[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.

[Anime of the Week- Special!] Battle Flag of the Stars I-III (12/13/09-1/2/10)

I'm doing something different with this version of 'Anime of the Week' since this is an anime I have not watched yet despite having a complete collection of it for almost two years now. Here are the things I am doing different:
1] Most important difference is this anime is actually for 3 weeks instead of 1. The main reason for this is I'm covering 3 seasons of the anime instead of just 1 or 2.
2] I'll be reviewing this anime as it is being featured. Normally the anime I've featured are series' I've already finished except for the rare current anime feature.
3] I'll be posting mini-reviews every 3-5 episodes, and then 3 complete season reviews.

# of Episodes:
I- 13
II- 10
III- 2 (ova)
Running Time: 25min./ep

Rating: PG-13
Synopsis':
Season I- Three years after their adventure, Lafiel becomes captain on the brand new assault ship Basroil and Jinto finishes his training to become a supply officer and joins Lafiels crew. They set out to join a large fleet with the mission of defending the strategically important Laptic Gate from a force 15 times larger than their own. And to bring even more worries, their new fleet commander is from the Bebous family, a family notorious for their "Spectacular Insanity".
Season II- Due to a lack of ambassadors for the recently-conquered worlds the rapidly advancing fleet of the Bebaus brothers leave behind, Lafiel is appointed Territorial Ambassador of the planet Lobnas II. Upon arriving to the planet Jinto and Lafiel discover that the planet was used by the United Mankind as a prison planet and now has a million prisoners on the only inhabited island. The prisoners are parted in three blocks. The western where women are housed, the eastern belongs to the men and the central is mixed under the restriction that all prisoners living there are sterilized. The women in the western sector want to emigrate from the planet of fear for the men and when they do the men in the east rebel, overthrowing the guards and capturing Jinto to try to stop the emigration of the women. At the same time an enemy fleet heads toward the system forcing Lafiel to abandon Jinto.
Season III (ova)- Jinto and Lafiel were riding on a light-armed transport ship "Bokbrusue" and navigating at the planar space of the Hyde System. This was for Jinto to govern the Hyde System, which returned to Empirial rule after the Union retreated, officially as an Earl. However, the government of Martin, Jinto`s motherland, resisted obstinately against the Empirial rule. On the other side, "Daiichi Jyuurin Sentai" (the First Devastation Fleet), formed with the new ship type "Attack Vessel", travelled to the Hyde System for drilling practices, but...

[Anime of the Week] Solty Rei (12/6-12/09)

# of Episodes: 24
Running Time: 30 min/ep
Rating: TV14 (FUNimation)
Synopsis: In a future-based disaster-ridden city with an enormous gap between the rich and the poor, it is hard to tell which humans are walking around with cybernetic body parts. This makes Roy Revant's job as a renegade bounty hunter/bodyguard-for-hire even more difficult. When a young girl with unbeliveable strength rescues him from a particularly dangerous criminal, Roy realizes that perhaps help can be found in the strangest of places. Joining together with a few others, they engage in a battle to find out the truth behind the giant conglomerates that are supposedly serving mankind and making life better.

[Anime of the Week] DOGs (11/30-12/5/09)

# of Episodes: 4

Running Time: 15-16min/ep

Rating: (Akia Tomiyo) 16+

Plot: Based off of the Japanese manga series by Shirow Miwa, Dogs is set in a world where violence, crime, genetic manipulation and other cruel scientific experiments have become common. The story focuses on four main characters who, through a series of coincidences, meet as they search for answers to their individual past.

[Mini-reviews] Gantz (1-4) & Moetan (1)

Episode(s) Watched: 1-4
Quick Star Rating: 3/5
Quick Opinion: The anime follows the manga fairly closely. I'm impressed with how this potty mouth anime could make me feel bad for the characters. I already was when I was addicted to the manga about two years ago, but i didn't expect the emotions to translate so well to an anime (especially with all the language). Oh well, I feel really bad for the onion alien T^T I even feel a bit bad for his dad.
Plan to Continue Watching: Yes.


Episode(s) Watched: 1
Quick Star Rating: for the moe factor 5/5 but for the actual episode 2/5
Quick Opinion: I already knew this was going to be moe, but not as moe as it turned out to be. The girl is supposedly in high school but she looks wayyyyyyyyy too young. Like, more so than normal D:<
Plan to Continue Watching: For the laughs.

[Anime of the Week] (11/22-28/09) Nyan Koi!

