I apologize for my current lack of posts, but I seem to be coming down with pneumonia.
Depending on how I feel later, we may have an afternoon and night sunday music, thanks for your understanding!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
Infinite Stratos Review
インフィニット・ストラトス
Infinite Stratos
A light novel adaption (of the same name), one that I believe is still going on.
I came into this show thinking it would be a horrible show, I'll admit, it was pretty bad in the beginning, but I walked away from it, liking it a lot
CHARACTERS (4/5)
Well, IS is a harem show. With a small cast, one could expect character development for everyone, but that is not the case. Until the end, much of the time is split between the 6 characters, and we don't get to see that much of most of them.
Our main character Shiro Emiya Orimura Ichika (The Guy) with 5 other heroines, Houki Shinonono (Black Hair), Cecilla Alcott (Pale Blond Hair, Blue hairband), Rin Fan (Short Jumping one), Charlotte Dunoa (Blond hair), and Laura Bodewig (Grey hair, on end).
Given the lack of development for most of the characters, I would give it a much lower score, but the voice acting really brings them to life, and for Charlotte, Laura, and Houki, enough time is devoted to their backstories and character development to warrent a higher score.
SETTING/ANIMATION (3/5)
The setting is generic, one guy at an all girls school, I've never seen that before... There isn't much to talk about there.
What really saves this category are the fight animation's. Unlike SOME shows *cough* *cough* *Fate/Zero* *cough* *cough*, the CG (when used) looks like it's actually in place, it melds well with the traditional animation, and it in general looks very nicely done.
STORY (3.5/5)
Story? Well, that's an interesting one. You would expect a harem to have, well, no story. That seems to be the case at first, but then we delve deeper, and we learn, it's a good story given the scope of IS and the time they had to tell it. No pictures here, if you really want to know, then watch it.
MUSIC (3.5/5)
Wow, something that isn't a 5/5. The music is actually divided into two subcategories worth 2.5 points each, half for the score itself, and the other half for the presentation, the score isn't bad, if anything it's well written. It's just not used well. The score can also be a little overdone at times, and it seems somewhat generic (in the case of Charles for example). Often when there is music playing, it often competes with any onscreen talking, or action, rather complementing it. At the end, this mostly fixes itself.
OP via youtube (not mine)
Personally I like the ED better...
OVERALL (3.5/5)
A poorly done story at first, carried only by the voice actors and the animation, comes back in the second half and ends strong. Needs a second season, it really needs a second season.
Infinite Stratos
A light novel adaption (of the same name), one that I believe is still going on.
I came into this show thinking it would be a horrible show, I'll admit, it was pretty bad in the beginning, but I walked away from it, liking it a lot
CHARACTERS (4/5)
Well, IS is a harem show. With a small cast, one could expect character development for everyone, but that is not the case. Until the end, much of the time is split between the 6 characters, and we don't get to see that much of most of them.
Given the lack of development for most of the characters, I would give it a much lower score, but the voice acting really brings them to life, and for Charlotte, Laura, and Houki, enough time is devoted to their backstories and character development to warrent a higher score.
SETTING/ANIMATION (3/5)
The setting is generic, one guy at an all girls school, I've never seen that before... There isn't much to talk about there.
What really saves this category are the fight animation's. Unlike SOME shows *cough* *cough* *Fate/Zero* *cough* *cough*, the CG (when used) looks like it's actually in place, it melds well with the traditional animation, and it in general looks very nicely done.
STORY (3.5/5)
Story? Well, that's an interesting one. You would expect a harem to have, well, no story. That seems to be the case at first, but then we delve deeper, and we learn, it's a good story given the scope of IS and the time they had to tell it. No pictures here, if you really want to know, then watch it.
MUSIC (3.5/5)
Wow, something that isn't a 5/5. The music is actually divided into two subcategories worth 2.5 points each, half for the score itself, and the other half for the presentation, the score isn't bad, if anything it's well written. It's just not used well. The score can also be a little overdone at times, and it seems somewhat generic (in the case of Charles for example). Often when there is music playing, it often competes with any onscreen talking, or action, rather complementing it. At the end, this mostly fixes itself.
