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Last OnlineJan 20, 11:51 AM
BirthdayMar 10, 1987
LocationAngeles, Philippines
JoinedSep 25, 2017
Forum Posts7
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Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka? (Anime) add
Why should you watch Uchiage Hanabi, Shita kara Miru ka? Yoko kara Miru ka??
The story is Very Good (8). This story is not for everyone or better yet, not for the people who's mind is not open to feelings and imagination.
Uchiage Hanabi is a coming-of-age story centered on a young heart's desire. The desire for various things like the desire to belong, to be loved, to love, or to be free.
The moment I saw the music video I was hyped about what this story would be about and how it would make me think; moreover, how it would make me feel. And once ... I started watching it, it did not disappoint. It was successful to make me think and feel abstract concepts about being young, being wild, and being free *sorry I could not help myself* and yes, about being and falling in love.
The whole concept of the title "Fireworks, Should We See It from the Side or the Bottom?" This is exactly how the story wants its audience to ask themselves. From what angle should we see our life? Should it be from the bottom, from above, or from the sides? It shows us that decisions that we make in our life can't be reversible and all we can do is move forward from that point; regretting or feeling satisfied with the outcome of our decisions. However, before each turning point, each decision you make, you can try looking at it from different perspectives before deciding your action.
What I mentioned above is what I really like about the movie. I was watching the movie and I have these bursts of emotions and questions of what how and why? There was not a straight answer from the story but as a feeler type of person, the symbolism was enough answers to my questions.
The art is Good (7). One of the things that ticked me out of focus while watching the movie is the 3D CG art. It just pops up out of nowhere and disconnects me from the world of Uchiage Hanabi. I can point out an example like at the beginning of how the animation changes when the students are riding their bicycles. I could not mention other cases because *spoilers* but this really brought down the quality of the anime presentation down heavily.
I would really appreciate it if they just stuck with one type of animation so that the continuity of the story art-wise would not be interrupted.
But overall, without the 3D CG, the animation is beautiful.
The sound is Great (9). One of the things I am looking at in a movie is the flow of the ambient music. How it sets up the mood and sustains it all throughout. This is because I had to sit for 1-2 hours straight this is very important for me.
This movie definitely delivered to me in this department. It helped me feel nostalgic and kept me glued to every scene that occurs in the story.
"Uchiage Hanabi (打上花火)" by DAOKO x Kenshi Yonezu the ending song is a 10/10 for me it's a beautiful song that I regularly play when I listen to music and the emotion it evokes is perfect.
The characters are Very Good (8). Norimich and Nazuna, being the mains of the story are well crafted. I could see young teens like them thus they are believable and easy to relate to.
They are young teens that have a lot of energy where everything they think and feel can be done and where there is no limit to what and what not they can do.
The supporting characters in the story, mainly Norimichi's classmates remind me of the boys from the movie "Stand by me" their journey to know whether fireworks are round or flat is also a story to watch by itself.
Overall, I could see that there's a lot of hate to this movie. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you have not watched it yet, consider watching it then you can judge the movie for yourself if it's good or bad or meh.
But for me, I would give Uchiage Hanabi 8 flat firework explosions out of 10.
Gigant (Manga) add
Preliminary (14/89 chp)
Why you should read Gigant? (After 10+ Chapter Review)
The story is Very Good (8). Gigant is one of those stories that come from the mind of Hiroya Oku, the mastermind behind the hits Gantz and Inuyashiki. This means that you should expect 3 things: a bizarre story, high violence, profanity, and a sci-fi theme.
The premise of the story is a half-blood Japanese AV Idol, Papico gets a mysterious digital dial-like object attached to her that has the ability to gigantify her body. *I can't help myself giggling while writing this*
The first 10 chapters of the story are more of a slice of life focusing on ... one of Papico's fans, Rei who develops feelings for his dream girl his journey to be with her. Along with that is the rise of a strange website named ETE (Enjoy the End) which makes polls with weird choices, and whichever gets the highest votes would come true.
It seems like a bland premise, right? But as the story progresses and the stage has been set like any other Hiroya Oku's works, everything would be in chaos. This is already eminent to the latest chapter (14) upon writing this review.
Art is Great (9). The art is beautiful for me. The blend of pseudo-realistic backgrounds with the character models and the brilliant alien-nano art on the technological aspects of the manga is stunning to look at.
This is one of those things that would keep you glued on a manga drawn by Oku-san it makes the story easy on the eyes and easier to read.
Characters are Good (7). Character-wise, there are not many characters in the story yet and it focuses on Rei and Papico's (Chiho) relationship.
Their characters are still in development but I can clearly see that they are being set up for a huge character change in the succeeding chapters which makes me excited in the anticipation of the next chapter.
All in all, the question here is should you invest in reading the first 10+ chapters of Gigant? My answer is a big YES. And you just need to look at Oku-san's previous works for you to know.
I would give Gigant 8 Papico merch out of 10
Megalo Box (Anime) add
Why you should watch Megalo Box?
The story is Great (9). Unlike today, anime before the age of digital advances put a lot of time into developing a single episode of 20-24 minute show for the audiences and this, in turn, makes all the people behind the anime work hard to provide at least the best story that they could ever provide to justify the amount of time and money that is invested in a project. That is why if you are looking for wonderful anime in terms of story and content I would suggest you go back to watching the classics like cowboy bebop, samurai ... x, detective Conan to mention a few.
Now how does this relate to Megalo Box? A lot! To begin with, this is a love letter to one of the most popular stories ever made: Ashita no Joe (Tomorrow's Joe) for its 50th Anniversary. It's a story of a true rise of an underdog from the slums to the peak of the highest pedestal. It does not keep you waiting and throws you to the depths of its semi-dystopian world of underground megalo boxing. It is boxing with the addition of supporting boxing mechanical gears that enhances the boxer's skill, strengths, and abilities.
Upon knowing this, you would be immediately pulled by the idea of it and the possibilities that it would bring. But I bet you would not be able to guess the direction that the story would pull you through once you start watching it.
The story kept me guessing on what would happen next or would they be some high-end upgrades that the protagonist would be going through. Yes, there were tons of upgrades but not in the part that you may interpret.
This is one of the stories that I can say I was totally satisfied from how it piqued my interest, how it sustained my interest and how it satisfied me with its conclusion.
Art is Outstanding (10). Megalo Box's biggest advantage is its art style or to be more precise, how it imitated an art style. remember how I mentioned Cowboy Bepop? It was because If you have at least watched one of its episodes or seen its art, you can directly see where it adapts the art style.
There are no, flawless lines here or vibrant colors. It stayed away from the flawlessness of anime of today and went to the classic 90's anime look with how it handled color and texture. Even on 1080p, you can see the intentional grainy or imperfect lines that create those character models and I love it!
Sound is Very Good (8). The sound is also very good. I would like to commend the ambient music and mood-setting chimes and tunes it plays along with the story. It is a major factor in sustaining the moment when I watch Megalo Box.
"Bite" by LEO Imai the opening theme of the story is a great tool to set up the hype of the battle that the anime shows all throughout the story and it greatly shows the personality of this anime: ruthless. Even if I am not a fan of the type of rock they play in this opening theme, I can truly appreciate it.
"Kakatte Koi yo (かかってこいよ)" by NakamuraEmi its ending theme is just fun for me. It brings me to a bar setting vibe not only with the music but also with the accompanying animation using neon lights. a perfect way to wrap up an episode.
Characters are Outstanding (10). This is where Megalo Box shines as the story is heavily reliant on the characters. All of the characters know their roles in the story and they are not pretentious or confused about it.
From the underdog protagonist of the story Junkyard Dog to his partner in crime Nanbu up to the end boss of the story Yuri and his manager Yukiko, all of their characters critically weaves the story altogether.
Supporting characters are there not only to move the plot forward but to make the main of the story bloom and shine more as the story progresses into its final act.
Overall, I would greatly recommend Megalo Box to people who are sick of the mainstream approach to anime and wants to go its roots, or for people who just love brilliant storytelling. It does not matter if you like boxing or the sports genre in general, this anime is definitely for you. So watch it! Better yet... Binge-watch its 13 episodes
With that said, I would give Megalo Box 9 gear pieces out of 10.
Re:Creators (Anime) add
Why should you watch Re: Creators?
Story is Very Good (8). Re: Creators story is a great meta deconstruction and reconstruction story that mashes different characters from different media into the real world setting.
While watching it, I felt the strong potential that it has and the possibilities within its world. I strongly believe that 22 episodes would not be enough if they did not contained the story about Kota, Setsuna and Altair, the main characters of the story.
