Thursday, February 14, 2013

V-DAY!


I just want to wish all of y'all a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with love and friendships.
<3

P.S. Stay tuned for today's post! :)

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Cross Game

Cross Game


Synopsis: Baseball enthusiast, Koh Kitamura, lives next door to the Tsukishima family, who just happen to own a batting cage and the Clover cafe. The Tsukishima family has three daughters, the 2nd daughter, Wakaba, is Koh girlfriend and the 3rd daughter and baseball prodigy, Aoba, can't stand him. Wakaba dreams of seeing Koh pitching at the legendary Koshien Stadium, which holds the national high school championship finals. However, tragedy strikes, and its up to Koh, with the help of Aoba and his other teammates, to make Wakaba's dream come true.


Characters: 

Ko Kitamura: Is the male protagonist of this anime. The anime starts with him in the 5th grade and follows him through Seishu High School. Despite being very young, him and Wakaba are very close and their families treat them as if they were a couple. 

Ko is described to very competitive, much like Aoba. Their likeness in character is what leads to their constant squabbling. Ko, however, is inspired by Aoba's pitching form and decides to take the steps to become a pitcher himself. Ko takes to heart what Aoba has to say and values her opinion more than others. He even secretly adopts Aoba's training regimen into his routine in order to become like her. Although, they do not see eye to eye they share a deep bond through their love for Wakaba. 

With his change-up pitches, control and incredible fastball, he instantly becomes the ace pitcher at Seishu High School, as well as a strong hitter.

Aoba Tsukishima: Is the female protagonist of this anime. She is a year younger than Ko and Wakaba. She is seen as a tomboy, one who loves baseball very much by others. She has been  playing catch with her father and has thus been groomed into a strong pitcher. 

Unfortunately being a girl prevents Aoba from playing in official inter-school games; however, in practice games she plays center field and replaces Ko as a pitcher. Many of the younger players are inspired by how much effort she puts into baseball and coaching them, and they work hard so as to not disappoint her. 

Due to her closeness to Wakaba during Part One, Aoba showed some jealous characteristics toward Wakaba's and Ko's relationship. She would constantly reiterate her dislike of Ko; however, when he became the ace pitcher of Seishu  she slowly comes to admit his qualities as a player and becomes less reluctant to offer advice and even teaches him new breaking pitches. Towards the end she admits she has faith in Ko's ability to fulfill Wakaba's last dream, in which he pitches at Koshien.


I'm not one much for sports but I found this anime quite invigorating as chessey as it sounds. I loved the portrayal of Aoba's and Ko's growing relationship and how not only they but the Seishu baseball team faced many hardships but were able to overcome them in order to make it to Koshien. It literally had me on the edge of my chair every time they played a tournament. I would definitely recommend this one! :)


Enjoy!

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Clannad

Clannad
Clannad

Synopsis: On the way to school, Okazaki Tomoya, passes a girl who without a warning exclaims "Anpan!" and catches his attention. This girl claims that they are now friends but Tomoya ignores the encounter. He, however, starts noticing her presence more and more and decides to befriend her. 

The girl, Furukawa Nagisa, was held back a year due to a serious illness and has now returned to school and her one goal is to revive the drama club. Needless to say Tomoya decides to help her out along with four other girls. During this project Tomoya learns more about these girls and their problems and realizes that life isn't as dull as he once thought.

Characters:


Tomoya Okazaki: Is the main male character of this story. He has been labeled as a delinquent for skipping classes and always arriving late. He has succumbed to this label and excepts nothing more from life. One day on the way to school he meets Nagisa and his ever so boring life changes. 

He lives with his drunk father and constantly argues with him. One of these arguments became physical and Tomoya was injured. Due to the injury, the one thing Tomoya loved and excelled in, became an impossible dream that thus lead him to a life of a delinquent.

The anime follows Tomoya's journey of learning the importance of family and of the people around him, especially Nagisa. As the anime progress, Tomoya comes to realize his love for Nagisa and what the future has in store for them.


