Morning Musume in Cinderella performance photos

There are no plans for a soundtrack as of this writing, but the 8/20 performance will be recorded and eventually released on DVD (date unknown).

Slayers Revolution, episode 6

In this episode, while chasing Pokota, Lina and the gang come across a strange village where almost everything is round. The name of the village is Gongoro, and an old man begs them to help in a special festival involving rolling a ball as an offering to the mountain for good prosperity. When he promises food and money as a reward, how can a girl resist?

What I liked:

-While this is an obvious and rather stupid filler episode, it's not all that bad
-Gourry's triumphant "BARBARA!" call
-Prince Phil's shoutout, however disturbing



What I didn't:

-It felt like a shortened OVA where Lina (with no Naga) gets pulled into some story that starts out serious sounding before it takes a turn for the pointless and weird. It even has the part where Lina is stuck between two or more fighting men (and not in the romantic sense)
-Too many over-muscled, shiny men in barely there underwear. For Zel or Gourry (or even Xellos), sure, but not them

KeyholeTV: watching Japanese TV in real time

If you're living outside Japan and very much want to see what's NOW (complete with commercials for the full experience), without resorting to something expensive, bugging a friend overseas or hoping somebody will upload to some torrent site, KeyholeTV is for you. Keyhole gets many regular channels, but the lineup occasionally changes depending on when you visit - you may even find American or other foreign channels. Sadly, the sound and video is rather lousy, and sometimes it's not synched up right. But hey, who can complain? It's free!

First, download the program from here

When it's all installed, open the program. It should look something like this:



The name of the channel is over the word ENABLE. Click on what channel you'd like to see. Once it's open, double click if you want a bigger screen.

For your reference:

オダイバ - Fuji TV
よむよむ - NTV
アカサカ - TBS
ロッポンギ - TV Asahi
テンノウス - TV Tokyo



It's pretty easy to use. To check the TV Guide, go here or here - keep in mind, if you want to sit down and watch something specific, remember the time difference and plan accordingly because this is absolutely LIVE.

Studio Ghibli - Shooto Shooto Shorts DVD

ジブリがいっぱいSPECIALショートショート (or, to shorten to title, Shooto Shooto, or Short Short) is a series of animated commercials and shorts that Studio Ghibli has worked on over the past 16 years.

If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli or can simply appreciate well-made animated work, I'd definitely check this out. It's fun, it's cute, and it'll pass the time or cheer you up when needed. Just a warning, though - don't try to make sense of the last three shorts - let it slide and look at all the pretty colors instead. Because of this DVD, I was finally able to see On Your Mark, one of Studio Ghibli's lesser known works (outside Japan), and is only 6 minutes long. But, it has a lot to say, even without words, and I highly recommend you watch this, if nothing else.

Released in 2005 and retails at 3800 yen.

Here is a list of everything that appears:

1. そらいろのたね（第1話～第3話）
2. なんだろう（Aタイプ～Eタイプ／CGオープニングバージョン）
3. On Your Mark（CHAGE&ASKA プロモーションフィルム）
4. 「スタジオジブリ原画展」TVスポット
5. 「火垂るの墓」金曜ロードショー放送告知スポット
6. 「金曜ロードショー」オープニング映像
7. オンラインショッピングモール「SHOP-ONE」告知スポット
8. アサヒ飲料「旨茶」CM（渋谷編／会議編）
9. 「三鷹の森ジブリ美術館」チケット販売告知スポット（Aタイプ～Cタイプ）
10. LAWSON「千と千尋の神隠し」チケット販売告知スポット（Aタイプ／Bタイプ）
11. LAWSON「千と千尋の神隠し」DVD販売告知スポット
12. ハウス食品「猫の恩返し」キャンペーンCM（Aタイプ～Cタイプ）
13. りそな銀行 企業CM（Aタイプ～Cタイプ）
14. ハウス食品「おうちで食べよう。」シリーズCM夏バージョン（ままごと編／おつかい編／路地裏編／宣伝カー編／ままごと編30秒）
15. ハウス食品「おうちで食べよう。」シリーズCM冬バージョン（ソリ遊び編／道草編／ソリ遊び編30秒）
16. KNBユメデジPRスポット（はじまるよ えらいこっちゃ編／テレビ新世界編／新世界遊泳編）
17. 読売新聞社 企業CM瓦版編（15秒／30秒）
18. 読売新聞社 企業CMどれどれ引越し編（Aタイプ15秒／Aタイプ30秒／Bタイプ）
19. どれどれの唄
20. ポータブル空港
21. space station No.9
22. 空飛ぶ都市計画

