Sunday, October 15, 2006

Anime : Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori 02

うたかた

This episode tells about a girl, Yayoi, whose younger sister Sumire is missing, and along with her parents, are handing out flyers in front of a busy road junction in desperate hope to find Sumire. However, Yayoi seems to be plagued by drowning hallucinations and haunted by Sumire's pleading voice, telling her that it is cold and dark in whatever place that Sumire is in now. Yayoi, following her illusions, is led to her sister's room, where the pasokon automatically starts on its own and the Jigoku Tsuushin website popped up. A few more haunting episodes later, Yayoi came to find that her sister was drowned in the sea after being raped and killed by a man. And this gruesome crime occured on the day Yayoi had an argument with Sumire, where Yayoi left Sumire behind at a store and that being the last time she ever see Sumire. Having 'seen' the horrible event her sister was subjected to, Yayoi accessed the Jigoku Tsuushin and requested for the man to be sent to hell.

(For a detailed review, please visit Memento)

For a while, I wondered if Yayoi requested for the vengeance to be sent to hell because she was guilty that she may have indirectly caused Sumire's death, or that she really hated the man for killing her sister. Did she engaged with the Jigoku Shoujo out of guilt or hatred? At the end of the episode, she seemed happier even though still helping to hand out flyers to find Sumire, with the knowledge that Sumire is already dead.

Based on this episode, I'm sensing that the writers are taking the Jigoku Shoujo series to a stage of much more emotional development. This time around, we see that the urami (vengeance) case has a personal impact on Ichimoku Ren. Since the time they were first contacted on the Jigoku Tsuushin, Ren appeared to view the case with personal interest. He followed and monitored Yayoi throughout the day, and at one point of time, we see a flashback of his past.

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It seems that the writers are trying to indicate that the case may have some similarity to his past, and that he may be struggling with either hatred or remorse. I wondered if he killed that girl shown in the flashback or that girl was someone important to him and he killed the person who murdered the girl. Saa...

I quite enjoyed this episode because there seemed to be improved development on the way the story was told. There were more character development (in this case Ichimoku Ren) and more emotional touches to the story telling. Also, I find the Ippen Shindemiru style this week quite cool. Ai did it in Noh fashion, with the assistance of Ren - and it looked really cool. Noto Mamiko even executed it with Noh-style voice acting, which I think is simply superb!

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Consistent with last week's plot, the mysterious kimono-clad shoujo made a brief appearance.
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I believe there'll be a larger plot to the urami-case we have every week, and probably involving this shoujo. However, based on the way they introduce her these two weeks, the development might probably be very slow.

Also, in this episode, they introduced the opening theme, NightmaRe, by SNoW. Although not as catchy as the first OP "逆さまの蝶", the song is quite nice and will probably wear on after a few times listening. The OP sequence that came along was also pretty good. They showed more images of Ichimoku Ren, Hone-Onna, Wanyuudou,.. and what might be the kimono-clad girl. Hopefully, these means that there will be more storyline involving them.

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On a more technical note, I felt there's been improvement in the animation quality. In the scene where Ai was reading the memory of the dog, the change of the dusk scene into a snowing landscape was very fluid and pretty well done. The colors for this episode are also quite lovely. I simply love Jigoku Shoujo colors - they are beautiful, contrasting and fitting for the dark theme.

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The soundtrack for this episode was also commendable. I especially love the way they integrated the initial interval of the ED theme with the final scene, it was very fluid and gave an excellent impact. Of course, it goes without saying that the ED song " あいぞめ" by Noto Mamiko is simply fitting and well sung.

Oh, and it seems like I spoke too soon. In this episode, Ren became the straw doll!! And when he said "怨み聞きとどけたり" (vengeance heard and delivered) was so kakkoi, and all I was thinking was "bishounen" >.<
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It's quite refreshing that they allow other Ai's assistants to take on the role of the straw doll, unlike in the previous season, Wanyuudou would be the straw doll by default. I also liked the fact that the writers are giving the show much more emotional development. Previously, Ai and helpers just carry out the vengeance as requested. But in this season, it seems like they took the trouble to investigate the cases and in some ways, tried to prevent people from taking revenge where possible. This is evident when Wanyuudou wondered aloud whether Yayoi would be better off if she hadn't access to the Jigoku Tsuushin and forget about her urami. Also, the writers allowed the cases to emotionally impact the characters... so I think they are bringing the show to a more emotional level. Which is quite nice, if you ask me. It makes the show more thought-provoking and makes you wonder what is vengeance, hatred, justice, and their worth. If the writers develop the show in this direction, I think Jigoku Shoujo is heading for a successful season.

However, the writers still adamantly adhere to the one-episode-one-urami style. Hopefully, this doesn't drag too long. They could have also, given more character development to Ichimoku Ren. I would have liked to know more about his past, and how he ended up halfway between heaven-and-hell as Ai's assistant. But from the preview of next episode, it seems like they will move on to give a little bit of character development to Hone Onna. And who knows, after that we might get a dig into Wanyuudou's past.

Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori, ganbatte.

**Screencaps all belong to Memento and WRex.

~みはる~

Monday, October 09, 2006

Anime : Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori 01

The second season of Jigoku Shoujo " Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori " premiered 7th October 2006.

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Overall I pretty much enjoyed Jigoku Shoujo because of the pretty colors, soundtrack and voice actings... but the plot for the first season left much to be desired. I thoroughly enjoyed episodes 22-26 of the first season, where they delved into the past of Enma Ai, and her fated connection with Shibata Hajime and Tsugumi. As such, I had hoped for a second season that is as exciting as these few last episodes.

I have just watched the raw of the first episode of the second season: 地獄少女二籠 entitled 闇の中の少女(Girl in the Darkness). This episode's plotline is about a grade school girl Onda Maki, who for some unknown reason is being bullied, or rather, seriously harrassed by some unknown person. The bully apparently vandalized her notebooks and shoes, stapled her sweater sleeves, and stuffed maggots in her pencil case and locker. It was then revealed that her pursuer is her psychotic science teacher, who gets a kick out of harrassing her with such 'fun experiments'. Kinda sick, if you ask me. In Jigoku Shoujo-style, psychotic sensei was sent to hell.

Although it is not really up to my expectations, I think it has improved a slight bit from the previous season. I liked the way they started the season: with a flashback of Ai's past and an implication of how she landed in the Jigoku Shoujo job. Hopefully this is an indication of hte writers' interest to tell us more about Ai's past.

Also Wanyuudou, Ichimoku Ren and Hone Onna were given more involvement and screen time, whilst Enma Ai seemed to have adopted a different attitude/approach in playing her role as the Jigoku Shoujo (although it's quite too early to say). I also liked the way they reflected Ai's past in Onda Maki's circumstances.

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I thought this pose is quite cool, especially with Ren towering above Ai. And Ai with the lab coat over the kimono is kawaii!

Another change they gave to the show is that Hone Onna now becomes the straw doll instead of Wanyuudou. I didn't know that Hone Onna could be the doll.... will Ichimoku Ren be the next straw doll??

Furthermore, I like Ai's new kimono!!

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And they have also changed her Ippen Shindemiru execution style. Instead of her lifting her right arm with suzu sounds and flowers jumping out of the kimono, Ai raises both arms and sakura petals whirl out of her kimono. The effect is pretty cool.

However, it was quite disappointing to note that the style of Jigoku Shoujo hasn't change much at all. They still adhere to the one-episode-one-revenge kind of plot. What piqued my interest was that near the end of this episode, there is a mysterious kimono-wearing little girl jumping out from behind the shadows giggling, obviously have been monitoring the moves of Enma Ai and her entourage. Hopefully we'll get more dark drama, instead of some cutesy supporting role.

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Hopefully this will lead to a main story development about Ai's and her helpers' pasts. I'd be kinda bored if they keep to the one-episode-one-revenge style.

Plus, the ED theme by Noto Mamiko is quite nice. The ED sequence is also quite pretty, with many different shots of Ai in different kimonos.

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I love the pretty kimono-Ai styles!!

Screenshots from memento

~みはる~

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Manga : Bleach Ch.246

You have to love this chapter. For a brief moment, I thought that Kurosaki Ichigo, Ishida, Sado and the cute little Arrancars are going to be perished in the sands of Los Noches. Of course, that is before the water thing came in. I love the way Tite-sensei brought in the entrance of Ichigo's saviors. And the shock-cum-hope-cum-realization look on Ichigo's face was priceless. Who else could release the snow-type zanpakutou shikai ’次の舞:白連’ ?

When I saw the last page of the chapter, I was only thinking, "Kubo Tite-sensei, you rock."

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Scan courtesy of BleachBuzz

I did not expect Rukia nor Renji to make an entrance in Hueco Muendo at all. Not after when Kuchiki Byakuya and Zaraki Kenpachi were close to using force to bring the shinigamis back to Soul Society from the real world. That they appear at such a critical point with Rukia releasing her second shikai was... fantastic. And the way their entrance was drawn is damn kakkoi.

Another aspect of this chapter which I enjoyed is the return of Bleach-humor. The previous few chapters had been quite serious and depressing, but the humor brought about by the funny and weird chibi Arrancars were pretty hilarious (especially Neil. He is so cute!!). On top of that Ishida was pretty funny when he delivered the deadpan - むりだね - at such a critical moment.

Now I'm practically withering waiting for the next chapter release.

~みはる~

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Musings : Honey & Clover

Solar fansubs finally released the finale of Honey & Clover II.

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An applause to Umino Chika and the Hachikuro production team for the two wonderful seasons of Honey & Clover.

