Monday, October 31, 2011

Cosplay Harajuku District

I must confess: I am an anime and manga addict, but I had never been to a cosplay event in my entire life until the other night when I went to Cosplay Harajuku District at Ayala Business Park, Cebu. I didn't go in costume or anything, I was just a spectator. But I had a lot of fun watching all the cosplayers and observing how they got into character. You could say that I was like a stalker with my eyes glued to my prey. Hehe...

There was this one cosplayer I particularly liked. He was dressed as the Undertaker from Kuroshitsuji and he was almost perfect! He even pranced around the place just like the Undertaker. I didn't get to hear him talk and laugh however, which is why I say "almost perfect". High standards? Hah! Nevertheless, I stalked him the most. Hehe. I even had a picture taken, and I am not ashamed to admit it! Hahaha! (See picture on the right.)

I wonder when the next cosplay event or workshop in my city will be. I'm really looking forward to it. I might even try cosplaying myself. ;P

By the way, for those who don't know the Undertaker, allow me introduce you to him. Mina-san, kochira wa Andāteikā-san desu.











Charming, isn't he? Haha! ^_^ And this is from when he was still a Shinigami (death god, soul reaper), before he became a funeral director:











He can reap my soul anytime. Ahahahahaha!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Romantic Japanese Movies for October 2011

I have a couple of recommendations for those looking for light yet touching romantic Japanese movies that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy after watching:

Paradise Kiss
Based on the manga with the same title, Paradise Kiss is the story of Hayasaka Yukari, an ordinary girl from a prestigious academic school whose life was devoted to studying in order to please her mother, and a group of unique free spirited dressmakers and designers from a well-known school for the arts. The story that ensues when these totally opposite characters collide with each other is an amusing yet heartwarming tale.

I totally loved Paradise Kiss. It made me fall in love and laugh and cry. :)


Koukou Debut
Also known as High School Debut, Koukou Debut is a romantic comedy about a tomboyish girl named Nagashima Haruna who swore off softball (which she was very good at) in order to devote herself to a new goal: falling in love and getting a boyfriend. After several disastrous attempts, she decides to ask Komiyama Yoh, one of the most popular boys in school, to be her "coach" at attracting boys. He agrees, but with one condition: she is forbidden to fall in love with him.

Koukou Debut was seriously entertaining. I loved how the story panned out in the end as well. :)

I'll be posting more recommendations for live action Japanese movies as well as JDoramas, animes, and mangas in the future. Until then... :)

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Anime for September 2011

September has been a busy month for me in terms of anime viewing. I have watched all of the following this month so far:

Nana

Nana is about two strangers, both of whom are named Nana, who meet each other for the first time on a train to Tokyo. One of them is a naive country bumpkin coming to Tokyo to live with her boyfriend; the other is a streetwise rock musician looking to hit it big in Tokyo. Through some strange play of events, the two of them end up as roommates in the seventh floor of an old building with no elevator. The story that unfolds thereafter is one of friendship, love, betrayal, sex and music.

I liked this story very much. I'm planning to continue reading the manga where the anime left off. The two live action movies were amazing as well.

Durarara!!

Durarara!! is about two childhood friends from the country who were separated and then reunited in high school in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. A headless rider, a scheming information dealer, a bartender with superhuman strength, a Russian sushi chef, and a company doing experiments on human subjects are also thrown into the mix.

The story unfolds in bits and pieces which may be difficult to understand at first, but the pieces come together to form a cohesive picture as the episodes progress. I found this story very interesting. The characters are over the top but lovable, and the story itself is quite unique. I love the opening and ending themes as well.

Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru 

I started watching Uragiri wa Boku no Namae wo Shitteiru, or UraBoku for short, primarily because of the bishounen (read: hot anime guys) in it. Surprisingly, the story was interesting and it drew me in.

Uraboku is about a an orphan boy with powers that he is unable to control. One day he is saved from demons by a mysterious man, who later on is revealed to be a demon himself. And it seems that this mysterious man was the orphan boy's lover in an alternate life where the boy had been a girl. Sounds confusing? Hehe... not really. In fact, it was entertaining. And I loved watching the hot anime guys fight.

