HOME STRETCH HERE WE GO

AP EXAM COMING UP BOYS/GIRLS

IT'S BEEN PRETTY INTENSE AND DIFFICULT THE PAST WEEK THAT I HAVEN'T POSTED AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET HARDER IN THE NEXT BIT.

While I'm not overly concerned about my score on the exam I'd like to try and get a 4 or a 5 this time around (figure it's better than getting 3 or below and it might come into play in the future). There's also a test tomorrow that I haven't started studying and a few labs that I need to finish. Adding onto that is setting up the dance this coming Wednesday and the possibility of some sort of English project.

Busy busy.

Wow you're really cute

That's your compliment for the day :x

You can decide whether you want to cringe in disgust or squeal in delight because some obscure boy on the internet claimed that you were attractive. Either way, I'm glad I invoked a response in you.

That's all for Today

Goodbye old friend, and hello biology studying/labs.

On this very fine evening I am an 8. Yesterday I went out with some friends to go play badminton and it was really a great time for me to kinda relax (even if it eventually added stress because I didn't get anything else done). Until next time my dear reader.

"Tough times never last, but tough people do." - Robert H. Schuller

Spring 2015 First Impressions (Part 2)

Here's Part 2

Previously on Kevin's blog...

Hey all, this time around I'll be covering the latter half of the ongoing list (as shown below in the bold case). Quickly gonna drop MaL and then leave you to the rest of the post. Enjoy c:

Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken 2 Sure-me
DanMachi
High School DxD Born
Nisekoi 2
Owari no Seraph
Oregairu 2 (messed up order, oh well)
Plastic Memories
Re-Kan!
Shokugeki no Souma
Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo

Anime not included:
Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (wouldn't be a "first impressions")
Hibike! Euphonium (haven't started)
Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku (haven't started)
Ore Monogatari!! (haven't started)

- SPOILERS WARNING -

Oregairu 2

Progress: 3/13

One Sentence: Second season returns, with more of an emphasis on the serious portion of Oregairu.

There was a bunch of apprehension with the studio change announced in the second season, but personally my inexperienced eyes didn't see too much change. On the contrary, I thought that everything was pretty much the same (although there is a noticeable style change in Hachiman). This season is heading in the more grim direction and I find it to be a very nice alteration.

High hopes for the rest of the season. Can't wait for more balls to be dropped (haha, cause you know, balls).

Best Girl Award: "Yukinon"

Plastic Memories

Progress: 3/13

One Sentence: Has possibility to turn into a complete feel trip, however the anime is developing at a very slow pace as of now.

To no point of exaggeration, the first episode had me in tears. I was losing it by the last scene and after that episode I seriously thought that Plastic Memories was going to be beyond amazing.

Now that two episodes have passed, I have a better analysis on it. The pilot episode was very strong and is my favourite in the season so far. While the leading two episodes were both strong in their own aspects, they did feel somewhat tame. Plastic Memories has set itself up in a great way with the premise and how characters are growing, and only time will tell if it can pull off being one of the better ones that air this spring.

Best Girl Award: Isla for obvious reasons

Re-Kan!

Progress: 3/?

One Sentence: Bland and unimpressive showing of a comedy SoL.

If you thought that my "One Sentence" on Re-Kan! was boring and difficult to read, that pretty much captures the essence of Re-Kan! itself. As Fridays roll around I find watching this more of a tedious chore than anything else, and there's little enjoyment to be found. There's nothing extremely worthwhile about the anime, and if I may say so, the art looks very different and off-putting.

Pretty much no hope for a show like Re-Kan!, not that it was intended to be spectacular or outstanding in the first place. One of the more quieter airings this time around, Re-Kan! can provide a minuscule amount of enjoyment and feel-good vibes, but definitely not enough to validate watching it.

Best Girl Award: Amamiiiiiiiiiiii-san

Shokugeki no Souma

Progress: 3/?

One Sentence: Seems like Koufuku Graffiti turned the wrong right way in a very extreme method.

