Wandering thoughts in a Beautiful World.

Today’s Book Review will be on a particular Science Fiction series i hae chased for several years, till they stopped printing them. But even so, there is a great following. Starting from a humble Tabletop Game,  to one of the games taken up by MicroSoft, it has spawned a following of older style sci-fi otakus.

The Classic BattleTech Series is based on a futuristic universe, set in the 31st Century, Mankind has expanded way beyond the confines of our own solar system. over centuries of pioneering and settlements, the human race has spread into what is now known as the Inner Sphere. By  2571, the Star League, an era of great technological improvements blossomed. However, it was not to last, as the Star League fell to a coup by Stefan Amaris, the Upsurper. After the Upsurper was crushed, the Star League was dissolved, and General Aleksandr Kerensky led the Star League Defense Force into uncharted space to save them from the chaos in the Inner Sphere. The subsequent wars to follow as each faction, comprised of the Great Houses Davion, Steiner, Kurita, Marik and Liao, sought to become the First Lord, became known as the Succession Wars.

At the start of the series, the Third Succession War was in it’s late stages, followed shortly by the Fourth Succession War. As the series progressed through it as well, the writers introduced a new faction to the mix, known as The Clans, these were originally the soldiers who travelled with General Kerensky on his Exodus, and after several generations of technological and scientific improvements, they began an invasion of the Inner Sphere, to rebuild the Star League.

In this universe, the ultimate display of military might is through the BattleMech. Towering at 3 storeys, they possess enough firepower from lasers, missles and autocannons to level a city. Reaching a maximum of a hundred tons, these avatars of war were the greatest technological advancement the Inner Sphere knew, till the Clans arrived. Possessing faster, better armed and armored ’Mechs of the same weight, the Clanners’ weapons could reach further and hit harder than their Inner Sphere counterparts.  

Here’s an image of a Clan OmniMech.

Eventually the Clans, in their rush for Terra, were stopped by a mysterious organization ommnipresent in the universe. Comstar, who tends to the HPG network that provides interstellar communications possible, challenged them to a proxy battle on Tukayyid, defeating them and holding them to a fifteen year truce. It was this truce that gives the Inner Sphere a chance to catch it’s breath and catch up with the Clans.

It was during this fifteen year truce, that the Inner Sphere decided to reform the Star League, to defeat this foe, and after it’s formation, the second Star League sent two Task Forces to utterly destroy a Clan.  After that mission was sucessful, the Clans were challenged to another proxy battle, where they lost and were unable to invade the Inner Sphere, forever known as the Refusal War… And shortly after this, would be the Federated Commonwealth Civil War, which marks the end of the Classic Battletech era.

This Series was so popular during it’s time, that it spawned 4 Mechwarrior Games, 3 MechCommander( A RTS version of MechWarrior) and 2 XBox games.(MechAssault.)

Currently, there is a ongoing series, called Mechwarrior: Dark Age, which takes up some 150 years after the FedCom Civil War. The Inner Sphere still remains, but there is a wide hole that is now called the Republic of the Sphere. As of now, the Republic is also broken down further by civil unrest and factions moving to expand their borders.

 I would recommend this series for anyone who has a interest with science fiction, although if you can find a complete set of the Classic battletech collection, i’d certainly pay it’s weight in gold.

By now the Odex Saga is relatively ancient, considering that there has been NO news( probably another media blackout to avoid our country losing more face in the international community.)

There are so many questions i want to throw out at our “tomodachi over at Xedo” . I’ve compiled a Top 10 List.

10. Is it true that Xedo is bankrupt, and the recent “fining” of downloaders is to generate capital?

9. Are Xedo Products Top quality when compared to parallel imports?

8. Is Xedo the law?

7. Are Xedo’s Directors fufilling the promises they made to the consumers?

6. Is Xedo in the right for copying wholesale from fansub groups and seling their products?

5. Xedo has assured that if you kanna “Odex-ed” by them and u pay up, the japanese companies will look the other way. Doesn;t this mean that Xedo is paying them kickbacks oso?

