Sixteen Blog Post- Nodame Cantabile (2007)

It has been a long time since my last blog post on anime recommendation. I was tied up with work and personal issues. Well, to reopen my new post for the month of October, here is a light-hearted anime for you guys.

Story/Dev: 75%
Nodame Cantabile is very much a simple story of students in a School of Music; of the students pursuing their passion in music. What really made me give this section such a high rating, was watching how the story progressed, which was nicely done. No over the top melodrama and heart wrenching romance, simple yet emotionally touching. Anime often has the tendency to exaggerate even simple events, sports or activities. Unlike PoT, the stunts are over-dramatic and impossible to achieve. Nodame Cantabile, however, has none of those. Nodame Cantabile has plenty of hilarious scenes, well complimented by that of romances, all superbly perfected by the music used in the background. I particularly loved the ending, which is simple but really captures the emotion well.

Animation/Graphics/Design: 75%
The design and animation quality are simple, but nevertheless effective in bringing out the light-hearted atmosphere. However, one must take note of the realistic animation sequence when closing up on the actions of the characters playing the instruments, notably the piano and violin.

Characters/Dev: 85%
I like how the story progress with Chiaki starting out as being arrogant, but throughout the series we can see the gradual change in his personalities, like how he learns to accept others' talents, learn to be more sociable. Then of course there is the lovable Nodame, herself, with her unique trademark of weird noises. Ayako Kawasumi did a really wonderful job as the seiyuu of Nodame, in bringing out the laidback personality of the character. Then there's also the rest of the eccentric cast to contibute to the success of the series.

Music: 100%+++
The main highlight of the series, featuring Classical masterpieces such as Mozart, Brahms etc. The music itself already commands a certain ambience and serve as an attention grabber on its own. What's even more impressive is how the pieces are cleverly chosen for the scenes: no music in the series is there merely for the characters competition; every piece chosen and played at a selected scene accurately reflects upon the thoughts and feelings of the characters as well as the atmosphere of the situation. Tranquil piano pieces, to grand and majestic concertos, to elegance of the violin pieces, bewitchingly enchanting!

Summary:Indeed, the music is really influential in making the viewers really feel for the characters, drawing the audience into the story and be indulged in it. The way the story plays out along with the pieces are just so emotionally captivating and refreshing that I was totally engaged by this series, no dull moments.However, l have to say that if you're not into Classical music, you may not enjoy this series. After all, it is how the music and the story combine to deliver such a masterpiece is what really mesmerizes. It certainly was no joke with the saying, "Music is magic."

Personal overall rating: A Solid 100% for a work of such caliber

Fifteen Blog Post- Ghost Hunt (2006)

In the eyes of the esteemed anime fans, Ghost Hunt is considered one of the very best anime releases around. I wonder why until i watched it.....

The Expressions/Thoughts:
Ghost Hunt is one of the few animes in which the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The story follows and is told from the perspective of Mai, a high school student who lives on her own after the death of her parents, and her coincidental encounter with Naru (nicknamed for his narcissism), the president of SPR (Shibuya Psychic Research), and so Mai becomes Naru's part-time assistant. SPR deals with supernatural mysteries "worthy" of Naru's attention, and each case is covered in about a 3 - 5 episode arc. Not only does it deal with the mysteries of each case (some sentimental, some horrific), it pays close attention to the mysteries behind each character. If you are a fan of suspense, romance, or horror, this anime will have you glued to your seat.

Plot: The plotline of Ghost Hunt is very solid. Each case builds with increasing intensity, and it really draws you in to the story. There are many subtleties to the plot that are easily missed. The only downside is that, at the end, you will most likely feel a bit unsatisfied. Ghost Hunt is based off a novel series by the same writer of Twelve Kingdoms. And the series ends without covering all of the material. Hopefully, there will be a second season to answer these questions.

Animation: The animation again is solid but average. It is done well enough to let you enjoy the story without anything too flashy or distracting. The mood that the animation creates is excellent.

Music: Many people dislike the opening because there is no real song or lyrics to speak of, and yet it adds to the spooky feel of the anime. And honestly, how many openings with character flashes and special effects do we need? The ending theme is beautiful and great. The insert songs do justice in providing that eerie feeling in the anime.

Characters: The characters again are excellent. Each character's personality is very well-defined and you will feel a strong attachment to each one. Even minor characters throughout the arcs are well-developed. Again, the only downside is that since the anime ends without covering all the material in the books, much is missing. (Again, hope for a second season!)

Overall, Ghost Hunt is fun, amusing, eerie, and completely enjoyable. There are very few animes I would give a perfect score to, but this is one of them. It is very unique and intriguing. It has the mystery of XXXholic with the suspense of Monster. 10/10.

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 25
* Manga chapters : -
* Author : -
*Genre : Drama - Mystery
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Fourteen Blog Post - Great Teacher Onizuka/GTO (1999)

After nearly 3 year since I last saw this, it's about time I finally write something about one of my all-time favourite shows: GTO.

The Expressions/Thoughts :
Story (9/10) - I first heard about this show after coming across the Tokyopop Manga and after 26 volumes, I was eager to see how the anime compared. With the exception at the end (otherwise it would've been a 10/10) the anime is faithful to the Manga. Again with any animated adaptation, some killer gags were left out, but the essence of the jokes and humour was there.

Art (10/10) - This is one area I was thoroughly impressed with. GTO is a visually driven story and the anime had to be top-notch. It was! The Onizuka's trademark facial expressions from the manga always got a laugh from me and it was great to see that it was faithfully preserved here. It's hard to imagine it's nearly 8 years old, but the quality has and will stand the test of time.

Characters (10/10) - Some of the most original. What you might consider to be real villains are really very human characters and after finding more about their backgrounds, you eventually understand why they are what they are. Of course, nothing can compare to a manga's effort in character position, but this comes as close as it can get.

Voice Acting (Jap 10/10) - I felt that the acting by the main actors was great, but was 'partially' let down in a way by efforts of some of the peripheral characters. Bear in mind that this is the only fault I found with it.

Music (10/10) - Enjoyable trademark themes here. The opening credits were great. Onizuka's theme always got my neck hairs on end. I could say it's almost as characteristic as the Imperial March for Darth Vader.

Overall (9/10) - All I can say is that after 43 episodes, I was saddened to see the end of one of anime's greatest shows. Apart from the gripes above, I was just DYING to give this my first 10 star rating. For that, truly something special must have happened. This is as close it comes. However, if someone were to ask me for the most balanced recommendation I can think up of, I'd say watch this. There can be no higher praise than that from a cynic like me.

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 43
* Manga chapters : -
* Author : -
* Genre : Life - Drama - Comedy
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Thirteen Blog Post - Gakuen Alice (2004)

The Expressions/Thoughts
Genre= humour
Suitable for all ages
I first watch this anime, I thought it would be boring because it was unrealistic for a girl of 10 to just run away from home just to be her best friend. But, when the school session started, that's when the momentum begun. It's more of a little girl who speaks out her mind without thinking of it's consequences facing a whole bunch of students who dislikes and looks down on her Alice's ability. The problem here is to have them all approve of her at the first week in school. It's a rather hilarious movie so I suggest you all watch despite the uninteresting beginning.

