...what are you watching...

House of Five Leaves 12! the end. Such an elegant way of telling a story. Part of Yaichi's past is resolved at the end. The manga seems to have more going on, since it is only now ending this month. Anyway, I only knew the mangaka from the oji-san romance story and some of her yaoi stories, so I wasn't sure if this was true BL. And while I was expecting more action especially from Masa, it turned out to be more of a touching character study. The unique character design and lovely backgrounds also kept me hooked when the story lagged in the middle. ~7/10 rating~ worth sticking out.


Arakawa under the Bridge 13! the end of season 1. The last episode focuses on completely new characters for the first half of the episode, and introduces some new bad guys in the final few seconds. The series wasn't laugh-out-loud funny and didn't have any high drama, but it had some amusing gag humor and sweet touches of romance. Riku and Nino turn out to be a cute pairing and the supporting characters are all likable. The production wavers at times, but I enjoy the background palette. ~7/10 rating~ for this season. I look forward to the next.


Bakemonogatari 15! the end. Tsubasa Cat gets resolved. I'm not sure if all the delays and online broadcast added anything special to the show, but I do hope it gets licensed in the US. The production was excellent, and the story did well in its moe humor and its seriousness. I really liked the stylistic gore and clean, straight background designs. Even though it seemed a little like a typical harem anime, the harem characters were likable in their weird way. NISIOISIN wrote the xxxHolic novel which I wrote a positive review about (but haven't posted). He's quite a verbose author, and it translated well into the anime. I think these novels are probably quite worth reading (should they ever reach state side). ~9/10 rating~ I think this is a rewatchable series for its visuals and story. This is only the 2nd series to tempt me with their $100 moe figures.


...And onto the new season?

Ookami-san to Shichinin no Nakama-tachi 1! this wasn't on my list, but I was bored.

+ Decent production
+ Cute characters
+ Neko-neko knuckles
- but uninspired tsundere main character and typical cast
- and reminds me of a ton of other high school club animes

Quick impression~ Loosely based on various fairytale characters, a group of high school kids belong to the 'Otogi Bank', a club that helps people. Ookami Ryoko is the tough, stubborn main female character. Morino Ryoushi is the timid, newbie male character who has a crush on her. The first episode focuses on Ryoushi's attempts to be helpful and to be accepted into the club. Eh, cute, but not for me. May'n sings the likable jpop opening theme.

House of Five Leaves 9! Masa saves Matsu, and Yagi gets the stolen passes back. Ichi is jealous of Masa's new boyfriend, finds out that Yagi is a police officer. Masa's cute little sister comes to Edo after running away from an arranged marriage. Amusing episode.

Uraboku10! So not only does Shusei get captured, Tsukumo also gets injured and/or captured which says alot about how effective Yuki's lucky charms are. Good to see some action, but I think their mansion needs a makeover. That wallpaper is in every single room!


Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood 61! Found the thumb-sized Selim-baby to be one of the creepiest-looking things in the series. Brilliant episode (seriously gonna miss this series when its done..there better be more omake episodes on the DVDs).

Sad news about Diana Wynne Jones. Just read 'Enchanted Glass' which is very, very charming.

Durarara 21! Heading towards the gang showdown or something, Anri gets into some trouble. You'd think she would use the 'mother' hypnosis at a time like that.

Arakawa under the Bridge 9! Stella meets Maria. Both seem to vie for Sister's attention by being scary women.

House of Five Leaves 8! Another kidnapping. This time Matsu, the resident spy, gets into trouble.

Durarara 20! woe the angst and product placement. Kida learns that Masoumi is the leader of the Dollas.

House of Five Leaves 7! We get some insight into Masa's uke meek personality. This anime teases you with thoughts of samurai action, but beyond the first episode, there hasn't been much full sword activity; just not that kind of anime.

Arakawa under the Bridge 8! Riku's secretary & assistant come to see what he is doing under the bridge. Fasta kissu...funny episode.

House of Five Leaves 6! should've known episode 6 would contain fanservice. There was something going on in this episode, but that last scene..adorable.

Uraboku 6! Yuki arrives at the Giou house and meets the more of the bishie cast plus mascot blob.

Katanagatari 5! They are stretching the definition of 'katana' when the 5th sword is a suit of armor; ultimate defense indeedy. Still, dozing a little in the middle; 40 minutes of dialogue and excess still frames does that to ya.

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood 58! Bradley falls in the moat, gold-toothed scientist wants Mustang to perform alchemy on Hawkeye, Izumi and Ed take on black blob, etc; the usual things.

VAMPS's new single, DEVIL SIDE, actually has more english than engrish. And compared to Hyde's early songs that were 100% english, he's finally gotten away from rhyming every other line. I'm going to blame whoever his translator was back then. I wasn't too fond of last year's album, but I think this upcoming summer album should be good. See their tv performance..though it is lip-synced.

Durarara 18! is about Masaomi and Saki, the girl in the hospital. Izaya seems to be amusing himself with the three kids. It's hard to predict what he wants them to do; unnecessarily fight seems to be the direction they are heading.

House of Five Leaves 5! Despite its attempts at creating deep, mysterious characters, this show is losing me.

