Rating: 6.7/10

A bit more than a year ago, I wrote a post making a promise to watch the Naruto with an open mind. As you all must probably already know, I’m a bit of a procrastinator, but I finally have seen the original series and am here to finally review it!

To put it simply, Naruto is…an average series. It has some positive aspects, but there’s also a lot worth complaining about. Before I start to go more into details, I just want to get it out there that I pretty much skipped all the 80 filler episodes from hell. I tried to get through at least a few episodes, but it was unbearably bad. There isn’t much to say about them besides the fact that they are unwatchable, so rather than boring you throughout this review by complaining, I’m going to instead ignore those episodes and focus on the parts that were adapted from the manga.

This is the story about a kid with a demon sealed within him who wants to become the best Ninja ever. It’s as generic as it gets, but I know to never expect too much out of the shounen genre. What I expect from the genre is mostly a lot of action and progressively more exaggerated powerups. Maybe I’m being unfair, but that’s what it’s ultimately all about with those other shows like Bleach, D. GrayMan, Fairy Tale, and whatever else. So what makes Naruto so popular? I think there are several reasons, but if I had to pick one I’d say because of the giant cast of dynamic characters. I’ll get more into that soon…

One thing worth mentioning about Naruto is this Chakra business. Much like most shounen that I know, there are variations of powers similar to Chakra. I’m referring to all those other shows that have things like Devil Fruit, Innocence, Nen, and some other stuff I’m sure. As you’ve probably already noticed, I don’t have much I can compare against since I don’t watch much shounen, but I do have a good idea about how Nen works in Hunter x Hunter. When you contrast the two, you can immediately notice the simplicity of Chakra. It’s just an excuse to add a new dimension to the story so that people can use special moves. There’s not much else to it, and so I didn’t really enjoy this aspect of the series since it just felt boring, especially in training episodes.

Another fault in this series is its pacing. In the case of a fight, even if it’s about a side character it will usually only take an episode to get through it. This is expected and it worked because it stayed interesting and didn’t have enough time to get repetitive. The problem lies more with the main characters, and not even when they were fighting, on one occasion when Naruto and his friends were trying to chase someone down, it took them at least five episodes to get anywhere. It was legitimately five episodes of Naruto just jumping through a blur of trees! Who could have thought that was a good idea? I’m guessing it was the same person who thought making 40 percent of the series just filler seemed logical.

So to take a break from all the negative, I do have some positive things to say in regards to the cast, which for its size had a good number of enjoyable characters. I think the best part about Naruto is its supporting cast, who seem to only grow more and more on you as the series goes on. Even within the main cast, I felt Naruto eventually almost grows on you. The only times that I was truly annoyed by the characters were with Sakura and Sasuke. Sakura just feels consistently one dimensional while Sasuke was cold to the point of being annoying.

Luckily there were characters like Kakashi and the other older characters, as well as the villains which all really managed to shine. Orochimaru, for example, was as entertaining as he was engaging, especially in moments like when he didn’t care to become a young girl if it meant escaping old age. I also ended up really liking Gaara, who went through a compelling character change as the series progressed. In fact, he was one of my favourite characters in the series! I had no idea he was going to be presented as a foil to Naruto, and the way the story used hat to develop both the characters was surprisingly good.

In a way, you can pretty much view these 220 episodes as just a way to set up for Shippuden. The way the story leads up is only to setup for the later events. The ending is pretty unsatisfying, but it managed to sell me enough that I’ve already started watching Shippuden. In all, this was a series that was fun to watch. When you learn to accept some of its fault and start getting into the rhythm of it, you can’t help but get absorbed in the high energy of the series. The low rating has to do with the fact that despite some good things, there are a lot of problems and I can’t completely forgive the fact that a large portion of it is unwatchable. Nonetheless, this was a series that did surprise me and it is somethign worth watching if you enjoy other shounen series or are looking for a good place to start.

Eh? What did you say? You’re moving again?! Yes, it’s that time of the year, fellas, to update RSS and bookmark one… final… time.

Hopefully this will be the last time. But fear not, Ganbatte’s spirit will live on! Albeit with a shorter yet hopefully still easy-to-remember URL.

I wish I could say more, but since I only just recently came back, my memory is still pretty hazy.

However, I would like to say thanks to Kokidokom for the hosting and everyone for reading onwards. You can now find me at the new and improved Nandatte.net.

It’s been fun here. But now, I’m going to be fully active again.

Song: Kibou no Hana
Artist: Chisuga Haruka
Album: Kotoura-san Ending Theme Collection
Other: Ending Song for the anime Kotoura-san

nanika ni tsumadzuitara dou yatte tachinaoru no?
kangaesuginai koto sa uwa no sora de kiiteita
chigireta kako ni ha hitotsu mo uso nante nakatta kedo
kore kara omou mirai ni shinjitsu ha aru no?

Should I ever trip, how should I get right back up?
It’s just a thought… I simply asked while absent minded…
There wasn’t a single lie in my shattered past,
but will truth lie in the future I envision?

umaretekita toki ha dare mo ga hitori da yo dakara koso
issho ni ikiteikou to suru ne

Everyone is born alone, and that is exactly why
we try to live together with others.

ano hi ANATA ni oshierareta ikiru tsuyosa ya imi wo
kono mune ni tsuyoku nigirishime
itsuka subete no koto ni chanto kibou no hana ga saku youni
kono basho kara himeyou

I firmly hold the strength to live and its meaning
that you taught me deep in my heart.
Let’s start here so from now on
everything will one day bloom with a flower of hope.

hontou ni daijina koto ha tsurai toki wakaru mono ne
motsureta NEKKURESU no youni hodokenai kimochi

We come to learn what is truly important during painful times.
They’re our emotions we can’t untie from… like a tangled necklace.

mawari bakari ki ni shiteita ne
aruga mama ikirareru koto koso ga
yorokobi to shitta

We were always conscious about what happened around us…
But living true to oneself is how
we found happiness.

akirameru koto ha itsudatte muzukashii koto janai arukidasu koto ni kurabetara
dakedo kokoro ni egaiteta yume no chizu ha azayaka ni nando demo kienai

Giving up isn’t difficult, as opposed to continuing walking.
But even so, the dreams we envision are vivid and will never fade.

tsugi no tobira akeru toki mata kono te ha kowagaru darou
sonna toki ni anata wo omou dake de tsuyoku nareru yo

These hand will shiver in fear when I have to open the next door.
During that time, when I think of you, I become stronger.

itsumo mite minu FURI shiteita yuuki to kodoku ga aru
tesaguri de ima taguriyosete
itsuka kokoro ni sakasetai yo kibou no hana wo sotto
anata to futari de
ashita kyou yori mo KIRAmeita egao de arimasu youni
kono michi wo tsuyoku kizamikomi
sukoshi mae ni susundemiyou manazashi wo takaku agete ima anata to

I always pretended I never saw anything. But there is courage and loneliness.
Fumbling around, I draw them in.
One day, I want to make the flower of hope in my heart gently bloom.
Together with you.
Hoping our smiles would be brighter tomorrow than they are today,
I carve this path deeply in my heart.
Let’s try walking forward bit by bit and keep our sight high.

kono basho kara hajimeyou

Let’s start, from here on.

