Don't get me started on this.

It’s the middle of February.

Mother nature is being slowpoke.jpg and has been bukkake’ing snow all over the country, leaving us all in Europe freezing our dicks off. However, since this is a draft that I have written a week ago, the snow has melted away into oblivion. Now it’s just damn cold.

College (or Sixth Form, UKfags) as per usual is eating up most of my leisure time. The usual 20m walk to the bus stop every day, standing in front of the stop sign like a herpaderp has become irritatingly part of my daily routine. Part time work, on the other hand every weekend is strenuous yet rewarding.

Homework is here to stay, as expected, and as the amount of art and graphics design work I receive increases, so does the agony and pain overwhelmed from my wrists…

Despite all that, I still manage to squeeze in time to go 9gagging watch anime.

Enough of that, since we’re well past the half way point in this Winter Anime season, and I managed to marathon-catchup all the series’ I’m following a few days ago… No time for moes and uguus, mid-season review post; GO.

(In alphabetical order, because I’m a fan of OCD)

Amagami SS+ Plus

Covered Tsukasa, Rihochi and Ai’s arcs at point in time. Have to say, they’re pretty good continuations from its previous season. They’re nothing flashy or god-tier, but serves as a good extra ‘epilogue’ treatment to the already completed, closed and polished endings they all had over a year ago. Like various other animes with a sequel AIC (animooshion studio for Amagami) seems to be on a fair budget this season. Throwing out the multiples of ending themes for each heroine and sticking with azusa’s (not that Azusa) soothing singing voice, as well as halving the series length to just a single 12-week season, are just a few of the many signs of evidence. Guess AIC had some moneys left over after the first season and profits from the boost in sales of the game and the DVD/BDs. As for the endings, I am spared for another 6 additional songs loaded onto my iTouch…

I wonder…

Overall, the plots for each heroines’ arcs so far I’ve watched seem a lot  interesting, but plots that I’ve been through, and through, and through, before.

Take Tsukasa’s arc for example. Tsukasa is running for school presidency again as well as Junichi as vice (lol) and a new buttmad jelly rival running to shows up, hoping to ruin Tsukasa’s campaign, her image, heck her entire life (no rape involved) as well as stealing her man (BITCHIN’). But despite this trending trope of a butthurt rival appearing out of the ditch, Tsukasa actually sees through her plan from the beginning, thereby de-constructing the overall trope and seem uninteresting to watch…

Rihoko’s arc is nothing more but the extra bit of string cut off a sewn stitching. Rihochifags rejoice as finally, Rihoko gets her proper ending – by ending up with Junichi!!!!!!!!!!!! along with the added bonus speculation that the two fucked that night as Junichi’s little sister, witnessing the awkwardness of the pair the next morning.

And so they went to bed as friends with benefits, and woke up, as lovers.

Ai’s arc, well, shows her ‘agonising’ loneliness without Junichi around, as if Miya and Sae aren’t enough to pander for her well-being… and seriously what the hell, an exam training camp running over Christmas. In England that would be a breach in human rights, probably. At least she loses her awkward yellow puffy jacket for a more designers winter jacket. Now that I think about it, it sort of resembles a winter coat my mum had a long time ago.

So there. The few quirks of humour here and there makes Amagami also pretty fun to watch. Admittingly it gets rather mushey mushey lovey dovey in the end, but hey; it’s a dating sim anime. Looking forward to Sae’s Kaoru’s and Haruka’s arcs!

Ano Natsu de Matteru

If you read my previous posts – that I have now deleted because I regretted posting them, Kanna is my favourite girl of the season. Kaori Ishihara too, the seiyuu that voices her, is my favourite newcomer seiyuu of the year (so far?). That was also the reason why I picked up Lagrange three weeks in, because Kaori is voicing the main character in that as well.

Ano Natsu is without a doubt one of the most mind-speculatingly-interesting series I’m watching this season, mainly perhaps it’s an anime original and no one knows fuck all what’s going to happen (take Penguindrum for example… maybe not). Other than the naming of the title, this also to me feels like a reminiscent of Ano Natsu that aired last year. Group of friends when suddenly BAM a new friend with a supernatural background; let the emotional relationship roller coasterbegin.

Kanna <33

Into the latest episode so far (6), and oh boy, how it really is an emotional relationship roller coaster with a 25m high loopy loop. Tetsuro’s  jumping a weapons shop full of guns there. No one acts as a middle man that confesses someone elses’ love to their love in anime! And with all this happening, I can be sad to… *sob* say… *sob* that… *;__;* oh god I can’t…

;____;

But I must…

KANNA ENDING CANCELLED GUYS. IT’S NOW ALL ABOUT THAT FUCKING, BIG, TITTY ALIEN.

