chibiforte

 Reading:
Still Growing, by Kirk Cameron.
The Five Points of Calvinism, by Steele, Thomas, and Quinn.
"Triablogue" entries

Playing:
Geometry Wars Galaxies (Wii)
Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia (PS2)
Wild ARMs 4 (PS2)
Metal Saga (PS2)
Summon Night: Twin Age (DS)
Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 (DS)
Pokemon Pearl (DS)
Pokemon Ruby (GBA)
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon (GBA)
Brave Story: New Traveler (PSP)

Listening:
"Double Action" (all variations)
"Climax Jump" (all variations)
"Bouken Desho Desho" (and remixes)
"Hare Hare Yukai" (remixes + variations)
"Kentai Life Returns"
"God knows..." (and remixes)
The Narrow Mind Podcast (past archives)
The Way of the Master Radio

Watching:
Kamen Rider Kabuto
Kamen Rider Kiva
Engine Sentai Go-onger
Tokusou Sentai DekaRanger
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Spice and Wolf
Kanokon
Lucky Star
Kanon
Clannad
Digimon Adventure

I wanted to wait to post another entry until I finished these two routes.  The Misae route is somewhat connected to the Tomoyo route, and if you complete her route before Tomoyo's, you get a bonus scene and an extra light.

I really enjoyed myself on the Misae route.  I didn't really expect anything to come out of it, since the anime has hardly ever touched upon her character in the least.  But wow, that was a good story.  It focused on how Misae became the person she is, as the dorm landlady, and it even takes a bit of a detour into the past to when she was the Student Council President, who is being followed by a young boy who wants to grant her wish.  I won't get into it any more than that, since I've already spoiled some of it, but trust me, this is a good little detour from the normal heroine paths.  I definitely appreciate her character a little more, but I have no clue as to how they're going to translate this into the anime.

The Tomoyo route, though... MAN!  I never cared for Tomoyo before, but I absolutely love her character, now.  It's no wonder she's the only one who got a sequel ("Tomoyo After"), because her story was so engaging... and long, don't forget long (took me three and a half hours or so to complete only part of the route).  It focuses on her friendship with the main character, but also how that relationship with him is hurting her chance to succeed not only in the Student Council election, but her academic pursuits, as well.  Getting into it even more would spoil it so much, so I'll refrain.  But this is a fantastic route, and I enjoyed it so much.

Give me a good story, and I'll love it despite its faults, it seems.  There were a few minor quibbles I had with the routes, but nothing that even remotely tampered with my enjoyment.  I just can't get over how amazing this game is, and if there are more visual novels like this, I want to import them all.  I just wish I knew where to get more translation patches, or else it'll kinda be meaningless to play the game without understanding what's going on...

My thoughts?  Clannad is simply beautiful.  It has plenty of humor, but not too much to where it's annoying, and the deep moments are truly gorgeous.

I'm still just worried that they won't be able to do these routes justice.  The Kyou route would be difficult enough to do, but the Tomoyo route?  Nigh impossible, to me, unless you cut out the ending or change it so drastically to where it's a new beast, altogether.  The only remedy I can see for this is if they animate the Tomoyo After story.  That would be awesome, since I can't play it without a patch (and that version has... stuff I don't care for).  I think it'd be awesome if they made an OVA series that tightly wrapped up Tomoyo's story from this first game, and then moved onto the After story.  I'm sure they could make a four-episode series, since the manga is a single volume that wraps up the entire After story, far as I know.  I'm trying to find the manga, but it's difficult to locate something like this that's actually translated, so I'll probably just get it RAW, and look at the pretty pictures.

