Do not watch this ALONE AT NIGHT! (Ghost Hunt Anime Review)

Tweet

 

I love Ghost Hunt, have loved it and always will!

This is my second time watching the series. The first was around 5 or 6 years ago and back then, I've already decided that it's ONE OF THE MOST ENTERTAINING ANIME that I've watched in my entire life.

I don't usually watch anime series of supernatural  genre (although Supernatural is my favorite US TV show) so I only pick those which are really worth my time. Ghost Hunt along with XXXholic remain to be the shows that can give me GENUINE SCARES all the time. I love to watch these shows at night but THEY ARE TOO DAMN SCARY that I can't help but to minimize my VLC screen so the effect wont be that overwhelming..fufufufu..

I don't like gory/bloody scary shows so the tolerable suspense atmosphere of Ghost Hunt suits my taste best. The show gives you the comfortable feeling you long for when you are trying to relax, and gives you an assurance that there is still hope for the ANIME INDUSTRY. The scare, the thrill, the suspense, the rom-com, the youthful aura and the drama - ingredients for a truly enjoyable show which fortunately GHOST HUNT has.

As per the story, it is very simple. A group of supernatural experts gather around to solve supernatural mysteries. So simple yet the cases were nothing but ordinary! The stories of each mystery were delivered in the best scaaarry way possible. The sound and the music amplified the atmosphere to give you a series of pure scare fun and entertainment.

The characters were ALL likable. Naru-chan and Mai, the two main leads, I remember back then how I got crazy for these characters and until now I still feel the same. Also, Mai is one of my favorite heroines ever!!!Aside from these two, all the characters were superb and well-blended with the story. Even though their personalities and abilities were well presented, they do not outshine the cases they worked on. The stories/cases were after all the heart of the series and fortunately these were executed magnificently.

And what a lame scary show it would be if the sound and music were not that effective. Here at Ghost Hunt, you will not only be rewarded with good stories but with A SUPER GREAT MUSICAL EXPERIENCE too. The OP & ED are cool and the BGMs are simply haunting!

The BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT I can say about this show is that it only lasted for 25 episodes. This number is not enough to know the characters better and to solve the biggest mystery of this anime. Having said this, Ghost Hunt is truly an enjoyable series. SCARY+ ENTERTAINING = PURE FUN. You don't need LOGIC to understand and love this series. It just needs your creative mind for it to be appreciated. Although this is kind of an old series, it will always remain to be one of the MOST UNDERRATED SERIES OF ALL TIME. This is waaay better than new titles these days and I can't find a recent series that is a match with Ghost Hunt (recommendation anyone?). It is just sad that it wasn't that popular enough to gain a second season ( or was this the reason??). But anyway, there's still the manga if you want to continue the series, right?

Overall, this series is SUPER RECOMMENDED, especially to those who are bored and looking for some SCARES and THRILLS. Watch this right now, but I suggest to try it at night for a better viewing experience..tee hee!


Till then,

From someone who easily gets scared,
ME

^_^

Roses = Let's Forget Everything (BARA NO NAI HANAYA JAPANESE DRAMA REVIEW )

Tweet

Flower shop without a rose

(find out why it is so)

Well, I got myself busy into Jdoramas, as usual, these days. Bad for me. I'm procrastinating things. I need to submit my audio-video production script about my thesis next week. But I haven't started editing any of my videos yet. **sigh** Maybe, I am not yet in the mood..... what a lame excuse. **sigh** I can't help it. JDORAMAS ARE REALLY ADDICTING!!!

Well, before it flies away from my mind, I would just like to share with you my new found gem! Even though, I have watched good stuff recently, I wasn't able to talk of them with you. But this one is different. IT HAS TO BE SPREAD!! Next to this one, maybe is Bloody Monday and JIN. But romantic blingy always tickles me. **sigh** I miss Buchou and Hotaru-sama....this one makes me remember them.

It's Bara no nai Hanaya. I have been listing it since last year, while it's still airing. But i don't know, maybe I am not in the mood for its type, or I had underestimated its potential. Because, who would've thought that much from a human drama genre who would normally talk about life? It would be recycled theme again, nothing new to keep you asking. But, it surprised me once again. The things which I expected the least are always there to prove me wrong.

