AnimeJapan 2017

I love Anime conventions! There will always be experience zones, new exciting news and lovely merchandises from my favourite animes. Despite being in Japan, I hardly have a chance to attend those because of my busy schedules. I should really find time to immerse myself in those events whenever possible.

Fortunately, I had the honour of working for Sozo once again, this time helping them with their WOWJAPAN channel's coverage of AnimeJapan 2017. It was great meeting and working with new and familiar faces again! I also got a chance to see anime booths showcasing upcoming and current animes titles. Since I was there, I took the chance to visit booths and shops that sold Sword Art Online's merchandises and got myself a set of Kirito and Asuna's sword mark logo ball point pen!

SAO Sword Mark Ball Point Pen ¥500 each @ AnimeJapan 2017

I'm just so obsessed with this anime at the moment. I remember 'dropping' the anime after several episodes of it in season one, but I had to go back and finish the series after watching the new movie, Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale. I went as far as introducing it to B (He really liked the series!), and watching the movie twice; the second time on IMAX 4D at Toho Cinemas in Shinjuku. I personally recommend watching it in 4D because it offered a better immersion into the battle scenes of the movie. I was blown away after watching it a second time, no doubt, if I could I would watch it a third time in 4D.

Once again, I would want to express my thanks to wowjapan team for entrusting me with hosting some parts of the coverage of AnimeJapan 2017. It was a great experience and I learnt a lot from this. I wish all of you the best in the future and I look forward to seeing everyone again!

いつもお世話になったSozoと WOWJapanチームの皆さん本当にありがとうございました。この二日間に沢山勉強になったので、本当に感謝の気持ちがいっぱいです。これからもよろしくお願いします！

Charis C. x

チャリス より

Simple indulgence

Nutcracker
18th December 2014

Hello. I haven't done a follow up since the last post ranting about not receiving my results from school. Nonetheless, I received my results the in evening on the day after I ranted. And, good news because I made it into the dean's list again which means I received good grades! Yahhhh.

I've been having outings with friends and I made a new vlog yesterday! Even though I don't have much clips to put together, I still want to make it because I want to be able to look back at all the silly/awkward dances I did with my friends. I think I'm on weird dance craze recently.

We decided to bake brownies but we ended up making a cake instead. While trying to bake, we did a series of silly and awkward dances while making the mix. I think it was because we were high on tacos. We had so much food from taco bell, we had to burn them off somehow. If you're interested, click the video below!



Today, I went on a solo trip to town to catch a movie and bought a small luggage! For a Monday, it was unexpectedly crowded. Am I missing out on something today? Is today some sort of public holiday that I do not know of? Is winter solstice a legit public holiday here in Japan?

Anyways, all the cafes I want to hide in was packed with people. So, I've decided to hang out at a bookstore and the manga shop longer to kill some time while waiting for my movie to start. I bought an evening ticket, thinking that I might oversleep and miss the movie time but I was just in time for the 3pm movie! I should have bought an earlier timing if I knew today was going to be so packed throughout the day.

I caught the live action movie of the manga/anime adaptation 'Parasyte'. IT WAS SO GOOD! The CG was really impressive. I jumped at a few scenes because of the sudden swiping of the blades. I felt so embarrassed though because no one jumped but me! *face palm*

I can't wait to watch the second part of the film. I'm not going to compare the anime and the film but I have to say that 'migi' is much cuter in the film though. Even though I don't really like the attitude of the movie version, Izumi, because he sounded so rude all the time. But, I have to admit, the actor is pretty awesome! Maybe they are following the original adaptation of the manga or that I'm missing out on something again. lol.

Speaking about movies and animes, I ran out of animes to watch for this season. There aren't many that caught my eye though. Last season's animes were SO GOOD though. Tokyo Ghoul broke me. :(

OH! I almost forgot... I just happen to spot the otome winter market event at Shinjuku. I just HAD to go and pay a visit so I ended up getting two cushion from the shop - Hakuouki designed and Shinobi Koi Utsutsu designed. How can I resist them since they are the few otome games I liked? I mean, both of the series had to do with samurais and ninjas. Anything that has ninjas and samurais win hands down! Two additional cushions added to my collections. Japan really spoils me. Or, at least Tokyo spoils me. haha.

Anyways, peace out! xoxo

Summer Movies and Animes

Since I am down to the mid of my third week of summer holidays, I reckon I should do a little update on the animes and films I've recently watched. I love watching different films but I am also very picky about what I watch. I usually don't watch anything that is too popular. Hipster. Unless, the storyline is something I'd be interested in.

