Sporty Bishounen and Musical Bromance

I am allowed to fangirl. That, originally, was the whole point of this blog.

SO, for a while my Spring 2012 was DRAGGING, considering Sakamichi no Apollon and Ginga e Kickoff! were only out/subbed this week and I'm still missing Hyou-ka and Gokujyo from my 'definite' list back on March 28th blog post.

The only thing I had going for me was Kuroko no Basuke, and I was quite happy with it.

I love shounen sport for a few reasons:

• The plot/drama/competitiveness the comes with a sport anime.
• The excitement.
• The Bishounen. 

Yes. What of it? Like POT didn't milk out the last reason. 

Kuroko no Basuke

Once upon a time, the basketball team of Teikou Middle School rose to distinction by demolishing all competition. The regulars of this team became known as the "Generation of Miracles". After graduating from middle school, these five stars went to different high schools with top basketball teams. However, a fact few know is that there was another player of the "Generation of Miracles", the phantom sixth player. This mysterious player is now a freshman at Seirin High, a new school with a powerful, if little-known, team. Now, Tetsuya Kuroko, the sixth member of the "Generation of Miracles", and Kagami, a naturally talented player who spent most of middle school in America, are aiming to bring Seirin to the top of Japan, taking on Kuroko's old teammates one by one. ~Wikipedia~

Genres: Comedy, School Life, Sport, Shounen, Drama, Full of Bishounen

Can't really say more than that...pretty much explains it. 

Its not straight basketball of course. Since when did anime sport just depict the sport?! Obviously they have powers. 

With the first 3 episodes, we sort of know 2/6 of the Generation of Miracles "powers", but its not going to go that fast.

Its exciting where it needs to be, hilarious in other parts, and has great animation!

Anyway, meet Kuroko and Kagami! Kuroko promises to be the "shadow" to Kagami's "light" to be Japan's No.1. Meaning, 'I will be your support'.

Meet our Captain ~and my love at first introduction~ Hyuuga. Our awesome Coach, Aida Rika. And the Team!

VERY excited for this series. It promises to be a very upbeat anime with all the elements of a Sport anime!




Now, on to a series I specifically put into my 'definite' watch list because its synopsis screamed BROMANCE. Because the only thing GREATER then random bishounen, is Bromance between Bishounen.

Yes. What of it? Like No.6 didn't milk that out. 

I am not talking about yaoi, so take a chill pill. 

Sakamichi no Apollon (Kids On The Slope)

Because of his father's job situation, freshman high school student Kaoru Nishimi moves by himself from Yokosuka to Kyushu to live with relatives. Until then, Kaoru was an honor roll student who tended to keep to himself, but meeting notorious bad boy Sentaro Kawabuchi starts to change him. Through his devil-may-care classmate, Kaoru learns the attractions of jazz and finds the first person he can call a “friend”. He also discovers how much fun it is to play music with a pal.

Other characters include Sentaro's kind childhood chum, Ritsuko, who is the daughter of a record shop owner; the mysterious upperclassman, Yurika; and Brother Jun, the much-admired leader among their peers. Set against the backdrop of a seaside town with a scent of American culture, this series is a drama about young people coming into their own, crossing each other's paths, and finding friendship, love, and music!

I believe it was meant to be set in the 60s, too.

Genres: Drama, Historical, Music, Slice of Life, Romance

Apparently, it won the 57th Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga.

Okay, before I get into what I want to. Please don’t think that the only thing this series has to offer is the bromance which may or may not even be there.

The art, the animation, the mellow yet intense feeling, the BEAUTY of this anime cannot be described in words. The movements/animation during the fight scene and the drumming scene had me struck! The rain scene too!

The colouring and art gives such a realistic feel. I thought it was simply amazing, and by far one of the best I’ve seen.

Some idiots are able to clearly see the difference in animation to other anime but for some reason declared it

Just fools.

SO, did I get what I was wishing for??

Hmmm, this was the meeting of our two protagonists:

BOOM! Let the BROMANCE begin!

