Sachiko

Page 05 “Kitty Cat Day”

The name says it all! Filler episode. Filled with cuteness though, so I wont complain. :) As you have probably guessed this episode is about the cats. Mike, Haa, Grey and a new cat Kuma. What surprised me is that the cats communicated with one another and spoke. I guess it’s not surprising they can communicate, all animals can. It’s more the fact that they spent an entire episode on developing the characters of the cats. There series is nearly half over and they wasted a episode on that? Kind of confusing. We get a little insight on each of the four cats personalities now.

Mike is the cat who’s always in the abandon lot.  Mike seems to be free-thinking, a bit defensive and possibly a little dim to the world around him. He’s probably my favorite of the four though. What a cute voice too. :p Mike seems interested in knowing what it would be like to be a house cat. I really hope he ends up with Sora eventually.

Haa is the cat from episode two with the giant eyes. He feels laid back and not aware of other peoples feelings it would seem. He has no problem saying what’s on his mind. Which I guess isn’t a bad thing. Especially considering I don’t think he’s doing it to be spiteful. Haa also seems a bit more worldly than Mike. The two of them also seem to be friends. Haa doesn’t seem to think being a house cat is the way to go. I guess he likes his freedom more than anything else.

Kuma is a very oddly shaped cat. With a GIANT head and odd body he’s quite unique. He has a extremely deep voice which makes listening to him almost make you giggle. He also uses very old dialect it would seem. Perhaps refering to himself in third-person? At least that’s how I took it. He’s very high on himself and can do no wrong. He’s also looking for a owner and wishes to be a house cat. At the end of the show Kamiya (the bug girl from Sora’s art class) ends up taking him home. She finds him in a box labeled “RARE BEAST” that the other cats helped him setup after some funny scenes with the box.

Grey is the cat from episode 2 that Sora mentions has been recently adopted. Or made into a house cat. Since he began wearing a collar I assume that’s how she noticed. Anyways, Grey appears later in the episode with his collar now off. He scratches up the box that Kuma was in and walks off after shaking his head from side to side (meaning “no”) when Mike and Haa ask him if he’s going home. Perhaps he decided life as a stray was better? He did spend the day with Mike, Haa and Kuma. Maybe being a house cat just wasn’t for him. He seems to be the youngest and I don’t believe he spoke the entire episode. Only used facial expressions and movements to communicate.

Cute little episode, worth the watch. I’m still baffled as to why they would develop the cats rather than some of the other characters that likely need it. I don’t see the cats playing a huge role down the stretch. Although I could be wrong.

1. The episode opened with a white cat in a window looking insanely bored. The cat yawned…at the same time, so did I! I guess they’re contagious that way too. :D
2. The cat I just mentioned, he was a little look into the theme of the episode. The bored look on his face had “I want out” written all over it. The theme I picked up was that some things work for certain people (or cats in this case!) while they may not work for others. To each their own.
3. Preview for next episode mentions Aso and Hazuki being developed more.
4. Cats=Aria. HA!
5. I think given my descriptions you should be able to figure out which cats are which in the images below. If not just hover over the pictures and the names will pop up.

The last time we left Sugiura and Midori they were both younger, and still in high school. Now they’re both in college and it’s four and a half years later.

Midori seems to be worried about their relationship though. It seems she feels the love is starting to fade. Sugiura has decided to take the bar exams next year to become a lawyer and is spending a ton of time on her studying. Plus, she doesn’t like how the two of them can’t be affectionate in public. Midori does mention an active sex life though and the fact that’s all they do together anymore.

After being left alone in bed by Sugiura early, Midori decides to go out drinking. In the mood she was already in, it was a bad idea. She gets completely wasted has a whine-fest at the bar and then passes out in the entry way to Sugiuras. That seems to have angered Itchan, as she told Sugiura that Midori wasn’t allowed to drink for a month. :D I’m assuming Itchan is the landlord? Or perhaps the RA in a college dorm complex?

Midori seemingly back at her dorm/house calls Sugiura to schedule a movie date. Sugiura hesitantly accepts sending Midori into a fit of squeeeeee. Moving forward to the movie date…Sugiura seems extremely unenthusiastic when Midori shows her the movie poster of what they’re going to see. It’s “Packet Monsters”, which is obviously Pocket Monster, A.k.a. Pokemon. Sugiura ends up falling asleep at the movies and enraging Midori who does stomping out of the theaters. Sugiura chases after her trying to calm her down instead it does the opposite.

