jump to navigation

Battle Angel Alita (Gunnm) January 22, 2012

Posted by ayasawada in Manga, Rave.
Tags: , , ,
add a comment

Evolution of Alita/Gally.In the early days of my otakudom, Battle Angel Alita was one of the most well-known titles. The anime adaptation epitomised the new wave of Japanimation that the then Manga Video was pushing: sexy heroines, gory violence, cyborgs and post-apocalyptic desolation. Over the years, I read more about the manga Gunnm, praised by sci-fi and manga fans as a classic and attracting further attention when James Cameron acquired up the movie rights. I picked up the first few volumes in thrift stores, eBay and (most recently) local libraries. This month I finished the whole of the original series. And it blew my mind.

<SPOILER WARNING> (more…)

1Q84 (Books 1, 2 and 3) by Haruki Murakami January 15, 2012

Posted by ayasawada in Books.
Tags: , ,
add a comment

#1Q84 #Murakami #WIN

Long anticipated, the English translation of Murakami’s latest novel arrived this autumn to the expected fanfare and hype (not least from myself). Split into a slightly indulgent three volumes (presented in two books), the novel is typical Murakami, though probably not vintage.

That’s not to say it isn’t enjoyable. The comforting, familiar tropes of a Murakami world always bring a certain warmth: elegant Japanese cities and quaint small towns; specific descriptions of music, drinks and food preparation; stoic protagonists with (relatively) simple lives shaken by events outside of their control. Not to mention the supernatural element behind it all that’s never fully explained.

<SPOILER WARNING> (more…)

Kirishima National Park August 14, 2011

Posted by ayasawada in Japan, Travel.
Tags: , , , ,
1 comment so far

Kirishima is a pretty area of parkland about 40 mins drive north of Kagoshima in Kyushu. It’s part of the ‘Kirishima-Yaku’ National park that includes the island of Yakushima and forms one of the biggest national parks in Japan. It’s also considered “one of the finest volcanic hikes in Japan”, at least according to my Lonely Planet guide, and was used as a location for the James Bond movie You Only Live Twice (thank you Wikipedia). (more…)

Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi ha Mada Shiranai August 1, 2011

Posted by ayasawada in Anime.
Tags: ,
add a comment

‘Ano Hana’, as fans affectionately refer to it, is simply a lovely series. It’s the tale of six childhood friends who’ve drifted apart and the shared tragedy that ultimately brings them back together.

Though there’s a supernatural element to it, the core of the show is really about friendship and whether the ties that bind in childhood hold true as you grow to teens on the cusp of adulthood. It’s this simple emotional dilemma – of wanting (or not wanting) to move on but being unable to, of holding on to things and never knowing if that’s the right thing to do – that gives Ano Hana its charm.

Kiiragi on Random Curiosity makes a fair point – the show never quite rose to the high level of profundity and empathy I thought it might. I don’t know quite what I was expecting, but even though the story reached a logical conclusion, it felt like something of a damp squib after a final three episodes that had me weeping at every cliffhanger. This strange lack of satisfactory closure means, for me, it doesn’t quite rank up there with the likes of Kare Kano, Angel Beats! and Honey and Clover as among my all-time favourites. But it is certainly a show I’d recommend and at just 12 episodes it’s a lovely, sensitive and emotional journey that’s well worth your time.

A particular shout out for the music too – Ano Hana features a fabulous score by Remedios and two really lovely OP and ED themes. The ED in particular, a cover of Zone’s classic Secret Base, came to be my theme tune of the Spring, maybe my year altogether. I’m sure I’m not alone in holding this song dear. Having learnt that the group is also reforming to “fulfil the promise of meeting 10 years after that the lyrics allude to” this makes it all the more poignant.

Karigurashi Arietty August 1, 2011

Posted by ayasawada in Anime, Film.
Tags: , , ,
add a comment

Arrietty Poster

Ghibli’s latest is an entertaining, if not entirely captivating, tale. Many have said the same thing, but it does say something about Ghibli’s calibre that a film that is merely ‘solid’ seems something of a disappointment.

SPOILER WARNING (more…)

Hyper Japan 2011 July 24, 2011

Posted by ayasawada in Anime, Culture, Food, Games, Japan, Manga.
Tags: , ,
add a comment
IMG_3167IMG_3169IMG_3170IMG_3170IMG_3171IMG_3173
IMG_3174IMG_3175IMG_3176IMG_3177IMG_3178IMG_3179
IMG_3180IMG_3181IMG_3182IMG_3183IMG_3184IMG_3186
IMG_3187IMG_3189IMG_3190IMG_3191IMG_3192IMG_3193

Hyper Japan 2011, a set on Flickr.

This weekend I went to the Hyper Japan exhibition at London’s Kensington Olympia.

A celebration of contemporary Japanese culture, it’s the second year the event has run. Having missed it last year, I booked my ticket well in advance this time.

Was it worth it? Yes and no. While I did enjoy bits of it, I have to say, overall, it was a bit of a disappointment. It’s largely another ‘pay high entrance fee to get into a space where you can spend more money’ do. And in contrast to, say, MCM Expo, there weren’t many ‘bargains’ to be had when you were inside. Most of the stuff, from food to figurines remained at a premium. (more…)

Kimi ni Todoke Vol.9 July 24, 2011

Posted by ayasawada in Uncategorized.
add a comment
Kiminitodoke09

The latest volume of KimiTodo really ramps things up, yet I can’t help but still feel a little disappointed by it and – gasp! – maybe even slightly annoyed by some of the characters?

I know what I’m saying is controversial – especially since I still enjoy the series and would champion it as one of the better shojo manga out there. But still, there’s something that feels a little uneven about the last few volumes – maybe the pacing or the extent to which characters have or haven’t changed over the last nine volumes.

(SPOILERS) (more…)

Cross Game Vol.4 July 24, 2011

Posted by ayasawada in Uncategorized.
add a comment
Crossgamebig04

Another month, another brilliant double volume of Cross Game arrives on my doorstep. And it doesn’t disappoint with a new rival for Aoba’s affections and the Seishu team finally embarking on their road to Koshien.

(SPOILERS) (more…)

Arietty DVD July 17, 2011

Posted by ayasawada in Anime, Loot.
add a comment

This isn’t out in UK cinemas for another 2 weeks, but a friend just returned from Japan bearing gifts! And I thought I’d missed out as the DVD release date was just after I returned to the UK from my trip.

The DVD is apparently selling out all over Japan, so getting hold of this is quite lucky. Can’t wait to watch it. Review to follow soon.

Manga UK haul July 17, 2011

Posted by ayasawada in Anime, Loot.
add a comment
Photo

Several retailers have been doing a DVD/Blu-ray sale to celebrate Manga UKs 20th anniversary.

This is my haul – everything was less than £7 – even the Summer Wars/TokiKake Blu-ray set! Miyazaki’s Sherlock Hound is sadly in English dub only, but I can’t complain when most of these DVDs cost just £3-4 each.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.