Finished up both Natsu no Arashi and Sasameki Koto today. Long story short, both animes ended in a very open ended manner. Normally, I’m OK with some ambiguity in my endings, but here I have to say I was a little put off by the way these two shows ended.
Not much to say other than this episode was great. I don’t want to give too much away, but I’m a sucker for episodes like this. Didn’t cry or anything but, I thought it was touching. Props to the writers, they came up with a great way to bring two characters closer together.
Also, if any industry execs read this rag, take notice- give the States a DVD (or even BluRay) release of Natsu no Arashi. That would be a day one purchase for me.
Well, ANN lists Cross Game as only having 39 episodes, but I find that hard to believe. Perhaps 39 episodes for the first season, but not for the entire series. Unless Cross Game is going to have one of the worst endings ever, which I don’t think is the case.
![[SubSmith] Cross Game - 38 - It's His First Date [720p][93E6C2F6].mkv.011](http://tensai-desu.org/mcb/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/SubSmith-Cross-Game-38-Its-His-First-Date-720p93E6C2F6.mkv_.011.jpg "[SubSmith] Cross Game - 38 - It's His First Date [720p][93E6C2F6].mkv.011")
The team has made a lot of progress in these past 38 episodes though. It’s been fun to see them go from an inexperienced team to hopeful national title contenders.
Found the trailer for Durarara!! on youtube, and ANN posted a link to a 30-second TV spot for it. You’ll need to enable javascript for that second link. After watching both, I found the commercial to be more interesting, as the trailer didn’t have any speech and only showed random scenes from the anime with some overlaid Japanese text. Either way, it looks like an interesting series!
Trailer comes after the break.
PS. ANN also posted a link for a Chu-Bra!! commercial. Well 9/10 an anime with a name like Chu-Bra!! is going to be garbage. After watching the commercial, I have confirmed that it IS garbage.
Well I’ve done all of my shopping for family et al, so now I figure it’s time to look at what I’m gonna get for myself. It used to be that other people got me stuff that I wanted, now it seems that I’m responsible for getting what I want…for myself. Funny how times change, not that it’s a bad thing though. It is really hard to buy things for adults.
Anyway, someone is getting me the first dvd set for Kannagi, so I’ll be getting the second set for myself. Rather annoying how Bandai split up the 14 episode series into two 7+7 sets but chances are even if they released a season box set, it would cost you the same amount as buying the two mini-sets individually.
After watching the price fluctuate anywhere from $62 to $90 over the course of a few days, I jumped on the School Rumble complete set for $62 or so on Amazon. Not a bad price considering it has both seasons and the OVA.
To round it all off, I got the first season of Ghost in the Shell. That cost me about $40 or so which isn’t hateful at all. They had two versions: one which I’m pretty sure is exactly like my 2nd Gig box set (ie. seven dvd cases inside of a box) and an “Anime Legends” branded box set for a little bit less. I opted for the first option. After getting burned on the “Viridian Collection” version of Gunslinger Girl or w/e (essentially, the video quality was crap) I’ve shied away from value price sets. That said, my “Anime Legends” Cowboy Bebop collection was just fine, though I didn’t buy it until a friend of mine said his copy was more than acceptable in the video quality department. So who knows, maybe it’s just that you win some and you lose some.
I feel rather weird not buying (or even wanting any games) for Christmas, but at the same time with FF13 and BC2 coming out in March, I’ll be plenty busy then. In the mean time, I’ll have to get around to finishing the last three levels of Valkyria Chronicles, beating Bioshock (since I’ll want to get BS2 at some point), and completing Fallout 3 and the extra DLC content. That’s quite a list!
Anyway, I’d ask what you all are getting for the Holidays, but since hardly anyone reads this I won’t expect any feedback. Those that do read this most likely know me personally, and can email me or even post here if they are so inclined.
Cheers!
Took a look at a preview chart for the winter season, and I have to say I’m not very impressed. Out of the animes listed, I’m really only interested in two: Durarara! and the new Nodame Cantabile season. That said, the last Nodame season was just OK, so I won’t expect too much out of this one either.
I am a little interested in Hanamaru Kindergarden (if it’s funny), Ookamikakushi, and the Utawarerumono OVA (I have the series, never watched it) but other than that, nothing stands out. There was, at one point, a new series by the studio/writer who did Bakemonogatari, but that is no longer listed, which makes me sad. EDIT: My bad, I didn’t realize it was an OVA, so I overlooked it. It’s actually on the side of chartfag’s winter 10 chart.
There was one other series, Qwaser of Stigmata, that looked like it could promise some good action. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it didn’t look like it was going to be an A list show, but sometimes B/C list action series are fun. The description looked good (if cliche) until I got to the part where he controls iron (ok thats fine) and gets his power from breast milk. Really? Breast Milk? Doesn’t make for the best action hero.
Started watching Natsu no Arashi on Crunchyroll. So far, it’s pretty good. It seems to be a light sci-fi drama about a time traveling ghost…or something like that. I haven’t gotten too far into the series yet so there’s quite a bit I don’t understand right now. I’m really digging the art style however.
I did see what looks to be an interesting cameo in this episode however. See if you can’t pick it out. The answer comes after the break!
Man, I really hope that there are some standouts in the Winter 09/10 anime season because Fall is really dropping the ball here. Episode 11 of Nyan Koi can be summarized as “meh”, and with 12 episodes listed on ANN either Nyan Koi will have the worst ending ever, or we’ll be “treated” to another season. A season which I most likely will not be following.
![[Himatsubushi]_Nyan_Koi_-_11_[86C48FB5].mkv.043](http://tensai-desu.org/mcb/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Himatsubushi_Nyan_Koi_-_11_86C48FB5.mkv_.043.jpg "[Himatsubushi]_Nyan_Koi_-_11_[86C48FB5].mkv.043")
That is the look of impending death.
Interesting. A beach episode that keeps the fanservice to respectable levels. I think the SK production team has truly pulled off a Herculean feat!
They also added in a healthy dose of bullet time. For the record, Murasame pulls off one hell of a dodge, but ultimately it all for naught.
