintou has overheard this exchange.
Then, in the N-field where Souseiseki and Shinku are in the midst of battle, who appears to stop them, but none other than confused, scared little Suigintou, wondering why the mean blue crossdressing doll is beating up her friend. Shinku tries to tell Suigintou to escape, but before she can, Souseiseki learns straight from the horse's mouth just who this new doll is, and decides to make quick work of her, too.

Emphasis on the word "quick" -- before Suigintou can get anywhere, Souseiseki cuts her in half. A very simple task of course, when one doesn't have a stomach, and all..

Next is a very tear-jerking scene as the two dolls left standing look on in pity as Suigintou cries out in pain (pain..?) on the floor. Shinku is obviously the one feeling the most grief -- she never wanted this to happen. Instead she hoped that Suigintou would be able to stay with Sarah and not have to follow the fate of the Alice Game. She in fact tells Souseiseki that Suigintou has no Rosa Mystica, and is therefore not a true Rozen Maiden. This is something Suigintou refuses to believe.. but that didn't matter anymore. Suigintou was dying. She cried out to Shinku for help, even as she disappeared into the ground.
(つД｀)･ﾟ･

As Suigintou begins to descend to the bottom of the sea (wait.. wait, how'd she get there again..?), the words Shinku said to her were starting to sink in. That Suigintou was not a true Rozen Maiden, that she was never completed. Suigintou then starts questioning her existence. But after a few moments of finally falling to the bottom, she's greeted by God, err.. Rozen, and given her very own Rosa Mystica, in one big wtf moment.

The dolls decide to end the fighting for now, and all say goodbye to their mediums. Shinku finds herself in a wasteland filled with broken dolls (aka, Suigintou's home sweet home) and meets up with the newly resurrected doll. Suigintou believes that Shinku has been looking down on her all this time, and thought of her as being pathetic. Shinku denies all of this, but Suigintou has become all too angry with how she's been treated. She begins to attack her and steals her brooch. Relishing in her temporary victory, and despite Shinku's pleas, Suigintou crushes Shinku's beloved brooch right in front of her.

Now it's Shinku's turn to be the victim. Suigintou begins to laugh at Shinku's cries after losing her most valued possession. This pushes the previously passive Shinku off the brink, and says that Suigintou is nothing more that junk.
(OH SHI-)
The two square off, but the Alice Game is already over -- they'll have to finish this later. And so begins epic, unending battle between the two dolls.

(lol anime)

Before I started watching this, I was finding it difficult to complete the first season of this show. Now, I can't wait to get to Traumend. ...So I guess... job well done?
Though I must say that Ouverture was quite enjoyable. Not only was the animation nice (especially during the parts in the past. I dunno, maybe it was the muted colors), but it fleshed out both Shinku and Suigintou quite a bit in my eyes. And the middle of this episode was to die for: Junk was adorable. Shinku was being nice. Jun wasn't there. Man, I could watch that over and over. Or at least 3 times. I almost find it weird how quickly and how viciously Suigintou turns against her former friend. But hey, this is just a 2 episode special.
(I wonder what kind of fanart this all might bring about...? Hopefully the awesome kind.)

Oh yeah! And then at the end, we even get our first look at the new anime adaptation of Venus Versus Virus, which I've looking forward to for months. Complete with a preview of the OP theme and how Lucia's voice will sound. What a treat for me. : D

Rozen Maiden Ouverture ep. 1

2006-12-22T23:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't watched Traumend yet.
Hell, I've been having a hard time getting through the first series so far (I really hate Jun..).

Granted, we don't really have to put up with Jun much this time around, seeing as this story takes place primarilly in the 18th century, and focuses more on a generally more likeable (albeit villainous) character, Junk.

..I mean Suigintou.

Now before the episode actually begins, we of course get the OP sequence -- beautifully animated, as per usual with the Rozen Maiden series. However, let me say that this time, Ali Project ALMOST had a hit. The OP theme, Baragoku Otome, starts off in a beautiful enka-like style, which I enjoyed muchly, but just as I'd gotten my hopes up, the song eventually goes right back into sounding like any other Ali Project song. Fuck. Though if you're a big fan of the series, this would probably be to your liking, as it's the type of song that's more become attached to Rozen Maiden. ..Meh. Whatever floats your boat.

Now, this episode starts in the past, as we meet a broken down Suigintou on a shelf. ...Or..at least half of her. She looks on in utter despair as Rozen slowly forgets about her and begins to pay more attention to his future Rozen Maiden dolls. An extra amount of time, it seems, is spent with Shinku, as we see him adorn her bow with a brooch (that she no longer wears now. hint hint).
With Suigintou continuing to stretch her arm out to her "otou-sama", Rozen walks out of sight, and the poor half doll falls to the floor.
But that doesn't stop her. Heavens no. Crawling across the floor in a scene that took me back to Terminator, Suigintou finds her clothes (Or at least what would BECOME her clothes. The outfit we see her find very well could have just been a spare or something). And thus, we assume she grabs some legs and dresses herself.
And thus ends the saddest scene ever.

Before we venture back into the past once again, we get a hefty mouthful of usual Rozen Maiden shenanigans, complete with Shinku bitchslapping Jun about, Kanaria being stupid, and Suiseiseki saying "desu" a lot. The important things to note, however, is that when Shinku asks Jun to go out and buy thread, he visits Enju and also buys a brooch that looks suspiciously like the one Shinku wore in Suigintou's memory. Oh, and Suigintou beats up some roses Megu offers her, saying she really hates them (for obvious reasons, of course *coughShinku*). When Jun returns, Shinku vehemently refuses to wear the brooch he bought, without giving good reason, which really pisses him off. Later, Souseiseki pulls Jun aside to explain to him why, and so our Victorian story continues.

In the past, Souseiseki was as stoic as she is now, Suiseiseki still said "desu" a lot, and Shinku's medium was a bratty, yet rather mature little girl by the name of Sarah.. who owned a cat, leading to a very cute scene. ^^;

..I think I would have liked it if Rozen Maiden as a whole was more like this, perhaps...

In an N field, as Suiseiseki laments about having to fight her sisters, a mysterious hand with a familiar voice saying "outo-sama otou-sama" attached to it begins to appear. Suiseiseki is frightened, but flies off, not paying much mind to it.

Back in Sarah's room, Sarah seems confused as to why sisters have to fight, and asks Shinku how she feels about it. Shinku however, sees nothing weird about it at all. After all, if this is something father wanted them to do, who is she to question. As long as she will be able to see father again, it doesn't matter what she must do. Sarah doesn't seem to quite understand. Which means she and I have something in common.

Later that night, shit hits the fan.
..or at least that's how I like to analogize the first meeting between Shinku and Suigintou.

It's strange, really -- judging from this scene, it would almost look as if Shinku is the villain, what with her harsh treatment of Suigintou. Granted, Suigintou is acting rather recklessly, and it certainly must be noted Shinku, knowing little else than to fight other dolls, should certainly be on her guard when one suddenly comes out of the mirror.

However, it soon becomes apparent that the doll is harmless, and when Shinku asks for her name, she becomes quite shocked that this blithering mess is actually Suigintou, the first of Rozen's maidens.

Well, I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that Suigintou knows nothing of the Alice Game (or much else, for that matter), and by simply establishing that, her character changes immensely. Man, what a mess she is in this ep! And judging by the preview, it seems Shinku will undeniable betray her somehow in the next.
Let's see how the show's going to justify her actions and not just make her seem like a horrible person for even more people to hate.

BUCK TICK - Kagerou

2006-12-16T11:05:00.000-08:00

Featured Song: Kagerou

Here's one single that I came across under strange circumstances.

I don't watch xxxHolic. There isn't even that much I know about it beyond the noodle people. However, I came across this clip of the ending sequence in Youtube and certainly fell in love with it.

..with.. the clip that is.
And the song, too, I guess. There's something about two lolis air-guitaring that will make a tune unbelievably catchy, I think. But honestly, I don't even think this single's title song, Kagerou, would have struck such a chord in me if I wasn't introduced to it this way.

Though I really do like it now.

...Probably still won't start watching the show, though. Those limbs are seriously freaky.

Maria-sama ga Miteru OAV ep 1 - Kohitsuji-tachi no Kyuuka

2006-12-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been a year since the OAV was first announced. And has it really been over 2 years since Haru ended? Man, how time flies when you're being tortured.

But that gap in time is something I definitely noticed as I watched the first moments of this ep, the first in a series of 5 almost hour long OAV episodes for Maria-sama ga Miteru. And I have to tell you, when Yumi started the routine "Maria-sama no niwa ni tsudou.." speech that begins every episode of this show, I almost cried. Yeah, I know. Shut up.

In this episode, Sachiko, perhaps in return for postponing their amusement park date, invites Yumi to spend part of her summer vacation with her at her family's summer villa, which is located a short distance outside of Tokyo. Yumi's quite surprised by the offer, and is very excited about having her oneesama all to herself, but eventually ends up being a little let down as she finds out that Sachiko likes to do homework and sleep a lot. Poor Yumi. . .

After a trip to a shopping district with her brother and Suguru, Yumi returns to find Sachiko with company. That company being Touko and three other girls (that make Touko's personality seem to be as cozy a gentle rain on a spring evening): Kieko Kyougoku, Kikuyo Ayanokouji and Yukari Saionji.

The next part of the ep mostly involves these three girls making Yumi's (and to a lesser extent, Sachiko's) life a very relaxing, slow-paced hell. Most are just shallow, immature aggravations, but the shit really hits the fan when Yukari invites both Sachiko and Yumi to a party at her family's estate.

..But it was a trap! (gasp!) The party was actually for Yukari's grandmother, and the guests are to take their turns playing instruments (which Yumi can no longer do) for the crotchety old hag.
However, Yumi avoids embarassment by presenting Yukari's grandmother with nothing more than a song as a gift... which was strangely awkward at first (I do believe Kana Ueda purposely sings rather poorly for this scene) but turns into something beautiful as Sachiko joins in with piano accompaniment. At the end of the ep, Sachiko admits that she was mostly nervous that Yumi might do an encore of her Yasukibushi (see Haru, ep 3) performance. Oh Sachiko..

And so ends the first ep, and I thoroughly believe it was worth the wait. However, I've been seeing some people express disappointment in the ep seeing as it was mostly just Sachiko and Yumi for 50 mintues (I would have personally liked to see more Touko, myself..). And also because of the slight change in art direction, which I didn't mind, to be honest.

I was also very happy to see Katakura Mikiya reprise her role as composer for the show, seeing as she's already given us two great soundtracks for the show. This ep was mostly full of songs from those two aformentioned OSTs, but a few new melodies did pop up here and there. I especially liked the song that played when Yumi and Sachiko were taking that walk through that creepy wood. I'll definitely be looking forward to the release of the next OST. ...whenever that'll be.

And lastly, another notable aspect of the OAV is something that I believe comes with all OAVs: the fanservice. And sweet God almighty is it there! Knees and shoulders everywhere. It was like I'd died and gone to Girls Bravo. ...if it was made in 19th century England.

