Kaibutsu Oujo

Princess Resurrection (怪物王女, Kaibutsu Ōjo, lit. Monster Princess) is an ongoing supernatural manga by Yasunori Mitsunaga. The story portrays a boy (Hiro) who encounters a young woman (Hime) whom he must serve. An anime adaptation of the series, by Madhouse, began airing on April 12, 2007 on TBS, BS-i, KBS Kyoto and its affiliated TV networks. The chief animation director and character designer for the anime series is Kazuya Kuroda. It is directed by Masayuki Sakoi.

The manga has been licensed by Del Rey Manga, with the first volume released on May 1, 2007.

wiki as usual

Plot Summary: Since Hiro Hiyorimi's parents died, he and his sister Sawawa have lived apart. Now, Sawawa has gotten a new job as the caretaker of a creepy old mansion, and has sent Hiro a letter asking him to come and stay there with her. Finding the mansion boarded up and apparently empty, Hiro wanders around town looking for Sawawa. Instead, he runs into the new resident of the mansion, and ends up pushing her out of the way of some falling steel beams. Unfortunately, he loses his own life in the process. Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, the person he thought he saved turns out to be a princess of the monster kingdom, and she grants him a second life...but only for as long as he will be her servant.

Yet again, another anime conclude it's series in the past few weeks. Kaibutsu oujo ends at episode 24, with an extra filler episode aired last week. The story is kinda interesting with the battle of Royalty for the throne, even though the main character, Hime is not interested in the struggle. But there's more to be expected in this series aside from the story. The character design is rather simplistic, the background music is somewhat awesome, and the OP&ED are great (I love the OP "Blood Queen" by Misato Aki).

However, if we compare to the manga counterpart, of where the anime is adapted, there may be some disappointment for some people (including myself). So far only 2 chapter has been scanlated, so I don't know much of the difference beyond chapter 2, but the most notable one is the lack of gore element in the anime compared to the manga. In the manga version, they clearly show the bloody scene of Hiro being killed, and his leg was clearly cut in two earlier in the chapter, while in the anime Hiro is nowhere near bleeding. Also, the way Hiro died is different in both version, where the manga version seems to be more violent. In the manga version also, Hime uses her blood to revive Hiro, while she uses some sort of life flame (great deal to remove bloody scene, eh?) Overall in term of quality, the manga wins IMO.

Anyway, the way the anime end promises that there is possibilities that there may be season 2 of the series. The fight between the Royal has yet to resolve (only one has died so far), and we have yet to see other of Hime' siblings. On top of that, we need more brave side of Hiro, not some weakling who can barely protect his master. I hope something may happen to Hiro if there are season 2.


Genres: Comedy, Horror, Shounen, Supernatural

OP "Blood Queen" by Misato Aki
ED "Hizamazuite Ashi wo Oname" by ALI Project


screenshots:

Anime Saimoe 2007: Updated

Anime Saimoe 2007 pt 1

after a long days of voting, the competition has finally reach the semi finals of the block phase.

past matches summary (graphic version):

So many things have happened starting from the first block matches, the table turner, unexpected win, the despairs of voters....among notable one:

-For the first time, there's a draw in Saimoe matches, and it happened in the very first matches of block A, between Eva (Negima) and Shana (Shakugan no Shana). Both advanced, though later it turned out that Eva has more fake votes than Shana. Eva somehow lost in the re-match in round 2 (sadly; she's one of my favorite moe though)

-The most intense match in first round: Kagamin (Lucky Star) vs Maria (Hayate no Gotoku). Too close to be described that both party has a lot of fake votes, but in the end Kagamin is able to defeat Maria (sadly though, I supported both of them...). In the end when voting count ranks for round 1 is counted, Maria, who lost to Kagamin has 2nd highest vote overall (but still lose to Kagami). That's how close the match was.