Ranma 1/2: Big Trouble In Nekonron, China

Because of another one of Happosai's crazy schemes, an ancient scroll falls into the hands of Akane, leading to an adventure nobody wanted. It seems that this particular parchment is meant to identify the destined bride of a Chinese martial artist named Kirin. In true anime cliche fashion, Akane is kidnapped by him and taken to Nekonron, China, where they will marry according to Nekonron law. It's up to Ranma, Ryoga, Shampoo, Genma, Saotome, Mousse, Happosai and Kuno (along with Lychee, the original holder of the scroll, and her pet elephant, Jasmine) to get there in time to stop the nuptials, defeating The Seven Lucky Gods on the way.

If you are new to Ranma 1/2, this probably isn't the best way to start, as there is a sort of "cast roll call" at the beginning and you likely won't understand who everyone is (especially the minor characters). But if you've watched at least a few episodes and know things here or there, you should be OK.

This movie is great, and though the "helpless female gets kidnapped" thing may have a few feminists clutching the arms of their chairs, it's nowhere near as bad compared to the second film. This one is much more tame and innocent (there are no "jello boobs" and barely there bathing suits), and definitely preferred in my opinion. And even though Akane and Ranma fight and supposedly hate the other, guess what happens when Akane is taken? Ranma is the first person she calls out to! So Ranma/Akane fans will get a good kick out of their relationship explored here. There are some really funny moments, too, but that's to be expected. Definitely check this out if you get the chance!

Studio DC: Almost Live

Studio DC: Almost Live stars Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Ashley Tisdale, Dylan and Cole Sprouse and The Cheetah Girls with the Muppets, and aired on August 3rd at 8:00 PM on the Disney Channel.



My thoughts:

-The performances felt wooden and awkward. Where was the passion from times gone by?
-The Swedish Chef spoke a full English sentence, and that upset me. He doesn't speak English! You aren't supposed to understand him - he's able to get the point across without language. You'd think Disney would know that at least.
-Where was Fozzie?! You can't have a Muppet special without him! I thought for sure when Ashley said she had a crush on him, he'd pop out or something.
-Where was the Muppet wackiness? I believe that would've helped. An over-the-top Gonzo stunt, banana cream pies, clucking chickens, bad Fozzie jokes, SOMETHING. Did they think kids wouldn't get it or something?
-It felt very disjointed and edited. Something wasn't right. It was also very short at a mere 20 minutes after 10+ minutes of commercials (or at least it felt that way) thrown in.
-Miss Piggy looked strange. I don't know exactly what it is, but she didn't look like herself.

But you know, I did laugh a few times. Rizzo and Pepe's "too cool" stunt at the beginning was funny. So was Miss Piggy's "It's a good thing she's rich" line. So yes, it did have its moments. But overall I found it rather forgetful and sad - however, if it brings in young and new Muppet fans, then at least something was achieved.

Slayers Revolution, episode 5

In this episode, we learn of a lost country called Taforashia, which appears once every few months during a misty fog. Pokota holds a strong link to this place, and Lina learns who was originally responsible for linking her to the mage tanks.

What I liked:

-Xellos is in this one!
-Starting to get intense and just the way I like my Slayers
-It looks like Zuuma, the incredibly deadly and skilled assassin from the novel series, will be making an appearance soon!



What I didn't like:

-Not much. Pokota is starting to grow on me now that I know who he is (he's probably human under a spell).