Next Episode: Ryakushite OK Daisakusen - 1/31/07!
Enjoy your Ouran parody..

Round Table featuring Nino - NINO

2006-09-22T23:40:00.000-07:00

Featured song: Be Your Girl

I've been a big fan of Round Table feat. Nino for a very long time now. I always think that if they have a hand in an anime's OP/ED, it will most likely be full of awesome. ..And that's actually true usually. Most people can't seem to name a standout anime from the past summer season (Higurashi's still airing lol), but when it comes to an opening or ending theme? Puzzle.

And it probably deserves it, too. For one thing, I think that Chokotto Sister's Op theme is probably the worst this year.
...man, I hate that nekonyan dance...

But anyway, the group's finally released another album (after the first, April, which is rarely outside of my CD changer) just this past month. And to be extra nice, they named it after their wondergirl lead singer, NINO.
This particular album is full of some great, great tracks, including Diebuster's Groovin' Magic, and everything of theirs that you would have heard from both seasons of Aria. Shiosai, a song originally featured as a c/w on their Natsu Machi single, has quickly become perhaps my favorite song the band has ever done. Which is strange, because it's a little unlike most of their other songs in that it's very soothing, and not at all bouncy and with a touch of retro.
However, the verion of Puzzle on this CD isn't exactly as good as the one on the single, I think. And furthermore, the CD's previously unreleased tracks (Be Your Girl, HelloGoodbye, and Just A Little) don't stand out that much as well.

I wanted to feature one of the "newer" songs from Nino, just as an example of what I mean. After some deliberation, I decided on the opening track, Be Your Girl. I think it might be the best out of the three, but in perspective, it's probably not as good as say... Message.

In conclusion, buy this CD for the older songs, love it for the older songs, feel mildly content that 3 exclusive ones come with it.
Oh and always feel safe with their singles. Here's to hoping they'll be doing a song for a show next season. Or something.

COMPLETE TRACK LIST
1. Be Your Girl
2. Groovin’ Magic
3. Puzzle -extra hot mix-
4. 夏待ち (Natsu Machi)
5. Message
6. Just For You
7. 潮騒 (Shiosai)
8. HelloGoodbye
9. Sunny Side Hill
10. Stay With Me
11. Rainbow
12. Just A Little

MagiPoka ep. 4

2006-05-03T21:23:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I like this show so much.. I guess there's just some sort of inexplicable appeal about a witch, a vampire, a werewolf and an android living in a tree.

Either way, I've been looking forward to watching it before the season started, and have been surprisingly pleased with how it's turned out so far. It's really been getting ncreasingly better (or tolerable... whichever, I don't know).

This episode is no exception. Or should I say episodes, seeing as each installment of this show usually includes 2 relatively unrelated 12 minute eps, or "spells". In the first one, we continue the process of getting to know the 4 main heroines a little better with an ep for Aiko. ....which seems kind of backwards now that I think about it, seeing as she was out of commission for the majority of it. It's been raining quite a bit, you see, and poor Aiko catches a cold (read: her circuitry becomes filled with mold). She leaves herself entirely in Pachira and Uma's care (sort of accidentally, actually), and the two girls spend the day playing doctor (...or is it mechanic..) all while Liru plays outside in the rain, supplying the ep with adequate amounts of cute fanservice.
The two are eventually successful, but... well, let's just say Aiko's got a few screws loose.

After a trip to a restaurant, a few more scenes of Uma being incredibly cute, and a joke about testicles thrown in for good measure, the girls find about about Tanabata, and get right to writing down wishes they want to come true. Though they all actually end up writing too many (thanks to Uma, of course), and much hilarity ensues.
It's all the regular fun and games, until, that is, we find out that Aiko wishes for a human body.. (TT^TT) *sniff*
Don't worry, Pinocchio, you'll get one one day.

Y'know, after I started watching this show, I also got interested in the manga. It's cute and follows a different story (one that plays more heavily to lolicon, maybe), which makes both the anime and the manga quite enjoyable to follow.
Though speaking of stories, looks like the second half of this episode continued right on with the theme from the second half of the last. ..Which makes it very unlikely that things will ever be getting as yurirific as the opening insinuates (not like I expected it to). Fucking trap.

Anyway, next ep is the obligatory beach ep! Can't fucking wait.

ARIA -The Natural- ep. 1

2006-04-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

I never did finish blogging the first series, did I?. ..That's probably because I never finished watching it. It wasn't because I grew tired of it (not at all -- it's probably closer to the opposite). However, I remember during that time last year school kicked in, and after that stressful time, I guess I couldn't bring myself to finish this series.. ^^; But enough about that.

When this episode starts, it's almost as if there was never a break in between. The familiar, beautiful music and scenery sends you right back to Neo Venezia, and boy was that nice. The episode takes up right where the first season left off: everyday life. ..Though I would have slightly enjoyed a first episode that was bit more spectacular. To me, this episode gave off the feeling as if it would have been better placed somewhere in the middle of the series. We didn't even get to spend that much times with any of the characters besides Akari and Ai, to reestablish relationships with them (or rather, to start new ones, for those of the audience that are joining the story just now).
Though it was nice that like the first episode of the last series, we got to spend a day with Ai... though she wasn't nearly as cute as she was last time, either. Somewhat lacking the cheekiness and that precocious air she had about her the first time around. Oh well. At least it was cute to watch her and Akari sing and dance through... the mysterious dark corridor.

...I think perhaps the entire episode might have been more enjoyable with help of hallucinogens. But maybe that's just me.

As for the music, I may not remember the soundtrack ver well, but this episode seemed to feature mostly, if not entirely songs from the first OST. There might have been a few new tunes peppered in here and there, however. Not that this recycling is a bad thing, seeing as the music is still gorgeous.
Also, Makino Ai and Round Table renew their roles as the singers for this show's OP and ED songs respectively. Euphoria, the new Op, may not be as good as Undine before it, I think, but it's still one of my favorite songs this season. I'm in a bit of a toss up between the new ending by Round Table and the old, though..

Always Quick to Action

2006-04-17T06:37:00.000-07:00

So after I declare a music related post every week, I take an unexplained leave for 2.
..That's just rude.

Well, I have to admit, I haven't had that much internet access until recently, and besides that, I've been having some problems setting up a couple things. Life is generally busy. But I don't plan to let that stop me -- after all is done, I'll be sure to be back onto my once a week plan. By the way, you may not have noticed this already, but this season has been pretty awesome so far. Here's what I've been watching

Favorites:
MagiPoka
Aria the Natural
School Rumble Second Semester
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (I am a sheep.)

s'okay:
Makai Senki Disgaea
Hime-sama Goyoushin
Simoun

Why am I watching this again?:
Strawberry Panic
The Third
Joshikousei

Not that this is to what's good and isn't good this season. It's pretty pointless to start a discussion like that (though I think we all know Haruhi is the best). And I'm watching all of these... some just have a better chance at being dropped than others. And this doesn't include other titles that I'm interested in watching but don't quite have the time to (Nana, Shoujo Changguem no Yume..), but regardless of that, just look at that list! ...I better get to fucking work.

Lemon Angel Project - OST and Final Single

2006-03-30T08:48:00.000-08:00

Featured Song: Evolution

Well, I've gone ahead and gotten up to date with this show over the last few days, and I must say, that the story's gone places I didn't think it would go, and has managed to surprise me a little here and there a little. ..Yeah, it's too bad that it's still being animated by tired, underfed Koreans (moreso than other anime, anyway). But that doesn't change the fact that I'm really looking forward to seeing the final episode, but before I blog about that or the music that's come out of this show, I think the least I can do is run through the eps so far... or at least the ones after 5 I didn't cover..

　　　Episode 6: Dark Rei kita!
　　　Episode 7: Why? Why is it always cars?! (good ep, otherwise)
　　　Episode 8: ...wtf is this shit..?
　　　Episode 9: incest GET!
　　　Episode 10: Saya <3 Old lady <3<3 This episode <3<3<3
　　　Episode 11: Oh...Oh SHI-
　　　Episode 12: Haruka-chan!!

But anyway, onto this post's topic.
I think it was the music that orginally drew me to this show. No, not the BGM for once, which in this show is mediocre at best (though I do thing Track 9 of the OST, Lemon Angel's, isn't half bad), but perhaps the best part of the OST is that it includes all of the insert songs (save the ones the girls sing) and all of the different mixes of the opening song, Angel Addict. Though I think technically, Fuyumi's version is the best (she really has the strongest voice, IMHO), personally my favorite version is the Tomo+Yui version. Though it might just be for sentimental value alone.
Other good things on the OST are the piano version of Evolution from the first episode, and full versions of the insert songs sung by Himura's band and Erika's brother's band (which was a throw back to me for when I was a fan of bands like Arashi or w~inds).

Speaking of Evolution, however, I think that was one of the main songs that drew me to this anime. It was a frustrating to have to wait for it for so long, I have to admit, and after it wasn't released with the OST I thought perhaps it would never come out. Oh, and not to say that the girls' individual singles weren't pretty good either, but this single was definitely worth waiting for -- for Evolution and its c/w song Never Give Up. But don't take my word for it, give it a listen. And here's some lyrics while you're at it.

Evolution
(Japanese Version)

Ｔｒｕｓｔ　ｍｅ　青空に飛び立つ瞬間には
Ｒｅａｄｙ　ｆｏｒ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｆｌｉｇｈｔ　キミは誰の
顔を思い出すの？

さみしさに埋もれながら　叫び続けた
昨日にはもう戻りたくないよ

※Ｙｏｕ’ｖｅ　ｇｏｔ　ａ　Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ
　今はまだ小さな声だとしても
　もうすぐ出逢うよ　誰かキミを待ってる
　Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ　奇跡は１人じゃ創れないよ
　今の自分から進化する　未来がＲｅａｌ

Ｂｅｌｉｅｖｅ　ｍｅ　泣き顔をすぐに笑顔に変え
Ｗａｉｔｉｎｇ　ｆｏｒ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｄｒｅａｍ　キミの色に今日を染めていいよ

過去にしがみつくのは　簡単だけど
これ以上ごまかさないでほしいの

Ｙｏｕ’ｖｅ　ｇｏｔ　ａ　Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ
動き出す気持ちを止めないでいてね
いつかは近づく　キミが願った夢に
Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ　気付いた今が始まりのｃｈａｎｃｅ
強い想いから進化する　未来がＲｅａｌ

いつもブレーキ　かける
恐がりな自分自身　解放して行こう
ｃａｒｒｙ　ｏｎ．．．

※　Ｒｅｐｅａｔ

Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ
動き出す気持ちを止めないでいてね
いつかは近づく　キミが願った夢に
Ｅｖｏｌｕｔｉｏｎ　気付いた今が始まりのｃｈａｎｃｅ
強い想いから進化する　未来がＲｅａｌ

Evolution
(Romaji Version)

Trust me aozora ni tobidatsu shunkan ni wa
Ready for your flight kimi wa dare no
kao wo omoidasu no?

samishisa ni umore nagara sakebi tsudzuketa
kinou ni wa mou modoritakunai yo

※You've got a Evolution
　ima wa mada shiisana koe da to shitemo
　mou sugu deau yo dareka ga kimi wo matteru
　Evolution kiseki wa hitori ja tsukurenai yo
　ima no jibun kara shinka suru mirai ga REAL

Believe me nakigao wo sugu ni egao ni kae
Waiting for your dream kimi no iro ni kyou wo somete ii yo

kako ni shigamitsuku no wa kantan dakedo
kore ijou gomakasanaide hoshii no

You've got a Evolution
ugokidasu kimochi wo tomenaide ite ne
itsuka wa chikadzuku kimi ga negatta yume ni
Evolution kizuita ima ga hajimari no chance
tsuyoi omoi kara shinka suru mirai ga REAL

itsumo BUREEKI kakeru
kowagari na jibun jishin toki hanashite ikou
carry on...

