Shakugan no Shana S OVA

The setup of the OVA is that Shana and Yuji are cleaning up all of the hougus left in Friagne's collection that were left in his old hideout. Unfortunatly, they don't have any details of what each one does, so it's a long and harduous work. Well, and the fact that the room is so hot is definitely not going to motivate someone to work. Yeah, I know what you're thinking, doesn't sound very exciting or funny, does it?
The "catch", my dear friends, is that Yuji and Shana get their bodies switched by a hougu. Yep, they switch bodies. So what do you suppose that ammounts to? Ahem: Dere-dere Shana (which is actually Yuji), efeminate Shana (Yuji), Yuji (who is actually Shana) shouting "Urusai, urusai, urusai!", Yuji (Shana) accidentally entering the girls' locker room, Shana (Yuji) commenting that skirts are cool but panties are tight, and so on.

Watching them struggle with their condition was really amusing. Especially when according to Alastor they shouldn't let others know what happened to them and fix it as soon as possble. What makes it harder is Whilemina getting in their way and suspecting something is amiss... uh-oh. But fear not, for Shana (Yuji) saves the day proclaming to like Whilemina! Lol.
The best part was probably when Shana (Yuji) became unconscious and Yuji (Shana) pondered if she should kiss him. Priceless.

I thought it was a very funny OVA, and the producers still managed to sneak a bit of a more serious in the end, after they changed back, when Alastor revealed to Shana that the hougu wouldn't work if there was any kind of wall between the affected individuals' hearts. It was a good OVA, and it provided me with a good laugh.
I'm even happier by knowing that Shakugan no Shana III is going to follow soon after. ^^

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Kampfer episode 3

And here I thought things couldn't get any worse for Natsuru. Oh, how I was mistaken.
This episode should have been called "Attack of the Rabid Clone Fangirls", cause that's exactly what happened to Natsuru during the 23 minute duration of the episode: he, ahem, I mean she, was attacked by vicious rabid clone fangirls that were most likely on some kind of experimental drugs.
Oh, and the student council president is definitly my new favorite character of the series. Mostly because not only did she get Natsuru to enroll in an all-girls school, but she "let it slip" that the female Senou Natsuru is actually dating the male Senou Natsuru. Of course we know that's not true. But does Sakura know? Don't think so... Ooopsie, declaration of war for the heart of the female Natsuru. xD

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun episode 3

It was a fairly funny episode, and I lol'ed when Saten realized her attacker had painted thick eyebrows on her. Fist she knocks people unconscious, then scribbles their faces... hummm, does that remind you of a certain pink singing pokemon? =D
I'm really looking forward to the Level Upper arc starting, but I understand they probably can't make more than 9 0r 8 episodes with it. I don't really mind though, since the fillers have been pretty fun until now, and I wouldn't mind if they continued. ^^

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Fullmetal Alchemist 27

This week's FMA episode has as its main focus Hohenheim. The episode is basically an aglomeration of flashbacks that reveal important parts of the plot and Hohenheim's thoughts shared with us through his dream.
I have to admit, I actually found the episode very interesting, because by interpreting it, we can partially understand Hohenheim's demons, his doubts, and what he's been feeling as he helplessly watched the Hommonculi's plan develop through the years.

The episode's ultimate purpose, in other words, its meaning, was Hohenheim rediscovering his resolve to continue walking towards his objective and him finally realising Humanity's preserverance and struggle is not in vain, through his remembering of all the good times he spent with the people of Resenbool and Trisha.
Fullmetal Achemist 26 ends with him waking up to his newfound resolve as he thanks for everything.

My thoughts: the episode was really symbolic, and very very deep in its meaning and important to the development of Hohenheim's character and I believe it marked a very important step in the story. It somehow felt like I was rewatching all of the hardships the characters went through, and the life lessons contained in every one of their adventures, but I really felt like I understood a bit more of Hohenheim in the end. Summing it up, it was one of my most favorite episodes ever.

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

At The End of a Math Struggle

Several moments ago, by either a very slim chance of one in a billion, or by the glamorous (and ironic) steering of the strings of fate, a very unexpected thing happened, which coincidentally made me very happy.

I was doing my maths homework at the sound of music, and had just started on the final part as the music changed to the awesome and very inspiring Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn OST "At the End of a Struggle". Then, just as I finished the last exercise, the music increased its tone and reached its climax, ending in an dramatic upbeat note!
Something resembling this has most likely happened to about everyone at least once, like say, when someone is reading a book and gets to a battle scene or a dramatic revelation as he or she was listening to an appropriate music. It's also happened to me a few times before. But this time, well, it was just.... It was like it had been practised beforehand!

Laugh all you want, but I'm serious. I had been having some difficulties in the start of the exercise, and the music's tune started growing and becoming more active as I managed to make sense of my doubts until I solved it. I know, this isn't exactly related to the term of the blog, but I felt it was a fun thing to share. It seems Fate feels the need to reward me for the awesomeness and coolness of my existance with small gestures like this.

