[ Anime Blurbs ] Autumn 2011 Anime - Part 2

(Ah~ this is just so sweet. Makes me miss Ao no Exorcist.)

This season is evil. There are so many good shows that I would want to keep track on many of them weekly xD I can't shut up about them either, but blogging this many individually would be a problem for me (because of time limit and internet fail =_=) so I've decided to blog indivisually starting this season xD

Spring 2011 Anime Second Impressions

I wasn't really able to make a first impressions post before a new season airs (unlike before), except for my most anticipated top three. But after watching most of the new shows that aired this season, I can't help myself from being "typative", hehe.

Fireball Charming had a wonderful animation but its first episode didn't feel like... an episode, haha! More like a random promo video or an advertisement, ehehe. I'm not even familiar with the original version...

But anywayz, here goes my list for the rest of the titles this Spring 2011. The rankings are not as a whole, but by category. Of course, they're subject to change. Though I doubt that for now... especially on those at the bottom.....

Upcoming Spring 2011 Anime Spotlight: The Blue Exorcist

I don't think I have enough time to do season previews, so instead, I'll just feature upcoming anime which I know (meaning, I'm already a fan of its original/previous adaptation) or highly believe (meaning, it's just my gut feeling) are awesome. Enjoy~

AO NO EXORCIST
青の祓魔師（エクソシスト）
Debuting on April 16, 2011

Humans live in the world of Assiah, demons in Gehenna. The two dimensions are not meant to interfere with each other, but demons still possess creatures in Assiah in spite of this. The humans who can fight these demons are known as exorcists. Rin Okumura is a boy who bears the curse of being Satan's illegitimate son. His foster father sacrificed himself to save him from demons. To avenge his foster father's death as well as to prove himself, Rin decides to follow the path of an exorcist.
(Official Website)

101 Oneshots Challenge: Batch 2

I read the most recent Ao no Exorcist release recently so I suddenly thought of its upcoming anime adaptation:

It looks really cute. Totally love the bullet and blue flame effect on the official site. April's taking freakin' long...

Alrighty, now on topic. I'm currently on a manga challenge this year. It'll be 5 or more oneshots per batch... here goes xD

Ao no Exorcist - Chapter 5 & 6

Oh this was too delayed. I have actually read them as soon as they were released but got lazy to post my usual chapter impressions because well . . . you see . . .

I still love this series to bits but I really really wish that the school arc would be over. I'm so tired of supernatural/fantasy series with a school setting. Honestly, that's the only thing that's keeping me from keeping me hyper about this series unlike the earlier chapters. Oh please, have them graduate already or postpone classes or something.

But anyway, despite my stupid complain, I still love these two chapters~ Interesting to know more about the exorcism stuff, and the characters get developed.

[ The Blue Exorcist - Chapter 5 ]

I really disliked Shiemi because I saw her as moe fanservice and completely useless. She has no plans on becoming an exorcist and we even got that confirmed on the next chapter. But in this chapter, I've started to like her. She doesn't like being protected all the time, and wants to become useful. She had been helpful on medicinal needs (she even summoned something like a shield/barrier/whatever in the next chapter). Despite her looks, she had been the most useful classmate next to Rin. So they have an official curer/nurse in their group, and that's very necessary. I'm happy that she had joined the cast (and her made-up names on the plants are cute~ Hehe).
As for the new girl, the short brows really bother me. She has also been the mean and bullying tsundere. I find it interesting in her character that she acts tough and smart on the outside, but deep inside she ust doesn't know how to get along with others, and can also be pretty weak when emotionally broken. I'm happy that her character had improved in the next chapter, but hhhmm . . . I still don't like her much.
Oh! We also learn from this chapter that there are actually different types of exorcists. Their abilities are interesting~
They have some big exam and funny that they campe out at the dorm that the twins stay in. So the two actually had the dorm all by themselves. Rin is such a special case. Hehe.

