Manga/Anime Corner!

Welcome to Manga/Anime Corner again! This time I am going to recommend a lighter manga/anime and a darker one. Both are manga and anime. While I typically prefer the Japanese voices, I happen to really like the English Dubbed voices of both anime. So, this time around, I cannot give a “Subs v. Dubs” recommendation. All right, here they are!

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Ouran High School Host Club­ – Bisco Hatori

Both an anime and a manga, Ouran High School Host Club is a fun romantic comedy for guys and girls alike. Ouran is a satire, overall. It pokes fun at the stereotypical male characters girls are supposed to like. And it is downright hilarious!

The series follows Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at Ouran Academy. Ouran Academy is an extremely prestigious high school, where only the richest attend. Their unofficial motto is “Lineage first, wealth a close second.” It is very rare when an exceptional “commoner” is granted a scholarship. When looking for a quiet place to study, Haruhi stumbles into the Ouran Academy Host Club.

A Host Club is a group of men who entertain women with conversation and drinks. Host and Hostess clubs are very popular in East Asian countries. The Ouran Host Club is a group of six male students. Each student epitomizes a male stereotype found in Japanese manga/anime.

Tamaki Suo is the princely, flamboyant, and narcissistic founder and president of the Host Club; Kyoya Otori is the secretive, pragmative, megane (glasses) vice-president of the Host Club; Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin are the mischievous, childish, twins in the Host Club; Mistkune “Honey” Haninozuka is the Lolita, sweets-addict, and eldest member of the Host Club; Takashi “Mori” Morinozuka is the protective, quiet, tall, and second eldest member of the Host Club. What is Haruhi to do when she meets all of these strange men? What happens when she accidentally smashes an $80,000 vase in the clubroom? Is working as a Host the only way to pay off her debt? Don't they realize that she's a girl?

Back Row: Kyoya, Mori (with Usa-chan), Tamaki
Front Row: Kaoru, Haruhi, Hikaru, Honey

The anime only spans 26 episodes (a rather short anime), and the manga is only 18 volumes long (a rather short manga). There are two seasons in the anime. A 3^rd season was rumored, but hasn’t been produced. There is a live-action drama and film, which I haven’t seen. The anime ends rather abruptly and very differently than the manga. To find out what happens, I suggest reading the manga for answers. Despite the ending, I adored the anime! Every episode had me cracking up and smiling. And, guys, don’t be afraid of it! I know quite a few men who really enjoyed it, too! Initially, Ouran is really weird… But, you grow accustomed to it!

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Cowboy Bebop – Keiko Nobumoto (anime) / Hajime Yatate (manga)

The 1998 award-winning anime, Cowboy Bebop, is actually one of the greatest anime I’ve seen. Granted, I say that about a lot of things on this blog… Cowboy Bebop truly is brilliant. With only 26 episodes and one movie, this show caters to everyone. Men and women alike will love this show. It’s science fiction, film noir, Western, and crime fiction all in one. The music is reminiscent of the 40’s-60’s with its jazz and southern tones, but also the 50’s-70’s early rock style. The animation is awesome for a 1998 show. The voices, both in Japanese and English, are perfect for each character.

The year is 2071, and the entire Solar System is accessible through hyperspace gates. The explosion of a test hyperspace gate, in 2022, severely damaged the Moon. The survivors abandoned Earth and colonized other planets. Now, Mars is the central hub of human civilization. However, it is also the hub of interplanetary crime syndicates. Those syndicates have an influence over the government and the ISSP (Inter-Solar System Police). In order to regulate the corruption, a bounty system – similar to one in the Old West – is established to deal with crime. Those involved are aptly named, “cowboys.”

Our main characters are aboard a ship called the Bebop, owned by a man named Jet Black. An ex-ISSP detective, Jet turned to bounty hunting to pursue justice. Despite his gruff exterior, Jet is protective and caring man. His partner in crime is a man named Spike Spiegel. Spike is an easygoing, skilled pilot and a master of hand-to-hand combat and firearms. While hunting for their next paycheck, the two encounter Faye Valentine – a novice, bounty hunter with a gambling problem and debt – and Edward – an eccentric computer genius and master hacker. As they pursue various criminals, the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate keeps popping up. Will Jet and Spike get involved in something far bigger than a little bounty? Who is this mysterious Julia woman? Will they keep the corgi?

