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′
From time to time, anime bloggers have halted their quests for anime instrumentality - common reasons include "No time!", "Hobby has become like work!", "Nothing worth to blog about…", "Does anyone even read what I write?", "I’ve been arrested by the RCMP" and so on… Out there in the vastness of the internet, one spies the traces of abandoned, derelict anime blogs. A blog is very personal thing and each blogger has the right to do whatever he or she pleases with it. However there are a few things I consider to be ideal, in my own personal view, for an anime blogger to do when hanging up the ole keyboard. Continue reading ‘The End of Animeblogelion’
Yumi, feeling the weight of collective school girl gossip and scrutiny, is also pursued for the school paparazzi who are eager for the scoop on the first year student who turned down Sachiko-sama. She escapes with Shimako’s help and they bond over lunch and each other’s eccentricities. Later she is ambushed in the music room by Sachiko and they play their awkward duet together. Sachiko takes Yumi to the play (Cinderella) rehearsals so that she can be her understudy - in case, Yumi does accept the rosary and thus the leading role. Along the way, Sachiko manages to fob off a curious teacher. Yumi’s akogare goes up a further notch at Sachiko’s grace and beauty while dancing. Youko talks to Yumi about Sachiko and, like Shimako, thinks that Yumi might make life more interesting for Sachiko. Sei takes it upon herself to get Yumi to join in the rehearsals which she klutzs up completely. After school, Yumi is accosted by girls who want to get the lowdown and breaks down in tears under the pressure of her sudden celebrity and her own feelings. Continue reading ‘MariMite 2′