I will miss Kotoura-san. It was a bit dumb, but dem feels~ ;_;

Song: Kono Namida wo Kimi ni Sasagu
Artist: NO NAME
Album: Kono Namida wo Kimi ni Sasagu
Other: Ending Song for the anime AKB0048 next stage

itsuka no negai ha
tsuchi no naka de nemutte
yakusoku no jikoku ni
kibou no me ga derunda

All our wishes
sleep in the earth.
And when the time comes,
hope begins to sprout.

futari ga deatta koro
yume nado mada tane datta
dore kurai toki ga sugi
hana ha saku no darou

When we first met,
our dream was still a seed.
I wonder how many years it will take
for it to blossom into a flower.

kono namida wo kimi ni sasagu
motto kimi ga kagayaku nara
zutto mimamotteta chinomku no sora kara
ima boku ha ame ni narou

I offer my tears to you.
If you’re going to shine brighter,
I’ll become the rain falling
from the silent sky which always watched over you.

chiisana shiawase
miageteita taiyou
kitai ni fukuramu
ano mirai ga tsubomi sa

That small happiness,
that sun up in the sky,
grow bigger with hope.
That future is still a flower bud.

kokoro ga kawaita toki
dareka no ai wo motometa

When my heart got thirsty,
I searched for the love of others.

kanashimi no kaze ga fuki
hana ga kareru hi made

The wind of sadness continues to blow
until all flowers wither.

kono namida wo kimi ni sasagu
tatoe kimi ga kidzukanakutemo
sukoshi atatakute nanto naku natsukashii
sou boku ha ame ni narou

I offer my tears to you.
And even if you don’t realize it,
I’ll become the rain,
a bit warm yet familiar rain…

mabuta wo tojite mejiri kara
nagare ochita atsui mono
ano sora he to nobotte
fukan de miru ai ni kaware…

That warm thing flowing
from your eyes as you close them
evaporate into the sky
and become the love which watches over you from above.

kono namida wo kimi ni sasagu
motto kimi ga kagayaku nara
zutto mimamotteta chinmoku no sora kara
ima boku ha ame ni narou

I offer my tears to you.
If you’re going to shine brighter,
I’ll become the rain falling
from the silent sky which always watched over you.

aa kimi ni sasagu
konna boku ni dekiru koto ha
kimi no munashisa wo sukoshi demo iyasu koto
saa boku ha ame ni narou

Aah, I offer it all to you,
the only thing I can do
is ease your loneliness, if only a bit.
I’ll become the rain.

When I hear this song I’m reminded of AKB0048 next stage’s final episode. Where Yuuka sings it while trying to hold back her crying. That was a great scene~

Song: Aruji Naki Sono Koe
Artist: NO NAME
Album: Kono Namida wo Kimi ni Sasagu
Other: Opening Song for the anime AKB0048 next stage

aruji naki sono koe kikoeru yo
kono sora no hora doko kara ka
tashika ni dareka he to
katarikakeru youni…

I can hear a voice with no owner
coming from somewhere in the sky.
I’m sure it’s calling
for someone…

aruji naki ima kaze ga fuki
kumoma ni ha hora hikari ga sasu
mayoibito ha mimi wo sobadatete
jibun no michi susumu tame no chikara ni suru

With no owner, the wind blows
and light shines from between the clouds.
People who have lost their way try to listen closely
and make it their strength to continue walking down their path.

yume ha toosugite tameiki ga deru yo
ganbatteru noni muryoku ni omoeru
kokoro oresouna nagai saka no mae
mirai ga aru nara se wo mukerarenai

My dream is still too far away, all I can do is sigh…
I’m giving it my all… but it all feels helpless.
My heart feels like it will give up after seeing such a steep hill…
but if the future lies beyond, I can’t turn back.

tomo yo oboeteirukai?
ano hi chikaiatta kono basho
kisetsu no hana ga saku

Dear friends, do you remember?
That day, we made a promise here,
here where the seasonal flowers bloom.

aruji naki sono koe kikoeru yo
taiyou ga hora sukoshi zutsu
atari no sono yami wo
hagashitekureru darou

I can hear a voice with no owner
and the sun, bit by bit,
strips the darkness
which is near you.

aruji naki saa kono toki ni
boku-tachi ha sou arukidasou
dare mo minna yowai ikimono sa
ai no kehai sagashinagara saki he susumu

With no owner, and when the time comes,
we can continue walking ahead.
Everyone is weak
but we continue forward searching for the presence of love.

sore ha maboroshi ka? RIARU datta no ka?
kaze ni hakobareta ikutsuka no kotoba
hito kage nakutemo me wo tojireba wakaru
mezashiteiru no ha hitori janainda

Is it just an illusion? Or was it real?
The wind carries many of our words.
And if we close our eyes, even if alone, we’ll understand
that we aren’t the only ones with such a goal.

tomo yo kotaeteokure yo
kimi mo kizutsuki akai chi wo nagashi
sore demo ikiteru to…

Dear friends, answer me.
Tell me that despite hurt and bleeding,
you are still alive…

aruji naki sono koe kikoeru yo
kono sora no hora doko kara ka
tashika ni dareka he to
katarikakeru youni…

I can hear a voice with no owner
coming from somewhere in the sky.
I’m sure it’s calling
for someone…

aruji naki ima kaze ga fuki
kumoma ni ha hora hikari ga sasu
mayoibito ha mimi wo sobadatete
jibun no michi susumu tame no chikara ni suru

With no owner, the wind blows
and light shines from between the clouds.
People who have lost their way try to listen closely
and make it their strength to continue walking down their path.

tomo yo oboeteirukai?
itsuka issho ni mita yuuhi wo…
ima demo wasurenai

Dear friends, do you remember
that sunset we all saw together?
I can’t forget it even now…

aruji naki sono koe kikoeru yo
taiyou ga hora sukoshi zutsu
atari no sono yami wo
hagashitekureru darou

I can hear a voice with no owner
and the sun, bit by bit,
strips the darkness
which is near you.

aruji naki saa kono toki ni
boku-tachi ha sou arukidasou
dare mo minna yowai ikimono sa
ai no kehai sagashinagara saki he susumu

With no owner, and when the time comes,
we can continue walking ahead.
Everyone is weak
but we continue forward searching for the presence of love.

Song: Kono Sora no Mukou
Artist: Yoshida Hitomi
Album: Happy Go Lucky! DOKI DOKI PRECURE / Kono Sora no Mukou
Other: Ending Song for the anime Doki Doki Precure

kono sora no mukou ni ha donna yume ga aru
hateshinaku tsudzuiteku mirai shinjite te wo nobashite

What kind of dreams lie beyond this sky?
Believe in the limitless future and reach for it!

PU PU PU PURIKYUA! PU PU PU PURIKYUA!
PU PU PU PURIKYUA! DOKI DOKI shiyou yo Yeah! Yeah!

P-p-p-precure! P-p-p-precure!
P-p-p-precure! Let’s make our hearts beat fast! Yeah! Yeah!

chiisana kono te ni nani wo negau no?
kimi ha ima doko de nani wo mite nani wo kanjiteru?

What should I wish for to these small hands of mine?
Where are you right now? What do you see? What are you feeling?

nee nanmankounen saki ha tooi mirai janai
mochiron jikan no tan’i janai no mo shouchi
KIRAMEKU nozomi ha hikari datte koeru

Hey, a future millions of light years away isn’t that far.
Of course, I know that isn’t a unit of time…
but a radiant wish is faster than the speed of light!

kono sekai tsunagu mono sore ha ai da yo
yume monogatari janai dokomademo te wo tsunaide
kono sora no mukou ni ha donna yume ga aru
taisetsu ni kanjiteru TOKIMEKI wo kono uta ni nosete

Connecting the whole world together is love!
It’s not an unrealistic dream, we can hold hands through thick and thin.
What kind of dreams lie beyond this sky?
I put these feelings I treasure now into this song!

PU PU PU PURIKYUA! PU PU PU PURIKYUA!
PU PU PU PURIKYUA! egao de aeru yo Yeah! Yeah!

P-p-p-precure! P-p-p-precure!
P-p-p-precure! We will meet again with smiles! Yeah! Yeah!

miageta hoshizora ni nani wo inoru no?
asu no watashi-tachi doko ni ite doko de waratteru?

