Goodbye Lik-Sang...

Lik-sang.com is going out of business after several lawsuits by Sony. Lik-sang is one of the, if not the only, best resource for import games. Their products are reasonable priced considering how much it costs for us to get import games and consoles. The closing of Lik-sang not only hurts the huge number of customers it had, but will also cut down sales for merchants.

There are countless numbers of pages voicing the utter disappointment of many lik-sang customers -- many of them express no interest in purchasing the upcoming Playstation 3 because of this. One should note that Lik-sang.com is, as far as I know, the only place took online pre-order for the Playstation 3 open for months on end. The one question that sure to be on many minds is, "Where will I get my imports now?" Lik-sang was the number one resource for those outside of Japan to be able to play original Japanese games.

PS3 Blues

Ever since word of the next generation console, the Sony Playstation 3, was in the works, I have been fanatic. I just have to have this beautiful piece of 60GB technology in my room. I didn't have much worries in getting my hands on one of those babies, but with only 18 more days till its tentative release, I still do not have a solid guarantee that I'll have the PS3.

I'm starting to get really worried. I tried the in-store presale, but with only about 6 reservations available per store in the U.S., I had no such luck. Those suckers went quickly. My only hope is to preorder online, but circumstances have not made that luxury available just yet. I am eyeing a bunch of stores and my itchy finger is ready to click "buy" (or "preorder" if you're a stickler for details). If it comes to having to stand in line before the sun shows up, I'm afraid I won't be holding that PS3 in my hands.

Am I willing to spend $1000 to make sure I get my PS3? I think $599 is a perfect price for the 60GB PS3, but if it comes down to spending more than that, without including games, can I afford to do so at the expense of other things the money should be going to? Only time will till, I guess. Patience is a virtue I have yet to attain. Ah....the PS3 blues are really bogging me down.

Speed Grapher Vol. 3

This steamy volume continues the high adrenaline of "Speed Grapher." Filled with lies and deception, everyone seems to be caught in some scheme and at the end of the volume, we find out who truly has the upper hand. With its twists and turns, Saiga finally confronts Suitengu, and the truth is ultimately revealed...a blood fight ensues and for the first time, we get a glimpse of Suitengu's powers. Kagura and Saiga have been separated and are being held captive, and another euphorian is on the attack. This volume leaves you wanting more...but we'll have to wait till Volume 4 comes out (set to be released on November 18, 2006).

Advent Children: Complete

A re-release of Advent Children, hereby known as "Advent Children: Complete" is due to hit stores in DVD and Blue-ray formats. Apparently, part of the new trailer shows new or changed scenes. More details to come...

"Training Wheels"

I have already discussed my views on the infamous "sub vs. dub" controversy. I came across an Animenation's "Ask John" entry that supplements my stance (see my June 6, 2006 blog entry).

Here's John's answer:

The debate over dubbing anime is the oldest and most intensely argued topic in American fandom. Every anime fan has an opinion on the subject, and most anime fans, including myself, have voiced their opinion at least once. But there are new fans entering the anime community all the time, so there are always new fans who haven't been exposed to the traditional "sub versus dub" debate. I'll do my best to provide an objective, concise explanation.

There are two primary reasons why some anime fans dislike dubbing. Dubbing is considered a compromise of the original art. And many fans don't like the sound of dubbed anime. Many hardcore anime fans prefer to watch anime the way its creators made it. Dubbing involves removing the original dialogue track and replacing it with one created by people who had no involvement with the original production of the anime. Instead of watching and hearing the anime the way its creators produced it to be seen and heard, viewers watching a dub experience an altered version that does not have the same audible nuances that the original version had. Furthermore, dubbed dialogue is forced to condense or alter the original dialogue, sometimes diverging from the original Japanese script in order to match the character's lip movements. In practical terms, a dub will never be as faithful to the original script as a good subtitle translation.
viewers used to Japanese language anime may find that dubbed anime sounds stilted, unnatural, or unbelievable. An anime character's voice should sound like an integral, natural part of the character, not like an actor performing a role. Many viewers simply find that original Japanese voices fit the characters on screen more believably than English voices.

Viewers who enjoy or prefer dubs often enjoy the convenience of not having to navigate a foreign language and subtitles, and also argue that dialogue in the viewer's native language makes the viewing experience more immersive. Proponents of dubbing also argue that spoken dialogue in the viewer's native language creates the comfortable viewing experience that original creators desire for their audiences.

