Good kick, Hiroki. And nice teeth.

Apologies for not blogging for the past two weeks. I had been overseas. Although… someone did promise to review episode 3 for me, didn’t he? -_-

Anyway. Episode 3 has already been subbed, so I wouldn’t spend too much time on it. Episode 4 is well… Usagi and Misaki again, so I’m not going to spend much time there either, because I would rather concentrate on my thoughts on Hiroki and Nowaki, which is told in episode 3 and 5.

Screenshots are scant because I’m lazy. Sorry.

Summary

I thought this scene from episode 3 is pretty good.

Episode 3:
- Hiroki, who is Usagi’s good childhood friend, is in love with Usagi. He has some intimate relations with Usagi, who pretends that he is his own crush, Takahiro instead. In the aftermath, Hiroki sits in the park with thunderclouds hanging all over his face.
- Hiroki meets Nowaki, who asks him to be his tutor. He refuses, but Nowaki steals his key.
- Hiroki wakes up to Nowaki, they talk, Hiroki agrees to teach him.
- At one such session, Hiroki realizes that Usagi is the man he loved once (instead of the man he loves).
- At another session, Nowaki kisses Hiroki while he sleeps. Hiroki wakes up, and Nowaki tries to confess his love to him, only to have Usagi interrupt.
- Jealous, Nowaki appears to say that he will take care of Hiroki, and closes the door to Usagi.
- Nowaki confesses his love to Hiroki successfully, and then leaves.
- Hiroki finds himself stalking Nowaki while he is working. He is seen by Nowaki.
- Nowaki finds him at his house, and they talk, after which they have sex.
- At work the next day, Nowaki receives flowers from Hiroki, who congrats him for getting into university.
- Nowaki runs to find Hiroki, and hugs him.

Episode 4:
- Misaki meets Usagi’s editor, and is extremely jealous because they look great together (and other assorted reasons). Usagi sooths his fears in the next 20 minutes.

I must be weird, because I really like Hiroki’s exasperated face.

Episode 5:
- 6 years later, we realized that Nowaki has just returned from New York, after an entire year of absence and non-communication.
- Nonetheless, Hiroki let Nowaki stay in his house because Nowaki claims that he has lost his house keys.
- Hiroki is cold to Nowaki, which caused Nowaki to attempt to leave, except that Hiroki stops him from truly leaving.
- ~*~fill in the blank~*~
- Hiroki wakes up the next day to find Nowaki gone, with only a note that says, “I’m leaving. Nowaki”, without any other details.
- Hiroki realizes that they had a truly abyssal dating relationship, with very little dating activities and even less true communication. He reflects that the state they are in now is probably his own fault, and that he should have paid more attention to the relationship.
- As a result, he decides to end the relationship by sending a postcard to Nowaki, saying, “Let’s break up.”
- We also meet Miyagi-sensei, who is Hiroki’s superior, a professor in the university Hiroki is assistant professor to. He is half of the third couple in the series.
- Hiroki moves, changes his number, etc. in an attempt to end the relationship properly. However, Nowaki finds him at his workplace, the university.
- They argue, Nowaki wanting to know what he did wrong, and Hiroki completely unable to calm down and answer him properly.
- In the end, Hiroki locks himself in his room, and Nowaki tells him to go to their usual dating grounds (a fast food restaurant) at 7 pm that day so that they can talk it out. Nowaki leaves.
- The pre-ending omake features Usagi using Misaki as a bed booster (and sex toy) because his usual hugging bear has been stained with udon by Misaki.

Thoughts

Communication problems in relationships. The most prevalent problem, IMO.

Let me begin by saying the Hiroki x Nowaki pair is the one I like the most in the manga. Very real problems, very strong emotions, and very good characterization. Sure, there were some story lines that are so obviously plot conveniences that it’s ridiculous. But if you read it with an open mind, it’s a realistic portrayal of a relationship.

The anime is not as good as the manga in this respect.

To be honest, there are very little significant differences (that I can tell, anyway… been some time since I read the manga) between the anime and the manga. But the delivery lacks a certain something. Hiroki lacks that special oomph that makes me like him so much. And Nowaki. He is totally cardboard, which very little depth.

Why is that?

Maybe it’s because I was holding so high expectations, which always mean hitting the ground would hurt like hell. Whichever the case, I can pinpoint a couple of points.

1) Character design: Is it my imagination, or does Hiroki’s head often looks too small for his body? Come on, people, be realistic. And stop making him too much like Misaki. He is a LOT stronger and interesting and complicated than that boy. Also, he is a lot better looking, even sexy with those glasses.

Hiroki’s kind of cute in glasses. Even, or especially, in fiery form.

2) Seiyuu: I’m sorry, Itou Kentarou. You are much better as Renji than as Hiroki. Put quite simply, I think his voice is completely wrong for Hiroki. It’s too deep, too brash, too completely un-Hiroki. Itou-san does brashness and bluster well, but fall slightly short of bringing out the vulnerability and complexities of the character.

3) Animation: Studio Deen is really putting their entire effort on Vampire Knight, huh? In episode 5, Hiroki has an identical sequence of reactions three times when Miyagi-sensei hugs him from behind. And the walking really fast to avoid talking to Nowaki? It could have been so evocative if done well. Instead, both Hiroki and Nowaki looked like robots.

4) Funny faces: Episode 3 is better than episode 5, because a) it’s happier, and b) it has more funny faces. Now, I love my angst, but stop with the emo! Hiroki’s actions and Nowaki’s expressions seems a bit overdone. And seriously, part of Junjou Romantica’s essence is the funny faces. I’m calling for more funny faces.

5) Music: Lacklustre. It was so much better in the last 4 episodes.

That is not to say, though, that episode 5 is totally without its good points. The thing I like in the manga is that I always feel for Hiroki, so I never think that he is being overly angsty or emo-ish or making a mountain out of a molehill. The anime achieves this to a certain extent, in that his inner thoughts as to why he wanted to break up with Nowaki were delivered well.

Sigh.

The seiyuu is chosen, and there really isn’t anything I can do about it now, and in any case Itou Kentarou, while having the completely wrong voice for Hiroki, is still a good seiyuu. But if Studio Deen doesn’t buck up and do a decent presentation, Junjou Romantica would slide down to just being another silly and completely boring anime.

(Apologies for the rather late post. I was going to post yesterday night, but the blog was down, and I had work all day today. And apologies too for not returning comments from the last episode. I’ve been ultra busy. I’ll try to do better this week.)

Warning! Episode 2 has a bit more steam than the previous episode. I’m telling you, don’t watch it unless you can abide intimate contact between two guys.

That said, there isn’t anything extremely explicit (toned down completely from the manga), so non-homophobic viewers are very much welcomed.

On the other hand, the most interesting part of this episode is the appearance of my favorite character in the manga, Hiroki.

Summary

Misaki cooks breakfast, reflecting that he has already been living in Usami’s house for a month. At 7 am sharp, Usami appears, and they have breakfast. Misaki thinks that Usami is really weird, and that he is still in love with his brother.

As Misaki washes up (so unfair, he cooks and he washes!), Usami hugs him from behind. There follows another pseudo-molestation scene (the boy doth complain too much), which ends with Misaki getting away from Usami, only to read Usami’s draft on his new BL novel. He discovers to his horror that the BL novel’s hero has been changed to him.

Usami drives Misaki to school in his bright red sports car, and Misaki reflects that everyone’s staying away from him on purpose. He is completely perplexed, and thinks that he may actually hate going to school.

Just after he falls down, though, he finally met a sempai, Isumi, who talked to him and explained to him that the reason everyone has been avoiding him is because he is always been driven to school in Usami’s expensive car. Not to mention that the famed Usami is actually his chauffeur. Misaki is extremely pissed off, but glad that he has made a friend.

In Usami’s car, Misaki goes on and on and on about the virtues of Isumi, while Usami is extremely jealous and covers his worry by mentioning Takahiro (Misaki’s brother), which Misaki does not like at all.

Back at Usami’s house, Takahiro calls and Usami talks to him happily. Misaki thinks again that Usami has been in love with Takahiro for the last 10 years like an idiot, and it was impossible that he would move on and give up just like that. He thinks that he couldn’t do it (is helpless). Furthermore, the only reason Usami keeps touching him is because he thinks of him as a substitute for his brother.

(There’s also a chopping-the-eggplant-with-a-cleaver scene which I thought would make guys wince… if there’re any guys watching the anime, anyway.)

In school, Misaki talks to Isumi while Usami looks on from the window above in the room of his childhood friend, Hiroki, a teaching assistant in the university Misaki is studying in. He is jealous enough to kick the wall as he looks on.

At the end of the day, Misaki is talking to Isumi when Usami suddenly appears and attempts to get Misaki to go home with him. After an argument between Misaki and Usami, where Usami brings in Takahiro again, while Misaki yells at him. Usami ends the argument by forcibly yanking Misaki into his car, leaving Isumi looking on behind.

They arrive home, and Usami stops Misaki from talking to Isumi, who has called him. Takahiro then calls, and Misaki do the same to Usami. Arguing again, and Usami ends it by force, yet again. He pushes Misaki onto the sofa, by Misaki pushes him away, and yells that he is not his brother’s substitute. He then begins to cry.

Usami then pats him on the head and says, when he fall out of love, Misaki was the one who cried so hard for him, even when it has nothing to do with him. And that was when he thought: ah, he’s the one for me. After a tender confession of love, they kiss, music swells, and they have sex.

(Everything’s left to the imagination, except for the protests and moans Misaki made. But it is no way near as explicit as some yaoi titles.)

Fast forward to after the credits, and we sill Misaki coming down from the stairs to be greeted by Usami, who is cooking a totally disastrous breakfast of fluffy omelet that is as fluffy as stones imitating crackers. Misaki apologies for hurting Usami in the argument before, but Usami is dismissive (and made an ero-joke that turned Misaki’s face into the chibi form I love so much).

Isumi calls and Usami puts out the phone plug. Misaki yells at him, but Usami says he would not allow anyone to interrupt the time they have together. The episode ends with Usami eating his awful breakfast while Misaki squeezes the resident teddy bear with extreme irritation.

Thoughts

I’m doing this in point form to save up some time.

1) I like episode 1 better. The brightest spot for episode 2 is the really, really cute faces Misaki made at every available chance, and the humorous bits. But in terms of atmosphere, animation and depth, episode 1 is a lot better.

2) On the other hand, it seems to me that Misaki’s insecurity about Usami’s affection is reasonable. I like the fact that Misaki isn’t too emo, and that the things he thinks about isn’t out of the realm and a convenient route for plot advancement. It’s also good that the pace of the anime is fairly fast, so we don’t dwell too long on their respective jealousy and insecurity, because however realistic it seems, it is very much a cliché in BL and shoujo and the romance genre.

3) The sex scene is tastefully done. Not too explicit, very much diluted from the manga to fit in with mainstream anime. And accompanying the diminished steam is a soulful BGM which actually enhanced the emotional impact. Sex should be more than just steam, and I like how the dialogue as well as the very lyrical OST brings out that point.

4) Hiroki looks so much better in the manga, IMO. He seemed to have grown taller. And somewhat too broad in the shoulders. Wouldn’t that make his lover, who is significantly taller than him, a grotesque giant? On the other hand, the extremely snotty attitude coupled with the sweet underlying empathy have been brought out in the scant scene he has in this episode, so I like it nonetheless.

5) I love those faces Misaki make! Oh, have I mentioned it already?

6) I hope we get to Hiroki’s story next week. Come on, he is the most realistic and empathizing character in the entire manga!

Warning: This is in-your-face Boy Love, bordering on yaoi in terms of steaminess. If you are homophobic and/or violently allergic to male-male romance, I advise you not to watch the anime.

Yes, I’m blogging this very controversial anime. At least for an episode or two. I can say that I’m doing it because I want to annoy Impz (which would be partially true); I might even be doing it because Crusader implied that I would, and I didn’t want to disappoint my fellow blogger (which is completely untrue). But the truth is, Junjou Romantica isn’t as bad as it has been led to be. It’s not the animation wonder that Soul Eater is; it isn’t the cool action gallery Nabari no Ou is. It such doesn’t have the sheer poetic beauty Vampire Knight possess.

What it has, though, is more than pure male-male fan service.

Summary

Misaki comes home to find a stranger perilously close to kissing his brother Takahiro. The shocked Misaki is then introduced to Usami, who is Takahiro’s good friend. Usami is 28 years old and is a famous writer, who won what I assume to be the equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize in Japan.

Because Misaki does not have good results, and he want to get into a good university, it was decided that he would get Usami as a tutor, in exchange for Usami’s pork broth. On arrival to Usami’s apartment, Misaki found both Usami’s literary new book, as well a novel under another pen name. Upon reading that novel, he found out to his shock that it is a very explicit erotic homosexual novel, where one of the main characters is named “Takahiro”, the exact name of his brother.

Once out of his stupor, he rushes to Usami’s bedroom (filled with toys and teddy bears) and confronts him. Usami wakes up in a very bad mood, and after listening to Misaki rail about Usami’s use of his brother’s name in his BL novel, and accusing him of “any man would do”, Usami throws Misaki onto his bed and… ahem… molest him.

In the living room, Usami introduces his teddy bear to Misaki, who thinks that Usami is seriously not normal. After some banter, Misaki announces his intention to get into that famous university (I didn’t quite catch its name), while Usami is dismissive of his ability to enter, saying that he doesn’t do well because he doesn’t understand the questions being asked. He then asks Misaki why he wanted to enter that university.

Misaki says that it is for Takahiro, who took care of him after their parents died and hence lost the chance to enter that university. On hearing that, Usami is touched and immediately agrees to tutor Misaki.

As time passes, Misaki’s results improve, and he is familiar enough with Usami to now call him “Usagi-san” (Mr Rabbit). He isn’t really happy it, though.

