The Twelve Kingdoms

Have any of you ever watched this show? You should it's awesome! I used my Christmas bonus to buy the complete series (thanks guys). It has a very involved plot with lots of political intrigue, and the animation is excellent. The characters actually grow and develop over time. Although it is not nearly as violent as many shows out there, several characters do die. Really likable ones too. You're like "Why him?!" The series has 45 episodes. You can put the first 2 dvds on hold from Romeo and check them out.

New DVDs in library

Hi everyone. We have some new DVDs in the library's collection. Negima is available to be checked out. We ended up not watching it during our meeting because of the numerous panty jokes. If your parents say it's OK for you check it out and watch at home, that's great. But we decided it was inappropriate to show in the library.

We also have vol. 1-3 of Diamond Daydreams. I've seen the first couple of episodes because they were on one of the sample discs that ADV sent to us back in February. I never showed it to the club though because it's basicaly a soap opera, and it would have been painful for the boys to watch. If soap operas are your thing though you should check it out.

Munchkin Curses

John and Bill don't look happy. You should know never to pick up a duck in a dungeon. Nice hat.

Artist Update

Last week some of you were asking me "Where's that girl who drew our logo?" I saw Jessica V. just a few minutes ago here at the library. She is in college now studying history. A couple of our other favorite artists, Jessica W. and Heidi are also in college now. That means you need to bring more friends to meetings. We don't bite.

Anyone read or watch anything good lately?

Hi all! Summer reading is finally over, so maybe I can spend a little more time on anime (or maybe not). Last month Return to Labyrinth came out from Tokyopop. I loved that movie when I was your age, still do. Then again, who doesn't love the muppets. I also picked up several volumes of Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok on clearance at Best Buy. You know that there aren't many shows I'm willing to spend my own money on. Mostly I just check out DVD's from various libraries (sometimes Blockbuster, but they don't have nearly as much).

Let me know what you've all been reading and watching over the summer :)

DVD review - Descendants of Darkness

I placed this series on hold for myself to watch because it sounded interesting. Tsuzuki Asato and Kurosaki Hisoka are agents in the Ministry of Hades. Basically, it's their job to see to it that the dead stay dead and don't cause any trouble. The premise was good. It had the potential to blend the genres of crime/mystery with horror/supernatural. It just doesn't deliver though. There is little suspence, and there seems to more focus on the two pretty boys than there is on quality storytelling. The manga version of this series is marketed as shojo, however it leans more toward shounen-ai. We will not be purchasing this series for our libray's collection. However, if you are interested, you can put it on hold from Romeo.

Video Games at Orchestra Hall

I just ordered tickets for my husband and myself to go to "Play" on July 12 at the Max Fisher Music Center in Detroit. It'll consist of the DSO performing music from various games accompanied by video on large screens.

It'll be conducted by Arnie Roth, just like last summer's "Dear Friends: Reflections from Final Fantasy." That show was awesome. If you missed it here's a second chance to see and hear a great show.

Hope you've been saving your allowance. Balcony seats are $27.50. If you miss the Detroit show, you can drive all the way to Philadelphia for the July 27 show.

Need books to order

Hi everyone. Sorry it's been so long since I've written, but running the anime club is actually a very small part of my job at the library. I plan and run most of the kids programs. By the way, thank-you to everyone who helped at the Superhero Party on Free Comic Book Day. Anybody who wants more volunteer hours for school just let me know.

But let's get to the point, I've been so busy preparing for summer reading that it's been a couple of months now since I've ordered any books. I need your help to make a list. Obviously I'll order the next volume of Fushigi Yugi, but give me some more titles you want.

Advent Children

I watched Advent Children last night. I have never played the game, so I had to keep asking my husband what was going on. I think if you play the game it'll make more sense to you.

Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden

In responce to your votes, we have added the new series Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden to our collection. I have read the first three volumes, and it is a great story. You don't need to read the original Fushigi Yugi to understand what is going on, although you will want to. Of course I like all of Yuu Watase's work.

Book vs. Movie

I watched Howl's Moving Castle over the weekend, and it is very good. But while I was watching there were certain parts where I could tell that there had to be more going on than they were showing. So I decided to read to book and am surprized by how much they changed. Most of the major events are the same (so far, I'm only half way through) but some of the reasons they happened are completely different, and most of the background is missing in the movie. For the record, I'm not one of those people who bashes movies for every little thing they change from the book (only the major things). In this case, the movie spends a lot of time harping on the pointlessness of war. There isn't even a war going on at all in the book. So I guess my point is on it's own it's a good movie, but If you're a big fan of the book be warned that it's not the same story.

What anime character do you want to be?

Not too long ago, my four year old niece told me that she wants to be a singing kung-fu ballerina when she grows up. I looked at my sister and said "Your daughter wants to an anime character." So let me ask you this question. What anime character do you want to be when you grow up?

New DVD

Howl's Moving Castle just came in. It should be out on the shelf by next week.

Gedo Senki: Tales from Earthsea

Studio Ghibli's next project is an adaptation of The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin. I'm as excited about this as Paige gets about FMA. Well, maybe not that excited, but I'm very excited. I borrowed a copy The Wizard of Earthsea from my brother when I was in middle school and never gave it back to him. It's still on my bookshelf at home. It's very good. You should all read it. I'm going to at least make you watch the movie. I think I'll actually spend my own personal cash on this one, not just the library's. Did I mention I'm excited?

New art book in library

The Art of Howl's Moving Castle just arrived yesterday. Click here if you want to put it on hold.

