A NaNa Obsession?

I think I have an Obsession with NANA. I admit, it might be bit gay. Even a bit Japan-o-philish but who cares, this whole NANA sprawling revolution is pure bliss to me. It all started with Nakashima Mika though. If it wasn't for her I'd probably never know what NANA is. Man, there are soo many things out too. Movies 1 & 2, NANA the anime, the Mangas (vol.18 is out by the way and man, it's getting downright crazy), and all the other fanbooks, PVs, and what not. HAHA shit, I sound like a douche bag. *Middle finger in the air* that's what I say.

Oh, here is a quick quick synopsis of what the manga is kind of about. It's about these two girls both named NANA. They meet and become friends. One is an aspiring rockstar and the other is a regular chick who gets into bad relationships. They call her Hachiko. Yup, that's it. Character Development ensues.

Here are some PVs from the anime sung by Anna.

Anna - Rose

Anna - Lucy

I suggest doing the movies first because, if you go straight to the manga or anime, you'd probably think the film was lacking. But the movies are good. Watch those, then do the anime, and then after the anime is done, pick back up on chapter 46 from the mangas. HAHA I need a life. Enjoy
Nakashima Mika & Miyazaki Aoi

Majo no Takkyūbin

Kiki's Delivery Service is about a teenage witch who travels away from home to seek out her independence. Sort of soul searching, if you will. Studio Ghibli again folks, it's a great film.

Neko no Ongaeshi

The Cat Returns is a film about a girl who gets engaged with a cat prince, after saving him. Her only chance for freedom is to ask a cat statue, who comes to life, for help. It's a short film but very enjoyable. Studio Ghibli for the win.

My Neighbor Totoro

Another Studio Ghibli classic. Very cool, Totoro!

Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle is about a girl named Sophie that embarks on a magical journey that involves which craft and wizardry. She meets Howl and falls in love with him. However, Howl has a secret that she must unlock. A great fantasy romance film. I honestly have yet to see a Studio Ghilbi title that wasn't good. This film is a must see.

The Place Promised in Our Early Days

Beyond the Clouds is a story about three teenagers wanting to fly across a divided Japan to unlock the secrets or a mysterious tower.

Tekon kinkurîto

Tekkon Kinkreet is a film about two brothers who live in the streets of Treasure City. They kick ass. Yakuza ass especially. Very strange film, but I enjoyed it. Don't want to write too much today, so just watch it. Peace.

Aachi wa Ssipak

I recently got my hands on a Korean Anime Movie. This is my first time watching Korean animation so I was pretty excited. The film is very strange, but I'll do my best to give you just a taste of what the film is about. So basically the world has depleted all its sources of energy, besides human excrements. Basically the world is run by shit. To reward people who shit a lot, they give them an addictive Popsicles called Juicy Bars. It's like crack. Aachi and Ssipak are street hoodlums who are trying to smuggle and steal them to make profit. In this world, there are also mutants of the Popsicle who call themselves the Diaper Gang. Because of the Juicy Bars, they are unable to shit. But because their only food source is the Juicy Bars, they have to steal them. Currently, there is a big war between the Diaper Gang and the Police. With an idea from Jimmy the Freak, the leader of the gang decides to implant all these ass rings, it's like a counter to produce Juicy Bars after you shit, into a girl named Beautiful. So every time she takes a dump there are hundreds of Juicy Bars that emerge. She is a captive and is saved by Aachi and Ssipak. Once they figure out what she is capable of, they decide to become top dealers to get rich. But it isn't so easy with the Police and Diaper Gang chasing after you. Wow, I'm tired of writing. Check it out. It's pretty dope. Aeon Flux meets animation. Guns a-blazing action. HAHA Strange I know!

Byōsoku Go Senchimētoru (2007)

I kind of dislocated my knee, and over the weekend I pretty much vegetated at home watching whatever I could get my hands on. I watched a little bit of TV, I watched a little bit of Nodame Cantabile (live action), and I watched this Anime movie called 5 Centimeters per Second. 5 Centimeters per Second is a film about the struggles of time, love, and life. In the beginning of the film, the 5 seconds refers to the speed at which the Cherry Blossom pedals fall as told by one of the film's character. You then soon realize that this statement is told throughout the story as a metaphor. The film consists of three short stories about a boy named Takaki Tōno and his close friend Akari Shinohara. The short stories are all different but the idea is basically about love and lost love, time, and loneliness. It was a pretty sad film. You actually feel bad for Takaki. I sometimes wonder, why not go for that surfer girl in his high school days. Throughout the whole movie, it seems as though he is in this enormous FUNK! But, I guess I would be too. Overall I thought the animation was superb. It is not that long so you go through it fairly quick. Very emo type if you asked me. EMOOOOO! Okay, now go and check it out.