What should I pray for to the starry sky?
Where will we be tomorrow? Where will we be smiling?

nee issho ni wakeaeru koto totemo suteki janai?
mamoritai kimi ga iru koto hontou ni daiji
tsuyoi kimochi ha kono sekai wo kaeru

Hey, isn’t sharing with each other a wonderful thing?
Having you here, and wanting to keep you safe, is important to me.
Those strong feelings can change this world!

soba ni iru sore dake de kimi ni arigatou
shiawase wo tsunaideru kono hoshi ga daisuki nano!
kono sora no mukou ni mo todoku uta ga aru
yume ippai afuredasu kimochi shinjite koe wo dashite

I feel thankful just having you by my side
and I love this world which ties happiness with everyone!
There is a song that can reach beyond this sky,
so believe in your dream filled feelings and bring out your voice!

PU PU PU PURIKYUA! PU PU PU PURIKYUA!
PU PU PU PURIKYUA! DOKI DOKI shiyou yo Yeah! Yeah!

P-p-p-precure! P-p-p-precure!
P-p-p-precure! Let’s make our hearts beat fast! Yeah! Yeah!

kono sekai tsunagu mono sore ha ai da yo
yume monogatari janai dokomademo te wo tsunaide
kono sora no mukou ni ha donna yume ga aru
hateshinaku tsudzuiteku mirai shinjite te wo nobashite

Connecting the whole world together is love!
It’s not an unrealistic dream, we can hold hands through thick and thin.
What kind of dreams lie beyond this sky?
Believe in the limitless future and reach for it!

PU PU PU PURIKYUA! PU PU PU PURIKYUA!
PU PU PU PURIKYUA! egao de aeru yo Yeah! Yeah!

P-p-p-precure! P-p-p-precure!
P-p-p-precure! We will meet again with smiles! Yeah! Yeah!

A new season for me to fall behind on again has arrived! As spring season goes, there isn’t as much selection as usual, but at least there are a few very solid series that will keep me interested. We also kick off the season with a bunch of controversy with Aku no Hana, I have no idea where that argument went, but last time I checked people were at a point where they believed we shouldn’t categorize it as anime at all. Fun times! 

I’m also part of FAL (Fantasy Anime League) this season, and I’m failing miserably. Blame Oregairu which ruined everything! Either way, if you’re part of it too, I’d love to hear what you made as your choices…So without further ado, I present my list of top picks for the season!

14. Aiura

This anime is worth watching just for the intro. WATCH IT! Otherwise, it’s reached a new level of slice of life by not providing much entertainment and instead really just being about the ordinary. Hey, at least there’s that intro!

13. Dansai Bunri no Crime Edge

The anime has the weird hair fetish thing for going for it, but otherwise I found it rather dull. The weird factor can only take this series so far and if the focus switches more towards shounen, I still won’t be too impressed. Whether I keep up with this one or not will mostly depend on where this story goes and if it gets to be a bit more interesting.

12. Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru.

This was probably my biggest disappointment of the season. I saw the promotional art and how it was going to be produced by Brains Base, so my excitement was there, but then when it aired it just fell flat. The story was generic and the animation is weak. It just doesn’t have the ability to really be remarkable at all. It’s watchable, but the whole thing just feels under-whelming.

11. RDG: Red Data Girl

I feel there is a good show somewhere in this, but I have really yet to find it. The animation is consistent and the setting is interesting, but everything else just seems lacking. The lead girl is bland and the story just doesn’t seem all that interesting. I have only seen the first two episodes, so for those who are ahead, does this series improve?

10. Kakumeiki Valvrave

This is an original series by the guy who created Code Geass, so I did have some expectations. There was some potential in there, but it mostly just felt flat. As mecha series goes, it’s exactly what we’ve seen a million times. Oh, except for the fact that this guy volunteered to pilot the giant robot, and he may or may not be a zombie. Either way, this series needs to have a bit more feeling to it before I can really call it good.

9. Devil Survivor 2 The Animation

I had heard of the game this anime is based off a while ago, but I had no idea the story was so close to Persona’s. I guess it explains why this anime is surprisingly popular. Anyway, the first episode had some good animation and managed to be entertaining. The characters also weren’t all that bad. The downfall was when the persona-like creatures who just looked lame, and I’d honestly prefer if they just didn’t exist. Hopefully this series will go down more of a Mirai Nikki route than a Persona one.

8. Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko.

This was one of the more hyped series of the season, and it actually didn’t disappoint. At first thought I was expecting this to be some ecchi series, but as the episode went on, that clearly showed to not be the case. Sure, it’s still about a pervert, but it isn’t the usual generic character with no personality who just forms a harem, there’s an actual story! It was an undeniably amusing start, and hopefully it keeps up the energy.

7. OreImo 2

The insanely popular series is back for another season! I was never a crazy fan of the first season, and I still don’t feel totally ecstatic over this season, but it’s fun and it manages to succeed in some ways. Kirino is still not cute at all, but at least there’s Kuroneko who makes this whole series worth watching. The second episode was much better than the first!

6. Aku no Hana

I don’t care about the animation controversy with this series. It looks unique at least and it adds to the ambience this anime seems to be creating. It’s weird and slow moving, but you can tell it has purpose to what it’s doing and I’m excited to see what that is. Though, I hope we don’t have to wait too long because although I’m liking the atmosphere, there isn’t much else that has truly grabbed my attention yet.

5. Karneval

This show is over the top, has bishies with top hats, and adults who want to play hide and seek. But that’s the look it wants! It’s so much fun and I can’t help wanting to watch it. The animation is also top notch, and has really managed to capture the look of the manga. It’s not something for everyone, but it’s exactly what I need to brighten my week!

4. Suisei no Gargantia

I had relatively low expectations for this one, but was pleasantly surprised by how it turned out. The animation is beyond fantastic, and it’s no doubt the mecha-to-watch this season! It has an interesting premise, and the characters have already peaked my interest. The girl may be a bit annoying, but I’ve seen much worse.

3. Shingeki no Kyojin

This anime is just some powerful stuff. It really grabs you tight from the moment it starts and doesn’t let go. The first two episodes seem to have been prequels to the story, so I’m interested to see where this anime will go from here. I’m also already curious to find out more about the giants. It’s an anime that you really need to just be watching to understand and appreciate its greatness.

2. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun S

YeSS! I remember watching the first season by fluke because I found Index to be quite boring, but Railgun is no doubt something else. It has such a great cast and the story is really fun! The first episode was probably one of the most action packed pilots of the season and jumped right into the action without ever taking a breath. It was a great way to remind everyone why this series is so awesome! Kuroko FTW!

1. Hataraku Maou-sama

The hidden gem of the season! If you haven’t already, watch this series! The first episode was probably the best pilot of the season, and a good deal of the jokes were genuinely laugh out loud worthy. It’s a show about a Devil King who ends up working at McDonalds. What more needs to be said? It’s funny and hella entertaining! If this anime manages to stay as consistent as its first two episodes, it definitely has a good chance at staying my favourite of the season!

EDIT: thank you for all the advice and kind comments!

Dear Readers,

Don’t worry, this isn’t a post to say I’ve decided to quite blogging, in fact this post is here to say the exact opposite. I want to revive Anime Princess. So why has my blog dramatically slowed down in the past few months? Well, I was writing elsewhere because the opportunity came, but it has now fallen through. There is more than one reason as to why, but mostly it’s because I came to a point where I just wasn’t enjoying my writing.

Lately, I feel lost about life. Nothing feels right and I’m not really sure how to fix things. I’m in a rut you could say, and my writing was reflecting that. Not to mention, I’m not one to follow schedules, and due to not being able to find much time in my life for anything, I had to dedicate all my time writing for another site over this one. I’m still happy for the time I dedicated over there, but I feel for this summer I need a break from at least a few stressful things in my life. I need to figure out how to manage my life and find joy in the things I once did. Blogging was never supposed to feel like a chore. I want to write things when the inspiration strikes and be able to create content that really reflects the emotions I need to have written out on a page. My writing is something very personal, and I know it’s nothing fancy, but it’s the only way I know how to express myself and I wouldn’t want to change that.