One time, Misaki asks Usami if he really likes his brother. Usami tells him not to worry, because his love is completely one-sided and unrequited. Misaki says that Takahiro already has a girlfriend, and Usami replies that he knows. However, if he loves someone, he would only want to remain by that someone’s side. That is friendship’s privilege.

Misaki thinks to himself that he understands somewhat; Usami would never do anything that would hurt Takahiro. Unfortunately, Takahiro treats Usami as nothing more than a good friend. He then calls Usami’s action foolish, and thinks that situation is really tragic.

Misaki soon gets another result slip, where he had another tremendous increase in result. He then thinks excitedly to himself that he must go to Usami to tell him the good news. On the way, though, he suddenly stops running and wonders why he wants to tell Usami so eagerly. He then yells that he does not like men.

Unfortunately, Usami is standing right behind him. The mortified Misaki starts talking in mangled former Japanese. Usami then informs him that today is Takahiro’s birthday. Misaki then shows Usami his result slip, and Usami is proud and tousled his hair. Misaki blushes and his heart start pounding.

At their house, Takahiro has just returned home, and both Usami and Misaki welcome him back with a “happy birthday”. However, Takahiro has also brought his girlfriend home, and he says that he is glad that Usami is here too, because he wanted Usami to know as well that they have decided to get married.

Usami is stunned, but he immediately covers it up with sincere-sounding congratulations. Misaki, however, cannot control himself and punches the wall. He then announces that he would go out and buy wine, but because he is underage, he drags Usami along.

Outside in the cold winter night, Misaki could not control his tears, and he apologizes to Usami. He says that it’s cruel that Usami loves his brother so much, but his brother wanted to tell Usami that he is getting married. Usami tells him to stop crying, but Misaki says he couldn’t.

On hearing that, Usami grabs Misaki and kisses him. After a long, gentle kiss, Usami stops and says that Misaki has stopped crying. Then he hugs Misaki, apologizing softly and saying that he would hug him just for a little while. Misaki, after a small hesitation, hugs him back and says, “If you want to cry, just cry.”

Usami replies that he has never cried in front of anyone other than when he was born. He says that he would only cry in front of Misaki. Then both of them are quiet as the snow falls all around them. Misaki looks up to the sky as he thinks that all he wants is to be together with this person, always.

Not long after, Misaki styles his hair in front of a mirror, but Usami suddenly appears and musses it up again. He then reminds Misaki that he has gotten into the university he wanted, but he is only there as a student on the reserved list. It is then said that Takahiro and his fiancée have gone to Osaka for work purpose, and somehow Misaki has become the tenant of Usami. That is, they are now living together. Before the scene ends, Usami has grabbed Misaki into the bedroom, and the episode ends with Misaki’s not-very-sincere cries for help ringing in the audience’s ears.

So, exactly how steamy is it?

The manga is extremely explicit. Yes, I dug it up and read it, and it’s definitely rated. The translation to anime itself is fairly faithful. Some details, like Usami’s room is clearly more messy in the manga than in the anime, and the faces less angular/squarish and more bishie in the anime, but in spirit they are the same.

And in terms of steaminess… It has definitely been toned down. None of the obvious graphic details were shown, let’s just say that the spirit is the same as well. The molestation scene mentioned in the summary above, for example, has no explicit details shown, but from the positions and the suggestive dialogue, we all know what is going on there.

If you want to know, go watch the anime.

Just a word of warning to the people watching, though. While the scenes aren’t hentai, you may not want to watch it with a younger sibling or your parents nearby.

Thoughts

The thing I’ve always enjoyed the most in the manga is the faces the characters make. Their chibi forms are so expressive, I think they are superior to Special A. For many animes, sometimes the chibi forms and the faces the characters make as so abrupt, they seemed added on. Junjou Romantica, though, does it very naturally. I especially like how Misaki reacts. All these make the anime extremely entertaining and funny to watch.

On the other hand, there is a serious side to the story. If you ignore the excessive steaminess, and if you are homophobic you ignore the fact that the couple involves two males, you actually get quite a good portrayal of relationships. The characters go through a lot of the same heartache heterosexual couples go through.

In this episode, if Usami and Takahiro are of opposite sexes, perhaps an audience might even be touched by the unrequited love Usami harbors for the guy. And then we have the young Misaki, the third side of the triangle, who has the empathy and, though he doesn’t know it yet, the love, to feel for Usami.

The scene under the snow, where Usami hugs Misaki and cries into his shoulder. And when Misaki hesitantly hugs him back as he comforts him. Wow. That scene is powerful. That, together with the snow falling, mingling with the tears still falling from Misaki’s eyes, and the beautiful dialogue, makes the entire scene extremely touching.

Well, for me, anyway.

I think the anime is sweet. I do wonder though, why is it acceptable in anime culture for a guy to molest another guy like that, but totally horrendous (for a normal, mainstream anime anyway) for a guy to so molest a female? There’s something rather double standard-ish about this.

There are so many gakuen (school life) + shoujo (girls) animes this season, many of which are adapted from very famous and/or popular manga. Which would you – the shoujo anime lover – choose, I wonder?

Here, I’ve gathered three popular shoujo + gakuen animes this season and made a comparison between them. Because I’m a very character oriented person, this post would be concentrating on the comparison of the main characters; ie. The heroine and the hero(es) of the anime. Everything is based on the first episode, so there wouldn’t be any much manga spoilers.

The three animes are, in alphabetic order: Itazura na Kiss, Special A, and Vampire Knight.

PS: Because I am naturally a very biased person, please do not expect objective opinion.

Female Leads

Best Character Design: Yuuki, Vampire Knight
Not much of a contest here. Yuuki, with her big Studio Deen animated lively eyes, wins by a big margin over the other two, although Hikari from Special A wins by a beyond gigantic margin over Kotoko of Itazura no Kiss (she’s just not pretty, much less beautiful. I don’t even find her attractive. Marginally cute, I guess). Hikari, at least, has beautiful hair, and even with her long, skinny limbs, is athletic and has a great smile.

Highest Kick Ass Factor: Hikari, Special A
In the first episode, Hikari kicked the asses of three delinquent students as easily as she yawns. Sure, she did it in conjunction with Kei, but it’s easy to see that she could do it just as easily alone. Yuuki comes in second, for the cool pose she did with her extendable weapon (staff?). From what I’ve read from the manga (not more than 20 chapters, I think) it isn’t anything more than as a useless prop, but hey, that scene was cool. The subsequent scenes were not cool, considering that she is rescued by someone else(s) again, but more on that later. As for Kotoko, well, she did lecture the arrogant Naoki despite her leaking tears, although the effect is less than stellar when the only reaction Naoki has is to smirk.

Most Accomplished: Hikari, Special A
The girl is in Special A. What more do you need? Academically, she is number 2 of the cohort. Yuuki is always sleeping in class and staying back for extra lessons, which I don’t think mean she is scholarly inclined. As for Kotoko. F class, anyone? In terms of physical accomplishments, that’s even less of a contest.

Strongest Personality: Hikari, Special A
Hikari comes in first for both her integrity and capabilities, as well as the strong fiber of her spine. Kotoko comes in second for standing up to Naoki and for facing her lack of success in the matters of love. Yuuki comes in last because boy, the one thing I dislike about Vampire Knight is how useless the girl is. She is the biggest damsel in distress since Otoro of Basilisk, but fortunately she isn’t as irritating. And she’s prettier. But seriously, will you STOP getting rescued again and again and AGAIN? (Ok, this is influenced by manga reading. So far in the anime she has only been rescued twice. TWICE in 20 minutes.)

Kawaii-est: Yuuki, Vampire Knight
Poor Kotoko. Yes, you didn’t get a single first. But I’ll rank you second here because despite your old school design, you are pretty cute. It’s a tough fight between you and Hikari, though. She’s quite cute with the faces she made at all the kya~~~~ her schoolmates utter… But oh well. She’s only occasionally cute, while Kotoko is cute as a rule. Yuuki though, she has the advantage of great character design, and in her chibi form, those big, round eyes just turn people into mush.

Most Suitable Voice: Kotoko, Itazura na Kiss
Finally I can give you one in good conscience. To be honest, all of the seiyuus for the three main characters are suitable for their characters. But Kotoko, voiced by Mizuki Nana (Hinata from Naruto, Moka Akashiya from Rosario + Vampire), brings the less than stellar character design alive. If I continue on that anime, a lot of it would be because of how the seiyuu brought Kotoko to life. Gotou Yuuko (Hikari) and Horie Yui (Yuuki) are both spectacular in their portrayals as well.

Male Leads

Best Character Design: Zero, Vampire Knight
It’s a close fight between Kaname and Zero, but because Kaname is so lushly bishounen and vaguely androgynous, I’ll go for the more manly Zero. Kei is bishie, but well, what’s with those two beetle antennas on the top of his head? As for Naoki, sure, he’s a vast improvement over the original manga, but… he can’t really stand against the others, all of whom are the top of bishie-ness.

Coolest: Kaname, Vampire Knight
I’m tempted to put Zero, but he was quite impulsive in the first episode, and his seizures at the bathroom and garden isn’t all that cool. At least, not yet. Kaname, on the other hand, has everything under control. I didn’t like Kei for this because of his blushing at the end of the first episode; that together with the half opened mouth and stunned look on his face is so completely uncool. And Naoki. … … … Who is Naoki, again?

Most Accomplished: Kei, Special A
No contest, here. With more insights on Kaname, he might be up for this (because I’m betting he can kick everyone’s and anyone’s ass), but we don’t know much of him so far. Naoki is a contender because of his academic achievements, but Kei is both academically and physically accomplished. Zero is at the bottom of his game right at this moment, so he’s last.

Most Attractive Personality: Zero, Vampire Knight
Kei comes in second because it’s so obvious he’s in love with Hikari, who is just as obviously ignorant of that fact. The trust he shows her, as well as the way he defends her even as he believes in her capabilities to take care of herself. However, his attitude of superiority is irritating, which is why he loses to Zero, who is trying so hard to control himself, and succeeding. Not to mention the fact that Zero is quite funny at times, which is a good contrast when we all know how tragic his life has been. Kaname is cool and not much else, as far as the first episode goes. As for Naoki… … … who? I don’t remember any arrogant, elitist (although mildly funny) bastard.

Most Suitable Voice: Zero, Vampire Knight
I’m trying so hard to make it non-monopoly, but I’m not succeeding. *chagrined* Kishio Daisuke (Kaname) was a close one, but Mamoru Miyano (Zero) is ranked better because there is more range for him to perform, as oppose to Kaname who remains constant. Fukuyama Jun (Kei) is a great seiyuu, but IMO I didn’t like his performance in Special A that much. That might because I thought Kei’s voice should be more… firm and less… gentle. More like, say, Lelouch than Itsuki (Rental Magica). As for Hirakawa Daisuke (Naoki), his voice seems a bit too deep for Naoki. But he didn’t have a lot of lines, so I’m reserving judgement.

Final Verdict

Personally, I enjoyed Vampire Knight the most, but I really don’t think much of the female lead except for the fact that she’s really pretty. Still, it has the best male lead, so I’ll be watching it. Special A is interesting, but somehow it’s a lot more shoujo-ish than I thought, what with the sparkling stars and rosy tints. It’s giving out the same vibes as Ouran High School Host Club, except that Ouran doesn’t take itself seriously, while I’m not sure whether the sparkles in S.A. are to be made fun of or not.

Itazura na Kiss is old school, and I think that no one can say that it doesn’t lose out in terms of design and animation. Still, the story is interesting, and it is a classic. I’m still not sure if I’ll be watching it or not, though. Just not my cup of tea, especially when I never did like slice of life.

In English, the title means “In a Distance Time 3: Crimson Moon”. A pretty title, somewhat poetic, as fitting for an anime that is adapted from a game very popular among females. This OVA is an hour long animation that has no beginning, no ending, and a lot of pretty men. Not a very attractive description to most people, I suppose. But is there something more? Is it more than just any reverse fan-service male harem anime?

Preliminaries

Take into consideration that I have not play the game (or any of the games), I have not watched more than 1 episode of the anime prequel Harukanaru Toki no Naka de: Hachiyou Shou (2004), having been told that it is a brainless anime without much substance that is remarkably similar in premise to Fushigi Yuugi. (I can’t disagree, judging from the one and only episode I’ve watched.) I’m watching the anime as a figurative blank page.

To help people just as clueless as me, though, here’s a brief background (from what I’ve gathered from the anime, as well as supplementary material from Wikipedia):

Nozomi, Masaomi and Yuzuru are students in our world. One day, the White Dragon transports them to a distant world. Masaomi is separated from them. Nozomi and Yuzuru meet the Genji clan, and are taken in by them. They realize that the world they are in now is the midst of war between the Genji clan and the Heike clan. Nozomi, chosen by the White Dragon, is now the Miko (priestess) of the White Dragon, and she is determined to end the war and restore peace to the world.

Somewhere along the way, she gathers a harem around her and reunites with Masaomi, who has already spent 3 and a half years (as opposed to Nozomi’s half year… I don’t know how that works, either) in this world. This anime starts off at the point when their group is on the way to ask the Kumano clan to join the Genji clan in the war against the Heike.

Some Character Introductions

Kasuga Nozomi (left) (Voiced by Kawakami Tomoko)
The heroine of the anime, Nozomi is the Miko (priestess) of the White Dragon, who has apparently given her the power to seal evil spirits. She is a student from our world, and has been transported by the White Dragon to this feudal Japan-ish world to save the world, or do something similar. She is also more like Hitomi (Escaflowne) than Miaka (Fushigi Yuugi) in terms of personality. Not a shrinking violet, though you can’t tell at the beginning of the anime.

Arikawa Masaomi (right) (Voiced by Miki Shinichirou)
The hero (?) of the anime, Masaomi has been separated from Nozomi and his brother Yuzuru when they were bought to the new world. As a result, he has been integrated into the new world for 3 and a half years. He carries a very large sword across his back, and is apparently a good warrior. What happened to him in those 3+ years, though, is instrumental to his behavior and actions.

