oshi

Okay, all. As I cannot double-post, I will make one long one. I'll go in order of requests. Myth: November 21, 1989 You are a Scorpio-Saggitarius, born on the Day of Elegance, in the Cusp of Revolution. This means that you are very imaginative and active, but tend to close off your thoughts from other people. You can be hard to get close to, and do not take well to being talked down to (although you may use sarcasm or teasing yourself). As you lean toward isolating yourself (emotionally or physically), this may turn into a self-destructive pattern of behavior. However, for those who do manage to get close to you, you are charming and display enough loyalty so that you are usually forgiven for any biting remarks. You hate sloppiness, old-fashioned ideas, and just plain stupidity, and have a natural need to accomplish things. 1989 is the Year of the Snake, making you very perceptive toward others, but also self-doubting and possibly jealous. The Snake's natural element is fire. Your year is an earth year (making you a fire-earth Snake :)), and this means that you are easier to get to know than other Snakes, which may explain also if there is any discrepancy in my earlier statement that you are difficult to get close to. You may not be as outgoing or ambitious as other Snakes, but you are happy accomplishing your dreams (however small) and enjoy dreaming them up. Swordsaint: August 26, 1987 You are right, you are a Virgo. Born on the Day of the Supportive Partner, during the Week of the System Builders. As a Virgo, you are not as outgoing as some of the other signs, prefering to keep to yourself instead. You are open to new things, experiences and people, but this acceptance can lead you to overlook yourself when it comes to your needs or wants. Your goal in life is likely to help other people, whether as a customer-service worker, lawyer, or maybe therapist. You tend to let other people get what they want out of you, and perhaps you really don't care if they repay you--but it can cause stress along your lifetime. You may be extremely organized--not in the sense of most people, but in a way that makes sense to you. For example, if you had your own room and kept it as messy as your mother would let you, then suddenly had a roommate: you would be irritated by any mess that person made, and there would be an abrupt turnaround in your cleaning habits. Your schedule is always figured out, and always on your mind. 1987 is the Year of the Rabbit, which adds to your organization skills, but also makes you more secretive and moody. Your particular year makes you wood-fire Rabbit. You are balanced and more expressive than other Rabbits (and thus, other Virgos), and are more likely to become leaders. Knight of the Rose: September 20, 1986 You are a Virgo-Libra, born on the Day of the Managers, in the Cusp of Beauty. You, too, are organized, but the Libra in you can dilute that trait and pull your reasons more toward looking nice than being hygenic. You are observant and quick, but can be overconfident in your assessments of others. You can be seen by other people as shallow or superficial, but in fact, there is a deeper, darker side to you. Be careful of addictive habits, as they are most destructive to yourself. You are comfortable in isolation, althouth there are times when you need interact with other people, and do not generally allow physical contact out of the right context. 1986 is the Year of the Tiger, which makes you loyal, competent, and often looked to as a leader. However, you can be rather critical of others (and yourself), and also very stubborn. You are a wood-fire Tiger, which makes you a very active person, sensitive to insults. You are known for bursts of temper, but they rarely last for long. Carr: November 2, 1985 You are a Scorpio, born on the Day of Transformation, in the Week of Intensity. You are swift-minded and honest when it suits you, and your demeanor or past accomplishments have gained you influence on those around you. You may often use this influence to get what you want, and may also hurt someone in the process. You see no reason to sugarcoat people's faults, and this may drive away thin-skinned acquaintances, but there are plenty of people around that see your truthfulness as the respect that it is: if you respect someone, you don't want to lie to them. You keep few as close, intimate friends, because you are very selective in who you associate with. Those few lucky folks who manage to get on your good side are honored to be there, as you are a powerful figure in many circles. 1985 is the Year of the Ox, meaning that you are persistent in chasing your goals, and are a very practical person, but tend to be reluctant to change or stand out from others. You are a water-wood Ox, so your sense of humor is especially well-developed, and you are more ready than other Oxen to try new things. You are a people-person at heart, but can be irritated easily. Dagger and Tom, I'll try to post yours later. Somebody comment on this, so that I can do that without breaking the rules. :) Hope these match up somehow! oshi