[ The Blue Exorcist - Chapter 6 ]

Speaking of Rin being a special case, the ghouls from the previous episode had confirmed to be their teacher's doing. He had been very interested in seeing Rin in blue flames, but it doesn't seem that he wants Rin killed because Rin had been okay after their encounter. However, it wasn't shown what exactly happened between the two after Rin had attacked him. Drats, chapter 7, where are you?
Anyway, it looks like demons still respect Rin as the prince (Kyaa~ I'm a sucker for series with princes~) however they could harm him if they have no choice. I wonder how Satan himself would do to the demon if he finds out.
Lastly, nice to see some team work here! They're most likely going to be the members of their exorcist party, unless they get assigned to different groups. Damn, school arc please end . . .

Alrighty, hopefully chapter 7 won't disappoint~

Ao no Exorcist 4 Koma Special

Yay! It was finally scanlated! They had been short, but also so fun~ And it also explained things that the actual chapters hadn't~

CELEBRITY SCHOOL (?)

So the school they're attending to is high class, and the food's extremely expensive . . . that drove Rin crazy. Haha!

RARELY SEEN

Yukio treated his brother. Rin's allowance seems to be pretty low that Yukio finds it too rare. Haha!

IF YOU SYMPHATIZE

Yukio suggests that Rin should cook instead of buying. Yukio got permission to use the kitchen. Haha! But yeah, it's really easier if you'll just increase the allowance, haha!

THE MENU'S DAILY LUNCH IS 500 YEN

Since Rin's cooking is so good, and he's running out of money, they thought of setting up a restaurant~ The sign was mistake for "Poop for 500 yen" Bwahahaha!

A SPICY BATTLE

Oh Rin, that showgirl idea! Bwahahaha! She was wasn't helpful on it though. Haha!

THEY CAME!!!

Yukio fixed the signboard, and finally customers have arrived! And one of them is the one giving Rin's allowance! Bwahaha!

IT'S BECAUSE HE'S A CELEBRITY

So Rin's allowance is just something that Mephisto felt like giving! Bwahahahahha! Both Rin and Yukio got pissed. Haha!


The 4 koma had mentioned some interesting things that hadn't been mentioned in the actual chapters like: (1) Rin's living expenses is from the allowance that Mephisto gives him (2) The school isn't just an elite, but for rich kids as well (3) Rin is a great cook! Even Yukio considers it as something professional. Cool~

Oh I love the 4 koma special~ I hope there'll be more soon~ And please, chapter 5, show up already . . . . ehehehe . . .

Ao no Exorcist - Chapter 4

Fourth chapter introduces to us a new character! This has been a great chapter as usual~

Rin used to be a punk that often got involved in fights. And it looks like even in his new school, he still has a "glaring buddy".

Hahahaha! Well, when I saw that guy, I already expected him not to become Rin's enemy for long. I was right but . . . how that happened had been fun~

Anyway, Rin wants to change. He's really serious on his studies so unlike usual, he didn't glare back to pick up a fight. He's trying his best to be nerdy~

He tries his best . . . but it's really difficult for him. OH HE'S SO ADORABLE!!!! Gambatte Rin!!!

His best wasn't good enough, so he still failed the exam.

Yukio is so disappointed. It's cute that Rin apologizes for it and it's funny that it's the younger brother who's disappointed on his older brother's grades. Haha~

Rin's glaring buddy, despite his delinquent-like looks, actually studies hard and is good in tests:

SMART PEOPLE ARE COOL!!!!!!!!!!
I love shounen series that show that people who study are COOL!!! Also that even punkass people can be intelligent boys! HELL YEAH!

Rin can't believe it though. He thought they were at the same level~ Haha!

They fight of course~

Yukio is such an evil little brother~

Oh they're so cute~

Later, Rin and Shiranui get to talk outside. So I'm right that it doesn't make sense for Shiranui to attend that school, since she doesn't really want to be an exorcist at all!!!! Then what is she doing there? Just for the sake of having a girl in the series? Gimme a break! Please provide a good explanation of this Kazou-sensei. Only this girl is ruining the series for me. And yeah, I don't like her.

