Finished Watching :: Princess Jellyfish

I really miss watching anime and I was happy to find a nice little anime to ease me back into my love for genre so here's a quick rundown...

The Basics

Tsukimi - not your average heroine

This was a pretty cute, straightforward anime about a group of nerdy women who live together and share a pretty unhealthy fear of society.  Tsukimi, the lead, is a young women who LOVES jellyfish because its her connection to her mother who died. One night when she is visiting a local jellyfish store she meets Kurako, cross dressing man who appears to be a Stylish (aka a fashionable girl), who helps Tsukimi save a jellyfish that the store clerk has unknowingly put in the same tank. That night an unlikely friendship is formed between two very different individuals.

My Thoughts

This wasn't my favorite anime but I really just think its me selling it short. Not only does this anime have a great variety of characters it also has a unique storyline that is refreshing & funny. I mean seriously, how many animes have you watched about a group of otaku women? 

What makes this anime so funny is that they truly fear any social situation that outside of the group, outside of their house, with a member of the opposite sex, with a stylish...basically with anyone. Another great aspect about this anime is that while each of the women is a nerd to the core, they are each nerdy in their own right. 

For instance while Tsukimi is obsessed with Jellyfish, Banba (the one with the big black fro) is obsessed with trains. I think the fact that they are all obsessed with different things adds a layer of reality to the series because in real life we all don't get geeked out over the sames stuff.

I would definitely encourage you to watch a few episodes of this anime because it might just surprise you. The one thing negative I will say about it is that it ends ABRUPTLY. And I mean super abruptly but other than that I'd say its worth giving it a shot.

Currently Watching :: A Lot

I think I am going to start doing this "Currently Watching" post once a week... what I'm watching always changes and I like sharing it with you guys so I can get your opinions/feedback.

Still Watching

Bachelor's Vegetable Store :: The season finale of this series will air on Friday night. I wish I could say I'm sad to see this drama end but frankly I'm not. Barely anything has happened in the past 16 episodes and I felt like the last two episodes I watched were overflowing with "progress." Its super unfortunate because I really wanted to love this drama but it just sucks. 

Too many tears. Too little character development. No real connection anymore - just annoyance.

Last Episode Watched - 18

Shut Up Flower Boy Band :: Still loving this drama but I'm beginning to wonder where they are going to go with the storyline. Six episodes in and a lot has already happened but what now? 

But hey there are like 6 hot guys in this drama and awesome music. Not gonna complain.

Last Episode Watched -  6

Just Started Watching

Iris :: I feel dumb for taking this long to watch this drama. Despite being a budget breaking blockbuster this drama could have been all talk, but instead it had my heart racing from the first moment. I definitely get a City Hunter action vibe from this series and am really intrigued to see if there will be a romance factor just as fiery. 

Not to mention the all star cast! 

Last Episode Watched -  3.

Princess Jellyfish :: After watching a bit of Fruits Basket the other day I was missing anime - badly. Being out of the anime game for a bit I really wasn't sure what to watch. Luckily @WelcomeGhosts was able to give me a few suggestions and Princess Jellyfish was one of them.

This is a nice change of pace from all the dramas I've been watching. Super lighthearted and great animation this series is making miss anime!!! Maybe its time to re-watch Peach Girl too! lol.

Last Episode Watched - 4

Anime...

Image Source

Today is the day the IPhone4s is out! So naturally I am glued to my residence waiting for the mailman to come and deliver that blessed little package. Meanwhile I decided to watch some anime... I'll admit though, I am not the type of person to just see and anime and simple watch. No, that would be too easy.  My personality is one that I have to read a summary, a few reviews, and then compare it past animes I have seen.  Rather than go through that process I decided to just rewatch Nana...

Image Source

Its been awhile since I've watched this anime, it wasn't very long into watching it when I once again, fell in love!  Everything about this anime is just so -- cool.  Its got likable characters, awesome design, killer fashion, great music, and a mature storyline.  Honestly, I think if more girls/young women in the states knew anime like this existed a whole new market would open up.  Don't get me wrong, I know a lot of people appreciate anime & manga here in the US but I think if animes such as Nana, Paradise Kiss, Peach Girl, Gunslinger Girl, Suzuka, etc were marketed more here it would attract such a huge fanbase.

Image Source

With reality tv dominating almost every channel in the US, tv dramas or even comedies are becoming more and more of a rarity.  I think now more than ever is the US market ready for the invasion of foreign media via anime & even J-dramas/K-Dramas.  I'm so over watching other people do mundane or in some cases idiotic things and calling it entertainment.  We all live in the real world, and sometimes its nice watching something that takes you away from that.

