Soul Eater Not!

Soul Eater is a personal favorite of mine. I've watched it several times over and each time is as entertaining as the first! It's based in a school called the DWMA (Death Weapon and Meister Academy) for human-weapons and meisters to train together to be able to defeat evil souls. It's an action packed comedy full of jokes and awesome fight scenes. The characters are inventive and the art is beautiful. But enough about Soul Eater, I'm here to tell you about Soul Eater Not!, the spin-off show.

No Breathing

Terribly sorry about my last review, for some reason it didn't post when it was supposed to... But to make things up to you, I've found some more sport related media. A Korean movie about swimming.

Won Il was set to be a champion swimmer but he quit and lost his passion for swimming. However after being expelled from school he is forced to join a sports college where he meets Woo Sang a serious swimmer who's headed for the Olympics. The two had met before as children at a competition, now the two form a strange friendship based on rivalry.

Yowamushi Pedal

Summer 2013 bought us Free!, the swimming anime. But now we are in the Fall season, how can sports anime follow up a hit like Free!? With a cycling anime!! ...Perhaps. Yowamushi Pedal relates the story of Sakamichi Onoda, the wimpy otaku who just really wants to join his high school's anime club. However, to his great disappointment, the anime club has already shut down! However he was spotted by professional Imaizumi as he cycled home and managed to impress this serious cyclist. Then he met Naruko-another professional cyclist. After riding alongside these two great cyclists Onoda found a passion for cycling and joined the cycling club.

Chronicles of the Going Home Club

In Japan after school activities are a big part of high school life. All kinds of clubs are available to students and if they're not satisfied by the selection they can always form they're own club!  But for those not interested in clubs there's always the 'going home club', a phrase used to refer to those who'd rather not stay after school.

My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute

Based off a Light Novel by Tsukasa Fushimi, My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute (Oreimo for short) is about a brother and sister relationship that's bordering on incestual. Kirino is s.mart, athletic and pretty and totally overshadows her older brother, Kyosuke. As such, the two have never really got along. But Kirino does have a secret behind her model student exterior: she's actually a hardcore otaku with a preference for magical girl anime and little sister eroge (erotic games). Kyosuke finds out about his sister's 'hobby' and being the kind brother that he is decides to help Kirino sort the rift between her personal life and her love of anime. Kyosuke continues to take unreasonable measures to help out his sister and she continues to abuse him. It's just a silly comedy.

Miyakawa-ke no Kuufuku

In 2005 the manga world was shaken by Yoshimizu's 4-Panel manga. When two years later said manga was bought to television it quickly became an international hit! That's right, I'm talking about Kyoto Animation's brilliantly funny: 'Lucky Star'. Ever since it found it's way to England the lovable characters and relaxed pace have made a name for themselves at conventions. So when I was informed that a Lucky Star spin-off manga is being adapted into an anime I had high-expectations; I can't say I'm happy with it though.

Tamako Market

Dera is a royal bird from an island in the South and he's been given the mission to find a bride for his Prince. But when he bumps into Tamako, the mochi makers daughter he decides to join the many occupants of Usagiyami District. Talking birds aside, Tamako is living a normal peaceful life. Growing up is never easy yet Tamako still fills her days with fun with all the occupants of Usagiyami  District. With her two best friends, Midori and Kanna, Tamako goes to school and Baton club while at home she makes mochi with her sister Anko experimenting with new flavours for her family's mochi shop. Also, just across the road is the rival mochi shop "Rice Cakes Oh! Zee" and home of Tamako's childhood friend Mochizou. But more than childhood friends, Tamako is Mochizou s crush!  But basically every episode tells the tale of Dera causing nothing but trouble while Tamako organises all manner of events to encourage more customers.

Squid Girl

Ok, so this wasn't my Christmas present. It was actually my sisters but anyway, it's February and I'm still getting through Christmas presents? Stay tuned though, the anime you've recommended will be reviewed! Time for some anime now.

