(no subject)
It's 7 in the morning and I'm doing memes. Why do I do this to myself. =_=
Pick five of your favorite shows, in no particular order, before you read the below questions, then answer them!
1. Escaflowne
2. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
3. Hellsing
4. Cardcaptor Sakura
5. X/1999
01. Who's your favourite character in 2 (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)?
Itoshiki. Hands down. When I first heard that he was going to be extremely pessimistic, I thought he was just going to be a carbon copy of my most hated English teacher in high school (who was a real Debbie Downer and a hypocrite-- he once tried to tell us that “appearance wasn’t important”... and he had a freaking COMB-OVER.)
And then came the first episode, where the young high-school girl saves him from suicide by hanging-- nearly strangling him in the process-- and he shouted “What if I had died?!” Cue me falling head over heels in love with him.
Seriously-- he’s so unbelievably over the top and obsesses over such stupid things that it’s hard not to crack up at his antics. The fact that he’s a rather attractive man doesn’t help things, either. (It’s the glasses, I swear. It’s always the glasses.)
02. Who's your least favourite character in 1 (Escaflowne)?
Ooh, man. That’s a tough one. The easiest choice would be Merle, I think, but then again she is supposed to be a young girl with a hopeless crush so I can’t really fault her for it. Escaflowne’s one of those series that makes every character complex so that it’s difficult to hate them or find them annoying-- difficult for me, at least. Even the Mole Man’s kinda awesome in his own way. XD
I’d say my least favorite character probably has to be Dornkirk, for the creepy Emperor Palpatine thing he’s got going on.
03. What's your favourite episode of 4 (Cardcaptor Sakura)?
I totally flailed and text-spazzed about this in an earlier journal entry, but the episode where Syaoran is first developing feelings for Sakura. I’m sure many people on my friendslist know how obsessed I am with puppy-love, and this episode made me clench my teeth so hard to prevent myself from weirding out my roommates with my squealing.
The one scene that nearly killed me was when she’s being all cute and asks if he wants to come with her to see a teddy bear exhibit. Syaoran immediately freezes in place, blushing furiously and looking terrified, and you can actually hear his heartbeat speed up the longer she smiles at him.
AND THEN THERE’S AN IMAGE SONG, SUNG BY HIS VOICE ACTRESS, OF HOW HE’S TOTALLY NOT IN LOVE WITH HER NO REALLY HE’S NOT I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT.
Needless to say, I loved every. Single. Second of that episode.
04. What's your favourite season of 5 (X/1999)?
Hmm... I’m not sure X even has seasons. It might’ve gone on for only twenty or thirty episodes, I don’t know. (Just checked. Only twenty-four.)
05. Who is your favourite ship in 3 (Hellsing)?
I think it pretty much has to be Integra/Alucard. Aside from the fact that Integra’s one of the sexiest anime women I’ve ever seen (and possibly one of the only women, real or not, for whom I would consider playing for the other team), these two just have so much chemistry together.
There’s the whole Master/Servant thing going on there, Alucard is really one of the only vampires that I actually like, and you just know that he’d let Integra top even if it’s just letting her think she’s got the upper hand.
06. Who is your antiship in 2 (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)?
This is easy-- Itoshiki/Fuura. Actually, Itoshiki/any of his students. I don’t know if it’s because I’m thinking of becoming a high-school teacher, but that sort of relationship squicks me right the hell out. Just... no. Plus, Itoshiki doesn’t even seem to care that a few of his female students are in love with him-- he just kind of quietly accepts it and moves on.
And considering he seemed very uninterested in his students’ nudity during that hot-spring mishap that happened one episode (just... don’t ask), it’s probably safe to say that he doesn’t think of his students that way at all.
Or maybe he was just more afraid of them seeing him naked. He did seem very close to pulling the “AIEEE! Perverts!” stunt that women are stereotypically doing in these situations. XD
07. How long have you watched 1 (Escaflowne)?
I remember starting when I was... ooh... fifteen? Sixteen? Somewhere around that time. I was flipping the channels and managed to catch The Version That Must Not Be Named that aired on FOX. For some reason I wasn’t scared away by it, and decided to buy it at my nearest video store.
This turned out to be the first subtitled anime I had ever watched, let alone bought. I was a little put-off by the subtitles at first, but easily got into it because the storyline was just that awesome.
I’ve watched the series in its entirety and have been a huge fan ever since. I’ve only watched the entire series once, I think, but that’s only because the last episode is so beautiful and wistful that it made me break down sobbing when I was done with it. Yoko Kanno emotionally makes me her bitch and I love it.
08. How did you become interested in 3 (Hellsing)?
Integra, probably. I was never much interested in vampires, but when I saw this picture I thought “h-holy shit... who is THAT?!” ‘Course, rosehiptea may have had something to do with it too, since she got me interested in the Walter/Seras pairing. (There I go again with gentlemanly older men... *sigh*)
09. Who's your favourite actor/actress in 4 (Cardcaptor Sakura)?
I’d have to say the VA of Sakura. (AHAHAHA HER NAME IS SAKURA TANGE? REALLY?) She makes Sakura happy and perky and adorable without completely overdoing it. In fact, it’s hard for me to even use the words “Sakura” and “annoying” in the same sentence-- she’s just too goddamn cute.
Close second would have to be Megumi Ogata, who does the voice of Sakura’s brother’s friend Yukito. She has a gorgeous voice and it really lends to the calm, happy young man that Yukito is. She’s also got a wonderfully soothing singing voice-- Yukito has a simple, folksy little image song about riding a bicycle and having a picnic and it really works wonders in cheering you up. ^_^
10. Which do you prefer: Show 1, 2 or 5 (Escaflowne, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei or X/1999)?
Depends. If you’re going for which I prefer at the moment? Zetsubou. If you’re going for which show has my heart forever and ever? Escaflowne. Bar none.
11. Which show have you seen more episodes of, 1 or 3 (Escaflowne or Hellsing)?
Escaflowne, but only because it has more episodes in the entire series-- at 26. Hellsing only had a measly thirteen.
12. If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be (Cardcaptor Sakura)?
Toughie. Probably Yukito, if I didn’t have any problems with suddenly swapping genders. He’s got a very positive outlook on life-- nothing seems to faze him, and he seems to enjoy the simple things in life. He’s also very sweet, even when having to deal with the fact that his best friend’s ten-year-old sister has a gigantic crush on him. Plus he can eat like a mountain of food and not gain any weight whatsoever. XD
13. How would you kill off your favourite character in 1 (Escaflowne)?
In battle. I’m sure that’s how Dilandau would’ve wanted it-- going out in a blaze of glory. (Okay, show of hands-- how many of you were surprised that I picked the mentally unbalanced pyromaniac as my favorite character? Anyone?)
14. Give a random quote from 1 (Escaflowne)?
“Just as gold cannot be created, fate cannot be controlled.” (Not gonna give the context to that, as that would be a major spoiler. XD)
15. Which character from 5 (X/1999) would be a good guest star on 2 (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)?
Ooh... probably Yuzuriha Nekoi. I mean, the fact that she’s got a spirit dog that no normal person can see made for some good angst in X, but it’d probably be completely lulzy in a setting like Zetsubou-- especially if you don’t even show the dog in the first place. It’d just seem like she was talking to an imaginary friend or something. She’d fit right in with Itoshiki’s crazy class, plus she seems to have a knack for making the cynical characters liven up a little bit.
16. Would a 3/4 (Hellsing/Cardcaptor Sakura) crossover work?
Short answer? No. Absolutely not. Cardcaptor Sakura is all about cute kids and magical powers. Hellsing is dark, gritty and gory. I would definitely not want to throw poor Sakura into the midst of that world. It’d be like kicking a puppy. :c
17. Pair 2 characters in 1 (Escaflowne) that would make an unlikely but strangely okay couple.
Hmm... you know what? Jajuka/Eries would be interesting. (Series!Jajuka of course, because Movie!Jajuka is just... scary-looking.) Granted, these two never meet in the series, but they still have that same quiet sadness about them. And I get the feeling that Jajuka would be very sweet to her and try to comfort her with whatever she’s dealing with. They could comfort each other. I’m not sure what her opinions on beastmen are, but it could make for a rather cute pairing.
18. Has 5 (X/1999) inspired you in any way?
Oh yes. There’s a lot of spiritual messages and things like that. One of the things I’m thinking of is when Kamui has to choose which side he’s fighting for-- the side that will kill all the humans and preserve the Earth, or the side that will save the humans and let the Earth be destroyed over time.
His final thoughts on his decision is, “The world may be destroyed eventually, but if those I cared about weren’t here with me... the world might as well not exist.” Which is probably a selfish thing to say, but honestly-- wouldn’t we all agree on that at some point? He’s a sixteen year old kid who’s struggling to protect the lives of the friends he loves! I doubt anyone else wouldn’t make the same choice, were they in his shoes.
19. Overall, which show has a better cast, 2 (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei) or 4 (Cardcaptor Sakura)?
Another toughie! I’d say when it’s all said and done, though, Zetsubou demands more of the cast. I mean, Itoshiki alone has to be dramatic and angsty but still manage to keep a comedic side to things. And one of the characters has multiple personalities, so she has to speak in two distinct yet similar voices to differentiate between the two personalities.
20. Which has better theme music, 3 (Hellsing) or 5 (X/1999)?
Hellsing, definitely. It’s got this quirky blues style that somehow really works with the series. X just has this weird rock-opera kind of thing that feels out of place and ham-fisted-- almost like they just tacked on a generic anime opening song to cut corners. :/
GAAAAH WHY AM I STILL AWAKE
Pick five of your favorite shows, in no particular order, before you read the below questions, then answer them!
1. Escaflowne
2. Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei
3. Hellsing
4. Cardcaptor Sakura
5. X/1999
01. Who's your favourite character in 2 (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)?
Itoshiki. Hands down. When I first heard that he was going to be extremely pessimistic, I thought he was just going to be a carbon copy of my most hated English teacher in high school (who was a real Debbie Downer and a hypocrite-- he once tried to tell us that “appearance wasn’t important”... and he had a freaking COMB-OVER.)
And then came the first episode, where the young high-school girl saves him from suicide by hanging-- nearly strangling him in the process-- and he shouted “What if I had died?!” Cue me falling head over heels in love with him.
Seriously-- he’s so unbelievably over the top and obsesses over such stupid things that it’s hard not to crack up at his antics. The fact that he’s a rather attractive man doesn’t help things, either. (It’s the glasses, I swear. It’s always the glasses.)
02. Who's your least favourite character in 1 (Escaflowne)?
Ooh, man. That’s a tough one. The easiest choice would be Merle, I think, but then again she is supposed to be a young girl with a hopeless crush so I can’t really fault her for it. Escaflowne’s one of those series that makes every character complex so that it’s difficult to hate them or find them annoying-- difficult for me, at least. Even the Mole Man’s kinda awesome in his own way. XD
I’d say my least favorite character probably has to be Dornkirk, for the creepy Emperor Palpatine thing he’s got going on.
03. What's your favourite episode of 4 (Cardcaptor Sakura)?
I totally flailed and text-spazzed about this in an earlier journal entry, but the episode where Syaoran is first developing feelings for Sakura. I’m sure many people on my friendslist know how obsessed I am with puppy-love, and this episode made me clench my teeth so hard to prevent myself from weirding out my roommates with my squealing.
The one scene that nearly killed me was when she’s being all cute and asks if he wants to come with her to see a teddy bear exhibit. Syaoran immediately freezes in place, blushing furiously and looking terrified, and you can actually hear his heartbeat speed up the longer she smiles at him.
AND THEN THERE’S AN IMAGE SONG, SUNG BY HIS VOICE ACTRESS, OF HOW HE’S TOTALLY NOT IN LOVE WITH HER NO REALLY HE’S NOT I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT.
Needless to say, I loved every. Single. Second of that episode.
04. What's your favourite season of 5 (X/1999)?
Hmm... I’m not sure X even has seasons. It might’ve gone on for only twenty or thirty episodes, I don’t know. (Just checked. Only twenty-four.)
05. Who is your favourite ship in 3 (Hellsing)?
I think it pretty much has to be Integra/Alucard. Aside from the fact that Integra’s one of the sexiest anime women I’ve ever seen (and possibly one of the only women, real or not, for whom I would consider playing for the other team), these two just have so much chemistry together.
There’s the whole Master/Servant thing going on there, Alucard is really one of the only vampires that I actually like, and you just know that he’d let Integra top even if it’s just letting her think she’s got the upper hand.
06. Who is your antiship in 2 (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)?
This is easy-- Itoshiki/Fuura. Actually, Itoshiki/any of his students. I don’t know if it’s because I’m thinking of becoming a high-school teacher, but that sort of relationship squicks me right the hell out. Just... no. Plus, Itoshiki doesn’t even seem to care that a few of his female students are in love with him-- he just kind of quietly accepts it and moves on.
And considering he seemed very uninterested in his students’ nudity during that hot-spring mishap that happened one episode (just... don’t ask), it’s probably safe to say that he doesn’t think of his students that way at all.
Or maybe he was just more afraid of them seeing him naked. He did seem very close to pulling the “AIEEE! Perverts!” stunt that women are stereotypically doing in these situations. XD
07. How long have you watched 1 (Escaflowne)?
I remember starting when I was... ooh... fifteen? Sixteen? Somewhere around that time. I was flipping the channels and managed to catch The Version That Must Not Be Named that aired on FOX. For some reason I wasn’t scared away by it, and decided to buy it at my nearest video store.
This turned out to be the first subtitled anime I had ever watched, let alone bought. I was a little put-off by the subtitles at first, but easily got into it because the storyline was just that awesome.
I’ve watched the series in its entirety and have been a huge fan ever since. I’ve only watched the entire series once, I think, but that’s only because the last episode is so beautiful and wistful that it made me break down sobbing when I was done with it. Yoko Kanno emotionally makes me her bitch and I love it.
08. How did you become interested in 3 (Hellsing)?
Integra, probably. I was never much interested in vampires, but when I saw this picture I thought “h-holy shit... who is THAT?!” ‘Course, rosehiptea may have had something to do with it too, since she got me interested in the Walter/Seras pairing. (There I go again with gentlemanly older men... *sigh*)
09. Who's your favourite actor/actress in 4 (Cardcaptor Sakura)?
I’d have to say the VA of Sakura. (AHAHAHA HER NAME IS SAKURA TANGE? REALLY?) She makes Sakura happy and perky and adorable without completely overdoing it. In fact, it’s hard for me to even use the words “Sakura” and “annoying” in the same sentence-- she’s just too goddamn cute.
Close second would have to be Megumi Ogata, who does the voice of Sakura’s brother’s friend Yukito. She has a gorgeous voice and it really lends to the calm, happy young man that Yukito is. She’s also got a wonderfully soothing singing voice-- Yukito has a simple, folksy little image song about riding a bicycle and having a picnic and it really works wonders in cheering you up. ^_^
10. Which do you prefer: Show 1, 2 or 5 (Escaflowne, Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei or X/1999)?
Depends. If you’re going for which I prefer at the moment? Zetsubou. If you’re going for which show has my heart forever and ever? Escaflowne. Bar none.
