Anime Blog

As the season finales roll...

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 10:21:36 -0400

Watching the end of Ouran Gakuen Host Club last night, I realized one important thing that I should have known all along: Fujioka Haruhi is better than Suzumiya Haruhi. This post will be rather incoherant as my fanboy levels are high and my time is low (school being what it is.)

I was fully expecting Zero no Tsukaima to be the best show of the year though I surely loved Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, Honey and Clover II, and Host Club. While the final verdict is still not in, as the ZnT finale has yet to air, Host Club has usurped its spot as number one.

I also recently watched the H&C II finale. Hagu is awesome and Takemoto is the man. That is all. Yet, I cannot allow a sequel to be number one.

Crazy Haseo.

I'll end this before it gets too painful. I just want to say that I'm also expecting good things from the .hack//Roots ending. I think Haseo will get even crazier, and really, that is good enough of an ending for me.

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On Sky Girls and Strike Witches

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:45:48 -0400

Tis the season for mecha musume. Gonzo and J.C. Staff each have OVAs capitalizing on the popularity of moe girls and mecha. Millions of otaku cry out in helpless subservience as they bow down to their twelve year old masters. Enter Strike Witches and Sky Girls.

As you can see from the pictures on the left, the two are really similar. Lolicon + Mecha = Win is the logic. But which is better? I shall tell you.

Strike Witches
Gonzo makes a strong entry here. Their girls are more moe by far, and there are more of them. Gonzo has a whopping eleven lolis here. Something for everyone. However, they lose points for the creepy mecha legs, but the girls have a regular mode, so I can allow it.

Strike Witches Official Site
Strike Witches Character Page: count the eleven lolis yourself.
Strike Witches Trailer on Youtube

Sky Girls
J.C. Staff's OVA is compelling as well. They have a great trailer but only four lolis. That is less than half of Gonzo's loli count! However, the lolis have real legs so I will count them as eight. I can't rate the sound track for Strike Witches, but Sky Girls has great music so far.
Sky Girls Official Site
Sky Girls Character Page: Four lolis with twice the number of body parts equals eight lolis!
Sky Girls Trailer on Youtube

So which is the winner? It was close, but I think Strike Witches will be the reigning champion. Gonzo will surely pull lots of beautiful animation out for this, and since it's an OVA maybe heavy fanservice as well. But the real deciding factor was a little thing called Francesca Lucchini.

I used a form of the word loli ~~eight~~ nine times in this article.

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Honey and Clover II Op Single Review - Yuki is Insane

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 23:55:05 -0400

Cover picture, rodent on head.

I've been listening to the Honey and Clover II OP single by Yuki, and it's great even if she is at the top of PETA's shitlist for beating the Cheshire cat mercilessly in the Fugainaiya PV. If you haven't seen it, watch it now.

The album consists of three songs: Fugainaiya, Hadako no Taiyou (The Naked Sun), and Natsu no Hero (Summer's Hero.) Fugainaiya is of course the actual intro to Hachikuro II and is appropriately awesome. If you haven't heard it, feel ashamed. Hadako no Taiyou is so-so; I wish it had a catchier beat. Yuki gets points for not butchering the English for "naked sun" though. Natsu no Hero is a really slow song, and it's not bad at all, though I do prefer Yuki's faster paced songs.

Moving on to the main point (or is it the secondary?), Yuki is completely insane. I'll post these two screencaps from the Fugainaiya PV as evidence.

When Yuki makes her appearance dressed as a chair halfway through the video, all she does is spin drunkenly and beat a cat, and I have to say, I really respect her for that. It takes a special woman to be both popular enough and have that twinge of mental instability to make a music video around an abusive Alice in Wonderland. Besides that, the video is really well done with excellent costumes and even a small maze. Yuki may be my favorite eccentric J-Pop singer.

You might also be interested in more Yuki craziness...
Dramatic PV (Honey and Clover Season I OP)
Joy
Melancholinista
Nagai Yume
Stand Up Sister
Home Sweet Home
Sony Walkman Commercial
Pocari Sweat Commercial (Yuki sings annoyingly for many commercials it seems)
There should be many more to list, but I'm lazy (and youtube won't let me go to the Yuki banned masturbation PV no matter how many times I click accept!)

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Otaku Warfare

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 15:22:42 -0400

I was speaking to an uninitiated friend today about anime figures (which will spawn another post sometime I'm sure), and the Haruhi bunny girl concert figure came up. I knew about the figures existence and its rarity, but was unsure of the price and availability. This ebay auction lets us know.

Here's a paraphrased conversation with another friend:

A-Kun: That Haruhi's going for $200 [sure to be more]? Damn.
Me: It's a resin kit too; it's not even constructed or painted. Only making 200 is too cruel.
A-Kun: That's enough to cause a war.
Me: Seriously. Otaku war.