The plot is amazing. This kind of Jdorama is a rare one. Its cheesiness is just well blended. Normally, I would hate it but it is put in exact amount. The actors are well placed. Shingo Katori is so great at his role. My gosh!! Who would've thought Son Goku could be a family man? Yuko Takeuchi is new to me. This is the first time that I would be seeing her act in a drama. Although, I have already read her name in some drama searching and watched her in the Team Batista Movie trailer with Abe Hiroshi, I was still surprised how beautiful she really is. She is actually good but I sometimes think her giggles looked like rehearsed and fake, well, anyhow, I can still sense the honesty in her role. But the scene stealer will be, surprisingly, is the kid, Yuki Yagi, playing Shingo's daughter Shizuku. She acts so naturally and with full of honesty. She and Shingo really looks like father and daughter in real life, as if there's no pretension. There is such a chemistry between them.

a father and daughter scene

Shizuku-chan (Yuki Yagi~ so kawaii~)

the beautiful Yuko Takeuchi (Ohanaya -san!!)


the uber dependable Shingo-san
(no picture on the official website, why so?)

I am so surprised how the story went. At first, you'll just be introduced to single fatherhood and the usual back story of sad fairy tales and then you'll, of course, think that the new girl the father meets will be her new princess again where he will find love again. Well, it happened. But, NOT THAT FORMULAIC WAY!! It was surely complicated. There were lots of twists and turns in the story which will you think this is not an ordinary human drama. Or was it? Or maybe the writer is just really great that this kind of story really was still able to deliver fresh ideas after having so many kinds of dramas presented inside the tv screen? Well, whoever he is (Nojima Shinji), he is surely simply great!!

Another one, the thing that makes me miss buchou and hotaru and the reason why I got myself write an entry for this one, is of course the lovers confrontation at the end of the series. They do always have one, don't they? Like with Hotaru no Hikaru's and Galileo's own mini love confrontations. Well, not that really romantic with that of Galileo. I just put it that way...fufufufu. The confrontation scene with this one was held inside a green house of roses. The setting didn't bring any sense of romanticism in me, until .......WAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!! Shingo-san non-stopped spoke "Aishitteru" to Yuko-san. And Yuko-san felt it so sudden that she is asking him to wait, maybe to make some preparations for herself but Eiji-san (Shingo) just continued the magic word over and over again.!! Wooohhh!! So sweet!! Shingo-san is not really that handsome compared of course to his SMAPmate Takuya, but something about him over shines this "handsomenity's" existence. Doing something like that, with full of honesty, is really a scene only in fairy tales. But the characters in this drama lived up that atmosphere and showed us the true nature of LOVE.

the love confrontation scene

Over all, it was surely a very very nice drama. Not that extravagant. But it was really really nice. This drama will surely teach you a simple lesson about trust, honesty, family, love and life. This is a surely a must-watch!


From someone-who-thinks-that-the-title-of-the-drama-is-cool,
Me ^_^



P.S.

Matsuda Shota-san is here. I feel he has good dramatic skills. I hope he could show more this skills in the future.

Matsuda Shota-san

And I think, I'll be able to start what I am supposed to do, regarding my thesis, after watching Shibatora. The torrents are on the last one now. I think I should stop there already. I hope I could keep with this!!! Wushu!!

War Romance! Wushu! ^_^ (VALKYRIA CHRONICLES ANIME REVIEW)

Tweet

The love pyramid
(Welkin x Alicia x Faldio)

Har ~ Har!! I watched it full at last!! Nyarhahaha!!! Well, I was happy I wasn't disappointed. But sure, one thing, I realized..the serious tone doesn't get fine along with the anime, its plot holes are easily seen..Bwahahaha!! But don't care anymore, Romantic + Comedic = Uber SATISFACTION!!

Bwahahaha!!

Well, what can I say without any spoilers??? Hmmmm....It ended with a happy ending...You'll already know it!! Although very averag-y and cheesy, I still can't get enough of happily ever after. I got what I want, although I might say I was, of course, been surprised about some unpredictable turn of events. But nevertheless, it added to the sweetness of the story.

Welkin - sama deserves my highest respect!! I truly love him, that's why I would want to see more of his weird expressions and statements. He truly belongs in a unique category of heroes!! Wushu!!

Well, anywayz.... I could say that Valkyria Chronicles isn't perfect. You'll easily spot its weak points. The good thing is, when enjoyment factor would be on discussion, it will surely deliver.

Go Squad 7!
(7 is now my official second fave number, after 4!)

So to all my fellow Otakus --- I would want to share with you the cute moments I felt during my sojourn in the world of Gallia and Empire. I hope you could feel its special aura!! Hehehehe...

Gambatte!!

From someone-who-wants-to-meet-Welkin-in-the-real-world,
Me


^_^

Valkyria Chronicles: First Look! (VALKYRIA CHRONICLES ANIME REVIEW)

Tweet

I don't care how many plot holes this anime has!! and with cliche~ish moments every now and then...no need to bother them as I am already satisfied...because VALKYRIA CHRONICLES --- oozes with COOLNESS FACTOR to the bones!! Bwahaha!! Because of this one, I felt faith again!! There is hope in the Anime Community. Bwahahaha!!!