Minamoto no Kurō Yoshitsune (top left) (Voiced by Seki Tomokazu)
Kurou is a general of the Genji army, one of the two opposing powers in this world. He’s a bit impulsive, and he has the MOST bizarre hair out of all the bizarre hairs in this anime.
His brother is the leader of the Genji.

Arikawa Yuzuru (top middle) (Voiced by Nakahara Shigeru)
Yuzuru is Masaomi’s brother, and he was brought to this world along with Nozomi. He wears spectacles and can apparently shoot a bow.

Musashibō Benkei (top right) (Voiced by Miyata Kouki)
Benkei is Kurou’s good friend and is soft spoken and calm. His hair is almost as bizarre as Kurou’s, but not quite so. He is also the character that I most want to plant a fist to his face. There’s just something about his character design…

Ridvan (centre left) (Voiced Ishida Akira)
Called Sensei by Nozomi, apparently because he taught her to fight (?), Ridvan is taciturn, so much so that the talents of the seiyuu is practically unnecessary. And yes, he has the 2nd most bizarre hair in the anime.

Hakuryu (centre middle)
He is apparently the White Dragon who brought Nozomi and company into this world. For what reason, it wasn’t explained in the anime.

Hinoe (centre right) (Voiced by Takahashi Naozumi)
Red haired and flirtatious, his identity is revealed early in the anime.

Taira no Atsumori (bottom left) (Voiced by Hoshi Souichirou)
Member of the Heike clan, the opponent of the Genji clan, also known as the other power in this warring world. Not much more is said about him in the anime.

Kajiwara Kagetoki (bottom middle) (Voiced by Inoue Kazuhiko)
A military commander of the Genji clan, he uses a gun in battle. He is apparently quite strong as a warrior and closely linked to the war as a war leader.

Kajiwara Saku (bottom right) (Voiced by Kuwashima Houko)
The only female in the screenshot above… not that anyone could tell. She is the Miko (priestess) of the Black Dragon, and can apparently stop evil spirits. She is also the sister of Kagetoki.

And so, with as little spoilers as possible, what I can say?

At the very first glance, the sheer amount of bishounens and the tendency of throwing-you-into-the-middle-of-the-tale-without-explanations don’t give a favorable impression. Don’t get me wrong; bishies are great. But when those bishies come with bizarre, multi-colored hair and exotic clothing, many of whom looked more feminine than me, well… you don’t have much expectation of its plot-worthiness. It’s the same kind of impression/prejudice I have when I see a show with scanty women burdened with gargantuan, barely clad breasts and who are either always falling clumsily or waiting to be rescued, or both.

The first 15 minutes of the anime is spent introducing the world and the characters (sort of). However, all the characters have already gathered prior to the show; Nozomi and Yuzuru are already in the world, and they have already reunited with Masaomi. Nothing was said about why they were in this world, and how they met up with Masaomi. You are expected to know, and for someone who has absolutely no background knowledge at all, it’s a load of boring what-the-hell-is-going-on?

But surprisingly, there is more to this anime than that. Putting aside the what-the-hell-ness, if you pay attention to the anime, some of the background comes through, so that become less of a problem as the anime goes on.

The next 15 minutes of the anime is spent describing an attack on a random village, and how the group defends the villagers. Some pseudo-philosophy on how unforgivable and cruel war is, and the likes. There is even some romance, such as it is, between Masaomi and Nozomi. If you call blushing and running away romance.

Oops. That’s a spoiler. Sort of. I will try to restrain myself.

Another 15 minutes section is then given to the group, somewhat smaller than before, who is plunked down straight into the midst of the war. Revelations were made, and then suddenly, the story is moving at a strong pace, and Nozomi is no longer an acceptable but rather cardboard character. Hey, the girl can fight. She can really fight. She’s not a shrinking violet wringing her hands at the background, screaming like a ninny at the slightest provocation. She goes into the thick of things, and not only does she fight, she has a personality to match up with it.

It took half of the anime to get me to realize that fact. But there it is. There’s a kick ass heroine in this anime.

Suddenly, I’m not just watching to laugh at the unbearable bizarre hair and reverse harem. Suddenly, there’s a plot that makes sense, because little things revealed throughout the first half of the anime have added up to form a wholesome picture. Suddenly, the less than stellar animation doesn’t matter as much as the fast paced scenes unfolding in front of your eyes.

The last 15 minutes of the show is very much Nozomi-focused. She lives up to her potential as a strong woman, and makes decisions to turn fate around. The best part of the show, IMO, is in the last 15 minutes.

But the Ending…

BUT. The ending is horrible. If you decide to watch the anime, be warned that it doesn’t actually end anything or anywhere; it’s more like a prologue. The climax, the meat of the story, is what happens after the ending of this anime. I have no idea if that means that this anime is a prequel of the game, or there is something planned after this. Maybe it’s a prologue special to a TV anime. If so, I am so watching it. After all, Masaomi is kind of cute, and his relationship with Nozomi gained a lot of depth by the end of the OVA.

Another thing to note is that while this is, allegedly, a reverse harem, the fact is that there is only one person Nozomi has eyes for. As for the others, the anime is too short to determine whether the other guys are flirting with her for fun, or because they truly have less than platonic interest in her. So there’s no angsty love triangle, which might be off putting to some people.

In fact, the angst, despite potentially angst-worthy plot, is fairly well contained and not overwhelming. And that’s mostly because neither of the two main characters are the type to wring their hands. Which is, of course, the main reason why this anime is worth watching.

In a Nutshell…

Animation: Lush, still background, but in terms of animation, more could have been done. It’s not bad; it just isn’t all that wonderful, especially for an OVA. Fight scenes were pretty abyssal, though magical scenes are fairly well done.

Music: BGM is pretty and appropriate; theme song (both OP and ED) is good, sung by the seiyuu for Masaomi, Miki Shinichirou.

Story: If you ignore the fact that it has no beginning and no ending, it’s actually quite interesting. A bit cliché, especially with regards to the main characters, but delivered well, which made all the difference.

Characters: This is, in fact, the gem of the anime. The key ingredient that saved the anime from being a laughable and very boring reverse harem. Sure, most of the side characters don’t have much of a screen time, but Nozomi is very well portrayed, and Masaomi, despite the fact that not much is said about him, has a character that comes through.

Seiyuu acting: A couple of big names there, and they are all good. I especially like the seiyuu for Nozomi, because she managed to construct Nozomi’s strong personality just by using her voice.

Eye-candy: Definitely. Especially if you are female and straight, or male and gay. (But only if you can ignore, or you actually like bizarre hair.) And if you like strong women, well, this is for you as well.

I went a bit overboard with screenshots. An entire afternoon wasted there. Oh well. Enjoy.

Not an anime, but hey, this was adapted from a manga and there was an anime with 2 seasons adapted from the same source, so I think it has its place here.

The dorama (drama) for Honey and Clover is finally here. I’m sure the English subs will be out sooner or later, but in the meanwhile, here’s a sneak peak at the first episode, and yours truly purely subjective view on the characters, plot, and themes of this manga-turned-dorama.

Resolutions are crappy, but for the sake of bringing it to the readers early, I used a source that is fast but hard on the eyes.

By the way, keep in mind that I’m a newcomer to the entire Honey and Clover franchise. I’ve not read the manga, I’ve only watched the first episode of the anime, and my only reason for watching the drama is because I have a starry-eyed and heart-pounding crush on Ikuta Toma, a.k.a. the actor who plays Yuuta.

The Characters

Played by the incomparable Ikuta Toma, Takemoto Yuuta is the narrator and main protagonist of Honey and Clover. He’s rather easily bullied by Morita and Mayama, his two closest friends, but on the other hand the ability to take it all in good humor is an illustration of his character.

In the first episode, he falls in love (at first sight) with Hagu, the heroine of the tale. And I feel for him, especially when he is perceptive enough to see the attraction between Morita and Hagu. And the way he accepts it even though it must hurt him.

Ikuta Toma did a really good job here. I couldn’t decipher much of Nakatsu (of the Hama Kimi Japanese version fame) in his acting, and yet I can’t help laughing at his antics and the way he gets so good-naturedly bullied. And poor guy, he seems to be unable to shrug off the curse of being the guy who loves but is not loved back.

At least there isn’t a lack of Hagu and Yuuta scenes in the first episode.

The costume he has on though, deserves some more mentioning. He’s wearing shorts, for heaven’s sake! He looks sooooooooo young. And the hair style!!! He looks completely like his early Johnny Junior days.

Played by a fifteen year old Narumi Riko, Hanamoto Hagumi is a shy, quiet, and genius painter who is a first year student in the art school everyone is attending. I can’t say much about her, except that she looks a lot more mature than her age, to the state of looking even a bit older than Toma as Yuuta.

She also looks like a ghost in certain scenes, because of the baggy white sack (I suppose the PC term is dress) she’s wearing. Very eerie looking.

By the way, I have absolutely no idea what is so great about her painting that won first place in the competition. Sure, great colours, but how on earth did that surreal mix of orange and red depict sakura blossoms over a pool? Obviously, I don’t have much of an artistic scene.

Played by Noda… I mean Narimiya Hiroki (Gokusen, Nana), Morita Shinobu is handsome and quirky, and apparently hides a talent for sculpture under that playboy appearance. Initially, just from watching the first episode, I thought that he likes Yamada, but then from research on Wiki it turned out to be otherwise. Nonetheless, I find him interesting enough.

I especially like that sculpture he did. Very evocative, very vivid. Much nicer to me than Hagu’s painting.

I also like the way he can be serious and playful. He’s cute. Looking forward to more with him.

Played by Mukai Osamu (don’t know what else he played), Mayama Takumi is a bespectacled architect-to-be who has a crush on his boss, Harada Rika, an older woman. He is also the crush of Yamada, and brushed her off most cruelly in the first episode. Nonetheless, I enjoyed how this calm looking guy could go all insensible and ran through the rain because of a phone call from his crush.

His interactions with Morita is also something very enjoyable to watch.

Harada Natsuki plays Yamada Ayumi, the clay sculpture girl who is in love with Mayama and a good friend of the other guys. She seems quite nice, with none of the cattiness in those stereotypical school dramas. The actress also has very expressive facial expressions. She reminds me of some dramas that I’ve watched, but I just can’t remember what.

The Story…

Yuuta, a third year student of an art school, walks under the sakura blossoms in thoughtful silence. As he stops to admire the beauty of falling petals, something seems to call his attention. He turns his head to see a girl kneeling by the pool, dropping petals into water. And so he falls in love at first sight.

Unfortunately, from a distance his friends call his name, and he is grabbed by Morita and thrown into a push cart being pulled by his other friend, Mayama. The force of Morita’s grasp pulls a button off his shirt, and the girl picks that button up as Morita and Mayama kidnaps Yuuta.

The purpose of kidnapping Yuuta is apparently because of the famed curry that some club is distributing to all first year students. Yuuta, in his shorts and sweaters, looks young enough to pull it off, which is why Mayama and Morita have grabbed him. Unfortunately, Yuuta is found out, and they have to find another way to obtain the curry.

And so the three of them sneak into the club’s kitchen, disguised as the next shift. Just as they are about to eat the curry on the plate that Morita has produced, they are interrupted by Yamada, who is the owner of that plate, something that she had made in anticipation of a contest. Yamada attempts to kick them, but only Yuuta is unable to avoid the blow. Yamada then yells for the club to come back, and Yuuta and company flees.

Through the speakers, a teacher calls for Yuuta to meet him for attempting to murder him by not parking his push cart properly. That push cart has crashed through the teacher Hanamoto’s bike, dismembering it immediately.

All four of them go to Hanamoto-sensei’s room, where Yuuta tries to defend himself but could not, and they share a moment of bickering friendship. At that moment, a crush comes from inside Hanamoto-sensei’s room, and they went in to see Hagumi (Hagu) lying in a pool of pink paint. Yuuta is surprised (pleasantly, I think) to see that Hagumi, introduced as Hanamoto-sensei’s relative, is the girl he had seen under the sakura blossoms.

Yamada and the three guys have lunch, and Mayama mentions a book that he needs to be able to write up a paper, so that he could apply to join some masterclass. Hearing this, Yamada immediately sets out to look for the book through many, many, many bookstores. In the meantime, Yuuta and his two friends are starved back inside the apartment that they apparently shared (in different rooms).

Hanamoto-sensei shows Hagu around the school, and Hagu sees Morita’s sculpture, and is completely stunned. She is then inspired to paint. Running back to her workroom, she begins to furiously paint with swatches of pink.

Back in the apartment, Yuuta and company meets a returned senpai (didn’t quite get his name) who provides them with ham. After gorging on a feast of ham, that senpai talks about many words that are made up of two syllables. (I don’t quite get this significance, but maybe it’s cultural, or a nod to people savvy to the franchise.)

That night, Yuuta and Morita spend the night over at Mayama’s place. Yuuta and Mayama talk about Yuuta’s crush on Hagu, and Yuuta wants to hear Hagu speaks (up to this point, she has not yet spoken).

The next day, Morita sells an obnoxious sculpture (I think it’s ugly, by the way). They meet Yamada on the corridor, who shows Mayama the book that he is looking for. She asks for an Italian dinner in return for that book. While Mayama agrees at first, he then received a phone call from his boss, Rika, who asks him to work for him. Agreeing immediately, he drops everything (including his application for his master class as well as the promise he has made to Yamada) and runs off in the rain.

Yamada is left forlornly clutching the book to herself, while Morita and Yuuta look on in sympathy.

Morita and Yuuta then see the results of the art competition that Morita had participated and won for 7 consecutive years. This year, though, Hagu’s painting is the winner. When Morita sees Hagu’s painting, he stood there stunned for a long moment before running off, which Yuuta desperately chasing after him.

