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イリヤの空、UFOの夏 (Sky of Iriya, Summer of UFO) Vol. 1Title: イリヤの空、UFOの夏 (Sky of Iriya, Summer of UFO) Vol. 1
Original Creator: 秋山瑞人 (Mizuhito Akiyama)
Volume: 1/6
Catalog No.: BIBA-5401
Release Date: 2/25/05
Rating: 4/4

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)

アカネマニアックス (Akane Maniax) OP/ED SingleTitle: アカネマニアックス (Akane Maniax) OP/ED Single
Original Creator: age
Vocals: 栗林みな実 (Minami Kuribayashi) and 水橋かおり (Kaori Mizuhashi)
Release Date: 2/23/05
Catalog No.: LACM-4183
Rating: 4/4

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...

ドラゴンマガジン (Dragon Magazine) December '04Title: ドラゴンマガジン (Dragon Magazine) December '04
Issue Date: 12/1/04
Publisher: Kadokawa (Fujimi Shobo)
Pages: 226

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):
New Characters: ダウラット (Daurat)
Chapter 4: After having a dream about his nanny explaining to him that he's part of the Dragon family, Shin wakes up to find that he, Latkis, and Fana were rescued from a sand storm by a mysterious guy named Daurat. Shin explains to Daurat about what he's doing, Daurat asks him to hand over the dragon scale that he used to fend off the dead in last chapter. Without saying that he doesn't have it anymore, Shin whips out his dagger and starts to fight, but Daurat breaks his dagger pretty easily. Latkis explains that they don't have the scale anymore. They then find out that Daurat is the dragon that fly overhead during the first chapter and that he's transformed into human form because he sensed the dragon scale. As Latkis and Shin are asleep, Fana talks to Daurat telepathically asking him to make her be able to talk again as she's heard about the powers about the Dragon family that he belongs to. He tells him that she's suppressing it herself and that she can cure herself. He then departs. Later, Shin starts thinking about settling down, for Fana and Latkis's sake. A mysterious person comes around looking for Daurat. He apparently is also part of the Dragon family, but can't transform. Daurat, as a dragon, then comes to and rescues the three kids and takes them off to the city where Shin wants to settle.

キミボクそして私が立つ今日 (You and Me, and Today I Stand):
Chapter 3: Agnes now stays at the dorm and passes the 4 girls who she suspects are planning something as they seem to whisper to each other all the time. Yuuki is just minding his own business when he walks into the 3rd year, 3rd class to find Shizuki and the other girls up to something. They force him to either cooperate or have him tied up. Later, he goes and offers to give a tour of the place to Agnes, but being that time of month again, she goes to the nurses office as she didn't bring any of her own "supplies." There, she meets the nurse, who's also ghost, and an assistant, a ghost robot. The nurse explains that her theory is that people who are at the school are people who don't fit into society. While she's at the nurse's office, Himurim explains to Yuuki about Agnes rough childhood because people know she has magical powers.

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.

ゼロイン (Zero In) Vol. 3 LETitle: ゼロイン (Zero In) Vol. 3 LE
Artist/Author: いのうえ空 (Sora Inoue)
Book Size/Pages: B-6, 163pp., w/furigana
Original Serialization: Monthly Dragon Age 7/04-1/05
First Printing: 2/25/04
Rating: 4/4

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
12. KINA III
13. KINA 最終章 (Last Chapter)
14. Point Blank
15. Feeding Trouble
16. Age.16

まぶらほ シングル (Maburaho Single) Vol. 1Title: 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)
Original Creator: 築地俊彦 (Toshihiko Tsukiji)
Vocals: 生天目仁美 (Hitomi Nabatame)
Release Date: 4/21/04
Catalog No.: SCDC-00344
Rating: 3/4

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."

