JaME interviews Yoshiki

"JaME recently had the opportunity to have a brief interview with Yoshiki, on the evening of the final night of JRock Revolution."

How I spent my Memorial Day Weekend

Well I'd like to say I was in LA kicking it with fans at the J-Rev Fest, but this would be a lie.

What I spent my 4 days off doing, seeing it in list form makes me feel more accomplished,
-Watched alot of anime
-Brushed up on my Japanese
-Made a new One Piece Theme Songs Playlist
-Found new Podcasts
-Looked for a new Apartment
-Played DDR and lifted weights (never made it out to the gym)
-Drank/smoked
-Gauged my Ears
-Finally joined all the forums where I usually just Lurk
-Actually initiated and participated in forum conversation (a new one for me)
-Tweaked the website Links
-Cleaned the BEDROOM (it was a disaster)
-Did a shit load of laundry (hence cleaning the bedroom
-FINALLY got Justin to a Japanese Restaurant and he even tried Sushi!!!!
(He just about threw it right back up, but at least he tried it, so so cute using chopsticks)
-Saw Spidey3 (I made him eat sushi, he made me see spidey3)
-Got a little crush on Morning Musume (i know, i know)
-Did some ebay shopping
-Worked on my laptop (what a piece of shit)
-and I have only 20 episodes of One Piece left and then I'm all caught up, not sure if I want to blow my load all at once or spread it out, decisions decisions, well I'm off to decide with a beer in my hand.

Morning Musume - Joshi Kashimashi Monoga
Uploaded by MangoPeach

note-the volume is automatically muted at first

New English Gackt & Miyavi Sites

It's not actually breaking news but I wanted to blog about it anyway.
Gackt's Dears website and Miyavi's Oresama website now have English sections. It always drove me nuts trying to read Miyavi's site, with it's pop-ups my browser had trouble translating things, so I just always relied on MasaKarasu to give me new info. Though Gackt's doesn't really offer you that much in info variety.
I'll still depend on getting my news from the sites on my links homepage.
It really feels like there's a JMusic revolution going on.
I haven't been submerged in the 'scene' for very long but in this short time I've definitely noticed a rapidly progressing J-US culture, so so sweet!
And I think with the development of these 2 English sites it's very apparent. Cheers!

Anime updates

Currently Watching-
Full Metal Alchemist
Kodocha
One Piece
Lupin the 3rd
Noein
Excel Saga
Battle Athletes
Soul Hunter (loosing interest)
Magic User's Club
Revolutionary Girl Utena
Magical Shopping Arcarde Abenobashi (might quit series earlier)

Soon to be Watching-
Omishi Magical Theater
Tactics
Shana
Ergo Proxy
Photon
Shaman King
Tokko
Texhnolyze
Samurai Gun

You might notice that my lists are a little funkdafied when you compare them.
This reason is simply due to the way I watch anime and get the series, my lists aren't definite, just general.
I might decide tomorrow I feel like getting into the Gundam series rather then catching up on the Battle Athletes, like I had thought the previous day.
Also since skimpy clothes season is here my concern with fitness has increased (gym-time) so my anime time has decreases.
But I'm in the middle of a 4 day drinking-weekend, hence the multiple posts.
If there's anyone* out there that'd ever like to give feedback or criticism(keep in mind this is a hobby) please comment.
I'd love to network* and share info and interest!!!

*especially if you're in the Madison area, don't hesitate for one minute to contact me.
This might sound kind of sad but I'm a lone ranger in my J-media love, flesh and blood bodies are always welcome!!!!!

What's going on here

I haven't been posting many anime reviews at all! I've seen well over 100 titles and thought I'd have no problem reviewing them. But I try so hard to make them enjoyable and most of the time it's been years since I've seen them so I find myself having to watch over them again and before I know it I've spent 6 hours on youtube watching amv's. Fortunately no one really reads these, so I'm not exactly letting anyone down.
Even so, I still want this to be a place for all sorts of J-media info so I'm sticking with it, a little at a time. for some reason my password client won't keep blogspot on record, I know it's a poor excuse but if I didn't have to log-in everytime I want to post it would be a little easier. hopefully I'll get my shit together soon.

