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Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away)

November 16, 2013, 10:02 pm
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Chihiro and her parents were on their way to their new home. Reluctant to leave old friends behind, Chihiro wasn't as excited as her parents and was indifferent to the new sights. When her father took a wrong turn and ended up near a tunnel entrance, he urged the family to explore further probably both out of curiosity and to cheer up Chihiro. At the end of the tunnel was a theme park. Chihiro finds herself all alone when her parents were turned into pigs after they ate food from an enchanted stall. It turns out that the theme park was used by spirits for amusement at night. Luckily, she finds help in a boy named Haku who told her she has to work in a bathhouse and seek the witch Yubaba. Chihiro's misfortune became an adventure where she met new friends and some difficulties along the way as well.

Some things came into mind while watching Spirited Away. Chihiro's blossoming into a confident and brave girl, qualities she already possessed at the outset, reminded me of Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland. This part of growing up, when we realize that we cannot rely on adults forever to solve our problems, is something we can relate to. Part of its appeal to me is Chihiro's character as an ordinary girl placed in an extraordinary situation. Her reactions and emotions were believable because they're natural when she was confronted with something so impossible. It also acknowledges the flexibility and power of the child's mind to adapt and to make decisions. The adults in the movie, particularly Yubaba, was stuck in her narrow-minded adult view of the world. Chihiro was endeared to the other characters because she sees things differently and acts accordingly and honestly.

Rating: 10 out of 10
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The Long Sleep by Dean Koontz

November 16, 2013, 10:04 pm
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He wakes up without a name and a past. Trapped in a labyrinth of mysterious rooms he does not recognize, his only clue to his identity is the name Joel. Then a faceless man, whom he identified as Sandman, goes after him. The next thing he knew he wakes up in a different room but this time with a beautiful woman he cannot not remember. He was sure however that the woman is harmless and trustworthy unlike the white-haired man he knew instinctively had another agenda. Pleasant though the woman's company is he feels something is wrong. When he starts asking he wakes up again in another place. One nightmare after another, he keeps seeing the same faces in different places each time he wakes up. Sometimes their demeanor would be different. He also figured they will put him to sleep every time he starts asking or he acts strangely. All these only serve to confuse him more, but one thing is certain --- they're trying to keep something from him by playing out different scenes. Joel now knows they are trapped in a huge facility probably used for research. He needs to get out of the building to find out the answers.

Koontz fans like me will enjoy this well-written book because of its interesting premise and the signature Koontz suspense. The nightmarish quality of the images and Joel's predicament got me hooked right away. The piecemeal information handed out to Joel (and the readers in the process) urged me to keep reading. The best part is trying to piece together the information Joel acquired in each setting as well as trying to figure out the parts played by the other characters, particularly the faceless guy. The cliffhanger ending was a welcome surprise as well. I had some idea about what might have happened to the world outside the building but I had no idea how it was related to Joel's story.


Rating: 9 out of 10
Note: Published under the name John Hill; expanded from the short story "Grayworld"
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Trinity Blood

November 17, 2013, 1:38 am
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Hundreds of years after Armageddon, the tension between Methuselahs (vampire-like creatures) and Terrans (humans) continues. Terrans are led and protected by the Holy Roman Empire, of which the capital is Vatican, while the Methuselah are backed by Byzantine. A third major player, Albion, is known for its manufacture of war technology. It is a predominantly human colony but independent of Vatican's control. 

At the start of the anime adaptation, the Terrans and Methuselahs are in a standstill. Viewers are introduced to Abel Nightroad, a member of the AX Agency, Caterina Sforza's special operations group. At the outset she is shown at odds with Francesco di Medici, a cardinal in the Vatican, who wants to start a war and is trying to intimidate young Pope Alessandro XVIII to do so.

Caterina's goal to have diplomatic relations with the Byzantine Empire is carried out secretly with the help of the AX agents. It seems that a more grievous threat is about to reveal itself and they suspect that a fourth party,  the Rosenkreuz Order is orchestrating a war.

Abel in his Crusnik form.

While the series uses historical and religious names, it has no religious references. However this take on said figures might be interesting to history buffs.

As for the protagonist Abel Nightroad, he is mostly overshadowed by other characters. There is too much focus on plot and development of the setting and very little characterization on his part. The last few episodes of the series however makes up for the little information in his past that was provided in the earlier episodes. His motivation however and his vow to become a pacifist seems all too predictable for a character of his type and background.

The series is cramped with too much information at once. Too many names to remember; some of them play minimal role in this anime adaptation. There isn't much to look forward to in fight scenes because one of the characters usually overpowers the others in a few strong attacks. Still, there are some fights that deserve credit and some promising characters as well.

Rating: 7 out of 10
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Ginyuu Mokushiroku Meine Liebe

November 17, 2013, 2:08 am
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This first of a two-season series introduces the viewer to the students of the elite Strahl class of Rozenstolz Academy. These future advisors of the royal palace of Kuchen were chosen for their brains and prestigious family backgrounds. 

Although they enjoyed the peaceful and competitive atmosphere of the academy, the students were about to have a taste of what it's like to play with dirty politics. Orphe, Ed, Lui, Camu, Naoji and the undercover spy/writer Isaac Cavendish discover a plot to assassinate the king. Despite being students and with unknown people working against them, the five Strahl candidates will try to stop the attempt.


As mentioned above, most of the episodes introductions of the main characters, notably Orphe and Ed. Orphe finds a rival in Lui who has a different opinion on how to properly govern the people. While engaging in various debates, the writer Isaac points out to them that their ideals do not really work in the real world and that their light treatment and debate about war does not speak of its horrors. Before they can even become full-fledged advisers to the king and realize their plans however, they have to race against a cunning enemy who is about to destroy the king.