Nagisa Furukawa: She is a third-year in high school but is actually a year older than Tomoya. She had to repeat her third year because she an illness that took her out of school for nine months. She is known to be a cry baby and has a habit of muttering food names as a way of motivation. 

She meets Tomoya on the first day of school and after becoming friends with him she reveals her dream of joining the drama club. As it turns out the club has been dismantled and they decided to reopen it. After some hardships concerning their adviser and club members they succeeded in re-establishing the club. 

In the midst of their friendship, Tomoya comes to live with Nagisa and her family. While there, he happens to uncover some of the truth behind Nagisa's illness and they way it affected her family. To Tomoya's and her parent's demise, Nagisa also learns the truth and feels guilty for stripping her parents of their dreams. From that moment on, Nagisa was faced with her own hardships and was able to overcome them with the help of her friends and family, including Tomoya.


Kyou Fujibayashi: Is the older twin of the Fujibayashi sisters and is a bad-mouthed and aggressive girl. She befriended Tomoya in their second year and maintained that friendship even though they were in separate classes in their third year.

Her story is a complicated one. She tries to get Tomoya and her sister to become intimately close, despite her own feeling. Youhei, Tomoya's friend, finds out that Kyou also has feelings for Tomoya and advises Tomoya to settle things between the three of them before any misunderstandings occur. 

Kotomi Ichinose: She is another one of Tomoya's schoolmates but in a different class. She is ranked top ten for every subject throughout the country and is always in the library reading extra materials and that is where they met. Unfortunately, Tomoya does not recall that they used to play together as kids but he slowly befriends her again and convinces her to join the Drama Club. 

Just when Kotomi begins to open up and accept her new relationships with the Drama Club a tragic bus accident brings back  memories of her past and of those she has lost. At that time Kotomi decides that instead of losing another important person she would rather be alone. Tomoya manages to get Kotomi to see the people that love her are waiting for her to come back. She is brought to light through her parents last gift and returns with Tomoya and the drama club to the school life she had come to enjoy.

Tomoyo Sakagami: Is rumored to be violent and to have a record for fighting. Tomoya learns of her dream of being Student Council president and her reason for it. She wants to save a row of cherry trees from being cut down because of development. She wishes to save these trees because of their meaning to her and her family. 

Fuko Ibuki: Is a childish and naive first year student who is always alone and making wood carvings of "starfish" to give to others as presents. Tomoya first meets her in an empty classroom carving and he comes to learn her reason for making the wooden starfish. Her goal is to make 700 starfish as invitations for the students to attend to her sister's wedding.

As time progresses, Tomoya learns of Fuko's accident and of her unkown presence in the school as a ghost. Nagisa and Tomoya  both decide to help Fuko and her sister Kouko. After some hardships and struggles Kouko is finally able to marry thanks to the "starfish" made by Fuko. Because her mission was completed she had to say goodbye to both her sister and Tomoya. 

Sequel:

Clannad: After Story: The story continues with Tomoya's final semester of high school. After declaring his love for Nagisa they begin to have a very close relationship; however, their life together will be faced with unexpected challenges.


This anime aims at showing the importance of family and friends and how without them you cannot change for the better. Overall, I believe it is a well adapted anime with a cute story.

Unlike the game, where there are 6 separate story lines, the anime follows the story of Nagisa and Tomoya. You do however see some crosses between the six story lines. The main focus of course is Tomoya's growth as a man which continues in the After Story arc. 

The After Story arc, however takes you through many hardships after their high school life. It will send you on a roller-coaster of emotions. It shows you two different possibilities for their future and it is all up to Tomoya as to which one prevails.


Enjoy!

Thursday, January 24, 2013

CardCaptor Sakura

Cardcaptor Sakura


Synopsis: One day, Sakura Kinomoto, opened up a strange book and let dozens of powerful magic cards loose on the world. The Guardian of the "Clow Cards", Keroberos, then informs Sakura that it is now her responsibility to capture the cards she had freed. To her dismay, capturing the cards is not an easy task. For each card, was a living, thinking, and extremely powerful being. 

Not only does she have to learn how to cope with her new found responsibility but with the troubles of love, school family and friends as well. Will she be able to prevent the disaster that is about to befall on the world or will she fail?


