MIA for a little while

Just a quickie tonight to say that I won't be updating this again until at least the 17th/18th as I have two exams during this week and all my spare time is being spent on studying (unfortunately). But after that everyone gets to deal with me and my 4 months holidays, Yay!

Anyway, that's about it for now, until next time :)

Kuragehime and stuffs

Phew, so my last assignment for the year is now done, now I only have to do my exams...sigh why did I decide to do a double degree, I really did not think this through. Well, thank goodness it's nearly all done for the year. On a sidenote, my mum is currently watching Breaking Dawn. As mentioned in my very first post, the Twilight series is a bit of a Taboo subject, so not in the best mood...

Anyways moving on, as promised last time, I will talk about Kuragehime by Higashimura Akiko, it is currently ongoing at 11 volumes, and the scans are pretty up to date, I think they are at the beginning of the 10th volume at the moment, and it is Josei, so older female readers are intended (not 10 year olds).

The story is about Tsukimi, a girl who moved from the countryside to live in Tokyo, she doesn't have a job or go to school, so she is technically a NEET (acronym used for people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training).She shares a house with 5 other girls, Masaya, Chieko, Banba, Jiji and Mejiro sensei (sensei in this context means Yaoi manga author). All these girls are also NEETS, who don't work except Mejiro, and all have strong social anxiety, strong dislike for men, naturally they are virgins and are otakus of some form. They refer themselves as Amars (pretty similar to nuns in a convent) and petrify when in the presence of men or beautiful people.

The story begins when Tsumi meets Kuranosuke, a beautiful girl who looks like a princess that helps her out when Tsukimi is trying to save the life of a jellyfish (Tsukimi is a jellyfish otaku). Kuranosuke stays the night at Tsukimi's despite her objections because the others feel she is too beautiful. Tsukimi discovers that Kuranosuke is actually a guy, and despite this chooses to keep his identity a secret.

Kuranosuke decides that he is now friends with Tsukimi and as such she ends up being dragged by Kuranosuke and given a make over. With make up and something other than track suits on, Tsukimi is quite  a beautiful girl. Upon being made over, Tsukimi has a brief encounter with Shuu, Kuranosuke's older half brother, and he immediately falls for her, despite being a 30 year old virgin (this becomes kind of an ongoing joke through the series). Ironically, when Shuu returns Tsukimi's clothes, he does not recognize her in otaku mode.

Later the three of them go to the jellyfish aquarium, Tsukimi is dressed in a Kimono and doesn't suffer from 'petrification' around Shuu, mainly because she is not wearing glasses, so she can't see. Tsukimi starts crying at the aquarium about what her now deceased mother said, and this somewhat upsets Kuranosuke.

Meanwhile, it is revealed that the Amars place of residence in Amamizukan is in the process of being sold in order to make way for a redevelopment of the area which includes a high rise hotel and shopping mega complex. Kuranosuke along with the Amars decide to try and raise the funds to buy the building themselves. 

At the redevelopment meeting, the Amars attend, along with Shuu, who represents his father (their family is a political family) and other local residents. The host of the meeting is the Amars worse enemy: A beautiful woman. The amars feel uncomfortable and leave early but as it is raining, Tsukimi left her umbrella at the meeting, so she goes to retrieve it. Outside the meeting hall, she sees Shuu and Inari (the beautiful host) close, sharing an umbrella. Later Shuu and Inari are at a bar discussing the redevelopment, when Inari spikes Shuu's drink. She takes him to a hotel room and strips him and takes photos of the two of them together. Although nothing happened, Inari uses those photos as a blackmail tool. 

After a while, Shuu's father wonders why Shuu is acting differently. He bribes Hanamori (I think that was his name), the famliy chauffer with a new BMW (he is a BMW fanatic) if he reveals the information. Shuu's father uses this information and tries to force Inari and Shuu to go steady even though Shuu doesn't want to. Again Hanamori is another ongoing gag, different people bribe him with BMW products to reveal information.

In the meanwhile, Kuranosuke works with the Amars in efforts to gain funds to save their home. One idea is to open a stall at the local flea market, where the group sell various items. Tsukimi makes small jellyfish weather dolls which prove to be quite popular. After selling all the jellyfish dolls, Kuranosuke suggests that they advance the jellyfish idea to clothing, as he believes there is nothing out there with a jealyfish motif.

Back to Inari and she continues to blackmail Shuu to spend time with her through the photo, but he eventually has enough as he only wishes to discuss the redevelopment when Inari only does things out of spite. He slaps he then leaves, leaving Inari to ponder if Shuu is actually a virgin (this is kind of done in arrogance, as Inari believes that someone with such little experience could make her feel the way she does, I feel that she is kind of masochistic).

