Hotaru no Hikari 2

[Rating: 8/10]

Genre: romantic comedy

After a three year stint abroad, Hotaru is back and ready to tackle the next phase of relationship with with her beloved Takano-buchou… or maybe not. The man of her life isn’t too pleased that Hotaru has barely even contacted him or replied to his messages, and declares he wants out of their relationship  unless Hotaru can get her act together once and for all.

Our beloved himono-onna is back and just as entertaining as ever. We also get a couple of new and interesting characters who I really enjoyed watching, particularly Sakuragi and Seno, played by Usuda Asami and Mukai Osamu, two of the new faces at Hotaru’s workplace. Seno surprisingly became the main reason I watched the show for. He definitely had much more personality than Teshima Makoto, Hotaru’s love interest in the first season. He’s a real joy to watch, and even more-so when it’s revealed that he is basically a male version of the ‘himono-onna’.  However his selling point is unlike Hotaru, Seno is much more aware of life and human relationships. He got along with Hotaru so well, in ways that Takano-buchou never did that I even found myself thinking it would not be a very bad thing if Hotaru and Seno ended up together. They’re closer in age and also share more common interests. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Seno in the end, it was really a case of bad timing for him. If Hotaru was not already in love with Seiichi and vice versa, I can see her and Seno together. Also Sakuragi as a love rival for Seno’s affections was more interesting to watch than the triangle between Hotaru, Seiichi and Konatsu. We got to see this new freshface in the office mature, take more responsibility in her work and also it was nice that she was never portrayed as the stereotypical evil rival, she really looks up to Hotaru as a sempai in the workplace, and I also felt it a pity that Seno didn’t share her feelings, but honestly, if it ended with Seno and Sakuragi together, it’d be a bit of a put-off for me, if everyone was paired off with each other. I don’t discount though, if Seno accepted her feelings after sometime, but just won’t have liked it if it was so immediate. With Seiichi’s old ‘flame’, Konatsu, while she didn’t particularly make a memorable character, I have to say that Kimura Tae was very classy and poised in the role. She certainly came across as an ideal traditional and gentlebred woman who can do anything and doesn’t look unattractive to boot. I like that she wasn’t portrayed to be an evil rival type either, she handled her own affections for Seiichi with admirable grace. It was also nice to see Ishii Momoka playing Konatsu’s daughter, Chinatsu, I really loved her in My Girl. Finally there’s the secondary plot of the budding relationship between Hotaru and Seiichi’s old colleagues, Yamada and Futatsugi, their comedy may have been a bit stale at times but it was fun watching them together, and helping their friends realize their feelings for each other.

In a nutshell, the cast of Hotaru no Hikari still knows how to put a smile on their viewers’ faces. I was a little disappointed that the wedding wasn’t the wedding that the promo poster made me hope for, but I shall hold hope that there is a special or movie at least to make it happen. It was a fun ride and proves that sequels don’t have to boring.

Thor
[Rating: 6.5/10]

Thor, God of Thunder and son of Odin is exiled to Earth when his rash actions undo the peace agreement between the Asgardians and the Frost Giants, the latter declaring war on Asgard. On Earth he literally falls into the path of a team of meteorologists who become the target of a secret organization who want their data on Thor.

I’ve never actually read the Thor comics and really only know of the title character from the Norse mythology standpoint. The trailer what what intrigued me, and the effects looked amazing, and they were probably the best part of the show. The kingdom of Asgard just captivates the viewer. It is largely gold/metallic and emits that ‘heavenly/godly kingdom’ feel, with the strength and power of the Norse gods reflected in every part of it’s architecture. It is like a land of old warriors living in a futuristic looking citadel. The effects used for the fight scenes and special powers of the characters were fluid and worked well for the movie, I especially like the animation for Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer, and the never ending bridge to the portal.

The characters themselves were quite stereotypical, but it did not make the story uninteresting. There were comedic moments to be had, especially Thor’s adjustments to Earth, like when in true old-school warrior fashion, smashed his mug on the floor as a show of appreciation for a good meal in a diner. There’s also something amusing in his carefree and optimistic nature and it’s good that the relationship between Thor and Jane actually had a bit of time to develop. The conclusion left a few openings for a possible sequel. What happened to Loki? Will Thor and Jane meet again? I also would have liked to see more of Thor’s friends, they could use more character development, though understandably, the main focus of the show is our thunder god. I actually quite liked Loki as a character, of everyone I think he had the most depth and it was somewhat sad to see what he eventually became. You can tell that before the whole fiasco, despite his denial, he did care for Thor to some extent. I also wish there was a bit more depth to Jane, sure she wasn’t the damsel-in-distress type of heroine who kept needing to be saved and she’s no doubt smart in her area of research, but as her name dictates, she was a rather Plain Jane. Aside from being the romantic interest to the hero, she did not add much to the story, aside helping Thor to grow up. That is not to say that she wasn’t a good heroine, it was her ordinariness that her more likable. The Asgard segments were more interesting than the Earth scenes. Still, despite it being typical of a comic book super hero adaptation, I would be interested to watch the sequel, and admittedly, Thor’s costume is much nicer than the usual skin tight suits.

