First Impressions of Winter 2011 Anime Series

First, the loving spoonful:

• I will definitely watch:
• "Yumekui Merry"
• "Beelzebub"
• "Kore wa Zombie desu ka"
• "Level E"
• I will give it another episode
• "Gosick"
• "Puelle Magi Madoka Magica"
• "Infinite Stratos"
• "Dragon Crisis"
• Crap
• "Freezing"
• "Rio Rainbow Gate"
More Details about the series:

• "Gosick" ("Gothic") -- A really nice and normal Japanese boy transfers to a boarding school in a fictional European country in the Alps.  For reasons I didn't quite understand the students nickname him "The Dark Reaper".  He joins up with mysterious doll-like Goth-Loli named Victorique to solve crimes for a buffoon police detective.  The girl is a typical spoiled-ojou type and the boy, Kujo, is sucked along into the madness by his own curiosity.  It's not a particularly original series, but the first episode was well done and piqued my interest.  First Impression: 3/5
• "Rio Rainbow Gate" -- This series is about the adventures of the dealer Rio (aka "The Goddess of Victory") as she spreads luck and fan service through the fictional Howard Casino.  This show is 100% fan service -- Boo!  First Impression: 1/5 (by the way, Rio would be fired instantly for losing too much money for the house...stoopid...)
• "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" -- There was a glass school, chanting cotton balls with teeth and mustaches, butterflies, rave music, and tween girls running around with a cat-rabbit creature.  Message to the animators: STOP TAKING DRUGS! THEY ARE BAD FOR YOU! I don't know what the heck was going on in that anime and I'm not sure I want to.  The main character looks freaky to me because she has the face and hairstyle of a 4-year old on the body of a 12-year old. First Impression: 1/5, BUT, worth a second look because the first episode may have been super messed up for shock value.  Hopefully some sort of story will be revealed in the second episode.
• "Yumekui Merry" --  A boy who can predict other people's dreams has the same dream every night -- He's being chased by an army of cats.  One day a mysterious girl lands on him and later she appears in a waking dream he's having.  In the dream she defeats the cat boss and demands that the cat boss take her back to the dream world.  I love the Cat Boss and my interest is definitely piqued.  First Impression: 4/5
• "Infinite Stratos" -- By some miracle a boy is able to pilot a gundam that only girls can pilot.  He ends up going to an all girls boarding school to learn to master this gundam only to become roommates with his shy and violent childhood friend.  In general this show looks stupid, but I do want to see the boy kick this obnoxious British girl's behind in the gundam battle that is promised for episode 2, so I'll stick around for that.  First Impression: 2/5
• "Beelzebub" -- Delinquents and an angry infant who's the son of Satan.  Need I say more?  First Impression:  5/5
• "Kore wa Zombie Desuka?" -- Some poor smuck of a boy is murdered, resurrected by a cute necromancer, and then runs into a magical girl with a chainsaw in the town cemetery.  Stuff happens and in the end he's a zombie and a magical girl cross dresser.  You had me at "zombie".  First Impression: 5/5   
• "Level E" -- A kid on a baseball scholarship moves to a new city, only to find himself rooming with a freeloading Bishonen alien.  The interactions between the kid and the alien are priceless and the story has hints of a world like the one in "Men in Black".  First Impression: 5/5
• "Freezing" -- I couldn't pay any attention to the first episode, so I don't know what happened and apparently my brain rejected it within 30-seconds.   First Impression: 0/5
• "Dragon Crisis" -- Meek boy, Ryuji,  and his well-endowed treasure hunting second cousin steal a dragon from some criminals.  The "dragon" is a fire breathing 'tween girl who is extremely attached to Ryuji, AND, Ryuji may know this girl because she's appeared in his dreams.  First Impression: 2/5 -- Lame, but the promise of a kooky scientist father earns this series a second look.
Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Random Thoughts on the Child Protection Law Passed in Japan

First of all, I'm trying to get some clear information on the ban.  So far what I've gathered is that law is trying to establish what's okay to sell to minors and what should be sold to adults only.  So in this sense, I don't think it's a ban on manga so much as a clarification as to what's appropriate to sell to minors.