Presuming that the original purpose of dubbing is to make foreign film more accessible and marketable to a mainstream audience, proponents of original language claim that dubbing is a form of "training wheels," that should serve to gradually transition viewers into watching unaltered, authentic foreign film. Staunch defenders of dubbing accuse proponents of original language of being imperial and elitist. The invention of DVD technology that allows a single video to have selectable dialogue tracks hasn't mellowed the argument because the debate is rooted in principle. Fans of dubbing prefer the convenience of native language dialogue, and enjoy the accessibility of dubbed anime. The improving skill of dub voice actors may enable a dubbed work to have the same impact as the original while being more convenient to watch. Countless subtitle fans argue that dubbing is an unnecessary corruption of the artistic integrity of foreign film; an alteration imposed upon an artwork for the sake of making the art more profitable internationally. For the hardcore proponent of artistic integrity, the quality of a dub is irrelevant because the fundmental principle of dubbing is a corruption of the original artwork.

To view this entry, check out: http://animenation.net/news/askjohn.php?id=1403. I still stand firmly against dubs, but sadly have little hope that things will change drastically, especially with the growing number of American viewers.

Death by Ink

The ratings are going through the roof for PS2's "Okami." The graphics are awesome and unique in that it mimics traditional japanese scrollwork. The setup of the game, including the movie sequences, makes you feel as though you actually are reading the story from a scroll. You also get to try your hand on some brush work...you get to draw bridges, constellations, and the Sun, among other things. Brush strokes even put the finishing blow to your enemies.

You play the reincarnated wolf now named Amaterasu. If you know a little bit of japanese folklore, then this name should be quite familar to you. An evil monster the wolf vanquished a 100 years ago has been brought back to life and is reaking havoc. It's up to Amaterasu and his annoying buddy, a bug, to revive the world and bring peace once more.

If you like mythology, heroes, gods, and legends, then this is the game for you. The only way to truly capture the essence of the game is to experience it, so pick up "Okami" immediately.

Let's Cook!

A fun and cute, interactive game for the Nintendo DS, "Cooking Mama" takes real recipes and puts your cooking skills to the test. As you continue to play, you unlock more recipes. You are scored on how well you prepare the food. This is quite entertaining, but you may eventually get tired of playing it after trying each recipe a couple of times. This game is appropriately priced and worth every penny.

Rule of Rose

Released recently for the PS2, "Rule of Rose" is not your typical horror game. I've read several reviews that suggest that it'll surpass the caliber of the "Resident Evil" and "Silent Hill" series, but in different ways. The game takes advantage of PS2's capabilities with crisp graphics and sound quality. Unlike "Resident Evil," "Silent Hill," and other horror games, the soundtrack is less grungy and metallic. It focuses on the sounds of violins producing an eerie atmosphere reflecting the disturbing and dark behavior of these children.

The game starts as Jennifer, a young child, is dropped of at an orphange, following the death of her parents. She witnesses strange and distrubing behavior reiterating the fact we are dealing with children and a child's perspective. After exploring the orphanage, we awake in an airship and gradually learn of the aristocrat club and of our past. Joining up with a dog she rescues early in the game, they search for an escape while maintaining the rules of the club.

The storyline of "Rule of Rose" is exceptional, while the gameplay may be questionable. While the soundtrack has great tracks individually, it borders on annoying as one track is set on repeat throughout the game. Storage bins are scattered throughout the airship and because Jennifer can only hold so much, it's important to remember to empty your inventory frequently. Rated M, "Rule of Rose" is probaby not for everyone. Personally speaking, "Silent Hill" and "Resident Evil" are still the beasts of horror games and are in a league of their own, and "Rule of Rose" can't touch them. Instead, I think "Rule of Rose" is its own kind of game that may cater only to select gamers. Depending on your preferences, this game may or may not be for you, though I recommend playing the game for at least 5 or 6 hours before making your decision.

Rebuild of Evangelion

News of a new Evangelion movie has been confirmed. You might assume that I would be jumping up and down, but this girl is a bit uneasy. Let me explain.

Gainax is set to produce a series of FOUR new EVA motion pictures. These movies will be an alternate re-telling of the television series. In summation, they seek to dumb down the series to be more accessible and comprehensible to average viewers and those not familiar with the original series. I love Evangelion and would not change one single frame. The story and characters are compelling and the thought that the story will actually change bothers me. I would love it if it were something new, rather than a revision. I could simply not watch these new movies, but their mere existence ensures that I will be watching it.

They say, "More comprehensible...to average viewers...and those who aren't familiar." I say, this series is deep and is not meant for the "average" viewer. I don't mean to seclude others from watching this masterpiece, but some things are meant to be the way they were originally.

I won't say anything further until I've actually seen them. I wish I could say that if it's more Evangelion, bring it on. I don't want the essence of EVA to be jeopardized. Evangelion, to me, represents the culmination of anime and I pray that it won't crumble.

The first movie is set to be released next summer in Japan. Full details will be available in the upcoming October 2006 issue of Newtype Japan.

Pinky:st...Yukata-style

The newest pinky:st line-up feature two festival-yukata-themed figures. These will be available in a standing and sitting pose, and is set to be released October 30, 2006. You may remember that there was a garage kit of a yukata pinky:st, but it is extremely rare to find.