Squid Girl or 'The Squid Girl: The Invader comes from the Bottom of the Sea' is a short comedy about a squid-girl hybrid who wants to conquer the earth. Strangely she never gets a real name and instead is always referred to as 'Squid Girl' she has powerful tentacles and a solid motive; she wants to rule humans because she's fed up of all the pollution and littering we cause. I assumed that the anime was going to give loads of green peace messages through out, but boy was I wrong! When she first comes to land she decides to take the nearest beach house as her mission headquarters but she accidentally breaks the wall and ends up being tricked into working there instead. I would be hard pressed to call it a slice-of-life anime because slice-of-lifes are supposed to be about everyday occurrences and personally I haven't heard of many encounters with squid girls, but it is without much development. It's extremely funny though and that's the main point. Me and my family were in hysterics at all the fishy puns like 'inkvasion', they are pulled off very well. Everything is so ridiculous to the point were you just have to laugh so I would definitely call this anime a win!
The art is really cute! They made squid girl look like a child and not intimidating in slightest, and they still got the features of a squid in there! Her silly hat that vaguely resembles the head of a squid and her blue tentacle hair, it's adorable really, but you can tell she's a squid! The humans however, all look a bit funny. I think it's the hair, it kind of defies gravity it almost makes me think of Pokemon with the ridiculous hairstyles! But yeah, it's a very simplistic art style just like most "slice-of-life" anime (they call it that on ANN so I'll just go with that). I do really like squid girl's design though!

A Bride's Story

Still going through my Christmas presents! But don't worry, I will get to every one's recommendations eventually!

It is exactly as the name implies: it's a bride's story. Set in Asia, 19th century comes the tale of an old bride who marries a boy from another tribe. The bride is Amir and she is extremely skilled in archery and horse riding but upon reaching the age of 20 her tribe sends her off to 12 year old Karluk of a very different tribe. This book is more educational and informative than a story as instead of any particular plot the book focuses on the daily life of the tribe members portraying many traditions and different ideals. There's a whole chapter about wood carving that's really exciting and points on fashion, medicine and food. There's also lots of marriage traditions throughout. In the afterword the author does say that she done a lot of research of this time period, so we can assume it's accurate. But there is a bit of plot which I assume is going to be carried on in the next book: so basically Amir comes from a semi-nomadic tribe but they need to marry into another tribe in order to claim land for winter (or something like that). But the only woman they have to offer is Amir, since they never got anything Karluk's tribe for their marriage so they insist that Amir be returned. However, Karluk's grandmother lies saying Amir is pregnant and as such can't leave putting a certain amount of strife between the two families. But this is an extremely under-developed plot that's completely overshadowed by all the every day life stories.

Kimi ni Todoke

Kimi ni Todoke is one of the cutest romances out there. I looked for the anime after falling head over heels in love with the manga and I'm glad to say, the anime does not disappoint and it follows the exact same plot (for now at least). The story is based around Sawako and Kazehaya. Sawako has no friends, she terrifies  every one with her resemblance to a character in a horror movie and every one believes she is cursed and can see ghosts. Kazehaya is complete opposite, boys want to be his friend and all the girls love him, he's a natural people person. But when these two are put in the same class Kazehaya finds it impossible to leave Sadako alone and begins to help her become part of the class. Sawako makes friends with Yano, Yoshida and Ryo and before she knows it, her feelings for Kazehaya become greater than admiration and respect and Kazehaya finds himself much too embarrassed in front of Sawako. But they are both too innocent! It's not all good though! Because of Kazehaya's popularity, Sawako quickly makes enemies, a concept that she can't quite grasp. With the rumours and the misunderstandings Sawako slowly becomes more open to other people. It's a super cute tale of acceptance, friendship and love. It develops really slowly, but that's what makes it special! I just love this plot line so much!

Polar Bear's Cafe

This is quite possibly the most random anime I've ever watched, and I've watched PLENTY of random anime. How do I even review such a thing? It starts when Panda (the panda) is instructed by his mum to get a job. But since relaxing takes up so much time he struggles to find a job to suit him. (I understand your problem panda.) After many declines Panda gets a part-time job at the zoo. Job title: part-time panda. He has to work alongside the full-time panda being a panda. But he really liked the cafe near his house and even though he was declined a job there he still visits everyday. The cafe is run by Polar Bear (the polar bear) and serves humans and animals a like with his part-timer Sasako (almost the only human!). And from there onwards it's just like a slice-of-life anime.... just featuring talking animals! Panda, Polar Bear and Penguin (the penguin) have quirky personalities and funny stories to share. Although there is no real plot the adorable factor is off the scale! But with 39 episodes and counting, I really can't see me completing the series. Surely they'll run out of things to babble about?

