May 26th, 2013
Blog #12 - some manga reviews..
Anime Relations: Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
I found some of the manga reviews that I wrote in goodreads.com in the past, and I decided to put them here, since I'm no longer active on that account.
I apologize for this blog is super duper long, due to the number and length of the reviews. I could have made each review a new blog, but then I would have a problem with the Anime Relations, since MAL only allows blogs to be posted if there's an anime related to it, and only 1 out of the 13 titles below has an anime, so I had to compiled them all. I appreciate the time you take to read this super long blog, and hopefully, you'll read until the very end!
**SPOILER ALERT! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED :)**
1.) STROBE EDGE by Sakisaka Io
I really REALLY loved it! It's so cute and well, it's almost realistic (well, it pretty much is) so if you're a romance type reader, this manga suits you! GIVE IT A READ!
I really loved Ichinose Ren's character. He's gentle, quiet and mysterious. Not actually like any typical guys, BUT there are probably guys almost just like him. His relationship with Korenaga Mayuka is cute, but I didn't really think that they'd go together since her priority is work and she's all like, thinking about her future and working hard for it. I feel that Ren-kun is too young for her, not because she's older, but because of her way of thinking.
Ga-chan (Miyoshi Manabu) is my second favourite, after Ren. His character is really minor and he only has a few appearances, but he puts colour into the story. A happy-go-lucky guy is what both Ninako and Ren needed (matchmaking matters). I also think Yu-kun (Terada Yutaro) is pretty cool and I like him for supporting Ren when he realizes his own feelings for Ninako.
For chapter 36.2 (the finale?) is okay, but I think it could've been better. Yes, they were on a cute date; yes, I like the part when Ren admitted he was pissed about Andou getting Ninako's first kiss (forcefully) instead of him, Ninako's first boyfriend; yes, they've kissed (and it was beautiful), but I think that Ren should've changed (only a bit though) like he should've been able to act freely without worrying about losing his "cool" in front of Ninako during their date because honestly, if he never knew this, there were times that he was caught off-guard. There were also times that he did stuff in front of Ninako that he never did in front of his friends (looking really happy and showing emotions) or even Mayuka (eating sweets when Ninako gave him some), so I think he should've acted more comfortable in front of her.
OVERALL, 10 out of 10 is my rating (5 stars in this case), because it really suited my taste in stories.
2.) HANA TO AKUMA by Oto Hisamu
That is just too beautiful. I was entirely moved. I cried, laughed, got shocked and became upset (need I to write it all in?). After every chapter, I couldn't wait what happens next! It's like I got so attached to it all throughout the whole thing. I loved it since the first chapter, which is rather impossible since usually the pilot chapters don't have much to it. It was beautiful from beginning to the end and it really kept me going. It definitely passed my criteria for judging (actually, I cried so much) so for my opinion, this is a must read.
At first, I was really curious about this whole "Akuma" (means demon or devil in japanese) in the title because when I saw the pictures of the characters on mangafox.com's home page for Hana to Akuma (where anyone can see all the chapters and volumes and the discussions about the manga), none of them seem to look like a devil (they look more like disguised angels, really) and who could ever thought that someone as hot and gorgeous as Vivi would be a demon!
I was really touched by the whole love story (since I'm a romance-otaku, I completely fell in love with it). I would say that it is one of the best love stories I've ever read in my entire life (16 years isn't that long, you know?). I had doubts reading this manga since it had "supernatural" in one of its themes. I had a bad experience reading a really bad supernatural-themed manga. I completely hated that manga, and since then, I vowed never to read one of those again. The fact that it is under shoujo and romance that finally gave me the push to give it a read.. and I was proven wrong! Not all supernatural-themed mangas are bad! I even remember saying, "Just after one chapter, I fell in love with Hana to Akuma."
Everything is just perfect. Polished from the pilot chapter until the finale. Except for the confusion about the names.. and.. oh heck, the name choice itself (Vivi's name really bothered at first, then Velten's), but then I realized none of those matter! The author could've chosen a completely different name but it wouldn't really change anything. No spelling mistakes too, along the whole thing, no confusion about what's going on (it flowed rather smoothly). It's been carefully written. It also didn't feel like a drag (having 58 chapters and all). The fact is, I wished it was a bit longer! I wish Oto Hisamu-san made the appearance of grown up Hana-chan a bit longer, and had more grown up lovey-dovey scenes (I was dreading for that!), but Vivi had some lovey-dovey scenes with Hana-Nigou, so I think it's okay.
I always loved the point-of-view scenes of the male main characters! There's this really cute thing about guys when they get jealous that makes me scream (to happiness, that is). I love Vivi point-of-view scenes. Since he's the mysterious one, I dreaded to know more what he's thinking, what he's planning. Also, the fact that Vivi's character is more used for the drama effect on the whole story went so swiftly. He's created more drama than Hana did, BUT it's because he's the one who sees the problem about his relationship with Hana, and the fact that him being a demon is the biggest conflict in the whole story. I also love that his character was used very well, and that he didn't seem secondary at all. I also loved that the transition of his character's attitude was very obvious, from a very selfish demonic duke to a loving husband and father.
I also loved Velten and Ellinor (their relationship is just too admirable), but I would love to know if they ever got married and had kids, like Hana and Vivi did (although I know Ellinor and Velten had all the time they could ever have to start a family and have kids, unlike Hana and Vivi). Maybe they did and the author didn't bother writing more about them (since it would be a different story if then)? Velten, as the comical (most of the time) and wise (about frequently) mixed very well. I loved him (as a secondary main-ish character). He's just too amazing to miss out. Ellinor, I loved her too (not as much as I loved Velten.. isn't this the time she'd pop up here, punch me and make my nose bleed?). I didn't like her at first, since I thought she was just another minor character (like Rosemary, I hate her!), but then she became friends with Hana and helped Hana with her romance problems! I loved how she made Vivi realize that he's in love with Hana and convinced Vivi to go back to Earth (when he was being a complete asshole, acting all cool with the parting and all.. I love her for that). She's like this person who relies the message between Vivi and Hana's love for each other. The chapter/s about her and Velten is too cute. I never thought Velten could be that noble and serious (I was really shocked when he became serious, which rarely happens). Overall, they're both great secondary support characters (sidekicks is NOT the proper term for these awesome fellas!).
Lucifer-sama is also cool (since he makes Vivi all jealous, which is what I love the most ♥), but does he also like Hana (or rather, did he develop a love for her?)? Cause he just like, kisses her unexpectedly (his seizure scene in the garden), and the fact that he forced Hana to marry him to save Vivi is quite unclear and unexplained. He's a cool king, but it's sad that he was forced to come down of his throne. Rosemary is just plain awful (I will NEVER like her.. though she has her reasons.. NEVER!!). Toni is also really cute (I laughed so hard when Velten called him a "numbskull" when he couldn't realize Hana is in love with Vivi). He also did some of Vivi's disillusionments subtly (I'm giving him credit!!). Klaus is awful too, and Michel.. what the darned hell happened to that cat-otaku?? Well, I guess it will never be explained.. too bad. Tanizaki Momo is also very admirable. He didn't mind his own feelings when he knew Hana was dreading for Vivi (for all the years Vivi and Hana were separated) and he also helped Hana in so many ways, that I want him to be my friend too! Rentarou is Rentarou, and Nijou Ayame.. there was a big change in her character too. At first, she didn't like Hana but then she realized she can't win Vivi's affections. Did I forget anyone else? No? Then, I guess this is good.
I saw that the theme of Tragedy is present.. except for the dramas (which is totally acceptable for me cause it made the story flow very smoothly), the finale is the main tragedy, right? It's sad that Hana died :(.. but hey, she's a human, so it's expected. I cried seeing that tombstone! I really did, it's ridiculous! I wish the author put a bit of scenes where Hana was with her family (in the not-dead presence..), all happy, but I guess that isn't really the main point. I was really sad at that scene where Vivi was holding her hand when she was on her deathbed, but at least she got to live her life with the man she loved and the kids they produced, along with the real friends who had been there for them all along the way. I think she was present on the character of her daughter, Anzu. I think she lived pretty long, since when she died, Yamabuki, her son, was 73 years old (but he's a demon, so that isn't old at all).
3.) BEAST MASTER by Motomi Kyousuke
Volume 1
AWWWW! Soo cute! Aoi-kun is soo adorable! I just love his naiveness and that loving actions of his! He's so sweet, although he's like really ignorant. Ah! I also like how Yuiko-san isn't a pushover! Non-pushover female main characters are quite few (from the other manga I have read so far) and sometimes, those pushovers make me feel ashamed of being a girl. Like, they have to stand up for themselves and not rely on the male characters (which would NOT be the right flow of the story, but..). This is a really cute story! The art is okay, just a bit messy (but I don't expect a very polished drawing anyway, so it's all good!)
Volume 2
OH MY GOD!
Okay, so he just says everything that a girl wants to hear. I almost died when he said, "As long as you're by my side, I don't need anything else, Yuiko." Somebody give this guy a credit! Oh my gosh, he's been hit! Will he be okay? I don't understand why the person stopped Yuiko from touching Leo? Is it the norm not to touch the person who's been hit? He looks so broken and forlorn on the hospital bed I wanna break down in tears! Not really, that's just my exaggeration.
Hahahahaa, Toki-san! He's so devoted to Aoi-kun :) That picture book is just epic. And I just had the same reaction as Yuiko, about learning the grandfather's will.. 120 HUNDRED MILLION YEN??!!! But then again, I don't know how much that is in dollars (maybe around a few million, I think..) and that's still a lot (though Idk how much it is in dollars, it still sounds like a LOT of money).
That father-and-son meeting is just.. It's quite nostalgic, but for that moment there, he didn't seem like an 18-year-old guy. His attitude is completely different from his wild appearance. Yuiko even had a WTF face (actually, I did too, and almost died laughing).
Daaaaamn, Leo is leaving! That scene on the playground is just.. it's too sad. I had a lump in my throat reading that. Their parting just made me so sad. I can't handle partings in stories. I usually bawl but reading that, I suddenly found it hard to cry. I had a bigger lump instead.
I cried again when he came back for her and said those oh-so-very-sweet words! Just who wouldn't fall in love with this guy?
4.) KAICHOU WA MAID-SAMA by Fujiwara Hiro
Volume 1
It's really funny! Usui Takumi is the best ♥
Although at first, I thought the Usui Takumi in the anime adaptation for this manga is hotter than the manga Usui, but then later on, somehow the drawings of Usui changed a bit and looked like the one in the anime (much to my happiness) and that's great! Somehow, some scenes in the anime aren't in the manga at all (the introduction of the Ayuzawa's life condition, Minako and Suzuna are not in the manga at all), which I didn't like at first, but I guess it's okay. The good thing is, the creepy quintuplets (I called them creepy because 5 freakin people have EXACTLY the same face, it gives me the creeps) that are called Ayuzawa School in the anime are not the followers of Misaki in the manga (actually, the black haired guys in "Ayuzawa Club" in the manga are cute) and they did not change anything in the scene where Usui confesses and kisses Misaki (still my favourite part!). Yukimura looks so different though..
Transparent World (the one-shot within the first volume of KWMS)
Soo beautiful! I love it! The characters are great, even the lead girl, Kisaragi Michiru. I didn't find her annoying. I understood that she was really shy, that's why she's a bit of an outcast. I really like how she changed herself so much, from being the outcast girl to outgoing girl, because of Takahashi Makoto. Makoto is really cute and is the first guy I've seen that has a different face from the other shoujo boys. It's really nice to see a fresh cute face! His letters made me cry so much! There's just so much feelings attached to it, like they're straight from his heart. My question was, since he blushed a few times while he was with Kisaragi and did that forehead thing with her when he was about to vanish, does that mean that he like(s/d) her too? Fujishiro is also a great character! He's really nice! This one-shot is perfect, although there isn't really much romance between Kisaragi and Takahashi. I wish there was one last bit, showing that Takahashi was watching them (Kisaragi and Fujishiro) from above, happily.
Volume 2
Usui is soo funny! Usui, daisuki!
I admire him so much! He's too perfect though.
"Hentai onii-san" LOLOLOLOLOL XD
Look who's talking! He's slightly perverted too!
Ah, how can Misaki ever resist his moves on her!
He is just too tempting.. ;)
chu.. chu!
I love it when he helps Misaki in a very cool way..
Ahh, if ever a perfect guy like Usui lives, I will find him no matter what!
Volume 3
Yukimura! I think he's a really fun character to write more about. He is scared of Misaki but is beginning to be close to her and he learns a lot from both Misaki and Usui (he idolizes them from being able to do the things he can't do, ie: being top students, top athletes and strong character). I like this volume because there are a lot of images of Usui!! He's very cool!
Volume 4
I still love the beach chapters in this volume (I have seen the beach episodes of the anime adaptation, that's why I used, "still"). I just love their partnership that was shown in the chapters 15-16 (I think?) when they were dealing with Kanou Soutarou. Actually, in the chapter where Kanou was forced to work with the Seika girls for the canteen, I thought he was really cute! Those bunny ears suit him well! I wonder if he will make an appearance again? I wish he becomes better interacting with people. I kinda want to see him fall in love with a girl (maybe Hanazono Sakura would be great, since she's really nice to him and he blushed at her!) Usui is so cool, helping Misaki all the time without appearing uncool! That whole thing about Misaki getting scared and lost in the dark when she was on her way to the onsen (onesen = hot springs) to give the free tickets to Satsuki-san.. Usui surprising her and hugging her.. kyaa! I love it! I also wish that they kissed in the beach (soo romantic!) but the fireworks were just a second too early (DAMMIT!!!!!). This is going great!
Volume 7
I really loved that last chapter, chapter 32!!!
Usui is still the best!
Misaki finally confessed her feelings! Somehow, I thank you, Kuuga-kun!!
Usui-Misaki pairing has never failed to make me go, kyaa!, but I think that's more of Usui's fault.
Well, he IS really hot! And I don't think he's perfect.. since he gets really jealous and possessive of Misaki (especially when it's Shintani).. I guess this guy also has a flaw after all.
It's okay, Usui-sama, hang in there..
After Misaki's confession, what are they now? OFFICIALLY a couple? Or still love-hate?
Volume 8
I wish the student council members will be re-elected in their coming election cause I really think they were doing a great job, although they are oppressed by Misaki-kaichou. Yukimura is also doing a great job as Misaki's vice president. His compromising skills works on the guys whenever they don't follow Misaki's orders (for example, the club rooms' clean up). Since he enjoys council work and does them well, I really think he is the best person for the position. I think he inspires others in a way that is not easily seen.
I sounded like Yukimura's campaign manager there, didn't I? I hope the idiots of Seika High will re-elect Yukimura again.
5.) SHIAWASE KISSA SANCHOUME by Matsuzuki Kou
Volume 1
Both Shindou-san and Ichirou-kun are so cute! So, why does Ichirou-kun doze off so often and have to be fed to be woken up? Is he just being lazy? Anyway, he's too cute for his actions to be asked. I didn't really expect him to be that of a hardworker. I love when Shindou-san blushes and says these things to Takamura-san! He's starting to like her, huh? *wink, wink* I can't wait for more and luckily, there is still plenty of it for me to read. Awesome beginning is a sign of a great story. I'm so looking forward to what happens next!
Volume 2
Aww, Abekawa Sou is starting to like Takamura-san! Well, who wouldn't? She's so cute and I love how she's the clumsy airhead. The mangas have been reading have all these lady-like girls in it, so I was kinda thinking, "Do happiness and lovelife only come to lady-like girls? What about girls like me, who doesn't have a trace of being lady-like at all?" I feel like I could relate to Takamura-san. We have the same personality (but I don't break that many plates and glasses). I love her! She's too funny! And aww, is Shindou-kun starting to like her too? Girl airheads and straight men go well with each other, don't you think? Ichirou-kun is a bit weird, but I love him!
Suitei Seinen Shoujo (the one-shot within the second volume of Shiawase Kissa Sanchoume)
What a cute one-shot! I like it, but it doesn't really have an ending. I was kinda confused about the "end." What's the time and season said about? Is that the time when Shiho met Suga? Why did it end so soon? She hasn't even realized that she likes Suga Kyouhei yet! It should've been longer! But the feeling reciprocated eh?
Volume 5
Aww, that's so cute! Shindou, Ichirou and Uru have all met each other before they became workers of Cafe Bonheur! They're so cute as little kids! I love the Ichirou little kid version! He's so cute ♥
Volume 11
OMG! I love chapter 57, the chapter when Katou Keiichi (the kid who got lost in volume 3) came back to Cafe Bonheur to pay back the money he "owed" Shindou-san! HE'S SO CUTE!!! Shindou-san is a softy when it comes to kids! I really loved how he asked if Katou-kun got to see his mother and sister safely and then Shindou-san says, "That's a relief." I was like, AWWWWWWWWWW! He's really gonna make me fall in love with him. Katou-kun is such a responsible child! He takes very good care of Yoshika (his very cute but very shy little sister) and he looks up at Shindou-san! Even Ichirou-kun is super duper cute (of course)! He lies to Katou-kun about the back pocket of Katou-kun's bag being open, offers to close it, and joins up with Shindou-san to put the money in the pocket to return it! THEY ARE SO NICE! Actually, Shindou-san is SO nice, though he always looks so grumpy. He was the one who wanted to give the money back to the kid. His smile.. is oh so sweet ♥
6.) KARE WA TSUMETAI FURI O SHITE by Hoshimori Yukimo
I thought it was short and sweet. There also wasn't much confusion (which happens in several short mangas). What I loved the most is, despite of its shortness, it had quite a few scenes from the main male's perspective showing how he feels about certain events and his reactions to Kaho's actions (also, the shots where he is present and his reactions/emotions were shown)! I think that's how the mangaka avoided the confusion that can happen (for example, questions like how did the guy start to like the girl, etc..) and the story flowed rather smoothly.
7.) 'HAJIMETE' AGERU! by Hoshimori Yukimo
'Hajimete' Ageru is one of the cutest one-shot mangas I've read. Well, that's my opinion. I honestly think it's cute, but there are parts that could've been better. I think Yano Akitaka is somewhat similar to Ichinose Ren of Strobe Edge. Well, they're both popular to girls, kinda mysterious and has this cold aura (before I forget, they're both cute as well, but I think Ichinose Ren is cuter). Anyway, I believe Yano could've been less cold, cause I think he was a little bit too cold in contrast with Sayu, who seems to be sensitive (since she's a typical girl).
I don't quite understand the fight between Sayu and the girls. So she dated someone in middle school that she doesn't consider as her first boyfriend? Why do they call her, naive? My theory about this part is that she dated someone in middle school but it seemed half-assed or the guy did something bad to her, so she lied about Yano being her "first boyfriend." Maybe I'm right or maybe not, I would never understand the fight (not like I care, it doesn't have any importance to me anyways, and I hate those girls). I guess this could have been more clear to me if the author has added a few more pages to explain it a little bit.
OVERALL, I think it's cute (I like the last few pages), but I wish the fight part could've been a little bit longer (for explanation reasons). The story seems quite close to Strobe Edge, so if you also like this story, I think you'll also like Strobe Edge by Sakisaka Io!
8.) 16 LIFE by Aikawa Saki
Volume 1
The reason why Takase-kun asked her out was so mean! How could he do something like that? Dating someone half-heartedly.. cruel. But I guess if he ends up falling in love with her, that will come back right at him. He should know by now how much she's gonna hate him when she finds this out. I'm not saying this because I hate Takase-kun. Actually, I really like him. I think he's cool, but he should've thought of the plan of getting in a relationship with Saya half-heartedly very well first.
So far, I think this will be cute. I love the lovey-dovey scenes and that guy, umm.. Hiiragi. I have a feeling he has more purpose than an extra. I hope Saya doesn't become full of herself.
Volume 2
It's very cute. I liked it, though it didn't bring up my emotions at all (which is my criteria for judging). I think it should've been a bit longer. It's too short. Yuunosuke and Haruna were gone for most of the story. I think Yuunosuke's love for Saya is not love at all (he gave up so easily without even trying like what the hell? Be a man!) and he even points his attention to Haruna. Okay, so I guess that could happen in a year but a year is too short for true feelings. Hiiragi, I was right about him. But I also feel that he should've interfered more if he really likes her. But I guess that couldn't be done since the story is too short. Overall, short but cute love story.
9.) CHOCOLATE COSMOS by Haruta Nana
I'm a bit disappointed as the description is a bit misleading.. and the situation is not really that big of a problem. Their feelings seemed kinda platonic, even Yuushi's himself. I don't believe in love at first sight at all, so maybe that's why it seemed so shallow. Yes, I knew from the start that she'd end up with Hagiwara-sensei (he's really cool though, I like him), but I was kinda expecting that there'll be more acts of his kindness that will totally make her that in love with him. There aren't really any evidence of that, is there?
For my criteria for judging which is a good manga/anime:
1.) It should make me laugh, cry, hurt or whatever emotion they're trying to get out of the reader while reading the work (or in anime, watching the work), because as a writer, you should aim to make your readers react to what they're reading (I am also a writer).
I'm a really emotional person, so it's quite easy to get emotions out of me. For this, I'm not that moved, nor have I reacted so much on it while reading. There wasn't much of a climax. There are, but they were solved in about 2 chapters and are simple. There also isn't any presence of the main antagonist, maybe Kazumi-sensei at first, but she was "killed" (my own term when the writer totally ditches a minor character that they don't appear anymore) after the problem is solved. Komura Yukako had a very short antagonist role (only about a chapter or two), and Mutou Yuushi didn't really appear as a part of the love triangle at all.
OVERALL, I'm not saying it's really bad. Perhaps if it would have been longer, it could be improved. 3 out of 5 wouldn't be so bad, eh?
10.) DEVIL'S KISS by Takamiya Satoru
So, I will write reviews for each chapter, since they're all different stories.
First Chapter: Devil's Kiss
A story about an angel and a devil who fell in love with each other. I find it cute, like she didn't care if she'll be making offences. Rembrandt is really cute. He's the third in the list I will put up later at the bottom of the page. There's just one question that I have. When Rembrandt first met Sara, why did he want to break off her wings? Will that be a sign of her defeat and will gain him glory? Or just because, as he said, he doesn't think she's not suitable to be an angel? Then the next thing he says (a few lines after that) is, "It be more fun to make you want to stay with me even after I break your wings", so does that mean he likes her since that moment? Or am I just misunderstanding? I also don't get what went on when Rembrandt disappeared? What I understood was, she aimed something at him and then he vanished. Anyways, I loved the sidestory, Fallen Flower. They're all like lovey-dovey and it's just so cute! I really liked it ♥
Second Chapter: The Place Where Love Deeply Sleeps
This story really captured my attention. So, um, why is it exactly that Yuri only had a month left? Was it because he was getting married (because Hunny says, "He said that before your fiancee comes next month, that you should rest.") OH WAIT, so he's marrying some rich girl early because he's gonna die soon? Okay, I answered my own question :D anyways, his answers to her questions, they have a touch of negativity and she was able to see the positive in that. That's amazing of her! I started crying from the separation until the end! All of her memories were wiped out, but she still ends up falling in love with him. It has such a great ending. I love it!
Third Chapter: Blooming Love
This is my favourite out of all 5. Kiku is so cute, I love him! He's also really nice. I didn't think the girl was a total pushover so she's fine. The storyline is really good and the art, it's perfect. One of the good fantastical stories I've read (I don't usually read fantasy, more supernatural, though there isn't much difference). For the first flower petal shower, was that also from Hina, cause apparently the second petal shower was from her feelings of love? Or was Kiku's question also the answer? I love how this story's so pleasant because Kiku's so nice! Although the development of Kiku's feelings aren't that highlighted, it's implied subtly and it went really well. The game part was a bit confusing (what is the raising of the letters for?). So, Kiku reappears (from out of nowhere, or was he the bent flower?) when she finally confesses. I like the ending.
Fourth Chapter: Engraving a Symbol of Love
I only liked the part towards the end of this and the sidestory (somewhat). My favourite part was the library scene. Her disillusionment and change is also a good part, and I didn't like the rest, which is the beginning. Maybe she's a bit too pushy or confident, but I think her actions towards Shin is something like a guy would do to a girl he truly loves.
Fifth Chapter: Lesson
It's okay, but it's the least I liked out of 5. The girl, Muden Haruka, I think she's so clingy to Kanou-sensei. Her actions are something like a girly girl would do (no offence, but I couldn't tolerate that, despite being a girl myself). She also didn't try to understand Sensei's feelings. At least, the ending's pretty good.