I just needed to get this out there, and I apologize for the rather cryptic rant. All this is to say that I want to try to go back to the days where my life wasn’t one giant stress. Where I could watch something without trying to think of what I need to say about it or dreading each week where I had to come up with new content. I want to go back to the aniblogosphere, read more blogs, and socialize more on twitter. If a new opportunity knocks on my door, I won’t hesitate, but in the meantime I just want to sit back and try to return to those good old days.

Thank you for listening, I hope to talk to you all much more in the coming weeks!

Song: She is my Senior
Artist: supercell
Album: The Bravery

naiteru atashi MAMA ha sotto shitoitekureru
amai amai KYANDI sotto oite shiranpuri shite

When I cry, my mom gives me space
and leaves a sweet candy for me, pretending not to know.

shoppai namida
karakkarana namida
MAMA mo kitto shitterunda

Salty tears,
cold tears.
I’m sure mom knows…

kou yatte chotto zutsu
atashi ha kitto otona ni nareru
kanashii koto datte itsuka ha zenbu
sore mo atashi datte omoeru kara

Going through this,
I’m sure I’m slowly becoming an adult.
One day, I’ll look back an think
that feeling this sad was also a part of me.

koi shiteru atashi PAPA mo kitto shiranai kao shite
tobikiri no koi wo ima shiteru no yo gomenne PAPA

I’m in love, but looks like my dad doesn’t care.
I’m having a very special love experience, sorry, dad.

mukashi itteta
MAMA to no koibanashi
PAPA ha donna PAPA datta no?

What kind of person
was my dad
in those old love stories mom told me about?

kou yatte chotto zutsu
atashi ha kitto otona ni natteku
ureshii koto toka kasanateitte
shiwa wo fuyasu no
soshite nee kiite yo
atashi MAMA mitai ni naru no
MAMA ha sonna atashi no hanashi wo kiite
nandaka komatta kao wo shita youna ki ga shita

Going through this,
I’m sure I’ll become an adult.
Gathering more happy experiences,
I’ll get more wrinkles
and then, listen,
I want to become like my mom.
But when she heard me say that,
for some reason, made a worried face…

Song: SMALL WORLDROP
Artist: Annabel
Album: SMALL WORLDROP
Other: Opening Song for the anime RDG -Red Data Girl-

kimi no koe ga
yobiau sono hikari he

Your voice
calls mine towards the light.

usuginu goshi ni ima sekai wo mitsumeteiru
tobenai kago no naka hane wo chijimete

I’m looking at the world through a veil
and contract my wings inside this cage I can’t fly from…

kaze wataru mori he to sakitsugu hana-tachi no
kokyuu wo mane shite hane wo sotto yuraseba

Flowers bloom towards the forest the wind passes through.
If only I could copy their breath and spread my wings…

hora kimi no koe ga
kataku tojita mama uzukumaru kono ashimoto wo terasu yo

See, your voice
lights the way for my cowering stiff feet.

kizamareta mirai ga tooku mienai basho demo
osore wo nugisutete kimi no moto he

Even if the future is far away and in a place I can’t see,
I’ll cast away my fear and go towards you.

fureawanakutemo tsutawaru tashikana omoi ga
nando demo mukau tsuyosa ni naru

These certain feelings are conveyed to you even if we don’t touch
and they become the strength to keep on facing everything…

kawatteiku tame ni

So I could change myself.

minasoko ni shizunda sekai wo mitsumeteiru
chippokena negai ni mimi wo sumashite

I stare at the world sunken in the riverbed
and listen closely to a tiny prayer.

oshiete hoshii kimi wo kanashimaseru subete
kokoro no manazashi de itoshisa wo ageru kara

I want you to tell me everything which makes you sad.
I’ll give you love from the bottom of my heart.

hora kami wo naderu kaze no muku hou he
hateshinaku hirogatteiku PANORAMA

Come, look towards direction of the wind brushing your hair
and you’ll see an endlessly expanding panorama.

takanatta kodou ga tooku kyori wo koeteiku
massugu mayowazu ni kimi no moto he
aimaina ishi ga erabu hitotsu ni imi ha nai
hontou no kimochi wo sakebu kara

Our heartbeats overcome this long distance,
heading straight right to you.
There’s no meaning in choosing a single vague purpose
if we’ll just shout our true feelings.

te wo te wo kasaneteite

Take your hand, and my hand, and join them together.

kitto kimerareta mirai ga shiroku togireta toshitemo
watashi ha mayowanai kimi no moto he

Even if the future decided for us is white, or blocked,
I won’t hesitate anymore and go towards you.

umarekawaru hikari ga ima toumeina hane ni
nando demo yume wo kanaderu darou

This reborn light become my transparent wings
and, time and time again, compose my dreams…

kawatteiku tame ni

So I could change myself.

Song: Baby Sweet Berry Love
Artist: Ogura Yui
Album: Baby Sweet Berry Love
Other: Ending Song for the anime Hentai Ouji to Warawanai Neko

kimi ni Baby Sweet Berry Love HONTO NO KIMOCHI dake
wakeaetara ii noni na negai wo kanaete yo

You’re my Baby Sweet Berry Love, but if only I could
share my true feelings with you and make my wish come true.

c-u-t-e funny cat
give me give me shiny time
p-r-e-t-t-y tiny tiny berry love

daisuki! no HA-TO mo
GOMEN ne no NAMIDAmo HONTO ha sunao ni misetakute
tsutaetai omoi to uragaeshi no taido
jouzu ni narenai KOKORO moyou

I actually wanted to show you
my heart filled with love, and my tears filled with apologies.
But what I do is the opposite what I want to say,
it seems my heart won’t let me be honest…

doushite KARAMAWARI mune ga GYUtto naru
chikai kyori ga modokashii yo nee
todoketai no

Why do these fruitless efforts make my heart tighten?
This short distance between us is so frustrating,
I want to reach in even closer.

kimi to Baby Sweet Berry Love
kitto gikochinakute demo ne massugu ni mitsumete
SORA-IRO utsushitai
motto Baby Sweet Berry Love
semete kimi no mae de ha
waratte okotte afureta ari no mama de itai
dakara Baby Sweet Berry Love issho ni hajimeyou

You’re my Baby Sweet Berry Love!
I may be clumsy, but look at me with honesty.
I want to see the sky reflected in your eyes.
My Baby Sweet Berry Love,
When I’m in front of you,
I at least want to be myself by showing my laughter and anger…
So, my Baby Sweet Berry Love, let’s start together!

c-u-t-e funny cat
give me give me shiny time
p-r-e-t-t-y tiny tiny berry love

kajirareta HA-TO wo sagashitemiru
keredo HONTO ha jibun no oku ni aru
marude, samishii noni sumashita mayoi neko
koboreta yuuhi ni shitto shichau

I tried looking for my bitten off heart…
but it was actually deep inside me.
I’m like a stray cat. It’s jealous of the setting sun
but acts composed when actually feels lonely.

fuina yasashisa ni hashagu mune no oto
DOTABATA toka KARAFURU de KYUNto michiteiku no

My heart fills with its colorful and loud beats
when you’re casually nice to me.

kimi to Baby Sweet Berry Love
nanka mujun darake
daiji de areba aru hodo gomakashite shimau no
dakedo Baby Sweet Berry Love
jibun no KOKORO made wakaranai toki ha
kimi to tashikameaitai no
dakara Baby Sweet Berry Love
onaji basho ni itai

My Baby Sweet Berry Love,
I’m full of contradictions.
The more important it is, the more I try dodge it..
But, my Baby Sweet Berry Love,
when I can’t even understand my own heart,
I want to figure it out with you.
So, my Baby Sweet Berry Love,
stay with me!

kimi ni Baby Sweet Berry Love
jibun wo mamoru yori taisetsuna KOTO ga aru no
konna ni mo chikaku ni

My Baby Sweet Berry Love,
there’s something more important than protecting myself…
it was always so close to me.

kimi to Baby Sweet Berry Love
kitto gikochinakute demo ne massugu ni mitsumete
SORA-IRO utsushitai
motto Baby Sweet Berry Love
semete kimi no mae de ha
waratte okotte afureta ari no mama de itai
dakara Baby Sweet Berry Love konna ni mo SUKI da yo

You’re my Baby Sweet Berry Love!
I may be clumsy, but look at me with honesty.
I want to see the sky reflected in your eyes.
My Baby Sweet Berry Love,
When I’m in front of you,
I at least want to be myself by showing my laughter and anger…
Because, my Baby Sweet Berry Love, I love you so much!

c-u-t-e funny cat
give me give me shiny time
p-r-e-t-t-y tiny tiny berry love

zutto Baby Sweet Berry Love

Always my Baby Sweet Berry Love!

