Entries for October, 2005

October 3rd, 2005

Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 01

Posted by reim at 11:16 PM on October 3, 2005 .

Opening theme: ETERNAL BLAZE by Mizuki Nana. Compared to innocent starter, less impressive, the music, or the meaning. But the song does sounds like some more old school anime series.
The single will be released on 29th of this month, but there's already full version recorded from when Mizuki Nana sung the song live in Lyrical Party show.
Loli yuri, tsuzukimasu ^^

This sequel of Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha takes place half a year after the incident with Jewel Seed. The time space administrative bureau meets with another incident, related to Lostlogia. A group of powerful sorcerer are hunting down other sorcerers. The group is named Wolken Ritter (Clouds Knight (?), protector of the 闇の書.

And before the anime aired, there's various campaigns prepared by the production also. There are manga titled The Prologue of Aces in Chiralty magazine, and a manga series 魔法少女リリカルなのは THE COMICS in Megami magazine. Original script is by the author, Tsuzuki Maki, and illustration by Hasegawa Kouji.

Half year before: June 3rd, Yagami Hayate's birthday. In the birthday night of this girl, when she goes to bed, a book standing on her shelf breaks it's chain and opens up the pages, showing empty sheets of paper. After breaking the seal, it activates and calls the guardians.

December 1st, Nanoha's life. After the incident, Nanoha is still practising magic and grows stronger. That morning, she's practicing by herself also, accompanied by Raging Heart.

Juno is also there usually, helping her train herself, but now, he's out to accompany Fate, Alf and Chrono to attend Fate's last trial.

During the half year, Nanoha keeps in contact with Fate and the rest of the peoples from the administration bureau. Real time communication is not possible, especially because Lindy is already giving as much freedom for Fate whom status is still a participant of crime. She suggested Fate and Nanoha that they can send each others video mail in DVD. (reference: Lyrical Nanoha Sound Stage 3 drama CD). Nanoha's family and friends also know about Fate, although they thought she's a friend from overseas (Italia, Suzuka deduced).

When docking to the base, Lindy heard news from the Leti, her friend (and boss at the base). Lostlogia is moving.

Around that time, one of the Wolken Ritter is attacking sorcerer again. Vita, defeated two sorcerers, seems like pursuer from the bureau. She then took away their magical power to fill the pages in the Dark Texts.

Next day, Suzuka met with Hayate in the library. She helped the girl who can't take the book on the shelf (Hayate can't use her leg, she have to sit on wheelchair). It's the meeting like one of those fated meeting in shoujo manga. Both gets close, and they hang around together until Shalma picked her up. Outside, there's also Signum, both are member of the Wolken Ritter who lived with Hayate, owner of the Dark Text that they protect. But as for the girl, she seems happy enough that now there are peoples living together with her, and enough with that, not knowing what happened outside. They also hide the fact from Hayate, such as the fact that Vita is out on hunt.

Tonight, Vita's target is a powerful sorcerer in Uminari city, enough to fill roughly 20 pages. That power sometimes appeared, and then disappeared. The person of course is Nanoha, the only AAA class sorcerer there. First battle again for Nanoha, and the enemy is really strong.

Like Vita's intelligent device, Graf Eisen is shaped like hammer, her style is high power attack. When Nanoha's shot throw away her hat, she's angry and nearly breaks Raging Heart, twice.

watashi no Nanoha wo kizutsuku no wa yurusanai This expression of Fate is priceless XD The knight came to rescue her princess in pinch. With all those hints and teasing, and the cute blushing when thinking of each others. Free to protest, but really like to think of both Nanoha and Fate as shoujo ai couple.

Juno = Ferret modoki. Chrono ijiwaru ^^; That boy, his hysteric screaming sounds a lot like Sara from Futakoi Alternative now.

The story goes faster than the first season. Quoting from Moon Phase's comment: Mahou Shoujo battle anime. The class comparison is all matching also. So this means Chrono had no role ?

Class	Heroines	Wolken Ritter
Knight Sorcerer White Mage Fighter	Fate Testarossa Takamachi Nanoha Juno Schreier Alf	Signum (seal) Vita (life) Shamar (observe) Zapphira

The words in bracket is the meaning. Shamar, I only found the meaning of it in Hebrew, "to keep, guard, observe, give heed". It's related to herds or priest, but since the other two's name is in Latin, I'm still doubting about her right spelling. There's also another meaning, which is Fennel (Foeniculum vulgareI).

Random question, is Graaff Eisen speaks German ? I'm not so familiar, but the pronounciation sounds like Spanish accent in a way. Second, is it really Graaff, like in Van Der Graaff generator ? Or is it another spelling ? Such as Graahf ?

[add] Graf Eisen ? According to Mina's place, it's read so.

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October 4th, 2005

To Heart2

Posted by reim at 06:07 PM on October 4, 2005 .

Finally, the next in line of Aquaplus' game title series, and one of their newest titles also. In the last winter season, we have To Heart ~remember my memories~, and last spring, Comics Party Revolution. Now, it's To Heart2 and next year, expect Utawarerumono. Other might be routes.

Main reason to watch this one... Konomi of course. So cute, ever since seeing her in ComiPa Revolution (just, let's forget who that actually is. Misato Mitsumi no sai-MOE chara ^^ And Tama-nee.

Umm... I didn't play the game, so can't tell about the story, but among the characters, there are one maid robo, HMX-15 Ilfa (Multy is HMX-13a). Also, the Himeyuri twins did came as cameo in Remember my Memories.

The opening theme, Hello by Ikeda Haruna is not really impressive. The game's opening theme is better IMO. But the ending, トモシビ is better, sounds like Kanon's ending, same style. And the singer's name, Suara. Here in Indonesian, it means voice ^^

Opened with the graduation ceremony of Konomi and her friends Chie and Michiru. Sad for having to leave the school, Chie cried, although they all promised to leave with smile and won't cry. Because Konomi said she'll be angry if they cried, Michiru joined to cry, so they can see how Konomi's angry face is.

At the gate, Taka is waiting for Konomi after school. Chie and Michiru soon take the clue on why that day, Konomi wasted no time and goes around leaving them, because she's in a hurry.

Konomi dragged Taka to play around with her, looking at the memories. Then, after giving him a show of climbing down the stair's handle, she finally cried, although they've promised to leave the school with a smile.

Sakura flower is blooming on their way home, a bit late than usual, but would be the right time when Konomi started her high school in the same place with Taka. Also, Taka remembered when they used to watch sakura flowers together, Taka, Konomi, Yuu and Tama-nee. But now, Tama-nee is not here with them, so they can't watch it together (not for long though :D)

At Konomi's home, her mother invited Taka to have dinner together again, forceful actually. She told Taka about her going out on weekend, so Konomi will be staying in Taka's house again like usual.

Saturday, Taka and Konomi went shopping for dinner. Konomi will cook her mother's special 必殺カレー. It tasted good. Then, they watched horror movie before going to sleep. But Konomi also take the chance to show her new uniform before that.

The movie scared Konomi so much, she's afraid to sleep by herself, so... she went to Taka's room and sleep together like they used to do.

Konomi is afraid, because of the film, but also before that. Why is it, because sepparating from friends, because having to be apart from place of memories, because of thinking how high school is ? But all the reason is forgotten, when Taka praised her curry, when she showed her uniform, and when going to Taka's bed. She asked Taka again, to go and watch sakura together, with Tama-nee and Yuu (important, but he's asleep already).

Talking about crying in graduation ceremony, never had that. Don't know if it's good thing or bad thing. Perhaps, I'm just not having many memories.

First episode, still the light and feel good story. Picking the screencaps is hard also, because well... there's a lot, but all's Konomi's cute expression. In the end, will they choose her ending ? So far, even tough she's the main heroine (or mascot might be better term), her childish charm made her more like an imouto chara rather than girlfriend.

By the way, got the file 147'472'328 bytes file, and there's only the left sound channel. Don't know if it's codec problem or the file itself.

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October 9th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 02

Posted by reim at 11:21 PM on October 9, 2005 .

Second episode, all battle and action continuing the previous episode. Raging Heart and Bardische is heavily damaged and Nanoha nearly have her power taken completely.

The result is defeat on Nanoha's side, although not totally and there are time to recover and prepare on the long awaited meeting with Fate for Nanoha and her friends.

拮抗ですけどシグナムお姉様カッコイイ!!! XD

そして...

ヴィータは口汚い

Introduction of the Wolken Ritter still took some more time. Expecting it to be explained by Chrono's shishou in the 3rd episode.

Off from battlefield for a while, Arisa and Suzuka is talking about Fate's coming to Japan. They planned a welcoming party and already looks to have a lot of happy memories together.
Back to the fight. After the trial, Fate and Juno tried contacting Nanoha about the result. But because of the barrier that Vita made, they can't reach Nanoha, so Juno, Alf and Fate goes to look for Nanoha. Then, it goes like in last episode. Fate chases Vita who runs out and tried fighting back.

Hinted from Vita's words, her own magical power, although strong, is not as powerful as when she breaks Raging Heart. Fate noticed it later when she fought against Signum, who came to help Vita and managed to breaks Bardische in two with her sword, Levantine. The catridge they throw in their device can boost the knights' magical power temporarily.

Seeing situation worsen Juno goes to help Fate, after creating protection around Nanoha.

Signum take the chance to return Vita's hat and reminds her not to push herself too much, because if Vita is hurt, their master (Hayate) would be worried. Now, instead of dropping the hat, Vita dropped something more important, the book.

Although Signum's power is higher, Fate can still manage to meet Signum's techniques, while Juno showed he's better in defence than Nanoha by running away from Vita with still maintaining the magic he prepared to get them out of the barrier as planned, except Alf is busy with Zapphira, so they can't break out.

In Asura, Eimi and the crews are trying to cancel the magic barrier. But the magic form is different from the type they use. Most of the characters in the first season, Nanoha, Fate, Alf, Juno, Chrono, the administration bureau and Preshia used Midchilda style magic, shown with the circle shaped formation. Wolken Ritter, the knights of Berka used another style of magic, which can also be seen that their magic has triangular magic formation. Perhaps, it's the same as magic developed in Lostlogia.

Nanoha can't stand seeing more of the fight, so she stepped out. Raging Heart activates accelerator for Starlight Breaker, telling Nanoha to believe and shoot it to break through and free her friends.

