Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Byousoku 5 centimeter - Episode 1: Okasho

Byousoku 5 cm is a short drama series/story centered on a boy named Takaki Tono. Literally, the title translates to 5 centimeter per second, referring to the speed at which the petals of Sakura (Cherry Blossom) falls. It consists of only 3 episodes; Episode 1: Okasho (Cherry Blossom Extract), Episode 2: Cosmonaut, and Episode 3: Byosoku 5 Centimeters. I could only get a hold of Episode 1, and as the film is licensed, it is difficult to get the remaining episodes of it from the net.

The movie is set in present time Japan. Although it is centered on high schoolboy Takaki, I wouldn't say that this is the regular laugh out loud high school genre anime. In fact, quite the opposite. Taking the point of view of Takaki, the drama guides us through the struggles one faces against time and people and even distances in the real world. It is the problems everyone faces in their everyday life. A melancholic, sentimental theme I would put it.

Takaki Tono is just an ordinary high school boy. The first episode introduces us to his relationship with a childhood friend Akari Shinohara. Both of them met often in the school library and eventually got very close together. However, after finishing elementary school, they couldn't get into the same junior school and was forced to part ways with each other. The continue to write to each other until one day Takaki found out that he has to move away to another town, now even further away from Akari. Thus he decided to meet with Akari once (and maybe the last time) before moving.

The graphics are certainly beautiful, being a short series meant to be a theater movie, one would expect nothing less. However, I would dare to say that the movie is anything but exciting. It was not meant to be. Nonetheless, it IS a quality one as the movie does not capture the hearts of audiences through its comedies or actions, but one which captures the realities and ordinaries of life (that's why it is a Drama), sentimental and touching (one could not deny). By looking through the eyes of Takaki alone, I wouldn't be surprised you'd be moved till a tear accidentally slipped past your eyes. The directing and narration of the film was very good from the start until the very end. Although the story is simple, it captured every essence of a good animation and story telling. It packed a lot of meanings in it provided you could appreciate it.

A definite must watch if u are a fan of dramas. But if you are not the type that can stand slow paced story telling, then stay out.

I just hope I could get a hold of the remaining 2 episodes of it.


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Monday, July 16, 2007

Gundam 00 (Double O)

Finally finished Disgaea 2. While I was browsing through the net, I stumbled upon a new trailer of Gundam 00. Gundam 00 is set to premiere in October this year. 4 Gundams: Gundam Exia, Gundam Dynames, Gundam Kyrios, Gundam Virtue. I must say, the names are definitely weird.



An older trailer of Gundam 00.



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Friday, July 13, 2007

My Love Will Get You Home - Christine Glass

No, it is not Rebuild of Evangelion's theme song by Utada Hikaru. Its just an old English song I heard from some TVB dramas. My Love Will Get You Home by Christine Glass. Its a very simple but beautiful song. So I searched for the song and featured it in my blog. I first heard the song in the drama The Last Breakthrough 天涯俠醫 (if I'm not mistaken) and again in Heart of Greed 溏心風暴.




If you wander off too far, my love will get you home.
If you follow the wrong star, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

If the bright lights blind your eyes, my love will get you home.
If your troubles break your stride, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.

If you ever feel ashame, my love will get you home.
When there's only you to blame, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home.
Boy, my love will get you home.



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Thursday, July 12, 2007

Lets get Blue~

I've just changed the background colour to navy blue; since my blog's named Moonlight Blues, I thought I should use colours that fits the theme to the very least. Other than that, I haven't made much updates here. Mainly because I haven't been watching any new animes lately, still stucked on Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories, and scouring through episodes of a chinese drama from TVB named Heart of Greed (溏心風暴). The latest anime I've watched is of course Claymore 14... and episode 15 should be out by now... lets search for the torrent later.

I am surprised by how Irene gave up her arm to Clare just like that, being the right arm her only arm left (no pun intended). I thought Irene would have at least participated in a battle with Clare against maybe Orphelia or some other Yoma/Claymore and gave her arm up in the midst of losing. Anyway, the only logical explanation would have been Irene already knew that another Claymore has got a hold of her location and she would be executed due to her being a traitor to the organization.

Another surprise is how Clare suddenly became so strong; strong enough to defeat Awakened Orphelia, where she doesn't even stand a chance against Claymore Orphelia who haven't used any of her Yoma powers yet. Yet another logical explaination (:P) is that Orphelia upon finding herself being an awakened being, desired to die instead. Thus she left her resolve of killing the one-horned Awakened - Priscilla to Clare.

Clare cutting through Orphelia's serpent like body; as a test by Orphelia to measure Clare's capability of avenging her - by killing Priscilla.


