Tegomass is probably my favorite JE group. Their first album just came out. Both guys are as cute as a shiny, pink button, and actually have nice singing voices. BUT many of their songs choices are kinda lame. I can accept the overly cute songs & angsty ballads, but the typical JE pop sometimes 70's disco songs are irritating. 'Power Bus' is almost like a Jonas Bros rock song...well, they aren't really singing 'Power Bus' (Power of Earth), but it is preferable over the JE-pop tracks. The album is generally pleasant. ~7/10 rating~ I enjoy the anime songs that are on the album and a few others. Tanabata Matsuri is the single released last week. I am jealous of the perm-boy's ability to look so feminine.


Spice and Wolf S2 2! Definitely liking this season better than the first. Lawrence talks to a couple interesting characters about Yoitsu, a town near Horo's home, which he finds was destroy by a bear. The Church's strict rule over the society is once again brought up. Actually, the prior season's issue was Church vs. pagan gods, and this episode brought up Church vs. alchemy.

Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei 2! Detective Conan makes a shadowy appearance. I enjoyed the time lag bit.

Bakemonogatari 2! I think I've gotten immune to how pretty Zetsubou Sensei's animation is, but although this is similar in style, it's interestingly different. Also amused that the opening,'Staple Stable,' had staple porn. This surprisingly turned out to have a pretty traditional anime story despite the unusual beginning. Hitagi is helped by Oshino and Koyomi, and is able to confront her past; the weight of it being put back on her...and Koyomi by accident. I liked just how different this is turning out to be. (that was a pretty ambiguous reaction...blame the episode)

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood 15! The new opening and ending are pleasant, but not remarkable. I always thought the characters from Xing were like the extra kids on the Cosby Show; something 'meh' to refresh the story. They grew on me as the manga progressed. This episode introduces Scar's future wifey.

Canaan 2! Alphard is rescued by her sister. The rest of the episode bored me to death twice. *boots to the dropped list*

Aaaand Kimi ni Todoke looks like a cute anime. Read some of the manga and mostly liked it (even if the story is overused).

Took a quick trip to NYC to see the VAMPS. I'm glad to see that the all-American act of grown men having a fist-fight in front of a club has not died. The show was great (awesome view, awesome, energetic music & performance), but I don't think I'll hunt down another one of Hyde's club performances again due to the overall garbled and static-y sound in small clubs. Plus, his VAMPS music while club-worthy, isn't too great. Maybe I'll see to a stadium venue in JP for his band's anniversary.

Also saw the Lion King which I never got around to seeing. Worth every penny. A tad weirded-out by the flamboyant hyena dance.

I should remember to post more often to prevent backlog.

Zan Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei 1! The goodbye on the last OAD didn't really mean goodbye. Another season starts! There's not too much to comment on this episode. It is similar to the prior ones. The animation is great. The ending is lovely. The social commentary is amusing. But I wonder if the same type of episode over and over will be able to sustain itself when the characters never change. This episode covers bad luck, the meaning of spring, and journeys to find oneself.

Spice and Wolf S2 1! Another pretty opening for this series; the visuals are actually better than the first. Lawrence and Horo continue to travel and have amusing conversations. I'm glad to see the flashback Lawrence has about Horo's hometown. Maaaybe they'll progress the main plot this season. Horo seems cuter this season. Maybe more moe?

The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi 5/15! Groundhog's Day Take 4! Tha animation quality...blech. Glad to see that the writers are amusing themselves.

Tried to watch more Umineko, but it just isn't working for me.

Bakemonogatari 1! Probably has the best animation quality out of all the shows currently airing.

+ High quality Shaft animation
- but not liking their style of perpetual on-screen text
+ Hiroshi Kamiya!
- a tad verbose

Quick impression~ A girl falls from the sky. A boy catches her. She staples his cheek. He decides to help her. When I read the summary, it initially reminded me of Mushishi, Natsume Yuujinchou or xxxHolic, where a male character gets involved with the supernatural. I've been meaning to post a review of Nisioisin's xxxHolic novel up, but man, Watanuki and Yuuko have more dialogue in one of his chapters than they have in 15 volumes of manga. Anyway, Nisioisin tends to riddle dialogue with references ranging from pop culture to historical facts and myths. The first episode of this gives you a taste of his writing. The episode is great at establishing characters that you want to see more of.

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood 14! The best part of shonen anime is big guys who power up to fight other big guys. On another note it's interesting to see that they didn't use the crucifix in the animated version. With all the animated violence and other story elements, it's is bit silly to censor that particular religious symbol. Anyway, it kinda looks like he's hanging on a big phallic thing now...which is more amusing than the big blob of concrete in the english version of the manga.

Atashinchi no Danshi 11! the end. Disappointingly, I fell asleep watching this, but I rewatched it a couple days later. It was mostly anti-climactic with no real anything at the end. Wish the humor had continued throughout the second half of the series. ~6/10 rating~ for a series that contained fanservice and well, a teeny-bopper-friendly story. It was pretty cute overall.

