The 30 minute animation will be released as a DVD/Blu-ray special, featuring all the Code Geass gang in an Alice in Wonderland setting! The Japanese audience really love Alice in Wonderland huh… I mean Kuroshitsuji, The Black Butler also has an alternate universe, “Ciel in Wonderland” OVA シエル・イン・ワンダーランド.

Title: CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion Nunnally in Wonderland
コードギアス 反逆のルルーシュ ナナリー in ワンダーランド
DVD version: 3,500 Yen (w/tax)
Blu-ray version: 4,500 Yen (w/tax)
Available: 27 July 2012
Description: Includes a 40-page picture book. Japanese audio with English subtitles.

Bandai definitely did the right thing to include English subtitles in the releases. I’m so excited! :D Planning to get the blu-ray version since it is supposed to be better quality, right?

Plot: While spending time with his sister one sunny day, Nunnally requests that Lelouch tells a story, like in old times. To grant his sister’s request, Lelouch uses Geass on the entire cast of the Code Geass series…

Miss you so much, Lulu and Suzaku \(;o;)/

Starry Sky Series Episode 11, volume 1 of Gemini. My fav boy ^^ and I’m glad that this episode didn’t disappoint. Can’t wait to watch the next one!

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SPOILER SCREEN CAPS BELOW THE CUT. Wait for the English subs if you don’t want to be spoiled :)

Summary:

Gemini boy, Mizushima Iku 水嶋郁 (cv: Yusa Kouji 遊佐浩二) treats love as something that cannot go beyond being a game. He would be appear to be sweet to a girl but when he loses interest, he would just push her away. Then he would do the same again to the next girl he dates. Iku’s childhood friend, Hoshizuki Kotarouu 星月琥太郎 (cv: Ishida Akira 石田彰) can see that he is hurting himself by repeating this cycle. As Kotarouu is working at Seigatsu Academy as the school nurse, he persuades Iku to do his internship there as a trainee teacher.

In this episode, Iku is out on a date again. He is talking to a girl about something and she want to know what he means by it. He leans very close to her and she protests playfully. He teases her that he is going to tell her what she wants to know. Just then, Kotarou calls out to him. Iku stops and tells the girl to buzz off and get out of his sight. She is offended and leaves in a huff.

Kotarou chides Iku for playing with people’s feelings again and wonders if the girl is hurt by him. Iku smiles and says that he is fine with it. Kotarou says that if he keeps doing this, he is hurting himself in the end. (something along that line) Iku asks if he is trying to stop him. However, Kotarou says that why not teach at his school if he has so much free time on his hands and he’ll help him along.

Flashback to the past where we see Iku holding his sister’s hand while she lies on her bed. Kotarou turns up but he does not say much to him.

Next, Iku decides to take up Kotarou’s offer and turns up at the school However, he isn’t sure what he is doing there because he feels that there’s no longer any place in the world where he feels he belongs. At the Nurse’s office, Iku is taking a nap again. Yahisa Tsukiko 夜久月子 (cv: Orikasa Fumiko 折笠富美子) comes by the office and happens to see the moon in the afternoon sky. She comments aloud that it is a rare sight. Iku is awakened by the sound of her voice and approaches her.

Iku mentions something about the moon and love ^^;; and it is his fault for oversleeping. When he looks at Tsukiko up close, he is suddenly reminded of his sister.

Iku wonders why his sister pops up in his memory. He thinks that Tsukiko has the face of a person who has never been hurt by romantic love before. He declares that Tsukiko has never fallen truly in love before. Iku feels that when it comes to the experience in love, ignorance is bliss. A person fortunate if he/she does not know the pain that comes with love. When he sees Tsukiko like this, his spiteful feelings come up and he feels the urge to corrupt everything that is pure and beautiful.

He asks Tsukiko how she feels about being the only girl in school and surrounded by all the boys. He lifts her chin up teasingly on purpose and says that it is not possible that she doesn’t think about love at all. Tsukiko is shocked by the gesture and jumps back. Iku leaves the office and says that they’ll meet again, calling Tsukiko the Princess of Seigatsu Academy.

Iku’s heart is disturbed and he doesn’t understand what these feelings mean. Thinking of his sister, he wonders if he made the right decision to come to Seigatsu Academy… In his flash back, Iku’s sister Yui is not feeling well. Kotarou sees the siblings and quickly helps the girl to her bed.

Iku looks sadly at his sister while she rests. Kotarou comforts him and encourages him to smile and hold her hand. When Yui wakes up, she is happy to see them and says that she loves the warmth of his hand. There are two people who are most important to Iku. They are his twin sister, Yui and Kotarou who has taken such great care of them. He feels that as long as they’re around him, he doesn’t need anyone else.

Yui is sick since childhood and it is said that she would not live long. Iku doesn’t understand what it means at that time because his sister is right here smiling in front of him and Kotarou. And when he touches her hand, he can feel her warmth. When her sister asks him what he is doing one night, Iku replies that he is listening to the sound of her heart beating. She smiles and says that of course it is and Iku is acting strange… Iku wonders why he suddenly realises that something that is so obvious like her beating heart may be taken away from him one day.

As the siblings grow up, Yui’s weak heart prevents her from attending school and she has to sleep in most of the time. On her behalf, Iku would share his experiences with her when he returns from class. One day, he tells her that he sang in front of class and she wants him to sing for her too. Iku feels that he can do anything that Yui asks of him. Even now he can hear the sound of her beating heart in his mind. Yui praises Iku for his wonderful singing. She reminices that they used to hold hands when they were children and Iku’s hand feels warm even in winter.

Iku replies that they can hold each other’s hands anytime. Yui explains that Iku’s singing feels warm like his hand and it warms her heart too. Yui says that she loves Iku’s singing voice very much. Although the heart is expected to keep beating, Iku wonders how many times more can Yui’s heart continue to beat.

Kotarou visits Yui and asks about her condition. Iku replies that she has been sleeping the whole time. Kotarou confides in Iku that he wants to become a doctor so that he can find a cure for Yui. He wants to do anything that can help them. This makes Iku wonder what he can do for his sister.

Next, we see Iku walking by with a guitar and a bunch of girls commenting about how cool he looks. Iku visits Yui at the hospital and plays his newly recorded song for her. Yui apologises to him for having him come over when he is so busy.

However, Iku says that he has long decided to let Yui be the first person to hear his new song… Just then, Kotarou drops by for a visit and asks if Yui is listening to Iku’s new song. Iku thinks he comes at the right time and proudly announces that he thinks that the new song is rather good this time. Yui shares an earphone with Kotarou and both of them find the song good too. Iku thinks that his sister maybe stubborn, she is gentle and strong and never shows her weak side even when she is going through a tough time…

Next week. continuation of Gemini arc! :D

Title: Starry Sky vol.6 -Episode Gemini – Special Edition DVD
Price: 5,800yen
Release date: 27 July 2011
DVD includes episodes 10 to 11, pillow case, booklet and a special DVD with bonus 10 minutes footage.