Shokugeki no Souma is a very difficult anime to obtain a comprehension of. As so, you should follow my example and watch it mindlessly. Don't bother to try and think about it, instead just bathe in the absurdity that it is.

Every season has a place for its weird, out of place (hah) anime (what a time to be alive though, with two cooking ones in a row), and this time around it belongs to Shokugeki no Souma. Definitely an amusing and fun watch, although a bit heavy on the fan-service (tentacles used often).

Best Girl Award: Megumi Tadokoro

Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo

Progress: 2/12
One Sentence: Cute anime about a group of students who can switch bodies through kissing (?).

Very comedy centered, and a great watch at that. Premise is unique and cool, and makes for an interesting anime. The question mark is there because I'm not sure if the body switching is only though kissing, as the latest episode left us off with the group trying to figure out if falling on top of each other would have the same effect.

Definitely recommend to pick up if you're not watching anything else. Art is appealing and the content is great.

Best Girl Award: Considering all the body swapping, Shiraishi (she seems to have a pretty dark story behind her and shows potential)

Thanks for Reading

I'm tired and worn out :c

Goodnight everybody ^^ I'm an 8 for today.

"If your heart is a volcano, how shall you expect flowers to bloom?" - Khalil Gibran

Spring 2015 First Impressions (Part 1)

Yes, There are Two Parts

This season I am taking a shot at watching most of the series airing. Obviously I can't watch everything (both due to lack of time and patience), but I do aim to cover the majority of the shows airing.

As always, MaL for your reference, and here's the complete list of what I am watching this season. The first half series in bold are the ones that I will be discussing in this post, while the latter half will be in a consecutive post.

Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken 2 Sure-me
DanMachi
High School DxD Born
Nisekoi 2
Owari no Seraph
Oregairu 2 (messed up order, oh well)
Plastic Memories
Re-Kan!
Shokugeki no Souma
Yamadakun to Nananin no Majo

Anime not included:
Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (wouldn't be a "first impressions")
Hibike! Euphonium (haven't started)
Mikagura Gakuen Kumikyoku (haven't started)
Ore Monogatari!! (haven't started)

- SPOILERS WARNING -

Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken 2 Sure-me

Progress: 3/13
One Sentence: Laughs and overall warm feelings that radiate from the second season of the short.

There is little to say about Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken 2 Sure-me because it is a short. The first season was one of the very first shorts that I had ever watched and I found myself enjoying the five minutes of goofy and comedic content that it provided.

While I have completely no problems with the second installment, it does seem as if it has somewhat fallen off. Perhaps it's largely due to the fact that it is indeed, the second season, or maybe Danna ga Nani wo Itteiru ka Wakaranai Ken has lost it's charm. Don't be turned off by this though, as it's far from being bad and provides good content for its time.

Best Girl Award: Kaoru

DanMachi

Progress: 3/?
One Sentence: For a show that had a lot of attention and hype I was let down even more than I expected.

Hestia is absolutely the worst. Bell is actually a relatively well made character, and deserves better.

There is only one reason as to why I can't enjoy DanMachi nearly as much as I can. The first being Hestia. I seriously cannot understand why she is so popular among the audience, and she comes off as very cringey. Setting is fine, characters are okay, albeit flat, and I can picture some plot development in the future, but Hestia and her god damn blue ribbon get in the way of any enjoyment.

Best Girl Award: Ais (partly because she bears a striking resemblance to Shiina)

High School DxD Born

Progress: 2/?
One Sentence: Why did I spend so much time binging the first two seasons to get to this in time?

Nope let's not even talk about this. Next one please.

Best Girl Award: Rias has a slight edge over Akeno

Nisekoi 2

Progress: 2/12
One Sentence: Heeeey it's second season of best waifu (seriously I love this though).

For some reason I'm attached to Nisekoi. Maybe it's the stunning best girl Chitoge, or the constant pandering to the fanbase, but either way, it's working.

