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AIR Movie Soundtrack
With the theatrical release continually being extended, I have to wonder when I'll be able to buy the DVD. I'd really like to see this movie. According to the sticker on the shrinkwrap, this soundtrack contains the music to the movie and is identical to the CDs sold to movie goers. As I haven't seen the movie yet, I don't have contextual information, but I think I know where most of the tunes go in the story. There are a few songs that are inspired by the original soundtrack. The overall mood of the music is pretty solemn and feels like there's a lot of history (sounds like they could be used in Kanna's story). I wished there were more of a variety on this CD. The image song for the movie, which is also based off a tune from the game is sung in Engrish. The lyrics are good though and it fits well with the music...but it's still Engrish. One thing to note is that this CD doesn't contain the theme songs, but I already have that CD elsewhere. I'll probably appreciate the music more once I see the movie. |
Title: AIR Movie Soundtrack |
佐藤利奈：空色のリボン (Rina Satou: Sky-Blue Ribbon)
Rina is my next Akamatsu girl. After seeing the preview video a few weeks ago, I had to buy this CD. It's hard to believe that she's the same person that does the voice for Negi, especially after hearing the spoken tracks. The CD has 4 songs and 2 spoken tracks along with karaoke for three of the songs. The title song is the best by far. I believe it's also the intro to her radio program, but I haven't heard the samples on her web site (maybe I should now given her voice). From the 2nd to 4th song, it gets progressively slower and slower and my ranking for the songs is aligned with the track numbers. What really shines on this CD is the two spoken tracks. She has such a lovely voice! In the first, she talks about the sky (appropriate for the theme of the sky). The second track has her talking about her predilection for cats. First pressing comes with a special Rina photo card. I got card #3 (of 3). |
Title: 佐藤利奈：空色のリボン (Rina Satou: Sky-Blue Ribbon) |
ドラゴンエイジ (Dragon Age) March '05
As I've mentioned when I first got it, this volume is relatively thin compared to the other issues of Dragon Age. It's just a paltry 500 pages as opposed to the 800 page volumes before. There isn't a 100+ page one-shot, so that's probably why. No special bonuses this month. Girl Following is off this month and Full Metal Panic ends in next month's issue. Karin has a bonus chapter concerning how Karin's mom and dad first met. Karin: 恥の２３「怪しい２人と健太の不安〜Anxiety〜」 (The Strange Couple and Kenta's Anxiety): Kenta's mother feels terrible that she has to rely on her son's part time job for income as she hasn't found a job yet. Meanwhile, Syuusei Iizuka, who is apparently Kenta's dead-beat father comes with a P.I. to look for Kenta and his mother. After walking home with Kenta from work, Karin heads over to Maki's parent's bookstore to kill some time. There, she bumps into a guy who looks a lot like Kenta and he takes interest when she accidentally blurts out Kenta's name. Tsubame Syndrome: 15 Other[ハーフ・タイム] (Half Time): Ura wins a lottery and so the group goes to the hot springs. There's a little mixup in the hot springs (as expected), they play some ping pong and before bed, Taiga tries to confess to Tsubame, but can't get himself to do it. They accidentally fall asleep on the same futon and are caught the next morning. Maburaho Colorful: 4: (A silent comic with Maiho causing trouble) Maid Guy: 4: A group of underwear thieves come and try to take Naeka's garments, but are caught by the maids. Despite having those guys arrested, the next morning they find that 6 pairs of underwear are missing. Kogarashi grills a delivery-man who says that he saw a girl sneaking around wearing strawberry underwear. With that, Kogarashi tries to find her. On the roof of Naeka's school, he spots a suspicious girl and with his x-ray vision, he sees that she has one of Naeka's underwear. He manages to get it back, but he's still one short. We also find out that the girl serves the mysterious girl seen in the morning. Full Metal Panic: MISSION57 Clear and Present Danger: Galon and Sosuke fight and as a last ditch attempt, Galon activates a self-destruction mechanism think that it would blow up everyone in the ship with him. However, the