[Review] Nabari no Ou

Note: It isn't said in the genres, but it is really shounen-ai! XD

1. Background information

Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural

Type: TV series

Number of episode: 26

Airing year: 2008

Website: Nabari No Ou Wiki

Summary: Nabari is a hidden world of ninja existing along with the modern world in Japan. People of Nabari living in modern world as normal citizens, they may be teachers, doctors, businessmen, or even politicians. Rokujo Miharu is a normal highschool boy, growing up in modern world. One day, he realises that inside him there is a forbidden art call Shinrabanshou - unlimited knowledge - with huge power that can do everything including making a person immortal, However, this art is dangerous and can kill its owner if he does not have enough ability to use it. Therefor, Tobari and Kouichi, Miharu's teacher and friend, also affiliated ninja from Nabari, try to protect Miharu from Kairoushou, a group of people who try to find the way to use the power of Shinrabanshou for their ideal. Miharu himself at first did not care about this as if it is not related to him, but after he met Yoite, he has changed his mind...

2. Characters

(I will leave my beloved to the end <3)

Tobari Durandal Kumohira

Miharu's teacher, ninja of Banten village, possess Engetsurin - Banten's secret art scroll - which Kairoushou is looking for to research the use of Shinrabanshou. He knows Miharu's childhood very well as well as what will happen if Shinrabanshou is activated. So he always objects using that dangerous art and try to destroy it. His ideal is to make Miharu become king of Nabari without using Shinrabanshou.

Aizawa Kouichi

Miharu's friend and ninja from Nabari. He is immortal as a result of Shinrabanshou. Suffering the pain of the inability to die, he also want to destroy Shinrabanshou. But when Miharu shows his attempt to use it for Yoite's sake, Kouichi does not think he can stop his friend anymore.

Shimizu Raimei

Miharu's friend, come from a destroyed samurai family in Fuuma village of Nabari. She has a samurai pride and is on the way looking for Raikou, his brother and also the one kill all her family when she was a child, to revenge. She also knows about Shinrabanshou and support Tobari and Kouichi to stop Kairoushou.

Fuuma Kotarou

Leader of Fuuma village. He seems to know many things and acts as an experienced "old man" with great support for Banten. Tobari's group find him reliable, but sometime he looks like he is covering something. After all, he is quite dangerous since no one can understand what he thinks. Ah, also, he has some weird hobbies that make me think maybe he is not mentally normal. :))

Hattori Tojuro

Leader of Kairoushou. In modern world, he is a politician. Having been living in the war period, his purpose to use Shinrabanshou is to create a world where everybody is the same, no feeling or thinking, easy to control, so that there will be no war anymore.

Ichiki

Hattori's assistant. She used to be a nurse serving in the army during the war, got blind as a war injury and was saved by Hattori back then. She has the same ideal with Hattori about the world and has caused many troubles to Banten as well as Miharu and Yoite.

Kazuhiko Yukimi

Serve for Kairoushou, is responsible for taking care of Yoite. In modern world, he is a novel writer. Despite of being a ninja, he is good at using guns rather than other traditional weapons. There were many times he was ordered to bring Yoite back when he escape with Miharu, Yukimi always tried to not hurt him and got worried when his condition was bad.

3. Happy ending, but not for us

a) Yoite and Miharu

Rokujo Miharu

A normal highschool boy. He always wears an emotionless face as if he does not care anything around him. But actually, he is quite mischievous. When he wants something, he will pretend to be cute or vulnerable to persuade others, and mostly, no one can refuse him. His most popular victim is Tobari. Being the Shinrabanshou owner does not move him at all, but just an eye contact with Yoite, he soon makes up his mind. He said that, Yoite has the same eyes with him, and he wants to do anything to save that person.