Dirge of Cerberus

Continuing Project "Catch-up," I finally sat down this past weekend and popped in "Dirge of Cerberus" on PS2. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!! Another chapter from the most popular FF series, Final Fantasy 7, this game centers not on Cloud, but on Vincent Valentine. Straying away from its predecessors, Dirge is the first FF game that is not an RPG, but rather an adventure game much like "Tomb Raider" and "Devil May Cry." True to its essence, Square Enix continues to provide excellent quality graphics and the character design is, unsurprisingly, stunning. Some of our favorite characters join up again giving the same feeling of nostalgia and excitement I felt the first time I watched "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children."

The movement between scenes and the actual character movement is very smooth. Aiming your gun in time takes some getting used to, but you quickly learn how to maneuver. "Dirge of Cerberus" is an excellent FF7 sequel and doesn't dissappoint.

Speed Grapher Vol. 2

Volume 2 of Speed Grapher keeps the momentum going as Saiga and Kagura continue their attempt to elude Suitengu-sama and his club. Both are bombarded with even more euphorians and Saiga's euphorian skills continue to develop...bigger focus lens and focal distance equals a bigger explosion. The mystery behind Kagura is also beginning to unravel as we learn more about the inner workings of the secret club. Just a friendly warning -- I wouldn't recommend watching this volume if you've got to visit the dentist in the near future.

Volume 3 is set to be released October 10, 2006.

Sold!

Going back to my August 24th entry, I'm surprised to announce that Daishi's costume has been sold with a whopping 1 bid. It didn't look too good for the past couple of days, so I was pretty sure the thing wouldn't sell. So congratulations to the winner, you may have lost 500 bucks but at least you'll be the talk of the j-rock community rocking with your Daishi custom-made costume.

And then there were 8...

The outcast planet has been pushed out of the scene completely. Leading astronomers have defined what it means to be a planet and it wasn't good news for Pluto. Now deemed as a dwarf planet, Pluto is not longer part of our Solar System. It's official, go through all your old textbooks and make the update -- there are 8 planets in our Solar System. Pluto, by far, still rocks in my book. Totally different and unique and never follows the norm, Pluto definitely has character.

PLC Auction Insanity

This just in...from the #1 resource of j-pop and j-rock merchandise and memorabilia comes a Psycho le Cemu auction that's out of this world.

House of Anime (jpophouse.com) has announced that a series of Psycho le Cemu's actual costumes (custom made by Cospa) will be sold through eBay. The first costume belongs to Daishi and was worn in 2004. The minimum bid for his chinese-inspired outfit is a whopping $499.99!!! I guess if you can get a group of fans together to purchase it together, it could sell extremely well. I'd be surprised if an individual could go at it alone. But you never know, given my passion for everything Japanese, I also wouldn't be surprised if the bids come pouring in. It'll be interesting to see just how high the price will get by the end of the auction. To check out the details or to bid yourself, click here. Ganbatte and may the highest bidder win (^_^)

Pinky:st Kira Kira

The Pinky:st phenomenon continues to stretch to other realms showing that this craze is still burning. Pinky:st has hit the shelves with over 40 figures including limited edition and special edition figures and has recently taken over the small screen. Pinky:st is now hitting the Nintendo DS with "Pinky:st Kira Kira Music Hour" (or "Pinky:st Sparkling Music Hour"). It is a music-themed game with your favorite pinky models and is set to be released October 26, 2006. For those who grab the limited edition, a special pinky:st figure will be included. This is a definite plus for all pinky:st collectors.

Utopian Awakening

After the MCAT, I was able to fit in some anime, that is, until my body gave out from extreme exhaustion. Sitting on my shelf for the past few days still in its wrapping, it took a lot of will power to stop me from watching this anime. But I perservered and I'm glad I waited till after the test.

"Ergo Proxy" is a cool, dark anime with a tint of innovation and a unique plot. I already had high expectations ever since I heard that it was from the guys who brought us the awesome "Samurai Champloo." The art and design quality is absolutely flawless. It combines the high art quality of "Last Exile," the crisp and darkness of "Blood: The Last Vampire," and the fluidity of "Samurai Champloo." The story is captivating...humans and androids called autoreivs, live together in the last utopia, but a virus called the Cogito Virus is spreading among some androids infecting them with emotion. The main character is a female inspector from the Citizen Information Bureau along with her partner, an autoreiv named Iggy. The basic plot and first episode is nicely presented to depict a deep, multilayered story filled with twists and turns. The mood reminds me of "Speed Grapher" meets "Noir." Hopefully the episodes to follow will be as equally compelling as the first episode.

Sweet Liberation!

