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Official Release: October 2007

If you haven’t heard of Shakugan no Shana before, I strongly suggest that you check out asap. Originally a series of Japanese light novel, it has been adapted into a manga series, anime series as well as a PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS game.

The story revolves around a female Flame Haze known simply as “Enpatsu Shakugan no Uchite” which roughly translates to “Hunter with Flaming Hair and Blazing Eyes” and is also recognized through her sword, the “Nietono no Shana” or Vairocana of the Offering Room.

While hunting a denizen of the Crimson Realm, she met with Sakai Yuji, who was the one that gave the Flame Haze a proper name, Shana.

Not much information is readily available about Shakugan no Shana Second, but we can probably guess that we’ll finally look more in-depth into the history of Margery Daw, her relation with Silver, as well as Silver’s real identity. For now, all we know is that Yuji plays an important role in this complex relationship.

The story, animation, character design, style, music and execution for the first season was top notched, and is definitely one of the anime many would be looking forward to come October this year.

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Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge (The Wallflower/Perfect Girl Evolution/Sunako of Many Forms/My Fair Lady) is possibly one of the most overlooked anime. For an anime series that had just recently ended in March this year at 25 episodes, the animation style, color and overall look feels even much “older” even when compared to History’s Strongest Disciple, Kenichi.

Honestly, I found the character design for the “pretty boys” to be terrible, and had spent the first 5 minutes of the first episodes trying to figure out whether they were boys or girls. Thankfully, the real girls are designed quite nicely, even the fearsome Sada… I mean Sunako.

While the 4 guys offer plenty of fun, the true star of the series is without a doubt Nakahara Sunako, the so called ugly duckling whom the guys are supposed to turn into a beautiful and graceful swan.

Hilarity ensues as the guys attempts to perform the impossible in hopes for free rent at the mansion of Sunako’s aunt. The story brings about issues such as confidence, self-acceptance and beauty, although any possible lessons you can learn would probably be thrown out the window by the time you stopped laughing and rolling on the floor.

Fans of comedic anime should definitely give this series a try, just hold back your initial judgment until you’ve at least finished the first 3 episodes or so, you will not regret it. Also, if you’re a rabid anime fan, you would probably recognize most of the seiyuus in this anime

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Fans of Gundam Seed would definitely love what you’re about to see. The Seed Club comic strip that has been featured on Newtype magazines have been transformed into an animated series. It comes with the Gundam Seed & Seed Destiny Fan Disc Seed Supernova Er DVD package.

Here’s a couple of clips that were found on YouTube, it’s in raw (meaning no subs) but you should be able to get most of the meaning anyway, especially if you’ve watched Seed before. There are quite a few quotes taken from within Seed itself.

Here is episode 1:

And here’s episode 2:

Hopefully there would be more and that someone would sub it as well.

If you’re interested to check out the Fan Disc, or is looking towards purchasing one for your own personal collection, please check out this link -

Buy Gundam Seed & Seed Destiny Fan Disc (Opens in new window)

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Mobile Suit Gundam 00 (pronounced as ‘Double O’) has been officially announced quite recently, and will begin to air in Japan starting 7th October 2007. The story takes place exactly 300 years in the future in the year 2307 A.D. following our modern calendar system.

Originally, there were news that the next Gundam installation after Gundam Seed Destiny would be a continuation of the Universal Century storyline. However, it would appear that they (Sunrise and Bandai) are hoping to attract a new fanbase with yet another A.U. series.

There will be 4 Gundam Meisters from the Solestal Beings faction, piloting the mobile suits with one mission - to stop wars. Apparently they are a private military organization that is bent on eradicating war. The main character’s name is Setsuna F. Seiei and pilots the Gundam Exia for Solestal Beings. Somehow, this kinda reminds me of Mithrill from Full Metal Panic.

