I'm Dave, I'm a 20 year old university student from London. I love sports, music, anime, manga, learning Japanese, martial arts and several other things which I'm too lazy to write here. If you wanna know about me then try here:
My 'Favourite Anime' bit on the left of my profile is just the 5 shows I reckon are pretty cool at the moment. My all time favourite anime are in order below:
10/10 = Absolute masterpiece, in my books this might as well be perfection. 9/10 = Fantastic. Truly exceptional and highly enjoyable. This is one of the greats in my eyes. 8/10 = Very good anime, honestly loved it. Outstanding to say the least. 7/10 = A good show, genuinely impressed me and wouldn't hesitate to watch it again. 6/10 = Above average, stood out from the rest and was definitely worth the watch. 5/10 = Average, nothing worth noting that really made it stand out from the rest. Can however, still be enjoyable. 4/10 = Below average, didn't enjoy it that much, could've been improved quite a bit/ not quite my taste in anime. 3/10 = Poor/ bad, lacking in many areas/ not my thing, overall a big disappointment. Chances of me dropping these as a full length series are quite high. 2/10 = Awful/ very bad, sometimes so bad it's laughable. As a full length series these are definite drops. 1/10 = Literally unwatchable, I can't finish a single episode.
I guess everyone watches anime for different reasons.
The Tatami Galaxy's a complex show and getting too much onto why it's good would spoil it.
I'll try my best to explain it without messing it up: Watashi's a college student who tries to live his college years to the max. Hilarity ensues. Sorry about that but no matter how I think about it, describing the show spoils it's richness. What I can say is that the complexity of it and the interactions make it unique, the art (it is a Yuasa Masaaki, so it's playful) and sound work great. Watashi speaks fast. Must see.
On a totally different note, you dropped Soul Eater after 3 eps! I also wanted to do that because it looked like a shonentard anime, but I carried on and turns out it gets better (at least IMO). It's still a shonen but less tarded then the first eps seem.
Maths say that would make a 3/10 not that I disagree with you giving it a 1/10 but then if you give a certain element (for instance, the animation) a 6/10 thus, it means that certain element on the anime's redeemable.
My time to return the favour with an extremely late reply of my own. I've been playing host to Churchill's black dog since the start of Michaelmas unfortunately so things have been a bit stressful for me. Having that on top of the workload was one of the reasons for my delay.
I'm glad to hear that you're having a good time in Japan; it does sound rather fun. Haha, it definitely sounds like you to be down at the Japanese equivalent of a pub. We didn't go to any drinking establishments whilst we were in Japan, nor did we drink that much. Henry and I tried some shochu whilst we were in Kyoto; he had a barley one whilst I had a potato one. I can't say I particularly liked it, in fact I couldn't finish it due to nausea. I did try some Kirin beer as well which I liked a lot more, so much so that I even had it over here once. Still, beer is more of an acquired taste to me than cider or wine, though less so than spirits. Daily tests!?!? Man that sounds pretty tough, though it'd probably be pretty effective as I only have the one test at the end of the year! Haha, forgetting English eh? I suppose, if you're not using it much, that's quite natural, but try not to forget it all (that said I forgot all my Chinese)! And onto the topic of the attractiveness of females in Japan, I can't say I agree with your assessment that hot girls are everywhere. It's probably because I don't find Asian girls particularly attractive in general (or 3D girls for that matter). I do remember being wowed by a girl whilst at Fushimi Inari-taisha which is pretty unusual for me. However, the fact that I was exhausted from climbing up halfway coupled with only four hours of sleep the previous night and constipation may have influenced my oxygen deprived brain. That, or she was a fox deity. In a comically anime-like situation, I also had a nosebleed shortly after seeing her, though the boring explanation is just my exhaustion. However, James did express the opinion that the females in Japan were a lot more attractive than back in England, so it's probably just me.
In late reply to your comment about the weather, it's damn freezing now, especially in London. Whilst I was in Cambridge, I heard it got pretty bad in London with trains and shit being cancelled. It's less extreme now in London, but every time I walk outside, it's like being on a fricking ice rink; the pavements are still icy and I feel like I'm about to slip at every step. What's it like in Kobe now?
Japan was great; definitely an experience of a lifetime. As for what I got up to, I'll save that as motivation for posting on my blog. However, James has already made some headway in his write up if you're interested. http://like-fountains.blogspot.com/
My K-ON! induced grief has now subsided, thankfully. Still waiting eagerly for the movie of course. I'm with you in thinking that NC Paris Chapter doesn't match up to the first season. I'm not entirely sure why I think this is so. Perhaps, it's because in the first season, it was about both Chiaki and Nodame having to overcome challenges to reach their dreams, and in the second, they still have challenges, but things seem to be going alright for them. I think it's picking up again when Chiaki becomes the conductor of that shambolic orchestra though I feel that Nodame's story is becoming more disjointed. Yes, I found Chiaki to be pretty funny right off the bat, though Nodame was equally hilarious for different reasons. I don't think I could pick a favourite character, but it is, of course, the Chiaki Nodame duo which keeps me watching.
