Best Anime of 2007

In comparison, I had relatively toned down on watching anime this whole year due to various reasons, e.g. coursework, thesis, quarter-life crisis, etc etc. Hence, you can say I became more selective to the animation series/movies I would actually follow for its entire length.

Before I proceed, let me forewarn that I am pretty much an anime-philic, so this post will entertain only the like ^^.

I had only began enjoying watching anime about 3 years ago by chance. Actually, it was because the cover art of the Rozen Maiden vcd looked attractively gothic to piqued my interest and there was good discount to boot. I picked up from there and had since grown to love watching (and learning!) from Japanese animation. There were a lot of technical and creative aspects of animation I have come to appreciate and I sincerely salute the animators for the technical ingenuity and psychological exploration.

To cut the long story short, I'm here to review the animation series I liked best for the ones I had watched in this year of 2007.

BEST ANIME OF THE YEAR

This one wins hands down:

Code Geass ~ Hangyaku no Lelouch ~

Technical wise, Code Geass is a masterpiece. The animation is so good it makes you wonder how many people it takes to make the success of this production. The scenes involving the Knightmares were top-notched. The colors used were fabulous. The soundtrack was amazing. The voice cast was stellar. There can be no better candidate for Lelouch Lamperouge other than Fukuyama Jun. The plotting, character development, and climaxing of the story is beyond description. I was kept on the edge of my seat, episode after episode. I could keep ranting on. But the subject of my fangirlism has got to be CLAMP's character designs. CLAMP banzai.

Thank you, Sunrise, for bringing us the joy of Code Geass.

Image belongs to myucon


MOST CREATIVE ANIME

I don't think there's another more fitting than:

Dennou Coil

I was keen on Dennou Coil primarily because the leading characters were voiced by two of my favourites: Orikasa Fumiko and Paku Romi. At the end of it, I fell in love with Dennou Coil, not only because of the stellar voice acting, but because Iso Mitsuo delivered a show so full of imagination and novelty. Dennou Coil is mild yet exciting, so coldly high-tech yet so warmingly humane. I love every bit of it, except that I think there are too many recap episodes, that could have been used for character development. I absolutely adore the hilarity surrounding Tamako's reckless use of Satchii's and Megabaa's Dennou Tantei memberships. And I think the ending for this series is one of the most satisfactory I have viewed this entire year.

Thank you Ureshii for the fan-subbing, because without it, I'm totally lost with all the technical terms so necessary to understand the plot of the story.

Image from Ureshii


MOST BEAUTIFUL-ART ANIME

This one is no other than:

Byousoku 5 Senchimetoru

Animation art cannot get more gorgeous than this. The falling sakura petals are simply surreal, the whoosh of the Tokyo subways are so vivid, and the chugging of the JR trains are only one step away from the original locomotives blaring down the tracks in Japan. Shinkai Makoto is especially deft at amplifying the emotional impact of his fantastic art with fantastic soundtrack. I love the art and music from the moment I saw the high resolution trailer, and continue to love it long after I watched it. In fact, for the entire year since its release, the image of falling sakura surrounding Takaki and Akari became a mainstay on my desktop.

It's a shame the plot was quite weak and character development was less than satisfactory. But the emotions were well conveyed.


MOST EDUCATIONAL ANIME

I seemed to have learnt quite a bit from this show:

La Corda d'Oro ~ Primo Passo ~

This anime series strictly speaking, was not released this year, but the year before. However, it appealed to me because of the classical music theme and... the bishounens. Yes, this is one of the other show I would get all fangirl-ed on the pretty boys. Good (male) character designs there, Fujioka Maki-san. On a serious note, I actually learnt several interesting stuff from Lili's One Point Classical. Like, when the solo violinist's violin strings break during a concerto performance, the performance continues and the spare violin comes from the concertmaster, and that Bach actually had 20 offsprings(!)


BEST OPENING THEME

You Raise Me Up ~祈り (Romeo X Juliet)

This is tough. I dig anime soundtracks, so I find it difficult to pick a favourite. I quite like Kanon's "Brand New Breeze" for La Corda d'Oro, but techincally speaking that was last year's animation. For this year, I would go for Lena Park's "You Raise Me Up ~祈り~" from RomeoXJuliet. Her voice is powerful yet soulful, and successfully delivered the melancholy encompassing the tale of Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers.


