Afterschool Charisma: Recent Ikki Issue and Volume 4!

Wonderful news fellow Afterschool Charisma fans! This series made it once again in IKKI magazine's cover (I think it's the second time this year. The previous one was last January.). Moreover, its fourth volume is going to be released this July 30th!

The IKKI August issue's cover features Marie Curie and Elizabeth looking sexy in their school swimsuits~

If I understood correctly, there are 26 chapters of this series so far (naturally, this issue has the latest). The four volumes cover a total of 24 chapters.

The fourth volume, which will be released in a few days, features Florence Nightingale on its cover:

And in commemoration for this volume's release, it looks like there'll be an event held in Sannomiya Bookstore. It will be held this coming July 19 and.... there's some booking which started last June 25? Anyway, it seems that Suekano Kumiko-sensei will be there... and there'll be a book signing.

It also seems that the mangaka will also be in an event in Taipei, Taiwan. There'll be autograph signing and other promotional activities.

So whoever is in Japan or Taiwan right now and can go to the event.... you lucky fans =_=

To everyone who can buy the new books, go grab your copy now! It looks like Amazon already has the latest issue of IKKI and the fourth volume available for ordering. Lucky are those who can get these goodies soon....

Sources:
~ IKKI official site
~ Natalie comic news

Durarara!! - Episode 24 [END]

I'm supposed to be sleeping but I couldn't sleep (I shouldn't have drank coffee! But it's a new herbal coffee that my momz introduced and she told me to give it a try. Guuuh). Anywayz, since I still couldn't sleep, I had watched the final episode of my top favorite series among the ones that debuted this year *_*

(They are so cute =3)
GREAT ENDING OF A GREAT SERIES! THANKS FOR EXISTING xD

[ OH MY GOD: EPIC BADASS AS USUAL ]

They were able to get away from him even though he said he wouldn't let them....
but this is the dude that just got shot yet is drawing huge sign posts like it's just a normal stick.
Shizuo.... the character that had been awesome since the moment he appeared until now. There should be more characters like him. Hahahahaha!

[ OH MY GOD: SHE'S SO HOT ]

HOLY CRAP! CELTY! DON'T MAKE ME DOUBT MY SEXUALITY DAMNIT
She's not going tsun tsun mode on Shinra this time. On the contrary, she openly says that she's seducing him.
The pervert's finally get to have the moment he has been waiting for (So she's only in the mood for this when things are peaceful? xD Haha!)..... Shinra's face.... I can't stop laughing.... what more if the camera angle had focused on his face instead. Hahahahahahahaha!

[ OH GOD THIS MADE ME CRY: ROMANTIC LOVE ]

Many don't approve of the Masaomi x Saki relationship mostly because she had made him go through such hardship and she favored the jerkass Izaya so much.
But now that she had finally overcome her illness/flaw, and did what she can to save Masaomi.... and she's actually successful..... it's now so obvious that she genuinely loves him. She didn't stay in the "sick girlfriend" status, she had developed and did something useful. She is no common shounen girlfriend.... and she totally deserve Masaomi's love. So why is still there Saki hate?
Oh.... don't tell me.... is it because it's a relationship with Masaomi that isn't BL??? ..... x_x.... *sigh*
Anyway, I really love this pairing. They had been very romantic in this episode. They finally got to say what they've wanted to say to each other for a long while. They could finally know that they were forgiven long ago. They don't care about each other's flaws. *sniff* I'm so happy that they're canon.

[ OH GOD THIS MADE ME CRY: BEST FRIENDS ]

Mikado: If only I told you what I was suffering and worrying over, this wouldn't have happened.
Masaomi: I felt you were drifting away from me. I got scared.
DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
*busy going teary everytime she replays that part*
Ah damnit best friend drama.... I couldn't get enough of this.... I couldn't.... aaaahhhh!!!!! *too delighted that she cried*

[ ANGST ISSUES RESOLVED ]

FINALLY! Their angst and misunderstandings end now that they've talked to each other and seen each other's other sides. And thanks to this, it looks like they can trust each other more (now that they understand each other better.... and not hiding secrets any longer). Friendships have its downfall and undesirable moments, but once you were able to overcome them, your bond tightens and deepens.
This series presented you a teen friendship that isn't immune to problems yet the angst didn't last for too many episodes nor did it make the people within that circle of friends lose faith to the others. The friends are being what they are, and are doing what they are for. They all had a role to play and they each had their faults. They did something stupid, apologized, and moved on. Thank you for introducing to us this group of friends, Narita-sensei.
But hhhmmm.... the part of Masaomi commenting on how great together Anri and Mikado are is so out of place though o_O