I usually don't pick series' that are

currently playing, but this is one way for me to
get the word out about this amazing
series called Nyan Koi!

Synopsis: Junpei Kōsaka is a second-year high school student who despises cats and has an allergy to them. It just so happens that his high school crush is Kaede Mizuno, a girl who adores cats. One day, while walking home from school, Junpei kicks an empty can and unfortunately beans the local neko-jizō-sama (guardian deity of cats). He finds he can now understand what cats are saying, including his family's own ill-tempered cat, Nyamusasu. However, if he does not grant 100 wishes from cats, he will turn into cat himself. [ann]

2010 Anime PV (w/ Pictures)

I tried to narrow the list down to anime that is pretty much set in stone (except for the ones that just have 2010 at the moment). Most of these are series I want to see mainly because of having heard about them before (some of these were in baby green-lit stages earlier this year even). Oh, and a lot of these series will be very adult, which is very interesting. I'll label the adult ones! Also, I'll be posting up detailed blog entries for each of these in my wikipedia type blog- the AkiaDex, so be sure to check back for those!

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): January 2010
Animation Company: A-1 Pictures Inc
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Original Series
Summary: The story is set in the future on a land that, after being marred by long-lasting wars, has settled into quiet decline.
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
I'm gonna watch it because of the interesting focus (on a group of 5 girls who enlist in the military to protect some fortress).

[adult] [more info in the AkiaDex]

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): January 2010
Animation Company: Taki Corporation
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Manga Adaptation
Summary: The St. Mikhailov Academy student Oribe Mafuyu comes across a mysterious silver haired boy. He is called a Qwsaer, a being that draws power from Soma and is able to manipulate a specific element. And now, in the 21st century, the mystery revolving around an Icon turns the academy into the battlegrounds for the fight between the Qwaser!
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
I'm probably gonna take a look at the manga (which Tokyopop liscenced for some reason, but I'm gonna read it online since it hasn't been released in English yet) before I decide if I want to see this. It just seems like a perverted version of some other anime I've seen :P

[adult]

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): January 2010
Animation Company: ZEXCS
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Manga Adaptation
Summary: The slapstick romantic comedy centers around an ordinary 16-year-old high school boy named Yūto Amakawa who is protected by a spirit — specifically, a beautiful, sword-wielding cat girl spirit named Himari. Yūto is descended from a family that has subjugated demons since time immemorial. The charm that once protected him is now impotent, but fortunately, at that same moment, Himari appears before him as his new guardian.
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
This sounds so dang familiar....

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): 2010
Animation Company: J.C. Staff
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Manga Adaptation
Summary: In a high school recently turned from all-boy to coed, Misaki Ayuzawa, chairwoman of student council, battles "stinky and dirty" male students every day to protect the few (20%) females in school. Off campus, she works hard at a maid café to supplement the income of her household (as well as leftover foods) after her father had deserted the family -- whose action contributed to her hatred toward males. However, Takumi Usui, a handsome guy (and a heartbreaker of many girls) accidentally found out her double identities. She thought the entire school would know by the next morning, yet he kept her secret away from others, making her even more suspicious of his motives.
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
YES! I hear the manga is really good, and I haven't read it yet but I'm excited for the anime. It seems lately that manga that Tokyopop is licensing (or if not, it gets liscenced soon after the anime version premiers in Japan) are getting anime adaptations as of recent.

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): Jan. 10, 2010
Animation Company: GAINAX
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Manga Adaptation
Summary:
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
This looks really cute~!!

[adult]

[Basics]
Website(s): ?
Premier Date (Japan): 2010
Animation Company: ?
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Manga Adaptation
Summary: The story is set after the destruction of most of Tokyo by an earthquake and centers on Ganta Igarashi, a middle school student framed for the murder of his classmates. Igarashi is sentenced to Deadman Wonderland, a bizarre privatized prison that is one part incarceration and one part public spectacle for tourists.
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
I'm not caught up with the manga, but what I did read of it really lends it self well to being an anime. So I'm excited to see this one for sure.

