Sunday, May 13, 2012

Anime/Manga Review: No. 6

 Manga Ongoing | 11 Episodes | 2011 | PG | 8/10

*drumroll* It's the first ever combined review! Yay!


First off, a quick summary. No. 6 (pronounced "number six") is a series that is about a boy named Shion who lives in a utopia where everything is perfect and, being one of the especially intelligent people, he is allowed to reap all of the benefits of living there - a large home, security, education, basically anything he could possibly ever need. Until, one day his whole life changes when a bleeding boy named Nezumi (meaning "rat" in Japanese - quite a motif throughout the series) comes into his room and tries to strangle him.

Suddenly, Shion and his mother are stripped of their life in the high class neighborhood of No. 6 and are moved down to where the normal people reside which, mind you, still isn't all that bad. Four years later, Shion runs into Nezumi again after the government attempts to take Shion. Now, he must live in the awful "West Block", waiting for whatever it is they need to do. 



Saturday, April 28, 2012

Manga Review: Suki; A Like Story (すき。だからすき)

3 Volumes | 1999 | CLAMP | 10/10

The title literally translates to "I like you, that's why I like you".

This is my first time reviewing a manga so please forgive me.


Suki, simply put, is a manga about liking. Simply, honestly, innocently. Hinata Asahi is a sixteen-year-old girl with the maturity of a little child. She lives alone in a giant house, and one day, someone moves into the house next door that has been empty for years. It turns out that this man is also her new homeroom teacher - his name is Shiro Asou. He is tall, dark, and according to her classmates, handsome. 

As Hina gets to know him, she slowly falls in "like" with him until it fully blossoms into "love" as he "does all of her favorite things" like holding her hand and eating dinner with her. 

However, there is something sinister going on behind the scenes... who is this man, and why are their fates so intertwined? 

Monday, April 23, 2012

First Impression: Tsuritama (つり球)

11 episodes (planned) | 2012 | PG?



Hello there! I just wanted to say that I am so super excited about this anime! I had never heard of it until today and I decided to watch it after reading a rave review. I am so glad I did! I am only disappointed that it has just begun airing because there are only two episodes.

This show has a bit of a weird plot (then again, what anime doesn't?). It's about fishing to save the world. The characters are a socially awkward orange-head, an alien, a quiet fishing pro, and an indian dude with a duck named Tapioca. Interesting, right?

I can tell this show is going to be good (for me, at least) because 1) there is a character named Yuki (I love Yukies), 2) the colors are amazingly brilliant, and 3) it has a great friendship story in the making. It makes me happy to just watch it because of the bright and happy animation. The sky is a cartoony blue that somehow works with all the pastels of Haru and the orange hair of Yuki. I am really excited to see where their friendship goes and what the alien stuff is all about and how the fishing motif ties everything together.

However, I know it is also going to be a bit sad because there are serious moments like a coughing grandma and a new mommy (I am trying desperately not to give too much information...).

Anyways, I know that I am going to diligently follow this anime and I hope that it meets my expectations because I have a feeling that it is going to one of my favorites. I kind of want to compare it to Princess Jellyfish, only with guys instead of female otakus.

Always dedicated!
Otaku R

P.S. Want to check out the official Otaku J twitter account? Visit it HERE! :D (Excuse my amateur tweets, I'm kind of new at this and don't quite understand hashtags and all that jazz.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Things I'm Working On!

Hey guys, things around here have been busy lately, so please excuse my lack of organization. Currently, I am so overloaded with shows I need to watch and things I need to read... I don't know where to start!

Right now, I am watching Ramen Fighter Miki, Soul Eater, D. Gray Man, Monochrome Factor, Moribito, Serial Experiment Lain, and a few others (as you can see, it may take me a while).



As for manga, I am re-reading Fruits Basket because I really think that it deserves a thorough review, I am also reading a few others but none of them are finished series so I think I will wait on reviewing them.



If any of these things interest you, then stay tuned! Hopefully everything will be up in the next month.

Also! If there is anything that you wish to request, please feel free to do so! I am always looking for new things to check out and I will try anything you suggest!

***
Now... random update time!!!


  • Remember that post I did back in December 2011 about Tamayura? Well, apparently there are plans for a second season so if you really liked it, then keep your eyes peeled in 2013 for that pick! It's a really cute show!
  • Black Butler volume 9 (IX) will be released in America on April 24th! (That's next Tuesday!) So if you're a fan of Kuroshitsuji, then get ready for the legal version! Also, if you're all ready to move on, Volume 10 is being released on July 24!
Thanks for your support!
Otaku R!

