HTT in the sun....

This is K-ON !!'s 12th episode and still no new songs. I am a tad frustrated and dejected. From my observation, I believe this season's episodes are quite dull and mediocre... However, for some mysterious reasons I keep on watching this anime and anticipating each new episode to be downloaded week after week...

This week's episode, the girls plus Sawa-chan were having a two-day trip for Summerfest Live Music at the mountains (which mountains?). Yeay! No uniforms! This time around they will be spending a two-day camping together as a group. Tanoshii, kata! They were basking in the sun and having so much fun enjoying the live concerts an all.

Poor Mugi, though. She was craving for yakisoba but she did not get any till the end...

Sawa-chan was so psyched!!!!

What?! No yakisoba?!

No yakisoba? Daijoubu yo!!!

In my humble opinion, the plus point of this week's episode is the atmosphere of the festival is well-captured. It seems that, I could really feel the burst of energy and the excitement that the girls are experiencing. But it would be much better, if there are new songs.... (get over it, already!)

Kimi Ni Todoke: LIVE ACTION Teaser

Since I am in the mood of KIMI NI TODOKE, here's the teaser for the live action. I am so psyched up! I certainly will be looking for the DVD, soon! Wakuwaku!

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended.

Kazehaya Shouta - Miura Haruma
Kuronuma Sawako - Tabe Mikako

[Note]

Even though they did not choose Kanata Hongo for the part, Miura has made justice for the role.

From me to you...

If you are looking for good clean fun, KIMI NI TODOKE (Reaching You) is one for you. This anime is created based on a popular shoujo manga with the same title by Karuho Shiina. The manga has won The Best Shoujo Manga Award in 2008. The anime was aired in Japan during Fall 2009 and it is the live-action has also been produced. Though, I am not so sure the casts of the live action.

Plot (8/10)

I would love to rate this anime 9/10, however the basic storyline is a bit predictable: boy meets girl, boy falls for the girl. Even though the basic storyline is very typical, the sincerity and the purity of the story is the sole factor that got me hooked to it. I really can't get over it.

There are parts in this anime that make me shed my tears and there are also parts that really tickle my funny bones. I think it is because the unexpected twist in the plot itself. It's very soothing and relaxing. Not overly dramatic or affected.

Honestly, I believe the plot is kind of slow but once the story progresses, nevertheless it falls smoothly into all the right places.This anime leaves a tingling feeling at the pit of your stomach, or subtle jolt in your heart...

Character (9/10)

This anime is really down-to-earth. The male and female characters are portrayed normal and flawed. However they really complement each other. Kuronuma Sawako a.k.a Sadako is s girl who has self-esteem issue. She is not facially blessed. Her straight dark hair and her pale (almost emaciated) complexion make people always mistake her for the ghost character in a famous movie The Ring and hence her nickname 'Sadako'. Because of that, she finds it difficult to make friends.

Enters Kazehaya Shouta, popular and loved by all. He is very confident, amiable as well as cheerful. The exact opposite of Sawako. Like the saying opposit attracts, both of them really hit it off! In fact, Kazahaya helps Sawako to be confident and he teaches her to be open and receptive.

This is absolutely the classic case of dramatic irony. What I really fond of this anime is when the two of them are clueless with each other's emotion. However, subtly, they reciprocate each other's intention. Kazehaya's constant blushing is so endearing and sweet. The inner-monologue of Sawako makes us understand what Sawako is thinking and feeling. This enable us to empathize her situation.

All in all, I strongly believe that the development of the female protagonist (Sawako) is the forte of this anime. It really reminds me of the famous fairy tale The Ugly Duckling.

Song (10/10)

I really fond of the OP theme of this anime, with the same title of the anime Kimi Ni Todoke, it is sang by Tomofumi Tanizawa. It really complements the mood and the theme of this anime. So soothing and calming. The ED is sang by Chara entitled Kataomoi (Unrequited Love) is totally heart tending and infectious.

Kimi ni Todoke is a beautiful story. One that anyone can watch and find something to enjoy. I strongly believe, any female viewers will probably enjoy this more than males, nevertheless it is possible that male viewers will also fall in love with this anime too, if they give it a try. This anime is pleasant and enjoyable and it comes with high recommendation by me.

[Note]

-The seiyuu for Sawako is Mamiko Noto, the same person who voiced Ai Enma of Jigoku Shoujo.

-For the live-action, I really hope the production will choose Kanata Hongo for Kazehaya Shouta...

Kyaaaa! Megane Usui-kun!

I rather enjoyed this week's episode 11 of Kaichou Wa Maid-sama (KWMS hereafter) because this week I got to see Usui's hidden facade. Hands down, this week's episode has made Takumi Usui my ultimate favorite bishounen!

Plot-wise, this week's is not that exciting or interesting. However, my curiosity is piqued when Usui's life is gradually peeled. I don't read the manga so, this is really exciting. Towards the end of this episode we are exposed to his interest on animal. In a rather subtle way, it exhibits the tender side of him. And then, we are finally shown of Usui's home. It is rather somber and austere... Something is certainly amiss here.

And best of all, who would have thought that Usui wears glasses. Megane Usui-kun! For that sole reason I am really looking forward for the next episode. Major cliffhanger there! \(*o*)/

W00t! Usui makes wearing glasses looks so hot and trendy!

More moé!

Moé (pron: mo-eh) is one of the character-classifications in animes. There isn't any specific definition for it. In a literal point of view, in Japanese language the word can be best defined as 'budding' 'sprouting' or 'growing' . However, based on my extensive reading, it is actually derived from a Japanese slang which conveys the 'liking' or 'strong interest' in something. In some cases it can also be equated with the concept of geek or otaku.

Within the realm of anime fandom, moé is actually an archetypal character (by and large, young female character a.k.a bishojou) that triggers the feeling of protectiveness ,more often than not, among the male viewers. Typically, this type of character brings out the sense of purity, innocence as well as extreme cuteness or popularly coined as kawaii. However, in my humble opinion, there are also moé cases where bishie or bishounen is involved, though, I consider this under isolated ones (click HERE and HERE). Furthermore, moé can also be pigeonholed as various types such as nekomimi-moé, megane-moé, meido-moé and the list goes on.

Below are some eminent moé characters. Notice that, all of them are wearing school uniform (read HERE).

Name : Hirasawa Yui

Anime : K-On! and K-On!!

Name : Asahina Mikuru

Anime: Suzumiya Haruhi No Yuutsu 1 & 2 and Suzumiya Haruhi No Shoushitsu

Name : Furukawa Nagisa

Anime : Clannad and Clannad After Story

Name : Sakura Mikan

Anime : Gakuen Alice

Name : Honda Tohru

Anime : Fruits Basket

Name : Mitsukuni Haninozuka a.k.a Honey-senpai
Anime : Ouran High Host Club

Initially, I associated moé with 'fetish'.Nevertheless, after doing some readings I believe the word 'fetish' is to strong. Evidently, it should not be associated with any sexual conduct. In addition, based on what I have read so far, moé should not be confused with ecchi or - even worse - hentai. For the reason that, moé characters usually initiate the sense of protectiveness as well as maternal / paternal love to protect. In actual fact, the characters are normally created to soothe the viewers (mostly male) rather than to incite sexual conduct. And for the same reason also, some critics claim that moé is a type of child-like character with erotic undertone also associated with lolicon. There are also some opinions that explain, moé characters only exist in seinen anime or manga since it targets the demographic - men. Thus, if the supossed moé characters ever exist in other genre, therefore they are not moé in actual fact.

For your information, there are many endless discussions and debates on this issue and it seems that they will not cease in any time sooner. Obviously, since there are many opinions on this matter, there are no exact black and white on how a moé character should be or act.

[Notes]

Bishoujos = beautiful young girls
Bishounens = pretty boys

Nekomimi = cat's ears

Megane = glases / spectacles

Meido = maid

Lolicon a.k.a Lolita Complex = sexual attraction to little girls

It has my name on it!

K-ON !! ep. 10 is certainly my favorite. It has my name on it!

A little bit over the top here! LOL. Well, as you can see I am a teacher and I really know how Sawako-sensei (also known as Sawa-chan by the HTT girls) is experiencing in this episode. There are some things that you need to ensure to be under the students’ radar. In Sawako's case, her issue is her past and her preference of music. In my case, is my hobbies and interest. I need to make sure that my addiction for animes and JK music are well-hidden from my students. This is to maintain a professional and well-accepted façade in order to maintain a good teacher-students relationship in school. (Though, my cover is always blown after my students have finished their school years.)

In this episode, Sawako-sensei is trying her best to cover her past as a member of death metal band Death Devil. She is asked by her former band mate, Norimi, to perform during an old classmate’s wedding reception. As expected, she refuses the offer worrying over her reputation as a good teacher. She is afraid that her reputation and her image will be tarnished.

Nevertheless, with the help of the HTT girls, Sawako finally performs on stage…

Secret meeting with Norimi-san...

Norimi is asking the girls' help...

Too much make-up! But they are still so かわいい!

Sawako-sensei a.k.a Catherine shreds the guitar! I really love the way she shreds the guitar! She is utterly awesome!

Sawako-sensei finally reveals her true color! You go girl!

All's well that ends well... Sawako-sensei is worried that her good teacher image will be tarnished. Instead she becomes more popular and loved by her students at school...