まぶらほ シングル (Maburaho Single) Vol. 2Title: まぶらほ チャラクターシングル2 風椿久里子 (Maburaho Character Single Vol. 2: Kuriko Kazetsubaki)
Original Creator: 築地俊彦 (Toshihiko Tsukiji)
Vocals: 松岡由貴 (Yuki Matsuoka)
Release Date: 5/19/04
Catalog No.: SCDC-00356
Rating: 3/4

The second of the 3 Maburaho singles, and is in the same format as the Yuuna's and Rin's CDs.

The song reminds me a lot of Ayaka's (from Negima) character single. It has the same tempo and feel, but Junko's voice is a lot better than Yuki's voice. She sings it in her normal voice, which is probably the same voice she uses for Kuriko as they sound similar. I think out of the 3 singles, Kuriko's song fits her personality the best.

The message from Yuki is as interesting as Yuuna's seiyuu, meaning not very. She reflects a bit about how Kuriko seems to be the elder sister among the three girls.

2. ドラマ「玖里子と和樹のハネムーンデイズ」 (Drama "Kuriko and Kazuki's Honeymoon Days"): Kazuki comes home late from work and is more than eager to smooch his new wife. However, Kuriko keeps on interrupting their kissing with various excuses. The first time, she notices he still calls him "Kuriko-san." The second time, she explains that she's hungry and he mentions that he's tasted Yuuna and Rin's homemade lunches, but not hers. Third interruption has Kuriko informing Kazuki that Rin and Yuuna are nuns in Kyoto. Fourth interruption has Kuriko asking how his work was. Finally, Kazuki decides to be more assertive. Flash back to present day where Kuriko quits her prognostication software.

まぶらほ シングル (Maburaho Single) Vol. 3Title: まぶらほ チャラクターシングル3 神城凛 (Maburaho Character Single Vol. 3: Rin Kamishiro)
Original Creator: 築地俊彦 (Toshihiko Tsukiji)
Vocals: 猪口有佳 (Yuka Inoguchi)
Release Date: 6/23/04
Catalog No.: SCDC-00357
Rating: 3/4

This CD is in the same format as the other Maburaho character singles. The song included in this CD really doesn't match Rin's personality. It's a very techno-ish song. I would have thought they would put something with more of a Japanese theme.

Out of all the dramas on the 3 CDs, I think Rin's story is the best because it's funny seeing how Rin can try to be a traditional wife.

Yuka's message isn't too interesting either. Her voice is very different than the character she plays, though. I would imagine that her high voice to be a character voice rather than her speaking voice.

2. ドラマ「凛と和樹のハネムーンデイズ」 (Drama "Rin and Kazuki's Honeymoon Days"): Rin has a dream about how it would be to be married to Kazuki. Kazuki comes home tired to find Rin trying to make dinner. Rin speaks to him as if he's a wuss (which he is). Rin considers that not being able to cook a deficiency of being a wife and decides to go off training to cook. Kazuki stops her. He then brings up the fact that she still calls him Shikimori-san and wants her to call her by a different name. She can't come up one and wants to go out and train (again). Kazuki calls her "Rin" and at first, she freaks out and whips out her katana. He then asks her to have him lay on her lap, cleaning his ears. She doesn't want to, but does so because she feels like she's obligated to. To make her feel better, he convinces that it's part of her "training." He then asks for more things like a massage, his pajamas... She finally can't take anymore. And then she wakes up from her nap at school.

まぶらほ (Maburaho) Vol. 11 LETitle: まぶらほ (Maburaho) Vol. 11 LE
Volume: 11/12
Catalog No.: BIBA-4211
Release Date: 11/26/04
Rating: 3/4

Maburaho seems to be finally winding down (well, being the penultimate disc, it has to) in the story with Kazuki soon returning to being a human. Out of the two included, I thought Rin's episode (22) was pretty heart warming. They're going to be bringing back Chihaya for the last disc. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Limited edition comes with a keychain, cards, drama CD, and a holographic card (cover).