Song: YUKI TOKI
Artist: Yanagi Nagi
Album: YUKI TOKI
Other: Opening Song for the anime Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy ha Machigatteiru

hi no michiru kono heya
sotto TOKI wo matsu yo

I’m in this sunlit room,
waiting for all of it to melt.

kidzukeba ukan de nagameteru hako
onaji mesen ha naku
itsushika kokoro ha hakushoku futoumei
yuki ni ochita hikari mo chiru

Without realizing it, I’ve been looking from high above
with no one to have the same point of view as me.
Eventually my heart became white and opaque…
and the light falling into the snow dispersed.

kumo kara koboreru tsumetai ame
me wo harasu no ha tooi haru kaze dake

Cold rain comes down from the clouds
and only the distant breeze of Spring can clear it away.

AZAREA wo sakasete
atatakai niwa made
tsuredashite tsuredashite
nante ne
shiawase dake egaita otogibanashi nante nai
wakattteru wakatteru
soredemo ne
soko he ikitai no

Let the Azalea bloom
in a warm garden
and take me, lead me, to it…
or something.
This is not like a fairy tale with a happy ending,
I know that very well,
but even so,
I want to go there…

muzukashii suushiki dare mo tayorazu
toiteakashitekita
atarimae datte omoitteita kara
nani mo utagawanakatta kedo

I was able to solve
a difficult math formula without the help of anyone.
I thought it was natural to do it alone,
so I never doubted it…

ima kisetsu ga owarou to shitemo
tsuitekuru no ha jibun no kage hitotsu

but now, as the season is about to end,
the only one with me… is my own shadow.

kooritsuita michi wo
hana no ame de umete
mayowanai youni chanto
oshiete ne
kiseki dake dekita kanzen kesshou ha nai
dakara sou hitosu zutsu
yuukuri to te wo tsunaideiku no

The frozen pathway
is buried by the rain of flowers
so properly show me how
not to get lost.
There are no perfect crystals created by miracles,
that’s why we, one by one,
start to join hands.

mune ni haritsuita GARASU toketenagareru
hikari afureru sekai
mou sugu

The glass clinging to my heart melts and streaks down
into a world filled with light…
and soon…

hitori de mamotteita chiisana ano heya ha
sukoshi dake aiteiru basho ga atte
zutto shiranakattanda
futari demo iindatte

That small room I kept safe
still has that empty space.
I never knew
that I was fine with it being just the two of us.

wakarazuni matteita ano hi ha mou
yukitoke to issho ni haru ni kawatteiku yo
toumeina mizu ni natte
soushite ne
AZAREA wo sakasu yo
nagai fuyu no ato ni
nando demo nando demo
hi no michiru kono heya no naka de

The day I waited for without realizing
has already melted away with the snow and soon Spring will come.
It will become clear water
and then…
it will make the Azalea bloom.
But even after the long Winter is over,
I’ll always, always,
be in this sunlit room.

Song: Hello Alone
Artist: Hayami Saori & Touyama Nao
Album: Hello Alone
Other: Ending Song for the anime Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come ha Machigatteiru

KIRARI aoi sora de hikatta
Airplane kanata no sora no kanata made
mune ni tsumatta nanika ga sawaida

*glitter* Something shined from the sky.
Airplane, it shined from far in the sky
and something in my heart moved.

iitai kimochi ha tojikome
ienai KOTOBA ni henkan suru
saigo made boku ha sunao janakute
tsunagareta ito wo waza to
motsuresasete kirihanashita

I swallow the feelings I wanted to say.
They become words I can’t say…
Even until the very end… I couldn’t be honest.
I purposely tangle the thread connecting us
and cut it.

HIKO-KIgumo ga nijinde
kieteshimau mae ni
aitai to ieteta nara Wow
owari no nai setsunasa kara mo
nukedaseteita no kana
mata kimi to futari bocchi
Hello Hello, Alone

The vapor trails are fading,
but before they disappear,
I should have said I wanted to see you. Wow
Did you ever break free
from your endless suffering?
You and I are alone again,
Hello Hello, Alone.

tooku warai koe hibiku
soshite kikoenakunatta kedo
muri ni waratte wasureru yori mo
shizukesa he to shizumikonde
tomatta mama kizutsukitai

I heard laughter from afar,
but I suddenly couldn’t hear it anymore.
I force a smile, and rather than just forget,
I sink into silence.
I want to punish myself for standing still…

yuuhi ga umi no hate ni
kieteshimau mae ni
uso datte tsutaetetara Wow
ano mabushi sugita mainichi wo
torimodosu koto dekita?
mata kimi to futari bocchi
Hello Hello, Alone

Before the setting sun
disappeared into the ocean,
I should have at least have said a lie. Wow
Were you able to get those
radiant days back?
You and I are alone again,
Hello Hello, Alone.

kotoba ha azamukushi yasashisa ha urahara de
itsumo taisetsuna toko de

I decieve my own words and contradict my kindness
at the very most important times.

jitsu ha nigete bakari ita kamo
amaesugiteita no kamo
ima sara osoi kedo

I may have actually just been running away.
I may have been too naive.
But it’s too late now…

tomerarenakatta namida
ochiteshimau mae ni
gomen ne to ieteta nara

I should have apologized
before the tears I couldn’t stop
ran down my cheeks.

HIKO-KIgumo ga nijinde
kieteshimau mae ni
aitai to ieteta nara Wow
owari no nai setsunasa kara mo
nukedaseteita no kana
mata kimi to futari bocchi
Hello Hello, Alone

The vapor trails are fading,
but before they disappear,
I should have said I wanted to see you. Wow
Did you ever break free
from your endless suffering?
You and I are alone again,
Hello Hello, Alone.

Well…it seems my blogging absence is turning more and more into a semi-hiatus, but it’s nothing official or anything and I’m just taking it all one day at a time. On account of that, I guess a lot of really late posts will be popping up here and there, so thank you for still wanting to read them.

Anyway, back to my late Anime North coverage…I have been going to the same anime convention for the past five years, so I fiured it was about time to expand my horizons. I decided to go with the biggest anime convention in Canada because although I’d love to go to Anime Expo, I would need to save a lot more money! Either way, Anime North turned out to be a definite treat that I would no doubt return to!

DAY 1

The first day when I left Montreal turned out to be a rather unenventful day. My friend and I got to take a train (I seriously love trains, deifnitely a highlight) and we were on our way to Toronto! Considering our hotel checking was only at three, we had some time to spare and ended up sight-seeing a bit. That ended quickly when realized you have to pay 30$ to go in the CN Tower and otherwise there wasn’t much to see that was close to the station. We did go to the market place, as someone had suggested, but it was mostly a meat place so for two vegetariens it didn’t offer much. Still, I got to see a seagull steal a girl’s lunch! WORth it.

Anywho, I was staying at a hotel which was about a 20 minute walk to the convention, not bad in my opinion. I’m used to going to a convention on a much smaller scale, so when I finally arrived at the registartion area, I was no doubt surprised by the huge amount of people! The weather wasn’t perfect (just cold, I’m happy there wasn’t rain at least), but the atmosphere brought on from the crowd seemed to suggest otherwise! There was a DJ booth setup and nearly everyone was in some sort of costume. As always, it’s definitely just cool to walk around and get a good look at some of the talent the cosplay world has to offer.

