Written by mupchubz
 “Get into the kitchen and cook me something, woman!” Such a remark nowadays could render you unconscious if you uttered such words in the presence of the myriad of progressive and independent female thinkers in today’s society. A woman is no longer just a homemaker, nor is she just meant to be an incubator for the prolonging and furtherance of mankind--she is an individual capable of making decisions and “bringing home the bread.”
What was once identified as a man’s job is now also a woman’s. The progress of women as empowered beings has also impacted the world of anime. In Shin Koihime Musou, the anime presents a memorable all-female cast showcasing the ideal woman as one who is able-bodied, strong-willed, and above all, an intellect. Now who could resist such a woman?
 Shin Koihime Musou is an engaging anime that depicts the lives of six female warriors (and a darling child) who unite in strength and ability to thwart the evils of grubby tyrants and bandits. The show starts off in chaos: The warriors are in a tense battle with evil-doers, giving the audience the opportunity to become re-acquainted with the characters. The bandits are eventually outwitted and defeated by the buxom warriors (and a pet pig), which reinforces the progressive idea that women are just as brilliant and cunning, if not more so, than men.
 As the story unfolds, light is shed on the relationship between two of the warriors, Chouhi and Bachou. The central conflict at the beginning of the story basically involves names and titles: Bachou wishes to call Chouhi by her first name (“Rin Rin”) but is awkwardly unable to. Needless to say, hilarity ensues when misunderstandings arise. But what makes this anime worthwhile to watch isn’t the fact that Chouhi is indeed naïve, or the fact that Bachou is given into flights of emotional combustion--it’s the dialogue! Shin Koihime Musou, under the disguise of lovely doe-eyed women, contains some of the most amusing and well-thought out dialogue in moe-moe history. Slightly perverted themes are definitely underplayed in this anime, and are easily missed if the viewer isn’t alert.
I hadn’t heard of Shin Koihime Musou prior to its showcase on Crunchyroll, but it has certainly charmed its way into my “Must Watch” list!
 
Written by GForce4
 Did you know that within the Japanese public transportation system exists a special train that only troubled women can board? According to those who’ve ridden it, the train is empty with the exception of six handsome men representing train stations (and are named after them as well) who make it their mission to listen to your troubles and to solve them to the best of their abilities.
As crazy as this sounds, the only thing harder to believe than an actual train filled with bishonens is the sheer concept that it would serve as the focal point for an entire anime series…but then again here I am watching Miracle Train so weirder things have been made.
 Right from the get go you can see that the Miracle Train is pretty much a Host Club on rails and if you look at things on the surface you can say so. Unlike Axis Powers Hetalia which also had human representations of popular landmarks, the train stations’ personalities are not based on their location’s history but are more ingrained in the traditional archetypes: there’s the super organized bishonen, the childlike bishonen, the relaxed rebel bishonen and so forth. However, while Host Club is mainly focused on the antics of the lead character, the drama in Miracle Train revolves around the new woman who wanders into the train every episode. Since the characters in Miracle Train are more concerned with helping their client as opposed to basking in their attention, there’s a real sense of care and urgency that the show conveys quite effectively.
 What I will say is that the underlying emotional undertones that Miracle Train is gunning for might fly over the heads of some viewers who are not aware of Japanese daily life. Here in America we value individuality and being able to own a car is a huge status symbol here in our hometown. Due to the high population density in Japan, public transportation reigns supreme. The sheer notion that the anime exists is a testament of their importance to the Japanese citizen. Every so often a person will sit next to you on the train or bus that not only is somewhat interesting to talk to but also says something real poignant that sticks to you. Suddenly you reach your stop and you part ways never to see each other again. Although the time you two spent together was short, that meaningful conversation will always be remembered. The characters in Miracle Train are meant to represent that interesting person and are an animated example of the joys one can have by simply opening themselves up to the people around them (although they’re probably a lot more better looking than most people).
With only six episodes posted on Crunchyroll, Miracle Train is a pretty hard series to pass a final judgment on. If you’re looking for a light-hearted comedy with elements of drama be sure to keep your eye on this series.
 Written by BasouKazuma
In this month's edition, I had the chance to interview xO_Skittles_Ox, which as you can see was, all-in-all, a good time. If you are a CR member, mod or just a fan of CR and would like to be featured in the monthly interview section, shoot me over a PM on my CR user page! Hope to hear from many of you soon.
