Anime Year in Review (Part 1)

I had considered doing a year in review for all the books I read, too, but if you look at my Goodreads page, I've read 153 books this year.  Then, I considered just writing about the books that got a 5 of 5 stars.  That's still 56 books, which will take up more time than any of us really have to devote to this blog.  So, instead, I'd like to look back on my year of anime series.  At the start of this year, I talked about finishing Death Note and Space Dandy, so I'll be avoiding those two this time around.  But, I'd like to talk about the other titles that I've checked out, both with the Brother and without.  There are some real gems here :)

January brought us on an emotional thrill ride through Death Note and Space Dandy, but then the Brother went back to school.  Left to my own devices, I picked up two anime that seemed like fun at the time: Love Lab and Eccentric Family--and thus, Spring anime season began.

Love Lab is a goofy shoujo about a group of students (from an all-girls high

Riko and Maki (Love Lab)

school) learning how to get the attention of boys.  The story begins when popular, tomboyish Riko catches the student council president, Maki, in the act of making out with a body pillow.  Maki begs her not to tell anyone, since this might ruin her perfect reputation.  Riko makes an off-hand comment that suggests she is popular with boys, so Maki recruits her to teach her how to find a boyfriend.  There are two problems, though.  First, school rules forbid the girls having romantic relationships, and second, Riko doesn't know the first thing about romance!  

Soon, the student council becomes a front for the girls' "love lab" as they test out ways to get attention from boys, such as different hairstyles, conversation topics, and kissing.  The pair are joined by brash Eno, timid Suzu, and conniving Sayo as they attempt to provide answers to their romantically challenged peers, while still performing their student council duties.

Riko, Suzu, and a giant paper fan

From the description, this anime sounds like it might veer into yuri (lesbian) territory, but surprisingly, it stays pretty innocent of anything sexual.  There are a lot of jokes and awkward situations, but for the most part, it is pretty wholesome.  It's a cute series, though.  Not something I would personally watch again (since I just don't go for drippy girly shows), but still an enjoyable way to spend a couple of nights.

Yasaburo (Eccentric Family)

Eccentric family, on the other hand, was a real gem.  This one tells the story of a family of tanuki, or Japanese raccoon dogs.  Just as in the mythology, these tanuki have the power to shape-shift, so they take the form of humans and live among other members of society.  The titular family consists of four brothers: tightly-wound Yaichiro; Yajiro, who turned himself into a frog and can't turn back; irresponsible Yasaburo; and sweet, but timid Yashiro.  Add in a cross-dressing mother; their despicable cousins, the Ebisagawa twins; and a cantankerous old tengu (crow demon) and you have the recipe for a perfect cast!

The story mostly focuses on Yasaburo, and without giving too much away, the

Benten and the Friday Fellows

central theme revolves around the death of the family patriarch.  As he used to be the leader of tanuki society, the rest of the clan is caught up in trying to elect a new leader in his stead.  Meanwhile, Yasaburo finds himself caught up with a mysterious group called the Friday Fellows, who are known for cooking and eating a tanuki every year as part of the New Year's celebration.  When the group's most dangerous member, the lovely Benten sets her sights on Yasaburo, he's in love...and also in great danger.

This is a great series if you're looking for something short, but very engaging.  I found it difficult to stop watching, and was disappointed when it was over.  But, all in all, this is an excellent series, and one which I would contend is one of my all-time favorites!

Stay tuned for Part 2: School Rumble and Cowboy Bebop.  It should be coming your way very soon!

Anime!

Perhaps one of the best parts of the Brother's return home is that we spend inordinate amounts of time each night watching anime.  My love of anime is quickly becoming a make-or-break relationship point.  I can see turning down a very nice guy because he's not interested in discussing the finer points of Dragon Ball Z, or cosplaying with me at the next anime convention.  I know it sounds silly, but it's a big part of my interests.  Plus, I feel like watching anime and playing video games are social activities that should be shared.  I also love reading (which I'm sure you all know), but that's solitary.  I don't mind reading alone.  But, I want someone to go to all the anime movies with me, and to cry with me during every ridiculously sad character backstory in One Piece.

 

So, while we're on the topic, the Brother got me the most awesome Christmas gift: a copy of the latest Dragon Ball Z movie: Resurrection "F" on DVD.  We watched it Christmas night, and I'm still feeling the high. While he prefers the 2013 Battle of Gods, there is just something about the devious and highly dangerous Frieza (the "F" in Resurrection "F") that always fascinated me.