I was so happy when they chilled in the rain. Sentaro is so easy going he makes me laugh; and it feels like he ca n open a bigger world for our lonely Kaoru. No, it feels like they can both open each other a wider world.

So far, I am most excited for the series in my Spring 2012 collection.



Watch them! Check it out! And let me know what you think?!


xoxo




Okay so what do these two lovely boys have in common?





I love them. They both feature in this article.


Better yet, what do all these boys have in common?

Top left to right: Nezumi from No.6, Shiraishi from POT

Bottom left to right: Arata from Chihayafuru, Sorinozuka from InuxBoku SS, Hyuuga from Kuroko no Basuke.

Far right: Sentaro from Kids on the Slope.

An accent?


Not quite.


In fact all these lovely bishounen, who hold a special place in my heart, share a Seiyuu (Voice Actor). Meet Yoshimasa Hosoya! My new favourite seiyuu!  Ganbatte, Hosoya-sensei!


Fun times!


xoxo

Ishida's Betrayal? Quincy Bankai? ~BLEACH Update Ch486-488~

I had someone come across my blog by Googling: "bleach will ishida betray for empire king". 
SHOCK!
Have people already jumped on that boat? Just because he is Quincy? It was Ishida and his grandfather who did not believe the Quincy way of doing things was right from the start and wished for peace between the Shinigami and Quincy. And these Quincies are the epitome of deranged! You really think Ishida will battle against Ichigo and friends?!

Having said that, if there wasn't any concern over where he should stand or where his Quincy Pride will take him, this would be a WASTE of a plot line. So by all means expect a little anxiety concerning the Ishida(s). Father and son.

Personally I see Ishida pulling a 'Ichimaru Gin/Severus Snape' on us. A spy so deep you don't know whose side he's on until his...you know what.

Yeah....I predict Ishida's death.

THAT aside, we should we go in order. I'm doing it a bit fast though, since not a lot happened.

CH.486 The Crimson Cremation

Following Nel Tu's appearance, Pesche too falls from the sky. Like always these lot provide some massive comic relief.
Unfortunately, the third(+4th)  in their trio, Dondochakka(+Bawabawa) is missing as he's been kidnapped, de ariusu.

NO THOUGHT occurs as they decide to infiltrate Hueco Mundo and save Dondochakka. Thoughts like 'who is our enemy, exactly?' 


Ishida, however, bails out. Although he doesn't voice why, Ichigo states that its obvious because of the QuincyxHollow relationship.

~He looks so troubled.~

POOF! Urahara appears and whisks them away to HM, like it was no big deal. It really made me wonder how fast this final arc was going to be. ~Hopefully longer then the Fullbring arc.~

However, the main shocks in this chapter was Byakuya's talk with Renji about the deceased Vice-Captain Sasakibe, at the funeral.

His true strength was only just spelt out to us, so I feel his loss much greater now, "...he was able to master his Bankai before Kyouraku and Ukitake"


"Such a man, used his Bankai in a fight for the first time, and died." 

Too shocking.


Back with the Empire King, some random follower states the Ivan used his medallion in battle but was unable to capture Ichigo's Bankai.

Which brings us to: they all have medallions that can be used once to suck in a Shinigami's Bankai. Thieves. 

Just like Ichigo was coerced to reveal his Bankai in his fight with Ivan, and Ivan tried to absorb it, Sasakibe's Bankai was probably absorbed. That's why these Vandenreich can Bankai although only Quincy. 

CH.487 Breathe But Blind

In Hueco Mundo. Coloured first pages.

Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, Urahara, Pesche, and Nel infiltrate.

I find it very shocking that Urahara is with them. Makes me feel like there will be many stronger than him, which is hard for me to accept and take in. The way this is going, I can't see how SS could win. 

Hollows and Arrancars are dead. Others are led away by a group of Vandenreich.

Ichigo and co, charge to save those being led away. We also get some comedy and cuteness form Pesche and Nel.

We meet the 'Hunting Captain Supervisor' Kirge Opie, who is also a sicko. A downright sicko, who likes to see Arrancar kill each other, or kills them himself.