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BasouKazuma: Hey xO_Skittles_Ox, may I ask why you accepted when I asked if I could interview you? What went through your mind?
xO_Skittles_Ox: Hm. I was a bit shocked, actually. However, I have been reading the interviews and found them interesting, so why not give it a shot?
BasouKazuma: So you've read them and still wanted to go through with it!?
xO_Skittles_Ox: Lol yeah. (:
BasouKazuma: Well I'll try not to blackmail you like the others. How have you been liking it here on Crunchyroll?
xO_Skittles_Ox: The site has become a regular activity for me. It's one of those sites that you have to visit daily. I like the fact that we now have legit anime subbed by the companies themselves (nothing against fan sub). I also enjoy the people who I have come into contact with, I have really met some interesting people on CR.
BasouKazuma: That's cool, are there any shows in particular that you watch here? Or do you just like the idea of it all?
xO_Skittles_Ox: Well, Naruto for one, I refuse to watch horriblesubs. I'm also starting Letter Bee.
BasouKazuma: Haha yea, horriblesubs just take our subs anyway and sometimes intentionally make them worse.
xO_Skittles_Ox: I've noticed that as well lol.
BasouKazuma: Let's move away from the topic of the Crunchyrollz. What kind of stuff do you watch on TV? Any favorite shows?
xO_Skittles_Ox: Tv? Hm. I'm not much of a tv person but lately, I've been getting into those "cooking shows", like Hell's Kitchen and Chopped (my mom's doing). I also watch A Secret Life of an American Teenager.
BasouKazuma: I used to watch Hell's Kitchen as well but now I'm too cheap to pay for cable, haha.
xO_Skittles_Ox: Lol. I blame my parents, they're addicted to those cooking shows. There's also one for cakes but I have no clue what it's called.
BasouKazuma: Cooking shows are pretty popular I think. Well, moving on from the interesting topic of succulent food, what do you do for a living? (School and/or Work)
xO_Skittles_Ox: Atm, I'm a cashier lol. At least until I get done with school.
BasouKazuma: Pretty standard work for a college kid, I was an overworked, underpaid head cashier when I was in college too. What kind of major are you looking towards in school?
xO_Skittles_Ox: Nursing, It's gonna be longggg and hard lol
BasouKazuma: That's what she said? I mean, everyone's getting into nursing, I should get in on that nursing money. =\
xO_Skittles_Ox: Lol. I know male nurses.
BasouKazuma: Yea, male nursing is skyrocketing.
xO_Skittles_Ox: Well nobody wants to go to school for 8 yrs to be a doctor lol.
BasouKazuma: Yea, especially not my lazy butt! So what kind of things do you do when you're not working or on CR?
xO_Skittles_Ox: I'm usually with the boyfriend or my family. I work pretty much everyday, so my time is short.
OH and don't forget the NFL & anime xD. Those seem to be my only hobbies =____=;;
BasouKazuma: So you must love Eyeshield 21? lol
xO_Skittles_Ox: That one, I haven't seen yet. However, I'm really enjoying 11 eyes so far.
BasouKazuma: Close enough.
xO_Skittles_Ox: lol
BasouKazuma: Let's see, if you've watched any new movies this year, did you have any that you really liked?
xO_Skittles_Ox: Hm. Law Abiding Citizen was amazing.
The new Halloween movie was alright but every "scary" scene was obvious, so it annoyed me D:
BasouKazuma: I didn't watch it either, may have to check out the first one though.
The original Halloween was all about the spooky mood setting, so it would suck if the new one didn't go for that.
xO_Skittles_Ox: I think the new ones ruined the older ones. How can you remake a classic?
BasouKazuma: Remakes are always made, you can't stop the cash cow!
xO_Skittles_Ox: Lol sorta like the new Dragon Ball *cough*
BasouKazuma: Didn't watch it either but I've heard enough about it. >_>
I think we should get back to the subject at hand, the sushi! Have you ever had a Crunchy roll?
xO_Skittles_Ox: Lol no? Have you? xD
BasouKazuma: Of course! How could you not have? It's so crunchy and good and now I want more ... MORE!
xO_Skittles_Ox: LOL. I usually get the same thing at Asian restaurants. I need to try out more things.
