Name:
=3Kat

About this blog:
I write about the manga that I read , the anime/tv shows that I watched and somtimes, the PS2 games that I played. I tend to summarize them so beware, this blog is filled with spoilers and they are not 100% perfect. Feel free to point out my mistakes. Occasionally, I would blog about myself and other misc. things. ^_^

Layout:
In the blog pic, Dengeki Moeoh was taken from Boyis. Edited in Photoshop CS2. The quote is by Henry David Thoreau. The blue marble background is from All Free Backgrounds. The GB animated gifs used to be from this site.

Currently into:
Watching...

01/20/03 - 02/20/03

Blog by pitas

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Manga pics from
JumpC, Gocomic & Billwang.

Update on the Anime That I had Watched
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 @ 10:46 a.m.

I had finally caught up with Fate/Stay Night and finished the series. So, after Archer died, they finished off all the other Servants except for Lancer and Caster who died of other causes. Saber returns to her time and died while Shirou continues on his life. I’m not exactly fond of Saber and Shirou and well, the other characters sans Rin and Archer, for I somehow felt detached with them. It somewhat blows my mind when I read that Archer is actually the future Shirou. So, I guess Archer was just lying when he said he doesn’t remember his past. The hints were there but I guess when it was pointed out, it was the time I actually sinked into my mind. Some parts about Rin and Sakura’s relationship and Kotomine giving Rin the knife that would be the cause of his demise are not exactly explored. I guess the anime assumed that people have played the game this is based on or well, make them want to play it. Overall, it is a so-so anime though not that memorable to me or would make me want to watch it all over again.

I had also update myself with Jyu Oh Sei up to episode 9. Thor managed to be rescued and learned that his father is involved in some plot against Odin, the head of the colony. Thor wanted to become Jyu Oh Sei so that he can get off the planet and learn why exactly were his parents killed and he and Rai being dumped into the planet. He has limited time though for people who lived in the colony without getting the life extension surgery, he would die at around age 20 or was it 30. ^^; There are 4 rings in the planet ruled by 3 people per ring – Top, Second and Third. After getting himself somewhat familiarized with the planet, Thor then got himself in a duel against the Top of the Ring where he currently is. With the help of Third, he managed to win and become the Top of that Ring. After a few years, there was this new Top killing off the Tops of the rings. It turned out to be Zagi whom Thor and Rai met before who told them about the rules of the planet.

Zagi wanted to team up with Thor and told him that the Jyu Oh Seis that won are preserve in ‘capsules’. Thor was then a bit pre-occupied with Zagi’s second Karin and well, fell in love with her. Tiz isn’t too happy about that especially when Thor said that he loved her as a sister. Anyway, Karin still loves Zagi but ended up being killed by someone – Zagi or Third though my guess is the latter one for he isn’t too happy that Thor is lovey-dovey with Karin for like Thor, he doesn’t have time. Time for what – I’m guessing he is also in a hurry to get off the planet for some reason. Since Thor assumed that Zagi killed Karin, they fought and Thor won. He doesn’t want to go up the tower to go to the colony after Karin’s death and Zagi being wounded but Third managed to convince him to do so. Next episode would be Thor meeting with Odin. Things don’t seem good as suggested by the title, Nightmare. I’m guessing that maybe Thor is gene manipulated though not sure, if it was his father or Odin for a scene with Odin somewhat made me think that Thor’s father is also up to no good. The lovey dovey part there of Thor almost made me think if this is an adventure anime that has gone shoujo with the love polygon. ^^; It does made me think that Thor is really nice to ‘villains’ that it is his great luck and charisma that helped him survive or else, such niceness could be fatal. It does seem that the pacing of the story is quite fast because characters introduced every 2-3 episodes tend to get ripped. ^^; But then, at least, it isn’t dragging.

I have watched up to Nana [e. 10] by then, Shin is introduced. I guess the anime is taking its time and it hasn’t gotten past where the movie was. The anime is quite faithful to the manga that I finally get to understand some of the scenes in the manga. Hehehe Oh ya, somehow, I kept on remembering Ginji of Getbackers in Nobu. ^^;; I found Bleach [e. 84-85] was a bit boring that I found myself skipping the scenes of the second part. The first part is Kira helping out Ichigo but the bount ended up retreating so they both went to Urahara to be treated. The second part seems to be a ‘replay’ of Inoue and Tatsuki being possessed but this time, it is Rukia. I could pretty much guess what is going to happen so I pretty much skipped that part. The fun part of this episode is the opening of Ichigo asking viewers to watch Bleach even if their competition is World Cup but he ended up being ignored by his family. Hehehe

The computer club challenged the SOS Brigade to a computer game in Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu [e. 11]. The bet is for 4 new laptops vs getting back the computer that Haruhi got from them. Haruhi is even willing to bet Asahina and Nagato if Kyon didn’t intervene. During practice, they sucked big time and on the day of the competition, they are being defeated but Nagato informed Kyon that the computer club members are cheating so she was granted request to alter the program and so, SOS Brigade won. The president of the computer club accepted defeat but asked if Nagato can go to their club at times for he acknowledges her prowess in computers. Kyon approves of it for he thought it would be better for Nagato to have a different leisure than just babysit Haruhi. The start of the anime, I thought that they told Haruhi that she is ‘special’ but as it turned out it was just the animators making the game more fun as if they are in it than just watching them play in front of the computers. The uniform of the president looked awfully familiar, as if it is from this really old space anime that I have seen when I was young on tv. There are other hints of other anime of this genre like the cover of the game, the captain there also looked awfully familiar. ^^;;

Starting at Blood+ [e. 26], there is a new opening and ending. The opening song is catchy as if it is from Bleach though the art is quite rough and well, I guess it is quite artistic while the closing song is slow and nice – art is nice. Episode 26 pretty much deals with Riku realizing that he isn’t normal anymore then the Seif attacks and retreats, again. Kai then offered himself to Riku as ‘food’. In episode 27, Kai befriends Irene, one of the Seif who told him about them and why they are after Saya. Before Kai could actually help Irene by asking Saya to give some blood to Irene so that she won’t die, Seif came and took her away. Around this time, Diva has arrived in France, too. Seeing Kai’s neck bandaged, I was thinking if they could have though of a better way to conceal it and actually reminded me of Yuuki in Vampire Knight like I do wonder if a ribbon could actually conceal a bite mark unless it is thick and also, I found myself comparing it with her bandage around the neck and Kai’s simple square patch, mm, which is better? Well, I guess around the neck could give Yuuki a better alibi that she tripped and ‘broke’ her neck than just a patch and would make it really obvious for other vampires. Back to Blood+, I do find Kai meeting with Irene really nice.

In Utawarerumono [e. 10], a new character got introduced – a sexy woman who turned out to be stronger than she looks, Karura. Since Hakuoro, the masked guy, didn’t surrender her to the country which took her prisoner, she decided to fight Hakuoro. She does seem to know the blond angel and I do wonder if upon seeing her that Karura decided to serve under Hakuoro. Anyway, the fun part of this episode when everyone was shocked at how powerful Karura is. Their faces are priceless. Somehow, One Piece [e. 258-259] manage to insert some scenes that aren’t in the manga that are quite interesting nevertheless especially Sogeking’s introduction song. Sanji handling the kitchen knives while fighting noodle guy was really cool and I almost got absorbed at how it hurts being tossed around like that. Ouran High Host Club [e. 11] is okay as it is about Nekozawa and his sister. He likes dark things aka occult while she likes bright things. He tried to make her like him to that point of even going to the light but it is only when he saved her from a stray cat that she realizes that he is her brother who would be there to protect her. I found myself laughing in some scenes even though I already know the story. Oh ya, from volume 8 of Ouran, this shows what happened to the Nekozawa siblings later on. Hehehe, if he can’t go to the light, she just went to the dark. ^^; The next episode would be on Honey’s toothache problem and yes, they did went back to the chapters that they didn’t animate.

Thought of the day:
Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~ Judy Garland.

Silver Diamond [volume 8]
Monday, June 19, 2006 @ 10:06 a.m.

Silver Diamond [v. 8] isn’t that eventful but the last scene cliffhanger was indeed interesting. The cover this time is Narushige and Koh. The story continues with Rakan and others looking at the green murky waters when Rakan saw a huge giant snake. As usual, everyone freaks out except Chigusa, Narushige and Koh. Koh, at first, thought that it was the snake they knew. Gomen, I’m lazy to check the name so I would call it snake-sama for the meantime. They noticed that the snake’s body has become a bit transparent and it swallowed them minus Kuro. While inside, the snake is going berserk. Rakan noticed that the snake’s body is deteriorating and that there is water inside the snake. Chigusa informed them that the snake is dying. The snake then crashed near a mountain village. Rakan then put some flowers on it and a stone with a name for it, ‘green fire’. They wondered about Kuro but Chigusa assured them that Kuro would be following soon though most probably crying since they left him. An old man then offered them lodging. There was a brief discussion on snakes if Koh will grow up to be as big as the one that just died.

Rakan and Narushige + Koh were lead away for a bath underground while Chigusa and Tohji have to wait for their turn. While waiting, the two noticed that the people are acting a bit strange. It turned out that they were scared of Rakan, thinking he was the prince that they were planning to sacrifice them to the giant snake living beneath their village. Meanwhile, Narushige freezes for he remembered that her mother, Shigeyuki has just did the same thing when he was young. Then, a short scene of Sae, waking up to see Snake-sama who told her that she will be a living sacrifice. Sae was shocked. She realized that her mother left her outside the house, knowing that she will be going to that place to find her brother. Snake-sama then asked if she is crying because she will be die. Sae replied that she has already died earlier on for her mother has abandoned her. Snake-sama said that it doesn’t matter when one dies for the world is already dying. Sae then asked Snake-same to be her mother’s friend as a favor. Snake-sama remembered that Sae was a bit the same as Narushige. Snake-sama then told her that everyone dies anyway for the world is dying but Sae insisted that after dead, there are souls so it doesn’t matter.

Back to Chigusa and Tohji, the villagers then asked Chigusa if he is the famous Chigusa. While in debate, Chigusa used this chance to fight against the villagers with the help of Tohji, they make their way down to where Rakan and others were. Downstairs, Narushige tries to calm himself down that everything is alright as he remembered Chigusa telling them to just stay still in front of such snakes. Rakan then noticed that Narushige is shaking and asked about it. Narushige then told him that her mother tried to make him ‘living sacrifice’ for snake-sama so he is frustrated and angry over what she did. Rakan then hugged to him and told him that even if he isn’t his mother or family member, he and the others will be there for him always. Just then Chigusa and Tohji arrived. Chigusa, as always, wanted to be ‘in’ too so he hugged them, too then casually asked Narushige what was he being troubled about. Narushige blushed then everyone realized that there is a huge snake in front of them.

They learned that the snake has also started dying. They got themselves into the snake to get out of the basement as the snake has started to go on a rampage in the village especially when it saw the other snake’s corpse. It kept on ranting about what would become of it that Rakan thought of something and told it that it would become a river like the other snake. Snake-sama must have a connection with all other snakes for he heard what Rakan said. The rampaging snake calmed down as Rakan asked for its name so that if it became like it, too, they would have a name to call it as a river. The snake then replied that his name is ‘shiro tsuki’ – white moon. Then, it crashed and died. Rakan then made some flowers for it. The villagers then realized that he was a sanome. Narushige then muses with Koh that now, it isn’t just him alone for he has companions. Back at the cave, Snake-sama upon learning what they would become after death decided to spear Sae’s life. Snake-sama then told Sae that according to his comrade, there is an interesting kid who looked like the prince but is a sanome so there might be future for the world. Sae was a bit surprised and confused.

Then, Chigusa was showing some stones/bones with names on it to Rakan. He then picked a stone with the kanji ‘well’ and gave it to Rakan. Rakan touched it and it became a well. Chigusa said then with the body of the snake, they were able to produce water for the place. They mused as to how Chigusa know all these things if he has amnesia. Chigusa told them that he knows of this world and every living thing on it, except for his memory about his past. Chigusa said that it doesn’t matter for now, he with Rakan. Then, Kuro came. The villagers thought it was a wild beast and that Chigusa has tamed it but actually, through Koh’s interpretation, Kuro was just telling Chigusa that he was worried about them. Chigusa then noticed two girls who want some flowers. He somewhat flirted with them as he led them to Rakan who offered to put flowers near her house. Narushige tells Tohji not to be like them when he grows up. Hehehe That night, they finally get a good night’s sleep.

At Shigeyuki’s place, two women are taunting Shigeyuki about sending Sae away but Shigeyuki countered that she has a replacement for her and if they want they can be task to take care of the new baby. They were thrilled about it but ended up being food as their robes were hanging on the santome tree and the girl inside has grown. One of the women’s daughter can’t find them and Shigeyuki just said that the two women went to Kinrei and if they didn’t return that would mean Kinrei liked them. The girl then didn’t inquire further about it. While the prince was sleeping, Kinrei cuts the prince’s black hand and put the blood into his mouth, saying that he need its power. Kinrei then told an attendant that he would be going out for a while so he should take care of the prince. The attendant isn’t too thrilled for the prince would be angry if Kinrei wasn’t there. Kinrei told him just to give the prince the medicine when he wakes up and he will sleep in no time. Kinrei then makes his way beneath the city into his secret underneath stairs. Kinrei then used the blood from the prince with encantations to produce rock lizards. He told them to find a certain famous stone and then find something that would never fade away.

