[Music of the Week] Chieko Kawabe - Hoshi Ni Negai Wo

Music of the Week
Chieko Kawabe - Hoshi Ni Negai Wo

I actually haven't seen the anime for this ost yet, but I came across the song when I looking for Elfen Lied Song.
This song called Hoshi Ni Negai Wo by Chieko Kawabe is a ED for Otogi Zoshi
uploaded by Youriza

Hope you enjoy, its a very calming song ^_^

[Music of the Week] KOTOKO - Agony

Music of the Week
Kotoko - Agony

Woops, looks like I missed my weekly MotW ^^;.
Anyway, this song is by Kotoko (one of my fav anime singer) and its from the ED of "Kannazuki no Miko" (make sure to check the anime review as well, cause its a pretty good anime)
uploaded by Lancerevoevo
Enjoy

[Anime Review] Azumanga Daioh

Azumanga Daioh

"One of the most hilarious anime out there" -bezoe

Azumanga Daioh is about high school life through the eyes of six girls with unusual personalities: Chiyo (the 10-year-old genius), Osaka (the resident airhead), Sakaki (the shy one prone to cat bites), Tomo (the loose cannon), Yomi (the short-tempered one) and Kagura (the resident jock). (ANN)

I dunno why i don't like this anime when I watched it 5 years ago, but now I enjoyed it every bits of it! I mean, now I can see how hilarious the story is and everyone background story. I like how they show everyone background stories and also their distinctive habit.

Character design probably not the prettiest out there, but somehow I fell in love with a lot of the characters. Most of the character are very simplistic, and looks like ordinary anime character, but the personality of each characters really stands out.

Animation is not the best around because there is a lot of repetition, however the way they use the recycle animation part was really clever. Its like you know they only repeat the animation, but it actually serve the purpose of what the animator want to show the humorous part.

I love the OP ost but not too much with the ED ost. I guarantee you will love the OP ost after atleast you listen to it 3 times...

Bottomline : If you like Lucky Star, I will 100% guarantee you will like this one aswell.

Overall Rating : A

Favorite Characters:

#1. Sasaki-san ( Cool girl FTW)























#2. Kagura (I usually don't like Tan girl.. but this girl is cute, plus I love her voice =D)






















#3. Chiyo Mihama (Well... she obviously need to be in the list...and I don't think I need to explain the reason.. right?)





















#4. Minamo Kurosawa (Sporty teacher)















#5. Koyomi Mizuhara (Mature looking girl? sure!)

[Anime Review] The Girl Who Leapt Through Time - Toki Wo Kakeru Shoujo

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time - Toki Wo Kakeru Shoujo

"A very awesome and entertaining anime" -bezoe

When 17-year-old Makoto Konno gains the ability to, quite literally, "leap" backwards through time, she immediately sets about improving her grades and preventing personal mishaps. However, she soon realises that changing the past isn't as simple as it seems, and eventually, will have to rely on her new powers to shape the future of her and her friends.

It is a very interesting storyline of a person who can leap through time. Even thought it is feel a bit generic but actually it isn't. The things that turned out to be a bit more original was near the end, cause basically we didn't know how or who made the leaping possible. As the story progress there's a lot of comedy and sad story revolving around 3 main characters.

The animation have a very strong comical feeling, like the exaggerate facial expression or the body movement and also the "leaping" have full of comedic feeling.

Background design was superb! The background illustration was very well made, it feels really pre-rendered feeling. And what makes it more interesting is the characters was a totally different approach. The character actually feels really vector because of the solid color, and I like that simplicity of the characters design.

The BGM is pretty pleasant, but I love the ED ost (as I'm trying to find it right now).

Bottom line: It's one of anime that I really recommend you guys to watch, because of the unique theme.