Midori tells her that they need to break up because things keep getting worse. Citing the fact Sugiura will have more time to study too. It seems to really crush Sugiura as she asked Midori if she still loves her, Midori replies with the same question. Midori is suddenly reminded of chasing Sugiura down after breaking off the “pretend relationship” in Chapter 2 when she broke down in tears. The two end up sitting down on the curb and having a heart to heart talk. Sugiura unveils her master plan to Midori (quickly become a lawyer, get lots of money, move in together, support them both).

Midori scolds her for not explaining it sooner. Then she would have understood why Sugiura was working so hard and not spending as much time with her. Sugiura felt that it would have scared Midori off, the fact of living together forever. Midori says otherwise and somehow Sugiura twist it into Midori accepting a marriage proposal! :D :D (Been there done that.) So after some funny narration and thought bubbles Midori seems to like the idea. The last page is pretty cute and shows the two in the future. :) ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING JUST THE WAY I LIKE IT!

Oh and as an even cooler added bonus, on the closing page of the series she explains why she picked this couple do to the extra story about and also includes a little picture in the bottom left corner showing the happy couple on their wedding day, five years later. Both in a wedding gown. :) Lipstick powah! :D

Before reading on please note that this is not a deliberate shot at Tranquil Spring. I worked with them for several chapters of this (7-15) and enjoyed my time there and the staff as a whole. I left due to time restraints I had at that point in my life. I have been debating for over a week if I should release this or not because I was worried about sending the wrong message. It’s one of my first attempts at actually translating a work publicly (meaning outside of school work). I had a good bit of help from a friend as well, who has also been pushing me to release this. So out of respect, I would recommend waiting for the Tranquil Spring release rather than download mine. I simply decided that it would be such a waste to just let it vanish. That said, I’m not even going to guarantee the proper translation of this.

This was practice/fun/whatever you want to call it. So here’s the link. Please enjoy.

[Download Octave Chapter 20]

Well in light of my fourth Clover work(Ch1, Ch2, Extra: Happy Days, Ch3) being released this week I’ve decided to do a little write-up on Chapter 2. This leaves me with one more chapter to edit, Chapter 4. If you recall from my first write up on Chapter 1 (unlikely because it was from June of 2009) Clover actually explores the stories of four sisters. The Extra chapter is a bonus of Chapter 2 story so rather than moving to Chapter 3 after this I’ll be blogging the Extra next. For obvious reasons.

The story begins with Midori working in a bakery. She gets a phone call from another employee and someone who is supposed to be there working with her. It seems the employee hs decided to quit and never gave a two weeks notice. Thus Midori is stuck there, with no help. A girl who seems to come in every day and order sweets arrives on time, as usual. Midori decides to get herself out of a jam by offering the girl a job. That girl is Sugiura, her younger by one year.

Fast forward two months later. The two of them, dressed in their Santa suits are out front of the store selling baked goods. Neither of the girls have a boyfriend and Midori is going on about how she doesn’t understand why, she’s a bit self absorbed. The standards she lists off to Sugiura are a bit ridiculous…or so it seems. Sugiura almost jokingly says that she fits all the criteria! Sugiura then proceeds to tell her that they should go out, until they find boyfriends. Midori shocked at first eventually agrees that it sounds like a fun idea.

Midori has an exchange with a friend of hers at school, Yuu-chan. She’s explaining how she ended up with a girlfriend for winter break rather than a girlfriend. Midori seems enthused about it and says she’s going to give it her all even if it is just for pretend! Then she rushes off to meet Sugiura for a date. The girls have the prototypical date. Shopping, movies, and tea together. Midori mentions how it’s fun but then ask how it’s different than just hanging out with a friend. That leads to Sugiura suggesting a kiss. I think Midori  planned for it to be platonic but seemed to get slightly excited over it.

Later, in a conversation with her friend again Midori realizes that once one of them gets a boyfriend they’ll have to break up. It seems to bother her just a bit but nothing too serious, yet. She’s just questioning herself more than anything. As she does after bringing Sugiura home. She starts to narrate her feelings. She questions whether she could be in love with Sugiura yet or if she could even love her.

We skip ahead to later that night, Sugiura is sleeping on the floor and Midori is in her own bed. After Sugiura gives Midori a goodnight kiss that seems to excite her she goes back towards her bed. Midori suggest that they sleep together for warmth. Funny little comedy moment there. A bit of a misinterpretation between the two at first. They end up in the bed together none the less and have a quick little chat about who Sugiura has dated in the past before going to sleep. Midori silently thinks to herself how convenient it would be is Sugiura liked girls now because of the way she’s starting to feel. Also that the “pretend” relationship last as long as it possibly can.

