Fresh Bread, Anyone? : Yakitate! JaPan

At first, I was quite fixated over this anime. I like it because the (early) plot is rather intriguing. In addition, I like the portrayal of the protagonis, Azuma Kazuma. He got spunk and spirit and at the sametime he is so naive. Kawachi Kyosuke is funny and a bit pigheaded. He complemets Azuma very well. Moreover, the theme is very unique. I regard this anime as an eye-opener. It gives out the important information regarding bread and bread making. Other than that, the opening and ending tracks are rather catchy and interesting.

Well... here comes the bad part! I hate this anime because of its ridiculous and quirky characters. It is funny if the characters are only one or two intermittently shown in the episodes but not throughout the entire episodes!

• There is a character - Meister Kirisaki - who is bemasked 24/7. To add, he has a pet peacock that is more intelligent than a dog (the peacock can answer a telephone call!).
• Pierot : The self multiplying clown who seems to have the ability to pop anywhere and everywhere he wishes to be. In the finale, he emerges from the sky like Ultraman.
• There's this Mokono character (correct me if I am wrong) who wears a mask of a koala but then later he changes his mask to panda.
• A king who wears a lion head for a mask and he seems to be wearing it througout the episodes! What is up with that?!
• Mr. M seems happy with his afro hair-style and he managed to influence Kawachi to have one.

There are also lot's of 'anomalies' in this anime. Somehow, I was rather 'amused' with these quirks. Whenever people eat Azuma's bread they will have 'reactions' and among of these 'reactions' are...

• Out-of-body experience : Kuroyonagi died briefly and gone to heaven as a reation when he ate Azuma's bread.
• bodily transformation and mental distortion : For example, in episod 44, Pierot once transformed into Detective Conan Breadogawa (Edogawa)!
• distortion in time and space continuum: Azuma's bread has changed the past and resurrected Pierot's dead parents.
  
• parody: Episode 44 contains both parodies of Initial D and Michael Schumacher, and also of Doraemon. In episode 59, there is a parody of Naruto where Kawachi (Naruto) and Suwabara (Sasuke) are fighting using various parodied techniques.
  

Well, actually, there are so many quirks in this anime. And you'll only understand me if you watch it yourself! Anyway, you can download it at the LINK I have provided in this blog. Good luck downloading!

Animeman Extraordinaire : Miyazaki-Sensei...

...children's souls are the inheritors of historical memory from previous generations.

For those who claim themselves as anime lovers MUST have known HAYAO MIYAZAKI! If you are unaware of him and his works must, at once, rip the title as 'anime lover'! He is a sheer genius and a magnificent story-teller! He is the ultimate animators and anime director, the one and only. In fact, so far, he is the only Japanese animator that has won the Academiy Award for his superb masterpiece, Spirited Away. He was raduated from Gakushuin University with a degree in political science & economics (1963). And for that reason, he usually deals with themes of politic, environmentalism, anti-war and most importantly good and evil.

He also believes that there is always good in evil or vice versa. For example in Mononoke-hime, Lady Eboshi knowingly exploits the forests for raw materials at the expense of animal life, while simultaneously sheltering lepers and former prostitutes in her city. The same is true for Spirited Away, where, according to Miyazaki, "the heroine [is] thrown into a place where the good and bad dwell together ... She manages not because she has destroyed the “evil,” but because she has acquired the ability to survive."

When it comes to theme of enviromentailsm, in Spirited Away, this theme is made concrete through the "stink spirit", and consequently he himself, has been polluted and is cleansed by the protagonist, Chihiro.

The reason why his work is accepted world-wide is because his work has European flavor, excellent visual and audio quality as well as unique themes. Eventhough, most of the settings are based in Japan, the European influence can be seen in the setting.

His most prominent trademark in his work is flying. He frequently includes scenes or sequences in which the characters fly. Another trait of his work is, he likes to pay homage to working-class people. This can be seen in Spirited Away, Mononoke-hime and also Howl's Moving Castle. He is truly a director that appreciates children and youngster and that is the reason why most of his protagonists are children or teenagers.

In the final anlysis, I believe Miyazaki's work has transcended time and space. And it will be appreciated and enjoyed by all!

