Negima! Manga Vol 35 Ch 315 Review

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 35 Chapter 315 (manga)
Mahou Sensei Negima! Manga Chapter 315

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

As Setsuna continues her battle with Tsukuyomi and Mana continues her's with Zazie-pyon, Negi has arrived to save the people on board Great Paru-sama. Quartum-Fate is briefly stunned by the appearance of Negi since Dunamis has supposedly removed Negi as a threat.  Quartum-Fate quickly recovers and has the gigantic fire demon-creature Entei Shoukan attack Negi, thinking it is OK to go ahead and kill the son of the Thousand Master.  Negi is not even scratched but does see the massively damaged Chachamaru, who calls out to "Sensei."  Steeling his emotions and casting a new, massive, lightning-spear spell, Negi causes massive damage to Entei Shoukan. 

Quartum-Fate attacks with his fists, which can go through metal like butter but Negi stops it with no problem.  Quartum is frustrated and angry because Negi is not even breaking a sweat and thus launches a massive hand-to-hand attack.  Negi easily defends against it before counter-attacking so hard that Quartum-Fate cannot believe it.  Negi angrily informs Quartum-Fate that Chachamaru and the other residence of the Magic World are not dolls as he continues to beat on Quartum-Fate without mercy.  After telling Quartum-Fate that he won't let them do as they pleased, his final attack rips Quartum-Fate in half at the abdomen.  As Quartum-Fate makes the long fall to the ground way below, he wonders how an infant like Negi could defeat him.  Negi tells the falling Quartum-Fate that there's no reason for him to keep being the doll of god.

Elsewhere, Fate is fighting Quintum-Fate as a dizzy Natsumi tries to wrap her head around the idea of there being two Fates. A nearby Nodoka shows signs of coming to and a nearby Asuna possibly does as well.  Quintum-Fate asks Tertium-Fate why he's doing this.  Fate doesn't have an answer other than having these upstarts steal his thunder annoys him.


Thoughts/Review:

Leave it to Akamatsu-sensei to get the crowds rolling over nothing. *lol*  You know, if Akamatsu-sensei personally provided me with spoiler images, I suspect it would be things like he did for the TV interview he did where there's nothing really to go on but just enough to fuel the imagination.  So, everyone thinking that Setsuna's fight with Tsukuyomi might come back to the foreground were all wrong.

Based on everything that's happened so far, I strongly suspect that Fate (Tertium) will get his own "version up" moment and will end up having the abilities of all four elements rather than just earth as he has now.  That way he goes into a fight with Negi at a considerable higher power level.  We'll see if I'm right.

I'd guess Nodoka will become conscious soon but I'm not so sure about Asuna.  It looked like her mouth may have opened a bit but unlike Nodoka, who made a noise, Asuna didn't make any noises.  Thing is, once Asuna wakes up, will she be the Asuna we remember with a few changes or will she be something else?

BTW, where's Anya?  ^_~

Finally, there's Negi.  Because Akamatsu-sensei had made Quartum-Fate so sadistic, accentuated in how he had torn Chachamaru apart at the waste and then caused her additional damage, Negi's fight with him had a certain sweetness to it.  The way Akamatsu-sensei drew the look on her face when their eyes met combined with how Negi looked at seeing someone he cares greatly about in such distress nearly brings a tear to my eyes.  However, Negi shows the maturity of someone much, much older by (1) quickly giving her a reassuring smile upon hearing her address him as "Sensei" and (2) putting aside his rage and calmly taking care of Entei Shoukan.  Notice how Negi doesn't get surprised when Quartum-Fate gets behind him and attacks him.  Instead, Negi remains calm and it is Quartum-Fate who loses it.


That's not to say Negi doesn't get angry because clearly he is VERY cross indeed and he's going to go with the "eye for an eye" approach on Quartum-Fate to avenge Chachamaru.  Negi channels his anger wisely and rather than lose control as Quartum-Fate did (or indeed as Negi might well have done in the past), Negi's anger goes into his attacks, which we've seen going back to the fight with Herrman enhances Negi's power.  Even though he's very angry, Negi's simply takes care of business and finishes off Quartum-Fate by ripping him in half via sheer power rather than anything physical.  I really want to see how the girls react to seeing Negi this powerful where he is indeed a monster.

As to Quartum-Fate, I don't think he's dead yet.  As I said earlier, I expect Tertium-Fate to gain his sibling's powers and abilities before the final fight with Negi.  Thus, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tertium-Fate absorb Quartum-Fate and the others into himself.  We'll see though.

Now, is Negi too powerful?  At his current power level, I don't think there's anyone who can stop him.  I think even Eva would think twice about challenging Negi.  That said, Negi's abilities are rooted in wind power so if Fate does power up like I expect, having Wind vs. Wind/Fire/Water/Earth would be a challenge for Negi in my mind.  Also, Akamatsu-sensei could put some sort of limiter on Negi's new abilities (which I presume are a complete mastery of Magia Erebea) by having him need a recharge.  It will be interesting to see where Akamatsu-sensei goes with this.

So, a sweet chapter indeed.  Looking forward to seeing chapter 316 when it comes out Wednesday.  Maybe we'll get some chapter 317 spoilers this week too.  ^_^

Haiyoru! Nyaru-ani: Remember My Mr. Lovecraft - 06

Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember My Love (Craft-sensei) episode 6 review
這いよる！ニャルアニ リメンバー・マイ・ラブ（クラフト先生）

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis

Cthuko is in a boutique with a scarf and imagines herself and Nyarlko sharing it.

Mahiro asks a game-playing Nyarlko Nyarlko where Cthuko is and learns that Cthuko is at a part-time job, something Mahiro thinks that Nyarlko should be doing as well.  Nyarlko thinks it is "game over" when you get a job.

For her part, Cthuko first works at a convienence store but she causes the place to blow up when she heats up a customer's lunch using her own body heat. 

Her next job is at a fast food burger joint, but a customer's rapid speech and constantly changing order causes Cthuko to overheat, resulting in yet another explosion.

When she takes a job as a full-service gas station attendant, Mahiro doesn't think that's such a good idea.

 Nyarlko asks Cthuko why she's home (knitting) to which Cthuko replies that it is game over when you get a job.

Nyarlko is with Mahiro and announces that she's in fact Cthulhu, something Mahiro thinks she's only just remembered.

35-days until whatever strikes.

Thoughts/Review

Because the humor in this episode didn't revolve around ecchi material, I actually kinda liked it.  There were the cliched part-time jobs of the convenience store clerk and fast food restaurant worker, but it was Cthuko's causing her work establishments to go up in a big explosion that was funny, more so the second time simply because the smoke from her first job could still be seen.  The joke she she and Nyarlko did about how getting a job is "game over" seemed like something I had heard before but I just can't place it.

Anyway, I'm hoping that Nyarlko's reminder to the audience that she's Cthulhu means that we'll get a proper series when these shorts are done.

Gakuen Alice Manga Volume 14

学園アリス manga volume 14 review <-- BUY FROM RIGHTSTUF! ^_^

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: 

With the recent events that have happened at school, the administration questions Akira and has Shuuichi, Subaru, and Shizune assigned as student teachers in Mikan's class.  Mikan's class gets a new student named Luna, who's apparently frail of health and uses this to get her way.  She immediately begins separating Mikan from her classmates, first by getting to sit next to Natsume and then by starting rumors about Mikan to make it seem as if Mikan is doing certain bad things.  Thanks to Luna, things become a bit strained between them.