A couple of cloaked figures, who should be the Arrancar+Hollows being led away, are whispering, staging a plan.


WHO? WHO?


Kirge makes to attack the two whispering figures but they dodge, and attack with Zanpaktous.


Who? Who?


Its Loly and Menolly! Who still introduce themselves as Aizen's aide.

They're made very short work of. 

I can't lie, I was somewhat disappointed. More and more, these people just seem insanely strong. 

He does not kill them however, and orders their capture. As two of his underlings go to capture them, they are DECAPITATED by a flying ring. As it files to Kirge, he catches it with his bare hand. 

WHO? WHO?

I am seriously enjoying the fact that those who were once our enemies are now allies. To begin with, as enemies I liked them too much. During Ichigo's battles with Ulquiorra and Grimmjow, my loyalty was on some serious doubt. 

CH.488 Bond Behind Blast

Nel explains to Ichigo who the Tres Bestia are, and says that they are so powerful that now that they are here, the Hunting group will be wiped out in minutes.

Which I understand considering they caused us a LOT of trouble in the Arrancar arc, so much so that the Commander himself had to step in. 

Also, Nels got Ichigo's back. 

The three beasts do in fact last quite a bit, and manage to kill a few underlings; so much so that one runs to the Captain and says that they should retreat for now. 

He was killed for that idiocy.

The Captain, Kirge, then invites the beasts to join the army, and work for the Empire King.

They decline. 

A massive explosion later, Ichigo arrives to the scene of the Beasts defeated. 

So now we have Ichigo's next opponent. How will he fare? 

OVER at SS, the Captains are having a meeting and catching up on what we already know.

He's a genius!

While Mayuri, goes on to explain that they, according to Sasakibe, can block Bankai/render it useless.

...I was under the impression he said they CAN Bankai. But yet again we figured and know this already. 

So the Commander tells him to shut up and tell him just one thing.

But Mayuri doesn't know yet. I also think he pissed himself a bit.

Ichigo and Co do. They're already there.

The Commander orders all Captains to prepare for battle immediately. The will not be the ones caught by surprise nor wait to be attacked in 5 days. "We will not let them have the first move again!"

DONE!

The Commander is way pissed. As he should be. According to Byakuya, "Fledglings like us cannot possibly understand the pain the Commander is experiencing now."

I don't know how SS will fare, but at least we know some things for sure now.

We know they are Quincy. We know that Bankai's are useless against them. A storyline Tite uses so as not to show us all the Captain Bankai's before the end of the series.

We know Ishida has a big decision ahead of him. We know they are collecting Arrancars as pawns. And we know they are FREAKY strong.

Personally, I am awaiting Grimmjows appearance. Urahara's battle. And unleashing Aizen from prison so that he joins them against the Vandenreich.

Although that last one is a bit of a stretch, it would still be f-ing awesome! ^^

Let me know what you think!


xoxo

FATALITY! ~Noblesse~

In the early mornings of last night, whilst reading the great Noblesse new releases, my mind went all Mortal Kombat .

CH231

Now if you're anything like me the previous chapter served to make you HATE the Cerberus Captain, Taze, with some serious disgust. So I wanted nothing more than for someone to put her in her place. We then had the amazing end with the arrival of Seira, Rai, and Frankenstein. 

Knowing that Taze thinks her scythe is a Death Scythe, because it never failed to kill, was enough to tell us that it just had to be Seira who sets her right. 

....she says to FRANKENSTEIN and RAI!

LMAO! Get a clue!

Frankenstein asks his Master to restrain himself and not to use his powers. So Seira steps in, and says she will take her on, to which Taze responds "Are you crazy bitch? You think you can fight me?"

FINISH HER!

She sends an attack from her scythe, which Seira effortlessly blocks, and with a barehanded hit pushes back Taze, who along with the other Cerberus members, is shocked. 

Pissed, Taze attacks again, and Seira dodges. Taze then tells Seira that her Death Scythe will take her life in the end. Upon hearing Taze call her weapon the Death Scythe, Seira calls upon hers, the original/real Death Scythe.

