before the year ends, i’d like to close the year with this post. we all know that i’ve been hoarding (and still am!) a lot of downloads of anime and jdoramas/kdramas since for the past few years. it’s actually funny to know that with all the anime/drama titles piling up, there are still some of those that i got from last 3-4 years ago that i still haven’t watched. i know i’m not the only hoarder around here but i’m trying to find ways to narrow down that pile while i keep up with the upcoming and ongoing titles to watch. it’s a near impossible feat so hoarders must work hard!
i wanted to write a review on something, but i’m rather short on time and still very busy so i just listed down (in no particular order) the stuff i watched after watching Jin.
Persona
Mendol ~Ikemen Idol~
Comments: got interested with the gender-bender concept. the series isn’t that great, and i think that the actresses should stick to singing instead. sorry, AKB48 fans x_x
Nura Rikuo
Nurarihyon no Mago
Comments: Rikuo-sama! seriously, this shounen anime is underrated but it’s worth watching. going to watch the second season soon. ^_^
Natsume and the Book of Friends
Synopsis: The third season. Natsume Yuujinchou is a light and cheerful anime adapted from the manga of the same name.
Since he was young, a teenage boy named Natsume Takashi has been able to
see spirits, but keeping this ability a secret has now become a heavy
burden for him and has made his life difficult.
This begins to change when Takashi inherits his grandmother’s “Book
of Friends”. He discovers that she, Natsume Reiko, shared the same
ability as him and starts to understand why he was always targeted by
both good and bad spirits.
After learning the true meaning behind the Book of Friends, which
allows him to manipulate the spirits listed within its pages, Takashi
undertakes a journey with his bodyguard, the infamous spirit Madara, to
free the spirits of their contracts with Reiko.
Comments:
another underrated anime. i still can’t believe that not a lot of people
know this title. this is a GREAT show that’s highly recommended to
everyone. i can hardly wait for it’s fourth season come this January
2012!
Medaka-gumi
Synopsis: High school
student Hoshi Izumi (Nagasawa Masami) loses her father suddenly in an
accident. One day, Sakuma (Tsutsumi Shinichi), the waka gashira of a
small and weak Yakuza gang in Asakusa – the Medaka Gumi – pays Izumi a
visit along with the gang members. The death of their former kumicho
(Boss) puts Medaka Gumi on the verge of a breakup. Therefore, Sakuma
begs Izumi, the former boss’s only distant relative left, to succeed to
the kumicho position. Izumi is taken by surprise and keeps refusing at
first. However, she ends up becoming the 8th kumicho of the Medaka Gumi!
The police tell her that her father’s death may possibly be a homicide
case. There’s also Mayumi (Koizumi Kyoko), a mysterious woman staring
closely at Izumi’s father’s photograph at his funeral. The situation
becomes complicated when the drug-dealing vicious yakuza, Hamaguchi
Gumi, comes into the picture as well as Sandaiji Hajime (Ogata Ken), a
politician whose public stance is to eliminate drugs.
Comment: i felt like watching this show because i thought that this was going to be a lot like Gokusen, GTO, and My Boss My Hero. boy, was i wrong. the actress’ voice also annoys me like hell.
Reprimanded Dog's Blood
Synopsis:
After being devastated in the third World War (known as The Third
Division), Japan was divided in two. Several years after the end of the
war, a crime organization called Vischio has taken control of the
destroyed city of Toshima (formerly Tokyo, Japan’s capital city), where
they are holding a battle game known as “Igura”. The main character, a
young man named Akira, is falsely accused of a crime. Once arrested, a
mysterious woman appears before him, offering him freedom if he agrees
to participate in Igura and defeat Igura’s strongest man: the king, or
“Il-re”. The story follows Akira’s life in the harsh, lawless Toshima as
he fights both to survive and to unravel the mysteries developing
around him.
Comments:
another disappointing anime. i’m sure that this title has it’s share of
good points, but overall i think it was a waste of time to download this
anime.
Seiji and Shizuko
Whisper of the Heart
Synopsis: During
summer vacation, a schoolgirl named Shizuku, who longs to discover her
true talents, observes an ordinary-looking cat riding by himself on the
train. Intrigued, she decides to follow him. This chance encounter leads
her to the mysterious Seiji, a boy who is determined to follow his
dreams, and The Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to
the whispers in her heart. Soon, Shizuku’s exciting adventures carry her
far beyond the boundaries of her imagination.