BEST ENDING THEME

空の欠片 (Dennou Coil)

Another toughie. But one that has been playing the longest on my playlist is Ikeda Ayako's "Sora no Kakera" for Dennou Coil. The music and lyrics go very well with the theme of the animation series, so it gives a very impactful ending to each episode. Furthermore, I like the ending sequence, involving a strolling Densuke over changing backgrounds.


So there, these are the few of my favourite picks, and recommendations for this year. I'm already looking forward to next year's array of new (and returning) animes, particularly sequels of xxxHolic, Code Geass, and Tsubasa Chronicles OVA.

Here's to another year of great animation!

～みはる～

The One With The Purring Siren

We checked. Siren's a female.

I was pretty worried about this backyard stray since it was raining very heavily last night, and thus it was to my relief when the thin wails of meowing were still audible when I woke up in the morning. We tried giving her warm milk for breakfast, but she didn't seem to like the taste of milk that much. She actually seemed rather worn out, probably due to all the screaming she had done during the night. Before going out for lunch, I checked her out again, only to find her stuffing herself headfirst(!) into the drainage pipe, conking out of lethargy.

Coming back after dinner, we found her curling up forlornly behind the slipper, too tired to even make a tiny sound. We portioned out a bit of the Whiskas cat food we bought for her, and tried to feed her some red snapper. Siren is no longer afraid of us, so it didn't take much coaxing to get her eating. Much to our delight, she devoured the (what seemed gross to me) cat food happily and hungrily, and for the first time, I heard a close-range kitten purring. Her appetite seemed to improve alot as she was also willing to lap up some warm milk this time. (I'm kinda forcing milk on her because she looks so dehydrated!)

Siren seemed to have quite a small appetite for food and a large appetite for affection. After a few more chunks of snapper, she boldly came closer to my feet. Initially I thought she was attracted to the cat food slime on my fingers, but it didn't take long to see that she wants some petting. You see, that is the problem. The reason I never keep pets is that I am dermatologically sensitive to animal fur and the like. Dust, mites, fur, etc are my potential allergens, so if Siren touches me, I'll end up visiting the hospital. But this kitten is seeking some form of petting, so as she kept coming after me, I kept backing away from her.

Since the kitten didn't look like she's giving up, I put on an old sock, and using it as a glove, gave Siren all the stroking she wants. This stray is as bony as she looks. Frankly, I didn't know how to pet a cat and do not comprehend cat-body-expression. She wagged her tail upon stroking, and as far as I understand, tail wagging with cats meant they are agitated. But after some petting and playing around, Siren seemed to be comfortable around me enough to start showing me her claws and fangs. In fact, she became sufficiently daring to venture out the tar road at the backyard, skittering back and forth, refusing to return to the sheltered door step even when I hauled her back to her slipper-spot.

After Siren started biting me through the old sock, I decided that it was enough of pampering, and left her to fend for herself. It was my mistake to think that she would still be blur and vulnerable: this smart puss immediately ran back to the comfort of her drain-pipe spot once I left her alone on the road in the backyard.

All the feeding and petting might be worth it; Siren's sleeping and tonight we too can sleep peacefully minus the night-long caterwauling.

～みはる～

The One With The Wailing Siren

Sometime after midnight last night, I was going for a shower when I heard pitiful meowing from my backyard. Thinking it was just some random kitten in the drain waiting for mother cat to return, I didn't quite bother and went to sleep after a brief shower.

However, the meowing continued to next morning, and upon investigation, we found a sad, anorexic kitten crouching in the drainage pipe of my neighbour's house. The poor little feline, which I adopted the name Siren for its endless wailing, was jittery with fear and trembling in (what I presumed) hunger. It seemed to be using every bit of its remaining energy to cry out for its mother, which by the way is no where to be seen.

Taking pity on Siren, we tried to feed it milk (that's what kittens drink, rite?). Okay, I have not any pets before, so I didn't realize kittens despise cold HL-low fat milk. Siren refused to drink the milk I poured. Okay, so we heated the milk. Siren still refused hot HL-low fat milk. What a picky cat. Then we thought to feed it some leftover fish from dinner. Mashing silver pomfret(!) remains into easy-to-chew bits, I tried to coax the anorexic kitten to take some fishy nutrients. Siren wasn't very taken with the smell of silver pomfret, and it took a while before it stopped wailing long enough to eat some fish.

