That Random Asian Girl

Monday, September 18, 2017

Vianna September 18, 2017 Recommendations

Summer Anime Recommendation 2015

Disclaimer: This is a repost. Migrated it here from Normie Blog.

Time flies so fast, right? It seems like I’m still into the spring anime (with some series still continuing until now) and it feels like yesterday when I posted my spring anime 2015 recommendation. Now some of it ended and you might want to marathon but can’t decide what title to watch, you can check out my recommendations here: Spring Anime Recommendation 2015

This Summer the anime world offers us fans again some awesome titles that’s worth our time. This may be late because it’s mid-summer already and some series are halfway with their stories and such. Huhu #theSlothInMe.

By the way, I am not really a critic and I basically watch everything as long as it has a solid plot and it catches my interest. My aim is to give my honest review on a certain series and share my thoughts about it to my fellow fans. So without further shingalings, here’s my SUMMER ANIME 2015 RECOMMENDATIONS (in alphabetical order)

1. Akagami no Shirayuki-hime

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

In the kingdom of Tanbarun lives Shirayuki, an independent and strong-willed young woman. Her resourceful intelligence has led her become a skilled pharmacist, but her most defining trait is her shock of beautiful apple-red hair. Her dazzling mane gets her noticed by the prince of the kingdom, but instead of romancing her, he demands she be his concubine. Shirayuki refuses, chops off her lovely locks, and runs away to the neighboring kingdom of Clarines. There, she befriends a young man named Zen, who, SURPRISE, is also a prince, although with a much better temperament than the previous one. Watch as Shirayuki finds her place in the new kingdom, and in Zen’s heart.

Source: FUNimation | Watch it on FUNimation

My Review/thoughts: Shoujo manga fans, rejoice, all hail for the Snow White with Red Hair’s anime adaptation. I am a fan of the manga and following it for more than 3 years already. Seeing it with full colors and in 2D is just too much fan service. Aside from the lovely characters, you will also love the story because it’s light and beautiful. Shoujo/Romance fans would surely love this. As for me, after watching the first episode, it gave me the urge to read the manga all over again. I never thought Prince Zen could be so awesome in anime. Shirayuki is also not your usual damsel in distress princess wanna-be. She fight her own fight and does what a badass heroine should do.

2. Aoharu X Kikanjuu

Genres: Action, comedy

Themes: Crossdressing, survival game

The story follows high school student Hotaru Tachibana, a girl disguised as a boy. Through strange circumstances she finds herself drawn into the world of survival games by a host, Masamune Matsuoka. The two form a team with ero-manga artist Tohru Yukimura and aim to be the best in Japan.

Source: ANN | Watch it on Crunchyroll

My Review/thoughts: Well, I have no prior knowledge to this series but hell, badass hero—ine is badass. Chara were so cool, geddemit! It was from the manga and a must watched! This anime is so cool, not just full of action and comedy, it’s actually kinda deep, read the one-shot manga version (just last week) and yeah, my kind of shounen. Toy Gun Gun for the win sa Top Combat Game! UPDATE 9/12/2017 Still following on the manga and it gets better and better.

3. Charlotte

Genres: Comedy, drama, magic

Themes: school life, superpowers

Special abilities occur among a small percentage of boys and girls in puberty. Yū Otosaka uses his power without others knowing, and lives a fairly normal, average school life. Before him suddenly appears a girl, Nao Tomori. Due to his meeting with her, the fate of special power-users will be exposed.

Source: ANN | Watch it on Hulu or Crunchyroll

My Review/thoughts: Another PA works masterpiece (yes, for me it’s a masterpiece). The first episode is so interesting. It was never boring but let’s see with the following episodes. PA works could also be genius at times but they also make half-baked series. It really depends on the viewer thoo. I got traumatize with this anime. TT.TT // internal scream.

4. Classroom Crisis

Genres: Comedy, drama, romance, science fiction

Humanity has successfully colonized all the planets in the Solar System, with intentions to continue into new frontiers. Individuals live stable lives in these colonies, including young high school students living in 4th Tokyo on Mars. Two of these students are Iris Shirazaki and Mizuki Sera. Iris is finishing her last year of high school while studying to be a test pilot while her friend Mizuki also works as a mechanic on the aircraft. Her own brother, Kaito, oversees Mizuki and Iris as their homeroom teacher and program director.

Source: ANN | Watch it on Hulu or Crunchyroll

My Review/thoughts: Ha! A scifi at it’s finest. I actually like the first episode, there’s nothing much to say because when there’s ‘classroom’ in the title, it really reminds of Assaination Classroom. Shizz, I miss Koro-sensei. Anyway, Classroom Crisis has awesome potential, definitely following this.

