[Anime of the Week] Paradise Kiss & Saikano (1/31-2/6/2010)

YAH! I'm posting this early because I'll be busy with getting my lip pierced, work and going to an anime convention to post this up on Saturday. Ha ha. Well, I decided to give you two anime this time around since it's been a small while ^___^

The first anime I decided on is one for the super shojo lovers. It's a mature shojo though (there is sex and talk about such stuff. There's also teens running away and other such stuff, but none of it is like X rated), so don't say I didn't warn you! It's called Paradise Kiss. PK is based on a manga by Ai Yazawa who is famous for her Nana series which also has an anime. My friend keeps telling me to watch it... I probably should since I liked PK so much!

# of Episodes: 12
Rating: OT
Plot: Yukari is a typical high-school student who listens to her parents and attends school everyday. As she starts to question her way of life, she encounters a group of fashion design students who has a clothing label known as "Paradise Kiss". The group needs to find a model to showcase their designs in an up-coming fashion show and decides to pick Yukari instead. Initially, Yukari was reluctant to be associated with this seemingly eccentric group, but eventually, she realises that they are really nice people. Furthermore, their passion and enthusiasm to follow their ideals and dreams make Yukari realise that she has not been enjoying her life and this motivated her to pursue her own dreams.

This next anime is really dear to my heart. I originally read the manga version when I was a freshmen in high school. This was back when I was all shy about reading manga that even talked about sex at school, so reading Saikano was a huge feat- not only does it talk about sex it has sex in it (it's in between softcore porn and hentai). I didn't get to see the anime until about a year or so after reading the manga. Honestly, the manga is made for males 21+, but if you can ignore that point and read it as a love story, I highly reccomend reading the manga as well as watching the anime because both are different.

# of Episodes: 13 + 2 ova
Rating: TV-M
Plot: Shuji and Chise are two Hokkaido high school students barely starting a relationship with each other. Then, with no warning, a squadron of bombers from an unknown country destroy the city of Sapporo. All hope is lost when suddenly, the bombers are destroyed by a small red light floating across the sky. At this point, Shuji finds out that the one responsible for eliminating the enemy forces is Chise, who reveals herself as a cyborg engineered for mass-destruction.

[Anime of the Week] on a hiatus

For the few people that probably read my AOTW blogs, I haven't been posting because of my new job at a call center! There probably won't be a new official AOTW until training ends on Jan 30th 2010. Sorry if you miss my blog :( I miss working on it! So, to make it up to you here are a few quick opinions of mine about the current Winter anime playing that I've had the time to watch:

Seikon no Qwaser: I watched the censored and uncensored version of episode one. Honestly, there really is no need for the latter version when it comes to keeping the plot of the show going. Yes I know that the manga is very reliant on it's echhi/pervy/porn nature (I know because when I was doing reasurch on the Winter 09/10 anime, I read some of the manga) BUT that doesn't mean the anime has to be as well. The story for Qwaser has been done many times before, but the animation is pretty decent... and the music isn't half bad. I've curently seen 2 episodes. Both of which did not do much as far as making the plot go anywhere. All I know is that Sasha is powerfull. Woopidy do da day! *face palms*
Hanamaru Kindergarten: T___T I was looking forward to a show that would be similar to Potemayo only to be slapped in the face with an overly cute show about some kinder kid saying her teacher hit on her and that she will marry him because her mother approves. It's not as over the top as Kodomo no Jikan is with pervy kids, but the show isn't really going anywhere... as far as 2 eps have shown.
Omamori Himari: I honestly thought this show would be somewhat good, but it just made me want to watch Nyan Koi! season 2 more (and there better be a season 2 or i'll scream!) and slap the show in the face! It's using a concept that has been used so many times already... and it's not being new about it. >__>
Durarara: Thank Jesus for this series (even though I'm only one ep in)! It doesn't seem to be like an overused concept type anime and the anime is really coolio joe! Not much has been revealed plot wise, but I have high hopes for this one since it is based on a light novel series by the same person as Baccono. SO, go watch this one nooooow, especially if you liked Paranoia Agent. ;D
Chu-Bra!!: ...... *face palms*
Ladies vs. Butlers: *flushes the show down a toilet*
Baka to Test: I love this show soooo much! It has really pretty animation, this jokes are hilarious (even ones that would usually make me face palm made me roll on the floor with laughter), the pacing is wonderful, the music is ok and the characters.... are ones I don't care about having seen in other anime! *marries this anime*
Ookamikakushi: Meh. It's interesting enough, but it has that Higurashi feel which just makes me want to watch Higurashi more. I've heard really good things about Higurashi. OH, Ookamikakushi has character designs by Peach-pit if you were wondering.
Dance in the Vampire Bund: Having a loli vampire and an average looking teen weerewolf is not working out as well as I hoped. Currently it seems better as a manga than an anime. *shrugs*