I think we all know from the selection of manga I chose for this group that I don't choose series with even modest amounts of violence or sexuality or series that depict inappropriate acts towards minors.  In my private life I do read manga that I would consider outside the scope of this group, but I don't read or watch any manga or anime that I would consider gratuitously violent or sexual.  In general, I believe that adults should have the right to choose their entertainment as long as it doesn't harm anyone.  As for minors, I believe parents should help their children choose appropriate material and that parents should know what their children are reading.

The question for me comes down to what can harm other people.  I am against the depiction of harmful acts to children either real or drawn unless it is in the service of the story and that story has something to teach.  There are a great many stories where a character's childhood trauma shapes the personality of the character.  These are important stories to tell (for instance "I Know why the Caged Bird Sings".)  However, I don't approve of stories that depict such things for shock value or titillation. This doesn't mean it should be ban, it just means that I will not consume it.  I don't believe that violent or sexual material drive deviant behavior, rather I believe people interested in deviant behavior seek such materials out.  It's easy to blame an outside influence for crimes rather than to blame the person themselves.  I will say, though, that rape and murder existed long before people drew it, so purging such materials will not make one ounce of difference.

As for homosexuality, homosexuals exist.  Get over it.  Again, adults should be able to choose their entertainment and parents should help their children choose appropriate materials.  However, for parents, I think if they know their child is struggling with questions of their sexuality, that it may be a comfort to the child to read material that affirms that struggle.

In general, I have a great appreciation for artists who are able to convey trauma, tragedy, violence, and sexuality without actually showing the graphic details of it.  I feel it's best to leave some of these things to the imagination.  In this sense, I think the Japanese law is an invitation for artists to try harder with their story telling. Seriously, how many more stories do we need about students in relationships with their teachers?

I'm trying my best to find some concrete facts about the law and when I have located some reliable sources, I will share them with you all.  As of now, though, I think it's too early for any of us to get riled up or believe anything out on unvetted manga blogs and websites.  Everything I've seen so far has been hyperbole.

If you have a concrete vetted source of info, please leave a comment.  If you have some thoughts to share on the matter, also leave a comment.Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Magnolia Chapter 5

One agonizing wait is over only to begin another.  The mental well being of a Magnolia fan is never good.  Hahaha!  We finally get the answer to how Ayato's Dad reacts to Ayato dressed as a woman.  The reaction, in general, is as I expected, but I didn't anticipate the extent of the reaction.  Needless to say, I was quite pleased by the whole scene.  Thank you Naked Ape for exceeding my expectations!

Links to Magnolia Chp 5:  (Zip) (PDF)

I made a small update to "Magnolia" chapter 2 that has some impact to the story.  I think there was a typo in the original Japanese text and instead of Ayato's Dad saying that he and Ayato don't like Vincent, it's only Ayato's Dad who doesn't like Vincent.  I updated the file to reflect the new understanding (link to Chp 2).

Speaking of Vincent...I wonder whether the Dad saying he doesn't like Vincent followed by the scene where Ayato is having the nightmare is just a "red herring"?  Also  given the picture of the King, Vincent, and Ayato's mother (Angela) together in chapter 5, I wonder if Angela was born genderless like Ayato?  Maybe they were all best guy friends until Angela fell in love and became a woman.  That would be quite a bit of backstory! *jump, jump*   So many questions and so few pages per chapter!  *sobs*  And now we wait 4-weeks to learn more (well, technically 3-weeks for me -- nya-nya!).

Next up is "Orange Chocolate" Chapter 20.  This chapter is mostly more Chiro in Wonderland fan service, but this time there's a twist since that annoyance Hal is in the mix.  But on the bright side, we get wonderful drawings of Ritsu's irresistible glaring face.Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Kuroneko003's ZHD Ending Predictions

Here are my random predictions for the end of "Zettai Heiwa Daisakusen."  I really have no idea what's going to happen, but it's fun to speculate.