FINISH HER!

Taze, the Elder, and the entire freaking Cerberus start to take the piss of Seira's scythe. 

After that, it was a one hit finish for Seira.

Which, of course, pisses off the Elder, who according to Rai has a faint aura of Roctis: one of the traitor clan leaders. 

OMG!

He says he'll kill them all himself, and orders Rodin to stop them from escaping. 

Who's escaping??

Frankenstein steps forward, asking Rai to leave the rest to him. So he responds with what we always wanted him to,

"I Release The Seal That Binds Your Power."

Yes, plz!

Frankenstein, of course is too excited and makes quick work/ no work of Rodin. Stepping over Rodin, he asks the Elder "Why are you letting your injured underling do the fighting for you?"

With Rai, sighing in the background ~probably thinking he released a monster~ , the chapter ends with some name calling.

DONE! 

I'm so glad Taze got a whooping, she was seriously getting on my nerves. We still have Rai, Frankenstein, and Seira on our side so the Elder better BRING it, or get reinforcement. 

Where is Yuri? Doubt he'll show up. 

Let me know what you thought!

xoxo

BLEACH Anime Ends! ~Shock, Horror~

Although its been awhile I thought I should put my 2cents in.

Let me break it down.

When I first heard the anime was going to end, as a  reader of the manga I was like NAHHH! No way!

After all the story has ONE more arc before THE END, to stop now after so many years is ridiculous.

However it is true that the anime was too close to the manga, so if we go by what BLEACH ordinarily did at this point, they were meant to introduce a filler/anime original, such seasons 4, 5, 9, 13, & 15, PLUS a whole lot of random episodes.

THANK GOD they didn't! Personally  I ABHOR those arcs. They play no part in the main plot and are just ridiculous. They're not even interesting. First they fight the Bount, then a random captain/clan, then their own Zanpaktous, then themselves?!! I mean SERIOUSLY.

But WHY didn't they?

It would have been AWFUL, if after the entire war with Aizen and Ichigo losing his powers, we didn't get to see the aftermath. Soul Society might recover but what about ICHIGO? Our main guy! Does he just live a normal life all of a sudden?

And so we got the FULLBRING arc. Although not many people's favourite, it did manage to give us a better sense of THE END, then the Arrancar Downfall did, ie. after the battle with Aizen and Ichigo losing his powers, ignoring all the filler that followed.

It took us a year and half later, Ichigo is grown, gets his powers back, and Soul Society shows the gratitude and appreciation they should have.Ichigo shows he is no longer a child controlled by his emotions, but able to make thought-out-of decisions. There were Goodbyes, and an understanding that Ichigo was this new, mature, grown person, and a feeling of gratitude towards all that has past, in our years with BLEACH.

It was a good end.

A filler/original arc would simply not fit in at this point.

Can you imagine the amazing DETOUR they would have to take to fit one in here?!

Ending the anime was the only and a BEST option to maintain the integrity of BLEACH. Anything else would degrade the story and anime.

Obviously it had to end.

NOW, if you think the final arc would not be covered in anime, please take a moment to slap yourself in the face, cus you're a FOOL.

Bleach is bound to return in a year or so. So chill, wait, and read the manga.



THE END. ~for now~



Let me know what you think!

xoxo

Skip to the romance or Beat it! ~Skip Beat!~

CH187 Dark Breath

I am so GLAD!

So insanely GLAD, that for this chapter, AT LEAST for this one chapter, we got to see Kyoko and Ren as Kyoko and Ren!!

Glad to have some comedic element back too.

It was like an amazing breather. I love Skip Beat! but the plot needs to get rolling BACK to what it originally was.

Luckily it seems like we're getting there as Kyoko had some sort of inspiration as to what Ren's problem might be at the end of this chapter. But what she thinks and how long it will take her to spit it out, is beyond me.

