This will be part 1 of the double Anime review I’ve been planning for a while. In-between having writers block and being addicted to MMOs again, I’ve decided to get off my lazy ass and write it, before I actually forget how to write.

On with the Review!

Ah! my goddess!  is a cult classic to most otakus. Created by Keisuke Fujishima who gave us Taiho Shicauzo( You’re under Arrest!) , the series revolves around the daily life of Morisato Keiichi, your standard loser, who suddenly gets a single wish from the Goddess Relief Agency from a beautiful goddess, Belldandy. Thinking it’s a prank by his seniors because he’s no good with girls, he makes his wish ” I want a goddess like you to stay with me forever!” Thus, hijinks ensue as his troubles and fortunes multiply at the same time.

Like Fujishima’s Subsequent work Taiho Shicauzo, Ah! my Goddess! boasts a large cast of characters, with a core group being the main and supporting cast, while others are placed in arcs. Also, his fascination with cars or motoring in general is shown in both series ( with Miyuki from T.S being a very good driver and mechanic, to Keiichi’s care for his BMW motorcycle and driving skills.)

With both series’ beginnings in the 1980’s-90’s the drawing style and appearance of characters also changes over the years. In fact, from the character’s first appearances till their current day ones. you wouldn;t believe the makeover they’ve been through!

The series currently has had 2 TV series, a Movie, and 2 OVAs and a mini special while the manga has been ongoing. Recently released was the Ah! My Goddess! Fighting Wing! OVA, which covers the Angel Eater Arc in the manga, while fleshing out a minor character who has recurring roles in both the first and second TV series.

This is a Must Watch series for any newbie to the world of Anime, and a classic for those who have already entered it. 

Ratings:

Art: 9/10 (Great art and clever use of trends.)

Storyline: 7/10 ( a little too draggy, but the comedy makes up for it.)

Characters: 8/10 ( Wide range, but ample character development for each and every one.)

Total Score: 24/30 ( Excellent.)

  Hi! I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated my Blog. And I sincerely apologize for that. *Bows* I’ve been having a writer’s block, not to mention being addicted to Perfect World for a bit, but now i’m fired up and raring to go in writing! But before i go into a review frenzy,  i’d like to give some updates on what has been going on in the last month or so.

- FTP Server on Ro-G: It’s still ongoing, but the progress is slow because we’ve encountered a couple of problems in coding where if we had released it earlier, regular forum users would have had access to the forum server, which would be a problem in forum security. The development team is still working on it, but i’d like to assure all RoG members that it is going to be up, very soon!

- Update on current Activities: Right now i’m pretty busy, juggling both work and play. But it’s more or less being covered.

1. I’ve got two more modules to finish in Republic Polytechnic, which are key to my graduation. I’ve also got to submit a letter to CMPB( that’s singapore’s Manpower board for National Service to apply for another 6 months of deferment till i graduate.)

2. Still hunting for part time work as well while hitting the gym. ( I still think that it’s better to go on the Gamer’s Diet, but oh well. fitness is needed for NS.)

3. I’m going to be putting out an Extended Anime Review on Aria, for it’s third Season. as well as reviews for Ah! my Goddess! and the new xXxHOLiC series that recently aired, so be sure to catch those in the next couple of days!

4. Learning Photoshop and Making Gif Avatars. Haven;t started on these yet, but once i clear out major hurdles on my modules, i’ll take them up.

- Update on Love Life: Since i’m pretty sure my folks and siblings don;t read my blog, I might just put her picture up here. But no promises. Anyway, we recently went on another date and we talked about what we’d do after i leave singapore. More details to come in subsequent posts when i have sorted out the chaos.

-Update on current Feelings: Recently i’ve been asking myself a question ” what have i been doing?” and  ” shouldn;t i be doing much better?” Well even with doubts in place i’m sure i’ll do fine! So Daijoubu, I’ll be working at my very best! 

-Update on Blog: I’ll be looking at how to install several features on the blog such as the music i’m listening to at the moment, Putting in extra media, and cleaning up some portions that need tidying up.  This will be a work in progress, but i’m sure i’ll figure it out eventually!

I’ll be writing soon again, so keep the traffic up!

Hatori.

Life’s been a little ironic recently. Especially so in the past week. I know most of the time it’s usually rants and ramblings but i guess that that’s life for ya. Here’s some points to ponder over the next week or two..

