Moved to Wordpress

I've decided to move my main blog, akuyume/inside, to Wordpress. Also, I'll be merging this blog, which only just separated from my main blog, back into it there. This decision is based on that I prefer the organizational structures of Wordpress to that of Blogger.

Both blogs will go by the name I use for my main blog, akuyume/inside.
So check out akuyume/inside, now on Wordpress.

Bakemonogatari

Having finished with Welcome to the NHK I found myself with a little room for a new series. And this time I decided to add another new series to my line up. Although this only makes two animes I'm watching that are currently in production, the title anime and the Haruhi renewal.

Moving along. Bakemonogatari first caught my attention by its title alone, 「化物語」; a portmanteau combining the Japanese words bakemono (化物) and monogatari　(物語) which conveniently works as a portmanteau when each part is translated to English as well; monster and story; so you'll also see this anime referred to as Ghostory and it'll be a shame if they don't use this on an official translation to North America which I'm sure is bound to happen. The series is now about halfway through their planned 15 episodes. Based on the light novel series by Nishio Ishin, none of which have I read the light novels, I'm not sure what to expect. However the anime is being presented an a chapter format, where each chapter thus far has lasted about two or three episodes. With the limited number of incidents the way the plot moves is a tad reminiscent of Clannad where Koyomi Araragi takes the place of an Tomoya Okazaki as "delinquent turned good-deed-doer." Similarly early in the plot of the story, although probably coincidentally, both find themselves helping a girl who appears much younger and both turn out to be a type of spirit.

The seiyu lineup looks pretty solid as well. Some names include Chiwa Saito (Natsumi Hinata of Keroro Gunsou, Lavie Head of Last Exile, Louise Halevy of Gundam 00), Emiri Katou (Kagami Hiiragi of Lucky Star), and even Aya Hirano in what I expect is a minor part (I don't believe she should need an introduction, am I wrong?).

Also, I cannot wait to get my hands on the soundtrack to this anime. Not using the usual scheme of using the same theme with each episode, there have been at least two opening song already. Here's a playlist I compiled of the opening and ending songs used thus far. My pick is the second opening song Kaerimichi; an opening song with a level awesomeness I've only recently seen in Lucky Star and Haruhi.

• OP 1 - Staple Stable by Chiwa Saito


• OP 2 - Kaerimichi The Trip Home by Emiri Katou


• ED 1 - Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari Your Strange Story by supercell (in Japanese)

Thus far, its an 8/10 in my book. Maybe 8.2/10.

Welcome to the NHK

Originally posted here on Akuyume/inside.

Welcome to Welcome to the NHK! (N・H・Kにようこそ！) No, we're not entering anything related to the Japanese national broadcaster Nippon Housou Kyoukai. This, is the Nihon Hikikomori Kyoukai, although apparently by the end of the show the H is interchangeable but lets not go there.

The show follows the life of hikikomori (recluse and acute sufferer of social-withdraw and severe social anxiety) Tatsuhiro Satou. Laden with a few weightier topics, including pyramid schemes, drug abuse (only present in the anime for one character), conspiracy theories, suicide, and Comiket (okay listing that one here was a joke, laugh, I command you). With all of these themes NHK manages to be delightfully entertaining dark comedy. As all the characters have major psychological problems going on I'm tempted to compare it to Evangelion. Some have gone as far as comparing it to The Catcher in the Rye.

Character development is particularly enjoyable, maybe this is a factor of the depth of problems the characters have but nevertheless the characters do feel quite real for the length of the series. And plot clinchers were quite effective on me; and the ending of the series is full of quick twists and given the amount of dark comedy, its actually a little surprising, but I won't ruin it for those who haven't seen/read the series. 8/10.

Hayate no Gotoku !! Episode 1

Originally posted here on Akuyume/inside.

I've had my eye on Hayate no Gotoku! for a while now and I've finally decided to check out the first episode of the second season ala Crunchyroll. Three and a half minutes into the episode and female lead finally opened her mouth; this show is definitely gonna be afflicted (in my mind, at least) with a severe case of "Hey, It's That Voice" as Nagi is voiced by none other than Rie Kugimiya, or Shana of Shakugan no Shana. Hmm and both are associated with maids with Western names (Shana's mother-like Wilhelmina and Nagi's actual maid Maria).



<rant>Three tsunderes at the beach, sounds kinda scary, and it would sure be confusing with all them having the SAME VOICE. I haven't seen Zero no Tsukaima but for some reason I've got a feeling I know exactly what Louise's voice sounds like. But lets face it, Rie and her voice are about as typecasted tsundere as Ben Stein is typecasted boring.</rant>

Back to the show now! Well at least it sounded a bit less like Shana when she only said urusai once! ... Moving on. Margery Daw's seiyu, Hitomi Nabatame, plays the part of another drunkard, one of the teachers at this strange school.

All in all, I'm not even sure what just happened in this episode. 6.5/10. Maybe I just need to see more.

AIR - Episodes 01-04

Originally posted here on Akuyume/inside.

Having already seen Clannad I can say that I am slightly experienced with Key's habit of tying supernatural forces into their harem/romance animes. However this time around in AIR, its definitely more prominent, at least thus far.

One thing to hit my mind is that the main character does have a vague resemblence to Tomoya of Clannad. But that's not their only similarity, as both seem to have an ability to be surrounded by strange single females whom they then help on a quest to normality. So far dinosaur-girl still says "gaou" every other line. On the other hand he seems to have fixed the girl I was starting to think might have been possessed.

Don't get me wrong, I might sound a little patronizing but I'm actually liking this show. And I like the opening theme so much so that you may have noticed I'm presently undertaking the production of my first AMV to it.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Originally posted here on Akuyume/inside.

I've been watching plenty of anime lately. The latest series to grab my attention? The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (宮ハルヒの憂鬱, Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu). I'm halfway through the series and several things are tempting me to write about it. I've been watching the English dub as I tend to watch whatever is easiest to get my hands on and all the eng dub episodes of this series are currently available on Veoh (The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya Video Channel).
Basic rundown, its a sci-fi comedy. The plot itself has several wtf..? moments (if you don't know me, I enjoy these kinds of plots) and the sci-fi dimension goes very far out. Anyhow, the plot stays very novel, original even. Its not quite one's usual sci-fi; as for the comedy aspects, I have been ROFLing frequently watching this anime. The part that gets me is this: the graphics and artwork are definitely over top. Its simply a very beautiful anime. At this point I'm even considering checking out the manga this show is based on.