Monday, September 20, 2010

alright, time to go on HIATUS for now, till around 11-13 Oct. examinations coming up =X i could do a write-up on Seitokai Yakuindomo and Mitsudomoe after it ends next week, BUT it depends on whether i could squeeze in my tight revision schedule, so there's no guarantee for that. and sadly, my exam dates clashes with the start of the new seasons, so i guess i wouldn't have time to blog about their first airing until my exams are over. So, till then! :)

Highschool of the Dead 12 (END)

after looking back at how the other episodes were, honestly, this would be the best among them, considering that it IS the last episode.

With the 4 nuclear missiles shot, the submarines were preparing to intercept them, no matter what their targets were. 3 of the missiles were intercepted but the last went on with its programmed route after the submarine that was responsible for its interception had already fell prey to "them". Soon after, the missile blew up in the atmosphere, emitting a bright light across the country and frying all electronics with it. Moments before, Shizuka-sensei had remembered the phone number of her friend who's in the special unit and borrows Takashi's phone to contact her. Shizuka-sensei was happy to know that her friend was still alive but before she could disclose her location to her, the cell phones got fried with the bright light that lit up the entire sky. Saya recognised the light as an EMP burst, which was caused by a nuclear missile blowing up in the atmosphere, causing special particles to be emitted and they target the waves that electronics use and frying it as a result. From that moment on, nothing that has electronics would work, not even the aiming function in the rifles. The EMP blast had also brought devastating effects with it affecting pacemakers as well and the brakes of vehicles. Shido-sensei had crashed the bus onto a barricade due to fried brakes and with the barricade broken, "they" had started entering the Takagi territory. Soon after the barricade had been crossed, the Takagi household witnessed the first all out attack from "them" and even with the iron gates closed, their inhumane strength overcame it and hell broke loose in the premises. Takashi and his group started to help out and retaliated with their firearms and the situation got temporarily controlled. Takagi's father tells Takashi that he should go and look for his parents and Hirano to protect Saya. Hearing what could be the final words of her father, Saya tried to interrupt but was slapped by her mother, who tells her that it was a selfish decision but hopes that she would not make things more difficult than it already was. With a last word that she loves them, Saya leaves with Takashi and the others, who headed for their armoured vehicle. Turns out that it was EMP-proof and was reinforced by multiple plates of metal, preventing the EMP blast from affecting it and while the mechanic was onto repairing some damaged parts, the others started to take on "them" from where they stood. Within minutes, the vehicle was up and running again and with everyone assembled in it, Shizuka-sensei hits on the accelerator and the group leaves the Takagi household. With a side-wheel maneuver in the streets, they managed to reach the highway where they continue to encounter more and more of "them" and with their vehicle damaged after a long ride through, the group finally reached a shopping mall.

It had ended rather nicely with the end of the Takagi household arc where the shopping mall arc is about to begin BUT the season ends here. It was certainly the best episode they had so far, as compared with the other 11, with ample action and the cool side-wheelie to end the series off. The series has a unique storyline and that was probably the "cool" thing that prompted me to start with this series, and after reading through the manga as well, it was indeed a rather promising series. Action-wise, it was great, with firearms and blades (although they're all highschool students) storyline-wise, it does have many possibilities but a conclusion would be rather difficult. The only disappointing part of the series was probably the excess and overload of fanservice. Come on, a little is OK, but that is just excess! focusing on action and storyline would honestly be a better option IMO. the end of the end of HOTD had its usual casual tone in the humvee to conclude everything and that was rather typical but they could have a much more conclusive ending, rather than just showing the shopping mall where non-manga readers wouldn't understand why it was shown for. A 2nd season is perhaps possible, but it'll be a long long time before they could animate what the manga is being released at their slow pace. Nice series? Kinda. If you ignore the fs, the recap episode (right early in the short series), how they drag on for a chapter to be completed in an episode, it would probably be a series one can enjoy. So for now, no more zombie fighting!

P.S. and no more Shido-sensei xD

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi 12 (END)

and with the last episode, a new character is added in, a tiny bit of life storytelling and it ends =="

