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About Scores-
So, I find grading things to be a very difficult task. I am a very indecisive person. Also, I am not immune to time, my opinions change. That climax-induced satisfying feeling after finishing a series can fade over time. Romanticizing old favorites may elevate a score where present standards aren't met. Another factor is what mood I was in when I entered the scores. It's sad because at times I look at my lists and think "Wow, I graded that harshly..." Maybe I should go back and edit some of them... but then what if my first score was a more accurate reflection of the series as a whole? Not to mention I'll probably end up with an overwhelming number of "8" scores (I'm easily satisfied, and "8" is a satisfying number). Ah, but other times I know exactly what score I want to give a series and lament at the fact that I can't give it an "8.7". I guess you could say that I'm unstable (Read: Zetsubou-sensei Ch 20).
That said, please take most of my scores with a grain of salt. If it's scored "7" or higher then I really did enjoy watching/reading it. If it's "6" then I found redeeming qualities about it but I also had some issues with it (or at least my memory does). I rarely score anything below a "5" because I naively believe that there is always something to find redeeming/amusing in a series no matter how bad - otherwise it's not worth watching far enough to grade.
About Me-
Eh?! If you've actually read the above and are still with me, well... thanks, I appreciate your attentiveness. But I'm afraid I'm not very exciting. Obviously my primary hobby is anime and manga. I like to write - but I only do so when prompted. I love making AMVs, though I'm slow at it. I used to draw quite a bit, but not so much now. I like to start sewing and craft projects - finishing them is another matter. I enjoy video games, but I rarely play them over a long period of time (I prefer games that can be finished in less than 20 hours or ones that are easy to get back into after a hiatus). I'm shy, even on the internet - but when I do type something I tend to ramble (apparent isn't it?).
Anime/manga Preferences-
Senien, josei, mature shoujo and shounen titles, comedy (low and high-brow), slice of life, drama, survival, mystery, yaoi/boys love, yuri/shoujo-ai... er, I'm game for just about anything
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All Comments (41) Comments
For some reason, I was drawn to the premise of Bunny Drop when it was licensed. I don't normally enjoy manga about raising children ("Baby & Me" comes to mind) but there was something about it that drew me in before I ever read it. Maybe I'm just getting old... XD
Daisy's premise reminded me of a few other rom-coms, until I realized it was made in 1986! I think I saw the cover years ago but didn't think anything of it. I like quirky shows though, so I might have to track this one down. Also, I've been looking into Eden of the East and I definitely want to pick it up at some point. I don't know much about the story but the unique art-style really caught my eye.
I hate to say it but I still haven't had much time for anime or manga recently! At the very least, I haven't found any new pearls worth recommending. Actually, I haven't even been writing creatively like I used to. More than just my time, it feels like class, work, and my home duties are draining even my interest in certain things. Hopefully it's just a phase...
By the way, you wondered why I was surprised by my sudden interest in comic books; for awhile now, I think I subconsciously placed US comics at a lower quality level than manga. I also believed 99% of comic books were about superheroes (thanks, Hollywood!). As it turns out, only about 40% of all comics are "super". Anyway, I started out with a few manga digests, came across some adaptations (Bubblegum Crisis, Captain Harlock), looked into the artists, and went from there. Now I have two long-boxes full of the amusing comics I've found... I think I'm past the point of no return. orz
Speaking of the Shonen Sunday and IKKI sites, it seems like Yen Plus has become something like a pay version of those two. I liked using it to find new manga and manhwa (I had only ever read a couple generic and poorly-drawn manhwa before Pig Bride) but now that the series list is fairly static, and I'm collecting my favorite full volumes anyway, there's no point. Well, it was nice while it lasted. Did you ever get to check out the magazine?
The first set of Toradora apparently had some video issues, such as aliasing and ghosting (2+ frames shown superimposed when you pause the disc). It was on both discs, as well as on the Persona set, so I'm guessing it only happened because NIS had never produced video-only discs before then. The second set seems to be fine and the replacements for the first set are a definite improvement. If you do purchase the first set, I think you'll still be able to get in on the replacement offer. (For whatever reason, NIS isn't recalling the old sets to replace the discs themselves...)
I always have a good time in the comic store. One of the main duties I have is taking bulk comics from the back and organizing them by company. Basically, I get to check out new comics AND expand my comic knowledge base! I noticed just the other day that I'm more familiar with some titles and characters than I was about six months ago. I've even gotten into a couple of series myself, which feels strange. Oh well, it's always good to expand your horizons, especially when you can enjoy the process.