※Repeat

Evolution
ugokidasu kimochi wo tomenaide ite ne
itsuka wa chikadzuku kimi ga negatta yume ni
Evolution kizuita ima ga hajimari no chance
tsuyoi omoi kara shinka suru mirai ga REAL

Evolution
(English version)

Trust me, during thing time that you begin to take off
towards the clear blue sky
As you ready for your flight whose face do you begin to remember?

You've over come the times that you were buried in your own loneliness
And now you don't want to return to yesterday

※You've got an Evolution
　And even though you call out with a so small a voice
　you'll soon meet the person who's been waiting for you
　Evolution you can't build a miracle alone
　So evolve from the person you are now -- the future is real

Believe me that crying face of yours will soon turn into a smiling one
As you're waiting for your dream fill the day with your glow

It may be easy to dwell on the past
Don't let it misguide you anymore

You've got an Evolution
Never let these surging emotions stop
And someday you'll get closer to that dream you've been longing for
Evolution You've finally realized this new chance
So with these strong thoughts evolve yourself -- the future is real

You've always had your foot on the break
But don't be afraid, have faith in yourself, and set yourself free
carry on...

※ Repeat

Evolution
Never let these surging emotions stop
And someday you'll get closer to that dream you've been longing for
Evolution You've finally realized this new chance
So with these strong thoughts evolve yourself -- the future is real

Next on the Menu..

2006-03-27T04:26:00.000-08:00

I remember when I started this thing, I made it primarily to showcase Japanese music.
...

.. .....

Let's try reviewing something music related once a week, eh?
(how long is that going to last..? (´_｀) )

Mai Otome ep. 24

2006-03-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

I've fallen behind on Kashimashi. I've fallen behind on LAP. Hell, I've even fallen behind on Ichigo Mashimaro (no lie).
But somehow, Mai Otome still has me in a death grip. I don't get it. It's not even that good.

Though you wouldn't be able to tell that after this episode. ....Or even the one before it. Or the one before that. The one before that one, though -- yeah.

..So Sergay's managed to nail his own daughter, huh? I mean come on, who wouldn't give this guy a high-five after that? You've got to be good. No wonder Nagi hired him. And here I was, beginning to think it was because of his apparent immortality.
Though to be entirely honest, I still think I like Tate more than him. And that's really saying a lot, because Tate was shit.

Though then again, we really don't have proof that he did have sex with Nina. Most signs are definitely pointing to that direction, yes, but really, such a thing is pretty unlikely in this show, what with Arika looking forward to a rematch with Nina. For her to go through all that trouble just for Nina to show up and say "sorry, I'm busted *shrug*" is just downright rude. To the audience and Arika (even if she would get do sloppy seconds with loony ol' Tomoe either way).
But besides that giant elephant in the room that was this week's episode, I think it was really quite enjoyable as a whole. Even with the dumb parts here and there (as much as we hate interupting Akane and Kazu's marathon sex and all..). There's no doubt that next week's 2 eps are going to be quite a thrill ride to look forward to. ...Even if we do have an idea where it's headed.

Lemon Angel Project ep. 5

2006-02-22T20:28:00.000-08:00

Erika's annoying.

But with that out the way, I think it's probably because of episodes like this that I'm a little bothered by how the opening of this show is pretty much one big spoiler. By already knowing the final cut for the group, you're left to basically count down the episodes for how long characters like Haruka would be around.
..And of course there was the fact that she was pretty much a horrible person that got along with no one.

And no episode showed that to us as much as this one. Well.. maybe the last one was pretty bad, too. ..And the one before that (though during that time she was rather overshadowed by Saya's bitchyness). But in this episode, she employs the help of her submissive lackey, Yukino. ....I mean Fuyumi (same thing, really). And attempts to sabotage Tomo and friends by various means. Or rather, Saya and co., seeing as Haruka has a fierce rivalry with her. However, when Haruka suggests that Fuyumi poison her donuts and give them to the girls, this all turns out to be a little much for even her, who values donuts as if they were currency.
However, despite Haruka's most obvious disapproval, Fuyumi still manages to become friends with Tomo and co.

It turns out that the two girls are actually childhood friends, that both have been performing and have had an eye on stardom since they made a promise with each other long ago. We get the feeling her that somewhere along the line, a rift formed between the two girls' personalities and reasons for why like being on stage. In Fuyumi, we see that she generally enjoyed performing, no matter what the case. However this wasn't enough for Haruka, who we see embarrsessed and disappointed at being a tree in a school play. Later, in one of Fuyumi's photos, we see that Haruka was made a princess for one of their troupe's plays while Fuyumi supporting her in the background. Most likely a clue to why Haruka is so competitive in this competition, such as why she might do such condemnable acts. And of course, why she's willing to try and force herself above everyone else so fervently. Later in the episode, when she does just that, she's cut down to size by a prominent dance instructor, and fnds out that working with a group isn't exactly what she'd thought it to be.

In all honesty, I'm glad Haruka's story ended the way it did. She was a pretty one-dimensional character overall -- mean for the sake of being mean, for the most part. However, if she didn't herself quit the competition and instead was faced with the rejection of not being picked, she probably wouldn't have gotten the oppertunity to grow, both within herself and onto the audience. In the end, she's still a bitch, but we know deep down she's a good person rooting her her friend. ..Maybe.

I look forward to perhaps seeing her make a cameo at the end of this series, cheering Fuyumi on from the audience at one of Lemon Angel's concerts.

Kashimashi ep. 4

2006-02-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

Yui Horie. Kana Ueda. Plus a karaoke bar..
..and absolutely no singing? wtf?!

Well to be honest, I'm really starting to fall behind on some episodes, but in general, I've been enjoying my time watching this show. Over the past few episodes, the show's done a pretty good job at fleshing out the characters, the story's moving at a steady, eventful (though not too fast) pace, and animation budget seems to go to cleverly chosen scenes every now and then. Which this episode was rather full of.

Which is good, because this ep was full of developments.
After seeing their respective episodes, there's a good chance that by now everyone's chosen their favorite girl already. And if there's any sense about you, it's most likely Tomari. And that's who this episode plays to mostly -- her introspections, her stifled feelings, her utter hatred at herself as she slowly comes to realize them, and her growing animosity towards Yasuna.
But at the same time, the show doesn't entirely make a villain out of Yasuna. Sure, she seems a little forward and is rather set up as a usurper that's breaking up childhood friends. However, the show also makes her human, showing us that she's rather shy and apologetic at times, and that her infatuation with Hazumu doesn't just come from the fact that he's suddenly a girl.

So so far Kashimashi has really surprised me with how entertaining it's actually turned out to be.
Even though the premise is still retarded.

And one more thing -- every episode, Namiko falls down somehow. And every episode, that makes me laugh. It's quite possibly the stupidest, most asinine repeated gag ever conceived, and yet I still find it funny. It's like some sort of anime equivalent of a fart joke.... that I find funny.

I really must be losing it.

Pretty Cure Max Heart ep. 47

2006-01-30T02:19:00.000-08:00

(Warning: This entry contains SPOILERS!!)
...and it's really long.

Well, ever since I first posted that entry concerning the announcement of Splash Star, I felt rather obliged to at least write about this episode. Though to be honest, even if I hadn't written about the upcoming new series, I still think I would have wanted to address this episode because...well, I actually really like Pretty Cure.

..Or should I say that I really like Nagisa and Honoka. After all, the end of Max Heart would mean nothing to me otherwise if it didn't also mean the end of them.
(..It hurt to say that.)

And over these last 10 episodes or so, there was a lot of growing that we got to see those two do. From Honoka's initial dilemma of whether or not to move to France to live with her parents, to episode 43, where the two more or less "graduate" from their respective clubs at Verona (I'd honestly forgotten just how popular Nagisa was until that episode). And of course poor Hikari's been put through quite a bit of change herself, as she learns about her identity and connection to the boy that lives in the Zakenna mansion.

And now we finally reach the last episode. And not only this past storyline, but everything that has been building up over the past 95 episodes of this series must come to a climax.

Read the rest!

The episode opens with younger versions of our two heriones (which are both just about cute enough to make your eyes bleed profusely) facing two very discouraging problems to them at the time. Just as Valdes begins destroying their world, a very weary Nagisa and Honoka begin giving up hope, feeling visible remorse for letting everyone down. In a horribly emotional scene, the two thus break out into tears and fall to their deaths.

Only not really.
Hikari, meanwhile, has made up her mind and decides to once again become Queen in order to gain the power to fight again. Then suddenly, present-day Nagisa and Honoka appear in those memories of their childhood I formerly mentioned -- their relatives (who were there initially cheering up the younger versions of the girls) turn to them and remind then that they still have a tomorrow to look forward to.

Thanks to this newfound hope, the girls' bracelets (which have formerly been rendered powerless by the Dark Squad) revive, and the two regain the power to fight and face Valdes once again, however, he withstands the Marble Screw Maxi they lay on him and reveals himself to actually be the Dark King himself. After another scuttle, and being thrown quite a ways back, the girls go through another short moment of meloncholy. However, they regain the resolve to fight again and face the Dark King once more.

The Dark King demands to know why the two refuse to back down. In quick flashbacks to episodes 8 and 42 of the first season, the girls exclaim that they've already been through a lot, no, too much for them to ever give up now. Their Bracelets glow brightly, and in a flash, once again the girls are on the offensive. After moments of eerie still and no signs of the Dark King, the girls look to to actually see that he's grown to gargantuan proportions. Before he can lay the final blow, something stops him -- it's the Queen.

As the two face off, Nagisa and Honoka realize that this must mean that Hikari is gone. The Queen reassures them that Hikari will live on in their hearts, and Hikari herself appears to tell Honoka and Nagisa that she has no regrets with her decision. Together, the three unleash all of their power onto the Dark King in one huge Extreme Luminario Maxi (these names are killing me..), and in a burst of light, the Dark King is no more. As the picture begins to seep back, the girls mull over the fact that now they will have to become Pretty Cure no longer.