Overall Rating: A

[List] Top 10 Favorite Ghibli Movie

Top 10 Favorite Ghibli Movie


Alas, I reviewed all of the Ghibli featured films ( I think ), and now its time to state which one is my favorite Ghibli of all time
Note: Good score doesn't mean it will be my favorite

#1. Laputa : Castle in the Sky (Yup, this is my favorite Ghibli movie)














#2. Tonari No Totoro (Totoro is my favorite character of all Ghibli movies)














#3. Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (the cuteness captured my heart)













#4. Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (This one is really a masterpiece)














#5. Grave of the Fireflies (Word can't describe how sad this movie is)













#6. Spirited Away (The artworks are just plain awesome!, and I love the story)














#7. Kiki's Delivery Service (A fun and cheerful movie to be enjoy anytime)















#8 Porco Rosso (Piggy FTW)















#9. Lupin III : The Castle of Cagliostro (A very good classic animation)















#10. Howl's Moving Castle (I love the design of the Howl's castle, and the story)














And there you have it, my top ten Favorite Ghibli movies

Some of you might think... "What! no Mononoke? no Cat Return?" , yup, eventhough I say they are both are good movies, but unfortunately its not memorable enough.

[Anime Review] Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea

"The cuteness and the story will captured everyone heart" -bezoe

The story is loosely based on Hans Christian Anderson's "The Little Mermaid", about Ponyo, a tiny fish-girl who dreams of being human. She is washed ashore and rescued by a boy, Sosuke, but despite their friendship she has to return to the oceans. Undeterred, Ponyo uses a spell to transform into a human girl, unaware of the dire consequences of the powerful magic.

This is the latest installment from Ghibli studio, and it is a good one!. It feels really magical how the story progress, like a fish like tidal wave, a girl running on the top of the waves (oups small spoiler).

Animation was very good, especially the ocean waves, and also the weather animation, such as storm or winds. The Ponyo's animation also I consider one of the best in the movie, like in the running above the wave scene.

Character design was perfect for this movie in my opinion. Sosuke is a type of bright boy that have a great adventurous heart, Risa is a very independent mother and tough (you guys should see how she drives her K-car), and Ponyo... I'm sure her cuteness is incomparable.

I love the ocean illustration and also the underwater scene, I think it is really breathtaking. Its feel like Finding Nemo, but in the magical world and in 2D forms. And also it feels old school but really good one. I also think that the design of the sea creatures really good.

I love the BGM for Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. I think this is another great piece by Joe Hisaishi, not the best in my opinion, but it still great.

Bottom Line: Must see!, even if you are not Ghibli fan, this is one of the best animation out there. You will regret it if you miss this one.

Overall Rating: A

[News] Thinking to Re-review some of the Anime

Fall break is coming up!
I was thinking of re-reviewing some of the old anime that I've watched.
I feel like they deserve some more "exploration".

What I mean by that is, my early review only consist of 1-2 short paragraph and also feels too generic. So I think I need to improve some of that post.

Here is the list of anime that I consider of re-reviewing (The rating most likely won't change, but who knows...)

- Clannad
- Suzumiya Haruhi
- Kanon
- Da Capo I (Season 1 & 2)
- Air : I might need to look back on this anime, cause I gave a pretty low score. Maybe I missed something important.

Note: This is only a consideration, I don't know when I got the chance to re-review the anime that I mention above, since I prefer to watch a new anime during my fall break.

But if anyone feels that I should re-review some anime that I didn't mention above, feel free to drop some comments on this post. Who knows I got a chance to do it.

[Music of the Week] Kagamine Rin - Kokoro (Toraboruta)

Music of the Week
Kagamine Rin - Kokoro (Toraboruta)

I found this vid not long ago, probably like last week. I usually pay less attention to Kagamines cause I like Hatsune better, but this one probably a bit exceptional. It was really good and also sad T_T. Hope you guys enjoy the music and the video
uploaded by Phenie

[Anime Review] Porco Rosso

Porco Rosso

"A fantastic Adventure Anime feature" -bezoe

During the beginning years of the Great Depression, life in the Mediterranean has become difficult. Aerial pirate raids are gaining in frequency, thus requiring the need for capable "bodyguards". One of the best is a pig known as Porco Rosso. Once a human and an ace pilot during World War I, he now freelances his services to those in distress. The fascist regime that has taken over the Italian Air Force has grown tiresome of his exploits and places a bounty on his head. On top of that, a hotshot flyer from the United States arrives and not only wants to steal Porco Rosso's glory, but also the woman he loves so dearly.

