The other day I wanted to search for some blogs that discuss the series Chu-Bra. Most that I have read so far have pertained to the male perspective of the show but I wanted to find some fellow females to get their insight into what they get out of the series thus far.
So when I searched via Google it was just plain sickening. No I didn't stumble upon any pervy blogs about underwear obsessed teenage boys but found torrent after torrent sites where you can download episodes. I just have trouble wrapping my mind around the concept that people in Northern America that have FREE access to legal streaming video of each episode (via Crunchyroll) would feel the need to download an illegal fansubbed version.
So maybe I'm an elitist but if there is a legal, high quality, FREE way to watch a series I'm interested in I will tend to go that route as opposed to downloading a craptastic version on my laptop. Personally I'm a sub fan and if the subtext on the screen doesn't match what the characters are saying, or completely off the mark, its just one of my pet peeves. I still have a lot to learn with my Japanese studies but if the audio is different then the subtitles my little ears pick up on it right away, and its a major turn off for me.
Some individuals like to be on the cusp of the latest series and want fresh new entertainment the moment it is available to viewers on the other side of the globe. With each passing season there seems to be more new simulcasts available that are legally being streamed online. If that isn't enough to get your fix there is also a massive catalog of anime that is available at local libraries, for rental, or *gasp* purchase! My Netflix queue is busting at the seams with series from the 2000's that I want to watch so I have more than enough to wet my pallet and do not feel the need to download a series that isn't legally available. I got enough to watch so I can pass for the time being, and in that time it is possible that the series may get licensed in North America. And if not I'm sure I will some how stay strong and get over it ;)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Reflection: Happy Cafe
*Update: Check out my review of Happy Cafe just posted over on Mangavillage
After my initial reading of Happy Cafe I felt something that I hope isn't taboo to say, but I will anyway, similar to my experience with reading Fruits Basket. Whenever I'm feeling down and out I escape to a world filled with members of the Chinese Zodiac and a kind-hearted, yet sometimes clumsy, Miss Tohru Honda. When I first encountered Fruits Basket I was working 2-3 part time jobs and going to school full time. I always felt drained of all energy and any ambition to keep going but when I did have a moment to myself I would curl up and escape for a bit.
Now that I'm slowly burning myself out, yet again, but this time it's for my last (hopefully) semester of grad school. Working full time and doing an internship, on top of an independent study, is quite a blast that requires much energy that I don't have anymore. With support positions being cut and/or people's positions not being filled when they leave I was worried about my own job last semester. Since I work full-time on my campus, along with school and interning, my workplace holds a lot of ground for me. Thinking that my position is not important transcended into negative thoughts about myself. Then one day I decided to snap out of my funk and shift my focus into being as helpful as possible to all the patrons that I deal with whether they be students, staff, or faculty (which are known on campus for treating staff horribly.) Being able to help others is my way of finding happiness at my current job. So when I sat down to read Happy Cafe I didn't move much til I finished reading it in it's entirety. Often I may sit and read a chapter of a manga while taking a break but I haven't been able to escape like I did in so long that I almost forgot what it was like to get swept away in a story.
So I think this is why Happy Cafe is something I may have enjoyed more than most new series I've picked up so far and think that anyone still searching for their own happiness will enjoy as well.
After my initial reading of Happy Cafe I felt something that I hope isn't taboo to say, but I will anyway, similar to my experience with reading Fruits Basket. Whenever I'm feeling down and out I escape to a world filled with members of the Chinese Zodiac and a kind-hearted, yet sometimes clumsy, Miss Tohru Honda. When I first encountered Fruits Basket I was working 2-3 part time jobs and going to school full time. I always felt drained of all energy and any ambition to keep going but when I did have a moment to myself I would curl up and escape for a bit.
Now that I'm slowly burning myself out, yet again, but this time it's for my last (hopefully) semester of grad school. Working full time and doing an internship, on top of an independent study, is quite a blast that requires much energy that I don't have anymore. With support positions being cut and/or people's positions not being filled when they leave I was worried about my own job last semester. Since I work full-time on my campus, along with school and interning, my workplace holds a lot of ground for me. Thinking that my position is not important transcended into negative thoughts about myself. Then one day I decided to snap out of my funk and shift my focus into being as helpful as possible to all the patrons that I deal with whether they be students, staff, or faculty (which are known on campus for treating staff horribly.) Being able to help others is my way of finding happiness at my current job. So when I sat down to read Happy Cafe I didn't move much til I finished reading it in it's entirety. Often I may sit and read a chapter of a manga while taking a break but I haven't been able to escape like I did in so long that I almost forgot what it was like to get swept away in a story.
So I think this is why Happy Cafe is something I may have enjoyed more than most new series I've picked up so far and think that anyone still searching for their own happiness will enjoy as well.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
What I'm Reading in 2010
When I first got into manga I didn't really know what genres I would like so I picked up any series I could. This eventually lead to a pile of first volumes for various series. Now that I have refined my tastes to enjoying mainly three genres: yaoi, josei, shojo (oft sometimes guilty pleasures.)
Even after narrowing down my choices there are still some series that I was curious about and read the first few volumes. Below is some series that caught my eye in 2009 and hopefully I'll be able to get caught up (for those that are still running) or complete in 2010.
Full Metal Alchemist
Having read the first three volumes of this series in '09 I hope to (eventually) get caught up with the current issues. At first I was afraid it would be too graphic for me but that notion was quickly dismissed once I became engrossed with the plot overall.
Having read the first three volumes of this series in '09 I hope to (eventually) get caught up with the current issues. At first I was afraid it would be too graphic for me but that notion was quickly dismissed once I became engrossed with the plot overall.
Hana Kimi
Next to Fruits Basket this is one of the very first shojo titles that caught my eye and hooked my attention within a chapter. I'm already half-way through this series so I'm pretty hopefull that in 2010 I'll know how this tale will unfold. After watching the drama, based off the series dare I say somewhat loosely, I'm interested in how the manga will come to an end.
Bleach
To try to step out of the comfort zones of genres that I have come enjoy the most I wanted to give Bleach a try in 2010. Never was much of an action fan but even after trimming down my to be read list I thought I would start a series that already has, oh 20+ volumes in print :)
Bride of the Water God
I've picked up a few, and dropped, some manwha series and am still exploring all they have to offer. But by far this is one of the most beautiful and majestic series that I started in 2009. It shall not take long for me to get caught up with this series since only a few volumes have been released in the States so far.
There are plenty of other series that I have sad first volumes lurking in my bedroom waiting for me to pick up, and when I do I hope to share my thoughts on them as well in this New Year :)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Top ? 2009
I've been reading many Top Ten _____ 0f 2009 blog posts this week. I did pick up a few new series this year, in both print and digital forms, but there is so many series that I still want to read and/or finish. I think I'll make up a little list of what I want to finish watching/reading in 2010 and post it later this week.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Vampire Knight Anime!
According to a press releases issued on VIZ Media’s official site has acquired the rights as licensor for the popular anime Vampire Knight.
The thirteen episode first season of the series originally ran on TV Tokyo (Japan) from April 8, 2008 and July 1, 2008. The second, final, series Vampire Knight: Guilty is composed of last thirteen episodes. There is no word yet on the tentative release date for the series.
The anime is based off the popular shojo manga series that VIZ Media also has licensed for distribution in North America.
For further updates please check out: http://www.shojobeat.com/manga/vk/
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