My name is Chihiro : Spirited Away

This movie is produced by Studio Ghibli . It's written and directed by the famous and celebrated Hayao Miyazaki in year 2001. For those who don't really know who is Hayao Miyazaki, he is the famous writer and director ofnumerous well-known anime movies such as Mononoke-Hime, Howl's Moving Castle, My Neighbour, Totoro,  Laputa and the list goes on. In addition, Spirited Away had claimed an international accolade by winning an OSCAR (yes... you heard me right!) in the same year. And then, the movie snagged another 35 wins and 18 nominations.

The original title of this movie is SEN TO CHIHIRO NO KAMIKAKUSHI. Literally it means, Sen and Chihiro Spiriting Away. But when it is translated into English the title is shorten into SPRITED AWAY. The tagline of this movie is The tunnel led Chihiro to a mysterious town (don't ever ask me the Japanese translation...).

It's undeniable that Miyazaki is the wizard of Japanese Anime. He, more often than not, creates works of such incredible beauty, stunning visual and sensory enchantmens. He is definitely the master of storytelling, that one can only be left speechless. Overwhelmed. Intoxicated with wonder. This is the magic of Spirited Away

The plot is simple yet very spellbinding. Filled with unique, lovable, quirky and spunky characters that will amuse and mesmerize the audience. Miyazaki reminds me of Charles Dickens. Both of them have the knack in creating such memorable characters with unique mannerisms. This anime will absolutely be enjoyed by everybody from all walks of life. Children and adults alike will be enthralled from start to end.

I simply love this movie since it radiates a magical, awe-inspiring, tearful, laughter-filled, heartfelt journey through a land of sweeping fantasy and dreams.

The First Wind...

Hajimari No Kaze ~ Full Version~
By, Hirahara Ayaka

Hajimari no kaze yo todoke messe-ji (message)

"Itsu demo anata wo shinjite iru kara"

Ano toki yume ni mite ita sekai ni tatte iru noni

Miwatasu keshiki ni ashi wo sukoshi sukumase

Dakedo ushiro furimukanaide aruite yuku koto kimeta kara

Miageta sora nanairo no niji anata mo mite'masu ka?

Hajimari no kaze yo todoke messe-ji (message)

Yume ni kakedashita senaka mimamoru kara

Maiagaru kaze yo omoi wo tsutaete

"Itsu demo anata wo shinjite iru kara"

Habatake mirai e

Tatoeba, taisetsu na hito wo mune ni omou toki wa

Daremo ga kitto yasashii kao wo shiteru hazu

Michi wa toki ni hateshinakutemo akiramezu ni yuku yo

Hajimari no kaze yo todoke messe-ji (message)

Haruka na tabiji no sono saki de matteru

Maiagaru kaze yo unmei mo koete

Negai wa todoku to shinjirareru kara

Itsuka mata aeta nara ano egao misete

Hajimari no kaze yo todoke messe-ji (message)

Haruka na tabiji no sono saki de matteru

Maiagaru kaze yo unmei mo koete

Negai wa todoku to shinjirareru kara

Osoreru mono nado nai

"anata ga iru kara"

What say me:
For those who are not very familiar with this song, this is actually the opening theme for anime COLOURCLOUD PALACE or SAIUNKOKU MONOGATARI. Some translate the title as "The Wind of Beginning" and some "The First Wind". I prefer the latter. The singer is Hirahara Ayaka.

Everytime when I listen to this song, it makes cry! I can't get enough of this song. I trust that anybody who listens to this number, will get hooked immediately! I can vouch on that! I simply love the intoxicating melody and the sound of er-hu (Chinese traditional musical instrument) is really soothing. Furthermore, Hirahara-san's calming voice really complemets the whole mood. Since I love this song so very much, I have made it as my current ringtone.

If you want to download the song, try these L.I.N.K 1 or L.I.N.K 2

Puhleese... Not For Me : Onegai! Teacher

What can I say about this anime, PLEASE TEACHER. I feel a bit uncomfortable with the whole theme. Yes... it can be romantic but, come to think of it, it's rather ... ludicrous! Come on!... A teacher must remain professional no matter what. Having romantic relationship with a student is a definite NO NO! I doesn't matter even the student him/herself consents the relationship.