Running time: 30 minutes

Starry Sky Series Episode 6, volume 2 of Pisces. This episode was really slow moving and doesn’t get much developments. Kinda disappointing and missing the energy in Episode 5. There were also some flashbacks scenes from Episodes 1 and 5 which took up quite a bit of time.

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SPOILER SCREEN CAPS BELOW THE CUT. Wait for the English subs if you don’t want to be spoiled :)

Summary:

Pisces boy Nanami Kanata, 七海哉太 (cv: Sugita Tomokazu 杉田智和) has a weak constitution since young. He cannot play or take part in events like other children. Yahisa Tsukiko 夜久月子 (cv: Orikasa Fumiko 折笠富美子) and Tohzuki Suzuya 東月錫也 (cv. Ono Daisuke 東月錫也) are always by his side giving him their support. As Kanata grows older, he keeps getting into fights even though his body is in pain, as if he is hoping to achieve something, to protect things which are important to him with his own hands.

In this episode, it is the first day of school, Tsukiko, Kanata and Suzuya are supposed to meet up but the boys are unable to find Tsukiko. Shiranui Kazuki shows Tsukiko the way to the entrance. Although Katana behaves like usual to Tsukiko, he notices and is concerned about Tsukiko’s fear and nervousness about being the only girl in the school… and he gives her this promise…

It is the first day at school. Tsukiko is nowhere to be found. Kanata and Suzuya are worried. Finally Tsukiko arrives at the entrance. She is lost and met Kazuki who showed her the way. Tsukiko explains to Kazuki that the two are her childhood friends. Kazuki seems to recognise Kanata but he does not say anything. Then he leaves.

Kanata asks Tsukiko if she knew Kazuki but she can’t remember his name although he told her just now. She apologies as she couldn’t find her way. Then the three walk together to the school. Tsukiko is worried about being the only girl in school and spaces out.

Kanata pokes Tsukiko’s head and tries to lift her spirits by making fun of her that she doesn’t really behave like a girl so she shouldn’t worry so much about standing out among the boys in school. Suzuya says they would protect her.

In class, Tsukiko seems down. Kanata tells her that she doesn’t seem like her usual self and feels like her heart is not here. But before the boys can get more out of her, she excuses herself and leaves them.

Suzuya says that he thinks Tsukiko is still bothered but always tries to appear that everything is ok and put on a smile. Kanata is worried about her but they agree that only thing they can do for her now is to watch over her.

Kanata notices that Tsukiko doesn’t mention or say anything about her feelings. She does her best in everything that she is doing, including her job as a secretary in the student council. Boys are the majority in the school and not all of they are gentle but Tsukiko does not bad mouth anybody. It makes him worry about her from time to time. One evening, Kanata finds Tsukiko sitting alone on the bench…

Kanata sits beside Tsukiko. Just then Tsukiko’s tears fall. Kanata says that he will just stay with her until she finishes crying. Tsukiko denies that she is crying. Kanata says that she is a stubborn childhood friend but will just let it be and sit beside her. For that, Tsukiko is grateful.

The next day, Kanata arrives earlier than Tsukiko and she teases him for the rare occasion. Suzuya notices that Tsukiko’s eyes are reddish and asks if she is ok. Kanata speaks up for Tsukiko and says that she probably reads books about stars too late into the night and maybe had a nightmare? Suzuya wants her to take care and says that he is not used to having Kanata reaching school earlier than she does. She quietly thanks Kanata as she makes her way to her seat.

Kanata knows that Tsukiko is not used to showing others her weak side and will try to hide her worries from them. That’s why Kanada decides that he will watch over her and be by her side when she cries. Until she is calm and reassured. Then there’s flashback to the day that Tomoe Yoh transferred to their class…

Kanata notices that Yoh is looking at Tsukiko… the flashback continues till the time that the four of them become a group.

Kanata recounts that since he was a child, he always wanted only the three of them, Suzuya and Tsukiko to be together. However, the group of three became a group of four and he has grown to feel that it isn’t a bad thing at all.

Next we see the four of them spending another day together in school. Yoh is reading a book on the bench but Kanata catches him stealing glances at their group and knows that he wants to join them.

Kanata calls out to Yoh and teases Yoh for not being truthful about his feelings. Too proud to admit it, Yoh complains to Tsukiko about Kanata laughing at him but Tsukiko feels that it is not the case. Kanata points out that Yoh keeps finding excuses to get close to her… Then there’s another flashback about the time when they were children and reading the fairy tale.

Kanata is late again and Suzuya tells him he should try to wake up earlier. Yoh teases Kanata.

The others laugh along as they make their way to school. Kanata feels that everyone has a limit to their lives. If he has a shorter time, then he would want to use the rest of his life to see that his friends are happy. He feels that it is because of them that he is here right now and it is a fact that will not change no matter what happen. The thing that he wants is something that most people do not realise and take for granted. He feels that even if he cannot have it, there’s something that he can still do… Just then his friends call for him and he joins them…

Next week. Aries arc! :D

Title: Starry Sky vol.3 -Episode Kanata- Special Edition DVD
Price: 5,800yen
Release date: 24 April 2011
DVD includes episodes 5 to 6, pillow case, booklet and a special DVD with bonus 10 minutes footage.

Running time: 30 minutes

Starry Sky Series Episode 5, volume 1 of Pisces. I think I’m always going to like volume 1 more cos the chibis are so cute!

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SPOILER SCREEN CAPS BELOW THE CUT. Wait for the English subs if you don’t want to be spoiled :)

Summary:

Pisces boy Nanami Kanata, 七海哉太 (cv: Sugita Tomokazu 杉田智和) has a weak constitution since young. He cannot play or take part in events like other children. Yahisa Tsukiko 夜久月子 (cv: Orikasa Fumiko 折笠富美子) and Tohzuki Suzuya 東月錫也 (cv. Ono Daisuke 東月錫也) are always by his side giving him their support. As Kanata grows older, he keeps getting into fights even though his body is in pain, as if he is hoping to achieve something, to protect things which are important to him with his own hands.

Spoiler Screen cap + summary start:

Tsukiko is reading a storybook together with Pisces boy, Kanata and Cancer boy, Suzuya. As the story goes, “a long time ago, God, people and animals get along with each other with respect and love”. Kanata wonders what one of the words that describe “respect” means. Tsukiko isn’t sure too. Suzuya answers their question and asks if Kanata knows what “aishiteru” (love) means too? (lol~ fanservice) Kanata becomes embarrassed and says, of course he knows what it means and wants Tsukiko to continue reading.

