Impression: Fushigi Yugi 8

Impression: Boys Over Flowers 12

The roller coaster relationship between Tsukushi and Tsukasa continues in this volume once more. I, surprisingly, haven't gotten bored of it yet.

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Summary

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Volume 12 begins with the conclusion to the Miss Teen Japan contest. Tsukushi has somehow made it to the finale, through sheer luck and perseverance, and now faces against her rival, Ayano, in the final challenge.

Unfortunately, the final challenge is to play with a group of children, and Ayano garners all the attention of the children in one quick sweep by playing the piano.

Tsukushi is left dumb-founded, shuffling through toys, until she notices a group of four boys that remind her of a certain other group of four boys. The four boys start a fight with Tsukushi and she retalitates by challenging them to a series of games, which she all wins. While she looks absurd doing so, it eventually garners the attention of the other children, leaving Ayano struggling to keep the remaining children with her. Being good natured, Tsukushi calls Ayano over to help her with jump rope, which shocks her, but she accepts Tsukushi's invitation with a smile and utters to herself that she finally understands why Seinosuke fell in love with Tsukushi.

When the challenge ends, the announcer asks the children to choose who the liked playing with more. The children, however, break down into tears and refuse to choose one girl. The judges then announce that the winner will be decided based on points. Ayano wins but Tsukushi also gets a special recognition prize of 300, 000 yen (around 3,000 US).


Afterwards, Tsukushi quickly runs out to meet Kin-san (Seinosuke), who is still waiting for her answer. While she tells him she does not love him, she cannot answer his inquiry whether she love Tsukasa. She admits that when it comes to Tsukasa, her feelings are a mixed jumble. Kin-san takes all this with a smile and leaves Tsukushi saying that if she ever need some help, she can call on him.

Later, the F4, Tsukushi, and Kazuya all celebrate Tsukushi's special recognition. Tsukasa stares at Tsukushi earnestly, which leads her to remember his request. Tsukasa had asked Tsukushi to spend Christmas with him to repay him the rest of the money, 700,000 yen. However, the more Tsukushi thinks about the request, the less she looks forward to it. She questions just what Tsukasa is thinking, buying her for a day, and whether he expects that she to anything and everything.

On the day of their date, however, Ryu, the leader of the children's F4 shows up and asks to spend the day with Tsukushi. When she asks him to spend it with his mom and dad because she is busy, the little boy tears up and states his parents are away on business. With nothing else to do and as a measure against Tsukasa's advances, Tsukushi brings Ryu along on their date. While Tsukasa is visibly annoyed, Tsukushi manages to convince him to allow Ryu to join by reminding him that he had the same sad experiences as a child.

The day goes good and Tsukasa even shows off a fatherly side by holding up Ryu to see the elephants at the zoo, but everything is ruined when Ryu, asleep, accidentally pees on Tsukasa, and the latter tosses the former into the air. Tsukushi manages to catch the falling Ryu, but she loses all patience with Tsukasa and the two leave in a rather, stand-off-ish way.


When Tsukasa gets home, he makes it abundantly clear just how angry he is and the other F4 members wonder if the two of them will ever hitch up. Sojiro, however, hatches a plan to get them back together. Basically, he and the other F4 member, Rui and Akira, come to the dango shop Tsukushi works at and attempt to sell the dango by sweeting the deal with a kiss from Akira. They manage to sell out the whole stock and Tsukushi and Yuki get 500, 000 yen in commission. Tsukushi, uncomfortable, refuses to take the money because she did not earn it. The boys suggest that she and Yuki then use it to come with them on their Canada ski tour. Yuki is ecstatic, but Tsukushi flat out denies the invitation stating that she cannot leave her family in the state they are in. The boys tell her to think it over and to give her final answer in six days.


While discussing the issue with Yuki at a cafe, the three crones, aka Yuriko Asai's group, overhear them and decide they cannot let Tsukushi keep the F4 to herself. On her way home, Tsukushi admits that we would like nothing more than to travel overseas, but she is too proud to ask Tsukasa to go to his villa after the fight they had. When she gets home, her parents inform her that her father has found another job so she won't have to work as hard. The phone then rings and Tsukasa screams through the receiver that Tsukushi cannot come and that he won't go if she goes. Tsukushi, now really angry, yells back that the others invited her and that she will be going.

When Yuki hears the news, she is ecstatic. On the day of the departure, Yuriko's group shows up and asks for Tsukasa. Rui points out that he will be going there in his own private air plane, much to the shock of Tsukushi. And that is it for volume 12.

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My Thoughts

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Where to start? I really liked the cover of volume 12. It's not the best cover out there, but I liked how the two leads both looked angry while dancing which, to me, looked like a visualization of their romance. The dance is their romance, since just like when dating it involves two people, and while dancing, they both look displeased, which is what they both usually feel when they are together.