Comments: Studio Ghibli, ’nuff said. Will watch it’s spin off, The Cat Returns, soon. ^_^
Orphen and his entourage
Sorcerer Stabber Orphen
Synopsis: Six years
ago at the magic school known as the Tower of Fang, a grave accident
happened involving the magical sword Baltanders and the magic user
Azali. Unable to control the sword`s power, Azali was transformed into
the shape of a great dragon who since that day became known as Bloody
August. Krilancelo, a young magician at the Tower who cared greatly for
Azali found much to his disgust that the elders of the Tower of Fang
were less than willing to save Azali and wanted rather to pretend the
accident never happened. Angered by their stand, Krilanceloa swore that
he would find a way to return Azali to her former self. Thus he forsook
the name Krilancelo and declared himself Orphen, leaving the Tower and
his magical studies behind to wander the world…
Comments: so-so anime. frankly, i watched this on a local channel first when i was still in high school but didn’t get to finish it. i thought that maybe now’s the time to do that.
Synopsis: Lain
Iwakura appears to be an ordinary girl, with almost no experience with
computers. Yet the sudden suicide of a schoolmate, and a number of
strange occurrences, conspire to pull Lain into the world of the Wired,
where she gradually learns that nothing is what it seems to be… not even
Lain herself.
Comments: same as Orphen, but i’ve been eyeing this title for as long as i can remember. it’s mostly on psychological stuff and it’s okay. can’t really say much since i’m not much into the cyberpunk genre.
Synopsis:
Futakotamagawa High School HAD a Baseball Club/Team, but because of a
fight during one one of their games, they were suspended for a year from
all games. Kawato Koichi is the new Literature teacher at
Futakotamagawa High, who has had his own suspension from accidentally
punching a kid (from his previous teaching job) out a window. The
Baseball Club is composed of minor thugs who smoke like chimneys, chase
skirts, and their main past time is fighting. Kawato-Sensei’s
persistence, bigheartedness, and his belief in the kids allow each
member one-by-one to turn their lives around. They realize that they
have dreams and that dream is to play at Koshien High School Baseball
Tournament. But, they run into loads of drama a long the way, including
random thugs who want nothing more than to keep them from playing
Baseball, fist fights, and personal drama that almost disallow them to
even keep the Baseball Club/Team, let alone compete in the tournament.
Eventually the Kids learn that the saying “All For One, and One For All”
is the only way they will overcome all obstacles in the way.
Comments: this is one underrated J-drama that’s really good plot-wise. the drama series was good, but this movie was definitely better. very inspiring show to chase after your dreams.
Synopsis: On the
final days of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his four-year-old
sister Setsuko are orphaned after their mother is killed during an
air-raid by American forces in Kobe, Japan. After having a falling-out
with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no
surviving relatives and their emergency funds and rations depleted,
Seita and Setsuko must struggle to survive their hardships as well as
those of their country, which is on the losing end of the war.
Comments: just watched this since i wasn’t able to watch before. not for the faint-hearted. i still get little pricks when i think of this title’s story. ;_;
Synopsis: Seika High
School, once an all-boys school notorious for its wild students and for
generally being a terrifying place for girls, has recently become a
co-ed school. With the female population still a minority and living in
fear of the over-the-top antics of the males, Misaki Ayuzawa takes it
into her own hands to reform the school and allow the girls to feel safe
in the rough environment.
Training, studying and even becoming the first female student council president of the school, Misaki has gained a reputation among the male students body as an uptight boy-hating dictator and as a shining hope for the teachers and fellow female students. However, despite her tough-as-nails appearance, she secretly works part-time at a maid cafe in order to support her family. Unfortunately, her hard-earned reputation is threatened when the popular, attractive, and somewhat impassive Usui Takumi takes an interest in her after discovering her in a maid uniform after school.
Comments: shoujo-manga turned-anime done right. i regret not seeing this show earlier and i wish they’d make a second season. Usui Takumi DAISUKI~♥
Synopsis: Fate/Zero
takes place 10 years prior to the events of Fate/stay night, detailing
the events of the 4th Holy Grail War in Fuyuki City. The War of the Holy
Grail is a contest in which seven magi summon seven Heroic Spirits to
compete to obtain the power of the “Holy Grail,” which grants a miracle.
After three inconclusive wars for the elusive Holy Grail, the Fourth
War commences.
Founded by the Einzbern, Makiri, and Tohsaka families centuries ago, the Einzbern family is determined to achieve success after three successive failures, no matter the cost. As a result, they have elected to bring the hated magus killer, Kiritsugu Emiya, into their ranks, despite his methods and reputation as a skilled mercenary and a hitman who employs whatever he can use to accomplish his goals. Though Kiritsugu had once wanted to become a hero who could save everyone, he has long since abandoned this ideal upon realizing that saving one person comes at the cost of another’s life. For the sake of humanity, he will ruthlessly destroy anything and anyone who threatens the peace of others.