[ FIGHT 01: UNUSUAL FINAL GANG BATTLE ]

If this is typical shounen, the Yellow Scarves would've been pwned by the main characters present (Celty, Anri, Mikado, etc.). But surprise! Among the villains, there's actually an unexpected army that did most of the action instead. I'm happy that Kadota had taught of this. They had the chance to shine~
Too bad Erika and Walker had been forbidden to do anything because they stand out. Hahahahaha! If ever they had participated, the Yellow Scarves wouldn't just be beaten..... we will be hearing screams because of you know what Fufufufufufufuuf xD

[ FIGHT 02: ALL MINIONS TAKEN CARE OF ]

Masaomi had the glory of pwning the "acting main villain". He just confirmed that it's the dude that made his girl suffer..... he deserves that certain spotlight.
The one who continued in tormenting the fools is another badass dude: Shizuo.
But the final finishing of these idiots isn't done by the main characters, but the traffic cops! It seems to be the first time that Celty has been so happy to see them, haha!

[ FIGHT 03: BATTLE AGAINST THE "FINAL BOSS" ]

The one who started all this mess is actually Izaya though. I guess with this we can consider him the "main villain" of this season.
Anri took the role of trying to make him stop once and for all. However, the "final boss", like other final bosses, isn't that easy to defeat. She had been unsuccessful.

[ FIGHT 04: "FINAL BOSS" GETS SMACKED ]

But the game isn't over until the "final boss" is down. So Simon came to the scene to finish it. It was something that the mastermind didn't expect, so he was down!
Apparently, the "final boss", despite his genius mind and incredible skills, is a coward who doesn't want to dirty his own hands. But for a "villain", Izaya had been a very interesting character. Heck, there's more to tell about him in this episode.

[ THE EPILOGUE ]

Main issues resolved smoothly. Main characters get a chance to shine.
How could I not be pleased with this kind of ending ^^
So Masaomi and Saki are going to do what Seiji and Mika are already sort of doing. We say goodbye to Masaomi.... and that sucks... but at least he'll be hanging out in the chatroom from now on.
Some things don't change; many things did. And they were changes for the better. There had been this much development in just 20+ episodes.
It's sad to say goodbye to Durarara!!.... at least for now. There's going to be a DVD special episode. And the novels have enough material for a second season. With the huge fanbase, it won't be a surprise if a second season will be decided. I highly look forward to it *_*

[ EXTRA: MIKADO'S SONG ]

(image thanks to skutergirl)
He looks so hip and funky in the image.
His song's entitled Gakuen Tengoku. AND I LOVE IT!!! HE'S SO CUTE AND DORKY!!!!
"HEYHEYHEYHEYHEY! HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY! HEY! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" xD

OHMYGOD.... IZAYA'S I CAN'T WAIT xD

Durarara!! - Episode 24 [END] (Izaya Centric)

I haven't been doing character centric posts since the initial episodes (because of lack of time). But since this is the last episode and there's already a lot to tell about my favorite character alone. He is none other than the most gorgeous jerkass in this series: Izaya Orihara! Bwahahahahahaha xD

Izaya's screentimes in the last episode had been quite enough to make me enumerate some of the reasons on why we could love him, bias ones or not =P:

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: HE DOES GIRLY AND CHILDISH WALKING ]

It's seriously difficult to imagine this dude to have a lot of fangurls worshipping him (he has fans in the show itself, not only in RL) if he is even girlier than them does such gestures.

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: HE GOES KYAA ]

(If I remember correctly, HiroC is actually capable of voicing females O_O he's so good at that that you wouldn't be able to tell that the seiyuu's actually a dude)
He's totally doing a wonderful acting job on pretending to be female online. So perfect. You really couldn't imagine him being a guy, who is not really gay.
Crap, I could no longer count how many times I replayed the part of him sayign KYAA! xD Bwahahahahahhahaha

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: HE SAYS HE'S BEAUTIFUL ]

Even if you put aside the fact that he's pretending to be a female when he said that line, he likes being complimented and praised about his looks. Apparently he knows how gorgeous he is.

