HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!!!

Best wishes for the new year!  The future is here already...

Here is a link to a sanrio site to download pdf Sanrio 2010 calendar.

"Kimi ni Todoke" ep 12

So cute when Sawako and Ryuu are together.  By the end of the show, it looks like Kuronuma's plan may backfire.  I really like how Ayane understands the whole situation and warns Kuronuma that she's on to her.

"the TV show"

Found this on Japanator.

"Ookiku Furikabutte" season 2 is coming

I was glad to read this news on anime news network.  I really enjoyed the first season and even bought the "Big Windup!" Funimation set.  Looking foward to seeing it in spring of 2010.  Whew, freaky how 2010 is coming up fast.

"Kimi ni Todoke" ep 11

I love how Sawako unintentionally "****blocks" Kurumi with her innocent personality.  Funniest scene:  Ryuu tries to remember Sawako's name through word association and Chizu's yelling at him.  I also  liked it when Kazehaya starts freaking out when other people, especially Ryu, start to notice Sawako.  Oh, that Kurumi is sneaky trying to add Ryu in the mix.

"Kimi ni Todoke" ep 10

Suspicions confirmed:  watch out for jealous Kurumi, Sawako!  The whole let-me-be-your-friend thing is a total sham in order to thwart any relationship between you and Kazehaya!  Of course, Sawako is too innocent to recognize the true nature of the backstabber.

Demise of imeem

Sad to see imeem.com disappear.  I really liked the access to all the jpop songs and the ability to make playlists that I could blast from my laptop.  I hope myspace music somehow rescues all the playlists everyone made.  Kinda doubt it though.

woot off!

http://www.woot.com/

"Winter Sonata" ep 4

Oh snap. Didn't see that one coming about the picture affecting their relationship.

"Kimi ni Todoke" ep 9

Damn that Kurumi!!! I don't trust her at all.
I like the part where Ayane and Chizu imagine Sawako with different hairstyles (so funny).

This anime season (Fall 2009)

This season seems a little lackluster to me. It seems like I was following more shows last season. The only ones I am watching in earnest are "Kimi ni Todoke," "Aoi Bungaku," "Seitokai no Ichizon," "Cross Game," and "Thriller Restaurant." "Winter Sonata" seems stalled with the subbing.
"Kimi ni Todoke" is fantastic every episode, beautiful to watch, makes me smile.
"Aoi Bungaku" is the "mature" anime that delves into suicide, adultery, and murder, and is also beautifully animated.
"Seitokai no Ichizon" is makes me LOL at least once every episode.
"Cross Game" on the surface is about sports, but it's more about the characters and their relationships.
"Thriller Restaurant" is a cute Disney-Haunted-Mansion thrills type anime and I really like the end credits where you see the maitre d'/ghost narrator dancing.
On Crunchyroll I watch "Letter Bee" and "White Album." I think there are 21 simulcasts on Crunchyroll, but none of them seem really interesting besides those two. "Hanasekeru Seishonen" is one I am slowly catching up on. "Miracle Train" is something I watch whenever I have nothing else to watch.
Maybe it's because Crunchyroll has so much current season streaming that I'm realizing how many shows I am really passing up each season. Wonder how next season will be...

"Keitai Sousakan 7"

I really didn't know what this show was about when I turned it on, except I knew cell phones were involved. I had no idea watching the first episode it had a walking, talking cell phone as a main character. Yes, I had stumbled onto a kids' show which I just discovered is a "toku" or "tokusatsu," i.e., a live-action effects show of the "Power Rangers" variety. I think it's a step up from "Power Rangers" though. So much production value is in the show, it's like watching a mini-CSI/NCIS (minus all the gore), and includes pretty good, close to movie-quality CGI. It's about a high school boy who gets involved with a high tech counter-internet-terrorist group, and buddies up with a transforming robot cellphone. Sure it's for the kiddies, but I have a feeling lots of adults enjoyed it while it aired in 2008 and 2009.

