[Anime Review] The Cat Returns (Neko no Ongaeshi)

The Cat Returns (Neko no Ongaeshi)

"Alice in Wonderland Ghibli style"-bezoe

Haru-chan, a normal girl in a normal town, saves a strange cat carrying a present from being overrun by a truck. In return she's going to receive lots of favors, including marriage to the crown prince of Cat Kingdom. As she finds that a bit too much, she gets into contact with the Cat Business Office. Together with CBO's owner, the Baron, she enters the Cat Kingdom to try and prevent her marriage. (animenewsnetwork.com)

The Cat Returns have a really simple plot and revolving around a life of Haru-chan. Basically the summary above is the whole story about. But that doesn't mean this anime bad, on a contrary, its very good!.

Story line was very easy to follow, plus the humors around the scene was very entertaining. Somehow it reminds me of Alice in Wonderland. Character design and animation was very good and funny too, especially the big fat cat~~ hm~~ thinking about finding the plush~~Another very interesting character was the Baron, his a cool looking cat who served to help people er... cats also.

A very cute and funny anime from Ghibli and I recommend you guys to watch it

Overall Rating : A-

[Anime Review] Tales From Earthsea (Gedo Senki)

Tales From Earthsea (Gedo Senki)

"A very ambitious movie by Goro Miyazaki"-bezoe

Something bizarre has come over the land. The kingdom is deteriorating. People are beginning to act strange... What's even more strange is that people are beginning to see dragons, which shouldn't enter the world of humans. Due to all these bizarre events, Ged, a wandering wizard, is investigating the cause. During his journey, he meets Prince Arren, a young distraught teenage boy. While Arren may look like a shy young teen, he has a severe dark side, which grants him strength, hatred, ruthlessness and has no mercy, especially when it comes to protecting Teru. For the witch Kumo this is a perfect opportunity. She can use the boy's "fears" against the very one who would help him, Ged. (Animenewsnetwork.com)

This is a first movie by Goro Miyazaki, who is a son from Hayao Miyazaki. I must say this is a very ambitious movie and he achieved it pretty good actually.

First thing I noticed was the background painting, it was gorgeous! But unfortunately I will say the animation was not that fluent, its didn't feel like a movie quality rather than an anime series quality. Character design was really Ghibli style I must say, and I love it.
BGM was awesome btw, some of the scene actually feels very dramatic with the BGM. And the ending music, It was calming yet enjoyable.

There is one important thing actually that I don't like in this movie, that thing is the storyline. The story it self should be really interesting, however the way that Goro did the movie fail to express the story into its fullness.Since I feel that Tales From Earthsea should be an anime that fall into a "bit" serious type (not as intense as Graves of Flies, but at least maybe like Mononoke~). And unfortunately I don't feel the intensity in the movie. Plus the ending I felt it pretty weak.

But as a directorial debut, Goro's Tales From Earthsea has setting a pretty high standard for his anime style. I'm looking foward to see his next project.

Overall Rating: B++

[Music of the Week] KOTOKO - 冬の雫 White Summer Style

Music of the Week
KOTOKO - 冬の雫 White Summer Style

I cheated =p It's not even a week and I've already posted a new music, well at least its the beginning of a new week.
And this week music comes from Kotoko (again =D), I've been listening this song for almost everyday in my car on my way to school~. So yes I'm addicted to the song right now

Song uploaded by me

Enjoy

[H-Game] Snow Sakura

Snow Sakura

The story is about Yuuji Tachibana who is left by his parents to his cousin. Transferring from tokyo to Hokkaido, life for him is hard there because it is hell cold. The story is about a flower that blooms in the middle of the winter. If a boy and girl proposes love for each other under the tree, then the love will be successful.

From the 3 H-game ( I post so far ), this one I like less I guess. I think its because the story is not deep enough (maybe I need to choose other character). But I like the path that I choose though (Saki) which a type of anime girl that I Like. Humor in this game was pretty good, some of the scene are pretty wacky. Graphic wise this game is good.

If you like to collect H-Game, then this one should be good enough, but if you looking for a best H-game around, then I suggest search other game =)

[H-Game] I'm Gonna Serve You 4

I'm Gonna Serve You 4

Here is the story you as the character start off... You are an ordinary university student who lives in your uncle house who own a restaurant. One day when you walk back from university to home you got into an accident. The accident almost cost your life but fortunately you be able to recover.. (sort of).
When you get back to the uncle house/restaurant, you realize theres 4 girls there (who all work as a waitress at your uncle's place). And you need to pick one to be your wife...