[adult]

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): January 2010
Animation Company: Shaft
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Manga Adaptation
Summary: After millennia in hiding, Mina Tepes, the Princess of the ancient covenant and ruler of all vampires, wants change. Using the vast wealth of the Tepes line, she has paid off the entire gross national debt of Japan and in so doing, gained the authority to create a "special district" off the coast of Japan that is to become the future haven to vampires the world over. Now, on the eve of the landmark press conference announcing the existence of vampires to the world, terrorists and rival factions plot to assassinate Mina before she has a chance to make her world-changing announcement.
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
I find it really interesting how most of these series are turning out to be so adult. I'm not a 14 year old anymore, but it is a little iffy for me to have to choose between a set of so adult series with only a few not so adult ones. BUT I did enjoy the one volume I read of this so I plan to see how the anime fairs (which looks like it'll do well based on the preview I've seen of it).

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): January 7, 2010
Animation Company: Brain Base
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Light Novel Adaptation
Summary:
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
It looks interesting :)

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): January 6, 2010
Animation Company: Silver Link
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Light Novel Adaptation
Summary: The story centers around Akihisa Yoshii, the "baka" of the title. His academy rigidly divides up the student body into classesbased on the results of tests. The prodigies are in the A class with reclining seats complete with air conditioning, but Akihisa is in F class, the lowest rung of the school ladder which is furnished only with low, decrepit tables and worn-out straw tatami mats. A girl named Mizuki Himeji is actually one of the smartest girls in Akihisa's sophomore year, but she had a fever on test day and was pigeonholed into the F class. Besides Mizuki (who Akihisa secretly adores), the F class also has Yūji Sakamoto, the class president who has been Akihisa's friend and partner-in-crime since the freshman year. The school happens to have developed experiments to summon fantasy creatures, and Akihisa decides to rally F class to take on the higher-tiered classes and seize their perks. The F class uses the summoned creatures in an all-out battle for school supremacy.
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
Woah, interesting title there!

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): 2010
Animation Company: Production I.G. and Xebec
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: 6 Films & Manga Adaptation
Summary:
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
looks like it'll have nice animation, but it's mecha so I'm a bit hesitant.

[Basics]
Website(s): ?
Premier Date (Japan): 2010
Animation Company: ?
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Light Novel Adaptation
Summary: The story revolves around Kio Kakazu, an ordinary High School freshman living in Okinawa. A girl with cat ears appears before him during a memorial service for one of his family ancestors. The girl calls herself Eris and claims she is an alien. Before long, fanatical alien worshippers and a mysterious government agency are in hot pursuit of Eris, but Kio's childhood friend Manami — who wants to follow in her father's footsteps in the CIA — captures Eris. Kio finds himself having to protect Eris from everyone.
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
This'll be the next Sora no Otoshimono ;] The void must be filled D:<

[Basics]
Website(s): (1)
Premier Date (Japan): April 2010
Animation Company: P.A. Works
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: Visual Novel Adpatations & New Series
Summary: In a world after death, angels fight for their fate and their future. Yuri, the leader of the Shinda Sekai Sensen, rebels against the god who destined her to have an unreasonable life. On the otherhand, Tenshi, the chairperson of the student council for the world after death, battles against the SSS members. SSS members utilize armed weaponry to battle it out against the angels harnessing supernatural powers.
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
A new KEY anime!!! *faints*

[Basics]
Website(s): ?
Premier Date (Japan):2010
Animation Company: ?
[Plot/ Synopsis/ Summary]
Type: New Series & Original Series
Summary:
[What Akia's Gonna Do]
0__0

[Fall 2009 Anime] Initial Impressions [Part 4]

It's also known as Trapeze. [here's somewhat of a trailer/ preview]
Impressions: I just could not muster the strength to get through the first episode. Usually I'm the one watching weird anime, but this one was a little too weird even for a fan such as I. This anime just looks too real, and the 'sex appeal' it offers just isn't that sexy 'cause of how weird-ed out I get from the weird animation:

Gonna Continue Watching: No. and probably never will

Impressions: The anime being diolauged in Korean through me off, but overall the story was pretty good and sad. I've only seen episode 0 since I accidentally got a raw of the first episode. lol
Gonna Continue Watching: when I get a subbed ep1

Impressions: The episode was hilarious, and very almost yuri filled. There's a crossdressing male >.>
Gonna Continue Watching: when I feel like it

The next entry [part 5] should be the final one. I wasn't planing on my Initial Impressions set of blogs for the Fall '09 season to take so long but things kept coming up IRL and I was unable to watch the anime I wanted at the pace I could during the summer.

