2012-2013 Winter Anime Short List

The line-up is bad. I mean, I already said that Chihaya Furu will have a season 2, airing this January 2013, so that's one definitely on my short list. And the other one is probably Minami-ke S4. Both series, if you notice, are sequels. It's an abysmal line-up to be sure.

For OVAs, only one title has caught my eye. If someone bothers to sub One Off, I'll watch it.

The movies category is somewhat better. There are three titles that intrigue me. Sakasama no Patema by Purple Cow Studio Japan looks good on the surface and something about the "rustic" space setting reminds me of Pale Cocoon. Rakuen Tsuihou - Expelled from Paradise - is kinda mysterious and the promo poster doesn't give much, but the title is interesting. Toei Animation is quite prone to anime that are out there. So this might just be my cup of tea. And lastly, there's Titan Rain, which is giving me a lot of Karas vibes. And it's by Production I.G. so the production values will be high but I'm a little apprehensive about the inevitable volume of CGI in this film. I hope somebody subs these movies.

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NEWS: Chihaya Furu Season Two Confirmed

This is probably old news but I am so happy to hear about this. Yay! And it's coming out in January 13 for the Winter 2012\2013 season. Perfect! Especially after looking at the dismal line-up of titles, Chihaya Furu S2 means I have one series I'll definitely look forward to.

SOURCE.

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MEME: 50 Questions

All three series I've been following this season have had their finale (although I should be posting my "first look" of Ozuma sometime this week), I've got nothing better to do now than to answer the latest anime meme that's been floating around in my blogroll. Fair warning, I am not an old hand at anime. Sure, I've watched it intermittently through the years but I have to say that I haven't been quite as avid as I seem to be now. And let's not forget my brief "break-up" with anime last November, which, thanks to Chihaya Furu, didn't last very long. Anyway, my point I guess is that this is probably not a very interesting meme.


1. Who is your favourite male anime character?




Saitou Hajime from Rurouni Kenshin. It helps that his character is actually based on a historical figure -- albeit one that's been bastardized too many times in many a Shinsengumi anime (yes, I'm looking at you, Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kitan!) His motto: Aku. Zoku. San. "Bring swift death to evil" is the stuff of heroic dreams. He is my hero. And when my other  Rurouni Kenshin  favorite, Sagara Sanosuke, leaves me alone, Saitou is usually there to take his place as my fanfic muse.









2. Who is your favourite female anime character?




Takani Megumi, also from Rurouni Kenshin. Oh, I know she isn't a popular character. In fact, many fans hate her for professing to steal Kenshin from Kaoru, her mean attitude towards Kaoru and to the other characters in general,  her generally obnoxious behavior, but I like to think that all of that are just a front for an emotionally damaged character. Sure, one can always argue that everybody in Rurouni Kenshin is damaged in one way or another -- everybody has lost someone -- but you can't quantify pain. You can't really judge people simply because they are suffering the same pain as the others or lesser pain. It's pain nonetheless and everybody reacts to them differently. She's just a fascinating character and I just love writing her in fanfiction.






3. What is your favourite anime soundtrack?

At the moment, I can't seem to stop listening to Chihaya Furu OST. It's a fine combination of traditional Japanese instrumental music and high-energy tracks. I especially love listening to it while driving on my way to or from work.









4. What is your favourite anime opening + animation?

Eden of the East had "Falling Down" by Oasis as its opening theme, a cool song that I still listen to from time to time, and its accompanied by an equally cool, very interesting and incredibly artistic animation sequence. Although I never really warmed to the series, I have to give it at least this much: it had so far the best animation sequence ever. Of interest are the opening songs for Mushishi and Durarara!!

5. What is your favourite anime ending + animation?

It's a tough choice between Xam'd: Lost Memories and virtually all the ending themes of Natsume Yuujin-chou series. In the end, I'd have to choose Xam'd because I loved the Kylee song and I can actually sing to it. But there are moments in Natsume Yuujin-chou where I couldn't help but feel like the ending theme provides the perfect clincher to a particularly satisfying episode. So in other words, it's a close call.

6. What is your favourite anime scene?

Wow, that's a tough one. A really tough one. Nothing comes to mind. Uh-oh. Let me get back to you on that one.

Let's see...

I can remember that scene in Macross Frontier where Sheryl Nome is running through the streets in the rain. She's something depressed. All around her are posters of the newest darling of the media, Ranka Lee. She slips and falls, right on a spoiled, water-damaged poster of herself. That was sad.