5. Dragon Ball Super

Genres: Action, fantasy, science fiction

Themes: Aliens, developing powers, fighting, martial arts, superheros
After defeating Majin Buu, life is peaceful once again. Ordered by Chi-chi to earn money, Goku works even as he wants to train even more. Meanwhile, Goten, about to become a brother-in-law to Videl, sets out on a journey with Trunks to find her a present.

Source: ANN

My Review/thoughts: This is the continuation after Goku defeated Majinbu. Childhood feels. I really like how this DBZ was freshly drawn. But seriously, I’m really used to the Tagalog/Filipino voice actors of the characters. But, hell, gonna follow this. // joins those scream like Goku events on public places.

7. Gangsta

Genres: Action, drama

Themes: Crime, mafia, violence

In the crime-ridden, mafia-governed city of Ergastulum, Worick and Nicolas are two “handymen” known as “Benriya” who would take any dirty job from either police or mafia — for a good price. After an assignment from police the two met and later joined by Alex, a former prostitute who got interested in the mysterious background of the team, in particular of Nicolas’ abilities.

Source: ANN | Watch it on FUNimation

My Review/thoughts: My favorite this season. It’s violent but beautifully created. It’s really out of the norms but heck it’s badass! The plot and the story is more than interesting. I’m totally hooked. I like the setting. Good job, Manglobe! I’m more amazed to know that the mangaka is a woman! // FAVORITE GUYS! SO MUCH ACTION.

7. Monster Musume no Iru Nichijou

Genres: Comedy, romance, supernatural

Themes: bishoujo, ecchi, harem, mythical creatures

Three years ago, the world learned that harpies, centaurs, catgirls, and all manners of fabulous creatures are not merely fiction; they are flesh and blood – not to mention scale, feather, horn, and fang. Thanks to the “Cultural Exchange Between Species Act,” these once-mythical creatures have assimilated into society, or at least, they’re trying. When a hapless human teenager named Kurusu Kimihito is inducted as a “volunteer” into the government exchange program, his world is turned upside down. A snake-like lamia named Miia comes to live with him, and it is Kurusu’s job to take care of her and make sure she integrates into his everyday life. (from manga)

Source: ANN | Watch it on Crunchyroll

My Review/thoughts: Teh, to those who are into harem, this series is for you! Haha. I’m not really into the harem genre but the girls in this series is really something!

8. Okusama ga Seito kaichou!

Genres: Comedy, romance

Themes: Ecchi, school life

High school freshman Hayato Izumi lost the campaign for student council president to Ui Wakana, a girl who shocked the entire student body by promising “will remove all restrictions on campus romance” and gave away free condoms. Later that day Wakana the president-elect brought her belongings to Izumi’s residence and claimed herself his betrothed fiancée.

Source: ANN | Watch it on Crunchyroll

My Review/thoughts: Ohohoy! Ecchi (Hair away from hentai). One of the funniest series this season. R18. I face-palmed myself after watching the first episode! Very kinky anime. Watch also the season 2.

9. Prison School

Genres: Comedy

Themes: ecchi, school

There was a time when the Hachimitsu Private Academy was a revered and elite all-girls’ boarding school on the outskirts of Tokyo but a recent policy revision is allowing boys into the student body. On his first day, Kiyoshi Fujino discovers that he’s one of only five boys enrolled at the school. Completely overwhelmed by the thousands of girls on campus, the few boys find that their situation is less than ideal.

Source: ANN | Watch it on Crunchyroll

My Review/thoughts: I dare you to watch this anime and not blame me for something. I also face-palmed myself after watching the first episode but hey, let me tell you something, I was actually entertained. I laughed. Sometimes it gets so mature but well, just cover your eyes and ears and think of happy thoughts.

10. Rokka no Yuusha

Genres: Adventure, drama, fantasy, mystery

Themes: Mythology

When the Majin awoke from the depths of darkness, the deity of fate chose six heroes and bequeathed them with the power to save the world. Adlet, a boy who proclaims himself the strongest on Earth, was selected among the Rokka no Yūsha (Braves of the Six Flowers), and he goes to the rendezvous point — but seven have gathered there. The heroes suspect that someone among the seven is the enemy, and the initial suspicion falls on Adlet.

Source: ANN | Watch it on Crunchyroll

My Review/thoughts: Yes, this series is a must watched. I really like the setting and the visuals. Some episodes might be boring and annoying but it's worth your time, promise.

