Just another reminds that there will not be any of the Weekly Series (Webcomic, Song, Vocaloid and Manga) next week. It just so happens that I have a recital on Thursday (Webcomic), finals and a dress rehearsal on Friday (Song), a concert on Saturday (Vocaloid) and another concert on Sunday (manga).






Title: サイノウサンプラー, Sainou Sampler
Producer: 電ポルP
Lyrics: koyori
Genre: VocaRock
Vocaloid: 初音ミクAPPEND

Kenn's Comment: Yeah, this one was numero uno in the Vocaloid Daily Rankings yesterday, and I didn't go looking for one for today, so I threw this one up. It's pretty good, though I don't expect to see this one anywhere higher than 2nd in the Weekly Ranking.

90's REPRESENTING!






Title: BACK TO THE 90'S
Artist: DeStorm & Ray William Johnson
Genre: Hip Hop
Single: N/A
Album: N/A
Vintage: 22/11/10

Kenn's Comment: Nostalgia and you lose. This is for all you people who grew up in the 90's. Anyone who remembers Pogs, Saved by the Bell, and the early Tamagotchi's has it down. 90's were a good time. Cool stuff back then. How many people do you know can say that they were on the Pokemon wagon when it started? I can. Gosh I'm old.

That aside, I don't think I'll be able to put up the Weekly Features for next week. My schedule for next week is jam packed with recitals and concerts so I won't have much time to kick back for some quality blogging.

Snow, snow and more snow. Lots of snow from last night and earlier today. Major roads were all plowed, but side roads and alley ways like this would be a nightmare to traverse. 

The 100 was apparently delayed a bit, since Jeffrey said he had waited an hour at his stop for the bus. He didn't look too hot on the bus either, and being late for his first class probably didn't help either.

The train coming from Bridgeport got stuck on the bridge between Bridgeport and Marine, which greatly delayed service along the Canada Line. A friend coming from Richmond said that it took her three hours to get from Lansdowne to Marine. I get on at Marine, where the trains go underground so my commute wasn't affected at all.

A shot of the train yard at Waterfront. Don't think the snow affected this form of transportation too much.
Had a delicious chicken salad sandwich for lunch as I looked out to this gorgeous view. Freshly fallen snow with a pine forest? That's something a lot of people can only dream of.



All the snow has more or less turned to rain, and is getting washed away. Temperature is also rising quite quickly because this is the first time I've seen my Weather docklet above 0 in a couple days. It's a good thing that the freezing rain only lasted a couple minutes. It's the worst thing ever.

Blogger's being a real pain right now, and not letting me upload photos. Worked a way around it, but it's a bit of a pain.

 Made these ages ago, but never got around to putting them up on the blog. They'll put McDonald breakfast burritos to shame. Filled with scrambled eggs, crumbled meatloaf, loads of cheese and chili paste and topped off with green bell peppers. It was delicious. Just thinking about them is making my hungry.
 A pan seared chicken sandwich from a time I can't remember. Sometime this month. Gave the chicken breast a quick frying in the pan and toasted up the bread in the same pan after. It's also got mayonnaise, mustard and tomatoes.

 French toast I made last Sunday. I made quite a bit, so it lasted me a lot longer than I thought it would. It's delicious with the tangy taste of ketchup, or the sweetness of syrup. Added a bit of sugar to the eggs so the toast is a bit sweet.



My brother made tomato soup on Sunday. We ate it with turkey ham sandwiches. It's delicious. Soup has a tad bit of grated peccorino romano on top.

Rice with shredded pork, furikake and jellyfish (which was mainly thinly sliced carrot and daikon). This is what you eat when there's nothing around. You're getting about as many nutrients as you might if you ate lined paper, but it's tasty.


It snowed over the weekend. Started on Friday where it really came down. This is just the beginning too. Over the past few days I haven't seen my weather docklet go above 0. Waiting for the bus in -8C is about as fun as waiting for the bus in the pouring rain for me, so it hasn't really been a great start to the week. It should warm up by Thursday, though the rain comes back. I guess this is Mother Nature's way of preparing us for the onslaught of snow and cold weather we should be expecting when the La Niña winter kicks in...which is predicted to be in January or so.


Rocky's been staying indoors for most of the cold and rainy days. He hangs with me when I'm at the piano for the ungodly amounts of time I am and I'll give him treats every now and then for keeping me company. He's a messy eater. Had to clean up after he finished his treat because crumbs were everywhere.


I was a bit surprised that there wasn't more snow up at Capilano. What snow was left by the grounds crew could be found on plant life, like these trees. Gives a real Christmas-y feel, doesn't it? Throw a star on top of the one on the right and you have yourself a perfectly wonderful Christmas tree!

