Dagger

As Renier turned to leave, he found himself facing a white-robed Drow woman, only an inch or two shorter than he. She smiled at him, yellow eyes flashing in amusement. "An admirable effort, Ambassador. Our clans can be so stubborn." Wondering why she seemed familiar, the vampire took note of her flame-colored hair and scarlet tattoos. The Holy Eye of Sharess had been etched upon her forehead, and though something about the symbol unsettled him, it clearly marked her as a Kai'Belborun mage. An instant later, he realized that the tattoo was inverted, drawn upside down as though to mock the Goddess. "And you are...?" Renier inquired, watching the woman closely. "Lady Arciela of the Kai'Belborun," she replied. "I'm sure you've seen my face before." [i]The necromancer. Of course.[/i] He offered little sign of recognition, but Ciel smiled nonetheless, lips curving in a gentle, half-teasing sort of expression. "May I ask a favor of you?" Though the board room was nearly empty, ministers still whispered in its doorway. His heightened senses allowed him to sift through their dissatisfied murmurs, listening for interesting phrases or unkept secrets. Renier tore his attention away from these sibiliant sounds and glanced back at Lady Arciela. Identical crimson marks streaked from her cheekbones to her jaw, glistening like bloody teardrops in the light. For a moment, the hunger surged within him; he suppressed it with the self-control that came from nearly a millenia's worth of living. "That depends on what you desire." "Oh?" Ciel raised her head to meet his eyes. "If you're not tied up this evening, I'd like to have a spar. I haven't dueled anyone decent in at least two hundred years, and the Vas'Naurnae are growing too predictable."

Oh! I apologize, I misinterpreted your remarks. ^_^;; No, I think that this is the correct place in which to request new fanart categories. You might, however, wish to specify that it's a fanart category you're asking for, rather than a Nightwalker forum. EDIT: It's "Serial Experiments Lain." ~Dagger~

[quote]If someone could convince themselves of that at an early age, or middle age, which is VERY possible, then they would actually PREFER sex from the same gender over the other, because that is not only what one thinks, but what one also believes and is self-taught to believe, as well as encouragement they hear/receive, as well as opposition.[/quote] Why, pray tell, would any sane person choose to do this? Why willingly invite discrimination, bigotry and hatred into his life? Who would encourage him to "become" gay? Until you can confidently cite a whole array of genuine, unbiased scientific studies, I won't be able to take your theory seriously. In my opinion, it's rather ludicrous. [quote]So if you like the pheromones emitted by the same gender, then you must have fallen deeply in love with yourself by now.[/quote] Maybe this sentence was meant to be funny; I honestly can't tell. Either way, it does nothing to explain your point, and only ends up sounding rather silly. As I need to get some sleep, I don't plan on dignifying the rest of your post with a lengthy response. I'm sure that others will be happy to do that in my place. Quality over quantity, darling. A few words to live by. ~Dagger~

I'm [i]so[/i] happy that you like this show, Beck. ^_^ Anyway, the villains' identities will soon become clear--although very few of them are your typical anime bad guys. Just don't expect PMK to have a rollercoaster plot. While every single episode assists in establishing and strengthening the storyline, it moves along at a relaxed pace. One of my favorite things about PMK is that one can simply sit back and enjoy it. The series metes out character development, plot advancement, action and plain old humor in carefully balanced measures, so that none of these four elements ever threatens to overwhelm the others. I can't wait to hear what you think of Episode 15, heh. ~Dagger~

In all of my months here, I haven't come across a single Nightwalker thread. Even lengthy anime like Yu Yu Hakusho and famous shows like Cowboy Bebop seem to have difficulty sustaining their own forums; there's little reason to believe that a twelve-episode TV series could succeed where they arguably have not. ~Dagger~