I know this figure is so yesterday's news, but I had divine inspiration. We must fight and die for Haruhi Bunny Girl. That is all.

(I am the worst kind of fanboy.)

The figure that began a war.

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Genshiken Volume 6 Summary & Review: Part 2

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Sat, 05 Aug 2006 00:24:40 -0400

It's been a while since I last wrote a post, mostly because I lost interest in writing about Genshiken even though I love it so; I'll make this quick. I Have to wake up in five hours and blog at the most inappropriate times

Chapter 34: A One-Way Ticket on the Fantasy Express

Ogiue draws Sasahara x Madarame doujinshi. She is also sexy.

Chapter 35: The Flying Futon

Sasahara's imouto questions him about whether or not he has a girlfriend, she also becomes a more common character, going to a nearby college.

Chapter 36: Graduation Syndrome

In this chapter we learn that a drunk Ohno is a sexy Ohno. It's also touching in some ways, seeing how relationships develop as some of the cast get jobs and move away. Madarame of course gets a job down the street.

Included at the end of this volume are several short doujin drawn by other mangaka; they're all pretty good, but I'll leave you with one scene to imagine...

[Ogiue walks in the door behind Sasahara.]
Sasahara: How dare you whack off to my Ogiue!
Ogiue: [ Gulps. Walks out and closes door.]
Sasahara: [Cries.]

Genshiken 6: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture (Genshiken)

Kio Shimoku

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Genshiken Volume 6 Summary & Review: Part 1

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 01:38:33 -0400

Today Genshiken volume 6 enjoyed its American release, and it is very, very good. Character development is the name of the game in this volume, and it's even funnier than the rest of the series, if that is possible. I'm going to go through chapter by chapter, doing the first half tonight. I also took all the pictures used in this myself; it was with a camera so there is often some skew in the picture. I touched them up the best I could in Photoshop: forgive me!

Chapter 31: Kashimashi Musume +1

Ohno's jealousy is so wonderful. We rarely get to see the tsuntsun side of Ohno, so this chapter was a real treat for me. Ohno is upset that Tanaka was hiding the fact that he made a ton of costumes for Ogiue and that they were all of the lolicons Ohno is too busty to cosplay. Of course, Ogiue thinks cosplay is perverted; however, Saki convinces her to try some on.

Ogiue doesn't accept her otaku self in this chapter, but she moves towards it. She also has amusing confrontations with every female character in the series, not only Saki and Ohno, but Sasahara's imouto as well.

Chapter 32: In their Own World

Madarame and Saki have it out because Madarame ignored her in public, afraid he'd be brushed off as the otaku friend. Later, they have dinner together, Madarame finally has a proper conversation with her, and confronts his feelings of jealousy. It ends in a very slice-of-lifey manner of the two silently riding the train.

Chapter 33: Transformation (subtitled: OMG Ogiue is Hot!)

Ogiue insists she won't set foot inside the "abyss of sexual desperation" that is comicfest; however, disguised, she sneaks in only to be knocked down by Ohno's humongous breasts and discovered by the rest of the Genshiken with Yaoi doujinshi sprawled out in front of her. She is so embarassed she runs away, but this later leads to her accepting that she is an Otaku!

This is the chapter I've been waiting for. Ogiue finally accepts herself and is set up to become Sasahara's girlfriend as he kindly returns her glasses and offers to help her collect the spilled doujinshi.

Well that's the first half of this little summary / review. I suggest everyone interested in Genshiken to purchase it.

Genshiken 6: The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture (Genshiken)

Kio Shimoku

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School Rumble: Popularity Poll & Lala

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 11:22:36 -0400

There are a few universal truths of School Rumble: Tenma, Harima, and Hanai are idiots, Karasuma is an alien, and Lala Gonzales is the best character. Many don't share in this belief of mine, and the recent character popularity poll doesn't reflect it either; however, this doesn't make it any less true. Lala's coarse nature ensures that she is one of the most hillarious characters, but she also has a touching backstory. Furthermore, Lala is undeniably cute and sexy, a hard combination to come by. I would say she's a tsunderekko, but that is so cliche. Ichi-Jou~!

This is all well and good and true; however, Lala ranked a mere #21 in the recent popularity poll. Here's the list:

Yakumo
Eri
Harima
Tenma
Mikoto
Ichijou
Sara
Itoko
Akira
Asou
The Nurse
Sagano Megumi
Iori
Napoleon
Hanai
Karasuma
Imadori
Saeko
Harry Makenzie
Nakamura
Lala Gonzales

Some other notable mentions are 27. Satsuki, 37. Madoka, and 39. Harima Shouji & Pyotr.

I am happy that Yakumo placed high, although Tenma's placement near the top brings me back down. Clearly this list is absurd; Lala's placement is unforgivable! Here is the correct version.

Lala
Yakumo
Satsuki
Eri
Akira
Ichijou
Harima
Imadori
Pyotr
Iori & Napoleon

Why?!