21. てらされちゃった (I Was Brightened)
22. まもちゃった (I Protected)

The bonus drama CD starts off with a letter Chihaya sends Kazuki soon after he returns home from Kyoto asking how he is. Kazuki replies. This exchange continues for a bit. Kazuki writes that he thinks somebody has been reading the letters. She then gets a response letter from Yuuna explaining that Nakamaru has been reading the letters. Chihaya returns the letter. Kuriko writes. Chihaya responds. Rin then writes. Kuriko writes. Elizabeth writes. Chihaya writes... The pace quickens. They pretty much talk about gifts from and to Kyoto. Kazuki then finally writes and Chihaya figures out that Kazuki hasn't been the one writing letters after all (we, as listeners know who it is, but since Chihaya is reading, she wouldn't) and decides to come visit. Kazuki then finds his girls writing a letter in his room posing as him telling Chihaya not to come. They then hear a knock on the door.

少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine), '05 Vol 13Title: 少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine) Vol. 13
Issue Date: 3/9/05
Publisher: Kodansha
Pages: 462

This week's issue has some really nice color inserts. Both Tsubasa and Negima have color inserts. Tsubasa is advertised as having 30 pages, but in fact, it only has around 25. There's a note from the publisher apologizing for that. Figures...

In the back, there's an interview with Nicolas Cage for his role in "National Treasure." Yeah, I'm sure he was *ecstatic* about doing an interview with a comic magazine.

There's a one-shot manga, "The Death Bear" written by the winner of a manga contest. It's pretty funny, about an angel of death in the form of a teddy bear trying to convince a suicidal girl to follow him once she dies.

Negima: 85時間目 オトナの味ってどんな味? (What's the Taste of an Adult?): The possessed Negi still stop at nothing to get his kiss. Asuna steps in telling him that if he wants to kiss Nodoka, he'll have to kiss her first. Negi agrees, and only after does Asuna realize what she's said. Setsuna comes running in and in the confusion, Asuna gets knocked down with Negi on top of her. Negi gives her a deep kiss. Soon after, Negi wakes up and doesn't remember what has happened. Asuna tells the others not to say anything. As Nodoka and Negi watch fireworks later that night, Nodoka gives Negi a kiss and runs off.

Suzuka: #50贈物 (Gift): Yamato runs off to the shrine where Honoka lives to give her the birthday present. Honoka explains how she knew since Nana had told her the day before. She continues to say that she knows that he was out with Suzuka shopping. Surprised at first, Yamato starts talking about his shopping experience with Suzuka. Honoka suddenly becomes depressed and returns the gift to Yamato.

Hamanaka Ai: 079マサヒコの思春期 (Masahiko's Adolescence): Ai has sprained her ankle, so for their study group, each student will visit her instead. At her apartment, Masahiko asks how he can help out. Ai tells him that he needs his pants because she's afraid of hanging just female clothes outside to dry. As she's in the bathroom, Masahiko hears rain falling and goes outside collect the clothes. He slips and gets himself entangled in women's underwear.

Tsubasa: 69回り始める世界 (The World That Starts Again): After seeing their own artifacts, Shaoran and Sakura come to understand that they're in the same Shara/Shura world they were in before, but in an alternate future. Their actions in the past with Asura and Yasha changed the future. Before they depart to their next destination, Mokona takes two swords embedded in the Asura/Yasha statues and sends them to Yuuko. Meanwhile, Mr. Bad Guy with the spectacle (have they mentioned his name yet?) is impressed with Yuuko's ability to move people through space and time.

Toto: 11「機関車の街3」 (Locomotive City, Part 3): After the bar clears, Noiru is in angst that his disciple got more attention than he did at the performance last night. Kakashi finds out that Noiru doesn't really want to be in the army and yearns to be an entertainer in the big city. As Noiru goes to work at the base, he finds Kakashi and Dorothy's picture on a "wanted" poster. He runs back to the bar to inform them, but it's too late, some soldiers appear behind him.