I was about to start a NTHT thread, but I guess you beat me to the punch. ^_~ I've wanted to see Now and Then, Here and There for an extremely long time. Just this afternoon, I rented the first DVD from Blockbuster. Unfortunately, I haven't yet had the opportunity to sit down and see more than a small portion of its beginning episode, so I'll definitely post again once I've watched more. NTHT's character designs are very Miyazaki-esque, and its production values nearly equal those of a typical Miyazaki movie. Considering this anime's obscurity, I found myself quite surprised at the fluidity of its animation and the sheer detail and beauty of its backgrounds. I only watched about five minutes of the dub (it didn't strike me as being particularly good), but the Japanese voice actors seem well-suited to their characters. Something about NTHT really appeals to me. Its script is extraordinarily well-written; even Shu's speeches have a certain lyrical quality. I'm interested in seeing how this series handles its impending tragedies. By the way, didn't Akitaroh Daichi also direct Fruits Basket? ~Dagger~

I just finished watching the first four episodes of Evangelion, and I thought that this seemed like the best thread in which to post about the series. In all honesty, I was expecting Eva to be somewhat overrated. Cowboy Bebop, for example, is a superb show, but it's not nearly as good as many fans claim. So while I [i]knew[/i] that Eva would have many admirable qualities, I couldn't be certain that I would love it. But I do love it. Neon Genesis Evangelion is an amazing, beautiful, skillfully crafted show. And frankly, I think it's ridiculous to compare it to RahXephon. They're among the best series that anime has to offer, and though their subject material may seem vaguely similar, their characters, tone, plot and general atmosphere are [i]completely[/i] different. RahXephon is, at heart, a love story. From what I can tell, Eva is Shinji's story. Speaking of which, I've grown very attached to that boy. One of the reasons that I love RahXephon so much is because every single one of its characters feels like a real person--the same thing is true of Eva. I can't wait to watch the rest of this wonderful show. It and RahXephon will look quite dandy sitting side by side on my DVD shelf. ^_^ PS. mal, my dear, you have lovely taste in anime. Now go watch some more Rah for me, okay? ^_~ ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by James [/i] [B][color=#707875]I just see a lot of similarity between anti-gay arguments and racist arguments of 100 years ago. During that period, people of other races (not just in America, but all over the world) were seen as inferior, subordinate and in many cases, "unnatural".[/color][/b][/quote] Thanks for bringing this up, James. ^_^ There was a period in history--not too long ago--when the United States government frowned on and sometimes even outlawed interracial marriage. Just as a heterosexual person cannot determine the ethnic background of who he or she is attracted to, a homosexual person cannot determine the gender of who he or she falls in love with. Love (between consenting adults) is love, in all its shapes and forms. [i]I[/i] am biracial--half-Asian, half-Caucasian--and though our past leaders tended to focus more on the controversy created by white/black marriages, I can identify with those who suffered because their love was considered taboo and possibly even illegal. Gay couples deserve the same rights as straight couples, and that includes the right to introduce someone as his husband or her wife. It's as simple as that. While civil unions are definitely a step forward, in my eyes they just aren't good enough. ~Dagger~

The dark-haired man glanced up as Zech walked through the door, his blue robes rustling softly against the polished floor. "Oh, hello. You've finished conferring with the King?" "More or less," came Zech's reply. Frowning, he eased into a nearby armchair and watched the sharp-eyed Sachiel peruse a book. "What are you reading?" With a lightening-swift flick of the wrist, Sachiel tossed his tome into the Sorceror's lap. It fell open to reveal aging pages and writing so cramped that it was nearly indecipherable. "A history of the Nexus," he said coolly, watching Zech through half-closed eyes. "I like to be prepared." "Good," Zech retorted. "I'm sure you'll need the help." He stood, his voice once more growing authoritative as he delivered King Aldeon's message. "His Highness wants you and the others to find Lexington's candidate, a witch called Artemis Dominion. You don't have much more than a day." The black mage rose gracefully to his feet, smirking down at the Sorceror--who, when standing next to him, suddenly seemed rather short. "I'll finally get to meet the [i]others[/i], then," he murmured. "Lovely. So when shall you introduce us?"

