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Onigiri Fest: Subplots of hell

post from ysp: duh! on 19 August 2006 11:32:48 PM. © ysp: duh!

Yesterday, I sang praises to ten of Fruits Basket’s unforgettable moments. Part two of my mini-Onigiri Fest is slightly different. Welcome to the land of sucky subplots. Or should I say a few of my complaints about FuruBa. Once again, I warn you, dear reader, SPOILER ALERT. Mommy Tohru. Not [...]

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http://duh.yummysushipajamas.com/2006/08/onigiri-fest-subplots-of-hell.html

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[IN STEREO]

post from Hop Step Jump! on 19 August 2006 11:06:00 PM. © Hop Step Jump!

Has anyone else noticed that Shimizu Ai is providing the voice for two different characters in Strawberry Panic? Obviously, she has a lead role in Suzumi Tamao, but she also plays Hyuuga Kizuna. If you can’t recall who Kizuna is, I don’t blame you, since she’s a minor character rarely referred to by [...]

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http://anime.jefflawson.net/2006/08/19/ninoude-taputapu-in-stereo/

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zero no tsukaima 7

post from Anime on My Mind on 19 August 2006 10:55:00 PM. © Anime on My Mind

It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Jessica - Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Jessica?'Quoth the Fanboy, "??????"

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http://anime.miao.us/archives/2006/08/19/869/

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Zipang Review

post from Phoenix512's Anime Blog on 19 August 2006 10:36:00 PM. © Phoenix512's Anime Blog

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http://phoenix512anime.blogspot.com/2006/08/zipang-review.html

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Fushigiboshi no Futago Hime Gyu! 21

post from Matthew's Anime Blog on 19 August 2006 09:28:00 PM. © Matthew's Anime Blog

???...

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http://matthew.animeblogger.net/archives/2006/08/19/fushigiboshi_no_futago_hime_g
yu_21.php

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Gunbuster vs. Diebuster!/Lack of Updates

post from Blogging Wit' KT on 19 August 2006 08:24:00 PM. © Blogging Wit' KT

According to the official site it looks like the Gunbuster and Diebuster movies will be premiering in Japanese theaters beginning October 1. I’m not too sure on how it’s going to work. Will the be double features? There looks to be some information regarding the release on the official site, but it’s in that damned [...]

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http://ktkore.hitori-janai.net/?p=254

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Tonagura - 07

post from Ex-Fansubber ???? on 19 August 2006 07:21:00 PM. © Ex-Fansubber ????

I didn’t particularly like this episode so I’m not gonna go into detail. Basically Marie wants to find out what Hatsune’s weakness is because at school she’s like perfect in everything (and has her own fanclub.) Well it turns out her weakness is Kazuki (yuri shisucon anyone?) So yea she gets sick and Kazuki [...]

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http://hinano.animeblogger.net/2006/08/19/tonagura-07/

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The Federation: Between Heaven and Earth

post from Oyasuminasai ! Anime Blog on 19 August 2006 04:28:00 PM. © Oyasuminasai ! Anime Blog

(Tears falling down cheeks) Wow! This is as good as you can get!

Haibane Renmei is in a class of its own or should I say ?a world of its own? (please forgive the lame pun)

I marathoned all of Haibane Renmei 2 weeks ago. It was quite a journey from start to finish and left a deep impression on me.

I decided to watch this show for one reason; the religious aspect of the story. It?s obvious that the show portrays a sort of ?after life story? or to be more exact ?an intermediate stage between death and the final after life?.

Before I started watching the show, the only thing I knew about it was the synopsis and a taste of the art used. That alone was enough to make me curious, very curious!

Let?s start with the easy stuff; the art. As I found out later, the show was based on a series of doujinshi by the famous author Yoshitoshi ABe. Now ABe is quite an unusual artist. Every one who has seen his arts knows that he has a habit of using dark colours and tones for his illustrations. Every time I look at his illustrations, I get the impression that artworks have been painted with water colours that were mixed with some sand or mud to make them look dark. In other words, it reminds me of the soil. Talk about down to earth!

These dark colours have also been used in the anime version of Renmei. The dark colours convey a sense of sorrow and tragedy. While Renmei isn?t exactly tragic, it is indeed filled with sorrow. This leads me to another interesting detail that concerns me personally. I must admit that I was familiar with the existence of this show many years ago. The only difference is, at that time, I would have never considered watching this kind of show solely because of the artwork. Back then, I was more interested in cheerful shows and Renmei seemed like a very depressing show. Now, the artwork is one of the main reasons why I decided to watch the show. Over the years, I?ve become more attracted to moody dark anime and just thinking how much my taste has changed scares me! I liked the art of Renmei so much that I decided to check out other shows that ABe was involved with in the hope of finding other intriguing dark stories. I have yet to check NieA Under 7, Serial Experiments Lain and Tehxnolyze. I still have a long way to go (^_^;;)

Now, back to our topic. I have no complaints about the character designs and I think they fit the story perfectly. They are once again ?down to earth? which is very much to my liking. Surprisingly, I think the anime designs were better than the original designs in ABe?s doujinshi.

The music is something to remember. One of the best anime openings that I?ve ever heard which resembles eastern European music. The ending was performed by Masumi Itou who also did the ending of Zettai Shounen (the only memorable thing about that show). It has a sad ominous tone and I like it a lot. The background music was also of high calibre and the piece played in the Reki / Rakka scene in the last episode was mesmerising and I felt the chills while watching that scene.

All the characters in the show are likable with interesting personalities but I was emotionally attached to Rakka and Reki more than anyone in the show. To put it in metaphorical terms, Rakka was the new born bird that was confused, scared and curious about the world around her and in desperate need of care. Reki was the mother bird that took Rakka under her caring wing. The relation between these two was the real driving force behind the story and I wouldn?t be exaggerating if I said their fates were intertwined. Heck, even their names sound similar! All the main characters also got enough screen time to expose and flush out their personalities and that is definitely a plus in any show. The voice acting was excellent and done to perfection.

The story setting was a piece of remarkable imagination. A city where all the residents are living within the boundaries of its walls, never allowed to leave it or even touch the walls. A world where humans live along side Haibane in harmony and where there is a social welfare system to take care of the Haibane even though they are a minority. A world where the Haibane have their own union to safeguard their rights, organise their life and guide them during their hours of need. A world that seems, for the Haibane at least, a mere temporary resting stage before moving to the real after life on the Day of Flight. A remarkable mix of socialism and religion and a fascinating world however you look at it. I was also completely satisfied with the ending which is something that doesn?t happen that often with anime shows these days.

If I were to summarise the story then I would say it is about hope, believing and keeping that flame in your heart alive even in the darkest hours. A truly remarkable story with truly remarkable characters and truly remarkable art.

The show has been licensed by Geneon. You can find individual episode reviews at Garten?s blog (who is one of ABe?s biggest fans by the way).

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http://planetkibi.blogspot.com/2006/08/federation-between-heaven-and-earth.html

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Dirge of Cerberus - Level 6 - Deepground Strikes
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Vincent awakes in Yuffie’s care after his collapse. He travels to the WRO headquaters when he finds it under attack so he fights his way in, meanwhile we see what happened to Azul and Shelke.Summary: We see a flashback to Vincent when he was a Turk, asking Hojo if it?s true that Lucrecia will be [...]

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http://xebek.animeblogger.net/?p=275

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Zero no Tsukaima - 07

Louise and Saito must pose as commoners in town in order to find out information, Louise being forced to wear a skimpy waitress outfit to find out what they need to know. [...]

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http://xebek.animeblogger.net/?p=277

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