Why Naruto?

I was trolling for ideas to write about today, and one of my closest friends said: “Well, with all this stuff you write about One Piece, why do you still like Naruto better? That’s something I’d like to read.” I shall, henceforth, fulfill said desire!

Yes, lately I have been writing a lot about One Piece, the super-franchise that has taken Japan by storm and is now making its way westward. Before I was introduced to the pirates of East Blue, I was an honorary citizen of Konohagakure – the Village Hidden in the Leaves – where Naruto was known as the number one knucklehead ninja! As silly as it sound, the level of serious drama that lines the pages keep it from being considered ridiculous (as I imagined One Piece was), but has a humour that seems a perfect balance of silly and clever. I think a lot of that comes from the fact that the title character is really the only one who is lacking in the intelligence department, and he actually learns as he progresses through the trials and tribulations before him. I think the other big difference between Naruto and his shonen compatriots is that he genuinely works hard to improve himself. We watch him train, figure out how to do things, and get frustrated when he doesn’t understand. We've all been there, trying hard to be better, to be who we want to be, and finding nothing but hurdles and dissenters along the way.

I could go on and on, and probably will at a later time. For now, I leave you with this.

Lolly-gagging again...

Look at that! As soon as I say: "Oh, this is just to post until I finish writing the article," I find myself laying my writing responsibility by the wayside. Again, not for lack of things to say, just finding myself a bit lethargic these days. Looking for work and not having a structured day leads one only to procrastination!

I started writing a preface to the article I was writing, and found that it was actually better suited for the actual article, so am now thinking back to what I've written, read, and watched. Still watching One Piece, but there are 78 episodes to get through, so it might take a while. I've started watching Honey and Clover, which I've been reading since the summer. Both through reading and watching it is very obvious that this is a shojo title. It is not apparent only in the story, but also in the artistic treatment. The poetic language partnered with abstract imagery spins on the screen as Takamoto falls in love and for some odd reason remembers riding a bicycle as a kid and philosophically thinking about how far he can go without looking back. What does that have to do with the plot? Absolutely nothing. Is it artsy and trite? Of course! Does it work within the context of this story of love triangles within love triangles within love triangles (I suppose it is more of a love dodecahedron...)? Darn tootin'!

I got completely absorbed into the manga over the summer, and was stopped only by immediate availability. The wash of greys in the manga translate gorgeously into the colour of the anime. The big question now is whether I will get ahead faster on screen or will I finish it on paper first?

Any thoughts?

Mata ne!

If Life Were a Shojou Manga

Jeez! I'm just pumping them out! But seriously, what if life were a shojou manga? Do you think you would be happy or annoyed?

Me? Not really sure... probably just not want to be the protagonist. ^_^

Cafe Latte Rhapsody

This really and truly is one of the BEST BL titles I have ever read (and that's a lot of them...). I invite you to share my love! Make sure to click on the link to read all about it!