Second: This blog will no longer be updated.

Third: I may or may not come crawling back to wordpress if tumblr isn’t all that and a bag of chips.

If you’ve made it this far, then you have a longer attention span than the average 6 year-old… (I just made that up…) Or care about what I have to say while stupidly drunk.

*Pause*

Okay, some time has passed since I typed whatever was above. I should probably get on about how I’ve made a comeback and I’m writing my first post since 2009; and since this is technically an animu blog, I’ll try to focus on the new shows that came out for the Spring season.

Chu-Bra!!

Expectations: Lolis? Check! Underwear? Check! Fan service? Check! *Desirable masturbation lotion* Ch-HA-ha, not so fast…

Reality: Wait, you’re telling me it’s not just some junk harem/fan service show?

Results: After watching the first two episodes, I’m still looking forward to the third episode. I’m not counting down the days, but I will watch it when it comes out. It reminds me of Kodomo no Jikan without feeling embarrassed about watching it in public or admitting to watching it… Well, I did put off watching it in the library since I was sitting at a table with a lot of traffic… But still, it’s not as blatantly dirty as KnJ in my opinion since the main character does seem to have an innocent love for underwear.

Sora no Woto

Expectations: So it’s like Strike Witches (which I haven’t finished watcing) and K-ON, right?

Reality: Trumpetah! Also no shootan, except when they get scared of owls.

Results: While the animation is very fluid and pleasant on my eyes, I can’t ignore how moeblob the characters’ style is. The story is still very vague and open-ended as of episode two, but I’m going to watch the next episode.

Ladies Vs. Butlers

Expectations: So it’s like Kanokon, right?

Reality: Yeah, but it’s in a school setting with a TWIST.

Results: I watched two episodes sober and as I type this with the effects of cheap wine still lingering in my noggin’, I expect that I’d enjoy this show and facepalm 90% less if I was completely hammered. The story and setting are just convenient requisites for retarded levels of fan service. While this isn’t as possibly extreme as Seikon no Quasar, it’s on par with Kanokon (still haven’t finished that series geeeeeez)

Omamori Himari

Expectactions: Nothing.

Reality: It’s like Spice and Wolf, but it’s it’s got a more present setting and Horo is a sword-wielding catgirl. Throw in some comedic aspects/relief and some hints of action/badassery to come and you’ve got Omamori Himari.

Results: I’ve got the second episode paused as I write this, but watching the series’ antics under the influence is a lot more entertaining and watchable than sober. (It’s probably one of those x-amount facepalms/minute kind of shows for me…)

Baka to Test to Shokanjuu

Expectactions: Comedy with a bit of romance/harem in a typical school setting…with a TWIST.

Reality: What I expected.

Results: I’m still going to watch the third episode, but every episode/battle ruins what I had in mind of the series’ true potential with its tiered classroom system. I just somehow imagined it to more than “Oh, I got an A in Math and you got a B. I do over 9000 damage. GG.”

Dance in the Vampire Bund

Expectations: LOLI + VAMPIRE + BUND (wtf is bund?)

Reality: LOLI + VAMPIRE + Code Geass

Results: You’ll only get that jab if you saw the comparison of the first episode of Code Geass and DVB, but honestly, how did I not see that? I haven’t read the manga and I don’t really intend to, but I will go on watching episode three and maybe even four as long as the series stays far fucking away from how it introduced itself in episode one.

Durarara!!

Expectations: idk didn’t watch baccano

Reality: …Go on…??

Results: I guess I should better explain myself. I dived into this series not knowing or giving a fuck about what came before it or whatever. I just dived in face-first. Episode one was a very eccentric if not pretentious intro to a somewhat interesting plot. The characters were interesting enough, but I didn’t feel the story take off or capture my interest in any way. Once I finished episode two, I slowly saw a different side to the series (literally huhu). Episode three will be looked forward to, but I wonder if life-sized cardboard Horo will make any more appearances?

Ookamikakushi

Expectations: Nothing.

Reality: It’s Higurashi and Code Geass.