Nevertheless, Siren isn't eating much of the chunkful of fish I tried to fed it, and before long, it resumed wailing for its mummy again. I really do hope the mother heeds the kitten's call before Siren dies of wailing in the cold.

Siren refusing milk, crouching behind my neighbor's slippers in apprehension.

～みはる～

Kirishima

(This post is the English version of the previous one)

I've came back to my hometown for the year end holidays, and naturally, ended up doing what I do best at home: eat.

My family and I had a little Christmas eve treat by sampling the special Christmas menu dished out by the best Japanese cuisine chefs in town in a cosy little restaurant called Kirishima. All you Pg'ites should know this is the place to get the best Japanese food in the northern region.

We were tantalized with the freshest ever Sashimi Moriawase coupled with the freshed ever Garden Salad. Let me tell you that I have never tasted such fresh sashimi in town. This is something like you would get in Tsukiji Market at Ginza, Tokyo. Two thumbs up.

The appetizing prelude was followed by the main course, which is a palate of a variety of their specials portioned just right for a single helping. There's (another super fresh) Jumbo Ebi Fry, some fragrant meatballs I have no idea how they prepared it, and never-seen-before Futomaki generously decorated with grilled Unagi stuffed with really good things apart from seaweed. Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas without a good helping of turkey perfectly done and blanketed with light gravy so good you would ask for more. A cute pot of donburi (something like soup) was served alongside the main dish. I can't comment much, except that it sends my tastebuds to heaven with the pleasing mix of yuzu (citrus) and all sorts of Japanese-style essence (kombu, bonito, etc etc). Two thumbs up.

Dessert was their special homemade Kurogoma (black sesame) ice cream, which I think is extremely good because it wasn't too sweet or creamy, and gave a satisfactory end to the already delicious meal. Two thumbs up.

I lost count how many thumbs up the Christmas set has earned.
Point being, every Japanese food-philic should visit Kirishima at least once.

～みはる～

ごちそうさまでした！

今夜の夕食はごちそうだった！

家族と「霧島」という日本料理屋でクリスマスの夕食セットがした。
なかなか一番良い日本料理屋と思います。あの夕食セットもすごくおいしかった。

最初は刺身もりあわせだった。
すごく新鮮な鮭と鮪と白鮪を食べてみた。まじでうまかった。
あの石の上に立ってるのわさびも手作りものと思った。すごく新鮮感がした。

それから野菜サラダーができました。野菜もとても新鮮でおいしかった。

その次はあのセットのメェーンコースでした。
色々なおいしい物が皿にできた。
ジャムボ蝦フライや、肉だんごや、変わったふとまきなどした。
もちろん、タルキーもいただきました。クリスマスだからね。

そのメェーンコースと一緒どんぶりみたい物を飲んだ。
ゆずが入ったので、あたし特に好きだった。

最後にデザートだ。黒ごまのアイスクリームだった。
味はちょどよかった。甘すぎではなくて、薄くておいしかった。

けっ局はらがいっぱくなりました！
なんだか、こんなのごちそうは本当に久しぶりだった。
ごちそうさまでした！

～みはる～

Inadaptability

How adaptable are you to changes in life?

I had a shocking revelation that I am a pretty inadaptable creature.

A few days ago, I was performing my usual weekday routine of getting my butt out of bed, morning shower, eating breakfast - all in a bleary state of mind. It's Monday, so young people like me get the Monday blues. "It's the start of a working week. Ugh." そのところの感じね。

So I was chewing wholemeal + cheese washed down with chocolate milk when my cellphone beeped an incoming message. Reading the message sent a shock great enough to hurl me out of my Monday blues. No, actually, it hurled me out of my mind.

"Please move out by end of January - Landlady"

In the bleak rainy morning amid the bleary breakfast, I lost a shelter over my head.

