(no subject)
There's really no way to break the subject gracefully: I've gotten lazy. Lazy about posting is one of them. Let us therefore gracefully never bring up the subject again. :p In part, I haven't really been keeping up with anything of interest either; I've been reading less. I have found new and different addictions; namely a smartphone that allows manga reading on the go, and the horrible and terrible addiction to all Kairosoft games. (Btw, they have versions of their games for both iphone and android)
Tonight, I plan to spend my night watching the culmination of Chinese internet novels hits mainstream, known as different things: Bu Bu Jing Xin, Startling by Each Step and Scarlet Heart in Singapore, based on the internet novel by Tong Hua. It features one of China's most beloved genres: 穿越 - which is translated most commonly as time-travelling, though it would be more accurate to describe it as spirit travelling back in time. The point of departure generally goes like this: Modern chinese girl/guy generally has an accident (fatal/coma-inducing) and their spirit travels back in time, where they generally inhabit the body of someone who has simultaneously suffered an accident or illness. They tend to make an impression on the people around them because of their modern viewpoints or morals. From there, the adventure starts and generally is either romantic or heroic in ending. (Also very commonly tragic - there's something about chinese/korean/japanese cultures that just doesn't believe in a happy ending. -___-;;)
Startling By Each Step stands out possibly because of the tack it takes -- it's one of the more reality-grounded stories as in the heroine assumes her knowledge of historical events will protect her -- she can back the winner in the vicious imperial intrigues of the court, and therefore survive in a world where women have no power and little say in their lives, and where royal displeasure with one member can involve the execution of entire generations of families -- from grandparents to grandchildren and anyone unfortunate enough to trace kinship with them. And then she meets all the players and realises how naive that idea is -- what she knew as historical players are living people with thoughts and emotions, people she will love and emotionally connect to as friends, lovers and kin. IOW, it kicks Fuushigi Yuugi's ass to the curb.
Interesting trivia: China is banning this particular genre. I am pretty sure however, that it won't stop the hundreds of internet novels getting churned out -- the author that goes by Tong Hua herself doesn't even live in China anymore.
I totally plan to make this my eat-live-breathe series of the year.
Other wtf things:
- GHIBLI MEETS HEAVY METAL: Princess Ghibli is an album of famous ghibli songs-- done metal. It's not being released in Japan, as undoubtedly it would give the entire nation a collective aneurysm.
- NYANPIRE: Otherwise known as Chii goes gothic vampire. Yes, chibiporn I have all the episodes.
THIS:
chii
CHII + FANGS = NYANPIRE
TO THIS:
Tonight, I plan to spend my night watching the culmination of Chinese internet novels hits mainstream, known as different things: Bu Bu Jing Xin, Startling by Each Step and Scarlet Heart in Singapore, based on the internet novel by Tong Hua. It features one of China's most beloved genres: 穿越 - which is translated most commonly as time-travelling, though it would be more accurate to describe it as spirit travelling back in time. The point of departure generally goes like this: Modern chinese girl/guy generally has an accident (fatal/coma-inducing) and their spirit travels back in time, where they generally inhabit the body of someone who has simultaneously suffered an accident or illness. They tend to make an impression on the people around them because of their modern viewpoints or morals. From there, the adventure starts and generally is either romantic or heroic in ending. (Also very commonly tragic - there's something about chinese/korean/japanese cultures that just doesn't believe in a happy ending. -___-;;)
Startling By Each Step stands out possibly because of the tack it takes -- it's one of the more reality-grounded stories as in the heroine assumes her knowledge of historical events will protect her -- she can back the winner in the vicious imperial intrigues of the court, and therefore survive in a world where women have no power and little say in their lives, and where royal displeasure with one member can involve the execution of entire generations of families -- from grandparents to grandchildren and anyone unfortunate enough to trace kinship with them. And then she meets all the players and realises how naive that idea is -- what she knew as historical players are living people with thoughts and emotions, people she will love and emotionally connect to as friends, lovers and kin. IOW, it kicks Fuushigi Yuugi's ass to the curb.
Interesting trivia: China is banning this particular genre. I am pretty sure however, that it won't stop the hundreds of internet novels getting churned out -- the author that goes by Tong Hua herself doesn't even live in China anymore.
I totally plan to make this my eat-live-breathe series of the year.
Other wtf things:
- GHIBLI MEETS HEAVY METAL: Princess Ghibli is an album of famous ghibli songs-- done metal. It's not being released in Japan, as undoubtedly it would give the entire nation a collective aneurysm.
- NYANPIRE: Otherwise known as Chii goes gothic vampire. Yes, chibiporn I have all the episodes.
THIS:
chii
CHII + FANGS = NYANPIRE
TO THIS:
Click to view