i have risen. from the dead.

and so i have decided to pick up this blog again. expect more from now on, sorry for the very long hiatus period. it seems that this blog has accumulated 8000 pvs while i was gone.

A bit late, I know, but here are some of the anime due to be released this fall. image heavy post, dial-up users beware.

Sketchbook ~full color’S~

Title in Kanji: スケッチブック ～full color’s～
Mangaka: Kobako Totan
Animation Production: Hal Film Maker
Genre: Seinen
Air Date: October 1
Opening Theme:“Kaze Sagashi (風さがし)” by Natsumi Kiyoura
Ending Theme:“Sketchbook o Motta mama (スケッチブックを持ったまま)” by Yui Makino
Official Website: http://www.sketch-full.net
Based on a 4-panel manga thats titled: Sketchbook. its being serialized in the seinen manga magazine Comic Blade.
For now there are 3 volumes released of this manga.
Interest: 6/10. Looks like a pretty interesting slice-of-life series.

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Blue Drop ~Tenshitachi no Gikyoku~

Title in Kanji: BLUE DROP ～天使達の戯曲～
Mangaka: Yoshitomi Akihito
Animation Production: Ashi Productions, BeSTACK
Genre: Shounen, Sci-fi, Yuri
Air Date: October 2
Opening Theme: “BLUE” by Suara
Ending Theme:“Tsubomi -Blue Dreams” by Suara
Official Website: http://www.blue-drop.jp
Yoshitomi Akihito (the mangaka of EAT-MAN and RAY manga) is the mangaka of the original one volume shounen manga BLUE DROP
(serialized in the shounen manga magazine Dengeki Comic Gao!) BLUE DROP ~Tenshi no Bokura~ (BLUE DROP ～天使の僕ら～) manga, which is serialized in the shounen manga magazine Champion RED, is a revival of the original one volume manga BLUE DROP, and its by the same mangaka Yoshitomi Akihito.
Interest: 0/10. Its effing Yuri. ’nuff said.

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Myself; Yourself

Title in Kanji: Myself; Yourself
Mangaka: Go Zappa
Animation Production: Dogakobo
Genre: Romance
Air Date: October 2
Opening Theme: “Tears Infection” by KAORI
Ending Theme:“Kimi to Yozora to Sakamichi to” by Kanako Ito
Official Website: http://www.yetigame.jp/myselfyourself/
Based on a light novel titled: Myself; Yourself Sorezore no Overture (Myself；Yourself それぞれのOverture) is currently running in the bishoujo magazine Dengeki G’s Magazine (a gaming magazine for males).
Interest: 6/10. I’m not really a fan of romance, but it’s got people like Ami Koshimizu and Megumi Hayashibara, so I think it’s worth a try.

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Night Wizard

Title in Kanji: ナイトウィザード -The Animation-
Mangaka: Takeshi Kikuchi
Animation Production: Hal Film Maker
Genre: Action
Air Date: October 2
Opening Theme: “KURENAI” by Ui Miyazaki
Ending Theme:“Erinyes” by BETTA FLASH
Official Website: http://www.nightwizard.jp/
The game takes place in an alternate version of the present where magic-users called Wizards (the player characters) fight against Emulators, strange beings invading the world who are immune to physical attacks.
Interest: 7/10. The animation looks pretty nice, and it has a Shakugan no Shana feel to it.

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Kodomo no Jikan

Title in Kanji: こどものじかん
Mangaka: Kaworu Watashiya
Animation Production: Studio Barcelona
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Air Date: October3
Opening Theme: “Rettsu Ohime-sama Dakko” byEri Kitamura, Kei Shindou and Mai Kadowaki
Ending Theme: “Hanamaru☆Sensation” by Little Non
Official Website: http://www.kojika-anime.com/
This is the story of the surprisingly tangled loves of three elementary school girls. Kokonoe Rin, old beyond her years, is extrovert and energetic, and has a crush on her teacher, Aoki-sensei. Nor is she the slightest bit reticent about showing it, with embarassing explicitness. Her friends, Kuro and Mimi, likewise have love in their hearts, though they are less willing to display it.
Interest: 4/10. I’m not into CP and pedophilia, sorry.

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Dragonaut -The Resonance-

Title in Kanji: ドラゴノーツ
Mangaka: Jun Maekawa
Animation Production: Gonzo
Genre: Action, Romance, Fantasy
Air Date: October3
Opening Theme: “Perfect Blue” by Jazzin’ Park
Ending Theme: “Rain of Love” by Yukari Fukui
Official Website: http://www.dragonaut.com/
Placed in a futuristic setting, Dragonaut ~The resonance~ seems to be about a battle royale among various groups of people. Little information is known, but the trailer is impressive..
Interest: 9/10. It’s made by Gonzo, so expect some low quality episodes and an altogether entertaining series. Besides, the seiyuu cast features all of the SOS-Dan.

