In the opening page of The Gift: Forms and functions of exchange archaic societies, Marcel Mauss asks: In primitive or archaic types of society, what is the principle whereby the gift received has to be repaid? What force is there in the thing given which compels the recipient to make a return?
One of the advantages of having a good brother and buddy who also shares your anime hobbies and understands your anime tastes is that we can both exchange sweet anime loot as gifts. My most recent bounty from Stripey have been the MariMite R3s (first season and Haru) and Towel from the eyecatch in Hayate no Gotoku’s beach episode.
Continue reading ‘The otaku gift economy’
Hayate, Nagi and Maria holiday on Mykonos; our hero time slips back to a time of an even loli-er Nagi to save her from mafia assassins (whose Italian speech consists of a string of pasta names LOL). Meanwhile Nishizawa and our great pinkhaired goddess Hinagiku visit Cappadocia and the Parthenon.
Continue reading ‘Hayate no Gotoku 52′
Nagi sends Hayate out on an errand in order to prepare a surprise ‘Congratulations on your promotion to the next level of high school’ party. But not before saying some hurtful things. With her words in his mind, an elite butler courier firm attempts to headhunt Hayate, promising to pay off his debts. Hina-chan thinks about how she’d like to congratulate Hayate too.
Continue reading ‘Hayate no Gotoku 51′
Nagi and Nishizawa join forces in a quiz battle; former wants to win the Hayate-shaped trophy, latter wants to share the prize ticket of all you can eat shabu shabu with Hayate. But standing in their way are Miki and Hinagiku (who only appear after the eye catch though).
Continue reading ‘Hayate no Gotoku 50′
Episode 49 has just the above still of our great goddess Hinagiku; it was centred on the idiot trio from the student council - the first half was about the movie club (based on manga Vol.10 Ch 8 [C104?]) but with the added element of saving the club from Kazuha-sama; the second half told meaningless stories led by Risa (based on manga Vol.12 Ch 10 [C128?]) which this episode exemplifies and the anime series as a whole sometimes feels like. OTL