 -Laptop confiscated:

Apparently my Old man thinks that i have been spending too much time on the computer, so he;s decided to confiscate it. Anyway.. Not like i don’t have alternatives to get online.  Bah anyway, nothing new on the home front. parents nagging yaddayaddayadda.

-Ro-G’s Revamp and Additions:

Currently still in process of revamping the site, but if what Zen tells me is right, the FTP server will be up by tonight. I certainly hope so. but in any case, it’s just testing before the actual release. Revamped the site to be trimmer and leaner, but i’ll try to include other stuff like a classifieds section with a mod who is willing to work for free and do constant updates.

 - Perfect World:

Now that my laptop has been confiscated with no return in sight, i’m just relying on one fellow to do me a favour to login and finish a daily quest while i await the return. Anyway, i’ll also be finding other CCs that might have PW installed and try to enter back in. Lvl 60 WR and looking for 1 more lvl before i focus on my Elf Priest.

Oh and i just had my hair cut. XD

Will be doing a couple of Anime reviews soon, guess i’ve been putting it off a lil too long.

First off, a very Happy Chinese New Year to all chinese reading this. (Gong Xi Fa Cai!) and a prosperous new year to all.

Now, on to the post.

Recently been caught up in a new MMORPG. Well, not exactly fresh-spanking-brand-new-out-on-the-market-new…. called Perfect World. I guess the main attraction point for me was actually the user interface, which resembled WoW perhaps a little too much. (FYI: I haven’t tried WoW, though I’ve heard good things about it.) And since it was free, i decided to try it out. Turns out, you had to first Download the client(2 GB) from a torrent. Well after i started the game, i guess i fell back into the old habit of consistantly playing it for hours non-stop. Well, most of the effort’s paid off, with a Level 35 Warrior at the moment. (Training to become a PKK’er, otherwise known as a Player Killer Killer.)

FINALLY! the dammned FYP is finished, at least i hope it is, and that i’ve passed it. But Before i go into that, let’s talk about something else..

The other day Alan and Lena invited me to join them and the old bunch of Year 1 Sem 2 classmates we had for steamboat buffet in chinatown.

Getting there wasn;t a problem… It was the waiting that made it a little tiresome. :-X mainly because most of the time, at least 1 of them will be late. Meanwhile, decided to get the bottom soles and heels of my shoes repaired while waiting. 

 So when the last guy to arrive turned up, we ambled along, with what seemed like a billion people milling around us. Now i understand why i see people during this period going home at 10.30pm+. because the shopping is realy both cramped and crowded. I’d bet the pickpockets might make a killing there, judging from the milling around.

Well we finally got to the place, and we decided to tuck in while waiting for lena. heres some photos taken after she arrived.

Steamboat all-you-can-eat buffet: $19 per person.

 Jia chin/or was it jia chee? can’t keep it straight. (lulz)

Weihao and the guy whose name i can never remember how to spell (lulz)

In Order from Left to Right: Lena, Alan, Kervin( The Photographer)

 The Two who always “Jio” ppl out. ;-P

Thanks for the Invite guys, and Don’t forget, we have that BBQ at my place. Call up as Many ppl as possible.  And Also, damn, i need to start on that diet..

So here’s a post on eight Random things about me thanks to being tagged by Mas:

 1. I’m running a business in finding anime-game and japan related items.

2. I’m currently in the throes of boredom,

3. Hobbies include Dota, PS2, Basketball, Badminton, Kendo.

4. Piano Playing is my passion.

5.Music preferences leans towards sweet songs.

6. HappilyEngaged, and proud of it

7. Currently Running Ro-Guardian.org

8. Setting up a P server for RO.

there, that’s it.

Right, here’s another Anime Review, after a rather long spell. >.<” It’s not only going to stay with you for a long time, but it’s also very sweet. Step aside,Gar and Manliness, Aria’s in town.

  What exactly does Aria have? you, especially the guys might ask. Well, for starters, it’s not going to be filled with manly lines like gurren lagen, or action packed like bleach. Frankly, this isn;t a man’s anime, but what can be more manly than sitting it through with someone you truly care about?