King's Sword: 25呂布と陳宮 (Ryofu and Chinkyuu): Goes into the history of Ryofu, an enemy Ryubi et al encountered last chapter. Years ago, Chinkyuu sees a soldier walking with arrows protruding from his back. Upon inquiry, he finds out that he's Ryofu and has the head of an opposing general and is going back to the city to collect. Along the way, they encounter some more enemies and after some slaying, they collect their heads too. Once they make it back, Ryofu is rewarded, but he doesn't seem to particularly enjoy it. The opportunistic Chinkyuu from then on uses him to gain status.

Changing Now: #41豪勢!! 死の饗宴 (Extravagance! The Feast of Death): As everyone is partying, Dog Fighter bumps into the general of the baddies who, much to Dog Fighter's surprise, recognizes him.

Student Council: #13水龍起つ (Serpent Awakens): Nagare shows and fights Musashi. At first, Musashi resists and gets defeated. But he then wakes up and kicks Nagare in the back, seriously injuring him. Just as he's about to pass out, Nagare tells Musashi to feel the palpitation of his "brace."

少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine), '05 Vol 14Title: 少年マガジン (Shonen Magazine) Vol. 14
Issue Date: 3/16/05
Publisher: Kodansha
Pages: 474

Nothing special in this issue. Featured girl is 18 year old Mayuko Iwasa. Tsubasa is off this week. Mana's poses are particularly cool, especially the way that Akamatsu draws them.

Suzuka: #51無視 (Neglect): At school, Yasunobu tells Yamato to apologizes. At track practice, Yamato tries to, but Honoka refuses and runs away. Later, Yamato has a talk with Suzuka who explains to him that a girl doesn't really hate a guy after an argument and would in fact appreciate it if the guy would keep trying. That night, Honoka calls Nana asking if her relationship with Yamato has any meaning.

Toto: 10.5: Kakashi and Dorothy escape, but the soldiers have Noiru escort Mirika, at gunpoint, back to the base. As the two walk in the streets, the children see their funny man, Noiru, with a gun and lose confidence in him. Meanwhile, Kakashi and Dorothy find out about their two buddies and decide to rescue them. In a room at the base, Noiru is ordered to shoot Mirika to get her to talk. After much angst, he refuses saying that he's an entertainer, not a fighter. His job is to make people happy. Kakashi and Dorothy then show up.

Negima: 86時間目 記憶の中の恋の照準 (Sight of Love Inside Memories): This time, Negi, Asuna, Konoka, and Setsuna go back in time yet again to prevent more confessions at the tree. Negi bumps into Mana and accompanies her as she too has been called upon to stop confessors. He method is to shoot them with tranquilizers. Negi has a better method and gets some couples to go outside the range of the tree and confess. During a break, Mana explains that she used to be a partner too, but her mage died two years ago. Their break abruptly ends when more reports of confessions come their way. Soon, a person who looks like her previous mage appears and wants to confess. She wavers just a bit before blowing him away.

Hamanaka Ai: 073委員長が悩み相談 (A Discussion with the Class Leader): Ayana is in angst as there's a student in her class who acts strange around her so she becomes self-conscious about her own looks. Rinko and Misaki try to help out at the study session, but that student still acts weird when Ayana shows up.

King's Sword: 26牛耳 (Bull Ears): Ryubi and Sousou plan to attack Rakuyou. Sonken, a general, brings his large army. The leaders then paint Bull Ears on their cheeks to symbolize unity.

Student Council: #14鎖の契約 (Chain): Musashi is finally accepted by the student council, but just as that moment, a large earthquake strikes bringing down the clock tower. The only thing that stands is the door. Mami remembers back to when she lost her brother 10 years ago and decides to become Musashi's brace.

Changing Now: #41密会!! 雪の中の善と悪 (Secret Meeting!! The Good and Evil in the Snow): Dog Fighter and the evil leader have a talk. Evil leader reveals that he used to be Star Mask, fighter of justice, who turned evil.

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