From Left: Jet, Spike, Faye, Ed, and Ein.

The manga was written after the anime aired, but still is enjoyable. I started and finished this show in less than a fortnight (2 weeks). I can’t even begin to tell you how fantastic Cowboy Bebop is. I’ve remained pretty vague in my description of the show because the characters will be elaborated on when you watch the show. Both the Japanese and English voices are perfect for the characters. Ladies: Spike is unbelievably handsome no matter what language he’s speaking. Gents: Spike is unbelievably bad-ass no matter what language he’s speaking. Everyone: Cowboy Bebop is unbelievably awesome no matter what language they are speaking.

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Both anime can be found on AnimeReady.com, JustDubs.net, AnimeCrazy.net, and various others. Manga can be found on CityManga.com or MangaFox.com. Ouran can be found on YouTube in high quality in both languages. It was posted by FUNimation and is completely legal.

Don't forget to do your best to support the artists, too. Give both a try! They’re tons of fun!

Happy Reading and Watching!

-Isabel

Phobia of the Day

Chromophobia - Also Chromatophobia. Fear of colors.

Courtesy of phobialist.com

Tamora Pierce, 2: The Circle Universe

Will contain SPOILERS of sorts.

I welcome back an author I consider to be stellar. Tamora Pierce is back with 3 series this time. Rather significantly fewer than the 5 in the Tortall Universe, but not any less well written or interesting. I happen to love the Circle Universe almost as much as the Tortall Universe. This time, these 4 protagonists must be read chronologically, as I review them. There will be spoilers. There is no way to avoid them.

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The Circle Universe:

Initially set in Emelan, a powerful country in this world, the Circle Universe begins in the city, Summersea. As a port city, Summersea is both a stronghold and the capitol of Emelan. Again the world is structured very similarly to that of the Middle Ages in Europe. Summersea has a monarchy, court, nobility, knights, and such, just as Tortall does. (Click here for the Tortall Universe).

Again, magic is a normal thing is this world. Although not everyone possesses magic, it is common and accepted in society. Winding Circle is a temple-city just outside of Summersea, where there is a center for those with ambient magic go to study. It is just as prestigious as the Lightsbridge University for Academic Magic. The temple serves as a school for the general population as well. But, once the students turn 16, they must become a novice of the Living Circle (the pagan religion of Emelan) or leave the school.

The Series:

Sandry’s Book (1997), Tris’ Book (1998), Daja’s Book (1998), Briar’s Book (1999)

The Circle of Magic – 10 year-old’s Sandreline “Sandry” fa Toren, Trisana “Tris” Chandler, Daja Kisubo, and Briar Moss (formerly known as Roach) are introduced to the reader. They are all “ambient mages” – they are all able to use magic externally. Niklaren “Niko” Goldeye, a powerful mage, discovers these four and puts them into a cottage aptly named, Discipline.

Dedicate Rosethorn and Dedicate Lark run Discipline Cottage - they are two rather opposite women. Where Dedicate Lark is soft and kind, Dedicate Rosethorn is rough and commanding. Discipline serves as a home to “special cases” in Winding Circle. Generally, it is for students who don’t get along with others during their education.

There the four learn about their strange abilities: Sandry is able to manipulate thread and fabric; Tris is able to manipulate the weather; Daja has an affinity to manipulate fire and metal; Briar is able to manipulate plant-life. Niko pairs them with teachers, but can everyone get along? Can a noblewoman, a street-rat, a Trader (a trading race despised by most), and a merchant realize their potential and set their differences and pride aside? Can they master their uncommon magic and earn the respect of the adults they encounter? Can they protect themselves, let alone those around them? Perhaps… Perhaps not.

Magic Steps (2000), Street Magic (2001), Cold Fire (2002), Shatterglass (2003)

The Circle Opens – Four years after Sandry’s Book, Winding Circle finally acknowledges the four young mages. With their respective teachers, Briar, Sandry, Tris, and Daja decide to travel around the country. There each find a mage they can teach. Suddenly becoming teachers themselves, the four protagonists struggle to balance their own studies with that of their new students.