4. AVPAS is just the Xedo Directors, along with a figurehead president, and some fat cats from the land of the Rising Sun, isn’t it just a front for Xedo to “justify” it’s actions?

3. Xedo “claims” that they tweak subtitles to avoid conflict with religion and races, but isn’t that going all the way back to the periods where the Inquisition, Salem Witch Hunt and the Nazis occured?

2. Xedo “claims” that they have stopped fining downloaders, but why does it need to call up those who kanna “Odex-ed” to tell them to pay up?

1. Does Xedo have a future?

Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by a disgruntled user of MoonHub, who has a personal vendetta against Xedo. No Gahmens or Public Organizations were harmed in this post. Copyright of Hatori Pte Ltd.

*Smiley*

Here’s another animation from the period i consider the Renaissance of animation that i really find nostalgic. When i first saw it, the show was being aired on AXN’s animania timeslot from 5.30-8pm( sadly now turned into primetime tv for shows like alias etc. T_T). This as one of the first sci-fi animations i watched at the time, other than Sol Bianca and Vandread, to name a few.

The story is set in the 20th and 31st century, where four young ladies are selected to participate in a arena style version of space combat between two factions, piloting several space warships to decide on different issues, such as planetary control or resources.  Using a time machine made by the team’s mechanic and technical advisor, they travel between their time and the 31st century. As they progress through the series, the four girls experience victory, defeat and realise the importance of their relationships with each other.

The art of the animation itself is quite good, considering the period it was made in, and the character design and plotline was certainly uniform to the period, where animations started to become more focused on relationships while retaining the old victory/defeat episodes. As the series progresses, the plot transitions between the two, giving it a feel of the sports/competition genre as well. 

Nevertheless, it is still a space-adventure series, and it doesn;t disappoint with several different designs for the space warships. A fine example would be the warships used by the main characters, which are named the TA , or Super series. The warship’s are also named reflecting each character’s main strength, such as Yohko’s TA-29 Super Strike(Firepower and Accuracy) Momiji’s TA-23 Super Storm (Intense weapons fire), Ayano’s TA-27 Super Struggle (Grappling/throwing techniques from her martial art training), and Madoka’s TA-25 Super Sprint (Speed/Brute force.)

Here’s a bunch of screenshots of one of the main characters, Ayano Elizabeth Hakuhouin’s  Hakuhouin Power Attack, using the TA-27 Super Struggle.

So far i’ve decided that i’d get this series first, since i want to complete collecting all the old stuff i watched, and i’m getting it off the fansubs( here’s a rasberry to some silly company out there.) Ah, how i wish i could finish it quicker, still have a bunch of old series to grab…. T_T it’s neverending.

Bah, here i go anyway. ( To those who actually understand what i’m talking about, i’m just ranting abt someone.)  The most irritating thing about running a business in finding anime/game-related stuff is the customer base itself.

  For me, it isn’t much of a problem because the majority of them are young working adults, or parents, which while a pretty stable source of income, they can be intimidated by certain ” tomodachi” . My main pet peeve is with the younger generation, my peers  if i need to be particular about it.  These guys are the bunch who can either afford my services, or else not and would rely on other sources. While i’m a reasonable person, i have not had anyone, and i mean anyone, come to me looking for series, twice in a row and complain that i charge them for something their friends would give them for free, while completely giving me the impression that he has the moral high road. Hello, brother, you want to have free stuff, then please find someone who isn’t running such a business. I admit, i’m not cheap when it comes to my services, but i make sure i do a dammned good job of it to justify the payment.

If i were to do Pro Bono Work for Original DVDs and other merchandise, how the heck am i going to turn a profit? Where would that benefit me? Your permament friendship? Even a measly price of SGD$100 for a hardly-known series which you want, which i have No interest in watching, to be found in original DVD format, you don’t have the means, and you expect me to do it for free? Dream on brudda.. If i have the interest in the series, i will do pro bono if i think it is worth it, not on some whim of yours.

