I know I haven’t posted anything in a while but I’ve been having my hands full with dividing my time between anime and my job(teaching children animals in a school)…which thankfully ends next week as my contract expires.But enough of that,I’ve been behind on alot of the summer anime..so I think I’ll take this chance to just talk about one of the summer anime’s I liked so far.

Koihime Musou.”Unparalleled Dreams of the princesses of love” ,as I think the title means..may sound like a little less appealing to the average viewer including me but after a few episodes it really starts to grow on you.Episode 1 and 2 was nothing praiseworthy but since then its only succeeded in maintaining my interest with random chibi-like scenes and steamy yuri tainted scenes.For some reason the series seems to have some kind of historical premise?At least that’s what I was told or made to believe.While it may seem like a harem….its actually a reverse harem of sorts because of the martial arts theme.Basically no girls are supposed to do these kinda things and those that did had to dress up as males(like Mulan for example),speaking on the subject…there’s supposed to be a trap somewhere along the way if I’m not mistaken.

As for the story so far…its just about a bunch of girls who travel the land while doing good,they get money from working at ancient chinese maid cafes…which isn’t exactly historically accurate lol.But watching this series really brings back memories of watching those hongkong cantonese drama’s back when I was younger.Not much variety in the story once you watched enough of it.But Koihme overcomes this obvious problem by blinding viewers with yuri fanservice,moe-moe characters and throwing in a few odd scenes involving Kannu.

After 5 episodes watched so far,its definitely a solid watch if you’re looking for something light and cute.I’d strongly recommend watching up till episode 3 at least before judging the series for yourself since I’m well aware that its pretty draggy in the beginning when they’re introducing the main characters and such.

I’ll probably do a few more individual reviews of the anime’s I liked this summer…like Xam’d or something…but that depends on whether I have the time to goof off like I’m doing now.

I’ve been having these weird lags on my vlc when I play videos from eclipse and now from infinite-zero.Conclusion?Either that Vista sucks or their encoding is screwed.

Anyway,after re-encoding it,the video played fine =P.So…the episode was surprisingly good.I can’t remember much from the manga at this point though but I barely read much of it anyway.So we are told that Senkawa died and he’s living in Birdy.He didn’t take it very well though.

Meanwhile this “Ryunka” thing is stolen from Geega and he sends Bacilus to retrieve it.At the same time one of Senkawa’s classmates nearly dies and is in ICU.As expected,Bacilus and Birdy have some sort of big fight.Blame the nosy journalist who is hanging around Geega for that.

Apparently Bacilius is some kinda parasite alien who eats his host and uses the body.But he manages to escape and eats Geega in hunger…probably learned his table manners from Monkey D. Luffy (=.=)

This could probably be the scariest anime chick ever.Alien exploding out from her guts any minute folks?

The one thing that really got my curiosity going was how that girl(Senkawa’s classmate) suddenly had a miraculous recovery after being just moments away from death.Perhaps the notion that aliens can take over people’s bodies seems to spark some sense of paranoia in me.Yea…all that “are we really alone?” junk starts to flood in.Nevertheless,I also seemed to have overlooked the fact that the OP(sora) and the ED are really catchy the last time I reviewed this.I even ripped the songs into a couple of mp3 files and played it over and over until my ears bled.I was kinda dissapointed that Afromania didn’t release a PV for their work on gurren langann….hopefully we get one for this =)

Other than that I’m seriously thinking of quitting my job and reverting back to a hikkomori-ish lifestyle.Teaching kids these days is hell.I don’t mind them being dumb as long as they listen to me.But no.These monsters don’t give a damn about anything(except pokemon maybe) including me.Ungrateful brats….

The longest name I’ve heard in a while for an anime.Basically it means,”The magical messenger’s important words:Sora’s summer”.I’m not 100% sure but that was what I thought it meant.There’s only so much one can do to mask the boring aura this show exudes.While being taken aback by the stunning CGI,I was left to ponder at the end of the episode, the most important question.Did I enjoy it?I would like to say “HELL NO!!” but I would have been lying to myself.I didn’t hate it,but I wasn’t my cup of tea.The fact that the animation is so lifelike puts a question mark on whether they forgot to put any life into the story.The fact that everybody can casually say that “Oh you’re studying magic in Tokyo?” without raising an eyebrow is as perplexing as to why the story is so laid back.

“A girl from rural Hokkaido,is preparing to go to Tokyo to start her magic training…”

That can easily summarize most of the episode.The rest was a filler about the girl helping her classmate get a boyfriend,who looks like a douche.So,I’d recommend watching this if you like computer generated landscapes and if you’re patient enough to watch.OOOO and lets not forget that Thyme is singing the OP.I’ve fallen in love with her singing since her debut single “Forever we can make it” for To Love-Ru.