Overall:
It's quite entertaining to read. I didn't get bored while reading it so that's good. Also, chapter 3 brought up my emotions and since they're all different stories, I liked ch3 the most (also, hence the ranked 1 below).
Cuteness Rankings:
1.) Kiku ♥
2.) Yuri (though he's a little bit too mature to be called cute)
3.) Rembrandt
4.) Sugimoto Shin
5.) Kanou-sensei
11.) 1/3 ROMANTICA by Shibano Yuka
1/3 Romantica:
Soo cute! The guy, Tokumoto Rintarou is really cool. (I will refer to him as "Rintarou-kun," just because he doesn't like it) I like how Rintarou-kun was really nice to Hana-chan, especially at that scene where he was alone, kicking the soccer ball, and she approaches him and sees him crying. He didn't ask her to go away, neither did he try to cover it up and all. He just told her straight to the point. He's also very sweet! He made her feel loved and all of that ♥
Oh, I loved how he began to like Hana-chan because she was so nice to him. In real life, that's what the reason to like someone should be, not only because they're pretty or hot. That just annoys me the most (aka, one of my pet peeves). He broke off with Tamura-sensei carefully too and it's great that Tamura-sensei didn't hold a grudge against him, and even invited him and Hana-chan to her wedding! (The finale picture is great :P)
CM na Futari:
Short and so sweet! Holy, that's a really long unrequited love (well, that's what she thought..). Michika liked him for 6 years.. Boy, she's very loyal! I love this one-shot because it's Yoshiki who confessed first. He was so cute when he admitted it too (he also used the word, love, which would be appropriate for his situation)! He went through the trouble of finding out just how dangerous Hiyama is (too bad, Hiyama was attractive too) and asked where Hiyama's place was. That's so much effort! The collection of chocolates.. How sweet (ba dum, tss.. geddit? chocolate = sweet.. ah, forget it), but kind of gross (imagine, that 6-year-old tiny piece of chocolate..) but I still think it was really cute.
THEY STOPPED IN A KISS.. REALLY? :/
Anyway, it's really great! I loved it! ♥
My Life, My Melody:
A little bit unrealistic? In my world, yes it is.
So, he didn't graduate because of the troublemakers.. jerks. That principal is a huge jerk. I mean, it wasn't Kei who started the fight. Such a big idiot. He pissed me off. Anyway, the rest of the story is great! Aoi-chan has family problems (curse you, Aoi-chan's stupid parents) and that problem is quite common among families. Good thing she had gentle Kei to listen and comfort her. I couldn't really imagine Kei as delinquent-like as he said he was supposed to be. He's so kind for helping her make up with her parents! I think that was really sweet, and he definitely changed her life right there. Again, the mangaka stopped before the kiss.. dammit. Cute story, I was moved.
Overall:
They're all great stories! I loved CM na Futari the most because it was the guy who confessed in such a cute way, but they're all very good! The art is also very well done, couldn't ask for more. 5 stars from me! Lack of kissing, but it didn't stop the story from being romantic. They still turned out really cute! READ THIS MANGA, AND YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
12.) GOKUJOU TWINS by Shiiba Nana
All of the stories are great!
I love how Shiiba Nana's female main characters are mostly strong girls!
But there are some that stood out..
For this reason, I will write a review for each..
Gokujou Twins:
Love it! They're so cute (I mean, the boys). I like Kiyo-kun more though (I have a thing with boys with black hair) because he was the first one to capture my eye. It's probably because he's the awkward one, the one who can't express his feelings without embarrassing himself to the core. So Sara hated Kiyo because of Mio's mischief(s) and also hated Mio for Kiyo's mischief? That could only mean that they both like her since they were kids, right? The romantic scenes of Kiyo and Sara were all cute, but the one I like the most is the whole confession part. Great story!
Chocolate Sensou:
Cute! Shinichirou-kun.. You're a little.. too mature? Oh wait, just plain pervy XD So the whole "game" (as Shinichirou-kun called it) was caused by his frustration that the chocolate wasn't for him and he was trying to prevent her from giving it to Nakata because he likes her from the start? Those mean girls.. He's not gonna like you back anymore, sorry! Okay, Nakata was really cute, but he's an idiot! Shinichirou to the rescue! I love how he just shoves the chocolate into Nakata's mouth! Aww, the ending was so cute :)
Itazura Ouji:
This is my favourite story out of all 4 stories! Their fathers.. pure idiots! Saying "Let's leave it to the two young people," that could mean a LOT of things - even dirty thoughts. Kyaa! That picture of Sai waiting outside of Mayuri's high school is cute and hot and irresistible, all at the same time! Mayuri is so lucky! T_T I'm jealous! Mayuri.. I adore her for refusing all the expensive things that Sai gave her at the mall! That's what a strong girl should be! Sai-kun.. you're so kawaii, though he failed to buy the stuffed toy that Mayuri liked (the one he bought looked like an anteater or some strange alien creature). Those people from Shinei Academy are horrible! Ugh, snotty rich kids!!! I really liked the whole raining scenes (particularly, when he was drying up). He actually says, "Itadakimasu!" Soo funny! Well, now we know where Sai got his mischievousness..
Katekyo to Obenkyou:
I didn't really like this one so much.. Why was Kaoru-kun nice to Kei-chan and uber mean to Nina-chan? Was it because he likes her or because she's really stupid? Also, the ending didn't really make sense and there aren't many romantic scenes.. there are, but not enough to make me go "aww" or "kyaa! that's so sweet!"
13.) 37 DEGREES C NO BOYFRIEND by Minase Ai
I'm not so satisfied with this.. I think Takaomi was a better candidate for her. After all, Chitose had a girlfriend at the time, but it's only half-hearted dating (I'm being torn apart for this).. a relationship with no feelings is just.. is it even considered a relationship? That's stupid. I think, if she chose Takaomi, she probably wouldn't have any doubts at all (since he's the serious type). I really don't believe in love at first sight (neither have I experienced it) so that's probably why I think the plot's kinda.. stupid.. in a way.
During chapter 2, somehow, it looked like she was getting closer to Takaomi to the point that they looked like they'd end up together. Both guys also used the word, love, in confessing to Wakaba, but I don't think the mangaka should've used it at all. In short, it would be more appropriate if they said that they LIKE her, instead of, "I LOVE YOU." I just think that the feelings are too shallow and half-insincere..
I think if this manga was longer, it could've been better or could've been MADE better. But the romantic scenes are cute.
I apologize for this blog is super duper long, due to the number and length of the reviews. I could have made each review a new blog, but then I would have a problem with the Anime Relations, since MAL only allows blogs to be posted if there's an anime related to it, and only 1 out of the 13 titles below has an anime, so I had to compiled them all. I appreciate the time you take to read this super long blog, and hopefully, you'll read until the very end!
**SPOILER ALERT! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED :)**
1.) STROBE EDGE by Sakisaka Io
I really REALLY loved it! It's so cute and well, it's almost realistic (well, it pretty much is) so if you're a romance type reader, this manga suits you! GIVE IT A READ!
I really loved Ichinose Ren's character. He's gentle, quiet and mysterious. Not actually like any typical guys, BUT there are probably guys almost just like him. His relationship with Korenaga Mayuka is cute, but I didn't really think that they'd go together since her priority is work and she's all like, thinking about her future and working hard for it. I feel that Ren-kun is too young for her, not because she's older, but because of her way of thinking.
Ga-chan (Miyoshi Manabu) is my second favourite, after Ren. His character is really minor and he only has a few appearances, but he puts colour into the story. A happy-go-lucky guy is what both Ninako and Ren needed (matchmaking matters). I also think Yu-kun (Terada Yutaro) is pretty cool and I like him for supporting Ren when he realizes his own feelings for Ninako.
For chapter 36.2 (the finale?) is okay, but I think it could've been better. Yes, they were on a cute date; yes, I like the part when Ren admitted he was pissed about Andou getting Ninako's first kiss (forcefully) instead of him, Ninako's first boyfriend; yes, they've kissed (and it was beautiful), but I think that Ren should've changed (only a bit though) like he should've been able to act freely without worrying about losing his "cool" in front of Ninako during their date because honestly, if he never knew this, there were times that he was caught off-guard. There were also times that he did stuff in front of Ninako that he never did in front of his friends (looking really happy and showing emotions) or even Mayuka (eating sweets when Ninako gave him some), so I think he should've acted more comfortable in front of her.
OVERALL, 10 out of 10 is my rating (5 stars in this case), because it really suited my taste in stories.
2.) HANA TO AKUMA by Oto Hisamu
That is just too beautiful. I was entirely moved. I cried, laughed, got shocked and became upset (need I to write it all in?). After every chapter, I couldn't wait what happens next! It's like I got so attached to it all throughout the whole thing. I loved it since the first chapter, which is rather impossible since usually the pilot chapters don't have much to it. It was beautiful from beginning to the end and it really kept me going. It definitely passed my criteria for judging (actually, I cried so much) so for my opinion, this is a must read.
At first, I was really curious about this whole "Akuma" (means demon or devil in japanese) in the title because when I saw the pictures of the characters on mangafox.com's home page for Hana to Akuma (where anyone can see all the chapters and volumes and the discussions about the manga), none of them seem to look like a devil (they look more like disguised angels, really) and who could ever thought that someone as hot and gorgeous as Vivi would be a demon!
I was really touched by the whole love story (since I'm a romance-otaku, I completely fell in love with it). I would say that it is one of the best love stories I've ever read in my entire life (16 years isn't that long, you know?). I had doubts reading this manga since it had "supernatural" in one of its themes. I had a bad experience reading a really bad supernatural-themed manga. I completely hated that manga, and since then, I vowed never to read one of those again. The fact that it is under shoujo and romance that finally gave me the push to give it a read.. and I was proven wrong! Not all supernatural-themed mangas are bad! I even remember saying, "Just after one chapter, I fell in love with Hana to Akuma."
Everything is just perfect. Polished from the pilot chapter until the finale. Except for the confusion about the names.. and.. oh heck, the name choice itself (Vivi's name really bothered at first, then Velten's), but then I realized none of those matter! The author could've chosen a completely different name but it wouldn't really change anything. No spelling mistakes too, along the whole thing, no confusion about what's going on (it flowed rather smoothly). It's been carefully written. It also didn't feel like a drag (having 58 chapters and all). The fact is, I wished it was a bit longer! I wish Oto Hisamu-san made the appearance of grown up Hana-chan a bit longer, and had more grown up lovey-dovey scenes (I was dreading for that!), but Vivi had some lovey-dovey scenes with Hana-Nigou, so I think it's okay.
I always loved the point-of-view scenes of the male main characters! There's this really cute thing about guys when they get jealous that makes me scream (to happiness, that is). I love Vivi point-of-view scenes. Since he's the mysterious one, I dreaded to know more what he's thinking, what he's planning. Also, the fact that Vivi's character is more used for the drama effect on the whole story went so swiftly. He's created more drama than Hana did, BUT it's because he's the one who sees the problem about his relationship with Hana, and the fact that him being a demon is the biggest conflict in the whole story. I also love that his character was used very well, and that he didn't seem secondary at all. I also loved that the transition of his character's attitude was very obvious, from a very selfish demonic duke to a loving husband and father.
I also loved Velten and Ellinor (their relationship is just too admirable), but I would love to know if they ever got married and had kids, like Hana and Vivi did (although I know Ellinor and Velten had all the time they could ever have to start a family and have kids, unlike Hana and Vivi). Maybe they did and the author didn't bother writing more about them (since it would be a different story if then)? Velten, as the comical (most of the time) and wise (about frequently) mixed very well. I loved him (as a secondary main-ish character). He's just too amazing to miss out. Ellinor, I loved her too (not as much as I loved Velten.. isn't this the time she'd pop up here, punch me and make my nose bleed?). I didn't like her at first, since I thought she was just another minor character (like Rosemary, I hate her!), but then she became friends with Hana and helped Hana with her romance problems! I loved how she made Vivi realize that he's in love with Hana and convinced Vivi to go back to Earth (when he was being a complete asshole, acting all cool with the parting and all.. I love her for that). She's like this person who relies the message between Vivi and Hana's love for each other. The chapter/s about her and Velten is too cute. I never thought Velten could be that noble and serious (I was really shocked when he became serious, which rarely happens). Overall, they're both great secondary support characters (sidekicks is NOT the proper term for these awesome fellas!).
Lucifer-sama is also cool (since he makes Vivi all jealous, which is what I love the most ♥), but does he also like Hana (or rather, did he develop a love for her?)? Cause he just like, kisses her unexpectedly (his seizure scene in the garden), and the fact that he forced Hana to marry him to save Vivi is quite unclear and unexplained. He's a cool king, but it's sad that he was forced to come down of his throne. Rosemary is just plain awful (I will NEVER like her.. though she has her reasons.. NEVER!!). Toni is also really cute (I laughed so hard when Velten called him a "numbskull" when he couldn't realize Hana is in love with Vivi). He also did some of Vivi's disillusionments subtly (I'm giving him credit!!). Klaus is awful too, and Michel.. what the darned hell happened to that cat-otaku?? Well, I guess it will never be explained.. too bad. Tanizaki Momo is also very admirable. He didn't mind his own feelings when he knew Hana was dreading for Vivi (for all the years Vivi and Hana were separated) and he also helped Hana in so many ways, that I want him to be my friend too! Rentarou is Rentarou, and Nijou Ayame.. there was a big change in her character too. At first, she didn't like Hana but then she realized she can't win Vivi's affections. Did I forget anyone else? No? Then, I guess this is good.
I saw that the theme of Tragedy is present.. except for the dramas (which is totally acceptable for me cause it made the story flow very smoothly), the finale is the main tragedy, right? It's sad that Hana died :(.. but hey, she's a human, so it's expected. I cried seeing that tombstone! I really did, it's ridiculous! I wish the author put a bit of scenes where Hana was with her family (in the not-dead presence..), all happy, but I guess that isn't really the main point. I was really sad at that scene where Vivi was holding her hand when she was on her deathbed, but at least she got to live her life with the man she loved and the kids they produced, along with the real friends who had been there for them all along the way. I think she was present on the character of her daughter, Anzu. I think she lived pretty long, since when she died, Yamabuki, her son, was 73 years old (but he's a demon, so that isn't old at all).
3.) BEAST MASTER by Motomi Kyousuke
Volume 1
AWWWW! Soo cute! Aoi-kun is soo adorable! I just love his naiveness and that loving actions of his! He's so sweet, although he's like really ignorant. Ah! I also like how Yuiko-san isn't a pushover! Non-pushover female main characters are quite few (from the other manga I have read so far) and sometimes, those pushovers make me feel ashamed of being a girl. Like, they have to stand up for themselves and not rely on the male characters (which would NOT be the right flow of the story, but..). This is a really cute story! The art is okay, just a bit messy (but I don't expect a very polished drawing anyway, so it's all good!)
Volume 2
OH MY GOD!
Okay, so he just says everything that a girl wants to hear. I almost died when he said, "As long as you're by my side, I don't need anything else, Yuiko." Somebody give this guy a credit! Oh my gosh, he's been hit! Will he be okay? I don't understand why the person stopped Yuiko from touching Leo? Is it the norm not to touch the person who's been hit? He looks so broken and forlorn on the hospital bed I wanna break down in tears! Not really, that's just my exaggeration.
Hahahahaa, Toki-san! He's so devoted to Aoi-kun :) That picture book is just epic. And I just had the same reaction as Yuiko, about learning the grandfather's will.. 120 HUNDRED MILLION YEN??!!! But then again, I don't know how much that is in dollars (maybe around a few million, I think..) and that's still a lot (though Idk how much it is in dollars, it still sounds like a LOT of money).
That father-and-son meeting is just.. It's quite nostalgic, but for that moment there, he didn't seem like an 18-year-old guy. His attitude is completely different from his wild appearance. Yuiko even had a WTF face (actually, I did too, and almost died laughing).
Daaaaamn, Leo is leaving! That scene on the playground is just.. it's too sad. I had a lump in my throat reading that. Their parting just made me so sad. I can't handle partings in stories. I usually bawl but reading that, I suddenly found it hard to cry. I had a bigger lump instead.
I cried again when he came back for her and said those oh-so-very-sweet words! Just who wouldn't fall in love with this guy?
4.) KAICHOU WA MAID-SAMA by Fujiwara Hiro
Volume 1
It's really funny! Usui Takumi is the best ♥
Although at first, I thought the Usui Takumi in the anime adaptation for this manga is hotter than the manga Usui, but then later on, somehow the drawings of Usui changed a bit and looked like the one in the anime (much to my happiness) and that's great! Somehow, some scenes in the anime aren't in the manga at all (the introduction of the Ayuzawa's life condition, Minako and Suzuna are not in the manga at all), which I didn't like at first, but I guess it's okay. The good thing is, the creepy quintuplets (I called them creepy because 5 freakin people have EXACTLY the same face, it gives me the creeps) that are called Ayuzawa School in the anime are not the followers of Misaki in the manga (actually, the black haired guys in "Ayuzawa Club" in the manga are cute) and they did not change anything in the scene where Usui confesses and kisses Misaki (still my favourite part!). Yukimura looks so different though..
Transparent World (the one-shot within the first volume of KWMS)
Soo beautiful! I love it! The characters are great, even the lead girl, Kisaragi Michiru. I didn't find her annoying. I understood that she was really shy, that's why she's a bit of an outcast. I really like how she changed herself so much, from being the outcast girl to outgoing girl, because of Takahashi Makoto. Makoto is really cute and is the first guy I've seen that has a different face from the other shoujo boys. It's really nice to see a fresh cute face! His letters made me cry so much! There's just so much feelings attached to it, like they're straight from his heart. My question was, since he blushed a few times while he was with Kisaragi and did that forehead thing with her when he was about to vanish, does that mean that he like(s/d) her too? Fujishiro is also a great character! He's really nice! This one-shot is perfect, although there isn't really much romance between Kisaragi and Takahashi. I wish there was one last bit, showing that Takahashi was watching them (Kisaragi and Fujishiro) from above, happily.
Volume 2
Usui is soo funny! Usui, daisuki!
I admire him so much! He's too perfect though.
"Hentai onii-san" LOLOLOLOLOL XD
Look who's talking! He's slightly perverted too!
Ah, how can Misaki ever resist his moves on her!
He is just too tempting.. ;)
chu.. chu!
I love it when he helps Misaki in a very cool way..
Ahh, if ever a perfect guy like Usui lives, I will find him no matter what!
Volume 3
Yukimura! I think he's a really fun character to write more about. He is scared of Misaki but is beginning to be close to her and he learns a lot from both Misaki and Usui (he idolizes them from being able to do the things he can't do, ie: being top students, top athletes and strong character). I like this volume because there are a lot of images of Usui!! He's very cool!
Volume 4
I still love the beach chapters in this volume (I have seen the beach episodes of the anime adaptation, that's why I used, "still"). I just love their partnership that was shown in the chapters 15-16 (I think?) when they were dealing with Kanou Soutarou. Actually, in the chapter where Kanou was forced to work with the Seika girls for the canteen, I thought he was really cute! Those bunny ears suit him well! I wonder if he will make an appearance again? I wish he becomes better interacting with people. I kinda want to see him fall in love with a girl (maybe Hanazono Sakura would be great, since she's really nice to him and he blushed at her!) Usui is so cool, helping Misaki all the time without appearing uncool! That whole thing about Misaki getting scared and lost in the dark when she was on her way to the onsen (onesen = hot springs) to give the free tickets to Satsuki-san.. Usui surprising her and hugging her.. kyaa! I love it! I also wish that they kissed in the beach (soo romantic!) but the fireworks were just a second too early (DAMMIT!!!!!). This is going great!
Volume 7
I really loved that last chapter, chapter 32!!!
Usui is still the best!
Misaki finally confessed her feelings! Somehow, I thank you, Kuuga-kun!!
Usui-Misaki pairing has never failed to make me go, kyaa!, but I think that's more of Usui's fault.
Well, he IS really hot! And I don't think he's perfect.. since he gets really jealous and possessive of Misaki (especially when it's Shintani).. I guess this guy also has a flaw after all.
It's okay, Usui-sama, hang in there..
After Misaki's confession, what are they now? OFFICIALLY a couple? Or still love-hate?
Volume 8
I wish the student council members will be re-elected in their coming election cause I really think they were doing a great job, although they are oppressed by Misaki-kaichou. Yukimura is also doing a great job as Misaki's vice president. His compromising skills works on the guys whenever they don't follow Misaki's orders (for example, the club rooms' clean up). Since he enjoys council work and does them well, I really think he is the best person for the position. I think he inspires others in a way that is not easily seen.
I sounded like Yukimura's campaign manager there, didn't I? I hope the idiots of Seika High will re-elect Yukimura again.
5.) SHIAWASE KISSA SANCHOUME by Matsuzuki Kou
Volume 1
Both Shindou-san and Ichirou-kun are so cute! So, why does Ichirou-kun doze off so often and have to be fed to be woken up? Is he just being lazy? Anyway, he's too cute for his actions to be asked. I didn't really expect him to be that of a hardworker. I love when Shindou-san blushes and says these things to Takamura-san! He's starting to like her, huh? *wink, wink* I can't wait for more and luckily, there is still plenty of it for me to read. Awesome beginning is a sign of a great story. I'm so looking forward to what happens next!
Volume 2
Aww, Abekawa Sou is starting to like Takamura-san! Well, who wouldn't? She's so cute and I love how she's the clumsy airhead. The mangas have been reading have all these lady-like girls in it, so I was kinda thinking, "Do happiness and lovelife only come to lady-like girls? What about girls like me, who doesn't have a trace of being lady-like at all?" I feel like I could relate to Takamura-san. We have the same personality (but I don't break that many plates and glasses). I love her! She's too funny! And aww, is Shindou-kun starting to like her too? Girl airheads and straight men go well with each other, don't you think? Ichirou-kun is a bit weird, but I love him!
Suitei Seinen Shoujo (the one-shot within the second volume of Shiawase Kissa Sanchoume)
What a cute one-shot! I like it, but it doesn't really have an ending. I was kinda confused about the "end." What's the time and season said about? Is that the time when Shiho met Suga? Why did it end so soon? She hasn't even realized that she likes Suga Kyouhei yet! It should've been longer! But the feeling reciprocated eh?
Volume 5
Aww, that's so cute! Shindou, Ichirou and Uru have all met each other before they became workers of Cafe Bonheur! They're so cute as little kids! I love the Ichirou little kid version! He's so cute ♥
Volume 11
OMG! I love chapter 57, the chapter when Katou Keiichi (the kid who got lost in volume 3) came back to Cafe Bonheur to pay back the money he "owed" Shindou-san! HE'S SO CUTE!!! Shindou-san is a softy when it comes to kids! I really loved how he asked if Katou-kun got to see his mother and sister safely and then Shindou-san says, "That's a relief." I was like, AWWWWWWWWWW! He's really gonna make me fall in love with him. Katou-kun is such a responsible child! He takes very good care of Yoshika (his very cute but very shy little sister) and he looks up at Shindou-san! Even Ichirou-kun is super duper cute (of course)! He lies to Katou-kun about the back pocket of Katou-kun's bag being open, offers to close it, and joins up with Shindou-san to put the money in the pocket to return it! THEY ARE SO NICE! Actually, Shindou-san is SO nice, though he always looks so grumpy. He was the one who wanted to give the money back to the kid. His smile.. is oh so sweet ♥
6.) KARE WA TSUMETAI FURI O SHITE by Hoshimori Yukimo
I thought it was short and sweet. There also wasn't much confusion (which happens in several short mangas). What I loved the most is, despite of its shortness, it had quite a few scenes from the main male's perspective showing how he feels about certain events and his reactions to Kaho's actions (also, the shots where he is present and his reactions/emotions were shown)! I think that's how the mangaka avoided the confusion that can happen (for example, questions like how did the guy start to like the girl, etc..) and the story flowed rather smoothly.
7.) 'HAJIMETE' AGERU! by Hoshimori Yukimo
'Hajimete' Ageru is one of the cutest one-shot mangas I've read. Well, that's my opinion. I honestly think it's cute, but there are parts that could've been better. I think Yano Akitaka is somewhat similar to Ichinose Ren of Strobe Edge. Well, they're both popular to girls, kinda mysterious and has this cold aura (before I forget, they're both cute as well, but I think Ichinose Ren is cuter). Anyway, I believe Yano could've been less cold, cause I think he was a little bit too cold in contrast with Sayu, who seems to be sensitive (since she's a typical girl).