Ahermmm...Sumimasen...

Anyways, back to the topic. I accidentally fell over with this one. I saw its title from somewhere then immediately rushed to myanimelist to check. I was surprised that it received good reviews, because I believe this hasn't received much talkings (or am I Wrong?) Well, anyways..I was actually hesitant at first because I thought it might be a very lousy war title and I just might be put into a suicidal chair. But, GOOD THING...I wasn't blessed with a perfect intuition! Bwahahaha!!!

I easily fell in love with it! It wasn't as heavy as what I thought at first. It actually has nice balance of themes which a good anime could offer: Has a light approach, but with a serious tone; Not bloody, could totally be enjoyed by everyone even children; funny yet touching (kinda reminds you of the holocaust); and of course, the most important ingredient..hihihihi....the ROMANTIC BLINGY that has been circulating my hypothalamus ever since.

Bwahahaha!! Yeah, I'm writing this one because of my undying emotion towards the love pyramid that the main characters have.!! I am not even half the series, yet I already feel this unstoppable urge to say something about my new found love duo!! Wushu! I always find my new dream love team, they are already so many, now I can't even remember them. Don't mind me, I'm talking to myself..hehe ^_^

Anyhowzz..I could say that Valkyria is quite similir with Code Geass, well yeah, of course, since they are of both war type. But good thing, my comparison would be in favor with this one..hehehe.. I enjoyed Geass, but not like with this "smiling - wholeheartedly enjoyment" for Valkyria. => Unlike Code Geass, Valkyria has a soft nature which could give you a relaxing feeling. Although, it's in the middle of a war, you still can't help but be ...happy! Tee hee! I don't know..Happiness is the name of the game. Well, I don't blame Geass, because of course, it is written that way, the plot is very serious and dark. But what I am pointing is that...well,,,hehehe...just to make Valkyria shine...whatever...don't mind me...hehehe...

Where am I? Okay. May I tell you something about the characters? I'm still on episode 14, so I do not know what's still gonna happen next, but from my initial observation, I could say that...WELKIN GUNTHER is totally KAKKOI!! **nosebleed** He's totally a weirdo, but of course, a genius in disguise. Who wouldn't like him? A very naive guy, but is totally an incredible man. He fights with a very sure-to-win plan! And even though, how great and smart his opponents are, he, of course, outlasts them! Nyarhahahahahah!! (kinda fishy, he always wins no matter what)

The heroic Welkin -sama

Then we also have, Alicia. I was so happy that Marina Inoue voices her. My golly, Marina-san always receive good roles but I felt she was already typecasted with this kind of roles..but anywhoozz, so great of her! Back to Alicia, well, she's your typical strong-natured female personality whose prowess captures the hearts of men..Bwuhuhuhu!! I am now being jealous of her..Argh..but I know Welkin-sama and Alicia would be a perfect love team, so I'll let them be.! So that means, noooooooooooooooooooo other partiesss!!! (but this makes the story more interesting..tee hee!)

The aphrodite Alicia - san

Then we also have.. I won't tell it anymore. Since I felt my ramblings had been so out-of-town already. Gomen!

Over all, I am still keeping my hopes high! I know there are more happy episodes to come. I just hope that they don't disappoint. ! **always fingers crossed**


From someone-who-can't-get-over-with-the-romantic-affair-of-this-Anime-100%,
Me

^_^

Ally of Justice? (SEIGI NO MIKATA JAPANESE REVIEW)

Tweet

**Spoiler Ahead - Beware -Spoiler Ahead - Beware -Spoiler Ahead - Beware -Spoiler Ahead****

How can such a devil woman not have some sort of punishment after doing some cruel things and devilish acts to people? HMph!!!

I really do not know the key point of the writers of just keeping the arrogance of the devil sister until the end. I was hoping she would eventually tone down and repent on her bad doings but it turned out that she, at the end, still lived as the ALLY OF JUSTICE!. So poor Kumako-chan ^~^ The freedom she longs for ages will never come true..(*@*) so sad...haizt...

Heheheheh....

Now I'll stop complaining...

.....cuz' ......I'm So Super Extremely Happy that I finally seen Seigi no Mikata in its true form...Gyabooo!!!

What part would you not like in this one? Well, as for me, N-O-T-H-I-N-G!!

If you are looking for a real feel-good Jdorama that has standards, then this one is SURELY a Keeper!! The story of an older sister who bullies her lil sis is quite something and NEW, although, as for mine, it's the other way around.....hehehehehe...Anywayzzzz..