As for the actual volume, I felt like I was see-sawing along with Tsukushi. The Miss Teen Japan plot was pretty well concluded and I liked that Kamio-san did not give us a crop out win for Tsukushi. The date, however, was where my mixed feelings began. At first, it seemed like Tsukasa was finally starting to move out of his jerk phase only to rebound back into it. In this volume in particular, his immaturity was pretty extreme: he couldn't tell Tsukushi how he felt and in turn got angry at her because she brought it up and his anger culminated in his tossing up of Ryu. At that point, just like Tsukushi, I had lost all patience for him and I was back to wishing Tsukushi would just give up on him and move one (although that would be boring, wouldn't it. ;] ). Thankfully, she didn't get back with him this volume and I think her "I won't take this shit" attitude keeps me coming back to Boys Over Flowers/Hana Yori Dango. I'm sort of torn about them as a couple though, just like Tsukushi, since at one moment he appears to be a respectable nice guy, but the next he's throwing tantrums and demanding everything be his way or nothing.

That aside, I'm still enjoying the story and just Tsukushi, herself, makes reading the manga worthwhile. I especially liked that she had some pride and wouldn't accept going to Tsukasa's resort until he had the gall to call her up and tell her not to come. I enjoy seeing her not take his antics lying down...unlike some other shoujo heroines. Tsukasa's vainglorious displays, like riding his own plane, are also amusing. Overall, it was a pretty good read and I look forward to future volumes.

~Joanna

Impression: Claymore 1

The first volume of a great epic. It starts out a little slow yet still interesting, and continuously gains momentum with each passing volume until it sucks you into the story and doesn't let go.

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Summary

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In the world of Claymore, there are monsters called Yoma that prey on humans and avoid detection by taking on a human appearance. The only way to exterminate a yoma is to request a Claymore, special warriors that take on the flesh of yoma but keep their human minds, to detect and exterminate them. One such village requests a warrior and a young boy, curious, follows the female warrior around.

Much to his surprise, she seems like a normal girl, and he introduces himself as Raki. The girl, however, refuses to tell him her name, and only leaves him with a cryptic message, "You'll forget about me soon enough."

Perplexed, the boy rushes home to make dinner, only to find his uncle a victim of the yoma. It turns out this yoma, who ate his parents, also ate his older brother to take on his appearance and remain undetected. Raki unable to fend off the monster himself is just about to get eaten when the unnamed Claymore jumps in through the window and disposes of the monster.

Raki, however, becomes incredibly terrified of the warrior as she becomes very yoma-like during the battle due to using the monster's power inside her. Huddled in a corner, terrified, the villagers assure him to just forget everything that happened. And then, when he hears those words, Raki finally understands why the Claymore warrior said what she did to him. Angry with himself, he rushes after her and thanks her for killing the yoma and asks once more for her name. The warrior continues walking but tells him her name, Clare.

Clare continues on with her work, heading this time to a town plagued with multiple yoma. Meanwhile, Raki is kicked out of his village because of his close connection to the yoma and collapses in a desert. He's rescued by a Claymore and asks around town where she could be. Someone tells him the Claymore is in the forest, and he goes to meet her there. Expecting it to be Clare, Raki is shocked when an unknown warrior steps forward. She introduces herself as a Claymore and tells Raki she was quite taken by him. Raki, however, remembers Clare telling him that her Organization never refers to itself by the name Claymore; rather that is the name people have given it. Raki pushes the Claymore away telling her that she is not a Claymore. The Claymore then reveals herself to be a yoma and proceeds to take Raki hostage. The yoma then calls out to Clare, telling her she knows that she has been following her.

Clare steps forward and the yoma threatens to kill Raki if she comes any closer. The yoma boasts that while Claymores have monster bodies, they still have their human hearts and memories, and insinuates that Raki must remind Clare of someone from her past, perhaps her younger brother. The yoma then tells Clare to throw her blade away, which she does, and proceeds to stab her through the gut. Clare then tosses herself and the yoma down the cliff so that she may reach her sword and proceeds to slay the yoma. Raki comes running down and thanks her for saving him again. She tells him not to misunderstand; she simply did that because otherwise the yoma would have escaped and she would have failed to slay it.

She then asks the boy why he isn't in his village. Raki does not answer and Clare concludes that they must have thrown him out of the village because of his relation to the yoma. She asks him if he would like to travel with her as her cook until he finds a village or town he would like to stay at. A grateful Raki agrees to accompany her.

While on their travels, Clare leaves to meet up with her link to the Organization, Rubel, and he gives her a black card. The black card is a request from a fellow Claymore to be slain by a certain person. It turns out Clare's only friend from her rookie days, Elena, is the one who sent the card. While Raki watches mortified and tells Clare not to kill her friend. Clare extends her blade and cut down Elena, who thanks her for allowing her to die a human. As Clare explains, the card is sent out when one feels they are about to lose their humanity and become a real monster. And so the first volume of Claymore concludes.

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My Thoughts

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Claymore starts off rather unremarkable and sounds like a typical shounen travel adventure: hero (in this case heroine) travels around the land vanquishing evil, but if the subtle disturbing scenes, like the yoma, who has taken on Raki's brother's flesh and memories, crying while attempting to kill Raki due to the body belonging to someone close to Raki was any indication, this manga will not be typical in any way. In fact, the final chapter of this volume begins to show us just how grim Claymore will become.

Granted, volume one is probably not enough to convince anyone of just how interesting and dark the story will get, but if anyone has even the slightest interest, I urge you to continue reading because it will get better!