As I always plan for these things, my first destination was the Dealer’s Room. I have a shopping addiction when it comes to conventions and with a notebook filled with prices to match with products, I came prepared! Both the Artist Area and Dealer’s Room were more grand than I could have imagined! My wallet was no doubt lightened by the end of the weekend by all the money I spent! Oh well, I like to pretend the stuff I bought was totally awesome. (To see all my purchases, keep scrolling down)

Day one ended as my friend and I scouted the area and all the participating hotels that had a section dedicated to the convention. If I’m not mistaken, there was about five hotels you could go to that all had one event or another happening at it. Keeping all that in mind, we rested to prepare ourselves for the events of Saturday.

DAY 2

As any convention goer should know, day two is when everything really goes down. After some crazy long Timmies lines, I was as caffeinated as I could hope, and ready for more purchasing and events to go to. I stopped by at some of the more random little events offered at the convention, like the wrestling, which in my opinion was just sorta disturbing to see. Elmo was being beat up by Wario and then I sorta lost track of the rest. There was a crowd for it, but there wasn’t much appeal in it for me…

My friend and I made our way to the Funimation Panel, and although it was interesting enough, it was more about just some upcoming releases to DVD and their new website launch. I’m pretty glad to see they have a new version on the way, because their site at the moment is one of the slowest ones out there! They showed off their trailers and although some were bad, I’ll give them credit for their Eureka Seven Ao and Lupin The Third trailers, which were pretty well done.

I also visited the Pokemon Cooking Panel, where it’s title should be taken as literally as possible. It was a panel to discuss which Pokemon would be edible and which one would be best to use in a survival scenario. It was interesting and the people who were running it were charming, but the appeal was quickly lost when an audience member solved their dilemma about ten minutes in. They were trying to question what Pokemon would be best to bring if you were stuck in a desert with no sign of land anywhere, and although they were taking just about everything into consideration, they forgot about how they could have just picked Alakazam or something which would teleport them out of that problem.

the third panel of the day was one about Miyazaki’s work and how he does it. It was taught by someone who really knew there stuff and he carefully analyzed the opening scene to Porco Rosso. It definitely made me want to rewatch the film, since it never was one of my personal favourites, but I feel I watched it when I was too young.

The rest of the day, was spent heading over to hotel dedicated mostly to Yaoi/Yuri. Panels and events were visited, and we made our way back to the hotel only passed one in the mor.ning. My only regret for the day is that I missed the Masquerade, but I heard it ran late anyway. Also, I had no idea you had to get badges or whatnot before hand to be able to enter. Either way, Day 2 was no doubt a highlight of the weekend for me!

DAY 3

Sunday was a day where last minute shopping was done and a quick visit to Doll North was made. Those dolls are so damn expensive! It’s a part of Japanese culture I don’t quite get, but they are no doubt beautiful to look at. Although, the ones with thier eyes closed are sorta creepy. Also, the rather dark and quiet basement of a hotel definitely didn’t help to add less to the eerie feel of this part of the convention. Either way, it was really interesting to get a peak into a world I’m not well acquainted to.

I also went to the fashion show, which was probably the best part about Sunday for me. Call me whatever you want to, but I think I got a deifnite taste for lolita fashion. I was drawn to it every time I saw it. I can’t imaine spending so much for one dress, but I am damn tempted to! All I need is one dress and then I can hang out with others and have picnics and tea parties. It sounds fantastic!

Besides the lolita, the steampunk was also great, sadly I couldn’t hang around for the finale with the kimonos because the day was reaching its end as we had to head on back to the train station to get back home after a wonderful weekend.

Although I could go into much deeper details on what I did, to put it simply, I had a great time at Anime North. The atmosphere was vibrant and fun, as were the people. I wish I could have met up with more people from the aniblogosphere, but my days were pretty packed as it was and I had a friend who I think would probably feel uncomfortable about it all. Nonetheless, I would love to go next year and I hope to see some of you there as well! Heck, maybe if I start saving I can make it to Anime Expo? I’ve had a taste for the finer conventions in life now, so it’ll be harder to go back to the small town one I’m used to.

THE LOOT

And now to show off all the money I wasted. Honestly, if there was one thing I wish I bought, it was an alpaca plush. They’re so expensive, but also so damn cute! I was hoping to find one on Sunday, but I swear they were more or less sold out everywhere!

Anywho, for starters, these are my things from the artist tables:

I actually wish I better took advantage of the Artist area because I could have easily bought a ton more stuff, but as you can see here, I bought some gorgeous Hannibal posters (because I’m sorta obsessed if you didn’t already know) and a great set of pins that I can’t wait to show off. I think when I go to Otakuthon this year (I have decided Iwill), I’m mostly going to stick to artist things, since as you’ll now see, I have more than enough anime/manga merchandise to last me a while….

The Funimation was selling all their their DVDs without taxes and with five dollars off, it was hard not to splurge on some of their titles that I’ve been wanting to watch and own for a while. Squid Girl Part 2 was a must have to simply complete my shelf. My attempt to complete the many series I have already begun collecting, is no doubt an on going journey for my manga shelf as well. I get all the manga titles for cheap too, and I definitely have a good haul of shoujo literature to keep me going for a bit.

THE COSPLAY

As always, I end my convention post off with some of the cosplay I managed to capture. There was so much talent to see and honestly not enough time to get a picture of it all! Here are some of the pictures of the one’s I did manage to get. Thank you for reading, I’m excited to hear everyone else’s convention stories!

>>Read more

ようこそ絶望学園 | Youkoso Zetsubou Gakuen | Welcome to the School of Despair

HERE HAVE SOME BALLS!!!

~ Keikakku Dori ~

Kirigiri! XD

*I find Naegi to be a bit beta but he does man up whenever a girl is involved :3
*Fullcaps: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06
—————————————————————————————————–

>>Read more

In this new editorial series, I will be exploring creators who make good use of the visual nature of their chosen art form, be that anime, manga, or video games. The ability to get across detail in a story without the use of words improves a story tremendously. It transcends language, making the art more accessible to everyone regardless of the author’s ability to express their thoughts verbally. I intend to feature artists, stories, productions studios, and directors who are particularly adept at making use of the fact that their medium is, in the end, a form of visual art.

First up – A Bride’s Story (Otoyomegatari) by Kaoru Mori

Few mangaka are as adept at fine detail as Mori-sensei. Best known for her earlier historical romance manga, Emma, she is famous for the extensive research and realism of her designs and backgrounds, as well as being one of the largest contributors to the maid fetish culture in Japan. With Otoyomegatari, licensed in the US by Yen Press as A Bride’s Story, she takes us on another journey back into history with another time and place that fascinates her: The Silk Road in late 19th Century Turkic Central Asia.

The first two volumes revolve around a new bride named Amir, a 20 year-old woman who is from the semi-nomadic Halgal family, who marries a man 8 years younger than she from a family who have been village dwellers for a few generations, Karluk Eihon. Many people see the age gap, and the 12 year-old age of the husband, and think there is something fishy going on in this story. Is it some sort of shota fetish manga? A 12 year-old married to a 20 year-old? By modern standards that seems just wrong. Interestingly, by the standards of the time it was also wrong. Amir was far too old! Most women in that culture were married around the age of 14 or 15, with brides even younger not uncommon. In fact, there is a precious scene, where Karluk, who has been celebrating with his Uncle and is a bit drunk, tells Amir in a charming and earnest way that he has never, even once, wished that she were younger!

The story is slice-of-life, with very little over-arching plot. There are a couple of complications tossed in along the way, but the majority of the chapters take us through the daily lives of the young couple and their family and friends, introducing various aspects of Silk Road culture, such as embroidery, wood carving, the differences between nomadic life and village life, or baking. Through the slice-of-life tidbits, however, the relationship between the newlyweds develops.

