Kindred Spirits

Somehow, I think I might have been rather negligent in the updating of this blog.  Seems to have been playing too much atlantica online , left 4 dead and dota these few days. Just a quick update, L4D is awesome in impossible mode with 3 buddies, dota remains the same as always and currently busy creating, maintaining and leveling those ppl in my guild in atlantica. Anyway, a deep apology to anyone I might have inevitably ignored in msn =|.

And so the season of giving is almost upon us and that reminds me that I’m gonna need a “get out of jail” card before I get dragged to attend a christmas event at a church -.-“. With that, I sincerely wished everyone a merry christmas and a happy new year. Anyway, for those playing on sikyon server in atlantica, “Minerva” is looking for active ppl of GMT + 8 and we offer teachings in all crafts, out to grab a town soon. Interested personnel please pm either Anragaz or Zevaul =P.

-Anragaz

With my Third Eye above my heart, I can see people’s hearts and their intentions but who will be the one to see and understand mine?

– Satori Komeiji

Ephermal Existence

The doujin (self-published works) circle Maikaze will be selling the first DVD episode of its Touhou Anime Project at the Comic Market (Comiket) 75 convention at the end of this month in tokyo (28-30 Dec).

A rather star-studded seiyuu cast as followed

Reimu Hakurei : Mai Nakahara (Nagisa in Clannad, Rena in Higurashi, Mai Tokihara in Mai Hime)

Marisa Kirisame : Miyuki Sawashiro (Shinku in Rozen Maiden, Tsugumi in Kannagi)

Aya Shameimaru : Ayumi Fujimura (Miwa Kurushima in Bartender)

Patchouli Knowledge : Mikako Takahasi (Reverie Metherlance in Elemental Gelade , Ayumi Yamada in Honey and Clover)

Sakuya Izayoi : Rie Tanaka (Chii in Chobits, Simca in Air Gear, Lacus-sama in GSD, Suigintou in Rozen Maiden)

Remilia Scarlet : Ayumi Tsuji (Kozue Orihara in Chaos Head)

Suika Ibuki : Aki Toyosaki (Mai Asahina in Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu)

Narration : Kikuko Inoue (Belldandy in AMG, Sanae in Clannad, Mizuho in Onegai Teacher)

– ANN

Sure, the animation style and graphics might not be too overly impressive compared to nowadays show but nevertheless, it is set in the Touhou Gensokyo and is essentially an anime made by fans for fans. Not to mention the really impressive seiyuu casting for the show.

*laughes incoherently to himself*

Guess there’s something to look forward to towards the end of this year after all.

*goes off to search for more touhou materials*

– Anragaz

“Ever – lasting life is but ephermal, just like these phantom butterflies. For all I want, is an immortality with an end.

– Yuyuko Saigyouji

Sleepy Reisen~

“It was more tiring than I had expected, But he will never returned to the life he knew. His is the nightmare everlasting…the Eternal Waking……..And I have showed him fear…”

– Morpheus  in “Preludes Nocturnes”

Nightmare in wikipedia is defined as a “dream which causes a strong unpleasant emotional response from the sleeper, typically fear or horror, being in situations of extreme danger, or the sensations of pain, falling, drowning or death.” In dictionary.com, its defined as “a terrifying dream in which the dreamer experiences feelings of helplessness, extreme anxiety, sorrow, etc.”

You guys know who you are, please stop it thanks.

LAWL

– Anragaz

Anime Music Video

Anime Music Video

Music : Foo Fighters – Best of You

A pretty awesome AMV in my opinion with way too many anime references but yet blending them all into one cohesive experience, all the while building upon the strength of the song….

I’ve got another confession to make
I’m your fool
Everyone’s got their chains to break
Holdin’ you

– Anragaz

To Moonlord : Timing 3:56 and 14:11 of the first episode of Karas

<3 Remilia

Remilia Scarlet

Somehow, I saw this picture and though I died and went to Heaven Scarlet Devil Mansion…

=P – Anragaz

Anime Festival Asia ’08

[Audio http://www.fileden.com/files/2008/7/21/2012631/02%20-%20Northern%20Cross.mp3%5D

Title    : Northern Cross

Singer : Sheryl Nome starring May’n

Macross Frontier OST

Before I write anything down, MAY’N IS IMBA GOOD AT SINGING even during a live event.