The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi 2009 4/14! Groundhog's Day Take 3. Kyon's indecisiveness is getting a little old...and he's my favorite character, too. Someone, please smack him.

Hm, here's some backlog of new shows.

Umineko no Naku Koro ni (Umineko) 1! This was one I wanted to watch because the author of the original story is Ryukishi07 who is somewhat praised as an interesting writer. Right away, the opening theme song sounds like Yuki Kajiura created it while the ending feels like a song from Utena, a positive thing, but the animation looks like Studio Deen, a deeply negative thing.

+ Intriguing mystery story
+ Attractive opening/ending theme songs
- Cheap Studio Deen animation
- Awful child character

Quick summary and impression~ The Ushiromiya family arrives on an island where their wealthy grandfather has asked them to gather. The main character/narrator, Battler Ushiromiya, is a teen who likes boobs. He explains that the family wealth comes from a witch, Beatrice, that their grandfather met. The family then bickers over how that wealth will be split, but of course, they have to find the gold first. Mysterious things happen. This had potential, but the whiny child, and bad animation kinda killed the first impression.

Aoi Hana 1! Lovely, lovely animation. I think the last anime with an overtly yuri subject matter (that I actually watched) was Utena of which the opening reminds me, but without the cool edgy style.

+ Great animation by JC Staff (think Hachikuro-style)
- Sleepy story

Quick impression~ It is a new school year at a couple all-girls' school. Fumi Manjoume is a shy megane-type girl, and at another nearby school is the loud Akira Okudaira who used to be Fumi's childhood friend. In the first episode, they get reacquainted. Eh, despite the pretty animation, the crush on the female cousin...ew Japan and your family romances.

CANAAN 1! Maaya Sakamoto voices one of the main characters, Alphard.

+ Nice color palette
+ Decent animation
- but generic character design
- Another female assassin/gun-toting action story

Quick impression~ There's Canaan running around with a gun, guys in masks dying from some kind of drug, random reporter/photographers, random naked female, gun fighting, and so forth. This really has some nice action scenes, but there's nothing new that makes you want to know the characters. They seems like castoffs from Baccano actually. I also think that those familiar with the original game might enjoy it more because it feels like it starts in the middle of something already established.

Futatsu no Spica 2! Through the swimming relay, Asumi is able to befriend Marika. Kiryu, the cute older student, has his past and connection to Asumi's dad revealed. This show has an enjoyable blend of sweetness and drama, but I think it might be slightly on the dull side for most people.


xxxHolic Shunmuki 2! The second of the OADs felt like a long filler. Who was writing this anyway? The first one covered a few manga stories in an intriguing way while this one covered nothing of importance, was sloppily animated (Man, Sakura looked quite maimed), and moved at a snail's pace. It's interesting to note that Amewarashi's red personality does not match the original blue of her hair, but only because the anime blue-haired girls usually don't have bitchy personalities. Not sure why they felt they needed to do another OAD after this, but I supposed making people pay $60 for 20 minutes of mediocrity and a $6 manga is continuing to be profitable for all involved. ~7/10 rating~

Minami-ke Betsubara OAD 1! Minami-ke may be another anime that keeps going and going (like Zetsubou Sensei) I guess the episodic nature of the story is good for that kind of marketing. This episode covers another Valentine's Day where Fujioka finally gets an encouraging gift from Kana and earlier in the episode, Chiaki gets some helpful food advice from Hosaka again. Cute. It would be nice if the animation quality was upgraded in these straight-to-DVD episodes.

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood 13! Ed x Greed. I don't really remember how this part of the story fits in with the rest, but still, good fight.

New summer shows are starting this week though I can't say I'm overly enthused about any of them.

Prince of Tennis 1! cdrama. Those were really badly sung opening & ending theme songs. The only amusing thing about the show is the main character's name is Long Ma...Ryoma..haha. This chinese live-action version of the original manga is a bit dull. The actors are not very cute and the production is rather bland. In the first episode Long Ma, the arrogant freshman, provokes some members of his new school's tennis team. The episode doesn't move fast enough for any player to show his stuff. View at your own risk.

The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi 2009 3/13! Groundhog's Day...should've known.

MTV and VH1 are actually playing music videos. Well, MJ ones. It's fun to look up the lyrics since there are some lines that I've never bothered to figure out before. Btw, do we really need a show titled, '16 and pregnant'?

Bye bye MJ. Still love the music. (amused that the news stilted lj and twitter for a bit this afternoon..they gotta get new servers.)

Here're the other random things I wanted to post.

I want a squashed boater hat.

Been listening to Yoko Kanno's Space Bio Charge album. The first 2 CDs are a good variety of her music. The 3rd is full of her more whimsical tracks. I didn't know there was a vocal version of 'Tank' with Ed singing. Cute. The Aquarion tracks could have tempted me into watching that anime if I had not already attempted to watch it a few times; just couldn't get into it.