Now in the bakery, a man stops by and offers himself to Midori. Sugiura sees this and suggest that he would be right for her and quickly tells Midori that it’s time to end the pretend relationship. Sugiura runs off early saying she has some stuff to take care of but not without giving Midori a goodbye kiss. Midori realizing what has happened decides that she’s going to chase Sugiura down and tell her how she really feels. That she fell for her seriously. By the time she catches her she finds Sugiura crying. Sugiura professes her love to Midori before she even gets a chance to tell Sugiura. The two embrace as Sugiura begins apologizing for loving her. Midori admits to her that she’s also in love with her.

We skip some into the future, everything seems to be official with the two. This time we’re at Sugiura’s house. The two sit down to eat some sweets from the bakery when Sugiura mentions how she doesn’t want any and tell idori to help herself. Sugiura tells her that she only visited the shop daily before being employed because love drew her to Midori. Midori suddenly realizes that somebody who comes from a family as well off as Sugiura probably wouldn’t even need a part time job. She only took it to spend time with Midori, to get to know her. The story ends with the two joking around a bit and Midori giving Sugiura a kiss. :)

• Loved the whole thing about Sugiura only coming to buy pastries to see Midori. I never expected that the first time through. Completely caught me off guard. I never thought about the fact Sugiura mentioned being wealthy either. Duh!
• Extremely cute story, just like Chapter 1. Oh and for that matter, all Otsu stuff is super cute.
• Uzuki from Chapter 1 is pictured on one page, she’s very young though. Fuuka the sister whom Shiho (Uzuki’s girlfriend from Ch. 1) borrows a school uniform from is also seen taking care of Uzuki.

Sketchbook Update: I’ll be back to blogging Sketchbook soon. Maybe I’ll do Episode 5 tonight. Not quitting on it.

Page 04 “A Sketch Competition Between Three People”

We begin with Sora at the house with her brother. As we found out int he last episode he seems to try and look after her somewhat. He’s warning her of the weather as she prepares to leave for her art meeting. She doesn’t seem to mind the fact it’s going to rain and doesn’t skip a beat.

Kurihara and Sora are the only two who show up for the art meeting. You get a bit more incite on the two of their personalities. Sora, overly nervous and easily shaken. Kurihara worry free and in touch with nature. Kurihara picks up a big and allows it to climb her arm and onto her face. She laughs away while Sora begins to panic and seems rather upset.

The art meeting is more of an extracurricular field trip. Their teacher arrives in her car to pick the group up and seems rather unenthusiastic. She tries to convince them that it’s going to rain and seems to try and talk her way out of it but the two girls seem set on going. Umbrellas packed and all she welcomes them into her car…with her chickens. I mean a LOT of chickens. X_X I thought she had the one chicken P-chan from episode two. Apparently there are more than one.

Kasugano seems to be the world most cautious driver as cars are blasting by her and the girls are mentioning her not reaching the speed limit. She’s now pumped up to go on the trip despite her indifference minutes ago. After arriving at their destination Sora narrates on how excited Kurihara is. It’s obviously her love of science and nature. Kasugano tells the girls to go on while she waits in the car.

So far we’ve seen a short clip of both Aso and Hazuki. One at home while the other was grocery shopping. Both are seen looking up at the sky as if they’re waiting for rain.

Sora follows Kurihara through the forest and stops along the way with her several times to examine plants and bugs. Kurihara continues her excited pace as she runs from thing to thing. Sora follows her slowly but steadily. Kasugano seems to be napping in the car while the girls explore for something to sketch. Eventually after stopping for lunch Sora finds a nice scenic view to start sketching. During this little scene Sora narrates what I’m guessing is the message of the story. Just because two people see things differently doesn’t mean they can’t both be right.

As the pair of girls continue to work on their sketches the weather begins to move in. The scenery they were sketching starts to blur and become dull as the fog rolls in over the mountains. Sora mentions how familiar it seems to her. The scene shifts to Kasugano in the car. As the rain starts to fall on her windshield a familiar feeling washes over her as well. Aso and Hazuki have run into one another and are currently having tea together somewhere in town. As they sit in the front window they notice the rain beginning to come down.

Back on the mountain Kurihara tries to send Sora back to the car because of the rain. Sora refuses and wants to continue following Kurihara around. She begins to notice how everything on the mountain has two faces. One during good weather and another while it’s raining. She decides that’s the reason Kurihara went on the trip today. To see both faces.  Kurihara lifts a leaf to reveal a butterfly hiding under it from the rain. At that moment Sora feels like she can see what Kurihara can see. That brings us back to the message I mentioned earlier. People can see the same exact thing but in a different way.

