Monday, May 31, 2010

Evangelion 2.22 Review













Actually I was expecting this movie to be close to the original anime series like 1.0 but it didn't which adds to the excitement while watching the movie, you don't know what to expect. It still has elements from the original series but they added more twist and mystery to the story to the point that it was gripping I'm so drawn to the movie and I want to know what will happen on the next installment. To think that their source material is almost limited and we're only half of the movie series, I don't really know what to expect anymore which adds to the thrill to the series. Even though the ending of the movie is a cliff hanger, there was a satisfied feeling there but I'm still craving for more. I just can't wait for the next movie and uncover the mysteries laid out in this movie series.


To tell you the truth, I first watched this with a camrip but still I was able to notice that the animation was so good what more if it's blu-ray? My eyes would probably orgasm with happiness too bad I think the copy I had is only the dvd version but nevertheless the animation is still amazing. As expected of Gainax, the animation is superb. The motion is very fluid and the fight scenes is really well animated. The CG people, buildings, cars etc. really goes well with the 2D ones. The coloring of the scenes really reflect the scenes well and it adds to the emotional value of the series, its simply breath taking. Oh by the way, I have to tip my hat to the ones who designed the test plug suit of Asuka, it even made her more hot but my only rant is the scenes with that plug suit is so limited and I want more. Sigh, I really wish I could understand Japanese because if I could I would have seen more since the focus of my eyes is mostly following the subtitles.


I can't properly remember the original series but if my memory serves me right, it's the first time that I saw Rei and Asuka act like that. I don't think they showed any love interest with Shinji before so I was so surprised to see them act like that which add to the entertaining factor of the movie. With Asuka's changed name, her character has also changed and I like this new Asuka she's so adorable specially in her deredere mode. I think the characters are developed enough for me to like most of them. Their struggles are believable that I could almost relate to them. Mari was also added to the cast and she's easy to like but little is known about her. By the way, I really love Maaya Sakamoto as Mari since she really has a wide range I almost didn't recognize her as Mari because her style here is a bit different, it's not your usual Maaya Sakamoto.


I really like the contrast of the bgm with the scene it was accompanied with like when there's this brutal scene but the song playing on the background is very light hearted and peaceful, it surprisingly fit the scene. Actually, from the opening up to Utada Hikaru's ending song, it's really commendable. The bgm of this series really adds to the emotional value of the movie, it's so appropriate and beautiful.


Honestly, what's not to like in this movie? This movie is simply epic. From the whole entirety of the movie I was either grinning with pleasure or my mouth is wide open with awe. I also wouldn't want to blink so I won't miss anything since I think everything in the movie is really important and is probably a clue on what would happen on the next movie. The pacing of this movie is just right, nothing seems slow or rushed up. I really think that this movie really well planned since everything in the movie was well done as well. I could say that this series is at par with movies like The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Spirited Away and Summer Wars, this is simple epic. This movie is way2x better than the first one so I expect more from this Movie series.


Rating:

10/10

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Project Diva 2nd Opening Preview

Whoa SUGOI!!! EPIC!! The Kagamine twins and Luka is also in the video and their 3d game versions are so adorable. I just can't wait to play the game!!! Sigh, I want the PSP that is bundled with this game....can someone from Japan buy me one like for free hahaha!! just joking.

I LUV U MIKU!!!

until then...

~ja

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Kaicho wa Maid-sama! - 08


Impression:

Mattaku, this series really never fails to amaze me. Like I said in my previous posts, this series just keeps getting better and better every time I watch it. In my spring preview(I think...) I said that this series reminds me of Special A and Skip Beat and now with President Igarashi's appearance, it reminds me of Hana Yori Dango (it's episode 2 I think) specially the part when Tsukasa tries to emphasize to Tsukushi that everything in this world could be moved by money. Which reminds me I have yet to finish the Korean version of Hana Yori, damn so many things to watch too little time T_T. This episode is probably my favourite episode so far (huh…I feel a sense of dé ja vu) it's just so awesome specifically when Misaki muttered under her breath Usui's name and then with impeccable timing, Usui saved Misaki (LOL….so much for their argument, it's short lived).