This anime have all of the contents that needs to be one of the best anime of all time. The story is very well made. Even though it sets on the pretty real and depressing era, but with Ghibli touch, this anime is very enjoyable. The action, the comedy and the love story are all very intriguing. And also even though its kinda fantasy type but it is still feel pretty real (I'm talking about Porco transformation).

The animation was top notch for a 1992 movie, and without a doubt Ghibli really did a great job for Porco Rosso. We can still appreciate highly for this animation even after 16 years. The Dogfight scene in paticular is one of the best scene in the anime.

Character design was very cute for Porco, I love it! Well its also because I love pig probably (and my chinese zodiac also a pig). Fio Piccolo really have the reasemble of Princess Nausicaa from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind, which one of my favorite Ghibli character.

Another great music piece by Joe Hisaishi, its very suite the anime. The Italian feels really set up the mood of the anime.

Bottom line: Definately worth to watch. Story, action and comedy all are superb

Overall Rating: A-

[Visual Novel] Ever17 : The Out of Infinity

Ever17 : The Out of Infinity

Ever 17 is the tale of seven individuals who come to be trapped within the underwater marine theme park, LeMU, 153 feet below the surface. During an apparently normal day at the park, a massive accident happens, placing almost half of the facility underwater. The path to the surface and the communication lines are cut off. In addition, LeMU is under constant assault by severe water pressure, limiting time to find a means of escape to 119 hours. Escape is not the only concern, however; many questions arise as to the legitimacy of the accident and whether or not those trapped there were brought there for a purpose.

As the situation grows more desperate, the people trapped inside LeMU grow closer. They begin to uncover the answers to mysteries about themselves, LeMU, and the situation itself. As the end of LeMU grows nearer, so too do the mysteries and relationships forged by the situation grow deeper. Ultimately, it is up to the characters not only to survive, but to discover the truth behind LeMU and themselves as well. - Wiki

Actually, I didn't realize this game is not a H-game at all until I finished the game twice (same character), because I was enjoying the story so much that makes me forget about H-scene. I mean, most of the H-game that I play I pay attention more to the story and graphic than the H-scene (yes, that's true - if not, then I better just get the cheat code and open all the gallery rite?)

To get this game into a perfect ending was pretty challenging, because of multiple path and also sequential location that we need to decide.

The story path that I choose was Sara, I decided to choose her because looks like she got a interesting background, and it turned out to be true, I finished the game with her twice to get the perfect ending, which lead us to a new scene.

Oh I forgot to mention, this game is a mystery type game, so expecting a lot of interesting stuff happen.

This is a very good Visual novel and I think I'm going to try to finish all of the story path. Get this one, its really good.

Update (08-12-08)

Just finished Tsugumi ending (I guess its a good ending)

It is not that suprising as the Sara's ending, but it still very good. I feel Tsugumi path pretty long compared to Sara's

It is interesting to see an almost completely different side of story of the 2 ending that I've seen so far.

This is the game That I will keep playing and finish all of the story =)
So keep on eye of these article~

Update (08-16-08)

Today I finished Sora's good ending, it was really good, probably because I love Sora also haha. Well, the ending is somewhat predicable but I still love it probably because how the story told.

Definitely I'm going to continue play other path.

Update (08-18-08)

Just finished another ending, this one I'm not sure who's ending is it. I'm still trying to cross check it with the forums, but it looks like Sora's bad ending. Anyhow, the ending was pretty sad =(, and kinda inspired me to write a story base on this ending.

Update (09-03-08)

I just finished another ending. This time is You's good ending. I don't like how it turn out to be too happy ending compare to other (well, Sara's ending also pretty happy ending, but this one seems to be too perfect)

But I'm happy that I'm finally unlocked the "true ending". But before that, I like to get the You's bad ending 1st

Update (09-04-08)

Just finished You's bad ending, Its not as tragic as others but I can still feel the pain about her =(. Its a pretty predicable bad ending, but I'm glad I finished it. So now what is left is Coco's ending.

Update (09-09-08)

Finally, I finished the true ending. It was really long (probably around 3 hours of nothing but reading text). I really love how the ending turn out, but there is one thing that I really not expected is "who am I" part, plus theres a tons of explanation in the true ending. Like who is Tsugumi really is? was Coco really exist? Who is the Kid? Why the life reading detect 7 lifeforms?, Will You find out where is her parents? Who is Sara parents? Did Sora survived? What about Pipi? What happened to Takeshi?