I'm actually hoping the Clannad anime gets licensed, just so I can watch it legally with subs.  And so I can buy it for a lower price.  That'd be nice.  Since Kanon and Air both got licensed (and Shuffle! is on its way), I don't see why it couldn't happen.  And I want them to translate the games and release them here.  With the release and success of the Phoenix Wright series, it's obvious that visual novel-esque games can succeed here in the states, if branded properly and rightly advertised.  Why couldn't they release one of these games, here?  If the related anime series succeed, people would obviously like to explore the original story, right?  Put 'em out cheap enough, and I'd buy several copies just for myself.  Or they could translate and release the PS2 versions and put them out for really cheap, considering that it's hardly a problem to put out PS2 games, anymore.  It seems to be the go-to video game console these days for putting out low-risk games.  Or just translate the PSP versions and bring them over, for an even lower risk!  I mean, c'mon, Game Companies, we'd love to buy these games, but you aren't making them available to us!  It can't be that difficult to translate these games if you see these fans putting out patches for them, right?  Just get a small team together, with translators and editors, and just sell us something awesome.  I'd buy it legally, no problem, first day of release.  I'd preorder it, for crying out loud.  And I know so many other people would love to indulge in the games.  It wouldn't sell fantastically, I'm sure, but even a modest success is a success, right?  I'd advertise it like crazy, on every forum I could.

I just want something.  Gimme something.  Anything!

Well, anyway... Tomoyo.  Misae.  You gals are great, you gave me good stories.  I'm hoping I'll be able to continue on the former's route someday in the future.



(I'm so addicted to this game... xD)

Harvest Moon DS... looks to be the stupidest Harvest Moon game available.  I mean, the visuals are so kid-oriented, it's embarrassing.  I definitely prefer Harvest Moon 64's visuals, which, while still looking kiddy, actually had some redeeming value to them, while the visuals for the DS game look like super-chibified versions of the characters, with ugly looking faces and huge chins.  Like the 2002 version of Kanon.  Ugh.  I'm not putting any time in THAT game.

The wait for Rune Factory 2 is going to be a long wait, indeed... x_x

It seems like many of the Fall anime shows I'm watching are coming to an end, soon.  Goshushou-sama Ninomiya-kun ends in one episode (giving it twelve episodes), Kodomo no Jikan does as well, ef -a tale of memories- also follows suit, and I believe Myself; Yourself ends in two episodes, bucking that trend (giving it thirteen episodes).  I think I'm correct in the numberings, but I'm not entirely sure.  It seems that, out of all the series I'm watching right now, only Clannad will keep going, since it will go to twenty-four or so episodes.  I'm wondering as to whether I should watch Minami-ke as well, but I'm currently undecided.

...this leads me to a question: when is the second season of Haruhi Suzumiya going to air?  It feels like I've been waiting forever...

I had no idea that this Resident Evil movie existed, but it looks fantastic.  Kinda like Advent Children, but better.  Yay for Leon and Claire! :D

Oh yeah, I'm no longer at "The Farm".  I'm now... uh... on the Thousand Sunny.

Yeah.

I had to work for some good amount of hours today, all by myself.  I can't even describe what kind of work it is, besides that I had to move a lot of heavy stuff to a different location, and I also had to clean up a huge part of the garage.  And... since I'm such a strong boy, I'm not necessarily tired, but I just really dislike manual labor anymore.  I have so much respect for people who actually do that sort of thing for a living. x_x

Wario's Final Smash is pretty cool-looking.  I expected a nuclear fart, but this is far, FAR more preferable. xD

The Opening and Ending themes were released for Goshushou-sama Ninomiya-kun today!  Only, Gendou only has the MP3s up for those who donate to the site (and only the OP at the moment), and obviously I do not do that, so I'm going to have to wait a day or two for it to be released to the general public.  Fun, fun.  These are two great themes, some of the best I've heard in awhile.  

Why couldn't Kyoto Animation make a better opening theme for Clannad as well (I'm not mentioning the terrible ending theme... >_>;)?  I mean, Lucky Star, Haruhi, Kanon, and even Air had better theme than that... not that I think it's bad or anything, I just don't particularly enjoy it.

I have a new icon, in case you didn't notice.  It's Tomoya, from the previously mentioned series Clannad!  He's definitely one of the better protagonists in this new wave of anime series that are essentially adapted from hentai visual novels for the PC.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  I actually have two icons of him, and you'll see the other one soon enough.  I don't know what to do with my last three icons I'm allowed, though.  I was thinking of taking that picture of me from the wedding, since it was a good picture... I'll think about it.

I think this is my 49th entry, so that means that the next one will be #50.  I think I'll post that one up tonight, just so I can get it in before tomorrow, since it's a pretty decent landmark, right?