Kuranosuke and the gang start making a jellyfish dress, and after much effort, they accomplish making one. Upon seeing it, Kuranosuke's university friends who are performing a play also want to wear the dresses as the 25 Othello's. After an all nighter, the group manage to finish all the costumes. After the performance, Kuranosuke drags Tsukimi on stage so the audience can see the designer of the dresses. Shuu and his father, and uncle (who is meant to be prime minister/ex prime minister) are in the audience, generating publicity for both the play, and the costumes.

Afterwards, Kuranosuke urges Tsukimi to redo the dresses from the play, hold a fashion show and start a clothing line in order to raise the money needed to save the Amars home. While working on the clothing, an 'awakened' version of Tsukimi emerges, who basically ignores anything not clothes related. It is during this time that Shuu finally makes the connection that Tsukimi otaku mode is the same girl from the aquarium and such.

Tsukimi, Kuranosuke and gang manage to get the clothing made in time and hold their fashion show to a huge success. It was filmed and put on the internet, with orders coming from all over the world, including from Kuranosuke's biological mother in America. Because she doesn't want Kuranosuke to find out, she asks Shuu to order her a dress without his knowing. This brings Tsukimi and Shuu closer together.

In the meanwhile, Inari is off in South Korea, trying to convince Chieko's mother, who is in South Korea idol chasing, to sell the Amars home, Upon her return the Amars, Kuranosuke and an ederly couple who run a candy shop protest about the redevelopment with the help of Shuu and his connections. As a 'reward' Hanamori sets them up on a date (He also loves women, but he states that if he had to choose, BMW's would win). Later on the date, Shuu confesses to Tsukimi, but she seems to misunderstand, this leads to Shuu writing a letter to Tsukimi saying that he 'would like to date her with the intention of marriage'. Again, there are some jokes about a virgins idea of dating and such. Kuranosuke laments over how could he have romantic feelings for Tsukimi given how no-one from his past has made him do so (he basically says that despite all the women he's had sex with and so on).

Due to the overwhelming demand for the jellyfish dresses, Kuranosuke and Jiji organize for the dresses to be made and outsourced in India to save time and money and because the Amars ability is far below than required for dress making (Although Chieko can sew at rapid speeds, she can only do say with traditional clothing such as Kimono's). The first delivery arrives back in Japan, and Tsukimi takes Lina's dress (Kuranosuke's mother) to Shuu. Shuu asks Tsukimi for her answer and in semi-petrified mode tilts her head in a 'yes' direction (Because of Shuu's idea of what dating is, he has already planned to go buy an engagement ring, lol). 

Meanwhile, Kuranosuke is reflective of his feelings for Tsukimi and draws to the conclusion that it won't happen between them, because the in all the other fairytales, the sorcerer is always the sorcerer and can never become prince charming. He reminiscences on how he has helped Tsukimi from her former self to the point where she is now and acknowledges that he loves her too.

Anyways, I really liked this series, I think all the characters are quite quirky and it is not the standard story, so it was an enjoyable read from that aspect too. I liked how the the lead, Tsukimi, is not a 'cute girl' (not in the conventional sense) and is an otaku. Despite what has happened to this point, I still think the romantic part is somewhat open ended, as in it is not over yet, given Kuranosuke's playboy image, I think he will make a huge pass at Tsukimi at some point. I also feel that Inari might start playing some more of her dirty tricks sometime in the near future. I also liked the art, I need to make a point of this. The art isn't dissimilar to Glass Mask, very retro style, and it is amazing to look at.

Anyways, to finish off with something different this time, I thought I might ask a question. For all of you who read shoujo/josei manga, you probably realize that there are some elements, or rules if you will,  that are reoccurring, An example of this may be 'The lead character never falls for the childhood friend'. Although there are exceptions, it is common in many shoujo series. So, does anyone feel that they have come across any of these rules/laws known as the 'Laws of Shoujo manga'? Leave your thoughts in the comments or on the message board, it will be interesting to see what comes back. Anyways, until next time :)

Shinrei Tantei Yakumo and Stuffs

Ok, so just briefly starting off with some world news, Apparently Obama as been re-elected as the President of the United States, so congrats America. Just to clarify I have as much fun about politics as I do watching grass grow, so I really am indifferent to this, but according to my newsfeed it was kind of important, and I live in Australia. Also, congrats to all the people who won the ozlotto the other night, 4 people won $27million plus, I would not mind that.

Anyways, moving on as usual, I have read Shinrei Tantei Yakumo. This one is a bit confusing to explain, it started as a novel series by Manabu Kaminaga, but the version I read is the second manga adaptation (I really want to read the books, but they aren't available in English). This version of the manga is currently ongoing with about 35 chapters, with scanlations being quite regular, so far up to chapter 26.