She continues, “as time passes, people began to think that they didn’t need God and felt that they were a higher being than animals. They forgot who God was and killed the animals. God was saddened by what happened and transformed the animals into stars. God also became a star too and left a wish for the people, that they would get along with one another forever.

And God and the animals would shine brightly in the sky to remind them of the promise…” And so the story ends. Suzuya points out one astronomy fact which is different from what is written in the storybook. Just then, some other children come into the room and ask them to join them for a game of ball. However, Kanata would not be able to join them and he can’t help but feel down.

Tsukiko and Suzuya reject them and say the three of them are in the middle of reading the storybook together but thank them for asking. Kanata wonders if it is really okay for them not to join them? But the two reply saying that it is more fun to read the storybook together with Kanata. Touched, Katana tears up but quickly wipes them away.

Kanata feels that they have always greeted him with their smiles. It makes him wonder if he would still exist if they are not around him. He has a weak constitution since young, so there is a limit to what he can do.

He feels that there’s also a limit to his lifespan but Tsukiko tells him with a smile that as long as he is here, it is okay… Next… we see an older Kanata. His mother has to go off to the hospital to stand in for a colleague and has to leave Kanata alone at home.

Kanata reassures her that he will be okay. His mother remembers that the other children would be back from an excursion trip today. His mother wonders if they miss him? She encourages him to work hard so that he can join them next year and leaves. (I’ll probably be emo if my mum said that OTL) Kanata watches TV. He feels that he can never become a hero who is strong and can overcome challenges, no matter how difficult they are.

Kanata feels that it is not possible for him to get along with the others forever because there would be a time when they may go somewhere where he cannot follow and he cries himself to sleep…

Kanata wakes up to find Tsukiko and Suzuya lying next to him. Tsukiko notices the dried up tears on Kanata’s cheeks and asks if he was feeling lonely? Kanata denies it and says that they were a result of nightmares. Tsukiko is relieved to hear it. Suzuya takes out a souvenir for Kanata and Tsukiko follows suit.

Then they start to recount and tell him stories about their trip. Kanata would always hear his friends recount their experiences for the times he cannot join them. Although he wouldn’t be able to tell if they were making up these stories, Tsukiko says that they don’t want to take photos because Kanata will cry if he knows the reason why. (Not sure if it’s correct) Kanata doesn’t like to be called a crybaby, so he doesn’t pursue it.

Out of the blue, we see Aries boy Shiranui Kazuki taunting Kanata about him being protected by his friends all the time.

Kanata becomes upset and tries to retaliate but his punch is easily dodged by the older boy.

Kanata doesn’t want to be protected all the time. He wants to be able to use his own hands to protect his friends who are important to him.

Shiranui tells Kanata that there are ways to protect what is important to him and he will teach him how to fight to do that… As Kanata grows older, he is still afflicted by pain because of his weak constitution… Tsukiko and Suzuya is upset and angry that he is pushing himself so hard but…

although injuries are painful, fighting makes him feel that he is alive and makes him feel slightly at ease about the condition of his body. When Tsukiko and Suzuya are angry with him, their attention for him makes him feel less anxious about his own existence too.

Kanata is skipping class again. Tsukiko finds him and is quickly discovered by Suzuya too.

Suzuya has made too much food and offers them some. He too has skipped class as well.

They also know the reason why he is skipping class but do not mention it. No matter how many times Kanata skips class, Tsukiko and Suzuya would notice it and follow after him. That’s why, in case he gets them into trouble, Kanata stops skipping class. Kanata is most grateful for their presence because there is nothing more reassuring than them simply being there with him.

Next week. Pisces arc continues ! :D

Title: Starry Sky vol.1 -Episode Kanata- Special Edition DVD
Price: 5,800yen
Release date: 24 April 2011
DVD includes episodes 5 to 6, pillow case, booklet and a special DVD with bonus 10 minutes footage.

Running time: 30 minutes

Starry Sky Series Episode 4, volume 2 of Aquarius. This episode was rather slow-paced. After last week’s chibi cuteness overload, I had higher expectations, so I was a little disappointed. Generally it is still enjoyable as a heartwarming insight into Tsubasa’s story. Too short tho. I also realised from reading general comments about this anime is that it is boring. It is a purely fan service outing with just 10 minutes of pretty animation each week, so if you’re new to Starry Sky, it’s understandable if you can’t really get into the story or characters. Just enjoy the eye-candy I guess :3

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SPOILER SCREEN CAPS BELOW THE CUT. Wait for the English subs if you don’t want to be spoiled :)

Summary:

Aquarius boy, Amaha Tsubasa 天羽翼 (cv: Suzumura Kenichi 鈴村健一) is prohibited from making his inventions in the Student Council room because one of them exploded in the room. Tsubasa becomes depressed. The Student Council members, Aries boy Shiranui Kazuki 不知火一樹 (cv. Nakamura Yuuichi 中村悠一), Yahisa Tsukiko 夜久月子 (cv: Orikasa Fumiko 折笠富美子) and Virgo boy Aozora Hayato 青空颯斗 (cv. Hirakawa Daisuke 平川大輔) notice it and are worried about him. And then Shiranui comes up with an idea and the members decide to give Tsubasa a surprise…

Spoiler Screen cap + summary start:

Aquarius boy Amaha Tsubasa is feeling depressed because he is prohibited from his experiments at the Student Council room after the explosion in the last episode. Sagittarius boy Kinose Azusa checks on him.

Azusa thinks Tsubasa is acting strange because he spaces out in class and isn’t working on his inventions at all. He comments that it is the first time he sees Tsubasa not doing something to his inventions. Tsubasa explains that he can’t do that in the Student Council room anymore. But Azusa points out frankly that he can still work his inventions elsewhere, right? But Tsubasa kicks him out of his room and says that he wants to sleep. Before Azusa leaves, he comments that this probably means that Tsubasa loves inventing probably as much as he loves the members of the Student Council.

Shiranui and the other two Student Council members are discussing about accommodating the room to Tsubasa and his inventions. Tsukiko thinks it may work but Hayato still thinks it is dangerous and disagrees to the idea.

If I’m not wrong, at this point Shiranui is saying something like he needs Hayato’s support. He explains that he wants to do something for Tsubasa and that if Hayato is feeling down, he would do anything for him too.

Hayato sees through him and comments that Shiranui just wants to do something fun but he finally agrees to the idea and will do whatever he can to make it happen. Just then, Tsubasa arrives.

Shiranui tells him not to come to the Student Council room for a week. However, as he wants to give the boy a surprise, they cook up a lame excuse, saying that the teachers need the Student Council to prepare for exam papers. So all of them will take a week’s break from their activities. Thinking that it may be due to the explosion, Tsubasa can’t help but feel down.

Shirahui asks the other members keep Tsubasa away from the room while they prepare the surprise. Then we see Tsubasa spacing out and feeling down because he can’t go to the Student Council room and his friend Asuza’s look of concern for him.

