Archive for the Series Category


Yuri Manga: Anoko ni Kiss to Shirayuri wo, Volume 3 (あの娘にキスと白百合を 3)

June 27th, 2016

AknSw3-e1440286973777Back in April, I picked up Anoko ni Kiss to Shirayuri wo, Volume 4, and realized suddenly that I had never gotten Volume 3. Durh! While in Japan, this volume was one of two I made sure I picked up, goshdarnit.

When Anoko ni Kiss to Shirayuri wo, Volume 3 (あの娘にキスと白百合を) begins, we turn our attention briefly back to the initial couple we met in Volume 1, Kurozawa Yurine and Shiramine Ayaka. Finals time always stress Ayaka out, as she is eternally chasing after Yurine, the natural genius who never studies. Ayaka tortures herself studying and studying and, as grades come in, Ayaka becomes more and more depressed. Yurine, the slacker and doofus, has beat her again. Yurine’s affection for Ayaka just becomes galling, until, finally, Ayaka gets a top score. Yurine admits that she’s just really at school and won’t really be sorry about that, but she does genuinely love Ayaka. Ayaka, her ego salved, is ready to accept Yurine’s feelings once again.

From here, we move on to the story of the president and vice president of the  drama club. Yurine (and therefore Ayaka) are dragged into the Gardening Club’s ongoing issues with the Student Council, a member of which appears to be dedicated to destroying the Gardening club. The arc, which does not get a “happy” ending,  much like the main arc in Volume 2, is about love and betrayal and growing up. It was, by far and away, the most adult so far of the arcs and also the most depressing, while still remaining sort of hopeful.

I keep saying this about this series – it appears at first glimpse to be another Marimite clone, but it is definitely it’s own thing. If there is one real criticism of the series, it’s that it’s one of those all-lesbian schools, where there don’t seem to be any straight girls and where nearly every character we meet has to be paired off.  Other than this quibble, we’ve met characters far richer than they first appeared to be.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 8 Less cute and sweet before, but more complicated, instead.
Yuri – 8
Service – 1 on principle

Overall – 8

I’m actually finding myself looking forward to the next volume to see what happens (and hoping Ayaka can get past her  – totally valid – resentment of Yurine.)





Drama CD: Kindred Spirits, Playing Girlfriend (English)

June 19th, 2016

KindredSpirit_DramaCD_vol1_1“Koibito-gokko” is not all that positive a phrase. It’s used somewhat disparagingly, to diminutize and dismiss same-sex love, especially between girls. To be told that you are pretending to be lovers, because of course you can only really become lovers with a boy, is just not a nice thing to say.

I’m gonna be honest that when I saw that the first Kindred Spirits Drama CD was called “Koibito-gokko” 「恋人ごっこ」, I was not leaping to get it initially. But after listening to and thoroughly enjoying the Second Drama CD and being reminded that this series has yet to let me down, I decided to give it a try.

Kindred Spirits, Drama CD 1, Playing Girlfriend was, despite the title, very cute.

The story follows Yuna’s classmate Ano, as her annual existence as an object of worship by other students has become more stalker-y than she’s comfortable with. Her friends. Yuna, Hina and Nena suggest that if she pretends to have a lover, her fans will back off. Because Ano cannot decide which of the three would make a better fake girlfriend, they all decide to try it out.

Another cringe-worthy plot and I just had to trust to the writers that they’d make it worth my time. And so they did.

Ano’s lunchtime escapade with Yuna was absolutely darling. We spent a little time just listening in as they discussed their future plans. It was plain up a bit of hanging with characters we like for a little longer, with nothing creepy about it.

Hina is next, and she gets a chance to impart some genuine wisdom at Ano and listeners, the crux of which was “If you really like someone, you don’t stalk them.” Thank you, Hina.

Of course, before we went into the Nena and Ano scenario, I knew that this was where it was most like to be a bit service-y, as both Ano and Nena remain unpaired in the original game, are both friends and are both geeks, although in different ways. Nena did not disappoint. She played Ano beautifully and really had a little fun at her friend’s expense without hurting her at all. It was nice to remind ourselves that Hina and Nena are both observant and Yuna’s very realistic…and that Nena had a wicked sense of humor.

Ultimately, Ano pulls herself together and develops a plan to help herself and her fans…with her friends’ help.

Like the Second Drama CD, Friendship Plans, this was purchased from Mangagamer’s site, and came in the form of two downloads. A Drama CD with original seiyuu, and subtitles over images, and a second download with CD inserts, images, credits and extra voice tracks, wishing you a good morning, good night, kitchen timer and the like.

Ratings:

Story – Despite a icky title, it was an 8
Characters – 10
Overall – 8

The DCD ties together two little loose ends from the game; Ano’s helping Yuna, and the fact that fans paired Ano and Nena, and gave them a story that was both satisfying and not at all cringe-making.

At this point, I’m just now all in for anything these writers throw at me. I trust them implicitly to not let me down.





Yuri Artbook: The Legend of Korra – The Art of the Animated Series, Book 4: Balance

June 17th, 2016

LoKBalanceWell today was a lovely day. I returned home today to find a gift from Okazu no Miko and long-time sponsor Dan P for today’s Review! And so I was able to sit down and peruse The Legend of Korra – The Art of the Animated Series, Book 4: Balance. And what a delight it is. ^_^

The first thing that really struck me was just how incredibly detailed the art truly was. I’m usually blinded to animation art by the narrative it contains, but stripped of the dialogue and movement, it was really remarkable to see just how much detail every scene was given. It’s a real testament to the care this series received that characters and body language and facial expressions were given as much time and attention as cityscapes and large motions.

