ARIA Navigation Guide

The guide is not new but I decided to write a post about this wonderful book. really glad that Tong Li released the CH version of the guide. The guide was based on ARIA manga, not the anime.

As usual the book cover has the 4 corner story and ended with Maa sachou profile. The slip cover quality are not as good as the normal ARIA manga but acceptable.

The book started with 13 pages of colour pages. The first page depicted the prologue. The next 8 pages showed the venue and scene of Italy that were potrayed in ARIA. 3 pages were then dedicated to illustrate the steps in colouring an illustration of ARIA using photoshop.

The book was then divided into 4 main sections; World Nagivation, Episode Navigation, Expansion Navigation and Making Navigation.


World Navigation
The World Navigation section started from page 15 to page 86.

P17-19: Explored AQUA with details on time, weather, trasnport and culture.
P20-23: AQUA events in spring, summer, autumn and winter.
P24: Information on the Undine
P25-29: ARIA, Himeya and Orange Planet companies and their interiors.
P30: Road to become an Undine and their duties as well as Gondola maintenance.
P34: Information on Salamander
P35: Information on Gnome
P36: Information on Sylph
P37: Information on postoffice, Florian cafe and Glass factory.
P38-39: ARIA characters relationship chart
P41-65; ARIA undines profiles. Each with 3 distinct characteristics, their current work and potential, their summer n winter uniform.
P66-73: Profiles of Akistuki, Al, Woody, Grandma, Postman, Sachous and Cat Sith.
P74-79: Alicia asnwering technical questions on ARIA.
P80-81: Cat kingdom
P82-83: AQUA insider on Salamander and Gnome
P84-85: How to draw Sachous with sing-along


Episode Navigation
The episode nagivation covered page 87 to page 143. It featured detailed episode information from the 1st year to the 3rd year spring as well as special navigation. The section also comprised Aria sachou costumes, Akari's attraction secret, Aika's list of do not as well as additional terms used in ARIA.

Expansion Navigation
Making Navigation

more to come... still reading the book.... exciting !!!!


The guide is available at Yesasia (except ARIA 10) and Bookcafe.

Received Order

I was surprised to receive two parcels this morning. I would expect ARIA 10 since my friend's mum sent it from HK via air mail last Thursday. However, I was surprised to see a larger parcel from Yesasia. Yes, you heard it right, my Yesasia order has arrived. The order was shipped on 3rd August and it only took 10 days to arrive. From experience, Yesasia order usually takes 2-3 weeks.

So, the items I have just received were ARIA V10, Suzuka V15, Pastel V16, Cross Game 7 & 8, Romeo x Juliet OP and ARIA Navigation Guide. I'll write a post on ARIA Navigation Guide. Really glad that Tong Li decided to pick up the book and release the CH version.

I discovered a secret in the leaflet that came with Romeo x Juliet OP. The illustration of Romeo x Juliet was actually a sticker!

Update: Just reach home and realized that my Romeo x Juliet OP CD case was shattered. In the past Yesasia used parcel box, this time they just place the CD in between the books and wrapped in plastic. I just sent a complain email this morning and looks like another coming up. Bloody Yesasia. Just when the fast delivery overcome the failure of acquiring ARIA 10, you have another reason for me to shift my patronage.

The items I mentioned above are available at Yesasia (except ARIA 10) and Bookcafe.

P/S: I'm a bit frustrated that Suzuka CH V16 came out a few days ago. It's a good news but I would need to wait for a few more manga before I place an order.

Stupid HLJ

I have always liked HLJ but this time it's bit ridiculous. I have pre-ordered SD Stargazer and SD Zaku Heine for my brother in one pre-order. Both are scheduled to be released in August. Stargazer has just been released and they shipped it. If it was separate order, I'd be fine but I have both in the pre-order. They should wait for the other to arrive before shipping it. It's not like the item is going to be release next month. Anyway, not too happy and am going to complain to HLJ. What's the point of having 2 items in an order then?

According to HLJ policy;
"HobbyLink Japan ships orders to customers when any one of three things occur:
1. Everything on an individual order is in stock.
2. Two months pass from the time an order was placed, and at least one item is in stock.
3. You request shipping of available items. "

Mine should fall on the 2nd category but it's not even a week and they shipped the order.