These are the list of animes that I've been watching:

• Glasslip「グラスリップ」
• Re:_Hamatora 「Re:＿ハマトラ」
• Akame Ga Kill!「アカメが斬る」
• Free! Eternal Summer
• Bakumatsu Rock「幕末Rock」
• Nobunaga Concerto「信長協奏曲」
• M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane 「M3〜ソノ黒キ鋼〜」(Spring 2014)
• Amatsuki 「あまつき」(Spring 2008)
• Tokyo Ghoul「東京喰種-トーキョーグール」
• Zankyou no Terror「残響のテロル」
• Ao Haru Ride「アオハライド」

M3: Sono Kuroki Hagane hasn't ended so I'm continuing the series because it's too intriguing! Thankfully, the story had finally started to unfold. Amatsuki is something I stumbled upon when I was in search for more Bakumatsu period animes. I've always been into samurai/ninja or the Edo period of Japanese history. But recently, I've been really into Bakumatsu period animes and almost anything that says 'Shinsengumi'. That also explains why I'm watching 'Bakumatsu Rock' and 'Nobunaga Concerto'. Though, honestly, I had second thoughts about watching those two animes but actually, they aren't as bad as I thought they would be. Especially Nobunaga Concerto! Also, I'm in love with Souji's solo song in Bakumatsu Rock. The rest are just alright, not too bad. but they didn't make it to my favourites' list.

Out of the whole list that I've stated, my favourite has to be 'Tokyo Ghoul', 'Zankyou no Terror' and 'Ao Haru Ride'.
I really couldn't wait for the next episode of Tokyo Ghoul so I've started reading the manga. I don't think there is much surprise that I'm in love with 'Ao Haru Ride' anime because it's shoujo genre. I love my shoujo mangas! I've also read the manga and it is really awesome. Even though I sort of dislike how Kou is acting, I can't hate him entirely because I understand his stand as well. I have a love/hate relationship with people like Kou. If anyone has a personality like Kou, don't talk to me because I might fall in love.

These are the films that I've watched recently:

• Fuse:Teppou Musume No Torimonochou 「伏 鉄砲娘の捕物帳」(anime)
• Hotarubi no mori e 「蛍火の杜へ」(anime)
• Sukitte ii nayo 「好きっていいなよ」
• Hot Road 「ホットロード」
• Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno 「るろうに剣心 京都大火編」

The two anime films that I stumbled upon, wasn't half bad. Simple 'forbidden love' sort of story. Makes me feel kind of sad but yet happy. I guess, this is what people like to call it as, bittersweet love? I honestly don't know but it's worth watching in my opinion.

My favourite has to be 'Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno' and 'Hot Road'!

Rurouni Kenshin is a classic anime/manga which I believe any real anime or manga lover would have read or watched the series. It also screams childhood! I am so proud that the anime was part of my childhood and now the live action movie is going to be part of my early adulthood. Hot Road is a real simple love story that really touched my heart. I think the more tear jerking scene was when Kazuki was talking to her mother instead of the love between Kazuki and Haruyama. 

I was really disappointed with 'Sukitte ii nayo'. Firstly, I am a huge fan of the manga and the anime. Without a doubt, I'd be looking forward to the live action movie, and have high expectations on it. Just after about 15 minutes into the movie, I felt like leaving the theatres already. This is just my personal opinion on it but I think it was really badly done. Even Emily, who did not read the manga nor watch the anime, was disappointed in the movie.


Anyways, that's what I've been doing most of the time ever since my summer holidays started. Yup, really busy watching animes and heading to the movie theatres. Well, at least this is my way of revising my Japanese.  Let me know if I missed out any good ones that I SHOULD be watching. lol.

Productive Week!!

2th June 2014

Hello. TGIF!!

I haven't been going around taking selfies or any photos in particular so I'm going to use a photo I took earlier this month. This was taken when I went to enjoy a lovely performance by the Tokyo Symphonic Orchestra.  This photo was taken before the performance start because as usual, no photography was allowed. It was really a brilliant performance but sadly, I was a little too tired and I fell asleep during the last 15 minutes of the performance. It was a good powernap. lol.

This week ended pretty well. It was a lot better than I expected. I was bracing myself for the worst but I guess I managed to tide over this week. This past week had been cloudy and drizzling from time to time.

I am finally making some progress on my research papers. I'm planning to finish all of the research proposals and outlines during the weekends so I won't have to worry about them during the weekdays. Deadline is in a month's time and I'm not freaking out yet because I think I'll be able to pull through.

I've been diligently using my handy-dandy notebook and it is really an accomplishment to see it almost used up. Also, about an hour ago, I used up my favourite erasable pen when I was jotting down stuff on my notebook. How disappointed I was!! I had to switch to using a pencil. I don't like using pencil because my handwriting changes depending on what sort of pen/pencil I use. Most of the time, I'd have ugly and messy handwriting but using that pen, I am able to imitate my mom's handwriting. lol. I can't say I hate it because I've always liked my mother's handwriting. It's small, neat and I personally think looks a little like comic sans font. LOL.

