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セーラームーン (Sailormoon) Short Stories Vol. 2Title: 美少女戦士セーラームーン (Pretty Guardian Sailormoon) Short Stories Vol. 2
Artist/Author: 武内直子 (Naoko Takeuchi)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 204pp., w/furigana
Volume: 2/2
Original Serialization: Runrun 9/93, and two one-shot stories
First Printing: 9/22/04
Rating: 4/4

The first story included in this collections a pretty long one and was originally a volume in itself. The story, I believe, is the basis for the S movie, although I didn't remember until Luna transformed into a human. That's when I vaguely remembered seeing that scene animated somewhere and finally made the connection. The second and third story weren't animated, but I could be wrong. The last story has a little peek into the future.

Bonus includes color pages, sticker sheet, and a timeline of Sailormoon throughout the years.

1. かぐや姫の恋人 (Princess Kaguya's Lover)
2. カサブランカ・メモリー (Casablanca Memory)
3. ばられる せーらぁむ〜ん (Exposed, Sailormoon)

フルーツバスケット (Fruits Basket) Vol. 12Title: フルーツバスケット (Fruits Basket) Vol. 12
Artist/Author: 高屋奈月 (Natsuki Takaya)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 195pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Hana to Yume Vol 24, '02 - Vol 6, '03
First Printing: 6/25/03
Rating: 3/4

When I was buying this series several months ago, for some reason, all the local bookstores were sold out of this volume. I knew I wasn't going to get around to reading it until much later, but I couldn't have a series sitting around with a missing volume. I don't mind not having later volumes, but everything before has to be sequential. I ended up having to order it overseas and as soon as I had it shipped, Asahiya stocked it. Grr.

I thought this volume was a bit better than the previous ones. The kids are back at school, so there's a little more action. The story between Kagura and Kyo is a little more fleshed out with a flashback to their past. Overall, I think this volume helped develop Kyo's character a lot.

Contains chapter 66~71.

フルメタル・パニック! (Full Metal Panic!) Vol. 6Title: フルメタル・パニック! (Full Metal Panic!) Vol. 6
Artist/Author: 館尾冽 (Retsu Tateo)
Original Creator: 賀東招二 (Shouji Gatou)
Book Size/Pages: A-5, 163pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Monthly Comic Dragon 11/02-4/02, Monthly Dragon Age 5/03
First Printing: 7/1/03
Rating: 4/4

The chapters contained in this volume are self-contained episodes. They have continutity though as the Christmas chapter is followed immediately by the New Year's chapter. Speaking of which, this would be my second Christmas story for the day with the other being in Sailormoon. There's not much action in this volume, but it's packed with a lot of romantic comedy between Sosuke and Kaname.

Bonus includes several colored pages and a afterward where the author celebrates about the upcoming anime.

33. あっと驚く「アートな日」 (Surprising Day of Arts)
34. お料理天国、うくるは地獄 (Cooking Heaven, Preparing Hell)
35. 戦場のメリークリスマス (Merry Christmas at the Battlefield)
36. 宗介、新年の信念 (Sosuke, New Year's Resolve)
37. 古典ノートにコテンこてん!? (Notes on Classics on Display...mmm..translation's not quite right as it's a play on words)
38. ピンクの文書でピンチの軍曹 (The Sargent in a Bind with a Pink Document)
39. スペシャル・ウージュアル・ディズ (Special, Usual Days)

アカネマニアックス (Akane Maniax) Vol. 1Title: アカネマニアックス (Akane Maniax) Vol. 1
Original Creator: Age
Volume: 1/3
Catalog No.: ZMBZ-2046
Release Date: 11/25/04
Rating: 4/4

The first thing I noticed is that the animation quality is pretty good. Like all R2 DVDs, the picture quality is sharp and crisp. However, this OVA has extremely good animation and even backgrounds. That's to be expected out of a video-only release.

Being a side story of Kiminozo, I can't help but like it. It's still just a side story though. There are some references to the original series throughout this episode. Joji a little annoying, but I think he'll tone down as this progresses.

Love the intro song and hopefully Minami will include it in her next album. A lot of the other BGMs though, I think were taken from Kiminozo. Okay, I guess, but just less of an incentive for me to try and get the soundtrack (can't do the mail-in thing).

First edition comes with a bunch of stuff including a Rumbling Angel card, figurine, artwork, picture label, and mail-ins for the OST and a chance at a concert.

1. 〜城二 白陵に立つ〜 (Joji at Hakuryo)

少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine), '05 Vol 1Title: 少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine) Vol. 1
Issue Date: 1/1/05
Publisher: Kodansha
Pages: 526

Tsubasa to be animated and broadcast in April, NHK. No Negima next week and King's Sword will start a new arc next chapter.

