ARIA Volume 6 Chapter Log

By TheBigN

I figured that for the Manga Moveable Feast (if it accepts this article), which focuses on AQUA/ARIA this month of March, rather than write a general impression on the volume, I would do a quick impression for each of the chapters in this volume, and try not to spoil in the process. Granted, if you don’t know of the world of Neo Venezia in the first place, this would probably be of no help to you. But some of the articles in the main MMF link will do a good job of filling in that blank. And this blog might also have some pieces lying around that can also help. The general theme is that AQUA/ARIA is relaxing, mysterious, and enjoyable if you sit back, read the story, and just experience it all.

Helping out, if only a little.

By TheBigN

Whenever I hear from other anime bloggers about how large of a group we are, I roll my eyes and disregard the statement.  I think we tend to forget that we aren’t nearly as important as we think we are, and more importantly, that anime/manga isn’t as important as we think it is either. It’s good to keep things in perspective, and even though I support and have donated to the effort of Anime and Manga Bloggers For Japan (and an ad banner is to the right as well, for those who care), the pitch being made on the website makes the group sound more noble than it is. And to me it has a whiff of that sort of “support the industry” mindset from others that has what really is a drop in the bucket sound like “our” helping out is the only way to stop the flood.

That being said, any donations to any charities is a good donation more often than not, and I certainly get behind the two organizations that Anime and Manga Bloggers For Japan are supporting given that Japan is only just starting to deal with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake and tsunami.  But we need to remember that we’re probably helping out other people in different situations too with our donations, and that although it’s probably easier to think about, it shouldn’t just be about Japan or us. In the grand scheme of things, or blogs even, while we can make an impact, we’re still only just a tiny part.

What to do while waiting for Madoka Magica 11

Will you kill someone you love, because of love?

At first, it was hard for me to relate these words — these theme words — to Madoka Magica. However, as feelings of desperation (not really despair yet, IMO) seem to be running rampant through all of the important characters of the show (even Kyubey shows a whiff of it or three sometimes), and as more and more bad events happen to the characters, this concept becomes increasingly possible. Especially as we’re seeing Homura trying to pull out all the stops (at least, all she can see with her middle school life experiences) to keep Madoka from becoming a magical girl while Kyubey’s pulling out all of the stops to get her to take that wish of faith. That being said, at this point in the show there’s no foregone conclusion, and given Madoka’s potential according to Kyubey, everything remains on the table in regards to where the show can go. That couldn’t be said about Ga-Rei –Zero-, the source of the top phrase.

Happier times for Yomi and Kagura.

Madoka Magica 10 — No spoilers

by dm00

Someone takes a mis-step on the way home and lands in Guernica

...with a Van Gogh sky (or is that Edvard Munch?)

Okay, there is a spoiler below the fold, don’t look until you’ve watched the episode.

Yumekui Kyouko

by dm00

Midriff moe (click for navel)

SHAFT can’t be jealous of Yumekui Merry‘s success, but they know otaku-trends.

Madoka Magica 9 (no spoilers)

by dm00

Those eyes. That ribbon.

Kyouko fans, this is your episode.

(There may be spoilers in the comments, so be warned.)