 1. The person who tagged you is...

minakoelric AKA Alex

2. Your relationship with him/her is...
Friend, and fellow gaming nerd. :3

3. Five impressions you have of him/her...
+Funny!
+Awesome Cosplayer
+Horror Fan
+Friendly
+Hard Worker

4. The most memorable thing he/she has done for you.
Made me realize that I don't know hardly anything about Resident Evil video games. xD

5. The most memorable words he/she has said to you.
That she thought I would know more about video games sooner than her.  Anybody who gives me that much credit is too nice. :3

6. If he/she becomes your lover, you will...
Make her cosplay!!! n_n (specifically: Mizuho Kazami [Onegai Teacher], Mai Kawasumi [Kanon], and ESPECIALLY Roll Caskett [MegaMan Legends])

7. If he/she becomes your lover, things he/she has to improve on will be...
I really couldn't say. o_o;

8. If he/she becomes your enemy, you will...
Uhh... put on some Power Ranger garb and start an epic battle.

9. If he/she becomes your enemy, the reason will be...
She didn't cosplay as Roll. D:

10. The most desirable thing you want to do for him/her now is...
Give her a Wii and start some Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles action!! :D

11. Your overall impression of him/her is...
Really cool gal. <3

12. How you think people around you feel about you...
They are in awe of my theological knowledge and video game know-how, especially when concerning areas of science and history.  And my intelligent-sounding vernacular might be a character trait they ponder.

13. The characteristic you love about yourself is...
I am studious, and I enjoy studying for the sake of simply bettering myself.

14. On the contrary, the characteristic you hate about yourself is...
I'm far too introverted, and need to become more sociable.

15. The most ideal person you want to be is...
One who has studied enough to where I can recall crucial knowledge concerning a myriad of topics at the drop of a hat.

16. For people that care and like you, say something to them...
You still have no idea what my true nature is. :3

17. Pass this quiz to 10 people that you wish to know how they feel about you - TRY NOT TO PEEP AT THE QUESTION BELOW BEFORE WRITING DOWN THE NAMES.

(I don't have any other friends on LiveJournal, so I'll just list out people I know in real life, as well)

1. Alex, although I got this from her.
2. Ben
3. Jay
4. Steven
5. Gabe
6. Jeremy
7. Ethan
8. Ted
9. Zach
10. Matthew

-------------------------------

Who is no. 6 having a relationship with?
A woman named Tiffany.

Is no. 9 a male or female?
I don't think you can mistake him for anything other than a guy.

If no. 7 and 10 are together, will it be a good thing?
...they're cousins.  No.

How about no. 8 and 5?
As hilarious as it would be, they are both straight and already married.

What is no. 2 studying about?
Agriculture.  Farming.  He's the president of the FFA, you see.

When was the last time you had a chat with no. 3?
I can't remember... it has to have been within... a week and a half?  Wow, too long.

What kind of music band does no. 8 like?
He likes Linkin Park.  And rap.  And especially techno.  He likes tons of stuff.

Does no. 1 have any siblings?
I'm sure she does.

Will you woo no. 3?
I'm certainly tempted... or I would be, if I wasn't straight.  But I am straight, so that's that. xD

How about no. 7?
He's my cousin.  So, no.

Is no. 4 single?
Nope.  He's with Kashmir.

What's the surname of no. 5?
I believe his surname is "Miles".

What's the name of no. 10?
Matthew Rea.

What's the hobby of no. 4?
Video games.  Specifically FPSs.

Do no. 5 and 9 get along well?
Oh yes, they get along quite well.

Where is no. 2 studying at?
High school, but he also works on farming stuff on different sites, as well as travels to different cities for meetings.

Say something casual about no. 1.
What's up? :3

Have you tried developing feelings for no.1?
Certainly not.  I've wanted to punch him, but no, I'm straight and non-incestuous, thank you.

Where does no. 9 live?
In our little town in California, with me.

What color does no. 4 like?
I think it might be blue.

Are no. 5 and 1 best friends?
They've never met... o_o;

Does no. 7 like no. 2?
They've only met once.