Image Source: www.hulu.com 

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

First Impression: Mysterious Girlfriend X (謎の彼女X Nazo no Kanojo X)

12 epsisodes | 2012 | PG-13

Hello! As I have said before, I absolutely love the Mysterious Girlfriend X manga. Today, I finally got around to checking out the first episode of the anime adaptation of it, so I will talk about that  a little bit.



(Sorry - I couldn't find it translated!)

The first thing I noticed that I loved, is that they kept all of the drawings and the colors the same. The original author, Riichi Ueshiba, drew in a very unique and retro way, with lots of marker lines and round shapes. I loved that because it was so different, and so I am really glad they kept it that way.

In fact, as far as I can tell (and remember) they have followed the manga almost exactly so far. It is really neat to see these characters come to life. But maybe not so neat to hear all that drool squishing around... I have to keep turning off my speakers whenever she gathers drool because it just grosses me out so much.

One thing I have to say though is that the voice actor who plays Urabe doesn't really fit the character well. I mean, her voice fits I suppose, but she uses too much expression in my opinion. When I was reading the manga, Uraba always gave me the impression of a nonchalant, expressionless, monotone girl - not in a bad way, that was just how she was - but in the anime, she sounds so happy and nice and excited! Definitely not what I was expecting.

Anyways, I am off to watch the second episode now and I am definitely excited to see if they stick to the manga in the future.

One again, many thanks!
Otaku R

Friday, April 6, 2012

Epiphanies?

Hey guys! So this is more of an update today. I apologize for any spelling mistakes... I'm typing it on my iPhone at school.

Anyways, I just realized that I post so many reviews of main stream anime... Like things that people have most likely already seen so why am I talking about it? Get with the game R!! Well, I think this is because I am relatively new the the whole anime realm. I mean, I've liked anime for almost 6 years now, but I've only really gotten into it in the last year. Really into it.

Another reason I review such popular anime is that I watch other kind of "underground" shows and really like them, but then in my head I'm usually like "oh this is really good, but people would probably find it weird so moving on... Black Butler? Oh I've heard of that before! Derp Derp Derp."

Ehem.

I think in order to get over this phase, I just need to watch all the popular anime just so I don't get so hung up on it, and then I can go into reviewing lesser known shows. But hey! If there's a popular anime out there that you're a little iffy about, I hope that this blog can help you in the mean time.

Thanks guys!
Otaku R :)

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

You Know What I Furinkan Hate?

Sorry... I felt I needed to include that genius of a pun.

If you don't get this, I don't blame you, but I am very disappointed.

Otaku R.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

News!

MYSTERIOUS GIRLFRIEND X IS BECOMING AN ANIME!!!
(Naze no Kanojo X)

I don't know why this didn't hit me when I was reading the manga and they announced it...but I was just on Anime News Network's website and I saw that it is going to start airing on April 8th in Japan. I am so excited! For some reason, I just love this manga. It's so weirdly amazing.

Anyways, I will eagerly be awaiting the fansubs until it officially comes to America (if I have any subbers reading...hi. I will be your best friend if you sub this. :))

Your Fanatic...
Otaku R!

For more info, you can visit the official Japanese website here...

Or if you prefer to speak English (tsk tsk what kind of a fan are you?) this is ANN's info...


Wednesday, March 28, 2012

First Impression: Kino's Journey (キノの旅)

13 episodes | 2003

I have just finished watching the first episode of an anime I discovered today called Kino's Journey. From the beginning, I knew that it would be different from other things that I've been watching. It just gave off that vibe. And boy - have I been craving something original! I am so tired of the cookie cutter animes filled with average animation, identical storyline, and for pete's sake I never thought I'd say this... I am so tired of hearing all the same voice actors! So so so tired of it! I know that it's because I've been watching a bunch of Funimation things and they like to use their Texas-based actors... but I like hearing new voices every once in a while.

Anyways, saying that I do not recognize any of the voice actors in Kino's Journey as of yet and it is really refreshing. The story as far as I know is one about a girl (who looks very, very much like a boy and I didn't find out she was a girl until I looked it up) and her talking motorcycle who set out on a journey to different "countries". They spend no more and no less that three days in each country getting to know the people and the culture and it is a really neat and original idea in my opinion. They started off the first episode in a very strange way I thought - in a country where there are no people in the city, only machines that do all the work. This country is named "The Land of Visible Pain". It gives off a bit of an eery feel, but nothing pops out, I promise.

