These past two or so weeks I've been lucky enough to be able to increase my manga collection by a significant amount. Here is the list:
Alice in the Country of Hearts 1
Bokurano Ours 1
Butterflies, Flowers 1
Crown of Love 1
Deadman Wonderland 1
Dogs 1 & 2
Kimi ni Todoke 3
Me & My Brothers 1 & 2
Millennium Snow 2
Otomen 5
Phantom Dream 1-5 (complete series)
Princess Ai and the Prism of Midnight Dawn 2
RE:play 3 (complete series)
We Were There 1-3
I've read most of these, so here is some commentary:
Alice in the Country of Hearts~ I'm impressed with this take on Alice in Wonderland, which there seems to be a current boom of adaptations out there. I liked how each version of the Alice characters were made bishounen style and Alice herself is not the girly girl from the version most people know (the Disney one). I can't wait for volume 2.
Butterflies, Flowers~ I've more recently gotten into the josei [def] side of manga, which is like realistic shojo that also usually ends up getting into smut XD (btw, a really good josei is Desire Climax) and this is a good example of josei. It's the first one I've bought and the story wasn't half bad. It was like a mix of Midnight Secretary and Desire Climax.
Crown of Love~ It seems the creator of Loveless can draw a manga that's not boys love, and that I approve of! I'm not a boys love fan, so when an artist who I like the style of who is an artist that is famous for boys love draws a normal shojo I'm of course gonna give that series a try ^_^ and this one is pretty ok considering it seems a lot like Skip Beat.
Deadman Wonderland~ AH HA, I read this one while at the hospital the other day and it was epic! This manga brought back my faith in Tokyopop because lately the quality of their manga was slacking when it came to paper quality but Tokyopop did really good with this one and I felt like I got what I paid for.
DOGs~ I started reading this series before but for some reason I ended up stopping. Later on I ended up watching the ova and fell in love with the story so when I found out Viz was going to release the manga I told myself I had to have it. And I love the style this artist has.
Millennium Snow~ It's like Twilight in the eyes of the manga-ka behind Orian High School Host Club.... 'cause it's by the same manga-ka! LOL. Apparently the second volume isn't the last but the series hasn't been completed >.>
Otomen~ I adore this manga-ka's style so darn much that when more from the artist comes out (I already have all of Blank Slate) that I'm buying it like I can't live without it! I really reccomend this series for shojo lovers and it is hilarious! I think every single manga fan should read this one.
Princess Ai PoMD~ Meh... the story got really interesting at the end but the magic of the first Ai series seems to have been lost in this one. The manga-ka seems to have gotten lazy with the way the art is at some points.
RE:play~ T__T I don't know why I was such a huge fan of this series when I first read volumes 1 and 2 because volume 3 made me realize how the series just did not flow well and the art style was like a hybrid mix of Bleach and DOGs.... which looked like a rip rather than a unique version. Oh, and the art was some what good in the first volume and got increasingly lazy looking towards the end.
![reader//watcher [girl]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZDuQE5Bhm5g2joiyXPa0gAiL6oAAbqxcf51zQHiRF6uqJgr1CGogQH6Tz0clL53DF7LO0v3B55PtKjTIV33Q92_yErexLweFKVwc2_EZZQsP4dR7IU7LRyUAmP35JdD9zapHX4X0mPaz/s300/ribbonlogo.png)
2/17/10
[Anime of the Week] (2/14-20/2010) Adaptations of American stuffz
I've been really impressed these past few years with how Japan has adapted several American concepts (most of which are comics and recently video games) into anime and manga. Since this is my anime of the week feature on Adaptations of American stuffz I will only be focusing on the anime side... and no, not every American anime adaption will be mentioned here! Just the ones I know about and have seen or have seen the original American version >=D
Quite possibly the most famous would have to be the Animatrix! The Animatrix is one I still have yet to see and this is pretty pathetic considering how much of a Matrix fan I am (I've played several of the games and own all the movies thanks to my dad). The Animatrix is comprised of 9 episodes on one dvd; it was released back in 2003.
