Month: April 2008

Experience :: Megane

Posted by Ryan A - April 30, 08

Today’s experience post comes from a 2007 film, Megane. There wasn’t much particular about how I ran into the film, only a link I followed from Google, etc. Of course, the term megane (眼鏡) has extravagant connotation in anime, but the film is unrelated. The only I relation I could find to “glasses” was that each main character wore them. So…

Morning Exercises

Truthfully, and though it may be a just so-so film, I found it a delight for my current circumstance (recent freedoms), but I greatly believe this film is not for everyone, or one in any given moment, it just isn’t. The film is especially slow, subtle and predominately slice-of-life. Imagine H+C without any romantic threads and much less apparent comedy (via Morita).

Megane held countless “silent” scenes, a fair amount of beer drinking, hunger-inducing foods, and other “goodies” for those who enjoy subtle-ordinary things, and it did have moments of humor in the characters, but it wasn’t comedy. It was just what I needed to start my break, a let go, a release. Yet, stepping out of a busy lifestyle, experiencing the film, and then back into the rush of things doesn’t do it justice… the atmosphere needs to be felt. And the setting/atmosphere is precisely why I related, minus it being in Japan; the setting was quite familiar to Florida (open house, small community, nature, beach, ocean… it’s like a mirror). [reflection @ melative]

Here is a clip from the film, where there is some mandolin music. It sounds like that meditation music, which is about the vibe of the film.
Mandolins

I won’t touch on the whole issue of “Twilighting” (stems from たそがれ, but I didn’t know what the suffix was), rather why is this atmosphere so hard to find in anime? The beach and an open “beach” house, where are they?

Answers, I want

I know what many would say, “most series have beach episodes” and that is great for Fumoffu!, TTGL, Lucky Star, and other big titles, but it isn’t the setting. And I don’t mean seaside towns like in Umisho or Asatte no Houko. I mean the beach, as in the setting of Weekend at Bernie’s (bad example D:). Does Macross Zero come close? Mmm, I guess, but penis sticks wasn’t really what I had in mind (excuse me).

beach

Finding this open, do little, enjoy big, relax, don’t rush aura in anime will be tough… or it could just Aria compensating for these by its little self. I am opening up cases for slice-of-life variants, but finding little resolve in anime…. I will continue without rushing.

Ryan A

note: for anyone interested, I am not sure of the availability in US (no Netflix), but its probably available somewhere on DVD. There was a torrent, and mkv, but the subtitles were not nice. I demuxed and repackaged as .ass subs for clear fonts.

The Week :: [missing]

Posted by Ryan A - April 28, 08

Hikari

Yea, well, this was expected. I missed posting on last week in review and the forecast for the coming week. Why is that?

Sadly, there will be no week in review, as I am looking forward. Finals created circumstances which tied me up, and also … I have a visitor. My visitor stands ~17cm high, and is a little white fluff ball neko. She is completely kawaii terror and hard love (I don’t understand purring while viciously trying to rip my thumbnails out)! Anyway, it’s been a while since I had a pet, and she doesn’t let me work efficiently (see Kurenai), but I’m getting into the flow.

Glance Back

As I said, I’ll just have to resume the weekly wrap-up next time, but mark this.

After stumbling in from today’s last final
I sat down and watched the latest episode xxxHOLiC Kei.

Insightful meaning in few words.

Forecast

There are merely a few seasonal episodes to experience before the rest of the week, but having seen S.A and Vampire Knight from last week, I’ll say that VK is entertaining but quite shallow, and S.A is getting better but slacking at the same time; just strolling. What makes me eager? I don’t know since uh, yea, still have to watch Library Wars, KKN, and Nabari no Ou, but I can’t go wrong with xxxHOLiC… can I?

Yuuko

I don’t think so…

Ryan A

note: I am taking my school intermission after 7 consecutive semesters, so I will hope to enjoy the Summer with backlog and seasonal adventures. Also, I usually mark my episodic experiences using melative reflections, I never understood the reasons I used AniDB to “list” and “mark” episodes I have seen, which now seems redundant (reflections kill two birds with one stone, experience is experience). Any episodes I had yet viewed in this post will wind up on the reflections shortly. ^^ Improved melative functionality soon.

