Just did some screencaps out of FMA Brotherhood second OP & second ED as well as Naruto Shippuuden #117.

FMA Brotherhood OP 2 + ED 2 screencaps:

So happy to see Chang Mei, Ling and Ran Fan with Xiao Mei (the little panda) in the opening.

There's also new ending.

The images of Ling and Ran Fan as well as Ran Fan's grand dad are clearer in it. And yes, Ran Fan and her grand dad are unmasked in the ending video.

The latest issue of FMA looks like the story is reaching almost to an end. I wonder if it's going to end at issue #100. Oh dear...

Naruto Shippuuden #117 screencaps:

Also did some screencap from #117 of Naruto Shippuuden.


The episode is mainly about Sasuke, Suigetsu and Karin's search for Juugo in the Northern hideout as well as Jiraiya's telling Tsunade, Sakura and Naruto of Sasuke's killing of Orochimaru.

Managed to complete 2 animes this week, they are:

1) Mobile Suit Gundam 00 S2
2) Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae

About Mobile Suit Gundam 00 S2:

There's plenty of emotional and relationship development in part 2 as compared to part 1, not to mention anguish when a character lost his/her loved ones. The development of plot was so immense that I've to grade it 8 out of 10. Even though it has a happy ending, the four meisters went on separate ways after the main battle ended. Tieria fused himself with the Veda system and Lockon went to visit his dead family's grave. Marie and Allelujah had the happier ending as they went on peaceful routes together. Setuna and Sumeragi as well as others continued to monitor world progress and prepared to take up armed intervention if corruption and wars occurred again.

About Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae:

Yuzuki was cursed by the fate that she had to take over Emma Ai's role as Jigoku Shoujo. Because of that, Yuzuki was able to sense whenever a person activated the contract he/she had arranged with Emma Ai each time. Yuzuki resented her fate until Ai revealed the shocking truth that Yuzuki was already dead years ago after her parents died due to selfishness of Aki's father to cover his own fault for the bus accident that was driven by Yuzuki's father. Ai was being reminded how Yuzuki's tragedy resembled hers and shielded for her when she tried to take revenge on Aki's father in the name of Jigoku Shoujo, hence breaking the rule. As a result, Ai took the blame for her and resumed her role as Jigoku Shoujo forever.

Just bought the latest DC manga #64 and Naruto manga #46 this evening. Haven't read yet, will update once it's done. In Detective Conan manga #64, I can tell there's new mysterious villian character from Black Organisation in the new manga eventhough the identity hasn't been revealed yet.

In Naruto manga #46, the Konoha ninjas fought the invading Pein who swore to capture Naruto. Naruto eventually arrived and faced off Pein. Naruto exhausted his Sage Mode after finishing off some of Pein's bodies with his rasen shuriken.

Coincidently, Naruto and Detective Conan manga numbers are reverse of each other.

So OKTO decides to repeat all the earlier shown animes, likely to cut down costs lately.

Wednesday: Burst Angels/ Neon Angelique
Thursday: Code Geass (going to end so, and I'm expecting another repeated anime to take over the timeslot)/ Melody of Oblivation
Friday: Monster/ Samurai Deeper Kyo (rewatching as I've forgotten its content)

Looks like once Code Geass ends on OKTO, my nights on every Wednesday and Thursday can be diverted to somewhere other than television. Oh great.

On an off note, I think I'm really falling in love with the opening theme 'Aka no Akera' of '07-Ghost'. Like 'Naruto', the main character - Teito is being targetted by the villian organisation for the unknown power inserted to him by his late father. Unlike 'Naruto', '07-Ghost' is a shoujo manga/anime.

The anime takes place in Barsburg Empire's Military Academy where it was known for training the elite with potential to become superb soldiers who won't bring shame to the name of the empire. The students of the special program freely utilize an ability called "zaiphon" to fight... One of the student - Teito found himself attacking the military commander - Ayanami subconsciously due to his hidden memories that he had long forgot. Teito was a former slave who was adopted by the chairman of the academy - Miroku and Teito's only friend in the school was Mikage. After the attack, Teito was arrested and was rescued out of the place by Mikage who was imprisoned instead. Teito was protected by a number of priests, including Frau in a church who noticed a recent rise of Kors (demons possessing humans) against Teito. Teito also begun to recall his past when his late father - the ruler of the defeated kingdom of Raggs inserting a red pearl into his hand. Meanwhile, Ayanami was determined to catch Teito back to the Academy and together with his subordinates, he begun to plan a series of attacks. Teito remembered that Ayanami was the one who killed his father and caused the fall of his kingdom.

