[Movie] New Moon Bite [#3] NM Director

Thanks to Reelz Channel's webiste, I have been informed that Catherine Hardwicke may not be the director for New Moon. I feel this would be very sad considering the job she was able to do with such a low budget when it came to filming Twilight. Please pray that she gets the job! I really think she deserves it. For the full article, click here.

[Movie] New Moon Bite [#2] NM Filming!

According to Kristin Stewart, New Moon will begin official filming in Italy some time in March of 2009. On account of the first film having a six month period to finish (this was about 4-5 months before November 2008) New Moon will most likely be a December 2009 or early 2010 release.

EDIT: One of my good friends, who is not only a Twilight nut but is also a film nut, has informed me that the cast is already in pre-production which means production may start sooner than expected. The original planned release month for New Moon was Febuary, but Summit has annouced somewhere that they are trying to aim for a December 2009 release rather than a Febuary 2010 one.

[Movie] New Moon Bite [#1] Twilight Merch

On November 22, 2008 Summit Entertainment announced that they would officially be producing 'New Moon' for a release in late 2009. Due to this exciting news (and my being on Team Jacob) I've decided to create a new series for my Blogger called New Moon Bite which I will do my best to post news relating to the 'Twilight' saga but with a focus on the 'New Moon' movie. For tonights news I have two pieces: amazon.com has a top notch collectors edition of 'Twilight' and an mp3 dowload of 'Twilight: The Score'.

[Comparison Review] Kurozuka [#1]

Kurozuka

Chapters 1-5

Episodes 1-3

[comparison/review]

Warning: This comparison review containes spoilers!! Oh... and this series is hentai (not hard core, but mature rated hentai none the less) and violent. The manga version is, but the anime version does not seem to be hentai... at least the first 3 episodes don't seem to be.

-Introduction-

By the first three chapters of the manga and the first three episodes of the anime, I can already tell both are going to be very different. Not only are the plots slightly different, but the animation compared to the manga seem like two different character sets (though both seem to have the same characteristics). The anime has the look of maturity while the manga looks immature- like the characters have growing up to do (which is ironic since this manga is about imortals).

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Credits and Disclaimer(s):

All opinions expressed here are that of their individual owners and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Goggle Blogger nor that of their partners. The above animated image belongs to Madhouse Studios [the one on the left]. The above manga image belongs to Baku Yumemakura and Shusheia [the one on the right]. I claim no ownership to any images used in my blogs unless stated otherwise, nor do I claim all these opinions as my own; just the ones that have Akia and/or Akia Tomiyo beside them (unless I'm the only one reviewing because then all the opinions are mine unless stated otherwise).

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-Plot Summaries-

Anime [ANN]:
Kuro, a 12th-century man, flees into the mountains after losing to his brother, where he meets a strange, beautiful woman named Kuromitsu. Kuro falls in love with Kuromitsu but realizes she conceals a dark secret. She is unable to die and continues to live for thousands of years as Japan evolves into a future society.

Manga [MV]:

After escaping from a brother who had just ascended the throne, Yoshitsune, along with his servant, comes across a house in the middle of a desolate mountain. Oddly enough, only a young woman lives there, who seems to possess a very dark and ominous past.

As you can clearly read, the manga version has Kuro's brother as owner of the throne but the anime has his brother as a dead man. This alone made me a little hesitant to read the manga on account of the amaze level the anime has... but I decided I'd risk dissapointment in order to do a comparison review as I promised in my Kurozuka Ep.1-3 review.

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-The Visuals-

If you've read my ep. 1-3 review for the anime version, then you know my only complaint about the visuals was the stick like legs... which the manga does not have! I practially knocked over my chair in excitment while reading the first few chapters of the manga. Other than that, the manga has a more immature look (the characters look more like teenagers) then the anime (which the characters look adult. Especially the lead lady Kuromitsu).

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-Similarities/Differences/Facts-

Within the first volume of Kurozuka (chapters 1-5), there are events that did not happen in the first three episodes of the anime (some of which probably never will) and others that happened differently. Both the anime and manga seem to have different time lines. The manga reveals a lot more information than the anime. Because of this, the anime seems to have info it wants where as the manga seems to have too much or an abundance of extra info.

Some key differences/similarities between the anime and manga:

1) Chapter 1 of the manga starts out the story by revealing that Kuro's brother has taken the thrown and is out for Kuro's head where as the first episode of the anime begins by showing Kuro and his right hand man being chased by mesterious demon human like figures.

2) Kuromitsu's house looks the same in the manga and anime... but Kuromitsu herself looks like a teenager in the manga yet looks about ten years older in the anime.

3) In both the anime and manga, Kuro's right hand man decides as a way to protect his master to prentend to be Kuro. Kuromitsu realizes this and tells Kuro he has an auro of nobility.

4) After being asked if the two can stay, Kuromitsu makes one request-do not go into the room in the back of my house. She says this in the anime and manga.