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: YOU CAN MAKE FUN OF HIM ]

You can laugh at him and tease him. Even insult him. He may act butthurt but he has no hard feelings on you. Many of the cast have done that already. In this episode, Namie and Masaomi did. I really loved it when Namie laughed at his face, haha! And how direct and cruel Masaomi had been to him.... I love it! =D

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: YOU CAN ABUSE HIM ]

You may actually hurt him physically as well. The ones who have displayed this possibility in the anime so far are Shizuo and Simon.
Even though I'm an Izaya fan, I enjoyed the moment when he got hit with a trash can back in episode 3. What more of the time he got punched in this episode? Haha! Thank you Simon for being so awesome!
Did he hit back? Did he think of revenge? From what I see, it's more like he thinks he deserved it.
And don't worry, he's not exactly a narcissist who'd be upset for hitting his beautiful face. He has tons of money for plastic surgery if he needs to anywayz. Haha!

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: YOU CAN BETRAY HIM ]

One of his devoted fangurls in the show betrayed him. It appears that he didn't expect it, and it also looks like he doesn't give a damn anymore about it either. He's just surprised, and just learned that he lost a pawn. That's all. No hard feelings.
The other traitor is even his right-hand woman.... and he actually expected it. Since he expected it and let it happen.... and didn't fire her for it.... it looks like he doesn't mind at all. Or maybe, he actually wanted someone to betray him. Perhaps in a way, he wants someone to stop him from the bad things he's plotting because he can't.
Ah well, it's not like he actually fully trusts anyone in the first place. I kinda doubt that someone who is untrutworthy is capable of trusting someone. But I think we can assume that he does trust people he shares secrets with.... provided that he's certain that sharing that piece of information to that particular person would be beneficial to him in some way.

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: YOU CAN'T UNDERESTIMATE HIS BRAIN ]

The fact that it turned out that the one who is doing some tasks for Izaya is one of Anri's children supposedly had given us the impression that Izaya was outsmarted. But no, it turns out that he actually expected it, and planned their meeting all along. How much he knows, how well he can tell a person's emotions, and how accurate he could be when it comes to his assumptions and predictions..... he's really incredible!
Not to mention he could understand and speak Russian! I doubt he's limited to two languages.

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: HE'S CAPABLE OF BATTLE ]

He's not only a genius but capable of fights and self-defense as well. He says so himself that there's a reason why he can go one-on-one against the strongest dude in town. He enjoys the thinking, analyzing, and manipulating stuff more.... yet he could go kickass if he wants to. Who cares if his blade is chibi!!! It's incredible enough that he could battle against various weapons and stuff (because what Shizuo uses aren't exactly weapons ^^;)

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: HE CAN MESS WITH THE SUPERNATURAL ]

Izaya may be incredible in so many ways, yet he's someone realistic. He doesn't exactly have a supernatural ability, yet he is capable of tormenting the likes of Celty and Anri.... and gets away with it safely. He's already extraordinary.... and being able to do such made him even more extraordinary!

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: HE DOESN'T WANT COMPETITION IN HUMAN LOVING ]

I find it amusing that he considers a blade as his rival in love. It's also funny that he wants to be the only one who loves humanity (except for his favorite).

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: HE HAS SHIZU-CHAN COMPLEX ]

Simon said so!!!! And Izaya DID NOT DENY xD Bwahahahahahahahahaha!
Perhaps Simon's right. He just doesn't want to lose to Shizuo, and his "hate" could've had some connection to it.
He could also be just jealous of Shizuo, and doesn't like the competition. There are so many things he could be jealous of Shizuo of.
I think Shizaya fans would consider it as his "twisted love for Shizuo" though, hahaha! "The more you hate the more you love" is still a very popular saying. Haha!
And hhhmmm, if one of the main reasons of him hating Shizuo is because the dude's too unpredictable for him.... then how come he doesn't feel the same for Simon? He has mentioned that Simon is one of those he couldn't tell.... I don't think the fact of Simon not having killing intentions against him has anything to do with it. It's so.... suspicious LOLz.

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: HE'S A PAHETIC ASS AND HE KNOWS IT ]

(aside from blank and pink, looks like he looks good on purple too. LOLz)
He's evil, and he knows it. He's a coward, and he knows it.
And he actually likes that quality of his????
It looks like this is a dude who embraces his bad sides and weaknesses.
He's unfortunately too despicable that others didn't bother to help and correct him, but just judge him instead. Apparently, it's not helping. He's still the way he is... or gettng worse.
I think he's asking for help.... he wants to improve.... but doesn't know how. For some reason, geniuses could suck in very simple things. There's something wrong with them mentally, and apparently Izaya's one of them.