I don't quite understand the fight between Sayu and the girls. So she dated someone in middle school that she doesn't consider as her first boyfriend? Why do they call her, naive? My theory about this part is that she dated someone in middle school but it seemed half-assed or the guy did something bad to her, so she lied about Yano being her "first boyfriend." Maybe I'm right or maybe not, I would never understand the fight (not like I care, it doesn't have any importance to me anyways, and I hate those girls). I guess this could have been more clear to me if the author has added a few more pages to explain it a little bit.
OVERALL, I think it's cute (I like the last few pages), but I wish the fight part could've been a little bit longer (for explanation reasons). The story seems quite close to Strobe Edge, so if you also like this story, I think you'll also like Strobe Edge by Sakisaka Io!
8.) 16 LIFE by Aikawa Saki
Volume 1
The reason why Takase-kun asked her out was so mean! How could he do something like that? Dating someone half-heartedly.. cruel. But I guess if he ends up falling in love with her, that will come back right at him. He should know by now how much she's gonna hate him when she finds this out. I'm not saying this because I hate Takase-kun. Actually, I really like him. I think he's cool, but he should've thought of the plan of getting in a relationship with Saya half-heartedly very well first.
So far, I think this will be cute. I love the lovey-dovey scenes and that guy, umm.. Hiiragi. I have a feeling he has more purpose than an extra. I hope Saya doesn't become full of herself.
Volume 2
It's very cute. I liked it, though it didn't bring up my emotions at all (which is my criteria for judging). I think it should've been a bit longer. It's too short. Yuunosuke and Haruna were gone for most of the story. I think Yuunosuke's love for Saya is not love at all (he gave up so easily without even trying like what the hell? Be a man!) and he even points his attention to Haruna. Okay, so I guess that could happen in a year but a year is too short for true feelings. Hiiragi, I was right about him. But I also feel that he should've interfered more if he really likes her. But I guess that couldn't be done since the story is too short. Overall, short but cute love story.
9.) CHOCOLATE COSMOS by Haruta Nana
I'm a bit disappointed as the description is a bit misleading.. and the situation is not really that big of a problem. Their feelings seemed kinda platonic, even Yuushi's himself. I don't believe in love at first sight at all, so maybe that's why it seemed so shallow. Yes, I knew from the start that she'd end up with Hagiwara-sensei (he's really cool though, I like him), but I was kinda expecting that there'll be more acts of his kindness that will totally make her that in love with him. There aren't really any evidence of that, is there?
For my criteria for judging which is a good manga/anime:
1.) It should make me laugh, cry, hurt or whatever emotion they're trying to get out of the reader while reading the work (or in anime, watching the work), because as a writer, you should aim to make your readers react to what they're reading (I am also a writer).
I'm a really emotional person, so it's quite easy to get emotions out of me. For this, I'm not that moved, nor have I reacted so much on it while reading. There wasn't much of a climax. There are, but they were solved in about 2 chapters and are simple. There also isn't any presence of the main antagonist, maybe Kazumi-sensei at first, but she was "killed" (my own term when the writer totally ditches a minor character that they don't appear anymore) after the problem is solved. Komura Yukako had a very short antagonist role (only about a chapter or two), and Mutou Yuushi didn't really appear as a part of the love triangle at all.
OVERALL, I'm not saying it's really bad. Perhaps if it would have been longer, it could be improved. 3 out of 5 wouldn't be so bad, eh?
10.) DEVIL'S KISS by Takamiya Satoru
So, I will write reviews for each chapter, since they're all different stories.
First Chapter: Devil's Kiss
A story about an angel and a devil who fell in love with each other. I find it cute, like she didn't care if she'll be making offences. Rembrandt is really cute. He's the third in the list I will put up later at the bottom of the page. There's just one question that I have. When Rembrandt first met Sara, why did he want to break off her wings? Will that be a sign of her defeat and will gain him glory? Or just because, as he said, he doesn't think she's not suitable to be an angel? Then the next thing he says (a few lines after that) is, "It be more fun to make you want to stay with me even after I break your wings", so does that mean he likes her since that moment? Or am I just misunderstanding? I also don't get what went on when Rembrandt disappeared? What I understood was, she aimed something at him and then he vanished. Anyways, I loved the sidestory, Fallen Flower. They're all like lovey-dovey and it's just so cute! I really liked it ♥
Second Chapter: The Place Where Love Deeply Sleeps
This story really captured my attention. So, um, why is it exactly that Yuri only had a month left? Was it because he was getting married (because Hunny says, "He said that before your fiancee comes next month, that you should rest.") OH WAIT, so he's marrying some rich girl early because he's gonna die soon? Okay, I answered my own question :D anyways, his answers to her questions, they have a touch of negativity and she was able to see the positive in that. That's amazing of her! I started crying from the separation until the end! All of her memories were wiped out, but she still ends up falling in love with him. It has such a great ending. I love it!
Third Chapter: Blooming Love
This is my favourite out of all 5. Kiku is so cute, I love him! He's also really nice. I didn't think the girl was a total pushover so she's fine. The storyline is really good and the art, it's perfect. One of the good fantastical stories I've read (I don't usually read fantasy, more supernatural, though there isn't much difference). For the first flower petal shower, was that also from Hina, cause apparently the second petal shower was from her feelings of love? Or was Kiku's question also the answer? I love how this story's so pleasant because Kiku's so nice! Although the development of Kiku's feelings aren't that highlighted, it's implied subtly and it went really well. The game part was a bit confusing (what is the raising of the letters for?). So, Kiku reappears (from out of nowhere, or was he the bent flower?) when she finally confesses. I like the ending.
Fourth Chapter: Engraving a Symbol of Love
I only liked the part towards the end of this and the sidestory (somewhat). My favourite part was the library scene. Her disillusionment and change is also a good part, and I didn't like the rest, which is the beginning. Maybe she's a bit too pushy or confident, but I think her actions towards Shin is something like a guy would do to a girl he truly loves.
Fifth Chapter: Lesson
It's okay, but it's the least I liked out of 5. The girl, Muden Haruka, I think she's so clingy to Kanou-sensei. Her actions are something like a girly girl would do (no offence, but I couldn't tolerate that, despite being a girl myself). She also didn't try to understand Sensei's feelings. At least, the ending's pretty good.
Overall:
It's quite entertaining to read. I didn't get bored while reading it so that's good. Also, chapter 3 brought up my emotions and since they're all different stories, I liked ch3 the most (also, hence the ranked 1 below).
Cuteness Rankings:
1.) Kiku ♥
2.) Yuri (though he's a little bit too mature to be called cute)
3.) Rembrandt
4.) Sugimoto Shin
5.) Kanou-sensei
11.) 1/3 ROMANTICA by Shibano Yuka
1/3 Romantica:
Soo cute! The guy, Tokumoto Rintarou is really cool. (I will refer to him as "Rintarou-kun," just because he doesn't like it) I like how Rintarou-kun was really nice to Hana-chan, especially at that scene where he was alone, kicking the soccer ball, and she approaches him and sees him crying. He didn't ask her to go away, neither did he try to cover it up and all. He just told her straight to the point. He's also very sweet! He made her feel loved and all of that ♥
Oh, I loved how he began to like Hana-chan because she was so nice to him. In real life, that's what the reason to like someone should be, not only because they're pretty or hot. That just annoys me the most (aka, one of my pet peeves). He broke off with Tamura-sensei carefully too and it's great that Tamura-sensei didn't hold a grudge against him, and even invited him and Hana-chan to her wedding! (The finale picture is great :P)
CM na Futari:
Short and so sweet! Holy, that's a really long unrequited love (well, that's what she thought..). Michika liked him for 6 years.. Boy, she's very loyal! I love this one-shot because it's Yoshiki who confessed first. He was so cute when he admitted it too (he also used the word, love, which would be appropriate for his situation)! He went through the trouble of finding out just how dangerous Hiyama is (too bad, Hiyama was attractive too) and asked where Hiyama's place was. That's so much effort! The collection of chocolates.. How sweet (ba dum, tss.. geddit? chocolate = sweet.. ah, forget it), but kind of gross (imagine, that 6-year-old tiny piece of chocolate..) but I still think it was really cute.
THEY STOPPED IN A KISS.. REALLY? :/
Anyway, it's really great! I loved it! ♥
My Life, My Melody:
A little bit unrealistic? In my world, yes it is.
So, he didn't graduate because of the troublemakers.. jerks. That principal is a huge jerk. I mean, it wasn't Kei who started the fight. Such a big idiot. He pissed me off. Anyway, the rest of the story is great! Aoi-chan has family problems (curse you, Aoi-chan's stupid parents) and that problem is quite common among families. Good thing she had gentle Kei to listen and comfort her. I couldn't really imagine Kei as delinquent-like as he said he was supposed to be. He's so kind for helping her make up with her parents! I think that was really sweet, and he definitely changed her life right there. Again, the mangaka stopped before the kiss.. dammit. Cute story, I was moved.
Overall:
They're all great stories! I loved CM na Futari the most because it was the guy who confessed in such a cute way, but they're all very good! The art is also very well done, couldn't ask for more. 5 stars from me! Lack of kissing, but it didn't stop the story from being romantic. They still turned out really cute! READ THIS MANGA, AND YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
12.) GOKUJOU TWINS by Shiiba Nana
All of the stories are great!
I love how Shiiba Nana's female main characters are mostly strong girls!
But there are some that stood out..
For this reason, I will write a review for each..
Gokujou Twins:
Love it! They're so cute (I mean, the boys). I like Kiyo-kun more though (I have a thing with boys with black hair) because he was the first one to capture my eye. It's probably because he's the awkward one, the one who can't express his feelings without embarrassing himself to the core. So Sara hated Kiyo because of Mio's mischief(s) and also hated Mio for Kiyo's mischief? That could only mean that they both like her since they were kids, right? The romantic scenes of Kiyo and Sara were all cute, but the one I like the most is the whole confession part. Great story!
Chocolate Sensou:
Cute! Shinichirou-kun.. You're a little.. too mature? Oh wait, just plain pervy XD So the whole "game" (as Shinichirou-kun called it) was caused by his frustration that the chocolate wasn't for him and he was trying to prevent her from giving it to Nakata because he likes her from the start? Those mean girls.. He's not gonna like you back anymore, sorry! Okay, Nakata was really cute, but he's an idiot! Shinichirou to the rescue! I love how he just shoves the chocolate into Nakata's mouth! Aww, the ending was so cute :)
Itazura Ouji:
This is my favourite story out of all 4 stories! Their fathers.. pure idiots! Saying "Let's leave it to the two young people," that could mean a LOT of things - even dirty thoughts. Kyaa! That picture of Sai waiting outside of Mayuri's high school is cute and hot and irresistible, all at the same time! Mayuri is so lucky! T_T I'm jealous! Mayuri.. I adore her for refusing all the expensive things that Sai gave her at the mall! That's what a strong girl should be! Sai-kun.. you're so kawaii, though he failed to buy the stuffed toy that Mayuri liked (the one he bought looked like an anteater or some strange alien creature). Those people from Shinei Academy are horrible! Ugh, snotty rich kids!!! I really liked the whole raining scenes (particularly, when he was drying up). He actually says, "Itadakimasu!" Soo funny! Well, now we know where Sai got his mischievousness..
Katekyo to Obenkyou:
I didn't really like this one so much.. Why was Kaoru-kun nice to Kei-chan and uber mean to Nina-chan? Was it because he likes her or because she's really stupid? Also, the ending didn't really make sense and there aren't many romantic scenes.. there are, but not enough to make me go "aww" or "kyaa! that's so sweet!"
13.) 37 DEGREES C NO BOYFRIEND by Minase Ai
I'm not so satisfied with this.. I think Takaomi was a better candidate for her. After all, Chitose had a girlfriend at the time, but it's only half-hearted dating (I'm being torn apart for this).. a relationship with no feelings is just.. is it even considered a relationship? That's stupid. I think, if she chose Takaomi, she probably wouldn't have any doubts at all (since he's the serious type). I really don't believe in love at first sight (neither have I experienced it) so that's probably why I think the plot's kinda.. stupid.. in a way.
During chapter 2, somehow, it looked like she was getting closer to Takaomi to the point that they looked like they'd end up together. Both guys also used the word, love, in confessing to Wakaba, but I don't think the mangaka should've used it at all. In short, it would be more appropriate if they said that they LIKE her, instead of, "I LOVE YOU." I just think that the feelings are too shallow and half-insincere..
I think if this manga was longer, it could've been better or could've been MADE better. But the romantic scenes are cute.
Posted by natsucchi29 | May 26, 2013 5:17 PM | 0 comments
May 25th, 2013
Blog #11 - a review for the conclusion of Vampire Knight..
Anime Relations: Vampire Knight, Vampire Knight Guilty
**PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS BLOG CONTAINS SPOILERS ABOUT THE MANGA, VAMPIRE KNIGHT.**
After almost a year of reading Vampire Knight (due to it was still ongoing, I had to suffer waiting for chapters in the process), it has finally concluded with 93 chapters.
My final feelings about it are still a little fazed, as I just finished reading the last chapter a few minutes ago.
Let me get my thoughts all together..
...
...
...
...
...
I'm ready.
Here it goes.
Meh.
My feelings about the ending is that. Why?
Character Reviews:
Cross/Kuran/Kiryuu Yuuki
Yuuki is just plain irritating in my eyes. WHY IS SHE THE PROTAGONIST AGAIN? This is one of my problems with the Shoujo genre - annoying female protagonists - though Yuuki is a special case. It's not that she's useless and weak who needs protecting all the time - she actually does a lot of things on her own, but this makes the guys around her want to protect her. She is the kind of heroine who would rather put herself in danger for the welfare of others to the point that she seems hypocritical to me. By doing this, she lures all the guys to become her protectors - mainly Zero. I don't like her because all she cared for are her feelings, which is why her "pure-hearted" personality seems hypocritical to me. There's only very few times she's thought of others' feelings, but set them aside quickly. Like when she was newly awaken with her vampire self, she understood how Zero feels about needing to suppress his vampire self and hating himself about it, and then she goes off thinking about how horrible she was for saying she hates vampires and she concludes that she can help Zero by offering her blood - all because she feels horrible about what she did, not actually for Zero. She knows it's a sin and all, but she proceeds anyway, though Zero tells her not to. He even told her that he'd hate himself even more if he takes her blood, which he does, since he has absolutely no choice. I think everything that she did was always for herself because she feels the need to act, due to her standing as the Kuran Princess, Zero's protector and one of the Academy's strongest pacifists. This would not have seemed so hypocritical to me if the mangaka made her more like she's really thinking of those people she wants to help, more than like "I have to do this.." or "I have to do that.." but because her dialogues usually started in those phrases, she seemed like she was doing it to relieve herself from worrying or from the guilt she may have if she didn't help people. That's what I really didn't like about her character. Until the very end, she only thought about herself. She stops Kaname from becoming the new parent just because she doesn't want him to leave her, even though the Academy is in a massive trouble by the attack of the purebloods. If she really had a pure heart, she would either let him go (even though it hurts her brutally), or become the new parent herself (and Zero and Kaname can end up together, so yaoi fangirls like me will celebrate). At the very end of the manga (which she is shown to be visiting someone's grave with two kids behind her, a girl with dark brown hair and a boy with silver hair (her kids from both Zero and Kaname), which turns out to be Zero's grave (he dies from old age, since this is 1000 years after the coexistence of vampires and humans worked), she turns Kaname into human, so she dies in the process, and leaves her children - possibly to Kaname's care. What up with that? So she just made her children orphans just because she wants Kaname to live. WOW. What an amazing mother you are.
I didn't think she was that bad the first time I came across her - the anime Yuuki. At first, I was just like, "Oh, she's just one of those headstrong and naive kind of shoujo anime girl," but when they kept talking about how she's pure and that she shouldn't see the evil in the world, I began to keep an eye at her character. This is where I get the impression of she only does things to benefit herself, and not really for others. She only helps Zero to cope with his vampiric instincts because she told him that she hates vampires on his face. So, it's like, basically to be forgiven about what she said. For god's sake, she didn't even apologize for saying that in his face! She just takes it upon herself that she needed to protect Zero (which is really nonsense, since it is he who protects her). I don't really get her, since she kept saying that she loves both Zero and Kaname. HOW? She tells Kaname she has affections for Zero (may be romantic or platonic), and she tells Zero she likes Kaname. How could anyone ever love 2 people at the same time? If Hino Matsuri-sensei is pushing to the boundaries of it being a supernatural manga with this in mind, this isn't acceptable anymore.
Kuran Kaname
I like how Kaname made use of his painstakingly long and colourless life by offering his heart into the Hunter Association's making of anti-vampire weapons (considering I was very annoyed with his character for about half of the series) and accepted that he is to die, and Zero and Yuuki are to end up together. For this part, I really liked him. He comforts and convinces Yuuki to let him become the new parent, which she forcefully accepts, and grabs Zero to hug (?) them. He says, "I want you two to end up together." KANAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! He is the pure heart in this (and Zero of course), not that damn Yuuki. For the entire series, he is shrouded in mystery, as to why he does certain things, and who'll benefit from it, but it is said that he does things for Yuuki. Not that damn Yuuki again. Everything is for Yuuki. It's a little bit unclear to me as to why he started killing all the other purebloods (or I may have known, but can't remember at the moment), though I might conclude it that it is for Yuuki's safety. I like the anime Kaname, because he can be a little sarcastic (which, I think, manga Kaname is more serious than anime Kaname), and Kishio Daisuke-san's voice fits Kaname perfectly well. I think he is also the Vampire Knight, along with Zero.
Kiryuu Zero
If Kiryuu Zero is a real person, I have 1 question for him: Why do you love Yuuki so much, that you'd go great lengths for her, even though she's a pureblood vampire, which you despise so much? Also, if Kiryuu Zero is a real person, I would lock him up, so he can be all to myself, and hopefully he'll come to love me too. He doesn't deserve Yuuki, he deserves a much better girl! All she did was hurt him, and I'm not saying he's stupid, because he never was, but he is still determined and oh so in love with Yuuki. He will do anything for the one he loves, which he actually does, to the point where he stood alongside Kaname, whom he hates so much. I want a boy like him to fall in love with. From the beginning to end, he is my favourite character, and the reason why I kept reading this manga. I'm happy that he gets to be with his beloved Yuuki with Kaname's blessing, though he dies in the end (well, he dies of old age since he isn't a pureblood, but at least he has a child that can continue his line).
Art:
The art is amazing throughout, and I thought that Hino-sensei's art was improving as the manga progresses. I like how she had people anticipating who Yuuki will really end up with, and didn't reveal it until the very end. The art is very detailed, though a little messy on the side, but I didn't mind it at all.
Story:
Great story, though I wish the ending is a little longer, since I didn't really get to see how the pureblood attack was vanquished (I only saw Zero came, and then, the next panel is what happens after it). I also wanted to see Zero's life after everything has stabilized. I wanted to see that he gets a happy ending after all the hardships he's gone through, but Hino-sensei skips through it, draws 1 panel - ONE PANEL - of him happily with Yuuki, and we're shown his grave.
Overall:
Great manga, though the wait is such a drag , and I like the characters (except for Yuuki). I felt really bad for Aidou, since he is basically heartbroken when Kaname died, and Zero and Yuuki end up together. Yes, he developed feelings for Yuuki. Same with Kurenai Maria, since I think she also developed feelings for Zero, because Ichiru has became part of him. I wanted to see what happens to them after, but Hino-sensei didn't show it. Ichijou too, we were only told that he's taking care of Shirabuki Sara's grave, so we can conclude that he had feelings for her, after all she's done. Akatsuki ends up with Ruka; Shiki ends up with Rima. Yori-chan becomes old, and is shown to be happily telling stories about Yuuki to her grandchildren; not much is shown for Yagari Touga, Cross Kaien, and Takamiya Kaito (he becomes a real teacher at Cross Academy). Yuuki had her time shared between the two guys, and had children with both of them, and if you read between the lines of what Yuuki's daughter says, "This is a message from my mother to my other father, "I want to give to you whom I love.." Zero's son continues it: "The world that I saw when I was human." The "other father" she talked about is Kaname, since she is Yuuki's child from Kaname during their last night together. She said "other father" because the father she grew up with is Zero, so from this, we can conclude that Zero treated her like his own child, and she knew that Zero isn't her biological father, but Kaname, who was encased in glass and is now turned into a human. I think Hino-sensei can write a little sequel to this, just to see what happens to Kaname, now that he is human, and it could be comedy, since he only knows the life of a vampire; also to see if he'll take care of Yuuki's children, how he'll treat Zero's son and reaction that he has a daughter, or if he falls in love with a human (we don't know if there are other vampires left, except for Yuuki's children), or if he still has his memories from his other life as a vampire. There's a lot of questions as to what Kaname would do, now that he's a human, so I think a mini-sequel would satisfy the fans.
After almost a year of reading Vampire Knight (due to it was still ongoing, I had to suffer waiting for chapters in the process), it has finally concluded with 93 chapters.
My final feelings about it are still a little fazed, as I just finished reading the last chapter a few minutes ago.
Let me get my thoughts all together..
...
...
...
...
...
I'm ready.
Here it goes.
Meh.
My feelings about the ending is that. Why?
Character Reviews:
Cross/Kuran/Kiryuu Yuuki
Yuuki is just plain irritating in my eyes. WHY IS SHE THE PROTAGONIST AGAIN? This is one of my problems with the Shoujo genre - annoying female protagonists - though Yuuki is a special case. It's not that she's useless and weak who needs protecting all the time - she actually does a lot of things on her own, but this makes the guys around her want to protect her. She is the kind of heroine who would rather put herself in danger for the welfare of others to the point that she seems hypocritical to me. By doing this, she lures all the guys to become her protectors - mainly Zero. I don't like her because all she cared for are her feelings, which is why her "pure-hearted" personality seems hypocritical to me. There's only very few times she's thought of others' feelings, but set them aside quickly. Like when she was newly awaken with her vampire self, she understood how Zero feels about needing to suppress his vampire self and hating himself about it, and then she goes off thinking about how horrible she was for saying she hates vampires and she concludes that she can help Zero by offering her blood - all because she feels horrible about what she did, not actually for Zero. She knows it's a sin and all, but she proceeds anyway, though Zero tells her not to. He even told her that he'd hate himself even more if he takes her blood, which he does, since he has absolutely no choice. I think everything that she did was always for herself because she feels the need to act, due to her standing as the Kuran Princess, Zero's protector and one of the Academy's strongest pacifists. This would not have seemed so hypocritical to me if the mangaka made her more like she's really thinking of those people she wants to help, more than like "I have to do this.." or "I have to do that.." but because her dialogues usually started in those phrases, she seemed like she was doing it to relieve herself from worrying or from the guilt she may have if she didn't help people. That's what I really didn't like about her character. Until the very end, she only thought about herself. She stops Kaname from becoming the new parent just because she doesn't want him to leave her, even though the Academy is in a massive trouble by the attack of the purebloods. If she really had a pure heart, she would either let him go (even though it hurts her brutally), or become the new parent herself (and Zero and Kaname can end up together, so yaoi fangirls like me will celebrate). At the very end of the manga (which she is shown to be visiting someone's grave with two kids behind her, a girl with dark brown hair and a boy with silver hair (her kids from both Zero and Kaname), which turns out to be Zero's grave (he dies from old age, since this is 1000 years after the coexistence of vampires and humans worked), she turns Kaname into human, so she dies in the process, and leaves her children - possibly to Kaname's care. What up with that? So she just made her children orphans just because she wants Kaname to live. WOW. What an amazing mother you are.
I didn't think she was that bad the first time I came across her - the anime Yuuki. At first, I was just like, "Oh, she's just one of those headstrong and naive kind of shoujo anime girl," but when they kept talking about how she's pure and that she shouldn't see the evil in the world, I began to keep an eye at her character. This is where I get the impression of she only does things to benefit herself, and not really for others. She only helps Zero to cope with his vampiric instincts because she told him that she hates vampires on his face. So, it's like, basically to be forgiven about what she said. For god's sake, she didn't even apologize for saying that in his face! She just takes it upon herself that she needed to protect Zero (which is really nonsense, since it is he who protects her). I don't really get her, since she kept saying that she loves both Zero and Kaname. HOW? She tells Kaname she has affections for Zero (may be romantic or platonic), and she tells Zero she likes Kaname. How could anyone ever love 2 people at the same time? If Hino Matsuri-sensei is pushing to the boundaries of it being a supernatural manga with this in mind, this isn't acceptable anymore.
