Dagger

I saw this article over at ANN, and thought it seemed pretty interesting. [quote]Time Warner and Itochu Corp (C. Itoh & Co.) have announced that they will jointly produce new anime to be broadcast simultaneously on Cartoon Network in Japan and North America. By April 2006, the joint venture is expected to be producing weekly episodes for three shows, at a budget of 20 million yen ($US 190,000) per episode, 20 to 50 percent higher than the current average budget for anime TV series. The added budget will be spent on higher-than-average quality animation using more animators and other staff than is typically used in anime. By June 2005, the joint venture is expected to be set up with a fund of 3 billion yen (US$29 million) and will seek funding from other partners including broadcasters, animation studios, and toy manufacturers. In addition to producing the anime, the companies expect to profit from the development and marketing of related merchandise. Guaranteed spots on the American and Japanese Cartoon Networks, combined with the worldwide popularity of anime, is expected to insure better than average returns on investment, enticing investors. The anime series will also be marketed to international broadcasters in Europe and Asia.[/quote] Higher-quality animation is always a good thing. But what's really ground-breaking, assuming this show does end up looking and feeling like "anime" (as opposed to Teen Titans, Totally Spies and so forth) is the idea of a simultaneous broadcast. Simultaneous Japanese/American DVD releases are at best extremely rare, and a simultaneous broadcast of a presumably flashy new anime series is just totally unprecedented. Regardless of the anime's target demographic, and even regardless of how good it actually is, I think this could pave the way for closer collaboration between forces in the Japanese and American industries. People often complain that anime will get diluted by American influence, but based on my experience with shows co-produced by American companies, that shouldn't be a huge concern (though it certainly may affect Time Warner's project). Thoughts? ~Dagger~

NHK's official Tsubasa site is up. It can be found [url=http://www3.nhk.or.jp/anime/tsubasa/][u]here[/u][/url]. The splash page artwork is absolutely gorgeous. I feel somewhat obligated to eat my words regarding the character designs, because (at least in that one shot) Sakura and Shaoran look so much more familiar than in the magazine. It's pretty comforting. I still think they're much too skinny, (especially Sakura--look at those arms!) but that's not really a big deal. It's been confirmed that Yuki Kajiura (Mai-Hime, Madlax, Aquarian Age, etc.) will be doing Tsubasa's music. Her soundtracks are good, but after a while they all tend to blend together. Some of the choral chants from Noir, .hack//SIGN, Madlax and Aquarian Age sound exactly the same. There's more variation to be found in Mai-Hime, so I hope Tsubasa will also turn out to be a little different from her previous work. EDIT: The opposite page of the previous scan features Fai and Kurogane, but the only image of it I could find is extremely low-quality. Fai and Kuro fans, let me know if you'd still like me to attach it. ~Dagger~

This is the way I see it. Member, unlike mods, have the ability to rescue crappy threads. As a moderator, if I see a horrible thread, I have to close it. Members can actually save such threads by making positive, thoughtful contributions to them (assuming that though the level of quality established by the original poster may be questionable, the topic itself isn't totally inane). However, there's simply no need to even acknowledge--much less attempt to correct--the OP's poor posting habits. Let the mods take care of that; all you should concentrate on is offering a decent, on-topic reponse. If you can't do that, you should report the thread [i]without[/i] posting in it. Just my two cents. ~Dagger~

I watched disc 3 earlier this afternoon, and I think I enjoyed this set of episodes (9 through 12) even more the second time around. For one thing, Hotaru, like Hana, is [i]much[/i] less annoying in the English version of the show. She's played by Jessica Boone, who is rather good at that sort of character (for example, Ms. Boone also voiced Azmaria in Chrono Crusade). Though she still seems stupid and incompetent, she can also be surprisingly manipulative when the situation calls for it. She's dumb enough to fool even Ayu-nee; using her real-life crush on Okita as an excuse for virtually every suspicious activity was actually a clever move. The comedy also becomes a lot more creative and outlandish in these episodes. I literally could not stop laughing when Hotaru went into [spoiler]rooftop-leaping ninja[/spoiler] mode, only to fall on her butt, or when Tetsu started shouting fancy attack names while hanging the Shinsengumi's laundry. Of course, the scene in which Tatsu started freaking out about Tetsu being taken to [spoiler]Shimabara[/spoiler] was also classic, and basically everything involving Ryoma and his crazy spider-hair had me in stitches. Now I'm extra excited about the next DVD, which will contain episode 15. One more thing I've noticed while re-watching Peacemaker: the ninja battles are always exceptionally well animated, even more so than most of the regular swordfights sprinkled throughout the series. The brief skirmish between [spoiler]Susumu and Akesato[/spoiler] in episode 11 really startled me, because I didn't remember it being that good. r2vq, another scene I took special notice of was the one you mentioned (the part where Okita suddenly attacks Ryoma). That's definitely the fastest normal --> oni transition I've seen yet, from what I've re-watched of the series so far. The whole thing is fully animated, contracting pupils and all--I'm tempted to say it's even cooler than Okita's oni bits in episode 1. [quote name='ukoku']and he called Tetsu 'ironboy' (Tatsu was 'dragonboy', don't really know why)Although I may have got the facts wrong, if I did, someone please correct me[/quote] Tatsu is dragon-boy because the word "tatsu" means dragon. I can only assume that the same thing applies for "tetsu" and iron. :) ~Dagger~