Code :: PleasurePoker

Posted by Ryan A - April 25, 08

This is going to be a day late, but wow that was a long day. Fridays are code days. Personally, I think Fridays are a bit slow in the anime blogosphere, I mean its Friday, time to shed those weekly ambitions and let is ride. It goes without saying that I don’t expect much reading or feedback on these posts, there won’t be pretty pictures. It goes without saying there should be a disclaimer on any code I bring out on Fridays, as it is merely prototype-level stuff. Of course, I wouldn’t mind touching up some hacks if there is a need for it… personally I can work with hacks [and meta-hacks]. Hopefully, the relations to anime, or animeblogging, will be apparent.

Pleasure Poking and Bongo Party

Today’s code is quite simple/redundant, and for anyone that doesn’t want to look at code, I’ll just say what it does. It is a python XChat script (yes, that crazy stuff), which merely listens for the triggers: !bongos or !pokeme, and does a /me command based on the calling nick. Lame right?

pleasure

This has no intention of being an end script, but it does give some insight into useful XChat events, in case anyone wants to do this sort of thing, but doesn’t want to spend 4 hours looking at the documentation. Here is the code:


__module_name__ = "BongoPoke"
__module_version__ = "0.0"
__module_description__ = "Shakes bongos, and pokes for pleasurez"

import xchat, re

def pleasurepoke(word, word_eol, userdata):
	if xchat.get_info('nick')=='PleasurePoker' and re.search("^!pokeme$", word[1])!=None:
		xchat.command("me pokes "+ word[0] +" with pleasurez *ehew*")
		return xchat.EAT_ALL
	return xchat.EAT_NONE

def bongos( word ):
	if re.search("^!bongos$", word[1] ) != None:
		xchat.command("me shakes the bongos for "+ word[0]  +" ~()~");
		return 1
	else:
		return None

def echo_cb(nickchan):
	def f(word, word_eol, userdata):
		if xchat.get_info('nick')+xchat.get_info('channel')==nickchan:
		    res=bongos( word )
		    if res == 1:
		    	return xchat.EAT_ALL
		    else:
		    	return xchat.EAT_NONE
	return f

xchat.prnt("Loading module for " + xchat.get_info('nick') + " in " + xchat.get_info('channel') )
xchat.hook_print( "Channel Message", echo_cb( xchat.get_info('nick')+xchat.get_info('channel') ) )
xchat.hook_print( "Channel Message", pleasurepoke )

The Technicals

So here we have two handlers, pleasurepoke and bongos, which merely do some checking of the word data (state) and execute the xchat.command “me” (action command, we all know this one, the one to not use is say). The third function, echo_cb, is slightly more complex, it creates a function f, based on nickchan and returns the function f, the handler (here it is passing stuff to bongos). In this way, echo_cb is a mini “function factory” which abstracts the flow control that chooses to execute the handler or not. ( This simply means we can restrict the handlers to certain channels, nicks, servers, etc )

Well, I think it is straightforward, so I’ll stop here. Also, some of this is repeated from a previous XChat python post. One step closer to being l33t in all those anime IRC channels right!? This is pretty general use though :p

Ryan A

melative reflects the thoughts

Posted by Ryan A - April 24, 08

Today I didn’t do a weekly adventure post, though I plan on doing one for code Friday. Rather, while reading some of the blog list this week, I noticed a couple bloggers mention the use of MyAnimeList for twittering “micro-blogging.” It isn’t difficult to see why I am putting this post out there, but I think melative reflections need some light.

Credentials

One of the first mentions of melative here on AloeDream, was this post, but the concept of “reflections” came somewhere about month after Maestro gave me this blog, and I asked myself, “Is there a better way?” I got into blogging wanting to bring my cluttered notebook of small ramblings to the world web, but this *stares at WP* was just overkill for what I wanted.