1. Johanne is saved at the last moment either by Joshua, the citizens, or military coup.  I put my money, though, on a Joshua redemption at which point he can get pneumonia and die in the arms of his personal assistant.
2. If Joshua saves Johanne it will be because Yuda has a "good talk" with him (personally, I'd crack up if Yuda starts the conversation by first laying down that little pistol she hides in her robe on Joshua's desk.)
3. Yuda's knocked up and gives birth to a girl who marries Daniel (That would make me super happy)
4. Claspel and his cronies are rounded up and tried for treason after Joshua spills about the entire conspiracy (and Claspel's final words, "I would have gotten away with it if it weren't for those darned kids!")
5. Joshua enters the "spanking machine" and at the end is greeted with smack and then a hug from his mother, the Queen.
6. Joshua abdicates the throne after giving up Claspel, Yuda's Dad gives up Canaan to be under the administrative control of Meteora (Canaan is broke and in debt to Judecca) and Jeremiah reveals himself to be a good guy.  Johanne eventually becomes the benevolent ruler of Canaan, Judecca, and Meteora and under unification there's finally peace and a railroad to Judecca and Canaan.
I was really looking forward to conmmando-Yuda, but chapter 18 put that hope to rest.  There will be no valiant Yuda led escape.  That would have been so like the beginning of "Return of the Jedi."  *boo-hoo*

Either way, I think we all want this ending (peek -- it's from here -- Ogura-sensei's blog)

What are your predictions?Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Merit in "Ouran" and "The Scarecrow of Oz," Plus, Other Fun Stuff

Here's some bits from an e-mail discussion I had with Corgi about "Ouran" and "The Scarecrow of Oz."  This might, also, give you some insight into the thought that goes into translation.

Black Text = Corgi
Red Text = Kuroneko003

Please feel free to add to the conversation or make you own comments.  I really like "The Scarecrow of Oz" and found a lot of meaning in it.  Furthering the discussion about "Ouran" is welcomed too :).
-------------------------

Page 6: 'Merit' - heh.  Reminds me of Haruhi's discussion with Kyoya during his fake assault.  I keep thinking there's implications to the word-as-translated that I'm missing ever so slightly.

Indeed, there is more packed into the words than can come through in English.   But I think the discrepancy is cultural and I feel bad that I can’t get it across in English without writing an essay.  In this case there seems to be two themes about merit – what’s useful to a person and what’s useful in the competition.  Silvy Rose in her choice of a familiar wanted a companion and in her experimentation to heal the humans.  Whereas, Lillian Berry is wholly focused on the competition to become the next chief witch.  Interestingly enough, Lillian is so conceited that she thinks Silvy too thinks of nothing but the competition.  This is classic wisdom vs. vanity ;p.  It seems that Lillian will always continue to lose to Silvy, even though Silvy isn’t actively competing.  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS ASPECT OF THE STORY :)  This is why I think it a good story for children.  I wonder, though, about the other witch who sought power…maybe there will be a sequel???

Oh, it's not just here - it's how Haruhi uses it too.  It's clear, but it also seems deeper than just 'merit' suggests, if that makes sense.


Ah – in the case of Haruhi in that particular situation with Kyouya, she means that there’s no upside for Kyouya in having a relationship with her or assaulting her.  At the same time, though, Haruhi is putting herself down, essentially saying that she has no value to Kyouya.   She seems to neglect the value of friendship, though Kyouya obviously values her friendship and intellect.  In this sense, Haruhi also underestimates Kyouya.  To me it feels like a throwback to social status in terms of royalty vs. commoners.  It’s a false barrier on both sides, though, I think in the case of the Ouran boys, regardless of who they associate with, their status is so high that it can’t be tarnished.

