Archive for June, 2009
Hayate no Gotoku 2, Episode 13- The Heady Feeling of Freedom
June 30th, 2009
I’ve been waiting quite a long time for them to animate the scenes shown in this episode, and I will say I was quite pleased with the results. I still don’t plan on blogging this regularly, but as I said in the last season preview, I did mention the possibility of making some noise whenever some Hina <3 occurred. For more regular coverage of this show I would point you in Zyl’s direction.
How tempting…
I ask of you, are you my Master?
Does the urge to cause you great bodily harm count as her tsun side?
This would definitely be the dere side
Awwwwwwww
I remember the retarded debate that swirled over the order of episodes in the Haruhi DVDs. I found it to be extremely stupid, but maybe that is because I had already seen all of the episodes. Either way, people that had already seen the show fretted way too much about it, which was probably the point of this scene…
Manga panel on the bottom for comparison. As I mentioned above, I was waiting a long time to see this scene animated, as I’m sure many Hina fans out there would agree with me. Perhaps I’m biased for that reason, but it is definitely my favorite scene so far in the manga, and I’m glad the anime version did it justice. It is a great conclusion to the Hina arc, and was served appropriately by the ED dedicated to her. Curiously, the 13th episode often means that a new ED/OP is due on the next episode, so perhaps they will change it. The next couple of episodes at least should be focused on Isumi, so maybe an Isumi ED?
I was pleasantly surprised that the mangaka could do somewhat serious material in a way that was not too cheesy for my tastes. I was similarly impressed at how well he switched into significant character development in the events following the first few volumes.
I know some people have expressed displeasure of how the second season is going compared to the first. The first season was very episodic in nature, without a real developing plot, and instead devoted to a lot of humor. I really enjoyed that aim, and it was pretty much how the first several volumes of the manga went. However, around where the events of the second season begin, the manga shifts into more of a plot driven mode (albeit with random episodic humor thrown in), something JC Staff has done quite well on so far. The second season has followed the manga very closely, and I’m really enjoying it as well, but for different reasons than the first season. I love the characters Kenjiro Hata has created and take pleasure in watching them develop. Plus Hina is one of my top waifus. That always helps.
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Umi Monogatari – 01: Baby Got Back
June 28th, 2009
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
As a sailor I cannot help but listen to sea stories, and given that this sea story is by a big shot director I will give it a chance even if the habits of Marin and Urin are strange. So yeah they are woefully under dressed and certainly being in the frigid ocean they might want to dress a bit more warmly, though I suppose that this was unavoidable given that the origins were pachinko machines. At least the rest of the sky dwellers took notice about the strange water people. Though as it was a beach is suppose that it wasn’t too far out of the realm of possibility, certainly Marin looks enough like a gaijin so that the locals wouldn’t give her crap to her face at least as they prefer to snivel behind people’s backs, Given the OP I doubt that Marin and Urin will start dressing in a more modest fashion, though certainly if they were to do a better infiltration they will have to alter their dress code. Still I can overlook such quirks of their water people society as after all every culture has their disagreeable aspects and at least under dressing is as mild as you can get.
She speaks the truth.
So Marin is a local hero who wants to help people, and is easily distracted by shiny objects. She also has the habit of bending over instead of going prone, but at least her heart is in the right place. It seems that for Marin and Urin there is great attachment to beautiful things and how they are a reflection of righteousness instead of vanity. Still I was amused that all this fuss was over ONE RING that could not be destroyed by any means that Kanon possessed, I hope that they will either resort to dragonfire or the fires of Mount Doom to destroy it. I suppose that Marin’s seeming lack of intelligence can be attributed solely to her utter ignorance of the malicious ways of the sky-dwellers, so it can be excused for now…at least until Kanon figures out that Marin must be educated. I suppose happy go lucky Marin will complement the down and out Kanon. Speaking of Kanon while Marin is getting all the glances (to be fair Marin certainly is ugly) Kanon is certainly my favorite. The poor girl gets dumped at noon and scant hours later her dipshit former boyfriend is out with another girl enjoying the sights. I hope eventually Kanon levels up to Mogami Kyoko-class so that she can send forth her hate to strangle her tormentor. Still she does have that dark mode going for her and on occasion she does have some G Gundam mannerisms.