Although a KannaxTetsuro shipping is fine too, as that’ll clear off the ancient speculation from ancient pre-historic times that the ‘Childhood friend never wins’. Even if the childhood friends are side characters…

Still, I’m rooting for a Kanna end… till’ the end.

Another

Final Destination: The Anime. Seriously, what I thought were to be the best first few episodes – turn into an anime rendition of the already saturated ‘horror’ film series known to man.

I’m not going to explain the whole horrifyingly mysterious set up here. You can look it up yourself (or even, WATCH IT!). But in a nutshell the main character wounds up in a haunted class in an already haunted high school where it is seen for one student dies each month because their class roster is overfilled by one person, all because of a ghost etc etc from 26 years ago etc etc is happening once more etc etc doll fetishes. I’m not really clear with the premise myself…

But yeah~ as until the latest episode; at least one character since episode 3 has died due to some natural and/or unnatural ‘accidents’, which is illustrated here to save for spoilers.

Umbrellas, lifts, hearts, cars, don’t use them…

Interesting to see how this ends, as with any other horror stories out there and fingers crossed, KoichixMei shipping perhaps may come true…

Black Rock Shooter

Hah! Morning glory.

Up to episode 2 at time of writing. Unfortunately, I’m a tad rather let down – compared to the slightly disappointing OVA by how they dramatically changed the characters. Sure they have to make amendments for the TV series, but for me I’m feeling uncomfortable with this new setting. Where’s my Mato and Yomi friendship!? Why’s BRS acting all gangster!??? And who the hell is this mentally ill girl sucking up to Yomi??

Really have nothing to say, for now. It’s just 2 episodes for petes sake! However… the animation feels derpy at times, but have to say the fight scenes in the BRS world were really well done and nicely choreographed. Music of course pays homage to the original BRS-Miku song from Supercell. Not sure why but I’m not really a fan of the BRS song. I like all other Miku songs though (Yellow, Disappearance, Tell Your World’s my current obsession ) but BRSs’ sounds like an oddity to me.

Not sure how this will end, being that it’ll last for another 9 episodes (11 total)… we’ll see.

Nichibros

It’s like the male version of Nichijou we always wanted. Only that it’s RATIONALLY FUNNY AS FUCK!

Seriously, Danshi Koukousei no Nichijo… Daily Lives of High School Boys… Cute little homoerotic boys… hm well let’s call it Nichibros from here on – Nichibros is without a doubt, the best for me this season AND SHOULD BE FOR YOU TOO. Maybe Ano Natsu, Nisemono and Lagrange too on the shortlist, but Nichibros is definitely up there.

I’ve always wanted to post this screenshot. Literary girl <3

I could go on detailing how hilarious, manly and glorious this masterpiece is, but that’ll make this post turn into a really long rejected homoerotic essay. So I’ll just leave it there.

WATCH THIS SHIT, IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE.

Also, I hate you Japan for disliking this wonderful piece of art with crap preorders.

Part 2 coming out… whenever.

Watched the first season but what the hell. Tsukasa you pretentious yandere slag.

Ano Natsu de Matteru

Sup’ Ano Hana sequel. Blue hair girl is best girl…

Another

Found the first ep to be rather boring than intricate and deep as the theme of the series gives off. Character designs and animation takes me back to Hanairo. Also I can’t hold all these Higurashi vibes.

Daily Lives of Highschool Boys

… … … … …

BEST ANIME OF THE SEASON.

Inu x Boku SS

Kuroneko has her own series!? Best male MC of the season.

Kill Me Baby

Series is funny but meh. Trolling-no-jutsu is a bastard. That ED…

Nisemonogatari

Oh Shaft.

Papa no Iukoto wo Kikinasai!

Yoyoyo…

LOCKS MOTHERFUCKER, DO YOU USE IT!?

Appears as though that gun freak from HoTD, Shouko from Baka Test, Touma from Index, Riko from Hidan no Aria, Haruhi Suzumiya and Baby Hibiki from iM@S are collaborating in their own creation of an anime.

Fukou da…

Poyopoyo

Watching for the sake of the fact that it’s 2 and half minutes long.

AWWW HELL WHO AM I KIDDING. THAT CAT MAKES MY FACE MELT FROM CUUUTTENESSS.

Recorder to Randoseru

10 year old boy who looks 17 and a 17 year old older sister who looks 10. Makes soo much sense.

Watching because of hilarious plot, and the fact that it’s 2 and half minutes like Poyopoyo.

Alas, another series that me along is probably going to watch… *points to Morita-san*

Zero no Tsukaima F

4 YEARS. 4 YEARS I’VE BEEN WAITING AND FINALLY YOSHIAKI IWASAKI HAS GOTTTEN OFF HIS LAZY ASS.

Shana and ZnT airing in the same season, plus a bunch of other different shows? JC Staff are really pushing it this year…

Can’t wait for the final ep to see the entirety of this delicious art :3

>niyarth.wordpress.com is probably written by a female somewhere between 13-17 years old. The writing style is personal and happy most of the time.

