mechgouki - Skip Beat PS2 story

Post your Skip Beat fanfiction here.

2012-11-14T00:52:00.000+08:00

After some consideration, I decided to have a section where people can post their fanfics.

Host your fanfics on a fanfic site, then post your links here. (You can also post the entire thing here if you want.)

Use this format:

Title of Fanfic:
Author Name:
Link:
Synopsis:

If your fanfic is a lemon (story with adult content), make sure you state so.

ANY STORY OF KYOUKO GETTING PREGNANT WILL BE TREATED AS A LEMON! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR EXCUSES ARE!

For readers, post your reviews here.

Remember that anyone can criticise your work here. You can put up ShouXKyouko stories of course, but you better be prepared for the bloodbath that follows. :P

You can recommend other fanfics not written by you, but I will not add them to this list. (Problems can occur if you post something not yours.)

Current Releases:

Title of Fanfic: Valentine's Disaster
Author Name: Spherrow
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5277260/1/Valentines_Disaster
Rating: Normal
Synopsis: Reino kidnaps Kyoko on Valentine's Day (for what purpose? *gasp*), Ren and Shou try to get her back. -- this is NOT a Lemon.

Title of Fanfic: Playing With Fire
Author Name: Spherrow
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5446094/1/Playing_With_Fire
Rating: Lemon
Synopsis: Katsuki is asked to play a cameo in the Box 'R' Chronicle. Natsu takes this oportunity for a little fun. - This is a sexual themed fanfic, please do not read if you can not handle mature situations.

Title of Fanfic: Crazy Love Schemes
Author Name: MitsukiTenshi
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4702439/1/Crazy_Love_Schemes
Rating: Normal
Synopsis: A new band in LME shows up and those girls are determined to get Kyoko and Ren together. With new accomplices for Takarada-san president of LME and Yashiro-san will Kyoko and Ren finally get together? Read to find out! KyokoXRen

Title of Fanfic: Did you miss me?
Author Name: chaseafteryourdreams
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5459402/1/Did_you_miss_me
Rating: Normal
Synopsis: Kyoko is Natsu and she gets lost into her character. She take revenge and probably finds love???

Title of Fanfic: Remember When
Author Name: chaseafteryourdreams
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5460512/1/Remember_When
Rating: Normal
Synopsis: The past is replaying in the minds of 'them'. What did happen?

Title of Fanfic: Blow Out the Candle
Author Name: Spherrow
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5492092/1/Blow_Out_the_Candle
Rating: Normal
Synopsis: Ren and Yashiro deal with the yearly crisis that is Ren's Birthday. Somehow, this year will be different...

Title of Fanfic: The Kiss
Author Name: Spherrow
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5786069/1/The_Kiss
Rating: Mature (not Lemon, but not Normal)
Synopsis: Valentine's Day revisited. ...'“Thank you.” This close, I didn’t have to say it loudly. Perhaps I said it with more emotion than I intended, but the thought was there. What I meant by ‘thank you’ really, was ‘I love you.’'

Title of FanFic: Skip Beat's First Game Show
AuthorsName: LynnBeltran
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8603185/1/Skip-Beat-s-First-Game-Show

Fanart

Fan-colored concept art.
http://i575.photobucket.com/albums/ss195/Yumegari_/natsuxren.jpg

Not safe for work :D
http://i43.tinypic.com/mudg69.jpg

Mangareader.net is a shameless thieving site.

2012-07-05T15:17:00.002+08:00

Mangareader.net has stolen my works yet again. This time, they had the audacity to remove all the watermarks and warnings that I placed.

Here is an example of the credits page which they forged.

Original

Falsified by Mangareader

They went as far as to falsify my pages. Mangareader is truly run by a shameless and unscrupulous bunch of assholes.

Skip Beat Chapter 190 Scanlations are up.

2012-07-05T15:15:00.002+08:00

Get the file here.

http://cyberakuma.livejournal.com/

Skip Beat Chapter 187 Scanlations are up.

2012-04-07T01:07:00.002+08:00

Click here to read.

Skip Beat Chapter 186 Scanlations are up.

2012-03-20T00:31:00.001+08:00

Click here to read.

Back to livejournal again. -_-

2011-12-04T13:37:00.003+08:00

http://cyberakuma.livejournal.com/

I'm back to livejournal again. At least unlike Wordpress, it doesn't remove the blog completely.

Please discuss in the thoughts section. If the scanlation entry gets removed, I'll try to post it again.

Thoughts for 183

2011-11-27T00:42:00.002+08:00

Okay, just to be clear on one thing, regarding what the President said, he actually intended for a physical attraction between Ren and Kyouko without it leading to anything sexual. Well, it did advance in a way.

Anyway, there has been some discussion on what happened in the last page. Most people have said that Ren isn't one to do something stupid, like assault the staff etc. Most likely, this scene was entirely acted out, just that Ren took it one step higher. This is probably just a very realistic act, in short.

Regarding the spoofs, I don't have much, but I did come up with this one.

I know some of you may think it's lame. :(

It's all I can come up with now.

Guys, please give me your comments. If you don't have an account, please apply for a Wordpress account.

Please remember to comment in the 183 section.
http://cyberakuma.livejournal.com

Skip Beat PS2 Shou Path Differences.

2011-11-16T23:50:00.003+08:00

This section records some of the Shou Path differences. Not all the differences in the choices for the common path are detailed here, only the significant ones.

After Kyouko's phone is locked, if she chooses to get the phone herself, she gets angry, and tells Yashiro she has a score to settle with Shou. Yashiro asks her if she is okay alone, but she says she just needs to get the codes.

Kyouko goes inside Shou's make-up room. She says he hasn't left yet. Shou answers it's not that he hasn't left, he has been waiting here the whole time. Shou says they are to go out and eat. Kyouko says she came here looking for her codes, not a meal. Shou says the only way that she will get those codes is for her to eat a meal with him. Kyouko would rather lose the phone, but she thought of how difficult it was to get Tsuruga-san's and Mouko-san's number, and decided against it. So she has no choice but to agree. "I'm not paying for you meals though!" "That's fine, I'm paying."

Shou gives Kyouko a coat, saying he doesn't want her to catch a cold in this weather. But then he adds that idiots normally don't catch cold. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING AN IDIOT!?"

