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Welcome to ~CrispLeaf. This blog contains episode reviews, summaries, prejudices and music downloads [MP3s] on selected new anime titles. Feel free to have a look around, though it would be much appreciated if you can leave your comments before you go. - Makkun [ Japanese Name: Miharu Watanabe 美晴 渡辺] [ Best Viewed: Mozilla Firefox / 1024x768 ] Entries for May, 2007 "Many, many years ago in a sad, faraway land, there was an enormous mountain made of rough, black stone. On top of that mountain, a magic rose blossomed every night that made whoever plucked it immortal. But no one dared go near it because its thorns were full of poison. Men talked amongst themselves about their fear of death and pain, but never about the promise of eternal life. And every day, the rose wilted, unable to bequeath its gift to anyone, forgotten and lost at the top of that cold, dark mountain forever alone, until the end of time." The full story can be accessed here. I have a plan to expand the 10-year travel of Chryses to the ends of the world to give details about his "courageous journey". I hope you'll stand by for that :D Well, Chryses and the Black Rose is another tragic story, much like my first fic: Feodor and Ianthe, only this time I'm going to write (hopefully) more adventures like that of Jason's Quest for the Golden Fleece and Odysseus and the Trojan War. (Read Now)  Episode 4 is actually out, but I can't possibly write two reviews in one day. Not enough time and I guess ... manpower. :D Tomorrow, I promise. Episode Rating: 
(Read More)  Anyway, first I want to discuss Spider Man 3. Was it really Spider Man? I thought it was some cheesy love movie where this guy got drugged and became a bad arse. Peter Parker looked like the vocalist of Fall Out Boy when he suddenly had his hair loose. There were some lines that I want to relive: Policeman 1 to Policeman 2: Isn't he the one from Prison Break? [referring to the Sandman] Makkun: What? I did not see Michael Scoffield! Spiderman to MJ: Hold on, Mary Jane!! Makkun: He said that in the last two movies. Darn. Why does MJ have to be rescued all the time? All in all, I'm a bit disappointed. I was expecting a much more spectacular release, but, oh well, movies aren't getting any better anyway. But, Pan's Labyrinth... well, this one is a different case. I totally loved it! I'm just a little sad that not many people appreciated it. When I stepped in the dark theater room the deluxe side was totally deserted. On the balcony there were some couples who looked as if they're busy doing something else. And when the movie ended [I was in tears], this other couple said "Ang panget! Balik bayad!" Sample DVD Screenshots:
I guess not every one likes fairy tales. Am I the remaining adult who's still into it? And Pan's not really all about fairy tales, by the way: "A wonderful, dark fairy tale that, in a metaphor for Spain itself, teeters on the edge of nightmare dreamscapes of corruption, violence and the death of innocents..." I spent 131php for the Spiderboy tickets [what a waste] and 91php for Pan's Labyrinth. 125php for food and about 150php for takeouts. :D Chief Yagami was the "man of justice" all throughout his quest to capture Kira. There was never a time that he showed hesitation in his duties as a cop or as a loving father, even when he had to give up his badge. The irony of it all, the guy he's chasing is own blood and flesh. Until his death, however, he was completely convinced that Light was not Kira. Fathers. I never really had a healthy relationship with my "dad'. He pisses me all the time and he was never mature enough to handle kids. I wish all fathers are like Chief Yagami. Oh, what a heartbreak. A short summary for now. :D [Makkun is busy discussing layout thieves with B-sama] Episode Rating: 
(Read More)  Lucky Star was originally a comic strip by Kagami Yoshimizu, serialized in Comptiq Magazine. In September 2006, Kyoto Animation announced that an anime adaptation will be produced based on this series. The first episode was aired April 08, 2007. Total Number of Episodes: 24 (Ongoing) Impressions: Very cute character designs and interesting conversations. Highly recommended for anime fans and those who love comedy/slice-of-life genres. Fangirls, in particular, will find themselves very attached to Konata. Story: Lucky Star portrays the lives of several school girls attending a Japanese high school with a very loose humor tone. The main heroine is Konata Izumi, an athletic and intelligent girl who, despite these attributes, is not in a sports club, and her grades remain low. Her laziness at school is due to her love for anime and video games and lack of interest in anything else. The serialization began with the four main characters in their first year of high school: Konata Izumi, Kagami Hiiragi, Tsukasa Hiiragi, and Miyuki Takara. As the story progresses, they move onto their second and third year. [ source: Wikipedia ] Episode 3 & 4 Screenshots:
I have not read the manga, so I'm going to base everything on my observations on the anime. It is explicit that the relationship between Clare and Raki is comparable to that of a sister & a brother's. After watching this episode, however, I'm filled with doubt. When Raki suddenly hugged Clare and said he wants to spend an eternity with her and he'll die with her, I stopped chewing the meat rolling inside my mouth. This feels like incest. Either that, or it's a common thing to say among family members. Aren't these lines between lovers? Right. Remember Miaka and Tamahome. What a cheesy episode... Episode Rating: 
(Read More) Kirihara's car is just so awesome! I love it! ^__^ Before I start with the review, I just want to share a bit of the conversation my sister and I had a couple of hours ago. I called her to say that I'm going to be late [ overtime work again, ugh... ], and guess what she said the moment she picked the phone: Oneechan: Maan? Sinong Maan? Maan as in yung kapatid ko? (Maan? Which Maan? My Sister?) Makkun: Wtf? Who else named Maan would be calling you late at at hour asking if there's still food on the table?! LOL. Priceless. Some questions you don't get to hear everyday. That said, let's discuss Episode 4. ^__^ I'm so sleepy that I don't think I can appreciate another set of jargons from this anime. Although in a weird way, I still enjoyed it. The scenes where the cops got their body parts chopped and sliced really forced me into wakefulness. We should always remember the heavy violence involved in this series. Fangirls will be misled by the lightness of the scenes and characters, but always keep in mind that humans with supernatural powers are bound to hurt and kill. We should have already learned that from X-men, Superman or ... Batang X. This is the first time that the office of the Astronomy Division was revealed. My first thought was: Minority Report. Precogs gathered in a circle with tubes and complicated facilities attached to their bodies. Precogs have the power to "see through the future" while the mediums in the Astronomy Division can track down Contractors, or stars - the other term they use for these superhumans. Hm.. Curious. Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 4: "You Contractors can kill with a smile and never give it a second thought" -- Huang.
(Read More) When Juliet wears her "Red Whirlwind" costume, her character blossoms. Slashing her sword here and there with that serious face just gets to me. I have always wanted to be a strong, capable, woman and back in my college days, I thought I was. When I started working, I realized how weak and clumsy I really was. It's funny to think how instead of growing and developing myself, I end up being more and more child-like everyday. In this episode, two new characters were presented with a promise of significance in the whole story: William's mother [ he calls her Mama, such a kiddish way considering he's a full grown man, lol ], and Romeo's Mother. Surprisingly, their names were not mentioned in this episode, [ that or I just missed getting them ], although in William's Mama's case, she's from the Farnese House so I guess I would have to call her Lady Farnese. Episode Rating:  Memorable Quote from Episode 3: There's no one at the Keep who will welcome me with a smile -- Romeo.
(Read More)  I never got the chance to officially say it, but yeah, the layout features Dante from the game Devil May Cry. Watch out for the anime series too! [ coming early June ]. Also, I've included the Random Anime category so that I'll be able to feature other anime titles but not necessarily writing episode summaries & reviews for them. My first featured title is Lucky Star. I'm thinking of writing Seirei no Moribito next, hmm.. yeah, that should work.. :D Lastly, I'll be holding a contest soon! And the prize, well, obviously something anime-ish. So if you're interested, unleash the otaku inside you because the challenge will really be difficult. ^^ ja ne! In this episode, Mello's scar made him much more sinister-looking and if I may say, it suits him better! On the other hand, the President of USA being submissive to Kira is a bit -- well, UNBELIEVABLE. He has CIA, the Pentagon, secret laboratories and special agents who know everything about killing and being invisible at the same time. Kira is just a man, after all. He could have gathered his best men and women and with their specialized Google -- nothing is impossible with America. Really lame kind of guy -- this President. Episode Rating:  Memorable Quote from Episode 30: If we catch Kira, he is evil. If he rules the world, he is Justice -- Light.
(Read More) Maintaining an anime blog is not as easy as it might sound. Compared to simply watching an anime episode, I exert extra effort in screen-capturing, image-resizing, uploading, and of course, writing the summaries & reviews [the most difficult and time-consuming of all the "efforts" mentioned]. I would appreciate your continued support for Crispleaf though. :D Going back to RxJ, Episode 4 has a noticeably inferior video quality. I also noticed that the characters of Curio and Francisco are not improving at all, despite their significant exposures in the past episodes. On the other hand, the development in the love story of Romeo and Juliet is very promising. I'll watch episodes 5 & 6 tonight and write the summaries tomorrow [hopefully]. Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 4: If this flower had no name, it would still smell as sweet... - Juliet.