However, Kiritsugu finds himself deeply torn between the love he has found for his new family – his wife Irisviel and their daughter Illya – and what he must do to obtain the Holy Grail. Meanwhile, Kiritsugu’s greatest opponent appears in the form of Kirei Kotomine, a priest who cannot find any sense of fulfillment in his life and sets his sights on Kiritsugu as the possible answer to the emptiness he feels.
Comments: i’m not a hard-core fan of the Fate/Type Moon series but i watched Fate/Stay Night years ago. this show is a prequel and i have to say that the story pacing is better compared to the first Fate anime. an anime series also worth watching. season 2 is still coming on April 2012.
Synopsis: Set in an
imaginary world, the Earth Land, there exists a Mage Guild called “Fairy
Tail”. Fairy Tail is stationed in the town Magnolia, residing in the
Kingdom of Fiore, and is currently governed by Makarov, Guild’s master.
Lucy Heartfilia, a 17-year old girl, wishes to become a full-fledged mage and join one of the most prestigious Mage Guilds in the world, Fairy Tail.
One day, out of pure coincidence, she meets Dragneel Natsu, a boy who is transportation-sick, but very cheerful in nature. However, the thing she does not know is that Natsu is the closest connection to Fairy Tail, as he is a Mage in Fairy Tail.
Comments: i wanted to read the manga even before this title went mainstream but as i’m not a manga reader, the manga chapters and volumes got ahead of me and i doubt i can still catch up. the animated series is a life savior. great shounen show, thank goodness there aren’t any emo characters.
Synopsis: Remake of the 1999 TV series of Hunter x Hunter based on the manga by Togashi Yoshihiro.
A Hunter is one who travels the world doing all sorts of dangerous tasks. From capturing criminals to searching deep within uncharted lands for any lost treasures. Gon is a young boy whose father disappeared long ago, being a Hunter. He believes if he could also follow his father’s path, he could one day reunite with him.
After becoming 12, Gon leaves his home and takes on the task of entering the Hunter exam, notorious for its low success rate and high probability of death to become an official Hunter. He befriends the revenge-driven Kurapica, the doctor-to-be Leorio and the rebellious ex-assassin Killua in the exam, with their friendship prevailing throughout the many trials and threats they come upon taking on the dangerous career of a Hunter.
Comments: as a HXH fan from the first TV series, i have to say this: “Why, Togashi? WHY???” the old anime adaptation was definitely better, art-wise and story pacing-wise. i don’t care if the old series was a bit dragging, the pacing’s build up was definitely worth it. making the art a bit quirky was *ugh*. i know i’m complaining a lot, but i’m still watching this reboot series. it still has a good storyline. i wish this will finish up to the Chimera Ant Arc (which i haven’t read btw), but that’s highly unlikely.
i’m also re-watching the old Yu Yu Hakusho series but that’s just when i don’t want to fall asleep while working. it’s nostalgic seeing the old scenes of the anime i grew up with. more animes to come this 2012 and i
doubt
hope that i can catch up.
i now leave you with Fate/Zero’s Archer aka the smexy Gilgamesh with a new year’s toast
Comments: so-so anime. frankly, i watched this on a local channel first when i was still in high school but didn’t get to finish it. i thought that maybe now’s the time to do that.
Wired Lain
Serial Experiments Lain
Comments: same as Orphen, but i’ve been eyeing this title for as long as i can remember. it’s mostly on psychological stuff and it’s okay. can’t really say much since i’m not much into the cyberpunk genre.
Princess Anmitsu
Anmitsu Hime
Synopsis:
At age 16, a tomboy princess, Princess Anmitsu, has no love interest in
her life and worries her parents. Despite their concern, Anmitsu runs
away from the castle to venture into the commoners’ life. During her
daring adventure, she befriends a group of children who make a living by
pick-pocketing. At the same time, she finally meets her prince charming
Senbei, the leader of the group. However, she soon finds herself in an
awkward position when she learns of the children’s new plot: they are
planning to steal the treasures from her own castle. Will she be able to
put a stop to it without revealing her true identity?
Comments:
what were the scriptwriters and directors thinking? moreover, what was i
thinking in watching this? lol. it’s ligh, funny, and easy to watch but
seriously not that great.
Nao in a pink worker's uniform (that wasn't shown in the series)
Asuko March!
Synopsis:
Takei plays Yoshino Nao, a girl who fails the entrance exams of her
target high school. She winds up enrolling in a technical high school
called Kenritsu Asuka Kougyou Koukou, also known by the nickname
“Asuko.” Out of the 148 entering freshmen, only three are girls, and Nao
is the only one in her class.
Comments:
so-so. i kind of like, and i kind of dislike it a bit. i expected more,
but the drama staff clearly wanted to focus on the love triangle
happening between the three main actors. i like the other guy better,
but.. oh well. can’t wait to see him acting out as the male-type Ranma
in the upcoming Ranma 1/2 live action series.