So they end up at the restaurant. Shou comments she keeps making this face. She replies that she doesn't have to smile, she's not a fan or anything.

Shou makes the orders without asking Kyouko. Kyouko protests that she hasn't even seen the menu yet. Shou says it makes no difference, she'll only order the same things too. She takes the menu and checks it. No hamburg on the list. "In the end, you only ended up wasting more time." "Fine, I'll just hurry up with it then!"

The beancurd was more delicious than she expected. Shou watches her, and tells her they get their beancurd fresh from Kyoto. "What do you want from me, a compliment?" Shou just tells her to hurry up, he'll give her the codes soon. He remarks that she is showing her fierce face even during a meal.

2 options here, to show an expressionless face, or normal face. If she tries to do it with a normal face, she will comment that it is kind of hard, considering the present company.

Regardless, looking at Shou's face, it kinds of reminds her of the past. She reminisces a little without realizing, about the time when she used to call him "Shou-chan", but she quickly shocks herself back to reality. Shou comments her face keeps changing the whole time. Anyway, she finishes, so she demands the number. Shou tells her the number is 1225. It's her birthday. He couldn't forget it, because during those days, she had always been working as an assistant there. Anyway, gotten what she needed, Kyouko leaves. Shou looks like he wanted to tell her to stay, but he didn't.

During the argument about the jobs, where Shou appears with a piglet, and Kanae shows up to interrupt them, if Kyouko chooses to respond to Shou first, she will state that he always acts like a brat. "I am not a child!" "Using a piglet as a hostage, doing as you please without considering others, which part of that is mature?" "I don't consider you as "others". "

Shou continues to taunt her. "It's a fact that we were raised together. I know everything about you. And you too know about me."
"I've been trying to forget everything about you!"
"But it seems you can't forget."
"I will forget! Once I have my revenge on you!"

This is where they begin the stare-down.

Kanae interrupts them. "Stop that now. Are you 2 trying to kiss in public?"
:P
That surprises Kyouko. "Mouko-san, how can you say that?"
"The two of you were pitting your faces so close together. Right, Tsuruga-san?"

Ren doesn't say a word, but Kyouko senses a dark aura. It is a bad idea to start an argument with Shou again. "Tsuruga-san?" He seems to be in a daze. Is something wrong?

"Oh, I have to get this shirt changed."

Kyouko must have made Ren upset by arguing with Shou. She's always falling into this trap.

Ren advises her not to argue any more. Kyouko feels bad about this bad habit of always starting an argument with Shou. Kyouko offers to pay for his cleaning, but he says it's fine, and he has to go now. He leaves. Kyouko feels really bad for upsetting Ren.

Shou smugly comments, "It's so great to be finally rid of that guy."
"Isn't it about time for you to disappear too?"
"Now that Tsuruga Ren isn't here any more, you can stop acting like a good girl."
"What crazy thing are you talking about this time?"
"You don't want him to hate you, so you always act like a good girl. The way you treat him is totally different from the way you treat me."
"That's because the problem lies with you!"

Kyouko explains to Kanae they still have to clean the food. Kanae gets angry. "Don't tell me, Tsuruga-san got his clothes dirty because he was helping you?!" She said that Kyouko should have politely declined. Shou butts in, saying that Ren is a troublesome guy. "He insists on helping, even when his help is not needed."

"Well it's better than some people who are causing problems rather than helping!"

"If I hadn't been here, than this piglet would have ran off somewhere, and you would never have found it. I deserve credit for this one." Kyouko is almost taken in for a second. But then she says, "In the end, it was still Mouko's fish sausage that got the job done!"

They start a stare-down again. Kanae says Kyouko can continue to argue for all she cares, she's simply going to go back and continue her job. Kyouko realizes that is the final warning to stop this. They both leave Shou where he is. He calls out to Kyouko but she ignores him this time.

After they cleaned up the piglets room and left, if Kyouko chooses to go and to buy juice, she will meet Asami-san. Asami congratulates her for a job well done as Mio, and adds that her performance in the PV really helped with its popularity.

Anyway, Kyouko finds out that Asami is also the producer for Shou's CM this time as well. Kyouko asks about the staff board's objection in using her. Asami confirms that such a thing did indeed happen. But Asami also declares that she supported Shou's decision. She firmly believes that Kyouko is a capable actress. Asami seems to have the wrong idea of Kyouko and Shou having a good relation. Kyouko declares very strongly that they are enemies. The reason why he chose her for this, is probably because he wants to get back at her. Asami says that Shou is confident of acting well this time, and has no intention of losing. Asami asks Kyouko to consider this job before saying goodbye. Kyouko continues to buy juice.

As Kyouko approaches the vending machines, she spots someone there. It's Shou! She doesn't want to meet him, but she doesn't want to run away either. A 2-way option here, to continue to buy juice, or go somewhere else. Not much difference. If she tries to leave, Shou will spot her. "Are you running away?"

Damn! "I wasn't trying to run away, it's just that I saw an eyesore in front of the vending machines."

Anyway, regardless of what she chose, she sees Shou buying another drink, and wonders what is he doing buying more than what he can drink. Shou tells Kyouko to hold out her hand. Kyouko responds as she is told, then she immediately asks herself, why am I listening to him? Shou places the drink in her hand and says "For you." Kyouko responds by telling him not to just toss everything to her as he pleases. "Refusing the kindness of others, aren't you a strange one?"

"I felt bad about just now. This makes up for it."
"Since when did you make up for it?"
"That's why I am giving you that."

Shou points to the drink in her hand. Really can't expect more out of this guy. Kyouko tells him very clearly, he should feel ashamed, using a pig as a hostage. That only makes Shou burst out laughing at her description of the pig hostage.

"If anyone sees you, you'll just be embarrassing yourself, laughing like that."
"That's okay, I needed the exercise anyway."
"What exercise? You were just laughing like an idiot!"
"Yeah, that's the equivalent of 30 situps."

Shou says he didn't expect Kyouko to be concerned over him laughing out like that in public. Kyouko makes fun of him, saying it would have made a juicy gossip story. Shou nonchalantly says that the office will kill that story before it even hit the papers.

Shou asks how long is she just going to stand there holding the drink. Kyouko looks at the drink before she opened it.

Kyouko: Hold it! Isn't this drink carbonated? What's the meaning of this?!
Shou: It's just carbonated drink, right?
Kyouko: You know I can't take carbonated drinks!
Shou: I know that.
Kyouko: Don't give me that crap!