The best word that fits for Gakuen Alice is "fun". I really, truly, ridiculously had LOADS of fun with this anime. The humour is really cute and very funny. I love this anime~There are a number of flaws that I can point out, but with all due flaws, they are just a drop in the bucket compared to how much I enjoyed this anime. I wish there were more romance aspects. A number of topics and problems arised, and through the end, they weren't brought up again, especially the solutions. For example, not a lot of emphasis was put in Mikan's background even when she's the protagonist. They touched upon it, but the conclusion they gave was nowhere near this topic. That's how much I enjoyed Gakuen Alice, the usually patient me couldn't wait for the releases. It was actually one of those rare anime where I would frown when the commercial clips showed because it indicated the half-way point. "It's already halfway?", I would say. The timing was a bit flawed as well, each episode was not heavy in content, most episodes were humour-based (which is perfectly okay, because I LOVED it). Lastly, Mikan's character herself; though she's cute, likeable, and possesses the typical "never-give-up" character fit for a protagonist, I wasn't charmed by her reactions and behaviour. She never really did say what I hoped she would. But like I said before, my level enjoyment outweighed any possible flaw. I loved the humour played out. Hard to name a favourite part, but the adventures with Mr. Bear is notable. Another great thing about Gakuen Alice is watching the supernatural abilities (Alice) they come up with, there are Alice's such as making everyone laugh at your jokes, producing rain, creating spirits, and there are even more silly ones.Another charming thing is that all characters are very likeable. Each character is truly identifiable and unique. You won't have trouble giving each one a description. Gakuen Alice is very rewatchable (it's very difficult to simply sneak peaks). I absolutely enjoyed this anime. It's hilariously funny. I do not regret giving this its full score. For indepth storyline, anime fans should catch the manga, but many are still waiting for season 2 to release to makeup the full plot of this anime. Keep waiting! :p

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 26
* Manga chapters : Chapter 87 ongoing
* Author : Higuchi Tachibana
* Genre : Shoujo - Magic - Fantasy - Comedy
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Twelveth Blog Post - Peach Girl (2005)

To be frank, i did not know there is a Peach Girl anime series. My first knowledge of this anime was a Taiwan drama serial but i was not a least interested in catching it due to the poor casts. Recently i search over youtube of several fan videos of best romance anime, and decided to watch it. Surprisingly, it is watchable and the plot kinda captured my interest. It took me 2days to finish this series.

The Expressions/Thoughts :

Overall - 6.7

Animation - 6.0

Sound - 7.0

Story - 6.0

Character - 6.0

Value - 8.0

Enjoyment - 7.0

Plot : Love Quadrangle...coincidence...misunderstanding...break-up...realization...relationship restored...blackmailing...misunderstanding (again)...break-up (again)...realization (again)...relationship restored (again)...and...what’s next? Well, simply return to square one. Then...rinse and repeat...yup, that’s Peach Girl in a nutshell. It’s soap opera at its hardest core. It’s an outrageously melodramatic shoujo. It has more twists and turns than driving up the hill. It’s as insubstantial as the nonsensical Hollywood celebrities’ news from California. Nonetheless, this anime is not without merit. For one, it’s bloody entertaining. Secondly, it’s damn addictive. Like anime of its kind such as Hana Yori Dango and Marmalade Boy, the plot will never stay still. The twists, turns, and misunderstandings will come one after another; and as a result, viewers will never be able to predict whether who will end up with whom until the very end. It is true that Peach Girl’s characters are not complex or 3-D; however, that does not make the show becomes less enjoyable. Revolving around Momo, Toji, Sae, and Kairi, Peach Girl is a high school melodrama executed in a refreshing manner. Momo is a character who is easy to empathize with. She’s caring, sincere, and above all, she is sensitive and vulnerable; nevertheless, she often got misunderstood to be a ‘bad girl’ because of her tanned skin. That, combined with her blunt and passionate personality which caused her to use her heart instead of her head when it comes to dealing with things, makes it more unlikely for people to be doubtful that their impression of her is erroneous. However, these qualities do not stop the viewers from caring for her. In fact, she is the first person whom I bonded with in this series. In the beginning, Momo was misunderstood by the whole class because of Sae’s accusation. Though Momo was indeed angry, she did not say the truth to others to break Sae’s face. Furthermore, on a later occasion when Momo found out that Sae was being harassed, she immediately rushed to help Sae despite the fact that Sae had been mean to her before. Regardless of her look and her personality, Momo is a very likeable heroine. Actually, she reminded me of Makino from Hana Yori Dango. Both Momo and her have so much in common. Touji is amazingly idiotic that his actions often made me rolled my eyes in disbelief. In fact, the stupidest scene this anime has to offer revolves around Sae and him. In this incident, Sae who wanted to ‘steal’ Touji from Momo asked him whether he knows how to kiss a girl. After Touji admitted that he was rather inexperienced, Sae suggested that he should practice his ‘kissing’ with her. Well, to my surprise, he actually did so. What a dumb jackass. In any case, it is impossible for me to root for him. Sae is indeed an important character. Yes, she is so insincere and manipulative that it’s hard for anyone not to hate her (the most hated anime character ever in my path of anime) ; nonetheless, had Sae not been so malicious, this anime wouldn’t have been so engrossing. Kairi is my favorite character in the series. He is the first person who ‘knew’ the true Momo that is hidden inside. One of my favorite scenes in the series was when he came to visit Momo during the swimming tournament. Kairi knew that Momo was cheated and bullied; however, he also realized that it is impossible to do anything about it at that moment. Thus, he simply gave Momo a hug which gave her much morale and courage: the things she needed most at that moment. His plans to avenge Sae are also excellent. Kairi does have some stupid moments. Rest assured, however, nothing he did is as idiotic as Touji’s. There are a few interesting side characters; the most memorable is likely to be Kairi's brother who has a hardcore playboy attitude. Combining these characters with the constantly unpredictable plot...and you have one hell of a roller coaster ride.I almost feel guilty that I am unable to betray my own rating scheme so that I can give Peach Girl a higher rating. Because of its many twists and cliffhangers, Peach Girl is one of the (not so many) anime which I couldn’t stop watching. Despite its addictiveness, however, I cannot deny that this is an insubstantial series. And because of this, Peach Girl would certainly not be suitable for everyone’s tastes. If you are not a fan of shoujo melodramatic romance, it is unlikely that you will find this anime to be appealing. Nevertheless, if you are a fan of the aforementioned genre, you are almost guaranteed to be pleased. I certainly was, and I recommend it. Peach Girl is certainly one of the most engaging idealistic romance anime of its time.