I thought this one would be all about making the older sis learn a lesson and would be a melo-drama but, surprisingly, it made me cry laughing.....!! The chemistry between the older sis, Makiko (Yu Yamada) and younger sis, Youko (Shida Mirai) is truly a treasure.. They look so good together, and really looked like sisters in real life. They played their parts so so well. I was surprised by Yu Yamada. I know she's a real beauty from the start so I do not expect her to do such absurd things like that of my Hotaru-sama (Haruka Ayase from Hotaru no Hikari). But when she began to do her lil develish gestures with, of course, a lot of funny actions, I realized why she is truly the ALLY OF JUSTICE. Shida Mirai, of course, is a given. She can really act..and act so well. Her performance in the Queen's Classroom is really astounding and here is her another best. Mind you,,,these two ladies received acting awards,,which I think they truly deserve.

The devil Makiko
(Yu Yamada)


Devil but funny!







The bubly Kumako - Youko
(Shida Mirai)

Go Kumako!

The supporting characters were also well portrayed. Naoki-san (Mukai Osamu) is so KAKKOI!! He is super good-looking. He looks like Nicholas Teo but my sister doesn't believe it. He and Makiko look so good together. And I am so happy that the two of them appeared in another Jdorama together, Mei-chan's Butler,..Wushu! I'm definitely going to check it Out! Kanata Hongo who played the love interest of our bubly lil sis is a truly bishounen in the making. He's not a Johnny's but he is so skinny. Why do a lot of Japanese men especially teenagers look so skinny? They are pretty faces but their bodies are a no-no! What kind of trend is that??? Well, anyways, Kanata and Shida have a potential. They are a team to be looked out very soon.

The two families were so lovable, especially that of the sisters'. I like it when they are arguing. I especially like the last episode where they are debating about the divorce and the sisters were quiet, and Youko was contemplating that she had never seen her sister so frailed before, and the memories of her strong sister rushed into her and because of LOVE, she stood up to defend her big sis! It was such a touching scene. I cried so much. I won't tell you what happen next. Find it your self..Mwah mwah mwah!!!

**some momentszz**

All in all, the drama is a winner. It has a nice BGM and a cute theme song. Want to be entertained? Check this one now. And prepare your heart from laughing.


From a confused why-the-sister-never-gets-a-punishment,
Me ^_^

Who the Hell do you Think I am? (TENGEN TOPPA GURREN LAGANN ANIME REVIEW)

Tweet

Have you ever felt in your whole Otakuity life the feeling that you wouldn't want a series, may it be an anime or asian drama, to be watched in your country locally? Well, I DO SO MANY TIMES. WHENEVER I WATCH GOOOOOOOD ANIMEZZZ AND SUPERB ASIAN DRAMAZZZ, I ALWAYS WISH LOCAL CHANNELS HERE IN THE PHIL. WONT HAVE ANY INTEREST ON THESE SHOWS. YEZ, I KNOW, THESE GREAT SHOWS DESERVE A GREATER AUDIENCE TO APPRECIATE THEM AND EVENTUALLY CREATE A HUGE FOLLOWING, BUT, I KNOW I'M ON MY SELFISHNEST WITH REGARDS TO THESE..

Great anime and dramas became highlights of my happy memories that is why I don't want these shows to be taken for granted.....BUT..........NOT WITH THIS ONE....

Ya, DEFINITELY, not this one!

TENGEN TOPPA GURREN LAGANN deserves to be told to the whole world. Its story is history itself. It surely is why OSAMU TEZUKA-SAMA created ANIME. Titles like TTGL is the reason why ANIMEZ KEEP ON ROCKING.....ROCKING OUR LIVESSS! AND I KNOW EVERBODY FEEL THE SAME WAY TOO.

Gurren Lagann, yeah as you know, started with a sssssssuuuuppppperrrrrrr sllllooooowwwwwww pace. And thanks to all reviews (all positive reviews!) that I've read for this one, I kept holding on until I figured out the cause of all the hype from this anime. I've also read a spoiler that one of the main characters will die, so I'm always on the look out for that one....but I, MYSELF AND I, was so SURPRISED AND TOTALLY HAD A GOOSE BUMPED when that dying scene came right in front me. MY GOSH! Why does such a thing happened when you're starting to build up a particular center of attention that will make you want to watch it more, I mean, you know the chemistry between the-great-ex-hero of the show and Yoko-oneechan....hUHUHUHU....i totally cried when that unexpected battle cry came out. Though it was a really very upsetting moment, I know to myself this is where the REAL JOURNEY BEGIN!

