Popular Post

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Suzuka 104 Laundry

凉风 #104 洗濯 せんたく

Chapter started with Yui serving the customer happily. One of the customer told her father that she looked very happy. Her father replied today was the day that the guy came once a week. Yamato rushed in the cafe and apologized for being late. He was held back by his sempai and came straight from his training. There were many people and Yui requested Yamato to help with the cash register. The customer before made a comment to Yui saying that they paired quite well and her dad should be at ease then. Yui replied happily that Yamato already has a girlfriend.

Yamato took leave as the cafe closed for the day. Mr Amami commented that Yamato still have energy after running here and there. Yui asnwered that people who joined track events sure have great stamina. Mr Amami then suggested Yui to participate in curriculum activities and he can managed the cafe on other days. Yui went to the store room and found Yamato's bag with his track T-shirt. She held onto it and realized it was his track shirt. She decided to wash it as a token of appreciation for his hard work.

The next day, in the girl's locker room, Yui was telling her friends about Yamato again. Her friend then told her to confess to Yamato and then get together. Again, Yui said happily that Yamato already has a girlfriend. She then bid farewell as she was going to see Yamato and handed him back the T-shirt. On the way, Yui thought to herself that Yamato would be surprised to see her and she wanted to see his expression. She also thought of walking home with him and listen to his track activities.

It was late and Yui was still waiting. She ran towards Yamato as soon as the training finished. She introduced herself to Miyamoto sempai. She then handed Yamato shirt to Yamato. Yamato realized that she has washed it and thanked her. Yui then grabbed his hand and said "Let's go back together". Yamato apologized and said he has promised Asahina to fetch her. He said they could still walk together on the way.

Yui then let go of his hand and said she forgot that she need to buy something. She bid farewell and ran away. Yamato didnt have a clue what's going on (Idiot). Yui thought to herself as she ran, what has she done, what was she anticipating. She then stoppped and said, "Even I myself have said it.... Yamato....he already has a girlfriend".

My Thoughts:
Yui is in love with... who else! Let's see how Kouji pull this throught. Now.... where's Honoka???

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Suzuka Volume 11 LE

The information on Suzuka Volume 11 Limited Edition was provided, courtesy of Relentlessflame at Animesuki.


These are the covers for Suzuka volume 11 and Suzuka volume 11 LimitedEdition


The Inside cover for Suzuka Volume 11 LE

The Postcards that comes with the LE
Miki and Suzuka

Relentlessflame mentioned that it was probably too late even for Amazon.jp. If you really like the postcard and cant get the LE, you can get good quality scans from Relentlessflame and print it yourself. Alternatively, you can still try Yesasia for the LE edition, though I believe they might tell you later there's no stock for it.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

AMG Tsubasa and ARIA Natural



AMG Sorezore no Tsubasa それぞれの翼
Episode 2:
ああっ悩める復讐の王女さまっ
Episode 2 is more on Sayoko. The episode started with Urd commented that it was cold. Belldandy decided to knit a sweater for Keiichi but kept it from Keiichi. It was Christmas season and Sayoko wasnt feeling herself. She met Keiichi on the street and realized that she needed Keiichi to fill her heart. Sayoko had bit too much of achohol and ended up on Keiichi residence. He took her in for rest. Sayoko took Belldandy sweater when she woke up (actually a dog did it but it still ended up with her). Belldandy went out and search for the sweater. Sayoko asked Keiichi out in the evening. She gave him an expensive piece of sweater but Keiichi declined. Keiichi told her his feeling with Belldandy. Sayoko got angry and threw Belldandy's sweater onto him and went away. Belldandy later met Sayoko and Sayoko told her to go back home. Upon reaching home, Belldandy saw Keiichi in her sweater and she was overjoyed. In the end they hugged.

Episode 3:ああっ聖夜に捧げるこの想いっ!
Episode 3 covers the story on Keiichi trying to repay Belldandy with a Christmas present. He asked around and decided to buy a ring. The ring was quite costly so he had to work for the money. Urd helped Keiichi in finding jobs to source the money. He hid the matter from Belldandy. Belldandy was worried as he came home late every night and was exhausted. However, Belldandy believed in Keiichi. On Christmas eve night, Keiichi had enough money and ran to buy the ring. However, it was taken by Sayoko. Keiichi pleaded with her and she demanded Keiichi wearing a Reindeer outfit and reclaiming a ballon stucked on a tree branch. Belldandy was told to wait at the station and she saw Keiichi falling down. She used her magic to save him and Keiichi told him about his work and the ring. Urd then passed the ring to Keiichi, telling him that Sayoko has given up the ring. Keiichi put the ring on Belldandy's hand and the overjoyed Belldandy hugged and kissed him.

