As I mentioned in yesterday's post I am finding it difficult to decide what to write about. I started writing about my recent "mecha" phase, but realized that I have an entire article I am working on about that topic. I thought about writing about the Berserk manga, since I am still reading it almost non-stop, but am hesitant, since I just wrote about the anime the other day.
I mean, it is not as though I am lacking subjects. I am currently also in the middle of Bakuman vol 7, Clamp's Gate 7 vol 1, I have recently watched Night Raid 1931 (which is AWESOME), Le Portrait de Petite Cossette (which is as surreal as they come), and started watching the new title Tales from the Abyss (meh...). So now I must ask myself, is it because I have too much to talk about? Is it because I have too much to say about each title? I'm not sure... Maybe I'm just tired. I am even having trouble deciding what to put into the DVD player to fill the two spots that are now empty.
I've had a request to write about the Vocaloid phenomenon known as Hatsune Miku, but I have to admit, it does not interest me in the slightest. It is a Japanese, digital version of the Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys (at least in my opinion - sorry Sabs...).
I guess for now I'll just have to keep on writing and see what comes out upon the page. Hopefully tomorrow will bring a bit more inspiration.
Thanks for sticking with me!
Ja nai!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Subject of study
As I was sitting at Starbucks today, waiting for company, I was trying to decide what to write about next. Since I didn't write an entry yesterday, I have to do one today, right? I came up with the following list:
- been watching Blue Exorcist vol. 1, but it is very shonen... not really in the mood for that
- maybe talk about Catholic iconography in anime and its depiction?
- watched Le Portrait de Petite Cossette last night while falling asleep, and it is MESSED UP!! One of the most surreal stories I've even watched (and that is saying a lot)!
Once one of my companions arrived, I realized: write about the fact that my collection is actually worthy of study! With a completely sober tone, I can tell you how a friend of mine, who is studying museology (museum studies) at UQAM, has selected my anime collection as the topic of her major project in one of her graduate classes. That's right! There is a grad paper being written about my personal (and very extensive) collection! I had to pick out my top 15 items and everything! Fortunately (for her) I actually already have a spreadsheet detailing all of the current titles in my collection, including year of release, version, number of discs, languages available, studio and distributor, and genres. I do feel sorry for her having to go through all 380+ entries, though... (that's how many articles are on my shelves - I'll share pictures soon)
Now, this paper has me asking one very important question: "Does this make my collection cool, or just sad?" I'm still on the fence about how to answer. The geek in me is beyond proud and is jumping up and down! The rest of me feels a sense of shame at the other part's exuberance.
What do you guys think? Cool or sad? Validated or exposed? I mean, it doesn't even include my manga or my figurines!
I'll let you guys figure it out... it's giving me a headache...
So, for now,
Mata ne!
PS. Did I say that 380+ didn't include manga and figurines... ha... haaaa...........haaaaaaaaaaa..................oh. Forget I mentioned that...
Saturday, November 12, 2011
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. ^_^
Going Berserk for Berserk
There are so many people out there who don't know about anime. These are the people who usually say that "if it's animated, it must be for kids." To those people, I recommend you watch Berserk - just be prepared.
Although there are many anime out there with lots of blood and violence, I can only think of one or two off the top of my head that even come close to the trials of Guts. Yes, the protagonist's name is Guts. That should give you an idea, right off the top, what you're in for. Be ready to see a lot of blood, and dismemberment, and beheadings. What I found astounding is that the director did such a great job at keeping the bloody and grotesque themes, but still toning it down from what is portrayed in the manga (I kid you not!).
The opening of the series gives the viewer the impression that this series will be about a disgruntled man who has honed his body to kill demon apostles. What we soon learn is that this is the end of the story, and we venture back to how Guts became the Black Swordsman - a warrior of mythological proportions. We learn how he lived his life as part of the legendary Band of the Hawk, under Griffith, one of the most charismatic characters I've ever watched.
As the story continues (and I will do my best not to give anything away) you can almost forget what you've seen at the beginning as Guts is developing bonds, succeeding in battles, and becoming a legend. It makes the fall at the end all the more poignant.
Anyhow, loved it, reading the manga, and already 24 volumes (yes, VOLUMES, not chapters) in. Kentaro Muira, you are genius.
Ja nai!
Although there are many anime out there with lots of blood and violence, I can only think of one or two off the top of my head that even come close to the trials of Guts. Yes, the protagonist's name is Guts. That should give you an idea, right off the top, what you're in for. Be ready to see a lot of blood, and dismemberment, and beheadings. What I found astounding is that the director did such a great job at keeping the bloody and grotesque themes, but still toning it down from what is portrayed in the manga (I kid you not!).
The opening of the series gives the viewer the impression that this series will be about a disgruntled man who has honed his body to kill demon apostles. What we soon learn is that this is the end of the story, and we venture back to how Guts became the Black Swordsman - a warrior of mythological proportions. We learn how he lived his life as part of the legendary Band of the Hawk, under Griffith, one of the most charismatic characters I've ever watched.
As the story continues (and I will do my best not to give anything away) you can almost forget what you've seen at the beginning as Guts is developing bonds, succeeding in battles, and becoming a legend. It makes the fall at the end all the more poignant.
Anyhow, loved it, reading the manga, and already 24 volumes (yes, VOLUMES, not chapters) in. Kentaro Muira, you are genius.
Ja nai!
Friday, November 11, 2011
CLAMP made me cry again!
For those of you not in the know, CLAMP is a very prolific and successful group of mangaka (manga writers and artists) whose works include titles like Cardcaptor Sakura, xxxHolic, Magic Knight Rayearth, and on, and on, and on...
The latest anime adaptation of one of their works is the heart-warming Kobato. At first I was worried that it was going to be a bit too light for me, saying that it was about a girl who has come to heal people's broken hearts (*puke*). I mean seriously, I'm still surprised I picked it up with a description like that. Despite the trite and familiar synopsis, my love for CLAMP's work won out, and the purchase was made.
Thank the heavens for my devotion to CLAMP! Yes, at times it was sickeningly sweet, and many of the usual tropes were there, but dag-nabbit if I wasn't completely hooked! I thought I knew where it was going, and for some aspects I was right on, but for others, I was thrown for a loop. By the end of it, I was crying buckets! I wish there was more!
I guess I'll just have to wait for the manga to arrive at the end of the year... :(
Next time, I'll tell you about my Berserk experience! Whoa!!!!
The latest anime adaptation of one of their works is the heart-warming Kobato. At first I was worried that it was going to be a bit too light for me, saying that it was about a girl who has come to heal people's broken hearts (*puke*). I mean seriously, I'm still surprised I picked it up with a description like that. Despite the trite and familiar synopsis, my love for CLAMP's work won out, and the purchase was made.
Thank the heavens for my devotion to CLAMP! Yes, at times it was sickeningly sweet, and many of the usual tropes were there, but dag-nabbit if I wasn't completely hooked! I thought I knew where it was going, and for some aspects I was right on, but for others, I was thrown for a loop. By the end of it, I was crying buckets! I wish there was more!
I guess I'll just have to wait for the manga to arrive at the end of the year... :(
Next time, I'll tell you about my Berserk experience! Whoa!!!!
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