More emo-ing from the Aquarius boy and looking cute in the process (lol~) Then one day he subconsciously walks to the Student Council room and…

… remembers the happy times with the rest of the members. Suddenly, the door opens and he sees Hayato and Tsukiko walk out of the room, saying that they’re looking forward to something. When they see one another, they try to explain that it is a coincidence but Shiranui walks out at that point. Upset that they lied to him, Tsubasa thinks that they don’t want him in their circle anymore and runs away.

It brings back all his painful childhood memories of being abandoned and the unkind words of the adults as he was shuffled from one relative to another.

Tsubasa feels rejected and upset.

The other three finally find him but when Tsukiko reaches out to him, he slaps her hand away. Shiranui then grabs Tsubasa and drags him away.

Shiranui is dragged inside the Student Council room and is shocked to see all the laboratory equipment.

It is then revealed that they have been working on the special laboratory room just for Tsubasa, so that he can work on his inventions as much as he likes. They even added reinforced walls in case there are explosions.

Tsubasa feels so happy and squeezes his eyes shut again. Shiranui wants to know how he feels. He reassures Tsubasa that happiness won’t disappear and wants him to open his eyes and see it. These happy times will continue to accumulate and they will have fun times together.

Tsubasa is surprised that Shiranui and the rest knows the reason why he always closes his eyes when he is happy. Right now, he feels so happy but scared at the same time because he is most afraid that this happiness will end someday.

Next is just some cute moments of the group. Shiranui calls Tsubasa a kid and is called an old man instead. He punches Tsubasa on the head and the boy leans towards Tsukiko playfully for comfort.

Hayato glides over and puts two ear plugs into Tsukiko’s ears. Then he calmly runs his fingernails across the mini chalk board. The screech terrorises the boys and stops their little tumbling fight. Everyone laughs.

Tsubasa talks to his grandfather in his heart. He feels that he is having a lot of fun now and for the first time he feels that he wants to be with somebody. He feels too that maybe something like new emotions is waiting for him. Although he is afraid, he also feels excited about it. He will not close his eyes anymore when he is feeling happy because it will be such a waste! He wants to see everything that is happening during happy times too.

Next week. Pisces arc ! :D

Title: Starry Sky vol.2 -Episode Tsubasa- Special Edition DVD
Price: 5,800yen
Release date: 24 March 2011
DVD includes episodes 3 to 4, pillow case, booklet and a special DVD with bonus 10 minutes footage.

Running time: 30 minutes

Starry Sky Series Episode 3, volume 1 of Aquarius. Yet another enjoyable volume with many cute shots and fan-service bromance shots! Loved it!

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SPOILER SCREEN CAPS BELOW THE CUT. Wait for the English subs if you don’t want to be spoiled :)

Summary:

Aquarius boy, Amaha Tsubasa 天羽翼 (cv: Suzumura Kenichi 鈴村健一) is a boy who loves inventing things. During the first day of school at Seigatsu Academy, he runs into his childhood friend, Sagittarius boy Kinose Azusa 木ノ瀬梓 (cv: Fukuyama Jun 福山潤). Azusa notices that Amaha hasn’t changed the unique way he laughs and is filled nostalgia. During the entrance ceremony, the student council president, Aries boy Shiranui Kazuki 不知火一樹 (cv. Nakamura Yuuichi 中村悠一) goes on stage and unexpectedly appoints Amaha as the Student Council treasurer. There he becomes friends with Yahisa Tsukiko 夜久月子 (cv: Orikasa Fumiko 折笠富美子) and Virgo boy Aozora Hayato 青空颯斗 (cv. Hirakawa Daisuke 平川大輔)

Spoiler Screen cap + summary start:

Aquarius boy Amaha Tsubasa’s episode starts at the time when he is a child. Some women are gossiping about him being abandoned by his divorced parents. In another room, young Tsubasa is working on his new invention.

Another young boy enters the room and asks him what he is doing… Embarrassed, Tsubasa replies that it is an invention and it is near completion. When the other boy wonders what it can do, Tsubasa demonstrates its purpose at the garden.

It is an automated watering can! The other boy thinks it’s pretty awesome but the young inventor replies that it is a simple thing. However, the boy feels that it is not something that can be easily achieved by anybody but Tsubasa did it. Both of them look so adorable.

Tsubasa introduces his name shyly and the other boy asks him if he knows his. Tsubasa already knows. It is Azusa. The boys shake hands… (Bromance bromance~ ah~ so cute *hearts*)

Tsubasa accidentally lets out a laugh… “nuhaha” and stops himself. Azusa recognises the laughter and says it sounds like Tsubasa’s grandfather, Eisuke. Tsubasa is embarrassed but Azusa thinks it is nice… and funny (or strange). Tsubasa is upset and demands that Azusa should not say that his grandfather is strange. Azusa apologies for making Tsubasa angry but he explains that it is a compliment because he feels that it is unique.

Tsubasa then wonders why the other kids in school laugh at him when he laughs like that. Azusa thinks that a person’s laughter reflects his personality/individuality. If everybody are the same, it would be boring. He thinks that it is something that makes Tsubasa who he is and reassures him with a sincere smile that is more interesting this way. And the person who chooses to be with Tsubasa will be ok with him just the way he is.

Fast forward to the future… It is Tsubasa’s first day at Seigatsu Academy… in a corner, somebody has his eyes locked on him…

One of them took a picture of Tsubasa while the other seems to be plotting something, saying that he has found the one he is searching for… Just then, Tsubasa accidentally bumps into another student…

He turns out to be Azusa! The childhood friends meet again. Azusa holds out his hand like he did in the past when they were children and Tsubasa laughs his trademark “nuhaha” laugh. Azusa says that it’s nice that he hasn’t changed the way he laughs.

Tsubasa’s mind flashes back to the day they first met. Seeing that Tsubasa closes his eyes, Azusa asks if Tsubasa is reminded of his grandfather and is feeling happy. Tsubasa wonders why Azusa said so and the boy explains that whenever Tsubasa is thinking happy thoughts, he has a tendency to squeeze his eyes shut and this trait of his hasn’t changed too.

Tsubasa says that he wasn’t thinking about his grandfather but just as Azusa asks him what he was thinking, Tsukiko approaches the two and asks them to join the assembly quickly as the ceremony is starting soon.

During the assembly… the principal is giving a welcome speech (I think) After that, Tsukiko announces the next speaker, student council president, Aries boy, Shiranui Kazuki…

…who took to the stage like a rock star. Lol~ Then he announces that he is the president and he is like the ruler of the student body, so everybody has to obey him. Then he points at Tsubasa and says that he shall be appointed as a treasurer for the student council.