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood 57! tension-heightening, blood-gushing episode.

Uraboku 6! Hotsuma and Luka compare swords. Luka draws a huge dragon-like salamander from the sky, while Hotsuma pulls out large cosplay sword from his butt. Good to know whose weapon is bigger. I'm glad Luka called it a 'salamander'...cause yeah, gotta get my final fantasy weapons straight.

Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood 56! It's great that the anime and manga will be ending at the same time (2 months). Thus, nothing will be spoiled and you're still on the finale high when you finish the anime (I'm guessing the manga will be ending first). This episode focused on King Bradley's fight with Greed. I only became curious today, and learned that 'King' was his first name. ha.

Uraboku 5! Luka gets the 'big brother' talk from Takashiro...it involved 'significant' glaring which probably meant, 'no smexing during work hours'. When you look at the cast of seiyuu, it's like the who's who of male vocal talents. I wonder if there's some sort of contest going on between them...like who can say these cheesy lines without eye-rolling or cracking up. (ok, i guess these guys are used to it, but you've got to admit that the show is a ham).

It's a bit interesting to find out that Hotaru Odagiri already wrote a one-shot story about a male who was formerly a female in a past life, and who was in love with a demon with silver eyes. Gin no Kaze Tooi Toke was the title of that.

House of Five Leaves 4! Speaking of smex, this might be some sort of slow-torture yaoi love story. Or a serious character study. Yaichi's not giving much in terms of Masa's inquiries.

Durarara 17! It's clever how the three groups were set up without you knowing until the very moment it became obvious. Maybe it might've been clearer in episode one without Celty's story, but hey, enjoying the conflict now.

I was hoping that there was a yelp-like page for Japan and found Sunnypages for Tokyo. Good for finding reviews and address. :)

Still on the quest to find an entertaining asian drama...

Shinzanmono 1! jdrama with Abe Hiroshi. He plays Kaga Koichirou, a detective recently transferred to a new town, trying to solve the case of a murdered woman. The first episode focuses on the elimination of suspicion from the most obvious suspect. This is a low suspense, mildly comical drama. Part of Kaga's personality is that as a newbie in town, he likes to learn about the town's specialties and people. The first episode makes you want to snack as he tries to sample taiyaki and senbei from stores that keep selling out. It's probably some sort of smart marketing ploy that jdramas and kdramas feature their characters eating so often in their shows.


House of Five Leaves 3! Masa unknowingly helps out with the next kidnapping. The characters are interesting, but Masa needs to get a clue or a slap upside the head.

Durarara 16! Now, I'm waiting for Mikado to show us his hidden side. I'm glad the characters on the show also (sort of)support Shizuo x Izaya. Gotta love the insane, but essentially good-at-heart characters.

Distracting myself is easy to do...
Top youtube videos from Japan - compiled by Oricon. So yes, kitties are in a few.

Arakawa under the Bridge 3! Hoshi takes Riku to confessional with Sister which leads Riku to ask Nino out on their first date. Good laughs out of this episode.

Yojō-Han Shinwa Taikei/Tatami Galaxy 1! uses the artistic style of Yusuke Nakamura to tell the tale of a college dropout.

+ Interesting Madhouse production and art style
- Haven't I seen this story before?
+ Maaya Sakamoto
- Where's Hiroshi Kamiya?

Quick impression~Yusuke Nakamura is somewhat known for illustrating the covers to Asian Kung-fu Generation's albums. AKG does the opening theme song. There must be another tie to Arakawa under the Bridge outside of the loser-like male character finding love plot....and it is Maaya Sakamoto! I almost thought Hiroshi Kamiya was in here, too, but the main male character is voiced by someone I don't know that sounds eerily similar. As for the story, a nameless main character has a crush, and a Popeye-looking matchmaker and demonic-looking friend try to help. It's another dialogue-heavy, novel-based story where the main character over-analyzes his life. I'll attempt to watch another episode, but it is honestly similar to Arakawa without the same light-hearted humor.

Nodame Cantabile: Finale 0! the DVD extra episode is about Kiyora and Mine's visit. Nodame's imitation of Chiaki was funny.

Durarara 15! Narrated by a freelance writer who is trying to write an article about the strongest person in the area, Shizuo, and then...uh oh, red eyes. I'm a fan of Shizuo and Celty.

House of Five Leaves 2! Masa's meek personality draws him into Yaichi's gang more and more. The lax pace is offset by some nice music.

Sarai-ya Goyou/House of Five Leaves 1! The character design makes this interesting to watch. Big, round, alien eyes....

+ Interesting style
+ Good production
- Slow start to the story
+ Likable op/ed

Quick impression~ A strong ronin with a cowardly personality joins a group of seemingly good-doer-type kidnappers, Five Leaves. This would probably make a decent live-action drama with the right actors. My first impression is that it is a laid-back show with a unique look. Not totally sold on the story yet, but it has potential.

Arakawa under the Bridge 2! We meet the cross-dressing nun. I do enjoy the nonsensical humor here.

K'ON S2 2! The gang clean up, sell an old guitar and lie to their teacher. There are too many creative shows this season to continue with the moe.