Tales from Earthsea

I was going to write a review about Tales from Earthsea but I won't. I'll give a few opinions here and there about the film but I will mainly try and tell what the story is about. I thought the film was okay. It's about a prince named Arren. After killing his father, he becomes a drifter who runs into an Archmage named Sparrowhawk. They soon travel to Hort town where they meet more characters, Tenar and Therru, and later fight an evil magician named Lord Cob. HAHA yeah thats my synopsis. I really didn't know what was going on. Maybe character development? Not really. There's something about dragons too in the film. HAHA jeez. What's going on. I guess, just watch and tell me what you think! I'm thinking my ability to retell the story needs work. I ended up watching the whole film so I guess it couldn't have been that bad or maybe I was so bored that I had no choice. Either way check it out. Oh, the song in the middle of the film is fantastic. You'll know when you see the young girl, with the scar on her face (Therru), singing on top of the hill.

Toki wo kakeru shôjo (2006)

So I've been pretty bored lately at home and I came across this Anime movie. It's called The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. It really didn't catch my attention at first but I gave the film a chance, anyways. And yeah, It's freakin awesome. The story is exactly what the title describes, she has the ability to leap back into time. The main character, Makoto Konno, decides to use her new found abilities to go back into time to change past mistakes. However, she soon finds out that some things are better left alone. A very cute story about friends with a dab of romance. I definitely recommend this flick. If I really wanted to, I would have shed a tear.
But yes, no crying in 2007. Maybe a little in 2008. So go and rent this or download it or do watever that you do to see this. It's pretty good. I think the film is also showing on the Cartoon Network. But I hate dubbed and would recommend the original dubbing with subtitles. That's just me though. Love This!

Duck King Cosplay - Anime Expo 2007

This is my second Anime Expo that I've been to. It was pretty cool, however I attended only one day this year instead of the 3 days last year. Was kinda sad about it, but what makes up for it is that this is my first year cosplaying. The culture of Cosplay is pretty awesome. You dress up as your favorite anime or video game character (anything actually, probably geared towards Japanese characters) and you go and act like them or watevers and have a good time. HAHA Well, I had a great day with my friends dressing up as King of Fighters characters. My friend Mike is cosplaying as Clark, Nes is cosplaying as K9999, and I am cosplaying as Duck King. Can't wait to cosplay some more. Yay, till next year! Hopefully, it'll be in Anaheim again instead of Long Beach. WOOP!

Stetec - Takafumi Mori

I came across this animation a few days ago. I really enjoyed what the artist did with it. Has a cool rap song as a backdrop too. I don't understand a lick of Japanese but from reading the description it says Japanese satire on consumerism. Go peep out his website Takafumi for other animation goodies.

School Rumble Opening Theme

Sorry this will be my last youtube type post. I know it makes the blog run slow. I saw this on Tsuji Eriku's blog and I had to jack him. One of my favorite all time animes. I just started SR 2nd Semester. I hope that turns out good too. Enjoy the music video.

Kid Koala - Floor Kids Pt. 1

So I was flipping through youtube and I found part 1 to this whole Floor Kids bboy video. So the two people battling are BBoy Nugs vs BBoy O-live. Part 1 is of Nugs and Part 2 of O-live. I think O-live smoked Nugs. HAHA But yeah, great videos. Check this one out, yo. The art is straight sickness.

Kid Koala - Floor Kids Pt. 2

Sup my peoples! Alright, this video that you are about to watch or have already watched is a bboy cartoon animated by Jonathan NG for Kid Koala's Floor Kids. I hope I got that right. Well, the video is f'n sick. Right now in the bboy community, beat riding is the trend. It is where you hit majority of the beats with footwork tricks ie) cc's, which in turn makes the dance a bit cleaner and more rhythmic. NG does a real good job in this video. Much props. This is by far the freshest cartoon I've seen of breakdancing. I hope he makes more. Enjoy!