Also, I admit that my main pull at the beginning (when the story wasn't yet interesting enough by itself) was Clare. It's so rare that we see a heroine of this calibre as the main character in a shounen series and also not just female for the extra panty shots (ikki tousen/battle vixens I am looking at you). That alone piqued my curiosity and I am glad I wasn't disappointed. The author, Yagi Norihiro, has earned my respect and now I shall be closely following anything and everything he releases. (*I have already checked out his prior work, Angel Densetsu, and I enjoyed it as well. I would love to see it licensed here).

So basically, Claymore starts off slow, but it gets better. And Clare is one of my favourite characters, along with a few others that are introduced later. :)

~ Joanna

Common Game Elements - Part One

I've been thinking about how there are certain elements in video games that reoccur very frequently. And since I love to analyze, I decided to make a new post type titled, "Common Game Elements". Now while I say game elements, for the most part I mean RPGs, although some of these elements transcend genres and I will make an effort to include as many different kinds of games as possible.

For part one, I decided to pick at something that was overused to overkill. So without further ado, let us delve into today's topic:

"The protagonist/hero is a sword wielder"

Exactly what is says: the main character, female or male (usually male), is always some sort of swordsman. This rule isn't absolute, but it is very prevalent, especially among RPGs.

Examples:

Official Dissidia artwork
showcases Firion as a swordsman

• Firion (FFII) - Comes equipped with a sword and paladin-like stats. Shown with a sword in artwork.
• Cecil (FFIV) - Dark Knight, then Paladin and both use swords.
• Bartz (FFV) - In artwork he is shown caring a sword.
• Terra (FFVI) - Uses swords among other weapons.
• Cloud (FFVII) - Uses the massive and iconic Buster Sword.
• Squall (FFVIII) - Uses a gun-blade, which is more blade than gun.
• Vaan (FFXII) - Comes equipped with a sword and with sword-abilities unlocked.
• Lightning (FFXIII) - Uses a gun-blade, which is again, more blade than gun.
• Marche (FFTA) - Begins his journey in the sword wielding solider class.
• Luso (FFTA2) - Like his predecessor, begins as a solider that equips swords.
• Ryu (Breath of Fire) - Uses mostly swords.
• Max (Shining Force) - Is a swordsman.
• Bowie (Shining Force II) - Uses swords only.
• Hero/Lazlo (Suikoden IV) - wields twin blades.
• Alph (Lumionous Arc) - equips swords only.
• Roland (Luminous Arc 2) - once again a sword wielder.
• Link (The Legend of Zelda) - his primary weapon is a sword.
• Chrno (Chrono Trigger) - Uses only swords.
• Issac (Golden Sun) - Uses only swords.
• Alex (Lunar: Silver Star Story) -  Uses only swords.
• Hero (Dragon Quest VIII) - Uses swords among other weapons
• Hero (Secret of Mana) - Uses a sword among other weapons. The sword, however, is given special significance.
• Laharl (Disgaea) - Comes with a sword equipped and has high sword proficiency.
• Sora (Kingdom Hearts) - Uses the sword-like, Keyblade.
• Eliwood (Fire Emblem) -  Uses light swords.
• Maxim (Lufia 2) - A swordsman.
• Nier (Nier) - Uses swords.
• Jeanne (Jeanne D'Arc) - Uses swords.
• Ein (Riveria: The Promised Land) - Uses a sword like weapon.
• Sonic (Sonic and the Black Knight) - Even Sonic gets a sword in this game!
• Raguna (Rune Factory) - Uses a sword when fighting monsters.
• Prince (Prince of Persia) - All incarnations wield a sword.
• Shiren (Shiren the Wanderer) - Uses swords, shown with a sword in artwork.
• Yuri (Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates) - Comes with a sword equipped.



Iconic character Link is usually
pictured with a sword in hand
even though he also uses bows or
boomerangs.

• Sagi (Baten Kaitos Origins) - Uses swords.

There are even more examples, but I think everyone gets the idea. As one can see this is pretty prevalent, and there are but a few examples where the hero/protagonist isn't using a sword. Most of these come from outside RPGs, but there are some RPGs that don't follow this rule as well.

Exceptions:

• Yuna (FFX-2) - Uses twin guns
• Zidane (FFIX) - Uses daggers
• Aya (Parasite Eve) - Uses guns.
• Issac (Lost Magic) - Uses magic and has a wand.
• Mario (Super Mario Bros.) - Jumps on things.
• Neku (The World Ends With You) - Uses his psychic powers.
• Kyrie (Sands of Destruction) - Uses knives.
• Layle (Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers) - Uses his gravity power
• Drake (Uncharted) - Uses guns.
• Johnathan (Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin) - Uses a whip.
• Annie (Atelier Annie: Alchemist of Serra Island) - Equips staffs.
• Klein (Atelier Iris: Eternal Mana) - Uses a cane/staff.

Aya Brea from Parasite Eve
uses firearms rather than
swords.