The scene finally switches to graduation day for the girls. A choir is heard singing in the background. Our heroines finally receive their diplomas, take their class graduation picture (which goes horribly) and visit Akane's Takoyaki stand for old time's sake. However, the two are very downcast at the loss of Hikari...when she suddenly appears (wtf?). With Mepple, Mipple, et al in tow. We're left finally with the notion that even though they're no longer the guardians of light, they'll still always be together. Forever.

And there you have it. Nothing groundbreaking, or too exciting, but all around a very enjoyable episode. Now as for those questions I rose in the Splash Star entry..

Will Nagisa confess to Fuji-P?
Well something like that is definitely reaching in this show. However, Nagisa did indirectly confess to him a few episodes ago at the skating rink. Though Fuji-P may still remain clueless to Nagisa's feelings (which I rather doubt, to be honest), we at least know that Nagisa's gotten to a place where she's willing to admit her feelings aloud. Who knows, maybe she might even muster up the guts to say it out loud to HIM sometime before she receives her next diploma.

Will Honoka really go to France?
This one is looking extremely unlikely, what with the whole "together forever" theme the last minutes of the show are dripping with. Though then again, it could be metaphorical, and in the earliest scenes of the episode, which show young Honoka lamenting over the fact of her departing (perhaps for the first time?) parents, we get the feeling that it's perhaps still a pressing issue for her. But of course, who needs parents now that you have Mipple permantly attached to you hip? On that note, is she, Nagisa and Hikari going to hide those guys forever? And on a completely unrelated note am I the only one that felt sorry for Akane for being brainwashed into supporting two children??
This show can be so cold..

...will Nagisa+Honoka fans get anything..? OTL
Well... no.
..Though it's strange, really, when you think about how big the fandom surrounding these two have gotten.. which may in turn make it seem common sense to us that these two should become a couple. And not only that, but I think it's certainly apparent to most of the people involved with making this show, as well (it definitely is to the mangaka, anyway). However, it's because of that fact, I believe, that they didn't "give Nagisa+Honoka fans anything". Instead, throughout the series they would play a little on both sides of the fence; nurturing both the relationship between Nagisa and Fuji-P, and the one between our two heroines (perhaps spending more time on the former, seeing as Pretty Cure is, after all, still a show targetted to young girls, and would most likely be a scenario they'd be more familiar with).
And as I've pointed out with Fuji-P's case, neither of the two potential relationships are realized.. or even get close to it. We're left to put together the pieces we've been given and finish the story for our own -- and both, really have gotten their fair share of attention. Though Nagisa is inching closer to Fuji-P's heart, the scenes that this final episode reflects back to are from the signiture yuri episodes of 8 and 42.

..But.
If you're like most people.. you probably couldn't care less about Fuji-P.
Therefore, I'll say this final word: though Nagisa's romantic feelings toward her dear Fuji-P sempai may be real and quite obvious to the viewer and to herself, they aren't given nearly as much weight or have caused so dramatic an effect on her as her feelings for Honoka. Though it may not be love -- though it may perhaps never be love -- we know that Nagisa and Honoka do and forever will share a bond stronger than they currently realize.

But yeah, the final answer to this question's still no.

So in conclusion, this entry is too fucking long for its own good. No. Seriously. It really just is. But hey, last ep of Pretty Cure deserves as much, I think. And that's what I regard this episode as -- Splash Star or not.

...though recently, I've found out that Enomoto Atsuko will play the role of Mishou Mai in the next series. So now I know I'm going to watch it.
Fuck.

Mai Otome ep. 14

2006-01-12T22:53:00.000-08:00

I'm taking it easy this semester. I hated the last one, and am never doing that again. ..Or at least not until grad school.

But anyhow, I've managed to find more time to do shit like this. And while I have a number of CDs that I've wanted to review, this time of great freedom also clashes with the new season of anime, as well as the midseason point for those already running.

With that said...
Yeah, so.. Mai Otome's pretty popular, huh?
It's rare that I like an anime that's watched by so many people, I think. There's more than enough people blogging about it, as well. But before I totally negate this entry's purpose, I feel it's a little hard to ignore episodes that are this good.

..Especially considering the fact that I played with the idea of dropping this series earlier on.. ^^;

Granted, after a rather bumpy start, Mai Otome's finally starting to get itself together, and I haven't thought of any pre-7 episodes since.

Or maybe I'm just becoming numb to it all. Whichever.

As this episode starts off, we're given the impression that the students of Garderobe are left pretty ignorant to the happenings of the outside world. ..Or maybe just to matters regarding Otome. ..Or maybe Otome battles are kept secret from everyone except national officials. Oh which one is it? Either way, sibling nations Leticia-Romulus and Leticia-Remus are at it like cats (and I don't just mean their Otome). It hits home for Miya and Yayoi, however, who are from Remus and Romulus respectively. They try to brush off the "rumors" and continue being friends, but this dark future they all face is all a little much to simply ignore. It actually proves too much to Miya, who eventually lets go of her feelings onto a previously oblivious Arika.
..In a very nice scene, I think. Let's hope that was just scratching the surface of what she's capable of.

One of the funniest parts of the episode, I think, was probably Haruka's tirade of how she should just go over there and kick both of the battling Otomes' asses. Oh, Haruka, please make gratuitous cameos more often.

Also, I think I'm starting to miss energetic, annoying Arika. All this introspective stuff doesn't suit her at all -- I mean, her hair didn't even form one quotation mark. But what am I saying? This is character development, is it not? Something I most certainly said i wanted her to eventually undergo, earlier on.
Haaa, I'm such a flipflopper.

Anyhow, Arika eventually confides in Erstin's comforting arms (who I could tell was onto her since the end of episode 13 (haha!)) and begins to act a little more like herself once again. Not soon after, Arika learns from Erstin about Rena, the former owner of the Sapphire of the Clear Blue Sky, and the person she most likely believes to be her mother. And perhaps it's weird of me, but I find it rather suspicious that Erstin knows so much about Rena. ...I'm probably just crazy, though.

The episode ends with Arika running off and eventually finding herself in some very undesirable company.

...But not before Sergay finds out from Old Lady McHaggard that Arika is most likely the real princess.

And so there we have it. Though episode 14 didn't have as much action as episode 13 before it, I thought it was MUCH better. We get some very important plot and character developments, along with a little bit of nurturing some sub plots (including Miyu and the return of Childs), and of course, more of Tomoe.
...The more sinister she becomes, the more interesting and generally awesome she is to me. Oh God, please let her go out in an utter atomic burst of glory.

Oh and the previews!
Shame on you, Sunrise! Don't encourage the people! Lolicon is still a disease!

Kashimashi ep. 1

2006-01-11T23:49:00.000-08:00

To be honest, it was the cast, more than anything, that drew me to this show. The story from what I read of the manga didn't impress me very much, and there's currently more than enough yuri out there right now for me to get my fix from.

...hm.

Well anyhow, this most certainly would have been rather confusing had I not known that Hazumu was a guy for most of the episode. Even though Kana Ueda could probably go a little lower, she used a relatively femenine voice throughout. I couldn't hold back my laughter when Tomari was shocked at Hazumu's "new voice". ^^;

There's also no BGM, strangely enough. Or maybe there will be starting from next week on -- the first bit of music was after all the ending theme (or was it op theme..?), that crept nicely into the end of the episode. It seemed a bit like a marker of change. But even if BGM is scarce in this show, I won't mind. I hardly noticed its absence, anyway.

Between this, Tactical Roar and the second season of Amaenaideyo, there seems to be a lot of harem anime this season. ..Except this one isn't as annoying, I think. I look forward to watching more of this.
Even if the premise is pretty retarded.

Lemon Angel Project ep. 1

2006-01-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

Even though this show is blatantly being used to debut/promote the popularity of some Japanese idol... I think I liked it.

There were some problems here and there, concerning things like acting, and the fact that I had some trouble telling some characters apart at first, it overall was a pretty good first episode, especially considering the music and the qualit of the animation at some points.

The lead character, Tomo, has quite an interesting choice for a seiyuu. It's no one I've ever heard of, that's for sure, but maybe she's done a commercial or something already. She also uses something of a genuine voice, unlike something twisted or trained into a higher pitched squeak that you would hear from a more seasoned seiyuu (which also isn't a bad thing all the time, of course). This is a little strange sometimes, concerning her character, but also makes Tomo feel quite a bit more real. As long as you ignore her metallic-colored hair.

Even though it's not often that I've watched an anime with this kind of story, I felt as if I could probably grow to like the characters, that there'd be some definite competition and confrontations, that and there'll most likely be some swoops in animation the likes of which I've never seen.
It all kinda reminded me a bit of Suzuka, actually.

All in all, it seems like a pretty decent.. but not quite good show.

No one will watch it.

(..except me.
....maybe.)

Pani Poni Dash! ep. 26

2005-12-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

(Warning: This entry... doesn't really contain spoilers of any kind, but it does include minty rambling on about this series a lot.)

Well, I think I didn't get to blog about this show as much as I wanted to, but even so, that doesn't mean that I didn't watch it.
And watch it I did. Every Sunday.
It was kinda like my Church.

...But now all that's over, for Pani Poni Dash has ended. And it still all feels a little unreal.

Read the rest!

Anyhow.
The episode starts off with the hottest day ever. What? Why?! It's the middle of fucking winter. Oh wait, of course -- it's because of Ichijou Matsuri (I.. really don't remember what happened the last ep...though maybe that's for the best considering no one's acknowledging it anyway).
After some fun and absolutely no schoolwork (something that pisses off Miyako), the school president reveals that the school can conveniently split in half to reveal one bitchin' waterpark.
Henceforth, much hilarity and gratuituos fanservice ensues.

...Along with many anime inside jokes.
After all, what would PPD be without it?
(answer: the PPD manga)

You know, strangely enough, this had to have been one of the most random episodes this show has ever seen, with segments less than a minute long (some grabbed last minute from the manga) all squeezed in between quick character card eyecatches.
Not to mention the fact that many of these short snippets featured characters that have never been seen with each other before together, throwing me for a bit of a loop at times.

Y'know, now that I think about it, it all kinda struck me as sort of like one of those old British slapstick/variety shows...
Am I alone there..?

Never the less, did I mention that despite any real form of BEING an ending (what else was there to expect, honestly?), I really enjoyed this ending to PPD, and was almost feeling sentimental during it. Especially during the final Kiiroi Vacances, that was a nicely done amalgam if all the ops, and during the roll call. And of course, Becky pulled out just about everything from her cuteness arsenal, especially right before the end.

When it all comes own to it, PPD, I think was easily one of the most popular shows over the past two seasons. If not mainstream, then with otaku, definitely.
And with good reason. Not only did it play on puns and references directly to them, but it's one of those shows that never really grew stale, I think. Heavens knows a lot of shows did. I'm looking at you Jigoku Shoujo.

Every last bit of me wishes it could have gone on for a bit longer -- which is something that rarely happens for me. But still, i wouldn't mind some more time to get to know those half million characters that never really developed (except for maybe Behoimi) a little more, and of course, to laugh at jokes I didn't really get.

Good times, Pani Poni Dash. Good times.