Kyouko thrusts the drink back to him, and says he can have it himself. "What a waste of good intentions..."

Shou takes the drink, and opens it.

FZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!!

The drink sprays all over him.

Shou: Kyouko... Why you.... you shook it, didn't you!?
Kyouko: Eh? No, I didn't! ................... I think.

She is well aware that she has the tendency of shaking can drinks without even realizing it.

Shou: What do you mean you think?! You definitely shook it! Now I'm completely wet!
Kyouko: ..... sorry...
Shou: Oh? You are actually apologising?
Kyouko: It's not like I did it on purpose.
Shou: Sorry isn't going to cut it. You're going to have to do something about it.

Kyouko gets a bad feeling about this.

Next thing she knew, she ended up in Shou's changing room. Shou goes to change, and tells her not to run.

"Jeez, why do I have to do this?"
"That's because a certain someone sprayed juice all over me!"
"Fine, fine, just hurry up."

Kyouko is actually feeling nervous, and she tells herself not to feel that way, since they did live together once. She could still hear her heart beating. It is an upsetting feeling.

Shou asks Kyouko to pass him the shirt. She takes it, and passes it to him.

Kyouko: H....Hey! Put on your clothes before you call me!
Shou: That's why I'm asking you to hand it to me.
Kyouko: This is Sekuhara! (Sexual harassment.)
Shou: I'm the one being watched here. If there's anyone getting sekuhara, it's me. And this isn't the first time you see me like this. I thought you'd be used to it by now. We did live together once.
Kyouko: Don't bring that up again! Face that way and change!
Shou: What's with you? Are you embarrassed?
Kyouko: W...What are you talking about? How can that even be possible?
Shou: Your face is turning red.
Kyouko: You obviously saw wrong!

Shou realizes that she's just going to deny it completely. Kyouko pants, out of breath. She just can't get used to this. Anyway, Shou is done, so he calls her.

Kyouko: So, what's it going to be?
Shou: I'll hold you responsible for the cleaning, of course.
Kyouko: Fine, hand it over, I'll get it cleaned.
Shou: Unfortunately, this requires a special cleaning method, so I will have to handle it. You just need to pay for the cleaning.
Kyouko: Even though you say that, I don't have too much money with me.
Shou: That's fine. I'll just have you use all the money you have now.

Eeeek! He really is the devil!!

Next, she ends up going to a restaurant with him.

Kyouko: Why can't you just take cash?
Shou: The sum is 5 figures. Having you pay for a meal, you should consider that a bargain.
Kyouko: But the meals here are very costly! I'm not trying to brag, but I really am very poor!
Shou: I know that.

Kyouko is pissed off. Who's fault was it that I am so poor?

Shou: I wasn't really expecting much from you anyway. Fine, a drink will do.
Kyouko: Fine then. But I don't want to hear you pressing me about the job.
Shou: Oh, that has already been decided.

Huh? What is he talking about?

Thoughts for 182

2011-11-04T21:50:00.015+08:00

Well, this chapter was unsurprisingly, another large monologue from Kyouko. To be honest, this chapter had not progressed much since 181. It still left her wondering what the hell just happened. I honestly think this chapter was just filler.

My next prediction.
B.J., after coming out onto the set with his make-up on, will scare the hell out of even more people. Murasame would be especially shocked, wondering if he is even human.
Yashiro would be desperately trying to get through to Kyouko after the failed call.
Kyouko would notice something about Cain Heel's act, as if something changed in him.

Well, that's basically what I predict. Not much else to say.

Some people have been wondering, what does the last page saying "bare-handed" means. Did you guys forget? Yashiro breaks any electronic device just by touching it. If he doesn't use gloves, it will break down. How could you guys forget? It's like his special trait, lol.

About the ringtone spawning fairies, I think Yashiro set the ring tone that way to indicate that it is a call from Kyouko-chan. No other special meanings there.

---

Kyouko's outfit for this chapter reminded me of Iori Yagami. For those who don't know who that is, I have a picture here.

(HOW COULD YOU GUYS POSSIBLY NOT KNOW WHO IORI YAGAMI IS?!?!)

Anyway, what do you guys think? I really think the outfit design is similar. Please remember to tell me what you think.

---

BTW guys, I made some spoofs. :D

Tell me what you think of these.

Spoof1

Spoof2

Spoof3

Spoof4

Spoof5

Give me your feedback. :D

---

Please respond accordingly and post in the 182 section.

Most Revered Heroines.

2011-10-23T21:44:00.012+08:00

Most of the time, the stories that you see, the role of the hero, the one who saves lives, protect the innocent and fights villains, is a guy.

But occasionally, there are some stories that feature Heroines. The savior of the story is a woman. Such stories are rare, but there is definitely a number.

I personally have 2 heroines which I admire the most.

Name: Shanoa
Appearances: Castlevania Order of Ecclesia / Akumajo Ubaware no Kokuin

Shanoa is a user of Glyphs. Using the Glyphs that are inscribed on her body, she is able conjure up various weapons and elements.

Near the start of the story, Shanoa lost much of her memory and personality. She was sent to track down her brother. He stole the glyphs and escaped, and ultimately died, revealing that he had wanted to save her from a similar fate. She later discovered her master's true plan was to revive Dracula, but she finally defeated Dracula herself.

Among the Caslevania series, Shanoa isn't just the strongest woman, she is probably the strongest character. With the right tools, she is capable of unleashing massive damage, and she is able to kill almost all bosses in one hit. None of the other characters in the series have as much power as her. Shanoa has the highest attack power. (Not the highest defense power though.) Unlike other Vampire Hunters though, she needs to use a powerful spell that almost cost her her own life to defeat Dracula, because she wasn't able to finish him off through normal means.

What I admire most about Shanoa, is her power.

Shanoa's choice of clothing is an odd combination. She wears a normal sexy looking bare-backed evening gown, but she also wears a half-plate armor in front. Not a very conventional combination, I'd say. I would describe her beauty as a "dark and eerie beauty".

---

Name: Angelique
Appearence: Neo Angelique (PS2 game), Neo Angelique Abyss (Anime, 2 seasons)

Neo Angelique first started as a game in the Angelique series, on the PS2. Later, the story was adapted into an anime spanning 2 seasons, with some changes to the plot. Several new characters were added into the anime. In addition, by the time the first season ended, it was already near the end of the game. In short, season 2 was largely original. Personally, I prefer the anime artwork much more than the game artwork.

