...what are you watching...

I foresee many, many cosplayers basing themselves on Nana (starring Mika Nakashima)'s PV for Hitoiro. The Glay song grew on me and the PV is pretty cool. Mika Nakashima can't pull off the black-woman-look, but she can definitely be Nana. If you are 100lbs overweight, please do not attempt the Nana-attire in public...it's probably best if you are 20 underweight. (MU ddl for those who pass by here.)

Reira (starring Yuna Ito)'s Truth PV showcases her in long flowing gowns near some German castle ruins. The song sounds like one of Josh Groban's pop tunes. It's quite listenable, but generic. The actors playing her backup band are pretty cute. Music-wise, I think Olivia does a better job creating interesting music for Reira.

...speaking of Josh Groban. His new album, Awake, isn't too thrilling due to his choice in music, but considering it was 50% off I can't complain. It's likable.

How much do I want a HUMONGOUS Suou Tamaki plushie?!



Ouran Koukou Hostub 24! Kyouya was initially the Inui-character (from Tenipuri) of the show with the notebook full of data, but without the pervy juice drink. This episode shows us how Kyouya met Tamaki and how Kyouya progresses from small purple flowers to one giant-ass rainbow flower. All interaction between the two make me ♥ the show more and more. ++

Nana 21! wasn't the review episode..that's 21.5 which I will be skipping. 21 was basically Hachi saying "I shouldn't sleep with the hot rock star because that's bad and makes me a slut, but hey, I'm naked and he's naked." Other than that big revelation, Nana's outfit for the concert was nice.


Also that whole FMA Viz edit where changed a cross-shaped rock to a rounded rock slab irks me. Sure reading shouldn't be controversial at all. A little girl splattered and lopped off body parts is much safer for the reader. I'm surprised they didn't erase Hitler's moustache from the movie since you know FMA is the Pope's favorite manga story.
...and I like the ads for these usa companies which advertise positions for translators, editors, proofreaders, etc who do NOT need prior experience, who will not get paid, and will work long hours.

Tsubasa Chronicle S2 40! is the first and last episode of Kurogane's all-too-predictable background story. I skipped last 2 episodes for fear of tainting my impression of the series as a whole. Bee Train saved up some time and money to make this episode not-so-bad. Like in the first season when they made the Seishirou story look like a real action series. As for Kurogane's background story, his ma and pa were killed by grizzly bears and in a fit of grief and rage, Kuro kills the whole town...or something like that. The slicing of his hand by Tomoyo was cut from the anime. Why? hell if I know. There was also a bout of bad Zorro background music in this episode. Beneath all my cynicism, I did enjoy it...even if that pretty scene with Kurogane and Tomoyo was omitted.



Nana 19! Ren and Nana make up and 'play' around...since babies aren't supposed to show until the last ten episodes or so. It wasn't that hot since naked, these characters look very chopstick thin and awkward. Hachi's thoughts about Yasu were amusing, as was the smoking bit with Shin. This episode covered the last bit of the live-action movie as Hachi meets Takumi for the first time. There was a new ending song, Starless Night, by Olivia insp. Reira. ann.com reports that Olivia will also do the opening from 23 on. I'm not into Olivia's music that much, so I hope Anna returns and does another Nana/Blackstone song. Rumorwise- read that the actress who played Hachi-Nana in the first movie didn't want to do the smut parts in the second, so will not be returning. Sounds like a bad career move on her part considering how popular the first was. Also, everyone wants L'arc~en~Ciel to do the theme song for the 2nd movie. so do I! even if a male-led band has nothing to do with Nana.

Ouran Koukou Host Club 17! is a humorous episode revolving around Kyouya. Tamaki and gang drag a sleeping Kyouya to a commoner's mall. They run off to have fun leaving Kyouya behind without a wallet or cell. I do love that WcDonalds appears all shows. The facial expressions of Kyouya and Haruhi are great in this episode. Haruhi's analysis of Kyouya was interesting. It made me want to see the background stories of how Tamaki met everyone in the club. Fun episode..ya!

Honey and Clover II 5! brings Yamada's weepiness to a sorta end and starts Morita and Kaoru's story. Takemoto's admiration of Mayama was very cute. Another good episode from this series. I've never smelled olive groves before. The health spa looked like odd fun. ++

Welcome to NHK! 3! I skipped episode 2...whoops. It's odd that an anime show about the patheticness of otakus...and/or hikikomori is so well-made...that it'll just attract the thing that it criticizes. Anyway, besides the Roundtable link, this show is also similar to Chobits in terms of character design and visual production...set and other stuff. There's also the "even seemingly pathetic losers deserve love" theme running through the anime. Not sure what this is really about (encouraging viewers to live life or saying it's ok to be like that), but the show is again, well-contructed. Nevertheless, end of the road for me; the comedic moments aren't too successful. The main character obsessing over naked girls gets old. The female character who wants to make 'project' out of him isn't too interesting. Sooooo, no fun...('cept for....haha, use qoogle and mindows xx for porn-search...hhahahaa).

