Fruit For Thought, & A Favorite to Finish!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've finished with the "Fruit's Basket" DVDs my friend loaned me (Thanks, MDC!), and it's really not a bad series.  I may look into getting the entire collection.  In the meantime, it doesn't look like I'll get around to watching "Magikano" today.  That'll be good for my next anime marathon (or at least part of it!).  I've decided to conclude today's anime marathon with one of my favorite movies--Hayao Miyazaki's "My Neighbor Totoro!"  At its core, it is a story about childhood innocence, friendship and the belief that magic is all around us.
Sisters Satuski and Mei have recently moved to a countryside area of Japan with their Father. Their Mother has been rehabilitating at a nearby hospital and the move was made so that they could be closer to her, as well as to provide a better environment for her once she is allowed to go home. Although Satsuki and Mei were at first frightened by their new strange house, they soon discover that there is a magical presence there. Soon, they meet their new neighbour, a tree guardian named Totoro who lives in the forest behind their house, and together a wonderful adventure begins.
Some might say that it is a movie for kids, but I can watch it alone as easily as I can watch it with my 8 1/2-year-old niece and my 4-year-old nephew.  I can't say that about every anime labeled as "sugary" or aimed towards the kiddies.  That is part of the appeal and talent of Hayao Miyazaki, one of the greatest and most famous directors of Japanese animation.  Miyazaki manages to create masterpieces aimed at kids of all ages, from 4 to 104! OK!  Maybe that was an exaggeration....but not by much!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Miyazaki is a cinematic genius, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next!!!!!!!!!! I can't think of a better way to end an anime marathon than with one of his best movies!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nana Nana! Nana Nana! Hey, Hey, Hey! Good bye..... For Now!

I just finished watching the first box set of "Nana."  It was a little repetitive for 2 or 3 episodes, but not bad.  I can't wait until Otakon to get "Nana: Uncut Box Set, Vol. 2".  I'm not sure if I want to wait until Otakon, but I  might have enough anime to satisfy me until I do.  What's next on my watch list for today?  I have 2 DVDs of "Fruit's Basket" that a friend loaned me (Hi, MDC!).  My hubby's attitude toward the series has discouraged me from purchasing it until now.  I did check out an episode online, so now I'm going to watch some of the series to see if I want to collect the rest.  I think I'll watch "Magikano" after I finish with the 2 "Fruit's Basket" DVDs. 
Fruits Basket (called "Furuba" by fans) is the story of Tohru Honda, a high school student who has lost both of her parents. Her mother died only a year before the start of the series, and Touru misses her so much that she always carries her picture around with her. Tohru was living with her paternal grandfather until he began renovations on his home, so he asked her if she'd mind staying with some friends for awhile. Touru didn't want to impose on either of her friends, so she decided to set up a tent in the woods until the house was finished.. until one day she stumbles across the home of her classmate Yuki Sohma, and accidentally discovers his family's BIG secret - when "huggled" by someone of the opposite sex, they are cursed to turn into the animals of the Chinese zodiac. Tohru ends up moving in with the Sohma family as a housekeeper/cook in exchange for room and board, and she is introduced one-by-one to the rest of the clan (some of whom are.. VERY.. unusual).

Summary of "Magikano"
Haruo Yoshikawa always thought he was your average run-of-the-mill middle school student: Great attendance record, no real plans for the future, and three adorable, loving sisters, Maika, Chiaki and Fuyuno. Perfectly normal, right?
Wrong! What Haruo doesn’t know is that his three sneaky sisters have been keeping him in the dark about a little family secret: They’re all magic users! In the blink of an eye, Haruo’s “normal” life does a 180 degree turn into the insane with the arrival of the enchanting Ayumi, who for some reason seems very interested in turning Haruo into a “real man”…as well as awakening his dormant powers! (Wow! What a witch!) Warning! There’s supernatural slapstick, magical mayhem and great jiggling gobs of fan service galore in the most totally witching series ever: Magikano!
A great addition to any harem collection!

They both sound pretty interesting to me, but before I continue with my anime marathon, I'm going to shower and eat!!!!!!!!!!!!!  TTFN!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kiki Delivers Nana

I am so excited!  This weekend, I get to watch some of the anime I purchased at Katsucon last weekend!  I am especially eager to watch "Nana!"  I saw one or 2 episodes on TV a while back, and it looked like an interesting series.  As usual, I'm starting off my anime marathon with a movie.  "Kiki's Delivery Service"  is one of Hayao Miyazaki's best films, and teaches a very good, if not predictable, lesson in believing in oneself!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiki's_Delivery_Service

2 Girls...1 Name...Nana!

On board the train to Tokyo to meet her boyfriend Shoji, Nana Komatsu ("Hachi") happened to sit beside Nana Osaki who was traveling to Tokyo to fulfill her dreams of becoming a musician. The vocalist for her punk band "Blast", Nana aims for a major debut for "Blast" in Tokyo where her boyfriend, Ren, is the guitarist for a popular band "Trapnest". Sharing the same name "Nana", both girls quickly form a bond of friendship. Their paths cross again when they encounter each other while searching for accomodation in Tokyo. Eventually they decide to live together in the same unit and this further strengthens their bond as the two "Nana(s)" go through their love lives and career.

