Death’s Notes and Thoughts

Posts Tagged ‘romance’

The summer of a man’s boyhood memories continue. Still on the cusp between childhood and being a man, he has linked with the ghost of a young woman from the World War 2 era. She, and the ghosts of other young ladies from that time, continue adventures alongside their linked partners, learning more about each other and travelling through time via their supernatural connection. While he struggles to see his crush on her come to fruition, meanwhile his friend- a girl his age, pretending to be a boy- seeks his attention as well. [taken from ANN] Well, to say it in short words they go on where S1 left off. Hajime still fails hard to realise that Jun is a girl. Even after seeing her basically naked he still fails… the is so bold. Poor Hajime. But there is even more to laugh and a lots of new parodies on older animes everyone knows. And as far as I can tell we probably get also here a S3 since the summer dont end with this season. But also we get to see chibi Arashi, she is so cute <3. If u enjoyed S1, you will definitly luv S2.

Opening

Source: YouTube

Ending

Source: YouTube

Have fun,

-Death

Based on a shoujo manga by PEACH-PIT, serialised in Nakayoshi. Everybody at Seiyo Elementary thinks that stylish and super cool Hinamori Amu has it all: But nobody knows the real Amu, a shy girl who wishes she had the courage to truly be herself. Changing Amu’s life is going to take more than wishes and dreams–it’s going to take a little magic! One morning, Amu finds a surprise in her bed: three strange little eggs. Each egg contains a Guardian Character, an angel-like being who can give her the power to be someone new. With the help of her Guardian Characters, Amu is about to discover that her true self is even more amazing than she ever dreamed. [taken from AniDB] The Description is from the first season, cause the so called “2nd” season is basically a seamless continue, so I consider them as one and also review them here as one long series. First of all, I must say I was kinda surprised that the anime isn’t as low and stupid like I first thought when  a friend of mine, Asakomi, said to me I should give it a try since I could like it. It too a few episodes until it begun to unleash it’s fun potential, but then it definitely catched me. At first it seems it’s the usual kids series that run later on your local station at lunch time to entertain the kids, but for people who knows their anime is a lot to see present. Also unlike other series that follow this stereotyp I descriped here our characters undergo a development in behavior and feelings. It’s not like often that in the start she is having a crush on him but never during the series there comes a conclusion to it, no, sure here is nothing final yet as the manga still continues but still one gets a good idea whats coming up. Also she is quite tricky, maybe not intended but the result is what counts, when it comes to men. I mean later on she have a kind of harem around her, just that she don’t take the big advantage of that fact^^. It’s fun to see the harem-game in a different variant from the usual. But well, lets not forget about her lil’ fellows that aren’t bad either. Ran (red/heart)) is her sporty and a bit hyperactive self, causing our dear Amu often problems since she is quite impulsive and so takeover her every now and then. Then we got Miki (blue/spade), the artistic self, through she tries to act a bit reserved later on she melts and gets more social/livly. Also she is a bit of a collector when it comes to male shugo chara’s, kinda the Amu of the shugo chara’s^^. I mean during the series so far (up to episode 102) she had a crush on nearly every male char, and did collect a lot of pictures of them. Then there is our parodie shugo chara, at least I would title her like that, Sue (green/clover). Those of you, who saw Rozen Maiden, may agree that she is a friendly parodie variant of Sueseseki, her looks kinda remind me, also her habit of always adding “-desu” and her clumsyness. It’s just that she is the counterpart of Sueseseki in terms of behavior, as she is friendly with friend and foe. Dunno, she was often a reason for me to lol a lot. It has definitly a reason why she have a kind of repair ability ;p. But yea, there are also the fellow characters of Amu, with their own Shugo Charas. First she meets the so called “Guardians” which are her first fellows, and begin to fight the evil X-Characters. But intrestingly here we don’t kill our enemy but rather put them in a corner and then pyschologically finish them off. The X-char result from a depressed and lost heart, so she have to make them believe in their dream again. I like this alternative way of solution a lot, since often they have to kinda “kill” the enemy but here they clean them. But then again, when I think over it, the main reason to watch it for me was the funfactor the shugo chara’s produce, since they hit often the bulls eye with their comments on Amu’s behavior, make her going angry (which is kinda cute), and also the fact the character’s develop. Also a positive aspect was that here it don’t play out the school life/scenario card. Often you also see the bunch in private clothes (and those change!, a rare ocassion), and during their free time. I must say I took a liking in Amu’s style which I would descripe as “light gothic”, through she also sometimes wear more “normal” clothes. Another thing which surprised me was how they integrated the trap-topic (trap => a boy dressed up perfectly as a girl or other way round). It’s not giving me those eerie feeling like other series did, for example Happiness!, which I call for a reason rather Trappiness! *creepy~*. Also this series have a rather positive message that gets delivered to the viewer during watching, like “Continue to believe in your dream!” and “Go for your dream!”. All together I had much fun, and also didn’t felt like they filled up somewhere (through they probably did as they’re ahead of the manga, hence that Shugo Chara Party crap running now), since all fall into it’s place, it may take time until one see it, but then it gets visible. So give it a try and have lots of fun like me!