Anyway, here’s what I’m currently watching

Anime currently airing:
Bleach (ep 326) – I admit, Bleach has become like lazy comfort food to me, it may be not so stellar at times but I do like some of the non-manga arcs and always like watching my favourite characters
C The Money of Soul And The Possibility of Control (ep 4) – the concept is intriguing, the short length makes it easier to bear with
Deadman Wonderland (ep 9) – this is another good example of something gripping, I usually do not really like survivor/battle-royale/prison type shows and a lot of violence but each episode is very gripping and I want to see how it comes together at the end despite already having read spoilers for the manga
Koe de Oshigoto! (ep 2) – it’s quite bordering on hentai, but it’s strangely entertaining despite being very cliche
Tiger & Bunny (ep 3) – looks like it’s developing as it goes ago, will stick on a bit more

Currently Airing to Try:
30-sai no Hoken Taiiku
Ao no Exorcist
Nichijou
Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi
Sengoku Otome: Momoiro Paradox
SKET Dance
Steins; Gate
Yondemasu yo, Azazel-san

I have dropped recently (not necessarily current series)
Bakemonogatari (way too much talking, it started out interesting but turned out quite slow-moving, as a reader and writer, I like the show, not tell-all approach)
Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt (too repetitive and the humour was rather annoying after a while)
Shiki (did not really care for the characters, rather slow moving)
X-Men (just could not get used to them speaking in Japanese and Japanese cultural nuances in the transmission from western to asian audience)

Antique Bakery (korean, movie)
Army Daze (singapore, movie)
A Millionaire’s First Love (korean, movie)
A Teacher’s Diary / Lao Shi De Ri Zi (singapore/chinese, drama)
Beauty World (singapore, movie movie)
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (chinese, movie)
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame (chinese, movie)
Dong Yi (korean, drama)
Good Morning Teacher / Lao Shi Zhao An (singapore/chinese, drama)
Goong (korean, drama)
Haunted Office (cantonese, movie)
Hello Stranger (thai, movie)
Hero (chinese, movie)
House of Flying Daggers (chinese, movie)
I Not Stupid / Xiao Hai Bu Ben 1 & 2 (singapore, movie)
Jade and the Pearl (hk, movie)
Journey to the West / Xi You Ji (chinese, drama)
Kungfu Hiphop (chinese, movie)
Legend Of The 8 Immortals (singapore/chinese, drama)
Liang Popo (singapore, movie)
Lover’s Discourse (hk, movie)
Masters of the Sea (singapore, drama)
Money No Enough (singapore, movie)
Moulmein High (singapore, drama)
Mulan 2009 (chinese, movie)
Musa / The Warrior (korean, movie)
My Girlfriend Is An Agent (korean, movie)
Red Cliff / Chi bi 1, 2 & Australian release (movie)
Return of the Condor Heroes (singapore/chinese, drama)
Shaolin Soccer (movie)
So Close (cantonese, movie)
The King and The Clown (korean, movie)
The Lost Bladesman (hongkong/chinese, movie)
The Maid (singapore, movie)
The Price of Peace (singapore, drama)
Under One Roof (singapore, movie)
Winter Sonata (korean, drama)

Watched: Tsuki no Koibito, General Rouge no Gaisen, Mother, Sunao ni Narenakute, Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, Tokujo Kabachi!!
Watching: Zettai Reido, Yankee-kun to Megane-chan, Tumbling, Ryoma-den

That said, Summer 2010 is much more promising, as I’m watching quite a few and enjoying them so far.

GOLD
HAMMER SESSION!
Hotaru no Hikari 2
JOKER Yurusarezaru Sosakan
Kasouken no Onna
Mioka
Tobo Bengoshi

2011
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2011

After School
Antique Bakery (korean drama)
Black Swan
Burlesque
Captain America
Centurion
Chonmage Purin
Green Lantern
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2
Hello Stranger
How To Train Your Dragon
Kokuhaku/ Confessions
Koukou Debut (drama movie)
Lover’s Discourse
Never Let Me Go
Norwegian Wood
Paradise Kiss (drama movie)
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
Pom Poko (anime)
Priest
Red
Red Riding Hood
Sayonara, Bokutachi no Youchien
Sucker Punch
The Jade And The Pearl
The 3 Musketeers
The Immortals
The King’s Speech
The Lost Bladesman
Tintin
Thor
Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (drama movie)
Toilet
Tron Legacy
The Ramen Girl
Women Play Twice
We Bought A Zoo
X-men First Class
Your Highness

In cinema 2010

Alice in Wonderland
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
Legion
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1
Robin Hood
Sherlock Holmes
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Summer Wars
Tangled
The Prince of Persia