This hand of mine glows with an awesome power…IT”S LOUD ROAR TELLS ME TO GRASP VICTORY!
I did like the judicious use of SD where appropriate so it kept the magical girl feel and provided respite from Marin and Urin’s choice of dress. As much as I think Urin has her moments just looking at her makes me feel kind of dirty. I guess that even if every one is sporting expose midsection that a couple inches of cloth kind of make a difference. I did like Kanon’s mom though I have my doubts that she should be looking twenty and fitting into her daughter’s high school uniform, not that it is a bad thing of course… The last thing worth mentioning is the darkness which I have no clue what it is though I suppose that in good time we will see more of the story. So far for a first ep it wasn’t too bad as we met the principal characters of importance, Kanon, Marin, Urin, and Kanon’s mom. Kanon’s-ex and his new bimbo can rot in hell for all I care, undoubtedly that rather short period between break-up and new bitch probably indicates that he was a cheating son of a bitch. I am very quick to anger and even quicker to judge so I will be bashing the louse with vigor. But really fuck him.
The ED was adorable and certainly letting Urin watch the unedited version of the Little Mermaid was going to cause trouble. Still the parallel is clear beware of the land of the sky-dwellers, also the Little Mermaid was a dumb bimbo and it’s best to not do what she did, namely she should have stabbed that faithless dog that passed for a prince.
It is only a sign of their vanity and ill-gotten wealth, not virtue.
… And it’s good to be back. I wonder if I am a forgotten man already.
After watching Umi no Monogatari, I have a sense of ambivalence about the show. It’s not that there is something fundamentally wrong or unwatchable from the show. I mean, the girls are pretty, the animation is good and there is enough fanservice to fulfil those fans who enjoy cute little things in cute little swimsuits. The show had good production values and some major cash pumped in albeit the current economic downturn. It ended on a decent climax, and we still do not have any idea where it is going. Also, the director as repeated by Crusader a few times in private, is a big shot director that has done the likes of Kanon and Aria. Surely, nothing wrong can come out of this, right?
The story goes about with a typical ditsy sea maiden. She decided to bring a beautiful ring to the “Air land” because she wanted to return it to the beautiful person who threw it off to the sea. The story in the first episode evolves around her search for the girl and an introduction of the other cast, such as her younger grumbling loli sister. The episode ended with her loli sister unsealing a malicious soul from the tomb.
After watching the show, there is something wrong. More accurately, something is missing. Now, I am sitting down thinking: Why does the show bore me, even when the evil spirit came out? Why am I not feeling anything for these characters, like I felt for the characters in Kure-nai since the very first episode? The question goes down to the unmemorable characters. None of them interests me. Their character dynamics seems commonplace and mundane. Don’t get me wrong. Mundane can be a good tool to use in a slice of life series, or when the characters are the centrepiece of the series. This just does not strike me as a character-centric show.
Perhaps the character and series will develop fast enough and become an excellent show, but I always feel that a show on its debut should have memorable and interesting characters that will pull you in. If it is not the plot that intrigues, the characters must do that before you lose interest. Both the sea maiden leads, namely Marin and Urin, just do not ooze any unique traits or qualities that are apparent immediately.
In anime, anything is possible. Hence, demanding superficial viewers like me wants something special. It’s either you make such an extraordinary ordinary character or a really weird main lead that captures your attention (for good or for bad). When it is a half-baked character like Marin, you just find it hard to find any interest. Compared to Umi No Monogatari, Aria’s characters are refreshingly quirky, especially with Athena and Alice in the mix. It’s probably a premature prediction, but I believe that the characters are going to be dividing interest. Some will consider them to be the best ever (cute innocent girls in swimsuits, count me in!) while others might bemoan their wafer-thin depth. Prove me wrong, Umi no Monogatari.
In all, Umi no Monogatari had all the right ingredients to do well in the future. Considering how the director is amazing in his many works, it can be good. However, nothing has been striking “Must watch about the show, and I have no reason to keep watching it. Maybe, if I get to see a green haired loli swimming around in that cute swimsuit… Or not.
(Crusader: Dude it’s not like Aria grabbed people by the horns right away either… Also my sailor sensibilities place you doing something unseemly in that “corner.”)