And so it goes...

We came to meet Nia-chan. I actually liked her character because she gave another spice to the story although she had her own ways of annoying me, though I can't think of any in particular. But whenever I see her Picture, I can't help myself remembering that very bittersweet moment at the end.. Yeah,,,FYI, I'm now beginning to cry....

I'm gonna tell you now my general reaction to the show...

Gurren Lagann, is kinda 2 seasons in 1. Because, there was the obvious building up saga before the grown up era. But, of course, you wont realize it yet before you could actually get into half of the story. While watching the show, I kinda had a thought and question in my mind.......

HOW COULD SUCH AN ANIME COMBINE ALL THE GOOD ELEMENTS OF AN INTENSIFYING SERIES INTO ONLY 27 EPISODES? and another season wont be of any necessary?

That was then I came to remember all the animes i used to watch in the afternoon when i was still in elementary and were always in a hurry just to never get late watching them. These hard-core animez include GUNDAM WING, yU YU hAKUSHO,Gundam G, bTX, tHUNDER jeT, dRAGON bALL, NInja Robots, and so many animes full of my good memories..***sigh*** That is why, I think Gurren Lagann must be a source of a good memory also to others, especially those who are otaku-in the making. I want this one to be a part of the afternoon-must watch to the younger generation of my country because mine's was so special and I want them to feel it too.

Now, after that suppppppppperrrrrrr sllllllllllllooooooooooooowwwwww beginning of the series, I couldn't believe I was really taken aback. I slept last night still thinking of the bittersweet memories from this anime. And yes, it was really enough reason to become proud of your SPECIAL TITLE - OTAKU!

I'm sorry I couldn't write any particular things about the anime: the story, the characters, the sound and other etcczzz..Because I was lost...really lost...can't just simply put it into simpler terms or digest it into particular category...its effect was really overwhelming, words of surreality are only coming out from my mind.

So superb. period.

P.S.
I like to see happily ever after at the end of each story, because fantastical sweetness still lives on me. But, after watching the Endless Love series, I found another meaning of sweetness. Love doesn't have to be lived by two persons physically because love grows over longest distance, may it HEAVEN or HELL. Love Moves In Mysterious Ways. Though, I dislike seeing those sad endings, it creates a more tender and deeper meaning of LOVE.

LONG LIVE SIMON AND NIA!!


From a-proud-to-be-otaku!,
Me ^_^

I know it's not yet the end..... (CLAYMORE ANIME REVIEW)

Tweet

It's over. How could that 26 episodes be that fast? It leaves so many stories to be watched for, if (hopefully) there's gonna be a second season of the anime. I'm not fond of reading mangas so I think I have to wait for the next one. Wish they bring it soon. This is not a new anime so I hope they are already in the process. (*~*)

Anyways, I think the ending episodes, their last mission and battle, were not that much intense. Maybe with the first half, but the latter part to the end weren't that much satisfying. I was really looking for a more in depth battle where Clare could fully use her potentials without messing up. But unfortunately, it isn't the time yet. Clare still needs a lot more to learn and should be given ample time to develop. Whaaaaaaaaaaa.........now it's making me realize the series has given me a let down. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...............

Maybe for now. Maybe until they air the second season....

However, if you're gonna think about it, the hanging part adds up to a more exciting mystery to the story. There are still so many characters to reveal, who are Number 1 and Number 2? It keeps me guessing. Miria, Galatea, Rafaela and even Ophelia were already strong warriors, so I'm wondering what kind of powers do the top 2 possessed? Were they even greater than Teresa? Nah, I don't think so. Teresa is a Legend, isn't that Clare?

Anyways, the villains of the story were also spicing up the lives of our claymores. I thought it's only gonna be Priscilla but I was surprised that she was only a subordinate of one of the 3 greatest enemies of the series. Wow, I want to see the exhibition of their powers. Wushu!

I like, most importantly, to see Clare and how will she develop as a real successor of Teresa, or even surpassing her Idol's powers. I want to see everyone in the organization to be shocked when she becomes the greatest among the claymores inspite of being a human. Bwahahahahahaha.....then her friends would be so proud of her and will think she's a monster, in a good sense. Bwahahaha.....

Well, I just hate the romantic blingy again between Clare and Raki. Eew to the max! I hate when they show the kissing scene and how Clare's face looked like. She's not like her true self anymore~ Then Raki said "I love you" to Clare. Eew~! Doesn't she even realized the no-romantic-affair the theme of the story should be!

Well, I know I'm just overreacting. I hope it's just a family love that is going on between them. *Sigh* Whatever~!

I still love Claymore!!! More! More! More!

"


Till then,
^_^