MM! - Anime

MM! starring the voice talents of Taketatsu Ayana, Fukuyama Jun, Asumi Kana, Tanaka Rie, Satou Rina, Hayami Saori, Ohara Sayaka, Yahagi Sayuri. Directed by Nagasawa Tsuyoshi.

Sado Taro is a first year high school student with a problem. He's a major masochist. He likes it when girls are abusive towards him, both physically and verbally. Taro wants to keep his masochist nature a secret from his crush, in hopes of being able to find a way to cure himself of this personality and be able to properly confess to her. Taro is encouraged by his classmate to seek help from the school's "Second Volunteer Club". 

Skip Beat - Anime

Skip Beat with the voice talents of Konishi Katsuyuki, Miyano Mamoru, Inoue Marina.

Mogami Kyoko follows her childhood friend and first love Fuwa Shou to Tokyo so he can become an idol. Instead of attending high school like most 16 year old girls do, Kyoko spends her days working to pay for an expensive apartment for her and Shou to live in.

Claymore Anime

Claymore with voice talents of Kuwashima Houko, Hisakawa Aya, Takeda Hana, Hirata Hiroaki, Inoue Kikuko, Takagi Motoki, Nagasawa Miki, Park Romi, Mitsuishi Kotono. Directed by Tanaka Hiroyuki.

Claymore is the name given to the female warriors of an unknown organization created to kill off yoma. They are the product of human females that are spliced together with the flesh of a yoma, creating a human/yoma hybrid. Claymores are able to tap into the yoma part of their being and use abilities normal humans wouldn't be able to. The ability differs from warrior to warrior as it does with each yoma. When a Claymore exceeds her limits the yoma half will start to take over and the human half will disappear turning a yoma killing warrior into the very thing they are created to kill.

Bleach 271

Ichigo vs Ulquiorra I must say this has been an epic battle. The music, setting, artwork and animation all done very well. Very one sided battle for the most part. However, don't count Ichigo out yet, after all the show is named after him Bleachigo! Okay well maybe it's not but he's the main character right? He can't die right? I won't spoil it for those that haven't watched it yet but I will say that this episode has quite a few surprises in store for you.

Anime vs. Manga... Which is your addiction?

The big question. Which Japanese export is best?

Anime OR Manga

I asked a friend of mine which she preferred. She told me she likes manga best. She explains that manga "looks better visually because more work and detail is put into it. The story itself usually has more development." She goes on to say that "manga is cheaper to buy in stores and online. It is small and portable. You can take a manga with you and enjoy it anywhere you want whether it be in your bedroom or as far as a park... a boring car ride, etc. And you are reading as opposed to sitting on your butt watching the tube. It keeps your mind active and they are just really cool to collect."

She did me the favor of asking some of her friends which they would prefer.

Most of which picked manga claiming the story lines are better because it can go into more details with each character and that most manga aren't converted into anime versions.

I personally don't have much experience with manga. I've read a few over the years and I liked those for the most part. Where most anime will just stop without finishing the storyline, the manga will more than likely go all the way to the end. I've never heard of a manga that didn't finish it's story but I'm sure there are some out there.
Anime is a big addiction of mine. I have a huge chunk of memory on my computer devoted to anime. I am constantly having to clear off disk space to make room for new shows that have just been released in Japan or shows that have been around for years.

I would love to start reading manga and feed it until it turns into a full blown addiction. I already have a list of manga that has been recommended to me by the wonderful people that have given us their opinions of the topic at hand.

They are... in no particular order
Sailor Moon
Fruits Basket
Kitchen Princess
Bleach
Rosario+Vampire
Immortal Rain
Inu-Yasha
Ah! My Goddess
Kareshi Kanojo no Jijo (AKA His and Hers Circumstances)

(Manga converted to Anime)
Some animes to consider... in no particular order
Sailor Moon (It's a classic people... you must watch it.)
Bleach
Naruto
Ranma 1/2
Fruits Basket
Kareshi Kanojo no Jijo (AKA His and Hers Circumstances)

My first pick to start a manga collection would be the Kareshi Kanojo no Jijo. I've watched the anime and it wasn't finished. I would love to see how it ends. My second pick would be Fruits Basket, also a unfinished anime. They drag out some stories and plots but then leave others high and dry. That would probably be my only problem with anime vs. manga.

If you have any favorites you'd like to share, please, feel free to share. I'd like to expand my horizons.

Bleach (Anime)

Not a lot of my friends (especially the female ones) watch Bleach. Other than my boyfriend, his friend Tim and a few brats at work I don't know many people that watch it and keep up with it. I honestly didn't think I would get addicted to it so heavily. It's more of a boy's anime than a girls anime. I finally got around to watching the episodes back in December 2008 or January 2009. It took my about a week to watch close to 150+ episodes. I thought it would take longer, but seeing as I don't have much of a life and I don't really have a social life other than my boyfriend (and occasionally we hang out with Tim), I flew through those episodes in no time. When I finally caught up, I was quite sad. It meant I had to wait a whole week before a new episode would be out. That's always the hardest part... the wait.

Last weeks episode has me on edge. It's not even part of the main story arch. It's a filler and usually fillers aren't that exciting. But with Bleach, half the time you can't even tell it's a filler. I'm excited to know what happens with the Shinigami and their Zanpakuto.
It's been said that the reason why Kenpachi isn't even in this episode is because it's a major spoil about the true form of his Zanpakuto. Now, if you're a follower of Bleach then you'll know from earlier episodes that Kenpachi doesn't know the name of his Zanpakuto and can't use it's release form. He says it's because he only needs himself. He's all powerful and doesn't need the added boost the Zanpakuto will give him.
Now, it's supposed to be a huge spoiler that the true identity of his Zanpakuto is his Lieutenant Yachiru. And if you think about it, it does make sense. She's always with him. She showed up out of nowhere, playing in the blood from Kenpachi's many victims, they have similar powers and Kenpachi gave Yachiru her name. But it could possibly go the other way too. Kenpachi could be her Zanpakuto. Kenpachi didn't have a name either until he met Yachiru. And we (my boyfriend, his friend Tim and I) think that is the reason why they aren't in this Zanpakuto filler episodes. And it does make sense if you break it down a bit and analize it.

Yes, I'm that much of a nerd. I take pride in my nerdy-ness.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this or would like to suggest something else? Leave me a comment and we can further discuss it.