Aria’s storyline revolves around the watery city of Neo Venezia, a tourist hub in which people travel around in gondolas. Professional gondoliers known as Undines are well-revered as they act as tour guides for the people. Akari Mizunashi is a gondolier in training and also an employee of Aria Company. She gets to meet all sorts of people as she takes them on the gondola rides, from friendly mentors to special individuals, all this admidst the beautiful scenic backdrop of the entire city. Currently Airing it’s Third Season, Aria: The Origination, it’s also a top selling manga series in Japan! Goes to show, Gar and manliness have their good points, but sweet also can match it.

Aria’s artwork and deisgn is very well made. Hal Film Maker did a great job of bringing out Neo-Venezia’s feel of a Venetian city with details paid particular attention to the design and layout of the city itself, where as pointed out by various characters, is a city built with Venice in mind. And i think we can look forward to more great work from them in future. Not to mention, it’s gotten me wanting to draw the city just as it is.  X-D

Aria’s Cast of characters is rather interesting, as it falls in the intermediate range, ( after considering the sheer number of characters and sub characters in both Naruto and Bleach*shudders*) each with his or her own side story. However, these characters are usually grouped into threes and all are related to each other, such as:

 The Three Water Fairies( Alicia, Akira and Athena.),

From Top to Bottom: Alicia, Akira, Athena

The Undine trio( Akari, Aika, Alice.),

From Top to Bottom: Akari, Aika, Alice

and The President Trio( Aria sacho, Hime sacho, Maa Sacho.)

Again From Top to Bottom: Aria Sacho, Hime Sacho, Maa Sacho.

Each of the Caracters has it’s own “funny” face. although it might give the impression of being poorly drawn, its actually a play on how they respond. So it’s a quite entertaining, particularly with several well used and interesting special phrases, such as Ara Ara(My,My), Hazukashi Serifu Kinshi!( Embarassng Remarks Aren’t Allowed!) and other interesting and entertaining wordplay. 

I Highly recommend this series to those looking for a nice relaxing anime, or at least one where it makes you smile, even when the sun doesn’t shine.

I Resolve to,

1. Lose about 20-40 kilos by October( not going to be that hard, with the diet i’m starting on.)

2. Make a Success of my old Business, Anime-Finders with a $10,000 profit mark.

3. To make more money than i have in previous years.

My Wishes for this year would be..

1. For Odex to Close down soon, bastards don;t know when to die.

2. For the U.S stock market to clear up the mess it’s made, along with it’s credit situation.

3. For Japan to be more open-minded in it’s international relations

4. The Middle East to settle down and stop being so trigger happy and finally…

5. World Peace..( yeah right, like that’s going to happen.)

Here’s Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Here’s a little something for you all to enjoy today,

Link Here

Once again, Merry Christmas!

Well, looks like i did things a little impromptu today.. Let me put it this way…

1.Someone Special called me that she was at the airport, and since she had some time before jetting off again tonight, i decided to take her out as an early-christmas dinner.

2. Generally Worrying about where to eat for dinner and what to do to entertain her, i suddenly hit on the idea of bringing her to Cosafe( or was it Coscafe.) We were welcomed by one of the employees, who while certainly cute, was very professional about it. After being seated we ordered(two ceasar’s salads, two 6″ hawaiian pizzas, two root beer floats and two scoops of ice cream.)  Food was really good( pity i didn’t bring a camera along.. was in too much of a rush getting out of the house to pick SS up.) Then the bombshell came over dessert.

3. She wasn’t going to be able to spend christmas in Singapore,( not that i blame her.. there isn’t much to do here anyways.) since she had some social arrangements back home. I understood completely, but still, it feels kind of lonely when that special someone isn’t there to share it with you. Well, took it like a man, and since we didn;t have any other choice, we decided to set the date for our next meeting, which would be somewhere in January 2008.( won’t tell you when, last thing i need is stalkers O.o XD)

4. Took her to the airport and sent her off on her flight, before heading back home to write this post.

 5. Cosafe Review: All marks are given out of ten.

Service: 8( Eye-candy was good, although i didn’t look much. service was expected from a high-end cafe/resturaunt.)

Food: 8(Great tasting food, but not fantastic. )

Ambience: 7( perhaps it’s because of the weather at this time.. perpetually raining.)

Price: 8(Pricey, but i decided to leave a tip for good service.)

Overall Score: 31/40 (Pricey, but worth at least one visit.)

 Hope that you all will pay at least 1 visit to Cosafe, especially the guys. Just don;t harass the staff now ‘kay?

 Signing Off.