For the funny, I'll never forget that scene in  Arakawa Under the Bridge  where Recruit tried the princess hold on Nino. That made me laugh so much.

And finally, very recently, a scene in Natsume Yuujin-chou Shi brought tears to my eyes. It's where a young Takashi tries to run away from his foster family to look for his old home and on his way there, he keeps shouting out for his father and nobody answers.

I don't know if these are favorite scenes but I liked them well enough.

7. If you could meet an anime character, who would it be?

For the girls, Nino from Arakawa Under the Bridge. I don't know. She seems like a fun character to be with. Innocent to some degree and therefore gullible, yet somehow wise where it matters, unpredictable and probably completely insane. Yep. Sounds like my kind of gal. And if you ask, I am a bit of a Recruit myself, in terms of personality so there's the attraction.

For the boys, I guess I'd like to meet Okabe Rintarou, the self-proclaimed mad scientist in Steins;Gate. I'd be very interested what nickname he would bestow upon me.











8. What anime character is most similar to you in terms of personality?

A long, long time ago, I took this Bleach character quiz and came out as Kuchiki Rukia. So I guess that's the person I am most like. I am apparently tough as nails, crazy over the weirdest things, look up far too much to my big brother, and kind when least expected.










9. What is your favourite thing about anime?

The unusual stories they contain and the art to go with it. Mostly, it's the art that attracts me and draws me in but it's the stories that make me stay.

10. What is your least favourite thing about anime?

The obvious pandering to the audience, often at the cost of content. There are many quality anime out there. And for every quality anime, there are dozens that are utter crap so that sometimes I can't help but wonder why these things are even made. And then I look at the sales and things click into place.

11. Who’s your favourite anime couple?

Well, my all-time favorite fanfic pairing is Sagara Sanosuke and Takani Megumi from Rurouni Kenshin but they are sadly not canon. I also like Makie Otochibana and Anotsu Kagehisa from Blade of the Immortal but again, this coupling is not canon. Although very heavily hinted at, it's never explicitly stated in the manga or the anime. So I guess that leaves only Senjougahara and Araragi from Bakemonogatari and its not-exactly-sequel Nisemonogatari. It's an odd couple to begin with -- Senjougahara is...weird, for lack of a better word. A tsundere but not a typical one. She says the most outrageous things which could put off anyone, though not Araragi who is as stoic as they come. Their relationship dynamics is fascinating because if you understand a typical Japanese comedy duo: there's always the sbokken who says outlandish things and the straight one who brutally corrects his less-than-intelligent partner. But in the case of the this couple, the characterization is reversed because Senjougahara, though the more intelligent of the two, is the bokken and Araragi is the straight-laced partner. The two just complement each other and their growth both as individuals and as a couple is fascinating to see in the series.



12. Who is your favourite anime animal?

Densuke, the heroic virtual dog from Denno Coil. The human characters in the series were pretty generic and Densuke, despite being just a cyberdog, was the only one whom I really latched onto emotionally. And the fact that he saved the day for his owner and her friends, proving his loyalty and devotion, all but cemented my love for this wonderful cyberpet.





13. What anime would make a good game?

No idea. I don't play a lot of games and I don't really go around watching anime and wondering at the same time whether it would make a good game.

14. What game would make a good anime?

Refer to Answer 13.

15. What is the first anime you ever watched?

It was Voltron, I think. The one with the lion robots. My favorite was the black lion.

16. Do you think you’ll ever stop watching anime?

Not really. I may withdraw awhile from the genre but I don't think I'll ever really stop watching it. Maybe a time will come when they stop making animes that I like but if that time does come, I'd still have the old anime series I have and I can just re-watch them.

17. What is your favourite genre of anime?

Well, I like light, humorous fare with a little bit of everything. Let's see, if Natsume Yuujin-chou had romance in it, it would be the perfect anime for my taste. As it is, it comes short in that aspect.

18. What is your least favourite genre of anime?

Ecchi for the sake of ecchi. I don't get it.

19. Are you open about watching anime with people you know?

I've watched anime with people I know. Mostly my brother. But then, we have very different tastes. He watches mostly shounen stuff and he likes watching them over and over. I normally go through my anime only once -- maybe a couple of times for my absolute favorites but no more. So yeah, I guess I'm open to it but I prefer to watch on my own. It's more of a private past time anyway as none of my real life friends have any interest in it.

20. Have you ever been to Japan?

No, but I plan to. One of these days. I plan to tour all of Asia actually and Japan is definitely on the list.

