If love so pure...

In this post I would like to do a review on anime OVA I"S PURE. This OVA is actually based on a popular teenage romance manga by Masakazu Katsura. It is serialised from 1997 to 1999. However the OVA is produced in 2006 and it is compressed into 6 mini episodes (Au Commencement, Souvenir, Adieu, Vertige, Déclaration D'amour , and Ensemble).

The story starts off when Ichitaka Seto, a 16 year-old high school student, who falls head over heel for his classmate Iori Yoshizuki. However due to his bashfulness, he is unable to confess. To make it worse, every attempt he makes to confess his true feelings is hindered by some strange twist of fate. Unbeknown to him, the predicaments are becomening more complicated his childhood friend, Itsuki Akiba, suddenly returns to Japan.

In my honest opinion, I think the plot of this OVA is somewhat cliché and rather predictable. Nevertheless, in other aspects I have to admit that the animation, characterization as well as the graphic have exceeded my expectation.

I love the voice dubbing, especially the seiyuu for Itsuki Akiba, Tamaki Nakamishi. It seemed that she had managed to capture Itsuki's cheerful and ditsy mannerism. However, I am not crazy with the OP and ED themes as they are quite mediocre and lack of catchy melody.

In the final analysis I found I”s Pure is a bit dragging and dreary. It fails to keep me awake for more than 15 minutes and I had to struggle to watch all 6 episodes. However, I would recommend this little OVA for anyone who want to kill time waiting for there current animes to be subbed.

The final piece of the puzzle: Bleach 252

OMG! This is the showdown you don't want to miss! This is the episode that answers my confusion regarding Byakuya's high treason. In one of the arc's episodes he did mention that all his actions were done because of his pride. I was tad baffled with that statement and this episode completes the whole puzzle.

Apparently, Kouga was once a Kuchiki and his past action had tainted the name of the Kuchiki House. And for that reason (among other crimes he had done) he was exiled from the house as well as Sereitei. As the 28th head of the Kuchiki House, Byakuya was entrusted by his grandfather, Ginrei, to annihilate Kouga if he managed to break free from his imprisonment, which he finally did with the help of Muramasa. And as a responsible and loyal member of the family, Byakuya shouldered the responsibility without any qualm or quandary. And that actually what he meant by his pride

Well, this episode we learned about why Byakuya and Senbonzakura were on Muramasa's side. It is because Byakuya needed to know the exact location of Kouga's burial ground. He had to do what he had done (including obliterating Rukia's zanpakutou Sode no Syirayuki) so that Muramasa would be convinced and his cover would not be blown. In this episode we will witness the fight between the two, which I think between a father and a son. In my opinion, this episode is a must-watch. The fighting scene is the best ever (after Ichigo vs. Grimjow). And in this episode we witness the release of Senbonzakura's final scene White Imperial Sword. However, the excitement is curtailed since it will be continued in the next episode... This is killing me!!!!

Check out the screenshot!

The calm before storm...

The title of my post says it all! It’s definitely a calm before a torrential storm. Starting tomorrow, life is back to normal, i.e. hectic schedule, meetings, classes, my own classes and the whole enchilada! Anyway, to usher in the upcoming storm this is my second posting since yesterday…

In this post, I would like to announce my favorite animes of 2009. This is MY own list and it has nothing to do with other reviews out there.

My all time favorite is Eden of the East. The very thing that attracts me to this anime is the plot and eventually the conflict. They are so incredibly intriguing. I really love the OP and the ED themes and how they actually summarize the whole storyline ( If you watch closely, though). I'm also crazy with the portrayal of the characters, however, I am not head over heal with the portrayal of Saki, though. I think she is a little bit meek and pathetic… ngeh! But I love the whole concept of this anime series. It gives the concept of 'superhero' in a brand spanking-new angle. It is so thought provoking and the fact that they introduce terminology like Seleção (The Chosen One) and Noblesse Obliges (Nobility obligates). As for me, this is definitely a must-watch anime series ever!

My second favorite anime of 2009 is K-ON! W00t! I love this anime because of the representation of the characters and most important of all is the music, the ongaku! I really enjoy watching Yui and Mio shredding their guitars. It’s so surreal and it oozes with awesomeness! Other than that, I really enjoy the storyline as well as the animation. Will there be K-ON 2! I’m not so sure. But I bet it will.

The third anime is FMA Brotherhood. I enjoy this anime tremendously because of the action-packed and fighting scene. I also love the way they portray the two main characters Edward and Alphonse Elric. Sometimes this series is slow moving in places however I still fancy the whole plot and conflict.

I hate to admit it, but sadly it’s true. I almost put this anime under my to-drop list, however there is something about this series that gets me hooked. It's probably the characters. The series is none other than Suzumiya Haruhi 2. I care not to explain much, because the more I explain the more I’m confused. So, I’m just gonna leave it that way. Somehow, some things are better left unsaid…

Il Postino: ala Japanese...

Lag, Niche and Steak... hard at work

LETTER BEE OVA (Jap: Tegami Bachi) is one of those animes that have made me cried violently. Yes, I am a freak and I don't really care.

I dunno, somehow the portrayal of the protagonist, Lag Seeing, has captivated me. I realised now that I have a soft spot for forlorn and pathetic orphan boy. His voice and his eyes are so compelling. Other than that, the storyline is so effective.

