Since I seem to have never been the popular voice on Macross F—although I believe I have been the more rational one—there is no reason to break the tradition now: This episode was stupid, a ruin to what was a great show up until ep. 25. It was another Mai Hime ending all over again, where the [...]
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Continued Story - Song by HITOMI Now this song is what I call awesome :P For some reason, it reminded me of "It's only the fairytale" from Mai-Hime. It's one of those sad songs that is also happy, I guess. It was fit for the end of Lelouch vi Britannia. Though, some people have been bothered by such an end, so they sought truths and believed that Lelouch is still alive... that he's the guy driving that... stagecoach? Meh, I just think he's dead. It's kind of one of those Elfen Lied kind of endings, isn't it? Well, we can all believe.
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I have to admit that I don't hate this one. Sunrise could have ended the series in an over-the-top manner but they chose to go with a more mellow resolution. A resolution that really gives a lot of credence to Lelouch as the main protagonist of the series and I appreciate that in a series. I see that a lot of people are in rage over his death but this is the only way his plan can work. Unfortunately a lot of details have been ignored to facilitate this ending. I can definitely use a lot more closing on several supporting characters, especially C.C. I also think that at the end of the series, we still didn't get a complete resolution of Britannia vs. Japan conflict although I assume with Nunnally in charge, things will change for the better. I'll talk more about that after the cut but in general, I feel that the episode left a better impression of the series for me than otherwise it'd have been. I feel that this is the reverse of Mai Hime, where the ending made me completely disgusted for that series. I don't think I'll ever list either series as one of my favorite series but at least with Geass, they don't squander Lelouch's character development for some over-the-top joke or complete reset of what he's done so far.
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Something big is coming up and as a surprise, I decided to ask the readers about which banner this blog should use. 1. Random Mai hime picture that I got from somewhere 2. A plain one from the Idolmaster art book 3. From the same art book 4. A picture from Keiichi Sumi (a post on him is coming [...]
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The official website for the My HiME franchise has announced that My Otome 0 -S.ifr- OVA vol.3 will be released on November 21.
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Here are today's "really cool products" that I've picked out for you, out of the 30+ new items we've added to the J-List and JBOX.com sites today. Note that some products may be "not safe for work" but that all links will allow you to redirect yourself either to the J-List or JBOX.com websites. To see all the J-List products, check out J-List or the JBOX.com updated products link. Megami Magazine Deluxe vol. 11. Megami Magazine is the #1 anime magazine at J-List because each issue is filled with gorgeous original images for you to stare at dreamily or hang on your wall. This is the new Megami Deluxe, which features page upon page of amazing anime girl art (megami does mean "goddess" after all) printed in full pin-up format. It's all here -- Clannad, Lucky Star, Shana, Haruhi, Zero no Taukaima, Mai Hime, ToHeart, and more. Enjoy. Tsukasa Hiiragi Figma Action Figure ~ Lucky Star. She's really cute and she's got a cell phone: it's Tsukasa, the slightly airheaded but 100% kawaii younger sister to Kagami from Lucky Star. Enjoy her many poses in this new Figma release that lets you create anything with the girl. Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service 2009 Calendars. 2009 calendar season continues, and we're posting two awesome upcoming Studio Ghibli calendars. There are two Totoro offerings this year, a cool 3D wall calendar as well as this year's desktop Totoro calendar, and a great Kiki's Delivery Service wall calendar showing Jiji the black cat and his white Persian girlfriend. Calendars can be used to display pictures of loved ones when 2009 is finished, so they're highly recommended. Other 2009 Calendars. We're also posting more of our standard Japanese calendars, from nature calendars showing the four seasons in Japan to the deluxe sushi calendar to one of my favorites, beautiful Japanese rooms. Check out the newly posted items. Saber Figma Action Figure Armor ver. ~ Fate/stay night *Preorder*. Also, dig on this Figma figure of Saber, perhaps coolest single anime action figure we've seen. All those poses! All those ways to hold the sword! I am floored by what the anime toy sculptors are able to create these days. Back in stock today. Optical Egg Mouse -- Pink, Black. Elecom is the #1 computer peripheral maker in Japan, and we love their stylish products. We're posting their new Optical Egg Mouse, an elegant and easy to hold mouse that's oval shaped, today, in pink and black. Fully