Most of the RPG exceptions are unique in that a certain game play mechanic makes it important for the main character to use magic or something similar (Issac, Annie, Klein, Layle, Neku). For others, guns fit the setting better than swords (Aya, Drake). And sometimes, instead of giving the protagonist a big bad blade, the developers settle for a smaller version and make their hero a thief (Zidane, Kyrie). The only odd balls in the bunch are Yuna from FFX-2, who uses twin guns that seem out of place in the game's fantasy settings and Jonathan (and other Castlevania protagonists), who uses a whip.

So what the hell does this mean? Why did I bother to compile a list of sword-users and non-users? For one, to show just how rampant this occurrence really is. For another, to show that the idea archetype, the hero, is still, by-and-far, the same character: a cool sword wielding dude (sometimes dudette). A muscular swordsman/woman oozes coolness and badassery. Why would anyone want to play as a wimpy mage? Yes, at the heart of it is the stereotype that magic users, because they use either words or natural forces and not their own physical strength, are wimpy and in need of protection. God forbidden the character we were forced to play and in turn relate to was a weak character.

Of course, as the list in the exceptions shows, this is being challenged, albeit not enough to give us a more proportional representation of protagonist that are not sword wielders, or even physical fighters, but nevertheless, there are some unique protagonists that do offer a different route than the usual sword wielding hero.

There are also games going a different route, the customization route, which put the choice in the hands of the player. So all in all, there has been some growth and diversification in video games and I hope this trend continues so that not only are we getting a variety of character classes as the lead, but also a variety of leading personality types. Like they say, "variety is the spice of life."

~Joanna

Impression: Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle 6

The heart of the Outo arc, volume six, is one of my favourite volumes of Tsubasa.

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Summary

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Sakura wakes up a bit late, but she is still excited about helping Fai with their new cafe, Cat's Eye. Meanwhile, Syaoran and Kurogane go looking for information about the special Oni. They are told that the information they seek can be found in a bar called Clover that opens at night.

As such, when night comes, Kurogane and Fai set out to find Clover, while Sakura and Syaoran stay behind to run the cafe. On their way to the bar, Kurogane and Fai run into some Oni. The resulting battle causes Fai to hurt himself when he runs out of darts, while Kurogane's sword breaks from the power of his attack. Nevertheless, the two make it to the bar Clover. At Cat's Eye, though, things aren't much better. A strange boy comes into the shop and challenges Syaoran. Their fighting causes some damage to the cafe, but before the boy, called Ryuo, can create even more ruckus, a friend of his steps in and he realizes how inappropriate the location of their fight was. Ryuo apologizes to Syaoran and helps him get the cafe back into working order. The two become friends and promise to fight again. The others enjoy Fai's baked goodies.

Once in the bar, Fai and Kurogane ask about the special Oni. The bartender tells them they will have to wait for the song to finish because it is the singer who has the information they seek. After the song ends, the singer introduces herself as Oruha and tells them about a special Oni that takes the shape of a beautiful young man.

When Fai and Kurogane come back to the cafe, Fai shows off all the alcohol he got from Caldina, the bartender. The group celebrates and everyone gets very drunk except Kurogane. Fai and Sakura pretend they are cats, while Syaoran asks Kurogane to train him. When the latter accepts, Syaoran, drunk, takes a kitchen utensil and treats it as a sword while talking to a chair believing it is Kurogane. Furious with this nonsense, Kurogane tells everything to go to sleep.

The next morning Fai has a bad hangover and gets up late. Surprisingly, Sakura is perfectly fine and opened the cafe by herself. Meanwhile the puppy duo goes to pick up some swords. Syaoran returns later in the evening all worn out. The next day goes about the same, except this time, Kurogane notices Syaoran is blind in one eye. He notes that Syaoran responds quicker on his right side because he is blind, and therefore gives him a blind fold and tells him to come home with it on.

On his way home, however, Syaoran is attacked by Oni. Thankfully, Ryuo takes off the blind fold just as Syaoran was about to be hit. The two of them have a little chat and continue back to the cafe. On their way, however, they come across two Oni hunters fighting an abnormal Oni. Behind the Oni is a man and he summons more Oni. Syaoran seems to recognize the man and likewise the man calls out to Syaoran. Because the Oni have multiplied too much, Ryuo takes the stunned Syaoran and the two of them make a run for it.

Once they reach the cafe, Ryou barges in and tells everyone they saw the special Oni. Syaoran, confused, recollects how he met Seishiro, the man who summoned the Oni. Turns out Seishiro taught Syaoran how to fight. Syaoran concludes that this Seishiro knew him, yet he does not understand why he is here in Outo. As such, Syaoran tells his shocked friends that the man may have been the one who taught him how to fight. This proclamation brings a close to volume six.

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My Thoughts

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Volume six, the heart of the Outo arc, is definitely one of my favourite volumes. I really enjoyed the more fun and almost slice-of-life mood in this volume. The drinking party scenes, in particular, were a real nice treat. As well as the moments between Fai and Kurogane, which began to hint at something beneath Fai's smile.

Due to the nature of this volume, plot development was rather slow until the final chapter, yet character development really picked up. Bits, foreshadowing more to come, about Kurogane and Fai littered this volume (examples include Fai's yearning for someone to take him away like in the song, Kurogane's speech to Syaoran about cutting what you were not ready to cut, etc). Even side character Ryuo got a bit of development and his friendship with Syaoran was adorable. Syoaran did get character development, but it was nothing new: his determination is once again high lighted as well as his generally nice and gentle persona, which becomes even more pronounced when he talks with Ryuo. Sakura's general personification as an energetic girl is solidified in this volume as well.