The girls head back to the car and her a bit of grief from Kasugano for being a bit late. She’s standing outside of the car looking at at the mountains. As the girls realize what she’s doing they turn to look as well. Just then the sun starts to peak from behind the clouds for a beautiful scene. Then they realize behind them a rainbow seems to have formed.  The scene shifts to Aso and Hazuki leaving the tea shop as they notice the same rainbow.

The girls and Kasugano head for home. Kurihara begins picking on her driving again. Just then Kasugano notices that her parking brake has been on the entire trip. No wonder they were going so slow. -_- Sora looks back at the mountain view and begins sketching a rainbow into her original drawing. As they drive off into the distance Sora reinforces the message for this episode and Kurihara continues picking on her teachers driving.

1. Surprised to see Kurihara without Juju.
2. The comedy duo appears again. They both had sketch books and mention being in the art club. Odd I’ve still yet to see them communicate with any of the other art club members.
3. Super filler episode, at this pace though I suppose it’s mostly filler. Well…in a way.
4. The art work continues to amaze me episode after episode. I’m looking forward to the manga. I’ll probably start on that once I finish the anime.
5. It took me a bit but I went back and re-watched the chicken part. All the chickens she had in her car were stuffed animals it seems. P-Chan was home, guarding the house.

Page 03 “AO’s Worry“

In the opening scene we’re introduced to Sora’s brother Ao in a quick little skit loaded with giggles. As we move past the opening credits it continues. Just the two of them at home. Sora seems even more disconnected than usually this episode. She’s day dreaming pretty much constantly thus far. We also find out this is going to be the obligatory yukata festival episode. She’s waiting for her friends to arrive and meet her there. Ao definitely seems to be the more responsible of the two siblings. He is also apparently  a better cook. :D

When Sora’s friends arrive it appears my suspicions of the puppets being something common with Aso were right. When Ao answers the door she reaches her arm in wearing a puppet and begins talking to him X_X. Oh and she has affectionately named the puppet Kerokichi. As Aso rushes on into the house past Ao without and invite Hazuki begings straightening up the shoes at the door. At first blaming it on Aso but then finding out Ao made the mess. A embarrassing moment for her it would seem. Ao mentioned earlier that he was curious about Sora’s friends. How they managed with the way she drifts and zones out. After the exchange with Aso and Kazuki at the door he seems to put two and two together.

Now it’s time to put on the yukatas! While Sora “helps” Aso put hers on it seems Hazuki is ready to go and scolds the two of them a little  for playing around. Ao decides to bring tea upstairs for the girls and says he’ll leave it outside the door. Instead Aso opes the door and tells him he needs to see as well. She means his sister. He seems completely shocked by Sora’s beauty. To break the moment we get a quick insert of humor. I loved it. Well timed because it almost felt a bit awkward the way he was looking at his sisters.. X_O

As the girls prepare to head out for the festival Ao interacts a bit with Hazuki. He wants to know if she “acts like that at school too.” Hazuki seems confused by the question. I suppose she’s just used to the way Sora is. MESSAGE! Ao seems to blush a bit as Hazuki runs off, perhaps a crush. Oh and of course Sora has her sketchbook with her for the festival. :)

The comedy skit girls appear again, twice, still no clue who they are. I actually took a picture of them this episode so you wouldn’t think I was crazy. :D I do however think they are actual characters now though and not comic relief. They were involved in one of the scenes at the festival rather than just a comic skit.

Speaking of the festival, it seems the entire art club is there including the teacher. The girls spend most of the time together and play several games, eat cotton candy and just seem to enjoy the atmopshere. At one point Sora disappears and Aso and Hazuki run into Ao and his two friends. The girls and Ao both reassure the other two unnamed male friends of his that there’s nothing to worry about if Sora goes missing. Eventually everyone meets up with the exception of Kamiya and Negishi even though they were seen earlier at the festival.

They all gaze at the fireworks over the mountain range in the distance as Sora tries to sketch the fireworks. Her brother watchs her from a slight distance and puts his worries to rest about her being a little different. He realizes that she’s always the same and that’s just the way she is. He continues to look on proudly as the art club helps Sora sketch what she was having a hard time doing alone.