Angelique was a seemingly normal girl, attending school with the hopes of becoming a doctor. Her world was constantly attacked by thanatos, creatures which drain the life of their victims. Only a select few individuals have the purification ability, the ability to fight the thanatos. Angelique is discovered to have a special purification ability. She can completely purify any thanatos that is already wounded, and she also has the ability to heal victims of the thanatos. Not only that, she is the Queen's Egg, which means that she can become the queen who will watch over the world. However, Angelique has the physique of an ordinary girl, which means she is incapable of fighting physically. (The anime changed that a little in season 2.) Angelique's powers also only work on a thanatos already wounded, which means a partner must aid and defend her. During dinners, her 4 partners insist on cooking every time, which means she doesn't cook. But she's very good at making desserts though.

Angelique is kind, gentle, beautiful, brave, and even selfless. I personally think that she is the very image of a perfect girl. Obviously a fairy tale, lol. What I admired most about Angelique is her personality.

Neo Angelique is actually a dating-sim game, which means she can have a romantic relationship with one of the 6 guys. There is a choice of any of the 4 partners, as well as 2 more extras. She doesn't actually get a chance to openly flirt with her 4 partners, except during the dinner meetings, where she can smile or wink at them. (Can have an adverse effect if she overdoes it though.) In the ending of the anime, she doesn't actually end up with anyone.

My greatest complaint is that Angelique can't have a harem. I mean, among the girls who deserve to get all the guys, Angelique probably deserves that more than any other girl. She deserves to get all 4 of the guys, to be honest. But sadly, that can't be possible.

---

So, there you have it. Those are the top 2 heroines I admire most. Who do you admire?

Some favorite nominations so far.

Aya (Parasite Eve)
Lightning (Final Fantasy 13)
Leyna (Saver)
Maximum Ride (Maximum Ride)
Jill Valentine (Resident Evil)
Nanoha (Lyrical Magical Nanoha)
Tsukasa (Tokyo Crazy Paradise)
Sarasa (Basara)
Balsa (Seirei no Moribito)
Clare (Claymore)
Yoko (12 Kingdoms)

I know what some of you are thinking, but I don't consider Kyouko to be a world-saving heroine, and she's not really on the top of my most admired list.

My thoughts for 180.

2011-09-18T23:49:00.005+08:00

I was surprised by a few things. It seems that Kyouko still hasn't gotten round to the idea of sleeping in the same room as Ren. In fact, this time, she went out shopping just so that she could pass the time.

For Ren's past, I think a lot of us guessed it wrong. I had always been under the impression that Kuon had snapped after Rick died. It appears that he turned violent before that. We now have a rough picture of what happened. We have bits and pieces of his flashbacks, but we can now piece most of them together. After the fight, Kuon gave chase, and Rick chased after him. During that chase, Rick got knocked down. It was after that, he went to Japan to become Tsuruga Ren.

Ren feels that he is losing to the darkness that is Kuon. I say that if he wants to conquer that darkness, he is going to have to first accept that it is a part of himself. It is not a disease that manifested from externally, it came from within, and it is a part of himself. He shouldn't be trying to fight it, instead, he should be trying to understand it.

About the fight that happened at the start. Some people offered their opinions about it. Some say that it was racism. Some say that Kuon looks totally American. Some say he was picked on for other reasons. Personally? I don't care! Whatever the cause was, it's not important.

There is one important thing I really don't quite understand. Ren had already known, that if he was going to be B.J., he would have to bring out this darkness. How would he conquer this darkness that was Kuon? Quite some time ago, he made up his mind, that he would conquer it. But what was he planning to do? He wanted to conquer this darkness, yet he took a role that requires it? Was he actually planning to create a new darkness, without ever bringing out Kuon? Or was he trying to bring out the darkness intentionally, while keeping it under control? Perhaps he is disappointed by the fact that the darkness controlled him instead?

And upon hearing what Kyouko said, Ren realizes that he had failed, and instead, brought forth Kuon. If Ren's Kuon side was not what he had intended to be part of B.J., then what was he planning for B.J.? Could it be possible that he wanted to play the role of B.J., while being fully conscious of the fact that he is merely acting out as B.J., and not truly desiring for violence?

Anyway, one more thing. Towards the end of this Chapter, Kyouko called him Tsuruga-san. I personally think it is fitting, because he is definitely not being Cain Heel right now. And it's very impressive that she actually saw through that. He is most certainly not being Cain Heel right now. He is currently the Ren whom Kyouko had always known.

Page 23 show something very clear. Ren is clearly in despair. But when he despairs, it's always the thought of Kyouko that saves him.

On page 23, I was like, WTF? Ren imagines Kyouko calling out to him, naked? No amount of cold shower is going to help that, lol.

My predictions for next chapter. Well, actually I don't have any. But I do have something I really hope to see. I really hope to see this. Ren, in his sadness, asks Kyouko if she could comfort him. Kyouko readily agrees, saying that she will do whatever she can to make him feel better, even if it's just a little. She soon realizes what she just agreed too, when Ren lays her on the bed. Still, she is powerless to resist, unable to resist.

Well, at least she won't have to worry about sleeping any more, cos she won't be getting any! >:D Everyone wins this way, right? ^_^

(Post comments in 180 section.)

Volume 24 Specials Scanlation.

2011-09-08T20:39:00.007+08:00

This is is the special from one of the volumes. Credits to the original scanner. I do not know who scanned it unfortunately.

I do not know which volume is this from. Those who know, please tell me.

All 3 specials are now completed. Those who are interested in the Volume 25 and 26 specials, they are also on my blog.

By the way, the "attacked by dogs of a different kind", probably refers to the Valentine's day gifts. For those who recall, Yashiro's gifts largely consisted of toy dogs. The female staff probably heard him, and all unanimously gave him toy dogs as gifts.

There should be a Bishoujo/Erogame starring Athrun Zala!

2011-07-20T19:15:00.015+08:00

Athrun Zala, arguably the main character in Gundam Seed Destiny. Kira Yamato is the protagonist from Gundam Seed, the first series, but Athrun Zala takes a more prominent role in the second. Of the 3 main characters, Shinn, Kira, and Athrun, I believe Athrun is the main focus.