That’s right guys, I am a happy 12-17 year old animu blogging girl.

Contain your orgasms, please.

You know a episode means serious business if it doesn’t play its OP.

Haruka’s acting (mixed in with them deep feelings) steals the show, and surprisingly wins the main role over Miki.

This weeks award winning Miki hi-jack. I missed the old, care-free Miki though…

Deconstructioning of Haruka… why is it so painful to watch? ;_;

But… I have a BB ;_;

Haruka in grief pomf=3′ing in bed. I wonder what she’s going to do.

Tsundere-The-Touma hijack. Even though I loathed him and his lackeys from the very moment they appeared in this show, they’re all right now that they’re under a new label and don’t act like such big dicks.

Suddenly, The iDOLM@STER is now an affiliate of the “FUCK YEAH FRIENDSHIP Trust”.

Also, Haruka’s tilted hat and red nose. Hnnng…

A fully transparent glass teapot. Now that’s innovation bro.

P-SAN LIVES! Oh boy how I could’ve reacted to this joyous moment should I hadn’t been spoilt by the /a/ community.

Meanwhile, Chihaya hypothetically puts the situation she and everyone is in hypothetically with Haruka in a hypothetical statement with P-san, hypothetically. Cause, you know, explaining the actual problem is boring as fuck and P-san wouldn’t shine his kakkoii-ness as much as he would.

Ritsuko and her ballin’ Win XP laptop.

Also;

>2011

>glossy screen

Suddenly, a class of our iDOL’s off springs.

Why aren’t creepy otakus raging that their lovely idols have imminent children!?

A childrens choir singing REST@RT, full version gimme.

WAIT.

I’VE SEEN THAT SCENE.

SUCH SYMBOLISM. A1-PICTURES YOU MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS.

OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD. LOLI NONOWA HARUKA

WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO REDISCOVER YOURSELF IS TO SEE YOUR YOUNGER SELF.

citation: chihaya

I want a bottle of Mankoto’s Pocari Porari Sweat. If you don’t you are a smelly person.

TIME TO REPAY THAT FAVOUR, CHIHAYA.

IT’S FRIENDSHIP TIME.

That face. That fluttering hair. THAT closed eyes. THAT VAGUELY RED NOSE.

GET IN THE FUCKING ROBOT HARU- derp wrong anime

OH THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP. OH FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS. So… so beautiful ;__;

HARUKA v2.0.1 SYSTEM RESTORED. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Notice how this is the night version of the exact same scene (in daytime) found right at the end of the second opening sequence, minus P-san.

That powerful meaning and symbolism present when the ep number and title is shown at the END of the episode.

23RD DECEMBER 2011.

IT.

ALL.

ENDS.

;__;

It was obvious that P-san would survive that long million-pound drop on that stage in the last episode, however in reality P-san would’ve been instantly killed or had suffered major brain injuries. But overall, this was a really emotional, sad and heart warming episode. If there were to be one main character out of the entire iM@S franchise, it’d be Haruka, hands down. Nevertheless, this episode turned out to be a tad different from what I expected, thinking this episode would have been on the same level as Chihaya’s episode (and we know how that had turned out, ;_;), it seems to have been 2 or 3 levels behind.

Instead of an episode expressing a grieving and depressed Haruka (we all know how that would turn out >_>), rather this was an episode of self-discovery of oneself, the balance between of the desire to change, and the desire to prevent change and the unlimited benefits of friends. Which, psychologically, was a magnificent episode for audiences with deep interpretations. Herpaderp.

No anime has ever brought me this much joy in a long time. Following all the iM@S threads on /a/, watching performances and gameplay videos from the games on YouTube and lurking iM@S art on Pixiv. It’s been fun. Six months, that’s half a year of Idolmaster following every Friday afternoons for me, 30 mins of joyous viewing pleasure. To all the anons that provided all the iM@S treasures, I thank you all.

And with that we’re left with next Thursday’s final episode, which undoubtedly, is going to cover the New Years concert in full colourful swing. Note that an OVA of iM@S will be released next Summer packaged with the final BD volume of the anime. So the anime isn’t going to end, JUST YET.

Expectations? Well,

• Fully animated concert performances
• Little tid bits or troubles backstage
• Performances of the first OP and the second OP (I want to believe)
• A atarashi utao
• AND OF COURSE, HARUKA GIVING P-SAN THAT MAGNIFICENT WALLET SHE WASN’T ABLE TO GIVE HIM ON CHRISTMAS EVE BECAUSE OF THAT LIL BITCH OF A MIKI. PLEASE OH PLEASE – OHHH PLEASE MAKE IT HAPPEN NISHIGORI. IF NOT I’LL SEND YOU A DISLIKE MAIL.

