Shinmaru

[center][URL=http://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=chaosheadsenafs7.jpg][IMG]http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/19/chaosheadsenafs7.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL=http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php][IMG]http://img221.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif[/IMG][/URL][/center] ... I ... I think I'm in love. :animeknow Ahem. Excellent episode -- Takumi's delusions are amazing in this one (foot fetishes! marriage proposals!). The one with Sena, in particular, had me dying with laughter. Also, is it bad that I started cracking up during the beginning when the whole "whose eyes are those" thing spread around? You know what is going to happen once Takumi realizes he is surrounded by the phrase, and it is funny. (The rock-paper-scissors game is my favorite use of the phrase, although the guy singing it to a jaunty tune is also quite wonderful.) The scene with [spoiler]Shogun in the street is my favorite in this episode. The colors surrounding Takumi during that bit is an interesting touch (markers of Shogun's powers, perhaps?). Music came through big in that scene -- whenever I hear that creepy delusion theme, my heart starts racing. Pavlov would be proud, methinks.[/spoiler] Very interesting that Takumi is [spoiler]moving a bit closer to Rimi as a result of that whole thing, too. Like my feelings toward Yua, I definitely do not completely trust Rimi, although I am not certain what she is aiming for at the moment.[/spoiler] Also, Takumi is extra creepy in this episode. [b][URL="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/Shinmaru/Anime%20Screenshots/ChaosHeadCheckOutThoroughly.jpg"]I think this screenshot explains it all quite nicely.[/URL][/b] His laugh when he starts fondling his new Seira figure is also quite disturbing. [quote name='Desbreko'][color=#4B0082]I've been thinking that every time I hear it. When I watched the first episode I was expecting an ED along the same lines as the OP (

I think I will do this one at a time so that people don't kill me. :p [URL=http://img55.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shinharemrn1.png][IMG]http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/7011/shinharemrn1.th.png[/IMG][/URL][URL=http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php][IMG]http://img55.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif[/IMG][/URL] Explanations ahoy!! -- [b]Haruka[/b]: She's an *** kicker. Definite plus. Also, she knows when to be silly and have fun, and when to be serious and responsible. Plus, and this is what makes her a keeper, she is loyal as all hell ([spoiler]come on, she waits [i]15 years[/i] for even the [i]slightest[/i] chance to rekindle a relationship with her lost love -- if that is not dedication, I don't know what is[/spoiler]). -- [b]Utena[/b]: The best part about Utena is she is just herself, no questions asked. She's tough, strong and "manly" while also being feminine, and she sees no issue with it whatsoever. Utena is also an ace with the sword and does random, cute things when people speak to her. -- [b]Rin[/b]: Let's put it this way -- Rin's character design is like the creators tunneled deep into my mind, took out references for every visual marker that could possibly appeal to me (even if I didn't consciously know about it) and created Rin from the information. My god. *** kicking machine? Check. Glasses? Check. Crazy colored hair? Check. Woman wearing a suit? Check. I would go on, but this would get creepier than it already is. -- [b]Faye[/b]: Do you really have to ask? It's Faye friggin' Valentine. She's sexy without even trying. -- [b]Kanako[/b]: I like her elegance, her intelligence and her absurd amount of crazy. A good combination. Sometimes CLAMP character designs can look ridiculous, but Kanako is a winner. [spoiler]Even if she has appeared fully conscious for only, like, one episode so far. >>[/spoiler] -- [b]Juri[/b]: She is similar to Utena in that she is who she is without regard to what other people think ... except in the case of [spoiler]her crippling attraction to Shiori[/spoiler]. There is a lot to admire in Juri -- like Utena, she is quite tough, and I love the deliberate, yet nonchalant air she has about her. A defining Juri character moment, for me, is when [spoiler]she is leaning forward, facing a window, when she challenges Utena to a duel in the latter half of the series. She does not care about whatever power there is to be gained from the duels, and she does not even really want to duel Utena at all, but she does it, in her eyes, to help Shiori, so she is casual and detached from the whole thing.[/spoiler] It's just so [i]Juri[/i]. -- [b]Tomoyo[/b]: It's hilarious to see her morph from a killer when interacting with Sunohara to a thoughtful, compassionate person when interacting with everyone else. To me, she is also the kindest, strongest person in [b]Clannad[/b] -- she has lapses of judgment (in a way, she is like a female Tomoya, except WAY less lazy and unmotivated), but she is always able to pull through and help others, and she is selfless in a way that isn't horribly forced and obnoxious. [url=http://joezul.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/tomoyo.jpg][b]Plus, she is really cute in glasses.[/b][/url] -- [b]Yuki[/b]: Her gradual shift to humanity (she is actually [spoiler]an alien[/spoiler]) is quite awesome (although there is just a bit of that in the first season of the anime; I am getting this mainly from reading the light novels). Seeing her do things in her own way and having Kyon react like, "O_o; Wait, is she trying to have [i]fun[/i]??" is horribly adorable. Yuki's devotion to Kyon is also lovely. [url=http://randomc.animeblogger.net/image/Suzumiya%20Haruhi/Suzumiya%20Haruhi%20-%2004%20-%20Large%2027.jpg][b]And, of course, she is also cute in glasses.[/b][/url] That's all for now. I have another one I made, and beyond that, I have a couple of ideas for others. lolz