The episode started with a recap of what happened last episode and then we see the vice-president of Miyabigaoka and the council's other members dropped by Misaki's place and they brought gifts from Igarashi. Misaki tries to refuse the gifts but the vice-president insisted so Misaki accepted the gift and he even offered to have Misaki's sister enroll also in Miyabigaoka and saying that she should consider the offer for her sister's sake. Miyabigaoka will wait for Misaki's favourable reply in 3 days and the vice-president and his henchmen left. While walking to school, she keeps spacing out and they started talking about the offer of Miyabigaoka. Sakura doesn't want Misaki to accept the offer since she said they were counting on her but Shizuko scold Sakura and said that if they would consider Misaki's future then they shouldn't let emotion get hold of their judgement since it's not bad to graduate from a well known school. At school, she overheard some guys talking that it's better for her to be at Miyabigaoka and if she leaves then they'll be able to do whatever they want like before and Misaki left with a shocked look on her face (Honestly, even though I know what will happen in this episode, I felt that Misaki was really considering to transfer because of what people around her are saying). Then the guys who caused the ruckus last episode, knocked the head of one of the guys saying those things and they said that how could they say those things and they told them that Misaki stood up for them when they got in trouble with Miyabigaoka and we could see from that scene that they(the guys talking about Misaki's) don't really hate Misaki, it's just that they can't stop her from going if she would make a choice. At the student council room, we see Yukimura working hard and Usui entered the room and Yukimura become flustered (he must be remembering the kiss hahaha!!! Poor Yukimura his first kiss got snatched by a man) and Misaki entered the room and saw Usui and told him that he shouldn't be hanging around in the student council room if he doesn't have a business there and Usui told her that he does have a business with her and asked her on what she's going to do with the offer of Miyabigaoka. Misaki then started to say that she is the president of Seika but then she cuts off in the middle of her speech and instead told Usui that it might be nice to be freed from a stalker like Usui and she left the room (Aw, she's still pissed at Usui. I really like it when Misa-chan is playing hard to get XD). At home since their mother is still at work, Suzuna was in charge of cooking and to Misaki's surprise the food she served looks luxurious and began to suspect that it was a gift again by the Miyabigaoka guys. Suzuna then said that she was the one who made the food and that it is just made of bean curd that was just made to look like high class food (Sugoi, my first thoughts in this scene is that Suzuna could make a profit out of her cooking specially to those who are vegetarian and she could also sell it to people who are as poor as them). While they were eating, Misaki asked Suzuna if she wants to go to Miyabigaoka and Suzuna said that if they had the money to go there she would buy a king crab instead (hahaha!!! So maybe that's a no). At school, Misaki was seen always spacing out thinking about something and it was noticed by the people around her.