K-ON (movie)

The K-ON movie is a direct sequel to the second season of K-ON!!, so before you do ANYTHING watch all of K-ON! and K-ON!! because it's such an amazing anime. I wasn't writing reviews when I watched it, but if I was it would've got 5 pies. So go watch it. Now.
OK, so you've watched it? ALL of it? Good. Now on with the review:

So, the movie is all about the graduation of Mio, Mugi, Yui and Ricchan who are all members of the light music club. The light music club (who's only other member is Azusa from the year below) is actually a band called Hokago Teatime (after school teatime)! But with all the club members leaving Azusa behind they decide they need to prepare something special for her. However, despite they're best efforts, they get distracted and organise a graduation trip instead! The destination (chosen by their pet turtle): LONDON! And if I'm honest with you, I think my favourite part of this film is the fact that they visited my country in sites I've seen myself! So, watch this film to see what fun the girl's can get up to in good ol' England, sort out Asuza's secret present and play a few gigs in between. Nothing serious, no plot twists or highly strung emotions. Just some girls enjoying their final days at high school.

Welcome to the NHK

"N.H.K." the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation. Or the Japanese Hikikomori Coporation. According to Satou's hallucinations it's all the N.H.K's fault that he's become a Hikikimori. Secluded to his room Satou hasn't talked to any one in four years. That's when Misaki comes along, claiming that Satou is perfect for her 'project' they start they're counselling sessions to save Satou from his seclusion. Then things get out of hand, Satou lies to his mum and now he needs a job and girlfriend. Now Satou must take his slow steps into society while trying to make the ultimate ero-game with his friend and neighbour Yamazaki. It does have some serious notes on social anxiety, the difficulties coping in life and how one is supposed to live but mostly we laugh as Satou makes a fool of himself. It also has lots of culture in it, otakus, lolicon, doujinshi writing and moe, you can find out all about these Japanese things. But it still mostly sticks to pretty outlandish humour and horrible coincidences. Unfortunately the one book I have is pretty short, so it's difficult to give my opinions on the plot but it does appear to have some good potential.

Me Too, Flower!

This weeks k-drama is very different to any other k-drama I've watched. There's a lot of difference but basically they all stem to the age difference. Most shows I watch are about older teens, I've watched a couple with young adults, but I'm a Flower too has a heroine of 31 years old! Cha Bong Sun, officer at her local police station, feeling distressed and wronged after missing out on her promotion she's sent to counselling sessions with Hwa Young. She also finds herself having numerous encounters with Jae Hui who appears to be a valet parker and barely paying his rent. But in actual fact, he's a billionaire and secret co-founder of Perche. Representitve Pak, who founded Perche with Jae Hui has been extremely messed up since Jae Hui accidentally ran over her husband. She's also Hwa Young's cousin. You can quickly see how tangled this web of connections gets, especially when you add in Bong Sun's step-sister in who finds herself quite involved with Jae Hui, Representitve Pak and Hwa Young.

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai. Yes, that is the real title of the anime. No, I do not know what it means. But I do know what it's about. Menma died young in an accident and resulted in all kinds of trauma for her five close friends. Soon after her death, the five friends drifted apart, they grow up and have little to do with one another. However, when Menma's ghost appears before Jinta they slowly get pulled back together again. It's a very short anime (only 11 episodes), but it's incredibly bitter-sweet throughout.
The art is really cute and simple. The scenes from their childhood are the cutest because they're all so tiny!! They had cute chubby faces and glistening eyes! The teenagers are not so cute. Rather they do a good job of representing the ordinary youth. However Menma is the best! She has these spectacular blue eyes and everything else is white and grey. Also for some scenes they made her outline fainter to maker her look just like a ghost. It's really cool!!

Kingyo Used Books

Wow, I had this review done ages ago, just for some reason it hadn't posted! Oh well. You can read it now.

Based around a run-down second-hand manga store this book is surprisingly inspirational.
It's full of tales about why people read manga. It sounds pretty ridiculous, but it is extremely enjoyable. The employers are all pretty eccentric and the customers entirely believable!

The art style is very practical (it fits the genre of the book) but I much prefer shojo art so it's not very visually pleasing. Although some of the detail in the backgrounds is amazing!
In all it's a very good manga, but I think it's for fairly particular tastes. The chapters don't really link as such, there are various story arcs spanning over approximately 2 chapters. Personally, I prefer story's that develop more plot as the volumes go along, so this is not my preferred style. None of the characters are particularly interesting either. But the story's can really hit the spot; it really makes you want to get out there! This book definitely has something, I just can't put my finger on what.