compatible with Windows and Mac without any additional drivers. Low Rider Magazine Oct 2007. Low Rider Japan is the magazine for people who love to deck their vehicles out, and it's filled with information and pictures of people who really went to work on their vehicles. Entirely produced and printed in Japan. Hello Kitty KIRA-DECO Long Purse with Rhine Stone & pearl Charm. Then, here's an awesome Hello Kitty purse that's ready to hold all your money, cards, and other important information and look incredibly stylish while doing it. High quality item for females who want to have something special with them. New Japanese Snacks. Today's new snack items include wasabi flavored rice crackers that are fun to munch on, delicious Lotte Cubio gummy snacks in "Blood Orange" flavor, and a new variety of Fuusen no Mi ("Fruit of the Bubble") gum in blueberry and yogurt flavor. Restocked Artbooks. J-List carries dozens of the best large-format artbooks, and today we're restocking the gorgeous Gundam, Macross and Eva illustrations of Morishita Naochika, Monster Hunter Illustrations, and more. Puru-Puru Jelly Sticker ~ WA patterns. This is just plain cool. 3D "gel" stickers that you can put on your window, allowing beautiful colored light to come through. Features images of Japan including a pagoda, sakura, Mt. Fuji, and more. Hello Kitty Stainless Steel Thermos 580 ml. Complete your Hello Kitty bento experience with this awesome Sanrio item that will keep your drinks icy cold or hot-hot. Features cup for drinking and a handy strap. Very well made item from Japan. More Great Bento Boxes In Stock. We've restocked our best-selling Lucky Cat Bento Box, which features the famous image of a cat beckoning good luck into your home or business, along with another favorite of mine, the Retro Trading Mark Bento, a 2-tier lunchbox with a cool Showa Period commercial kanji logo on it. TAMAGO-YAKI ~ Japanese Baked Egg Pan. Want to try your hand at making tamago-yaki, the delicious scrambled egg sushi that's popular in Japan and around the world? Well, now you can, with this authentic pan that's made just for that purpose. Japanese Study Books. J-List supports everyone who wants to learn some Japanese, and today we're restocking Catchy Japanese Phrases I & II, which present a "situational" way to learn the language that's something I'd have loved to have back in the day. Also, see fresh stock of the Doraemon bilingual manga series (many volumes). Handbook for Newcomers, Migrants and Immigrants to Japan. Interested in living in Japan? Not visiting, living, perhaps permanently? If so, then this bilingual handbook published in English and Japanese can help. Written by influential Arudou Debito, an American who took Japanese citizenship, it answers many questions about how to find work and get a visa, how health insurance works here, and even questions about how to get married or start a business in Japan. Back in stock today after many weeks of being sold out. JINBEI / Relax & Cool Homewear ~ Old Map of EDO Town / Dark Gray. We've restocked our line of jinbei (also written jimbei), summer short kimonos that are great for use as pajamas (as I use them) or for wearing to a summer fireworks festival, including the Old Map of Edo Jinbei. Revoltech No.63 Ricky ~ Dokodemo Issho *Preorder*. Revoltech fans, here's a cool item you can order now: Ricky, from the Dokodemo Issyo (aka "Always With You") pantheon of strange Japanese characters. Since this is a Revoltech line toy it's affordable yet can be arranged in hundreds of poses. Louise 1/8 Figure by Kotobukiya ~ Zero no Tsukaima *Preorder*. Zero no Tsukaima is about a girl in a magical world who is so bad at magic, she accidentally summons a human from Japan to be her familiar (tsukaima). Saito turns out to be quite useful, as he has the ability to use any weapon, including, well, you might be able to guess from the title. Anyway, here's a fab statue of Louise looking great as she casts a spell, which can be "cast off" for even more fun. Comic AG Super Manga Anthology vol. 86. You can't ask for a cooler item then Comic AG, the Super Ero Manga Anthology that gives you 80 pages of excellent content for the low price of $4.99. Issue 86 is up on the site now, and it contains such stories as Big Brother's Circumstances, Riding Together, Forbidden Milked Fruit and more. GUSH Aug 2008. Would you like 500+ pages of amazing yaoi artwork? If so, then check out the new issue of Gush, the magazine of dramatic Boy's Love stories. Since there are dozens of Japan's top artists in this anthology, it's great for finding new artists you like. Restocked Mellona, Alice. Queen's Blade fans, we've restocked two of the coolest figures in the series, Mellona, the eerie girl who fights with gelatinous appendages that also server her as clothing, and Alice, another fantastic detailed fighting girl figure. Restocked DVDs. Finally, see a metric ton of awesome anime cosplay DVDs, exploring your favorite thing for two people to do together mixed with lots of anime costumes. Miku Hatsune, Rosen Maiden, Final Fantasy VII, Ikki Tousen, Gundam, Haruhi Suzumiya -- the list is very long since this offering is 8 hours in length.
