Just a little treat for all you Professor Layton fans out there.
Also, if you get the chance, check out: Professor Layton and the Malignant Growth
I saw this a while ago and it literally made my life. I keep checking back and seeing if it has been updated but it is only on part six. Either way, if you haven't seen it...you need to.
Just a mini blog post, but I was downloading some beatmaps on Osu so that I had some new stuff to play since I was taking my laptop to finals tomorrow. Turns out, there is a Vocaloid song that has the same title as this blog.
Of course I downloaded the beatmap. I mean, come on, it was called "Subarashii Sekai". Why would I not?
Anyway, it is sung by Miku Hatsune but I am not sure as to who actually composed the song or what on Earth it is about, but it is pretty catchy.
So I just got back from a quick trip to California just yesterday, and it only reminds me as to how I envy the people of California. Originally, I was born there, but I moved when I was a small child to the South were it is nothing but heat and hicks and I despise it. In California however, it is like paradise. (Aside from the suck economy that makes it impossible to afford housing as well as all dem Earth quakes.)
This thing, however, was the first thing that I was swooned over. It's called the "Light Rail" and it is a transport system in California. From the hotel I was in, I saw this thing zoom by on multiple occasions on this bridge that was next to the hotel. I would look out the window and just moan in how cool it was, but how sad I was that we didn't have one where I live.
So you know, I live in a small town that has no bus systems, train transportation, or even taxis really. If you want to get a taxi, you have to call it in from another town. This being so, when I see a passenger train speed through our town, it's like the coolest thing ever. Also, every time I go to a town with some train-based transport system, I feel so much envy. (In example, when I go to New York from time to time, I groan at the fact we lack a subway.)
Not to mention, I was mostly envious because I wanted to take a train places like they do in animes. I just kept thinking of how cool that must be and I wanted it so badly. In example, I could be like the kids in Ore No Imouto ga:
On another note. I envy all of the cute/anime stores that are in the malls of California. There was a mall within walking distance (like right across the street) from my hotel. I ended up going there and searching around the stores. I had to keep myself from nerdgasming too much. I ran into so many stores with cute products and anime products that I was about to die. I had to keep myself from spending too much, so I just bought a small trinket in each store.
I ended up getting a Pokeball that had stickers and erasers inside, A My Neighbor Totoro Lanyard, a small coin purse in the shape of a Bunny, a small zipper bag for my camera with a bear on it, some headphones with pandas for ear buds, a cell phone charm of a bunny, and a Shugo Chara notebook for one of my friends.
Did you know they even had Pokemon crane machines? I tried to get a squirtle but failed...
Otherwise, these stores had everything from figurines to wall scrolls to body pillows to watches to bags to hats and so much more! The only thing I didn't find was cosplays...but that was about it. But when I left the mall, I was dizzy and almost fell over.
Speaking of cosplays, I pretty much have my Touko cosplay done. This being so, I wore it into the airport when I was coming home. Then, while I was standing in the body scanner, I noticed an airport security guy looking at me weird. When I walked over to get my items, he walked up to me and I was scared for my life. I thought there was something against the code in my bag like a bottle of water I forgot and I was going to get in trouble.
Turns out, the guy wanted to know if I was going to an anime convention. I chuckled. It was awesome. This being so, I had a quick conversation with the airport security guy about anime conventions and pokemon. Then, he complimented me on my cosplay and said that it was very convincing and I went to catch my plane. My family thought he was flirting with me. Haha.
But otherwise, I got some San Francisco sourdough bread, and I got to enjoy California once more. I love that place. It is beautiful and has great weather. I nearly cried when I stepped out of my plane and felt heat and humidity.
"Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai" is a title that I am never going to remember fully. Seriously, I just have wikipedia opened so I can actually remember the whole phrase. More commonly, I refer to this, as well as the rest of the internet as "Ore no" and that is about it. Which doesn't really translate into very much considering the whole translation of the show is (literally), "My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute". This being so, I was initially turned away from watching the series, but it turns out the title has nothing to do with what I presumed and actually centers around a boy who's little sister is obsessed with eroge games based off of little sisters simply because she finds them so cute and has always wanted one.
The title is completely misleading and I am very glad about that.
This anime actually came to my attention due to the numerous number of suggestions I was receiving to watch it. Since it was newly airing and hadn't finished at the time, I figured I might as well give it a shot since people kept telling me that it dappled in the concept of "the Otaku lifestyle." I personally for one am not an otaku, but animes centered around it seem entertaining to me for some reason.
As I have probably mentioned somewhere before, (most likely in my Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu Review) being an otaku and liking anime in Japan is apparently very similar to being a geek, nerd, whatever you wish to call it, in America. This being so, it is looked down upon and often leads to ridicule.
In "Ore no", Kyosuke Kosaka's little sister, Kirino, happens to love buying eroge games as well as the fact that she is obsessed with the anime, "Stardust Witch Meruru". This being so, she hides the secret in order to still remain popular with her friends considering she is in sports, models, and does a variety of other things that make her insanely popular amongst everyone. However, she one day places confidence in her brother and tells him all about her obsession and how she has been hiding it for years. He is forced then to keep the secret and help her further her otaku lifestyle. Over time, Kirino reaches out and starts making otaku friends in which she can share her interests with and eventually tells one of her real friends which causes a lot of turmoil amongst all of her relationships throughout the series.
And this is a big thing I noticed in the series. People can be far too judgmental to one another for their little flaws. Kirino's best friend, Ayase, has known her since she was little. However, when Ayase discovers Kirino's hobby, she instantly feels disgusted by her and believes that her friend will eventually become a criminal. Just because of this one attribute about her friend, their relationship takes an incredibly hard hit and their friendship almost dies because of it.
It's the things like this that are ridiculous, but it gives a very modern example. Things such as this occur all the time in the real world, and "Ore no" gives an excellent example of it as to whether or not it was intended. Look at that, anime is teaching us life lessons. (Whether we think it or not! Example 1Example 2 )
But back onto the actual anime, it's actually pretty humorous. Aside from seeing some of the relationships fall apart that make you sad, you get to see some funny moments. In example, Kirino is incredibly tsundere, which causes her to display some hilarious behaviors when she has her brother complex. (Which she denies to have, but it is clearly obvious.)
Also, the music in here is pretty nice too. This anime is one of the ones that uses a different ending every time, so all of the music varies and it is very nice to see the variety in it.
Either way, if you are a nerd and you like anime or just simply feel entertained by the otaku lifestyle, you should definitely watch, "Ore no Imouto ga"...I don't remember the rest of the title.
On another note: Testing is done~ I have nothing left to live for in school and I can officially claim myself as finished with my schooling year. (I don't count finals as part of it since I don't need to take any~)
This being so: Here comes my anime binging that I promised as well as serious devotion to cosplay making.
Progress:
- Touko from Pokemon - 1/2 complete
- Nino from Arakawa Under the Bridge - I got the wig...that's it.
- Clover from 999 - ...I have my hair style ready and the leg warmers...that's about it.
These will all be done (hopefully) by the con I am going to in August. TIME FOR SOME DEVOTION.
So awesome thing: I just have one more test left and then I am done with all of my nationwide testing, which will be a huge relief! (And I may do this when I leave my last AP exam after this week.)
In the mean time, I have my list started for my binging. Here is some of it.
- To Aru Majutsu no Index
- The rest of Black Butler
- Pandora Hearts
- The rest of Jigoku Shoujo (I am halfway in Season 2)
- The last season of Hidamari Sketch
- Hanamaru Kindergarden
- Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
- Maria Holic Alive
And the new addition of this show:
- Deadman Wonderland.