I've watched several anime series. Personally, Athrun is at the top of my list of favorite male main characters. In many anime series I've watched, the male lead is usually completely useless, is overconfident, has a bad attitude, or is too bullheaded. Thankfully, Athrun is none of these.

Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny, tells the tale of two powerful nations, both bent on destroying each other. One nation consists of natural born humans, the other consists of genetically enhanced humans, known as coordinators. Both aim to wipe the other out. Amidst this great war, people from both sides and neutral nations come together, in an attempt to put an end to the war, and bring peace.

(A shame that they couldn't incorporate Gundam Seed Astray directly inside either series.)

Those of you who watched the anime, would know that Athrun took on a new identity, as Cagalli's bodyguard, leaving his old life behind, as a soldier, and as the son of the late representative. After which, a series of events led Athrun to return to his old identity, and back into the army as well, forcing him to make a choice on which side to be on.

I would describe Athrun as a soft-spoken, polite gentleman most of the time. But he is also a very brave and capable fighter when he needs to be. Despite that, he is indecisive on many occasions, sometimes being uncertain of what he should be fighting for. Throughout this whole war, Athrun is forced to fight against former allies countless of times, and not wanting to repeat his past mistakes, he is sometimes hesitant to fight.

In a way, he is a reluctant hero, but no one else is more suited for this job than he is.

Therefore, it's not surprising that throughout the whole series, he has the attention of several girls. It might not have been that noticeable to himself though, since he is mostly concerned about putting an end to the war.

Cagalli Yula Athha

Cagalli and Athrun's relation goes way back. By the end of the first series, they were already lovers. At the start of the 2nd series, Cagalli became the representative of Orb, and Athrun becomes her bodyguard, but their relation was much deeper than that.

Before Athrun leaves Cagalli and Orb, he gives her a ring as his promise. But soon after that, things became chaotic, with Athrun rejoining the Zaft army, Cagalli's forced marriage, Orb becoming an enemy of the Plant, and the whole war starting again.

Much later, when Cagalli met Athrun again after his defection, she understood that Meyrin was the one who could care for him. She deemed herself no longer worthy of his ring.

Though it wasn't definitive, it is strongly hinted that Cagalli and Athrun never got back together, and Athrun ended up with Meyrin. (There was no evidence suggesting that Athrun returned Meyrin's feelings though.)

In the first series, Cagalli also seemed to like Kira a lot, but both started to distance from each other when whey found out they were siblings. (Though said to be twins, there was no evidence to suggest that Kira and Cagalli were even blood-related, since Kira is a coordinator and Cagalli is a natural.)

Lunamaria Hawke

A capable pilot in the army. Though she didn't show it openly, she admired Athrun a great deal. When Lunamaria appeared to be jealous over Athrun's actions with Meer, it became clear that she had a crush on him.

Throughout the way, the relation between Lunamaria and Athrun was not an exciting one. He did not show much concern for her beyond that for a fellow pilot. Eventually, after a series of events which include the presumed death of Athrun and her sister, Meyrin, Lunamaria found herself in Shinn's arms.

Eventually, when Lunamaria realized that both Athrun and her sister are both alive, and are both on the enemy's side, she started to hate Athrun, and blamed him for taking Meyrin away.

The truth is, I believe that if Athrun had actually shown Lunamaria a bit more concern, she might have actually fallen in love with him instead. It is shown that Athrun did notice, and did care for her, but yet not as much as he should have.

Meyrin Hawke

Lunamaria's younger sister. She had a deep crush on Athrun right from the start. When Athrun decided to defect from Zaft, she was willing to sacrifice everything for his sake. When Athrun was rescued from the brink of death, she never once left his side. It was obvious that she was in love with him the whole time.

Cagalli knew that Meyrin was able to give Athrun what she herself couldn't, so she asked Meyrin to take care of Athrun. Apparently, she gave up being with him.

It is strongly hinted that Athrun ended up with Meyrin, but no evidence to show that he returned her feelings.

Meer Campbell

Meer Campbell is to play the role of the real Lacus Clyne during her absence. In a way, she became the Plant's new icon. Meer also started out as another one of Athrun's admirers. Apparently, he was more famous than he thought. Although she's not the true Lacus, her fondness of Athrun was not pretended, and her antics seemed to trouble Athrun somewhat. In an ironic way, Athrun saw her as who she is, not as a replacement for Lacus.

When Athrun decided to defect, he knew very well that both himself and Meer were approaching the end of their usefulness. He offered Meer the chance to go with him, but she refused.

Later, Meer was led to arrange a secret meeting between her and Lacus. At the meeting place, Athrun pointed a gun at Meer. (Not a very cool act.) He knew very well that it was a trap meant to lure Lacus out. In the shootout that followed, Meer actually took a bullet for Lacus, which resulted in her death. Both Athrun and Lacus mourned for her. Her life, in a way, was a tragic one, having to live in someone's shadow, not her own. The man she loved did not return her feelings.

Lacus Clyne

In the first series, Lacus was Athrun's fiancee. Their marriage was arranged due to political reasons, though. While they were pretty close to each other, their relation does not appear to be romantic. All of Lacus' Haro bots were made by Athrun.

From the end of the first series to the end of the 2nd, Lacus and Kira were in love the whole time.

(Her official name appears to be Lacus, but it reads to me as "Lux". Oh well.)

So there you have it. 5 girls, all whose fates were intertwined with Athrun Zala, each one of them could have ended up with him. But of course, the anime was much focused on this war itself, and not much was even spent to describe the aftermath. The anime itself gave no hints on who Athrun ended up with, and even in the specials that were outside of the TV series itself, it has been hinted that Athrun returned to Orb as a commander, whereas the Hawke sisters returned to the Plant. It would have been an interesting outcome to see who Athrun ended up with.

I personally think it would be great if they made a game based on Athrun Zala, much like in the Sakura Wars style. The main character makes a series of choices throughout his journey, and ultimately deciding which girl he ends up with.

There should be options that decide his overall moral values and moral standing. As well as choices for him to be closer to Cagalli, Lunamaria, Meer, Meyrin, or Lacus. Also possible scenario changes, such as having Athrun defect with Lunamaria instead, or giving him the chance to save Meer from death, or even allowing him the chance to snatch back his old fiancee from his best buddy. *pure evilness*

So, anyway guys, I would have truly loved to see a game like that. What do you guys think?