The book includes character designs, background art, black-and-white sketches through fully rendered and colored images and story boards, which give you a real idea of just how much work goes into an animation.

In addition to the lovely “Turtle-Dove Date“image and closeup that creator Brian Konietzo drew as the definitive comment on Korra and Asami’s relationship, there is also a lovely page with the screencapped final scene of Korra and Asami walking into the portal hand and hand and a closeup of them in the portal, glowing and holding hands as they are about to disappear.

All in all an incredibly satisfying book, both aesthetically and technically. If I were to say anything was missing, it would be art from Varrick and Zhou Li’s wedding. I found creator Joaquin Dos Santos’ comment that this show has more costume changes than any other he’s worked on amusing. ^_^

Ratings:

Overall –  10 It has all the bells and whistles

Makes me want to watch Korra all over again.

Many many thanks today to Dan! If you’re interested in sponsoring a review ’round here, check out my Amazon Wish List and Amazon JP Wish List for suggested items to sponsor.





Sailor Moon Crystal Season 3 CD/DVD

June 14th, 2016

61kDtm02hIL._SX425_It’s not business as usual around here on Okazu for me to review a soundtrack CD, so you have to know something’s special if I do. ^_^

The Sailor Moon Crystal Season 3 CD/DVD is special. ^_^

In USA terms, this CD would be an enhanced single, with 4 tracks: “New Moon ni Koi Shite,” the Sailor Moon Crystal opening, with vocals and karaoke version (without vocals) and the Sailor Moon Crystal ending, “eternal eternity” with vocals and without.

The DVD includes TV sized version of both tracks with the opening and closing visuals, without credits.

And, then, comes the thing that makes the CD/DVD worth getting. Included are “digest movies” for the full opening and ending songs. These end up being extremely satisfying music videos of the series. And ,as “eternal eternity” is a duet sung by Minagawa Junko as Sailor Uranus/Tenoh Haruka and Ohara Sayaka as Sailor Neptune/Kaioh Michiru, the video ends up being an extended Haruka x Michiru lovefest.

This CD/DVD is just the kind of thing that makes a perfect stocking stuffer come holiday time and a welcome break from all those Haruka and Michiru-less days we have to put up with.

Snapshot-2016-06-14 at 06_36_17 PM-8661

 

Ratings:

So Glad I Bought It – 10





Yuri Manga: Yagate Kimi ni Naru, Volume 2 (やがて君になる)

June 13th, 2016

YKnN2When I stepped into the new flagship Animate store in Ikebukuro in Tokyo last month, I did not expect to find much Yuri. Positioned near “Otome Road,” this particular store tends to cater more to the fujoshi than the otaku. However, the very first thing I passed on the shelves was a special display for the second volume of Nakatani Nio’s Yuri series. When I bought it, it came with a sweet little postcard and a special book cover. If only the romance inside was a clear and simple as the cover made it seem. ^_^;

I summed Volume 1 of  Yagate Kimi ni Naru as a “sweet little Yuri romance that I both enjoyed a lot and also have several real problems with.”

And now that I’ve read Yagate Kimi ni Naru, Volume 2, I feel exactly the same way…with perhaps even more reservations than previously.

In Volume 1, Yuu found herself in the precarious and uncomfortable position of being the object of a crush by a person she admires, but just does not have romantic feelings for. In order to support Touko, she agrees to become a member of the student council.

But now Touko has begun to press harder. Having decided that she loves Yuu, she crosses the line into coercing kisses from Yuu, who is naturally distressed by this. She still admires Touko and really wants to be with her, but just does not feel that way.

Compounding the issue are the other members of the Council. Touko’s childhood friend and Vice President, Sayaka,  is both protective and possessive of Touko. The other first-year appear to think of their personal drama as a form of entertainment.

When Touko and Yuu study at Yuu’s home, Touko gets very embarrassed from overstimulation and Yuu is forced, again, to wonder if there is something wrong with her.

But when it turns out that Touko has been competing with a deceased older sister, it is Yuu that steps up and demands she be herself, rather than someone else. Yuu and Touko (again) agree that the way it is between them right now is good enough and they’ll keep it this way.

Loving someone very hard is not enough in the real world. But in this awkward presumed-romance, we’re supposed to be rooting for Touko, assured that Yuu will see her lack of feelings as just doubting herself. That is all the same as it as in Volume 1, but in Volume 2, we’re supposed to be happy that Touko coerces a kiss from Yuu.  I’m not happy about it all. It makes me view Touko with suspicion.

On the other hand, Yuu is really digging into her lack of response to Touko in an interesting way. At this point she wishes she did feel something. Yuu still has not put a name to her lack of feelings – and her situation is positioned awkwardly. She does have some emotion around Touko – admiration and just a hint of something else, but Yuu doesn’t think it’s romantic love or desire and we have to take her word for that.

I’m still not sure if Yuu is supposed to be confused because she just hasn’t had an “a-ha!” moment or because she’s genuinely asexual. I don’t think the mangaka knows, either and I’m positive Yuu herself has no idea.

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 8
Characters – 9
Yuri – 6
Service – 1

Overall – 8, still with reservations

I’m going to keep hanging on to this series because I want both Yuu and Touko to grow past this thing they have laying between them, but I’m not sure I want them to be together at the end of this series, despite the cover art. It might be better for them both if they aren’t.