Initially, Amir seems like more of a big sister than a bride to Karluk. He is, after all, 12 years-old and not really old enough for a man-and-wife relationship even by the standards of the 19th century Silk Road region, where marriages might take place that early, but children weren’t expected until at least the age of 15 or 16. However, Amir’s bold personality and odd behavior, from the perspective of her new city dwelling relatives, impact Karluk in ways that clearly indicate that he is a young man who is deeply smitten with his new wife. And who wouldn’t be? Amir is one of the most beautifully drawn women in all of manga!

As the story goes along, it introduces a major crisis for our newlywed couple: Amir’s family intends to take her back, since no child has been conceived, to marry her to another clan that they are in conflict with. They have no other women of marriageable age and three brides they have sent to the clan have all died, at least one from abuse it seems. Karluk’s family and the whole village band together to protect her, though Karluk, being too young, is sent to be with his wife, much to his dismay. In the end, Amir’s uncle, who is the leader of her clan and considerably larger and stronger than the young Karluk, manages to get onto the second story balcony where Amir is and tries to take her away. Karluk flies at him with a kick, then takes a dagger and buries it in his thigh, knocking him off of the balcony. Karluk also falls, but catches a tree branch while Amir’s uncle falls to the ground.

After this, Amir is obviously uncomfortable around her young husband, shying away from his touch and seeming to avoid him, even going so far as to sleep as far away from him on the bed as possible. Mostly this is shown through facial expressions and posture. Everyone seems puzzled by this, some of them speculating that she has grown to dislike Karluk. When Karluk asks her outright if she dislikes him, she denies it vehemently. Later she goes out hunting on horseback and returns with a deer.

They had discussed eating venison, which Karluk had never had, and she wants to cook it for him. Only Karluk’s grandmother seems to understand the real reason for her behavior: She is looking at Karluk, as the grandmother says, with the heart of a bride now. In other words, she sees him as a man: a strong, capable, potentially dangerous, and desirable man. She is now slightly disconcerted by his touch, but she also has a desire to please him.

The chapter ends with one of the most amazing stretches of
dialog-free storytelling I have ever “read”. In it we see Amir eagerly serving him at the table, then in the evening the two share time together with Karluk playing music while his bride dances for him.

When she sits next to him and teasingly takes his hat and puts it on her own head, it leads to an awkward moment. Then Karluk lunges at her and begins to tickle her and they end up rolling on the floor laughing and embracing.

The chapter concludes with his parents looking up during their bedtime preparation, listening to the commotion made by the young bride and groom, and then kissing each other. In both cases, it seems the natural result of a beautiful evening spent together after a special meal, prepared with love, given the ages and relationship state of the two couples involved. Without a single word in nearly five pages of manga, Mori-sensei has managed to clearly show how their relationship has progressed in terms of Amir’s feelings for her young husband, as well as how far they have to go in terms of maturity and the ability to express their love as adults. It is radiant, beautiful, heartwarming, funny, and brilliant. A truly excellent use of the visual nature of manga to tell the story in a way that is impossible with dialog alone.

>>Read more

Today’s song is a bit unique, in more ways than one. It’s also a rather old song, composed by Nekomushi in 2011.

Nekomushi is not a very popular composer. He only has 2 major hits and a minor hit so far with his songs. The two major hits are Wanwan-O, Nyannyan-O and this Kurikaeshi Hitotsubu. The minor hit is a song titled Ikasama Dice, which I really enjoyed. I’ve only listened to these 3 songs so I’m really in no position to talk about his style. Very nice Miku tuning though.

As you can see, this song has 2 versions, both composed by Nekomushi himself. The Rin version was uploaded later and features a different arrangement and slightly different lyrics at the end. The Rin version puts more emphasis on the electronic sounds and the piano while the Miku version emphasizes the drums and guitar.

The song itself, is a rather pop-ish song with a really fast chorus. The beats are solid and the melody is really catchy. Nekomushi tunes Miku very nicely here, high pitch but not grating. Same thing for the Rin version too.

The lyrics, on the other hand, is a whole different beast altogether. It’s a song from the perspective of a girl who was dumped by her lover for a different girl. The lyrics are seriously very bitter and vindictive. You can read the romaji lyrics and its english translation here.

Before I go on to the covers, there’s another unique point about this song. You see, this song is one of the few songs where only female vocals will fit. It’s not a matter of simply hitting the pitch, but rather the voice type itself. Male voices would just sound strange and wrong. As a result, the covers I’ve found are all female covers, except for one, which I’m not featuring here.

So, without further ado, here are my recommended covers:

Here we see Toriko’s versatility. She sings this in a rather low voice but overlaps her high and low pitches at certain parts for a really nice harmony. The spoken lines are a nice touch too.

Rishe sang this song pretty normally. Her voice is an amazing fit for the song though.

Wotamin’s beautiful voice works really nicely for this song.

Matsushita’s cover is a nice one to listen to. She has a cute voice and she puts a slight tension in her voice for this cover.

Namirin’s cover is the cutest I’ve heard so far, beating even Matsushita’s. The only problem (a really small one) is that she didn’t drag out her vocals at places she’s supposed to. Not that noticeable really and certainly doesn’t affect this amazing cover that much.

Well, there maybe a slight bias here… but 96neko’s version is my favorite. She’s using a higher pitch here but her voice still retains that husky quality.

Enjoy!

>>Read more

Chart credits: Zana of Neregate
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For the past week Kokidokom has been experiencing some server issues resulting in users from certain countries not being able to visit our site. Thankfully, everything is now up and running as it was before, so what better way is there to celebrate by kick-starting the Summer season with some charts? Read on to find out what Nabe’s authors are watching this coming season! For the visually-inclined, each of us has also done up our own “vandalized” anime chart showing our picks, so be sure to check those out.

At the same time, I’d also like to introduce two of our new author/photographers, Sleepy and Kuumined! Their introductory posts will come shortly.

Hiromi’s watch list

Anime Chart Version: link

Watching:

• Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya

• Genshiken Nidaime

• Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku

• Tamayura ~More Aggressive~

• Tokurei Sochi Dantai Stella Jogakuin Koutou-ka C3-bu

• Uchoten Kazoku

Marathoning:

• High School DxD NEW

• Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi

• Kimi no Iru Machi

• Kin-iro Mosaic

• Love Lab

• Monogatari Series Second Season

• Servant x Service

Might Marathon:

• Blood Lad

• Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou

Iso’s watch list

As usual, I’m not going to be following a lot of anime. Stuff I list here are just rough ideas and might be subject to change as the season progresses. As an addendum, I will write in brackets the reasons for picking each anime.

Anime Chart Version: link

Watching:

• Chou Jigen Game Neptune: The Animation (Looks like a fun watch)

• Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya (Fate-series linked? Illya? YES)

• Tokurei Sochi Dantai Stella Jogakuin Koutou-ka C3-bu (I just get the feeling this might turn out amazing)

Might watch:

• Blood Lad (The plot synopsis seems interesting)

• Brothers Conflict (Gero + Honeyworks for the OP song)

• Danganronpa: Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei – The Animation (The plot seems decent. Main reason though is Suzumu + Soraru for ED song)

• Fantasia Doll (Seems interesting)

• Free! (Kyoto Animation)

• Gin no Saji: Silver Spoon (A-1 Pictures)

• Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi (This seems like it might turn out good)

• Kin-iro Mosaic (Sounds fun)

• Love Lab (For the fun of it)

• Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist (Plot seems interesting)

• Servant x Service (A-1 Pictures)

• Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! (Looks like a lot of fun)

Kuumined’s watch list

Same as above, I will be listing the reasons I am going to pick up these animes!

Anime Chart Version: link

Watching:

• Blood Lad (Read the manga and thought it was worth the watch!) 

