Monday, December 31, 2007

Pre-order yours today!

Item name : Reinforce Zwei (Completed Figure)
Manufacturer : Alter
Scale : Non
Material : PVC
Producer : Hiroyuki Tsumezuka
Original : Magic Girl Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS
Release Date : April
Regular Price : 6,090円
Height approx. 190mm
Copyright Nanoha StrikerS Project

Available at Play-Asia

It looks cute, pretty well made, have a rather reasonable price, floating book and cute (yep I know I've mentioned it)! But in my opinion, the book gonna drop in a few months. I've pre-ordered mine, anyone else?

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Vampire Knight will be animated to a TV series

Vampire Knight!

The January issue (on sale November 24) of Hakusensha's LaLa shōjo magazine has announced that Matsuri Hino's Vampire Knight manga will be animated for television in Japan.For more information go here.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Koko Ni Iru Yo!

RAWR PICTURE!

Sumino Hikage. The main character of this manga.

"Yo, guest reviewer here. Yeah, have been forced to do this crap. Seriously. I don't even like manga, or anime. Let's just cut the chase. So... Koko Ni Iru Yo! I really don't know what it means and I'm so not interested to know what it means. Basically, it's about this girl, who's in the 8th grade. Her name is Sumino. No one notices her. At all. Serious ! So she finds solace in blogging, and online friends, you know, those who you only know by screen names? Yeah, those. So these 'friends' give her the support and motivation to become 'visible'. Anyway, a chance encounter with two of the most popular guys in school makes her think that maybe she is not that invisible after all, and that maybe, there is hope for her... Nice drawings, cute girl, ok guys, predictable story line...usual mushy stuff. Yawn...can't they get any more creative?"

From my evil sis. Any anime or manga that goes through her way will be reviewed like this. She just can't watch any anime or read manga, any free time she has will go into playing RO.

As for me, I found this manga quite good though and has the potential to become even better.

Saturday, December 8, 2007

Sakura no Uta by Odawara Hakone

- The tear flows because of tenderness. -

The front cover of the manga.

Sakura no Uta is a one volume manga drawn by Odawara Hakone featuring the story of Kusanagi Naoya. Naoya lost his mother at a young age.As his father was a painter who traveled around the world, the only person who could help him cope with the loss was his friend, Misakura Rin. Unfortunately, she moved away while they were at elementary school. Now in high school, the colder and steeled Naoya deals with the death of his father.When things look like they will turn worse for Naoya who already has trouble opening up to people, a new transfer student comes to his class.

Kusanagi Naoya and Misakura Rin.

In my opinion, this is a very touching and heart-warming manga which will appeal to most of the people out there (except morons)(not meant to offend anyone). It saddens me that this great manga only consist of one volume as it don't really feel completed, but since that quality > quantity *ahemnarutobleachahem*, this manga is a must read if you have some free time.

A rating of 9/10 from me.



Thursday, December 6, 2007

What's out for winter 2007/2008

Click the picture for a better view. Since this site minimize all the pictures into miniature size. (Credits to whoever that made this picture)(Picture not complete but most of it is there)

The fall season has ended and it's time to move onto the winter season! From what I had seen, this season will mostly consist of comedy, romance, fantasy and action animes. Titles are as below.

- AYAKASHI
- True Tears
- Major Season 4
- Ah! Megami-sama! Takatau Tsubasa
- Noramimi
- Hatenkou Yuugi
- They are my noble Masters/Kimi ga Aruhi de Shitsuji ga Ore de
- Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei Season 2
- PERSONA -trinity soul-
- Haruka Naru Toki no Naka de 3 -Kurenai no Tsuki-
- Shigofumi
- H2O ~Footprints in the Sand~
- ARIA THE ORIGINATION
- Mnemosyne - Mnemosyne no Musume-tachi
- Spice and Wolf/Ookami no Koushinryou
- Rosario + Vampire
- Zenryoku Usagi
- Sisters of Wellber Season 2
- Yatterman (New Series)
- OnChan
- Hakaba Kitarou
- Minami-ke ~Okawari~
- Macross Frontier
- Saa! Iko Tamagotchi

For more information click here

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Gundam 00 episode 9

Lockon's lookalike at the grave site he's visiting.