(Read More) Teresa's character reminds me of Sigourney Weaver in Aliens. "Tenacious and headstrong, she brushes off any opposition to her goal." While watching the episode I kept thinking "The little girl must be Clare!" And when it was revealed that she was indeed Clare, I felt somewhat euphoric. I like seeing a bit of the character's childhood life. It makes me understand the character better. Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 5: A monster can't be taking care of a child after all -- Teresa.
(Read More) "What's wrong with you people?! Passing me around like some slut! If only I have hands I would have written your names long ago!" LOL. I remember the guy who cosplayed Death Note in the Ozine Fest. He looked comical, but I sure want to take him home! :D I still can't believe we're nearing the end, just 6 more episodes! Maybe I'll hold the contest after DN has been completed with Death Note as a prize! Unfortunately, my blog isn't popular. Just an insignificant dot on white paper -- something like that? Hehe. So even if I do hold a contest, the prize would probably be given to the first contestant. *sad* So, what's with Episode 31? Nothing fresh: Light and Misa have been suspected again. At least, with Near's subtle encouragement. Near is an emotionless thinking machine, that much I can say. Compare him with L, who, despite being extraordinarily intelligent, still tries to be friendly, I choose L. Mello's scarred face follows. Episode Rating:  Memorable Quote from Episode 31: What are you doing Dema-chan! Money can't buy peace or love! -- Misa.
(Read More) Naisho Fansubs failed me. The last episode they subbed for Gakuen Alice was Episode 16, and that was November last year. Imagine the waiting and hoping I had to go through because they were the only surviving group subbing this series. But then, Studio ADTRW takes the stage, and I was saved. I'm hoping for a second season. Episode 26 was a little disappointing. I hate it when things are left unanswered. Everyone needs closure. Even in animes. Who are Mikan's parents? What is the truth behind Natsume's past? Have they already accepted the fact that some of the students are used in accomplishing secret and dangerous missions?
Story: Gakuen Alice or Alice Academy is the story of a 10-year old girl, Mikan Sakura, who was devastated when her best friend, Hotaru Imai, transfers to a special school for "genius" kids in Tokyo. Mikan runs away from home to seek out her dear friend, and finds that the school Hotaru transferred to, Alice Academy, is specifically for children who each have a special power called an "Alice". After a teacher at Alice Academy, Narumi, discovers that Mikan has a unique Alice, she is admitted into the school. The story is primarily about Mikan and her experiences at the academy. [ Source: Wikipedia ]. Total Number of Episodes: 26 (Completed) Impressions: What is so lovable about this series? Watching people do great stuff using their extraordinary abilities is no longer original. The creator then had to work on something else to keep fangirls asking for more. The answer is Comedy. Gakuen Alice is overflowing with it.
Watching Mikan befriend her classmates is somewhat encouraging as well. I admit I don't have many friends now because I sort of drifted apart after graduation. Considering not many tried to get in touch, I eventually gave up all efforts of contacting them myself. This attitude is selfish, I know, but I don't see any reason calling old friends who don't call either. I figured, I'll just wait and see. So far, no luck. So I guess, I'm not a very good friend. If I die, for example, will people come and look at my corpse? Or, if I get married, will someone go to my wedding? Aiyah... Aiyah... I'm getting off-track. ^o^ It just.. saddens me a bit. I have undesirable traits, that much I'm sure, yet I'm still depending on this phrase: "True friends accept who you are". Maybe this is wrong? Maybe there are people who really can't have friends because of who they are? Kimochi... Feelings. Must be the weather. *switches to Akira Kagami pop-idol facade* Minna-san [Everyone], please watch Gakuen Alice!! You'll surely enjoy it!
 I signed up for a new deviantART account. I can't think of using any other username than Makkun, so i added "i am" instead. Lame, yeah. I'm not really good in coming up with unique usernames. :D Anyway, I'm proud with the outcome of my supposedly fan art for Kureno-sama [of Fruits Basket manga]. And then while drawing I remembered some sad memories so instead of a happy face, I ended up drawing the opposite. The lines are ragged, I know. Thanks to my not-so-reliable optical mouse. ^_^ So, here it is:
What do you gals & boys think? It's not a thing of beauty but I hope it's not an eyesore either. DA users, add please? :D Anyway, Episode 6 still covers the young life of Clare with Teresa. Their team up is just so cute my heart skips a beat [it's so crazy because I'm watching RK too!]. I just hope Raki never shows up again. XD I want to kick him out of the series and I wish character surveys can do that. Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 6: In pain... In pain... your face showed so much pain. -- Clare.