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: HE NEEDS LOVE ]

(there's gotta be a meaning of why he landed up on such a sign xD)
I think Izaya's broken. I doubt a tragic past had caused that though, since he says himself that his parents are normal. Or maybe because they're too busy at work that they didn't have much time for him? He got used to playing alone... and playing his own games. He doesn't know how to make friends so he spent his time observing and studying people. Whether my assumptions of his past are close to what really happened to him or not, I think it's still safe to conclude that he's lonely.
He lacks attention.... so he wants everyone's attention. He wants to love everyone.... but he doesn't know how to do it, thus making him express that love in a strange way. He has this idea that loving is claiming.... so he thinks that humanity is his and he can do anything with them since he owns them. And it appears that he likes the idea of reciprocal love.... and for some reason he's idiotic enough to think that the cruel things he did would make people love him. He could've been blinded by his worshippers, for they had loved him behind his lies. He could have thought that doing bad things like that could make people love him.
Unfortunately, we don't know if a character who would be capable of helping and understanding him will ever debut in the series. He/she doesn't have to be a love interest (I'm already satisfied with Izaya x Namie, hehe), but it would be nice if Izaya would be able to redeem himself.

[ GOTTA LOVE HIM 'COZ: IN A WAY HE CARES ]

Anyway, though Izaya may be oh-so-evil, I don't think he's evil to the core. Izaya invited Masaomi to the chatroom. Whether he has personal reasons for it or not, it doesn't seem like Izaya could use Masaomi like before anymore. And besides, the ones who have benefitted on that the most are none other than Mikado and Anri. Especially Mikado! Just look how happy he had been upon confirming that he could still communicate with his best friend! No matter how I look at it, Izaya had done Mikado a huge favor. There's a possibility that he just did that to know Masaomi's whereabouts (he wants to know everything after all), but he could still have used other resources/methods. I say he's also concerned about Masaomi's wellbeing.... he's one of the few people that Izaya personally knows after all.

Izaya's supposedly one of the most despicable character in the series. Not only is he playing the villain role, but he has been cruel to others so much that he's already that worthy to die. If he's a person in the real world, life imprisonment is honestly not enough for a punishment for this type of person.
But he's a fictional character so let's see him as one. In my opinion, even if you put his good looks and skills aside, he's still awesome and lovable! He's no way your typical villain. Heck, do you often encounter villains that rarely gets angry (Heck, I don't remember him being seriously angry in any of the episodes)? And though he's playing the bad guy, he's not 100% bad. He may be terrific but he also has a lot of flaws.
*sniff* I'm crying from so much happiness. Thank you Narita-sensei for creating such an interesting and fantastic character! *worships*

I'll do the general episode impressions post and the overall anime review..... another time (or maybe later because I still couldn't sleep).... I'm too busy laughing at Izaya at the moment. Haha!

Hetalia World Series - Episode 13 (New Nation-tans, etc.)

Who says Hetalia is just about the bishies?

I won't understand you if you still say that after seeing this episode. HETALIA WOMEN ROCK! NATION-TAN OR HISTORICAL FIGURE!
My top favorite characters in one episode.... my goddess kicking ass.... focused on one mains strip with good animation.... no way am I not gonna love this episode. It's almost too awesome to be true xD

I'll start with one of my top favorite:

HOW DO YOUR EYEBROWS KEEP ON MULTIPLYING??!! Him and his evil smirk.... him bragging about how much he had kicked Francis' ass..... he's no different to a naughty little punk showing off to his quiet friend. Hehe.


It's war and they had time to have a peaceful picnic like that.....LOLz


Arthur gets a taste of Roderich's sandwich (OH HIS HAPPY FACES ARE SUCH TREASURABLE MOMENTS) and it had been so delicious for him that he figured that Roderich took the trouble of bringing a first class chef along even at such times.


That's just something ordinary to Roderich though. It made Arthur realize the difference on their quality of food xD Haha. Cheer up Arthur, you just don't know that Roderich is just elegant in anything he does.... so top class food is something ordinary to this young master. Hehe.
But then again.... even if it's not Roderich, Arthur's cooking is still worse... hahahaha!