Lockon visiting a gravesite on earth and finds the same type of flowers he has already seen there. He then thinks that someone he knows has been there. About four months have passed since Celestial Being started their series of armed interventions and have engaged in more than sixty interventions. Meanwhile , their existence has gradually become a normality.The Human Reform League has created a special task force "Choubu" to annihilate the Celestial Being and capture their Gundams.At the moment, the Dynames and Exia are docking on the Ptolemaios for some maintanance. Allelujah questions Sumeragi regarding being attacked by enemies during the maintanence, but she answers that then she could only blame god.

Docking of Exia nearly completed.

The Human Reform League begin to launch ten thousand of their communication units to detect the Gundams, as the Gundam's GN Drive will disrupt the communication system, any area that are blacked out will be the place that the Gundams are hiding.

Communication units dispersing from the missile like objects and moving towards their designated locations.

On earth, while Saji and Louise were discussing their report topic, Louise's mom shows up and a lot of drama and misunderstanding happened. In the headquarters of JNN, Saji's sister, Kinue , tries to ask the editor to let her make an investigative report on Aeolia Schenberg, the man behind the foundation of the Celestial Being. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Azadistan which is experiencing a severe shortage of energy, is currently getting help from the United Nations.

The meeting of the First Princess of the Kingdom of Azadistan, Marina Ismail, with the U.N.'s Representative, Alejandro Corner.

Back on the Ptolemaios, Lichtendahl finds Christina doing double shift because Felt is not feeling well and he volunteered to take over Christina so that she could have her meal. Lockon finds Felt crying in a room, while , Christina feels awkward as she has to eat with Setsuna and Tieria who are not having any conversation.At the same time, Lichtendahl notices that the charging of the GN Drive of the Ptolemaios is fully charged but he misses out the alarm on Felt's display screen.

That's so nice of you! Too bad your not my type. (THAT'S HARSH)

As the GN Drive fully charge, it emits GN particles around the Ptolemaios which than disrupt the communication units send by the Human Reform League. With their communication units down, Colonel Sergei orders the special task force "Choubu" to launch their mobile suits immediately. Meanwhile, Felt tells Lockon that both of her parents were in Celestial Being as second-generation Gundam Meisters and today is their death anniversary. Lockon then praise Felt saying that she is a strong girl and says that his real name was Neil Dylandy, his origins and the reason he joins Celestial Being as it's unfair for only Felt to reveal her past. Allelujah then walks in into them and instantly says excuse me as he thought that he is interfering them, but Lockon exclaims that it's just a misunderstanding.

NO! This is a misunderstanding! (picture is not that dramatic though)

At the same time on the bridge, Christina returns from her meal and finds out that the location of the ship has been found out by the enemy.The Ptolemaios changes course to the nearest orbital ring and into the catapult mode, while the Gundam Meisters standby in their Gundams. Kyrios and Virtue launch to act as a diversion but Colonel Sergei of the Human Reform League counters it by using their own diversion.Exia and Dynames launch to standby infront of the Ptolemaios, but as the maintanance for Dynames is not complete, Dynames has to attach it's temporary leg to the container for support.After that, the Ptolemaios shifts it's priority to defensive mode, cutting out the regular power in the ship.

Switches to catapult mode.


As the ship is not armed and had only two Gundams, Sumeragi plans to hold out for six minutes against the enemy so that the other two Gundams will return.Exia and Dynames manage to destroy most of the missiles launch at the Ptolemaios but some of them get through their defence.Sumeragi immediately orders that the GN field to be activated.After that an unmanned kamikaze attack vessel tries to self-destruct with the Ptolemaios. Luckily, with his fast reaction, Lockon destroys the vessel before it reaches the Ptolemaios. In fear, Christina panics and is unable to control herself, but Felt calms her down by saying they will all survive.

Dynames blasting the missiles down.

After that,they find that the enemy's mobile suits are hiding behind their transport vessels and Setsuna indicates that they are a total of thirty six units.With Dynames unable to hit any and Exia only manages to take down one, the enemy's mobile suits retreats and try to lure Exia in.Sumeragi then notices that Colonel Sergei's objective is not the Ptolemaios but to capture the Gundams.She feels frustrate because she swore never to repeat her mistakes again.As Kyrios is making it's way to attack the enemy, it unknowingly enters into a minefield and receives explosions repeatedly.After coming out from the mine with no serious problem, Allelujah senses something familiar, which is the enhanced soldier from the Human Reform League, Soma Peiris.

Kyrios getting hit by mines.

After many episodes of Celestial Being basically win all their fights without any effort or making any deadly mistakes,this episode makes Gundam 00 a much more entertaining series to watch no doubt.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Da Capo II episode 2

Looks surprised.

Episode 2 starts with Yume and Otome surprised that their brother has left for school earlier than usual.Yoshiyuki actually rushes to meet with Koko so they could walk to school together.On the way to school, Anzu and Akane tries to make them to hold hands, meanwhile , Yume and Otome catches up with them.Yoshiyuki tries to explain the situation to them but Yume, who is kinda pissed off, said "I'm just your sister so I don't care who you go out with."

Yume looked rather piss off.

At school, Yoshiyuki is reading his book about places to go on a date and then Koko invites him to have lunch together with the lunch she has made for him. Suginami suddenly appears out of nowhere and offers to tell them the best lunch spot in the school, which is unfortunately the horror spots instead.With Suginami saying out all the horror spots in the school, Yoshiyuki remembers the secret stairway that he discovered in Sakura's office and said it out. Suginami seems interested and checks his notebook but he can't find any information about it, Suginami then drags Yoshiyuki out from the classroom and into Sakura's office to explore it.They later arrive at the end of the passageway at the bottom of the stairs and found a capsule with a girl sleeping inside.Yoshiyuki accidentally presses the button and the girl awakens from her sleep.

Yoshiyuki get drag along while Wataru is depress that he don't have a girlfriend yet.

The girl, who calls herself Minatsu is angry at Yoshiyuki for activating her and questions why he did that. Suginami answers the questions by saying that it is just an accident out of curiosity that they got there and Yoshiyuki happens to push the button. Furious by the answer, since she wanted to sleep forever , Minatsu says that she hates two things in the world which is bananas and humans before punching Yoshiyuki.

3, 2 , 1 , Knockout!

Minatsu is then taken away when Mizukoshi-sensei shows up but Minatsu makes sure he got Yoshiyuki's name before going away. Mizukoshi-sensei explains that Minatsu is a special robot and ask them to forget everything they saw. Back at the class, since Yoshiyuki missed his lunch thanks to Suginami's help, he starved during the lesson. Even with the starvation, Yoshiyuki manages to concentrate during class as the topic is about robots which reminded him of Minatsu. He then asks the class representative about whether she thinks if there are robots that have the same emotions as humans have, but she doesn't think there are and even if there is she will never admit it.

Yoshiyuki ask the class representative about her opinion.

Later on, Yoshiyuki wonders if robots that has the emotion as humans have dreams too, but he decides that this has nothing to do with him since he won't be meeting with Minatsu again.To his horror, the next day Mizukoshi-sensei said that from today onwards Amakase Minatsu is a second-year student and ask Yoshiyuki to take care of her.As Minatsu still doesn't like him, Mizukoshi-sensei thinks that it would be good for him to try to be friends with her and have him an operating manual.Since Yoshiyuki is busy reading the manual he forgets about his promise to eat lunch with Koko.To atone for forgetting his promise, he decides to treat Koko to a crepe in the park.As he passes her the crepe, their hands meet and which causes them to get embarrassed and ends up sitting together on the bench for the whole afternoon.

What have we got here?

On their way home, they meet Yume who is showing Minatsu around the island. After knowing that Yoshiyuki is Yume's brother, Minatsu asks why that they have different family names.Yoshiyuki then answers by saying my family affairs has nothing to do with you. Suspicious, Yume and Koko asked how did he know about Minatsu as she only transferred in today. As he was finding an explanation, Minatsu's wristwatch loudly beeps.

Saved by the bell/beep!