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Dan L [/i] [B]Humans, on the other hand, are far from scarce. Thus the useful purpose doesn't really apply in the same way.[/B][/QUOTE] You're right. Thank you for clarifying what I said; I only meant for my example to illustrate something about the animal kingdom. While people's activities may sometimes be analogous to those of birds, the needs of the two species differ greatly. [quote][i]Originally posted by Inuyasha7271[/i] [b]I just feel bad for any kids who they adopt or whatever thats alot of discrimination you will feel because of your parents beliefs and ideals[/b][/quote] Being homosexual or bisexual isn't a matter of beliefs and ideals; it has to do with which gender you're physically attracted to. ~Dagger~

Unless you speak fluent Japanese, I suspect that moving to Japan would only cause your anime-related problems to increase. My advice? Have patience. Adult Swim plans to run several new series in April--as a matter of fact, Witch Hunter Robin is set to premier on Monday night. I believe that Heat Guy J will begin airing on MTV2 sometime tomorrow. Gundam SEED and Wolf's Rain, both of which were recently acquired by CN, are reputed to be truly fantastic shows. So stop complaining, check out the anime section at your local Blockbuster, and in time you'll be rewarded for your wait. In other words, hakunah matata. ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Boba Fett [/i] [B][color=green]Homosexual behavior, in any species, is unnatural. Unnatural - Deviating from a behavioral or social norm In this case, I?d argue that the social norm is heterosexuality. After all, the majority of organisms of all species must practice it in order to propagate their species. Therefore, anything that is not heterosexual in nature must be unnatural. Your use of the word ?phenomena? is an example of this Phenomenon - An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence The key word here is unusual. That?s about it?[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] Perhaps I was unclear. I used the word "phenomena" because many people are surprised to learn that homosexuality is not unique to human beings. Male California gulls sometimes become scarce. When there simply aren't enough to go around, females may choose to raise their young alongside another female, using the same courting rituals as they would with a male member of the species. Some of these couples remain monogamous for years. Yet though they cannot copulate, the female gulls together protect and feed the offspring which were abandoned by their father. These birds' communities are structured so that a two-parent family is required for the fledglings to survive; it seems to me that here homosexuality serves a very useful and specific purpose. I just wanted to mention that sexual intercourse is not the only way that animals can assist in the continuation of their species. Besides, assuming that it's unnatural, how does one account for homosexuality in animals? What do you think causes their behavior? EDIT: AzureWolf, I'm not an expert, so I could be wrong on this. However, I've read that a small percentage of certain animals only exhibit sexual interest towards others of their sex. The rest, as you implied, don't discriminate much between genders. Anyway, you provided a pretty decent answer to my question, so I guess you're off the hook. ^_~ ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Boba Fett [/i] [B][color=green]Marriage is an institution that is between a man and a woman. After all, it is through men and women that our species reproduces. Therefore, people who are attracted to others of their own gender are unnatural.[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] I understand your argument, but it's not entirely valid. Numerous scientists have observed homosexual behavior in otherwise normal animals. This phenomena isn't restricted to a single species, but can be found in macaques, sheep, gulls, and so forth. While you're entitled to say that marriage should--for whatever reason--be restricted to opposite-sex couples, I don't think it's possible to prove that homosexuality is unnatural. Anyway, I'm all for gay marriage. Congratulations to the Massachusetts high court; their ruling is an important advance in civil rights, and I can only hope that the backlash won't be too severe. ~Dagger~