The series seemed promising at first and although it did not meet my expectations, the diversity of the characters kept me interested. I was expecting more action and some detective work on the part of the Strahl candidates. It was a waste that the series had a wily antagonist who did not have a match in at least one of the protagonists. Anime buffs who want to watch a light, historical series might find this enjoyable. It also includes some historical names and places but they have no relevance to the plot.


Rating: 6 out of 10

Full names of the main characters:
Orpherus Fürst von Marmelade nahe Görz - Orphe
Eduard Markgraf von Sekt nahe Braunschweig - Ed
Ludwig Herzog von Mohn nahe Liechtenstein - Lui
Camus Pfalzgraf von Silvaner Lüneburg - Camu
Naoji Ishizuki
Isaac Cavendish

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Ginyuu Mokushiroku Meine Liebe Wieder

November 17, 2013, 2:24 am
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The adventures of Orphe, Ed, Lui, Camu, Naoji, and Isaac continue in this second installment of the series. The aftermath of the king's failed assassination attempt seemed peaceful. This time however, each of the Strahl candidates has to confront his past to determine if he is fit to become a public servant. In the first series, Orphe's and Ed's past were the highlights. This time the other three take the spotlight. It might seem at first glance that these nobleman live carefree lives, but the series shows that they too have to overcome personal challenges before they can even face bigger problems ahead in their careers.



Compared to the first season, this series has more action and character development. Tension from the failed assassination attempt is further built up here in the disappearance of the headmaster. The Strahl candidates also have to cope with the new academy rules and threats from outside. Overall, the second season has made up for some of the missing elements in the first season. Still, it's still lacking. The characters are glorified too much for their abilities yet there isn't a lot of proof to such claims.

Rating: 6 out of 6
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Amnesia

November 17, 2013, 2:41 pm
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A girl wakes up having no recollection of her past and even her identity. Her only clue is a spirit named Orion, who claims it's his fault that she lost her memories, and the people who claim to be her friends and co-workers at a maid cafe. Orion promised the girl he will help her piece together her past. Throughout the series, the heroine of Amnesia has no name.

Add to the confusion is her seemingly close relationship with some of the men and a mysterious guy she met on the street who seems to know something about her. On her first waking moment, 8 A.M. August 1, a guy named Shin identifies himself as her boyfriend. All seemed to be going well until she wakes up again on the same time and day and this time with another love interest. She managed to retain her previous memory with her different lovers but even then she still has no clue what's going on. It seems however that a guy named Ukyo has figured something out.

From left: Shin, Ikki, Kent, Toma, Ukyo, and Orion

The story got me hooked right away. Although admittedly the heroine's manners annoy me, at times she can be resourceful and quick to grasp the situation. I guess her temperament and her moments of brilliance complement the different personalities of her lovers. The supporting cast were not just accessories to fill in her background but they played their parts as well by adding more confusion to the clues handed out to her. As for the her lovers, each guy was given equal time (maybe Toma could have had more screen time) to give her some idea what to do at the end of the series.

Amnesia is based on a dating game and so one would naturally expect it to be all just about romance. I loved it more for its suspense and mystery. The thrill of not knowing what will happen next and what clues will come up put me on the edge of the seat. I found myself eagerly looking forward to the next episode. Those who will love this 12-episode series from the get-go can easily finish it within a day.

Rating: 9 out of 10
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Prince of Persia Trilogy

November 25, 2013, 3:06 pm
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Prince of Persia Trilogy is a reboot of the three separate games of the same series. The Sands of Time, Warrior Within, and The Two Thrones have enhanced graphics for better gaming experience. For those who have already played this series, there aren't a lot of changes; while for those who haven't tried Prince of Persia, this is one of the best game series there is so I wouldn't recommend missing it.

I enjoyed this series for the Prince's unique fighting style (and who wouldn't enjoy using the sand powers?) and a compelling story with an unforgettable character.

The Sands of Time

When King Sharaman and his son the Prince conquered the Maharajah's kingdom in India, they took with them several treasures including an Hourglass which supposedly contains the Sands of Time that can be unlocked by a dagger. The Prince took this dagger as a present to his father. The Maharajah's daughter, Farah was also taken hostage. Meanwhile the Maharajah's Vizier offered his services to Sharaman. This same Vizier wanted the power of the sands of time and by tricking the Prince to use the dagger, he was able to unleash the sands from the hourglass, plunging Sharaman's kingdom into chaos. The palace occupants turned into monsters and most likely Sharaman himself is probably corrupted. It's up to the Prince and Farah, who were somehow immune to the effects of the sands, to do something about it. They figured that if they can return the sands in the hourglass, they can probably reverse everything that has happened.

First-time players of Prince of Persia will be introduced to the Prince's signature acrobatic skills such  as climbing, jumping, and hanging from walls or poles. This game is mostly about overcoming obstacles to get from one place to the next. The fights are simpler compared to the succeeding games but players have to keep in mind that the Prince's fighting style is all about agility, so it will be a bit of challenge relying just on his strength. Learning to use his skills and the environment will make the battles more enjoyable. The Prince will also have to fight alongside Farah, which can be a bit tricky because you have to keep an eye on her. The Prince's magic is very useful and is one of the best things about this series.

The last part of the game is very tricky because the Prince loses the dagger. The player will therefore have to rely on the Prince's acrobatic skills alone without the magic. Make one mistake and you will have to redo this stage. The game might seem easy until you get to this point.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Warrior Within

In this sequel to Sands of Time, the Prince finds himself a target of a strange creature called the Dahaka. Dahaka supposedly guards the timeline or is a manifestation of timeline/fate. The Prince was supposed to die when he messed with the sands of time but he managed to avoid it. Consequently the Dahaka is after him to make sure that what is written in the timeline will be fulfilled. The prince sought advise from an old man, but he was told he can never change his fate; nevertheless, he still has to try. The only way to do so is to visit the Island of Time and find a way to prevent the Empress of Time from creating the sands. What's more, a strange creature seems to be tracking his progress. The story has two endings, one of which will be the basis for the opening of Two Thrones.