Roderich lost on the first battle. The scene was so wonderfully drawn that someone not familiar to this series wouldn't have thought of this as a gag show *_*
And I really really like it when Gilbo is being villaneous xD


He's one of those types that loves to see others suffer (you sadist xD) and he even asked for a painter to have a remembrance of Roderich's face in that moment. If it were in modern times, he would have asked for a camera.
I remember a drawing/doodle of him even doing a peace sign pose (or something similar) while holding a beaten up Roderich. Oh this evil brat xD


However, Roderich isn't supposed to be alone in that battle.....


Unfortunately for him, his comrade ran away happily after defeating Francis. Arthur had been such a jerk that even Gilbo symphatized with Roderich ^^;
But damn.... instead of feeling sorry for Roderich or being pissed at Arthur for abandoning him.... those eyebrows, his laugh, and that GIGANTIC bow.... are so distracting xD Hahahahhahahaha!

So Roderich reports to his boss back home:

It's so awesome that she didn't scold him nor fell into despair. She actually prepared in case things don't go well.
If M.T. has been like a mother to Roderich, that makes Elizaveta her daughter-in-law (contrary to popular belief, there's a canon hetero pairing in Hetalia, and it's Roderich x Elizaveta)? xD Haha! It's cool when in-laws get along~


She brought thousands of her men to support Roderich. Things might've been better for him if he had just allied with her from the beginning instead of Arthur.
But then again..... hubby's don't like their wives becoming involved in somethign dangerous, right? xD


Oh his reactions upon seeing Elizaveta ready for battle~ He wants her to stay out of it.... of course he's concerned about her xD


But it appears that he shouldn't be worried about her.... but to the one she's so ready to kill instead xD


Her killer aura is already enough to make him bothered. His freaked out tone upon seeing her like that xD Hahahahaha!


SHE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO KICKED THEIR ASSES!!!!!
THAT'S MY GODDESS FOR YOU!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!!!!!


I love these types of couples.... where the women does most of the action xD Hehehehehehe.... stop the stereotypical pairings wherein only men play the role of winning fights and protecting his loved one. You don't have to be one to be an awesome and lovable guy.
Oh I love Roderich x Elizaveta =3

Ahahahahahahahaha, the reaction of the one who bullies Roderich:

It's so fun to watch him being intimidated xD He's so obviously chickened out but covers it by saying that that's enough invasion for him for the day. Hahahahahahha!
I love it that even after many years, Gilbo is still afraid of Elizaveta xD


He hopes for a good night sleep (your blanket's blue? I was hoping you have blankets like Arthur... tze flag~) especially that he sorta won since he got Silesia anyway.


But it appears that Elizaveta won't be satisfied until everything gets returned back to Roderich. For her Roderich. It's all for Roderich. You think Natasha's love is frightening? This is another Hetalia female who can be really frightening when it comes to love xD Haha, it appears that women like those in this series happen to be the most awesome and dangerous ones ;D Hahahahaha!


Gilbo's freaked out face.... I can't stop laughing.... Bwahahhahahahahahahahahahhahaha xD
This is my top favorite pairing in the series though (And I love the Gilbo x Elizaveta x Roderich love triangle). How Elizaveta terrorizes Gilbo are so.... epic xD
Gilbo may have been the villainous one in this episode.... but in the end it's the "pretty girl" who's the most frightening one xD Hahahahahhaha!

Oh what a wonderful episode, and the new scene in the ED made it even more wonderful:

HOORAY!!! IT'S REALLY THE ALLIES' TURN!!!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!
THEY ARE IN SERIOUS POSES!!!! I'M STILL NOT USED TO IT xD LOLz SO AWESOME!!!!


Alfred's got the close-up this time~ Arthur's most likely the next one (SQUEEE) followed by Francis, Ivan, lastly Yao. It's usually that order.

Some commercial:

It's advertising the release of one of the movie CD's. It featured the cute song sang by the main cast xD THEY'RE SO ADORABLE xD
(And to those who are asking of when the movie will be out online.... wait for the DVD's release first. ^^; I don't remember if there has been an announcement of when it is.... so just be patient for now.)

And some news! Two new nation-tans have been introduced:

It's the Principality of WY (beside her is Australia) and the a href="http://www.seborga.homeip.net/">Principality of Seborga (beside him is South Italy I think). Hooray for new characters =D And they're not even big countries xD
(I love the strip where WY was first featured. Poor Peter..... and daaaaaaaaw to worried Raivis)