With the school's athletic event coming up, Mikan is training with the others as Luna continues to stir things up.  Luna confronts Mikan in a storage shed after causing a disturbance where Mikan threatens Luna, implying that she knows Mikan's mother.  The disturbance has the "moral police" grab Mikan but in fact, she's rescued by the somatic class rep in disguise.

Meanwhile, Tsubasa meets up with Luca, Natsume, and Hotaru, telling them to let himself and Tono take care of Mikan even though Tsubasa is hiding the fact that he's been transferred to a different class-type from Mikan.  Tsubasa meets up with Mikan and catches up with her before Natsume confronts Mikan on what happened between Luna and Mikan. 

Thoughts/Review: 

Well, leave it Higushi-sensei to bring in a new character and a new twist.  It seems to me that Luna is part of the administration's effort to place Mikan under more control since Mikan has had an unexpected influence on the school as a whole but specifically her homeroom and her special class.  I was thinking about how ostracized Mikan was at the beginning and now, those who'd not liked her or had picked on her are now pretty close to her.  Heck, Natsume has gone so far as to really care about Mikan deeply.  So, if the administration did something to Mikan, that might cause a bigger problem than it solves.  Therefore, you send in someone who can gain sympathy of Mikan's classmates and then sew descent to cause folks to turn on Mikan after which the administration can make their move on her to "solve the Mikan problem."

I do wonder what Luna's Alice is.  Natsume certainly recognized the threat Luna poses and I wonder if that's her Alice or something else.  Her ability to manipulate would seem to be a skill more so than a power, but it could be an Alice ability.  There's something odd about Luna as well.  She seems to know Mikan's mother and she certainly seems to have a personal vendetta against Mikan.  She called Natsume a brat at one point when Natsume said something that didn't please her.  So maybe her Alice is something that makes her look younger than she actually is.  That would make her a good operative for the school to use.  I guess we'll see though.

While this volume was pretty interesting on the whole, I admit that the last chapter is losing me as the school is engaged in the sports festival/event.  Well, there was the whole thing about Luca silently pining for Mikan but otherwise, I'm just not engaged.  I'm guessing something will happen with Luna again as I can't imagine that plot thread just being dropped.

On the TokyoPop side of things, it is pretty standard fare and nothing different from what we've seen before. 

Anyway, I'm glad TokyoPop has been releasing these on a somewhat accelerated schedule as I'm eager to see what happens now that Luna has been introduced.

Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus 01 Manga Review

カードキャプターさくら

Cardcaptor Sakura Omnibus Edition 01 <--  BUY FROM RIGHTSTUF! ^_^

Although I had already read the Cardcaptor Sakura manga series a few years ago, I wanted to buy this now that Dark Horse has the series and they've been doing a pretty good job on CLAMP titles thus far.

*SPOILERS!*

A fourth grade girl named Sakura is tasked with going around and capturing magical cards, which have activated themselves and in their activated form, have a physical shape of some kind.  With Sakura is her best friend Tomoyo, who is rich and has a crush on Sakura, thus she has to record every moment of Sakura in action and makes sure that Sakura has a new outfit for whenever she has to capture a card.  Sakura lives with her widowed father and her older brother Touya, who's in high school.  Sakura crushes on Touya's best friend Yukito and so makes sure that every morning, she leaves with her brother to go to school so that she can go to school with Yukito after they pick him up at his house.

This first omnibus volume covers the first three volumes of the Cardcaptor Sakura manga. Volume one contains the introductions to Sakura's daily life including her secret life as a Cardcaptor.  After an introduction to Sakura's other friends, a good portion of this volume is dedicated to what Sakura believes to be the ghost of her mother.

Volume two continues more of the same and introduces us to Tomoyo's mother, who resents Sakura's father for marrying Sakura's mother (Nadeshiko) at 16.  This volume introduces us to Syaoran, who's the same age as Sakura and is a descendant of Clow Reed, the creator of the magic cards.  He holds Sakura in disdain for not having collected all the cards but then becomes her rival for the affections of Yukito.  One of the biggest surprises is that Sakura's homeroom teacher Terada-sensei becomes engaged to Rika-chan, Sakura's classmate and friend.

Volume three carries on with Sakura's card capturing. Sakura's classmates Chiharu and Yamazaki become more prominent, especially since Yamazaki is such a kidder by weaving tall tales that often fool his friends but Chiharu is the one element that keeps him in check.  Mizuki-sensei is also introduced in this volume, someone whom Syaoran does not trust as he senses something different about her. 

For those who've already watched the anime but who've never read the manga, there will be some surprises, such as the fact that the manga story already has Sakura having captured a couple of cards and working on the third when the story starts.  Rika-chan's and Terada-sensei's romance is hinted at in the anime but the manga makes it clear that this adult, 20-something year old teacher is dating a 4th grade girl.  *_*

If you don't mind the fact that CLAMP has decided that any "love" relationship is cool no matter what, these first three volumes of manga are a fun, light read much like the anime.  The artwork from CLAMP is more simplistic here than in some of their other titles.  As such, background imagery is kept to a minimum as most of the art is on the characters. Even then, the art seems to be done as simply as possibly without making it ugly.

Speaking of art, Dark Horse continues its winning ways by including a decent amount of color art.  Some color pages are used to break apart the original volumes and the remaining color art brings up the rear of the manga.  CLAMP knows how to do color art pretty well and Cardcaptor Sakura is no exception. 

As is usual for Dark Horse, no translator notes exist and that's unfortunate.  I'm a big proponent of translator notes and think all manga titles should have them.  Dark Horse's adaptation does include all the core Japanese honorifics.  Sakura is shown properly addressing Touya as "oniichan."  Further, Dark Horse has everyone addressing Yukito properly.  My memory of the TokyoPop release has everyone addressing Yukito as "Yuki," which is the way Touya addresses Yukito. Dark Horse also retains the scattered sidebar character profiles from the original release, which is cool.  I have seen omnibus editions of manga from other companies have all the sidebar stuff removed.

If only Dark Horse would do translator notes, this would be an excellent release.  That aside, this first volume of the omnibus edition of Cardcaptor Sakura is very, very good in how it is treated otherwise.  I can't wait to add the next volume to my collection. We'll see if Dark Horse delays the currently scheduled June 1, 2011 release date as they've already done.

Mobile Suit Gundam - 28

機動戦士ガンダム /Kido Senshi Gundam episode 28

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Char is pleased with Boone's report that Miharu is aboard White Base.  Miharu is in Bright's office looking for information when she's discovered by Kai.  Kai takes her to his room, understanding she is a spy.  When they are spotted by Amuro, Kai says she is his girlfriend whom he is dropping off at South America.  When Miharu attempts to pump him for more info, he won't give it because he doesn't want White Base shot down, which would kill them both.  Meanwhile, Boone and another Zeon have stolen a fishing union's plane and issued an SOS which White Base responds to.  Once on board, verification of the plane is made while Boone makes contact with Miharu, who reports what little she knows.  Kai returns with food for Miharu and asks if she's made contact.  When she confirms this, he finds this odd and then realizes the plane has Zeons but it is too late as they leave. He makes a report to Bright but cannot reveal why he believed them to be spies.

Returning to Mad Angler, Boone presents Char with what he's learned.  Char is pleased that White Base is not going to the African front since he cannot leave Mad Angler for the time being.  As Boone has lost four mobile suits and pilots to White Base, he requests permission to take a mobile armor unit out to attack White Base.  Char grants him use of the Grabro along with two Z'gok mobile suits and they begin an underwater assault by firing missiles up to White Base.  As White base launches countermeasures, Sayla and Amuro quickly go over a plan of attack whereby she will take the G-fighter out and he will take Gundam out.  Back in Kai's room, Miharu is horrified to discover the three orphaned children on board White Base, especially now that the ship has taken a few hits.  