For Clamp fans, this volume is filled to the brim with cameos. From major ones like Ryou (RG Vega) to little Easter eggs like Hikaru (Angelic Layer). I'm not too familiar with all of Clamp's work, but with the ones I am familiar, it's always nice to see them again.

As for art, volume six has one of my Tsubasa favourite covers. I love birds and Syaoran is one of my favourite characters. The fact that he is also holding a scale and looks so serious are pluses in my books. For chapitre covers, all were really nice, but Chapitre 40's cover really stands out. Chapitre 40 features the gang from the Hanshin Republic and what looks like a glimpse into what's happening there after Syaoran and company left. I really love when mangaka use chapter covers to tell the readers what is happening with characters that have left the main stage. I'm always curious, thinking, "I wonder how so-and-so is doing", so when the mangaka takes the time to give us a glimpse, it really is a treat.

 ~Joanna

My Gaming Freebies and Merchandise

I've been really lazy about keeping up to date with all my nice pre-order bonus or freebies, so this post is basically a show case of all my game-related merchandise that I haven't gotten around to showing up till now. It's nothing fancy, mostly freebies and a few minor things that I've actually bought.

Club Nintendo 2009 Gold Member Award: Calendar

This is the calendar I got in December 2009 for reaching Gold status on Club Nintendo. These pictures were taken a while back and I've been meaning to upload them onto this blog...but I just never got around to it. Basically it's a little stand with cards that feature a Nintendo franchise and a calendar at the bottom. You switch the cards every month. If you flip the card over, you can see a calendar layout (bottom right - February) for each month. I usually just leave the one with the picture out since it looks nicer. As an additional bonus, Nintendo also gave me a mini mario calendar (top right).

Mario Candy Cases

One of the few game-related things I've actually bought. These two are separate candy cases. The mushroom case has little cherry sours shaped as mushrooms inside, while the Question Block case has little coin candies inside. Both are pretty neat and I bought both on whim. Club Nintendo calendar in the background for added effect! xD

SoulSilver Preorder Bonus: Lugia Figurine

The pre-order bonus for SoulSilver. I love the angle of the shot. It actually took me a while to get a decent angle because Lugia's neck is a bit too curved and it's hard to see the whole figurine from a side view. The figurine isn't the best quality, but it was free so I can't complain.

Dragon Quest IX GameStop Event: DQIX Pamphlet

This doesn't seem worthwhile to even mention, but I was actually surprised by the quality of this pamphlet. The cover is dusty, with the title being glossy. Inside has nice art and is very colourful. Being so well made, I could not resist taking this with me and showing it off on the blog.

Dragon Quest IX GameStop Event Prize: Slime Shirt

The second prize at the GameStop DQIX event. There were four of them and I was lucky enough to win one. I wear it with pride! =D As a side note, this event made my brother want his own copy of DQIX! One more convert!! >:)

~Joanna

Currently Playing: Impressions

It's time for another Currently playing update~

1.Pokemon SoulSilver

I'm almost at the end of the game. All I need to do is beat Red. Unfortunately Red's Pokemon are all in the 80s range, while my party is currently at level 60. So right now I'm trying to gain more levels before I stand a chance again Red. After I beat Red, I'll be going after all the legendaries. :3

I'm so happy that S/G/C finally got remade. Johto is my favourite region (love the pokemon and the geography). Commemorative photos are cute~ But that photographer, Cameron, he's EVERYWHERE! :O (Kind of creepy if you think about it. lol.)

Also, the Pokewalker is a neat little addition, as are the pokemon following you. I wish those would make a come back in the next Pokemon games, but from screens, it looks like Pokemon Black/White are dropping these features. :( Well at least I can have my cute little Misdreavus following me in this game. :3

Which reminds me, it's crazy difficult to get a dusk stone in SoulSilver. :/ I think I'm going to have to trade one over from Diamond at this rate...

2. Narcissu

Just finished this not too long ago. I still open the game and use the music mode to listen to all the beautiful tracks. It's a really great visual novel. Of course, I know most people find VNs too slow, but I adore them. :3

SPOILERS!!!!

The ending was sad, but given the way the story was set up, it could not haven been any other way. I think the ending was beautiful. I'm glad they ended it that way. If Setsumi was somehow miraculous saved, it would have cheapened the story. I'm still wondering what happened to the main character after Setsumi died. It's implied he didn't follow her into the sea because he developed those photos, but I'm assuming he died at a later date? I wonder what his choice was...

Spoilers End!!!!

3. Shining Force II

Still making progress through this. It's such a big game, but I'm loving it. Camelot needs to develop another SRPG now! My only complaint is all the females are either mages or archers, where is my obligatory female paladin?! :( I miss Mae from the first game...


Like all old school SRPGs, the story is almost none-existent, but with how fun the battles are, it does not really matter. Plus the major NPCs are really fun~ :3

4. Knights in the Nightmare

I'm so close to the end, I just know it! I just finished with a the preparations (merging weapons, increasing weapon levels, and dividing the EXP between units), so now I just have to actually start scene 47. It's going to be a pain in the ass since the Boss has lots of HP. Dx

SPOILERS!!!

