ARIA Arietta

ARIA OVA Arietta now has its own webpage. Though no other information except the release date. The OVA is scheduled to be released 21st September 2007.

There'll be a OVA commerative day (La festa di ARIA) on the 2nd of September.

Mission Completed

Oh Yeah.... Complete the PLUS (mission) mode for Gundam SEED Destiny Zaft Vs Alliance Final Plus II.

Last night I finished the last 7 Faith mission. I was hoping for more missions other than the Faith mission. Main Gundams which I have mostly used are Gundam Destiny and Gundam Blast Impulse. I learnt that Blast Impulse is able to charge the blaster (courtesy of Joney_and_cleaver) from animesuki forum. It reallt makes my life a lot easier with the charge shot. I got familiar with Gundam Destiny and use it when I have to attack with speed.

I hate the life pod rescue mission most, especially the one that I had to collect 30 life pods within a certain span of time. The 9th Faith mission is also a pain. You have to destroy Minerva and protect Archangel from nukes at the same time. I tried several strategies and wasted a lot of time in the mission. I finally figured out that I had to approach the nukes, destroying them as soon as possible. Also, make sure you destroy windam, they can release several nukes. Apparently, it was shown on Youtube that Gundam Legend is suitable for this mission. Legend can just stand on top of minerva, activate its dragoon system and use its charge shot. Though I used Blast Impulse.

Another rescue mission which I hated is collecting rescue pods over the towers. I found Justice to be a good choice after trying the others. I observed Justice's speed is faster, resulting the boost gauge depleting slower than the others. One trick is to do it in a clock-wise/anti-clock-wise manner. you'll waste less time that way.

The most enjoying mission was the Faith mission that I need to use Stargazer. When I first played the mission, I released the nuclear flash mine but didn't know how to detonate it. I tried the mission with its other crap attack and failed miserably. Then, I learnt from online that they were flash mines and needed to be detonate. Once, I figured out the detonation button. Man, it was the best game play in PLUS mode. Set the mine anywhere, up on the air or on the ground and KABOOM!!!

I also started the Archade mode and finished 2 routes with Blast Impulse. I learnt a funny trick; "Rise up, charge the gauge and release the charge shot." Apparently it works very well, Blast Impulse shot the enemy and I can sway the blast shot left/right. I found it very amusing as well, like Blast Impulse's having a toilet session (You know what I mean).

The most time wasted: Faith 9th mission (Destroy minerva while protecting from nukes)
The most outstanding Gundam: Blast Impulse (For me)
The most enjoying Gundam: Stargazer (Kaboom!!!!)
The most hated mission: Faith mission (Collecting 30 rescue pods)
The hardest battle: Mission with Strike Freedom and Akatsuki as enemy

Aside:
MG Strike Freedom assembly timeline:
17/05: Head and interior chest completed. [3 hours]
23/05: Exterior chest, right arm + hand + shoulder, left arm (60%) [3 hours]
27/05: Left arm + shoulder + hand, Leg completed. One leg (60%) [2.5 hours]
29/05: Legs, Waist completed. Assembled the main body of Gundam. [3 hours]
What's left: Dragoon system, Wings, Ammunition and stand.

Animage Grand Prix

Some interested results from Animage Grand Prix June edition.
The (*) shows the position in Top 100 Best Character survey.


Favourite Anime:
1. Code Geass
2. Gundam SEED Destiny
3. Suzumiya Haruhi
4. Ouran School Host
13. ARIA The Natural
17. Mai Otome
19. Tsubasa Chronicle II
21. Fate Stay Night
25. Kanon
48. AMG Sorezore no Tsubasa

Favourite Hero:
1. Lelouch [Code Geass] (1)
2. Kira Yamato [GSD] (2)
3. Athrun Zala [GSD] (3)
4. Kyon [Suzumiya Haruuhi] (?)
6. Suzaku [Code Geass] (29)
12 Shin [GSD] (23)
14. Syaoron [Tsubasa Chronicle](50)

Favourite Heroine:
1. Lacus Cylne [GSD] (8)
2. Suzumiya Haruhi [Suzumiya Haruhi] (4)
3. C.C. [Code Geass] (16)
4. Cagalli [GSD] (11)
5. Sakura [Tsubasa Chronicle] (12)
8. Karen [Code Geass] (10)
9. Yuki Nagato [Suzumiya Haruhi] (52)
10. Stellar [GSD] (?)
11. Saber [Fate Stay Night] (70)
15. Mikuru [Suzumiya Haruhi] (48)
18. Akari Mizunashi [ARIA The Animation](70)
19. Shirley [Code Geass] (?)

Not much deviation from the Best 100 Characters survey for the top characters. Lelouch, Kira and Athrun dominate both survey. Lacus, Haruhi and Cagalli are the hot pick in both survey.