Image Dump
Urin is also aware of how much crap the sky-dwellers have dumped into the ocean as well, Aquaman told her…
I hear the A-10s are on the prowl…
I just thought that this was kind of cute.
Ditto here.
Not all of it is mind you…
It’s funny when there is no context.
With any luck she will be the hero who slays that ingrate of an ex.
It’s amazing she passed herself off as a classmate for this long…
The fake high school student is fine too.
An advocate of technical school I take it?
I concur all you need is the ability to intimidate to be successful…
Context is important…
Damn right you are mom.
Next time bring a gauntlet so you can hit him extra hard and really rearrange his face.
Cast it into the FIRE!
Oh my god, Becky, look at her butt.
In the land of Mordor…
Yes meet your new partner…
ERUPTING BURNING FINGER!
It cannot be destroyed by a weapon we here possess.
You know not even the fire of Ancalagon could destroy it…
Maybe Marin’s habits are similar to Tom’s.
But really it was an excuse to hold your hand.
Were not at the Sammath Naur yet…
Either way it’s true.
Well her ex is certainly a bottom feeder.
What is heartbreak?
Yeah because he bought it at a 99 cent store.
Let’s not forget cheap, it’s made of scrap and plastic for crying out loud…
Shit it won’t fetch much if you pawn it…
We are more terrible than that kid…
Get a metal detector.
Even white boys got to shout
Baby got back
Well you ain’t it Miss thing…
Enemy sighted…
I expect great things from her…
Terrible but great…
Yeah I don’t know why he left you for that either…
Welcome to the best years of your life.
With a wife like that I sort of understand even if I don’t approve.
Man even Kanon is checking her out.
No she’s just a tourist…
Indeed it might have chipped and shattered.
Brilliant idea old bean, children should never go about unaccompanied.
ARTILLERY!
If you hear it you’re fine, if not you won’t live long enough to care…
My precious…
The Ring has a will of its own…
If all else fails duck, as a defensive strategem it is unreliable, but very reassuring.
The lesson no good deed goes unpunished…
If you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
If you’re not into yoga, if you have half-a-brain.
If you like making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape.
I’m the love that you’ve looked for, write to me, and escape.
Turns out he hates Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain.
He’s into yoga, he doesn’t have half-a-brain.
He dislikes making love at midnight, in the dunes of the cape.
He’s not the love that you’ve looked for, do not write to him, and escape.
A knife in the dark is worth a thousand swords at dawn…
Death is only the beginning…
What can I say the real deal ain’t so happy is it?
After the Little Mermaid turned to bubbles she created a tidal wave which destroyed the Prince’s Kingdom, killed the prince and the princess while she was three months pregnant…THE END
I thought that this was cute.
K-ON 13 (END): So it was Written…
June 28th, 2009
It seems that Ritsu got the best plot thread this time around.
So it’s finally over and it seems this time the atmosphere was suitably muted, though not much music was made, but instead I suppose that they did gel a bit more as friends. Yui being Yui was pretty standard with her antics and wanting weird food for a hot pot. Mugi-chan got a job, Azu-nyan baby sat a kitten, and Mio went off to write another song, but it seems that Ritsu was the special one this time around who thought that she had a love letter on her hands…though it turns out that they were “lyrics” sent to Ritsu by Mio. As Ritsu is not he sharpest knife in the drawer I suppose she did not pick up on how she was the one Mio was writing about. It was odd seeing another side of Ristu that haddn’t really come out before, this time she was actually concious of how she looked and we meet one member of her family, the only thing is I am not sure why this was the time to do all that. Mugi-chan might not be the best cashier in the world I respect that she is willing to work a day in her life, if not longer. Azu-nayn was woefully unprepared to take care of a kitten, and should have at least asked for food, and the number for the veterinarian. Still having seen college girls buy a puppy as a single unit I suppose the logistics involved with a pet was not much of a consideration. I did feel that Sawa-chan was sorely missing from this episode as she should have been dateless and still looking to harass her charges…
Seriously a dog is better.
Overall it wasn’t the best series EVAR, but it was enjoyable even if the music did not feature as prominently as I had initially hoped. I suppose as a slice of life thing it works as a tale of a club of four and later five girls and their very talented Teacher Advisor. To be sure there was lots of moe fodder to be had, but in the end it was kind of the point even if it got excessive at times. In the end I can only really recommend it for yuri subtext, moe, and some moments of comedy. On that level it does succeed, but it is hardly ground breaking.