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Here are today's "really cool products" that I've picked out for you, out of the 30+ new items we've added to the J-List and JBOX.com sites today. Note that some products may be "not safe for work" but that all links will allow you to redirect yourself either to the J-List or JBOX.com websites. To see all the J-List products, check out J-List or the JBOX.com updated products link. Sunshine Buddies Gift -- Honey White, Cherry Pink. Spread some love with these two new solar powered Sunshine Buddies (aka Hidamari no Tami) toys, which lazily move their heads from side to side in a relaxing manner, a great item to remind you to slow down and take it easy. Since they run through the miracle of solar power, they never need batteries! Yoko / Yomako Hug Pillow Case. We love Gurren Lagann, the ultimate giant robot mecha series from Gainax, the fine folks who created Evangelion, Nadia and Aim for the Top. This is the ultimate dakimakura, or Hug Pillow cover, that lets you sleep with the gorgeous Yoko...or her teacher alter ego, Yomako. COWBOY BEBOP ~ Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Blu-ray Disc). Here's a fabulous treat for anime fans: the gorgeous Cowboy Bebop movie brought to you in full Blu-Ray glory! Enjoy every 1080p frame of this fabulous movie in your living room. Myojo July 2008. The handsomest and best-looking guys in Japan can be seen in Myojo, the magazine for people who like the "Johnny's" look. We've gotten the newest issue, filled with Japanese heartthrobs like Kinki Kids, Arashi, and more. Figure King No. 124. Got another issue of Figure King for you, the awesome perfect bound magazine that documents all the best toys and figures in Japan right now. Special on Saint Seiya this issue, too! Animal ONIGIRI Bento Box ~ Black Cat. Then we've got another bento box for you, which features a space to put your favorite onigiri (as triangle shaped rice balls are known) inside the cute cat ears. Kawaii! On top of everything, this series of bento box is issued at a very reasonable price. Secret Flavors Hi-Chew Collection. This is a treat from Morinaga, a bag of Hi-Chew soft candies with flavors that are all secret! What mysterious tastes await you when you to go open the next candy? Classic Hello Kitty Bento Trio Set. A "trio set" is a sturdy plastic case featuring spoon, fork and chopsticks, and it's a great accessory to go with your favorite bento lunchbox. This is the classic 1970s Hello Kitty design, really cute! Lucky Cat Candle Stand Display. Then check out this Lucky Cat item, a ceramic cat that invites good luck into your home by holding a candle for you. A unique and fun item from Japan! Zero no Tsukaima Visual Collection. Zero no Tsukaima, or the Familiar of Zero, is a great anime about a magic school in an alternate world, and the poor girl who can't make any of her spells work properly. This great artbook (which features illustrations that can be removed and displayed separately if you wish) is back in stock. Clear New Spiral Ball Pointed Pen. Back to school season is right around the corner, and J-List is well stocked with Japanese pens, pencil cases, notebooks and other useful tools to help your or those close to you study effectively. This is a new pen from Zebra, a high quality Spiral Ball Pointed Pen, made writing over long hours. Onnanoko Database 2008 ~ Fashion ver. - How to Draw Manga Girls. Next, see fresh stock of this popular How To Draw Manga series book, which presents you with excellent examples of some of the cutest and easiest-to-draw manga girls to help you improve your manga eye. Japanese School Bookbag. If you've ever wanted to own your very own Japanese school bag, well, now you can! This high quality school bag is used by Japanese students all throughout Japan to carry their books to school, and you can do the same. In stock today! Sakura Key Chain Medicine Case. Another innovative product from Japan, these are sakura-printed pill boxes which you