Animation: The animation of Peach Girl is halfway between average and above average for 2005 standard, which would be a six and a half if I were to rate it. Because of my personal bias to this genre, I initially contemplated to do a rounding up to make a seven in this category. However, there is one CGI scene in which the movement is not fluid, namely the scene when the train was running. Because of it, I decided to round the score down to a six instead.

Sound: The OP/ED are decent, as well as the voice acting.

Value: I recommend this if you are a fan of romance genre. Furthermore, if you liked this, I highly recommend Hana Yori Dango (Boys Over Flowers). Actually, I must say that these two anime do share some considerable similarities. I also recommend Marmalade Boy if you enjoy this. Like Peach Girl and Hana Yori Dango, Marmalade Boy is also full of love triangles and twists…though in my opinion HYD is the most appealing (and apparently the most well received) of these three.

Information to interested viewers:

* Anime series of episodes : 25

* Manga chapters : -

* Author : -

* Genre : Drama - Life - Romance

* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Eleventh Blog Post - Lovely Complex (2007)

Oh no… it’s another romantic comedy! This time, it’s about a tall girl falling for a short boy at school. What could be so different about that? Apart from this one fact, should I have expected anything different?

The Expression/Thoughts:
Animation: What really struck me about the animation was the exaggerated perception of height between Koizumi and Otani. Koizumi is definitely tall, but she looks more like a photographic example of a model. I know that most Japanese women aren’t this tall (they’re probably 155-165cm), but it looked totally unrealistic when we find out she really is only 172 cm tall. On the other hand, Otani is ‘only’ 156cm and it felt at times like he really was much shorter. I know it’s only an animated show and that the Toei Animation Co. were trying to illustrate the huge difference in height, but they didn’t have to go so far as totally exaggerate the height discrepancy. Apart from that, the animation was really vibrant and colorful with quite a number of beautifully drawn scenes. Some of the facial expressions of Koizumi were just hilarious.

Story: Interestingly, this story is set in the Osaka/Kansai region and it was refreshing to hear a different regional accent (other than the commonly used Edo/Tokyo accent). Getting back on track however, there isn’t really all that much that is strikingly different about this show, other than the height discrepancies between the two main stars. Again, we see a lot of the story through the eyes of the giraffe-like Koizumi as she dreams of turning her unrequited love for Otani into something more reciprocal. There were some really funny moments that I really enjoyed. So much so, that I consider this more of a comedy than a romance. Story-wise, they turned an otherwise unoriginal, and commonly used romance theme on its head, into something much more entertaining and watchable.

Characters: What made it incredibly entertaining was the ‘friendly hostility’ between the little and large characters of Otani and Koizumi. As friends you could see just how comfortable they were with each other. Once things start to get more emotional, you can actually start to feel the awkwardness of their stuttering relationship. Even though the comedy duo were mostly about laughs and jokes, there was a depth to their personality that made it such an addictive joy to watch. There wasn’t all that much focused on the peripheral characters, but I felt that didn’t detract at all from the show. Again, I was surprisingly impressed with the character development here.

Music: Nice mix of J-pop here. The 4 different OP and ED were all very catchy tunes that really added to the mood of the show. I think it’s best to describe the music and score as a whole as ‘fun’.

Summary: I was overall very surprised by what I had seen. Upon reading the synopsis, I was sighing with dread ‘oh no… not another one of those comedies.’ After finishing the first two episodes, I was glad I had been proven wrong. This definitely was a lot of fun and is in my eyes, a strong recommendation to those who love their romantic comedies.

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 24
* Manga chapters : -
* Author : -
* Genre : Shoujo - Romance - Comedy
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Tenth Blog Post - Claymore (2007)

So Claymore was 2007's #1 anime show? According to Japan anime poll, Claymore was better than the likes of "Seto no Hanayome", "Lovely Complex" and "Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann"? This fact in itself was hard to digest and I had to wonder if Claymore really was deserving of this popularity.

The Expression/Thoughts:
Animation: Overall, the animation was excellent. The backgrounds were nicely done, but nothing too special. The character designs were a bone of contention with some viewers, with some saying that all the claymores were too similar (LOL… naturally they are all blond and silver eyed!). I felt that the visual appearance of each claymore warrior was different enough so that each was distinguishable from the other. What really stood out were the gorgeous fight scenes. Intense, fluid and jammed packed with excitement. One thing I particularly enjoyed was the involvement of multiple claymores in despatching the tougher 'Awakened'. It was refreshing to see something slightly different than the usual one-on-one confrontations. Knowing that an entire claymore could slaughter with ease a brigade of well-trained humans was terrifying enough. Seeing that 4-5 claymores were needed against one 'Awakened' made you realise just how dangerous these enemies were.

Story: Much like it's ancient european style, the story of Claymore was a double-edged sword. If you have never seen "Bleach" or "Berserk", I would have agreed that Claymore deserved 2007"s #1 spot. The story of one warrior getting stronger with each confrontation and battling impossible odds along the way, until the protagonist can fulfil their destiny of gaining revenge is a story arc that has been done to death. I could not help but think that the creative minds of Claymore were close to "Berserk" that looked at Guts. The flashback for episode 8 was perhaps the turning point for the show. Without this insightful interlude into Clare's past and motivation, the entire story would have gone up in smoke. The ending was my biggest grievance. I felt like smashing my PC when I saw the ending of "Berserk" and I nearly ended up doing the exact same thing with Claymore. I am aware that the manga is still ongoing, but please don’t do a "Berserk" if you want to keep the fans happy. I’m still waiting for the next season of "Berserk" (after years of waiting) and at this rate, I’ll be a grandmother before I see anything similar from Claymore. No matter what type of anime fan you are, trust me… you too will hate Claymore's ending.

Characters: WARNING THIS SECTION CONTAINS SPOILERS. Admittedly, I found the very strong female cast a godsend in a genre normally dominated by superhero male protagonists. All of them were serious, strong, able fighters with a painful history and back-story. Character development was generally good (even from Clare) and apart from Raki, I didn’t feel a sense of superficiality from any of the other characters. I’ll leave my criticism of Raki for later. There was a pleasant change of character when Priscilla made her entrance. My first impressions of her were of being the most immature and childish of ALL the claymores in the entire series. I honestly felt that she could have been the joker of the pack for the claymores and if that had been the case, it would have destroyed the dark and serious mood of the show. Luckily I learned long ago not to trust first impressions! Priscilla was the show’s antagonist-in-chief and to see the reason why Clare was so determined to exact her revenge was gruesomely visceral. However, like all the female 'Awakened', I did feel a sense of sorrow for Priscilla. Continuing my criticism of Raki, he was an absolutely despicable character. Why and how was he able to stop a rampant Clare from fulfilling her revenge with some truly horrendous lines right at the very end? It was just sheer stupidity on the part of the studio to have made a character as weak and useless as Raki. I was glad that he had disappeared for most of the second half of the series. Raki was perhaps the greatest disappointment of the entire show. He is my most hated character in 2007 for god sake.