Kuran Kaname
I like how Kaname made use of his painstakingly long and colourless life by offering his heart into the Hunter Association's making of anti-vampire weapons (considering I was very annoyed with his character for about half of the series) and accepted that he is to die, and Zero and Yuuki are to end up together. For this part, I really liked him. He comforts and convinces Yuuki to let him become the new parent, which she forcefully accepts, and grabs Zero to hug (?) them. He says, "I want you two to end up together." KANAMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! He is the pure heart in this (and Zero of course), not that damn Yuuki. For the entire series, he is shrouded in mystery, as to why he does certain things, and who'll benefit from it, but it is said that he does things for Yuuki. Not that damn Yuuki again. Everything is for Yuuki. It's a little bit unclear to me as to why he started killing all the other purebloods (or I may have known, but can't remember at the moment), though I might conclude it that it is for Yuuki's safety. I like the anime Kaname, because he can be a little sarcastic (which, I think, manga Kaname is more serious than anime Kaname), and Kishio Daisuke-san's voice fits Kaname perfectly well. I think he is also the Vampire Knight, along with Zero.
Kiryuu Zero
If Kiryuu Zero is a real person, I have 1 question for him: Why do you love Yuuki so much, that you'd go great lengths for her, even though she's a pureblood vampire, which you despise so much? Also, if Kiryuu Zero is a real person, I would lock him up, so he can be all to myself, and hopefully he'll come to love me too. He doesn't deserve Yuuki, he deserves a much better girl! All she did was hurt him, and I'm not saying he's stupid, because he never was, but he is still determined and oh so in love with Yuuki. He will do anything for the one he loves, which he actually does, to the point where he stood alongside Kaname, whom he hates so much. I want a boy like him to fall in love with. From the beginning to end, he is my favourite character, and the reason why I kept reading this manga. I'm happy that he gets to be with his beloved Yuuki with Kaname's blessing, though he dies in the end (well, he dies of old age since he isn't a pureblood, but at least he has a child that can continue his line).
Art:
The art is amazing throughout, and I thought that Hino-sensei's art was improving as the manga progresses. I like how she had people anticipating who Yuuki will really end up with, and didn't reveal it until the very end. The art is very detailed, though a little messy on the side, but I didn't mind it at all.
Story:
Great story, though I wish the ending is a little longer, since I didn't really get to see how the pureblood attack was vanquished (I only saw Zero came, and then, the next panel is what happens after it). I also wanted to see Zero's life after everything has stabilized. I wanted to see that he gets a happy ending after all the hardships he's gone through, but Hino-sensei skips through it, draws 1 panel - ONE PANEL - of him happily with Yuuki, and we're shown his grave.
Overall:
Great manga, though the wait is such a drag , and I like the characters (except for Yuuki). I felt really bad for Aidou, since he is basically heartbroken when Kaname died, and Zero and Yuuki end up together. Yes, he developed feelings for Yuuki. Same with Kurenai Maria, since I think she also developed feelings for Zero, because Ichiru has became part of him. I wanted to see what happens to them after, but Hino-sensei didn't show it. Ichijou too, we were only told that he's taking care of Shirabuki Sara's grave, so we can conclude that he had feelings for her, after all she's done. Akatsuki ends up with Ruka; Shiki ends up with Rima. Yori-chan becomes old, and is shown to be happily telling stories about Yuuki to her grandchildren; not much is shown for Yagari Touga, Cross Kaien, and Takamiya Kaito (he becomes a real teacher at Cross Academy). Yuuki had her time shared between the two guys, and had children with both of them, and if you read between the lines of what Yuuki's daughter says, "This is a message from my mother to my other father, "I want to give to you whom I love.." Zero's son continues it: "The world that I saw when I was human." The "other father" she talked about is Kaname, since she is Yuuki's child from Kaname during their last night together. She said "other father" because the father she grew up with is Zero, so from this, we can conclude that Zero treated her like his own child, and she knew that Zero isn't her biological father, but Kaname, who was encased in glass and is now turned into a human. I think Hino-sensei can write a little sequel to this, just to see what happens to Kaname, now that he is human, and it could be comedy, since he only knows the life of a vampire; also to see if he'll take care of Yuuki's children, how he'll treat Zero's son and reaction that he has a daughter, or if he falls in love with a human (we don't know if there are other vampires left, except for Yuuki's children), or if he still has his memories from his other life as a vampire. There's a lot of questions as to what Kaname would do, now that he's a human, so I think a mini-sequel would satisfy the fans.
Posted by natsucchi29 | May 25, 2013 3:34 AM | 0 comments
May 20th, 2013
Blog #10 - Yahoo! I'm back!
Anime Relations: Gakuen Heaven, Gakuen Heaven: Hamu Hamu Heaven
Well, I didn't really go away or anything like that..
I was just on a 2-month hiatus..
Or just really bad at keeping blogs updated on regular basis..?
If you answered the latter.. Ding-ding-ding! Bingo! You got it!
-sigh- I'm just plain horrible at doing anything at a regular basis..
Well, (whoa, fast recovery) during the 2 months I wasn't updating anything, I was constantly reading BL manga.. and not BL as in just shounen-ai, I mean, yaoi. Yes, I have been self-proclaiming to be a new yaoi fangirl.. and it already took the next level: almost nosebleeding at such explicit, yet really hot scenes.
I've read quite a lot of titles for that 2 months I was away from myanimelist.net. I recommend a lot of Fujisaki Kou-sensei's BL manga, especially the 8-volume series (it's actually more like 10-volume series, with "Aikata" and "Playboy Amour" included). I actually found the series pretty strange, since it's actually 8 (again, more like 10) books, with different title each. Each volume's title is as follows (I will put both Japanese and English titles):
1.) Happy Yarou Wedding (Homosexual Happy Wedding)
2.) Utsukushiki Kemonotachi (Beautiful Beast)
3.) Virgin Love
4.) Toriko ni Natta Kemono (Crazy for You)
5.) Junai no Seinen (The Young Person's Pure Love)
6.) Kemono wa ai de Iyasareru (Smooth over His Hurt Feeling)
7.) Playboy Amour
8.) Oboreru Kemono no Koibito
9.) Men's Love
10.) Aikata
I highly recommend these manga of Fujisaki Kou-sensei's, especially if you want to see a lot of action - with DETAILED art! I hate those BL manga that hardly show anything. I mean, it's a yaoi manga, so better show a lot, right? Ugh, seems some mangakas don't understand. I mean, who wants to read a censored yaoi manga? These are one of the problems of a yaoi fangirl. Anyway, these manga showcase 4 lovable couples (seme on left; uke on right): Toudou Akira X Tsuzaki Yuuhi for Homosexual Happy Wedding; Saijou Chiharu X Toudou Kazuki for Utsukushiki Kemonotachi, Toriko ni Natta Kemono, Kemono wa ai de Iyasareru, Oboreru Kemono no Koibito; Daigou Mikihisa X Kirishima Kaoru for Virgin Love, Junai no Seinen, Men's Love; Ian Evans X Sanada Manabu for Playboy Amour; and finally, Jin Kyotaro X Saiki Jun for Aikata. I also really like how Fujisaki-sensei does cross-overs in ALL of them! I loooooooooove cross-overs so much, that the series would be in a higher regard in my opinion. My favourite couple would be the Daigou X Kaoru pair. I just love tsunderes and submissive partners!! And Daigou is a hottie - no, a perfect kind of man, with perfectly chiseled body, gorgeous face, and an enticing sex appeal! -fangirl nosebleed- I want one of those too!! I love how Kaoru is my definition of tsundere - a person who is desperately trying to protect himself/herself that he/she doesn't get attached to anyone, and is highly vulnerable (emotionally) despite the tough shell. I enjoyed them very much because even though each live up to their own role as seme and uke perfectly, it's like they're not satisfied at just playing their roles - they play each other's too (Kaoru becomes the upper hand at times). I like that, because I think that's more realistic and it doesn't make the uke seem completely useless (like a CERTAIN FUCKIN UKE in the name of GIOU YUKI.. grrrrrr). Anyway, they're both great characters, and Daigou is a character you can easily love. Oh, and there is also an extra, called "Romance no Kaori/The Scent of Romance" and it features the Chiharu X Kazuki couple.
Uh, I forgot to say that you should be cautious of reading my blogs.. I can be very descriptive and lengthy, especially when I'm really passionate about what I'm talking about. I'm using the last entry at the last blog as an example, the one about Uraboku.. I was really disappointed, so I ended up ranting quite a lot.
Aside from reading all that (about twice each already), I've read other works of Fujisaki-sensei's too, like King & Prince, Aishi no Sweet Voice, Konna Hazu ja Nakatta no ni (this one's pretty interesting), From 701 Goushitsu (this one's good too).. basically every title of Fujisaki-sensei's on Mangafox.com with the exception of Utsukushiki Kemonotachi and Toriko ni Natta Kemono (mangafox doesn't have them; mangahere.com does).
I've read quite a few of Minami Haruka-sensei's works too, but I didn't really like how her ukes are so girlish. They're interesting, but it's like it's been written just for the sake of writing a story, and not to tell a story. There's a difference to that. To tell a story (literature-wise) means there's a lot more depth and meaning to it, than as to just writing one. This is what I always have in my head whenever I write my stories. As a writer, I don't just want to write stories, I want to be able to tell people stories and get good responses back. But, I guess they're not that bad.
Here are the other works that I've read:
Kusaka Takaaki
- aisareru hito e tsugu
- kagerou no mori
- karamete de kudoite
- kimi ni sachi are!
- naturalist no kare
- orangenia na hibi
- pochi no shiawase
(a few cross-overs going on between chapters too, like Mikami showing up in another)
Shungiku Nakamura
- Junjou Romantica
- Sekaiichi Hatsukoi
- Junjou Mistake
- tsuki wa yamiyo ni kakuru ga gotoku (I like the extra, Castilla, better than the main story)
Kannagi Satoru
- only the ring finger knows
Takaku Shouko
- secret love of 17 years old
- and the rose-coloured days
Gokurakuin Sakurako
- the exploration of adulthood
Maruya Kae
- koi wa keiyaku no atode
- onozomi no mama ni
Tohjou Asami
- love prism (very graphic yaoi; incomplete due to mangaka's passing)
I may have forgotten to list a few, but these are all the ones I've entered in my manga list recently, and I've also read a few non-yaoi stories.. but I won't go into the topic any further as I don't really think it's that important.
I felt a little nostalgic a few days ago, and decided to rewatch some anime (Gakuen Alice and Special A) because I wanted to notice Miyano Mamoru's voice as Nodacchi in Gakuen Alice, and to be in love with Takishima Kei in Special A all over again. Fukuyama Jun, being Kei's voice actor, is just simply amazing. He's voiced Grell Sutcliff (Kuroshitsuji), Shimizu Keiichi (La Corda d'Oro), Tanabe Jirou (Hyouka), Aidou Hanabusa (Vampire Knight), Watanuki Kimihiro (Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle), Murasame Tsukumo (UraBoku) <- the only reason why I tolerated watching this show until the end. Right now, I'm watching Gakuen Heaven, which features Fukuyama Jun as Itou Keita, who is a typical and normal teenager with no redeeming special qualities, gets admitted into Bell Liberty School or BL Academy (fufufufufufu XD). The voice cast (the characters who are close to Keita) is as follows:
Fukuyama Jun as Itou Keita
Sakurai Takahiro as Endo Kazuki
Nojima Hirofumi as Iwai Takuto
Morikawa Toshiyuki as Nakajima Hideaki
Miki Shinichiro as Naruse Yukihiko
Konishi Katsuyuki as Niwa Tetsuya
Kamiya Hiroshi as Saionji Kaoru
Tsuboi Tomohiro as Shichijou Omi
Okiayu Ryotaro as Shinomiya Koji
Suzumura Kenichi as Taki Shunsuke
Kawakami Tomoko as Umino Satoshi
This anime is categorized as shounen-ai and romance as its main genres.. or so it says. Not a lot of shounen-ai action, aside from hugs that cannot be considered as friendly, and the kiss at the very last episode, let alone romance. I suppose the whole thing about Endo keeping his promise and protecting Keita can pass off as romance, but that's it. A lot of characters are introduced, so it was even more interesting, but they are under developed. I suppose it's because it only ran for half a season, but I've come to know that the anime only focused on 1 possible ending - Gakuen Heaven - Calling You as they named it. Being a PS2 dating sims kind of game, it has more than 1 ending, and they turned it into manga, anime, and drama CD. Such a thing made to a game, it might be interesting. I'll give them all a read later, but I'm most looking forward to the ending with Niwa-san (Konishi Katsuyuki). While I was watching this anime, I was expressing through various actions how the voice actors of the characters of Keita and Kazuki are mis-casted (I don't really know if it's a word, but I just mean that they are assigned with the wrong voice actors), Fukuyama Jun and Sakurai Takahiro, respectively. I think the roles should be switched - Sakurai-san as Keita (I think it works out if he were to act like he did with Misaki in JR) and Fukuyama-san as Kazuki (he can sound like Murasame in UraBoku, or Hanabusa in VK). While Sakurai-san used the same pitch as he did for Misaki (which, for me, was a little unsatisfactory, since I think he could have sounded like Luka Crosszeria in UraBoku), Fukuyama-san amazed me. He used a different tone from all of the characters he's voiced that I've seen before, and it fit perfectly, so I was okay with that. He really is amazing.
In the end of every Gakuen Heaven episode (except episode 13), there is a omake called Hamu-Hamu Heaven, and it's about the characters in hamster form talking about something that relates to the characters involved. I thought it was really cute, and I find Niwa-san (Konishi Katsuyuki) the cutest!
Back-tracking a bit, I also rewatched Kamisama Hajimemashita. Though I haven't seen it in long time, I still had the same reaction as when I first watched it. I finished, and lamented how it only had 13 episodes. I WANT A SEQUEL FOR THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS! I also can't read the manga now, since it's updating very slowly, and I've decided to wait for it to finish before starting it (I dislike waiting for ongoing manga series). From the looks of it, Suzuki Julietta-san won't finish KH very soon.
I was just on a 2-month hiatus..
Or just really bad at keeping blogs updated on regular basis..?
If you answered the latter.. Ding-ding-ding! Bingo! You got it!
-sigh- I'm just plain horrible at doing anything at a regular basis..
Well, (whoa, fast recovery) during the 2 months I wasn't updating anything, I was constantly reading BL manga.. and not BL as in just shounen-ai, I mean, yaoi. Yes, I have been self-proclaiming to be a new yaoi fangirl.. and it already took the next level: almost nosebleeding at such explicit, yet really hot scenes.
I've read quite a lot of titles for that 2 months I was away from myanimelist.net. I recommend a lot of Fujisaki Kou-sensei's BL manga, especially the 8-volume series (it's actually more like 10-volume series, with "Aikata" and "Playboy Amour" included). I actually found the series pretty strange, since it's actually 8 (again, more like 10) books, with different title each. Each volume's title is as follows (I will put both Japanese and English titles):
1.) Happy Yarou Wedding (Homosexual Happy Wedding)
2.) Utsukushiki Kemonotachi (Beautiful Beast)
3.) Virgin Love
4.) Toriko ni Natta Kemono (Crazy for You)
5.) Junai no Seinen (The Young Person's Pure Love)
6.) Kemono wa ai de Iyasareru (Smooth over His Hurt Feeling)
7.) Playboy Amour
8.) Oboreru Kemono no Koibito
9.) Men's Love
10.) Aikata
I highly recommend these manga of Fujisaki Kou-sensei's, especially if you want to see a lot of action - with DETAILED art! I hate those BL manga that hardly show anything. I mean, it's a yaoi manga, so better show a lot, right? Ugh, seems some mangakas don't understand. I mean, who wants to read a censored yaoi manga? These are one of the problems of a yaoi fangirl. Anyway, these manga showcase 4 lovable couples (seme on left; uke on right): Toudou Akira X Tsuzaki Yuuhi for Homosexual Happy Wedding; Saijou Chiharu X Toudou Kazuki for Utsukushiki Kemonotachi, Toriko ni Natta Kemono, Kemono wa ai de Iyasareru, Oboreru Kemono no Koibito; Daigou Mikihisa X Kirishima Kaoru for Virgin Love, Junai no Seinen, Men's Love; Ian Evans X Sanada Manabu for Playboy Amour; and finally, Jin Kyotaro X Saiki Jun for Aikata. I also really like how Fujisaki-sensei does cross-overs in ALL of them! I loooooooooove cross-overs so much, that the series would be in a higher regard in my opinion. My favourite couple would be the Daigou X Kaoru pair. I just love tsunderes and submissive partners!! And Daigou is a hottie - no, a perfect kind of man, with perfectly chiseled body, gorgeous face, and an enticing sex appeal! -fangirl nosebleed- I want one of those too!! I love how Kaoru is my definition of tsundere - a person who is desperately trying to protect himself/herself that he/she doesn't get attached to anyone, and is highly vulnerable (emotionally) despite the tough shell. I enjoyed them very much because even though each live up to their own role as seme and uke perfectly, it's like they're not satisfied at just playing their roles - they play each other's too (Kaoru becomes the upper hand at times). I like that, because I think that's more realistic and it doesn't make the uke seem completely useless (like a CERTAIN FUCKIN UKE in the name of GIOU YUKI.. grrrrrr). Anyway, they're both great characters, and Daigou is a character you can easily love. Oh, and there is also an extra, called "Romance no Kaori/The Scent of Romance" and it features the Chiharu X Kazuki couple.
Uh, I forgot to say that you should be cautious of reading my blogs.. I can be very descriptive and lengthy, especially when I'm really passionate about what I'm talking about. I'm using the last entry at the last blog as an example, the one about Uraboku.. I was really disappointed, so I ended up ranting quite a lot.
Aside from reading all that (about twice each already), I've read other works of Fujisaki-sensei's too, like King & Prince, Aishi no Sweet Voice, Konna Hazu ja Nakatta no ni (this one's pretty interesting), From 701 Goushitsu (this one's good too).. basically every title of Fujisaki-sensei's on Mangafox.com with the exception of Utsukushiki Kemonotachi and Toriko ni Natta Kemono (mangafox doesn't have them; mangahere.com does).
I've read quite a few of Minami Haruka-sensei's works too, but I didn't really like how her ukes are so girlish. They're interesting, but it's like it's been written just for the sake of writing a story, and not to tell a story. There's a difference to that. To tell a story (literature-wise) means there's a lot more depth and meaning to it, than as to just writing one. This is what I always have in my head whenever I write my stories. As a writer, I don't just want to write stories, I want to be able to tell people stories and get good responses back. But, I guess they're not that bad.
Here are the other works that I've read:
Kusaka Takaaki
- aisareru hito e tsugu
- kagerou no mori
- karamete de kudoite
- kimi ni sachi are!
- naturalist no kare
- orangenia na hibi
- pochi no shiawase
(a few cross-overs going on between chapters too, like Mikami showing up in another)
Shungiku Nakamura
- Junjou Romantica
- Sekaiichi Hatsukoi
- Junjou Mistake
- tsuki wa yamiyo ni kakuru ga gotoku (I like the extra, Castilla, better than the main story)
Kannagi Satoru
- only the ring finger knows
Takaku Shouko
- secret love of 17 years old
- and the rose-coloured days
Gokurakuin Sakurako
- the exploration of adulthood
Maruya Kae
- koi wa keiyaku no atode
- onozomi no mama ni
Tohjou Asami
- love prism (very graphic yaoi; incomplete due to mangaka's passing)
I may have forgotten to list a few, but these are all the ones I've entered in my manga list recently, and I've also read a few non-yaoi stories.. but I won't go into the topic any further as I don't really think it's that important.
I felt a little nostalgic a few days ago, and decided to rewatch some anime (Gakuen Alice and Special A) because I wanted to notice Miyano Mamoru's voice as Nodacchi in Gakuen Alice, and to be in love with Takishima Kei in Special A all over again. Fukuyama Jun, being Kei's voice actor, is just simply amazing. He's voiced Grell Sutcliff (Kuroshitsuji), Shimizu Keiichi (La Corda d'Oro), Tanabe Jirou (Hyouka), Aidou Hanabusa (Vampire Knight), Watanuki Kimihiro (Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle), Murasame Tsukumo (UraBoku) <- the only reason why I tolerated watching this show until the end. Right now, I'm watching Gakuen Heaven, which features Fukuyama Jun as Itou Keita, who is a typical and normal teenager with no redeeming special qualities, gets admitted into Bell Liberty School or BL Academy (fufufufufufu XD). The voice cast (the characters who are close to Keita) is as follows:
Fukuyama Jun as Itou Keita
Sakurai Takahiro as Endo Kazuki
Nojima Hirofumi as Iwai Takuto
Morikawa Toshiyuki as Nakajima Hideaki
Miki Shinichiro as Naruse Yukihiko
Konishi Katsuyuki as Niwa Tetsuya
Kamiya Hiroshi as Saionji Kaoru
Tsuboi Tomohiro as Shichijou Omi
Okiayu Ryotaro as Shinomiya Koji
Suzumura Kenichi as Taki Shunsuke
Kawakami Tomoko as Umino Satoshi
This anime is categorized as shounen-ai and romance as its main genres.. or so it says. Not a lot of shounen-ai action, aside from hugs that cannot be considered as friendly, and the kiss at the very last episode, let alone romance. I suppose the whole thing about Endo keeping his promise and protecting Keita can pass off as romance, but that's it. A lot of characters are introduced, so it was even more interesting, but they are under developed. I suppose it's because it only ran for half a season, but I've come to know that the anime only focused on 1 possible ending - Gakuen Heaven - Calling You as they named it. Being a PS2 dating sims kind of game, it has more than 1 ending, and they turned it into manga, anime, and drama CD. Such a thing made to a game, it might be interesting. I'll give them all a read later, but I'm most looking forward to the ending with Niwa-san (Konishi Katsuyuki). While I was watching this anime, I was expressing through various actions how the voice actors of the characters of Keita and Kazuki are mis-casted (I don't really know if it's a word, but I just mean that they are assigned with the wrong voice actors), Fukuyama Jun and Sakurai Takahiro, respectively. I think the roles should be switched - Sakurai-san as Keita (I think it works out if he were to act like he did with Misaki in JR) and Fukuyama-san as Kazuki (he can sound like Murasame in UraBoku, or Hanabusa in VK). While Sakurai-san used the same pitch as he did for Misaki (which, for me, was a little unsatisfactory, since I think he could have sounded like Luka Crosszeria in UraBoku), Fukuyama-san amazed me. He used a different tone from all of the characters he's voiced that I've seen before, and it fit perfectly, so I was okay with that. He really is amazing.
In the end of every Gakuen Heaven episode (except episode 13), there is a omake called Hamu-Hamu Heaven, and it's about the characters in hamster form talking about something that relates to the characters involved. I thought it was really cute, and I find Niwa-san (Konishi Katsuyuki) the cutest!
Back-tracking a bit, I also rewatched Kamisama Hajimemashita. Though I haven't seen it in long time, I still had the same reaction as when I first watched it. I finished, and lamented how it only had 13 episodes. I WANT A SEQUEL FOR THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS! I also can't read the manga now, since it's updating very slowly, and I've decided to wait for it to finish before starting it (I dislike waiting for ongoing manga series). From the looks of it, Suzuki Julietta-san won't finish KH very soon.
Posted by natsucchi29 | May 20, 2013 6:11 PM | 0 comments
March 13th, 2013
Blog # 9 - recent activities
Anime Relations: Junjou Romantica, Junjou Romantica 2, Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru, Sekaiichi Hatsukoi, Inu x Boku SS, Sekaiichi Hatsukoi 2, Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun
That title is really boring, don't you agree?
Even I, the writer of this blog, thinks so..
My deepest apologies for lacking creativity. :(
Getting back to the topic..