-A very close contest between one of the tournament favorite, Nanoha (Nanoha Strikers) and Kobayakawa Yutaka (Lucky Star). Everybody expect that Nanoha would win this match at ease, but they're wrong, in the end there are only 4 votes separating them. Showing how strong Lucky Star character is, even for a 2nd tier character (well for me she is, though she's still moe)

-Another very unexpected turn over: Queen Henrietta (Zero no Tsukaima) fight from the bottom of the rank, battling in the final 2 hours to beat Setsuna (Negima) and Signum (Nanoha StrikerS) in match E-8. This graph tells everything:


-The shocking lost of the "black horse" of the tournament, Katsura Hinagiku (Hayate no Gotoku), against Runa (Set no Hanayome). She's by far is almost everyone favorite to win the tournament, or at least become the finalist against possible opponent Nanoha (Nanoha Strikers). But in the 2nd round something very unexpected occur, when she was leading for most of the day, but suddenly in the last minute the vote count for Runa sky rocketing, overtaking Hinagiku lead thus knocking out one of the best contestant in the match. Many says it's a conspiracy, and I kinda agree with it; but after all, Hinagiku does not have much screen time in the anime to support her in this Saimoe. She excel pretty well in the manga, but not that much in the anime, which may become one of the factor that leads to her losing.
With her losing (as well as Maria), Hayate no Gotoku faction could only rely on their 3 last survivor: Nagi, Isumi and NomNom-tan.

-Suiseiseki (Rozen maiden), last year Queen of Saimoe still going strong. But how long will she able to persist?

-Following Mai Kawasumi last minute lost to Louise (Zero no Tsukaima), Kanon who have as much as 10 contestants at the start of block phase round, now only 1 remains to bring the chalenge in semi finals of group match: Sayuri. Other contestant fall one by one...

-And finally, one of the most anticipated of round 2, block H2-1 match: A 3-way contest between Suigintou (Rozen maiden Ouverture) vs Fate (Nanoha StrikerS) vs Satoko (Higurashi). In actual, it's an Apocalyptic Duel between Suigintou and Fate, leaving Satoko trapped in between their fierce battle. Both of them is considered one of the topmost contestant in this tournament, so whoever win this match has pretty much potential to win this year Saimoe. The epic match was very intense, making a record of more than 3000+ accumulated votes count. Suiginto win in the end, fair and square (both have almost same amoun of fake votes). This match left those who support Fate to be in despair. As for me, I'm glad that Suiginto win, since I'm in anti-nanoha faction :3



Saimoe takes 2 days break, further update can be found here

................................................................

Korean Saimoe: The matches have entered the final 32 characters, with match group 11 and 12 currently takes place. And it's one of the biggest match ever, Kagamin vs Konata. A cruel fate for Lucky Star legion, 2 of their top aces are destined to meet each other.

further update can be found here

Gotic Lolita Propaganda

Title: Gothic Lolita Propaganda
Artist: Yousei Teikoku
From: Gothic Lolita Propaganda


ROMAJI

bara no kaoru kara hitsu ni
ima mo shizuka ni nemuru
shikkoku no kokoro hanachi
me same tsugeru choushou

mizu sei ( suisho u ) no hitomi ga utsusu ha
sari shi hibi no to yume ( a da yume )
touki no hada ni ukabu ha
mune o kizamu hijiri kon ( sei kon )

tokihanate ken o kazase
orokamono o houmure
nagiharae inochi no kagiri
shi no mukui o ukeyo

ha kou kau sha ni sai kinochi o
kino shi o ko waba kairaku o

ibushi ( fusubo ) ru kuchibiru tsumugu no ha
subete o horobosu shizume uta

nie no chi ha rei ( a ) yuri
shishi o kirisai te
kami ni somuki sono mi sasageyo u to
chikau nara ba
tomoni seisen no chi he

tatoe mo shi kimi ga chiribame ta ito ( kagerou ) ni
karami setsubou no fuchi de aei de iru nara
soba ni iyo u
tomoni iku akashi ni kae te

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KANJI

桎梏(しっこくの魂(こころ放ち
目醒め告げる弔鐘

水精(すいしょう)の瞳が映すは
去りし日々の徒夢(あだゆめ)
陶器の肌に浮かぶは
胸を刻む聖痕(せいこん)