1. Hazuki is mature one of the group without a doubt. She’s polite respectful and somewhat motherly. Aso seems to be the risk taker and life of the party while Sora took more of a lackadaisical silly role. I guess I didn’t notice Sora’s personality as much in the first two episodes. She seems to have really narrated a lot more this episode. Which gives you a good view into her mind.
2. Ao is also very mature for his age. By the way he’s in middle school since I didn’t mention it yet. He’s very adult like though, especially in comparison to his sister.
3. To me the main message in this seemed to be about friendship of many different varieties. That includes brother-sister and friend-friend. Accepting people for who they are is what friendship is really about. At least that’s what I took away from this one.
4. I guess Juju and Kurihara are just friends but they do seem to follow the typical stereotype of a yuri couple outside of a primarily yuri genre. At least vaguely enough for yuri goggles. I’m keeping them on, don’t worry.- O_O-
5. Cute episode all in all. Seeing how close Ao and Sora seem to be was really cute. Also at the end when the art club was all helping her while she sketched was also a sweet moment.
6. Oh and because I didn’t say it anywhere yet, ARIA.  [I'm done]

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   

   
   

   

   

   
   

Two in one night! Oh my!

Page 02 “Everyday Scenery“

Sora seems set in her ways and almost OCD to a point but on her way to school she decides to do things differently today. She exits the house left foot first instead of right and then gets off one bus stop before her normal stop and walks the extra distance. On the walk she begins mentioning and visiting a few different places were stray cats usually hang out, each of which she has a name for. It sems that cats will play a integral part in this story. Below I’ve screen capped the cats she has introduced to us so far.

In the first episode Aso was playing with a set of puppets in the art room and I toko it as just a quick funny skit, that’s why I didn’t mention it. Apparently I was wrong, it looks like she has a thing for puppets.  O_o…She frequently has conversations with them it would seem. It also seems to completely freak Hazuki out. Hazuki would be th eblonde haired girl with no name. :) Thanks Aso for finally saying it! :p Oh and Aso’s first name is Natsumi. I like Aso though so I’m going to stick with that I think.

Following the theme of the episode the girls decide to eat somewhere other than their normal place. It’s hot outside so they decide to eat in the art room. When they arrive we meet yet another art club members and another upperclassman. Her name is Kamiya. She seems a little goofy and possibly ditsy but also very kind at the same time. We also get somewhat introduced to a second male character. He’s the club president but is not given a name yet.

The teacher tells them that the art club needs to change and she has a secret weapon to do it. She keeps them there at the school longer tan normal as she waits for it to arrive. Later we find out it’s a bust of someones head. She trips over her pet chicken P-chan (pic below) and she crashes to the floor with it. I guess the bust busted…[bad joke, I know, it's late]

The cat from the abandoned lot, Mike, seems to be loose inside the school. Hazuki, Aso and Sora go on a hunt for him. They search the grounds high and low but are unable to find him until they locate Kuga in the hallway sitting down and talking to him. When the girls run up to catch Mike the cat he takes off running from them. Sora wonders why he’s doing something different than his normal routine. Could it be because she is? The girls are finally sent home after the teacher’s secret weapon explodes on the floor (the bust she likely wanted them to paint). On the way they reach an intersection where Sora says goodbye to Aso and Hazuki as they wave before splitting up.

Sora heads back to the abandon lot where Mike usually is but walks backwards the entire way it seems (episode theme, being different). When she arrives she falls down then gets up to find Mike there waiting for her. She “cat whispers” to him for a bit and we get our super-duper-aria-like-message for the show. It’s fun to be different sometimes because your normal routine will be waiting for you when you go back. After seeing Mike and having that epiphany Sora decides to return to her normal routine and upon returning home she enters the house left foot first, like always. :)

1. We get another look at Juju and Kurihara. They seems very close, possibly best friends. I had a feeling after the way they were introduced in the first episode. COUPLE? :p Speaking of yuri goggles, no more info on the Aso drawing Sora thing.
2. My joke was REALLY bad.
3. Is the connection with the cats going to turn out to be super-natural like Aria too or will they just be normal cats.
4. The girl from the very first scene in episode one with the camera has not returned. Thinking she was purely random now. The two random comedy act girls were in this episode too, still no explanation. I wonder if the characters are aware of them or not.
5. I know I keep comparing it to Aria, I’m sorry I can’t help it. You’ll really understand better if you’re an Aria fan why it’s coming up so much, if you watch it. I’m not going to be disappointed if it doesn’t live up to Aria because that’s obviously going to be nearly impossible to do in 13 episodes. Especially considering Aria is only second to Marimite for me.
6. Still digging it so far. I’m going 7/10 so far with a chance for better. :)

I’ve started so many different things here and never finished any of them. But, it is MY blog, right? So now onto another reviewing project I’ll likely never finish! :D

Page 01 “The Girl With The Sketchbook”

We start being introduced to the main character Sora Kajiwara rather quickly. We see her trying to sketch a cat as fast as possible before it decides to move in what looks like an abandon lot in between other houses. She’s interrupted by a short orange haired girl who takes her picture and has a quick one sided conversation about how she’s unable to draw and takes pictures instead. Sora, terrified by the prospect of meeting a new person, is unable to talk and the girl runs off.