Bakuman

Bakuman is the story of two middle schoolers aspiring to become successful mangakas (manga artists) and the struggles they encountered along the way as they overcame personal challenges and persevered. The show is inspiring, humorous, and educational at the same time, especially for those who also dream of becoming mangakas. I learned a lot of things about the work of a mangaka and I realized that it is no easy task.

I'm really looking forward to season 2 of this series which will start airing on October 2011.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Nodame Cantabile Opening & Ending Theme Songs With Lyrics

I put up another anime opening/ending theme song compilation the other day. This time it's for Nodame Cantabile. These are the TV size opening and ending themes with the original animation sequences for all three seasons: Nodame Cantabile, Nodame Cantabile Paris-Hen, and Nodame Cantabile Finale. I also added the lyrics so you can sing along. Check it out and remember to vote for your favorite!

Nodame Cantabile Opening & Ending Theme Songs With Lyrics

Also visit my Videos section for more anime opening/ending theme songs.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Proof of How Awesome Aizen Sousuke Is

I know, Bleach manga/anime fans probably hate Aizen Sousuke's guts, but you just have to love how incredibly awesome he is in Rock Musical Bleach! I mean, the man deserves some respect. Case in point, this EPIC fight scene between Aizen, Ichigo, and Renji from Rock Musical Bleach: No Clouds in the Blue Heavens. My favorite fight scene in all Rock Musical Bleachdom. ^_^

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Rock Musical Bleach Anthem - Mou Hitotsu no Chijou

"Mou Hitotsu no Chijou" is the one song in Rock Musical Bleach wherein all the main characters get to sing solo (except for Ichigo, since it's the anthem of the Soul Society's 13 Court Guard Squads and he's not part of them), and that is probably why it is an all-time favorite among many fans. As expected, a song that gives eight squad captains, five vice captains, and three squad members some solo time is a long one - nine minutes and two seconds to be exact. But it's well worth the time.

This version of "Mou Hitotsu no Chijou" is from Rock Musical Bleach: The Live Bankai Show Code 002, and it is the last version of the song with Aizen Sousuke. (Ohkuchi Kengo, the actor who played Aizen, was not able to be a part of The Live Bankai Show 003 which was the last Rock Musical Bleach with the original cast.)

By the way, I love how it opens with the set rotating up into place from beneath the dark stage and then you see everyone slowly appearing with lanterns that create this mysterious, other-worldly atmosphere. I wish I could have seen it live. ^_^

Mou Hitotsu no Chijou



Mou Hitotsu no Chijou Lyrics

All:
kawaita kaze ni tadayoi nagara oto mo tatezu ni chikazukeba
hikaru yaiba wa hi no ya no gotoku kuruoshiku shi wo tsukasadoru
minikuku mayoeru tamashii yo kaihou e to michibiite yarou ka
warera Gotei Juusantai koko wa mou hitotsu no chijou

Byakuya:
heimin nado ni wa rikai dekimai
kizoku toshite sei wo uketa hokori takaki kokorozashi
okite koso ga ashita e no michi shirube ni naru
kegarenaki chitsujo mamoru tame kono mi wo toshite hataraku sadame

Renji:
tobikoetee uzee yatsu ga iru
tsuyoku nakereba ikiteru imi nante doko ni mo, doko ni mo aryashi nee.
kono sekai no dorei ni nanka naranee ze
honnou no manma ni tsuki susumu dake kono saibou ga nietagiru made

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

5th International Manga Awards Now Ongoing

The 5th International Manga Awards is now on, and the Embassy of Japan is inviting Filipino manga artists to join and submit their own original manga. I really really want to join this contest, but I don't know how to make my own manga yet. :P Another reason why it pays to be ready when opportunities arise.

Winners will receive awards and will be invited to Japan for ten days! Wah! I want to go! Hehe. ^_^ The awarding ceremony will be held in Tokyo in March 2012 so that might be when the winners are going to Japan.

