Anime-esque dreams

I just woke up around thirty minutes ago. And, I had a dream that I can’t exactly describe. It was apparently real life, but it felt like a visual novel/anime. I was a bum student (the ones that are considered delinquents in Japan, like Tomoya Okazaki) and I had a teacher that believed in me (like Hiratsuka-<i>sensei</i> is to Hachiman). One thing lead to another, and I ended up interacting and falling in love with a very sweet innocent girl that brought out the good in me. I talked to her a lot and it made me happy.

All the while Key BGM (mostly from Air, Kanon, and Clannad, but I’m not sure if any were from Little Busters!) was playing in my head. The dream ended in me running in the rain to give her dango presents. I woke up, and for some reason, heard Philosophyz in my head even though I haven’t read Rewrite yet… I feel nonchalant for some reason, my stress is all gone. But for some reason (and I admit, it’s weird to say), I feel that I’d like to meet that girl again. 😦

(This is also the first time in a long while that I slept at a normal time and woke up at a reasonable time like a normal human being.)

Have you guys ever had anime-esque dreams? Did they make you happy, sad, etc.?

Wahfuu Review! Full Review of Rewrite.

Gardening Team Alpha Squad Redux.

I always hate finishing a VN I really like. It kind of feels like a friend is going away and you’ll never know when you’ll see them next. In this case, however, I do know when I’ll see them next, which is Harvest Festa, but I’m not sure if that totally counts. Either way, Rewrite is something I’ll probably remember for a pretty long time. Flawed in quite a few ways but enjoyable in far, far more. From it’s incredibly creative way of showing it’s message, it’s incredibly dark shift in tone, its great sound-track and one of my favorite common routes I’ve ever experienced, mostly due to the hilariously bright cast of characters. Speaking of which, I think Key is going to have to find a way to mix a straight-up foreigner in there next VN. Kud was half and even she has been eclipsed by the ever so absurd Kotori as far as butchering the english language goes. I don’t know how Key plans on topping themselves after this one. Maybe the next setting could be in boston. That’d work.

Key’s Rewrite! First Thoughts and Feelings Thus Far

I DO THIS TO MYSELF. I REGRET NOTHING.

PROCRASTINATION HO!

We interrupt your broadcasting of Duel Savior and Da Capo III for another visual novel to once again delay everything else I’m doing! Yes, everyone, it’s that time of the year. Where some really cool guys translate the latest Key visual novel (in record time!) and everyone is forced to go through bitch-tears and reduced masculinity for awhile. Yep, it’s that old song and dance. Rewrite has been translated. And unfortunately, everything else I’ve been doing has taken a small trip into the back-burner, because there is no way at all I can bring myself to read anything else when I have something so hyped in front of me.

So, curious? Of course you are. So this, friends and enemies alike, is the beginning of my journey into Key’s latest monstrosity! Let’s get ready to count the scars, alrighty? Okay, so, on with the show!

The Podcast With No Name – Episode 1: Popping the Cherry

On the agenda for our pilot episode, we have the upcoming Little Busters! anime, Spice & Wolf and other light novels, Da Capo III and other untranslated visual novels, Tales of Xillia being localized, and of course, plenty of extra topics because we can’t stop talking.

Intro Music Title: campo de girassol Artist: Shibayan Circle: ShibayanRecords Album: À procura de felicidade

Ending Music Title: グリニッジによる二台のチェロのためのアルマンド Artist: 菊一倖殷×中雑魚酒菜 Circle: 街角麻婆豆 Album: The Catcher in Greenwich

Visual Novels vs. Dating Simulation Games

A widely skewed image of the visual novel genre. and a commonly incorrect usage of the term “dating simulation,” keeps people from trying out an otherwise excellent method of storytelling.

Take the rather recent “Katawa Shoujo,” for instance. Many people went in thinking it was a “dating sim” about disabled girls. While the story is about disabled girls, it is not a dating simulation game. It’s intended to be an emotional visual novel that will break even the most wicked of souls (it’s actually rather average). Calling it a dating simulation game is as correct as calling Half-Life 2 an RPG. Or Eiken a “good anime” (ha ha). Which is why I felt like making this post, “Visual Novels vs. Dating Simulation Games.” For all you savvy folks out there, this post isn’t to put down one or the other, but to educate.

Within this post, I will post both the similarities and differences between visual novels and dating sims, and hope to take down any misconceptions about the former by forming a clear description of what the latter really is.

Tomoko Kawakami

Rest in peace – you’ve reached the goal…

Being busy and not keeping up with anime news as much as I should have last year, I have only recently discovered that the talented Tomoko Kawakami, voice actress for various types of characters such as Chiriko from Fushigi Yuugi, Hikaru from Hikaru no Go, and Misuzu from Air, passed away exactly one year ago – the same day as when I found out – June 9th.

Already being down in the dumps as it is, finding out about this deeply saddened me. She had a really wide range of voices – but when she voiced gentle characters like Misuzu, she sounded more gentle than anything. Perfect example of an actor who could bring a character to life.

It’s as if it was a soothing lullaby from the other side. It’s been a year now, but rest in peace, Kawakami-san.

K-ON!! 16

やっぱり!!

Azunyan makes a comeback. I got my wish! Like episode five and episode thirteen, this episode terribly kindly serviced me.

(EDIT: Editing the url for this post caused me to make a triple post on the Antenna. Many apologies. T_T)