OP via youtube (not mine)
OVERALL (3.5/5)
A poorly done story at first, carried only by the voice actors and the animation, comes back in the second half and ends strong. Needs a second season, it really needs a second season.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
C3 (CubexCursedxCurious) Review
シーキューブ
C3
or CubexCursedxCurious
This show aired winter 2011 I think
Adapted from a Light Novel of the same name.
Before I say anything, this is a weird show. It's a really weird show.
I don't know what I was smoking when I decided to watch it, and when I finished, I left with mixed feeling about it.
CHARACTERS (4/5)
It's a small cast, with one male (Haruaki Yachi, left) and every other major character is female. The female lead is Fear Kubrick (Right), who is a cursed tool. We also meet several other characters, the most notable being Ueno Kirika. Lets.... Not talk too much about that. THAT scene gave me the shivers....
The personalities of the cast can seem somewhat generic (think Taiga, or Touma) at first, but as we go further into the show, we find that is not quite the case.
That being said, the dual nature, as well as some of the backstories/hidden facades some of the characters have, make for a very interesting story. I will also praise the voice actors for delivering a very well done performance of their characters, it's things like that which help to bring the cast alive
SETTING/ANIMATION (4/5)
I won't speak too much about the setting, as it's a common school/town setting. C3 wins points for the animation. Not so much the character animation, but the backgrounds, the animation shifts, and the color palette.
The changes in style of the animation are reminisce of Bakemonogatari.
And color is used very nicely to show shifts in the mood of the show.
In general, Red is something that is deeper, and blue is the shallow daily lives of the cast. Aside from Haruaki.
STORY (2/5)
I'll have to admit, the story is weak. Despite the events that happen within the show, the pacing can ruin certain moments, hint: Indulgence Disks, or Kuroe's entrance into the show. This being an adaption, is hinting at a next season, which I assume will explain more, and in general be better, but whatever that is, the first season feels underdeveloped.
MUSIC (5/5)
Another high point of the show, unlike a certain other show I am watching presently, the score is both well written, and plays well. The music adds to the scene, and it never feels like it's fighting the voices of the characters.
Having a beautiful opening video's doesn't hurt either
Via youtube (not mine)
OVERALL (3.75/5)
This isn't bad show to watch. If you can get over all of the... Eccentricities...
It's not an entry level show, but if you are into grimdark and violent with stark contrasts, then you will like it. It's also something I would not recommend the casual viewer.
C3
or CubexCursedxCurious
Adapted from a Light Novel of the same name.
Before I say anything, this is a weird show. It's a really weird show.
I don't know what I was smoking when I decided to watch it, and when I finished, I left with mixed feeling about it.
CHARACTERS (4/5)
It's a small cast, with one male (Haruaki Yachi, left) and every other major character is female. The female lead is Fear Kubrick (Right), who is a cursed tool. We also meet several other characters, the most notable being Ueno Kirika. Lets.... Not talk too much about that. THAT scene gave me the shivers....
That being said, the dual nature, as well as some of the backstories/hidden facades some of the characters have, make for a very interesting story. I will also praise the voice actors for delivering a very well done performance of their characters, it's things like that which help to bring the cast alive
SETTING/ANIMATION (4/5)
I won't speak too much about the setting, as it's a common school/town setting. C3 wins points for the animation. Not so much the character animation, but the backgrounds, the animation shifts, and the color palette.
The changes in style of the animation are reminisce of Bakemonogatari.
And color is used very nicely to show shifts in the mood of the show.
In general, Red is something that is deeper, and blue is the shallow daily lives of the cast. Aside from Haruaki.
STORY (2/5)
I'll have to admit, the story is weak. Despite the events that happen within the show, the pacing can ruin certain moments, hint: Indulgence Disks, or Kuroe's entrance into the show. This being an adaption, is hinting at a next season, which I assume will explain more, and in general be better, but whatever that is, the first season feels underdeveloped.
MUSIC (5/5)
Another high point of the show, unlike a certain other show I am watching presently, the score is both well written, and plays well. The music adds to the scene, and it never feels like it's fighting the voices of the characters.
