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Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni, or literally When the Cicadas Cry, is a story situated during the period of June 1983, and tells the events of a group of children living in a rural village in Hinamizawa. Everything seems normal in the village, as assessed by the newly-moved in Maebara Keiichi. Until, that is, the annual Watanagashi Festival comes along and mysterious murders start happening, and people are claiming it is due to the Oyashiro-sama Curse…
The first season is separated into separated story arcs: Onikakushi-hen, Watanagashi-hen, Tatarigoroshi-hen, Himatsubushi-hen [Question Arcs] Meakashi-hen, Tsumihoroboshi-hen [Answer Arcs];
Each story arc repeats the time period of June 1983, but with different scenarios and from different characters’ perspectives. As the series progresses, backgrounds of the main characters are revealed and you will find yourself thinking that you have solved the mystery behind the murders, only to be marked down when an unexpected event happens and you find yourself back at square one. To add on to the excitement, each story arc is thrilling to the bone, which will make you addicted to the story and wanting to find out more.
One thing is for sure though; each story arc will always have at least one of the main characters becoming paranoid and committing murder, so prepare and brace yourself for madness and violence because there are sure to have scenes to send chills down your spine.
Of course, there is censorship, so it is still an anime suitable for teenagers…
The second season, Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Kai, is the sequel to Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni, and shares more limelight on the events that happened in the first season. (*Note: The kanji ‘Kai; 解’in the title means to explain)
The second season is also separated in another few story arcs: Yakusamashi-hen [Question Arc] Minagoroshi-hen, Matsuribayashi-hen [Answer Arcs]. Events are explained with greater detail so that viewers are able to follow the story better. The real protagonist and antagonist of the story are also revealed here, and the second season explains causes of the murders in both seasons clearly, especially regarding the ‘Oyashiro-sama Curse’. The origin of the mystery is very interesting, and the way the mystery is slowly revealed is excellent. I assure you, every moment is packed with excitement that it will keep you glued to your seats.
Then where does the ‘Comedy’ come in?
As an anime will be boring if it is constantly fixated on the mystery theme… so some elements of laughter are also added to ease up any tension build up through the story…
Sorry. Wrong laughter picture.
Not as funny as other animes which specialize in the comedy sector, but quite likable considering this to be of a mystery genre.
The OVA, Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni Rei, is a collection of extra episodes of Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni that happens after the probably after the mystery of the murders are solved. (*Note: The kanji ‘Rei; 礼’in the title means Gratitude) The story arcs are: Hajisarashi-hen, Saikoroshi-hen and Hirukowashi-hen. Unlike the first and second season, the OVA is specialized in the Comedy sector, so there is no mystery in these episodes. Nevertheless, it is a good laugh from the usual tense feeling from the original story…
... Not to mention all the fan-service here…
Rating: 9/10 <<<<<<<<< D
In the nutshell: A nice anime that I highly recommend for mystery lovers, but may not be very well-liked by those who are unable to comprehend the storyline, and re-watching of the scenes maybe required for some people to understand. Censorship is also effectively used, so murder scenes are not too gruesome, thus an enjoyable thriller without going over the edge.
Labels: Anime and Manga Corner, Chapter 3
Yay! Fire started!
Sunset...
End of BBQ...
After the BBQ, we went night-cycling.
The Day of Revolution is a story of a rebellious 16-year-old feminine-looking boy, Yoshikawa Kei, where he is hit on by his “fighting buddies” and was never cared for by his strict father. One day, he falls ill and is taken to the hospital, only to find out later that he was actually genetically female! Deciding to change his life, he sets out to restart his life, but this time as a female, Yoshikawa Megumi!
I’m not going to say that this manga promotes homosexuality, or that I approve of it, since when it comes down to the crux, the protagonist (technically) has always been a girl (Unless people read the lead as male, then the story becomes no different from any Yaoi manga…)
What I feel makes this manga so interesting is that the mangaka was able to showcase the feelings of how Kei/Megumi decides to live through the decision of changing from a male to a female, and the difficulties she faces to accept her new self physically and mentally.
But I just want to point out some things…
The case of what has been described in the manga (where the protagonist is phenotypically male but genetically female) does actually happen in real life (de la Chapelle syndrome). However, even with such a minority existing, many current societies are unable to accept these people, just because they seem weird. Ultimately, every single one of us are human, no matter male or female or somewhere in between. Even so, why do we ostracize them just because they are not totally male or totally female?
