Category: Anime

Anime

To Heart 2: Episode 12

Note: There was actually another episode that aired between this one and episode 11. It was a special recap episode though, so I didn’t count it in the numbering, for continuity sake.

It’s Konomi’s turn to complicate things! They’re clearly emphasizing the love angle now, and between the two main To Heart 2 girls, Konomi’s took a whole episode to develop it, while [Tamaki’s->toheart2-11] was merely a shocker. This is the best animated To Heart 2 episode so far, and features a lot of cute close-ups of Konomi in all her emotions. She blushes, does her eheee~, stares, and even cries in this entire episode. I’m very impressed.

imageimageimage Continue reading To Heart 2: Episode 12

To Heart 2: Episode 11

This is supposed to be the main plot of the entire series, but I only have few things to write about, really.

[Game->toheart2-tamaki-kousaka] – Tamaki events
This episode is an anomaly. It completely put To Heart 2 into a different direction. It should be as expected, but one may wish it wouldn’t go this way. The success of the original [To Heart->] and failure of [To Heart ~Remember my Memories~->] is how they treat this… the game called “love”.

imageimageimageimageimageimage Continue reading To Heart 2: Episode 11

January Anime Season (Winter 2006)

I like the fact that next year I’d be more open to new anime. All series I watch except for the two Hime animes (Futago and ä¹™ Hime) are ending by this year, so maybe I can watch a new one and/or catch up on an extreme backlog.

Update: But it turned out otherwise. I completely skipped the season. So much for being ‘open’.

You can still catch the new anime premiers on this site.

So far these titles interest me:

Binchou-tan – I remember this mascot. She had an interesting silent movie.

Fate/stay night – Impossible to miss! The [game->type-moon] that I cannot touch, now I can watch!

Hanbun no Tsuki ga Noboru Sora – Looks nice, so I’ll give it a try.

Kashimashi – Girl Meets Girl – I need to start reading manga again. Massive backlog on everything. This one sounds interesting… a guy transformed into a girl! Crossdressing to the extreme.

Lemon Angel Project – Hmm… an anime about song and dance idols. I’m sold.

REC – Now, an anime about a voice actress? Looks like a trend.

Shinigami no Ballad – If this is what I think it is (a pseudo-alternate of Jigoku Shoujo), count me in. Next year I’ll be adding Jigoku Shoujo to my watch list, and so I’ll have a contrast of black and white.

To Heart 2: Episode 10

Tenth episode!

[Game->To Heart 2: Sango and Ruri Himeyuri] – Ilfa events on the Himeyuri scenario
Third consecutive episode on the Himeyuri scenario. I thought this was the most faithful conversion so far, but in the end it feels condensed yet again. But since it focuses on Ilfa rather than the twins, I felt more appreciative of her viewpoint, so her background story doesn’t feel as rushed compared to the game. The animation seemed to be better than last time, so I wasn’t too annoyed.

imageimageimage Continue reading To Heart 2: Episode 10

Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 7.5: Initial D Filipino Stage

December 1, 2005

Since this is a specific topic I’ll create it under an episode 7.5

So it did show up, a Filipino dub of the first 14 episodes of Initial D: Fourth Stage. They called it Part 1 because the series is not over yet. And I tell you this, I really wish I could let everyone hear the dubbing… because it’s SO BAD, IT’S GOOD!

You know those kinds of stuff which are so corny or so bad, you turn up having fun and laughing at it instead of being disgusted. That’s how the Filipino dub is. Actually, it is a very unhealthy kind of Taglish, a mix of Tagalog (Filipino) and English in conversations. It’s similar to how you hear English phrases in jpop songs, except that this one doesn’t mix pretty well. Usually in real life you can hear the rich spoiled-brat class of people speaking in Taglish (I call them coñotics). Sounds oh too fitting a style since in general the street racing scene in our country would compose only of people who can afford expensive cars and modifications. While we “normal people” resort to NFS:Underground and Most Wanted for the pimp-my-ride fix, spoiled brats do it for REAL and show off their fast and cool rides, despite their inability to drive fast because of metrowide heavy traffic.

Wait a minute, why did I relate our street racing scene to Initial D? Well, mostly because the Filipino dub converted the cool Initial D characters into spoiled brats! Most of them sound like spoiled brats now, really. The Takumi voiced by Matteo Guidicelli doesn’t sound innocent anymore, he sounds like a pro. On the other hand, the Kyoko voiced by Angel Locsin sounds oh too soft for my tastes, and she sometimes even whispers the dialogue. It’s a no-no in dubbing.

This is in my opinion a bad decision for Animax-Asia. Why fourth stage already? Why not show the previous stages first? A typical local anime fan here who only watches on TV would have never heard of Initial D, because it hasn’t aired in any local channel at all. Some may have heard of it over at the video game arcades, but that’s just it. Their Initial D Fourth Stage campaign is merely banking on the star power of those two famous people. Oh, and did I tell you already about how they advertised this?

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Yes folks! Fast cars, hot babes. This is definitely not the point of Initial D. Sure, it has hot babes, but they don’t model in front of cars. And of all the magazines, FHM. Are they talking to the right audience? FHM junkies want hot babes and fast cars, not some anime about street racing (“Anime? What’s that?”). I think it isn’t even remotely about the anime anymore, it’s about drag racing and the hot Angel Locsin.

Amazing. With a totally unrelated marketing campaign, one-of-a-kind dubbing, and weird choice of programming, I’m very, very impressed with Animax-Asia’s Initial D: Fourth Stage (sarcasm). Because it’s SO BAD, IT’S GOOD!

Yes, Angel Locsin is hot. rawr.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 1: The end of Animax-Asia? Too sudden!?->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 2: Cardcaptured.->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 3: Trying to Adjust->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 4: Towards the 1st Anniversary->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 5: I gave up on Animax-Asia->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 6: One year since->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 7: Dubbed in Filipino?!?->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 7.5: Initial D Filipino Stage->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 8: More Pain->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 9: Now in blue->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 10: Fake Revival->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 11: Something New->]
[Animax-Asia… Dubbed in English – Episode 12: Red with anger->]

Anime Wish List

Come to think of it, there are a number of properties that I would have liked to see animated. Let me list down a few of those.

This post may be updated whenever a “wish comes true”, or a new wish comes along.

Death Note
status: Live Action Movie
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Not quite sure of the current story, but I read the first 50 or so chapters of Death Note, and I was so appalled by it’s intricate intelligence. It’s a story of an extremely smart game of cat and mouse, and beyond. The way the protagonist (who seems to be quite evil himself) gets away from situations by making situations is extremely cool. Also cool is the way his enemies hunt him down as intelligently as him. I’m all for intelligent shounen series like this.

Densha Otoko
status: still a wish
Otaku anime about otakus are interesting to watch, but [few->genshiken] and far between. Although I will see a side attraction in terms of NHK ni Youkoso coming next year, I would like Densha Otoko better. The jdorama was awesome, and I think it will really translate well as an anime.

Tenshi no Inai 12-gatsu
status: still a wish
Whenever I think of dating sims, I still think of candy-pop, cute girls in happy high school settings. Though some also deal on serious issues, they only appear near the end of the game just for climactic purposes. But this one game from [Leaf->leaf-aquaplus] totally broke my expectations! It’s depressing, serious, dramatic, and realistic from the get-go. I really want to see this as an anime, sort of a strong contender for ero-game turned anime drama queen Kimi ga Nozomu Eien. Isn’t too farfetched I hope, after all Leaf ‘backtracked’ to allow an Utawarerumono anime version.

Yotsubato!
status: still a wish
This manga series is quite appealing to me as a lighter and more slice-of-life version of Azumanga Daioh. I think this would be nice for an anime series.

Mahou Sensei Negima (remake)
status: OVA in the works
I’ll want to pretend that the [anime->mahou-sensei-negima] didn’t exist, really. With Negima being one of the best and most engaging mangas I’ve ever read, I think it deserves something better than those 26 episodes of varying [animation->negima-sakuga-tracker-asuna-version] [levels->negima-sakuga-tracker-yue-version] and impossible fillers. This Akamatsu guy is so talented in bringing wonderful characters that strike a tone, that no matter how many they are, you’re bound to like so many of them. Story is not too bad either. Make a faithful rendition of the manga original and they’ll have an anime classic. Bet on it.

Fruits Basket (continuation)
status: a farfetched dream
While I have many wishes for sequels and stuff like that, Fruits Basket takes top priority. The anime and manga introduced me to the shoujo genre, which eventually became my top genre of choice whenever there are new series to watch out for. The Fruits Basket anime ended up so sour, I really wanted more. This holds a very special place in my wish list, something I’ll never let go even when I know the odds of new Furuba animation are close to nil. For now, I’m holding on to the Tokyopop manga.

To Heart 2: Episode 9

Ninth episode.

[Game->toheart2-sango-and-ruri-himeyuri] – Sango and Ruri events
Carrying over from last episode, this one is faithful again to its original game. There’s a catch though. This is the WORST animated To Heart 2 episode yet. I’m having withdrawal symptoms. Why oh why haven’t they learned from their animation [mistakes->to-heart-remember-my-memories] and [triumphs->comic-party-revolution]? I dunno about the industry, but this [game company->leaf-aquaplus] should have done better in giving their animation project to a quality studio. Oh well, DVD version here I come.

imageimageimage Continue reading To Heart 2: Episode 9

To Heart 2: Episode 8

Eighth episode!

[Game->toheart2-sango-and-ruri-himeyuri] – Sango and Ruri events
This is so far one of the most faithful scenario renditions of the original game. Maybe that’s because you can’t have it any other way. The only caveat is that the character animation just can’t express Ruri good enough. The seiyuu for Ruri is so expressive in terms of angst the animation can’t keep up with it. Oh, and we have to wait for the next episode because this will seem to be a two-parter.

imageimageimage Continue reading To Heart 2: Episode 8

To Heart 2: Timeline

To, umm, confuse myself and other people with the non-linear events of the To Heart 2 anime (evil grin), I’ll be making a list of the sequence of events chronologically. This will be done using the various dates seen in the anime. As you noticed, sometimes they show dates in blackboards, calendars and signs. Some of the events may not have dates though, and so I will not try to complicate things by guessing. To Heart 2 is a simple enough anime, and I hope that this timeline will make things more simple for the non-gameplayers.

By the way, while the original game timeline assumes a 2004 calendar, the anime assumes a 2006 calendar instead. Wonder why…

Update: Now seeing a pattern on this, so I can safely assume certain events on certain dates now. I hope you aren’t confused yet.

Coverage: Up to episode 8

March 20
Konomi’s graduation ceremony, meeting with Takaaki – [Episode 1->To Heart 2: Episode 1]
Having supper at Konomi’s house, Konomi plans to stay over at Takaaki’s house on March 25 – [Episode 1->To Heart 2: Episode 1]

March 24
Tamaki meeting with Takaaki, love-love operation – [Episode 2->To Heart 2: Episode 2]

March 25
Konomi staying over at Takaaki’s house – [Episode 1->To Heart 2: Episode 1]

March 27
Takaaki, Yuji, Konomi and Tamaki shopping – [Episode 2->To Heart 2: Episode 2]

March 28
Tamaki chasing Takaaki and Yuji around and into the temple – [Episode 2->To Heart 2: Episode 2]
Manaka and Yuma sees Takaaki and friends flower-watching – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]

April 5
Manaka was voted as class representative – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]

April 6
Entrance ceremony, Konomi’s first day at the new school – [Episode 1->To Heart 2: Episode 1]
Tamaki announces that she has transferred into their school – [Episode 2->To Heart 2: Episode 2]
Manaka seen as a student volunteer for the entrance ceremony – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]
Karin seen trying to invite members to her Mystery Club – [Episode 5->To Heart 2: Episode 5]

April 7
Takaaki meets Ruuko for the first time – [Episode 6->To Heart 2: Episode 6]

April 8
Ruuko transfers into Takaaki’s class – [Episode 6->To Heart 2: Episode 6]

April 12
Homeroom, Ruuko tries to write into Takaaki’s library questionaire – [Episode 5->To Heart 2: Episode 6]
Manaka gathers library questionaires – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]
Karin sees Takaaki as a potential “target” – [Episode 5->To Heart 2: Episode 5]
Takaaki helps Manaka in barcodes and library work – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]
Manaka shows Takaaki her library room – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]
Library staff tells Manaka to quit – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]

April 13
Takaaki forced into joining the Mystery Club by Karin – [Episode 5->To Heart 2: Episode 5]
Karin’s blackmail event at the gym backroom – [Episode 5->To Heart 2: Episode 5]

April 15
Ruuko draws crop circles in the school grounds – [Episode 6->To Heart 2: Episode 6]
Students seen cleaning up Ruuko’s crop circles – [Episode 5->To Heart 2: Episode 5]
Karin meets Konomi, asks Takaaki for UFO hunting tomorrow – [Episode 5->To Heart 2: Episode 5]

April 16
Karin and Takaaki’s UFO hunting at the forest – [Episode 5->To Heart 2: Episode 5]
Karin plans for UFO calling, disguised as a star gazing event – [Episode 5->To Heart 2: Episode 5]

April 17
Karin is interested with Ruuko, orders Takaaki to investigate her – [Episode 6->To Heart 2: Episode 6]
Takaaki spotted, Ruuko is seen cooking fish and feeding the cat – [Episode 6->To Heart 2: Episode 6]

April 18
Karin orders Takaaki to put a UFO detector collar on the cat – [Episode 6->To Heart 2: Episode 6]
Cat runs into an accident, gets saved by Ruuko and Takaaki – [Episode 6->To Heart 2: Episode 6]

April 19
Yuma hits Takaaki with her bike for the first time – [Episode 4->To Heart 2: Episode 4]
Yuma and Manaka in PE, Yuma got wet because of Takaaki’s softball – [Episode 4->To Heart 2: Episode 4]
Manaka talks to Yuma in the roof – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]
Takaaki gets to know about Manaka’s problem with the library staff – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]
Yuma confronts Takaaki while he is cleaning – [Episode 4->To Heart 2: Episode 4]
Manaka decides to continue working for the library – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]
In the library room, Takaaki invites Manaka on the star gazing event – [Episode 3->To Heart 2: Episode 3]

April 20
Yuma’s challenge to Takaaki at the canteen – [Episode 4->To Heart 2: Episode 4]
Yuma with Manaka at the library room, talks about tea and Yuma’s problem – [Episode 4->To Heart 2: Episode 4]
Karin reminds Takaaki of the star gazing event – [Episode 7->To Heart 2: Episode 7]
Takaaki tries to invite Tamaki, Yuji and Konomi on the star gazing event – [Episode 7->To Heart 2: Episode 7]

April 21
Yuma slams her bike into Takaaki again – [Episode 7->To Heart 2: Episode 7]
Konomi sees Takaaki talk to Manaka and Karin – [Episode 7->To Heart 2: Episode 7]
Yuma invited Takaaki to a movie – [Episode 4->To Heart 2: Episode 4]
Konomi sees Ruuko and Karin as she goes home – [Episode 7->To Heart 2: Episode 7]

April 22
Manaka asks Takaaki a favor, Takaaki invites Yuma to the game center – [Episode 4->To Heart 2: Episode 4]

April 23
Star gazing night – [Episode 7->To Heart 2: Episode 7]

April 24
Takaaki meets Sango and Ruri for the first time – [Episode 8->To Heart 2: Episode 8]

April 25
Sango starts showing up around Takaaki, and computer room event – [Episode 8->To Heart 2: Episode 8]

April 26
Sango and Ruri at Takaaki’s house, Ruri cooks up a bad meal – [Episode 8->To Heart 2: Episode 8]

April 27
Ruri attempts to attack Takaaki, she cries and runs away afterwards – [Episode 8->To Heart 2: Episode 8]

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