life line by line

I’m a horrible reviewer and writer, so don’t forget to check the blogs of Tensai11, Kungfucius, and Garten for greater insights into Yakitate Japan.

Getting down to business, the first thing I have to say about Yakitate Japan episode 13 is that Tsukino totally made the episode! Just her normal-day reactions to everything that happened in this episode were totally uber cute, and without Tsukino episode 13 wouldn’t have been half the fun it was. Thank you o’great staff for fulfilling my daily dosage of Tsukino kawaii-ness!

The crew is pretty down now that Azuma has admitted he doesn’t like melon bread, but how can the genius bread artisan not be good at it? Simple, Azuma doesn’t understand the naming! For those that do not know, melon bread actually contains no melons but is a combination of cookie dough and bread (sounds good to me! wonder why it’s the “loser” bread in Japan?) usually baked together. Either way, Azuma’s outlooks to beat Mizuno doesn’t look good as one of Mizuno’s store’s specialities are melon bread! All looks lost until the Sushi guy a few episodes ago brightens the crew’s day by offering free sushi. Somehow during eating and watching sushi being made, Azuma figured out what to make for the competition and runs off screaming “sushi!” As for the Manager, Tsukino, and Kawachi they’re still eating Mizuno made a short appearance afterward, stealing Tsukino’s sushi, and tried to scare them off by giving them an sample of the melon Mizuno’s store usually uses for the melon bread. Much to say, everyone (Kawachi’s response rocked) was pretty shocked at how delicious the melon was. What more was that Mizuno taunted them saying she’s going to use an even better melon for the competition! The three’s hope looks down again when Azuma suddenly comes back and asked Tsukino to go out with him!

… to go shopping that is Tsukino is still pretty worried whether or not Azuma can truly win against Mizuno, especially after helping him buy ingredients for the competition. Or more to the point, Azuma’s “melon” really really has Tsukino worried. Oh, I forgot to mention before but the Manager mentioned the history of melon bread and how it’s still incomplete; even though it’s already been 70 years after its creation! If Azuma can find a way to complete the melon bread, he might have a good chance to win.

The day of the Newcomers’ Melon Bread Battle and everyone is on fire! Everyone is baking to their best, including Azuma and Mizuno. Kawachi is worried as ever whether or not Azuma can win, ask Tsukino what exactly the two bought yesterday. When she initially denies it or something, Kawachi gets a tad worry but she eventually tells him… and both are still really in despair whether or not Azuma’s “melon” can win. Mizuno brings out the big guns, showing off her high-grade and high-expensive melon she’s using for the bread. Too bad it doesn’t phase Azuma at all as he continues to make his Japan #58 Melon Sushi Bread, using two ovens to bake his bread. Kai makes an appearance in front of Tsukino and Kawachi, the two wondering why he isn’t baking right now. Kai admits his opponent chickened out, so it’s an automatic win. Kawachi sadly notes how lonely Kai’s back looks (thank you for keeping this upcoming running gag!).

Everyone’s melon bread is done. Kuroyanagi goes to judges each contestant, announcing the various winners while “consulting” the losers. Eventually it’s Azuma’s and Mizuno’s turn, and in true Azuma’s style has Kuroyanagi annoyed at his brand of baking and presentation. Azuma goes off to show Japan #58, creating his melon bread sushi-making style. Kuroyanagi is weary of Azuma’s bread and tries to prepare as best as he can, but it’s no use! One slightly Matrix-rip later and we have Kuroyanagi in the shape of an melon, declaring Azuma the winner! Mizuno is shocked that Kuroyanagi didn’t even try her, but he throws back in her face that it’s the melon that’s delicious, not her actual bread.