I finally took my MCAT this past Saturday. With it having gone and passed, it feels good to have that liberation. Or rather, I have gone from a liberation of MCAT madness to enter into another madness, a madness known as Admissions. It's a long and arduous process that is extremely costly. After studying for 8 straight months, I can finally have some free time. The craziness was nicely capped off with a Sunday lunch at Tara Thai. I hope that my score will reflect those gruling months of studying.

It's Baaack!

The "Play! A Video Game Symphony" tour continues in Virginia tomorrow night, August 4 at 8:30 p.m. I was surprised to see a piece on it on Washington Post's Express newspaper. I'm glad I made it to the Chicago premiere, as it seems no VIP meet and greets are happening in the subsequent concerts. Nevertheless, it should be a great concert. No word as to what special feature they'll do for this concert, Detroit's concert had Castlevania music. No special guests have been announced for this concert, but at least we have Arnie Roth. Virginia-goers won't get the same treats that Chicago attendants got, but it'll still be a concert that's out of this world.

Heat Wave

"It's the end of the world," someone said recently. With temperatures reaching 110 degrees with the heat index this week, you can bet that air conditioning is gonna be my friend. I should be used to this type of weather, but when we have tropical island weather in a mild temperate zone, it just doesn't feel right. I feel just like the Itoh sisters, Chika and Nobue, from Ichigo Mashimaro. No doubt I'm looking forward to fall and winter.

I'm going to NASA this afternoon for some presentations, so hopefully I won't be stuck in the heat.

35 hours in 3 days

I have worked approximately 35 hours in the past 3 days and am TOTALLY exhausted. Yet here I am trying to make it through the week. My colleague and I co-planned every aspect of a 3-day event we held for a bunch of our interns at NASA. At least our efforts weren't in vain. Everything turned out great and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. It was sad to say goodbye to the Langley Research interns. We had dinner on Monday, a full day on Tuesday, and breakfast on Wednesday. I feel like a zombie, but I can't let that get the best of me. A little over 3 more weeks until the MCATs, so there's no time for rest.

Euphoria

Thank you, Gonzo! If you're looking to get away from the mainstream anime out there just once, away from those romance, comedies, action, robot, and samurai-themed anime, then "Speed Grapher" is for you. For "Evangelion" fans, this is a must-see. "Speed Grapher" has it all -- great plot, great characters, great development, awesome music, and flawless graphics. If one word could sum up this great series, it would be "original." There is only one other anime I have ever deemed "original", that being, "Evangelion", of course. Having seen just the first volume, "Speed Grapher" has already made it to one of the top titles on my list.

Because of its originality, it's hard to describe or compare it to other anime titles. "Speed Grapher" is similar to "Evangelion" in that it deals with the philosophy of human mind and desire and is deeply enriched. I thought of "Elfen Lied" in some instances, but "Speed Grapher" is way beyond that league. It's similar to "Silent Hill" (the video game/movie) in the perfection of the background music. Its clean graphics are in the realm of "Last Exile's" awesome artist, Range Murata. In all, this title can stand on its own. "Speed Grapher" is rated TV-MA (mature). This is definitely not for kids or the light-hearted or the occasional anime fan. This is definitely for you hard-core anime fans. I tried to get the import version, but was unsuccessful, so I'm anxiously awaiting for Volume 2.

Keeping Up That Spirit of Determination

The weekend is over once again and that means that there is less than 6 more weeks till the MCAT. I am happy to say that I have kept my goal of finishing the Biology Section, well, for the most part. I just need to get through Genetics and Evolution (which shouldn't be too much of a hassle). Next weekend, it's on to Organic Chemistry.

I'm trying to figure out ways to keep my spirit of determination up, get my hypothalamus to work in my favor. Release those hormones and give me that good, happy feeling. Maybe little rewards might work. But with me giving the rewards, it's probably unlikely that they'll suffice. What's going to stop me from getting it (other than okane), if I really want it? I guess, in truth, the joy of going to Med School and becoming a doctor to help others is reason enough to strive.

Onegai tasukete kami-sama! Ganbatte!

The Security Blanket Called Ignorance

Sure, a little bit of ignorance never hurt anyone. Those who avoid ignorance completely are ironically doomed to fail in life. We have shaped life to what it is today - a place where only the ignorant succeed. And the main reason for this is the false sense of motivation that always accompanies hope and ignorance.

Believing in something gives humans the drive to improve themselves, to provide the stamina needed to continue the race. In this case, it seems to be better to be a hypocrite. So long as you continue to push and "succeed" in life, while at the same time, remembering the truth. And for those that are completely ignorant and are devoid of the truth, may you be showered with pseudo-bliss-full days.

The End of Longest Shortest Week

It's Friday, Yay! I still can't believe this was a 3-day work week. It felt like it went forever. I don't have any big plans this weekend, but I hope to get some anime in there somehow. I've set a big goal for myself this weekend -- to finish studying the Biology section of the MCAT. I think it can be done...if not the entire section, then at least 75% of it.

