Riding along a field of clover: Yuuta Takemoto

Anime: Honey and Clover

Age: 19

Status: 2nd year Architecture Student

Residence: Apartment Room 202; Annaka City, Gunma-Ken

Hair: Gray/Ash Brown

Eyes: Dark Gray

Seiyuu: Hiroshi Kamiya

*****

taken from an informal autobiographical essay by Takemoto Yuuta…

“When I was still young, wherever I went, it was always the same as I rode my blue bicycle. Then one day I wondered… how far could I ride without looking back?”

When I was young, I used to ride the bicycle with my father. I admire him very much. He loved my mother unconditionally. He taught me everything that made me who I am.

Even though my father spent only a short amount of time with my mother and me, no one could ever replace him. When I was younger I understood that clearly after my mother remarried. Kazuo Aida, a friendly and loud man, became my stepfather.

At first I found it hard to accept him. He’s the complete opposite of my father. But after seeing how much he loves my mother, and with my mother getting stressed at work, I began to acknowledge his efforts and now thinks my mother is better off with him than live alone since I go to college and live in an apartment.

My current residence is everything but normal. Morita-sempai is a firecracker that always manages to catch us off-guard. He’s definitely a source of comical relief. Though most of the time, he really scares me. Mayama-sempai is probably the only sane one in the apartment. He’s very responsible and that inspires me a lot.

Outside the apartment, I am considered a friend by Yamada-sempai who holds an unrequited love for Mayama-sempai. Then there’s Hanamoto-sensei who’s like a father to us.

And then there’s Hagumi or Hagu-chan as we call her. She’s probably the cutest person I’ve seen. She’s Hanamoto-sensei’s niece. I’ve become close to her and she’s a part of our group. She gets scared of Morita-sempai and I always like to look at her reactions. I feel very sorry for her.

“It feels strange. Until a few years ago we didn’t even know each other, but now we spend time together saying things like, ‘The sunset is so pretty,’ without even thinking about it. Thinking about things like that… actually, the sunset I see standing next to you is so pretty it hurts.”

We’ve spent a lot of time together and has gotten very close. Even after Mayama-sempai and Yamada-sempai have graduated, they still come to meet us every now and then. Mayama still chooses to live with us in the apartment despite his small success at work.

Actually, each of my friends are talented and successful. Even Hanamoto-sensei who have started writing a book. This makes me start to wonder if I could ever be just like them.

“…But I’ve realized why I’m lost. It’s not because I don’t have a map, it’s because I don’t have a destination.”

One day, I decided to ride my bike. I went to the northernmost part of the country and felt the importance of the life I left behind. After that journey, I think I’ve grown a little braver, a whole lot tougher. In fact, I think I’m sure I could tell now… just how much I feel… for her.

That’s right. I’m going to confess my feelings to her even if I understand that it could be nothing but an unrequited affection.

“While looking at everyone’s smiles, I remembered the blue sky I saw earlier from the embankment. A day when everything is perfect and when everthing will turn into memories will eventually come, but I’ll probably remember over and over again… you were there, and everyone else was there, the day when we all searched for just one thing. The blue sky, the smell of the wind, and a field of…”

*****JHAJR*****

One-Shot Reviews

In both American comic book and Japanese manga industry, the term one-shot is used to denote a pilot comic created to last as one issue.

A one-shot manga tells the story in 15 to 60 pages and are usually written for contests. If lucky, a one-shot manga could be turned into a full-length manga.

The likes of One Piece, Dragon Ball and Naruto started out as one-shot mangas. Rumiko Takahashi and Akira Toriyama are noted authors who have done on-shot stories.

Think you could make a one-shot manga?

Think 15-20 pages of original artwork and story. Why 15-20 pages? Coz maybe you could send it to Rising Stars of Manga, the annual competition for manga artists living in the USA.

But before you start out coming up with your very own, consider reading up on one-shot mangas found throughout the net.

Here are some titles (picked by random among a hundred), varying in stories and art styles to inspire you as you start making your very own one-shot creation:

1/3 no Kareshi
Ako Shimaki
comedy, romance

When will Rei have a boyfriend? She’s already in third year high school but still hasn’t found luck. But wait, here comes a guy who takes an embarassing picture of her. He’s bent on exposing her unless she does the things he asks from her. It seems Kogure knows her a little too well that she does to him. Is he for real or is it all just a game for him?

Read 1/3 no Kareshi here and find out.

What’s my take?

The crisp clean drawing was the first thing that I noticed with this manga. Finding out who Kogure is makes me turn page after page. However, I find the ending to be a little too fast. There’s not enough back story to make the reader feel how much the man loves the heroine. And not much time for the heroine to fall in love with the guy. It happened too fast.

[rating: 8/10]

13
Sorachi Hideaki
action, comedy, romance

Mondo has liked Izayo since they were kids. But his affections have turned into nothing but humiliation for her and she vows to kill him one day. She has after all, a family of assassins. He never believed her though…until she joined his class years after.

What happens to Mondo? Read here.

What’s my take?

The drawing fits for the type of story and type of characters. The story is very interesting and funny. Although it didn’t end up with them all lovey-dovey, it’s still okay and fits perfectly. I would’ve wanted to read more and see them together just as how Mondo would’ve liked as a kid.

[rating: 8/10]

Afuganisu-tan
Chimaki-ing
comedy, historical

Afuganisu-tan works hard everyday to have something to eat, but is plagued with bad luck and bullied by others. As she tries to stand up for herself, she begins to make friends from other nations.

Get to know them all, here.

What’s my take?

It’s half comics, half historical information. But it’s nice. I like the drawing. So cute. And the way it represents the historical information in each page makes me want to learn history through anime drawings.

[rating: 9/10]

Allumage
Lynn Okamoto
action, drama

Kumiko wanted to be a Hollywood actress and left Japan to pursue her dreams. She comes back only to attend her brother’s wedding. At the hotel she stays in, a fire broke out and her stuntwoman prowess is tossed in the frontline. But helping means she could get bruises and wounds that could throw away her chances of getting an actress role in a movie.

Will Kumiko survive? Find out here.

What’s my take?

The story is okay. The drawing is clean with good backgrounds – but not pleasing all throughout. The story is something uncommon and is interesting. The ending could have been as heartbreaking as the action scenes but it’s still fine.

[rating: 7/10]

Emerald
Hiroaki Samura
actions, adventure, seinen

Sarah, a 14 year-old maid, ran away stealing money. She is taken by Mr. Randolph and at the same time hunted by Black Rose, a legend in the town where her parents died. The old man decides to play a guessing game. with her. Would Sarah win the game and free herself from becoming one of his brothel women?

Read here and find out.

What’s my take?

I love every page of this manga. The story is fast and though does not provide enough backgrounds, knowing that the West has its own mysteries, it’s enough for me to appreciate it. I love how the entire story turns full circle at the end.

[rating: 10/10]

Cocona
Hiro Mashima
adventure, fantasy, action

Demon Princess Cocona doesn’t want to be a demon anymore and seeks a powerful witch to turn her into human. All that for the love of a man who never really showed affection for her. Will it be worth the sacrifice?

Will Cocona turn into human? Read here.

What’s my take?

The drawing reminds me of a very popular manga and anime starring a boy with gum-like limbs. So that’s to say I like it.The story is nice and the drawing fits well.

[rating: 9/10]

Camelot Garden
Kaori Yuki
drama, fantasy, psychological

Ryu dreams of a lady named Claribel and wakes up in a school that is unlike any. There exists a Claribel but for some reason, this maiden is a boy. Ryu feels that he is the one destined to save Claribel from that strange world. But he’ll have to do so before he loses his memory and becomes a pawn in that world himself.

Will Ryu save Claribel? Find out here.

What’s my take?

There’s far more to the story of Ryu and Claribel in this manga. When all the things in the world their in seem strange, wait till you get near the ending for something more surprising, or even disturbing. I love this. Yuki Kaori’s drawing is topnotch.

[rating: 10/10]

White Clouds
Hisae Iwaoka
drama, seinen

An old woman had passed on, leaving a plastic water bottle and the dog Shiro to her old husband. Life was never the same, even for Shiro. And recently, Shiro had been showing signs of weakening as well.

What will happen to Shiro? Read here.

What’s my take?

It’s a heartbreaking story told in a dog’s perspective. It teaches the value of life, the pain of losing and the heartening feeling of hope in the end. The drawing may not be topnotch but it’s a contrast to the wonderful but simple story of life and death.

[rating: 10/10]

Madofuki Park
Yuusuke Murata
comedy, sci-fi

The story is set in the year 2050, in a place called Sky City Tokyo. Park, is a window cleaner for vehicles that travel in mid-air of Sky City Tokyo. This naïve cleaner becomes a hero in just a flash of his cleaner on a windshield.

How did Park become a hero? Read here.

What’s my take?

Sky City Tokyo is something to behold and dream of for the near future. Park is your typical genki hero who wants nothing but to provide for his beloved grandpa. It may not be new-sounding but at least you’d be astounded by the city scene.

[rating: 7/ 10]

____________________

A Christmas Manga

Chocolate Christmas
Naoko Takeuchi
comedy, romance

Ryon spends Christmas alone since her parents are busy with their respective works (Christmas being an ordinary day after all).

But she doesn’t hate the occasion, unlike somebody she heard over the radio. A DJ named Choco. And she seems to have fallen in love at first sound with the mysterious man.

She heads on over to Panoram Studio where DJ Choco works and brings him a Christmas cake and a Happy Birthday message.

Almost a year later, Ryon lands a job in Panorama Studio. Her dream of meeting the famous DJ is within reach.

But he wasn’t what she expected.

For who would’ve thought that the lovely DJ Choco and Keiki Oohara, an upperclassman who seems to take a dislike on her, would be one person?

Chocolate Christmas is a cute, romantic story from the same person behind Sailormoon. So one could easily expect the same romantic tension between the main couple as in Usagi and Mamoru.

Ryon is the perfect example of never-ending sweetness and naïvete. Her cheerful demeanor warms the coldest season.

While Keiki is a bag of surprise waiting to be opened. A lovely-sounding DJ at night and a crabby upperclassman by day. He breaks out of his shell when Ryon comes his way.

They complement each other’s personalities and are therefore perfect for each other.

Chocolate Christmas starts out with Ryon sending a cake to DJ Choco to show her affection (and because he asked his fans to) while both of them are alone on Christmas.

A full year after, her actions were recognized when it turned out she was the first one to bring a cake to Keiki, who believes that what she did is a sign that by the following year, they will not be alone anymore.

Sounds lovely?

It’s a fine read especially for those who wants to feel all lovey-dovey this Yuletide season.

The artwork of Naoko Takeuchi is also very reminiscent of her most famous work.

So wanna feel the love? Read Chocolate Christmas here.

*****JHAJR*****

Azu-Madness…Recommended! 5 Reasons to air Azumanga Daioh on local Philippine TV

Sure, we may not need to after getting a good spot in the list of  Happiest Countries, but I disagree. We need constant happiness in our lives and Azumanga Daioh on local TV would create more reasons to be happy.

Here are 5 gleeful reasons why our local channels should show this wonderfully happy anime:

1. It’s a stress relief

Times are hard and we need to feel good. Azumanga Daioh has outtakes that would definitely put a smile to anyone’s face.

Azumanga Daioh is a take on the day-to-day life of a group of friends: Chiyo, a child prodigy who is five years younger than her classmates is trying to fit in. Everybody finds her cute and adorable; Osaka has a skewed perspective of the world and is often seen spacing out; Sakaki hides an obsession with cute animals with her reserved look; Yomi aggravates at an annoying Tomo who is full of physical energy but not as much in the intelligence department; and Kagura who is sporty and rivals Sakaki but is in good terms with the non-brainy ones in the group.

Seeing them struggle and triumph over life (so far) is something anyone could relate to.

No super magical powers and enemy of the week or world destruction theme. Well, there’s Yukari-sensei and the weird Kimura-sensei but we can’t classify them as supernatural. Just plain crazy.

2. It’s for the students

Do it for the future: the kids.

Chiyo-chan and the gang makes going to school an interesting and fun adventure with friends, classmates and teachers. Going home to school chatting and laughing with friends, school festivities that develop personality, learning school subjects and life, are things that Azumanga Daioh presents to the young audience.

We need to remind students how cool school it is.

3. It’s all about love

Love for animals, love for friends, for cute stuff, love for fellow female classmate, love for students. Love is all around Azumanga Daioh!

Sakaki regularly bumps into a cat that puts her fingers in a bind. Yet, she doesn’t mind.

Then, Kaori, a classmate of Sakaki, is deeply infatuated with her. And then, Kimura-sensei seems to take a special interest for Kaori addressing the poor student by her nickname and planting a Kaorin and Kimura garden in school.

Even love for not studying hard is also dished out with Yomi, Osaka and Kagura. But don’t tell the kids…

4. It’s about the value of friendship

In a time of hatred and division, what we need is to understand each other and befriend one another. If we can’t be friends just because, we could at least try it for Chiyo-chan’s sake! Look at that cute young girl wanting nothing but peace and love!!!

5. It’s the characters

Chiyo-chan is the cutest little girl you’ll every meet. But there are more endearing characters in Azumanga Daioh than you could find in Osaka’s spaced-out mind. Even Yukari-sensei could be endearing in her own crazy way…Just watch it to meet all of them.

So whadoyousay?

Can we give Azumanga Daioh a chance on local TV?

Okay, here’s one last effort to make our local  channels say YES: The lead star is a midget! Pretty much like our leader…

Wait! I think I just blew any chances. Please disregard the last part!!! Onegai!!!

*****JHAJR*****