Yoite

Serving Kairoushou, Kira user. Yoite is not his real name, that's the name Hattori gave him when he was brought to Kairoushou. He always says that he want to disappear, so Hattori told him to obtain Kira. Kira, like Shinrabanshou, is a forbidden art which destroys the user body slowly from inside. But Kira seems to kill the user rather than make them 'disappear'. Yoite turns to Miharu, asks him to use Shinrabanshou to erase his existence on this world, in exchange, he will protect Miharu since Kira is a really strong art which can kill people from distance.

Yoite do not have memories about his past before Hattori took him to Kairoushou. What he is obsessed is the image of a woman trying to use a knife to kill him and said that he was not needed, no one needs him, or he is an unwanted child. With that obsession, he starts to have the same thought and think that it would be better if he did not exist.

One abandons the world.

One is abandoned by the world.

I can't stop myself from thinking that, they were meant to each other.

But...

In the end, he still was erased....

Nothing left to remember...

Only memories in mind...

"I will never forget you, Yoite."

- said Miharu -

b) Raikou and Gau

Shimizu Raikou

Raimei's brother, serving Kairoushou. Shimizu clan has a rule, that is 'not concern to modern life issues using Nabari arts' to keep the balance between the two worlds. When Raikou was in secondary school, one of his classmate was in trouble but he couldn't help her due to the family rule, that led to her death the day after that. Raikou's uncle objected this rule and ask Raikou's mother to give the leader position to him. After being refused, he killed Raikou's parents. Raikou then killed his uncle and the reactionaries who were almost the clan except Raimei. After letting Raimei think that he was responsible for the whole family death so that Raimei could still think her family are good people, he joined Kairoushou. Here, he accidentally killed a normal man from real world to save Gau.

Meguro Gau

A normal highschool boy saved by Raikou three years ago. After that, Gau has seen Raikou as his idol and accompanied him in the job of Wakachi, a group with the mission of punishing Nabari's citizens harming people from real world. Since he couldn't fight, his main job was paper work like collecting data and writing reports. He is the one who know about the truth of Raikou's past and reveal it to Raimei.

To stop the sibling fight of Raikou and Raimei, Gau got injured and lost his consciousness, fell into dangerous condition. He then was saved by Yoite with the Kira technique. From that time, Raikou felt that he owed Yoite and decided to betray Kairoushou to help Yoite and Miharu. In the fight with Hattori, Raikou was killed and the earthquake after that buried his body.

Once again, nothing left to remember...

4. Conclusion

This is a sad story even when it has a happy ending.

First, there is no real negative character. Everyone has their own reasons for their actions. Kairoushou is not wrong. Hattori and Ichiki has suffered too much from the war, and that makes them loose their belief to an emotional world. An emotionless world may be a world without happiness, without love, but at the same time, it is also a world without sorrow and tears.

In any battle, there are always people who sacrifice. Raikou's death is so sad, but it is understandable. But, how about Yoite? Right when people thought that they two could be together forever, he suddenly disappeared! This is unacceptable! Ah~ I was crying so much when he died~ I even cried more when I listened to the ending song and read the lyrics. It was like... 'keep smiling, keep holding hands, keep walking side by side, despite the fact that there is no tomorrow for us'.

I won't talk too much. Now listen with me, watch with me and cry with me~

Lyrics (English translation)

I lost sight of myself in the pouring rain 

Failing to be recognized, I'll resign myself to futility

Let's stretch these hands out and not look back

I want to be near you 

My wish is to be near you 

As it is, just like this, I can keep living like this 

Surely if I hold that hand I'll be able to fly anywhere, right? 

If it's with you, even far away, just like this

Writer: Gin

Reference sources:

• Nabari No Ou Wiki
• Nabari No Ou | Vietsub
• Anime Lyrics dot Com
• Some images were found through Google

[Review] Kuroshitsuji (Season 1)

Intro.
In the Victorian ages of London The Earl of the Phantomhive house, Ciel Phantomhive, needs to get his revenge on those who had humiliated him and destroyed what he loved. Not being able to do it alone he sells his soul to a demon he names Sebastian Michaelis. Now working as his butler, Sebastian must help the Earl Phantomhive in this suspenseful, exciting, thriller manga. 
Overcoming many obstacles like Jack the Ripper and Noah's Ark Circus in the name of the Queen, Ciel and Sebastian truly make the best characters in this amazing story.

