Tasunke's Random Ramblings

So, much like Konata did in Lucky Star, today I went to Kyoto and visited the outside of Kyoto Animation’s offices to take pictures. I believe some would call this a “pilgrimage.” ;) Pictured above is the sign on the front of KyoAni’s main office building. (more…)

So I went and saw the Nanoha movie, Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha (魔法少女リリカルなのは) The MOVIE 1st, today with some friends. The theater was packed, and we had standing room only tickets, basically. This is my first time watching a movie in a Japanese theater… and also the first time watching one in any theater while standing the entire time. ^^; Though being as tall as I am and standing in the back, I had no trouble at all seeing the entire screen, so it was a blessing in that regard, at least. ;)

For those unfamiliar with the movie, it’s a retelling of the events of the first season of the anime of the same name. Basically, they took a 13-episode anime series, and condensed it down into a movie. They seemed to do a good job at it too. They manage to hit the major plot points and even give us glimpses into parts of the backstory that had only been hinted at in the original anime, though at least one such revelation actually didn’t happen until the 3rd season, originally, if I remember correctly.

The movie was just as touching and moving to me as the original series was, so it definitely scores points there. Also, there was a scene that surprised and amused me, where Nanoha and her friends are playing Wii Sports Tennis. ;) I really didn’t expect to see them inserting that into Nanoha. Of course, it’s not directly Wii Sports, but you can tell that’s what it’s supposed to be. n.n;
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So, up on Toei Animation’s website, they have an introductory synopsis of Heartcatch Pretty Cure. I was notified of this in IRC, and proceeded to translate it on the spot in IRC. I then put it up on the Wikipedia article and decided to publish it here as well. Translation is after the jump for those who don’t wish to have (what’s likely to be) parts of the first episode of the series spoiled for them.
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Someone pointed this blog post out to me on IRC. Apparently, Nana Mizuki was featured in a Daily Yomiuri section called “Pop Style.” There was a blog post about it, and I’ve done my best to translate the relevant segments of it, which are after the jump.
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So, I saw the first episode of the new series Durarara!! tonight. I knew absolutely nothing about it beforehand, but I was pleased with what I saw. For those that don’t know, Durarara!! is based on a light novel series by the same author who wrote the Baccano! series.

Keeping in mind that I’ve only seen the first few episodes of Baccano, the opening sequence for Durarara does seem as frenetic as Baccano’s, with each character of the main cast having their own little introduction with them being isolated in the frame while their name is splashed up on the screen in handwritten kanji I can’t read. ;) The art style in Durarara is also quite interesting, in that only the characters you are meant to focus on. In other words, the main characters, are rendered in color. Everyone else is black and white.

(SPOILER ALERT: Review continues after the jump. Though there’s not much to spoil considering this is the first episode.)
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The new Pretty Cure series, Heartcatch Pretty Cure, is coming up soon, and the seiyuu have been announced for the lead roles of Cure Blossom and Cure Marine. They are Nana Mizuki, and Fumie Mizusawa, respectively. Each of the two seiyuu have created a personal message for the fans. The actual messages and their translations follow after the jump.
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So, I was up late last night watching new anime, and happened to stumble across an episode of Haruhi. After the episode was a short trailer announcing 「涼宮ハルヒの消失」, or “The Disappearance of Haruhi Suzumiya.” Apparently this arc will be shown in the form of a movie. It looks to be released in spring of 2010. Youtube trailer after the jump.
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So, I just finished watching the first episode of the new CLAMP manga-based anime series, Kobato.
In short, it’s very cute. ;) The titular character is a cute girl with long brown hair. I didn’t understand enough to know exactly why she’s there, but I think it has something to do with trying to make people happy. Spoilers/episode synopsis after the jump.
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More awesome footage of the 1/1 scale Gundam in Odaiba. This video shows not only the side-to-side movement of the head and the steam from the chest, as we saw in my previous post about this giant Gundam, but also shows that the head can move up and down as well, and that steam comes out at the feet of the Gundam as well. Youtube video after the jump.
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So the construction of that life-size Gundam in Odaiba finished this week. That in and of itself was awesome. What made it even more awesome is the fact that it lights up at night. Pink Tentacle has provided several beautiful photos of the lit up life-size Gundam in a blog post. An HD Youtube video of the Gundam has also popped up, showing that the Gundam not only lights up, but steams, has sound effects, and has a moving head. (It only shows a daytime view of the Gundam, however.) Hit the jump for it.
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