Category Archives: Anime & Manga

Kiba OST

Just started watching the anime Kiba as of late and I can say that I’m impressed. After I heard that it was an anime that had a counterpart card game, I was expecting something along the lines of YuGiOh! or Pokemon (Not that I don’t enjoy those shows. ^^) but I was surprised to find it quite enjoyable. It has a good plot with well designed and interesting characters. I have much love for the Zed and Noa.

But, the thing that impressed me the most by far is the Soundtrack. It’s amazing – It’s got a really nice feel to it and reminds me a little bit of the .hack//sign soundtracks. Well worth a listen and varies from upbeat to calm and quiet.

Personal favorites that I reccomend: “Zed-Fate” from the OST 1, “Zed-Run” from OST 1, “Noa-Calmness” from OST 1, and all the OP and ED themes.

PrinPrin DVD 01

Princess Princess DVD 1 CoverPicked up the first DVD of Princess Princess. I’ve been waiting for this since I first watched the fansub of the series. It’s an amazing series that has a suprising universal appeal for both guys and girls. (I know at least 2 guys that it’s gotten a few laughs out of – and the author herself mentions in the manga Volume 3 extras that she’s shocked at how many boys are reading it.)

Volume 1, much like the Loveless DVDs, has only a Japanese Track with English Subtitles. I know that sounds like great news to the sub-fanatics, but to be honest I enjoy hearing the dub versions, too. If only because sometimes they do a great job with the voices – Bandai, ADV, and such usually do excellent jobs.

In any case, the first DVD has the first four episodes and gorgeous cover artwork. I highly reccomend picking up a copy for yourselves if you haven’t already checked out this amazing anime.

I bought it…

JPQueen is a dangerous place. But oh how I love them. They’ve provided me with everything from the entire 13 Volume set of Haunted Junction (Which I highly recommend by the way if you can read Japanese…if not, buy the English Subtitled version of the anime from Bandai. Not as good, but still highly entertaining.) to doujinshi and my copy of Omishi Rei’s Artbook “Positive Girls.”

Today’s current purchase was a copy of the Haunted Junction Drama CD. I’ll have to report back if it’s any good. From what I understand it has a different vocal cast from the anime, which should be interesting.

That and I’ve also aquired a copy of a Loveless doujinshi (You and Me.) by Kouga Yun, herself. It looks so adorable. I can’t wait for it to show up in the mail.

Lesson: I can never own too many Japanese books. (Well, it probably has more to do with money and the value of a dollar, but…it’s manga. Gorgeous artwork, writing and plot. How can I not cave?)

Tenpou Ibun Ayakashi Ayashi Episode 1

Ryuudou Yukiatsu

P: “Rysei Miracle” by ikimonogakari

ED: “Winding Road” by Porno Graffitti

Summary:

Like most first episodes, this series begins with basic introductions of the characters. Ryuudou Yukiatsu is our resident ‘floater’ in hiding who’s working a bathhouse. After being unable to stand up for a floater Mother and Son when they were being picked on, he feels guilty and reveals his own status as a floater. After being run out of his bathhouse, he runs into that same family again and realizes he has a connection with her son. Soon after, he’s confronted by strange people who are talking about monsters called ‘youi’ and a Yukiatsu discovers the power of the ‘other world’: Ayagami – the power of words.

Comments:

I’m completely in love with this series. It has a wonderful cast of characters, beautiful animation and a unique plot line that picks up the best of both fantasy and a flavor of historical fiction. I’ve been watching for about twenty episodes now, and have no intention of stopping.

But mostly I’m in love with Yukiatsu. He’s pretty spry for a guy in his forties, that’s for sure. It’s been fun watching him develop as the series goes. And he’s not the only one either – Saizou, Abi, and our favorite girly-Shinto priest Edo are all quite entertaining as well. (I can’t remember if he’s in this episode – but Ogasawara Houzouboro has taken the number 2 spot of favorite character.)

Some fun moments in the first episode include Yukiatsu’s little rebellion in the bathhouse and the battle scene at the end where Yukiatsu first uses his Ayagami in a fight.