I could summarize the anime points:
1. The first half of the anime being drawn into the world of possibilities and surprises.
2. The second half being the introduction ... to the characters and world building.
3. The and the final half being the start and the end of the story.
This is the reason why Up to the 12th episode, it felt slow and they had to add a great filler/breather 4th wall breaking episode to reset any lag that you might feel during the first 12 episodes of the story. You can literally watch Re: Creators in this way: Watch Episode 1 then jump to 13 and continue from 14 to 22.
Setting those imperfection aside, what I really love about this anime are the creators of the story; their motivations, struggles, failures and success. I can strongly imagine Re: Creators without the over the top battles and just watch the slice of life part of it. That is why I have mixed feelings about the story.
However, concept and theme wise, the story has a great potential to be a total masterpiece, but it was far from it.
Art is Great (9). I love the 3D CG in this anime, the 3D CG perfectly melds the worlds together like the digitalization of the characters and world, the skills and abilities of the characters and Gigas Machina.
The direction that they have chosen to approach the art is great, but it could have been perfect if they had decided to use different art styles for each of the characters. I understand that it would be difficult to unify different art styles in the story although it would be really cool to imagine how it would look.
Sound is Good (7). "gravityWall" by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Tielle & Gemie opening theme for the first half of the story doesn't feel right. I could not feel that I am being set up for the world of Re: Creators.
The second opening theme "sh0ut" by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:Tielle & Gemie for the final half of the story is a little better, yet it still make me connect as much to the story with something like the opening for One Piece which clearly makes you feel that you will be on a grand adventure with its protagonists.
Although what I appreciate more on the theme department is the ending song for the final half of the anime "Rubikon (ルビコン)" by Sangatsu no Phantasia. I could feel the Re: Creators feel which was paired with a beautiful animation. This could simply be the opening of the whole Re: Creators anime and "world Étude" by Aki Toyosaki for episode 13 should be the ending theme of the story.
Characters are Very Good (8). I also have mixed feelings about the characters in the story since the main characters for me is Kota, Setsuna and Altair. The majority of the anime should be building these characters more in the story and not just 1 or 2 episodes for the back story. They are simply the heart, mind and soul of the anime if you break it down to its core, and this could also be one reason why the story felt the same: mixed feelings.
I would like to give a special mention to Meteora in this anime, as of all the characters, she was the best written character for me and she accomplishes her role flawlessly as a support that does not eat the story with her presence, but enhances and drives the story forward. I could simply see her having her own spin-off story Kingdom Hearts style. *Make it HAPPEN!!!*
All in all, I love Re: Creators for what it made me think, feel and understand. Because in many ways, it inspired me to continue moving forward in being a creator myself even if there is a minuscule number of people that are reading what I write. It did its job on that department for me.
I would give Re: Creators Holopsicon No. 8 out of 10
Mahou Shoujo Site (Anime) add
Why you should watch Mahou Shoujo Site?
The story is Outstanding (10). I was was never a fan of the Magical Girl genre since I was young, although I've watched a good amount of Card Captor Sakura and Sailor moon since I don't have a choice back in the Television era. But there is something with Magical Girls and a dark and morbid story that really tingles my weird taste in anime.
Mahou Shoujo Site is another anime that I did not expect much to blow me away in the Spring Anime 2018 lineup together with Hinamatsuri. I just thought that this is a mixture of ... totally contrasting genres and since I love opposing genre mashups I would give this a try. And after watching the very first episode, it swept me away like a tempest at the end of days! I could not get enough of it that I have started reading its manga and the other work of Kentarou Satou Mahou Shoujo of the End (You should read this). This meant a lot for me since I am the type of person that is really picky when it comes to story and Mahou Shoujo Site did not disappoint... well I've never really set a huge expectation to it, to begin with.
The anime does not adapt the manga on a 1:1 ratio. It omits some parts and rearranges the story to fit the 12 episodes seasonal format. Surprisingly, I did not feel that it was badly adapted; moreover, I felt that the anime developed an identity of itself that it can stand toe to toe with its manga counterpart. I am glad that it did not have the adaptation disease that Tokyo Ghoul had.
Outstanding Story of bullied, abused, mistreated unfortunate girls who receive special items to help redeem their lost life and happiness.
Art is Great (9). The art felt magically eerie and I absolutely love it! The way that it mashes cutesie magical girly stuff with grunge darkness surprisingly works well. And I should not forget to mention how they combine live-action, 3D CG, traditional hand-drawn animation at the ending of the episode that makes me cringe for a bit then appreciate it after watching it. It is well represented in this aspect.
Sound is Outstanding (10). "Changing point" by i☆Ris is one of the best opening songs for the Spring Anime 2018 lineup. It perfectly hypes me up to watch the episode and goes well with the dark theme of the story.
"Zenzen Tomodachi" by Haruka Yamazaki tremendously adds to the eerie cringe of the ending animation. I couldn't even skip the ending song even if I want to. It is what I can describe as a satisfying cringe.
"...Watashi dake Mitete♡ (...私だけ見てて♡)" by Nijimi Anazawa (Yuu Serizawa) the ending song for the 3rd episode is another surprise for me. It is not as a cringe-fest as the main ending theme but it felt out of place at the beginning after it was over it felt "Yeah it was a perfect ending theme for this episode"
The overall sound and song choices for Mahou Shoujo site scarily fit the theme of the story well.
Characters are Great (8). As for the characters in the story, the main protagonist of Aya and Yatsumura-san is one of the best yuri team-ups that I have ever seen and I was not even aware of it at the beginning. Both of their backstories fleshes out their characters more which in turn makes them endearing and easy to relate to characters.
I also want to give a special mention to Sarina's character in the story. I strongly believed that she is just a one-off character that would eventually die at some point earlier in the story, but I got surprised by how she developed into one of my favorite characters in the whole Mahou Shoujo Site story.
The supporting characters are good, but not great enough to hold their ground. They are more developed in the manga compared to the anime.
Overall, this anime is not for everyone's liking and I know that. But if you are into the eerie, bizarre, and good cringes, I would definitely recommend this anime to you in a heartbeat! One of the best Spring Animes of 2018.
I would give Mahou Shoujo Site 9 magical sticks out of 10.
Hinamatsuri (TV) (Anime) add
Why should you watch Hinamatsuri?
The story is Great (9). Hinamatsuri is one of the anime that I did not pay attention to during the initial spring lineup yet placed it on my to-watch queue, but to my surprise, it took the No.1 spot in my Best Spring Anime List of 2018 together with Mahou Shoujo Site. The reason why it is one of the best boils down to its honesty and child-like innocence. Hinamatsuri in Japan is a kind of festival/celebration for the coming of age of girls, and this is hugely represented in the Anime with its young girl characters having their own quirky ... coming of age stories.
What makes it stand out from other slices of life anime is that it develops the characters in a natural way that you can almost see them appearing in real life. It perfectly mixes comedy with action and drama which is a difficult feat to accomplish.
There were moments while watching this anime that I ended up bawling my eyes so hard because of a side story with a supporting character, or segments that cracked me up so hard with the simplicity of its jokes. It amazes me that the story allows its main characters to be out-shined by its supporting characters, but still keeps the story intact. Simply brilliant!
Art is Good (7). Graphic-wise, Hinamatsuri does not stun me with its animation approach. It is a standard-looking anime when you first watch it which made it hard to pick out with similarly animated anime it was grouped with. However, the art is well made and clean and it does not distract me from enjoying each and every episode it releases so that is a great thing.
Sound is Great (9). The opening theme "Distance" by Rie Murakawa is definitely one of the best theme songs that I have heard in an anime. It sets the mood quite nice which is a great thing, and I never found myself skipping it, unlike other opening themes.
"Sake to Ikura to 893 to Musume (鮭とイクラと893と娘)" by Yoshifumi Nitta (Yoshiki Nakajima) the ending song is the one song that makes me feel the yakuza vibe of the story. Although I felt that it doesn't mesh well with the whole anime package, it is still a good listen.
"Shashinchou (写真帖)" by Yoko Ishida, the ending song of Episode 6 was the trigger to me crying my heart out. The story Anzu, one of the supporting characters, is something unexpected in a story that sells itself as a comedy anime.
Characters are Outstanding (10). I strongly believe that Hinamatsuri's characters are the strongest part of this anime. They are well written, beautifully characterized, fleshed out, and know their roles in the story. From the bartender Hitomi, the garbage collector Anzu to the main character Hina, even the lately introduced Mao, all of them stand out in their own charming way.
Even the minor roles in the story like Hina's classmates or the families of Nitta and Anzu are incredibly well written. You could feel the amount of care they put in the characters of the story.
