Mawaru Penguindrum - Episode 4

No Survival Strategy ritual this episode? YESSSSS!!!!!!!

Not that I don't wanna see Boshi-sama. Frequent repetitions usually annoy me... thankfully this series has no plans in repeating that sequence in every freakin' episode.

(Kanba dear, it's not good to make your fangirls angry, haha)

This episode seems generally ridiculous (mostly thanks to Ringo's delusions) but some REALLY serious stuff also happened.... I'm intrigued *_*

Mawaru Penguindrum - Episode 3

I was considering to drop PenguinDrum from blogging in favor of Dantalian no Shoka but... I really can't shut up about my top favorite series this season, haha!

The "rocket ship" sequence was shown again.... that repetition is beginning to annoy me, but thankfully there are still variations on what happened afterwards and we didn't see the brothers shocked upon seeing Himari having The Hat on her head all of a sudden in this episode.

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice & Fire #1) - Epic Fantasy Filled with Politics, Bloodshed, and Pr0nz!

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1)

By George R. R. Martin

King Robert: The throne sucks. Ruling isn't for me.
Queen Cerseri: Indeed. (Can't wait for you to die, pig.)
King Robert: So I'll make my best friend do the troublesome job for me. Hey Ned!
Lord Eddard: What is it, Your Grace?
King Robert: Whether you like it or not, I'm making you the Hand of the King! No need to thank me! (w00t! More play time!)
Lord Eddard: I'm very honoured... (my ass. No thanks for making my life miserable)
Queen Cerseri: (My "People to Assassinate" List has become longer.)

SETTING: Fictional World. Medieval Times. ELEMENTS: Throne. War. Kingdom. Stag. Lion. Wolf. Dragon. Blood. Traitor. Forest. Wall. GENRE: Political. Fantasy. Historical. Drama. Action. WARNING: Sex. Rape. Incest. Prostitution. Violence. Gore.

RATING: B+ (IMPRESSIVE!) FAVORITISM: 3.5 Hearts ---> LOVE

I was told to read this because it has a lot of porn many say that this is one of the greatest epic fantasies ever written. Well, I agree that it has been very remarkable... but I don't find it that great.

Summer 2011 Anime Second Impressions

Finally managed to see the first episodes of the shows that I think could be worth watching, haha! (I ignored those which I'm pretty sure will just give me headaches.)

(scan by chan-chanz; Rurouni Kenshin! Nostalgia~)

My current impressions haven't been that different from my previous ones. But I'm happy that a number of the shows I've been anticipating have been better than I though =)

Here's the list of shows I'll be watching (sorted by priority, highest first). Looking forward to see the watching list of others~

Mawaru Penguindrum - Episode 2

Pfft! As if I'll miss this:

As if horsies can escape my radar, LOLz

I'm not sure how it got connected to lingerie though o_O Will look that up next time.

Flower - Hikikomori Mask Maker

Hana

By MATSUMOTO Taiyou

Mozu: We've done our best on the rain dance, but there's still no rain.
People: It's the mask's fault.
Kizu: But Tsubaki is still my heir.
People: You should let Yuri be your heir instead. Tsubaki's masks are just mere imitations of Yuri's.
Tsubaki: Brother, you should be the one to make masks, not me!
Yuri: ... but I don't want to leave the house... ever.

SETTING: Pre-historic(?). Indigenous Area. Japan(?) ELEMENTS: Mask. Dance. Craftsmanship. Forest. Spirit. Tribe. Rain. GENRE: Historical. Psychological. Fantasy. DEMOGRAPHIC: Seinen.

RATING: B- (PRETTY GOOD!) FAVORITISM: 2.5 Hearts ---> NEUTRAL

The title.... sounded so shoujo, haha!

Love Arrow - A Ballerina Tries Archery

Purikyuu

By MOTOMI Kyousuke

Anna: I've given my life to ballet as a kid... now I want to try out other things! I know I'll excel on them as well because I'm a genius!
Anna's Friend: Why don't you try the Archery Club then? *forces Anna inside*
Anna: Whut?! No way! I don't want to be in some old man's sport.
Jinnai: *hits Anna* Don't go inside with your shoes on!!!
Anna: ... Why you! *hits back* If tihs bastard's gonna be here, I'll join the club then. I'm certainly going to enjoy making his life miserable~
Jinnai: It's going to be the other way around, you know. *glare*

SETTING: Contemporary. Archery Club. Japan. ELEMENTS: Archery. Ballet. Rival. Hardwork. GENRE: Romance. Comedy. Drama. DEMOGRAPHIC: Shoujo.