I'm watching "School Rumble" right now. Usually not my type of anime, but it's really starting to get a hold on me. I don't think it'll end the way I want it to, but I hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Alright! That's enough of a break. Gotta get back to work...apparently for me, Friday is always my busiest day.

Confusion

A disorder resulting from a failure to behave preditably; a mental state characterized by a lack of clear or orderly thought and behavior; a mistake that results from taking one thing for another; causes disorderly combination of elements with identities lost and distinctions blended. Confusion, it seems, is the way of life. Though some may believe that they aren't confused most of the time, I think there isn't a time when one person at one given point in time is not confused. Think about it, can you pinpoint one instance when you saw things "clearly," with absolutely no doubt, or not a shred of chance where you may be wrong? I wouldn't say that confusion is a trait that is human-specific, but it can be said that we, alone, hide from the simple fact that we know nothing.

But how can all of us be wrong? Doesn't majority always represent the truth? Majority, in truth (chuckles in irony), is not a representation of the truth. Instead, it is a representation of what most have agreed to agree on. If you disagree, then you'd agree that if 90% of the world said that the word "truth" contains six letters, then it must be true. Right?

Confusion -- A state in that which is not normal. Confusion is the state of life. Laugh at those who believe they are normal, or who snicker at those who they see aren't normal. We're all abnormal, weird, if you will, and those who refuse it will remain lost or can dwell in their sea of false happiness or content.

MCAT Madness

Less than 7 more weeks till the MCAT. I'm starting to get really nervous. At times I feel so prepared, that I've done all I can do. Other times I feel so lost and start to lose all hope. What if I blank out? Could I have done more? What will happen if I don't make it? These questions really bog me down and whatever motivation or stamina I get is very short-lived. I know I have it in me, but will my will be strong enough to persevere? One thing's for sure, I absolutely cannot let my nerves get the best of me. As my sister always says, "You can do it!"

Two nights ago, I suddenly woke up around 4:30 a.m. with some ideas for my Medical School Essay. For fear that I'd forget it when I wake again, I crawled out of bed and looked for some paper and a pen or pencil. I ended up writing incomplete sentences and some notes for a good 20 minutes. It seems good, I just hope it'll be enough to push my application to the top of the pile. Ganbatte-nee Rei-chan!

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day, Happy Fourth of July!!! Except not really, it was 2 days ago, but we'll ignore that little tid bit. Coco is going crazy with all the fireworks. People have got fireworks all around our house. The "regular" fireworks neighbors always seem to have fireworks, we hear it at least 3 times a week, but they're really going at it this year. It sounds like there's a party going on the other side of our house. An on another angle is the usual fireworks event at the park nearby. There's really no point turning on the TV to see the Macy's 4th of July parade. Anyways, Go America! What a perfect way to end our Philly trip.

Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu!

Happy Birthday Reza (aka Gendo)!!! Otanjou-bi Omedetou! Hope you have a blast. Hope you can just sit around, go back to your roots, and watch some good ol' Evangelion. Have a great and relaxing day...you truly deserve it, so go ahead and live it up! Luv, Rei (^_^)

Back to Reality

Yes, I know you saw it coming, but I have to say it -- it sucks to be back...again. We got back from a great time at Philly yesterday evening and boy are we pooped out. We did and saw so much that even my camera gave out twice. I had to go buy batteries and those died on me too.

It seems that with everything that's been going on this morning, someone's telling everyone to stay home. With massive flooding and mudslides, the metro is a mess and the roads are massively clogged. My legs are giving out and I can't keep my eyes open. At least my sister took the hint and stayed home today, but here I am in the office.

I wanna go back to Philly, to my beautiful hotel with the beautiful surroundings. Sigh, it sucks to be back...again.

From Chi-town to Philly

Surprise! I just dropped my big surprise to my sister today. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to surprise her with a trip to Philly. I had to keep this on the hush-hush. She needed to take off that Friday, so I told her I'd be taking her to Six Flags!! Up until tonight, she was all set to go to Six Flags. I couldn't keep this to myself, so I told everybody else about it, except her.

She had called me up early this week and asked for a shopping spree as her birthday present. I couldn't get out of it and of course, she had absolutely no idea how much I had already spent for her birthday present. She was thinking, all she did was get two tickets to Six Flags. It was either tell her the truth or add this shopping spree to her birthday bill. Luckily she couldn't find much and I was only left with a small bill - 2 pairs of shoes.

We leave tomorrow morning. All that's left is some major last minute packing. Happy Birthday, Medina!!! Aren't I a wonderful sister? Philly, here we come!!!

