~Otaku~Life~

Monday, December 5, 2011

X-Kai- (Asami Tohjoh)

I was finally able to read both volumes of Asami Tohjoh's X-Kai- [1998].
The short two-volume series was published in English by TOKYOPOP.
It seemed short and the ending felt somewhat rushed (it reminded me of Blank Slate by Aya Kanno, which was published in 2005).
I can't quite describe it - without spoiling it that is.
Basically it's like this: orphan Kaito Yagami (Kai) is a florist by day, and a professional assassin by night (or whenever he has a job to do...). His 'calling card' is the Casablanca lily. He has an older brother - his brother is the reason Kaito continues to do jobs for "the organization" - to pay for his hospital bills...

The genre for this manga would be Shojo...There are some Shonen-Ai elements in it, however - it is not a Shonen-Ai manga.TOKYOPOP rates it as 16+, however, I feel that, with discretion, 14+ is fine.

My final reccomendation on this is tricky.
I would reccomend this to people who like short series, or who like assassin/yakuza/mob related type mangas. I give it 3 out of 5 stars - as I felt it was drawn to an abrupt close, and did not have a strong story-line. I don't regret reading this, I just wouldn't say "yes, go buy this" or, "hunt it down and read it"!

~Kairn♥

Monday, July 11, 2011

Naoki Urasawa's "Monster"

The popular manga series by Japan's "master of suspense", Naoki Urasawa, is also a very popular anime series. Most people watched the show before ever hearing about the manga series.
Monster was on the SyFy channel (USA) for a while, and then it simply was nowhere to be found on TV. [Note: I only know about USA/Canadian TV scheduling, not any other countries. Sorry!]
Monster is an 18-volume manga series. The English translation was published by Viz Media. Originally the series was only supposed to be 15-volumes long - but luckily it went on for 3 'extra' volumes. :)
Personally, I wish it had gone on even longer than it had... :(

Monster centers on a Japanese doctor (Kenzo Tenma) working at a hospital in Dusseldorf, Germany. One night twins are brought in to the hospital - the boy has a gunshot wound to his head, and the girl is in severe shock. He goes against the chief director's orders and operates on a young boy with a gunshot wound to the head instead of the mayor. This boy is the 'monster' for which the series is named. After the successful operation Dr. Tenma performed on the boy, his credit at the hospital goes downhill - because "a hospital is run on politics" and he failed to obey direct orders. Suddenly the twins disappear, and the director is found dead (as well as two of the surgeons at the hospital). The BKA is called in to investigate and Dr. Tenma is the chief suspect in the murders... The series jumps ahead to nine(?) years into the future, which becomes the "main start" of the adventure. All is going well again for Dr. Tenma... Until...

Well, I won't get into any further details - you should go read (or watch) and see for yourself. I rather enjoyed the series (both the anime and the manga) myself, and highly recommend it! (: And rate it five stars! (:

*SPOILER!!!* ~
[Unless you don't mind getting spoiled, please do NOT read until you've finished at least the manga]
The reason I wish the series went on longer is because... The ending of volume 18: the last page shows Johan's empty hospital bed - he's vanished again! It just made me want MORE so badly! *pouts* Also, Tenma finds out Johan's REAL NAME - but we never get to know it...Sadly... The series was great, and I agree with the claim that Naoki Urasawa is the 'master of suspense' (perhaps not master, but he's a great writer indeed!) ♥

I hope you ENJOY Monster! (:

~Karin♥

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

BLEACH = UVERWorld ~ D-TechnoLife [Video]

UVERWorld ~ D-TechnoLife (Romanji + Kana/Kanji Lyrics)

D-TechnoLife was the second opening theme for BLEACH

This video was made by myself, & uploaded to my YouTube - XIIIAelitaHeartnet - however, YouTube blocked it & I had to remove it :(
I hope you like it! ♥

*I do not own the music or images used - I simply typed up the lyrics & worked the timing.*

Special Update!