I love two-parters! On that note, "The Other Brothers Elric" ended nicely. The production values of the latest episode seemed especially good--some of the shots during the battle scenes looked almost jarringly fluid, if that makes any sense. Can anyone comment on the importance of the character called [b]Maria Ross[/b]? I have a very vague idea of who she is (she is female, right?), but I don't think she's appeared in the series yet. Does she only show up in one or two episodes, or does she have a recurring role? I just found out that she's voiced by my favorite seiyuu, so the significance of her role will basically determine whether I watch the Fullmetal Alchemist DVDs in English or Japanese. If she only has a couple of lines, or only plays a big role in one episode's storyline, then I'll eventually watch just that episode in Japanese. If she starts to pop up relatively often, I'd like to watch the whole thing in Japanese (for the sake of consistency). Ultimately this is all pretty minor, but I went through some serious agony when I learned that Mitsuki Saiga was Makubex from Get Backers, as I had already watched & immensely enjoyed a good portion of the anime in English. I have this weird thing about not mixing languages until I've seen the whole series. :p ~Dagger~

[quote name='Weaver_Karuko']I liked the movie, although they really didn't develop the characters that well, I think that they did a very good job with the time that they had allotted.[/quote] The TV series more than makes up for the movie's shortcomings, most especially in terms of character development. If you ever get the chance, I strongly encourage you to check it out. Geneon recently re-packaged it in two far more affordable box sets (well, they're cheap compared to the original release, at any rate), so now's as good a time as any to buy it. The show also presents an alternative ending. ~Dagger~

Wait... are you asking people what type of plot they prefer, or which [i]genres[/i] they prefer? I'm not saying I want to edit the title of your thread or anything, but my response could venture in several different directions, and I'd like that to hinge on what you originally had in mind when phrasing the question. :) ~Dagger~

[spoiler]Ahahahahahahahahahahaha!![/spoiler] More seriously, Sepiroth, please attempt not to spread misinformation. :) EDIT: Just for kicks, here's the text of the original petition: [quote]Here in America, we live in a climate of moral decay. What is the cause of this? It is called "anime". Anime is a perverse, evil, insiduous form of animation from the dark land of Japan, and is corrupting America's youth at unprecedented rates. Here are a few examples of anime which are circulating on the Internet and may very well be in your home: 1) Ah My Goddess: A sick and disgusting show which causes children under the age of 18 to think they are capable of love. The main female character is clearly under 18, and is forced into a romantic relationship by an older man who "wishes" for her to be his girlfriend forever. He even KISSES her, and she appears NAKED. That poor girl must be so confused. 2) Love Hina: I'm not even going to mention the unspeakable, disgusting, pedophilic, pornograhpic events which transpire during this show, but suffice it to say, groups of young men on Love Hina-fueled rampages are raping children at a level unheard of since the 60s. If you are a parent or a decent human being, I urge you to sign this petition to ban all forms of anime in the United States. Anyone who is found in possesion of anime should be arrested and jailed for an exhorbant period of time. Anime is a dark scourge upon our beautiful nation, and we don't need this Japanese filth corrupting the hearts of the children. As a resonsible Christian, I demand to see this garbage removed from our nation. Please sign this petition and send it to George Bush, your Congressman, and the makers/distributors of anime filth and depravity.[/quote] [spoiler]Yeah, it's obviously a joke.[/spoiler] Thread closed. ~Dagger~