Me? Personally I am partial towards Lunamaria, and I hope to see what a relation between Athrun and Lunamaria working out. Who would you guys prefer?

Chapter 177 version 2 released.

2011-07-19T15:36:00.001+08:00

For those still interested, v2 is released. It is HQ (close enough anyway).

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AE54LNI0

I am quitting. This time it's decided.

2011-07-03T12:56:00.009+08:00

Chapter 175 and 176 were released by other groups before I could even begin, so I had to give up on them completely. The truth is, I didn't like the idea of giving up there, and I wanted another chance to prove that I could do it. I finally got this chance, and I made full use of it, so I have no regrets.

I've been thinking for a very long time about this. Speed is the only thing I can offer. Other groups, they have everything else. They have accuracy, and aesthetics. And they even have their own scanning.

Translations used to be an enjoyable process. It's not any more. When there's competition with others, and criteria to fill, it actually adds pressure. The last few chapter translations which I did, I didn't even enjoy them any more. The truth is, we don't need two groups doing this.

For those who believed in me, I thank you. But you must know by now that you are the rare few who do. No one was counting on me to release chapter 177 and 176. I had to search for the raws of 177 myself to fight for this chance.

This is the last chapter for me.

Kampfer

2011-06-11T16:39:00.003+08:00

01: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TLVTNIS9
02: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LCYLMH21
03: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XOMLI3QP
04: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7BTFYESY
05: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=83K9Z5L2
06: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ECB3T513
07: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=I9JB71MI
08: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OF4UR3N5
09: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=R9UIUQYP
10: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QB50INKK
11: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8V2NQ34L
12: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8IEJBQOZ
OP: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OOOZ0LCA
OP2: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JEN7R362
ED: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T8GXBOSZ

Extras:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DN745CWH

Natsuru was a normal average student. But one day he finds himself turned into a girl. Not only that, he is a Kampfer, and he must fight other people who are also Kampfers.

Another anime series based on a light novel. Ironically, one of the rare completed series as well. Very few light novels were completed before they were adapted into anime series.

Personally, I can't say I like this one very much. The story is quite shallow, action is very limited, and there wasn't much humor either. I'm not sure why this series is so popular. It's interesting to watch as one of those gender-bender themes, but that's about it.

In addition, this isn't that much of an ecchi anime either. Even though this is the Blu-ray version, they didn't actually remove censors such as mist etc. The only uncensored part was found in the extras.

On a side note. I am a fan of Shining Wind. When I heard Akane's voice in this anime, I was certain that it was the same voice actress as Shiina from Shining Wind. Turns out, I was wrong, and ironically, the voice actress for Akane was actually the same person doing Kureha from Shining Wind. And even more ironic, the voice actress for Shiina is actually in this anime - she's doing the voice of the Lynx.

I am considering whether to continue or not.

2011-04-25T22:18:00.003+08:00

Another group is doing Skip Beat, and they release a HQ version in 3 days, which is relatively fast compared to the previous groups.

I tried to improve the quality of my scans, by learning how to use Gimp. I also tried to improve on the translations. However, I'm not so sure that is enough. My end result seems to still fall short, compared to the other group, despite taking a whole week.

Anyway. I need help from someone who understands Japanese to help pick out mistakes in my translations. Previously, I had Katherine to help me, but she's stopped coming here. This would help me out greatly in the accuracy of my translations.

I'm going to try a few more times. But if I can't get a good quality scan within a timely fashion, I probably will have to quit.

Anyway, guys, I still need more feedback for Version 2 of 174. Please give your reviews.

There has been some debate on whether Shouko slept with Shou.

2011-04-09T23:32:00.003+08:00

There has been some debate on whether Shouko slept with Shou. 0_o Previously on FH, they were talking about this.

Personally, I don't think so. Shou lived quite a long with Kyouko, without so much as a kiss.

Shouko on the other hand, also seems mature enough not to do something stupid. For her, boundaries between business and personal are probably blurred, but I still doubt that she would do something that could compromise her work.

Someone was also saying, guys around Shou's age, always want it all the time. :P Assuming even if so, I still doubt that Shouko would just say yes.

You can tell that their relation is quite close, him asking her to bathe with him and all. (I had no idea they were even living together until this chapter.) But I still don't think something like that could happen. What do you guys think?

(Post in 173 section.)

I won't be working on a version 2 for Chapter 173.

2011-04-06T12:17:00.011+08:00

The main reason is because mangastream has already released something better.

http://read.mangashare.com/Skip-Beat/chapter-173/page001.html
(I can't view anything on their homepage.)

To be honest, I think their translator is more accurate than I am.

However, there are still some parts I don't agree with them.
-Page 1, they translated it as "land of mysteries". The original text is fushigi no kuni, which I believe means Wonderland, as you can tell from the background. Also, I'm pretty sure the description is "dancing", not "out of control".
I was also considering to add in some of the text on the cards before. The words on the cards include: Loathe, hate, evil, happiness, peace, excellence, grudge, safety. There probably won't be enough space to add them, though.
-Page 20, it is debatable which interpretation of what Ren said is more accurate.
-Page 23, I'm not so convinced that this part is more accurate than mine.
-Page 24. The more accurate term should be "Playboy". This also makes it consistent with what she calls him in Chapter 150.
-Page 24. I'm pretty sure the "ayashi" here implies seductive/bewitching, not shady/suspicious. I think the original text is saying something like the gentleman is actually the emperor of the night in disguise.
-page 25, the last part, might not be a self-asking question, since she talks to Bo in the next page.

Apart from these mentioned, the rest of their translations are likely to be more accurate than mine.

When I was translating, I went over each page very quickly, to release it as fast as possible. Hence there were several mistakes. However, for page 20, and 23, I went over these pages many times over, asking for many opinions, and altering them several times. I am pretty confident that I got these 2 pages correct.

So, anyway, there's little point in trying to improve my work now.
(Post comments in 173 section.)

Yoshiki Nakamura's message about the earthquake.

2011-04-03T17:50:00.003+08:00

This image from Hakusensha magazine was done by Nakamura.

Translated by Vampirecat as:
Heart-felt prayers that everyone of the areas struck by the disaster can one day soon return to their former lives. Maintain love and courage and somehow please hang on!!

