Archive for the 'The Right Stuf International' Category

Weather Report Girl

Saturday, January 21st, 2006

Synopsis
Channel ATV is in serious trouble. With viewer ratings at an all-time low, they’ve got to come up with an amazing gimmick, and fast, or else their sponsors are going to cut their funding! But a whirlwind is headed for ATV in the form of one Keiko Nakadai - a substitute weather girl for the prime-time news. In one quick flash of her panties, the ratings are sky-rocketing! Thanks to the public’s overwhelming support of Keiko’s brazen tactics (not to mention her gorgeous body), she’s finally secured the bright and sunny future she’s always wanted.

However, there’s a dangerous storm brewing on the horizon. Michiko Kawai, ATV’s former prime-time weather girl, is furious that Keiko has stolen her job, and she’ll stop at nothing to get it back! But poor Michiko may have bitten off more than she can chew because Keiko’s soft exterior hides a nasty vicious streak, and she’s not about to give up her dream job so easily. Japan’s airwaves are about to get a whole lot hotter this year!

Review
What a perverted little title. Weather Report Girl is an anime based on a story by Tetsu Adachi and directed by Kunihiko Yuyama that spans just two OAV episodes, but in those two episodes were a lot of fun times. Now I am not a hentai by any stretch of the imagination, but I kind of liked this experience. Nakadai Keiko, a regular employee at Channel ATV was waiting for her big break and when current weather girl Michiko Kawai takes a night off to attend a graduation reunion, the ATV staff immediately looks for a one night replacement. As Michiko selects the ugliest girl out of the group of pictures, she was not ready to see what the secret behind the picture she had selected was.

After receiving the good news in the bathroom (doing something 18+), Keiko rips her crappy get-up off and proceeds to meet the staff. As she starts off the weather report, Michiko intently watches how miserable her ‘ugly’ replacement will look. To her surprise, the woman she saw, was not ugly, in fact, she looked better than herself… and when Keiko shows the audience how ‘high’ the flood water level is at a certain part of Japan. She is immediately approached by the ATV crew after her report the next day. Everyone was against her… that is, until the ratings came in and it jumped so much that they decided to replace Michiko with Keiko.

Of course, having just lost her job to a newbie, Michiko plans her revenge at her arch rival and attempts to take back her job! Several hilarious events occur, including a reunion with an old friend of Keiko’s from her bullying high school days. Man, it was funny through those scenes and especially when there were dirty and toilet humor involved. But when the storm is over, Michiko ends up as Keiko’s servant. And that is where the series takes off as another rival hits Channel ATV. With a tough competition, how will Keiko react? That is about all I will leak, check it out yourself to discover just how dirty, kinky, and ecchi this title can get. But umm, this is a show, just bordering the light-weight hentai barrier. If that is your thing, you might enjoy it quite a bit. :)

The Breakdown
Dang, now I might even have to go check out the live action version of Weather Report Girl. :D.

Piano Vol. 2: Confessions

Saturday, January 21st, 2006

Synopsis
Unlock the music within your heart! Summer vacation is here and that means it’s almost time for Yuuki’s birthday! Since it’s over summer break, her birthday is usually a nonevent; but this year, Yuuki has decided that things are going to be different…this year, on her birthday she’s going to confess her love to Takizawa! But will the handsome and popular third-year track star reject her? The very thought has Yuuki in turmoil. Her best friend, Miu, is doing all she can to support her friend, but watching Yuuki struggle only reminds Miu of how troubled her own heart is.

Meanwhile, Mr. Shirakawa is frustrated at the lack of growth in Miu’s playing. Trying to inspire her, he nominates her to be his sole representative at the Spring Piano Recital. Not only that, but she’ll be the only student who will have to compose and play her own original piece! If she refuses, Mr. Shirakawa won’t even have a single student participating. Should she play in the recital even though her heart really isn’t in it?

Review
In a show based on a girl’s heart and her life, Piano turns out to be a very soothing title. The music is just great. For a person who has always been fond of the piano due to its lovely melodies, I have to say, this piece is beyond just a show about a girl and her piano. There are various factors that make this show another immediate hit amongst the fans of the shoujo genre.

Miu Nomura is an average girl for her age. She has those growing up questions just as any other girl has. When her friend Yuuki professes to her that she will confess to her crush, Takizawa on her birthday. Miu is suddenly warped a whole new atmosphere. For Yuuki having a boyfriend means that the time she has to spend with Miu will diminish. But, with Miu’s mature personality, she just shakes it off and acts in the interest of her best friend Yuuki. Now, because of Yuuki’s situation, Miu ponders a bit about her own crush, Takahashi. With Christmas around the corner, she gets invited to a party and it is there where Miu finally discovers what she wants to do for herself… with a little help from Takashashi senpai of course.

What is so good about Piano? There is no violence, no action, only drama; a girl’s drama at that. But that is what attracted me to a title, such as, Piano. It is the presentation of the whole show. The vibe that it gives off feels just right. I felt pretty at ease while watching this piece… and when the playing of the piano came in… well that was it for me, I wanted to go run and buy a keyboard or something :P.