I know this doesn't really begin to do justice to this topic but those were the thoughts flowing through my head this morning so I thought I would share...

Day 3: Favorite TV Show

Day Three : A picture  of your favorite tv show

Not really your traditional tv series, but Peach Girl is undoubtedly one of my favorite shows to watch.  I cannot begin to tell you the amount of times I have watched this series. Simply the best.

Japan Cinema

I wanted to share an awesome site that offers great reviews on Japanese film, anime, and art -- Japan Cinema. 

Along with being aesthetically pleasing, **love their banners** if you're wanting to find a good Japanese film to watch Japan Cinema is the place to go.  From romantic comedies to anime series this site has everything. One of my favorite features is their "Top 10" series.  From "Top 10 Ass-Kicking Females of Anime" to "Top 10 Asian Death Scenes" Japan Cinema offers great insight into many films and series.  So next time you are looking for something to watch, check them out.

Jealous Much? Anime Expo Envy!

 With everyone's long weekend finally wrapped up more and more pictures are being posted from Anime Expo in LA... and I'm so jealous! Looking online from various blogs and websites it looks like everyone had a great time and I'm jealous!!...

from FastMatt's Youtube

These cosplays are pretty amazing right? It wasn't till a few years ago that I actually began to appreciate those people who cosplayed.  Up until then I thought of it as basically dress up -- but as you can see its far from it.  Most cosplayers spend hours upon hours perfecting their art and it shows. Wish I was that creative!

For more Anime Expo pictures check out Ken's page!

Black Butler

I love this anime! I had seen it before on Hulu but they only had the second season, and I hate starting something in the middle so I didnt watch it. However while I was surfing Netflix for something to watch I noticed they had the first season so I thought I would give it a try.

The series is somewhat morbid but you can't help but get drawn in. Basically it is about the demon butler (see? morbid!), Sebastian Michaelis, who serves his master Ciel Phantomhive in avenging the death of his parents and in return Sebastian will get his master's soul.

I know it sounds out there but once you watch an episode it makes a bit more sense.

Dracon*Con

Living in Georgia can sometimes be somewhat of a culture shock from California in the sense that most festivals and activities that are here are mostly just limited to Atlanta -- if at all. 

 
I've posted about Japanfest before, which is coming around again in September and recently I discovered another major event, Dragon*Con. From what I have read online it is somewhat comparable to ComicCon (held in San Diego) just on a smaller lever. [ComicCon has over over 130,000 attendees while Dragon Con has bout 40,000] Normally guests and exhibits range from comic books, sci-fi, anime and other fantasy related things.

Anyways Dragon*Con is approaching, and I have been debating whether or not I should go.  One thing holding me back is price. Depending on what day you go tickets range from $30-$50 or about $100 for a weekend pass.

Haven't decided yet on whether or not to attend yet... still debating.

Bundle Post :: Amazon, Katakana, JapanSoc

I finally ordered the Otaku Encylopedia! I can't till it comes... I actually ordered it with a few differents animes. I really want the Nana anime but its so expensive... like $50, and thats just for one season.. so I'll have to wait it out I guess.. booo (I'd rather spend the same amount and get more than just the one)



I have been slacking on my Katakana this week.. ::sadface:: I just need to better manage my time which I'm guessing means getting up earlier... so hopefully by the end of this week I can figure out a better routine.. (this katakana chart might look a little childish but its actually really helpful to study from)

Lastly.. I am a huge fan of Japansoc. Its a book marking site for all things Japanese and its one of those websites that is on my "daily reads"... well each month they have a blog carnival called Matsuri.. and I talked to Nick (the site's owner) and I will host it on here in January!!! I am so excited since I love the site and like usually bookmark something every other day...

Yay! It came!!!

I had ordered one of my FAVORITE anime series via Amazon. And OMG it was delivered today! Its sorta crazy that it came already since I just ordered it but I am way excited to watch it. Basically Paradise Kiss is like The Hills/The City but anime version. Very cool and I would definately recommend it for newbies in anime who love fashion, drama, and FASHION!



I mean how can you not just LOVE it?! Like the art and color are simply awesome. Basically its about this girl, Caroline, who leads a mundane life yet gets the opportunity to model for some fellow classmates clothing line, Paradise Kiss.

A must watch. =]