When I finished reading the message I was in such a shock that I suddenly felt like a lost sheep in the jagged moutains, not knowing where to go or what to do. It was particularly difficult for me to accept that I will have no place to go in a month's time because first, the market rental price now is at its absurdly high peak with greedy owners and property agents taking the advantage to charge desperate tenants exorbitant fees. Second, I had just made commitments to language and music classes, which require an amount of budget every month. All it took was just an overnight, and I have been degraded from living comfortably to living off every penny of my-already-measly student salary. That shock resonated in my whole being for the rest of the day. It stressed me out so bad that I could not concentrate in my work in the office. All I could think of is the urgency to find another place before the stipulated deadline, and what would happen if we don't find it within the period of time, and how we are going to get an affordable place in the midst of the inflating market.

Shelter is a need for the living, and even the wildest animal would instinctively search for a new location in replacement of the abandoned so as to keep on surviving. Similarly, my damage control switch automatically activated: I began frantically searching classifieds for houses and contacting agents. But you see, although it is instinctive, the emotional impact didn't alleviate. I find it difficult to swallow the reality I had to accept. It made things worse that my rational brain completely comprehended the situation and could strategize procedures to overcome the problem, but my emotional brain could not help reacting negatively to the news. My emotional resistance kept building up, messing with my mind and concentration, until I just felt like letting frustrated tears flow. I was trudging listlessly home in the heavy rain with a growling stomach and unsettled mind and I wanted to just cry it all out, when my coursemate SY appeared behind me. It was like my Guardian Angel was aware how down I was and miraculously put comfort there beside me just when I needed it.

Holding back my floodgates, I lamented to SY about my shock of the day. Although I didn't expect any solution to come out of it, I felt better after talking it out. It helped me to accept the news a bit, and I did not feel as troubled anymore. It also happened a few friends popped my several messages to chat, and after lamenting to them, it helped me felt better too. However, I supposed the last thing that helped to dissipate the emotional shock was a phone call from home. Mysteriously, families know just when to call. In pouring out all my grievances over the phone and letting all frustrated tears flow, I somehow came to terms with reality.

In retrospect, I find myself inadaptable to changes. It took me a while to get over the emotional hangover before I had a clear mind to play out the strategies. What makes it challenging was the fact that I was completely aware of my incompetency and I know how to overcome that incompetency, but it is so overwhelming and powerful that I couldn't help but gave in to it.

Looks like I've much more to learn.

～みはる～

PS: Thank you all who had been there just when I needed support. やっぱり偶然はないと思う。^^

音楽の力

As scheduled last week, I went for the violin trial lesson yesterday after my Japanese lesson. To my disappointment, the actual violin instructor was not able to return in time from her orchestra performance overseas, hence a student/teacher (I think) relieved her position.

Okay now I don't want to sound shallow, but when I saw G, the student/teacher, I was slightly taken aback. Bespectacled and timid, I had thought for a moment whether I had entered the wrong studio. But as it appears, G was about to blow me away.

So we did a brief "Hello, how are you" before G shyly asked me what I know (and want to know) about the violin. I had thought it was a pretty standard question, so I just shared my tiny knowledge on violin with him. He looked really nervous, probably it was his first time teaching an adult, so I thought to help him relax by jokingly telling him to show off his violin playing skills. "Play me a song, show off your skills. Don't worry, I'm tone deaf, you can play anything and I'll think it's music. Haha" Very lame, I know, but was just trying to ease the tension. "Okay," G shyly replied as he placed his (very gorgeous) violin under his chin and positioned the bow.

The moment G drew the bow, the violin sang very beautiful music and he completely transformed into a very different person. There wasn't a hint of shyness or timidity; it was a very confident and graceful demonstration, and for the moment, I saw a different G. He exuded confidence and was very obviously enjoying playing the violin. I was really awed by the transformation before my eyes.

Then I thought, "This must be the power of music."

It goes without saying by the end of the day, I ended up with a violin and violin lessons every weekend beginning next year.

これもきっと音楽の力だと思う。

～みはる～

やっちゃった

やっちゃったよ、あたしは。

今日ね、ヴィオリンをさわって、ヴィオリンを買って、ヴィオリンの授業も決めたの。
あせったかったかな。
良いことか、やばいことか、よく分からないけど。
でもね、なぜか、やってみたいなぁって感じがあふれている。
今やる気満々そうです。子供っぽいかな。
でも自分で決めたし、楽しんでがんばらないと仕方ないよね。
では新たの年に新たの先生によろしくお願いいたします！
楽しみしています！

～みはる～

ツイシン：「この決を後悔しないように」祈っている。だってお金がかかるんだもん。

ぐうぜん。。。かな？

やぁみんな、元気してたかい？

Don't quite know why, but in quite a chirpy mood today (although I hate being chirpy). But anyway.