Himura Machiko, a student who's working part time to deliver newspaper, sees Ryoushi walking his two dogs in the morning. After glancing at the large house he lives in, she mistakes him as a rich guy walking two expensive dogs and becomes determined to marry him and obtain a life of happiness. With that in mind, she goes all out to try and get Ryoushi's attracted to her. She carefully plans out her first impression for Ryoushi which turns out to be just wierd and predictable as Ringo names it as directly taken out from a game when she and Ryouko sees Ryoushi feeling rather troubled in class. Soon, Himura makes an appearance again but had now grown tired over all the planning and went straightforward to ask Ryoushi to marry her. That sentence sparked off dozens of gaze towards the poor Ryoushi who's still suffering from his own fear of being seen. Otohime and Tarou soon came into the class to witness the commotion and when it was said that Ryoushi had some ties with Ryouko, Himura confronts Ryouko and she brushes it off that they have no relationship at all. Ringo grasps the situation of how Ryouko still could not be honest with herself and plans something dark for her. Back in the Otogi Bank, while talking about how Ryoushi was confessed to, Himura comes to the Otogi Bank to make a request to book Ryoushi for the weekend for a date with her. Liszt agrees to it as well after seeing Ryouko not objecting and the date begins. Ringo and Ryouko had went to check on them as well after Ringo lured Ryouko to do so by saying that Himura could be plotting something with her sudden confession and they should look after Ryoushi's well-being; and since Ryouko didn't want to be honest, it was an ideal excuse to "stalk" them during their date. Himura was however surprisingly bold to get Ryoushi to fall for her and through every action she was trying to lure Ryoushi in, Ringo teases Ryouko with it and loves to see her "i must not show that i actually care" attitude. And so, examples like trying to get Ryoushi to accept her feeding him food and to rock a boat on purpose just to grab on to him and that got Ryouko to snatch the binoculars from Ringo to take a look. Whist asking Ryoushi to talk about his family, Ryoushi shed some light on his past, like on how he had the phobia of being seen and then when he asks Himura about her family instead, she changes the subject quickly and leaves the park with Ryoushi. She then wanted to bring Ryoushi to another place but had suddenly changed her mind and bid goodbye to Ryoushi. As Ryoushi went out of sight, Himura was confronted by two thugs who tells her that her father had took the money, which was to repay their debts, and ran away, and they had since been looking for her. Himura could not believed what she had heard and when she was about to be taken away, Ryoushi shoots a smoke ball and grabs Himura away. The onlooking Ringo and Ryouko follows them to safety as well. In the playground, Himura tells Ryoushi that she had been working part time to help repay her father's debt and had only hoped to live in happiness, away from the thugs. She also apologises to Ryoushi for sticking so close to him for her own motives. Ryoushi then looked angry but was towards her father and not her. He then calls for more information about Himura and tries to help her get away from the thugs. The thugs soon found them and brought reinforcements as well but this time, Ryoushi wasn't holding back and switched to steel balls, soon accompanying him in the fight was Ryouko where they started to thrash all those thugs coming at then. Just as Himura was seeing how cool Ryoushi was, Ringo appears and tells her that both Ryoushi and Ryouko have always been fighting alongside with each other. After the commotion ends, Himura has her debts cleared by the Otogi Bank and was also given lodging which Liszt tells her that she does not need to worry about anything as she'll be repaying them soon enough. Himura then takes Ryoushi out for a talk and Ryouko follows them after making an excuse on going to the restroom. Himura thanks Ryoushi for what he had done for her and when she wanted to confess to him, Ryoushi cuts in and started saying that Ryouko was the reason he had became a little more manly and with Ryouko acting strong to protect her weak self, it was important for Ryoushi to be strong for her. Ryoushi then takes his leave and Himura, knowing all along that Ryouko was listening, asks Ryouko face to face if she likes Ryoushi or not, or she wouldn't stop chasing him. Ryouko soon replied that she does not hate him. With the sparklers being light up on everyone's hands, Ryoushi tells Ryouko that no matter how long it's going to be, he would always love her but this time, Ryouko did not hit him back, seems that she had acknowledged her own feelings for him as well and gave him a warm smile in return.

the last episode wasn't that much of an ending, it felt more like a typical episode after seeing how the various episodes in the series is modeled to be. Not much conclusion, many things are left hanging around probably due to the still ongoing novels. on how the story was actually heading back at the start, having a romantic ending would be rather weird. a comedy? not actually. I would have appreciated it more if they had decided to focus more on Shirou back when Ryoushi gave a badass look at him and gave the series a more proper climax and a much more fulfilling or proper end. I don't really dislike the ending though, just felt that they could be more to it rather than adding it a whole new character and ending her story so quickly that it just feels as if she's an "extra" character. it did seemed rather rushed though, and Ryoushi's cool look just came too fast and abit faked .__. leaving those aside, it was actually a rather nice-to-watch series at the start but on the ways on concluding it, it is rather difficult. having such resemblance to Toradora! when the preview came was a "hook" to this series. Having the same personality and an awesome start of confession kicked off the series to a good start. Shirou, as the ultimate antagonist was a great idea, focusing on Ryouko's past that developed her current personality. and that brought forth a much more "manly" Ryoushi, who is waaay cooler than how he is normally. overall, it wasn't a bad series but its watchable for leisure, much more improvements could be made IF there was a 2nd season. 12 episodes is honestly a little too short.

P.S. still love their fairytale-like reference though :)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Anime Festival Asia 2010 a.k.a AFA X

Alright, here's the current info on what's you can expect this year at AFA

for the booths, its still not confirmed what will be coming this year and their event guide is still under-construction. But if nothing much changes, we can safely think that they would be Bandai coming, probably for the upcoming Gundam 00 movie, the other figma stores, Latendo and possibly KKnM.

for the highlights this year:

Kaname is coming back again :D and this year, seiyuu Kana Hanazawa would be coming, could be similar to last year's K-On! experience. well, who's that you may ask,

here are some of the roles that she play that you might know of:

Zange in Kannagi
Sharon in Pandora Hearts
Nadeko in Bakemonogatari
Suou in Darker than Black, Ryuusei no Gemini
Kanade in Angel Beats!
Mato in BRS

yup, the lovely Tenshi in Angel Beats! :D so we might possibly see her doing a live dubbing of Kanade or maybe most of her roles in the various anime series.

and of course, there's the Regional Cosplay Championship 2010 as well and the I love Anisong concert.

so thats what they have released so far, but ticket pricing... its slightly different this year (well, it was expected)

So there isn't any 2-day special pricing ticket, yet (who knows if there's gonna be a change? :D)

it's $15 bucks PER day with stage access, and $8 PER day for non-stage access.
and note this "

Grants full access to exclusive main stage activities and content, such as Special Guest Appearances, Movie Screenings, AFA Regional Cosplay Championships and more! * Does not grant access to I LOVE ANISONG concerts.

*from their web*

and so whats in for the concert?

NO MORE STANDING and WATCHING this year =/ disappointed? yes. but what if i wanna stand? pay.

thats the rule this year, no more free standing areas for the concert.