The story path that I choose is Leo, which also I think the most interetesting one (I've read some other comments from people who also play this game). And lucky me, it actually pretty interesting, not only the truth about Leo was shocking, but the way the character personality also very different from other girls. That's why I still remember this game even though its like 3 months ago I've played this game.

Only one path so far that I've played which is Leo.

Graphic wise not the best around (It looks old style), story was light but pretty interesting, and The difficulty (of getting perfect ending) not that hard.

Overall, this is one of the game that you might want to put on the wish list to play it because its pretty good. (Damn its hard to find a non provocative cover)

[H-Game] Yume Miru Kusuri : A Drug That Makes You Dream

Yume Miru Kusuri : A Drug That Makes You Dream

A Drug that makes you dream is one of the best H-game I ever play in the past 2 months. I tried some other game but this one have a scenario that is pretty touchy compare to other that I played. And also feels real the scenario that the character into.
It might even be a true event somewhere (not the H part.. but the story part).
I've only finished 1 scenario so far and I think is one of the most interesting scenario from all (maybe~, I'm just guessing here =p)

A story path that my character in was about helping a girl who've got bullied at school all the time. I try not to spoil anything here and this post is merely a review, it's more like an info.
I can't give the score for any H-Game that I play because I never finish all of the storyline, usually only one or two path.

But A Drug That Makes You Dream is a definitely made into my recommend H-Game List.

[Music of the Week] Kotoko - Wing My Way

Music of the Week - July 2008
Kotoko - Wing My Way

For the past week, I've been searching for all Kotoko songs and this one paticular song really catch my attention. Unfortunately I can't find the Vclip, only some compilation of anime puts together (You can search on youtube "Kotoko - Wing my Way" and this video will pop up) credits to ElfenLiedFanLucyNana as the original upload

Enjoy

Dango and Daifuku

Finally! for the 1st time I will try Dango and Daifuku that I just bough last night at Ranch99

There's a reason that made me buy this pretty expensive japanese sweet treats (Daifuku around $1.9 and 3 Dangos for $3.5) I don't remember the exact price but I consider pretty expensive.

Want to know the reason =D?
If you read my Anime review Clannad, then you know that I love that Dango songs so much, thats the basically the reason I bough Dango. I know theres like a bunch of type of Dangos out there, and the one that I be able to get it was "Kushi Dango Shoyu" and I really hope its good~~

And the reason I bough Daifuku was... anyone can guess? its also from anime =) . Its from anime Da Capo basically, if you watch the anime or read the review, then you know that the main character, Jun'ichi Asakura have an ability to create Wagashi (read more about wagashi at wiki). And Daifuku is one of the Wagashi type (correct me if im wrong). I bough 2 types of Daifukus, The one that I will eat it now is "Daifuku Mochi Kusa" and the other one on the fridge I forgot the name, but its a pink color.

Here is the pictures of Kushi Dango Shoyu

Daifuku Mochi Kusa




I will post the result of the taste in 1/2 hours I suppose

UPDATE

I just tried the "Kushi Dango Shoyu"
The result... I like it!

the texture was very chewy the sweetness just right (not super sweet), the flavor.. taste a bit like... hm... hard to describe.. But this means bad news for me.. now I have a new sweets to buy T_T.... Damn my sweet tooth

Next is the Daifuku......

Just ate the Daifuku, Yummy, its a red bean paste inside with a green tea flavor outside. Its not as sweet as Dango, but taste really good.

Overall I love both! (Oh no! T_T )

But for daily eat, probably I will go with Daifuku and for occasional I will get the Dango. Probably because dango is little messier to eat (I have a tendency to prefer a food that is easy to eat and not creating mess after eating it).

So thats how it goes.
Hm... I still got 2 sticks of dangos left... should I eat all of it or.....

Another UPDATE

Just ate the Daifuku Mochi Aka (Pink one)
It taste almost same with the green one but for some reason, I think this one a bit more sweet (is it only my imagination?) No strawberry flavor thoo (Pink means strawberry in my imagination) haha. I can't decide which one is better Aka or Kusa, but both are good. Here is the picture of
Daifuku Mochi Aka

[Most Memorable Anime Characters so far...]

MMAC

Its more than 30 anime that I've reviewed so far for the past 3 months, and now I think is a good time to make a special post for "Most Memorable Anime Characters" up until now.

Definition for the MMAC (Most Memorable Anime Characters) : an anime characters that I will be remember for a long period time (ex: Doraemon)

*Drum roll* let the list begin!