Another irking trait i find in such “nightmare” customers, is also the “actor”like i call em. Most will make a big show of being all elite about wanting a particular item, right down to the “must be original stuff” cliched lines that make me roll my eyes. If i was charging that much, i’d certainly make sure it was the real deal. Yet when i present the job to them, they would hem and haw, or else outright accuse me of bringing a poorly made product and expect me to reduce the charge.  As one fella learnt, I do the job to the best of my ability. If i do a job for you and you don’t want to pay up, then you can prepare to see me in court for damages. I will certainly make you regret even thinking of weaseling out of a deal you agreed upon.

Well, Today was my b’day, where i turn 20. No real special feelings, except that i hoped i could see her here in Singapore today. Alas, it wasn’t to be.. *bonks self on the head for being silly*  Anyways, the cake my mum and dad bought was quite a sight. And it certainly went well with the birthday dinner we had at Long Beach Seafood Resturaunt. My Wish would be that i could go fly to see her soon, and that we’ll be together soon.  Here’s a Pic of the b’day cake.. wish i could have taken pictures of the dinner, but i kinda forgot to bring the camera with me. >_<”

And for anyone who wants to buy a similar cake, you can find it at any Chocz outlet. *Smiley*

  While i madly eagerly await the release of the Raw/subbed version of YUA: Full throttle’s 3rd Episode, i think i’ll go back in time a while to cover on the entire series.

  You’re Under Arrest, or YUA as it is more affectionately called, is the first work for Kosuke Fujishima, who has also brought us hit series manga like Ah! Megami Sama!!(Ah! My Goddess!), and éX-Driver.  It’s also the lesser known sister of Ah! My Goddess!, since the character design for one of the main characters in YUA went to the creation of Belldandy, the main heroine of Ah! My Goddess fame.

YUA actually is one of the few series of it’s time where the it incorporates the genres of romance, action,comedy and slice-of-life into it’s concept and portrayal.  Coupled with good storyline and plot, as well as beautiful character designs, this is truely a cult favourite among the fans of Kosuke-sama. At a whopping 52 episodes( inclusive of OVAs) for just the first season alone,this is truely a heavyweight.

The story revolves around the adventures of Natsumi Tsujimoto and Miyuki Kobayakawa, two female members of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, stationed at the fictional Bokuto Police Precinct located at Sumida-ku( or Ward), Tokyo. The series is largely episodic, with minor arcs throughout the series.  Natsumi and Miyuki have a tendency to help solve difficult cases, on top of their regular duties in the Traffic Division.  However, both of them have rather conflicting personalities, which both understood that they might not make a good team in the first episode. However, through a little pushing by a mysterious driver, the combination of both their skills shows that they are a good pairing, and they both start working together well.

  The first series itself is pretty much true to the original manga, with changes made to arc positioning and minor changes in details.  Although the series might get a little repetitive with numerous car chases, it doesn’t let up on other action scenes, such as armed and unarmed close combat, as well as using weapons ranging from handguns to a airsoft model sniper rifle.

The first series also boasts a large character cast, ranging the gamut from comic relief to romantic interest. And while certain jokes might become stale after being repeated, diversifying each joke actually allows it to be re-used after several episodes.

The series itself has spawned several other versions, ranging from a second season, mini-specials and a animated movie, to a live action drama, while a third season is currently being aired in Japan.

Yet another day afflicted with nostalgica. The only real event that snapped me out of it momentarily was when i sprained my back while walking out of the bathroom… Who would have known that residual soap from the shower would have such a great sliding effect on marble?

anyway, here’s some more pictures that would help the mood go on a little more…

Today’s review  is on The Dresden Files, which is an ongoing fantasy series by Jim Butcher. The series focuses on the main protagonist, Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden, modern-day Chicago’s only Professional Wizard.  As Each novel progresses, Harry goes through what is normally called on televison cartoon series as monster of the week episodes, where he has to deal with rival practicioners, werewolves and other sorts of supernatural entities.