The 2008 presidential election -- get ****** up the *** metaphorically [i]and[/i] for real!!

So, this show was not even on my radar when the season began, and now, if it plays its cards right, it could conceivably become my favorite of the fall. Well played, Madhouse. Well played. The main story concerns a string of murders where the victims' body parts have been hacked off and placed everywhere in boxes. A detective on leave from another city teams up with various people to solve the mystery. ... the twist to this is that, four episodes in to the series, the show is just now getting to that little story. What has it been doing this whole time? Why, developing a strangely beautiful relationship between two young girls who are, by all rights, completely bonkers ([spoiler]one of them, Kanako, says the other, Yoriko, is the reincarnation of Kanako ... and then Kanako goes on to say that she -- meaning Kanako -- is also the reincarnation of Yoriko, and that they are both their future lives (?!?!)[/spoiler]). And then [spoiler]Kanako is thrown under a train -- and miraculously survives. Did she attempt suicide? Did Yoriko try to murder her because of a blemish on Kanako's neck (this is a serious question, folks)? Was it something else entirely??[/spoiler] There are also random asides involving guys riding on trains with passengers who [spoiler]who carry people's heads in boxes, something that is meaningless through the first three episodes but might become important now[/spoiler]. And, of course, there is also family drama galore, and a timeline that has, in all likelihood, given me brain cancer. Normally I might be inclined to abandon a series that made my head hurt this much through four episodes ... but the story is told so well and the atmosphere nailed so perfectly that the pounding in my head after each episode is easily the most beautiful headache I have ever felt. Watching this series shows me what it would be like if David Lynch decided to become an anime director for no reason. Every mood this show wants the viewer to feel it goes right for, no questions asked, and it hits it, no problem. It astounds me, sometimes. I also quite enjoy the relationship between Kanako and Yoriko. Unfortunately, it has been thrown to the wayside a bit -- for obvious reasons after the first ep -- although [spoiler]Yoriko has somehow become even crazier due to this, which baffles me (I had no idea this was possible).[/spoiler] But, yes, more Kanako/Yoriko would be quite lovely. Make it happen. Anyway. I know Dagger watched the first episode, but is anyone else keeping up with this series? If you can bear the level of intense mindscrew, then I would say it's worth it to watch, because, if nothing else, there is no other series as elegant and beautiful this season. EDIT: I am also a fan of [b]Mouryou no Hako[/b]'s OP, "Lost in Blue," by Nightmare. Not an [i]amazing[/i] song, but it's catchy and a nice listen.

