Kawato Koichi played by Sato Ryuta (Utahime, Bambino!) arrives at school at the same time as Aniya Keiichi played by Ichihara Hayato (Long Love Letter), who stops to watch two of baseball club members tossing a ball on the field before heading over to the club room, as the principal played by Ibu Masato (Detective Conan 2, Hataraki Man) observes them all from his office window. At the club room four of the members manage to pick the lock, but they aren’t happy when the get inside all of their stuff is gone, Aniya walks in happy that the couch is still there. Sekikawa and Mikoshiba Toru played by Koide Keisuke (Nodame Cantabile, Gokusen 2) enter and Sekikawa informs them that anything not related to club activities has been removed, Wakana wants to know if he’s serious about playing baseball. Both Sekikawa and Toru try to persuade them to give Kawato a chance but the other guys aren’t convinced.This show is really looking an awful lot like GTO to me. The passionate teacher who’s a bit odd arrives and one by one he wins over the students of the class. Kawato’s a little more gullible then Onizuka but appears to be a little smarter. The students are a bit more delinquent then the GTO’s but not as devious. I’ll probably keep watching this show but I doubt I’ll post about it again unless the plot diverts from GTO’s in a significant manner. If you haven’t seen GTO, I’d highly recommend that you watch that.Download the first episode RAW video bit torrent file here, soft subs are here. Screen caps of the previous episode are here.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Riko played by Aibu Saki (Utahime, Attention Please) rebooted Night played by Hayami Mokomichi (Hataraki Man, Rondo) with a kiss and saved him from the restaurant fire. But when he was rebooted his memory was supposed to be erased, while he has completely forgotten Mika he still knows and recognizes Riko. Namikiri Gaku played by Sasaki Kuranosuke (Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi, Bambino!) is worried and starts testing Night to find out why the odd behaviour occurred. Later at her apartment Riko is watching Namikiri count out her monthly payment on Night, just before the land lady arrives with a present for Night and to collect the rent. Namikiri asks Riko if she’s noticed anything odd since Night was rebooted, she wants to know why Night hasn’t forgotten her as well as Mika when the he was rebooted. Namikiri makes an excuse about smoke exposure during the fire probably caused the error by affecting his memory circuits but that she has nothing to worry about.Night is becoming more human, at least that’s the way it appears to me. He sometimes seems to be acting as if he truly had emotions and wasn’t just responding to his program. That’s something that the writers will have to convince us of over the remaining episodes in the drama if we want to see a real love triangle storyline develop. No one would choose an appliance over a person they had feelings for, Night will have to have genuine feelings for Rika not just some programmed responses to her ideal boyfriend profile.Download the English hardsub bit torrent releases from SARS fansubs here. Screen shots of the previous episodes are here.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Mika kissed Night played by Hayami Mokomichi (Hataraki Man, Rondo) just as Riko played by Aibu Saki (Utahime, Attention Please) enters the room they're sharing at the inn. Mika runs out telling Riko not to misunderstand. But when Riko asks Night why he was kissing Mika, Night asks her who she is, then tries to catch up to Mika but collapses in the hallway because he needs to be charged. Riko drags him to a room then joins Mika as they get ready to go to sleep. Mika starts to apologize to Riko but Riko tells her not to worry about it because they're friends, she'll take care of Night in the morning. But next morning on the bus Night knocks Riko out of the way then sits next to Mika. He asks Mika for her name, complements her then Riko comes up to him and reminds him of his name but he thinks that's Riko's name. Back at Kronos Heaven where they've been monitoring Night they misinterpret the data that the owner is finally satisfied. This episode starts to really heat up the show with more info on the robot revealed and Mika thrown into the developing love triangle, with Night and Hiro. I love the effect the kiss has on Night and the potential uses it could be weaved into the plot in future episodes. I still think it's the second best romantic comedy of the season so if you haven't seen it give it a try.Download the English hardsub bit torrent releases from SARS fansubs here. Screen shots of the previous episodes are here.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Neo-Angelique Abyss is the latest series in a franchise of reverse-harem fantasies centred around a sweet teenage girl who is the future Queen of the Universe and has the power to sweep away evil in a burst of bright light.I know of two other Angelique series and three OVAs, and this is the best I have seen. Some of the staff from Corda D'Oro has come in to refresh the franchise. The bishounen guardians who surround Angelique are really bishounen, and Ange herself is lovely. The show is set in an analog of 18th century Europe, and is full of bishounen fanservice, as well as the fanservice of Ange's rather loli-goth outfits, beautiful rooms in beautiful castles, etc.As in all the other shows in the franchise, the voice-acting is excellent. This time, we have up-and-coming Endou Aya in the title role, as well as such lovely male voices as Takahashi Hiroki, Ohkawa Toru, Onosaka Masaya, Ono Daisuke, Hirakawa Daisuke, Nakamura Yuuichi, Irino Miyu, and others.To help me keep all these voices straight, and to keep the many characters straight, I have made a page with pictures of each main character and their VA, as well as a bit of info about the VA. Click here or on the image to go to the full page:Now, I admit that you might not want to know what some of the voice actors actually look like, after hearing their beautiful voices. But in the interests of greater knowledge....Even the presence of monsters -- something that usually makes a show hard for me to watch -- cannot dampen my affection for this show. Most episodes involve the group finding a monster -- part of the evil Thanatos -- and the guardians first weakening it, then Ange summoning her power and flushing it away in a burst of light.But Ange's doubts and determination, and her relationships with the various guardians, and the guardians' various personalities, add a lot of interest. If you haven't seen an Angelique show before -- and especially if you have -- give this series a try. It raises the Angelique franchise to a new level, at least through five episodes.The show is directed by first-time director Katagai Shin, who did storyboards and episode direction on Corda D'Oro, the fine reverse-harem show from a couple of years ago. Character design adaptation is by Fujiota Maki, who was character designer and animation director of Corda. And the lead writer is Yamada Yuka, who was lead writer on Tide-Line Blue, and did script work on Suzuka, Petopeto-san, Bokura ga Ita, Hataraki Man, Mushiuta, etc.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