The overall impression that this anime left on me after this first episode is that it is going to be a very slow, peaceful, interesting, and unique show. Just what I need it. I found the first two episodes, dubbed, on Hulu though I am not quite sure where I am going to find the next few episodes.

All-in-all, I'd say go for it if you're getting tired of all the regular anime out there. But who knows, I may be wrong and this may turn into the cliched love stories that I've seen a million times. I certainly hope not. I am really, really excited for this anime.

I predict it will be one that is sad and lonely, but also very beautiful.





Saturday, February 25, 2012

A Diamond in the Rough

Ahahaha I may have found a new one to add to my all time favorites!

Has anyone heard of Princess Jellyfish? It is ah-maz-ing! I marathoned it today and now I am sad it is over. It say's the complete series, but I sincerely hope that they make another season! This show is just too wonderful for words! In a short sum; it's about five otakus and a drag queen.

In the long term, well, it's too awesome for me to sum up tonight, but I am totally in love with the show and all the characters! I am definitely buying it when it comes out (next week, I think) in stores. I watched it in Japanese on Hulu, but I definitely think I like the English cast better. So I will buy it and then re-watch it in English. That is how much I love it!

For now, I will leave you with the trailer and a link to go watch it on Hulu, but I will be back for a full review later (hopefully). I strongly suggest that you go check it out - pronto. I don't know why, but there is just something sort of magical about this one. Seriously guys.



And if you want to start watching it now, go here. (But I highly suggest that you watch it in Japanese first, unless you're not planning on buying it).

All the best!
Otaku R!

(Oh, and be on the lookout for an important update coming up! It's going to be awesome!)


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Wonderful Discoveries!

Hello there! I just stumbled across an awesome manga series yesterday and I just had to post about it!



It is called Mysterious Girlfriend X (or 謎の彼女X in Japanese). It has the strangest plot: Akira Tsubaki (17) and Mikoto Urabe (17) are joined together by a "bond of drool". What??? This happens because one day, Tsubaki tastes Urabe's drool after she has fallen asleep at school. He then develops a terrible cold that wont go away. Urabe shows up at his house and makes him taste her drool. He is automatically cured. Now, every day they must meet so that Tsubaki can have some of this drool, in order to not be sick. He starts liking her and asks her to be his girlfriend. 


Sounds like the weirdest and stupidest thing ever, right? Well, this manga is definitely unique. The art is very different (especially in the very beginning). Everything looks hand drawn and even the style is unique. I've never seen any art like it before. 


Anyways, I am not going to go into it too much because I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but if someone is looking for a fresh series to read, please check it out! I love it! I can't wait for the anime of it to come out in April! Ahhhh!!


You can find the scanlation here.


Please check it out and tell me what you think! I don't think everyone will like it as much as I did, but I certainly was glad I found it. 


Sincerely dedicated, 
Otaku R


(And okay, I will admit. It is a slightly ecchi manga. But innocently so! 7 volumes in and they haven't even kissed yet! Trust me, it's not that bad.)

Monday, February 20, 2012

Anime Review: (Spice and Wolf 狼と香辛料 Ōkami to Kōshinryō)

13 episodes (only season 1) | 2008 | 8/10 | PG - 13 (for casual nudity, I suppose)

There is only one thing I need to say before I start; J. Michael Tatum and Brina Palencia. They are two of my favorite voice actors of all time. J. Michael Tatum because of his soothing and wonderfully distinct voice, and Brina Palencia because of all the different roles she is able to play. But perhaps the biggest reason for my loving them... is Black Butler. Yes, do you not recognize Sebastian and Ciel? Oh how wonderful to have them both acting together again! And in such different roles from before!



Alright, now that that is out of the way, on to the review!

Just Finished! (and Coming Up)

Hello all! Today I stopped by to give you an update on my anime watching. I'm about to finish a few series and am starting to work on a few others, so I thought that I would let you guys know what to be looking forward to in the near future, as far as anime reviews go.

Just finished:

  • xxxHolic
  • Spice and Wolf (I'll probably finish today)
  • Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (Season 1) (Maybe I'll wait until I finish the entire series)
Working on:
  • Hetalia: Axis Powers
  • The Secret World of Arrietty
  • Revolutionary Girl Utena 
About to start:
  • Kodocha (as soon as it comes in the mail. If it ever does. Sigh.)
Also! I am about to finish the Fruits Basket manga series (I just have to find volume 21) and so maybe I will do a manga/anime review of that since it is my favorite of all time. Also, on a random side note, I'm finding that lately I've been really into vampire anime. I watched Vampire Knight seasons 1 and 2 in just 2 days! It was so addicting... also Rosario + Vampire. Hmm. Strange. 

