top image

Navigation

Season of Autumn 2005

Season of Summer 2005

Links

Notes


View Stats

Entries for May, 2005

May 3rd, 2005

Izumo eps 04 : Shuugeki

Posted by reim at 09:14 AM on May 3, 2005 .

Asuka who saw Mai went out early in the morning waits for Takeru to wake up. After that, Takeru said he'll go to look for Mai. But, because Kagutsuchi called him, Sakuya and Seri went out to look for Mai instead. They look far, Seri is almost out of stamina while Sakuya's expression didn't change at all.

At the mountain, they saw something that could be Akuryou. Knowing the kekkai, Sakuya still thought it should be impossible, until they found Mai and then saw the village. Rin, the lady with dragon like horn, said that Oonamushi found a good puppet to use.

Akuryou sent their force. Just after Takeru thought that the woman and children should be safe inside the kekkai, Sakuya came and told everyone it's already gone. Kagutsuchi immediately send everyone to escape through the secret route, including Sakuya and Takeru's friends. Amaterasu herself didn't go because she's the target, as well as Kagutsuchi. For the Akuryou, if Kagutsuchi and Amaterasu is still alive, then they can't claim their victory yet.

Another burden on their side is, Takeshi still hasn't realize himself as Susanoo. He's still human and doesn't want to help them conquer the world and merge both universe into one. He only want to fight again with Takeru and proof himself stronger.

In the escape route, Sakuya clearly showed that she likes Takeru, although still hiding it as her willing to fight at her father's side. Seri and Asuka seems to realize it, Sakuya is a 天然な人.

While then, Kagutsuchi went to the enemy's camp to attack. His target is Himiko, but most likely the chief of staff, Oonamuji is there also. Actually Kagutsuchi hoped that they won't met with Oonamuji. That man is good in fighting, and he can also use sorcery, so if they ever meet, even the person that all the Akuryou is worried about like Kagutsuchi choose to escape from there.

At the camp, Kotono is playing flute again, with voice that Himiko regarded as always sounds so sad, is it because she hate Himiko so much, or is it just his grief. They're disturbed when Kagutsuchi and Takeru came. Kagutsuchi went to kill Himiko, but met Oonamuji, so he goes on to escape. Takeru want to take Kotono away, but she want to stay to accompany Takeshi. 


Next episode, finally oneesama-tachi showed up *happy*

After a month, seems like I'm still messed about the male characters' name. Yamato Takeshi and Yagi Takeru, but I kept mixing them up and thought the protagonist's name is Yamato Takeru ^^;

Sakuya is still the cutest among the heroines XD

Add a Comment

Mahoraba eps 18 : Nyaa~ Nyaa~ Nyaa~

Posted by reim at 10:31 AM on May 3, 2005 in Mahoraba ~heartful days~ .

What if... all five Kozue came out in one episode ?

At first, it's just Shiratori's dream. But that does become through, although not in one episode. They combined several chapters for this episode it seems.

Everyone in Narutaki-sou went out. Megumi is buying new clothes, Tamami to version up her digicam. Johnny went out also, followed by the Kurosaki who went shopping in supermarket. That leaves Kozue for the 御留守番 so she want to do cleaning on the apartment. She does forgot that someone is still there, Ryuushi is asleep after doing his assignments overnight.

A stray cat came into Narutaki-sou. it's a cute little cat, more like a doll. Kozue played with it until another cat came and dropped the vase. She changed into Saki. Saki doesn't like pet in the apartment, first victim : Shiratori. After knowing that they're just stray cats, she bowed and pardoned for her wrong before. But she still doesn't like pets in the apartment, even if Shiratori said he'll take care of them, will he take the responsibility if something bad happens ? Such as they drink the spilled beer from the usual overnight party and got sick; or they got stomped by drunk Sayo-chan.

Things escalates when the cat took one of Kozue's bells. After she got back into Kozue, another cat gave Kozue a cockroach. Scared, Kozue fainted, then changed to the next personality, Nanako. Nanako likes the cats, she read story books for them. When Shiratori came in, she take everyone to play family. Shiratori is papa, Nanako is mama, and the cats are their children. As innocent as Nanako says it, Shiratori blushed from the thought. After dinner, then the whole "family" sleeps together.

When he wakes up, Nanako is back to Kozue. Kozue told him that they have their master, so how about making a sign to tell where those cats are. While at that, Kozue brings the cat to have milk in the kitchen. Another cat showed up, and knocked her into the next, Chiyuri. She doesn't last long though. When she saw Shiratori, she got out of control again because of that bad experience. He got cute face like girl, but he's a male.

The only way to wake her and not causing Chiyuri to faints again right after made Shiratori wore the wig again and changed into Ryuuko. But Chiyuri has left and now there's Natsume. She'd pretend she didn't saw Ryuushi acting like a girl, much to Shiratori's relief. The fifth cat came after. Natsume then gave them a magic show.

Other residents came home. Megumi and Tama met with Asami on the way. Because Sayoko can't move ( Haibara had to carry her ).

An enjoyable episode, especially to see Kozue changed a lot from one personality to the others. Saki-chan showed her kind side more, like the previous time. Natsume is cute also, in different way than Nanako's innocent cuteness. Well, my fave part is Saki's.

Add a Comment

May 4th, 2005

Comics Party Revolution eps 05

Posted by reim at 05:16 PM on May 4, 2005 .

The girl pair for eps 5 is, Haga Reiko and Takase Mizuki. Mizuki is the otaku-hater friend of Kazuki. She likes Kazuki of course, and that dragged her to the circle of his otaku friends, including Reiko who brings her to the world of cosplay. While Reiko is a seasonal cosplayer in ComiPa. Kazuki helped her once when there are otaku who harassed her in the show, so they become friends.

Mizuki who has remembered her hatred towards otaku want to quit the world of otaku, including cosplay. And Reiko's friend who doesn't like Mizuki pulled both into a deal through the Cosplay Fight contest.

("Long Summary")

Chara design definitely has a change from the previous episodes ( taken from the OVA ). Not back to the first TV series though. Here's some comparison with the OVA's. Umm... same chara design as Divergence Eve ? Although, the traumatized expression of Taishi looks more like the style of Kamen Rider Spirit's manga.
They also made new ending animation [ link ]

Fun episode, and they manage to put in the feeling inside those comedic scenes again. And Kazuki cosplaying as girls looks good, he still even acts like girl when they're going back :D

Next episode will be about Chisa and Subaru.