When Morita finally bursts into Hanamoto-sensei’s room, he hugs the surprised Hagu (looking completely normal and cute, for once) by hugging her. Yuuta, watching from the door, is shocked and probably don’t feel all that jolly.

After being separated by Hanamoto-sensei, Morita tells Hagu how he is touched by the painting. And Hagu, speaking for the first time in the drama, replies that she loves his sculpture too. Yuuta, standing at the doorway, got his wish of hearing Hagu speak, but he does not understand why he doesn’t feel happy about it. (baka… why else?)

Yamada is crying over her clay, and Morita arrives. They talk, in very subtle context, about Yamada’s crush. Morita cheers her up. In the meantime, Yuuta talks to Hanamoto-sensei about Hagu’s genius, and how Hanamoto-sensei would have run away if he had Hagu’s ability. Yuuta is thoughtful.

Mayama, together with Rika, hand in Rika’s project and leave. Rika drops a bomb on Mayama about him working for her ending soon. Mayama is stunned by unable to say anything.

Morita cheers Yamada up by saying that a war cannot be won on an empty stomach. And so, hearing from Yamada about the temperature of the oven (in which she uses to turn shaped clay into ceramic, he says that it’s perfect.

Morita calls Yuuta, who is looking at Hagu’s painting. After which Yuuta calls Mayama.

On the way to the convenient store, Yuuta sees Hagu and finally manages to talk to her. After that, they go together to meet up with Morita, Yamada and a returned Mayama, whereby it is revealed that Morita had apparently used the oven for making ceramics to make pizza. (eeks. Think about the hygiene…)

They take the pizza, drinks, alcohol, and assorted others back outside until the sakura, and they talk, eat, and bond with each other. Yuuta thinks about how they will always remember this moment when all five of them are together.

Afterthoughts

I love Ikuta Toma, but for the first episode, Morita is the one who shines through the most. Poor Yuuta, though. I root for him, I really do.

This dorama is full of beautiful imagery, as befits the tale of art students, I suppose. The sakura blossoms are probably the most prevalent imagery, and that, when put together with the soulful music, is an awesome blend.

I have no experience with Honey and Clover beforehand, so I am pleasantly surprised with the blend of seriousness and comedy. I think the best way to describe it is a humorous romance, because in the end, the key issue of this show seems to be about relationships; the love triangles (Yuuta, Hagu, Morita; Mayama, Yamada, Rika; Morita, Yamada, Mayama) are important, but I personally think that the best part of the show is the interaction between friends. Because outside of the love triangles, there is so much chemistry between the characters that it’s very easy to see that they are best of friends.

For a first episode, this is actually pretty well done in terms of character development and plot movement. There is story to tell here, and there isn’t any dragging of feet like a lot of dramas. I like it, and I’ll be watching more of it.

And of course, Ikuta Toma is still the best.

I don’t know, do you get any yuri vibes from Rita and Tina gazing into each other’s eyes, or am I thinking too much?

Watching Sisters of Wellber II has been mildly interesting, but not much more than that. The last season started with a bang, but ended in a rushed sort of flop (which is somewhat of an accomplishment). This season promises an equal amount of clichés and fan gratifications, if the first episode is any kind of measuring stick.

And so you may ask, what is the point of watching Sisters of Wellber II, then?

There is no denying that it has an archetypal (or should I say stereotypical?) plot, one that has been rinsed and reused through years of anime history and millenniums of literary history. Replace Tina and Rita with Frodo and Sam, or with Dorothy and her little dog; replace the goal of stopping a war with winning one, or simply wanting to go home; you will get Sisters of Wellber. There is very little originality in terms of plot in the story. It’s like a melting pot of various ideas, none of which is terribly original.

But the question I have is this: Does it matter?

A Brief Intro to the Sisters of Wellber I + II Episode 1

Our heroine, Rita-hime, who is pretty and pretty handy with a sword.

1) Princess Rita stabs her fiancé, Prince Gernia Han, to protect herself, but created a potential situation of war between her country and Gernia’s country.
2) She flees with the help of Tina, a thief who accidentally saw the whole thing.
3) They had many adventures while making their way to the Kingdom of Greedom, the subject of their quest, which is apparently able to negotiate peace between their two countries.
4) In the last couple of episodes, they blow up Gernia’s Weapon of Mass Destruction (it’s a battleship… I think) and caused the death of Prince Gernia, with the help of the latter’s once faithful companion, Galahad.
5) Peace returns through Gernia’s death, and Rita and Tina arrive in Greedom in style before separating to continue their respective businesses.

And if I recap episode 1 of season 2, this is what happened:

1) Tina gets clues about who is her family’s killer, the Shinigami Bee.
2) Tina kidnaps a willing Rita from the palace of Greedom to go on a journey with her to chase after said killer, along with the companions of the road (can you say Fellowship of the Ring?).
3) …

So essentially, episode 1 reunites Tina and Rita (insert innuendo as desired) with their other friends, introduces the object of their new quest (Tina’s family’s killer), and describes the start of the journey.

Fellowship of the Bee

Two of the Fellowship, Tina and her beau Jin. Rita, the machine, the fairy and Galahad the ikemen are the rest of the Fellowship.

It reminds me very much of Lord of the Rings… except with a heavier dose of cliché and femininity, and a lighter dose of complexities or light-vs.-darkness dichotomy. And I don’t really mean that the storyline is the same; I meant the plot. Or rather, the essential bones of the story. They are both stories of quests; they both have a pair of steadfast friends (again, insert innuendo as desired, strangely appropriate considering the rumors regarding Frodo and Sam) as the main characters; and both sets of the main characters are surrounded by their Fellowship.

Of course, there isn’t an archenemy in Sisters of Wellber. But there is an ultimate goal; in Season II, that goal is apparently the Shinigami Bee.

But enough of the comparisons. Sisters of Wellber takes its story from a lot of different sources. Suffice to say that it is hardly original.

So Why am I Watching it Again?

Galahad. This is part of the reason I’m watching it.

Personally, my attraction to it is pretty shallow. Firstly, it has a beautiful OP. I’m partial to instrumental, and for that season, Sisters of Wellber had the best OP (Uninstall of Bokurano wins the second place). Piano, bells, and a soothing female voice. Bliss.

And then there were the main characters. Good character design, and hey, here are two kick-ass heroines who retained their femininity without resorting to tasteless fan service. What’s not to like?

And then the key ingredient, Galahad, the good looking guy. And yes, I like animes with good looking guys. So sue me.

These are the three things that got me to watch the first and second episode. After that, it was mostly because of the characters.

I do not like the moe fairy, but I do like the three main characters (Rita, Tina and Galahad, although Galahad is not strictly a main character), and even with the illogical plot, it’s enough to get me going.

And I like the way the producers end each episode with a recap of the episode and the strangely lyrical countdown.

Presentation, not Plot

An obligatory suspicious looking man who will never appear again. Nope, not new. But hey, I kind of like that shifty look.

I admit, I don’t place a lot of emphasis on plot. Consider, there are only so many new ideas in the world. And unless it’s a masterpiece of its time (preferably an earlier time), there are very little works that are truly original.

Jane Austen isn’t the first person who wrote about vastly different sisters dealing with their first taste of love (Sense and Sensibility was a drag to read, by the way); Shakespeare certainly wasn’t the first to write about star-crossed lovers or tragic deaths (both the Chinese legend of the Butterfly Lovers and the Greek tragedies dated earlier). What made them a success then?

I don’t know about Jane Austen, because to this day I’m still extremely unimpressed with her offerings (no offense to her or her fans; this is strictly my opinion… or my lack, if you prefer). But I’ve been told that her dry sarcasm and stinging wit is the winning formula.

And as for Shakespeare… I certainly don’t read him because of his plot originality. For heaven’s sake, he used existing legends, folklore and stories for his plays! I read his works because of the way he plays with languages, and the way he can make me burst out in laughter despite the fact that it was written in a form of English that I’m not terribly familiar with.

There is only a finite amount of ingredients in this world. So the way these ingredients are put together is the essential key.

Most storytellers or writers aren’t the grower of fruits and vegetables, or the rearer of cows and pigs. They are mostly chefs and cooks. They choose the ingredients according to their budget, and they cook what they can.

A bad cook can kill a dish with the best fois gras and cavier (Le Chevalier d’Eon); a good cook can produce a tasty feast with simple carrots and low grade minced beef (Claymore).

Presentation. With enough determination, awareness of what the audience likes, and the willingness to work for it, a simple hamburger can be made wonderful.

Characters, not just Presentation

Hey, how many times do you see a machine blushes? Does that count for originality?

But even with the best of presentation, sometimes the show would still fall flat. Appleseed has awesome CGI, lush background, and cool action sequences. But it’s the kind of film that I can turn away from right in the middle of an action sequence, without even a second thought.

Why?

Because the heroine doesn’t interest me. In fact, none of the characters interests me enough to make me want to continue watching. (again, no offense, blah blah blah)

On the other hand, an anime with less stellar animation can glue me to my computer every week. It can even make me go out and buy the DVD, if it ever lowers itself to come to my shores.

For example, an anime like Kaze no Stigma.

There are specific bones that I can grind with the producers for this particular anime; the bath scenes in the awful hot spring episode are images that I desperately want to scrap away from my mind’s eyes. But despite everything, I want to continue watching it, because I love Kazuma (not just because he is a good looking bad ass), and I enjoy watching Ayano grow up.

So Where am I Going with All This?

I like the composition of this picture, even if the resolution leaves a lot to desire. In case you’re wondering, the three figures in the middle are the shinigami bees. Yes, there are three of them.

Coming back to Sisters of Wellber, I wouldn’t say that it was brilliant presentation. I wouldn’t even say that it has great characters. What I can say is that it has good enough presentation and interesting enough characters to make it worth watching.

And stereotypical or not, what does it matter if I like that particular stereotype?

Ass-kicking girls. Suki!
Good-looking guys. Suki!
Ass-kicking girls and good-looking guys going on quests to save the(ir) world. Dai suki!

Hey, do you have any idea how many fantasies go on the Lord of the Ring route? And do you have any idea how many of those fantasies I’ve read and liked?

Seriously. Plot originality is overrated. I’ll go for interesting characters and fresh presentation everyday.

Afterword

PS: Apologies for my absence from blogsphere. In November, it was mostly due to Nano; my absence in December can only be attributed to sheer laziness and/or work (the former more than the latter).

Also, last season was Boring with a capital B. As a result, I’ve become entranced with Japanese dorama (drama), mostly because of Yamashita Tomohisa and Toma Ikuta, the latter of which has also created a love for the term ikemens that has hencefore replaced most of my love for the term bishies.

By the way, I don’t know if I’ll be reviewing Sisters of Wellber II. It has been a pretty ordinary and logic-bending (as per normal) anime so far, so I’ll probably just watch, enjoy, and forget. Don’t know how much I’ve got to say, but in the end, I’m looking for entertainment, not the next Nobel Prize winner.

Still, episode 2 is a lot more interesting than episode 1, and episode 3 promises a lot more depth and emotion than I’ve seen previously. I’m waiting with bated breath.

Like Fushigi Yugi, Saiunkoku Monogatari is an anime filled with bishounens. The four portrayed here are just the tip (albeit wonderfully beautiful tips) of the iceberg of bishie-ness.

Apologies for the delay. I’ve been busy. And then I had to struggle with my listing, because I just couldn’t quite make up my mind for the top three ranking. But anyway. Here it is.

As sister post to Top Ten “Old” Bishounens, this top ten list is somewhat similar. The only difference is that the criteria has been changed to animes produced and/or finished after Fall 2005. That is my definition of “new”. Bishounens also refer generally to good looking guys, so there is no age limit and/or feministic connotations. For more details on my definitions, click on the above link for the “Old” bishounen list.

The Top Ten “New” Bishounens list is much harder to make than the “Old” Bishounens list… because to me there are a lot more bishounens in “new” animes than “old”. This is mostly due to personal preference, as I dislike old school style as a rule. As a result of this “spoilt for choice”, I have an extra category for runner-ups, those who almost but didn’t quite make it to the list. Reasons are given below.

Of course, keep in mind that these are all my opinion. Feel free to disagree with me, and I’ll reserve the right to do the same. After all, there are enough bishounens in the anime world for all of us.

I also hope to see more spots of pink in the anime blogsphere. Come on, people, I’m sure there is as much interest in bishounens — if not more — as in lolis.

Again, the names are arranged in the original Japanese manner of surname before given name, except for non-Japanese names, which is given as normal.

Runner-up Category

Train Heartnet from Black Cat (top left): His guise as Number 13, especially in the first couple of episodes, is seriously cool. I love his character design and clothes then. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it to the list because his subsequent change in clothes (donut buttons??????) and personality just don’t quite meet my standard. In other words, he turned out to be less bishie than before.

Hei from Darker than Black (top right): I love him. I really do. I like him both as the emotionless assassin BK-201, and as the hapless Chinese exchange student Li-kun. He is a great character, and he made Darker than Black an extremely enjoyable anime to watch. However, he doesn’t make it to the list because he is not, strictly speaking, a bishounen. He just isn’t pretty or handsome enough to be one; it has a lot to do with his appearance. He is normal looking as Li-kun, almost like an everyday ordinary guy. He is masked as BK-201. Simply, I love him as a character, but I cannot in good conscience put him on a bishounen list.

Dante from Devil May Cry (bottom left): Yes, I blogged this anime a couple times last season, until I dropped it out of lack of time and boredom. Dante is good looking, there’s no doubt about it; his character is fun and funny at the same time, yet he is undeniably cool. Still, he didn’t make it onto the list (although he was considered) because I was rather bored by the anime, and so didn’t watch enough to really get a feel on his personality. What I did see, though, was pretty un-complex and nothing extraordinarily captivating.