Something interesting that I've seen so far in this season is that there appears to be a lot more focus on individual characters. Personally I really like this change in pace as there will be more development and movement of the series (something Nisekoi is known for not doing). Overall looking forward to this second season (even if it's only 12 episodes) and excited to see Chitoge win the contest.

Best Girl Award: Chitoge desu

Owari no Seraph

Progress: 2/12
One Sentence: First episode had me going, second episode had me... going?

First episode was great, action-packed and really had me on the edge of the seat. While the premise was a bit sudden and forced, I didn't really mind that much (I'm not picky). Everything after that I thought was superb, and I looked forward to the next episode.

Nope. It went in a completely different direction. It's not that I don't like it, I think Owari no Seraph is still good to an extent, but it feels much weaker. There was an explosive introduction to the show and it has definitely fallen off. However there's plenty of time and opportunity (given that this fall was not intended) for it to jump right back into it, so I'm going to be watching for that.

Best Girl Award: Shinoa Hiiragi, cause she just seems cool (and she's pretty much the only relevant female character)

Part 2 Coming Up Soon

Hope that you've enjoyed my thoughts on what has turned out to be a pretty decent season so far. Keep posted for the next post and what the other series look like.

Thanks for reading and have a great night everybody. I'm an 8 tonight and it's time for me to sign off.

"Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized." - Albert Einstein

Quick Updates then I'm Gone

Volleyball Thing

So uh, we went to a tournament today. The coaches and I thought it would be a good experience for game situations and in general a good team bonding day. Everything turned out near perfect (except for our 5th place finish, but oh well), and I'm definitely pleased with today.

There ya go. Good job.

[Anime] Tomorrow

It's somewhat late and I'd probably run after midnight so I'm not going to make an attempt at writing the inevitable spring season anime thoughts post. Tomorrow is also somewhat a busier day, but I'll be freed up in the evening.

Thanks c:

Super tired and overall I'm aching to relax.

Kevin's an 8 for today ^^

"Better to fight for something than live for nothing." - George S. Patton

Hey

Mood: Less than Eh

In the past few days my mood has dipped considerably. Really, it's only because of a whole collection of events have happened and together they make me feel sulky. Just so happens that right now everything is caving in, and the end is so near, but I want to crawl to the finish line. Sounds like something the stereotypical "angsty and misunderstood" teen would dare say.

Yeah, everything seriously will end soon. Wonder how I arrived to this point.

Tomorrow is Friday c:

Sorry I'm not doing anything

The promise I made a while ago to change up the blog is empty (sorry). I mean, you know that one day I definitely will, but seeing things as they are now, probably not any time in the foreseeable future.

I have the nagging feeling that posts will start to be a lot more infrequent.

Goodbye friend

Hey, you managed to stick around. Thank you for hearing me out, as there's really nowhere else to "vent". It doesn't feel natural to talk to anybody, and I'd hate to push my trivial problems onto other people (the keyword there being trivial, because this is nothing). I'm sure I sound ridiculously stupid and I'll most likely regret ever posting this, but oh well.

Kevin's a 5 tonight. Except early rises tomorrow morning and slight drops in the evening. Numbers subject to change. Once I'm finished up here I'm going to try and sleep a bit earlier tonight. Goodbye sweet friend.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anais Nin

Easter Break c:

Pretty Hectic Last Week :x

A multitude of stuff has happened recently, and I have to say that I feel that I've taken it all on really well. Sometimes it's like everything has gone downhill, and at other times it's as if nothing better can happen. More accurately, you could say that my week has been a commotion and a sick mess of pleasant and unsavoury.

It feels lonely more often than ever, but I'm coping fine.

At any rate, thanks for the great timing of this Easter weekend.

Another [Anime] Thing Soon

Spring season is here! Everything that I've watched so far has been surprisingly great, and even if it is simply a case of early-season-optimism, I'm still looking forward to watching. With the start of the new season I'll be aiming to spin out another "first thoughts" sometime.

For now though, you can have a nice random picture from my folder.

Nighty night

Don't let the bed bugs bite.