What does Gackt, Miyavi, Yoshiki and Sugizo have in common?

They are ALL members of the new Band- Skin!! My absolute 2 favorite Japanese artists EVER (G&M) and current favorite period, in a band together!! Yoshiki and Sugizo aren't that bad either ;-P.
I can't believe it, Im so freaking excited. I'm gonna need to get a second job to afford all the merch.
The announcement was made Friday at the 2-day groundbreaking Jrock Festival in LA. I wish that I could be there but at least there's dedicated fans that are blogging all the details.
Skin will be playing their first show together at Anime Expo, the last weekend in June! Which I will be missing by a week, since I've plans to fly out that way the following weekend for my grandpa's 80th.
Well at least I can take solace in knowing that the guys are serious about this band and there WILL be a chance for me to see them closer to my home in the nearer future!

One Piece fan art

The whole gang


One Piece Fanart - Colored by *arnistotle on deviantART

ONE PIECE news

There was once an excellent anime.
One day the evil U.S. company, 4kids, bought the distributing license.
Tragically this evil empire of production warped and mutated the show into some offensively awful, desecrating all that was holy to fans of the Grande Line.
The evil offspring was then terminated and would remain so as long as they held the license.
But, one day a hero emerged and won the license away!!!!

Funimation has taken over the U.S. ONE PIECE series. I was so exciting when I began reading the news. Then my excitement diminished a little, but all in all it's better then nothing.
Funimation is going to pick up the series for TV where 4kids left off. BUT, they will be doing it totally different, new voice, less edits, original score.
So it's not so bad BUT........there's still NO smoking, drinking or major blood violence- That PISSED me off, they're fucking pirates!
If your not going to do it RIGHT then DON'T DO IT AT ALL!!!!!!
But then they saved grace a little....The TV series will be better but still have to be edited while the DVD's they'll be releasing will be the Original AND they WILL start from the beginning of the series. yipee!
I know no one else on my friends list cares about this but someone somewhere does




(a lovely fanart of Sanji and Zoro)

OnE_PiEcE_Swords_n_a_zippo by =brilcrist on deviantART

updates

ANIME
CURRENTLY WATCHING...
Lupin the 3rd
Basilisk
Desert Punk
My-Hime
Taruto
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi
Hare + Guu
Kodocha
One Piece
GTO
Full Metal Alchemist
Azumanga Daioh
Saiyuki

STARTING SOON.....
Puni Puni Poemy
Ergo Proxy
Martian Successor Nadesico
Kamichu
Omishi Magical Theater
Speed Grapher
YU YU HAKUSHO

MANGA

CURRENTLY READING
Nana
Crismon Hero
Absolute Boyfriend
Hunter X Hunter
Forbidden Dance
Boys Over Flowers
Kare Kano (His and Her Circumstances)
Basara
Tramps Like Us (Kimi wa Petto)
Fruits Basket (Furuba)
Bleach

STARTING SOON
YU YU HAKUSHO
Oh My Goddess!
Eyeshield

RECENTLY FINISHED
Doubt
Backstage Prince
Love Letters

Also my classes start in a few weeks and I've got to get serious about Taekwondo training so my anime time will be cut into :(.
And my laptop is messed up so the luxury of typeing out reviews in the bathtub is nill.

