#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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[P-P] Chibi-Kei, Crayon Cars and a Kiss

This post is just an excuse to post pictures of Kei whom I absolutely loved this episode. Chibi-Kei! Chibi-Kei! Chibi-Kei! Chibi-Kei! Chibi-Kei! Chibi-Kei! Chibi-Kei! Chibi-Kei! It’s a guilty pleasure seeing the cool types all sickly and weak.

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“I FORGOT TO MASTERBATE!” – Shimono Hiro

I had absolutely NO IDEA what to name this post so I went for Tajima’s famous line from Oofuri. I’ve just come back home from another math exam I probably failed. That was random, I know. So back to the main subject. To try and forget my disappointment about how I did on my test, I’ve decided to write a post that actually makes some sense for once. The subject being another one of my top favorite seiyuus: Shimono Hiro-san!

On the ranks posted on my about page, he’s currently second but he often to levels up to first rank and back down again so you can say he’s at the same level as Sakupyon for me. His most recent role in anime is Tadashi in Special A. His other notable roles (that I know at least) are Tajima from Oofuri [Ookiku Furikabutte], Agate from Cluster Edge, Hiro from Ef -a tale of memories- and Subaru from Tokyo Revelations [TRC OVA] … (but I won’t be mentioning Agate again because I gave up on Cluster Edge after two episodes despite its awesome cast)

Between Subaru and Mimio [BLCD (also a manga): Love Neco], I’m not sure what I heard first. Though ironically, both of those characters are of the same genre … i.e. the cute/quiet types. I’m betting Shimono is better known for his “genki” and high tension characters more but he plays the quiet types well too. This guy’s voice is so moe that no matter what character he does (as long as their cute) he’ll do well. But Hiro from Ef isn’t very moe-inducing though, so I guess he’s an exception.

Anyways, whether it was Subaru or Mimio, at that time, I still didn’t even know Shimono’s name. The first time I listened to something acknowledging his presence was when I gave “Bitter Valentine” a listen. His aegi koe reminded me of something like Kappei’s but, unlike Kappei’s, I liked Shimono (I’ll admit it killed my ear drums the first time … he’s really loud).BUT He’s so ADORABLE that I just don’t care. Just hearing his voice puts a smile on my face. He kinda lets out that whole “happy” aura, y’know?

Hiro from Ef aside, you don’t really hear Shimono do any emotional/dramatic scenes in anime much. I don’t even remember Ef that well so I can’t use it as an example. Instead, I’ll use the BLCDs Honey and the first drama of Hanafuriro [Kimi mo shiranai Jaren no Hate ni] … where in both there were scenes I thought I was going to cry.

If Shimono was JUST cute, he wouldn’t get so far in my ranks [take Takeuchi Ken who’s absolutely adorable but never once got me all emotional (the lack of dramas I heard of him might be at fault though)]. The reason I love him so much is that his voice can make me both cry and smile with the same damn character (SHIHO!!! T_T)

And if I were to explain why Shimono beats Kamiyan in my ranks … well, I wouldn’t be able to explain. It’s probably because I take moe over everything else. Shimono’s moe and Kamiyan’s (well, he can be moe like in Hero Academy) more the elegant/cool type? Or something like that.

Also, I absolutely love how Shimono is in the freetalks! The one in Honey and Hanafuriro especially. Oh god, in Honey he was absolutely adorable. He has the cutest laugh I’ve ever hears and he’s just … just … MOE! I really can’t explain it any other way. In the Hanafuriro one, he was getting teased by Midorin the entire way and …. should I really repeat it? it was so CUTE. OTL. I think I can rephrase this entire most in three words: “Shimono is cute!”

Honestly, the weekly dose of Shimono in S.A isn’t enough for me [god knows how much I’m praying for another oofuri season]

(and here’s a Izumi pic to end the post … yes, yes, he’s voiced by FukuJun not Shimono but the pic was so GAH! I couldn’t help but post it)

(all the pics are from pixiv ^_^)

(sorry they’re all Oofuri pics, haha)

(EDIT: My blog’s reached 11k views! MAH GOSH! Thank you everyone who passes by XD)

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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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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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Spring Preview: Part One

Three new anime for now! No screens since I’m lazy. Sorry! Anyways, I’ve S.A, Vampire Knight and Macross for now. Part Two’s going to have a little more content. I’m a tad tired and cranky since I just came from a one-night camp an hour ago. But I wanted to write something so here it is.