Rakan and others prepare to continue their journey. The villagers gave them new clothes though Rakan prefers to wear his school uniform. Rakan then also brought his sword to protect others. He asked Kuro if they can sit on his back, Kuro happily oblige. They bid the villagers goodbye and left. The old man who gave them refure told the others that he was happy for now there is hope. Even if he is going to die, at least he can rest easily for there will be hope for the young generation for the sun will return. Back to Rakan and others, they passed by a small house/tent in the desert. They told Rakan that the place used to be a forest. Rakan asked if someone lives there and if they should stop there. Chigusa said that no one is there. Narushige then tells Rakan that it looked like a tomb. Then a lady ghost appeared and addresses Chigusa, saying that she finally found him for she has been thinking of him always. Chigusa looked surprised as well as Rakan. Tohji asked if Chigusa has a wife while Narushige wonders if she was a friend. Then, they realized that Chigusa has amnesia of his past and tried to stop him from replying but it was too late, Chigusa bluntly told the ghost sorry but he doesn’t remember her. The woman ghost was shock and became angry as what the others told she would. The volume ends here and the side story is about how Chigusa tricked Narushige and Tohji into solving a puzzle so that he can finally have a bath together with Rakan.

As I wrote above, not much of an eventful story in terms of moving the plot though it does show a bit of Narushige’s past and maybe perhaps there would be more into the ‘snakes’ in that world. Well, I guess it was also a reason as to how Sae was spared. I do hope Narushige and Sae would meet up soon. I was a bit puzzled though about the girl santome. Do santome’s eat people? It also shows how Kinrei is the real ‘king’ of the place as he kept on making the ayame prince sleep as he do all sort of things...using the blood to make rock creatures to do his bidding. Anyway, the last scene is interesting for it would focus on Chigusa’s past, well, depending on what is his relationship with the ghost.

Thought of the day:
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice. ~ Author Unknown.

Naruto [chapter 311], Bleach [chapter 231] and One Piece [chapter 415]
Saturday, June 17, 2006 @ 09:09 p.m.

In Naruto [c. 311], Sai is reading through books on how to make friends and learned that friends call each other nicknames. Sakura found him and invited him to go with her and Naruto to visit Kakashi. Naruto is still musing about what Sasuke told him when the two arrived. Sai told them of what he learned and thought of what to call them. Sakura teased him by calling Naruto based on his characteristics like stupid. Sai then called her ‘ugly’ though in the Chinese scans, it is ‘pig’. So, when they arrived at Kakashi’s room, the two boys got bruises on their face that Kakashi thought that the two boys fought each other. Kakashi then told Naruto that they just have to be stronger to stop Sasuke from doing what they are planning. What Kakashi thought would apply only to Naruto though. So, finally, Kakashi is training Naruto and well, Naruto does need to power up. I wonder if this would be another long dragging arc on training just like in Bleach.

In Bleach [c. 231], Soul Society informed everyone about the arrancar, possibly, Espada came to Earth and now engaging with Hitsugaya’s group. Ukitake informed Rukia so she left Inoue with Ukitake for Inoue isn’t strong enough yet. Ichigo and Grimmjow exchange some insults and bragging. Ichigo then showed his bankai and being in the mask. Ichigo has 11 seconds to maintain it so he quickly attacked Grimmjow who was surprised and asked about it but Ichigo has no time for chit-chat. Meanwhile, no. 6 girl arrancar was pretty proud that she told Yammy that she can take all of them against her 4 vs 1. Yumichika is pretty beat up already and she hasn’t used her zapanku yet. The last scene was Chad wanting to get into the fight, too but Renji stops him saying that he is too tired. Urahara then volunteers to take over for them as he goes out to fight. Wow, that’s rare of him to actually fight early on, maybe aside from saving Ichigo from Urquiola before. I don’t think Ichigo would be able to defeat Grimmjow that easily though.

It is all fighting Sanji vs Jabura in One Piece [c. 415]. Sanji got the key from Jabura. They fought and because Jabura kept on insulting Robin, Sanji got fired up and literally fried Jabura. This chapter comes with a character poll. All strawhats are in the top 10 list. Luffy’s lead is really huge though, 12k while the next one is already at 8k. I like this color spread...pretty cool though I don’t exactly like monkeys. =P I think that finishes that fight so it could be Zoro vs Kaku next.

Word of the day:
The world sees what we do – God sees why we do it. ~ Our Daily Bread.

Blood+ [chapter 11]
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 @ 03:49 p.m.

Blood+ [c. 11] is about Saya’s past. In 1833, Joel in his mansion is engross in research and found a new species – a bat-like monster that is pregnant. When it was born, it produced two twin sisters. One girl he put inside a tower and didn’t name her while the other one, he had taken in and named her Saya. The next scene was in 1875, a page/boy attendant was caught trying to run away. Joel and Ansem were talking that it is such a waste but they can use him as ‘medicine’. So, Saya was given a new attendant, it was Haji. Haji blushed upon seeing her for Saya was very beautiful. He introduced himself but Saya bluntly told her that she doesn’t care what he is called for he won’t last long there anyway.

Saya then asked Haji to bring her different colored roses. Saya insisted that he didn’t bring all that there is in the garden for there is no blue colored rose. Saya said that it is her favorite kind of rose. Haji said that he haven’t heard of such a rose and try to compensate by asking her to take the ones he had brought her. Saya declined by saying that she doesn’t want to hold the roses because she would be wounded by the thorns. Later on, Joel came with a glass of Saya’s medicine. There was a scene of Joel and Ansem. I think Ansem asked permission to be the one in charge of giving medicine to the other girl. Later on, on his rose search duties, Haji found the abandoned tower and thought that this is the only place that he haven’t searched for the blue colored rose. Ansem then found him and shouted at him to not go near the place and that there are no such roses there. While Haji left, Ansem thought that it was foolish of Joel to have Saya be with a human.

At the tower, Saya was talking to the girl locked inside the room. Saya was telling the girl about asking her new attendant to find a blue rose and that she is the only one who know about Diva, the girl inside the room. Diva told her not to tell others about her. Saya said that she won’t and declares that she would drive the boy away for he would be like the others and she only needs Diva. Then, Haji brought Saya another batch of roses. Saya declares that since he didn’t find the blue colored rose, she doesn’t need him and told him to leave. Saya was happy about it then noticed that the roses Haji brought doesn’t have any thorns. She asked Haji if he was the one who have done it. Haji said it was he because she doesn’t like the thorns. His hands are all bloodied from removing the thorns. Saya then took the roses one by one then hugs them all to check if there are roses.

Saya blushes and thanked him. Haji looked surprised so Saya asked what it was. Haji confessed that it is the first time that anyone thanked him. Saya then asked what kind of past does he had. Haji told her that he was an orphan then what he told her made Saya feel sorry for him. Saya then tossed the cello to him. She told him that instead of getting the roses, he would have to learn to play a certain piece. If he can do it, then, she will let him stay by her side. Outside Diva’s room, Saya told her that she decided to give Haji another chance and that Haji doesn’t seem to be a bad person. Diva then raised her voice as to what kind of person is Haji and what is good about him. Saya was surprised by Diva’s outburst. Diva then reminded Saya about the other attendants that had left her and it scared Saya. In a room with a circular symbol with arrows, a maid came out and gave Haji a glass of Saya’s medicine. Haji asked what Saya’s sickness is. The maid just told him that it is related to the blood and she can’t tell him the details. She warned him to be careful or else, he would become ‘meal for the evil demons. Haji wondered what she meant then bumped a book of the table and saw a beautiful hair comb on it.

In 1880, Haji is all grown up and Saya isn’t too happy that he is now taller than she is. Saya was teaching him how to play the cello piece then got embarrassed to hold his hand. Haji felt for the comb, from the catalogue he saw before from his pocket to give to Saya but since Saya told him to continue. He didn’t gave it to her and continued on playing. Saya was really happy that Haji is getting better at playing and that he would actually stay with her then doubts of Haji leaving made her felt uneasy. She unconsciously grabbed Haji’s sleeve. Then, realizing what she has done, she tried to pass it off by saying that Haji made a mistake and tries to teach him how to play a certain part. While fussing about, a string broke and Saya was wounded. Haji then saw the wound healing by itself. Saya screamed for him not to look and to leave the room. Saya was then crying as she thought of everyone – maids and former attendants – telling her that she is a monster, witch and demon. Saya then found herself at the tower. Saya then asked Diva why she is locked up. Diva replied that it was because she is a monster, like Saya. It turned out from the flashback that it was Saya who named Diva Diva because Diva sings really well and that Diva would call her sister Saya. Diva told Saya that she doesn’t need any attendant/companion for having her [Diva] is enough. Diva declares that she and Saya would never separate and will always be together.

It has been three days since Haji saw Saya. Saya has locked herself in her room and won’t drink her medicine. Saya was moping on her bed then to her surprise, Haji broke the window and came in. Saya shouted what he was doing there and that didn’t she tell him to leave her. Haji replied that, that is one order he wouldn’t follow. He then took a glass of Saya’s medicine from the window. Saya protest that he should drop the phony act. Haji then took the comb from his pocket and placed it on Saya’s hair, saying that he wanted to give it to her but never got a chance. He confessed that the first time he saw her, she was a very beautiful girl. Then, they shared a kiss. After that, they got a bit embarrassed as Haji urged her to drink her medicine. Saya then wonders what the medicine is made of. The next scene showed what is behind that door with a symbol. A servant was squeezing the blood of a person as a maid was ladling it on the glass while another was bringing the glass of blood upstairs.

In 1882, while Ansem was cleaning Diva’s body of blood from the body parts that she ate, Diva complains that Saya is always talking about Haji and that Saya rarely comes to visit her. She asked Ansem if there is something that can be done about Haji. Ansem told her that Saya is oblivious about everything, that she is just Joel’s posession and that he, Ansem is Diva’s posession. Diva then said that if that is so, then Ansem should help her get out so that she can be with Saya and that she can make Haji, the hindrance, to disappear. Ansem said that if he did that, Joel would not be happy. Then, Ansem suggested that it would be better if someone else would do it. On the day of Joel’s birthday, Haji was looking for Saya. It seemed that Diva managed to convince Saya to set her free. Saya is in the tower unlocking the door and told Diva that she got the key from Joel’s room. Saya happily told her that it is Joel’s birthday today. Saya left the door open and left. Haji just happened to arrive at the tower, looking for Saya. Then, he noticed the blue roses growing near the door and realized that the roses could be found there. Diva came out with just a piece of cloth and Haji thought that she was Saya and asked what happened. Diva called him by his name and since Haji answered, Diva knew that it was Haji that she stabbed through him with her barehand and laughs that he is such a hindrance. Haji didn’t know what hit him. From the last blurb, the continuation would be on August.

This is indeed quite different from what happened in the anime. I had just watched some episodes on Saya’s past in the anime [episodes 22-25]. In the anime, it turned out that Riku was made into a chevalier because Diva bit him. Also, in the anime, Haji died in a fall while trying to get a lily for Saya who wanted to give it to Joel. I really thought that they must have thought themselves as ‘superman’ and that they won’t die if they fall or something. Young Haji seems to be pretty bitter in the anime. The reason for Diva’s escape is also different. In the anime, it is revenge against Joel, whereas in the manga, it is jealousy over Haji who has gotten Saya’s attention. As usual, I really like the manga version better than the anime. I found the removing of the thorns for Saya scene really cute. From this chapter, it does show that Saya is quite a cheerful girl as she was when she was with Kai and others. In the anime, when Saya remembered her past, she seems to be the same as before, not that strong whereas in the manga, she seems quite cold.

Thought of the day:
Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell. ~ Author Unknown.

D. Gray-man [chapter 77] and Fullmetal Alchemist [chapter 60]
Tuesday, June 13, 2006 @ 03:09 p.m.

In D. Gray-man [c. 77], everyone has arrived at Japan and they were told by ‘Sachiko’, the akuma who was helped them. It has now taking the new form of genki Japanese girl. She told them that it is a survival of the fittest world in Japan since it is a closed country. This was proven so when Sachiko’s contact was captured by some level 3 akuma. They managed to escape without being discovered. Just then, Sachiko got a message from the Earl, since she is an akuma, calling all of them for a meeting. The other half of the chapter is Tiki gone fishing and was told by the card that Allen is still alive. Then, two other akuma, seems to be Noah type came and told Tiki that they are after Cross but still haven’t managed to kill him. On their way to meet the Earl who seem to be finishing something with Rhode, they bump into an another Noah, Skin, who is after another general with glasses. That could only be Theodore, Kanda’s sensei. I guess the author is bringing everyone together. For the final fight?..already?

While in Fullmetal Alchemist [c. 60], the continue onslaught of the Ishvalites has started to cast doubt on the soldiers if what they are doing is right but then, there are others who really got into the fighting that they don’t think of such things anymore. When Grand replaced Armstrong in the battlefield, they were met by an Ishvalite priest who wanted to exchange his life as head of the clan for the survivors. Unfortunately, Bradley was keen on wiping the Ishvalites out and the request was turned down. Kimbeley then learned that the troops doesn’t move from a certain place because they are protecting the Rockbell doctors. Kimbeley then decided to arrange an accident so that the troops won’t be stalled at that place. Around that time, Scar’s brother has tattoed his arms with alchemy. Scar was protesting but the others told him to let his brother be for his brother could be of use against the alchemy users of the state in short, revenge. Scar doesn’t want that but then, Kimbeley came to their area. I guess Scar would change his mind on revenge later on. From the way things are happening, it does seem to be more of an ethnic cleansing than a war that is happening. I guess next chapter would be the point where Scar’s destiny changed and based on his wounds, he would lose an arm and would be badly wounded on the face.

Thought of the day:
It is a revenge the devil sometimes takes upon the virtuous, that he entraps them by the force of the very passion they have suppressed and think themselves superior to. ~ George Santayana.

Update on Anime I had watched and KH2
Monday, June 12, 2006 @ 09:04 p.m.

Ouran High Host Club [e. 10] has finally caught up to the manga where I have in Chinese. So much for thinking if I have summarized/understood some things right, it turned out that they pretty much edited a lot of scenes in the anime when Tamaki and others went to check out Haruhi’s house. They did put in the side story of Haruhi not wanting to let her father go to meeting the parents’ day because she wanted him to rest. Well, I guess they want to cramp as much scenes as possible to get into other stories. The next preview shows about Nekomata’s sister and if based on the manga, there are some chapters that they skipped. The Alice in Wonderland is understandable though. ^^; Maybe they would go back to the other chapters later on.