No doubt, that the characters are the best part of Hinamatsuri.
All in all, even if you are not into the slice of life/comedy genre of anime, you should give Hinamatsuri a shot. I am 100% sure that you would not regret watching this anime.
With that said, I would give Hinamatsuri 9 exquisite vases out of 10.
Tokyo Ghoul:re (Anime) add
Why should you watch Tokyo Ghoul:re?
The story is Very Good (8). The question is... Did Tokyo Ghoul :re redeem the failure of its root a brother? I would say it did, but it could have been better. The reason for this statement is that, although :re did well with the story and presentation, it failed in its pacing. I have been reading the manga and it takes 3-4 chapters of the manga per episode. Please take note that each chapter of Sui Ishida's Magnum Opus is filled to the brim with details and character build up that would take time to fully adapt. So having ... 3-4 chapters congested in a single anime episode is too much. In the case or :re, it ended up taking the story and character build up out of anime and focused more on the head on battles among doves, quinx and ghouls. Don't get me wrong, I love some good anime fights and some of the best I've seen was in this anime, but have not enough build up to back the battles up would end up in just a "generic" battle AMV style. This is what they should really try to work on the second season, even if it ends up as a patch to the mistakes of the previous Tokyo Ghoul anime.
Art is Very Good (8). The difference is clear when you watch the original Tokyo Ghoul anime and it's :re counterpart. There was a huge bump in the budget this time and it shows on the details in the art per episode. It now has a refined feel to it which I really like. I would like this to be kept on the second season and polish it even further.
Sound is Very Good (8). If there is one thing that Tokyo Ghoul animation did right, it is on the sound department. Although not perfect, it captures how its universe should feel and presented through the sound. "asphyxia" by Cö shu Nie still continues the trend of an eerie vibe with the opening, and "HALF" by Ziyoou-vachi is just a perfect way to end each episode; a light, fun, yet pretentious wrapping up of the dread and darkness of the story.
Characters are Very Good (8). One of the strongest parts of the story is its characters. However, if they are not presented right they would fall into the land of forgotten characters. After watching all 12 episodes of :re, I could only count the number of characters that I remember. Most of them are remembered either because I watched the original Tokyo Ghoul, or have read the manga. This is bad, and this is the product of the fast pacing of the story. It's hard to invest in characters if you do not let them build-up and shine as the story progresses.
All in all, Tokyo Ghoul:re is an amazing story that everyone should try. But I would still recommend that you read the manga, then watch the anime if you want to have a strong grasp of the characters and story. Or you watch the anime for the action-packed Kagune and Quinque battles then go to the manga for details. Either way, you need both to fully enjoy Tokyo Ghoul.
With that said, I would give Tokyo Ghoul:re 8 Shirazu Kagune missiles out of 10.
3D Kanojo: Real Girl (Anime) add
Why should you watch 3D Kanojo: Real Girl?
The story is Good (7). The story of 3D Real Girl is simple yet it is fun to watch. A full-blown otaku is pulled into the world of 3D Girls (Real Life Girls) by a drop-dead gorgeous yet mysterious girl who's trying to look for something real in her world. I wanted to point out that even if my rating for the story is just 7, the amount of enjoyment I got from following the character's mundane yet interesting interactions is still a 9.
Art is Good (7). The manga, which was the source of this anime adaptation has ... a very basic art that does not try to hide the feelings of its characters. As for the anime, I was looking for the same treatment/interpretation to stand out from similarly animated anime that dominates the anime market. This was a bit of a disappointment to me since I really appreciate experimentation in how anime is presented artistically. Megalo Box is one of the standouts of the 2018 Spring Anime (I will go into more detail on my review of Megalo Box after it ends almost less than two weeks from today).
Sound is Good (7). "Daiji na Koto (だいじなこと)" by Quruli the opening song is really well made. It is honest, innocent, and simple that it perfectly sets the mood of the story for me. I would have given the sound an 8 or even 9 if it was the same for the rest of the OST of 3D Real Girl. I really felt that it is a wasted effort to have a good start, but a mediocre follow-up. "HiDE the BLUE" by BiSH the ending song is nice but not good enough.
Characters are Good (7). Iroha Igarashi. I don't know but she immediately spring rocketed to my no. 1 favorite anime character after watching the first episode of the story. She was the reason why I kept coming back to watch each and every episode of the anime and started catching up with the manga. The air of mystery that surrounds her paired up with her unpredictable actions is a straight 1-2 punch to my heart. She truly has a 10 for me; however, it is not the same for the other characters. From Tsu Tsui to Mitsuya, they were all generic characters that were not fully developed... yet. I would give an honorable mention to the character of Ayado since she is such an adorable and innocent character.
Even if the overall rating of this anime for me is good. I truly enjoyed the story which is the important thing when you watch something. You need to remind yourself sometimes that watching is not a chore, but it is a tool to make feel good and be entertained.
Just a side note, there is also a live-action adaptation of this anime that would be out by September of this year. So if you are into that, please give it a shot.
With that said. I would give 3D Real Girl 7 magical Iroha figures out of 10.
Sora yori mo Tooi Basho (Anime) add
Why should you watch Sora yori mo Tooi Basho?
The story is Very Good (8). What I love about A Place Further than the Universe is how it takes on the coming of age story genre, how real the setting and the situation feels for the 4 main characters, and how they experience a voyage to Antarctica. Yes, there is nothing new on the circumstances that they encounter, but how they are executed is well done. Every time I watch an episode of this anime, I feel refreshed and excited about what would happen next, and that is what is good about Sora yori mo Tooi ... Basho.
Art is Great (9). Madhouse being the studio responsible for the animation of this anime is one of the greatest things about Sora Yori. The visuals are great where and when it is needed the most. The vibrant and shining colors, the fresh look of all the characters, and that signature overall quality that madhouse produces is simply beautiful in my eyes.
Sound is Great (9). "The Girls Are Alright!" by saya is one of the best setup song to hype you up for the incoming adventures that the 4 main characters are gonna face head-on. And partnering it up with the opening animation, Perfect! The ending song "Koko kara, Koko kara (ここから、ここから)" by the Main Characters' Seiyuu is the superb way to end each fun and adventure-filled episode. And Kana Hanazawa the voice of Shirase was the one who got me to watch this anime so that is a plus for me!
Characters are Very Good (8). For the characters of the story, I would just be focusing on the 4 Mari, Shirase, Hinata, and Yuzuki because they are essentially the heart of the story. I am 50/50 on the characters as Shirase and Hinata have the most personality of the bunch they are vibrant, quirky, and adorable. However, Mari and Yuzuki lacks a lot of personality. At some point, they felt like a plot tool to move the story forward which makes me feel disappointed so what should be a 9 was down to 8.
If I look at the anime in parts I have a mixed feeling about it, but as a whole looking back at it; it was an enjoyable story to watch. It makes me want to go out and experience the world for its beauty.
8 penguins out of 10.
Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku (Anime) add
Why should you watch Death March kara Hajimaru Isekai Kyousoukyoku.
The story is Good (7). Let me acknowledge the elephant in the room: Death March is not something new. If I were to criticize it further, it is almost an SAO (Sword Art Online) + Overlord rip-off. However, what it has that made me watch it is not the deep plot nor character development, but the entertainment value that it offers. The story is light and filled with the usual troupes of Harem, Online Game and Action genre it would be so familiar to viewers that you wouldn't even care to notice it. You would definitely ... watch this not for the story but for the journey and experiences that the characters are faced with.
Art is Good (7). One of the things that I like about this anime is how it handles the gaming elements of the story. You will truly feel the vibe of its gaming elements through the menus, notifications, and achievements that the OP Main Character toggles or gains through his journey. The environment and characters are not lush enough to be worthy of watching on the highest quality as possible. so 480p to 720p is enough for you to appreciate the art.
Sound is Good (8). What I especially love about the sound is the gaming sounds it uses to denote achievements and titles as well as using items, skills, and crafting. It really produces that gaming sound that makes you feel that you are watching a game. "Slide Ride (スライドライド)" by Run Girls, Run!, the opening theme is great and pumps you up on a grand adventure even though you are not going to get a grand one. "Suki no Skill (スキノスキル)" by Wake Up, Girls! is a nice ending song to end a light-hearted anime.
Characters are Mediocre (5). The weakest part of this anime is the characters. They are all the usual character personalities with the usual quirks that you can find on every anime you have watched. The main character is no different. All throughout the series I was looking for a stronger motivation for the character or at least something that would take away his "generic" title, but nothing.
The strange thing about this anime is even though I heavily criticize it on a lot of factors, I still greatly enjoy the series. I think that there are just some things that you enjoy even if the quality is sub-par. May that's why I like watching American B-Movies. Oh well...
7 lizardmen tail out of 10.