All I want for Christ-mas '09 is an I-pod Touch.

main reasons being I can download apps/games and it can act as a Kindle

James Patterson seems to make novels worth manga adaptations lately :P [and other anime/manga news]

Yen+ December Issue: Tonight when I got home from a convention meeting, I saw my glorious December Yen+ issue sitting in the mailbox. Usually the first thing I do after taking the plastic wrapping off the magazine is to flip through the contents to see if any good extras are in it... and I saw this. I haven't read any of the Daniel X novels because I do not like Mr. Patterson's writing style, but I do love the Maximum Ride manga adaptation of his MR novels soooo I'm pretty excited to see how well the Daniel X one will be drawn. This time the adaptation is being drawn by a different korean :) As excited as I am for this new Patterson adaptation, I'm also sad that this issue did not include a new Maximum Ride chapter due to "NaRae's health." I know that if I were to get sick, drawing a new chapter of a manga would not be my main priority. This issue did include new chapters for Nightschool, One Fine Day, Time and Again, Jack Frost, Hero Tale, Black Butler, Nabari no Ou and of course (what is probably most Yen+ readers favorite) Soul Eater (but my favorite is Nightschool). This issue also includes the usual fan art page, Shrimp art and other features, but as far as new stuff is concenrned this issue includes an entry form to win When the Chickadees Cry prizes, the second part of the two issue preview of Raiders, a preview of 13th Boy and a preview of the Spice & Wolf light novel along with the original manga version of the first volumes cover.

Marvel Anime Adaptation News [source]: WooHoo! There are official release dates for the Iron Man and Wolverine anime adaptations. Iron Man is set to play during the Spring (April-June) 2010 season while Wolverine is set to play during the Summer (July-September) 2010 season. Both are set for 12 episode runs, and to play in the US in 2011.

Media Blaster's Grabs the Rights to Queen's Blade (both seasons) and Ikkitousen Great Guardians [source]: I'm really disappointed in this (reguarding Queen's Blade) because it shows that, in a sense, the thought of people who watch anime are pervs and want anime porn is seen as true. Queen's Blade is hentai disguised as a late night anime. There's tentical rape, "acid" boobs and almost full body nudity in a lot of the episodes >.> If it's your cup-joe, I am disgusted. The only reason I know of all this material it has is that watched a few episodes (I gave it the 5 episode test) and just could not stand it! D:<

Susan Boyle, singing an anie song!? [source]: She's the one signing the theme song for Himitsu Kessha Taka no Tsume The Movie 3 ~http://takanotsume.jp wa Eien ni~. Uh, wow.

Winter 2009 anime ON IT'S WAY D:< (somewhat of a preview)// Trigun MOVIE IS OFFICIAL *faints* and other Spring 09 Anime already announced

You know what!? When you're a hard core anime fan like I am (but only started DLing like 2-3 years ago) you end up getting WAY backed up with anime (mainly because I'm watching stuff that I've wanted to that aren't part of the current anime season) and while in the middle of a current season of anime you end up getting excited for the next one! WELL DEAR READER, I've already seen some promising commings for the Winter 2009 season and I'm already backed up with the Fall and Spring seasons. AR AR AR. I'm such an anime lover >:D

Hanamaru Kindergarten [link]~ looks really cute. I like cute anime! It looks like Potemayo and I haven't gotten the chance to finish Potemayo!
Shojo Fight (OVA) [link]~ BAH! Sports anime. I don't like sports anime all that much. I'd probably love the Eyeshield 21 anime though. And Prince of Tennis was ok.
Sex Pistols [link]~ *runs away since it's boys love... and then barfs*
Loups-Garous (movie) [link]~ It just plain out looks cool! And it has werewolves :P
Boku, Otaryman (OVA) [link]~ Comedy is usually good....
Kokekko-san [link]~ UH, Chicken? 0__0
Break Blade (6 movies) [link]~ I'm not really a mecha fan, but it says "robot manga" so maybe this will be like cyborgs or something of that nature that I love so much.
Haruhi (movie)~ I haven't finished rewatching the first season in order to watch the second, and I was never really a fan to begin with.
So-Ra-No-Wo-To [link]~ Looks visual novel-y and I'm a fan of that kind of anime.

I'm like a super fan of Trigun! (and I know some other people who are as well). I'm really excited for the movie and now that it's no longer a rumor I am allowed to be as excited as I want to be! And it has an official site HERE'S IT. but it's not coming out 'till like Spring 2009 D:< ARR AR AR AR. I'm a bit upset because of that.