I had been planning a web-app at the time, but I grew this unrelated idea of “short notes” in the mix of things. A previous 2004 application I coded did a small version of tracking my anime experience and notes as I went along (all in AJAX), but I gave that up when I went S.A Hikari-mode with school. Funny thing… melative reflections weren’t stimulated by that project, they were stimulated by episodic blogging.

When I started to blog, I did the episode to episode thing, but it was tiring. The snapshots were tiring, the summary was tiring, layout was tiring, and the only enjoyable part was writing what I felt about it ( the reflection ). It is a different time. If the short list on the right doesn’t do justice, here is an example of extremely undemanding reflecting…

rss

I want to repeat that extremely undemanding part. I’ll say it, I’m lazy, I can’t spend 2 hours on a post about ONE episode, or ONE volume of a manga. Still, why reflections? why melative? Even though the site is in rubble (SRSLY ごめんなさい), some things work, reflections I made sure of since I use them. *smacks himself for dancing around the questions*

Answers and Rambling

melative reflections are “directed at specific pieces of media“. So what’s the difference between MAL’s ‘related’ posts, or better yet, Last.fm’s journal connections (I respect that thing). Well, the words have different meanings (directed, connected, related). This isn’t so say a reflection is unable to connect or relate, because that is already built into melative with bbcode links (ie. [anime]Kanokon[/anime] or [creator]Katsumi Nishino[/creator] or [actor]Miyū Takeuchi[/actor] … don’ ask me why I used Kanokon references, because I entireli don’t know :P).

Why not Twitter or Pownce?

It’s feasible, but these sites are more about “events” in the life of a person. How many users post about the experience. melative aims to display the experience. I could Twitter, “I just watched episode 12 of True Tears, the chicken should have died” or I could reflect … “the chicken should have died” (directly at True Tears, on an episode, no.12). Very similar approaches, but it’s about organization of thought vs a stream of events, the latter being Twitter.

Lastly, one of the greater purposes of melative is the fact that MAL and Last.fm are different sites, but still toying with media. melative encompasses all media (or 13-14 areas planned). So a reflection doesn’t have to relate to another anime or manga, it can just as well be connected to an album, game, poem whatever. And just as important, reflections and melative do not eliminate the need for a blog; it is a tool, the informaiton is meant to be portable and accessible (code code and more code).

Anyway, the melative story doesn’t end with reflective micro-blogging, which it is a very small, almost unintended piece of the pie. It is a personal tool which fits precisely into the scheme of this animeblogging. Hence, the reason I use it.

Ryan A

Experience :: Twilight Seibei

Posted by Ryan A - April 23, 08

So this is Wednesday, I should be studying for my final in 5 horus. ANYWAY!

Experiences are the things we take with us in time. Media gives us experiences we may never encounter in our normal lives, and this is a good thing. Wednesday is experience day. Last week, I shared an experience in my post, Real Girls. Though it was not an anime or manga experience, I did see a relation in the midst, and that is what I want to do here. Take experiences (media or real) and see why I relate/d them to anime/manga. I don’t intend to just make things up, like it could be related this way. Rather… well you’ll see.

Short History

I began my fandom of anime and manga somewhere in 2002. Though I enjoyed the well known titles that had floated around the US (Akira, GiTS), I never took to the media, nor did I even know these things were peculiar (their own form of media); unaware, even to DBZ or anything on Cartoon Network, for six years. It just wasn’t in my world.

One way or another, Rurouni Kenshin, tha manga, caught my eye, a terrific story. Things began to roll, but for my immediate purpose, RK introduced me to the Meiji era, and also bits of curious and intriguing Japanese culture. Soon after RK, I ran into this film Twilight Seibei (たそがれ清兵衛, 2002), which was quite the contrary to RK in terms of mood, but very much related in substance; life during the Meiji.

Cover

Reflecting on the film, I was drawn into the era by the subtle display of “ordinary life.” There is a slight plotline, good conflict, great atmosphere, but I would classify it as slice-of-life more than anything. At the time, I never asked myself, what is slice-of-life, as I was unaware of such things, though it makes me wonder if I would see the film in different light. For my own reasons, I will say it would yield the same effect, but a rewatch over the Summer would be nice.