Add a Comment

May 5th, 2005

Futakoi Alternative eps 05

Posted by reim at 04:36 PM on May 5, 2005 .

Monday, Rentarou has another meeting with Kankurou, then a thought about what kind of creature is a woman, how to make them happy.

Sara and Soujuu ate the strawberry cake that Rentarou bought (for himself) leaving the two monbran for them both. Rentarou's work motivation level fell to near zero instantly, not that there's any work for them anyway. He showed them acrobats with the coffee glasses also.

In their free day, we can see Sara and Soujuu's other hobby. Sara's hobby's is photography, while Soujuu's hobby is playing guitar. Rentarou asked them if they want to go to onsen together.

Suddenly, Sara and Soujuu disappeared again. This is not the first time that they're gone, and while that, they never contacted him. But this time, it's not just the usual two or three days, but this time, it's already a week.

The next day, a job came, from the Chigusa twins. The request is to find a puppy that runaway from their pet shop. But without the twins, Rentarou starts to realize, he never know why they live with him, he never know their background, their house or phone.

Two years ago, he had asked them, but Sara got mad. She doesn't want to explain the reasons, she just want to know that it's alright for them to come when they have time.

On thursday, just like when they leave, miraculously Sara and Soujuu come back to Rentarou and helped with the dog search. There's no ただいま or おかえり, just the usual days suddenly come back and Rentarou didn't asked why or where they're going also.

That night, Rentarou went to meet with Sakurazuki-kumichou to consult about if he ever go travelling together with his wife, and perhaps he has something to share with Rentarou about going to onsen.

In friday, they didn't found the dog still. Rentarou asked Sara and Soujuu if they want to go to onsen together after this job, just for something different than usual. Both think it's fine the way it is, even if they grow older, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and even 80 ( though Rentarou won't last that long ). They don't know that around the same time, that dog walked back to the pet shop by itself.

In the sunday, while playing guitar, Soujuu asked Rentarou for something. The next time they're gone again, would Rentarou go and look for them ? She left a map and phone number of their place.

Gramophone and polaroid camera, it is really felt like the old times ^^

Sara and Soujuu's mistery seems to be their family matter. From hints in the promo and that person in last episode, either he's their parent, or he had something with their family. My speculation would be, Sara and Soujuu came from a wealthy and powerful family. They runaway from their home and take refugee in Rentarou's office.

There's that same sad and sentimental feel like in episode 3. Doesn't hate it, like the drama's taste in Futakoi alternative actually, the impression is, for me, the days that you know won't last, but wished to last forever. But I don't think I can continue when the sad feeling got to the story's climax.

Add a Comment

May 8th, 2005

Izumo eps 06 : Shiseijyuu

Posted by reim at 11:04 PM on May 8, 2005 .

After the war, Kagutsuchi suggest that Takeru and his friends went back to Ashihara as soon as possible. Sakuya can send them with her summoning ability, but for her, she'll need help from the four holy beast. Sakuya will lead them to the mountain where they live.

On the way, Takeru admitted that he met with Kotono in the enemy's camp, but can't take her back because Takeshi is disturbing. But he didn't say anything about Kotono wanting to stay to accompany Takeshi.

At the mountain, they met with a lady who warned them. The mountain is the place of the four holy beast, so no one may enter. Even after Sakuya introduced herself, the lady still warned them to leave if they still dear for their life.

Trials came one by one. First is falling rocks, that Suzaku enjoys doing it so much. After that, Seiryuu gave strong wind to blow Takeru and the girls who's crossing a bridge. This one has even more bad personality.

After climbing cliff like Saint Seiya, they realized that the way is still long, there's still another cliff before the tree at top of Hourai mountain. Luckily a monkey showed the way so they found an entrance hidden by another barrier. The monkey is sent by Byakko, the kinder one among four of the Shiseijyuu.

Upon arrival, they're greeted by the four spirits. Suzaku goes straight at Takeru, inviting jealousy from Seri.

They listened the story, but can't help. Before they lend their power, they will gave the trial, and if he survived, then they'll give their power. The stake is his life. First is Suzaku, as a straightforward character, the trial is of course a fight, but not against her. She summoned the person from Takeru's dark side of heart, Takeshi.

Surpassing the trial, they gave him their power to his sword.

Asuka who followed Mai found her on the mountain when she's reporting to Oonamuji. Being found, Mai is sad because she can't return with Takeru anymore, so Oonamuji borrowed her body to capture Asuka.

Takeru thought that the Akuryou has captured Asuka and Mai, so he cuts them in anger with his power upped sword.

Suzaku, yappa Kansai-ben ^^; with that China dress, really reminding of Kouran from Sakura Taisen, although a lot more clingy. But I didn't expect that Genbu is one of the more... normal among the four, she's kinder than I first imagined. The pattern on her costume is also a bit smaller drawn I think.

Ne, sore dake ? Only passing a trial and he got their power ? No extra events shown ?
Suzaku is really stealing the scenes :D

Suzaku Miyazaki Ui
Seiryuu Shouji Yui
Genbu Inoue Nana
Byakko Saitou Momoko

Add a Comment

May 12th, 2005

Mahoraba eps 19 : Minna no Ichi nichi

Posted by reim at 09:58 PM on May 12, 2005 in Mahoraba ~heartful days~ .

This episode is... the daily life of the peoples in Narutaki-sou.

It begin with a day in the design school, Shirogane-sensei asked everyone to think for a theme, for their picture book. Friend A (the guy who's in love with Ryuuko) choose his theme about peoples that has face he wore in public and his true face. Someone who's so kind he let mosquito drink his blood is at home actually a rash person. While a scary looking person actually has a soft heart. He seem proud with his idea.

表も裏もバカはいるけどね
those that are stupid in the surface and back also exist.

The next day, Shiratori thought of it when he, Asami, Kozue and Tamami went out to their school. What does the peoples of Narutaki-sou do in their daily life that he never saw ?

Kurosaki Sayoko.