This is a lot trickier and challenging than The Sands of Time. The Prince literally will play with time as he travels both in past and present to evade the Dahaka. The bosses are stronger (and bigger) and the puzzles more complicated. It's important to keep a sharp eye on the surroundings so you wouldn't miss a room/door/item. A good memory of the map in both the past and present will also help. There are a lot of collectibles and upgrades that are easy to miss. The life upgrades in particular will also affect which of the two endings will be available. In this game, magic is your lifeline. You will find yourself relying on your sand powers more in this game.

The theme is darker compared to the previous game. The Prince is reminded by Dahaka's appearance that he's supposed to be dead. The first time I played this I jumped out of my seat when Dahaka first appeared. I think that frightening thought that he might appear somewhere kept me going and added to the excitement of the game. The background music during the chases reinforced the theme. The Prince is literally alone in this fight.

I like this game because it has depth. It might be too dark a theme compared to The Sands of Time but it acknowledges a part of us we can't shake off easily just like the Dahaka. The Prince was pushed to his limits because of his despair. When he was at his lowest, he became stronger by acknowledging his weakness. This point in the game will affect the story in The Two Thrones.

Rating: 10 out of 10

The Two Thrones

Although the Prince managed to defeat Dahaka (in one of the endings), the old man's counsel in Warrior Within was unfortunately a truth he cannot avoid. Coming home to Babylon with another character (I'm not supposed to reveal who), he finds that his city is under attack. Puzzled and disheartened at the sight of the burning city, he is separated from his companion. He discovers that he didn't have to create the sands of time himself after all (this was his goal in Warrior Within), but the Vizier found a way to do just that. Thus, the Prince's success in Warrior Within was for nothing. He now has to confront a more powerful Vizier and the Vizier's army to save himself and the city.

It may seem that there are fewer bosses, but some parts of this game are more difficult than the previous two. Even acquiring the life upgrades is trickier. Mastery of the Prince's acrobatic skills will be tested endlessly here. Planning and timing is most important because he is fighting alone; although it does not mean that there are fewer conversations throughout the game. The Prince has a companion whose voice he could hear.

This game also has some surprises. One particular scene was difficult but quite enjoyable. What's more, right after that was a boss fight. Unlike Warrior Within, it doesn't explore the Prince's character much so the player can focus more on fighting and finding a way to get to the Vizier. I also like how the last part of the story is connected to the first scene in The Sands of Time.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Rating (Overall): 9 out of 10
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Blood and Bone by Ian C. Esslemont (Fifth Novel of the Malazan Empire)

November 26, 2013, 6:48 am
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The fifth installment of the Novels of the Malazan Empire, Blood and Bone, is set in mysterious Jacuruku where the even more strange Himatan lies. This rainforest, known for its link to the spirit world and is supposedly Ardata's domain, is alive with strange creatures and notorious for its hostile conditions. In the tradition of the Malazan world, this book has unforgettable characters and a complex storyline. The scenes are narrated by select characters and the sequence of events is straightforward. The events in the book happen relatively within the same period as the tenth book of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, Crippled God.

The tribes of Jacuruku have decided to invade the seat of the Thaumaturgs' power. Led by a man known only as Warleader, the conflicting natives set aside their petty wars to unseat the mages. The journey of this contingent is mostly told from the perspective of the young prince Jatal who wants to get rid of the stigma as just a powerless scholar. The Thaumaturgs on the other hand have decided to try to conquer Himatan once again to find the mythical city of Jakal Viharn. Meanwhile a group led by Skinner, the Disavowed, search for powerful pieces they call Shards which are parts of the Fallen God. However, they are not the only ones who are after the shards; a certain Ascendant tries to get her hands on one but a group of ex-Malazan soldiers outwit her. More players decide to join the game as K'azz, the reputed leader of the Crimson Guard, receives a request from Ardata. A girl named Saeng discovers a mission she has to fulfill. what's more, Osserc also appears in an important role since House of Chains.

While Thaumaturgs and some of the others search for more power and knowledge, the others are looking for purpose, belonging, and acceptance. The Thaumaturgs' view the world as a phenomenon to be studied; even life has purposes and mechanisms that can be revealed through study. The more superstitious tribes see this approach as cold-hearted and inhumane; true understanding instead can be acquired by communing with nature and the spirits.

Skinner's motivation to acquire power might be compared to the Warleader's motives for seeking to conquer the mages. The Warleader seems to have a lot of knowledge and confidence in achieving this and that is why he is eager to seize every opportunity even if it means sacrificing a few people. These self-serving men are in contrast to the passive Osserc who would rather avoid doing anything, as well as the indifferent K'azz who seems submissive.

Esslemont's description of Himatan's conditions is impressive. His images of the unpredictability of the weather and the hostility of the surroundings in a rainforest were spot-on (you might say it's a bit exaggerated but I live in a tropical country after all). The atmosphere is oppressive and even more unforgiving than the deserts of Seven Cities. In the previous Malazan books, including Erikson's, the setting isn't as critical in the development of the story as the characters; in Blood and Bone however, both the setting and character development are equally given importance. Not all of Blood and Bone is about fighting, intrigue, and personal struggles; it has humor as well. Like most Malazan books, the story might seem complicated to first-time readers and even to a few who have read a few books, but Esslemont handled it well. His imagery in particular is commendable.