5) When another man appears at Kuromitsu's place, he too is told not to look into the back room. In both the anime and manga, he looks only to see Kuro's moving head (in the anime, Kuromitsu kisses the head... but in the manga she is naked while sharpining a sword before telling Kuro she will kill that new man so that he can drink blood).

6) In the anime, Kuro has a 'dream' the depicts him as his rgith hand man... yet the manga has no dream of this sort. (there is a dream that Kuro beings to talk about in volume two, but I have yet to finish chapter 6)

7) Kuro gets turned into a vampire in the anime because he is harmed beyond repair, but in the manga he chooses eternity in order to be with Kuromitsu.

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There are many, many other differences between the two. So many that the manga is a vastly different story than the anime... even more perverse. If you like a perverted take on the Kurozuka story, then read the manga (which has more detail and reveals past events in more detail than the anime- the way Kuromitsu was made into a vampire herself is revealed in more detail earlier on in the manga than the anime which only gives a glimpse of how she became a vampire). If you like a bloody version of Kurozuka that takes more time when it comes to revealing story elements, then watch the anime. If you want both versions, then I'd reccomend watching the anime first then reading the manga. Um... both are different yet they do follow the same premise. I have a feeling that I'll like both, but I'll love the anime.

[Fall 2008 Anime] Kurozuka 1-3

Kurozuka

[Episodes 1-3 Review]

4/5 Hearts

-Introduction-

It's not often that an anime of this magnitude comes around. Usually when one does, I'm very hesitent of the nature the anime will have. The last time I watched an anime that was not only violent, I was somewhat dissapointed (let's not get into that though because I'd be getting into a whole 'nother review... which would take space away from this Kurozuka review). Currently, I'm liking this anime. It has a lot of potential that 90% of the fall 2008 animes lack... or have too little of. In fact, I'd say by looking at the first 3 episodes that Kurozuka just may be in my top 3 list by the time it reaches 5 episodes.

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Credits and Disclaimer(s):
All opinions expressed here are that of their individual owners and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Goggle Blogger nor that of their partners. The above image belongs to Madhouse Studios. I claim no ownership to any images used in my blogs unless stated otherwise, nor do I claim all these opinions as my own; just the ones that have Akia and/or Akia Tomiyo beside them (unless I'm the only one reviewing because then all the opinions are mine unless stated otherwise).

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-Plot Summary-

Kuro, a 12th-century man, flees into the mountains after losing to his brother, where he meets a strange, beautiful woman named Kuromitsu. Kuro falls in love with Kuromitsu but realizes she conceals a dark secret. She is unable to die and continues to live for thousands of years as Japan evolves into a future society. [Anime News Network]

I read this summary of the manga on mangavolume: After escaping from a brother who had just ascended the throne, Yoshitsune, along with his servant, comes across a house in the middle of a desolate mountain. Oddly enough, only a young woman lives there, who seems to possess a very dark and ominous past.

As you can clearly read, the manga version has Kuro's brother as owner of the throne but the anime has his brother as a dead man. Soooo, I wonder how the fans of the manga feel about this? To answer my own question, I've decided to read the manga (which, I've been warned, it's pretty hentai-ish). Once I've read the chapters that the first three episodes are bassed of I plan to post a review comparing the two on my blog. Be on the lookout for that!

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-The Music-

The opening music is a great way to start a series like this off. Unlike most of this seasons opening themes, this one makes no sense even though it's in English. This seems to add to Kurozuka almost as much as the Ef: A Tale of Melodies opening does! The ending theme on the other hand also adds rather than subtracts from the series on account of each episode tends to end on a 'I must watch the next episode' kind of note.

The background music is also really good. I can't say too much about it because I believe you'd have to watch the series to get the full feel for the music.
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-The Visuals-

If you're looking for that typical shonen anime look, you might as well walk away from this anime now because you will not get what you are looking for... in fact, this anime can't be put into any one animation category. I have a few small complaints about the animation style, mostly due to the very lanky legs that look like sticks that can barely hold up a small slab of meat let alone a grown man. Actually, that's my only real complaint and the only reason this anime does not get a full five stars.

[Fall 2008 Anime] Chaos;HEAD 1&2

Chaos;HEAD

[episodes 1 and 2 review]

3.5/5 hearts -Akia Tomiyo

3 & 2/3 out of 5 stars-blazefreak

4/5 stars- Domo

Introduction (from Akia):

Welcome to yet another edition of 'Fall 2008 Anime'! This time around things will be done a little different on account of there are two special reviewers present to give second opinions! The person to my right calls himself blazfreak; he's part of a fansub group called AEN and is also part of Itadakimasu! Studios® (a group of which has a goal to 'enlighten the world of East Media '). To my left you'll see Domo, who I met via his youtube v-logs a year or so ago; he's also part of Itadakimasu! Stuidos®!

