#26 – Weekly Updates

After finally finishing the Fall 2008 Lineup post, I’ve decided to unwind and relax for the remaining days of Summer vacation. It’s 16 days before Orientation and though it sounds like I have a lot of time left on my hands it’s really really not all that much. The days are passing me by at extreme speed and I’m just sitting at my desk doing absolutely nothing.

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Summer Wrap-up/Catch-up

Okay, so summer isn’t over yet sure but since it’s close to ending I figured I might as well do this post now. Just so you know, the Fall 2008 Lineup is moving along smoothly. Most of the information searching is over so after I write down my personal impressions I’ll be ready to post it. Well, I’m also waiting for certain news about certain series. Namely, Skip Beat. Also, not many series have their air dates released either so I’m waiting for that too. I’ll probably have it posted before the end of the month though. I wouldn’t want to have that post in the back of my mind when school starts.

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RUN!

Yes, Shirogane. We all know.

Run! Hide! Check you insurance and if you don’t have make one quick! Write a will just for safety purposes! The apocalypse might be approaching!

Okay, maybe not. I’m just making a fuss. So anyways, I was watching Monokuro and the realization hit me. Both figuratively and literally (I should stop keeping manga in strange places, my room’s raining them). So anyways, I just went “Is it me? Or are men in anime starting to lose interest in women?” Well, at the very least, all male characters (with the exception of Toudou maybe) in Geass have already lost interest in the opposite sex. Just look at Lulu! He just lost Shirley and they let Orange-kun in. What’s his harem now? 3 women, 5 men? Or are there more I’m just forgetting? Not to mention Shirley’s death is going to be cause of the Black Knight’s downfall with Lulu going all mental and losing what little sanity he had left. Although, Suzaku isn’t any better. Kallen’s looking good in that dress at least but let’s pray she doesn’t mental too after taking the drug. It’s GSD all over again. Come on Sunrise! You can do better than that right – Oh crap, right this wasn’t a Geass post.

I mean just look at Monokuro. There are girls in them but their basically decorations. Nabari? Not a single male character in there looks like they have potential interest in females. Kumohira-sensei doesn’t count because has a wife and is only interested in her … and other than her there’s Miharu. Oh wait! There’s hope. We’ve still got Macross! Alto’s straight right? As long as Sunrise stays away from them, we’ll get a normal ending with either Sheryl or Ranka. God knows how much I don’t want to see a AltoxLuca or MikhailxAlto ending … out of doujins at least. And oh look! More hope. Toki in Amatsuki potentially likes Kuchiha right?

Alright … maybe this isn’t so hopeless after all. Back to Balett Star.

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Checkpoint! Midway Spring

-runs off to open window first, shivers then closes-

Well, it isn’t summer yet even though we’re nearly June! I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be happy or not so I’ll just move on.

The Summer Anime season is coming soon. I haven’t really made my round of the shows airing for summer so that post is still pretty far. That chocolate show looks pretty interesting though. I bet Mello would blow up whoever thought it up though.

Junjo Romantica: After seven episodes, Junjo’s basically everything I want and thought it would be. Usagi and Misaki brings the jabs while Hiroki and Nowaki brings the drama. What’ll Terrorist bring? A mix of the two I guess. The lack of BGM bothers me sometimes but that’s probably because I’m so used to the Drama CDs. At any rate, were I not a BL fangirl I’d probably be pocking fun at Junjo like I do at MonoKuro and Amatsuki instead of fangirling and giggling. B(L)INGO anyone? I need moar humor.

Code Geass R2: It pisses me off to a great extent the number of cliffhangers CG is using. Really Sunrise, can’t you do better? But things are getting better … if you can call one million zeros (and one dog) getting better, that is. Someone needs to go throw Nunally off a cliff and get Suzaku and Lulu to marrry each other like in Shirley’s fantasies. Because we all know Lulu’s canonly (!?) gay after getting rejected by Kallen and getting comforted by Rolo. Let’s all hope that everything building up in CG will come down to something coherent. Despite how much I enjoyed the homo-fun, I don’t want another Gundam 00. (With Virtue and Kyrios in CG, all we’re missing is Suzaku to go “I AM GUNDAM” and I’m gone)

Macross Frontier: I’ll be satisfied when someone forces Alto in a skirt.