Characters:

Sakura Kinomoto: Sakura is a pretty, cheerful, cute and naive 10 year old girl who has been given the responsibility of saving the world. She is bestowed with the name Cardcaptor by the guardian beast Keroberos and with the help of best friend and cousin,Tomoyo Daidouji and later Syaoran, she successfully captures all cards and is bestowed with the name Clow Mistress. But the trouble is not over yet. She has to learn how to use her own star to transform the Clow cards into Sakura Cards in order to keep the cards from losing their powers.

Syaoran Li: Is a distant relative of Clow Reed, the creator of the Clow Cards. Because of his heritage he believes that he should be the one to inherit the cards and tries to capture them for himself. As the story progresses, Syaoran comes to respect Sakura and becomes her friend and ally and eventually falls in love with her. 

He, just like Sakura, posses similar Cardcaptor powers like sensing Clow Cards and magical auras. He is a skilled martial artist and weilds a sword which he can use to cast spells when equipped with incantation papers. Once the Cards are captured he returns to Hong Kong and at the end of the series he returns to visit his old School.

Keroberos: Is the appointed Guradian of the book which holds the Clow Cards. He, like the Clow Cards was created by Clow Reed. He is appointed with the power to choose the next Card Master and when Sakura releases the cards he chooses her to be the candidate and teaches her the basics of capturing the cards. After Sakura becomes the master he remains by her side as a friend, companion, adviser and protector. 

Keroberos' personality tends to be bossy, demanding, egotistical and gluttonous but he clearly displays his affection for Sakura. He spends most of his time in a temporary form (a small orange stuffed animal with wings). His true form is a large-winged cat but in order to summon his true powers Sakura must control the Firey and Light cards.

Tomoyo Daidouji: Is Sakura's best friend and second cousin. She is the daughter of the President of Daidouji Toy Company. Her character is depicted as being mature, kind-hearted, intelligent, and regularly using more formal verb conjugations and expression than a normal elementary student. 

When she learns of Sakura's new role as a Cardcaptor, she insists that Sakura must wear special outfits and begins providing her with the various costumes she wears during her captures as well as accompanying her on missions to record the events with her video camera.


I remember watching this a kid on Saturday Morning on the WB (equivalent to the CW). I loved this show so I decided to see it again to refresh my memories. I love the thought of a young girl who gains the ability to do something greater and overcomes obstacles, with the help of some friends   to become the person she is meant to be. 

I think kids would love this show but then again times have changed. That's beside the point; but, I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes a touch of mysticism and cuteness combined. Although its technically not a rom-com it does posses some romance, comedy, action and adventure to make it an anime for all ages.


Hope you guys Enjoy! 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Bokura ga Ita

Bokura ga Ita
We Were There

Synopsis: At the start of her high school life, Nanami Takahashi finds herself with high hopes of making many friends. To her demise however on the day of class nominations she pronounces the name of her newly found friend wrong and made a complete fool of herself. The one at the root of the incident is none other than the school's sweet heart Motoharu Yano. He has the attention of most of the first year girls. He and Nanami have met several times but he gave her a fake name, which in turn caused the embarrassing moment for Nanami. Thus the start of their blossoming relationship begins.

Characters: 

Nanami Takahashi: She is a sweet and caring girl who falls in love with Motoharu Yano during her first year of high school. Their relationship however isn't a perfect one. Trust issues, a dead ex-girlfriend, and then man she was with during her death all play major roles in their love-filled yet doomed relationship.

Motoharu Yano:  Due to the death of his girlfriend and the fact that she was with another guy at the time of her death  makes Yano develop trust issues when it comes to other girls. Throughout his and Nanami's entire relationship he has a very hard time trusting her and usually displays fits of jealousy and possessiveness. He, later on, moves with his mother to Toyko and stops all contact with Nanami after half a year which thus leads to their breakup. His mother commits suicide and Yano is again left alone. He is convinced that his way of loving is killing the people around him and leaves him in a state of despair.

