Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Natasha's Guide: The Ultimate Guide for Anime Beginners - What You Should Watch!

Hi Cuties!

These days my sister and I realised that anime is growing and more and more people are trying out anime and popular Facebook pages are posting lots memes with anime in it. 

Some of my friends are also starting to watch anime too, and wanted me to give some recommendations for good anime! This had inspired me to write 'Anime to Watch' in my blog for people who are starting to watch anime. I am also thinking of reviewing anime that I watch monthly.

The anime in this blog are grouped in genres so you can find the perfect one for you!

Source for information: My Anime List

Note: There is only 1 anime in each genre, but some animes may fit into 2.
Note (again): The font and sizing can get really weird T___T There was something weird with it when I was writing this post!
Note (and again): There is no plural form of anime!

             


Romance - Ao Haru Ride/Blue Spring Ride



Japanese Name: アオハライド
Episodes: 12
Status: Completed
First Airing Date: Jul 8, 2014
Director: Yoshimura, Ai 
Original Author (Manga): Sakisaka Io

Synopsis:

 Yoshioka Futaba has a few reasons why she wants to "reset" her image & life as a new high school student. Because she's cute, she was ostracized by her female friends in junior high, and because of a misunderstanding, she couldn't get her feeling across to the one boy she has ever liked, Tanaka-kun.

Now in high school, she is determined to be as unladylike as possible so that her friends won't be jealous of her. While living her life this way contentedly, she meets Tanaka-kun again, but he now goes under the name of Mabuchi Kou. He tells her that he felt the same way as she did when they were younger, but now things can never be the same again. Will Futaba be able to continue her love that never even started from three years ago?

Why You Should Watch It:

  • The main characters are so cute! They are really suitable for each other.
  • Their love is so fresh, you'll wish you're there.
  • The art and color in the anime is beautiful!



Action - Angel Beats



Japanese Name: Angel Beats! (エンジェルビーツ)
Episodes: 13
Status: Completed
First Airing Date: Apr 3, 2010
Director: Kishi, Seiji 

Synopsis:
Otonashi awakens only to learn he is dead. A rifle-toting girl named Yuri explains that they are in the afterlife, and Otonashi realizes the only thing he can remember about himself is his name. Yuri tells him that she leads the Shinda Sekai Sensen (Afterlife Battlefront) and wages war against a girl named Tenshi. Unable to believe Yuri's claims that Tenshi is evil, Otonashi attempts to speak with her, but the encounter doesn't go as he intended.

Otonashi decides to join the SSS and battle Tenshi, but he finds himself oddly drawn to her. While trying to regain his memories and understand Tenshi, he gradually unravels the mysteries of the afterlife.


    Why You Should Watch It:
    • The story plot is original
    • A short anime but packed with action and drama! Angel Beats does not 'drag' the story plot.
    • The mix of characters always make you laugh and cry
    • Good character development
    • The way the characters change their beliefs through time really lets you think...



    Bishounen/Shoujo - Ouran High School Host Club



    Japanese Name: 桜蘭高校ホスト部
    Episodes: 26
    Status: Completed
    First Airing Date: Apr 5, 2006
    Director: Igarashi, Takuya 
    Original Author: Hatori Bisco

    Synopsis:
    Fujioka Haruhi wins a scholarship to attend Ouran Academy, a school reserved for only the most rich and prestigious. Despite what other students may think of her, she cares little for physical appearances or the fact that she is a commoner.

    Unfortunately for Haruhi, her high school days take a sudden turn when she stumbles upon the Host Club, an elite club filled with super rich and beautiful boys who use their specific traits and charms to entertain young ladies. Even worse, Haruhi accidentally breaks an 8-million yen vase in the club. Since she is unable to repay her debt with money, Haruhi finds herself with no choice but to work for the Host Club, becoming a male host herself.

      Why You Should Watch It:
      • The comedy in this anime will surely make you laugh!
      • The romance is really sweet
      • The boys <3



      Demons/Supernatural - Ao no Exorcist/Blue Exorcist


      Japanese Name: 青の祓魔師(エクソシスト)
      Episodes: 25
      Status: Completed
      First Airing Date: Apr 17, 2011
      Director: Okamura, Tensai 
      Original Author (Manga): Katou Kazue

      Synopsis:
      This world consists of two dimensions joined as one, like a mirror. The first is the world in which the humans live, Assiah. The other is the world of demons, Gehenna. Ordinarily, travel between the two, and indeed any kind of contact between the two, is impossible. However the demons can pass over into this world by possessing anything that exist within it. Satan is the god of demons, but there's one thing that he doesn't have, and that's a substance in the human world that is powerful enough to contain him!! For that purpose he created Rin, his son from a human woman, but will his son agree to his plans? Or will he become something else...? An exorcist?


      Why You Should Watch It:
      • A good mix of different characters
      • The story plot is carefully woven with action and mystery
      • The things the students do in the academy (this is not a spoiler) is interesting and fun!
      • Rin is not the only main character in this anime. His equally as powerful twin brother Yukio, can make you go 'wow' with his abilities!



      Fantasy - Fairy Tail



      Japanese Name: フェアリーテイル
      Episodes: 175
      Status: Completed
      Note: Fairy Tail had temporarily stopped airing in 2013, but had continued this year and is called Fairy Tail 2014. 
      Director: Ishihira, Shinji 
      Original Author (Manga): Mashima Hiro

      Synopsis:
      Set in an imaginary world, the Earth Land, there exists a Mage Guild called "Fairy Tail." Fairy Tail is stationed in the town Magnolia, residing in the Kingdom of Fiore, and is currently governed by Makarov, Guild's master.

      Lucy Heartfilia, a 17-year-old girl, wishes to become a full-fledged mage and join one of the most prestigious Mage Guilds in the world, Fairy Tail. One day, out of pure coincidence, she meets Natsu Dragneel, a boy who is transportation-sick, but very cheerful in nature. However, the thing she does not know is that Natsu is the closest connection to Fairy Tail, as he is a Mage in Fairy Tail.


        Why You Should Watch It:
        • How the Fairy Tail guild always feels like a family compared to other guilds. Watching all of them together has a heartwarming feeling.
        • Really nice pacing even though it is a long anime
        • The plot can go to comedy to action then into 'feels'
        • Really well done character development. The main characters all have their story to tell
        • The missions the main characters go to always gets you to the 'edge of your seat'!
        • The art improves and improves!



        Game - No Game No Life



        Japanese Name: ノーゲーム・ノーライフ
        Episodes: 12
        Status: Completed
        Director: Ishizuka, Atsuko


        Synopsis:

        The story of No Game, No Life centers around Sora and Shiro, a brother and sister whose reputations as brilliant NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) hikikomori (shut-in) gamers have spawned urban legends all over the Internet. These two gamers even consider the real world as just another "crappy game." One day, they are summoned by a boy named "God" to an alternate world. There, God has prohibited war and declared this to be a world where "everything is decided by games"—even national borders. Humanity has been driven back into one remaining city by the other races. Will Sora and Shiro, the good-for-nothing brother and sister, become the "Saviors of Humanity" on this alternate world?


          Why You Should Watch It:
          • The comedy in the anime can keep you laughing for ages!
          • The games are original and amazing! It would make you want to play it with your friends.
          • How the siblings can plan so ahead can amaze you. 
          • Sora and Shiro has this really special sibling bond with each other. It can make you cry and go 'awwww'. They are a very special team.
          • Special art! You would get what I mean if you watch it
          • How the alternate world works is really well done. It has a system that is very realistic.


          Horror - Another


          Japanese Name: アナザー
          Episodes: 12
          Status: Completed
          Director: Mizushima, Tsutomu 
          R13
          Contains gore and intense violence

          Synopsis:
          When Kouichi Sakakibara transfers to his new school, he can sense something frightening in the atmosphere of his new class, a secret none of them will talk about. At the center is the beautiful girl Mei Misaki. Kouichi is immediately drawn to her mysterious aura, but then he begins to realize that no one else in the class is aware of her presence. He also finds himself in a mystery revolving around students and people related to his class facing gruesome, senseless deaths.


          Why You Should Watch It:
          • The gruesome deaths in the anime ;)
          • The plot. Ever since the first death, you would think that every mistake can lead to death and gets you really tense.



          Music - Uta no Prince Sama: Maji Love 1000%


          Japanese Name: うたの☆プリンスさまっ♪ マジLOVE1000%
          Episodes: 13
          Status: Completed
          Director: Kou, Yuu 

          Synopsis:
          With dreams of becoming a composer and someday writing a song for her favorite idol, Haruka enters the Saotome Academy, a prestigious performing arts school. If successful there, she’ll be able to join the Shining Agency after graduation. However, it won’t be so easy when Haruka is already surrounded by potential idols and composers. On top of that, her homeroom teacher is a current idol, the headmaster was a record-breaking singer, and the academy itself is a chaotic place where anything can happen. Which prince of song will be paired up with Haruka?! 