The ending of Honey & Clover II was so sad because everyone had to move on with their lives, taking different paths, which will lead them further away from their days together. It was also sweet, especially the scene where Takemoto discovered every layer of the bread Hagu gave him was carefully layered with honey and clover. It is suffice to say that Takemoto's monologue at the end was... bittersweet.

Honey & Clover is definitely one of the most brilliant anime I've ever watched. Although it is shelved as a shoujo drama, it was very well done because it takes the viewer along in the show, provoking their thoughts and allowing them to reflect and relate the characters' lives with their very own lives. I liked the way Honey & Clover threaded the issue of love and life. Love takes a different shape and meaning for each of the different characters.

For Yamada, it was an unrequited love of a very precious friend.
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For Takemoto, it was a love at first sight that failed to take flight.
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For Morita, it was a love that was distanced by talent.
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For Hagu, it was a romantic love that rivalled her love for drawing - her purpose in life.
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For Mayama, it was a love waiting to be reciprocated.
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For Nomiya, it was a painful love being a cushion for a failed love (he said that!)
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For Shuuji, it was a love that returned him his purpose in life.
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...So what is love?
Yamada's persistent pinning for Mayama makes me wonder what love is.

...How is it important to your life?
Hagu felt drawing gave her a purpose in life, but was it more important than the liking she felt for Morita?

...And how does it affects the people around you?
Mayama's unwavering wait for Rika possibly gave her some faith in her life after Harada. Nomiya's patience with Yamada possibly will slowly erase her pain and pinning for Mayama over time.

I think that Honey & Clover delivered these ruminations well, with an excellent dash of humor and fantastic soundtrack from Suga Shikao & Spitz (I love these guys!!).

On the story
To me, this is possibly the pillar of Honey & Clover's wonderful success as a shoujo manga/anime. The theme is simple: romance. However, what makes it unique is the way the story was told. Mangaka Umino Chika is in my opinion, very talented at telling the story without really shoving the absolute drama to your plate. The plot was unfolded such that you can relate, and participate. Often, after every chapter or episode, I find myself thinking, "What would I do if I were Yamada/Takemoto/Hagu?" etc. It sets you in deep thought, and gives you a light of reality. She also delivered a very strong notion: that there is no right and wrong in love; love may not be reciprocated, but a failed love may not be a regretful thing. One obvious scenario that illustrated that point was when Yamada had to make the difficult decision to reject all 4 proposals, all whom were by her dearest friends. And when she came into that position, she finally realized how Mayama had felt about her. From there, she learnt to mature and to come to terms.

Another plot that I really liked was on the Hagu x Morita relation. Hagu's decision to ask Shuuji to stay with her through her rehab period showed us that for some people, the purpose of their life can be more important than what romance is to them. Although I believe Hagu truly likes Morita, but she felt drawing was her lifeline, and it was something she couldn't sacrifice for anything in the world. And to other people, love can be a powerful motivator. It was because Hagu believed in him, Morita, who was at the brink of throwing everything away, became motivated to pull through his lowest moments.

So love and liking is not straightforward but very complex, and has a very different and unique meaning to every different individual. And that, is reality.

On the characters
Honey & Clover is driven by a group of very well-developed characters. Their personalities are very real and in the anime, the seiyuus (voice actors) are perfect fittings for the respective characters. My personal favourites are Hagu's seiyuu - Kudou Haruka; and also Morita's seiyuu - Ueda Yuji. Hagu's character is cute yet calm and composed at times. I personally think that Kudou-san did a great job at the scene where Hagu released her 'tantrum' at Shuuji. Her voice acting was top notch - fear and anguish were perfectly reflected in her voice. Morita, the eccentric, shady guy yet gentle and composed at the right times, is played by the talented Ueda-san. Every bit of Morita's weirdness is reflected in his voice. Perfect acting.

My only complain is that it is such a waste that in the final episode, the seiyuu for Takemoto was a different person. Although the circumstances can't be helped (original seiyuu Kamiya Hiroshi was seriously injuired in a traffic accident before recording of the last episode), the replacement seiyuu didn't have the same Takemoto-effect. Other than that, the seiyuus are top class.

On the soundtrack
Only one word - FANTASTIC.
Honey & Clover would be dull without the inputs of Suga Shikao, Spitz, Suneohair, YUKI and Yuzo Hayashi. I won't even start writing about it cause I won't be able to stop. Just go get the OST and insert songs.

On the animation
One of the best I have experienced. The animation is quite fluid, the drawings are most of the time flawless (the chibi's and all cartoony inserts), the colors are excellent. I like the pastel-like theme as they give a very serene feel. There aren't many still frames (unlike some animes, there are so many still shots that it feels like looking at an image instead of an animation) and the transitions and timing of insert songs are perfect. And they sooo popularize the kanlansha (ferris wheel).


All I can say, to the best anime of all times - kanpai!!

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screenschots from Fansub.tv & Random Curiosity


~みはる~