Chika from Zombie Loan (bottom right): Voiced by my favorite seiyuu, I did consider him for the list, but I guess I just didn’t find him bishie enough. Sure, he’s good looking; but there are more people better looking, and some not as good looking but less of a poser and/or have more complexities to their personalities. I’m not saying I don’t like Chika, though. I would love to know more about him, in fact. I totally dislike that crappy ending. But enough said about that.

Now that I’ve cleared up some of the runner-ups, may we proceed to the main course: the top ten new bishies.

10) Otani from Lovely Complex
(Voiced by Nagata Akira)

Lovely Complex is a fairly recent anime whose final episode has just been released in English subs a couple weeks ago. The story tells the tale of a tall girl and short boy falling in love, and the trials and tribulations they have to go through in the process. It’s comedic, and it’s fun. At times, it’s even touching and heart wrenching. It’s so good that I watched it even though I’m not a fan of either romance or comedy.

Briaric point of view:
Yes, my very first selection is breaking out of the mould, because there is no denying that Otani is short. In fact, he may even be shorter than me, which is somewhat of an accomplishment because I’m quite short myself. Usually, height is an important criterion in choosing a bishounen… but in Otani’s case, his sheer wackiness overwhelms the need for height, so much so that he has even managed to squeeze his way into my top ten list. Because short as he is, there is no denying that he is very good looking… and that’s not even taking into account the fact that he is funny, sincere, clueless, and cute.

But ok, the height thing is still an issue, so he’s number 10 instead of anything higher. Not to mention the fact that he could be so baka in matters of love.

(PS: The scene in which Otani spontaneously kissed Risa is sooooooo cool, it’s pretty much a major element that got him a place on this list.)

9 ) Ootori Kyouya from Ouran High School Host Club
(Voiced by Matsukaze Masaya)

Yet another shoujo anime, yet another comedy, yet another romance. Ouran talks about the girl Haruhi and her relationship with the Host Club at Ouran High, one of whom is Kyouya, the vice president. He is not the main hero, but there are a couple of episodes that concentrate on him. He is known as the Shadow King, because he can influence the president Tamaki whenever he wants.

Kyouya is the “brains” of the host club, and hence has the intelligence of a genius and the manipulative nature of Machiavelli. He is also the “cool” type of the host club, and is the third son of a millionaire (Billionaire? Zillionaire?).

Briaric point of view:
As I said in my “old” bishies post, there is nothing sexier than a man with brains, and one who knows how to use it. Kyouya is here because he is smarter than anyone in the anime, and among one of the smartest in the entire anime world. This is especially so in the anime, when he single-handedly saved his father’s company from bankruptcy, then gave it back to him.

Outwardly, he is self-centered and manipulative, and seemingly uncaring about anyone else. Yet not-so-inwardly, he cares for Tamaki and the other members of the host club… especially Haruhi. His confidence in himself is justified, and it makes him even more attractive than ever. Not to mention, that one scene in which he took off his glasses, he looked so amazingly good looking that I could do multiple fan-girl squeals.

However, he is number 9 because of fierce competition, and the fact that his character design is rather simplistic. Still attractive, of course. But like Kyo in Fruits Basket, he sort of loses out to the others.

(PS: Yes, Ouran is one of those animes that I could pick a lot of bishies to make a list. Tamaki is good looking, if I’m inclined to the blond ditz with a golden heart type [which I’m not], and Hikaru and Kaoru are both devilish handsome, especially Hikaru who is voiced by Suzumura Kenichi. But alas, one bishie per anime means only Kyouya is in the list, because he is my favorite.)

8 ) Fay D. Flourite from Tsubasa Chronicle
(Voiced by Namikawa Daisuke)

One of the two original characters in Tsubasa Chronicle, Fay is a powerful wizard who initially refuses to use his magical powers. Through the journey with his companions, Sakura and Syaoran and Kurogane, he nonetheless displays a lot of knowledge, power, and strength in aiding the quest of collecting Sakura’s feathers. He is a character who is always smiling, but under that sunny smile is a depth that is only hinted at by the opaqueness of his eyes.

Briaric point of view:
Why Fay and not Syaoran or Kurogane? The reason is simple. While I like Syaoran and Kurogane, neither are precisely bishounens as I understand the word. Personally, I find Syaoran’s appearance is rather “next door neighbor” type, and the only that truly set him apart is the look of determination in his eyes (which I admit is a great element). Kurogane, too, is too lanky for my taste.

Fay, on the other hand, is pretty much the “standard” bishie. Not only is he blond and smiling, he is intelligent, powerful, and complex. He has a tragic back story that has yet been explored in the anime. He also has this habit of hiding everything he feels behind that smile. It is precisely this mixture of strength and complexity, all hiding under a mask of good cheer, that makes him so interesting.

And yes, that intelligence as well as that calmness in the face of danger is attractive as hell.

7 ) Mochizuki Jirou from Black Blood Brothers
(Voiced by Sakurai Takahiro)

Black Blood Brothers is a vampire anime in the romanticized tradition of Western vampires. Dracula he is not, but if anyone’s familiar with recent supernatural fiction trends, the Romantic Vampire with a Tragic Past™ started by Anne Rice has taken over the gothic bloodthirsty original. And Jirou the Silver Blade is so much like the current Romantic Vampire, I can’t help but wonder if the author is a fan of English paranormal romance.

Anyway. Personally, I think that the story is rather cliché if you read/watch a lot of English vampire novels/movies. But it has its charms, significantly because of Jirou the bishounen.

Briaric point of view:
Jirou is interesting because he is funny and serious at the same time. Not to mention the perfect features. He is strong, he has a Tragic Past™, and his interactions with Mimiko are rather funny. And of course, purely from a prejudiced and subjective point of view, I do so love vampires.

Unfortunately, though, he has an appalling fashion sense. That obnoxiously red cloak, complete with that pointy, equally obnoxious redhat quite simply irritate me. So even with perfect features and a romanticized personality/past, he doesn’t get much beyond number 7.

I mean, seriously. Aren’t you offended by that ugly, ugly, ugly hat???

6 ) Tybalt from Romeo x Juliet
(Voiced by Okiayu Ryōtarō)

Who is he, you ask? He is a character in Romeo x Juliet the non-Shakespeare anime, a character who first appears when rescuing Juliet from being bisected (or was it beheaded?) by evil henchmen. Later, it is revealed that he is closely related to both the Capulet family and the Montague family, though in different ways.

Briaric point of view:
I’m sure anyone who watched Romeo x Juliet would know who Tybalt is. He is the man who overshadows the main character Romeo, the latter of whom remained a spineless wimp for the first 20 episodes of the anime. He overshadows Romeo, because 1) his personality is strong and cynical as opposed to Romeo’s soft-heartedness and naivety, and 2) his features are a grown-up, mature version of Romeo’s boyish looks. Quite simply, he possesses the physical attractiveness of Romeo (green eyes, black hair, refined features) but without that jarring soft-jaw, teeth-gritting weakness exhibited in the roundness of baby fat in his face.

And yes, I do not like Romeo, at least not for most of the series.

If I can only use one word to describe Tybalt, I would call him “strong”. Physically as a swordsman who first appeared wielding double swords (is there anything cooler than a man fighting competently with double swords?); mentally as a fighter who contrasts Juliet’s indecisiveness and uselessness at that time; emotionally as a man who eclipses Romeo’s immaturity and rose-tinted vision.

On one hand, he rescues Juliet but doesn’t cosset her. On the other hand, when Juliet begins to stand on her own feet, he does not overwhelm or hinder her and instead allow her to be independent and strong.

The only reason he isn’t further up the list is because he appeared only infrequently, and there just isn’t enough time to explore his personality. And because of this, it makes him a fairly two dimensional character. A wonderful and amazingly attractive character, yes, but not particularly complex.

5 ) Yagami Kazuma from Kaze no Stigma
(Voiced by Ono Daisuke)

Kaze no Stigma is the first anime that I blogged; it is also the first anime that I finished blogging. It has a special spot in my heart.

The story tells the tale of Kazuma, a man who has entered a contract with the Wind Spirit King. He arrives back in Japan after a couple years of absence and his exile from his fire-wielding family, the Kannagi. He reunites with his brother Ren and his cousin Ayano, the latter of whom he begins to build a subtle and romantic relationship with.

Briaric point of view:
I guess no one is surprised Kazuma is on this list. The only surprise would probably be that he isn’t higher up.

Now, I admit that I fangirl all over Kazuma in Kaze no Stigma. He is exceptionally good looking, and not in the boyish way a lot of anime characters are made to go for. There is a distinct masculine cast on his features, and I admit that is a very compelling factor.

But more important, Kazuma has a personality that romance fans would call the “bad boy” type. The kind of callous, alpha, sarcastic, and not-very-nice sort of character, one who could be summed up in a word: “jerk”. I love Kazuma, but I’ve got to admit that he isn’t always very nice. And therein lays a lot of the attraction.

But there are other attractions other than the bad boy aura and his exceptional face. There is his capability for devotion, for example. There are also his sarcastic comments that always make me laugh out loud, and his intelligence that makes me swoon. And then there is that strength, which is without equal in any other human being in the anime.

The reason he is not higher is because… he looks awful naked.

(Excuse me, half-naked.)

The episode with the hot spring was not only a crappy waste of time, it also ruined my appreciation for his sheer male beauty. I just don’t understand how a guy so good looking could look so ridiculous in a towel and nothing else. That “fan service” for female fans is as alluring as wet, dirty socks.

4 ) Naru a.k.a. Shibuya Kazuya from Ghost Hunt
(Voiced by Tai Yuuki)

Naru is the main male character in Ghost Hunt, and he pretty much carries the entire anime. The couple of episodes at the end were fairly lackluster without him, in my opinion.

Anyway. Ghost Hunt is a paranormal-mystery sort of anime, complete with ghosts, evil spirits, Christian exorcism, Buddhist chants, Taoist magic, Shinto prayers, and plain old psychic-ness. In progressing story arcs, we follow the point of view of Mai Taniyama, a member of Naru’s paranormal team (well, sort of), as they solve various paranormal mysteries. As each arc is told, more and more are revealed of the main characters. Naru’s past, in particular, is especially interesting.

The interesting thing about Ghost Hunt is that even without the bishies (of which there are plenty), there are enough twists and suspense that would keep you guessing and entranced until the very last moment. Let’s just say that it’s my favorite anime last year and probably this year as well, and leave it at that.

Briaric point of view:
Yes, I’m a big Naru fan. He rarely smiles, he is sarcastic, he is cold, and he has serious personality Issues. But so what? His scarcity of smiles only makes the rare smile that did appear all the more precious; his sarcasm and the reaction it causes in Mai only make the anime more entertaining. His coldness is just a side effect of his sheer intelligence and abilities; his personality Issues are quite simply the cornerstone of the anime. Come on, who wants to watch a humble Naru anyway? This is also the reason why I’ve always preferred the real Naru rather than the dream Naru, even back when I thought them to be one and the same.

And I’m repeating myself, but intelligence = sexy. To be honest, Naru isn’t as good looking as, say, Jirou. He probably isn’t as good looking as some characters in this anime. But no one else has his sheer charisma, or the way his eyes deepen with comprehension when he solves a mystery.

And then there are the times when he lets down the exterior cold mask. When he distracts Mai through entertainment, for example. When he saves her from falling or being crushed or whatever. When he smiles, for goodness sake!

He is number 4 because in terms of physical (and shallow) beauty he may not be at the top of the list yet.

(PS: yes, yes, I know. Lin-sama. Bou-san. Yasuhara-san. And just in case, John-san. I repeat, one character per anime. Anyway, Bou-san is my second favorite. Natural leadership quality plus strength plus funny. Way more attractive than anyone else except for Naru. *winks*)

Ok, from here on is the tough choice. I couldn’t really decide on my top three, so I decided to analyze it purely in terms of the “bi” (美, literally “beautiful”) criteria. As a result, the following is highly disputable… even for me.

3 ) Akidzuki Yōjirō from Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto
(Voiced by Daisuke Namikawa)

Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto (boy, that’s a mouthful) is a samurai anime with some elements of magic and the supernatural. The main character is Akidzuki, who is the Eternal Assassin, destined to seal the Head of the Conqueror, the Source of All Evil (more or less). For a time, he travels with this useless woman Yuyama, who is an actress and leader of a theatre troupe. Eventually, it is revealed that his relationship with this woman is not as simple as it seems.

The story is heavy on the historical details; not easy viewing for laymen and laywomen (like I am) of Japanese history. Nonetheless, the show managed to keep my attention by virtue of its very intriguing style, the fascinating traditional Japanese theatre, and of course, Akidzuki, the man who possess the sword Getsuruitō (which, beautifully, translate literally as the Sword of the Moon’s Tears).

Briaric point of view:
Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto is a unique type of anime; rather heavy, IMO, but worth it in the end. Mostly because of Akidzuki. For a person like me who has no interest in Japanese history, and zero (probably negative interest) in the female character, it is the male character that carries the entire show for me. In this case, it’s Akidzuki and his sword.

I must say, I love his sword. I also love its name. I think I’m going to poach it and use it somewhere.

Anyway. Akidzuki is this taciturn, quiet, very introvert man. He suffers from both his fate and his past; unlike other anime characters, though, he doesn’t fight against his fate (which is like, the norm for most Japanese animes). He accepts it, and moves on. He doesn’t do the emo thing, that which had been so irritating in Kamui from X: TV. The show certainly doesn’t go on and on and on about how free will is all.

Instead, we see Akidzuki, a man who accepts his fate but doesn’t quail under it. This shows a lot more strength than the usual fight-to-the-death-against-fate type of characters.

The thing about Akidzuki is that he doesn’t say much, but we know what is going on in his mind. Which is sort of interesting, seeing has how his face more often than not remains sharply focused and not much else. I think we know what he is thinking because of his eyes. He has these strong, clear eyes, with none of those gargantuan anime eyes.

And ok, I do so love a man with his sword. Especially such a pretty sword.