The reason as to why I've been loving the weekends because it is the time where I can really laze at home and try to finish my assignments. I don't think I have to try this weekend because I've finally gotten hold of the "working hard" momentum. I guess because I've sort of found a goal and planned out what I am going to be taking for my final 3 semesters in my college. Now with everything laid out in front of me, all I have to do is work hard and tackle all of them! Easier said than done, but it is still better than not having anything planned out in front. It is always good to plan for the future! Be ambitious!

Besides trying to be all "hardworking", I've managed to catch a dothack anime movie earlier in the week. The movie is called, .hack//sekai no mukou e (ドットハック・セカイの向こうへ). I must say this movie was a pretty good one. The animations were done in 3D instead of the usual 2D. I really really want to play this game in real life. I'm not even talking about the PSP or PS2 but the real MMORPG while wearing those glasses and feeling like I'm in "The World". I want to go on an adventure knowing I won't die because I can respawn at the town center or something and fight wild animals!!

This is the trailer and movie poster.

ドットハック・セカイの向こうに
.hack//seikai no mukou ni (Beyond the world)

Maybe I'm being bias about this series but dothack was the first ever anime series about people being trapped in the MMORPG, that I liked. It was wayyyy before SAO or Log Horizon. I'll always be loyal to dothack series! Though, comparing SAO and Log Horizon, I prefer Log Horizon because I think Shiroe is cooler than Kirito. I'm actually choosing Intellect over looks! lol. But hey, Shiroe don't look too bad himself.

Speaking about animes, i'm really sad the few series that I've been following this season has and is coming to an end.

I've watched:

• Kamigami no Asobi (神々の悪戯)
• No Game No Life
• Kin'iro no Corda: Blue Sky (金色のコルダ: BlueSky)

I'm currently watching these few and they are going to be ending soon. I am so so so sad about it. :(

• Mekakucity Actors (メカクシティアクターズ)
• M3: Sono Kuro Hagane (M3〜ソノ黒キ鋼〜)
• Black Bullet
• Sore demo Sekai wa Utsukushii (それでも世界は美しい)

I am in love with the Sore demo sekai wa utsukushii's story!! It's not the typical shoujo manga love story setting so it makes it even better. I'm a sucker for shoujo genre animes. Which goes to show, I am still a young girl at heart! lol. I am still young. Uh huh!!

Anyways, I've also manage to update my itunes just for a little bit. I haven't been going around finding new songs to listen but I am addicted to this song "Chippoke na Ai no Uta" (ちっぽけな愛の歌) by Ohara Sakurako, the new singer/actress who acted in the live-action adaptation movie of the manga, "Kanojo wa uso wo Aishisugiteru". This song was also the OST of the movie. This song always reminds me of the story in the movie and allows me to imagine that this song was produced by Sato Takeru for me. Such touching lyrics. It's all fictional but a fan can dream anytime righttttt?! lol. Also, Sakurako has a nice voice. I can forsee her bright future in the entertainment industry! Looking forward to her future appearances in other films and her future singles/albums.

Alright, I'll stop writing now because  I have a field trip to the Tokyo Metropolitan Archaeology Center field trip tomorrow for my Anthropology class.

Good Night.

xoxo,
C

夏目友人帳

Good afternoon. I had a good night's sleep. I woke up at 6am subconsciously to use to washroom and cook rice so when I wake up I can have my breakfast though. Afterwhich, I went back to sleep.

I forgot to fill in details on what I did yesterday after school with my classmates. I tried on this lottery thingy to see what anime merchandises for this anime called, "Natsume Yuujinchou". Usually I don't collect all the plushie and anime merchandises, but when you're in Japan, it's hard not to because it's everywhere. I really wanted to get Nyanko-sensei though.

27-07-2013
Takashi Natsume from Natsume Yuujinchou

But still, it's really cute. I like Natsume so I'm cool with that as well. I'm also pretty addicted to the UFO catching machine. I guess it's also because when I'm at the UFO machine, I would think that I'm with Shizuka-chan because she likes to catch all the plushie at the UFO machine.

This anime, if you haven't watch it, I would recommend that you watch it. Though it's not extremely exciting, somehow or rather, it got me watching for all 4 seasons and I felt empty after watching the whole anime. I don't mind watching it again though. There should be more of such animes instead of fanservice sort of animes. But I've joined in the crowd in watching "Free!" anime. It's really a fan service anime for the ladies. lols.

I'm hoping it wouldn't rain later because I'm going to go watch the fireworks festival with my classmates. I want something to remember by about summer.

x