Shamal also arrived in the fight, probably with Signum when they go out to shop for dinner. Shamal told Hayate she'll go home late because she have to go to further supermarket, while actually, they're taking a turn to help Vita. With her device, Kral Wind, she opened a way through Nanoha and grabbed Nanoha's magical power. Then, after holding Nanoha's Linker Core, Nanoha's power starts to fill in pages in the book that disappeared when it's sealed before.

Even with the injured body and drained power, Nanoha still forced to release her attack, destroying barrier. Once it's disintergrated, Asura starts getting datas from the battleground, although Eimi can't lock on the knights fast enough. They draws back.
But from a glimpse of the book Shamal is holding, he recognized that item. Yami no Sho, first class searched relic of Lostlogia.

The episode left me with much the same feeling as when seeing the episode where Mibuya Mio died in Gunparade March. At least it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

So, the thing that pays the feeling most is this scene from the preview of episode three, exactly the same as my shoujo ai fans mind imagined of Nanoha and Fate later in their college years and they lived together in the same apartment room. Though there are comments of how rating jumped to R-15 ^^;

Around six years too soon, but nothing wrong with hoping. Besides, if they stayed alone and got attacked, won't it be better if Nanoha often stayed with Fate-chan ? ^^ After all, Shirou and Momoko-san seems like they won't mind their daughter to sleep with her girlfriend right.

Also, because both Nanoha and Fate's device is not rebuild, perhaps there won't be any story about Linis, the person who build Bardische. Too bad, she's a great character though.

Berka (as in the Knights of Berka) is name of a city in Wartburgkreis, Germany. Can't find any article in English yet, but you can try to do a search with the string "Berka Werra".

Levantine, or Levant, name of Signum's sword is originally, name for orient for the European in the age of crusade (to the middle east and dominion of the Ottoman Empire, not far east or the asia pacific). There are article in Wikipedia under the name Levant.

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October 11th, 2005

Ginban Kaleidoscope eps 01

Posted by reim at 10:54 PM on October 11, 2005 .

It's been some time since I read or watch any anime/manga title that took figure skating sport as the theme. Well... first time in anime, and three manga title years before. Ginban Kaleidoscope is not from manga though, it's from light novel series, with the original chara design by Suzuhira Hiro (more known for her works in bishoujo game chara design, such as SHUFFLE).

Being from novel, has it's advantages also, at least, the possibility is low that we will have exaggerated actions like in shounen anime sports titles that's actually more like wuxia stories rather than sports :D

Montreal, Canada, in the world female figure skating grand prix, it's turn for Japan's Sakurano Tazusa (@Kawasumi Ayako), the woman with ten billion (one with ten zeroes) dollar worth beauty (at least she said so). This will be her first step to be a legend, before she goes to the olympic.

While she danced on ice, the scene goes from the rink, to an acrobatic air show, as if both danced together. When she missed the landing and falls on ice, the plane crashed down to the ground.

She failed, and woke up in the infirmary. Already with bad mood, an old lady came in, which Tazusa nicknamed, Iyami Sandai. That woman, Mishima came just to have a sarcastic conversation with Tazusa, taunting her for failing. She does reminded Tazusa, about how she still won't smile and has no expression.

In the world level, there are the empress, Russian Ria Garnet Jouitiev (@Noto Mamiko, ice doll -_- ); Italian Gabrielle Papii Pozzo (heartwarming smile ~__~ ) and American Gabrielle Miller (@Okamoto Maya, akuma >_< ), they all had smile and their own expression. While Tazusa, she always show that expressionless mask on the rink.

Not really accepted with open hand though. Tazusa dislike the attitude of that brand-maniac director and claimed that's why Japan's figure skate has gloomy future.

When going out for steam venting in the building, Tazusa crashed on Dominic (hontou ni, akuma >_< ). Knowing Tazusa can't speak English, she starts talking harshly about her, something that she didn't have to understand English to understand what it roughly means.

Suddenly, a voice came from nowhere, saying "Kiss my ass."

Tazusa answered with that. Dominic is pissed off because Tazusa can talk back, so she leave.

After the ordeal, Tazusa starts thinking, what just happened and where that voice came from. Is she an ESPer ? or perhaps, genious ?

Back to Japan, the welcoming party is not so warm. Sport journalists is already like hungry hyenas, preying on the recent failure of Japan's figure skater in Canada. Even to the school, reporters are still chasing Tazusa. Tazusa handled it professionally and continued with her usual training program, at least...

She had bad habits, one of it is: after failing, she won't be able to sleep for a whole week by the stress. Her sister Youko (@Saito Chiwa, Becky XD) wake her up and prepared breakfast, then they had breakfast with the coach.

At school, when the principal is giving speech, she heard another voice. It's trying to communicate with her, but Tazusa's reaction is not that friendly, which in the end, caused trouble for herself anyway.

Later, in the toilet, the voice introduced himself as Pete Pumps, 16 years old Canadian, ghost and amazingly, speaks Japanese better than he speaks English.

Because it's disturbing, Tazusa tried all she can to drive Pete out of her head. He can't do that by himself, and Tazusa is determined for any means neccessary. She tried performing exorcism (which failed because Pete is Canadian ghost), or with black magic (which also failed because he's ghost, not demon), kokkurisan (what's that, he didn't understand).

Taking the fact that Pete can feel all she feel, she tried other more masochistic methods. Banging her head to the wall. She's still out of it when Youko and the coach came. She called Pete as parasite Canadian (unfortunately, the coach is also a Canadian, who live in Tazusa's place and is hurt very much by her words ^^; ). The coach thought she's going crazy because of the stress.

But that won't stops her. Canadian person, how well they can tolerate the hot japanese bath ? Not so well, and same with Tazusa. Afterward is where things went worse for the host. Pete is not only staying in her mind and feel what she feel, he can also see what she sees, including her naked body after bath.

That's it, for the final way she can think of. The drink after bath is... a bottle of tabasco sauce.

Thanks to all the fuss though, she can sleep well that night.

100 more days until Pete can go to heaven, so until then, Tazusa will have that ghost in her head.

Great story, and all those comedies. Seems like later half, the drama will be more intense though, but I think for me, this is the jewel among dusts for this season. Great characters also, especially that hysterical protagonist, Tazusa. Also, the theme song, 「Dual」sounds like nostalgic to older times. Don't know why, it reminds me to titles like Kaleidostar and Youkoso Yoko. Maybe the "dream" theme.

How will it ends ? Maybe halfway, after all, the novel is still running. But 100 days, spanning more than five books ? sounds unlikely though ^^;

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To Heart eps 02

Posted by reim at 10:55 PM on October 11, 2005 .

In another school, a woman is leaving, followed by her junior (all calling oneesama, wonders why :D)

Scene move to the the house of Taka's friend, Kousaka Yuuji. He take Taka to his house, and good for Taka, because it rained soon after. The woman from before is also in the house. She sounded a bell and Yuuji runs out of the room. He also told Taka not to go home, because it will trouble him as well.

After Yuuji leave, politely she came in with drink for Taka, and used very formal language also. Taka felt like meeting her before, but can't remember.

The lady is Tamaki (@Itou Shizuka), daughter of the house. She's been studying and finished her three last years of study faster. Now, she returned and perhaps, going to start looking for a good husband to be successor of the Kousaka house.

Off with the elegant woman, now to her true nature ^^;

To Taka and Yuuji, Tamaki -or as Taka and Konomi called her, Tama-nee- is the scariest person they know. Yuuji took the chance to return and warn Taka when his sister goes to cook. She know that though, she know all their way of thinking, and they didn't change it a bit in seven years.

Yuuji got her grip on the face, while Taka got hugged and snuggled like when he's ten.

Konomi arrived, and instead of helping Taka, she jumped on Tama-nee -who's on Taka- adding the weight. Unlike Taka and Yuuji, Konomi liked Tama-nee a lot and never realized the two is terrified.

Lunch is ready, and as punishment for calling her scary woman, Yuuji can't join them.

Second day, Tama-nee took Konomi, Taka and Yuuji for shopping. She even treats them. Because it's spring, everything must be new right ? She took Konomi to shop for underwear also.

April 4th, they're going to watch sakura. Yuuji left early, but one person less is not a problem (one less Yuuji). Takaaki is also out. They're running away from Tama with all their strength like she'll kill them when they're caught.

Like before, Taka and Yuuji still use the same pattern as seven years before. They runs to the temple and again got caught. Seven years ago, there, Tama made promise with Taka. She'll go far, but after graduation, she will return, even if it takes eight years.

Now, the new semester ceremony is finished. Tama also finished her transfer, to Taka's school.

タマ姉カッコイ XD

Loved the part where she runs down the hill to chase Yuuji and Taka. Overall, the second episode keep the slow pace like before, only better because there are more variation. Episode 1 focused too much on Konomi alone, so... too tense. Next one is Manaka though, different kind of charm of herself. :)

By the way, that pic, perhaps how she'll be in the future ? Not from To Heart, it's Aozaki Aoko, from Tsukihime. But they looks alike, although character wise, there are a lot differing details :)

And random thing, in Mizuki Nana's song Dear to Me, she sounds like Tamaki's seiyuu. ^^;

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October 14th, 2005

Shakugan no Shana eps 02

Posted by reim at 08:40 PM on October 14, 2005 .

ヒドすぎる!!! T__T

Saw that one coming actually, but still, it's told more in detail than in the manga. All those trying made it more painful.

Along this episode, there's two things for short. First is, the flame haze talking a lot about background references, about how Guze no Tomogara eats peoples and how the process goes. Then, along with it, Yukari burns out her existence and disappeared.

Been some time since last time cried. It's still a painful story T___T

Tomogara's table manner:

Create your cute Rinne.
Send them to human world and let them take as much as they like.
When they return, they'll give you the power of existence they take.
Enjoy the meal and share the energy with them, they deserve to have some ^^

Note: take care about meeting with Flame Hazes, might want to go down to help sometimes.

Back to our protagonist, Yuuji, who just heard that he's dead. The girl keeps emphasizing the way she know the world is. Humans are food for Tomogara, and after eaten, they become Torches. These torches will burns out, and then, it's the end.

In Yuuji's case, he's been eaten by Tomogara before the event he just had. But it's not so far, because his Torch is still burning bright. Not to worry though, because it will surely burns out, and that time, his existence will disappear.