Results: Again with the references. I saw a screencap comparing the main character to Lelouche and his sister to be Nunally. That’s basically it. The Higurashi part was actually my opinion after watching the first two episodes. So far it’s been very bland and somewhat unrealistic (new kid in small town school, he’s a celebrity/popular). It’s got the small town mystery of Higurashi, but you know, with wolves and oranges (or something similar to oranges). I don’t expect much from episode three and this is probably a series that I will drop.

Seikon no Quasar

Expectations: He draws his power from breast milk?!

Reality: Religious action with a desparate draw for viewers.

Results: What can I say? The second religion is thrown into a series, my interest/expectation drops to about room temperature. Not even censored breastfeeding will save the series for me. Episode three will probably be the last episode I see of this series.

Hanamaru Yochien

Expectations: …It can’t be like KnJ…Right?!

Reality: Phew, it’s not.

Results: Okay, closet-pervs, it’s not some perversion of kindergarteners. It’s quite an innocent slice of life with a hint of comedy and it just so happens to be set around a kindgarten. Other than the INNOCENT one-sided love-affair that the main character has with her caregiver, it’s full-on cute and chuckles. This is a series that would easily kill some time and increase my level of ‘beetus, but given my current situation in school, I might just have to drop it due to time constraints.

Holy balls, I’ve covered 10 brand new series of this season and have passed my temporary judgement on them all. While the judgement is short, I feel I’ve said all I’ve wanted to say about these series so far. I’ve also learned that the ecstatic feeling of jumpstarting a drunken post in my neglected blog is short-lived and nosedives straight into the not-fun zone as I realize have to THINK CRITICALLY and put my thoughts down COMPREHENSIVELY dsfargeg

See you later, space cowboy, or however the fuck it goes.

Dear diary…

Jackpot.

Loli-maid bondage; I don’t think it gets better than that.

So instead of 10 strangers, it’s a wealthy family with shady connections to a witch. Okay, I’ll still bite. The characters all seem unique enough that I’m not mistaking one for the other or getting confused like certain yaoi or boys love series. Right away I got the feeling that this series was done by the same people who did Higurashi ‘same last words’ and my guess was correct.

So far, I like how fast the series has just dived into the killings, offing 5 of the supposed 18 characters on the island. Then another. And another. At this point, I’ve lost track, but there’s only 5 characters left from the looks of it. I’ll try not to start guessing who the murder is as these kinds of thriller, murder-mysteries tend to have that TWIST, but stopping to write at the end of episode four, I don’t see how it’s not Maria. Loli-bitch is crazy. Even Pedobear would probably not want.

So now here are some pictures with words:

Hey, have you been oblivious? Loli-bitch’s been crazy since episode one or something.

Portrait of madness

I lol’d when he tried the lights. I don’t know why.

“This is evidence that I’m improperly handling.”

Did they get invited to bed with some Jesus juice? Too soon?

What the fuck?! Criss Angel?!

Why did she even have a can of mackerel in the first place?

DO NOT WANT

I wouldn’t touch that with your’s.

BUT WHO WAS PHONE?!

I don’t think I can ever tire of rape… Blossoms.

I know most of these were from episode four, but I can’t be bothered to get pictures from the other three episodes.

Also, when I first saw Maria in the same shot as Battler, it insta-reminded me of this old-ass picture I found on boyis.com and surprisingly it’s still there.

If anyone’s confused:

Characters not highlighted: Winner of Round 1

Characters highlighted green: Contestant/winner in Round 3

Characters highlighted red: Do not know or care for, and/or eliminated

Certain Groups have a vertical green bar highlighted, they indicate groups where I have picked only 1 and automatically win Round 3.

Method to Madness

Group A1 – Not much to say here, many Round 1 winners were picked solely on familiarity. Last Order is my pick due to her, uh, size… Yeah. `-` (Runner-up: Chiaki)

Group A2 – Stalemate between Kuniko and Yuuki. I just can’t decide. I’ve been devouring Shangri-La like an all-you-can-eat buffet and I haven’t even gotten past 5 episodes of Saki, but I still can’t resist Rie’s voice. Also, TACOS.

Group B1 – It’s HORO, GORRAMMIT!

Group B2 – Nagi! Another goddess. How fitting that my picks for B1 and B2 are both goddesses in their own right. (Runner-up: Konata)

Group C1 – No contest here, Louise is mai waifu. Well, most characters voiced by Rie is mai waifu, honestly.