BIGBANG

Here is the PV for the "Ohitorisama" OP by BIGBANG, "Koe wo Kikasete (Let Me Hear Your Voice)." I got it from a great anime blog Random Curiosity.

BIGBANG - Koe wo Kikasete [PV] @ Yahoo! Video

"Ohitorisama"

Enjoyable show about an unmarried, very dedicated teacher who seems to be perfectly happy on her own, until she meets a cute new teacher 10 years younger than her. Comedy, romance, and a lot of helping of students ensues. The whole cast is extremely likable. The lead actress is Mizuki Alisa (very pretty). The lead actor is Koike Teppei (very cute). Here is the opening song from episode 1 sung by Korean group Big Bang:

"Real Clothes"

This drama is about a styleless, unfashionable woman (played by Karina) who is suddenly transferred to the womens clothing department at a struggling Bloomingdale's-type store. She gains confidence, and fashion sense, while working under the head of the department (played by Kuroki Hitomi) who was recently hired to put the store in the black. I've watched the 3 episodes that are subbed so far and I am really enjoying seeing all the fashion. It kind of plays like the movie "The Devil Wears Prada" with the ugly duckling transformation and growing mutual respect between the two women. And Kuroki Hitomi looks great in every single thing she wears throughout the show!

WOOT OFF

woot.com

"Samurai High School"

Just watched "Samurai High School" and it was really fun to watch. I have a new idol Haruma Miura. He is actually so pretty for a guy! Another hottie is Yu Shirota who was in "Hana Kimi" Japan version. It's about a chicken-hearted guy who becomes possessed by his samurai ancestor in times of need, ie, when he needs to be a bad ass. High school plus samurai = fun show. Here is a commercial featuring the lovely Haruma Miura.

On another note, "Kimi ni Todoke" is still my favorite anime this season. Episodes 4 and 5 were pretty heartbreaking. I hope Sawako kicks ass in episode 6.

"Tokyo Dogs"

Just watched the first episode of "Tokyo Dogs" starring Oguri Shun and Mizushima Hiro. Both are hot, but Shun with the short hair is really doing it for me! Hiro with the goatee not so much. The tone is uneven. It's a comedy and a police drama rolled into one. I think it the comedy was a little more subtle it might work a bit better. But hey I will probably continue to watch just because of the two of them.

WOOT OFF

"Winter Sonata" anime

Recently watched episode 0 and 1 of this anime based on the famous K-drama of the same name. You can smell the doom of this romance right away, but I still want to watch it all unfold. Beautifully drawn scenes of a perfect New York and Paris are a gorgeous backdrop to the drama. It's weird to watch the whole thing with Korean audio and Japanese and English subs.

"Waiting in the Dark" (2006)

Just watched "Waiting in the Dark" (also called "Kurai tokodoro de machiawase") starring Rena Tanaka and Bo-lin (aka Wilson, Baron) Chen. It's a super slow movie, but made me tear up several times. It's about a blind girl living alone and a Chinese-Japanese guy played by Chen (cute!) who hides in her house...without her knowledge. She figures it out slowly and we find out why he is hiding there. This is Chen's first completely Japanese-speaking role. I read he has spoken some already in other films, but he is actually a Taiwanese star. Recommended if you can take the large silences in slow-paced film.

"Kimi ni Todoke" ep 3

Episode 3 was released by freemoneysubs. I was all "squee!" like a little girl watching the whole thing. Hits all the "shoujo-y" notes you would want to be hit in this episode. Cute dog, cute guy, making friends... Hope this keeps up!
BTW, other shows I am watching so far this season are "Tegami Bachi," "Seitokai no Ichizon," "Fairy Tail," and "Miracle Train." I can't stop myself from watching the silly "Miracle Train" that anthropomorphizes train stations of the Oedo line (to be exact) into bishies who want to help lost ladies. "Tegami Bachi" seems like a solid show which some heart. "Seitokai no Ichizon" seems like it's getting a little one note, but I'll keep trying. "Fairy Tail" has that current shonen weekly series vibe with lots of action and comedy. I tried to watch "Yumerio Patisseire" but the cute voices stopped me from continuing. I may also watch "Book of Bantorra," but I'm not sure yet. Don't know where this show is heading. The idea is good, but the plot is confusing.
Also, I am continuing to watch "Cross Game" which is consistently good even now, at episode 29.