And you, ever had an experience like that? =D

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"What makes something unique and special are the feelings one pours into it."

Nyankoi 1 and 2

Two in one is a nice way to improve time... maybe I should start doing double posts... Just kidding! ^_^

Now, speaking about the anime at hand. I recently started reading the few subbed chapters of the manga Nyankoi!, and I was very excited when I heard an anime was going to start this month. Unfortunately, due to my usual airheadness, I missed the first episode, so I'm doing a double post.

Ok, so Nyankoi is about Kousaka Jumpei, a second-year high schooler who really hates cats, due to having an allergy to them. And as Lady Luck would have it, his crush is a cat-lover, and his famaly all like cats.

One day, walking home from school, he accidentaly rips off the head of a stone guardian deity, and gets cursed. What's so funny about his curse? He can now listen to cats and has to fulfill 100 wishes for them, or he'll turn into one himself! At least that's how the cat of his house put it. Oh sweet delicious irony.

His attempts to adapt to his new "skill" and get rid of the curse while he still tries to develop a relationship with Mizuno Kaede, his air-head (much more than me, belive me) bubbly crush, and not involve anyone else in his troubles are very funny. Also to note, the unique supporting characters, which include Jumpei's perverted classmate who speaks in ero-games terms, Haruhiko, and my personal favorite, the overdramatic priest of the temple of the stone deity who enjoys dressing up in different fashions.

The second episode introduces Jumpei's childhood friend, Sumiyoshi Kanako, a fan of the "mamba" fashion. It was really mostly about why their relationship was so bad, and their reconciliation through a series of accidents that include her graduation from being a manba, as Jumpei manages to fulfill another wish for a cat. Watching Mizuno leasurely comment about how good friends they are when they were both catfighting was priceless.

Also, Haruhiko's right: the childhood friends flag really works. xD

Can't wait to see more of this terrifically funny anime, and for the rest of the cast to be introduced!

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun episode 2

A cameo of our favorite misfortunate chick-magnet esper is the starting point of this episode, complete with Mikoto trying to fry him yet again (just to fail). On a completly unrelated note...

Kuroko is made of win. Shame her magnificent plans always get ruined by some "unfortunate" coincidence. In this case, Saten and Uiharu.
That doesn't stop her from being bold or shamelessly misunderstand things and comparing them to Casablanca in her mental theatre. Though I have to admit her choice of underwear is really skimpy, that doesn't reflect on the awesomeness of her existance and contribution to all fanservice fans out there. I mean, do you know anyone that actually orders a love potion from a specialized company and plans out a written schedule to try and get "intimate" with her friend? No? Thought so.

Still, she really got forgotten quickly. Ah~... I guess she's that kind of person that people unpurposly ignore when they start speaking with others. Kinda makes me pity her a bit. And she gets happy with so little too. ^^
Masochist and extra perverted Kuroko enhanced by aphrodisiac is win too. XD

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Kampfer episode 2

I really pity Natsuru. The girl he likes just confessed to him, and he can't accept the confession because:
1) Natsuru doesn't want her to get involved with the kampfers
2) He wants her to fall in love with his boy self, not his girl self

It's really an interesting setup he's got here. Oh, and did I mention there's a badass student council president? Female student council presidents may be a very overused (nevertheless awesome) sterotype, but they always kick ass. Especially when they give more trouble to the protagonist. In this case, by transfering him to a girls-only school and forcing him to be in his girl-self all the time. Oh joy.

Honestly, I'm only watching this for the laughs, but I admit, it might have a shred of potential.

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Fullmetal Alchemist 26

Episode 26 was a bit boresome. Despite the lack of any battle sequences, it did advance the story and situate us on the events that led to the establishment of the hommonculus and Father's hold on Amestris, all told and hinted at by Envy. Also interesting was the truth of Wrath's past and the disclosure of the reason why he does not have the same presence as the other hommunculus and also ages.

Also, we finally have the confirmation of Ed's theory about Al's body, which still lies before the Door of Truth. This is turning out to become quite an interesting predicament for our heroes.

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Kateikyoushi Hitman Reborn episode 153

Finally the end of the fillers. It was about time.

Don't take me wrong, because I actually liked these fillers. It was probably the best theme they could have choosen for a filler arc, despite it still appearing a bit out of place in the main story. The arc dwellved deeper into the mistery of the arcobaleno and allowed us to get to know them better, as well as their personalities. The Arcobaleno arc was a good watch, and also allowed for some less serious moments, which really reminded me of the show's earlier seasons and episodes. ^^ Overall, I'd say it was ok.

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Pandora Hearts episode 25

I'm sure I've said it before, but the last few weeks have been a mess in anime and manga terms. So, no post for Pandora Hearts 23 and 24. More drama, chain invasion, and the characters' thoughts and exploration of their minds and objectives was what mostly consisted those two episodes. Roughly speaking.

