Song of the Heart: Anime Review on "Myself; Yourself"

Myself; Yourself is as thirteen episode romantic comedy that tells the story of Hidaka Sana, a sixteen year old boy who returns to his home town of Sakuranomori. Returning after five years, he is surprised that much hasn’t change in his home town. Taking a detour to the local temple, he makes a prayer and notices a beautiful long haired girl in shrine clothing watching him. As he attempts to get closer, the girl moves away and disappears.

Heading straight to his landlord’s place to get the keys to his apartment, he is surprised to see his childhood friend, Oribe Aoi. Much to Aoi’s dismay and Sana’s embarrassment, he doesn’t recognize right away ‘Aoi-chan’ for the sudden growth in ‘certain’ areas of her body. The following day at school, he finds out that he is the same class with two other of his childhood friends, Shusuke and Shuri Wakatsuki. While talking with Shuu and Shuri, Sana sees that the long haired shrine maiden is one of his classmates as well. Trying to introduce himself, the girl suddenly slap in the face. Being slap for no apparent reason, Sana quickly reacts and sees a sakura bracelet on the girl’s wrist, and realizes that the girl is Yatsushiro Nanaka, another of his childhood friends.

From then on, Nanaka gives him the cold silent treatment and one instance, leaves him at the library when both of them are suppose to go to class representatives meeting— of which the two of them have been elected class reps of their sophomore class.

Even though Myself; Yourself is a romance comedy, unlike numerous anime comedies which are often harem romances involving one guy surrounded by numerous girls. In Myself; Yourself the story focuses primarily on the relationship between Sana and Nanaka, with the rest of the other girls being nothing more than supporting characters. Sana Hidaka, is a live person that has an actual personality, not like Hiroyuki of To Heart and Wataru of Sister Princess— the stereotype male protagonist in most harem type anime/games, which often doesn’t say much and generally agrees with whatever a girl says. Also, Sana harbors a phobia for bloody knives— or anything that pertains to blood, thus showing a male protagonist with flaws just like any regular guy, and really speaks. But Sana is still the typical nice guy who helps out anyone— which is often the cause for Nanaka’s jealous streak throughout the series.

Although a romance comedy, the series has some sub-episodes relating to the rest of the other female characters in the series. With the exception of two episodes which focuses primarily on the Wakatsuki twins, most the episodes have Sana along with one of the other female characters— as a sympathetic ear ready to listen. I enjoyed the two episodes that involved Hinako Mochida, a ten year old middle school girl who joins the cast in Episode 03. The series starts out as the typical romance comedy with all the mishaps and misunderstanding between the two, but at the near end of the series, the tone gets serious and dramatic as the reason for Nanaka’s cold demeanor is reveiled piece by piece.

When Haruhi met Kyon: Anime Review on "The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya"

What do you get when you cross a time-traveling girl, a humanoid alien that can spurt out quantum equations per nano second, and an all too smiling bishonen esper into the life of a normal teenage boy who is trying to keep his temperamental girlfriend in checked. Rewind *ahem* female classmate from blowing up the world, and you have the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya.

Based on a series of light novels written by Nagaru Tanigawa, illustrated by Noizi Ito, and published in Kadokawa Shoten, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, is the story of Kyon, an average Japanese teenager entering his first year of senior high school, gets entangled in the wild and self-amusing antics of Haruhi Suzumiya. Kyon’s enstrangement, or should I say, enslavement to Suzumiya begins when Kyon baffled by Haruhi’s speech at the start of the school year, gets him to engage Suzumiya in a string of casual conversation. Haruhi’s answers to his questions are an enigma and way off bizarre coming from a long brown haired beauty. Kyon makes a happenstance hypothesis about Suzumiya’s hairstyle. And the following day, Haruhi cuts her hair short— an all too drastic thing for any girl to do.

