For Every End, A New Beginning

If I recall, I started writing for this blog about four years ago.  In that time, there’s been a lot of ups and downs.  I wrote, got burned our, wrote again, and then blew up in the hanger.  Nevertheless, I’ve made a lot of memories and several good friends through this blog.  But with lvlln and Raph officially moving on, I think it’s high time I do the same.  It’s time to let go.

I’m starting from scratch and writing for myself.  I know at the very least, Space Brothers has ignited a spark that’s made me think about writing again.  Hanging out over at Metanorn has given me motivation as well.  I will hopefully continue writing under my new WordPress blog, Derivative Paradise.  Or I could be completely talking out my ass again.  Who knows?

To all of you, past, present, and future, who have read this blog, thank you for your time and participation.  Special thanks to those of you who still have this blog on your reader after all these years.  I wish you all the best.  I have no intention to allow any more posts here.  However, this blog will continue to exist as a testament to both successes and failures.  I think anything less would be a disservice to myself, my compatriots, and the readers who still continue to stumble into this space.

Until we meet again,
~Rakuen

Anime Power Rankings – Week 3

Hey, two weeks in a row.  One more week and this might become “a thing.”  Unfortunately, that won’t happen, because I’m going away for the weekend to Ohayocon.  Ah, Ohayo.  I don’t really like the convention that much, but it’s an opportunity to see a lot of my friends from around the Midwest.  Since the next opportunity for that won’t be until the end of April, I’ll take what I can get.  In any case, my personal life isn’t all that interesting, and if you’re here to read anything, it’s my thoughts for the week.  So let’s get this show on the road.  As always, check out the Anime Power Rankings for yourself week over week to keep up with the trends in the aniblogging community!

Oh, and one more thing.  Today, 2DT announced the closure of his blog.  He capped it off with another of his fantastic posts, and you should definitely head over to the Teleidoscope to read it and wish him well.

Anime Power Rankings: Winter Week 2

I’ll be frank.  Times have changed.  I have a job that demands about 50 hours of my attention every week.  I’m also at a point in my cycle where I’m more interested in video games and its community than anime.  That’s not to say I’ve stopped liking anime.  I’m still keeping up with the seasons.  I also post little things I find amusing or insightful on my Tumblr.  I just lack the time or motivation to write much of anything.  However, since I was part of a recent invite for the Anime Power Rankings, I’ve found something I can hopefully spend an hour or two each week contributing towards.  My goal is to come up with at least something to say about what I vote for each week.  I don’t know if I’ll necessarily post up the text here all the time, but this week I had two of my comments featured (of which I’m excited), so why not?

While I definitely appreciate technical merits, I mostly vote where my emotions go, for better or worse, and you can probably see it in the writing.  I’m also not too finicky about style, which you can probably see in my, um, mildly confusing Chihayafuru observation.  Anyway, here’s my thoughts for the week, and I encourage you to check out the Power Rankings weekly to see thoughts and rankings from across the blogosphere!

Horizon – The Dangers of Complacency

Horizon in the Middle of Nowhere seems to be a show you either love or hate.  Or maybe you hate to love it, or love to hate it.  I don’t know.  In any case, it can also easily be one of the most confusing shows out there.  It seems a bit busy for nothing to actively progress, doesn’t it?  At least, until we hit episode 5 and finally achieve some semblance of a plot.  A perfectly logical reason exists for this and it all boils down to the “insane professor’s” plan to blow up his own town.

Identifying with Okabe

First off, yes, I know, I haven’t posted much recently.  Or rather at all.  Life has become quite hectic over the last few months, and it shows no signs of letting up.  I’ve turned to Tumblr to microblog.  Most of it is image caps or animations of highlights in the games and anime I consume, but I’m sure I’ll write a few short posts as well.  You’re welcome to follow me if you want.  I may still make intermittent, longer posts here, but like most things in my life right now, that ability can change on a weekly basis. ^_^;

With that out of the way, please read 2DT’s very interesting analysis on Okabe’s actions in episode 19.  Don’t worry, I’ll wait.  Now, this post originally started as a response to Morgoth’s comment.  However, it got really long and I figured it deserved a post of its own.  The subject: Should we root for Okabe?

Weekly Highlights 03 – I Laughed, I Cried, I Bought the T-shirt

This past week has been another whirlwind of activity.  I had my final two finals, followed by my commencement ceremony on Saturday.  Pending a final review, I graduate summa cum laude (with highest praise) from university.  I also started work at my first real job, which has been going well.  Making the transition to a 40-hour+ work week isn’t the easiest thing in the world.  Fortunately, I’ve still had time for anime.  This week, I want to share highlights from Nichijou, Deadman Wonderland, and Sket Dance.

Diary of an Anime Lived: Moshidora and The Fine Fight

You know, I had several highlights lined up to talk about this week.  However, at this time I’m going to get a bit personal with you and focus on one scene.  I’ve never written a post for the Diary of an Anime Lived project, so this is my first crack at an entry.  I feel like Moshidora failed in several respects, but it did one thing remarkably well.  You could say it even knocked it out of the park.  You can see this particular scene coming from a mile away, but if you really wish to avoid spoilers, then I suggest you finish episode 9 of Moshidora before continuing.

Weekly Highlights 02 – Electric Boogaloo

The past week has been absolutely crazy.  I haven’t had much time for myself between throwing myself at my senior project and visiting my relatives in the neighboring state.  However, I did manage to watch most of the shows I’m following this season.  I still have a bit of catching up to do, especially with Moshidora’s slightly unique airing schedule.  It hasn’t stopped me from compiling another list of personal highlights for the week.  This week, I’m highlighting Denpa Onna, Dog Days, C, and Hanasaku Iroha.

Weekly Highlights 01 – This Might Become “A Thing”

When you watch anime there are always little moments that stick out to you.  Maybe the actors delivered a particularly funny line, the animators drew up an amazing action sequence, or the writers tug hard at your heartstrings.  In the interest of getting out of my writing rut, I’m going to share a few of my highlights from the last week.  Who knows, this might become “a thing”.  Over the past week, I particularly enjoyed some moments from Gosick, Nichijou, Steins;Gate, and AnoHana.

Keep Your Spirits Up

We all know what’s happened in Japan over the last few days.  Everything I could say has probably been said a thousand times over by now, so I won’t add my voice to the echo chamber.  Instead, I come bearing some artwork for you this evening.  I saw this on Nina Matsumoto’s Twitter, and immediately retweeted it myself:

@spacecoyotl – to lift their spirits, a high school teacher in Japan drew portraits of graduating students on the blackboard http://twitpic.com/49kkms

The original post came from @tarourakami just a few short hours ago, and in the time it’s taken me to write this short blurb, it’s already gained another 8000 views.  Not only is the artwork damn good, but it’s the kind of thing that can just make you happy.  The kids in his artwork are smiling.  They’re happy, despite or perhaps in spite of adversity.  That’s my message to you tonight.  No matter what happens, you’ve always got to keep your spirits up.