Masafumi Takeuchi "Take": Is one of Yano's closest friends and becomes a friend and confidant to Nanami during their relationship. As the story progresses he however falls in love with Nanami despite her love for Yano. After Yano's and Nanami's breakup he and Nanami begin to date. He eventually proposes but is turned down. However, because of his understanding and love for both Nanami and Yano he decides to support them in their endeavor to restore Yano and their love.

Nana Yamamoto: She was Yano's first love who died in a car accident at the start of the series. She had a childish personality although she was older than Yano and was considered stupid by most. Being Yano's first love makes her the most important obstacle in Nanami's and Yano's relationship.

Yuri Yamamoto: She was Nana's younger sister, who had an unrequited love for Yano. She, too, becomes an obstacle in Nanami's and Yano's relationship because of their closeness. Yano moves in with her after her mother gets sicks but she decides to end their relationship and start anew after her death.

While this anime follows the doomed relationship of Nanami and Yano, I found myself hating Yano for his personality and behaviour towards Nanami. However, as the story progressed I found myself cheering them on and wishing they could  be together 'til the end. I was a bit heartbroken when they broke up but the ending gave me a little hope. It in a sense helps you understand that not all love stories are rose-colored. Sometimes you have to go through tough times in order to get ahead.

Enjoy!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Bleach

Bleach

Synopsis: Kurosaki Ichigo, a 15 year old boy, has the ability to see ghosts and spirits and because of his ability he was able to meet a female death god (Shinigami) by the name of Kuchiki Rukia. Because of this chance encounter Ichigo's life is changed considerably when he was given the chance to save his family and friends from soul-eating spirits (Hollows) by Rukia. She offers Ichigo the power to save his family and friends but on one condition, that he would have to take the responsibility and use his powers not only to save his friends and family but the city as well. Will Ichigo accept these terms and be able to save Karakura Town?

Characters: FYI, because of it's length there are tons of main characters but I only listed the original main characters. 

Kurosaki Ichigo: Is the main hero of this anime. He is a serious, "cool" high school student with orange-hair, who always seems bound to fight someone. He becomes a "Substitute Shinigami" after absorbing soul reaper Rukia's power. While learning how to use his powers to become stronger he also learns of the Spirit World and those who protect it.

Kuchiki Rukia: Is the soul reaper assigned to protect Ichigo's hometown of Karakura Town.  One day however, in order to defeat a powerful Hollow she transfers her powers to Ichigo and was forced to take on the life of a regular human girl until she could regain her powers. However, there is trouble looming due to the amount of time she is without her powers and the act of transferring her powers to a human. Will she be safe from all danger while living as a human girl?

Inoue Orihime: Is one of Ichigo's long-time classmates and friend. She later on develops a crush on him but is never fully able to confess her feelings to him because she is afraid of burdening him. Initially, she lacks any spiritual powers but she later gains a God-like ability to warp reality through rejecting past phenomena. 

Sado Yasutora "Chad": Is one of Ichigo's friends and is a biracial Japanese Mexican student who measures at 7 feet and 2 inches. Despite his build he refuses to use his strength unless it is for the sake of another. He, like Orihime, has no spiritual powers initially but he gains them as the story progresses. His unique ability strengthens and armors his right arm enabling him to fight hollows. 

Uryu Ishida: Like, Ichigo, had spiritual powers early on. He is what is called a "Quincy", a priest like hollow hunting archer who are historical enemies of Soul Reapers. Because of his origins he bears a deep grudge against all Soul Reapers, Ichigo included. However, throughout the series he comes to like Ichigo and becomes a powerful ally and friend to Ichigo and his friends.


So I am a HUGE Bleach fan! It was on of the first anime my cousin showed me and I became instantly hooked. They just recently finished the anime but the manga is still continuing. Just as a head's up there are some differences between the anime and the manga. Prepare some time for this because it totals up to around 375 episodes! :O Some things to be on the look out for, Bleach does have quite a few fillers. Some of the fillers are good but some were just OK.  I really didn't like the ending of arc of Bleach but I am glad that the original characters where brought back even though it was for a couple of episodes towards the end. 