The two completely different girls who share the same name; Oosaki Nana and Komatsu Nana (Hachi) meet on a train to Tokyo. Oosaki Nana leaves her band 'BLAST (Black Stones)' to become a pro musician and Hachi moves to Tokyo to be with her boyfriend, Shouji. Girls encounter each other while looking for the same apartment, and they decide to live together. From that moment on, they face the hardships and good things of the life together...

 

I hope I enjoy the entire series as much as I did the first episode, but only time will tell!!!!!!!!!!!

Katsucon 2011: Celebrate The Spirit

 I am exhausted! I spent the majority of  President's Day Weekend 2011--Friday February 18-Sunday February 20--at the National Harbor and the Gaylord National Resort. celebrating the 17th anniversary of Katsucon, "Washington's Premiere Japanese Animation & Manga Festival,"  and the only anime con I've attended annually from 2003 (Katsucon 9) to the present.  The theme of this year's convention was "Celebrate the Spirit!"  And boy, did I celebrate!  I cosplayed all 3 days!!!!  Friday, I was dressed as comic book heroine Wonder Woman; Saturday, I costumed as Toad, Mario's mushroom pal from the Super Mario Brothers video game franchise; Sunday (today) my alter-ego was Rei Ayanami, best known for her role in "Neon Genesis Evangelion!"  Sadly, my MasterCard did not survive the weekend unscathed!  I used it to purchase several DVDs, including: boxed sets of "Nana" & "The Adventures Of Mini-Goddess," as well as the 30th anniversary release of  the "Lupin the 3rd"  television special "Episode 0: The First Contact!"  That ought to be enough to keep me occupied until I attend Otakon this summer!  Then again, time is passing so fast, the weekend of July 29-31, 2011 will be here before I can blink!  I pray that my MasterCard recovers by then!!!!  I already have some things in mind that I saw at Katsucon but could not afford to purchase! I hope that some of the vendors that were at Katsucon decide to make an appearance at Otakon!  Go, anime!!!!!!!!!!

A Heart-felt Ending

After experiencing a disc malfunction with "Ai Yori Aoshi," I decided to watch Rumiko Takashi's "Mermaid Forest."  Takahashi is best known for her work with the "Ranma 1/2" anime and manga franchise.  I've only viewed the first 2 seasons and 1 or 2 of the "Ranma 1/2" movies, and I find her work interesting.  I've watched "Mermaid Forest" in the past, so I knew what I was getting into.

An ancient Japanese legend says that if one were to partake of the flesh of the mermaid, one would be granted eternal life and youth. Yuta ate the mermaid's flesh 500 years ago and became immortal. Since then he has had to deal with living a lonely never-ending life, watching his loved ones grow old and die. Wishing to have a normal life, to live and to die like others, he searches for a mermaid for centuries, thinking she may be able to tell him a way to become mortal again. When he arrives a village, he meets a girl named Mana, who also became immortal by eating a mermaid's flesh. Together, they start their journey in attempting to find a mermaid and regain their humanity.

After watching the entire series of "Mermaid Forest,"  I was in the mood for something romantic--don't ask me why--so I pulled out Studio Ghibli's "Whisper of the Heart."  This was not  directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, but he was involved with some of the production work.

From the creators of the Academy Award(R)-winning SPIRITED AWAY (Best Animated Feature Film, 2002) comes a tale based on the screenplay from the legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki. During summer vacation, a schoolgirl named Shizuku, who longs to discover her true talents, observes an ordinary-looking cat riding by himself on the train. Intrigued, she decides to follow him. This chance encounter leads her to the mysterious Seiji, a boy who is determined to follow his dreams, and The Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to the whispers in her heart. Soon, Shizuku's exciting adventures carry her far beyond the boundaries of her imagination. Featuring extraordinary storytelling, enchanting animation, and an all-star voice cast, this 2-disc set will inspire dreams and warm hearts of all ages.

I can't think of a better end to my final anime marathon before I attend Katsucon over the President's Day weekend, especially since Valentine's Day is this Monday!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Ai Yori Aoshi: Bluer Than Indigo Made Me Blue

I woke up around 6 o'clock this morning in anticipation of one final anime marathon before I attend Katsucon over the President's Day weekend,  I was in the mood for a romantic comedy, so, of course, Ai Yori Aoshi (Bluer Than Indigo) came to mind.  I love the storyline!!!  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ai_Yori_Aoshi
Sadly, a scratched disc brought my marathon to a grinding halt around noon!!!!!!!!  DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!  After fixing myself a quick lunch, I decided to watch "Mermaid Forest," an anime based on the work of  Rumiko Takahashi, who is best known for Ranma 1/2.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mermaid_Forest
I wish Katsucon would hurry up and get here so I can see if the vendors in the Dealer's Room have any of the anime I want!!!!!!!!!!

Grave-ly Entertaining

With Katsucon rapidly approaching, I find myself eager to purchase new anime.  Until then, I must satisfy myself with what is already in my collection.  As I write this, I am watching "Grave Of The Fireflies," one of my favorite movies.    I think I will watch "Ai Yori Aoshi" tomorrow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grave_of_the_Fireflies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ai_Yori_Aoshi_episodes