Giving you mouth to mouth…
I see Mugi-chan’s habbits are starting to rub off on the rest as well…
I guess Ritsu also gets maidenly feelings too.
Some nothing…
Mugi-chan could sense that Ritsu might fall…
Mio should have confessed at this point.
Oh look a job!
Like I said cats suck.
She works hard for the money…
Kind of scary but I do like those twin tails…
Wow so there is someone who can do worse than British cuisine…
I can see why Ritsu would rather have Ui…
If only she changed up her hair every now and then…
For once I agree with Yui.
It’s so fun to watch.
It’s good to be the center of attention, yes?
If only the adoring public could verify that…
If only I could reach into the screen.
I bet she is…
That sounds pretty damn intimate.
I can see where she drew her insipiration from…
Mio must be curious then…
I think Mio meant from a different aspect probably from the vertical…
“Lyrics” must be code for yuri confession, duly noted.
Well what say you?
It was even hand written…as they say, it is written.
Feeling of Freedom
June 28th, 2009
I can’t ask for a more perfect adaptation. J.C. Staff is doing good work in this season of Hayate no Gotoku.
In fact, they even animated one of the manga’s tankouban omake about Kotetsu-kun! Impressive, really. Makes for a real nice change in the trend of anime studios screwing up the adaptations.
©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.
The Medaka Box of Eyecandy and Eyecancer
June 28th, 2009
Eyecandy:
Eyecancer:
Oh god what?! Is every chapter of Medaka from now on going to be like this? It’s gonna get a bit unbearable you know. Plus I want more overbearing Medaka slave-driving Hitoyoshi.
This somewhat reminds me of Bakuman. The current arc in there is talking about how the Ashirogi pair is worried about their ratings dropping radically after the first few chapters and they try to do some crazy things to improve it. Is this what they were talking about?
©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.
Suzumiya Haruhi 2, Episode 13- Fabulous Boy
June 27th, 2009
The numbering convention for this new season irritates the hell out of me. That being said I was happy we finally got into a bit of story here and more Nagato. This likely means new episodes for at least another 2 weeks to resolve this storyline if they plan on animating most of it. Good times.
BEEFCAKE
Different swimsuits this time…at least they showed some varying dialogue and scenes as to make it not look like they just re-used last week’s footage to save money. I also have noticed that these past two episodes have been a bit more overt with the fanservice then in season 1. Not that I’m complaining or anything, just an observation.
Those eyes…and I’d be bored to after doing the same stupid crap 15,000 times.
Hello there.
That’s a hell of a Groundhog Day. Or for those younger readers who watch more anime then older American movies, where are you K1?! On second thought, you people should all go watch the movie Groundhog Day if you haven’t. It’s classic cinema dammit. Damn kids these days.
Too close! Don’t think I’ve seen such high yaoi bait content in a Haruhi episode before. Beefcake Kyon, multiple instances of flamboyancy and fabulousness from Itsuki, and then this scene…it was pretty steamy. Maybe they felt a need to balance out the service a bit?
Crusader’s Observations
The man of the hour, and perhaps at this point the only man…
So it was pretty much the same as last time sans the Itano Circus, but what new stuff there was I did enjoy. Mikuru laid on the helpless moe girl on a bit thick, but by now I suppose that is about as much as can be expected of her at this stage. I confess I could have gazed into Yuki’s eyes 15,498 times, but I suppose that the only good thing repetition is for is developing muscle memory. I live in freaking San Francisco so the flamboyancy is hardly an issue though I do like how Itsuki is at least acting boldly and decisively, in contrast Kyon is turning out to a bit of a pussy in not confronting issue and trying to weasel his way out of having to do anything, failing to realize Yuki’s plight was simply the most egregious of his crimes. Even when the moment of truth came he hesitated, just goes to show that just because you are a heterosexual doesn’t disallow cowardice. My respect for Itsuki actually grew for once as he seemed to piece everything together and did request Kyon act as he was the only one who could. I fail to recall his eyes being fully open on this many occasions. While Kyon mired himself in his own ignorance Itsuki was the first to realize that poor Yuki had been aware of the temporal loop, Mikuru calling him first indicates that even Mikuru realizes just how reliable Itsuki is. In my line of work that is something highly valued and certainly it seems that if given half the chance that Itsuki could easily gain a reputation for getting the job done.