In Summersea, Sandry finds a 12 year-old boy, Pasco Acalon, with dance-magic. When a serial killer preys on a rich trading family, Sandry and Pasco work together to defeat the mages and their deadly weapon, unmagic – the absence of magic and life itself. Can their lively magic defeat something so sinister and life-less?

Briar finds a stone-mage named Evvy on the streets of Chammur. But, the sponsor-woman of the Viper Gang has her eye on Evvy. Briar must protect his pupil from the lady’s greed, but also help his teacher with assisting the sickly locals. Can Briar maintain a battle on two fronts?

Daja travels north to Namorn, where she finds twins with magical talent. Nia has an affinity for carpentry and woodwork, and Jory has an affinity for cooking. When someone is setting fires throughout the city, Daja takes it upon herself to help Bennat Ladradun – head of the firefighters – keep Namorn from burning to the ground. Can Daja protect her new friends from the fiery threat?

While the other three branch out, Tris encounters a man named Kethlun “Keth” Warder, a glass mage who “lost” his ability when struck by lightning. After the incident, Keth is able to mix lightning and glass. However, there is a murderer on the loose, and Keth’s glass spheres contain visions of the killer’s work. Keth accidentally creates a living glass creature and refuses to indulge his magic anymore. As Tris tries to convince Keth of his ability, she tries to uncover the identity of this murderer. Can Tris hunt down this murderer without getting killed?

The Will of the Empress (2005)

The Will of the Empress – Sandry’s cousin, the Empress of Namorn, has been begging for her little cousin to visit her for years. Finally, Sandry agrees to see her cousin, but there’s a slight catch. Sandry’s uncle requests that her three mage-friends join her. After years of being apart, the foursome is no longer as chummy as they once were. Now adults, they each carry secrets that, years ago, they once would’ve shared with each other.

Sandry expects a quick visit with her cousin, and then return home to her Uncle in Emelan. But, her Empress cousin has other plans. The four soon find out that the will of the Empress is considered law here in Namorn. If they are to escape, Briar, Sandry, Daja, and Tris must set aside their qualms and learn trust each other as they once did. But, it is easier said than done. Can they repair what was lost?

Tamora Pierce has announced the following book is in the works. The series will be called The Circle Reforged. No word, yet, as to how many books she intends to write for this segment of the story.

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Another book describing what Briar, Evvy, and Rosethorn encounter in Yanjing and Gyongxe, is also in the works. An audio book called Melting Stones was released in 2007. It was in Evvy’s perspective as she goes with Rosethorn to determine the source of weird phenomena on an island. This has also been released in book-form since. My sister quite liked it!

Tamora doesn’t seem as though she'll stop writing any time soon. And as long as she writes, I will read whatever she publishes. Give her a try! You may find her books to be your cup of tea! If the Circle Universe isn't your style, try out her Tortall Universe. Perhaps Alanna might be more to your liking.

Happy Reading!

-Isabel

Phobia of the Day

Chaetophobia - Fear of hair.

Courtesy of phobialist.com 

Tamora Pierce, Part 1: The Tortall Universe

She gets ALL of the Stars!!

One of my all time favorite authors, Tamora Pierce, has written approximately 8 series of teen fantasy/fiction novels. The majority of her novels cater to women because her protagonists are females (with the exception of Briar from the Circle Universe). These “teen” books aren’t just for young girls going through adolescence. Women of all ages can enjoy them, too! I still enjoy reading them. My mum liked them, too! The Circle Universe is far more fantastical, but not any less well written and enticing. But, those are for another post. 

I love Pierce's writing style and stories so much; I’ve read almost everything she’s ever written. The only two I can think of, that I haven’t read, are two I haven’t had the chance to read yet. I’m going to review the Tortall Universe chronologically by plot. Spoilers for some things are inevitable, but do not affect reading the books. Plus, they do not need to be read in any specific order. I certainly didn’t! I read Daine, Kel, Alanna, Aly, and then Beka. You'll see!

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The Tortall Universe:

Tortall is a major country in this universe, where these books take place. It’s similar to the Middle Ages in the sense that it has a monarchy, court, nobility, knights, and such. It’s capital, Corus, is the main hub of power and society. Otherwise, it’s a completely different world.