Sayla and Amuro barely launch successfully in the G-Armor as a missile hits close to their launch point.  Hayato launches in a Core Fighter as Hayato prepares to go down and launch himself.  Miharu wants to help defend the ship since she knows it is her report that made the attack happen, despite Kai's assurances that she didn't give enough information to cause the attack.  However, since she doesn't want to sacrifice the orphaned children for her own siblings, Kai allows her to follow him.  Meanwhile, another Zeon attack has rendered the launch bay for Kai's Core Fighter inoperative.  Following Frau Bow's instruction from the bridge, Kai heads to Gunperry, which has been armed with anti-submarine missiles and agrees to let Miharu be his gunner since the normal gunner is busy manning a defense station. 

Gundam successfully dispatches and G-Fighter comes together as White Base drops anti-sub ordinance into the water.  Amuro soon comes upon Boone's Grabro while the two Z'gok's attack White Base, Hayato's Core Fighter, and Sayla's G-Fighter.  Amuro finds himself at a disadvantage with the giant mobile armor unit and though his beam rifle melts one of the Grabro's claws, the other one has Gundam by the leg.  Meanwhile, Hayato attacks where a Z'gok is and as it rises to counterattack, Sayla swoops in for a kill.  Boone's support fire causes G-Fighter to go into the drink and Hayato has exhausted his weapons.  Kai takes Gunperry and has Miharu launch several of their missiles but they miss the remaining Z'gok.  Gunperry takes a hit, so Miharu goes down to launch the remaining missiles manually.  This works, but she is caught in the blast and thrown out of Gunperry to die.  Meanwhile, Amuro manages to destroy the Grabro and upon returning to White Base, has to tell Bright that the mystery woman Kai is weeping for was a stowaway. 

Thoughts/Review:
 
Wow.  I didn't expect for them to kill Miharu so quickly.  I had thought we might get some interesting stuff from her but I guess not.  Anyway, I find myself surprised  that I actually felt more for Miharu's death than I did for Matilda's or Ryu's.  Maybe it was because Miharu was doing what she did for her little brother Gil and little sister Milly and that her desire to help fight because of Kai and the orphans felt very real to me.  I also believed her regret over having been a Zeon spy and her desire to be free of that.  Regardless, while I didn't expect her to be killed, I did think she might get axed once she had to go and manually fire the missile. I was hoping I'd be wrong, but the scene just screamed, "She's going to die!"

Even though Kai and Miharu didn't have much of a romance, I liked how things played out.  Kai again walked the line with knowing she was a spy and wanting to help her without sacrificing the ship or his comrades.  Kai has proven to be pretty sharp about things over the last couple of episodes and here, he gets to play a nice guy, though smart enough not to give up the whole store.  I also liked how over the course of the episode, Miharu went from addressing him as "Kai-san" to "Kai," something surely lost in English adaptations without Japanese honorific usage.  Hopefully, Kai will become a better person from this as Amuro has apparently done after his little tantrums from earlier in the series. 

The orphans were actually heroes in this episode.  They've often been shown doing little tasks here and there and generally just being minor filler of sorts.  However, when the three of them were trying to fight fires with the fire extinguisher and nearly lost their lives in an explosion that sent them literally flying down a hall into one of the bays, I briefly wondered if the kids might die or get seriously hurt.  None did, thankfully.  Even though the orphans haven't done much for me, there was just something so noble in three little kids using a fire extinguisher to save their home during the middle of a pitched battle.  Normal kids would have been playing, not caught in combat.  I wonder what will become of these three.

I have to call "bull crap" at the attack by Grabro and the two Z'goks.  I know the Zeons have been shown to have high-powered explosives in small warheads, such as the small explosives they used in a failed attempt to take down Gundam.  However, these Z'gok units can only carry so many of what seem like rocket propelled grenades, yet they seemed to keep bobbing up to the surface to launch barrage after barrage.  The beam attack they had was something I had no problem with since the weapon could charge up again, but with the ordinance, I'm thinking, "yeah, right."  Even Grabro seemed to have a giant supply of munitions to waste, enough to seemingly outclass a normal warship or submarine. 

Well, White Base has been beaten up again and needs repairs.  I guess they'll have to get those at the Federation base.

In the end, we had a good, action-filled episode with a lot of emotion as well with the death of Miharu.  The realities of the ugliness of war...

Clover Omnibus Manga Revew

クローバー

CLOVER Omnibus Edition <--  BUY FROM RIGHTSTUF! ^_^

*SPOILERS!*

In my continuing exploration of CLAMP's manga works, I stop at Clover, which was originally a four-volume series done in the late 90's.  Story-wise, the first two volumes cover the journey of Sue, a "Four-leaf Clover" and her military escort, Kazuhiko.  Sue has been kept in a giant cage most of her life because the government fears her as she is the most power of the Clover found (Clover are those with special, magical-like powers).  Sue's wish is to visit a place called "Fairy Land" and the elderly General Ko has decided to make that wish come true, even though it puts herself and the other council members at risk.

The third volume covers how Kazuhiko's dead lover Ora and Sue "met" even though Sue was not allowed human contact.  It also covers Kazuhiko's relationship with Ora as well as what caused her death.

The fourth volume covers Kazuhiko and Ora meeting for the first time and starting their relationship. In addition, the Three-leaf Clover twins "A" and "C" are covered, both of whom live in a cage like Sue.  The manga also covers how Kazuhiko's friend Gingetsu, a Two-leaf Clover himself, takes care of "C" when "C" escapes the cage.

I have to say that this is by far the most surreal manga I have ever read.  It is clear that CLAMP wanted to do something completely different.  So, they not only start their manga story in its final phase with Sue and Kazuhiko's journey, they also don't lay out their manga in a normal fashion.  Instead, they opt for style over substance which means that some pages have minimal (small) drawings.  They often arrange the art in a way that one might describe as poetic, more so considering they have song lyrics dispersed throughout the entire manga.  Because of this, the manga isn't very verbose most of the time and thus results in the reader plowing through at a very rapid pace.

Also moving at a rapid pace is the story.  Basically, Kazuhiko's and Sue's journey is just a set of adventures where the "bad guys" who want Sue attack, Kazuhiko and Sue escape, lather, rinse, repeat.  There's nothing really there to keep the reader engaged and if Sue weren't drawn in such an attractive fashion, I'm not sure that many fans would have even bothered.  Because there is no depth, I didn't really care about the characters as they went through their trial-filled journey.  Because I didn't care about the characters, the journey's cliched elements become less tolerable and at the end of volume 2, I really was unsatisfied.

Ah, but its time to go back in time with volume three.  Unfortunately, the conversations here are shallow and poetic to a degree.  Sue's and Ora's friendship seems a stretch to me despite the fact that the two have a connection.  While CLAMP did their best to make Ora sexy and thus her relationship with Kazuhiko sexy, I never really felt a spark of romance between them.  Words are spoken but what is said?  Flowers in the darkness. Its poetic, you know.

The fourth volume flashes back even further but by this time, I stopped caring completely.  I wasn't interested in anything any characters had to say.  The two Clover twins having their issues did not concern me (though I was reminded of the Fai/Yui wackiness of Tsubasa).  I wasn't interested in Ora meeting Kazuhiko and starting their relationship.  Again, the style over substance is what kills this for me and that's rather unfortunate as this manga does have the makings of something more.

