Classic Review: Macross: Do You Rember Love?

Macross: Do You Remeber Love? is a movie remake of the original 1982 anime titled Super Dimensional Fortress Macross. In America the 1984 dub was called Robotech but I read that it was terribly localized so I discovered the re-dub from 2006. I watched the re-dub from ADV films on Hulu before watching the movie, but I decided to do this review on DYRL because I liked certain aspects of the story better then in the series. Also because its a classic and everyone should see it, even if they don't watch anime on a regular basis.

The story begins in 2009 A.D. in a futuristic universe. So we're talking transforming robots, holograms, and an ancient song that will unite two very different but very alike races.
Humans on earth are being threatened by a horde of giant human like aliens called the Zentradi.

What was very interesting about the movie versus the anime dub I saw was the fact that the Zentradi spoke their native Language before translators were used by UN Spacy the military force aboard the mighty ship the Macross. In the anime they spoke English/Japanese all the time and when translators were used there was no difference. That felt kind of awkward to me.

Milliya is one of the few female aliens or Meltrandi shown in the movie.

Our hero Hikaru Ichijou is a pilot for UN Spacy. After a couple of mishaps Hikaru meets Lynn Minmay a singer who was preforming in Macross City. The two of them become trapped in the lowest area of the war ship and Hikaru falls in love with Minmay. Minmay only wants to be friends at first. This part of the movie versus the anime was more cheerful and the animation was astonishingly good for an 80s anime.


Drinking soda like astronauts do! And dig Minmay's glowing dress.

After Hikaru and Minmay find their way out and back to Macross City they date for a short time. They soon grow apart due to Hikaru's military work and Minmay becoming more popular day by day. This is when Hikaru meets Misa Hayase who is also part of UN spacey and the two fall love. Their relationship was deeper then Hikaru and Minmay's short fling in my opinion. Because Misa and Hikaru had more alone time in DYRL and I felt like it helped their relationship grow better.



Misa was defiantly less of a Bitch in DYRL and I liked her character right off the bat, versus when she yelled at Hikaru in the series for not obeying orders. The two discover a lost planet and a song written in an ancient language which Misa then translates. She gives a piece of paper with the lyrics to Hikaru and has him see Minmay one last time to give them to her. Minmay's song during the final battle eventually brings peace between human's and Zentrati.



Hikaru and Misa share a tender moment. Someones getting laid tonight.

So basically the Zentrati suffer from an extream case of culture shock when they meet the humans or what they call the Protoculture. I found it funny when they would say, DECULTURE when something amazing happens or unknown to the Zentrati people. Also fleeing from battle after hearing Minmay sing. It terrifies and calms the aliens who only knew of war to the extent of surrendering and bringing peace.


This song has warmed the Zentradi's hearts. You can tell because the colorful part on their uniforms are glowing.
Glowing is almost all the time for the best

Animation was big step up from the original being that it only came out two years after Macross started airing in Japan.


Minmay's signature pose

I loved the fact the Mari Iijima the original Japanese voice actress for Lynn Minmay also was in the ADV dub. So when I watched this I could hear that there really wasn't a difference when she spoke Japanese. Iijima did an amazing job at giving Minmay a Chinese/Japanese accent and she sang all the original Japanse songs as well. These days most voice actors and singing voices for characters are different. ADV made the right choice when picking Iijima to reprise her role as Minmay.


Minmay sings my favourite song in movie Tenshi no Enogu or An Angel Paints at her final concert in 2012

All in all I give Macross: Do You Rember Love? a 9/10 Its perfect but it leaves out an important plot point. For someone who has seen the anime first before viewing it I didn't care that much. I have came to realize that the show was for character development and the movie was a different look at the story. The film has a valuable moral lesson and is a must see. For Animation a 9/10 for its time. And for music I give it an 8/10.

Kuragehime Review

At the beginning of last semester discovered a new anime called Kurgurehime, or as it’s known in America Princess Jellyfish. At first glance at the episode screen shot on Funimation’s video portal I jumped to the conclusion that it was a childish show. So I looked at My Anime List’s page for the anime and I was very surprised. Princess Jellyfish is anything but a show for young children. We are introduced to the main character Tsukimi as the anime opens up with a flash back from her childhood. Tsukimi and her mother are visiting an aquarium and young tsukimi is dazzled at how beautiful the jellyfish are. Her mother tells her that when she grows up she will make her a wedding dress that resembles one of the very lacy like jellyfish in the tank. Tsukimi is ecstatic and becomes a Jellyfish Otaku. Sadly Tsukimi's mother passes away shortly after their visit to the aquarium.

