Anime Review: Hyouka

Chitanda's hypnotic powers when she's curious

So I'm interested in this new series lately. It's very interesting since I realized I quite like a bit of mystery to things (even if it creeps me out and makes me shiver once in a while)

The story is generally centralized about this male student called Houtarou Oreki (who I learned is Tomoya's VA) who is forced to join the Classics Club by his sister. His motto in life is to not do anything that wastes energy, and when he has to do something, do it quickly. (which I must say is pretty good of a motto) This makes him come across as lazy and lethargic. So three other members join the club and they start solving mysteries. 

What I like about their mysteries is that there is a very logical and realistic explanation to all the mysteries and that it takes the fear out of what people find is the supernatural.

Characters: I am highly fond of all the characters in this series. The least probably is Chitanda since her constant curiosity bothers me just a bit, though I admit it leads to rather good mysteries that should be solved. Good thing she starts taking a back seat once Oreki starts stepping up to the plate. I'm very fond of the best friend character, absolutely adorable. Houtarou's personality and inner commentary is very amusing and much in line with my sense of humor. 

Art/Animation: As an artist, I watch and read manga based on how good the animation and art style is, hoping to learn from it as I watch as well as a form of entertainment. I really like Hyouka's animation and art. It's very school life cuties, but it's very pretty as well. Lots of lighting use I noticed which can be a bit odd... I guess it's something to do with atmosphere.

Story/Plot: I really enjoy every episodes once stuff started speeding up. The mysteries suck me in and I enjoy the school life plot mixed in with these problems people would consider supernatural.

Music:From what I judge from the openings and endings, I don't like the music, but the animation they really make interesting and pretty so it's hard not to watch it. I kind of just not focus on the music at that point though I must say the OSTs are rather pretty since it's solid classical.

Entertainment: I like the bits and pieces of humor and I feel like this series gives the best of everything from school life to romance to mystery to humor. I think it's for a wide range of people, but apparently the first few episodes are such a drag to get through there is a lot of not as good review about it.

Overall: I like this series. Perhaps not as much to do anything but watch it, but it definitely goes as something I enjoy. It can sit along side Natsume Yuujinchou in my entertainment and enjoyment level. Can't wait to see more of this :P

Killing Some Demons

Alright... so I just need to kill some demons in my heart.

I know I'm very lonely at this point in my life. I don't really have any friends that I would say that I really love or any friends from my childhood that I still have...
I've cut off many ties throughout my short life... some that were my choice and some that weren't.

Currently it's a transition period between one life to another. I'm not planning to be in much contact with my friends from high school... since none of them lasted very long or were very pleasant until the end. I'm thinking about unfriend-ing many of the people on my facebook, so I don't get updates of everyone from Foothill that I don't quite care for. I do keep in contact with some who come to me first, and then I appreciate their presence in my life... but other than that, I enjoy staying at home and just being with my mom and working until exhaustion.
 I must say I only have one friend that I would consider loving and keeping in contact with in the future, and I know that I will miss him dearly when we're in college and going separate ways.  But I highly doubt that we'll be able to keep in contact for long... due to rather different interests... how did we manage to begin with?... idk haha

Well... I'm good now. I just needed to write out my thoughts for a bit :)

Work is been going well and keeping me busy. Between preparing for the next days lesson and teaching the actual lesson... my mind has been tired and stressed out.

I don't need these demons... not now when things at work gets me equally as stressed... imma shower and sleep and hope for a good day. Good night world.

Thoughts: Legend of Korra

So yay! Season Finale of The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra.

I quite enjoyed the season Finale and I know for a fact that may people had issues. Yes, I had issues too... since it just felt way too easy, but the last few scenes (Especially the one where Aang comes and AVATAR STATE KORRA). I got shivers listening to the old OST from TLA. *tears in eyes*

I heard many complains about the timing... and I agree the timing was rushed... but it was rushed the whole series you should get use to it!

The finale really felt like a series finale though... and right now I have no clue what they plan to do for the next season...
I think no one has an idea of what they plan to do season two... but I'm sure everyone wants to see more of Commander Bumi! I know I am! I really want to see Kya and all the second generation people TTwTT.

General Iroh was a disappointment... casting Dante Basco really did nothing for the character other than have Zuko's voice... in fact it was strange. I would've expected a bit if voice altering to make it lower and sound more mature (since Iroh was like... late twenties and Zuko was a teenager) but he didn't change it at all... it was weird...

The romance between Mako and Korra felt forced at the end. A kiss was a bit much... I suppose... with the running and embrace spinning... since it was never built up the whole series... other than one or two episodes and now they're pretty passionate! I didn't like it... and I don't know if I support it. Part of my inability to do so may also be because Mako was a bit of a douche the whole series... With the whole "I'm not sure if I like you, Korra... so imma date Asami but realize I love you and kick her to the corner!"
I felt bad for Asami... and she was a cool character. (but too much make up girl)

Overall... still loved the series. Could've been much more mind blowing. Will look forward to second season :D

Movie Review: The Hunger Games

So of course right after reading the books I had to watch the movie! And I had to say... I should've watched the movie first while I had the chance. I don't know if it was because I was watching it online but the quality was really bad... everything seemed like it was from an old movie and that I was watching The Wizard of Oz when they got to the capitol...