Sailor Moon was the first manga I ever read, and I have to say that, unfortunately, it influenced me negatively. (This is my nice way of giving you Sailor Moon fans my opinion on this . . . topic.) I'm sorry, but it's really obvious (especially later in the series) that Takeuchi is just running out of ideas. All the villains are female, all the characters make the same faces, and the drawings have no effort put into them at all. But that's the manga. The anime was dubbed really badly (just LISTEN to Usagi's voice!), and the use of repeat framing was irritating. There's story arch in which these seeds are planted into inanimate objects, turning them into evil women who want to steal a pure heart crystal from Bunny. One is a VACUUM CLEANER, the next is a HEART STATUE, another is a VOLLEYBALL MACHINE, yet another is a GLASS SHOE, and finally, one is a SCARF. Menacing. I mean really. However, the show does hold good memories for me, of times when I had no idea that there was better stuff out there. I Moon Tiara Magic-ed a couple CD's into my friends wall, and it still makes me happy to think about it. Sorry if this seems negative, but you asked for opinions. You didn't say anything about posts glowing with admiration for the show. oshi

I like Inuyasha a lot, just because of the characters, but Rumiko Takahashi does tend to have never-ending stories. Example: Ranma 1/2. I love both of these, but there are millions of episodes and it can get repetitive. I like Yu Yu Hakusho also because of the characters, but there is more diversity within them than in Inuyasha. Hiei and Kurama especially are who draw me to the show. I like the way Kenshin is animated in places, but otherwise, it just doesn't hold my interest. I also like Gravitation--because I like shonen ai! However, the Gravitation anime (I've only seen the fan subs) does not focus entirely on a physical relationship but rather on the emotional one, like it really should. Trigun is good too, because I have an unhealthy fixation on Vash (a.k.a. Smudjins to me). He looks like my fictional son. I have to watch every episode and make sure my baby is safe! Mwahahaha!! (don't tell me what to do) oshi

I can't stand modern art. I went to a museum and got stuck with a guide. He pointed to a large, fiberglass, blue block leaning against a white wall and asked, "What do you see in this?" I really wanted to laugh. It had some deep title, like "Lost in an Enigma Falling." All the artist did was send the dimensions to some workshop, and THEY made it. Then he tipped it onto a wall and called it good. This makes me mad because I draw a lot; I love it, but there are people who look at my work and say it's not very good. I'm not confident in it as I am, and that doesn't help. And anyway, if I put a glob of pudding on a board and presented it to an art museum, calling it "The Instability of Life," they would LAUGH AT ME. It's like politics. Stupid politics. It's all in the wheedling. oshi

This is a hobby of mine, and I'd be happy to do it for other people. Just post your birthday and birthyear, and I'll give you a brief description of what your birth can mean to you. Here's an example: July 25, 1982 You are a Cancer-Leo, in the Cusp of Oscillation. You were born in the Year of the Dog. You are a combination of the biggest opposites in the zodiac, and this causes for some inner confusion on your part. On one hand, Cancer pulls you toward a more reserved disposition, while Leo demands more attention from other people. You in particular are difficult to satisfy, because your expectations of yourself and others are constantly changing. You experience many ups and downs, in your mood and in your life. The Year of the Dog portrays you as a loyal individual, one who enjoys following a leader rather than being that leader yourself. Others are quick to fall in love with you, but you take your time to develope trust with them before allowing yourself to reciprocate their feelings. I can go more in depth than this, actually. I just need my books. :) I'm willing to answer any questions anybody has, as long as everybody remembers that this is all in fun. While some things may be accurate, I am not a therapist. Don't get carried away with this kind of thing; it's not healthy. As long as we keep it light, we'll be okay. 'Kay? Thanks, all. oshi

I sign all of my illustrations with the Hiragana for "oshi." It means mute. I use it because that way I can talk with pictures. (I don't like speaking to people all that much.) oshi

My debut poem . . . hope you like it. I'd appreciate critiques. Has anyone else heard of the Masters of Reality? ---------------------- It wasn?t really Hiding under the pillow With iridescent eyes and breath just slightly warm Sticky fingers resting Beneath the head (three feet) Take them out Peeking greedily Warm and red just waiting to sink the boat Drop the glass Let it all out There is no answer The skin next of kin rushing to the surface Pale and fragile With breath just slightly warm The neck of the beast and the soul of the wounded Entwined to find Weakness in the jugular and strength in the pain Not hiding anymore Glaring glowing In the dark of sleep-time When there is no holy soul awake Obsidian take it Of no further use Hands slid under the pillow to feel sticky fingers Red in the weakness of the jugular And pained in the strength of the breath slightly warm.