submarine (controlled by Kaname) opens up a hatch and Sosuke gets Galon out of the vessel before he explodes. Later, the crew reach base. Supasu-pa: ２６「鈴の身体と春奈困惑」 (Suzu's Body and Haruna's Confusion): Haruna finds out about Suzu's transformation when she receives a kiss from Itsuki. Realizing now that she has a real rival, she tries to snuggle up to Itsuki the same way that Suzu does. When Suzu sees the two of them, Haruna tells her that she won't give up. Zero In: Piece 17: Leading: The Minkei are called in to help bust up a illegal gun trafficking. However, Mikuru doesn't want to work with her new partner, Fujita as they have differing opinions. Mikuru never kills but Fujita has no reservations about blowing someone one away. They're finally forced to team up and during the operation, they end up arguing with each other more than battling the enemy. After the job is done, Mikuru and Fujita duke it out. Taisetsu na Koto: Step 13: 遠い空のむこうに (Beyond the Far Sky): Kayoko is quickly becoming an idol and has her first break being on the cover of a popular magazine. Nami takes a walk the morning after being scolded the night before for coming back late. She wanders to Sumomo's place, but remembers that Ryutaro had told her not to see Sumomo again. Nami tries to turn back, but then sees Sumomo fall down a flight of stairs. Using her magic, Nami saves her. Ryutaro then shows up and is about to yell at Nami when Sumomo steps in. At school, Kayoko wants to quit and pursue a modeling career, but it seems more of an escape. She asks Ryutaro for a ride on his bike and as they ride away, Nami sees the two of them together. Love Dog: 第５話「ビバノンノ湯煙温泉の旅」 (Bibanon, Trip to the Steam Hot Springs): Shinichiro wins some tickets to a hot springs where pets are allowed so he takes his 4 girls. As they're taking their baths, Amane fears that Shinichiro plans to leave them there so they all jump to the men's side of the hot springs. Chaos ensues. Nodoka Nobody: 八の湯「見えない絆」 (8, Unseen Bonds): The owner of Ougiya Hot Springs turns down a proposition by Nodoka to remodel his place because he feels like that customers come anyway regardless of how new it is. Soon after they leave though, he finds out that one of his customers got food poisoning and the dept. of health is shutting him down for a week. Truly a problem as it's golden week, but busiest time of the year. Nodoka and Miki see him later on the verge of suicide and have a talk with him. He goes back and apologizes to his staff and has everyone make an effort to try and book their customers at other hotels. Nodoka gives some help using her connections in the industry. |
Title: ドラゴンエイジ (Dragon Age) March '05 |
真月譚 月姫 (Lunar Legend Tsukihime) Vol. 2
I like the cover a lot, although I don't think she appears in this volume much. This volume for the most part only covers the battle with Neo-Chaos (I think that's how you translate it, although Alcuid isn't all that intuitive either). Anyway, much of the mystic surrounding the series didn't come though in this volume as most of it was just fighting and more fighting. No bonus in this volume. Contains chapters 8~15. |
Title: 真月譚 月姫 (Lunar Legend Tsukihime) Vol. 2 |
まほらば (Mahoraba) OP Single
While I'm not a big fan of DROPS, I had to get this CD because it's Mahoraba. The CD contains 4 versions of the same opening song. The first is a duet, second is with Ryoko as a solo, third with Mio as Solo, and the last is the karaoke version. As much as I hate to admit it, Ryoko's version is my favorite version on the CD. Mio's voice is just a little to whiny for me. The song itself is a little more mellow than what I would have thought of for such a wacky series as Maburaho. |
Title: まほらば (Mahoraba) OP Single |
はやてxブラード (Hayate Cross Blade) Vol. 2
While the obi advertises the series as a contrast between the cool (Ayana) and the stupid (Hayate), this volume mostly focuses on the latter. The story is a good read, but not anything extraordinary. Hayate almost gets suckered in by another team who uses her naivety against her. What I like about this series though, is the whimsical artwork, especially of Hayate in her clumsiness. Bonus is only a letter from the author in the back. 7. バカが狙うもの (What the Baka Aims For) |
Title: はやてxブラード (Hayate Cross Blade) Vol. 2 |
恋風 (Koi Kaze) Vol. 5