I’m updated on Utawarerumono up to episode 9. It is pretty interesting as it is more on how the masked guy got into the village who would later on lead them against rebellion to become emperor and former enemies became allies. The current arc is now on another emperor from a different country, wanting to conquer their lands. It is quite engaging though I do notice that he seems to be getting a harem with all the new girls being introduced. So far, only one who really likes him. I guess it can’t be help for this is based on a h-game, I read. The next episode would be an introduction of a new character. I think aside from her, there is only one left to complete the group based on the opening.

Bleach [e. 83] is a bit boring since it is just about the past of one of the bount. I still haven’t gotten into Gintama after watching episode 4 which introduces the girl with an umbrella. There are some filler scenes to make it longer. The art quality is not that good and I’m thinking that this might be a long series or else, they would cover at least two chapters per episode rather than just one. They skipped the introduction of sunglasses guy and might also skip on cat-assistant of the land owner for next episode seems to be on the shinsengumi. School Rumble 2nd Term [ep. 8-9] is so-so for it is about the class forming a basketball team and a new character is introduced. It has reached the part where I don’t know what would happen next episode since I don’t have the Chinese manga scans anymore.

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu [ep. 10] is pretty good for it continues from the admission of the SOS brigade to Kyon that they are not what they seem. The class president who turned out to be under Nagano tried to kill Kyon to get a reaction from Haruhi, rather than just to observe Haruhi. He got saved by Nagano and it showed here when she started not wearing her glasses. The other half is meeting the older Asahina from the future and telling him a hint. The last scene was Haruhi dragging Kyon for an investigation for the class president’s sudden school transfer. As usual, the next episode won’t continue where this left off. Higurashi no Naku Koro ni has become a low priority download after watching episode 2-3. It is pretty much scarying the daylights out of the lead guy as everything he did is known by his two girl classmates and might be connected to the murders that happens. It could still be building up but then, the art isn’t that good that I’m not that eager to watch this.

Mushishi [e. 21] is pretty good though a bit scary especially if one is pregnant because it is more on giving birth to an unknown though in this story, the woman is really desperate for a child that she would do everything to protect it, knowing what it was, even to the extent of trying to kill Ginko. At first, I kinda know that the mushi is a parasite...like this bird, forgot its name, that puts its eggs into other birds that the mother bird kept on feeding and raising it even though it has become unlike her other babies for it has a tendency to be bigger. In the end, the mushi in the hopes to preserve its seeds burned the root to go into hibernation. Ginko just gave the couple a mineral as supposedly the seed left behind whereas he took the real mushi..to sell perhaps and I guess he doesn’t have the heart to kill it anymore that it is now, harmless inside a bottle. I feel sorry for the woman though for she loved childen and from the looks of it, she can’t have anymore, maybe because of the mushi that she has given birth to. Honey and Clover special chapter F is fun. The first part is about Miwako trying to buy outrageous looking shirts for Yamazaki in order to tease him but everything backfires since every one of them makes Yamazaki fashionable that he was put on street fashion magazines and the other half is Mayama and the sensei talking about group dates. It seemed that season 2 will be showing soon. Can’t wait to watch it and hope it is still good.

I have finally reached the final boss in Kingdom Hearts 2. I am a bit disappointed because everything is pretty much revealed in the last ‘world’ explored and I felt that going all through those other Disney ‘worlds’ doesn’t seem to be worth the climax. Just like in Chain of Memories or rather worse that it, the enemies are being killed off without knowing much about them. At least, in CoM, I get to see them talk and know their thoughts, here, I just kill them one by one and that’s that. By the time, for revelations, I had pretty much figured things out, thanks to playing CoM. I guess playing it was somewhat worth it. Diz turned out to be the real Ansem the Wise whereas the other villain before was just his apprentice trying to use his name. The ‘Ansem’ with Diz earlier who was bullying poor Roxas was no other than Riku. I was pretty surprised that they actually made Riku a bsho here when he returned to his original form. He is indeed taller and acts more mature than Sora. Was Riku a year older than Sora? I think that Sora seem to be the childish among the three friends. Kairi got herself a keyblade and I thought if there is a part three, from how she has been hinting, she would be joining the two boys adventure rather than being left waiting for them. About Namine and Roxas, they turned out to be Kairi and Sora, respectively, nobodies when they lost their hearts. Anyway, I would be finishing the side quests since I played in standard mode in order to see the extra clip. I’m not too thrilled to fight against Sepiroth though, the part I tried, I was killed off in less than 5 seconds. ^^; I also felt that Lion King part is totally unnecessary for no org 13 went there.

Thought of the day:
Attitudes are contagious. Are yours worth catching? ~ Dennis and Wendy Mannering.

Jump manga updates and Vampire Knight [chapter 17]
Saturday, June 10, 2006 @ 06:02 p.m.

In Naruto [c. 310] is pretty much the conclusion of the whole arc. Naruto whines about being weak and Sakura, too though Sai cheered them up by offering his help. The group reported to Tsunade about the situation and she told them about a new mission. Sai asked permission to stay with Kakashi’s group as his mentor warned him about the dangers of having emotions. Sai’s house is filled with drawings/paintings and he was called out by Naruto and others about their new mission. At this point, I have no idea if Sai would be a permanent replacement of Sasuke or just temporary until they get Sasuke back. Kakashi seems to be taking his time to get better for Yamato is still in the group for the next mission.

While in Bleach [c. 230], Ukitake is watching Rukia and Inoue practicing. Shuuhei came to ask for some documents as they talked about shortage in manpower in the division though it is more like, others are just doing what they want so the more responsible ones have to do all the work and that Rukia finally found a good friend. Four arrancar came to where Hitsugaya and others were. No. 6 was taunting Grimjow for being demoted that Grimjow replied that the one he is looking for isn’t there and he promptly left. Hitsugaya quickly attacked Yami who commented that they are both no. 10 in their ranks. Hitsugaya then realized that he is fighting a ranking arrancar, an espada. Yumichika and Ikkaku would fight a girl arrancar, no. 6. While Rangiku is at loss how to fight the new arrancar that Aizen made for it was admiring birds. Back at the warehouse, Ichigo wanted to fight since he sensed the arrancar. The others tried to stop him but Shinji told them to let him go. Upon coming out, Ichigo met with Grimjow as Ichigo told him that he wanted to show Grimjow what he learned for the last month. It is going to be another long fight and hopefully better than the last time when Grimjow with his buddies attacked. I do think the new arrancar might be a wild card, attack it and it would go berserk...maybe. I noticed that Ulquiora is missing though, could he be after Inoue?

In One Piece [c. 414], Sanji told them he is back to normal when the bathtub’s water fell on him. Usopp felt defeated as he apologized to Sanji for being useless. Sanji told him that there are things that one can do and one can’t do. He told them that the justice gate has opened and Robin would soon be taken to a place where they can’t follow. They realized that Luffy haven’t reached Robin yet. A few scenes of Spandam pulling Robin by the hair to the gate, Lucci and Luffy are still fighting while Franky is already on the way with the others marking arrows for the others to find where Robin is as they follow Franky. Everyone is already leaving Eneas Lobby including Franky family and others for they are sure that Strawhats and Franky can get away on their own. Back to Sanji, he told Usopp that there is something that Usopp can do but he can’t and if Usopp, they can rescue Robin. Nami drags Usopp away as Sanji and Jabura fought. Then, Usopp realized what Sanji was hinting on. After some fighting, Jabura tries to do the trick again of giving the key and saying that Robin is his sister so he should save her, Sanji bend to get the key. When Jabura was about to attack, Sanji gave him a hard kick in the face. Apparently, Sanji isn’t tricked. I wonder what Usopp thought of doing. I’m thinking it is a ship or something for them to get away from there..he is their inventor.

I already got Vampire Knight [c. 17] in Chinese. I would re-check later if my understanding is right when dijw sends the English scans. ^_^ Yuuki was fixing her uniform in the mirror then sighs. A girl then asked why she is wearing her uniform. Yuuki told her that it is because she is on duty that night. The girl said that the president is a killjoy for making her work that night and then gave her a package from Kaname. Outside the ballroom, Zero is waiting for Yuuki as he is frustrated that he can’t kill Shizuka and I think he said that Yuuki’s blood somewhat calms him. The president came and talked to Zero then asked about Maria being absent lately. Zero denied knowing the reason and was about to ask something when Yuuki in a dress came in. The president was happy to see her and promised a dance later on. After the president left, Yuuki told him that it is okay to have fun once in a while. At the ballroom, Yuuki closed the last button on Zero’s uniform and gave Zero the rose accessory from her ribbon choker to make his uniform looked more formal and appropriate for the occasion. Zero then asked why she could still smile [after all that he did, I guess]. Yuuki told him that it was because he wanted to see Zero smile.

Yuuki then went to find Kain and asked him where Kaname was. He told her that he is in the balcony and Yuuki left. Ruka was giving Kain a glare as Kain asked her if he shouldn’t have told Yuuki. Then, Yuuki’s class president tried to ask Ruka for a dance but was turned down. Yuuki found Kaname who told her that he was happy that she wore it. Yuuki quickly thanked him for the dress. Kaname then asked what is wrong since she seems a bit different. Yuuki blushes as Kaname said that he was kidding and commented that she is cute. He then said that the dress suits her and asked for a dance. Everyone has already started to dance though Zero is keeping an eye on Yuuki and Kaname, all by his lonesome by the other side of the wall.

I don’t quite get what Kaname answered when Yuuki asked why he isn’t dancing with Ruka. Kaname said that they should take their time dancing just like before. Kaname teased her that the song is slow so she can handle it. Yuuki then asked if he is treating her like a child, was he the one who stayed with her that night while she was sleeping, and when he saved her before, was it because she is still a child. Kaname then hugged her and saying that it isn’t so, not because she is a child but because he wanted to protect her – something he really wanted to do. Zero saw the hug then suddenly looked down as if downcast. Then, glasses girl who had a crush on Zero asked if he would like to dance with her. Zero turned her down by saying he doesn’t know how to dance and he is busy. Then, he left.

Shizuka’s words echo in Yuuki’s head about killing Kaname that Yuuki pulled away from Kaname’s embrace and then said sorry. She quickly left as she wondered why Shizuka would want Kaname dead though she has already decided what to do. Back at the ballroom, Zero then looked back at balcony and noticed that Yuuki isn’t there anymore. Zero asked Kaname where Yuuki is. Kaname replied that he already told Zero using Yuuki as a shield would make things messier. Zero quickly left as Kaname doesn’t look very happy. Ichijou then asked Kaname what’s wrong. Kaname said that he is trying to calm his desire to kill/kill chi. Meanwhile, Aidou and Kain were going in the basement of some place and found Shizuka’s body. They thought that she will be returning to her body soon when Shizuka’s bodyguard came and told them not to mess around.

Yuuki found Shizuka and she proclaims that she would use herself as an exchange for saving Zero. Shizuka took Yuuki’s finger and bit into it as she comments that Yuuki is being a nice girl to take things on her own way. Yuuki then told her that she is grateful that vampires like her blood so she can save Zero. Shizuka doesn’t seem to like what Yuuki said as she held Yuuki’s hand hard that it hurt Yuuki and toss her back to the chair. Shizuka comments that Yuuki’s eyes was the same as Zero’s before then something about happiness. Shizuka told her that she will tell her how to save Zero. Just then, her bodyguard came with Shizuka’s orginal body. Meanwhile, Aidou and Kain was commenting on why they were left alone. They wondered what was Kaname thinking and that they have to report it to Kaname.

As Shizuka left Maria’s body and went back to her own, she told Yuuki that Zero only needs to drink her blood in order not to go into level E. Shizuka then told her bodyguard to take Maria’s body to the room to rest. It seemed that Shizuka needed Yuuki’s blood to become stronger or maybe revive her body. Yuuki said that if the others [students? or Kaname and others] knew, they would do something about it. While removing her ribbon on the neck, Shizuka says that having Yuuki’s blood would make everything alright. As Shizuka was about to bite Yuuki’s neck, Zero came. At first, he was surprised then he got angry as he told Yuuki to get away from Shizuka. He is now pointing his gun at Shizuka. Zero got surprised when Yuuki took out her staff and pose to protect Shizuka as she told him to drop it, please. Zero asked why she is doing this. Zero got shock and confused when Yuuki told him that only Shizuka could save him.

Extra scene: Young Yuuki was thinking that her father is now the president of the school and that the one who saved her was a vampire. Yuuki is sick on bed. When Kaname took the wet towel from her head, she woke up asking if it is the president. Kaname then asked that if she is sick, she would start calling her father. Yuuki then thought that this is the guy she likes. Kaname then puts his head on top of Yuuki. Yuuki told him that she might infect him but Kaname said that he won’t be and that it seems that she has a fever. Kaname then apologized for what happened and told her to sleep. Yuuki doesn’t want to sleep for she knew Kaname would leave when she falls asleep. Kaname then starts to leave and told her that if she doesn’t sleep, he would leave. Yuuki quickly grabs his coat and told him that she will sleep just stay by her side. Yuuki thought that she seldom sees Kaname. Kaname held her hand and told her that he doesn’t ‘feel okay’ to see Yuuki being sick. Yuuki closes her eyes and says that she doesn’t want him to leave so she is holding his hand. When she woke up, Kaname is no longer there. When she came out of the room, she found Zero sittin by the door. She asked what he was doing there but Zero told her it was nothing then he left. Then, noticed that the place where Zero was sitting was hot.