Group C2 – This is a very bland group. Even though I picked 4 to win Round 1, I have little interest in seeing any to Round 3. Maybe I’d pick Nobue. Since she’s a lolicon.

Group D1 – Another stalemate, this time between my favourite loli-sized teacher, Komoe, and my favourite loli-loli, Rin. A hardcore lolicon would probably choose Rin, but I love Komoe all the same. It’s a shame she got so little screentime.

Group D2 – Like C2, this group forced me to pick a lot of side-characters for Round 1 winners. Maybe I’d pick Hanyuu, since she’s so adorable.

Group E1 – H-I-N-A, Hinagiku, hai-hai! lul But yeah, it’s a bland group…

Group E2 – This really could have gone several ways, but since I’m starving, I picked Ayumu because she’s always eating delicious foods… (Runner-up: Kanako)

Group F1 – Formula 1, motherfuckers. Taiga blows everyone away. I honestly feel bad for Maria and Ana being in this vicious group… And maybe Irukuku too.

Group F2 – Going through this group was HELL. Kuroko VS Miu?! Azunyan VS Index?! Kuro VS Aoi?! And then add Ai to the mix?! Fuuuck! I will be at the edge of my seat, waiting for the results of this group.

Group G1 – I’m not picking Haruhi for this group because over 9,000 others will and Kyon’s sister Endless Eight can suck my balls.

Group G2 – BIRI-BIRI~

Group H1 – Again, Rie’s voice as the co-star of Hayate or over 9,000 sisters? Decisions, decisions…

Group H2 – I doubt anyone’s reading at this point and if you are, you’re probably raging at my picks… Or maybe the opposite. I don’t know. (Post a comment!) But when I looked at this group, having gone through all the other groups, I can’t really say I want someone from this group to win as much as the others I’ve picked in other groups. Chika and Budoko are both adorable, though.

So there you have it, my Anime Saimoe Tournament 2009 picks. Feel free to rage, comment, or applaud my good taste in loli 2D wimmenz. I’m also interested in see what others’ picks are so feel free to share!

Time-travel is an interesting concept that can do great things for a series except when it’s used as an excuse to not write anything significant for an entire episode. Unless the next episode follows up with something mindblowing, I’m calling shenanigans on the writing team.

…Shortest post ever, mirite?

In most series I’ve enjoyed, I can tell anyone why I like a series in very basic terms. Shangri-La is a bit more complicated… Or maybe not very complicated at all. I want to say that it’s got everything nailed down to perfection, but that wouldn’t do it justice. There’s just something about it that makes me want more. Like LOST, Battlestar Galactica, and Metalocalypse, it’s done something that very few have been able to pull off: create a fantastic, unbelievable, yet immersive world filled with unique and engaging characters who interact on many levels and in more ways than one throughout a riveting plot that leaves the audience wanting more.

Many characters in the cast instantly took one of two sides when they are introduced; those that I cheered for and those that I despised. Some others were complete mysteries and I enjoyed every little moment when they revealed themselves to me. …A few others I’m still left clinging to the edge of my seat, waiting for more in the next episode.

The art and animation I won’t say much on since I don’t consider myself experienced enough to critique it. What I can say is that it feels like Code Geass without the sharpness or anorexic figures.

The music can get generic at times, but it’s got a few gems that shine with an eerie and haunting glow.

One thing that struck me the most was that Shangri-La did not feel like a fanservice show despite the fact I always catch myself in bouts of giddiness in almost every episode. The comedy, moe, tsundere, and fanservice all come in well-sized portions that never leave me feeling bloated and disconnected from the series. Like Metalocalypse, it’s badass in that very enjoyable way.

I felt so tempted to go screencap-crazy at the sight of Karin in that bear costume on a shopping spree in Akihabara, especially when she was caught. Too bad she had so little screen time in the series. I look forward to her playing an integral role further on in the plot!

Side-note: Some kind of Kuniko + Karin + Mikuni…*Mind in gutter*

PS: Where the hell have I been for the last five months?