Having a beautiful opening video's doesn't hurt either
Via youtube (not mine)
OVERALL (3.75/5)
This isn't bad show to watch. If you can get over all of the... Eccentricities...
It's not an entry level show, but if you are into grimdark and violent with stark contrasts, then you will like it. It's also something I would not recommend the casual viewer.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
So you want to read manga?
A somewhat informational post, or not.
(A hopefully long post incoming)
0. Preface
1. America
-1A. Names to know
-1B. Manga near you
-1C. Kinokuniya
-1D. Importing
-1E. Scanlations
-1F. Mangafox
==================================
0. Preface:
So, what is manga? When looking at that question, it is important to remember, that "Manga" is sometimes used as a blanket term, and comics from other parts of Asia, are sometimes added to this term.
Manga, like every form of entertainment is split into your typical genres, mystery, horror, drama, comedy, romance. And also is split into 4 demographics, Shonen, Shojou, Seinen, and Josei. Those demographic terms should not be used as black and white, as they only really act to categorize things. Take Cardcaptor Sakura or Sanzae-San. Believe it or not, manga was actually influenced by America, at the end of World War II, because of the American occupation. In fact, a lot of Japanese pop culture is influenced by America.
Manga, local to Japan at first, gained worldwide popularity, and now has a worldwide audience and a market as well.
==================================
1. In English
I'm going to assume you, the reader, are American, because I can't say much about outside America or Japan. Now then I hope you know something about the process to books.
==================================
1A. Names to know
In America, there are several large publishers of Manga.
Dark Horse Comics - They seem to publish some of the darker, and older Manga, as well as CLAMP titles
Yen Press - I think they have a monthly Manga magazine, like in Japan
Tokyopop - Ok, these guys may be defunct, I'm not entirely too sure, because, they did stop publishing, but beyond that, I am unaware of their future plans.
Del Ray Manga - Subsidiary to Randomhouse, they have quite a lot of titles liscenced
Viz Media - Who also sit on the rights to Bleach (Which is ending soon).
If you buy from these companies, you will help expand the R1 Market (America, and Canada). Less will go to the author, and more to the publishers. This in turn will help them make more money, to get licence more manga, make more money ect. ect.
I believe, you can also contact a company and request a title, if enough people ask for it, then they may attempt to get the licence, and start publishing. Similar to anime, the Japanese ask for ridiculous licencing fees, which is why, if you want to see something officially released in your region, buy from your regional publishers to help them.
Typically, manga in America is around $10, and in Black and white.
==================================
1B. Manga near you
Ever been to your local library?
Bet you didn't know there was a manga section.
In every library I have been to, there has been a manga section (even the school libraries).
Publishers also will take requests for donations to libraries as well (Take Viz Media for example).
Look around, you may be fairly surprised where you can find Manga
==================================
1C. Kinokuniya (Click title for site)
Kinokuniya, is a Japanese bookstore chain that has 7 Stores in America.
Everything they sell is in Japanese. It's a little overwhelming at first, but if you want to support the authors more, then buy from here. It's somewhat overpriced, but short of going to Japan, or importing, it's the next best place.
==================================
1D. Importing
Importing is expansive, but the names for that are:
Dont use Amazon JP, scroll down to the bottom of this page to see why.
Now then, to pull a page from the buyfag guide:
I don't import, so you are on your own there...
==================================
1E. Scanlations
I'm sure we all know what these are. Opinion seems fairly divided about it.
Well, use 'em or not, the choice is yours.
But this brings up our next point....
==================================
1D. Mangafox and NOEZ
Read this Batoto thread to get a better grasp.
Mangafox and NOEZ are evil. Don't ever use Mangafox, unless you have an ad blocker, so that way they won't be making any money off of you, or scanlators.
==================================
Thanks for reading!
==================================
Oh yeah, for scrolling down to the bottom, see
"Kodansha Bilingual Comics" for a good reading and learning aid
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Sunday Music 17
The song to end the day will be,
Happy Crazy Box, sang by Minami Kuribayashi
As you can tell, I really like Medaka Box
Song via youtube (not mine):
I expect this video to be taken down soon, because of an ironclad copyright.
Listen while you still can!