Asobi Ni Ikuyo!

2011-03-26T17:10:00.005+08:00

Recently, I've searched and watched several anime series adapted from Light Novels.

The story is about a cat alien who visits Earth, for the purpose of learning its cultures, and setting up diplomatic relations. But she gets into all sorts of troubles, targeted by various groups with different objectives.

I personally don't really like this series. It would have made more sense to me, if the cat aliens have some sort of device, such as their bells, that allowed them to speak the same language. Coincidentally having the exact same language of inhabitants of a different world, and coincidentally landing in Japan, is something ludicrous.

To be honest, it doesn't do very well in the respective genres. If you consider an Alien Sci-fi genre, there's nothing outstanding about it. Comedy-wise, there are some parts which are really funny, but it makes up only a small minority. If you consider it as one of those Japanese Harem genre that involves one guy many girls, it doesn't do particularly well either. As for Ecchi anime, well, there is some nudity inside, but again, not very much either. That being said, I don't really know which genre this can be classified as.

The end makes it seem like there's a continuation. But somehow, I'm not particularly looking forward to it.

DO NOT REPOST MY LINKS WITHOUT ASKING FOR PERMISSION!
01: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6GQ0QUW0
02: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6XJITSPH
03: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=H7DAJ19T
04: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=92N01BDB
05: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2LLTBDZV
06: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=59RVVDUK
07: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ULUL792L
08: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TF7JGYTN
09: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KHU6LSPG
10: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XZJT2IGR
11: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XAPKA7HZ
12: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M25Z61IR

Manga to Anime adaption differences and deviation.

2011-03-20T02:20:00.008+08:00

A lot of anime that we watch, mostly originated from Mangas. Examples include the classic Doraemon. Those that don't originate from Mangas, may come from other story sources, such as games (Fate Stay Night), light novels (Bakemonogatari), or purely original (Gundam Seed.)

Anyway, what I am going to talk about, is how some of these adaptations, particularly those from Manga, differ from their anime counterparts. A lot of times, when an anime is created, the contents inside are inconsistent with the original story, sometimes to great extents. In a way, you could say that they are not canon - not true to the original storyline.

Obviously, it is a great honor for an author, to have his/her work adapted to an anime. But I can't understand why these authors would agree to have their works altered in such a way, until it doesn't even resemble what they first did? Personally, if I am an author of a story, I wouldn't change the contents inside, due to someone's request, simply because he dislikes it. More often that not, some of these changes were greatly unnecessary, and leaving it as it was, would have done better justice than changing the original work. In short, not always logical or reasonable. It is hard for me to fathom why these authors would agree to these changes.

Anyway, here, I will list down some of the animes that I have watched, and how much they differ from the original work. You decide if these changes were necessary. If you think you can add to the list, please do so.

Skip Beat
I followed the manga and anime quite closely. One of the biggest difference is how they completely removed Kanae's story arc. The entire section, worth nearly 3/4 of one volume, was omitted.

Other significant changes, include changing that Mimori did not know Kyouko. Also, the part where Saionji's cronies trying to sabotage Kanae, was greatly shortened, which was a shame, since that is one of the funniest parts in the earlier chapters. Although not specifically clear in the final chapter, apparently, they removed the part where Kyouko shows up as Bo in a duck suit as well. Other minor changes include Kyouko getting lost after her conversation with Ren as Bo, or changing her middle finger into a thumbs down. (It's actually understandable in a way.)

Some of these changes, are particularly redundant, especially the Mimori part. As I watched the anime, I personally found some of the metaphorical parts needlessly exaggerated, to the point where it was somewhat annoying. In the Manga, these metaphorical parts (such as the part where Kyouko imagines Ren and Shou on their knees), where drawn in one picture with only a few lines, and it wasn't "in-your-face". I personally did not like the anime's annoying exaggerations.

Loki Matantei Ragnarok
I watched the anime complete, and only a few chapters of the manga. But I can say this much, it will be a much easier effort to list out the similarities, then find the differences. If I were the author, I would be like, "WTF? Is this my story?"

The anime seems to grossly focus on the comedy etc. The manga, I can say it is darker, and more bloody. If they wanted comedy, this shouldn't have been the top choice for adaptation.

Zoids Chaotic Century / Guardian Force
I watched the entire series, and read only the first book. In Japan, they are simply known as Zoids Anime, part 1 and 2.

Again, apart from using the same characters and settings, NOTHING is similar between the anime and manga.

I dare say that for this, I loved the anime many times more than the Manga. I didn't like the Manga at all, but I really love the anime series.

Samurai Deeper Kyo
Again, as I would call it, another WTF series. There's really very little similarities between the Anime and Manga. I watched the entire anime, and only a few chapters from the manga, and I was like, "What the hell?"

In the manga, there were none of these Kenyos, and there's Botenmaru.

In the anime, there's no such person as Botenmaru, and the storyline extends way, way further than the anime. Last episode was as confusing as hell, I recall.

To be perfectly honest, I prefer the drawn anime version of Kyo. The manga version of Kyo, the way he grins, looks like a naughty boy or pervert smile to me. The anime version, that bloodthirsty, diabolical smile looks more real, has more impact.

Love Hina
I read the whole manga for these series, and watched only a few episodes. In the Manga, there was no rich handsome guy chasing after Naru, and there were no freaky old men. I don't know why the hell they threw these inside the anime.

To be honest, the manga is very funny, but the anime is agonizing to watch. The only humor within the anime itself, seems to centralize everything on having Keitaro getting the crap beaten out of. The comedy that was in the Manga, is really lost. One of the reasons why I don't feel like reading or watching Negima.

Trigun
Only read a few chapters, but watched the whole anime. Much of the whole story remains intact. I noticed the anime did not follow the same order as the events in the Manga, though. For parts of the story in the manga, where the 2 girls didn't appear, they were included in the anime version of those parts.

Monster
A series that I hated. I compared the endings and beginnings of the anime and manga. They all matched. Possibly one of the rare true-to-manga anime series. Even the unique (but less-than-pretty) art style was kept.

Shining Tears X Wind
Anime adapted from the game Shining Wind, it focusses on Souma's storyline, rather than Kiriya's. I watched anime and completed the game.