Other:
10 Things I Hate About You
Akakage
Billy Elliot
Caligula (1st half)
Dare
Despicable Me
DOA: Dead Or Alive
Dorian Gray
Emma (Kate Beckinsale, 1996)
Emma (Gwyneth Paltrow, 1996)
Enemy At The Gates
Falling For Grace
Hana Yori Dango (1995)
Hansel and Gretel (Tim Burton, 1982)
Happily N’Ever After
Inception
Lady Jane
Lalapipo / A Lot of People
Mansfield Park
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Mulan 2009
My Darling Is A Foreigner
Tenshi no Koi / My Rainy Days
Northanger Abbey
One Night With The King
Perfect Blue (anime)
Persuasion
Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva
Red Cliff 1 & 2 (prev. seen Australian cinema release/ condensed ver.)
Rough
She’s All That
St Trinians
Suburban Girl
The Fall of The Roman Empire
The Jane Austen Book Club
The Island
The King And The Clown
The Last Legion
The Lion King 2 – Simba’s Pride
The Pillow Book
The Princess & The Frog
The Queen
Tonari no Totoro / My Neighbour Totoro (anime)
Toy Story
Toy Story 2
Watchmen
Zoolander

In Cinema 2009

2012
Confessions of a Shopaholic
Gake no Ue no Ponyo / Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
He’s Just Not That Into You
Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince Part 1
Julie & Julia
Kamui
Let the Right One In
Mao’s Last Dancer
Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian
Red Cliff
State of Play
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
The Time Traveler’s Wife
The Ugly Truth
The Young Victoria
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
X-Men Origins – Wolverine

Well, Spring 2010 season is here and I have this massive list to sample that actually beats my ‘to-watch’ jdrama list for once. Of course, how many I will actually continue is yet to be seen. And I still have yet to clear my backlog anime as I have been solely watching dramas and not to mention playing with my shiny new Playstation 2 which I bought as a Christmas present to myself last December as JB HIFI had brand new slim ones for sale under $100. So far I have played Dynasty Warriors 5,6, Samurai Warriors 2, Orochi Warriors 2, Final Fantasy X and Okami, although I have not completed any of it as I’m not a regular gamer. As it is I stare at the computer screen long enough so I don’t really want to stare at the TV screen for too long too. Not to mention there’s also the DS which I play from time to time. It’s pretty hard to choose which to do. Lately I’ve been trying to catch up with my reading as well, as once again I am trying to complete the 50 book chellenge. I tend to have spates of reading where I’ll read a book a day, and weeks in between where I don’t. So during those ‘power reading’ periods I try to get in as much as I can, otherwise I will not hit the target in December, considering it is already May.

Speaking of reading, my amazon.com wishlist is now around 30 pages long on full-view mode with the pictures turned on… so much for trying to reduce it. I basically just dump anything that sounds interesting there, so not all the books there are stuff I must absolutely get. My own ‘must buy no matter what list’ is pretty easy to remember. That said, so far this year’s reading list has been quite enjoyable, and I’ve read things out of my comfort zone, or plan to read some anyway.

Notable authors for the year thus far would be Naomi Novik (probably the best first book of a series I’ve read), Dennis L McKiernan and Anthony Piers. I also have the urge to continuing collecting some of Stephanie Lauren’s Cynster series even though it has been a luke warm experience with the first book I read, and a not bad for the second. Having met some character who have appeared in previous books, I want to know their stories, at least just for some, so I may not read all of it (it is really long anyway), but I’ll definitely try to get my hands on the particular ones I want. Just for memory’s sake, last year’s notable authors new to me were Moria J Moore, Lisa Kleypas, Walter Moers, Allyson James, Lian Hearn, CL Wilson, and Jim C Hines. I wish I could afford more books as I’m not so keen on borrowing from the library but both money and space are constraints. I have also found some hard to find titles from the BookMooch website, which I highly recommend if you have money to pay for shipping your books to people around the world. Although in-demand titles disappear faster than you can mooch them, due to time differences. I use BookMooch for either outofprint/hardtofind books or books on the Amazon Wish List I would like to read but might not be so willing to pay full-price for. The best books I’ve gotten from there are harder to find hardbacks that would’ve cost around $30 to buy at stores.

Hm, off to watch me some Hakuoki Shinsengumi Kiten now.

Ryoma den
Sunao ni Narenakute
Tumbling
Yankee-kun to Megane Chan
Zettai Reido

I probably won’t be doing a wrap-up Winter 2010 drama post as I only followed one series – Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge, which is still being subbed and is frankly rather so-so… I’m still waiting for the subs of Shinsengumi Peace Maker…

On the otherhand, I decided to try my luck with a random series and watched Real Clothes, which was from last year’s selection of dramas, and I’m so glad I did because I really enjoyed it (even though at first glance it sounded like a copy of The Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty). Made up for the otherwise bland season.

As for English movies, watched Alice in Wonderland, which was interesting and finally saw The Princess and the Frog.