Even though my description makes the manga sound very serious, it is actually quite enjoyable (the above paragraph is mostly my deep interpretation of the story which I feel that I absolutely must type out. Ignore if need be.). The story is cute and light-hearted, and also in a way refreshing as I do not usually get this feeling from reading most other mangas. I also think that the art style is pretty good, since I usually get turned off when I see a poorly drawn manga…
Rating: 8/10 <<<<<<<< DD
In the nutshell: A nice and funny short manga that also in my opinion very meaningful if put into consideration. Not much of an ending though, to my dissatisfaction. Highly recommended for those who love gender-bending manga, but I suggest those who strongly opposes the idea of gender-change to not read this.
Labels: Anime and Manga Corner, Chapter 2
If it was already this crowded at 10am, you wouldn't believe how crowded it was later in the afternoon...
Oh, and this picture is deceiving... The number of people queing up is about 100 times the amount that you can see in this picture.
Queued for over an hour before finally being able to by the tickets.
Tickets for a student for 1 day was $12 dollars...
Huuray for being a student~!
As for my bro...
(eezher) 'cause I'm 12, I can go in free~Y !
DON'T YOU DARE ACT LIKE THE MAIDS IN THE MOE MOE KYUN~ CAFE, EEZHER!!!
Entered at 11am... as you can see, it's already very crowded...
AND HUGE FOR THAT MATTER!!!
Went exploring for a while, before finally being found by our cousin ('cause we got lost)...
... who was what was in a cardboard box labelled 'Gundam' across the chest...
Yup...! Nothing beats hand-made cosplay (even if it is made of cardboard...)
And although I forgot to take a photo of it, but there was a karaoke booth playing the various anime songs~!
'though I hate karaoke...
But there were many people who was able to sing the lyrics perfectly (one of them including Motteke! Sailor Fuku which has EXTREMELY fast lyrics)
Kai Li also had a go at it... ('though I did not recognise the song AT ALL)
To all fellow otakus out there... Sorry for being so ignorant...
Went to doodle on the Graffiti wall...
Can you identify my drawing...?
...
...
...
...
...
Ah! Forget it! This was my drawing...It was brought down later due to the lack of space... *sobs...
The staff there were actually complaining why I would "waste time" shading it...
Well, any drawing worth drawing is worth perfecting, isn't it?
Later met Victor, a poly student, who was collecting various drawings for his research on various artforms.
I must say, I'm impressed with his elaborate collection of drawings and comics...
I only draw for interest and as a way to relieve stress... I don't think I could ever study art with such ernest...
Both Kai Li and me drew a random sketch... 'though I could think of anything at that point of time...
Bad timing, eh?
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu!
Lucky☆Star~!
Shakugan no Shana.
Got hungry later, so bought frozen pomegranate yogurt... Ee Zher bought one with choco toppings.
And mine was with longan...
Finally, attended a prize presentation for an art competition...
Figurine from Lucky☆Star~!
K- on, or Light music club, is a slice of life anime about four, later on five, high school girls who form a band using the about-to-be-closed-down light music club. But it’s not that simple, not when…
The guitarist and main vocalist, Hirasawa Yui(right in pic), is an airhead and constantly keeps forgetting the chords and the song lyrics, despite being a perfect-pitch (ability to identify and successfully duplicate the same note heard)…
The bassist and composer, Akiyama Mio, is a ‘delicate’ person that refuses to be the centre of attention, although she is skilled in her given instrument and has a good voice (she’s also the backup vocalist; though there are exceptions when she’s becomes the main vocalist)…
The drummer and club leader, Tainaka Ritsu, is the laziest person in the club during practice, and more than often messes up important documents…
... only to suffer under Mio’s wrath.
And the keyboardist, Kotobuki Tsumugi, is the innocent ‘rich shoujo’ that is the one who resolves most conflicts (with sweets?). And though she may seem as the only normal one among the rest, there is one slight problem…
Yup, who would let an all-girl anime go without any girls within the ‘shoujo-ai’ constrains…? 
... though, it’s oblivious to the others, so there is no problem there…
And let’s not forget the later-joined backup guitarist, Nakana Azusa. Being the other girls’ kouhai by one year, she is very respectful towards the rest of the band…
... though she is extremely strict when it comes to practice sessions.
... no comments on the lyrics and song title…(F.Y.I. the left half is their advisor initially being unable to stand the lyrics of ‘Fuwa Fuwa Time’; the right half are the song titles the band played during freshmen reception)
But even so, they still sound so nice and so god-damn awesome!
Rating: 9/10 <<<<<<<<< D
In the nutshell: A nice anime for newcomers to the world of anime, and also a cute funny anime for otakus, though it might be a bit short. Worth the time watching; even re-watching is entertaining! So get ready the popcorn, sit back and relax, because this anime will blow you off your seats!
Labels: Anime and Manga Corner, Chapter 1