Angel Beats [link]~ WOAH, looks interesting and yuri >.> If it's yuri, I'll have to pass.
Duradura [link]~ I don't know much about it and ANN didn't have info, so I'm not sure when this is suppose to be released.
Black Rock Shooter [link]~ For all VOCALOID fans ;]
King of Thorn (movie) [link]- I haven't read the manga, but this looks really neat!
Fate/Stay Night (movie)~ All I know is that it's a 90min movie. I did enjoy the anime.
Maid-sama [link]~ I'm not sure if it's gonna be a winter or a spring anime D:<>
Deadman Wonderland [link]~ Not exactly sure when this is releasing, but I'm excited! I started reading the manga, and then like I do with manga, got really behind and lazy SO the anime will suffice.

[Life Post] Happy #19

Guess who became 19 years old today?
It's not really hard to guess it's me you silly geese! ME, Akia the great (a lot of people know me as Alicia as well).

Usually I celebrate my birthday on the weekend before my actual birthday since my excuse was always "HEY MOM & DAD! I have school, so could I possibly get my birthday money on the weekend so I can enjoy my presents for an entire day?" ...but this excuse could no longer really work since that don't have full school days anymore :P My mom put the money on my card on sunday, but I didn't spend any until today because I was waiting to see if I got anymore in the mail from family members. My grandma (mom's side) sent me $20 and my aunt Glenda (mom's side) sent me $20 as well. My great aunt sent a card with a note saying she couldn't send me her usual Target card. That made me cry! My family is so neat like that.

I didn't get a cake from my mom today because we decided that since I was getting cake at my grow group that we'd wait until sunday to celebrate (as in go to lunch or dinner and have cake) both my birthday and hers (which is on the 20th). At grow group, we had some vanilla cake with chocolate frosting. At home, I've been getting a carrot or cheese cake for the pat like 5 years now. I don't think people see carrot cake as birthday worthy :D

A friend from my drawing class got me issue one of a local manga magazine called Gaiga. I'm really excited to finish reading it 'cause there's something about reading a manga that is not published by some big name company. This was bought at a shop called HappiRobot which is a shop that also functions as an otaku hangout. It's a great place to get used manga/manwha if you live (or happen to be driving through) in El Paso. I bought the first 3 volumes of a manwha called Zero The Begining of the Coffin and volumes 3&4 of Rave Master. The owner Heather gave me %10 off for my birthday! I was really happy about that even though the manga I was buying was used. =D

I also bought the first Bran Hambric book at Barnes and Nobles. I originally went to the bookstore to get Catching Fire but remembered I was suppose to buy Bran Hambric first. Haha. My book collection keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger.... and my actual reading of them keeps getting smaller.

[Fall 2009 Anime] Initial Impressions [part 3]

Impressions: So, people with an eyepatch fetish will probably like this anime. It kind of has that Chaos;HEAD feel, so I'm fairly happy with this episode. I didn't really pay attention to what was going on sooooo I can't really describe what I liked.
Gonna Continue Watching: Yes

Impressions: I didn't get why this anime had 'blacksmith' in the title untill this happened (see picture below). Haha.

Gonna Continue Watching: Of course

Impressions: I'm not one for yuri, and so far this anime only hints at that direction. My excuse for being ok with watching it is that this blue haired girl is really a guy. I've figured out that the guy ends up as a Kampfer because of borrowing this plushie. The plushies in this series are the ones who 'guide' the various Kampfers :) And I'm still wondering why someone would borrow a plushie.

Gonna Continue Watching: Sure, why not

Impressions: I laughed so hard. 'nuff said
Gonna Continue Watching: YES nya~~

Impressions: I noticed it follows the manga fairly well, so I already knew what was gonna happen but it was fun watching the expressions in the faces and seeing the manga in animated form. The episode was really short though >.>
Gonna Continue Watching: Yes

Even though I've already done initial impressions for 12 of the Fall 2009 series, I still have 9 to go. These 9 are Seitokai no Ichizon, To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (a certain scientific railgun), Darker than BLACK: Ryusei no Gemini (Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor), Fairy Tale, Kuuchuu Buranko, Kitty Girl-and, and Winter Sonata.

Life is a Movie >:D

Life is a Movie Quiz
Okay, imagine your life is a movie - what songs would be in it? To find out, here's how it works:
[1] Open your library (iTunes, Media Player, iPod, etc).
[2] Put it on shuffle.
[3] Press play.
[4] For every question, type the song that's playing.
[5] When you go to a new question, press the next button.
[6] Don't lie (it's more interesting).