Tsubasa: 64途切れた記憶 (Disconnect Memories): Reiterates about the other Shaoran. Sakura sees Shaoran come back with battle wounds and gives him a kiss. She then jumps back surprised at her own actions. Mokona tells them that there are two types of memories, one of the heart and one of the mind, and that one might have memories while the other one remains incomplete. Mokona tells them that Sakura's feather's in the castle in the sky. Later, Ashura talks to Sakura and explains Shaoran's determination. Ashura has a discussion with Yuuko, and Shaoran goes about town asking to see if anyone has see Fye or Kuro.

Negima: 77恋のキテレツ予行演習 (Strange Rehearsal of Love): Asuna and the older Negi go on a practice date. After playing for the day, Asuna explains to Negi about how she got her hairbands, the bells, from Takahata. She then tells him that she has the courage to confess to him now. However, they see Takahata and Sizuna at a cafe. Despite that, Asuna says she'll still tell him even if he's already taken.

Student Council: #3謎の学園 (Enigmatic School): Musashi remembers how he lost his parents in the accident in the ocean while napping in class. He finds out that most people have been attacked at the school and finally sees Kaoru, who let's him know how betrayed he felt when he wouldn't help him and launches an attack on him. Musashi realizes who the culprit and fights back. Mami senses this and goes to give Musashi the bracelet that he'll need to win.

Suzuka: #40実家 (Home): Suzuka stays with Yamato's family and feels bad for imposing. Yamato wants her to relax and take a walk with him, but she refuses as she knows that Yamato is with Honoka. Yamato gives a call to Honoka to let her know of the situation. He comes out again and unexpectedly, Suzuka requests to stay one more day.

Hamanaka Ai: 062少女的Bアップ作戦 (Femine Bust Size "Up" Plan): Rinko asks Ayana how to increase her bust size, but Ayana directs the question to the tutors who tell them that they need milk, exercise, and massages. However, the next day, Rinko just shows up with pads for instant success.

King's Sword: 15青い空の下で (Under the Blue Sky): Ryubi and Kanu find Ahi again and have a reunion. Ryubi's horse comes back to him and the three of them set off on another adventure.

Full Swing: 11ストライクゾーンを (The Strike Zone): Tama fights back in the second set from love to an even 5-5.

Changing Now: 31妄想!!憧れのヒーロー (Dreaming!! Beloved Hero): A new student in Takeko's class, 大野健介 (Kensuke Oono) yearns to be a superhero. He sees Dog Fighter and one of his partners discussing their plan and try to learn from them until the boy reveals that he's in love with Dog Fighter/Fujioka's daughter.

ながされて藍蘭島 (Washed Away, Airan Island) Vol. 4Title: ながされて藍蘭島 (Washed Away, Airan Island) Vol. 4
Artist/Author: 藤代健 (Takeshi Fujishiro)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 198pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Monthly GANGAN Wing 12/03-5/04
First Printing: 8/22/03
Rating: 3/4

As if there wasn't enough girls on the island already, another one gets added to the mix. Meimei's short arc was entertaining, but I preferred Chikage's story in this volume. She reminds me a lot of Ikuyo, from her looks to her personality and attempts at world domination.

The standard color page, character guide, extra chapters (2 this time), and omake comic are included.

19. ふんじばって (Tied Up)
20. はずかしくって (Embarrasing)
21. 聞きたくって (Wanting to Hear)
22. とりかえて (Exchanging)
23. ためしたくって (Wanting to Try)
24. ひゃっこくて (Cold)

Crossover Vol. 5Title: Crossover Vol.5
Artist/Author: 瀬尾公治 (Kouji Seo)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 192pp., w/furigana
Volume: 5/7
Original Serialization: Weekly Shonen Magazine Vol. 10, '03 - Vol. 19, '03
First Printing: 5/16/03
Rating: 3/4

The team is finally out of that shrine where they trained. It's still unbelievable in the sense that only after a few weeks training, the team is able to beat another whose average player taller than Marianu's team. There's now a new student, a foreigner, who is at the school who might be a potential center.

The bonus comic has the cheerleaders as sailor scouts.

33. 肩甲骨 (Shoulder Blade)
34. 悪戯の代償 (The Wicked Price)
35. 二人の傷 (The Scars of the Two)
36. ひとりとふたり (One and Two Persons)
37. 初恋の味 (The Taste of First Love)
38. バスケットだ!! (A Basket!!)
39. クリストファー・ナイト (Christopher Knight)
40. お披露目 (Debut)
41. Ain't nothing much

かみちゃまかりん (Mini-Goddess Karin) Vol. 2Title: かみちゃまかりん (Mini-Goddess Karin) Vol. 2
Artist/Author: コゲどんぼ (Koge-Donbo)
Book Size/Pages: Small B-6, 190pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Nakayoshi 7/03-11/03
First Printing: 12/5/03
Rating: 3/4

This volume pretty much just established the characters, including the ones who appear to be the antagonists. In addition to being able to make great characters, Koge-Donbo can also make hilarious SD caricatures.

Bonus includes a tear-out postcard. I don't know if this is a first-pressing bonus or what not, but my issue is the second pressing and it still has it. I checked again and my first volume didn't have one. It has a bonus comic and the plastic cover.

Lunar Scribbles