Devoid of anime/game news updates, I've only knew about Suzumiya Haruhi's second season through other bloggers'. The news was speculated to be announced in the official website, however, being totally illiterate in japanese, I couldn't read about it in the official website anyway :P. The release date? Not mentioned, but speculated to be released in spring 2008 (?).
Other than that, is of course the Suzumiya Haruhi game on PS2, PSP and Wii.. (which I'm not too interested).

Another great news is the release of episode 24 and 25 of Code Geass on the 28th of July. Now, I just wonder when will season 2 be coming out.



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Friday, July 6, 2007

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories

Recently I've been playing Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories. Presented by Nippon Ichi Software, the game play is very similar to its predecessor Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. Both not only being a tactical-RPG(SLG?), I would say the battles are coded in exactly the same way without any notable differences (perhaps only the character classes). Disgaea 2 revolves around the story of Adell, the only human left in the human world (as all other humans were cursed by a powerful Overlord and became demons), who strives to defeat Overlord Zenon to release the humans of the curse. He is joined by Rozalin, the daughter of Zenon whom were accidentally summoned by Adell's mother. Rozalin journeys with Adell to return to her home, where in the journey she tries mischievously to kill/defeat Adell before Adell could meet with her father. However, she slowly finds good in Adell and changed her perceptions towards him.

The game would actually be a bit childish, however, I still enjoy playing it as it is really entertaining and I love tactical-RPGS (starting from Final Fantasy Tactics, Front Mission, Hoshigami, etc). I forgot why I stopped the first Disgaea, but it is definitely not because I didn't like it. In fact, I actually prefer playing Laharl than Adell. The game although looks simple, it can actually be very expansive, leveling up to 9999 levels (no kidding), multiple endings for replayability sake and the "item world" - a series of battle stages to upgrade your items (the more stages you clear, the more upgrade the item gets). I would recommend this to all Disgaea fans (If you haven't already finished playing it ;) !!)

Since I didn't finish the first Disgaea, I was thinking of watching the anime, Makai Senki Disgaea, instead... Or maybe just replay the whole game, but I'm a bit lazy now :p

I've dropped Dawn of Mana, despite being developed by SquareEnix. Action RPGs really aren't my type. The only one I've ever finished is Brave Fencer Musashi (Yes, I didn't finish both Kingdom Hearts I and II and/or .//Hack (only finished 2/4 part) for that matter).
I actually looked forward to Suikoden V, but I couldn't find it in the shelves of any shops I went to. Guess I was out of luck.

Can anyone recommend me any good games that came out recently on the PS2?


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Sunday, July 1, 2007

Anime Fest @ Taylor's University College Subang Jaya

Finally, a break from my addiction to Rakion SEA. Went to the AnimeFest at Taylor's College Subang Jaya organized by the Taylor's Anime Club. This is the first time I've been to an Anime Fest, but I must admit I was slightly disappointed the moment I step foot into their multi-purpose hall which house the event. It was smaller than expected, with only a few booths, some selling stuffs, only one displaying figures. However, the only real regret would be not bringing my camera (so have to stick to crappy pictures with my w810i). . . And, of course I missed the opening part with the club members doing the Lucky Star dance!!

Pretty much the size of the whole hall/event.

The event was held from 10.00am until 6.00pm, but I only went there at 12.00pm and left at 2.30pm (which was why I missed the Lucky Star dance). They had Cosplay contest (the main reason I went there), fanart contest, karaoke contest (never stay long enough to watch it), and Naruto Shippuuden PS2 battle tournament.

There were quite a number of cosplayers there. All of them dressed amazingly (although I couldn't recognize some of them >.<), but I'm more amazed with the equipments they carried notably Ichigo's Zangetsu from Bleach and Sora's Kingdom Key from Kingdom Hearts. Some of the shots, in no particular order(please bear with the crappy pictures):

Tenten from Naruto (I'd vote her for best cosplayer^^).

Tenten has many weapons!!*

The cloth scroll looks heavy?*

Tenten and ... ok, I admit I forgot his name!! :(

Konoha ninjas.

Akatsuki with light saber (xD). Although I don't know which member he is, I think he resembles Sasori of the Red Sand with his hat on.

One Piece, Bleach and Naruto's gathering?

L and Misa-misa. L looks amazingly similar despite the simple outfit which many tried to imitate.

Ichigo and Zangetsu. I can assure you, the Zangetsu is Heavy.*

Bleach's Shinji Hirako and Urahara Kisuke.

The charismatic Aizen-sama.*

Roxas and Namine from Kingdom Hearts 2.

Kingdom Hearts 2 gang.*

D-Gray man gang.

From D-Gray man (I havent watch the anime yet, but she definitely looks Very cool!!).

Another strikingly cool pose! Maybe I'll be picking up the anime soon!!*

Typical Rinoa from FF8. You wouldn't miss her in any cosplays.

And the shots on the only figure booth (from thefiguremall.com and various bloggers):




(starred * pictures are courtesy of cryorazor)

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