MMAC (for now, there will be no rank)

- Suiseiseki (Rozen Maiden) : This one without a doubt have already contaminate my brain (the "desu magic" =P)


- Saber (Fate/Stay Night) : Really enjoy seeing her :3


- Konata Izumi (Lucky Star) : Heroine of Otaku


- Mai Kawasumi (Kanon) : Badass


- Primula (Shuffle!) : Ultra Adorable


- Moka Akashiya (Rosario+Vampire) : Kapuchuuuuu


- Yuki Nagato (The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi) : unexplainable attractiveness


- Sakura Yoshino (Da Capo & Da Capo II) : Loli forever


- Kotori Shirakawa (Da Capo) : the way she say "Chiwasu", yes I will always remember that :3


Tomoyo Sakagami (Clannad) : KICK ASS!!

[Anime Review] Kannazuki No Miko

Kannazuki No Miko

"Gundam-like with Yuri? interesting" -bezoe

The highborn Himemiya Chikane is cool and aloof, the perfect young lady of good breeding. Kurusegawa Himeko is devoted to her, and secretly her friend. Their lives are undisturbed in their school, until an ancient evil suddenly rears its head. To combat it, Chikane and Himeko must take on the roles of shrine maidens of the Moon and Sun.

Good things this Yuri type anime did not scare me away like the last one, probably that is the 1st things that comes to my mind after I finished the series. The storyline was really interesting at least in my opinion, but I felt theres couple of plot holes in the story at the beginning of the series, plus there's lack of characters backgrounds, most of the enemies background only got like 1 flashback for the entire series. But fortunately, I like the Yuri love story on this one, its like we can really feel the character feelings.

Action scene was pretty plain and generic, the battle and also the mechas/robots design was just ok. Think about it sort of like Gundam and add a bit of magical elements. The animation was pretty choppy both for the battle scene and also the standard scene.

Character was an OK design, not so great but not bad either. Its a type of characters that probably I will forget in a month because of the lack info regarding the characters background. But I must admit its pretty tho...

OP and especially ED ost was very addicting. I love most of Kotoko anime ost songs (after listening to the OP & ED, I try to find who's the singer and I just realized that most of my favorite anime ost was by Kotoko)

Bottom line, I like the anime and I will recommend for Yuri lover, but for Mecha lover, don't expect too much, just enjoy the story :)

Overall Ratings: A--
Favorite Characters

#1. Chikane Himemiya (Very Noble)

#2. Corona (I wish we get more background about her)

[Anime Review] Fate/Stay Night

Fate/Stay Night

"Awesome, I wish its longer tho..." -bezoe

Shirou Emiya lost his parents in a fire when he was young and was later adopted by a sorceror by the name of Kiritsugu Emiya. Although he was full of admiration for his adopted father and yearns to become an ally of justice, Shirou has limited powers and was unable to become a strong sorceror like his father. That is until one fateful day, he was drawn into the Holy Grail War and had to summon a female "Servant" known as Saber in order to protect himself. It turns out that the Holy Grail War involves a series of battles among powerful sorcerors to fight for the possession of a relic that will grant one's wishes, the Holy Grail. There are altogether seven "Masters" who can summon their respective "Servants" from different classes known as Saber, Archer, Rider, Berserker, Lancer, Caster and Assasin. These "Servants" have to hide their names in order not to reveal their weaknesses to the enemies. The story revolves around Shirou and his entanglement in the Holy Grail War.

First word, Wow! I totally into these anime from the start. It really sucked me in into the story and the action. The story line was very interesting, and I really love how they made this anime into a really enjoyable one to keep watching. I just wish the anime is longer tho.

The Character was pretty original in my opinion, as well as their characteristics. The action was superb, a lot of fast pace action that can makes you hold your breath. The Animation was great, especially the cloth and hair animation. Overall graphic was great but not the best in my opinion.

OP & ED ost (including the last ep ED) was very good, I love it. Oh I need to mention also that I love the fighting grunt(scream?) of Saber, it felt very game quality.

This is one of the anime that you should not miss. I totally recommended it, especially if you an action anime fans, if you not, you still probably going to love it I guess, since its good in most of the anime aspect. Straight into my favorite anime.

note : *Tiny spoiler* The ending made me cry :(

Overall Rating: A

Favorite Characters:
#1. Saber (instant favorite)

#2. Rin Tosaka (a very close to become number one actually)

#3. Illyasviel von Einzbern (omg the name..jk - kawai :3 )


Special Recognition
#1. Archer (wish I had a servant like him, wise and noble)

#2. Assassin (honorable fighter)

[Anime Review] Kanokon

Kanokon

"Feels too much of ecchi, but good things the story gets better on the 2nd half" -bezoe

Kanokon's story revolves around Kouta Oyamada, a young first-year high school student who moves from the country to the city and thus transfers to Kunpo High School. On his first day at his new school, a beautiful second-year female student named Chizuru Minamoto asks him to meet her alone in the music room. When he arrives, she reveals her that she is in fact a fox deity and from that day on the two hang out together. Nozomu is a first year female student at Kouta's school, she is in fact a wolf deity and in love with Kouta, and a rival of Chizuru for Kouta's affections.