ARIA The Natural
Episode 2:
その 宝物をさがして…
Episode 2 is about Akari, Aika and Alice searching for treasure. They were on the gondola and Aika noticed a small hole on a building's wall. They found a note and started searching for the mysterious treasure. The puzzles led them to a high place where they can view the beautiful scenery of Aqua. They also realized that they were not the first group to find out the place. They later agreed to replace all the puzzles in their origins.

Episode 3:その 流星群の夜に…
Episode 3 is about the shooting stars in Aqua. The weather forecast gave a cold night but also a starry night. Akari, Aika and Alice were having a conversation on gravity and shooting stars. The episode introduced a new male character, Al. He's short but older than Aika. He explained the shooting stars to them. He invited them to a lunch and had mushroom nabe. Aika later invited Al to watch the shooting stars with them at night. Apparently, Aika likes Al. At night, Alice didnt turn up as she was sleeping. Al, Akari and Aika went around and search for a better view to watch the starry night. They came upon a ladder and climbed up to the roof of a house. They enjoyed the wondrous view of the starry night. At one point, Aika realized that she was alone with Al (Akari went to other place for different view). The sky was raining with shooting stars later that night.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Suzuka 103 Future

凉风 #103 将来 しょうらい

The chapter started with Yui and Yamato cleaning the cafe. Yui commented that the detergent from US gave great result in the cleaning. Yui noticed that Yamato wasnt himself and asked him. She asked if it was because he had to work on weekend and didnt have time to go out with Suzuka. He denied and said that Suzuka was busy with her English lesson as well.

Then, Suzuka and Miki came and visit the cafe. Miki introduced herself to Yui. Yamato asked about Suzuka's English class but she replied that they have a break that day and Miki would like to look at Yamato's working place. Miki whispered "Is.. that.. so...".

Suzuka compliment the cafe's atmosphere and said that it was a pleasant place. Yui said that it would be noisy in the evening and added that Yamato was a great help. Suzuka asked in doubt. Yamato then said that his signature Japanese style okonomiyaki was a favourite. Yui then asked Yamato to make one for them.

Then the first customers arrive. It's Suzuka and Miki. They say what a nice atmosphere the place has. Yui says how much help Yamato is. Suzuka asks if he doesn't just get in the way. Yamato objects and goes into the kitchen to make them his signature okonomiyaki omelet. Miki went with Yamato into the kitchen.

Yui and Suzuka had a talk. Yui said that Yamato was very happy that Suzuka came. She then complimented Suzuka in her pursuit to study in US. Yui said she wouldnt do it if it was her. Suzuka later asked Yui about her goal in her life. Yui asnwered that she would go for a culinary certificate and inherit the cafe one day. Mr Amami heard that and said that it would be good for Yui to be exposed to the outside world. Yui rejected and said she wanted to stay.

Yui then asked Suzuka why she wanted to train abroad. Suzuka replied that the standard were different and she would be able to experience a lot more there. Yui then added, " Wouldnt it be better to go after graduation?" She then guessed that there should be other reason.

Later, Yamato presented his okonomiyaki to Suzuka and Miki. Suzuka was impressed and both complimented Yamato. Suzuka also made a sarcastic remark, if he can be as serious in his training. After somewhile, Suzuka and Miki took leave. Suzuka saw Yamato's reaction and said that they would meet back home. She added that she would visit him ocassionaly and hope to taste more of his secret dishes.

Outside the cafe, Miki said it was already 4pm and asked Suzuka whether she can make it on time. Suzuka said she would run to it. Miki commented with a sigh, " What a troubling couple"

Back in the cafe, Yui said she would work as hard as Suzuka. Yamato said Suzuka was too hardworking. Yui then said that there could be other reason for Suzuka to take the study abroad offer. Yamato said, " What else except to improver herself?" Yui replied that she just have a feeling there could be other reason.

Yui then changed the subject and said she had a new recipe. She asked yamato to try it. Yamato asked what it was. She replied that it was mixed nori juice (I gonna faint). It didnt taste nice according to Yamato.

My thoughts:
This chapter has a good balance on Yui and Suzuka. In case you didnt notice, Suzuka "sacrificed" her time to visit Yamato before going to her English class. She lied to Yamato that there was no class that day. We start to see the importance of Yamato in her heart. It is obvious that there's another reason why Suzuka took Adirex offer. At the moment it's too vague to be guessed.

And Yui..... she must be the nori girl we all scared of. Seaweed soup, seaweed ice-cream and seawed juice.. what's next. Seaweed cake????

P/S: Thanks to Nite for pointing this out. It's 将来 (shourai) not 未来 (mirai)

Friday, April 14, 2006

MG Freedom and MG Wing Zero Custom Endless Waltz

Gundam Freedom and Wing Zero Custom are my first two Gundam which I acquired from Hongkong. They are among my favourites, along with Akatsuki, among the rest of the Gundam.