Personally,I didn’t take the news that Birdy the Mighty was getting an anime seriously enough.Mainly because of the fact that rumours were circulating that the anime was going to have a warped storyline from the original manga version.Luckily,the rumors were just bullshit.The manga was…not the best I’ve seen but it had some good art and action scenes.

Episode 1 basically covered chapter 1 pretty well while adding some fanservice to the story and some much needed background info.Birdy is a Federation investigator and the earth is currently harboring a dangerous criminal.

The earth itself is a alien scum filled metropolis where aliens assimilate into the human lifestyle.Birdy takes up a job as a model together with her retarded robot friend,whatever he is.They were secretly trying to fish out Geega,a scary alien =.=.

He looked more menacing in the manga though.Anyway some kid got messed up in the process of the big Geega X Birdy battle and was split in half.He wakes up thinking it was a dream but starts hearing voices in his head thereafter.In the end he becomes Birdy.

SPOLIERS!!!

After watching it,I’m glad they stuck to the original plot.Is interesting to see how the kid and Birdy are going to adapt thereafter,since I didn’t get very far in reading the manga since not much of it was available anyway.What I did know was that in short,Birdy and the kid are one being but with separate personalities.Birdy actually integrated the kid’s DNA into her own and gave him half her lifespan.Apparently killing useless humans is a crime punishable by death or decommissioning(I forgot which one).Either way,that part of the manga was boring
as hell since I’m no sci-fi nerd.

SPOILERS OVER

So overall,the animation was awesome,they manipulated the story introduction to perfection,and the fanservice is a nice side dish to savor as well.I look forward to seeing more.Sadly,Ive gotten a job as like a normal human which ends my 1 month streak as a NEET aka useless bum.I’m gonna be an elementary school teacher…yay me T.T.Its only for a month or so but this would surely hamper my target to catch up on the 200 episodes of one piece I put off watching.

Mm while I don’t usually go for mushy stuff,once in a while is okay.Proceeding from the revelation in the previous episode  that there are in fact 2 Mubyous,we also learn that the non-mask wearing one is actually a puppet.

She’s Mubyou’s substitute since Mubyou is in fact a god that rules over several lands.The reversing circle was entrusted to doll Mubyou but she screwed up and got scolded.So she sorta ran away from home.Owl-san staged the fight in order to lure the doll out since its programmed to go to the master when danger arises.

Yes I do know the last 3 screenshots have nothing to do with the main plot =P
The doll escapes and plans to use Tohru who she again tricked into following her.Kuu discovers dolly’s intentions and attacks.Fortunately,the dolls threats to burn Tohru to ashes didn’t fall through because he was protected by a mirror spell from Kuu.

Pain pain pain

Disappointment of the century….I was hoping for some of this and that
Instead the doll was burnt to ashes lol jk jk.Her clothes just burnt off.And just as Kuu said,she was as flat as a board.Not even her hands are covered with skin.Which explains the weird sock puppets.So after a heart to heart talk the pair get back together.Err though hugging yourself may seem awkward.

This is awkward…

So everybody’s happy except for Kou who got drunk and almost turned into a stripper.Luckily her dragon tattoo escaped and flew away.NO I’m not kidding this time.

There is hope for her after all.I recommend getting a pair of real legs next.

Mubyou entrusts the circle to Kou to protect Tohru but she asks her double to deliver it since its gong to be 8 years before she’s allowed to return to Ebisu’s land for some reason.This time the doll has REAL HANDS!! So probably in 8 years time she’ll get the rest of her body including the GOOD stuff ^^

“Break stuff = more business?”
While I did enjoy the episode, I was more excited about the next one.Kuu getting a human job?Whoa now that’s a must see.

Its seems that what randomc’s divine said was spot on.The series is a sequence of serious arcs and filler arcs.A well balanced mix somewhat like Real Drive but with less profound themes.Anyway,I’m gearing up for the summer season although I haven’t watched any of the early bird series yet.I might do a few first impression reviews but I’m not expecting much though.

Strange… but cute though.

Strange and downright creepy

Okay this tops it all.Barfbag please

Why are you so badass Mr.Star?

I love cats more than ever!!!

ZOMG they’re HUGE~!!

Regardless of whatever Medusa is trying to do,her evil look is hot =3

*cough*blindfold*cough*

Retard?