When i first saw the series, i was interested in the tagline on the back of the book.

                              HARRY DRESDEN — WIZARD

Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.

        No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties or Other Entertainment

 As i started reading, the story lent an air of the old hard-bitten detective stories, while blending wth the fantasy world of magic and mystery, which did to no end, fuel my curiosity and interest.  Chapter by Chapter,  i found myself on occasion empathizing with Harry, as well as the humor that was often blended in for good measure. 

Now moving on to the tenth installement of the series, Harry seems no less competent, or at least, lucky, in his everyday dealings and it seems that there is more to come. I will be eagerly awaiting the new release of Small Favour, the 10th installment of the Dresden Files.

*Sigh* it’s not like i hate ‘em on principle, because i do have respect for the companies producing anime. What really ticks me off is their lack of good quality, blatant lying and constant denials and finger-pointing for their own problems.

1. Quality: In a niche market for people looking for high quality merchandise and releases from Japan, the customers are a very discerning lot, where even a slight defect would result in a replacement or compensation. If Odex truely were turning out good quality products, would such customers turn away from them? Here we have two versions of the same animation, Initial D. (Note: i’ve put the Fansubbed version above, and the Odex version below.) Credits to Norad from PlayPark Forums for the images.

Fansubbed:

Odex:

You can clearly see the differences in Quality between the two.  If Fansubs can do it, why can’t a company be better?

 2. Blatant Lying : This is another thing which irks me about Odex.  In trying to justify that they are in the right, they decided to put up a FaQ that was either twisting the truth or were complete fabrications. If you want to read the real thing, it’s over at Odex’s Website.

Here’s some examples taken from the FaQ:

FaQ:Students face the risk of having their Internet connectivity disconnected or being expelled from school.

Truth: Unless MoE has suddenly transferred such powers to Odex, it is highly unlikely you will be expelled. the same goes for your internet connection being disconnected. Unless the ISP’s turn over powers like these, Odex cannot lay claim to your education/internet connection.

FaQ:If you respond to the notice and agree to its terms, and stop downloading, you will not be sued.

Truth: Whether the copyright holders decide to sue you or not, is up to them, not Odex, to decide. So either way, if you pay up, the copyright holder can still sue you for copyright infringement.

FaQ: In any translation work, there are slightly different ways to say the same thing and our goal is to provide the most accurate translations possible.

Truth: *See above reference in point 1* Quality? *chokes* 

FaQ:Odex Products have poor video quality and that fansubs are better. We believe we have the most advanced video transfer equipment available in Singapore.

Truth: Same as Above, and if they had such “advanced video transfer equipment available in Singapore”, why can’t they release their products in DvD format instead of VcDs? Granted, DvDs cost a fraction more then VcDs do, so why bother with VcDs when the public in surveys done are asking for DvDs?

That pretty much sums up the lying, now for the finger-pointing.

3. Finger Pointing: Odex claims that the innacurate translations are actually to “accomodate the racial and religious harmony in singapore” and that they are simply following the Board of Film Censor’s guidelines. However, in a one-eighty degree, the Board of film censors came back with a scathing reply to Odex’s claims, saying that the content must be accurate. In this case, it’s Odex vs a government institution. Guess who would be more credible? As far as i know, Odex hasn’t replied to the Board’s Rebuttal, so it can be safely said they are sticking their heads in the sand and hoping to wait out the rising flood of angry fans, to make a comeback. Yeah, like the community would forget Odex Director Stephen Sing’s infamous slur:

I say: “waste them all” This is an ultimate insult to the anime community at large, and alienated their customer base at the same time. Such a company deserves a undignified death.

So who’s with me?

I’ve suddenly developed what i’d call, nostalgica, since it seems i’ve suddenly been looking back over my last couple of years in the past few days.  Ah, such bittersweet partings and passionate reunions we had.. and for those out there who share the same mood i have now, here’s some pictures to help your mood along.