She then explained again about Tomogara. Creature of Guze didn't actually eats the human itself, they devour what's called 存在の力, the power of existence. So... to show it better, the Flame Haze just asked Yuuji -who can see torches- to look at a small torch. It's in the body of a boy. He walks with pale aura arounds him, and to his friends, he's not even there. And finally, when the small torch dies, the kid is gone, but nobody feels that they lost him.

For snack, the Flame Haze bought melon pan, very sweet snack that's like her best joy in life. How she keeps such a small figure with her liking of high callory food, let's not think the number of torches she used, or maybe the hair burns out callories also (errhh... want that too ^^; )

Move to last week's Rinne, and her master 「狩人」 Friagne, one of the kings. These two... freaky couple, especially with that kind way of speech from Marianne (@Koyama Kimiko) ^^;
He told her not to mention that name, Flame Haze, again. For now, they should enjoy the time now and not worry too much.

The next day, Yuuji thinks about the world. Her mother is not a torch, so he shouldn't be worried. Then, how about him ? The real Sakai Yuuji is gone, and he's just a Torch that's what remains of Sakai Yuuji, to keep the balance of the world so it won't collapse. When he burns out, he need not to worry at all actually, because his parents won't be having a son from the beginning, they won't feel worry, or missed him.

When going to school, he met the Flame Haze again. She and her boss decided, rather than look in the city to find Tomogara, just stick with Yuuji. After all, that one Torch is special thing. He's a Mistess, Torch made by Tomogara with special power put in it, compare it with treasure chest. When the Torch burns out, it will jumps to another Torch randomly. Tomogara will try to get that treasure, so, let them come.

Now the painful half starts. Hirai Yukari, Yuuji's classmate is eaten much by the Rinne, so now there's only little that remains of her. She lost all her cheerfulness and become silent, not talking to anyone and not being noticed by anyone. Even when they're late to class, the teacher never realized Yukari is with Yuuji until he mentioned about her. In the class, nobody is looking at her, she's like not being there with them. Soon, they will all forget about her and she disappeared.

He tried his best to return her. Because Yukari loved Ike, she still reacted a bit when hearing him. He then use it as much as he can, keeps her in the world. Only that time, she can be like when she's alive even a bit.

Just once he talked with the Flame Haze, Yukari went out because Ike didn't notice she's there. She went to the river bank where Yuuji then founds her. She goes there because she liked that place. Even so, she didn't make it even to sunset, her torch burns out.

Yuuji didn't accept the fact about how torches ends. He remembered her, he remembered Hirai Yukari, and that she loved Ike. He told the Flame Haze to said "just", like "just a Torch", or "just a Flame Haze". He asked her for name. She had none, but when other Flame Haze need to assign her, they calle her 贄殿遮那のフレイムヘイズ. Nietono Shana is the name of her sword. From that day on, Yuuji called her Shana, no more just a Flame Haze, and he's no more just a Torch, but Sakai Yuuji.

早すぎ!!! ^^;

Next episode, came another Flame Haze in town. Marjorie Doe, oneesan chara with different master from Shana. In the novel, should be in book 3, and I actually thought she'll came at least in episode 6 or 7, not... 3. So what's next ? Hecate in episode 5 ? Not that I'll object on that one, curious about her character :P

Talking about eating existence, there is another manga, titled Hyakumantsubu Namida. It's published by Kodansha and told about demons that's much like Tomogara. The demons devour human soul to survive, and in effect, the human is erased, as in never exist. Very much the same concept, although it focused more on feeling of loneliness in eternity rather than value of a person as Yuuji tried to convince Shana about.

More unserious thought, I wonder, how long could Momose Kurumi (from PaniPoni Dash) survive after being eaten by Tomogara. After all, she's 地味 and had her existence going from existing to non-existant continuously.

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October 15th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha sound stage

Posted by reim at 09:20 PM on October 15, 2005 .

Torrent link.

Well, just a short entry. Someone reposted a torrent batch of the three sound stage drama CD for Lyrical Nanoha (first season).

It's... I like to see it as tradition, from the original game series, Triangle Hearts, ivory had a series of radio show, running -if I'm not mistaken- for four years, until after the second OVA (Sweet Songs Forever). So, for Lyrical Nanoha they made the same.

First one, if I remember correctly, it between episode 3 and 4 of the TV series of Lyrical Nanoha. It tells about Nanoha and... not really that interesting. But the next two is more interesting.

The second one is episode 5.5. The focus is Fate's childhood, before she became full-fledged sorcerer. The story also told about Linis, Preshia's familiar (a mountain cat) that acts as Fate's teacher. She also taught Fate about how to create change a dying wolf baby into her familiar, so it won't die, and that's how Alf is born. Then, the story where she had taught everything she know, then gave Bardische that she build to Fate.

Bit sad, but also sweet story in this one, especially Linis' last words to Preshia before disappearing. She's jealous, because she's not Fate's mother. But she's also thankful, because if she's Fate's mother, then they will never have those memories, never meet Alf, and have that short joyful times together.

Third one is after the last episode, kind of epilogue, telling about how Nanoha and Fate continued their long-distance love, and how Lindy is the first to suggest that DVD mail.
The closing scene is Fate's birthday present from Nanoha, firework using Starlight Breaker. Juno and Nanoha forgot to make barrier, so they soon runs away in panic. ^^;

Story is... average, second best in the series, I still like the second one better. But, the third CD had three songs. One by Nanoha (笑顔になあれ), one by Juno (君の空に) and one by Fate (skyblue gradation). All three are pretty also, especially skyblue gradation.

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October 16th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 03

Posted by reim at 08:37 PM on October 16, 2005 .

やっぱロリ百合 XD

After the event, Nanoha is taken to the administration bureau's headquarter for treatment. Other than feeling dizzy, Nanoha is fine and her linker core is also regenerating fast. Linker core is the sorcerers' source of power, and something that the Dark Texts take to complete itself. Because Nanoha's not completely taken, her's are fine and she can still use her magic later when she had completely recover herself.

Other than Nanoha and the case, there's another issue coming for Fate. After Preshia told about how she hate Fate and then disappeared, Lindy has been thinking about adopting Fate as her daughter. Nanoha's first reaction when she heard about it from Eimi is exactly like Fate, "So that mean Chrono will be oniichan ?" Did they really had problem with that ? ^^;

About her feeling, Fate still loved her mother and don't want to leave that past just like that, running away to a new family. So about it, she still has swaying feeling, and not sure about how she should act with Chrono *praying hard Nanoha x Fate will go on to the end like in Kannazuki no Miko*

Bardische and Raging Heart is still recovering itself. They had their damaged parts replaced and regenerating. Juno and Chrono then explained about their opponent's sorcery style. It's called Berka style. Long time ago, they branched out from the Mid style (perhaps, ancestor of Midchilda style) and they have powerful attacking power. But their specialty is what's called catridge system. Using that, Berka style magic user -who call themselves as Knights- can have explosive magic power for moment.

After that, Chrono takes Nanoha and Fate to someone, Chrono's mentor. Gil Gleam is a great person in the bureau, and he's an Englishman. Yes, she's from the same world as Nanoha. Peoples from their world can't use magic, but like Nanoha, he and some peoples has really huge power. Fifty years ago, he helped an injured officer from the bureau, and his life changed ever since. Now, he's a very respected man.

In Hayate's house, their life also goes on like usual. Signum, who likes bath, didn't join the others to hide the bruise on her abs because of Fate's attack. It breaks through her armour. Nevertheless, she still wins.

In other place. Because Asura is having it's maintenance, with several other ships, the crew can't use it for this mission. Lindy didn't want to stop though. She arranged operation with part of the crew. Because they can't use the transporter also, Lindy arranged a temporary base, in a mansion near Nanoha's place. Fate also moved in there as her home. Eimi, she's starting by installing all the needed systems, building a hi-tech battle command centre in a civilian residential building (illegal as it sounds to be).

Since they has moved in, Arisa and Suzuka came and meet Fate. Lindy also invites them in for some tea, but Nanoha quickly invites everyone to go to her house. Lindy wants to meet Nanoha's parents too, so she go and forget about serving milk green tea with sugar and ruined Fate's reputation by having a weird mother ^^;

As further arrangement, Fate will also transfer in to Nanoha's school. She seems embarrased, or maybe so happy she can't speak (kawaii)

That night, Worken Ritter continued their hunt. With Nanoha's power, and their half year of effort, they're already halfway to complete. When the last page is filled, then the knights can rest and they can continue their peaceful life with Hayate.

From the headquarter, Eimi had message from the officer in charge of inspecting Bardische and Raging Heart's repairing. All regeneration and replacement has been done, but both keeps giving out error codes. Both need more component, and they requested parts as designated in file CVK-792, the Catridge system used by Berka knights.

Explanation and break episode. Raging Heart and Bardische will become stronger, so... instead of being upgraded, they asked to be equipped so they can be as powerful as their enemy. I guess, both are even more 負けず嫌い than their masters. The new keyword will be, Drive Ignition (sounds like car). And, in the preview also, the device had slightly different shape. Nanoha's Raging Heart looks more like Chrono's S2U.

Shoujo-ai dose is fine. Some fan service also of Shamar and Hayate (smaller than expected, but she's ten, so can't expect much nice body ^^; )

I didn't pay much attention to Chrono and Juno's historical explanation, but is the Berka knights got destroyed by Midchilda sorcerers ? And that became reason for the survivors to complete that book ? After they meet with Hayate, seems like what binds them with the mission is honour to complete their duty, but what starts them to involve with Lostlogia artifact ?

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October 18th, 2005

Ginban Kaleidoscope eps 02

Posted by reim at 11:58 PM on October 18, 2005 .

There's the real opening now, 「Dual」 by YeLLOW Generation. Yes, the one used for ending in the first episode. The animation is nice, and I particularly like the skating costume Tazusa's friend made for her. There's two, first is the blue one that looks like yukata. Too bad that the front part is too opened, if not, the impression is like 雪女, only with light blue colour, so... more like ice for the impression.

Second one is the sakura themed costume. Both really takes Japanese symbol isn't it ?

And Tazusa smiled, a lot ^^ Her smile is... almost the same kind of feel like Gabriella's, but more... more childish feel in it, not the bad one, but the happy, pure and cheerful than Gabriella's kindness impression.

