Miscellaneous

Stilts

Hello everyone! My name is Stilts1, and I’m the latest chump new writer that you might have heard about. Are you excited? Because I sure am! I’m really looking forward to writing for you all, and bringing you the most insightful analysis I can dredge up from the far corners of my dark, twisted and eldritch horror-infested mind. That’s a promise ; )

Okay, so a little about myself. It’s hard for me to pinpoint exactly when I got into anime, because I have a crappy memory. I remember rushing back from school as a little’un to catch the latest episode of Dragon Ball Z, and I know I first watched Neon Genesis Evangelion, Cowboy Bebop and a few others on Toonami sometime after that, but those weren’t really the start. They just primed the pump. Probably the start was watching Naruto and Bleach during my freshman year of college. I distinctly remember marathoning ~50 episodes of Bleach over the course of a day or two. That’s when it really started to take off.

Since then I’ve watched quite a number of series, the list of which can be found over at my MAL (though I just created it, so I’m still adding everything). If I had to name a few shows that were my favorites…well, I would refuse, because naming only a few would be impossible. But put a gun to my head, and I’d probably have to say series like Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Toradora, The World God Only Knows…and then remember there are 25 other letters in the alphabet, swiftly plummet into despair (“zetsubou shita!“) and get shot. Worth it!

stilts-2

As far as genres go, my tastes are quite insane diverse. I love epic adventures, romantic comedies, heartfelt dramas, shounen slugfests and anything where the ridiculousness is dialed up to 14 before the knob breaks off and you can only sit back and watch in unfettered glee as it either turns into the most awesome thing you’ve ever seen, or the biggest train wreck the anime blogosphere has seen in years2. And if you give me a show with any three of those things – Fullmetal Alchemist, Infinite Stratos, Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon, Sora no Otoshimono, Baka to Test, etc. – you’ll probably have to tie me down and bludgeon me with a broken pool cue to get me to shut up about it. You’ve been warned!

Outside of my massive anime fandom, I’m a writer. My job involves writing boring business crap that doesn’t bear mentioning further, but in my free time I write exciting fantasy novels full of adventure, love, comedy, epic fight scenes and copious amounts of explosions…so, you know, all the stuff I love about anime! I haven’t published anything yet, but I’m working on that now. By the way, would you all do me a favor? I’m always trying to improve my writing, so if I ever write a real stinker here3, will you please call me out on it in the comments? Constructive criticism is always appreciated. Thank you very much!

Anyway, I’ve been rambling for too long now, so I’d better wrap this up. I look forward to bringing you my thoughts of some of the craziest, most ridiculous and off-the-wall awesome shows that Dai Nippon has to offer. I’ll be starting the insanity off with High School DxD and Zero no Tsukaima F, so look forward to it, ne?

Now I’ll end this in what I believe is the traditional Random Curiosity way:
スティルツです。どうぞよろしく。
Stilts desu. Douzo yoroshiku!

 

P.S. I love footnotes, in case you couldn’t tell. You can blame Terry Pratchett for that. Oh, and I also love semicolons; I’m not sure who is to blame for that one, but when I figure it out I’ll be sure to let you all know, so that appropriate retribution can be meted out.
P.P.S. I’m also on twitter. I’ll be commenting on all the shows I watch over there, so if you’re in need of a Stilts fix, that’s the place to get it!

_________________________
1 My name isn’t actually Stilts, of course, but I do respond to it IRL. When you’re 6’7” and as skinny as a scarecrow, you get fun nicknames like that.
2 Which, to be fair, can be pretty awesome as well.
3 Or anything really good, but let’s face it, that’s not real likely…ouch, I just hurt my feelings.

153 Comments

    1. I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint you there. I like a good fountain of blood as much as the next guy (hello, Mirai Nikki!), but I’m a pretty happy-happy guy overall. Right now, at least. With how my tastes fluctuate, that might change!

      Stilts
      Reply

    2. Hmm, I’m curious to know what specific titles you had in mind for gore as it’s not readily available and most will be censored out anyway. Not that I like gore.