In my last post, I listed 5 resolutions (heck, it's not even New Year's yet...). And when I put those 5 resolutions as my "I Want To..." list on my blog side bar, I thought, "This will just be a wishlist if I don't do something about it".

Several days later, I received a call from the Japanese school I signed up, informing me that I've successfully been placed into a Pre-advanced Japanese class, after a 3-month wait. I was pleasantly surprised at the timing. There was I getting all pumped up about mastering Japanese, and mysteriously, opportunity presented itself for me to realize my wish.

ここで、ホリックのゆうこのせりふがします：「この世に偶然なんてない、あるのは必然だけ」。まぁ、そのおいといで。。。

So finally, I went for my first class last week. It was alot of fun. The class was comfortably sized, with approximately 15 students and one Maeda-sensei. All first Japanese classes run by default: 自己紹介(introduction). You know, the "Hajimemashite...hitotsu yoroshiku onegaishimasu" stuff. でもね、the weirdest thing was Sensei missed my 自己紹介- twice. First was when she did the attendance thing. The "X-san? Hai!" thing. She called on everyone except me. I thought I stepped into the wrong class or something. In the end, I had to called after her to call my name. Sooo not my idea of introduction.

The second time Sensei missed me again was when we did a 自己紹介 exercise. We worked in pairs and are supposed to introduce our partner to the class after a brief getting-to-know-each-other time. Everyone introduce their partner, including myself... except my partner. So, basically, I was not introduced to the class, again. まさか、先生わざだったの？T_T

However, I'll look over it as a first day glitch or two. The class interaction was great, with everyone talking at ease. Much to my surprise, every single other student in the classroom is a working adult except me. I think I could have been the youngest in there. I was also quite surprised to find the level of Japanese in there not very high. I had thought with one year interval since my last proper Japanese lesson, I may need to work harder, compared to the ongoing students. But in the end, I had to explain some of the words and sentence structure that was used in the class to the other students. Although quite relieved the starting level is not too difficult, I'm still a little surprised (and maybe disappointed). でも、これからも日本語の勉強がんばります！上手になるまでに一所懸命頑張ります。

Have you experienced times where opportunities seemed to bloom at your feet at your every wish and request?

I think I may have.

After my Japanese class, I walked out and just next door, is a classical music school/store. On the door, a notice reads: Free trial lessons for violin, flute, saxophone, viola, ... (insert more instrument names here).

*Scrolls down to my last post* Learning violin is one of my other things-I-want-to-do !!

またここで、ゆうこのせりふがする：「この世に偶然なんてない、あるのは必然だけ」。なんか、私こうやって好きだ。おいといで。。。

I went into the shop and a very friendly man entertained my request. We discussed about playing violin, the lessons offered (i.e. talk money. No fees, no class), and the violin teacher they have. As promised on the flyer, he offered to arrange a free trial lesson for me to get acquainted to playing violin and also to get to know the teacher. I thought it was a pretty tempting deal to pass, so I (uncharacteristically spontaneously) took his offer. So, suffice to say, I left the shop with a violin class appointment next week.

In that one day, I was granted the opportunities and the beginnings to do what I had haphazardly listed in my last post. And it dawned upon me, that maybe that list will not become a wishlist afterall. I am still thinking whether to seriously take up violin because I understood my work commitments will only get heavier with time (teaching duties, thesis for confirmation, data to publish paper, data to write thesis, mentoring students, etc, etc), but at the same time, I wanted so much to give the girl in me, the one who loves music and never quite properly finish learning one instrument, a chance to do at least one carefree thing she had given up somewhere in her childhood for conforming to the society's demands. I would hate to look back and sigh, "I wish I had learned violin then".