Here are a couple from ep5 of [b]Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka[/b]: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/Shinmaru/Anime%20Screenshots/AkaneIroSpoony.jpg[/IMG] And I'll just link this one because it could possibly be a bit much for people: [url]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/Shinmaru/Anime%20Screenshots/AkaneIroTentacled.jpg[/url]

Figure on me haunting this thread from now on as long as other people reply. >> These two are from [b]Kyo no Gononi[/b]: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/Shinmaru/Anime%20Screenshots/Hole.gif[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/Shinmaru/Anime%20Screenshots/Bottom.jpg[/IMG] This last one is from [b]Toradora![/b]: [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/Shinmaru/Anime%20Screenshots/ToradoraDogInHeat.jpg[/IMG]

Haha, ep5 is fantastic. I love the new character, Ami, and it is nice that [spoiler]everyone important either knows about her "split personality" or suspects something about it (in the case of Minori).[/spoiler] The ending to the episode is interesting, too -- obviously, what Taiga is thinking has to do with [spoiler]Ami wanting to take time off modeling. I'm guessing the thing with the sweets is Ami desiring a more "normal" life instead of the regulated life I imagine she has as a model.[/spoiler] My favorite part of the episode, though, is Minori's letter to Ryuji in class. It's set up perfectly with Minori waving to Ryuji in a flirtatious manner, and then [spoiler]the letter's tone is incredibly pissed off, haha. The little angry Minori face in the bottom corner of the screen seals the joke for me.[/spoiler] That got a huge laugh from me.

I was actually only half-interested in the series before the season, too, but the first episode impressed me quite a bit, and I have been hooked hard ever since. This show strikes me as having a different feel than most high school romance comedies because I can really [i]feel[/i] the relationship between Taiga and Ryuji from the get go. It does not feel contrived at all, nor does it come across as if they're together because the show needs two romantic leads. Ep1 is solid, but the leaps their relationship takes in ep2 are so wonderful and so well executed and genuinely surprising. It is [i]so[/i] refreshing to see a series like this take a few chances and pull them off well. So, yes, I

[quote name='Phenom']What do you mean by the characters need to pick up? They're that dull and boring?[/quote] Basically. They are just not that interesting -- they are cardboard cutouts doing whatever is dictated by the plot. [quote]I did manage to check out the 1st episode of Kurozuka last night and I was impressed. Intro sort of reminded me of Death Note. And by the looks of it, it looks like it's suppose to be the ninja/samurai type anime so that's a plus. Artwork/animation is gorgeous. Didn't see anything in terms of sexuality, but from the way you put it, it sounds like it's heading in the direction of Basilisk. (Looks that way too.)[/QUOTE] The sexuality is mostly in the second episode -- again, nothing really graphic, or anything, but it is definitely meant to be sensual/erotic. That sort of thing does not bother me at all, and the way it is done fits into the story well, but I thought I should warn you, just in case. It is a gorgeous series, though. From what I am reading, Madhouse has put much of its resources into [b]Kurozuka[/b] this season, and it really shows.

Ep3 is good stuff -- for some reason, I am getting the feeling it is an episode that sets up some things that will be paid off in an awesome way later (I am thinking mainly of [spoiler]Takumi's flashback to his childhood and that girl holding the same sword as FES -- a connection beyond being a fan?[/spoiler]). There is some stuff that is interesting all on its own, though. Kind of weird that the doctor did not recognize Takumi -- either it's been a hell of a long since he has been to the doctor, or perhaps the memory of the doctor is another level of delusion. (Note: I hope I don't get tired of thinking everything is some sort of delusion, because I think I will be doing that a lot lol.) We also got nurse!Seira out of the hospital trip, so big win for the fans! Yay! My favorite scene, however, is everything in the concert. Great sense of claustrophobia with all the people around Takumi, and the delusion of [spoiler]FES walking toward Takumi and stripping every other second is super creepy[/spoiler]. Also interesting that she knows Takumi's little catchphrase.

[quote name='Phenom']I was just browsing through Funimation's site happened to come across [b]Shikabane Hime[/b], and going by a picture alone kind of got me interested. And then I do a bit of research to find out that it's done by Gainax... Kind of a blow to the gut since I'm not particularly fond of what I've seen from Gainax. (Gurren Lagann turned out to be fairly decent in the end, though I don't care for the character models)[/QUOTE] If I remember correctly, you're an action fan, right? [b]Shikabane Hime: Aka[/b], at least through three episodes, has been a disappointment on that front (that is the main reason I watched it, haha). The story shows signs of picking up soon, but the characters also need to pick up, because they're not that interesting. If it's action you're looking for, [b]Kurozuka[/b] offers the best action, but I don't know if the sexuality might be a bit of a turn off (lol). It's not explicit, or anything, but it is definitely sexualized. I've seen just one episode of [b]Michiko to Hatchin[/b] thus far, but that also shows signs of offering good action.