11. Ushio to Tora

Genres: Action, comedy, supernatural

Themes: Demons, ghosts

While cleaning out his family’s Shinto temple, middle-school student Ushio Aotsuki stumbles upon a hidden cellar which houses a dangerous yokai. The yokai, pinned by a legendary weapon called the Beast Spear for 500 years, attracts many other supernatural creatures to the premises. Ushio is forced to free the creature – whom he names “Tora” – in return for his help in defeating them. Tora, who wishes to eat Ushio but is stalled by the Beast Spear, begins to haunt the boy in the hopes that an opportunity will present itself. However, Ushio’s possession of the Spear seems to result in trouble after trouble, and Tora finds himself an unwilling ally to Ushio in his battles against various supernatural foes. Meanwhile, a greater danger lurks in the form of Hakumen no Mono, an incredibly powerful yokai with a thirst for destruction who is about to awaken from an extended slumber. (from manga)

Source: ANN | Watch it on Crunchyroll

My Review/thoughts: I read somewhere (I can’t remember when and where) that this is already a remake. I never heard of the previous series but hell, I like the theme. I like yokai and stuff. And the plot, heck it was great. Looking forward for more.

So, that’s it for my Summer Anime Recommendation 2015. I know there’s a lot of series to watch this season but #TimeManagement. Anyway, leave your recommendations below at the comments and I will check it out!

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Vianna September 17, 2017 Shoujo Manga

Anime Review: Cardcaptor Sakura OVA | Sakura and the Two Teddy Bears

Cardcaptor Sakura is one of my beloved anime of all time. Thanks to our local channels here who decided to broadcast the anime. I don’t know about anything about the manga and whatnot because those forms of media seems hard to penetrate in our country on the past years, not until the age of internet, it wasn’t long ago, about 5 years I guess when I finished reading the manga.

Although, Cardcaptor Sakura is not the first anime I watched, it holds a special place in my heart ever since I was in fourth grade. I’ve watched a lot of mahou shoujo (magical girls) type of anime but Sakura is one of the cutest out there. Everything about Cardcaptor Sakura is pleasing to me. The manga ended almost 20 years ago. CLAMP did mention that they never intend to make a sequel at all.

20 years later, a sequel was announced! Imagine how happy I am hearing the news. A surge of nostalgia came in to me. The Clear Card Arc is one of the best things that happened last year in my otaku life. The anime is slated to air on Winter 2018.

When I found out that an OVA is on the making, I wasn’t sure how to feel at first? Will they follow the anime? Don’t get me wrong I also love the alternate endings from movie 2. But now we know, it was faithfully adapted from the final chapter of the manga itself and a prequel for the upcoming Clear Card Arc Anime.

Animation wise it was just pure high-quality art. Very light and striking. I don’t really mind how modern the art of course it may have some differences from the art on the anime as it was on the 90’s, the Sakura vibe is there. Madhouse, thank you so much.

The main cast of the anime reprise their respective roles and it was just the most nostalgic part the OVA.

As for the plot, as I have mention earlier, they stays close to the manga, though, there were scenes that did not make it to the OVA (Rika and Chiharu scenes and more) but very unnoticeable not unless to hardcore fans. We have to bear in mind that it’s only more or less 20 minutes so I understand that they need to cut some scenes and include only the most relevant ones that are essential as the episode is a prequel for the upcoming anime.

Memorable scenes are definitely Syaoran and Sakura’s confession, the bus stop scene is very touching. Sakura and Syaoran’s reunion as the epilogue of the episode completes it all.

My personal rating would be 10/10 of course! Kudos for bringing the child back in me. So who’s excited for the anime next year? Let’s wait together fellow CCS fans!

Friday, September 15, 2017

Vianna September 15, 2017 Recommendations

Spring Anime Recommendation 2015

Disclaimer: This post was originally posted in my first ever BLOG. Migrated it here to keep it organize. I was the one also made all the gif images. ha! those day.

Still looking for an awesome anime to watch this spring, rather, this dry season, if you are in the tropics? I may be able to help to help you on this entry!

My list is in alphabetical order and this is my first episode reviews as well! I was actually busy into reading mangas, updating my blog and reading other blogs when I encountered a facebook status about how good a spring anime pilot episode was. It was Ore Monogatari!!

1. DENPA KYOUSHI (TV)

This one is quite very unnoticeable at first but it has a solid plot! Kagami-sensei is now on my list of the Best Anime Sensei! Who wouldn’t love a teacher where in the first day of class, wrote an url on the board, ordered all the students to download and play a mobile game for the purpose of getting to know each other and you can also have an automatic perfect score if you beat him! Isn’t he cool?!

And the students were like…

But before that, he was actually a Physics genius in high school but after college he lost his interest in science and physics, turned down every research lab around the world and decided to become an anime blogger!