Anime 101

The University of California's Irvine Extension will offer a course entitled, "Manga & Anime Explosion: What, Why, How & Wow!" The course will examine the historical and cultural significance of anime and manga and how they have shaped the look and feel of many of today's Hollywood productions. In addition, students will apply methods of story and character development found in manga to screenwriting, advertising, information publishing and other creative endeavors. The course is aimed at both screenwriters seeking to expand their writing skills and add a new technique to their existing portfolio, and the growing number of passionate fans who seek greater knowledge of these art forms and how they've grown to become a phenomenon. Professional screenwriter, commercial director, and manga expert Northrop Davis will teach the course.The five-week UC Irvine Extension course is open to the public and begins September 26 on the UC Irvine campus. For more information, visit www.unex.uci.edu. [Source: AnimeNation]

Summer begins...

Ugh, it's the first day of summer. Though it feels like it's been summer for quite some time now. Oh where, oh where is winter? Tell me one thing that's so great about the summer. It's hot and it's humid. It's probably still hot even if your naked...I mean at least when it's cold, you can wear layers. When it's hot, what else can you take off, your skin? I get cranky and people start stanking up the room. I see stuff hanging out of people's clothes...it's like looking at the sun (must look away). Annoying kids hit the street and make too much noise. My hair doesn't cooperate. The lawn keeps growing right after you mow it. And stupid tourists clog the metro. I have to witness awful tanning attempts and I can't wear my favorite clothes. There's no summer vacation to look forward to and no other holidays coming up, except for the 4th of July...woo hoo, one day off (I'm being sarcastic if you didn't notice). I love the rain, don't get me wrong, but rain in the summers really suck. It gets all muggy and humid. So I ask this again, what's so great about summer?

Who am I? Who are you?

"Mountains. Heavy are the mountains. But that changes with the passage of time.
Sky, blue sky. What your eyes can't see. What your eyes can see.
The sun. One, only one.
Water. It is a grey pool.
Commander Ikari.
Flowers. So many the same, so many without purpose.
Sky. Sky of red. Red the colour, the colour I hate.
The liquid flows. It drips, ripples, and pours.
Blood. Scent of blood, woman who does not bleed.
On the red soil the humans come. Humans made by man and woman.
City. A human creation.
EVA. A human creation as well.
What are humans? Are they creations of God? Humans, and that which is created by humans.
This is that which is mine. My life; my heart. I am a vessel for my thoughts.
The entry plug; the throne of the soul.
Who is this? This is me.Who am I? What am I? What am I? What am I? What am I...I am I.
This object that is myself, that which forms what is me. This is the self that can be seen and yet it is not like that which is myself.
A strange feeling. My body feels as if it is melting. I can no longer see myself, my form, my shape...It fades from view.
Awareness dawns of someone who is not me; who was here, there, beyond me here.
Shinji? This person I know, Major Katsuragi. Doctor Akagi. People. My classmates. The pilot of Unit 02.
Commander Ikari?
Who are you? Who are you? Who are you..."

~Rei Ayanami

おかえりなさい, Welcome Home!

Welcome home, pinky:st! My three latest pinky street figures finally made it home to my door step. Aren't they cute!?! The figures on the far ends are the new Pinky 013 and 014 (I think 015 will be an accessories package, but no word on the release date yet) and the middle one is the long awaited Rabbit Scooter figure. I finally have a sitting pose which I would have had if I could just find my Yukata pinky...oh well.

On another note, it's Friday. But I have no doubt that the weekend will just pass me by in the blink of an eye...

Oh, and one more thing, if you can't read the subject of this entry (i.e. it's in weird symbols), then you suck...go get Japanese language capability.

Must...stay...awake

I've been juggling a bunch of things at once and no matter how much rest I get, it never seems to be enough. I'm looking forward to the weekend, though. Hopefully there's nothing but rest and relaxation on the way. Some Tara Thai, Anime, and video games ought to perk me right up. Only about 5.5 hours left of work, then commute (another hour), eat, play with Coco, finish up the summary for Dad, get in some MCAT study time in there, read the last chapter of Vampire Hunter D Vol. 4, get a little bit of Pu-Pu-Pu again (starring Go Morita, Ken Miyake, and Okada Junichi), in me and it's off to bed.

Destiny

We've all heard the motto, "Life is full of surprises." At times, I do believe that, but when it comes down to it and after some analysis, I think all these "surprises" are just inevitable. We are just taken aback by unexpected events simply because we are human. We try to be rational, but at times we are blinded, especially if it concerns ourselves. After all, though life may have its randomness, it is what we make of it that determines how we feel and what we do and what happens.

When things occur, whatever they may be, we, or at least I, want to believe that I'll know what to do when the time comes. That I'll seize the opportunity once it arises, that I'll grab it before it is lost forever. Within all this, in itself lies Destiny. It's liberating to believe in Destiny -- that there is a set path for everyone. But truth be told, if we don't act, what we finally realize we want, will be far beyond reach. Only those who have the courage to act, can be happy and those who don't, continue to dwell on the past and wonder what could have been.