So the story is about Yakumo, I college student who was born with the ability to see the 'souls of the dead' (ghosts). He helps his police acquaintance Gotou solve cases which involve the paranormal. One day, Haruka, a student from the same college as Yakumo requires his help when her friend is possessed in the first arc. These three characters, along with others along the way, help solve these mysteries.

So the first arc is about Haruka's friend who is possessed by a ghost when she attempts to go into a haunted house. Enlisting the help of Yakumo and Gotou, the three of them try to unlock the mystery. Yakumo informs them that Miki (Haruka's friend) is possessed by a female ghost. Out and about, there are delays at the train station because there has been an accident. It is then known that Miki's boyfriend has been hit by a train and died. The police don't know if it was an accident, suicide or murder, but an encounter with her teacher informs Haruka that it was suicide. Meanwhile, Haruka and Yakumo go to the haunted house, only to find that the 'unlockable room' in the haunted house is unlocked. Haruka and Yakumo are attacked, but manage to escape. Yakumo goes back again as while searching, he found a hidden floor trap which turned out to be the real unlockable room. Yakumo notes the walls have scratch marks. Haruka and a classmate begin to suspect their teacher as being to culprit, but once left alone, the friend admits that it is his doing, he got in an argument with the person who is now possessing Miki, and 'killed her'. In his frustration he attempts to kill Haruka, but Yakumo and Gatou arrive just in time. It is revealed that the man didn't kill the girl at first, but knocked her out. Once she regained conciousness, she tried to escape the room, but eventually died. In an attempt to move the body, the man is photographed by Miki's boyfriend, which is why the man killed the boyfriend by pushing him in front of the train. He incidently saw his teacher at the station, and said it was suicide. In the end, the culprit turns himself in. This arc ends with Haruka commente clinic, Yakumo and Gatou visit the same clinic, as the doctor's daughter was the first of the murdered giing that she thinks Yakumo's red eye is pretty.

The second act starts with the murder of two girls and the disappearance of a third. Again Yakumo is informed in order to attempt to unsolve this mystery. Along the way, Haruka gets involved along with Gatou and Ishi. Haruka comes across a phone charm with the name Ayaka on it (the same name as her dead sister) and goes down to the river where it was found. Haruka is pulled into the river by Ayaka, the first girl who was murdered. Their main suspect was killed in a car accident a few days prior, and are now trying too find the third girl. Meanwhile, Haruka is saved by a levy worker and doctor. While Haruka recovers at th

rls. A key is found on the body of the dead suspect, but no-one knows what it could be for. After some searching and some clues being answered, it is discovered that the key is for a storehouse on the river bank. After entering the store house, the third missing girl is found alive. They believe that the case is solved with the main suspect dead. However a forth girl shows up dead, in a similar fashion to the second one. After some research, Yakumo makes the link that the man who kidnapped the first and third girls (the dead man) is different from the method used to kill the second and forth girls, meaning that there are two killers. Yakumo gets a tip that 'that man' has been telling the doctor/ayaka's father that there is a way to bring he back from the dead. It is discovered that the doctor is in fact murdering girls in order to try and revive his daughter. His next daughter is Haruka, who is pushed into the river with a stone chained to weigh her down, but Yakumo saves her. It is then discovered that the man who told the doctor is Yakumo's father. With the mystery solved that is the end of the second arc.

The third arc is about a girl who's soul repeatedly jumps of a building in order to end her life. At the same time, a group of friends are catching up in a bar for the first time since graduation. One of the girls sees a reflection of a ghost in the mirror. Yakumo and Haruka visit the appartment complex in question and encounter another man who claims to be able to see ghosts, kagisama. The girl from the bar calls her friend and alarms Yakumo that something is about to happen. Yakumo and Gotou run into Kagisama at the hotel, and all three rush to the appartment to save the girl. By the time they get there, she is gone without a trace. Gotou discovers that the ghost of the girl is that a victem of a rape case from 5 years ago who killed herself, however, he was removed and the case given to others. after disappearence of the girl, one of the boys from the reunion is attacked. It is later discovered that the man attacked was convicted of assaulting the first girl who committed suicide, only with a different name and look (plastic surgery). Kagisama says that the ghost will keep attacking. It is later found out that a video of the incident from 5 years ago is on the internet, and that the cops involved in the case also 'coerced' (forced with brutality) the girl withdraw her claim. This leads Yakumo to believe that the man who was attacked by the ghost is actually innocent, which is later found to be correct. After some more clues are found, Yakumo reveals that the girls disappearence from the apartment was a set up, and she is actually found at Kagisama's place. It is revealed that Kagisama was the boyfriend of the girl who committed suicide 5 years earlier, and felt guilty since. The group discover that the bartender of the bar was the culprit of the rape incident 5 years ago, but he sets the bar on fire. He, along with Kagisama, who chooses to die in the fire, die, Kagisama and his girlfriend re-uniting in the afterlife.