11. Which show have you seen more episodes of, 1 or 3 (Escaflowne or Hellsing)?
Escaflowne, but only because it has more episodes in the entire series-- at 26. Hellsing only had a measly thirteen.
12. If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be (Cardcaptor Sakura)?
Toughie. Probably Yukito, if I didn’t have any problems with suddenly swapping genders. He’s got a very positive outlook on life-- nothing seems to faze him, and he seems to enjoy the simple things in life. He’s also very sweet, even when having to deal with the fact that his best friend’s ten-year-old sister has a gigantic crush on him. Plus he can eat like a mountain of food and not gain any weight whatsoever. XD
13. How would you kill off your favourite character in 1 (Escaflowne)?
In battle. I’m sure that’s how Dilandau would’ve wanted it-- going out in a blaze of glory. (Okay, show of hands-- how many of you were surprised that I picked the mentally unbalanced pyromaniac as my favorite character? Anyone?)
14. Give a random quote from 1 (Escaflowne)?
“Just as gold cannot be created, fate cannot be controlled.” (Not gonna give the context to that, as that would be a major spoiler. XD)
15. Which character from 5 (X/1999) would be a good guest star on 2 (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei)?
Ooh... probably Yuzuriha Nekoi. I mean, the fact that she’s got a spirit dog that no normal person can see made for some good angst in X, but it’d probably be completely lulzy in a setting like Zetsubou-- especially if you don’t even show the dog in the first place. It’d just seem like she was talking to an imaginary friend or something. She’d fit right in with Itoshiki’s crazy class, plus she seems to have a knack for making the cynical characters liven up a little bit.
16. Would a 3/4 (Hellsing/Cardcaptor Sakura) crossover work?
Short answer? No. Absolutely not. Cardcaptor Sakura is all about cute kids and magical powers. Hellsing is dark, gritty and gory. I would definitely not want to throw poor Sakura into the midst of that world. It’d be like kicking a puppy. :c
17. Pair 2 characters in 1 (Escaflowne) that would make an unlikely but strangely okay couple.
Hmm... you know what? Jajuka/Eries would be interesting. (Series!Jajuka of course, because Movie!Jajuka is just... scary-looking.) Granted, these two never meet in the series, but they still have that same quiet sadness about them. And I get the feeling that Jajuka would be very sweet to her and try to comfort her with whatever she’s dealing with. They could comfort each other. I’m not sure what her opinions on beastmen are, but it could make for a rather cute pairing.
18. Has 5 (X/1999) inspired you in any way?
Oh yes. There’s a lot of spiritual messages and things like that. One of the things I’m thinking of is when Kamui has to choose which side he’s fighting for-- the side that will kill all the humans and preserve the Earth, or the side that will save the humans and let the Earth be destroyed over time.
His final thoughts on his decision is, “The world may be destroyed eventually, but if those I cared about weren’t here with me... the world might as well not exist.” Which is probably a selfish thing to say, but honestly-- wouldn’t we all agree on that at some point? He’s a sixteen year old kid who’s struggling to protect the lives of the friends he loves! I doubt anyone else wouldn’t make the same choice, were they in his shoes.
19. Overall, which show has a better cast, 2 (Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei) or 4 (Cardcaptor Sakura)?
Another toughie! I’d say when it’s all said and done, though, Zetsubou demands more of the cast. I mean, Itoshiki alone has to be dramatic and angsty but still manage to keep a comedic side to things. And one of the characters has multiple personalities, so she has to speak in two distinct yet similar voices to differentiate between the two personalities.
20. Which has better theme music, 3 (Hellsing) or 5 (X/1999)?
Hellsing, definitely. It’s got this quirky blues style that somehow really works with the series. X just has this weird rock-opera kind of thing that feels out of place and ham-fisted-- almost like they just tacked on a generic anime opening song to cut corners. :/
GAAAAH WHY AM I STILL AWAKE