Warn by his two friends, Taniguchi and Kunikida, to stay the hell away from Haruhi Suzumiya. Kyon still engages Suzumiya in conversation and surprisingly, gets actual answers. Kyon’s world turns upside-down, when Haruhi inspired by a chide speech given by Kyon, announces amidst an ongoing class session, that she is forming her own club. There’s nothing unsual about forming a school club— not unless your club slogan is to invite time travelers, aliens, espers, and every other supernatural, extra-terrestrial, and psychic being to come in and join. And the first ‘victim’ to get dragged into this demented club is no other buy Kyon himself.

Soon they are join by Yuki Nagato; a stoic book worm(who might as well be a clone of another beloved anime heroine), Mikuru Asahina; a shy, busty, and cute sophomore, and Itsuki Koisumi; who as Haruhi would like to call ‘The Mysterious Transfer Student’.

Kyon finds out that these seemingly hapless ‘victims’ of the SOS Brigade(a.k.a. Save the world by Over-loading it with fun by Suzumiya Haruhi— believe me, even the original Japanese acronym says the same thing), are actually secret agents sent to monitor and keep in check Haruhi Suzumiya. Who doesn't know, has the power to alter and create new worlds. Thus it is their task— and Kyon’s nerve-wracking responsibility to keep her imperial highness in check. And how does one keep a temperamental god in control— why, keep her amuse with utter senseless antics and gimmicks.

The fourteen episode series starts with an amateur-made movie written and directed by Haruhi Suzumiya, and followed by the first and second episode of the series, what follows after is a side story episode involving a trip to an exotic island . The fifth episode is the actual third episode, the continuation of the episode three (which is really episode two). Everything is set in an anarchronologic order, one episode gets followed by another episode which seems to be another story on its own, then followed by the actual chronological episode.

It was voted as the anime of the year 2006 and appeared on the cover of New Type USA. It also won the Animation Kobe award for TV feature in the same year. The series was produced by Kyoto Animation and directed by Ishihara Tatsuya, with character design by Ikeda Shoko. After its TV launch in April 2006, a fandom of otakus calling themselves ‘Haruhi-ists’ emerged, adding to the success of the series. Heck, if Suzumiya knew that she had such a large fan base in the real world— she might have shifted worlds to this one.

Though most episodes of the series like side stories wherein the main focus of the story is to keep her imperial highness entertain— least, unknown to herself, threaten to annihilate the world. You will get a kick at how Kyon, still trying to reason out that the whole idea of Suzumiya being a God is absurd, gets dragged in every stunt or gimmick Haruhi perpetrates herself and trying to maintain the safety of the world.

Despite all the unusual yet hilarious stunts that shown in the series, there are still touching moments in the series that will make Haruhi irresistibly kawai. In episode 08, Someday in the Rain, Kyon wakes up— resting after enduring another demanding command of her imperial highness— and sees a slightly worried Haruhi standing over him. After doing some stand-in singing in episode 11, Live alive, Kyon finds Haruhi resting under a tree during lunch, pondering over the meaning of life. Kyon looks at her with such tender eyes that Haruhi mistakes for ridicule and she tries throw some grass at his face. But it seems the wind isn’t entirely in her control and strips of grass fly into her face. In episode 12, we get to know more about Haruhi Suzumiya.

After watching it, it is no small wonder why the series was voted one of the best anime in 2006 and created such a fan base after the airing of the series. A hilarious yet serious anime that will make you laugh to no end, and at the same time, start you to think whether there’s more to this world than it seems. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is one of those rare short anime series that you will love to watch, watch all over again, and never tire of. Where in the hell is Season 2?!#?*!!!!

When Tomorrow Comes Today: Review on "Asatte no Houkou"

While most animes we get out of Japan, are either mecha series on world dominance or peace, or romantic harem-type comedies, either way an excess of the two is enough already. So it's good to see a series that sticks more to a good storyline without the excess sugar or overly rehashed formulas on world conquest, peace, or whatever. Asatte no Houkou (translated: “A Direction of the Day After Tomorrow”) is a slice-of-life anime on the interesting twist of fate that affects the lives of Iokawa Karada, an eleven year old girl, and Nogami Shouko, a young woman of twenty. The anime begins on a quiet sunny day, while Shouko is taking a stroll along the countryside she meets a young girl praying in front of a small shrine on the side of the road. Upon asking what is the girl praying for, the girl introduces herself and states that is a secret. Karada’s brother, Hiro(which she calls ‘Hiro-nii’ throughout the series), and Karada finds out that Shouko went to the same university her brother studied in while in the United States. Upon impulse, Karada invites Shouko to the beach on the coming Sunday. Shouko tries to refuse, but a hint from Hiro convinces her to come along.