NEW YORK, March 23, 2010 — Late winter storms across the U.S. have resulted in significant property damage to homes, cars and businesses; however, knowing how the claims process works is an effective way to make the most of your insurance dollar, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Call your insurance company as soon as possible. Let your insurer or insurance agent know the extent of the storm related damage. If you had to evacuate your home, let the company know where you are staying and how you can be reached.
Document Your Loss. Make a list of your damaged property and take photographs to substantiate your losses. If you have a home inventory, provide that information to your insurance company. To help consumers create a home inventory, the I.I.I. offers free online software at www.KnowYourStuff.org.
Keep Receipts for Additional Living Expenses (ALE). If you are unable to live in your home due to an insured disaster, your insurance company will provide reimbursement for additional living expenses such as restaurant meals and hotel rooms. Most companies will provide coverage up to about 20 percent of the total insurance you have on the structure of the house. Remember to keep receipts so you can submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Make Temporary Repairs to Prevent Additional Damage. It is your responsibility to make basic temporary repairs so that your home and belongings are not exposed to the elements and at risk of further damage. Reasonable expenses will be covered by your insurance, but is important to keep receipts and not spend too much on repairs until after the adjuster has surveyed the damage.
Be Organized. Good recordkeeping can make claims-filing easier. It is important to make lists of damage, out-of-pocket expenses incurred, and the names and contact information of everyone you speak to during the claims process.
Don't be the Victim of a Scam. It is unfortunate but unscrupulous and fraudulent service providers prey on disaster victims. Don't be rushed into signing contracts. Instead, collect business cards, check references and get written estimates for the proposed job. And never give a deposit to anyone you do not know. You may never see that money again. Remember, your insurance company is a great resource when it comes to finding reputable service providers such as roofers and contractors.
To help consumers become familiar with the claims process, the I.I.I. has created a podcast, which can be viewed or downloaded from the I.I.I. Video page: Six Steps to Follow When Filing a Claim. It outlines the steps that consumers need to take when filing an insurance claim after a disaster. The podcast is also available on iTunes and can be found by typing, "Insurance Information Institute" into the search field.
For a related video news release on claim filing, go to How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim. Reporters who would like a DVC Pro or Beta hard copy of the b-roll footage, please contact: Susan Stolov at 301-728-1978 or SusanStolov@WashingtonIndependentProductions.com.