I picked some op’s and ed’s from the ones, otherwise it would get too much. Why the weird border is present, beats me, but those where the only HQ variants of the OP i came across…

Shugo Chara Opening 2

Source: YouTube

Shugo Chara S2 Ending 2

Source: Youtube

Shugo Chara S2 Ending 1

Source: YouTube

Enjoy!

-Death

The Summer of “Anu”: In a summer once every five years, demons in the mysterious Tower of Druaga lose their powers due to the magic spell cast by a god named “Anu”. King Gilgamesh, ruler of the kingdom Uruk, uses the appearance of demons as an excuse to invade the tower and find out the construct’s secrets. As 80 years passed, the Uruk army managed to fight back the demons and built a fortress city and safe haven on the very first floor of Druaga – Metz Kier. Thus begins the story of a warrior named Gil who, finding companions along the way, embarks on a quest for the fabled Blue Crystal Rod, a powerful artifact rumored to be in the highest floor of Druaga. However, other competitors, including the kingdom of Uruk itself, want the treasure, all for their own reasons. [stolen from ANN] (if u wanna know the desc of the 2nd series too look it up here) I will write down here the impression on the complete series instead of the individual parts as they should be watched together now that u can grab both. I must say i enjoyed this series. It was a good mix out of parodie parts, some more or less comedical parts and some good old action parts with epic fights. Sure probably the the hardcore fantasy fan will say that this series suck as it have too much “side stuff” from his point of view, but that was something I liked since it made the series lighter. Lighter in a manner that a non-hardcore fan can also have fun at it. Also I liked how the story was turning unexpected sometimes since ppl was changing sides, just in the 2nd series it got a bit confusing *yare yare*. But thats one of the less points where I say “meeh”, another is maybe the sometimes bad implented 3D cgi action. But on the other hand it gives it a slight game feeling which is also enjoyable in its own way, right ? Dunno, it entertained me so I tend to see things positive. One of the best jokes was still the episode which Jil beeing the “figure” in a arcarde like fantasy automat. Man, that was made me lulz a lot. Also fun is the joke they made with ep 1, make sure to grab the alternative version and watch it later on. They also didnt overused the usualy “god” topic like some other series tend to do. I mean this series goes around a god myth so there is influence by god figures but in a moderate manner. Dont wanna go deeper into this otherwise I spoil. Hm, I say for the casual fantasy fan its a good one, for the hardcore it can be good or not, depends on his individual expections I think. Make your choice ;).

Opening S1

I should say here, the op’s are a bit missleading since they show the chars in a School/Daily Life like enviroment. Through the op of s1 is a kinda crossover, while the op of s2 have not that feature. But it is a fantasy anime, dun worry, no school/romance one ;).