Whether or not it will lead to the romance, that once upon a time was heavily hinted upon before vanishing into a black-hole of the plot's making, is unlikely. But I am hopeful. With Skip Beat! I get excited with even a hint: a look, a blush, a thought. ANYTHING!!
I don't like shoujo's to centre around romance only but to leave it out entirely is frustrating! ><'


Skip Beat! used to be my favourite shoujo, now days its easy to forget it exists. :(

Hoping for great revelations in the next chapter!



How do you feel about SB? Let me know!


xoxo

The End for REVERSI ~Bakuman~

CH174 How it Should be and How it Ends

A clean cut end for Reversi without complications. Reversi was able to end as NUMBER ONE and still have an upcoming anime. 

The Editor in Chief agreed, the anime staff were ok with it, and the end was great and pleased all the readers. 

I was a bit apprehensive after the previous chapter in which they were asked not to end it yet, and the fact that Mashiro does not think that his and Azuki's dream would be fulfilled until the moment the anime airs with her voice. It made me think there were still obstacles to overcome, but in this chapter the main obstacle ~the manga ending before the anime airs ~ was dealt with and hopefully there will be no more. 

Now, LET THERE BE A WEDDING! 

.....

Will it be that easy though?

I don't see any more foreshadowing as to what else might get in the way.

Can the anime get cancelled before it airs due to unforeseen circumstances???

Nah!


Let me know what you think?! 




xoxo

Introducing: Black Bird & CH49

A quick introduction to Black Bird then on to the most recent chapter scanlated, Chapter 49.

So if you are not familiar with Black Bird, read the introduction then STOP, read the manga, then come back and let me know what you think. ^^

There is a world of myth and magic that intersects ours, and only a special few can see it. Misao Harada can see these magical realms and frankly, she wants nothing to do with it. She'd just as soon ignore her special gift in favor of having a normal high school life and maybe getting a boyfriend. One day, Misao is attacked by a demon, and her childhood friend Kyo suddenly re-appears to save her and tend to her cuts - with his tongue! It turns out Misao is the bride of prophecy, whose blood gives power to the demon clan who claims her. But most demons want to keep her power for themselves - by eating her! Now Misao is just trying to stay alive...and decide if she likes it when Kyo licks her wounds. ~TRANSCENDENCE~

She likes it. ;)

Genres: Shoujo, Romance, Drama, Supernatural, Fantasy, Smut, Comedy

Author: Sakurakouji Kanoko also known for Backstage Prince ~ Kiwametsuke Gakuya Ura Ouji ~

A MUST for Shoujo lovers who also need a plot ~a real plot~. With supernatural demon bishounens and battles for power and life, its more than just romance. 

Its one of the better shoujo mangas that is ongoing now. It received the 2009 Shogakukan Manga Award for shoujo manga. 

The art is quite good ~a lot better in later chapters~ and whilst the story can fall into abyss once in a while, its worth sticking with it. I remember not being too into it at one point but I'm glad I stuck around, and you will too! I highly recommend it!

Black Bird is also licensed in English so you can find the first 13 volumes for purchase online and in book-stores. WHICH IS MORE THAN WHAT IS SCANLATED ATM.  

While I am a big supporter of Scanlations in general, I don't see the purpose when the legal, higher quality, book version, which supports the author is more up to date.

Having said that do please check it out and HAPPY READING! 

..........................................................

Now, I am not actually DISCUSSING chapter 49 but:

Would you??

There's a lot to lose.

The history here isn't great.

And yet I am swayed.

I want Shou to be held and LOVED, dammit!

.....

KISS HIM!

Would you?? Do you believe him?

xoxo

The Best and the Worst Anime of MY Winter 2012

Hey!

These are only of the ones I've had an interest in. So I sorted them out.

PICK THE BEST OF THE ENTIRE SEASON via VOTE on the RIGHT!