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And guess what!? I too am a member of Itadakimasu! Studios®. If you click on this link you'll be redirected to the 'About' section of IS official site. The last time I checked, blazefreak and Domo were listed as promotional agents where as I'm listed as the assistant editor under writting dept. Be sure to check out the other sections of the site, especially 'contact us' if you would like to join the team!

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Credits and Disclaimer(s):

All opinions expressed here are that of their individual owners and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Goggle Blogger nor that of their partners. The above image belongs to Nitorplus, The 6pb, and Madhouse. I claim no ownership to any images used in my blogs unless stated otherwise, nor do I claim all these opinions as my own; just the ones that have Akia and/or Akia Tomiyo beside them (unless I'm the only one reviewing because then all the opinions are mine unless stated otherwise).

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This editon of 'Fall 2008 Anime' would not have been possible without the program Skpe! If you have Skype and would like to add me (Akia Tomiyo) then go ahead -> snuggumsuggums. Skype is a free instant messenger service that allows you to call landlines via your computer for free and mobile lines for a small fee. It also has video chat, games and other nice features. No wonder Itadakimasu! Stuidos® uses it to hold their twice weekly meetings.

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-Intitial Impressions-

Akia: Initially, this anime was one of those I decided to watch solely based on the type of anime it is. By now, most of my readers should know that visual novel based anime tend to be really good (at least in my opinion) but ones that have a horror aspect tend to turn me off... yet the preview for this anime made me want to check it out. Now, I find myself anxious for the new episodes to finally be fansubbed. The anime itself isn't that amazing, but the story seems to be going somewhere and the hikkamori theme always seems to make for a interesting plot!

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Blazefreak: I was bored at first until he [he= Takumi Nishijō the main character of Chaos;HEAD] started chatting to the commander guy and [I] was like, "woah thats trippy!" [I] was [also] confused about his hallucinations about the Naime girl.

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Domo: It's a violent pshychological journey through the hikkikomori thought and how they live day to day and the hallucinations varied inside. Welcome to the NHK is a great parallel.

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-The Music-

Akia: I've said this in my Fate/Stay Night anime review, visual novel based anime always seem to have the best music! The only difference with this anime is that the ending theme has yet to make sense within the first two episodes... I agree with what blazefreak had to say about the ending theme. As far as the english part goes, I'm used to Japanese singers sounding like that when singing in english. When it comes to background music, I find that the music itself really helps to set the moods the pieces need to set. I absolutley love the opening theme!!

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Blazefreak: I'm ok with the opening, but the ending music just doesn't seem to go with the anime. It's like "I was watching Chaos;HEAD and this is the ending theme!?" The beat to it is nice though [the opening and ending themes], but the singer's english is questionable. The background music makes it more of a horror then psychological... and the calm melody parts make it seem more of an eroge.

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Domo: The opening is pretty good and gives a great precursor to the anime itself and what's to come. I like the background music, it gives that horrfic edge to the anime. The ending theme is a bit awkward though.

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-The Visuals-

Akia: The character designs do what they are made to do- get the attention of 'otaku' and 'akiba'; anime fans who love cute (aka 'moe') girls. On that front, I'm not too impressed. I usually love the character designs in this genre of anime... yet this time around I deducted hearts because the character designs make me want to watch something else.... yet the character designs have a crispness not all anime have. Then there's the background art and opening/ ending visuals! Despite my love/hate relationship with the ending theme for Chaos;HEAD, I absolutely love the visuals in the ending video. So far, the art is crisp but on the side of average.

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Blazefreak: The animation is smooth, though I have seen better from Madhouse. The caligraphy has pixels in it (which is quite unnoticeable but still there). Character proportions seem right except the guys hair changes around.

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Domo: I think its fairly well done; but the character designs and animation style is not unique when comparing to other anime released from Madhouse Studios.

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-The Story (so far)-

Akia: When compared to other anime of this type, the story isn't too original. I'm biased due to my love of visual novel bassed anime yet I want to judge this one with all my might! It may be pretty, and the story may be captiviating but parts of the story still make little to no sense (I know it's a mystery and horror anime, so I can't fully judge the story just by two episodes)... making giving this a full 5 hearts impossible. I have to see where the strings will be tied! I'll be watching this one to the end... even if I have to suffer through every bloody moment. Here's to being creep out and fan girling every time the main character is acting stupid.

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Blazefreak: Trippy. The fact that its only 2 episodes so far, there are a lot of things to be explained.

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Domo: [Domo has yet to decide on a 'The Story (so far)' opinion... so untill later this will be left blank]

[Life Post] Sizzling Magnets >:]

I love these magnets (the video is me playing with them which I couldn't stop doing yesterday). My sister originally said I was acting like a kid because I wanted a toy for people ages 5+, but people in high school were brining them to school last year! I'm slightly behind in the times... but when it comes to manga and anime I'm right on track with the Japanese english subtitled releases by fans =D