It just started airing a few weeks ago, and I have grown to like it. It's drawn by the same people who made Eureka Seven (Eureka Seven Review ) and it actually is quite interesting. The series is only supposed to be 12 episodes, and when it finishes airing, I will be putting up a proper review of it. In the meantime, I will just brief you all on it.
The manga has already been released, and I just ordered the first volume and I can't wait to read it. But the way I came across this anime was the other day when I was at a friends house. I initially went over there to aid her and clean her house (cause I am a good friend) and we went and ate lunch first. When we got back with our food, we decided to sit down and watch some anime. She chose some random one, and this happened to be it. I won't lie, it was pretty good and so I watched the rest up to date.
However, the plot initially has a few holes in it. (It gets better over time...but in the beginning it's like...wat.) It is about a boy who was presumed guilty for the murder of all of his classmates even though her was innocent and he gets sent to this prison that doubles as an amusement park where the prisoners are the performers.
This was the first thing that made me say, "Wat." I mean really, who makes an amusement park out of a prison? It seems dangerous. There are also a lot of weird things like that in the anime, but all in all, it actually is pretty interesting.
I can't say much else about it though since I don't know what all has happened. It's only on episode four at this moment. I can't wait to see the updates!
Anyways, I can't wait to get these exams out of the way and go back to binging on anime!
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BINGEBINGEBINGEBINGEBINGE
I am not being sarcastic here, I actually do love romantic comedies and they make me laugh all the time. But the fan service I am a tad sarcastic about. Don't get me wrong, I love it from time to time, but it bothers me when that is all you get in an anime through the entire series. This is maybe one of those few exceptions that I can deal with. "Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu (Haruka Nogizaka's Secret)" is said exception. This anime is overflowing with maids, school uniforms, cosplay, and all the upper skirt shots you could want.
But this anime isn't bad! It actually contains a bit of substance to it beneath all of that. However, this plot does seem a bit over played. You get a small sense of Romeo & Juliet is they were a rich otaku and a normal, anime disliking, boy with a drunken older sister. Well, it doesn't exactly sound like it, but there are in fact traced in elements that sound a lot like the classic play.
The concept behind this anime though is that Haruka Nogizaka is a rich, beautiful, extremely talented girl that excels in everything and is adored by every single one of her classmates. It is presumed that the girl has no flaws at all and that she could do just about anything. However one day, the male lead, Yuto Ayase mistakenly bumps in to her, finding that she dropped a very popular anime magazine.
Usually, this shouldn't be much of an issue to anyone, but in Japan, being an "otaku" is supposedly looked down upon. It is sort of like the equivalent to a "geek" in America. This being the case, Haruka became fearful that her secret hobby would get out, so she made Yuto swear himself to secrecy that he wouldn't tell anyone that she adored anime and manga
This show just sort of torments you for a good two seasons. Each of which run a thirteen episode, half season slot. Why is this so tormenting? Despite everything, these two can never kiss. Haruka and Yuto overtime just become the most frustrating couple imaginable. They aren't even really a couple, but you can sense the tension between the two that there is clearly some sort of connection there. Eventually, you find yourself at the edge of your seat, begging the two to kiss. However, that scenario never occurs because there is always some character that barges in and you end up throwing your hands in to the air and shouting, "Come on!"
But on the concept of fanservice, if you love it, you will love this anime. It is literally FILLED with fanservice. We got school girls, panty shots, maids, cosplay, swimsuits, a moe character, you name it, this anime has it. Not that it is necessarily...bad...it actually fits with the idea of what this anime is about. I mean, they even go to Akihabara and a few conventions, so what can you really expect?
However, the music is catchy and the characters are pretty funny. There is a lot of underlying humor between Yuto and Haruka and it makes you giggle and blush. Why so hilarious? Well, whenever they are alone together at Haruka's house, her family has this tendency to want to listen in on everything. The conversation between the two is thus taken completely out of context from the other side of the door, and the things that the two say seem outwardly inappropriate but in actuality, they are doing something stupid like making pancakes.