On a walk back to her art club at school she begins narrating a few things for us. She mentions being scared of meeting new people, how much she loves to draw and that she brings her sketchbook with her no matter where she goes. Lastly she has a quick internal debate about camera vs. sketchbook and quickly decides that cameras are just not as good.

Now in the art room we’re introduced to a few people. First the art teacher, Kasunago. She seems a little unhooked from the real world to me. Just a first impression though. Next we meet Kuga, who seems to be an upperclassman to Sora. Kuga appears extremely dark and scary but it looks like she has a playful side in her too. Using her paint brushes as cat ears to put behind someones head. :D Next up is Negishi, the first male character we meet. He seems easily enraged and over dramatic but I don’t see him as being a bad person. Even Sora says so after admitting in more narration she’s fearful of him because she is so jumpy and he can go off at any second. Now onto what I will assume are the other two main characters. One a purple haired girl, named Aso, with twin poneytails who seems a little over-zealous and almost fearless. A bit rough around the edges might be a better way to describe her. The other a short blonde haired girl who seems cautious, and very polite. She was not named in the first episode.

Sora, Aso and the blonde girl set out in the city to look for something to draw for their art project “What interests you the most.” Sidetracked by Sora being hungry the girls stop for some Udon. A funny scene ensues when Aso and the blonde go overboard with their chili powder. :D

After they finish eating the hunt continues for something to draw. On the way we run into two more characters and fellow art club members, both whom I’m also going to say are upperclassman to the three girls. One of them is Juju who seems to be extremely carefree and actually appears physically older than anyone else I’ve seen. Perhaps her appearance reflects her attitude on purpose. Then again maybe she is older. That’s to be seen still. She’s introduced with her friend, Kurihara. Who looks a little crazy…maybe mad scientist-ish. She’s also a bug expert and leads the story forward!

Sora, Aso, the blonde and Juju all follow Kurihara as she follows a tiger beetle through the forest. They eventually come out in a beautiful spot that appears to overlook their entire city. The five of them all sit down there and find something interesting to them to sketch and later paint. You notice that Aso is drawing Sora. Hmm… Sora on the other hand has found a bowling alley with a giant cat mascot on top for her to draw. Pictures at the bottom, let me know if he resembles someone. ;)

With everyone in the class unveiling their paintings to Kasugano (the teacher) we find out that Aso changed her mind and painted something else rather than the picture she was sketching of Sora. The question is then brought up as to where Sora went?…Back in the abandon lot where we started, trying to one again draw the same cat! Poor Sora, the cat not only moves he gets up and walks across her sketchbook as she lays it on the ground. As she gets up to head home she narrates another thought to us. The beauty of some things are unable to be sketched on paper. She mentions a Mike and his voice. I’m assuming it was the cat she was sketching in the abandoned lot. She then remember something and takes off running. We close with her basking in the sunlit reflection of a street mirror as she explains how it’s also un-sketchable.

I’m left with some comments/thoughts…

1. I’m still unsure after finishing the first episode if that girl from the beginning with the camera was simply a random girl to introduce the camera vs. sketchbook thought or if she’ll be a future character.
2. There are two other girls who I don’t recognize that do short skits during the show. Are the characters or simply comic relief.
3. Will we ever find out who the blonde haired woman is! (Kidding I’m sure we will, she’s a main character I think)
4. You know I have to wear my yuri goggles no matter what I watch, right? So…why is Aso so interested in Sora, why was she secretly sketching her and then afraid to paint the picture she sketched.
5. I like it a lot! The Aria comparisons were well deserved. I know they actually do have some non story related connections so I was glad to see it wasn’t simply just that. The mood and atmosphere really feel the same. Plus the President Aria cat statue was pretty cool to see. :)

Wow two post this close together? Someone must be bored! Actually I have a lot to do, I’m just ignoring it. >.> [SHHHH] So I just finished the most recent chapter of Love DNA XX earlier today. It took me just over a few hours to do, I was motivated.

The Chapter begins with a quick flashback. Remember the first chapters previous ending? She vows to her mother not to waste this chance. Well that appears to be who her dream is about. Her mother seems very sick and tells Aoi that she must not make the same mistakes that she did by falling in love with the wrong person.