Three days after, Sakura wants to invite Misaki to a concert so she called her and Misaki revealed that she's at Miyabigaoka and Sakura asked what's she's doing there but Misaki apologized to her and said that she'll just call later and she closed her phone. Sakura tried calling back but Misaki isn't picking up and they started to wonder what's she's doing in Miyabigaoka, what she's planning to do and why is she making such an important decision alone. They then realized that they were always relying on Misaki that they have forgotten to know her feelings and they said that if they want to get Misaki back they need to fight seriously too. At Miyabigaoka, Misaki was about to meet the student council president and she was about to decline the offer but as the drinks was being served the Miyabigaoka student serving the drinks tripped (I think Igarashi was the one who tripped him poor guy and of course poor Misa-chan) and the drinks all went to Misaki drenching her. Back at Seika, Shizuko braged in the student council room and asked the people there to come with them to Miyabigaoka and told them that Misaki is currently in Miyabigaoka and if Misaki ends up going in Miyabigaoka, it would be partly their fault for not stopping her and with that everyone went to get Misaki-hime back. Back at Miyabigaoka, Misaki was taking a shower (HOLY CRAP!!! Misaki is so hot with her hair tied in a pony tail and she even wears that embarrassed expression of hers and add the fact that she's half naked *nose bleed*XD) and when she was finished she's looking for her uniform but it was not there. Igarashi started knocking and asked her if she's alright and she asked where's her uniform and Igarashi said that they washed it and a replacement clothes was left there but Misaki is still reluctant is wearing that clothes so Igarashi all kinds of questions so that he'll a reason to check up on her (you damn pervert don't you lay your perverted hand on Misaki!!) and he was about to enter the room but Misaki the door handle desperately saying that she's alright it's just that the clothes are embarrassing to wear but Igarashi was still intent on entering the room to see if she was uninjured or not and Misaki said that she'll get change just give her 10 seconds. Igarashi then started counting ang Misaki quickly put on the clothes and got out of the room (looking all hot and vulnerable XD) and asked for her uniform. Igarashi then looked surprised and started to giggle and Misaki was like "told you so, I look weird aren't I?" (no Misa-chan it's not weird…it really looks good on you XD XD) then he showed his true intentions. Igarashi then revealed that he knows Misaki is a maid and Misaki tried to run away but all the doors in the room was locked he then said that he was a bit disappointed because he didn't think that she'll fall easily to his trap, he thought that she would put up a fight since she's a maid and a student council president and he even looks forward to seeing what she'll accomplish in Miyabigaoka and Misaki said that he's misunderstanding something but he didn't listen to Misaki and he even throw money at her face and said isn't this enough and if it isn't enough then she should entertain him more (Yeah you wish Tora, you're the one who's misunderstanding things here and Misaki is not a cheap woman that can be bought by your money you conceited rich brat……btw it's not your hard earned money it is your parents' so don't talk all high and mighty like you owned everything!!!). Igarashi even boast that since he's the next heir of the Igarashi Foundation, that amount of money would attract all women in the world and he grabbed Misaki and pinned her on the table and said more things like he's tired of obedient women and added that she came there lured by the money and even mocked Misaki that she's no different from the other that she's just another worthless woman. Misaki then retort that she pity him since he has been looking down on people like that all his life and added that there's not a single person in this world that is worthless and he tried to push off Igarashi's legs but she wasn't successful and said that the reason that she came there today was to decline his offer and she has no intention of quitting being Seika's President. Igarashi then laughed evilly and said that she's really interesting and pinned Misaki's hands totally and Misaki tried to struggle but she's no match for Igarashi's Judo moves and as he was bout to kiss her Misaki silently muttered Usui's name( In this part I was like: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! YOU DAMN PERVERTED I'LL KILL YOU LET MISAKI GO!!! USUI COME NOW SAVE OUR PRINCESS!!!!) and with impeccable timing again, Usui made his entrance and grabbed our damsel in distress (oh btw Usui wearing a Miyabigaoka uniform looks awesome XD it suits him than the sheap looking polo of Seika). As he was saving her he said that she's not someone people could touch nonchalantly and dragged Misaki away. In the hallway, Usui told Misaki that he can't believe that she was fooled by him easily and jokingly told her that she called his name and Misaki was embarrassed and denied that and told him that she didn't called out to him. Misaki then thanked Usui earnestly with her embarrassed face (awwwww Misa-chan is just so adorable here) and remembered that he got her clothes back and asked what would she like to wear the Miyabigaoka uniform or her Seika uniform (I was really hoping that she would picked the Miyabigaoka uniform since the design is really better than her snot colored Seika uniform but oh well….so much for hoping of course she'll pick the Seika uniform) and Misaki grabbed the Seika uniform. As Usui and Misaki leaves Miyabigaoka Misaki was surprised to see everyone from the student council, her friends, the quintuplets and the three idiots waiting outside the gate of Miyabigaoka and told them that she turned down the offer so they shouldn't worry about it anymore. Back to Igarashi's office, we see Igarashi telling his vice-president that Misaki is one interesting woman and it looks like he still has plans for her.


Whoa!!! Awesome!!! I will never get tired of saying this so I'll say it again this show never fails to entertain me week after week, it just keeps getting better and better. Next episode, I think it's an anime original so I don't know what to expect. As for Tora, yes we'll still meet him again and he's still a pain in the ass and I can't wait for that part to be animated.


Until then…


~ja

Monday, May 24, 2010

Ugh...vacation is almost over

Sigh, I hate to admit it but my vacation is almost over and I'll probably won't be posting anything by then. Before that, I'll try my best to finish my commitment on Maid-sama and then I'll leave you with the Summer Preview. Most probably, I won't be able to follow any shows during summer(but I really want to follow at least 2 shows) since real life activities comes first. Mattaku (Honestly), I have to put more effort in studying so that I won't get evicted if our college decides to remove students that wasn't able to reach the grade requirements. Worry not guys, even if I won't be able to make my usual posts you could catch me in.....