Yes, this actually does happen.
Despite that though, I couldn't find myself to care for Haruka. Maybe it is just me, but I hate perfect characters that act cutesy and innocent. It is sickening and I have probably found a few exceptions in my years of anime watching, but normally characters like this are a big turn off.
Regardless of its flaws though, I stayed dedicated. The series was all together cute and somewhat entertaining to see. I would recommend this if someone wishes to watch a cute love story with a bit of a nerdy twist.Plus, the soundtracks all have very catchy songs
Oh! And I just remembered that this is the anime that holds the Dokuro Chan reference (Blog entry about that anime is here: Dokuro Chan Review )
On another note: Portfolio done for my art exam. However, I still have 3 more tests. So close to finishing!
To start off, almost all of my tests will be happening in the next two weeks, which means time is boiling down to when I will begin actively posting again. I just finished the state wide tests that were assigned this week, now I only have to deal with the national tests.
Any who, before the state wide tests, I went to a book store right outside of my city to pick up some new reading material. (I actually picked up the final volume of Shaman King and started sobbing when the realization kicked in.) Anyways, when I was there, I came across the series, "7 Billion Needles". I liked the art a lot and the story seemed interesting (plus I can't deny that sometimes I actually enjoy sci-fi). So, I bought the first two volumes of the four and I began reading them. This series is actually pretty good from what I have seen.
Next time I head up to the book store, I am definitely going to buy the other two volumes. It was incredibly interesting and each volume ends with a cliff hanger, dear Lord how I love it!
The story is about a teenage girl named Hikaru Takabe. She lives with her aunt after the death of her father. She always has on a set of headphones and tends to seclude herself from the world and the people around her. Hikaru has absolutely shut off her emotions and tries not to connect herself to anyone and finds it awkward to talk to others.
One day however, she decided not to go with the other students to the banquet hall and decided to walk around on her own. When she was out, a meteor-like object comes blazing into the atmosphere and burns her body to a crisp. (It actually is quite graphic since you see her flesh just burn away to the skeleton. From what is presumed, she is now dead.
Strangely enough however, she returns to life as it was, alive and well, her body in perfect contact. This seemed like a mystery to her, and she could have sworn that she died.
To her surprise, when she is in class one day, her headphones begin making a weird noise. Curious, she figures they must be busted and begins to mess with her music player to see what the problem is. However, she suddenly hears a voice talking to her.
It turns out, the voice is a being inside her blood stream living as a plasma. It takes the name Horizon and explains to her that he is sorry for what happened to her and that it was him who reconstructed her body even though she died and now he inhabits her body for life support. Horizon explains that it is his job to defeat and evil known as Maelstrom in order to keep peace and prevent everyone from being slaughtered.
The concept of this story is actually really interesting in my opinion. The actual idea of the title is interesting too. It came to be due to an explanation that Horizon gives to Hikaru about Maelstrom. He talks about how she needs to take him out while she knows his location for if he escapes, he could jump into any body in the world and finding him would be like looking for a needle in a hay stack amongst the 7 billion on this planet. See? Get it? 7 billion people + needle in a hay stack = 7 billion needles? I thought it was witty...
Any who, the story is captivating and it is something to really sink your teeth into. I am not yet sure as to how it ends, but I am totally on top of getting the rest of the series. It's a bit gore-filled, but I recommend it to many. It's definitely a good read.
Back on my posting schedule: I promise that I will post more after mid-may! On the upside, my portfolio is done, so I only have three tests and a piano recital, then we are good to go on anime binging! (Dear Lord I hate May...) Plus, I will get started on some cosplays that I will try to post pictures of. In the meantime, enjoy this:
Just yesterday my friend showed me this tumblr account and I have been laughing ever since. Sorry if some of you take offense, it isn't personal. I cried at a few, haha.