The manga ends at volume 12. When the anime was made, the manga hadn't finished so these last few episodes deviated a bit from the original comic. I really didn't think episode 13 was necessary, but that's just my preference as I liked the ending to the manga just the way it was. I liked the fact that Chidori had a larger role to play in the anime. She really ought to have been a counter-balance to Nanoka. While quite not meeting my expectations (I had been comparing this series to Someday's Dreamers), it was still a good show. I still don't like the ending though. First edition comes with stickers and a postcard of toddler Nanoka and father (I think this a picture used in the opening too). 11. 余寒 (Lingering Winter) |
Title: 恋風 (Koi Kaze) Vol. 5 |
Kagetora Vol. 1
I got interested in this series after the 4 issues of Shonen Magazine a few weeks ago that had special chapters for this story. It's basically a love comedy between a ninja, Kagetora, and a girl, Yuki. She comes from a line of legendary fighters, but is a complete klutz, so her mom summons Kagetora to come and train her. As expected, he seems to fall in love with her although he tries to convince himself otherwise. I enjoyed the story, but for at least the first volume, it seems to start off like many other romantic comedies. Maybe I'm strange, but this stuff never gets old for me. Bonus comes with some 4 panel comics. 1. イケないご指南役 (An Unfit Instructor) |
Title: Kagetora Vol. 1 |
まほらば (Mahoraba) ED Single
It's been quite a while since I've heard Chihiro, not since the Love Hina Winter Special. This single is unique in that it contains 3 songs and one karaoke track. The ending theme seems to fit the series a little better than the intro. I think it's the mood that the song evokes. The second song she has is rather upbeat followed by a very mellow third song. Rather, the third song is too mellow. I'm not used to listening to her sing such a slow slow song. First edition apparently comes with an obi that has a peel off sticker. However, the packaging doesn't have a sticker noting that it's a first edition (but I also have the sticker). |
Title: まほらば (Mahoraba) ED Single |
少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine), '05 Vol 15
Featured girl is 16 year old Asuka Hoshino posing for Coca-Cola. There's a one-shot comic of Hime Cop, a series that's running Monthly Magazine Special. Anime Research comic has an interview with Ho-chan (Yui Horie)! Negima: ８７時間目 隠しきれない恋心 (Love that Can't Be Hidden): Yue sees two Negis and thinks that there are he has fakes running around again. Negi explains to her about Chao's time traveling device. Since he has some time free, he asks Yue to accompany him. He tries to consult with her about what he should do with Nodoka. Yue responds that he should wait until they're no longer in a teacher/student relationship to respond. But soon after, she realizes that she may have betrayed her friend for her own selfish needs. Kamo makes sure she knows it. In the end though, she apologizes for what she may have done to Nodoka's relationship, but only to herself. Toto: １３「機関車の街５」 (Locomotive City, Part 5): Kakashi and Dorothy come charging in to save Mirika and Noiru. Using Toto, Kakashi beats the army, but Dorothy gets captured by the sergeant. Meanwhile, Noiru takes Mirika to his secret garage where he's been working on a locamotive. He starts it up and drives it out, much to the surprise of everyone. Tsubasa: ７０もう一人の自分 (Another Self): Shaoran has nightmares of someone calling to him. When he wakes, he finds himself in Pickle World and learns that Kuro, Fye, and Sakura are preparing to enter a racing contest where the winner will get Sakura's feather as a prize. As Sakura and Fye are getting parts, they almost have an accident with another car. Tomoyo steps out of the vehicle that almost hit them. Suzuka: ＃５２別離 (Separation): Yamato is determined to give the present to Honoka and goes over to her house. They have an argument where Honoka accuses him of liking Suzuka. Yamato rebuffs saying that he loved Honoka. Honoka finally accepts the present and the two agree to split up. Hamanaka Ai: ０７４偉大な先生 (The Great Teacher): The students have to write about who they respect. Masahiko finally chooses Ai (I don't get the joke...). Student Council: ＃１５扉よりの使者 (The Messenger at the Door): Mami and Musashi prepare for the fight with Valkyrie, the guy who brought chaos to the world before Mami's brother sealed him (and himself) away. Musashi fights and finds out that he doesn't get hurt. Instead, he notices that all his injuries get inflicted on Mami. Valkyrie prepares to shoot a blast at Musashi but then Kaoru jumps in to protect him. King's Sword: ２７孫堅対華雄 (Sonken vs. Kayuu): Sonken (good guy) fights Kayuu (bad guy) and kills him, taking his head as a token. On towards the capital. Changing Now: ＃４２最強！！スター仮面 (Strongest!! Star Mask): Star Mask beats up Dog Fighter, but then Machina joins the fight. |