First word... Very Ecchi (if you don't know the meaning of ecchi, then go look at wiki). From the first episode till last one, the ecchiness level never go down even a bit, which is good and bad actually. The good is, I love ecchi stuff, the bad is, too much ecchi actually becomes a distraction for the main plot. And thats what basically happened on the 1st half of the anime.
First 6 episodes I almost though this anime will be around C rating, but after episode 7, it actually gets alot better and continue to be a fun anime to watch until end.
Overall for story wise, its very simple but has a lot of entertaining moment.

The animation level was pretty good but not the best around, the character design a bit generic, but still got some strong personality. Overall for the graphic was ok. Side note: I hate the main guy character thoo.

Action scene was ok but not better than Inukami - thats the 1st thing that popped up in my mind.

OP and ED ost pretty good.

If you a type of person who really care about the story line and don't like ecchi stuff too much, then you can pass on this anime, however, if you like ecchi and can bear to stand 6 episodes of nothingness beside ecchi ( ep 1-6 storyline pretty weak in my opinion ), then I recommend you to watch it.

Overall Rating: B++
Favorite Characters:
#1. Nozomu Ezomori (cool girl always gets the 1st spot =D )

#2. Ren & Ai Nanao (Wish I can adopt them)

#3. Yukihana










#4. Tamamo (hot momma)











#5. Chizuru Minamoto (you can't ignore the boing-boing)

[Anime Review] Lucky Star

Lucky Star

"entertaining in every aspects" -bezoe

Portrays the lives of several school girls attending a Japanese high school with a very loose humor tone. The main heroine is Konata Izumi, an athletic and intelligent girl who, despite these attributes, is not in a sports club, and her grades remain low. Her laziness at school is due to her love for anime and video games, and she is not interested in much else.

Finally after a pretty *cough* boring *cough* anime that I watched before this one, Lucky star were very entertaining in every aspects. Even though the storyline very light, but the way that they presented it made everything "A" quality humours. Every jokes were hilarious, every scene (even its only like a 10 seconds random scene) were made on purpose. And most of all, I love how they use a lot of other anime/manga references and intergrating into the jokes.

Animation wise was ok, not the best I ever seen, but I don't really care in this case, cause I enjoy watching it without ever thinking about the animation part (which is good btw, if the story sucked you in then you won't even remember to pay attention into the technical parts)
Character wise was splendid, especially for the main girl (Konata), her characteristic was unseen before~.

Bottomline, This is a must seen anime BUT, I recommend you to watch a bunch of other anime in order to get some of the joke in this anime. Yes this one going straight to my favorite anime list.

Overall Rating: A

Favorite Characters:
#1. Minami Iwasaki (beyond coolness)

#2. Kagami Hiiragi

#3. Yutaka Kobayakawa

#4. Nanako Kuroi (I can't imagined if I had a teacher like her :3 )


SPECIAL RANK!
Konata Izumi (Without u theres no Lucky Star ^_^) (plus I love her personality - feels like somehow related to me muahaha)

[Anime Review] Strawberry Panic!

Strawberry Panic!

"Let just say, I don't like the themes" -bezoe

Aoi Nagisa transfers to a new Catholic girls only school and discovers a community of fellow students entwined in an intricate heirarchy, at the top of which sits the all important Etoile. In order to fit in, Nagisa must go to class, join clubs, and make new friends. Meanwhile, Shizuna Hanazono, the Etoile of the school, finds herself drawn to this new, exciting transfer student. As Shizuna and Nagisa get to know eachother, Shizuna finally decides it is time to face her troubled past.

Nagisa Aoi is a first year high school student who has been sent to the Astraea Dormitory after her parents are transferred abroad. The dormitory houses girls from three different girls' schools: St. Spica's Academy, St. Le Rim Girls School and St. Miatre Girls Academy. There she meets the representative of the three girls' schools, Shizuma Hanazano, also know as the Etoile, who is beloved by all students at all schools. The two of them have an interesting first encounter and Hanazano seems to take an instant liking for Aoi. (animenewsnetwork)

Oh dear oh dear, I don't know how should I review this one. First I realized that Yuri theme doesn't fits me at all. Secondly, I barely pay full attention to the anime after 8 episodes (yes I did finished the anime... but not enjoy it at all- just for the sake of reviewing), and third, I guess this is a totally Shojo genre.