It’s been almost two weeks since my last post…

I feel a bit guilty, though that might just be the liquor talking. Animu’s one of my more recent passions and this blog is an outlet for it. My absence pains me; makes me feel like a giant prick. Nothing consequential has happened in these past two weeks: school, drinking, trying to not think too hard about my future. No, nothing all that consequential… Though I did watch Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas… Again. I’m reminded of a string of words I heard, “We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave.” That quote about sums up my state of mind as I write this. But enough about me, how’s about what I’ve been gazing at during my unannounced absence…

In no particular order without any screenshots…

I’ll start with the most vivid and hard-hitting: NHK ni Youkoso! I know, I’m a bit of a slowpoke on this. It’s actually been a series I was going to seriously take a bite out of but just didn’t have the time. The name’s popped up at least once everytime I asked for recommendations based on series I’ve seen and enjoyed.

I accidentally the whole series, is this bad? Probably, since I have a bad habit of not knowing how to pace myself. I plowed through all 24 episodes in half a weekend. My goodness, of all the shit I hear about Gonzo this was actually pretty damn good. I have no qualms with the animation, story, characters, or music. Certainly not the music.

The first episode or two threw me off; made me want to just stop watching. A series about a hikikkomori? If it’s anything like Chaos;Head, then fuck off and thank you kindly. But there was that element of mystery… The unknown and the unexplained. I fell in love with Misaki-chan the second I saw her through the eyes of the protagonist. The yet to be revealed neighbour blasting what must be the most catchy and annoying song I have heard also had my mind churning theories. Maybe he was another hikikkomori… Maybe he’s dead and that’s why that goddamned song keeps playing.

But as I consumed episode after episode, I got my answers (Fuck you, LOST) and I grew more attached. The characters had all the quirks to be in an anime, but they all had their own human elements. While I raged each and every time the protagonist got himself into an even more miserable position, I felt pity too. I plowed through it all on the hope and dream of him getting through all right; the light at the end of the tunnel.

Each issue the series came upon had its roots in real life despite aspects of them added or removed for simplicity’s sake. I liked that as much as I hated it. While it drove home the message that suicide is not the answer, it also pansy’d and pussyfoot’d around a lot of issues. At the veryend and taking the entire series into consideration, NHK ni Youkoso! seemed like the hikikkomori version of SLC Punk or The Anarchist’s Cookbook (both movies).

Its main concept was based on a lifestyle, looking at its ups and downs in the most stereotypical way possible while teaching cliche’d but somewhat true life lessons. In the end, it all sums up to a big fuck you to that lifestyle. It shows the fatal fallacy of that lifestyle in that knockout blow, while patting you on the back saying, “It’s alright. There, there.”

I get mixed emotions when I reflect back on this series in my drunken stupor, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone, hikikkomori, self-proclaimed, or not, to give it a try. I feel it would all feel the same whether you’re 100% or 0% hikikkomori. The story is rich enough to sustain it through all its faults, leaving no room to be filled with blatant fanservice.

Now, let’s get current with some of the series I’ve been (trying) to keep up with recently…

White Album

Dammit, it’s this season’s ef or Gundam 00 season 2 isn’t it? I must be missing out on something, ’cause I can’t seem to understand what the fuck is going on. As nice as all the animation is, I can’t look at eye-candy for 20+ minutes without being thoroughly disappointed. Best of luck to the aspiring idol and all, but count me out for the rest of this series.

Akikan!

I’ve actually got the third episode on pause in the last stretch as I write this. Hell, watching it after downing a few shots of rum was what inspired me to grow a pair and write this post. I don’t care how unrealistic or blatant the fanservice is in this series. It provides just the right amount for anyone’s junkish needs while staying within a healthy boundary. It’s chugging along at the right speed with just the right amount of overall plot to keep it from turning into a trainwreck like, what’s that fucking series… Oh yeah, To-LOVE-ru. My only criticism at this point: damn, loli grape girl, you sound annoying. (Heh, if you remove “g” from “grape”, it’s “ra-)

Maria-sama ga Miteru 4

I’m going to assume that the 4 means it’s the fourth season. So, damn, either I missed a shitload or this series is being milked flat. This series jumpstarts with the assumption I have no problem with being assaulted with an array of manly-women clones. (I know it’s a yuri/lesbian series, but do they all have look so slightly butch and similar?) Not only that, they all have one of two personalities. If they don’t hate men with a passion, they seem to be the cute and submissive type. I’m sure there are some diehard fans of this series out there, but I’m not one of them.