P/S: Luckily it was the SD Stargazer that was shipped, otherwise I'm going to make a racket at HLJ. The SD Stargazer looks very attractive, click the picture and check out the promo pictures at Gundambase.

Random Thoughts

Mood: Happy, see update


Manga:
Suzuka 161: I like the chapter eventhough I found Mr. Asahina's reaction lack of realism. Nevertheless, he made a good point on parenting and Yamato learnt a lot from him. At the end of the chapter, he smiled and told Yamato that he wont back them financially, meaning he wanted Yamato to be a responsible father. Last week mentioned tears but there wasn't even a signle tears.
Air Gear 174: Nothing special except Hako trying to attack Kururu with an electroshock.
Cross Game 92: Needless to ask. Baseball and Seishū High School cornered the opposition.

Anime:
Romeo x Juliet 19 : The red whirlwind is back.
Moetan 5: The story plot's a bit crazy....
Zero no Tsukaima II 5 : Louise's sisters again, Yeah!. Enjoyed the episode. It's funny to see how similar were Eleanor and Loiuse when whipping. This week Cattleya has more attitude. I used to like Siesta but kinda find her annoying recently.


Purchase:
The Bookcafe service was very slow. My order has been on "confirm" status for a week. Sent them an email but no reply. Gee...
Updates: I have wronged Bookcafe. I was told by my friend that his mum sent the comic from HK on Thursday. That would mean that the book arrived before Thursday. I placed the item on 3rd August, so it took less than a week. That's efficient! The only thing I'm not happy is that they didnt even email me that the item has been shipped. Also the system wrote "confirm" status instead of delivered. Well, I think I'll move my manga purchase to Bookcafe in near future instead of Yesasia. Lucky I understand Chinese and am able to order from Bookcafe.

ARIA Updates

Figure

Beagle will release a 60cm Akari figure scheduled in December 2007. The figure will cost 84,000 Yen or US$ 702. Who the heck is going to buy it??? The figure can have many pose since there are joints. The pink hair strand looks silky. The figure would have accessories such as bracelet, hat, shoes, glove, clothes, additional accesories and a metal base. It looks like an overpriced barbie doll. Available at HLJ at a price of US $635 (Early bird).

Book

It's under the book section but no details on the book (folded print). Nevertheless, the commodity set will be available at Comiket 72 on the 17th August. Each set will comprise a selection of umbrella (3 choices) and a B2 poster (2 choices). The posters are said to be the most Sexy and Cool illustration in ARIA history. Indeed, I WANT the posters!!! A set cost 3500 yen with the book, an umbrella and a poster. The full set will cost 9500 Yen with the book, 2 umbrellas and a poster

Event
Last, there will be an ARIA The Concert on the 30th November. Reserve tickets priced at 5,800 Yen. The ticket sale day will be 1st September.

Suzuka 161 Family

Suzuka 161 家族 かぞく

Do not copy and paste or rephrase somewhere else. It's meant for spoiler as well.

Mr and Mrs. Asahina sat down with Suzuka and Yamato. Mrs. Asahina asked Yamato what was the important thing that he wanted to tell them. Yamato answered that he had just promise to go out with Suzuka like classmates but he was really sorry. Yamato then asked them to let him marry Suzuka. Mr. Asahina was calm but Mrs. Asahina asked why the sudden. Mr. Asahina looked at Suzuka and asked her why. Suzuka told her parents that she was pregnant and it has been 3 months. Mrs. Asahina was shocked and asked if it was real. Mr. Asahina appeared calm and told her not to be panic. Mr. Asahina said that he had thought of what could happen when Yamato and Suzuka had something to talk to them. Mr. Asahina asked how did Yamato's parents react and guessed that they would let Yamato going to university as a priority. Yamato answered although his parents disagreed but he wanted to skip university and work to earn money. He added that he has the realization. Mr. Asahina asked Suzuka if it was fine. Suzuka asnwered that she knew it's stubborn but she wanted to give birth to the baby. Mr. Asahina replied that he udernstood and he would object since she had determined. However, he told her that she had to break up with Yamato. Mr. Asahina said that they will raise the baby themselves. Suzuka protested but Mr. Asahina took leave. Yamato remarked that he would work hard and he wont give them any burden. Mr. Asahina told him to stop talking and left the room.