[Anime of the Week] (winter season special) (1/3/10-1/9/10)

Instead of featuring an anime this week, I'm featuring a list of upcoming anime that look very promising. You may see some of these as future features!

December 3rd, 2009:
Denpa teki na Kanojo [original series]
December 18th, 2009:
Kanokon Manatsu no Daishanikusai [manga adaptation/ sequel/ OAV]
December 21st, 2009:
Hipira Kun [manga adaptation]
January 4th, 2010:
Chu Bra [manga adaptation]
Masuda Kousuke Gekijou Gag Manga Biyori [manga adaptation/ sequel]
So Ra No Wo To [original series]
January 5th, 2010:
Ladies vs. Butlers [light novel adaptation]
January 6th, 2010:
Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu [light novel adaptation]
Omamori Himari [manga adaptation]
January 7th, 2010:
Dance in the Vampire Bund [manga adaptation]
Durarararara
Hidamari Sketch×☆☆☆ (Hoshimittsu) [manga adaptation/ sequel]
Ookamikakushi
January 9th, 2010:
Kaito Reinya [manga adaptation]
Seikon no Qwaser [manga adaptation]
January 10th, 2010:
Hanamaru Kindergarten [manga adaptation]
Unko-san Junjou-ha [sequel]
January 14th, 2010:
Nodame Cantabile Finale [manga adaptation/ sequel]
January 22nd, 2010:
Quiz Magic Academy [game adaptation/ OAV]
January 25th, 2010:
Katanagatari [light novel adaptation]
February 7th, 2010:
Heartcatch Precure [sequel]

and because I'm too nice to leave you without a complete series recommendation:

Bartender

I'm only 2 episodes into the series, but I'm already liking it. I picked up this anime because I recently finished Ristorante Paradisio which left me wanting a restaurant type series and one that wasn't all shojo-y type romance. Bartender is an 11 episode series based on an anime of the same name. It tells the story of a bartender who is known as the "Cup of God".

[Novel of the Week] Catching Fire (12/27/09-1/2/10)

This book is the sequel to The Hunger Games. If you have
not read the first book, it is highly recommended you do so!

Why this book?: Honestly, because I bought it today after a few months of waiting. This first book was a joy to read, but not really the masterpiece reviewers had made it out to be but it was good enough to make me want to read the sequel.

[Anime of the Week][Why'd I Bother #1] School Days (12/27/09-1/2/10)

Here's something different! I usually post about an anime I'd want someone to watch, but this time I'm posting an anime that I'm not sure why someone would watch it. Apparently I'm one of the few people who did not like this anime!! What's up with that!?

Why this anime as AOTW?: For starters, I usually LOVE ergo/visual novel game based anime, but in the case of School Days I almost had to force myself to watch it. As I post this, I've finished the first 9 episodes T__T and boy am I not happy with this series. I've already seen this last two episodes, but this is my first time watching the entire series. It starts out as a fairly normal ergo based anime but around episode 4/5 it starts getting all weird >.>