Read this article from SunStar Daily News to learn more about the 5th International Manga Awards and how to submit your entries if you're interested to participate:

Please click on the image to view full size.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Zero Kiryu Dropped Off Popular Posts List

Vampire Knight's Zero Kiryu has been pushed off the Popular Posts list while Kaname Kuran has stayed on? I never thought I'd see the day. Zero has always beaten Kaname in all of the polls I've seen. Hot anime guys and Hellsing are still dominating the list though with Ouran High School Host Club's Hitachiin twins hot on their heels. I really should finish up my new list of hot anime guys... hopefully before the year ends. Hah! ;D

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006 Animated Film)

It has been quite a while since I've seen an anime movie that gripped me every second of the way from start to finish. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, the 2006 animated film, did just that. From the stunning artwork to the beautiful story and the awesome soundtrack and really cool voice acting (I watched it with the original Japanese audio), it was arguably the best anime I have ever seen so far.

Sure, there they might have oversimplified the whole time traveling thing and completely ignored the issues that might crop up (One example: When you go back to the past, that means there's now two of you in that time frame, right? In this anime, that is completely ignored.), but the story's simplicity is something that I like about it.

I highly recommend watching this anime movie. I give it a 10/10, even though I would have wanted it to end a bit differently... Hehe, not going to give out any spoilers though. :D Dang, now I want to watch it again. You know I think I will watch it again. :)

Thursday, June 30, 2011

New Anime Videos Page

Hi, everyone. I've added a new videos page to my blog, the link to which can be found at the top of the page. It contains a complete video compilation of the original opening and ending credits to some of my favorite anime along with their lyrics. I'm hoping to add more anime to my video collection soon. I'll keep you guys posted. :)

Sunday, June 26, 2011

My Moriyama Eiji Shrine

Name: Moriyama Eiji
Birthday: October 3, 1976
Height: 177 cm (5 ft 9 3/4 in)
Occupation: Japanese stage actor and seiyuu (voice actor) best known for his role as Abarai Renji in Rock Musical Bleach and Momoshiro Takeshi in The Prince of Tennis Musical, Member of the entertainment group *pnish*

And now for some photos:









I definitely think he has the right to nickname himself "Sexy", even though he was joking when he said it. The first two photos above are my favorite. Incidentally, I believe they are the most recent among the pictures here. And here he is in character:

Moriyama Eiji as Abarai Renji in Rock Musical Bleach

Moriyama Eiji as Momoshiro Takeshi in The Prince of Tennis Musical

Now is it just me, or is it hot in here? Hehe... :P

Rock Musical Bleach: The Live Bankai Show Code 003 Wallpapers

Yay! I found some BuriMyu (Rock Musical Bleach) pictures that are large enough to use as wallpaper. It's the photo shoot for The Live Bankai Show Code 003. I now have them alternating on my desktop. :)

Click on the pictures to view full size. Right-click and select Save Image As to download.

 


















Too bad Aizen Sousuke wasn't in The Live Bankai Show Code 003. He would've looked great on my desktop. Hehe... Thanks for these pictures,

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Koishite Akuma

Vampires have always fascinated me. Add love into the picture and my heart melts. When I was in college, I became addicted to Anne Rice's books in The Vampire Chronicles series. Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned... I wanted to become a vampire and escape reality. Watching Koishite Akuma brought back all those feelings quite unexpectedly. The story resonated with my soul so much that I was willing to forgive the somewhat cheesy and low-budget-like special effects.

What is it about vampires that fascinates me so much? Is it their beauty? Vampires are always portrayed as graceful beings of elegance and beauty. Superhuman powers? They can control people's thoughts, move faster than human eyes can see, shapeshift into animals, heal faster than Wolverine or maybe just as fast. Or is it their immortality?

