Third Mai Otome DVD special. Nao-oneesama and Ers-chan in lingerie! And with the latter cuddling Nina! Ah, life is good. Click on image to enlarge. Continue reading ‘Mischievous Girls’
Daily Archive for March 23rd, 2006
Well, it’s been a fun ride. Not the greatest masterpiece of all time but definitely one of the most enjoyable series this season. I was initially quite sceptical as I didn’t really enjoy the interaction between the male and female leads in the first few episodes - Yuuji was yelling too much and Shana’s snarkiness wasn’t entertaining yet. But I was gradually won over and found myself rooting for them, especially in the face of Kazumi’s challenge and Wilhelmina’s disapproval. This series has also been notable for using a new and usually very funny or attractive eyecatch in each episode. It’s little details like this that, to me, also show a studio’s attention and love. Well done, J.C. Staff. A big factor in upping my enjoyment was how I was fascinated by some of the supporting characters. Continue reading ‘Shakugan no Shana 24′
This was released a while ago but as I reflect on the series as a whole, I credit as Shana-tan the last push that got me to pick up the series, providing that oomph on top of how Jason, Kabitzin and Omni were also clearly enjoying this series.
Also this was an eeeeexcellent parody. Good parodies always have a ring of truth to them, picking up on real characteristics and then blowing them out of all proportion e.g. Shana’s smallness (at 141cm, she’s the shortest humanoid member of the cast, even shorter than Hecate’s 142cm), her snarkiness, her love of meronpan and her catchphrase “Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!” I also particularly liked how dramatic scores fromt the BGM were used in silly situations and how Yuuji’s opening narration was in keeping with his words in Ep 1-2. Continue reading ‘Shana-tan’
The Yamayurikai prepare for dress rehearsals and Yumi escorts the Hanedara Student Council President, Suguru Kashiwagi, to the Rose Mansion but Sachiko has already left for the rehearsal venue. The whole gig is really a big setup by the Roses to ‘help’ Sachiko to overcome her dislike of men (a reaction against the philandering of her father and grandfather) and Sachiko isn’t taking it well. She shows her vulnerable side to Yumi but resolves to face up to the challenge as she hates losing. Rehearsals proceed apace but Sachiko is not clearly not happy which Rei points out is not appropriate for the performance. Sachiko hotly replies she will smile during the actual performance and takes off.
After the break, both the main leads are missing and the Yamayurikai split up to search for them. Kashiwagi and Sachiko’s altercation is interrupted as a result and it is revealed that Kashiwagi is Sachiko’s cousin and fianceé. (;-_-) Kashiwagi tries to kiss Sachiko to assert his claim but is slapped by Sachiko who takes off again. Later Yumi finds her in the greenhouse and Sachiko begs her to stay by her side. They dance together and then Sachiko introduces Yumi to the rosa chinesis bush in the greenhouse. Scene transition to the aftermath of the performance. Yumi is thinking of the time she spent with Sachiko and how it has come to an end but Sachiko finds her and to Maria-sama’s grove. She offers her rosary again, out of true feeling - not out of pity or contest - and Yumi accepts. Continue reading ‘MariMite 3′