• Brothers Conflict (Interesting dosage of reverse harem for me)

• Chou Jigen Game Neptune: The Animation (just because the ed Neptune☆Sagashite (ネプテューヌ☆サガして) is byAfilia Saga!!)

• Danganronpa: Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei – The Animation (played the game)

• Fantasia Doll (Girls and cards! hmm!)

• Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya (Illya~)

• High School DxD NEW (The first season was nice)

• Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou (Looks like it will be funny)

• Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai Season 3 (Liked the first two seasons!)

• Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi (The plot seems interesting)

• Kin-iro Mosaic (Reckon it will be amusing)
  

• Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku (Reckon it will be amusing)

• Love Lab (Plot is interesting to me)

• Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist (I’m weak against demon shows)

• Monogatari Series Second Season (The whole series is interesting thus far… so I’m just continuing to watch it)

• Rozen Maiden (New Series)

• Tamayura ~More Aggressive~ (Waiting to see how aggressive this could get)

• Tokurei Sochi Dantai Stella Jogakuin Koutou-ka C3-bu (Anticipating this one!)

• Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui! (The manga was amusing enough! Looking forward to this)

Sleepy’s Watch List

Anime Chart Version: link

☆Definitely☆ Watching and Extremely Excited for:　☆☆☆

• Tamayura ~More Aggressive~ : Loved the first season.

• Monogatari Series Second Season :^

• Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS : ^ + the fact that this show has LOLIS

• Gen’ei o kakeru Taiyou : looks really cool + LOLIS

• Chou Jigen Game Neptune The Animation :Looks adorable. That is all.

• Free: For all the laughs and fujoshi bait.

Watching:

• Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai Season 3

• Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi

• Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya – magic girls + the new StylipS ED

• Love Lab

• C3-bu (because full name is too long)

• High School DxD NEW

• Kin-iro Mosaic

Might Pick Up

• Senki Zesshou Symphogear G

• Gin no Saki: Silver Spoon

• Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou

• Brothers Conflict

• Fantasia Doll

Rakkyo’s watch list

Anime Chart Version: link

Watching:

• Monogatari Series Second Season

• High School DxD NEW

• Blood Lad

• Gin no Saji: Silver Spoon

• Danganronpa: Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei – The Animation

• Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaetemo Omaera ga Warui!

• Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku

• Gatchaman Crowds

• Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya

• Ro-Kyuu-Bu! SS

• Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai Season 3

• Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi

• Kara no Kyoukai TV Broadcast

Might Watch:

• Gen’ei o Kakeru Taiyou

• Kin-iro Mosaic

• Senyuu. Season 2

• Fantasista Doll

• Love Lab

• Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou

• Tokurei Sochi Dantai Stella Jogakuin Koutou-ka C3-bu

• Brothers Conflict

• Free!

• Chou Jigen Game Neptune: The Animation

Zen’s watch list

This summer it looks like I’ll at least be checking out far too many shows, but there are only ７ that I am positive I’ll be watching. As with any season, this list is subject to change, depending on time and what I find out about the shows that I am watching and ones that I am not watching.

I am also debuting my new Zen Stamp (or Yin/Yang Tsundere):

Anime Chart Version: link

Watching:

• Tamayura ~More Aggressive~ (a returning favorite. I finally watched the original OVAs and am rewatching Hitotose in preparation.)

• Kimi no Iru Machi (Just started reading this manga. Looks GREAT!)

• Servant X Service (Pretty interesting looking, more grown-up, comedy)

• Gin no Saji: Silver Spoon (Heard good things about this one…)

• Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangaete mo Omaera ga Waruil! (ditto…)

• Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku (Sounds funny, and it is based on a seinen manga, which is a demographic I tend to gravitate toward.)

• Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai Season 3 (looking forward to the Goddesses!)

Maybe Watching: (Will check out an episode or two to see how I like them)

• Kin-iro Mosaic

• Fantasista Doll

• Blood Lad

• Love Lab

• Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou

• Rozen Maiden

• Free!

• Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist

• Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi

Cybersteel’s Watch List

Anime Chart Version: link

Confirmed Watching:

• Blood Lad

• Danganronpa Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei The Animation

• Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya

• High School DxD New

• Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai: Megami Hen

• Love Lab

• Monogatari Series: Second Season

• Senyuu. Dai 2 Ki

May Watch (Lesser Priority):

• Choujigen Game Neptune The Animation

• Fantasista Doll

• Free!

• Gin no Saji

• Inu to Hasami wa Tsukaiyou

• Kami-sama no Inai Nichiyoubi

• Makai Ouji: Devils and Realist

• Rozen Maiden (2013)

• Servant x Service

• Stella Jogakuin Koutouka C3-bu

MegaTuga’s watch list

So yeah, it’s that time again. This season looks promising but I will not be watching too much anime; I would rather not invest as much time in anime for now. Despite that, there are plenty of choices to make! It’s too bad some of these shows look interesting but are actually sequels to anime with which I have yet to watch the first season. I would not like to watch the sequel before the first season of the series, so I’ll have to refuse these.

Anime chart version: link

Watching:

• Kin-iro Mosaic (A mix between England and Japan eh?)

• Love Lab (Perfect for my School Life reviews.)

• Inu no Hasami wa Tsukaiyou (The first episode had me decided that I should watch this ’til the end.)

• Danganronpa Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukosei The Animation (What an interesting concept for a survival genre.)

• Rozen Maiden (Not much to say until I understand the plot really. Other than that it looks promising.)

• Watashi ga Motenai no wa Dou Kangate mo Omaera ga Warui! (Been expecting this ever since I heard it was going to be animated!)

• Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku (The synopsis doesn’t tell one much, so I’ll have to see with my own eyes what the story is like.)

• Chou Jigen Game Neptune The Animation: (I hope I won’t regret this choice. But anthropomorphic game companies looks very promising!)

Probably watching:

• Servant x Service (Not holding much expectations here.)

• Fantasista Doll (Hopefully this won’t be a cheap copy of Angelic Layer as I’m expecting.)

• Blood Lad (I don’t really like vampires, but I’ll form my own opinion of this anime after watching three episodes.)

• Gin no Saiji: Silver Spoon (Interesting, as I was born within a small village with only farms and animals to live on. It would be interesting to see a city boy to handle this situation.)

• Brothers Conflict (A reverse harem for a change of pace. Hopefully the characters won’t be ultra bishounen.)

• Genshiken Nidaime (Looks like it has an interesting bunch of characters within the cast.)

• Gatchaman Crowds (It’s set in the future, so that’s good. But the excuse for “mecha suit of armor” seems somewhat lame. We’ll see.)

• Kami Nomi zo Shiru Sekai Season 3 (Eh… I watched the previous seasons, that’s all.)

• Kamisama ni Inai Nichiyoubi (Seems like there’s a rather dark theme here. If it develops as I expect then it is a guaranteed watch.)

NightSky’s watch list

Anime chart version: link (Probability of watching falls from blue to green to red)

Will Watch:

• Danganronpa: Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei – The Animation

• Gin no Saji: Silver Spoon

• Rozen Maiden (New Series)

• Servant x Service

Might watch (High probability):

• Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya

• Love Lab

• Kin-iroMosaic

• Kitakubu Katsudou Kiroku

Might watch (Low probability):

• Genshiken Nidaime

• Kamisama no Inai Nichiyoubi

• Kimi no Iru Machi

And with that, we’re done introducing our authors’ summer 2013 choices! What are your picks for this season? Any opinions on our choices? Want us to blog any particular series? Let us know in the comments below!

>>Read more

骨でした | Hone Deshita | She`s a Skeleton Now

Talking about Fuyumi-chan, she’s the catalyst to push the main PLOT forward. Her death leads Staz to decide to bring her back to life. For what reason though? He likes her? Maybe? I sure do :3 Guhuhuhuhu…

This show certainly has some PLOT!!!

Best scene of the episode.