Ending theme is 「energy」, sung by Inoue Marina, seiyuu of Tazusa's school friend (forgot her name). Deep voice, unlike when she talked in the previous episode. Not much animation, only picture of spinning kaleidoscope. But, it's really one of the best theme song this season in my opinion. *thinking* Sounds like Mizuki Nana ? Or maybe older singer, can't remember for now ^^;

God: Pete Pumps, Pete Pumps...

Pete: this is... God's voice ?

God: you listened well Pete. You've been called by God, and now standing in Heaven's entrance.

God: but... there's a lot of circumstances here too you know.

Pete: circumstances ?

God: sorry, but could you come back here 100 days later ?

Pete: e ? 100 days later ? that means...

*a hole open under his feet and he falls straight down back to Montreal, to Tazusa's head*

And so, that's Pete's version of how things got started.

Life goes on in the mortal's world. Three days has gone since Tazusa first known Pete, who's now happily living in her body although with that occassional masochistic treatment from his host's body. Tazusa's side is worse. She feel like she lost her privacy because that 間抜変態カナダ人幽霊 can see and feel what she see and feel.

Thanks to that, Tazusa's life is all messed. If she talked to him in the street, people thought she's insane. She had to wear blindfold when changing clothes. Can't concentrate during practice. Can't go to bath. And worse of all... it's already three days she dare not embarrase herself by going to the toilet. Pete warned her well, if she's holding herself too far, it will be poison for her own body.

Yes, she didn't want Pete to feel her feeling that relief.

During breakfast, Tazusa is thinking. All this time, the only way to hurt Pete is by hurting herself. Isn't there any way to just hurt Pete without hurting herself ?

Answer came quick. Pete didn't like tomato. He didn't admit it, but all is clear for Tazusa. She found a new weapon for her war against that parasite. Consume a lot of tomato and Pete will suffer, really suffers. For others, like her sister and coach, she's having too much stress before Olympic games.

That day, she also has to attend press conference. Director Mishino (that sarcastic woman) gave her a message. Get through the press conference with her usual mask.

In Japan, before the winter Olympic, there's a boom of winter sports, and it's food for the mass media. In figure skate, there are two main candidate to go for the olympic, that is Sakurano Tazusa, and the other one is Shitou Kyouko. Rather than Tazusa, Kyouko is more expected as Japan's representative. She's number one in Japan and could be said, she's the face of Japan's figure skate.

Then, in March, there's an important audition to choose who will go to the Olympic. That time, of course both skater also participate. Supposed that Shitou Kyouko will go, but she's injured, so in the end, Tazusa is the one selected. That, also got preyed by the mass media. After the event and what happened in Montreal, media took Tazusa as scapegoat.

Angry Tazusa also said to the media, "I'll teach you more about figure.". A brave statement confronting the media and the news grows even more when she failed in Canada.

During the press conference, while holding back the need to go to toilet, Tazusa answered it with cool head. After all, she knew all in their head, they all keep asking the same thing, trying to make her do a mistake in answering about her opinion on the recent World Grand Prix in Canada.

When the issue goes to involve Shitou Kyouko, Nitta Kazuya speaks his opinion. Unlike the other reporters, he does his homework well, pointing out weakest points of Tazusa's mistake during the triple roots. He also pointed that all her moves are comparable, it's like she's trying to compete against Shitou.

Because it's gone that way, Tazusa said what they want to hear. She aims to be the world's top skater, to go to the olympic. That controversial statement sends the press in joy. They starts preparing to publish what Tazusa had just said.

The night, Nitta called Tazusa again. He asked to meet her tomorrow, in place that's not so noisy.

There, he arranged a meeting between Tazusa and Shitou Kyouko. He left them both together, so they can talk about each others. For scoop, he didn't need that, he just want to see how they can change Japan's figure skate world by bringing each others power to the fullest.

His effort is not that fruitful though. Tazusa just goes on torturing Pete with tomato salad, and Shitou only sits there not talking. Feeling that they're wasting time, Shitou walks away.

Shitou symphatized of her incident with the media, but out of that, she's an athlete, whoever the opponent is, she will try to be number one. Tazusa want to talk back, but she ate too much tomatoes these last two days, now she reached the limit where she can no more hold back all those she had tried so hard not to let out of her body.

16 years old Sakurano Tazusa, her pride and dignity all goes down with the flush of toilet.

Karma ! *laughs and rolling on the floor* That's a great finale for this episode. Finally how she tortured Pete backfired to herself. But... four days, the effort alone is still awesome.

I hate mass media. The author pictured it well how they can be soooo hateable. They're like hungry hyenas, waiting for the smallest slips and then starts beating out their prey with publications, like quicksand swallowing it's prey. Damn, hate that play.

By the way, didn't like that summary a lot. Bad selection of screencaps, bad wordings, and sounds really repetitive. Maybe the bad mood for today. *sigh* Need to compose a revised version.

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October 21st, 2005

Shakugan no Shana eps03

Posted by reim at 05:28 PM on October 21, 2005 .

After Yuuji gave her name, Shana seems to have mixed up emotion. Seems like she does feel happy because someone care about her -even if it's an outburst from such event- but also try to stay on her principle of being just a Flame Haze. Really, Yuuji is a weird Torch, different from all the earlier torches who know about the reality, that they will burns out and ends without nobody remembering them.

What's in a Mistess ? She's also thinking about it. Is it because he's a mistess, or because of the treasure kept in it that Yuuji is so peculiar ? Alastool told her that there's no relationship between a torch's personality and Mistess. Torch's personality is something from before they died, and Mistess is just a usual Torch that has treasure in it (nothing more).

Alastool didn't seem interested in knowing what's in the Mistess. But the problem is the other Tomogara, because they will surely starts hunting for Yuuji.

Next day at school, Yuuji is surprised. Ike remembered about Yukari, and said she's in her seat. Not really the real Hirai Yukari though. Shana used bit of the flame from Yukari's Torch, and stand in place of Hirai Yukari that everyone knows. Easier to protect him that way. By replacing the existence, Shana could easily have everyone remember her as Hirai Yukari.

Yuuji is mad, because she easily pushed into someone else's existence and replace them without any feeling. She called her 最低, because she can't understand otehr's feeling. But for yelling at her, everyone is instead looking bad on him.

Replacing Hirai Yukari means, Shana took place of the real Hirai Yukari in everyone else's memory. So she didn't create a fake history. Problem is their personality. Shana is definitely far more ツンツン than Hirai Yukari. She throw the teachers from class one after another by pointing out their mistake.

Everyone is shocked by that personality. They felt like Hirai Yukari is not like that. She earned a reputation as problematic student among the teachers because of her attitude.

Yuuji is the same. his yelling on Shana earlier made him quite famous in gossips also. In the afternoon break, after having lunch, Yuuji stayed alone in class, looking to the other students outside, thinking how it might feel like when a Torch almost burns out. In the end, nobody will remember him, and nobody will feel they lost him. Thinking like that, rather than the Torch, it's more painful for others who remembered.

In other place, Marianne, the Rinne of Tomogara that stayed in that city wants to take the Mistess. As a precaution because there's Flame Haze there, he gave her help, a card. After class, she strikes, spreading the Fuuzetsu over school. This time, it's not for food gathering. Shana explained, it doesn't matter if it's school or any place. Just because Yuuji is there.

She finished the cards quick, and protected Yuuji. But the class and everyone else is something to be dealt with later. Everyone in the class is dead; not actually dead yet, but they will be when the Fuuzetsu is opened.

Marianne's master came to save her in time. This is the first time Yuuji met a Tomogara, and that person is dangerous. He introduced himself, 「狩人」Friagne. Alastool called him Flame Haze killer, not a call Friagne like. He prefer to see the title as, he's hunting the treasure box. Also, Friagne recognize the pendant's voice as 「天壌の劫火」Alastool.

It's their first meeting, but Friagne know about the fame. Same with Alastool, he know that Friagne had killed many flame Haze.

For Shana, he recognized Nietono Shana Flame Haze. She's beautiful, but unable to calls out flame by herself. Shana only use power of the sword to call forth flame. And for Alastool, to have such a weak person as his contractor, even his power as a demon god in Guze is useless.

Friagne doesn't want to kill Shana yet, and besides, if they fight and killed that Mistess in the process, nobody won that way, so he'll wait.

With the enemy's withdrawal, now it's dealing with the mess. Shana want to use Ike's power. A person who's dead, but not because he's consumed, the power of existence is enough to fix the damage. And if left a bit as Torch afterward, there's no problem. Others are no problem also, besides, if the Fuuzetsu is opened, they're already dead inside.

Shana want to try Yuuji. She said they could use his torch, that would be enough, but he will disappear sooner. Actually she want to test him, if he will be like the others and sacrifice others instead of himself. But he choose so. If his little remaining existence can be used to save his friends, he felt like at least, there's something left from him in this world. By doing that, he feels like he can left his memories in everyone else.

The night, Yuuji have a talk with Shana on his house's roof. He gave Shana coffee, something she never tried and never want to try again (bitter taste).

By that time, Yuuji's torch is almost out. Then suddenly, the flame returns back, even stronger than the first time he can saw his own Torch. The treasure inside that Mistess is something really powerful (comparable to treasure that can make vampires a daywalker ?).

Disturbance came along to their city. Other Tomogara (probably on King level) and another flame haze, 「弔詞の詠み手」Marjorie Doe, and her master, 「蹂躙の爪牙」Malcosias, not really a bishounen and dangerous King like Friagne, or one that really live up the impression of his title like Alastool, he sounds like unfunny comedian, laughing and got his vessel (a big book) punched regularly by his own Flame Haze.

Seeing the power of Yuuji's mistess, easily the question is either: who created the treasure that powerful ? Could be soul of a king or even stronger in it. And second, how could the previous mistess burns out ? With that recharging ability, the only way the torch could burns out is either being killed again, or he used his power before the treasure could lit up the flame again.

Difference from the manga, the whole class is shown dead, and Shana want to use Ike's existence. While in the manga, Shana want to use Kazumi's existence instead and he protected Kazumi, telling her to live on. Like that one better, it shows bit of the love triangle between the three of them :D

And of course, the coffee scene. Too less of expression in the anime :P

Anyway, next week, Marjorie-anego vs Shana fight ? Nabacchi's role as Marjorie sound really like her debut role, Arcueid Brunestud in Shingetsutan Tsukihime, another J.C.Staff production (and same music composer IINM).

