Anime - Honey & Clover II - Response (Finally!)

the title explained...finally!*


It's been what...a month since I promised I'd post this?

Well, here it is... pre-packaged for your reading pleasure

First Impressions

The first episode was completely worthless in my opinion, it was just recap of the first season (for those who missed it, or forgot the main events of the story.) I had no idea what to think upon watching it, I noticed a change in the artstyle - the colors were brighter and the lines were more well-defined (personally though, I was a fan of the soft lines and pastels in season one). The episode left me completely in the cold, with no idea what to expect. (Even the scanlators couldn't help me... I'm not sure they've even gotten to the double-digit chapter numbers yet!)



Season 1

vs


Season 2


Any doubts I had about the series were completely shattered when I watched episode 2. The story picked up right where it left off at the end of season one, and it was just the series had never went into hiatus in the first place. The story has been consistently meeting all of my expectations, and I can't complain one bit. We finally get back story for all those characters who were briefly introduced in season one (e.g., Rika and Morita's brother), and more character development for our old favorites (Hagu and Morita).

Predictions for the rest of the series

I can't wait to see where the story will go next, but I have my doubts about the ending for this season. Anime News Networks reports that it will only be 13 episodes, but as of episode 7, I can't predict how they will tie things up. We can only hope that meat-senpai will come in and put an end to all of the conflicts.

English Adaptation?

I was unaware of this until just recently, but Sony's Animax Anime Channel is currently broadcasting Honey & Clover to its Southeast Asia market, and has produced its own in-house dub for the series. You can find a streaming clip of a promo for the series here. I really don't know what to think. The announcer for the commercial was voiced very well, but some of the dub just frightened me. I guess I'm not used to Australian anime voice acting. I will say though, this adaptation will be interesting to watch just to see how accurate their translation of the script is.

Though the H&C dub clip scared me, I wouldn't mind having Animax in the US... their lineup is incredible, and the fact that they are run by Sony, and have existing connections with most production studios (Peirrot and Sunrise to name a few) only makes them better. There has been a lot of speculation about the possibility of Sony bringing the channel stateside since acquisition of MGM/UA, but this happened over a year ago. I wouldn't put the idea completely to rest though, The Anime Network is one of the most lucrative on-demand channels, and Animax is currently the world's largest anime channel, so who knows what will happen. All I know is that I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Live Action

I am yet to watch the Live Action adaptation, but I can't say that I have high hopes for it. The trailers I've seen have left much to be desired, and I'm less than thrilled with their casting/costume choices. Mayama was almost dead-on, but Hagu had so many image changes that she was barely recognizable (casual clothes vs. beautiful dresses, always wearing headphones and listening to music vs. being out of touch with technology...)

I'll still watch it though, and post my thoughts. Hopefully, it will be much better than Saikano live action (it was almost too unbearable for me - could have been perfectly fine if they didn't try to portray Chise in battle, and instead only focused on her delicate relationship with Shuuji.)


there, you read it. you can't un-read it.


*the title is actually based on the manga-ka's two favorite albums "hachimitsu" (honey) by spitz and "clover" by suga shikao. this is also why all of the insert songs are from both artists (other than them just being awesome songs.)

because i hate you all, part two

a dramatic reinterpretation of the card captor sakura opening...

Randomness - Dieing Male Sex Chromosome may lead to 'New Species'

Banana Apocalypse? ... No, this is much worse!

The Male Y Chromosome is Dieing!

The clock is ticking! Will XX Males Break off and spawn a New Species?

We were reassured during the great scare back in 2003 when Page told us that the Y wasn't dieing as fast as once predicted.

BUT! Numbers are changing!

What once was 78 of 1,000 genes left on The Y is now a pitiful 45 working genes!
(And it used to be 1,400!)


Where have all the genes gone !?!

MUTATIONS!

One in every 150,000 Men are currently being born without the Y chromosome.

These XX Men might become infertile!


What do Women have to say about this?

Nothing! They don't need us apparently!

When reproducing, a mother and father swap genes to create an embryo.
It was previously believed that The Y sits out the gene swapping during fertilization. Static DNA can lead to harmful mutations!
Recently, scientists have discovered that The Y continuously reshuffles its DNA using its own borders.

Ha, we aren't useless trouble makers!

Only... incestuous swapping could cause deletions leading to infertility, among other problems. -_-;


Fear not, The Male species may still have a chance!

Recent studies suggest Males have been silently infiltrating other chromosomes!