Thursday (or Friday, due to loltimezones) can never come soon enough. Oh wait in some ways it can *coughguiltycrapcough*

Now if you excuse me I’ll be watching some quality IDOLMASTER XENOGLOSSIA.

Hey guys, it’s been awhile.

I wasn’t really expecting this kind of revelation to the series (considering the general nature of Idolmaster), but the thing I didn’t expect was this to be my first actual post made on my new blog.

Yes, despite all of everything I did had a thought somewhere, deep down in the crevices of my mind that something that would make me go; “WHAT A TWEEEST” would happen in Idolmaster, or any other anime for that matter. But what sparked my intellectual mind (lol) in order for the creation of this post was how the director handled the beginning of this “WHAT A TWEEEST” climax.

Sure, 90% of everyone who watched this episode all the way would go; “NOOOO, P-SAN” or “NOOOOO, PRODUCER” or “NUOOOOOO PURODUSA-SAAAAN” or whatever suits your weeaboo preference. But calm the fuck down and read what’s coming next dawg.

Notice how not much background music was used during the most ‘serious of scenes’, in fact, none were used at all. It was usually substituted by the character’s pauses and sombre facial expressions. This I believe feels more realistic in our tough world, instead of the typical eerie piano melodies that play out when shit starts to get down, that would be pretty generic, utter crap and boring.

And then we move onto Haruka herself. This lovable yet… girl with a flawed personality in a linear way. Throughout the episode (and probably the one before, but for Xmas) we see her oh so desperately wanting to gather all the idols together so that they can all practice in unison for the upcoming New Year concert, but utterly fails every – single – time due to everyone’s busy and tight schedules (on a side note, doesn’t Haruka have much to do herself?). This nicely fits in with the reality element I mentioned earlier. The anime series partly mirrors real life aspects of the life of an idol (or any other celebrity figure). Case in point you start out carefree as you’re not that known, and start to become more occupied with numbers of jobs as you become better well-known. Episodes 1 to 13 represents ‘phrase 1′ of the cycle, while 14 till now, represents ‘phrase 2′.

It isn’t because Haruka is selfish that she’s feeling down for things not to be in her favour, but rather, it would be that Haruka isn’t in the ‘phrase 2′ – as an idol – to accept that everyone will not be able to be together anymore as often as they were before they became big. That or Haruka knows this and simply doesn’t want to accept and hides behind her optimistic traits. Don’t get me wrong, but I like Haruka. In fact, she’s my third favourite. But her cheerful, optimistic and hard-working personality gets me sometimes. Even though she does seem to be the “cheerleader” in the idol circle we’re at the point that the “cheering” has crossed the red line, and lost it’s effect. Seriously, HOW can she trip every 3 steps?

With that in mind we arrive at the cliffhanger, the moment where I think the episode is the most powerful. Haruka, feeling down after the many events that occurred this episode (Chihaya going abroad… Namasuka Sunday cancelled… Alone in office etc) is bestowed her final moment of salvation when P-san checks up on her during the final auditioning for the main role in some act with Miki. But all hopes and dreams are shattered into endless tiny pieces for Haruka, as Miki hijacks and hogs P-san all to herself, leaving Haruka feel inferior, left out and unimportant.

Feelings well up for Haruka, which proves fatal as she’s stumbles and slips before a deep hole made from the rising platform onstage. P-san manages to push her away from the hole for the remuneration that he falls in her place to his said death. [Cue the sombre BGM credits, see what I did there?]

This is the point where we all go; WHAT THE FUCKING SHIT? and think Idolmaster is going to the shitter like Mashiroiro. That or the gamefags will go THIS IS THE AWAKENING OF MIKI.

I’ll stop there for deeper spoilers.

That is, until the freeze frames cue of a pissed president, a flushed Miki, a praying Kotori, a calm Ritsuko and of course, a waterworks Haruka. All outside in the waiting in A+E.

This leaves us many questions for the remaining future that is Idolmaster, whether if the director decides to go with P-san surviving after all with a happy ending, or a rather dark end with P-san dying and placing all production budget on the line, or pulls a LOL CONTINUED IN SEASON 2. If only that were true.

But if there is only one more thing I am allowed to say to sum it all up, that would be;

Haruka didn’t deserve it.

Welcome to my new blog. We have cake and tea for your first arrival to my new condo.

Unlike my previous blog, I intend for this one to contain more sophisticated, meaningful and in-depth blog posts, centring around the animes (lol), manga, games, /jp/-related tat and such, meanwhile toning down on the typical episodic and manga chapter posts I always and love do (lol). Except for Hayate, of course.

Now the problem is, is whether I have the time and motivation to produce such things…

But anyhow – watch this space.