September 7, 2009

Written by MasakoX2

Remember when you had a crush on this one girl or guy whom you found absolutely stunning and you weren't sure how to get her attention? Two scenarios: you'd either do something about it or just let them get away. In most cases, the latter is the result. Not in this anime! Not only does School Days follow the former outcome, but it does it in one episode!

School Days – based on the visual novel by the 0verflow group – documents the woes of one Makoto Ito and his desire to win the heart of Kotonoha – the seemingly perfect girl. With the aid of classmate Saionji, he plucks up the courage to ask Kotonoha out and tell her his feelings. Success! By the time the second episode rolls along, they're out on their first date and it seems like a beautiful romance story about to take form. Sadly this is where it all starts to fall apart for the happy couple. I won't bore you with the details of how things go horribly awry, but put simply, it's one of the most emotionally trying narratives I have ever come across in any form of media. From the irresponsibility of the characters, to their indecisive and callous nature, the character development can drive one mad with frustration, but rest assured that someone will have their comeuppance.

School Days runs the risk of being filed away as another angst-driven, love triangle, slice-of-life anime, however there has been one thing that has kept the buzz of internet forums everywhere – its ending. It has to be one of the most gruesome and yet strangely satisfying endings I have witnessed. Again, I shall let you discover the full extent of the ending for yourself but put simply, it's not dull. Far from it! You may walk away from it feeling sorry, or you will be like me and walk away from it feeling a certain sense of “justice.”

However, once you step back from the vitriolic reaction you first experience from seeing the finale, you can't help but wonder why it came to such a graphic conclusion. From the way the events pan out, 0verflow could be seen using the suppressive and highly regulated Japanese education system as a catalyst to show how damaging love triangles can really be to emotionally fragile young adults. Perhaps this is a social commentary whereby the character’s behaviour reflects the Japanese education system, mirroring the strong sense of pride and tradition illustrated by the clubs and teams composed of the student body along with the intense amount of pressure to perform and socially conform. Thus, it would only be natural that there will be an underlying sense of resentment and pent-up emotions, resulting in the characters behaving the way they did. Whether it is a subtle social commentary or coincidence, School Days does primarily focuses on the emotive integrity, or lack thereof, surrounding the three main characters.

In most anime, the love triangle is a source of teenage angst, dark humour as well as extending the shelf life of a show by about four to six episodes depending on the complexity of said romantic shape. Makoto's tactless nature when it comes to the affections of both Kotonoha and Saionji stand only to confuse and psychologically damage both female leads – especially in the second half of the series once all the character establishment and blatant fanservice is out of the way. You don't get that in Urusei Yatsura that's for sure! School Days may be extremely frustrating to sit through, but at least it's honest. Messing around with the emotions of the people you supposedly care about does not a hilarious outcome make.

Written by mupchubz

Ever been tired of an author who churns out the same ole’ stories over and over again? Rest assured, Mitsuko Kase won’t disappoint. Director of both Ristorante Paradiso and Glass Maiden, Mitsuko Kase is a master story-teller who is gifted with the ability to share his imagination with the world. Ristorante Paradiso, in comparison with Glass Maiden, is a story about culinary arts in the Italian region, an anime that caters to a more sophisticated and mature audience, and is somewhat of an acquired taste amongst the average anime viewer. The protagonist, Nicoletta, journeys to Rome, Italy in search of her mother at a little restaurant called Ristorante Casetta Dell’orso (which translates to “a bear’s tiny house”). And as the story unfolds, the characters bloom and flourish, with the occasional and subtle inclinations of romance, humor, and self-discovery. Glass Maiden, on the other hand, dives into a fast-paced story of wild gunfire action, abnormal super powers, and detective-oriented mystery.

In Glass Maiden, a man by the name of Shu leads a detective agency with his fellow comrades. He undertakes risky business from clients all over town, one of whom is a transvestite named Porilyn, a wealthy mogul with intriguing connections. Initially, Porilyn seeks aid from Shu concerning a case. But this case turns out to be rather extraordinary when the situation takes a hostile turn: Shu and his comrades find themselves in a crossfire between armed mysterious men and armed mysterious women, all of whom are fighting to capture a certain “glass woman” who has been imbued with peculiar powers and has an insanely high body temperature of 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

This glass woman, identified as HW-9 (and later given the name Sara), was genetically altered in such a way that caused her to become a super being; she gained strength, speed, and agility, as well as the ability to heat up into “glass” when using her powers. One of the more quirky powers Sara has is the ability to ward off humans of the opposite sex, a.k.a. men! Any time a man touches her, he’ll get electrocuted, though generally not fatal. An excellent form of self-defense, wouldn’t you say so? Along with the agency’s pet canine named Q-chan, Shu and his renegade crew spiral into an adventure that will lead them to secrets better left uncovered.