When we last left Aoi she was naked in bed. That’s right where we pick it back up again! Remember the dorm prefect Matsuri Nanaho? She’s there to bang Aoi’s door down the following morning after the first chapter. Apparently Aoi is running late and Matsuri is fulfilling her duties by helping her make it to class on time. She has a cute friend with her as well by the name of Mizuki. It seems like Matsuri could have done a bit more but was simply covering her own behind. Mizuki on the other hand seems as if she thinks Matsuri should do more for Aoi.

After a quick shower Aoi blast out the door to class with a piece of toast in her mouth. No time for breakfast! The scene shifts to Sakura getting ready for school. She seems to have a maid and perhaps come from quite the upper class family. She’s also late! No time for breakfast for her either! It seems she was up so late thinking about Aoi that she overslept! :o She dashes from the house as well, telling the maid not to worry about bringing the car around for her. You can guess what happens now…CRASHHHHHHH. Two potential lovers in a full sprint in the same area, head on collisions are bound to happen!

It seems Aoi was running in the wrong direction, she was headed for the Cain dorms. Where Sakura lives. After a few brie words they decide to run to school together since they have just enough time to make it still! Sakura tells her to keep up and takes off! The two race past several students who seem shocked to see Sakura running. We get to see a bit of Aoi’s ultra competitive side as she keeps telling herself that Sakura wont outrun her. I seems Sakura eventually does win the race by a bit though.

Once arriving at the school they decide to walk together. Sakura tells Aoi that she has decided to keep the cat Aoi managed to catch [with her head] the day before. She’s also come up with the perfect name for a “beautiful aristocratic cat.” >.> More cat love from Sakura. It seems to be prevalent thus far. Aoi notices that everyone seems to be staring at the couple. Right then someone comes up to interrupt the two of them. It’s Matsuri and Mizuki! It seems they’re childhood friends of Sakuras. Matsuri realizes that Sakuras and Aoi already know one another and appears shocked. I guess cats falling on peoples heads can do magical things! Matsuri also introduces Aoi and Mizuki for the first time. Aoi seems to think she’s beautiful. :o Another character in the mix?! As the three of them run off to class and leave Aoi it seems as if she’s almost being accepted into their little group as a new friend.

Aoi then realizes everyone is still staring at her. She decides to ignore it and heads into her classroom. Guess what? Everyone is still staring and whispering! Maybe it’s because she’s the new girl? A classmate of hers runs up to her explain how jealous she is that Aoi knows Sakura-sama and the other two. Aoi ask the girl why she’s using “-sama” and finds out that Sakura is in fact the second daughter of the prime minister and a three star Etoile! She goes on to explain to Aoi that Matsuri and Mizuki are also Etoiles.

Aoi jumps from her chair and says “I’ve finally found them!! So they’re my enemies, the ones I’m supposed to despise…The Etoiles!!” END The next chapter is due out January 18th so we’ll have abit of a wait to find out what happens next! :o What a cliff hanger. :p

Impressions: My questions were left mostly unanswered from the first chapter. I guess we’re still setting things up before we get into the story. I guess that’s highly normal though. I expected as much. There are however a few things I’d like to touch on with this chapter though.

Aoi’s mother. She mentions to Aoi in the opening flashback that she must not make the same mistakes she did by falling in love with the wrong person. Does that mean that Aoi’s mother had an ADAM/ADAM relationship? I can only assume she was an ADAM because she gave Aoi the sword she carries. I guess as the story goes on we’ll find out more.

Where does Mizuki fit in? Aoi thinks she’s cute and she appears to be another of the main cast. I somehow get the drift that her and Matsuri could be a couple already? Matsuri seems to jokingly mention the no ADAM/ADAM relationship thing as she flirts with Aoi in the first chapter. It’s not definite by any means and if anything it’s more of a feeling than anything. I wonder if she becomes and option for Aoi? Unlikely in my opinion. I’m still expecting a Eve to join the story soon. Maybe next chapter.

Last and most importantly. Why is Aoi supposed to hate the Etoiles? Could it perhaps be that her mother hated their mothers for not allowing a ADAM/ADAM relationship? Shot in the dark there! I’m almost certain Aoi wont be killing anyone but I am curious how she’ll treat the three of them now. Will she stay friendly and act as a “undercover” to eventually hurt them or will she all the sudden begin treating them bad?