First of all, I do wonder if the ribbon on Yuuki’s neck comes with the dress that Kaname gave her. If yes, that means Kaname knew that she got herself bitten by Zero again and that is another reason for Kaname not to be happy was the rose on the ribbon was given to Zero. Also, it was good of Kaname to give the dress for having a bandage on her neck while in uniform makes it more noticeable. It would then make everyone ask, what happened to your neck. I do wonder what Zero felt when Kaname was hugging Yuuki. Jealousy or fear that Yuuki might leave him – lose someone who would take care of him or maybe because Yuuki loves a vampire whereas he hates them. The last scene of Kaname about wanting to end his ‘kill chi’, I wonder to whom it is directed at. Is it Zero whom he thinks is at fault for making Yuuki suffer and do all those things that she doesn’t tend to do or Shizuka – for he seems to know more than he shows/tell? Of course, he would know something is up when a girl whom he knew likes him would suddenly break off from his embrace and apologize. The rest, well, I was thinking what are exactly Kaname and Shizuka’s plans. I’m still leaning on a power struggle between these two pure blood vampires. The extra scene is nice for it does show that these two boys really like Yuuki to be there for her when she was sick. Somehow, I’m currently leaning towards Kaname deserving Yuuki for all he does for her and he does seem to really cherish her. That would depend on how much he knew of Yuuki and Shizuka’s deal and would later on react if he knew of it. The author does seem to like to torture Yuuki, for being vampire food and Zero, for all the ‘shocks’ and developments that has been happening. ^^; Interestingly, how Kaname treats Yuuki is the same how Yuuki treats Zero. Love triangle in the making?

Word of the day:
Fear hinders faith, but trust kindles confidence. ~ Our Daily Bread.

Skip Beat! [chapter 87-88]
Thursday, June 8, 2006 @ 04:30 p.m.

In Skip Beat! [c. 87-88], Kyouko was still thinking about what Shou’s warning about not going out of the set. Kyouko thought that Reino would find it hard to get into the set. Ogata told her about the schedule and asked her about Shou as Kyouko insisted that Shou has already left so he won’t be a bother. Meanwhile, Shou and others were walking away as Shouko commented that Shou woke up and left the room early. Shou confess that he couldn’t sleep and he used that time to finish up his new song. Shouko and the other staff were surprised about it. Then, Shou overheard some girls talking about seeing Reino and then, they were comparing Reino/Vie Ghoul and Shou’s similarities in music. Shou then interrupted them and asked where they saw Reino. They pointed to where Kyouko was. Worried, Shou quickly make a run for it.

After lunch, I think, a staff told Kyouko that she has a guest and to her shock, it was Reino. She told the staff to tell him that she is not there but it was futile for Reino can ‘sense’ her and started to go where he is. Frightened, Kyouko quickly tries to flee as Reino kept on following her. Kyouko was then trap at this storage room. She took off her slippers and went up the window. Meanwhile, Shou has just arrived at the set and while breathing hard from running, asked Ogata and others where is Kyouko. Ogata told him that she has a guest. Then, the staff with Kyouko came back and told them something strange has happened while carrying Kyouko’s slippers. The staff then told them what had happened and showed to them where he saw the slippers and that Reino went up the stairs into the window. Shou hurriedly climbed up and went out, too. Ogata noticed his eyes being determined/worried. The staff began to apologize or feel some dread as he wondered what Reino would do.

Back to Kyouko, Kyouko is still running in the forest and her feet starts to hurt for she is only wearing stockings. She curses Vie Ghoul then, to her surprise, he appears in front of her, asking if she called. Kyouko shouted at him what he wanted from her. He said that he wanted to take all of Shou’s things. Kyouko shouted back that she isn’t Shou’s thing. Reino then told her that she might not think that way but Shou does. Then, Reino pulled her up from the ground that she was standing in front of him and started to hold her. Since she didn’t resist for Kyouko is shivering, he started to touch her face. Kyouko then remembered the things that happened earlier and then ‘saw’ Shou’s face.

Chapter 88 started with Shou looking for Kyouko and behind him, Ogata is also giving chase. Meanwhile, Kyouko was shocked that she actually hoped that Shou would save her. Reino comments on that as he starts to unzip her dress from the back. He wanted to make her ‘useless’ as the songs that Shou had made but unfortunately, Shou wrote a new song. Kyouko then remembers about Shou has to write a new song then realized what Reino and others did – stole Shou’s song. Reino was saying that it was Shou’s fault for not finishing the song. As he was about to kiss her neck, Kyouko’s mood changed and she held his hand. Kyouko wondered why Reino would do this just go get at Shou. Kyouko then asked if it is a grudge. Reino said that it isn’t. It is just for fun to see someone like Shou, for his face to be ‘twisted’ with hatred and defeat. Then, Kyouko grabbed him and scratched Reino’s face. It made such a noise that Shou and Ogata now knows where they are.

Reino looked at Kyouko to see her in her dark mood. Reino was at first surprised then he smiled. Reino commented that she has one great killer chi and that it seemed that Kyouko and Shou just doesn’t get along when in fact, Kyouko carries a grudge. Kyouko admitted that she can never forgive Shou for what he did to her though she doesn’t want Shou to fall from being a top musician. By this time, Shou can overhear them. Reino asked if it was because she thought of Shou as a prince. That struck Kyouko’s old wound, as she denied it and told him that she wanted to be the one who would destroy Shou. She doesn’t want Shou to be destroyed by someone whose excuse was that it is for his amusement. Shou looked a bit stunned over what he heard. Kyouko got more infuriated when Reino has given up on Shou and told her that he won’t bother Shou anymore. By this time, Ogata has caught up with Shou and was surprised when he saw Shou’s face.

To Kyouko’s shock, Reino decided to focus on her and make her so angry even more than Shou so that he would be the focus of her hatred. Reino somewhat managed to ‘freeze’ Kyouko and holds her face as he was about to kiss her on the lips. Ogata shouted for Shou that Reino noticed and managed to stop Shou’s punch. Kyouko was surprised. Reino then coments that Shou is suppose to be the ‘hero’ so why does Shou looks more evil than the villain. From Shou’s face, he really looked angry. That was a surprise for it turned out that Reino is doing this just for fun...more of a sadist and bully. It does seem that Shou haven’t realized how much damage he did to Kyouko because of what he did and well, a part of being angry is that Reino is trying to destroy him just for fun like a kid who got nothing to do. Mmm..I do wonder if Ren gets in the picture, would Reino pick on him, too?

Thought of the day:
Hating people is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat. ~ Henry Emerson Fosdick.

Nana [chapter 58-59]
Wednesday, June 7, 2006 @ 07:07 p.m.

I tend to get dis-oriented at times at scenes of Nana since it doesn’t seem to continue from where it left off. The same goes to chapter 58. It started with a journalist from the tabloid watching this long haird blond singer with the same tattoo as Nana and wears a diamond ring. Later on, he calls to say to his boss that she isn’t Nana of Blast for she has already died in the sea. Mm..it this a scene in the future? Back to present, things aren’t looking good for Blast for their song is already on the way down while Trapnest is still going up in the charts. Nobu is pressured to write a new better song. Meanwhile, Takumi is spoiling Nana/Hachi by buying her everything she wants at Junko’s store. Junko tells Takumi not to spoil Hachi but Takumi tells her that he is doing it because he will be out of the country for two months and Hachi’s birthday is coming. Junko then remembers Hachi’s birthday and decided to let this pass. Meanwhile, Nana with her manager, her fan from before, decided to do some karaoke to cheer Nana up and they invited Ren. Everyone is there except Nobu who is busy with the new song. Then, Ren learned that Yasu has a girlfriend and he met her there. While Yasu is going to the bathroom, Ren went with him. At first was asking about his girlfriend but Yasu knew him better and asked him what he really wants. Ren was asking if he doesn’t care about Reira anymore for she is still sad over Takumi. He then remarked that he won’t give Nana to him even if he died. Yasu told him that he is worried over Reira but he isn’t that nice. Shin’s phone kept on ringing that it bothers Nana who told Shin to answer it or just turn it off. Shin called Reira, the one who was calling and told her to quit it as he reminded her that she was the one who doesn’t want to see him. Reira insisted that she loves him and that she is satisfied with just calls. Shin doesn’t want any of it for he claims that it would just make him want to see her. He then runs off as Reira is devastated.

The next day, Nana prepared some breakfast for Ren. The doorbell rang as Ren’s staff came to pick him up. Ren then asked Nana if she would be satisfied if he quit Trapnest. He continues if she would be satisfied if Hachi have an abortion and left Takumi or if Yasu would be single and forever by her side, would she be satisfied. From Nana’s reaction, it does seem true that she wished for those things. Ren got bothered by all the doorbell rings that he shouted to the staff to wait for him at the car. Ren then went back to the table with Nana and told her that he doesn’t want her to wait and cook for him for it won’t make her happy. Nana tearfully said that she wants to sing and doesn’t want to have a child. They both knew that fulfilling their own wishes/dreams would make them lonely but being together, they would not be happy for they would have to give those dreams up. Nana then realized that it could only mean ‘the end’. Nana is already crying when Ren told her to buy Jump for him every week until he returns. Nana then felt a bit silly for it isn’t over yet though when he returns, nothing has changed. Then she thought that she ought to ask Hachi how to make omelette roll so that she can be good at something else, other than singing.

Meanwhile, Hachi is tearfully crying as Takumi tells her that he will be leaving for only two months. Hachi was worried that the plane may crash and asked him to talk to the child on her belly for it might be the last. Takumi oblige her by saying that while he’s gone, he/she should take care of Hachi. The baby kicked and both were surprised and happy as Takumi can now leave. And so Trapnest group left for an overseas gig and I think they would be past December for Reira was saying something about not spending Christmas there and this other holiday, Guy Fawkes day, according the the scans’ notes, on 11/5, where there are fireworks.

Chapter 59 started with the paparazzi manager asking his reporter to research on Nana’s past by going to her hometown. I think the manager plan to make Blast famous by going about Nana’s past while Trapnest are not around. Meanwhile, Hachi came back to their old flat to her surprise, she saw on the table, the two strawberry glass, champagne, flowers and a note greeting her a happy birthday and to wait for them at 10pm. They are going to celebrate Hachi’s 21st birthday. [That would mean everything that has happened, happened in a span of around 1 year.] That night, everyone lit the candles on Hachi’s cake. Then, a scene about Shin doesn’t know that people sing Happy birthday song on their birthdays. Meanwhile, Nobu is all by his lonesome playing happy birthday on his guitar when his girlfriend caught him. She was a bit jealous and it turned out that she came early because she knew about it and that he would be lonely. Nobu was happy and thanked her. She then congradulated him when she learned he had finished the new song. She tried to cheer him up by saying that Blast is great and Nana is also great, no matter what others say. Nobu returned the compliment that she is also great, no matter what others say. Then, back to the party, they talked a bit about their band, Blast and Trapnest – concerts, and such.

Meanwhile, the paparazzi are busy interviewing people in connection with Nana to know of her past. Then, at the car, Nana using her manager’s phone called Hachi to ask how she is. Then, Nana decided to get a cellphone, too. One that can call overseas. Her manager is overjoyed. Then, there is some talk with Yasu and Nana – something about her fan – in reality, Nana’s half-sis, would be coming to meet them. Nana’s half-sis is really excited over it that she kept it from her parents but told her brother about it. And, soon, Christmas is coming. That’s it. And in this manga, when it snows, things happen. I’m guessing that Nana would learn the true identity of her fan.

Quote of the day:
Reality bites... and doesn't let go. ~ Author Unknown.

Update on the Anime that I Watched
Monday, June 5, 2006 @ 11:33 a.m.

I have gotten hooked to Ergo Proxy. I download more episodes of it after reading from a blog that it becomes better past episode 1 and it is. The mysteries about the monster that is attacking people, later would be known as Proxy and how it is connected to the place, the council, the investigator Real Mayer, the cognito virus that affects autoreiv/androids and of course, Vincent Law. The story started with a proxy escaping from the lab and an increase of autoreiv infected by virus which actually gives them ‘free will’. Real was investigating this and when two Proxy came to her house, she got really curious about it since she is an investigator and even more because the council tries to cover it up by trying to tell her that she imagined everything. Then, there is this employee Vincent in the autoreiv company who seemed to be fascinated with her. He was found to be in her house at the time of the attack. While in the shopping center, Raul, the new director of the place found Vincent being chased by the proxy. He had the whole place shut down and it trapped Vincent with the proxy. Then, the next thing he knew, he was alone in the subway. He was later on framed for killing an autoreiv and while on the chase, he met Pino, an infected autoreiv kid whom he treated earlier. Meanwhile, Real found in her house, a necklace which belongs to Vincent so she realized that she can get the answers from him.

They met as Real tried to get Vincent to surrender. Vincent decided it is best to get out of the dome, Romeau and Pino went with him. After surviving the infection from living outside, Vincent learned that there is a world outside of the dome, contrary as to what the people are made to believe. Real came out trying to get him back but failed and she herself got infected. Then, they made a plan of sending Real back while the others try to get away from the dome, Vincent specifically wanted to go back to his homeland, since in the first place he is an immigrant of the dome. After Real was treated, with the help of Dedaneus, she learned of the artifical womb which creates humans to keep the population maintainable and about the proxy that the council is trying to find, called Monad Proxy. It is said to be vital for the survival of the dome. They were interrupted though when Raul caused some autoreiv to attack them with the help of the virus and Real got hurt. That was the last scene of Real up to episode 9. Meanwhile, Vincent continued his journey until only he and Pino are left. They were then caught up in a battle. They were taken up by the military in the tower but they have to imprison Pino and Vincent later on since some troops have been killed and they were the suspect. It was around then that Vincent realized that there is something inside him. The real culprit, another proxy has started killing all of the people there. By the time, she is finished, Vincent proxy fought with her and killed her. Then, a blond guy came and took him. It was then the blond, gomen, forgot his name, turned out to be proxy [the sun], too and the other proxy [the moon] was his lover. The blond commented that Vincent has sealed his memories and then, tries to kill Vincent but Vincent after being beaten up, reverted to his other form and killed the blond. It was then, he introduced himself as Ergo Proxy. The blond told him that when he learns the truth, he won’t be able to handle it. He died and was reunited with his lover. Vincent then continues his journey with Pino to his homeland.