While these two animations are polar opposites of each other, they do share one common ground: their director, Mistuko Kase. As a director, he will stand the test of time, and will surely leave a blazing trail for others to admire and follow. Fanatic anime connoisseurs who prey on fresh anime meat everyday are bound to be pleased with Ristorante Paradiso and Glass Maiden--the former, a whimsical, warm-hearted tale of exploration and experimentation of delectable foods in the heart of Rome, with detailed and accurate renditions of Italy’s impeccable architecture, and the latter, a compact mystery of twists and turns, escalating tension and warfare, a mind puzzle. Consider them unrefined gems from Mitsuko Kase’s brilliant mind, but above all, enjoy.

Written by BasouKazuma

Yet again, keikawa commissioned me to interview a moderator. Yes, I also think he's crazy for trusting me! =P
Last time I interviewed mochacafe who is an older moderator (not in terms of age), so this time I wanted to get in the mind of a fresh moderator. After carefully gathering a hat and some slips of paper with different usernames on them, I came to a well thought out conclusion on who I should interview. Today I am interviewing Kippu who just became a Forum Moderator about a month ago.



Kippu: I'm ready for my interview *flips hair*
BasouKazuma: Are you ready for your close up too? We need a close up shot of your face.
Kippu: Yes, oh please make sure it's the right side. That's my good side
*poses*
BasouKazuma: Is there a birth defect on the other side?
Kippu: I don't want to talk about it..
BasouKazuma: I'm sorry to hear about that, nevermind about the picture ....
Kippu: It's ok. I'm used to it. Just cover it with make-up. You knoow.
BasouKazuma: ...but enough about you, let's talk about me!
Kippu: ok :D

BasouKazuma: Yea right, I'd never talk about myself to the public. I'm here to embarrass you!
You're new as a moderator but, how do you like being a moderator on the site so far?
Kippu: It's good, Jim. I enjoy locking up threads, and doing something for the CR community.

BasouKazuma: Have you had any problems that annoyed you or is it all sunshine and lollipops?
Kippu: So far it's all rainbows and butterflies. I actually thought I would have to deal with more serious things. The only thing that's annoying is some outrages reports and spammers, spamming with porno but that barely comes up. :O

BasouKazuma: That's good, do you think you have a good relationship with the users?
Kippu: I like to think so. There are some who aren't happy with me but you can't impress everyone.
BasouKazuma: Yea, I have my share of people that hate me as well. >_>
Kippu: But they know, deep down inside, they love me ;)

BasouKazuma: Haha, let's get off of the topic of CR.
What do you like to do in your spare time, when you're not on Crunchyroll? (Keep it PG-13)
Kippu: Mostly go out with my friends, take my dog out for a walk, I would say go out with my family as well but..eh. Not so much I also started to play volleyball again but that's pretty much it.
BasouKazuma: No spy work for the Government?
Kippu: I'm afraid I can't give out any information on that ._.
BasouKazuma: Drats, I guess I'll move on so I don't incur any wrath from the powers that be.
Kippu: I think that would be for the best :O

BasouKazuma: What do you do for a living (besides the potential spy work)?
Kippu: I'm a student. I go to school and love to change my career path 400 times a year. It's real fun and frustrating at the same time. I'm graduating this year. Not sure if I'm happy or upset about it.. O_o
BasouKazuma: Well at least you are graduating! You should be happy
Kippu: I guess... But that would mean I'm DONE with school. Onwards to a more grown-up world. *shivers at the thought* I'm definitely flying to neverland >.<

BasouKazuma: I'm sorry to inform you but Neverland was bombed by the US .... how are you holding up?
Kippu: OMG! WHY?! NO! *cries* Now I'll never get to play with the penguins and swim with the mermaids!
*sobs like a little girl*
BasouKazuma: I love my job. =P
Kippu: I hate you ;_; *blows her nose on your shirt*

BasouKazuma: Now that I've made you miserable, lets get back to the topic of CR.
Kippu: Lets ....

BasouKazuma: What series, that's currently on the site, would you recommend to other users?
Kippu: Coffee Prince. I really enjoyed it. Real glad drama is slowly coming back. Not much into anime so I can't really recommend anything good o__o

BasouKazuma: No that's fine, just had to name one. You don't need to like Naruto, it's okay.
*pat pat*
Kippu: >_______________>

BasouKazuma: What series would you like to see put on Crunchyroll?
Kippu: For anime. I'm a big One Piece fan. I would love to see O.P. on here. I think it would bring in a lot more viewers. As for Drama. Oh gosh. So much @_@
I think old but real popular ones like 1 Litre of Tears, Hana Yori Dango (Tai, Korean, Japanese versions), and Devil Beside You should come to CR. Even though they're older, it would boost up your viewers since they're the type of Dramas that users would rewatch over and over again.