A 15 seconds teaser trailer that showcases the 4 Gundams has already been released and you can actually watch it here:

Even though I’m disappointed that the new series was not based on C.E. (I’m a seed fanboy, so sue me :P) or U.C., it does seem interesting so far. The 4 suits featured in the trailer reminds me of the different Striker packs from Seed and the character designs are well… different. We could probably expect a few fresh ideas unlike the very heavily recycled plots that were present in Destiny (although I wouldn’t complain too much about it since I did enjoy GSD personally albeit slightly disappointed).

A movie based on Gundam Seed has also been confirmed, although details are still extremely sketchy and release date is rumored to be end of this year or somewhere in 2008. There has also be strong rumors across the Internet that the C.E. universe is still very much alive and kicking, with more plans for it after the movie, a good news for Seed fans

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Anime’s I’ve watched this week:

Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Episode 6 - 10

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi Episode 28

Nana Episode 42 - 43

There are possible (minor) spoilers if you haven’t watched it yourself already so read at your own risk!

Pokemon Diamond & Pearl

Episode 6: Forest of Hesitation! Shinji Again! (Different Strokes for Different Blokes)

Rating: 6/10

The part where Satoshi and Naetle (Turtwig) were in the Forest of Hesitation and getting chased by a group of Odoshishi (Stantler) were quite entertaining, however having Satoshi lose to Shinji left a bad taste in my mouth.

Episode 7: Try your best, Pochama! (Like It or Lup It)

Rating: 6/10

This is the first time I’ve watched Diamond and Pearl in dub, and I have to admit that although I actually liked the dub for Pokemon before, the new voice actors for Ash and Brock kinda puts me off. I wonder why did they change voice actors after so many years. Satoshi/Ash could have done much better instead of just staying still and watching Pochama (Piplup) attempting to peck Team Rocket’s Magikarp sub to death.

Episode 8: Gereggru of the Mysterious Gym! (Gymbaliar!)

Rating: 7/10

We got to see Hassam (Scizor), Gereggru (Croagunk), Dokucale (Dustox) in battle along with Pikachu and Aipom, what’s there not to like? Kojiro (James) was funny as the obviously biased referee as well.

Episode 9: Let’s Play with Mimirol! (Setting the World on its Buneary)

Rating: 7/10

Someones got a crush on Pikachu, and Team Rocket is out to make use of that fact to get their hands on Pikachu. I never knew Mimirol (Buneary) could use Ice attacks… *hurries off to train Buneary in Pearl*

Episode 10: Poketch Unavailable! (Not on MY Watch Ya Don’t!)

Rating 8/10

Let’s see, I’ve always wanted a Poketch for myself too Kolink (Shinx) made an appearance as the Pokemon of the son of the Poketch Company’s President. It would have been nice to see it battle, but all it really did was charge up Pikachu to blast of Team Rocket. Go Koduck/Psyduck!

History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi
Episode: 28

Rating: 7/10

Nijima announced the 3 generals of the Shinpaku alliance, and soon after that a fight broke out between the Shinpaku alliance’s generals and Ragnarok’s 4th Fist, Loki, and his men. Kenichi demonstrated many moves in battle and quickly went against Loki, leaving the other 2 generals to take care of the grunts. The final twist in the end was quite hilarious, proving once again that Nijima definitely has a talent at running away.

Nana

Episode: 42

Rating: 6/10

Blast seems to be doing well with their recording at Gaia’s training camp and both Blast and Trapnest are already back in Tokyo before the end of the episode. Nothing that’s really worth mentioning, except at the end where Nana went into hyperventilation.

Episode: 43

Rating: 8/10

What made this episode cool is how Nobu seems to have found a new friend in Gaia’s hidden dormitory, who happens to suffer hyperventilation as well. Blast then continues to rock up a storm in front of Shinjuku Station with Hachi watching from afar. And it would seem that Nana has finally made up her mind about her relationship with Ren and Yasu just as the episode comes to an end. Just 4 more to go

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