Gave a rough outline of this on my World, but I have caught up on a few series, so here is a revised list of what I have seen this season -- with reasoning! [b]Favorites[/b] -- [i]Chaos;Head[/i]: Definitely my kind of anime. Takumi is an interesting main character -- I think he is less an otaku stereotype and more just a deeply flawed person. I like the way his paranoia has shaped the way the mystery has unfolded so far. [spoiler]Takumi believes the world is acting against him, and then, once he lowers his guard, the person he came to trust betrays him because she believes he is the murderer.[/spoiler] The look of the show is solid, too. I enjoy the way it contrasts the cheery, shiny, "moe" look of the regular world with the more grotesque world of Takumi's delusions. -- [i]Clannad ~After Story~[/i]: It's done a solid job of building upon what was so great about the first season -- excellent comedy mixed with interesting personal drama. The first two eps are lighthearted and quite funny (especially the second episode, which features much Sunohara hilarity), and the third ep has an interesting dilemma. Aside from that, I like how Tomoya continues to develop into a more mature person. He still like to joke around, but he has learned to deal with the consequences of his actions. -- [i]Toradora![/i]: I am an unashamed romantic -- put a good love story in front of me, and I cannot take my eyes away. What really makes this show worth watching is the excellent chemistry between Ryuji and Taiga. They are [i]so[/i] believable as a pair; they just [i]work[/i] together, even if they can't see it. It's formula, but it's [i]good[/i] formula. The second episode is one of the best I have seen this season. It does a remarkable job of making both Ryuji and Taiga utterly sympathetic (the [spoiler]kicking the post scene[/spoiler] is particularly well done). A definite must for romance fans. -- [i]Kurozuka[/i]: Checked this out due to Fasterisk's recommendation, and I am glad I did. [b]Shikabane Hime: Aka[/b] has been disappointing (which I will get to later), and I am desperate for great action, which this show has provided in spades. Basically it is about a man who meets an immortal woman in the woods, falls in love with her and then [spoiler]becomes immortal himself with her help.[/spoiler] A few people have compared it to [b]Mnemosyne[/b] -- it's about as violent as that series, although the sexuality is nowhere near as graphic (and, as one reviewer amusingly put it on MAL, [b]Mnemosyne[/b] has "more lesbians"). First two eps are quite good; definitely looking forward to the third one, which appears to contain [spoiler]the first big time leap in the series[/spoiler]. -- [i]Shugo Chara! Doki[/i]: Not much to say after the first ep (which is a recap of the first season), but after the excellent first season, this would have to be butchered pretty badly to not be a favorite of mine. [b]Very Good[/b] -- [i]Mouryou no Hako[/i]: The first episode made me go, "o_o" more often than not, but it is intriguing. I am interested to see how the relationship between the two girls develops and how that ties in to the overall premise (which, as described on MAL, is completely different than how the first episode went lol). A lot of the random vagueries (is that a word? It is now) threw me for a loop -- the head in the box (WTF?), the two girls [spoiler]being reincarnations of each other[/spoiler], etc. If the story develops into too much of a headache, though, I will at least stay for the atmosphere, which is wonderful. -- [i]Michiko to Hatchin[/i]: Very entertaining first episode. You can tell from watching this that Michiko will definitely be a heroine to remember, haha. Looking forward to lots of wild action and awesomeness from this. -- [i]Kannagi[/i]: I bit because of Des and was entertained. Nothing super amazing, or anything, but there have been funny moments, mainly with Nagi getting her way all the time and making life rough for Jin. I like Jin's friends, too. They seem like a fun bunch, actually. -- [i]Hyakko[/i]: Like [b]Kannagi[/b], it's nothing stellar, but it's funny enough to be a fun watch. It's similar to [b]Minami-ke[/b] in that 90 percent of the humor comes from the disparate personalities of the girls bouncing off each other, although [b]Hyakko[/b] is nowhere near as funny as [b]Minami-ke[/b] right now. [b]Decent[/b] -- [i]Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka[/i]: This is one of the more frustrating series of the season. The first episode is OK -- has a few funny moments and shows some promise. The second episode pays off that promise by being generally solid, with some genuinely funny moments and good character interaction. Then the third episode throws that all way by being totally boring. As Des writes, it is probably not worth watching if you are not a fan of school romantic comedies, even if the cast is like an all-star lineup. -- [i]Kyo no Gononi[/i]: Definitely disappointing after the stellar OVA (which is hysterical but also the very definition of [i]ecchi[/i], haha). For one, the TV series is nowhere near as stylish -- the character designs are highly simplified, and the animation in general is not as good. Every time the show does a story the OVA already covered, it invites unneeded comparisons to a far superior product. I think the new content has been funny enough (though maybe that's just because I have not seen it before), so I would like the anime to feature more of that. -- [i]Shikabane Hime: Aka[/i]: OK, after watching [b]Kurozuka[/b] and [b]Michiko to Hatchin[/b], I cannot think about this series without being disappointed. The first ep had some very good action, but it's as if the series has gone out of its way to avoid action as much as possible since then. Without that, my interest in the series has plunged, because I do not think the characters are too interesting. Undead schoolgirls fighting corpses for two or three minutes an episode can remain entertaining for only so long. However, it does at least appear as though the story will be picking up soon, which will be a nice boost for the series. -- [i]To Aru Majutsu no Index[/i]: I am not normally into this type of fantasy, but the show has been solid enough so far (with a damn good action sequence in the second episode). Random thing I think is funny: Index sometimes sounds like Chiaki from [b]Minami-ke[/b], even though Minori Chihara is not voicing her. [b]Terrible[/b] -- [i]Ga-Rei -Zero-[/i]: I have thought -- and written -- about this show enough. Unless my favorite psycho ghost chick kills people for 10 straight minutes in the next episode, I am going to drop this. Well, either that, or watch just the parts with her in it. >_>; -- [i]Yozakura Quartet[/i]: Soooooooooooo disappointing. Almost nothing has happened in the first three episodes, and the series is already a quarter finished. That is a bad, bad sign. Take it from me -- stay away.