These sneaky 'male making' genes may be able to take over the job of The Y's 'SRY' gene (pun intended).

Just because the complete disappearance of The Y has moved from 5 to 10 to now 15 million years, it doesn’t mean you can’t act now.
Preventative measures must be taken!
Do your exercises daily. Being promiscuous will not solve the problem, its been proven!


Don’t let Women claim Men are defective or that they cause more mutations.
It just means Men are still evolving faster then Women!

Of course I don’t promote either of the claims, but we all know Women are superior. ^_^;

(Another Resource for information)

Join the research projects! Some have even claimed that the search for details is nearly ‘heroic’!

ACT NOW

(Anyone want to help promote the cause by making flyers saying 'The Human Male: A Dieing Breed!' ? Or we can start a reservation and make 'Save the Human Male' Exhibits! ? I'm currently too lazy to create any shop'ed adds.)
(Yet another, weak PSA... but better then nothing.)

I have one thing and one thing only to say to you Ahmed....

You've been GASHAPWND.


Have I got anything else to say? Not really. But man, if Elfen Lied isn't one of the most twisted shows in existince and it feels great to watch anime on a laptop that doesn't glitch up and freeze everytime you open up a media file.

One more thing of notice in about one week I finally be up to speed with the rest of you all. T3 here I come. No Longer shall I be three years behind the curve in the good stuff.

This message brought to you by a now bored otaku.

Randomness - Too much Olean = Dangerous Excretions

This is just another random post. A bit on the immature side, yet someone might get a kick out of it. o_O; Just a few tips to keep in mind...

"DO NOT EAT PRINGLES FAT FREE POTATO CHIPS"

F-ing Pringle basterdz
(Warning: A bit of foul language)

Which on a side note... reminded me of this:
Post on 'wabasco' from Wabasco Senior >_<

News - Anime - Live Action, Matoko's 5cm, and Kintaro

Various Standard News of Interest

Speaking of Satoshi KON (ANN) (director of 'Paranoia Agent', 'Perfect Blue', 'Millennium Actress' and more), his newest project 'Paprika' (ANN) might make it to US Theaters March 2007.
The Paprika Trailer has some rather familiar Satoshi scenes...

(Paranoia Agent?)

(Perfect Blue?)

Some people say that the legacy of science fiction writer Philip K. Dick has revolutionized world cinema, far beyond Hollywood. Or is it, rather, the alternate realities of Japanese manga and anime, which have proved themselves an even more lasting tribute to imagination and futuristic politics? In any case, PAPRIKA is the definitive film of the Third Millennium about Counterfeit and Alternative Worlds. And it is gigantic fun, too. Please, fasten tight your seat-belts: it is a hell of a ride!

Live Action

Honey Clover Live Action (ANN)

Mushishi Live Action? Yeah, apparently.

Saikano Live Action - translation by weird_winghon is a bit flakey (often the grammar is off), but I'm glad to have had the chance to see it.
(Watched the trailer a couple times while waiting on it. :p )


Makoto Fanboy

Byousoku 5 Centimeter (site)
5 Centimeters per Second (ANN) (AniDB)

I've been waiting on this since the beginning of March (old link), but recently we can see some progress.

The 5cm Teaser can be found here 100k 500k 1.5M
And if you can handle it, Right-Click Save-As this 1280x720 version (Translated version out by The-Triad)

So far The-Triad plans to pickup the project.

The animation quality (gallery) seems like it will at the very least meet 'The Place Promised in Our Early Days' (ANN)

'Fanboy' is probably too harsh a word, but I've enjoyed several of Makoto's works (few at ANN) including his short films. Now I wouldn't go as far as to say something like 'Hoshi no koe' was great (it has its flaws). Or rather, that particular movie was in ways somewhat disappointing to me. The concepts he chooses are great, and the way he translates life to anime is very well done, but the arrangement of his 'plots', and at times the lack of 'meat on his characters' is the catch.
(The reason I use the term 'fanboy' is because I once caught myself being a bit too excited in the rush immediately after re-watching 'Other Worlds' (ANN) a few years later. ^_^; )


Fansubbing

Shinsen Just Released Night Head Genesis Ep 01
Trailer (wmv) for the lazy (ANN)

A-Et I love you! Yesterday they finished QC and The Last of Salaryman Kintaro (Anime) has been released! Get it NOW!
I've been eagerly awaiting this release if you couldn't tell. ^_^;

(photos.blogger.com acting oddly, image will be uploaded later)