21. What anime was the biggest letdown for you?

Occult Academy. I remember how I loved the very first episode and how that love got eroded with each episode that came after it until it was all I could do to keep from screaming at my screen. And I hated myself more for bearing it through the end.

22. What anime was better than expected?

Angel Beats! A friend of mine once recommended it to me but I wasn't sold on it. Then, later on, another friend lent me the DVD and one day I finally decided to watch it. Surprise, surprise. I enjoyed it immensely. I still occasionally listen to Girls Dead Monster on my phone.

23. What is the best anime fight scene?

Manji vs. Otochibana Makie in Blade of the Immortal. Actually, every fight scene with Makie was badass. The anime was too short but I'm still following the manga. It's nearing the end now and I think Makie might finally fall because of her illness but she will remain the strongest fighter in the series.

24. Who is your anime waifu?

It would have to be Busujima-sempai ♥ ~ from High School of the Dead. Yes, I'd swing that way if it's her. Definitely. No question about it. That apron outfit alone had me wondering about my orientation. lolz I guess there's the inner 12-year-old fanboy in every one of us.





25. What was your favourite video game as a child?

I remember playing Donkey Kong in Game & Watch and Super Mario Bros. in Family Computer. I also played a lot of Tetris as a child. I loved all those games.

26. Most embarrassing moment?

Too many to mention.

27. Can you drive?

Yes.

28. Are you mature?

I like to think I make mature decisions about relevant things in life but I don't know if I am a mature person.

29. What year were you born?

1984. I'm also a gemini so I'm forever young.

30. Do you prefer dogs or cats?

Dogs. Although I admire cats.

31. Describe yourself physically.

I'm 5'2" and about 100 lbs. I've recently put on a few pounds though because of a lack of exercise and the fact that I just got myself a car and now move around the city primarily by car. I look Chinese but I have brown skin, like most Filipinos.

32. What would you name your first child?

I'd name it after some European city. Venice, probably.

33. What is the worst injury you’ve ever had?

My mother once slammed the door of the car on my elbow. It was an accident but it hurt like seven hells. The worst part about it was that my mother actually scolded me for being careless. Good times, good times.
.
34. What is your worst habit?

I bite my fingernails.

35. Do you drink or smoke?

Neither. I used to smoke in fun but I never got a taste for it. And I'm a lightweight and don't really enjoy alcohol that much.

36. Do you have a tattoo?

Nope.

37. Are you a morning or a night person?

Night person. I think more clearly at night. But I also like early mornings for the same reason.

38. Have you ever slept past midday?

Yes. My first job was a call center agent, answering calls from US clients so I worked nights and slept in the day. I had a rotating schedule so there were times when my work ended at midnight so I'd sleep from around 5 a.m. to around 4 p.m. It felt weird every time.

39. Do you regret anything?

Only crazy people don't regret anything. I'm not that crazy.

40. Can you count the number of friends that you have on one hand?

Yes. I keep a few friends, mostly from my college days. We don't get to see each other often now because of work but we find time to get together when our work schedules permit. Usually to chill over coffee or watch a movie.

41. Do you wear glasses?

Yes.

42. Are you a picky eater?

Not really. There are certain foods that I don't like and would prefer not to eat or drink -- like bananas, oranges, oysters, squid, milk. Then again, I may randomly eat these things.

43. Would you die for someone?

Probably. I can't know for sure. I have pretty strong self-preservation instincts but I guess it depends on the situation.

44. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I'd love to be able to fly.

45. Do you believe in the supernatural?

Not really. But sometimes I get scared of my own imagination.

46. Would you rather be rich or famous?

I'd rather be rich. What good is being famous if you don't got the money to back it up? I mean it must be terrible what these celebrities go through everyday. Whereas rich people can afford to build themselves a hideout somewhere. Rich people are also not weird. Just eccentric. I think I'd like that.

47. Have you ever committed a crime?

Yes. Then again, who hasn't?

48. Time traveller or ghost?

Time traveller. I'd like to see Ancient Rome at its prime. History was my favorite subject.

49. Does anybody have a crush on you?

Oh, dozens, I'm sure. I am clueless about these things, however.

50. Are you in a relationship?

I just said I'm clueless about these things.

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Chihaya Furu 25 [Finale]: Second Season, now!