Then you sir would be incredibly brave.
EVA 2.0 opens a.k.a WTF ANNO WTF?!
June 27th, 2009
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
Asuka does in her usual way tsundere way express feelings for Shinji, for example feeling lonely and coming to sleep in his room (this is not sleep walking as in the TV series) and confronting Ayanami about her feelings for him (this is after she calls Ayanami a doll in the infamous elevator scene, and it is masterfully played here). She is a compelling character here, maybe even more so than in the original series, and her drive to excel, lack of social skills and loneliness really shine through. She also has some great fan service moments in shimapan and bursting naked from the shower. But instead of pursuing Shinji, she volunteers to test pilot Eva Unit 04 from the United States. Yes, Asuka, not Toji. It is infected by an Angel, Shinji refuses to fight and the dummy plug system takes control of Eva Unit 01, which horribly destroys Unit 04 – and crushes the entry plug containing Asuka in its mouth. Thankfully, the dummy plug system in this theatrical version does not make Shinji watch this.
In that same Angel battle, Ayanami does her suicide attack with the N2 bomb. It fails, and the badass Zeruel bites her Eva in half and swallows it, including her. Shinji quit NERV after the death of Asuka, but snaps out of his funk after seeing the heroics of Mari and the death of Ayanami. He flips out, and goes berserk (very “Gurren Lagann” here). He gains so much power that Eva 01 becomes a god able to rip a hole in the Angel and extract Ayanami. Shinji insists on doing this, even though Ayanami tells him she “has spares,” because he says there is only one Ayanami.
The reborn Ayanami merges with Unit 01 and sets into motion Third Impact. Luckily Kaworu, who has been waiting shirtless on the face of the moon, descends and impales Unit 01, stopping the process. He says he will make “only Shinji find happiness.”
Holy shit wtf Anno?
/r/ camrips!!! (Reminder to self: HOLD ON UNTIL THE BLU-RAY’S ARE OUT!)
©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.
Transformers 2: the Great GM Bailout
June 27th, 2009
Optimus Prime and his Autobots ist mein Kameraden.
To start off this post is simply meant to address poor tj_han’s NERDRAEG over Transformers Revenge of the Fallen, hopefully before he pulls out all of his hair as Michael Bay suckers more people (he even got jpmeyer) into watching this film one of them presumably being tj_han unless he got in for free. First thing one needs to know is that Michael Bay is no artist he is anything but subtle (among other things), but the thing he does have is a big budget and Transformers is to be honest true to the spirit of the entire franchise and by that I mean toy whoring and making money, hopefully by now tj_han will realize Hollywood has no taste and that their only real saving grace is having a bigger pot of money than everyone else, otherwise Bollywood would have destroyed them long ago. Also hopefully by now he can stop flaming people for being what he considers ignorant sheep, which I value for tax paying purposes and one ought to sheer their sheep not burn them alive. I see Michael Bay’s Transformers trilogy (Bayformers if you prefer) as one long commercial that I for one just want to see how far they will go in pimping products and how much Uncle Sam is willing to show off taxpayer money that has been spent on weapons that bring joyous oblivion to the enemies of freedom. The Mountain Dew Transformer (Dispensor) shooting out cans of soda should have made it plain what Michael Bay is out to do. So without further ado I dedicate this post to poor Singaporean Conscript tj_han to enlighten him about one of his major gripes, the one pertaining to Uncle Sam and other things.
Best Recruiting Film EVAR
He will have my vote in 2012. Optimus Prime loves America more than anyone I know and he’s an alien!