Between our conscious, waking world and the subconscious state of slumber, there is a thinly veiled plane of lucid dreaming. While the conscious state belongs to individuals, the hidden plane of dreams is one shared by all human minds, past, present, and future. Yet only a few have ever possessed the power to enter this secret realm at will - where a war is being waged to control the waking world. For our earthly wishes and desires are not our own, but under the manipulation of these unseen masters of dreams. The heroine of Gate 7 is Hana, a high-school girl hailing from Kyoto, the daughter of a temple caretaker. Her peaceful ways give her the self-control to act in the hidden realm. But Hana can only reach it through the strange beast that acts as her totem in the world of dreams - and her companion on a journey to confront the puppeteers of our reality!

Kenn's Comment: The one shot was released recently in Jump SQ. Gave it a read through and I really liked it. It's kind of like the bastard love child of xXxHolic and Tsubasa. Adventure and action in the world of dreams and whatnot. Never thought I'd use that one shot tag again.

That aside, the art is gorgeous as always, and the characters in this don't look too much like redrawn slightly edited characters from past works.

For those wondering, serialization for the series starts this February (2011) in Jump SQ, which is a monthly serialization that also has Rosario+Vampire II, To Love-ru Darkness, Tegami Bachi and Binbougami ga!, among manga other big titles. Look forward to it!

This week's Vocaloid song is by everyone's favourite producer, AVTechNO!






Title: ± (Plus Minus)
Producer: AVTechNO!
Illustration: Kazune
Genre: Vocarock
Vocaloid: 初音ミク

Kenn's Comment: It's so awesome. Looks like AVT's moving a bit away from his techno-electric roots (that's not to say that Vocaloid isn't electric music in essence). Anywho, it's a great song. >D Not going to say much, and just let the song sing for itself.

Doujin released on C75 by kou (haijindeath). Komeiji Koishi wanders in Gensokyo while tasting (without consent) other people's food. Depicts a very canon-like Koishi. Parody of Kodoku no Gourmet.

Kenn's Comment: A fun little series with Koishi stealing food from everyone. And I mean everyone. It's a little odd how no one notices her (explanation in the doujin), because she's drawn in with everybody else. There are times when I can't tell if characters can see her and are talking to her, or can't see her and are talking to someone else. That aside, it's a great read.

Oh and it's a parody of this.

Read it here @ Danbooru. 

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3

Title: 魔法使いと弟子の不適切なカンケイ, Loose Relation Between Wizard and Apprentice

Hard working, level 1 magician Konoha is apprenticed to lazy Knight Protector Saionji Ikumaru. They both work to keep the etherworld sealed away from their own but sometimes the seal doesn't work. Dragons, demons, and now Ishtar, the goddess of Venus. Will Ishtar help Konoha win her master's affections? Or will she take him for herself?

Kenn's Comment: What I like about this series is that none of the characters play on the extremes of their archetype. Especially with this magician thing going on, I can't help but sigh in slight frustration when I think of the anime adaptation of Zero no Tsukaima. Anywho, it's more or less your typical magician manga...minus the harem. I'll say it straight out, here and now; this isn't a harem manga (I'm looking at you Negima). If memory serves me correct, than I can tell you that the romance is between the main two characters (who make up the title fyi). Haven't read it in a while, and I'm feeling a bit lazy so I'm not particularly keen on refreshing my memory of the series as of right now.

Anywho, that said and done, it's a good read, so try this one out when you find the time for it.

ED for the second season of Arakawa.




Title: 赤いコート, Akai Coat, Red Coat
Artist: Suneohair
Genre: Pop Rock
Single: 赤いコート
Album: N/A
Vintage: 08/12/10 (it's not out yet)

Kenn's Comment: Those who watched either the first half of the first season of Honey & Clover or the second season will recognize the artist. His rise to fame is partially due to doing the ending for the two series. He also did the ending for the first season of Arakawa too. 


Anywho, I'm really liking the song. It's got a bit of an indie feel to it, but he's a signed artist...so he can't really be indie. Those who watch the second season will notice I put up the second ED animation for it. Not sure whether it was just a mid-series change, or if the first animation sequence was but a cover up for stuff they didn't finish. Regardless, the new animation fits the ED by Suneohair to a tee.

If this news doesn't make you cream your pants, I suggest you go to the fridge and cream your pants the old fashioned way (with whipping cream).






Title: 星を追う子ども, Hoshi o Ou Kodomo, Children who Chase the Stars, Children who Chase Lost Voices from Deep Below
Director: Shinkai Makoto
Premier Date: May 2011
Official Site: here

Plot Summary:

Asuna lost her father and lives a lonely life listening to mysterious music coming from her father's crystal radio. One day she sets out for a journey to see a boy again. Through the adventure, she experiences a parting and finds the cruelty and the beauty of the world.