Tsukimi wants to go shopping in shibuya after her dorm mates warn her not to set foot in there. I could already tell that these women are going to be an entertaining bunch. Being the Otaku that she is Tsukimi vists small pink colored jellyfish she named Clara at pet store and finds that she is now in a tank with a moon jelly. At this point Tsukimi pretty much in my eyes hyper venalities and pleads the shop owner to move the little creature into its own tank. Now Tsukimi is afraid of the good looking owner and she cowers up in fear. It’s good that she is starting to show lots of character development right in the first episode. And Tsukimi really is a girl many watchers will be able to relate to.

I would have to say that this next character named Kuranosauke is the character with the most development, next to Tsukimi. Hearing her voice I could tell that something is different about this stylish ‘woman’. But I’m not going to spoil the ending of the first episode.

The story is very easy for people to understand and the characters are likable. Everyone will find a least one to relate to. I would describe it as a coming of age tale with friend ship and drama. Art wise, Kugurehime is very well done, expecially by the detail put into Kuranosauke’s many outfits. This is one thing that other anime lack. I find it boring when all the main characters only wear the same thing during course of the series. Clothing gives the character a different aura and personality.

What saddens is me is that there really isn’t a fandom for this anime. I have yet to see tons of fanart, cosplay, or fan clubs. Princess Jellyfish really deserves more recognition. It is a diamond in the rough, so to speak.

Finding out this anime was only going to be 11 episodes really made me think, “is this show going to be able to wrap up everything it needs to in that short time?” It is certain that I would love to see a second season.

I have watched the entire series , and I’m going to give Kugurehime a 10/10 because it really was one the most unique shows I have ever seen.

Sugarholic Review

I make it no secret that I love watching Korean dramas, I love Korean romance, and I love love LOVE Korean pretty boys. Sugarholic has all of the above, making it a true delight and a series that has stolen my heart.


The story is well paced, with little drama wasted. It is complete at 5 volumes (all of which have an English release from Yen Press™). Originally serialized in the manhwa magazine Wink , it is a true embodiment of Korean romance. It's got it all. A love triangle, a tragic past, a childhood love, a bad tempered to be tamed pretty rich boy, boy bands, and a girl who is charming if you get to know her. It reminds me of my first drama experience, Full house (starring Rain), which originally got me addicted to Korean media.


The plot is Jae-Gyu, a country bumpkin, is sent to the city to make her way in the world. Poor and uncultured, she immediately runs into trouble with the rich and devilishly good looking Whie-Wan. Soon after her escape, she meets an old childhood friend, Hee-do. Only he's much different now... he's become a popular boy band singer. The story is filled with Jae-Gyu's interactions with both of these pretty boys, one who is sweet on her, and one with a nasty temper. Who will win her over?

In all honesty, as a girl, I have to say I love a good love triangle. Especially when it isn't obvious which one will win the girl in the end. Unfortunately, as I have read to many shojo and romance comics, I can almost always predict who is going to be the victor of almost any love battle. Sugarholic is no exception. After the first book, you can see who is linked to Jae-Gyu's red string of fate. Over all though, the plot isn't terribly predictable, and the characters are well developed and have flaws and personalities.

The art is your standard Korean girls comic art. Characters are represented with larger than standard anime eyes with most details in the eye lashes. The hands and bodies are lanky and disproportionate, but in a pleasing way. Very typical overall. I do like how Korean Manhwa tends to show more details in their total illustrations. Particularly in their clothing and eye details.

There are 2 mangaka on this particular series, Maria and Young-ah. This is Youn-ah's first published work, so kudos to her. She did a terrific job. Maria is a Japanese manga-ka who has done this and a number of other Korean manhwas. She has illustrated for Margret magazines and is a more josei-esque creator. Which in my opinion makes it easier to jump the manga and manwha gap.


The title is available still in local bookstores under Yen Press™ and is worth the time to pick up. It's complete at 5 volumes, and if you are a first-time manhwa reader, it's very easy to get into. The only difference between this and a standard manga, that you'll notice, is the larger size and the fact that it's read left to right, much like an English book.

Art: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
Overall: 9/10

Working!!

'Sup Internt? Ham's back. But not in black. I am sorry. So recently Cheese and I finished the Anime, Working!! I liked it much more than she did, mainly because I appreciate comedies more. It starts out with the main character, a somewhat normal boy named Takanashi, being approached by the height-challenged-yet-older-than-him Taneshima about becoming a part-time worker at the local family restaurant, Wagnari. When he arrives, he is introduced to a variety of unique characters, including the ever-hungry manager, Kyouko; the cynical chef, Satou; the Katana-toting Floor Captain, Yachiyo; and the seemingly all-knowing sous chef, Souma. Later, we meet Yamada, who ends up living in the restaurant's attic, and Otoo, the actual store manager who is almost never around because he's searching for his missing wife. Before those two however, the love interest of the anime, Inami, is brought forth. Inami has androphobia, the fear of men. Whenever she comes within the near vicinity of men, she ends up punching them, Takanashi usually being the main target. Another great character trait is Takanashi's adoration for cute things. Is it cute? Yes? He loves it. Oh, but the best is yet to come. The cutest thing on the face of the planet? The Daphnia.