[0907] Make flower, but ruined one, so she goes to sleep.
[1200] Wake up and feel hungry.
[1210] Goes to the dining room, take rice, soup and Shiratori's tea.
[1230] Finished lunch and saw the sky is cloudy.
[1300] Went out with umbrella to pick Asami at her school. She thought that Asami must be happy if she come to pick her home.
[1400] ~ [1731] She got lost. ^^;

Kawaisou ne, Sayo-chan, and she's already so happy to go home together with Asami.

Back to Shiratori. In his class, that mote otoko showed his theme. He didn't realize Shirogane-sensei is behind him. Reading the theme, she torn the sheet and dragged him to that room.

Kurosaki Asami.

[0820] Split way from Kozue and Tamami. She saw a hungry cat and offered half of her bentou. But in accident, she spilled all for the cat. The cat later met Sayoko. At school, as usual, Micchan acts arrogant and Sacchan does her tsukkomi role.
[1210]  Lunch time, but Asami didn't have any bentou for lunch. Sacchan offered half of her's. Micchan came and proudly showed her three stacked bentou. Sacchan, split what's in it for three, not caring if Micchan meant that for Asami only.
[1452] Sacchan walked Asami home, with Micchan following but doesn't want to admit that she want to be friend with them.

Back to Shiratori again. At lunch time, everyone is curious about the bentou he brought, because Kozue made it for him. The bentou is decorated as a pink pig.

Shiratori's expression is so cute when he mentioned Kozue made the bentou, even more than when he's wearing girl's dress.

Momono Megumi.

[0930] ~ [1000] Watching horror movie in her room.
[1155] Wrote letter for her boyfriend.
[1215] Posted it in the post office. Because she felt hungry, she bought food and ate it in the park. By the way, Megumi is having Georgia Emerald Mountain coffee also (refer to Futakoi Alternative eps 3).
[1530] Fell asleep in the park. Sayoko passed in front of her.
[1740] Saw a group of students (who passed by Asami before) beaten heavily.

Again, we're back with Shiratori. Talk about the theme continued. Mote otoko remembered about Reiko (a.k.a Shiratori Ryuuko) and worried, what is her 裏の顔. The person is right in front of him though.

Aoba Kozue & Chanohata Tamami.

Tamami doesn't seem to like how Kozue thinks a lot about Shiratori.

After school, they went for groceries and bought everyone's rations. There's Shiratori's tea, Momono's cola, Asami's purin and Sayoko's sweet bean paste.

Remember the beaten high schooler from Megumi's side ? They met Kozue and Tamami, then tried to hit on Kozue, double piss off for Tamami. She beats them all of course.

Finally, Shiratori again. At [1745] when running back home, he met Sayoko who's crying alone in the street. Not just she asked him to show her back home, she asked him to take her home. At the dining table, they told about their day, and actually, nobody changed that much. Megumi is still the person who fell asleep when her stomach is full. Kozue and Tamami is the kind that would go home before rainfalls. Sayoko is still the mother who loved her daughter although having that bad luck.

It reveals that the whole episode is movie made by Tachibana, report about the daily life of everyone in Narutaki-sou. Sakura also made one, reporting the daily life of Haibara and Johnny. Not much can be shown though, from [1030] to [1600], he just sit there by the pond.

It's fun to see this episode's parallel storytelling as in the manga also. Seeing same things happening from different point of views is something fresh.

Some different, the movie that Megumi watched. They changed it so the villain is using hammer and wore mask of the god of fortune. In the manga, she's watching Screaming, and it's a parody ofScream. But this one does justify her laugh more, the Ebisu mask looks more stupid than the one in Scream. The title is Attack of the Killer Ebisu.

Add a Comment

May 15th, 2005

Futakoi Alternative eps 06

Posted by reim at 10:11 AM on May 15, 2005 .

A morning, Rentarou had pack of mail in his mailbox (how the postman managed to zip all that inside is a mistery). Among the mails, one particular advertisement is catching his attention. NikoSpa, the grand opening of an onsen resort in Futagozuka, Rentarou's hometown, although he only goes there at his mother's funeral.

Sara keeps commenting about how rural that place is ever since they arrived.

At the shrine, the Ichijou twins are waiting for him to come. They rushed and crashed on him with bike when he arrived under the shrine. They took him to a VIP room in the spa resort then talk a lot for the years they parted, although Rentarou doesn't seem to understand much about what happened.

Back then, Rentarou made a promise with the twins he didn't know. He promised that he'll made them his bride, so he asked them to not cry.

For Sara and Soujuu, they had another meaning of going there with Rentarou. They have marked a date in the calendar, a day where they have something to do with Rentarou, and the Ichijou who's being so close with Rentarou is becoming a trouble.

They become really silent after visiting Rentarou's house. At first, Rentarou thought that they're just upset about the marriage thing he promised with Kaoruko and Sumireko.

Sara and Soujuu come to him in the onsen. They told him that they don't want to part. Though through a bad timing, the Ichijou twins came so Rentarou panicked. That gave him a good smack.

Like usual, the twins get along quick. Kaoruko and Sumireko came to say sorry for the Shirogane. They though the cry that Sara gave that night before is because Rentarou promised to marry Kaoruko and Sumireko. They're okay with that, if Rentarou is already with Sara and Soujuu.

The real reason is different though. November 23rd is Sara and Soujuu's 16th birthday, and until then, not much time is left.  They returned to Tokyo for reason Rentarou don't know, and while holding his mother's wedding ring, he thought about the past, when he saw the only time his father cried.

Back at Futagotamagawa, both waits for him in the office.

Title is at 05:16, in soft drink's advertisement.

By the way, Rentarou's house had a Zashikiwarashi ? The little semi-transparent kid that sits on the stair when Rentarou visited his mother's house. But why did the animator showed that ? It's some kind of house imp that likes to play pranks, but also brings good fortune for peoples living in it. Altough the kid in Rentarou's house looks different from the description I found here. Kaoruko and Sumireko's father looks like zashikiwarashi though. ^^;

With the Zashikiwarashi and Kappa, is Futagozuka in Iwate prefecture ? If yes, the Futagozuka stone could be 五百羅漢. Comparing to vacation photos founded while Googling, like in Eishiro Ito-san's place, the temple looks perhaps Jokenji temple ? Second photo from below there's place like the stone where the Ichijou and Shirogane twins talks together by the stream.