I will admit that I'm not much of a manga person. There are only a few series which I've ever truly liked (Demon Diary and Nausicaa being two of them). However, Blade of the Immortal has been sitting at the top of my Amazon.com wish list for about six months, and from what I've seen of its first volume, it would be worth buying for the artwork alone. How long is Blade of the Immortal, anyway (assuming that it's already wrapped up in Japan)? Just as I try to avoid overly long anime, I tend to be a little leery of any manga that exceeds twenty volumes. But if, as you say, it's held together by more than stunning imagery, I'd like to give this series a try. ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by maladjusted [/i] [B][color=royalblue]I don't know about [i]Rurouni Kenshin[/i], but in [i]Samurai X[/i], the directors used real-life animations of water, fire, smoke, and a beach and inserted it into the animation. I sort of flinched every time I saw those.[/color][/B][/QUOTE] Episode 95 of Rurouni Kenshin uses live-action footage so heavily that I actually couldn't bear to finish watching it. Although I realized that parts of Samurai X were not hand-drawn, I was unable to tell whether they had been rendered or simply filmed. Thanks for clearing that up. ^_^ Anyway, your comments bring me to another question: Do you think that real-life footage can ever be successfully combined with anime? I'm not referring to something drastic like the recent Looney Tunes movie; however, I have seen shows (including Fruits Basket, Gravitation and Boogiepop Phantom), which occasionally made use of live-action sequences or backgrounds. I hope that this isn't considered to be going off-topic. I could have made a separate thread for discussing the synthesis of film and animation, but that sort of seemed like overkill. ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Wasabi [/i] [B][size=1][color=chocolate]All right, the Saturday thing is cool, but again, InuYasha sadly is starting over. (After the episode of the Demon's True Nature) I'm not really a big InuYasha fan anymore; since I have been getting into other animes more, and I realize how there are some better animes out there. But I still like it, since I keep seeing episodes over and over, I'm getting tired really of watching it. I'm looking forward to the new anime, Witch Hunter Robin on CN. But that's going off topic.[/size][/color][/B][/QUOTE] Yes, you've pretty much summed up my feelings on Inuyasha. I used to like it quite a bit--nearly as much as I now like Yu Yu Hakusho. Seeing these shows forced me to realize that one can only support so many lengthy series; they demand more money, time, patience and dedication than regular anime. As Adult Swim continued to air re-run after re-run, my interest in Inuyasha gradually began to dwindle. I've followed this thread since its inception, and (if nothing else) it's taught me one thing: people watch Inuyasha for its characters. The fight scenes are sub-par and the storyline never really goes anywhere, but even fans like Kitsune foxfire enjoy "the constant bickering between Inuyasha and Kagome." The characters' relationships--however dysfunctional--are where Inuyasha's appeal truly lies. ~Dagger~

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by OtakuSennen [/i] [B][color=midnightblue] However, my belief is that through casting calls unknown actors and actresses will be found that fit the roles better than most famous movie stars we are familiar with. After all, a few of the actors from The Lord of the Rings were not exactly famous, and gained great recognition and prestige for working with Weta Workshop on the trilogy. *shudders at the thought of Daniel Radcliffe and Haley Joel Osment playing off each other as Shinji and Kaworu*[/color] [/B][/QUOTE] *nods* Yes, that's exactly what I was trying to say (at least in regards to LotR). While Hugo Weaving and Ian McKellan have proven that they possess enough talent to carry nearly any role, younger people should not be able to land jobs simply by pointing to their prior successes. The Harry Potter films were not box-office bonanzas because Mr. Radcliffe is the reincarnation of Sarah Bernhardt, and lesser-known children (like the two girls in American Splendor) should be given the chance to demonstrate their superior acting chops. What director wouldn't want his film to create a whole [i]new[/i] set of stars--rather than relying on current celebrities' fame to generate ticket sales? [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by XxmagentaxX [/i] [B]how would you get hillary duff as asuka? She isnt even a redhead! At least the scetches left everyone with thier own haircolor [/B][/QUOTE] Well, they could always use a wig. Orlando Bloom's hair is naturally dark, but he was still able to play the part of a blonde elf in LotR. ~Dagger~

