Anime: Tekkaman Blade (1992)

This particular mecha anime was on US TV back when I was already in college. I had wanted to watch it but never found the time. Knowing that American TV aggressively edited and ultimately cancelled the show gives me a lot of incentive to finish the box set that I now own.

This is all you need to know about this anime: Pretty, cold, brooding, tragic hero fights for good and eventually falls in love. Oh, and the mecha is cool, enough to want to own the Bandai Tamashii Tekkaman Blade with Pegas action figure set! Go get your old school mecha anime on.

*Additional Thoughts* - One of the characters in this series, Levin, reminds me a lot of Yellow Belmont of Mospeada (aka Lancer in Robotech - New Generation). I can't help but wonder, were transgendered characters in anime a trend during the 80's? I haven't watched anime consistently enough to notice if this was/is a common occurrence. Is it still featured in anime today? I'm highly curious about it and would be interested to know stats.

*Update 2-25-13* I really loved this series. Not sure if it's because of the old-school factor or the allure of the tragic hero but I consider Tekkaman among my top 5 favorites. My only minor complaint is the inconsistent animation throughout but otherwise, the story was riveting. 5 out of 5 stars.

Anime: Suki-tte Ii Na Yo - aka Say "I Love You" (2012)

I was randomly checking to see if more episodes of Kimi ni Todoke have been released for us non-paying viewers (err...not yet, which means I'll probably have to pay to finish watching and rating. Tch!). I stumbled upon this title and gave it a test drive.

Immediately upon opening, you can tell the atmosphere of this anime is different than the usual happy shoujo titles. The color palette is very muted and watching the school girls at the train station point and laugh at our female lead, already tells us that this is going to have some dark, slice-of-life qualities.

I can't decide if I like our female protagonist, Tachibana Mei. Her surly demeanor and heaviness just brings you down. I want to like her, but I haven't quite gotten there yet. Our male lead, Kurosawa Yamato is interesting. My eyes want to line up his asymmetrical, emo hair which is distracting but he is likable. He's not just popular because he's hot, (isn't that the sole reason why we watch shoujo anime sometimes?) he also sticks up for others. We see hints of his darker side which is what keeps him interesting.

And what do we get an abundance of right from the start? Kissing! No time wasted there. The pay off is quick so we'll see how the momentum of the story keeps up. I'm looking forward to completing this one.

*Update 1-28-13* I lost interest in this due to the introduction of sabotaging side characters (really dispise them). Maybe I'll continue, and that's a big MAYBE.

Anime: Kimi ni Todoke (2010)

I recently browsed and started an anime that seemed interesting but soon after completing the first season, I asked myself, why did I even waste my precious time?

Kimi ni Todoke is sweet and feel-good right from the start. Endearing Kuronuma Sawako for all her shyness and innocence is someone worth supporting and rooting for. She is somewhat different than your standard dim bulb. She is academically astute only socially challenged and misunderstood. Kazehaya Shota is also non-standard, not aloof or a delinquent. Cute and very likable and friendly to everyone.

Finally, a shoujo anime worth watching! I will have to keep in mind that the manga series is still going so this anime won't feel complete (the pitfalls of watching adaptations). Is there a way I can take a day off from work and just do a marathon? Love this one!

*Update 1-28-13* I completed season 1 and hope to start season 2 sometime in the upcoming months. The feel of the anime is just like the manga. I'm looking forward to watching more.

*Update 2-25-13* I completed season 2 and am really happy with the ending considering the manga is still going. Most of the time, I feel dissatisfied with open-ended endings (ie. Fruits Basket) but this one was just right. I loved the innocence and purity of Kuronuma Sawako. Kazehaya is just like his name implies: fresh as a breeze. 5 out of 5 very satisfied stars.

Anime: Earl and Fairy (2008)

I stumbled upon this after learning about the new US manga release. It's a short series only 12 episodes which I imagine will end disappointingly or open-ended. No matter, I still want to watch because the main characters are awesomely cute.

Lydia Carlton has the most strategically, gravity-defying, ribbons of hair (how do you replicate her floaty hair in a cosplay wig?). Edgar Ashenbert is your standard, swoon-worthy, male protagonist. Ash-mauve eyes...yes, that works for me. There are interesting supporting characters such as a talking cat, Nico, and Edgar's servant, Raven, a mysterious young man with exceptional fighting skills and eerie aura (can you say doujinshi heaven?).

Only two episodes in, but so far so good. Will update once completed.

*Update 10-22-12* So I completed this one and give it 3 out of 5 stars. Great if you want a quick shoujo fantasy without a lot of commitment.

What a Slacker!

I have been busy tending to life and so my drama and anime watching has been on hiatus. I need more hours in the day, 26-hours would be nice. And if I never have to sleep again, that would even better.

So on my to watch list are the following:

49 Days (2011)
Flower Boy Ramyun Shop (2011)
Arang Magistrate Story (July 2012)

Just read rumblings of Gong Yoo possibly signing on to do a Hong sisters drama titled "Big". It's hard not to get tingly and excited about potentially wasting hours of my free time lost in fantasy land watching my computer screen. The question is, when am I going to find free time?

KDrama: Heartstrings/You've Fallen For Me (2011)

Jung Yong-Hwa and Park Shin-Hye

I've yet to finish my last drama. I will get around to it, or so I keep saying without conviction. I'm a bit of a sucker for school romances in drama as well as manga format so this one just couldn't be passed over. I tried to follow by reading recaps but it just doesn't scratch the itch and I caved.

It's a sweet drama full of school-life fresh innocence. The conflict is trivial and while I love watching Shin and Gyu-Won's moments together (and that's plenty good enough for me) we need to have some kind of plot. I've conveniently overlooked that little essential requirement and will just keep focusing on the cuteness.

Jung Yong-Hwa has improved since his supporting role in You're Beautiful. I think his acting is better than Kim Hyun Joong in Playful Kiss. Unlike Kim Hyun Joong's blindingly perfect chompers (nothing wrong with them except they're just too perfect), Jung Yong-Hwa has awesome, real-world crooked teeth.

After episode 11, we're getting into mediocre territory. The threats and consequences are too unrealistic and I find I'm having a hard time staying engaged. Will update as it progresses.


Dayum, when didja get so fine Shin Woo Hyung?

*Update 3-7-12* I'm so bad, I don't think I ever finished this drama. I think I lost interest and just let it die a quiet death. When my attention starts to wane, I just read recaps and move on. Poor Shin Woo Hyung, you deserve better bro.

Anime: Saint Seiya - The Lost Canvas (2009)

I started watching this title based on my recent revival of interest in astrology. If you wiki Saint Seiya, you will discover it's a shonen series from the 80's with a franchise that still continues via various incarnations of manga, anime and merchandise. This story is a prequel and spun-off by another author with permission from the original creator.

This anime falls under the "fighting" genre where power and moves are announced before being unleashed upon the enemy. While this type of anime is not among my favorite, the announcements are minimal. The story has been interesting enough that I want to finish the series. Love these two Gold Saints:

Pisces Albafica



Virgo Asmita