Anyways, that's it for now! Keep your eyes peeled for reviews of those shows (:
Otaku R

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Movie Review: Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos (鋼の錬金術師 嘆きの丘(ミロス)の聖なる星)

(Yes, I realize that this is a little bit outdated - especially if you've already read the most recent Otaku USA - but please bear with me. I am trying to ease myself back into the blog.)

110 Minutes | PG | 9/10



First, a little bit of a backstory...

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime series about two boys - Edward and Alphonse Elric - who lost their mother. They decided to try and bring her back using alchemy, however this is a forbidden taboo and they ended up creating a nasty monster that did not survive. To pay for breaking this taboo, Alphonse ended up losing his body and Edward lost an arm and a leg to an anonymous god-like creature. Edwards transmuted his brother's soul onto a suit of armor and so their journey begins to get their bodies back by using the "Philosopher's Stone".

Friday, January 20, 2012

Spotlight: Figma (フィグマ)

Haruhi Suzumiya!
Since this blog is for Otaku's in general, I thought that I should cover a wide variety of topics. Therefore, todays topic is on Figmas which are a type of Japanese figures that have recently become popular in the last 2 years. Now, I have never really been into figures or dolls of any kind (though after all this research I'm thinking of picking one up at my next convention), so I am not necessarily the most knowledgeable on this subject. However, I will try my hardest to write a quality article for all you collectors out there!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Anime Review: Aria (アリア)

52 Episodes | 2002 | G

A trailer to start! (I think it does a good job of showing the serenity of the show, but not necessarily the story...


So, I think that this anime is absolutely adorable! I mean, not that it is a little kids show with kindergardeners running around (it's not), it's just that this is basically one of the first animes I've ever seen that doesn't have anything remotely perverted or hentai about it. It's just about these girls on a planet who want to become an undine (a gondolier). I'll give it a quick once-over:

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

ぷっちょ: Puccho (Peach)

So, to the best of my Japanese translating abilities, (which may be quite off - disclaimer!) I have decided that this package says "Sour Peach Soda Candy". It makes the most sense I've found.

Today I tried this candy out over my lunch break. I didn't think much of reading the package and just popped one of the little whitish/tan rectangles into my mouth and started chewing.

Boy, was I surprised. First, there was a kind of powdery, sour sensation and then I was kind of chewing on little gummy ball things (I know, I'm so eloquent). After those went away, I was left with a deliciously peachy tasting gum-like candy. It was really good!

Candy キャンデイー Kyandi (from Japan!)

I can't believe that I forgot to mention this the other day!

So, on December 31, 2011, I received a package from my pen pal in Japan (she is so awesome! I could not have asked for a better pen pal). She sent me a bunch of stuff (like a lot a lot) like candy and a magazine and a little book and a charm. And oodles of candy. Did I mention the candy?

Anyways, since this is such an extremely rare - and awesome! - opportunity, I thought I would share a little bit with you by going through each thing she sent me one by one each day. Like, maybe one day I could talk about the candies, like how they taste and what they look like and how cool they are (because they are really cool! So different from American candy, in my opinion). Or like the little book, what it says and the history on it.

Oh! One thing I noticed about everything she sent me... there is a lot of Hello Kitty. Out of the about 20 items she sent me, I'd have to say about half of them are Hello Kitty realated. I didn't know how big of a thing Hello Kitty was in Japan, but it is everywhere!


So what do you guys think of that? Would you like to know a little bit  more about the little trinkets (and candy!) she sent me? Let me know!

Thanks for sticking with me!
Otaku R

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!

Hello there! I am stopping by to wish you a very happy year 2012! I hope it is a wonderful one for everyone filled with love, life, and anything you could ever want (also, anime, manga, and Japan - of course!)! I know that I am going to try my hardest to make this year the best one yet and you all should, too. (Though I'm not saying you have to... you can be a grumpy goose and stink up your new year).

So does anyone have any good new year's resolutions? I would love to hear them! I am currently working on my own list and having trouble coming up with things...

Anyways, school is going to resume for me pretty soon and so I just wanted to let you all know that the updates probably wont be as frequent due to homework and finals and what-not.

Thanks for understanding! I hope to continue to bring quality reviews and information for many more years to come! xD

I hope you all have a wonderful year and party like the world is ending! With much love and obsession, I am forever yours,
Otaku R!

P.S. This was supposed to go up yesterday, but then my internet crashed :/ I'm so sorry!