gravity snaps the chains. so metal shatters to its brittle end, twisted by this weight and last release. so moonlight pours like liquid silver over skin already fair. all is silent and alabaster. a fall becomes the ultimate simplicity just arcing down to meet its crimson end, and a jump is but the height of what's to come.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Qukey [/i] [B]For anyone who like X, I highly recommand read the manga of Tokyo Babylon. I think the dark atomsphere is captured perfectly in the story. However, even it is advertised as the prequel of X, it has nothing to do with it other than sharing some characters. [/B][/QUOTE] Since you seem to be fairly knowledgeable about X/1999, I have a couple of questions I'd like to ask you. 1. While I plan on buying the Tokyo Babylon OVA, it would be nice if I was able to read the manga first. However, I haven't seen it in any area bookstores, and I suspect that it hasn't yet been licensed and translated. If Tokyo Babylon is going to be released in North America sometime in the near future, do you know which company will publish it? 2. Again regarding Tokyo Babylon: I've heard that this story has some shonen-ai undertones. Since you're familiar with the manga, perhaps you could tell me whether readers' reports of slight male/male innuendo are exaggerated or not. 3. X shares some characters with Tokyo Babylon, but doesn't it also borrow characters from the casts of other CLAMP sagas? I'm really curious about who these recurring characters are, the names of the series that they come from, and if the manga and/or anime from which they originate is worth checking out. Thanks! ^_^ ~Dagger~

[i]You were warned not to return.[/i] The voice resounded in his mind, his bones, at once impossibly deep and bracingly clear. Once again, Anubis wondered whose spirit stood guard at this secret door. [i]Do what you will,[/i] he replied, carefully excising all traces of emotion from his thoughts. It was only as the spell rushed into his body that he reflected on whether the D'Ianii's curse, the university from which he had been banned so long ago, and the ghosts who had visited them earlier that night could possibly be related. Aissa saw Anubis sag against the grotesquely painted wall, pale hair falling forward to conceal his lowered face. An instant later, she and Leile heard the sound of enormous gears slowly grinding somewhere in the darkness. The mural split down the center, its two halves sliding ponderously apart to reveal a large, octagonal room. Dust billowed from the makeshift doorway, and the mage staggered inside. Struggling not to cough, the two women rushed after him. Aissa went white, torn between anger and anxiety; muttering furiously under her breath, she waved away the murky, parchment-scented clouds. Anubis had dragged himself to the nearest corner and now was slumped upon the floor, supported only by the spine of a dark shelf. Leile stepped over his fallen staff as she came into the chamber. "What were you thinking?" Aissa hissed. The air here was filled with an incredible, seething power; magic so strong that she found it difficult to speak. The mage looked up at her through heavy-lidded eyes. "I need your help," he whispered resignedly. "Look." He raised an arm, and she saw that his tattoos were streaming across the skin upon which they had been etched, flowing as swiftly as rushing water. "You have to keep the spells from breaking free." Before she could reply, Anubis pointed at Leile, meeting her eyes with a ghost of his usual calm gaze. "Start searching. Those doors are set to close after an hour, and we don't wish to be here when they do." [center]_____________________________________[/center] Heh.... after all that commotion, I guess AAL are entitled to discover some kind of super-important information. ^_^;

If Hillary "I have no talent" Duff is cast as Asuka, I will (to borrow Tony's phrase) lose all faith in humanity. I'm sorry, but that's absolutely ridiculous. And while Daniel Radcliffe's acting may be a good deal better than hers, he hasn't yet managed to truly impress me. The absolute worst part of this is that I recognized every single one of those actors' and actresses' names. Lord of the Rings is a great trilogy in its own right, but the fact that it features people like Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin and Orlando Bloom--all men whose careers had previously been rather obscure--makes the three films even more enjoyable to watch. I was able to go into them without carrying any preconceptions, whereas Haley Joel Osment will always remind me of the little boy in The Sixth Sense. Besides, I suspect that the Evangelion movie is going to be [i]very[/i] expensive to produce. Its budget should be saved for hiring a good director and perfecting its special effects, not wasted on famous names. ~Dagger~