(Final note: Did you notice that during this ep Kurumi's hair progressively changed to all three different styles she sported throught the series? I sure did. I'm gonna go get a cookie)

Futari wa Pretty Cure: Splash Star

2005-12-24T14:35:00.000-08:00

Damn you, Toei. Damn you.

Synopsis:
Hyuuga Saki is a second-year student at Yuunagi Middleschool and pitcher for the softball team. Mishou Mai is also a second year middleschool student that has just recently returned to the town where she once lived. One night, during a summer festival when the two girls were 9 years old, they had a mysterious experience at the base of a huge tree atop a hill.
There, on that day, the two met Flappy and Choppy, who claimed to be from the "Garden of Fountains".
There are 7 Fountains that make up thier world. Out of that 7, 6 have fallen into the hands of the evil "Dark Four". If the last fountain were to fall in their hands, all would be lost.
With the help of Flappy and Choppy's power, Saki and Mai become the Legendary Warriors pretty Cure!
Now, for the sake of returning all 7 fountains and saving the residents of the Garden of Fountains, Cure Bloom and Cure Eaglet will fight!

This is yet another bit of news that anyone in the fandom has probably found out about already. But I post it here anyway because this is an outrage.

Well... not really... the 5 year olds this show is targeted to could probably care less.

But after a while of letting the idea of the end of Nagisa and Honoka sit in, I couldn't help but wonder what they'll end up doing with the two in the last couple of episodes.

...oh, and Hikari, too.
..damn third wheel.

So will Nagisa confess to Fuji-P? Will Honoka really go to France? (see Max Heart ep 38)
...will Nagisa+Honoka fans get anything..? OTL

Guess we'll just have to see in the last 5 episodes of this season. And then it's up to Saki and Mai to take on the burden of this (too popular for its own good) show. I.. probably won't watch it any further than the first episode, but I'll definitely lurk around Japanese imageboards to see if anything interesting comes up.

Which it won't. I'm going to miss you, Nagisa. Honoka.. ･ﾟ･(つД｀)･ﾟ･

Maria-sama ga Miteru: 3rd season

2005-11-22T11:59:00.000-08:00

I'm sure everyone has found out about this already, but I'm going to put this here anyhow.

- New third "season" in OVA form, coming sometime 2006
- Internet radio show titled "Maria-sama ga miteru Christmas Special" to pop up sometime this December
- Lots of other random stuff to come

It's about fucking time.

Aria -The Animation- ep.5

2005-11-02T22:49:00.000-08:00

I love you, Aria.

..too bad I can't say that for everyone.
Aria has in fact been perhaps the most polarizing show I've ever watched. You really either love it.. or hate it to th point that you'd rather claw your eyes out with rusty, jagged forks.

..You people are totally missing out.

Secondly, I think this show is probably in second place for most rampant yuri vibes this season after Mai Otome (which is totally yuri overkill). That's right -- I even think it beats out Nanoha.
However, much like in Mai Otome (and very reminiscent of Marimite), there's just so much of it bouncing in every direction, that I can't really see any potential "relationships" going anywhere. At least for the main character, anyway.
This isn't much of a problem for me, but as a shoujo-ai fan, it leaves me conflicted. And I'm sure it will turn a number of other shoujo-ai fans off completely.

In other news, why yes, this was a beach episode. An Aria beach episode, that is. The fanservice wasn't very prevalent, but it was indeed there. However, what there was a lot of was girls holding hands and being cute. On that note, Alice's 'ochimasu' was the best part of the episode. Screw Akari and her ribbon.

...no, I take that back. Akari ftw.

Mai Otome ep. 4

2005-10-30T11:06:00.000-08:00

Debochin sugeEEEEEE!

The return of Haruka. It's been a while..
I think a lot of her fans are pleased with the fact that she's been bestowed some super powers this time around (preview shows she sure is). On the other hand, poor Yukino may never get the chance to prove she's very useful, but at least she's got a title and some snazzy threads. Good for her.

I also think their relationship in Mai Otome might be interesting after all, seeing as the roles are rather switched with Haruka being the one in servitude to Yukino, so things are indeed sorta different. Even Haruka's personality is rather altered from her Mai Hime one.. even though she's still at Shizuru's throat, but who wanted that to change? Everyone needs a rival -- Arika has Nina, Shizuru has Haruka, and Natsuki has the mysterious "her"..

..it's gotta be Midori. Right? Right.

But enough about that, onward with a quick, disconnected rundown of the ep..

So what do you do with two people that mere hours ago were trying to kill each other in a giant arena in front of hundreds of onlookers? Make them roommates, of course! And turn it into a sitcom. Natsuki comes up with the best ideas.

Natsuki: your life is attached to your master. if you die, they die as well.
*gasp!*
Natsuki: oh, and.. your powers go away with semen..
..what kind of bullshit..?

Tomoe is probably the most suspicious character in the show so far (except maybe after Irina. I've got my eye on you...). But it's odd because so far, she doesn't seem like a bad person. But of course, most double-crossing characters usually don't seem bad in the beginning. ..either way, I rather like her, and am interested in finding out what will become of her, whether it be for better or worse

I think I was going to say something else about Erstin, but maybe I'll save it for later. I'm sure there'll be plenty of time to address it..
But there is one thing about her that I must say that probably cannot wait:
God, that name sucks. I mean, seriously, Sunrise. Seriously..

..And we end the episode with someone stealing Arika's clothes from the laundry room.

...dude, that totally happened to me on campus at least.. twice.

SHAKALABBITS - Crimson Square

2005-10-23T07:05:00.000-07:00

SHAKLABBITS was one of those bands that made me want to buy their CD after hearing no more than one of their songs.
And I did.

...Usually, that sort of thing ends horribly for me, but I've so far been pretty pleased with my purchase of their 5th Maxi Single Pivot (named for the song that introduced me to them). Besides, I mean, I got it for only 3 bucks.
Some 2 years after the release of that CD, they're still rockin'.

...Do the kids still say that..? "rockin'"..?
..no?

....

..For those of you out there unfamiliar with the band, I would probably compare them to the cheerful pop-punkish sound to that of PuffyAmiYumi. If you want to go a littler further, I'd say they were perhaps even more similar to bands like The★Scanty, or even Flow... with a female lead singer. Truly a brand of music that takes a more sophisticated tatste to truly appreciate.

But anyhow, on with the album. Most likely not as good as their last super duper 2-Disc album they released last year (Burning Cylinder), but still vey enjoyable. There was something about it that sort of irked me, however, and I didn't really notice it until I was listening to it for the second time. If I was to have one gripe with the CD, I think it would be in that overall, they seem to have lost some energy...

Of course, this is is pretty understandable -- a lot of bands eventually mellow out with time, but it was the slightly ska-like feel of the songs like Pivot, or Can't Escape the Chocolate Syrup (yeah, I know.) that initially drew me to the band. ..I say this, even though Hoshizora no shita de (a song with a MUCH more toned down feel) is perhaps my favorite of theirs.

But with a new CD comes a new feel right? Of course. Plus, they've only gone a little soft. Shaka is still Shaka is still Shaka.
I especially liked the songs Parade, BYAM., kaleidoscope, and mommy's back? to name a few, which is more than enough songs to make this CD something worth recommending, and a keeper.

If you never heard SHAKALABBITS, give them a try why duncha.

COMPLETE TRACK LIST
1.call
2.parade
3.BEAN STALK
4.SADISTIC AURORA SHOW
5.piece of cake
6.Ladybug
7.カレイドスコープ (kaleidoscope)
8.kaleidoscope eyes
9.手ノヒラ宝石 (te no hira houseki)
10.mommy’s back?
11.人魚のうた (ningyo no uta)
12.RIGEL
13.BYAM.
14.morning

Mai Otome ep. 3

2005-10-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

Mai Otome... is a title with a weird name. Even weirder than its predecessor, which is quite a feat. I'm given the choice to call it either Mai Otome, My Otome, My Z-Hime, Mai Z-Hime, 舞乙HiME, and probably a half dozen more things.

...so I just wrote the one that came to my mind first. And that's what it will be.
I'm sure all those other names are acceptable. If not, then, what do I care.

But as I was going to say, Mai Otome is actually a title I've been wanting to blog about since the first episode. Like a number of people, I've been anticipating it even before the fact that it existed became official, and have even gone to the manga (which was released a month or two beforehand) to but catch a glimpse of the story.

Yeah....yeah, that was a mistake.

But anyhoo, I've never been able to blog about it until now due to the fact that I've never had much time (geez, it's like every post I make has something to do with me not having enough time. I'm such a whiner).
Now, however, I'm regretting my dismissing this show up until episode 3 because I think this post will be mostly about this show's flaws so far. I'm sorry... orz

After watching the first episode of this show, I noted on the AniSu boards that I thought that this show probably wasn't going to be as good as Mai Hime, but vowed that that was going to be the last time I compared the two. Now, unfortunately, I think I have to go back on that.

Quit being the same show, damnit!
I think I'm much different from a lot of people when I say that. In the first episode, a number of people welcomed the return of the older charcters -- even the minor ones (such as the return of Chubbsy McGardener). But to be honest, that sort of thing made me cringe just a bit. I was, however, very happy with the show's differences, such as how different Mashiro is (after knowing her in roles like Mashiro and Fumi (Mai Hime), and Honoka (Pretty Cure), I wouldn't have guessed Yukana had so much range), and how the ambiguously gay duo of Aoi and Chie were separated into different kingdoms. I also liked how most of the first episode focused mostly on the "new" characters Arika and Nina. And I of course didn't even mind the Akane action we got and most likely will be getting for a while in future episodes, since in Mai Hime, she was stuck in a room for the majority of the show. Plus, I just really like Junko Iwao.

However, now with episode 3 upon us, the similarites are really starting to pile up. We already knew that Shizuru and Natsuki are of course still a "pair", but also, Yukino still appears to be Haruka's shadow (I was hoping they'd be separated as well..) and there's even a new Kazuya for Akane to go ga-ga over. This may just be me, but I think it would have been a lot more interesting if Akane in fact DIDN'T like Kazu-kun this time around, or at least had some sort of "hmph!"-ish tsundere going on. ANYTHING that would have not given me a "huh, haven't I seen this before..?" feeling. I don't necesarilly mind all of these old characters returning perse, but I'd really like for this show to pay more attention to how it's NOT Mai Hime.

Also, there's another thing I'd like to gripe about. It's a little different, however, and to be honest I'm a little ashamed to say it since this is REALLY comparing to two shows, but I'mma gonna do it anyway.

Mai > Arika
There's something about Arika that rubs me the wrong way. Mai at the very least seemed a little more appealing as the reluctant hero that had her own problems to deal with besides fighting monsters. Akira however, with her "I'll never give up!"'s and her "I have to save everyone!"'s and her "I'm going to be a ----" rather makes her a little generic... and more like something out of Pokemon.
(..The entire show seems a bit more shounen now that I think about it...)
Of course I still like Arika, though, and think it's still too soon to judge her so harshly, but I really hope that her character will be fleshed out a little more soon, and maybe give us a little more backstory on her... and NOT the kind where the show is force-feeding us the fact that she's most likely a princess.