Overall plot remains the same as the PS2 game, but there are still some very significant changes. In the game, Souma is to be executed by burning, but he is saved by Zero. Later, Shumari tries to escape, but he is stopped and killed by Killrain. In the anime, a cannon blast from Baelgard's ship killed Shumari, but Souma is saved by Zero. All shortened to one single event. In the game, Souma was not present in a few events, but the anime threw him and his party inside some of them. Examples include Lassi finding the secret entrance, Souma and group was added in that scene in the Anime. Several events were also shortened. In the game, there were a few series of events or battles before something happened, but the anime cut most of the unimportant ones out. In the scene where Kiriya and Xecty fell in the crevasse, in the game, he pulled out her Shinken. This did not happen in the anime.

The game never mentioned Traihart's name as Saionji, it was in the anime only. The anime also never showed Kiriya pulling anyone's normal Shinken except for Shiina and Kureha.

Neo Angelique Abyss
I played the game and watched both seasons of the anime. In the game, when Ereboros awakens, the game is already near the end. In the anime, it's only the end of season 1. Season 2, you could say follows an almost entirely original storyline. New characters were added in the anime, such as Roche, Mathias, and Jet. Mathias did not exist in the game, and Rene was already the leader.

Personally, although I don't dislike the game, I think I prefer the anime storyline.

Full Metal Alchemist
2 anime series have been released for this manga. Rather than a continuation, the second series is a different version of the same story.

I watched the whole of the 1st series and movie for it. From the reports, the anime series differ from the manga halfway through, following a different plot. This is supposedly due to the request from the author herself.

(The movie for the anime, in a way, wasn't consistent with actual historical events. :P )

Second series, Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, is supposed to follow the manga closer. But I watched the first episode, and it wasn't about Lior. This is supposed to be closer to the manga? 0_o

Anyway, although I haven't watched much of the 2nd series, I have to say I like the 1st series very much. It is still one of my most favorites.

----

Right now, these are all the series I can think of at the top of my head. If you have any you can add to this list, or have something to say, please do.

Anyway, I'm trying to highlight that most anime series do not follow the manga storyline very closely. Sometimes, it's understandable, but more often than not, the change is unnecessary. Personally, as a fan, I do not like adaptations that do not follow the original storyline well. (Be they manga-to-anime, or anime-to-manga adaptations.) Sometimes, the creators of that anime or manga adaptation of the originals, they make changes that they see fit, without considering whether fans or viewers appreciate these changes.

Personally, from my own standpoint, if I were to create a story, and someone else takes it and change it in any way he likes, I would consider that disrespectful. I do not know why authors of these works would agree to have their work altered in such ways. I'm pretty sure fans of these respective series, don't particularly approve of these changes either.

I read the first 2 books of Harry Potter. I watched the 2 movies, and from what I know, most of the plot remains intact. If I recall right, some unimportant events were removed, but most of the plot remain true to the book. I believe that's the way it should be done.

Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou

2011-03-17T20:32:00.008+08:00

This is another anime series adapted from a light novel series.

Sai Akuto, a seemingly normal student, enters a magic academy with the hopes of becoming a high priest one day. But when he is predicted to be the next Demon King, his whole life turns upside down.

I personally think the storyline is very interesting. But perhaps too much is focused on the ecchi parts etc. Towards the end, it seemed rushed, as well as confusing. Very little is explained of God, and purpose of Maou. There was also one confusing part, it was as if they had control over the monsters, yet did nothing to stop them from rampaging the school or attacking the people. I can't even tell which side the monsters were on. Very little is explained about Boichiro as well.

I also read the manga adaptation, and I was surprised at how different it was from the anime. Only the characters and setting remain the same. The plot itself, was almost completely different. Apart from Sai entering the school, none of the events from the anime or the manga can relate to each other. Not having read the light novel series, it's not possible for me to tell which is closer to the original.

Anime adaptations often tend to deviate from original storyline by large proportions. They tend to remove things that were there, or add things that weren't. I don't know why, and I don't know why the authors of those series agree to those changes either.

For those interested, here are the links.
DO NOT REPOST MY LINKS WITHOUT ASKING FOR PERMISSION.
Episodes:
01: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DCIO596D
02: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YB2GU77Y
03: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QX6I3IYF
04: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=9AVJV7TP
05: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DA5Y5216
06: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=R7V30NPP
07: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=3VAEEI3S
08: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OE1RS6YQ
09: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F94C6C0Z
10: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GPT502K2
11: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1JCHOS38
12: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=62O59RZZ
Specials:
01: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TCFSJ7VQ
02: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=H2LIRI1V
03: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NZKK89YO
04: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6O75J650
05: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=X7STV8IG
06: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8RG2T74V

Unfortunately, for the specials, no single sub group did all the specials. 1 group did some, another group did others. Neither of the groups were willing to complete the whole specials. I personally prefer to be consistent, and keep all from one sub group. But this is it, and no other groups did it. I personally don't like it when sub groups choose to do only a select few episodes rather than the whole thing.

Bitter Virgin.

2011-03-17T12:38:00.002+08:00

This is another manga series I recommend reading.

It's a romance genre manga, pretty short, at 4 volumes. Even though you can call it a Shoujou manga, I'm pretty sure it is published in GanGan comics (shounen manga). The storyline is a little bit dark, not like the usual romance novels you see. The female lead is a victim of rape.

For those interested, you can read in on Mangareader or Mangafox.
http://www.mangareader.net/172/bitter-virgin.html

Bakemonogatari

2011-03-14T14:22:00.009+08:00

I was watching Bakemonogatari. Then I realized, Shinobu doesn't wear underwear, she uses a band-aid. 0_o This screenshot was taken from the anime itself.

The story is about a seemingly normal guy, who turned back after becoming a vampire, but still kept his regenerative abilities. One day, he meets a girl who has a problem of having no weight, and he tries to help her. After that, he helps others with encounters of the supernatural.

The title itself is a word play of Bakemono and monogatari. Adapted from a light novel series, you can easily tell that the author is fond of puns, and word plays.

This anime uses an abstract way of telling the story. It uses a series of flashing signs, photographs and other artworks inside. To be honest, it's irritating. They probably also dragged a story which could have been told in a shorter timeline. Too much time is spent on off-topic conversations. It's a little bit ecchi in the sense that it is largely suggestive, there's very little nudity. There's also quite a number of gory scenes.

Anyway, for those interested in watching it, here they are.

It's 720p, subbed by Coalgirls.