Ano Natsu de Matteru: Summer Love Stories

When a group of friends decide to make a movie over a long summer holiday, they end up learning a little about filmmaking and a lot more about each other and themselves. What begins as a simple way to avoid the summer doldrums quickly turns into something much more complex, intimate and revealing, as the maturing relationships between the members of the young cast take on new, and sometimes very unexpected, turns.

- MyAnimeList

In my book, Ano Natsu de Matteru has raised my standards and expectations for upcoming romantic comedy series. AnoNatsu, as most people calls it, had been fun and enjoyable since the very first episode. Sure, I’m not emotionally invested in AnoNatsu the way I did in Kimi ni Todoke, which is currently at the top of my list. I don’t relate to any of the characters in the series and sometimes I think things unfolded in a way that seems too easy for each of the characters. But hey, I like this show nonetheless.

Warning! The following paragraphs may contain spoilers.

Chihayafuru: A Thrilling Experience

Chihaya Ayase is a frank and ebullient girl who becomes fascinated by the obscure world of competitive karuta, a card game based on Japanese poetry. Introduced to the aggressive style of the game by a quiet and thoughtful elementary school classmate named Arata Wataya, the two quickly become close friends. They start playing as a group with Taichi Mashima, Chihaya’s smart and athletic childhood friend, until they have to part ways during their middle school years due to several circumstances. As their high school life begins, they meet once again.

- AnimeNewsNetwork

Just before today, Bamboo Blade was my favorite sports anime because I like the atmosphere of the series and that the characters were all so cute and loveable. It introduced me to Kendo and made me like the sports for all the “Men!” and “Kote!” and other shouts. When Chihayafuru came into the picture last Fall, I knew instinctively at the first episode that I’m gonna love this series even more. Guess what. I was right. Today, my dear readers, Chihayafuru is my favorite sports anime.

Warning! Spoilers ahead.

Kimi ni Todoke Manga: Volume 3

Sadako finally becomes friends with her classmates, instead of scaring them off. Even Kurumi, the cutest girl in school, wants to be her friend. But will this new friendship make Sadako realize that her feeligns for Kazehaya might be more than just friendly?

 - Summary of Kimi ni Todoke Volume 3

Gunslinger Girl: Stories Behind Those Sad Eyes

In the heart of Italy, the Social Welfare Agency rescues young girls from hospital beds and gives them a second chance at life using the latest in cybernetic advancements. With their artificially enhanced bodies, the girls are brainwashed and trained as assassins to carry out the dirty work of the Italian Government. Despite all the modifications, they are still just children at heart, struggling for recognition from those they love, even knowing the love they feel is manufactured. This tragic tale unfolds as these girls grapple with their emotions in an agency that treats them as nothing but ruthless killers.

- MyAnimeList

It’s a bit hard to swallow, the fact that the little girls in Gunslinger Girl were used as tools in secret missions by the government, no less. These girls underwent strict training to become assassins. They lived only to follow orders of their “brothers”, their handlers. They learned to become proficient, sharp shooters for their assignments. It is a career they didn’t choose but chosen for them.

Spring Anime 2012 Watch List

Let’s see…I’ll try this with a different style. But if you’ve read my previous posts before, it’s a style I’ve used quite number of times. Oh, but before that here’s the Spring anime 2012 chart I reference to.

The Place Promised In Our Early Days: Of Friendship & Love

The story takes place in a alternate postwar period, in 1996, where Japan is divided. Hokkaido is ruled by the “Union” while Honshu and other southern islands are under US authority. A tall tower was built on Hokkaido, which could even be seen from Tokyo. In the summer of 1996, three middle-school students make a promise that they’ll cross the border with a self-constructed plane and unravel the tower’s secret, but their project was abandoned after the girl, Sayuri Sawatari, became mysteriously ill and transferred to Tokyo. Years later on the brink of another war Hiroki Fujisawa finds out that Sayuri had been in coma since then, and he asks Takuya Shirakawa to help him finding a way to wake her up.

- IMDB

From that storyline above, it’s hard to imagine how beautiful The Place Promised in Our Early Days can be. I’m not referring to just the artwork and music but also the story. It’s pure friendship and love between three friends.

Kimi ni Todoke Manga: Volume 2

Rumors start flying about Sadako’s new friends claiming that Yano’s been around the block and Yoshida’s a former gang member. And the source of all this tattle? Sadako herself! Will Sadako retreat to her former life as a loner because of a simple misunderstand?!

- Summary of Kimi ni Todoke Volume 2

Anime Blogging: Personal Concerns and Desires

Recently there were a lot posts on this topic circulating around the aniblogosphere. Granted, different sub topics were discussed. AceRailgun questioned about what keeps an anime blog around or not, Feal talked about competition and rage blogs, and Tsurugiarashix explored the different types of anime blogs. His Majesty OG even listed down his reasons or rather drive force of existence. These are all interesting read as it allows readers and bloggers alike to reflect on this community we’ve build together.

I don’t really have much to add to what was already being discussed. Like I said, those are great posts. Instead, I’ll write about my own concerns and desires when I decided to be a part of the anime blogging community. It’s fine even if it’s only a small part.

Heartbreaks in Honey & Clover

As a person who appreciates any form of art and enjoys watching romantic comedy, picking up Honey & Clover seems like an appropriate thing to do. Little did I know that this series spanning over two seasons have so much heartache. I started watching the first season sometime in the middle of last year, but it took me ages to complete the 24 episodes of it. It’s not that it’s boring. Well, the pace is a bit slow. Besides, I can’t bear to watch all the heartaches the characters were going through. Second season fares much better in terms of pacing, but still gosh…my heart breaks.

Nendoroid Aisaka Taiga

Nendoroid Aisaka Taiga is finally here! While many received her many weeks ago, I only got her like two days ago. But you know what? It’s okay so long she’s already here. For those who are wondering who in the world is Aisaka Taiga – she is the lovely lead character from the popular romantic comedy series, Toradora!. And that palmtop tiger you see later on represents the nickname given to her.

Now let’s just bury ourselves in some Taiga cuteness!