Naruto Shippuuden Movie: Kizuna

Just watched the raw version of Naruto Shippuuden movie: Kizuna. A flying ninja clan attacked Konoha for a scroll which was shortly stolen. Naruto met a skilled medic old mand and later his student, a teen of name Amaru. Later , Naruto, Hinata and Sakura were assigned to follow them back to their hometown which was also attacked by the same ninja clan. Along the way on the river, Naruto and Amaru jumped off their boat to avoid being detected by an enemy plane. Naruto noticed the femine breast on Amaru's chest and realised she was a girl. Amaru was shocked to see Naruto collapsed because he was bitten by a poisonous fish and saved his life once they were back on shore. In the town, Amaru was shocked to see her home burnt and accidentially set off a trap. Her teacher died in his attempt to save her. While she grieved over his death, Naruto, Sakura and Hinata went on separate ways to investigate for whereout of the stolen scroll. Meanwhile, Sasuke was summoned by Orochimaru to retrieve the scroll.

At a shore, Naruto noticed a ruined city in the mist and pointed it out to the approaching Sakura. Together, they went to explore. Amaru suddenly appeared before them and Naruto was shocked to see dark chakra surrounding her, transforming her into a demon. The demon slapped Sakura unconscious to the ground and grabbed Naruto. Within Naruto, the kyuubi chakra begun to leak and Naruto formed into 4 tailed kyuubi. The seal which Jiraiya had passed to Sakura for Naruto fell out and he reverted back to normal while he was fighting the demon. He called out to Amaru who woke and the dark chakra vanished. Naruto pulled Sakura to his chest and she beat him away when she woke. Naruto ran towards a ruined temple and Amaru chased after him. Sakura was shocked to see a large piece of land around the temple broke off and the entire land floated into the air with Naruto and Amaru in it.

Within the temple, Naruto and Amaru found Amaru's teacher who miracly lived and told them that he had been doing so to explore dark emotion of people so that he could get dark chakra. He torn off the headband which he used to wear and which Amaru treasured. Amaru was aghast and tearful. The man changed younger with black hair and stronger. Naruto tried to fight him for hurting Amaru's feeling and for exploring captured people's dark emotion. Sasuke suddenly turned up and got the scroll as his chidori destroyed the man's chakra veins forcing him to turn old. The man escaped. Naruto and Sasuke pursued him and reached the heart of the floating city. The man had gathered dark emotion of his prisoners into a dark ball and he submerged himself into it turning himself into the demon. Naruto and Sasuke were grabbed by his tenacle-like hands into the air. Meanwhile, Amaru went to find the prisoners and saw Hinata among them. She used the knife which her teacher used to give her to destroy the seals that trapped them. Same time, Naruto emitted his kyuubi chakra and Sasuke revealed his cursed seal mark to attack the man's chakra demon. Overwhelmed with excessive chakra, he had to release Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke ran off as the tenacles started to flow all over the city.

Meanwhile, Amaru sent all people to a flying boat and Naruto pulled the trigger to send them away. Amaru wanted to stay with Naruto despite Naruto's plead calling her to leave with Hinata and others. Sasuke threw Amaru to the escape boat where she was forced to leave with others. Naruto cut off the ground where Sasuke was standing so as to force him to leave. From the top, Naruto told Sasuke that he would fetch Sasuke back to Konoha one day. Sasuke activated his cursed seal, protuded his wings and flew away. Alone in the ruined city, Naruto used his clones to destroy everything with the demon and fell towards the Earth. Amaru grabbed a wing device and flew to catch Naruto. Unable to grab him, she pulled off the device to fall faster towards him. Below, Jiraiya summoned Bunta to break their fall with his giant tummy. Sakura, Neji, Shikamaru, Sai, Kakashi, Hinata and Chaoji ran towards them while Amaru hugged Naruto to her chest. Other place, Orochimaru noticed Sasuke was in good spirit when he handed the scroll to him before he went to his usual practice.

Some Screen Caps from Movie:

COMMENT:

There's a bit of action for Shikamaru and Sai when they fought some enemy soldiers while Shino managed to destroy warships with his insects. Other than that, the Konoha ninjas were practically doing nothing. Neji did saved some kids in Konoha during the initial stage of attacks though. As usual, Naruto saved the day, not that I'm complaining since my favourite character is Naruto. However, Naruto's rasengan was weak towards the enemy during the initial stage and he was being punched like a sandbag as he tried to reinstate confidence back to Amaru who was at her verge of committing suicide.

Compared to the previous Naruto Shippuuden movie, I'll prefer the earlier one's sound track to the current one. I especially dislike the music when Sasuke made his 'cool' entrance with a jazz like music, it almost makes me laugh. Other than that, the other musics are more or less adopted from anime series, like 'Douten', etc. At least there's two music from the previous movie which caught my attention, namely 'Decisive battle' and 'God's Will'.

However, there's more Naruto goodies in this current movie. Naruto made many funny expression and imitation when Amaru's teacher commented he looked like a cat and also when Naruto tried to show Amaru how Iruka, Kakashi and Jiraiya were like. There's also some scenes which make my yaoi blood boils when the Amaru-transformed demon slapped Sakura away to grab Naruto. During Naruto's part when he fought the enemy in the initial stage, there's also parts when the enemy crept up close behind Naruto, slammed him to the throne like chair (see picture) and also pulled Naruto close by grabbing his arm.

Plot-wise, it is as empty as the previous Shippuuden movie when Naruto fights as the only main character, being the only friend to the main female characters in the movies while other Konoha ninjas slutted around, doing little or practically nothing. The absorption of dark emotion of the villagers to transform them into power reminds me of some Inuyasha manga plotlines. The importance of the stolen scroll has also been diminished in the movie, making it more like a vague excuse for the invasion of Konoha which lasts less than 5 minutes.

Don't be mislead by the trailer onlines. Initially, I thought Naruto and Sakura were upset over the absence of Sasuke during the invasion of their village. After watching the movie, it turns out that Naruto and Sakura did not even bother whether Sasuke was involved in the battle at all. In fact, ONLY Naruto and the main villain noticed Sasuke's appearance at the last quarter of the movie. It was after Naruto's meeting and fighting alongside with Sasuke that he told Sasuke he would one day take him back to Konoha (the part was a bit touching as Naruto was, like, prepared to sacrifice his own life to destroy the floating city until Amaru grabbed him in the air and Jiraiya saved them both with Bunta's tummy). Sasuke did not communicate much with Naruto who tried throughout the fighting process to talk to him. Orochimaru was like a sick old granny waiting for his grandchild's return while Kabuto was like his personal maid.

I normally do not post photos on this journal, but what I've seen at Changi Airport makes me repost what I've seen today. I saw a new shop that sells plenty of manga/anime figure shop at terminal Two. I also saw Naruto Shippuuden poster and figures, as well as Naruto pushies there. I even saw Naruto in Konoha OVA uniform as well as all Akatsuki figures including Zetsu and Uchiha Madara. Urghhh~~!!!

Cool Naruto poster.

Am still trying to refrain myself from buying the Naruto colour post cards. They are so attractive! Wonder if it's a temporary showcase for Naruto figures because I can practically find many Naruto products in that shop.

Being trying to watch some new animes lately since several animes I was watching have already ended.

Animes ended:

Soul Eater
Toradora!
Skip Beat
Tales of the Abyss
Mugen no Junin
Casshern Sins

New Animes to watch:

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Sengoku Basara
Dragon Ball Kai
07-Ghost
Shangri-La
Phantom - Requiem for the Phantom

I might consider dropping Sengoku Basara and Dragon Ball Kai because they are not my cup of tea.

Have watched the new Naruto Shippuuden opening 5 and ending 9 a moment ago.

The new opening is 'Hotaru no Hikari' by Ikimono Gakari.

It seems a bit Sasuke-centered with a bit more of Naruto as well as backdrop of the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara's statues. Not surprising as the next arc is more on Uchiha Sasuke search as well as Orochimaru's act to take over Sasuke's body for his own. Still, the video seems a bit gay, especially when Orochimaru and Kabuto watched Sasuke entering the bath pool. Naruto appeared a bit sad and slightly expressionless by the waterfall in the video.

Also watch the latest ending - 'Shinkokyuu' by SUPER BEAVER which seems a bit rock. Though it's not particularly my cup of tea, it's better than the previous one, I guess...

Have completed a few more animes over last week. They are 'Skip Beat' and 'Soul Eater'. Am still finding some other animes to replace the completed ones.

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood #01:

The former state alchemist - Isaac created chaos with his ice alchemy after his deflection in the Isbal war, wanting to assassinate King Bradley and his military dogs. Roy assigned Ed and Al to handle him but he escaped. Later, in Roy's office, Hughes entered and mistook Al for Ed and commented Ed's shortness. He showed them his daughter and wife. At Hughes' home, Al couldn't eat apple pie. Meanwhile, the ice alchemist visited Kimbley at his cell after freezing the warder, he told Kimbley about the corrupted military and wanted Kimbley to join him but Kimbley rejected.