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Shakugan no Shana Second

Title in Kanji: 灼眼のシャナⅡ
Mangaka: Yashichiro Takahashi
Animation Production: J.C. Staff
Genre: Action, Romance, Fantasy
Air Date: October 4
Opening Theme: “JOINT” by Kawada Mami
Ending Theme: “triangle” by Kawada Mami
Official Website: http://www.shakugan.com/
Sequel to the first season released last 2005.
Interest: 10/10. The Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite is back!

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CLANNAD

Title in Kanji: クラナド
Mangaka: Yashichiro Takahashi
Animation Production: Kyoto Animation
Genre: Romance, Drama
Air Date: October 4
Opening Theme: “Megumeru ~cuckool mix 2007~ (メグメル～cuckool mix 2007～)” by eufonius
Ending Theme: “Dango Daikazoku (だんご大家族)” by Chata
Official Website: http://www.bs-i.co.jp/clannad/
Tomoya Okazaki is a third year student labelled as a delinquent. Everything seems to be unchanging for his school life until he meets Nagisa, and Tomoya finds that his life is about to change. He starts to have dreams of a bleak world and meets a girl who has the ability to fuse junk together in order to create things, and doing so, creates a body out of junk for him. He is then reborn into this empty world and follows around the girl, the only two existences who are “alive.”
Interest: 8/10. This being another KyoAni work, expect awesome animation. The plot seems kinda vague to me, but I do want to give this series a try, considering that it’s made by KyoAni, the people who brought Haruhi and Kona-chan to life, and that there is still one more season to go before Haruhi 2.

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Mobile Suit Gundam 00

Title in Kanji: 機動戦士ガンダム00 <ダブルオー>
Mangaka: Hajime Yatate, Yoshiyuki Tomino
Animation Production: Sunrise
Genre: Mecha, Action, Drama, Military
Air Date: October 6
Opening Theme: “DAYBREAK’S BELL” by L’arc~en~Ciel
Ending Theme: “Wana (罠; Trap)” by The Back Horn
Official Website: http://www.gundam00.net/
It is the year A.D. 2307. Fossil fuels on Earth have been depleted entirely, with mankind turning to the next available power source: solar energy. During this time, 3 orbital elevators with solar power generation systems are built, each under control by the Union of Solar Energy and Free Nations (formerly United States of America), the Human Reform League (Russia, China and India) and the Advanced European Union. However, not all countries are able to enjoy the benefits of this system, leading to widespread resentment and war. Arising out of the conflict, a mysterious non-profit military organization known as Celestial Being appears, dedicated to end all warfare using Mobile Suits called Gundam. This begins the stories of Gundam Meisters (pilots) Setsuna F. Seiei, Lockon Stratos, Allelujah Haptism and Tiera Erde as they are thrown into conflict between the 3 superpowers and the other various factions.
Interest: 10/10. SEIJI MIZUSHIMA (FMA DIRECTOR) is doing a Gundam. Must.Watch. Same sound director as FMA, Miyano Mamoru as lead Character, and L’Arc~en~Ciel doing the OP. What more could you ask for?

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Mangaka: minori
Animation Production: SHAFT
Genre: Romance
Air Date: October 6
Official Website: http://www.ef-memo.com/
The story revolves around the protagonist Hirono Hiro, a poor high school boy who draws shoujo manga for his living. One cold Christmas night after meeting a very strange woman in church, his bike gets stolen by another strange girl. He runs after her and finds her collapsed on the street. Her name is Miyamura Miyako and her bag got stolen by a man on a motorbike. Soon after, they start hanging out together, enjoying highschool life and whatnot. Hiro’s life is also strongly dictated by Shindou Kei, his childhood friend.
Interest:6/10. The character style is not to my liking, and it’s romance too. Might give it a try though.

