Seiyuu appreciation post: KENN, Toriumi Kousuke and Namikawa Daisuke

I stole this off Namikawa's latest blog post.

It's about the new release of the game: Meiji Tokyo Renka, of which KENN, Tori and Nami are participating in; and Nami's upcoming single release.

KuroBasu Season 2: Are you ready?

With less than 2 weeks to go until season 2 of Kuroko no Basuke is ready to air, the official anime site updated with some of the cast comments, which you can read here. Everyone looks ready to fight for the Interhigh trophy!

Seiyuu appreciation post: Kamiya Hiroshi

Anime Review - WataMote: It's Pretty Popular . . .

Synopsis: 
Kuroki Tomoko is a super popular, high school girl who has had 50 years of dating experience and 100 boys... in the Otome game world. In the real world, she is a 15-year-old shut-in who has all of the qualities of a "mojo" (a unpopular woman).
However, when school isn't going as she expected, and she isn't as popular as she had thought she was, she takes a look at herself in the mirror for the first time in a few years, and has some shocking revelations...
Source: (MU)

Awkwardly Amusing (7)
To be honest, there is no story, just Kuroki experiencing different everyday experiences where she tries her best, but keeps failing. And she tries again. And she fails again. The story gets really repetitive, and you can watch any episode without spoiling anything.
Putting that aside, it is quite amusing to watch Kuroki react through her everyday situations, but that might just be the sadistic side of me. The cringe-worthy scenes were both hilarious and depressing, because these kind of awkward moments happen in real life, and I can relate on a personal level. 

Nevertheless, WataMote is a great anime to watch when you need some comedic relief. 

Simple Yet Effective Artwork (7)
You can tell that this was a low-budget production, so the artwork isn't very impressive. Though, Kuroki isn't quite the attractive character nor the enthusiastic type, so it wouldn't make sense to use a "mainstream" art style. But don't judge that this is a bad anime because of the art style! This lack of quality is actually beneficial in making this an enjoyable anime, and adds extra laughs. Keep in mind that the style is a bit different and it does take some time getting use to.

Strange Soundtrack (8)

Kitta Izumi as Kuroki Tomoko. Perfect match!

As much as I find the opening animation strange, the soundtrack itself is wonderful. The opening song is very energetic. It gives you a burst of energy, but the episode's story slowly sucks it all away, until you are a miserable mess wishing that Kuroki had some sort of success. And to refresh you once again, the ending song is this cheerful, sweet song full of hope. With Kitta Izumi singing it with her Kuroki voice, it provides an overwhelming amount of motivation. 

The animation for the opening song is strange. Everytime, I keep thinking, "Is this is Death Note?". Note, that may just be my personal opinion. The ending song, on the other hand, is quite creative. I like the unique concept of the phone presenting Kuroki's life. The only other ending I can think of that is similar would be FMA Brotherhood, where Al and Ed "draw" the ending.

Also, Miku had an ending song appearance!

Lack of Development for Characters (6)
There is really only one character in this anime, and Kuroki doesn't have that much growth to her character. The last two episodes show some character development, but again, it isn't that much. Besides the development, Kuroki is a well-portrayed socially awkward high school girl, a little extreme albeit but still well-portrayed. She is an interesting character since she is different from the normal cut-out characters, and I love that about her. Also, Kitta Izumi does a terrific job in voicing Kuroki and she really brings a realistic side to Kuroki, because not all Japanese girls have an adorable, moe voice. 

The one thing that I would have liked in this season was to have the side characters make more frequent appearances. Naruse Yuu was a funny airhead and I wish that she had more lines, same with Kuroki's brother and Imae Megumi. The side characters add depth to the story and truly show how Kuroki interacts with different people. Hopefully, if there is a next season, I want the side characters to have a greater role.

Cringe-Worthy Experience - In a Good Way (8)
Every single episode had some sort of cringe-worthy moment. It was humorous, yes, but I kept wanting to pull my hair out. So many awkward scenes, but hey, they lighten the mood on the fact that Kuroki may never become popular. 

As well, I enjoyed the references to other anime, to the point where I would take screenshots and ask others if they recognized the reference.

Guess the anime reference :D
Screenshot by me

Overall: Good (7)
Watamote wouldn't be the anime that you would watch for story, or art or character; it is for the embarrassing and humorous moments. If you can relate to being socially awkward, then Watamote is perfect for you, unless you never want to open the door to your past again. And even if you can't relate, Watamote is an enjoyable, yet cringe-worthy anime that is worth a few laughs.   


Whew, done. 
Good night everyone~
Nankurunaisa
sana_salim

What's the time?

I want to have this watch!

Seiyuu appreciation post: Tetsuya Kakihara

Seiyuu appreciation post: Miyano Mamoru

Okay, I know, he's a dad. But still. ._. He's hot.

Anime Parodies: ServantXService #12

I love it when animes make fun of other animes. ServantXService and Watamote did quite a lot of that in the Summer season.
This week in ServantXService Chihaya takes 3 days off work to make cosplay costumes. Turns out she'll be cosplaying as Menma from AnoHana and someone from Shingeki no Kyojin!

Seiyuu appreciation post: Hatano Wataru and Terashima Takuma

Seiyuu appreciation post: Fukuyama Jun

More Reviews Soon~

With the summer and spring animes coming to an end, expect some reviews in the next few weeks. I will try and cover as many shows as I can. In the meantime, here are some pictures from the animes that you should watch.