So let's hope that her grandmother was actually a robot or something... that used to beat her.

In conclusion, I've noticed that this entry was hardly very informative about the episode itself, was it? Oh well, I'll let the pictures do the talking.
Forgive me for berating the show so much. I of course still enjoy it, and I know I'll still most likely watch it to the end, fucked up batshit crazy last episode or not.

The next Mai Otome episode review I do will be a happy one. Promise.

ARIA -The Animation- OP Single

2005-10-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

More songs should have string accompaniment. Or at least real instruments more often. That would, like, totally be awesome. It was that type of thing that made Maaya Sakamoto songs so great (when she was still with Kanno, anyway).

You know, I'm a firm believer that although most of what we hear on the radio today, or what most of the western and westernizing world consider "popular" music is full of synthesizers and effects and electric guitars and other such whatnots, I still think there's a part in everyone that longs for the simple orchestral instruments the world has known for centuries. And I think that whenever an artist decides to incorporate even perhaps simply a piano or lone violin into their song (and does it well), it has the potential to become incredibly successful. I mean at least, that's my reasoning for why that song by Vanessa Carlton a few years back was so popular..

But anyway, that was a tangent. Ignore it.

What the hell was I going to talk about? Oh yes.
Well, it feels like it's been forever since I first started to religiously mark off the days on my calendar until I could get my hands on some Aria music, but at last I can finally listen to Undine, the opening song of this show, in its full length and to my leisure.

This is the first song from Makino Yui I've heard, I think, and though I of course think her voice is lovely and a wonderful choice, I believe the real star of the show here is the arrangement by Miss Mina Kubota. ..Which is a name I've never heard before. And it makes me VERY curious...
Anyhow, I offer people who like either of the songs on the single the songs to give the karaoke versions a chance as well. Yeah, I know, I usually ignore it too.

Unless I want to sing karaoke...

...but, y'know, it's not like ...I really do that..

*ahem*

The lyrics to Undine are beautiful, as well. Here, have them. Maybe a tanslation later.

EDIT: added the translation (the hell took me so long to do that), also fixed some points in the lyrics. Also, I'm starting to like the c/w song Symphony more and more each time I hear it. ..though the karaoke version sounds like something you hear after award shows...

Undine
(Japanese Version)

頬をなでる　優しい風
波音に　揺られて
体の中　ほどけてゆくよ

目を閉じて　見えてくる
風の行く道が

さあ　漕ぎ出そう　光る波へ
笑顔が　すぐ　こぼれる
ねえ　伝えよう　このときめき
風にのって　あなたのもとへ
行くわ　ウンディーネ

風が凪いで　振り返れば
夕映えに　照らされ
心までも　染まってゆくよ

見上げれば　響きだす
星たちの歌が

さあ　漕ぎ出そう　遥か未来(あす)へ
水面に　夢　広がる
ねえ　見つけよう　まだ知らない
宝物を　あなたと一緒に
探そう　ウンディーネ

澄み渡る空へと　鳥が羽ばたくよ
いつも見慣れてた　景色なのに
こんなに愛しく　思えるなんて…

Undine
(Romaji Version)

hoho wo naderu yasashii kaze
namioto ni yurarete
karada no naka hodoketeyuku yo

me wo tojite mietekuru
kaze no yukumichi ga

saa, kogidasou hikaru nami e
egao ga sugu koboreru
nee tsutaeyou kono tokimeki
kaze ni notte anata no moto e
yuku wa UNDINE

kaze ga naide furikaereba
yubae ni terasare
kokoro made mo somatteyuku yo

miagereba hibikidasu
hoshi-tachi no uta ga

saa, kogidasou haruka asu e
minamo ni yume hirogaru
nee, mitsukeyou mada shiranai
takaramono wo anata to issho ni
sagasou UNDINE

sumi wataru sora e to tori ga habataku yo
itsumo minareteta keshiki na no ni
konna ni itoshiku omoeru nante...

Undine
(English version)

while shaking with the sound of the waves,
the gentle breeze that grazes my cheek
comes apart within me

I close my eyes and I see
the path the wind is blowing

so let's row towards the shimmering waves
with an overflowing smile
and I will tell you all about the way my chest throbbed
while riding the wind, and will return to you
as an Undine

As the wind begins to die down, I look back and
see that the setting sun has reached
even my heart and dyed it its color

I look up and begin to hear the stars'
echoing melody

and so let's row to that far-off tomorrow
where our dreams spread over the water's suface
and let's find that still unknown treasure
that you and I are searching for
together as Undines

and the birds fly towards the clear sky
and I realize how this always familiar scenery
has become so precious to me...

Jigoku Shoujo ep. 2

2005-10-11T22:16:00.000-07:00

Today's subject: Takamura Ryoko

- pull the thread, and the person you hate will go to hell.

- (　ﾟ∀ﾟ)

- however, you will go too.

- (; ﾟдﾟ)

All good things come with a catch.
Just like the last episode, Ai meets up with the grudge holder, gives them that talk, and then eventually deals with their persecutor. Formulaic, but still very enjoyable.

This epiosde managed to be a little bit scarier than the last in my opinion, thanks to an extemely creepy stalker. However, in turn the animation budget went down a couple pegs. Refer to this entry's first line.

We first meet Takamura Ryoko, a second year highschool student, whimpering like a baby and accessing Jigoku Tsuushin. She's apparently been receiving disturbing phone calls from a stalker and she wants him gone. I also think Ai Shimizu does a pretty good job at her. Though that's probably because this is like, the first serious role I've ever heard her do.

To get the back story on this girl and her unfortunate love life, Ai and her band of merry men listen to Ryoko's story like something out of Law and Order (I really didn't get why they should care, but whatever). She should feel lucky, however. Some girls would kill to receive a box full of dead bugs from a heavy breathing admirer. Get off your high horse already.

But all kidding aside, once again, I feel bad for the ultimately condemned subject of this episode. ..Who apparently becomes something along the lines of a "black seal" ("keiaku kokuin" to be exact, I believe), which reminds me of Haibane Renmei now that I think about. But now I digress..
I mean, in this episode, Ryoko only pulled the thread around the doll's neck to save her life -- surely she doesn't deseve to be sent to hell for that! But I guess a curse is a curse.. however, I hope there might be a way this is resolved..

Speaking of which, so far we've only seen the black straw doll be used, which is apparently the old dude (Wanyuudou), I wonder if Bone Lady or Ren's doll forms will ever be put into use (colors red and blue, respectively) and if so, would there be a different effect..?

I doubt it. Why would there be? But then again, the series still young..
But anyhow, I've gone on too long about this ep, and I've got a Physics lab to complete...

Did I mention we get to see Bone Lady in a nurse outfit? 'Cause we do.

Let's try this again...

2005-10-10T02:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, bandwidth has really become an issue with this site. Didn't think that would happen so soon.. ^^;

I'll have to move it. I'll probably do so before or around Thanksgiving -- whenever I get the time. I'll probably stay on blogspot, though. I'm still sorta lazy.

For the time being, however, please excuse the mess... orz

Gokujou Seitokai ep. 26

2005-10-09T00:13:00.000-07:00

(Warning: This entry contains SPOILERS!)
seriously.

I don't think this blog would be complete if I don't blog about the last episode of this show.
So I will.

Read the rest!

First of all, let me say zOMG! I found the budget!!1!
Now, let me add that this episode was great, especially when compared to the utter insanity and "YOU THINK WE WERE CRAZY BEFORE?! LOLOL"-ness that was episode 25. I believe that's the sort of thing that happens when an anime spends too much time with filler episodes. Let it be a lesson to the rest of you anime makers out there.

Secondly, I still don't understand Pucchan. I just don't get it. Maybe I missed something, but I still have no idea why he's a puppet. Oh well, maybe that's for the best.

As for the rest of the episode, it was basically tying up other loose ends such as Kanade's ties to her superiors, and Seina's connection to the Jinguuji conglomerate. And of course, showing even more of Rino's ESP powers (that has to get annoying eventually..).

In the end, there was a throw back to the last half of the second episode (one of the best), only with all of the animators working on it ths time. Very sentimental. Very Cute. Very Gokujou.

(and that was very lame. I know.)

minty introspection:
And so it's over. But of course it isn't really, seeing as Kanade is now the school director, with Seina as an assistant...oh, and Cyndi's there too, for..some reason.

Additionally, Nanaho's the new Gokujou Seitokai pres (no surprises there), Kuon's remains the vice pres, and taking over Nanaho's old spot is Kaori...though I kinda thought it would be nice if Sayuri was there, with Kaori taking over the spot when Rino became president...
yeah..

Speaking of which, I was hoping there would be more development between those two. From episodes 1, 4, and 8, it really seemed like they were actually trying to set something up between Kaori and Rino.. but then it all sort of fizzled with the wave of filer episodes and eps focusing on more minor characters. Which of course wasn't necesarilly a bad thing, however it did mean characters like Sayuri, Kaori and sometimes even Rino got little more than 1 line an epsiode.

Which reminds me! What about that gunshot in episode 16? Kaori had an odd cameo right after it occurred, that seemed to foreshadow to something. Something they never got to. That being said, we still don't know wht happened to her parents. Unless we were given that scene and left to put the pieces together.
Or maybe they just died because it was convenient. Whatever.

Either way, I still think I enjoyed Gokujou Seitokai overall. The characters were lovable, and they will indeed be missed. So you better come up with a OVA, Konami. Or else. I ain't playing no dating sim.

Blood+ ep. 1

2005-10-08T22:29:00.000-07:00

Airing at covetted primetime slot of 6pm on Saturdays, this show has already caused a few angry letters from viewers.

But anyhow, I finally watched the first episode and I really enjoyed it. Already I can see that it will be more enjoyable than the more episodic Jigoku Shoujo (and the "scary scenes" were much better done as well). ..But to be honest, I don't think I should compare the two, since they really are two rather different shows, with Jigoku Shoujo probably being more psychological of the two....and loli oriented.

The show is much different from the "movie" which I most certainly think is for the better. What with the different character design and pace, it almost seems like a totally different story. The directing was good, the music was good -- the only thing that wasn't as good was the animation, which is pretty much to be expected.

Since this show is going to run for a year, I'm not sure how much I'm going to watch it on a regular basis, but I'm sure it will alsways be something good to come back to. ...Before it gets licensed, that is.
But enough of my blabbering. So far, so good, Blood+. Though then again, I'm pretty easy to please.

ARIA -The Animation- ep. 1

2005-10-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned before, I don't have that much time this semester to myself. I don't know exactly how much anime I can watch this season, and at first, I frankly didn't want to (I at least TRY to be diligent... sometimes). ARIA, however, might make that a little difficult.

I do believe I've found something wonderful.

I think I initially checked out this anime a month ago or so, when I visited a bunch of sites for anime of the new season. I knew very little about ARIA beforehand, and to be honest, the show didn't look very interesting to me.