Survey Time

What manga series that we do not currently collect, would you like to see the library purchase?
	.hack//Ai buster
	Ceres: Celestial Legend
	Samurai Champloo
	Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden
	Death Note
	Imadoki
Free polls from Pollhost.com

anime club hoodie order

I just spoke to the t-shirt guy. If you want to get the shirts at our next meeting, here are the rules.

1. You must email me by Sunday, March 5.
2. You must tell me what size shirt you want.
3. You must bring $14 dollars to the library by Monday, March 6.

This is if you want to be able to pick up your hoodies at the March 21st meeting. If we wait until the meeting to collect money, that means we won't get the shirts until April. Tick Tock. Let me know.

picture for hoodies

At our last meeting we voted for the logo in green on black hoodies. I'll try to call the silkscreen guy today.

Samurai Champloo follow up

The Romeo library just purchased 5 discs in this series. No we won't be buying it. But you can put it on hold, and they will send it here for you to check out (for free).

Shinichirô Watanabe at Detroit Film Theatre Last Night

I appologize for not getting you guys information in time, but my DFT calendar only came in the mail on Tuesday. Also, it was a school night for you guys. For those of you who don't know, Shinichiro Watanabe is the director of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo as well as a couple of shorts from The Animatrix. The evening included a screening of episode one from Samurai Champloo, a panel discussion, and questions from the audience. Afterwards Mr. Watanabe was available for autographs, but I didn't stay for that because I had skipped dinner to rush down there when I got out of work and was pretty hungry. If anyone ever hears about any other cool events coming up, make sure you let the club know so we can plan to attend. You'll have to get your parents to drive you though. The library does not provide transportation. Nor do I.

movie review~The Place Promised in Our Early Days

Genre: science fiction
Three friends make a pact to build a plane that will fly them to a mysterious tower and discover its secrets. Then Sayuri disappears until Hiroki and Takuya discover that her illness is linked to the tower, and they must complete the project to save her.

The animation in this film is absolutely beautiful, particularly the use of light and shadow (see cover below under the Jan. 2 post). Watch it for that alone, even if you don't like sci-fi. The majority of reviewers on ANN rated it "Masterpiece" their highest rating, and I couldn't agree more.

series review~The Twelve Kingdoms

This one falls into the fantasy genre. Yoko is a Japanese high school student who is told by a mysterious visitor that she is the master he has been searching for. Natually she refuses to believe him. Monsters attack, and mayhem ensues. Yoko, along with two classmates, is sucked into the world of the twelve kindgoms and encounters many adventures before fulfilling her destiny.

Romeo library owns the first two discs in the series. You can put them on hold, and they can be delivered to Chesterfield for you to pick up.

Art Gallery

I have added an art gallery to our web page. Bring any drawings you want added to the gallery to meetings.

InuYasha movie is here

Our copy of InuYasha 3 has finally come in, and I am the first one to check it out. Ha Ha Ha! Seriously folks, I deserve some kind of perks to make up for my pathetically small paycheck.

New Year. . . New Books (and some dvd's too)

The library is starting the new year with a lot of new graphic novels, and a few new dvd's too. I'm hoping that we can all start posting some reviews of what we check out.

Before you ask, Paige, InuYasha III is still backordered.

Thank You

If any of you see Miranda at school next week, make sure you tell her thank-you for volunteering her time during Christmas break and covering graphic novels so we can get them into circulation. She did a lot of work last Thursday. We'll try to get the rest covered and on the shelves as soon as possible. Volunteers are always greatly appreciated, and it counts towards any hours you high schoolers need for graduation.

Trivia Time

• In the movie, Vision of Escaflowne, we see two close ups on Hitomi's watch. What dates does it show?
• In Fruits Basket what order did the 12 animals arrive at the banquet (ie what is the proper order for the Chinese zodiac)?
• When Kiki in Kiki's Delivery Service first arrives in town she almost flies headlong into a bus. What does the sign read on the bus?
• At the very beginning of the first episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion, we see UN tanks lined up along a mountain road. What's "wrong" with the tanks?

If you don't know the answers, check them out from the library (you'll need to place holds on some of them).

Speaking of Novels

I almost forgot to tell you that we have the first Fullmetal Alchemist novel as well. It's called The Land of Sand. I haven't had the time to read it, so you'll have to tell me if it's any good.

Novel vs. Graphic Novel

Among the most recent additions to our graphic novel collection is the manga adaptation of Socrates in Love (pictured at right). We also own the English translation of the novel (pictured left).

There are some significant differences between the two. When Aki is in the hospital, Saku says it is the first time he sees her cry (in the novel). In the manga he says it is the third time he sees her cry (the first time being a teachers funeral, and the second during their camping trip).

This change alters the personality of Aki (in my opinion) as well as the progression of their relationship.

I also think that the novel gives a better feel for Japanese culture than the manga does. What do you think?

P.S. Here's your copyright lesson for today. It is OK to use images or quotations when writing a review of the work (or writing a paper). It is called Fair Use.

Cartoon Crack?

Last week I took my InuYasha season one boxed set over to my brother's house for my niece to watch while we were helping him put some insulation in his attic. A few days later my sister-in-law called me to let me know that she (meaning herself, not her daughter) had finished watching them all wanted to borrow season two. She said that InuYasha is cartoon crack, and she is addicted.

That same week an adult patron came to the information desk when I was working and asked me where she could find InuYasha. After discovering that we have not only the GN's but also the first two movies, she expounded as enthusiastically on the subject as Paige ever has (and we all know how enthusiastic Paige can be).

You guys need to create posts, not just replies

For those of you who have set up your profiles, click the "B" at the top of this page. That will take you to the page where you log in with the user name and password that you chose. Then click the green + in the column that says "create post".

Did anyone go to Youmacon last weekend?

I couldn't go because I was busy putting new floors in my condo. Did I miss anything good?