From the last episode, Homura saves Sayaka from Kyoko’s attack. Unfortunately, there are unresolved tensions between Sayaka and Kyoko. As a result of Sayaka’s stubbornness, Madoka gets worried. (Image Source)
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Puella Magi Madoka Magica – Episode 5 – The Immoral Fight
Sayaka has finally decide to become a magical girl in order to have the childhood friend she has a crush on to regain his ability to play violin. In exchange, she has to fight witches forever. Unfortunately, a certain magical girl decides to attack Sayaka over territory, which causes a big battle between the girls. (Image Source)
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Gosick – Episode 5
There is something fishy about Arvil since she acted so suspiciously from the last episode. This behavior from her could suggest that she is an imposter. If she is an imposter, where is the real Arvil hidden and what is the imposter’s true identity? Both of these questions will be resolved in this episode.
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Fractale – First Impressions (Episodes 1-3)
With everyone raving about Fractale despite the mess that Yamakan cause with the disruption of the simulcast, I actually enjoyed it. The first three episodes impressed me with the animation and of course, the story. (Image Source)
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Rio: Rainbow Gate! ED Review – Miracle Chance
I have told everyone that Rio: Rainbow Gate is a really bad show not because of the fanservice, but the complete randomness. If the overall premise of the show is horrible, how about the music? Besides the opening theme, I took a look at the ending theme sung by ULTRA-PRISM, whom also created the Ika Musume OP. Sadly, “Miracle Chance” did not live up to my expectations since it felt so dull that it would put me to sleep. After reviewing it, I have absolutely no motivation to listen to the opening with the assumption that it would be absolutely mediocre too.
Next time, I’m going reviewing a good single instead of reviewing bad ones… Perhaps Kalafina’s Magica or something that would be enjoyable to review.
(Also, post your comments at Anime Instrumentality Blog.)
Gosick – Episode 4 – Mystery of the Femme Fatale
Since the Queen Barry case was solved, Victorica falls into boredom and wants another mystery. It was not until Kazuya pleads for help that she gets one to solve that involves another transfer student from England that looks vaguely familiar.
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Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica – Episode 4 – Lament and Sayaka’s Debut
Since the last episode, Madoka and Sayaka lament over Mami’s death while facing a tough decision for their wish so they can become a magical girl. Meanwhile, another witch stirs troubles in front of Madoka after she follows a group of people possessed by it. (Image Source)
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Sickness and the Lack of Updates
Ever since the first day of January, I gradually felt sick of some unknown disease. First, I have experienced shaking that started back in October. Recently, lost weight even though I ate normally and my heart starting beating fast two Saturdays ago. This is when I saw a doctor and today I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism (Grave’s Disease). [1. Image Source]
The thyroid, located in the neck regulates the hormones, which controls one’s metabolism. Iodine is important for thyroid function unless to take too much in. If the thyroid takes too much in, it causes an autoimmune disease that tells the thyroid to create excess hormones. As a result, it resulted in the symptoms I described above.
Since I got the medications, I’m feeling a bit better and hopefully it will go away. I most likely need to change my diet since I have an unbalanced diet with a lack of vegetables and junk food. Since I am a picky eater, this might be difficult, but I will have to force it.
As a result of feeling strange, I have been posting less than I normally do on the blog. I felt a lack of motivation, but still covered the Winter Anime along with the creation of the podcast. Hopefully the medications will work, so I can feel better and feel motivated to write these blog posts and finish my backlog.
Lastly, check out the SCCSAV Podcast, which is a collection of recorded commentaries for a specific episode. Some of the stuff people mentioned could be interesting.
Gosick – Episode 3 – Defeat of the Hunting Dog and Hares’ Revenge
Since Victorica, Kazuya and Julie are the remaining survivors of the ship, they head to the radio room for help. Unfortunately, a psychopathic axe murderer targets them. After they were rescued, some details with the survivors of the Queen Barry ten years ago are revealed, which involves the possible motives in the murder case.
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MM! – Final Review
It makes me wonder, was there an Anime that focused on sadomasochism with comedy and romance? Not until MM! started to air that featured it. When I watched the first episode, I wondered if MM! would be painful to watch since it’s about masochism. After a few episodes, I was proven wrong since the comedy is rather entertaining and the girls are cute. (Image Source)
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Winter 2011 Anime Season Taste Test Score Card
Since the taste testing of the Winter 2011 Anime is coming to an end, the winter season is actually decent. Out of the 15 of so series that were airing, I decided to watch Madoka, Gosick and Hourou Musuko. In addition, I also tried out Rio: Rainbow Gate, but it didn’t turn out that great. (Image Source)
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Taste Test Part II – Hourou Musuko
In the last episode of Hourou Musuko, we are introduced to Nitori and Takatsuki, which entered middle school. They have gender identity issues, which results in wearing clothes of the opposite gender. The first episode primarily focused on Nitori, a male crosdresser that felt accepted by people in the past. Unfortunately, things don’t stay the same since his sister bullies him when he crossdressed and everyone thinks that he’s sick. In this episode, the focus is on Takatsuki and her friends… in particular on Chiba Saori, which feels seemingly upset.