Opening S2

Ending S2

Have fun,

-Death

Yuusuke was just a normal kid going to high school. Then one day, the cute and behaloed Noelle fell, quite literally, into his life, naked as a baby and every bit as innocent. Before he can even fathom what’s just happened, Yuusuke is inducted into a rather odd family of otherworldly beings straight out of The Munsters. Papa is a Frankenstein monster with a taste for calisthenics. Mama is a gorgeous lady with a penchant for “round objects” — really! The eldest sister, Sara, is literally invisible; the brother, Gabriel, is a teenage vampire with an attitude problem; and the youngest sister, Ruka, loves inventing things. There’s a disapproving Grandma, who’s a witch to the nth degree, and her vulture familiar. All Yuusuke wanted was for the beautiful Natsumi to even notice his attention, but now he has an angel-in-training to follow him wherever he goes. And Noelle, too, has a guide on her path to being an angel, the mysterious Michael (or Kaeru-san). [from Animenfo.com] Well, it was fun until like 6 episods before the end where the anime started implenting a very weird, selfcentered logic without any explanations “why” things happens. Another angel related anime, namely “Ah! My Goddess TV” tended to explain to the viewer why things happens like they do. But if u get along with that fact and annoying logic, go and read further. The chars in this one are quite a out of the normal bunch as we got a bunch of “daemon” class chars. A witch, a vampire, a cat daemon, a girl with the ability to get invisible, an other witch with her weird bird companion and more. I personally took a liking in Miruru, the neko daemon. She is like u want your catgirl but just a bit… well, wicked at some times. Also she goes damn hot for the poor Gabe who have his probs with her love as he is allergic to cats^^. But those two arent our main chars, those are Noelle and Yuusuke (god… i cant hear that name anymore). No, this is not a harem anime, even if some might smell harem here. I agree he hangs between two girls in the later story but thats it. And two I dont call harem. Whats annoying about Noelle is her constant screaming of Yuusuke’s name. After like 10 episodes you wanna erase the name from the anime, I kinda think of rewatching it with doing a count of how often she screams his name. Her childish and “i trust them all” behavior is for a while fun but then it also looses a bit its impact as you get used to it a bit much. What I more found intresting since it was giving this weird and dark feeling off since u dont understand it until a certain point is the side stuff with Dispel-sama and Silky. I dont wanna go too deep into this as I would end up spoiling a part of the story. But Dispel was definitly an intresting fellow in terms of beeing the evil dude that takes the angel to the darkside (hmm, describing it this way make me kinda wanna say “Luke, I’m your father. Join the dark side!”). Oh well, Also fun was the enemy the face later on, Muse-chan. That lil one is trying really hard but faces always the problem that she is too shy and always seems to regret her actions fast, which give her a own “i dont have trust in myself” charm. Like u just wanna cuddle her and say “It’s all ok”. Also its every time again fun to see into what she transforms next, just to fail short after it again. Man, thinking over it afterall it maybe wasnt so bad, but I disliked that non-explained and with selffish irrlogic soaked end of it. That and Noells constant “Yuusuke” screaming. But like I said in the beginning, who can get along with it, go and watch it. You will like it.

Opening

Source: Youtube

Ending

Source: Youtube

To watch or not to watch, thats the question for you ;).