          Why You Should Watch It:
          • The boys
          • The music
          • The boys
          • The nice art
          • The boys
          • The characters
          • The boys
          • The boys
          • The boys



          Slice of Life/Drama - Anohana



          Original Name: Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai.
          Japanese Name: あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない
          Episodes: 11
          Status: Completed
          Director: Nagai, Tatsuyuki 

          Synopsis:
          A group of six childhood friends, including Chiriko "Tsuruko" Tsurumi, Atsumu "Yukiatsu" Matsuyuki, Naruko "Anaru" Anjou, Tetsudō "Poppo" Hisakawa and Jinta "Jintan" Yadomi, drift apart after one of them, Meiko "Menma" Honma , dies in an accident. Ten years after the incident, the leader of the group, Jinta Yadomi, has withdrawn from society and lives as a recluse. One summer day, the ghost of an older looking Menma appears before him and asks to have a wish granted, reasoning that she cannot pass on into the afterlife until it is fulfilled. Since Menma does not remember what her wish is, Jinta gathers his estranged friends together once again, believing that they are the key to resolving this problem. However, hidden feelings, internal conflicts, and lingering feelings of bitterness from Menma's parents result in complications for the group as they struggle to help not only Menma move on, but themselves as well.
          (Synopsis Source: Anohana Wiki)


          Why You Should Watch It:
          • The story plot
          • The feels T_____T You have no idea how much I've cried in this anime
          • The characters and the way they 'bond' again
          • The colors and art
          • A short but sweet anime
          • Good character development
          • Nice voice acting 



          Sports - Free! 



          Japanese Name: Free!
          Episodes: 12
          Status: Completed
          Director:  Utsumi, Hiroko 
          Original Author (Light Novel): Kōji Ōji

          Synopsis:
          The story revolves around Haruka Nanase, a boy who has always loved to be immersed in water, and to swim in it. Before graduating from elementary school, he participated in a swimming tournament along with his fellow swimming club members, Makoto Tachibana, Nagisa Hazuki, and Rin Matsuoka. After achieving victory, each of the boys went their separate ways.

          Time passed, and in the middle of their uneventful high school lives Rin appears and challenges Haruka to a match, showing Haruka his overwhelming power. Not wanting it to end like this, Haruka, gathers together Makoto and Nagisa once again and brings a new member named Rei Ryugazaki to create the Iwatobi High School Swimming Club in order to defeat Rin.

          Why You Should Watch It:
          • A good mix of swimming and friendship
          • The characters (My favourite's Haru <3)
          • The tensity sometimes!!!

                       


            Thanks for reading this blog! 
            Wow it took me quite some time to make this post. I hope you like it!
            Do you have any anime recommendations? Comment below and I'll try it out (unless it has ecchi or gore (◡﹏◡✿) )

            Thanks,
            Nashy (◠△◠✿)

            Friday, September 5, 2014

            Obsession of the Week!

            Hi Cuties!


            Wow... it's been more than a month since I last posted??!!!!
            Sorry everyone, but I was soooo busy with homework and revising for upcoming tests.


            This month I was introduced to many new things that I love. I was recommended to new music, new books and new videos.
            Well, I should get straight in to the topic!

                         

            Music - Oblivion by M83 ft. Susanne Sundfør


            I cannot stop replaying the ending credits song of the movie 'Oblivion'! I really love the music and how it's quite different to pop songs that are popular today. I have not heard of M83 or Susanne Sandfør before the song, but I really hope that they will collaborate again one day!




            Lyrics:
            Since I was young, I knew I’d find you
            But our love was a song sung by a dying swan
            And in the night, you hear me calling,
            You hear me calling
            And in your dreams you see me falling, falling

            Breathe in the light
            I’ll stay here in the shadow
            Waiting for a sign, as the tide grows
            Higher, and higher, and higher

            And when the nights are long
            All those stars recall your goodbye, your goodbye

            And in the night you'll hear me calling,
            You'll hear me calling
            And in your dreams you'll see us falling, falling
            And in now you'll hear me calling,
            You'll hear me calling
            And in your dreams you'll see us falling, falling

            Breathe in the light and say goodbye
            Breathe in the light and say goodbye.

            Lyrics are courtesy of A-Z Lyrics.



            Book - Ruby Redfort by Lauren Child

            The series by Lauren Child is for children, but they had definitely entertained me. I love the story plot and how Lauren Child had always included new codes to crack every novel.

            Synopsis:

            Ruby Redfort is a genius code-cracker, a daring detective, and a gadget-laden special agent who just happens to be a 13-year-old girl. She and her slick side-kick butler, Hitch, foil crimes and get into loads of scrapes with evil villains, but they're always ice-cool in a crisis.

            Synopsis is courtesy of Goodreads






            Video that Made me Laugh - David's Pizza Commercial and 'I Sit on You'

            These two videos are definitely the highlight of the week. Both of the videos include a surprisingly catchy tune, a man that is perfect for the video and sadly, quite bad graphics XD
            My friend and I claims that they are friends.






            Sorry for not posting for sooooooo long! I was really busy (and lazy). 
            Thanks,
            Nashy (◡‿◡✿)