How did you get to know no. 2?
Met him at a party at the pizza place, played some air hockey, and have been friends ever since.

Does no. 1 have any pets?
I couldn't say for sure.

Is no. 7 the sexiest person in the world?
Definitely not. >_>;

 

It was a good Thanksgiving.  We went over and celebrated it at our Uncle's house, which was nice, actually.  Good food, good company, it was all good.

And now, following up on what Daizenshuu EX posted up ("Top Five Anime Series That We'd Rather Have An American Live-Action Movie Made Of"), I'll make my own! :3

Top Five Anime Series I'd Rather See As A Live-Action Movie
1.] Onegai Teacher (I'll play as Kei!)
2.] The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya (and I'll play as Kyon!)
3.] Otome wa Boku ni Koishiteru (with less fanservice, please)
4.] Kanon (Nayuki's storyline would be preferable)
5.] One Piece (I'd play Sanji, as well!) 

I could go on, but I'm tired right now.  I'll post more tomorrow, don't worry.

Youth Group was completely empty, tonight.  There were only a few of us there.  Let's see... there was me, Zach, A-dub, and Matt, I believe, not counting Jeremy and Gabe themselves (those two are the leaders).  It was kinda nice not having to listen to all the others, not have to play the games, and not have to have everything watered down.  I was able to ask Gabe about transubstantiation without interruption, and he also gave me some suggestions for colleges to go to.  Nice. :3

I played Mario Party 4 for a good few hours, today.  I won the first match, which was 15 turns long, and Ted won the second match, which was only 10 turns.  I totally pwned everybody overall, no question.  Hey, what can I say?  I actually know how to use a Gamecube controller.

I'm just having a blast on my DS with this new R4.  It's so nice... Taiko no Tatsujin DS is great, Naruto: Path of the Ninja is interesting, and I'm just getting started on It's A Wonderful World.  This is just plain FUN.

I think I'm on about... volume 22 of the One Piece manga?  It's so awesome.  I'm finally getting into the stuff that I'm watching in the dub at the moment, which is pretty good.  Sanji is TOTALLY my favorite character, now, with Luffy as a second, and... I guess Robin as the third.  After that, I guess maybe Zoro is fourth, but after Robin, it's hard to tell.  It doesn't mean that I dislike any of the character, really.  Just my personal preference.

Oh yes, I'm going to start adding Top Five lists to a post every now and then.  No particular reason why I'm doing it, I just have stuff to say.

And now, without further ado... (and as we all know, this journal has plenty "of do" xD)

Top Five Anime Characters Wesley is Most Likely to Cosplay As:
1.] Kei Kusanagi, from Onegai Teacher
2.] Sanji, from One Piece
3.] Kyon, from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
4.] Yuichi Aizawa, from Kanon
5.] Zoro, from One Piece

Not in any particular order, so I guess it's not necessarily the "Top Five".  Maybe that'll change in the future, but eh, I'm lazy now.  Let's just say it IS in order from least to greatest, starting from number five and making your way upwards?  Not that I think Zoro is the least likely, but-... uh... well, never mind.  It's the five people I'm most likely to cosplay, if I ever get into that sort of thing.

Aaaahh... Daizenshuu EX: even though you're my first podcast, I both hate you and love you at the same time because of the... incredible length of your 100th Episode... now I have to listen to all of it tonight... o_o;;

Didja notice the new icon I made to the right?  Totally ripped from a screenshot from Kanon (and it's a FANTASTIC facial expression! xD).  It's Yuichi Aizawa, the main male character from the previously mentioned series.  He's voiced by Tomokazu Sugita, who's voiced other great characters, such as the following:

Kyon from "Haruhi Suzumiya"
Rin Tsuchimi from "Shuffle!"
Takumi Mayama from "Honey and Clover"
Takenaga Oda from "The Wallflower"

And a bunch of other good shows.  And he's one of my favorite voice actors in today's world.  And I've only seen the first two shows, but I want to watch the last two.  Just... don't have time... n_n;

And I made another new icon too, but you have to wait until the next journal entry.  Don't worry, it's nothing too stupid.  It's related to one of my personal favorite series, so you can guess from there. :3