She's even trying to make Rin her friend, since they know each other and are both friendless anyway. Rin denies of them being friends for now but I think they'll be friends eventually. I'm happy that there's no "blushing because it's a girl asking a guy to be a friend" mushiness. I think the blushes on this one is because it's kind of embarassing and awkward to ask to become friends all fo a sudden. Well, just be friends. That's all. Don't dare become a couple. Rin deserves a better woman. So Kazou-sensei, make an awesome babe show up soon, okay? Hehe~

Anyway, Rin and his glaring buddy (I forgot his name . . . eeep . . . Bon I think) have another glaring moment:

Is tiger + dragon a very common combination? ToraDora and Sengoku Basara came to my mind already. I just began to notice that . . . ehehehe~

They have a challenge in physical classes this time~

And it's Rin's expertise. He was so winning~

However, Bon doesn't want to lose that he'll even cheat:

I love it that even soon-to-be main characters also do somethign dirty (like cheating) and it was presented comically. Haha!

Teacher finds out, and they're told to stop. But only Bon got the lecturing:

The others find it odd as well. But from that Bon gets to know that Rin is some special student. Bon didn't know how much of a special case Rin was, he just thought Rin was just rich or a favorite of the head.

But while that happened, Rin gets to learn from Shima why Bon's acting that way. And it turned out that they have the same ambition: to defeat Satan.

Defeating Satan is such a big goal that even an expert exorcist will find it extremely difficult, so it's often a laughing matter when young dudes have such a BIG goal. Those poor boys~ Haha!

Anyway, we also get to have some more story background and also character background on Bon:

Something really tragic happened 16 years ago, which is most likely around the time Rin was born. A lot of exorcists had been killed by Satan inside a temple. From then on, that temple became cursed.

But Bon grew up from that temple, and he doesn't care if people mistreat him for living there.

He cares for the priest who raised him and swears that he'll defeat Satan and restore the temple.

Back to the current timeline, the teacher got a call . . . and they got a break:

Honey . . . kitten . . . bwahahahaha! I can't imagine who that tteacher could possibly be talking to with that looks. It would be awesome and crack if he's really talking with some sexy babe. Haha!

Since the teacher's not around, they do what they want again:

This time Bon challenges Rin to do something dangerous. If he makes it, he will recognize him.

Rin says that it's interesting but . . . he refuses:

The nose picking . . . bwahahaha!

Usually, when the hero is being challenged into something, they do it without thinking (Naruto is a huge example for that). Either that or they will refuse the challenge saying that it doesn't interest them or they're too lazy to do it (Akaboshi's hero came to my mind, but I know there are more). But in this series, Rin doesn't accept it because he it's dangerous. He worries that his Satanic power might be exposed, and that should be top secret. He doesn't want to risk that.

So he refuses the challenge comically, and awesomely:

You are so right. Petty shounen challanges are stupid. haha~

But Bon does it anyway . . .

And he got into trouble . . .

Our hero comes to the rescue:

Awesome . . .

I love this part:

Evil glare from the son of the Devil. Really . . .freakin' awesome . . .

Rin scolds him for being such an idiot:

He also claims that only he will be defeating Satan.

Bon's reaction:

Bwahahahaha! Stealing other people's ambitions~ Bwahahahaha!

Meanwhile, Mephisto meets up with someone:

The new dude's his younger brother . . . and it seems that Mephisto had also ran away from their father. It's still a mystery what the heck they're exactly talking about . . . especially the part that Mephisto says that he's taking care of their youngest brother (SO many brotherly relationships in this series~ I like that. Hehe~). Eh? Who? Can't be Rin, right? Anyway, we'll find out in later chapters anyway. But this is really interesting. I can't wait to know what they're exactly talking about.

Anyway, back to Rin and his classmates:

He's doing his very best to study hard again. His brother is in complete shock that he thinks it might be some kind of omen. Heeheehee *giggles*

His bangs are giving him trouble reading though, so someone comes to help:

Bon apologizes for yesterday and gives Rin a tool to help him in studying. That was so sweet~ But Rin is very freaked out . . . thinking that it might eb some kind of omen as well. Bwahahahaha!!!!