Its now $55 bucks to STAND, and watch the concert, PER day

and for the concert tickets itself, its $118 bucks PER day and $198 bucks for a two-day special offer.

leaving money behind, and after thinking it through, here are the guests for this year's I Love Anisong:

for day 1: Ichirou Mizuki and JAM project
for day 2: SCANDAL, angela and May'N

i will definitely miss the concert feel this year and this year, angela's coming D: dang, i wanna hear her sing live =X but for that amount of money, i'll pass this year, not being able to fork out this year =/

so till 13/14th Nov 2010! AFA yooooshi!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

K-ON!! 24 [END]

it ends. excluding the extra episodes to come, this is the end of the long, and rather influential series.

Having decided to meet up earlier before heading to school for the graduation ceremony, Yui was the only one that was late. The others waited for her and when its turns out that she had woke up early to play her Gitah and had lost track of time, with that, the girls rush to their last day in high school. In their class, Sawa-chan had came to make sure everyone was prepared and ready for graduation but the keion girls have yet to arrive. Meanwhile, Azusa's class were given flowers, just like the other classes, where they'll give it to their seniors to celebrate their graduation. While heading to the venue, Azusa, Ui and Jun then sees the girls rushing up to their own classroom and while looking at them, Azusa did not realise a wall in front of her and hit her forehead, injuring it as a result. The girls then arrived in class, but Yui had tore her tights which Nodoka had a replacement, probably with Ui having a sixth sense about how things are going to turn out. Another classmate then hands Ritsu a board where everyone had written their messages for Sawa-chan, treating it as a surprise gift for her. Luckily enough for Azusa, her bangs were long enough to keep her bandage away from sight and which it properly patched up, they headed out to give their flowers to the graduating seniors. While in the auditorium for the graduation ceremony, Yui had no choice but to hide the board in her shirt but that prompted Sawa-chan to worry about her as she thinks that she was hiding something else. Mio realises that they could be in trouble and passed the message that Sawa-chan was worried about Yui but when the message reached Yui, it had transformed into "Sawa-chan has failed" instead, which sounded similar but confused Yui as she didn't quite understand what Mio was trying to tell her. Back in their classes, Sawa-chan gives out their graduation certificates and wish them all the best for their future and she was very happy about each and everyone as this was the first class she was in charge in as well. It was then time to hand the board to Sawa-chan which made her realise that the thing Yui was hiding during the ceremony was the board all along; she really appreciated it and tells everyone to come back once in a while. Azusa was meanwhile daydreaming until Jun managed to snap her out of it and tells her that she was leaving for the Jazz club. Ui then tells Azusa that she'd be celebrating for Yui's graduation and it would seem wierd for her not to see her sister wearing the same uniform as her again. Azusa then grabs Ui's hands, telling her that she'll celebrate their graduation as well and they should send them off with a smile. Back in the class, the keion girls were having their pictures taken by people who love their music and would hope that they continue to play music even after they go into University. Before heading to the music room, Nodoka separates from them and Yui reconfirms with Nodoka that they'd walk home together that day which Nodoka agrees. At the same time, Sawa-chan walks into the now empty classroom and thinks about all the time spent here and as she looks back, she begins to tear when she sees the entire chalkboard filled with messages to her as well. Azusa later arrives at the music room and apologies for not being able to serve them tea. She sits down and gives them each a letter she had wrote for them and while congratulating them for graduating, the truth that they are leaving sank in when she sees their graduation certificates. Azusa then whispers that she doesn't want them to graduate and leave and would want to them to stay on with her; and she'd not bug them to stop drinking tea or clean the room if they continue to stay. Azusa then breaks down and Yui rushes forward to comfort her and Azusa apologises again for crying as she had wanted to send them off while smiling. Yui later gives Azusa a photo of them with a small cut-out print of Azusa sticked onto it, and also a flower with five petals, representing the Keion-bu. Mio then tells Azusa that they had all prepared a song for her and performs for her. With the lyrics of the song, Azusa is touched and tears began to well up in her eyes and when the song ended, she stood up to applaud, causing a drop of tear to land on the photograph given to her. Sawa-chan and Nodoka later steps into the music room as well and the keion-bu decides to perform for them as well and its fuwa fuwa time. The End.

the series has really came a long way, ever since it first started on Season 1. I was first captured by how they delivered their 1st ED, Don't Say Lazy, got hooked to it and started watching ever since. Story-wise on the 1st season was somewhat better than the 2nd season, until about the last few episodes where the situation starts to feel heavy and it was the end of the girl's high school journey. Seeing how the manga had ended, it does seem to be pretty much similar to the animation's end, Azusa in tears... honestly, it felt sour watching that. Having the thought that being left alone after all your close seniors graduate isn't something that one can overcome so easily. I mean come on, just look at the time they had spent together, it was indeed, a tight bond that had to be broken when graduation arrived. Sawa-chan had her emotional side as well with wishes from the students being given to her, and they were her first graduating batch as well. In the manga however, Mio did teared later after holding it in in the school. Leaving that aside, the song they had wrote for Azusa was just marvelous, the lyrics had such deep meaning to it and i was really touched by it as well:



what did spur me on to continue watching the series was the songs, really. They had all some rather interesting lyrics but most of it had rather deep meaning to it, just like U and I. Clearly enough, their last ED song, No, Thank You!, had the quality of Don't Say Lazy back into the spotlight. Ritsu with her hair down in the ED is already full of win :D a more crucial part of the song they had sang to Azusa is that everyone sang, yes, everyone did, if you had seen or heard closely. Seeing that Azusa is someone close to them, Mio really didn't felt shy while singing it. It must be difficult for Azusa to send them off and she'll probably won't see them much often and it was, too, touching when she became honest about how she felt about their graduation when she saw their graduation certificates. With the manga ending the entire K-On! series, a 3rd series is rather impossible, and i wouldn't think it would be practical as well, this was quite the ending i think i quite appreciate, definitely NOT because Azusa teared OK? it someone made me feel that it had placed a full stop to such a rather wonderful series. All in all, this is a great series to enjoy as a slice-of-life (or you're just looking for moeblobs). Their songs are hits and i enjoy listening to every single track of their song, especially how the ED are animated and their accompanying songs as well. K-ON! has left a deep track in the animation "world" (which it did), all the hooha going around when it's approaching its end and how some other people reacted to it as moe overdose. At least they didn't focus too much on FS, and luckily, they didn't. For myself, this 2 wonderful seasons did make me enjoyed it and i laughed through it, heard their live (at AFA 09), felt sour with it, and nonetheless enjoyed their songs. It would be a series i'd miss watching and definitely something worth remembering. The K-ON! legacy has now come to an end. A full stop is placed in the series and its really, the end.

Kei-On! SAYONARA!

P.S. well, literally, IT IS the end for the story, but there's still an extra episode coming along.

P.S.S would go on a hiatus after the current series i'm blogging ends, all the way till around mid/early Oct as i'll be focusing on my exams so till then! :) which also means that K-ON!! 25 might not be blogged. Note: *might*

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

will be updating on AFA X soon :)

Highschool of the Dead 11

Back in the school bus, Shido had already brainwashed every single student he has with him, all except one, who was thrown out of the bus and was quickly eliminated by "them". Back in Takagi's home, Takagi, Takashi and Hirano went to talk to the adults seeking shelter here and were telling them about how they should accept the world as it should be, just like how Takagi's father had showed everyone when he beheaded his best friend who had become one of "them". The adults however feel that they were trying to convince them to take up arms and are encouraging them to kill and refuses to accept their suggestions. Leaving the tent, Takagi feels pissed since she had went to talk to them after hearing them talking about her father and yet they still do not understand their current situation. Hirano then thinks that it was due to this screwed up world they are in that everyone is hoping that everything could be resolved and be back to normal in no time and thus, do not want to accept reality. Takashi agrees and share some of his thoughts on it as well, which prompts Takagi and Hirano to feel that he should be the leader of their team. Saeko was meanwhile with Takagi's father and he allows her to unsheathe a katana, which Saeko recogises it as a katana of the finest quality which reassures Takagi's father that she is really Busujima's daughter. He later wants to give the katana to Saeko but she refuses, asking for a reason. But he tells her that it would be best suited for her as he can still see Takashi hesitating on his actions. Back in his room, Takashi begins to ponder of his "status" in the group, and Rei joins in soon after. He thinks that with everyone being rather professional in their own specialised weapon and Shizuka-sensei having medical knowledge, it does not seem that the position of the leader should be given to him. And then comes Rei's rather irritating speech, where she tells him that she sees his more differently now with him taking his every actions seriously while protecting the group. She later leaves the room where she goes to check on her injuries again and sees Saeko outside, who tells her that she had not heard anything. Takashi then goes to Takagi's father and informs him that he's leaving to search for his family members and if he does not come back within 2 days, it would mean that he had decided to stay with his family and any plans the Takagi family has would not concern him. Saeko decides to follow him as well to help lead his family members back but before they leave, Rei sees someone outside the house and rushes out with her bayonet. It turns out that Shido and his students have arrived at the house to seek shelter and Rei immediately points her bayonet at his face. She knows that she was forced to repeat a grade as her father was a political rival of Shido's father and right now, she feels like taking his life. Takagi's father then appears and tells her to decide on her own whether to take his life or not and Takashi was also stopped by Saeko in intervening. Rei later puts down her bayonet, saying that he's not worth killing and Shido and his students were then chased out by Takagi's father and not to return with his evil. Other countries seems to be firing missiles to wipe out the zombies and the crew on the satellite begins to see a much more chaotic world with much more missiles being shot across the sky.

Rei is getting more and more irritating. What's with her sticking around, seems like she's forcing Takashi on her. Come on Takashi, Saeko's better than her .____. so stop flirting around with her! leaving that aside, we finally got to see Mr. Shido being "pwned" woo!!! thats great to see :D with only a few episodes left, its probably going to end in the Takagi house arc before a new arc comes in or it could be a totally original ending, who knows? o.o