Animation was pretty standard for a 2006 (or 05 maybe?) production. The storyline was pretty self explainatory, but too girly for my taste (yes I know its Yuri). The drama and tragedy in the series seems a bit corny. Eventhough its an anime with full of girls, it is very hard to point out which one is my favorite character.

Bottom line, if you are a Yuri genre fans, then I guess this one will fits you really well (I saw a review on other webs, most of it gave a pretty decent score). If you a Harem fans, I don't think you will like it.

Overall Rating: D++

Favorite Characters:
#1. Kagome Byakudan (I guess the Teddy Bear wins my heart)

#2. Chikaru Minamoto













#3. Kizuna Hyuga

#4. Shizuma Hanazono (yes she got charisma indeed)

[Anime Review] Rozen Maiden Ouverture (OVA)

Rozen Maiden Ouverture (OVA)

"A very good back story about the 1st encountered between Shinku and Suigintou" -bezoe

Set during the second season, the story between Shinku and Suigintou is told by Souseiseki when Jun buys Shinku a brooch. The first OVA starts with the creation of Sugintou, Rozen's first doll, which he abandons and moves on to create the rest of the Rozen dolls, ignoring Sugintou's cries for help.

Finally this OVA filled the gap that I always wondering about. The ova mainly retold the story about the back story of Suigintou and her encountered with Shinku, and why their hate each other so much.

This OVA is more than just a filler, so I really recommend to watch it.

Overall Rating: A-

Favorite Characters:
#1. Suigintou

[Anime Review] Rozen Maiden Traumend

Rozen Maiden Traumend

"A bit cheesy ending, but overall better than 1st season" -bezoe

As summer break arrives for the students, Jun Sakurada is busily studying on his own in the library, making up for time lost while he had confined himself to his home. Meanwhile, his Rozen Maiden doll, Shinku, has been having troubling dreams of late. The pain and sadness of defeating Suigintou was overwhelming, despite the inevitable battle they waged. After waking suddenly from a nightmare, she finds Suigintou's companion spirit wandering; upon giving chase, she discovers that the seventh Doll-- Barasuishou-- has awakened. She now realizes that Suigintou's fate may very well befall the other Dolls, for the appearance of the last Doll signals the beginning of the end of the Alice Games.

Finally Alice Games start to get serious in the 2nd season. There are some alliance forming among the dolls and also who will participate in Alice Games and who won't. Plus I love the returning character from 1st season (hint hint), and showing her good side. Story wise, Traumend more serious compare to the 1st season, and the action scene actually getting better. Ending actually kinda cheesy in my opinion, but it still good though.

Animation and Character wise still as good as the 1st season. I still don't like the OP & ED ost by the way.
(update 09-04-08) : I start to like the OP but the ED still so so
If you already watched the 1st season, then you should watch this one. Still won't be my favorite but I recommend to watch.

Overall Rating: A--
Favorite Characters: Same with Season 1 (will post more pic if I can find a good one)

[Anime Review] Rozen Maiden

Rozen Maiden

"Not my favorite, but I like the ending" -bezoe


Due to a deep trauma at school Sakurada Jun has refused to return. He spends his time in his room, surfing the web and ordering anything that takes his fancy, only to return the items just before payment is due. One day, he finds a web site that tells him to put his order in a drawer of his desk. He does so thinking it to be a joke, only to find that the letter disappears and a strange package arrives soon afterwards. It contains an exquisite doll, that, when wound, comes to life. She treats him as a servant of little worth, but over time helps him come to grips with his fears and in the life-or-death fights that soon follow her arrival.

I don't really like the main idea of the story, but after I watched for 4-5 episodes, then I start to enjoy the series a bit. It seems like a generic fight between "good and evil" type of anime at the beginning, then it start to get more serious on the later of the episodes. But I love the ending of the series, especially for the Suigintou backstory.

Animation wise and graphic was pretty good. The shading of the clothes, the fighting sequence and the dream sequence, all are well made.

I don't really like the OP and ED ost at all though, but I love the "battle theme" ost (the one where Shiku fights Suigintou)
Update (09-03-08) : I take back my own comments, OP and ED pretty enjoyable after a while, now I'm the song become one of my regular playlist =p

Its hard to make this anime my favorite, but I still say I like it especially because of the last episode. Recommend to watch it if you like something with mystic event.

Overall Rating: B++

Favorite Characters
#1. Souseiseki

#2. Suiseiseki (desu desu)

#3. Shinku ( I prefer when she not wearing her hat actually)

#4. Suigintou

#5. Tomoe Kashiwaba