Aside from Ergo Proxy, I have finally gotten about and watched some anime’s first episodes and the ones I have downloaded to check if I would still get the rest of it. I don’t like Black Lagoon which is about a salary man got involved with some mercenaries and from the first episode, he would become one of them. It does somewhat have a feel of Fullmetal Panic with all the weapons and tactics though I’ll skip this one with all the cussing that is in it. Hiwari! is okay though not that interesting about a novice ninja who fall for the new teacher since he has a birthmark which is the same as the ninja who saved her. I can quite guess that she is also a genetically made ninja like her other classmates. From the looks of it, the new teacher will try to get the other students to respect and like him.

Nana anime is quite good that I found myself re-reading the manga again. I guess I get to enjoy it better since I now know what was happening than just browsing through the Chinese manga and skipping the dialogues. ^^; I felt it was somewhat wasteful that episode 1 is pretty much the same as episode 6 but I read that it was because the author was pretty mad about episode 1 since the animators skipped the introduction that they re-did the missing scenes. I did notice that some scenes/art of the characters in episode 6 don’t look good. Seeing Nana O. in full color, she reminded me of Snow White...black hair, pale skin and red lips when they met at the train. I like ending song here though the opening is okay though it took few more listening to somewhat like it. Oh ya, at first Nana O’s voice was pretty deep but iirc, it seemed to have changed for they made it not so deep anymore. It does seem weird for it has become obvious that the singing Nana O is not the same as the talking Nana O. Whereas Xxxholic, after watching up to episode 3, I’m still somewhat detached to it. I don’t quite care for the characters and the ‘lesson themes’ which reminds me of Tokyo Babylon though not surprising since both series are by the same author. I wonder if it gets better later on for the manga is up to 100+ chapter so it should be good. It isn’t entirely bad yet so I might still download this though low priority.

Glass no Kantai is more on French-type war in space with a new dicator and a rebel plus a wild card person from the first episode. The ships are pretty tacky looking like in the old anime. With the slaves around and nobles, this somewhat reminded me of Voltes V. ^^; It is okay but this will also be in the low priority download. The Good Witch of the West/The Astrea Testament somewhat reminds me of old school shoujo anime from how the characters are drawn like the ones in Candy Candy or Georgie. A girl gets to go to the ball with her friend to meet the socialites upon reaching the age of 15, iirc. She brought along her necklace which turned out to be stolen from a royal family. It caused a lot of fuss but things got sorted out. Her childhood friend and student of her father came to fetch her only to discover upon arriving home that her father escaped from some people. They were busy burning the books because they seemed to be heretic. The friend got captured while the girl was going to her adoptive mother but the house was burning. From the title, I could guess that the girl could be a witch. The preview showed her running away ala damsel in distress and her friend being tortured. It is really like those Cinderella type and I guess the first few episodes would be the girl’s hardships. From the narrator, this could turn out to be a love story – the good witch from the west and the eastern king. Though I wonder if it would be the typical new guy – the prince and the childhoord friend, seems to be a wizard. It seems good and so I would download more of this.

Utawarerumono is about this masked guy who was saved by a girl and the village people somewhat ‘took care’ of him. The people there seems to be of a different breed, with tails and furry ears. The problem starts when a villager promoted to be one of the ‘tax collectors’ destroyed an altar in his anger for being insulted. The art is okay and the story is okay so I would also download more of this. Jyuousei is about twins living in some space colony until one day, they saw their parents dead and they got tossed into some planet where plants are carnivorous and it is the survival of the fittest. To get out of the planet, one must be ‘king’ of the planet. One of the twin, Tohl is quite head strong while the other, Rai, is weak. Tohl almost wanted to kill Rai for being whiny and weak especially after being told that his twin would drag him down. They got separated though when they were attacked by rebels and later on by the plants. The last scene was Tohl being saved by someone and from the opening and endings, it is a girl. The art is nice and the story seemed to be how Tohl became ‘king’ from the opening and I guess it is the girl who would be the one behind him. Tohl somewhat reminds me of Kilua or Hitsugaya from appearance and somewhat of their character.

Then, there is Saiunkoku Monotari which reminded me of Fushigi Yuugi. A poor girl but of high birth, Shuurei became the empress in the hopes of the advisor that she can change the bum emperor to become a leader and along with that, her friend whom she saved before got promoted to be a bodyguard. By first episode, Shuurei and the emperor met while in second episode, she managed to convince the emperor to study for the welfare of the country. That’s the available episode so far and so far, it is okay though seemed a bit generic as well as the characters. I read that things get a bit problematic when it became a love triangle. I was thinking that maybe in this case, it is like Miaka getting to be with Hotohori as the opening suggest. I somewhat like the opening song.

Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu episode 9 is a bit slow but it is okay. It is alternating scenes of Kyon getting a heater and Haruhi harassing Mikuru to cosplay and be photographed. The last scene did show a side of Haruhi on liking Kyon after being caught redhanded trying to put her coat on him. This episode is after the movie they made in episode 1. The next episode is back to when they just got members for their school. I’m guessing it is Koizumi mentioned during the baseball game. I did had a bit of fun trying to guess the anime dialogues on the background while Nagano was sitting. I got one right –Glass Mask though the other two I gussed it could be it and I’m right, Detective Conan though I also wonder if is Kindachi and Rose of Versailles though I’m not sure about the last one since I haven’t read/watched it. School Rumble 2nd Term episode 7 was quite funny since it parodies cooking contest anime. It reminded me of Cooking Master Boy, which I had watched. Hehehe Noein ep. 19-20 suggest that the story is ending soon. The two lead kids got into the future then got dragged to Shangrila with Karasu. Noein indeed turned out to be the future of Yuu. Even though the story doesn’t interest me that much any more, only a few episodes left to know the ending, so I’ll finish downloading this when most of the anime that I wanted to watched has finish download.

So, aside from all of these, I have to catch up/download with the other old anime that I’m followings: Bleach, One Piece, Higurashi no naku Koro Ni, Fate-stay Night [which is ending], Ouran High Host Club, Zegapain, Blood+, and Korean drama, Spring Waltz for my mom. I’m not sure if I would want to get the rest of Jikogu Shoujo but will see. Kyou Kara Maou is also put on hold. I felt as if I’m swamped with the many animes that I have to download ever since my computer got fixed, some anime are released in batches and well, other circumstances. Oh well, little by little, hopefully, the ‘to downloads’ would trim down.

Thought of the day:
The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places. ~ Author Unknown.

Jump and some shoujo manga updates
Saturday, June 3, 2006 @ 02:54 p.m.

Naruto [c. 309] concludes the meeting of Naruto with Sasuke. The fox mentioned of a Uchiha he knew and I’m not sure if Sasuke made the fox disappear or it went away by itself, anyway, the fox last word for Sasuke is not to kill Naruto or he will regret it. Then, Sasuke went off guard when Yamato used a wood to push out Sasuke’s sword. He them forced Sasuke to back away. Everyone is conscious again. Naruto told Sasuke why he is doing this for Orochimaru will only get his body. Sasuke replied that he doesn’t care as long as he gets Itachi for it seemed that Sasuke or Orochimaru alone won’t be able to kill Itachi so together, they might be able to. Sasuke wanted to finish them off but Orochimaru came to their rescue. He reasoned with Sasuke that Naruto and others are needed in the fight against Akatsuki in order for them to get to Itachi. Sasuke relunctantly agreed and left with Orochimaru and Kabuto. So, the purpose of this arc is introduction of Sai and Yamato plus re-meeting of Sasuke to see his new outfit and power. I do wonder if Naruto would give up Sasuke though from the past, it is hightly doubtful for he can be quite stubborn. I do hope the author if Sai would be Sasuke’s replacement in their team, would at least give Sai some personality since it was wiped out ever since Naruto ‘changed’ him.

Things have started to move in Bleach [c. 229]. Ulquiora fetched Yami whose arm was re-attached as they would have a meeting with Aizen. Meanwhile, Ichigo is still training with the vizards but it was noted that he can’t keep his mask on for long and haven’t improved since. It is fun to see Ichigo stuck with the dishes. Shinji noted that it is already October and by December, Aizen would have unsealed the hougyoku. Back to Aizen, he just finished making another arrancar. It seemed that he can use the hougyoku even if it is still sealed. He told Ulquiora to do something that he asked him to do before and he can do everything he wants just to accomplish it. Aizen then asked Grimmjow to accompany Ulquiora and the team Urquiola would assemble. Outside, in some place, Yumichika tries to get his zanpaku to come out and ended up ‘quarreling’ with Rangiku. Hitsugaya told them to stop it as Ikkaku noticed something in the sky but shrug it off. Up the sky, it started to break off – the arrancars are coming. I’m guessing that Aizen wanted to get Inoue for her powers interests him. Mm..maybe it can help break the seal of the hougyoku for she does seem to have powers on barriers and such. Anyway, this is also a chance for everyone to see if their traning has paid off.

While in One Piece [c. 413], Robin tries to leave Spandam but ended up being smashed into the wall with Spandam’s elephant sword. Franky saved Chopper from drowning as he reverted back to his original form. Chimney then met Franky and told him where to find Robin. Franky remembered what Nami and he discussed. She told him that after reverting Chopper back to normal, he would give the keys they got to Robin and if the cuffs were opened then he would call her using Califa’s mushi. She would give the key for Zoro and Sogeking’s cuffs. Since they can’t go back where they came from with the bridge left hanging and the buster call is coming, they have to move on forward to the gate of justice and meet there. They would then depend on luck to get away. Franky then told Kororo and others what to do and to take care of Chopper as he ran off.

Zoro and Kaku have started fighting and were quite even. Jabura then tricked Sogeking into wanting to give the key. Sogeking was smashed on the wall. Jabura then taunts Sogeking that he tried to counterattack but it was futile. Sogeking was beaten badly and I think Nami was also hit. Holding Sogeking in one hand, Jabura taunts him more about being a sheep and that he should have stayed with the ‘shepherd’ = Zoro, or else, he devoured by the wolf. Zoro couldn’t save him as he is still fighting with Kaku. Nami pleade for Sogeking’s life but Jabura doesn’t care for he would kill Nami next. Then, Sanji came to the rescue by kicking Jabura in the face. Jabura asked who he was and Sanji said that he is the hunter. Hehe..was a bit surprise that Sanji is back. I thought Sogeking would have a chance against Jabura but then, I guess he was too powerful being third level in CP9. And well, Franky might indeed get his chance go get a crack at Spandam.

D. Gray-man is back starting after the author is feeling better. In chapter 75, Rinali and others managed to arrive safely and fast with the help of the akuma that Cross left. It is time to part and Miranda was really sad for when time goes back to normal, everyone would die. The crew gave their encouragement and that they should win the fight. Everyone said their farewells as the akuma put the exorcists into a tub while the rest of the crew and the ship sunked down into the water and everyone died. For a while there, I thought Rabi is a different character with his hair down. ^^; Next chapter, they are in Japan and what they saw there.

Other shoujo titles: I’m a bit lazy to summarize Skip Beat! since Ren wasn’t in it. I might do it next week when I get chapter 88 and summarize 87 and 88 in one entry. It is only at chapter 89 when Ren has shown up again. Two more weeks to know what happened on chapter 90. I got a glimpse of Vampire Knight chapter 18 and basically, what happened was Zero almost succumb to Maria but managed to snap out of it and well, it really did turn out that Maria’s assistant is his brother for he called Zero brother...well, that kanji is brother. ^^; Too bad Zero’s expression upon knowing it wasn’t shown. I don't think it would be a happy reunion though for his brother just tossed a katana into his arm. ^^; V.B. Rose chapter 41-42 is really fun. Yukari is so slow in confessing to Ageha that Ryuu beat him to it. Yukari does seem to have some ‘problems’ for he still ends up making Ageha cry. He better hurry before Ageha falls for Ryuu who has seriously started courting Ageha, starting with walking her home from school.

Word of the day:
It’s not the words we pray that matter, it’s the condition of our heart. ~ Our Daily Bread.

Blood+ [chapter 10] and Parfait Tic [chapter 120]
Thursday, June 1, 2006 @ 02:21 p.m.

In Blood+ [c. 10], David called back to Red Shield to inform them of the recent events that has happened – Riku would become Saya’s chevalier. Joel, the current head, didn’t expect that Cinqfleche and its head, Solomon would be involved with Diva. Riku currently is still unconscious. Lewis then visited Kai who was trying to tape the shattered glass box which contains the moth that Karl gave him. Kai wanted to give it to Riku when he wakes up. Lewis commented on Kai crying over what happened while Saya was just calm. They then reminscene what had happened. Julia was protesting at what Saya is proposing to do to save Riku – making him like her – doesn’t sleep, doesn’t die and needs blood to live. Kai asked Saya to do it just to save Riku. Saya then cut her hand and put the blood on her mouth. She passed it to Riku through the lips just like Haji did before. Riku’s hand moved then his body went into convulsions. Kai was really worried but Haji told him that it is like that at the start. Back to the present, as Kai wonders what would happen to Riku, David came to talk to him.

At some other place, Solomon went to meet Ansem. It seems to be Diva’s room for there are a lot of corpses, blood and broken dolls and in the middle of the room is a curtain. I think Ansem said that Diva was like that when she heard news of Saya and now, she is sleeping. Ansem then asked Solomon what news he brings. Solomon told him that Saya has given part of her blood and so she now has two chevaliers. Ansem seems thrilled about it. Diva, all bloodied, then came out of the curtain to ask if her groom has became two. They showed her a picture of Riku and she wanted to meet him. She wanted to go to the ship where they all are.