-Movie Trailer-
"Gimme More" by Britney Spears
Comment: Uhhhh..... certain parts would be cool for a trailer but this would not be my first choice as movie trailer music. I don't even know why it's still in my library.
Favorite Lyrics: (nothing in particular 'cause I don't much care for the song anyways)
-Opening Credits-
"Air for Terrance (DJ Discover Mashup)" version Above & Beyond vs Sunlodger
Comment: Trance is the perfect kind of music for opening credits~!! I'd totally be dancing or drawing epically just because of the music! YES!
Favorite Lyrics: "Air for life." (I can't tell what most of the song is saying.... the beats are really cool though)
-Waking Up- (this makes it sound like a movie like the Matrix)
"Outro" by Breaking Benjamin (the one from the Phobia album)
Comment: It fits so well!! OH MY GAWSH.
Favorite Lyrics: (it's just an instrumental piece)
-First Day of School- (now it sounds like one of those over the top teenager movies.... *sigh*)
"I Caught Myself" by Paramore (have this soung 'cause of the Twilight album)
Comment: Probably too early of a point to have such a song, so blame Windows Media Player. Unless this movie is a sequel THEN it's pretty fitting I guess. Woo hoo!
Favorite Lyrics: "You got it, you got it./ I hate this, I hate this./ I'm saying something that I should have never thought of you."
-First Love- (I get to fall in love!? THANK YOU)
"Drago or the Dragons" by Falling Up
Comment: Hmmm.... *listens to a bit of the song* I love the words.
Favorite Lyrics: "I am just alive, she's just a fake./ Now poison's running through the seams./ The numbers say it, flash up the screen./ And from crescendo cuts the knee"
-First Heartbreak-
"Tourtured Tangled Hearts" by Dixie Chicks
Comment: HA HA. A country song xD And I get to be the one breaking a heart 0.0
Favorite Lyrics: "After 31 days of sleepless nights she woke up to end it all./ She took her name right off his heart."
-Fight Song-
"My World" by 3 Doors Down
Comment: Not very epic! DANG.
Favorite Lyrics: "Seems that everytime that you catch up, you only fall behind./ This is not the life for me 'cause my world is bigger than your problems. And it's bigger than me."
-Prom-
"Tsuki no Shijima" (from the anime Tsubasa Chronicles)
[i cheated and did a second song which ended up being "Aikoi" from the same series. It's more upbeat and I'd be more likely to dance to it that the first one.]
Comment: I guess it's cute enough to be a prom song, but I probably wouldn't be at prom in the first place. LOL
Favorite Lyrics: (they're all Japanese sooooo no attempt. I'd probably spell most of the words wrong)
-Life-
"When the Light" by Day of Fire
Comment: Interesting choice Windows Media Player!
Favorite Lyrics: "The highway smiles.../ When the light shines on my face, the world becomes so small./ When the light finds me this way, I know I'm not alone."
-Mental Breakdown- (I was trying to avoid one of these!)
"Forgiven" by Skillet
Comment: Hrm..... not exactly a mental breakdown song. Ok, maybe. I've only heard the song once, and that was just now for this. I just added it yesterday.
Favorite Lyrics: "This heart belongs to you alone./ Now I'm in a secret place."
-Driving- (I better not get a ticket)
"Circus" by Britney Spears
Comment: Why would I be watching a dang circus while sitting in the backseat if I'm suppose to be driving!?
Favorite Lyrics: "Better be ready..../ All eyes on me./ When I crack that whip, everyone is gonna trip./ Huh huh huh huh."
-Flashback- (to my kiddo days I bet! I probably lost a parent or something)
"Monster" by Skillet
Comment: OHMIGODNESS! This would be perfect for a Himitsu no Basho movie! OH GOSH. It so would 0_0 (note: Himitsu no Bash is one of the manga/novel series that my character Akia is a part of. The song is fitting because it's about these people who literally have a monster self)
Favorite Lyrics: "I feel it deep within. Underneath the skin./ The dark has just begun./ I, I, I feel like a monster!/ My secret side I keep..../ I keep it caged, but I can't control it./ Why can't someone come and save me from this?"
-Getting Back Together- (what!? did I decide he was really the one? *sigh*)
"Poker Face (Space Cowboy Remix)" originally by Lady Gaga
Comment: Seriously....... I like the original version better.
Favorite Lyrics: (not gonna bother)
-Losing Your Virginity- (FYI, I'd be married before this in real life >:[. shessh)
"Can't Live a Day (DJ Tiesto remix)" originally by Avalon
Comment: Well, it's actually quite fitting despite it being a song about not being able to live without God.
Favorite Lyrics: "I could live life alone and never feel the longing of my heart and the longings of my heart. The healing warmth of someone./ And never know the thrill of what could be./ I could live without many things./ but I couldn't face my life tommorrow without your hope in my heart..../ I know I can't live a day without you./ You're the heartbeat of all I do."
-Wedding- (AWWWW T^T I told myself I would...n't.... CRY AWWW T^T *sniffles*)
"Water" by Breaking Benjamin
Comment: Hmm... it doesn't really fit. It's more of a saving a life song than anything.
Favorite Lyrics: "The waters up to the knee./ All I want is what's best for you./ I won't ever let you drown."
-Birth of Child- (I shall name my child some epic anime name. I REALLY WILL. She'll be Missy Belldandy or something. Ok, not that epic of a name cause that amount of epicness will make all the other childrens uber jealous)
"You Were Mine" by Dixie Chicks
Comment: WHUT!? Did my child die!? >.> Wait... my husband leaves me!? IM SO SAD!
Favorite Lyrics: *Alicia is too busy crying to care*
-Final Battle- (I bet I'm fighting that hubby that let me >:( dang shessh!)
"Forget It" by Breaking Benjamin
Comment: Hrm.... HMMM. Maybe. It fits somewhat. Like a soggy puzzle piece.
Favorite Lyrics: "How can I believe, when this cloud hangs over me. You're the part of me I don't want to see./ Just fade away. Just let me stay..."
-Death Scene- (don't tell me I, or my child, or my ex-hubby or my ferrit dies T^T)
"Can't Sleep" by Above & Beyond
Comment: Oh dang....
Favorite Lyrics: "Singing to a dark through open eyes. While dreaming I see only you and me stuck between desire..../ There's nothing left for us to long for anymore./ I can't sleep. You're so far away from me."
-Funeral Song- (I've narrowed it down to my exhubby and my ferrit.... because Missy Belldandy is too awesome to die after only entering kindergarten)
"Cayagake! Girls" (from the K-ON! anime)
Comment: That's a really upbeat funeral song 0.0
Favorite Lyrics: (It's in Japanese)
-Bloopers- (WHAT!? the movie ends with a funeral T^T well... it was an upbeat funeral for some reason)
"Just Dance (DJ Crunk edit)" originally by Lady Gaga
Comment: The beat is fitting, and I guess the music is too.
Favorite Lyrics: (I don't care)