7, with a downward trend.

"Any truth is better than indefinite doubt." - Arthur Conan Doyle

Winter 2014 Conclusion

- SPOILER ALERT -

This Season...

This winter was remarkably better than fall, and a lot of the anime I watched I ended up enjoying. Nothing was unbearably terrible, and it makes me optimistic for the upcoming spring. I never got around to watching certain shows (Absolute Duo and Isuca to name two), but there was the impression that I didn't miss much anyways.

As always, I'll drop a link to MaL and below is a complete list of the ongoing winter anime I decided to watch.

Aldnoah.Zero 2
Ansatsu Kyoushitsu
Kantai Collection: KanColle
Kiseijuu
Koufuku Graffiti
Log Horizon 2
Saekano
Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso
Tokyo Ghoul √A

Aldnoah.Zero 2

In one sentence: Bittersweet ending that seemed a bit rushed and forced, but still great.

Being utterly honest, I was so hyped for this second season, after the first. Aldnoah.Zero 2 starts off with what was somewhat expected: everybody lives. The war is still going on and blah blah blah.

Don't get me wrong though, I don't think that this season was boring (far from that in reality). Something that I enjoyed a lot was the focus and change of character in Slaine. He gets caught up in his power and ideals to the point where he's lost his old self (kinda cool if you ask me). Action scenes were done well (as with the first season) and overall a good show to watch.

Best Girl Prize: Asseylum tho

Ansatsu Kyoushitsu

In one sentence: Picking up the pace and bring a fresh, humorous episode every week.

Easily one of the better anime airing (it's 22 episode, so it'll go into spring) this season, Ansatsu Kyoushitsu (or as you may be more familiar with, Assassination Classroom) is the anime adaptation of the manga series by the same name. Not being familiar with the manga, I walked blindly into this show and was rewarded.

All the comedy themes are prevalent, and the setting is definitely not cliche. I found that the show does everything well, and there's not too much that I can comment on. The whole story of a classroom trying to kill their teacher (who coincidentally is some random being that resembles an octopus) is alluring, and Ansatsu Kyoushitsu is an overall good show to pick up.

Best Girl Prize: Ritsu (hnnnnnnnnnnggg)

Kantai Collection: KanColle

In one sentence: Moe anime about battleships being represented by girls, but no plot progression is present.

Barely scratches off with a rating of 6, while it probably would have been a 7 if things had been done differently.

KanColle feels very underwhelming and pointless. At the end of it all I felt like I had wasted five hours of my life, instead of a sense of closure (to top it off a second season has been announced). The story is not driven anywhere for the first five episodes or so, and then it makes a pretty desperate attempt to act serious (difficult when all I can see are moe faces and CGI that looks terribly out of place).

In the anime's defence, it had its few moments of glory, where I liked it, but those moments were rare. All in all, not much to see here. You would probably find more interest in this anime if you were a fan of the game that it was adapted from, but unfortunately I'm not one of those people.

Best Girl Prize: Shimakaze

Kiseijuu

In one sentence: Tells a compelling/thought-provoking story where alien-like life forms (Parasytes) have taken over humans and use them as hosts.

Definitely the best anime that aired in the winter season, by far. Kiseijuu was on-point in all departments, and there isn't a lot of error at all. Characters were fully fleshed out and the show wasn't afraid to let some of them go. I was always ready to go for the next episode and the anime was always exciting and suspenseful.

On a deeper and more thoughtful level, it skims the surface of what humans really are. It shows how another intelligent species may interpret our species and our unique ways. Kiseijuu is really just a superb airing. The ending was not weak at all, keeping me on my toes during the whole ride. As a side note, the anime stays pretty faithful to its source, as proved on Reddit a bunch of times.

Best Girl Prize: Murano

Koufuku Graffiti

In one sentence: Oddly amusing show in which teenage girls eat various types of food in suggestive manners.

Seriously, I don't know what it was with Koufuku Graffiti, but I was absolutely fine with it. My first impression was that I would find it distasteful (haha), however the anime ended up being better than what I had thought (props given).