Pandora Hearts inevitably proceeded down the road of failed anime adaptations: straying from the manga's history. There have been anime that despite straying from the original story, managed to be very good, like the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime, and I really hoped the quality of the anime would not wane. Unfortunatly, it seems fate was not on its side.

In the anime episode 25, we are revealed the shocking truth of Oz's father being with the Baskervilles and having casted Oz into the Abyss with Griffin before they decide to head to Sabrie. Oz's state of mind, and self-doubt in this episode is not very anticlimatic, and is a good contribution to the growth of the character. However, the "final" confrontation with the Baskervilles was very undewhelming, and it simply consisted of Alice and Oz overthrowing Griffin using their combined power. No tension between Zai and Oz, nothing that would've made the scene more epic. It didn't even last a full minute. It really filled me with pity as I saw a once great anime turn into just another common work. The 25 episodes were not enough to answer all of the piled up questions the viewers might've had. I really would've liked if they had made more episodes, since I can't find the translated manga from chapter 50 onwards (i don't know if it's the translators' fault or if there are no new chapters), and if the anime kept incorporating the events crucial to the story without changing much it would have an increased importance to me over the manga.
Despite all that, the final scene with Oz and Alice was amongst the lines of what I would call "touching". I did like the anime, I really did, but it had potential for much more.


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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Kampfer episode 1

I really do not know how I ended up watching a yuri anime. Well, it's not actually yuri. Okay, it is, but at the same time it's not. Confused? (I hope so)

Senou Natsuru is your regular high school student, that has been chosen to become a Kampfer in order to fight the other kampfer. However.... to use his kampfer powers he has to transform into a girl, just cause kampfers have to be female. Yep, you read that right. Blessed be gender-bender! Not so confused anymore? Good.

First thing I liked about the Kampfer: it's funny. No seriously, it's not just the dialogue or stuff, it's the setting and irony of the situation the main character has gotten himself into. Confused much again?

Natsuru is in love with his school's "idol" Kaede Sakura, and saves her as a girl during her/his fight with miss "I'm-shy-please-don't-misunderstand-me-I'm-not-talking-about-sexual-things-and-my-alter-ego-when-I-transform-is-violent". That's quite a mouthful! Wait... did I just throw a sex joke at myself? Ahem, anyways, after Natsuru saves Sakura, she falls in love with him! Well, her, in this particular case. Confused again? Lets review it then.
He is in love with a girl, who is in love with his female self, therefort rending his rival himself/herself.

Pffft.... ahahahAHAHAAHAHAH! See the irony now? Ok, but honestly, it seems like a reasonably good anime, in all aspects, and I really want to see how the situation resolves. ^^

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun episode 1

Biri-biri anime is here!! =)

To Aru Majutsu no Index (A Certain Magical Index) was a good watch, and I had high expectations for To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (A certain Scientific Railgun). Even higher than the original series, actually. It seems though, my expectations were well-placed.

The new characters which didn't appear in To Aru Majutsu no Index, Uiharu Kazari and Saten Ruiko are pretty likeable, and there seems to be more to them than meets the eye. Of course, there can be no Biri-biri without Shirai Kuroko, meaning Misaka is getting harassed.

Brainless yuri fanservice all the way, Misaka kicking ass, and funny plot and dialogue are all I could ask from this anime. It would be nice if it eventually included the story arcs from To Aru Majutsu no Index from the viewpoint of different characters, or had a significant plot.

As long as it stays funny and enjoyable to watch I don't really care. Here's to hoping the next episodes are as good as the first one! :)

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"Otakus are basically islamic extremists that traded
religion by an unhealthy passion of anime and manga. Well, otakus don't blow up towers, so they're a bit different."

Bakemonogatari episode 12

Bakemonogatari is most likely, the show that earned my admiration and dedication the most this season. The characters, their stories, their mannerisms, the dialogues.... until now, I laughed, I rejoiced, I snickered, I was moved and I was touched by Bakemonogatari. And I'm proud to say that I also nearly cried with it, aswell.

The episode marked the much-needed return of Senjougahara, who had been MIA since Nadeko Snake Arc, complemented by more of her foul mouth and teasing of Araragi. She tells him to go on a date with her, and he reluctantly agrees. How, if he knew what he was in for. Her father, driving them, and more foul-mouth and physical teasing ensues.

What really touched my heart, and marked me for this episode, was how openly Senjougahara talked to Araragi in the end, even about her fears and past memories she was not fond of, and clearly stated how much he means to her. In return, he too proclaimed his feelings for her without hesitation. It was simple and it was beautiful. You can't possibly get an idea of what it was really like just through my words, but believe me when I say that it was an amazingly deep and romantic scene. Coupled with the very fitting music, I simply loved it.

If you want to understand what I'm talking about, do watch the anime. I'm sure you won't regret it (ok, almost sure you won't regret it ^_^)

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"- My ability to help you study, my cute kohai, my blunt father, and the stars. This is all I have. This is all I can give you. This is everything." Senjougahara Hitagi, to Araragi Koyomi, in Episode 12 of Bakemonogatari