[Fall 2009 Anime] Initial Impressions [part 2]

Impressions: It seems like a fresh version of every season before it. This may just because it's been about 3 years since I last saw an episode of Inuyasha. The music is still amazing, and the characters don't seem as... over the top as before :) The episode was not as confusing as other reviewers have made it out to be, but for someone who has never seen an episode or has only seen a season or two probably would be confused.
Gonna Continue Watching: Yes

Impressions: Say hello to the anime that is meant to fill that DearZ and Chobits void in your little otaku heart, 'cause this is it. Introducing ANGELROIDS 0__0
Gonna Continue Watching: as much as I want to say no, I'm still too interested to put this one to the side

sorry.... it's actually Kimi ni Todoke xD
Impressions: I.Love.This.Anime. I'm a sucker for romance type anime, and this one is defiantly that. I was excited for this the minute I heard it got green-lit. My excitment was inflamed thanks to Shojo Beat releasing volume 1 of the manga soon before I found out about the anime.
Gonna Continue Watching: yesssssss yes yesss

[Fall 2009 Anime] Initial Impressions [part 1]

Impressions: The first episode doesn't reveal much other than that humans are dived into different groups. Some are called Meats, and these aren't considered human. Others (the ones in the picture) are called Armed Librarians. Their job is to protect the books (when you die, your soul solidifies into a stone book) that represent the life story of people. There was a pretty cool action sequence, and some comedy thrown in as well. The opening music is by Ali Project, so that alone is WIN.
Gonna Continue Watching: YES O' COURSE

Impressions: For once a CLAMP anime does not look like every other one before it. Kobato takes the magical girl concept (kind of....) and makes it new. I loved the entire episode. I laughed, I cried and I even cringed! The best part was the song she sang (6min into the second part of the episode). It didn't look like some random lip flap like most characters who sing in anime get. :3
Gonna Continue Watching: HAI!