I don't think that a lot of anime people look particularly Western or Asian. Some are cat people. The eyes are large to show expression, which is something that Western animators are seeming to pick up on. The size of eyes is used to characterize better, too--smaller eyes portray a different personality than large, shiny ones. It's a technique that may or may not be grounded in ethnicity, but what's the difference? I know some people around here who are whiter than white, and their eyes are more Asian than our actual Asian students. Also . . . it's come to my attention that in Gravitation, Shuichi does have pink hair . . . but that he can't tell whether or not Yuki is Japanese because his hair is blonde. It might be the light color of his eyes, but I don't think he mentions this as a factor. Which is more Japanese, is my question: flaming magenta hair, or blonde hair? *smile* (i don't think these things mean anything) oshi

Of course I'll explain. The Elven Realm is the kind of unattainable place that you can only get to if you know how, so Adar is likely going to travel from it to meet his bodyguards. The most part of the actual story is not going to take place there, because there would probably be all kinds of rules and properties that are just too complicated to get into. Elves and humans interact on the level that they can intersect each other's worlds, but are generally found in their own places. (Like finding a penguin farther south than you usually would; possible, but not the norm.) Elves are not exactly inclined to consort with humans, just because they are raised among their own kind as superior beings. Adar will look down upon anyone who is not an elf, but don't be discouraged into not making a character of a different race, by all means. Most elves really don't care if you're human or not; it's just the snotty noble ones that you have to watch out for. *wink* Also, of course there will be other troubles. Like I said, the plot is in no way fixed, and as long as no one does anything crazy, like try to go back in time or something impossibly confusing like that, anything goes. It just has to make sense in every area: just because it's nighttime doesn't mean they all have to have sex, and just because someone's got a sword doesn't mean they have to chop off someone's head. If you've taken everything into account and it fits--you go right ahead. (Like if Tybalt were to come across some acquaintance from long ago that wanted to kill him, that would work. That kind of thing.) It's boring without input. Otherwise there would be no plot twists. We want this to be fun! oshi

The dream, Kitty, is probably an expression of your feelings in everyday life. The person you are fighting is not necessarily a human being you encounter, but rather an obsticle that you feel you need to get around. If you've never seen their face, it means you don't know what feeling it is exactly that is causing the dreams. After you defeat them, seeing the face of the person you like probably means that this obsticle is preventing you from being with them, and only by overcoming it can you achieve happiness with this person. That's what I think. I analyze my dreams all the time. Otherwise, I would go crazy(er). oshi

Milo and I are starting an adventure. We need four other participants, so if you're interested, follow the format and sign up. We'll select you sometime during the next week, so give us your character before then. The Story: Adar Greenwood (Milo's character) is a prominent elven noble with a haughty attitude and a kidnapped niece. Niesa is his favorite relative, whom he takes more pride in than even his wife (who is very nice, so I don't understand why he . . . nevermind, anyway). He gets word that she has been kidnapped by a band of ogres--smelling, disgusting creatures that wanted a beautiful elf around to spruce up the place--and he is furious. In his extreme arrogance, Adar put out a notice for able-bodied beings to contact him to work as his bodyguards. (This is where you come in.) Adar is skilled in magic and swordsmanship, but he doesn't want to get his hands dirty with whatever lowlife might attack him during the journey. He doesn't know what the reason is for the kidnapping, but he is not about to sit and take the insult that it has become to him. (Besides, he's probably got something weird going on with Niesa . . . .) My character (follow this format) Name: Marionn Sicte Age: 17 Race: elf Appearance: Tall for his age, slim, white haired, has very light green (almost yellow) eyes. Slim fingers and legs, he has a thief's build. Abilities: Thieving. He's not a fighter. He's not a bodyguard. He's just very poor, and needs money badly. He usually just steals something and pawns it off to get by, but he hasn't been having much luck lately. Weapons: . . . None. Like I said, he's not a fighter. If Adar finds out, he'll be pissed, I'm sure. :D Background: Basically raised himself, he has had no elven role models to bounce off of. Gets by on stealing and pawning. Personality: Is quiet, shy, and mild, does not get angry as often as he gets embarrassed. Supporting Characters: Anjil, a member of a sisterhood I have yet to name; is quiet, withdrawn and clairvoyant; can faintly feel what Marionn does and sense when he is in danger. Your character is your creation. Use your head and be creative; Marionn is not a fighter but is pretending to be one. The format for your stats is what we need you to follow, not the personality of my example character. If you sign up for this adventure, keep in mind that much of the plot is not fixed, so is flexible, and that you need to be able to participate on a reasonably regular basis. Also, you?ll be working for a snobby, arrogant, selfish bastard, which may or may not be your thing.:)