Although this can probably be read as a stand-alone book, I don't think its brilliance will be fully appreciated if the reader isn't used to the complicated Malazan world. As for the Malazan fans, it would be a shame to miss this. There are more hints about so many mysteries in previous books and even more mysteries that need clues. Isn't that why we love the Malazan books so much?

Rating: 10 out of 10
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The Arabian Nights Entertainments selected and edited by Andrew Lang

November 26, 2013, 7:30 am
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This is an English version of  Monsieur Galland's French translation of the tales, collectively called One Thousand and One Nights. Andrew Lang selected only thirteen stories. The poetry and the passages that didn't seem to make sense but the original authors thought funny were dropped. The stories were collected over centuries from different parts of what is now the Middle East and South Asia. In this version, the events supposedly occurred during the reign of Caliph Haroun al Raschid in Bagdad [Note: I retained the spelling of the names found in the book].

At the beginning of the story King Schariar of Persia was introduced as a ruler who took many wives, each of whom is executed after marriage because he thinks that all women are like his brother's unfaithful wife. Finally when Schariar's grand-vizir could no longer find a suitable bride, the vizir's daughter Scheherazade offered herself. She claimed she knows how to stop the king from ordering more women to be executed. She and her sister Dinarzade devised a plan so that Scheherazade can tell stories every night. The curious king postpones the execution every night to hear more of the stories. This lasted for 1,001 nights. Included in this version of One Thousand and One Nights are the following stories:

The Story of the Merchant and the Genius
The Story of the Fisherman
Story of the Three Calenders, Sons of Kings, and of Five Ladies of Bagdad
The Seven Voyages of Sindbad the Sailor
The Little Hunchback
The Adventures of Prince Camaralzaman and the Princess Badoura
Noureddin and the Fair Persian
Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
The Adventures of Haroun-al-Raschid, Caliph of Bagdad
Story of Ali Colia, Merchant of Bagdad
The Enchanted Horse
The Story of Two Sisters Who Were Jealous of their Younger Sister

Most of the stories have shorter stories in them told by some characters. This might be a bit confusing but overall it's fun to read. Expect differences in content from other versions of One Thousand and One Nights or Arabian Nights. There are also omissions in the stories as stated in the introduction of the book. I find the basis for omissions amateurish so I recommend this only for light reading and as one of many reference books. Readers who are not used to classic works might find the repetitions of statements unnecessary but overall the book is reader-friendly.

Rating: 7 out of 10

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Hell's Gate by Dean Koontz

November 27, 2013, 3:01 pm
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He was a murderer. Beyond that, he can't remember anything about his past. He is even unsure of his name. Victor Salsbury was supposed to be dead, but he thinks he is that same man. A man with a mission, Victor acts out orders from someone, or something. Where these orders come from he doesn't know. He does not even know why he has to do them, only that he has to and because he might find some answers. The few clues to his identity only add to the mystery; a machine he knows instinctively is called 810-40.04 and some items he needs for his mission were prepared for him.

He was alone until a dog came to him. Intrepid became a constant companion since. Then he meets a woman named Lynda while fulfilling his mission. All the while he still can't make sense of everything. Not until he found they were threatened by some strange creatures he has seen on the wall in his house.

One of Dean Koontz's earlier novels, Hell's Gate has the distinct Koontz elements found in his recent books: a complex lead character with an unknown past and a dark mission; a cute dog and lovely woman for company; ruthless antagonists; and a revelation on a cosmic scale. The pace is slower in the first when Victor is still looking for clues while performing the preliminaries of his mission. It will pick up when he meets Lynda and discovers that a dead man has his identity. I think fans will enjoy this short novel as much as I did.

Rating: 8 out of 10

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Vampire Knight

December 12, 2013, 2:55 pm
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Cross Yuki and Kiryu Zero are the adoptive children of the legendary ex-vampire hunter Cross Kaien. Kaien owns the Cross Academy. The school aims to maintain good relationships between the vampires and humans. The classes are divided into two; day class for humans and night class for vampires. Yuki and Zero help maintain this setup as guardians who make sure of the humans' protection. Early on Zero has a strange relationship with Yuki. He cares a lot about her yet he also despises her presence sometimes. Yuki on the other hand has always been tending to Zero's needs. Not related by blood to Zero, Yuki was rescued ten years ago from vampires by a pure-blood named Kuran Kaname who happens to be the leader of the night class. She could not remember anything before her rescue. Moreover, Yuki has never denied she is smitten with Kaname which Zero disapproves. Zero was also rescued from vampires when his family was attacked. It seems something else happened that night that has been bothering him ever since.

The Night Class with Yuki and Zero (in the middle with different uniforms)

Season one of this series introduces the characters, particularly highlighting Zero and Yuki's relationship. Yuki's love interest Kaname is portrayed as a mysterious guy with motives towards her. Whatever these were are not revealed yet in the 13 episodes. It has been clear from the start that Zero likes Yuki and he sees Kaname as a rival. It seems he has a chance though because Yuki cares a lot about him. However Zero and Yuki's relationship is strained further by the former's distancing from her and his hatred of Kaname. It is further complicated by several strange physical pains and transformation he is experiencing. Yuki doesn't know about this but Kaname does.

Among the three protagonists, Zero is the most well-rounded in this part of the series. His past and current circumstances are explored more fully than the other two. It is therefore much easier to sympathize or like him than the others. Although the story is told mostly from Yuki's perspective, her impact is less than that of Zero's. She seems to be liked by everyone yet has little to show for the qualities that makes her likeable except when she's with her foster brother. At the outset there is already a hint of incest in their strange relationship. They may be not related by blood but still the idea is there. The overall mood is dark and filled with expectation as if something will happen anytime. This is one of the few things I liked about the series. At first I thought it would be more relaxed because of its setting, but it was the opposite. However, like most recent vampire-themed series/movies/books, the vampires are romanticized and portrayed as beautiful, extraordinary god-like creatures. Yuki's obsession of Kaname only furthers that image. Viewers who are into the forbidden romance with vampires story will probably enjoy this. Those looking for plenty of action will be disappointed though. The series has a few good points as mentioned above but the direction of the story is predictable.

