This blog is about what I like, namely Japanese anime, manga (comics), novels (including light novels) and so on. I am glad if you enjoy and continue reading this blog.
Nov 3, 2013
Review of Otorimonogatari Part 1
Oct 28, 2013
Review of "Hisanden" Part 5
Oct 26, 2013
Review of "Hisanden" Part 4
Oct 25, 2013
Review of "Hisanden" Part 3
Sep 25, 2013
Review of "Hisanden" Part 2
Sep 24, 2013
Review of "Hisanden"
In the previous article, I introduced the second volume of "Densetsu" series, which is one of Noshioishin's popular novel serieses, titled "Hitsuuden."
I started reading the following volume "Hisanden" as soon as I had finished "Hitsuuden."
At the end of "Hitsuuden", the hero Ku Sorakara met the magial girl named Koya.
"Hisanden" seems to be the story for the two.
Although there were various types of magical girls, Koya would be the maturest among them, I guess.
So, I may like her the best.
It could be that I am the type of man who is attracted by a mature woman easily.
Though I am reading the middle part of the novel now, I think it would be more interesting than the second volume.
Is it possible that the reason why I think so is she is so charm for me.
Sep 20, 2013
iOS7 has been released!!
As you may know, iOS7 which is the operation system for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch has been released on September 19, 2013!
I have already installed it in my iPhone and iPad, of course.
I don't know whether this update is good for us yet, but I hope it will help us to enjoy Japanese subcultures on Apple gadjets.
Although I have not been used to the new iOS yet, I will review in due course.
Sep 19, 2013
Review of "Kabukimonogatari" Part 4
During playing with fireworks, Koyomi Araragi and Shinobu Oshino were surrounded by a crowd of zombies again.
Further, they were so troubled because the number of them was much more than before.
But, what they could not anticipate happened at that time.
A beautiful woman suddenly emerged in front of them and saved them from the zombies.
She was wearing the clothing like soldier's one.
Who was she?
She was also having a backpack which "someone" Koyomi had known used to have.
Sep 18, 2013
Review of "Kabukimonogatari" Part 3
Koyomi Araragi and Shinobu Oshino finally understood why their world was annihilated.
It was unbelievable cause. (I should not write about it concretely as usual...)
It must be the most important point of "Kabukimonogatari", I guess.
They decided to look for someone who survived in the world.
Of course, their search was not easy.
That was because they were attacked by a crowd of zombies as soon as they went out of buildings.
They could not help giving up the search after all.
For some reason, they played with fireworks in the park where Koyomi used to meet Mayoi Hachikuji for the first time. Without anticipating what would happen after that..
Sep 17, 2013
Review of "My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected Volume 7.5" Part 4
In the previous article, I insisted that my favorite character Shizuka Hiratsuka was very cute strongly.
Today, I would like to write about the main story in the 7.5th volume of "My Romantc Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected."
In short, it was the story in which the volunteer club Hachiman and his friends belonged to lent their hands to judo club.
Some members of the club visited the volunteer club to consult about a certain problem they had.
The problem was an alumnus of the judo club.
They were troubled how to deal with him.
In order to solve this problem, the hero Hachiman came up with an incredible idea as usual.
It was not a beautiful one, of course.
It was the solution that sacrificed him.
Sep 14, 2013
Review of "My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected Volume 7.5" Part 3
I wrote about the episode of Shizuka Hiratsuka, who is a teacher of the hero and others, in the volume 7.5 in the previous article.
Although I said before, I really like her.
That's because she is the type of woman who usually behaves as a strong person but is actually sensitive.
I'm often attracted by this type.
In her episode in the volume 7.5, such attraction of her was fully expressed.
She becomes so cute when she sometimes shows her real personality to her students.
Furthermore, the hero Hachiman and his friends are teenagers of course, while she is over twenty years old.
That' why her maturity as an adult is especially highlighted, I feel.
One of charms of this novel would be that we can feel the differences between teenagers and adults through the novel.
Sep 10, 2013
Review of "My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected Volume 7.5" Part 2
The 7.5 volume of "My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected" has a lot of short stories in it.
Some stories were written on several pages only.
But, all of them expressed the characteristics of each main character in spite of shortness of the stories.
There was a short story which attracted me.
It was the one about Shizuka Hiratsuka who is my favorite character.
Specifically, it was the story where she was worried that she would not be able to be a bride.
This novel has the setting that she is the type of woman who cannot marry someone easily.
In the short story, she consulted members of the volunteer club about her trouble of marriage, and then the competition to decide who had the most superior talent to be a bride was held among female main characters including Shizuka Hiratsuka for some reason.
Sep 9, 2013
Review of "My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected Volume 7.5" Part 1
I mentioned the volume 7.5 was a collection of side stories.
More specifically, it was the stories in which Hachiman Hikigaya, Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama, who were members of a volunteer club, responded to emails from those who were in trouble.
Most of them were their friends, for instance Zaimokuza, Kawasaki or Totsuka.
Each story itself was not very important because it was not main one.
But, what was interesting was not the contents of stories but the conversations between the main characters.
As usual, the hero Hachiman was the type of man who was so negative for everything but actually so clever that I couldn't believe he was a high school student.
He was always thinking in his brain, and he understood any situations around him although others did not realize that.
I think his style is so cool and I want to be like him.
Sep 8, 2013
Introduction of "My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected Volume 7.5"
I have finally finished reading the 7.5th volume of "My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected."