Kappa-san, Zashikiwarashi-san, arigatou.

年頃の娘さん達はわけ分かんねや

(Toshigoro no Musume-san tachi wa wake wakanne ya - I don't understand about grown up girls)

Sounds like a parent ^^;

Personal comment, I think it escalates the sad feel of parting from previous episode even more. Next one will probably be a flashback to the time when the twins had just arrived, Rentarou's first case. If this goes with the usual anime's storytelling pattern, after that would most likely be the big turn of events, like Sara and Soujuu parted with Rentarou. Also... added with Soujuu's request about continuing what they're doing in the onsen, could gave the feeling of "a long night" for the audience when episode 8 aired.

Add a Comment

Comics Party Revolution eps 06

Posted by reim at 10:12 AM on May 15, 2005 .

Chisa, the daughter of the Tsukamoto printing's owner founded her father fainted. He fainted because lacking of rest. But, this is ComiPa, nobody would most likely die in a normal way. So, instead of working too hard in the printing, Chisa's father is working too hard playing online game every night to get the highest level and rare item.

Tsukamoto printing, who's like lifeline for Kazuki and his fellow doujinka (perhaps second after ComiPa) is in trouble, so everyone want to help. Subaru, the ally-of-love-and-justice doujinka come to the rescue. Kazuki also helps. He called everyone with the thought that they'll surely help.

Aya herself has school and works in a stationary shop, so she can't help.

Subaru offered her help, together, the dojikko-pair would become ultimate combi (to most peoples' worries). Though, she's a bit disappointed because the task is so simple, she only have to watch the papers, and when it runs out, she would tell Chisa about it. Also, everything printed is just usual supermarket brochure and advertisement.

Upstair, there's another job. There are group of doujinka who works upstair. That way, as soon as they finished, they can print it immediately. Although their motive is more like the girl. Chisa helps to see mistakes and helps them correct it, while Subaru, they asked her a lot of things, from buying coffee and bentou to giving massage for their strained shoulder.

Subaru saw that Chisa's work is so hard, so she tried something herself to save the company. She bought manga magazines like Shounen Jinbo (Shounen Jump - Shogakukan) with Naruto Karuto cover. Shounen Maganon (Shounen Magazine - Kodansha) and Dengeki Shouoh (Dengeki Daioh - Media Works). She called the companies and asked them if they can give the printing job to Tsukamoto printing. If she succeed, then Tsukamoto printing will grow into a company quickly.

Like Subaru, she always think of achieving something big (if not astronomical). Because of her optimism, she's sure that she can get the order from publishing companies that she cancelled all other orders for Tsukamoto printing, endangering the printing.

Luckily, in time of trouble, friends came. Like Kazuki, everyone had finished their doujin and send it for printing. Eimi and Yuu came with their huge order. Aya also came with her new work after a long time. Mizuki came with a picnic lunch basket that she definitely won't hand to the doujinka from attic.

Everyone helps, because Chisa is also their friend, こみパーの仲間. Yuu and Eimi helps checking the results, while Aya helps with the editing job for the doujinka upstair (kawaisou kedo ^^;) Things goes well, in the morning they managed to finish the job. One thing left is Kazuki's own new work is left unprinted.

Next episode is about Yuu's feeling for Kazuki. Title, Inobu de Bravo. Sounds like title from Girls Bravo. From the preview, Mizuki looks like Maharu-neesan ^^

Chisa-chan Kawaii ! XD

Change in the chara design. Seems like it's back to the OVA's although there's still a different feel. Probably they felt that the style is too different.
Though, from that screencaps it won't looks so clear about the difference.

Add a Comment

Halftime Report Spring 2005

Posted by reim at 03:31 PM on May 15, 2005 .

This season's halftime report.

Didn't follow much for this season, including the more popular one. Proven good on the download side :D

☞ Mahoraba ~heartful days~ (19 and ongoing). Small change from the manga here and there, but still retains what it starts with from last season, a warm athmosphere of family. How will they end this though, still no picture on which point they could stop the story at.

☞ Comics Party Revolution (6 and ongoing). The usual one. This is a fun, and the kind where a lot of scenes deserved screencaps. Picture quality, they can still keep it, but because the earlier 4 is taken from OVA, this is practically second episode anyway. Since the manga has finished, I wonder if they'll end this one like the manga, or they'll pick one of the ending from the game, or just goes nowhere at all.

☝ Futakoi Alternative (6 and ongoing). There's not as much of the dynamic screen directing as the early episodes. But the dim (as in not as bright as Mahoraba, or as dark as many titles recently) and sad feel is still clearly felt from the anime. Now, they'll finally goes to the mistery about Sara and Soujuu. Definitely one of the best this season, much like Nanoha.

☝ Mahou Sensei Negima (19 and ongoing). It goes better ! Although different than the manga in plot flows, but the recent original episodes does has story that sometimes are even better than the manga version, such as Sayo's story. The change of staffs also changed the animation quality.

☞ Koikoi 7 (7 and ongoing). They;re stretching the story a lot. But probably because they won't have time to tell each characters' story. Asuka (black) does become weirder especially thanks to that masturbation scene at the end of eps 6 ^^; Should they go that far ? Eps 7 is finally getting to the conflict. If they want to finish this at 13, it'll be better to end it in the school festival isn't it ? But the two black lady in the opening hinted that the story will go beyond that and to book 5, or at least 4. Got a flat because I didn't put that much hope in it from the beginning :P

☞ Kore ga Watashi no Goshujin sama (5 and ongoing). There's too much of emotional stuffs in the anime for me compared to the manga. I guess, this is what you get for giving the production to Gainax. Is that good thing or not, actually I'm thinking of giving a ☟

☝ Izumo ~takeki tsurugi no senki~ (7 and ongoing). Don't know about the difference from game version, and don't want to comment much.

Add a Comment

May 16th, 2005

Izumo eps 07 : Taiketsu no Toride

Posted by reim at 09:37 PM on May 16, 2005 .

Angry because he thinks the enemy has killed Mai and Asuka, Takeru goes on killing every single enemy he saw. The four gods is worried because of it. After long time, they finally found a new master and now he's hurting his own body. So, Suzaku breaks the ground and released poisonous gas to stop him.