I think these two are going to be good friends~

Oh this had been a very fun, awesome, and interesting chapter. I'm very excited for the next one!

New Flavors: Ao no Exorcist

Ao no Exoscist
(Ao no Futsumashi; The Blue Magic Exorcist)
by Katou Kaze
This world consists of two dimensions joined as one, like a mirror. The first is the world in which the humans live, Assiah. The other is the world of demons, Gehenna. Ordinarily, travel between the two, and indeed any kind of contact between the two, is impossible.
However the demons can pass over into this world by possessing anything that exist within it.
Satan is the god of demons, but there's one thing that he doesn't have, and that's a substance in the human world that is powerful enough to contain him!!
For that purpose he created Rin, his son from a human woman, but will his son agree to his plans, or will he become something else...? An exorcist? (Baka-Updates)

It seemed cool. And besides, it's a supernatural series that involves demons (even Satan! I love Christian religion references~) and exorcists. It's totally my kind of thing! It also reminded me of another manga that I got hooked to recently: Beelzebub. They both have the son of the devil or demon king thing. So I downloaded the available chapters, read them, and . . .

OH MY GOD SHET I AM TOTALLY HOOKED TO THIS AWESOME THING!!!!

The leading character lived as a human being all his life but one day his life changed drastically when it his powers had reawakened and it was revealed to him that he's the son of a human mother and the devil Satan. But instead of following his destiny, he chose to chooses to side with humans, and he won't see anyone else as a father other than the one who had raised him, who is a priest and an exorcist.

It's true that it's not really new to see a story with a main character that is supposed to be from an evil race yet chooses to protect humans and fight against his kind. However, even if that kind of plot or main character background is very overused, as long as there's something about it that makes it different from the others and has an interesting story, then it will do just fine.

And yes, Ao no Exorcist is one of such. The story had been really good and interesting, in my opinion. I think it's done a good job in handling its genres. I see it as a very good mix of fantasy/supernatural, action, comedy, and drama. We get to see extraordinary things . . . evil ones in particular since we're dealing with devils after all; but with those we also get to see some awesome battles. I am very impressed with the battles so far because it's not your typical shounen. Why I say so? In the three chapters so far, the main character isn't exactly the one who saves the day, but that doesn't mean he didn't do anything extraordinary either. But you see, in your typical shounen, the main character is usually either of these two types: 1) begins as a loser but gains some power later then saves the day or wins a battle by the end of the chapter 2) is actually very skillful but won't make it obvious at the beginning then saves the day or wins a battle by the end of the chapter . Type 1 is most common. And Ao no Exorcist falls in neither; because at the beginning he's normal, then finds out his someone extraordinary later, but he still needed help and he wasn't exactly the one who saved the day. I LOVE THIS SERIES FOR NOT FOLLOWING THE SHOUNEN CHAPTER ONE FORMULA!!!!!

Moreover, it has good action scenes. I am most impressed with a certain character (it will be spoilery if I reveal who) that has excellent gunning skills and occasionally just shoots a pesky demon as if it were a mosquito. The main character doesn't exactly have special moves yet but seeing him fight in his transformed form and his sword look awesome!

This manga is very very entertaining . . . mostly thanks to its comedy! It's so hilarious! I am so happy that the jokes don't feel forced and really fits what's going on. I am very very amused! And yes, it has crack! Blame it on Mephisto for wearing a clown costume and transforming into a little puppy. What the heck?! Bwahahahahaha!

It knows when to be comical, but it also knows when to be serious. I like the drama in this series. The tragic scenes here don't feel overdramatic. They had been very heartbreaking. The pain that the main character was going through felt real. As in they're really things that hurt and are really depressing. But thank goodness our main character isn't that angsty. I admire him for being pretty strong emotionally, even if he's stupid. Hehe~

I obviously have so many things to praise with this series, but of course I admit that of course it's not without flaws. One is the problem with some consistencies I guess, specifically the school thing. Our main character is actually, or is supposedly, entering a normal school, and his exorcists classes are from cram school. But so far only the exorcist classes were shown. What happened to the supposed school? If there hadn't been any plans on showing it, then the mangaka could've just made the main character attend just an exorcist school. I mean, I don't think it's necessary to have an ordinary school backup if it's not going to be featured anyway.