I just recently made an account in twitter so I'll posts my mini impressions there and you could read it if you want(you could see it in my sidebar). If I have the time I would really love to make a proper post here in blogger or wordpress but if not, twitter will do.

Oh btw, Maid-sama 08 would be released late since I have a commitment today and it's my enrollment tomorrow.

Thank you so much to people who took their time to read my blog even though my posts are sometimes a bit incoherent, thank you so much :D. I hope you would still read my posts in the future.

until then...

~ja

Monday, May 17, 2010

Kaicho wa Maid-sama! - 07





Impression:

It's nice to see Misaki confused with her emotions, I really like it when she blush she's so cute ^_^. I really feel sorry for Usui since he has to kiss Yukimura so that Misaki would act naturally in front of him….don't worry Usui she's just not honest with her feelings be more patient.


The episode open up in maid latté with another event which is Glasses Day so this time, we got a glimpse of Misa-chan with glasses (This show really knows what to feed its audience…HOLY CRAP Misa-chan with glasses looks so cool and sophisticated XD). Misaki messes up at work by dropping drinking glasses and that is because she can't concentrate since she keeps remembering the kiss and also the confession of Usui. Usui then went again to the café and teases Misa-chan but Misa-chan shoves him off and blushes and she stayed away from Usui since she kept remembering what happened on the rooftop and this made Usui upset and left the café. Misaki then got a call from Sakura and went to the place where two students from their school punched someone from Miyabigaoka Academy(it is a school where the rich and famous study) and she tried to contain the situation and the student from Miyabigaoka asked for the apology of the two Seika high students but they refuse to give their apology then the Miyabigaoka guy offered that they should come to their school to apologize and if they refuse to do so they will bring the incident to their student council and the improved image of Seika High will be tarnished again.


At the student council room, Misaki is deep in her thoughts on how she'll convince the guys to apologize and then Usui showed up again and surprised Misaki and she fell to the floor. Usui offered his hand so that she could stand up but she didn't hold his hand because she gets worked up when she sees Usui. Yukimura then entered the student council room and asked someone to help him and Usui helped him carry the papers he's carrying and Yukimura thanked him and Usui said it's not a problem and kissed him and said that his gratitude will be repaid with the kiss. Misaki saw this and blushed while the shocked Yukimura turned into dust then Misaki thought that Usui is just a sexually harassing guy kissing anyone he likes and she's back to being the old Misaki again(bwahahahaha!!! Poor Yukimura he's such a soft guy and Usui kissed him no wonder he turned into dust and died. I also feel sorry for Usui, he have gone that far so that the usual Misaki would resurface again).


After school, Misaki had captured the two students that caused the ruckus the other day and they went to Miyabigaoka while Usui tags along. The two students are still against in apologizing so Misaki asked what really caused the fight. Those two was busy marvelling the chess board and pieces at a certain shop then those Miyabigaoka brats came along and brags that the store belongs to their family and says that its not a place for filth like them and he even called those guys flies (Of course a show like this(where the protagonist is a poor girl), it can't be complete without the arrogant rich bastards since they make this series more exciting. Oh how I really want to punch that Miyabigaoka guy no wonder those two Seika students punched him). Misaki's group is now in front of the arrogant Miyabigaoka guy and he asked for the two's apology but they still didn't apologize and the arrogant guy insulted them again and says that he hates brainless poor people and told them that they'll continue their conversation in the student council room and Misaki cut him off and said that she's fine with taking this issue to their student council and she doesn't mind to make this into an official issue but they(Miyabigaoka) had to apologize to them for insulting their students and causing them to punch the Miyabigaoka guy. The Miyabigaoka guy then challenged them in the game of chess and offered that if they win they will admit that Seika students are not flies. Since Misaki and even the two guys doesn't know how to play chess, Usui volunteered himself and asked that if they win the Miyabigaoka guys would have to admit that Seika's Pres is a butterfly instead of a fly (Usui really know what to say to make Misaki blush LOL). Usui, the man who could do it all, beat the Miyabigaoka guy with ease (Ugh, I wish they animated the whole game to make things more interesting with exaggerated moves to top that).


