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!

Naraku's Heart : A Review

Plot

I am so glad I managed to watch the first episode of INUYASHA: The Final Act entitled Naraku’s Heart. In this episode we witness the plot to overthrow Naraku, masterminded by Hakudoshi. He managed to persuade Goryomaru and Kagura to follow suit.

However, in the middle of the plot, Kagura’s humane side was surfaced when she protected Kohaku from being attacked by Goryomaru and Hakudoshi. Then, as she was almost defeated, Inuyasha and the rest of the team saved her from being slaughtered by Hakudoshi.

Unbeknown to Hakudoshi, his plot was acknowledged by Naraku with the help of Kanna and her mirror. Hakudoshi was a defeated when Miroku used his Kazaana (wind tunnel) to suck him. Lucky for Miroku, Naraku’s siamyosho did not interfere this time around.



My two-cent
What I like about this first episode is the fact that all characters - Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Sesshomaru, Kagura, Kohaku.... and the list goes on - are given enough screen-time for the fans (and non-fans) to refresh their memories. Another reason why I enjoyed this episode is, even though this is the first episode of the series, the momentum is sustained. I really enjoy the action-packed scenes and the fighting sequence. I miss ‘KAZE NO KIZU!’ so much that when Inuyasha did it, I almost yelped in excitement! Woohoooo!!!!

Be still, my heart...

As I was jumping from one channel to another since nothing good was on TV that night, I finally landed on ANIMAX. Hoping to catch something decent enough to watch. It was in vain. Suddenly my eyes caught on something intriguing. It was an advertisement. It read:

Inu = Dog
Yasha = Demon

.
.
.
.
Coming soon!
On ANIMAX.

My heart sang ever so gaily! In relation to that, I googled on the net on the latest news of INUYASHA. I found this and my heart sang once again. Oh, be still my heart...

Title : Inuyasha: The Final Act

Alternative title: Inuyasha Kanketsu-hen (Japanese)
犬夜叉 完結編 (Japanese)

Genres: action, comedy, fantasy, romance

Episode titles: We have 13

Vintage:
2009-10-03
2009-10-10 (Animax Asia)

Opening Theme:
#1: "Kimi ga Inai Mirai" by Do as Infinity (eps 1-)

Ending Theme:
#1: "With You" by AAA (eps 1-)

Kinsoko jiko-desu: The many facades of Asahina Mikuru

Name : Asahina Mikuru (Mikuru Asahina)
Species : Time traveller
Ocupation : North High student (second year) / SOS Brigade Deputy Vice President & mascot
Anime : Suzumiya Haruhi No Yuutsu 1 & 2

Background:

Asahina Mikuru is actually a time traveler who is sent to investigate a huge time quake that happened three years back. Apparently, this time quake is triggered by none other than, Haruhi. Therefore, throughout the series it is established that her true purpose is to monitor Haruhi. She might look like a bumbling idiot, but truth to be told she is well-versed in the technicalities of time-traveling and time warp.

Her favorite phrase is Kinsoko jiko-desu! or Classified information!

Despite being the most beautiful girl in school, Mikuru is a shy and relatively timid person. She is also clumsy with a child-like charm. She is is kind, caring as well as a thoughtful member of SOS Brigade. Most of the time Mikuru easily gets scared or flustered, especially when Haruhi forces her to do some embarrassing things.

Despite her naïveté nature, she can be surprisingly resilient in recovering from even the harshest of situations when Haruhi bullies her. More often than not, due to her child-like nature and mild temperament, she seems rather week and feeble most of the time. And because of that, as a friend, Kyon always watches over and protects her; but most of the time, he has to succumb to Haruhi's madness.

After the humiliating 'bunny-girl' incident at the school's gate, surprisingly, Mikuru remains loyal and dedicated to the Brigade, as well as her true mission as a time-traveler.

In the serialization, Mikuru is seen in many costumes as one of her duties as a the brigade's mascot. She is seen in costumes such as, a maid, a nurse, a waitress (combat waitress) as well as a frog.

Only time will tell...

Ever since I became a part time post-graduate student couple of months ago, time has not been on my side any more. Frankly speaking, I have to juggle my working schedule as well as my study time table. Everything goes topsy turvy and haywire. Especially since I am suck at time-juggling. FYI, I have three mega projects, two presentations as well as mountains of assignment. My life is akin to a road riddled with bumps and pot holes... Not a smooth one any more... SIGH.

The point here is, this situation has certainly taken its toll on the execution of my leisure pursuit. Since two months ago, I realized that the number of frequency of my anime watching has dwindled. Other than the frequency of anime watching, the time spent on it is also reduced. Is this the imminent sign of the end of my anime day? Well only time will tell...

Is this the end?...

A cauldron of emotions

I know this is a late entry. CLANNAD has been around since 2006 and I just finished the whole series last month. Talk about late! This comedy + supernatural + romantic series is adapted from a visual novel. It is then produced by the same good people who produce Suzumiya Haruhi series – Kyoto Animations a.k.a KyoAni.

Anyway, there is something about this anime series that really gets me hooked. Clannad tells the story of Okazaki Tomoya the male protagonists of this series and Furukawa Nagisa, the female protagonist. Other than that, this series also focuses on his high school friends. Apparently, along the way, their roles are highlighted and each of them are give enough airtime to be noted.

After much pondering, I realized the very reason why I love this series. Each character is given her own special ‘arc’ that most of the time leaves me sobbing quietly. The saddest arc would be Ichinose Kotomi’s. It saddens me to the core when she waited for her parents to come home only to know that they had died in a plane crash.

Ichinose Kotomi slaughters violin...

Another arc that touches me is Ibuki Fuuko’s. She was actually an ‘apparition’ of a girl who was in coma who seemed to haunt the school because she had ‘mission’ to complete. At the end of the arc, she finally accomplished the mission and when her apparition disappeared, no one seemed to remember her…

Fuko-chan + hitode = KAWAII!

Besides that, the minor characters are not wasted at all. Another brilliant point of this series! There are quite a few minor characters that gradually leave a lasting impact, such as Sunohara Youhei, and Fujibayashi Ryou, as well as Nagisa's super-doting parents. I can certainly vouch that in the end, it will leave you with such mixed emotions that make you laugh, cry and perhaps allow you to discover emotions you thought you might have never had.

All in all, this anime is clean from any profane language as well as any lewd element and hence I would love to recommend this to all. Download the series HERE, if you are interested, that is.