I recently burned through this excellent manga from Naoki Urasawa, who also created [b]Monster[/b] (which was adapted into one of my all-time favorite anime), in three days. Gasped over every plot twist, pumped my fist at every awesome character moment and shed a tear or two when [spoiler]the teacher remembered Sadakiyo's name and gave him the picture of him as a child.[/spoiler] I don't read much manga, unfortunately, but [b]20th Century Boys[/b] hooked me as hard as any story I have ever read. The basic plot: In 1997, a mysterious cult leader, "Friend," gains influence in Tokyo. A convenience store owner named Kenji Endou becomes suspicious after an elementary school friend of his commits suicide, and he eventually becomes wrapped up in a conspiracy driven by "Friend" that stretches all the way back to Kenji's childhood. Kenji, along with many others, must unravel this plot, or else the world will be doomed. That is just a small taste, though -- [b]20th Century Boy[/b]'s plot is [i]so[/i] epic and has a huge cast of great characters. None of them quite approach the awesomeness of Dr. Tenma, for me (although a couple of them are close), but they are generally interesting and all have their surprising and shocking moments. Of all the characters, I would say my favorites are Kenji (of course), Otcho, Yukiji, Kyoko (I have no idea why), Choujo (he reminds me so much of Matsuda from [b]Death Note[/b], haha), Sadakiyo and #13. Yes, I

[quote name='Matt']I can't believe this. A superhero anime...dull?! This beyond my comprehension as a Comic Book Geek.[/QUOTE] Trust me, I was shocked, too, but it really is boring. No bones about it. The characters are mostly boring, and the action is nowhere near exciting enough to make up for that. Terribly disappointing show.