With Azuma’s win, Mizuno must now refer to Tsukino as “nee-chan” (sorry about the previous entry mistake of saying it was “onee-chan.” Usually I write my entries based on memory of the episode). Mizuno, unfortunately, is a sore loser and tried to get Azuma to come to her store again which he declined of course. Not really wanting to admit defeat, she runs away saying if Azuma’s can beat her Koala-chan, then she’ll call Tsukino “nee-chan.” That little…. @#$@#$ Anyway, Tsukino is still happy that Azuma won and will be staying with them Meanwhile Kawachi is geting ready for his battle, over confident now that he has the Solar Gauntlets. The Manager seems to have an warning for Kawachi about his next opponent, whom for all appearances looks like a nice old lady, but unfortunately the episode ends on this cliffhanger!

Awesome episode as usual ever since we started the Newcomers’ Battle arc. The more than generous amounts of Tsukino screen time made me enjoy the episode 5x more than usual. I also never realized how short Azuma’s melon bread battle was; always felt it was longer for some reason. Anyway, now that Azuma has won it’s Kawachi’s turn to duel against the nice-old lady whom might have a secret weapon to win against him! Ooooooo… Can’t wait for the subs!

Oh yea, one last thing. They changed the ending theme song and sequence. I actually like this one a lot better as it’s more er… poppy I guess? Good beat to listen to, made all the better with the CG disco-dancing Manager! The song, by the way, is SOUL’d OUT’s “To All Tha Dreamers.” You can head over to Tensai’s site where she has an link to download the full version of the song

All my hopes and dreams were ruined as Gundam SEED Destiny 18 was pretty disappointing. So disappointing that I won’t be bothering with a summary of the episode since 50% of it I’ve already forgotten. That’s just how forgettable this episode was.

Instead of an summary, as I did in my previous review of GSD I’ll break down what I considered the three most important parts of Gundam SEED Destiny 18.

Authority Issues or just needs some lovin’?
One has to love the love-hate-respect relationship between Shinn and Athrun. I’m sure yaoi fans are rejoicing over this episode as one can see Shinn’s attempts to piss off Athurn as Shinn’s way of showing “affection.” I just loved how Athrun pretty much man-handles Shinn without a blink of an eye, impressing everyone (especially Athrun Fan Club President Lunamaria) time and time again. I think, in a way, Athrun is acting like a mentor for Shinn as Athrun is trying to point Shinn in the right direction. The whole speech about power from the previous episode, letting Shinn handle the main part of the mission, and letting him enjoy the cheers of the town they saved are some perfect examples of Athurn’s “lessons.” I just wonder how much longer Athrun will be able to put up with Shinn before even the cool-headed Athrun loses it… Shinn’s increasingly annoying cocky attitude can only get worse and I fear what will happen down the line. So unlike our lovable self-hating and doubting Kira

Battle HO!
Short and sweet. Only two highlights were the Mobile Armor with the Reflectors and Shinn’s quick battle instincts to complete the mission. I do, however, have to feel a bit for the EAF getting totally destroyed as Sunrise doesn’t shy away from the reality of the situation: it’s war, blood and death are as common as eating.

Reality is what you make of it
I thought it was good that the staff of Gundam SEED Destiny didn’t shy away from the realities of war, shown at the end when the town is saved and the remaining EAF personnel gets killed by said town. One can tell Athrun didn’t like the unnecessary acts the townspeople did in taking “revenge” against the already defeated EAF. I can understand where the “revenge” comes from, but it still felt slightly over done for some reason. Also loved how right after we see the EAF get shot by the townspeople, the camera switches back to the overly happy Shinn and everyone else paryting down their freedom. Good way of mixes things up, in my opinion and if anything, reforces the clear message: war ain’t pretty folks.

I’m looking forward to the next episode of Gundam SEED Destiny as Mia Campbell makes an appearance along side a new character (I think the one TM Revolution is voicing). From the episode, it looks pretty er… something to watch. The pink Zaku though, I feel VERY sorry for.

I’ve installed an e-mail notification plugin for all those interested. All you have to do is signup your e-mail and confirm it, after that you’ll always get an e-mail whenever I post a new entry. I’ll see how it goes for a bit, and if no one really signs up I’ll un-install the option

Also forgot to mention it’ll be good for me too, since I can mass e-mail everyone on the list if I have “special” updates or anything particular to mention related to the blog. Who knows what I may have in store for the future…

Warning, if you want good non-biased reviews and final impressions of Futakoi I strongly suggest looking into Stripey’s and Matthew’s blogs. You will not find anything positive in relations to Futakoi in this entry. Expect a lot of bashing, ripping on, and just plain pissed-off biased author ranting in the following entry. Continue on at your own risk.