Rating: 7 out of 10

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Vampire Knight Guilty

December 12, 2013, 3:34 pm
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The second season of Vampire Knight reveals more information about the protagonists Yuki, Zero, and Kaname. Kaname in particular has more background and plays a more important role in Yuki's life than in the first season. A bigger conspiracy is revealed and new characters are introduced. The Hunter's Association is after Zero's life; Kaname is going after powerful vampires to obtain power; a mysterious girl joins the Night Class; and Yuki's waking nightmares are becoming frequent.

The series is filled with anticipation, as if anytime something remarkable is about to happen. It didn't disappoint in the seventh episode when the growing tension finally reached its peak. Like the previous season, the overall mood is maintained. The fight scenes haven't improved however even with the appearance of the vampire hunters. As for their love story, some would probably think the final episode is heartbreaking but I think the clues just made it all the more confusing and is therefore unresolved. Vampire Knight Guilty is much better than the previous episode by introducing more characters to add more depth to the stories of Zero, Yuki, and Kaname. It doesn't change the fact however that the series is nothing more than a woman's fantasy about two good-looking guys fighting over her.

Rating: 6 out of 10

The hunters

Zero, Kaname and Yuki


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Durarara!!

December 12, 2013, 3:37 pm
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A short series (24 episodes and 2 specials) with a plethora of characters each with their own interesting story to tell would seem too ambitious. Durarara!! not only surpasses that expectation but it is probably one of the best series in its genre.


Ryugamine Mikado decides to attend high school in Ikebukuro with the idea that he wants to experience more things. He meets his long-time friend Kida Masaomi, a lively young man who introduces him to several people and shows him amazing things including a headless rider, later revealed to be a Dullahan named Celty. Masaomi seems to be friends with everyone including the weird sort like Simon Brezhnev, Heiwajima Shizuo, and a suspicious guy named Orihara Izaya. Mikado and Masaomi later become friends with Sonohara Anri, a tough, mysterious girl.

Masaomi, Anri, and Mikado

Meanwhile, a group called Dollars is making a name for itself. There are rumors however that this gang is nonexistent even though some people claim there are a lot of members. Another gang, Yellow Scarves, comes into the picture when it openly challenges the Dollars. What's more, an individual dubbed Slasher is attacking several people and making a confusion of things, with rumors about its affiliation with Dollars.


Izaya and Shizuo

The series at first seems just an ordinary hodgepodge of stories of different people but everything comes together eventually because of three people; Mikao, Masaomi, and Anri. Each story is a mix of humor, action, and drama. The pace is slow at first as each important character is introduced, eventually picking up with the appearance of individuals who are intent to stir trouble for the rest. Admittedly it was hard to get into the series in the first few episodes but the characters were a good enough reason to keep watching. The characters are distinct and memorable although it wasn't easy at first to pinpoint which characters have huge roles to play later on as most of them seem to be less relevant with each episode.  That aside Durarara!! is certainly one of the best series I've watched.


Shinra and Celty

Rating: 9 out of 10

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Souten Kouro

December 12, 2013, 3:39 pm
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A slightly different Sou Sou (Cao Cao) comes to life in Souten Kouro. Based mostly on the Records of Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou and slightly on Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong, the series is an ambitious portrayal of the most brilliant man in the chaos of the Three Kingdoms era in China.

Cao Cao, foster son of Cao Teng, is an ambitious young man with the brains and prowess to back it up. His ideas are far ahead of his time and he never fails to astound everyone even his closest friends and relatives. Merciless, smart, and witty, not only did he distinguish himself in the field of battle but in governance and literature as well. The ladies loved him of course and his friends adored him. Consequently, he makes enemies along the way but nothing seems to faze him, even the glory of the emperor.




This 26-episode series is fast-paced and covers barely half of what Cao Cao accomplished in his lifetime. It begins with a background of his childhood, his first experience in falling in love, and his rise to becoming one of the feared men China. His last fight in the series is with Lu Bu's (Ryo Fu) army.

Some people hate him for his overconfidence but he always wins in the end; not only because he is resourceful but because he has loyal followers. Despite Cao Cao's gifts as an administrator and leader, he has a weakness for women. Some strategists also find him difficult and dangerous. This serves as a balance to a seemingly invincible character. 

Viewers already familiar with the story will not drown in the information provided by a narrator and will certainly enjoy seeing familiar names when they are introduced for the first time in the series. The battle scenes did not disappoint. This is one of the few series that showed large scale fights, particularly siege battles. One on one fights may be exaggerated but I appreciate how it doesn't sugarcoat these life and death situations unlike the other adaptations of this historical event. The numerous supporting cast didn't take the spotlight from the lead character, a tendency I have noticed in most adaptations of the Three Kingdoms. The pace was okay in the first half of the series but in the last half Cao Cao's screen time lessened because of all the information that needed to be shown. Nevertheless, I think the story was executed well.




Before I started watching the series I was apprehensive about how they're going to take on an elaborate story with so many interesting characters and numerous battles. Newbies to the Three Kingdoms craze will certainly drown in all the information given at once even with the help of a narrator. The fans of Wei in particular will appreciate the spotlight long deserving of Cao Cao who is mostly portrayed as a villain. This 26-episode series is awfully short; ending in an epic standout with Lu Bu. Souten Kouro is bloody (literally) awesome.