      Or did you mean darker series? Coz that would be a more general genre that could be filled if it hasn’t been already.

      mochaholic
      Reply

      2. Shame, really that Horizon wasn’t blogged here last season. But I guess it was inevitable considering how the show was (somewhat) unpopular. I personally contend, however, that Horizon’s complex faction dynamics made the show one of the season’s most interesting. A flamboyant main character and an interesting dramatic element didn’t hurt things either.

        But in the end it seems like the very same things that made Horizon so interesting also made it cripplingly inaccessible. The sheer complexity of the plot (Due to a surplus of characters and factions) and the unorthodox, sometimes convoluted approach to the relationship between the lead couple more likely than not drove many away from this show, making it one of the season’s most underrated (along with my personal favorite, UN-GO).

        Other than that, welcome to the site, Stilts! Glad to see another who recognizes that there is value in all genres of anime; looking forward to your first posting!

        Zen
        Reply

      3. I know what you mean, Zen. I was actually fortunate…I forgot about Horizon until something like the 9th episode, so I was able to go through all the introductory, tougher-to-chew episodes in a row. Still, I don’t think it would have mattered…I was hooked by the end of Episode 1, heh. Go go Mr. Impossible!

        Stilts
        Reply

      4. It was the setting an the ensemble cast that made fall in love with Horzion, too. I was sad that RC stopped doing the coverage just when the episodes started to become better. It did seem slow-paced and really information-heavy, but that’s what you get for adapting a light novel that isn’t light at all. Hopefully with you now in the crew, the second season gets covered!

        Ryua
        Reply

    2. I definitely want to do season 2, and actually divine has mentioned that he might like to do it too, so I’m sure it will get covered. Perhaps we will duel for it…I’m thinking a dance off? 😀

      Stilts
      Reply

    2. Terry Pratchett is AMAZING. Pratchett and anime are the reason I write. If I ever find something that’s like Night Watch spliced with anime, I will die a happy man.

      Hurm, that’s a good idea. I just might need to write that…

      Stilts
      Reply

  9. welcome on board, Stilts 🙂
    it is always awesome to see new crew members join this awesome blog 🙂
    looking forward to see your posts, and good luck with RL 🙂
    ps. get in the randomc IRC channel if you have time, I am sure people will love you there as well :3

    jrj
    Reply

  13. Horizon watcher…you get my thumbs up instantly when I read that. XD I also saved it for midnight as my first anime to watch of the year. XD Man…I can’t wait for the 2nd season. 😀

    Silivious
    Reply

  14. Err, you sound like an exciting writer! My favorite writer had always been Kiiragi… before he left. And that was because he wrote incredibly exciting analysis’s on the shows he covered. You seem a little more dialed down than him, but still incredibly interesting. Hopefully, you can take his place! Oh gawd, I’m putting on too much pressure, aren’t I? XD Okay, welcome. Anyways, you’ll be covering Zero no Tsukaima F, which I’ll be watching, so I’m looking forward to your reviews of each episode 😀

    AsianDisaster
    Reply

    1. Oh gods, the pressure! What have I gotten myself into, I’LL NEVER BE ABLE TO DO IT!!

      :3

      Well, I’m going to try to try to bring the excitement to every post I write. Shouldn’t be too hard…I love anime, so it’s easy to be excited about it 🙂

      Stilts
      Reply

  15. “As far as genres go, my tastes are quite insane diverse. I love epic adventures, romantic comedies, heartfelt dramas, shounen slugfests and anything where the ridiculousness is dialed up to 14 before the knob breaks off and you can only sit back and watch in unfettered glee as it either turns into the most awesome thing you’ve ever seen, or the biggest train wreck the anime blogosphere has seen in years.”

    I like you already.
    P.S: When you said “…the biggest train wreck the anime blogosphere has seen in years,” were you referring to Bleach.

    Spencer
    Reply

    1. Haha, ziiing! But alas, I can’t say that I was…I dropped Bleach a while ago =X Somewhere around the seventeen-thousandth power up I got bored. Same thing with Naruto too (well, actually the fillers got me on that one). I’m hoping that Fairy Tail will keep going strong, though…

      Stilts
      Reply

      3. My zing is elongated in the middle, and high/sing-song at the end. Does that answer your question? 😀

        And actually, I misspoke on Fairy Tail…I’m READING that one (the manga), not watching it. I actually marathoned the manga ~2 months before the anime was announced, so I didn’t feel like seeing the same story again so soon 🙂 I gather the anime has been really faithful though, so it’s probably about the same thing.