BasouKazuma: Well that's alright, just make sure to have one next time you go to a sushi place.
xO_Skittles_Ox: My cousin gave me sushi from walmart ... I've never had "real" sushi but Walmart's was horrible =/
BasouKazuma: Yea, you shouldn't trust store bought sushi. Sometimes they're alright and sometimes they make you sick. If sushi isn't prepared properly, it can be bad.
xO_Skittles_Ox: Lol yeah, I gave it back to her.
BasouKazuma: Anyway, enough about sushi. I'm getting hungry again. =\
xO_Skittles_Ox: Makes two of us.
BasouKazuma: How do you like moderating on the site?
xO_Skittles_Ox: I love it. It keeps the site clean and there's always new submissions. We do get some trolls here and there but that's every site. I really enjoy helping out and making CR a better site.
BasouKazuma: If there's anything you could tell all users about library submissions or some other aspect that would help you with moderating, what would it be?
xO_Skittles_Ox: You can't change the articles that have videos on them. We get this a lot and I for one, feel bad because you have to reject it. It usually comes with "changing the image" and "changing the episode number".
BasouKazuma: Yea that would help you and help them so they don't end up wasting their own time. If there was one thing you can change about the site, what would it be?
xO_Skittles_Ox: I wanted color texts and different fonts. I also think there should be like a CR IM (yes, I totally ripped it off myspace)
BasouKazuma: I think those are things that are under consideration. You might see those in the future but I'm not making any promises!
BasouKazuma: If there was one series you could see brought to the site, what would it be?
xO_Skittles_Ox: Hm. well we got E7 (Eureka Seven) back, that's my favorite anime. However, I wanted to see Beethoven Virus and I was watching it when CR removed it. D:
BasouKazuma Yea that always sucks when you're in the middle of something and then can't finish.
xO_Skittles_Ox: Very. I tend to wait and see if it comes back.
BasouKazuma: Do yo have a good or bad relationship in general with the users on the site?
xO_Skittles_Ox: I'd say "good". I've gotten into a few debates in the past but you can't agree with everyone. People have their own opinion and when they disagree, it sometimes starts a debate. It's up to you whether or not you can have an actual "mature" conversation on the topic or have an argument over it. I'd prefer the mature convo.
BasouKazuma: Well that's good, as long as you don't take things too personally, the conversations won't go sour.
xO_Skittles_Ox: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I like to listen to their point of view and see things their way, sorta like an understanding.
BasouKazuma: Do you have a favorite user?
xO_Skittles_Ox: Hm. a fave user ... I have a few lol. This site is filled with a lot of really nice people who can make a great conversation. So it's hard to settle with just one.
BasouKazuma: Well you can think about it for a minute if you need.
xO_Skittles_Ox: Probably DRO1, he's always there (:
BasouKazuma: Woot, now all of the people you didn't mention will feel sad.
xO_Skittles_Ox: Lol. You did this on purpose D:
BasouKazuma: You know it, but I won't be cruel. Do you have any further shoutouts you want to make? To other users on the site that you like and maybe the general public.
xO_Skittles_Ox: Just to the EW crew (there's a long list), Of course BB and Ezgi. You have to love Ezgi. Oh and Shinji for making a wonderful site (:
BasouKazuma: Thanks for your time, now get back to whatever show you were watching.
xO_Skittles_Ox: haha kay, I have to find my house phone .. It vanished D:
Did you know that Osamu Tezuka started working on Metropolis, the manga, when he was 15? Over half a century later in 2001, Katsuhiro Otomo would write the screenplay for the featured film based off of Tezuka's works!
Naruto Shippuden ©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved., Shin Koihime Musou ©BaseSon・恋姫無双製作委員会 2008, Miracle Train © Miracle Train Project/MTC, REBORN! © Akira Amano/Shueisha, TV Tokyo, REBORN! Production Committee, The Book of Bantorra © Yamagata Ishio，Maeshima Shigeki/ SHUEISHA，Bantorra Library, Natsu no Arashi ! 2 © Jin Kobayashi/SQUARE ENIX ・"NATSUNO ARASHI!" PARTNERSHIP
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