As I wrote before in this blog, I was deeply absorbed in this novel series.
For this reason, I was so happy because of the release of it.
The latest volume is not the following story of the 7th but a collection of side stories.
Of course, I really expected that the 8th volume would be released instead of the 7.5th.
However, the 7.5th was also interesting to me as I expected in fact.
That was probably because the charm of this series would be not only the contents of main story but also personality of the hero named Hachiman Hikigaya.
Sep 7, 2013
Review of "Hitsuuden" Part 6
So, I would like to refrain from doing so additionally and write my impression of all the content.
What I can mention about it is only that it was certainly Nishioishin's work.
It had very long sentences and unexpected development of the story as usual.
They must be the most important characteristics of his novel.
As you may know, "magical girls" had been popular among so-called Japanese otaku thanks to the popularity of one of famous Japanese animation named "Puella Magi Madoka Magica."
It could be that Nishioishin wrote the novel series called "Densetsu Series", including "Hitsuuden", for this reason.
However, magical girls were used only for variation of characters who emerged in the story and the content of the story did not highly fit the word "magical girls."
Such a gap must be attraction of his novels, I guess.
We are always absorbed in because of that.
Actually, "Hitsuuden" is not the final volume of this series.
I have a plan to read the following one, of course.
Sep 5, 2013
Review of "Hitsuuden" Part 5
He must not be the type of man who likes to fight.
However, the reason why he must have done was that she suddenly shouted as soon as she saw him who was wearing the dress which used to be wore by the first magical girl.
Surprisingly, he used "Hakaimaru", which was a special sword that could kill opponents automatically, to attack her without hesitation.
But, he could not hurt as well as kill her.
What surprised me was not only that.
On the contrary, his "Hakaimaru" was broken for some reason when he attacked her by it.
It was her unique magic.
Sep 4, 2013
Review of "Hitsuuden" Part 4
By the way, I have not probably explained the hero Ku Sorakara's situation yet.
He went to the island to ascertain what was happening there, and then he realized he would not be able to go out of the island because of many traps set there.
For example, his phone will be broken if he tries to contact others who are in places other than the island.
There were a lot of other kinds of traps, so he had to somehow get information about them to avoid them.
For this reason, he was really in trouble by sudden death of the magical girl who should have been familiar with the traps.
However, he met another magical girl before long.
Then, he had to be in the situation where he fought against her this time.
Sep 3, 2013
Review of "Hitsuuden" Part 3
Sep 1, 2013
Review of "Kabukimonogatari" Part 2
Aug 31, 2013
Review of "Free!" Part 1
The animation of this season released by the Japanese popular anime-creation company "Kyoto Animation" is "Free!"
As I wrote in this blog before, it is the type of sport animation.
In my knowledge, it would be the first time that Kyoto Animation created this type of animation.
I was a little bit afraid that it would not possibly be able to get good reputations because the style of anime was somewhat different from their past works, for example style of pictures.
That seems to be because the company which creates this anime is not only them but also another company.
However, my trouble was not needed.
Although I have watched "Free!" to the eighth chapter until now, I have never felt it was not interesting.
The way of expression of characters' feelings Kyoto Animation has is great as usual.
In my opinion, the most important point of this anime would be the relationship between the hero named Haruka Nanase and his rival named Rin Matsuoka.
Rin is the type of man who always does his best to achieve his object, while Haruka is not interested in doing so.
But, more talented man is not Rin but Haruka.
Aug 27, 2013
Review of "Kabukimonogatari"
Last weekend, I watched the second chapter of anime version of "Kabukimonogatari."
The second chapter was the story in which Koyomi Araragi and Shinobu Oshino went to the past by Shinobu's power.
They came to the past period when Mayoi Hachikuji was still alive although they did not deliberately do so.
However, Koyomi Araragi came up with the idea that they would be able to save her life from traffic accident which killed her.
I remembered "Kabukimonogatari" was such a story.
As a picture of Mayoi Hachikuji is used for the cover of "Kabukimonogatari", we can understand it is her story.
Actually, the story about her proceeded in the beginning of it as mentioned above.
But, my understanding might be wrong.
That was because attraction of this story would be the conversations between Koyomi Araragi and Shinobu Oshino.
Perhaps, "Kabukimonogatari" would be the story for them rather than Mayoi.
Aug 25, 2013
Review of "Hitsuuden" 2
The hero whose name is Kuu Sorakara was subjected to go to an island where a certain incident happened to investigate what happened there.
However, we could not even understand his situation, let alone himself.
Moreover, he happened to meet a mysterious girl, who wore a peculiar clothing like magician's one, as soon as he got to the island.
I could only manage to imagine she would be a key person of this story, though.
Such a feeling I had during reading would be an unique feature of works of Nishioishin, who is the author of this novel.
Aug 22, 2013
Kabukimonogatari Finally Started!
The anime version of the second season of my favorite Japanese anime series "Monogatari series" is now broadcasting in Japan.
As I reviewed in this blog before, "Nekomonogatari (White)", which was Tsubasa Hanekawa's story, had been broadcast as the first story of the second season until last week.
Then, the story which is one of my most favorite one in "Monogatari series" has finally started this week!
The title thereof is "Kabukimonogatari."
It was a part of the second season in the novel series.
I like this scenario very much because it is the story for a little girl named Mayoi Hachikuji.