Friday, September 10, 2010

K-ON!! 23

With graduation just round the corner, Ritsu decides to call everyone and meet in the music room where they can enjoy their "last" school day together. It was still early in the morning and the girls were already having their own cup of tea, happily listening to the school bell as it rings. It had seemed that they were skipping lessons. As time passes, the girls got bored and decide to head to their classroom where Ritsu started sorting out her belongings under her table, which she should have already brought back days ago. Yui was then digging out all the notes that Ritsu had been passing to Yui during classes and Mugi requested to keep them, treasuring them as a part of their memory. Nodoka then comes by the class and is surprised to see them all gathered together and replies to Yui's question that she was going to hand up her script for the graduation speech the next day and to get it approved. The girls went and followed Nodoka to see Sawa-chan, who approves of the script and allows Nodoka to hand it over to the person-in-charge. The girls stayed back a little while to have a chat with Sawa-chan, but nothing seems to be able to "lure" her back to the music room as she still had many things to settle on her very first graduating batch of students. Bored, the girls waited for Nodoka and when she leaves first to the student council room, they decide to follow her as well and took their time exploring the room. In the shelves, the girls discover a student council photo album and for the first time, they get to see Nodoka blush as they peered at her pictures in it. Yui then comes over and asks Nodoka to borrow her spectacles to wear, in an attempt to make herself look like a student council president. Having explored the room well enough, the girls take their leave and Nodoka had sorta enjoyed their little "stay" as well. The girls then headed to the cafeteria where they see Azusa and Jun and Yui goes forward to ask Azusa to buy some bread for them as it'll look wierd if the others see them in school as they weren't supposed to be. In addition to their requested bread, Azusa also bought a golden chocolate bread which was a long bread filled with sweet chocolate fillings which the girls have not tried before and loved it when it first entered their mouth. They left some as well to Ui and Jun for which Azusa already knew that they had eaten before. With nothing to do, the girls return to the music room and were unable to play music as classes were going on and they started to think of something to do. Mio went to feed Ton-chan as Yui had always reached earlier than she did and Yui later started to design some game which was unplayable with a lack of a goal. Mugi then decided to test out a cloth that makes a sparkle on the windows and that prompts the girls to clean up the music room and that took them the rest of the time until the last bell rung. Yui later finally realises that it was perhaps the last time they could have tea here and practice here and became uneasy, feeling that they should leave something before to prove the existence of Ho-kago Tea Time in this school. Through some pondering, the girls decide to record all the songs that they had wrote into a cassette. Azusa runs to the music room as it could possibly be their last practice session together and also agrees with the recording but as no planning was done, everyone went to the table again to discuss on the recording list of songs. Whilst deciding, Mugi decides to record their conversations as well where Mio got embarrassed over her own recorded voice and Azusa, being shocked after her shout was recorded by Yui. The song list was then completed and just as they were about to begin, Sawa-chan comes in and stays aside to listen to the girls record their very first "album". It was finally completed in the night and Ritsu wrote down "Ho-kago Tea Time" onto its cover sealing their history in Sakura High.

i'm already feeling bad for Azusa already, she's going to be left alone after the rest graduates and that feel was already amplified in the past episodes and now it is soon coming to an end. And that's where the cassette comes from (in the transitions) and with that well recorded, it could be made into a CD and be sold :D seeing how its going to end a quite differently from the original manga, i'm actually looking forward to their own unique end to such a "hit", it doesn't really need to be a hit series, but it did, without doubt, proved to be a series known to many (shall post more when it ends in the next episode). i wouldn't think there would be any season 3 but a extra episode 25 could be possible... time leap anyone? :P

P.S. pardon me, i've some fetish for time leaps :D

Friday, September 10, 2010

now this is adorably cute >///< from Good Smiles




and this is from Alter, with cost a bomb of around 200+ SGD D:



Max Factory's Mio Akiyama PVC, lurve the bass @.@

Thursday, September 09, 2010

Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi 11

While training with Neko-san to improve his own fighting capabilities, Ryoushi receives a call from Liszt who called everyone for an urgent meeting where he explains the current situation. According to his investigation, other members of the Otogi Bank could have been kidnapped by the delinquents of Onigashima High and were probably under Shirou's directions. Meanwhile, Ryouko had been tied to the chair and brought to Shirou, who explains that he had hoped to separate the Otogi Bank members and kidnapped them to see their despair and it his plan was working better than expected and now he was waiting for Ryoushi to arrive to save Ryouko. At the same time, Otsuu was cornered by the other delinquents and was being forced to change into a nurse outfit and Tarou, when placed in a room with Otohime, was "assaulted" by other bikini-clad girls as the delinquents had heard that he was a playboy. Fortunately, Tarou wasn't led astray by this and kept his heart to Otohime and retaliated, with Otohime targeting the girls after exclaiming that a girl's jealousy is not something to be underestimated. Otsuu was then saved by Majo who unleashes her chemical gas and led Otsuu away from the vicinity, only to get her to wear something that she would like to see instead. Mimi and Alice, who were on the run, had managed to get some time to rest and Mimi apologises to Alice for bringing trouble which surprised Alice that she was actually a rather honest person. After the duo started to run again, Alice accidentally sprains her leg and was saved by Liszt, whom Alice called out as "Rikkun" when she first saw him. Liszt tells them that everyone is now moving to save the other members but the group he was most worried with is Ryoushi's group, who consists of Ringo, Neko-san and Ryoushi himself. The trio arrives at Onigashima High and is welcomed by a large number of delinquents but was fortunately given assistance by Momoko and her followers and later, the rest of the Otogi Bank. With the duo, Momoko and her followers successfully infiltrated the school building, they were met with more delinquents as they proceed further and it was soon up to Neko-san, Ryoushi to save Ryouko. In the school grouds, the Otogi Bank members were rounding up the rest of the delinquents with even Mimi helping Otohime out. Neko-san explains to Ryoushi that he had decided to train him as he did not run away even when he was faced with delinquents whom he might not be able to win in a fight unlike him, who had once left a girl behind when he was faced with a similar situation. Neko-san then leaves Ryouko to Ryoushi and stays to fend off the remaining delinquents. Ryoushi finally reaches Ryouko and was greeted by Shirou, who tells him that he was a little later than he expected. Ryoushi immediately tries to shoot with his slingshot but was quickly cut by Shirou and was then kicked, throwing Ryoushi onto the wall. Ryouko, who was forced to see Ryoushi being beaten up, was extremely concerned about Ryoushi's well-being after he was cornered and got bashed up pretty badly by Shirou. Ryouko couldn't bare to see the situation anymore but at that moment, Ryoushi remembers what Neko-san had said earlier on, the girl he had once left behind was Ryouko herself and in order to redeem himself, he begins to train himself and seeing how Ryoushi is determined to protect her, he decides to train Ryoushi up. With the resolution to protect Ryouko, he regains his strength and pushes Shirou aside but was still unable to lay a single blow on Shirou. Learning from Neko-san's advice, Ryoushi decides to stop his thoughtless attacks and remained calm, ready for Shirou's move. Shirou does not hesitate and rushes in for the blow, which Ryoushi dodges cleanly off and punches him on the face, knocking Shirou off his feet and losing some blood as a result. Ryouko was surprised to see how Ryoushi had turned the table around but when Shirou stood back up, his expression seemed to have changed for the worse after Ryoushi was able to land a hit but before the fight ensues, Liszt steps in and stops the fight, treating this as a request by Onigashima High and he'll be sure to return the favour soon. The fight at Onigashima High then ends but Shirou doesn't seem to have given up, only to feel that it could become more interesting if he could break their deepening bonds. Back in Otogi Bank, Liszt thanks everyone who has helped in the "operation" and Mimi and Otohime seems to have patched up their relationship and Neko-san feeling that he had redeemed himself and had not run away in this situation unlike him in the past. With the crisis being over, Ringo suggests Ryouko to give Ryoushi a reward after seeing how much he had gone through to save her but Ryouko brushes it off while blushing. Later in the night, Ryouko seems to understand what Ringo is hinting and asks for her help in how she could reward Ryoushi, which was that she'll tag along with Ryoushi when he walks his two dogs the next morning. Seeing Ryoushi's back, Ryouko seems to have developed a much deeper feeling for him and just after Ryoushi, looking determined, tells Ryouko that he would be the one protecting her, she had almost wanted to be honest about her feelings towards him for once but her words were cut when she sees Ryoushi back in his old state when a large group of children passes them and had then wacked Ryoushi when he wanted her to continue what she had intended to say.