And so here comes the last episode of this wonderful series. It's the Master match and the reigning Master, of course, successfully defends his title. His challenger was no challenge. Sou's game sense is so fantastic, the challenger could barely make a dent in his play. After it's all over, the club members could only sit in front of the TV, depressed. So when Taichi's mother pokes her head in to remind them, not too subtly, to leave, they do as told. Chihaya is depressed but her mood is slightly lifted when Tsutomu-kun tells her that based on his analysis, Chihaya has 20 one-syllable cards. Meanwhile, Taichi remains in his room. After a while, he places a call to Arata, who has been watching the match as well. Their conversation is cut short when Arata receives an unexpected visitor, his friend the former Master challenger. In class the next day, Tsutomu-kun explains it to Chihaya farther and adds that most Class A players have strong game sense, meaning Chihaya shouldn't rest on her laurels and instead try to master those 20 cards. Kana sees her doing just that and out of impulse, Kana announces her intention to become a reader and her dream of reading for Chihaya's Queen Match. Her hopes are dashed, however, when Chihaya thoughtlessly tells her that she would have to be a Class A player in order to be a reader at a queen's match. Heh. At club practice later that day, Taichi shows new determination by doing some fierce practice swings, which Chihaya notices. Meanwhile, the empress is busy jostling with other club coaches for the karuta club's club room, insisting that they need a sound-proof room. In the end, one old-timer professor gives her the said room with the condition that the karuta club must be able to recruit five more members come next school opening. The empress also manages to increase the club's budget by 30,000 yen, which thrills Kana to no end. The series ends with Chihaya putting up more posters of the club, inviting members to join them.

FINAL THOUGHTS:Well, that was a lackluster ending, but better than nothing. I hope to god we get a second season because this anime is too good and ended without really resolving anything not to have a second season, or a third and so on. The manga is still ongoing so there's at least that. But I love what Madhouse did to the series. I love the animation and the music and the seiyuu and the treatment done to the story. And I don't even like sports anime, mind you. I had a wonderful six months with Chihaya Furu. I laughed and cried and felt like I've grown with the characters. Even the side characters were nicely developed. Harada-sensei is memorable. Yumi, too. Shinobu is a scene stealer. And dammit, what about the triangle between Taichi and Arata and Chihaya? Need resolution. Second season, now!

more screencaps from episode 25:

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Chihaya Furu 24: The Queen Match

It's the Master and Queen matches and Chihaya decides that the best place to watch the most important game for her future career is Taichi's place which has a 60-inch television. Unfortunately for Chihaya, the play that Taichi's mom is supposed to watch gets canceled so the crone has to come home early and catch Chihaya hanging out with Taichi. Feeling sorry for her, Taichi invites her to watch the match instead up his room, away from his mother's prying eyes. The suggestion reminds Chihaya of that time Taichi stopped her from going into his room, making her aware for the first time how this might be awkward. And it is almost awkward but the two are soon joined by their fellow club members.

As for the match, Shinobu has changed a lot since last we saw her. She's grown super plump, apparently from eating too much ice cream so she could an exclusive "snowman" collectible item. Her new body gives her some difficulty with Yumi, who is at the top of her game. Still, Shinobu takes away the first win by five cards and wins the second by a devastating 13 cards. A destroyed Yumi nearly collapses into a crying heap in her dressing room but is interrupted by her coach and friends from her karuta society. Realizing that they are all there to support her to no matter what, Yumi bows before her coach and asks for his guidance once more. Meanwhile, the Master match is still ongoing and the Nishida tells Chihaya to watch the match more closely since she plays a lot like the Master.

COMMENTS:

I actually enjoyed this episode, despite this being not really about the protagonists. I've grown to care about these side characters, too, and actually felt sorry for Yumi. But Shinobu is a monster when it comes to karuta, and for the first time, the show reveals why: Shinobu loves the cards themselves, not necessarily the game nor the poems. This type of connection Chihaya cannot ever hope to have. But there is someone who may be much faster and stronger than Shinobu and that person is the 3-year reigning Master, Sou Hisashi. And Nishida has stated that Chihaya's playing style is similar to his. I guess he means that both of them rely on their their talent to hear things normal people wouldn't pick up. 

 In other news, it looks like Taichi is giving up his role as Chihaya's lap dog. He's going to pay more attention to karuta now. Good for him. I think the only reason Chihaya even likes Arata so much is because of his karuta and his dedication to it. Whereas, Taichi never cared much for the game and only got into it because of Chihaya. But if he's going to focus more on himself and the game, then he'll get better and then he'll have a better chance of attracting Chihaya's attention. 

more screencaps from episode 24:

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Chihaya Furu 23: Who will be the challenger?