Nabari no Ou: As long as it continues in the direction its going, I’ll be happy. I don’t want Nabari to go all Naruto on me and start having fights, wars and all that crap. I want my character development and that’s it. Action from time to time to add to the development is fine. Just the way its been since the beginning. Nabari’s got a lot of potential. Despite the numerous jabs I can make about Yoite’s lines and Sensei’s pedophillia, I won’t.

Monochrome Factor: I want that big-breasted bitch and Aya out.

Special A: I’d throw a rock at Hikari but it probably wouldn’t hurt her. I know, I know. It’s anime and in this kind of anime the OTP never really becomes a frikken couple. I feel bad for you Kei, really. Episode 07 was gold, btw. Akira’s a mad genius and I love her. Tadashi and her are a great manzai combi. Their jabs are usually what I enjoy most about an anime. And no, I do not like Kei’s party hair.

Amatsuki: I’m just watching this for the cast. Really, it’s hard not watch a show when over five of your favorite seiyuus are in it. This is absolutely ridiculous yes, but really that doesn’t matter anymore. (EDIT: Just watched episode six and it looks like Hime was originally a guy … Shinshu was calling him/her Niisama after all)

Soul Eater: … OMG, I have nothing to say. Well except for the fact that its pissing me off not knowing Chrona’s gender. There are far to many traps this season. Has it become a trend or something? Damn. (We need moar Black Star, Soul moments)

Vampire Knight: I’m two episodes behind. Maybe the more-or-less sexual tension between Zero and Yuki got to more than it should. It’s also freaking me out how emo this shoujo can get. I don’t remember the manga being that dark.

Druaga: I’m a LOT of episodes behind but I’m thinking of watching this again soon because of how much fun I can poke at it. Episode five gender-switching? Count me in. (Plus, I’ve got my Sakupyon dose in here. It pains me hearing his voice on Suzaku who I’m hating more and more)

Wagaya no Oinari-Sama: I’m behind on this too. I don’t see male Kuu-chan in the screenshots much so I sort of lost interest. (Yes, I took this up for Yuutan’s sake)

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DOPLONG

OMGWTFBBQ?!?!?!?

I swear my heart stopped when I heard SuzuKen’s voice. Genderless …

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Spring Preview: Part Four

Bringing to you: Amatsuki, Wagaya no Oinari-sama and Angelique Abyss. (I’ve completely eliminated Kure-nai from my watch list. I didn’t have much interest in it in the get-go anyway so it’s out)

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Amatsuki

The first episode covered about two chapters of the manga (which is ironically all I’ve read of the manga). Compared to the manga, the characters designs of the anime is pretty generic and somehow reminiscent of Kyo Kara Maoh! (Studio Deen did KKM too right?). The OP and ED both give off the historic Japan vibe so no complaints from me. As for the rest of music … nothing much to note but I did enjoy the piano piece (Instrumental of the OP?) that played when Toki fell off the bridge. Animation wise nothing mindblowing. It’s not horrible but some of the camera angles where weird.

Storywise, Amatsuki sorta kinda reminds me of KKM (that makes two shows that remind me of KKM) … ‘cept Toki isn’t King and the world he lands in isn’t Shin Makoku but Japan Edo period. Once again nothing above average.

As I said before, I’m watching this only for the cast (namely Yusa Kouji, FukuJun and Romi Paku). Normally, when I like the seiyuu I end up liking the character. FukuJun’s chara Toki reminds me of myself in the way that he basically feels like everythings a dream. As long as he doesn’t become too pathetic along the way I won’t end up hating him. (Big difference from Manga-Toki and Anime-Toki is his eye. In the anime, they took off the eyepatch and let Toki’s eye show)

Shinonome is pretty hot. From what is seen in the OP, it seems that his black hair is a wig to hide his blond hair. Either way he’s still hot. The fact that he’s voiced by Yusa is even hotter. After Nabari no Ou, this is probably a good slash source. KonxToki?