So I was wrong, Melissa did make a comeback. I was thinking I finally beat the game when I beat Zolgonark, but then in came Melissa, absorbing his power and became this new level of evil. God, I am really not looking forward to Scene 47. I really hope this is the final end game boss, because if there is another one with more HP...I'm going to need 3 hours! Story is starting to piece together, but Asgard still hasn't made their move, at least there is nothing indicating they have. :/ Guess I'll have to wait and see what the ending is....

SPOILERS END!!

Mini Updates:

-Still at the Sea of Time in Golden Sun: The Lost Age. I will hopefully resume playing this soon. I've got to finish this before the holiday season when Dark Dawn is finally available. :D

-Finished the Savannah area for LittleBigPlanet.

~Joanna

Review Format Change

After thinking about it, I have decided to go ahead with the review format change. Now instead of a grade, I will only list pros and cons, and a general verdict at the end of the review. This way each reader will decide for themselves whether this game is an A, B, C or D.

I will be slowly going back and altering all previous reviews to fit this new format. :)

~Joanna

Impression: Fairy Cube 3

The last volume of Fairy Cube! Includes a side story as well. This manga makes me interested in Kaori's other work.

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Summary

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Ian decides to take the invitation and attend the party where Rin is at. The fairies help him along the way and he gets in without being caught. Meanwhile, Tokage follows Shira and discovers the source of her power, a fairy demon god that has taken over her father's body. The demon god also tells Tokage how he came to be where he is, which also includes Shira's back story.

At the same time, Ian's aunt, Lise, visits his father in the hospital. She reminisces about how her sister and him met as well as what has happened to Ian. The moment Ian's father hears that, he reacts very strongly and urges her that he must tell "that child" his name.

Back at the party, Rin becomes one of the five finalists and calls Ian to the front. Ainsel warns Ian not to go, but Ian does so anyway. He is caught in a cage, but it turns out it isn't Ian at all, but a bunch of fairies creating an illusion. The real Ian jumps from behind and cuts off the necklace Rin has been wearing. This breaks the spell over Rin and the two of them escape. Kaito calls them over and the whole group follows after him.

Unfortunately for them, it seems Kaito has the same goals as the fairy demon god and he brings them to the door. Kaito claims he has been using both Ainsel and Ian and asks the demon god for a piece of the power pie. Balor, the demon fairy god, agrees and brings forth Ian's mother Kureha, who has the appearance of a child because Balor sealed her powers and memories away. Shira admits to being a girl and Kuraha apologizes for using her loneliness. This shocks Shira, while Tokage turns his attention to Kuraha and begins to attack her for abandoning him. This cases the bunny to fall and the seal to break, returning Kureha to normal.

Kureha is saddened to see her son using his brother's own body and tells him that his name is Isaiah and that she only left him because she was being pursued. Just then Ian's father arrives with Lise and he likewise screams, "Your name is Isaiah." This turn of events stuns Tokage. Balor gets annoyed and attacks Kureha, causing her to be peirced with a piece of stone; Ian's father runs to her and hold her in his arms. Tokage laments that this was not the way things were suppose to be just as Kaito shots him with his gun causing his spirit to leave Ian's body, while Ian's own soul is absorbed back into his body.

In his body, Ian now has merged with Ainsel, who has become his wings. Meanwhile Tokage is being absorbed by the numerous demons and fairies pouring from the sky toward the door. Ducie, who has been with him this whole time, is given the last of Kureha's power and saves him. Meanwhile, Raven takes Rin and Balor threatens to have her killed if Ian doesn't open the door. While Rin tells him not to listen, Ian opens the door anyway, letting lose a bunch of demons.

Shira has a change of heart now and cuts the tubes supporting Balor in her father's body. This angers Balor and he attackers her. She dies in Tokage's hands, telling him that the seal on Raven is now broken and wishing she could atone for her sins. Tokage promises to atone for both of them and she dies. With his seal broken, Raven now jumps into action and creates a barrier so that no more demons can escape. The barrier, however, is not permanent, and Kaito finally reveals that his plan all along was to become the new seal with Ainsel. He takes the broken wings, which Balor had previous torn off from Ivan, and asks that both Ian and Isaiah shoot the gun to seal the door.

They do so, but just as the door is about to close, the humans begin to disbelieve in fairies once more. Ian and Rin hold hands and create a miracle once again, closing the door shut. The two are then seen to be walking hand in hand, allowing the fairy world to appear in the human world where ever they go.

After the finale, there is a side story called "Psycho Knocker", which deals with Isaiah and Raven as they hunt down a few of the demons that escaped the sealing. Isaiah is hoping to atone for his and Shira's sins in this manner and Raven is doing his job as the guardian of the door. They follow around a girl, who they believe will be the next victim of the demons, the psycho knockers.