Music: The songs and score were good. The OP was your typical J-Pop song with elements of rock thrown in. It had a very dark, gothic feel with an impendingly fast tempo that perfectly matched the mood of Claymore.

Summary: Claymore shared/ripped much of what made "Berserk" such an entertaining show, whilst combining the strength and power reminiscent of Ichigo from "Bleach". For example, when battling the super-powerful 'Awakened', how many times did Clare say out loud "MORE…MORE…MORE…MORE!" (episode 23 onwards). If that doesn’t sound like a "Bleach" episode, then I’m a Hollow! Overall, I found it entertaining and at times very exciting. Indeed it was a very good series and was one of the better releases of 2007. Whilst I can understand why Claymore was considered a good show by many, what I find difficult to stomach was its over-rated rank of #1. Perhaps with a second season and a continuing story, I would be willing to amend my review. However, there were just so many flaws that clouded an otherwise entertaining series that Claymore would have to settle for a 6/10 score.

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 26
* Manga chapters : 1-93 ongoing
* Author : Yagi Norihiro
* Genre : Horror - Drama - Fantasy - Action
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Nineth Blog Post - Vampire Knight (2008) / Vampire Knight Guilty (2009)

I was attracted to this anime, not because of its horror elements, but due to the drama plot and romance factors emotionally potrayed in the series. The most captivating is the pretty characters artwork and the its mystery. This anime has shot to popularity in 2008 due to the three leads, Yuuki, Zero and Kaname.

The Expressions/Thoughts:
Vampire Knight (VK), apart from the popular mainstream vampire anime is that it took on a somewhat different perspective on the ever popular theme. VK shows that vampire anime aren’t just about blood-feast, killings and flying body parts. They are more than that. As such, I must say that if you’re that thinking this is going to be another action series, similar to Hellsing, then most unfortunately, this is not the show for you. Indeed, this series has minimal fight scenes, as its main focus is on drama and romance. It is especially moving to see how Yuuki tries her best to help Zero, who is constantly distancing himself from her, as he struggles to resist losing his human instinct and to prevent the Level-E Vampire persona from overtaking him. The pace is slow, but not in a boring manner, as it is progressive in how the story develops, in featuring the sufferings that Zero undergo to maintain his identity as a "human." Admittedly, the plot for this series is not that fantastic (honestly, how much originality can one expect from a vampire show anyway?), and there isn’t much of a plot twist, but the way the story unfolds, is what really made it such a great show. The animation quality is excellent; nice classical-gothic art style, with great details, even in the background. And since this is shoujo, we certainly cannot mention the graphics without commenting on the cast full of vampire bishies. My main complain with this series is the character development, which I find quite lacking. For one thing, Yuuki was a rather typical character. As for Kaname, well, can’t really comment much yet, since his motives are still shrouded in mystery. Zero is no doubt the one who really drives the series, even though Yuuki is the protagonist. Idou appears to be more than just the laid back personal. Hopefully they will explore the personalities of the characters better in season 2. The lack of anything particularly special in the plot and characters are why this series gets only an 8/10. The music is yet another strong point of this series. It really is the sort that’s being played while watching those Classic Vampire films – really creates the aura and the atmosphere, along with the graphics. The OP as well as the animation for it are also great. The animation for the OP has a nice fantasy feel. While I don’t really enjoy the ED, I can’t deny that it has successfully reflected upon the essence of the series. The way the ED features that "abandoned doll" invoked some sort of sorrowful mood, though it would have been better if they cut down on the "ballet girl" and concentrate more on the "doll".The ending is very well executed: it gave a satisfying sense of closure to season 1, and at the same time hyped the viewers for season 2. Particularly with the scene with Kuran Kaname remarking that all his "pieces are assembled", finally ending the series with the phrase on the screen: the sweet dream has not ended. Classy and stylish. Certainly look forward to the sequel, Vampire Knight: Guilty.

Vampire Knight Guilty: As a vampire anime lover I was disapointed in this season 2. However , I found myself watching the whole thing. I mean I had to find out what happened after Vampire Knight. The story part of it drew you in that much.

Art: 7/10. I felt the characters were beautifully drawn, yet the fight scenes left a little to be desired. I felt like there could have been so much more done here. I mean these are vampires and a few of them are supposed to be the most powerful ones.

Music: 10/10. I loved the opening and ending. The BGM added to the feel of the anime.

Story: 8/10. It had just enough to suck you in. Several parts had me cursing the fact I had to wait another week for a new episode. There are several twists in there that have you asking WTF. Then going no way. The ending could have been much better and I feel trying to do this story needed more episodes so you didn't get that rushed feeling.

Character Design: 7/10. The only real issue I had was that there just wasn't enough background on several of the main characters and sometimes the secondary charaters became more interesting. Then again this is going back to the whole "rushed" feeling I had.

Overall: Not too bad of a watch . I was not sad I took the time to watch it at all. It held my interest yet left me a bit disappointed. If you like vampires, it's a must see.

I will recommend reading the manga in order to get a better and wider understanding of this anime, as the anime itself is too short and abrupt. Well, the manga is much better than the anime in this situation.

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : Season1-13episodes, Season2-13episodes
* Manga chapters : 1-52 ongoing
* Author : Hino Matsuri
* Genre : Drama - Romance - Supernatural
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Eight Blog Post - Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2 (2008)

CG is an anime which makes you feel all characters have their own dreams, and no one is right or wrong in their actions. Well like Yagami Light in death note, i am totally impressed with his character, intelligence and his thoughts. Similarly, Lelouch is a character that attracts me in his ideals, goals and intelligence as well . You can't say he is a bad ass, neither you can say he is a good guy. However, the character which i dislike the most is Suzaku, makes me wanna kick his ass almost the whole series, grr. Pardon me for this, but i really cannot stand him.

The Expressions/Thoughts:
It has been truly a very very long wait… the much anticipated second season of 2006’s smash hit, Code Geass.
Animation: Thankfully, the studio Sunrise continued where they left off by treating us with some of the best quality animation I've seen. I can't find fault anywhere and totally satisfied. The costume designs were highly original with a distinct aristocratic look for the Britannians and a very pragmatic but stylised uniformity for the Rebellion. Usually I would make quite an issue with this, but it was just the perfect look for Code Geass: R2. Unusually even though I wouldn't consider this a dominant mecha-based show, the mecha were almost as eye-catching as the costumes or the immensely colourful characters.
Story: I was just left shell-shocked when the first season ended on such a cliff-hanger. Since then I have waited patiently for what has been one of the most dramatic shows of the past ten years or so. From the tragic to the traumatic CG: R2 took me on an amazingly intense ride of excitement and suspense. I was left laughing out loud wickedly at the number of occasions where I was taken by utter surprise by an unexpected strategic counter-move or decision by Lelouch. Drama at its very best! At times though, I was left completely stunned and confused at some scenes. For example, once Lelouch had cornered a suicidal Lord Schniezel onboard the flying fortress he had pre-recorded his conversation so has to use his Geass on Schniezel. Even Lelouch admitted that out of all the people on earth he had never out-witted his brother. So how and why then with time clearly not at his disposal? Not that the occasional plot-holes detracted hugely from the entire story. Overall there was so much in terms of story that the odd discrepancy here and there could be over-looked on the grand scheme of things. Fortunately, there was only the one filler episode (number 12) and even then it was a welcome breather from the near chaotic pacing of the show. The last 3 to 4 episodes were initially confusing due to the change of allegiance from some of the main protagonists and antagonists. However, the ending made EVERYTHING completely clear for all to see. It as a brilliantly crafted ending to finish one of the best entertainment sagas I've seen.
Characters: Looking back at both seasons, I totally agree and understand why Lelouch was recently voted the best anime character of 2008. Only Light Yagami from Death Note comes close to the ruthlessness and calculating monstrosity that is Lelouch Lamperouge.
Saying goes -"The needs of the one, outweigh the needs of the many."This single quote summed up the sacrifices that the lead character took in order to create a better world for his beloved Nunnally. He showed no hesitation in realising his ambition to achieve this most noble and selfless of goals. Even if it meant destroying the world as we know it, betraying everyone that he held dearest and becoming the most hated man in history he pursued it with absolute conviction and supposed heroism.
As for the rest of the characters; there was a large cast with interesting and individual personalities that kept things interesting right to the very end. As a stand-alone series, much has been left out regarding character development. I would recommend watching the previous season to get a better understanding of the drives of some of the more important cast members. I was shocked that Charles vi Britannia, the main antagonist and the main driving force of Lelouch's vengeance was killed off along with his own mother so quickly. In a way this altered the perception of just who the 'bad guy' really was. Everyone had their own ideas and motivations for doing what they felt were the just thing.

Music/Sound: The music was excellent, as in season 1. Please refer to Season 1 review for this sector.

Summary: For the most part, CG: R2 was one of the better shows of 2008. Yes, it had some plot holes that didn't make any sense whatsoever. The fact that I didn't think about these little flaws during the episodes shows just how compelling and exciting the story was. Aside from these little problems, there were still so many plus points in this anime.

• Namely: The near perfect animation with original designs (character, mecha, background etc)The innovatively crafted cast of characters that never seemed dull or shallow.
• Brilliantly composed and arranged score.
• An ending that was nearly as shocking as it can be.
• Tons of story plot and twists, which makes viewers unable to predict what it's coming.

A rollercoaster of a story that was as momumental as it was intriguing.
This series is already stored in my computer and added into my favourite anime collection and it's truly a great anime even if you watch years later.

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 25
* Manga chapters : -
* Author : -
* Genre : Action - Drama - Mecha - Military - Science-Fiction
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Seventh Blog Post - Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (2006)

I am very excited to blog about this anime although I had completed watching Season 1 & 2 of Code Geass last year. All i can say that it is an awesome anime. Even now, i am still excited about this anime, and i will probably re-watch it over and over again when i have the time. If you love DEATH NOTE + GUNDAM SEED, this is the anime you are looking for. Here is the review on Season 1.

The Expressions/Thoughts:
Code Geass, is the dark horse of the year 2006, a series in which I initially didn’t intend to watch, as I was expecting it to be just another mecha produced by Sunrise to accommodate the fact that there was no Gundam series for that year. After watching the first episode, about the male protagonist involving in a weapon stealing situation... i was captivated and turn my total concentration on this anime. I realise that i've underestimate this anime. Code Geass turned out to more than just a mecha series.

Story/Dev: (9/10) The plot isn’t anything special, nothing really unique either. It is essentially a rather typical storyline about a cast away Prince who seeks revenge. A storyline rather common in plays revolving round conflicts among the royals' family. Then again, the theme of revenge has always been a interesting storyline, popular among many and for many ages. So, how is it that a series consisting of so many generic storylines is able to become one of the most phenomenal series of the recent years? All I can say is that Sunrise productions played its cards really well in the production of Code Geass. What is so special, and thus made it deserve a high rating, is how the story develops. And it is how it progresses that make the overall storyline complex and so engaging. The concept of the Geass itself is also rather fresh. Also, I have always loved the symbolism of chess plays, however mild or insignificant it is, that is being portrayed in anime, and CG had lots of them. They certainly have done a splendid job in the scripting of this series.

Characters/Dev: (9/10) The characters’ development is the strong point of this series. Indeed, Lelouch, the main protagonist, is certainly not the obvious good guy. And yet, branding him a “villain" doesn’t really fit the bill either. As far as anti-hero archetype goes, it does seem like Yagami Light (Death Note) is the closest in comparison. But of course, on a deeper level, Lelouch is a much, much more complex character than Light, which is understandable considering the nature of the series’ stories. In addition, even the antagonist Suzaku is more than what he seems to be, and I certainly cannot simply classify him under the archetypal justice-upholding Hero. Because, similar to Lelouch, his personality is much darker and much more complex than that. The side cast, on the other hand, I’ve heard of complaints about how it is just ripping off from characters of Gundam Seed. However, I have to say that Code Geass has taken the relationship duality to an even deeper (and more realistic) level, making this aspect to be even more intriguing than that of Seed’s. The roles are also changed in this series. In most mecha, the protagonists are usually the ones piloting the mecha and fighting in the frontline. Lelouch, on the other hand, plays the role of one who leads and plans the battles. In short, the protagonist of Code Geass is the leader and strategist, rather than just the soldier. But on the other end of the spectrum, the viewers can’t help but question if, by the end of it, Lelouch is really the “King" controlling the scene or the “Pawn" being played on by the Emperor. Or that they are essentially the same since the “King" is but another chess piece on the chessboard, and that Lelouch can never escape from the Emperor’s control no matter what he attempts to do. The voice acting for Lelouch has pretty much stolen the show. His role as the voice of Lelouch was definitely terrific in how he managed to bring out the arrogance of Lelouch.

Animation/Graphics/Design: (9/10) Since character designs are done by CLAMP, I just have to give this section high score simply because I’m a fan of CLAMP’s art styles. CG boasts beautiful character designs and fantastic animation quality. Lelouch’s emotions, particularly his facial expressions, are all very accurately and realistically shown. The only complaint is that the character design for Suzaku is so freakin’ Syaoran (Tsubasa Chronicles). But why is it so, CLAMP? Do they really *have* to throw in a Syaoran for almost everything they draw? As for the mecha, I don’t have much to say. After all, it is the usual Sunrise style and all.

Music: (9/10) The music is fantastic too! The first OP, while no doubt good, is not really fitting for this anime: the mood of the song is too “happy" for a series such as Code Geass. I disliked OP2 though. OP3 was also good, though it resembled too much to a Gundam-ish sort of OP. BGMs used are really well chosen. I like generally all of the EDs.

Summary: At this point of time, I doubt I’ll need to recommend this series: it’s already too well known. Now off to my review for Code Geass R2 in order to truly finish my review for Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion!
**Personal Overall Rating: 90%

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 25
* Manga chapters : -
* Author : -
* Genre : Action - Drama - Mecha - Military - Science-Fiction
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Sixth Blog Post - Toradora! (2008)

I was glad that i watched this anime series although the two anime leads didn't capture my interest (by looking at the picture). But hey, do not judge the book by its cover, after each episode i have grown to like the characters more and more. Push aside those drama, dark and matured anime that makes my heart so heavy, this anime give me a happy and peaceful feeling. All i can say is, it is truly the best anime in 2008.

The Expression/Thoughts:
Storyline/ Plot: (10/10) The story started off well and had a refreshing feel. Both the main male and female protagonists have very distinct and unique characteristics and facial/body features which adds lots of value in this love/comedy anime. At the beginning, the story seems to be rather focused in bringing Ryuji and Minori; Taiga and Kitamura together. Through the many events that happened, Ryuji and Taiga ended up together and all was able to end with a very pleasant note. The overall story quality was outstanding, showing deep plots involving friendship and the complexity of love. There are certain segments in the story that makes Toradora! truly amazing. First of all would be the events leading up to the school festival. It was absolutely emotional when Taiga's past was brought up and the character interactions showed us true friendship. Another segment would be the Christmas party and Ski resort school trip. The Christmas party epsiodes manages to show how love can be developed unknowingly. The last marvelous segment would be the ending. The ending was conclusive and leaves behind a strong impression.

Characters: (10/10) There are three very important characters in Toradora! besides Taiga and Ryuji. They are their best pals, Minori, Kitamura and Ami. Each of the five characters were given enough time for proper character development and manages to show us their unique personalities. Here's a brief introduction to these five characters: Taiga, aka Palm top tiger, is stubborn and fierce at times but has a very sweet side at times. Her petite body and long wavely hair makes her look like a cute doll. She is also extremely shy when it comes to love. She seems rather unorganized and does not really seems to be able to take care of herself. She has a complex family background. Ryuji, has a intimidating delinquent look due to his slit eyes but he is actually a very kind person who has a gentle personality. He is totally obsesed with cleaning (especially when he sees moldes). It is surprising that he manages to click well with Taiga and seems to act like Taiga's father/elder brother at times. Minori is a hyper-active baseball girl. She tend to hide her true feelings by showing that she is very tough and hyper-active. She is always very concerned for Taiga and is Taiga's best friend. She is also the Baseball club's president. Kitamura, aka God of Broken Hearts, is a smart and eccentric guy. He is Ryuji's good friend. He seems to like Taiga when they were in the first year. He is considerate and extremely funny. His santa claus outfit is really funny. Ami, aka baka Chi (stands for stupid chiwawa) nickname given by Taiga, is a haughty model. She puts up a different personality at first (one which is kind and bubbly) so that she could gain friendship. She starts showing her true self after listening to Ryuji. Despite her arrogant, and mature personality, she is actually very caring towards her friends and wishes to be treated as her age (instead of an adult). She is Kitamura's childhood friend. With all their uniqueness added together, it brings out true comedy, friendship and love.

Animation/ Graphics: 10/10 Character designs were very unique and complete with a great array of facial expressions and emotions. The good use of bright colours and dark colours at appropriate scenes were great. The scenaries were simple but well drawn with the right amount of details.

Songs/ Music: 10/10 I truly love all the songs present in Toradora!. This would include both the opening themes and ending themes and most importantly, the christmas insert song.

Overall: 10/10 This is one of those rare anime that is truly above the rest. With a great storyline consisting of bits of comedy and tons of emotions, this is one anime not to be missed. The great voice cast is a great plus point for this anime. Toradora! has certainly rised the bar for comedy/love genre animes and will be one of my top favourite animes list. Toradora!, the perfect anime, is truly a MUST watch for all anime fans!

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 25
* Manga chapters : -
* Author : -
* Genre : Slice of Life - Comedy
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Fifth Blog Post - Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (2003)

What can you guess from the picture of this anime? It's not those comedy nor romance nor "kawaii" anime if you think it is, it's just drama, tragedy, and drama all the way... As the episodes goes by, my heart feels heavier and heavier. I do not really go for this genre of anime but i will review this positively and maturely for all readers out there.

The Expression/Thoughts:
Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, alongside School Days, Air, etc. are of the drama genre in anime to levels of maturity. It is an anime that I will personally use for future animated dramas as a standard. What makes Kimi ga Nozomu Eien interesting is that it has no tortuously unrevelant plot twists. It is simple and straightforward. The one plot that drives this series is the terrible reality of having to deal with a relationship that should have ended three years ago. Therefore the factor for this anime’s ratings are mainly on the good performances delivered by Narumi Takayuki, Hayase Mitsuki, Suzumiya Haruka. Takayuki's performance is neither too cool nor too impulsive. Therefore it is a joy to see him wandering between self-hating and guilt when he interacts with the two girls. But he can only carry the series as far as his two ladies' performance. The performance done by Hayase Mitsuki I found to be wonderful. With Mitsuki, one does not doubt that she deeply loves Takayuki. Mitsuki does everything in her power to keep him close to her even at the cost of her former friend. She really fights to keep her life together even though she had decided to forsake much of her dream. Through three years that Haruka goes into the coma, we see Mitsuki piecing together what remains of her life while undergoing an oppressive guilt. Yet there is fragility in her actions from her trips to the hospital to see Haruka or her reactions to the indifference of Takayuki. All her strength hung on the one thread of hope that Takayuki doesn’t leave her for Haruka. Haruka is unique because her naivety works well in her situation, while in other animes this is usually a disadvantage. For such a sweet girl, she really knows how to drive a stake through Takayuki's and Mitsuki's hearts. Her mind is stuck in a time warp where she truly believes that she is still a student in school 3years ago, after being in coma all along. While Mitsuki does everything in her own power, Haruka holds onto whomever she can when given the opportunity. It is when Haruka finally accepts independence that the anime can truly bring a fitting ending to all three excellent characters. It is very amusing to see the main characters in the beginning. They were practically identical in personality to the main characters in School Days. I was expecting that the ending could be as gross as School Days. But unlike School Days though, the characters were restrained and in some ways superior. Kimi ga Nozomu Eien does not have the psycho factor as in School Days, which allows actions taken by the characters in the former to be more matured.
Basically a drama of love triangle with a tragic twist that ends up with everyone being unhappy at the end. If you like the happy ending to in a dramatic story, then you have come to the wrong place. Story full of guilt, depression, anger, hatred, and more of the darker emotions. This is no light sappy love story. If I myself could enjoy this type of drama, I would give it a 10 but it has a lot of elements that make me very uncomfortable watching it, almost to the point of emotional pain. Overall a good anime that has a limited appeal to those that like somewhat darker stories.

Information to interested viewers:

* Anime series of episodes : 14

* Manga chapters : -

* Author : -

* Genre : Drama - Romance - Life

* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Fourth Blog Post - BOKURA GA ITA (2006)

I wasn't that interested in checking out this anime mainly due to the title previously. But after browsing through multiple websites, this anime is highly recommended by many anime fans out there. Even when the manga is a failure, the anime succeed in potraying the romance story that capture many. Thus i decided to watch this anime and see how it goes.
Well, after watching it, i have difficulty in reviewing this anime now, because it really gives me a love/hate feeling.

The Expressions/Thoughts:
I spent two days watching all episodes of Bokura ga Ita and there is just one major flaw with this anime- most people who dislike this anime are young teenagers-young adults who haven't been in love yet. And people who like it, are those who have been through many relationships before. That's the problem when i say either you love it or hate it. How can you possible love this anime if you haven't been in the same situations as the characters? This is why I am spending my time to write a review for this anime because I truly understand the situation as Nanami Takashi, the main heroine. Minus the dead girlfriend aspect of course. Hopefully, I can stay as unbiased as possible.

Story- (8/10) I almost did not give this anime a chance because of many boring parts of this anime. But oh well this anime is only mainly focusing on the love relationship between the two leads and you wouldn't expect much of other minor characters buildup from here. This is a shoujo anime in which the lead girl Nanami Takashi falls for the lead boy Yano Motoharu. Eventually, Yano falls for Nanami too and they begin going out. That's the easy part. Now, let's add the fact that Yano's ex-girlfriend died about a year ago and that his ex-girlfriend's sister Yuri Yamamoto is in the same school as them. Oh, and she has feelings for him too. Need more complications? Yano has a best friend name Takeuchi who has feelings for Nanami. It's a love square and most shoujo fans are familiar with this. Nanami and Yano's love is so powerful that neither Take nor Yuri can deter them right? That's how it goes right? Ah, but Bokura ga Ita adds so much more than that. Bokura ga Ita is the first anime I've watched in a while that shows the real side of relationships in anime. Relationships aren't always so happy and beautiful. When a person is in love, he or she becomes like a feverish child who demands a lot from his or her partner and does a lot of stupid things to hold onto this love. A person in love does not see his or her actions as "right" or "wrong". They simply do it because they feel like they must; there is no other choice in their heads. A lot of us may call either Yano or Nani stupid for their choice of words or actions but that's because we're the audience and not them. When you're in their footsteps, would you have done the same? Differently? If you do not know, you may not have the right to criticize in the first place. People in love do not think before they do/say certain things. The ups and downs in a relationship. The good and bad days. The smiles and tears. The misunderstandings, the breakups, the miscommunications, and all the selfish sides of being in love. All of this and more are portrayed extremely well in this anime through Nanami and Yano.

Animation- (5/10) The animation is the main reason why I cannot give this anime a full score. There are times when half the face is missing or an odd drawing of the hands. There is a lot of flaws in this anime in regards to animation. However, this average animation does its job well. It is easy on the eyes and the dialogue is able to flow better thanks to the lack of distractions from the animation.

Music- (7/10) The beginning is pretty and likeable. I wouldn't download it or anything but it really fits the early happier mood of the anime. The endings are the selling point though. Unlike most anime, this one has multiple ending songs, which I believe the geniuses behind this anime pick according to the mood of the episode. Most of the time, I am very emotional by the end of an episode but the ending song ruins it. This does not happen in this anime however. Whenever I am sad by the end, the song kicks in and brings me to tears. Most of the songs are very fitting and almost too perfect for this anime. The background music really gets the job done with crucial scenes. Without the magic of the music, I wouldn't have spilled so many tears over this anime.

Characters- (8/10) I have a love and hate relationship with the characters. And that is why I gave the characters a 8. They made me love them and hate them according to the correct scenarios. All those scenes in which you hate Yano? The writers planned it. All those scenes in which you want to smack Yuri? The writers planned it too. All those scenes where you feel like you have to pause the video and cry? Yup, they were guilty too. By themselves, Yano and Nanami are not very special. Yano is a realistic, teenager boy full of angst and charisma. Nanami is also a realistic, teenager girl full of angst and jealousy. However, the two main characters are so realistic and so human that I feel like I can believe anything they say and have faith in anything they do. When I watch Bokura ga Ita, I don't think of the characters as characters in an anime. I think of them as real people and for that I care for their happiness and that's why this anime is so heartbreaking.

Overall- (8/10) I cannot stress enough that this anime isn't for everybody. If you haven't been in a relationship before or been in love or anything of that sort, do not watch this. It will bore you. It will make you go 'what the hell is going on' and 'why are the characters so stupid'. However, if you have been in relationships or at least been in love before, this anime will definitely strike something deep within you. You've been through all this before- probably a bit less or more. The storyline is very slow in that it builds up the characters, the relationships, and a lot of plot elements but that is why I like it. It's realistic and people in love actually behave like this. The only disappointing thing about this anime is the animation but if you don't mind that and want a solid storyline, believable characters, and a message about love in general, this is an anime for you. Just make sure you have a tissue box next to you first.

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 26
* Manga chapters : -
* Author : -
* Genre : Drama - Romance - Shoujo - Slice of Life
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Third Blog Post - Ouran High School Host Club (2006)

Well, what can i say? Truly a high-rated anime, and i watched it twice. It is one the best comedy anime out there but watching this helps you to release your stress, due to its comedy effects.

The Expressions/Thoughts:
I discovered Ouran poster while browsing from an anime database, and I thought it seemed fun. Starting the first episode was one of the best comedy anime experiences of my life (anime-wise). The theme tune started, and I was already finding myself humming along. By two minutes, I was in stitches. By halfway through the episode, I was laughing in a Tamaki-style. By the end of the credits, I was still with laughter and excitement. It was, without a doubt, one of the best things I have ever seen.

Sound (10/10): A total sing-along intro and a gorgeous ending. Impeccable voice acting, some of the best I've ever seen.

Characters (10/10): So obviously the the strongest point of the show. All characters had sufficient space to grow (except possibly Mori-sempai, who still seemed to steal the show in episode 22). Tamaki Suou is definitely my all-time favorite - I think it is quite impossible to top him. Hilarious, funny and adorable, plus such tender emotions any girl (and boy) would find themselves almost unable to not fall in love with his character. Kyouya Ootori is much more refined - his character is difficult to pinpoint, but even though he may appear as the 'Shadow King' as Haruhi so adequately puts it, and pure evil, his sensitivity and genuine affection for those around him is definitely there. Even though in the end he 'proves' his evilness over all...The two twins, Hikaru and Kaoru Hitaiichin, are intriguing. Two 'homo' appearing brothers, it is any girls fantasy to be loved by two gorgeous boys simultaneously, and they use this. Still holding deep affection for each other, their past is still left blurred. Much is hinted at, some is shown, but most is left unsaid. Mistkuni Haninozuka (Honey-senpai) is cutest host in the club. Most fans wouldn't actually go in for him as a lover, but he is someone all couldn't just resist to have him as a 'Host'. Small, adorable and always eating sweets, he is the cutest thing ever (Apart from his bunny.) And yet, his mysterious martial arts skills were kind of a surprise....Takashi Morinozuka has the smallest part to play. Distantly related to Honey-senpai. They have a close relationship, like brothers. Barely uttering a word, yet he comes so close to stealing the show is most episodes. Though in episode 22, he really comes into his own - and is actually quite hilarious. Haruhi Fujioka is the main protagonist - secretly a female, she is very different than the usual shojo heroine. Clever, sarcastic and with a killer tongue, she is a refreshing break from the usual anime lead. Though I don't think it would work a second time. Perhaps her only failing is being extremely dimwitted and clueless when it comes to how others feel about her, which is both tearing-your-hair-out frustrating and so very funny. However, she is extremely good at unconsciously giving mainly emotional advice. But this talent also backfires at giving insults.

Story (9/10): So very awesome and different, I just felt it didn't really go anywhere, and the ending was a bit unsatisfactory and rushed.

Enjoyment (9/10): One of the funniest things ever created, hilariously-funny with scenes to make you delighted, this is definitely one to remember.

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 26
* Manga chapters : Chapter 1-71 ongoing
* Author : Hatori Bisco
* Genre : Comedy - Romance - Shoujo
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links

Second Blog Post- Paradise Kiss (2005)

Alright, another old anime aired in 2005. Finally i managed to finish this series after watching NANA....
Why is that so? Because the author captivated me in NANA- the anime and manga, and this is another of the author's work. But wait..! Forget about NANA, here is PARADISE KISS, another realistic slice of life type of anime.

The Expressions/Thoughts:
ParaKiss for me falls into a very unique category. It's a show that the first time I tried to watch it, I couldn't. I watched the first 2 episodes, and then couldn't stand any more. I ended up skipping to the end to see how things turned out. And yet, this was a show I simply could not walk away from. The music, and the characters captured me. I kept telling myself to either watch it, or delete it off my hard drive, but I kept putting it off. Occasionally pulling up the first episode again, and just watching the OP, before moving on to something else again. I finally got around to giving this show another chance. I knew it was a unique show from its odd opening, but the OP and the ED both captured me. They are among my favorites of all time, not just for Shoujo type stories, but in all anime. To me they both stand out as being among the best. The story for Parakiss however didn't grab me like the music did. It was good, but especially at the beginning, several of the characters, and their expressed attitudes seriously annoyed me. It was only upon giving them another chance that I started to enjoy the story, and through it, started to care about the various characters. This is not a show for children. While the characters portrayed are fairly young, the main girl Yukari is just 18, still she and other characters are involved in real relationships, opening talking and having sex. While there isn't any nudity in this show, nor for that matter really any fanservice apart from a brief moment when George is shown pulling off Yukari's clothes, exposing her underwears. Even still, the subject matter is for an older crowd. The story is about growing up, and making the choice of what to do with your life. Yukari, who has studied all her life, and is being pushed to go to college, realizes after meeting George and the rest of his group, that its not really what she wants to do with her life. Instead, after a bit of exposure to the Parakiss group, she realizes she wants to become a model. But the story is deeper then just Yukari's choice, rather it involves the supporting characters as well. Their lives and dreams. Miwako in particular was enjoyable to watch, everytime she was onscreen. All was not outstanding though. I can't write this review without saying what bothered me about this story. The weirdest thing about it was the odd animation at the beginning of the story. The bugs, and stuff. I don't know if thats a carryover from the manga, but it was an unnecessary and pointless distraction. The other thing I didn't like was the flower transitions they used between scenes. Basically just minor stuff. Some might argue about the ending, but I thought it was good. Overall I really enjoyed this series. Some may think that the series ended badly, but as for me, i like the ending fairly well. Having watched the whole thing, I look back and wonder at how shallow I was. What was I thinking to not give this show a chance. This is one show I strongly recommend, not just to fans of shoujo, but to everyone. While its not a show I would watch with my family, its one I'd talk to my friends about.

Information to interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 12
* Manga chapters : Volume 1-5 complete
* Author : Ai Yazawa
* Genre : Shoujo - Romance - Drama - Comedy
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links.

First Blog Post- NANA (2006)

" I did not regret watching it!" This anime was aired in 2006 and i have heard alot of good reviews and recommendation of this anime. Frankly, i did not manage to watch past episode 2 in 2007 and left it on the shelves until July 2009. Now i feel i was an idiot for not watching it few years back. This anime really hit me hard emotionally and mentally, all i could say this is one of the best anime out there.

The Expressions/Thoughts:
NANA is a great series that deserves its high backing. Although it is catered towards a mature audience. Perhaps what draws people in to NANA most is the series's characters. Viewers can feel more of a connection to these characters than other anime: they are real. They experience the same doubts, the same misconceptions about certain ideas as regular people do, and so the anime achieves a sort of "realistic" effect that can attract many. Furthermore, the series does not hold back on the more "immoral" facts of reality: prostitution, smoking. It gives viewers cold, hard facts about life, not holding anything back. Yet intermingled with this comes a sense of sympathy toward the outcast boy who falls into such a position in society, or of the depressed woman who encourages it. Ai Yazawa does a magnificent job of portraying this view of the world. Character development is definitely given throughout the anime, for many of the supporting characters and most especially the "pink Nana," or Hachiko. She turns from a love-obsessed female to a somber, regretful yet peaceful woman. The animation was mostly fluid, though at times the characters seemed TOO thin, like sticks. Ah well. This was also drawn in a more "realistic" style unlike other animes.The storyline actually flows together like an interconnected web. There are almost no inconsistencies that I can think of regarding the storyline. It virtually shows both Nana's "falls" in life. I love how they also start with "Hey, Nana" at the beginning of many of the episodes, like the two "best friends" long to see each other again but cannot. And viewers do not figure this out until late in the series, adding to its quality. The music also does a fine job of buttressing the certain moods that crop up in the series. Opening and endings are inconsistent with their memorable qualities, but all in all they aptly reflect the characters' emotions as portrayed through their rock music. Voices matched their characters well, and all in all made the series feel even more real, as if the characters themselves were talking to the viewers. Few animes have achieved the effect that Nana has. To sum it all, the anime is as good as the manga.

Information for interested viewers:
* Anime series of episodes : 47 (season 1)
* Manga chapters : Chapter 1-84 ongoing
* Author : Ai Yazawa
* Genre : Comedy - Drama - Romance - Slice of Life - Shoujo-Tragedy
* Watch Online : Email to prishlc@hotmail.com for episode links.

Warning: Stay away from the live action japanese movie on NANA. I tried to watch the live action movie, and all i can say it ruin this anime/manga badly. I'm gonna stick to the original. :D