解き放て　剣を翳せ
愚か者を葬れ
薙ぎ払え　命の限り
死の酬いを受けよ

　刃向カウ者ニ　裁キノ血ヲ
　赦シヲ請ワバ　快楽ヲ

燻(ふすぼ)る唇紡ぐのは
総てを滅ぼす鎮歌(しずめうた)

贄の血は零(あ)ゆり
四肢を切り裂いて
神に背きその身捧げようと
誓うならば
共に聖戦の地へ

譬えもし君が鏤めた糸遊(かげろう)に
絡み切望の淵で喘いでいるなら
傍にいよう
共に逝く証に代えて

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another Yousei Teikoku lyric, I absolutely love this song especially the insert in 4:00 onward. But the lyric is somewhat confuses me, they use Hiragana letter to explain the Kanji word in the bracket, which sometimes may cause misinterpret in translation. btw the romaji has been edited a little due to this confusion.

2nd Sem & Exam

Finally the mid semester break has ended yesterday, and now I'm going to continue with my final quarter of my 1st year. A lot has happened during the break, and now I need to muster my focus and energy for this year exam, which will be coming in a month time. Before that, I need to finish some more assignment which need to be submitted. This week I only need to submit Bio: Human Perspective practical 2 report, not a hard task. Next week I need to submit Statistics assignment 4, which I also do think is not a problem. Though, I'm kinda frustrated that I need to redo the assignment ALL OVER AGAIN because I saved it in my previously damaged laptop, so I was unable to back up the data =( Then I have Bio: Human Perspective test #4, the final test which constitute 4% of final marks. The previous tests are just MCQ online tests, but this one is not, so it may be tougher than I expect. Finally the next 2 weeks I need to submit Bio: Human Perspective Human Awareness Group Project: Modern Method to Treat Human Disease - Melanoma.

The exam schedule has been posted in MyUni, luckily my exam schedule is just like last semester, having several days break in between each subject. Talk about preparation, I think I will not have much problem with Statistics and Chemistry; Statistics only need some practices (same goes with Chemistry) but my problem may exist in both Bio subjects. Bio: Human Perspective, I've missed half of them so far, luckily I've covered most of them during the break but still, they're sometimes too complex and I need to rely much on the text book. Bio: Organism, so far I only had missed 2 lectures, but this subject is also not easy, need in-depth understanding to get a good marks.

BTW new PC has been purchased from E-Bay, I expect it to arrive within 3 days.

[mod] Lucky ☆ Star x GTA

Found this while lurking last night. oh my, GTA modded with Lucky ☆ Star twin Kagami and Tsukasa, holding guns and rifles shooting Pikachu and civilians down. Also featured are armies of Doraemon, some seemingly Counter Strike gun sound and MGS4 weapons. Their laugh while gunning down those pokemon's kinda creepy, remind me of Rena Higurashi :3
The latter part of hijacking the car, that's so not faminine lol. They should've make their hair more blue-ish. Overall they still use the same voice from the anime (Kagamin: Oosu~ , Tsukasa: Onee-chan~)

if only this mod version is available for torrent...Do want!!!

Kokou no Sousei

Title: Kokou no Sousei /孤高の創世
Artist: Yousei Teikoku
From: Gothic Lolita Propaganda

ROMAJI

umarenagara oi shi tsumi de aru ga yueni
ronri, haitoku kan osoreru koto nakare
osae kire nu shoudou kara no
katarikake ni mi modaeru

kagami utsusu sugata tousaku suru hodo ni
gisou utsushidashi te memai ga suru hodo ni
mushinkei na anata tachi ha
naze ni ' shinjitsu dake o ' to

utsusu no ka mi o eguru katarushisu

Sore nara ba isso kokoro ni soe te
kono shintai kiyoshi ka sure ba ii
kyozetsu he no higan shinka no keiji
shounou no kaoru seruroido