Later that night, he attempted to freeze the city using a transmutation circle. Ed was shocked to see the red light from the activation and suspected Philiosopher's stone was involved. In his battle against Armstrong, Al and Ed, as well as Roy and his team, he disclosed Al's situation as a soul being sealed within an armor after he saw the blood seal within the empty armor body. Ed was aggravated as he recalled the time when he used human transmutation to get Al back. The ice alchemist ran off and was slayed by Bradley in a dark alley. There was a flash of 'Father's face as the city was resolved back to normal. Kimbley smirked in his cell as he sensed the final disappearance of the 'Philiospher's stone'. In a dark church under the red moonlight, Lust marvelled over the death of a pawn - Isaac while Gluttony was eating something next to her.

Comment:

The anime was more light hearted at the first half of the episode, including dialogue text boxes as compared to the previous version. The plot was also completely new. King Bradley, Hughes and Kimbley have made their appearance too early. My only relief is, I think I see 'Father' in this anime version. The new opening is 'Again' by Yui.

Pretty much animes have ended this week.

First, Blade of the Immortal, then Casshern Sins, and recently, Toradora!

Mugen no Junin (Blade of the Immortal) #13 - Finale:

Rin was thinking back her enemy's words. Other place, other people were discussing about a girl on a protrait. Same place, a ninja was making his way from a brothel. Same time, Rin's enemy was reading a letter. At the bridge, two kids watched a lady practicing her song. She sang. Other place, Mugun and Rin were resting as the song went on. In a hut, some people were discussing when a man approached them telling the lady that he had killed a girl and the lady was not happy. In a room, a girl was lying in blood as she tried to reach her ball. She died before she could do so. In the night, Rin broke into tears as she sat next to Mugun who knew she had met her enemy. She confessed her increasing weakness and confusion as her age grew. He told her to make her decision whether to kill her enemy or not.

In a room, a ninja was looking at the girl's corpse as a lady passed him information of her killer. She blamed him for leaving her side that caused her death. She told him not to come again. In the hut, Rin left the hut to find Mugen missing and saw the elderly nun who told her that he was on his journey again. Rin asked if she was taking Mugen away and she told her that it depends on his idea. She told Rin of Mugen's past when his younger sister was killed. Rin realised that Mugen was just like her, confused. The nun told Rin to live well. Rin came to the hut and met Mugen and she passed him roast sweetcorns. The nun noticed the wind blew. Other place, Rin's enemy was talking to an elderly man on swordsmanship. The man left, telling his subordinate to watch well. Other place, other people were watching when other man entered. Outside the hut, a man with straw hat confronted the place, telling them to get the head of a man (Rin's enemy). At other hut, Rin told Mugen of her confusion since her parents' death. Mugen told her to follow her goal to avenge her parents' deaths. Her confusion was cleared as she ate her food. She told him that she would become strong and challenged to duel Mugen. He agreed. Other place, other people were proceeding for their goals. Later, Rin laid on the ground, exhausted while Mugen told her to take her meal.

COMMENT: Confusing ending without a complete conclusion.

Casshern Sins #24 - Finale:

Lyuze finally died as her body corroded in Casshern's arms. Mad with grief, Casshern went to look for Luna and defeated BraikingBoss who tried to shield her. In a dark place, Luna was hoping beyond hope that BraikingBoss would kill Casshern. As Casshern approached her, she recalled the previous time when he spared her life, telling her that he would come again if she forgot Death. Just then, Casshern appeared before her. Meanwhile, Ringo who was upset over the death of Lyuze, never saw Casshern again. Years passed and she grew into teenager. Still, Casshern never returned as she roamed the place with Friender.

COMMENT: Weird ending but makes more sense as compared to Blade of Immortal. Wonder what's the anime that's taking over Casshern Sins. Heard that Toradora! is also ending with tonight's episode too.

Toradora! #25: Finale

In school, Minari and Ryuji chased after Taiga. Minari confessed she liked Ryuji but she wanted Taiga to face her true feeling too. Ryuji also finally realised he liked Taiga. Outside the chocolate shop, Taiga met Ryuji. They in turn ran into their mothers. Ryuji and Taiga argued with their mothers about how they only took care of them because of their own selfishness and fled. At a bridge, Ryuji finally confessed his love for Taiga and Taiga was about to confess her true feeling for Ryuji when Kitamura called them to go to Ami’s place to discuss. At Ami’s house, Ryuji and Taiga told their friends that they were planning to elope as Ryuji would be 18 years old in two months’ time. Although they disagreed with the idea, Ami, Kitamura and Minari offered financial assistance. Minari and Ami made up their difference. As Ryuji and Taiga left, Minari finally broke into tears. Ryuji returned home to find his mother already ran away from home with message of his grandparents’ address and a watch to prove his identity. A new school term, Ami, Kitamura and Minari never saw Ryuji and Taiga again. Other place, Ryuji and Taiga started their new life at Ryuji’s grandparents’ place.

The next anime to be ending soon is Soul Eater whose anime plot development differs so much from manga.