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My Thoughts

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Hm, I guess I'll start by saying that the pace was a little off in this volume. While volume 1 and 2 moved at the perfect pace, this volume felt a bit rushed. Not too much, since the movement from one event to another still made sense. However, it did feel like the mangaka was trying to warp up everything a little too fast with revelations and major events following in rapid succession. But that may be because I'm used to slow drawn out plots.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy this volume just as much as the other two and felt it concluded the manga in a beautiful way. The final scene with Ian and Rin waking hand in hand creating little openings to the fairy world was simple yet touching. There were a lot of losses in the finale as well: Kureha, Shira, Ainsel, and Kaito, but it never felt sad for multiple reasons. For Kureha, she didn't have much presence in the manga to begin with. Shira, while it was sad seeing her die, again this character wasn't as flushed out, so I didn't feel as much for her. Her last moments with Tokage were bitter sweet, but I felt there wasn't enough between them for me to really feel for them. While Kaito and Ainsel didn't really die, but were sealed along with the demons and in a weird sort of way, got what they wanted. That and the rapid succession of events really stopped me from feeling the manga's ending was tragic. For right after Kaito and Ainsel's sacrifice, we see the beautiful scene with Ian and Rin, which casts away all prior misfortunes.

The side story was actually quite good. I liked the main character because she was very down to earth, yet had a bit of personal strength as well. Seeing Isaiah and Raven again was also a nice bonus. I thought the girl, Ashina, and Isaiah were cute, although they weren't paired off. (So I guess Isiah belongs to Shira after all xD ). All in all, a really great manga. I really do not regret buying all three volumes. And I'm even thinking of trying some of Kaori's longer works.

~Joanna

Still Alive: Thinking of giving this blog a facelift

I'm still here, just rather busy with life (& other sites). Hopefully I'll get back to blogging something. Also I'm thinking of changing the theme to spice things up a bit. Hopefully, I'll get that done tomorrow.

~Joanna

Now Playing: Impressions

Here's a list and brief look into what I'm currently playing:

1. Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
I love love love this game! I love how the battle system is a prefect mix of SRPG and RPG. It combines the best of both worlds. I also adore the demon fusing. It's very addicting trying to see what new demons you may end up getting through fusion. Fusion taps right into my gotta catch em all pokemon obsession, although I'm not too focused about getting all the demons, more about seeing them all. XD

Story is pretty interesting. Although, the gameplay and character interactions are what really keeps me playing. I must say, Midori is my favourite character at the moment. She's cute, funny, and strong. I love how she thinks she's a magical girl saving the earth~

Also love the role playing that is peppered throughout the game. Some of the responses are pretty funny (like telling other characters that so-and-so is your girlfriend). The game is also pretty challenging. I had to really try during the third day's fight with Beldr. Overall I am really enjoying my time with Devil Survivor, and I'm wondering which ending I'll end up getting. =D


2. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky

I picked this up because I love pokemon and Amazon had a killer price on it (24.99 CAN as opposed to the regular 39.99 CAN). I also wanted to try an easy rogue-like. First off, this game is adorable~ It's so charmingly cute that I can't help but feel all warm and fuzzy inside playing this game. Second, for a pokemon game, it's got a pretty interesting story. I was thinking that because it's a spin-off, the game would not have a great story, but surprisingly the story is pretty good.

Also this game is perfect for collecting fanatics like me. You have the opportunity to recruit all 492 pokemon (correct me if I am wrong). There is something insanely addicting in trying to collect all the monsters. The game can get a little challenging, like when you run into monster houses, but usually a bit of leveling or the right items will be enough to work your way through. I like that the game isn't too easy (of course for a rogue-like it is easy). In the end, I am very satisfied with it and I look forward to the rest of the game.

-interesting tidbit: I got cast as a Totodile. I never much liked the pokemon, but now I'm warming up to it and I plan on making my starter for SoulSilver a totodile now. XD Picked Charmander as my partner because I love the Char-family.


3. Wario Land III
I never got around to finishing this, so now I am trying to do that. While I got really close to the end, my game file was wiped clean and I had to start over. Strangely enough the game still saves and I've almost made it back to where I was before the save file got erased. I'm really enjoying myself, I love the blend of platforming and puzzle solving. I wish I could get the other Wario games that I missed out on. Plus Wario is just too lovable~ hehe.

4.Golden Sun: The Lost Age
Doing a complete run of The Lost Age for my backloggery buddy Phoenix's marathon and also because Golden Sun DS is being released this year!!!!!!! I'm currently at Gaia Rock and almost done with it. All I need to do is go to Mikage dragon and fight it. The game is just as fun as I remember it to be & the music is awesome, but I'm amazed at how much I forgot with regards to the puzzles. ^^;;; But that is ok, it makes the game more challenging.

5. Shining Force
I made it to the second last battle, but I'm really taking my time with it. Part of the reason is that I am attempting to level all my units to 20, but the other reason is that I've been busy playing the games listed above. ^^;;; Anyway I hope to finish it soon (yeah right) ^^;;;

Mini Updates:
-I'm on scene 44 of Knights in the Nightmare.
-I'm on the last level of Super Mario Advance, but I can't seem to beat Wart. :/ (currently on hold)
-I finished all the Challenges for Professor Layton and the Curious Village. I am now currently working on the Wi-Fi puzzle. Week 12 Puzzle has me stumped. (currently on hold)

~Joanna.