gin no kami to akaku fukai garasu no me de
tsukuriage ta nise te hi naru watashi he
umarekawaru toki ga kuru to utagae zu ni
sotto nade te idai ta ningyou he no kogare

hito de aru ga yue no tae te kie nu yoku ni
hirei, kasan sa re ta nan garon mo no yuuutsu
zure ta kachi o semeru yokuatsu
taegataki shi kanshou sha yo

ato sukoshi kanzen na utsuwa he to

sugekae ta shintai kowareru hi made
oiru koto mo naku utsukushiku
kyozetsu he no higan shinka no mayu to
atataka sa sute ta seruroido

kuro no doresu kara ha zutto motome te i ta
hosoku kyasha na shishi ga shi na ya nani nobi
shiro no reesu yurashi sotto aruki dasu no
omoiegai te i ta kokou no sousei he

gin no kami to akaku fukai garasu no me de
tsukuriage ta nise te hi naru watashi o
shibaru mono mo semeru mono mo ari ha shi nai
kodoku dake ga watashi iyashi tsuduke te yuku


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KANJI

作詞・作曲・編曲／橘 尭葉

生まれながら負いし　罪で在るが故に
論理 、背徳感　恐れる事無かれ
抑え切れぬ衝動からの
語り掛けに身悶える

鏡映す姿　倒錯するほどに
偽装映し出して　眩暈がするほどに
無神経な貴方達は
何故に「真実だけを」と映すのか

身をえぐる　カタルシス

其れならばいっそ心に添えて
この身体淨化すればいい
拒絶への悲願　進化の啓示
樟脳の香るセルロイド

銀の髪と紅く深いガラスの眼で
作り上げた似せて非ナル私へ
生まれ変わる時が来ると疑えずに
そっと撫でて抱いた人形への焦がれ

人で在るが故の　絶えて消えぬ欲に
比例、加算された何ガロンもの憂鬱
ずれた価値を責める抑圧
耐え難きし干渉者よ

あと少し　完全な　器へと

すげ替えた身体壊れる日まで
老いる事も無く美しく
拒絶への悲願　進化の繭と
暖かさ棄てたセルロイド

黒のドレスからはずっと求めていた
細く華奢な四肢がしなやなに伸び
白のレース揺らしそっと歩き出すの
思い描いていた孤高の創世へ

銀の髪と紅く深いガラスの眼で
作り上げた似せて非ナル私を
縛るモノも責めるモノも有りはしない
孤独だけが私癒し続けて往く



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At last, Kokou no Sousei lyric! I've longed for the lyric but to no avail, only recently when I stumbled upon a Japanese forum and found the lyric (as well as Yousei Teikoku other song, yay!) Ok, this is one of my favorite song, Fairy Yui as usual with her cute voice+music fuse with ghotic element. This song is actually from Renkin 3-kyū Magical Pokān single.

Zero no Tsukaima

Zero no Tsukaima (ゼロの使い魔, Zero no Tsukaima? lit. The Familiar of Zero) is a fantasy and comedy-oriented series of Japanese light novels written by Noboru Yamaguchi and illustrated by Eiji Usatsuka. The story features several characters from the second year class of a magic academy in a fictional magical world with the main character being the inept mage Louise and her familiar from Earth, Saito Hiraga. The series has been adapted twice as an anime series. The first season aired in Japan in 2006 produced by the animation studio J.C. Staff, and the second season, entitled Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi (ゼロの使い魔 ～双月の騎士～, Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi? lit. The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Two Moons), began airing in Japan on July 9, 2007. A manga version drawn by Nana Mochizuki began serialization in July 2006.

source: wiki

Plot Summary (ANN): Meet Louise, a budding magician. The students at the Tristein Academy call her "Zero Louise", due to her current record of zero successes with magic. In fact, her magic tends to go spectacularly wrong. Now, as an important test of her aptitude for magic, she must summon a familiar to be her servant. At this critical moment, she summons up all her magic and wishes for a familiar that is "devoted, beautiful and powerful", and gets... Hiraga Saito, an ordinary Japanese boy. It's difficult to say who is more surprised and dismayed, but the rules don't allow for second attempts. Louise is stuck with her strange familiar, and he with her. This sequel is a continuation of the previous season, not long after the war. Louise and Saito seemingly getting along now since she knows that he had given up his only chance to return to Tokyo for her. The story continues as Louise begins to use Void Magic from a mysterious secret book she had recieved from her majesty Henrietta, while a new villain has appeared in town causing trouble.