After he sleeps until the night falls, Seiryuu told him that both Asuka and Mai is fine, because she can still feel their soul. Another thing is Takeru's sword that made them worry. Sword would get stronger, but his is too powerful, like the sword from before (perhaps, from the previous story).

Mai, showed who she is. She's a person from the land of the dead, a girl who had her village destroyed by war. Then, Oonamuji pick her and raised her. She was then sent to the land of the living to find the reincarnation of Susanoo. She also infiltrates the human's place to destroy the barrier that protects them. But Mai holds back the information about Amaterasu's place from Oonamuji for Asuka.

Asuka who's captured is sent to Kotono's place.

After dusk, Takeru moved. Luckily, the magatama given to them can call each others, so using it, Seri can find where Asuka and Mai is. First that they found is Asuka. They told Takeru about Mai, but Takeru choose to come and find her. Kotono stayed to play her flute and calm down the evil spirits in that place.

Takeshi came and stopped Takeru. He had accepted that he's the reincarnation of Susanoo and want to help that world. And most importantly, he want to be stronger and find his own way of living and way of sword.

The other two gods contacted Amaterasu about the situation, telling that her daughter, and Takeru is fine on the way to save their friends. After that, they joined to gave Sakuya the prepared tool for her ritual. Seiryuu also gave her a quick course about the revival process. Everyone, including Sakuya goes to Ashihara from there. Takeshi who had accepted his defeat against Takeru choose to stay in that world.

Now, the worlds. Full name for the world of the living are Ashihara no Nakatsu Kuni, the world in the middle where human is living. Above it, there's Takama ga Hara, where the gods are.

Below it is quite a lot of world. Yomi no Kuni is where Izanagi no Oomikoto, wife of Izanami no Oomikoto -both creator of the world- ruled after she dies and divorce with her husband.

Then, there's Ne no Katasu Kuni, the world where Susanoo no Mikoto rules after he leave the heaven to look for his mother. In this world, the death can be revived. There's another, Ne no Kuni and Soko no Kuni that lies under the ocean, the place to clean sins. But, from the relationship with Susanoo, perhaps the set for Izumo is Ne no Katasu Kuni.

Another is Tokoyo no Kuni and Umigami no Kuni. Both this is... comparable to garden of Eden, Ellysion and other similar concept of land filled with happiness for those who died, and those worthy for it. It lies beyond the ocean and under the ocean.

So, maybe I heard it wrong then. Ne no Kuni isn't really world of the dead, but the world of those waiting for reincarnation.

By the way, Susanoo had a daughter named Suserihime, any relationship with Seri ? ^^

Reference from : The world view in Japanese Mythology.

Personal comments. The drawing quality is lower than the previous episodes, that's the most noticable for me now. And, Amaterasu's expression after the talk with shiseijuu is really out of her ordinary :D

Add a Comment

May 17th, 2005

Mahoraba eps 20 : Gakuensai ni te

Posted by reim at 08:50 PM on May 17, 2005 in Mahoraba ~heartful days~ .

Aoba-sai ? Oh, Seikasai. Thought she's the school's idol like the case of what happened with Akane in Akane Maniax ^^;

I this school festival episode, Kozue and Tamami asked everyone to go together to their school's festival. There, all the residents seems to enjoy the festival. Asami got one free try to scoop goldfish, she succeed. Sayo-chan doesn't try, she's happy with the paper net used for the game.

Inside, it's like a school festival, with various presentation about research, like pollution. This disinterested Megumi who want to have more fun. She found it, a Chou spectacular suspense romance adventure cyber punk horror daisaku. It's an amateur movie made by the student. She instantly falls for it and still falls for it even after watching the movie that can made even Tamami pale. It's something most would think as a crap, but Megumi is all over it, she even bought a copy. Quoting comment from the manga : Dame Eiga suki.

Johnny and Haibara stopped at the literary club and goes on reading stack of books with a very cute girl joushi kousei version of Shiratori.

Megumi, after passing the ghost house, think about Tama's occult club. They thought that the ghost house is the occult club's work. That's wrong of course. Buchou came to them, dragging them to her fortune telling house. Buchou thinks that Tama has brought guests and showed her other unknown ability, to show up in two place almost at once.

IINM, this actually happens when Buchou came to visit Narutaki-sou. She do a reading for everyone. Here, first victim is Asami. Asami's card is temperance, a change will happen to her in the future. Asami doesn't understand, but she understand Buchou's weird joke. That made her happy and want to keep Asami.

Sayo-chan is crying, so as exchange, Buchou want Sayo-chan to be her next guest. The card is Death, and long sorrow and dark future follows it. Sayo-chan runs under the table shivering. Satisfied, she returned Sayo-chan and founds long line of peoples waiting for the fortune telling (although I think they're tricked to it).

At Kozue's class, who showed their handmade sew works, Hiro-chan, Kozue's friend from the music club came crying. Her other two partners in the recital got hurt, so the teachers said she should just quit it for this time. The recital is Mendel's Piano and Violin rhapsody Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, a duet, so there's no other player to cover.

Megumi can take the piano part, Sayo-chan "said" she can play the violin part. Seeing the music club's condition, Megumi decided to help. She can play it a bit, although the memory is something she doesn't really like to remember. I think, that part hasn't been explained also, why she played piano in the past, but her expression does looks sad when playing it in the recital.

Sakura, who's also in that school, invited Mahiru. Cold as usual, but she seems happy to found Asami there, and then Sayo-chan playing the violin.

It goes well, and it's a very pretty song, touching tunes. For Shiratori and Kozue, they found out another thing that they don't realize from the peoples they've been living with.

In her house, Mahiru's father is not happy because his daughter had met Sayoko and not saying anything. Seems like they'll have a long talk together after Mahiru came back home.

I think, there's a lot of quite famous guest seiyuu in this episode for Tamami's friends, too bad that there's no name in the ending credit. I'm actually curious about the girl in the game that Megumi played. Heard her somewhere, but can't remember.

The mummy girl, had the feeling that the girl behind it is like Judge-san from Hayate × Blade. That obake yashiki pair looks like a pair from Tenchi Gakuen.

Next episode will finally be about the Kurosaki family's secret. I'm really waiting to hear Mitsuishi Kotono as Sayo-chan's mother.