Batman Gotham Knight
This is possibly a favorite of mine, and I own the DVD because of how much I wanted to see it. Ha ha. And a really epic cool thing about this DVD is the guy who did the voice for the original Batman is the voice for Batman in this anime! WIN *thumbs up*
# of Episodes: 6
Rating: Teen
Released: 2008
Synopsis: From the producers of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight comes an original animated movie chronicling the establishment and progression of Bruce Wayne into Gotham City's legendary caped crusader through 6 standalone episodes: "Have I Got a Story for You" (the mythos of Batman from the minds of children), "Crossfire" (the initial distrust and the eventual gaining of it from the perspective of the police), "Field Test" (the compassion of Batman, even towards his enemies), "In Darkness Dwells" (tracking down Killer Croc and The Scarecrow to foil his plot of resurgence amongst the villainous of Gotham), "Working Through Pain" (a look back at Bruce's training to manage both the physical and psychological pains he would later endure as Batman), and "Deadshot" (a race against the clock to protect Lt. Gordon from a highly-renowned assassin).
Witchblade
I watched the entire anime series, but wasn't too impressed. The plot was ok and the characters were below average. Frankly, this one failed.
# of Episodes: 24
Rating: Mature
Synopsis: In 22nd-Century Japan, Masane Amaha, one of the surviving catastrophe that destroyed Tokyo becomes the latest in an ancient line of women-only warriors to wield the mysterious sentient weapon known only throughout history as "the Witchblade". Protecting her little girl, she will face her worst fear ....
Quite possibly the most famous would have to be the Animatrix! The Animatrix is one I still have yet to see and this is pretty pathetic considering how much of a Matrix fan I am (I've played several of the games and own all the movies thanks to my dad). The Animatrix is comprised of 9 episodes on one dvd; it was released back in 2003.
Batman Gotham Knight
This is possibly a favorite of mine, and I own the DVD because of how much I wanted to see it. Ha ha. And a really epic cool thing about this DVD is the guy who did the voice for the original Batman is the voice for Batman in this anime! WIN *thumbs up*
# of Episodes: 6
Rating: Teen
Released: 2008
Synopsis: From the producers of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight comes an original animated movie chronicling the establishment and progression of Bruce Wayne into Gotham City's legendary caped crusader through 6 standalone episodes: "Have I Got a Story for You" (the mythos of Batman from the minds of children), "Crossfire" (the initial distrust and the eventual gaining of it from the perspective of the police), "Field Test" (the compassion of Batman, even towards his enemies), "In Darkness Dwells" (tracking down Killer Croc and The Scarecrow to foil his plot of resurgence amongst the villainous of Gotham), "Working Through Pain" (a look back at Bruce's training to manage both the physical and psychological pains he would later endure as Batman), and "Deadshot" (a race against the clock to protect Lt. Gordon from a highly-renowned assassin).
Witchblade
I watched the entire anime series, but wasn't too impressed. The plot was ok and the characters were below average. Frankly, this one failed.
# of Episodes: 24
Rating: Mature
Synopsis: In 22nd-Century Japan, Masane Amaha, one of the surviving catastrophe that destroyed Tokyo becomes the latest in an ancient line of women-only warriors to wield the mysterious sentient weapon known only throughout history as "the Witchblade". Protecting her little girl, she will face her worst fear ....
More recently Halo Legends was released, but I have yet to see it. Some other adaptations that are either coming out or are out already are Planet Hulk, an X-men anime, Blade, Wolverine and Iron Man.
2/10/10
[Anime of the Week](2/7-13/2010) Baka to Test to Shokanju
# of Episodes: 13Rating: Teen
Synopsis: Advanced placement into a school of higher grade proof-reading is determined by the results of the Promotion Test strictly for class type. Ranging from A class with the best facilities anyone can offer all the way down to F Class which is composed of low dining tables, rotten tatami mats and other worn out facilities. Students can change classes by competing using the Examination Summons Battle system or ESB. Students summon characters with their equivalent test mark scores and use them to compete with other classes.
1/28/10
[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.
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: 12Rating: 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 ovaRating: 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.
1/20/10
[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*
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*
1/4/10
[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:
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".
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".
12/26/09
[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.
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.
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