Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Kokoro Connect

Hi everyone! This article is about a well known anime, manga and light novel today, known as Kokoro Connect (ココロコネクト). You can consider it as my first impression of this series, though I didn't consider it to myself. Okay, lets get going!



Kokoro Connect was about five members of school cultural club who ended up switching bodies in an unknown reason. I first encounter Kokoro Connect while browsing some information about Yukiko Horiguchi also known as Shiromizakana.( I was one of her fan that's why.) Kokoro Connect was originally a light novel, then they adapted it as a manga. After realizing that it has a manga, I begun looking for it on the net and start reading some of the chapter.  Its a little sad since the manga has only 2 chapter uploaded online. One day, while browsing some article at Anime News Network, I came across this awesome news. Its about the anime adaptation of this the series. I was really happy by after reading it. 

While looking at the characters, do you remember something? Well, as you can see, the original character designer of the Kokoro Connect was none other than Yukiko Horiguchi who also design some anime character in a well known company known as Kyoto Animation. The anime that she did the illustration were Lucky Star and K-On!. Now, do you realize something?

Upon releasing the light novel, people who've seen it thought and made some humor that it was K-On! clone. As the manga release, up until now as the anime already been broadcasting, the humor become stronger. They concluded it like this. 


Oww..


They have a point though. Maybe she did it on purpose? Or maybe it was only a coincidence since the time the novel was on the making, K-On! was also on the run and reigning. Well, you can't blame her, as a fan you can't stop being inspired at things that you really love. As you can see most of the staff in K-On!, the director, animator, musicians, seiyuu (voice actress/actor) and etc., were all fans of this anime. They gave all of their loving, sweat and blood in making this anime successful. If you know what an artist mind run, maybe you will understand me. Since Kokoro Connect was about switching personality development, (Yeah, I edit this, I find it to be like that.) I think it will really fit the theme if she design something like this. 


You can compare the character design of the two but don't be fool of the moeness content. Kokoro Connect is way too different than K-On! It is more serious, has more heavy drama with a little tragic content and has romantic thing in the series. Though they have the same impact (The impact of wanting more.) but, in a different way. I must say that, Sadanatsu Anda the writer of Kokoro Connect was really amazing. Good JOB! Sadanatsu-san.


Sweet.~♥

I was really wondering why KyoAni did not adapt this novel. I think if they did, for sure, they will reign again. Too bad Silver Link got it. Maybe next time KyoAni. Well, I'm still watching it. When the series end, I'll be reviewing it just like the other anime review that I made. Well, hopefully. Until next time then. God Bless!

"God has a reason for allowing things to happen. We may
never understand his wisdom, but we simply have 
to trust his will."

Friday, July 20, 2012

REVIEW: THE iDOLM@STER (Anime)

Its been a long time since I made an anime review. Well, I've been busy for this past few days. I mean, busy lazying out. Hahaha! Well then, lets start the review shall we.


iDOLM@STER was originally a arcade game by Namco wherein the player plays as the producer. He or she will then need to work with a selection of idol's and make them a successful Japanese idol's.

To tell you the truth at first, I really don't like to watch this anime because of a funny reason, the 'idol' word on it. In show business world, I don't really pay much attention to those so called "idols","actress" or "actor". I only pay attention to "singers", "band", "artist/animators", "composers", "director/producer", "voice actress/actor" and "musicians". Well, its not that I don't like them, I just don't like that word, until now. But my friend keep telling me to watch it and so I did.


I never thought that I will watch iDOLM@STER two times. I first watch it on the internet, then the second time, I download it and watch it on my PC. Now, I was also addicted to their songs! And because of them, I want to buy a PS3. Well, hopefully if I could find a new job. Please pray for me everyone. Onegai! Thank you in advance!

Before you watch The iDOLM@STER anime, I suggest that you read some of the info of each characters so that, you will fully understand the whole story. Here's a good website for your reference:  (http://www.project-imas.com/w/Main_Page). If you have more knowledge about iDOLM@STER and willing to add that knowledge in their website, feel free to contact them. I think they're looking for more people to help them on their website.