GTO Greatest Teacher Onizuka

Onizuka is a teacher that truly cares, he's also an ex-biker that's a little bit of a simple-minded, pervy drunk. The school principal and every evil student around him are out to drive him crazy. And trust me these kids are good at what they do, they pride themselves in tormenting the teachers. Fortunately for him, his street-smarts and ability to kick some serious ass seem to help make everything work out in his unconventional way. I really liked the opening sequence for the first part of the series, L'Arc en Ciel does the song. Like I said before he's somewhat of a pervy drunk and the students are evil so this show really isn't for kids. Onizuka is sooo
cool, but you could also say he's a big freaking dork, eitherway this anime is WELL worth the watch! It's also packed full of random anime/manga references. I'm on volume 8 and will keep you updated. and if you enjoy it, there's also a live action series, but you'll have to watch it on youtube or something since I doubt it'll ever be licensed for the US.
And as a note Netflix has the series split into set 1 and set 2 so when you've finished with volume 5, don't worry there's more, just look for the 2nd set of volumes.


*I couldn't find that 'perfect' amv that does the anime justice so I'm giving you 2.

AMV by Steveart
Song- Boyz in the hood by Dynamite Hack (yes it's the Boyz In The Hood coversong, so if you don't like cussing don't listen!!)


showing a softer side of Onizuka, AMV by MikeoPsycho
Song- Jumper by Third Eye Blind


here's also a Link to another AMV that's a little faster using an Eminem song

Kodocha / Child's Toy / Kodomo no Omocha

Good, Great, Awesome! The show follows the character 'Sana Kurata, age 11, child star'! and her family and friends and job and love life, wait....love life? Sana's REALLY REALLY got a lot of energy but she's such a cool girl it's not annoying in anyway(in my opinion). It's an opptomistic look at life and friendships, but don't let that fluff bore you away, this little 11 year old has to tackle some serious situations all the while trying to keep herself and life in a happy place. The writing for this show is outstanding, it's VERY funny and the humour is Very clever and whitty. I watch it in English (the dialouge is soo much I didn't want to miss anything) and the english dub for Sana is the BEST I have EVER heard, the actress does such a good job at portraying this enigmatic fireball without making her an annoyance. It's good for ALL ages.
It's a Very long series and I'm watching the legal US releases so I'm barely half way through, but as long as they can keep the original voice actors I'm sure this will be a classic hit.


The following is an AMV thar really shows the energy of the show (and Sana), but once again don't be fooled and think that that's all it is, the show DOES give you a chance to breath.
**AMV by Idolsmasher, Song- The William Tell Overture

Desert Punk

Desert punk is an anime unlike i have seen before, in that it is hard to place the target audience. I personally liked the series very much, The characters have deep personalities, parts will make you laugh, parts will make you cry. The English dub is well done and a little better at portraying the characters personalities, but watching it subbed is just as good. Kanta the main character, is a handyman / bounty hunter of the great kanto desert, a Post apocalyptic world built on the ruins of the modern world which was destroyed by mankind's will for power. Kanta also known as sunobozu, the desert punk, has an ego to match his infamous name. Follow him in his never ending quest for money and big tits as he fights to survive the harshness of the desert.
-review written by, William Lord of Chaos


Here's an AMV from Aerix, the original author is Dash_legato
The song's 'Stop the World' by The Riddlin Kids.

Samurai X Reflections

This movie brings the Kenshin series to a nice close and we watch their lives get older. Watch it last or near the end of the Rurouni series. I really can't say much about it without spoiling anything. Just any fan should see this. And it's fine to watch it as a stand alone movie if your not familar with the series. It's cool to see Kenshin, and Kaoru and Sanosuke in the same kind of animation that the Truth&Betrayal were done in.
W



AMV by obh04 (not any fighting, more focus on the relationship)
song- In My Life by The Beatles
**a little bit of a spoiler but nothing that wouldn't be expected**

Pretear

It's a Magical Girl romance, teenage girl's gotta power up and save the world from evil. She's even got a group of 'Leafe knights' protecting and fighting with her. Her thing is that she can 'pret' with each of the knights to get a new power and an adorable new outfit! Very Sakura CC.
Overall it was ok-allright (the guys were cute). The girl's family members are quite the characters and Himeno herself is kind of funny in a silly positive way. My favorite is her stepsister, Mayune. It's a pretty short series at 13 eps. (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I think it's fine for most any age.
and I really like the opening song!