"Kimi ni Todoke" ep 2

Just watched the sub for episode 2! Check out baka-updates. My number one show this season. I just love it when Sawako/Sadako starts getting some friends. Also, the dog in this episode is way cute, especially when being aggressive. I'm so rooting for Sawako.

Finished "Nobuta wo Produce"; Starting "Kimi ni Todoke"

Four stars for "Nobuta wo Produce." Kamenashi Kazuya really shines in the lead actor role as the popular, but really lonely inside, Shuuji. Yamapi is hilarious as the straightforward, laid back, and jokey Akira. The chemistry of these two make up for any flaws in the plotting and the strange ending.

Just watched the first episode of "Kimi ni Todoke" which I enjoyed. Sort of like "Nobuta wo Produce" in which the popular guy seems to like the outcast girl. I see the pattern...

"Nobuta wo Produce"

Just started watching this 2005 drama. I was looking for something after "Buzzer Beat" and Japanator recommended this like "Buzzer Beat." It looks promising with Yamapi as a star again. When I see him in this role I recognize him from the "NANA" live action movie and "Last Quarter" another movie I wrote about earlier. He looks WAY better in this type of hair. Anyway, I also like this actor from "Koizora" (which I watched on mysoju.com) Kamenashi Kazuya. He's a good actor and also easy to look at. Horikita Maki from "Hana Kimi" is also in this. Ingredients to a good drama included: good looking cast, school bullying, a makeover of an outcast, friendship, and Yamapi hanging all over Kazuya throughout the show in a disturbing fashion. Let's see how the 10 episodes go.

Finished "Buzzer Beat"

Just finished watching final episode of "Buzzer Beat." It kinda ran out of steam in the last episode, but it's still fun to watch. Riko and Naoki's separation is kinda forced but necessary for the final climactic reunion. The cheating ex-girlfriend is well played by Aibu Saki (Riko from "Absolute Boyfriend") who manages to do "sympathetic bitch" pretty well (haha). I really liked the actress who played the Riko the lead Kitagawa Keiko. She is so pretty and wears these skinny jeans through the whole thing (hate her) but can't deny she's way pretty. As for Yamapi, I can see his appeal, but yeah, his frizzy dyed curly hair is not a good look. Oh yeah, I learned about downloading RAWs and getting the .SRT subtitles from trying to get episodes 7 through 11 because they are hard to get hardsubbed at this point. Learned something new just to finish this show! That's how much I enjoyed it.

"Buzzer Beat" OP

Conan and Andy... Back for More

WOOT OFF

"Buzzer Beat"

I started watching the j-drama "Buzzer Beat" which stars the famous Yamapi (Yamashita Tomohisa). It has a good ensemble cast, including the female lead of "Absolute Boyfriend." There are plenty of cute actors playing professional basketball players. The basketball action takes a backseat to the romances of the show, and there are plenty of pairings to go around. I really like the actor that plays the coach Ito Hideaki. So cute! Anyway, i'm only through with episode 2, but I'll hang in there. It's kinda hard believing Yamapi could be a pro player, but I'd rather watch him in a romance than (insert any NBA player.)

"Kaikan Phrase"

"Kaikan Phrase" is a really old shoujo anime from 1999-2000 about a band called Lucifer which is composed of five hot guys including the charismatic bad boy lead singer Sakuya. The manga is popular too, but I haven't read it. The first part of the anime is about how the band gets formed, and the second part is about their career as signed band and their new high school aged girl lyricist. I'm at episode 30 and there is 44 in total. The art style is dated, but I still like it. I also like seeing the "realistic" (for anime anyway) situations about trying to be successful in a band. It's a lot of "lets' get together and put on a really good show!" a lot of the time which is corny but kind of uplifting when you are feeling cynical. Plus I really like Sakuya, the bad boy who rides a motorcycle, composes music, and sings lead vocals. You get to hear the song "Datenshi Blue" about a million times, but it's not a bad song.