was a little disappointed on how the climax was built up, Neko-san IMO still feels like a last-minute-addition to make Ryoushi become stronger, which unfortunately didn't have long lasting effect on him. this climax seems to be just like the episode where they had previously stormed Onigashima High, without any real proper end to Shirou and his delinquents. things do seem to be rushed in the series and for a 12 episode series, i would think that a 24/25/26 episode for this series would be better for them to end everything nicely and having a much more better climax build up instead of a short 20mins climax that comes and goes. nonetheless, we almost got to see a honest Ryouko, well.. almost... so i'll see how the series decides to end...

P.S. Liszt has some deadly cool eyes O.o

Wednesday, September 08, 2010

one of the series i'm anticipating :D

P.S. and not forgetting Sora no Otoshimono as well :)

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

just thought that i should leave this here: (have been around on many other webs as well; credits to chart creator)



much awaited series are popping out this fall, Sora no Otoshimono, Index, The World God Only Knows... might be missing some of the front few episodes when they start airing since the start of fall is also the start of my exams D: oh well, at least there's something to look forward to after it ends, including AFA X :)

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Highschool of the Dead 10

The group has now safely arrived at the Takagi household and for them, it was the most relaxed atmosphere they have been in ever since hell broke lose. Takashi later sees two man carrying a heavy crate and offered to help, but was rejected as they felt that it was the job of the adults and the kids should just stay aside and that, was the beginning of the troubles they are going to face. Alice comes in and greets Takashi whom is happy to see her back to her cheerful self again and have most probably gotten over her father's death. Shoutings were then heard from Takagi in her room where she later storms out and reprimands Takashi for not calling her first name when he calls her. Takashi then meets Takagi's mother and hears from her about the current situation on how the commander is sending troops to the power plant to keep it working but the workers wouldn't be working there all the time since their family aren't there and that's where her role comes in. The household would only accept those whom they know would be able to survive to seek shelter here. Meanwhile, Kouta is checking out his own arsenal of guns when an adult comes buy and asks him if its real and before the situation worsens, Takagi intervenes and cuts into the questioning and hopes that Kouta realises that here, they are treated as kids and wouldn't have much authority and freedom. Takashi was then asked to talk to Takagi and when the group had gathered for a meeting, everyone knows that there are only two options laid in front of them, whether to be absorbed into the large group of the Takagi household, or to separate and go their own way. Takashi then started to talk about how great Takagi's parents were and that hit the nail and Takagi was agitated by it, since her parents did thought of her in the first place but had not dispatched anyone to search for them as they had presumed that she wouldn't be able to survive and that made her hate her parents. Takashi then lifts her up and bellowed at how lucky she actually was, that she was able to know that her parents were safe but the rest were still in doubt. Takagi returns to her senses after Takashi's words made it clear and her father and his other troops return to the household from the outside world. His father showed the rest on how his best friend had sacrificed himself to save others and became the one cutting him down to show everyone that no matter it is someone you love or your own family members, once they become "them", one should show no hesitation. Kouta soon breaks down as well and started talking about how swords are not able to cut down every single one of "them" if they are outnumbered but multiple stressing of the situation did not enlighten the rest and he got in a small argument with Takashi. Alice later made Takashi realised that in the household, they might have become too relaxed and must constantly remind themselves that the world they were previously enjoying has already perished. Later Kouta gets surrounded by several adults, to force him to hand over his guns which he refuses and later, Takagi's parents come by to see what the commotion was and her father questions Kouta on the reason why he doesn't want to hand the guns over to the adults. He replies that he doesn't want to give it up as he has finally found something he was good at and his qualities and before he add on to what exactly it was, Takashi butts in and tells them that he was the one protecting Takagi all along and the other members of the group arrives, even Takagi herself, who tells her parents that it was Kouta who was protecting her and it wasn't her parents who are doing that.

as usual, the story gets dragged out quite a bit with more mixed emotions showing between the members due to the screwed-up world outside. not really a anticipating cliffhanger here, just like a typical ending-off episode thing. i would have sticked to the manga IMO, the animation doesn't seem to be getting better...

