life line by line

Long story short is I’ve decided to drop a lot of series I’ve had on blogging backlog hell.

• Futakoi Alternative
• Gokujou Seitokai
• Gundam SEED Destiny
• Ichigo 100% TV
• Magical Canan
• Peach Girl
• Tactics
• Yakitate Japan

Part of the reason I’ve finally decided to drop some series is I simply don’t have the time and effort. I honestly don’t think I can will myself to try to blog a good 100+ entries on various anime episodes when there are plenty of better reviews by my anime blogging peers. Another reason has to do with the fact I’ve either personally finished watching the series or dropped watching mid-way, so it’ll be very difficult for me to sit through them again to blog.

I’m sorry for my entire five people readership looking forward to me catching up on some dropped series. I just can’t do it. I feel really horrible about it too since I never honestly thought I’ll drop a series I’ve already started to blog no matter the rhyme or reason.

In a way though, my decision to drop the majority of my backlog will be a massive weight off my chest; an welcome one at that. I’ll be able to concentrate a lot more on the few series I’m still willing (and enjoying) to blog. No more chore in avoiding to blog.

Once again, I’m truly sorry for dropping the bomb out of nowhere but I’m only one man and only can do so much.

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I can sum up this crappy episode in one sentence: excuse to have the girls in various cosplay.

I thought this volume of Ichigo 100% would focus on Satsuki based on the cover and how the past two OVA episodes focued on Aya and Tsukasa, and in a way it did focus on Satsuki… for two minutes. Instead of using any of the 160+ chapters in the manga, the staff went anime original again by having Manaka and company go work part time at some lodge in the middle of nowhere. The three staffers at the lodge are major perverts, which make up the “plot” of this episode as they use a pitiful tactic to get the girls to dress in various costumes to save Manaka’s arse. Episode predictably ends on a happy note as the perverts get what’s coming to them, Manaka gets two minutes with Satsuki, viewers see the girls in badly drawn cosplay, and I tear my hair out over the stupidity of the episode!

Know what the really really really small saving grace was that didn’t make the episode complete garbage in my opinion? Kozue appearing and being voiced by Kana Ueda. THAT’S IT!

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Looks like there has been some misunderstanding on my part. This is the second OVA released after the TV series by the same group that did the TV series. However, I’ve been counting the Jump Festa “preview” OVA as the first. So under my counting scheme, this is the third OVA while in reality should be called the second.

Anyway, believe it or not I actually enjoyed the third OVA for Ichigo 100%. Not because the crappy animation was at least consistent. Not because I love the seiyuus (voice actors/actresses) in the series. No, it’s because for once they followed the manga story line to an T resulting in a very hilarious and true Ichigo 100% episode. Even more surprising are the little changes that were made are mostly for the better!

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The second OVA in the Ichigo 100% series roughly (and I use that term loosely) covers Junpei and co’s second year during their school festival. Throwing basically everything related to said event from the manga, the staff went original only keeping the introduction of Chinami (Ai Shimizu!) somewhat in tact.

If one can’t tell, I wasn’t really pleased with the OVA at all. I can sum it up in two sentences: Hilarious and wacky part where all the girls end up running away from various guys leaving Junpei to fend for himself. And Aya is half naked for the last 10 minutes for no real apparent reason.

… why the staff decided not to use the original manga storyline is beyone me, as all I can do is shake my head in disappointment in the horrible HORRIBLE treatment Ichigo 100% has had. I fear what the next OVA will be like if it follows in the footsteps of this OVA and the crappy TV series. Only if the people who worked on the Jump Festa OVA could have done the series instead…

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The higher deities decide to make Junpei their whipping boy by giving him both heaven and hell this episode of Ichigo 100% as one way or another, all the girls come to his place to chill. And as if that’s not enough excitement for Junpei, in the second half, the Film Club (including Kurokawa-sensei) go to the beach to film their first movie. Much to say, there’s a lot skin and fun in the sun! Also Satsuki’s and Junpei’s relationship moves one step forward and three steps back… sort of.

I could take the addition of Kurokawa to the group’s trip but could not understand why the staff decided to include Yui when everyone dropped by Junpei’s home. Plus I’m disappointed that they left out Sotomura’s Q&A of the girls where Junpei really sweat bullets over the type of guy the girls like. Animation as usual too added to my disappointment, yet for so reason I still enjoyed Ichigo 100% episode 5. I guess I should thank the magic that is the series and the hardwork of the seiyuu cast for picking up where the animation fails.

BTW, Junpei really needs a better hiding spot for his porn mags!

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