 

Frieza in his "golden form" from Resurrection F

 In addition to this amazing film, the Brother and I have stocked up a list of anime we wanted to watch while he's home for the holidays.  I'm hoping to post about these a bit more as we watch them.  I know last year, I talked about completing a few series which I had been focusing on for months, and how it felt like I had a huge hole in my life after these characters, who had been my constant companions, were gone from my day-to-day.

 

Tomoe from Kamisama Kiss

Last year was Death Note and Space Dandy.  This year, we have several titles lined up, including Tiger and Bunny; Kenichi the Mightiest Disciple; Mushi-Shi; Samurai Champloo; and possibly some One Piece or Dragon Ball if time allows.  Also, the Brother isn't interested, but I have a shoujo lined up for me: Kamisama Kiss!

 

I was going to use this space to write all about Tiger and Bunny, but I think I have a better idea.  Instead, I'm going to put together an anime Year and Review, and go over all the anime that I have seen this year.  I hope you guys stop in to check things out :)

Of Mice and Men Cover Art

Lennie and the Rabbits

A "Of Mice and Men" themed song; I really like how this sounds :)

John Steinbeck Reads "Of Mice and Men"

Of Mice and Men

The Brother has just started reading Of Mice and Men for his Honors English class, and since I've missed writing all my posts about books that I was reading for classes, I thought I would talk about this one. First of all, its one of my favorite books. I just love it! So, of course, when I learned he was reading it, I could not be happier. (And of course he was rolling his eyes: Oh dear, Emmy's all excited about my stupid classes again...) But, still...I'm really pumped :3

So, to help him supplement his own reading, and of course, to help build up your knowledge of these books, I'm going to try and post a little at a time about each of the books he reads as they come up. Honestly, I don't know if this is going to work out or not, so please bear with me.

Have any of you already read it? Did you like it or not so much? I'd love to hear your opinions on this!

Bad Day

Strangely, this video makes me feel so much better... especially since this was what I wanted to do today... :s (Thanks to the Brother for showing me this vid today!)


Going to whip somebody's ass

Kevin MySpace Video

The Pierogi Festival

Today, my parents took the Brother and I to the Pierogi Festival. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect, but all in all, it was a fun time. Basically, it was an event sponsored by a parish in the area, and there was food, drinks, games, polka music and of course pierogi :P It was a fun way to get in touch with my Polish side :3

Before we left, we entered into the 50/50 raffle and a chance to win an iPod touch; and the Brother won this homemade strawberry pie at a game of chance.

Ripping Yarns

Last night, after a wonderful conversation with the Roomie (who I've missed very much), the Brother and I have started watching the BBC television series Ripping Yarns (staring Michael Palin; written by Michael Palin and Terry Jones). It's so funny! We were really enjoying it, but because of time constraints, we were only able to watch the first two episodes: Tomkinson's Schooldays and The Testing of Eric Olthwaite. If the rest of the series is as hilarious as these first two episodes, then I can guarantee that we are in for a treat!

For those of you who are not familiar with this series, Ripping Yarns is a spoof of the adventure stories read by Edwardian school boys. Each episode if of a different place and time period; and each story is deliciously funny :3

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I'm sure most of you have heard of that book already...Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, published by Quirk Classics, made quite a stir when it first came out. Obviously, there were many enraged Jane Austin fans who did not appreciate having their beloved classic torn apart by "unmentionables" with a taste for human flesh. For a while, I refused to read it; I didn't want to see a classic torn apart and besides...I didn't like zombies. However, a trip to the bookstore with my friend Kasper showed me that this whole "epidemic" was spreading into other novels...And, well, I guess I just got bitten, because I went to the library and checked out Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.

So far, I've been reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (hereafter shortened to PP&Z) with my brother. And, we've both been enjoying it! I like it because of Jane Austin, but I also appreciate the somewhat warped sense of humor that Seth Grahame-Smith brings to the novel. The brother likes it because of the ninjas and bone-crunching mayhem, as well as the unique humor of Jane Austin/Seth Grahame-Smith.

As an English Major, however, I balk to say that this is better than the original. I think its a very interesting book, though, and I can't wait to finish it. Would we recommend it? So far, YES!