"Ride on Shooting Star" music video via. Youtube

"Ride on Shooting Star" (The Pillows)

This music video really cracks me up! The music is awesome though! If the video really does bug you, you totally should listen to just the song. "The Pillows" created the music for the anime "Fooly Cooly" (フリクリ). 
A lot of people like this song. 

And so do I,

------Temo 

Manga Review #2: "Kitchen Princess Omnibus 1"

T'was a beautiful day of the weekend!! Ended up at a park and wanted to climb a tree. Here she is:

It was so fun, nostalgic, painful, and scary at the same time! That probably was my last shot though, unless you wanna see, like a 30 year old me, climbing a tree. (That rhymed! awkward...) I was trying to read "Kitchen Princess"....

The Omnibus Comics come at a cheaper price ($14.99 USD) 

Deep breath! Here I go! You know those manga series where you are all like "This seems like one of those too-mainstream girly comics! It's not going to be any good! It's going to appeal to the 5 year old girl population!" Way wrong.

The art makes me feel happy! Because the original release in Japanese was in 2005, its style leaned toward that era's "big kawaii eye" look! The story does begin with something adorable. Another worthy note of this manga is you can easily see the antagonist's strong passion and hate within this 2-volume omnibus edition. The storyline is even just simple and fun! Food is always being mentioned of course and it is always so kawaii! :) 

Art (Did the author seem to care about the art?; does its style have appeal?): A 
Plot (With the exception of Slice-of-life manga, does the story keep you engaged?): B+
Characters?: C+
Is the Dialogue Up-to-par?: B-
Will I continue the series?: Yes. 
Rated: T for Teen (A few intense situations, like fighting eating disorders; bullying) 
Authors: Natsumi Ando & Miyuki Kobayashi 

Plot Synthesis: 
"Najika is a great cook and likes to make meals for the people she loves. But something is missing from her life. When she was a child, she met a boy who touched her heart--and now Najika is determined to find him. The only clue she has is a silver spoon that leads her to the prestigious Seika Academy. Attending Seika will be a challenge. Every kid at the school has a special talent, and the girls in Najika's class think she doesn't deserve to be there. But Sora and Daichi, two popular brothers who barely speak to each other, recognize Najika's cooking for what it is--magical. Is either boy Najika's mysterious prince?" (Amazon.com). 

*Spoiler: At the end of each volume, THERE IS A COLLECTION of all the recipes Najika made in the manga!!! They share Najika's Flan in a cup, Taramasalata, Rainbow Jelly, Christmas Cookies, and Onion Gratin Soup recipes in the back of volume one! You will have to look at the others yourself ;) 

Yup! This is the one I would love to try!

So once I finish reading the manga series, (5 omnibus volumes) I will be happy to share my final review! 

Flan in a Cup,


------Temo

Manga Review #1: "Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon" (2012)

I just started the series so.... here's what I think after my first volume. (I believe there are 12 total volume releases)

Cover is nice :)

Several websites give a blurb of  'Sailor Moon History'. I came to love anime & manga around 2006, so  of course the Sailor Moon manga, which was previously published by Tokyopop, was no longer out. That is why this is such a big deal! Over the years, even with Sailor Moon no longer on American TV and no DVDs or manga being released, there remained a huge Sailor Moon fan base.

Oh, and the author Naoko Takeuchi is a feminist in modern Japanese society!

On the left is the back cover :) Toward the Right is what to expect for the binding art.

Rated: T for Teen

Volume: 1

Publisher: Kodansha Comics 

Plot Synthesis: "Usagi Tsukino is a normal girl until she meets up with Luna, a talking cat, who tells her that she is Sailor Moon. As Sailor Moon, Usagi must fight evils and enforce justice, in the name of the Moon and the mysterious Moon Princess. She meets other girls destined to be Sailor Senshi (Sailor Scouts), and together, they fight the forces of evil! (Amazon.com)".

I was very happy with the artwork! It has an older feel, but superior to all the others. Also, the translations experienced a huge makeover! (The first publishing printed the main character's name as 'Bunny'! It may be true that 'Usagi' means rabbit in Japanese...) Already in this volume, four Sailor Soldiers have appeared and Tuxedo Mask has a huge role! I love Sailor Moon's girly-feel and Luna, the cat. I can tell the story is going to go somewhere! I cannot wait to see volume 2! 

*Spoiler: I was especially pleased with the volume 2 manga preview, because it was in Japanese! I can read a few chunks, so for language students, look forward to this!

Here's what you'll be seeing :) Luna looks more classy in the manga than in the anime!

"IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, I WILL PUNISH YOU!"

     Take Care and read a manga! ;)

------ Temo