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.

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.

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. ^_^

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

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:

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