Rating: 9 out of 10



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Psycho-Pass

December 21, 2013, 5:04 am
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Set in the year 2113, a crime-free, peaceful society is maintained through a rigorous assessment of a person's Psycho-Pass. The psycho-pass indicates the individual's mental state, making it easier to distinguish which ones have a high crime coefficient (probability of committing crimes), separating those subject for therapy or elimination. These deviants are pursued by an elite crime investigation unit, the Unit One of the Public Safety that uses Enforcers. These enforcers are people with high crime coefficients and are called latent criminals. They are managed by an Inspector, an individual with a normal psycho-pass. The psycho-pass is monitored by the Sibyl System, a mysterious machine no one knows about.


The series begins with a scene of two men about to commence fighting. The next episodes show what led to that confrontation. Viewers are introduced to a brilliant young woman, Tsunemori Akane, a new inspector. The other inspector Ginoza Nobuchika explains to her her role as a guide for the enforcers whom he describes as animals. These inspectors have their own specialty and were hired because they were needed to think like criminals, making it easier to predict, track, and apprehend/destroy them. Notable among the enforcers is the former inspector Kogami Shinya; the other members are Masaoka Tomomi, Kagari Shusei, Kunizuka Yayoi, Karanomori Shion. They use a specialized gun called the Dominator which automatically monitors the person's psycho-pass by sending the data to the Sybil system.  However, it can only be used to fire on people who are mentally unstable. 

During the course of their investigations, Kogami noticed that the criminals seemed to have had help from someone else. Later he was convinced that everything was orchestrated by one man; a man he had long sought but could never identify. Unit One is about to meet its most challenging enemy, a man whose psycho-pass remains normal even when committing a crime, thus making it impossible to use the Dominators.


It is established right away that the society is too dependent on machines. People no longer contemplate about what makes them happy because something provides it for them. Their foremost priority is to maintain their psycho-pass and no longer the values on which a crime-free society was founded. However, so many questions come to mind. What constitutes a stable mental state if Unit One is pursuing an enemy whose psycho-pass is normal? What is the criteria used to measure that mental state? What is the Sybil system? There are also situations when a victim's psycho-pass becomes unstable. Does this mean that strong emotions like frustration and helplessness can conclusively make a person a possible criminal?

In the later part of the series, the feeling of being just a pawn in a bigger puzzle is stronger. Unit One realized that their enemy probably isn't just the guy behind the orchestrated crimes, but also the system. The guy's actions are intended to question the system that is maintaining peace and passing judgement on people --- the Sybil system. What's more, most people do not understand what it feels to become victims of crimes because they have no idea what hurting other people is like. Their mysterious enemy probably thinks that a crime-free society is not possible unless its opposite is understood.


I got hooked on the first episode right away. It's one of those series that's mentally stimulating and emotionally disturbing. The characters are memorable and easy to like, plus a strong antagonist is also a bonus. The antagonist isn't just mentally gifted but also physically strong. There are plenty of action scenes as well.  For the most part of the series, the inspectors and enforcers have to deal with criminals connected to the guy Kogami has been searching, while the the last part promises a more exciting season two.


Rating: 10 out of 10
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Gilgamesh

January 15, 2014, 7:14 am
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Although the title refers to the epic of king of the same name, there is almost no connection the Gilgamesh itself except the references to his tomb and the retelling of the epic by the characters.

Siblings Madoka Tatsuya and Madoka Kiyoko have nowhere to run. Forever haunted by their father's reputation as the cause of Twin X that wiped out most of the human population, they were chased by an unknown group with unclear motives. Not only did Twin X caused widespread death but  the explosion caused a mirror-like layer to appear in the sky. Most of the people born after Twin X have never seen the blue sky. Tatsuya is a Dynamis user. Dynamis is a psychic energy that allows the user to control physical objects. 

Tatsuya and Kiyoko

While trying to escape the pursuers, the Madokas meet three men in an abandoned house. Apparently those men also have Dynamis just like Tatsuya. It seemed that the group that's chasing them is opposed to the three men with dynamis. The former is led by Countess of Werdenberg who is determined to acquire the Madokas. She claims that she has rescued three children who can use Dynamis and wants to do the same for the Madokas. However, Kiyoko thinks she has other motives. She also suspects that the Countess is involved in Twin X and their estranged father.

Adopted children of the countess. From left: Tsukioka Toru, Omuro Fuko, and Fujisaki Isamu

The mystery deepens as they learn about Gilgamesh, the name of the group the three men belonged to. Furthermore, they discover two other organizations called Orga and Mitleid, both anti-Gilgamesh factions. Orga is led by the Countess, while Mitleid's chairman is Yuki Toranosuke. Gilgamesh are led by Enkidu, whose goal is to destroy the tower created by Mitleid to restore the mirror-like sky. Enkidu wants a cleansing of the world to create better humans; something that is only possible by destroying the surviving populace.

Despite the siblings' efforts to run away from their past, their father's shadow still haunts them. Madoka Terumichi is more involved in their plight than they'd care to admit. Trapped between opposing factions, Tatsuya and Kiyoko must find out the secret in their identities before the pursuers catch up to them.

The Gilgamesh
The epic of Gilgamesh was retold twice by the characters, but the detailed part about Gilgamesh's search for immortality was left out. Meanwhile Gilgamesh and Enkidu's friendship was told in more detail. The part that was left out, the story of the flood, would have made the latter part of the series more sensible if it was not omitted. Not only that, the pace is slow for a series with a promising story. Set in an almost empty world, the viewer must plod through ineffective characterization, poor fighting scenes, and mediocre animation. Scientific jargon doesn't even make the series the least bit intellectually stimulating. Even the ending is poorly executed. The resolution is unclear and the final scene almost empty of meaning. For most of the series I was waiting for the turning point that would make it worth watching. It never came. What at first seems like a promising 26-episode series turns out to be just unfulfilled promise after all.