Don't misunderstand. I am not the type of person who deeply loves little girls.
She is certainly a little girl, but so mature that I can't believe she is really so.
And, she is the character who always makes small talk with the hero in this series Koyomi Araragi.
Their talk is basically small talk, but it's sometimes so meaningful.
That's why I am usually attracted by that.
Anyway, repeatedly speaking, "Kabukimonogatari" is the story about her, so I had been looking forward to the anime version thereof.
There is no choice to miss watching it!
Aug 20, 2013
Review of "Hitsuuden"
I introduced "Himeiden", which is the novel written by Nishioishin, in this blog before.
There is the following volume thereof already.
Its title is "Hitsuuden."
I have finally begun reading it although I couldn't do so because I had been busy recently.
I heard that "Hitsuuden" is not the novel which was planned to be released in the first place.
I suppose it was released thanks to its popularity and the author s discretion.
In fact, I am forgetting the detailed story of the previous volume "Himeiden" because some time have already passed since I finished reading it.
But, it seems the author wrote "Hitsuuden" in a manner that we can understand the story without knowledge of the previous one.
Though I have read only about one eighth of all the story yet, it would be interesting as I expected.
Aug 19, 2013
The Newest Volume of "Yahari Ore no Seihun Love Come wa Machigatteiru (My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected)"
I am now so excited!
That's because I heard that the newest volume of "Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru (My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expoected)" will be finally published on August 20, 2013 in Japan.
It seems that it will be not 8th but the 7.5th volume although the previous one was the 7th.
The 7th volume was published in last March, so it took about five months from it to the 7.5th.
As you may presume from the number of volume, the newest seems to be not the following story of the 7th volume but a collection of short stories.
I would really like to read the following story, but I am not very disappointed by that because I believe "Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru" would always be interesting to me.
I would rather admire the author's endeavor because he should definitely have been so busy due to the anime version of this series which had been broadcast until last June.
I have a plan to read the newest volume soon, of course.
I hope you look forward to my review thereof!
Aug 17, 2013
Kanako Kotera Is My Favorite Singer
I wrote in the last article that power of music in animations and games is so significant.
I would like to write about my favorite singer today.
Her name is Kanako Kotera.
She is a Japanese female singer who mainly sings songs for computer games, animations and TV commercial.
I knew her for the first time when I was a university student.
In fact, she is the singer of theme songs of recent "The Legend of Heroes" series.
The ending theme song of "Sora no Kiseki SC", which is my most favorite computer game I introduced in this blog over and over again, would be her first song in "The Legend of Heroes" series.
The title of this song is "I Swear..."
I still remember I was so moved when I heard her soft, clear and beautiful voice for the first time.
She would receive good evaluations from a lot of players after "Sora no Kiseki SC" was released.
That was why she has been almost a singer under exclusive contract with Falcom.
There are many good songs other than "I Swear..."
For example, "Cry for me, cry for you", which is the opening theme song of "Sora no Kiseki The 3rd", is also fantastic.
Actually, it is likely to be so popular.
But, her song I like the most is "Sora wo Miagete."
It is the ending theme song of "Sora no Kiseki The 3rd."
I like it very much because it really fits her nature of voice.
You can try listening to and buy her songs in iTunes Store, so let's try!
Aug 15, 2013
Effect of Music to Anime and Games
Today's topic is not animations or games but music.
I love music so much as well as animations and games as you may realize from previous articles in this blog.
Actually, I can play some instruments.
Anyway, I really think that power of music highly affects popularity of animations or games.
In the case the music used in animations or games is so great, they would become popular even if they are not in themselves.
In other words, they would not be able to get a good reputation if the music is not good.
I am also the type of person who can be influenced by qualitiy of music in fact.
I am sure most of animations and games I like have good music in them.
For example, the song "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari (The Story You Don't Know)" used in "Bakemonogatari" is fantastic as I mentioned before.
And, sound tracks of "The Legend of Heroes" series and "Sword Art Online", which are my favorite game and animation, are also wonderful.
I think it is not rare that music for games or animations is better than general one.
Don't you think so too?
Aug 14, 2013
Do you like "Nayuta no Kiseki"?
Today's topic is about "Kiseki" series again.
For visitors who come here for the first time, "Kiseki" series is one of the series of Falcom's popular computer games.
"The Legend of Heroes" series have had the word "Kiseki (which is a Japanese word meaning "miracle" in English)" in its titles since the sixth work named "Sora no Kiseki."
That's why it has been called "Kiseki" series among fans.
Falcom released the seventh work "Zero no Kiseki" and the eighth one "Ao no Kiseki" subsequently after "Sora no kiseki" because "Sora no Kiseki" was given a very good reputation.
I was also one of those who were absorbed in "Sora no Kiseki" deeply, so I played and enjoyed the two following works too.
After that, Falcom released the ninth work titled "Nayuta no Kiseki."
We expected that it would be the newest work of "The Legend of Heroes" series because we had been known that "Ao no Kiseki" was not final.
However, I was a little bit disappointed by realizing "Nayuta no Kiseki" did not belong to "The Legend of Heroes" series actually.
"Nayuta no Kiseki" should have been categorized into a type of action game, while "The Legend of Heroes" series is done into a role playing game.
It is not correct that I would like to say "Nayuta no Kiseki" is not good, of course.
But, what I want to say is Falcom should not have made its title have the word "Kiseki."
Nevertheless, I bought "Nayuta no Kiseki" too.
