"Even if it's a false dream, I will strive for it..." [Anime]

Can I just say how hyped I am for this? If you don't recognize the characters, this is the poster for the Fate/Stay Night movie. It's going to take the Unlimited Blade Works path from the FSN game, which was my favorite path of the three. The only anime film that I'm looking forward to on the same level of hype is Evangelion 3.0 (and the 2.0 DVD/BD release, of course).

There seems to be quite a bit of merchandise being released to promote this movie. Tainaka Sachi, the singer of the OP/ED for the Fate/Stay Night anime, has completely resung Disillusion and released it in a single entitled "Fate/Stay Night reproduction OP single - disillusion -2010-". It contains the new Disillusion and another track by Tainaka Sachi. Does this mean that a Kirameku Namida wa Hoshi Ni 2010 is on the way? Maybe... Hopefully. Disillusion 2010 sounds fantastic.

She's also sung the image song for the UBW movie also, entitled imitation. The subbed trailer for the movie can be found here. The movie is due for release in Japan on January 25. Gahhhh, how I wish I could understand Japanese and go over to Japan and watch it. Here's to hoping the DVD release comes soon and a generous fansub group out there will sub it. I could see myself watching it over and over already. Heck, I did that with Evangelion 1.0.

Move forward and never give up [Inspiration]

The image shown is a page from the Chrno (no, that's not a typo) Crusade manga. I actually read that part last night before sleeping and wanted to post about it, but I was too tired.

The full conversation that happened goes like this: (For ease, I will refer to the characters by their names. The girl is Rosette and the man is Remington.)

Rosette (in tears): You're strong! Much stronger than someone like me! I... can't even save one person...

Remington: Rosette... You know... It's not because I'm strong. It's only because I'm walking a little ahead of you. The only difference between you and me is the distance we've traveled. People are... all the same. Making up for past regrets, present failures, and unease about the future. We have to move on as we fight.

Remington: Why don't we wait until the road is broken before we give up?

I think the words explain themselves. When everything looks down, never give up. Things may look bad now, but you can always improve on them. Regrets and mistakes are only stepping stones to become a better person. Even if the road before you is broken, that just means that you now have to repair it. Never. Give. Up.

(Shameless Plug: Chrno Crusade is also a pretty entertaining anime and manga series. ADV Films did a fantastic job on the English dub for the anime. I was genuinely surprised when I turned the language to English out of pure curiosity.)

To Aru Kagaku no Railgun [Anime]

I always enjoy a good anime when there is one to watch. One of the current ones that I'm watching is entitled To Aru Kagaku no Railgun (translation: A Certain Scientific Railgun). If you haven't heard of it and you enjoy anime as well, I highly recommend picking it up. It's just finished it's first arc and is beginning a second one. It looks like it'll be a 24 episode anime in total when it finishes (currently at 15/24).

The reason I like this series so much is because the characters and the plot can be taken at many different levels. There is plenty of action, drama, and even attempted-yuri if that's what you're into. I say 'attempted' because the character that's head over heels for main character Misaka Mikoto (who is pictured above) is female and makes hilarious attempts at seduction. Ultimately, they all fail. *insert sadface here* However, one thing that separates an enjoyable anime from a good or great one for me is the development of a narrative speaking to the ways of actual society.

In short, in the world of TAKnR, human capabilities are based on whether or not you have an ability, a superpower of sorts. The ones that have an ability are called espers. TAKnR focuses on the events of Academy City, where the entire purpose of the city is to develop these superpowers. Based on the strength of their power, espers are ranked from Level 1 to 5. (Misaka is a Level 5 Electromaster, nicknamed 'Railgun'). However, there are also Level 0's - those that have no power, but reside in Academy City anyhow. It is with this basis that the plot in TAKnR moves forward. We see how the lower level espers attempt to develop their powers and how some of them detest the higher level-espers for having more power. While this is fine to be taken at face value for an interesting plot, I can't help but feel that the writers of this anime (and also the manga) are saying something about our society.

That is to say, those viewed as the "lower rank" of society will always try to move forward. They will do whatever it takes to prevent being looked down upon. However, try as some might, they fail. Again, I do not want to ruin the anime for people. Just go find it and enjoy it. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own To Aru Kagaku no Railgun or any of its related material nor am I claiming to. All properties and rights of said anime series go to J.C. Staff.