Sweeet

Sometimes dark, gloomy days (like today) hide sweet surprises. I came across this browsing through AnimeNation and this is awesome. The Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, 'Reunion Files' boasts a stunning 144- page guide to the movie. It "archives two years worth of articles about the film from Japan's Dorimaga video game magazine, along with hundreds of glossy screenshots, story guide, "making of," rare production design sketches, staff and cast interviews, and much more." [Source: AnimeNation]. The release date has not been announced yet, but you can bet that this is definitely going to be on my shelf. Can't wait!!

The front cover is absolutely beautiful...love the wings. That's Sephiroth for you (*starts singing One Winged Angel*). Just imagining what the inside is gonna look like gives me chills.

Where did all the Anime go?

What is going on? From the very beginning, there has been an enormous amount of anime titles out there, almost all of them are of the best quality (great plot, great character development, great animation -- they deliver nothing but the best. I made a decree to myself more than a decade ago that I would never be able to watch all these series and that I'm bound to miss some of the most influential and spectacular titles. Never, since my anime lifetime, has there been an instance where I'm not in the middle of an anime series. There is just a huge plethora of titles that continue to be developed and released, and that's not even including the titles of the past. There were times when I was watching over 5 series at the same period. It's impossible to keep up, I just do the best I can to fulfill my passion with the resources at hand.

But lately, I have been blank. This is such a strange feeling. I can't find any good anime to get into and this is definitely a first. The questions I'm used to asking is, "Which one?" This lack of choices is extremely disturbing. It's not that there's a shortage of titles out there, in fact, I believe there's an increase. And yet, I can't find one. It's really hard to believe that my last series were "Full Metal Alchemist," "Bleach," and "Samurai Champloo." Those were ages ago. I'm afraid at the thought that quantity is overarching quality...the plot, the characters, even the animation are being compromised.

Miyazaki strikes again

...Goro Miyazaki, that is. The newest Ghibli project, Tales from Earth Sea, will be released in Japan on July 29th. I wonder how long it will be till I'll be able to see it. I believe Hayao Miyazaki is doing the concept art. Not only that, Okada (see pic, kawaii nee??), that's right Junichi Okada from the one and only V6, will be the voice actor for Prince Arren. There isn't much else I know about it, but with a stamp of Ghibli Productions, there's no doubt that it'll prove to be great.

Yawn

Ever get the feeling like you've been stuck in a certain state for a while? It feels like forever since you've last felt otherwise. As if you're stuck in some alternate universe and aren't aware of it. For some time now, I feel exhausted by mid-day and am always anticipating the moment I can jump under my covers and just lay there. It's probably fatigue from so much that's been going on, but I've always had a lot on my plate...so what's different now? Sure, I'm constantly being dealt a wide array of crap to do, but it's not like I'm the only one. We are taking on more, as a society, than we have in the past. And when we finally get that golden opportunity to take a vacation, it never seems to last too long.

Is mankind on a brink of overload or am I simply just delusional?

Subs or Dubs?

The controversy between subtitles or dubbed anime has been around for a long time. With all the arguments out there, there is little hope that a universal agreement can be acheived. I believe that subtitles or dubbed language track is a preference, an aesthetic of each individual. Whether one prefers subtitled over dubbed, or vice-versa, is really a matter of principle. Remember that subtitling does not remove anything from the original work. However, dubbing does. But in retrospect, both are neither perfect. Subtitles are the closest alternative to perfect; it is the closest that a non-Japanese native can get to the original, hence without any subtitles or dubbing involved.

Personally, I prefer subtitled versions as opposed to dubbed for many reasons. Let me explain. It's really not a matter of watching a good dubbed movie or a bad one, it just ruins the feel of the original movie. I think that fans who argue that they have difficulties watching subtitled anime are just ridiculous. Sure it may be hard at first for some, but you learn to adjust. As for me, I barely notice myself reading the subtitles and I find that my Japanese has steadily gotten better, to the point that I don't need to look down when it comes to basic sentences. I have made my share of attempts at watching dubbed anime, even the ones whom people say is really good dubbing, but truth be told, I couldn't get through even one episode. It just made me cringe. Even the best dub takes away from the original piece -- it is simply unnecessary.

Opinions also sway from Japanese industry, representing both sides of the argument. Some are okay with the concept of dubbing, while others totally reject them. Dubbing also produces other consequences. For one, it is expensive to dub anime. From hiring voice actors to animators that alter the work accordingly, a lot of money has to go in that process. In addition, fans overseas (outside Japan) have to wait until each episode is completed before the DVDs go on sale. And since it's almost impossible to complete the dubbing process of 26 episodes in a short amount of time and a secure bank account, the time between the original release of the work to the time the DVDs reach American shelves is extremely long. Instead, we get stuck with the release of separate volumes every 1 or 2 months, anxiously waiting for the next installment.