        Stilts
        Reply

      4. Curious to know what train wreck you were referring to as well. My first thought was Code Geass, though I’m in the same boat with Bleach and Naruto as well. Bleach WAS the first series I thought of when Eiji in Bakuman said he wanted authority to end one long running series.

        mochaholic
        Reply

  16. Awesome, a new writer! The way you got into anime is exactly the way I did lol and it seems we both like the same stuff so I can’t wait to read your posts!!! I’ll be watching both the shows you’re covering so i’ll definitely be reading your reviews!

    Justa_Dream
    Reply

  17. Nice to know the writers won’t try overworking themselves. I was kinda worried how the Winter 2012 sked looked earlier.

    Question: are you really going to do only 2 this season?

    The Moondoggie
    Reply

    1. For now. Divine suggested that I take it slow this season, to get into the routine without trying to do too much too quickly, and personally I’m not about to argue with the master. Not until I’ve leveled up some more, at least.

      (I brought it back to the RPG motif from the title, tehehe :3)

      Stilts
      Reply

  18. I’m glad to see there’s another writer on RC who seems to be my age outside of Divine and possibly Enzo. It always helps me feel less “immature” since most of my friends and coworkers think that all cartoons and comics are meant only for children. Anyways, I already like your writing style (love the enthusiasm) and can’t wait to see…er, read more.

    Bass.EXE
    Reply

    1. I like some mecha shows (Evangelion, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Full Metal Panic), but I wouldn’t say it’s one of “my” genres. And by that I mean that if there’s a silly romcom or a a fantasy adventure show, I’ll watch it no matter how bad it is, heh. With mecha I’m a little more discerning. Though I never really got into Gundam, so I maybe that’s part of the reason, heh.

      Oh, and I haven’t seen or played any of the Super Robot Wars stuff, so I’m not sure if I like it or not!

      Stilts
      Reply

      2. Super Robot Wars is basically 26 episodes of condensed mecha action and pure awesomeness. Its based on the Super Robot Wars Original Generation games. Divine probably knows more than me about it though. I enjoy it because of its sheer entertainment value. You know how in most Gundam series or Super Robot series, you usually have characters that are unlikable and require severe character development? Well in SRW, there are no unlikable main characters because they are all awesome and have positive personalities. And the mechas in there are cool, really really cool.

        Suppa Tenko
        Reply

      3. This show now has my complete attention. I’m going to find it, download it and put it on my desktop, where it will glare at me until i finally cave and lose a weekend marathoning them all. Should be fun 😀

        BTW, which series am I looking for? Divine Wars (heh) and Inspector? Not sure if you’re talking about the more recent ones, or the retro ones.

        Stilts
        Reply

  30. Welcome to the gang, Stilts. Good to see a respectable writer who appreciates Terry Pratchett books and the effective uses of footnotes. 🙂

    Looking forward to what you’re gonna bring to the table with your coverage of High School Dxd and Zero no Tsukaima F. Your style of writing is definitely interesting, so here’s to hoping you’ll give us a new dimension on the anime reviews on this here website.

    gandalf8
    Reply

  34. Glad to hear about a new writer in Random Curiosity. Welcome! 🙂 Hope to read and see interesting posts from you this season 🙂 Side note: its okay to get into an anime series and talk about it. Makes a series more interesting 😀

    MM
    Reply

  35. Welcome to RC, I’m sure you’ll do a great job! Judging from what you’ve already done, everyone will love you. I like your enthusiastic/happy style of writing, it’s really infectious! 😀

    PuffyPrincess
    Reply

  39. I look forward to reading and commenting on your posts and on the very rare occasion letting you know that you’re missing a certain vowel in a certain sentence XD. See you in IRC.

    ComM3
    Reply

  40. Well, you definitely sound fun. I too like strikethroughs and alliteration (I see what you did there). Personally, I have what I call a crack threshold and at first read you sounded like you go for way past that. But you cited some of the few crazy shit out there that I actually enjoyed so we may have more similar tastes than I thought. I’m looking forward to how your writing style translates in a review 🙂

    mochaholic
    Reply

  41. A New Year and a new writer!!!

    Welcome to Random Curiosity Stilts!!!