-Death

Thirteen year old Yasaka Hajime is a boy staying at his grandfather’s house during his summer vacation. One day, he meets a sixteen year old girl named Arashi at a café and it is love at first sight – at least for him. He decides to start working part-time there, in order to be close to Arashi. But Arashi is not just a regular girl; she claims to be a ghost possessing him. And if that isn’t enough, it turns out that with Hajime’s help Arashi can travel to the past. But she’s not the only one with a weird past; many other characters working in the café have a particular secret not everyone knows … [stolen from aniDB] First of all, i really enjoyed this one. It begins pretty straight without too much introduction, rather it lets u get to know the chars while the story unfolds. The team made of Arashi and Hajime make the show moving, and they a pair that u will like. Hajime is pretty outgoing, says straight what he thinks (I kinda like that). Arashi is a bit classy but still not too backholding girl either. She can keep it up to Hajime, through sometimes she is a lil bit dull, but that only adds to the fun factor. Hajimes outgoing characters goes to the Juns regret. During circumstances that happens in the beginning, when they all get to know eachother, she have to pretend to be a boy. They work out that fact during the series pretty good, and also use it good as source for various fun things. What also was very much to my liking was the way they series is drawn/animated as it reminds you (those who know it) of the good old animes from years ago but it also feature modern-day effects. It’s a lovly combination of the old and the new, not only limited to the animation itself but also the music does it’s part. One effect that I particular like as it’s rarly used is that they even animated the dust that gets visible in the sunlight, an effect when it gets right used (which is given here) can add very much to the atmosphere of the scene aswell it’s beautiful. They also included some “real life” effect scenes where they torture a lil model scene. Its may be a lil play on some other animes, like macademy wasshoi (they used modelling clay scenes as censorship) or maybe even on Honey & Clover, where they used modelling clay and various other things to make an animation with it (through this is just an assumption of mine). Another deeper parodie might is Jun. Some of you might remember Happyness! (i tend to call it trappyness), where one of the main chars also was called Jun, just that he was actually a guy that always dressed up as girl. Well there is even much more parodies to find and enjoy, some you have to figure by a specific catch-phrase or a description, others are very clear. The most parodies are to be found in ep 13 where the chars regulary change their outfits, and most of them are parodies on some other series. I figured a few but hell, its too much for knowing all. The anime itself tends also to parodie itself a lot, especially their time-traveling. They always end every few episodes philosphing about the “time-paradox” as in what happens when u do this in the past. Or what happens to the spoiled milk that u take back and exchange it for the one thats still good. Sounds weird ? Yes but its very funny made up. Sure even this one have its 2 more honest episodes but it all fits nice together so it makes a funny sometimes a bit weird feeling enjoyable piece of anime and I look forward to watch season 2 thats currently running. Enjoy this one!

Trailer:

Source: YouTube

Opening (OP1)

Source: YouTube

Ending (ED1)

Source: YouTube

The Endings vary with very episode a bit so its worth to regulary watch them, also the before the preview some funstuff takes place.For those living within US/CA that wanna take a quick peek on it, u can watch it here at CR. All others sadly must find their own rips (I suggest SHiNJi).

-Death

On November 22, 2010 ten missiles strike Japan. However, this unprecedented terrorist act, later to be called as “Careless Monday,” does not result in any apparent victims, and is soon forgotten by almost everyone. Then, 3 months later… Saki Morimi is a young woman currently in the United States of America on her graduation trip. But just when she is in front of the White House, Washington DC, she gets into trouble, and only the unexpected intervention of one of her fellow countrymen saves her. However, this man, who introduces himself as Akira Takizawa, is a complete mystery. He appears to have lost his memory and he is stark naked, except for the gun he holds in one hand, and the mobile phone he’s holding with the other hand. A phone that is charged with 8,200,000,000 yen in digital cash. (the description comes from Production I.G themself) In fact this anime is sounding weird, but its great. Those who enjoyed already Honey & Clover, especially their animation styles and ways in that anime, will already have something they will love about this one. It features a similar animation, through the story is much deeper and serious. But dont think a serious anime cant be funny, it always have something to laugh about. Surely the beginning have more but still, i liked their balance act. Also the way how Saki gets dragged into all this mess is good made up, in some other animes they’re pretty weak with finding a way to drag the char in the story events in the beginning. Its not the perfect way but its definitly one of the better. Also to my liking was the bigger idea behind the phone and the money which get slowly revealed as the story goes on. What should be said is that this series is a kind of a cliffhanger, the prequel for the movies to come (its three in total). I understand it that the series tell us how all begun and prepare us for the coming events, while the movies will keep the real deal, and have the highlight of the whole thing in em. Maybe I’m wrong but that will we find out once we saw the movies. But if u ask my opinion from all I watched about higu so far, I say it will be good. So if u like conspiracy, spiced with a splash of love and some crazy characters combined with great animation and some fun parts, u found your anime. But like always I say, give it a try even if u say “wtf is this??” as it confuse one a bit until u begin to get bigger picture.

Trailer (eng sub by Frostii):

Source: Youtube

The opening is a great song by the british band oasis, it fits the anime perfectly and if u can get your hands on the video of the song in the “Higashi No Eden” version, watch it. Its 200% better then the original music video, but sadly they decided to keep this version a japanese only thing. Sigh, sad but true. Anyway, here we have the opening for your and after that a lil parodie on the trailer, Higashi no Eden feat. Borne Identity.