Happy Crazy Box, sang by Minami Kuribayashi
As you can tell, I really like Medaka Box
Song via youtube (not mine):
Listen while you still can!
Sunday Music 16
The afternoon song today will be:
Ohanabatake ni tsuretette, sang by Medaka Kurokami (CV. Aki Toyosaki)
This will be the best show of the season.
I know it.
Song via youtube (not mine):
Ohanabatake ni tsuretette, sang by Medaka Kurokami (CV. Aki Toyosaki)
This will be the best show of the season.
I know it.
Song via youtube (not mine):
Sunday Music 15
Sorry for missing the 9:00
Was playing Stranded II
Themorning noon song will be:
Real Folk Blues, by Seatbelts ft. Mai Yamane
Cowboy Bebop ED
Song via youtube (Not My video):
Also the shorter ver:
Was playing Stranded II
The
Real Folk Blues, by Seatbelts ft. Mai Yamane
Cowboy Bebop ED
Song via youtube (Not My video):
Friday, June 8, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Almight
Almight, an AVG cross-platform engine.
runs off HTML5, and most devices with a modern browser support it.
It's on the app store, and the google play store
Check out the site here
This is wonderful!
but I don't have a smartphone, or a tablet, or a handheld device that uses HTML5
Welp, another great thing I'm missing out on.
runs off HTML5, and most devices with a modern browser support it.
It's on the app store, and the google play store
Check out the site here
This is wonderful!
but I don't have a smartphone, or a tablet, or a handheld device that uses HTML5
Welp, another great thing I'm missing out on.
Technocrati
I recently submitted my site to Technocrati, but then, I read the FAQ
There goes that....
There goes that....
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Japanese 101 - Closure
Ahem, so it's been a nice month.
I am closing Japanese 101.
Thanks for reading!
==================
この日は「日本語その一」の最後日
皆さん、読みました、ありがとうございました！
I am closing Japanese 101.
Thanks for reading!
==================
この日は「日本語その一」の最後日
皆さん、読みました、ありがとうございました！
Sunday Music 14
The song to end the day will be,
Hishoku no Sora (Scarlet Sky) sang by Mami Kawada
This song was used as the first opening video to "Shakugan no Shana"
Shakugan no Shana aired in 2005-2006 winter season
If you are thinking of watching this series, watch everything. Everything.
Season 1, the movie, season 1 specials, season 2, season 2 specials, season 3, season 3 specials.
Song via youtube (not my video):
Hishoku no Sora (Scarlet Sky) sang by Mami Kawada
This song was used as the first opening video to "Shakugan no Shana"
Shakugan no Shana aired in 2005-2006 winter season
If you are thinking of watching this series, watch everything. Everything.
Season 1, the movie, season 1 specials, season 2, season 2 specials, season 3, season 3 specials.
Song via youtube (not my video):
Japanese 101 - Counters Part 2
Continuation of Part 1
~さつ is the counter for books, ~さい is the counter for age
The both follow the same pattern.
いっさつ for one、はっさつ for two, then use the general number ~さつ for the rest
いっさい for one、はっさい for two, then use the general number ~さい for the rest
~ほん is for long cylindrical objects. It follows an irregular pattern, so I will list them
いっぽん - 1
にほん - 2
さんぼん - 3
よほん - 4
ごほん - 5
ろっぽん - 6
ななほん - 7
はっぽん - 8
きゅうほん - 9
じゅっぽん - 10
After 10, just use #~ほん
~まえ is the counter for flat things (paper for example)
You can use counters make your Japanese sound more natural.
For instance, if you wanted to say 5 pencils, you could say
五えんぴつです (5 pencils) or
ごほん (these 5)
Makes you sound better.
hm. This wasn't as long as I'd anticipated
~さつ is the counter for books, ~さい is the counter for age
The both follow the same pattern.
いっさつ for one、はっさつ for two, then use the general number ~さつ for the rest
いっさい for one、はっさい for two, then use the general number ~さい for the rest
~ほん is for long cylindrical objects. It follows an irregular pattern, so I will list them
いっぽん - 1
にほん - 2
さんぼん - 3
よほん - 4
ごほん - 5
ろっぽん - 6
ななほん - 7
はっぽん - 8
きゅうほん - 9
じゅっぽん - 10
After 10, just use #~ほん
~まえ is the counter for flat things (paper for example)
You can use counters make your Japanese sound more natural.