Then, about a day ago, I was going through 2chan's 18 board, and saw a number of people commenting on how good this show's BGM apparently was, so I got the raw just to check it out.

I was hooked by the opening theme.

This was one of those anime that's hard to watch, because rather than pay attention to what the characters are saying (very important when I watch anime in raw Japanese), I simply want to just listen to the music. There were times when a new song would begin to play, and I'd think "Oh this one sounds good, too.." and then after a few seconds, that thought would turn to, "wait, no. This isn't good. This is great. Thank you, God."

Around 5 minutes in, I couldn't stand it anymore -- I had to know who was behind this soundtrack... and I almost already knew -- the same people behind the Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou ~Quiet Country Cafe~ OST (which is one of my favorites). Needless to say, I'll be wetting myself daily until this OST comes out.

Wait, that's right. I'm reviewing an anime, aren't I?
Well, as I said, this anime really surprised me. Although so far, the characters seem rather cliche, it's not to the point of tedium. For instance, the main character, Akari, is cute and optimistic, but not to the point where it's annoying. Also, ARIA is very calm, and mellow, and there's a certain something about the art -- I noticed a lot of use of simple shapes, and of course, the muted colors (aside from Akari's hair). In a season seemingly full of action and occult, I think I'm going to enjoy this anime quite a bit.

Ichigo Mashimaro Original Soundtrack

2005-09-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

Ichigo Mashimaro manages to be a relatively "quiet" series. The humour is done mostly by what a character does, rather than what they say, and of course, the anime also manages to come off with a bit of a manga like feel, by keeping the scenes almost completely silent (save the dialogue, of course).
So when I noticed the OST had already been released, I thought,
"ehh?? what the fuck's gonna be on it?!"

Of course, I knew one was coming out sooner or later, and I indeed had an idea of some of the songs that were most likely going to show up on it (though not a very good one). I found The OST overall to be quite good, but nothing special. Some were really rather nice, and made me think directly back to the scenes from the anime which I remember hearing them in. Others had not yet shown up in the show, were most likely OST filler, and would be better off staying far, far away from airtime. Granted, nearly all of them made me want to watch an episode intensely.

Another very interesting tidbit about this OST was that it included comments of each song from the composer, Takeshi Watanabe (something I noticed AFTER I'd finished listening to it the first time through..). This was really quite a treat, and something I don't think I've ever seen before.
Here's a rough translation of Watanabe's thoughts on the main theme (which is good, but I like "kawaii, wa seigi!" better. . .)

Exactly 1 year ago, I was first introduced to "Ichigo Mashimaro", and while I read the manga I thought, if I were to make a theme for this, what kind of theme would it be? Then I came up with this song and thought "Eureka!". I can never forget the "I think this would be great music for Mashimaro" letter I received from the director. This song started everything.

Thanks for sharing, buddy. See, wasn't that interesting? I'd really like it if more composers did this. He should like.. send a memo to the rest of them. Anyhow, if I were to give this OST a grade (which I don't like doing to be honest..) it would be a B ....because I'm nice.

Ichigo Mashimaro ep. 8

2005-09-17T03:51:00.000-07:00

Wait I take that back. Gokujou, Pani Poni and Ichigo Mashimaro are definitely the 3 anime I still look forward to.

And with good reason. This one was hilarious.

Pani Poni Dash! ep 11

2005-09-14T22:05:00.000-07:00

Last week, Behoimi+Media. This week Rokugou-san+Igarashi-sensei. *rubs chin* Fumu fumu... huh, wha, where was I..?

You know, as the new semester begins, I've found myself watching less and less anime. I've also been generally caring less and less about the anime I used to watch. It almost feels as if Pani Poni Dash and Gokujou Seitokai are all I watch now. Not that I mind. The new season's starting soon, after all.

Well anyhow, yet another enjoyable episode from Pani Poni Dash, this time centered around Rokugou-san (whose real name I can finally remember). I'm glad they gave her some time -- she seemed like such a suspiciously uninteresting person.

Apparently, she's been spending time with Igarashi-sensei and her fancy European car. So much time, in fact, that she's developed a bit of a crush on the dangerously alcoholic teacher (it's anime. go figure.. ( ´∀｀)ノ). When her friends suspect she might have a boyfriend, however, they see little reason not to thoroughly butt into the situation, and much hilarity ensues. Oh Jiijii, thank you for reaffirming the horrible sterotype that old people are crazy, and should never drive.

Much like this entry has been, the entire episode was pretty random, with a number of scenes that seemed to come out of nowhere, from Himeko and Ichijou-san playing badminton, to Behoimi coming in contact with Kami-neko to the Alien kanchou making up his own story as to why Rokugou is named.. well... Rokugou. But that's what we love about this show, right?

Also, some interesting and cute new BGM debuted this episode. I especially liked the one playing while Rokugou was making googly eyes at Igarashi-sensei (girl crush my ass). Though I still don't know if I'd feel safe driving with her...

Gokujou Seitokai ep. 24

2005-09-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

Well, that was a long break.. oh well, all the episodes I skipped sucked, anyhow.

And so the Taiikusai comes along to Miyagami Gakuen. What the hell? Didn't summer end like 10 episodes ago? It's rare that one would see time move so slowly in anime. But whatever. Thankfully, we never have to sit through any tired sports festival gags.

Kanade's grandfather dies (gasp). Kanade decides to take over the Jinguuji family with her mad ambiguous sup3r powarz. Thus, she announces that she's dropping out of school in front of the entire student body. WTF?? No Kanade = no Miyagami Gakuen!

Allow me to stop there and rant about something I've been complaining about with almost every episode of this show.
Jesus, the art sucked.
Now, I'm really starting to get rather fed up with it all, since this show is once again showing its surprisingly impressive serious side, and the animation is positively leagues behind the acting of Junko Noda, Chiwa Saito etc, etc. I know I point it out every time, and I must apologize, but it can really ruin some scenes..

Anyhow, where was I? Oh yeah. One by one, the Gokujou Seitokai falls apart, from Nanaho vowing to drop out along with Kanade, to Kuon declaring her secret undercover mission of secrecy kaput. But that won't stop Kaori! Oh no, she leaves her younger siblings to fend for themselves while she goes out to find her Kanade-sama. Much to her surprise, she finds Rino had the same thing planned... as did everyone else. Seina even brought transportation! Look out evil doers! There's a busload of school girls headed your way, and they are so ready to open up a can.

*huge sigh*

And so the climax comes along to Miyagami Gakuen. Here's to hoping it will be a good one, and here's to hoping that most of the animation budget was saved for these last two eps. *thumbs up!*

Ichigo Mashimaro ep. 5

2005-08-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

Fumiko Orikasa does such a wonderful job at Miu. Or should I say she does such a wonderful job at being wonderful. You gotta love her impression of Ana (I hope that got a laughs out of the staff and cast), and Miu's crying scene was done well, also. You even feel bad for Miu throughout the second half of this episode (not just her sene with Nobue), despite what a horrible little monster we know her to be, and despite what we just saw her do to Ana earlier in the episode.

I'm sorta surprised the anime's gotten this far in the story already. I wonder how far it will actually go -- will it back track and do some of the chapters it's skipped? Will it go past the manga? Or will it come up with new stories of its own. Considering how well this episode was done, and how much of a child molester I am, I'm surely sticking with this show no matter what.

Pani Poni Dash! ep. 8

2005-08-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

I would rarely think to blog so savage a beast as a PPD episode, but 8 was too good to pass up. Not to mention the fact that unlike the others, there seemed to be a general point to this one. That point being everyone's favorite mahou shoujo, Behoimi!

It starts off with Behoimi saving a snot-nosed (literally) little boy (...haven't I seen him from somewhere...?) from certain death. But when the boy asks of her to show him some real magic, she runs off mulling an "I would if I could.." Poor Behoimi..!

When she gets to school, she sets off to find a new gimmick -- which is harder said than done, since everyone in her class seems to already have their own (from super-human strength girl, to animal girl, to the klutz). She then (though not before a quick visit to the rabbit pen) settles on donning a new costume -- though even then everyone wears one better than she does, affirming her failure. Poor Behoimi..!!

And before we could say "where the hell is 1-C at??!1" they pop up to rescue their downtrodden friend (..friend?). Becky first talks to Behoimi candidly, saying that if she realy wants to help people, then she should be fine the way she is, even if she can't use magic. Behoimi then fervently denies that, saying that the only reason why she doesn't use magic is because if anyone sees her use it, she'll have to return to her "Magical Country" home. Which of course seems like a lie. However, she runs off, swearing it's the honest truth.
Rei then gets an idea to infuse Behoimi's staff with magic power, but like all plans in this show, it goes horribly horribly awry. Which of course leads to some of the funniest scenes in the episode.

(minty introspection: fucking hell, this entry's getting too damn long..)

Now, just as Behoimi is considering quitting the mahou shoujo bizz, a fire breaks out in the rabbit pen! huh, wasn't Ichijou-san there earlier..? But anyway, Behoimi, always being the ally of justice she is off to save the...er salamander thing.. from certain death. When she gets in, her way out is destroyed -- she prays for a miracle, and one actually happens! ...or should I say Ichijou-san happened..

Either way, everyone praises Behoimi as a hero, and finally belive her to be a real magical girl. But wait! That means she'll have to return to the Magical Country! We'll miss you, Behoimi!

We return to the first scene of this episode, and once again, the snot-nosed boy is saved from certain death. However, this time it's by a plain-looking girl with glasses... wait.. Behoimi? But it's not the Behoimi we all know. That Behoimi is gone...

(introspection the 2nd: Behoimi-chan! Come back!! ･ﾟ･(つД｀)･ﾟ･)

As our last treat, we get an all Behoimi ending, complete with original song. And that's it (finally)! I liked this episode more than shota.

Petopeto-san ep. 7

2005-08-22T05:25:00.000-07:00

A much more mellow (well, compared to the last one, at least) episode this time around, that was pretty much uneventful.. though at the same time it wasn't.

It starts off with Petoko, and eventually Shingo, getting up at 4am (nuts..) to prepare for their summer jobs -- Petoko delivering milk and Shingo with a paper route. However, Petoko says that she hardly was able to get any rest because of the big day she has planned: a trip to Ginza for the Imouto Paradise Fair and a class camp trip later on. Granted, not everyone else in the house is as overly excited as she is and much rather stay asleep, which leads to a lot of complaining and, of course, another helping of naked Kuguru. I tell ya, it's like the producers are reading our minds...

On the bike routes, Petoko is positively the cutest thing ever created ever, warmly greeting everyone and every thing she sees (she even talks to a frog..). And as sickeningly adorable as it may be, I have to admit that I thought being able to relate to her wasn't too hard.. Getting up may not be my cup of tea, but when I'm up, I'm most certainly up and usually rather energetic. Though I may not always do the whole "greet everything" deal. But that's because I suck.