"Ookiku Furikabutte"

"Ookiku Furikabutte" AKA "Big Windup!" AKA "Oofuri" is a great sports anime about a new boys' high school baseball team made up completely of freshmen. It's mainly about the pitcher, Ren Mihashi, and catcher, Takaya Abe. The pitcher Mihashi was bullied on his junior high baseball team and has really low self-esteem. Abe sees the potential in Mihashi encourages him to become more confident as a pitcher and teammate. It's really nice to see the team learn to work together. And it made me appreciate how complicated baseball can be. I never knew there were so many types of pitches and plays and how much strategy each at bat involves. This is coming from someone who really doesn't like sports. The second and final game takes place over several episodes. If I hadn't been watching back to back, I don't think I could follow the show! That aside, this anime is a really nice, wholesome break from fantasy and violence.

"Starship Troopers 3: Marauder"

I admit I enjoyed "Starship Troopers" from 1997 starring Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards, Patrick Muldoon, and NPH (Neil Patrick Harris). It's got a good looking cast, science fiction, pretty good CGI alien bugs, so cheesy it's good dialogue, and some satirical humor. It's all back in "Starship Troopers 3: Marauder" but with a dinky budget and horrible acting. One actress who has an strange accent I figured was South African (Afrikaans?)since it was filmed there is extra horrible. Casper Van Dien is back, looking pretty good for a decade later and the same writer is back. The low budget shows, but the movie tries to make up with it with extra gore (lots of flying decapitated and/or exploding heads) and gratuitous nudity. The end actually has some giant robot mecha (!) in it and I think if there was a larger budget it would have looked about a million times better and been featured more. I actually even watched the first sequel which sucked horribly and I had low expectations for this one. But, as you watch you get start enjoying it in a guilty pleasure way.

"Endless Eight" Over

The "Endless Eight" arc of "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya 2" is finally over. I got so excited with Kyon finally spit out something before Haruhi left the restaurant. I supposed the animators wanted to emphasize the repetition of the 15, 532 "recursions" of 2 weeks in August by making the audience go through eight recursions ourselves, but that was a little much. I stuck it out though.

Conan and Andy Dub Anime

"Nabari no Ou"

This is a new show posted on the funimation website. It's about modern-day high school ninjas and it's drawn in a style that's more like some bishounen manga. There's 3 subbed episodes posted now. It may be enough for me to get interested in buying the series when it comes out in September. Damn you funimation...

WOOT OFF

woot.com

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince"

Ok, saw a matinee of this movie today. Harry and the gang at Hogwarts is a little bit older. There's teen romance, treachery, potions, and Jim Broadbent. It feels like a tome packed into two and a half hours. It's well done and it's got that "Empire Strikes Back" sort of feeling since the good guys are kinda left hanging and you want to see next movie. I have begun to not understand the plot of the whole thing since I have only read the first book. As each movie progresses, I feel like "who is that character, that person is familiar...?" This happens when I see Helena Bonham Carter in the movie. But I know I'll hit the multiplex when the next one comes out.

"Phantom" episodes are back

Ever since the Funimation video portal got shut down, the simulcast of "Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom" has been stuck at episode 9. But episodes 10 and 11 came back recently and today I noticed they've been caught up to the current episode 15! I wonder if episode 16 will be here tomorrow (Friday) since that's when 16 is broadcast in Japan.