Title: 少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine) Vol. 15 |
少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine), '05 Vol 16
It's Waka "I'm probably blind from all that eye sparkle liquid" Inoue. This week features a series of gag comics, including a one-shot from Minamike's author, Koharu Sakuraba. AMR features Mamiko Noto and Ami Koshimizu for doing voices in School Rumble. Student Council is off this week. Suzuka: ＃５３最低 (The Worst): Yamato comes home to find that Saotome and Megumi have come into his room to have a little drinking party. He tells them that he's single now, but they don't really help console him, especially with Megumi becoming drunk. After they leave, Suzuka comes crawling from the hole in the wall that splits their room to find out to make sure. Negima: ８８時間目 復活！！伝説の♥あぶな〜い格闘大会 (Revival!! The Legendary Battle Event): Negi finds out that there's a popular event happening that night, a fighting contest to find the strongest at Mahora. With the purse at 10 million Yen, almost everyone participates including Asuna and even Takahata-sensei. At first, Negi doesn't want to participate, but then he hears from Chao that year ago, his father was a champion in the contest. With that, he decides to join in. Hamanaka Ai: ０７５桜花嬌笑 (Sakura Petal Smile): The group is out enjoying the Sakura flowers and for a snapshot, Masahiko asks the girls to line up from smallest to biggest...and apparently it's not according to their height. Tsubasa: ７１今成すべき事 (The Thing That Must Be Done Now): Kuro is surprised to see Tomoyo, but Tomoyo is more surprised to Sakura. Fye and Shaoran talk about how different his current country is. Meanwhile, Tomoyo encourages Sakura to be a race queen for the competition, even though she doesn't know how to fly a vehicle. Toto: １３「機関車の街６」 (Locomotive City, Part 6): Noiru tries to make an escape. Mirika rescues Dorothy from the sergeant and Kakishi fends him off. The army then call in the tanks to destroy the train, but Noiru had put confetti in the chamber and it shoots out streamers and flowers. Mirika is left behind in the town while the other three head towards Emerald City. King's Sword: ２８張飛対呂布 (Chohi vs. Ryofu): Chohi tries to take on the man who feels no pain. As he's about to put the sleeper on him, Ryofu whips out a dagger and almost stabs Chohi in the face. Ryubi, Sousou, and Kanu plan to surround Ryofu in order to defeat him. Changing Now: ＃４３激突！！戦いの理由 (Crash! The Reason for Fighting): Machina defeats Star Mask and cuts off his left hand. |
Title: 少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine) Vol. 16 |
少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine), '05 Vol 17
It's like the planets lining up, I suppose. This week's magazine boasts their entire line-up without a single artist taking a week off (even CLAMP!). Cover girl is Aya Matsuura. There's a one-shot comic about a middle-aged guy and his life-sized marionette doll that he controls. Very strange. This week's Anime Research comic has an interview with the director of Tsubasa anime. Student Council: ＃１６絆の息吹 (Brace of Unity): Just as Musashi is about to be blasted by a beam coming from Valkyrie, Kaoru steps in to protect him. Nagare also jumps in later and gives Musashi a sword, the sword Mami's brother used 10 years ago. However, as Musashi handles it, roots grow around the sword and force him to pull it out to use it. Nagare says it's a test. The other student council members jump in the fight and Musashi, along with Nagare and Kaoru, help pull the sword out. Suzuka: ＃５３決心 (Determination): At school, Yamato and Honoka see each other but don't know what to say. During track practice, Honoka doesn't show up causing the team members to ask and find out that she and Yamato broke up. Honoka spends the time talking with Nana and decides that she should be more self confident, and thinking that maybe if she was, they would still be together. The