Since I'm inept at writing blogs on regular basis (I only write when I feel like it, really), I'm gonna throw in many things, the recent anime or manga that I've watched or read, in one blog. I'll label them all, so I hope you understand, and please bear with all my ranting. I can never write a blog without any rants. Though I said recents, some topics might be at least 2-3 weeks old already, and will not be in chronological order (as I don't really remember orders, usually). Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
**SPOILER ALERT! If you don't like spoilers, please stop reading now.**
SEKAIICHI HATSUKOI
*enters dreamy state* Takano-san!!!!! Oh, how I wish you were straight.. and real, for one thing. I think I have a preference in anime guys too. The anime boys I end up loving all have straight hair, styled rather normally (or tousled, as it seems to the others). But this! This guy, Takano, is my ideal. Straight jet-black hair, tall, handsome, responsible, amazing (well, he is, for bringing the magazine back up from the slump in a year), respected... and a passionate SEME!! *nosebleed*
I like how he handles Onodera, who has become jaded because of a broken heart from the past, and this might sound really crazy, but Onodera is a lot like me. I suppose from the main reason why he moved out and quit his father's company, is because he doesn't want people thinking that he is just having it easy and as they used many times in the anime, "riding in his father's coat tails", we are the same. It doesn't really make a lot of sense to me, but anyways, there you have it. I suppose Onodera did this because he has a lot of pride that he wants to show people that he can get on just fine without any influence of his father. Also, like Onodera, I have had my heart broken due to a misunderstanding on my part, and still carrying the burden of the past, vowing not to fall in love with anyone, especially to the same person. I feel that it was something I understood really well, though I probably have only felt a fraction of the actual pain. Back to Takano, I feel he was ideal because he's also someone who clings to the past - yes, a lot like me - and he's also someone who's persistent and a bit forceful <- seme. Though most semes are forceful and persistent, not a lot retain the passion in their actions. I think a seme who is totally dominant and passionate at the same time will make me swoon - and the other fangirls as well.
The Kisa x Yukina pair are really cute too, but like Kisa, I wish Yukina wasn't TOO perfect, you know? I saw this somewhere (though I don't remember where I saw it anymore), and I thought it was really funny, so I decided to share it with you. This person said that Yukina Kou is the "love child" of Kusama Nowaki x Kamijou Hiroki of Junjou Romantica. I laughed so hard, because biologically, that's impossible for Nowaki and Hiroki, but in anime/manga knowledge, nothing is impossible. Upon realizing that, I stopped laughing abruptly, and literally had this -> :O face on. I was like, "OMG, maybe Yukina really is Nowaki and Hiroki's love child!" If that's so, Shungiku Nakamura-san is a genius! Though I said that, I really hate how they only had SO FEW episodes for Kisa x Yukina!! They had like, what, 3 episodes in total for BOTH SEASONS? Ugh, talk about unfair, producers! Well, Shungiku Nakamura-san writes them in an unfair number of chapters per couple too. I really do admit that I don't like that part at all, but her manga are really good. Sekaiichi and Junjou Romantica? SWOON. Intense nosebleed from the SIH and JR fangirls. They sure have it hard.
I started reading the manga (the "Onodera Ritsu no Baai" part), along with a drama CD because a youtube user had it up, so I decided to watch it until to her latest "Onodera Ritsu no Baai" part. She hasn't updated yet, because apparently, she doesn't have that part of the drama CDs yet, but I'm growing impatient, so I'm gonna start reading the manga, or I'm gonna find myself the drama CD on eBay, and have my sister buy it for me. *evil laugh*
I also started reading the "Kisa Shouta no Baai" part of SIH.. YUKINAAAAAAAAA! Like Kisa says, "The Epitome of Ideal". I TOTALLY AGREE! Well, we could consider him gay though, but I don't think that's a fault at all! An art student at a university, understanding, tall, handsome.. I think he really is the epitome of ideal.. well, to the girls who like those types of guys (which is pretty much about 90% of the female population). The sexual scenes are pretty good so far, but I think I like that one scene in Ritsu's dream about his relationship with Takano-san when they were still in high school. THAT was a good scene. *nosebleed*
JUNJOU ROMANTICA
*Yes, I do know that I already have a blog dedicated to Junjou Romantica, but this chunk will focus on a certain couple.*
Kusama Nowaki is my man here! Like I said earlier, passionate and dominant. Hiroki being a tsundere is a perfect bonus!! I just love this couple so much because of Hiroki's tsundere-ness (is that a word? No?) and Nowaki's a total sweetheart! KAWAII!! Good thing both of you are gay, so that you can stay together forever! Then, you can have Yukina as a love child! *smirk face* I still find that funny.
Back to Nowaki x Hiroki, this couple is so passionate that I can't bear to read the manga without its drama CD! -insert dirty thoughts here- I love the voice actor for Nowaki - I think it's Canna Nobutoshi? - he has such a perfect sweetheart voice and I think it suits the character of Nowaki really well. Too bad I haven't come across him so much yet, but hopefully in the future. I will go and creep his myanimelist.net profile and start watching anime that he's in from there. That's basically what I did to my favourite seiyuus, with the exception of Nakamura Yuuichi. I just end up finding him coincidentally, then I grew to love him. I stopped at volume 16, chapter 2 (I only read the Junjou Egoist chapters) and some of the Junjou Egoist chapters are really short! About 3 chapters have under 20 pages! Zuruiiiiii! And the Junjou Romantica couple (Usagi and Misaki) are on their 33rd chapter! WAAAA! Though I love Usagi and Misaki, I can't forgive this at all! Well, it's even more unfair to the Junjou Terrorist couple (Miyagi and Shinobu), who only has 10 acts so far.
INU X BOKU SS
*my new addiction*
My first encounter with this anime is like this: I was lazily scrolling through the anime list in my Crunchyroll app, where I've been watching anime recently, because my laptop broke, and there was nothing in particular I want to watch. I saw this, and got curious because of the serious aura it gave off, and thus, my first impression of it. I was in the mood for such an anime, so I clicked on it and started watching it. While watching, I learned that Ririchiyo is a tsunshun (much like a tsundere, but she becomes depressed instead of becoming modest after being mean), and that interested me even more. Then, Miketsukami came up! I died when I heard Nakamura-sama's voice!! I finished the series, loved the final episode, and lamented over how there's too little romantic scenes between Miketsukami and Ririchiyo! Like, she should have been inviting Miketsukami in her room! Their coffee date was cancelled too.. and they didn't take a raincheck! And their kiss at the final episode.. there wasn't a close-up of it, or even a prolonged scene! I was seriously fangirling about that too.
I've already rewatched this series 3 times in a row. I can't get over how cute Miketsukami is.. Inuuuuuuu! I think it's also because I love dogs (though it rarely has any relation to the topic). So submissive, so cute! *Nobara-chan-like character coming up "MANIAC!"* I think I'd like a bodyguard like Miketsukami, who will do absolutely anything for me. He's got a dark side to him, but to hell it matters! I'll accept you!! I'm also prone to characters like him, who had a very miserable childhood. It awakens my motherly instincts, like I want to say "Let me love youuuu!" I also think that Ririchiyo is a good match for Miketsukami. They're quite opposite, but their core is the same. Ahh, Miketsukami.. I can't get enough of your cute face. <3
The cast of Inu x Boku are pretty new to me, like Ririchiyo's voice actor (Hidaka Rina), Yukinojouji's (Hikasa Youko), and Hosoya Yoshimasa, Sorinozuka Renshou's voice actor who happens to be the voice actor for Wataya Arata in Chihayafuru series! Then, my loves Nakamura Yuuichi (as Miketsukami!!!) and Miyano Mamoru (as Natsume) are REALLY AWESOME! Miketsukami.. well, I think I've already said enough about Miketsukami up there, but Mamo-chan as Natsume.. ahh, the happy bunny. I don't really remember the last anime I've watched where Mamo-chan voices for a really jolly character (I think it was Tamaki of OHSHC), so I really enjoyed him as Natsume.
TONARI NO KAIBUTSU-KUN
I liked it. That's all I can say. It was supposed to be a rom-com (romantic comedy), but I didn't really think it was that funny. The reviews give it a 10 but I gave it an 8. It was decent, but it didn't particularly "captured" the whole me. I like the cast and all (Nakamura Yuuichi as Yoshida Yuzan is mysterious, and I haven't heard him in a jolly way of speaking in a long time since Tsukimiya Ringo of UtaPri), and I also like Haru, and I really think that he looks like Oreki Houtarou of Hyouka (who Nakamura Yuuichi voiced for, who plays Haru's brother Yuzan in this anime). I like Sasayan, and I'm getting this feeling that he'll fall in love with Natsume Asako, and he'll be like the Taichi-Zero kind of lover (which is what I call to those characters who are deeply in love with a girl, but doesn't make the move, and stays by the girl's side). Aw, you poor thing! T.T May your unrequited love be returned someday.
URAGIRI WA BOKU NO NAMAE WO SHITTEIRU
So disappointed with this series!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I'm so frustrated at myself for being disappointed in an anime where Miyano Mamoru is one of the cast! The worst thing is, it's not just Mamo-chan who's in it, there's also Sakurai Takahiro (I love him as Misaki in JR), Fukuyama Jun, Ono Daisuke (Sebastian-saan!), Okamoto Nobuhiko (I love him as Kisa-san in SIH), and Ishida Akira!! A lot of known seiyuus, yet the anime is a LET-DOWN! Tachibana Shinnosuke (whom I loved as Tomoe in Kamisama Hajimemashita and Benvolio in Romeo x Juliet) was cast as Luze Crosszeria, and had one - one very short appearance! What's more, it's categorized as Shounen-ai.. IT'S NOT EVEN SHOUNEN AI ONE BIT!! I want to see some guy-guy kissing, if it's Shounen ai, for goodness sake!! Luka Crosszeria was pretty cool, but he's supposed to be really in love with Yuki, wasn't he? Then, why is he acting like a distant bodyguard? Gaaah! I know he's the tsundere type, but he should be expressing his love for Yuki! The characters did nothing but worry about Yuki, because YUKI IS JUST PLAIN USELESS! UGH! Is he going for the typical shoujo manga girl type? He needs protecting all the freaking time, and it puts the Zweilts' lives on the line! That part is what I hate the most: useless main character. That's basically why I lessen watching shoujo anime! Overall, I was quite disappointed with this anime that I was glad when I finally finished it. I gave it an 8, for the awesome cast and the art - the art is lovely, that I think it's the only good thing about this anime.
*sigh* After all that ranting, I realized that it's not very good for my heart. Extreme fangirling for the first 3 topics, and extreme annoyance for the very last topic. I think that's all I've got to say. In the soundtracks, I've downloaded Baby Romantica and Shoudou, both are opening themes for Junjou Romantica. I also have 3 out of 7 ending themes of Inu x Boku SS on pending for download (I'm hating the new iTunes because it doesn't let me drag and drop the songs I've downloaded). The 3 ending themes are named "Rakuen no Photograph" by Nakamura Yuuichi (Miketsukami Soushi), "One Way" by Miyano Mamoru (Natsume Zange) feat. Eguchi Takuya (Watanuki Banri), and "Taiyou to Tsuki" by Hosoya Yoshimasa (Sorinozuka Renshou) and Hikasa Youko (Yukinokouji Nobara). There's also this youtube user that got me hooked on to the song "Love & Roll" by Supercell. The youtube user made an AMV for Inu x Boku SS (mainly Miketsukami and Ririchiyo) and the song was Love & Roll. I thought it was interesting, so I checked it out, and BAM! I loved the song. It's on pending list too. I also like Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun's opening theme, "Q&A Recital!" and it's such a challenge to sing, since the tempo's so fast. Challenge accepted!
Even I, the writer of this blog, thinks so..
My deepest apologies for lacking creativity. :(
Getting back to the topic..
Since I'm inept at writing blogs on regular basis (I only write when I feel like it, really), I'm gonna throw in many things, the recent anime or manga that I've watched or read, in one blog. I'll label them all, so I hope you understand, and please bear with all my ranting. I can never write a blog without any rants. Though I said recents, some topics might be at least 2-3 weeks old already, and will not be in chronological order (as I don't really remember orders, usually). Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
**SPOILER ALERT! If you don't like spoilers, please stop reading now.**
SEKAIICHI HATSUKOI
*enters dreamy state* Takano-san!!!!! Oh, how I wish you were straight.. and real, for one thing. I think I have a preference in anime guys too. The anime boys I end up loving all have straight hair, styled rather normally (or tousled, as it seems to the others). But this! This guy, Takano, is my ideal. Straight jet-black hair, tall, handsome, responsible, amazing (well, he is, for bringing the magazine back up from the slump in a year), respected... and a passionate SEME!! *nosebleed*
I like how he handles Onodera, who has become jaded because of a broken heart from the past, and this might sound really crazy, but Onodera is a lot like me. I suppose from the main reason why he moved out and quit his father's company, is because he doesn't want people thinking that he is just having it easy and as they used many times in the anime, "riding in his father's coat tails", we are the same. It doesn't really make a lot of sense to me, but anyways, there you have it. I suppose Onodera did this because he has a lot of pride that he wants to show people that he can get on just fine without any influence of his father. Also, like Onodera, I have had my heart broken due to a misunderstanding on my part, and still carrying the burden of the past, vowing not to fall in love with anyone, especially to the same person. I feel that it was something I understood really well, though I probably have only felt a fraction of the actual pain. Back to Takano, I feel he was ideal because he's also someone who clings to the past - yes, a lot like me - and he's also someone who's persistent and a bit forceful <- seme. Though most semes are forceful and persistent, not a lot retain the passion in their actions. I think a seme who is totally dominant and passionate at the same time will make me swoon - and the other fangirls as well.
The Kisa x Yukina pair are really cute too, but like Kisa, I wish Yukina wasn't TOO perfect, you know? I saw this somewhere (though I don't remember where I saw it anymore), and I thought it was really funny, so I decided to share it with you. This person said that Yukina Kou is the "love child" of Kusama Nowaki x Kamijou Hiroki of Junjou Romantica. I laughed so hard, because biologically, that's impossible for Nowaki and Hiroki, but in anime/manga knowledge, nothing is impossible. Upon realizing that, I stopped laughing abruptly, and literally had this -> :O face on. I was like, "OMG, maybe Yukina really is Nowaki and Hiroki's love child!" If that's so, Shungiku Nakamura-san is a genius! Though I said that, I really hate how they only had SO FEW episodes for Kisa x Yukina!! They had like, what, 3 episodes in total for BOTH SEASONS? Ugh, talk about unfair, producers! Well, Shungiku Nakamura-san writes them in an unfair number of chapters per couple too. I really do admit that I don't like that part at all, but her manga are really good. Sekaiichi and Junjou Romantica? SWOON. Intense nosebleed from the SIH and JR fangirls. They sure have it hard.
I started reading the manga (the "Onodera Ritsu no Baai" part), along with a drama CD because a youtube user had it up, so I decided to watch it until to her latest "Onodera Ritsu no Baai" part. She hasn't updated yet, because apparently, she doesn't have that part of the drama CDs yet, but I'm growing impatient, so I'm gonna start reading the manga, or I'm gonna find myself the drama CD on eBay, and have my sister buy it for me. *evil laugh*
I also started reading the "Kisa Shouta no Baai" part of SIH.. YUKINAAAAAAAAA! Like Kisa says, "The Epitome of Ideal". I TOTALLY AGREE! Well, we could consider him gay though, but I don't think that's a fault at all! An art student at a university, understanding, tall, handsome.. I think he really is the epitome of ideal.. well, to the girls who like those types of guys (which is pretty much about 90% of the female population). The sexual scenes are pretty good so far, but I think I like that one scene in Ritsu's dream about his relationship with Takano-san when they were still in high school. THAT was a good scene. *nosebleed*
JUNJOU ROMANTICA
*Yes, I do know that I already have a blog dedicated to Junjou Romantica, but this chunk will focus on a certain couple.*
Kusama Nowaki is my man here! Like I said earlier, passionate and dominant. Hiroki being a tsundere is a perfect bonus!! I just love this couple so much because of Hiroki's tsundere-ness (is that a word? No?) and Nowaki's a total sweetheart! KAWAII!! Good thing both of you are gay, so that you can stay together forever! Then, you can have Yukina as a love child! *smirk face* I still find that funny.
Back to Nowaki x Hiroki, this couple is so passionate that I can't bear to read the manga without its drama CD! -insert dirty thoughts here- I love the voice actor for Nowaki - I think it's Canna Nobutoshi? - he has such a perfect sweetheart voice and I think it suits the character of Nowaki really well. Too bad I haven't come across him so much yet, but hopefully in the future. I will go and creep his myanimelist.net profile and start watching anime that he's in from there. That's basically what I did to my favourite seiyuus, with the exception of Nakamura Yuuichi. I just end up finding him coincidentally, then I grew to love him. I stopped at volume 16, chapter 2 (I only read the Junjou Egoist chapters) and some of the Junjou Egoist chapters are really short! About 3 chapters have under 20 pages! Zuruiiiiii! And the Junjou Romantica couple (Usagi and Misaki) are on their 33rd chapter! WAAAA! Though I love Usagi and Misaki, I can't forgive this at all! Well, it's even more unfair to the Junjou Terrorist couple (Miyagi and Shinobu), who only has 10 acts so far.
INU X BOKU SS
*my new addiction*
My first encounter with this anime is like this: I was lazily scrolling through the anime list in my Crunchyroll app, where I've been watching anime recently, because my laptop broke, and there was nothing in particular I want to watch. I saw this, and got curious because of the serious aura it gave off, and thus, my first impression of it. I was in the mood for such an anime, so I clicked on it and started watching it. While watching, I learned that Ririchiyo is a tsunshun (much like a tsundere, but she becomes depressed instead of becoming modest after being mean), and that interested me even more. Then, Miketsukami came up! I died when I heard Nakamura-sama's voice!! I finished the series, loved the final episode, and lamented over how there's too little romantic scenes between Miketsukami and Ririchiyo! Like, she should have been inviting Miketsukami in her room! Their coffee date was cancelled too.. and they didn't take a raincheck! And their kiss at the final episode.. there wasn't a close-up of it, or even a prolonged scene! I was seriously fangirling about that too.
I've already rewatched this series 3 times in a row. I can't get over how cute Miketsukami is.. Inuuuuuuu! I think it's also because I love dogs (though it rarely has any relation to the topic). So submissive, so cute! *Nobara-chan-like character coming up "MANIAC!"* I think I'd like a bodyguard like Miketsukami, who will do absolutely anything for me. He's got a dark side to him, but to hell it matters! I'll accept you!! I'm also prone to characters like him, who had a very miserable childhood. It awakens my motherly instincts, like I want to say "Let me love youuuu!" I also think that Ririchiyo is a good match for Miketsukami. They're quite opposite, but their core is the same. Ahh, Miketsukami.. I can't get enough of your cute face. <3
The cast of Inu x Boku are pretty new to me, like Ririchiyo's voice actor (Hidaka Rina), Yukinojouji's (Hikasa Youko), and Hosoya Yoshimasa, Sorinozuka Renshou's voice actor who happens to be the voice actor for Wataya Arata in Chihayafuru series! Then, my loves Nakamura Yuuichi (as Miketsukami!!!) and Miyano Mamoru (as Natsume) are REALLY AWESOME! Miketsukami.. well, I think I've already said enough about Miketsukami up there, but Mamo-chan as Natsume.. ahh, the happy bunny. I don't really remember the last anime I've watched where Mamo-chan voices for a really jolly character (I think it was Tamaki of OHSHC), so I really enjoyed him as Natsume.
TONARI NO KAIBUTSU-KUN
I liked it. That's all I can say. It was supposed to be a rom-com (romantic comedy), but I didn't really think it was that funny. The reviews give it a 10 but I gave it an 8. It was decent, but it didn't particularly "captured" the whole me. I like the cast and all (Nakamura Yuuichi as Yoshida Yuzan is mysterious, and I haven't heard him in a jolly way of speaking in a long time since Tsukimiya Ringo of UtaPri), and I also like Haru, and I really think that he looks like Oreki Houtarou of Hyouka (who Nakamura Yuuichi voiced for, who plays Haru's brother Yuzan in this anime). I like Sasayan, and I'm getting this feeling that he'll fall in love with Natsume Asako, and he'll be like the Taichi-Zero kind of lover (which is what I call to those characters who are deeply in love with a girl, but doesn't make the move, and stays by the girl's side). Aw, you poor thing! T.T May your unrequited love be returned someday.
URAGIRI WA BOKU NO NAMAE WO SHITTEIRU
So disappointed with this series!!! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I'm so frustrated at myself for being disappointed in an anime where Miyano Mamoru is one of the cast! The worst thing is, it's not just Mamo-chan who's in it, there's also Sakurai Takahiro (I love him as Misaki in JR), Fukuyama Jun, Ono Daisuke (Sebastian-saan!), Okamoto Nobuhiko (I love him as Kisa-san in SIH), and Ishida Akira!! A lot of known seiyuus, yet the anime is a LET-DOWN! Tachibana Shinnosuke (whom I loved as Tomoe in Kamisama Hajimemashita and Benvolio in Romeo x Juliet) was cast as Luze Crosszeria, and had one - one very short appearance! What's more, it's categorized as Shounen-ai.. IT'S NOT EVEN SHOUNEN AI ONE BIT!! I want to see some guy-guy kissing, if it's Shounen ai, for goodness sake!! Luka Crosszeria was pretty cool, but he's supposed to be really in love with Yuki, wasn't he? Then, why is he acting like a distant bodyguard? Gaaah! I know he's the tsundere type, but he should be expressing his love for Yuki! The characters did nothing but worry about Yuki, because YUKI IS JUST PLAIN USELESS! UGH! Is he going for the typical shoujo manga girl type? He needs protecting all the freaking time, and it puts the Zweilts' lives on the line! That part is what I hate the most: useless main character. That's basically why I lessen watching shoujo anime! Overall, I was quite disappointed with this anime that I was glad when I finally finished it. I gave it an 8, for the awesome cast and the art - the art is lovely, that I think it's the only good thing about this anime.
*sigh* After all that ranting, I realized that it's not very good for my heart. Extreme fangirling for the first 3 topics, and extreme annoyance for the very last topic. I think that's all I've got to say. In the soundtracks, I've downloaded Baby Romantica and Shoudou, both are opening themes for Junjou Romantica. I also have 3 out of 7 ending themes of Inu x Boku SS on pending for download (I'm hating the new iTunes because it doesn't let me drag and drop the songs I've downloaded). The 3 ending themes are named "Rakuen no Photograph" by Nakamura Yuuichi (Miketsukami Soushi), "One Way" by Miyano Mamoru (Natsume Zange) feat. Eguchi Takuya (Watanuki Banri), and "Taiyou to Tsuki" by Hosoya Yoshimasa (Sorinozuka Renshou) and Hikasa Youko (Yukinokouji Nobara). There's also this youtube user that got me hooked on to the song "Love & Roll" by Supercell. The youtube user made an AMV for Inu x Boku SS (mainly Miketsukami and Ririchiyo) and the song was Love & Roll. I thought it was interesting, so I checked it out, and BAM! I loved the song. It's on pending list too. I also like Tonari no Kaibutsu-kun's opening theme, "Q&A Recital!" and it's such a challenge to sing, since the tempo's so fast. Challenge accepted!
Posted by natsucchi29 | Mar 13, 2013 1:53 AM | 0 comments
February 24th, 2013
Blog #8 - First Step into Yaoi World
Anime Relations: Junjou Romantica, Junjou Romantica 2
I..
I don`t know what I`ve gotten myself into..
But.. but I have to admit..
I love it.
As a fangirl of bishounens, I love watching anime with bishounen characters, or even better, I love reverse harems because of bishounens. I pretty much don`t remember what pushed me to finally watch Junjou Romantica, the first-ever yaoi categorized anime I`ve ever seen, but I`ve been seeing it in people`s MF (mangafox) signatures for a long time now, and there are many groups of yaoi lovers, so I`ve been curious for a long time now what`s so good about yaoi anime. I ran out of reverse harems and romance anime to watch, so I finally tried watching Junjou Romantica when I came across it a few days ago, and just from the first.. uh, I think it only took me the first 3 episodes to fall in love with it. It was so good, and I was so into it, that I hated the times when I wasn`t watching it.
Today, I finally finished Junjou Romantica seasons 1 and 2, so I think I`m ready to write a little review about it. I will also be pointing out the reasons why I loved it, so I hope you don`t mind.