The spotlight shines on Tsubasa but he isn’t paying attention at all until Azusa elbows him. Then Shiranui announces that everything the president says is absolute, so Tsubasa must report to the student council room after class ends.

After class, Tsubasa is on his way back. Azusa catches up to him and asks if it is ok to skip the student council room. Tsubasa replies that it has got nothing to do with him and he is busy with his inventions. Azusa wonders if Tsubasa knew Shiranui but the boy says that he has no idea who he is. Azusa feels there must be a reason why he was chosen and that the president seems familiar. Just then, Shiranui jumps in and drags Tsubasa away. Tsubasa cries for help… Azusa seems to remember who Shiranui reminds him of and just smiles at the two.

Tsubasa is dragged to the student council room and introduced to secretary Tsukiko and vice president Virgo boy, Aozora Hayato.

Tsubasa is appointed as the treasurer from now on and is welcomed into the student council by the trio.

Tsubasa feels that during his time spent with the student council, he is surrounded by lots of laughter but it is also period when he often feels perplexed. When he is happy, he also feels a tinge of sadness. When something feels nostalgic, it also feels new. Assaulted by all these feelings, he can’t help but feel bewildered by it.

One day, Tsubasa is taking a nap. Shiranui gives him a punch and awakes him to the fact that his green tea serving robot is running berserk. Just when they’re wondering how to stop the robot, it starts to count down…

They realise that it is going to explode and demand that Tsubasa stop it. But before they can do anything about it, it explodes right in front of Tsukiko!

The room is a mess and the fire alarm is set off. Fortunately nobody is hurt. Tsubasa says that the robot wasn’t supposed to explode. He laughs it off and says that it would be ok the next time. However, Hayato is not amused.

Hayato says that “there won’t be a next time” for the time being. Although the other two try to speak up for him, Hayato reminds them that Tsubasa has his tasks to perform as a treasurer. If he must work on his inventions, he cannot do it in the student council room anymore…

What will Tsubasa do? Aquarius arc continues next week! :D

Title: Starry Sky vol.2 -Episode Tsubasa- Special Edition DVD
Price: 5,800yen
Release date: 24 March 2011
DVD includes episodes 3 to 4, pillow case, booklet and a special DVD with bonus 10 minutes footage.

Running time: 30 minutes

DRAMAtical Murder seme names revealed!

This DVD was part of Comiket 79 「ニトロプラス キラル」セット Nitro+Chiral Set

DRAMAtical Murder -Introduction-
Size: B6 (Full-colour) Character setting artwork for DRAMAtical Murder, staff comment published in a full-colour, B6-sized booklet. Announcement movie of the game during Chiral Night event on 31 October 2010 will be included as a DVD. Includes DVD package illustrated by Honyarara ほにゃらら

DRAMAtical Murder -Introduction- DVD

The inside and disc.

The B6-size booklet has a high quality glossy finish. Very nice.

I will rule over you, “_ _ _ “
君を支配する、「_ _ _ 」

I think it’s probably better translated as I pwn you in cyberspeak lol~

Introduction to the game setting.

The stage is set in a fictional Japan from the past (That explains the use of some of the retro-ish graphics) What story awaits our hero who lives in a world where the past coexists with the future ……? 舞台となるのは今よりも少し先の世界、架空の「日本」。主人公の「蒼葉を中心に、過去と未来が共存する島で繰り広げられのは一体どんな物語なのか……。

Aoba 蒼葉 / Blue leaf and his dog, Ren 蓮 / Lotus

According to the introduction, Aoba wears coordinated blue colours. He appears to have a cheerful personality. He is an adult and is the oldest main uke hero among all Nitro-Chiral’s previous BL games. His dog Ren is always with him. Although the dog is fully-grown, he is small in size. His breed is pomeranian but he looks like a spitz puppy.

Kimono seme is Koujaku 紅雀 / Red sparrow.

Japanese style fashion. Seems to be the first person who comes in contact with Aoba. The left picture probably shows him with Ren and btw, if you can’t see clearly, that is a sparrow on the dog’s head.

Badge seme is Noise ノイズ

A young man with sharp-looking eyes. He emanates an aura of sharpness but wears a surprisingly huge number of badges.

Smoking pipe seme is Mink ミンク.

Serious looking man. Wears military style clothes and has dreadlocks. Feels like somebody who is of mixed heritage from many countries.

And finally gas mask seme’s name is Clear クリア.

A guy who hides his face under a gas mask. Reasons unexplained. He carries himself and speaks in a slightly eccentric way.

Cute middle-finger game key-art.

Hmm… I wonder what kind of voice I’ll have? (and when will DRAMAtical Murder be available? :D)

Finally the trailer. Editing is good but there’s not very much we haven’t already seen tho. Enjoy!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Starry Sky Series ending Episode 2 of Capricorn. Screen caps galore and the quality of animation remains the same. Lots of fan-service shots which will satisfy both otome and BL fans :) I think I kinda went overboard with the screen capping this time because of that.

SPOILER SCREEN CAPS BELOW THE CUT. Wait for the English subs if you don’t want to be spoiled :) Eng subbed now available

The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.

Summary:

Yahisa Tsukiko is the first female student to enroll at Seigatsu Academy, a former all-boys school specializing in astronomy. She is closely watched over by her childhood friends, Nanami Kanata (Pisces boy) and Touzuki Suzuya (Cancer boy), who often protect her from the male student body. Throughout the story, she befriends other young men whose personalities are based on the Western zodiac constellations.

In the second episode, it has been almost a month since Tomoe Yoh (Capricorn boy) transfers to Seigatsu Academy. He has also become friends with Kanata and Suzuya as well. The four are out star gazing together again…

Spoiler Screen cap + summary start:

Episode 2 starts with the boys and Tsukiko during a night outing to star gaze. Yummy food made by Cancer boy, Suzuya.

It has almost been a month since Yoh transferred to their school and Kanata says that it feels like it just happened yesterday. Tsukiko points out that they two of them have been bickering with each other all these while. If Yoh has only transferred just yesterday, that means they became good friends in just one day? Kanata replies that it’s not like they’re good friends or anything… and just as Kanata is going to take a snack, Yoh grabs the one he wants before he does.

Kanata gripes about it that Yoh did it on purpose. Yoh teases him and says that he got to it first. Yoh eats up the snack in one big mouthful much to his chagrin. Kanata grabs Yoh in retaliation.

Tsukiko comments that no matter how you look at it, the boys actually do get along very well. Suzuya agrees. She asks if they should stop the fight and Suzuya has a better idea. He places another bento he made in front of the boys and gets their immediate attention. (So many bro-mance hugging fan-service shots lol~)

When they see the food, both of them grab one for themselves. It definitely stops the little fight. As expected of Suzuya, the “mum” of the trio, which Suzuya responds with some embarrassment.

