So… Elections…

I had planned to vote for someone who was a uniter.

Someone with a message that inspired people, whether to keep going on in life, to keep on fighting even when it seems impossible to win, or to strive for a greater happiness for themselves (because things can always get better).

Someone that I could see myself actually taking a leap of faith for (harder than you think).

Someone devoted to a common vision that seemed almost palpable when you looked into their eyes or in their sights, and one that could over come the doubts and reluctance to step out of one’s comfort zone that have defined the current society.

Someone who knows that they can’t do it by themselves, and aims for forging strong relationships first before embarking on a collective goal together.

Someone who never seemed to get down no matter what situation was, and somehow knowing that when people believe in themselves and each other, nothing can stop them.

Someone like…

This makes logical sense. Do not deny this.

But since Kaminabi doesn’t exist in real life, I figured that I might as well vote on whoever I felt was closer to reaching that ideal. 😛

On a side note…

Impressions on a Year 2007: Happy Action Fun Time

Written by TheBigN

This installment contains SPOILERS. I repeat, SPOILERS, so read at your own risk. This is also hella long, so again, read at your own risk. :3

With that being said, these are the episodes or moments in series this year that made an impact on me; the “definable” stuff.  I guess, in a way, you could say that as an extension, these are the memorable series for me for the year. Not all of them are my favorites for the year, and all of my favorites aren’t on this list, but these are the ones that stick in the mind long after the show’s over. 😛  

Impressions on a Year 2007: Awesome Soundtracks I Haven’t Covered Yet

Written by TheBigN

By now, you should know what my standards of “awesome” are, but let’s move on, shall we? 😛

When I’m talking about a soundtrack, I think about all of the music that a show entails, including the OP/ED. So what was the point of having all of those tracks standalone in the first place? Because they usually arestandalone from the rest of the soundtrack; Unless you care about what you listen to while watching anime, you only tend focus on those pieces of music because they’re the intro/outro of the show. So I figured they needed something by themselves, but all of the show’s music needs a chance to shine as well.  Usual criteria for this: Liking more than half of what I listened to overall which is harder than it seems. This is probably why Senrei no Moribito‘s, Byousoku no 5cm‘s,Hayate the Combat Butler‘s (yeah really) and Heroic Age‘s OSTs aren’t on here: They we’re good consistent stuff, but they just didn’t work with me as well as these ones here did. And because ef‘s kickass soundtrack won’t be out till next year apparently (as short as that time is now), I’m not including it here. 😛

Impressions on a Year 2007: Awesome OPs and EDs

Written by TheBigN 

Self-explanatory really, though my writing might not be. Whether because of the song, the visuals, or both, these intros and outros worked for me this year. Using youtube, I tried to get all raw versions, but some only had a subbed version. But that shouldn’t be too important, should it? 😛

BTW, this probably is a long post, which also explains what happens when you aren’t too selective. :3

Thankful for Anime, 2007

Written by TheBigN

Granted, this will be bit earlier than usual for some, but why not get that head start in anyways? 😀

Impressions of Hidamari Sketch: Birds of an Off-Colored Feather

Written by TheBigN

I could safely say that Hidamari Sketch is a show that I can rewatch years down the line and still feel like the show hasn’t lost a step. Each episode is standalone, though you find that things introduced early on are referenced later in the series and become signals for our remembrances (progress! Change and reflection!). In the first episode, we already have our four protagonists together as good friends, chilling out, relaxing and so on, and though it would be nice to find out how the foursome gets together (which is done in the manga), that information doesn’t really matter that much, and it’s okay. If I can say that Manabi Straight was about the beginnings and growth of friendships and what happens before, during and after the process of moving of, then Hidamari Sketch is about the fun times being had when those friendships are already in the growing stage and the future is nothing more than a passing glance. To me, it’s a different slice of the same “life” pie that Manabi is (Manabi is the entire process of eating one pie before starting on a new, different one), at a period where you’ve already begun eating it, but you’re nowhere near finished with it. Or something like that; making good metaphors is a strange concept for me. 😛

Reflections on Hitohira: The World Really Is A Stage, But Who Cares To Acknowledge It?

Confidence is an interesting thing. It’s probably why I get annoyed when I see people who have the skills lack the conviction to use them to the best of their ability (like some of the tennis players in this year’s US Open). It’s also why I get annoyed at myself when I fall into that trap, and I know that I’m falling into that trap, yet I don’t want to do anything about it. Perhaps those factors why Hitohira moved me as much as it did. Rooting for Mugi throughout the series, it left me feeling bittersweet, but hopeful, but that’s life for you. 😛

Slice of Life: A Writer’s Stagnation

Written by TheBigN

I was interested by Hidoshi’s recent post about Slice of Life shows and how they work for people who desire/don’t care much for closure, which definitely isn’t a sure thing when watching this genre (I myself am in the latter, but that’s another thing entirely). The heated responses (brilliant or terrible) to the ending of The Sopranos (a nice variation on the slice-o’-life ending, from what I heard) are indicative of that. 😀 I commented that most fans of the genre tend to focus on the journey taken throughout the show rather than what happens at the end, since the end is usually a continuation of the journey. Whether we like it or not, life goes on as normal, and it’s usually with some sadness that I finish experiencing slice-of-life material. To me, if the story is interesting, then it can go on forever as far as I’m concerned. But Hidoshi then remarked that sooner or later, things will get boring, and because people’s tastes and tolerance for boring things varies from person to person, I decided to think and write about what keeps me interested in the genre, in no preferential order. There has to be some reasons why I like shows that bore other people quickly (usually with cries such as, “Nothing’s Happening!” as my partner-in-crime sometimes says. :P) .