Minatsu then panics as she can't find any banana in her bag and because of that her eyes turns red and smokes starts coming out from her ears. Before Yume and Koko notice what's going on, Yoshiyuki quickly carries Minatsu away from the scene. After that, Minatsu explains that she has to have the "Bananamine" in bananas once every eight hours or she will not be able to control herself. While searching for bananas, Yoshiyuki happens to come across Akane and Anzu eating some choco-bananas, he grabs it from them and gives it to Minatsu. She eventually recovers after eating the bananas, and she admits that she still hates eating bananas but when it's coated with chocolates it's easier to eat them.Minatsu then apologize for troubling Yoshiyuki, just after that, they were found by Yume, Koko, Akane and Anzu which would like some explanation about what's going on.

Girls are scary..... (No offence to anyone out there)

This episode is pretty much made for the introduction of Minatsu but it's not a bad episode after all.The episode keeps me smiling most of the time with its funny scenes throughout the episode.At this rate it will be a great series to watch.

Monday, December 3, 2007

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Robot with sunglasses/GAR shades?


Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann's genres are of Adventure/Comedy/Drama/Mecha/Science Fiction/Shounen (what's with the overabundance of genres?).The anime does not look as good as animes such as Gundam(?) or Code Geass at first glance, but once I started watching it I can't wait for the next episode.The plot starts off in a fictional universe where humans are forced to live underground and thrive in isolated subterranean civilization.In the underground villages, the people have no contact with the surface world.As occasional earthquake damages the infrastructure , the villages expand deeper into the ground."Diggers" are the individuals who do this job.Simon, a 14 years old "Digger", in Jiiha village digs to expand the village and the story continues from there.

Moles or Diggers?


The main characters are Simon , Kamina , Yoko Ritona , and Nia Teppelin(not sure).For people who likes character developments such as myself, sadly there are hardly any in this anime.But then, with the huge amount of characters in this anime, it makes up for the lack for character development.

Huge cast of characters! (OP song picture)

From left : Kamina , Simon , Yoko

Nia~


The animation art might not be that impressive but still it's acceptable as Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann's storyline is epic. As for the OP and ED song, "Sorairo days" by Shoko Nakagawa is used throughout the series and for episode one through to sixteen the first verse is used while the second is used from episode seventeen onwards.There are three ED songs used in the series, which are "Underground" by High Voltage from episode one through fiftteen, "Happily ever After" by Shoko Nakagawa for episode sixteen and "Everyone's Peace" by Afromania for episode seventeen onwards. The songs are not really that impressive, only "Sorairo Days" and "Happily ever After" appealed to me.

Galaxy-sized robots anyone?


Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann has everything (exaggerated) that mecha anime viewers want. As far as I'm concerned, people regard Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann as the best mecha-typed anime this year/2007 , unless Gundam 00 can do something about it.

Rating : 8/10

The pros :

- Interesting storyline.
- Galaxy-sized robots?
- Huge amount of likeable characters.
- Not bad soundtrack.
- Amazing way of telling the story/Good timeskip.

And the cons :

- Not that good animation art.
- Lack of character development.

The anime is a good watch and worth every minute of your time, if you are a mecha or comedy genre fan you can't miss this (I guess?).

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Da Capo II episode 1

Nanaka Shirakawa and Yume Asakura


I started this anime awhile ago , before finishing the first Da Capo and Da Capo Second Season.I don't think it matters that much since Da Capo II's story is like 53 years after Da Capo Second Season.So who cares? Anyway let's get on with the episode! For starters, the animation for Da Capo II is way better than the previous seasons from my point of view (since it's 2007 anyway *drools*).

Yoshiyuki Sakurai ~> The main protagonist (OP song Picture)


Yume Asakura and Otome Asakura (OP song picture)

Nanaka Shirakawa (OP picture)


As for the first episode, the anime starts off with Yoshiyuki viewing into someone else's dream which shows the confession of a girl towards some guy. He then wakes up from the dream few seconds before Yume ask him to get ready for school. I'll not spoil it all for you.

Sakura Yoshino's pet ; Harimao


At school,he meets up with his friends and later gives the principal, Sakura , her stuff and rejoin his friends to enjoy the school festival while Koko Tsukishima, another of his friend tries to confess to him.