"NANA 2"

Just watched "Nana 2" and I really liked it although I think it's cause I like anything related to the "Nana" manga by Ai Yazawa. Actually, I have only been lazy and watched the fansubs of the anime and never read the manga. But, I must recommend the anime and the two live action movies. They are about two 20 year old women who happen to meet on their way to Tokyo and both are named Nana. Nana Osaki is trying to make it big as a rock singer and Nana Komatsu is following her boyfriend to Tokyo. Mika Nakashima is really good as rocker Nana. She's got the tough-but-fragile-inside gothic thing down. Catch her song which played on the ending credits on my IMEEM J-pop and anime playlist.

"Cloverfield"

It's Godzilla meets Felicity meets the Blair Witch Project. JJ Abrams is good at finding scruffy looking, but handsome, sad sack actors and really pretty actresses (see Michael Vartan, Scott Speedman, Jennifer Garner, etc.) and setting them up with awkward romantic situations (see entire run of "Felicity.") So the movie begins with Rob and Beth (both atractive), in said awkward situation, and then heads into science-fiction fantasy when Manhattan becomes invaded by Godzilla with longer arms. The tension of the buildup to the appearance of the monster is well done. The "Oh crap, oh crap, what are we going to do, we're trapped in a disaster" feeling is well done. And you do like Rob because he is trying to rescue Beth. But the narrator who carries the wobbly digital camera is really annoying after a while. I half wished the movie was just told in a conventional way so that the narrator Hud would not be necessary anymore. Movie does well with tension, but do we really care much about these characters? Not really. It feels like a director's exercise in teasing the audience more than anything else.

"Umineko no Naku Koro ni"

"Umineko no Naku Koro ni" (When Seagulls Cry) is a new summer anime of which I just saw the first episode. From the overly dramatic gothic OP to the strange ED, it's a nonstop supernatural mystery ride. You can smell the Agatha Christie-like set up pretty quickly, in that there's greedy sons and daughters, a crazy patriarch about to kick the bucket, suspicious looking servants, and an island. There is also a witch thrown into the mix. I wonder if I'll continue to watch this.

WOOT OFF!

woot.com

End of "Eden of the East"

Just finished watching the eleventh and final episode of "Eden of the East." It was an entertaining mystery and I still don't get all of it. But the lead Akira Takizawa is an appealing character. And all of the group of "Eden" are likable as well. Two theatrical movie sequels are coming out in November and January 2010, so it looks like loose ends will be tied up late!

"Cross Game"

A spring anime series that doesn't seem to get much respect is "Cross Game." The first episode has you reaching for the Kleenex and makes you want to watch more. It's about baseball and young love and doesn't have weird panty-flash fan service to embarrass you. Try it at http://revolution-anime.net/index.php?/Cross-Game/.

Another streaming site

Recently found a new site for streaming current anime episodes called Revolution Anime. Here is the link to the latest episodes page: http://revolution-anime.net/index.php?/new-episodes.

It seems to be updated very quickly, unlike anime fuel, my old favorite. And no interrupting commercials like on veoh.

"Star Trek" reboot

Finally saw the new "Star Trek" movie yesterday. I think I was expecting too much of the movie. I still enjoy the familiarity of the old characters from the hammy Shatner to the weird diction of Patrick Stewart. This Kirk was all right, and the the other actors really did a good job making the characters their own while keeping the essence of the originals. Uhura has a waaay larger part which is cool and her attraction to Spock hinted at in the original series is played to the hilt. The movie has a "Back to the Future" element in it which can be way cool or just plain confusing. At the end I am still confused. But it was an enjoyable 2 hours spent with loads of action and hey, decent science fiction.

Please click below

Check out "Ristorante Paradiso" on crunchyroll by clicking here and I will also get a chance to win $10 gift card to Olive Garden. Shameless plea.

Hiro Mizushima to star in "Beck" live action movie

According to Anime News Network, Hiro Mizushima will play Ryusuke in live adaptation of "Beck" manga. I only watched the anime and enjoyed it thoroughly. It's weird they will make the main character Ryusuke instead of Koyuki, but if Hiro is in it I'm gonna watch it.