I’m not ashamed to admit that part of my fascination with him is that standard pose he has with said sword, lifting it to point straight ahead, right next to his face.

He is number 3 only because he is, strictly speaking, not as handsome as the above. In terms of likes and dislikes, though, I can say that he is probably one of my favorite characters of all time.

2 ) Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
(Voiced by Takahiro Sakurai)

Do I need to intro this anime movie? I doubt there’s any anime fan who hasn’t at least heard of this show. Even for people who don’t play the game (like me).

In a nutshell, Cloud is the main protagonist of the FFVII franchise, and in Advent Children, he 1) won against the evil incarnated of Sephiroth who just wouldn’t properly die, and 2) he found out that he isn’t as alone as he thinks.

Briaric point of view:
The ultimate bishounen, IMO. He has great fashion sense (doesn’t he just has the most wonderful jacket and clothes? No one, I repeat no one has yet to wear anything better with as much style), he has great looks (blond, yes, but don’t hold it against him. And the hair. I could swoon just from that tousled masterpiece), he has great techniques and skills (you don’t like his sword? His fighting style? His way of avoiding and parrying and attacking? That is pure entertainment to the utmost), and he has a personality that any woman just yearn to open up.

Ahem.

I don’t think anything more needed to be said. All the Tragic Past, Complex Character, blah blah blah.

The reason he isn’t number 1 is because close up, he has really bad skin. Well, a lot of pigmentation anyway.

(Yes, I’m nitpicking. I have got to find some bad stuff, otherwise how am I supposed to rank them????)

1 ) Shi Ryuuki from Saiunkoku Monogatari
(Voiced by Seki Tomokazu)

Number one new Bishounen is…. *drum roll* Ryuuki from SaiMono!

No, it isn’t Seiran. Yes, I’m biased and I chose Ryuuki. And yes, that’s my final decision.

Ryuuki is the main romance interest of the protagonist of Saiunkoku Monogatari, Kou Shuurei. He is the king of the country, and initially Shuurei met him because he was being a spoilt, useless figurehead in need of Shuurei’s teaching.

With each episode, though, we soon realize that he is not as foolish or careless as he appears to be; nor is he quite as simple. We realize that he has his own reason for playing a fool. And eventually, we realize that he is in fact a good emperor.

Shuurei and Ryuuki’s relationship is an ongoing plot thread, and one that I look forward to every week. It is, in fact, the main attraction of SaiMono for me, rather than the intricate plot or the abundance of bishies.

Briaric point of view:
First, I have to state that this decision is made with a lot of agonizing on my part. Ryuuki is neither my favorite character nor the character who lingers the most in my heart… but he is, without doubt, one of the prettiest characters in the anime world. Every feature of his face and body is done with utmost skill, and his dressing is unique, if nothing else.

Furthermore, he is a character that I can complete relate to. On one hand, he is needy and cute, especially when he talks to Shuurei. He has insecurities, and he occasionally morph into this devastatingly kawaii alter-ego.

But his main attraction to me is his kingliness. To be honest, previous story arcs have pretty much established Shuurei’s strength of character… at the cost of Ryuuki’s. The most recent arcs, though, not only have Ryuuki showing some of his kingly duties and leadership qualities, but also have him making a tough decision, one that could cause a rift between him and Shuurei. But in the end, he did it anyway, because he is the emperor, and he has to be strong.

Strength, in my opinion, is not exhibited by how powerful one’s sword stroke is; it is exhibited when one knows one’s duty and perform it to the fullest… even at the cost of one’s happiness.

Not to mention the fact that Ryuuki is a great swordsman, an intelligent man, and is capable of single-minded devotion.

The man is a keeper, Shuurei. Stop dithering and accept him already!

Afterword

This post is bloody long. So I’m keeping my afterword short. Note that all opinions are my own, so feel free to disagree as you desire.

My conclusion after the discussion of bishies in these two posts is that bishounens are determined by elements other than sheer physical beauty. Yes, it is an essential part of any bishounen; but what makes a bishie stands out from other bishies is his character, his brain, and his past.

Bishies are also intricately linked with favorite characters, which I found out when I couldn’t decide on whether I should pick my top three on the basic of favoritism or bishiness. So both lists are the result of a mixture between favorite characters and most good-looking characters.

Seeing as how none of this season’s anime interest me much, I’ll not be blogging any series. On the other hand, I’m currently thinking about other lists. Probably not bishie related this time, but I’ll get to work as soon as I have some time.

Until then, ja na!

This picture is here for no better reason than that Fushigi Yugi is one of the best known animes filled with bishounens in the 90s.

A couple months back, when I first joined THAT, Impz asked me if I wanted to do an editorial on bishounens. I was interested, seeing as how bishounens is probably one of my main attractions to animes.

But then after I thought about it for some time, I realized that I couldn’t really identify a particular element. Well, other than the fact that I like eye candy and that I’m shallow.

So. No serious editorial on why bishounens are so popular. Instead, I will go an utterly biased and subjective route and list out my Top Ten Bishounens (in my opinion), and see if there’s some kind of pattern in the stuff that I like. And hopefully, from those patterns I would be able to see what makes bishounens so popular.

So that’s the jumping board of this post. But my main purpose isn’t to do some serious analysis on bishounens. My main purpose is simply to add some neon pink feministic elements (figuratively speaking… to be honest, I dislike pink as a color) to this lamentably male blog… in fact, the lamentably male blogger world.

Even if it’s probably just a single drop of tiny pink.

Hopefully there would be other spots of pink. Who knows, we may take over the world in an overwhelming pink tsunami.

Preliminaries

Like any pseudo essay, I need to first define my topic title. “Top” and “Ten” are fairly self-explanatory. But what on earth are “Old” and “Bishounens”?

Before reading on, one important issue to keep in mind is that all definitions are my definitions. They are not meant to be universal, so intellectual debates on what constitutes old and bishounens are rather irrelevant.

So ok. Here goes:

Old: This does not refer to the age of the bishounen, but rather the period of the anime in which the bishounen stars in. And no, I am not a fan of old school animes, so what is considered “old” here is far from “old” in most people’s view. I define “old” as anything produced before I first start to avidly watch anime; that is, anything produced and finished before fall 2005.

Bishounen: Another debatable definition. I take it literally and generally to refer to good looking men. I do not use it as it was originally meant (beautiful boys under a certain age), nor as it was occasionally meant (homosexual and/or feministic men).

A rule that I have in choosing the Top Ten is that only 1 character per anime will appear on this list. This is to prevent me from dominating the list with bishounens of the same anime.

All Japanese names are arranged in the original version; ie, the family name comes before the given name. Western sounding name(s) excluded, of course.

Ok then. On to the fun.

10) Sagara Sousuke from Full Metal Panic!
(Voiced by Seki Tomokazu)

I don’t think he needs any description… Any fan of mecha, romance and action would have at least heard of this anime. The male hero of a franchise that spawned three seasons, including an entire season made of fillers, this military man is one of the better known names in the anime industry.

Briaric point of view:
Buff, athletic, and weird, with some of the quirkiest deadpan humor I’ve ever seen. I totally dig that. Unfortunately, he has those ugly lines on his cheeks, remnants of a dated way of drawing. It’s weird that I like that crossed scar more than those irritating lines, even though all of them are just lines. Some points are also deducted because of his tendency to get beaten up by Chidori. Hey, I find that so unmanly, and it kind of offends my sense of equality, not to mention the degradation of the female gender into something prone to unreasonable violence and shrewish behavior.

9 ) Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist
(Voiced by Ohkawa Toru)

Yet another character that warrants little introduction. Sure, Roy isn’t the main character of the anime… but I daresay no one who say that he is unimportant, or even unmemorable.

Colonel Roy Mustang is the man who brought Edward Elric into the life of State Alchemists, and is a surrogate big brother and rival and irritating boss to the vertically challenged hero of FMA. He is the Flame Alchemist, and can produce fire with a snap of his fingers through the intricacies of alchemy and special gloves.

Briaric point of view:
Strictly speaking, Roy Mustang isn’t really a bishounen. His eyes are too slanted and small, his face too long at times and too squarish at (even more) times. But! He is more often than not seen in uniform (man in uniform!), and he has a charisma that quite simply overwhelms his less than perfect looks. And to be honest, he isn’t bad looking. Maybe it’s even the small, slanted eyes and square face that makes him what he is… and what he is, is quite simply a man with talent, leadership qualities, and most of all an aura of attractiveness.

8 ) Sohma Kyo from Fruits Basket
(Voiced by Seki Tomokazu)

Fruits Basket is a shoujo anime about the Sohmas who are possessed by the spirits of the Twelve Zodiac Animals, and the normal girl who interacts with them. One of the main characters in Fruits Basket, Kyo has a special (and unspecific in the anime) relationship with the heroine Tohru, as well as an intense rivalry with Sohma Yuki, the other main character. Kyo is possessed by the vengeful Cat, and is hence cursed.

Briaric point of view:
Kyo looks like Ichigo from Bleach… only he is better looking and with a better hair style. With that bright orange hair, he’s guaranteed to be bad tempered, impulsive, and stubborn. And boy, he has all those qualities in spades. But the thing is, he has more layers to him than that, and that is what makes him so fascinating. Points deducted, though, for the simple lines of his character design; not ugly, by any means. Just not as aesthetically pleasing to my eyes.

7 ) Tasuki from Fushigi Yūgi
(Voiced by Canna Nobutoshi)

Fushigi Yūgi is one of the biggest shoujo animes in the 90s. So much so I actually watched it on TV long before I was really into animes. Tasuki is not the main character of the anime (52 episodes, plus 13 OVAs), but I daresay he may be one of the most popular. With the (original?) bright orange hair, fangs, and a metal fan that emits flames, he is one of the Seven Celestial Warriors of the Suzaku, and one who has importance and screen time second only to Hotohori among all the non-Miaka-and-Tamahome characters.

Briaric point of view:
Tasuki has always been my favorite character in Fushigi Yūgi, because he is funny, good looking, and crazily sincere. And because he is a good foil to the irritating Tamahome and Miaka. Most of the time, he is the comic relief of the show. Yet at the moments when he isn’t the comic relief, his serious face is more than a little beautiful. He is impulsive and loud on the outside; but he is loyal and a softie in the inside, and what woman wouldn’t like this kind of man?

Not to mention the fangs. The fangs are sexy.

Points are deducted because… well, it has been a long, long time since I watched FY, and I’ve lost touch with my inner Tasuki-loving fervor.

6 ) Chrno from Chrno Crusade
(Voiced by Ishida Akira)

Chrno is the main character and namesake of the anime Chrno Crusade. He’s a demon, with Rosette Christopher, the heroine of the story, as his contractor. Because his powers are derived from Rosette’s life, he limits himself in his 12 year old looking self. Only at moments of duress does he change into his original demon form. And it is this original demon form who is labeled number 6, not the chibi 12 years old form.

Briaric point of view:
I never really like kids… so I almost didn’t pick up Chrno Crusade because the hero is short and young. But then I picked it up, and that’s it. I’m hooked. I love the anime, even though the ending sucks big time. I love Chrno in his chibi form, and I love him even more in his demon form. Hey, he has fangs, horns, and a tail, and yet looks as appealing as Johnny Depp. Nothing can beat that.

He’s number 6 because chibi Chrno is just not a bishounen to me (because he’s too young and short to be called my definition of a bishounen), and demon Chrno appears too infrequently to make more than a strong (as opposed to unforgettably strong) impression.

5 ) Isumi Shinichiro from Hikaru no Go
(Voiced by Suzumura Kenichi)

Hikaru no Go is one of those really, really popular animes in the late 90s, early 2000s. The anime, after all, sparked an interest in Go (a board game) in Japan and probably elsewhere in the world as well, in smaller scales.

Isumi is a rather minor character, being one of the Insei-s (Go professional students) who befriended the main character, Hikaru. He is the oldest Insei among Hikaru’s clique of friends, and is a strong Go player when he is able to control his emotions and anxiety. After going through training in China, though, he has the emotional control to complement his skills, and so became a professional Go player a year after Hikaru.

Isumi is also the person who made Hikaru picked up Go again, after the latter has lost his mentor and best friend.

Briaric point of view:
I was entranced in him when I watched that anime, mostly because of that look in his eyes when he plays Go. (Notice the percentage of screenshots with that particular angle?) I might have chosen 14 year old Hikaru, but for his 10 year old self with that baby fat that dominated half of the anime. Isumi, on the other hand, started out as good looking and grew up to be even more good looking. His training in China not only sharpened his Go skills, but also his personality, and it shows in his appearance.

The fact that he is voiced by my absolute favorite seiyuu, Suzumura Kenichi, doesn’t hurt either.

4 ) Kamui Shirou from X: TV
(Voiced by Suzumura Kenichi)

Kamui is the protagonist of X, and is a broody youngster with Issues. On one hand, he has to deal with his destiny; on the other hand, he has to save the world, or alternatively, destroy it. That should be more than any 15 year old to bear… but when you add to the mixture a dead potential love interest and an arch enemy who is also his childhood friend… that’s the angst that makes up X.

Briaric point of view:
What is a bishounen list without a CLAMP character? After all, CLAMP is known for their portrayal of bishounens with long limbs and anorexic bodies. In my opinion, Kamui is one of the better looking guys created under CLAMP’s pen. Sure, he still has those long limbs and thin body, but… at least his side profile is amazingly elegant and he has perfect facial features.

He doesn’t rate higher despite that perfection because of the sheer emo-ness that oozes from his pores.

3 ) Larva from Vampire Princess Miyu
(Voiced by Miki Shinichiro)

One of the less well known animes on this list. In fact, the top three bishounens all come from less “well known” animes.

Vampire Princess Miyu is the anime that got me started on animes in fall 2005. And because of that, it has a sentimental value that beats all logical analysis hands down. The anime is about Miyu, the Guardian who banishes demons back to the dark, and occasionally about her silent companion, Larva, the man with the eeky name but beautiful face.