next day, she goes to practice and is determined to tell Yamato how she really feels. Negima: ８９時間目 強者だらけのドキドキ♡バトルロイヤル (Nervousness With the Strong, Battle Royale): Fight, fight, fight! Using the skills he learned from Ku-fei and Eva, Negi manages to enter the round of 16. His next opponent is Takahata-sensei. Tsubasa: ７２忘れ得ぬ人 (Someone I Can't Forget): Sakura still can't fly her craft, but doesn't give up on being a race queen. Fye makes a comment to Kuro about how Tomoyo looks similar to the one Kuro knew in his home country. As the race is about to start, they noticed that many of the other contestants are people they've met elsewhere before. Hamanaka Ai: ０７６禁欲の部屋 (The Room of Celibacy): Nakamura is try to stop smoking and she tries to get Ai, Masahiko, and Rinko to be ascetic too. Ai has to refrain from eating between meals so when Masahiko's mother brings in cake, they tie up Ai. The mom comes back to see the tutor in bondage. Toto: 15: Noiru, Dorothy, and Kakashi are on the train to Emerald City. Along the way, Noiru points out that they'll have to pass the North Witch Forest. Right then, a mysterious lady with a hat and broomstick flies into view and jumps aboard their train. She introduces herself as repo-woman for accessories and has come for Kakashi's bracelet. She explains that it was used during a war 50 years ago and should have been sealed away. Kakashi now holds the power to change the destiny of the world. Kakashi refuses to give it up though because it still embodies Toto's spirit. They then see that they're on a crash course with another train. King's Sword: ２９呂布対劉備三兄弟 (Ryofu and The Three Brothers): Ryubi, Chohi, and Kanu surround Ryofu and try to team up on Ryofu. Ryofu parries all their attacks, but then his sword breaks and he retreats. One less obstacle on the way to Rakuyou. Changing Now: ＃４４限界！！正義の代償 (Limit!! The Price of Justice): After being defeated by Machina, Star Mask shows that his left arm is a prosthetic and he tells Dog Fighter that he paid the price for justice. They call it a night. The next morning, but baddies have all left and Dog Fighter realizes that it wasn't a dream. |
Title: 少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine) Vol. 17 |
電撃大王 (Dengeki Daioh) March '05
I've been holding off until I was finished with Hayate Cross Blade and Tsukihime to start reading this month's issue as they were series I've wanted to catch up on. A couple of series ending this month, namely Comic Party, Please Twins, and Kanna. Uta~Kata is going to end in next month's volume. They're probably clearing out these titles for the new batch of comics coming in the next few months, including FUTAKOI and Muv-luv (I think) Alternative! No Ichigo Marshmallow this month. Bonus comes with just a pullout illustration. Yotsuba to: ２３よつばと釣り (Yotsuba and Fishing): Jumbo takes Yotsuba, Dad, Ena, and Miuchi to a fishing site where they buy the fish and catch (easier for the kids). Miuchi has issues with the bait and gutting of live fish. To Heart R: 5: Still quite bummed from Hiroyuki decision to choose his course of study, Akari tries her hardest to avoid him. They later meet on two sides of the outdoor bath where she explains that he wants to support him in his pursuits, but that means he'll spend more time with Maruchi. She storms out of the bath and walks by Maruchi without saying a word. Tsukihime: 16: After the battle, Shiki thinks that everything should be back to normal and that Alcuid has no reason to be in town anymore. On his way to school, he sees the damage he caused and meets Shieru fixing a fence. He goes to class, but faints in homeroom while talking to his friends. During lunch, Shieru has a talk with Satsuki. Shiki wakes in the nurses office late afternoon. Shieru then asks him to accompany her. HayatexBlade: １５あの鐘を鳴らすのはおばか (The Baka is the One Who Rings the Bell): During lunch, Hayate can't find Moka and Ayana is getting pastries, so she finds Sou/Aoi to hang out with. But before she starts eating, Mizuchi comes and takes Sou away. While she's alone, a mysterious girl comes and has lunch with Hayate. Meanwhile, the results from the last battles are in and Hayate/Ayana have been promoted to rank B. Later in the day, Shizuku accidentally rings the battle bell, but immediately cancels. Hitsugi tells her to rest as she sees that Shizuku has a cold. Shizuku promises to be cured the next day and