Add a Comment

May 18th, 2005

Comics Party Revolution eps 07

Posted by reim at 09:04 PM on May 18, 2005 .


("more screencaps")

The Onsen episode.

Kazuki who has nothing to do suddenly got invited by Yuu to her place in Kobe, Kansai. She said that she need him to helo with her circle in Kansai ComiPa. All of the sudden, everyone is in his room, with unnatural ways.

Yuu's place is a 旅館, deep in the mountain and there's onsen also which they can use for free later. Yuu told about her dream, that she'll be 女将 there together with a a good husband she found. In following that, Yuu keeps sending signal to Kazuki pointing to the idea that she asked him to her house so she can introduce him to her mother as her future husband.

Kazuki also heard Yuu talking seriously to her mother about her decision and about the future of the inn. She want to tell Kazuki about her feeling and make sure of his feeling also. That disturbed Kazuki a lot, he can't find a decision for him if he should accept or turn down Yuu's proposal.

The rest is your usual onsen episode. There's rottenburo with girls admiring each other's body while the boys listen from their side then try to take a peek. After that, fan-servicely done table tennis fight between Cardmaster Mizuki vs Daieiryuu master Subaru and air hockey match between the my-pace comby, Aya and Minami.

At the night, there's also Taishi performing as Armstrong from HagaRen, luckily that didn't last long.

Title is really reminding about Girls Bravo. Too bad they also do parody of the steam screen. Next episode is title Tennis no Ohimesama (Princess), Kazuki even do the mada mada da ne quote. Hope it can be crazy.

Future with Kazuki. Among the girls I can think only three that could goes to a marriage life together. Aya seems like a good wife, and Reiko looks like she can be a good mother. Yuu, her future marriage is on the other side compared to Aya, a future in more traditional Japanese style.

While Eimi, maybe long term relationship together while doing manga, but not to a marriage life. The rest of the characters doesn't seem to fit.

Well, most surprising for me is that Gaiya is Ikumi's siscon oniichan ^^;

BTW, at Kazuki and Yuu's future image, the girl seems to be Konomi-chan isn't it ?

Add a Comment

May 19th, 2005

UFO Princess Valkyrie ~seireizoku no hanayome~ eps 01

Posted by reim at 09:40 PM on May 19, 2005 .


("more screencaps")

Short summary : Valkyrie's meganekko sister came and perform a world domination by making all girls on earth wear glasses.

Opening theme, Natsu no Mukougawa is still keeping the feel of the previous songs from TV series. Performed by Hinata Megumi, who's left from the vocal unit melocure after Okazaki Ritsuko-san passed away last year.

Ending theme, Uchuu no Hana is sung by casts for the three princesses. Fam (Kadowaki Mai), Inalva (Inoue Kikuko) and Nesty (Asakawa Yuu). Three illustrations in total for the ending.

Across the space, a flying saucer fly in high speed to earth. It's pink, with disc part that resembles federation starships from Star Trek. The wings clearly showed that it's ship of the Valhalla planet's royal family, and as usual, their method of landing is crashing straight down on buildings (except Reine, she crash landed anywhere). This one landed on Kazuto's school.

The princess is Fam (CV: Kadowaki Mai). Kazuto and Akina know her because they've met all the princesses. Fam came as a new classroom teacher replacing the previous Yamada-sensei, who got transferred into another galactic high school.

From the meeting at Kazuto's place, Sanada-san told about Fam. She's educated and has the ability to teach, so it's not unusual for her to be a teacher. Although the part about staying in school (actually in the ship that hung on school) is unusual.

With terrifying speed, Fam quickly become accustomed, and even becoming the most popular teacher in school to boys and girls. More girls than boys. Well... Kaishaku who wrote KannaMiko, so perhaps it's not that unusual. They even starts to admire her wearing glasses.

Strange things starts to happen. The next day, more girls starts wearing the same glasses. Day by day, almost every girls in school wear glasses. It spreads more, even the nekomimi maid team at Tokinoyuu starts to wear it also.

Those who wear the glasses become like brainwashed, they starts to ask their friends to wear it also. The maids attacked Sanada-san and forced her to wear glasses.

Finally, Akina is the only girl at school that can still defend herself against the new trend.

To picture it, imagine some horror flicks like.. Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

Luckily, Sanada-san survived and she manage to take the glasses away from her staffs. They gathered in Akina's shrine for battle preparation. She decided an open war against the Megane, not regarding the fact that Fam is also a princess anymore.

For start, they sent Rika for information, because she also wore glasses.

Rika is caught, they recognized her wearing different glasses. To continue the infection, they'll change her into their kind also. Sanada-san had it, she declared attack.

Fighting against a princess proven too much though. Fam put a glasses to the cat siege engine Sanada-san is using, it too become Fam's underling.

Valkyrie had to clean up the mess as usual.
After Fam meets her, she told about the reason behind her doings. Valkyrie is the person that Fam want to see wearing glasses the most. Ever since their school years.

Kind of horror in it's own way, but that's the same feel I get seeing this kind of horror though. Fam's character is not really my favourite, but I'm really waiting for the next two, especially Inalva, in the next episode. Too bad there's no Akidra again, and Chorus.

The end of this OVA would probably be that last scene in the second TV series I think, the picture of all the princesses' ships forming circle in Hagoromo town and they went to the bath house together.

Add a Comment

May 20th, 2005

Futakoi Alternative eps 07

Posted by reim at 08:54 AM on May 20, 2005 .

Back with great screen directing. They done this flashback really well, it goes with the old detective movie feel (forgot who mentioned it).

Two years ago, the owner of Futaba detective office died, leaving his son Rentarou alone. The first sign of time in this anime, Winter 2002, Rentarou's live continues, the usual winter. Different thing is, his father is not there anymore.

But life goes on, and Rentarou had to find a way to live by his own. In that time thinking, he remembered how everyone always told him to be a great man like his father.

Sara and Soujuu came to his office, giving a request. Their way of speech that time is each one continues their sister's sentence alternately. Thanks that they don't do that anymore ^^;

Rentarou explained to them, his father died, so for now, the office is out of business. Rentarou himself still don't know if he'll continue the business or not.
Sara simply told him, if he can find them, continue the business, if not, then don't.