His sister applied him as a Physics Teacher in his high school alma mater because she is desperate to get him to do something.

In the pilot episode, he helps an aspiring seiyuu/voice actress student being bullied. I really like how he explained the life of a seiyuu.

How dare you underestimate voice acting! Training school? There are more than a thousand of those all over Japan! Ten and thousands of rivals are born each year! Only a hundred or so can make a living as a voice actor. Become a star? One in a hundred thousand! That’s less than the chance of getting in a car accident within the next three days! Just because you have an above-average voice or can sing decently doesn’t mean you can become one! Voice acting is special. They are gods that breathe life into characters! – Kagami Junichirou

He really despises bullies that he can be a hero of justice!

He also realized that he can love the teaching profession.

Art wise, it is very Zero no Tsukaima-ish (not really an expert on anime makers) but I can really see the resemblance of the two said animes.

I really look forward on the next and the future episodes. I really want to know if he can really pull off and continue the bad-ass, awesome teacher he was on the first episode.

I dare you to watch it and learn about how a hardcore otaku can be an awesome teacher! (I am merely an anime fan or maybe a weaboo of some sort)

2. HIBIKE! EUPHONIUM

I watched it together with my sister and our first impression was… K-ON?! And we both said that it was not!

It is an anime that involves musical instruments again! I love musical anime, so if you love this kind, watch it too. I just to don't like the shoujo ai part.

The story starts off in Kyoto Concert Hall where a Concert Band Competition is being held and time for announcing of winners, their uniforms are similar to K-on, hahaha, though, they didn’t win and the main protagonist was contented with the result but her bandmate Reina was very upset.

Now, the story revolves around Kumiko Oumae, now a high school, the one who were contended of not winning.

She visits her high school brass band with her classmates, Hazuki and Sapphire. The last two decided to join while she hesitates because she sees Reina again.

I will do this when I go to Japan~!

And I can see a ship sailing here~~! Kumiko X Shuuichi. LOL Its too early but it’s just my hunch! Shuuchi is also a band member just like her! Update as of 9/12/2017 or not! NO SHIP AT ALL

I’ll follow this series because I can see Free! (yeah, the swimming anime) with them, like Shuuichi, he looks like Mako-chan, Reina’s eyes is just like Rin’s, LOL, enough with the comparison. Seriously, I will follow this series because I want to see Kumiko grow up and accepts the fact that she hates to lose. I want to see them perform on Nationals and I want to see the Shuuichi and Kumiko’s ship progress!

3. KYOUKAI NO RINNE (TV)

I don’t know but I was smiling and laughing at the whole episode. Though, I could say that it was like Noragami (err, here I am again, comparing). It was less serious and by far very funny.

Mamiya Sakura is our heroine she can see ghost ever since she lost in the world of spirits (in my understanding) when she was still a child.

She really thought that something would change when she enters high school that she could finally get rid of her ability of seeing ghost but nothing changes.

At school, her seatmate who was absent ever since the term started finally showed up, the thing is, she is the only one who can see him, meaning he was a ghost. She saw him exorcising a spirit of a dog.

The day after that, he saw him again but in human form, Rinne Rokudou, was a healthy young boy. He actually suggested on offering to a small shelter/shrine at their school if you wish or need something. The fun part is, he was the one doing the odd jobs for the offerers if you just give him money. (Ah, I could remember Yato!)

Rinne is actually a shinigami!

I recommend this series if you want laughs and ghost stories!

4. ORE MONOGATARI!!

I first head of Ore Monogarari from a special chapter of Ao Haru Ride, a manga crossover. It was one hell of a funny chapter. Kou and Gouda switched souls. In that chapter, I saw a funny side of Kou because Takeo is a funny character. I said to myself after reading that particular chapter that I should look up and read it but I forgot and was preoccupied with my previous downloaded manga that should be read.

I didn’t know it was turned into an anime!

And seeing the first episode makes me want to ask more *Slaps self for not reading this masterpiece!*

This is one of my favorite from the Spring line up!

I really love Takeo’s character. Any girl would fall for him, except to those who are only looking for pleasing appearances. I can actually relate to Takeo a lot. I am also not the prettiest in the crowd but I do believe that each of us is unique and beautiful in our own ways. I am already through with the stage in where I get too insecure of all the girls around my age. I have learned that nobody can love you beyond your own imperfection aside from God but you, only you. As Whitney Houston’s famous song said. “Learning to love yourself it is the greatest love of all!” But enough with this topic, let’s go back to Ore Monotagari!!

I also love Suna too not because he is handsome as Kou but he is the type who are true to his self and true to Takeo. HAHAHA.