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Prism Ark

Title in Kanji: プリズム・アーク
Mangaka: Yuuji Hosono
Animation Production: Front Line
Genre: Mecha, Action, Drama, Military
Air Date: October 7
Opening Theme: “Soshite Boku wa…” by Yui Sakakibara
Ending Theme: “Yuen no Amulet” by momo-i
Official Website: http://www.p-ark.tv/
The world of Prism Ark takes place in the equivalent of our world’s Crusade era in Western Europe. The geography is a little changed and there are stuff like magic and dragons.
The main players are Wind Land, Viella, and the Sablum Empire. Viella of Victaly is equal to Rome of Italy, and the Sablum Empire is equal to the Byzantine Empire. Sabus is the god of Islam and Rerihion is the god of Christianity. Like our world’s Christianity, Viella serves as the headquarters of the Pope and believers of Rerihion.
Wind Land is where the Holy Roman Empire would be. In Wind Land, it is always spring, and the greeting is “Good wind” instead of “Good morning”.
Prior to the events that begin in Prism Ark, Viella has already called several crusades in the name of Rerihion to reclaim the Holy Land. However this was completely stopped after awhile and Rerihion and Sabus believers lived in peace and harmony from that day.
The game begins with the King and Queen making a journey to Viella to get their one year daughter, the Princess of Wind Land, baptized. However, their escort was suddenly attacked by the Sablum Empire, who were supposed to be their good allies. At this battle was the first appearance of the Angels, a imposing being with wings and halo, whose height easily doubled men’s, and came wielding never before seen power.
Afterwards, the King, the Queen, and the Princess were all missing and were assumed either killed from the ambush, or in hiding. Outraged, the Pope immediately re-established the Crusades and ordered one to invade Sablum. From then on, Wind Land and the Sablum Empire were in war. However, this war has not ended years after years and continues on to this day, and still, there are no King or Queen ruling Wind Land…
Finally getting the acceptance notice, Hyaweh travels to the Isle of Rozenberg, which is holded by the Rozenberg Family, the most powerful family in Wind Land, second to the absence Royal Family. In there is the best school for knights wannabes, privately funded by Duke Kizarov Rozenberg, the number one Knight in Wind Land.
However, as it turns out, Hyaweh is actually two whole weeks late and from there on spirals his wacky journey to knighthood in the midst of a devastating war taking place, which will hit home closer than what anyone could’ve imagined.
Interest: 9/10. The plot seems pretty interesting, and the unusual art style is good to the eyes. Btw, this series is seemingly adapted from an eroge.

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Minami-Ke

Title in Kanji: みなみけ
Mangaka: Coharu Sakuraba
Animation Production: Doumu
Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Air Date: October 7
Official Website:http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/minami-ke/The three Minami sisters (Haruka, Kana and Chiaki) live together, taking care of each other. With nobody to answer to but themselves and each other, the three sisters get up to some very odd shenanigans.
Interest: 9/10. Another Ono Daisuke and Chihara Minori work, and I’m fond of slice-of-life series.

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Title in Kanji: 機動戦士ガンダム00 <ダブルオー>
Mangaka: Hiromu Arakawa
Animation Production: Studio Flag
Genre: Fantasy, Shounen
Air Date: October 7
Opening Theme: “WINTERLONG” by BEAT CRUSADERS
Ending Theme: “Kakegae no nai Hito e” by Mai Hoshimura
Official Website: http://www.jyushin.jp/
A period piece, Jūshin Enbu features Taitou, a young man who hates the empire that rules at the time, with his sister Laila as they learn of a mysterious power Taitou holds, unbeknownst to him. Taitou is the incarnation of a mysterious star that grants him a huge amount of power that he has yet to fully master. Joining them is Ryuukou, who has power similar to Taitou, just more honed.
After Taitou’s coming of age ceremony, which required him being beaten by Ryuukou, he is given the Kenkaranpu, described as a conqueror’s sword, which Taitou is not even capable of drawing. Soon after, he and Laila are greeted by a man named Shimei, who wanted to take the sword. After a quick exchange of blows, Shimei explains the source of Taitou’s power, the star Hagun, one of the most powerful Hokushin-Tenkun. When Shimei uses his own sword’s power to cause Laila to stop breathing, Taitou becomes so angry he releases Hagun’s power, draws Kenkaranpu and pins Shimei to the wall by throwing the sword through his stomach. He then turns to Ryuukou and attacks.
Despite his best efforts, Ryuukou could not overcome Hagun’s power. It was only a resuscitated Laila’s intervention (along with a nasty head butt) that brought Taitou to his senses. However, they all soon learn that Shimei had escaped with the sword.
At midnight, Taitou sneaks out to recover the sword. As he is leaving Ryuukou and Laila quickly join him on his journey.
It seems to be rooted in Chinese folklore and history, as well as having an element of fantasy involved.
Interest: 10/10. Hiromu Arakawa, for heaven’s sake. Another creation from the FMA mangaka, and I believe it’s going to be another awesome one.