In terms of music, I've been listening to more Beethoven, Chopin and Mozart with a focus on music featuring pianos. I'm afraid I can't really recommend anything as when I listen to classical music, I tend to just leave it on in the background when I'm coding or doing supervision work. My favourite of Beethoven's symphonies is his 9th though, particularly the last movement; "An die Freude" always gets my heart stirring. I also quite like Chopin's Nocturne's as they are really non intrusive as well as Mozart's piano sonatas. Quite frankly, I've barely made a scratch on the whole library of music these composers have made during their lives so my knowledge is very limited at best. Who have you been listening to in terms of classical music? Also, As I Lay Dying became a very integral part of my daily music over the past few months, so I must thank you again for introducing me to them! As of late, I've been getting slightly bored of them, so I'm looking around metalcore a little more; I've tried some Caliban who seem to be to my liking. Now that I've gotten used to less clean vocals, I think I can move on to some even heavier stuff though.
The best show that I'm watching this season has to be Milky Holmes. I've hit a low point with anime watching again and Milky Holmes is the only show which interests me enough to actually want to watch it. I guess it's just the absurdity and retardedness of the girls which makes it so unpredictable. Ika-Musume is fairly cute but not great and Kuragehime had a great start but fell into a pretty predictable storyline. As for Bakuman!, I heard it's premise and was initially ambivalent. Then Mark said that he watched it and didn't particularly like it which just reinforced my feelings. However, since you like it so much, I'll give it a go once I start watching anime again. In the meantime I'm readdicted to House and old British sitcoms.
Things are a little hectic for me since I did so little work in university, I'm going to have to really bust my chops making it up now. Also worrying about what I actually want to do next year. Oh well, I'm doing what I do best, and that's procrastinating and putting things off.
Hey there, how's it going? How's Japan? I'm guessing you're pretty busy and that these must be some pretty exciting times. Though we did have great fun in Japan, my most poignant memory is that of being drenched in sweat the whole time! I'm just really not made to withstand heat.
Anyway, after getting back, I marathoned K-ON! again because episode 24 of K-ON!! pushed me again onto the verge of tears. After that though, I was really left high and dry (and depressed), so I thought I'd give Nodame Cantabile a go. And wow, it is amazing so far! It's hard to categorise so far, kinda comedic with some serious drama undertones, but luckily they never take over completely (as of yet). Nodame herself is proving far more cute than I would have ever suspected though, especially her strange exclamation. Seki Tomozaku's Chiaki is also delightfully arrogant, but his role as Sagara Sousuke from FMP keeps coming to mind. However, the most amazing thing about this series is that, like with you, it's making me come to appreciate classical music more. I have a real urge now to try and pick up the piano again, though it'd have to be from scratch, as my past keeps coming back to haunt me. I really do hope this isn't just a fleeting feeling, though I'd have to get something half decent to play on before I can get serious.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that Nodame Cantabile has left a very good impression on me so far. My only worry is that I'll go nuts and complete it all before I start uni.
Oh, and I've started a blog, not sure how often I'll update it yet, nor what I'll actually write in it, but we'll see. http://yingke.wordpress.com/
That is defo awesome news about Finale, I'm guessing you'll finish it before you leave? Anyways I've already said this on Facebook and msn, but much love man, have a blast and email me soon!
All Comments (360) Comments
The Tatami Galaxy's a complex show and getting too much onto why it's good would spoil it.
I'll try my best to explain it without messing it up: Watashi's a college student who tries to live his college years to the max. Hilarity ensues. Sorry about that but no matter how I think about it, describing the show spoils it's richness. What I can say is that the complexity of it and the interactions make it unique, the art (it is a Yuasa Masaaki, so it's playful) and sound work great. Watashi speaks fast. Must see.
On a totally different note, you dropped Soul Eater after 3 eps! I also wanted to do that because it looked like a shonentard anime, but I carried on and turns out it gets better (at least IMO). It's still a shonen but less tarded then the first eps seem.
Story: 1/10
Art: 6/10
Sound: 5/10
Character: 2/10
Enjoyment: 1/10
Overall1/10 lolwut?
Maths say that would make a 3/10 not that I disagree with you giving it a 1/10 but then if you give a certain element (for instance, the animation) a 6/10 thus, it means that certain element on the anime's redeemable.