Note:
1. Lacus managed to beat Haruhi, Yeah!
2. Kyon didn't make it to Top 100 but he rose and placed 4th in the Grandprix.
3. C.C. popularity continue to rise.
4. Suzaku's rating also improved.
5. I knew Belldandy would be out of Top 20 since AMG Tsubasa failed miserably at 48th place.
6. ARIA Natural surpass Kanon, Mai Otome, Tsubasa Chronicle II, AMG Tsubasa and Fate Stay Night.


P/S: Alafista has scans of the results.

Suzuka 151 Intention

凉风 Suzuka 151 口裏 くちうら

Suzuka and Yamato were in the room looking at travel guides. Yamato remarked that they have to hide the trip from their guardians. So they can't go to far places. Suzuka commented they should then find a place near for a stay-over. Yamato didn't understand and Suzuka suggested Hakone. She has been there and she can lead the tour. Yamato immediately agreed and wanted to choose the accomodation. Suzuka asked if he was fine with such impulsive decision. Yamato replied that they would have a successful trip since Suzuka had been there. Yamato further commented that it doesn't matter where since Suzuka will be together with him. Yamato then asked if an accomodation with onsen is fine. Suzuka called him idiot as the place was so expensive. After some time, Yamato complained that they couldn't decide on a place. Suzuka replied that they have to find a place that's cheap but offered substantial service. She then pointed to a accomodation, saying that it's quite cheap and the meals looked decent. Yamato was fine with it and Suzuka told him to make the reservation. Yamato was surprised but Suzuka told him that he should do the reservation. Yamato asked why he has to do it and told Suzuka to finish what she has started. Suzuka rejected saying that she didn't know how to do a reservation. She asked if he has never done it before when he was the captain of the track team. Yamato answered that he never done it since Miki was the one who handle it everytime. Suzuka pestered Yamato into doing it and he finally made a call to the accomodation. Yamato asked if there was any room for two around the 20th to 24th. He managed to get a reservation on the 22nd for a night. Thenm, both of them were silent for a while. Suzuka asked why Yamato was silent. Yamato said that he felt the realization after making the call, like there's no back out. Suzuka agreed. Yamato told her that it is important that the trip remained a secret.

The next day, Miki and Yasonobu were shocked to hear that Suzuka and Yamato's going to Hakone. Yamato and Suzuka told Miki to reduce her voice. Yasonobu remarked that they would be able to go even if they didnt inform him. Suzuka explained that her father is very strict and he would definitely forbid if he learnt that she's going on a trip with a boy. Yamato also told them that Ayano san rejected the motion as well. Yamato then requested Yasonobu and Miki to help them. Yamato told them his plan. He would be going out with Yasonobu and Suzuka would be out with Miki on that day. Yasonobu asked about the stay-over. Yamato suggested that Suzuka would return to Yokohama after that. Yasonobu asked if Yamato thinking of saying that he'd return to Hiroshima. Yamato replied that hehad thought of that but it'd be a problem if Ayano san called his home. Yamato suggested that Yasonobu would lie that they went skiing and stayed at Yasonobu's relative's chalet. Suzuka said that she felt sorry but they told Miki and Yasonobu that they really need their help. Suzuka asked Miki if it was fine. She told her that she felt a bit envy but she would definitely help them. She wanted Suzuka to pay for the cake as compensation. Yasonobu also agreed saying that it's hard to turn down Suzuka's plead. Yamato was delighted but Yasonobu told Yamato that he had to treat them BBQ with high quality beef.

On the way home. Suzuka remarked that she was happy that Miki and Yasonobu have agreed to help. Yamato commented that he's going to be broke because of them. Yamato then asked Suzuka if it was fine. He commented that he really wanted to go with her on a trip without the need to secretive. He added that Suzuka had to lie with him. Suzuka refereshed Yamato's saying on there's no turning back. She then told him that it was her who brought back all the brochures. She should be blamed instead. yamato told her that it wasn't the case, it was him who proposed the trip idea. Suzuka then teased that they were accomplice.

On the 22nd of December, Miki arrived at Ayano san residence. Ayano san called Suzuka, telling her that Miki has arrived. Suzuka apologized to Miki saying that it's not necessary for her to come. Miki told her that it'll be more convincing if she came. Both of them bid farewell to Yamato. Ayano san turned to Yamato and asked him to get ready for his skiing trip with Yasonobu. Yamato then called out loudly that he's leaving for skiing with Yasonobu.

P/S: Three weeks of waiting. Despite the long wait, I'm happy that it appeared. Hurray to Dream动漫.