S.A ~Special A~

FUKUJUN! WAI! Shimono Hiro’s in this too so that’s a plus! I haven’t heard Shimono in any anime other than Tokyo Revelations and Ef. I was obsessed with any BLCD he was in for a period of time so I’m really happy to hear him in anime for once. I love his character at that. Him and Akira make one funny pair. Speaking of funny, though some of the jokes had a lack of impact I did enjoy any conversation Akira and Tadashi had, Tadashi’s entrance and the “Stay!” thing with the twins. The joke that got old too quickly was the “nii-san” joke. I found it tiring.  Back to FukuJun! I was really surprised when I first heard the voice he used for Kei in the CM/PV. I was like “OHMAIGAWD! He’s using the Lulu voice?” I also noticed how Kei’s hair look likes Lulu just … light brown instead of black. It’s like Kei’s Lulu’s normal-top-ranked-student counterpart (well, there’s also the fact that Kei is physically fit too). Plus, Kei totally pulled a Hosaka near the end … just minus the drama (during the fight when he took his shirt was open XD) … Next the OP and ED, well … no OP this week and though I was look forward to the ED because the main guys were singing it I didn’t enjoy it much. Their voices don’t really suit each other so it sounded really horrible. Oh well. I’m afraid, since this is a GONZO anime, that S.A will go downhill along the way.

Vampire Knight (minor Manga spoilers)

Very pretty eyes. Really pretty eyes. Sometimes their foreheads seem a little big but that’s just a minor detail (Yuuki at some point looked really deformed too, but that was a short 5 seconds so I let it pass). ANYWAY. I read around 10 or so chapters of Vampire Knight but since its been awhile I don’t remember any of the details of this series.  The story is basically what I remember but was there really that much hints about Zero being vampire in the beginning or is it just the anime? Well, speaking of Zero … I wouldn’t have anyone but Mamoru Miyano voice him. When I read the manga, I always thought he’d be the perfect one to voice Zero. And while I’m on seiyuus, is it me … or does FukuJun have quite a number of roles this season? His Aidou is really funny. I don’t remember him much in the manga but I really like the guy. “Bang! Bang!” Haha! One thing that one change is my dislike of Kaname. I never liked him anyway. On the other hand, I still absolutely love the chairman. I’ve always loved his type of character. Next, the OP and ED. Their both so-so for me but the ED really has a freaky vibe to it … fits the whole vampire thing tho’.

Other Notes:

– We’re not getting that whole ‘horse’ episode with Lily and Zero?!

– Highlights: “Oto-san!” and the Chairman’s desk magically getting repaired.

– Highlight: Zero talking to Lily about Yuuki’s uselessness

– My ‘NEED’ to hear Mamo in a BLCD has increased ten fold (again) … god do I love that sarcastic/angsty tone he puts on Zero.

Dude. Was the manga THIS angsty? I have feeling that the manga was a little more light-hearted. Anyways, the animation on Vampire Knight (and the EYES) is really pretty. Hopefully it doesn’t go down along the way. I won’t mind 5 second mess-ups (like Yuuki somewhere half-way through the episode) as long as the overall is fine.

(GODS DO I LOVE ZERO’S GUN!)

Macross Frontier

Out of the three, Macross was probably the best one. I initially wasn’t interested in it but since there was a lot of people talking about it I decided to watch it. I’m glad I did … since Yuutan (Nakamura Yuuichi) is in it as the main character! Plus his chara is a bishie! Wai! Wai! The animation, music … everything about Macross was flawless. Who would’ve think I’d actually end up watching two mecha anime this season? I’m not even the mech type … since I don’t understand half the lingo. Anyways, it’s been over a day since I watched the episode so I don’t really remember much to comment on … ‘cept that I thought that the songstress was a total bitch.

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For now, I’ll be continuing all three of these series. Really. This is not going well considering that everything I previewed so far are things I’m definitely watching.

My bandwith is screwed.

Hopefully the list will go down (I’ve got around 10 more series I wanna preview. 2 of which I’m definitely following; namely, Soul Eater and Nabari no Ou. The rest are all to be seen)

UKE FACE! -points-

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