Rating: 5 out of 10

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PairPuri

January 15, 2014, 7:20 am
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Episode 1: Atobe times Tezuka, divided by Koharu

Prince of Tennis fans will surely enjoy this short series for its humor. The picture drama is made up of eight episodes, each one not more than 10 minutes. The best part is that all the Seigaku members each had their spotlight. Besides Seigaku are a select few characters from other schools. If you like Tenipuri humor, then this is for you. The cute ending song is a bonus.

Episode 2: Fuji brothers after school

Episode 3: Initial A

Episode 4: Kai Para

Episode 5: Beach Side's Popular Watching

Episode 6: I Don't Understand Your Feelings!

Episode 7: Whose Spectacle is This?

Episode 8: The Ocean Festival

Rating: 10 out of 10

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Katipunan

January 20, 2014, 2:59 pm
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Set in the Philippine Revolution, this eight-part series shows the rise and fall of Katipunan's founder and  the father of the revolution, Andres Bonifacio. Katipunan follows two main story lines. A young woman's death opens a series of atrocities committed by a new cleric in a small town. Pacquing and Sebastian, Teresa's friends, want retribution for her death but they are powerless. They had to flee and along the way met Andres Bonifacio, who became a friend and mentor to the two young men.


Andres Bonifacio

When Jose Rizal was arrested and later exiled to Dapitan, Bonifacio and colleagues decided to organize the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Katipunan). The recruitment process alone was tedious. Katipunan was hard-put in convincing some of the ilustrados to support them; some people also snubbed them thinking the revolution will never succeed. The Spanish colonizers are too powerful; while the Filipinos lack the arms and the guts to rise up. However, this is only the beginning of challenges for Bonifacio and wife Gregoria de Jesus or Oriang. Later Bonifacio would have to deal with the bickering factions of the Magdalo and Magdiwang. Moreover, his leadership would be questioned and overturned, finally resulting to Bonifacio's murder.


Oriang and Andres

Andres Bonifacio is often portrayed as an illiterate and passionate revolutionary screaming and waving a bolo. This historical drama however shows an indeed passionate yet well-mannered and educated man. Most historical adaptations tend to drown in detail leaving little room for characterization; the lead character often reduced to an almost fictional god-like icon difficult for the audience to identify with. The series was not a victim of that trend and the first half didn't disappoint. His role in the second half was slightly reduced however as new characters were introduced. Neither Rizal nor Emilio Aguinaldo took the spotlight, an accomplishment in itself.

Bloody and dark, Katipunan did not sugarcoat the Philippine revolution. There are plenty of action scenes beautifully done. This attention to the fight scenes is also seen in the preparation for the costumes, setting, and even the choice of cast.

Although the series does not intentionally support one theory of Bonifacio's downfall, it leaves the audience to ponder on the possibilities. Both Aguinaldo and Rizal have had their spotlight. This long-deserving tribute to the man who had the guts to start the revolution, gives information not usually found in textbooks. Whether there is an attempt to overturn Bonifacio's reputation as the antagonist to Aguinaldo's rise to power, that is for the audience to decide.

What is clear however is Bonifacio's intention to free the country from the colonizers knowing that their chance of success is slim. Anyone without brains for organization and strategy would not have accomplished  the task of recruitment alone. So why is his image of an uneducated, hot-headed man still persistent? Whatever the revolutionaries accomplished, it is clouded by their avarice and longing for power, no matter how insignificant. A power the Magdalo, and later the other factions, thought were theirs by gaining only one province. They not only failed to protect that acquisition but also forgot what they were fighting for. 

Despite the unnecessary death of Bonifacio, the usurpers (for lack of a better word) did not gain anything at all because of intrigue, betrayal, and plain lack of goals and ability to strategize and govern. Whether Aguinaldo's presidency was legitimate or not, hiding the proof of the other party does not change history. The Philippines did not gain independence from the Spaniards because of the revolutionaries. 

The country was doomed from the start. Founded on politicking and in-fighting among factions is not so different from the current government.


Rating: 10 out of 10

Cast:
Sid Lucero as Andres Bonifacio
Glaiza de Castro as Gloria de Jesus
Roi Vinzon as Padre Villalon
Benjamin Alves as Sebastian
Dominic Roco as Pacquing

Written by Ian Victoriano
Directed by King Mark Baco
Executive Producer Jayson Bernard Santos

Aired on October 19, 2013 – December 28, 2013; GMA Network

Photos taken from gmanetwork.com

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Shiki

January 29, 2014, 3:03 pm
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In the rural town of Sotoba, mysterious deaths force Doctor Ozaki Toshio and monk Muroi Seishin to investigate. Upon examining the bodies, Ozaki finds that the victims suffered from a rare case of anemia and had mysterious insect bites somewhere in their bodies. Other than those, he has no more clues passing it off first as an epidemic. Coincidentally, the deaths began occurring when the Kirishiki family moved into town, but with so little evidence of their involvement, no one but an old lady suspected the family. As the numbers piled up and an attempt to cover up the deaths was discovered, Ozaki thinks he is up against something more terrifying than a disease.




Meanwhile Muroi meets one of the Kirishikis, a girl named Sunako, who has a disease preventing her from going out at night. The two seem to get along very well especially when Muroi brought up his novels including the latest called Shiki. 

Although Muroi wanted to help with the investigation by interviewing the victims' families, Ozaki disagrees pointing out that Muroi's approach isn't helpful. It was the beginning of the falling out of the two, culminating in a gruesome discovery later.


Natsuno

At the start of the investigation, the doctor believed that the first victim was Shimizu Megumi. Megumi, a girl noted for her choice of outfits, dreams of a life outside Sotoba. She admittedly hates the rural townsfolk including Tanaka Kaori whom she ignores. Her attention is set on Yuuki Natsuno, who unfortunately dislikes her. Natsuno finds Megumi bothersome and creepy. Her death only worsened things. Not only does he suspect that Megumi is still around but that she is planning something against Natsuno's friend, Mutou Toru.