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Genshiken 2

Title in Kanji: げんしけん
Mangaka: Shimoku Kio
Animation Production: ARMS
Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Air Date: October9
Opening Theme: “disarm dreamer” by Aki Misato
Ending Theme: “Clubhouse Sandwich (クラブハウスサンド)” by Yuumao
Official Website: http://www.genshiken.info/
Sequel of Genshiken OAV.
Interest: 10/10. Another comeback. I thoroughly enjoyed the previous series, and there’s no doubt that I will enjoy the next installment. I hope we’ll finally get to see Kohsaka cosplay.

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Moyasimon

Title in Kanji: もやしもん
Mangaka: Masayuki Ishikawa
Animation Production: Telecom Animation Films
Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-Life
Air Date: October 9
Opening Theme:“Curriculum” by Sarasa Ifu
Ending Theme: “Rocket” by POLYSICS
Official Website: http://www.kamosuzo.tv/
“Moyashimon�? is about a college student who can see bacteria/fungus with his naked eyes. He enters Tokyo Agriculture College and enjoys a campus life with strange professors and friends. Bacterias are very cute and manga is filled with facts/knowledge about bacteria.
Interest: 10/10. It has a really unusual premise, and that’s what makes me want to see it more.

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Prism

Dare mo ga sagashiteru dare ka wo sagashiteru

Te wo nobaseba itsudemo aru hazu no nukumori wa

Osanai hi mo maboroshi

Mabushisugite mitsumeru kodomo

Dekinai taiyou

Ashita e totsuzuku kono michi ni

Itsumo kage wa hitotsu

Hito wa doko e yuku no darou

Tobira wo hakeru tabi sashikomu hikari to yami

Umaku tsutaerarenakute yasashiku narenakute

Sono yowasa mo morosa no

Ookisugite habataku koto ga dekinai tsubasa de

Kizamu wa itami wa yasahisa ni kowatte yuku kara

Asu wa soko ni aru no darou

Ano nojiro mukou de tsunagarakuteru minai ni

Tobieteru watashi ga iru

Kotoba ni wa dekinakute ii

Maeru muite ireba

Kizamu ha itami wa yasashisa ni

Kawatte yuku kara

Mabushisugite mitsumeru kodomo

Dekinai taiyou

Hikari ga afureru kono michi ni

Itsumo kage wa hitotsu

Asu wa soko ni aru no darou

Sora no Kakera

Kono michi wo susunda nara

Itsuka mata kimi ni aeru darou

Tooku tsuzuite yuku toki no naka de

Kyou no natsukashimu kitto kono basho de

Kasuka ni mieru sora no kakera wo oikakete

Hikari to kage wo kokoro ni egaite hashiru toki

Sono waratta kao ga yuki wo kureru

Nanigenai kotoba dake de

Kimi ga namida no hi wa tonde yuku kara

Itsudemo donna toki mo michi wa tsuzuiteru

Tabun ne miushinatte mo mayottari shite mo muda janai

Ima wa ne ano itami ga oshiete kureru

Kimi no kotoba wo sono atataka sa

Tokufetsu na koto nante nai no ni mainichi wa

Kisetsu no naka de deai mo wakare mo tsuretekuru

Sono waratta kao ga yuki wo kureru

Ano toki miageta sora naranda kage ga nagaku yuuhi ni nobite

Asu made todoite ita michi wa tsuzuiteru

Fumidasu ippo me wa chiisakute ii ookina yuuki ga iru kara

Moshi mo fuan na hi wa hanbun mora wo

Ano toki shite kuru taiyou ni

Sono waratta kao ga yuki wo kureru

Nanigenai kotoba dake de

Kimi ga namida no hi wa tonde yuku kara

Itsudemo donna toki mo yuruganai te to te
michi wa tsuzuiteru

tsunagatteiru

–UPDATED, August 31, 2007 as of 6:26 pm (GMT+8:00). keep checking for updates–

Q. What is the Anime Saimoe Tournament?

A. It’s pretty much the anime equivalent of GameFAQs’ annual Popular Video Character contests, where through daily online polls, the most “moe” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mo%C3%A9) anime character.

Q. How is it held?

A. All (female) anime characters that appeared in anime series, OVA and animated movies airing and/or released in Japan between July 1st 2006 and June 30th 2007 can be nominated. (Even animals are included, it seems, as long as they’re not males. This means cross-dressers are ineligible, so sorry guys, no Mizuho from Otoboku. )

First there were two qualifying rounds.