Nikogaku Baseball Team with Coach Kawato
Rookies ~Sotsugyo~ (Movie)
Comments: this is one underrated J-drama that’s really good plot-wise. the drama series was good, but this movie was definitely better. very inspiring show to chase after your dreams.
T_T
Grave of the Fireflies
Comments: just watched this since i wasn’t able to watch before. not for the faint-hearted. i still get little pricks when i think of this title’s story. ;_;
Usui X Ayuzawa~♥
Kaichou wa Maid-sama!
Training, studying and even becoming the first female student council president of the school, Misaki has gained a reputation among the male students body as an uptight boy-hating dictator and as a shining hope for the teachers and fellow female students. However, despite her tough-as-nails appearance, she secretly works part-time at a maid cafe in order to support her family. Unfortunately, her hard-earned reputation is threatened when the popular, attractive, and somewhat impassive Usui Takumi takes an interest in her after discovering her in a maid uniform after school.
Comments: shoujo-manga turned-anime done right. i regret not seeing this show earlier and i wish they’d make a second season. Usui Takumi DAISUKI~♥
Saber hogging the foreground from the other Servants
Fate/Zero
Founded by the Einzbern, Makiri, and Tohsaka families centuries ago, the Einzbern family is determined to achieve success after three successive failures, no matter the cost. As a result, they have elected to bring the hated magus killer, Kiritsugu Emiya, into their ranks, despite his methods and reputation as a skilled mercenary and a hitman who employs whatever he can use to accomplish his goals. Though Kiritsugu had once wanted to become a hero who could save everyone, he has long since abandoned this ideal upon realizing that saving one person comes at the cost of another’s life. For the sake of humanity, he will ruthlessly destroy anything and anyone who threatens the peace of others.
However, Kiritsugu finds himself deeply torn between the love he has found for his new family – his wife Irisviel and their daughter Illya – and what he must do to obtain the Holy Grail. Meanwhile, Kiritsugu’s greatest opponent appears in the form of Kirei Kotomine, a priest who cannot find any sense of fulfillment in his life and sets his sights on Kiritsugu as the possible answer to the emptiness he feels.
Comments: i’m not a hard-core fan of the Fate/Type Moon series but i watched Fate/Stay Night years ago. this show is a prequel and i have to say that the story pacing is better compared to the first Fate anime. an anime series also worth watching. season 2 is still coming on April 2012.
Team Natsu
Fairy Tail (ongoing)
Lucy Heartfilia, a 17-year old girl, wishes to become a full-fledged mage and join one of the most prestigious Mage Guilds in the world, Fairy Tail.
One day, out of pure coincidence, she meets Dragneel Natsu, a boy who is transportation-sick, but very cheerful in nature. However, the thing she does not know is that Natsu is the closest connection to Fairy Tail, as he is a Mage in Fairy Tail.
Comments: i wanted to read the manga even before this title went mainstream but as i’m not a manga reader, the manga chapters and volumes got ahead of me and i doubt i can still catch up. the animated series is a life savior. great shounen show, thank goodness there aren’t any emo characters.
The old artstyle was definitely better ;_;
Hunter X Hunter 2011 (ongoing)
A Hunter is one who travels the world doing all sorts of dangerous tasks. From capturing criminals to searching deep within uncharted lands for any lost treasures. Gon is a young boy whose father disappeared long ago, being a Hunter. He believes if he could also follow his father’s path, he could one day reunite with him.
After becoming 12, Gon leaves his home and takes on the task of entering the Hunter exam, notorious for its low success rate and high probability of death to become an official Hunter. He befriends the revenge-driven Kurapica, the doctor-to-be Leorio and the rebellious ex-assassin Killua in the exam, with their friendship prevailing throughout the many trials and threats they come upon taking on the dangerous career of a Hunter.
Comments: as a HXH fan from the first TV series, i have to say this: “Why, Togashi? WHY???” the old anime adaptation was definitely better, art-wise and story pacing-wise. i don’t care if the old series was a bit dragging, the pacing’s build up was definitely worth it. making the art a bit quirky was *ugh*. i know i’m complaining a lot, but i’m still watching this reboot series. it still has a good storyline. i wish this will finish up to the Chimera Ant Arc (which i haven’t read btw), but that’s highly unlikely.
i’m also re-watching the old Yu Yu Hakusho series but that’s just when i don’t want to fall asleep while working. it’s nostalgic seeing the old scenes of the anime i grew up with. more animes to come this 2012 and i
doubt
hope that i can catch up.
i now leave you with Fate/Zero’s Archer aka the smexy Gilgamesh with a new year’s toast
Happy New Year! XD
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