Suzuka 100 First Day

凉风 #100 初日 しょにち

The episode started with Suzuka reading a humour book in her room, thinking about Yamato first day at work. She hoped that there wont be any problem with Yamato making mistakes.

Yamato was given the waiter attire, vest and a bowtie. Yui dressed like a maid. Yui's dad asked Yamato not to force himself as this was his first day. He asked him to attend the customer with Yui. Yui told him to asked her if there was anything that he didnt know.

Yamato was nervous since this was the first time he work outside the bathhouse. The first customer came and Yamato went forward to greet him. The guy asked about Yui and amato told him that he was new and just started that day. The guy lighted a cigarette, looked at the stunned Yamato and asked him to bring the menu. Yui gave Yamato the menu but he forgot to bring the cold water.

The business picked up and there were many customers. Yamato sent drinks to wrong menu, bumped into customer and spilled the drinks. He also couldnt operate the cashing machine. He told the customer that he would use a calculator and the customer asked if he could still get a receipt. Yamato asked him why and the customer said that it was for tax purpose. Yamato said he didnt understand and asked what if he couldnt write a receipt. Yui quickly attend to the matter as the customer was both frustrated and stunned. (I wonder what did Yamato learn in school).

He later washed the dishes. Yui's dad asked him to go for a rest but he rejected and said that he didnt help anything so far. Yui came in and asked for clean dishes, Yamato slipped and broke a dish.

At the end of the day, Yui asked her dad if he was angry with Yamato since he broke
many plates. Her dad replied that it was hist first day so he was be nervous but he was very hardworking. He continued saying that if Yamato 's there, Yui would be very happy. Yui denied and said that Yamato had a girlfriend. Yui's dad then tease her.

Back home, Suzuka was helping Yamato with bandages. He hurt all his fingers. Yamato sad that he was very tired and a lot happen during his work. Suzuka commented that
it was because his response is slow. She continued asking if it was all right like this next week and asked him if it would be better for him to resign. Yamato was silent. Suzuka thought he was angry and looked at him. Yamato doozed off and said "Verry sorry" as he slept. Suzuka then said to the sleeping Yamato, " Yamato, you must have been exhausted".


Just realized that I havent wrote the synopsis for I"s Pure DVD 3. The synopsis for I"s DVD 4 just need a review and it will be posted.

P/S: Mai Otome Finale this week!

Gundam Wing Zero and Freedom

My Gundam models from HK arrived this morning. I have asked my friends in HK to purchase them and send them to me. Each cost HK 330 and I saved much with the shipping too. I have also bought the SD 288 Stike Freedom for my brother, it's the latest so he should love to have it for his birthday.

The Gundams that I have purchased are
1. Master Grade ZGMF-X10A FREEDOM GUNDAM
I prefer Freedom over Strike Freedom because of its wing and the beam attached to its wings. Though I must admit that Strike Freedom looks more grand, Freedom is the one for me.

2. Master Grade XXXG-0OW0 WING GUNDAM ZEROWing Gundam Zero from Endless Waltz is my favourite. I was yearning for the MG since I bought the HG. The MG is said to be better that the PG in many ways though not so much manoveures compared to PG.

Cant wait to assemble them. Oh ya, one thing I like about MG is they have stands!

I"s Pure 4 Vertige

DVD 4 introduced a new character Izumi Isozaki. After the last DVD, they skipped the part where Ichitaka and his friends went to their friend house to think of a new play. The Ousama game part (chapter 51-63) was omitted and the story jumped straight to volume 8 or chapter 64. I’m pretty confident that DVD 5 and 6 will develop Ichitaka and Iori relationship at the present time after watching DVD 4. DVD 4 ended with the scene where Iori and Ichitaka were spending the Christmas together in a karaoke room. The episode title is Vertige, meaning Giddiness.

For more screenshots, visit the links

I"s Pure DVD 4 summary & screenshots
I"s Pure DVD 3 summary & screenshots
I"s Pure DVD 2 summary & screenshots
I"s Pure DVD 1 summary & screenshots


My Comments so far:
Pretty much what I have anticipated, the encounter with Izumi. Izumi didnt act like the one in the manga. Next DVD will be "declaration d'amour" for declaration of love. Of course Ichitaka illusion diary is on Izumi this time.

Suzuka: Miki Special

Miki was injured and it was also her birthday. Suzuka asked Yamato to bring her gift to Miki since she has business till late evening. She reminded Yamato to buy his present for Miki. He said that they can treat Suzuka's gift from both of them. He said he was joking after Suzuka said in disbelief.