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4chan can be so cruel.

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 23:15:32 -0400

The screenshot that started it all.

I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so this isn't much of a post. If it was on Wikipedia, it'd be a stub. Perhaps I'll have something better tomorrow.

Of the things to know about 4chan, the most important to keep in mind is that it is anonymous. This anonymity breeds trolling, flamewar, and cruelty. Coincidentally it's also a lot of fun. I took note of a thread a few days ago; the request was simple enough: What's the title of this anime?

The Results

Immoral Sisters
It's either Azumanga Daioh or Bible Black. I'm pretty sure it's Bible Black, though.
Immoral Sisters, if you were looking for a serious answer
Amazing Danish

I'm sure there were lots of other good ones, but Iaziness prevents me from finding the thread again. Anyways, considering the most popular boards on 4chan are hentai related, I shouldn't be surprised at the high amount of hentai titles posted. Oh, and someone did give a real answer, but he's lame.

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Honey and Clover: Movie and Anime Comparisons

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 12:44:21 -0400

Another comparison between anime and film: I'm a one trick pony. Let's begin with Ayu.

Ayu in the anime. Notice the sexy legs. This is a recurring motif.

No!

The radical difference is too heartbreaking to even comment on, so let's move on to the other love interest, Hagu.

In the new season, Hagu looks like a human more often.

The actor playing Hagu is appropriately loli.

There are no complaints to be had about Hagu's actor. She's just as asexual as the character she plays.

This is usually how Rika appears in the anime. How could Mayama NOT want her?

I have to say, burn girl is the hottest character in the H&C movie.

Rika's actor looks too healthy. Maybe they'll put some white makeup on her face. Furthermore, what is Rika doing outside?

Mayama in the anime.

Mayama, movie version.

No complaints here either. The actor is adequately cool.

Morita preparing to indulge in his lolicon fetish.

Wait, he doesn't paint! He sculpts!

I don't think I can judge Morita's actor until I actually see the movie. If he's silly enough, he'll pass.

Lolicon incest fetish Shuuji.

Where did this come from?

What happened here? This guy is not allowed to be cool, and he's easily the coolest cast member in the movie. Anyways, now for the most upsetting of the cast decisions...

Best character in the show.

...

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Top 10 Manga by Sales and by Otaku

nobody@vox.com(Pirrip) — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 11:50:29 -0400

This picture has absolutely no relationship to the post; I just like to start with an image.

Before I begin, the source of the top 10 manga based on sales (in Japan) is ComiPress.

Top 10 Manga this Week Based on Sales

Honey and Clover vol.9
One Piece vol.42
XXXHOLiC vol.9
Death Note vol.12 (end)
Tsubasa: RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE vol.15
Lovely Complex vol.14
Aria vol.9
Fist Of The Blue Sky vol.15
The Wallflower vol.16
Gintama vol.13

Things to notice about this list: One Piece, XXXHOLiC, Death Note, Tsubasa, and the Wallflower are all licensed in the US, but why not Honey and Clover (#1!) of which the scanslation is still in volume one? Also, for the top four licensed series (2-5) fans are still translating them fervently, unable to wait for the US releases. As an aside, Lovely Complex needs to be licensed soon.

Top 10 8 Manga this ~~Week~~ Month (from the scanslation community) Based on Otaku

Mahoraba c51 by Kurisu Scans

When I saw someone picked Mahoraba back up, I was filled with happiness. To describe this, it's a love comedy where one male (two if you count Haibara) lives in an apartment complex with an all female occupancy. I know that sounds like Love Hina rehashed, but I wouldn't compare the two (despite having just done so.) Anyways, Kozue, the main character and only love interest, suffers from multiple personality disorder and being just too darn cute.

Hajime no Ippo v76 by Ignition-One

Ippo has another emo moment, but I'll take all the HnI I can get.

Gantz c237 by Illuminati & The Ones Who Never Lie

I can't really say much about this without sullying a good part of the story for people who haven't read it; I can only recommend that you do.

School Rumble by Townsocks

Not only is School Rumble the best love comedy ever, this gives me an excuse to post a picture of Yakumo. Although Lala is better, I could (and will) make a whole post on that subject.

Chokotto Sister by Kotonoha

While this is a total siscon manga (and anime, now that it's been released), it's still hillarious. Plus the Neko Nyan dance is awesome. It can be seen animated in the OP and ED.

Mai Otome c19 by Taruby

I would post more of this image, but it's just too ecchi. That pretty much sums up the entire Otome manga. Also, Mashiro is a crossdresser.

Family Compo by Nojay

Yay for crossdressing parents and gender ambiguous hot daughters (?)

Shamo by Manga-Sketchbook and Blackout

I'm tired of writing now, so I'll end by saying that it's a good seinen fighting manga. They just pulled out the Chi card, so I'm expecting it to get absurd in approximately three chapters.

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