Or maybe, it's just me.

Another thing is . . . the priest has said that the main character could no longer become human again once he unsheaths his sword. And well, he did, but he can still return human. So . . . eh? So what's the use of that warning if it ain't happening at all?

Ah, one of the big complains that I actually have with this manga is . . . the school setting. OH COME ON!!! So many series have the school thing already!!! Well, at least it's not an academy. Just a class. And their teacher is actually the same age as them. So it's different in a way. BUT STILL!!! Training isn't just through the school system you know! Like what D. Gray-man did!!! Gimme more professionals from the organization instead of just a bunch of newbies and amateurs!!! But come to think of it, actual exorcists need to have some classroom training (as in they need to study from books). . . . BUT STILL!!!!!!!

Oh well, it was a big complain but a petty one. But here's my last complain and it's not exactly petty: WHY THE HELL DID THE GIRL SUDDENLY BECOME AN EXORCIST STUDENT AFTER "HER EPISODE"???? I mean, I DON'T SEE THE REASON! She was just a victim/client. I couldn't see any reason on why she'll suddenly think of becoming an exorcist. It just seemed like the mangaka just felt like adding the girl to the classroom just because he felt like it. THE HELL????!!!!

Anyway, just when did I have not any complains in a series? Wahehehe~ But this series is very awesome and entertaining so the things that bother me are ignorable~ Hehe.

Now, before I end this entry, let me fangurl:

I'm a fan of almost all genres, but supernatural is my number one. And I freakin' love supernatural stories with religious references. This is total win for me.

My name is Sapphire Pyro. Know how I've come up with that name? You see, my favorite color is blue, and for some reason I love watching flames. When I learned that there's such a thing as a blue flame and fire with such color is actually the hottest. I was so amazed~ From then on I've become fascinated with blue flames/fire. So yeah, Sapphire = Blue; Pyro = Fire/Flame. And you know, the main character here, when in demon mode, emits blue flames. That's what's making him distinguishable as the son of the Devil. This series and I are meant to be I tell ya. Wahehehehe~

I love the crack from this series very much. I am so amused. I love everyone in this series (except for the girl I guess, as suual~) so far. They freakin' entertain me.

And the greatest fanservice for me in this series:

TWIN BROTHERS

KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

They're fraternal twins, and those who know me may be aware that I AM A HUGE SUCKER FOR STORIES WITH TWIN BOYS!!!!! *very delighted*
And they have a very sweet relationship~ They care about each other a lot~
And I find it cute that the older one is the stupid one while the younger is the more mature one~
Protection between the two is also mutual. None is weaker and stronger. They are special in their own way.
I am so pleased~
SQUUUUUUUUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I FREAKIN' LOVE THOSE TWO!!! THEY ARE SO AWESOME!!!!
KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm totally hooked to this! I can't wait for the next chapter to be scanlated *already saw the raw* Wheee~

Sapphire Pyro

READ: 3 chapters (out of 3 scanlated chapters released so far of a new ongoing manga) VERDICT: Totally Following and Serving as a Parfait!!!

A manga that reminds me of Beelzebub and D. Gray-man? And has the supernatural and christian references stuff? I'M IN! Story had been very good and interesting. It's also very touching and hilarious. Not to mention it's got three big fanservices for me: 1) CRACK. though of course not all the time, but still, they were crazy! I love the absurd~ 2) THE BLUE FLAMES THING. Sapphire Pyro = Blue Fire/Flame. We connect, yes? 3) TWIN BROTHERS. And they're freakin' cute and awesome. I'm also a sucker for twin boys. TOTAL WIN!!!!!!!!!!!