Don't let your mobile device be taken down by a nasty bug!
Where computers go, viruses follow. It isn't much of a surprise that the mobile technology revolution has spawned a subculture of viruses designed to cause malicious mischief in mobile tools and toys. A cell phone virus can function in much of the same ways as a conventional computer virus, installing harmful files on your phone. The popularity of proprietary operating systems has somewhat controlled the spread of mobile targeted viruses and other malware because viruses need to be designed to attack specific operating platforms, but that doesn't mean you're safe without protection.
Viruses can attack mobile devices in a number of ways: Often they're hidden in e-mail attachments like photos or games. When you install and open the attachment, you infect your phone. Bluetooth devices are another good vehicle for infection. The effortless two-way communication that makes Bluetooth technology so darned convenient also makes it easy for an infected Bluetooth enabled phone to connect to any other Bluetooth devices within range. Once connected, it can trick the user into downloading the virus onto a clean phone. Surfing suspicious sites can net you an infection, too.
Before you get too engrossed in the fun features of your mobile device, make sure your equipment and private information is protected. When it comes to being secure on the road, the options come in a few different flavors. From anti-virus apps that can locate your lost or stolen phone to full-featured apps that also encrypt your folders and files, the best mobile anti-virus is the one that suits your unique needs. You can find comprehensive protection for free, or pay a little for some nice extras.
Most anti-virus software is equipment specific, matched to the operating system built into the phone. Mobile devices require compatible anti-virus protection. Open-source operating systems like Google's Android or Microsoft's Windows Mobile may offer more potential anti-virus products but still lock you out of some applications whose names you may recognize or whose products you've used before.
On the next page, we'll break down how to choose a mobile anti-virus app, as well as give you some specifics about the various options on the market.