Once upon a time, there's another case. A mad man with machine gun took over Nikotama's public bath. Sara and Soujuu is left behind, with Rentarou submerged between their naked calves. Rentarou told about Sara, she's the one who always decide everything by herself, like when she throw Rentarou out and give a spin kick to that man with gun.

Back to the case. The request that Sara and Soujuu give is to look for them. They'll hide somewhere in that city, and if Rentarou found them before 6PM, they'll give him the money. It's like a treasure hunt. First clue leads to the park. Then there's hint written on the ground, leading to female toilet. From there, it goes to a small crack between buildings, then to the local Koban, on the house of a killer looking dog.

Rentarou gave up the case. He felt like always being in his father's shadows anyway. But he can't after all. The lady at corocquette shop told him that he is himself, no need to replace his father. And more, Soujuu left a letter. She had left a lot of money in the office's mail box, in case he can't find them, she's still grateful that Rentarou had accompany them. That's Soujuu, the one who smile gently and yet always think of others.
Rentarou decided, he is himself, and he'll proof himself by finding them both. First by beating the dog, then goes to the riverside, where he found them both still waiting for him. Sara refused to go, she want to cling on the hope that they'll be found and taken away from the darkness their parent decide for them.

Great episode. That could describe this episode I think. The whole colouring scheme is entraping. It also showed how Rentarou walks away from his father's shadow and accept himself. First person view of Rentarou telling the story in this episode is well done, reminds to the feeling in Iriya no Sora.

Next episode, Sa wa Sayonara no Sa. Finally the parting story.

Moetry mentioned that in the ufotable staff's diary, the last four episodes will be full of action, something to wait. Will they pack the whole Ruru and Rara's story inside, and how about the other casts' story like in the opening. There might be none of the action for the Momose, Sakurazuki, Chigusa and Ichijou perhaps, but with the tight time, Shirogane's house might has something to do with the squid creature.

Add a Comment

May 25th, 2005

Izumo eps 07 : Yasurakana Toki

Posted by reim at 05:56 PM on May 25, 2005 .

Sakuya lived in Takeru's place. She's still not used to Ashihara's culture, but she seems more happy than shocked. Takeru's grandfather is not feeling strange with Sakuya though, he does say that when you get older, ayou get harder to surprise.

Mai is still feeling guilty and uncomfortable, but everyone is trying to cheer her up.

After breakfast, Sakuya asked Takeru to take her to play around, until the time they return to the other world. Takeru suggested going to the pool, something Sakuya didn't know about. Asuka also showed her what is called a swimsuit, something Sakuya said it's almost like naked.

But instead of pool, they ends up in game centre first, then went shopping. Takeru as the man, offered to pay. So, Sakuya, and the others bought a lot, until Takeru had to pay with the scraps from his wallet ^^;

Later on, so Sakuya won't be ashamed for being looked at, they went to the school's pool.

In the other world, things really got worse. Takeshi realized, that in Ne no Kuni, there are peoples who need him, something he didn't have in his previous life. He also cared for Himiko, because she care about him, unlike Kotono who he think always looking at Takeru.

But this is not because he's awakened as Susanoo, it's his own decision. And, there are probability Himiko considered, Takeshi is not the man she loved, it's the other one, Takeru.

At night, after returning, Sakuya planned on going back. Suddenly, Ametsuchi no Tama shone, and Himiko's sound came to their side. She's still calling for Susanoo, and feel sure now she can feel Susanoo's power in Takeru.

A bit late for the summaries, because other than terrible download speed lately, I had to reinstall my persocon yesterday. Hope I can finish it today.

Asuka seems not really liking Sakuya. She wanted Takeru to be with Kotono, so, perhaps she saw Sakuya as something between them. But seeing the portion of Sakuya in the story so far, could be that it will goes along Sakuya's route. From the beginning, Kotono is too kind to everyone, and she got more time with Takeshi instead.

Still hasn't got the ending theme single, but it's released already today, together with ComiPa Revolution's OP/ED single.

Add a Comment

Mahoraba eps 21 : Oya.Ko

Posted by reim at 07:56 PM on May 25, 2005 in Mahoraba ~heartful days~ .

Mahiru came and kidnap bring home Sayo-chan. Asami is taken also.

They're taken to the Minazuki family's house, big and luxurious, something Asami never felt before. Mahiru also keeps calling Sayoko as 姉様. Come both of Sayoko's parents. Her father, Ushimitsu is not happy that his daughter runaway from home. But Sayo-chan's loli vampire mother, Yue is simply happy that her daughter finally came back home.

Tachibana gave her report about Sayoko. Soon after they eloped, Kurosaki died in a traffic accident. Sayoko then moved in and live in Narutaki-sou. Asami is the daughter that Kurosaki take with them, but she's not the daughter of either Kurosaki, nor Sayo-chan. She's adopted.

Hearing that, Ushimitsu ordered Tachibana to keep Sayoko away from Asami for a while.

Both get their room. Asami got herself a luxurious room, that Yue said she can use as she wished, because she's Sayoko's daughter. She and Sakura even gave Sayoko's clothes for Asami. Sakura thought Asami will looks better in sunlight, but Yue falls down, shivering under shower of sunlight. Her voice suddenly changed.

Back at Narutaki-sou, everyone is still trying to decypher the map that Mahiru left. The landmark, are, train station, river, post box, flower. With the insufficient clue, Momono is really depressed, especially by Mahiru's attitude, saying that if they have any problem, just came to her house.

Asami had a dinner, then bath together with Mahiru. After bath, drink fruit milk. At first, Mahiru said the drink is weird, and the way of drinking is weird also. But after hearing Asami said that sayoko taught her that's the lady-like way to drink, Mahiru joined. Yappa sis-con ne ^^;

At the night, Sayoko had an audience with her father. He told Sayo-chan that he already let the past by. Now, he only want his daughter to be happy. There's a stack of pictures, candidate for Sayo-chan's husband to pick.

Best thing in this episode is of course, loli-vampire-kaasan. Mitsuishi Kotono done well with the extremes between the very cute voice when she first came, to the witch like sound when Sakura opened the window.

Seems like for this week, Asami is going to sleep alone though. Next episode seems would be that touching episode ^^

Add a Comment

May 27th, 2005

Comics Party Revolution eps 08

Posted by reim at 01:50 PM on May 27, 2005 .

The star for this episode are, Mizuki and Ikumi.

Tennis match season begin.

First, Subaru and Chisa pair against Eimi and Yuu.
Chisa is busy counting payment for Eimi's printing order so she didn't even try to block the serve.

Mizuki and Ikumi vs Asahi and Aya.
Asahi trained hard, everyday she trained her body even during the recording session. With it, she's confident to win. But Mizuki is too strong, she won against Asahi and Aya, while still wearing restraints. We'll get to what kind of crazy training her coach gave her later.

Next, Eimi and Yuu against Reiko's three friends.
Easy victory. Those three had zero coordination on who have to return the serve.

In other place, Ikumi's match doesn't come without a price. Her body is weak, so Ikumi can actually move for no more than 30 minutes a day. But Ikumi always tried to hold back he pain she felt, so her brother begged Mizuki to stop her.

Ikumi told her story also. She always liked the view she saw from the window. And she liked to see the tennis that Kazuki played with Mizuki. At first, it's because she enjoyed seeing Kazuki, the gag chara. Then, she admired Mizuki who taught her how to play tennis. Touched, Mizuki took Ikumi, to their court.

In the changing room, someone sabotaged Mizuki. They put nails inside her shoes, and not a mere one or two, there's a lot, even the needle board used for ikebana, not something that can normally be put into a shoe.

Next, Mizuki and Ikumi against Maki and a girl that looks like out of a Rose of Versailles parody work. Perhaps, that's Reiko.
With the injured leg, Mizuki can't even took out half of her power. She tried to hold on, for Ikumi. Taishi, and Yuu know that (probably because the situation looks like straight out of a manga) but they won't stop Mizuki, because she told them not to.

The culprit is caught not long after. Eimi's fans put the nail inside Mizuki's shoes, so Eimi can win. Angered Maki also took off her glasses and executed the three, because Eimi can't handle her own fans. Red card, seems like Eimi won't be in the next ComiPa.

Match continued. In despair, Mizuki remembered her coach, and the training she had. Extinguishing candlelights with racket swing, do serve in storm, and even hit a drive shoot through a hole in the wall perfectly (yes, each are more of a nonsense than the before ^^;

After that victory, there's one match left. Main heroine and hidden heroine, one day it's their fate to fight against each others, doujinka wisdom as said by Yuu. The mtch left is Mizuki against Ikumi, who will win.

Kazuki, how is he ? He's busy doing his doujinshi while everyone else enjoyed the tennis match. They're doing the match to decide, who will be with Kazuki during the holiday.

Next time, Ikumi want to try boxing. But for the next episode, it's survival game, parody of fumoffu ?

Add a Comment

Futakoi Alternative eps 08

Posted by reim at 03:20 PM on May 27, 2005 .

Rentarou got a visit, from Mitsugi Kimihiko, Shirogane twin's guardian. She told Rentarou about Sara and Soujuu. They lost their parents, and then Kimihiko took care of them. Also, in their sixteenth birthday, he will be engaged with Sara and Soujuu, or else he'll lost all the company he had. That's the plan that Sara and Soujuu's parents have, so they can be happy.
Rentarou think that's stupid, same with Kimihiko, but either of them had the power to go against that will.

Kimihiko does thanked Rentarou, because he had helped Sara and Soujuu to be happy for all this time that he couldn't. But for the future, he's determined to marry one of them.

Rentarou think of it, and that night, he prepared a small birthday party for the three of them. Sara and Soujuu also had their own idea for present, they want to sleep with him, and runaway with him, anywhere as long as they can be together.

Rentarou refused. He's not sure if he can make the three of them happy. Even if he slept with them tonight, there won't be anything that changed tomorrow, they still have to be engaged. Besides, Sara and Soujuu had lied to him all this time about their family.

Although upset, Sara and Soujuu go away. Then, because she doesn't want Soujuu to suffer, Sara leave her alone in the station. She's stronger, so even if she's alone, she can go through it. She want to leave Soujuu with Rentarou.

Can't comment, too tired for today... maybe later.

Add a Comment

May 31st, 2005

Izumo eps 09 : Mamorubeki Mono

Posted by reim at 04:38 PM on May 31, 2005 .

Himiko is happy, Takeru, the other Susanoo is coming back to his country. She tried calling him to her place. In the process, Kotono who protected Takeru got attacked by Himiko and her soul is flying out from her body, to the Yomotsu Hirasaka, way to the land of the death. Because the soul and body is still connected, they can revive Kotono.

Yomotsu plains are made by Himiko when she created the Ne no Kuni. She also created Ashihara country. True or not, nobody knows, because nobody live longer than Himiko to confirm about it. That's the beginning. But later, new gods like Amaterasu is born and slowly, the gods and human take over the worlds from Himiko. Because of that, she want to return everything to the beginning and starts again. This is also the reason for the four gods to go against Himiko. Perhaps it's true that she had made bad worlds, and thus Himiko had to take her responsibility to fix it. But like for a parent, if her children do wrong, it's not like she can just kill all her children and then start it again from the beginning.

Rin, came to pick Takeru back. She told about the four gods also, that they, and Rin, are made to protect Himiko. But the four of them betrayed Himiko. She also gave Takeru Susanoo's memories, when she fought Kagutsuchi (?). They tricked him to go away from Himiko, so the human can attack her. Susanoo died protecting Himiko. She then promised to find his soul that reincarnated in Ashihara no Kuni.

Back at the present time, Suzaku want to stop Rin with the others, so they fought. In it, Yatarou died to protect Mai. He's also a familiar made by Oonamuji to watch Mai. This is too short though, perhaps in the game, this part is longer, but here, it's just too quick.

Hee... Seri's voice sounds like the voice she used when playing as Ellis now, a bit different from the previous episodes.

This time, it's the four holy beast's secret then. Also about the world and Susanoo. He actually splits into two persons ?

But another secret is, why when everyone else's drawing quality drops, Rin's chara design looks better this episode ? Stock animations are not so good either. And personal thing:

Yatarou kawaiiiii !!! XD

Kawaisugiru de kawaisou T__T

Susanoo is cool ! Unlike his first crazy man killing machine like in the beginning.

Add a Comment

« 2005/04 | 2005/06 »