The next day, the student council of Miyabigaoka came to Seika and Igarashi, the president, apologized for the insolent behaviour of their students and said that he even recommended to their principal to expel the guy who insulted Seika but Misaki said that it's too strict and said that they(Seika) is also part of the blame so they shouldn't expel him. Igarashi then flatter Misaki by saying that the rumours are true about her being fair and thoughtful then Misaki heard students running on the hallway and became the demon president again and knocked out the student and lectured them in front of the whole Miyabigaoka student council. Misaki then realized what she's doing and stopped then Igarashi flattered her once more saying that someone so strong and beautiful is truly a dependable person and he even asked Misaki to be one of the member of Miyabigaoka's Student Council. Misaki and even the whole school was speechless and Misaki told them that she haven't heard of a student being a student council of two school then Igarashi asked her to transfer and he even offered her to have a scholarship to their school. Misaki was a bit drawn to the flattery and gentlemanliness of Igarashi and she was about to decline for the offer but Igarashi cut her off and told her that he's waiting for a favourable reply and then they left the school. At their limousine, Igarashi seems to be plotting something to Ayuzawa since he asked his Vice-President to investigate her (With Igarashi's entrance, we now have a really interesting antagonist. I really like this guy even though he bullies Misaki but he's a really interesting character I don't know what is he's real motive in harassing Misaki).


Back to the Maid Latté, there is another event which is Male Dress Day and only ladies are around (Wow, Misaki really looks handsome and she's even more sociable since her customers are ladies and she knows what they want no wonder she's a hit to the ladies. If Misaki would have been a guy she's a good competition to Usui hahaha!!! No Usui you're still the king in wooing a tsundere). Misaki is really enjoying herself in this event that she even wonder if she could keep dressing as a guy from now on and she also ponders what's the meaning of what the customers are saying like 'dominant and 'passive' and asked Usui on what those words mean. Usui then took off his shirt in front of Misaki and he said to Misaki to change too but Misaki said that she'll change after he goes home and Usui replied what's wrong with guys stripping together. Usui then got near Misaki and said "What's the matter undress already….How about I undress you Misaki-kun" and he makes a point that Misaki is still a girl and thus answering the question about what is being 'dominant' like. Misaki then got annoyed with Usui and said that she had enough of Usui making her confused and then she walks out the locker room. Back at the Miyabogaoka, Igarashi have read the files of Misaki and he seems to be plotting something.


SUGOI!!!! Next episode would be really2x interesting. There's a bit of quarrel between Misaki and Usui and Igarashi is plotting something against her and I wonder if Usui will stay save her under that circumstances (Of course he would it's Usui we're talking about) . It's really interesting how things will play out (Even though I already know what will happened….damn, sometimes I wish I didn't read the manga).


Until then…


~ja

Monday, May 10, 2010

Kaicho wa Maid-sama! - 06





Impression:

Awesome episode though I felt that the kiss was a bit lacking since Misaki isn't paying much attention since her emotion is very much messed up at that moment and add the fact that idiot Usui jumped off the roof.