RATING: C- (SO-SO!) FAVORITISM: 3 Hearts ---> LIKE

Yeah, it's typical shoujo.... but I don't mind if it's entertaining!

Our Happy Times - They're so Heartbreakingly Short... Yet Meaningful

Watashitachi no Shiawase na Jikan

By GONG Ji-young and SAHARA Mizu

Juri: My third suicide attempt is another failure, huh.
Juri's Mother: You should never have been born.
Juri: Haha, just looking at your face makes me want to die again, mother.
*****
Sister Monica: Juri...
Juri: Hello Auntie, it's been a while.
Sister Monica: There's a convict I'm about to visit who has attempted suicide just like you. Want to help me out?
Juri: You've got to be joking. I can't even-
Sister Monica: You'd rather go to a mental ward like your mother suggested then?
Juri: ............
*****
Yuu: You're just like that hypocritical nun back then. Pfft! You make me nauseaous.
Sister Monica: But...
Juri: You prisoners on death row.... are so lucky!

SETTING: Contemporary. Prison. Japan. ELEMENTS: Suicide. Crimes. Prisoner. Death Sentence. Visiting Hour. Piano. Monastery. GENRE: Psychological. Tragedy. Drama. Romance. DEMOGRAPHIC: Josei.

RATING: A (EPIC!) FAVORITISM: 4.5 Hearts ---> ADDICTION

It's one of the most heartbreaking manga I've ever read!

Peter Pan Syndrome - A Female Peter Pan in Japan... Sort Of

Peter Pan Shoukougun

By Sakai Mayu

Kohaku: I just moved to such a nice town. It had a very nice... aerial view.
Ryou: Kohaku, promise me that you will never reveal your secret to anyone.
Kohaku: I promise, dad!
* The next day, she rescues a classmate, Yuuro, from falling. *
Other classmates: You... fly?... Monster! *runs away*
Kohaku: If you want to go, I won't stop you. I'll be moving to another town anyway.
Yuuro: ... Your secret is safe with me. So don't go!

SETTING: Contemporary. Japan. School. City. ELEMENTS: Peter Pan. Flying. Growing Up. Black Cat. Secret. Research Clinic. Powers. GENRE: Fantasy. Romance. DEMOGRAPHIC: Shoujo.

RATING: C+ (NOT BAD!) FAVORITISM: 2.5 Hearts ---> NEUTRAL

You don't need to be in Neverland.... to have the power to fly!

Mawaru Penguindrum - Episode 1

Before this seasons shows have started to air, there is very little information on this show. I only see the penguins on the trailers... even if they're cute, they're not exactly enough to excite me since... err... I'm not that into penguins I prefer unicorns.

But now that I've seen the first episode....

....... HOLY SH!T

..... It's The Anime of the Season.

Bloody Monday 2: Pandora's Box - Last Time They Saved Japan, This Time They'll Save the World!

Bloody Monday Season 2 - Zetsubou no Kou

By RYUUMON Ryou & MEGUMI Kouji

Minami: It's been two years, but a new group of terrorists are bringing trouble to the country. Fujimaru, we need your hacking skills again.
Fujimaru: I would love to assist in Third-i again but.... I don't do hacking anymore.

SETTING: Contemporary. Japan. ELEMENTS: Terrorism. Hijacking. Russia. Nuclear Threat. Hacking. Agent. Spy. GENRE: Sci-Fi. Psychological. Action. Romance. DEMOGRAPHIC: Seinen-ish Shounen.

RATING: A- (AMAZING!) FAVORITISM: 4.5 Hearts ---> ADDICTION

The first season was fantastic.... and this sequel does not disappoint!

World's First Love - Gays in the Manga Industry

Sekaiichi Hatsukoi

of Studio Deen
Originally By Shungiku Nakamura & Miyako Fujisaki; Directed By Chiaki Kon; Composed By Rika Nakase

Onodera: Ugh, people at my workplace think I only get to handle the popular authors just because I'm the son of the owner? I'll show 'em!!! *joins another company*
Marukawa Publishing Employee: You've been accepted as a new shoujo manga editor! I'll guide you to your office~
Onodera: Wha-? Wait, there must be a mistake. I appled as an editor for novels, not manga.
Marukawa Publishing Employee: But that's the decision (so there's nothing you can do). Are you coming or not?
Onodera: *shrugs* Fine, whatever *follows*
Marukawa Publishing Employee: This is your office and here are your co-workers.
Onodera: Errr... *looks at his exhausted co-workers* Are you sure they're still alive? They're more like corpses.....
Marukawa Publishing Employee: Take care~ *disappears*
Onodera: Hey wait! Don't just leave me here! Hey, miss-
Takano: Shut the hell up, newbie! Come with me, we've got work to do.
Onodera: Err... okay.
Takano: Wait. *stares*
Onodera: What? *bothered*
Takano: You look.... familiar.