Well probably because I read the books I didn't like it... but they just left out some stuff I was looking forward to (as of most movies when it is based of a book).
I suppose it's because the book is narrated in first person... and in the movie you don't want to do voice overs, so it's not as impacting as you don't know what the characters are thinking, since they are very silent in the movies.

I must say though, the acting wasn't bad... could be better of course. I don't see what all the fuss was about the cast. I liked the cast... Rue was wonderful and Cinna was exactly as I imagined him (except without the beard).

I found myself crying at Rue's death in the movies because of when District 11 held up the three fingers. I got shivers and I stared crying... no idea why... I liked that part but not that much.

Anyways it was good to watch but I don't think I'll watch Catching Fire... unless it's to see Finnick. (That HAWTIE)

Book Review: The Hunger Games

WOW! OK so... I'm Angry At This Book! WTF is with this ending!

Book 1 and 2 were absolutely amazing, I wanted to give up sleep for it! But when I got to book three... I was starting to lose concentration on the fight scene. (not including the fact that I spoiled the ending for myself on wikipedia) But it was really long... and it didn't help with the climax or build up.

The first book was wonderful. I absolutely enjoyed the time at the Capitol, imagining the food and the clothes that Cinna designed and I was so sucked in by the fight scenes that I wanted to know what next. Except I totally was creeped out by the dog mutts that were suppose to look like the dead tributes. The deaths didn't strike me as very tear-jerking, despite how emotional I am... I guess my imagination wasn't in high gear at the moment. I also felt absolutely sorry for poor Peeta (pita chip). I love the boy with the bread and the chemistry between Katniss and Peeta were so great, I loved it.
I was very much disappointed though... since when I first heard about it... Christine told me that one of her kids asked "What did they do in the cave?" and I thought it would be something mature or implying it. And with the lack of but quickly growing chemistry I was looking forward to it... but nothing happened! lol...

Book two was equally wonderful. I love the flirtatious but totally dedicated to their true love character. Finnick!!! I love you so! But you love Annie! So my heart breaks
The need that Katniss and Peeta were dragged into the games once again was tiring... I didn't want to go through the whole thing again, but Finnick made it better I must say. The older victors made it a bit tiring though... I feel bad for saying that.
The chemistry was bad... for reasons I can understand... but Katniss's uncertainty was annoying. In those times you need characters like those in 50 Shades who know what they want... and that's it! They want each other so they're happy now!

Book three I think killed the series. I was already expecting a disappointing or tragic ending... but they don't give a tragic or a happy ending... but a very lukewarm not really special ending... There wasn't even the hopeful ending... I was pretty disappointed with that book, the ending really dwindled and it ruined my impression of the series...
Now I crave another book that is satisfactory... Or maybe I already need another romance novel... but I know my next choices are all going to be either science-fiction or fantasy.... since I got to finish those books!

Book Review: 50 Shades

So it's summer so I tend to try my best to read books and so far it's been going well. But whenever I finish a book a get this feeling to rant and rave about how unsatisfied I am about it... but with no one to talk to about this stuff... I will be ranting and raving here.

50 Shades was an interesting read with lots of romance, drama and pretty much what you expect from a romance series. After reading this, I realized my favorite parts were all the parts where Ana would be on the verge of leaving Christian and lots of drama and angst ensue.

I never liked female leads... for reasons I think other women get as well, such as feeling jealous or just finding them weak. I actually found Ana decent. Being pretty angsty and a drama queen for the right reasons. I mean, wow, despite how handsome, rich, and charming Christian Grey was... he was really f**ed up.
Sexually harassed fifteen year old huh... wow... I wonder what traumatic effects Laurel gets from his relationship.

Other than that it was a good read, and I found myself getting excited for the movie when it was over. But the excitement was short-lived as I thought my excitement over it was a bit shallow. I would still very much like to see the movie though, that will be interesting to see those two passionate lovers.

Many people compared this book to an adult version of Twilight which I have to agree, since in fact, 50 Shades was originally a Twilight fanfiction gone famous. Much like a book I read when I was still a middle school that was also a fanfiction gone famous called Boycotts & Barflies. I'm not sure if I'll revisit this book as I read it when it was still in its 'Twilight' influence phase and some parts might have been changed. (and I completely skipped the smut scene as a "innocent' middle school girl).

 

Overall I wouldn't mind reading another book like that again, except I guess these books require small doses once in a while instead of only reading books like these. I wouldn't mind getting a few recommendations though.

But with the popularity of fanfictions gone famous, I would love to see The Devil's Canvas become a book, but with the homosexual relationship, I high doubt it.