You know, now that I've met the "real" Ora, I see that she was no more interesting in her Tsubasa incarnation than she was here in Clover.

I'm told that this is one of CLAMP's unfinished works, though the unusual method for telling the story by which the end of the story is told before the beginning of the story prevents fans from really being upset by this or in some cases, from even knowing this is true.  Where CLAMP to resume this series and write the two additional volumes of material reportedly needed to complete the tale, I'm not sure I'd even bother, especially if the artsy-fartsy method of story presentation continues.

The one very positive thing I will say about this release from Dark Horse is the absolutely beautiful color art that is included.  CLAMP's color artwork that I've seen, except for xxxHOLiC, has been pretty good.  With Clover, it seems like they went just enough to go an extra mile with the color artwork.  I'm not sure exactly why I feel this way, but I do know that I have often gazed through the various color art pages, more so than I have with the other Dark Horse CLAMP omnibus manga I own (those too have their own color art pages).

As seems usual for Dark Horse, there are no translator notes here and I wish there were some.  The volume is unflipped, whereas I think the TokyoPop version had been flipped (correct me if I'm wrong).  There are no Japanese honorifics used in this release, so it would seem that those would have been stripped.  I don't have access to the Japanese pages to confirm this but if true, that is a negative mark for me. 

So, this will go to my bookshelf to collect dust as Clover will not be a title that I will feel an urge to reread. I don't regret having purchased it despite not caring for the style over substance presentation.  Your mileage may vary.

Haiyoru! Nyaru-ani: Remember My Mr. Lovecraft - 05

Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember My Love (Craft-sensei) episode 5 review
這いよる！ニャルアニ リメンバー・マイ・ラブ（クラフト先生）

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis

Mahiro, Atoko, Nyarlko, Cthuko, and Nyarle take a much anticipated trip to an onsen.  On the girls side, there's the usual onsen chatter followed by Atoko making a move on Cthuko, Cthuko making a major move on Nyarlko, Nyarle's chest growth being discussed by a none to happy Nyarlko, Atoko mentioning deceiving the viewers and making a move on Nyarle, Nyarlko trying to fend off the amorous Cthuko while trying to convince Mahiro to join them.

While this is going on, outside the water, the small dragon relaxes in a water bucket.

There are 42 days until the Borg whatever comes to Earth.

Thoughts/Review

This episode contained all of the standard onsen trip cliches except for the men peeking aspect, which was replaced by Atoko and Cthuko trying to engage in yuri activities.  *_*  What made me chuckle was the fact that the production team had the entire episode with the viewers looking at the dragon enjoying his own personal hot tub, in the form of a wooden bucket.  There's something to be said in the humor aspects of not showing certain things or censoring out certain things.  While the censored talk of episode 3 wasn't funny to me, the focus on the dragon while ecchi stuff is clearly going on off camera is funny, even if I didn't laugh out loud.  So I'll give the production team one.

Did that dragon fart in his bucket?  Not sure what that red thing was and I'm afraid to go "there."  ^_^;;;

I still hope that a proper adaptation of the light novels is produced before all is said and done.

Mobile Suit Gundam - 27

機動戦士ガンダム /Kido Senshi Gundam episode27

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:
 
Amuro gives a technical briefing on the new G-parts, which is attended by General Revil. After Amuro lays out some problems that need to be resolved, Revil promises to get teams on that immediately and as soon as White Base's engine issue is repaired, they can launch for South America.  Meanwhile, Kai has had enough of the military life and leaves.  Bright orders that he be let go and Amuro gives Kai a tool kit to sell for money.  Once in town where the people are making repairs, he runs into the girl from earlier.  She says her name is Miharu and invites him to stay with her, her little brother and little sister.  Once at their house, it doesn't take Kai long to realize that she's a spy trying to provide for her siblings, so Kai gives her the information she wants regarding White Base's launch window.  This is relayed to Boone and Char, who launch a Z'gok mobile suit and a Gogg to attack with a mission of delaying White Base and getting Miharu on board.  With the attack underway, Char returns to Mad Angler and a contact is sent to commune with Miharu.

Miharu leaves and meets the contact from Zeon who pays her a lot of money and gives her new orders to infiltrate White Base. She's given papers and a Federation uniform.  Returning home, she discovers Kai has left. She leaves the money with her two siblings, giving them final instructions since she's going to be gone a while.  Meanwhile, Kai watches the battle as the Z'gok takes on Hayate in Guncannon.  Gundam, atop G-Fighter, locates the Zeon ships and the fight is on there with Gundam destroying a Gogg.  Meanwhile, Kai decides he must return and commandeers a motorcycle.  Arriving at White Base, he's able to save Hayato from destruction with Guntank as Amuro arrives with Gundam.  As Sayla sinks a Zeon ship, Amuro and the Z-gok head underwater to fight but soon Amuro takes it out.  While this is going on, Miharu sneaks aboard White Base, which leaves after the battle is over, having welcomed Kai back.

Thoughts/Review:

I have to say that I was surprised to see Amuro giving a military briefing, but I liked it (and it did actually explain the whole "G-Part" stuff).  Initially, I thought it was a briefing for a plan of attack much like what happens on board an aircraft carrier.  Of course, this turned out to be wrong once so many people were shown to be attending, including General Revil.  That said, I wouldn't mind having Sayla (since she's involved in the G-Fighter), Amuro, Hayato, Kai, and whomever else have mission briefings to try to plan things, even if only training missions.  It would help solidify the notion that the crew of White Base are in fact proper parts of the military.  ^_^

Speaking of Kai, why wasn't he arrested by Bright as soon as it was known for sure that Kai was deserting White Base?  The choice was (1) join the Federation military or (2) quit and be placed in prison for a year.  Instead, Bright allows Kai to leave, Amuro gives him a gift,   Bright and Mirai agree that Kai is a coward, and Kai walks right into Zeon hands when he accepts an offer of shelter from Miharu.  Kai may not have given any major secrets away, but he was responsible for the attack that could have cost lives and certainly caused more destruction for the Irish town White Base was docked at.  Then, he's let back in like nothing happened.  Yeah, he was a help in the fight with Guntank, but he is the reason for the battle.

Now, White Base has a spy on board -- Miharu (#107).  Giving her a Federation uniform and papers is fine, but that doesn't explain why she's on board White Base.  Since I saw the previews, I know she's found by Kai so I guess that will provide an out for her since I guess he won't rat her out.  Regardless, it was interesting to see that her motivations to work for Zeon weren't in ideology but rather in getting money so that she could provide for her kid brother and sister.  It is sort of a cliched story element these days, but it still worked for me.  Now that I know she has no political agenda, I can see her possibly turning to the Federation's side, depending on how long she's on board White Base.  Of course, she might turn Kai to the Zeons.  It will be interesting to see where that goes.

Again, Char doesn't enter battle so I guess they are saving his eventual rematch with Amuro for later.

While I'm thinking about it, a new G-type was mentioned, this time "G-Sky."  I'm glad we didn't get a lot of tedious transforming to different forms this episode.  ^_^

I guess the production team began running out of money because there were a lot of pan-and-scan cheap shots during the battle. 

So, an enjoyable episode that sets the table for the next leg of White Base's journey.  I'm looking forward to seeing more.  ^_^

Sgt. Frog Manga Volume 20 Review

Well, its time to get off another volume of Sgt. Frog. ^_^

Sgt. Frog Volume 20 <-- Buy from RightStuf!