Last week another series closes it's curtain from 2007 anime series, with the final episode of Zero no Tsukaima: Futatsuki no Kishi (the 2nd season). I first watch this series way back in 2006 when I download this by accident and decided to give it a try. Then I found out that Louise (the main protagonist) is voiced by Rie Kugiyima, which becomes one of the driven force for me to continue watching this.

First season end last year with Saito finally got his chance to return to his own world due to the sun eclipse, but he decided to abandon his chance, stay behind and help Tristain in the war (or more exactly, he want to protect the person he love the most), combining force with Louise Void Magic and defeat the enemies' army. Then second season was aired starting from July, again with 12 episodes (just like the first season). Second season is kinda more random than the first, with the first 4-5 episodes have little to do with their war. It end with Saito seemingly died when he faced 7 millions of enemy army ALONE, but the director don't want to make him dead, so Saito somehow survived (saved by a fairy) and reunite with Louise. Still, the war hasn't over yet, and the main enemies is yet to be defeated. Sign of season 3 anyone...?

Nevertheless, my comment toward this series: I like both season very much, in their own way. Season 1 is the starting of the series and they show much of the progress of the war, many hilarious scenes which makes me laugh pretty much, and end in a "good way". That is, they didn't spoil much as in season 2. Saito also somehow learns that there are other people from his world who also summoned into that magic world, and maybe somehow trapped (eg: Siesta gramps, the person who brought the plane and weapons, as well as the sailor fuku :3 ) Season 2, on the other hand, starts pretty well with many random plot in the first 4, 5 episodes, lots of echhi and fanservices and of course, the comedy elements. But this season is kinda interrupted with a lengthy side-character story of Anies which many fan don't think she deserve to get that much spotlight; though the end part of the story deserve some thumbs up (touching scenes of the death of Colbert sensei) with the exception of the spoiled ED. The final episode is very very very touching I must say, kinda makes me want to cry watching the scenes involving Saito and Louise at the port, the marriage, before the departure as well as Saito fight against the army. But the end part when really spoil the mood, when Saito who survive the nuke return with his perverted behaviour and Louise with his whip again. I really wish they could at least keep the sad+romance+happiness reunion till the end, as well as change the ED to fit the mood.

Not to mention, this 2nd season is kinda rush, everything went too quickly especially in the final 3 episode, but the war is going nowhere. The main evil has yet to be defeated, the war is still going on. Anyway, those who have read the novel complaint that this 2nd season is kind of failure with many things from the novel is neglected, but I do think the series is fine in it's own way. Yes Saito return to quickly in the final episode just to get nuked again, kinda disappoint me. Would be better if they make Saito died in episode 11, only to return at the final episode.

OP of Season 1
OP+ED of Season 2

Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

Screenshots:

Holiday

My mid-semester holiday started last week and end this Monday. The whole break is within fasting period so there's not much activities I had in mind, more so I had plenty of lectures and assignment to cover (due to my absence lol). First week proceed not so smoothly for me, my laptop had some problem again on Tuesday and forced me to reformat it again, and again......and again....it only became stable last Friday, but the problem came again yesterday and forced me to reformatted it again, and again; and seems like the condition is getting worse. Kinda frustrated, maybe it's time for me to buy a replacement; a desktop might be a good idea. Need to lurk e-bay first...

Ok, these 3 days (Sunday-Tuesday) I've been alone at home because my housemates had a trip to Melbourne. Don't ask me why I didn't join, I just feels like not joining the trip, on top of that I still need to do my Bio: Human Perspective online quiz before Thursday (and I expect it to be extremely hard).