Lastly, Kuchiha who’s probably my favorite character so far. I haven’t heard Romi Paku in a while so it’s nice. I also absolutely LOVE how she uses her hair to look like a scarf.

Overall, Amatsuki is just an average show. This is another for the Summer Vacation Anime list.

((On a sidenote, I also watched the second episode of Soul Eater. Good news, I’ve gottten used to Maka’s voice! Before that, I went over to wiki and found out the Soul Eater cast in the Drama CD. Hoshi Souichiro-san playing Soul is very appealing so I’m currently on a search for the CD. Oh yeah, last note about Black*Star:  Black Star = Chibi Kamina XD))

Wagaya no Oinari-sama

-cries- Aww, no Yuutan in the first episode. Still, Oinari seems like a nice anime. I haven’t watched Spice and Wolf so I can’t compare them. Hell, I don’t even know if there similiar. Kuu-chan is an awesome character but the rest of the cast lack any impact on me. If the anime goes on and I end up watching Oinari for just Kuu-chan then it’ll be just like KKM (Yay. More KKM plugs XD) in the way that I’m still watching it for Wolfy. As for the OP and ED … well the first ep didn’t have the OP but I watched it over at YT (the ED as well). Like most OPs and EDs this season I didn’t find it particularly awe-inspiring. That said, I’m still going to watch the second episode for the sake of hearing Yuutan’s voice but after that … well that remains to be said. I’m probably going to follow this series a little longer … I feel like I’m going to really like this later on

Neo Angelique Abyss

As one can expect from a reverse harem anime, Neo Angelique has a LOT of pretty and a LOT of color. And like in most animes of this sort, the main girl is pathetic beyond belief with a huge amount of power and the will to protect. Whoopee. This is just another reverse harem anime … nothing special (unlike La Corda D’oro which was awesome).

I can already guess what Angelique’s episodes are going to consist of and I’m also probably going to end up hating Angelique A LOT by the end. Actually, I already hate her. Then again I always hate the female protagonists in reverse harems (Haruhi-if she counts- and Hino being the only exceptions).

If I ever need my bishie intake I’ll probably go and watch this tho’.

On a surprising note, Neo Angelique’s ED is probably my fav of the season. Banzai Tegomass! The OP, which is sung by some of guy in Angelique’s harem, is well … blah … It’s definitely better than Special A’s ED tho’.

–

And cheers to the end of my spring preview!

My conclusive post up next (as well as-finally- a fixed spring schedule)

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Spring Preview: Part 3.5 – Almost Done

I’m FINALLY almost done previewing everything I want to preview. I haven’t had this much anime too watch since last spring (spring fever?!) but knowing me, it’ll die down after a few more weeks. Since I’m watching quite a number this season I’m probably going to blog about 2-3 shows every week.

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I know that probably know one else out there is going to blog Junjo Romantica all the way but I sure am. With what’s out so far, the drama CD still reigns king in my heart and that probably won’t change but I’m looking forward to how the anime will progress. With the next episode airing tomorrow I’m definitely a little on edge right now … the biggest reason being how incredibly attractive Sumi-senpai looks compared to the manga (his design reminding me slightly of characters from Ryo Takagi‘s work). In other news, I managed to get my hands on the manga and read it up to volume five. It was fun reading it since it made recall lines from the CD that I loved … matching the lines to the art was awesome. I also realized how cute the 2nd couple “Junjo Egoist” Kusama Nowaki and Kamijo Hiroki are! I honestly can’t wait to see their stories get animated. Unlike the romantica couple (Misaki and Usagi), the egoist couple has a real sweet story (therein the drama that characterized what is yaoi)  … I’ve talked too much onto the next anime …

The second show I’ll be blogging every week is (as if you didn’t see this coming) Code Geass R2. I know I didn’t put screens on the second episode but I’ll be sure to put some in the upcoming episodes. I think everyone’s heard already but the final 6 minutes of episode 3 has been leaked on youtube yesterday It seems that is was a mistake on someone from Bandai Channel … but that isn’t the part that really matters. I’m just real relieved there’s no delay. I would have died without my geass this weekend. (Not that it matters either but I DID see the leak … harhar, I’m a killjoy to myself) That said w00t for Geass!