Well, that's pretty much all for Shinrei Tantei Yakumo as only 1 chapter of the forth arc is released. I really like how this series focuses more on the mystery of the actual cases rather than the development of character relationships, it's quite refreshing. Although, I don't talk about it much, there does seem to be hints of a romantic relationship between Yakumo and Haruka, but even in the novels it is so far pretty ambiguous.

Anyways, next time I will talk about Kuragehime, I thought it was quite interesting, so look forward to that one, as well as Persopolis, a french animated film which was rather amazing. That's about it for now, until next time :) 

Cup Day

Happy 80th update! I actually can't believe that I have been keeping this up for so long, just a little more than six months since I started this blog, this is like a new record!

Yes, so in Melbourne we had the Melbourne Cup today. Unfortunately, I did not have the same luck as previous years (meaning I actually had to work) but thank god not during the main event, just afterwards. My first time cutting off drinkers tonight (usually they are awesome and don't drink that much) it was slightly scary because they argued as to why they were cut off (they were drunk, duh!). Also it kind of sucked because it meant I couldn't drink today. But hey, at holiday rates I made a lot just by showing up. Unfortunately my luck from the last 3 years eluded me, having to settle for second place in the sweeps, Damn!

Anyways, enough about horses, moving on. As previously mentioned I have read Nisekoi recently, which is by Komi Naoshi, the series is ongoing at 4 volumes and scanlations are up to date with Japanese releases. It is a shounen series, a bit different to what I am use to but it was good none the less. Nisekoi is about Raku and Chitoge, two children of gang bosses who are forced to fake date in order to bring peace and prevent their city being destroyed by gang wars. Of course, the two hate each other, Chitoge claiming she doesn't want to be associated with someone weaker than herself physically, and Raku because he intends to find the girl he made a promise with 10 years ago. However, he can't remember who she is or what she looked like. His only clue being a locked pendant, which can only be unlocked by a key.

Raku has a serious crush on Onodera, a friend of his since middle school. Over the series, he builds his friendship with Onodera, continues to fake date Chitoge and has to deal with a fiance chosen by his father. Turns out that Raku knew all three from his childhood but doesn't remember any of it anymore. Over the course of the series, Raku finds out that all three girls also have keys that could match the lock, but none of them have been tried.

Whilst fake dating, Raku and Chitoge encounter many problems, such as Claude, who is convinced they aren't really dating and tries to find evidence of this, Seishirou, Chitoge's childhood friend and bodyguard, who is also Claude's minion. It is an ongoing joke that Claude doesn't know that Seishirou is a girl (in fact he even chose a boys name for her, seeing as she was abandoned as a child), Miyamoto, Onodera's best friend who sets up opportunities for Onodera to steal Raku from Chitoge (although Onodera is too honest and has not succeeded yet) and Shu, who sets up opportunities for Raku with all the girls, leading him to be hated by the remaining male population.

At this point of the story, it is focusing on how Chitoge has developed romantic feelings for Raku. Although this has been building up for quite some time, it is only in the most recent chapter (49), that she admits this to herself.

Anyways, that's about it for now, next update will be just my usual ramblings and some more manga stuffs, don't know what yet, but we'll see when we get there. Until next time :)

New Sexy Simpleton and stuffs

Yep, I have gone missing for a while there, mainly due to the fact that I have to watch a whole bunch of films that I don't really want to because they will be on my exams...Speaking of which, I lost my Western virginity yesterday, watching my first western film. There was a reason why I have not watched one until now, and after I watch this other one for my exams, I have no intention of watching anymore. It turned out to be a lot quieter weekend that I thought, two of my shifts being cancelled because it's a long weekend, so everyone has gone on holiday (except for me, I am stuck at home studying).

Anyways, moving on. As previoulsy mentioned I have read New Sexy Simpleton by Hwang Mi-Ri. It is completely scanlated with 9 volumes. Just a warning, there is incest as a subplot but that is only towards the end. There is also a prequal, The Sexy Simpleton, but it is not completely scanlated and you don't need to read it beforehand, the sequal has got you covered.

So the story starts off with Eun Bi, who is back in her own time with the Prince a year after the events of the Sexy Simpleton, and Prince is adjusting to life in the 21st century. Eun Bi is working as a currently popular model and actress with Prince using his 'warrior skills' to be a stunt man. The two of them, along with the production crew and other stars of the film are sent to Mongolia I think to film on location. In the meanwhile, Prince is being nice to a middle-aged actress because she has the body shape adored by men in the past (The Prince is from the 8th century and back then it is believed that volumptious women were preferred by men). 