Opening:

Source: Youtube

Higashi no Eden feat. Borne Identity:

Source: Youtube

The Quality of the fun trailer is a bit sucky but still its lulz. All together, watch it .

-Death

Magician’s Academy revolves around Takuto Hasegawa, who attends a magic academy that is not marked on any map. During a summoning spell exam, he accidentally creates a girl named Tanarotte, who happens to hold enough magical power to destroy his country, but fortunately Tanarotte professes undying loyalty to her “creator.” The universe separated in three worlds: Heaven, Human World (Earth), Demon realm. The Gods & Demons are not seen fighting among themselves in the human world and try to keep their existence a secret from them. The human world is only source of entertainment and enlightenment to both the demons and the gods to the point of smuggling human goods to both realms. (taken from Wikipedia, and shortend to remove spoilers) Also it should be said that this anime is based on a game for the Playstation 2. Its really a feast of catgirls and cuteness, it begins with Tanarotte and goes on with the other girls. I also to a big liking in Falcé, especially when she is in the “small” mode. She appears later on and follows Takuto around, often in form of tools like pens and stuff. And there is that scene in the cafe where is she a small chibi sipping some kinda soda. Its so damn cute~. Its not much special about this one besides the pretty high catgirl/nekomimi and animal ear appearence. Take that away from it u get a more or less normal anime with the topic “magic” spiced with some small potions romance and some parts school. The romance part is more used as a base for jokes and fun then beeing too honest with it, so it dont become annoying as in some other anime. It fits my latly intrest in more comedy/fun orientated animes, and so u shouldnt expect anything “special” or “great” from it. Also some may say it contains a lot of loli, that a point where I say NO. That isnt what I call loli, at least not in the terms when loli gets used as “bad” attribute. hmm… but stop, one thing is a bit outstanding here… I actually never saw the higher ups from the demons and angels going along, where the Gabriel is a goth loli and both are hardcore otakus for anime and stuff. OK, so I should correct here my further statement it lacks something special, but its maybe still something not everyone consider great. Anyway, I could tell u more about the other chars that are part of the regular play but that would kill off the fun factor for u. There is quite some parodise in it. I add some pictures to show a few scenes i refered to in the review earlier. So, those who search for something to have fun with, and not for a great honest romance story or something other more “real” thing, should enjoy it.

Trailer

The chibi Falcé (bottom of the picture)

Gothic Angels and the Deamons

hm~ this cube is somehow familar, dont something run in the cinema these days….

Anyway, lets end it here. I really suggest if u dont have a problem with loli and like fun stuff to watch it. There is so many stuff that everyone probably find something for himself.

-Death

Based on a shounen manga by Haruaki Katou. Hyakko is a manga whose main heroines were four girls when the story started. But as the story goes, many unique classmates show up. Those girls sometimes twist the heroine around their little finger or vise versa. In many situations, they all have noisy get-togethers with each other, and that is really fun. (stolen from AniDB) Hyakko is kinda weird in the beginning, since unlike other animes of this kind we dont start in the middle of the whole thing but really at the beginning of it. The 4 ends up all together cause they’re lost and finally beat up the teacher with glues em even more ^.^. The chars are colorful and differes from the usual pairing. Sure u have the shy one and the more agressive one but here u got 2 straight forward ones instead of the usual single one. Then u got the silent but .. hmm… “useful” is probably the best description for Suzu, boy she’s a glutton. But this fresh combination give the thing more intrest, at least i like it pretty much when those anime types still come up with something new. But this also was the first anime with a girl openly admitting she’s bi-sexual, which also opens a lot space for funfactors. I mean why not ? We live in a modern world, besides this was a nice why to evade too much contact with the guys and the need of a open romance. OK, here in different to similar type anime like Hidamari, u got guys, but in my eyes they play just a side roll to fill a bit and open new rooms for fun. It’s not like there is any serious romance coming up, which is better this way. I can’t stand romance stuff too much latly, so i tend to evade stuff with that kinda genere attached. But dunno, i cant get Suzu out of my head, she is a fun character. Great was that episode where u see her making a kind of “tour” around in school, and get just by showing up already all kinda sweets and candy, i mean it was totally lulz for me. The end brings a bit drama along but nothing too serious, its ok, uncalled for or better said unneeded but well… that must everyone decide for himself, right ? So without further words we go over to the Trailers and stuff, then its up to you if u wanna see it or not ;).