Saturday, September 04, 2010

Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakamatachi 10

Everyone was called back by Liszt and that wasn't a common decision made and Ryoushi suspects that it could be some form of an emergency for such an urgent meeting to crop up. Ryouko was still troubled about the dream she had about Ryoushi and was felt embarrassed whenever she looks at Ryoushi. The urgent meeting was conducted due to an unknown individual spreading negative rumours about Otogi Bank and their hideout was even almost discovered, with Majo bringing reporters to her lab instead to pass it off. It was suspected that the person behind this was Shirou, the student council president of Onigashima high school but they could not think of what exactly does he plan to achieve by doing this. In order to counter the negative remarks, Liszt decides to start a 30% discount on all requests made, to boost their positive side and also to garner more loans in prepare for something unexpected that might happen. With that promotion ongoing, every member of the Otogi Bank are extremely busy with completing the countless offers that forms the long snaky queue in front of the Otogi Bank. From cleaning the pool to conducting lectures, every member was occupied with the requests and Alice had done the job of allocating these jobs accordingly. Back from a request, Ryoushi thinks about how Ryouko have been acting all wierd towards him and thinks that he might have done something wrong. Just then, he sensed someone targeting him and that individual reveals himself as Neko-san and wants to help Ryoushi. He knows everything about Ryoushi, about how he had confessed and his fears of being stared at; and he wants to help him become a real man to protect the girl that he cares about and suggests him to train under him. While Ryouko and Ringo were on their way back to the dorms, they spot an Onigashima high school student, lying injured and asks Ryouko to help her before passing out. She later wakes up after being taken in by Ryouko and Ringo and introduces herself as Reiko. She had been with Shirou but had wanted to sell her off after dumping her and sent delinquents after her and thus forced her to seek shelter outside of their territory. Ryouko, hearing how Shirou had deceived another girl again, wanted to find him immediately and take him down but Ringo suggests that she should stay put and decide on their actions later. Ryouko then suggests that Reiko should transfer to their school and that they will protect her from the delinquents. The next day, Ryoushi's training begins and Neko-san, with steel plated boots, started to train Ryoushi into removing his fear of being stared or seen and to train his combat skills up rather than staying in the sideline, unable to protect Ryouko upfront. Ringo was still a little suspicious about Reiko and wanted Alice to check on her again and to make sure everything was alright, Liszt sends Otsuu to keep a lookout on Reiko's actions and to report back to them if there was anything amiss. It was finally the last day of the promotion period and as usual, everyone was away for their various requests and even Alice was taken away by Mimi to conduct another request and that was the beginning of the plot Shirou had. Otsuu, while spying on Ryouko and Ringo's room, was tasered from behind and Taro, while on the way back from his request, was forced to follow the delinquents from Onigashima high school when they threw him Otohime's handbag. Ryouko leaves for the dorms first before Ringo and Ringo receives a call who tells her that snow white has seven "children" and they were all disappearing one by one. Ringo, in fear that her sister and her siblings were targeted, she rushes to check on them but they were all safe, which led Ringo into thinking that she had misunderstood and it was the Otogi Bank members who were being targeted. Ryouko reaches home and was confronted by Reiko, who tells her that she was a kind girl and would hardly doubt anyone and when Ryouko knows about her true colours, she was paralyzed and taken away. Mimi had initially planned to take Alice away as well, possibly after being asked by someone but had taken Alice and runs away when they were both faced with the delinquents. Liszt returns to the Otogi Bank and sees Alice missing and her note on the table that describes where she was going and Ringo rushes in to report that Otsuu and Ryouko were missing and all that she had found in her dorm was a taser.

now this was what i had been waiting for, for the past 2-3 episodes. finally... they brought "shirou" back into the picture from where a cool Ryoushi rebukes him in the early episode. with Reiko fainting in the dorms, it was rather obvious that she was up to no good and that the plan was to bring all the members out for the different requests so as to separate them and Liszt could have accidentally overlooked this. so Ryoushi could possibly get stronger after Neko-san's training which seems like a rushed-styled powerup, just like KHR with a mysterious man coming out of nowhere and telling them that their Vongola rings can be upgraded... oh well, at least we might get to see a more manly Ryoushi and a happy end to this series :)