WOOT-OFF!

woot.com

I got my Utada CD "This Is The One" today!

I got my new Utada CD "This Is The One" in the mail today. Pre-ordered it on Amazon.com. The only difference is the 3 bonus tracks "Simple and Clean" (which is the same music as "Hikari"), "Sanctuary (Opening)," and "Sanctuary (Ending)." These were featured in a video game series called "Kingdom Hearts." I never played the games, but Utada has a big following because of the games. The music for "Sanctuary" is the same as "Passion." It's interesting to hear English lyrics with those songs I've heard so many times in Japanese. If only I could see her in concert.

Imeem Mother's Day Playlist

Rock Star Moms

More depressing animation

Because I wasn't scarred enough from watching "Watership Down" the animated movie as a child, I netflixed "The Plague Dogs" which is from the same people that did "Watership Down." It is quite a disturbing movie, told in a "naturalistic" way about the flight of two dogs from an animal research lab. The animation is superb. Not for the kids at all. I will probably ruin the end, but think "Thelma and Louise" and you get the idea.

Utada news update

On Utada's official website are 3 big updates. 1) She is making 5 in-store appearances in the US, 2) myspace Karaoke contest to win a trip to Japan to karaoke WITH Utada for 30 minutes plus 3 friends, and 3) leave a question for Utada to answer on Utada.com. Why does her SF appearance happen on a day I have to work? Here was my chance to possibly see the top of Utada's head or something as she ducked into a crowd of fans and to get terribly disappointed after waiting around for hours. I'm not being sarcastic here, I'm being serious. Seriously.

Another streaming outlet: ANN

Anime News Network is now streaming a large selection of anime from legal outlets like Joost, Crunchyroll, YouTube, and Funimation. Sort of a one stop legal streaming site for Code Geass, Death Note, Bleach, and Skip Beat!.

"Ouran High School Host Club" at Funimation

This fun anime is now available subbed or dubbed at the Funimation website. It's a show that makes fun of all the "types" of male anime characters and throws in school life, gender bending, romance and comedy.

"Glass Mask" (2005)

Addicted to this anime. Melodramatic life of 15 year old actress in constant battle with another 15 year old actress for plum parts. She is unusually naturally gifted at acting and is groomed by reclusive ex-superstar actress to become worthy to play the part of a lifetime, the lead in "The Crimson Angel." "Skip Beat!" to the n-th degree.

"State of Play"

I watched "State of Play" without knowing much about it except Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck were in it. I was pleasantly surprised. At first, seeing Russell Crowe as a scraggly, slightly pudgy seasoned reporter was difficult. But, he soon disappeared into his part. It was a little hard to believe Affleck and Crowe were supposed to be about the same age, but the story and suspense wiped that away. Who was responsible for the death of a beautiful, young congressional aide? becomes the focus instead of ooh, that star is in this movie. Rachel McAdams was appealing as hungry cub reporter. Helen Mirren shines in her small role as the ball-breaking editor. Jason Bateman steals his scenes as the smarmy PR insider. I was surprised that this movie was based on some BBC production as stated in the credits. Then again, I guess it's not too surprising that an entertaining, suspenseful drama was borne out of a BBC production.

"Absolute Boyfriend" back with a special!

Just watched the special on mysoju. If you've watched the series, you kinda know what's going to happen. But it's amazing how everyone in the series looks exactly the same. Hiro looks great as Soshi too. I wonder how long it was between the making of the series and the special?

"Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom" streamed

This new spring anime is available for free streaming at the funimation website!

"Natsume Yujin-cho" (夏目友人帳)

I loved this anime all the way through both seasons. Each episode was touching and Natsume is a character you really get to like. Nyanko-sensei is also adorable as the youkai bodyguard/cute lucky cat. The whole anime is about becoming less isolated and more connected with other people (or youkai!). I hope more of this will be made!

"Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion"

"Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion" is something I have always wanted to see. And to my surprise it's now available on crunchyroll both subbed and dubbed. I tried both but I still don't know which I prefer. After watching the first 2 episodes I really like it, especially the twist endings so far.

