Memorial Day Weekend Eye-Popping Extravaganza

What did I do over the long weekend, you ask? (No? I'll share it anyway.)

I devoured eight 1-hour episodes of the first season of Lost. After several seasons of hearing mostly good things about the show, I have decided to see what the fuss is all about. My verdict: Good. Not great, but good. My main issue is the acting, but it was the first couple of episodes into the first season, so I'm sure the actors have gotten better as the season/series progressed. Story-wise, they sure know how to reel viewers in (a polar bear? in a tropical island? WTF? Are you there Dr. Moreau?). Oh yeah, and Boone is a hot pretty boy, but I think he's going to die, or is he??? (du-du-dunnnn)

So, after eight straight grueling hours (for my eyes, not me per se), I decided to take a break from Lost... and started watching anime (i know, poor eyes).

I borrowed several DVD's from the SSF Library before the long weekend and I grabbed one anime series entitled, "Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge" or "The Wallflower" (I am not entirely sure what the Japanese title translates to, there seemed to be more to it than just being a wallflower). The DVD were episodes 1-5, which I've finished prior to the eye-popping extravaganza, so to break-off from mood that was set by serialized/scripted Survivor-slash-Fantasy Island aka Lost, I finished the remaining twenty 30-min episodes in The Wallflower series. My verdict: OK. Not bad, not exceptional, OK-good. I think I've mentioned it before, but when I watch an anime, I place a lot of weight on the graphics, ink work done on it. This series has so-so graphics. I have several other issues, but I think I will post a separate review to elaborate further.

That pretty much is my long weekend. It's pretty lame, and by lame I mean awesome.

Gyabo!!!

"Gyabo" is just one of my two new favorite words, the other being "mukya". I don't exactly know what the hell they mean, still they're fun to say. Of course, these words I picked up from watching my new favorite J-dorama, "Nodame Cantabile". As an avid viewer I should know which came first, the anime or the live-action series... but at the same time, as an avid viewer, I could care less since I enjoyed both versions very much.

I finished watching the live action series, plus the two-episode special this weekend. My verdict: LOVED IT! Can't get enough of it! I heart Nodame and Chiaki Senpai! Mukya!!! (sorry, had to throw that in there). The series was so funny, very cartoony, and the music was great. It just made me want to start learning Japanese again (I already have one and a half classes under my belt)... and playing the piano... or not (on the latter).

This show is HIGHLY recommended... to girls 12-17, otaku's, or single ladies who still get a kick out of a good rom-com [like me].

Honey and Clover

It has been a while since I last posted. I have been busy in my spare time traversing* the internets watching my "Honey and Clover". Yes, it is an anime, a [sigh] beautiful anime. Its setting is an art school in Tokyo... the opening credits are very creative and fun, and it weren't only the illustrations that were attractive and well-drawn, the characters and the story affected me the same way. So what if it follows the young-adult drama formula of: close friends+love triangles+struggles in life, it is still WAY better than any Dawson's Creek or One Tree Hill** or Saved By the Bell (oh wait, not that).

Anyway, I'd like to thank for anime-addicted sis for the heads-up on this show, she knows me too well.

*They use this word a lot in the English-subbed versions.

** I have never seen this show. I know a young adult-type melodrama... I just can't come up with this type shows that I actually watched... oh wait, Felicity... but I liked Felicity.

Oh Sappy Day!

The last couple of days were just a myriad events. So many things to talk about: there's my family, burying another beloved family member; a day in the city, concluded with a nice lunch at the Ferry Building; the extra day we had this month (February 29th!); new Bleach episodes, etc. Also, there's the Super Tuesday Jr. happening today which is touted as the make or break deal for Hillary. I mean, I could talk about politics, but it isn't my strong suit (do I have one?) so I won't even bother. I could talk about how much crab legs I had last Saturday, but I called-in sick to work that day, and me having the time of my life gorging myself with sweet, succulent crab meat won't be interpreted as being sick at all (for the record, I was already recovering when said crab-fest commenced). I could talk about my new crush, this cute guy in class --- and how I won't be surprised to find out that he's actually gay (it won't be the first time). But in the end, I decided to pay special tribute to Solomon, who was killed off in last Saturday's episode of Blood+. I was devastated to say the least. I shed no tears, which came as a surprise to my sister, because she knows how I can be overly emotional. Call me sappy (and I am), but my heart broke for Solomon. [Sob]

I was going to do a an elaborate recap which will include screen caps, but that would be too much work (I won't work THAT hard, even for Solomon). Anyway, I'll miss Solomon. I know Saya liked him too, and I wish they showed him dying in her arms or something --- now that's sappy.

Ed's note: I just realized, I'm writing about a freaking anime. Yup, I'm a loser, I'm sure you've picked up on that. Also, my tribute to Solomon is by no means disrespecting the recent passing my grand-uncle, I merely want to lighten things up a bit. No one wants to hear another lamentation.

Super Anime Saturday!

I haven't been watching as much animes as I used to. Well, to start with, my sister watches more anime than I do. I am very particular with the anime I watch: the drawing should be cute, good story line, with of course, the blushingly adorable love story. Yes, I watch that kind of anime. I mean, I don't mind Ghost in the Shell, I actually like it, but I LOVE the ones that are lighthearted... and cute... with the cute guy characters. :P

Anyway, I did mention that I was kind of out of touch with the latest anime releases out there, but three weeks ago, I stumbled upon The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya DVD on my weekly rummaging of DVD's to borrow at the library (it's free and you keep it for a week!). I watched it with my sister and we LOVED it. It's so kooky and weird and cute. The DVD, unfortunately, was only Vol. 1, I searched the library collection if they have the rest but they didn't... and because I am a resourceful anime fan, I signed up for Netflix' 2-week free trial period so I can watch the rest of the volumes. My sister and I had a marathon last weekend, and Suzumiya and crew did not disappoint. We want more!!! (Unfortunately, there is no vol. 5 yet)




Anyway, on to tomorrow night's back to back anime extravaganza.

WOW. Can Death Note be anymore intense? I don't really know how to root for since I am constantly looking forward on who's going to make the next move. It's like a master's chess game. Last week was such an amazing episode, esp. the phone scenes. L is so awesome, Light is so evil. We'll see tomorrow.





How about Blood Plus? I loved that Saya did not reject Solomon outright, how she said that there isn't really time for dreaming about la-la land or what-not, something to that effect. I suggest that Saya should just get it on with Solomon so she could be pregnant like Diva is with Rikuu's babies. That will be awesome, but I don't think they'll do that because they don't want Haji's character relegated to the side of the Solomon and Saya show. Don't get me wrong, I love Haji, but Solomon's just... um, how do I say this... hotter?




Now, if I could just learn the Haruhi dance.