Back at the ship, David gave Kai some money and told him to return to Okinawa alone. Kai protests as David tried to calm him by saying that Riku can’t go back to his ordinary life anymore. Kai said it isn’t so for Saya has lived with them like normal as before then he grabbed Saya only to be slapped by Saya really hard that he got tossed back to the wall. Saya then took the moth box and threw it in the wastebasket. She told him that the ones with her aren’t normal humans but ‘monsters’ so he should just go back home. Saya with Hagi then left. Kai was still holding his swollen face got told by David to let it go and gave him the card. David said that it isn’t the Saya he knew before. Outside, Saya asked Hagi if he felt the same way as Karl who was happy when he realized that he is going to die = release already. Hagi was about to say something when Saya told him that if doesn’t want to fight, he can just disappear from her sight.

Kai’s luggage was prepared as Kai asks to see Riku one more time. The scientist, don’t know his name, doesn’t want to but with Joel’s pleading, he finally agreed. Joel will acoompany Kai to Riku as he apologized for the scientist’s behavior. Kai wonders what would Riku be when he wakes up. Then, Joel showed him the moth box wherein the glass were filled with tape and stickers, saying that Saya wanted to give it to Riku. Kai laughs for it is the same as the Saya before, can’t seem to do things right and asks if Saya isn’t really the Saya he knew anymore. Then, Kai does his habit of banging his head, this time on the wall since Saya isn’t there. ^^; Joel wonders if there is something wrong with him. Kai then stops and thought that if he didn’t protect, what would happen. Then, he grabbed Joel.

In the clinic, Julia is bandaging David when Lewis came to tell him about Joel. They quickly rush to where he is to find Kai holding a sharpnel of glass at Joel. David freaks out and shouts what is Kai doing. Kai told him that if Joel doesn’t tell him about Saya’s past, he won’t let Joel go. He wanted to know what made Saya changed for Saya and Riku is his family and how could he just give them – his siblings to the likes of them – Red Shield. Joel then decided to tell Riku by saying that in the small mem card?, contains Joel’s diary, the secret of the Red Shield. Kai asked if it is his. Joel said that it isn’t and it contains the purpose of why the group was formed. Joel said something about most of them had seen it already and it has changed them or something. Anyway, Joel added that it is what Saya would call, the past she doesn’t want to know. Joel asked if Kai is willing to handle the responsibility upon seeing it and Kai replied that it is his wish. Then, Joel played the memory card and showed a huge mansion which he said is in France, The Zoo, where Saya was born.

And, this chapter catches up to episode 21 of the anime. I guess knowing of Saya’s past can make Kai somewhat into Red Shield just like in the anime. I didn’t expect though that Riku would be Saya’s chevalier for I don’t know if the future episodes of the anime would have this. Anyway, it is interesting that whoever Saya made into a chevalier would be Diva’s groom and it works vice-versa if based on the anime that Diva’s chevaliers would be Saya’s grooms. The manga is fun that it incorporates some comedic scenes whereas the anime doesn’t have it. I wonder if they would put in the Sif people.

In Parfait Tic [c. 120], Fuuko is still pretending to sleep in the bus but she can’t actually hold her curiousity in for the bracelet that Daiya put on her wrist and blushing from Daiya’s kiss on her forehead. When she heard the bus calling out the next stop, she quickly opened her eyes as Daiya wakes her up. Blushing, she exclaims what it was on her wrist and that it surprised her. Daiya started laughing at what she said. Akiou then asked what it was. Daiya proudly pulls Fuuko’s hand to show the bracelet to them. He then told them about the dangling items on the bracelet, the comb is because Fuuko likes to fix her hair into different styles, the little girl is because Fuuko likes kids and the heart would be his heart as he points to his heart. [Geez, Daiya is so romantic ^_^] Isocchi teases that Daiya is really a ‘wolf’ as Fuuko kept on blushing. Then, they went off the bus and wave each other goodbyes.

Upon arriving home, Fuuko was met by a not so happy Ichi. Ichi was going to say something but ended up tossing a shopping bag into Fuuko’s face and left. Then, she opened the bag to find a small container of candies/marshmallows and thought it is for White Day. I think Valentine Day is girls giving guys chocolates while White day is guys giving girls candies. She wondered what Ichi wanted to say. On the way to school, Daiya is looking shocked and then tries to tell Fuuko that it is nothing. Fuuko then told him if he is asking about the bracelet, she put it on her left hand for Daiya put it on her right hand. Daiya was somewhat relived and apologized. He then said that he was happy that she is going to wear it to school. Fuuko thought that her mother kept on asking about the bracelet but she just said that it is something that she bought with Akiou. Then, she remembered Ichi and asked Daiya if Ichi said anything to him. Daiya said that when he went home, Ichi is already sleeping. She asked him what time he went home. He said at midnight and teases that Fuuko is like a wife. Fuuko blushes and hits him as Daiya tells her to wait for him and that Isocchi wanted to play that before he knew it, it is already late.

At school, Fuuko’s friends asked what happened. Fuuko happily told them that it is fun. One wanted a bracelet like hers while the light haired girl asked if ‘something important’ has happened. Fuuko blushes and protests then quickly shuts up when she saw Ichi came into the room. She remembers Daiya saying that if it is him, he can’t forgive that the girl he likes spend the night with another guy. After class, Fuuko was sweeping outside but the leaves all flew away as Ichi told her she is stupid for she should just sweep into the dustpan rather than a pile which can be blown up by the wind. Fuuko said that she knows and tries not to face Ichi for she might give away something. Ichi then asked if she ate it already. Fuuko told him that she roasted it and ate it. Ichi freaks out as Fuuko shouted that it is more delicious when marshmallows are roasted. Ichi calms down and asked if what Daiya gave her something better. Fuuko looks surprised and I guess she realized that Ichi knew. Then, she drops her broom as Ichi corners her to the wall, thinking that one would feel hurt when one knows that one’s loved one spend the night with another.

Hehehe, things are getting messy again. In this few chapters, Daiya really showed his charm and can be pretty cute at times. I’m guessing that Ichi thought that something happened between Daiya and Fuuko that he is pretty jealous over it. Anyway, lately, I’m pretty much for Fuuko and Daiya for they are cute together. As I wrote before, I really hope Fuuko doesn’t go back to Ichi for it would be terribly corny for her to go back and forth between the two cousins.

Thought of the day:
I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my very best each and every day. ~ Abraham Lincoln.

One Piece [c. 412] and end of Across the Nightingale Floor
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 @ 07:54 p.m.

In One Piece [c.412], Nami finishes off Califa by using mirages and feinting to make Califa unaware of the thunder cloud that Nami made. Nami then gave Califa a shock she won’t forget.

Then, Franky climbed up to ask where Chopper was. Franky then realized that it is the first time Chopper used that form. Franky reminded Nami that they need the key from Califa so Nami tore Califa’s clothes, looking for the key. ^^; Meanwhile, Zoro and Sogeking are escaping from monster Chopper as they also wondered what happened to him. Zoro noticed that Chopper is breathing hard and seems to be dying. Just then, Franky forced Chopper outside and made him fall into the sea. Nami then told the others it is okay since Franky had discussed about it – the weakness of devil fruit users is water. Jabura and Kaku was still checking out what Franky did when they realized that Nami had freed their handcuffs. Zoro declared that they would be sorry that they didn’t finish them off when they had the chance. Sogeking was already posing at the side with Nami. This chapter seems to hint that Franky could be the next crew of Strawhats.

I had finished book one of Tales of Otori. This one ends with Takeo, the lead, finishing up his ties with the Otori clan with the death of his adoptive father and having to leave Kaede for he made a promise to be with the Tribe, some sort of ninja that does things like assassination and the like in accordance to who pays them well though it is somewhat like of a triad/gang, for everyone belong to it cannot get out of it except through death. The novel is finishing when I finally understood what the hour based on animals meant. The animals are in accordance to the animals in the Chinese Zodiac. I only got it when it said hour of ox and it was suppose to be night so that would be 2am. There is a mention of Takeo being an angel for killing the tortured men in baskets. I have thought it would be more fitting if he was thought of as a shinigami. I was thinking that in Japanese religion or in Buddhism, there doesn’t seem to be an angel. I guess it is also fitting that Shigeru died young rather an old feeble man for I have read that in Jap literature, they tend to want their leads to die young as in Tales of Genji. It does seem ‘romantic’ in some way. I somewhat thought that it was fitting for Iida to have been killed by Kaede for it is quite embarrassing/shameful for a warrior to have been killed by a woman. I’m still thinking of something as to why heads are important as in when burying someone, the head would suffice for the body. Actually, I have read something about it before like the soul or what remains of the soul retains at the head/brain or something. Anyway, the next volume would be on Takeo in the tribe and well, the aftermath of Iida’s death.

Thought of the day:
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~ Victor Frankl.

My Girl [ep. 13-16] end
Tuesday, May 30, 2006 @ 07:09 p.m.

The kids have finally left. Yey, though I would have to clean up some of their mess. I managed to get them to do things like eating and taking a bath but then, I do get irritated when they use my things or break them. ^^; And, since I can’t use the computer and PS2 the whole day, I took this chance to finish My Girl [ep. 13-16]. So, Gong Gan lied about everything like doesn’t want to give any inheritance to Yoo Rin and it is okay for Sae Hyun to portray him as a bad guy for dumping him as an alibi for their break up. Yoo Rin feels guilty about it so tries to cheer Gong Gan up. Jeong Woo tries to get Yoo Rin to run away with him so that she can escape this mess but she declined it. Sae Hyun seething in jealousy has decided to use her wild card – the knowledge of the real granddaughter courtesy of Yoo Rin’s father who had saved the girl before. The grandfather met with the real granddaughter but he still felt betrayed by all the lies so he kept it to himself and forced the two to break up. After two years, by fate, just when Gong Gan was going to Japan to manage their hotel there, he met a group of tourists who coincidentally told him who their tour guide was – it was Yoo Rin. He went back to Korea and had himself booked as a tourist to meet her.

When he met her though, her reaction was shock then pretend that everything is over with them as she tries to keep her promise with the grandfather to never meet with Gong Gan again. Gong Gan kept on following and insisting as Yoo Rin was about to give in, too. Poor Jeong Woo for he thought he would be the one who would meet Yoo Rin first but Gong Gan beat him to it again. He was so sad that I wanted to give him a hug. Then, when the two lovers are going to meet at the no. 63 bldg again and Gong Gan is really to leave his family for love like his aunt did, the grandfather met with Yoo Rin and told her to give Gong Gan up. Upon going outside, she met Sae Hyun to learn that it was her father who told them about the real granddaughter. Everyone then met and there she made an elaborate story about everything being a set-up. Everyone was surprised as Gong Gan tried to tell Yoo Rin that she is lying but she was firm that she was telling the truth.

Later, he went to meet her at her house and since she is being insistent on leaving him, he finally gave up and left. When she went home, she found many of the snow crystal balls waiting for her – it was the number of days snowing during the last two years they haven’t met for Yoo Rin told him that when it snows, it is her birthday. Then, Sae Hyun met with Yoo Rin as Jeong Woo met with Gong Gan. The ‘others’ then realized the love of the two lovers when both are willing to do everything for the other. Sae Hyun then realizes that she has lost to love, not Yoo Rin so she went to meet with the grandfather. The next day, Gong Gan is going to Japan as the grandfather met with Yoo Rin. Yoo Rin apologizes again and to her surprise, the grandfather told her all the people – Gong Gan’s aunt and uncle, Sae Hyun and Jeoing Woo – talked to him last night to attest that all about swindling the family is a lie. The grandfather conceded to fate and that her lies instead revealed her true feelings. He then told her to find Gong Gan. Yoo Rin was so relieved that she thanked the grandfather and hurries out. The uncle told her that Gong Gan went to a place first before going to the airport.

Yoo Rin remembers that it is the no. 63 bldg where she told him to go when one is sad so she went there. Gong Gan was reminiscing things and moment with her. Then, there is a bit of cliché of running around but didn’t met with each other until they met at the elevator. Gong Gan was surprise to see her there. She then finally confessed to him that she will stop lying and that she loved him. He pulled her into the elevator and they kissed. The last scene seemed a bit out of place though as it is introduction of the granddaughter and her husband to the family then they end up fighting. ^^; Actually, I don’t quite get the joke about this being so familiar. Then, Yoo Rin told Gong Gan that his cousin is pretty but he told her that she is the prettiest in the world. The end.

I thoroughly enjoyed this drama and I was pretty absorb with the cast’s acting. It was really good and funny whereas the drama can be really touching. The outfits are really nice especially the men’s suits. I think that they are branded names..it looked like Burberry designs. I did somewhat felt the ending is rushed like the grandfather just agreed just like that because it is fate and well, he doesn’t want a repeat of what happened with his daughter before. Well, guess he realized that it is his pride of being tricked that gets in the way. Oh well, maybe I just wanted it to last longer and it is better not to drag it on. I do hope the two others – Jeong Woo and Sae Hyun will find the ones for them for they are pretty much sport when they realized that they are defeated. So, this is now a favorite Korean dramedy. ^_^

Thought of the day:
Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense. ~ Mark Overby.

Bleach [chapter 228] and Ouran [chapter 36]
Monday, May 29, 2006 @ 07:04 p.m.

Last Saturday, the technician checked the cdwriter and it is indeed broke for it wouldn’t even eject so I bought a brand new cdwriter. I have started typing this entry when the kids were dropped here and well, they are still here. Sigh, my patience does run out sometimes but then, I guess it is because they kept on messing up with my things and my room looked like a typhoon went into it. I spend most of the day today, cleaning most of it up and cleaned the aquarium. For now, they are entertained as my niece is on tv while the little one has been playing PS2 the whole day. So, I don’t know when I can write a descent summary again for it seemed my brother wanted them to stay here a bit longer. ^^;

Inoue just got back up in Bleach [c. 228]. As she went outside, she met Rukia who then gave her some pep talk about not being useless and just find something that she can do. Then, Hiyori drops by and took Inoue away. Hatch [the resident kekkai-builder of the vizards] took notice of Inoue and told her that they have the same powers. He helped restore Tsubaki and gave her some advice. Upon going out of the warehouse, she met Rukia who by then, knew where Ichigo is hiding out. Inoue is now going to do some training to find what she can do with her powers.