"Ristorante Paradiso" commercial

"Eden of the East" Trailer with English subs

Watch Eden of the East Trailer - Eng Sub in Anime  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Utada speaks

Thanks to UBlog. Great video of Utada introducing all 10 of her songs on "This Is The One." http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m186P3VUYO1LVR I like how she talks about her "photoshop" lyric and her semi-British accent in "Poppin'."

New anime I may get addicted to

First, I would like to say how I really want another season of "Skip Beat!." Just when Ren realizes his feelings for Kyoko the series ends. Kyoko really starts to "find herself" over the course of the show.

I have already tried several new shows courtesy of Veoh and crunchyroll. These are the ones I've liked so far. "007-Ghost" is action packed fantasy with plenty of bishounen and a hint of shounen-ai. "Ristorante Paradiso" looks like a good josei comedy romance. All the bishounen are older gentlemen with glasses, so it's different from the normal reverse harem show. "K-ON!" is a cute shoujo slice-of-life comedy about girls forming a rock band in high school. "Eden of the East" is incredibly well drawn and detailed. The first episode was set in Washington DC and the authenticity of the actual locations looks spot on. Also, the American characters actually sounded like Americans when they spoke English, so I give props for that! The mystery of the naked guy with no memory and his relationship to the kind college graduate girl he meets in front of the White House (of all places) is something I will try to continue to watch. Am I spending too much time watching streaming anime? Yeah.

"Mei-chan" and "Toradora" end

"Mei-chan no Shitshuji" was an entertaining show that had this strange forbidden master-and-servant theme interwoven in this shoujo fantasy comedy. There was little chemistry between the Mei and her butler Rihito, but hey, it's still a little thrill to fantasize having a handsome butler serve you to the point of fighting duels for you.

"Toradora" was a very non-anime anime. I could imagine this being done in a live-action version. It's got all the makings of a good drama: unconfessed love, various high school festivals and outings, likeable characters, and no need for CGI (like mecha, elves, or aliens). Sorry to see this fun anime end.

Love it!

A funky Utada with clever lyrics. Makes you move. Favorite tracks so far: "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI," "Apple and Cinnamon," "Taking My Money Back," "This One (Crying Like A Child)," "Automatic Part II," and "Dirty Desire." "Poppin'" makes me laugh. Intoxicated, emancipated, unapologetic... so says Utada in "On and On" and so sums up the album.

"This Is The One" Is Here!!!

Finally, Utada's "This Is The One" is available for digital download! I already bought my copy! I'm going to listen to it now.

Yay! K-Dramas on Crunchyroll

Dramas are coming back to crunchyroll. "Coffee Prince" is even included in the drama lineup at crunchyroll. Quality of the video is great too. Look forward to even more dramas becoming available soon.

"The Sky Crawlers" (2008)

This feature film is another depressing, yet beautiful anime. Pilots dogfight in a neverending war for reasons which become clear later in the film. Actually, a lot of things become clear way late in the film and you have to stick it out to finally understand what is going on. Who is the main pilot Kannami and what is his relationship to his commander Kusanagi? What are "kildren?" Upon second viewing, the answers become clearer, but I still have questions like who is the "Teacher?" Stay through the closing credits to get the full effect and a dash of hope.

"Toradora!" anime

I have enjoyed this anime so much and it's about to end:( I just watched the fansub of episode 23 and it's the best one so far. Spunky girl character Kushieda has spilled the beans about the big secret everyone has been keeping...finally! Check out http://www.animefuel.com/category/t/toradora/

Stream "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI"

More Utada! This excellent full length track is available at this page http://www.ilike.com/artist/Utada. Can't wait for her new album coming out digitally on March 24.

"Twilight" audiobook

Bought the audiobook for "Twilight." Yes, I am actually too lazy to read the book. So far, it's pretty good. Maybe I should have tried reading a little farther. The narrator takes a little getting used to, but I'm all in now.