Best Of Season:                                                 

                                 Natsume Yujin-cho

Best Story: 

Inu x Boku SS

Most Interesting: 

Chihayafuru 

Most Cheesy:

New Prince of Tennis 

Most Exciting: 

Brave-10 

Most Boring:

Aquarion Evol 

Most Emotional: 

Chihayafuru 

Most Heart-warming: 

Natsume Yujin-cho 

Most Funny: 

Danshi Koukousei no Nichijou 

Most Squeal-tastic:

 New Prince of Tennis

 Most Unexpectedly Good: 

Moretsu Pirates 

Best End: 

Inu x Boku SS

 Worst End: 

Brave-10

Most Unwanted End: 

AND so out with the old and in with the new!! 

xoxo

Anime Spring Season 2012!

What with the Winter season coming to an end, I am sure anyone who is remotely interested has already viewed the chart for Spring 2012 and what goodies it is bringing us.

For those only looking it up now, here you go:

So what is it bringing us??

What I WON'T be checking out:

• The two Zombie related anime: Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? , Sankarea
• The worse version of The IDOLM@STER:  AKB0048
• Ghost and Animal stories: Tasogare Otome x Amnesia , Arashi no Yoru ni
• Unrealistic Kid stories :  Upotte! 
• Sequels to anime I never watched: Phi Brain , Fate/Zero , Queen's Blade, Haiyore! Nyaruko-san

Everything else is fair game. What is left of it anyway. 

What I definitely WILL be checking out:

• Sequels to anime I have seen and enjoyed: Kimi to Boku S2
• Battle : Zetman
• Sport : Kuroko no Basuke . Ginga e Kickoff!
• School lives: Hyou-ka , Sakamichi no Apollon , Gokujyo
• Board games: Saki: Achiga-hen 

Also looking forward to the new Detective Conan movie! 

I know Moretsu Pirates is continuing on the next season, which I think is the only one from the my batch. 

Let me know what you think of the next season?!

xoxo

How can I sit there and watch my wife die?

Chapter 229

After the double KO in the last chapter between Ked and M21 with assistance from Yonsu, Yonsu ponders M21's strength and who he really is.  Her thoughts are interrupted with the arrival of Rodin who was last fighting Regis. He calls Ked pitiful and orders him to, "Stand back, I will sort this out."

Sort WHO out?! Yonsu?! She'll die for sure. Assistance needed!! 

Rodin asks Yonsu what their, the KSA's, relationship with our knights are, and why is she helping them. He also asks about her powers, which are higher than those that should be under the KSA.  He says that there is much to answer although he doubts she will comply and begins to attack.
Yonsu is then stuck playing dodge, as one hit from Rodin in full power could kill her. She manages to reduce the impact of a direct hit, and as she gets desperate, assistance comes in the form of an already quite beaten Sangeen: "How can I sit there and watch my wife die?"

Major SWOON. 

Sangeen and Yonsu attempt a combined attack and whilst they hopefully wonder whether it worked, they're attacked through the rubble smoke and taken out.

Enter Regis. Rodin is surprised Regis can still move but advises him to stop his "futile struggling". Regis however has enough strength for a final attack, summons his energy, and attempts to use mind-control on Rodin so as to 'stop his movements momentarily.' 
A close call for Rodin as he barely manages to block in the last moment, wondering what caused his body to freeze for an instant.

Rodin then attempts to finish Regis off, but is interrupted by the arrival of their Captain and the Elder, who question what is going on. The Elder voices disappointment while the Captain asks how they dare "shame the name of Cerberus, by letting the likes of them injure you" and "disgrace the Elder."

Elsewhere Rai and Frankenstein get closer to the battle zone, and Rai comments, "How strange. It is faint, but I sense a familiar aura in the direction we are heading." Frankenstein wonders who the familiar aura could belong to.

END.  


Unless the familiar aura is Yuri, we are in for a shock! Yuri did not make an appearance in this chapter but the devil is more  or less ensuring we get some Cerberus to join our knights...and Yonsu and Sangeen are pretty much IN, if they live.
The battle itself does not look to good for Frankenstein, who does not wish to let his Master fight under any means. Frankenstein vs Cerberus Captain + Elder + Yuri (maybe) does not sound too advantageous.
We are also missing the young clan leader, Seira. Hope she make a badass appearance soon.

Check out Noblesse at Egscans!

Let me know what you think? Who will battle whom? 


xoxo