Ep3 of [b]Toradora![/b] is not quite as good as the previous episode, but it is still fun. Taiga having all that work put upon her because Ryuji wants to work side by side with Minori is funny. I think I like Minori better in small doses, though; her energy is nice, but too much of it can get sort of annoying lol. [b]Clannad[/b] is also chugging along -- it's getting into the drama now. Sunohara [spoiler]falling for Sanae is amusing, but he is definitely way too passive. It is pretty obvious he was tweaked about Tomoya and Mei getting into a (fake) relationship, but he just won't come to Mei's aid even though something is clearly wrong. If it has something to do with the soccer club, then maybe Sunohara could not defend himself there, and maybe because of that he believes he is ill equipped to defend others?[/spoiler] [b]Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka[/b] took a step back with its latest episode. The second one had some funny moments and showed some promise, but the third episode is pretty boring. There is really nothing done to separate it from other shows that do similar episodes. Blah. Also, in probably the most disappointing move of the season so far, I dropped [b]Yozakura Quartet[/b] after three episodes. You wouldn't think a series about superheroes could be so dull, but you would be wrong. I just cannot get into anything with that series -- it sucks, because I looked forward to seeing it so much.

lol, I could be like, "I so called it!!!1!!1!1" but I guess it is not that difficult to predict, haha. (I am notoriously bad at guessing plot twists. >_>) But, yes, I was not shocked at [spoiler]the turn, but Yua's cold, business-like voice [i]was[/i] quite jarring lol. She went from suspicious to truly dangerous in less than a second. The whole thing does have me curious about who she is and why she investigated Taku, though -- was a friend or relative of hers murdered? Did she come to suspect Taku before or after she struck up a friendship with him? Were there any genuine feelings involved at all?[/spoiler] From the way Taku reacted to [spoiler]Yua's advances (particularly the remark about the whole thing "disgusting" him and whatnot), I knew there was no way their "relationship" could end well. He is just not equipped to deal with people, which is quite sad. He'll be dealing with more people than he can handle, at any rate, with Yua [i]and[/i] the police soon to be on his ***.[/spoiler] Also, I am getting mixed signals about Rimi. There is one particular shot that seems to imply [spoiler]she is not real and that she really [i]is[/i] one of Taku's delusions, but she also holds conversations with people when Taku is around and when he is not around, so I don't know how to feel about that. Taku's memory issues concerning her are also quite suspicious -- I would guess it is something to do with him other than Rimi being a delusion, or whatever.[/spoiler] Right now [spoiler]I believe Taku is not the killer, mostly because I cannot think of a scenario that would reveal him as the murderer that would also not infuriate me lol.[/spoiler]

[quote name='Sangome'][SIZE="1"]Just watched the first episode of Toradora!...with extremely mixed feelings. It seems like one of those series that gets progressively better as it goes on, but will be a pain to watch until then...I'll watch a couple more episodes, to give it a fair shot, but right now, I'm not too hopeful at all.[/SIZE][/QUOTE] If you don't like ep2 much, then I don't know how you will feel about the rest of the series -- ep2 is definitely [b]Toradora![/b]'s best so far, I think, and it's also the one that displays the show's potential to be more than an average tsundere series. So many things are done right in it, and it takes the show in a direction I did not think it would go in for quite a while. Hopefully you will enjoy it. :) [quote name='Matt']I've just watched Chaps;Head. I don't think I'm going to like it too much. Just a very bland first episode.[/quote] What is bland about [b]Chaos;Head[/b], if you don't mind me asking? I think it has the most interesting first episode I have seen this season.

The amount of people creaming themselves over [b]Ga-Rei -Zero-[/b] on other forums is astounding me. I watched the second episode yesterday, and just about all the interest the ending of the first episode drudged up in me was destroyed. The only character that interests me whatsoever is the villain, a psychotic, katana-wielding ghost chick who [spoiler]killed all the main characters in the first episode[/spoiler] and whose bloodlust cannot be sated, apparently. Basically, my interest in this show stems from my status as a guy. I could not recommend this show less; I certainly would not be watching it if I had anything better to do. I watched the first two eps of [b]To Aru Majutsu no Index[/b], and it is fun, although not really great in any way. The story could end being something solid, however, and I like Index. Hopefully the main character does not whine about his power as much as he has in the first two eps -- that will get annoying very quickly. Second ep of [b]Hyakko[/b] is fun -- it appears as though it will be worth sticking with for the duration of the season. [b]Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka[/b]'s second ep also showed enough improvement for me to gain a bit of confidence in it. I am still a bit wary of it, though, and I am bracing myself for the series to let me down at any moment lol.

