Miscellaneous

Introduction – “The only heaven I know is heaven in the sound”

Quite a weird title for an introduction post I know, but I thought it’d be nice to use a line from Stereoman, a song by ELLEGARDEN and also the name I’ll be using here on Random Curiosity, so hello everyone, Stereoman is now a part of RC!

So why did I throw myself into this? – Simple, I love this site. I’ve been following this blog since 2006, making this site one of my daily visits; however, I haven’t really written much in the comments section. I’ve also been around the IRC channel as a quiet stalker.

When Divine decided to bring in some new writers, I felt like I just had to apply. To be able to contribute to one of my favorite sites pleases me very much and I hope my writing will appeal to you.

You won’t have to wait for the Spring shows to see some of my posts because I’ll be covering the remaining episodes of Senki Zesshou Symphogear starting with the 10th episode.

As for my taste in anime, it’s quite diverse. I usually watch 15 shows every season even though I try to convince myself to watch less. My favorite shows are mostly shounen and josei but I do watch a lot of shoujo and seinen too. You can check out my anime list to find out more about my preferences.

More after the jump…

Ano Natsu de Matteru / First Impressions

Ano Natsu de Matteru – 10

「先輩と僕らの。」 (Senpai to Bokura no)
“Sempai’s and ours.”

This is, simply put, one of the best love stories I’ve ever had the extreme pleasure of experiencing. The earnest feelings, the fragile first loves, and each and every character doing their best to reach for their dreams and stay true to themselves…it is fantastic. I don’t think I can say that enough. Truly fantastic. Truly.

First Impressions / Monogatari Series / Nisemonogatari

Nisemonogatari – 10

「つきひフェニックス 其ノ參」 (Tsukihi Fenikkusu Sono San)
“Tsukihi Phoenix Part Three”

In this penultimate episode, we learn that just about everything in Araragi’s life has turned out to be a fake – even his own sister turns out to be an imposter. NisiOisiN wasn’t kidding around when he named this installment in the Monogatari series – there are falsehoods and fakes in every nook and cranny of the story. At least the donuts are still real!

Miscellaneous / Random Musings

New Contributors On Their Way!

First off, I would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who took the time to apply and expressed their interest in helping keep Random Curiosity running like it’s always been. The outpouring of support has been great and I really wish I had the time to thank each and every one of you individually.

Given the number of promising candidates, I actually increased my initial plan of 3-4 new writers to seven and have already contacted them. If you weren’t contacted, please don’t feel slighted in any way. There were so many great people to choose from that I could’ve easily brought on 10-15 new writers. I guess that’s to be expected of the best readership that I’ve had the pleasure of writing for over the years, but I had to draw the line somewhere and not make this sudden influx of new writers too overwhelming for longtime readers.

You can probably expect introductory posts to trickle out over the course of the week, as well as first posts by at least a couple of the new writers who will be finishing coverage of some of my remaining shows. I hope you’ll extend a warm welcome to them like you did for me when I first came on board.

First Impressions / Rinne no Lagrange

Rinne no Lagrange – 10

「さらば鴨川」 (Saraba Kamogawa)
“Goodbye, Kamogawa”

There is reason to Asteria’s rhyme after all. Rather than being frightened of what might happen if Madoka were to pilot, she is trying teach the Jersey Club leader a lesson: that she must confront her fear of losing someone close. Even in an episode dominated by meido Muginami and crying Lan, there’s always something more working below the surface.

First Impressions / OVA/Movie / Sora no Otoshimono

Sora no Otoshimono – Tokeijikake no Angeloid

「劇場版 そらのおとしもの 時計じかけの哀女神（エンジェロイド）」 (Gekijouban Sora no Otoshimono: Tokeijikake no Enjeroido)
“Heaven’s Lost Property the Movie: The Angeloid of Clockwork”

Whenever something perverted happens, Tomoki is the yardstick by which I measure it. If Tomoki would have done it, it was probably awesome(ly perverted); if he wouldn’t have, you better get back to work, bud. As such, it should come as no surprise that I jumped at the chance to cover this movie. What might come as a surprise is the tone it takes, though that’s only if you’ve forgotten about the deeper side of Sora no Otoshimono, which is what makes this series so much more than your typical ecchi comedy.

First Impressions / Zero no Tsukaima

Zero no Tsukaima F – 10

「災厄の目覚め」 (Saiyaku no Mezeme)
“Awakening of a Natural Disaster”

There was something very poignant about Siesta saying how she wants all of them to eat delicious food together, fight over the bed together, and age together. For a show that can be so juvenile, bringing up the image of everyone growing old together showed potential for great depth and maturity. It also made me very, very worried. I had good reason to be.