    Looking forward to your posts.

    You write fantasy novels?
    Cool !!!

    I’m currently hooked on reading fantasy novels at the moment not knowing when I’ll be switching back to manga. I just finished v2 of Legend of the Sun Knight, Awesome Novel!!!, the rest of the volumes are still being translated.

    Welcome again to RC Stilts!

    Hagiri
    Reply

  44. My god, a new writer who fancies good ol’ TP, how utterly fabulous. Thanks for mentioning the night watch, I’ll be sure to read that novel some day. Might I say your style of writing is very fluent.

    P.s. you (and Kurogane (is that considered cheating on RC?))have inspired me to watch Kyoukai Senjou no Horizon.

    Flamand
    Reply

  46. You seem really cool! Even just this post was amusing to read, and I love the three favorites you mentioned. OMG you are almost a full 20 inches taller than me Welcome to RC. I look forward to reading your reviews! 🙂

    Faye
    Reply

  49. Hold on a second…You read Terry Pratchett, One Piece, Pandora Hearts and you use footnotes?

    I think I‘m in love just found a new favourite writer! Welcome abroad! I eagerly await your posts, Stilts-Sama!

    And please cover One Piece? Pretty please?

    Sekai
    Reply

  51. AAAUUUGHHHH

    Why must you spill over to my life, CMOS? (Well, it was technically APSA’s citation but APSA is weird in that only a few professors asked for us to use APSA with one prof saying there is little difference between Chicago and American PoliSci’s citation guides and one even said he doesn’t give a damn as long as we gave him sources and alot just said MLA because it was easier..but I digress.)

    And sweet, a business writer. -Throws both Keynes vs. Hayek rap battles at you-

    Jusuchin (Military Otaku)
    Reply

    1. Right you are. That’s one of my favorite books, of those I was forced to read back in high school. That, Nineteen Eighty-Four and Brave New World.

      …I was a very cynical young man, clearly 😛

      Stilts
      Reply

  67. Welcome to Random Curiosity!!!^^

    I’m looking forward your analysis(I hope I won’t put any pressure on you), it’s just that I’m very curious when it comes to RC, you seem to be a very fun guy, and all animes you like have great scenarios and keep very well the watcher in suspense or when you watch one of them you can’t predict the result, I like your taste! I also abandon bleach, but I’m still watching Naruto.
    I hope you’ll like to be a member of RC and I wish you to find your fulfillment in your writings and in your present or future plans!^^

    See ya!

    Firefly
    Reply

  70. Sora no Otoshimono¹; huh?

    Sounds like a real trouble maker…
    …like me, I’ve pre-ordered the BD² of the movie.
    Can’t wait until Feb when they’ll ship it!

    Welcome aboard! Look forward to reading your work!

    ¹I’m hoping for another season…
    ²Blue Ray 🙂

    mac65
    Reply

    1. What can I say, I have a soft spot for any protagonist who is so helplessly perverted that he changes himself into the floor of the girl’s locker room, a pair of panties and the amazing TOMOKO! Oh, and spends most of his time in super deformed mode. It’s like someone wrote down all my dreams!

      erh, whoops. I think I may have said too much there…

      Stilts
      Reply

  74. Hey Stiltls welcome.:D

    I want to ask you about Terry Pratchett ( am always looking for new books to read 😉 ) what type of books does he write? fantasy?(eg. lord of the rings, The Belgraid, The Mallorean, Legend of Drizzt) or some other type? please reply.:)

    saco3
    Reply

    1. Fantasy satire, at least for his best known work, the Discworld series. There are a lot of similarities in the world with your Tolkien-esque fantasy…except deeper, or flipped on their side, and through that world he says a great deal about our own. Two put it into two words, simply fantastic 😀

      Stilts
      Reply

  81. Welcome to the community pal.

    It’s nice to see you share out passion as well. I’m sure your skills as a writer will be useful to express yourself (and your personal style) to share with us the impressions week after week of the two series you choose to start this journey.