(Read More) The weather is helpless. It's too damn freaking hot. I thought around this time rain should already be heavy on us, June is coming after all. This icky feeling is just a nuisance. And it's getting harder to breathe when the air is this thick. I hope it rains tomorrow. Demeter, please help us all. Oh my GOD! I just love this episode! There's so much drama in it! I'll give it a 100 % rating! If you haven't seen RxJ yet, well, you should! This is not a Shoujo anime, that much I can tell you! So macho fanboys should not hide and close the door if they choose to watch RxJ. You can watch it together with other masculine species and even girls, who, I'm sure, will not think lowly of you. I promise. You'll gonna love this. But then again, it's the woman in me who's talking. You might give second thoughts about locking your door after all. PEACE. ^^ Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 5: Once the gears of love begin to move, no one can stop them -- Willy.
(Read More) I did not enjoy this episode. I sat there frowning at the characters the whole time. I know there is a message somewhere, but in the end, it felt like I simply wasted my time. Darker than Black is like a chart of uneven lines. Some episodes are okay, some aren't. It's also like drinking 2 tetrapacks of Magnolia Chocolait. Drinking one leaves you asking for more. Drinking two, however, leaves you bloated and uncomfortable. Still, I won't lose hope. The storyline is really great. I just wish they twist it a bit, make fangirls ache with need for Hei, for Yin, for Kirihara's librarian look -- all of it. Episode Rating:  Memorable Quote from Episode 5: We Contractors live troublesome lives, smoking or drinking, even if we absolutely hate it -- November 11.
(Read More) Except for Hellsing and Final Fantasy Unlimited, all GONZO productions that I've seen are top-of-the class. I keep on saying this despite the fact that some people actually hate the studio. Beautiful character designs plus good plot is probably the perfect combination for most fangirls. Pardon my previous angst against Romeo x Juliet but after watching Episode 6, I'm taking all the bad words back. Erase Shakespeare from your minds too. Now I understand that this series was not created with the intention of re-telling the masterpiece but rather, tell a totally different story where love exists as passionate and as deep. I'm giving it another hundred percent. Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 6: Even while shedding tears, the father must whip the child -- Archduke of Montague.
(Read More) This is by far the most exciting episode! More and more powerful Claymores are appearing! It really sounds funny when a Japanese tries to say English words. Episode 7 had its fair share when 4 Claymores addressed themselves as "Number Two, Number Three, Number Four and Number Five". Apparently the demon slayers are ranked in the organization, with Teresa being the cream of the crop. Did I say that phrase right? Unfortunately though, Episode 7 ended abruptly, without a clear conclusion. Please, Teresa, don't die! Yet, with how things are going, I believe someone has to die, otherwise, the gathering of the five most powerful Claymores without bloodshed and tears is going to be pointless. I also thought, why did Clare choose to become a Claymore? I could not think of any other answer but this: earn the strength to avenge Teresa's death. Can't wait for the next episode! Off Topic: Just got off Kuro-Hana's site and here's the disappointing Death Note 32 news: This week’s release will be delayed again, not because of translators but because the raw only just got released (12 hours after airing). Expect the same release time as last week, possibly earlier.Tsk.. Just when I had my Wednesday off this week. >___< Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 7: It did feel pretty good, to save people from Yoma without the idea of doing it as a job -- Teresa.
(Read More) Romeo and Juliet's FIRST KISS! :D Let's celebrate! Wehoo! In animes, first kiss is always important. Extra attention is given to the background music and the pose of the characters while they kiss. It simply reflects how everyone dreams of a perfect first kiss. In reality, however, it seldom happens to people. Most of them do not recall their first kiss, or better said, do not cater special feelings for something as naive as the first kiss. Let's accept it. We are inexperienced the first time. By the way, pardon the subs appearing on the kiss screenshots [29th & 30th image]. Umai Fansubs should not have troubled subbing an already English song. What a mystery. Tybalt is a hot character! No matter how many types like him appear in different animes, I will never get tired of patronizing men who are ruthless outside but soft as marshmallows inside. :D Well, I hope Tybalt is. I can see a love triangle between him and Romeo in the future. Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 7: I can't let her suffer alone -- Romeo.