After a few days of nominations amongst the users of 2ch, the 1st qualifying round was held between July 6th to July 25th, and has 18 groups. Of these 18 groups, the top 8 characters of each group would enter the tournament proper directly. (A total of 8 x 18 = 144 characters)

While those ranked 9th to 32nd of each group will enter the 2nd qualifying round. (A total of 24 x 18 = 432 characters)

The 2nd qualifying round was held between July 28th to August 5th. The 432 characters would be divided into 9 groups of 48. The top 16 of each group will qualify for the tournament proper. (A total of 16 x 9 = 144 characters)

In total, the tournament proper will have 288 characters = 144 (from 1st Qual. ) + 144 (from 2nd Qual. ) If more than one character ends up in the final qualifying spot of each group with equal votes, the extra characters would also be qualified. As a result, there will 290 characters in contention this year.

The tournament proper commences on August 8th all the way to the final on November 3rd. The tournament would follow the format used last year.

The 1st round proper (August 8th – 15th, August 21st – 28th, August 30th – September 6th and September 8th to 15th) will be divided into 8 blocks of 12 groups, each group having 3 characters (two groups will have 4 this year to accomodate the extra entrants). With 3 groups being contested per match day. In total, there are 96 groups. (96 x 3 = 288 characters)
The 96 group winners will qualify for the 2nd round.

The 2nd round would be in the same format as the 1st round, where 1 character is chosen from a list of 3. In total, there are 32 groups. (1 group contested per day. ) The 32 group winners will qualify for the 3rd round.

From the 3rd round onwards, two characters will face off with each other on simple knockout format until the winner is decided.

A draw is made for the pools from the 1st round to the 4th round, another draw would be made at the Quarter Final stage when all eight block winners are decided.

From AnimeSuki

RESULTS SO FAR:

A1

Who I want to win: Kallen Stadtfeld (Code Geass)

Who I think will win: Shana (Shakugan no Shana)

A2

Who I want to win: Sanzenin Nagi (Hayate no Gotoku)

Who I think will win: Sanzenin Nagi (Hayate no Gotoku)

B1

Who I want to win: Izumi Konata (Lucky Star)

Who I think will win: Saginomiya Isumi (Hayate no Gotoku) or Izumi Konata (Lucky Star)

B2

Who I want to win: C.C. (Code Geass)
Who I think will win: C.C. (Code Geass)

C1

Who I want to win: Katsura Hinagiku (Hayate no Gotoku)

Who I think will win: Katsura Hinagiku (Hayate no Gotoku)

C2

Who I want to win: Amane Misa (Death Note)
Who I think will win: Primula (Shuffle! Memories) or Shario Finieno (Nanoha StrikerS)

D1

Who I want to win: dunno any of those characters.
Who I think will win: dunno.

D2

Who I want to win: Hiiragi Kagami (Lucky Star)

Who I think will win: Hiiragi Kagami (Lucky Star) or Maria (Hayate no Gotoku)

E1

Who I want to win: Yoko (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)

Who I think will win: dunno.

E2

Who I want to win: Kogami Akira (Lucky Star)
Who I think will win: Kogami Akira (Lucky Star)

F1

Who I want to win: no one in particular.
Who I think will win: Suiseiseki (Rozen Maiden Ouverture)

F2

Who I want to win: Hiiragi Tsukasa (Lucky Star)
Who I think will win: Kaede Fuyou (Shuffle! Memories)or Hiiragi Tsukasa (Lucky Star)

G1

Who I want to win: Sumeragi Kaguya (Code Geass)
Who I think will win: Kurata Sayuri (Kanon 2006)

G2

Who I want to win: Takara Yukari (Lucky Star)
Who I think will win: dunno.

H1

Who I want to win: Milly Ashford (Code Geass)
Who I think will win: Fate T. Harlaown (Nanoha StrikerS) or Suigintou (Rozen Maiden Ouverture)

H2

Who I want to win: Kuroi Nanako (Lucky Star)
Who I think will win: Megumi Noda (Nodame Cantabile)

We finished watching Geass 24 & 25 yesterday. It was wicked and the ending (?) is superb. I didn’t expect it to end that way. The cliffhanger at the end was a killer too. There were so many questions that bugged me qhen I saw 23, and I thought I’ll get at least some of them answered. However, I was wrong. More questions built up in my head as I was watching the final 2 episode of COde Geass season 1. In fact, it took me quite a while to calm down, and now I’m writing this post in the library. Im not going to be able to post for nearly a week.

Some spoilers, if you dare:

Orange-kun went on a rampage after hearing about Zero.
Villeta shot Ougi.
The Ganymede became a nuke.
C.C. kissed Lelouch.
Suzaku shot Zero’s mask, and with Kallen watching, they found out who Zero really is.
Orange-kun and the Gawain sink into the depths of the sea.

I won’t say anything more. Just see for yourself how awesome 24 & 25 are.