Nausicaa is coming out on DVD in February. So hopefully that will give more people (including myself!) a chance to see it. I very much enjoyed reading the manga, so I can only presume that the movie is excellent. [b]Kino's Journey[/b] (Kino no Tabi) isn't exactly rare--it was made in 2003, after all, and the entire series was recently released by ADV. For all I know, it could also be running on The Anime Network. Yet despite being a pretty new show, Kino's Journey is undeservedly obscure. It's one of the most original, profound and disturbing anime ever made, period. Kino's Journey is also a good example of an anime that wouldn't work nearly as well if it were live-action rather than animated. Most would say that Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo are the anime that make the most of the episodic format, but in my opinion Kino's Journey blows both of these shows out of the water. It is beautiful and haunting, with airtight writing. Not a minute of any episode is ever wasted. For the series which it aspires to be, Kino's Journey is practically perfect. ~Dagger~

After a rather long hiatus, the so-called "second season" has finally kicked off, starting with the deliciously random and outlandish episode 18. A quick summary (no spoilers for any other parts of the series): [spoiler]Jin displays remarkable patience in dealing with a gang of young rascals, Fuu is flattered by the unwanted attention of the aforementioned punks (only to be shown up by irresistible cuteness of her furry companion Momo-chan), another hilariously gay male character makes a brief if memorably bizarre cameo, wildly over-the-top graffiti battles are animated with a tongue-in-cheek touch and all the dynamic fluidity of your usual Champloo swordfights...[/spoiler] Of course, the biggest highlight was obviously [spoiler]Mugen learning to read hiragana and later inventing the "mugen" (infinity) symbol.[/spoiler] Extremely funny stuff. All in all, this was easily among Champloo's best comedy-oriented episodes, right up there with episode 17 and the one featuring the [spoiler]gay Dutchman.[/spoiler] Watanabe has transformed the interjection of silly anachronisms into a fine art. [quote name='Syk3']I probably won't be buying the OST. I don't normally do so with anime series as it is, and even if I did, I'd probably go for Bebop first. And if it's like you decribed, it might not really be worth it anyway.[/quote] Seeing episode 18 has reminded me of how good the music actually is, at least during the series. The main problem with the American OST is that it simply doesn't contain most of the real standout tracks one hears during certain episodes of the show. For example, there were some very interesting background vocals during the climactic tagging scene in this episode. And it's just an absolute tragedy that the enka song from episode 14 didn't make it onto any of Champloo's OSTs, R1 or Japanese. None of this can be blamed on Geneon, but it still kind of sucks. -_- Eighteen episodes in, I [i]still[/i] have no freaking clue where the show will head next or how it's going to end. At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, I will venture to guess that the assassin from episode 2 may eventually make some kind of comeback. He's the only supporting character I can think of who a) could potentially pose some kind of threat, b) hasn't died and c) was never given any closure. As far as I can remember, virtually all of the other important side characters have obviously departed the story for good. EDIT: Oh, wait, I forgot about [spoiler]the lady from episode 17. She, too,[/spoiler] has a decent chance of returning. I also think the climax and the episodes preceding it will have to go in one of two directions, by either focusing heavily on Jin, or pushing him even more into the background and making Mugen the main character. Whether it's just due to his personality and unassuming nature, or the fact that Mugen (in contrast) deliberately seeks out and instigates trouble, Jin has a tendency to fade from view. There are episodes which emphasize his role, but even then Mugen often ends up stealing the spotlight. Episode 11 is probably the only real exception to this. Finally, I doubt [spoiler]Mugen and Jin's rivalry[/spoiler] is going to play a significant part in the ending. Especially in the wake of the [spoiler]separation[/spoiler] mini-arc, that element of the series has all but vanished. On the other hand, it'd be pretty cool if they did [spoiler]become real enemies,[/spoiler] ... ~Dagger~

[quote name='DarkSesshoumaru][COLOR=Red']And just for the sake of it... Nyuu > Nana :devil:[/COLOR][/quote] I'll grudgingly admit that Lucy-sama > Nana, but Nyuu? No way. :p Yeah, I also haven't seen anything to indicate that there will be a second season. I know some people were unhappy with the ending of the show, but I actually rather liked it. The last episode brought so many different sub-plots to one long and riveting climax. I realize the final few minutes left things somewhat open, yet I appreciate the fact that the viewer is allowed to decide whether or not [spoiler]Lucy died.[/spoiler] It was a good kind of non-closure, if that makes any sense, because there's sufficient evidence on each side to satisfy both camps. I'm not totally sure what I think. If we go by the manga, then the [spoiler]shadow outside the gate is a temporarily horn-less Nyuu. But the anime is different enough that it may well have been just a figment of Kouta's imagination, or someone else altogether.[/spoiler] Personally, I like to imagine that [spoiler]Lucy was able to come back and live with Kouta and the rest.[/spoiler] ~Dagger~