On the day of the trip, they are joined by Karada’s classmate, Amino Tetsumasa, and his older sister, Touko. Through out the entire trip to the beach, Shouko stays aloof and doesn’t join in on much of the activities. Later on, Touko makes a passing joke at her about her relationship to Hiro. At which Shouko quickly denies, embarrassing the both of them. Doing some last-to-the-minute shopping before going home, Karada shows to Shouko a pair of white hair ribbons that Hiro bought for her. Shouko makes a snide remark at her which sends Karada running in tears. Later on, after sending Karada home, Hiro confronts Shouko about the incident, reveiling that they were more than friends in the US. Shouko slaps him in the face, this time she is the one running in tears.

She finds herself back at the shrine where she first met the two and meets Karada again, praying in front of the shrine. They stare at each other in the light of a full moon, a cloud passes, and in a instant, Karada becomes a grown woman of twenty and Shouko reverts to an eleven year old girl. Based on a manga series written by J-ta Yamada and published in Comic Blade Masamune in March 2005. It was adapted into a twelve episode series, directed by Sakurabi Katsushi, character design by Ito Ikuko, and produced by J.C. Staff. The series was aired in Japan on October 05, 2006.

I like the series cause it didn’take on a comedic stereotyped approach to the age-switch scenario. In most other anime series, the idea of an age-switch— or any other switch for that matter— would have been a one-episode with the usual formulated slapstick comedy. Asatte no Houkou takes more of a plausible and serious storyline approach, as Karada gets her wish; she realizes that although she is a grown woman physically, she is still a child with limitations to what she can do on her on. Shouko, on the other hand while reverted to a body of the child, maintaining an adult’s reasoning despite the change, comforts Karada as she breaks down and cries.

Despite the reflective tone of the series, and this being an anime, moments of comedy still occur. While going shopping, Shouko jealously realizes how big of a ‘bust’ size Karada has. A puzzled Hiro and Shouko wonder why Karada is still standing on a kids chair just to turn on the kitchen exhaust fan. And Hiro, despite knowing that is it still his little sister, gets embarrass when Karada leans towards him to remove a piece of lint off his shirt.

It is a journey of sorts for the two of them as they get to live with each other. Shouko realizes that despite Karada’s age, she doesn’t want to be treated as a kid and takes up adult responsibilities at home such as, buying the groceries, doing the laundry, and cooking. Karada starts to admire Shouko and becomes close to her.

A light anime drama that looks into the relationships of people and how despite the difference within ages, people can be either grown men and women on the outside, yet hold still a child’s heart on the inside, and vice versa. Asatte no Houkou is anime series that touches the heart without any mushy and sentimental clichés. A well-written anime with a good solid storyline, great character design, and a rustic sound score to match— you might even think adding the ending song ,“Sweet Home Song”, to your iPod or any music player gizmo you have. Asatte no Houkou is a gem of an anime series worth adding to ones DVD collection as a future classic.

The Baka side of High School Life: “Joshikosei Girls High"

Girls were much as a mystery to me during high school as much as women are to me now today— although I know a few things now. I think. So it’s nice to see a bishoujo anime that doesn’t have any subtle undertones of lesbianism, or a guy’s pre-conceived notion of what high school girls are— kawaii, sweet, and often too doleful to be real. “Joshikosei Girls High” is a twelve episode series that shows an all too real yet somewhat ecchi depiction of what high school girls are, beyond the shut door of a girl’s locker room. Based on a currently ongoing manga series by Towa Oshima— daughter of Yasuichi Oshima, the renown manga-ka of Batsu & Terī —originally published by Futabasha's Weekly Manga Action magazine in 2001. “Joshikosei Girls High”, or Girls High for short, depicts the comic yet slightly raunchy misadventures of Eriko Takahashi, Fuma Suzuki, Ayano Satou, Akari Kouda, Kyoko Himeji, and Irue Ogawa, as they enter senior high school at Yamasaki Girls Academy— abbreviated in the series as ‘Saki Girls Academy’.