Makoto Shinkai

Crunchyroll is showing 3 Makoto Shinkai movies for "Global Shinkai Day." See http://cherryblossomsfalling.myfastforum.org/.

"Voices of a Distant Star," "The Place Promised in Our Early Days," and "5 Centimeters Per Second" are beautifully drawn, melancholic romances, each set in a plausbile near-future or technologically advanced now. All share the themes of unrequited or unfulfilled love due to the distance of time or physical space. Each frame is incredibly detailed. When the fluorescent lights turn on in an empty classroom, the detail of the reflection of the light on the desktops is incredibly realistic. Time, like a train, is always either pushing people together or pulling them apart. It's a bummer if you think about it too long! Sad romances are the most idealized ones! You have been warned!

"Come Back to Me" video!

Thanks to U.Blog! Best blog ever!

"Last Quarter" (Kagen no tsuki) (2004)

This Japanese movie is a stylish fantasy/mystery that starts out slow but gets better at the end. The movie looks fantastic, sort of lush Japanese modern gothic. And Gogo (Chiaki Kuriyama), the Japanese school girl assasin from "Kill Bill," is the star. Hyde acts in the movie and sings a song featured in the movie, "The Cape of Storms."

I'm trying to win a Nintendo DS...therefore here is an ad!

Check out this DS game Blue Dragon Plus!

New imeem playlist

Please try my new playlist "movie music!"

Download "Come Back to Me"

Download Utada's first single from her upcoming album at itunes and amazon.com!

"Mei-chan no Shitsuji" (Mei-chan's Butler)

Mizushima Hiro plays super butler to long-lost heiress at expensive private girls' school. Hiro, be MY butler.

http://www.mysoju.com/meichan-no-shitsuji/

Check out Utada's imeem page!

Nice profile is up on imeem. Some tidbits about her new album are included. Finally, the entire song of "Come Back To Me" is on imeem officially!

Korean "Boys Before Flowers"

I wasn't going to watch this, but I had to break down and check it out. It's pretty addicting. Cute Korean guys, plucky heroine, luxurious sets... I'm hooked. http://www.mysoju.com/boys-before-flowers/

"Rideback"

Promising new anime. Only 3 episodes have been subbed as of right now. The artwork is really stunning. The "ridebacks" are motorcycles with arms that can stand up or be like a regular motorcycle.

The first anime I was hooked on...

Robotech - Macross Series

"Linda Linda Linda" (2005)

Charming coming-of-age comedy from Japan. Four high school girls, including a Korean exchange student, try to get a band together on short notice before the big school performance. Great music too.

"Welcome to the NHK"

This anime was a surprise. I expected an extreme comedy or satire. There are bits of this included, but on the whole it's about alienation and withdrawal from society. Attempted suicide is even a big part of the story. Not a knee-slapper, even rather depressing, but everyone ends up somewhat healed at the end.

"Bokurano"

"Bokurano" has got to be one of the most depressing animes I have watched. And yet I was compelled to finish it. The haunting opening music "Uninstall" leads your way into a dream world where Japanese school children hold the fate of the world in their hands. They hold this fate and must confront their own deaths at the same time. Heavy stuff, man. It is all a bit ridiculous. It's very psychological and covers topics not expected like child abuse, suicide, and molestation. I was going to drop it after the second episode, but I found myself wanting to find out what happens. There are a million loose ends by the time you reach the 24th episode finale. But there is a sense of satisfaction too. War doesn't wait for you to grow up and calls you to duty even when you aren't ready. I think I'll watch "Skip Beat!" now.

"Kung Fu Panda"

"Kung Fu Panda" is enjoyable and chock full of references to old kung fu movies. Starts a little slow, but gets interesting once the training stuff starts. Less "serious" than "Ratatouille" and "WALL-E." Makes me want to see "Mulan" on Blu-ray.

Captured by my phone's camera

Looks like this truck plowed through a wall of mud.