A few days ago, I picked up Princess Tutu v. 1 and Chrono Crusade v. 3, both of which are ADV titles. To my utter bewilderment, I discovered that Princess Tutu is rated TV-14, while the warning on the back of Chrono Crusade just carries the usual 13+ (or maybe it was 15+ ...meh, I can't remember) tag. Does this make any sense? No, not a bit. And I've heard that FUNimation recently started using TV ratings on all their newer series, because the television ratings system seems more familiar to viewers. Well, I don't really care what method they use, so long as they make more of an effort to be consistent. [quote name='ckime']If we had tried to edit the film, we would have had to get the edits approved by our licensors prior to submitting again to the MPAA. If we had appealed, we have no idea how long the process will take. As it was, we didn't have the time because then we would lose our theatrical slots and since we are not a big theatrical release company, it might have meant losing the theaters we had lined up. :confused: [/quote] Ouch. When it comes to anime, it seems as though anything less well-known or revered than Ghost in the Shell or Disney's Miyazaki properties has to fight tooth and nail for theaters. ~Dagger~

[quote name='Xander Harris']So anyhow, has anyone else read this series? Is it any good? Would it be worth my money or not?[/quote] Be warned that Fruits Basket is a very long manga, and it still hasn't finished running in Japan. So if you get hooked on the series, it may end up being quite an investment. I'd recommend watching the anime first, because the new box set can be bought pretty cheaply (and also because it's just a great show in general). Though it only covers part of the manga, the anime follows that portion pretty closely. Fruits Basket is also very cute, despite the fact that it does contain darker elements. If you like getting that warm and fuzzy feeling, then this is the manga for you. [quote][i]Is it for girls?[/i][/QUOTE] Yes, definitely. That's not to say guys can't enjoy it too... ^_^ ~Dagger~

Welcome to OtakuBoards, ruriruri. ^_^ Unfortunately, this topic just isn't going to generate that much discussion. You could place a question along these lines in your signature, which would give it a lot more exposure and would probably increase your chances of getting a response. Barring that, if you wait for a few months, I'm sure you'll be able to find some Elfen Lied merchandise--the R1 DVDs don't have a set release date yet, but they'll probably be coming fairly soon. Once awareness of the show increases, Elfen Lied-related goods will be easier to locate. If you'd like to talk about the actual series, go ahead and post [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=41984][u]here[/u][/url]. And as always, you can private message me or one of the other moderators if you have any questions. Thanks! Thread closed. ~Dagger~

Huh? This thread has me [i]really[/i] bewildered, to say the least. How can something non-human possess a star sign? o_O Granted, my knowledge of astrology is sketchy at best, but I think the topic would probably produce more confusion than discussion. However, if you'd like to discuss your favorite anime, feel free to post [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=45071&page=2][u]here[/u][/url]. And if you have any questions or comments, you're welcome to private message me or Solo. Thank you very much. ^_^ Thread closed. ~Dagger~

Hehe, thanks for posting. That was fast! :) As you can probably tell from how I started the thread, I went into Elfen Lied with a kind of morbid curiousity. I didn't expect much from the series, other than creative and censor-defying violence. So I guess I began watching it out of little more than morbid curiosity. But Elfen Lied turned out to be enthralling. More than that, it's a masterfully directed anime that manages to cover everything from the [spoiler]heartbreaking and terrifying[/spoiler] story of Mayu's childhood to crude, bizarre (yet oddly effective) jokes about Nana's [spoiler]prosthetic limbs.[/spoiler] It made me laugh hysterically, cry like a baby and pull countless astonished double-takes. Elfen Lied is intensely tragic, but its tragedy doesn't weigh heavily on the viewer or overwhelm the other aspects of the series. For me, it was much more poignant and personal than Saikano, which ultimately drowns in its own sense of grandness. Had I never watched Kino's Journey, Gunslinger Girl or Boogiepop Phantom, I might even go so far as to say that Elfen Lied is the best half-length anime I've ever seen. As things stand, it's definitely earned a place among my favorite series. I have a minor Nana obsession, haha, so I was very happy to find out about the much-rumored OVA. Apparently an "episode 14" is going to come out on the final R2 DVD. It's supposed to be Nana-centric, which I assume means it could take place anytime before, during or after the timeline of the show. I'm really looking forward to seeing it. Of course, I'm also looking forward to buying the American DVDs. I hope that ADV does Elfen Lied justice--or at least treats it better than Gantz. :sweat: ~Dagger~

