Otaku Dan: The Life of an Anime Fan

Hajimemashite! It's Silver-chan! This time I’m reviewing, Natsume's Book of Friends. (Disclaimer: These are my views, yep, yep, and only mine.)


Natsume's Book of Friends by Yuki Midoikawa Vol 1

This manga is about Takashi Natsume. Takashi is a loner, moves from place to place within his family and has no friends. He's always been viewed as something of an odd attention seeking child, and this is mostly attributed to his random freak-outs and spastic reactions. Little do people realize that Takashi has a unique ability, a power to see spirits and demons known as Yokai. To say that Takashi has looked upon this power unfavorably would be an understatement. He soon discovers though that it's an ability that, with the proper application, has its uses.


Now I could go on and give way to much away of the story line, so I’ll stop there. Now I rate these volume of manga, a 4 out of 5. It was unusual volume though, it had chapters, but they were done as the mangaka says “Wrote each episode with the assumption that it could be the last.” So its almost a collection of one-shots with continuing main characters. Although the way the chapters are done with that thought in mind, the art is quite detailed, doesn’t feel lacking and I believe it gets better with each chapter. Its different, original (I believe though I could be wrong), and contains a nice balance between humor and drama. I'm really looking forward to the second volume, and have already preordered it.

Well, that’s all for this review, until we meet again, huggles. Ja ne’

Ok, I know that this post is a little late to comment on this "issues". I waited for everyone who was going bat sh*t insane to clear their mind of fanboyism and to think with logic on this matter.

It was around Friday of last week I heard that FUNimation had licensed Dance in the Vampire Bund. The thing is that this anime will be released with minor edits. When people found out about this, the Internet exploded in rage. People ranted that FUNimation sucks and that they're Nazis because they were going to censor this anime. I ended up closing TweetDeck for the day due to that.

FUNimation is well known for licensing anime series that will interest casual anime fan and even catch the eyes of non-anime fans. By the way it looks like, FUNimation licensed Dance in the Vampire Bund with the intent on cashing in on the whole vampire craze that was started by Twilight. But, they know it has a lot of things that would make it controversial to the general public.

Imagine yourself as a parent who knows nothing about anime. You see this animated series with the word vampire in it. You think to yourself that vampires are the cool thing and that your child will appreciate you if you get them this. Trying to be the cool parent you are, you sit and watch this with your kid. Then out of nowhere, you see a man rubbing oil on the body of a little girl who is only wearing a black thong. You would be shock by this and tell the other parents about this. Then before you know it, you're suing FUNimation for over 25 million dollars because your child is "emotionally" damaged due to their product.

This is why FUNimation is doing those edits, it is to avoid sh*t like this. Yes, they should have not licensed this anime if they knew that it's controversial. But FUNimation wants to make money and I see nothing wrong with that.

The funny thing is, the people who ranted about FUNimation editing this anime were not going to buy it in the first place. So, what are your thoughts on this issue?

I recently purchased, Ryomou Shimei Blue Nurse version by Wani Book. There's a funny story on how I got this figure. I was on the phone and browsing my Amazon.com wish-list and I looked away for about a minute. When I turn my head, I see the confirmation page on Amazon. It seems that unconsciously, I wanted this figure and bought it. I decided to keep it because it was only $30 USD.

Do you remember when I review the MayFlash arcade stick? I mentioned that it was not responsive with certain games. when I finished modding, the problem was not resolved. I later found out, it was defective from the start. I spent so much money and time on this arcade stick and I was mad. My only option was buy a new one and use its parts or do a pad hack. well, if you read the title, you can guess which one I picked.

Since I needed a new start and select buttons, I got two 18mm Sanwa buttons. I had to enlarge two of the original holes that was on the case.

I painted the outer rim white to match the case. looks nice.

Replaced the stocked wires for the joy stick. the ones it came with sucked.

Since I'm modding the PCB, I had to solder the wires on specific places so it can get a signal. Depending on the model of the controller you use, the PCB will differ. Slagcoin has a list of PCBs from different controller models showing were you would have to solder. Red are the buttons, green is D-pad, and black is the ground. I like the Kenyan color scheme.

Finished product.

If you have any questions or help, just ask.

I'm glad that March is here because, new figures are up for preorder. As of now, not that many new figures are out but it is still worth checking out. Come on in.

Gutto Kuru Figure Collection Leina by CM 's Corporation. This figure will come out in May for the price of 9,180 Yen.

Revoltech Nowa by Kaiyodo. This figure will come out in early April for the price of 2,347 Yen.

Amaha Masane -Cool White- version by Orchid Seed. This figure will come out in May for the price of 7,043 Yen.

Kosaka Tamaki -Panic- by Kotobukiya. this figure will come out in June for the price of 6,800 Yen.

None of these figure preorders peek my interest. If I had to choose a favorite among these, it would be the Mio figure by FREEing. I have a thing for maids, what can I say. So, what are you going to preorder?

I'm majoring in graphic design and that means I have to take art classes. I'm in Drawing 1 currently. We don't do any anime, but I thought I'd share with you all a drawing I did in a manner of which I am not used to drawing in.





I had to draw the picture above using an eraser. The trick to drawing with an eraser is to of course, use it on paper that is covered in powdered graphite (drawing pencil lead).

So first off, in class, how we got the powdered graphite to cover the drawing paper is by rubbing it into the paper with a paper towel. It was messy and fun. -smiles-

Needless to say, I can't wear any good clothes while in class.

Now, I couldn't just draw that picture though. I had to add something to it so it would be interesting. So, I got artistic and did some abstracting around the glasses that are not in the center of the page.

When putting something right in the center of the page, it is actually very boring and just... Well, can't have it right in the center of the page.

This was the first time I did a drawing like this and I'm very proud of it.

The finished product:



Also, I now have my own blog that is about all art, including anime and manga.

It's a wordpress blog and I just started it last week. I should be having a new post up on Wednesday, hopefully. *~Kararu-Chan's World of Art~*

Sincerely,

Kararu-chan