President Clinton has invited Prime Minister Tony Blair of the United Kingdom for an Official Visit to Washington on February 5-6. Prime Minister Blair has accepted. President Clinton looks forward to reviewing with Prime Minister Blair, whose country now holds the presidency of the European Union, the broad range of bilateral cooperation and transatlantic and global developments.


text:
De , ook bekend als  of
, is een aanduiding voor een reeks nationale feestdagen in Japan, gehouden in de eerste week van mei.

Feestdagen

Huidige feestdagen
De week omvat tegenwoordig de volgende feestdagen:
 29 april
, sinds 2007
 3 mei

 4 mei
, sinds 2007, daarvoor op 29 april
 5 mei
.

Als een van bovengenoemde feestdagen op een zondag valt, telt de maandag erna ook als nationale feestdag.

Voormalige feestdagen
Voorheen bevatte de week ook als feestdagen:
 29 april
, tot aan de dood van keizer Hirohito in 1988. Daarna verhuisde deze dag naar 23 december
, van 1989 tot 2006 als vervanger voor de vervallen verjaardag van de keizer. In 2007 verhuisde deze dag naar 4 mei.

 4 mei
, van 1985 tot 2006. Deze dag had tot 2007 geen naam, maar was wel een officiële feestdag daar hij tussen twee andere feestdagen inviel.

De dag van de arbeid wordt in Japan niet gevierd op 1 mei maar op 23 november, en maakt derhalve geen deel uit van de gouden week.

Geschiedenis
De Japanse wetten betreffende nationale feestdagen werden opgesteld in juli 1948. Hierbij werden toen negen officiële feestdagen ingesteld, waarbij de meeste eind april, begin mei. De naam gouden week werd bedacht door de directeur van Daiei Films, die in 1951 constateerde dat de verkoop van bioscoopkaartjes een grote piek kende tijdens de week van eind april, begin mei. Hij baseerde de term op de radioterm "golden time", waarmee in de Japanse radio-industrie een periode met extra hoge luistercijfers werd aangeduid.

Viering
Veel Japanners nemen betaald verlof tijdens de gouden week, maar sommige bedrijven sluiten zelfs geheel hun deuren in deze periode. Daarmee is de gouden week de langste vakantieperiode die veel Japanse arbeiders krijgen in een jaar. Gouden week is onder Japanners dan ook een geliefde periode om vakantiereizen te maken. Vliegreizen, treinen en hotels zijn vaak de hele week volgeboekt.