Main characters






Sebastian·Michaelis（セバスチャン·ミカエリス), the main character in the story. His true identity is not human, but the devil.

Ciel·Phantomhive （シエル·ファントムハイヴ), the main character in the story. He is a 12-year-old earl，and the current charge of the Phantomhive family. he made a pact with Sebastian, the devil, to revenge.

Meirin （メイリン）the maid of the Phantomhive family. But she also was a sniper.

Barudo（バルドロイ） the chief of the Phantomhive family. He also was a Sargent of army.

Fini（フィニアン ） the gardener of the Phantomhive family. 

tanaka（タナカ） the former butler of  the Phantomhive family.

OP for season one-

by Kako

[Review] Tokyo Ghoul

"Tokyo Ghoul"

Tokyo Ghoul is a manga series by Sui Ishida. 

It was serialized in Shueisha's seinen manga magazine Weekly Young Jump between September 2011 and September 2014 and has been collected in fourteen tankōbon volumes as of August 2014. A sequel titled Tokyo Ghoul:re began serialization in the same magazine in October 2014. A 12-episode anime television series adaptation by studio Pierrot aired on Tokyo MX between July and September 2014 and a 12 episode second season titled Tokyo Ghoul , started airing on January 8, 2015. Funimation has licensed the anime series for streaming and home video distribution in North America. The series was obtained by Madman Entertainment for digital distribution in Australia and New Zealand.

For those of you who love blood, violence and gore anime themes "Tokyo Ghoul" is a must. If you like "Dead man Wonderland" you'll love "Tokyo Ghoul". This anime is by far the best I've watched in this category. Although it is not recommended for young viewers as it consists of extreme blood and violence, Viewers discretion is advised.

The suspense dark horror is set in Tokyo, a city infested by ghouls (an evil spirit or phantom) who are devouring humans. A young student named "Kaneki" finds himself caught up in a turmoil of a waging war between humans and ghouls. Only to find himself later that he's half human and half ghoul, which side will he choose on? The fate remains unknown to find out for yourselves. 

Can't get bloodier than this!!!

Watch all episodes @ http://www.nwanime.com/tokyo-ghoul/anime/3808/

By Eyepatch69

[Review] Glass no kamen

If you are a fan of shoujo manga, I think most of you will know the famous series “Glass Mask” (Glass no kamen) which is written by Suzue Miuchi. The manga was serialised in Hanato Yume from January 1976 and collected 49 volumes as of October. As you all know, most of the famous manga will be adapted into Anime and TV series. As the second best-selling shojo manga ever, Glass Mask become adopted firstly in 1984, however, the 2015 version is the best one if any of you would like to find the anime.

I still remember my first time to read Glass mask, I was around 13 years old, still in secondary school, Glass mask is one of my favorite manga ever, however by this time, the series have not finished yet, it was stop at volume 42 for a while.

 As I growth up, there are more thing that attract my attention, I was no longer reading manga anymore, but by accident, I found the anime version of Glass mask which is the 2005 version and automatically I can stop watching it. Even though I did read all of it but I still found myself in love with the anime version. As I growth up, the way I was thinking have been changed, the story is still the same as it was focus about Maya’s life, however, I think I can understand more lesson that I wouldn't do before. When I was young, I was only focus about how Maya performance is but now underneath every performance there are several of stories that waiting for you to discover. I found myself a lesson about a friendship between Maya and Ayumi, they compete with each other but inside their soul, I think they found themselves as each other soul mate.

If you were boring of those current school-love anime, or if you would like to find something more than just a romantic stories, I think Glass Mask will be your right choices!!!

Lyn ^.^ 

[News] Gintama, never end!! season 4 is coming!!

Do you know Ginatama? Do you still remember the guy with white curve hair?

The first season was published in 2006, Sakata Gintoki  brought us laughter and tears. 

In 2013, it announced that the season 3 was the final season. (cheater...)

However,on December 21, 2014 during Jump Festa super stage event, it was announced that a new Gintama TV series is in the works for an April 2015 premiere.

Gintama season 4 is coming back now (2015.04
08)! It will never end!!

Then, Let's party!!!!

Cast of Yorozuya; 

Tomokazu Sugita (Gintoki), Daisuke Sakaguchi (Shinpachi), and Rie Kugimiya (Kagura) attended the event.

                                                                                 by kako

[Review] One Piece

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVouwyQz3ZU

"ONE PIECE" (One Piece, Hang Haiwang) referred to as "OP", is a Japanese cartoonist Eiichiro Oda painting juvenile comics. In the "Weekly Shonen Jump" 1997  began serialization. He describes the rubber body has youth wearing a straw hat Luffy to become "One Piece" as the goal and his companions in the sea adventures unfold. Another Piece Movie of the same name, the television media, animation and games and other peripheral products.
As of November 2013, circulation worldwide breakthrough 345 million, is the world's highest circulation of Japanese comics. The comic booklet translated version outside of Japan has published more than 30 countries and regions. Related products reached the market size in 2012 of about 100 billion yen.  in 2012 in the first 41 to get back to Japan Cartoonists Association Awards Awards. 

 (Strawhat)

[Review] Last Exile

Note: This post will focus on (over) friendship between Dio and Lucciola, not the main characters.

1. Background information

Genres: Action, Blu-ray, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Seinen

Type: TV Series

Number of episodes: 26

Airing year: 2003

Website: lastexile.wikia.com

Summary: Claus and Lavie are the 2 main characters. At first, they were just pilot and co-pilot living on delivery work by vanship (a type of plane). Sometimes they joined some events as couriers to earn more money (or food). Their dream is to fly through Grand Stream - the dangerous place which had taken their parents' lives. One day, they accidentally saved a mysterious little girl and then involved in a war where they had to fight and came closer to the power called Exile.

The war was called between Anatoray and Disith - the only two countries of Prester, but in fact, it turned out to be the war between Silvana - a battleship belonged to neither Anatoray nor Disith - and the Guild - the organization function as a judge of Prester.

2. Characters

Claus Valca

Lavie Head

Alvis Exile Hamilton

The little girl saved by Claus and Lavie. The only surviving member of Hamilton house who keep one of the keys to access Exile. Therefor, she was chased by people who desired power from Exile.

Alexander Row

Captain of Silvana battleship, had responsibility to protect Alvis. He was also a friend of Claus and Lavie's parents and lost his girlfriend in the trip through Grand Stream with them. In the war, Claus and Lavie were on his side.

Maestro Delphine Eraclea

Dio's sister. She was the Maestro (or president) of the Guild and also desired Exile's power. Eraclea was one of the houses keeping the keys to access Exile, so she tried to gain other keys by all means. She also tried to make Dio become soulless so that she could easily control him.

3. Ships

Vanship

Guild presence ship

Where the Guild live

Guild battleship

Silvana

Starfish

Guild personal ship. Dio used to fly it when he was at the Guild. It also has fighting fuction.

4. Dio and Lucciola - Tragedy of friendship

(I call it friendship just because it is said so in the anime. Actually, I can see it as something over normal friendship.)

Dio Eraclea

A talented vanship pilot. He was attracted by Claus when seeing him fighting in the war as well as the way he controlled vanship. Then, he and his childhood friend Lucciola runned to Silvana to find some fun, and also to escape from his scary sister. However, when the day came, his birthday, his sister forced him to comeback and by the way caught some people from Silvana, including Claus, Alvis and Alex (Alexander).

