I'm probably one of a few handful of people who still cares about Da Crapo, although I'm admitting that this bishoujo thing is slowly starting to wear out on me. And yet the series may still matter, after all, it was a remarkable anime that put bishoujo games into the anime map. One thing that ticks me off in ALL the anime counterparts of Da Capo (and even Da Capo II) is that the best girls always gets the worst parts. That girl is the lovely lovely Kotori Shirakawa (and her descendant Nanaka). While Kotori had a decent arc in the first season, the second season was of failed promises. I thought that she will be the main character in that season because Nemu and Sakura were gone. Alas, the two returned anyway, while Aisia stole the entire show not too long after. And so the prospect of having this D.C.if OVA almost 3 years after the last Da Capo anime gives me the giggles. It's Kotori, and it's Da Capo all over again! (more…)
Well, it's been a long time since I cared about Animax-Asia again. For so long, this anime channel has never changed much in terms of its dubbing policies and prowess, showing yes, the same quality that caused a lot of my complaints over the course of this episodic drama. I didn't care anymore what kind of anime is being shown there and even in our own local anime channels. I guess I really just ended my anime-on-TV watching altogether, in favor of digital distributions and DVDs. I do admit though that this channel, and all others showing anime series locally, have really contributed to the popularity of this kind of entertainment as a whole in our country. Nowadays I wouldn't be surprised anymore if someone comes up to me and mentions certain "niche" series, the NOT NARUTOS and NOT BLEACHES of genres. I think even the sometimes-talked about 'elitism' within groups of anime fans seems to be blurring itself away as well. Nowadays I don't think other people would say that some anime will just be "bastardized" or it will lose its niche appeal once it comes on TV to be shown to the mainstream. I think people now appreciate that they have a vast selection of shows to choose from on TV. Choice is good.
Let me focus on what's happening on local TV first. There's a new player in town, well actually an older player, local channel TV5. Since the new management change, the channel has revived its anime primetime block. This will be the first time in 5 or so years that anime can be seen on evening, because the other major channels have trashed this idea in favor of more lucrative markets like gameshows, the usual teleseryes and more meh reality series. TV5 goes a step further, with its anime selection seemingly and surprisingly relevant to the very discerning anime fan. Maybe their staff are anime fans too, probably knowing about the fansub and internet world and also what's critically acclaimed and popular in anime. From classics like Ranma 1/2, mild hits like Special A, DNAngel, and Ragnarok to REALLY good stuff like Azumanga Daioh, Shakugan no Shana, Code Geass, and Cowboy Bebop, this is really a powerhouse lineup that trumps even the 24-hour anime cable channel selections. Whatever I sampled about their dubbing is not bad, and they even completely show the openings and endings. The guys at TV5 know their stuff, and I say kudos to them for this excellent alternative programming especially in competitive times. A few more mentions though. QTV selection is quite decent as well, but they show anime on some odd and unpopular schedules. ABS-CBN and GMA has yawn-inducing reruns and kid-focused new anime. Studio 23 still shows the ever-antique Samurai X, but at least it's picking up pace with Blood+ (original English dub, quite rare) and the upcoming Gun X Sword. Hero TV is as usual, nothing to report, although as a bishoujo anime fan I'm rather surprised to see some bishoujo game based anime there (Kiminozo, Happiness and Da Capo).
Now, let's go to the meat, Animax-Asia. It really had been stagnant for quite a while. They have the same good-to-average-to-poor dubbing quality and they still hire the same voice dubbers for the job, all these years. Everytime I channel-surf in random, when it comes to Animax-Asia, I would say "OMG they show this anime now? But meh, dubbing as usual." There are also lame attempts at capturing new markets. I think they tried some magazine shows, featuring stuff I wouldn't normally see in an anime-focused channel. They have quirky Takeshi's Castle-style Japanese game shows too. I don't see Music Station often there anymore, have they canned their jpop music show? They also do specials for Hollywood geek shows and movies in sci-fi and comic genres. Finally, they have their own original anime production. I think a Filipino wrote the script of LaMB, which is quite nice but it's not my genre.
And more confusion, as some anime (like Slam Dunk) are being shown BOTH on dubs and original Japanese with subtitles in different time schedules. What's up with that? Old AXN anime fans haunting them? Trying to win back the audience they lost (me included)? Well, this may be a start. Another nice anime selection, Nodame Cantabile, is being shown 'exclusively' in original Japanese with English subtitles. Considering the content of this popular shoujo anime, it is rather logical to show it on subs, although I wouldn't be surprised if they give it their lame dub treatment someday. I really hope not. This is positive news moving forward. They have returned to their roots, although I initially thought that they are just testing the waters.
But this is where it really begins. The other major, and this time it's rather MAJOR, change in Animax-Asia is the announcement of not only one, but two new anime premieres in the original Japanese with English subtitles format. Good, more subs for the sub-loving audience they want to return to. But wait, there's more to this. When I mean new anime, I mean NEW, as in fresh in Japan. As in SIMULTANEOUS PREMIERES! SIMULCAST!
Tears to Tiara and the new Fullmetal Alchemist will be shown on Animax-Asia in the original Japanese language with English subtitles. Tears to Tiara will be completely simulcast on the same time schedule in Japan… you can literally watch the episode at the same time Japanese fans can watch it. Fullmetal Alchemist episodes will show a mere week later from its Japanese counterpart. I think that this is, really, historic.
While Crunchyroll already does this in its internet distribution, these are firsts for television. I think they have reached a maximum-possible turnabout for anime premieres. To think that some time ago, we still need to wait a year or two for anime to appear on television sets, now we (English-literate anime fans) can have same-second entertainment the way the Japanese gets entertained. This is also a direct challenge to the gray-area (pirated if you see it that way) anime fansub scene, because really, is there any need (other than private collecting) for Tears to Tiara fansubs now? Not that I predict that show is worth it. I like Leaf/Aquaplus game based anime but I don't follow their fantasy pieces (Utawaremono included) as much as To Heart and White Album stuff. Fullmetal Alchemist – Brotherhood though, this is the BIG one. If the old series had so much critical acclaim even with its complete diversion from the manga, what more with this when they said that the new anime will faithfully follow the manga this time? New episodes premiere in six days. Only speedsub lovers would dig the fansubs now. Even I prefer marathon runs especially on shounen pieces like these, so recap marathons on the channel would be welcome to me.
This is really the next step, a huge one for anime fans like me. Along with internet distributions and rapid DVD releases, Japanese anime companies are finally seeing the international market, and that they can cater to them by showing them the absolute latest of what they can offer. They also know now that they can reduce potential piracy by doing so. I hope that this is only the beginning. I don't think Animax-Asia will rest on their laurels now that they have more positive mindshare coming from me, sub fans, fansub viewers, FMA fans, Tears to Tiara fans (however few lolz), and all others in the mainstream. This can only continue with MORE simulcast premieres right? I hope that you guys can muster some time to give them positive feedback, maybe by e-mail, guestbook, or blogging, showing our appreciation for this wonderful news (so we can have moar of this). Even with the recession, well, "in fact" with this recession, innovation will be something that will drive things forward, create new markets and energize the economy. This is innovative television programming. I am truly looking forward to this, as I can finally have a reason to turn the TV on for anime, delivered the way I like it. Finally, something new. WELCOME BACK!
Hallo. I'm a male lead in a bishoujo game! And in my world there are lots of girls, not any different from your so-called "real life". I'm just a bored and boring guy just like some of you. Maybe some of you play me because I already have tons of girls served to me in a silver platter, something which some of you may never get to have because similarly you are wussies like me! But I will differentiate myself from you, because I already have the girls, right? All I do is pick one! Easy squeezy! And you know what? I can "screw" them in the end of my short life! Jealous? Well, I only live like a few months because most of the time my story ends before graduation or something… but still… lolz.
Let me tell you, it's easy work! I just be "kind" to the girl I want to have… done! I bump into one girl, she drops her books and papers… I just pick them up! Hello there iincho! I just out-shout and out-smart tsunderes who are annoyingly loud at times. I can bring out her softer side. I can just act like a baby to those girls older than me. I can also act like a onii-chan to those younger than me. See? It's easy! Because I'm fiction!
Now it seems like it's nearing Valentines or whatever eh? Lots of bloggers and others proclaiming their loveless lives calling it SAD (Singles Awareness Day) or whatever? Hahahaha! Too bad for you guys, because you live in reality! I heard it's more complex over there. What with all the emos and such running around the internets. Me? I'm not supposed to surf the internets in my world anyway. I only have highschool settings. You know what I think what's wrong with you guys? The internet itself! It allows you to groupthink. You meet people with almost the same lives as yours. You hear the same cries. You become most the same. And yet you don't know each other in reality. And yet you still derive something from each other in reality. If you're ronery you become ronerier because you see similar ronery people making you not move yourself because "oh other people are like this anyway, so I'll remain like this for the rest of my life." Me? Sure I have a worthless male sidekick or two, but at least I'm not affected by other people in other bishoujo game worlds. My world is small… well, small enough that all girls in my world look beautiful. HAHAHA!
Eh…
Ok fine, I need to reflect on myself, as I am actually giving you disservice as well. I am a "wish fulfillment" property. I am not real, but some people may consider some parts of me and apply it to their own lives. Sometimes it can be beneficial, other times, not so much. I'm not in the position to explain this complexity in your lives, because I am not complex enough to think so. Maybe you are. It will depend on your personality, the environment around you, and the decisions you make towards life. You are a complex being.
I'm sorry if I'm kinda boastful about my own fictional world. Well it's not my fault that I'm fictional, some writer made it out of their own thoughts. More importantly though, the writers made it out by their "inspired" thoughts. Those writers, they live in real life like you do. They may have experiences like you do, and maybe some experiences you don't have yet. Similarly, you have experiences they don't have as well. Ooh it sounds all confusing to me. In any case, I think you have tons of ways to live your life. Me, I only follow my dialogue and decision points. This is important, because to me, everything is a script. The world you have there is sometimes unscripted, and you alone are writing it, one second at a time. You actions, your decisions, you control your reality.
I don't know how to console you. I may not even have the right to. But if this is any help, here goes. If you compare yourself with others, you may become bitter and jealous. There will always be people better than you. It works both ways too. There will be people worse off than you. But that gives you no reason to screw up further. Also, let me tell you this, because my endings with my chosen girls are sometimes unwritten. There is life after love. Even if you got your girl already, there are still challenges ahead. I can only imagine what these are, because as I said, I can never live it. How to nurture these relationships over the years are still up to you. How you grow yourself is also up to you. Many of you think that love is the only thing lacking in you, not realizing other real things you lack. People are somewhat blinded by love, saying it's the only thing that matters, especially in this love month season. Again, that's just groupthink. Sure, your society seems to embrace that notion, and that singles who grow old being single are somewhat 'silently' frowned upon. Bah, but who cares what they think? If you affect yourself with their thoughts too much, you would only pity yourself further and you just sit in that corner crying.
There is some truth to the "be yourself" saying that is sometimes overlooked. If you just simply and literally "be yourself", you may end up not growing up and moving towards the goals you are supposed to set yourself. I think a better way to rephrase it is to "accept yourself". Whoever you are, whatever you are. Know your limits. 'Then from there', build on your limitations to pursue your goals. Realistic goals first before you insert any fantasies. Well, fantasy goals can be good too, it reinforces your positive thoughts. Be yourself, accept yourself, then change. The only thing that may be constant in your world is change. Sometimes it's hard to change, I know. Personally I can never change unless the writer gives me an additional scenario in a revision bump or fandisk. As I said, I'm just at the mercy of my writer. Don't be like me. You are your own writer.
I hope I made some sense. My fictional life may never be reality, but at least some part of it is. It would still depend on you if you can apply this to yourself or not.
Lovingly yours,
(insert bishoujo male lead name here)
I used to like siscon… but I hate it now. Because most of the time, especially this year, siscon wins, and my pick loses.
Let me count the ways (possible SPOILERS for those not watching)
true tears
This was the beginning of my frustration. After building up Noe for most of the series, some kind of wild deus ex machina led the guy back to Hiromi. Not that I hate the siscon in this one, but I hate the emoness of Hiromi. She is dark, moody, always looking sad. Noe is the light, positive, warm and fuzzy. Okay fine, I admit that in terms of story, true tears is actually well balanced. Equal opportunity was given to the two main girls, and also surprisingly a short but sweet oneshot for the third girl. But still, summing it all up, I choose the bright over the gloom.
Kimikiss
Technically still a siscon for me, because the guy calls her "Mao-neechan". I don't see how the guy would like Mao-neechan. It wasn't fleshed out as much as I would have liked. Also, the shift just began out of nowhere, and in the final episode no less. In any case, as I said in my review, this anime seems open-ended enough to have some sequel, maybe college kimikiss rabu dorama is good.
Da Capo II
Well I forgot. Did he pick one here? I think it was some generic no-girl-wins anime. I played the game to death and so I had all the girl fix I needed, so I didn't care who wins who in the anime. Besides, the ones in the running are "two" sisters, so I can never win here. Ah I know, the reason I was fawning about this anime was the lack of Nanaka. She had no arc. A whole half-season with Koko as girlfriend… and NO NANAKA ARC. Underdog Koko wins. Kotori fans lose again.
Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka
The latest addition. This is one of the worst reversals I have seen yet. The episodes are clearly aiming for my pick, the kawaii tsundere himesama Yuuhi. It had the best episode at 10, one that I myself was surprised. Usually in anime like this, girl or boy confess, then next day, tadah… they're a school couple acting like they've been together for 5 years. In this one, it mirrors real-life feelings of worry. So, they said "I love yous", now what? They don't know how to move after this. Embarrassments. Not knowing how to act. Some things still not set. It's cute! They really acted like a new couple madly in love but they still have some lingering worries.
But then the imouto starts to go emo over his nii-san. Out of the blue, because there was not enough focus for this kind of angle. I know the guy always mouthwaters over his sister Minato, but really, the WTF comes from the guy's best friend (the sidekick guy). HOW DOES HE KNOW THE SISCON? He's forcing some unneeded drama, saying "can you live without your sister". HA? Suppose the brother has a gf, does it mean bags-a-packing separation already? Madness! Also, what the hell is the main guy… a worthless dependent? But he can cook and take care of himself even without Minato. He's just lazy, so he depends on Minato for the chores. So I blame the sidekick too. That was out of line.
Insight (end spoilers)
There is a pattern with siscon:
Well most of the time, the imoutochan or oneesan seems eternally close to the guy. Typical setting is the unbelievable they-live-together-without-their-parents-style, and 90% of the time, they are not blood-related. Then there comes some exchange student / outsider person / some fiancee, a girl who will suddenly sneak into the guy's life. Most of the time I tend to like the "outsider girl", because the main guy in the anime is usually lousy, lazy, indecisive and irresponsible. 90% of harem male leads are this way. They always rely on their imouto/ane for food and house work while they idle around the house watching TV or bitching about their latest adventures with the other bishoujo girls. An outsider girl's mission always seems to be to take the guy out of this norm. she will be an inspiration for change and an aspiration for the guy to try to be a better person. All the while the sister looks like she approves for some girls and relationships, while hiding her slowly changing feelings. After all, if you live together for some years, then some new thing comes barging in, there will be some distance slowly opening between you and your sibling. Changes. This is where the drama kicks in, because the years-old foundation will start to crumble. What will the guy choose… change? Or more of the same? (oof not election-related I hope)
Another problem with male leads like this is that they're "too kind". I guess kindness is what's left after all the negative traits I mentioned earlier. That even if this guy has already established a relationship with one girl, he still acts as if he has a harem. Why not focus on your new relationship? This just gives the other girls, and most especially the sister, the wrong idea. Gah, even anime and eroge puts this error in dialogue. Many-a-bishoujo will say "You're too kind" to the guy. The guy still looks indecisive EVEN with the decision already there. The sister gives in to the pressure, that slight light of hope that she can still "steal back" her beloved brother. And then, the limit will be reached, and so the emotions will flow…
…BAM! So I have summarized the sister viewpoint for 90% of all the bishoujo or harem anime out there. I'm starting to wear out of this. The siscon genre (genre?) needs some bright new angle soon, or else I shall cast them all to choke sakura petals.
I am looking through my own blog archives now and then, and reading them as well. I have quite a case of amnesia when it comes to old anime series after all. Interestingly enough, I had touched upon a few anime/manga series that I have actually forgotten or dropped. So I went on a little trip down memory lane and see what's up with those old stuff. (more…)
If you are an old reader of my blog, you would certainly notice that I do inject a lot more terms in Japanese today. I understand that this is indeed a bastardization of both languages, English and Japanese, but sometimes I can't help it. How do you translate "tsundere" in English anyway? It's hard to provide banter on new trends in anime without adhering to those new trends themselves.
This recent documentary about how bad anime fansubs are nowadays also was a bit of an eye-opener for me. Clearly the guy who made it has raised some spot-on points, although I would argue that he's a bit barking at the wrong tree. Fansubs are NOT professional subtitling jobs! Hence the "fan" in fansubs right? Well he did mention that old fansubs are better, and I have no qualms about that. He's right too, many old fansubs are on par with professional subtitles. The problem is, in this modern age of information overload, the term "fansub", and maybe even "fan" itself, will have changed. (more…)
If I would remember 2007 in anime terms, it is definitely the year when the legend of fan-based content finally entered my consciousness. I know, stuff made by fans (doujinshi, doujin games, etc.) have been around even before the first Comiket, but never has it exploded as much as today. I would mostly blame the internet for that, as with many other things related with such an easy way to connect with other people. Because it's related to computers though, the term "doujin" would have changed for me. A few years ago, I would consider the majority of doujin as either manga drawn by fans for fans, or programmed games by fans for fans. In 2007, "doujin" now encapsulates almost every form of media ever created. Music, accessories, video… you name it… the fans got it. (more…)
.jpg "Nostalgia like the school days.")