I’ll cut tj_han some slack because he is a poor oppressed conscript drafted unwillingly into Singapore’s army at a young age as photographer or what I call a cushy public affairs job, not that I blame him for being cunning and crafty the lucky git. Believe it or not Uncle Sam isn’t liked much by the majority of his ungrateful nephews and nieces many of whom have become chickenhawks or hippies and when one of them is willing to talk to the old coot is overjoyed at a chance to show off his prized collection of weapons like an otaku would show off his limited edition stuff and his ero-game collection. Transformers 1 was a chance to pimp the F-22 and V-22 which had incredibly controversial development cycles, now that that budget war is over it was high time to get more volunteers hence it has always been a recruitment film otherwise why waste the jet fuel and ordinance? Unlike a conscript army where unemployed high school graduates can be dragged out and forced to work; Uncle Sam has a heart of gold while your ODEX overlords do not. Thus Uncle Sam needs volunteers and what better way get as many as he can than by telling his nephews and nieces that they might actually get a chance to fight alongside Optimus Prime and get Arcee to give them a ride. Also the railgun thing was probably a joke too since if tj_han knew then he would have realized just how much effort the US Navy has put into to pursue holy grail that is the railgun. Also carriers need lots of people to crew it and there is never enough crew so it was time to pimp them too especially after the Mission Accomplished debacle… Also if tj_han really does hate Uncle Sam he is racist because Obama is President now, and how typically Asian is that for him to be afraid of the negroes…tsk tsk comrade let’s try not to live up to Asian stereotypes and practice Kung Fu instead. Also it would mean that I will have to give tj_han a Glasgow Smile (WHY SO SERIOUS?) so we can all be friends again because Impz would be sad if we could not get along and because his trappiness thinks tj_han should smile more. Also it’s not Uncle Sam’s fault that Optimus Prime would rather fight alongside Americans, Brits, and Jordanians than him (honest it’s because he doesn’t blog about Shin Mazinger Z).
In regards to Megan Fox
Starscream had issues with working with Megan Fox…until he tried her toast.
I do believe that beauty has always been in the eye of the beholder, I could not possibly care less if there are men who find her hawt. It’s like how Yui beat out Ui in popularity love blind and seemingly retarded as well. Besides she is a law abiding citizen of these United States. Also it seems excessively mean to call her ugly and fake as she has been punished enough by having to make out on camera with Shia LaBeouf.
The source of all his troubles…
He gave Shia LaBeouf an acting career in exchange for for his dignity…
It’s actually the Devil. It is no secret that Shia LaBeouf has signed a deal with the Devil as nothing else can explain the ease in which he gets jobs as an actor and hos is movies don’t always bomb. It’s like Indiana Jones 4 his movies just kinda just turn to shit that some how makes money. Against the Devil there can be no victory because the Devil was created through the collective fapping and lustful thoughts of all otaku. It’s time to learn to live with it and stop demanding a refund from Michael Bay and start doing figure reviews again. If a 21% on Rotten Tomatoes could not stop people from seeing it one can only resign themselves to the inevitable conclusion that suckers are born every minute and the rantings and ravings of one enlightened genius is all but stifled in the face of people with no taste. If you want to get back you money I suggest you start selling bootlegs of Michael Bay’s films, the problem is actually finding a buyer. What can I say comrades? Shit happens, Michael Bay got to do Transformers (if only that online petition had succeeded) and George Lucas got to do Episodes I-III and Indiana Jones 4. Now let us pray to Haruhi-sama for deliverance and another light novel.
Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go help the Autobots hunt Decepticons and have tea with my personal hero Soundwave. Lastly it was also part of President Obama’s plan to bail out GM, thank you all who saw the film so that we may keep making oversized gas guzzling turcks and SUVs.
I hope he can play my Betamax tapes too…
Yeah I still can’t believe Michael Bay is spearheading the franchise now…
They are still out there…
Endless Eight
June 26th, 2009
I… don’t really feel like blogging about this arc yet, but I’ll do so for two things:
1. Suzumiya in a china-dress bikini top.
2. Nagato -actually- looking bored/dejected.
Man… it’s really inconceivable how one can actually spend 594 years repeating the same things again and again and again and again. Hurry up and figure the answer, Kyon-kun! I don’t want to see another looping episode again! (Actually when I read this chapter I had a notion that KyoAni might go crazy and air this episode for 15498 times before we got a new one. I hope that doesn’t happen… or maybe it has!)
Also, Mikuru going “Uuu… Lemme think… I have continued to use classified information to contact the future or to do classified information… Urr. I only feel something is wrong when I have had no contact from classified information for a week. And then classified information… Makes me very worried, so I tried to use classified information and the answer was classified information… Uuu… Waa! Whatever should I do…” was hilarious. And jealous Kyon too.
