Anime And Manga

Railgun was the highest hope anime of this season, yet, I don’t see any skinship friendship between Mikasa and other three, Kuroko, Uiharu, and of course our hero Saten-san! Railgun is a Sex & The City middle school version. Four girls in a scientific town tackle problems. Oh yes, I really love female relationship. I mean, female skinship friendship, (of course, I love Yuri too, but purely friendship is what I’m talking about). That’s what I’m really into. And Saten-san, Level 0, yes, that’s like most of us proletarians, have-nots. She is representing us in this anime, while other three girls are highly advanced. Uiharu is a genius computing scientist, while her supernatural ability is just Level 1. But her intelligence is IQ 200. Kuroko is Level 4, and Mikasa is Level 5, and there are only five Level 5 people in the world. So, to include Saten-san in the anime was a very clever choice. She proves that she can also be useful while the society judges that she is just a Level 0, no ability or talent at all, unproductive, unmarketable, useless dreg of society. This Academic City is too Nazi social darwinist. Yes, screw that society! Physically Saten-san is most advanced. But this season of Railgun, only Mikasa is a protagonist. Other three friends were just side-characters, or extras at worst. They aren’t the main characters anymore. Acutally, the first season of Railgun, the four girls were the main-chacters. It was like they were all co-protagonists. But now, only Mikasa is leading the plot, which is not what I expected. It’s all about her clones and find out the truth about the illegal human experiment like Nazis. Where are the other girls! I mean, the story is okay, not bad, but it’s more heavy and cruel, not as bad as Attack on Titan, but still cruel, a lot of extreme violence, yes, Tarantino would love to replace Nagai Tatsuyuki, or as if Kitano Takeshi is directing Railgun. This is not what I’m expecting from middle schoolers, other Toaru series weren’t this violence and gross. It’s like Battle Royal, but at least they are high schoolers. So, I want to see more girly interactions, and that’s what made Sex and The City so interesting. What do girls talk among girls? Yes, girls talk! Oh yes, what they talk is pretty hilarious, that’s what I’ve f0und out from Sex And City and Railgun! And Railgun, girls friendship is really cute and superb. . And the most important is Saten-san. Sex And The City, they are all highly achieved professionals, but Railgun, Saten-san is the only ordinary girl while the other threes are genius. Well, she is in the lowest category in the city. So, I always have a point of view from Saten-san, I kinda identified myself with her. Oh, yes. Watching Marimite, I identified myself with Fukuzawa Yumi, the only commoner at that traditionally all girls Catholic school for aristocracy, Lilian Academy. And Mikasa and Kuroko go to an all girls school, and extremely elite Tokiwadai. And Saten and Uiharu go to an average school, yet this is still a school in Academic City, so it must be very high level for ordinary Japanese. They already teach Heisenberg’s theory. But, Saten-san is so behind, so Uiharu always helps her catching up. With a little help from my friend! So, Saten-san is still my hero, a working class hero is something to be! I want that moment in this season as well. But so far, where is her heroism? Make an ordinary girl a hero in this season too! She was the true hero in the first season. I also miss Saten-san’s comedy, that she lifts up Uiharu’s skirt and check a color of her pantsu. The famous German line of “Wir Harl Chant Panz Heidelkart?” that even Wolgang Goethe couldn’t conceive. This sister series is too frustrating. I want them all gone. It’s just dragging too long. Is this season entirely dedicated to the sisters? That would be utterly boring. I don’t care a

Look J.C. Staff, Honey & Clover and Railgun might be your biggest hits, but that doesn’t mean you should combine the both of them!

Fan circle Manpuku Jinja to release 2nd installment based on Touhou Project games on Sunday

….. calm down self. Calm the fuck down…. *sharp intake of breath* !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh that’s scary enough…. I know, Eight-bro. I KNOW. Oh man, what the hell is wrong with me. An episode with mizugi, cosplay and cute Yukinons and all I do is post about Totsuka? Being a cutesexual is so ruining my street cred….