I think it is a good game because Falcom is originally very good at the genre of action game, for example "Ys" series.
Honestly speaking, though, I prefer "The Legend of Heroes" series to "Nayuta no Kiseki."
Do you like "Nayuta no Kiseki"?
"Free!" Changed Its Target?
Most Japanese Animations based on so-called light novels are popular among mainly male manias as you may know.
That's because there are a lot of pretty female characters in the animations.
They feel "Moe" by the characters as well as enjoy contents of the animations.
Of course, one of Japanese popular animation creation companies "Kyoto Animation" is not an exception of that.
I have also been attracted by pretty ones in their animations over and over again, actually.
However, it seems that Kyoto Animation somewhat changed a target of their latest work "Free!"
There are mainly many cool and shaped-up male characters, who often show their upper part of naked bodies, in "Free!"
That's why "Free!" is likely to become popular among not only male viewers but also a plenty of female ones.
Aug 12, 2013
New Anime From Kyoto Animation "Free!"
The New Anime created by Kyoto Animation, which is my favorite anime creation company in Japan, is being broadcast this summer.
Its name is "Free!"
It's the story of a swimming club in the high school, in other words, Kyoto Animation's latest work is a sport anime.
As long as I know, it could be that Kyoto Animation made this type of anime for the first time in their history.
Although there were lots of masterpieces (for instance, "Air", "CLANNAD", "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya", "K-on!" and so forth) in their works, I was a little bit worried that their new work would not be interesting very much in fact.
Nevertheless, they has always lived up to our expectations until now, so I tired watching it after all.
As a result, I admired their basic power to attract viewers deeply.
Aug 11, 2013
Highlights of "Nekomonogatari"
Last week, the anime version of "Nekomonogatari (White)" had finished in Japan.
So, the highlights of "Nekomonogatari" was broadcast yesterday.
"Nekomonogatari (White)" was a part of "Monogatari Series Season 2", so a next chapter should begin before long, I guess.
However, it would need some time to prepare the next program.
For this reason, it would be suitable for making the time to broadcast the highlights of "Nekomonogatari."
Some viewers might complain to the highlights because the content thereof was what they had already known.
Though, I could enjoy it enough.
That was because I was able to remember the detailed story of "Nekomonogatari (Black)" thanks to it.
In addition, I was glad to see Koyomi Araragi, who is the hero of "Monogatari" series, after a long time because he did almost not enter "Nekomonogatari (white)".
I felt he was certainly a attractive character again when I watched the highlights.
I am looking forward to the next chapter although I have no idea what will be broadcast next Saturday.
I Want To Play "Sen no Kiseki" Soon!
I want to play "Sen no Kiseki", which is the newest work of The Legend of Heroes series, soon!
It will be released on September 26, 2013 in Japan.
Of course, I will definitely play it.
But, it is for not PSP as the previous works but PS Vita and PS3, and I don't have them yet in fact.
Although I have to buy either PS Vita or PS3 to play the newest work of the said series I like the most, I am now considering which I should buy.
As you may know, PS Vita is a portable game machine and cheaper.
On the other hand, PS3 is a household game machine and more expensive.
I think the former would be a better choice for me because I could play it in a little pastime by PS Vita.
However, Quality of graphics of PS3 is better, of course.
Well, I would buy PS Vita after all.
It seems that new information about "Sen no Kiseki" is being revealed step by step in Falcom's web page although I don't recently check it.
I should do so, shouldn't I?
Aug 10, 2013
Ending Theme Song of Nekomonogatari (White) "Ai wo Utae"
One of chrams of the anime version of "Monogatari" series would be goodness of the theme songs.
The ending theme song of the first anime of the series "Bakemonogatari" was especially wonderful.
The title is "Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari (The Story You Don't Know)", as you may already know.
The singer of the song is "Nagi Yanagi" who also sings "Yukitoki" which is an opening theme song of "Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru (My Youth Romantic Love Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected)."
The song was so fantastic that I could not help expecting the theme song for "Nekomonogatari (white)."
However, the ending theme song thereof was very great as I expected.
The title is "Ai wo Utae."
The singer of the song is "Runa Haruna."
Actually, I didn't know her before the anime version of "Nekomonogatari."
But, melody of the song is so good, so I was attracted and searched the presence of her at once.
You can download it from itunes, so I would like to recommend you to listen.
Aug 9, 2013
Review of "Fate/stay night" Part 4
"Sever Route" is the story of the heroin "Sever", of course.
She is one of my most favorite characters.
She is so beautiful knight and has polite personality.
In a sense, such a polite character would be rare in this type of game.
That was why I was attracted by her.
Although she was summoned as Shiro's servant, their relationship was not good in the first place.
She tried to dedicate herself for him, on the other hand, he wanted to make an even relationship with her.
I was so moved when they understood each other and succeeded to make a good relationship as partners.
Aug 7, 2013
Review of "Fate/stay night" Part 3
The sentences and settings of stories he/she (no one knows which is correct) creates are so attractive.
One of the characteristic of Kinoko's works is that there are magicians in a story.
You may imagine the magician is someone who puts a triangle-shaped hat on his head and use some magics with a staff.
However, the magicians who enter Kinoko's works are not such ones.
Their figures are definitely the same as ordinary people.
They only have a little magical power ordinary people don't have.
"Fate/stay night" is also the story of such magicians.