For instance, if you wanted to say 5 pencils, you could say
五えんぴつです (5 pencils) or
ごほん (these 5)
Makes you sound better.
hm. This wasn't as long as I'd anticipated
Japanese 101 - Household objects
いす [いす] chair |
鉛筆 [えんぴつ] pencil |
携帯電話 [けいたいでんわ] cellular phone |
消しゴム [けしゴム] eraser |
ごみ箱 [ごみばこ] trash can |
雑誌 [ざっし] magazine |
辞書 [じしょ] dictionary |
座布団 [ざぶとん] cushion |
写真 [しゃしん] photograph, picture |
新聞 [しんぶん] newspaper |
机 [つくえ] desk |
床の間 [とこのま] alcove |
電気スタンド [でんきスタンド] desk lamp |
縫いぐるみ [ぬいぐるみ] stuffed toy |
端書き [はがき] postcard |
箱 [はこ] box |
筆箱 [ふでばこ] pencil case |
布団 [ふとん] Japanese-style mattress and quilt |
本棚 [ほんだな] bookshelf, bookcase |
物差 [ものさし] ruler |
徒弟 [とけい] clock |
庭 [にわ] garden, court |
鞄 [かばん] bag, handbag |
雑誌 [ざっし] magazine, journal |
自転車 [じてんしゃ] bicycle |
町 [まち] town, city |
Enjoy! |
Small not for でんきスタンド, dont use it.
It's strange, it literally means "Electric Stand" , and the Japanese would not normally use it do describe desk light.
Something like 机の光, or 机の上に光 would be a better word
Japanese 101 - A small reading
Typed up something for you all to read and see.
Ok, just so you know, this isn't really a "correct" jikoushoukai per se, but just something to read and use to gauge yourself.
Looking in retrospect, it really is funny to read, given how awkward the phrasing is.
I didn't even follow the sentence structure.
TXT files
Mediafire - Here
Public Dropbox - Here
You may need Kochi Mincho, which can be downloaded HERE
If you are a windows, extract, and put the file in your "Fonts" folder, which can be accessed through the control panel.
I have no idea what to do for Macs though
Ok, just so you know, this isn't really a "correct" jikoushoukai per se, but just something to read and use to gauge yourself.
Looking in retrospect, it really is funny to read, given how awkward the phrasing is.
I didn't even follow the sentence structure.
TXT files
Mediafire - Here
Public Dropbox - Here
You may need Kochi Mincho, which can be downloaded HERE
If you are a windows, extract, and put the file in your "Fonts" folder, which can be accessed through the control panel.
I have no idea what to do for Macs though
Japanese 101 - School words
Because every show has a high school cast.
Small note: Something like けいざい would be your classic econ course, while かていか would be something like foods or fabric arts.
何年生 ですか。 [なんねんせい ですか。] what grade are you in? |
学 [がく、まなぶ] learning, study |
校 [こう] school |
年 [ねん] year, age |
生 [せい] life |
学校 [がっこう] school |
中学 [ちゅうがく] middle school |
来年 [らいねん] next year |
今年 [ことし] this year |
学生 [がくせい] student |
何年生 [なんねんせい] what year/grade |
掃除 [そうじ] cleaning |
部活 [ぶかつ] club activities |
国語 [こくご] (one's own country) language |
体育 [たいいく] Gym/ P.E Class |
音楽 [おんがく] music |
歴史 [れきし] history |
地理 [ちり] geography |
美術 [びじゅつ] art, fine arts |
経済 [けいざい] economy, economics |
化学 [かがく] chemistry |
生物 [せいぶつ] biology |
数学 [すうがく] mathematics |
家庭科 [かていか] home economics |
保健 [ほけん] health |
昼休み [ひるやすみ] lunch break |
自己紹介 [じこしょうかい] self-introduction |
紹介 [しょうかい] introduction |
私立学校 [しりつがっこう] private school |
公立学校 [こうりつがっこう] public school |
部屋 [へや] room |
今 [いま] now |
科目 [かもく] school subject |
技術 [ぎじゅつ] industrial arts |
だいがく [だいがく] college, university |
Enjoy! |
Small note: Something like けいざい would be your classic econ course, while かていか would be something like foods or fabric arts.