Miki opened the door with a shirt and an undies on. She thought it was her younger brother. Miki invited Yamato into her house and said that her knee injury could be due to her excessive training. She noted that Yamato was uneasy and asked him. He asked her to wear a pant.

Miki told Yamato that it's about time he called Suzuka by her name. He still felt shy and uncomfortable. She asked him to practise by calling her Miki. Then, she went preparing dinner for her family since her parents were working. She asked Yamato to taste and he complimented her. Yamato kept forgetting to call her Miki and she insisted him to try harder.

Miki accidentally spilled the sauce on them. She went for a bath and while in the bath, she asked him if he likes Suzuka very much. Yamato replied yes. She asked why did he like Suzuka. He said that he saw Suzuka practising high jump on her own and felt that she was a strong girl. Miki remarked that if she was there, then wouldn't Yamato be liking her instead. Yamato kept silent. She then said, "Even so, you would still grow to love Suzuka". Yamato agreed. She said that she's grateful that Yamato's there and she was happy that he made the trip. Yamato commented that Hashiba was as reliable as an adult. Miki said she undertood and then called him stupid. She called him big idiot and asked him to go home. The chapter ended with Yamato asking why Miki's angry.

My thoughts:
It's evident that Miki likes Yamato from this special chapter. Eventhough she had played the peacemaker role between Yamato and Suzuka, she started liking him. At the moment, this manga has many similarity with Ichigo 100%, though the characters and setting are different. Nishino, Toujo, Satsuki and Yui like Manaka. Suzuka, Yui, Miki and Miho like Yamato. Notice the comparison.

Similarity:
Nishino and Suzuka: Strong personality and determination
Aya and Yui: Gentle and considerate
Satsuki and Miki: Lively and amiable
Yui and Miho: Little sister

Suzuka 99 Reconcilation

凉风 #99 和解 わかい

Yui told her father that Yamato was the friend she went with to the Fantasyland. She persuaded her dad in hiring Yamato and said he was a very committed person. Yamato thought of the possible conflicts that would occur. He ran away while apologizing to them.

They went for a walk and Yamato explained his situation (not pictured). He said that he was and he did not disliking her. Yui said she understood his plight. Yamato said he would continue trying. He thanked her and asked her to apologize to her dad on his behalf. He then ran away, with Yui looked sad.

The next day, on her way home, Suzuka was whispering to herself as where Yamato was. She decided to go for a bath before dinner since she was sweating. There’s fan service in this chapter. Suzuka only covered herself with a small towel. Yui was there waiting for her. She went to Suzuka room before but she wasn’t there. Thus, she thought she might be able to meet her at the bath-house. Suzuka was reminded of Yui holding to Yamato arm. Yui even offered to wash Suzuka 's back.

The scene switched to Yamato walking back home. He had gone looking for jobs again. Everyone rejected him when he said he could only work once a week. Ayano was sweeping the floor in front of her house and welcomed him home. Yamato asked whether Asahina's back. Ayano replied that Suzuka was at the bath-house with someone. She said that a girl by the name Amami (天見) came to see suzuka. Yui had told Ayano that she would wait at the bath-house. Yamato was shocked.

Yamato talked to Gogoro the cat. Then, Suzuka and Yui appeared behind him. Suzuka shouted "Oi Yamato" and he stood still and replied “Yes” in shock.

Suzuka said that she wasn’t the only one using a microwave to cook an egg. Yui also did that before and Suzuka said “Looks like I’m normal”. Yamato had once teased her that shw wasn’t normal in using a microwave to cook an egg. Yui apologized and asked if Suzuka felt dizzy from the long bath. Suzuka denied and said she liked bathing. Yui then bid goodnight and said she would keep in touch with Suzuka through SMS.

Yamato was still in a puzzle. Suzuka said that Yui's a nice girl and they have bonded a friendship. Suzuka also said that she felt that they are similar especially in cooking.

Suzuka then told Yamato that she wont mind if Yamato work at Yui’s café. Yamato asked her if Yui had told her anything. She answered that there was nothing else except that Yamato’s looking for once a week casual job. He asked if Yui had told her the reason. She replied that Yui didnt. Yamato thought to himself, then why did she suddenly allow him to go to work.

Suzuka then turned to him, said with a smile, that he need to tell her immediately when he has setup his email address. Yamato was surprised and said, "She did said it after all". Suzuka denied that Yui had told her anything. Apparently Yui did tell Suzuka about Yamato’s concern for her.