Yamato looked at Suzuka and decided to go and talk to Mr. Asahina again. He told himself that if they broke up, there's no meaning at all. Yamato bumped into Suzune who was eavesdropping. Yamato knocked on the door and Mr. Asahina asked who was it. Yamato made himself known and Mr. Asahina asked him to enter the study room.
Yamato told Mr. Asahina that he would really work hard and pleaded that he would let them marry. Mr. Asahina put down his company finance report and took an album from the shelves. He asked Yamato to sit down and look at it. Inside the album, Yamato saw the picture of Mrs. Asahina and the just born Suzuka. Mr. Asahina commented that he had something that he really wanted to do. Even though the people around him had opposed, he still started his own company. At that time, Suzuka had just been born.
Yamato continued seeing the photo of Suzuka entering primary school and her childhood photos. He noticed that Suzuka was happy in the photos.
Mr Asahina continued that the company turnover wasn't as he had expected and had experience debts and deficits frequently. Yamato was surprised and remarked that the photo gave the feeling of happiness. Mr. Asahina replied that was why he had persevered until now. Suzune and Suzuka were the reason that he had work so hard. He was willing to go through anything for their sake. He added that that's what parents meant. He aslo remarked that Yamato parents would have the same feeling. Yamato reminisced his childhood and his parents. Mr. Asahina asked "Isn't it?" Yamato replied "It must be." Mr. Asahina remarked that Yamato has easily decided on not attending university . He said that it wasn't easy for Yamato parents to raise him and they had high expectation of his future. He asked Yamato whether he had thought of that. Mr. Asahina commented that children had no obligation to repay their parents but for someone who didnt understand these had no right to be a parent.
32. He said that Yamato was only 18 and what he had just said might be more than what he could understand. Yamato apologized and admitted that he had said a lot of irresponsible things. He told Mr. Asahina that he would apologize to his parents when he went back. Mr. Asahina asked if he can do it. Mr. Asahina smiled and told Yamato that he won't support them financially. Yamato agreed and replied that he would do his best.

P/S: Either next week's the chapter that Yamato apologized to his family (I doubt) or we could be reading Yamato's looking for a job. Actually, I was thinking it could be a chapter letting Miki or Yasonobu know about the matter. At least there's no problem with either the Akitsuki and Asahina family. Time for the family to meet each other??? Possible scenario from "Meet the Fockers"????

Note: Support Kouji Seo and Suzuka by purchasing the manga. CH available at Yesasia and JP available at Yesasia and Amazon JP. EN is available at Amazon

Random Thoughts

Mood: Angry & Frustrated


Manga:
Suzuka 160: A good chapter on Suzuka meeting Yamato's parents as potential daugther-in-law. We also learnt that Ayano-san eloped with her husband when she was young. Next chapter should be very interesting with Yamato meeting Suzuka's family and the caption said "Tears".
Tsubasa 162: No idea why the cover featured Kyle Rondart and Xing Huo. Another darn reminiscing chapter with bit more action.
Air Gear 173: Nothing special part from a possible AT fight coming up in next chapter between Kogarasumaru and the "kamen rider" gang.
Cross Game 91: Baseball, what else???

Anime:
Romeo x Juliet 18 : Romeo establishing a town, Willie (William) casting a play and Aw... the reunion scene.. Isn't it wonderful? Start to like the white Iris more and more.
Moetan 4: I like the new character Alice Shiratori. She's my favourite character now because she got the attitude. I like to watch Sumi Kuroi only for her strand of hair that changes according to emotion.
Zero no Tsukaima II 4 : Hurray Louise's sisters. An enjoyable and funny episode. But to have Eleanor fantasizing on a guy like Count of Burgundy degrade my impression on her. I like Cattleya but find her average, anyway she's sick, you'll have to forgive her.


Purchase:
Bloody Yesasia. They haven't even sold any ARIA CH 10 and now they tell me it's temporarily not available. I even recommend a supplier to them and they ignore it. Last year's service was a lot better, the agent contacted the supplier and acquired the item for me. I was about to cancel the whole order but since I have a CD in it, I'll forget about it this time. I'm going to try the bookcafe and test its service. If I found availability at bookcafe, Yesasia's team and CEO gonna receive a trashing email from me.

Update: Yesasia just shipped my order of 4 mangas, ARIA Navigation Guide and 1 CD. Weekend spoilt because of Yesasia failure to acquire ARIA V10.