Aug 6, 2013
Review of "Fate/stay night" Part 2
As I said before, "Sever Route" is the scenario you can play at first in "Fate/stay night."
"Sever" is a main heroin's name.
"Sever" means "cut" by a sword or something as you know.
As this name, she is a knight with a large sword.
One day, the hero in this game whose name is "Shiro Emiya" happened to summon her as his servant when he was in a critical situation.
He should not have been able to done so if he had been a ordinary person, of course.
But, he could.
That was because he was a magician in fact.
He was entitled to summon her.
The substantial reason why he did was that he was elected as a member of "Sacred Cup War."
Aug 5, 2013
Anime Version of "Nekomonogatari" Was Fantastic!!
Last Saturday in Japan, the anime version of "Nekomonogatari" had finished finally.
I can say "Fantastic!!" only as a whole impression of this work.
I really think that the anime creation company "SHAFT" succeeded to describe attraction of the original novel of "Nekomonogatari" by the anime sufficiently.
The scene I like the most, in which the heroin "Tsubasa Hanekawa" wrote to "Black Hanekawa" who was something like a monster but herself, was also animated greatly enough to satisfy me.
However, I wanted to back to the original again to be moved by goodness of sentences made by the author "Nishioishin" in it after all.
Especially, the scene in which Hanekawa finally confessed her real feelings to "him" and the one where she said "I'm home." were so moving.
I admire the author really.
You should abusolutelly try either the anime or the original novel at least!
Aug 4, 2013
Review of "Fate/stay night" Part 1
"Fate/stay night" is so popular PC game in Japan.
I am also one of fans of this game.
It is categorized into the type of visual novel games in which you proceed stories during reading texts with graphics.
I have heard that this game was originally created by not a large company but some amateur creators.
However, the game and creators became famous because of good reputations from gamers.
As I mentioned before, I knew the game for the first time when I was a college student.
Maybe, It was the first time when I tried this type of game.
I did not think that it was interesting to me yet because I did not like reading books very much at that time.
But, I was highly attracted after all.
It was not even rare that I played it all through the night.
The most prominent charm of this game would be that it is like a general novel.
Quality of the scenario is so high, I guess at least.
It has three kinds of scenarios.
The one you can play firstly is "Sever Route."
"Sever" is one of main characters who used to be a legend hero (heroin) in a northern european myth.
Aug 2, 2013
Recommendation of "Fate/stay night" From My Friend
Although I have mainly written about light novels or animations in this blog until now, today's topic is about a PC game named "Fate/stay night."
You probably know it already because it is so famous among fans of games and animations.
"Fate/stay night" was originally the game for Microsoft Windows though it is now remade for other hardwares, for example Playstation and PSP.
I knew the presence of "Fate/stay night" for the first time when I was a university student.
My friend who was familiar with computer games recommended me this game enthusiastically.
He tought me a certain phrase "Fate is literature, CLANNAD is life" at that time.
It means that the sentences in "Fate/stay night" are so good as if it were a literature itself.
I deceded to try playing the game because his recommendations about games were always reliable.
I think my decision was correct even now.
I want to mention why I think so from the next article step by step.
Aug 1, 2013
I Remember The First Volume of "Sword Art Online"
Jul 31, 2013
Back to The Original Novel of "Toradora"
Recently I began reading the original novel of "Toradora."
I have already watched the anime version thereof when I was a university student.
Although it was animated because the original was so popular of course, the anime also got a good reputation from many anime fans at that time.
In fact, a lot of my friends often talked about the anime version of "Toradora."
I was also not an exception of those who were deeply absorbed in it.
However, I have never read the original yet actually.
So, I suddenly came up with the idea that I would try it some days ago.
I am sure that I will be more touched by the original absolutely because I was done by even the anime version.
Jul 30, 2013
Anime Version of "Nekomonogatari (White)" Leads Me to The Original
I repeatedly mentioned the anime version of "Nekomonogatari (White)" is wonderful.
But, I think nothing is superior than the original.
The anime also has some unique good points, of course.
However, I cannot forget the impact I felt when I read the original novel for the first time.
That's why I recently want to read the original novel of "Nekomonogatari (White)" again.
It is not difficult to remember I shed my tears when I reached the scene where the heroin of this novel "Tsubasa Hanekawa" wrote a letter for "Black Hanekawa."
In my ranking of "Monogatari" series, "Nekomonogatari (White)" would be within the third place.
I really would like to read it again because I am loosing my memory of the detailed story of it.
Jul 29, 2013
The Forth Chapter of "Nekomonogatari (White)"
The anime version of "Nekomonogatari (White)" had finally come to the forth chapter last Staturday.
It seems that it will finish next week.
If so, it would be correct that the story in one novel was divided into only five chapters of anime.
At first glance, I thought they were not enough to express the original story effectively.
But, the forth chapter was so fantastic after all.
I really admire Shaft's method to describe stories.
Just in case, I explain for you that "Shaft" is the company creating this anime.
I should possiblly admire the author Nishioishin rather.
That's because I am always moved by characters' lines themselves and the person who made them is the author of the original novel.
"Nekomonogatari" is the story for Tsubasa Hanekawa who is one of heroins in "Monogatari" series.
Although what I now write about is "Nekomonogatari (White)", there is "Nekomogatari (Black)" as well.
Both are the same in the point of view that a key character is "Black Hanekawa" who is something like a monster but a part of real Hanekawa certainly.