Episode 12 was surprisingly tame.Besides,Black Star’s,usual whacky non-sense,it was a bit of a let down.But the episode was obviously setting us up for the big fight with this Demon-eye guy.Medusa got most of the screentime though.Apparently,witches are just supposed to cause mischief,not do mad scientist type of experiments which will destroy the world.Thats Stein’s job.Its also interesting to note that Medusa’s snake tattoos are actually non-magical…uhh don’t really get why but I’ll play along.Besides Blair’s brief fanservice scene and seeing Death the Kid in casual clothes(slick & cool) the episode just served its purpose as a suspense builder to the big fight later on.

So I’ve updated the site banner to another one of this year’s ecchi flicks.I plan on rotating them with each anime season(ecchi only lol).Other than that,I’ve been busy studying japanese grammar.Its confusing shit but I’m still hanging in there.

“You’re getting sleepy….”

Wowow this series is getting better than ever LOL!! This time,the raccoon *cough* I mean owl from the previous episode who was stalking Noboru makes an appearance.

Now thats definitely a raccoon there.

Owl-san asks Kou to let it talk to Noboru by luring her with money(you heard right lol)Yea,so apparently Mubyou isn’t the reversing circle’s rightful owner.Its Owl-san’s,though everybody says the mask is a raccoon aka Tamaki(Tamaki? LOL).

“You think crunchy, sweet and salty cookies can make me help you?!”

Sakura has quite an impressive wardrobe there.

T.T Poor Mubyou-chan
Owl-san bribes them with cookies.Gosh this is so lame but it gets a smile from me nevertheless.Kuu then goes to search for Mybyou.Changing forms to fit who she wants to ask.

Bookstore lady?Use the dazzling bishounen charm!!Old police officer?Use the busty blone teenager look with the puppy dog eyes!!

Sakura’s making progress with Noboru.Somewhat…

Noburu and the badminton club also plan on playing fireworks that night.

Step 1:Season your meat with salt

(0.0) !!!!

Kou tags along feeling that something bad might happen.She successfully wards off evil spirits bothering some drunken office workers.Sakura was busy flirting with Noboru.Kou gets offered a can drink for helping the men.She picks Asahi Beer….and she turns into A SLUT in 2 seconds.Whoohoo!!Strip show guys!!

Kuu however is sick of following Owl-san and proceeds to tar and feather it.Ebi-chan freaks out as the fighting is going to damage his land even more than it already is.As the powerlines snapped,cutting off power to the whole town,so does Ebisu.It becomes a threesome grudge match.

“Die you dumb raccoon!!”

Nice shot Ebi-chan

Mubyou appears again and somehow convinces Tohru to help her find her contacts?Now that’s weird.STRIKE!!Ebisu lands a concrete slab on Owl-san,right in the face.

The mask breaks to reveal ANOTHER MUBYOU !? Super special awesome plot twist there.

Thoughts:

Its climbing up the rankings, surely,in my book.I’d still rate it as one of the best 5 this season.Probably since it has a unique blend of slice of life,romance,action and supernatural themes.Its got it all.From a so-so mediocre first episode to a colorful vibrant series.While it may not rival the heavy weights, its grown into a solid watch with many interesting characters.

Are you happy?

Episode 8 was the best I’ve seen so far.Why was this a month overdue?Yea exam pressure.But the burden is GONE I’m off to college in fall….to the sunny state of California(a long way from home though) but definitely this fall.I owe alot to this episode to remind me to not get so worked up all the time.Anyway this episode is….about well the “reversing circle”.Lol I can’t really recall much other than the amazing character designs.But the whole supernatural theme isn’t very important in this episode though I very much would like to see that reversing circle can really do.

Dr Jekyll and Mr.Hyde…anime style

Come ‘ere for a hug little fox~~

We’re introduced to Mubyou and Kuu in a swimsuit.That enough to give anyone nosebleeds.

Grr…I don’t know my own strength

You must have a phobia of busty foxes

So Mubyou is the quintessence of the word “yandere”.What is it about her two faced nature that’s so appealing?It could be that overly cute girly voice she uses to seduce Tohru.It could be that she’s also loli like for not having THOSE things.Her sadistic nature and that her tastes in violence resemble blissmo’s?

Gasp!! Its not there~~!!

Kuu…it seems that she’s discovered that you get what you want from the two boys easier by resorting to female charms.

Luckily I’m into S&M LOL

And lets not forget that cool super saiyan like battle scene lol.Sock puppets are deadly weapons!!For the next episodes though I’m guessing that there’s something more to Mubyou judging from the few glimpses I’ve seen here and there from Sea Slug’s blog and Randomc.

Life is good….as expected the report about To Love-ru’s manga ending from that french website I reported on earlier was BULLSHIT!!!