Magic is something very real and practical to all Tortallans. Whether magic comes from the common herb-woman or a mage at the King’s court. Creatures from lore are also very present. There are many religious deities who often play a part in human lives. Sometimes they choose champions or use them to carry out their own purpose. Despite their power, they do not often mettle in human affairs, allowing humanity to shape the world.

The Series:

 Terrier (2006), Bloodhound (2009), and Mastiff (2011)

Beka Cooper Trilogy – George Cooper is caught stealing at the age of 6. His mother, ashamed, tells him the story about his famous ancestress, Rebakah “Beka” Cooper. Beka is a trainee for the Provost’s Guard – Tortall’s equivalent of a police force. In those days, trainees were called “Puppies” and guards were called “Dogs,” both of which were stationed in the “Kennel.” Beka struggles to make her home, the Lower City of Corus, a safer place. Using her street smarts and determination to succeed, Beka battles to protect what she loves from outside threats. These three books about Beka are written in a diary-style, unusual for Tamora Pierce. However, that doesn’t take away from the emphasis on the story. 

Alanna: The First Adventure (1983), In the Hand of the Goddess (1984), The Woman Who Rides Like A Man (1986), and Lioness Rampant (1988)

The Song of the Lioness – 200 Years after Beka Cooper, Alanna of Trebond has found herself in a predicament. Noble-born girls traditionally go to the covenant to learn how to be proper noblewomen and wives. Noble-born boys tend to become knights or study magic. Alanna wants to be a knight. Her twin brother, Thom, wants to study sorcery. The twins’ father is only concerned with his own studies and pays them little attention. The only solution is for Alanna to become Alan and go to the palace instead of her brother. Thom gets his wish, and goes to the temple to study magic. Alanna, disguised as a boy, must work through a world of men to earn her title of Knight. But, is she strong enough? Can she hide her femininity enough? Can she keep up this charade even when she befriends the handsome Prince Jonathan? What about George Cooper, the King of the Rogues? Can she help protect Tortall and her own family? 

Wild Magic (1992), Wolf-Speaker (1994), Emperor’s Mage (1995), and The Realms of the Gods (1996)

The Immortals – Veralidaine “Daine” Sarrasri is an orphaned girl who has an unusual gift of wild magic. Wild magic is not uncommon, but is a disregarded branch of magic. Her magic gives her a unique connection with animals. Her ability to talk to them is mistaken as insanity in her young age. But, eventually, Daine nabs a job with the royal horsemaster, which leads her to the mage Numair Salmalin: the most powerful mage in Tortall. Under his guidance, she learns to control her ability, something that is very important for herself and her companions. While the Carthaki nation is threatening war with Tortall and monsters on their doorsteps, Daine must learn to use her wild magic to help protect her new home and friends. In book one, Daine meets Alanna, which results in spoilers for The Song of the Lioness. As a reader, the reunion with Alanna brought a smile to my face. Tamora Pierce is said to be writing two novels about Numair’s life before meeting Daine.

The Protector of the Small consists of: First Test (1999), Page (2000), Squire (2001), and Lady Knight (2002)

The Protector of the Small – Keladry “Kel” of Mindelan is the first girl to follow in Alanna’s footsteps – legally. After a law is passed allowing girls to try for knighthood, Kel is the first to step forward. As she begins her training, she is constantly harassed, bullied, injured, and put on probation. Her training master doesn’t believe a girl will ever succeed as a knight. The young recruits must survive training, hazing, and bullying to move through the ranks. Kel must also endure these, but not alone. She befriends the wry Nealan “Neal” of Queenscove and Lord Raoul of Goldenlake, an old friend of Alanna’s. As she faces sexism and giant spidrens, among other creatures, Keladry fights to protect what she loves and for the title of “Knight”; something only one woman had done before. This series brings in spoilers for both The Immortals and Song of the Lioness. Despite that, the spoilers do not affect how one enjoys reading the series out of chronological order.

Trickster’s Choice (2003) and Trickster’s Queen (2004)

Tricksters – Alianne “Aly” of Pirate’s Swoop is 16 years old and daughter to Alanna. Aly’s parents refuse to let her work as a Tortallan spy, so Aly leaves home…only to get captured by pirates and sold into slavery in the Copper Iles. There she makes a bet with the trickster god, Kyprioth, to protect the children of the Balitang family. As Aly befriends Nawat Crow, a crow turned man, she finds out there is a far greater conspiracy in the Copper Isles. Can she protect Sarai and Dove Balitang? Can she protect herself? This series of two books is also known as Daughter of the Lioness for … erm … obvious reasons.