I love the look of Freedom, simple, cool and powerful. Gundam wing zero custom is a must for me due to its elegant features and feathered wing.


ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam



ZGMF-X10A Freedom Gundam, piloted by Kira Yamato, in Gundam Seed.



I placed a metallic cardboard at the bottom of the stand and the blue reflection actually looks pretty good.






Freedom with its twin cannons mounted in its wings.


High Mobility Aerial Tactics mode with beam rifle, twin cannons and rail cannons




Freedom with its beam sabers.

XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero Custom Endless Waltz


One of the most elegant Gundam, XXXG-00W0 Gundam Wing Zero Custom EW. Wing Gundam Zero Custom is piloted by Herro Yuy, in Gundam Wing Endless Waltz OVA.


Gundam Wing Zero Custom with its poweful buster rifles.













The two buster rifles can be combined into a twin buster rifle.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Round up Mai Otome, GPO and LAP

Quick round up of three anime that has concluded in the last season. LAP, GPO and Mai Otome. I wont cover what the storyline of these anime, rather I'll give some opinions on the series. If you are looking for the summary, please visit Random Curiousity for Mai Otome and Hashihime for Lemon Angel Project.

Mai Otome
This was one of the best anime series for me during the last two seasons. There were lots of humour, action, emotion, "romance" and friendship theme. It basically covers all the theme for an anime expect for magic and mecha. I wouldnt count the slaves as mecha, do you??

The character designs are excellent. Althought they used the same cast from Mai Hime, they have placed emphasis on other characters such as Nina and Arika (they were insignificant in Mai Hime). I like the otome robe design. However, the character coverage was not enough, a lot of characters suddenly appeared in the last two episodes. They should have cover these characters more in depth in earlier episodes. I wish there were more coverage for Mai, Haruka, Sarah, Maya, Rosalie and Ein. The romance in the anime was bit "sickening"; nina+sergay+arika, natsuki+shizuru+tomo and chie+aoi. Nevertheless, the ending is suitable and interesting. The anime can be considered as a success.

The background music and the soundtracks are excellent. However, I wish they would change the ED theme. The anime has two OP theme but just one ED theme throughout the series.

I gave a perfect 10 for this anime considering the anticipation and the joy from wathicng this series. High recommended to all anime fans.

Lemon Angel Project

I actually quite enjoy LAP and rate it as 6 out of 10 for recommendation. There are more humours towards the last few episode. The anime is about the formation of the lost Lemon Angel Singing Group. The background setting and the colours are good. The character designs are presentable and the drawing looks consistent throughout the series.

However, I was not pleased with the soundtracks considering this is a music genre anime. There no action nor romance in this anime. However, a great deal of friendship value has been depicted in this anime.


Gun Parade Orchestra


Gun Parade Orchestra is seperate into 3 section story, the white, green and blue chapter. There are 24 chapters in total, and 2 OVA so far. There should be one more OVA for the blue chapter.

The white chapter was ok to watch, the green chapter got less interesting and the worst was the blue chapter. There are some humour and action but the settings and the colours were not appealing. The characters were not distinct nor special. I dont think the soundtracks were nice apart from the OP theme. However, there were a number of OST released by Lantis. My recommendation is 5 out of 10 for this anime, at least I enjoy the white chapter.

Suzuka 102 Relief

凉风 #102 安心 あんしん

The title page for this chapter depicts Suzuka with sands flowing down from her hands. The chapter started with Miyamoto sempia introducing himself to the track team as the team leader. Yamato is now in the second year of the track team.
kinugasate sempai came back to check on the team and especially Yamato.

Suzuka was training the other selected athletes at the Adirex training centre. Her peers gave her some suggestion in her event-long jump after watching her jump. Yamato was peeping at her. He saw many potential athletes and also Arima at the venue. As he decided to leave before anyone noticed him, Suzuka glanced over and saw her.

They were both quiet on the way home. Yamato was thinking to himself, worrying that Suzuka was angry that he went to the training venue. Suzuka suddenly suggested that they made a trip to the park before going home. They sat on a bench and and kept quiet. Yamato felt like Suzuka was throwing a tantrum like last time. Suddenly Suzuka leaned her head on Yamato shoulder and said "So tired". She said that there were many suggestions given to her and she was trying very hard. But she added that she felt relief when she saw Yamato face back then. Yamato asked her if it would be better for her to go home and have a rest. Suzuka agreed but decided to stay for a little while. She said the sakuras were beautiful.

My thoughts:
I like the ending to this chapter. Suzuka finally able to express her feeling towards Yamato in more natural way.