However, I prefer the former to the latter because I can know her real feelings to "her" and "him."
Jul 28, 2013
The Legend of Heroes "Zero no Kiseki" Part 2
I write about "Zero no Kiseki" today as the previous article.
Although "Zero no Kiseki" is a continued work of "Sora no Kiseki" as I said before, the main characters in "Zero no Kiseki" are different from those in "Sora no Kiseki."
"Zero no Kiseki" is the story of not "Bracer", which is the name of Estelle and Joshua's job, but "Tokumu Shienka (meaning "Special Mission Support Section")."
The hero in "Zero no Kiseki" is Lloyd who is a rookie investigator.
He should have belonged to the first class investigation section in police because he was very superior.
However, he was made belong to "Tokumu Shienka" which was a new section.
Jul 26, 2013
The Legend of Heroes "Zero no Kiseki"
In this blog, I have been recommending you "Sora no Kiseki (Trails in The Sky)" which is one of "The Legend of Heroes" series over and over again.
Although I really love "Sora no Kiseki" in the series, "Zero no Kiseki" which is the continued work thereof is good as well.
Originally, "The Legend of Heroes" series had been released for Microsoft Windows because "Nihon Falcom Corporation" which is a creator of the series was so good at PC games.
However, they challenged the field of so-called consumer games finally.
"Zero no Kiseki" is their first work for PlayStation Portable (PSP) in fact.
As you may know, PSP is one of popular game machines, and PSP is prevailing more widely than PC as a game machine.
That's why "Zero no Kiseki" became their representative work which made them more famous in the field of TV or computer games.
Jul 24, 2013
Recommendable Episodes in "Sora no Kiseki The 3rd"
As I mentioned in the yesterday's article, we can see side episodes of all the main characters in "Sora no Kiseki The 3rd."
Today, I would like to write about some episodes I like very much.
At first, I want to recommend you the episode of Estelle and Joshua when they were still children.
Although we were able to see the scene where they met each other for the first time in the beginning of "Sora no Kiseki FC", we can know how their relationship was long time ago by the episode.
Honestly speaking, I was deeply touched by Estelle in her childhood.
That was because she always behaved as if she were optimistic about everything, but could realize other's concealed feelings, especially Joshua's, in fact.
It is not difficult to understand that Joshua fell in love with her due to her such personality because his heart was deeply damaged by his past at that time.
Next, I would also like to recommend you Ren's episode.
Ren is one of key characters in "Sora no Kiseki" series.
She is a little girl but someone like a special soldier in "Uroboros" which is a secret organization actually.
As you may realize from such her peculiar background, she had an unbelievable secret in her past.
Although you can find the episode only after you reach much later part of this game, it should be worthy enough to be expected.
Jul 23, 2013
"Sora no Kiseki The 3rd" Isn't Just A Fan Disc
Although I have introduced "Sora no Kiseki" series in the meantime, we should not forget the presence of "Sora no Kiseki The 3rd."
It is the third work of the said series as its title.
The hero/heroin in "Sora no Kiseki The 3rd" is not Estelle but Kevin who was a side character in the previous works, so it seems that "Sora no Kiseki The 3rd" is sometimes regarded as just a side story of "Sora no Kiseki FC and SC."
However, I think that "The 3rd" is as great as "FC and SC."
There are some reasons why I think so as follows;
1) Kevin's true character is finally revealed in "The 3rd."
2) We can know side stories of all main characters in "FC and SC."
3) Sound track of "The 3rd" is so fantastic.
I assure you that you will have different impression for Kevin in "The 3rd" from that in "FC and SC" after you play "The 3rd."
In fact, I also liked him better than before.
And, I would like to recommend you to listen to the sound track.
Thus, try "Sora no Kiseki The 3rd" if you have never played it yet!
Jul 22, 2013
"Kaze Tachinu" Was So Moving
Today, I finally watched "Kaze Tachinu" which was the latest animation movie of Studio Ghibli.
There were a lot of spectators in the movie theater in spite that it was a weekday today.
As I expected, Studio Ghibli's movies are so popular.
If I describe my expression of "Kaze Tachinu" with a word, I can say "It was fantastic!" only.
It was the story of a man who devoted himself for design of airplanes in the era of war.
My most favorite scene was where he got married to his beloved girl.
The description of their feelings in the scene was so wonderful that I cannot help stopping my tears to fall down.
In addition, his bride was so beautiful at that time that I felt I could figure out his feelings for her.
Although I cannot write about the more detailed story unfortunately, the indirect way of expression of characters' feelings in this work was really fantastic.
I am sure that it is nothing but the most important attraction of Japanese animation.
I would like to recommend you "Kaze Tachinu" strongly.
Jul 21, 2013
Stable interest of "Nekomonogatari (White)"
The 3rd chapter of anime version of "Nekomonogatari (White)" was broadcast yesterday in Japan.
Although I watched it of course, I really admire stable interest of this anime.
I always felt the time passes quickly during watching it, and is deeply absorbed in it without realizing.
The attraction of this anime would be characters' lines themselves rather than the story, I think.
Though, the story is also fantastic.
Their lines are very long and vague, so it seems some people cannot understand what they mean clearly.
Or, they might get bored by long monologue.
However, I think a good point of Nishioishin's works is nothing but that.
The animations based on his works give us mysterious feelings as if they were not animations but novels.
That's why this anime would also be for adults rather than kids.