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Pick up any of these books for a fantastic read! You will not be disappointed. All of the covers have been remade so they can republish the series. As an owner of the original covers... it makes me feel really old. Haha!! Some of the old covers were better than the new ones! But, also, some of the "2nd Edition" covers were better than the originals and  the new ones. Some make the books look really girly and "teeny-bopper." Don't be dissuade by them! The content is really good!

The Circle Universe will be reviewed in another post… Purely because there are so many in the Tortall Universe and this post is already 2-pages long in Word without aesthetic editing

Happy Reading!

-Isabel

Phobia of the Day

Decidiophobia - Fear of making decisions.


Courtesy of phobialist.com

Phobia of the Day

Arachibutyrophobia - Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of one's mouth.

Courtesy of phobialist.com

Excuse the Absence!

I've had a pretty chaotic week! After I'd gotten back from Easter shenanigans at a friend's house, the game began. Indeed. Humans vs Zombies week began. The Apocalypse came to my campus.

Humans vs Zombies originated in Goucher College where a bunch of students came up with this eccentric game. It became so popular that it is now played in hundreds of communities and colleges nationwide. More information can be found on their website http://humansvszombies.org/.

HvZ is like a giant "big-kid" game of tag! Humans wear bandanas as armbands and Zombies wear them as headbands. It starts with an OZ - Original Zombie - who tags as many Humans as they can, infecting them. Those tagged by the OZ immediately become Zombies. The OZ wears an armband for the first 24 hours of the game, or until they tag 10 Humans. A tag is quite literally a tag. A Zombie has to chase after the Human and tag them.

Tags, for Zombies, equate to kills for food. A Zombie must "feed" or be "fed" every 48 hours, or they will stave to death. That is the only way to "lose" HvZ. Sometimes some Humans equate becoming a Zombie with losing.. That's not the case. In fact, living without the paranoia of getting mobbed by Zombies is a rather nice feeling. One can only lose if they do not tag anyone.

Tags are regulated through the website hvzsource.com. Every human has an ID number, which they carry with them at all times. So, when they are tagged by a Zombie, that Zombie enters the ID number into the website. When submitting the tag, the Zombie is able to "feed" two other Zombies as well. By feeding fellow Zombies, you increase the survival time of the horde.

Humans are not defenseless! They are allowed to use Zombie repellent. Nerf Darts and balled up socks can stun Zombies for 10 minutes. Typically Humans will stock up on both and fortify themselves in no-play zones. Many Humans will create packs or squads to protect each other and attempt to survive longest. It all becomes about who you know and where they are. By building up one's social network, a person can survive for quite a long time. This is a game of networking and social capital. You don't want to protect someone who can't protect you! Ultimately, you'll get killed for it! But, as a Zombie, you contact your Zombie friends and create a horde. Your horde will go to the missions, or go out Human hunting with you. Both parties are stronger in groups than alone.

Anywho, so this was the game that was played for a week, with missions to keep up excitement. It was supposed to span from Monday to Sunday, but us Zombies took out too many Humans. On Friday, our Moderators gave 7 Zombies (chosen from a lottery) revives, and the ratio of Humans to Zombies was relatively equal: 52:48 or so. But, then came the Friday evening mission. It was a glorious last stand for the Humans, and a magnificent win for the Zombies. 20 or so Humans versus 15 Zombies, maybe fewer. Strategically, the finale was definitely in our (Zombies') favor. So, the game ended earlier than intended.

I was sore, I was tired, I was bloody exhausted... But, HvZ was the most fun I'd had in a while. I met some fantastic people and bonded with some I already knew. Being a Zombie was tons of fun! Sprinting after Humans while going to class made the mundane ... absolutely wicked. So, spread the word! Maybe you can get one started in your community! At home? At camp? Family gatherings? Anywhere!! Check humansvzombies.org and hvzsource.com and find a game near you!!

More books to come! =)

Happy Hunting!
-Isabel