[quote name='Dagger']Ep. 1 reminded me of what a horribly good VA Yoshino Hiroyuki is. Takumi just wouldn't be the same without his acting. In that respect, my favorite moment had to be the scene where Takumi starts cradling his Seira figure. His creepiness level totally went off the charts right there.[/QUOTE] Agreed. His acting has the perfect level of paranoia, awkwardness and creepiness. I looked up other roles he has had, and, uh, let's just say I will never look at Daichi from [b]Shugo Chara![/b] the same way ever again. Haha. Also, I am always proud of you, Dagger. :p

Just finished watching the first episode. Thoughts! After the first episode, I am sure I will love this series -- it has a great mix of surrealness, paranoia and strange humor. One thing that really stuck out to me is Takumi's home: It is more like a tomb than a place where someone would want to live lol. Opening that creaky metal door every day would creep the hell out of me if I lived there. Although I suppose it is appropriate for now, because Takumi kind of gives me the creeps at the moment. It is a bit unsettling to see someone that far gone out of reality, haha. Is it just me, or does Yua give off an unreal vibe? Maybe it is just the way Takumi sees her -- I would not be shocked if this were the case -- but his interactions with her actually [i]were[/i] like they sprang straight from one of the games he plays. I am not sure what to think of her right now, which is probably because Takumi is not sure what to think of her. Hm. As for whether the [spoiler]murder scene was a product of Takumi's imagination ... well, you can never be too sure about these things, especially when a tasty clue is thrown your way such as the weapon in Takumi's home actually being real. I am no good at speculation, though, so I have nothing to offer on that front, haha.[/spoiler] I like the music a lot so far, too. It fits seamlessly into the show rather than overpowering it, and the off-kilter vibe it gives off is sort of appealing.

Ep2 of [b]Toradora![/b] has made the series a bit more interesting -- [spoiler]Taiga confessed to Yusaku [i]way[/i] earlier than I figured she would. I expected more episodes with Taiga and Ryuji concocting silly plots akin to the whole basketball thing. This choice is intriguing, though; there are any number of directions the series can go in, and these upcoming episodes will be pretty important for Toradora! It can become either really good, or really repetitive.[/spoiler] I am eager to see where the series develops from here. Ryuji and Taiga's relationship has developed [i]so[/i] well so far; I like how their friendship is developing naturally, without either really being aware of it. Really cute. :) Uh, also watched [b]Yozakura Quartet[/b], and the first ep is OK but not great. I do like the premise and think it shows some potential, though, so I am optimistic about where the series is going. And ep2 of [b]Clannad After Story[/b] is a raging pile of awesome. Sunohara is absolutely hysterical. I still love how eager he is to jump right into everything, and his delusions are amazing. ([spoiler]His imaginary conversation with his "rival," Tomoyo, is fantastic, as is his reaction to Sanae agreeing to be his fake girlfriend, along with their practice date. Sunohara is fulfilling the dream of many an otaku.[/spoiler]) Also, speaking of Sanae ... [spoiler]zomg she is ridiculously cute in this episode. Dear lord. My prediction for the "Sanae wears a bunch of different costumes" scene: The Des goes wild. :P[/spoiler] Favorite line: [spoiler]Sunohara saying dating is a "Boys Love game."[/spoiler] I just do not have the words.