# of Episodes: 12
Runtime: 25min/ep
Rating: 18+ (especially episode 12) [akia tomiyo]
Synopsis:
A shy and unconfident teenager has become very accepting at only stealing glances at a cute girl as they ride the same trolley each morning on their way to their high school. At least until Saionji Sekai surprises Itou Makoto and chances to get a peek at a photo-snap of the beautiful Katsura on his cell-phone. After evilly teasing Mokoto about his forlorn crush, Sekai offers to support him in his romance. So after many Makoto-pep-talks and lots of scheming, the three become close friends. Close enough that Makoto braves asking Katsura out on date. And she agrees. Later that day, Makoto finds a quiet moment express his thanks for all support that Sekai has offered him, and makes clear his intent on finding away to reply her kindness. But he is totally unprepared and very surprised at the reward that Sekai has chosen. Sekai steals a long kiss from his lips, before breaking away to run for the trolly. Sekai turns and wishes Makoto well on his date. [MAL]

Well, since I don't want to leave you without an anime recommendation, here are a few I'm currently watching that I would recommend any anime fan watch!-
Aoi Bungaku: An adaptation of six Japanese literary works by famous authors. One of the noteworthy character designers (who did the designs for episodes 1-4) is the manga-ka behind Death Note. I guess this series would have a 16+ rating based on the 4 episodes and part of episode 5 that I've seen.
Kimi ni Todoke: Well, it's one of those frustrating shojo series where everyone knows the main characters like each other, but the manga won awards in Japan for a reason and when watching this anime a person can tell why! 13+. Highly recommend this series, especially to shojo and romance fans.

[Anime of the Week] Bubblegum Crisis (12/20-26/09)

I know I was using Battle Flag of the Stars as the AOTW for 3 weeks, but I decided to cut it short since the series was extremely boring. I do plan on finishing it, but I'm taking off of the AOTW list now instead of waiting for another week and a half to pass by.

Why this anime as AOTW?: From now on I'm going to be posting why I'm picking a series! I've decided to pick Bubblegum Crisis mainly because it is the OAV I'm currently watching thanks to my friend who gave me a remastered version of the series.

# of Episodes: 8
Runtime: depends on the episode!
Rating: M [ann]
Synopsis:
In the near future, Tokyo was left flattened as a result from a great earthquake. A new city, MegaTokyo, was then recreated due in no small part from the aid of a multi-million dollar company, Genom Corp. Genom created and mass-produced biomechanical creatures called Boomers to aid in the restoration of MegaTokyo. When the Boomers began to run out of control, the ADPolice at first tried to stop them, but they proved to be far more difficult to deal with than was first imagined. Under the ever looming Boomer threat, a group of four girls from varying degrees of society banded together. Calling themselves The Knight Sabers, they were the only ones with enough firepower and resourcefullness to defend the fledgling MegaTokyo from Genom and it's berserk Boomers. [ann]

[Life Post] An Akia Update [#22] 0__0 WHAT!? This isn't strictly an anime blog D:<

Yeah... I know my "blog" has been pretty much strictly anime and manga lately... well, at least since like July something when I posted the 21st Akia Update. lulz. It's not like anyone reads these anyways T^T *cries in a dark corner of darkness and despair.... but more darkness where Akia realize God 'reads' these even before Akia types them up*

This picture you see right there above this line is an android maid thing! See the full picture here. Oh, and pretty please (if you have a deviantART account) devWatch me! I'm trying to get good quality art out and to build a fan base. Thank you.

I just got back from helping wrap presents at a Big K-mart for free as a way to serve the world. It was just the church campus I'm helping out withs way to show Jesus' love during this Christ-mas season. I did mess up on one of the like 10 presents I wrapped, but the lady left instead of letting me fix my mistake which would have been very easy to fix. I felt like I missed the opportunity to show Jesus to her in that situation :(

Hmm... I had my last final for the semester last thursday. I haven't checked my score, so I'll do that now *opens new tab in Firefox to check her score*. 0__0 I can't see my grades because I owe EPCC $20.... well, I currently have no job to earn money to pay that $20. And I wasn't told I owe $20 because my mom payed off my emergency loan and I was only told I had a $10 users fee of some sort to pay. Looks like I won't know my grades until mid-way or the end of January 2010. Not that it really matters since I'm taking a year off of school to get on my feet as a working person living on her own. I'm pretty nervous about that. It's a step towards being an adult, that's for sure.