Price Inconsistency

I recently came across some price inconsistency in Yesasia products. Most of ARIA fans should know that Kozue Amano has an earlier work called Roman Club. It is available at Yesasia. There are 6 volumes and each costs US$4.99. However, the whole collection (V1-V6) cost US$39.84. The price was originally US$47.79. Any high-school kid should be able to do multiplication of $4.99*6=$29.94. How come the pricing for the whole collection is so absurd??

I wrote an email to Yesasia regarding the matter. Yesasia has friendly customer service but I wasn't pleased with the reply. This is the reply.

"Further to your inquiry regarding the price of the "Roman club", please kindly be informed that the retail price of all items are adjusted at a level which is acceptable for most customers located in different regions. Your kind understanding would be greatly appreciated."

What do they meant by "ACCEPTABLE"??? Is there any idiot who's going to pay $39.84 instead of $29.94 for similar items?

Suzuka 150 Planning

凉风 #150 計画 けいかく

Suzuka and Yamato were walking home together. Yamato complained about the cold. Suzuka replied that it's December after all and it could start snowing at night. Yamato pondered on December and then remembered that the university training would start at the end of the year. Yamato remarked that they can't play like now. Suzuka agreed and said that it felt bit sad. Yamato then asked if Suzuka wanted to do something as an epilogue for memory. Suzuka asked him for example. Yamato replied that he's not sure either. Suzuka then told him to tell her if he thought of something and walked up the stairs. Yamato noticed Ayano san bidding farewell to Saotome and Megumi. Saotome said that she would bring back souvenirs. Ayano san told them not to bother and enjoyed themselves. Yamato then asked Ayano san where they were going. She replied that they were going on a trip to Hawaii with their friends. Yamato was surprised to hear Hawaii and Ayano san told him that she went there before for honey moon. She continued telling Yamato that she lost her passport and searched for it all night. She then asked Yamato to guess where she had left it. However, Yamato was thinking about holiday trip. Ayano san asked if he was listening.

Back in his room, Yamato thought that going on a trip would be the best memory but it required overnight stay. He was worried that Suzuka might not agree with the idea. He really want to go and went to approach Suzuka. In Suzuka's room, Yamato told her about the idea and Suzuka was delighted with it. She commented that winter holiday's comimng and asked where they're going. She added that it has to be a day trip so they wouldn't be able to travel far. Yamato then told her that he was thinking of an overnight trip. He continued that he hasn't decided venue but it would be just one overnight stay. Yamato asked for her opinion and Suzuka embarassingly replied she's fine with it. However, she commented that her dad won't allow her if it was an overnight stay. Suzuka apologized but Yamato told her he was just asking. He said that there's satill time and he'd think of something else.

The holiday has started. Yamato, Miho and Ayano san were having morning tea. Miho remarked that Yamato shouldnt sleep so much even though it's holiday. He asked if Suzuka's still there. Ayano san replied that she had long left. Yamato wondered where she had been. Miho jokingly asked if she went out with another guy since she looked quite eager. Yamato told her not to talk rubbish. Miho then envied Saotome and Megumi who went to Hawaii. Yamato remarked that he shoudl also go on a trip. Miho asked if they could go together. Yamato remarked that it have to be Suzuka not Miho. Ayano heard Yamato saying travelling and asked him. She told him that both their parents placed them in her custody and she wont allow it. Yamato told her not to be angry and mentioned that Suzuka didnt agree as well.

Yamato went outside the building and wondered where they should for their Christmas date. He realized that he had not celebrated Christmas with Suzuka before. Suzuka appeared and asked what's he doing. She greeted him and Yamato asked where she had been. She grabbed Yamato's hand and dragged him away. Back in her room, she showed Yamato several travel guide and brochures. She remarked that she got it from the bookshop. She then happily asked where they should go. Yamato was surprised and told her that he thought she felt inappropriate. She answered that it was too sudden back then but she really wanted to go travelling with Yamato. Yamato then asked if it was fine. Suzuka replied that it's end of the year and they need to reserve in advance. Yamato said that wasn't what he's asking. He asked if her dad would allow it. She replied that she didnt ask her. She added that she was afraid so she didnt ask. Yamato told her that Ayano san forbid it as well. Yamato then asked if they should go secretly. Suzuka agreed and commented that it felt like they are doing something bad. Yamato said it wasn't that bad and he really want to go. Suzuka agreed.


P/S: I wouldn't be surprised with a disapproval from Ayano-san since she is Yamato's aunt as well as his guardian. For Asian culture, it's not appropriate for a couple to travel together by themselves. They have to be at least engaged. the caption on the last page seem to hint that the parents would find out about the trip.

AT-G Alicia Figure

Release note for Good Smile Compaony/AT-G Alicia figure at Good Smile COmpany. More preview at Hobbystock as well.

Available for pre-order at Hobby search and HLJ.