Of course this calls for a celebration.Anyway,this means TLR most likely is guaranteed another 30 chapters at least.Chapter 104 had the stuff of dreams in it.[Spoiler:Incest?]

Anyway,I think the people who actually bother to read my rantings should know what I’m up to these days.I’ve been doing this….

Link

(In case wordpress is having some shitty technical difficulties)

We’ll it isn’t me doing those shots but I sure love trying lol.I’ve always suspected Hinano(Ex-fansubber) plays Alba18 though I never actually saw her online since I only recently switched servers(for personal reasons)But I’ll get back to the anime as soon as I can…hopefully I won’t get distracted again from my “serious work” here XD

I sometimes stalk the ANN forums just to get into the minds of the average American anime fan.And during one of my adventures I stumble across the topic of Bokusatsu Tenshi Dokuro-chan being licensed discussion.Then, the topic of dubs vs subs caught my attention in the thread.I’ll quote some of the posts anonymously.

“This may come as a shock to you but some of us do prefer English dubbed anime because, for various reasons, we don’t like watching anime in Japanese while reading sub-titles. It doesn’t have much to do with whether a series will be on TV or not, it has to do with maximizing the possible number of fans who can enjoy the series.

Maybe you sub fans should try to remember that while you will almost NEVER have to worry about whether there will or will not be a Japanese track with a sub, unless the show is a kids series, we dub fans are constantly having our hopes crushed as of late. Please, think of your fellow fans every now and then.

And if this gets an English dub I am so buying it.”

I admit I used to despise dub fans to the very core.USED TO.Because I have seen a few dubs during my younger days which were less than pleasant memories.I think the one that made me into such a bloodthirsty monster for the souls of these “heretics” I used to label as was my utter hate for the FMA dub.It was the breaking point because I was a crazy devoted fan back then. CRAZY!!

But now I see them as well,different from me.For me,IMO,a devoted fan would want to enjoy anime in its purest possible form.So we try to get stuff as close to the original.Now I barely feel like I’m reading subs when I watch fansubs.Since,I can understand half the dialog without subs and its become second nature.And while I have found some good dubs none surpassed the original.As good?Maybe.Better?Unlikely.

I asked a dub watch why he does he do these blasphemous things?Answer:I’m lazy to read subs.

For me, thats the worst possible reason anybody can say and I see it time and again with people defending themselves with these excuses whether implicitly or explicitly implied.But as I had stressed,I now respect their decision and try my best not to interact with them when on the subject.They can be ruthless when it comes to flaming.

I see my preference for subs as a sign of my devotion to the series.And getting closer to the authors and characters inner minds.

“i would have liked to get maria watches over us, kashimashi girl meets girl and emma… but seeing as they all got sub only release… i haven’t wanted to get them at all…

for some of us out there… when a series we like or want to see, gets released on DVD… sub only… we feel cheated… it’s like a slap in the face from the company licencing it, fundimentally saying “we don’t care what you want…”…

and when other anime fans pipe up with things like “i hope this doesn’t get a dub” it is even more of a slap in the face, and it’s almost hurtful… i understand you want to get it on DVD as soon as possible… but, haven’t you already seen it fansubbed?(and don’t lie)… surely you can wait a little while longer so that all of your fellow anime fans can be catered for… i want it on DVD as well, as quickly as possible… but not at the cost of it being released properly and fairly…

i have nothing but praise for the likes of ADV, Funimation and Bandai Visual (and geneon before they died), who, despite how much it costs, how long it takes, or how difficult it is, are sticking to their guns and not letting their standards slip… catering to all anime fans by releasing their series with A quality dubs… even the ‘bad dubs’ are better than no dub…

and before the onslaught of retaliation and flames regarding this post are posted, please stop and think of your fellow anime fans out there… we’re not asking for much, only for your patience, support and understanding…”

Here we have the bad dubs are better than no dubs argument<– I sense some implicit implication that greats subs are not even in the equation.Again I wouldn’t have such a negative view on dub fans if they weren’t so obsessive with dubs.I myself would prefer a good dub to a bad sub any day.But again some of these people aren’t willing to take gamble on these things.

As for the rest,the releasing of dvd’s with dubs and all instead of subs only is understandable.But then again.Sub fans should also have the right to purchase dvd’s with subs only.Why do I have to pay money to people I don’t want to hear?As if some random guy can easily replace Jun Fukuyama’s Zero voice?Again its the case of dub fans being too overprotective of their own needs.

Anyway I guess thats enough blabbling,I just wanted to get these thoughts out of my head so I can have some peace of mind.

Note:No offense to the post writers intended.The posts were just examples of the  normal response  a dub fan would give when asked  on the issue.