BasouKazuma: I'll have to make shinji get those shows :P
(not making promises)
Kippu: Make sure you do. Do everything in your power. Just make sure you don't get caught and end up in jail : o
BasouKazuma: What happens in Tokyo, stays in Tokyo.
Kippu: AHA! So shinji is in Tokyo *writes it down*
BasouKazuma: Sureeee, we can add that to the long list of Shinji Myths.
Kippu: So I came to Cali for no reason ;_;

BasouKazuma: I was in Cali, it's a pretty place. Well what do you think about shinji? Isn't he dreamy?
Kippu: I picture him as a small creature with huge eyes, and a red shirt. I wouldn't go as far as dreamy. But adorable. Yes.
*glares at you* I really wonder what kind of relationship you have with shinji ._.

BasouKazuma: It's purely professional, I assure you.
Moving on
Kippu: *is in doubt*

BasouKazuma: Time to embarass you and make things awkward for the CR friend you name and the ones you don't. Who is your favorite user on the site and why?
Kippu: I hate you! Just one?
BasouKazuma: It can be a few if you want but you need to name one as a favorite! >:(
Kippu: =__=; I guess it would be a tie between Dea (snow-chibi) and arano as my favourites. Even though I really love everyone else on my buddy list, and see them all as really close friends. Those two outshine everyone else. I guess mostly since Dea (snow-chibi) was the very first buddy that I met in real life, and arano since he was the first mod that actaully buddied me and still talk with to this day.
NO wait! AHTL AS WELL! He's also in my favourites as a tie @_@

BasouKazuma: Too late
Kippu: NOO!

BasouKazuma: This interview is over!
Kippu: You have to stick him in there! He was there since the beginning! NOO! PLEASE! *cries*
HUGO (AHTL)! I'm sorry :(

BasouKazuma: Just messing, don't cry.
Kippu: You're awful! :(

BasouKazuma: Yes, I know :D
Do you have a final statement you would like to make to the CR community? Like "Stay Crunchy", except not as lame.
Kippu: I had a crunchyroll last night, a REAL one, and it was SOOO yummy. Ever since I ate it I felt so much closer to Crunchyroll. And to anyone who hasn't eaten a C.Roll yet. EAT YOUR HEART OUT! >:D
But on a serious note, you guys should really try it. I have never ate something so mouth watering @_@

BasouKazuma: Good stuff. Thanks for allowing me to interview you!

Did you know that in Neon Genesis Evangelion, EVA-00, the prototype unit piloted by Ayanami Rei has a significant meaning? Rei is not only a name, but also means "zero" in Japanese, and is a reference to both her EVA unit designation and her history profile.

Naruto Shippuden ©2002 MASASHI KISHIMOTO / 2007 SHIPPUDEN All Rights Reserved., Glass Maiden © Glass Maiden Production Committee, Ristorante Paradiso © Ristorante Paradiso All Rights Reserved, School Days © STACK・School Days Partnership 2007, Hayate no Gotoku !! © Kenjiro Hata/Shogakukan, Hayate project, TV Tokyo 2009, Gankutsuou © 2004 Mahiro Maeda•GONZO/MEDIA FACTORY•GDH, Aoihana ©T,O/A

Naruto Shippuden
Episode 124

Determined to destroy the Sharingan to rid himself of the taste of defeat he received from Itachi, Deidara unleashes his biggest attack, the C4 Karura. Created to kill Itachi, this fierce weapon is capable of destroying living beings from the inside using millions of nano-sized bombs. Can Sasuke escape this attack fueled by Deidara’s determination to destroy the Sharingan?

Hayate no Gotoku !!
Episode 22

Is she the typical wealthy, capricious type? For Hayate’s birthday, Nagi declares to get a part time job to save up money to buy him a watch. All those present were surprised to hear this but Hinagiku currently works part-time at the coffee shop, “Dongui”. The manager of “Donguri” calls Hayate and mentions that they are currently looking for someone to take Hinagiku’s place. Will this become Nagi’s first part-time job, and if so will she be able to handle it?

Gankutsuou
Episode 1

While attending the Carnival on Luna, Albert and Franz, the children of wealthy nobles from Paris, are captivated by The Count of Monte Cristo at an opera performance. The Count drops his watch, which Albert uses to set up a meeting with the Count, however when he tries to return the watch, both he and Franz thrust into the Count's world...

ケーアド (kay-aa-doh): Just as we like to condense phrases in English, so too do the Japanese. This phrase simply means one's cell phone email address, derived from the first two syllables of the words: 携帯番号 (cell phone) and アドレース (address).

Aoihana Episode 1: Running into a childhood friend from 10 years ago? How random and awesome is that? Sign me up!

When you check these out, you'll understand why these are some of most frequented stories on the CR Pulse:

Asus & Hot Chicks, Now Synonymous

Hokkaido Ice Hotel

Pokemon Card Champ

Pan-kun is Like WTF

Gundam-themed Wedding