I have read at many places that Chii’s Sweet Home looks like or even actually is a kid’s show. After watching four episodes, I fully understand why one might easily fall under this assumption, but, ladies and gentlemen, it is wrong. Similar to the hideous Binchou-tan, Chii’s Sweet Home falls under the category iyashikei. Some [...]
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When the cute, sweet, naive little Binchou-tan meets mischievous Haruhi…
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Goodsmile Company just released news on Nendoroid Binchou-tan ABS/PVC figure. This is indeed an uber kawaii Nendoroid. This is scheduled to be released in October. Just like the other Nendoroids, this one is sold at 3,000 yen retail. It stands approximately 100mm or 10 cm tall. I really like the fact that they added the table [...]
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See what I did there? That's title making SKILL right there. Well, Good Smile Company has come trotting out more October offerings, and they are a bit underwhelming to me. Really. I'll jump right into it. Adding a whole new level of… something to the Nendoroid line, GSC has decided to do a Nendoroid Binchou-tan. [...]
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Figure maker Goodsmile updated their official site today with two new entries in their October '07 lineup: a PVC version of Idolmaster Xenoglossia's Hagiwara Yukiho, and a Nendoroid Binchou-tan from the rather odd production by the same name. The former is notable for being utterly boring, while the latter is notable for possessing exactly the same design whether Nendoroid deformed or not. There's a reason I didn't go into detail on these yesterday (though Binchou-tan is rather cute)... (no more)
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I have a simple request for ufotable: Please please please don’t waste this show with a lame ending! I decided to watch Manabi Straight out of curiosity. I had serious doubts about the show before I started watching it and that was mainly due to the super cute character designs. My expectations were that of a fanservice ridden happy go lucky show about cute little girls (which were exactly the same as my misconceptions about Binchou tan before I started watching it). Once again, I am proven wrong. The cute girls are still there but the story is definitely not what I was expecting. It’s very amusing and touching at times and there is a hint that we might get some solid drama later on. In a way, it kind of reminds me of Futakoi Alternative (which is a show I really love). My only fear is how ufotable will handle the conclusion of the series. Over the years, ufotable has been notorious for producing high quality anime works which have a solid and enjoyable story line from the beginning up to near the end then the conclusion is botched up and done in a very lame way which is truly a shame and a waste of all the efforts that have gone into making these shows. The conclusions of 2x2 = Shinobuden, Futakoi Alternative and Coyote Ragtime Show are prime examples. While I don’t expect Manabi Straight to have an epic conclusion because the story doesn’t support this type of ending, I really hope that they come up with something decent that doesn’t insult our intelligence (like a squid attack or a reset ending or stuff like that). Like most of their work, the art and animation quality is very high indeed. The music score is also very nice. I love the opening and the ending and I find the clapping sound used as background music quite amusing. The words of the opening song and the dominant use of graffiti in the opening animation emphasises the main theme in the show; rebellious youth. The main characters want to lead their own lives as they see fit and they want to change how things are run even if some of the adults around them disapprove. Actually one of the adults (Shimojima sensie) is very supportive of the group’s cause. The characters are probably the main attraction of this show. They are very endearing (and I hope they stay that way). One of the characters in particular (Etoh Mei) is very intriguing and I really want to know more about her past and current life. She always pretends to be uninterested in the functions of the student council but she somehow ended up being the unofficial student council advisor! Oh, and she looks cool wearing sunglasses (^_^) Momoha wearing sunglasses, on the other hand, looks like a hippy or sneaky salesman (-_-) One more thing; I was really surprised when I realised that the girls are all senior high school students. They all seem to have the body build of middle school students. I guess students grow shorter in the future (-_-)
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I can now exclusively reveal that the reason my blog is so HARD GAY is because I have Lui chained up in my basement.   As the days became depressingly short and winter tightened its grip upon the land, I had the great idea of summarising all the 2006 series I watched in one great ‘Annual Round-Up’; [...]
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Because it is cute. And everyone else filters through image boards for their entry pictures... Remember ayyo's bishoujo match? Binchou-tan tied for fourth. Come on, you guys, I know I can garner votes in you this time! ...that is, once I decide who to vote for myself... I'm torn between Nagato Yuki and the two Haruhis. I really need to watch more anime.
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Cuteness will prevail! So it's been proven to be in good taste to link other people's blogs, and this guy is holding a "bishoujo match" for the past year. It's in the first round now, covering this past winter. The Fate/stay night girls, of course, are dominating the poll. So why did I bring this up? Look at the entry pic. I want Binchou-tan to win. She's just too cute for words, it wouldn't be
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Let everyone know that Binchou tan is sweet. Yes, I truly misjudged this show. Before watching it, my impression of Binchou tan was that of a cute happy go lucky show that relied on very petite character designs to attract the audiences. I thought Binchou and all her friends would just fool around and laugh like idiots every episode and the world will be portrayed as a paradise where all your dreams come true. That’s why I decided, at first, not to watch it. After the first few episodes were aired and many anime bloggers started writing reviews about it, I finally discovered that my initial impression was so wrong it was frightening. He story turned out to be the complete opposite: A sweet and sorrow slice of life story about a poor little girl who works very hard to make ends meet and who slowly but surely conquers her loneliness by forming friendships with some interesting people from all walks of life. Her efforts (and struggle) to achieve happiness ultimately culminated in that remarkable scene at the end of episode 9 where she screams at the top of a cliff from the bottom of her heart: “It’s great to be alive”. The story setting was also very interesting (much to my liking); a hybrid fantasy world that combines European culture with Japanese culture. A world where modern colour TV sets coexist peacefully with horse driven couches and Buddhist temples. A place where people have unusually small bodies and disproportionately large heads!! A world where you can get a bird ride for the price of an acorn!! The art quality is top class and the colours were very clear and vibrant. The people at Studio DEEN have outdone themselves and this is definitely one of their best productions. I still have some problems with the exaggerated character designs but you get used to them after awhile. The show has a very nice calm opening and a very catchy ending. The background music is also done very well and suits the show perfectly. The voice acting was well handled and there were no annoying voices whatsoever. Another great bonus is the narration which was voiced by none other than Inoue kikuko (one of my favourite voice actresses by the way). My favourite episode was without a doubt episode 11 (which was a DVD only episode). That episode featured new improved character designs (It’s a shame they didn’t use those designs throughout the show). The episode was a bliss to watch from start to finish and we get to see Binchou laughing from the bottom of her heart for the first time. All the characters were very likable but that butler Jeeves was annoying at times. My favourite characters in descending order were: 1) Chiku tan Her energetic nature, high optimism and industrious approach to life are what made me like her the most. She is also Binchou's best friend and was always there whenever Binchou needed someone by her side. 2) Ren tan When I first saw her in the opening, I thought she was some kind of aloof character who didn’t really care about others. It turned out she was quite the opposite and she played a pivotal role in helping Binchou and her friends as well as many others. She was the wise adviser whom people turned to for help and she did not disappoint. 3) Binchou tan Our little tragic heroine. Sugar, spice and everything nice basically (but with a bit of added ginger). On a side note, we never learn anything about Daddy Long Legs who appeared at the end of episode 3. Was he supporting Binchou like in the original story?! I guess not since she remained poor for the entirety of the story. Oh well, it’s not a big deal. I highly recommend this show to anyone who like slice of life stories as this show truly portrays what a slice of life show should look like. Definitely one of the best shows of the Winter 2006 season. Edit: I've posted a few nice pictures I've found below and above so enjoy.
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