Well lets go back to the review shall we. The iDOLM@STER teach us the life of a person who's living in a show-business  world. Every characters has a different reason why they want to be an Idol. For example, Chihaya, she really don't want to be an idol but, in this kind of work, she has an opportunity to sing. Another example is Makoto, she want to become an idol because she want to become more feminine and everyone specially guys could see her a true girl. 


I love all the characters in iDOLM@STER. Each of them has a unique personalities and stories. But theirs this character that got stuck in my heart or should a say, she just strike my heart into pieces. And this is Haruka.

Haruka, I understand you very well.

WARNING!! SPOILER ALERT!!
The iDOLM@STER episode 24 was the strongest episode in the whole series for me. It will pierce right in through your heart, so don't forget to keep some tissue beside you while watching it. The story was about Haruka. It illustrate how Haruka treasure their friendship. Well you can really see it since episode 1 to end that she's the bridge of their friendship.


The story goes like this. The 765 Pro will have their 2nd live event, but all of them were too busy to practice together. Haruka tried so hard to bring all of them together. But in the end, they can't make it because of their busy schedules.


 Because of the accident happen to producer, the stress in the audition and specially the desire of wanting and hoping to see everyone together again, Haruka suddenly broke out and went on hiatus.

While Haruka was on hiatus, Chihaya make a move and ask Ritsuko to arrange their schedule so that they can meet each other and have a talk about Haruka.


After reflecting herself and seeing all of her co-star idols. Haruka decided to come back at the 765 Pro office and meet up with everyone.


Huwa... I really can't consentrate because I'm crying while making the spoiler so, sorry for a poor story. Well, seriously, in this episode, it makes me like Haruka more and Miki too. hehehe.. Oh yeah, Miki is my number one favorite character in the series by the way because, we have the same hobby. Lazing around. Hohohoho...

One of the most epic quote in iDOLM@STER:
Haruka:
          "(It was like a dream) Was it a dream, those days of happiness? Just where? (Time keeps quickly passes by, while leaving me behind by myself.) What should I do?! Just what should I?! I don't- know. I just don't know! (I have to do my best... I have to do my best... right?) No matter how cold, will I face my dream again? Yes, I trusted in it. Time quickly passes... while leaving me behind by myself. Just what... should I do? Just what.... should... I?... I don't know. I just don't know..." 


Did this quote ever pop up in your mind? Even if its not exactly the same words but the same in meaning? Even if you haven't watch iDOLM@STER yet? Me? It did..

I think most of us have a Haruka inside us. The desire to change and the desire to prevent any changes at all. I know in life, change's is very important. We change everyday not knowing it and we must accept that. But I believe that theirs something, in some circumstances that we are the same just like before. We just level up that's all.

Miki, you make me so proud here. 
Miki:
     "It felt like I would get lost. Miki had fun with idol work, because I could shine and get excited. That's why I only kept looking forward and kept running, but then I realized. If I kept going like this, I might lose sight of where I am. Wherever I go, I can have a place where I can say "I'm back", because there are people there smiling to me. It's because the people there smile."

Another scene that I really love was when Miki arrive to see the other idols. In this scene, it explains how Miki and everyone else treasure each other. Well, as you know, Miki is the ultimate idol in iDOLM@STER. She's lazy but when she finds her inspiration or being awaken (just like in the game), she is extremely powerful girl, strong-wiled and hardworking. She will advance forward without looking back (the wiki said so and that is in my understanding). But as you can see, Miki also has something to her co-star idols. Miki's saying is simple yet deep. It means, she see's her group as a family, a home where she can go back anytime whenever she feel tired.


Changing and advancing forward is important in our life. But when we get tired and lost, isn't it good if we just take a little break in a place where we can feel the love, happiness and caring of someone. A place where we called 'home'.



One of my favorite song in iDOLM@STER, though I don't like the guy singing in the background.


"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:24-25