Of playing games and missing anime...

Damn... I've been playing Shadow of the Colossus and Tales of the Abyss for the majority of last month and this month. Now, I've just realised that I missed out entirely on the new anime titles coming out this month! I'm pulling together some last minute info gathering but it's too late. Looks like I'm gonna have to pick whichever ones looks or sound best.

Which is why my first title to chase will be Guin Saga. I have no idea what the story is about, but oine thing I do know is that a prodigy is composing the OST. The one, the only 植松伸夫!!!

Booyah! Even if the anime should suck in terms of storyline and art, the OST should be worth getting. I mean, the guy has proven time and again his composing skills are top-notched and unmatched.

Others that might be nice are 07-Ghost and Asura Cryin' (though people seem to dislike it). Damn, I'm losing out a lot. I should have been able to write out a list by now, but I FORGOT to check!!!

STUPID STUPID STUPID STUPID!

By the way, 植松伸夫 is read as Uematsu Nobuo. And it seems that a night's sleep has erased the "Jade speech" habit out of me.

Just for updating...

It has come to my attention that I have not posted a single blog since Saturday. Hence, I will do so now and write up a post befitting of my character...

...

It seems that the way I type no longer sounds "befitting" anyway, but it seems the habit's stuck for the moment. Jade's manner of speech can be rather... contagious after prolonged listening.

Anyway, what topic should I discuss today? Perhaps I should mock someone, or perhaps some whining would be nice. Oh, I know! I'll just speak what comes to mind.

I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind. I'll just speak what comes to mind

... Well, that ended in utter failure. Oh well, I guess I'll just compliment Tales of the Abyss a little more for today.

I do feel sorry for those who watched the anime but did not play the game. The extra scenes from sidequests and the various skits that weren't featured in the anime were quite entertaining.

We got to see so little of Emperor Peony in the anime, but the game offered more interaction with him and boy, is he an emperor who knows his stuff. Neatness and formalities aren't his style, but as far as decision-making goes, he's the cream of the crop. His acts of teasing others are also almost equal to Jade's, perhaps even better if he were given more screentime.

And I do feel SO VERY SORRY for those who didn't get the anime or the game at all. Missing out on all the high quality material this installment of the series has to offer. For those who were uninformed despite my repeated mentioning of the name over several posts, I am referring to the Tales series.

Oh, and Winger, you've been replaced by Hime-sama. I don't know why but I enjoy saying that oh so much.

Rock on, Card Captors!

Woohoo! Li Syaoran and Sakura Kinomoto make their first appearance in Tsubasa Chronicles and they're already wrecking Fei Wong Reed's plans to shreds.

But they're a little too strong to have gone by unnoticed, especially by Fye. I mean, they have enough power to fix dimensions and nobody has ever noticed their existence until now. There's got to be a catch somewhere that will hopefully turn out to be another shocking plot twist befitting that of Tsubasa.

A tag I chose to do (returns)

Everyday has been a repeated series of events for me, so I guess I'll do a tag now just to break the cycle... or not.

---

Are you anyone's first love?
- Not that anyone has ever told me.

What have you done today?
- As mentioned earlier, I've been performing the same sequence of actions everyday. Wake up, go to work, game or blog and sleep. Rinse and repeat (except on Sundays).

If the year consisted of only one season, which would you choose?
- Winter. The only season that represents different and even opposite atmospheres. The perfect romantic scene or a lonely death out in the cold. It displays pure, clean beauty and also a cruel, merciless site of death as wolves feed on its fallen human prey.

Who's the last girl you talked to?
- My mom. Non blood-related? Nurul Khairiyah, my colleague.

Someone knocks on your window at 2 AM, What do you say?
- "Take me to a place where wishes come true." (Clannad is still stuck in my head)

Are you open about your feelings or closed off?
- I prefer to be closed off, but I believe I behave the contrary. Why don't you tell me?

The last person you kissed needs you at 3 AM, would you go?
- I will decide depending on the tone of her voice when she conveyed her message. I am no fool blinded by passion.