More questions and more chapters to come! I’m still not 100% sure on this one, like I mentioned before. I’m going to need a few more chapters until we get into the meat of the story. Thanks for reading! :)

After a 42 year hiatus (lazy) I’m back again! So are Eiki Eiki and Zaou Taishi with a new serialization called Love DNA XX! It begins with a quick little back story explaining that all males have been wiped from the Earth in the year 2122. Exactly how, it does not say (DARN! Kidding guys! Kidding!). A council of women decide that rules need to be put in place for society to continue and founded what is known as the “Eden Project.” The story then abruptly skips ahead 38 years to its present time and location, “Kingdom” Academy.

We’re quickly introduced to our main characters Aoi and Sakura in a typical accident scene. A cat and Sakura both manage to fall from a tree onto Aoi causing a “OH MY GAWSH ARE YOU OK?” conversation. We find out Aoi is a first year student at the Academy and happens to be starting a month late because she was run over by a car saving another cat. Which makes Sakura extremely happy, she seems like quite the cat person. Considering she just crashed down on Aoi trying to rescue one.

After the cat scene Sakura offers to help Aoi find the staffroom, once they reach it we get our first glance at a possible relationship. Aoi thinks to herself about how cute Sakura is as she gets ready to enter the staffroom then quickly passes the thought off as a distraction.

Eventually Aoi ends up in her class and of course she’s late. The teacher gives a quick background to her other students about why Aoi is starting a month late and has her introduce herself. After Aoi suggest she will become the schools top student the other girls in her class begin gossiping about her. One mentions how beat-up and old her sword looks. Aoi overhears and attacks the girl causing a fight which she appears to easily win in the panel we get to see of it.

The scene quickly shifts to detention and we get introduced to another possible main character, Nanaho Matsur. The prefect at Aoi’s dorms. She comes to get Aoi out of detention and give her a tour of the school. We find out why Aoi was so defensive of her sword, it was her mothers. It would seem from the look on her face that her mother has passed. Nanaho then points out the dorm for the EVE’s and we get a better history lesson.

In the 21st century a virus appeared that only affected males. Eventually it killed them off one by one and that paired with the fact no other males were being born because of this virus they became extinct in 2122. The remaining government decided they would divide women into two groups. The ADAMs, who play the part of a male and the EVEs who play the role of a female. This was the Eden Project.

We get a tiny look into Aoi’s feelings about that. She thinks it’s wrong to separate women into to classes like that. They should all be the same. Nanaho seems to disagree and thinks they do need some sort of separation to keep things “normal.” She then gets Aoi to her room and gives her one last piece of advice, don’t date another ADAM or else you’ll get expelled. Then she runs off after flirting a bit with Aoi, how nice of her. >.>

Now in her room Aoi seems impressed with the facilities, rips her clothes off and flops nude on the bed, vowing to her mother that she will not waste the opportunity she now has. The scene switches to Sakura playing with the cat she tried to rescue earlier. She decides to make it her pet and quietly wonders to herself if it was fate meeting Aoi in the courtyard while trying to remember who Aoi reminds her of…END

Impressions: First, the whole idea of a male and female presence in the story with ADAM/EVE is kind of troubling. I’d have much rather had that avoided–I guess that completely changes the entire story though. I suppose it could have been done with citizen class rather than ADAM(male) and EVE(female). Example: “You’re poor Aoi you can’t date Sakura!” Or something like that! It could have been done differently. I am however happy that Aoi seems to have such a problem with the separation of women and I assume the fact she isn’t supposed to date another ADAM.

Second, I’m going to take a shot in the dark and assume we’ll be seeing an EVE character in the near future and that there will be a possible relationship with Aoi and her to create the love triangle between Aoi, Sakura and EVE X. It only seems right to have a love triangle with the controversy of not dating another ADAM, right? Is she after Aoi or is Aoi after her? Perhaps it involves EVE X and Sakura instead and creates a jealous Aoi. We shall see!

Last, yes I know what you may be thinking because someone already tried to explain this to me. “The reason they have a somewhat male/female thing going on is to show the struggles of same sex relationships!” Great, I know that. STILL, it’s almost as bad as a cross dressing male main character with a female character. For me, the difference is minimal. I don’t like the stereotyping of lesbian relationships that it’s portraying. There is no “man” in my relationship and I’m sure that’s very true for many other lesbian couples around the world.

All in all, I’m going to have to see where this one goes. I really love the art, the general idea and the story seems interesting so far but…BUT…I’m going to give it a couple more chapters and see how it plays out. I’ll give it a better chance than most stuff…considering it’s Eiki Eiki and Zaou Taishi. I think you should too. ♥