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I’m definitely not as kind as Matthew is on his view of Nozomu and Futakoi. After re-watching this episode to screencap, I realized my true hatred for Futakoi came about while watching the final episode. The final episode was what really left a bad taste in my mouth in how the staff handled the situation as an whole for a “happy” ending. Anyway, episode 12 centers around Nozomu still being indecisive as ever as Valentine’s Day approaches and the twins feelings finally burst to the surface.

Kira shows she is the gustier of the two Sakurazuki sisters as Kenmochi will not move an inch on his decision to transfer the two back to their original school. Kira and Yura are determined no matter what to see Nozomu and tell him their feelings for him on Valentine’s Day. The two decide to make Valentines chocolates anyway, without the help of the staff, and give them to Nozomu even if they have to sneak out!

Sumireko and Karouko are out shopping for supplies to make choocolates when Sumireko drops the bomb on her sister: she plans to confess to Nozomu on Valentine’s. Karouko try to convince Sumireko not to for various reasons (including her own budding feelings for Nozomu) but Sumireko is determined to do it. Nothing else can be said as the two continue shopping but Karouko stops to look at the department store of fond memories while Sumireko figures out Karouko might actually like Nozomu too.

And the man of honor? He’s home lost as ever and not sure what to do. His feelings for the Sakurazuki twins are sort of there but then he also feels something for the Ichijou sisters too. I actually have to say “go Billy!” for kicking Nozomu beforehand; Nozomu just isn’t doing anything to help his situation at all.

The Ichijou sisters are preparing to make Valentine’s Day chocolates when words are said and everything starts to fall apart. Sumireko calls Karouko on her feelings for Nozomu while Karouko throws back in her face how hard it is to not say when her sister feels the same. More yelling about how each envy the other (for some reason, I thought back to Yui Horie’s role as Touru from Fruits Basket. Touru’s lines about people being similar to riceballs would have been perfect right about now). Somehow Sumireko and Karouko resolve things and the two are going to confess to Nozomu no matter what on V-Day.

Valentine’s Day. Nozomu’s day when his harem finally comes back to bite him in the arse. Yura and Kira have escaped their home to deliver their chocolates to Nozomu at school, but not before they see the Ichijou sisters do the same. Nozomu is shocked that both Sumireko and Karouko likes him (too bad for Yuuya), and all he can do is silently take their chocolates without totally breaking down. To make Nozomu’s day just perfect, he spots the Sakurazuki twins and realizes they must have seen what has just happened. Yura and Kira are desperate, pretty much begging Nozomu to take their chocolates to prove he still likes them too. He sort of accepts as Kenmochi comes rolling around to take the girls back home… all Nozomu can do is stand there still completely shocked over the past five minutes.

Nozomu completely lost and confused, especially after hearing Kenmochi telling him the Sakurazuki sisters will be transferring again, runs back to the temple going straight to the Twins Rock Shrine thingie. Obviously he thinks part of his problem is because of the legend / curse, and breaks down right there.

Well, that was fun watching Nozomu drop the ball once again. I don’t think I need to say my feelings regarding Nozomu anymore, but I will admit he does a good job being clueless. The twins on the other hand, I’m still not sure what to feel about their strong feelings towards Nozomu. I must have mentioned this 11x over, but I can sort of understand the Ichijou sisters since they’re his childhood friends (you japanese and your weird fixation on childhood promises). It’s really the Sakurazuki twins I can’t figure out. Nozomu hasn’t done anything particularly special to warrant their feelings for him. I can understand Kira and Yura leading sheltered lives but still… something is just off. I can’t describe what exactly, but it just is. I guess I’ll leave the reason because it’s an harem series and the girls in them don’t need a reason to be in love with the main protagonist; they just do. blah.