Lucciola

Dio's childhood friend. He had been taken to Dio by Delphine since they were kids as a guard/servant rather than a friend. Dio gave him a name and had him as the only friend back then. He is really strong, even Dio had to admit it. After helping Dio escape with Claus and Alvis, he killed his brother (Delphine's guard) and begged Delphine to free Dio, in exchange, he was willing to die.

"Because... he is my friend that I won't betray."

- said Lucciola to Delphine -

After being taken out of the Guild, Dio lost his consciousness. When he awoke, he still couldn't accept the fact of Lucciola's death. He flew the vanship with the obsession that Lucciola was sitting behind him as usual. But when he turned back, no one was there. He got mad and fell out of the vanship. His later life was told in the season 2 of this series: Fam, The Silver Wing. But I didn't watch it. Since Lucciola died, I feel it's meaningless to watch anyway. However, it seems Dio didn't fly a normal vanship anymore, he flew a one-seat vanship instead. It feels like he don't want anyone to sit in Lucciola's place. Anyway, it's just my guess.

5. Conclusion

Well, I hate the male main character, Claus.

That's what I think after I finish watching. I'll tell you the reason why.

At first, I had no feeling for him since I watched the anime just because of Dio and Lucciola. And then, my hate for him gained right after the end of the series. That was when the war was going to end, Dio got back his consciousness and flew a vanship (while thinking Lucciola was still sitting behind) to Claus's place. At that time, it should be the first time Claus saw Dio after he awoke, but he didn't ask anything to show his care or even surprised. He just showed an expression like Dio was a trouble or was getting in his way. Meanwhile before, when helping Claus to escape from the Guild, Lucciola told him to help him take care of Dio and even gave Alvis the device to contact Silvana. Lucciola didn't sacrifice his life just to help Claus, he did it for Dio. If he hadn't believed that Claus was a friend of Dio, he would not have gone that far. Things did not stop at that. After everything was done, peace came back everywhere, smiles once again appeared on people's faces, no one even mentioned Dio when he suddenly disappeared (falling out of the vanship). And Claus is the one I hate the most, since he was the one who receive help from Lucciola and the last one who saw Dio on a vanship but didn't say even one word about Dio's disappearance.

Writer: Gin

Reference sources:

• To the Sky, a Last Exile Wiki
• Last Exile [BD] Vietsub
• Some used images was found through Google.
• Used video was cut and uploaded by me

Blog Design Layout

1. Background music player: SCM Music Player

Here we use Opening and Ending songs from anime series that we like. It can be updated when we find great songs.

2. Blog title: Our group name is Isys Otaku Club actually, but we decided to take Isys Anime Blog, so that people can find us on Google just by typing "anime blog".

3. Blog description: Short description about our blog. We use "anime lovers" instead of  "otaku" for people who don't know not to misunderstand the meaning of "otaku" when they look up on the Internet. Yes, we are just anime lovers.

4. Header image: Image was found through google "anime wallpaper". It's the combination of famous anime series.

5. Pages: Including Home page and Introduction page. The Introduction is for people who don't know well about anime and don't understand some contents in our posts. We will consider to have a List page to help people easily find the anime they want to read about.

6. Posting date: Default font, dark grey color.

7. Entry title: Font Arial, blue color as link.

8. Entry content: Font Arial, grey color.

Review and opinions about anime series we have watched and recommendation.

9. Searching box: Help people in searching what they want.

10. About the blog: Full description about our blog as well as our group.

11. Members introduction: Where our members give a short introduction about ourselves and also our tastes in anime.

12. Labels: Tags we use in our posts. Can be name of the anime, category/genre, and writer's name. Since each of us has different taste, readers can base on our name to find the type of anime that they like.

13. Blog archive: Function as its name.

14. Followers: For people who are interested in our blog and want to see more in the future.

Main color is blue, since we happened to find a header image (the one behind the blog title and description) in blue color.