Although I have already read the original novel of "Nekomonogatari (White)", I am able to enjoy the anime version as if I watched it for the first time because I am forgetting the detailed contents thereof.
Indeed, it is so interesting that I am in trouble, really!
Jul 20, 2013
Estelle in "Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki)" May Be My Ideal
In previous article, I repeatedly said I like "The Legend of Heroes - Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki)" series very much.
The main reason why I do so would be charm of the protagonist in this series.
The protagonist is Estelle, of course.
As you may tell by the name, Estelle is a female character.
I have heard that "Trails in The Sky" is the first work in which Falcom Corporation adopted a female character as a protagonist.
Anyway, I want to emphasize Estelle is very very attractive as not only a girl but also a human.
First, she is so cute.
Indeed, it's pretty normal because she is a character in the game.
If I dare to say, she is the type of woman who is cute and looks healthy rather than beautiful.
Next, she is so frank.
She always talk to everyone frankly.
That's why she can make good relationships with others soon.
Moreover, she is so honest and emotional.
She expresses her real emotions without concealing in every situation.
So, she can be trusted by her party.
In addition, she is so kind.
She can't help giving a hand for those who are in trouble, and can understand their feelings.
In short, she is a good person.
Because of her brightness, everyone calls her "a girl like the sun."
I think this nick name really fits her.
I would like her certainly if she were in the real world.
Jul 18, 2013
"Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki) SC" Is The Masterpiece of TheLegend of Heroes Series
"Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki) SC" has a good reputation from fans of RPG, really.
I can understand why it does because it is the RPG I like the most.
Estelle and Joshua always traveled together in "Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki) FC."
However, in "Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki) SC", Estelle had to start her travel without Joshua for a certain reason.
"A certain reason" is closely related with the secret in the scenario of "Trails in the Sky (Sora no Kiseki) FC", so I apologize that I cannot reveal it as usual.
Although I felt I lost something important when I knew she was alone, I was so glad when he came back to her again.
And, the scene where they saw each other again was so moving that I couldn't help shedding tears.
It's my most favorite scene in this work in fact.
Moreover, the main theme song of "Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki)" series, "Where The Stars are (Hoshi no Arika)" arranged into instrumental version, was playing in the scene.
It would be strange that I am not touched under such condition!
Further, this work has much volume of scenario, so those who often play computer games were satisfied enough, I guess.
Jul 17, 2013
Surprise Caused By The Legend of Heroes - Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki) SC -
Jul 16, 2013
I Look Forward to "The Legend of Heroes - Sen no Kiseki -"
As I said before, my most favorite computer game is "The Legend of Heroes - Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki) -."
Of course, I like "The Legend of Heroes" series itself very much.
Finally, the latest work of this series will be released on September 26, 2013 in Japan!
The title is "Sen no Kiseki."
It will be for "Playstation 3" and "Playstation Vita" though previous works were for Microsoft Windows or PSP (Playstation Portable).
I am now troubled by thinking which I should buy PS3 or PS Vita for "Sen no Kiseki" because I don't have both of them yet.
In fact, an official promotion video of the new work has already been published.
You can watch it on Youtube and Nicovideo.
Try to search the video with a key word "Sen no Kiseki" on Youtube!
Although I have already done, of course, I was deeply attracted by it as I expected.
I would strongly like to recommend you to do so too!
Jul 15, 2013
Review of "Shin Honkaku Mahō Shōjo Risuka (Magical Girl Risuka)" Part 5
Jul 14, 2013
Music (Sound Track) of "The Legend of Heroes -Trails in The Sky-" (Eiyuu Densetsu -Sora no Kiseki-)
The attraction of "The Legend of Heroes -Trails in The Sky-" (Eiyuu Densetsu -Sora no Kiseki-) is not only its story but music.
The Japanese company "Nihon Falcom Corporation", which created this game, is famous as a company whose quality of music is very high.
I always think that music is one of the most important elements of entertainments.
This idea shoud be applicable for this game, of course.
It would not be such attractive if the music used in it were not fantastic.
Although I really would like you to play this game to the extent possible, you should listen to the original sound track thereof even if you are not interested in the game itself.
All of sound tracks for their works seem to be composed by a music creation team called "Falcom Sound Team JDK" in their company.
It is easy for me to imagine there are many talented composers and arrangers in JDK because their music always have good reputations.
You are able to easily purchase the original sound track (OST) of "Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki)" in iTunes managed by Apple Inc. and Amazon.com as well.
Although there are a lot of songs I hope to recommend you, "Sora no Kiseki", "Hosi no Arika (Where The Stars Are)", "Gin no Ishi (Silver Will)" and "Utsuronaru Hikarino Fudo" are very wonderful in particular.
Jul 13, 2013
My Most Favorite Computer Game "The Legend of Heroes -Trails in The Sky-" (Eiyuu Densetsu -Sora no Kiseki-)
The name is "The Legend of Heroes -Trails in The Sky- (Eiyuu Densetsu -Sora no Kiseki-)."
It's the Japanese computer game in the nature of RPG for Microsoft Windows and PSP (Playstation Portable) released by Nihon Falcom Corporation.
I wonder if this game is known around the world.
At least, I have heard that the English version thereof had already been released in some foreign countries.
If you don't know this game, I strongly want to recommend you to play it.
I assure you that you will absolutely like it and be satisfied!
Actually, "Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki)" is a part of "The Legend of Heroes" series which is one of popular ones of Nihon Falcom Corporation.