Kenn's Comment: I've loved everything that Shinkai has done. I've got a collection of his three major works, and this one's going to be another one to the collection. As usual the art and animation are stunningly beautiful. It's got a very Ghibli-esque feel, though here's to hoping it doesn't cause too much of a Ghibli nerd rage. Looks like the action is pumped up from his previous works, and still has that amazing Shinkai quality to it. Don't forget Tenmon's music. It's spectacular, even just from that short trailer piece. The short PV music from 5cm was beautiful too.

Gag manga about Kou, a young "elite" man, who has a policy of not being in debt to anyone. But he ends up owing his life to a strange girl who saves his life. Nino, the girl who claims she's a venusian and lives under the bridge by the Arakawa river, demands that Kou become her lover. So the young man ends up living there too.

Kenn's Comment: God, I love this manga. I love the anime series too. The absurd comedy in it is really funny, and when coupled with the occasional serious moments, it makes for a great read. Every character has his or her charm points (though my favourite male character is Billy {watch episode 5 of the second season to see why}). Kou prides himself as being the only sane person under the bridge, but I've read a spoiler or two pointing the finger towards the only actual sane person (and it's not Kou). Zaniness aside, Nakamuar Hikaru's other popular series, Saint Onii-san is a laughing riot too (though, religious extremists may want to steer clear of that one).

1. 魔法少女リリカルなのは (Mahou Shojou Lyrical Nanoha)
2. 化物語 (Bakemonogatari)
3. ひだまりスケッチ (all seasons)
4. 荒川アンダー ザ ブリッジ (Arakawa Under the Bridge)
5. ネギマ？！ (Negima?!)

Series Composition (basically the guy who does the story): Urobochi Gen
5 Random Works:

1. Phantom (OAV)
2. Blassreiter
3. Saya no Uta (VN)
4. Fate / Zero
5. 続・殺戮のジャンゴ -地獄の賞金首- (VAMPIRDZHIJA VJEDOGONIA)

Character Draft (basically initial designs and whatnots): Aoki Ume
2 Random Works:

1. Hidamari Sketch
2. Tetsunagi Kooni

Character Design: Kishida Takahiro
4 Random Works:

1. Baccano!
2. Durarara!!
3. Apple Seed (oav)
4. Koi Kaze

Music Composition: Kajiura Yuki
5 Random Works:

1. Pandora Hearts
2. Noir
3. Mai-Hime
4. .//Hack
5. Kara no Kyoukai

PVs:



Madoka's voiced by Yuuki Aoi, who's more or less capable of doing any voice possible.

Iris (Pocket Monsters: Best Wishes)
Mina Tepes (Dance in the Vampire Bund)
Korone (Ichiban Ushiro no Daimao)
Murasaki (Kurenai)
Amano Ichigo (Yumeiro Pattesiere)

Yes. You can now see that the staff listing is beyond incredible at the moment. It's like having fois gras, expensive caviar, moose cheese ($500 a pound) and the most expensive wine you can get your hands on. I'll watch anything Shinbo and Shaft do. Heck if they animated a shoe dancing for a half hour I'd watch it.

Oh and just to let you know, this is a completely original work. It's not based off a manga or source material.  So we more or less haven't a clue as to how this will turn out (though Urobochi there has a bit of a track record).

Billy: Normal...ish. Engineering studentIvy's otaku-ness is similar to the otaku-ness I had a little while back...minus the fujoshi part.


Remember this photo from waaay back when? Yep, I got her present waaay back then. It was sitting in my closet for over a month. Wondering what's in it? If you didn't figure out last time, here's the answer:

AND THAT PRESENT IS AWESHUM O.O

I showed mom the book and she liked it : D

And I also got her Billy bought (my choice):

Title: Irony
Artist: ClariS
Genre: J-Pop
Single: Irony
Album: N/A
Vintage: 20/10/10 (ddmmyy)


Kenn's Comment: I thought the way the song sounded was very, very familiar. After a it of research, it looks like my hunch was right. ClariS (formerly known as Clara & Alice) have a lot of their songs composed by kz (livetune). Now those on the Vocaloid scene will be familiar with that name. He's got quite a few big name tracks, as well as being one of two main composers for Project Diva 2 (the other being Ryo {Supercell}).

Anywho, like many of kz's songs, everything about the song is super, super catchy. I read somewhere that the duo of ClariS are still in middle school, which is why they're only shown with that illustration, which by the way is very, very cute. It looks like it's illustrated by Kanzaki Hiro too (the illustrator of 俺の妹がこなに可愛いわけがない light novel).

And for kicks, here's a K-ON!! mash up.