I think Ouran High School Host Club [c.36] is the end for the Bossa Nova Arc. It started with Tamaki in utter shock for Nova now knows of Haruhi’s true gender and that Nova might fall for her, too. At Nova’s house, they are wondering why Nova went home all gloomy and blame Tetsu for telling Nova about the truth about them. Tetsu told them that he saw Nova picking petals from a flower – boy, girl, boy, girl and they thought that Nova has fallen for a boy. Lol. Nova picked the last petal as girl and he was shocked for he has become a ‘wolf’ for seeing Haruhi dress up. A little flashback of Nova hurriedly closing the door and apologizing to Haruhi, then he was grabbed by the twins as they spookily asked if he saw. The twins and Honey started to threaten Nova and they plan to make him forget by hitting him but Kyoya said that would be troublesome. Kyoya then explained why Haruhi is pretending to be a guy – to be in the host club and that they cannot really shut his mouth. Kyoya then threatened by saying that it is not good making enemies with his family. Haruhi then came out and told them not to threaten Nova. Nova blushes as he thought that knowing she is a girl, she is cute. Haruhi told him that it is okay to tell others that she is girl if he wants to for it doesn’t matter to her. Back to reality, Nova decided to keep his mouth shut about it if it is Haruhi’s wish.

The next day, Nova is a guest in the host club and the girls are making a fuss about it. Haruhi came to entertain him as she brought in some tea. The twins then came and spilled the cup, making Haruhi angry at them. The twins then asked Kyoya why he agreed in making Nova a guest. Kyoya then says that Nova is a guest and since he is willing to keep Haruhi’s secret, he can’t really turn Nova down also, the other guests are being entertained as they watch Nova and Haruhi. Everyone was then went fussing to Kyoya with Tamaki still stunned over this new development. Nova looked at them and asked what are they being noisy about. Haruhi then told him that they are actually nice – they gave her a bracelet with their faces on it and even asked a chef to cook for her at her house. Nova asked isn’t it bothersome. Haruhi said that it was but then, she already got used to it. She then said, it is bothersome yet nice, while smiling that made Nova thought that she is cute. It caused panic among the twins. The twins wanted to do something but they are afraid that Haruhi might get angry at them so they pushed all stunned Tamaki and inserted him between Nova and Haruhi.

Tamaki then sat beside Haruhi as Haruhi gave him this toy [chain that one has to separate the two pieces] to pass his time. The twins got angry at him that they called his cellphone to tell him that he has to do something or Haruhi might become a ‘big sister’ of a gang if Nova ‘takes’ her away. That snapped Tamaki out and started to threaten and question Nova as Haruhi’s ‘father’. Nova asked how he could be the father when he is still young. Tamaki caught by surprise told him that it isn’t blood related kind of father. Nova straight forwardly then asked that means, he isn’t the father. Tamaki faints as the others quickly rescued him. Tamaki was in utter shock for he realized he isn’t Haruhi’s father and so would have lost any right to separate Haruhi and Nova then wonders why he is being so protective, etc. I think Kaoru tried to hint to Tamaki about love feelings to Tamaki but Tamaki was utterly clueless. The others then realize that Tamaki is really clueless about himself. Haruhi then mentions that Tamaki has something that is like her father. This revived Tamaki that he is ‘like a father’ even though Kyoya is trying to tell him that Haruhi meant that there is something similar about him and Haruhi’s father.

Nova then asked Haruhi if he can come back and Haruhi told him that he can for she can be friends with him. The girls are going crazy over this as Tamaki looked a bit surprised/stunned. Nova was about to say that he likes her when Haruhi mentioned that they would be good friends. Haruhi is thrilled to have such a friend like him that Nova was stunned as the other girls thought that Nova was rejected. Nova thought that it is as the girls thought and that it would be a hassle if it is love for Haruhi is pretending to be a boy. Nova announces that they would be friends forever. The twins, Honey and the girls started going to Nova and wanted to be his friends, too. Kyoya then asked what’s wrong with Tamaki. Tamaki told him that he felt strange for a moment there. Kyoya just told him that as a father that he should be happy and what could be the reason for him to feel a heartache. Tamaki then laughs out loud that Kyoya is right. As Kyoya walks away, he thought that Tamaki is stupid. =P Honey then wondered that Hikaru then to be unfeeling/doesn’t realize one’s feelings while Tamaki can be said that likes Haruhi but doesn’t know it. He wonders what are Kyoya and Kaoru’s feelings for her, could it be also ‘unfeeling’. He wondered if things would change if they have graduated. Mori just replied that he doesn’t know. Since then, Nova has been a frequent visitor and he got entertained by everyone as a friend. Meanwhile, the gangsters read from club host’s merchandise about Nova visiting Haruhi as they are rooting for him though from their reactions, they are shock over his love preference. Hehehe And so, Nova now has friends. ^_^

Word of the day:
Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off. ~ Author Unknown.

Naruto [chapter 308] and other ramblings
Friday, May 26, 2006 @ 05:16 p.m.

Naruto [c. 308] came out earlier today. The story continues with Sai holding Sasuke to stop him from trying to stab Naruto. Naruto tried to get away but Sasuke showed his powers by ‘electrocuting’ those near him using chidori and it knocked out Naruto and Sai. Sakura tries to fight but Yamato butts in as he noticed Sasuke’s eyes. It caused Yamato’s knife, gomen, forgot what those things are called, to be cut by Sasuke’s sword. Sasuke’s sword then got thrust into Yamato’s left shoulder. Yamato can’t move his body as Sasuke’s sword was still in him causing his body to numb. Naruto has awaken but is stuggling not to let his ‘fox’ get the best of him and denied its request to lend its power to him. Then, to Naruto’s surprise, Sasuke is there, too. The ‘fox’ was amused that Sasuke, an Uchiha, managed to get in there. Sasuke then comments that this is Naruto’s power. From the ending blurb, things aren’t looking up for Naruto. I wonder if Sasuke would be the one who would remove the seal. Anyway, it goes to show that Orochimaru is quite a good teacher to actually teach Sasuke new tricks whereas Naruto, so far, it is just thrashing all over the place in fox form. ^^;

I watched with mom Nana the Movie last night. It was okay. The movie dwelt on how the two Nanas met, the break-up of Hachi [the girly Nana] from her boyfriend and how Nana met with Ren again. The last scene was of Hachi meeting with Tankumi. The characters that don’t quite resemble their comic counterparts are Shin and Nobu. I actually thought the actor for Shin looked quite old than what he was suppose to be. Most of it was focused on Nana, the singer complete with flashbacks about her past especially the ones with Ren. Knowing that Reira is the singer, somehow, I knew that I would like Trapnest songs and I did. Black Stones took a while to like, well, I came to like it at the ending song. When Nana, the singer was singing in the apartment for Hachi and Yasu, I can’t seem to be like Hachi to stare at amazement for it felt like it was quite painful on the ears at some points. ^^;; As for the clothes, Hachi’s are okay though I’m not really into pink though it suits the actress. The punk/leather outfits feels dated though and well, it seemed okay in the manga rather than in real life. The hats of girl who took Hachi’s boyfriend are quite cute after it was pointed out by my mom.

Of the three observations that my mom made, two are correct. At the start, she already knew that Hachi’s boyfriend has another girl even though it wasn’t shown yet he was spending more time with the other girl. It was because her boyfriend wanted her out of his house asap. When Hachi was staring into Trapnest poster and likes Takumi, my mom announces that the two would be lovers. Yup, she’s right again. She was wrong though about Ren having a lover already because according to her, in one year, guys tend to get other girlfriends. We almost didn’t get to watch this since my cousin lend her a new Korean drama, What Star/Planet Are You From? It is about a director whose girlfriend has died and he met another girl who looked exactly his deceased girlfriend. I didn’t like the first episode so I’m not watching this one. I did convince her to watch Nana with me first and well, it is a good sign that she didn’t fell asleep and actually enjoyed some scenes. Maybe if I get more episodes of the anime and she got nothing to watch, I can get her to watch it.

Yehey! I had finished Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories last night. After 2-3 tries fighting against Ansem as according to a walkthrough, I decided to change tactic for I couldn’t dodge Ansem’s attacks long enough for him to use up his cards. So, I decided on card breaking his cards and then quickly find zero cards to card break his powerful attacks. When Riku is in dark mode, I would do special attacks on him. After a few more tries, finally, I managed to defeat him. Yahoo! ^_^ So, Riku and Mickey continues to travel together. I have no idea why they were black cloaks like the people in Org13. Diz asked if he was walking in light or dark. Riku answered that he is taking the middle one, towards dawn. The last scene was of Roxas at the clock tower of Twilight Town. And so, it turned out that not much was revealed in playing this game about Roxas. ^^; Oh well, at least a brief introduction of the Org13 and Diz.

I have started reading this triology novel Tales of the Otori that Asher lent to me. The first novel is titled Across the Nightingale Floor. The story is about this boy whose village was wiped out by a warlord because of their religion and a prophecy against him. He was adopted by the warlord’s arch enemy. It turned out he comes from a special group of people with special talents that would be quite useful for assassins. Then, there is this girl who was used as hostage in an alliance with a different place and the warlord. She was at first made into a maid but her beauty almost cost her her life though with an ally, she managed to escape her life of being a maid to be one with the nobles of her class and then she was sent to be married. The chapters alternate with the boy’s narrative in first person pov and the girl’s narrative in third person pov. I’m somewhat halfway through the story and beginning to dislike the lead girl. There is something about her that doesn’t agree with me. Maybe because of her behavior of being childish anyway, I found myself more curious and interested about the other characters than the two leads. ^^; That is for now, maybe I would change my mind later on.

There are some things that I get picky about like the first paragraph of the boy’s mother threatening to tear him into eight pieces if he was late in coming home. I was thinking how a body could be torn eight pieces for if it is two per limbs, would it be nine pieces including the trunk. ^^; Isn’t it strange for a mom of a religious remote village to be threatening in such a way? Maybe she got it from her former husband, the boy’s father but well...it does seem strange. Then, there was a mention of jacket, is their a jacket during those times..wouldn’t coat be more of a proper word? There was a mention of red autumn lilies. I actually know them to be red spider lilies for I like their appearance and it was shown at times in manga/anime like Jigoku Shoujo that I researched on it. The author did good in mentioning them when the village was burning, for they mean ominous/death. There was a mention of waiting for 10 minutes. I was thinking is there a clock during this time that the boy knew that he waited exactly 10 minutes. This seemed to be the feudal era though I don’t quite recall clocks when I watch anime/manga in this era. I also wonder about not knowing one’s reflection/image without a mirror. Can’t one see one what looks like on a pool of water? Hehehe...oh well, who am I to criticize, the author was said to have researched on this so maybe he was right. Anyway, the mention of three kingdoms made me think if this is loosely based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Now, that is a Chinese classic that I would want to read some day just because it has a tendency to be mentioned in manga/anime.

Thought of the day:
The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it. ~ James Bryce.

Random blahs
Thursday, May 25, 2006 @ 05:27 p.m.

My computer is playing tricks on me. =( Now, the cdwriter isn’t working or windows doesn’t recognize it and can read the supposedly malfunctioning cdrom. ^^; At times, when I started the computer, it works fine as in it can be read then in the middle of something, and I checked it, it is gone. The technician teased that there must be a ghost in my house. Anyway, he said that it could be that the cdwriter is the defective one so he would send a person to check it on Saturday afternoon. I asked him to bring along a new cdwriter in case, it is indeed defective already. Weird, it was just around last year when I was wondering how would I know if my cdrom/cdwriter is defective already. ^^; The ones I have are already old and the speed of the cdwriter is still at 30x.

I watched rewatched My Girl to have reached the point where I had stopped before. Only 4 more episodes and it is finally over. I rewatched again with maligned English subtitles. Sometimes, I have no idea what the characters are saying. The word for ‘let’s eat’ is ‘pile in.’ ^^;; I have to rewind and play again in Chinese subtitles hoping that I would get what they meant. Anyway, with the English subs, I do get to understand some of the teasing that Yoo Rin does to Gong Gan.

The conclusion of the isolated island episode of episode 5 in Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu episode 7 was quite predictable. I had already guessed that it is all a set-up. Episode 6 was quite fun mostly because of Kyon’s narratives. Sometimes, I get info overload here when they talk about scientific things. In this episode, they looked for the computer president who was missing for some time and how their SOS logo made by Haruhi was the cause of it all. I might watch Nana live action tonight with mom since my mom is itching to watch something. I showed her about 1 min of it when she told me that it is okay, she will watch it with me. Weird, in just less than 1 min, she would know if she would watch something or not and it was just a portion of Nana singing. ^^; Anyway, I have to prioritize download the last episode of Spring Waltz because she can’t sleep not knowing the ending. She watched it last night and can now patiently wait for the subs and well, for me to download the rest.

I am now at the last dungeon of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories. I actually cheated and read the finishing script because I couldn’t defeat Riku again. It is really frustrating. It took about nth tries that I managed to defeat him luckily with my crappy strategy with the help of the walkthrough on using Dark Aura. When I looked at my HP, it was down to 5 pts. Good thing that I managed to defeat him first before he land in another hit that would defeat me. Yehey. Hopefully, Ansem wouldn’t be so hard. ^^; So, Riku has finally saw Sora sleeping. He decided to fight his darkness/Ansem for he doesn’t want to seal his memories to seal Ansem. Riku has become a wielder of about darkness and light. After I finish this, I would be playing Kingdom Hearts 2 with Omnimusha 4 at the side. I plan to power-up Soki and get more meds for I used them all up in the last long battle.

Thought of the day:
Don't let yesterday use up too much of today. ~ Cherokee Indian Proverb.

Trip to MOA and Fullmetal Alchemist chapter 59
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 @ 11:53 a.m.