And so on...

there's a tons of things that finally revealed.

Bottom line : Even though I like Graphic novel, but mostly I only finished one or 2 route before move to other games. But this one is totally different, it really suck me in into the story. It is truly genius of how they make what it seems to be a fragment of story into one big event that related to each other.

Overall Rating : A

Favorite Characters:

1. Tsugumi Komachi (fearless girl)

2. Coco Yagami (pyon pyon Takepyon)

3. Sora Akanegasaki (Um... perfect AI?)

4. Sara Matsunaga (Like her fun personality)

5. Yobiseiakikana Tanaka (over the top personality)

[News] Bough an Ocarina

Yay! after a long consideration, I finally decided to get an Ocarina. Its a 12 Hole Tenor Ocarina "Enigma" that I purchased from http://stlocarina.com/

hopefully I have the determination to learn some music, and if anyone have a music sheet to share, I will love to have some =D

picture from stlocarina.com

[Music of the Week] Aya Hirano - Lost My Music

Music of the Week
Aya Hirano - Lost My Music

I'm sure most of you know the song already, yup its one of my favorite song's by Aya Hirano (I like Miku version as well)
uploaded byAyaHaruhi

Enjoy

[Anime Review] Pom Poko

Pom Poko

"Its good, its entertaining and fun, but its not timeless" -bezoe

Faced with the destruction of their habitat due to the growth of Tokyo, a group of tanuki try to defend their homes. They decide to use their transforming talents to try to hold back the new development. Two of them, especially skilled at transforming, are sent to Shikoku to enlist the help of three sages. Meanwhile, the rest of them do their best to disrupt the construction site, at first causing accidents, and then actually haunting the site. However, the humans are very persistent, and soon the tanuki are forced to use more and more extreme measures to save their home.

I like the story actually, I think it is really good one. Its about tanuki that try to save their home from humans and the method they are using it was pretty damn funny. At some part actually I can feel sympathy for them too, how they sacrifice their life in order to regain their habitat.

Animation part I think not the best around, especially when I consider this is from Ghibli. Plus this is the same director who made Grave of the Fireflies which I think is awesome.

Graphic quality also not the best around, but I really love the Ghosts design and also the transformation scene.

Bottomline: Not a "must watch" movie from Ghibli, but check it out if you have time.

Overall Rating: B--

[Anime Review] Spirited Away

Spirited Away

"A fantasy adventure to be remembered, and reminds me of Alice in Wonderland" -bezoe

On their way to their new home, a young girl, Chihiro, and her parents stumble into what appears to be an abandoned theme park. But all is not as it seems, as the theme park is a bath-house for the spirits, and not a place where humans are welcome. Chihiro must fend for herself and rescue her parents, as they have been turned to pigs as punishment for eating the food meant for the gods.

It is probably one of the greatest Ghibli adventure animation of all time. I really love the story of Spirited Away. The main character (Chihiro) really needs to figure it out the way to save their family with all way possible, even including working with the person who turned her family to pig. It started at the point where Chihiro have no idea what to do to save them, but thankfully she found a good person (Haku) to help her. As the story progress Chihiro will learn more about Haku, and why it seems she remember him from the past. The story end as predicted but it is very well made, reminds me of Alice in Wonderland.

Animation wise without a doubt was very good and high quality. I like the animation of the movement of No-face character, and also Haku in the dragon form. Chihiro have some clumsy personality that made her really interesting to animate with.

Graphic quality was awesome, the Bath house was superb, the water was superb, and the color palette also very pleasing to our eyes.

The best character in this animation I will say No Face, it got the iconic feeling to it. Chihiro also one of the great character in this movie, the personality really light up for the whole movie.

Music, Joe Hisaishi did it again. He made a very memorable music for the entire movie, plus I love the ED ost of this animation. Another masterpiece by Joe Hisaishi.

Bottom line : This is one of the greatest Ghibli animation of all time. All of you need to watch is at least once in your lifetime.

Overall Rating: A