And The Plot Thickens... Bleach 180 - 181

In episode 179, the audience are revealed with Kifune's 'visit to the Kasumi-Ouji's manor. It seems there's more than meets the eye! The plot is getting more complicated and the conflict is getting intense in episode 180. What is Kifune's relationship with Kumoi and what was he doing at Kasumi-Ouji's manor? I simply can't predict the future episode but one thing for sure the 3rd Seat Kifune of 3rd Squad is up to no good. Will Kira Izuru once again brandishes his zanpaku-to Wabisuke?

In episode 181, Kurosaki, Rukia, Kenryuu and Enryuu managed to usurp into Kasumi-Ouji's manor in order to save Lurichiya-sama. They tried to stop the wedding however being withheld by Soifon and her squad (which one? Can't really recall). Apparently, they were accused of attempting to kidnap Lurichiyo-sama. In this episode also, we will witness Enryuu's power as he has released his overwhelming zanpaku-to. His brute strength has caused the palace's roof to disintegrate. However, my favourite scene would be the fight between Soifon-taicho and Kurosaki Ichigo. So incredibly intense! I like the part when she released her Suzumebachi in order to stop Ichigo's attack. However the fight was short-lived when it was interrupted by Rukia's Sode No Syirayuki's Hakuren (why?!!!....).

The effect of this incidence is, Kurosaki and Rukia have caused tremendous turmoil in the Soul-Society and they accidentally became the most-wanted fugitives.

In a nutshell, these two episodes are awesome and to all Bleach avid fans, don't forget to download these episodes A.S.A.P!

P/S- I just read something... Shinji Hirako used to be the Taicho of 5th Squad before he became a vizard! Sugoi, ne! No wonder he could beat/block Grimmjaw Jeagerjaques' cero effortlessly!

Building Castle in The Sky : Laputa

The anime movie entitled Laputa: Castle in The Sky has captured my heart in totality! Kudos to the extraordinary master storyteller Hayao Miyazaki.

When watching this anime movie, my heart soars in freedom along with the characters Pazu and Sheeta. The adventure and the characterizations are mesmerizing. Some might say that the characterizations are very simple compared to other Miyazaki's previous work, nevertheless, they have elements of the human personality to which we can all relate. Similarily, his story echoes the same sentiments: flying adventures.

In this instalment, Miyazaki has shown the audience the real utopia. World governed by non-humans, robots to be exact. Somehow, I feel a tad uncomfortable with this sentiment. As if, in my humble opinion, he tries to exude atheist-ism view in this anime (somewhat Asimov's way of thinking). In this installment also, he conveys that anything, be it tools, technology or knowledge, can be used for both good and evil. And just as in real life, good and evil are not always immediately recognisable by mere appearances.

In the final analysis, this anime is for all to watch but for young viewers, this anime needs to be watched with an appropriate guidance. My two-cent!

Hachimitsu To Kuroba : Revisited

I believe Honey and Clover season 1 and 2 are the best shoujo anime to date. There are just so little animes with as much spirit as the Honey and Clover (H&C heareafter). This anime is filled with a bit of passion, and blatant slice of reality. The conflicts and problems that are depicted in this anime are what many normal people experience in day-to-day basis. Themes like relationships, friends, work are discussed in perfect realism and intricacy.

Note that all of these themes are portrayed in an incredibly good looking artwork, good storyline flow and incredible music. It's a good package-deal, don't you agree?

In H&C 2, the saddest part is when a big pane of glass fell onto Hanamoto Hagumi (Hagu-chan). That accident cost her right hand and rendered it useless. Since she is an artist and the fact that she couldn't paint or sculpt anymore is totally heart wrenching and painful. I cried and I sobbed hysterically.

In this season too, we are revealed to Morita Shinobuu's past and his secret job (from where he gets all the wad of cash). Who ever thought that crazy Morita actually has a sad and painful past?... In this season also, we will see how Morita and Hagu's relationship is developed.

In a nutshell, I felt the H&C second season is a tad less impressive then the first season (just a little bit). Maybe because the development of the episodes is not very thorough (I wish there will be H&C 3). But then again, H&C season 2 has matured and became a more polished (even the characters), a more serious shows, but I was yearning a bit more of the craziness and the quirk the first season has offered me. KUDOS!

Here's the LINK if you want to download the series. Enjoy!

P/S - How I wish Hagu-chan accepts Takemoto's love and how I wish Yamada could love Nomiya as she loves Mayama!

The Best Remedy For My Insomnia... ZZZZ

After watching 11 episodes out of 25 of La Corda D'oro ~primo passo~, I decided to stop. I love Ouran High Host Club and I thought this anime would have the desired 'effects' on me. But, I was dead wrong. This anime is so boring and I am not the type to get bored easily. The plot is draggy and painfully slow.

Yes, there are several of my favourite classical numbers (Pachelbel, Gavotte, Chopin, Bach, Schubert...) but the story line is so mundane and mediocre it obscures the beauty of all the classical masterpiece. I think, the characters are too many for me considering there are only 25 episodes all together.

Another aspect that I don't really enjoy this anime is because I am hoping for a definite romance but too bad, there isn't any.. sigh. However, there are hints of it throughout the series. But they are scattered all over the place. So, if you are interested in romantic comedy anime, sad to say, this is definitely not for you.

In the final analysis, this is the best cure for my insomnia.

I Love My Right Hand...

When I watched the episode 1 of Midori No Hibi (Midori Days), I thought the anime is rather ludicrous. And when I finished watching all 13 episodes, I still think that it is ridiculous. Even though the themes are interesting and sensible (love, loyalty and the friendship), the thought of having a living breathing diminutive girl as your right hand doesn’t appeal to me at all!

And, if you notice something, both protagonists are ‘recycled’ characters. Sawamura Seiji somehow reminds me of Kurosaki Ichigo from Bleach and Kasugano Midori reminds me of Ai Mori from Ueki No Housoku ~The Law of Ueki~.

However, I do like how Seiji and Midori develop their relationship. It’s romantic and at the same time comical. There are scenes or events that made me laughed so hard and there are some heartfelt scenes that made cry. It’s fun comedy. Then again, in my humble opinion, this anime is a tad ecchi-ish. In the first episode, Midori’s naked top is revealed to the audience, which ,in my humble opinion, is very blatant! Yikes! Anyway, this is a feel-good anime. Don't expect any profound and serious conversation in this anime.

I don't have the link to the anime download. However, I do have the link to the MANGA. Do enjoy yourselves!

OTAKU, Untie!! (LOL) - GENSHIKEN

This anime is really close to my heart (minus the hentai and cosplay part). When I watched this anime, I realize that I AM an OTAKU, a mild one, that is. One of the prime criteria of an otaku is, an otaku will use a theme song of an anime as his ringtone and guess what? My ringtone is Afterdark (Asian Kungfu Generation) taken from Bleach and my wallpaper is Kurosaki Ichigo, also a character from Bleach. My screensaver is Hitsugaya Toushiro. It's obvious that I am a Bleach Fan. In addition, my sms tone is Aizome from Jigoku Shoujo. Frankly saying, I am kinda relief because I know I am not simply a wannabe. I am the real deal!

Now, back to the anime. This anime highlights the otaku culture that is very predominant nowadays in Japan. In this anime, we are introduced to so many otaku-related elements. There are names and terms used in relation with this sub-culture such as plamo, cosplay, hentai, and the list goes on.

Unlike most anime, this show is extremely realistic (similar to Honey And Clover). It focuses on the members of a student activity club at a University that is situated in the outskirts of Tokyo. The club is a group of slackers whose sole activity is appreciating anime, manga, hentai, cosplay and other pastimes normally associated with otaku (it's actually 'geek' if it's translated in simple English).

Each episode in the first season more or less describes some new aspect of otaku culture. One episode shows the group getting obsessed about building Gundam models, another one shows the group going to Akihabara (place where all sorts of otaku items such as games, dvds, mangas, cosplay costumes etc. are sold) to buy hentai manga (erotic comic, that is).

The dramatic tension of the show is created through the character of Saki. She is the girlfriend of one of the club members. She is in love with the guy, but finds all the otaku stuffs are kind of weird and many of the episodes feature her struggling to come to terms with her love of Kohsaka, but her dislike of his hobbies.

The show has very good characters developments and many of the characters are allowed a depth to their characters which makes this anime is in a class of its own.

In a medium that is too often plagued with clichés and repetitive plot lines, Genshiken is a breath of fresh air (amen!) that should be viewed by both anime fans and non-fans alike.

Need to download the episodes? Here's the link.

Let's Rumble, Samurai Style!

The original reason why I fancy anime is because I simply love the action and the fighting sequence. Don't get me wrong, I am not a sadist or even a masochist it's just that I fancy the animation as well as the realism of it. In fact that's the reason why I really enjoy SAMURAI 7. I daresay, for those who haven't watched this anime, they might assume that this is an ordinary samurai themed anime. Well you are in for a big surprise! This is not a just samurai themed anime, it's a sci-fi action themed anime. That's the perk! It's different from any other samurai themed anime (correct me if I am wrong).

This series is adapted from a classic movie entitled SEVEN SAMURAI or SHICHI-NIN NO SAMURAI by Akira Kurosawa. The main difference is the science fiction setting, as the series feature mechas, flying castle and other futuristics elements . The most noteworthy example is Kikuchiyo who has a mechanised body. In addition, the motley crew of seven samurais in this series are Kanbee, Gorobei, Heihach, Katsushiro, Kyuzo, Kikuchiyo, and Shichirouji. They are expert in different fields . For example, Heihach is an expert in mechanical items and object and Kyuuzo and an expert swordsman. In addition each character has different background, history and purpose to fight. The antagonists in this serial is known as Nobuseri and they are one heck of an enemy. These are not ordinary enemy, they are armoured with high-tech weaponry and armoury. BTW, there is a hint of romance in this anime however it is obscured by the main theme (war and survival) of this anime.

The worst part of this series is when Kyuuzo was shot accidently by Katsushiro. Ironic huh... Kyuuzo was a great swordsman but at the end a gun ended his life. This certainly tells us that his death marks the change of time...

If you need to download the series, here's the link. Enjoy!

[Download]

ENOZ ft. Suzumiya & Nagato

I LOVE this vid. This vid is taken from Suzumiya Haruhi No Yuutsu 12th episode. I really adore 'her' voice and check out Nagato's guitar skill. The main point that I am highlighting at this moment is actually the superb and noteworthy animation and the realism of the movements. Simply breathtaking (too bad the quality of the vid is quite shoddy). I really love the scene where Nagato is shredding the guitar. She's awesome! Anyway, if you can't see from my eyes, at least enjoy the song... GOD KNOWS & LOST MY MUSIC.

I'm Lovin' It!

I simply adore the ending theme of Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu. Like I said in my previous entry, their movements are so smooth and human-like. Especially when they (Suzumiya, Asahina, Nagato, Koizumi as well as Kyon) dance in-sync. The choreography is so unique yet simple. I simply can't get enough of it. So kawaii. Enjoy!