After arriving on location, Prince comes across a pair of shoes that were traditionally used to bind feet, which was a common practice in China on women up until around 1910. The shoes carry the wrath of their owner and are strong enough to pull both Prince and Eun Bi back to the past. This time, they end up in the 13th century or there abouts. Immediately, they run into bandits, but quickly turn the situation around by robbing the bandits. Eun Bi and Prince are then seperated, before Eun Bi stumbles into soldiers who take her back to their leader who looks a lot like Prince, except with longer hair. 

Prince disguises himself and saves Eun Bi, but in the process Khubilai (the other guy who looks like prince) takes interest in Prince for his similar looks and strong fighting technique, because of this, Khubilai pursues the pair (he also cuts his hair, and now they look like twins). Before long, Eun Bi and Prince start looking for the owner of the evil shoes, but realize how hard it is because nearly all women of the era have bound feet. They soon encounter a strange man who seems knowledgable, I think his name was Yi Joo or something like that. Anyway, he helps the pair by meeting his sister who shows the pair of shoes and then another lady who also possesses a pair of shoes, but neither seem to be the pair that they are looking for. After searching some more, they find the owners of the last two pairs, one being dead, the other a princess being sold off/traded through marriage. The two decide to leave Yi Joo at his residence and follow this princess. However Yi Joo is stubborn, suggesting that both Eun Bi and Prince become his concubines (LOL).

When they finally escape, Prince realizes someone is following them, so he leaves Eun Bi on the horse and goes back to check out the situation. The person following the two was Khubilai, and he and prince then engage in a sword fight. Both manage to significantly injure each other, with Khubilai jumping off the roof in an attempted suicide to save himself from the shame. Prince however manages to get down from the roof but collapses in the street. The two are found by their opposing groups, Khubilai being taken by Yi-Joo's men and Prince taken by Khubilai's men, but neither group know that they have the wrong person because they both look similar. Eun Bi is also caught and is returned to Yi Joo. She is unable to tell that the unconcious injured man is not Prince, however Yi Joo suspects. Khubilai wakes up and can't remember anything, because when he jumped he landed head first, so he now has amnesia. Eun Bi starts telling him about her and  Prince, with Khubilai contemplating killing her, but chooses against it as he needs any hint of memories he can find. On the flipside, Prince is being attended to by Khubilai's men, and although one of his generals suspect something, Prince does not slip up give evidence of the swap. Prince plays along because Khubilai's group is responsible for ensuring the princess gets to he fiance's home safely.

Prince then orders his men to capture Eun Bi, claiming that she need to be punished. In the meanwhile, Khubilai still hasn't regained his memories and is wondering how he loved Eun Bi before the incident. Eun Bi is captured by Khubilai's men, and is shocked to see how 'Khubilai' looks like prince (yes she is an idiot). Although she tries to escape she is captured again, however she is used by Prince as a slave and lover. The princess who is about to be married also loves Khubilai, but she too does not know that Khubilai is actually Prince. Although he treats her like a slave, Prince uses the pretense of a concubine, then lady in waiting (lasy servant) for the princess to make sure she is treated kindly. This includes kissing Eun Bi in order to give her water and sleeping in his tent (just sleeping, nothing else, which makes later on so much funnier). When Eun Bi begins her duties as a lady in waiting, she believes the princess is autistic because she does not speak, but she is actually just deep in thought.

Eun Bi uses this opportunity to search for the shoes, but is caught by the princess. The princess feels that Eun Bi understands her desires to 'play around and get dirty' and such, and Eun Bi quickly becomes the princess's confidant. Meanwhile Khubilai (the real one) is searching frantically for Eun Bi because he too actually loves her. Eun Bi in the meantime is struggling with her feelings, as 'Khubilai' is so much like Prince (yes, she is that dumb, what happens later proves it) and reluctantly acts as matchmaker between the Princess and 'Khubilai'. Both bribe her to do their bidding, with the princess finally winning by offering Eun Bi the shoes. 'Khubilai' says he doesn't feel that way about the princess, but she requests to touch him, which in the end turned out to be a poke in the arm (ah, customs of a different era).

The princess is about to leave to finish her journey to her fiance's residence and wishes to take Eun Bi with her. (sidenote: this is like my favourite part just because of how stupid Eun Bi is). Just before leaving, 'Khubilai' (yes she still doesn't know it is prince) kisses her, but gives her a mouthful of water mixed with rotted fish (EWWWWWWWWWWWW!!) causing Eun Bi to be sick. 'Khubilai' claims that she is pregnant and that she should stay with him. Although nothing happened between them other than kissing, 'Khubilai' convinces Eun Bi that it is possible, with Eun Bi believing that their is some kind of pregnancy virus (*facepalm*). It is about at this time that the real Khubilai shows up. When he hears about this 'pregnancy' he intends to kill it, and this is when Eun Bi finally realizes that he isn't Prince...