Very weird to watch when your family walks in. One thing that I didn't quite like were the characters. Specifically I didn't really like anybody except for Shiina, but that's only my personal opinion. Ryou was alright, while I absolutely detested Kirin.

Not a bad watch, but you can do better.

Best Girl Prize: Shiina

Log Horizon 2

Summary of thoughts throughout season: Back again -> ehhh -> I want to drop this -> okay I can accept this -> not bad not bad

While the second season of Log Horizon does bring a significantly weaker performance that its first, it manages to pull off a decent season. It seemed like the anime was having trouble in the beginning, but there was definite improvement the last episodes. Something that I want to mention especially was the whole journey with the younger guildies arc. Felt very unnecessary, and for several episodes, it did not provide much.

After that arc, I really wanted to drop the show. It's very rare for me to want to drop any series, but at this point in time I was already three weeks behind and did not feel like catching up. However I decided to just finish the season for the hell or it and caught up in an hour or so, and I'm glad that I did. The last arc is much much better and I can only imagine how my opinion would be if the whole season was like that arc.

A third season is welcome, and I would most definitely look towards one. Log Horizon 2 leaves everything off at a good point for either a conclusion or another season. If you enjoyed the first season, it's a good bet to say that you should watch the second.

Best Girl Prize: Nureha

Saekano

In one sentence: Anime that makes fun of over-used tropes and is pretty hit-or-miss with viewers.

Personally I found Saekano very fun to watch. The art was expressive and nice on the eyes, while contributing to the overall mood. Characters were generic and stereotypical, but that made the anime even more interesting.

At its simplest, Saekano is about an otaku boy who wishes to create the ultimate dating sim. Somehow he has connections to a rising light novelist and a manga artist who draws... yeah, and the show is him hanging out and interacting with them. I really wish that there were more episodes of Saekano, as all the characters are pretty lovable and having more of something like this is never bad.

Best Girl Prize: the lovable Utaha

Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso

In one sentence: Pianist who can no longer see colour in his play meets terminally ill violinist during spring.

Now I picked this up about halfway through the winter season, hearing really good things about it. And hey, what do you know, it was really good.

Show sets itself up in a good way, and everything is very lighthearted in the beginning. However once the feels start to rain down, it rains down hard. Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso appears to be a carefree comedy romance type of thing, but instead it takes a complete turn and is suddenly serious.

Something Shigatsu did extremely well were the characters. I had a lot emotionally invested in each of them, and all were relatable. The ending is akin to that of Aldnoah.Zero 2, in which there is a bitter sweetness present.

The last episode did, however, feel somewhat weak. It lacked punch and I didn't really find myself that engaged in it. In the end, a great watch for anybody really. Your preference shouldn't matter too much.

Best Girl Prize: Kaori

Tokyo Ghoul √A

Vast improvement from Tokyo Ghoul, however nothing substantial enough to warrant the second season as "good". Yes, while it was a step in the right direction, there were still quite a few things that didn't quite click.

My general knowledge is that some important parts of the manga were skipped. There are only 12 episodes, therefore it's reasonable that not everything could be included, yet some parts didn't feel needed. I believe that with a 24 episode season, the whole show could have been much better, as there is more leeway and room.

A good thing that Tokyo Ghoul √A does do is the characterization of Kaneki. He seriously did change as a person and that is what the show needed and provided. There are only a few characters who get any screentime, and for 12 episodes a pretty adequate job was done.

Don't bother with watching this if you have not watched the first season or read the manga. I don't believe that it's worth picking up the first season only for this, and there isn't too much to be found.

Best Girl Prize: Irimi

Oh That's Plenty of Stuff

I've spent about an hour typing up this post, and my fingers and mind are dying by now, so you'll have to excuse me. This week has been brutally exhausting, and the long weekend will definitely be needed.

Kevin's a 7 for April Fool's Day. Nothing different happened, and it was just another day. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you next time.

"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit." - William Shakespeare