So my question is, wouldn't it be great if the time between the original release and the American release were as short possible? And wouldn't it be great if you could get the whole series in one fell swoop? If you answered no, well then I guess you should stick to your dubbing version. But if you're like me, you wouldn't want any unnecessary delays or alterations.

Some may argue that fans of subtitles shouldn't complain because most DVDs today come with bilingual features - a japanese language track with the option of english subtitles and an English dubbed version. I would agree that this is the best we can do to compromise, however, the fact that dubbing still exists, does not deter the problem of the long wait of DVD releases and the sectioning of episodes. It would be a good move, financially, to get rid of dubbing - the voice actors, re-animators, etc., to both industries and the consumer. For the consumer, this may result in cheaper costs for your anime.

I remember back in the day when Anime fans were scarce, maybe almost 10 years ago, back when VHS' were your source of anime. There would always be a version of English Dubbed and Original Japanese Track w/ subtitles. What's more, it really pissed me off when the original would cost a little more than the English version. Mind you, that didn't stop me from getting my hands on the subtitled version. I imagine that the price difference was mainly based on the thought that there would be a higher market for the dubbed version as opposed to the subtitled version.

But anyways, my argument on dubbing and its effect on delaying release and partitioning volumes is not entirely because I may be impatient. I just think that any waiting should be due to good reasons, not reasons of money, etc. due to the dubbing process. Despite the higher cost, I'd much rather buy the import versions to get away from all that.

666 = $$$

The day started out like every other day -- quite busy with no time to breathe and constantly complaining that I want to go home. Plus, my allergies were really bothering me, even more so than usual. D comes over to my office, like always, but this time, he hands me an envelope with my name on it and a red stamp with "Administrative Personal: To be Opened by Adressee only." Without opening it yet, he says, "We really like the work you've been doing and we're happy to have you..." I can't keep a straight face *blushes* *smiles*, so he smiles (cute smile, by the way). I don't remember the exact words, but it doesn't matter...I GOT A RAISE!!! Mind you, it wasn't like a 5 or 10 thousand dollar raise...but at least it's more moolah. YAY ME!!!

Jipped

OMG!!! I'm going out of my mind. Too many things going on, I'm super lazy, and I wanna go back to bed. I seriously feel that I'm getting jipped out of my weekend. It CANNOT seriously be Monday already. This is not the type of boost I need when I've got the whole entire freaking day ahead of me...here's a thought, why don't I become a motivator. I'd be great at it, right? Now where's that SOBE energy drink?

Play! Press/Media Coverage

The Chicago concert, Play! A Video Game Symphony has been heralded as a success (www.play-symphony.com/news.php?full=35). This was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience filled with extra goodies. The music selection was awesome and it didn't hurt that almost all the composers of the pieces were there -- including some spectacular guest performances. It was absolutely great to be part of it and I wouldn't have changed a thing...well, maybe 4 things: 1) I wish they played FF7 Advent Children's Beyond the Wasteland -- every time I hear it, it gives me goosebumps (that and One-Winged Angel) and it would've been great to see it performed live. If it was about time constraints and I had get rid of one song, though tough to choose, I'd omit Chocobo Swing; 2) It would have been perfect if Angela Aki had sung her Japanese Version of Kiss Me Goodbye (nice rendition of Rikku's song, though); 3) I would have liked more songs to be played from Silent Hill, though his guitar solo was absolutely riveting; and 4) the program was cool but I guess I had really high expectations for it. I could talk on and on about the concert, but I'll stop (for now).

Check out the coverage so far, enjoy!

GTtv: www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=2796
GameSpot: www.gamespot.com/news/6151989.html
N-sider: www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=518
1up.com: http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cid=3151125

Manga = Japanese Comic

If you've ever had at least one conversation with me where my passion of anime and manga was brought up, then you know just how strongly I feel when concepts, words, etc. are taken out of its original context and its true meaning altered.
As the popularity of anime and manga has grown, I can't help but notice the increasing frequency of its misconceptions -- one of which lies with manga. It's very frustrating enough to see mangas mixed with other comics. Even worse, to the average consumer, these comics are seen or assumed to be manga. I see works that are called "mangas" written/drawn by English, German, and Korean artists. I've even seen comic strips that mimic the "manga" style in Cosmo Girl and actually call it "manga."

To set the record straight, mangas are comics written by Japanese artists, while other works can be called American comics, manga-inspired, or whatever. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy works such as "Megatokyo" and "Warcraft," but calling them "manga" is just plain wrong. Just as American cartoons are different from Japanese cartoons (aka "Anime"), American or German, or whatever comics or graphic novels are different from Japanese comics (aka "Manga").

I was happy to come across an article from "Japan Times." It's in English, so check it out here.

[dot dot dot]

I guess this isn't very suprising, but I just realized that I use [dot dot dot]s a lot when I type. Very interesting...except, not really.