At this point everyone figures out what is going on, the real Khubilai does regain some memories, and although Eun Bi and the real Prince escape back to Yi-Joo's because they figured that his sister gave them a fake pair the first time round and that she is the actual owner of the evil shoes. (There is also an arguement between Eun Bi and Prince which is rather funny, saying how dumb she can be for believing everything he said). Back at Yi-Joo's everyone is getting ready for his sister's wedding. Prince and Eun Bi find the shoes, but encounter troubles with Khubilai, and Yi-Joo elopes with his sister (although she is adopted, it would still be considered incest in that era) and they are never heard from again. 

Eun Bi is kidnapped by Khubilai and Prince manages to save her, coming up with a plan with Yi-Joo's men. Khubilai traps them with a fire, planning to kill them together, however, Prince and Eun Bi are able to go back to the present with the shows. Prince sends Eun Bi back by herself first before going back himself and the two get separated. Back in the 21st century, Eun Bi re-appears and begins walking back to the hotel. She curses Prince for choosing the past over her. Upon her return, Prince is already at the hotel and is wondering how he got there before her. The series ends with them having a 'play argument'.

Thoughts? Well, firstly, I thought that Eun Bi is really dumb. Even though it was obvious from their different clothes that Khubilai and Prince were swapped at the fight scene, she didn't believe Yi-Joo out of stubbornness. I thought this series is definition of 'idiot protagonist' (although I thought it was funny how Prince managed to convince her there is a pregnancy virus). I quite like how both this series and the prequal offer different interpretations of beauty. This one showing how in previous eras, women with bound, or lily feet were considered beautiful. Anyway, I quite enjoyed this one, it was quite a fun series overall. Despite what many others say, I was not disappointed by the ending, when I see the words 'Hwang Mi-Ri' I always believe it to be an open ending, so I got exactly what I expected.

Anyway, I don't know what's next on the agenda. Nisekoi perhaps, I can't really remember the last time I wrote anything on an ongoing series. We'll see. Anyways, that's about it for now, until next time :)

Sad Love Story

Yes, more updates, I clearly have too much time which would be put to better use by studying. On a side note, Happy Halloween for those of you who celebrate, I did by answering the door, and when asked 'Trick or Treat' I screamed 'Trick! Here's a cat!'

So, I've delayed it enough, Sad Love Story is a Korean manhwa by Shin Ji-Sang, Geo (that is what mangafox says) and is completely scanlated with 5 volumes. It also as a Korean television drama based on it. The first few pages of the story are set in New York, January 2004, Hae-In awakes in a hospital after she tried to commit suicide believing that her love was dead.

The story then goes back to the mid 80s and is about Jun-Young, a boy whose mother works at a bar and serves Americans (basically a brothel). One day he meets Hae-In a blind girl who is the daughter of a new employee at the bar. The two get along as they both suffer the teasing about their mothers, which quickly turns into romantic love. Hwah Jung is another childhood friend of Jun-Young, and she also has romantic feelings for Jun-Young, but these are unrequited. The story focuses on the development of the relationship between Jun-Young and Hae-In, who are constantly told to seperate by their mothers because of their hatred for each other. They usually go off together to a nearby shrine to run away from their world (this is important). After many years together, Jun-Young and Hae-In are seperated because of an arguement between their mothers.

After they are seperated, Jun-Young is sent to live with his father and his family after a fight with his mother. He adopts his father's surname as well. At school Jun Kyo (I think that is his new name, something like that) meets and becomes friends with Kon Woo, who share a passion for music and decide to form a band. In the meanwhile, it is revealed that Jun-Young's mother is sick and is dying, hence why she sent him to his father. Jun-Kyo returns to visit his mother before she dies. Meanwhile, Hae-In is living with her mother, who is set to marry an American and the three of them are preparing to move to America. Hae-In had not met Jun-Young since, and a few years have passed. By chance Hae-In and Jun-Young meet, and Jun-Young spends the night at Hae-In's place (platonically, nothing happened because Hae-In was sick). The two wish to rekindle their romance and decide to meet at Hae-In's apartment everyday, however the next day, she moves out due to debt collectors threatening her mother. Hae-in and Jun-Young exchange addresses before Hae-In leaves for America. Jun-Young hasn't told Hae-In about the name change. The two regularly mail each other, however the messages stop once Jun-Young joins the army. This is because Hwah Jung changes the address for Jun-Kyo's mail so he never receives it. She does this out of jealousy.