And to top it of, this anime is laced with an ecchi theme. To illustrate, Mizuho sensei is portrayed as a ditsy, sexy and seductive (ridiculously seductive, I might say) teacher who has silly addict to Pochy or Pocky (does it matter?). She seems to enjoy prancing around in bikinis, wearing short and tight skirts in front of her under-age students. If you ask me, her character doesn't justify the reality.

The issue of sexuality is not dealt wisely. It is some-what vulgar to my taste. The protrayal of semi-nudity and sex toys are a bit blatant, thus dubs this anime as ecchi and not for the minors. Sorry kids!

To add, I strongly believe the reason for Kusanagi Kei and the sensei to be married is rather far-fetched and nonsense. I mean, do they really have to get married so that Mizuho's secret (the fact that she's an alien) will not be revealed? There are millions, no, gazillions other ways to conceal the secret. In fact, what troubles me most is how on earth could the principle condone to this!

All in all, I don't really fancy this anime and frankly I wouldn't recommend it to be watched or downloaded. Anyway, here's the link if you really want to download the anime

My Preciousssss.....

These are my collections od Anime as well as Jdorama DVDs. I bought them at the local DVDs store nearby my home. Whenever I bought one, I would watch it at one go. For example, when I bought Death Note DVD I watched it continuously until I finished all the episodes. Yes, I know... I am a freak! Well, you can say that again...

Anyway, other that buying DVDs I also downloaded most of the animes that I have watched, so far. Right now, I am downloading Inuyasha as well as La Corda D'oro ~Prima Passo~. And as we speak I am downloading Bleach latest episode 170 from my favourite site, www.realitylapse.com. Sometimes, I download my animes from www.animea.net, but since I don't really fancy downloading animes in AVI format as the size are too big.  

I've Got To Get Going Soon..

Sorosoro Ikanakucha
by, Suga Shikau

Nandaka dou demo yoku natte gozenchuu sabotte shimatta
Miesuita iiwake wo shitara yokei meitte kita
Kinou no yoru kanojo ga tabeteta poteto chippusu no fukuro
Terebi wo minagara nondeta biiru mo sono mama teeburu ni...

...Saenai hibi da to ha omou
ironna koto kangachairu kedo

"Denwa kurai yokose" to kazoku ha iu
Hanaseru koto ha betsu ni nanimo nai kedo
"Tsumaranai" to yoku kanojo ha iu
Mou sugu shougo sorosoro ikanakucha

Doa wo akeru to tsumetai kuuki ga gyutto mimi wo tsukanda
Nobu ni te wo kaketa mama boku ha iki wo suikonde miru
Surechigatta yasekoketa inu ga boku no hou wo mite niyatto waratta
Shiroi iki ga waza to rashii kurai ichiichi karamitsuku

Shuumatsu ni nareba mou sukoshi
ironna koto mashi ni naru ka na

"Ai-shite iru no?" to kanojo ha iuItsumo umaku henji ha dekinai
"Shiketa kao suru na" to tomodachi ha iu
Tameiki ha mou ii sorosoro ikanakucha

"Otona ni nare yo" to daremo ga iu

Boku ni shika mienai yume ha mou ii"

Gomen" to kuchiguse no you ni boku ha iuIiwake ha ii

sorosoro ikanakucha

English Translation :

Somehow, I've stopped caring, and I ended up skiving off all morning

When I make transparent excuses, I get way too depressed

There's the bag of potato chips that my girlfriend ate last night

And the beer I drank while watching TV just lying there on the table

I think it's these cloudy days,

although I'm mulling over all kinds of stuff

My family tells me, "At least give us a call"

Even though I don't really have anything I can talk about

My girlfriend often tells me, "This is boring"

It'll be noon in a few; I've got to get going soon

When I open the door, the cold air grabs tight hold of my ears

With my hand still on the doorknob, I try sucking in a breath

That starving dog I passed by looks over at me and barks out a laugh

To the point that it looks intentional, my white breaths coil around me one by one

When the weekend comes,

will some stuff get a little better?

My girlfriend asks me, "Do you love me?"
And I can never give her a good answer
My friends tell me, "Don't look so surly"
I've had enough of sighs; I've got to get going soon

Everyone tells me, "Be a man"
I've had enough of dreams that no one but me can see
Like it's my catchphrase, I tell them,
"Sorry"Enough excuses; I've got to get going soon