My favorite parts are Palin's political views, Bill Clinton and Vladimir Putin's wall posts and her Places I've Been application (linked because the image is ginormous, and there is also a bit of swearing): [b][url=http://cdn.holytaco.com/www/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/palin-facebook-2.jpg]Sarah Palin's Facebook[/url][/b]

OK, I watched [b]Kyo no Gononi[/b], and while it definitely is nowhere near as good as the OVA so far, it is solid enough and decently funny. I did not like the first two stories much because the OVA did them much better, but I did enjoy the other two stories, probably because they were not in the OVA. My favorite part is the [spoiler]air guitaring with brooms[/spoiler] -- it's such a cute little kid moment, and it made me smile. :) Also watched [b]GA-REI --Zero--[/b], which I hated until the ending, which somehow managed to get me interested in the second episode ([spoiler]a ghostly ninja chick with a katana killing all the main characters will probably do that[/spoiler]). Still, ep2 will need to be pretty damn good for me to keep up with the series. The monsters struck me as incredibly goofy, and I mostly laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. To be fair, I did enjoy the [spoiler]motorcycle martial arts[/spoiler], however. And I watched [b]Shikabane Hime: Aka[/b], which is exactly what I expected it to be so far. Guns, action and a few funny moments here and there. Probably won't be a classic, but it will be a fun diversion, I think (good thing my expectations weren't sky high going into it, haha).

Just watched this today and definitely have to respond to the thread -- "ravishing" is such an apt word for this movie. Going in, I knew watching it was going to be a beautiful experience, but my god! I had to pause my DVD and rewind in multiple places because the gorgeousness of the visuals distracted me from the story (in a good way). Soooooooo glad I have a good TV with which to appreciate this beautifully animated story; crisp visuals ftw. Man, the things this movie does with color and light, Jesus, it is turning me into a babbling idiot is what it's doing. (Not that this is a stretch for me.) As for the story, I liked it just fine. It's a bit heavy at times, but I understood it well enough once the movie finished. (Reading up on it a bit did clear up some details, however.) I was definitely more into the love story between [spoiler]Sayuri and Hiroki[/spoiler], which is par for the course with me. I am [i]such[/i] a predictable sap. Seriously, though, [spoiler]Sayuri realizing she would lose all her memories with Hiroki upon waking up nearly had the tears a flowin' for me.[/spoiler] I was so crushed. :( Random: I thought the obvious North/South Korea parallels were sort of interesting. So, yes, good times all around. If [b]5 Centimeters Per Second[/b] looks even better than this, then I am going to have to bite the bullet and propose to Makoto Shinkai (yes, even though I am pretty sure he is already married). There will be no way around it.

Haha, this is my kind of topic. A few of my favorite sleepers ... [b]Zelig[/b] (1983): Sometimes people sleep on Woody Allen as a great director, and I have no idea why. The man is a gold mine of comedy. Zelig is a mockumentary about a man who can perfectly imitate anyone or anything; he becomes famous worldwide due to his gift. It's hysterically funny and makes skillful use of historical newsreel footage. [b]The Thin Man[/b] (1934): Great mystery movie where the real draw is the banter between William Powell and Myrna Loy (who play Dashiell Hammett's detective couple Nick and Nora Charles). Even Groucho Marx would have trouble keeping up with the barbs Powell and Loy throw; not more than a few seconds go by without one of them making a witty comment. Very fun movie. [b]A Hard Day's Night[/b] (1964): It is much more than a propaganda picture for The Beatles -- it's interestingly directed, The Beatles are naturals in front of the camera and the plot is filled to the brim with absurd nuttiness. The energy is also off the charts. I have no idea how anyone would not want to go out and have a good time after watching this. [b]High Plains Drifter[/b] (1973): Incredibly off-kilter western, with Clint Eastwood playing probably his most despicable role, even though by the end of the movie you understand why he does what he does. The atmosphere is often more like a horror movie than a western; the eerie music and visual style support that feeling. If you don't like the traditional western style, then give this a shot. Jim Jarmusch's entire catalogue: He's a very talented director of a lot of offbeat indie movies. My favorites are [b]Mystery Train[/b] (three entertaining stories that take place in Memphis, which include a vacationing Japanese couple and Joe Strummer and Steve Buscemi) and [b]Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai[/b] (Forest Whitaker is an urban samurai -- COME ON), but you also can't go wrong with [b]Stranger than Paradise[/b], [b]Down by Law[/b], [b]Night on Earth[/b], [b]Dead Man[/b] or [b]Broken Flowers[/b].