after some intense training of running and eating (which she thinks will make her better), she ends up worse. KuraKURA: 7: Runa (the child) returns to school after taking two days off and wonders how she'll face her crush, Hayakawa. She finds that her mother is also participating at the event. After Runa changes clothes, she bumps into Hayakawa. Muv-luv: 7: Takeru wakes up to find out that he was bitten by a snake and that Mikoto had sucked out the venom. However, he still can't move his legs. Night falls and Mikoto gets him a sheet and undresses and snuggles by him to provide warmth. Kashimashi: 9: Hazumu's class goes to the beach. Asuta seems to have fallen in love with Hazumu but keeps holding himself back because he remembers that Hazumu used to be a guy. While Hazumu's away, Tomari uses the opportunity to tell Yasuna that she loves Hazumu also. Psi-ren: 8: Both Souichiro and Meruna have to deal damages from their last fight. Souichiro is out another robot and Meruna's Psi-suit will take some time to fix. Meanwhile, word has leaked out on the Internet about these fighters of justice and various news outlets are calling headquarters and inquiring. As Meruna leaves one night, she's followed by a stalker. Luckily, she bumps into Souichiro and he scares the guy off. The two then decide to go to dinner. Uta~Kata: 6: The group goes to Enoshima. Keiko, Satsuki, and Nozomu have a little scuffle. Ichika transformed despite leaving her jewel at home and Manatsu violates the rules by saving her. Soon after Saya appears and makes Manatsu disappear for the transgression. |
Title: 電撃大王 (Dengeki Daioh) March '05 |
藍より青し (Ai yori Aoshi) Vol. 15
One of my long standing issues with Ai yori has been answer in this volume when Aoi finally meets the guy who has taken over the Hanabishi estate. That's pretty much all that this volume covers, but it's good to see that the author didn't forget about the other Kaoru that he introduced several volumes ago. Bonus comes with a character intro and summary page as well as the bonus chapter that appeared in Young Animal Island Vol. 2 with the Chika-rins. 119. 大丈夫 (I'm Fine) |
Title: 藍より青し (Ai yori Aoshi) Vol. 15 |
まぶらほ (Maburaho) The Greatest Hits
This CD contains all of the vocals used in the show. It contains the intro, ending, as well as the vocal from the three character singles. So right off the bat, I have 5 duplicate songs. Discounting those, it comes with 4 new songs, two Christmas songs, a song with the trio singing, and the ending sung by the main cast (used in episode 24 ending). Despite the Engrish, I find the Maburaho cast singing Bing Crosby as awfully cute. Their rendition of the ending song is charming although they're pretty off key. The CD as a whole is pleasant to listen to with the only standouts being the original intro and ending. |
Title: まぶらほ (Maburaho) The Greatest Hits |
ながされて藍蘭島 (Washed Away, Airan Island) Vol. 5 LE
Things just aren't as funny when Ayane isn't being abused. My favorite chapter is chapter 29 with Suzu and Ayane fighting each other, but beside that, most of the stories were entertaining but not as hilarious as stuff in the previous volumes. Limited edition comes with a Machi figurine as well as a Suzu pictured card. The book has a couple of bonus chapters, an omake comic, and a sketch of MeiMei. 25. 直したくって (Wanting to Fix) |
Title: ながされて藍蘭島 (Washed Away, Airan Island) Vol. 5 LE |
まぶらほ (Maburaho) Vol. 12 LE
I actually liked how the series ended, minus the extra part at the end thrown in for the readers of the novels. I didn't think that they could have made the ending any better than the one they presented in episode 24 right before the ending credits. Chihaya is still my favorite girl in the series, but it was a rollercoaster for these two episodes. I didn't like her stubbornness during the last episode, but she eventually came to her senses at the end. Now time to hit the books and start reading the 10+ volume novel series. Ugh. But at least that's cheaper than 12 DVDs @ ~$70 each. Yikes. Limited edition comes with a box for the last 4 DVDs, a Chihaya keyholder, picture cards, and calendars. Video bonuses include the non-text version of the two special endings for episode 23 and 24. 23. みられちゃった (I Was Seen) |
Title: まぶらほ (Maburaho) Vol. 12 LE |
彼氏彼女の事情 (His and Her Circumstances) Vol. 20