Junjou Romantica features 3 couples who unexpectedly fall in love - with a person of the same sex. That`s number 1: forbidden love. I love romance stories, that`s why I love reverse harems and romance categorized anime, but what really gets me are those romance stories with forbidden love. It can be a teacher-student relationship as the case with Faster than a Kiss; differing species like in Hana to Akuma; conflicting families like Romeo x Juliet. The comic relief is also very effective. I think each one of the characters did something comical - except Takatsuki Shinobu, he wasn`t that frivolous of a character after all. That`s number 2: comedy. I think everyone needs a laugh every now and then, and that`s what also makes this anime really enjoyable. Takahashi Misaki is the character that is most used as comic relief, and I think it made them seem more like normal people, since real people have few laughs from their mistakes or if something ridiculous happens, etc. I also like how their situations are actual real-life situations. That`s number 3: real-life based stories. Hey, things like those happen - no matter the gender. I think it can be categorized as slice of life too, but I don`t know why they didn`t do that. I also love how romantic they all are! So cute!
To be honest, since I`m new to this kind of anime, I was a bit, you know, weirded out. But after a few minutes into the first episode, all of it vanished, and I truly enjoyed it. I don`t even know why I was weirded out, actually. I`m not against LGBTQ at all, I actually support it because I think that people should be free to do whatever they want to do or whatever they want to be. Others should just butt out - I mean, it`s none of their business, so why would they even stick their nose in other people`s business? Gay people are really fun to be with, lesbians are okay (I was once called a lesbian at school by a bunch of morons because I hang around 2 girls.. I told them to F off).
Just how did I manage to get into that topic?
That topic leads to this question in my head for the whole time I was watching Junjou Romantica.
Since each main character is in love with a member of the same sex (for this anime, member of the male gender), does that mean they`re all gay? I don`t mean it as an offensive thing, it`s just that, I`ve been told that if, for example, a guy is in love with another guy, and they`re in a relationship, it means that both of them are gay. I never fully believed it, but it does make a little sense. Back to the anime, they never mentioned about the characters` sexual orientation, so I`m here, just assuming that they really are gay. Maybe in the manga they`ll say it, so I guess I really will have to read the manga.
Time for the actual review!
STORY - 8
There`s no actual solidified plot that ties all the stories together. There are sub-plots that crossed all three stories though. The age difference is the number 1 sub-plot.
In Junjou Romantica, it was presented when Isaka Ryuichiro shows up unexpectedly during Misaki and Usami`s date at a restaurant, and started blabbering how he knows Usami, being Haruhiko`s childhood friend, and mentions that Usami was an adorable child. Misaki becomes insecured and jealous that he doesn`t know much about Usami`s background, being 10 years younger, and for the first time, he feels the weight of their 10-year age difference.
In Junjou Egoist, it was presented when Nowaki is feeling insecured about his relationship with Hiroki. When Hiroki asks him to bring something to the university for him, Miyagi jokes around and calls Hiroki by his first name. Nowaki asks if he could also call him Hiroki, Hiroki tells him to stop it. Then, afterwards, they meet Akihiko, who calls Hiroki by his first name, and Nowaki finds that Hiroki was alright with it. Near the conclusion of the episode, it appears that Nowaki is insecured about their age difference and is working hard to surpass Hiroki. Hiroki tells him he doesn`t have to, because his pride won`t let it so, being 4 years older than Nowaki. Actually, I do think that the Nowaki x Hiroki couple is the couple that is most affected by this sub-plot that it makes their relationship unstable.
In Junjou Terrorist, this story revolves around the 17-year age difference of Shinobu and Miyagi, so I won`t bother explaining it at all.
ART - 10
The art is simply fantastic! As a fangirl, I loved that I was able to brood over handsome guys - for this matter, handsome homosexuals. Shinobu and Misaki are so cute!!!!!
CHARACTERS - 9
There is just nothing I can say about the characters. All of them are perfectly fine, and even though there isn`t much character development, I don`t think it hindered the anime from being awesome. I like the tsunderes - Shinobu and Hiroki - because they are tsunderes, and I have an obsession for tsundere characters. But, because they don`t have much screen time, I wasn`t able to fully love them. The typical semes - Nowaki and Usami - swept me off my feet. I love them, and wished I was partnered with them. Misaki, as a uke - two thumbs-up. I just love it to the core. Shinobu and Miyagi.. the ones with the least screen time, their roles as seme and uke aren`t very clear, because it`s usually the seme that falls in love with the uke first, but in their case, it`s Shinobu, the uke, who confesses his feelings. Sometimes, Miyagi acts like the uke too. They confused me.
OVERALL - 10
Three words: I LOVED IT.
This is really perfect as my first yaoi, and it encouraged me to watch more yaoi! Yay, yaoi! I`m gonna watch it all over again, and be in cloud nine again! Only one thing I found as its flaw though (though I`m not really sure if anyone can actually consider this as a flaw): I think the couples should have had equal number of screen appearances. In both seasons of Junjou Romantica, Misaki x Usami had a total of 14 episodes, Hiroki x Nowaki had 6 episodes, and Shinobu x Miyagi had 4 episodes. Yes, I know that as a Misaki x Usami fan, I loved the unequal ratio, but I actually really like all of them, so I think if each couple had an equal number of appearances (which was totally possible for each couple to have 4 episodes each season), it would be much more enjoyable.
I don`t know what I`ve gotten myself into..
But.. but I have to admit..
I love it.
As a fangirl of bishounens, I love watching anime with bishounen characters, or even better, I love reverse harems because of bishounens. I pretty much don`t remember what pushed me to finally watch Junjou Romantica, the first-ever yaoi categorized anime I`ve ever seen, but I`ve been seeing it in people`s MF (mangafox) signatures for a long time now, and there are many groups of yaoi lovers, so I`ve been curious for a long time now what`s so good about yaoi anime. I ran out of reverse harems and romance anime to watch, so I finally tried watching Junjou Romantica when I came across it a few days ago, and just from the first.. uh, I think it only took me the first 3 episodes to fall in love with it. It was so good, and I was so into it, that I hated the times when I wasn`t watching it.
Today, I finally finished Junjou Romantica seasons 1 and 2, so I think I`m ready to write a little review about it. I will also be pointing out the reasons why I loved it, so I hope you don`t mind.
Junjou Romantica features 3 couples who unexpectedly fall in love - with a person of the same sex. That`s number 1: forbidden love. I love romance stories, that`s why I love reverse harems and romance categorized anime, but what really gets me are those romance stories with forbidden love. It can be a teacher-student relationship as the case with Faster than a Kiss; differing species like in Hana to Akuma; conflicting families like Romeo x Juliet. The comic relief is also very effective. I think each one of the characters did something comical - except Takatsuki Shinobu, he wasn`t that frivolous of a character after all. That`s number 2: comedy. I think everyone needs a laugh every now and then, and that`s what also makes this anime really enjoyable. Takahashi Misaki is the character that is most used as comic relief, and I think it made them seem more like normal people, since real people have few laughs from their mistakes or if something ridiculous happens, etc. I also like how their situations are actual real-life situations. That`s number 3: real-life based stories. Hey, things like those happen - no matter the gender. I think it can be categorized as slice of life too, but I don`t know why they didn`t do that. I also love how romantic they all are! So cute!
To be honest, since I`m new to this kind of anime, I was a bit, you know, weirded out. But after a few minutes into the first episode, all of it vanished, and I truly enjoyed it. I don`t even know why I was weirded out, actually. I`m not against LGBTQ at all, I actually support it because I think that people should be free to do whatever they want to do or whatever they want to be. Others should just butt out - I mean, it`s none of their business, so why would they even stick their nose in other people`s business? Gay people are really fun to be with, lesbians are okay (I was once called a lesbian at school by a bunch of morons because I hang around 2 girls.. I told them to F off).
Just how did I manage to get into that topic?
That topic leads to this question in my head for the whole time I was watching Junjou Romantica.
Since each main character is in love with a member of the same sex (for this anime, member of the male gender), does that mean they`re all gay? I don`t mean it as an offensive thing, it`s just that, I`ve been told that if, for example, a guy is in love with another guy, and they`re in a relationship, it means that both of them are gay. I never fully believed it, but it does make a little sense. Back to the anime, they never mentioned about the characters` sexual orientation, so I`m here, just assuming that they really are gay. Maybe in the manga they`ll say it, so I guess I really will have to read the manga.
Time for the actual review!
STORY - 8
There`s no actual solidified plot that ties all the stories together. There are sub-plots that crossed all three stories though. The age difference is the number 1 sub-plot.
In Junjou Romantica, it was presented when Isaka Ryuichiro shows up unexpectedly during Misaki and Usami`s date at a restaurant, and started blabbering how he knows Usami, being Haruhiko`s childhood friend, and mentions that Usami was an adorable child. Misaki becomes insecured and jealous that he doesn`t know much about Usami`s background, being 10 years younger, and for the first time, he feels the weight of their 10-year age difference.
In Junjou Egoist, it was presented when Nowaki is feeling insecured about his relationship with Hiroki. When Hiroki asks him to bring something to the university for him, Miyagi jokes around and calls Hiroki by his first name. Nowaki asks if he could also call him Hiroki, Hiroki tells him to stop it. Then, afterwards, they meet Akihiko, who calls Hiroki by his first name, and Nowaki finds that Hiroki was alright with it. Near the conclusion of the episode, it appears that Nowaki is insecured about their age difference and is working hard to surpass Hiroki. Hiroki tells him he doesn`t have to, because his pride won`t let it so, being 4 years older than Nowaki. Actually, I do think that the Nowaki x Hiroki couple is the couple that is most affected by this sub-plot that it makes their relationship unstable.
In Junjou Terrorist, this story revolves around the 17-year age difference of Shinobu and Miyagi, so I won`t bother explaining it at all.
ART - 10
The art is simply fantastic! As a fangirl, I loved that I was able to brood over handsome guys - for this matter, handsome homosexuals. Shinobu and Misaki are so cute!!!!!
CHARACTERS - 9
There is just nothing I can say about the characters. All of them are perfectly fine, and even though there isn`t much character development, I don`t think it hindered the anime from being awesome. I like the tsunderes - Shinobu and Hiroki - because they are tsunderes, and I have an obsession for tsundere characters. But, because they don`t have much screen time, I wasn`t able to fully love them. The typical semes - Nowaki and Usami - swept me off my feet. I love them, and wished I was partnered with them. Misaki, as a uke - two thumbs-up. I just love it to the core. Shinobu and Miyagi.. the ones with the least screen time, their roles as seme and uke aren`t very clear, because it`s usually the seme that falls in love with the uke first, but in their case, it`s Shinobu, the uke, who confesses his feelings. Sometimes, Miyagi acts like the uke too. They confused me.
OVERALL - 10
Three words: I LOVED IT.
This is really perfect as my first yaoi, and it encouraged me to watch more yaoi! Yay, yaoi! I`m gonna watch it all over again, and be in cloud nine again! Only one thing I found as its flaw though (though I`m not really sure if anyone can actually consider this as a flaw): I think the couples should have had equal number of screen appearances. In both seasons of Junjou Romantica, Misaki x Usami had a total of 14 episodes, Hiroki x Nowaki had 6 episodes, and Shinobu x Miyagi had 4 episodes. Yes, I know that as a Misaki x Usami fan, I loved the unequal ratio, but I actually really like all of them, so I think if each couple had an equal number of appearances (which was totally possible for each couple to have 4 episodes each season), it would be much more enjoyable.
Posted by natsucchi29 | Feb 24, 2013 9:59 PM | 0 comments
December 22nd, 2012
Blog # 7 - Skip Beat!
Anime Relations: Skip Beat!
My addiction nowadays is the manga and anime of Skip Beat!
I had been introduced to Skip Beat! after creeping Miyano Mamoru-sama's profile here in myanimelist.net, so I decided to put it on my list of to-watch. For many months, I've evaded watching Skip Beat after putting it in my to-watch list. I have no idea why, I just kept on doing that. When there's really nothing left for me to watch, I decided to watch Skip Beat for the first time. Now, I realized how much I missed in the anime world by evading one of the most popular anime ever.
Skip Beat anime is something an anime fan should really watch. It's really funny, and the story line is really interesting. The plot is something new to the world of shoujo anime.
Mogami Kyouko is a girl who only lived to serve people, especially for Fuwa Shoutarou or Shou, since he hates being called Shoutarou. After graduating from middle school, Shou's parents wanted Shou to marry Kyouko and someday own their family inn, but Shou initially wanted to be a singer, so this plan infuriated him, and he asks Kyouko to come along with him to Tokyo. Kyouko, being in love with Shou, accepts the offer, then the two of them leaves for Tokyo. Kyouko, being a selfless, down-to-earth girl, sets herself aside and works two jobs to support Shou. One day, she overhears Shou saying that he only asked her to come with him to be his maid. This breaks her heart and she becomes enraged, summoning out her demons (I really like her tiny demon Kyoukos, by the way) that had been released from her Pandora's box. She vows that she will get her revenge, and Shou challenges her to join the showbiz and beat him there. And so, she decides to join LME (solely because it is Shou's agency's rival) and meets Tsuruga Ren, who is the man that Shou hates. Ren takes an interest in Kyouko (and ends up falling in love with her), and this is where everything gets interesting.
I will speak no further about it since I will spoil everything. You just have to watch it and see for yourself!
The other aspect of Skip Beat that's interesting is Kyouko's acting and her rise in the world of showbiz. Have a lookout for that.
I just finished reading up to the very latest chapter of Skip Beat manga, and I CAN'T WAIT FOR CHAPTER 196 (HURRY UPPPPPPP!). I started reading Skip Beat on December 9th, and got to the latest chapter earlier today, December 22nd. That's only 2 weeks. I was so hooked on it, that I never wasted a minute by not reading it. Though I really regret that I finished too early, I think I would be anticipating so much to the point that it'll kill me if I didn't get to the newest chapter fast. I'm like contradictory in human form.
Skip Beat's manga is definitely way better than the anime. The first 12 volumes (to be exact, around chapter 66) is where the anime ends. That is why I really anticipated for the newest chapters, and not even 1 chapter let me down. Every chapter is interesting. The ones that interested me the most is the one with Ren and Kyouko. I die every time I see Tsuruga Ren. KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I really liked the On-Location Shoot in Karuizawa arc, where Reino stalks and scares the crap out of Kyouko, because 1.) we see a really interesting development in Kyouko and Ren's relationship, 2.) Shoutarou actually looked cool, and 3.) Director Ogata is so cute especially in chibi form (yes, I don't really like Reino)! I also like the Hizuri Kuu arc because Kuu is really cool and handsome! The ending of his arc - oh, how sad it is for me and Kyouko-chan. After this arc, we see more of who Kuon/Corn, Kyouko's childhood friend who seems to be Hizuri Kuu's only son, really is. Then, we found out that Hizuri Kuon is actually Tsuruga Ren! :O OMG!!!!! But, after 195 chapters, Ren still hasn't told Kyouko that he is Kuon/Corn! Come on, I want to see her reaction NOOOOOOW! I also really like it whenever they're acting as the Heel siblings (Ren as Cain Heel; Kyouko as Setsuka Heel) and they live together!!!! The latest chapter, chapter 195, is related to that. It sucks that I really can't put anything more than this cause it'll be spoiling everything, but I just hope they're not acting in chapter 195!!!!!!!!
Or I'd crumble down into pieces and die..
I had been introduced to Skip Beat! after creeping Miyano Mamoru-sama's profile here in myanimelist.net, so I decided to put it on my list of to-watch. For many months, I've evaded watching Skip Beat after putting it in my to-watch list. I have no idea why, I just kept on doing that. When there's really nothing left for me to watch, I decided to watch Skip Beat for the first time. Now, I realized how much I missed in the anime world by evading one of the most popular anime ever.
Skip Beat anime is something an anime fan should really watch. It's really funny, and the story line is really interesting. The plot is something new to the world of shoujo anime.
Mogami Kyouko is a girl who only lived to serve people, especially for Fuwa Shoutarou or Shou, since he hates being called Shoutarou. After graduating from middle school, Shou's parents wanted Shou to marry Kyouko and someday own their family inn, but Shou initially wanted to be a singer, so this plan infuriated him, and he asks Kyouko to come along with him to Tokyo. Kyouko, being in love with Shou, accepts the offer, then the two of them leaves for Tokyo. Kyouko, being a selfless, down-to-earth girl, sets herself aside and works two jobs to support Shou. One day, she overhears Shou saying that he only asked her to come with him to be his maid. This breaks her heart and she becomes enraged, summoning out her demons (I really like her tiny demon Kyoukos, by the way) that had been released from her Pandora's box. She vows that she will get her revenge, and Shou challenges her to join the showbiz and beat him there. And so, she decides to join LME (solely because it is Shou's agency's rival) and meets Tsuruga Ren, who is the man that Shou hates. Ren takes an interest in Kyouko (and ends up falling in love with her), and this is where everything gets interesting.
I will speak no further about it since I will spoil everything. You just have to watch it and see for yourself!
The other aspect of Skip Beat that's interesting is Kyouko's acting and her rise in the world of showbiz. Have a lookout for that.
I just finished reading up to the very latest chapter of Skip Beat manga, and I CAN'T WAIT FOR CHAPTER 196 (HURRY UPPPPPPP!). I started reading Skip Beat on December 9th, and got to the latest chapter earlier today, December 22nd. That's only 2 weeks. I was so hooked on it, that I never wasted a minute by not reading it. Though I really regret that I finished too early, I think I would be anticipating so much to the point that it'll kill me if I didn't get to the newest chapter fast. I'm like contradictory in human form.
Skip Beat's manga is definitely way better than the anime. The first 12 volumes (to be exact, around chapter 66) is where the anime ends. That is why I really anticipated for the newest chapters, and not even 1 chapter let me down. Every chapter is interesting. The ones that interested me the most is the one with Ren and Kyouko. I die every time I see Tsuruga Ren. KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I really liked the On-Location Shoot in Karuizawa arc, where Reino stalks and scares the crap out of Kyouko, because 1.) we see a really interesting development in Kyouko and Ren's relationship, 2.) Shoutarou actually looked cool, and 3.) Director Ogata is so cute especially in chibi form (yes, I don't really like Reino)! I also like the Hizuri Kuu arc because Kuu is really cool and handsome! The ending of his arc - oh, how sad it is for me and Kyouko-chan. After this arc, we see more of who Kuon/Corn, Kyouko's childhood friend who seems to be Hizuri Kuu's only son, really is. Then, we found out that Hizuri Kuon is actually Tsuruga Ren! :O OMG!!!!! But, after 195 chapters, Ren still hasn't told Kyouko that he is Kuon/Corn! Come on, I want to see her reaction NOOOOOOW! I also really like it whenever they're acting as the Heel siblings (Ren as Cain Heel; Kyouko as Setsuka Heel) and they live together!!!! The latest chapter, chapter 195, is related to that. It sucks that I really can't put anything more than this cause it'll be spoiling everything, but I just hope they're not acting in chapter 195!!!!!!!!
Or I'd crumble down into pieces and die..
Posted by natsucchi29 | Dec 22, 2012 11:59 PM | 0 comments
December 2nd, 2012
Blog #6 - Kimi ni Todoke
Anime Relations: Kimi ni Todoke
Seriously, I am the worst at writing on a regular basis. I haven't written in months!
By the way, here I am, making a comeback for all the months I've missed.
Anyway, I just finished watching Kimi ni Todoke and its second season.
KAZEHAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is soo cute!
He should be a role model of the guys, like seriously, he feels the same way as Sawako, and that's quite rare for guys. Well, at least in what I see around me.
Let me ask one question.
Who did not cry during the pilot episode?
I know I did! And I thought it was actually really stupid of me to cry, but when I thought about it carefully, I cried because it was so good, despite being the very first episode. The next day, I rewatched it, thinking I might have a different point of view of it now that I've already seen it, but I ended up having the same feelings and reaction.
Kuronuma Sawako is an easily misunderstood girl, and I dare say she is misunderstood because the people around her are either very judgmental or they tend to listen to the rumours (which is really stupid because a rumour is called a rumour for the reason that it is not true). We have witnessed that everytime she tries to be nice to people (or let's say that she tries to interact with them, as she is purely nice), people run away screaming from her. The first person that ever talks to her by saying, "Good morning," (or "Ohayo"), is a guy named Kazehaya Shouta. Sawako, in her thoughts, says that Kazehaya is "100% refreshing" and revealed that she has met him before. Their meeting starts off like this: She was on her way to school on her very first day as a high school student, when she sees a guy, who is lost (as Kazehaya looked like he was confused which way to go, as he is standing in the middle of an intersection). She notices the uniform and probably thought that he might have been looking for Kitahoro High. She says, "If you're looking for Kitahoro High, it's that way." Kazehaya looks where she pointed, smiles at her and thanks her before he proceeded on his way. Back to the present time, Kazehaya tells everyone that he is organizing a test of courage right before the school's closing ceremony, and encouraging everyone to sign up. After this, their teacher Arai Yoshiyuki or Zen tells them about the summer remedial classes and he needs a helper. Sawako volunteers, as no one wants to volunteer, and is interrupted by Kazehaya, who says that Sawako always does those things and he doesn't think it's right to make her do so. Sawako is surprised that he even knows she's been doing these jobs, and resolves to save Kazehaya from being the volunteer. When Sawako was tending her garden, her friend Shino asks her if she was doing okay, and they get into the topic of Kazehaya being in Sawako's class. Sawako expresses that she thinks Kazehaya is refreshing, who happens to pass by and overhears their conversation. He stops, and asks how he should take it, and Sawako says, "as praise." Kazehaya laughs, and says that he wants to talk to her. During their talk, Sawako tells Kazehaya that she thinks he is refreshing and that she wants to be refreshing like him, but he corrects her by saying she is the refreshing one, and says, "Kuronuma Sawako, right?" (her name, Sawako, means "refreshing child"). Kazehaya encourages her to tell people how she really feels, so that her feelings will reach them. He also invites her to come to the test of courage that he organized (I think it is for comraderie, as first years in various other anime (like in OHSHC) do something like this to become closer to each other). She takes the first step by participating in the test of courage, but upon overhearing people that she should play the ghost, she ends up asking Yano Ayane and Yoshida Chizuru if she could play as the ghost in their test of courage. Sawako reveals to them that she wants to be friends with everyone, so the two girls granted her wish to play as the ghost, and writes her name on the attendees sheet Kazehaya prepared. That night, everyone but Sawako gathered 10 minutes before the start at the forest. During the test of courage, Sawako scares the pants off of her classmates and Kazehaya (Chizu and Ayane sent him a note saying he should go alone). Kazehaya asks her if she's scared being alone in the dark forest, she says she loves the night and the sounds of the wind ("kaze" in japanese, thought I'd let you know *creepy smile*), the crickets, etc. He decides to keep her company. Chizuru and Ayane comes to give Sawako a drink and to tell her she was doing great. Kazehaya tells her that it's good that Sawako opened up to Chizu and Ayane. She replies, "It's all thanks to you, Kazehaya-kun." He says he didn't even do anything, but she says, "No, it's thanks to you I was able to speak my mind." Kazehaya notices how she was looking at him directly (and closely), and blushes, covering his face. I think this is the first time he blushes really hard around Sawako (and also the point where I realized Kazehaya likes her). She mistakes this as the rumours that if someone looks at her for 3 seconds, they will face misfortune. He says that wasn't the reason, and he's just embarrassed. The next day is the closing ceremony of their school to summer vacation, and Kazehaya's friends told him that he lost and his punishment is to date Sawako for a week. They teased him about the fact that he was with Sawako during the test of courage, maybe he got asked out by her. Kazehaya speaks up that he will do anything but that, as it is not right to call it a punishment, since Sawako is also a girl with feelings. Everyone starts a fuss about Kazehaya covering for Sawako, and not wanting to ruin Kazehaya's popularity and reputation, she says that Kazehaya is just being nice to her, and that they shouldn't misunderstand what he did. However, she admits that she is also charmed by his kindness. After that scene, it is shown that Sawako is on her way to school to help the teacher with the remedial summer classes. She contemplates about what she did, saying she did the right thing, though it might make Kazehaya avoid her. She cries while thinking that she might not be able to talk to him anymore. She stops, surprised to see Kazehaya waiting for her. Kazehaya gives her a bag of candies and tells her that everyone apologized after she left. She is glad that their misunderstanding is gone, but he tells her that she didn't understand his point. He tells her, "I want to see you during the summer." In the end of the pilot episode, the point of view switches to Kazehaya and we get to see their meeting again, though this time, in Kazehaya's perspective. In this scene, after he receives help from Sawako and proceeds on his way, he looks back at her to see her smiling beautifully at him while seeing him off. This scene also reveals that Kazehaya has feelings for Sawako, that he developed since he first met her.