Ah, I didn't pick up on that aspect of it from Haruhi's side (her value) -- but yes, that's part of the character growth is all of them reaching beyond their little boxes because of Tamaki's catalysing influence, Kyoya perhaps even more than the twins.

Nonetheless, there seems to be this 'merit' concept that uses the English word like being the visible part of an iceberg.  There's a whole lot more 'merit' beneath the surface somewhere....
------------

Page 14: I like the 'patiently' litany. :)  Sometimes people miss out on the music language can have.   

In the Japanese, there’s only one patiently, but when I translated the entire story, it seems important to understand the intended function of a scarecrow – not only is it the waiting, standing and watching, but it’s patience, and that seemed to be what Silvy Rose needed most.  Plus, I felt it had a nice rhythm that mirrored the Japanese used of “mo” 3 times.

Mo meaning...?

“Mo” means “also”, “and”, or “more” depending on how it’s used.  In this case it’s “and.” 

It sounds like you got the intent exactly, not the literal translation (this is a good thing, don't mistake that).

Sometimes it’s hard for me to decide to do that.  I want to reflect the Japanese as written, but sometimes I can’t resist adding a little bit of my personality into it.

That's why translation's an art.  Sometimes the literal language is not the most expressive of what's being said.
 
--------------
Page 17: 'She's a milk drinker'??

Japanese euphemism for big breasts – I guess they’re drinking the hormone filled milk from the US???  I don’t know whether I want to put in a editor’s note for that one…
I think it’s a teachable moment about the “merits” of milk for growing young ladies…I’ll add something, but I’ll keep it in line with healthy all around growth rather than spread a Japanese old wive’s tale and keep this out of the realm of bedtime stories for kids. How about the old US Dairy Farmer Association slogan , “Milk, it does a body good?”

That'd be cute
--------------
Page 34: Pulsation?  (They're rarely born, either.)

This is tough…I think what’s trying to be expressed here is the idea of Kurou coming alive – so this would be a first “heartbeat” of sorts.  Going back to the Wizard of Oz lore – “a brain, a heart, the nerve” – all of things the scarecrow gains through the course of the story as he figures out his purpose.  The question for me, though, as the editor -- should I make the leap for the reader?  It seems to me that Kurou has no concept of a “heart” so a “pulsation” seems to be a way to describe the sensation.  The alternative word is “throbbing,”  but that word seems lurid to me. There’s also the duel implication for the beginning of a feeling of love toward Silvy.

Throbbing would be overwrought, yes.  Let's see... a new pulsation, a pulse from nowhere, a surge of feeling...?  I’ll think on it some more.  For now, I’m okay with what I’ve got.

[nod]
--------------
Page 45: OK, this is a tricky bit - what's the /implication/ intended here?  I think Kurou's making an innocent comment, I'm not entirely sure about Silvy's reply! :)  I think that’s the point – Silvy’s age isn’t clear, and I did clean it up a bit to make Silvy’s words more vague.  She says, “What if we sleep together?”  It basically has the same implication in English and Japanese, which ruins the child’s bedtime story aspect…:(.  This would definitely be a bad place to use “throbbing”…:/  I think in this case, Kurou is the innocent one – he’s happy for the request, but he’s still a young man (if you get what I mean).  I suspect, Silvy on the other hand is old and very, very lonely…
--------------
'Scarecrow of Oz', eh?  Hee.  Where'd the extra word go, then?  Well…Literally it’s the “Scarecrow Familiar of Oz” – but in given my epiphany and the “Oz” theme – “The Wizard of Oz” --> “The Scarecrow of Oz”  As for “kakashi tsukai” – it depends on how you look at it.  It could mean just “scarecrow” – as in a thing used as a scarecrow, or, it could be a witch’s familiar.  In this sense, the title has a lot more meaning in the Japanese, but it really sounds goofy in English, so I think “The Scarecrow of Oz” is a better “localization” of the title.
The familiar has more resonance (although I think that's one of the book titles, not that I've read them in forever).Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Thoughts on Ouran Chapter 79