Shiroi Haru 11! the end. That was a terribly bittersweet end. Overall, I enjoyed seeing Haruo trying to exact his revenge and then just making a life for himself. I also enjoyed the very important lesson of 'always talk to strange oji-sans in black'. The cast was an interesting mish-mosh of characters and very subdued in its drama; good qualities. Abe Hiroshi and Ohashi Nozomi were a cute pair. And trusting my instincts (or very slow recall)...yes, she was in Ponyo (but I guess incorrectly that she was Ponyo). She's the girl who sings the Ponyo theme song...yes, that song. ~8/10 rating~ for the show.

The Man Who Can't Get Married 1! kdrama. Based on the jdrama, Kekkon Dekinai Otoko, this is the korean version of a story about a 40-ish year old man who is too set in his ways to get married. Admittedly Abe Hiroshi is a hard act to follow and the korean actor, Ji Jin Hee, says all the right things for the character, but he is overall too, too normal. The other characters, the doctor, neighbor, co-workers, are similar to those from the original drama, too, but the original version felt so fresh and this does not. I suppose this version will capture a new audience in Korea, but I think I'd prefer to rewatch the japanese and not labor through 24 episodes of rewrites. The last scene did make me smile though.


Futatsu no Spica 1! jdrama which is the live-action version of the anime/manga also started this week. I wasn't really interested in this since there is no dead astronaut cosplaying as a lion in this version, but Mukai Osamu (Sho from Atashinchi no Danshi) is in it. I think he plays an original character; possibly the eye-candy substitute for Lion-san. And it's only 7 episodes (yay, short stories). This family-friendly drama is about a young girl's, Asumi's, journey to become an astronaut. Orange Range sings the ending theme. It's nice, but linking to the anime opening because it was so addictive back then.


Atashinchi no Danshi 10! Haha, the japanese love their occasional taboos mixed in with their shoujo-esque stories; *spoilers* Chisato agreed to marry her father and kissed her half-brother. ew. Anyway, the family tries to save their home.

ETA: "Tweaking" Ponyo is blatantly apparent by Liam Neeson's dialogue in Disney's trailer. I hope that that wasn't an accurate representation of the story changes.

Shiroi Haru 10! these last few episodes were sluggish at times, but tolerably so. As Sachi recovers, Haruo does the noble thing and leaves. I guess he's never seen My Two Dads. I was wondering if they'd resolve the money issue, and it looks like it might come up in the last episode.

Up next, Futatsu no Spica (no Lion-san? oh noes) and The Man Who Can't Get Married (can the kdrama mimic or top the jdrama?)

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood 12! ah ha, no creepy storyline about Izumi's 'kid'. The eye-catch was a tad depressing though.

Atashinchi no Danshi 9! The family strives to get the Mother's Goal list completed as they think it is a way to save the company from evil-glasses guy. Evil-glasses guy further plans evil things as he decides to build an amusement park on their home. The sap level is way high in this episode.

Eden of the East 11! the semi-end until the two movies. This was probably one of the most intriguing animes created in a while. The concept and execution didn't feel entirely new, but the way the writers tried to speak to modern Japan was new. The use of the NEETS and the corny Johnny jokes were funny story items. *spoilers* In this episode why Akira took the blame and wiped his memories was revealed. He also makes himself King. Saki's role was a little disappointing, but I suppose Akira needed that blind believer in the background. ~8/10 rating~ minus 2, because they are probably saving the best parts for the movies...darn.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya 2009 2/12! I have no idea how these should be numbered, but I supposed the fansubbers know. In this episode Haruhi and her lackeys enjoy the summer in very mundane, but sweet ways. There was lovely animation in this episode. The new opening is bright and pop-happy; surprisingly, there's nothing that screams fanservice about it or the episode.

Been watching some of BBC's Merlin, and then look into it to see if it is worth continuing and find A. It'll premiere on NBC Sunday with the first 2 episodes and B. Hey, surprise, surprise, the fangirls like Merlin x Arthur or is it Arthur x Merlin...I suppose it doesn't matter either way. :)

Speeding along Doctor Who, too. Very entertaining. (boo hiss at the prices of BBC's dvds.) Torchwood, too, too...lovely.

I guess dropping everything, but 2 anime series and 2-3 jdramas cuts down on my posting/squee-ing. No big loss.


Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood 11! Fun times in Rush Valley. Sweet & short episode.

Shirou Haru 9! Sachi has surgery. There's super-angst.

That life-size Gundam is brilliant. I hope they have a permanent spot for it after the two-month run in Odaiba. I want the chance to see it, too. It would be a shame if it were indoors, but I supposed it would last longer that way. It would be lovely if they left it outdoors and let it naturally deteriorate and grow flowers on it a la Gundam 00 ending.


Eden of the East 10! This could have easily been 20+ episodes. I think they got Chika Umino to do the character design so the characters feel familiar without too much development needed in the story (along with the publicity). In this episode, we meet Juiz, and the NEETS come running back (complete with whited-out privates...fun). They've revealed 7 out of the 12 Selecao. I wonder if and how they'll wrap it up...I'm pessimistically thinking they'll end it with a cliffhanger, and then finish it off with the movie.

Note to self: Tim Burton exhibit from Nov 22-April 26. I am so not going to remember.