The isolated setting of Sotoba is a perfect setting for the buildup of the mystery of deaths. The characters are slowly and literally trapped until there is almost no solution. The climax is all the more exciting because of that trap set up by the perpetrators of the "plague" and it seems like only three residents have uncovered the truth. What they will do about it is something to look forward to in the 22 episodes and 2 OVAs. The complete turnaround of the situation in the last few episodes to me was epic. 

Ozaki and Muroi

When I read that there would be blood-sucking creatures involved I was hesitant to watch because most tv series/movies/books that have the same theme are predictable, boring, and have nothing new to offer. The genre usually attempts to romanticize the characters and even make them more appealing than their human counterparts. Shiki attempted that as well but it did not downplay the humans. There was an attempt to retain human qualities in the shiki therefore allowing a striking contrast between the humans' reason for survival and the shikis' reason for holding on to their lonely existence.

The Kirishikis

Some of the outfits and hairstyles look really funny considering that this is a bloody, horror and mystery series. The excellent manipulation of multiple characters (an entire village) and the fast pace of the series is no laughing matter however. Based on the novel by Fuyumi Ono, author of the equally impressive Ghost Hunt, you wouldn't expect anything less.

The shiki

Shiki is a gut-wrenching, emotionally stirring series. It's difficult to stop watching halfway through it. Shiki kept me on the edge of my seat. It was the first time in any anime that I literally cheered on for the characters in the last few episodes. Within 23 minutes of each episode I found myself angry or sad or excited with each new discovery. Don't let the genre and oversaturated theme turn you off. Shiki is way better than the current blood-sucking theme trash you'll find these days.

Rating: 10 out of 10

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Shingeki no Kyojin

January 30, 2014, 8:43 am
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When humanity was threatened to extinction by the arrival of man-eating, human-like giants, the survivors built a settlement protected by three separate walls. For a century, the humans lived in safety, confident that the walls cannot be breached by dumb titans. The three walls are Maria, Rose, and Shina. These have four outer walls designed to attract titans and prevent pressure throughout the walls; making the task of guarding easier for defenders by concentrating in these four districts. It is in one of these outer wall districts, Shiganshina, that Eren Yeager and his family lives. A passionate young man, Eren's desire to join the Recon Corps was revealed to the family by the Yeager's adopted daughter Mikasa Ackerman, much to the dismay of Eren's mother. However he got encouragement from his father, Dr. Grisha Yeager, who promised to show Eren the research he has done on titans. The Recon Corps is one of the three military divisions created to protect people and fight the titans. They survey the territories outside the walls and gain foothold for humans; while the Garrison maintains and guards the walls. Lastly, the Military Police guards the king.




After meeting up, Eren, Mikasa and their friend Armin Arlert looked on when a loud thunderclap was witnessed outside the walls. As a hush fell on the residents of Shiganshina district, a huge head appeared over the wall. Later named the Colossal Titan, it managed to do the impossible; it towered over and damaged the previously unbreachable wall. The titans finally enter the humans' stronghold and a feast commences. 

Eren's mother was trapped when their house collapsed during the breach. Eren and Mikasa had to leave her to evacuate to the inner wall Maria. While the survivors ran for safety and the garrison debated on sealing the gate to wall Maria, another unusual titan appears. Like the Colossal Titan, the Armored Titan seems to have only one purpose in mind and that was not to eat humans. The Armored Titan breached the gate of wall Maria, forcing the military to evacuate all residents to wall Rose.

Eren's desire to join the military was not dampened by the events. He would also learn later that he not only has to face the titans but he also has to put up with the bickering factions among humans, an equally dangerous threat like the titans. He was joined by Mikasa and Armin in the training so they can fight the titans together.

With so little knowledge about the titans and the technology to bring them down, it seems that humans have no means of fighting back. Worse, there are more unusual titans like the Colossal and Armored Titans to worry about.


Mikasa, Eren, and Armin join the army

Action-packed and with an epic first episode, the series is titanic in so many ways. First, the post-apocalyptic setting is appropriate with the current obsession on themes of humanity in near extinction. Second, there is no magic and almost no effective technology used in fighting the titans which is reminiscent of a premodern* setting. Lastly, the beautiful animation, epic opening themes, and the battle scenes using the 3-D Maneuver Gear are worth watching.

I'm not just copying the usual words used in reviews when I say action-packed because even at the last minute of the episodes, something is always happening. There is no dull moment even when the series follows the usual pattern of introduction and history of characters/background of story/tension.

The characters are easy to like. It also has an impressive lead female character who doesn't fit into the usual female categories. Eren's passionate character is not only complemented by Mikasa's fighting prowess but also by Armin's talent for strategy and negotiation. Not an uncommon combination for a trio of lead characters. The series also has it share of bloody scenes and plenty of deaths.

Although I've heard some complaints about the animation, I doubt that it would work if it was done any other way. I think for the actions scenes to be effective, the animation has to have more depth and detail. I like the attention on scenes with the maneuver gears and first-person views of running/chasing scenes when turning at corners.

(top) Commander Erwin Smith and (bottom) Captain Levi of Recon/Survey Corps

Although Shingeki no Kyojin has nothing new to offer in its narrative and the types of lead characters, the premise of a nearly extinct human population and the fight scenes against titans have more than compensated for those. With 25 episodes, 1 recap, and a cliffhanger ending it's a series that won't disappoint.


Rating: 10 out of 10

*(premodern) based on the invention of 
the cannon (one technology used to fight titans) 
and the accepted timeline of historical eras

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