"His and Her Circumstances"

I watched the stream of "His and Her Circumstances" on Hulu.  I enjoyed the series, even shedding a few tears during some episodes.  Miyazawa is a model student who is a model student just to be admired by others.  Arima is a model student to live up to his own pressures of being perfect due to his family circumstances.  The couple, their families, and their friends are the focus of this romance/comedy/drama.  I kind of have a thing for Arima now :p.  I recommend watching the series, but my two complaints are: 1) two episodes of the 26 are recaps! 2) some episodes are hardly animated, more like "Paddington Bear" shorts with the moving cut-outs, or simply shots of static pictures with lots of text next to them.  I guess Gainax (the animation company) is famous for it's artsy episodes (ala Evangelion where when the money runs out, they get creative with black and white and no animation).  But, besides that, the human stories are real and entertaining and the couple is so darn likeable. 

"Kimi ni Todoke 2" ep 7

Ryu uses bro-dar and asks Kazehaya if he confessed.

Kurumi puts in her surprising two cents.

Pin uses reverse psychology on Kazehaya,

Ryu is straight-up with Sawako.  (Love him :P)

Another agonizing episode of nudges and gradual tiny epiphanies.  Even Kent realizes some things.  Why am I starting to like Pin???  Hopefully, the school festival will lead to some steps forward for Sawako and Kazehaya. 

"Kimi ni Todoke 2" ep 6

Oh, the misunderstanding!

Chizu sets Sawako straight.

Sawako post crying jag.  

Pin, so oblivious and knowing at the same time.

Auggghhhh!  Kazehaya confesses to Sawako in front of her and a bunch of other people, but Sawako's understanding is so totally off the mark.  Kazehaya should have picked a better time, but it probably wouldn't have made much difference since Sawako has such low self esteem.  Here's hoping Chizu's little talk sets Sawako on the right path.  Such a long path it will be.  Oh, and I wonder what plan Kurumi and Kent are going to hatch together.

"Kimi ni Todoke 2" ep 5

Chizu is cute for the wedding.

Pin knows too much.

Kent is moving in...

Cliffhanger!

A ton of stuff happened in this episode!  Chizu gets a makeover for Tooru's wedding and it's a hit.  Ryu is agonizingly quiet about it.

Gotta give Pin credit for nailing Kazehaya exactly on his love life status and his unexpected encouragement.

Kent is infuriating as he encourages Sawako to drift away from Kazehaya.

Big cliffhanger where Kazehaya seems like he is going to make a move...but of course I won't hold my breath.

"Kimi ni Todoke" Season 2

New season of anime is here!  I just finished the 3rd episode of KnT2.  Wow this show is so frustrating and enjoyable.  Kazehaya just won't make a bold move and Sadako doesn't know how to respond.  Aaagh!  Well, hopefully the introduction of Kent will stir the pot.  The jealous Kazehaya is so cute!  Anyway, the art is again really perfect this season!  Hooray for KnT!
Other shows I'm trying to follow this season:  Gosick, Fractale, Tegami Bachi:Reverse, Wandering Son, and Level E.

"Ghost Hunt"

Happy New Year!  It's been a while since I last posted.  I discovered "Ghost Hunt" while looking on the Funimation website.  I remember seeing a favorable review, probably on Anime News Network, so I decided to give it a try without expecting too much.  I was pleasantly surprised.  It's a nicely drawn anime, with a lot of nice chemistry between the ghost hunting team.  There are several small mystery arcs in the 25 episodes of the show.  I like how we get to see the a miko, a priest, and a monk use their own versions of spiritual powers to find and exorcise ghosts.  There are quite a few scares, but it's not gory enough to gag at.  I watched the dub mostly and enjoyed the voice acting.  Also, special props to the soundtrack.  I love the OPs and EDs and the background music of the whole series.  Check it out on the Funimation site or on Hulu. 

Live stream of Hikki concert "Wild Life"

Woke up at 2am to watch this!  She was fantastic in the concert.  She sang all the hits including a cover of "Across the Universe" and her new songs from her new album.  It was a really classy show and I think it was generous of Hikki to allow the live stream of her concert free online.  Sigh, I wish I had been there.  Okay off catch some more z's.

New Pepsi Nex CM from Hikki

This one features her new song "Can't Wait 'Til Christmas."  I like her white outfit.

宇多田ヒカル - Goodbye Happiness PV on YouTube!

Here is her official YouTube channel with all her other videos! I think this video is really adorable and I like how she references her other videos. I also like the whole "webcam" idea of the video. Also, puppets!

"Paradise Kiss" live-action movie promo

From ANN:

I really liked the anime.  I like Keiko Kitagawa too.