There is another flash-foward to 2004, this time in April, it has been 3 months since Hae-In's accident. At this point she is confronted by a man who is Korean but does not know who she is, although she has met him three times before. This was because since the last time, he has grown up more, and his voice is unrecognizable. The man is Kon Woo, Jun Kyo's best friend. Kon Woo, who is wealthy, pays for Hae-In's eye surgery so she can see again.

The rest of the story is set in the present, and Jun-Kyo finishes his stint in the army, still not hearing anything about Hae-In. He receives a call from Kon Woo who says he will be returning to Korea soon, and that he has found a singer for their band. Since her eye surgery, Hae-In has regained her vision and sings at night for a New York club. Over time, with the help of Kon Woo, she accepts that it is ok for her to move on, as she can always remember Jun-Young. Of course, the singer Kon Woo mentioned is Hae-In. The two return to Korea, and Kon-Woo introduces everyone to Hae-In including Jun-Kyo, who Hae-In does not realize is Jun-Young (she still thinks Jun-Young is dead). Hae-In notes that he has the same voice as Jun-Young and looks like how she invisioned Jun-Young to look like.

Jun-kyo struggles seeing Kon-Woo and Hae-In together and decides to leave the band, only to return shortly after. The group struggle producing an album, with Kon-Woo asking for his father's support with his brother in law also interferring. It is revealed that the brother in law intends to 'throw Kon-woo and his father under the bus' so to speak in order to gain the company. Hae-In's mother also returns, asking Jun-Young to leave. Of course he says he shouldn't because he is now 'Jun kyo, and Jun-young died many years ago'. After many struggles, the group successfully debut. At this point Kon-Woo wishes to marry Hae-In, although hesitant she agrees, as she is still confused about Jun Kyo and Jun-Young. For Kon-Woo's family to agree, he agrees to be the successor to the family business, even though he doesn't really want to.

The evil brother in law in the meanwhile sabotages Kon-Woo and as a result, loses his job. He then frames Kon-Woo's father for embezzlement. Kon-Woo confronts Jun-Kyo about why hasn't he taken Hae-In back, because if she knew, she would go to him. Jun-kyo replies 'because it's Kon Woo, so I'll leave'. In the meanwhile, Hae-In decides she can't marry Kon-Woo. She goes to the place where her and Jun-Young went as children, where she meets Jun-Kyo, then she finally realizes that they are one and the same. The soon after rekindle their romance. However, at this point, Jun-Young realizes something is wrong and leaves.

After searching for a while, they find Jun-Young. Hae-In discovers that Jun-Young is very sick, requiring weekly kidney dialysis to stay alive. Jun-Young says he won't get treatment, because he would feel like a trapped bird in a cage, and would rather live one day of freedom than live several more years in trapped in suffering. For some reason the two are having a conversation on train tracks where an oncoming train is approaching (to emphasize the situation, I guess).

Meanwhile, Kon-Woo has realized what his brother in law is doing, and plans to punish him (kill him), however his sister convinces him not to. However the brother in law realizes that Kon-Woo knows, and plans to have him killed. Kon-Woo travels to the shrine where his mother's remains are, which is his own world so to speak. This place happens to be the same shrine as the one that Hae-In and Jun-Young share as their runaway world. The three meet, and Kon-Woo says that there is no hard feelings. As Jun-Young and Hae-In leave, Jun-Young notices a suspicious man following Kon-Woo, and chases after them, He shouts out to Kon-Woo and there is a loud bang.

In this part of the manhwa, it is revealed that the reason why Jun-Kyo couldn't take Hae-In from Kon-Woo is because he loved and cared for Kon-Woo just as much, if not more (not romantically, but in almost like soulmates, they shared the same kind of struggles such as a broken family and dead mothers). It is then revealed that the bang (gunshot) hit and killed Jun-Young. We are shown a funeral scene and a grieving Hae-In. The very last page is a few years after Jun-Young's death and is a conversation between mother and son, with the son asking the mother where they are going. the mother replies they are going to see daddy because daddy has been sleeping for a very long time, and will continue sleeping but that they still love him. The mother and son are seen walking into the shrine that Jun-Young and Hae-In used as a hideout, the last frame revealing that the mother was Hae-In.

I've already had a bit of a rant about this one on a few forums...I mean I absolutely loved the story, but filthy about the ending, and it's not because Jun-Young dies. I'm reading the last chapter and I begin thinking 'Oh I thought this was a tragedy' but then I thought perhaps the tragedy is like Boku no Hatsukoi where the story is sad but the ending is happy. And then three pages from the end Jun-Young dies. As a reader, I feel that it was rushed and was almost like the author thought 'Oh shit, this is meant to end in 3 pages'. I feel for this to be a great tragedy, more emphasis needed to be put on Jun-Young's death and the aftermath, such as the emotion of losing a loved one, that way, I feel that the last page with Hae-In and her son would have been a great manga/manhwa moment. Also, none of the other major plot points were concluded. I mean, what happened to Kon-Woo, did he take over his father's company, and what happens to his brother in law for his crimes. Also what happened to Hwah Jung, she loved Jun-Young to the point where she re-adressed his mail to herself to stop him contacting Hae-In, and she kind of just went MIA. Okay, I think that is enough about my thoughts.