偶然なんてない、でしょう？

～みはる～

金色のコルダ

You know when you watch a show and it makes you go, "If only I could do that..."
Thanks to Shiyun-san's recommendation, I'm now in a wishful-thinking-mode of, "If I had done music instead..." And it's all because of this:

金色のコルダ

La Corda d'Oro ~Primo Passo~

Yes, music is my mental staple food. My love for music began at an early age. I remembered doing solo chacha and Japanese dances for the annual kindergarten performances, of which elevated to something more ambitious like choreographing dance moves for Awards Day in elementary school. High school saw more ensemble performances; woodwinds, traditional Javanese instruments, choir and the like. My earlier university days were hyped with Latin dancing, which I had enjoyed alot. When music plays and the feeling is right, I could feel life and excitement coursing in my blood.

Even though I liked music since young, my formal music education did not start until I was in high school. I don't recall playing anything extravagant during my elementary days, apart from the pianica, tambourine, triangles and castanets. I had always envied my neighbour's daughter who could play piano very well, and each time I paid her a visit, I weasel my chance to touch the black and white piano keys, much to her mother's annoyance. However, my family could not afford professional music lessons until I was in high school. Some people thought that age is pretty much late for learning piano, but I was enthusiastic to finally be able to learn to play it properly. So enthusiastic was I that I managed to persuade my parents to sign me up for organ classes as well.

However, high school equates national exams, and soon I became burdened with schoolwork and practice. I began to slack on practice for schoolwork, to the extend piano classes became a chore and I was terrified of going to class because I could not play without practice. Finally I stopped piano and organ lessons and it never picked up from there.

Some time last year, the Japanese drama Nodame Cantabile aired. I was filled with nostalgia and, maybe, regret when the beautiful sound of music rolled out with each episode. Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Mozart,... the richness of classical music resonated the music I loved so much. Watching the piano duet by Nodame and Chiaki, I regretted not persevering through my piano classes. How I wish I had the discipline to complete my music education then.

And now, when I watched La Corda d'Oro, the sounds of piano and violin once again stirred my incomplete musical dreams. I wishfully thought, "What it's like to be able to play the piano at a concour? What if I had learnt to play the violin too?"

I figured this wishful thinking would come back to me, neverending, the next time I watch another classical music show, so I came out with a little "5 Things I Want To Do Before I Die" list:

1. Get a piano and finish my piano Diploma.
2. Learn to play violin.
3. Give a public piano/violin performance.
4. Watch a real orchestra concert in Vienna.
5. Master Japanese.

Number 5 is out of point, but I just want to speak another language.

Told you music makes my blood excited, didn't I?

～みはる～

The irony

It's one of those days I've had, but unlike previously, it grasped me.

I'm talking about little surprises. Allow me to explain.

I was alone at the campus bus stop, waiting for bus this morning to go grocery shopping, when another girl joined me in my wait. She's a total stranger, so as I do always, I just continued what I was doing, i.e. listening to music and staring into the green scenery across the street.

After some 5 mins of waiting (not that it was unpleasant; the breeze was gentle and the sun was bright..), stranger girl suddenly lifted her hand and waved in my direction. Surprised, I turned back, expecting to see another person behind me who would be returning her wave. However, there was no one. I turned back at stranger girl, who was actually waving to me. I smiled at her, and she must have taken that as a green signal to begin a conversation. And with that, I found myself accompanied throughout my journey to the shopping center.

In retrospect, I find myself thinking, "Ahh, I haven't seen such a person for a long time." To me stranger girl (called ZY as I found out) was cheerful and courageous in socializing, something I felt I, and my generation in the society, totally lack in. She took the initiative to warm up a silent wait at the bus stop, a silence I have come to thought as natural over my years living in an urban city. I mean, how many of us speak to total strangers while waiting for our transport? With all the security issues plaguing the society (mothers tell us not to talk to strangers, no?) ignoring the person next to you seems like the right thing to do. But surprisingly at times, it can be quite a warm and pleasant encounter, getting to know someone new this way.

Thinking about it, I wondered if I have allowed myself to meld into a hypocrite: believing that I am sociable, telling people I am friendly, advocating courage in others, labeling ill-mannered people as hypocrites when myself am cowardly and hypocritical to start with. It's so easy to point fingers at another person, blaming them for all things that had failed you (or rather you had failed) and shrugging off your responsibility. It's a comfort to our state of mind, convincing that we have done all right and no wrong, and what we are now is a consequence of their err.

How ironic a warm encounter can invoke all these unsettling emotions.

～みはる～