My Thoughts:
The title didn’t match well with the chapter. There’s no reconciliation since Yamato and Suzuka didn’t have any tiff or argument in the previous chapter. Suzuka is the only manga to mention the use of these technologies; internet phone, SMS, internet and e-mail (as far as I know). The fan service’s great. We can see that Yui will be a center figure in coming episodes. I wonder if Kouji would bring back Honoka. It has been more than 10 chapters since she last appear. By the way, there’s also a Miki special this week.

Square Enix Masterpieces

Two PS game worth mentioning. Kingdom Hearts II and Final Fantasy XII.



For KH 2 US version pre-order, YESASIA or PLAY-ASIA.
For KH 2 Japan version ,visit either YESASIA or PLAY-ASIA.
For KH II OST sountracks, YESASIA or PLAY-ASIA

For Final Fantasy XII Japan version, YESASIA or PLAY-ASIA
For Final Fantasy XII OST version, YESASIA or PLAY-ASIA.

YESASIA has excellent preview of FFXII merchandise.These include FFXII poster sets, FFXII PS2 memory card, official FFXII world preview book and PS2 FFXII Pack of Limited Edition Console and Game. TEMPTING!!!!!!!!!!! These are also available at PLAY-ASIA

I"s Special Manga

I"s special edition manga.
I"s ＜アイズ＞Official Website





Ｉ”ｓ＜アイズ＞　完全版

Happy White Day

Today is White Day in Japan. While St. Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14, White Day is celebrated a month later on March 14. White Day is a Japanese creation. In Japan, the women would give presents (chocolates) to men on Valentine's day. On White day, men are supposed to return the favours received on Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day was said to be imported to Japan in 1958 by a Japanese confectionery company. White Day is believed to have been introduced by a marshmallow manufacturing company in the 1960s. The white marshmallows gave the day its name but other variety of gifts such as flowers, candies and others are more popular over the years.

ARIA The Natural

The second season of ARIA the Animation is called ARIA the Natural. The official website is ARIA COMPANY. Fisrt episode will start on 2nd of April 2006.


「ARIA The NATURAL」放送日時決定！
＜放送場所・放送時間＞
テレビ東京　2006/4/2(日)　25:00　
テレビ大阪　2006/4/11(火)　26:05　
テレビ愛知　2006/4/4(火)　26:28　
AT-X 　　　　2006/4/7(金)　10:30　

Suzuka 98 Interview

凉风 #98 面試 めんせつ

The chapter started with Yamato and Suzuka in a cafe. Yamato was looking at Suzuka's oversea study guide. Suzuka would have her own room equipped with a computer and internet access. She would also have a professional trainer training her.

Yamato then said "Asahina, you are really starting to think of studying abroad seriously. Although I know how hard-working you are, but you said that you wont worry a school without top grade sport faciliites when we started school." He then asked if the fact that she got national 3rd place changed her to be more serious. She denied. Yamato then asked if she was inspired by world class atheletes. She denied again and said there wasnt any particular reason.

Yamato got puzzled and asked her, "Why did you decide to go if there wasnt any particular reason?". She rebuked with "Yamato went to Tokyo without any reason as well". Yamato sulked. Suzuka then started thinking about the life overseas.

Yamato then said "I start to feel that you will be going soon." He felt that he couldnt talk to her like what they were doing now when she abroad. Suzuka replied they still have 5 more months and they can still talk like that for now. She said she will write letters and Yamato need to reply accordingly.

The next day, at the school rooftop, Yamato and Yasunobu had a chat. Yamato said that they would have to use the letter option since long-distance calls were expensive. Yasunobu asked if he can withstand one year like that. He then suggested that Yamato use the internet communication . Apparently Yamato didnt know about this technology. But Yasunobu added that the cost of PC and the software would amount to 14000 to 15000 Yen.

At night Yamato tried making call to find a casual job. He maked about 30 calleds but failed to get one. He could only work on Monday since he had track training. The next day, Sunday, he went to find job personally.

Yamato had a hard time, since he can only work on Monday. One of the shop owner also asked him to remove his abascus level 6 from his resume. He even went to try for assisstant in a night club. After trying more than 20 shops, he decided to go home. Suddenly he saw an advertisement, looking for helper, 16 years olf above and just Monday would be enough.