I have an update for everyone (two followers, it's a start I guess...hopefully more people see this at least?)
Cutting to the chase now would be good...Sorry (ha-ha)
I know this is mainly about Anime & Manga, however, I thought since YouTube has been deleting a lot of stuff that I've subscribed to (sadness) that I'd invite someone to write in the blog & post videos. :)
Lyrics videos, pretty much...Japanese music mainly (however, requests can be made for any song).
I would like there to be more videos for anime music, that you can sing-a-long to. Hopefully everything will work out OK! :)

Aside from the fact that recently YouTube removed several of her videos (hopefully she can post some here?) please look up XIIIAelitaHeartnet [or MusicXAnime1613 for her old videos]

Thank You! :)
~Karin♣

Short & Sweet: Manga ♥

I decided to write a little bit about some of the mangas that I've either read recently, or remember quite well. :)

Alice in the Country of Hearts - Quinrose [TOKYOPOP] Vol. 1 - 5
~This series came out in English quite recently; I started reading the first volume after the second one was in the bookstores (a bit slow on the uptake, rather) I've been following the series ever since, waiting eagerly each time for the next volume to be released :)
This series is somewhat a spin-off of Alice in Wonderland, I guess you could view it like that. I rather like it - it's humorous, cute, & I fancy the story line as well. I definitely recommend this series (14+) :) As of now there are only 5 volumes out, & I've noticed them at several different libraries recently.

Case Closed - Gosho Aoyama [VIZ Media] Vol. 1 - 16
~This is one of my "old favorites", if you will - I find it cute, & I like the fact that it's a bit of a mystery type manga - or rather, detective series. The English version is a bit different, however, mainly with the names - so it's still a great series (I think so). Kenichi (the main character) is re-named Jimmy, for example (I'm not going through every one). I only own the first 4 volumes, but I've read the 16th & all previous volumes. I've almost finished the anime [humorous, considdering I started watching it a "long" time ago]. I recommend this!

Fairy Idol Kanon - ? [VIZ Media - Viz Kids] Vol. 1 - 3
~I discovered this series recently (I do not, however, recall the author - deeply sorry, but you should still be able to Google or Wiki it). It's a cute series, about three girls who love to sing, & how the melody they create helps the world of the fairies(?). I suppose it is a "childish" manga, but I still like it, even so. This series is fine for all ages :)

Heaven's Will - Satoru Takamiya(?) - [TOKYOPOP] One-Volume Series
I absolutely adore this book!!! ♥ :) I was quite sad to find out that it's only a single-volume series :( Heaven's Will was a great read!
It's cute, & I really wish there was more to it...I found the ending to be somewhat of a cliff-hanger; indeed leaving me wanting more! A good read, cute, funny, & slightly melancholic. I definitely recommend this one!

Mugen Spiral - Mizuho Kusana - [TOKYOPOP] Two-Volume Series
I adore Mugen Spiral! I dislike the fact that there are only two volumes to this series; I loved it quite much, deeply wished there was more to it. I'm not sure how to explain anything about this, all I can say is that I found it to be a good read & I recommend it, 100% :)

Pet Shop of Horrors - Matsuri Akino - [TOKYOPOP] Vol. 1 - 10
I rather liked this series, even though I found it a tad bit strange, the messages were indeed lessons to be learned; sometimes they're more vague than other times, but still can be understood. I got all ten volumes at a book-sale one day, & I couldn't stop reading once I started (my mum found the series to be strange, but she caught some of the "life lessons", as she called them). My recommendation for this is high, but I would suggest it for manga fans that are at least 14 years of age, for some "questionable" material. I recommend this for sure!

Black Butler - Yana Toboso - [Yen Press] Vol. 1 - 3
I LOVE this series so much! I fell in love the anime, Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler), as soon as I got through the first episode. I was rather excited when the manga finally came out in English :)
Set in the 19th century, this thrilling, yet comedic, tail centers around a 12 year old earl, Ciel Phantomhive, & his unearthly butler, Sabastian Michaelis. At present, there are only 3 volumes in English; but I'm sure you'll get swept up after the first. I recommend this highly! (14+)

Pandora Hearts - Jun Mochizuki - [Yen Press] Vol. 1 - 3
I adore this series too! ♥ I started off watching the anime, shortly after I came accross Black Butler, I got swept up & was thrilled when the second & third volumes of the manga finally came out :) Some say it's another spin-off of Alice in Wonderland, but I think it only has slight similarities, very slight. I definitely recommend this!

Crimson Shell - Jun Mochizuki - [Yen Press] One Volume Series
Jun-sama's earlier work, preceeding Pandora Hearts. Still just as good, I loved it! I don't know what to say about it that wouldn't completely spoil it for you, so I'll just leave it at this: definitely recommend it! :)

Godchild - Kaori Yuki - [TOKYOPOP] Vol. 1 - 8
The succeding series to The Earl Cain Saga. The artwork is far better in Godchild than Earl Cain Saga, in my oppinion, & the story is just wonderful. (I love Victorian-era-type-manga). I recommend this 100% (14+ I guess?)

That's all for now ♥
Stay Nyappy! ^.^
~Karin♣