I made the mistake last time of thinking it was a 23 volume series. Rather, vol. 19 was her 23rd comic. Karekano will finish with 21 volumes with last chapter in the June issue (if I remember correctly). Finally, Arima's parental issues are resolved and the story goes back to the him and her. Personally, I disagree about where the story is going as I believe the two of them have messed up their lives pretty badly given the choices that they are making, but I'm not writing it. I'm just a reader hoping that whatever ending will come next volume will be something that concludes this saga. No bonuses. 94. 救済 (Salvation) |
Title: 彼氏彼女の事情 (His and Her Circumstances) Vol. 20 |
フルーツバスケット (Fruits Basket) Vol. 16
I really loved the story that Tohru's mother told Kyo as a child about her life, how she ran away from home, got her life turned around by a teacher who she later married, gave birth to Tohru, and her feelings after her husband died. As much as I love it though, I feel like her mom's story has been told before in previous volumes. Nothing happens with the characters in present day (the remaining chapters were pretty dull). For something that's already in the 16th volume, I had hoped for more progress rather than reflection. Bonus is just a summary/character intro page. Contains chapters 90~95. |
Title: フルーツバスケット (Fruits Basket) Vol. 16 |
恋風 (Koi Kaze) Vol. 4
Being the penultimate DVD, the story is quickly coming to a close. I'm very impressed that they were able to add so much story into just three chapters. The first focuses on Nanoka and Koshiro's past with the next two having the siblings coming to realize their own feelings for each other and the taboo that comes with it. I wonder how the last episode will differ from the manga. First edition comes with a postcard of Nanoka and friend and some stickers. Video bonus has a collection of commercials for the DVD. 8. 露霜 (Frozen Dew) |
Title: 恋風 (Koi Kaze) Vol. 4 |
かみちゃまかりん (Mini-Goddess Karin) Vol. 5
The summary provided at the beginning of the book helped as I had forgotten most of what has happened in the story so far. This volume doesn't add too much to the overall story. There's a revelation that might link Karin and Kazune, but it's drowned out by the bickering the two have during the play in the latter half of the book. It ends on a happy note though. Bonus comes with a postcard. It has the translucent cover like previous issues and an short omake comic. |
Title: かみちゃまかりん (Mini-Goddess Karin) Vol. 5 |
イリヤの空、ＵＦＯの夏 (Sky of Iriya, Summer of UFO) Vol. 1
Finally, the first anime that I've read the novel to. I was going to delay watching this disc until I'm done with volume 4 (currently 1/4 of the way), but since it only covers what I've already read, it's okay to view it now. I'm not a videophile so I can only comment on what I see, but the quality of the video is incredible. I was looking, but couldn't see any artifacts, even during the intro credits (they're usually noticeable around the text). And this is with my 105" projection screen. I guess that's what happens when you put one episode on a disc. The ending credits are horrible, though. I don't know what happened, by they're barely readable. The audio is crystal clear linear PCM. The intro and ending songs are okay, nothing catchy though. Maybe if I view it a few more times. As for the story, it covers the first chapter and most of the second chapter. At first, I was wondering how they could put the story on just 6 episodes, given how much happens, but if they're going to be condensing it this much, I can believe it. The downside is that for people who haven't read the novel, the anime will seem to be pretty jumpy. But if you know the story from the books, the screenplay follows it pretty well. Many of the scenes they do show are similar to how I imagined they would be. Suizenji isn't so weird in my imagination though. First pressing comes with a very pretty DVD box, much better than the plain cover to the DVD. 1. 第三種接近遭遇 (Close Encounter of the Third Kind) |
Title: イリヤの空、ＵＦＯの夏 (Sky of Iriya, Summer of UFO) Vol. 1 |
アカネマニアックス (Akane Maniax) OP/ED Single