The episode opened with Misaki gaining 5 pupils and asked her to be their master. Those quintuplets practically follows Misaki everywhere that when she was about to go to her part time job she has to ran like hell in order to lose those quintuplets and thank goodness Usui's timing is always impeccable that he always grabs Misaki from behind and they were able to lose those quintuplets (Usui's really a stalker, how can he know that Misaki's in trouble and pops up like he could teleport anywhere…no wonder Misaki always call him a perverted alien XD). I really like the comedic effect on that part where Misaki runs away from the quintuplets then we see her doing her work at maid café and that was repeated a couple of times, that was really hilarious. Actually Misaki have taken a liking to her pupils even though she's a man hater (wow our tsundere's tough outer exterior is starting to get soft it's mostly thanks to Usui…..go Usui!!! Persuade her more and she'll accept your feelings XD). She was even willing to tell them that she works in a maid café. There were also a part there where Usui have gathered enough points and challenged Misaki in a card game and Usui won with ease and is rewarded by taking a picture with Misaki. In the picture, Misaki's smile is quite forced and Subaru told Usui that it's ok to retake the picture but Usui said that it's fine since he like the usual Misa-chan the best (Kyaaa!!! If a guy would say that in front of me I'll totally melt XD damn Misaki I'm so envious of you). Thinking that they could beat Misaki in the game since Usui won against her, the three idiots challenged Misa-chan but she's merciless they didn't won (hahaha!!! That's my Misa-chan a very merciless person poor Shiroyan he practiced so much and yet he was beaten by Misa-chan with ease…better luck next time only a perverted alien could beat Misaki ;) ). At school, Misaki went to the rooftop and with flawless timing, Usui is there when Misaki needed him, Usui then said that it's quite unusual for the pres to be go to that place and Misaki said that she just want to cool her head a little. Misaki is actually deliberating whether to tell her pupils about her part time job, that instead of them finding out by surprise, it's better for her to tell them now that she's not as ideal as they think. Misaki then admitted that she's really scared of being seen as a maid and thus destroying their image of Misaki and being ridiculed by them….it's really painful when you get disappointed by the person you look up to (I think in this part, Misaki remembers what happened when her father left their family poor Misa-chan :( ). Usui then said in return that he won't be disappointed no matter what Misaki will do and as a proof of that Usui holds up their picture at the café and Misaki being Misaki has issues with having a picture in her maid uniform panicked and tried to get the picture but instead she accidentally bumped Usui's arm and the picture fell towards Misaki's pupils. Usui then blamed Misaki that it's her fault the picture fell then he offered that she'll get it but Misaki said that by the time he gets to the picture somebody might have found it already then Misaki saw Usui trying to jump off the roof and asked what he's doing and he said that it's the shortest way down and he's gonna take it if Misaki just says so and Misaki asked why does Usui go to such an extent and Usui stole a kiss form Misaki and said that's because he likes Misaki and Usui jumped off the roof. Misaki didn't fully absorbed what happened was frozen in place and she was not able to stop Usui from jumping off the roof (HOLY CRAP!!!! I really love Usui, he does the right things in the right time oh how I wish that a guy is willing to do anything like jumping off the roof for my sake XD XD Misa-chan you're one lucky girl!!). Misaki then ran downstairs towards the place where Usui fell and she found Usui alive and he has the picture and with relief washed over her and he called Usui a bid idiot. The quintuplet then appeared and asked what happened and Misaki was about to tell them that she works in a maid café but Usui covered her mouth and told the quintuplets that she works for him after school and the idiot quintuplets mistaken the job as Usui's bodyguard.


This episode really shows that Usui Takumi is a master of wooing a tsundere character *thumbs up*. A really good episode, I'm really amazed by this series since every week it just gets better and better. Next week would be the introduction of the Miyabigaoka President…..this will be really interesting. Kyaaaa!!!! Can't wait for the next episode!


Until then…


~ja

Monday, May 3, 2010

Kaicho wa Maid-sama! - 05





Impression:

It's about time we get a bit of action in this series. This would be my favourite episode so far because it has a lot of memorable scenes. The highlights of this episode would be Misaki punishing some of the members of the student council with her hair up and wearing her Aikido uniform (oh crap I'm such a sucker with pony tailed girls) then Usui stuck out her tongue for no reason and Misaki getting pissed off. I also went wtf when I thought that something perverted is happening in a classroom 'cause I don't want my Misa-chan to be tainted with those things so thank goodness it was only her friend Sakura doing her homework. I also like the part when Misaki was alone in the café and Usui acted as a stalker that was really hilarious since Usui is already a stalker since this series began. I enjoyed seeing Misaki vulnerable and then getting pissed off that she was able to destroy the handcuff binding her and Usui still breaking that window even though Misaki already knocked out those stalkers.


It's nice to see that every episode Usui tries all kinds of methods to get under Misaki's skin and he's already breaking that tough exterior bit by bit that Misaki was able to open up herself and thanked him earnestly. An example of those things would be when Usui stuck out his tongue for no reason, when he blew at Misaki's neck, grabbing Misaki and saying that she's still a girl even if she's strong, cracking up when she saw Misaki knocked out the stalkers without his help and declaring that Misaki is his personal maid. It seems that he really enjoys himself when he's with Misa-chan.


Next episode is one of my favourite chapters in the manga. Things will get more exciting from her on out. Can't wait for the next episode ^_^


Until then…


~ja