I am teary-eyed while writing this and remembering the events of the pilot episode.
IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL, that I can't help but cry.
Don't worry, it's tears of joy.
I would do the honour of downloading one of their soundtracks, but unfortunately, I didn't really like any of it.
So, in honour of Kimi ni Todoke's first episode, I wrote this blog dedicated to it.
I will rewatch the entire series, even season 2, sometime soon, to be swooned again.
By the way, here I am, making a comeback for all the months I've missed.
Anyway, I just finished watching Kimi ni Todoke and its second season.
KAZEHAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He is soo cute!
He should be a role model of the guys, like seriously, he feels the same way as Sawako, and that's quite rare for guys. Well, at least in what I see around me.
Let me ask one question.
Who did not cry during the pilot episode?
I know I did! And I thought it was actually really stupid of me to cry, but when I thought about it carefully, I cried because it was so good, despite being the very first episode. The next day, I rewatched it, thinking I might have a different point of view of it now that I've already seen it, but I ended up having the same feelings and reaction.
Kuronuma Sawako is an easily misunderstood girl, and I dare say she is misunderstood because the people around her are either very judgmental or they tend to listen to the rumours (which is really stupid because a rumour is called a rumour for the reason that it is not true). We have witnessed that everytime she tries to be nice to people (or let's say that she tries to interact with them, as she is purely nice), people run away screaming from her. The first person that ever talks to her by saying, "Good morning," (or "Ohayo"), is a guy named Kazehaya Shouta. Sawako, in her thoughts, says that Kazehaya is "100% refreshing" and revealed that she has met him before. Their meeting starts off like this: She was on her way to school on her very first day as a high school student, when she sees a guy, who is lost (as Kazehaya looked like he was confused which way to go, as he is standing in the middle of an intersection). She notices the uniform and probably thought that he might have been looking for Kitahoro High. She says, "If you're looking for Kitahoro High, it's that way." Kazehaya looks where she pointed, smiles at her and thanks her before he proceeded on his way. Back to the present time, Kazehaya tells everyone that he is organizing a test of courage right before the school's closing ceremony, and encouraging everyone to sign up. After this, their teacher Arai Yoshiyuki or Zen tells them about the summer remedial classes and he needs a helper. Sawako volunteers, as no one wants to volunteer, and is interrupted by Kazehaya, who says that Sawako always does those things and he doesn't think it's right to make her do so. Sawako is surprised that he even knows she's been doing these jobs, and resolves to save Kazehaya from being the volunteer. When Sawako was tending her garden, her friend Shino asks her if she was doing okay, and they get into the topic of Kazehaya being in Sawako's class. Sawako expresses that she thinks Kazehaya is refreshing, who happens to pass by and overhears their conversation. He stops, and asks how he should take it, and Sawako says, "as praise." Kazehaya laughs, and says that he wants to talk to her. During their talk, Sawako tells Kazehaya that she thinks he is refreshing and that she wants to be refreshing like him, but he corrects her by saying she is the refreshing one, and says, "Kuronuma Sawako, right?" (her name, Sawako, means "refreshing child"). Kazehaya encourages her to tell people how she really feels, so that her feelings will reach them. He also invites her to come to the test of courage that he organized (I think it is for comraderie, as first years in various other anime (like in OHSHC) do something like this to become closer to each other). She takes the first step by participating in the test of courage, but upon overhearing people that she should play the ghost, she ends up asking Yano Ayane and Yoshida Chizuru if she could play as the ghost in their test of courage. Sawako reveals to them that she wants to be friends with everyone, so the two girls granted her wish to play as the ghost, and writes her name on the attendees sheet Kazehaya prepared. That night, everyone but Sawako gathered 10 minutes before the start at the forest. During the test of courage, Sawako scares the pants off of her classmates and Kazehaya (Chizu and Ayane sent him a note saying he should go alone). Kazehaya asks her if she's scared being alone in the dark forest, she says she loves the night and the sounds of the wind ("kaze" in japanese, thought I'd let you know *creepy smile*), the crickets, etc. He decides to keep her company. Chizuru and Ayane comes to give Sawako a drink and to tell her she was doing great. Kazehaya tells her that it's good that Sawako opened up to Chizu and Ayane. She replies, "It's all thanks to you, Kazehaya-kun." He says he didn't even do anything, but she says, "No, it's thanks to you I was able to speak my mind." Kazehaya notices how she was looking at him directly (and closely), and blushes, covering his face. I think this is the first time he blushes really hard around Sawako (and also the point where I realized Kazehaya likes her). She mistakes this as the rumours that if someone looks at her for 3 seconds, they will face misfortune. He says that wasn't the reason, and he's just embarrassed. The next day is the closing ceremony of their school to summer vacation, and Kazehaya's friends told him that he lost and his punishment is to date Sawako for a week. They teased him about the fact that he was with Sawako during the test of courage, maybe he got asked out by her. Kazehaya speaks up that he will do anything but that, as it is not right to call it a punishment, since Sawako is also a girl with feelings. Everyone starts a fuss about Kazehaya covering for Sawako, and not wanting to ruin Kazehaya's popularity and reputation, she says that Kazehaya is just being nice to her, and that they shouldn't misunderstand what he did. However, she admits that she is also charmed by his kindness. After that scene, it is shown that Sawako is on her way to school to help the teacher with the remedial summer classes. She contemplates about what she did, saying she did the right thing, though it might make Kazehaya avoid her. She cries while thinking that she might not be able to talk to him anymore. She stops, surprised to see Kazehaya waiting for her. Kazehaya gives her a bag of candies and tells her that everyone apologized after she left. She is glad that their misunderstanding is gone, but he tells her that she didn't understand his point. He tells her, "I want to see you during the summer." In the end of the pilot episode, the point of view switches to Kazehaya and we get to see their meeting again, though this time, in Kazehaya's perspective. In this scene, after he receives help from Sawako and proceeds on his way, he looks back at her to see her smiling beautifully at him while seeing him off. This scene also reveals that Kazehaya has feelings for Sawako, that he developed since he first met her.
I am teary-eyed while writing this and remembering the events of the pilot episode.
IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL, that I can't help but cry.
Don't worry, it's tears of joy.
I would do the honour of downloading one of their soundtracks, but unfortunately, I didn't really like any of it.
So, in honour of Kimi ni Todoke's first episode, I wrote this blog dedicated to it.
I will rewatch the entire series, even season 2, sometime soon, to be swooned again.
Posted by natsucchi29 | Dec 2, 2012 4:07 PM | 0 comments
August 16th, 2012
Blog #5 - OHSHC manga (ch 51-56, field trip arc)
Anime Relations: Ouran Koukou Host Club
WHOA.. I haven't written anything in a while! Konbanwa (good evening in japanese) to everyone.. that is, if ever anyone is bored enough to read this :)
This sucks. This blog ONLY allows to enter ANIME relations, and you have to enter one or else, they wouldn't accept it. What sucks even more is, I just noticed recently, super annoying ads keep popping up out of nowhere in this website and they take the whole damn screen and interrupt what you're doing. How rude! It already happened to me twice while writing this, and I don't even give a damn about what they're advertising. Business people sometimes really seem desperate.. and annoying.
Anyways, I was complaining because I'm not really gonna talk about an anime series (although I can talk about many of the anime series that I've seen, I won't waste this space for that now). I'm gonna talk about the manga series of Ouran High School Host Club. It is.. awesome!
Waaah, I really, really, REALLY love the Hitachiin twins! I think they are the ones that had the most character development. They are also soo cute in so many ways ♥
Everything from this point on will be SPOILERS, so please be aware that if you don't want to see any spoilers, please STOP READING right now. But if you do like spoilers (although I have never known/come across anyone who likes spoilers), please CONTINUE READING this blog.
I mentioned that the Hitachiins (I really like to spell Hikaru and Kaoru's last name with two I's although there's no need to, so forgive me if that irritates you) had the most character development because as Tamaki had said, he hoped that the twins would expand their world through the Host Club's activities (associating with many kinds of people), so following what Tamaki said I also hoped the same thing and looked forward to their development as the series progressed.. and I wasn't disappointed! Sure, they were childish and mischievous until about chapter 40-ish, BUT, when chapter 51 came.. oh my god, I died due to their cuteness! First, Kaoru crying to Honey-senpai and being hysterical - I thought that was so funny that I almost killed myself laughing! I was literally flailing around and screaming (though silently) like the fangirl I am. I never really expected Kaoru to act like that. I mean, he's always been the mature one than Hikaru so I think seeing Kaoru like that so unexpectedly cracked me up. Ah, that was a good laugh. I also found it funny when Hikaru runs to Mori-senpai and also becomes hysterical and depressed in the room Mori-senpai lent him (by the way, Piyo-chan was no help, he was just Hikaru's audience). Why am I laughing at the twins' troubled moments again? Ah, because it's too funny. Bisco Hatori can be a little mean to the Host Club sometimes. It's because she (and her staff) drew them like that and it made me crack up. Though I became really serious when Kaoru declared war. (T.T)
During chapter 52, I had too many reactions.
1.) Hikaru staying at Mori-senpai's and having so many bags with him - laugh
2.) Hikaru's troubled expression - awwwwwwh! :(
3.) Honey-senpai coming to Kaoru and brings out a ton of things from his bag, while Kaoru says "4th dimensional knapsack) - also laugh
4.) Kaoru admitting to Honey-senpai that he'll confess to Haruhi - :O OMG
5.) Hikaru and Kaoru wearing different clothing (Kaoru wears his jacket & Hikaru wears his cardigan) - noooooooooo! :(
6.) Hikaru getting hurt and running away from Kaoru and Haruhi - let me comfort youuuuu! :(
7.) Honey-senpai in commoner's amusement park in normal clothes - soo cuteeeeeee!
8.) Hikaru's moments of depression in public - uhh.. awkward.
9.) Kaoru kisses Haruhi at the amusement park - :O WHAAAAT? moe~
10.) Hikaru witnesses Kaoru's confession and runs away, hurt - (T_T)
Chapter 53 really made me cry for some reason. The twins are growing up (T.T) I was so touched that I just want to cry my eyes out all night! Kaoru, you idiot! Sacrificing your own feelings for Hikaru! So nice! And then, after Kaoru reveals everything to Hikaru, Hikaru becomes enraged by how Kaoru has played with everyone's feelings, but Kaoru says that he thinks his feelings for Haruhi are not as strong as Hikaru's. Kaoru admits his defeat and his support for Hikaru, and Hikaru hugs Kaoru! EXTREME MOEEEEEEEE!!!~ Such pleasant feelings are going around! That's what I thought, then Kaoru drops the bomb. He tells Hikaru that they should be independent. On the side, Honey-senpai worries about Kaoru and Mori-senpai comforts him by saying that Hikaru will make him understand because Hikaru is the older twin (though Mori-senpai actually said "older brother", I used "twin" instead). The next day at the Hitachiin mansion, Mori-senpai's statement comes true. Kaoru gets up and sees that Hikaru has dyed his hair darker. (OHMYGOD I love dark-haired Hikaru ♥) Then, Hikaru makes Kaoru understand and Kaoru cries. Another moeeeeeee! (I think I cried during this part too) Kaoru runs to Honey-senpai and tells him about Hikaru being mature and Honey-senpai cries in joy (it's really cute by the way!). Hikaru comes and all 3 of them celebrate with many of Honey-senpai's flowers all over the place, and Mori-senpai says, "Haruhi's here." At page 30 (reading this from mangafox), Hikaru and Kaoru call out "Haruhi! Good morning!" at the same time with a big smile on their faces from the bottom of their hearts! Waaaa T.T (sudden gush of tears) Please, never fight again, Hikaru, Kaoru! Your fangirls get really depressed! I'm so glad that Haruhi still treats Kaoru the same way after he's confessed! Too bad the only thing I could do for this part is cry! (it's tears of joy, don't worry) At the end of this chapter, we see a really exhausted Kyouya, who still goes on searching for Tamaki's mom! Such a good friend! (T.T)
Chapter 54 is all about Kyouya looking for Anne-Sophie, or as known as Tamaki's mother. At the first few pages, Kyouya is shown to be sweet talking about Barbizon and mentions the Host Club along the lines. When the others leave, Kyouya's bodyguards (Tachibana, Hotta and Aijima) are elaborating the plans on which places they might be able to find Anne-Sophie (I really like her name so, I'm using it whenever I refer to her whether you like it or not) when Kyouya receives a super stupid text message (they refer to it as "mail" or "email", even in other manga series.. WHY?). Due to lack of sleep (Kyouya is the low blood pressure demon king) and exhaustion, he becomes irritated and breaks his phone in half (which was easy, because he uses a flip phone). Meanwhile, Hotta sees a blonde lady with a dog walking by, and tells Kyouya that it might be the woman they're looking for. The low blood pressure demon king-ness of Kyouya kicks in, and his bodyguards cried in fear. The blonde woman sees them and little did Kyouya know that the blonde woman might ACTUALLY be Anne-Sophie. We don't see her face in this page (by the way, it is page 9 in mangafox), but her dog, named Hachibee is revealed to look a lot like Tamaki's Antoinette. See any relations? I think so! In this chapter, Haruhi is seen to be contacting Kyouya but unsuccessful, and also, the cause of Tamaki's 10 days of boredom. Then the talk about Suou Yuzuru's offer to Tamaki (less important), they talk (blah), waiter makes a commotion (stupid lady), then at the end of the chapter, Kyouya contacts Haruhi and lies about Tamaki. Then she tells Kyouya, "Right now, in front of my house, there is the person who's supposed to have diarrhea."
In chapter 55, Kyouya covers up his lie, with another lie and hangs up. Upon knowing that Kyouya is lying, Haruhi gets angry at Tamaki. Then, Tachibana tells Kyouya that they found a ex-employee of the Grantaines. The mad Haruhi lets Tamaki in and serves him "gruel" with a ratio of 10 cups of water and 1 cup of rice (meaning it's basically hot water). Haruhi tells Tamaki about how she didn't know what to do during Hikaru-Kaoru fight and about Tamaki's case. While saying this, she becomes anxious and Tamaki, wanting to comfort her, epicly fails by spilling the "gruel" (basically hot water) on him. Haruhi relieves it by pouring cold water and ice on Tamaki in the bathroom, and Tamaki stops Haruhi at the doorway by holding her hand and standing behind her. KYAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! I'm dying.. too much moe!!!! He apologizes to her and says that he doesn't like people showing sorrowful faces. And then, he gets surprised that Haruhi knows about his situation. Really, Tamaki.. just now? That guy.. is seriously too stupid. He lets Haruhi ask him questions and he reveals that he has another name: René Tamaki Richard Grantaine. Somehow.. I feel that René and Richard doesn't suit Tamaki at all.. Meanwhile in France, Kyouya is talking to the Grantaine's old maid, and Kyouya is made aware of the situation of the Grantaines after Tamaki's departure. She also talks about when Tamaki was a child, which crosses over to Tamaki telling the same story to Haruhi. He admits to her that he's trying to live his life as the way his mother wanted to. He tells her some stuff (which I would not further elaborate) and mentions about succeeding the Suou family. After mentioning everything he could ever think of (remember, Tamaki has a limited capacity in thinking), he asks Haruhi if she thinks it's weird. She thought "He's like a little child." Waaaaaaaaaa! Noooooo! Although I felt so much moe in the bathroom scene, I'm a still HikaruXHaruhi fan. Hikaru.. ganbatte!! During this time in France, Kyouya finishes talking to the old maid, and she tells him a riddle-like clue to where Anne-Sophie is. Back in Japan, when Tamaki about to leave the Fujioka residence, Haruhi gives him some leftovers, upon figuring out that Tamaki is left with no food at home (his cook is on vacation). Tamaki kisses her head and thanks her. Haruhi blushes for the first time. Waa! Hikaru, where the hell are you? This is an important event, you know!! You're losing to Tamaki!!! In France again, Kyouya has fled back to Barbizon.
In chapter 56, Kyouya is shown to have arrived back in Barbizon, and is in a grumpy mood because he has not slept at all. I think Kyouya looks better without glasses, but as Bisco Hatori-san had mentioned in her author's notes, Kyouya is a megane character, so he can't discard the glasses. Anyway, Kyouya reaches his limit and decides to sleep on the road AKA the FIRST TIME THAT KYOUYA DOES SOMETHING RIDICULOUS!!! Then, a dog approaches the bodyguards and Tachibana mistakes him as Antoinette (though it really was Hachibee, Anne-Sophie's dog). Anne-Sophie follows Hachibee and sees "the boy [she] saw 2 days ago" sleeping on the roadside. Kyouya looks so cute at the bottom of page 8 (I actually thought he somehow looked like Kaoru)!! Kyouya wakes up when he hears the name Anne-Sophie, and realizes that he is at Anne-Sophie's house. He finds it strange for Anne-Sophie to have a picture of Tamaki during the sports festival (aka the "most recent events" he mentions). Anne-Sophie finds Kyouya awake and Kyouya realizes that Tamaki has inherited his personality from his mother. Kyouya mentions her doing work with a frail body and Anne-Sophie speaks about her situation after Tamaki left France. She also mentions that she can't contact her son directly, but she's glad to at least know he's doing well. Upon hearing this, Kyouya contemplates that the Suou head Yuzuru, might be in touch with Anne-Sophie secretly. He wonders what the Chairman's plans could be. Kyouya asks if she feels any resentment towards "her companion" and she says no (with an explanation). By the way, this is the first time that Kyouya calls Tamaki his "best friend". Kyouya!! (T.T)<-- Tamaki's tears of joy. Kyouya leaves her with an impression and we find out that Anne-Sophie knew who Kyouya was all along. The Evil King Kyouya returns to Japan and hands out his presents for the rest of the Host Club. On the bottom of page 24, happy faces of Hikaru, Kaoru & Honey-senpai rejoices over the presents (Mori-senpai is smiling so handsomely on the side.. kyaaaaaaaaaaa!!) while the depressed Tamaki sits in his emo corner (labeled LIAR). Tamaki causes a commotion and the twins, along with Honey-senpai (since when did he become so mischievous?), makes Tamaki conscientious of his acts, and Tamaki seeks a companion from Haruhi, who points her attention toward Hikaru (who notices something) and Kaoru, while flushed. Kyouya talks about his meeting with Anne-Sophie, whom he mentions as "blond woman". He tells them her condition is well and she seems happy. At the end, Haruhi feels that Tamaki's decision might begin the end of the Host Club and she says that she feels weird and she can't look at Tamaki in the eye.. hmm, what could this mean?
I may be too mean, but I really enjoyed reading this field trip arc, although many troubling things happened in it like Tamaki not being able to go to France, Kaoru and Hikaru's first real fight, Haruhi being conscious of Tamaki <-- that is troubling for a HikaruXHaruhi fan like me. In about 5 chapters, many things have unfolded and developed. By the way, at the end of chapter 51, it is shown that Suou Yuzuru (Tamaki's dad, also the chairman of Ouran) and Suou Shizue (Tamaki's mean grandmother) are talking about Tamaki's decision of refraining from attending the sophomore's field trip to France. I hate Shizue!! I wish she dies very VERY soon, but that will crush Tamaki because somehow, he likes and respects her. Now for my reaction.. JUST HOW MUCH OF AN IDIOT IS HE? To actually keep respecting his grandmother, who doesn't respect him as a person one bit? I think that's so ridiculous on so many levels. If I were in his position, I'd just wait until she dies. That person is not worth of any respect at all. BUT NO, Tamaki doesn't think that way. He just hopes that she'll like him one day, and keeps on treating her nicely, even though he's already been called "trash" during Ouran's festival thingy. Just how warped is my personality? If that was me, I wouldn't be able to hold back and I will shoot her with a freakin bazooka without a moment's hesitation. Yup, my personality is DEFINITELY warped. Worse than the Hitachiins in their middle school days.
This is just the field trip arc (chapters 51-56). I haven't finished reading the manga and I'm only on chapter 62. There'll be more updates in the future.. that is, whenever I felt like it!
Ouran~
Ouran~
Ouran~
Ouran~
Irrashaimase! ~
This sucks. This blog ONLY allows to enter ANIME relations, and you have to enter one or else, they wouldn't accept it. What sucks even more is, I just noticed recently, super annoying ads keep popping up out of nowhere in this website and they take the whole damn screen and interrupt what you're doing. How rude! It already happened to me twice while writing this, and I don't even give a damn about what they're advertising. Business people sometimes really seem desperate.. and annoying.
Anyways, I was complaining because I'm not really gonna talk about an anime series (although I can talk about many of the anime series that I've seen, I won't waste this space for that now). I'm gonna talk about the manga series of Ouran High School Host Club. It is.. awesome!
Waaah, I really, really, REALLY love the Hitachiin twins! I think they are the ones that had the most character development. They are also soo cute in so many ways ♥
Everything from this point on will be SPOILERS, so please be aware that if you don't want to see any spoilers, please STOP READING right now. But if you do like spoilers (although I have never known/come across anyone who likes spoilers), please CONTINUE READING this blog.
I mentioned that the Hitachiins (I really like to spell Hikaru and Kaoru's last name with two I's although there's no need to, so forgive me if that irritates you) had the most character development because as Tamaki had said, he hoped that the twins would expand their world through the Host Club's activities (associating with many kinds of people), so following what Tamaki said I also hoped the same thing and looked forward to their development as the series progressed.. and I wasn't disappointed! Sure, they were childish and mischievous until about chapter 40-ish, BUT, when chapter 51 came.. oh my god, I died due to their cuteness! First, Kaoru crying to Honey-senpai and being hysterical - I thought that was so funny that I almost killed myself laughing! I was literally flailing around and screaming (though silently) like the fangirl I am. I never really expected Kaoru to act like that. I mean, he's always been the mature one than Hikaru so I think seeing Kaoru like that so unexpectedly cracked me up. Ah, that was a good laugh. I also found it funny when Hikaru runs to Mori-senpai and also becomes hysterical and depressed in the room Mori-senpai lent him (by the way, Piyo-chan was no help, he was just Hikaru's audience). Why am I laughing at the twins' troubled moments again? Ah, because it's too funny. Bisco Hatori can be a little mean to the Host Club sometimes. It's because she (and her staff) drew them like that and it made me crack up. Though I became really serious when Kaoru declared war. (T.T)
During chapter 52, I had too many reactions.
1.) Hikaru staying at Mori-senpai's and having so many bags with him - laugh
2.) Hikaru's troubled expression - awwwwwwh! :(
3.) Honey-senpai coming to Kaoru and brings out a ton of things from his bag, while Kaoru says "4th dimensional knapsack) - also laugh
4.) Kaoru admitting to Honey-senpai that he'll confess to Haruhi - :O OMG
5.) Hikaru and Kaoru wearing different clothing (Kaoru wears his jacket & Hikaru wears his cardigan) - noooooooooo! :(
6.) Hikaru getting hurt and running away from Kaoru and Haruhi - let me comfort youuuuu! :(
7.) Honey-senpai in commoner's amusement park in normal clothes - soo cuteeeeeee!
8.) Hikaru's moments of depression in public - uhh.. awkward.