In any case, Koishite Akuma made me fall in love and feel human again. Ironic, isn't it? A vampire reminded me that it's okay to "be human". It's okay to feel all emotions, whether good or bad. And allowing myself to feel instead of numbing myself to avoid any kind of pain or negative emotion is good for the soul every once in a while. I'm very glad I watched Koishite Akuma.

Nakayama Yuma as the vampire Kuromiya Ruka in Koishite Akuma

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Romance Simulation Games

I've been listening to this audiobook by Daniel Pink entitled "A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future", and in this book the author talks about how computer and video games can help develop the right brain. Quoted from the book:

"There’s also evidence that playing video games enhances the right-brain ability to solve problems that require pattern recognition. Many aspects of video gaming resemble the aptitude of Symphony—spotting trends, drawing connections, and discerning the big picture. “What we need people to learn is how to think deeply about complex systems (e.g., modern workplaces, the environment, international relations, social interactions, cultures, etc.) where everything interacts in complicated ways with everything else and bad decisions can make for disasters,” says Gee. Computer and video games can teach that.'"

(Kids, remember this book when your parents nag you about spending so much time on video games. Hehe.)

So I thought I'd try some computer and video games.

Since I am more interested in romance comedies than action adventures, I decided to do some research on dating simulation games like the one Renge played in Ouran High School Host Club. I was surprised to find out that dating simulation games, like anime and manga, are almost entirely from Japan. "Romance Simulation Games" they're called in the Land of the Rising Sun, and there are three basic categories: bishojo games, otome games, and eroge games.

In a nutshell, bishojo games have one male character trying to make several girls fall in love with him. Otome games are the opposite; there's one female character trying to make several boys fall in love with her. Eroge games can either be bishojo or otome, the difference is that eroge games have explicit content.

Otome games tickled my fancy, and off I went googling for otome games. To my dismay, I found out that these games are not sold outside Japan at all - hence there are no English versions! Waaah! I had already gotten myself so worked up about playing Hakuouki! I loved the anime so I knew I would love the game as well.

Hakuouki Playstation 3

And also, who wouldn't want to play Hakuouki after this:

Saitou Hajime as a rasetsu sucking blood from Chizuru's earlobe

"One of the sweet scenes in Saitou’s route is during one of his blood-sucking scenes. As usual, Chizuru offered her blood to Saitou and created a small wound on her lobe. And when Saitou was taking blood from it, Chizuru noticed that even though the wound has closed (because she is an oni) Saitou still kept in the position so Chizuru asked whether he needs more blood but Saitou quickly stood up pushing her away while mumbling that it is not like he needs more blood." (Credit: http://hikaritsubasa.wordpress.com/tag/shinsengumi/) 

I really really hope romance simulation games, particularly Hakuouki, make it out of Japan sometime soon. :)

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Ouran High School Host Club Live Action TV Series

I just found out! It has been formally announced: Ouran High School Host Club will have a live action TV adaptation! Yipee! It is set to air on TBS beginning July 2011 and will star Yusuke Yamamoto as Tamaki Suoh and Haruna Kawaguchi as Haruhi Fujioka. Here's the complete cast for the Ouran High School Host Club live action TV series:

Kawaguchi Haruna as Fujioka Haruhi

Yamamoto Yusuke as Suoh Tamaki

Daito Shunsuke as Ootori Kyoya

Takagi Manpei as Hitachiin Kaoru
 Takagi Shinpei as Hitachiin Hikaru

Chiba Yudai as Haninozuka Mitsukuni

Nakamura Masaya as Morinozuka Takashi

Ryusei Ryo as Nekozawa Umehito
(Photos from: http://hanashi-sekai.blogspot.com/2011/05/se-confirma-el-dorama-de-ouran-host.html)

I'm a little disappointed by the cast line-up though. I was expecting the Host Club guys to be better looking, I guess. Somewhere around the handsomeness of Ikuta Toma, Mukai Osamu and Hayami Mokomichi. *Stares and drools... Haha!*

Hayami Mokomichi

Ikuta Toma

Mukai Osamu
But I'm still definitely looking forward to it. I bet it's going to be a lot of laughs. :)
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