I tend to be a bit skeptical of CLAMP. While their artwork is undeniably beautiful, I was underwhelmed by Chobits and had difficulty getting through the first volume of X/1999. Card Captor Sakura and Angelic Layer appear more promising, but I'm following several other series at the moment, and simply don't have the money required to thoroughly explore them. Although I'm not planning to continue reading X/1999, I've heard many good things about the corresponding television series. In all honesty, X: The Movie was absolutely terrible (in terms of everything but action). X-TV apparently seeks to rectify the film's lack of character development and an interesting storyline. Last weekend, I purchased the first DVD of X-TV and immediately sat down to watch episodes one through three. I was flabbergasted by the quality of the show's animation--it surpasses that of every other series I've watched to date. Its English dub is also superb, although I found myself growing rather irritated with Kotori's voice. This is the kind of show that I could get [i]very[/i] excited about--dark, epic, full of intricate relationships and packed with well-choreographed battle sequences. It'd be great to know whether anyone else has seen it. Also, if you'd like to discuss X: The Movie or X/1999 (the manga that started it all), then this is the thread for you. ~Dagger~

Yet another poem from the lovely Mr. Frost. [b]"Out, Out - "[/b] [i]The buzz-saw snarled and rattled in the yard And made dust and dropped stove-length sticks of wood, Sweet-scented stuff when the breeze drew across it. And from there those that lifted eyes could count Five mountain ranges one behind the other Under the sunset far into Vermont. And the saw snarled and rattled, snarled and rattled, As it ran light, or had to bear a load. And nothing happened: day was all but done. Call it a day, I wish they might have said To please the boy by giving him the half hour That a boy counts so much when saved from work. His sister stood beside them in her apron To tell them "Supper." At the word, the saw, As if to prove saws knew what supper meant, Leaped out at the boy's hand, or seemed to leap-- He must have given the hand. However it was, Neither refused the meeting. But the hand! The boy's first outcry was a rueful laugh, As he swung toward them holding up the hand Half in appeal, but half as if to keep The life from spilling. Then the boy saw all-- Since he was old enough to know, big boy Doing a man's work, though a child at heart-- He saw all spoiled. "Don't let him cut my hand off-- The doctor, when he comes. Don't let him, sister!" So. But the hand was gone already. The doctor put him in the dark of ether. He lay and puffed his lips out with his breath. And then--the watcher at his pulse took fright. No one believed. They listened at his heart. Little--less--nothing!--and that ended it. No more to build on there. And they, since they Were not the one dead, turned to their affairs.[/i]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Dan Rugh [/i] [B]Speaking of water, in Rurouni Kenshin, was that extremely shiny water that they would show sometimes CGd? It really didn't look hand-drawn to me. [/B][/QUOTE] Which episodes are you referring to? I believe that certain parts of Rurouni Kenshin actually make use of live-action footage; while the kind of water that you're referring to [i]could[/i] have been CGed, it was probably just taken from film. In my experience, CGed water tends to look somewhat subdued and very clear, not shiny. ~Dagger~

Holy crap, some of you people use [i]really[/i] tiny fonts. Keeping that in mind, I apologize if I overlooked any important details. doukeshi03, this post takes place at the same time as your own. [center]***************************************[/center] She had been immensely bored, and when a Kai'Belborun acquaintence asked her to attend this meeting in his place, Ciel had readily acquiesced. Her lithe, powerful body was now draped in modest ivory robes, a far cry from her usual garb--but even she sometimes deferred to custom. Hands laid demurely upon the table and eyes lowered to gaze down at her sharpened nails, she had remained quiet throughout most of the negotiations. Though Ciel was knowledgeable enough to contribute to the ministers' discussion, she cared little about convincing them why her clan's territory should be permitted to expand. It was better to simply listen in silence; watching their petty squabbles was more entertaining than wandering about her estate, waiting for the next shipment of corpses to arrive. She'd left Mira behind. The child was beginning to explore her newfound capabilities, testing the magical talents that Ciel had poured into her resurrected body. Despite the fact that she could still sense Mira's thoughts--her wonder, her fear--at the back of her mind, the necromancer chose to ignore them. Let Mira savor those emotions while she retained the ability to do so, before her heart grew too cold to feel even the briefest moments of happiness or sorrow. "Fellows! Please, let me speak with you!" Ciel glanced up, golden eyes alert, and leaned forward to listen curiously as Cal'Sakmeht's High Ambassador spoke.