SETTING: Japan. Publishing Company. Contemporary. ELEMENTS: Manga. Editor. Mangaka. Love. Break-up. Misunderstanding.  GENRE: Romance. Comedy. Drama. DEMOGRAPHIC: Shoujo-ish Josei with Non-Explicit Yaoi.

RATING: B- (PRETTY GOOD!) FAVORITISM: 2.5... Fine! I admit: 3.5 Hearts ---> LOVE

I.... I... I....F*ck I just completed a yaoi series for the first time.... and loved it!

Skydream Song - An Android Sings to Bring You The Sky

空夢のうた

by KAZUMI Yuana

Mana: Can you sing for me?
Ciel: *sings and while doing so, images of the sky appear*
Mana: You're really one amazing robot, Ciel. Because of the war, people live underground now. But whenever you sing, I feel like I'm seeing the sky~
Ciel: Do you wish to see the real thing?
Mana: I dream about it! But that's impossible....
Ciel: Don't worry. I promise. I'll take you to the sky.

SETTING: Futuristic. ELEMENTS: Sky. Song. Robot. War. Warrior. Freedom. Murder. Memory. GENRE: Sci-Fi. Drama. DEMOGRAPHIC: Josei-ish Shoujo.

RATING: C (AVERAGE!) FAVORITISM: 2.5 Hearts ---> NEUTRAL

This manga had a wonderful potential.... but the poor storytelling and characterization made it go down....

Ikoku Meiro no Croisée - Episode 1

Supposedly, I'll be following my "final" plan on which I'll choose from to blog but... but.... the one I really wanted to write about weekly finally aired and my internet connection happened to be decent tonight so... I can't help it xD

I am already aware of how ADORABLE it is thanks to manga background (only the first volume and a few chapters of the second though) but drats, THE ANIME IS MUCH BETTER!!!

Deadman Wonderland - "Amusement Park" filled with bloodshed and despair

デッドマンワンダーランド

of Manglobe
Originally By Jinsei Kataoka & Kazuma Kondou; Directed By Koichi Hatsumi; Composed By Yasuyuki Muto

Ganta: There was a huge earthquake in Tokyo 10 years ago. But the evacuees now are living a normal life outside that place. I'm just a student, but I'm enjoying my peaceful days here. Aren't you enjoying as well, everyone?
*all of his classmates were killed by someone*
Ganta: A... Red... Man.... why did you... no.. everyone's... dead? ... It can't be... sh#t... what do you- *knocked out*
Police: Feeling alright now, Igarashi Ganta?
Ganta: *open eyes* I suppose so. How about my fr-
Police: You are the only survivor of that unfortunate incident.... as well as the prime suspect.
Ganta: But I didn't do it! It was the Red Man!
Police: Discuss that in court. *bring him along to court*
Judge: GUILTY. You're sentenced to death and shall be brought to the special prison.

SETTING: Dystopia. Japan. Prison. ELEMENTS: Blood. Prison. False Accusations. Candy. Psychos. Amusement Park. Penalty. GENRE: Sci-Fi. Gore. Psychological Horror. Action. Drama. DEMOGRAPHIC: Seinenish Shounen.

RATING: B+ (IMPRESSIVE!) FAVORITISM: 4.5 Hearts ---> ADDICTION

Deadman Wonderland is a about a hell on Earth where sanity....is pretty much unattainable.

Love Luck - Twins Have Switched Identities.... Literally

ラブラック

by ASAHINA Yuuya

Nero: My horoscope says that my love fortune shall be perfect today... I'm soooo going to confess to Yamato-kun then! Tralalalala~
Someone: Yamato has been hospitalized.
Nero: Waaaah! How will I be able to confess my feelings for him then?

SETTING: Contemporary. School. ELEMENTS: Love Horoscope. Love Confession. Body Switch. GENRE: Romance. Supernatural. Comedy. DEMOGRAPHIC: Shoujo.

RATING: C (AVERAGE!) FAVORITISM: 2.5 Hearts ---> NEUTRAL

This already looks like crap from the picture alone. Why did I pick this up again? .... Oh... it's the....