The heroine is so kawaii too.

5. OWARI NO SERAPH

One of the coolest in the spring line up. It has an awesome revenge plot. And this time, instead of loving the blood-sucking creatures, you will hate them after watching the pilot episode. I assure you, vampires here don’t sparkle!

I was teary eyed because heck, it was so tragic! The brutal killing wasn’t censored. Lotsa blood splashing.

In this anime, humanity suffered from a deadly virus and children 13 and below were not infected or immune to the virus. Now, enter the vampire who turned the remaining human/children into slaves and literally, made them the blood source.

Hyakuya Yuuichiro (I love his emerald eyes!) dreams of escaping from the hands of the vampires and killing them. Then they find a moment wherein they think they could actually escape but in truth a royal vampire lured them. And then, from his very eyes, he saw how his only family was killed, Mikaela helped him escaped but it cost him his life. It was so tragic.

The freaking preview looks so COOOL! Can’t wait to for the next episode!

My brother thinks that the fight scenes, the swords and the weapon seem so “corny” (What is the English equivalent of Corny?). LOL because It is normal and typical as he said but for me, it was cool though, I kinda predicted that his brother/best friend is alive!

Anyway, watch it guys, it is really awesome.

6. PLASTIC MEMORIES

This anime gave me the most emotional impact. The story has ‘meat’ in it. It helps me realize how life really is short-lived.

The story takes place in the future (yeah, sci-fi) where in robots/androids (Remember, Android 16 and 17 of DBZ?) that looks like human are in the trend. A certain company made a type of android that can actually have emotions, memories and synthetics souls, almost a human, called the GIFTIAS but they can only live for 81, 920 hours (grabs calculator…) more or less 10 years only! LOL. It’s 9 years and 4 months, said the anime but it’s odd so, I estimated, well, whatever.

So, this is where our story starts, when it is time for the life of the Giftias to end, the company’s terminal service are responsible of retrieving the Giftias back to the company to avoid glitches because apparently, when the life of Giftia expires their personality and memories disintegrate.

A newly hired employee of the Terminal Service, Tsukasa Mizugaki (the hero) teamed up the Isla (Ayla), a Giftia to retrieve expired androids but it is not that really easy. Heck, their work is the hardest!

And the FEELS TRIP comes… Some Giftia owners are hardheaded and won’t surrender their androids because of the emotional attachment/feeling that they have for their Giftia. It was a tearjerker!

But their works is a must!

I was actually ranting during the emotional part, like, if they can make an android with synthetics souls, why can’t they make a system or what that can extend the life of it, or they could actually make androids that can live longer than humans! Huh?!

And my sister was like, “Ate, hashtag, walang forever – Sis, hastag, there’s no such thing as forever.”

Well, better look forward for the next episodes. Let’s wish for a happy ending, okay?

7. SHOKUGEKI NO SOUMA

At last, another food/gourmet anime!

If you want an eye candy anime, this one is for you! The food in this anime looks so delicious that I recommend bringing your own snack and food while watching it. I was really hungry after watching it.

It was just a bit awkward that the reactions of the characters who tasted/ate the food of our Heroes are very ecchi, near to hentai, I guess. Hahaha! I mean, LOL, their reactions are too exaggerated they were like a lustful movie. Hahaha. I think it was unnecessary but it was the show’s trademark, their orgasm-like reactions, for short not wholesome at all, or my mind is polluted already? HAHAHA!

Anyway, remember the reactions of Yakitate Japan whenever they taste a super delicious bread? It was exaggerated in a funny and wholesome way yet this one is funny and ….. hahahaha.

The story is about Yukihira Souma who dreams of becoming a full-time chef in his father’s restaurant and enhance his culinary skills. He defended the restaurants from land sharks who wanted to take over their land, he actually won but his father decided to close their restaurant to cook in Europe leaving him alone but send him in the most elite culinary school in Japan. When they say ELITE? It is very elite that only 10% graduation rate!

What we should look forward to is, will Souma survive in that top culinary school?

Bunos!

MY RECOMMENDED ANIME THAT YOU SHOULD WATCH THE PREVIOUS SEASON FIRST (IF YOU HAVEN’T YET)

8. Nisekoi (Season 2)

9. Uta No Prince-sama Maji Love Revolution (Season 3)

Nisekoi is harem and UtaPri is a reverse harem, I am actually not into harem because I don’t like the idea of confusion of who’s going to end with whom. But both are good, fun and entertaining!

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That for my favorite titles last Spring of 2015. Where did I find time making gifs before? Anyway, I hope this post could help those who are looking for titles they can watch. Let me know on the comments if you favorite anime made it on my list.