It’s out. This month’s posters are somewhat less awesome that previous issues, but it more than makes it up with the inclusion of a StrikerS CD. Now waiting for hi-res scans. This month’s posters.
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Definitely has been a while since I last did a figure photography shoot, but I finally have a free day from work and other everyday chores. So now I bring to you, Tsukimiya Ayu from Kanon.
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This OVA certainly had me "falling in love with the show all over again" - and then some more. This second installment built on the first two seasons and first OVA by showing how far the Yumi x Sachiko soeur relationship has come; only the barest hints of Yumi angst and Sachiko coldness were evident. Although [...]
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The land is lost. No one cares. They wallow in the filth they have created. Are there any good ones left? Cover up that pain with pleasure. Run away, to that place where it can’t reach you. Know that you will run forever. It is always with you. Lust for it. Love for it. Die for it. Don’t abandon it, you can’t. Reach with me. Into that dark place. There is a pearl of hope. Tarnished though it
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Like Kabitzin, I’ve been pretty disappointed with most of the shows this season, save for a few choice morsels. I almost feel like this is a neverending cycle of high hopes and major letdowns - it’s certainly been quite awhile since I’ve felt a season was actually burgeoning with quality series. Such was [...]
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For something already quite established as a manga and novel series, Ghost Hunt has about the same less than a handful of fanlistings that a new(er) entry to the anime collective consciousness would have (cf. Black Blood Brothers). And aside from the fanlisting for the series itself, they're all for the guys! Ghost Hunt Fanlistings *huge sweatdrop* Nothing wrong with the above list (this
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[Episode 14: To the North] [Episode 15: The Secret Blades Resonate] [Enjoyment Value: 8/10 & 9/10] [Thoughts] Thus begins the second part of Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto. Episode 14 shows us many things, such as Ebisu’s funeral, Akidzuki’s anger towards Soutetsu, and Kanna who now has command over the four warriors introduced in episode thirteen. They’re some wicked bastards too; [...]
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Naru suddenly went into Super Saiyan’s mode and started to build his powers. He then summons the great ball of fire from within, getting the power of the people as they raised their hands to give him the essence of life. Does this ring a bell? Don’t even talk about Dragonball when you are watching Ghost [...]
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[Episode 12: Ryouma’s Message] [Episode 13: The Lord’s Head Finds a Soul] [Enjoyment Value: 8/10 & 9.5/10] [Thoughts] Episode 12 answered some questions and yet brought a lot with it. Same masked guys killed Sakamoto. As to who they are I’m not sure yet but I think we might see them sooner or later, if they’re not [...]
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HD presents an informal analysis of current business models in Japan's oldest industry. Well, maybe not the oldest. and maybe they're not models, per se. All I really know is that the money leaving my wallet in exchange for these things has got to be going somewhere...
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I almost missed this: Comic Book Resources reports that a company called Aurora has signed a distribution deal with Diamond. Aurora is owned by the Japanese publishing company Ohzora, and its titles include the Project X series and the Harlequin manga, according to Simon Jones, who, as always, has the background. (Link is NSFW, although [...]
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I’m posting late tonight because I had a busy day, but I couldn’t let this go by: Manga Jouhou’s Floating_Sakura contacted Libre and asked what was going on with CPM. (Background here, if you’re coming to the party late.) Amazingly, they answered. Their explanation was that when the Japanese publisher Biblos went bankrupt last year, [...]
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Buy it here Title:
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Spring season begins in earnest next week, so it’s about time I got started figuring out what I want to watch. Or maybe I was just waiting for someone else to do the work. Spring season is looking fantastic so far. Far better than the abysmal winter season, but shows can go bad in an [...]
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Anime Network and digital cable provider Wide Open West have inked a deal that will ensure that anime on demand will get in the hands of all those eager midwestern otaku.