VPM has two very good episodes that made up for the boredom that constitutes most of the first half of the anime. The two-episode arc “The Light of the Sea” (episode 13 and 14) talks about Larva and his past, and sheds a lot of light on the relationship of between Larva and Miyu.

Briaric point of view:
Larva is the personification of the big, silent protector. He always arrives at the nick of the moment to save Miyu (yes, it smacks of the damsel-in-distress syndrome, but hey, a girl can’t help wanting a strong protector), and yet at the same time he is not the “yes” man foil for Miyu, nor the beating bag. While he rarely disagree with Miyu, and behaves a lot like a servant/slave, the two episodes mentioned above reveals a lot of his character that was previously unseen. He is with Miyu because he understands her, and is a part of her, out of a sense of loyalty and even love. They need each other. And that is just so romantic that I can’t help loving him for that.

And that’s not mentioning the perfection of his face. The light blue hair (I like light/white hair), red eyes, and pale skin also create an otherworldly vibe. If Kamui has perfect features, it’s a perfection in the traditional anime-big-eyes CLAMP style. I find Larva’s perfect features a perfection that is more “real”, features that while unlikely to appear in real life, is still more likely.

Points deducted for the un-proportional body reminiscent of traditional American superhero style, which I totally do not like. Points then added for the incalculable sentimental value. The result is number 3.

2 ) Narumi Ayumu from Spiral: Suiri no Kizuna
(Voiced by Suzumura Kenichi)

Spiral is a detective anime with very real detective elements; the story is often convoluted and layered with twists and ambushes… sometimes too much so, causing a type of logical fallacy. And that’s not mentioning the less than complete ending. But that doesn’t detract from the fact that Spiral is pure entertainment, even for a non-mystery buff like me.

Ayumu is the main character of Spiral, who first solves various perplexing cases before tangling fully with the Blade Children, who are the main antagonists for most of the first half of the anime, and the co-protagonists for the later half. All of them are so smart they can all go to Harvard and come out as top of the class.

Briaric point of view:
Ayumu has those wonderful big eyes and tousled hair, and is a smart dresser. He is voiced by Suzumura Kenichi (yes, I really, really, really like him). He cooks wonderfully, and does housework. He has a tragic past and a tragic future. He has a “heck-care” attitude and complexities layered over very real sense of inferiority. And most of all, he is smart. There’s nothing sexier than a man with a brain and one who knows how to use it. Simply by virtue of his intelligence, he would probably be listed here. But add that to the entire package, you would get Narumi Ayumu, number 2 on my top ten old bishounen list.

He’s only number 2 because… unfortunately there is still someone who is more compelling than him.

1 ) Orphen from Sorcerous Stabber Orphen
(Voiced by Morikubo Shoutarou)

And Briar’s number 1 is out! Raise your hand if you know who this person is! -_+

Sorcerous Stabber Orphen, also known simply as Orphen, is a typical shounen anime made in by J C Staff in the late 90s. Not a very popular anime, though I think it’s a cult favorite.

The story is not exactly complex, where Orphen is the main character and a wizard who is trying to save his childhood friend and surrogate big sister and crush, Azalie, from her existence as a monster dragon. He is accompanied by his disciple Majic, his resident damsel-in-distress Cleo, and two irritating comic reliefs who pop in and out of the anime.

The sypnosis doesn’t do the anime justice, though, because while the anime isn’t the best anime by any calculations other than emotional, it does have more to it than just a straightforward tale. And in my opinion, one of those resounding factors that make the anime a success is the presence of Orphen, the number 1 “old” bishounen in Briar’s book.

Briaric point of view:
The number 1 “old” bishounen is so named because Orphen is the impossible personification of the man of my dreams.

Well, not really. In real life I probably wouldn’t be able to stand him. But as a fantasy, he has all the qualities I like.

He is a lot like Ayumu, in that he is strong intellectually; probably the smartest character in the anime. He is not as impulsive as most shounen heroes, and yet retains a lot of that purity of one-mindedness. Unlike Ayumu, he has no inferior complex, and instead is very capable and confident in himself. He is strong not only in terms of wizardly skills (he is one of the best wizards in the anime, even though most of it is hard work and practical knowledge), but also strong physically in an athletic way.

If anyone’s been following my posts on THAT, you would know my fascination with Kazuma of the Kaze no Stigma fame. Orphen is a lot like Kazuma, with that bad ass quality mingled in sheer capability, except that he is less callous and uncaring. Orphen, quite simply, is a bad ass with a heart of gold. Not to mention, he is funny in a way that doesn’t resort to slapstick humor.

Also, his single-minded pursuit of Azalie is a manifestation of his constant personality, yet another quality I look up to.

And purely aesthetically, wouldn’t you say that he has one of the best designed costumes (I think only second to Cloud of FF7: Advent Children) in animes? That red bandanna is cool, not to mention that dragon pendant. In terms of features, he has the same perfect alignment, except he is undeniably masculine in design, with strong lines to complement the prettiness.

I really don’t think there’s anything to pick on, in terms of his physical beauty.

Afterword

I wasn’t absent from Blogsphere just because of work… I was planning on this post, and it’s sister post Top Ten “New” Bishounens. So stay tuned for more! I’m not going to state a date, though, because I really do have a schedule that kills ruthlessly and indiscriminatingly.

Disclaimer: The pictures are all screenshots and taken from various sources, so don’t ask me where I got them. And because of my less than stellar knowledge of technology and my rather wacky computer, these screenies may not be as good as they could be. I humbly apologize.

The magic circle that would summon the Big Bad Demon Belial, who is apparently a lot more powerful than the Turtle but is defeated in a jiffy.

Since Impz appears to have been rendered sick by work life, I shall do my best to provide something in his absence. Lo and behold, a Kaze no Stigma blog, and probably the last blog post on this subject.

——————————————————————————————————————————

So, this moment have finally arrived. Kaze no Stigma, final episode, rather defies summarization. I would be honest here and say that I vastly prefer the previous episode; this episode is anticlimactic at parts, although there are still a couple of scenes that are capable of getting me all ga-ga over.

I’ll also say here that it’s an open-ended finale that just begs for a sequel. If they end it here… I’ll… I’ll think of some unfathomable vile consequences to boil, skewer, skin, and mince the producers.

(In case anyone decides to sue me for threatening bodily injuries, the above is an exaggeration. A slight exaggeration.)

Summary

At the mention of Tsuo Rin, Kazuma immediately lost his cool… of course, he regained it almost immediately, which is more than I can say for Dark Kazuma.

Kazuma recalls how Tsuo Rin had died, how he was utterly useless and helpless against the Big Bad Magician (I didn’t quite catch his name), who continued with his sacrificing of Rin, all the while smirking over Kazuma’s total despair. As Rin lies there, bound by magic and dripping blood and alternating between screaming and whimpering, Kazuma looked on from where he had been beaten down to, with bruises on his face and utter helplessness in his posture.

But in the present, Ayano, Kazuma and Ren walk into Pandemonium. Ayano asks Kazuma what he is going to do about Lapis; after all, she has been created from the remnants of Rin’s last thoughts. As such, she would be Kazuma’s lover.

Kazuma denies that angrily as he says, “I don’t know where you heard it from, but Rin is dead. She died right in front of my eyes.” He feels that Lapis is simply an imitation of Rin; she is not Rin. He then regains his calm with an effort and ask if Ayano has anymore questions. Ayano, subdued, says no. They continue on their way.

They entered a hall full of yellow crystals. At that moment Ayano saw Nanase (in that dominatrix costume) and Yukari (dressed as a maid -_-||| ), both of whom have the blank eyes of the brainwashed. Just as Ayano and Ren approach with exclaims of gladness, Lapis walks out from the sideline.

She welcomes then, saying that Vernhart has left. Utsumi the Perverted Stalker appears locked in a crystal, looking even MORE nerdish than ever (is that even possible???). He murmurs something about losing to Vernhart, and not understanding why.

Nanase and Yukari step forward to explain the Pandemonium thingy to Ayano and company (sounding very much like robots). Apparently they are using the Internet to “seed” humans with evil spirits (“youma”) and by summoning all those seeded evil spirits, they can summon the Big Arch-Demon Belial (?).

Lapis picks up her big sword and chops the Utsumi Perverted Stalker crystal into half. Utsumi disperses into a red light and joins other red lights around Pandemonium to form a magical design. The summoning begins with Utsumi’s “death”, for he is the last bit of the ingredient needed to summon that Big Arch-Demon.

Of course, they couldn’t summon Belial for more than a couple minutes, but those couple of minutes would be enough to level off Tokyo and most of Japan (at least the Japanese are less prone to “saving the world” than Hollywood).

You probably can’t believe it, but Utsumi the Perverted Stalker is even more nerdy looking than before.

Ren asks Lapis why she is doing this; after all, she used to be Rin. Lapis replies after a moment that she has no heart. She is only a doll created from Rin’s last thoughts, and all she wants to do is to feel, and feel something that comes from her own heart. She says that all that she feels for Kazuma is from Rin; she wants to feel something that is truly from herself, a real feeling, not an artificial, implanted one.

If she can truly feel, she would become Tsuo Rin.

Kazuma walks towards her, telling her to shut up as he summons up a pillar of wind. He tells her not to use Rin’s appearance and voice. A scythe of wind whips towards Lapis, and Lapis simply stands there and whispers, “Are you going to kill me again?”

Kazuma, completely affected by that simple statement, causes his own scythe to miss Lapis by a bare inch.

Lapis made use of his distraction to attack him by conjuring a yellow crystal from the ground. Kazuma retreats into a crouch. Ayano then rushes up, asking him angrily, “what are you doing?”, before conjuring Enraiha and attacks Lapis. She declares loudly, “As long as we defeat the summoner (Lapis), the summoning will end!”

Lapis and Ayano exchange a flurry of blows, before Lapis retreats behind Nanase and Yukari. Ayano hesitates, for she does not want to hurt her friends. Suddenly, Kazuma enters the fight by ordering Ayano to move aside. Ayano leaps up just as Kazuma sends a scythe of wind right in the gap between Nanase and Yukari. Lapis is unable to escape the blow, and is flung backwards into the wall.

Kazuma sends Nanase and Yukari to Ren, telling him to protect the two of them. Ayano tries to attack Lapis, but is surrounded by yellow crystals that sprout from the ground. With a couple of slashes, she destroys the yellow crystal in front of her, by Lapis then appears in all the multiple crystals. Ayano could not identify which crystal has Lapis in it.

Kazuma sends a gust of wind through the crystal pillars, easily finding Lapis hiding in one of them. He destroys the pillar, and Lapis emerges from it, surprised and defenseless. Kazuma is just about to deliver the final blow (who knows if he’s really going to do it?) before he is conveniently interrupted by the completed summoning, as the red magic design blazes into life and activates.

Kazuma says that they are too late… and that the attack is coming from below.

Kazuma’s wind just missed Lapis… but rendered Lapis a lot more pretty than I originally thought.

Lapis floats in midair, saying that Vernhart had told her that to truly begin to feel, she has to create utter despair, preferably in Kazuma. “Yagami Kazuma, show me that face of utter despair,” she said before disappearing.

Kazuma cradles Ayano, Ren, Nanase and Yukari with his winds to escape the activating magical gate, before leaving Nanase and Yukari unconscious on some random roof. He then brings Ayano and Ren high up, so that they could see the magical design etched to the ground, and the emerging gate.

Kazuma says that Belial is not something that even the Kannagi family and a contractor added together can defeat. He then proceeds to smirk and continues, “So we will just meet this head-on!”

Ayano and Ren are determined as well to fight. Kazuma tells them to gather their strength for one powerful hit. They don’t have to defeat the Arch-Demon; all they have to do is to delay the time, to protect Tokyo for that couple of minutes in which Belial may emerge.

Ayano then tells Kazuma with a faint smile on her face, “This may be the last time I see your (smug) face. Do you have any last words to say to me?”

Kazuma replies with a smile, “You could cook me something from your own hands occasionally.”

Ayano looks at him sideways. “I don’t want to.”

Kazuma just looks back at her with a widening smile and says gently, “I see.”

Is it my imagination, or has Ayano’s Enraiha shrunk?

With that heartwarming banter, the circle finally activates and Belial begins to activate. Kazuma sends Ayano and Ren upwards before activating his Contractor power. In the midst of it, he recalls the memory in which Rin was sacrificed, when she said, “I wasn’t born to be sacrificed to a demon.” And right in front of Kazuma, with tears spilling out from his wide, unblinking eyes, Rin utters a last “Kazuma…” before dispersing into red light, which were devoured by the tentacles of the demon.

Kazuma thinks to himself, “If I had the power then that I had now… but that is useless thinking. What is important is the present, and the future. I’ll protect everything!”

Ayano, high up in the air with Ren, begins gathering fire power and summoning Enraiha. Ren follows suit, sans Enraiha and panty shots. All three of them put all their power in this one final blow, descending from the top and smack right into the giant Belial’s giant hand.

Cue bright animation and some really corny drama (you would have to see it to get it; I don’t even want to describe it).

Anyway. The end result is an enomous crater where the Pandemonium used to be, with all three of them lying on the ground, panting and completely wringed out.

Suddenly a voice said, “This is indeed the power of the Kannagi family.” It is Vernhart, with Lapis besides her. Kazuma is shocked that he has not escaped after all, but after exchanging a few hostile quips, Vernhart says, “Don’t worry that I’ll attack you here. I am cautious and will not fight a battle that I have no guarantee of winning.”

At that moment, we see Genma standing at the edge of the crater, looking down at the stand-off, radiating menace if Vernhart would dare attack his son (ok not really. You get the idea).

Vernhart and Lapis turn to leave, saying that they would definitely meet again. Kazuma tells them to wait, and asks them what was Rin’s last thought. What did she want to tell him?

Lapis, after looking at Vernhart, replies slowly, “I want to kill you.”