Jamie Magee dropped by the virtual offices to share an excerpt from her novel, SEE.  Since it’s a long weekend for most of us in the States, it’s the perfect time to discover new authors and books. Please enjoy Jamie’s excerpt!  Purchase links are below.   About the book: Forgetting who you are, your ambitions, your love is crippling….but remembering – embracing your purpose with a new sense of determination is more than empowering….its life altering. Charlie Myers is on a life altering path that will cause the damned to humble in silence… One night…just a few friends how could it go so wrong? That was the question seventeen year old Charlie Myers was asking when she found herself in the ER. Outwardly nothing was wrong with Charlie, she was a vision of perfect heath, internally she was battling a raging headache…one the doctor told her she would overcome shortly, but Charlie knew something else was wrong …very wrong. Part of her had been stolen….she was missing memories. Those memories were sacred. They held the key to her sanity. They told her that the sinister whispers, the shadows that came to life before her were not as ominous as she felt they were. They held the bond with her late father, a famed musician. They caused her to forget the one talent that allowed her to face the darkness that haunted her every waking hour. They also masked a much deeper bond, the face of the one that had stolen her heart, long before the age of seventeen. Charlie wanted to stay in NY, figure out what she was missing, why, and who was behind it all, but her mother had other plans. Against her will, Charlie was sent to Salem to live with her sister….within that small town Charlie found her memories….and so much more. Her story begins now.   SEE Excerpt: I glanced up and noticed that a new band had begun to play. I turned down the song that was playing in my headphones and listened through my open window. I could hear a nervous anxiety in the lead vocalist, but his audience was forgiving as they screamed and danced to the music. By the time he reached the chorus, his anxieties were gone and he took over the stage he was on. It always made me smile when I witnessed someone take ownership of their talent. They played their set, then three more bands played. I liked what I heard and made a mental note to find their music. Madison came back to my car all alone. She was literally dancing as she walked – I guess all the caffeine in her system was starting to take effect. I got out and slid on my hood, careful not to let my boots make a mark. Madison crawled up beside me. “Having fun?” I asked half-heartedly. “Not yet,” she said, lying against my windshield. “What were you doing?” “Looking for backup – it’s kinda exhausting being around you.” “What are you talking about – you need energy drinks to be around me?” I said in an amused tone. She didn’t answer me. She sat up and looked at the stage. We both clapped as the band that was playing finished their set and left the stage. “I think we should go closer for the next band,” she said, sliding down off the hood. “I like this spot,” I said, refusing to move. “Who’s playing anyway?” “They don’t really have a name – the lead singer’s name is…Draven.” My eyes grew wide as I looked at her in utter shock – could there be two? Was the Draven I saw today about to sing? My heart started to race, and my ears began to burn. I pulled my hood up and tried to find a calm expression, but it was useless. “Know the name?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. “No – yeah – I saw him earlier, if that’s the same guy. I think my mom knows his dad.” “Same one. Draven Michaels.” “Do you remember him from when we were little?” I asked as I tried to find the air to breathe. He wasn’t even on stage, and I couldn’t control myself. Why did he do that to me? “I don’t think my memory is the one that should be in question,” she answered, looking anxiously

Poole Con 2013 was delicious as usual. Megumi and Keiko Han are adorbs. Nakatani DAIOH. Spash is a splash as usual. Nagahama wanted Aku no Hana to be something that you know from knowing, not because it sits in a sorted bin of what you know. Not quite like a man who cosplays half robot and half Naruto?  It’s complicated. Masako is grandma Masako more like. Yuko Minaguchi is gracious and has pretty okay English at least. I gave her a joke that she can’t quite play off of, oh well. The rest of the old people brigade are pretty cool as usual. Nakao and Furukawa are stylish, good deal. Maruyama is frank and got his usual thing going. And I can actually beat Go My Way on Taiko no Tatsujin 10, given this is like the first time I’m doing this thing. I had a lot of fun, free play etc. Dear sleep awaits.

I absolutely LOVE the Don't Care Bears, and now they're coming with the Lil' Jammie Series thanks to FullerDesigns. These bears don't have a problem jacking you up just for looking at them the wrong way. This week's bear, the leader of the clan, is D.C. Bear. His poor heart was broken too many times, so he took it upon himself to lead this band of misfit bears. The bears are hand cast in resin and hand painted. D.C. Bear is limited to only five pieces, and comes with a resin cast Prisoner Bear and 4x6 inch framed print. Each week there will be a new bear from the group released, including; D.C. Bear, Revenge, F.U. Bear, Unlucky, Cold Heart and Love Stinks. For each purchase of a bear you make, you will automatically be entered to win a free full size wall skate deck that features James' artwork of his sold out Apocalypse Bears Deck. The more you buy, the better your odds at winning. The winner will be announced two weeks after the final bear is released. Each of the bears will be priced at US$95, and can be found on the FullerDesigns Store. Read more...

Since Pedro already posted up the Naruto-related G.E.M. series additions, I am taking up the slack here with a Gintama-related G.E.M. series figure, Ginpachi-sensei! This prototype was shown at Megahoubby Expo by MegaHouse, and though I'm not too familiar with the series (I've only watched a small amount of Gintama-related shenanigans), I do like the look of the figure aesthetically. For one thing, he's holding some books, which is pretty much awesome. What I initially thought was a pen or something hanging from his mouth is actually his signature lollipop. I like how his clothing is sculpted to work with the look of him being in motion, and finally... figures of characters with glasses look cool. [image via beyyang] Read more...

Alter's showing at Megahobby Expo notably included: A swimsuit version of Saber Alter (painted since WonFes) Tanigawa Kanna from Ano Natsu de Matteru (newly painted) Chitanda Eru Unpainted prototype for Takanashi Miu from PapaKiki Signum of Nanoha fame Still unpainted Perinne from Strike Witches ...and more! Check out some images in the gallery, and keep an eye out for more Megahobby Expo coverage on Tomopop! [images via Beyyang]  Read more...

At the spring Megahobby Expo, Kotobukiya unveiled some very nice new figures. For me, the biggest news was seeing a new addition to their Yu-Gi-Oh! ArtFx line. Yes, among the previously released Yu-Gi-Oh! figures, there was an unpainted Dark Marik with his flowing cape. Also after seeing her in a magazine scan, Cu-poche Mami from Puella Magi Madoka Magika made her appearance. From Prince of Tennis' ArtFx line, Echizen Ryoma was displayed, a figure that just recently went up for pre-order. With this series, they also brought along a new figure, an unpainted Atobe Keigo.  Also seen was from Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon, Futayo Honda, and from Yu Yu Hakusho, Yoko Kurama. [via CyberGundam Blog] Read more...