*SPOILERS*

A trip by Momoka, Fuyuki, Natsumi, Koyuki to an island controlled by Momoka's family when Natsumi is kidnapped by an alien who is similar to those from Keron.  Keroro's platoon is on the scene for other reasons and gets involved with the investigation when the alien base is found.  Shockingly, the Japanese town they reside in has been recreated perfectly, only from several years back.  The alien Prince Mer uses Natsumi to further his plans to turn Earth into a water planet, backed up by a Kiruru unit.  The race is on to save Natsumi before she becomes the first human to be adapted to the new water world.

When I read this volume, I was surprised that the entire volume was dedicated to a single story.  Usually, Yoshizaki-sensei loves to do small 1- or 2-chapter stories but occasionally. we'll get a multi-chapter story.  This was the first time I'd seen an entire volume dedicated to a single story and when I finished the volume, I was struck at how this felt like something which could be adapted into a movie.  Since I've not seen any of the Keroro Gunsou movies and knew nothing of them, I didn't know that this in fact was an adaptation but I became curious enough to look it up just to see after seeing one of the filler images at the back of the volume showing Natsumi and some of the aliens on what appeared to be a movie set.  Sure enough, it appears that Yoshizaki-sensei adapted the 2nd Keroro Gunsou movie for volume 20.

Because I don't know if this is an original story by Yoshizaki-sensei or not (did he write the story for the 2nd movie?) and because I've not watched the original movie, I find myself struggling to write a review.  Well, I guess I'll watch the movie later.

Anyway, I liked the story presented here.  While the little one-shots are hit-or-miss on whether they work for me or not, I've usually found myself enjoying the longer stories just from an interest point of view.  Having the whole volume dedicated to a single story helped a great deal.  I liked how the central characters are all brought together with a goal of saving Natsumi (as well as dealing with the other aliens and the ancient Keronian technology) and the adventure they have along the way.  Oddly enough, even though it took days for them to find and reach Natsumi, I never found myself thinking, "boy, it is taking them forever" or "why are they doing 'this' and 'that' instead of finding a way to get Natsumi?"  I just found myself carried along by the adventure and I liked it.

There was one element that I really liked and that was the little nod at the romance stuff between Fuyuki and Momoka.  Obviously, Momoka has long held a heavy crush on Fuyuki but this was the first time where I really felt that Fuyuki returned a bit of those feelings when the group camped out in the replica furniture store in the mall.  There was the moment of his blushing when Koyuki interrupted Fuyuki's and Momoka's sharing a bed together, but there was also Fuyuki getting another blanket for Momoka without her even asking.  That was pretty sweet and I wouldn't mind them actually getting a bit closer (within the confines of a shounen mange, of course). 

TokyoPop's adaptation is pretty much standard fare for Sgt. Frog.  I did notice some slight changes, such as Natsumi being refereed to as "big sister" a few times, which at least would be an accurate translation since Fuyuki never addresses Natsumi by her name.  Also, some "Fuyuki-dono" addressing of Fuyuki by Keroro slipped through instead of the normal "Master Fuyuki."  My personal preference would have been "Fuyuki-dono" but except for these accidental slip through moments, TokyoPop isn't likely to change at this point. 

Looks like volume 21 is due out this May, so I'll be back then.  In the meantime, I will have to give the 2nd Keroro Gunsou movie a look-see.

Ah! My Goddess Ch. 266 Manga Review

Ah! My Goddess Manga/Oh My Goddess! Manga
ああっ女神さまっ Chapter 266

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

As the giant Banpei-kun has his head drilled away by Mokkurkalfi's mecha, Urd decides it is time to attack since there was a small reaction to their spells and Belldandy agrees, stating that even small things add up over time.  Keiichi stops them, citing their power limitations and the fact that they are both already tired.  Urd asks if Keiichi has a plan, but he doesn't.  Instead, he says Skuld can make new units, which she agrees she can (as she is building one) but that the result will still be the same in that Mokkurkalfi's mecha will capture hers.

Keiichi asks for the desiccant packs, which she pulls from her chest and hands to him.  Keiichi's is momentarily distracted since these came from Belldandy's breast region, leading Skuld to stop work and angrily demand to know what he's thinking.  Keiichi picks up some filings from Banpei-kun and hands them to her, complimenting her for already anticipating what he's now planning. She's flustered by this but gives him the thumbs up sign just the same.

As the four huddle, Mokkurkalfi wonders what they are up to and hollers that they need to hurry since her unit is about to take down Banpei-kun.  Skuld smiles at Mokkurkalfi and launches their mission.  Belldandy splits into thee chibi forms, each one with hand fulls of material.  At each point where Mokkurkalfi's mecha has Banpei-kun, a chibi-Belldandy pours the contents of her.

Once done, she signals Urd, who begins chanting a spell. Mokkurkalfi is amazed that the spirits are reacting to Urd's chant and even more amazed because she sees that Urd has Hild's eyes.  Urd finishes chanting her spell with the activation words.

Thoughts/Review:

Man, Fujishima-sensei would have to leave us hanging like that just as Urd activates her spell.

This was a rather short chapter so there's not a whole lot to discuss.  I do wonder what Keiichi's plan is though.

As for the fight between Mokkurkalfi's mecha and Banpei-kun, I kinda laughed because Belldandy, Urd, Skuld, and K1 huddling to discuss the plan seemed to take forever.  I think even Fujishima-sensei sensed this which is why he had Mokkurkalfi remark about Banpei-kun about to be shut down.

We received yet another reminder of how little there is between Belldandy and Keiichi romantically.  As such, I'm going to start routing for the harem ending complete with Peorth and Lind moving in as well.  *nods*  Well, K1 did cause Belldandy, Urd, AND Skuld to blush, so why not?  ^_~

Still, Fujishima-sensei did manage to work in an old joke regarding Skuld's jealousy as well as Belldandy's split chibi form.  I can't remember when both were last seen.


Well, until the next chapter shows up.

Fractale: Defeat Piracy By Removing Legal Streaming!

Fractale.  I'd heard of this anime but to be honest, I just wasn't that gripped by what I read and since I already have a ton of anime I need to watch, I gave this new show for the Winter 2011 season a pass.  However, thanks to the recent decision by the Fractale Production Committee to force FUNimation to remove the legal simulcast stream of this show until FUNimation scours the Internet of all illegal copies of Fractale, the name "Fractale" is now much better known to me even if I still know nothing of the anime.

So, FUNimation had the rights to legally simulcast the Fractale TV series, but only for the R1 DVD Region (US/Canada/US Territories).  Then, the Fractale Production Committee decided to revoke FUNimation's As reported by ANN:

According to Funimation representatives, the committee requested that Funimation eliminates unauthorized videos of the anime on the Internet — including streaming sites, file-sharing networks, and file servers — before its simulcast will be allowed to continue.

So, let me get this straight.  To fight illegal videos of Fractale from appearing on the Internet in any form, of which 100% originates from Japan since it is Japanese fans who are recording it and then uploading it, the Fractale Production Committee (FPC) says that FUNimation must do an impossible thing and until it does so, no legal streaming of Fractale will be allowed.

I know there is a lot of head scratching, face-palming, and even outright outrage at what the Japanese copyright owners are doing.  As I see it, there are two possible reasons for FPC's decision.  The first is that they never were keen on the idea of their anime being streamed and are using this as an excuse.

I've mentioned this before, but the Japanese system for fleecing the otaku selling products to their customers is a house of cards.  Basically, an anime series is played on TV in Japan but apparently makes no money during this phase and is essentially considered a loss-leader.  The money is then made on the merchandising, starting with DVD/Blu-ray sets which are giving minimal episodes per disc, some extras, and are then sold for what we in the U.S. would consider an outrageous price.  The merchandising continues with a dizzying array of collectibles such as magazines, books, figures, and tons more items.  If the otaku fail to make purchases, then there are big problems.

