A classic case of shoujo-tsundere: Kaichou Wa Maid-Sama

When ANIMAX anounced that KAICHOU WA MAID-SAMA would be aired soon, I was so estatic! I'm a fool for shoujo (少女) and tsundere (ツンデレ) and based on its manga's reputation, it is most probably an anime to look forward to in 2010.

Well, after watching the first ever episode on Animax, I was downright ecstatic. Apparently this anime has all the essential ingredients for a successful shoujo anime. The tsundere character, a drop-dead gorgeous male character and the romantic comedy plot. This is the one!

The synopsis

The main female protagonist, Ayuzawa Misaki, is the head honcho of a co-ed school. She is very authoritative and cold towards all boys (a classic case of ツンデレ). Apparently, being the president of the school full of problematic boys has transformed her personality. Usui Takumi is one of the male students of the school and he is very popular despites his cold and sombre attitude. He is hated by Misaki since Usui has time and again makes girls cried.

Misaki is from a poor family and because of that she has to work part time as a maid in a maid cafe. The work has forced her to be docile and submissive and it is a stark contrast of her personality as the school president. And because of that, she needs to be under the radar in order to remain feared and respected by everybody at school specifically, the boys. However, on one fine day, her cover was blown into smithereens when she is inadvertantly discovered by Usui Takumi. Exactly at that moment, she reckons her reputation as the school president will be tarnished. To her surprise, Usui does not even breath a word about his encounter. In fact, he supports her. He even protects her from being assaulted by groups of boys. Misaki is still skeptical thinking that Usui is actually trying to mess with her mind. However, towards the end of the episode, Usui proposes her to be his personal maid!

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The Verdict

I simply love this anime despites the mediocre animation and graphic. I believe the story will have a romantic development. I also love the portrayal of the main female and male protagonists. Even though it is very typical, heck! I love it! However, the graphics and animation can still be improved. Can't wait for the next episode!

Faded and jaded

Recently, I have feeling rather fatigue. Well, nothing serious actually. I am infected by a Hallyu bug and it spreads to my entire system at an alarming rate, I might say! But,I would not be fretting over this situation because it will not disrupt my perennial interest on anime and that's for sure.

Anyway, recently I have a chance to watch Bleach 3rd movie entitled FADE TO BLACK: I CALL YOUR NAME. Like the title of this movie, it is certainly fading from my memory bit by bit. Somehow, this installment of Bleach movie has failed to satisfy me. Even though, this movie is directed by Noriyuki Abe, the director of another 2 earlier Bleach movies, this movie is not really the movie that I am going to watch again... Sigh.

The first flaw that I would like to point out is the plot and storyline. In my humble opinion it is rather mediocre and loose. but, I have to admit it that the exposition is very intriguing but towards the end it gradually heads south.

Since the character in focus is Kuchiki Rukya, I believe the movie should manipulate the involvement of Kuchiki Byakuya-sama in totality. However, Byakuya's involvement is so minuscule that the history and relationship between the two is not quite highlighted. I acknowledge the significance of Kurosaki Ichigo in this serialization nevertheless, Byakuya should bre the one to deliver the final blow. Ichigo has stolen his thunder....

Other than that, I believe the animation is not as crisp and fluid as the second movie The DiamondDust Rebellion. The fighting sequence as well as the action-packed scenes reeks of mediocrity.

However, not everything is unappealing. The best feature of this movie is definitely the appearance of my favorite seiyuu Aya Hirano. I believe her portrayal of Homura is simply amazing as she epitomizes talent and skill of voice acting.

Aya Hirano-san

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The movie opens when a mysterious reiatsu (spiritual particle) explosion occurs in the center of Seireitei in Soul Society, causing it to be destroyed. At the exact same time, a major change overwhelms Kuchiki Rukya. Apparently, this has left her feeling 'empty' as is she has lost something important inside. Meanwhile in the real world, Urahara Kisuke sends Kurosaki Ichigo accompanied by Kon to Soul Society to investigate the disturbance. Upon reaching Seireitei, Ichigo is suddenly attacked by a group of shinigamis which once were his allies. It seems they do not recognize him as if he is never existed before. After a while Ichigo realises that the shinigamis have no memory of him and Rukya. Now alone and on the run, Ichigo must find the missing Rukia and uncover the cause of the mysterious incident before it's too late....

I won't provide the complete synopsis as the plot is too long. However, to read the synopsis, you can check it HERE.

Overall, in my opinion, this installment of Bleach movie is somewhat lack lustre. Nevertheless, I would like to recommend this movie to fans and non-fans alike. Despite the rough comment that I just gave I still believe there are many fans of this movie out there. I could be bias since my favorite character is Toushiro Hitsugaya taichou ....

More "Gyaboo" and "Mukyaa!" in 2010.... Ureshii...

How did I miss this? It's way beyond me...

Anyway, I just realised that there is the third installment of Nodame Cantabile serialization, entitled NODAME CANTABILE FINALE and to my surprise it's already on the 1oth Lecon. How did I miss that?

In this season, we are once again transported to Paris where the supposed Golden Couple, Chiaki Shinichi and Noda Megumi a.k.a Nodame a.k.a Bebe-chan, has left off in the second season (Paris Arc). I have just watched the 5th episode and apparently, the audience will be reacquainted to the old cast as well as new conflicts.

In this season also, we can see that Chiaki is more open regarding his romantic feeling for Nodame. He is more caring and gentle towards Nodame. Apparently, his tender side is more visible as he is more expressive of his romantic feeling for her. In one of the episodes, he even cancelled his trip to Italy just to accompany Nodame and to help her with her studies. If that is not love, I don't know what it is.

Doki doki, waku waku...

In this anime series the classical numbers and the orchestra is definitely the essence. This is the element that separates this anime from the others. It is in the class of its own! However, if you are planning to watch this, make sure you watch the 2 prequels or else everything will make no sense.

[Note]

I really enjoyed the Lecon 1 when it's opened by Nodame's infamous MUKYAAA!!!

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...