[add]
Actually... quite surprised that what's inside Yuuji's Mistess is... an engagement ring made by a King for his queen. So... it's some kind of proof for eternal flame of love ? ^^;

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October 23rd, 2005

To Heart2 eps 03

Posted by reim at 12:03 PM on October 23, 2005 .

Third episode, like before, felt another athmosphere. Hard to choose which is better between this and the second one for me. And, might sounds clear, Manaka really reacts to Taka calling her name instead of Iinchou like Yuuji and the others.

Well... a really heartwarming episode, glad to pick this one to watch this season ^^

*still having that bad impression by Shuffle's turn of events into very serious*

Finally, Taka and the others had their promised Hanami together at the side of street near their house. While having their small party, two girls pass by. Yuma, the gir with short blue hair, told her friend about how she always tried too much and don't want to say no. Perhaps, she should try to enjoy herself more.

The girl is Komaki Manaka, class mate of Taka in the first year. She recognized them as from the same school, Yuuji and Taka is the same year as she is. But she still not recognized Taka by then, only that they seems to be so happy.

Next day at the semester opening ceremony, Manaka acts as guide to tell the guests information about place and time of the events. Tiring job, but she tried her best in doing it. Yuuji and Taka came asking about how she's doing and if she'd like some help.

For Manaka, the title is not something she actually want, but can't refuse.

In the next homeroom session, Manaka collects enquete from the students regarding events they want to be held by the library. Of course, joking request are straighforwardly rejected.

In Taka's place, the girl sitting next to him, Lucy, took his sheet and write on it, Taka has no suggestion perhaps. But she write it with hieroglyph, so afterward, Taka writes that he want an old comic sale every month.

After filling the enquette, everyone walks forward and give Manaka the paper, seemingly teasing her as 委員長. Manaka is troubled with so many peoples giving her the paper faster than she can handle it.

Yuuji and Taka helped her to take the books to library. They met a librarian student on the way, but she just give everything to Manaka instead of helping. Then, in the library, Taka noticed the barcodes on the table. Books in library are going to be tagged with barcodes, so it'll be easier to make records of it. But the person to do all that is Manaka. Yes, up til now, her character is clear enough isn't it. The person too kind and everyone else is making use of it. -_-

Taka offered help, but Yuuji can't join them. He had to go with her demonic sister to shopping.

When putting back books on the shelf, Manaka jumped in surprise upon seeing Taka's face from the other side of the shelf, and aftraid to touch him. He can easily know she's not so comfortable with with male. He's the same, he didn't feel easy with girls (Konomi is an exception).

Because they know about their weakness, Manaka told him, she'll show her 大事な所, important place, or the connotation... アソコ ^^;

Nothing sexual afterward. The place is a small corner in library, with sink, table and two chair. It's Manaka's small kitchen where she had tea with her friend.

Taka then told about himself. He's not so troubled because he's only speaking with Manaka. But he's usually can't speak well with girls the same age as he is. Perhaps because he stayed too long with a friend that's already like her younger sister (Konomi) and someone like an elder sister (Tamaki).

For Manaka, it's because the boys in her class in elementary school always told her to do the cleaning job, and she do all of the cleaning alone.

That evening, a librarian told Manaka about their objection. Setting the barcodes are their job, and they don't like an outsider to do it. And besides, Manaka as an outsider had key to the library. So next week, they requested her to quit and return that key.

Yuma doesn't like the request. But she feel bad that she can't help Manaka also. Then, when Manaka said Taka is helping her, Yume is angered. She had bad experience in the first day of the new school semester because of Takaaki (actually her own fault). Maybe going to be told later ^^;

Yuma told her to enjoy herself more. Taka also said so. In front of the meeting, Manaka told her opinion clearly. She loved books, and she's glad to help in the library. Besides, because she's been doing it for some time, she knew about the collections more than the others. Manaka took back the key and had support from the rest of the librarian members.

During their tea time that day, Taka invited Manaka to his club's astronomical observation. He's in the mistery club.

manaka noticed, Taka always call her Komaki-san instead of Iinchou. Because Komaki-san is Komaki-san, he said.

Un, her charm is different from the others. Or actually, all the girls had their own charm in a way.

Konomi : 最萌え. Although, really an imouto chara, picturing her as Taka's girlfriend looked weird.
Tama-nee : oneechan chara. And quoting an H-doujin, something felt not right. Not that they're bad couple, but their relationship felt awkward if they goes to a couple.
Manaka : kind and affectionate girl. Great to be more than friends, but not as far as girlfriend.
Yuma : straightforward, good friend, but... not as a girl ^^;
Lucy : too... eccentric.
Himeyuri : yuri (sore ijyou shiran).

But that's just the first impression before more chara development is introduced. After all, I only read the manga and watch the anime, not play the game.

For those who also liked the ending song, the single will be released next month.

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October 24th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 04

Posted by reim at 09:09 PM on October 24, 2005 .

Everybody's morning. Hayate woke up and found Vita next to her, sleeping tightly hugging her bunny doll. And, even at sleep, she's not cute ^^;

Hayate woke up early, everyone else is still asleep, tired after another tour of duty that night. Signum and Zapphira is asleep in the living room, while Shamar in her own room. Not wanting to bother them, Hayate prepared breakfast and hot milk for them. Signum woke up first, hearing the chopping sound from kitchen. Shamar also woke up not long after, running in hurry to the kitchen.

Nanoha continued her morning training with Juno, or rather, rehabilitation program. She tried to recover strength of her linker core. Fate also trained herself.

Then, the school, new student welcoming.Fate moved in to the same class as Nanoha, Suzuka and Arisa. And during the break, everyone gathered around her, asking questions like how's the place she used to stay in, and how is her previous school. Fate seems terrified though, having so many peoples asking her endlessly. Finally Arisa came and calm them down. After that, Fate can answer them one by one, like about her previous school. She told them that she had never been to public school before, but she had someone that acts as private tutor for her.

In the temporary operation centre (a.k.a Ashura crew's mansion) Eimi almost finished the installation. Chrono also got news from admiral Leti; they can lend a group of armed staff from the bureau. Admiral Gream helped in that convincing the others to let Lindy do her operation. She also mentioned that both of Gream's familiars (pair of nekomimi twins) really want to meet Chrono. He doesn't seem happy with the idea though.

In the living room, Eimi is continuing the research. She discussed about the book with Chrono. Worken ritter made another attack, in a distant world, defeating about ten sorcerer and three beasts. Those beasts also has high magic power, and the Dark Texts didn't pick it's meal, as long as it's a linker core, where ever that came from, human or not, doesn't matter.

The pack of orange juice Eimi took from the fridge does distracted the boy for a while, but Eimi put it further before Chrono innocently took it as his. She's been with him for long time isn't it ? And they looks really like siblings compared to Chrono and Lindy.

The explanation of Dark Texts. There are 666 pages in the Dark Text, when it completes, then it's real power will be unleashed. Destroying it is not an option, because the book will reappear in another world. So their only chance is to defeat it's guardians and then confine the book so it can't complete itself and can't be used by anyone.

For Nanoha and Fate, they think of their opponent. Nanoha is defeated soon after she meet them, so she doesn't really know about her assaulter. But Fate think they're not evil. Now if just they can ask them why they want to complete the book. But those knights doesn't seem like the type that are for a talk.

The reason could very much, Hayate's condition. Hayate's condition is not so well, from the talk between Ishida-sensei and Signum in the hospital. Her treatment could become more painful than what she already endured.

To complete the book as soon as possible, Vita continued the hunt without rest. She's also a knight, she said; and she won't stop just with that much of work.

Nanoha's recovered, and reparation for their Intelligent Device is finished also. Eimi planned to explain them the new system installed, but alarm rang. A team from the bureau had surrounded Vita and Zapphira.

Chrono is also there, he attacked them, but doesn't made any big damage.

Then, Nanoha and Fate arrived. They activate the devices and felt different from the usual. It's the new system, and Eimi asked them to give new name. From Nanoha, ~~Raging Heart Excellion~~ Raising Heart Excellion; and from Fate, Bardische Assault (am I the only one that think it's very Gundam Seed naming convention style ? -_-; )

New system doesn't change much of the device's appearance. the most visible change is, a clip (seems like assault rifle's bullet clip) on Raging Heart, and a revolver of bullets for Bardische.

Newest imagination now, why do I get the image of Fate, in the next meeting, gone お。姉。さ。ま with Signum ? ^^; Must read too much of that Touhou doujin with Sakuya and Youmu ^^;

Strangely in this episode, Chrono seems exhausted with only one attack. True it's a powerful one, but power alone, he's usually stronger than Nanoha and Fate. From battle experience and technique he's also superior against both. So to put all in an attack seems unnatural for his character.

For the new system, who will fill the clip ? Comparing the roles, Juno might be the one who fill the catridges, he seems best at magic power control. Or... maybe Lindy ?

Okay, for the episode, with exception of the bit of action in the end, it showed more of the knights' life. Kind of that "maybe they're not that bad guy" type of story. But seeing the closeness of the knights and Hayate in their more casual life does gave a happy feeling even from just watching ^-^

Another thought: Eimi / Chrono, seems like cute couple *remembering the cute ribbon bandage in season 1*

Next week's episode is a two part. So now, if the cliffhanger is worse than what's offered in these last four episodes, then I'll skip a week and just put both to one.

[Edit]
From reference in comments from Matthew's entry to Tsuzuki Masaki's (or Maki ?) Lyrical Nanoha site, seems like the spelling is Raising Heart. Thanks to kazami.

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Hayate x Blade

Posted by reim at 09:35 PM on October 24, 2005 .

Hasn't done manga entry for a while, so... got some time to have distraction out of assignment. The pick is Hayate x Blade (Hayate Cross Blade) by Hayashiya Shizuru, who had made yuri doujin since she's 18 (CMIIW ^^;) and also do the manga drawing for Onegai＊Teacher. Another of her works that's still running is Strawberry Shake Sweet, slapstick shoujo-ai romance comedy running in the three monthly Yuri Hime magazine by Ichijinsha (also publish Loveless).

This one runs in Dengeki Daioh Magazine, and so far, there's three volume of the tankoubon.

For summary:

Kurogane Hayate is an energic, バカ, young, バカ and all with her own way small postured girl. From today, she's attending Tenchi Gakuen, an elite all girl school, in place of her twin, Kurogane Nagi who has weak body (perhaps, not as much baka power as Hayate).