BTW… was it me or was Koizumi more…. er… ‘brave’ than usual this episode? Kyon nearly punched him! (I would’ve done so in fact, if I was Kyon too).
©2009 Kurogane’s Anime Blog. All Rights Reserved.
Heer and Now (2nd Anniversary Plus Some of Slaving Away for Impz) Plus Image Dump
June 26th, 2009
Ah memories…
Well about two months ago back in April I should have marked my 2nd blog anniversary but things have not really been normal to say the least. Well I suppose that this post will at least mark the start of my terrible twos in which case quality will plummet as will output (Mwahahahaha). I started the year off by getting my apartment broken into and making E-5. Now that my academic career is at an end it basically fell upon me to make good on my newfound responsibilities at work, which meant having a whacked out schedule of extended hyperactivity every now in then. In July it will be a brutal month as I get to fly to Virginia twice in the same month to the same place, knowing what I know now it basically means four or more red eye flights unless the paper work goes over well. Still I do get to make the traditional after graduation road trip, and hopefully that will be a bit more interesting than the usual. While summer looks to be a hit or a miss at least there is the promise of the Macross Movie (Which will be Gorgeous Delicious DECULCHA!). So here goes the mandatory late as hell rant I am supposed to do at the end of every blog year, which is conversely an opportunity to muse aimlessly in a futile effort to put together a post.
Oh Mazinger Z how I lament that your tale is shrouded in obscurity.
While Impz might have gone from gun monkey to desk jockey in the Singaporean Corps of Conscripts, I haven’t earned the right to chain myself to a desk just yet, to be perfectly honest I am finding just how magical a time being an E-5 is. I get the headaches of an E-6, and the physical exhaustion of being an E-4, but at least I do get a little extra here and there and most importantly I am still low enough on the great totem pole to evade responsibility. I also just lost my other half (partner in crime/co-worker) so I get to have twice the work load until I finish training the E-4, but at least she’s a good learner and I don’t have to baby sit an E-3 with “issues.” All in all I am edging towards the point that I might end up as exhausted as Zeon. I suppose this comes with the territory as I suspect that most bloggers are students rather than overworked soldaten, certainly there will probably come a point where the number of posts per week simply declines.
Also now that college is over and done with I actually got back into my other hobbies, and oddly enough while I have some issues with Valkyria the anime I still love the game to pieces to the point I actually want to do my Imperial Guard in Gallain colors and find some local saint who does resin casting for female Cadians/Kasrkin because I must have a model to represent Jane “Kill ‘em All” Turner (hey if anyone knows one drop a line). It also saddens me that there is very little enthusiasm for Shin Mazinger Z, but I suppose it might be time to bring out the reserves of stuff I have been meaning to watch but haven’t, Guin Saga, Eden of the East, etc. I still need to settle for a format on doing VOTOMS since condensing it into one post per arc would make it tl;dr, not that I think too many people are interested in going back in time to see what mecha was before yaoi, cowards, harem, and idiot soapbox preaching started taking hold.
I suppose it has been good going for the last two years plus some, but it has been a long time since I actually watched a shoujo series since Skip Beat! ended, though I am hoping there will be a point where the anime starts up again. Still the manga is still running along smoothly so it partially makes up for it. I suppose I am growing old if it’s becoming more fun to reminisce about the old days. If nothing else at least when Gundam 00 aired I could placate myself with the additional activity of praising the Immortal Colasour and his marrying above him. Well so far it’s been a good run even if productivity has slackened as of late. I hope that there will be a series that I will genuinely love to pieces that I can put into words come summer. As much as I like Shin Mazinger Z it’s pretty simple and I suppose very niche these days as it lacks modern aspects of mecha. Valkyria is turning out to be a re-interpretation of the game storyline that I don’t find terribly agreeable but it was always meant to be a festival of mediocrity that only fans of the game would stick with to the bitter end. Ah well with a Gundam Unicorn Movie due out within my life time and the promise of a Macross Frontier Movie with 70% redone animation I guess there is much to look forward to. So as a extremely premature celebration of a Macross Frontier largely free of QUALITY animation IMAGE DUMP GO!
There is a correlation…