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It's probably not to everyone's taste, but I just loved the first episode of Hitohira. It's always dangerous to make comparisons, but in its gentleness, sensitivity and warm atmosphere, it reminded me of Asatte no Houkou. There was also something of Maria-sama ga Miteru about it, and not just in the conservative school uniforms.The basic story is of an insecure high-school freshman whose voice completely goes away when she is nervous, and how she becomes a member of a drama club. I see hints of a school-level Glass Mask. I'll summarize the story in pop-up captions you can see by passing your mouse over the pictures, and continue my comments between the rows of pics. (click pictures to enlarge) This show is made by the same staff that made PetoPeto-san, and their delicacy of feeling shows. They treat another insecure young lead with great sympathy. The voice-acting is generally wonderful. Kawasumi Ayako as the impassive but friendly senior Nono is totally captivating. And Kimoto Orie as the protagonist Mugi drips out her hesitant syllables in a way that draws you right in. Mugi's friend Kayo is played by Miyagawa Miho, who played the very popular character Sahara in PetoPeto-san. She does a good job as the close friend who sometimes seems a bit impatient with Mugi and is always trying to push her to be more assertive. The tenderest moments in the piece are between Nono and Mugi. The understated feelings really work. The silences and hesitations in these scenes are great directorial work, in my opinion. Of course, Kawasumi Ayako makes it all easier by being completely godly here. The series director is Nishimori Akira, who did PetoPeto-san, and he directed and storyboarded the first episode, too. The blonde freshman Chitose, who loves watching plays, is well voiced by newcomer Yabusaki Emi, who had a couple of bit parts in PetoPeto-san. Narita Ken's voice stands out as the drama research club member Takashi. He played Kazuya in Kyoushirou to Towa no Sora, and Jeremiah in Code Geass. Mugi's friend Kai, an insecure scalliwag, is played by Kishio Daisuke, who was Samatarou in Kamisama Kazoku and the elegant Yunoki in Corda D'Oro. Although I don't like some of the scenes he is in -- interplay with the tsuntsun member of the drama research club -- he does a good job with the voice.The music in the show works extremely well at reinforcing the emotion without making it melodramatic. The OP and ED are marvelous, to my ear. I just love the very skillful and musical voices of Asami Yuuko (OP) and Mizuhashi Mai (ED). Left above is the face-touching scene from the manga. To my eye, the animation director, Motohashi Hideyuki, and the character designers, Yamanaka Junko and Sudo Masatomo, have done a great job preserving the feeling of the manga in a clean, colorful anime look. At right is the entire page from the manga, which is by Kirihara Izumi. On the left are the seiyuus for the three main freshman girls -- (l-r) Miyagawa Miho (Kayo), Kimoto Orie (Mugi), Yabusaki Emi (Chitose) -- just before going on stage for a live event at the Tokyo International Anime Fair on Sunday. At right is Kimoto Orie at the Fair, beside a poster of Mugi. Looks pleased as Punch, doesn't she? This is her second starring role. She was Cure Egret in Pretty Cure Splash Star. She says she went on Saturday just to see the Fair, but ended up signing autographs by her poster. Both pictures are from Kimoto Orie's blog.This first episode got the show off to a great start, for me. But that was true of PetoPeto-san, too. While I did like that show, the plot did seem to wander off in the second half of the series. Hopefully the fact that this is based on a manga will help it stay on the rails. The lead writer is Sasano Megumi, who did the same job on PetoPeto-san. The manga is published in Comic High, which is a seinen magazine (mainly aimed at young men).A show that is a combination of PetoPeto-san, Marimite, and Glass Mask? You could do a lot worse than that.
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Yeah, I’m late for the news, blame my C++ ASSignment for it. The trailer can be viewed through this link, or watch the uploaded version of it here. Hellsing OVA III TrailerUploaded by digiwombat BTW, the official site owns. Why? AUSUM!
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Ok, first things first, if you don't LOVE Lucy, get out. You're excused pending executive action. Moving along from that, now that I have gotten rid of all but the best people in the audience, I'd like to show you WAVE's rendition of Lucy Maria Misora. Let's have a look at her. She's standing a [...]
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