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Taste Test Part III – Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica (SCCSAV Livewatch)
Madoka and Sayaka finally understand what they need to be as magical girls. Unfortunately, witch hunting could be dangerous in this instance with this one witch Mami fought.
For this episode, I watched this with other people (Roghek, Sorrow-kun, kadian1364 and others) and had a pretty interesting discussion with the episode. (Image Source)
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Shinryaku! Ika Musume – Final Review
Shinryaku! Ika Musume is the second most enjoyable comedy show besides Milky Holmes from the fall 2010 season. The show involves a squid in human form with the desire to invade human kind. Popular culture depicts squids as villains and typically uses their tentacles in a naughty manner. On the other hand, a human form of a squid is really cute and seems so harmless that everyone abuses him/her. Humanity in the past and present continues to be a big jerk to mother nature. This is proven with the BP Oil Spill, the biggest man-made environmental disasters that most people have already forgotten. Regardless, I really enjoyed the show with the character driven comedy and watching Ika do really funny things that it gave me a smile. (Image Source)
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Taste Test Part II – Gosick
With Victorica and Kazuya trying to solve the fortuneteller murder, they are led to a mysterious boat. The Queen Barry is where the maid may have escaped, which is notorious for murders and traps for the “hares.”
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Taste Test Part I – Hourou Musuko (Wandering Son)
In some shows, most notably Baka to Test to Shoukanjuu, they use crossdressing as comedy. This mostly involves a male dressing as a female to make it really difficult to tell the real gender of the person. However, in Hourou Musuko (aka Wandering Son), the show takes a more serious and realistic approach. They focus on the issues of transgender people similar to what transgendered people faces and growing up through two people, Nitori and Takatsuki.
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Taste Test Part II – Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
In the last episode, Mami saved Madoka and Sayaka from the bizarre world. After Madoka saved Kyubei, the magical ferret, it chose her and Sayaka to risk their lives to become magical girls so they can have their wish granted. In addition, the girls learn more about the magical girls, witches and their rivalry with Homura.
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Taste Test Part I-II – Rio: Rainbow Gate! (SCCSAV Livewatch)
Many people in the blogosphere have been talking about Rio: Rainbow Gate, one of the shows some consider to be “so bad it’s good”. Do I agree with them? Not really since I watched the show with Roghek from the SCCSAV over Skype. Overall, my impressions about the show went south. The show was so bad it was terrible because there are so many fundamental problems with it, which I want to share.
Just to be clear, I am criticizing the show based on the two episodes I have seen, not bashing it.
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Tantei Opera Milky Holmes – Final Review
Tantei Opera Milky Holmes is probably one of the most unexpected gems in the Fall 2010 season. While the first episode gave me a mediocre impression, it only got better with every episode. On top of that, you have these wacky heroes that do really funny cute things. In addition, you got the absolutely hilarious villains, especially Twenty who can’t keep off his shirt. Besides from that, I want to share my thoughts about Milky Holmes as a complete season. (Image Source)
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Taste Test Part I – Gosick
It seems that this year winter season has so many shows with lolis that I couldn’t keep count. Besides Madoka, there is Gosick, which is a mystery story that involves a Gothic Lolita girl and an ordinary boy solving various mysteries. However, it’s not just any ordinary case… It’s the really difficult ones! (Image Source)
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Taste Test Part I – Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica
Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica (also known as Puella Magi Modoka Magica in Latin) has to be one of most anticipated Magical Girl in the 2011 Winter Season. This show has some similarities with Nanoha since Akiyuki Shinbo directs this show. Subsequently I enjoyed the show and wish to share my thoughts about the first episode.
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Aria the Animation – Episodes 1 and 2 – First Impressions
Many have suggested me to watch this show ever since I have watched K-ON!!. That series was Aria, a scientific fiction slice of life, which had some similarities to the mentioned title minus the excess moe. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the first two episodes with its nice animation, music and a interesting story. Therefore, I have to share my thoughts about Aria the Animation, the first season of the series. (Image Source)
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Tears to Tiara – Episodes 3 and 4
With the Gael Clan leaving their village behind, Arthur, Arawn and Rhiannon finds ships so the whole clan can leave to Albion… Unfortunately, the forces from empire captured the ships, which makes the departure impossible… or is it?
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2011 New Years Resolutions and What to Expect
In my last post, I focused on specific important and influential moments that happened on my blog and the aniblogosphere in 2010. In my opinion, 2010 was a good year for blogging, but how about 2011? There are many things I want to accomplish for New Year, but not everything can be done. It’s more like goals instead of resolutions since most people usually break it. Besides doing better in college, these are the five goals/resolutions I wish to achieve for the New Year. (Image Source)
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