can use to store the important medicine you need need to take each day. Back in stock. Restocked Lucky Cat, Kokeshi. Other traditional items back in stock include our smash hit Lucky Cat tea cups (pink and yellow), along with a great wooden Kokeshi doll themed for summer. Totoro Bento, Too. Totoro fans, the popular Red Lacquered Bento Box is back in stock, too. It features a stackable design with removable sections for the ultimate bento experience. Also, we've gotten the Totoro "Forest" Airtight Bento Box for you. Niko Niko Punch 2, Hello Kitty Onigiri Decoration. Bento enthusiasts know that J-List has the best selection of rare items for making traditional Japanese boxed lunch special, and today we're adding a deluxe new nori punch that makes cute faces in sheets of seaweed,. Also, see fresh stock of the Hello Kitty Onigiri Decorate Set, for making rice balls in the shape of that familiar Sanrio character! New Pinky Street Figures *Preorder*. Enjoy the stylish Pinky Street girls, who can change clothes as easily as popping the heads off one body and moving it to another. See three new upcoming Pinky Street (also written Pinky:St.) figures, which you can order now. Restocked Japanese Pretz, Gum & More. You know that J-List sells the best selection of Japanese snacks outside of Japan. Today we're restocking Glico Bakery Pretz Melon Bread and Honey and Butter flavor, gothic-style Lotte Glamatic Gum in Muscat and Lychee flavor, and a very popular item, Ramune Bottle Candy. Downhill Night 1-3 *Preorder*. The newest PC dating-sim games to be announced are the Downhill Night trilogy (Japanese title, Moero Downhill Night), an exciting series of "H" games in which you must help beautiful female drivers win fast-paced races. Unfortunately the games weren't posted to the site as they should have been last weekend, but they're up now, ready for preorder! Sabra DVD Mook ~ YukoReal -- Yuko Ogura. Yuko Ogura is the #1 Japanese cute idol, and it's easy to see why with an amazing body like that. See limited stock of her Sabra Mook (a cross between a magazine and a book) that comes with a DVD. Queen's Blade / Queen's Gate Restocked. For fans of the Queen's Blade combat game (which is really an excuse for otakus to buy some really affordably priced color art books and enjoy the art), see various restocked books, including Cattleya (with her son in tow, as always), the sexy Claudette, Erina who was created by the character designer for Mai Hime, and the Moetan / Ink Nijihara crossover. Joso Shonen Collection - Boys Dressed as Girls ~ Game ver. This is, ahem, one of the most innovative ideas we've seen in a while. Instead of super-cute girls, the game presents super cute...boys, dressed as super-cute girls. It's quite a twist. This is the official art book for the popular game.
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Well, it sure looks purty and, thanks to Yuki Kajiura (Mai Hime, Noir, etc), sounds purty too. But can this prequel to Tsukihime do anything more than the Grand Goth Gesture? Many years ago, Ray introduced me to Shingetsutan Tsukihime, the anime adaptation of Type Moon’s eroge Tsukihime. I remember the show being very pretty, especially [...]
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One more series finished, though I guess I should say two, as I also recently completed My-Hime.  I don’t have much to say about My-Hime beyond asking the question, what the hell was that ending about? I don’t mind a happy ending, but it should at least be reasonable. Hatenkou Yugi was, to put it quite [...]
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Seen at Minaide Hazukashii: While reading Stripey’s post (and the comments) on rewatching My-Hime, the inevitable discussion popped up: what’s the deal with the ending? […] The debate basically boils down to one of two sides: either the ending sucks because it’s a reset ending or it’s appropriate because it’s a reset ending. How does [...]
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