Sunday, December 10, 2006

The final stretch...

A number of shows are nearing their conclusions, so let's focus in on them for the moment:

Welcome to the NHK is developing its final arc with a more narrowed look into Misaki. We get more insight into why she feels she needs to support Satou. Her necessity to feel useful is what is charging her tutelage of our protaganist. As she believes he no longer needs her, she is nearing a breakdown of sorts. Meanwhile, Satou feels the Kaoru departure and his high school sempai's nearing marriage is significantly isolating him and he worries that Misaki's tantrems are a sign his hikokomori lifestyle has caught back up with him. At this point, Misaki and Satou are the only two characters left dangling out there so a permanent relationship of sorts seems in the works. But I've been wrong before.

After a slow start to their season with average fare plotlines, the current Black Lagoon arc(and what seems like the last one) is shaping into possibly the best one so far, first season included. It is happening in Rock's homecountry of Japan and features just two of the crew members, the always entertaining Rock and Levy duet. Rock is hired as a translator by Rapongi's Russian Mob Queen Balalaika as she tries to cut into the Yakuza pie. As a mob war breaks out in Tokyo, Rock and his bodyguard, Revy, appear headed on a epic conflict with a sword wielding exterminator, loyal only to his clan's teenage heiress. This is averted, however, when our protaganists team up with the samurai to recover this clan leader. Now, an even more epic battle seems in the works between our heroes and the ruthless Balalaika. I'm drooling already.

Finally, Bokura ga ita is also in the final stretch. I have to admit, this series, which I was hooked on at first, has seen my patience wane with it's patheticly unchanging situations and lack of believability when it comes to perceived threats to the main couple's relationship. It appears that both our heroes are now facing their last trial with suitor's appearing for both Yano and his female counterpart. Apparently, Take is now serious about making a move. YAWN. I can already see him resigning himself to the good guy role yet again. 'nough said!

Inukami looks like it has set up Kaoru as the bad guy that the series will set on. Truckloads of angst and selfdoubt are certainties in the final stretch.

Elsewhere, I cant bring myself to watch Bleach lately so im not going to force it. I'll stockpile the episodes and watch them all in one sitting when I'm in the mood.

Oh, Tokimeki Memorial has taken a turn for the better, after discovering I hate the main female character, Amamiya, I find myself rooting for the clumsy, stubborn, volleyball player, though I'm not opposed to a push from the outside by timid, busty, swimming team member. Both of these characters are making their moves while Amamiya is obviously confused about how she felt about the accidental confession. God I hope she becomes a lesbian so she can leave this love triangle.

Well, that's it, see you next week...maybe,...I'll try...but dont hold your breath...I mean... Sigh

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Yes, I am still alive

Do not fret, I have not yet departed for the great unknown. I have, to put it bluntly, let this blog go to shit so I will at least do some minimal updating on the shows I usually cover weekly. First off One Piece episodes have officially restarted, if you have been following the adc-elites fansubs. They had a sudden resignation from their then sole translator and when they came back had to go through a flurry of flashback episodes. The plot is now at the heart of the arc where each crew member finds themselves facing off against their respective opponents. For those of you unfamiliar with one piece or have brushed it off as childish, you are missing out on a true gem. Closing in on their 300th episode, One Piece remains entertaining despite being a tad formulaic and a slow pace(which is still at a faster pace than the manga). Anyways go to anidb or animenfo for a description if you haven't heard of this(have you been living in a cave).

Welcome to the NHK is still going strong heading into its last throes. After Satou and Kaoru finish their bishoujo h-game to little fanfare and Karou suddenly departs to unwillingly take over the family farm, our hero finds himself wondering what's to become of his life and dreadingliy believing he will sooner or later go back to his hikokomori lifestyle. All the while, Misaki is secretely doubting herself and wondering if she can really make a difference for Satou. The series finale is lining up very nicely, hopefully a significant breakthrough in Satou's life (possibly in the Satou-Misaki relationship) changes the oft-selfdelusional Satou to someone we believe will have a path to changing his life around. When the series end, Satou should have changed in a way that that chapter of his life ends too.

Bokura ga ita episodes have been slow coming, so slow actually that i'll leave the update till I get to watch another episode.

I have a backload of bleach episodes and a BL and Tokimeki episode downloaded amd that I expect to watch tonight so I'll probably get to those in the next few hours. If I'm too tired afterwards, I'll put off the reviews to God knows when, since I've given up up on setting timetables that I end up breaking anyways. Which brings me to the Top Ten Anime. I know I promised #10 3 weeks ago but I have hit some unexpected speed bumps in the process of writing. I'll need to at least watch 1 episode of those few series in the top ten I have only watched once because I seem to have a hazy memory of them, mostly names and the like. Anyways, I may release it very soon or way in the future. I won't even make a prediction. Status is officially listed as STALLED for this project.