Kanata notices Yoh laughing so happily now and comments that he can’t believe he is the same person who said he didn’t need any friends at the beginning. Embarrassed, Yoh walks over to Tsukiko and gives her a big hug, saying that he only needs her. Shocked by the gesture, Kanata jumps up to stop him.

Both Tsukiko and Suzuya agrees with Kanata. Anyway, this episode is a whole lot of Kanata hoisting Yoh away from Tsukiko and it is really cute. BL fan-girls can take screen cap No: 3 out of context and fire your BL-filter at will lol~

Although it is the truth, Yoh is too shy to admit that it is nice to have friends. He wants to star gaze with Tsukiko like this forever…

Yoh’s flash-back. Yoh’s parents calls him and he happily shares with them about his experiences and the friends he has made.

His parents have confirmed their trip and very soon Yoh would have to join them too.

Flash back ends and Yoh can’t help showing his sadness. Tsukiko notices it and asks him what’s wrong?

He replies that he can’t hide his feelings from her and think maybe she can make him feel better. And hugs her. Kanata immediately jumps up to stop him (lol~)

Here we see Yoh being hoisted away again. Suzuya asks them to stop fighting and Yoh asks him to stop…

…being their “mum” in French. That takes Suzuya and Tsukiko a short while to register the word and when Suzuya did, he got depressed. Kanata notices it and runs to Suzuya in an effort to comfort him. He cries that that they should call him “Oka” (Japanese word for mum) instead lol~

Yoh walks away and Tsukiko tries to reassure him that they’ll always be with him. Yoh thanks her and…

… gives her kiss! Here we see Kanata flying towards them again…

And then they start chasing each other… (looks almost as if Yoh is doing it to get Kanata’s attention lol lol)

And OMG that sparkly image treatment. You can take those out of context again and slap some bro-mance onto it.

More fan-service…

Yoh remembers the time Tsukiko and him met.

More details about their encounter and how Yoh introduces himself. (I tot I saw Honey-sempai there)

Yoh is grateful that Tsukiko is the one who taught him that no matter where they are, even when he is in America, they’ll be connected by the same skies.

That concludes Capricorn arc. I thought they would show the ending where Tomoe Yoh and Tsukiko got together. But I guess 10 minutes is too short to make all that happen if you want to include so much fan-service.

Next episode is Aquarius boy: Amaha Tsubasa :) Let’s look forward to it!

Title: Starry Sky vol.1 -Episode Capricorn- Special Edition DVD
Price: 5,800yen
Release date: 23 February 2011
DVD includes episodes 1 to 2, pillow case, booklet and a special DVD with bonus 10 minutes footage.

Running time: 30 minutes

I just caught the first episode on animate.tv and I’m very happy to announce…. the quality is very, very good!!! :D Although the anime looks simple, with slow panning shots, etc, they made good whatever little animation there was in the anime, walking, talking, blinking, etc. The characters were translated nicely into their anime versions and came alive because of the sheer prettiness of it all. Beautiful backgrounds and lovely colours! Almost every shot and angle looked lovingly drawn and animated. Pacing was ok too.

Each episode is about 11 minutes long (with opening and ending). Yep I just found that we can catch the first episode FREE. Sign up for a free account there.

Register: https://licence.animate.tv/regist.php
Watch: http://www.animate.tv/anime/details.php?id=68

My connection was kinda slow, so I try to forget the fact that I just spent 1+ hour trying to watch a 11 minute broadcast by compiling the screen caps of the first episode! Before I knew it, I actually took over 150 of them lol~. There are just too many pretty images! :P

Updated with youtube video below the cut! English subs will probably be out soon. Don’t read on if you don’t want to be spoiled. SPOILER SCREEN CAPS + ENGLISH SUBBED VIDEO BELOW THE CUT.

The video cannot be shown at the moment. Please try again later.

Summary:

Yahisa Tsukiko is the first female student to enroll at Seigatsu Academy, a former all-boys school specializing in astronomy. She is closely watched over by her childhood friends, Nanami Kanata (Pisces boy) and Touzuki Suzuya (Cancer boy), who often protect her from the male student body. Throughout the story, she befriends other young men whose personalities are based on the Western zodiac constellations.

In the first episode, not long after Tsukiko transfers to Seigatsu Academy, a half-French boy named Tomoe Yoh (Capricorn boy) follows suit to pursue her. This action stirs up emotions from Kanata and Suzuya, both of whom had long loved Tsukiko.

Spoiler Screen cap + summary start:

The anime starts with Capricorn boy, Tomoe Yoh reminiscing the past… what a cute little boy.

One day he was gazing at stars. He dropped his telescope and couldn’t find it among the bushes. A girl found it and handed it to him.

They began chatting about why they liked star gazing and all…

Then the girl noticed that Tomoe Yoh had very different colour eyes. He was sad because he was teased a lot for it.

But she found them very pretty! And introduced herself as Yahisa Tsukiko :D Such a cute shot. Even I am won over lol~

Back to current time. Tomoe Yoh is thinking that he is finally going to meet Yahisa Tsukiko again. His mum enters his room. He apologies for making a selfish demand but she responds kindly to him. Next day he attends Seigatsu Academy as a transfer student.

Teacher Haruki Naoshi sensei gives Tomoe Yoh an introduction about the school and the subjects that they teach.

Giving us an opportunity to look at almost all the boys in their beautifully drawn anime form. Tomoe Yoh asks about the only female student in the all-boys school. He will be in the same class as she is.

Flash back to why he made the decision to join the school. His parents are planning to move to another country (I can’t remember… US? I think) for an astronomy research job his father is taking up. As he lived in Japan for a period of time when he was a child. He requests to go back to Japan because he has an important person to meet before joining them. It has always been his dream to be able to study astronomy (If I’m not wrong). They are very supportive and give him their blessings to find his important person because they found each other in Japan too.

Back to the class. Childhood friends Yahisa Tsukiko, Nanami Kanata and Touzuki Suzuya are chit chatting. Haruki Naoshi sensei enters the class and asks Tomoe Yoh to introduce himself.

Haruki Naoshi sensei asks Yahisa Tsukiko to take care of Tomoe Yoh since they will be sitting next to each other. Yahisa Tsukiko greets him and he reveals that this is not the first time that they met.

That catches the attention of Nanami Kanata and Touzuki Suzuya… and it concludes the first episode.

The ending animation is very pretty too. But… try to overlook the glaring spelling mistake of “DISTINY” (Destiny) and bad grammar ^^;;

Very nice in general. This is definitely THE bishonen/otome anime to watch out for in the coming year besides the BL anime Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi in 2011 :) I’m so glad!

Title: Starry Sky vol.1 -Episode Capricorn- Special Edition DVD
Price: 5,800yen
Release date: 23 February 2011
DVD includes episodes 1 to 2, pillow case, booklet and a special DVD with bonus 10 minutes footage.