He then kept pledding with the shop personnel. Suddenly, the door opened and a girl said she had bought the grocery. The personnel, who could be her father or might not be, said he's interviewing someone. Yamato turned and saw Yui. Yui's back! He was shocked and asked why she's there. Yui answered that that's her house.

My thoughts:
I like this week's cover. Suzuka and Sakura flowers. Yui's back. I wonder how the 5 months will go. Looking at the story plot now, Suzuka will definitely have more than 100 chapters.

How about this week?

As usual, this week:

Anime:
Mai otome @ Episode 21
Yakitate! Japan @ Episode 68
Binchoutan @ Episode 6
Lemon Angel Project @ Episode 9
Fate Stay Night @ Episode 10

Manga:
Suzuka @ chapter 98
Cross Game @ chapter 33

Yakitate! Japan did not air last week. Episode 68 will air the showdown between Kazuma and Yukino. From the official website, it looks like the final opponent will be Meister Kirisaki. By the way if you still havent realized, Kirisaki is son, and since Pantasia was acquired by Yuuichi Kirisaki of St. Pierre, I guess he had no choice but to challenge Kazuma. Also because Kazuma is a worthy opponent for him.

I started to find Lemon Angel Project quite enjoyable, since the story not just on the LAP team production. Six episodes were dedicated to tell the story of all the LAP member. There is a blog covering this anime, Hashihime. But one thing I still find it disappointing is the music. Considering the genre of this anime, they should put in more effort in the musics and songs. But I do hear that some of the character file song's pretty good. See how it goes.

Binchoutan is an anime worth watching if you are learning Japanese. There are not too many conversation, easy to follow with show speech and short playback time.

Mai otome still have 6 episodes to go but 5 more weeks, since the last week would air both 25 and 26. I think they should make this anime more than just 26 episodes. They revealed too many stuff towards the later half of the anime and it's hard to think two they can end it nicely. They waste too much on some irrelevant stuff at the beginning. It's episode 21 and Mai "might" just make her first appearance. There's so much to cover in 6 episodes; Mikoto (Not the cat) and harmonium, who's the princess, the other 2 pillars, what's Miyu role, there still 5 more characters not revealed on the official website. So, 6 episodes for all these???

Fate Stay Night 9 is awesome; Assassin appearance and his Tsubame Gaeshi attack, best of all, Saber's Noble Phantasm. It seems that Caster (servant) is the master of Assassin (servant)??? By the way, Ilya will appear this week, a sweet girl but obviously a girl with intentions. Plus fan-service from Saber.

Suzuka 97 "Studying Abroad"

凉风 #97 留学 りゅうがく

This is the chapter that makes the Suzuka series running for 3rd year. There were colour pages and bonus pictures. Even the Suzuka logo was in different colour, one orange-yellow and one pink instead of the usual blue.

Chapter 97 focused on Yamato and Suzuka after last week incident. The preview showed Miki having a bath, saying "Why troubles always occur between those two?"

The chapter started with Yamato sulking and talking to Miki about Suzuka intention of studying abroad. Yamato kept thinking about himself being the last to know. Miki then answered that it was because of him that Suzuka couldnt put her heart to tell him. She also advised him to understand more about Suzuka's feeling.

During the dinner, Yamato was not there as he was lying on his bed, thinking about what Suzuka and Miki had said. Then, someone was at his door and he went to open the door. Suzuka was there and asked him to go and have the dinner. She then turned around but Yamato held her hand and asked why she want to kept the matter from him. They started to have a small tiff until Suzuka asked why he used such tone.

She then said that she really like to go, but it's US and there would be a lot of potential atheletes and the training would be strict too. She would have to practise hard everyday and would become more focus on the track training, and this would cause Yamato to be lonely. She then started to weep. Yamato then realized how she had felt and then said with a big smile, "I'll definitely be very lonely... but I'll be patient." He also said that he understood her love and her goal in high jump since he noticed it all the time. He asked her not to worry and he would be able to be patient. She then knod in acknowledgement.

He then said with smiles, "Ok..ok..from today on, let's study English together. How's that? I'll do my very best." She remarked (sarcastically though no harm) that it'll be lot quicker learning alone. Yamato replied "What? That's not cute at all."

My thoughts:
Now it's really hard to predict how the series would continue. Kouji can either put in events around Yamato with Suzuka away (possibly bringing back Honoka or Yui) or Suzuka could decide to stay with Yamato (though pretty unlikely). The last thing I hope is any fast-track to after Suzuka finish her training, came back and then the finale (That's what happen in Ichigo 100%).