Kazuma, shocked, could only stare in silence. Aware of the pain they have caused, Vernhart smirks before leaving with Lapis, disappearing into thin air.

Ayano gets up, and tentatively, she puts her hand on Kazuma’s shoulder. Instead, Kazuma abruptly turned around and grabs her into his embrace, holding her tightly as he suffers, as if holding back his auguish.

Hey, young bishounen alert! Our poor Ren has been relegated to minor minor character because of the emphasis on the K x A thing.

Cut to the aftermath of the battle. Ayano and Kazuma stand at the little pond in the Kannagi house. Ayano tentatively suggests that Lapis has been lying. Kazuma wonders if that’s true, for the fact remains that he was unable to protect Rin.

Ayano asks fanatically if he would kill himself in reply to Lapis. Just as she works herself up into panic, Kazuma tells her not to worry. He has decided to protect everything, all of them, this time.

Ayano, instead of being glad, tries to slap Kazuma. Kazuma catches that slap as he usually does, and asks what is that for. Ayano says, furious, “I don’t need protection! I don’t know what happened to you before, but you feel sad, you feel pain, don’t you? Don’t keep all the burden to yourself! Can’t you depend on me? What exactly am I to you? Someone that hides behind you in a fight, and then gives you a kiss and a hug of reward? Don’t think of me as an idiot! I can help, even if it’s just a little!”

All this while, she has tears in her eyes, and Kazuma is stunned by her outpour of emotions. Ayano turns her back to Kazuma as she finished speaking, as if not wanting him to see her cry.

After a while, Kazuma smiles faintly. As a wind blows, Ayano’s hair flares out behind her. Kazuma comes up to her and holds a couple of strands, bringing them to his mouth and kissing them. As Ayano blushes, totally affected and turning into the color of tomato, Kazuma finally let go and Ayano turns back to him, flabbergasted.

Kazuma said, “Well then, I’ll leave things up to you, partner,” before patting her on her butt.

Ayano jumps up, springs, and lands in the pool. When she got up, the water is bubbling with heat, and Ayano comes back to her feet with Enraiha in her hands. She begins chasing Kazuma all around (their reactions are so cute… especially Kazuma’s) the house.

Up at the house, Soushu sighs over Ayano’s willfulness as he presides over a gathering with Genma, Ren, Nanase, Yukari, Kirika, her two aides, Katherine, and Ren’s two friends. All of them gave a comment or two over the two of them playing tag.

The show ends on that happy note, with Ayano using Enraiha to create a pillar of fire that burst all the way up the sky.

Thoughts

Everyone’s drinking tea calmly while Ayano chases Kazuma. Is that like, a metaphor?

Ok. I’ve pretty up summed up my feelings in the first part of this blog. I like it, but it isn’t my favorite episode. I also don’t like specific parts of the show.

The number ONE dislike: the show is sooooooooo anticlimactic. Belial popped out of nowhere, and disappeared into nowhere! Come on, for an Arch Enemy, he barely rated 5 minutes of the entire anime! The whole attack with a single decisive strike thing is like some 80s animes, where everything is built up nicely but somehow, the villain gets killed/defeated as easily as ABC. Seriously. Last episode’s fight was great, and this episode’s fight with Lapis was pretty good; the final fight was about as interesting as bland noodles.

A story just doesn’t reach the peak if it falters at the end. So I’m sorry to say that as a result KnS didn’t end on a very good note.

On one hand, nothing is truly resolved between Vernhart and the Kannagis. He’s still at large, Lapis still wants to get a heart, and they are still plotting the demise of the world (or just Japan) and perhaps Kazuma’s as well, as a side benefit. And apparently Kazuma will have to carry the burden of his lover wanting to kill him… at least until or unless the next season comes about.

However, on the other hand, there is a resolution of a sort, and that is presented in Kazuma, who is after all the figure that the entire anime revolves around. If I look at the anime from the point of view of the characters, then yes, there is resolution. There is even a good resolution. Kazuma has grown out of the callous shell he has before; he has grown able to care again. He has friends, he has family, and he has laughter and teasing in his life. The ending in which Ayano chases Kazuma around maybe a bit corny at first sight, but the truth is it shows a side of him that we will never see in the first couple episodes.

I’ve always thought that there is an edge in Kazuma’s sarcasm, not malice or ill intentions, but rather a distance that he establishes between him and the world. Because he has lost before, and doesn’t want to lose again, he always stand at a distance and keep people away by laughing at them or heaping sarcasm on them.

Ayano looks beyond that sarcasm and distance; or I should say she doesn’t register the existence of such a distance. She simply plows ahead, like the lovable impulsive girl she could be. But it is exactly such a character that Kazuma needs to open his heart again. And in the end, Kazuma has accepted Ayano as his partner… and perhaps for something more.

You don’t kiss your partner’s hair, do you???

The infamous kiss scene. Although to be honest, I like both the last words scene and the chasing around scene more.

Another thing I really like is the sheer teamwork Ayano and Kazuma have there. When they were fighting Lapis, for the first time I see real, seamless teamwork, the real existence of a partnership. A great deal of it, I think, is because of Ayano “winning” against Kazuma last episode. She has a) grown stronger, b) gained confidence, and c) regained her trust in Kazuma (well actually she may never have lost it, seeing as how Dark Kazuma could almost have been another person). And so, we see Ayano reacting immediately when Kazuma told her to move; and we see Ayano taking over immediately when Kazuma temporarily lost the will the fight.

Before I forget, I also dislike the BMG for this episode. I have never noticed it before, so likely it wasn’t so bad before, but… this week’s episode sounds so badly RPG-ish, that I felt as if I’m playing game with some badly composed music. It’s not exactly bad… it’s just very… RPG. You know, the dramatic tune when you face the Big Boss, the MIDI sounding background music that repeats itself over and over again, the flat tone that is maintained through out.

Yeah. *shudders*

Now, as to Lapis saying that Rin wants to kill Kazuma. I do have a speculation. Perhaps it is the truth and not a lie, as Ayano conjectured so desperately. Perhaps Rin really wants to kill Kazuma. However, I doubt very much it is the sentiments of hatred that she is carrying. Consider Lapis, who has some very undefined feelings for Kazuma. Whatever it is, it isn’t hatred, that’s for sure. That’s the vibe I get.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Rin wanted to kill Kazuma because she knew that Kazuma will suffer and blame himself when she died. She doesn’t want him to suffer… so she would let him die rather than let him suffer a fate worse than fate. Of course, she hasn’t taken into account that there may very be someone else who can save him… but knowing Kazuma’s personality, Rin is perhaps afraid that Kazuma would suffer for the rest of his life, mired in guilt and anguish.

Another of my favorite scenes is also between Ayano and Kazuma. When Kazuma was told that Rin wanted to kill him, it is Ayano whom he turns to. And with that too tight grasp, with that pain just radiating from him, I just know that there will be more than just “partners” between them. So much more.

The exchange between Kazuma and Ayano, just before they fight Belial (about Ayano cooking for Kazuma), there is a connection between them that just defies description. I would call it chemisty, I suppose. It’s an understated affinity between them that required no words, just a smile from the heart.

Poignant. Just totally poignant. Not to mention funny, which isn’t always a possible combination.

I also love part of the ending; while seeing Ayano chases Kazuma around is nothing new, what is extremely unique and fun to watch is Kazuma’s reaction in being chased. The things he said, the facial expressions… I can’t help but smile at their antics.

And who do you know? Kazuma has regained that smile he used to have when he was with Rin; he is truly and undeniably happy.

And that is the part I enjoyed the most.

So much so I can even forgive the totally corny “climax” of the anticlimactic battle. -_-|||

Unsolved mysteries are still abound though, just begging for the second season. How did Kazuma gained his Contractor power? What does Rin really feel at the very end? What does Lapis truly feel for Kazuma? What is Vernhart’s next plan?

Last and probably the least…

So anyway. I hope you all have enjoyed the ride of KnS. It hasn’t always been smooth, what with more flaws than I can count in the process, but it ended pretty ok. Not fabulous, but in terms of Kazuma’s character growth, it is a suitable ending.

Here’s to hoping there’s a 2nd season. I want to see more Kazuma! And I want more Ayano x Kazuma moments. And I especially want to see Ayano act like an adult woman instead of a ditzy, crazy, and baka girl.

Thanks for continuing to read these blogs of mine! Much appreciated, especially for a newbie like me.

Until next time… Fin.

If you are expected another of those stupid one-hit-and-she’s-out scenes, think again.

Just looking at the title, you can see that it’s very much focused on Ayano. And let’s just say that Ayano totally surprised me this episode. I mean, totally. Just wait until all ye Ayano-haters have a glimpse of this week’s Ayano.

In a nutshell, this week has Ayano trying to stop Kazuma by whatever means possible… in this case, an all-out brawl. Can this girl, who has always been impulsive and dependent on Kazuma, actually do the impossible and beat Kazuma? Or just simply, beat some sense into him?

Going by the traditional shounen route, Ayano would get hurt by Kazuma and then Kazuma will suddenly realize that he has hurt her and lose the will to be evil. I’ll be frank when I say that I actually sort of expected that to happen. But what actually happened is… a lot less “traditional

If nothing else, I can totally identify with the looks they have on their faces, because I kind of feel the same.

This week’s episode is focused on Ayano and her inner conflict. As many readers of this blog have already done, Ayano compares herself with Tsui Rin and comes out short. What exactly is she worth in Kazuma’s heart? What exactly can she do?

…

Why, oh why, must the producers be such chauvinistic pigs? Why must they ruin such a wonderful scene with so irritating, ill-timed and out-of-place comedy? Poor Ayano. I feel for you, dear. I really do.

Anyway. If you want to know what I’m talking about, read on.

Summary

Ayano doesn’t think she can do anything, as she will never win against Rin. Sounds familiar, huh?

After a long flashback recounting last week’s episode, we see Ayano lying on bed, confused and listless. She recalls Kirika telling her that she must save Kazuma, but thinks to herself that it is impossible, because she cannot do anything.

Kirika and her little detective partner is talking about Nanase getting kidnapped by the Perverted Stalker Nerd, and how Kazuma is finding the location of Pandemonium through defeating various little magic users.

Ren is waiting in some part, and suddenly turns to see Kanon and the Baka Gorilla. He yells at them for coming to this park, which is after all very dangerous. Baka Gorilla simply says that they are friends, and he and Kanon begin bickering again.

Suddenly, Ren hears someone talking to a “wind wielder

Guess who this cute specimen of a chibi doll is!

I’ve got to say… it’s so much easier blogging a series when the English subs are all. I don’t have to short-circuit my mind coming out with approximately accurate English rendering of Japanese names, nor wonder if I’ve translated correct.

This week is a bit of a transition episode, in that Shito is still not rescued even at the end of the episode. However, we have a couple of revelations revealed, and in the meantime, we meet another new character as well as an almost new character. The latter is this chibi doll… 3 guesses on who he is!

On a completely unrelated note, I can’t believe Luciano Pavarotti has passed away. I can only wish him peace and music wherever he might be.

Summary in a Very Small Nutshell…

I think Chika in his chibi form is cute… and so is most of the other characters. Probably one of the best things for Zombie Loan is the way to go chibi at the slightest provoking.

… because said English subs are out.

1) Chika, Soutetsu and Michiru meet said new character Koume and said almost new character, the Shinigami Zarame (English Subs: Grim Reaper, although IMO any devoted anime fan for more than 2 weeks should know what that word means) whom we have met when he grabbed Shiba. He is unable to help them because he is now in chibi form as his “core

Even though bright orange eyes aren’t normally a color I like, I can’t help but notice that it looks very becoming on Kazuma.

Because of the lack in time, I have taken a lot less screenshots than I used to. If this is sufficient, I’ll probably be going this route instead of getting so many screenshots.

So, we finally get to see Kazuma as we have never seen him before: strong, crazily angry, and completely callous. Dark Kazuma has the bright orange eyes of a demon, and winds that looked black, instead of the normal white winds. In fact, he looks a lot like the berserk, demonic wind user we saw in episode 2.

There is very little interaction between Ayano and Kazuma this week, which is somewhat a pity. However, there are some revelations as to how others see the relationship between Ayano and Kazuma. Perhaps the saying of how Ayano is Kazuma’s only hope has more than a little truth in it.

Summary

Ayano looks so sad. I don’t think there’s anything more sad than seeing a normally headstrong and cheerful girl gets so down.

Following the flashback with Kazuma screaming to the moon and turning orange-eyed berserk, Kirika, Ayano and Ren could not find Kazuma anywhere, not even at his hotel. Ayano has an inkling of forbearing, for she knows that Kazuma’s disappearance is due to his “reunion

Who is this guy in a retro Chinese room, a retro Chinese ma-gua shirt, a retro pseudo-Chinese pose?

This week includes such a bloody enormous revelation I blogged this immediately, instead of waiting for a free day. (It doesn’t hurt that I was unexpectedly let off earlier by an hour.)

Last week Shito was emboweled, or rather pierced through the abdomen by a chain saw. This week sees him lying on bed, seeming to have gained an unexpected admirer and having a jolly good time as a result. In fact, Shito has been revealed to be somewhat of a lady’s man (despite his weird temper), gaining and/or revealing to have more admirers than we know, including our very own Michiru, who expresses a lot more care and feelings for Shito than is warranted after enduring the latter’s vicious verbal flaying.

Of course, Shito is kidnapped and in the hands of an insane doctor, so all is not well. Not to mention the fact that he is far away from Chika and his right hand; we finally get to see some of the consequences of having Chika and Shito far apart for an extended period of time.

Summary in Pellets

IMO, Shito seems to be having a jolly good time here.

(Usual disclaimer: Again, I decipher all names from my ears alone, so don’t quote me and don’t expect anything more than relative accuracy.)

1 ) Shito’s family servant goes to the ZL office and is revealed to be called “Toh Ho