Now that’s out of the system, so I spent last sunday at the afore-mentioned event held in suntec convention hall. Reached there at around 3 in the afternoon, was amazed by the efficiency of the ticket booths, ogled at the figurines display with kc, walked around somemore, tried to take photos of some of the cute cosplayers walking around, walked around abit more, emoed at why does an artbook costs $68, walked around abit more, looked at ppl playing Melty Blood, sianed of walking, went to eat dinner at a jap restaurant near the fountain of wealth, came back and got blown away by May’n.

A rather short but comprehensive summarized version of our trip. Wanted to write a full pledged report on it but anything I wrote would be overshadowed by those excellent guys over at Banzai Effect so head over there for pictures and a write up on all the events held there during the 2 days. For pictures of cosplayers, I suppose one could head to sgcafe and surf around, they got some great photos and excellent photographers over there. Anyway, lessons learnt from this trip : 1) kc should get a better camera 2) me and kc cant take pictures to save our lives 3) its sad to walk around with no money to buy any stuffs

As such, I’ll post some of those that we found interesting during the event and those that actually should be allowed to see the daylight lolz. oh and if I haven’t mentioned, May’n can sing.

Valkyrie Lenneth

Raiden from MGS4

Imba on the spot drawing / shading

KC and his dumb doraemon

No idea who this supposed to be =S

Approved : CC X LELOUCH FTW

Mitsuru from Persona 3

Enma Ai from Jigoku Shoujo

REMILIA SCARLET <3<3<3<3

Kugen Tenko from Wagaya no Oinari-sama

Lady Etheldreda and Al Azif from Demonbane

Just wanted to mention that I loved both the characters and the cosplayers from the last photo =P, anyway it was an event well spent on a sunday afternoon and the $5 admission charge was totally covered by the May’n’ mini concert. Pity we ain’t allowed to post any photos and even then, I doubt our camera would have been of much use. Nevertheless, totally enjoyed myself and perhaps would look forward to the next such event.

– Anragaz

Valkyria Chronicles

“Valkyria Valkyria

May the bloodline live forever

Valkyria Valkyria, Bless and protect our fertile lands”

Anthem of the Duchy of Gallia

“Forward we march

To conquer those who defile the graves of our fathers

For the everlasting glory of the Emperor, King of kings”

Anthem of the East Europan Imperial Alliance

And so, war rages between the Principality of Gallia and the Imperial Alliance of which the latter threatens to totally overwhelm its smaller foe with both its size and military strength. In a setting totally reminiscent of Europe during the second world war, it spins a tale of how a reluctant commander seeks to protect his home and his squad during these tiring times. With thinly veiled references to both racisms and war sentiments, it still manages to make us question to what extent will we go to protect all we hold dear. Thus the scenario is set for a story of David verus Goliath, of camaraderie admist despair and of love in times of war.

For fears of spoiling too much of the story, the game most distinguishing feature perhaps would be its”CANVAS” graphics engine which managed to convey a distinctive unique art style resembling a watercolour painting or a hand-drawn illustration with breath-taking visual.

With a large cast of recruitable personnel each with their own stories admist the war, the battle system itself is blend of both traditional role-playing game, strategy tactical gaming and even with a small sprinkle of first person shooter to top it off. Perhaps not a master in each aspect, the game still manages to blend them all into one cohesive package with frentic action as you seek to best the opposing army and fulfill your objectives.

With all that said and done, Valkryia Chronicles is a game that breaks away from the mould not just in its sense of art but also in its unique blend of gameplay. In this holiday season, this game might be overshadowed by other thriple-A titles but it nevertheless stands up from them as a dark horse. Although my first impression of this game wasn’t that great from the preview with expectations that it might look corny and childish, the game indeed knocked my socks off too with a new spin on existing gameplay but never losing sight of the fundamental of RPGs, the reiteration of a touching story.

And of course, there’s always the Valkryia.