The episode picks up right where the last one left off. That is, Chihaya is devastated from her ignominious defeat by Yamamoto Yumi. So much so that she can't even face her club members afterwards and runs to hide inside a locker. To make matters worse, Sudo-kun comes around to remind her and everyone about the bet they made and assures her that some girls look pretty with a bald head. A horrified Taichi, Nishida and Desktomu-kun volunteer to shave their own heads. Even Kana wants to do it but Nishida objects to this solidly. Then, Harada-sensei arrives and, after learning about the bet, tells Sudo-kun to drop it if he loses to Harada-sensei. But even with that taken care of and a bribe of chocolates from Desktomu-kun, Chihaya still doesn't come out of the locker, prompting Taichi to tell everyone to watch the games while he stays behind. After everyone leaves, Taichi gets an email from Arata, saying that he's made it to the fourth round of the Western qualifier. Taichi tells Chihaya the news, which naturally draws some fierce reaction from her. Kana later returns to announce that Harada-sensei won his match and is next playing Sudo-kun. Chihaya suddenly opens the locker door then, causing Taichi to fall back and onto her lap. A tear-stained Chihaya urges him to go, not to cheer Harada-sensei on, but to watch the game as these two will be his rivals once he becomes a Class A player next year. Kana reasons that Taichi is only staying for her, which Chihaya realizes just now so, wiping away her tears, she stands up and drags Taichi with her. Taichi is too shocked to say anything, thinking only to himself that he is hopelessly in love with Chihaya. At the match, Harada-sensei is demolishing Sudo-kun despite a bad knee. The gang is standing outside, watching the game through the glass windows when Taichi offers Chihaya his jacket as she looks cold. Chihaya keeps thinking back on her match with Yumi, realizing that it was because she did not want Yumi to contest every card that she sacrificed accuracy for speed. Also, she realizes only now that she's been too focused on herself, not even realizing that her friends were all watching. Eventually, the match ends with Harada-sensei scoring a win for Chihaya's hair (though he's totally forgotten about the bet until they remind him about it) only to lose the next one that will determine the Easter Master/Queen challenger finalists, who turn out to be Yumi and Tsuboguchi Hiroshi. The month that follows has Chihaya getting asked out for the first time by a boy from another school. Kana advises her to reject him, which bothers Chihaya somewhat as she's worried she'll never be asked out again. This, of course, brings up the fact that Chihahya is a beauty in vain. A mopey Taichi first tells her to try it out and see for herself that it will never work out, then seems to have a change of heart as he blocks the poor boy's number from Chihaya's phone. Kana remembers two poems that portray just how Taichi is feeling and secretly supports him. Chihaya is, of course, clueless about it and continues to wonder about Arata, who by the way did not make it as the Western Qualifier. Sometime later, the finalists' round is held and the Queen challenger is none other than Yumi and the Master challenger is Hiroshi. The latter's win is especially touching as it has always been Harada-sensei's goal to produce a Master one day. Back in school, it's the Christmas season and Chihaya gets suckered into attending the class party where she wows everyone (especially the boys) with her fashionable outfit. In the midst of all this fun, Chihaya finds herself wishing that other club members were there as well. Desktomu-kun points out that it means she thinks of those people as family. Later that same evening, Chihaya calls Arata, who knows it is her almost immediately. Chihaya can barely say anything, thinking only of that one poem about the misty bridge that connects two people together.

COMMENTS:
Well, well, well. My worst fears are true. The final match with the Master and Queen are really between characters we barely know. But the beauty about the story is that, take Hiroshi, for example, he's a character that's been around for some time but we don't really know him and then this one scene shows him, not saying anything, but suddenly crying at the sight of Harada-sensei, knowing that he's just one more step closer to achieving a life-long dream shared by everyone...I have to be honest, it brought a lump to my throat. This, about a character I don't know and don't really care that much about. Ah, hot damn. Now I want to see him win the Master match just for the pleasure of seeing him play against Arata in the next one. And Yumi? She had her spotlight in her match with Chihaya and the way the show portrayed the whole thing, even though I love Chihaya to death and would always root for her, I couldn't help but wish Yumi to rise up, too. Her match with Wakamiya Shinobu will be that much more devastating, because, of course, Shinobu will win it because she is Chihaya's one and only opponent. Oh no. Two more episodes. Are we going to see a second season? Because I can't think of a good resolution for this series at this point.

more screencaps from episode 23:

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