9.) Kaoru kisses Haruhi at the amusement park - :O WHAAAAT? moe~
10.) Hikaru witnesses Kaoru's confession and runs away, hurt - (T_T)
Chapter 53 really made me cry for some reason. The twins are growing up (T.T) I was so touched that I just want to cry my eyes out all night! Kaoru, you idiot! Sacrificing your own feelings for Hikaru! So nice! And then, after Kaoru reveals everything to Hikaru, Hikaru becomes enraged by how Kaoru has played with everyone's feelings, but Kaoru says that he thinks his feelings for Haruhi are not as strong as Hikaru's. Kaoru admits his defeat and his support for Hikaru, and Hikaru hugs Kaoru! EXTREME MOEEEEEEEE!!!~ Such pleasant feelings are going around! That's what I thought, then Kaoru drops the bomb. He tells Hikaru that they should be independent. On the side, Honey-senpai worries about Kaoru and Mori-senpai comforts him by saying that Hikaru will make him understand because Hikaru is the older twin (though Mori-senpai actually said "older brother", I used "twin" instead). The next day at the Hitachiin mansion, Mori-senpai's statement comes true. Kaoru gets up and sees that Hikaru has dyed his hair darker. (OHMYGOD I love dark-haired Hikaru ♥) Then, Hikaru makes Kaoru understand and Kaoru cries. Another moeeeeeee! (I think I cried during this part too) Kaoru runs to Honey-senpai and tells him about Hikaru being mature and Honey-senpai cries in joy (it's really cute by the way!). Hikaru comes and all 3 of them celebrate with many of Honey-senpai's flowers all over the place, and Mori-senpai says, "Haruhi's here." At page 30 (reading this from mangafox), Hikaru and Kaoru call out "Haruhi! Good morning!" at the same time with a big smile on their faces from the bottom of their hearts! Waaaa T.T (sudden gush of tears) Please, never fight again, Hikaru, Kaoru! Your fangirls get really depressed! I'm so glad that Haruhi still treats Kaoru the same way after he's confessed! Too bad the only thing I could do for this part is cry! (it's tears of joy, don't worry) At the end of this chapter, we see a really exhausted Kyouya, who still goes on searching for Tamaki's mom! Such a good friend! (T.T)
Chapter 54 is all about Kyouya looking for Anne-Sophie, or as known as Tamaki's mother. At the first few pages, Kyouya is shown to be sweet talking about Barbizon and mentions the Host Club along the lines. When the others leave, Kyouya's bodyguards (Tachibana, Hotta and Aijima) are elaborating the plans on which places they might be able to find Anne-Sophie (I really like her name so, I'm using it whenever I refer to her whether you like it or not) when Kyouya receives a super stupid text message (they refer to it as "mail" or "email", even in other manga series.. WHY?). Due to lack of sleep (Kyouya is the low blood pressure demon king) and exhaustion, he becomes irritated and breaks his phone in half (which was easy, because he uses a flip phone). Meanwhile, Hotta sees a blonde lady with a dog walking by, and tells Kyouya that it might be the woman they're looking for. The low blood pressure demon king-ness of Kyouya kicks in, and his bodyguards cried in fear. The blonde woman sees them and little did Kyouya know that the blonde woman might ACTUALLY be Anne-Sophie. We don't see her face in this page (by the way, it is page 9 in mangafox), but her dog, named Hachibee is revealed to look a lot like Tamaki's Antoinette. See any relations? I think so! In this chapter, Haruhi is seen to be contacting Kyouya but unsuccessful, and also, the cause of Tamaki's 10 days of boredom. Then the talk about Suou Yuzuru's offer to Tamaki (less important), they talk (blah), waiter makes a commotion (stupid lady), then at the end of the chapter, Kyouya contacts Haruhi and lies about Tamaki. Then she tells Kyouya, "Right now, in front of my house, there is the person who's supposed to have diarrhea."
In chapter 55, Kyouya covers up his lie, with another lie and hangs up. Upon knowing that Kyouya is lying, Haruhi gets angry at Tamaki. Then, Tachibana tells Kyouya that they found a ex-employee of the Grantaines. The mad Haruhi lets Tamaki in and serves him "gruel" with a ratio of 10 cups of water and 1 cup of rice (meaning it's basically hot water). Haruhi tells Tamaki about how she didn't know what to do during Hikaru-Kaoru fight and about Tamaki's case. While saying this, she becomes anxious and Tamaki, wanting to comfort her, epicly fails by spilling the "gruel" (basically hot water) on him. Haruhi relieves it by pouring cold water and ice on Tamaki in the bathroom, and Tamaki stops Haruhi at the doorway by holding her hand and standing behind her. KYAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!! I'm dying.. too much moe!!!! He apologizes to her and says that he doesn't like people showing sorrowful faces. And then, he gets surprised that Haruhi knows about his situation. Really, Tamaki.. just now? That guy.. is seriously too stupid. He lets Haruhi ask him questions and he reveals that he has another name: René Tamaki Richard Grantaine. Somehow.. I feel that René and Richard doesn't suit Tamaki at all.. Meanwhile in France, Kyouya is talking to the Grantaine's old maid, and Kyouya is made aware of the situation of the Grantaines after Tamaki's departure. She also talks about when Tamaki was a child, which crosses over to Tamaki telling the same story to Haruhi. He admits to her that he's trying to live his life as the way his mother wanted to. He tells her some stuff (which I would not further elaborate) and mentions about succeeding the Suou family. After mentioning everything he could ever think of (remember, Tamaki has a limited capacity in thinking), he asks Haruhi if she thinks it's weird. She thought "He's like a little child." Waaaaaaaaaa! Noooooo! Although I felt so much moe in the bathroom scene, I'm a still HikaruXHaruhi fan. Hikaru.. ganbatte!! During this time in France, Kyouya finishes talking to the old maid, and she tells him a riddle-like clue to where Anne-Sophie is. Back in Japan, when Tamaki about to leave the Fujioka residence, Haruhi gives him some leftovers, upon figuring out that Tamaki is left with no food at home (his cook is on vacation). Tamaki kisses her head and thanks her. Haruhi blushes for the first time. Waa! Hikaru, where the hell are you? This is an important event, you know!! You're losing to Tamaki!!! In France again, Kyouya has fled back to Barbizon.
In chapter 56, Kyouya is shown to have arrived back in Barbizon, and is in a grumpy mood because he has not slept at all. I think Kyouya looks better without glasses, but as Bisco Hatori-san had mentioned in her author's notes, Kyouya is a megane character, so he can't discard the glasses. Anyway, Kyouya reaches his limit and decides to sleep on the road AKA the FIRST TIME THAT KYOUYA DOES SOMETHING RIDICULOUS!!! Then, a dog approaches the bodyguards and Tachibana mistakes him as Antoinette (though it really was Hachibee, Anne-Sophie's dog). Anne-Sophie follows Hachibee and sees "the boy [she] saw 2 days ago" sleeping on the roadside. Kyouya looks so cute at the bottom of page 8 (I actually thought he somehow looked like Kaoru)!! Kyouya wakes up when he hears the name Anne-Sophie, and realizes that he is at Anne-Sophie's house. He finds it strange for Anne-Sophie to have a picture of Tamaki during the sports festival (aka the "most recent events" he mentions). Anne-Sophie finds Kyouya awake and Kyouya realizes that Tamaki has inherited his personality from his mother. Kyouya mentions her doing work with a frail body and Anne-Sophie speaks about her situation after Tamaki left France. She also mentions that she can't contact her son directly, but she's glad to at least know he's doing well. Upon hearing this, Kyouya contemplates that the Suou head Yuzuru, might be in touch with Anne-Sophie secretly. He wonders what the Chairman's plans could be. Kyouya asks if she feels any resentment towards "her companion" and she says no (with an explanation). By the way, this is the first time that Kyouya calls Tamaki his "best friend". Kyouya!! (T.T)<-- Tamaki's tears of joy. Kyouya leaves her with an impression and we find out that Anne-Sophie knew who Kyouya was all along. The Evil King Kyouya returns to Japan and hands out his presents for the rest of the Host Club. On the bottom of page 24, happy faces of Hikaru, Kaoru & Honey-senpai rejoices over the presents (Mori-senpai is smiling so handsomely on the side.. kyaaaaaaaaaaa!!) while the depressed Tamaki sits in his emo corner (labeled LIAR). Tamaki causes a commotion and the twins, along with Honey-senpai (since when did he become so mischievous?), makes Tamaki conscientious of his acts, and Tamaki seeks a companion from Haruhi, who points her attention toward Hikaru (who notices something) and Kaoru, while flushed. Kyouya talks about his meeting with Anne-Sophie, whom he mentions as "blond woman". He tells them her condition is well and she seems happy. At the end, Haruhi feels that Tamaki's decision might begin the end of the Host Club and she says that she feels weird and she can't look at Tamaki in the eye.. hmm, what could this mean?
I may be too mean, but I really enjoyed reading this field trip arc, although many troubling things happened in it like Tamaki not being able to go to France, Kaoru and Hikaru's first real fight, Haruhi being conscious of Tamaki <-- that is troubling for a HikaruXHaruhi fan like me. In about 5 chapters, many things have unfolded and developed. By the way, at the end of chapter 51, it is shown that Suou Yuzuru (Tamaki's dad, also the chairman of Ouran) and Suou Shizue (Tamaki's mean grandmother) are talking about Tamaki's decision of refraining from attending the sophomore's field trip to France. I hate Shizue!! I wish she dies very VERY soon, but that will crush Tamaki because somehow, he likes and respects her. Now for my reaction.. JUST HOW MUCH OF AN IDIOT IS HE? To actually keep respecting his grandmother, who doesn't respect him as a person one bit? I think that's so ridiculous on so many levels. If I were in his position, I'd just wait until she dies. That person is not worth of any respect at all. BUT NO, Tamaki doesn't think that way. He just hopes that she'll like him one day, and keeps on treating her nicely, even though he's already been called "trash" during Ouran's festival thingy. Just how warped is my personality? If that was me, I wouldn't be able to hold back and I will shoot her with a freakin bazooka without a moment's hesitation. Yup, my personality is DEFINITELY warped. Worse than the Hitachiins in their middle school days.
This is just the field trip arc (chapters 51-56). I haven't finished reading the manga and I'm only on chapter 62. There'll be more updates in the future.. that is, whenever I felt like it!
Ouran~
Ouran~
Ouran~
Ouran~
Irrashaimase! ~
Posted by natsucchi29 | Aug 16, 2012 5:28 AM | 0 comments
August 8th, 2012
Blog #4 - OHSHC anime
Anime Relations: Ouran Koukou Host Club
After my 6th time in a row watching Ouran High School Host Club, I feel that now is the time to move on to another series..
But before that, I must say my tear-jerking farewell.
Here goes nothing!
I love this anime so much that I can't let it go (hence, the reason why I watched it 6 times in a row). If ever anyone knows a series as awesome such as Ouran (it has to be a harem, mochiron!), please don't hesitate to include it in your comment! I'd appreciate that very much! I don't wanna be overly emotional about this farewell, so I'm gonna make it short.
It all started when my friend, Lucy-chan, who also was the one who recommended Uta no Prince-Sama to me, recommended Ouran to me. I was like, "Oh, I've heard of Ouran High School Host Club before, but I haven't seen it." I accepted her recommendation and added it to my waiting list of to-be-watched anime. I kept putting off watching Ouran because there are more that came before it, so after watching the awesome anime series, Uta no Prince-Sama, I had nothing else to watch. Actually, it was more like, I-had-nothing-else-to-watch-but-there-is-a-list-of-anime-that-I-don't-wanna-watch-yet situation. I was looking for a series that has comedy in it, because I like comedy, when I remembered Ouran. I was like, "Hmm, I've been putting this off for a while now. I think I'll watch this one." So, there I was, sitting in front of my laptop with a pokerface on while waiting for it to start. A disheveled Fujioka Haruhi comes up = still pokerface. She stumbles across the Host Club, and BAM! 6 gorgeous guys are introduced. AHHH! The best thing about harems! 6 BISHOUNEN. Well, if I talk appearance-wise, there's only 5 (Hikaru and Kaoru having the same face = 1 count). Haruhi breaks the 8 million yen vase, and was forced to be the Host Club's dog. It gets funnier as the series progresses, and the mischievousness of the twins is revealed. THAT is the best thing about Ouran (at least, to me!). In episode 5, "The Twins Fight!", what each twin says or does is so funny. My favourite line from that episode was, "YOUR MAMA WEARS TOO MUCH MAKE-UP!!", and that's from Hikaru and Kaoru in unison (as usual) to each other. It might not seem that funny to you, but if you have the "laughter level" of a person like me, or lower than that, then your stomach would hurt from too much laughing. Tamaki, Hikaru and Kaoru's overreacting moments in the whole series of Ouran when guys get close to Haruhi (or just whenever they're overreacting) is just too FUNNY!! During that episode 10, "The Day in the Life of the Fujioka Family!", the guys of the Host Club comes over to Haruhi's house unexpectedly, much to her chagrin. My favourite part of that episode was when they were inside the Fujioka residence and Honey-senpai makes Haruhi choose which piece of cake she would like. She says, "Ichigo." Tamaki, Hikaru & Kaoru all say, "Kawaii," with a rather shocked look, and they grow impatient. Haruhi was about to eat her piece of cake when Mori-senpai takes the strawberries off his piece of cake and says, "You like strawberries?" while giving them to her and Haruhi replies, Yes! Thank you very much!" with the cute smile Tamaki always turns red at when he sees it, and Mori-senpai flashes off his gentle smile. Tamaki, Hikaru & Kaoru all say (or at least, one of them did, which I think was Hikaru), "I should've done that!" while squirming around, Tamaki says, "I wanted to give her some," and Kaoru says, "We got beat (by Mori-senpai)". They all finish eating their cake and Honey-senpai says that he's getting hungry. Hikaru says, "Oh yeah, it's past lunch yet," and Tamaki, Hikaru, Kaoru & Honey-senpai all say, "No lunch yet?" Kyouya offers to pay because they bothered Haruhi for coming over, but Haruhi declines and says that she knows a high-quality sushi restaurant around the corner, when Tamaki writes her an advice saying that deluxe doesn't necessarily mean high quality ( due to fears his "nightmare" would come true). Haruhi says she knows that much and Tamaki makes a fuss explaining to her. Then, Honey-senpai cutely (as usual) says, "I want to eat your home-made cooking, Haru-chan!" Hikaru exclaims (in a weird voice while pulling his face), "Honey-senpai!" Kaoru says, "What a bold comment to say!" and Tamaki says, "We were holding ourselves back from saying it, too!" Haruhi tells Honey-senpai that it wouldn't be a problem, but it'll take long, but Honey-senpai says, "We'll wait!" happily. "Tamaki, Hikaru & Kaoru say (while crying and blushing faces), "It'd have been better if we'd said it?" then Tamaki says, "We get to eat Haruhi's cooking now!"
Whew! That was long. Anyway, my favourite episodes (yes, EPISODES. It's hard just to choose one!) of Ouran are 4 (especially when Hikaru and Kaoru said that Renge is an otaku, and they've never seen one before), 5 ("YOUR MAMA WEARS TOO MUCH MAKE-UP!!" XD teehee), 10, 15, 16 (especially Kaoru's smile when he asks Haruhi on a date and his whole scheming of having Haruhi dress cutely), 21 (esp. when Hikaru and Haruhi were trapped in an animal trap.. kyaa! Hikaru got so nervous being so close to Haruhi and Tamaki was crying while watching them), 22, 23 (esp. when the twins are interrogating Kasanoda if he saw Haruhi changing and when they were holding back from interfering with Kasanoda and Haruhi), 25 and 26 (because they're the ending episodes). I really love it (that's why I watched it 6 times over), and the Hitachiin Brothers will always be in my heart ♥♥
Miyano Mamoru-sama is the best in voice acting for Tamaki. Kyaa! Miyano-sama!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥♥
I also love Suzumura Kenichi-sama for voicing Hitachiin Hikaru ♥
That seiyuu who voiced for Kaoru.. gomen, for I have never heard of you before, but I hope to come across with your beautiful voice once again ♥
SAYONARA, OURAN!
'Til I rewatch you again! :'(
But before that, I must say my tear-jerking farewell.
Here goes nothing!
I love this anime so much that I can't let it go (hence, the reason why I watched it 6 times in a row). If ever anyone knows a series as awesome such as Ouran (it has to be a harem, mochiron!), please don't hesitate to include it in your comment! I'd appreciate that very much! I don't wanna be overly emotional about this farewell, so I'm gonna make it short.
It all started when my friend, Lucy-chan, who also was the one who recommended Uta no Prince-Sama to me, recommended Ouran to me. I was like, "Oh, I've heard of Ouran High School Host Club before, but I haven't seen it." I accepted her recommendation and added it to my waiting list of to-be-watched anime. I kept putting off watching Ouran because there are more that came before it, so after watching the awesome anime series, Uta no Prince-Sama, I had nothing else to watch. Actually, it was more like, I-had-nothing-else-to-watch-but-there-is-a-list-of-anime-that-I-don't-wanna-watch-yet situation. I was looking for a series that has comedy in it, because I like comedy, when I remembered Ouran. I was like, "Hmm, I've been putting this off for a while now. I think I'll watch this one." So, there I was, sitting in front of my laptop with a pokerface on while waiting for it to start. A disheveled Fujioka Haruhi comes up = still pokerface. She stumbles across the Host Club, and BAM! 6 gorgeous guys are introduced. AHHH! The best thing about harems! 6 BISHOUNEN. Well, if I talk appearance-wise, there's only 5 (Hikaru and Kaoru having the same face = 1 count). Haruhi breaks the 8 million yen vase, and was forced to be the Host Club's dog. It gets funnier as the series progresses, and the mischievousness of the twins is revealed. THAT is the best thing about Ouran (at least, to me!). In episode 5, "The Twins Fight!", what each twin says or does is so funny. My favourite line from that episode was, "YOUR MAMA WEARS TOO MUCH MAKE-UP!!", and that's from Hikaru and Kaoru in unison (as usual) to each other. It might not seem that funny to you, but if you have the "laughter level" of a person like me, or lower than that, then your stomach would hurt from too much laughing. Tamaki, Hikaru and Kaoru's overreacting moments in the whole series of Ouran when guys get close to Haruhi (or just whenever they're overreacting) is just too FUNNY!! During that episode 10, "The Day in the Life of the Fujioka Family!", the guys of the Host Club comes over to Haruhi's house unexpectedly, much to her chagrin. My favourite part of that episode was when they were inside the Fujioka residence and Honey-senpai makes Haruhi choose which piece of cake she would like. She says, "Ichigo." Tamaki, Hikaru & Kaoru all say, "Kawaii," with a rather shocked look, and they grow impatient. Haruhi was about to eat her piece of cake when Mori-senpai takes the strawberries off his piece of cake and says, "You like strawberries?" while giving them to her and Haruhi replies, Yes! Thank you very much!" with the cute smile Tamaki always turns red at when he sees it, and Mori-senpai flashes off his gentle smile. Tamaki, Hikaru & Kaoru all say (or at least, one of them did, which I think was Hikaru), "I should've done that!" while squirming around, Tamaki says, "I wanted to give her some," and Kaoru says, "We got beat (by Mori-senpai)". They all finish eating their cake and Honey-senpai says that he's getting hungry. Hikaru says, "Oh yeah, it's past lunch yet," and Tamaki, Hikaru, Kaoru & Honey-senpai all say, "No lunch yet?" Kyouya offers to pay because they bothered Haruhi for coming over, but Haruhi declines and says that she knows a high-quality sushi restaurant around the corner, when Tamaki writes her an advice saying that deluxe doesn't necessarily mean high quality ( due to fears his "nightmare" would come true). Haruhi says she knows that much and Tamaki makes a fuss explaining to her. Then, Honey-senpai cutely (as usual) says, "I want to eat your home-made cooking, Haru-chan!" Hikaru exclaims (in a weird voice while pulling his face), "Honey-senpai!" Kaoru says, "What a bold comment to say!" and Tamaki says, "We were holding ourselves back from saying it, too!" Haruhi tells Honey-senpai that it wouldn't be a problem, but it'll take long, but Honey-senpai says, "We'll wait!" happily. "Tamaki, Hikaru & Kaoru say (while crying and blushing faces), "It'd have been better if we'd said it?" then Tamaki says, "We get to eat Haruhi's cooking now!"
Whew! That was long. Anyway, my favourite episodes (yes, EPISODES. It's hard just to choose one!) of Ouran are 4 (especially when Hikaru and Kaoru said that Renge is an otaku, and they've never seen one before), 5 ("YOUR MAMA WEARS TOO MUCH MAKE-UP!!" XD teehee), 10, 15, 16 (especially Kaoru's smile when he asks Haruhi on a date and his whole scheming of having Haruhi dress cutely), 21 (esp. when Hikaru and Haruhi were trapped in an animal trap.. kyaa! Hikaru got so nervous being so close to Haruhi and Tamaki was crying while watching them), 22, 23 (esp. when the twins are interrogating Kasanoda if he saw Haruhi changing and when they were holding back from interfering with Kasanoda and Haruhi), 25 and 26 (because they're the ending episodes). I really love it (that's why I watched it 6 times over), and the Hitachiin Brothers will always be in my heart ♥♥
Miyano Mamoru-sama is the best in voice acting for Tamaki. Kyaa! Miyano-sama!!!!!!!!!!!!! ♥♥
I also love Suzumura Kenichi-sama for voicing Hitachiin Hikaru ♥
That seiyuu who voiced for Kaoru.. gomen, for I have never heard of you before, but I hope to come across with your beautiful voice once again ♥
SAYONARA, OURAN!
'Til I rewatch you again! :'(
Posted by natsucchi29 | Aug 8, 2012 1:48 AM | 0 comments
August 5th, 2012
Blog #3 - Hitachiin Kaoru's quote for signature?
Anime Relations: Ouran Koukou Host Club
I've ran out of names to title my blogs, so starting today, I'm naming my blogs "Blog # ___" according to their chronological order. I'm starting on number 3 because this is my third blog (unless I'm utterly stupid to miscount them). I know it's boring that way, but I've simply ran out and given up naming them. I'm not good with naming things in the first place.
Anyway, today, I've decided to change my mangafox forum signature according to my current addiction - Ouran High School Host Club. So, I've placed a picture - this picture shows the chibi versions of each of the 7 hosts. All of them are really cute, especially the Hitachiin Brothers, who are my favourite, and Kyoya-senpai still looks evil. >:D
I've wanted to also put a humurous or inspirational quote in from the specified anime series (to be exact, a quote from the Hitachiin twins or either one). Now I ended up rewatching the whole series again for the.. I think this is about the 5th time I've watched Ouran. XD
I was too into it that I didn't want it to end, so I kept watching it over and over again. This is about the 5th time I've seen each episode, and I'm still cracking up until I die because of it!
For the said quote, I think I'm gonna put one of Hitachiin Kaoru's quote that he told Hikaru in episode 16 when they were staying in Karuizawa. It goes like this:
Kaoru: You have to make sure to tell other people what you're feeling, or it
won't get through them. However, if you care for the other person,
sometimes, it's important not to miss the subtle little hints that they
drop.
Sounds like a good quote to feature in my signature, isn't it? I particularly love the Hitachiin twins out of the Host Club members, but out of the two of them, I love Kaoru. His rationality and gentleness is rather admirable, and I also like how mature he is, but at the same time, he can play along with the immature jokes and pranks with Hikaru. Although the episodes with Kaoru talking about Tamaki's and other people's "spells" and what seems like a situation he, metaphorically states using a fairy tale didn't make much sense to me, I'm getting to understand the gist of it, and it seems as it is something important to the relationships of everyone, not only the people within the Host Club, but also the people outside of it. See how mature he thinks? I'm just loving it!
Anyway, today, I've decided to change my mangafox forum signature according to my current addiction - Ouran High School Host Club. So, I've placed a picture - this picture shows the chibi versions of each of the 7 hosts. All of them are really cute, especially the Hitachiin Brothers, who are my favourite, and Kyoya-senpai still looks evil. >:D
I've wanted to also put a humurous or inspirational quote in from the specified anime series (to be exact, a quote from the Hitachiin twins or either one). Now I ended up rewatching the whole series again for the.. I think this is about the 5th time I've watched Ouran. XD
I was too into it that I didn't want it to end, so I kept watching it over and over again. This is about the 5th time I've seen each episode, and I'm still cracking up until I die because of it!
For the said quote, I think I'm gonna put one of Hitachiin Kaoru's quote that he told Hikaru in episode 16 when they were staying in Karuizawa. It goes like this:
Kaoru: You have to make sure to tell other people what you're feeling, or it
won't get through them. However, if you care for the other person,
sometimes, it's important not to miss the subtle little hints that they
drop.
Sounds like a good quote to feature in my signature, isn't it? I particularly love the Hitachiin twins out of the Host Club members, but out of the two of them, I love Kaoru. His rationality and gentleness is rather admirable, and I also like how mature he is, but at the same time, he can play along with the immature jokes and pranks with Hikaru. Although the episodes with Kaoru talking about Tamaki's and other people's "spells" and what seems like a situation he, metaphorically states using a fairy tale didn't make much sense to me, I'm getting to understand the gist of it, and it seems as it is something important to the relationships of everyone, not only the people within the Host Club, but also the people outside of it. See how mature he thinks? I'm just loving it!
Posted by natsucchi29 | Aug 5, 2012 2:03 AM | 0 comments