[quote name='DarkSesshoumaru']But probably some of the most tear-jerking scenes I've seen are from Elfen Lied...[/quote] Yes! Elfen Lied fans unite! Go post in the EL thread, dammit--I've been dying to gab about this show. Great banner and avatar, by the way. :p [spoiler]Kurama's daughter is named Mariko. I completely agree with what you said regarding her death scene. I may actually have mentioned it earlier in this thread, but I can't really remember. So as not to risk repeating myself ad nauseam, I'll try to keep my comments brief. ^_^ The part with the puppy was just awful, wasn't it? I was horrified--and at the same time, amazed that I felt so horrified, given the brutality demonstrated in earlier episodes. I figured I should have gotten used to it by then, but somehow the second half of the show affected me a lot more than the front-loaded gore of the first few episodes. The main exception to this would have to be Nana's first fight with Lucy. Nana became my favorite character from the moment she was introduced, and for a while there I passionately hated Lucy for treating her so badly. I became dangerously close to crying during most of the parts when Nana got hurt. Another episode that really tore at me was the one in which Mayu's past was revealed. It was almost too vicious and cringe-inducing for tears. I just kind of froze and gaped at the screen in utter rage and disbelief.[/spoiler] Elfen Lied aside, I don't think I've referred to [b]Fruits Basket[/b] yet. Specifically, episode 8 and the ending arc were what made me cry. Of course the ending is very well done and touching, but I was especially impressed and moved by episode 8, because it made me feel strongly about several characters who had never played a major role in the series before that point. The English voice acting in this episode is insanely good, and lends it a lot of emotional weight. Oh, and I also broke down the first time I watched [b]Voices of a Distant Star[/b]. Good stuff. ~Dagger~

No problem. ^_^ Fans have come up with a lot of different theories regarding Kakei and Saiga's connection to Kazahaya and Rikuo. The one I personally ascribe to--or at least find most intriguing--is the idea that [spoiler]Kakei and Saiga are future versions of the main characters. Kakei looks [i]very[/i] similar to Kazahaya, and this would explain why Saiga wears sunglasses all the time (assuming he's not a vampire or something). Maybe I simply relish imagining how each of their personalities might evolve to that point; i.e. the earnest and spastic Kazahaya becoming calm, manipulative and just a little bit sadistic.[/spoiler] In the very end of volume 3, [spoiler]Kakei mentions that he and Saiga opened the store [i]specifically[/i] for the purpose of getting Rikuo to meet Kazahaya.[/spoiler] So that also creates a lot of interesting possibilities. ~Dagger~

[quote name='Hittokiri Zero']On a side note >_>... Is Kenran Butou Sai worth finishing? Soukyuu no Fafner i'm going to finish but probably not until spring break but i'm debating whether or not Kenran is worth the downlolad.[/quote] I dropped Kenran around episode fifteen or so, right around when it was licensed. ^_^;; I actually do plan to finish it when it comes out on DVD, but I can't say I felt a huge incredible urge to continue with the show. For whatever it's worth, I've heard that the ending is very well done and fits the series nicely. On a slightly different note, ADV recently put up a Madlax [url=http://www.advfilms.com/trailers/Web%20Movies%20QT/][u]teaser[/u][/url] (just scroll down until you hit the "Madlax" listing). Seeing it has gotten me all re-energized about the show. I was debating whether or not to buy it as it came out, but the trailer reminded me how much I enjoyed certain parts of the series. Plus, it's going to look very lovely on DVD. Fans of Noir or other Bee Train anime should definitely give Madlax a try. ~Dagger~

[quote name='Baron Samedi][size=1']But you've just made a fatal mistake: You've assumed that everyone is as intelligent and sensible as you are. And I daresay you could have waited 25 posts to be able to ask that.[/size][/quote] I [i]could[/i] have, true, but frankly I wouldn't have bothered. I've been a member there for a little while now, and I've made maybe thirty posts, max, few of which were more than two or three lines long. Honestly, if I signed up for a forum and found that I wasn't even able to create threads off the bat, I'd tell myself "screw this," and wander off to post somewhere else. But maybe I'm just one of those people who demands instant gratification... ^_^;; ~Dagger~