Next time will be New Sexy Simpleton on the agenda, but that's about it for now, until next time :)

Hoshi no Furu Machi and stuff

Oh shit! I totally f****** my alarms this morning, for some reason I had set them all to 'PM' hence they  didn't go off. I woke up at 11.10am, which is 20 minutes before I was meant to start work, but of course, it takes at least 28 minutes to drive to work, so, i had to call and let them know that I would be late (yes, i time my drives to work, the quickest was 28 minutes). Horrible start to the week.

On the plus side, I did successfully re-enrol in university today too (busy day it seems) with me changing one of my degrees from a tourist management major to advertising major, which I am really excited about.

On to Hoshi no Furu Machi by Hara Hidenori, it is a bit different to what I am usually on about, firstly being a Seinen series. It is completely scanlated at 7 volumes (apparently there is a film too, but I know nothing about it). Anyway, the story is about Koutarou, a Tokyo student who is sent to the country by his parents for embarrassing them with his grades, despite going to one of the most prestigious schools in Tokyo. He moves in with some relatives who he considers 'strangers' and starts going to school there. At his new home, Koutarou meets Nagisa, fellow classmate and neighbour and after some initial disputes between them due to Koutarou's cowardly nature (not trying to succeed or admit to needing help) the two quickly become friends. In the small town, Koutarou notices he can clearly see the stars, which is something he is not used to in the city. Over time, Koutarou starts liking Nagisa romantically, but it is revealed that she has a long unrequited love for jerkface (i forgot his name, but he is the son of the people Koutarou is staying with), who is currently in Tokyo. When Koutarou returns to Tokyo to visit his parents, he takes Nagisa with him to meet jerkface. Upon arrival it is revealed that jerkface has a girlfriend and has no intention of ever returning to his home. Nagisa returns home while Koutarou spends golden week in Tokyo. Upon his return Nagisa is rejected but gets on with it. In the meanwhile some other chicky (forgot her name too, i'm not inclined to remember non-main characters) tries to make a move on Koutarou as she wants to one day go to tokyo, ideally with him.Things get a bit messy here, Koutarou confesses to Nagisa but is rejected then he accepts the other chicky because he feels things with Nagisa are hopeless. Anyway, things kind of waddle on for a while, Nagisa's mother gets sick and Nagisa decides to give up being a nurse because of this, until jerkface returns. Jerkface is pissed off with something but won't admit what happened. After seeing how Koutarou and Nagisa are now getting along again, jerkface says he will take Nagisa because he can even though he doesn't like her romantically. Nagisa confesses that she 'liked' him (she used past tense here, at this point she has developed feelings for Koutarou). jerkface then tries to force himself on Nagisa before Koutarou saves the day by being beaten to a pulp by jerkface. Koutarou is left in hospital and jerkface at the police station. It is reveaed that jerkface got dumped and was unsuccessful at getting a job in Tokyo, so he was venting his frustrations elsewhere. Meanwhile, chicky goes missing, it is later discovered she only went to Tokyo for a few days to see what it is like. Koutarou realizes then that he wishes to be an astronomy teacher because of his love for the stars, although his parents at first disagree, they finally consent. Nagisa and Koutarou finally sort out their feelings for each other and make a promise about being together when Koutarou finishes studying in Tokyo, however on the day before his entrance exams, Koutarou's father is critically injured and is comatose for more than a week, he later makes a full recover. Koutarou believes that he has broken his promise to Nagisa and that they can no longer be together. Six yes pass, and Nagisa has successfully become a nurse . She has not heard from Koutarou since he left to go to Tokyo to live with his parents again. It is later revealed that Koutarou has returned to the small town to do his study for his teachers licence. They meet again when Koutarou is sent to get fixed after a school related accident. Koutarou asks if it is still possible to continue their relationship after he finishes his studies in a year. Nagisa replies "You already made me wait so many, one more couldn't hurt' The End. Well, I think this is very similar to Usagi drop where this could classify as both Seinen and Josei, but the art is very Seinen style. Although in saying that, I did find this series quite enjoyable and charming in it's own way, maybe it's because it is something different from what I am used to. There, 7 volumes summarized right there, BOOM! enjoy!

Anyways, next time, I will deffinately be talking about Sad Love Story and in the next few days also the New Sexy Simpleton. That's about it for now, until next time :)