From left : Wataru Itabashi, Yoshiyuki Sakurai , Suginami

From left : Anzu Yukimura , Koko Tsukishima , Akane Hanasaki


Towards the end of the episode, Koko says that she wanted to go somewhere with Yoshiyuki. At the unwithering sakura tree she confesses to Yoshiyuki that she always liked him.And then, he notices that the girl in his dream is Koko.

The confession under the unwithering sakura tree


As for the OP and ED song , "Sakura Kimi Ni Emu" by Yozuca is used as the OP song while "Yasashisa wa Ame no Youni" by CooRie is used as the ED song. The songs are great as I can't stop listening to them and I'm currently addicted to the songs.

Yume Asakura (ED song picture)


Overall it's a good start for Da Capo II, nice episode. Worth your time! Watch it!


P.S. I know that this anime has been out for awhile and I'm slow but I can't help it.






Code Geass : Lelouch of the rebellion




Lelouch Vi Britannia Aka Zero


Code Geass is like every Action,Mecha,Supernatural Anime.At 1st time i watch it it looks kinda weird especially for the Mecha to be well kinda Mobilizing in their action and so on.The story tell you about Lelouch who is now living in japan which is now known as Area 11.This is due to the invasion of the Empire Britannia using their robot weapons called as Knighmares Frames.Lelouch vowed to his best friends Suzaku that he would destroy Britannia.Years later,Lelouch is in High School and like regularly after school he would go out playing chess and gamble on himself.
One day,he stumbles upon the terrorists of area 11 who've stolen a military secret and is caught by a member of the Britannian military task force sent after them,who is Suzaku,As the rest of the squad arrives Suzaku disobey the order of his captain and was shot for disobeying,a young girl,gives Lelouch the power to make anyone obey his order,GEASS,Lelouch takes commands of the terrorist and leads them to crush the incoming Britannia Force.However, Suzaku is secretly made the pilot of Britannia's brand new test model Knightmares,Lancelot.Lelouch becomes the masked king Zero to lead the rebellion to defeat Britannia

Mk Guran2 Vs Lancelot,Suzaku
As you can see the Artwork of the mecha and the character are well done that i can say and for your info this Anime is actually drawn by the Clamp groups as you can see the character hand and leg are well kinda long.

Lelouch using his Geass power.Look into his eyes and bow down to his will @.@

Currently Code Geass Anime have not finish yet Season 2 is coming.Hopefully soon Season 2 will be soon. Code Geass Anime contain 26 Episode


I kinda like this anime so i highly recommend you guys to watch it

Do leave a comments thanks^ ^

Visit this site to thanks
http://anime2reviews.blogspot.com/

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Sola

MATSURI SHIHOU!



Sola is basically a romance/supernatural/drama type anime which looks boring at first glance. But after I finished watching it I changed my mind. The storyline keeps me hooked, as it is not like the usual romance-typed anime, which usually have the same predicable storyline. The plot tells about Yorito Morimiya who loves to take pictures of the sky and Matsuri Shihou who is unable to look at the sky under the sunlight. Other notable characters are Aono Morimiya , Mana Ishizuki , Koyori Ishizuki , Takeshi Tsujidou and Mayuko Kamikawa. Character development are done well throughout the series.




From left : Koyori , Mana , Yorito , Matsuri , Aono , Mayuko , and Takeshi.

As for the art, its simple , yet I can't take my eyes away from it. So I suppose it is good?


Mana blocked Yorito from taking a picture of the sky.


OP and ED from Sola sounds great! The song "Binkan na Fuukei" by Ceui from the first episode is used as the OP song and later used as an insert song for episode nine. As for episode two through to thirteen, the song "Colorless Wind" by Aira Yuuki is used. "Mellow Melody" by Ceui is used as the ED song, while the final episode's ED is "Miageru Ano Sora de" by Aira Yuuki.


Random screen shot from OP song.



Overall, Sola is probably one of the best romance-typed anime for this year/2007, with regards to some comedy here and there.

Rating : 9/10

The good parts of this anime :

- Good storyline.
- Character development.
- Anime art.
- Great soundtracks.
- Notable group of seiyuu.

The bad.... :

- 13 episode series with an OVA and one special episode.


The good parts > The bad part. Highly recommended for viewing.