In general I liked Ouran chapter 79 because it gets back to the original spirit of Ouran and finally gets to the kidnap-Tamaki-from-the-main-residence heist that we've all been waiting for.  I am bothered by one thing, though.   If the host club members understand that Tamaki's mom is not seeing him out of respect for Tamaki's feelings, then why doesn't the Host Club have that same respect for Tamaki's feelings?  It seems to me like nobody is willing to give Tamaki the time work through his issues with his grandmother and father.  It's not like Tamaki can't visit Anne-Sophie once things are worked out.  It seems with the last conversation between Tamaki and Shizue, a breakthrough was made and, perhaps, Shizue realized that Yuzuru doesn't hate her, but rather, he loves her and tried (rather clumsily) to make a family bond through Tamaki.  I think there's no doubt, now, that Shizue has accepted Tamaki and that they will have a lovely grandparent-grandchild relationship because they have so many common interests.  I think at this junction, it's only natural that Shizue lighten up and grant Tamaki freedom.  I think it's also only natural for Shizue to finally recognize Yuzuru and tell him he's worthy of carrying on Suou and that his wife and son are her family too.  I don't think any Host Club interference is needed.  Personally...I think the ending with the woman's shoes and the corner of another person's shoe indicated that their planned heist will be short lived because those feet probably belong to Anne-Sophie or Tamaki's grandmother.  My guess is that it's Tamaki and his grandmother because that pair would best accelerate the ending of this story.  But I guess we shall see ...Hmmm...I think after the current poll ends, that will be the next poll...Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Manga Reviews: "Alice in the Country of Hearts" Vol. 1 and "Portrait of M and N"

"Alice in the Country of Hearts" Volume 1 story by Quinrose and art by Soumei Hoshino: 3.5/5

This manga series should be call "Alice in Country of Bishies."  So far, in volume 1, Alice, the Red Queen, and Alice's sister are the only female characters in the story and the Red Queen and Alice's sister have negligible presence in the story so far.  The rest of the characters are all idealized pretty boys. Here's a list of them:


• Peter - the white rabbit who appears to be simply mad
• Hatter - the flirtatious and dashing mafioso
• The March Hare - a dandy
• Julius - a sensible fellow with some secrets
• Ace - a bad-ass knight who hides his murderous nature behind a kind smile, inability to navigate, and slack-stick behavior.  However, his dead eyes when he smiles indicate his true nature.  He works for both the Red Queen and Julius.  He, of course, is the character I'm most curious about.
• Gowland - a poorly named hot head who murders people's ears with his violin playing
• The Cheshire Cat - a slightly punk ne'er-do-well in a skimpy cat suit -- nothing says "hotness" more than a guy with an exposed pierced belly button,  wearing a cat collar, ear collars, a furry boa, and a kilt.  It's all about "attitude" I tell you!
• Nightmare - a black-haired demon who has lungitus and poor constitution
• The Twins (Deedum is one of them) -- token shouta-types who want to play with Alice
Anyhow...Alice is a world she somehow "dreamed" of, though it's not necessarily a dream.  Peter, the white rabbit tells her eventually everyone in this world will come to love her.  Alice, believing this is a dream, starts to question her subconscious desire to be loved and some issues around her ex-boyfriend, who the Hatter appears to resemble.  To get out this world, Alice must play a game, the nature of which she doesn't understand.

What I like about this series so far is that Alice appears to be in her late teens so there's no icky loli-ness to taint the whole story.  I also like the Bishies.  They all have very distinct personalities and the interactions amongst them is interesting and humorous.  I'm curious about how they are all related and what they are all truly want from Alice.  Alice is interesting in that she's a very normal girl and she's handling the situation she's been tossed into with a level headed manner.  Still this first volume doesn't knock it out of the park for me. I think this is mainly because the characters are still just caricatures to me and I don't feel any attachment or affinity for any of them yet.