Although I consider the Japanese system to be a house of cards, it has stood for many years, going to the days of the VHS.  The Japanese executives have "carefully computed" what it takes for a series to make money under their way of doing business and the slightest fluctuation in the buying patterns of the otaku would cause great financial ruin for a Japanese company. (I exaggerate for effect there but sometimes, I think by not much.)  Japanese executives don't play around either.  If you want a small insight into the Japanese corporate mindset, watch Mr. Baseball.  The Japanese take business very seriously and don't change easily.

It has always been my belief that because of the fragile nature of the anime business in Japan, the Japanese production companies have been very leery and downright afraid of anything that could upset their business plans.  Legal, online distribution of an anime is a wild card as far as they are concerned which could upset the applecart.  Thus, while they might grudgingly be convinced to allow a company like FUNimation to do something abnormal, the least little perceived infraction causes the Japanese to have a knee-jerk reaction.

While the Japanese may be keen on exporting anime, their primary market is Japan and they can't afford for that to collapse.  Therefore, what we in the U.S. see as a boneheaded maneuver, they consider an act of self preservation while at the same time, potentially getting someone else to take on the cost of actively fighting piracy world-wide.


The second possible reason for FPC's decision is that this is a brilliant marketing ploy to increase the name recognition of Fractale to try to get people like me to watch, even if illegally.  While someone in Japan might be clever enough to do this, to be honest, I have a hard time believing it because it is too risky and taking risks isn't what I think of when it comes to Japan today.  Of course, should FPC back down over the next few days, then I'd say that this theory might well have been the plan all along.

In response to the massive fan outcry against FPC on this subject, Lance Heiskell from FUNimation said

We understand your frustration, but it should be directed towards the speedsub groups that created this problem. 

I like Lance a lot and I understand he's got to say this.  However, the reality of the situation is that even though FUNimation had the R1 license to legally stream Fractale, there are still a great many English-speaking fans in other countries who are NOT allowed to watch this, thanks to Big Entertainment's DVD (and Blu-ray) region code system.  As such, it does not surprise me that some fansub group (especially one out of Europe) would either fansub this or somehow find a way to redistribute FUNimation's work. 

And so, FUNimation is tasked with the impossible job of ridding the world of Fractale fansubs, bootlegs, RIPs, etc.  I find this a laugh considering that all such products start in Japan and since the Japanese can't even stop their own people from uploading these video files in the first place, I don't see how FUNimation can stop it.  Then again, maybe FUNimation could adopt this tactic from The IT Crowd.

(CAUTION! There is a minor, "not safe for work" moment in this clip.)



Note: The official link is here but they didn't allow an embed. *_*

Update: FUNimation has an official blog post on this subject.

Angel Beats! Another Epilogue

エンジェルビーツ 

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:


It is exam time in the classroom and as the students take the test, one male student suddenly realizes that this life he's in is a lie as he had died.  As such, the test doesn't matter.  He asks if he can get to heaven with good grades.

His outburst brings the Student Council President, Otonashi, to the classroom where he challenges the "awakened" student to do what he needs to do.  The student says he wants to challenge Otonashi, so Otonashi leaves, telling the student to stop by at any time.  Otonashi returns to the Student Council room to wait.

Thoughts/Review:

Is Key planning to do a sequel to Angel Beats!?  I ask because the way this new epilogue to episode 13 goes, it seems to be setting the stage for another series, this time with Otonashi playing the role of Tenshi. That could be interesting but to be honest, I'm not sure I could work up enough enthusiasm to return to this world with a whole new set of characters.

Regardless, seeing Otonashi alone for who knows how long after Tenshi and the others departed was something that the original ending didn't mention (obviously).  Otonashi was shown to be the last one there but then was shown to apparently be reborn along with Tenshi.  So apparently, Otonashi lived for however long to help kids move on before he eventually moved on.  Hmmmm. 

Well, it was interesting to see this epilogue, whether a sequel comes from it or not.

Angel Beats! Special

エンジェルビーツ 

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Yuri has her next plan for the SSS, which she calls "Operation High-Tension Syndrome."  Basically, she wants the group to spend the next twelve hours keeping the tension levels high by acting like everything they are doing is the greatest thing ever, thus apparently showing contentment and thus blowing Tenshi's mind.  Tenshi would then be forced to consult God and then SSS could follow to confront God.  So starting immediately, since Tenshi could be watching at any time, the various members of SSS go all out with Yui going to write a song for Girls Dead Monster; some of the guys going to play baseball, and the rest heading to the cafeteria, all the time shouting about how great it is.  When the baseball group encounters Tenshi, she reminds them that it is almost time for 2nd period, thus they have to shift gears and go to class gleefully.

At the various classes, the gang shout their enthusiasm for the subject at hand which does catch Tenshi's notice and Yuri's pleasure.  After class, they are going to try baseball again but Tenshi reminds them they have to clean,  So they guys get into that, save Otonashi who just goes with the flow.  The guys have a contest on who can clean the floors fastest by hand.  Meanwhile, the girls of Girls Dead Monster keep the tension up with their practice and decide they need to have an outdoor concert immediately rather than risk losing food for a week as punishment from Yuri.  Back in the cafeteria, the guys there stuff themselves with great enthusiasm, though TK gets sick.  However, they decide to head out and dance off this food with TK leading the way.  This leads all the entire SSS meeting at the baseball field, each having their own agenda.  Otonashi decides that they should turn this into a sports festival since most of the school is already there.

The impromptu sports festival is on with the usual things that happen when Japanese schools hold these events.  With night falling, the final event is the cavalry event with three teams selected, mixing SSS with the NPC students.  Some of the NPC's go to the supply shed where Shiina is making teddy bears.  In grabbing headbands for the final event, one of the small teddy bears is caught up in it and worn by one of the SSS males.  When the match starts, Yuri observes as Tenshi leaves her Student Council meeting and goes down to the field.  However, Shiina arrives and takes out the entire group of students to rescue the bear, telling Tenshi it is cute.  Tenshi says she has to make a report, so when SSS follows her, they discover that instead of finding God, they find Tenshi is tending to the plants of the disbanded Garden Club, having been reminded by Shiina.  Thus, Yuri announces no food or drink for a week for SSS, though she exempts herself.

Thoughts/Review:

It has been some time since I last saw anything from Angel Beats! so it was good seeing the old crew again, though sadly, I couldn't remember anyone's name except for Tenshi (and there, I couldn't remember her real name).  Seeing everyone again was also odd, especially in light of having known whom Tenshi is and the fact that "God" never came into the original series.  So it was kinda strange seeing Tenshi as a potential enemy again and even more strange when she backed down from a fight after seeing that she wasn't going to be attacked.  I couldn't look at Yui's wacky behavior without remembering how her story resolution made me tear up. I guess because of how the story ended up, picking up a side-story from the middle just didn't work so well since the operation was already doomed to failure.

Anyway, while things made me smile and occasionally chuckle, nothing here really made me laugh.  The cafeteria group stuffing themselves silly was a chuckle moment, especially when they waddled out to the field.  Shiina's "rescue" of the teddy bear was a chuckle moment.  Of course, the whole "password" thing at the end when the rest of SSS just pressed a single button and the giant metal doors opened when Yuri was sure that this was the passage to where God was and thus the keypad was for entering a security code to gain access made me chuckle. Tenshi's explanations  to Yuri's misunderstandings were amusing but again, I just didn't laugh.

Beyond that, I really don't have much to say, mainly because there's no analysis to be done on the events of the episode (as there could have been had the episode been aired during the initial run of the anime). ^_^;  I was entertained by the episode and did enjoy it, but it wasn't one that will long stick in my mind nor cause me a desire to pull it out and watch it again.

I might read the prequel manga, which is based on the light novel, just for the heck of it.  I haven't made up my mind yet, but I do have access to it should I decide to go that route.

Haiyoru! Nyaru-ani: Remember My Mr. Lovecraft - 04

Haiyoru! Nyaruani: Remember My Love (Craft-sensei) episode 04 review
這いよる！ニャルアニ リメンバー・マイ・ラブ（クラフト先生）

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis

In an elevator (or something), Atoko and Nyarlko stand in silence until Atoko says something about Nyarlko staying calm would result in her not needing to strip.

Mahiro is home with Cthuko and questions the age of the game console she's playing.  She says it is a WonderSwan and is actually quite advanced.  Mahiro then discovers that Cthuko has fed the goldfish with food from space, resulting in it growing a pair of human, male legs.  This angers Mahiro.

Mahiro is then shown with Nyarlko outside with Nyarlko apparently giving commentary on the show.

And, there are 49-days until "whatever."

Thoughts/Review

I'd never heard of "WonderSwan," but it was a real gaming console in Japan about 12-years ago.  So, I'm guessing that joke falls flat on non-Japanese viewers of the show.

Cthuko feeding the goldfish "space food" is reminiscent of Lum sometimes doing something similar in Urusei Yatsura.  Considering how influential the anime and manga both were in Japan, it wouldn't surprise me if this were a nod to the classic series from Takahata-sensei. 

The scene with Atoko and Nyarlko was just too random for my tastes.

Finally, the scene with Nyarlko and Mahiro apparently commenting on how this series may not have been what people were expecting BUT people seemed to like it anyway tells me that the production team are very much aware that their series isn't anything like people imagined.  I've seen some people express how much they love this series but I don't care much for it.  I'm sticking around because (1) it is short and that helps my busy schedule and (2) I'm thinking the real anime is to come.  If there's a "serious" anime series launched after this, then going through these shorts will be worthwhile.

So, nothing to do but press on and see what happens.

Negima! Manga Vol 35 Ch 314 Review

魔法先生 ネギま！Volume 35 Chapter 314 (manga)
Mahou Sensei Negima! Manga Chapter 314

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

In his dreaming state, Negi is still being talked to by Nagi, who is then joined by the images of Tosaka, Jack, and Eva.  Each of them remind him of a reason he has to fight with Eva stating Negi has to walk the gray path, something Nagi didn't do.  Nagi tells the now encouraged Negi that he'll be waiting for Negi up ahead.

Meanwhile, Sextum-Fate has Chisame, Chamo, Ako, Arika, and Konoka is giant water cubes to freeze them when Negi grabs Sextum-Fate, shatters her barriers and shreds the clothing off of her.  As she sinks to her knees in stunned fashion, Negi touches her forehead and shatters the shell around his own body, causing the release of the cubes and the girls.  This has Dunamis speak of the impossibility of what has just happened, not only in defeating Sextum-Fate, but in Negi overcoming the demonic aspects of Magia Erebea. 

Sextum-Fate recovers from her surprise and is about to launch a new attack at Negi when Chibi-Mage arrives, placing a hand into her back and threatening to destroy her core.  Dunamis thinks their master is betraying them, leading Chibi-Mage to state that they were never comrades. Since Negi has a plan of his own to save the world, Chibi-Mage would like to see him enact that plan.  Dunamis isn't happy about this and as Negi observes Chibi-Mage, he recognizes a linkage to Asuna and possibly Arika.  Chibi-Mage urges Negi to go on or risk failure.

Elsewhere, Quartum-Fate continues to attack the retreating Great Paru-sama, deciding to finish is by summoning Entei Shoukan.  However, before the others can be killed, Negi arrives at the speed of lightning, hitting the giant fire demon-creature with such force that even Quartum-Fate is knocked aside. Negi announces that these are his commrades and as such, Quartum-Fate will not touch them.

Still elsewhere, Quintum-Fate is about to take out the very scared Natsumi when a large boulder comes in and smacks him on the head.  Quintum-Fate sees a smoldering Fate who says that this is Negi's comrade and thus Fate's prey.  As such, Fate won't allow anyone else to touch them.

Thoughts/Review:

I guess Akamatsu-sensei reached the levels he wanted when it came to Ala Alba since it doesn't appear that anyone else will be removed from play.  Sextum-Fate will be held in check by Chibi-Mage so the members of Ala Alba there are safe.  Negi's squaring off against Quartum-Fate will keep that version of Fate occupied as I see it, thus allowing the Great Paru-sama to escape.  Fate and Quintum-Fate will apparently fight so Natsumi and possibly an awakened Nodoka might be able to escape.

Now, the question of Fate is how fare Fate will go to defend Negi's comrades in order to have the pleasure of fighting them himself?  I'd guess pretty far but then assuming Fate defeats Quartum, then what?

Personally, it wouldn't surprise me if by the last battle between Fate and Negi, Fate has taken on all of the elemental abilities of his brothers and sister, whom I expect will be "dead" as it were.

Negi's awakening is nice to see though this chapter raises questions on whether or not he was communicating with Nagi.  Were I to guess, I'd still say "yes."  Nagi could be in CE with Jack and Tosaka, though why a version of Eva would be there is more of a mystery.  Nagi could be someplace else and simply evoked imagery of those who'd had great impact on Negi's life since arriving on the Magic World.  All of the figures could be figments of Negi's mind.  In the end, I do think that this was indeed the real Nagi, who's getting Negi jump-started on the new path which will eventually lead to Nagi.  I state this because of the certainty with which Nagi states that they will meet down the road.  That suggests to me a real person and not a figment of Negi's imagination.  We'll see though.

Finally, there's Chibi-Mage (Master of the Grave) and the connection to Arika and Asuna.  Interesting that Negi seems to question a connection with Arika and then be more confident of a connection with Asuna.  Chibi-Mage recognizes Negi as a descendant.  Chibi-Mage does appear somewhat similar to a young Asuna.  We'll see what the exact connection is later.

Beyond that, not a lot to say as this chapter sets up the next stage.

Chapter 315 isn't out until January 26!  As usual, I'm keeping an eye open for spoilers.

Nibley Twins Re-translate "Negima!" Volumes 1-3!

In case you weren't aware, Alethea and Athena Nibley, the current translators of Negima! for Kodansha Comics, have revealed that they were given the job of fixing the first volumes of Negima! for Kodansha Comic's omnibus release. Basically, they were paid to re-adapt the title but ended up re-translating for the most part, which they did for free since they were only paid for an adaptation.  ^_^;

You guys know of my dislike of the early Negima! volumes from Del Rey, so having Alethea and Athena do this pretty much from scratch is a big win as far as I'm concerned.  As such, I'm hoping you Negima! fans will not only buy the omnibus edition when it comes out, but will also let Kodansha Comics know that you appreciate the job Alethea and Athena do on Negima!  After all, Kodansha Comics forced them to take a 40% pay cut on the new volumes of the title compared to what Del Rey used to pay. 

xxxHOLiC Manga Chapter 212 Review

xxxHOLiC (xxxHOLiC Rou) Manga Chapter 212

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Watanuki has a dream of a lone butterfly but when he reaches a hand toward it, he wakes up. When he and Doumeki speak of this over sake and fugu, Watanuki says he doesn't know who's dream it was but he'll find out if needed.