Innocent Venus 1! I did the fastforward version of viewing this new show. Jin and Jo and random comedic kid try to protect Sana from the military. Much of the population of Earth was destroyed by hurricanes. A new system of living was devised where the rich get richer and the poor live in slums. huh. The anime is trying to be serious, action-packed and cute via Sana...code name, Venus. It's a bit dull 'though it might pick up since it is slated for only 12 episodes.

Nana 16! eyeballs and noses are randomly placed on the characters' heads. Ren's relationship to Nana is revealed to Hachi. *snooze*

Nana 12! *spoilers* Shouji cheats on Hachi with someone who is exactly like Hachi...but younger-looking...pervert and lame, he is. Junko had a stylish v-neck shirt with a long jean skirt and cool hat on...I want that outfit.

Nana 10! Shin has a nice voice and he's cute. If only the story skipped all the Sachiko, Shouji, Ren and preggie parts....it'd be like an interesting lesbian version of Gravitation. One of these days I'll stop watching this show...still have no clue why I continue...*meh*

Rose by Anna inspired by NANA (Blackstones)'s PV is out. Anna doesn't look the part as much as Mika Nakashima did..must be the lack of rail-thin limbs, but she does know how to rock. It's not a remarkable song, but enjoyable enough. I hope that they have more music in the anime.

a little pain by Olivia inspired by Reira (Trapnest)'s PV is out, too. I like the goth atmosphere...very pretty. Also, it's an unremarkable song, but hey, that's just my opinion.

Nana 7! Thought about dropping this after reading recent manga chapters and seeing how the first half of this episode was a rehash...again, but the last half of the episode was funny. I still want to see the music parts of the anime (and the fashion parts), so I may be able to hang in there...even though Shouji and Ren are the most retarded boyfriends a girl could ever hope to have. (really hoping that both Nanas will end up together.)

The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi 8! finished off the island story. It wasn't as interesting as last week's episode, but the writers keep throwing little plot candies out..like Koizumi's associates.

mmm...ordered some manga....waiting, waiting.....

xxxHOLiC 5! Watanuki is given a gift which is in turn given to a fox-boy. Food and alcohol are consumed. Clover-birds sing. Maybe this would be better if Yuuko did a bit of narration...like in Mushishi. It's hard to get into a story when all they say is that it's bad to go out during a full moon on Friday the 13th and play the word-game to protect yourself...without any other real moral/explanation. ah well. The fox-boy blushing was cute.



Ouran Koukou Host Club 5! The twins fight. Another enjoyable fluffy episode with a drop of angst and insight. Kaoru and Hikaru are exactly like all the other red-headed twins on the market. Twin-cest is all over those two.

Blood+ 26 & 27! I like Riku. I liked him ever since he tried to feed Haji barbeque at the beach party. That's when I liked Haji even more. Playing the cello at a beach party is quite the thing. I hope vampire Riku doesn't go insane and off himself. Riku and Haji can be the token hot vampire couple. Sure, Riku is only 12-ish...but Armand was around that age. All the show is missing is Lestat. In episode 27 Kai gets some spotlight as he makes friends with the bad guys who aren't really bad. Diva makes a move. cliffhanger...



Nana 5! Nobu and Yassan are pretty decent characters. Oosaki Nana is also interesting when she isn't mooning over Ren...so only 10% of the time, she is likable.

Good Witch of the West Astrea Testament 2! Not quite the type of show I thought it was going to be. Can't really watch Firiel Dee be so dumb anymore. I am fond of Roux..ie Rumplestiltskin. Thought this was going to be a twisted fairytale, but it seems more the traditional type. ah well.

Nana 1! I finally got around to watching...
- Poor Watanuki looks fat next to these characters.
+ Like Paradise Kiss, the production is almost flawless...Madhouse Studios ♥.
+ The opening by Anna Tsuchiya and ending by Olivia are nice rock tunes with great visuals. Anna Tsuchiya played Ichigo in Shimotsuma Monogatari (an entertaining movie similar to Nana).
+++ Romi Paku (who is also in Puripuri and was Edward Elric) and Ishida Akira...need I say more?
+ The cute moments are cute.
- The story.

Quick summary: Two girls with the the same name explore some hot passionate action together...oops, that would make it too interesting. Sweet Nana and Rocker Nana meet and end up living together. Watch how they survive...it's like real life..so they say.
My opinion: There once was a time that I enjoyed soap operas...back when I was like 13. I would have been obsessed with this show. Paradise Kiss was eh..eh. The Nana manga is eeh. The fashion and other visuals are great so I will end up watching. I enjoyed the live-action movie and the anime has definite potential for being more than girls crying about boys and life.