Zie ook
 Japanse feestdag

Japanse feestdag
April
Mei

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Study: COVID Infection Does Not Affect Fertility or IVF Treatment
Korin Miller
Korin Miller is a health and lifestyle journalist who has been published in The Washington Post, Prevention, SELF, Women's Health, The Bump, and Yahoo, among other outlets.
Nick Blackmer
Fact checked by Nick Blackmer
Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years' experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content.
d3sign / Getty Images
A new, small study found that a woman's ovarian reserve was the same or similar after having COVID-19.
These findings help ease concerns that COVID-19 could possibly impact a woman's egg count.
Experts say the results are promising for couples interested in conceiving after COVID-19.
Previous COVID-19 infection does not seem to impact a woman's chance of success with assisted reproductive technology, according to new research. The study is small but helps ease some concerns about the virus' impact on fertility.
For the study, researchers analyzed data from 46 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) who had baseline measurements of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) that suggested they would be normal or low responders to ovarian stimulation.
What Is the Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)?
AMH is a marker of a woman's ovarian reserve (i.e., egg count) and is often used in fertility clinics to predict how women might do with ovarian stimulation during IVF.
In general, the data showed no difference in AMH levels before and after a woman became infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The results did show a slight decline in AMH measurements in some patients who were predicted to be normal responders to ovarian stimulation.
However, one of the study's researchers Maria Cruz Palomino, PhD, from the IVI Madrid fertility clinic, said in a press release that this was not a "radical decrease," and it shouldn't impact a patient's ability to produce eggs for IVF. It's also difficult to directly link this drop to having COVID-19.
"Generally, the data showed no variation in AMH levels before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection," Palomino said. "We could assume that the chances of success in…fertility treatment remained intact."
The study's results were presented at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology's annual meeting in late June.
If you're trying to conceive after a previous COVID-19 infection, your fertility should be the same or similar as it was before you were infected. However, talk to your a healthcare provider if you have any concerns or if you're having trouble conceiving.
COVID-19 Infection Does Not Impact Fertility
Concerns about COVID-19's ability to impact fertility have circled widely. Some thought it might be possible because the virus invades cells by binding to the ACE2 receptor, which is found in the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and placenta.
"Because the receptor for the virus is present in the ovaries, there was some biological possibility that ovarian reserve could be impacted," Amesh A. Adalja, MD, infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, tells Verywell. However, he says, this study and others like it suggest that doesn't happen.
While COVID-19's impact on fertility hasn't been widely researched, a study from Wuhan, China, published in the journal Reproductive Biomedicine Online reported similar results. That study analyzed data from 237 women of childbearing age who were diagnosed with COVID-19 by testing blood for sex hormones and AMH. It also studied menstrual data from 177 patients.
Researchers discovered that 25% of patients experienced changes in the volume of their periods, with 20% having lighter periods than before. But the average sex hormone and AMH concentrations of women who had COVID-19 were no different from women of the same age who didn't get infected.
Can You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine on Your Period?
Women's health expert Jennifer Wider, MD, tells Verywell that the findings are "reassuring."
"We are learning more and more about COVID-19 every day," Wider says. "Remember: This disease is relatively new and some of the effects of the virus, including its long-term, chronic symptoms, are being uncovered by the multitude of global studies from patients around the world."
Respiratory viruses in general "are unlikely to have any impact on fertility, and this is what appears to be the case with COVID-19," Adalja adds.
Overall, experts say that couples who are trying to conceive after having COVID-19 should move forward with their plans. "Women should not worry about having COVID-19 when trying to conceive," Wider says. "It has not been shown to have a negative effect on egg count."
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. Previous infection with COVID-19 does not affect the chance of success in IVF. June 28, 2021.
Li K, Chen G, Hou H, et al. Analysis of sex hormones and menstruation in COVID-19 women of child-bearing age. Reprod Biomedicine Online. 2021 Jan;42(1):260-267. doi:10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.09.020.
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Over 1 Million Americans May Have Lost Sense of Smell to COVID
Is Omicron Driving a Winter COVID Surge?
What Is Endometrioma and How Does It Relate to Endometriosis?
Study: COVID Can Infect the Inner Ear
If You're Unvaccinated, COVID Reinfection Is Likely
Study: The Time of Day You Get Tested for COVID Matters, Too
What Is Conception?
More Evidence That COVID Can Infect Fat Tissue
How PCOS Can Be Diagnosed When Symptoms Are Vague
Do You Need to Get Vaccinated if You Already Had COVID-19?
Could You Be Going Through Early Menopause?
Nasal Sprays Could Protect You From Serious COVID-19 Illness
WHO Releases First Official Long COVID Definition
Study: COVID-19 May Disrupt the Body's Fight-or-Flight Response
Researchers Predict Whether COVID Vaccines Will Protect Against Variants

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


My last few posts have been quite singer-songwriter/folk oriented, so I thought I would take things up a notch with some new soul, and what better man to crank up the mood than the 'Screaming Eagle of Soul', Mr. Charles Bradley?
Along with Lee Fields and Sharon Jones, Charles Bradley forms part of a rearguard of soul music: artists much neglected for most of their career but who are finally getting the attention they deserve with their old-school R&B sound. Bradley's career in particular is a real underdog story, chronicled in the recent documentary Charles Bradley: Soul of America, which unfortunately has yet to see British release. Similar to the documentary Searching For Sugarman that centred on Sixto Rodriguez, with whom Bradley recorded a split 45 last year, Charles Bradley: Soul of America talks about a diamond which was not fully unearthed until way down the line. From leaving his Florida home at the age of 14 Bradley has struggled, living hand to mouth and often in harsh conditions. However, his undiminished ambition to make it as a singer, which persisted through years in mismatched appointments including an extended stint as a James Brown impersonator under the name Black Velvet, finally came to fruition when he teamed up with the Menahan Street Band and Daptone Records co-founder Gabriel Roth to deliver his debut record at the age of 62. Indeed, the title of that album, No Time For Dreaming, could be the injunction Bradley aimed at himself for finally telling his story. If that's the case then Victim of Love could certainly be Bradley's response and gesture of gratitude to the overwhelmingly positive public and critical acclaim that No Time For Dreaming has received.
'Where Do We Go From Here?' is a moody and funky track, which showcases Bradley's hard-hitting delivery and his irrepressible wails. As Bradley struts his stuff, co-writer and guitarist Thomas Brenneck chucks out a percussive guitar rhythm and displays a screaming, fuzzed up solo towards the song's close. Meanwhile, horn blares from Dave Guy and Leon Michels punctuate Bradley's preaching vocals and Homer Steinweiss's outstandingly funky drum part makes sure the song hits you square in the guts. It is one of the standout tracks from the album for me and I strongly recommend you to go out and buy it. I promise you, you won't be disappointed and you will be supporting an artist whose time may have finally come.
Victim of Love is available now through Daptone Records.
This entry was posted in Artist Spotlight and tagged Charles Bradley, Daptone Records, Gabriel Roth, James Brown, Lee Fields, Menahan Street Band, No Time For Dreaming, R&B, Sharon Jones, soul, Victim of Love. Bookmark the permalink.