[QUOTE=Kune]*edit> I forgot to mention that Tokyo Bablon actually stars Subaru and his twin sister, and that guy with one eye...I believe they fight ghosts? Or demons...? Well, it holds a lot of history to Subaru's past. Subaru - very likeable character...unfortunatly he has a bad habit. Smoking = tsk tsk. I think anyone who's seen Tokyo Bablon wouldn't like Subaru because of how much he changes...or maybe they would like that. I see him as a kid who was severely tramatized as a child, and in X turns out pretty facked up...Still cool though. lol[/QUOTE] The guy with one eye is Seishirou Sakurazuka, the single coolest and most intriguing character that CLAMP has ever created (well... in my opinion, at least :p). Subaru may be the protagonist of Tokyo Babylon, but Seishirou is ultimately the one who drives the story. And besides, he just kind of rocks. I wouldn't say that Subaru was a "child" when [spoiler]Seishirou murdered Hokuto. I mean, back then he still had his trademark optimism and undying faith in humanity, but he was also a responsible teenager who saw and experienced some pretty awful stuff while doing his day-to-day work.[/spoiler] I'm basing this on what I know of the manga (I still haven't seen the OVA, sadly), so I can't speak to any discrepancies between them. However, I did derive a sort of sadistic pleasure out of seeing the quietly angsty Subaru in X TV. Though he was allotted the minimum amount of screen-time needed to appease my inner Subaru maniac, I thought the show's writers did an excellent job of defining his personality. What I'm trying to say (in a rather roundabout way, heh) is that for me, Subaru's changed persona was one of X TV's biggest draws. And I felt that the resolution of Subaru's rivalry with Seishirou was among the most emotionally honest parts of the show. If I weren't a Tokyo Babylon fan, I doubt I'd have enjoyed the X anime nearly as much. [quote name='Kune']The whole series kept me on the edge right up until the end...I was extremely disapointed.[/quote] I'm curious, which specific aspect(s) of the ending turned you off? [quote name='JenniKate']I'm torn with Yuziriha. As a character she has a lot of interesting aspects but the voice actors (both English and Japanese) I found very annoying.[/quote] Lord, yes. Her English voice drove me to start watching X TV subbed--until I realized that her Japanese seiyuu's performance wasn't even incrementally less irritating. So it was back to the English track for me. After a while, though, I became used to hearing her speak in that weird falsetto tone. I was very touched by how she reacted during the episode in which [spoiler]Inuki[/spoiler] died. ~Dagger~

I moved your thread to the Art Studio. I'm in a bit of a rush right now... but when it comes to anime backgrounds, my site of choice is ningen.tk (although the wallpapers there may have some suggestive content, depending on the show, everything is more or less work-safe). While you're at it, try visiting some of ningen's affiliates. ~Dagger~

[QUOTE=Air]you wouldn't imagine how many times i watched Air over and over again.... its simply for addicting~![/QUOTE] I, too, have been obsessively re-watching the first three episodes of AIR. It's so beautiful and stirring and purely [i]entertaining[/i]; each episode outdoes the last. This show makes me wish I played bishoujo games. Though I often get hung up on its sheer visual richness, it also boasts excellent music and writing, and the characters are simply irresistible. Barring a drastic drop in production values and/or story quality, I can't imagine ever getting tired of AIR. ~Dagger~

Since what you've written mostly focuses on the Kaikan Phrase manga, I split it off from the topic you had originally posted in and moved the new thread to the manga forum. As for the Anime Lounge--when a series is not listed in the Directory, you can search for pre-existing threads (if you so desire), but if they're incredibly old or spammy, you should feel free to start a new thread on the anime in question. Your post is exceptionally detailed and well-written, and I did a huge double-take when I saw it tacked onto the end of an otherwise spammy thread. ^_^;; Anyway, thank you very much for trying to adhere to the spirit of the rules. :) ~Dagger~

[quote name='JenniKate']I've read in a few other boards that one of the main writers of the manga has arthritis in her hands - if that is true that could be a reason for the delay![/quote] Hmm... that [i]would[/i] explain a lot, although it doesn't really account for CLAMP's apparent compulsion to start so many new series. Ah well. This puts fans between a rock and a hard place--depending on what you believe, either a very talented artist is struggling with a debilitating disease, or the entire group just doesn't care enough to throw together a real ending. -_- Which character(s) did you like least? I didn't empathize with Kanoe, for obvious reasons, and I didn't find Hinoto to be particularly appealing either. And I have to admit that I also thought Kotori was boring. She was supposed to be this amazing Aeris-like figure, but she was actually pretty bland. ^_^;; ~Dagger~