Thursday, September 02, 2010

changed the template / layout, hopefully i didn't miss out any of the codes =X

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

K-ON!! 22

valentine's day is nearing and Azusa, Jun and Ui ponders over who they should make and give their chocolates to. Azusa have yet to gave any chocolates to her senpais over the past years and especially last year when Mugi brought expensive chocolates over which were so delicious that she forgot to prepare some for her senpais. Meanwhile, in the music room, the girls were studying for their exams and Ritsu was relying on her marvelous pencil which helps her to predict her answer. But when the truth that there were actually more options to choose from for each question, the choice of using it was eliminated. Azusa was also practicing in the same room and when she began strumming with the others telling her not to worry about disturbing them, Ritsu and Yui lost their concentration soon after with their hands following the rhythm. Mio however ensures Azusa that she works better with music and Mugi suggest that they all take a break and have some tea. She continues to add on that she might not be able to bring anything for valentine's this year and that prompted Azusa to make some chocolates for them. With the snow falling, the girls head on to their exams with Mio checking repeatedly for her exam pass and Ritsu almost losing it after having dropped it. A shaking Yui then came, clutching her head to "protect" all her last minute information stored from dropping out which could be due to her rushing through the whole night studying. At the same time, Azusa was shopping for ingredients and had initially gave up on making a chocolate cake as it was complicated but Jun helped her to change her mind and later Ui came by and decided to invite them to her house to make the cake together. With that, the trio goes off to bake the cake but halfway through, Yui returns home and questions about their actions. Azusa, not wanting her to know that she was baking a cake for them, tries to divert the topic but the truth was spilled by Ui who reassures Azusa that Yui would just think that it was a normal snack instead of it being for valentine's. One of the ingredients seemed to be missing and Ui and Azusa goes on out to fetch it and while passing by, the duo decides to pray for the senpais in scoring in the exam and entering the same university. The cake was completed and Azusa held on to it before school starts, hoping to give it to them but was too embarrassed to do so. Placing the precious cake under the table nor hiding it in a guitar case are practical options and while thinking about it with Jun, the others arrived and when Mio was given some chocolate from some admirer for her vocals, Azusa decides that it wasn't the best time. Time past and Azusa still had the cake with her and after some encouragement, she decides to go and pass it on to them with Jun as well, who prepared some for Mio too. They then see the senpais talking to Sawa-chan who wishes them good luck on entering the same university and that they'll have a wonderful graduation. Hearing that, Azusa suddenly came to a standstill and even after Jun had gave her gift, Azusa avoided them and walks off, stands in the corner and let the truth sink in. That her beloved senpais are really leaving soon and she'll be left alone. Jun and Ui comforts her and once again, Azusa goes to the clubroom, in hope that she'll finally be able to give it out. Mugi prepares some tea and says that she had not brought anything to eat as she knows that Azusa had brought some and with that, the cake was split accordingly where they were all in praise of how good it tasted. It then began to snow again and the girls crowd around the window, looking at the falling snow. Azusa then feels that she hope such a time could last longer and Yui grabs her hand, telling her that she feels warm now. Azusa later goes off to pray for her senpais that they'll make it to the same university and on the day where the results were printed on the boards, the girls prepared themselves and stood up together, looking at the board all at the same time. Back in the school, both Ui and Azusa received a message from the others, telling them that they had all made it.

it was a heartwarming episode, seeing how Azusa felt the impact that her senpais were really leaving her after they graduate and all the fun they had together might not happen again. and with the last scene where everyone had made it, it was sweet to see how Azusa reacted to it and the bonds between them are really strong (i could feel it too =X) this is different from the manga and they could actually have a totally original ending which i won't find it bad but hopes that it would be a great one. time leap anyone? :D

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Highschool of the Dead 9

With the rest being safely escorted to Takagi's home, Saeko and Takashi are now heading there as well via an alternate route but was forced to keep switching streets as they continue to encounter more and more of "them" as they get closer to Takagi's home. Takashi then thought of a bike shop he had previously saw and decided to take a look there to take a motorbike for easier travelling. Saeko however, suggests to use a buggy at the back of the shop and Takashi agrees too that it would be the best choice. Leaving the main streets, Takashi attempted to lure "them" down a slope since they weren't able to navigate but since "they" were undeads, it didn't really matter much. Takashi took another turn and drove the buggy into the water to avoid "them" but in doing so, he got Saeko into an unglamorous situation due to the heavy water splashes. Taking a break midway in a small elevated ground in the river, Takashi asked Saeko if she had a relationship with anyone before for which she replies that as a girl, she once had a crush on somebody and declined to explain further. Later in the night where the coast seems to be clear of "them", Takashi drove the buggy to the park and brought it into the fountain and with a tape secured tightly to the buggy's controls, it was led to encircle the fountain, producing sound to lure all of "them" together while the duo take a different route. Saeko then took the opportunity and took down many of "them" but had suddenly stopped in front of 2 dead children and hesitated. Takashi sees the situation and immediately runs forward and shot them as he wouldn't make it in time if he didn't and with "them" now attracted to the gunshot, the duo began to run to a nearby house and stayed there temporary. Saeko later tells Takashi that she had stopped due to her realising that her nature hadn't change at all. In the past, when she was forced on by a man, she had the upperhand with her wooden sword but had deliberately lure the man close to her before smashing him with her sword and almost taking his life. Saeko tells Takashi that she felt ecstatic while doing that and that was the real her that she hopes she could change but it got worse when "they" came. Takashi says that he too, had felt great while killing "them" but Saeko tells him that it was AFTER "they" appeared for him and for her, it was way before that. The next morning, Takashi scopes the surroundings and seeing the coast was clear, signalled for Saeko to move out. Unfortunately, the rustling of leaves had attracted many of "them" to their location and Saeko wasn't really willing to go all wild again. Takashi then took on the role of her assaulter, telling her that she would always be the Saeko he looks upon no matter what her character was like. And with that, Saeko unsheathes the sword Takashi had found and passed to her last night, and began cutting down all of them, and with the coast clear, the duo finally reached Takagi's house.

well, ignoring the fs, again, it felt rather draggy and seeing how the series could be ending at, i would've looked forward to it if they managed to reach the latest few chapters. nonetheless, the ecstatic problem finally gets mentioned and it really is, a serious problem in the screwed up world they are in now. *hopes for less fs in the next few episodes, last 2 were just plain overload...*

Note

there would be a template change sometime soon, so do look out for the change :)