The next night, Watanuki again dreams of the butterfly and notes that in this world, there exists only the butterfly.  He asks the butterfly if it needs to tell him something or to tell someone else something, but again wakes up.  Over a glass of wine, Watanuki tells Doumeki of his lack of success in learning anything  but Watanuki isn't concerned about the lack of information at this point.

The following night, the butterfly again appears to Doumeki, who's waiting for it.  Watanuki does some searching but learns nothing, which he reports to Doumeki over a meal.

As before, Watanuki again dreams of the butterfly but has no success.  Over a meal of gyoza, Doumeki's way of recounting Watanuki's failures annoys Watanuki a bit.  Even though Watanuki doesn't know who is trying to contact him or for what, he's going to use a spell in the next dream as butterflies are special to him.

The next dream, Watanuki states that he knows the butterfly needs him for something since he's dreamed of it for a while now.  Reaching a finger out, Watanuki casts his spell which traps the butterfly in a transparent box that materializes.  He promises to let the butterfly out right away if it tells him what it wants, but to Watanuki's surprise, the butterfly negates his spell and causes the box to open, thus freeing itself.  As Watanuki looks, a humanoid female with long black hair wearing a butterfly kimono appears, though she is facing the escaped butterfly and not Watanuki. 

Thoughts/Review:

The traditional chapter-opening image that CLAMP draws featured Yuuko-san and butterflies, to include one in a cage.  I gave a large smile as I saw her since it is good to see Yuuko-san again.

With that, CLAMP immediately plants in our mind that Yuuko-san might be returning.  By having Watanuki constantly dream of a butterfly, the butterfly being a symbol of Yuuko-san, CLAMP again puts the notion forward that somehow Yuuko-san is involved in the story.  When Watanuki casts his spell and the butterfly overcomes it and then seemingly produces what could be Yuuko-san, CLAMP has put out the possibility that Yuuko-san has returned, if only in the dream world.

I'm not sure I buy it.

For starters, CLAMP are trying too hard to push the notion of Yuuko-san here, starting with the title page.  By having Watanuki continue to dream of the butterfly and then have it overcome his magic and apparently produce Yuuko-san is something that seems a conclusion we are being driven too without any facts to support it, only supposition.  I could be very wrong here, but I just think that whomever Watanuki is dealing with, it isn't Yuuko-san.

The chapter's title is called "Cage" and naturally, that implies that someone is being held prisoner and would need Watanuki's help to escape.  What better way to get his attention than to tap into his mind and bring out the image of the one he wants to see most -- Yuuko-san?

Still, CLAMP could very well be introducing a plot thread to have Yuuko-san return to the manga, even if in a limited form.  It will be interesting to see what happens.

UPDATE:  Forget everything I said about this not being Yuuko-san.  Considering the recent announcement that xxxHOLiC: Rou is ending with the March issue of Bessatsu Shounen Magazine, we only have one more chapter (though I have seen some say there's two) of manga to go and so CLAMP likely is bringing her back to end the series.  I for one am VERY disappointed but not surprised since CLAMP is notorious about either abandoning titles (Legal Drug, X) or just getting tired of titles and slapping together an ending (I would put Tsubasa into this category and now xxxHOLiC).

Urusei Yatsura - 154

うる星やつら episode 154 (TV anime)
Urusei Yatsura Ep. 154 review


SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Cherry observes Sakura-sensei in martial arts training and heads to the high school after her, where he finds all of the males students and male teachers, save Ataru, engaged in physical exercise or training. Turns out, the principle is allowing the students to have psychological counseling with Sakura-sensei.  Onsen-sensei warns the students they visit Sakura-sensei at their own peril as he and the other male teachers vow to protect her.  Meanwhile, as Lum discovers that Ataru appears depressed, Shinobu speaks with Ami on the terrace. Ami appears troubled so Shinobu inquires to learn more. Ami tells a tale of late night studying when her handsome "oniichan" comes in with a pot of tea and kind words.  Since the story seems romantic, Shinobu is stunned when she learns that romance isn't what's troubling Ami, but the fact that Ami's older brother spiked the tea with brandy and now Ami has a hangover.

The moment school is out, the males race to the nurses station, where Onsen-sensei and other male teacher wait with shinai.  Sakura-sensei knows that her defenders are outnumbered and won't last long and soon, several males make it through. When she asks them what is wrong, they are unprepared until Perm says they are ill.  When a battered Onsen-sensei arrives to fight some more, Sakura-sensei throws out the male students for wasting her time.  Fujinami arrives to discuss his "son" Ryuunosuke, but she comes in and knocks him out the window. As such, Sakura-sensei decides to give Ryuunosuke counseling but is interrupted when Shuutaro arrives for counseling on what to do about all the women who love him. He produces tons of love letters but when Ryuunosuke produces an even greater amount from girls who love her, Shuutaro is defeated. Sakura-sensei finds the depressed Ataru in bed, tended to by Lum but soon discovers what ails him is his inability to be alone with Sakura-sensei, which gets him ejected.

This brings in Gongo Dodan, the head of the Kento-ji temple.  He needs to have the giant bell tolled 1000 times in honor of the previous and now deceased temple head. Sakura-sensei enlists Lum, Ryuunosuke, Shinobu, and Shuutaro for the task. Ataru joins, as he wishes to express his love for Sakura-sensei.  The temple is at the top of an insane flight of steps and when they reach the temple bell, Ataru and Shuutaro discover that with no ringer, they have to ring the bell with their body. The promise of money (kane) gets them motivated. Lum carries Shinobu so she can use her strength to punch the bell. Ryuunosuke simply leaps up repeatedly and rapid-punches it on the way down. Shuutaro stands on a step ladder inside the bell and flails.  Ataru is on the short end of the stick, getting a ring when he grabs Sakura-sensei. The 1000-rings done, the group finds that their reward is actually bells (kane) and they take it out on the monk.

Thoughts/Review:

This was actually two stories blended into a single story, as I see it.  For the first story, I was amused at how the males were training save for Ataru.  There was nothing particularly funny about any of it though it was still amusing and the various ejections by Sakura-sensei were all expected.  Ataru's depression was one of the better bits because I just knew he was up to something but exactly what he'd say, I couldn't guess.  The interlude with Shinobu taking with Ami, who's never been mentioned before as far as I can tell, was the other humorous bit, though it was more like a long, time-filler joke.  Fortunately, it was inserted into the story in such a way so as not to really derail things and the payoff was pretty funny.  Actually, I give a +1 to that interlude and the "oniichan" story/joke since the payoff was unexpected and thus funny.

The second story with the monk and the 1000 tolls of the temple bell was OK.  The stair joke was funny up to a point but once they finally reached the plateau and showed the second stage of the stairs, the gag became too long and thus lost the humorous effect it had previously enjoyed.  I always enjoy it when there's collateral damage from a jealous Lum electrocuting Ataru.  Shinobu took the damage this time, but what was great was that despite an initial anger by Lum and Shinobu at each other, they quickly realized that as a team, they'd get the job done.  The "kani" homonym joke wasn't handled that well by AnimEigo because they didn't reference the word "kani" when they translated it to "money."  They were forced to at the end because the joke wouldn't make sense otherwise.  I knew what "kani" meant already in terms of money and maybe AnimEigo assumed most people would.

So an OK and mostly entertaining episode, which is better than a bad episode any day.  ^_^