Hyakko PV

Source: YouTube

Hyakko PV2

Source: YouTube

-Death

Based on a shoujo manga by Maki Minami serialised in Hana to Yume. When Hikari was little, she and her father liked to watch pro wrestling, and she became very good at it. She was the pride of her family until one day she was introduced to Kei, the son of her father’s friend. He instantly defeated her in wrestling, and started what would become Hikari’s major ambition to one day beat him. To do this she enrolled in Kei’s school, an ultra elite school that costs her father a lot of money. This unusual school created classes according to grades, and the top seven students become members of the “SA”. They have their own building, and can optionally attend class. Hikari is usually the only one who does so, since she desperately wants to beat Kei with test scores. The members of the “SA” have been close friends since their first year. (yep, like u guessed, i stole it from aniDB again^^) Hmm, special it says in the title but still its a romance comedy. It have its good points and its unusual points, like having that extreme rivality between Takishima (Kei-chan) and Hikari. Sure u say we got other anime with that but its somehow different. Funny was that the other characters made their proposal way earlier then our main couple and sometimes u got nice “games” that get played with the main chars. But they dragged it way too much out of my taste, they could have them come together much earlier so we could have a bit fun with they as a couple. The chars are an interesting mix, thats again one of the better points. You get a Animal Lover, the girl who is all over Hikari, the boy who trys to play the violien but its horrible at it and aside from that rather shy, his silbing? (i think she was, i forgot already, had a lil gap between the last episodes^^) that wish to sings but her singing have the impact of a small nuclear strike (no joke, u see why i call it that when u see the animation), the dude that looks kinda homeless and always is after something to eat, and our main stars, Takishima, super rich and sucessor to a big company group, and Hikari, the compared to the rest pretty poor but hard working girl, and have a constant fight with Takishima. Its an intresting mix, that have to withstand much bad blood and maintain their friendship. It becomes pretty deep (not just because of the building of couples) but that gets explained later in the series^^. I probably spoiled a lot, and i wanna apolpogize for that. If u’re into this topic, or just need a filler u can try it. Some episodes i suggest to leave out, at least i considered them not important for the story and way too cheesy. Seems i’m not that easy with such stuff anymore^^.

Promo Trailer(eng subbed by Rozen):

Opening:

Well, thats it for today. Hopefully i manage to finish off Mnemosyne these days, but i’m rather on “Grim Tales of Billy and Mandy” trip, so it can eventually take longer. Anyways, have fun

-Death

Due to family troubles, Ren Uesugi and his sister, Mihato, leave their home. They end up moving to the city but find themselves with a lack of money. Somehow they are able to find work in the form of the Kuonji family’s mansion, being employed as servants to the three sisters of the Kuonji family: Shinra, Miyu, and Yume. Being a servant also associates Ren with the mansion’s additional servants and the Kuonji sisters’ friends. (taken from ANN) To say it in short words, it was great. Its one of the less butler/maid animes, where i can say its good. Most the others got too centered around one character, too long or just dumb and perverted. No, this one have a funny staff, 3 intresting masters, and aswell a entertaining group of friends. Mii (a friend to our masters) is a good example for beeing different, as she always asks for getting slapped and stuff as she is in S&M. Or from the masters,  Miyu, she have a loli complex (yes, this is no joke, a girl with a loli complex). But its not only that, there is more, like a bit (not too much) of romance. A forbidden fruit, a relationship between master and servant. They never admit it open but its there. Hatsune-nee is also a unique considering how much tools she have hidden on her body (she calls it “onee-chan’s 100 hidden tools”). It makes a great anime, also they elaborate good the problematic father-son relationship. They make up a resonable and good solution to that, not an agressive and violent like other series sometimes have. I really wish for more of this series, it was nice and had the ecchi parts integrated in the flow of the series without beeing annyoning like many newer series. Its nice to see the daily adventures of Ren and the rest of the gang. Alltogether a nice series to watch.

Opening:

Ending:

(ah and yes, its based on a h-game as far as i can tell^^)

-Death