This episode begins with a recap of the last. Riko played by Aibu Saki (Utahime, Attention Please) was looking forward to her free trial period ending when she learns from Namikiri Gaku played by Sasaki Kuranosuke (Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi, Bambino!) that when she returns Night played by Hayami Mokomichi (Hataraki Man, Rondo) his memory will be erased and he’ll no longer remember her. So she has a change of heart and decides to buy him. Today she sits in her apartment with Namikiri and hesitates before stamping the papers that grant her ownership and a seventy year loan to pay off the 100 million yen. After she stamps Namikiri gives her a free present, Kronos Heaven boxer shorts which he hands to Night with the injunction to have her put them on him later. Night asks her to take care of him for the next 70 years, and Namikiri says the loan will go by before she knows it. Namikiri adds she’ll need to pay 200,000 yen a month, Night breaks it down to only 268 yen an hour. Then Namikiri tells her that 01 (Night) is an excellent appliance and that she’ll never need to buy a washing machine or dishwasher and Night adds that he can do massages too. Namikiri foresees a future when all homes will have an 01. But Riko tells him she just wants a normal love life and normal marriage too. Night wants to know if she prefers a church or shrine. After that Riko decides she doesn’t want to buy him. Namikiri smiles and says that she just signed the contract.Really enjoyable episode, with lots of laughs and a surprise cliffhanger at the end, this drama is terrific the only romantic comedy currently running I like better is Ryokiteki na Kanojo. I like that Riko took pity on Night and didn’t want him erased even though he causes her lots of trouble, and even more in this episode and for the next seventy years.Download the English hardsub bit torrent releases from SARS fansubs here. Screen shots of the previous episodes are here.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

The drama opens with a flashback to a baseball game, it’s the ninth inning 2 outs and 1 strike away from a win, when the batter hit by a ball strikes the apologizing pitcher with his bat,which causes a riot involving both teams and even the spectators. Sato Ryuta (Utahime, Bambino!) as Kawato Koichi runs and talks on his phone, Asano Kazuyuki (Attention Please, Ganbatte Ikimasshoi) as Ikebe Shunsaku the head teacher complains to the principal played by Ibu Masato (Detective Conan 2, Hataraki Man). The principal responds that he’d hired the teacher implying it was his responsibility. Koichi arrives at the Futagotamagawa High School to begin his first day. There’s a fight going on in the hallway that he tries to intervene in but is stopped by another teacher when a motorcycle roars through the hall knocking down a student. The teacher yells at the motorcyclist that he’s trash from the baseball club. The baseball club members enter the club room to find their captain Aniya Keiichi played by Ichihara Hayato (Long Love Letter) on the couch with a half naked girl. Shirota Yu (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, Seito Shokun!) as Shinjo Kei arrives in time to see Koichi’s first encounter with the head teacher, then all the club members head for the assembly to see the new teacher.As I said many times in the past I’m not a sports fan but I do enjoy sport dramas and anime. That said so far in the 1:40 minute opening episode they only had about 1 minute of baseball. So far this drama seems more similar to GTO then to Ace Wo Nerae or Ganbatte Ikimasshoi. In addition to the actors I already mentioned two of the club members are Koide Keisuke (Nodame Cantabile, Gokusen 2) as Mikoshiba Toru and Sato Takeru (Kamen Rider Den-O, Shinigami no Ballad) as Okada Yuya and playing a teacher is Fukiishi Kazue (Bambino!, Yamada Taro Monogatari) as Mayumi Rie. I liked the first episode a lot, and from what I’ve read the series is going to cover the entire manga so it’ll have more episodes then a traditional Japanese drama. After the first episode I’d recommend this to fans of GTO or Gokusen even if they don’t care for sports.Download the first episode RAW video bit torrent file here, soft subs by Skewed and Timeless are here.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