This attempt is worrying though, because as prooven, she sucks at impersonizing even her own twin.

The school is, other than the size, is normal at a glance. Hayate just founds out what's special of it when she need money to help a playgroup near her house that's caught in debt. Her roommate in the dorm, Kibi Momoka, told her about the 剣持つ生徒, sword bearing students.

Devised by the owner -who also took the role as school director / principal / president of student body, or in other word, a dictator with absolute power- Amachi Hitsugi, sword bearing students are system where part of the students bring swords. It's not sharp blade, but more like bokken or wooden sword. This is used in the 星狩, or star hunting.

Sword bearing students can get out of class during the hunting hours and seems they can rely all their academic success to the fight. Of course, prize in credits is also given to the victor.

This is an organized game. The aim is to strikes the star emblem placed on their uniform to win. All participating students -who's ranked from C, B, A to S- goes in team of two, 天の星 and 地の星. The heaven is the offensive, they goes in to attack the opponent. But at the same time, they're the target. This is where the Earth came as defence. They protect their partner from the opponent's attack. But another handicap is given, because there are 影星, shadow star hidden in the body of the Earth, which is also a target.

Hayate picked the strongest single she can find, Mudou Ayana. Ayana is a veteran, seemingly undefeatable and has short fuse when she's close to either Hayate, or her roommate Kuga Jun. Ayana refused to take partner and join the fight, but her level is definitely above the C-ranked Hayate.

With her decisiveness (or simply persistence) Hayate managed to take Ayana as her 地の星. Then her school life starts.

Characters:

Kurogane Hayate (天) & Mudou Ayana (地)　

The main pair. Hayate excels in speed and her undefeatable personality that can put everyone except those more insane (such as Hitsugi) to the edge of insanity.

Ayana, she's a type that's serious and unapproachable. Ayana used to have a partner named Yukari, but because of an incident, they splitted and Yukari look for another partner. Ayana herself choose to stay out of the game, until Hayate came. Lately, Ayana goes mad easier, and her ex even said to her...

"Ayana, lately you seems to become more stupid than before. I'm worried."

Kibi Momoka (地) & Inugami Isuzu (天)

Momoka, or called Moka-chan by Hayate is Hayate's roommate in the dorm. Momoka had a crush on her senpai, and she's so mad to see Rion-senpai's partner, Ouka, always torture Rion. Well, she fight against the senior to receive double defeat. First, she's defeated in the fight, and second, Rion actually enjoyed getting ツッコミ from Ouka until she had nosebleed, broken nose, etc (マソ-ボケ).

Isuzu in other hand, had a crush on Momoka, but Momoka is too afraid of her. Originally, Isuzu -who has paranormal talent- has long hair like ghost, and really scary as if just seeing is a death curse. But after Momoka changed her hairstyle, she's actually really cute. From that time, to get over her broken heart, Momoka paired with Isuzu, calling her Wanko (puppy) when she's cute, and Boke-Inu (stupid dog) when she's in scary mode.

Kuga Jun (地) & Shizuma Yuuho (天)

Jun is Ayana's roommate. She's a ninja, although not seems like it at all. Great joker, and even better in making Ayana mad. Sukebe type. But she loved her childhood friend and half-sister, Yuuho very much. And that's her only weakness also. Being ninja, she obey Yuuho, and often got hit with sword. After Yuuho goes home to talk with her family, Jun become the first fighter with two swords (and two swords user, 両刀 is a connotation in Japanese for gay or lesbian (which is what she is ^^;)

Yuuho, is from a samurai family. But she had weak body, so her family doesn't approve her to go to Tenchi Gakuen, let alone joining the star hunt. But she's a stubborn girl, she doesn't want to just sit, but she want to fight and feel the best times she had. Nickname from Hayate, Sigma UFO. By the way, her style of fighting, that combines sword technique with Aikidou looks like the style Nagi used, according to Hayate.

Also, this pair won the last readers' popularity contest.

Amachi Hitsugi (?) & Minamoto Shizuku (?)

Strongest pair ? Perhaps. Hitsugi hasn't fought for long time because she enjoyed more on voyeuring the fights through hidden cams throughout the school. But by others, including rank-S' strongest fighter, she's still the most difficult opponent.

Shizuku is her partner, friend and assistant. She sound the bell that signed starting of the game (by punching it) and goes around trying to cope with the principal's eccentric hobby.

Mikado Akira (?) & Inori Sae (?)

The top pair in S rank. Akira is always seeing Hitsugi as her rival, making the aim of defeating that woman as her top priority. Lately, she's been training Hayate (not at her will actually, just the chibi is too persistent). Her character is like a brighter person of Shizuku I think, or Ayana without that more psycho parts.

Sae... she's more feminine compared to the tomboy Akira. But inside, she's the type like Jun or Hitsugi, enjoys teasing her partner :D

All chapter brings the word バカ, so expect stupidity, a lot of it. And to tell the truth, it's the best part other than comedic shoujo-ai stories thrown everywhere. I truly respect Hayashiya-sensei's skill in making stupid scenes. Other that probably goes close that I know (in funniness and style) is Kobayashi Jin in the earlier chapters of School Rumble.

Might missed something in the review also. Feel free to correct :)

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October 25th, 2005

Ginban Kaleidoscope eps 03

Posted by reim at 09:53 PM on October 25, 2005 .

Some slight changes in the opening, minor, four scenes.

Two things are now pressuring Tazusa, or actually three. First is her school's test. Second is the coming NHK competition where she had announced that she will compete against Shitou Kyouko. Third, that Canadian ghost in her body.

With her monologues, director Mishima suggested Tazusa to change her carreer into a comedian rather than figure skater.
That's one of the infamous cynism from the Iyami Sandai of course, but as usual, the coach seems to took it seriously.

But, Tazusa does asked that question that might bugs some of us for the last three weeks. Why do Pete speaks Japanese so fluently ? Pete told her that his parents job made them stayed for long time in Japan, and thus, Pete also goes to Japanese school. Chance ! So for the test, Tazusa leave it all to Pete. She will just read the textbooks, let Pete do the studying. With him, English would be easy, and combined, they can get the top grade in test. The final result, Tazusa got the highest score in English and even third in the subject she's weak in.

After seeing the result, Mika starts to think, could it be that Tazusa's talking to herself is a new way to memorize.

She can get over the test with Pete's help, but for NHK Cup, it's all up to Tazusa herself. She can't let herself make a miss or failure anymore. Tazusa tried to do image training until before the competition, but her image always disappear in the flip, the move she failed before, and before and before that. Pete's theory, perhaps DHA deficiency is responsible of her trouble in imagining. How about taking nutrition supplements ? And by the way, tomatoes are rich in vitamin C ^^

Adding pressure to her, director Mishima handed out the order of appearance. Worse possible outcome for Tazusa, her short program came right after Shitou Kyouko. When she thought she lost one trouble, came another, and again, she's with triple trouble.

Before sleep that night, they talked about the competition. Tazusa is having great pressure, she didn't even have the mood to torture Pete anymore. Seeing Tazusa's stress, he does feel bad for unable to help like in the test. But Tazusa won't accept it. Pete is just a parasite, and so far, she had gained what she have now with her own strength, not with anyone else's help. So for tomorrow also, she will show what she can.

Next morning, Tazusa came to the competition and welcomed by those sports journalists again. They asked her how she's doing, can she sleep last night ? She can't sleep well, but that's also something usual for her (love this answer XD) She's prepared. Since the morning, she already harrassed Pete by eating lots of Tomato.

Even with all the preparation, Tazusa failed, she fall down on the flip.

Before leaving, Pete gave her support. There are three troubles, but now all has passed, so things will surely be fine from now on.

Errh... since Pete brings up the topic there are quite some difficult phrases, such as those about threefold troubles. I'm not going to force myself on that one for now -_-

But liked this episode very much, also the feel of the ending song closed it well. It's a change from the comedy to more drama. Also, Pete and Tazusa's relationship seems to grow better after she's not harassing him over and over again.

And the order of appearance, Ogura Yuko ? and weird name, Ayachan Mamimami ? ^^; Is that some kind of joke by the animator ?

By the way, about Tazusa saying rent in Japan is the most expensive, not really that far from reality it seems. Like... what you pay when starting your stay, and what you pay during your stay.

Also... it took me that long to realize why Tazusa's design felt really different from the original art at the novel's cover. Other than how the face is drawn (although Ria's face in second volume's cover looks like in anime), Tazusa's hair is a lot longer than in the anime, longer than Kyouko in the anime.

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October 28th, 2005

Shakugan no Shana eps 04

Posted by reim at 10:56 PM on October 28, 2005 .

Continuing last week, Shana talked about Yuuji's mistess. With that ability, most likely the treasure in that Mistess is the engagement ring, 「零時迷子」. Because of it, Alastor couldn't afford to have it taken by Friagne or any other Tomogara.

Now, another Flame Haze had come to town.

Alastor explained, he's one of the Kings from Guze, so yes, he's the same as those Tomogara that eats human existence. But they don't actually have to eat existence, it is those existence itself -that doesn't exist in Guze- who tempted them to human world, and to survive, and use their power, 自在術, they need existence.

To counter it, some of them made pact with humans, and that's Flame Haze. There are a lot of Flame Haze, but they're not comrades, because every Flame Haze had their own master and their own reason to fight. As for Marjorie, she seems like a damn stressed woman who likes to drink alchohol and only reason to live is to slay all Tomogara she could find.

When Flame Haze met, it's not rare that the encounter ends in fight between Flame Haze. Too bad, Yuuji thought, because if they can cooperate, won't it be easier ?

And why does Friagne came to human world ? He's searching to get as much as existence power as possible, so he can let Marianne live by herself. This far, Marianne can only exist because of power given by her master, so he want her to be able to walk by herself, which the doll really feel it's more than she deserve.

Back at Shana, she's coming in Yuuji's room. Because her clothes are drenched, she took off her clothes. Yuuji waits in the wardrobe. Strangely, she didn't put away Alastor (she did in the manga). Yuuji falls out of the closet and saw Shana in only her panties. Angry, she punched him and runs back to the rooftop.

Alastor keep asking her, why would she become so troubled, that's just a Torch.

Next morning, Yuuji woke up and found Shana sleeping in only her underwear, next to him. Last night, Alastor suggested her to get in the room because it's cold, and she goes into the bed. Shana is angry, but forced herself to calm down when Alastor asked, Why ? that's just a Torch.