The Breakdown
The sound department of this show is truly great. I especially loved that song that Miu’s sister played on the stereo during episode six… yes, I know it is not a Piano original music piece, but if anyone can get me the artist and song title, I will give them a cookie! (^_^);;

His And Her Circumstances Vol. 2: Love And War Under The Cherry Blossoms

Saturday, January 21st, 2006

Synopsis
Happiness could be a fleeting thing for our two new high school sweethearts Yukino and Arima. With their hearts flying high, the couple has been spending a lot of time together. Finally the public masks of perfection that they’ve both maintained for so long are beginning to fall, but so are their grades. When the latest round of scores is posted. Yukino is mortified to discover that she’s slipped all the way to 13th! She’s not the only one that’s angry - so are her teachers. When Yukino and Arima are dragged before their guidance counselor to explain their poor grades, the administration is determined that the pair stop seeing each other. Could this mean the end of their newfound love forever?

Review
It took quite a long time for volume two to be released, but now that is the past I am happy. In His and Her Circumstances volume two: Love and War under the Cherry Blossoms, Yukino and Arima continues their relationship, but the school counselor gets on their case and calls in their parents as their scores on the latest test were unusual. Yukino went from the top and dropped to the thirteenth and Arima went from the top and dropped to rank three. Nothing can come between this young high school couple as their parents fully support on what they do with their lives. Since they are such responsible young people. Hmm… maybe I should rephrase that, nothing can come between this young high school couple except summer vacation, as Arima has to go and participate in the Kendo tournament in Kyoto during the summer. Yukino gets depressed over the whole thing, but Arima fixes everything.

Also in volume two, Yukino is finally able to reveal her true self to her classmates. As a result of the conflict between her fellow classmate Maho. Because of Maho’s jealousy towards Yukino, she lead the class in the ‘Give Yukino Miyazawa the ignore treatment’ plan. Everything seems to be fine as some new characters come into the series. One being Tsubasa, her character is very cute. The show suddenly gets even better because of her presence. Anyways, I had a lot of fun watching this volume, and a lot of fun reviewing it as well.

The Breakdown
I never thought that His and Her Circumstances, would be one of my all time favorites. I love all the characters in this show. With all the comedy this title contains, there is not a moment where I fell asleep.

His And Her Circumstances Vol. 3: Another Life, Less Ordinary

Saturday, January 21st, 2006

Synopsis
It’s the first summer vacation of their high school lives and that means time apart for our two young lovebirds. While Arima is off training hard for the national Kendo Tournament, Yukino is trying hard to just be herself and relax with her first real friends. Unfortunately her sunny days of relaxation come to an abrupt halt when Tsubasa announces she’s running away from home. It seems another woman has invaded her father’s heart and now he wants to marry the harlot against her wishes! Dragged into the middle of the girl’s family problems, can Yukno help Tsubasa mend the rift with her father, or will she end up losing her new friend?

Review
In volume three of His and Her Circumstances, we are shown more story development. It seems to me that most of these kids have abnormal families, except Yukino. However watching Tsubasa having a new family is very enjoyable as we are introduced to her step little brother, Kazuma. In public, he is often mistaken as her older brother (that’s because Tsubasa is just so cute!).

After Tsubasa’s problem is solved, two overview episodes follow, summarizing what is going on in the story thus far. Why there are episodes like that? I think it is, because the crew needs some time to think of the next episode or just to fill in those people who did not get to watch the beginning of the show. I did not fuss over it so it was cool for me, but some may not like overview episodes.

Then comes some background information of Asapin where he left home, because of problems with his father. When Yukino found out about all these people and how she took her life with her family for granted. She began to have negative thoughts about her relationship with Arima, wondering if she knew all of Arima or just a part of him. The volume comes to a close as we get the story of how Yukino’s parents came together. Her father was the local terror and her mother was an innocent little girl. The cops and robber game that they played sure is funny. In the next volume, Arima is back, and we will see what Yukino is going to do about her confusion!

The Breakdown
I am about to start a Shibahime Tsubasa fan club, you want in? Just kidding. Kare Kano is now a series that I am glad I am watching. My friends are missing out on this, because they are all action anime freaks.

His and Her Circumstances Vol. 1

Saturday, January 21st, 2006

Synopsis
Pressure is high for Yukino Miyazawa to succeed, to be loved by all, and to be simply… the best. After working so hard to become the top student at her school, a new competitor has arrived to tumble her from her self made pedestal: Souichirou Arima. The instant she met him, she hated him. He topped her every effort without even trying. Now Yukino is putting her hard work into plotting her revenge, but was love part of the plan?
Alpha adds: Please note Kare Kano is the name of His and Her Circumstances in Japan.

Review
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The Breakdown
This is a great series! As it was stated in the Director’s Notes, Kare Kano is *unexpected*. I agree with the director, because I didn’t hear about Kare Kano until Stikz mentioned it in one of those polls he made on the boards. Hey I guess this can be another series that I can have fun watching as I wait for GTO and as I watch GTO I won’t be bored out of my mind waiting for Kare Kano J.

Boys Be…

Saturday, January 21st, 2006

Synopsis
Let me give a quick summary as to what Boys Be is. Boys Be is a show where Boys date Girls. The whole show seems like a dating simulation game. (Ed. - Very popular in Japan, But still haven’t made a splash in the USA. Only release I can tink of is Thousand Arms for Playstation one.)

Review
There are sad times and happy times in Boys Be. Kyoichi Kanzaki the main character and Nitta Chiharu (female main character) are friends since childhood. The 13 episodes of Boys Be show their relationship and friendship of a group of friends.
Of course, you won’t be just seeing this main character relationship; you’ll see others too. All are quite interesting ^_^.

The flaw in Boys Be is that it’s sometimes too similar to a dating simulation game. Almost the same as Tokimeki Memorial series of games.

The Breakdown
Boys Be is pretty realistic. It shows that the main character doesn’t always get the girls, but then a 360 degrees turn happens…