Impression: Fairy Cube 2

Loved the first volume of Fairy Cube, so I picked up the last two volumes together. I'll be reading the final volume and posting my impression right after this volume.

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Summary

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Volume two starts off right where volume one left off. Eriya's grandmother tells Ian and Rin about her connection to the Fairy realm and gives Ian her blessings.

The next day, Rin decides to head back to school, thinking after what happened before, Tokage won't be back. Unluckily for her, he is, and he proceeds to violently mark her with his Salamander mark. Ian notices the strange aura around the school and comes to rescue Rin. Unfortunately he is too late, and now the Salamander mark causes Rin to burn whomever she touches when she has strong feelings, thus burning Ian when they reunite. Ian furious, begins a duel with Tokage.

During the duel, Tokage recollections his cursed life and tells Ian how much he hates him for being loved by his mother and father. Ian tells Tokage that he cannot believe their mother abandoned him. The battle is dominated by Tokage and Kaito arrives to save Ian. Raven tries to prevent Ian from fleeing, but Rin musters up all her hate to burn him and allow Ian time to escape. Rin decides she can help Ian by infiltrating the enemy base and tells Raven that Ian will come for her and to take her to his boss.

Rin meets Shira, who turns out to be a girl. Shira is surprisingly nice to Rin, but warns her never to go into the room with the red door. While looking around, Rin hears a strange song. When she comes to the source, she sees a little girl singing surrounded by fairies. The little girl asks if Rin has seen her son Ian. Rin knows without a doubt that the girl is referring to her Ian, but cannot understand how Ian's mother could be this small child in front of her. Before Shira arrives, the girl gives Rin a pine cone and tells her to cheer up.

When Shira arrives, she is furious. She tells Kureha to go back to the room with the red door; Kureha seems to believe Shira is Ian. Shira then proceeds to kill all the fairies and when Rin tries to stop her, she attacks her with her powers and tells her that if she doesn't behave she will die. Rin is then taken to a room and locked up. In the room, it turns out the pine cone was really Derek the fairy. Rin met Derek while talking with Kureha. He's a strange little fairy that says the opposite of what he means. Rin asks Derek to convey a message to Ian. Once Derek does so, he mentions that he was able to find Ian thanks to a man with black wings.

Kaito watches the whole exchange from above, while Raven comes forward. Kaito tells Raven he will tear to shreds everything Raven wishes to protect because Raven is his. (This scene gives off a shounen-ai vibe). Afterwards Kaito discusses their past together, where both boys were taken to a kingdom from different parts of the fairy world. Raven was a slave, while Kaito was the Queen's Page. However, while Kaito lived comfortably, he had to swallow his pride, but Raven was able to keep his. Eventually, Kaito is kicked out of the Kingdom for sleeping with the Queen and Raven for telling the King that the Queen forced Kaito and not the other way around. When they are confronted bt a Beast from the Desert of Death, Kaito looses his eye and Raven's seal is broken, allowing him to teleport both of them to his village.

During Kaito's stay there, he seduces Raven's fiance and drives her mad. The villagers and Raven ask him to remove the curse. Kaito agrees under the condition that Raven pay back his left eye. Raven agrees and gives Kaito his left eye. The reminiscing ends there, and Ian and Ainsel happened to see Kaito with Raven and hear the story.

Later, Eriya's grandmother pulls a few strings and gets an invitation to project Elysium for Ian. When he runs out to go, Ian sees the advertisement for the face of the Elysium project and Rin happens to be one of the contestants. Kaito comments on how this is a trap Ian will be unable to avoid.

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My Thoughts

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We see a very frail and vulnerable Rin this volume. However, Yuki-san still manages to give Rin an amazing backbone and spirit. Granted, she isn't kicking any ass, but Rin has the strength to stand up to any adversary, regardless of having no special powers, which makes her a great deal more stronger emotionally. For example, when Tokage is threatening to rape her, Rin puts up quite the fight, scratching and biting him. And when Shira gives Rin the most threatening glare, Rin still speaks up and tells Shira she shouldn't harm innocent fairies. Rin is one of the few unconventional damsels in distress because she really isn't in distress. She wanted to be captured (much like another damsel in distress that I like, Rukia).

Ian isn't the focus of this volume, but he still shows a bit of character growth. First, he tries very hard to become stronger for Rin, without considering what kind of strength he seeks. He later realizes, thanks to Ainsel, that the strength he was lusting after wasn't the kind he needed. We see Ian's short fall from grace and him regaining himself this volume. I'm interested how his character will finally be resolved. Kaito, Raven, and Shira are still mysteries, albeit Kaito and Raven's interesting past has now been revealed, but we still have yet to learn each one's true goals. I'm hoping we learn a bit more about Shira and her goals next volume.

Story-wise, this volume was just as good as the last. The pace has continued at a nice quick pace. Back stories were given to spice things up a bit, and a few hints were littered here and there. For example, we see a little girl who appears to be Ian's mother, then Kaito's proclamation to Raven hints at his darker goal. Furthermore, back stories confirmed much about the characters personalities and motives, rather then puzzle the reader, the back stories did what they should do, tell the reader more about the characters. Overall, it was a very enjoyable read and I cannot wait to see the conclusion next volume!

~Joanna