(Read More)  You know what I need? A really, really soft mattress. I'll write episode summaries tomorrow. For now, I need to close my eyes. I was gone for 3 days but no, I'm not lying in a ditch somewhere. Oyasumi, everyone. There's nothing special about Episode 32. Sure, the story keeps on developing, but its lack of unpredictability makes the story boring as well. Takada Kiyomi has a bland personality [ lacking in special interest, liveliness, individuality... ]. Demegawa is much more interesting, despite being unforgivably ugly. The first 8 minutes and 47 seconds focused on building up Mikami Teru's character. A futile attempt at drama perhaps? I'm not really sure whether Mikami's experiences in the past already justify his strong belief in eliminating evil matching Kira's. It's unbelievable that a normal person bullied at grade school can grow and still cultivate feelings of hatred toward his enemies and be happy when they die. When Light said, "November 26, five pages" I got excited. His secret code for Mikami included my birthdate. How's that? ^_^ By the way, my Gallery page is now available for viewing. I have uploaded our team's pictures taken at The Masters', Antipolo. I'm still figuring out though on how I can arrange the images displayed into 3 columns. Do you have any suggestions? The unused space on the left is a waste ^_^ Well anyway, have fun! 5 more episodes! Again, congratulations Kuro Hana! Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 32: In this world, you are either evil or on the side of Justice -- Mikami.
(Read More) I totally, truly, madly, loved this episode!!! XD XD Pardon the mushiness. ^^ I still can't accept, however, that Teresa is dead. Though I already expected it, I was still surprised when Priscilla suddenly cut her arms and head off without any warning. No background music, no drama, no goodbyes. We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast. But when we say this, we imagine that the hour is placed in an obscure and distant future. It never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day already begun, or that death could arrive this day - this very day which is so certain, and which has every hour filled in advance. Priscilla's begging Yoma voice is dead awesome. If only Teresa did not hesitate to kill Priscilla when she had the chance! Sometimes "showing no mercy" pays off, especially when the target is a crazy child who is potential Armageddon in the future. It also applies to handling an e-mail which spells out trouble the first time you read it. A demanding, immature client should not be tolerated. No extra mile! These are the bank rules, you retard! Live with it! I'm sure you were not able to relate with that. :D Okay, Claymore Episode 8 gets 100%. Episode Rating: Memorable Quote from Episode 8: I want to tear open the stomachs of living humans... plunge my head into their blood-filled intestines... leave no traces of meat behind... and savor every organ -- Priscilla, the Awakened One.
(Read More) Anyway, since we both love the internet, our conversations eventually went down to discussing blogs. I told her about ~crispleaf replacing ~makkun and she seemed not too glad about it. And then I thought, is my blog boring? YES. That's what I think. Who are my target readers anyway? Anime fans, obviously. But since this blog is hosted at Tabulas, the group is narrowed down to Tabulas users. Yet with only four titles featured, the group is again narrowed down, leaving only a very, very small portion of online readers as my audience. So, to sum it up: My readers are mostly Tabulas users who love anime and also watch Claymore, Darker than Black, Death Note and Romeo x Juliet. Unfortunately, Mikki does not belong in the group so it's just natural for her not to get interested in reading my blog. Unless, perhaps, if I write stuff which interest the general population. What then, should I write about? Lovelife? Angst? Tragedy? It already sounds pathetic, to go that far just to have people read my blog. Mikki then told me what her ex-boyfriend used to think about bloggers. That they ask for attention. That part is true, there's no doubt about it. In subtle ways, each blogger promotes his/her blog by visiting other blogs, joining communities, and sharing stuff. All these are ways to make yourself known to the cyberworld. Don't get me wrong. I am not condemning bloggers as KSP people. There's nothing wrong about getting interactive to see what the rest of the world is doing. Let me just support this by stating two observations on people with blogs or websites: Life Blogs: [ blogs which story-tell the user's life ] It's difficult to express yourself or share your problems in the real world. In the cyberworld, however, you can express yourself freely without worrying about what impressions you may leave. Strangers can give advices like old friends who know you inside out. Stuff Blogs/Sites: [ blogs which upload & share stuff ] It's quite difficult to receive praise and compliments in the real world. In this world, however, it's the opposite. People tend to say "thank you", "you're great!", "you're so cool" a lot more often than necessary. Bloggers do ask for attention. So it's just natural that when one writes something, he/she is already thinking about the readers' reactions and silently hoping for a comment or two. When the blog doesn't attract readers, it also affects the motivation of the blogger to write. It seldom happens that one writes only for himself. I'm ranting on and on without any basic idea, right? I know. I'm probably not making any sense anymore -- well, perhaps what I really want to say is: |