This episode starts with a recap on how Riko played by Aibu Saki (Utahime, Attention Please) obtained her robotic boy friend, Night played by Hayami Mokomichi (Hataraki Man, Rondo), on a free trial. Riko wakes, to Night’s attempt to give her a morning kiss but she flees to the living room, when he asks her if she didn’t want a morning kiss, she responds that she doesn’t and for him to wear some clothes. She realizes that today is the last day of the free trial, and then she sees the breakfast that Night has prepared for her. She’s overjoyed with the meal but then upon inspection of the refrigerator she discovers that Night used a weeks worth of food to prepare the breakfast. Meanwhile Mizushima Hiro (Kamen Rider Kabuto, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e) is having a meeting with his older brother and father about the development of a new product for an exclusive department store. The father wants Hiro to be in charge of it but the brother objects saying that it’s too important. They compromise making Hiro responsible for coming up with a new concept and presenting it to the company’s board before any decision is made. Hiro’s not happy with the new responsibility and when his father states “There must be something you like”. He arrives at the office and when he sees Riko he remembers the cream puff that she’d made. He drags her into his office and asks her to make some more. But she refuses.This is my second favorite romantic comedy drama being shown this season running a close second to Ryokiteki na Kanojo, but in any other season it may well be the best. It’s funny and the implied love triangle between Riko, Hiro and Night should prove highly entertaining. After the second episode still highly recommend this to fans of romantic comedies like Kimi wa Petto or Proposal Daisakusen.Download the first two episodes English hardsub bit torrent releases from SARS fansubs here. Screen shots of the first episode here.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Beginnings, endings, and in-betweens this 29 April 2008 Level Comics release. And as seinen and shōnen demographics are not my forte, here's the manga release list post-haste... Level Comics manga (2008.04.29) NEW SERIES Jepang Tenggelam (Japan Falling) 1 of 10 by Komatsu Sakyou & Isshiki Tokihiko Japan Falling 「 日本沈没 」 Shogakukan Big Comics Spirits, seinen, 2006.06 Ongoing? Little Jumper 3
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

Absolute BoyfriendEpisode 1 The Flawless Robot Lover Namikiri Gaku played by Sasaki Kuranosuke (Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi, Bambino!) and his boss are talking about love as they look at the completed robot played by Hayami Mokomichi (Hataraki Man, Rondo), and discuss finding a suitable test subject. Izawa Riko played by Aibu Saki (Utahime, Attention Please) sneezes and Ishizek played by Kyo Nobuo (Kamen Rider Kiva, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e) hands her a pocket warmer. Just as she’s about to confess to him, he gets a phone call and hurries away. She’s discussing her encounter with her co-worker in a bar, when she too gets called away. But the bartender gives her a free drink, telling her she has a gloomy face that’ll never get her a boyfriend. Then the bartender tells her unless the perfect man shows up she won’t find someone. Namikiri sits by her at the bar, telling her he’s going to change her life. Then he takes her back to the Kronos Heaven offices and begins questioning her on her preferences in men. Telling her that for free Kronos Heaven would find her the ideal boyfriend.Co-starring with Aibu Saki is Mizushima Hiro (Kamen Rider Kabuto, Hanazakari no Kimitachi e) as Asamoto Soshi her boss. I really enjoyed this first episode, I love romantic comedies and science fiction so it’s pretty much a given that this show would appeal to me, also I was really impressed with Mizushima Hiro last summer in Hanazakari no Kimitachi e as the dorm leader and even more so as Kabuto which I’d just recently watched. Hayami Mokomichi was terrific as the robot and I think he and Mizushima Hiro are going to become rivals for Saki’s attention, that’s not a spoiler it’s just my guess. In one respect I think this is like Densha Otoko in reverse, except Saki is nowhere near as pathetic as Yamada was. I’d highly recommend this to fans of romantic comedies like Hotaru no Hikari or Proposal Daisakusen. This drama is based on a manga of the same title by Watase Yu, I haven't read it yet, but after watching this I'm going to. Download the first episode English hardsub bit torrent release from SARS fansubs here.
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)

I had been interested in this series for a while. It probably started when I learned a little about it after seeing some of the artwork displayed at Kinokuniya. Hiroko Matsukata is an editor at the entertainment magazine Weekly JIDAI. She is a workaholic that tends to even unnerve the other workaholics at her office. [...]
(Read the rest of this entry) (Entry meta)