Eriko Takahashi leads her two friends, Yuma Suzuki and Ayano Satou, into taking an impromptu tour of Saki Girls Academy. Believing that Girls high school is the epitome of grace, beauty, and charm— as oppose to a boys high, as Eriko states as dirty, filthy, and smelly. Eriko’s naïve misconceptions gets knock off her ivory pedestal, when they step into the girls swim team locker room, they find a room littered with P.E. swimsuits hanging in the air and trash littered about. Even an open pack of sanitary pads in the open and a sheet of tissue on a desk table with very short curly hair that can only be pubic hair.

Finding out that all girls senior high school isn’t all the prim and grace that she so dream about, Eriko runs out the room— with Yuma and Ayano chasing after her— and stumbles on a flight of stairs, falling butt first into the face of Akari Kouda. Akari with her friends, Kyoko Himeji and Irue Ogawa, assume by mistake that Eriko, Yuma, and Ayano are sophomores and starts to ask Eriko all about high school life. Only to find out the following day that they are in the same class.

Similar in theme to “Super Gals”, wherein a bunch of high school girls who meet up at the start of the first semester and become friends for life. Unlike ”Super Gals”, wherein romance seems to be still the usual flavor of bishoujo anime, Joshikosei Girls High focuses more a down-to-earth, somewhat real, yet somewhat ranchious depiction of high school life on the girls side of the fence. While Gals, like all other bishoujo anime primarily focus on romance, Girls High deviates from the usual flow, discussing such matters such as girls’ hygiene, porn, and the usual back talk that girls talk about boys— aside from the bonds of friendship which is the usual plotline. While Gainax Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou, “His and her Circumstances” tackles the angst, the pain, and trials of high school life, all in the traditional style of Gainax— thought provoking and full of cinematic drama. Girls High takes a light, humorous, ecchi yet witty approach to the whole high school life drama. It’s refreshing to see a bishoujo anime wherein girls talk about porn, personal hygiene, boys, and dating under the sun— minus the cliquey embarrassed blushing and all-too-sugary sweetness typical of other bishoujo anime.

The first two episodes of the anime­— and some later episodes— have enough fan service to outlast an otaku’s lifetime. Even sending some first time viewers screaming hentai. But despite the excessive fan service— pantie flashes and sexually suggestive positions, what makes Joshikosei Girls High, an anime worth watching over and over again, is its candid yet humorous portrayal of high school girls who can talk about porn, sex, boys without the clique blushes of embarrassment or doleful eye effects. Girls that as close to real girls and experience things as typical girls do. Plus the comic antics and stupid misadventures, making us believe that girls do have a baka side— once in a while.

The only flaws that I found with Joshikosei Girls High is the brevity of the series and the lack of character storyline on Kyoko Himeji and Irue Ogawa. While most of the other primary characters— Eriko Takahashi, Yuma Suzuki, Ayano Satou, and Akari Kouda— had each an episode or two showing us a storyline focus on each. Except for episode 8, where we see a fat Himeji who upon the advice of ‘three angels’ transforms herself from fatty to hotty— all for the sake of love. We don’t get to much storyline on these two characters, transforming them in later episodes as just simple background characters­— even like personal attachments or accessories to the other four. If there is to be a Season 2— and I hope there is, I hope the producers of the anime provide more in-depth storyline on the two. Maybe, an episode or two dedicated to Yuma’s little sister, Momoka Suzuki. Besides I would love to see more baka misadventures of the Moron Corp as they brave through second year of senior high.