Just sayin'
I'm glad to hear that you're having a good time in Japan; it does sound rather fun. Haha, it definitely sounds like you to be down at the Japanese equivalent of a pub. We didn't go to any drinking establishments whilst we were in Japan, nor did we drink that much. Henry and I tried some shochu whilst we were in Kyoto; he had a barley one whilst I had a potato one. I can't say I particularly liked it, in fact I couldn't finish it due to nausea. I did try some Kirin beer as well which I liked a lot more, so much so that I even had it over here once. Still, beer is more of an acquired taste to me than cider or wine, though less so than spirits. Daily tests!?!? Man that sounds pretty tough, though it'd probably be pretty effective as I only have the one test at the end of the year! Haha, forgetting English eh? I suppose, if you're not using it much, that's quite natural, but try not to forget it all (that said I forgot all my Chinese)! And onto the topic of the attractiveness of females in Japan, I can't say I agree with your assessment that hot girls are everywhere. It's probably because I don't find Asian girls particularly attractive in general (or 3D girls for that matter). I do remember being wowed by a girl whilst at Fushimi Inari-taisha which is pretty unusual for me. However, the fact that I was exhausted from climbing up halfway coupled with only four hours of sleep the previous night and constipation may have influenced my oxygen deprived brain. That, or she was a fox deity. In a comically anime-like situation, I also had a nosebleed shortly after seeing her, though the boring explanation is just my exhaustion. However, James did express the opinion that the females in Japan were a lot more attractive than back in England, so it's probably just me.
In late reply to your comment about the weather, it's damn freezing now, especially in London. Whilst I was in Cambridge, I heard it got pretty bad in London with trains and shit being cancelled. It's less extreme now in London, but every time I walk outside, it's like being on a fricking ice rink; the pavements are still icy and I feel like I'm about to slip at every step. What's it like in Kobe now?
Japan was great; definitely an experience of a lifetime. As for what I got up to, I'll save that as motivation for posting on my blog. However, James has already made some headway in his write up if you're interested. http://like-fountains.blogspot.com/
My K-ON! induced grief has now subsided, thankfully. Still waiting eagerly for the movie of course. I'm with you in thinking that NC Paris Chapter doesn't match up to the first season. I'm not entirely sure why I think this is so. Perhaps, it's because in the first season, it was about both Chiaki and Nodame having to overcome challenges to reach their dreams, and in the second, they still have challenges, but things seem to be going alright for them. I think it's picking up again when Chiaki becomes the conductor of that shambolic orchestra though I feel that Nodame's story is becoming more disjointed. Yes, I found Chiaki to be pretty funny right off the bat, though Nodame was equally hilarious for different reasons. I don't think I could pick a favourite character, but it is, of course, the Chiaki Nodame duo which keeps me watching.
In terms of music, I've been listening to more Beethoven, Chopin and Mozart with a focus on music featuring pianos. I'm afraid I can't really recommend anything as when I listen to classical music, I tend to just leave it on in the background when I'm coding or doing supervision work. My favourite of Beethoven's symphonies is his 9th though, particularly the last movement; "An die Freude" always gets my heart stirring. I also quite like Chopin's Nocturne's as they are really non intrusive as well as Mozart's piano sonatas. Quite frankly, I've barely made a scratch on the whole library of music these composers have made during their lives so my knowledge is very limited at best. Who have you been listening to in terms of classical music? Also, As I Lay Dying became a very integral part of my daily music over the past few months, so I must thank you again for introducing me to them! As of late, I've been getting slightly bored of them, so I'm looking around metalcore a little more; I've tried some Caliban who seem to be to my liking. Now that I've gotten used to less clean vocals, I think I can move on to some even heavier stuff though.
The best show that I'm watching this season has to be Milky Holmes. I've hit a low point with anime watching again and Milky Holmes is the only show which interests me enough to actually want to watch it. I guess it's just the absurdity and retardedness of the girls which makes it so unpredictable. Ika-Musume is fairly cute but not great and Kuragehime had a great start but fell into a pretty predictable storyline. As for Bakuman!, I heard it's premise and was initially ambivalent. Then Mark said that he watched it and didn't particularly like it which just reinforced my feelings. However, since you like it so much, I'll give it a go once I start watching anime again. In the meantime I'm readdicted to House and old British sitcoms.
Things are a little hectic for me since I did so little work in university, I'm going to have to really bust my chops making it up now. Also worrying about what I actually want to do next year. Oh well, I'm doing what I do best, and that's procrastinating and putting things off.
Anyway, after getting back, I marathoned K-ON! again because episode 24 of K-ON!! pushed me again onto the verge of tears. After that though, I was really left high and dry (and depressed), so I thought I'd give Nodame Cantabile a go. And wow, it is amazing so far! It's hard to categorise so far, kinda comedic with some serious drama undertones, but luckily they never take over completely (as of yet). Nodame herself is proving far more cute than I would have ever suspected though, especially her strange exclamation. Seki Tomozaku's Chiaki is also delightfully arrogant, but his role as Sagara Sousuke from FMP keeps coming to mind. However, the most amazing thing about this series is that, like with you, it's making me come to appreciate classical music more. I have a real urge now to try and pick up the piano again, though it'd have to be from scratch, as my past keeps coming back to haunt me. I really do hope this isn't just a fleeting feeling, though I'd have to get something half decent to play on before I can get serious.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that Nodame Cantabile has left a very good impression on me so far. My only worry is that I'll go nuts and complete it all before I start uni.
Oh, and I've started a blog, not sure how often I'll update it yet, nor what I'll actually write in it, but we'll see. http://yingke.wordpress.com/