Minami-ke Okaeri

I take it back; show’s fine. Please don’t break my knees.

MARIA+HOLIC

Mm-mmm, traps, lesbians, loli nekomimi, maids, and all the wit and colourful-y fun animation you can handle with a pinch of sadism. It’s a dish best served hot, hot, HOT! No doubt, Maria’s keeping pace with Akikan! in the race to the top of my list this season.

Asu no Yoichi

Like the fanservicing Akikan!, Asu no Yoichi steps up to bat with its harem (+1 loli) and fanservice but almost strikes out if not for a forgiving walk to first base. With Akikan!, you get chicks from cans, but from what I’ve seen in Asu no Yoichi, it’s just a fish-out-of-water harem. It’s so predictable, the only thing keeping it from being dropped from my list is the +1 loli and fanservice. Of course, taking into account of diminishing marginal utility, those qualities will only keep Asu no Yoichi afloat for so long. Don’t disappoint me.

Next post, I’ll hopefully have had a taste of Kemono no Soja Erin, Ride Back, Sora wo Miageru-FUCK THAT’S A LONG TITLE, Hetalia Axis Powers, Afro Samurai Ressurection, and Fresh Precure. Also, some OVAs are coming out real soon; some DFC-related OVAs. Oi!

Now, we left Toradora at the end of a three episode arc that was quite emotional and epic; epic enough for me to have considered it a season finale. But series surprised me by returning without missing a beat. The series managed to get right back into the nitty-gritty interactions between the main characters, and it did so in a way that still acknowledged what happened in the previous episodes, without BAW’ing too much about it. Instead, this episode focused on Taiga’s “Good Luck Chuck”-powers. Well, except you don’t have to sleep with Taiga and you just get happiness in general. (I’d still sleep with Taiga. :D)

Now, it might partially be my fault or the sub-group’s, but I felt I missed out on a lot of the hidden messages of the dialogue. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’ll let it slip since it was a thoroughly enjoyable episode. (That, and I’m just happy that Toradora’s back.) Although the sub-group didn’t translate the next episode preview, I have a feeling that-… Okay, I have no fucking clue what the series is hinting at next episode, but Inko-chan is sucking on something.

Have some pics:

Well, like with all irresistable traps, I’m gay for Maria. Oh, there’s also a lesbian, neko loli “dorm mistress”, big dawg, and an absolutely obedient maid. I have yet to stumble upon a series that combines such a varied array of my desires in such a light-hearted way. (Even I don’t know how big dawg fits into the equation.) This is why I’m tentatively naming Maria+Holic the winner of my Winter 08-09 First Impression Pick of the Litter award. (I’d shoop up some lame ass trophy but I can’t be arsed.)

Now, it might just be the RAW, but the animation left a weird taste in my mouth. inb4 Maria “miruku” For some reason, it’s got that Junjou Romantica style to it, but I might just be creating my own stereotype for series dealing with homolust. This all contrasts with some of the spiritually-inspired stills, which does stop my eyes from bleeding after every few minutes. One thing I would like to criticize lightly on is how the lesbian (yeah, I’ll just call her that from now on until I remember her name for whatever reason) always goes off on her own inner monologue tangents. It’s like some bastard child of Family Guy and the pink-haired girl from Naruto. (Yeah, I’ve been exposed to fragments of that series by certain people.) Well, live and let live.

Moving on, we’ve got introductions to who I hope are going to be a few key (side) characters that will provide the meat of the plot as our leading lesbian struggles to not be Maria’s bitch and find true love. But the series is called Maria+Holic for a reason. (Other than the fact everyone is gay for Maria.) I expect a lot more interaction between the two as well as some more maid brassiere action and “dorm mistress” thrown into the mix. I would be devasted if this series were somehow to disappoint.

P.S. – As I was a virgin to the series with no more information other than “this show’s gonna make you gay” and “the trap is one sadistic motherfucker”, I looked forwarding to finding the trap before it was revealed to me. Too bad the series killed that game by making it blatantly obvious before the other girls were introduced.

Have some pics: