Kimi ni Todoke – Midway Review (8-9)

Ahh so this my impressions of a midway point for this series. Since there is only going to be 12 episodes, this blog entry is slightly delayed. But so far, I have been ooohing and ahhhing over the series. Mainly because the show is cute and the art is nice to look at. All sparkly and such.

In the ninth episode, I just noticed how nice it was where Kazehaya fans himself with a paper while he blushes. That movement just seems so smooth, I can only imagine how much paper it would take for the cells to be like. Then I recall that this is a Production I.G. anime, so most likely scenes is a computer generated movement, with some cells, but not every movement a cell drawn image.

So the pattern of Sawako being pretty embarrassed to having that much friends continues, but with the interactions of other characters other than herself, it makes the work more exciting to look at.

There are several elements thing that plagues this work, and puts in my book as a shoujo that is not as bad to watch as other *series.* The issue is the continuing jealousy and love triangle that would should bring some conflicts to the shy relationship of Sawako and Kazehaya. Nearly everyone around them, would know of their feelings for one another, except for the main couples themselves. Gendomike of Anime Diet wrote his perspective on points that I feel that might be relevant to where my idea is going.

I don’t particularly care about how this would probably end the anime, since there is only twelve episodes scheduled. But I also realized that this is a high school situation, probably not realistic to reality at all. The conclusion of the anime is going to be prompting any viewers to go to the manga, as they have with series like Kare Kano or Fruits Basket, or Special A.

I don’t really recall much shoujo series being animated for the entire series, other than Fushigi Yuugi, Ayashi no Ceres, Marmalade Boy and Hana Yori Dango, but even then those might have some differences that I am not aware of. I still have yet to read the manga yet, but yes the manga will be continuing the series. I will probably miss the anime when it ends though.

Kimi ni Todoke Impressions

Ahh.. well this was on a mental list of mine to check out for Fall 2009, and so far of the anime I have seen and it hasn’t disappointed me for the bit, unlike some other anime titles. I am looking forward to reading Viz’s release of this manga.

So far have seen the first two episodes, and while the artwork is slightly softer or perhaps more linear than what I am expecting. I really like the backdrops of Japanese rural towns. I do have some fears, better throw that out before I get upset that my worries did come true.

Hoping that this anime won’t be repeating its themes all the time. So far audience knows that Sawako is really scary to look at, but if she continues to have that kicked/accepting complex, it would be pretty repetitive, and turn off. She better develop a backbone, and accept the friendship before tearing or getting shy all over the place. However, this may be the metamorphism of her character from a shy caterpillar to a butterfly, so I will be watching this series with a keen eye.

The love love implications between Sawako and Kazehaya are really cute though, first love. Somehow in my mind I am brought back to the same feelings, I experienced when I watched Kare Kano back in High School. They’re similar, and not similar titles.

Hearing Sawako’s seiyuu as Mamiko Noto makes me pretty happy. I liked her in Jigoku Shoujo, but so far haven’t been able to persist with much of her series. So hearing her as Sawako is pretty sweet.

Personal speculations on a release of an anticpated series?

As I was in the midst of updating categories, and checking old youtube links to see if the videos were dead or not.. I came across this youtube video, and am in the process of pinching myself to see if this is going to be reality or not.. If this news is accurate, then am very very glad that the series is coming over. Will have see it dubbed or not. But the excitement is probably going to give me palpitation.. >_< Slightly disappointed that the 80's version is not going to be translated, but if I can see the 90's versions in full.. then..

Ristorante Paradiso – Low Self-Esteem picker upper

My mood probably picks up as night time draws near. I don’t believe I am going to be blogging much about this series, but this is among my anime to watch this season. A slice of life anime without any frills or grills, as Random Curiosity points out. There always seem to be a message in slice of animes, that makes me like them so. A point made in Episode 3 made me think of my own life.

Nicolette said that she is jealous of other people’s lives, at the fullness of other people’s lives. That is a common reaction for people who has a low self-confident for their lives. and this is what I worry about a lot. It is a human sin to be envious. But if it’s human nature, it will happen irregardless.

Still watching episode 3 reminds me of what it is, and how often the truth behind a smiling face can be oh so different. Wonder how will this anime turn out.

Anyhow.. life is going to be going on, and I am always searching the correct answer on how to become more confident on life. Still working on it, but I know if I escape by watching some anime, then I can probably see what would happen. Then try to focus my life on improving in that angle.

Impressions of Saki: Episode 3

So this episode began the conflicts.. and rivalry feelings occur between Nodoka who I though felt jealous for Saki’s + – ability. Not fun for Saki to hold out against Nodoka who wants to win with all her might.

Give me back those scenes of the players playing those mah jong games. That is my reason for watching this anime, just to watch the technical fantastical mah-jong hands.

I can’t say that I am addicted to this game, but following the trends of seeing a lot of the older generation Asians play this games, makes me really want to play it, but can’t so I follow from afar, just as I do with Go.

I was kinda annoyed that the reporter pointed out her big boobs. Then what type of anime is this, shoujo? Does this mean that in Japan, the standard is for any games manga or anime, that the target audience is for guys?

Still the sempai has entered their mah jong club into competitions, so let’s see more of those goddess battles, and with the characters winning and losing, eventually I guess this anime would bring about the message of the fact that the characters must go on, even if other enemies will be stronger than them. Next episode is featuring the cosplay situation.. >_<

Impressions of Saki – Episode 2

Good grief, from the eternal blush to pulling out the Goddess/Megumi card. I am still very skeptical of continuing this series, but I can’t help continue with it. This is one of those series where the protagonist will go from feeling insignificant to discovering that they love the conflict, and then try to surpass to become the best.

Typical shonen plot, that had me wanting to smack my palm to my head several times, when I watched 25 episodes of History’s Strongest Disciple, before quitting the series, on the reason that it became too much to bear. Same thing that happened with so many shonen series, that I fear this will be the same path of Saki. This episode they showed the god like strenght of playing mah jong at the best, with these god like unbelievable hands – and then they reveal a sad background for the protagonist. Still a lot of barrier for those who don’t really understand the game, so technical details will be lost for those novice to playing the game (ie. self included)

I am not really searching for that excuse to cut watching the series, since this was on a mental list of mine to watch in Spring 2009. But man what a surprise.

Impressions of Saki – Mah Jong anime – 1

Okay.. that is it..!!!! I don’t know whether or not to be peeved or not.. but what the hell… blushing lolitas!!!!!!!!!!!! Is that suppose to be funny!!!!

There has been that stream of gaming anime ever since Hikaru no Go with Go, Shion no Ou with Shougi, and while there is the Akagi with mah jong, this is the first time I think I saw school type animes with trying to make the game popular.

Personally I love to play mah jong with my friends, while we don’t follow the rules… it is kinda interesting to watch this anime.

I just don’t know if I will be able to handle the blushing girls any more than I have to… there is also some fan service that I see in this one, that makes me wondering if I can handle the kawaii girls, that Japanese otaku’s seem to favor or not.

Cancer and Alcohol…

– Texas: In Our Lifetime

Woe is for the fair sex… well bad luck for the female gender… grrrr…. This reaction blog is kinda late.. but arghh!!! I was pissed when I saw this news report. Another wretched reason for cursing out gender inequality…sure I believe that the male gender is a mutation of the female gender… in terms of chromosomes… but how is it women get the short end of the stick!

We live in a patralinial society, with rarely any chance for women getting the pay equality of men, unless you count of celebrities like Oprah or Brittney Spears who support their men.

The female gender has to go thru menopause, mood swings, feeling insignificant to men in terms of social standing.. don’t you think I don’t remember those skanks who I see in those paper think outfits in sub-artcie weather looking to get drunk and have fun?

Well I’ll still drink the same as I drink… and cancer is a risk that probably needs to be taken in order of drinking something. So I say “Ha” to this medical study!