I agree. Despite its imperfections, I love it anyway, and can't stop watching it. There are movies and shows done by Japanese and American animators working together that are absolutely amazing, because they blend the styles and reach a happy medium. If any of my stories ever become TV-worthy, that's what I would like to see happen to them. I still think, however, that what's on TV, especially if the point of it is to be animated, it should BE ANIMATED. If not, manga will work just fine for me. I understand the need to work on storyline and character development, but how much better would it be if every aspect was attended to? oshi

Okay, yeah, I think you're all making the assumption that I have just now finished watching the first anime I have ever laid eyes on, and that it was dubbed. No. No, that is not the case. I have seen probably OVER ONE HUNDRED shows and movies and read about SIXTY manga series, I prefer them to be subbed, I'm learning Japanese, I'm studying manga artistry; I know what I'm freakin' talking about! It's not that I think all anime is stupid, and don't for one second make the mistake in thinking that I adore American animation, too. Some of it IS crap. Total crap. But all I'm saying is, I find it irritating that movement is not very valued, and that in a lot of cases, you have to either give up a good plot for good animation, or vice versa. If you can't agree with that, I don't really think you HAVE seen much anime. That's how it's done sometimes! Not in all cases, of course, because saying that would be ignorant and easily proven wrong. Yes, Miyazaki's works are fantastic, but Pokemon . . . is not. Yes, Fantasia is amazing, but the Fairly Oddparents is not. If you want me to list every example I've ever seen, you would be daunted by the length of the post and would not read it. I used Ceres as an example because I've seen the entire series and it illustrates what I am trying to say perfectly: good story ruined by inactive animation. I thank OtakuSennen for that history; I get some things more now, but in my personal opinion, some Japanese animation could be a little more animated. oshi

I'm a big fan of animated works in general; I'll force myself to sit through things like Cinderella II or that stupid sumo wrestling show on Nick, just because I like the way their feet or their hair is drawn. But in anime, it's so much harder to stay interested because of the differences in value between American and Japanese animation. If you'll notice, even in untranslated shows, the mouths do not move to match the words coming out of them. And there is absolutely NO unnecessary movement. It's not realistic. The characters just stand there, and they usually talk for half an hour standing in basically the same position. Example: Ceres. It was a good story, but it was ruined in animation. I'm not saying that all animes suck, or that Japanese animation is worse or better than American--I can't get enough of the stuff! Escaflowne the movie was the best animated thing I've ever seen, but usually, the shows get kind of . . . repetitive. oshi

Kaze wa Mirai ni Fuku from Trigun. I love Trigun. I love how it's sung at the ending credits, in that wavering voice. (I can't find it anywhere, or I would listen to it all the time.) Or maybe Ride on Shooting Star from FLCL, which makes no sense, but it fits the show perfectly. . . because it makes just about as much sense. oshi

My suggestion would be to NOT use anime as a model. Use manga, if you need to use anything at all. For the story, come up with something on your own--find out some weird and interesting fact, and branch out from it. I've used superstitions, old myths and legends, obscure religions; I mean, if you just find one thing that sparks your interest, you can make a whole world out of it! It's great! But anime and manga use different techniques. If you want it to look and feel and read authentic, you should find out how it's really done. oshi

Thanks a lot! I'll have to check it out. oshi

I'm new here, and I guess I have a question for anybody to answer. I was reading through the "battle board" or whatever it's called, and I would like to know what that's about. If I had to guess, I would say that it's just a casual battle anthology, but if anyone would be so kind as to give me some information, I'd really appreciate it! It looks like fun, and I might have to try it. oshi