Running time: 30 minutes

Anime based on mega popular otome girls drama CD series Starry☆Sky will begin broadcast on 23 December 2010.

The lucky people in Japan would have been able to watch the special free broadcast of the first episode of Starry Sky Capricorn at Animate Japan’s Ikebukuro store from 18 December till 26 December 2010.

Summary:
Yahisa  Tsukiko is the first female student to enroll at Seigatsu Academy, a former all-boys school specializing in astronomy. She is closely watched over by her childhood friends, Nanami Kanata (Pisces boy) and Touzuki Suzuya (Cancer boy), who often protect her from the male student body. Throughout the story, she befriends other young men whose personalities are based on the Western zodiac constellations.

In the first episode, not long after Tsukiko transfers to Seigatsu Academy, a half-French boy named Tomoe Yoh (Capricorn boy) follows suit to pursue her. This action stirs up emotions from Kanata and Suzuya, both of whom had long loved Tsukiko.

From the looks of it, the producers will be focusing on each constellation boy’s story with the heroine in short episodic formats and I’m guessing probably from the Starry Sky games? I think this will probably work well for a series like this. It helps to keep the story tight and will probably give each boy relatively equal screen time. Fans of different boys will probably be happier with this arrangement rather than having them try to create a main plot-line and then risk screwing up the whole thing.

Stills from the anime look pretty good :) I’m looking forward to it but keeping my expectations low in case I get disappointed. OTL

DVD of the anime is out for preorder too. There’s the special edition with goodies and the regular edition as well.

Updated with DVD cover jacket illustrated by Kazuaki-sensei (left) and pillow case (anime-version) illustrated by Fujimasa-san (right)

Title: Starry Sky vol.1 -Episode Capricorn- Special Edition DVD
Price: 5,800yen
Release date: 23 February 2011
DVD includes episodes 1 to 2, pillow case, booklet and a special DVD with bonus 10 minutes footage. Running time: 30 minutes

A PILLOW case??? I think it’s going to be a trend now for otome/fangirl targeted series. Can’t wait to see what it looks like. I’ll update when there’s more information :D

Characters from left: Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini

Characters from left: Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius

Cast list:
Heroine: Orikasa Fumiko as Yahisa Tsukiko 夜久月子：折笠富美子

Capricorn: Midorikawa Hikaru as Tomoe Yoh 土萌羊：緑川光
Aquarius Suzumura Kenichi as Amaha Tsubasa 天羽翼：鈴村健一
Pisces: Sugita Tomokazu as Nanami Kanata 七海哉太：杉田智和
Aries Nakamura Yuuichi as Shiranui Kazuki 不知火一樹：中村悠一
Taurus: Hoshi Souichiro as Kanakubo Homare 金久保誉：保志総一朗
Gemini: Yusa Kouji as Mizushima Iku 水嶋郁：遊佐浩二
Cancer: Ono Daisuke as Touzuki Suzuya 東月錫也：小野大輔
Leo: Kishio Daisuke as Haruki Naoshi 陽日直獅：岸尾だいすけ
Virgo: Hirakawa Daisuke as Aozora Hayato 青空颯斗：平川大輔
Libra: Ishida Akira as Hoshizuki Kotaro 星月琥太郎：石田彰
Scorpio: Kamiya Hiroshi as Miyaji Ryunosuke  宮地龍之介：神谷浩史
Sagittarius: Fukuyama Jun as Kinose Azusa 木ノ瀬梓：福山潤
Ophiuchus: Miyano Mamoru as Kagurazaka Shiki 神楽坂四季：宮野真守

Suwabe Junichi as Shirogane Ooshirou

Production house: Studio DEEN

Official site: http://www.sta-ska.com/index.html

Japanese release (region 2) DVD Fan Discs of the Junjou Romantica series will be released to commemorate Nakamura Shungiku-sensei’s 中村春菊 Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi 世界一初恋 anime that will be broadcast in April 2011,

Titles:
1) TV Anime Junjou Romantica (Season 1) & Junjou Egoist DVD Special Fan Disc
2) TV Anime Junjou Romantica (Season 2) & Junjou Terrorist DVD Special Fan Disc
TVアニメ「純情ロマンチカ（第1期）＆ 純情エゴイスト」DVDスペシャルファンディスク
TVアニメ「純情ロマンチカ（第2期）＆ 純情テロリスト」DVDスペシャルファンディスク
Price: 3,990 Yen each
Release Date: 25 February 2010

Features:

• Collection of re-edited scenes from the series. 純情ロマンチカ, 純情テロリスト, 純情エゴイストの名場面集
• Character introduction キャラクター紹介
• Misaki’s cooking special 美咲のお料理特集/本編で作った美咲の料理を一挙に紹介
• Audio commentaries voice cast (planned)
  1st season: Itou Kentarou and Canna Nobutsushi 上条弘樹役：伊藤健太郎, 草間野分役：神奈延年
  2nd season: Hanada Hikaru, Namiki Noriko 宇佐見秋彦役：花田光, 相川絵里役：並木のり子
• Illustrated CD Jacket and booklet illustrated by Nakamura-sensei
• Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi Promotion video preview 「世界一初恋」の先行プロモーション映像を収録！

I probably won’t put this on the priority list… I mean… I already have all 12 Japanese version DVDs of this series which cost me a bomb. But Misaki’s cooking special video looks like fun. :-\

Compared to the Japanese release (Region 2), it is cheap at US$49.99 for the whole season. But I guess we’re paying for all the extras in the Japanese DVDs, since the price of each DVD can get you the whole English subbed set already ^^;;;

Price: US$49.99 US$40.99
Release Date: 4 May 2010
Boxed set comes with a 24-page booklet featuring character bios, artwork and behind-the-scenes information.
Special Features: U.S. Season 1 Trailer, Clean Opening and Closing, TV Spot, DVD Commercials, Previews.
Spoken Languages: Japanese, English subtitles.

It is subbed and not dubbed (lol~ so far we haven’t had any English dubbed BL DVDs, right? XD) but I guess that is best left to the Japanese seiyuus (^///^)

Date of release for season two has not been announced yet :)

Limited edition Junjou Romantica DVD Vol. 6 tokuten is a pair of cute Piyo-chan socks (something I will probably never wear/use… kinda wasteful ^^”) and a mini manga.

Episode 11 is the continuation of the Junjou Terrorist arc (Miyagi x Shinobu) from the previous volume. There is some angst involved but overall still okay.

Episode 12 is Junjou Romantica (Usami x Misaki) arc. It is also the concluding episode of Season one.