My husband hated this first volume.  As for me, I think it's a good start to series and I'm looking forward to learning more about the Bishies and the world they inhabit.  3.5/5



"Portrait of M and N" Volume 1 by Tachibana Higuchi 5/5

This is a masterly written story from the author of "Gakuen Alice."  This is one of those series that I don't want to spoil by saying too much about it, so I'll be brief.  "Portrait of M and N" is the story of the encounter between two very troubled teenagers.  The two become close and share a bond through the terrible secret each one holds.  This manga has a carefully measured and balanced amount of humor, sweetness, romance, psychology, and heartbreak.  Both characters are complex and likeable and after the first chapter I was hooked and cheering the two of them on as they delt with their troubles.  I highly recommend this manga series and I'm looking forward to the next volume. 5/5Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

My Thoughts about Orange Chocolate Chapter 4

What I like about this chapter is the way, towards the end, Chiro starts to confront her own personality.  She wonders if she is as bubble-headed as Ritsu is playing her.  I wonder will Ritsu's behavior while he's in Chiro body affect the way Chiro's friends and colleagues perceive her.  Sure, Chiro has her impulsive moments, but she's not fiery like when Ritsu inside of her.  I wonder will Ritsu soon begin to confront his own personality.  I think he's definitely getting a different perspective on Chiro.  I get the feeling that he's taking her more seriously in terms of soft skills, but he still has a ways to go in terms of not thinking of her as a idiot child.  I wonder, though, does Chiro have to realize first that's she's not a idiot child before it can be perceived by Ritsu and the people around her.

My feeling about the over arc of this story, is that the two won't stop switching until each feels comfortable in their own skin.  I could be wrong, though, because it is a Kitsune's curse.  Peeking ahead, though, I can see that there's a twist or two coming very soon.  Regardless, for now, I think I'll enjoy the very fierce Chiro-Ritsu as he continues to stick it to the Student Council President in the next chapter.  There are also some very sweet moments in the next chapter to look forward to.  Hopefully, I will be able to get chapter 5 out early next week.  I would do it sooner, but I need to do some website maintenance, housework, work on my online portfolio, find a job, and watch the Winter Olymipic ice skating events.Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Some Thoughts on the Lastest Developments in Ouran 77

Don't get me wrong, I like "Ouran High School Host Club" very much, but I think the dramatic turn it has taken lately is throwing a lot of people for a loop.  I, myself, feel a little duped because it started out a classic screw-ball comedy that I liked for story's and the character's irreverence.  Now, I feel like I'm being forced to ride an emotional roller coaster.

For me the change in Ouran occured when the twins got serious about Haruhi and then went about establishing separate identities for themselves.  Sure it was heartwarming, but, at the same time, it was very dramatic and not very funny.  For a while I tuned out from Ouran because it was missing too much humor.  Eventually, I came back once the twin drama had been resolved and I could read the whole story arc in one setting.  Then I really got back into it once Tamaki and Haruhi started to get a clue about how they felt about each other, only to have that story arc swatted down by Tamaki's issue with his grandmother and now in chapter 77, an additional issue with his father with some corporate intrigue tacked on.  This was supposed to be a screw ball romance about a happy-go-lucky rich buffoon and smart  =_=  poor girl in the setting of a ridiculous host club!  I feel like I'm reading two stories.  Mind you the two stories are great, but it's two stories, nonetheless.