At school, the P.E. class, and the teacher took his chance to punish "Hirai Yukari" who has been too cocky. Others become victim also, for running constantly. Kazumi falls down and the teacher tried to cover his fault by blaming them.

Shana kicked him from behind, then asked what's the meaning of that running. Of course he can't say it's to embarrase her.

When Shana is about to punch him, Yuuji yelled, kick him. She does, and Yuuji arranged the next, saying that that teacher suddenly entered the track and got run over by Hirai-san. Everyone in the class agreed, even Satou seems not looking down on him anymore. For Kazumi, her love grows ^^

Too bad, no scene of twin tail Shana like in the manga afterward ^^

Shana is irritated by her reaction to Yuuji. When Marjorie made a sign, she just head there to fight, anything just so she won't have to think.

When meeting them, Alastor suggested, don't fight. 「蹂躙の爪牙」Malcosias and 「弔詞の詠み手」Marjorie Doe, both are not an easy opponent, and worse, they like to fight. Even if they're chasing different Tomogara, Marjorie asked Shana to leave the town.

The Tomogara they're chasing are 「屍拾い」is a special one, and actually not that dangerous. No different for Marjorie, Tomogara means kill, none is special. Fight ensues, and Shana is defeated. Like Friagne said before, 「炎髪灼眼」is supposed to be a lot stronger than that.

Summarizing from Wikipedia Japan's article (it's based on novel, so quite a lot of spoilers and things that probably won't appear in the anime), Reiji Maigo, the treasure in Yuuji is made to save a dying Tomogara, so inside is a Tomogara sealed. The name of the Tomogara sealed in it, the true name, is 「永遠の恋人」.

Also, from some info on 「屍拾い」, seems like in the next two episodes, we'll finally had more character development on Yuuji.

Even with those teasing, Alastor seems to be the one worried the most about Shana's emotional condition isn't he ? But perhaps I'm just influenced by the drama CD, where he took as Shana's father when calling Yuuji's mother. Really, his contant asking Shana why she's so troubled by Yuuji sounds like he wants to remind her that she's also someone who had feeling, not just like what she killed her existence with, by being just a killing machine.

End note, now I think I should fix the romaji of Alastor's name from subjective reading of the katakana. Sorry for the mistake all this time -_-

The author done quite a comprehensive research on demons' name actually.

Friagne is "Tuesday angel serving in the 5th Heaven and involked from the east. ".
Alastor is demon of vengeance.
Merihim the Rainbow Wings (another king that has a past of love rivalry with Alastor over the Enpatsu Shakugan Flame Haze before Shana) is the demon prince of famine.

Someone in AnimeSuki forum mentioned it also, about Friagne, and perhaps there are others also, but didn't visit that forum, so might repeated something unimportant up there.

[add]
Now after hearing more about Shana's past, came a really bad idea...
Could Shana actually be daughter of Alastor and Matilda -the previous Enpatsu Shakugan that sounds like she's far better for the title that Shana- ?

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Rozen Maiden traumend eps 02

Posted by reim at 10:57 PM on October 28, 2005 .

The title of the second episode, unlike usually, it's not a pair of Japanese and German. Enju is name of a tree, and also name of a character that might took larger role later. By the way, Enju is written with the kanji 木 (tree) and 鬼 (demon), another tree, Sakaki (as in Azumanga Daioh's Sakaki-san's name) is written with 木 (tree) and 神 (god).

The raw file quality I gor for this episode is not so good, hence, the colour is not so clear in the screencaps also. Sorry -_-

Barasuishou can catch Hollie with bare hand. And Shinku who still can't get over her guilt over Suigintou has no will to fight. Things won't get worse than Barasuishou's show of pity to Shinku, she'll destroy Shinku quick.

No fun. Perhaps that's in Laplace Demon's mind also. He opened a hole, throwing Shinku and Jun back to the world outside, safe from danger.

Shinku then explained about the seventh doll. Rozen Maiden series consisted of seven dolls. But among all, one all the sisters never met, and that's the last doll. Even when the other six woke up in the same age, that seventh doll is special, none ever met her. Now that she first appear, Shinku think it could be a sign from their father, quickly finish the Alice Game and let Alice born.

Morning, Hina had a new toy, an elephant shaped watering jug. Suiseiseki (yes, she came again) is not so happy seeing that thing (bringing bad memories perhaps).

Shinku didn't wake up that day. Suiseiseki founds a way to use that to bully Hina. She told Hina, Shinku might be mad because of Hina's fault, and now she's locking herself. The Shinku in the briefcase is like a time bomb, and if she came out...

When they came in to the room and find out why Shinku is mad, Suiseiseki founds that Hina's stuff is crossing the borderline. Both of them shared a rack in Jun's shelf, but Shinku clearly make a line, limiting the space for her, and for her servant Hinaichigo (roughly, 70-30 or 80-20). The strap of Hina's bag is crossing the line.

Shinku woke up and asked for tea as usual. She didn't want to let the others know about the seventh, because, how would they react to that ? Everyone is worried. Jun told Shinku, if she want to keep the seventh as a secret, then do it better, because she's just making everyone worried.

Becaused of that talk, they got into argument with each others. Shinku locked herself in her briefcase all day, worrying Hina even more. Souseiseki, who had seen the situation from other side decided to find the reason. She forcefully opened Shinku's briefcase with her scissor then asked. Shinku has been acting strange lately, and made her master troubled.

If it's a problem between Shinku and Jun, then Souseiseki could just be quiet and both of them. But if it's about Alice Game, then Shinku shouldn't hide it, because that's the trouble for all of the dolls.

Tomoe took Jun to a place, a new doll store to talk with the ~~owner, Enju-san~~ shop assistant. She saw Jun reading Rozen Maiden books that day, and the day before, so she thought it'll be good to take him there to have a talk about dolls.

The shop assistant told Jun not to be ashamed to like doll just because he's a boy. He also told story about a buyer who loved doll very much. But even if he loved them very much, dolls never returned anything. Enju-san had another thought, Dolls aren't not returning the love, they just can't, even if they want to.

So Jun bought home orgel for Shinku to cheer her up. And for everyone else also.
By then, Shinku is already feeling better after telling the others, because they said it's fine, if they're together, they will be fine.

蒼星石カッコイイ XD

From otouto chara into oneechan chara... or oniichan chara is more fitting. Finally she took more of the spotlight than just staying as a more depressed chara or just took some of the light from her sister's more flashy appearance. Un, she's acting mature and showed that observant and caring personality ^^

Anyway, I'm happy this week, my favourite doll got more time. Although, really want to cry to see how Hina still manage to smile happily and innocently even with that treatment Shinku gave her (yes, the shelf zoning problem).

And by the way, this episode, the twins' red and green eyes seems different in size, the red one is larger. Would that has something behind ?

Forgot to mention it last week, the field that Bara Suishou made in Suigintou's city is actually like scene from an old movie : Godzilla vs Space Godzilla :D

So... now since Bara Suishou is the last doll, then how about this arrangement ?

Kanaria.

Hinaichigo.

Suiseiseki.

Souseiseki.

Shinku.

Suigintou.

Barasuishou.

Suigintou.
Kanaria.
Suiseiseki.
Souseiseki.
Shinku.
Hinaichigo.
Barasuishou.

Imagine the gradual change of the characters' personality in that order. Rozen must be in the edge of his sanity when constructing the last numbers ^^;

[edit]
Mistakenly thought the shop assistant is Enju-san...

[2005 10 31 18:54] Got perhaps the official number of the series.

Here's the official numbering, according to Laplace Demon in the newest chapter from Comic Birz magazine. [ Scan ]

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October 30th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 05

Posted by reim at 09:26 PM on October 30, 2005 .

Hayate and Shamar went shopping for dinner, while Vita and Zapphira goes hunting. Hayate said, lately everyone goes out more often than before. But she's fine, because before, she's alone, so she don't have problem if they don't stay at home as much as usually.

Shamar ensured her, now everyone is a bit more busy than before, but they will surely get over it and everyone can live together like before.

After shopping, Hayate planned to go to Suzuka's place, and after that, she and Shamar and the rest of the knights will go home and have dinner together.

Back to the battlefield, Nanoha asked Vita, why she want to complete the book. Vita's refuse to answer and give a proverb from Berka. It means roughly, people doesn't bring weapon just to have a talk. Cute, and several funny dialogues between Nanoha and Vita, if it's just in peace, she seems like she can playfully fights each other (and perhaps more with Arisa).

Signum came in to help. Fate seems really eager to have continuation of that fight. Fate goes against Signum, Nanoha against Vita, and Alf, she had her own talk with Zapphira. Chrono and Juno don't help, they starts looking for the other knight and if they can, the master. Catridge load, and fight ensues.

Nanoha made a one sided deal with Vita. If she won, then Vita had to explain the reason. Try if she can, but this time is not so easy on Vita. Her attack can't breaks through Nanoha's barrier like before.

Then, Nanoha tried her new device's attack. She can launch more attacks at once, sending it around Vita while asking for explanation. Vita refused and launched her own attack, but Nanoha can pull back some of her shots and destroy Vita's, while still maintaining control to the rest of it (she's Atlasia-style alchemist ?). In the other hand, under constant bombarding, Vita can't hold her own protection in that condition.

Fate, she had confidence as before, and this time a more balanced power against Signum. "It's all right, victory is mine." that kind of confidence. A barrage of Funnel and new Schyte form. Her opponent gave the name of that whip form, Schneider.

Alf fought Zapphira, asking who's familiar he is. Zapphira told Alf, in Berka, animal of that's used for battle is not called a 使い魔, they're the fang and shield for their master, or called 戦闘獣.

Situation gone worse, and Shamar don't have enough power to break through, not without weapon like Signum or Vita. So there's no choice but to use power from the Dark Texts. But if she use it, then they will lost some pages.

A mysterious person (called 変態仮面 by Moon Phase, like that nickname :P ) kicked Chrono, who's pointing his weapon behind Shamar, then told Shamar not to worry and use the book. Lost pages can be filled again, but lost comrades are not replacable. Without hesitation, Shamar opened the book and launched powerful magic lightning attack, breaking through the barrier.

With the lost this time, the knights draws back. At least, Vita and Nanoha exchanged name, although Vita can't pronounce Na-no-ha　（メチャカワイイ~ !!! XD)

Shamar can't pick Hayate from Suzuka's place and keeps apologizing in the phone. Tonight, a cold night for the knights, and dinner without Hayate. Time is also running out.

Eimi explained the new catridge system. It's not easy to handle, and because they're not battle use device, the system is dangerous. But they insisted, probably because they also regret their inability to protect their master.

Nanoha's Raising Heart has three mode, Acceleration, Buster and full drive Excellion mode. Bardische also has three mode, Assault, Harken and full drive, Thunderbomb (?). Full Drive is better not used, and especially for Nanoha, until Raising Heart's frame got reinforced, she should never use the Excellion.

At the base, Chrono explainer about the Dark Texts and the knights in answer to Alf's question. She asked, if the Dark texts is same like Jewel Seed, it's not unlikely that they're trying for their master -someone who want great power- on their own.
First, unlike the Jewel Seed, Dark Texts are not controllable freely. Even when it's completed, it's true power won't be usable as in Jewel Seed, at least not in any record. So, the motive of it's master might not be because they want great power.

Secondly, Worken ritter is not human, or familiar. They're just program made by the book to protect and take all the order from their master. Free will are not supposed to be something that they have.

Second battle with defeat on the knights ? Don't like that masked guy really. Next episode though will probably tells what happened six month before and how their past is. And, starting to worry about how mad Hayate actually is behind her smiling face.

To tell the truth, Nanoha's calmness is kind of scary also ^^; She just goes like "Ah hontou da" when her barrier didn't breaks when holding Vita's attack. Good there's no overreaction, but still...

Animal of War instead of familiar, at least the Berka knights gave more dignity on the name. But, their culture is different from Midchilda anyway. Seeing from Nanoha and Fate, they're either pure sorcerer or battle mage, sorcerer that mastered close combat. But the knights, they're magic knights, who used magic to strengthen their ability. So... sorcerer seems to be better with the concept of familiar, from the creation and nature of the beast, while the knights focus more on how the beasts helped them.

Then, Eimy's explanation seems to foreshadow the worst case I've been having since episode 3. Bardische and Raising Heart is not weapon that originally use catridge system, and that system will most likely gave huge stress. And the worst case, they will be beyond repair after giving out the last attack. -_-

By the way, as expected, there will be Sound Stage for A's also. The news is in the new Megami Magazine.

*forced laugh* I really can't write a good closing comments isn't it, just random thoughts scattered like that ^^;
There's also idea about the knights, but let's wait for episode 6 before that.

By the way, getting more of the oneesama vibe between Fate and Signum, although not in yuri, or sisterly love. The relationship between the two groups felt just different from the previous one. If Fate and Nanoha is like two youngs trying to understand each others, from friends into something more; their relationship with the knights seems more like rivalry underlying. Signum and Fate is seeing each others as great fighter and they enjoyed the fight in a way. Vita is also the same perhaps after this episode.

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October 31st, 2005

Rozen Maiden phase 32

Posted by reim at 10:38 PM on October 31, 2005 .

Phase 32 could probably seen as compliment to episode 2, and maybe 4 of traumend, which showed the though of the dolls upon arrival of the seventh. But one thing I'm quite sure now is, Suiseiseki shouldn't be put too much with her sister. In the anime, Souseiseki is alive, and showed in episode 2 that she can have great character.
In the manga though, after losing her sister, Suiseiseki looks a lot more adult like than in the anime. She can show her softer sides towards Jun, like when she explored everyone's dream (actually she's just bored in the middle of the night).

Kanaria is coming to play more often with Hinaichigo now, and like having someone her age, Hina is very happy.

Shinku told Suiseiseki about what she saw in Jun's sea of memory. White hair, white dress, left eyes that has no shine in it, and from the empty cavity of her right eyer, grow a pure white rose.Could it possibly be, the seventh.

Shinku remembered again Hinaichigo's greeting that time, all seven Rozen Maiden has awakened, Alice Game will begin.

Tomoe came to play with Hina again. She mentioned about meeting a girl with golden hair, just like Hina, and she looked like a doll. Not much is explained until later.

In Suigintou's place, Megu is sleeping because of drug. Her condition is not good and Suigintou is worrying about her. They hasn't made a pact yet, but a strong bond had formed between both, even without the ring. She can feel power flowing to her, and if they made the pact, Suigintou can get all that power. but if she does, Megu would die. Even if Megu keeps asking for it, Suigintou didn't want to.
And she didn't see, that from the mirror in that room is opened to the n-field, where Barasuishou has been watching.

In Jun's place, Shinku send Hollie to the n-field, looking for information about the seventh. Hina then came and told Shinku how happy she is now. She was a crybaby, but now she's happy because everyone gets along. But that's not good isn't it ? Because that way, Alice Game won't finish.
Shinku cheered her up. Hinaichigo shouldn't worry about Alice Game, because now she's Shinku's servant, kicked out of the Alice Game, so she shouldn't worry. Shinku will end the game.

Rozen Maiden, it's seven dolls that are the masterpiece made by puppet maker, Rozen. First doll, Suigintou. Second doll, Kanaria. Third doll, Suiseiseki. Fourth doll, Souseiseki. Fifth doll, Shinku. Sixth doll, Hinaichigo. And finally, the seventh doll...

Shinku awakened from her dream to find the Laplace Demon. She asked him, about the seventh doll, but he cuts in, looking to the seventh rose.

Seventh flower in Shinku's dream bloomed, but nobody is in there. So is there actually the seventh doll ? Laplace Demon asked back, shouldn't they, the sisters know better about the seventh rose maiden ? But of course, nobody among them ever seen the seventh, so they never really know.

Laplace Demon asked Shinku, is she sure about that ? One thing for sure, the seventh rose maiden is real.

Back to the real world, Tomoe came again, now with the girl she said before. When seeing her, Hina froze, remembering the person, the master when she stayed in France, who locked Hinaichigo alone in her case.

Several things are shocking, such as the coming of Hina's master. Is she real ? Because the time when Hina last awakened itself is not that clear. Could be several years ago, or could be from the previous century.

Then, unlike in the anime, Barasuishou is not that cold, she's empty and really felt insane, smiling like a psycho even more than Gin-chan. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the name hasn't been revealed, she keeps asking who she is, and if she can get out. Why she's locked in the n-field, and how her character become like that, perhaps would bring more key on the secret behind Alice Game.

In the mean time, who did Laplace Demon mentioned by having met the seventh sister ? Is he referring to Shinku, or maybe the other doll ?
Personally, I think it's Hinaichigo who had felt more pain than the others, and she's the sixth, probably she had met with Barasuishou before. Now with her old master coming, would next month told more about why she's locked up in her case ?

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ことのはの巫女と

Posted by reim at 10:45 PM on October 31, 2005 .

Translated, Konohana no Miko to Kotodama no Majou to.

Although I usually remember it wrongly as Konohana no Miko to Kotodama no Majou to. Well, Konohana sounds fitting for her now -_-

Originally, the story begins as 鳥篭の巫女と気紛れの魔女と in Yuri Shimai magazine vol 4 and soon become my favourite there. Well, it's made by one of my favourite author currently, Fujieda Miyabi (藤枝雅) from MoonPhase (not the news site site or Hatena blog). Her other works includes Iono-sama Fanatics (running in three monthly Dengeki Teioh), Alice Quartett Obbligato (running in three monthly コンプエース magazine) and Twinkle Saber Nova (don't know what magazine but it's from DNA Comics).

When Yuri Shimai magazine stops, it moves with the other unfinished series into the new magazine, Yuri Hime, and changed title as it is now, but the short is still the same, MikoMajyo ^^

Story summary

It all starts with a witch from the west that visited Japan. She saw a hidden shrine with very powerful kekkai encircling it. Curious, she breaks in and planned to go out after taking a tour without anyone noticing. But that's not what happened. Inside, she's greeted by the miko there, Tsumugi.

Tsumugi has been kept like a bird in cage ever since she's a child, never seen the outside world. But she accepted her fate, because that's how she served the god and helped Japan. Tsumugi had 言霊, she's imprisoning herself inside.

Lety, the witch saw through and want to let the miko had her freedom. She breaks the kotodama -by kissing Tsumugi- and then breaks the kekkai surrounding the shrine. Both then runaway, and Lety will protects Tsumugi from her pursuer, after all, she's also trapped by Tsumugi's words that they will be together always.

To connect their feeling, Lety also made a magical thread, connecting their fingers. Tsumugi liked red, so Lety made it red. Of course, as a western witch, she didn't understand much of that oriental beliefs, and panicked when Tsumugi said, destined lovers are connected with red string, just like they are now ^^

Why I liked this title, clearly enough, the sweetness of love between the two. Tsumugi's innocence and how Lety turns panic on how to react to Tsumugi's innocent comments. Besides, so far from seeing the story she wrote, everyone always seems to be so happy, without troubles, so I'm quite optimistic that there won't be some of those author trying to force the readers to cry or those typical "someone depressed because of his dark and troubled past" or other emotional things that has become like the epitome of "intelligent anime/manga" stories.

Also, another thing that's fun to notice is how she likes to put cameo in the manga she wrote, especially two. First is a boutique called AliceQuartett, a western styled tailor runs by four girls. It's Fujieda's first work she sell in Toranoana shop IINM, and has six drama CD albums at least now, with famous names such as Momoi Haruko, Saiga Mitsuki and Kawasumi Ayako.

Second is from Ameiro Kouchakan Kandan (not sure of the reading), a cafe that also showed up in her other work. This one is short story with illustration I think.

Well, the manga will probably be released next year after Yuri Shimai 3 in January.

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Entries for October, 2005

October 3rd, 2005

Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 01

October 4th, 2005

To Heart2

October 9th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 02

October 11th, 2005

Ginban Kaleidoscope eps 01

To Heart eps 02

October 14th, 2005

Shakugan no Shana eps 02

October 15th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha sound stage

October 16th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 03

October 18th, 2005

Ginban Kaleidoscope eps 02

October 21st, 2005

Shakugan no Shana eps03

October 23rd, 2005

To Heart2 eps 03

October 24th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 04

Hayate x Blade

October 25th, 2005

Ginban Kaleidoscope eps 03

October 28th, 2005

Shakugan no Shana eps 04

Rozen Maiden traumend eps 02

October 30th, 2005

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha A's eps 05

October 31st, 2005

Rozen Maiden phase 32

ことのはの巫女と

Story summary