Lag Seeing is a Letter Bee or in layman term, a postman (or boy if you will). He is accompanied by a 'dingo' named Niche and Steak (who is actually Niche's pet). So, the story actually revolves around him doing a task of delivering a 'package' named Darwin. And during the delivery, he discovered that Darwin is actually a 'dingo' of a former Letter Bee who had died during a mission. He is to deliver the 'package' to the grave of the former Letter Bee.

The stinkin' pathetic Darwin...

Anyway, during the plots, there are several clips of Lag Seeing's past and how he became a Letter Bee. We will also be introduced to Gauche Suede, the very man who saved Lag he became Lag's source of inspiration.

I have a gun, a girly gun!

Actually, this OVA is the spin off from the original autumn 2009 serialization. After I watched the OVA, it triggers me to watch the series. Apparently, Lag Seeing is one heck of a cry baby, in every nuance of the definition. It seems that he cries in almost all episodes. I know, it is kinda cheesy but that actually attracts me to this series. Like a moth to a flame...

Of mages, warlocks and wizards...

Gosh! I've been uber-busy lately! Struggling with exams, classes and the whole nine yards! And being an anime freak as I am, I managed to squeeze in an anime series to watch and due to that finally I managed to post a new entry... Well, in this post I would love to introduce to you a quite recent and on-going anime entitled FAIRY TAIL.

As usual, this anime is an manga adaptation created by Hiro Mashima. The anime is created in 2006 and it's still on till now. However, the anime is realeased in 12 October 2009. Quite recent, huh? So far I have only watched till episode 10. In my humble opinion, I would love to recommend this anime. The plot is fast and the characters are so lively and unique.

This anime revolves around a main male character named Natsu Dragneel who was adopted by a dragon named Igneel. He has a cat friend/pet named Happy. Then, enters Lucy Heartfillia (voiced by the same seiyu of Suzumiya Haruhi, Aya Hirano) as the main female character. Later on, we are introduced to a guild of mages and wizards called Fairy Tail. As the plot progresses, we will be introduced to Gray Fullbuster (Natsu's rival) and super-wizard, Erza Scarlet.

I'm a minor, and yet I have a tattoo!!!

Overall, I believe that this series has a bright future ahead. It's hilarious and packed with action and adventure. The portrayal of the characters is solid. The plot progresses rather fast and so far I haven't encountered any episode that is dragged and boring... Interested? Try this LINK to download... Have a go!

Alchemy vs. Alkehestry

In one of the latest episodes of FMA Brotherhood, The Elric brothers finally had a showdown with the homunculi. However, victory was not on their side as Father managed to hinder the boys from utilizing alchemy. Apparently Father has the ability to control Alchemy (Renkinjutsu). Then, enter Scar and Mei Chan. To the boys surprise, both of them can utilize their powers without any problem. Now, why is that? Unbeknown to the boys, Scar and Mei Chan are practicing something like Alchemy but not exactly Alchemy. It is known as Alkahestry.

Alkahestry (also called Rentanjutsu) refers to the special ability used in the country of Xing. Alkahestry is similar to Alchemy nevertherless, differs in both its practice and objective. Whereas Alchemy employs the energy of tectonic shifts and practices manipulation of matter toward scientifically practical purposes, Alkahestry operates on the principle that the earth has a constant flow of chi that has the purifying elements that nourishes everything it passes. The term "Alkahestry" is built on the concept of purification and in fact alkahest itself is a universal solvent, thus, the art is focused on mainly medicinal purposes, transmitting chi through the pathways of the human body to cure mild ailments. By using these conduits through earth and body, Alkahestry is able to conduct long range transmutations (as demonstrated by Mei Chan), a function of which Alchemy is lack of.

The aim of Alchemy is the discovery of the Philosopher's Stone and its properties of alchemical amplification, on the other hand, Alkahestry focuses on the discovery of the Elixir of Life and immortality as well as eternal vigor.

The final goal of Alchemy: The Philosopher's Stone...

In the case of Scar, he utilizes a skill that integrates both Alchemy and Alkahestry. The tattoo on his right arm uses Alkahestry symbols known as the Dragon Waves due to his brother's (who was killed during the Ishvalan war) research into both Alchemy and Alkahestry. Scar's alchemy uses alkahestry principles. Because of that, Father cannot control Alkahestry as he does Alchemy.

So far, Mei Chan is the only character shown in the series to use pure Xingese Alkahestry and she does it impeccably!

Bleach 246: Let's go spelunking!

In this episode Bleach: 246, we can see that the conflict between the shinigamis and zanpaku-tous is getting more and more intense. How I wish I have read the manga to know what Byakuya has in his sleeves, because this is killing me. I wonder why does he join Muramasa and the zanpaku-tous' guild and abandon the Soul Society.

In this episode, a group of shinigamis (Ukitake, Kyoraku, Yoruichi, Zaraki, Yachiru and Kurosaki) went into the cave where the zanpaku-tou use as a secret hideout. Now, that explains the dark scenery. However, their mission is stalled when they are ambushed by bunch of zanpaku-tous. To my surprise, Ukitake's zanpaku-tou, Sogyou No Kotowari, is actually kids. And they are so playful. I guess they complement Ukitake's cool and calm temperament. Then, we are also introduced to Kyoraku's zanpaku-tou, Katen Kyokotsu.

In this episode too, we are exposed to what really happens to Yamamoto so-taicho. Somehow, I feel that this episode is rather dragged and unnecessary to the whole plot. Anyhoo, here's the screeshots!