Impressions: A train full of kawaii boys who want to help troubled ladies!? WEll.... I'm a sucker for the cute faces but the animation was just ok. And the anime is based on the train lines in Japan.... what was I suppose to expect?
Gonna Continue Watching: Maybe

Impressions: To begin a season with a hotsprings episode was really a turn off, but I loved the first season so I decided to finish the episode. It ended with the cute couple running off to some anime event... but how could they possible not get found out!? There was a random geisher created of course xD
Gonna Continue Watching: DUH. It's otaku anime

[Anime of the Week] (10/4-10/09) Texhnolyze

# of Episodes: 22
Running Time: 24min/ep
Rating: (ann) Mature
Plot: In a man-made underground society, descendants of a banished generation vie for control of the crumbling city of Lux. Ichise, an orphan turned prize fighter, loses a leg and an arm to satisfy an enraged fight promoter. On the brink of death he is taken in by a young woman doctor and used as a guinea pig for the next evolution of Texhnolyze. With his new limbs, Ichise is taken under the wing of Oonishi, a powerful leader of Organ, an organization with some hold on Lux. As Ichise is drawn deeper into a war for territorial control of the city, he learns of his possible future from the young girl prophet Ran, who guides him from the shadows in his darkest times. With the explosion of the warfare, Ichise must uncover the truth about Lux and fight for his survival as he realizes his destiny.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
DVDs: [complete set]

[Mini-reviews] 10/7/09 [Anime #2]

07-Ghost

Episode(s) Watched: #22-25
Quick Star Rating: 4.9/5
Quick Opinion: T^T BWAAAAA! I promised I wouldn't cry, but I can't help it. This show was so beautiful (but annoying at the same time). I'm gonna miss hearing how much Teito misses his best buddy.
Plan to Continue Watching: If there is a second season ever made, I'm defiantly watching!

Rin ~daughters of darkness~

Episode(s) Watched: #1-6
Quick Star Rating: -HUH!?/5
Quick Opinion: I normally like ero-guro type anime (such as Chaos;HEAD and Kurozuka), but when yuri is added along with some guy who is a half girl... then my brain just wants to explode. I'm still shocked that I even watched the whole thing >.>
Plan to Continue Watching: Probably not. (that is, if there's another season or some lost episode)

Vexille

Episode(s) Watched: it's a movie
Quick Star Rating: 5/5
Quick Opinion: I loved both Appleseed movies, so I was looking forward to watching this movie. My high hopes were rewarded with a very nice mech type anime movie that had humans turning into robots before my eyes (but not the metallic kind you may be thinking of. I'm talkin' about the kind in GITS). I came really close to crying at the end of this movie....
Plan to Continue Watching: a sequel would be neat

Dead Leaves

Episode(s) Watched: it's a movie
Quick Star Rating: 0__o/5
Quick Opinion: WHAT DID I JUST WATCH WITHOUT BLINKING!? I was so en groused in this disgusting display of animation that looked like FLCL. But at the end of the movie, I never wanted to see it again.... The baby did remind me of Renesme from the Twilight series, but the Dead Leaves child died in a matter of minuets. xD
Plan to Continue Watching: NEVER

Genshiken

Episode(s) Watched: seasons 1&2
Quick Star Rating: 3/5
Quick Opinion: Awwwww, they never got together T^T I read the manga before watching the anime. Most of the series followed the manga, but some stuff I was looking forward to was MISSING. *dun dun dunnnnnn*
Plan to Continue Watching: I doubt there's ever be more, but I have been wrong. YES

Kujubiki Unbalance

Episode(s) Watched: #1-3
Quick Star Rating: 2/5
Quick Opinion: The only reason I decided to watch this because I finished Genshiken. BOY, I'm dumb. This series is so much like a lot of anime.... but the kujibiki lottery twist is pretty nice.
Plan to Continue Watching: either when I'm in the mood or am dead bored

Clannad ~after story~

Episode(s) Watched: #1-3
Quick Star Rating: 5mil MOE Points/5
Quick Opinion: I was planning on finishing the first season by first re-watching from the beginning but my sister suggested I just watch this. IT'S SO CUTE >/////<>:{

Darker than Black

Episode(s) Watched: #3-6
Quick Star Rating: 4/5
Quick Opinion: I do like this series!
Plan to Continue Watching: OF COURSE YA DUMMY

There are some others that I watched at random (such as xxHolic) but I'm too lazy to quick review those.

The rest are Fall 2009 anime, and I've decided to do initial impression reviews for those in a different post :3