I think the thing that is most frustrating to me with the latest chapter is the demands the author is making upon the readers.  My understanding is most readers of this manga genre are in their teens, yet the author expects these readers to understand a bunch of medical jargon and have working knowledge of corporate power structures.  Honestly, how many readers out there really understand how it is that Shizue can be ousted by Yuzuru?  Well, here's a short explainer (as far as I understand it from working at a company where one of the CEO/Presidents was famously ousted recently):

1.  The Executive Staff (President, CEO, COO, CFO...etc...) works for the company's Board of Directors
2.  A company's board of Directors works on behalf of the shareholders.  The Board of Directors are, in fact, elected by the shareholders in a democratic process.
3.  The President, CEO, CFO, and on-and-on can be fired if a majority of the Board of Directors agrees the person should  go.
4. A company's Board of Directors can be changed by the will of the shareholders.  The will of the shareholders can be changed forcefully if some entity buys up enough shares in the company to vote in their own board members (I suspect that something like this will happen as it did in the anime).
5. The Chairman of the Board (that is Yuzuru's title), leads the Board of Directors. He or she sets the Board's meeting agenda and acts as the Board's host.

Anyhow ... I would not expect that to be common knowledge amongst teen readers and some international readers who are not exposed to corporations.  The same thing goes with the how the drug research ties into the corporate stuff.  Besides keeping it from Shizue, there are other reasons drug companies are mum about what they are up to and it mainly has to do with "intellectual property."  But why should I even have to get into any of that to explain what's going on in Ouran?  And why should Yuzuru's resentment towards his mother, Shizue, be explained in a corporate coup?

Anyhow, I feel with the latest technical complications and a loss of focus on the romance between Haruhi and Tamaki, Ouran will lose most of it's target audience.  It all feels like pretentious flowery dressing to me that neglects the heart of matters -- how Tamaki's screwed up family is keeping him away from Haruhi.  Now, if this were aimed at adults, I would feel differently about matters, but seeing as how the main characters are kids, there really is nothing they can do about the corporate stuff except watch a bunch of adults thwop each other over the head via various corporate power plays.

What are your thoughts?Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

New Anime: Goshushou-sama Ninomiya-kun

Okay, take Jason Bourne, a succubus with man-phobia, a haughty girl in a maid outfit, and an older sister who is a bad-ass mercenary and put them in a high school anime and you end up with "Goshushou-sama Ninomiya." So here's the deal, Ninomiya is a high school boy with some over- the-top military fighting training who is constantly being harassed by the female students in his school. In flies a military 'copter containing a curvaceous succubus who is very afraid of men, except for Ninomiya, who seems to be resistant to her powers -- sorta. The succubus, Mayu, gives off strong pheromone which turns males into drooling zombies who try to get next to her. Ninomiya's sister says Mayu has to move-in with them ... and ... enter the haughty girl (I've forgotten her name) who is Ninomiya's childhood friend as well as the student council president. Through some circumstances, she becomes a maid at Ninomiya's house. Ninomiya's older sister and Mayu's older brother insist that Ninomiya must help train Mayu to rid herself of her man-phobia so she can control her pheromones. The training, of course, is basically a bunch of fan-service. This anime is very funny, and that's all I'll say for now.Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

New Manga: BlackBird

From the mangaka who brought us "Backstage Prince" comes another tale of a good hearted but weak female, Misao, and a bad tempered Tengu, Kyou, who disguises himself as a handsome guy. Misao has the misfortune of being able to see supernatural beings and now at the age of 16 has become the target of those supernatural beings who wish to eat her to gain eternal life or marry her to strengthen their clan. Kyou wants to marry Misao, but Misao doubts his sincerity and believes he only seeks to strengthen his clan. Kyou shows up in Misao's everyday life as her Math teacher at her high school (but of course). Anyhow, most of the stories revolve around various beasties attacking Misao and Kyou coming to her rescue followed by Misao asking herself why this guy bothers. Meanwhile Kyo seems to find some excuse to lick her, whether it's licking Misao's wounds to heal her, or licking her as a prelude to a kiss, or licking her in her dreams and so on ... Half of me continues to read this just to see how creative the licking can get ... (I'm sad, sad, sad person ...). Somewhere in here, there is a story, but I'm just so distracted by the licking that I haven't quite grasped it.

Anyhow, this is also being serialized in Betsucomi, which I just got a copy of today.Source URL: https://aminefairy.blogspot.com/search/label/commentary
Visit Anime Fairy Blog for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection