"Those people"
One immediate benefit of being on campus is having more time to do things; not just in terms of assignments and studying and other boring stuff like that, but joining student organized clubs and such. A particular advanatage of campus residency: being able to join the anime club. After attending Otakon '04 and '05, I figured it couldn't hurt. I have no bias against it like others, and I actually enjoy some of it, so why not.
Fast forward three weeks later, and this club has turned out to be the one highlight in my week. All of the series we've been watching have been entertaining in their own way, and I've promised myself to grab some DVD's when I get the opportunity (read: cash). Here's a rundown of what we're watching; I'll keep the descriptions vague to prevent spoilers:
Monday Meetings
Noir - a highly skilled female assasin encounters a mysterious girl with equal deadly skills. I've only seen the first two episodes because my orchestra rehearsals overlap the first hour of the meeting (some time issues can't be avoided, I guess). Mystery, intrigue, action, girls beating up guys in suits.
Azumanga Daioh - Superbly funny. It stars a group of high school girls involved in crazy, ridiculous antics. Presently at the top of my DVD list.
Scrapped Princess - 15 year-old princess Pacifica Kasull is prophesized to bring forth the end of the world once she turns 16. Because of this, she is forced to live on the run with her brother Shannon and sister Raquel by her side. Cool series.
Wednesday Meetings
Love Hina - Keitaro Urashima's lifelong goal has been to gain acceptance into Tokyo U university and fulfill the promise of his childhood sweetheart. Through certain circumstances, he becomes the resident manager of the Hinata apartments, occupied by a small group of girls with widely ranging personalities. I'm not as enthralled by this series as the others, but there are still plenty of hilarity to be found. I'll put it this way: Not as funny as Azumanga, but still an enjoyable experience.
Bleach - Ichigo Kurosaki, a 15 year-old boy, has the ability to see ghosts and communicate with them. He meets Kuchiki Rukia, a female Soul Reaper whose job is to reap Hollows, menacing creatures searching for fresh souls to devour. Through particular events, Ichigo takes up the occupation of Soul Reaper in order to rid the world of the Hollows. Simply an awesome series. Great action, great comedy, interesting storyline. Must get DVD ASAP.
Special Experiments Lain - Uhhhhhhh...well, the main character is a young girl named Lain. That's the most I can say. It's a fiercely strange anime with events that are beyond explainable, and I'd be ruining the storyline if I expressed the parts I do understand. It's infinitely weird, but it's so stirring. This anime was actually voted off by the majority of the club, but I have to pick up the DVD to see where this series goes.
This is the most anime exposure I've gotten ever, and I'm anxious to see more. I've only heard of such series as Full Metal Alchemist and Neon Genesis Evangelion, but I've never seen for myself. I don't know what your opinions are on anime, but I'm sold. As per the title of this blog, I'm slowly joing "their" ranks. Not quite as hardcore a member as some, but certainly joining the force.
Fast forward three weeks later, and this club has turned out to be the one highlight in my week. All of the series we've been watching have been entertaining in their own way, and I've promised myself to grab some DVD's when I get the opportunity (read: cash). Here's a rundown of what we're watching; I'll keep the descriptions vague to prevent spoilers:
Monday Meetings
Noir - a highly skilled female assasin encounters a mysterious girl with equal deadly skills. I've only seen the first two episodes because my orchestra rehearsals overlap the first hour of the meeting (some time issues can't be avoided, I guess). Mystery, intrigue, action, girls beating up guys in suits.
Azumanga Daioh - Superbly funny. It stars a group of high school girls involved in crazy, ridiculous antics. Presently at the top of my DVD list.
Scrapped Princess - 15 year-old princess Pacifica Kasull is prophesized to bring forth the end of the world once she turns 16. Because of this, she is forced to live on the run with her brother Shannon and sister Raquel by her side. Cool series.
Wednesday Meetings
Love Hina - Keitaro Urashima's lifelong goal has been to gain acceptance into Tokyo U university and fulfill the promise of his childhood sweetheart. Through certain circumstances, he becomes the resident manager of the Hinata apartments, occupied by a small group of girls with widely ranging personalities. I'm not as enthralled by this series as the others, but there are still plenty of hilarity to be found. I'll put it this way: Not as funny as Azumanga, but still an enjoyable experience.
Bleach - Ichigo Kurosaki, a 15 year-old boy, has the ability to see ghosts and communicate with them. He meets Kuchiki Rukia, a female Soul Reaper whose job is to reap Hollows, menacing creatures searching for fresh souls to devour. Through particular events, Ichigo takes up the occupation of Soul Reaper in order to rid the world of the Hollows. Simply an awesome series. Great action, great comedy, interesting storyline. Must get DVD ASAP.
Special Experiments Lain - Uhhhhhhh...well, the main character is a young girl named Lain. That's the most I can say. It's a fiercely strange anime with events that are beyond explainable, and I'd be ruining the storyline if I expressed the parts I do understand. It's infinitely weird, but it's so stirring. This anime was actually voted off by the majority of the club, but I have to pick up the DVD to see where this series goes.
This is the most anime exposure I've gotten ever, and I'm anxious to see more. I've only heard of such series as Full Metal Alchemist and Neon Genesis Evangelion, but I've never seen for myself. I don't know what your opinions are on anime, but I'm sold. As per the title of this blog, I'm slowly joing "their" ranks. Not quite as hardcore a member as some, but certainly joining the force.