So only a few days before the mid-sem break ends, and I need to prepare for the 2nd part of this semester. No slacking and lecture skipping this time, folk :3 HD ftw!

Hayate no Gotoku Character CD vol 5-6

1. Title: Hayate no Gotoku! Character CD 5 - Saginomiya Isumi
Artist: Matsuki Miyu
Street Release Date: September 21, 2007

direct download here

1. Title: Hayate no Gotoku! Character CD 6 - Sakuya Aizawa
Artist: Ueda Kana
Street Release Date: September 21, 2007

direct download here

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it took them quite some time to release these 2 character CD, no? Nevertheless, I like both of these, Isumi being a slow-paced music and soothing (just like what she is in the series lol), while Sakuya song' kinda a little girly with powerful words (her theme NA NI WA Lovemotion is another song I favor). I'm looking forward to Saki Kijima and Nishizawa Ayumu Character CD :3

Lucky ☆ Star

Lucky Star part.1

Lucky ☆ Star (らき☆すた, Raki ☆ Suta?) is a Japanese four-panel comic strip manga by Kagami Yoshimizu. The strip has been serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Comptiq magazine since January 2004. Cameo strips were published in other magazines such as Shōnen Ace and others. It was not originally meant to be serialized, but when Comptiq suddenly had pages to fill, Lucky ☆ Star was there.[citation needed] As it was popular, it was decided that the strip was to be serialized. Like many four-panel comic strips, it has no real plot, and typically focuses on the daily lives of the characters.

In August 2005, a drama CD based on the series was released, and in December 2005, a Nintendo DS video game entitled Lucky ☆ Star Moe Drill, was released. A sequel, also playable on the DS, called Shin Lucky ☆ Star Moe Drill was released in May 2007, and a PlayStation 2 visual novel will be released in November 2007. In September 2006, it was released to the press that Kyoto Animation would be animating an anime based on the series; it will contain twenty-four episodes. The anime aired on the Chiba TV Japanese television network between April 8, 2007 and September 16, 2007. A light novel was released in September 2007.

Wiki again

Finally Lucky Star closes it's curtain last Sunday with it's final episode (24). This series surely being hyped this season, no wonder Kagamin has been tipped to be the potential big name in this year Anime Saimoe. Well there are some reason that makes this series awesome. It start with some great catchy OP (similar concept to Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi ED Hare Hare Yukai), and for the first 12 episodes involves the character singing other anime song in a karaoke. A little dissappointing though that the final 12 episodes involves Minoru Shiraishi singing (and they even decided to release the compilation lol.
Summary: Portrays the lives of several school girls attending a Japanese high school with a very loose humor tone. The main heroine is Konata Izumi, an athletic and intelligent girl who, despite these attributes, is not in a sports club, and her grades remain low. Her laziness at school is due to her love for anime and video games, and is not interested in much else. The serialization began with the four main characters in their first year of high school: Konata Izumi, Kagami Hiiragi, Tsukasa Hiiragi, and Miyuki Takara. As the story progresses, they move onto their second and third year.
Anyway, as previously said, aside from it's hilarious joke and parody, the randomness in each episode is something to look for. And yes it really potrays what randomly happened in our daily lives, you see some scenes and you can feel the same occasionally had occasionally happened to you. Sometimes they do uses some references (especially Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi), which makes us wondering about the releases of MoSH season 2 (which is supposed to be next year).
After a run of 24 episodes, KyoAni finally end the series with their final School Festival (hm...Azumanga anyone?) as well as the full version of "Motteke Sailor Fuku" dance; and I can guarantee that soon enough Youtube will be flooded with the dancing parody :3 This final episode is one of the greater to watch, the only downside that I can tell is that they still mantain the ED, which is kinda dissappoint me since this is the final episode.
Overall, I do think Lucky Star is another KyoAni success this year, fun to watch, and I'd definitely going to remember this series, especially those involve Kagami and Konata.

Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life

OP (Motteke! Sailor Fuku)
Full version dance (as in ep24)

Screenshots: