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(きらりん☆レボリューション) 2006
Kirari (voiced by Koharu Kusumi of Morning Musume!) is a middle schooler who LOVES her food. So much so that it's scary! While girls her age swoon over idols, Kirari swoons over her dad's cooking, and couldn't care less about the life of a celebrity. But when she saves the pet turtle of Seiji of pop group SHIPS and falls in love, she decides to become an idol herself so that they can be together (or so she hopes).
Episode 63:
Kirari has been assigned the job of helping Hikaru overcome her stage fright problem. It'll be tough, but it must be done if a successful debut is to take place. She seems to do OK, and even manages to sing in front of a small audience, but still has not warmed up to her supposed mentor. Hikaru even calls her a bother at one point and tells her to leave the room. Kirari is understandably hurt, but she still shows up for a special concert in which Hikaru is set to appear as a guest. Poor Hikaru, however, is still very much not in the clear, and runs off stage when the spotlight is on her. Since it seems even perky and friendly Kirari can't reach the newbie, will it be up to SHIPS push past her wall of fear?
Episode 64:
Hikaru still isn't ready to go it alone, so the chairman decides Kirari will be paired up with her in a singing "unit" called KiraPika. An old "friend" of the mouse director also shows up and is introduced to Hikaru as a means of motivation - but Hikaru hates cats, and that's exactly what "Fuu" is. What's worse, Fuu went to the same university as Naa-san and holds a burning hatred for him. Naa-san was always number one in grades and popularity, leaving the other cat frustrated and angry. This meeting can't be good. And even worse? "Izumi" is back, and "she's" as determined as ever to win Hiroto's heart. With Fuu challenging Naa-san to a competition and Izumi challenging Kirari to the same, what a crazy, combined spectable that will be!
From Anime News Network:
Funimation announced that it has acquired the Save Me! Lollipop (Mamotte! Lollipop) romantic comedy anime from the Japanese publisher Kodansha. The story centers around a girl named Nina who swallows a Crystal Pearl after mistaking it for a lollipop. Two sorcerers from another world sudden appear to claim the Crystal Pearl as part of a critical trial. The two vow to protect Nina from other competing sorcerors until one or the other can safely retrieve the jewel and win the trial.
Director Noriyoshi Nakamura (Dragon Slayer, My Santa) adapted this anime from Michiyo Kikuta's Mamotte! Lollipop manga, which ran in Kodansha's Nakayoshi shōjo manga magazine. The anime aired 12 episodes in Japan in 2006. Funimation plans to release the series in one DVD set in late 2008.
Only the first two episodes were fansubbed so I won't bother removing them from the blog.
(コメットさん) 2001
12-year-old Princess Comet has no interest in her royal duties. She'd much rather play with little stars in the Haromonica Star-World system than fulfill anyone's expectations. On the evening of a ball meant to introduce Comet to the prince of Tamborine Star-World, he runs away, and the only way to know him is from the "twinkle" in his eyes. Now it's been decided that Comet will go to Earth to find him and set things right - but can she make the time between having so many fun adventures?
In this episode, Comet joins the twins on her first trip to the zoo. Just before the entrance, Comet and Rababou get into a fight about finding the prince (Comet reveals she doesn't care at all for the prince, she came to Earth to play and have fun!), which upsets her little friend. He decides to go off on his own to find the royal boy, and Comet agrees that they're both perfectly capable of doing things without the other around. Well, Rababou runs into trouble when a monkey mistakes him for her baby, and Comet leaves him behind. However, later she feels guilty and tries to check on him. When she only gets a cry for help "on the other end" (she made a star mark before they left the zoo) she decides to rush in for a rescue. We also learn that Tsuyoshi is popular among the girls, and the mom of Pani-kun (the weird little kid that thinks everything is mysterious) wonders why Comet is there when she should be in school. And she's never seen a zoo animal, either! How strange.
Just arrived in the mail today!
Contains episodes 1-6 (for a Japanese DVD, 6 episodes for 3800 yen is really good!). There wasn't any special insert, no collectible post card or anything, but I don't really mind. The cover is colorful and has small pictures with each episode description posted on the back.I'm just so happy to finally own this on DVD :D
Densha Otoko (translated to Train Man) is the story of a 22 year old otaku (geek), who, when not working, spends his time watching anime, surfing the net, and generally living in his own little world.
Train Man and the woman who comes to be referred to as "Hermes" (the brand of the cups she sent).
One day while riding home on the train he saves a pretty young woman from an aggressive drunk, and in thanks she sends him a set of expensive cups a few days later. He is excited and overjoyed at the prospect of a girl giving him positive attention. However, with no prior romantic experience or real life friends, he goes to a online message board for advice. There he meets an unhappy married couple (who don't even know the other is there), a nurse getting over a bad breakup, an emo-ish young boy, and three fellow geeks (they crack me up), who are all too eager to lend a hand.
The three otaku friends who help Train Man win his dream girl, while at the same time lament their own lack of love and praise him for being at a higher level.
Train Man gives them updates at every available moment, and they in turn give him support and tips (such as staking-out possible date spots, and talking him into getting a makeover) as he moves forward step by step. Through it all he manages to touch them, as they learn to gather their own courage and step out into the world.
Tea at Hermes' house.
Overall I would say that this is quite cute. The characters are lovable and the soundtrack is upbeat and fitting. The plot is predictable, but that doesn't make it less enjoyable. If you're tired of Hollywood's tendency to "sexy" things up, you'll like the sweet and innocent romance portrayed.
Besides the movie, there are a few comic series and a TV show. I am skeptical that Train Man exists in real life, however (this is supposedly based on a true story), but I guess it doesn't really hurt anything.
I'll save saying anything else to avoid spoilers. But if you like Japanese films and/or are curious about this Japanese obsession, check it out!
Train Man has been released in the USA through Viz and is available HERE