Sunday Music 13
The song for the afternoon today, is
A Cruel Angel's Thesis, but rather it the acapella version sang by Eri Kawai
Eri Kawai died on August 4 2008.
Song via youtube (not mine):
A Cruel Angel's Thesis, but rather it the acapella version sang by Eri Kawai
Eri Kawai died on August 4 2008.
Song via youtube (not mine):
Japanese 101 - Counters - Part I
Counters, they can be very useful in Japanese.
They can make your Japanese sound more natural.
They are also, not that difficult.
I'd go as far as to say the hardest part of Japanese isn't the grammar, but all the Kanji.
This will be lengthy, so I'll split it up.
General Counters
Each one, is "# Thing"
One thing - ひとつ - (一つ)
Two things - ふたつ - (二つ)
Three things - みっつ - (三つ)
Four things - よっつ - (四つ)
Five things - いつつ - (五つ)
Six things - むっつ - (六つ)
Seven things - ななつ - (七つ)
Eight things - やっつ - (八つ)
Nine things - ここのつ - (九つ)
Ten things - とうつ - (十つ)
After ten, you can just use normal numbers ~つ, this goes for any counter.
Unless stated to use normal numbers, or their own special (like below), it follows the numbering pattern of the general counters
The Counters for people is ひと, 人
You only have to use special numbers for the first two, then normal numbers ~ひと for the rest.
One person - ひとり - (一人)
Two People - ふたり - (二人)
The counters for cups and machines use normal numbers
Machines can be, computers, phones, ect. ect.
Machines: ~だい
Cups: ~ばい
They can make your Japanese sound more natural.
They are also, not that difficult.
I'd go as far as to say the hardest part of Japanese isn't the grammar, but all the Kanji.
This will be lengthy, so I'll split it up.
General Counters
Each one, is "# Thing"
One thing - ひとつ - (一つ)
Two things - ふたつ - (二つ)
Three things - みっつ - (三つ)
Four things - よっつ - (四つ)
Five things - いつつ - (五つ)
Six things - むっつ - (六つ)
Seven things - ななつ - (七つ)
Eight things - やっつ - (八つ)
Nine things - ここのつ - (九つ)
Ten things - とうつ - (十つ)
After ten, you can just use normal numbers ~つ, this goes for any counter.
Unless stated to use normal numbers, or their own special (like below), it follows the numbering pattern of the general counters
The Counters for people is ひと, 人
You only have to use special numbers for the first two, then normal numbers ~ひと for the rest.
One person - ひとり - (一人)
Two People - ふたり - (二人)
The counters for cups and machines use normal numbers
Machines can be, computers, phones, ect. ect.
Machines: ~だい
Cups: ~ばい
Sunday Music 12
The song to start off the day will be,
Nephilim, by Abingdon Boys School.
Used as the Ending Theme of Folklore
Song came out in 2007.
Must of you probably know ABS from Soul Eater, D.Grey-Man, or Darker the Black
Song via youtube below (Not mine):
It's not the... Best quality video...
240p...
Nephilim, by Abingdon Boys School.
Used as the Ending Theme of Folklore
Song came out in 2007.
Must of you probably know ABS from Soul Eater, D.Grey-Man, or Darker the Black
Song via youtube below (Not mine):
It's not the... Best quality video...
240p...
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
30 Days left
Happy June everyone.
Just to remind you all, on July 1st most major American ISP's will start policing internet for illegal downloads.
The RIAA seems to want to create a cartel to control the internet, because the US government won't do it for them.
皆さん、気をつけて.
This better get to the supreme court.
Just to remind you all, on July 1st most major American ISP's will start policing internet for illegal downloads.
The RIAA seems to want to create a cartel to control the internet, because the US government won't do it for them.
皆さん、気をつけて.
This better get to the supreme court.
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