On the left is a Daphnia, drawn anime style. It's semi accurate, and animated to look cute. Below however, is what the daphnia looks like in real life. It is in no possible way, cute. It's really kinda gross...remember when I said that Takanashi was somewhat normal? I take that back.





















Getting back on track...Overall, the show is a feel-good anime. I laughed at the ridiculous, "blown-out-of-proportion" scenarios and the endless tide of shenanigans. Cheese was rather unamused however, as she has seen way more anime than I have, and thus said that it was pretty general in terms of comedies. She did give it some positive points saying that it was indeed, a feel-good anime. I'll admit, the storyline was pretty standard in terms of Anime comedies, distinctly having an Azumanga-Daioh! feel to it. However, even though the the storyline itself was basic, the writing was what made it great for me, and I love great dialogue. From the subtle, kind of creepy humor of Souma; to the snide comments and constant "bullying" from Satou, it had me laughing almost the whole time.

One thing that I found great about the anime was the Intro. Someone may very well be the most addicting song in the world. It's actually what got me interested in the anime in the first place. It's definitely an added bonus when you're introducing it to your friends. My buddy Jared still has it stuck in his head. (I showed him the song about a month ago. XD) The lyrics are fun and light-hearted, and the whole song itself is like the anime; "feel-good." As for the Re-watch Value? I'd watch it again, but not any time soon. I'd definitely need to wait a while so it'll be funny again. Maybe if I'm ever feeling depressed it'll cheer me up. Summing up, Working!! is a fun, quick (13 episodes) anime that will leave you smiling and satisfied with the end. Working!! is definitely a great addition to society.














SOCIETY?!?!

Ahem...anyway, I give Working!! an 8/10. It was definitely not a waste of my time.

Chaos Rings

What's up internet? Ham here, reviewing the RPG Chaos Rings. Now, when I saw that Square Enix was releasing an RPG for the iPod Touch I thought to myself, "Square Enix how could you?! Why would you sink this low?!" However, seeing as how I had a few extra bucks in the iTunes account thanks to Christmas, I still went and bought it anyway. I was pleasantly surprised.

It's not a long game, but in the short time Square Enix gave me, I quickly loved all the characters. (Me an' Escher are purely platonic I'll have you know. XP) The music is what got me hooked though. One word to describe every song: Beautiful. I had to see if Square Enix had put up the OST on iTunes. They did. 27 songs for 6 bucks. My eyes watered with joy as I purchased the amazing deal.


Back to the point of this though, you start out with the option of playing as either Escher and Musiea or Eluca and Zhamo. Which ever one you choose, it doesn't really matter, you'll experience awesome plot twists along the way. I personally prefer Escher and Musiea's story, the romance is much more intense and put frankly, Escher's a bad-ass. The dialogue was edgy and well written, being cryptic enough in the beginning to grab my attention. (Square Enix, you and your cryptic way...) If you own an iPod Touch, I seriously recommend Chaos Rings. It's an amazing RPG by the king of RPGs, and definitely not something to be missed.

Also, I apologize for Cheese's incorrect spelling of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card. It's really Change of Heart, not change of hearts. Are you thinking Kingdom Hearts dear? lulz Well, that's about all I have to talk about...can't tell you too much, you won't want to play it. XP

Tegami Bachi- Review

Tegami Bachi:

Viewed on crunchyroll.

So far, I've been watching this with my boyfriend and I'm really enjoying it. It's the second season, so if you haven't seen the first, you should do that.

Plot: Lag Seeing is a postman, only in this world, a postal worker's job is the most dangerous. Through his delivering of the letters, he is searching for his hero and friend Gauche Suede.

Basically, it's about bad ass postmen.

Now personally, though the premise of the show is absurd, Studio Pierriot does a rather nice job of pulling it off. Despite its preaching moments, and the serious sections, it does well as a lighthearted comedy. It has both an original flair and fairly well paced episodes.

In terms of over all archs, there really isn't one, barring for Lag to find Gauche (which isn't a real priority at all, more of an inevitability).

In terms of characters, they are all loveable and presented in such a way that you grow attached to most of them very quickly. However, they seem to lack true human like qualities as they rarely show flaws. It's kind of annoying, however, overlooking that, they are easy to associate with.

This show has it's amusing moments, so here are some snap shots and captions my boyfriend though was funny.

No caption needed for this one.... This is my current desktop..

Subliminal messaging?

I lol'd at pukey soup.



So gangsta, and at such a young age.

This is my second favorite snapshot... The graduation from letter to man...

All in all a fairly good watch I give it: 8/10 Very Good!