There isn’t much to censor in both clips but the darkened areas were removed, so we can see the “compromising positions” clearly :)

There’s still some con-non-con in Junjou Terrorist but is less disturbing and Misaki’s hilarious but seriously cute attempt to service an amused Usami. Enjoy! XD

1) Episode 11 Miyagi x Shinobu

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

2) Episode 12 Usami x Misaki

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Limited edition Junjou Romantica DVD Vol. 5 tokuten is a cute Panda mechanical pencil (kindly modelled by Lulu ^^) and a mini manga. It contains episodes 9 and 10: Junjou Minimum and Junjou Terrorist.

Chibi Usami x Hiroki is super adorable. There wasn’t anything to censor but I have to say, it is one of my favourite episodes in the first season. Sweet! xD

As for Junjou Terrorist arc (Miyagi x Shinobu), personally I don’t enjoy it as much as the other two. I’m not exactly sure why although I like Inoue Kazuhiko who voices Miyagi.

If you’ve already watched the censored TV version, you’ll know that there’s a non-con in this episode. I understand that Miyagi only intended to “scare” Shinobu off or something to that effect… but watching the uncensored version, I felt rather disturbed by Shinobu’s ordeal and it felt worse for me when I saw him in tears, so I didn’t include that part in this video clip.

Warning! There’s some non-explicit non-con (which didn’t go all the way but still…) if non-con in any form (forced kissing, etc) disturbs you, please don’t watch the video clip.

1) Episode 10 Miyagi x Shinobu

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Honestly, its been a while and I can’t remember what exactly were the censored scenes already lol~ Anyway, DVD 4 features Romantica couple Usami x Misaki again ^_^ Episode 7 and 8… eh… was it the one they went on a date? xD Very cute DVD covers. Hmm, I’m still behind on posting images of previous DVDs… the special for this limited edition is drama CD Junai Parallel (純愛パラレル) Fairy tale starring the Junjou Romantica characters hehehe Prince Usami ^^ and boy in the forest Misaki.

Update! On to the sweet yet smexy H-scenes ^^ Pantsu-less MISAKI Kyaaaa~

1) Episode 7 Usami x Misaki Cute… *ahem* window smex XD

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

2) Episode 8 Usami x Misaki By far the most revealing scene to date…

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Anyway these 2 episodes of Nowaki x Hiroki are both my favourites cos besides the hot smex, it was rather touching and angsty :)

The DVD contains episode 5 and 6. It also comes with the short manga and a cute brown place mat with chopsticks. Both mat and chopsticks are printed with teddy bear Suzuki-san’s face I’ll post the photos when I can. I love the cover illustration and designs too. Really pretty. Gaaa… this series of DVDs are saccarine sweet. I’m so glad that season 2 is going to air in October! Love to see more Junjou cuteness xD

Oh yes… and the drama-mama library scene…

Watching the interaction between the couple moved me again but not as much as when I first watched the subs… ah~ so drama queen this Hiroki ^^ still he -is- a cutie. But this time, the scenes were kinda sweet/mild and not as hot as I wanted it to be. Seriously… they went through all that trouble to censor just a pair of naked legs (Erm… actually just one leg… and a half-naked butt) o_o||| You probably won’t even notice it even if you have watched the TV version. Maybe I’ve read too much hard core stuff. I can’t describe how mild this looks to me now.. lol~

Anyway… enjoy! ^^

Episode: 6 Nowaki x Hiroki

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Price: 5700yen (w/o tax)

Available date: 26 Nov 2008

Since there are 12 episodes in total, thank goodness that each DVD contains 3 episodes, so our wallets will bleed less. I’m not sure if there’ll be a second season though.

First-Press Edition has the following goodies:

1. DVD outer box case illustrated by Yoshinaga Fumi-sensei
2. DVD Booklet
3. Special Video： Cast Interview, No intro Opening and Ending, Promotion video collection
4. Special Drama CD: Aruhi no Antique ある日のアンティーク

Actually I was expecting some cake related goods to ship with the DVD but a pity there wasn’t any.

Btw, Antique Bakery Original Soundtrack is out too! Mine just shipped together with my Natsume Yuujin Chou Soundtrack order XD  woohoo~ the happiness… Totally broke and waiting for the next paycheck to arrive.

Currently available from Rightstuf
(Usual US$29.90 Pre-order discount: US$22.49)

Quick Summary (from Rightstuf)
A side story based on the long-running BL manga series by Nitta Youka 新田佑克.

In Japan, the Tokugawa Era represents a period of change in which the country must decide on how best to deal with its relationships with foreign countries. While many believe in isolationism, especially among the Choshu faction, Touma Kusaka’s (Miki Shinichirou) ideals are against his clan’s. He secretly attempts to learn English for the purpose of preparing for the future of an open Japan.

To this end, he gains an ally for his silent struggle in a man named Keiichiro Akizuki (Morikawa Toshiyuki), despite the fact that Akizuki is on the opposing side, the Tokugawa shogunate. During the course of their interaction, their bond deepens into something beyond commonality.

Comments
Fuyu no Semi R2 Japanese DVDs were definitely lovely and must-haves for any Haru wo Daiteita fan. As for the R1 version… I don’t know. I was kinda underwhelmed by the collectible value of the English-subtitled Embracing Love Region 1 DVD that was also released by Kitty Media not long ago. I will still buy this DVD during a sale but this time, I’ll lower my expectations. Fans are so hard to please! Lol~

As for the anime… no self-respecting BL fan should miss it. I believe that even non-BL fans will enjoy Winter Cicada. Mature, touching story and awesome cast. It will move you. Well, I cried buckets… ^^ The art may be uneven at parts but beautiful most of the time. If you like period dramas, you’ll love the little details about the era that this anime is based in. And the love scenes? So steamy the R2 DVD were banned in -certain countries- *cough*

Cast:
Miki Shinichiro as Touma Kusaka
Morikawa Toshiyuki as Keiichiro Akizuki

Arrived… :) Clips here but the DVD has a much better quality than youtube… And now… for the H-scenes we’ve been waiting for…

(Episode 3) Nowaki x Hiroki
Well, I think they could’ve made it more nose-bleeding but I guess that might have rendered it unsuitable for the DVD rating. *raise one eyebrow* Whatever xP The perv is rearing its ugly head. Anyway, enjoy!

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

(Episode 4) Usami x Misaki
Misaki looks rather alluring here and I find the H is sweeter ^^

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

At checkout, type in the promo code: rumble to enjoy the discount.

So if you’ve been eyeing the upcoming Region 1 Ouran High School Host Club DVD (Part 1), now is the chance to save ^^

The Region 1 Ouran DVD comes as a 2-part package of one season (13 episodes) per box.

Part one retails at: US$59.98, so with the 40% discount it’ll be US$35.99

Check it out!

Offer ends 31 August 2008.

As a side note, other Funimation titles include xxxHolic, Beck, Juu Oh Sei, Darker than Black (pre-order), Claymore (pre-order), Fruits Basket.