beware you may get 'the beat of my heart' stuck in your head (^_^)
song- Beat of my Heart by......Hilary Duff?! damn, haha, how cruel.
AMV by Ultizimo (it mostly focuses on Himeno and one of the knights' relationship)

Samurai X Trust

Kenshin becomes a skilled assassin. He's young and an expert at killing. The times in Japan are changing, rebellion, war, shape the country and the fate of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
The look of this anime is Sharp and powerful, the sword fighting was awesome to me (&lots of blood). A woman comes into his life, can he live it in peace?

I love the whole Kenshin series! This 'movie' is part 1 of 2 that tells the story of how Kenshin became the legendary Battousai we meet in the Rurouni(wandering samurai) Kenshin series. Since in that series you really know nothing of this wandering samurai, you might even want to wait and watch the Samurai X series after a few episodes of the Rurouni Kenshin, so his true past identity is as a mysterious to you as it is to his new friends.
This disc along with part 2, Samurai X BETRAYAL, make a very emotional love story along with amazing scenes of death and sorrow.


Samurai X Trust AMV
song- Chop Suey by System of a down
by Davidssj15

Samurai X BETRAYAL

This is the last half of the Samurai X Truth & Betrayal OVA.
Kenshin is living out his days with his wife peacefully, but that doesn't seem to be thier destiny. Bloodshed continues and, for Kenshin, life takes a drastic turn.
Sad ending, if it leaves you sad, watch the Rurouni series.



A Very good AMV mostly of Betrayal.
*****SPOILER, there's a big spoiler at the last 20 seconds, I'd suggest to just STOP watching at that time****************
Song is Numb by Linkin Park
By Arkhangus

Basilisk

If you liked stuff like the Ninja Scroll Series or Samurai X I'm pretty sure you'll digg this. I'm on the 4th volume and am quite impressed. The artwork is so sleek, kind of dark.
So far the story takes place over only a couple days. At the heart of it is a 'star-crossed' lovers type of tale only that these 'lovers' happen to each be head guys in opposing ninja clans that have been fated to take each other out. Betrayal, love, badass fight scenes, gory, sexy, the tension just keeps getting higher/better.
As for the voices, I'm watching it in Japanese. I didn't even really give the English a chance but once. During one scene I put the English on with the English subtitles and it was COMPLETELY different and not in a good way, but that's purely a personal opinion.

Here's an AMV by TSUKINODREAMS03 from youtube
it's to Evanescence's Bring Me To Life

Midori Days

A high school delinquent badass with a cute little girl for a right hand? Yeah it sounds totally ridiculous, but they pull it off just fine. It's actually a pretty good anime. It's got a pretty good mix of ass-kicking and not tooo much cutesy woutsy shojo loveyness (though the last episode made me tear up).
Basicly this kid wakes up one day with this shy little girl, who has had a crush on him like forever, attached to his right hand, replacing his "Devil's Right Hand". The anime's pretty fun even though every now and then I realize that 'hey! he's got a little girl for a right hand, wtf?'. You can only imagine what kind of obstacles this poses, surprisingly so this anime doesn't really have much the adult humour. There are a decent amount of exposed boobies but they aren't in a perverted way (not that that's bad or anything ;). There's delinquents, bikers, school girls, otaku, family and teenagers with twisted love lives...enjoy! oh yeah and also the english voices aren't that bad either.


This AMV is by Bevy on Youtube and the song is 'The End' from the Road Runner united CD. This one focuses more on Seiji.


This one is by N3KO on youtube and the song is 'Petit Love' by Smile.
This one focuses more on the cuteness of Midori!

new blog

the old blog stuff was moved over to
indarkjoyOLD.blogspot.com
This blog will eventually be directly related to my new site.....I think.