Enjoy!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Baka to Test Shoukanjuu

Baka to Test Shoukanjuu
Baka and Test: Summon the Beasts

*Sorry Guys, I was out of town last week and didn't get to post! Happy New Year and I hope you Enjoy!*

Synopsis: This story is about an idiot (Baka) named Akihisa Yoshii. He attends a school were the students are separated into classes based on exams. The highest Class being A and the lowest Class being F. One of Yoshii's schoolmates, a girl by the name Mizuki Himeji, is in Class F along with Yoshii, despite being one of the smartest girl in the Academy. Trying to change his classmates situation, Yoshii rallies his classmates and opts for an all out Class war. Will Class F succeed in taking over the School? Or will they return to the dismal conditions they currently have. 


Characters: I am only going to list the main Characters in Class F, since there is a whole school serving as the cast.

Class F

Akihisa Yoshii: was given the nickname of "the Ultimate Idiot" because of his extremely low scores on his Academy's exams. Not only did his low scores affect Yoshii but his "summoned being" (Shokanju) is also punished because of his idiocy. Yoshii and his schoolmates all posses the power to summon a Shokanju in order to partake in Shokanju battles to test each others strengths. Each Shokanju has the same strengths and weakness as his/her summoner. 


Yoshii and his Shokanju, are punished for being Ultimate Idiots by being able to pick up objects in order to help the teachers with chores. Being able to pick up objects sounds like an awesome gift but it comes with a downside. If Yoshii's Shokanju is hurt, Yoshii will feel the pain as well, giving Yoshii an excuse not to partake in Shokanju battles.

Despite being a Baka, Yoshii has many love interests (including his older sister :O!), although he is unaware of his admirers, everyone else is aware of them.

Mizuki Himeji: Is one of the smartest girls in Fumizuki Academy but due to a fever and the inability to finish her exam she was placed in the lowest class along with Yoshii. Himeji is a shy, innocent but determined girl and has known Yoshii since Elementary school. She has since then admired him for his thoughtfulness and caring personality.

 Himeji's Shokanju is clad in heavy armor and wields a big sword.

Minami Shimada: Is the only other female in Class F. She is Japanese but was raised in Germany and is especially weak in kanji. Because of her handicap the only subject she succeeds in is, Math. 

She is the tsundere (a seemingly cold hearted person) of this anime and she also has an inferiority complex. She too, likes Yoshii but because of her nature she acts violently towards him and is unable to express her feelings for him.

Her Shokanju is clad in a blue naval military uniform and wields a saber.

Yuji Sakamoto: Is the Class Rep of Class F. He is cool and collected and exhibits a high intelligence not usually expected from those is Class F. 

His Shokanju wears a long trench coat and is armed with brass knuckles giving him a "cool" look.

Hideyoshi Kinoshita: Is the twin brother of Yuko Kinoshita of Class A. He is extremely feminine looking and because of that not only do his male peers but his female peers see him as a female.  

He has a very helpful personality and is willing to support his friends on their adventures. Despite lacking in the academic department, Kinoshita has an unquestionable talent in acting and can replicate  the behavior, mannerisms and voices of those around him.

His Shokanju is clad in Traditional Japanese Clothing and wields a Naginata (a stick with a pointy end).

Kota Tsuchiya: Is the Ultimate Ecchi (lewd person) at Fumizuki. He has a dark taciturn personality and is given the nickname Morose Pervert. Nobody, even the girls, seem to mind this side of him, though. Because of his nature, his nose will bleed anytime he sees or hears something that may be perverted.

He is terrible at all subjects except for Health Education and because of his exceptionally high scores in Health Education, his Shokanju carries an accessory that allows him to perform an accelerated move. 

His Shokanju wears a ninja outfit and dual-wields Kodachi (small or short swords).

Sequels:
Baka to test Shoukanjuu Ni!
Baka to Test Shoukanjuu: Matsuri


This comedic anime about the Ultimate Idiot had me seriously laughing. Yoshii has a good heart but isn't the sharpest tool in the shed but that's what makes this anime even funnier. I found myself cheering on Class F as they take on the superior classes and wishing for the best for Himeji and Yoshii. 

Enjoy!