I've been waiting for this CD since the first time I saw the commercial for Akane Maniax when they had the opening song playing in the background. How does Minami (and her music writer/guitarist, Masaaki Iizuka) do it with all these wonderful tunes? Starting with the second song, I like the music, but I think Kaori's voice is a little lacking. She has a unique voice and her singing voice is very similar to how Akane would sound if she sang it, but it's a bit weak. Maybe if Minami sang it. The intro beats reminds me of a Phil Collins song, but only for the first few seconds. The melody to the intro really grabbed me the first time I heard it. The transition in music between the verse and chorus is just perfect. The lyrics fit the song, but not necessary the anime it represents. If I could just go to just one concert in Japan, odds are that it would Minami's, especially for this song. If they could only release a concert DVD... |
Title: アカネマニアックス (Akane Maniax) OP/ED Single |
ドラゴンマガジン (Dragon Magazine) December '04
There's 7 short stories selected from reader submitted entries. I wish I had the time to read them all... There are also features in the magazine for Full Metal Panic (man, I wish I had more time to read), the 7 stories for the Dragon Cup, and Legend of the Sacred Dragon. The bonus comes with a little booklet that covers the Dragon Cup stories. The cover of the magazine features Sosuke and Kaname. 聖竜伝 (Legend of the Sacred Dragon): キミボクそして私が立つ今日 (You and Me, and Today I Stand): After leaving the nurse's office, Agnes bumps into Yuuki again and proceeds to go to 3rd year, 3rd class to have another showdown with Shizuki. The robot is there to prevent her from doing so, but she fights her way through. Now she knows Shizuki is really up to something. When she finally breaks in, she finds that they've been planning a welcome party for her and Yuuki picked her gift: a box of maxi pads. |
Title: ドラゴンマガジン (Dragon Magazine) December '04 |
ゼロイン (Zero In) Vol. 3 LE
Zero In continues to be one of my favorites. I started my Dragon Age subscription with chapter 12, so the only chapter I haven't read is the first one. Unlike Someday's Dreamers, the first chapter in this volume didn't add too much to the story, but it make the story a little more complete. The limited edition volume comes with a bonus drama CD (and a special cover that says that this volume is special). The drama CD contains the 3 drama tracks that were included with the bonus CDs that came with Dragon Age 11/04-1/05. The final track is the one they wanted you to spend the money on. It only has 4 tracks with no bonus/comments from the seiyuu which I thought they could have added. The final drama track delves more into Mikuru's past and why she can't get herself to shoot people. In the manga, it only glosses over it, but in the radio drama there's more explanation about how she was forced to shoot her own father as a child. Sanae Kobayashi's voice acting job is superb. 11. KINA II |
Title: ゼロイン (Zero In) Vol. 3 LE |
まぶらほ シングル (Maburaho Single) Vol. 1
I had thought about getting this series of character singles before, but always postponed it. Maburaho has become one of the most influential and pivotal series for me, so I was going to get them at some time or another. Since my orders have been pretty light recently, I finally got them. The CD is a bit expensive for just 5 tracks. It contains a vocal song, a drama track, a background music track, a message from the voice actress, and a karaoke track. The vocal track isn't all that interesting. Hitomi sings it with her normal voice, not Yuuna's voice and her singing abilities is pretty average for a voice actress. Where she does shine is doing the voice for Yuuna, especially when Yuuna starts talking really fast when she's nervous or pouting. She has a few of those scenes in the drama track, which is more than enough to compensate for the song. The message from Hitomi isn't all that insightful nor informative. She seems to like the song she sings though. 2. ドラマ「夕菜と和樹のハネムーンデイズ」 (Drama "Yuuna and Kazuki's Honeymoon Days"): Yuuna daydreams about how life would be being married to Kazuki. Kazuki comes home tired from a long day. After some talk about a bad day at work, he mentions that he wishes to be back at school. Yuuna thinks he wants to be with Kuriko and Rin again and goes on a jealous fit. Kazuki calms her, but he still wonders how they're doing. Yuuka says Rin is training in Egypt and Kuriko is in Mexico establishing a new company and doesn't have much free time. Flash back to present day where Yuuna tells Kazuki that she awaits the day she can be called "Yuuna Shikimori." |
Title: まぶらほ チャラクターシングル１ 宮間夕菜 (Maburaho Character Single Vol. 1: Yuuna Miyama)