SHOWS I AM BLOGGING: Code Geass R2 and Junjo Romantica

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Those two aside there are a few more that I’m following this season.

The first being Soul Eater. A friend first introduced me to the manga more than half a year ago but I hadn’t read further than the introduction chapters. Hell, even now I’m not far into the manga (stopped after Black Star and Soul’s dramatic break-up scene) still … after the first episode, I have no doubts that the anime will be just as good as the manga. The animation, music and everything is beautiful. For the moment, my only complaint is Maka’s voice … as I said in my preview of it, I hope it’ll grow on me.

Second is Nabari no Ou. A ninja NOT in an orange jumpsuit? Count me in. I loved the first six chapters of the manga I read. There’s a kind and his harem. Kyo Kara Maoh deja vus + Ninja + darker mood – Naruto = Nabari no Ou. Perfect equation. Probably the anime I’ll find the most slash in this season. Kumohira’s vow to protect Miichan with his life almost topping Tieria copying Lockon’s haircut. I take that back. Tieria copying Lockon’s haircut can’t be beaten that easily. (Which reminds me of how Zack “kinda” copied Angeal’s cut in Crisis Core) I’m still not really happy with KugiRie voicing Mii-chan but she’s doing a good job so not much complaints from me. I’ll probably enjoy blogging this because of the slash alerts so I expect myself to blog this once in a while too.

Third and fourth is Special A and Vampire Knight. My two shoujo intakes for this season. I enjoyed both mangas (though I haven’t read far) and was excited when the anime was announced. The fact the GONZO is animating Special A still scares me (even tho’ the first episode wasn’t that bad) but hopefully it won’t downhill that fast. Vampire Knight … being a vampire show … calls for angst and blood obviously. I highly doubt both anime with be as good as the manga but hey, at least it’ll give me something to rant about (other than FukuJun using his Lulu voice on Kei-chan).

Fifth, sixth and seventh are Macross Frontier, Wagaya no Oinari-sama and The Tower of DRUAGA. The only reason I can explain why I’m watching Macross is well, because of Yuutan. I’ve heard a lot of talk about Macross but I’m not a big mecha fan so I never really bothered with it. Upon hearing Yuutan’s name I immediately went to download it. I’m such a fangirl, I know. Wagaya no Oinari-sama is on my watch list for the same reason; Nakamura Yuuichi. I have to say that enjoyed Oinari more than Macross (genderbending 4tw). Lastly DRUAGA. I’m sure I went and watched this because it was one of the first spring anime to be subbed … I enjoyed it so it’s on my watchlist now (Sakupyon and Ishida-sama being in this is a big plus)

((Oinari-sama preview will be in Part Four of the Spring Preview))

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Under all those previews, there are two that didn’t manage to hook me in; Allison to Lillia and Itazura na Kiss. Both are great anime but there just not my type of thing. I’m not particularly fond of adventure type anime or of typical romance shoujo … so these two are definitely out. These are probably the leftover anime I’ll watch whenever I’m left with nothing much to watch (a.k.a Summer Vacation Anime)

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Now for the remaining spring anime I have yet to preview: Kure-Nai (whose space is part two remains empty) Amatsuki and Neo Angelique. WTF?! to angelique indeed. I’ll be honest in saying that I’m only watching it for the hot bishies and attractive seiyuu cast. Really? Is there any other reason for a girl to watch a reverse harem anime? Nope, nope. NONE!

As for Amatsuki … the only reason it’s on this list is the extremely attractive seiyuu cast -spies FukuJun and Yusa-

Lastly Kure-nai … well, I’m not sure why I decided to preview it but it’s on the list.

Anime that’ll be in “Spring Preview: Part Four”: Wagaya no Oinari-sama, Amatsuki and Neo Angelique.

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Anime that failed to make it on my watchlist but might end up being watched anyway:

Monochrome Factor, BLASSREITERS, Zettai Karen Child and Kamen no Maid Guy

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