A bunch of popular illustrators try to revive the infamous Sanrio franchise. It may work, or not. That will depend on you.
They’ve already stockpiled an impressive set of goods for Comic Market 77. And if I had the balls to leave for Japan, I’d probably buy one.
I mean honestly, is that hot or what?
Without a doubt, it’s Nyan Koi! I know, I waited too long in making this.
You sad sad dimwit. You'll be a virgin forever, but let me smile for you now.
This anime is awesome. In one way, it’s nothing more than a generic harem anime. Actually, that’s all it is. Be that as it may, even if the genre is festering; Nyan Koi is full of vitality and reminds us all that even old cats can land on their feet.
One of the highlights of the show is that its comedy is actually genuinely funny. Though the show tends to fall back towards more generic antics after the first episode; be rest assured that it will not disappoint you in the end. It’s also nice that, Mizuno the main love interest, isn’t some violent prude that strikes whenever there’s a misunderstanding like some stupid tsundere. Unfortunately, there appears to be some indications that she’s actually mentally retarded, as she doesn’t understand situations even when they are laid out in big bold letters.
Why did I choose this picture? You know why.
But the real con of the show is that Junpei, our token protagonist, is extremely, unbelievably, good-god-he’s-so thick-headed. Which is actually quite contrary to his otherwise reliable and quick witted persona, as displayed throughout the series as he helps out felines (both human and cats) with their troubles and issues. Of course, he’s no genius; and there’s nothing saying he can’t be both retarded and reliable. So I’ll excuse the show of its one major flaw.
Another key point of interest is that the annoying headache inducing opening theme is sung by none other than Yui Sakakibara, whose only other musical role I know of is as the singer of Phantasm, FES from the game/anime Chaos;Head. The difference is clear, clear eye.
The brand may not be original, but at least the design is... sorta.
Oh, another interesting fact. For some reason, I don’t really like Mizuno’s voice. I guess it could be the poor voice acting, or maybe there is something strikingly amateurish to it. Still, it is a really cute voice and I guess the Japanese people like it. About nine episodes in, it hit me that I know this voice. I looked up Yuka Iguchi on the internet and bam, there it was. She was the voice of Index from Toaru Majutsu no Index. I didn’t like Index’s voice either. What a coincidence.
By the way, does Junpei remind anyone else of Hei?
The black hair, that stern face, and they both talk to cats.
Am I messed up for enjoying this? Hei is abusing Suou like a redneck loves pie and I can’t help but smile every time. Whatever happened to the ladies’ man from the first series? In a way, I like this drunk version of Hei more; and who can blame him for releasing all that pent up sexual frustration on Suou? However, considering all the lolis in his life who screwed him over, eg. Pai, Yin, and Amber, you would think he’d start to get the flow of things and start seeking out companionship from older females.
Sigh… Hei, you worry me.
As per usual with a Kei Toume production, Momonchi is dominated by inner monologues and unnoticeable-yet-amiable characters. What this means for the average reader is a manga with no resolution or character development. What this means for the Kei Toume fan is another great reading experience with beautiful colored artworks, or an engrossing work that will no doubtedly occupy our minds with countless hours of fantasy wherein we undress the heroines from the shackles we call clothes.
I don’t really know how else to enjoy this series. Still, no matter the reason or method to your madness, it will prove to be worth the hour or two (maybe three) reading through this nonchalant piece of real fiction. It is a very light-hearted comedy, so don’t expect anything like incest or rape as you might expect from an average manga.
The plot follows the life of Momo Okamoto as she perseveres through her post-high school days attending an art prep school, following in the steps of her artist father. As you might guess, the low-life deadbeat left his family to pursue his art and Momo grew up hardly knowing him. Though that is the case, she does not hate him or harbor any resentment towards him. In fact, it proves to have quite the opposite effect as she feels closer to him now that he is gone. Let’s not point fingers, she’s not the brightest of heroines. If I had to give her an archetype, it’d be the ditzy short kid who has trouble staying awake for lessons. Of course she would pursue art, the lazy wench.
I am kidding. Probably. Possibly. Huh… what was this article about? Oh yes, the plot is about her dealings with love, or lack thereof. In the end, nothing really happened. I hope you enjoy the irony as much as I do.
I hate what this scene implicates.
Well, I called it well before this sequel came out, but the series’ token gothic loli, Yin, is dead. Which is awful because she made the show worth watching. I am so depressed now, because I was looking forward to more Yin cosplay. Now with no more outlet for his sexual frustration Hei must move on and look for another Russian child to molest. Unfortunately for Suou, this means she’s the prime candidate; being the protagonist for the sequel and all.
Hei can smell rape from a mile away.
Hei doesn't believe in candlelit dinners and candy!
So far, the show has been proving to be a real downer, and lacks the liveliness and amiability the first show had; but the animation quality is superb and what appears to be a promising story is emerging from amidst all the deadpan comedy. But its only vice is simply how misleading everything appears. The opening promises gothic loli twins and anti-tank guns, but so far I see the same old bull from the first series. Granted, the setting and pretense is different so perhaps this will lead into something a little more along my preference. Still, the lack of Yin makes me weep.
Say hello to my little friend.
Who are you guys? And what are you doing in my opening animation?
I guess the only thing left to do is wait and seep for the dashi to settle and the flavor to come out.
What an ugly cover.
A recent article from Yen Press reveals the cover for the new English version of Spice and Wolf, and boy does it suck. Do people really buy novels based on the cover? Unfortunately, yes. It’s a rather shallow way of approaching literature; no, rather than shallow, I’d have to say contradictory… Therefore I can understand their reasoning behind why they would pull something so daft. Many people are less inclined to buy novels with anime characters on the cover, including myself. However, I’m sure whoever gets tricked into buying spice and wolf will feel betrayed upon seeing the inner illustrations, so I think pulling that move was rather stupid and unnecessary on Yen Press’s part.
Not to mention, I’m pretty sure a lot of potential buyers didn’t buy the Haruhi novel because the cover for the paperback sucked. Besides, even though the cover was not anime-oriented, they still stuck it in the “manga” section of every bookstore I’ve gone to. It seems everything is just working against these people’s genuine efforts to bring Japanese light novels to a wider audience. Oh well, I don’t think too highly of any of these children’s books to begin with, so I’m not too affected.
To be entirely frank, I’m not completely enamored of Spice and Wolf, and its elementary economics, or its token furry heroine. I don’t care if the series gets ruined because it got a horrible eyesore as a cover, or the fact Yen Press’s logogram experts can’t come up with a title design that does not look like some early 90’s RPG. Let’s just say, I’m content with what I see. Hah!