Dom Dwyer continues a stellar season. He scored another league season, tying the USL-Pro mark for goals in a season after only 11 games. And he added 2 more goals in the US Open Cup yesterday against the Colorado Rapids. We'll now get to wait and see if Dwyer and the rest of KC's loaned players will be able to play against Sporting in the next round of the Cup. Here's the rest of this week's update.
Bobby Convey - Toronto - Did not dress in Toronto's 2-0 loss to New England.
Luis Gil - Salt Lake - Started and played 72 minutes in RSL's 1-1 draw with Chicago. Dressed but did not play in Salt Lake's 3-2 extra time win over Atlanta in the US Open Cup.
Michael Harrington - Portland - Started and played 90 minutes in Portland's 2-0 win over DC.
Kevin Hartman - New York - Did not dress in New York's 2-2 draw with Columbus. Did not dress in New York's 2-0 win over Reading in the US Open Cup.
Jack Jewsbury - Portland - Started and played 90 minutes, recording an assist in Portland's 2-0 win over DC.
Eddie Johnson - Seattle - Started and played 72 minutes in Seattle's 4-0 loss to LA. Came off the bench and played 45 minutes in the USA's 4-2 loss to Belgium.
Chris Konopka - Philadelphia - Dressed but did not play in Philadelphia's 5-3 loss to Montreal. Dressed but did not play in Philadelphia's 2-1 win over Ocean City in the US Open Cup.
Rauwshan McKenzie - Portland - Dressed but did not play in Portland's 2-0 win over DC.
Khari Stephenson - Salt Lake - Dressed but did not play in RSL's 1-1 draw with Chicago. Came off the bench and played 36 minutes scoring a goal in RSL's 3-2 win over Atlanta in the US Open Cup.
Tyson Wahl - Columbus - Started and played 90 minutes in Columbus' 2-2 draw with New York. Started and played 90 minutes in Columbus' 2-1 win over Dayton in the US Open Cup.
Konrad Warzycha - Columbus - Dressed but did not play in Columbus' 2-2 draw with New York. Started and played 90 minutes in Columbus' 2-1 win over Dayton in the US Open Cup.
Stefan Antonijevic - Fort Lauderdale - Started and played 90 minutes in Fort Lauderdale's 1-0 win over Edmonton. Did not dress in Fort Lauderdale's 2-0 loss to Dallas in the US Open Cup.
Kevin Friedland - Minnesota - Did not play in Minnesota's 3-2 win over Tampa Bay.
Shavar Thomas - Fort Lauderdale - Did not dress in Fort Lauderdale's 1-0 win over Edmonton. Started and played 90 minutes in Fort Lauderdale's 2-0 loss to Dallas in the US Open Cup.
Christian Duke - Orlando (Loan) - Started and played 64 minutes in Orlando's 4-1 win over Wilmington. Dressed but did not play in Orlando's 3-1 win over Colorado in the US Open Cup.
Dom Dwyer - Orlando (Loan) - Started and played 77 minutes, scoring a goal in Orlando's 4-1 win over Wilmington. Started and played 90 minutes, scoring 2 goals in Orlando's 3-1 win over Colorado in the US Open Cup.
Brian Fekete - Orlando - Did not play in Orlando's 4-1 win over Wilmington. Did not dress in Orlando's 3-1 Open Cup win over Colorado.
Cyprian Hedrick - Phoenix - Started and played 90 minutes in Phoenix's 2-2 draw with Charlotte.
Jon Kempin - Orlando (Loan) - Dressed but did not play in Orlando's 4-1 win over Wilmington. Dressed but did not play in Orlando's 3-1 US Open Cup win over Colorado.
Nelson Pizarro - Los Angeles - Started and played 90 minutes, recording an assist in LA's 4-3 win over Charlotte. Started and played 90 minutes in LA's 2-1 loss to Chivas in the US Open Cup.
Mike Reidy - Rochester - Started and played 90 minutes in Rochester's 0-0 draw with Charleston. Started and played 90 minutes in Rochester's 5-1 loss to New England in the US Open Cup.
Yann Songo'o - Orlando (Loan) - Started and played 90 minutes in Orlando's 4-1 win over Wilmington. Started and played 90 minutes in Orlando's 3-1 win over Colorado in the US Open Cup.
Yomby William - Richmond - Started and played 90 minutes in Richmond's 2-0 win over Harrisburg. Started and played 120 minutes in Richmond's 0-0 (4-2) PK shootout loss to DC in the US Open Cup.
John Wilson - Charleston - Dressed but did not play in Charleston's 0-0 draw with Rochester. Started and played 90 minutes in Charleston's 1-0 win over San Jose.
Scott Angevine - Des Moines - Did not play in Des Moines' 1-0 loss to St. Louis. Started and played 90 minutes in Des Moines' 2-0 loss to KC in the US Open Cup.
Michael Kraus - Tucson - Did not dress in Tucson's 2-1 loss to Ventura County.
Korede Aiyegbusi - FC Haka - Finland - Dressed but did not play in Haka's 0-0 draw with Jippo.
Stephane Auvray - DPMM FC - Brunei (Singapore League) - Did not dress in DPMM's 1-1 dra with Young Lions.
Vicente Arze - Esteghlal - Iran - No game this week.
Eloy Colombano - UAI Urquiza - Argentina - Lots 1-0 to General Lamadrid.
Pablo Escobar - Atletico Huila - Colombia - Did not dress for Huila.
Herculez Gomez - Santos Laguna - Mexico - Dressed but did not play in the USA's 4-2 loss to Belgium.
Igor Kostrov - Dacia - Moldova - No game this week.
Carlos Marinelli - Universidad San Martin - Peru - Started and played 68 minutes in San Martin's 2-0 loss to Universitario.
Yura Movsisyan - Spartak Moscow - Russia - Started and played 90 minutes in Spartak's 2-0 win over Alaniya.
Michal Mravec - Zilina - Slovakia - Did not play in Zilina's 2-2 draw with Kosice.
Pablo Punyed - Fylkir - Iceland - Did not dress in either of Fylkir's games.
Milos Stojcev - FK Leotar Trebinje - Bosnia - Started and played 90 minutes in Leotar's 2-1 win over Slavija.
Ivan Trujillo - Llaneros - Colombia - Did not dress for Llaneros.
Diego Walsh - TOT SC - Thailand - Did not dress for TOT.