Early evening yesterday, we went to SM Mall of Asia (MOA). It is supposedly the biggest mall in Asia which has just opened this Sunday. Since the place is near our place and my mom really wanted to go check it out, we went there after work for my brother came with the kids here. On the way there, there was a bit of traffic that we thought that many people are going there but it turned out to be just ordinary traffic and it is pretty much rush hour at that time. The mall is huge made of three buildings – north, main and south with only two floors though the parkings are the ones high up which starts at the third floor. The parking buildings are either in the north or in the south. The parking fee is one standard fee and it is okay since it would take a whole day to walk back and forth the mall and charging for hours would sound unreasonable.

We parked at the south parking. The shops are pretty much ordinary as in the ones we tend to see in other malls so much for seeing the world stores and stuff in one mall. Some parts of the mall are open air and there is a mini stadium over looking the sea. My brother mentioned that if there is a typhoon then the people would get wet and that going in and out of aircon places could make people sick. He thought the design is wrong. For me, I’m thinking that it is a way to minimize the payment of making that huge mall aircon and this design would make it more economical. The indoor plants look as if dying though. The C.R. are designed just like in HK airport’s though lacking in utilities. Not all the stores are open yet for some will start in June. I don’t think we covered everything as in we didn’t go to go to the North building but we are already tired from walking and we have to walk back to the parking. ^^;

The special features of this mall which is not available in other malls is the IMAX theater. A short film would cost around 300 bucks that would be for 3D. We didn’t get to watch since it is already late. The other one is having an Olympic size ice skating rink. It is quite big and I think it is closed to the public at that time for only practicing figure skaters are there. My niece told me she wanted to be one then she changed it to just plain skating when she saw one girl who had a bad fall and was winching in pain. ^^; I think the group are planning to join the Winter Olympics. They weren’t able to before since one of the requirements is that the country should have an Olympic size ice skating rink. Their trophies are already displayed at the side that they won from previous tournaments and there are some people already watching them practice. The mall owner is their sponsor.

We got to play some arcade though and of course, I played some drumming – aimed at kids. I somewhat ‘cheated’ since the tunes I chose are from anime openings. Hehehe The Japanese drum doesn’t seem to work though since no matter how hard I hit it, it doesn’t register into the arcade so I lost against my brother. I did notice that the drum has some cracks so the machine is already old. Then, I played a bit of air hockey with them. It is a new type wherein the machine is the one tossing out the discs and at times, there are multiple discs. We walked some more by then and ate then head back to the park then went home.

About the computer glitch, I had confirmed it with the technician that my cd drive is malfunctioning. If I used it, it would cause the computer to hang then it would disappear or not register into windows. So, I would use my cd writer to read cds from now on. It was acting up a bit so I just disabled it and no more problems. ^_^ ..for now.

The brutalities of the Ishval war is shown in Fullmetal Alchemist [c. 59]. There are some Ishvalites being used as sacrifice to make the philosopher’s stone with Lust, Barney and that other armor guy watching. Marcoh is the one who supervises though he looks terrified. Armstrong is quite remorseful over the things he has to do and even tried to have some of the Ishvalites escape but Kimbeley killed them. Roy is frying them mercilessly. Then, Hughes met up with Roy to exchange greetings with each other. They both noticed that they came to have ‘killer eyes’. They wonder about why the Ishvalites has to be killed off and the place is being ruined so it won’t be useful anymore. They wonder what has happened for they used to do things for the future of the country. Then, Hughes got a letter from Grace and he was pretty happy that Roy warned him not to think too much about family or loved ones for they tend to die in movies and novels. ^^; It turned out to be prophetical. Then, an Ishvalite came from behind them. Roy doesn’t have his glove while Hughes is too late from attacking but they were saved by a sniper, a Hawk. Hawkeye then looks from her scope and recognizes Roy.

Back at the camp, Hughes tend thanked Hawkeye for saving them and Roy realized that it was her as they greeted each other. Roy also noticed that she also now has ‘killer eyes’. The two then had a talked about why alchemy that was supposed to be for the people became a tool in destroying them. Roy couldn’t answer. The head honcho’s are pleased over the philospher’s stone which Marcoh presented and mentioned about the war ending soon because of it and Kimbeley was introduced to him. Marcoh took a break and was grief-stricken over what he did then he met Knox who was made to oversee human experiments on Ishvalites. Knox then told him about the work of two doctors in the field – Winry’s parents. Marcoh called it suicidal but Knox hinted on it is better to save people than having to kill people as a doctor. Marcoh looked anguished over Knox’s comment. The last scene was Scar’s brother doing research on alchemy when noticed that there is something different about how their country is using alchemy. I’m guessing that is why when ‘Father’ sealed off the brothers alchemy – alchemy of that country, Mei’s and Scar’s still works for theirs aren’t from Almetris.

Thought of the day
War does not determine who is right - only who is left. ~ Bertrand Russell.

Jump Titles Updates
Monday, May 22, 2006 @ 12:11 p.m.

I just found a possible problem with my computer. It is the cd drive. It has a tendency to vanish and stalls my computer. I have to ask the technician about it later. I have checked any virus and there was none. Weird. I’m getting paranoid. ^^; Anyway, I had finished installing the programs that I need and well, I have updated on Jump titles. ^_^

In Naruto [c.306-307], Sasuke isn’t too happy being woke up by something so trivial by Sai. As they face off, Sakura found Sai and tries to ask him what was he planning when she pauses when Sasuke addresses her. The others then caught up with them and they finally met Sasuke. Sasuke revealed to them what Sai told him so everyone is assured that Sai had a change of heart. They tried to get Sasuke to go back with them and some blah about bonds that he tried to break off. Sasuke told him that he wanted to break the bonds with them so that he can concentrate on killing his brother for his brother taunted him for being weak for not having enough anger. Naruto still in denial asked why his life was spared. As I thought, Sasuke spared him because he didn’t want to gain power the same way as his brother did. Sasuke then gets ready to kill Naruto. Naruto then asked that if he fails to save Sasuke, his friend then he couldn’t be a hokage. Sasuke somewhat agrees to it. That’s it. I guess Naruto’s charm wasn’t able to penetrate on Sasuke. I don’t quite like Sasuke new outfit. Maybe it is that big knot as his belt. It reminds me of sumo wrestlers and that former underling of Orochimaru. Anyway, I do like his sword. Next week’s teaser was the showing of Sasuke’s new powers. Mm..I do wonder if the others would just look as Naruto and Sasuke fight or would it be 4 vs 1 unless Orochimaru joins in.

Whereas in Bleach [c. 225-227], Ichigo is still training with Shinji and others when Inoue managed to slip into their barrier and talked with Ichigo about Aizen. Ichigo seemed pretty calm about it and assures Inoue that he can defeat Aizen for he will become stronger. Inoue left and she also plans to become stronger. After she left, the vizards are thinking that Inoue must be different to have penetrated into their barrier. Someone is following her and it was Yoruichi who asked her to go to Urahara for he wanted to tell her something. Meanwhile Ishida is still fighting with his dad and from the looks of it, he is really having a hard time. He then used his last capsule powers to try to ‘shield’ in his father but his father managed to break it and fired an arrow into his chest. Ishida collapses unconscious and from his chest, the mark of the Quincey is on it. His father said that with it, he can regain back his powers and he reprimanded Ishida for not using a powerful attack that could have injured him so he calls Ishida stupid. He then decides to let it go for now. I guess he meant that Ishida is being ‘too nice’.

Back at Keigo’s house, Ikkaku was forced to wear a flashy t-shirt. Yumichika got smacked for laughing at him but then, Rangiku came and also had a laugh about it. Keigo then enters and tries to make a dive for Rangiku but got smacked away. Keigo managed to shield himself but got another attack from Rangiku. Ikkaku told her to be easy on him. Then, Keigo’s sister appeared then started freaking over who is Rangiku. Hehehe.

Urahara greeted Inoue cheerfully and tries to say that he wanted her company for it is boring to have only guys there. Inoue was about to say something when Renji and Chad fighting commotion had stopped her. As they continue to fight, Inoue then asked what Urahara wanted of her. He asked her if she knew about the situation already. Inoue said that she does and that she wants to become stronger. Urahara then told her frankly that she isn’t to join the fight for Tsubaki, her fighting petal is still injured from the last fight. Chad interrupts and tried to defend Inoue but Urahara continues that her powers can easily be covered by the other shinigami division and that she would just be a liability in the end. Inoue then thanked Chad for defending her and for Urahara for his advice. Being hurt, she quickly left the place. Renji then told Chad that what Urahara said is true. Urahara looked a bit thoughtful though. Meanwhile, Aizen was looking at the footage of Urquiola and found Inoue’s powers to be interesting. Okay, I’m thinking either Urahara deliberately dropped off Inoue to become a bait for Aizen or could it be that what he tossed away would be useful to Aizen. Anyway, at least the plot is moving a bit now aside from the trainings.

In One Piece [c. 409-411], Spandam is now hurrying into the gate as he grabs Robin. He tried to call CP9 as to what are they doing that Luffy got near him when he pushed the wrong mushi, he just called a buster call. While on the speakers, he informed CP9 what had happened. Robin tries to talk Spandam about it but it was futile for he wanted to make a lesson out of Strawhats and well, he just wants to save his career even if it is at the expense of all the marines in Eneas Lobby. Robin then noticed that the speaker is still on. Spandam tries to pretend that he was Luffy but no one believes him. Robin told everyone to escape but then, got hit by Spandam as the speaker is off. Somehow, it was a lucky break for the Franky family, shipwrights and giants were all captured but upon learning about the buster call, all of the marines make a run for their lives. Back to the fights, Luffy and Lucci are fighting as Luffy try to get past him to save Robin.

Califa managed to make Nami’s body the same way as Sanji’s. Just when she was about to give her the last blow, it turned out that it was just a mirage. Califa tried to look for her but fought another mirage when monster Chopper crashes into the room. Califa actually thought that it was Nami who turned into a monster using a devil fruit. ^^; Nami then realizes it was Chopper as tried to call him but he doesn’t recognizes her and tried to attack her. It was then Califa realizes that it wasn’t Nami as she exclaims that she knew all about it but Nami snubs her for she is worried about Chopper. Chopper then grabs a structure, I think it is a fountain and drops it down where Sanji was. Chopper then went on rampage and left. Califa tries to taunt Nami but got snubbed that irked her so she tries to hit Nami. Nami managed to escape then found her right leg back to normal. She then realizes that water can make her body back to normal.

Nami tries to run for the water but Califa attacks her to prevent that. Using her clima tact while evading Califa’s attacks, Nami managed to create rain. Nami is back to normal then she made herself disappear using her clima tact..some sort of mirage, I think. Then, Nami makes different illusions of herself. There is a chibi Nami. ^_^ Then, Nami gave Califa another electric lightning shock. That was pretty cool. I guess by next chapter, their fight would be concluded.

Thought of the day:
Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must. ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

Day with Asher and Spring Waltz [e. 5-12]
Sunday, May 21, 2006 @ 11:13 a.m.

I went out with Asher yesterday. Of all days, I got insomia attack that night so I was a bit sleepy when I got to the mall. Since Asher doesn’t frequent this mall, I have to go to where she is at. We first look at the anime/toys shops nearby then ate at Teriyaki Boy and had dessert at Bizu. We then went to this bookstore to browse around and was suppose to play console games at this store but the games they have aren’t that good. There are a lot of people that day especially at the theaters because many wanted to watch Da Vinci Code. Then, we went to play some arcade games. Argh, I really suck at air hockey and I was the one who wanted to really play it. I guess my level is at children for I am somewhat of a challenge for my niece and nephew though I’m already losing there. We played a shooting game and I guess playing PS games helped me in lasting longer in the game. The drums game is pretty fun, too bad the noise in the place is too noisy that we can’t hear what we are playing. We tried to go to this other arcade but some kids are stalking the drum game here. It was time to go home so we separated and went home. I had a great time though a bit sleepy at times, gomen ne, Asher and well, thanks for the things you gave me. ^_^

I haven’t finished installing the stuff that I have to do since my mom has been bugging me to watch Spring Waltz. The ones that I have had already been subbed. So, from episodes 5-12, it is more on Jae Ha’s changing attitude towards Eun Young from irritation to falling in love until relationships [friendships] are being destroyed just so that they too can be together. Eun Young tries to be a martyr about it but Jae Ha still pursued her. Philip is somewhat of a sport since he even agreed to friendly competition with Jae Ha that is until Jae Ha actually proposes in front of the audience which was suppose to be the his engagement proposal with Lee Na, that he likes Eun Young. Philip is being naïve. I did noticed in the punching scene that the actor for Jae Ha’s..in the aftermath of the punching scene, he looked really awful and ya, it does seem that left cheek has collapsed. Along with all these, Jae Ha has befriended this kid who turned out to be the new ‘boy’ of his father. I can’t wait for the two to meet.

The series has already ended in Korea and from someone in the forum, it was a good ending. I’m still catching up in my downloads of it. I have to download 13-20. Some of the scenes are really nice as spring is about to come and flowers has already started blooming. I’m not completely sold though as to how Jae Ha has fallen for Eun Young though. Lee Na can be quite irritating at times for being full of herself and that she kept on insisting that she is just acting on how one would act in such a situation and that she is not a bad guy. Is she trying to convince herself about it? I don’t know if there is a sub error or I misunderstood for I’m not quite sure if Jae Ha’s parents knew that this Eun Young is the same one as the one they told to Jae Ha that she is dead. The mother has been a bit aggressive in separating them, unfortunately, the relationship is a bit deep already. I am getting a bit irritated with the color palette of the director for everything that the characters wear has to be green/fushia or other colors that blends with green and even the interiors are green. I know it is the color motif but it can be quite overpowering. That’s just me. I almost laugh when I saw Eun Young’s closet filled with green colored clothes.

Word of the day:
God often empties our hands to fill our hearts. ~ Our Daily Bread.