Kamisama No Inai Nichiyoubi (The Sunday Without God)

Kiniro Mosaic (Yellow Mosaic)

Dangan Ronpa

Gin No Saji (Silver Spoon)

Gatchaman Crowds

Uchouten Kazoku (Eccentric Family)

WataMote (It's Not My Fault That I Am Not Popular!)

Seiyuu appreciation post: Shimono Hiro

Seiyuu appreciation post: Suwabe Junichi

Seiyuu appreciation post: Ohsaka Ryota

Seiyuu appreciation post: Ono Daisuke

Brothers Conflict - Episode 12 (Final) [v.P]

Hey Bro! It's that time of the week again!
This is the last episode!!

I'm absolutely sobbing my eyes out after watching this final episode. My precious boys!
It was a very nicely wrapped ending!

Conflict 12: Affections.

Pumpkin's palette: Twins

Twins are perfect. I'd like to date someone who has a twin. :3
I tried a new colouring style this time. Is it better than my old colouring style?
Actually, I started this piece because I wanted a new profile banner. Hahaha.

Azusa and Tsubaki from Brothers Conflict

 Lineart:

Seiyuu appreciation post: Kaji Yuuki

Gruhhhh, you are so adorable Kajiii-kun~

[Download] Passage - Miyano Mamoru

So what's the extra seiyuu post I mentioned in my previous post? (Picture kind of gives it away lol)
Well some kind hearted soul shared Mamo's new album Passage!
And :O :O :O it's MAMOLICIOUS~~ Download here.
This album is pure perfection.

I love "THANK YOU (reprise)". It was my favourite song from your Kanon single, and you made even 'awesomer' in your album.
You show off your amazing vibrato voice with track 5 - 愛の詩～Ulyssesの宴～, a jazzy kind of song.
:O You remixed "Golden Night" so darn awesome. "passage," feels like a typical Mamo song, very similar to his early career style.
I'm crying from the lyrics of his last song "未来", it's so sweet and beautiful!

Seiyuu appreciation post: Ono Daisuke

*screams* OnoD you sexy beast!

(Another seiyuu surprise on the way ;) )

Seiyuu appreciation post: Fukuyama Jun

I see his name in a few of the upcoming animes :D

Random Bubbletea picture

Found this floating around the internet. Apparently this is how Malaysia promotes bubbletea. lol.

Seiyuu appreciation post: Kimura Ryohei

Seiyuu appreciation post: Eguchi Takuya

Brothers Conflict - Episode 11 [v.P]

Hey Bro! It's that time of the week! Only 2 more episodes to go!
(A slight delay in obtaining the raws this week, hence the late post.)

Conflict 11: Love and Hate.

Autumn 2013 Anime Previews

Now that Summer is over (in Japan) and Autumn is officially kicking in, despite the numerous tweets that Japan is still too hot, it's time to check out what's on the Autumn anime season and track down which ones will go on your 'to watch list'.

This website is very informative about the upcoming animes and I highly recommend it!

(I'm still trying to track down the compilation video of anime previews. I'll update once I find it.)

Click for larger view

So far I've got 40 animes on my 'To watch list' (@_@ That's over 20 hours each week; Or 3 hours each day... I am so dead), with 6 of them maybe dropping depending on the first (or second) episode. It seems like this season will be a sports anime season, having a total of 5 sports related animes. It appears that the Otome genre died down big time (I can only see at most two animes that lean towards the female fanservice lane), and Supernatural/Fantasy is the new wave to ride.

Kishio Daisuke's new single PV released

The PV for seiyuu Kishio Daisuke's upcoming, and his first, single 「0F〜Love forever〜」 was released today on YouTube. This PV features fellow seiyuus Hirakawa Daisuke, Maeno Tomoaki and Terashima Takuma. The single will be released in early October 2013.

This song is used as the Theme song for the Smartphone/tablet Otome game 『家政婦さんっ！～トキメク☆イケメン男子寮～』

Seiyuu appreciation post: Suzumura Kenichi

Psycho Pass second season and movie gets green light

A second season of Psycho Pass and a movie are currently in the works. Fans can look forward to these productions soon!
Source: animate

Making unlimited Wacom tablet nibs for under $6!

This is just a nice reference for me in future when my nibs wear out.
I discovered this nifty little post here.
No more having to spend your week's pay just for nibs for your tablet pen. All you need to do is head over to your closest hardware store!

Click for larger view

PSP get. Otome heart unlocked!

I finally got my hands on a PSP thanks to my good friend Megabubbletea.
Although it is a third-hand hand-me-down, I am still very very excited.

First things first, time to put the games onto the memory card. (Computer says it's going to take 30 minutes... @_@)
What games did I put on it?
Well the main reason why I craved for a PSP is because most otome games run on this system. Including my very much loved... UTA NO PRINCE SAMA!! and Brothers Conflict.
//I quickly scanned the user manual while waiting for the files to transfer//
Next is to customize the machine and explore all the buttons.

Special Azusa theme from BroConf.

The long awaited moment... UTA NO PRINCE SAMA!! Start from game one: Repeat! (well technically this isn't the first UtaPri game, but Repeat is the revamped version of the original game, ie. it has better CGs).

Hello babies!! Mama is coming for you!! -kiss kiss-