Has anything new happened with you recently?
Yeah, TRSI's acquisition of Utena makes me glad I only ever bought the first CPM set (right before they went under).I'll have to rewatch it and see how it is. (All that comes to mind is the exceptionally long staircase sequence in each episode, to "Zettai Unmei Mokushiroku" :D) As for CMX, I think the last manga I bought from them was Land of the Blindfolded... I guess I wasn't their target market. It's still sad to see DC giving up on manga. The one industry surprise that really caught me off guard was NIS America's intro to anime. Toradora license~! I can't recommend Toradora highly enough, but it's hard to get some people into unlicensed series. I can't think of any anime I want licensed as badly as I wanted that (other than Umineko) but I'm looking forward to what else they have in store!
Kingyo Used Books is such a fun series. It reminds us what manga fandom is really about. I've been putting some of my free time into working at a local comic shop, and it is shocking how many adults walk into the store to pick up the newest issue of a series they have collected for over a decade. Such dedication to a character or setting blows me away. Kingyo is the only manga depiction of that dedication I've been able to find, so it has been a fun ride so far.
To be honest, I almost dropped Afterschool Charisma after the first couple of chapters. The idea of clones being trained to follow in their predecessors' footsteps isn't the most original or entertaining idea I've come across. But being killed in the same way as the original historical figures? That piqued my interest. Developments in volume two are really screwing with my mind though. I can't imagine what kind of ending the author will give us but I think it's going to be awesome.
Good to hear from you again! I've had trouble keeping up with friends recently but I always enjoyed our conversations. Have a great week!
How about you? I'm sure it has been tough for you too, but I hope you've gotten to step back occasionally and watch something fun.
I've had tougher classes than ever before recently (hence the sloooowpooooke nature of this message). It's good, solid work that makes me realize just how close I'm getting to my degree. The problem is that I haven't seen anyone aside from my family and classmates in at least half a year now... -.-'
How are things going on your end?
As for Japanese audio studies, I recommend using J-music. There have been a few times when I've heard a phrase in a song that almost makes sense, except for one word. I looked that word up and went back to the song to put the puzzle together. Some of those have stuck in my mind, and when I heard them again, I was reminded of the original phrase. I'm not sure if that will work for you but I recommend trying it out. I hope this helps!
(More to come later; I've tried sending this message three times already, I just want to make sure the site isn't doing something wonky...)
Well, I'll be sure to catch it next Ani-Monday. This will be my third time re-watching the series lol.
Negima is the most mixed bag amongst all the anime I've seen. The original series is fairly accurate to the manga; it's downsides include an extremely low animation budget, mangled character designs, and an ending that eliminates any possibility of a continuation. The first OAV series (Haru/Natsu) is produced by a new company and takes material from the original manga that the first series never got around to; both stories have a fair amount of ecchi elements, though. The same company made a new TV series (Negima!?) which, while having accurate chara designs, deviates completely from the manga. It's still fun, and was marketed toward a younger audience, meaning less fanservice and more story (and gags/references galore). Most recently, Akamatsu commissioned the company to once again make new Negima OAVs, this time following a few chapters of the manga precisely. The animation quality isn't great for the most part (I'm used to more colorful scenes from SHAFT, but they really followed the manga's style well). The character designs are spot-on and even includes some characters never before seen in animated form. It's easy to see how anyone could get confused... ^.^; FWIW, the Kujibiki Unbalance series shown in Genshiken is said to be Kio Shimoku's poke at Negima (two separate anime, with two separate mangas). Anyway, I hope that helps somewhat.
There have been less interesting series coming out recently than I'm used to. Maybe I've just been jaded by shows like Haruhi and Spice & Wolf (licensed, w00!). The two big ones I've noticed are Basquash and K-ON. The latter I always expected to enjoy, coming from KyoAni, but Basquash came out of nowhere. It has a very Eureka Seven-ish feel without being too similar to anything that has come before it. As for DVDs... Well, I've basically just been trying to fill in the cracks in my collection recently, rather than starting new sets. How about you? Has anything in particular piqued your interest?
Hope you're enjoying the summer so far!!
The staff member who took my ticket told me that participants must sign up and pay for their memberships in person. The good news is that she said Saturday-only passes weren't selling well so far (~12:45 pm) and that there should still be some available tomorrow. Also, the first panel tomorrow starts at 10:30 am; I'll probably be arriving ten minutes before that.
I'm sorry I couldn't be of much help but hopefully everything will turn out well!
(Procrastination is fun, but only as an -ing and never as an -ed) :D