    Good luck and I’ll by more than glad to share my thoughts once this winter season kicks in.

    Syaoran Li
    Reply

  82. Wow! Your introduction pic totally convey to me the level of your excitement. I saw you mentioned a few books you’ve read in your replies above, and was wondering if your area of interests extend into light novel territory. Zero no Tsukaima perhaps? I think it would be great if you could include some contrast between the original medium and the anime adaptation when you start writing.

    Dusk
    Reply

    1. I must admit I haven’t read any light novels. That’s not for lack of wanting to, mind you, but merely because of a lack of time. Between work, my writing, anime, manga, video games, reading all the english-language books I’ve got lined up and occasionally having a social life, I haven’t had time to read any light novels =X One day, one day…

      Stilts
      Reply

  84. Wow RC now have team of great writers. I thought after Omini left it would would just be Divine but now it like a news room lol. Hope to read your blogs and best of luck and Happy New Year and New Start.

    Dragonite88
    Reply

    1. America, here. Texas, to be specific, so if I ever drop a “ya’ll” or a “howdy”, know that I come by them honestly…and that I’ll hate myself a little bit for having actually used them, heh 😛

      Stilts
      Reply

    1. ^Completely agree. I also watched a couple episodes of Samurai Pizza Cats in my day if anyone remembers that ‘gem’.

      Stilts, you mentioned not having read any light novels. As a fellow fan of Toradora I would highly recommend that you read the light novels – they are superb and add a lot to the story. I actually marathoned it (not on purpose mind you) in one evening/morning. If you get time you should absolutely check them out at http://www.baka-tsuki.org/

      7godeohs
      Reply

      1. Wow, Toradora is fully translated? I think I last checked baka-tsuki when the anime was still running and it wasn’t all out, so I sorta forgot about it, heh. I bet I could get away with reading this at work…

        *shakes head* no, bad Stilts! Must stay employed.

        Stilts
        Reply

      2. @Stilts 😀

        Who says you can’t? It’s “when” and “where” at work you read it that matters. XD

        Got to finished the last translated chapter of ZnT while compiling/testing my work.

        The Moondoggie
        Reply

  92. I can see that you are still filled with the naive over-optimism that is characteristic of those beginning to blog at RC. I am looking forward to seeing you mature (i.e. your soul being considerably numbed) as you continue to blog here. Happy trails!

    SOSAnimeBoy
    Reply

    1. Pffft, that’s the goal! You’ve got to last a while to properly sink into caustic cynicism and soul-crushing despair. I only hope I can make it there. The way I see it, the hallmark of a really good writer is being supremely embarrassed of your earlier work…that and being able to drink enough to stun a grizzly bear.

      ^______^ Cheers!

      Stilts
      Reply

  94. Stils, welcome 😀

    Love your style of writing, it’s similar to mine. With the minor difference that I a score a 10.0 on the suck scale. I’ve been terrorising my school newspapers with horrific articles about noodles. And guess most of us get into animes by Bleach/Naruto marathons.
    Watched a good 250 Naruto epi’s in a week. I think I went broke on coffee..anyways

    Good luck!

    Shit-take
    Reply

  97. don’t get me wrong player, VARIETY is the SPICE OF LIFE. but lately this site has been switching up it pinch hitters faster than bobby & whitney go through 10 grams of heat rock! wtf is up with dat!?!!?!?!?!? yall motherF&$kers be switching it up too much! how am i supposed to establish any type of connection when yall pickup and dispose of niggas like used rubbers?? I’m JUst saying………TRULY. nothing lasts forever.

    BROOKLYN otaku
    Reply

  98. Wow Stilts, you sound a lot like me lol. Similar tastes in anime, started freshman year in college marathoning Naruto (Bleach wasn’t for a bit late for me though), and terrible memory…you aren’t just me in the future are you?!

    Oh wait I’m a terrible writer so it can’t be, welcome anyway! 😀

    Freddeh
    Reply

  101. love the mention of the marathon, reminds me of my crowning achievement as an anime lover, Picking up one piece last year. Then proceeding to marathon all 470 or so episodes that were out at the time over the coarse of 3-4 days. Good times, good times.

    DSSeraph
    Reply

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