Might I add that we also discover the source for Kanna's dislike for youkai (if not only the beginning of it). Later on in the episode, we meet Maeta Kotomi, Chie's beloved "oniisama" and Kanna's older brother. We also meet his girlfriend (fiancee?), a beautiful young lady who is also a youkai.

Before I get to the obvious picture here, I wonder how Petoko was able to tell that she was a youkai? Not to mention her change in expression when Chie said it definitely shows that she's ashamed of that fact -- something we haven't really seen in any youkai besides Petoko. I wonder what kind she is..
Now then, indeed it was hinted at a bit that a youkai had perhaps stolen Kanna's brother away, as we saw in her torn photograph in episode 6, so I guess this isn't too much of a surprise to deal with, but I still hope there's more to this story -- something about it seems too simple. Or maybe it's just me. I'm sure there'll be much more to focus on when it comes to Petoko's story.

Speaking of which, the next episode preview seemed exceptionally boring, both in terms of clips and description. Which of course means "we don't want to give anything away because something big's gonna happen!!"

...maybe.

Gokujou Seitokai Character Single 2

2005-08-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I was pretty wary of this single at first, considering that I thought the first one was DOA. However, I'm glad I changed my mind.

Not only was I was really quite amazed at how well Junko Noda (Kinjou Nanaho) could sing (a part of me is still caught up on her playing Reki from Haibane Renmei sometimes..), but Kaori Shimizu (Ginga Kuon) surprised me quite a bit. No offense to Miss Shimizu, but she has always sort of left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth when it comes to her songs, ever since I was first introduced to her singing voice from the ending theme to Strange Dawn. Maybe some people know what I'm talking about... Or maybe some of you want to skin me for saying that. In that case, then bring it on, bitches.

Either way, this time around, she sounds great. *sigh of relief* At least now, I feel a little more confident for the upcoming final Maria-sama ga Miteru Image Album (that will be released on 9/22)...

The songs really fit the characters as well... It's always best when songs do that, don't you think? I mean, singing about random crap is fine too, but not the same.. But anyway, the upbeat (but not too ubpbeat) jazzy rhythm of Kuon's song Dragon Hane suited her wonderfully, and an extra flair was added with the rather sophistocated lyrics, that sounded like something she herself would write.

..can you tell that that one turned out to be my favorite yet? I'll give the lyrics to Nanaho's song to make up for the lack of attention (and because it's just easier on me..)

Oh, and the mini-drama was funny, too. What more could you ask for?

Endless Way
(Japanese Version)

果てないこの夢を乗せて輝く風を
この胸に抱きしめて

手探りの中　真っ暗な闇で　
かすかにきらめく光がある
誰も知らない君の足跡　
追いかけてはまた失う

目覚めたばかりの翼に
地平の果ては密かに誘いかけてる
ささやき合う海風よ
どうか飛び立てる勇気と力を…fly　high

心に舞う優しい景色　そこにはいつも
君がいて微笑む
どこまでも　そう海を、　森を、　砂漠を越えて
きっと辿りつける

彷徨いだした真昼の月を　
探し出す君の夢見たよ
どこか遠くで呼んでいる声　
道しるべにまた佇む

あらゆる悲しみも憎しみも
包み込むような瞳を守っていたい
ひとりにはさせないから
もう二度と離れたりしないよ…trust　me

見上げた空　虹の向こう　広がる未来
ひたすらに愛しい
特別な理由なんてなにも必要ないから
ただ　そばにいたい

新しい季節が始まる　生まれ変わるように．．．

眩しいこの夢を乗せて輝く風を
今　胸に抱きしめ
いつまでも　そう君を、　夢を、　愛を信じてく
この想いよ強く舞い上がれ

Endless Way
(English Version)

I will ride this endless dream
and embrace the
sparkling wind to my chest

As I fumble about in the pitch darkness there is a faint, glimmering light
I recognize no one but your footsteps and run after them less they slip away

I summon wings
and the edge of the horizon secretly gives me encouragement
its whisper merges with the sea breeze
"Somehow, fly with all of your strength and courage...fly high"

You always exist in the kind, dancing
scenery in my heart
Smiling at me
I'll cross the ocean, woods, desert, it doesn't matter where
I'll always keep going

The aimlessly wandering midday moon seems to be searching for the you I saw in a dream
A voice calls from afar and stops me
in the middle of this familiar path

All of your sadness and hate
is there, wrapped up in those eyes I wish to protect
you'll never be alone again
because I'll never leave you... trust me

I look up at the sky and beyond a rainbow lies a vast future
that is genuinely precious
I don't need a special reason or anything
I just want you by my side

A new season is beginning and it feels like I'm born again...

I will ride this dazzling dream
Now, I embrace the sparkling wind to my chest
Now and forever, I will believe in you, in that dream, in love..
These feelings mightily soar

Ichigo Mashimaro ep. 4

2005-08-18T23:51:00.000-07:00

After two long weeks of nothing, IM is back! And holy crabnuts what an episode. One of the best so far.

Gokujou Seitokai ep. 20

2005-08-18T02:43:00.000-07:00

Wow, I didn't really see one scene that looked like the animators were drawing while inebriated (much like the last episode). Very awesome, indeed.
...It probably won't last.

Ayu becomes an idol. Ayu becomes a loli sex symbol. Ayu (and consequently Rino) becomes the target of an assassination plot by her ninja twin brother. Just another day in the world of Gokujou Seitokai.

(minty introspection: Huh. So Ayu's from a ninja family... then what about Kotoha? Isn't she s'posed to be a ninja, too? ...Or maybe they're both ninjas.....from separate..clans.. but isn't that sorta ninja overkill? Wait, what am I saying. You can never have too many ninjas.)

This episode indeed does explain a lot about Ayu-chan's character, and why she seems so carefree. I've really enjoyed how this series fleshes out seemingly each and every character of this show. well.. except poor Kanrinin-san (what the hell's her real name again..?), but I'm sure her time will come. This was a good episode overall, though not as good as the last one, I think. Definitely worth the time nonetheless.

Anyhow, next ep is a (presumably more serious) Rein episode. Once again, I'm happy for the change, and am looking forward to the secret behind Rein's "powers". Yes. Throwing playing cards at people. Truly, a formidable foe.

I'm kidding, I really do like her.

Petopeto-san ep.6

2005-08-14T02:56:00.000-07:00

You know..
There are some times that I like Shingo, and other times that I wonder why he exists.

But let's forget about him for a while, because after Petoko reappears, they're very quickly out of the picture. Episode 6 was definitely an episode for Kuguru and Chochomaru.
After a brief, glowing spat, the scene swiftly shifts to flashback mode and we find out that unlike her sister, Chocho-chan swims like a wrench (we also learn a bit about Kuguru's strange hobby). It's strange how quickly two seemingly loving sisters can switch to wanting to tear each other apart over so short a time.

...or is it?

Anyway, after a long speech full of Kuguru's thick accent, she decides to, on national television, officially leave the kappa tribe by cutting off her hair! She's still looks kinda good afterwards but I'm gonna miss the long hair Kuguru-chan.

After Shingo saves Kuguru and Chocho-chan's relationship (and, in turn, the day) the imouto show goes on like people weren't nearly killed at all. In the end, we're reminded that this is still a harem anime when Kuguru, Chocho-chan, Petoko and her mother all move in with Shingo for summer vacation.
...Soon to be joined by a mad loli scientist and a missmatched pair of intergalactic police officers. Hope you got room in the Onsen, Shingo.

Gokujou Seitokai ep.19

2005-08-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I forget how on crack this show is. But then I see scenes like two puppets transforming sentai style and then attacking an assailant with their lifeless limbs and everything becomes clear again.

And by clear I mean very, very strange.

Well, after a couple character episodes, we go back to the main story (I was beginning to forget there was one..), and I really liked it. There were a lot of funny moments, such as the aforementioned one, and so many of Ayu's moments, where she expresses the "wtf" feeling this show generally conveys (and exactly what happened last night? o_O). However, hilarity aside, there were really a lot of developments. We find out that Kanade did indeed call Rino to Miyagami Gakuen (as if that wasn't obvious already..) and some foreshadowing on how mysterious Rino really is.... not to mention poor Kotoha getting shot down by Seina's dark side (complete with with change in tone of voice..)

Next ep: Ayu-chan becomes an Idol! Well, it's about time she got her episode. I'm looking forward to it -- she's really one of the funnier minor characters.

Petopeto-San OP ED Single

2005-08-13T04:17:00.000-07:00

A bit of a late response on this one, but what do you expect, I just created this thing.
For those of you out there who have discovered Petopeto-san, God bless you first of all, but secondly, I'm sure you're already quite familiar with the opening and ending themes by Saneyoshi Isako. There's a good chance that you also hate them.

Not me, however. And let me rub that in your face by doing an entire entry on the single.
To be honest, I was a little offput by these songs at first as well -- especially the opening, Shiranainai Sora. The vocalist simply had a voice that I, even as I listen to the song now, can't quite put my finger on. I want to say baby with a lisp...
However, I think this is to be expected considering the other name that goes along with this anime, Masaki Kurihara, the composer for Azumanga Daioh. Which was where I was first introduced to the similarly bizarre Oranges and Lemons, and consequently Masumi Ito (who I love now).

But I digress. I really think both these songs have grown on me. I always believe the new and strange is better than the old and exhausted, anyway. Here are the lyrics to ED theme, Kaerimichi (admittedly, my favorite of the two..). Translation may come if I feel up to it..

Kaerimichi
だんだん　オレンジ色　Bi-dung　Bi-dong,　Bi-dung　Be-dong
だんだん　一番星　Bi-dung　Bi-dong,　Bi-dung　Be-dong
今日の帰り道

校舎の窓　あの子が
身を乗り出し　手を振る
今日のこと　ごめんね
明日また　会おうね

だんだん　誰かのこと　Bi-dung　Bi-dong,　Bi-dung　Be-dong
だんだん　大事になる　Bi-dung　Bi-dong,　Bi-dung　Be-dong
今日の帰り道

木立の蔭　あの子が
知られぬように　泣いてる
ひぐらしに　隠して
明日また　会おうね

だんだん　また誰かが　Bi-dung　Bi-dong,　Bi-dung　Be-dong
だんだん　大事になる　Bi-dung　Bi-dong,　Bi-dung　Be-dong
今日の帰り道

郵便局　過ぎたら
手紙のこと　思い出す
出せないでいるけど
いつかまた　会おうね

だんだん　街の明かり　Bi-dang　Bi-dong,　Bi-dang　Be-dong
だんだん　お月さまも　Bi-dang　Bi-dong,　Bi-dang　Be-dong
今日の帰り道

夜空みたいな　心なら
星座みたいに　つながった　わたしたち

だんだん　開いて行こう Bi-dang　Bi-dong,　Bi-dang　Be-dong
だんだん　見つけて行こう　Bi-dang　Bi-dong,　Bi-dang　Be-dong
今日の帰り道
だんだん　誰かのこと　Bi-dung　Bi-dong,　Bi-dung　Be-dong
だんだん　大事になる　Bi-dung　Bi-dong,　Bi-dung　Be-dong
今日の帰り道