This series became their representative work because the overwhelming popularity of "Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki)."
I played "Trails in The Sky (Sora no Kiseki)" for the first time because of recommendation by my friend when I was a college student.
Honestly speaking, I did not know the presence of this game at all until that time.
That was because it was for only Windows, and PC games were not popular among people other than so-called "Otaku"(which means "mania" in English as you may know).
However, I was almost reluctant to try playing it, and then I was so surprised at the interest of it which was beyond my imagination.
Further, what I was astonished more was the ending scene.
My feeling of satisfaction after playing all of it was so fantastic because the scenario betrayed me in a good sense.
Anyway, there are a plenty of attractive characters and moving scenes in this game, so it will be one of your favorite games.
I really look forward to hearing your impressions of it after playing!
Jul 12, 2013
Review of "Golden Time Volume 1 ~A Blackout in Spring~" Part 3
The heroin in this novel "Kouko Kaga" is a sort of clazy person, so to speak.
That's because she is the person who suddenly throw a bouquet of red roses against her beloved man "Mitsuo Yanagisawa" in front of the school on an entry celemony day.
That's because she is the woman who continues to pursue him wherever he is as if she were a stalker.
That's because she is the person who regards people other than him as something like tools to contact him.
In the volume 1 of this novel, "Kouko Kaga" is described as the type of such person thoroughly.
Though, she is also done as a very very beautiful woman over and over again.
For these reason, her personality highly stood out among a lot of other unique characters, I guess.
The hero "Banri Tada" was concerned about her situation that she was avoided by her beloved man and she had no close friend, so he began taking care of her without realizing.
Jul 11, 2013
Expectation to Studio Ghibli's Latest Animation Movie "Kaze Tachinu"
If you are fans of Japanese animations, you should like Studio Ghibli, of course.
Although you, who are such people, may know already, Studio Ghibli's latest animation movie will begin being screened from July 20, 2013 in Japan.
The title thereof is "Kaze Tachinu", which is Japanese meaning "The Wind Rises" in English.
As lots of Studio Ghibli's famous movies, for example "My Neighbor Totoro", "Princess Mononoke" and so on, the director of this movie is also Hayao Miyazaki who is one of the most famous and prominent animation director in Japan.
"Kaze Tachinu" seems to be the story of a great Japanese male who played very important role in the history of airplanes long time ago.
In fact, I watched the special TV program about Studio Ghibli broadcast in Japan some days ago.
The program introduced how their studio was, how they created "Kaze Tachinu", a female staff who decided all colors used in this animation on her own, a voice actor who played as the hero and so forth.
For your information, the voice actor of the hero in this movie is Hideaki Anno who is a director of movies of "Neon Genesis Evangelion."
According to the TV program, Studio Ghibli seemed to create the latest movie with their full power, so we can expect that it will be so fantastic!
Jul 10, 2013
Review of "Shin Honkaku Mahō Shōjo Risuka (Magical Girl Risuka)" Part 4
The hero "Kizutaka Kugi" is not a magician but just a human.
The heroin "Risuka" is not just a human but a magician.
Why did they met each other?
Or, why are they acting together?
It seems that there is the answer of these questions in their purposes.
Then, What are their purposes?
Unfortunately, I have no idea.
That's because these secrets have not been revealed in the story yet.
What I know is Risuka is looking for her father who is the strongest and worst magician in her world.
And, Kizutaka is supporting it for some reason.
He seems to do so only to achieve his own "purpose."
Risuka is certainly required for his "purpose."
However, I don't know why she is.
This secret should be one of the most important elements in this story.
I will be surprised again when it is revealed.
Jul 9, 2013
Review of "Shin Honkaku Mahō Shōjo Risuka (Magical Girl Risuka)" Part 3
What type of magic do you imagine when you hear the word "magic"?
By any chance, you might think it is something like attacking by magical powers of fire, water, stones, thunder, ices and so on.
But, it is wrong.
Risuka's magic is not such simple.
Hers is the type of magic which can manipulate "time."
Though, please don't misunderstand.
It is not so-called time travel or something at all.
It's more complex.
She can momently move to the places she have already known by manipulate her own "time" as if she used teleportation.
However, her magic is absolutely not teleportation itself but manipulation of "time."
To put it simply, she is able to teleport from "Place A" to "Place B" as a result of omitting her time which should be spent for moving. How it is.
That's why it is impossible she teleport to the place she does not know.
Kizutaka and she manage to fight against their enemies to achieve each one's purpose by making use of her magic.
Jul 8, 2013
Animation of "Nekomonogatari (White)" shall live up to our expectation
At last, anime version of the second season of "Monogatari" series started last Saturday in Japan!
I watched it, of course.
The first chapter thereof was "Nekomonogatari (White)."
I was excited without realizing when I knew that.
That was because this chapter is one of my most favorite one.
It is the story of "Tsubasa Hanekawa."
It is very very important one for her.
I already know the content of this story because I have ever read the original novel before.
But, because of that, I am looking forward to be surprised by the anime version.
Although I don't know how many chapters will be spent for "Nekomonogatari (White)", I really want the staffs of the anime to create it as politely as possible.
"Nekomonogatari (White)" has a characteristic that the story teller is not "Koyomi Araragi", who is the hero of "Monogatari" series, but "Tsubasa Hanekawa."
So, I am sure you will enjoy it from a different view point!