Yes, I enjoyed this film, and all it’s subtleties, but I was hoping for more action on my original intake; I was shounen lol. In my current state, the film has greater meaning, and does not need more than the two fight scenes contained. Seibei, the main character, is portrayed graciously, and though he is is nearly powerless in society, he is strong in life, and not soley for his wicked kodachi skils (slightly featured). He has respect for life, and things, he is a good father, but he is a normal man. He does not try to shine bright, but is brilliant all the same (ch24s2^^).

Manga has extensive variety, but sadly, it is hard to find these sort of main characters in the media. Unspecial and sincere, where are they? Would they be worth portraying, and/or could they even be portrayed without slice-of-life? If we look deep into an ordinary life, does still seem that ordinary?

Ryan A *pondering answers*

Note: Is it me, or are samurai tales are going out of fashion? Gothic appeal is up, samurai appeal is down. I wonder what Raimei would think…

Attraction :: Shoujo

Posted by Ryan A - April 22, 08

This one, is late, as I had a project due this morning; not cool. So in my recent declaration of weekly habit posting, I listed Tuesdays as attraction, a clearer word would have been “like”. Basically, on Tuesdays, I will post a small nibble about an attraction.

Furuba8
A shoujo cover is a shoujo cover…

Today’s attraction is Shoujo (少女) (this sentence rings Sesame Street). I hardly doubt anyone doesn’t know what shoujo is, but what’s the attraction?

I am not an expert or anything, nor a connoisseur of shoujo, but I think it sets a decent example of “a girls’ appeal”, which being a guy, I am naturally interested in seeing what appeals (WHY NOT). Also, most good shoujo, regardless of being shoujo, comes with engrossing stories, romance, and fantastic humor. So it is girly, girls like it, but boys like it too [and not just otomen]. Putting it that way, shoujo is a lot like Audrey Hepburn, appealing to both sexes.

Audrey

Yes, shoujo appeals to me, though possibly not for reasons intended by a mangaka. I enjoy it anyway, and this is partially why I think strongly of Spring 2008, (5-6 shoujo series? quite a bit for a single season)… the shoujo runs strong, especially on Tuesdays ^^.

Stimulating Interest

A couple sites I that likely have more information on shoujo (objective and subjective):

Ryan A

note: Notice how a lot of original shoujo covers look similar? I still don’t know why

Well It’s a Start

Posted by Ryan A - April 21, 08

yum

This is the first of my “weekly” posts, which are mostly about status; what was good last week and what am I looking forward to in the next 7 days.

Review

Looking back at my reflections for the week, I enjoyed. I think there is a good showing for Spring, despite appearing unattractive at first [and to many]. The shoujo feels naice, a little wobble in S.A, but the experience for newly premiered series (KKN, LibWars, 20 Faces) was intriguing?….

The Skinny

  • Library Wars in two strong episodes, great comedy, budding romance.
  • Kyouran Kazoku Nikki is ballistic, but I’m still skeptical in proceeding (as with 20 Faces).
  • xxxHOLiC Kei finished it’s first arc nicely, drenched in the tears of Zashiki Warashi, and an eyeball.
  • Nabari no Ou really begins to roll, with a cool, ashounen (like atypical) vibe and interesting characters. Killer e03!

Heroine Sampling

LW
VK
SA
NnO
KKN
xxx

Whoops, there’s a Yuuko sticking out ~~

Forecast

I need my shoujo! The slice-of-life flow of S.A is getting to me, and YUH, I *heart* vampires+goth, and can’t wait to see more fighting over books. I expect a decent showing this week, but it’s early Spring, and I’m on edge only for Nabari no Ou after killer ep03. Perhaps if I was watching Kurenai, which appears that it could go Black Lagoon at any moment while feeling like hearty slice-of-life and solid value, I would be urging for the next episode, but I’m being indecisive.

In any case, I feel good things coming (and no it doesn’t have the slightest relation to spankings).

Ryan A