Do you trust all of your friends?
- "No one should be fully trusted. They can stab you in the back anytime. All they need is a reason." I don't remember where I got the idea, but I'm pretty sure I composed the words myself.

Have you ever woken up next to someone and wanted to puke?
- I have only slept with my parents and my fellow Scouts. None have invoked such a sensation.

If someone liked you, what would you say?
- The same thing I told that girl (I won't say who). "Any girl who likes me within the next 10 years (9 now) will be disappointed."

Has anyone upset you in the last week?
- It would take a lot to upset me that much.

Have you ever kissed an ex after you have broken up?
- I've never had a girlfriend. Hypothetically, no. But will I really?

Has anyone ever told you you have pretty eyes?
- No.

Are you tanned?
- Yes. Scouts being the largest reason.

Do you have any older or younger sibling?
- A younger brother and sister.

What are your chances of getting the person you like?
- 0%. But I seem to have accepted that fact.

Do you always answer your phone?
- Nope.

What's going on between you and the last person you kissed?
- I have yet to kiss anyone.

Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
- ACGC Gurney 2008. Because of that, I screwed up my cosplay performance big time.

Does any part of your body hurt?
- Physically, no. Mentally, I do feel a certain churning of emotions that I seem to be unconsciously suppressing.

Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?
- Myself.

What are you listening to right now
- Nothing.

Have you ever punched a hole in the wall?
- Punched a wall, yes. Intentionally, yes. Cracked a wall, yes. Punched a hole, no.

Where were you at 12 am?
- Sleeping.

Where's the weirdest place you've changed clothes?
- None that I can recall, but that's probably because I've never considered anywhere I've changed to be inappropriate.

Do you wear glasses?
- Yes. People say I look smarter with glasses, but I prefer myself without them.

Anything annoying you right now?
- No.

What will you be doing in a half hour?
- Gaming.

Anywhere you'd rather be right now?
- No.

Where did you get the shirt you are wearing?
- Don't remember.

When was the last time you were told you were amazing?
- A few days ago. I hear that often just because I was accepted into a medical school. I'd actually prefer to listen to criticism rather than these hollow and sometimes hypocritical praises. Why can't you people praise me when I've actually done something incredible?!

Do you know anyone that smokes weed?
- No.

Do you smoke weed regularly?
- No

How long does it take you to shower?
- 10 minutes. Give or take 1 minute.

Could you ever be friends again with someone that broke your heart?
- Perhaps, but it would take quite a lot to break my heart. First, you would have to find someone who can actually steal my heart.

Do you chew with your mouth open or closed?
- It depends. I sometimes enjoy watching the disgusted look on my friends' faces across the table.

Is there a difference between love and in love?
- I could come up with a philosophical answer, but would you bother listening to a person with zero experience in the subject?

Do you think age matters in love?
- Once again, another question I cannot answer firmly as I cannot be 100% certain I will stay true to my words.

If any of your friends turned out to be gay or bisexual, would you still be friends?
- Yes. Their behaviours and actions are no matter of mine so long as they don't intrude upon my personal space. They can't help it if they're born that way or if they develop such a character, can they?

Can you sing?
- I like to. But you'll have to tell me if I actually sound good.

Can you dance?
- Aside from Hare Hare Yukai, no.

When was the last time you were onstage (if ever)?
- ACGC 2008. Cosplay performance.

Have you ever hooked up with someone at the movies?
- No.

What do you want more than anything in the world right now?
1. Final Fantasy XIII to be released.
2. Dissidia:Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core and Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep to be released on the PS2, DS or PS3.
3. Konata to exist somewhere near me.

---

I brought it back since the font isn't screwed up anymore. But some things have changed since I deleted the original version of the post.

An intro to the characters!

Tales of the Abyss has some of the most memorable characters in both anime and video games, considering that it IS both. So, I'm gonna dedicate this post to introducing the protagonist party. Heck, I might throw in the Six God-Generals since they rock as adversaries.

The Tales series has a number of skits (voiceless dialogues) which also helps character development and they have little impact on the story, though they do offer more explanations on events or people.

Luke fon Fabre
From the very start, they already let you know that he's gonna be a spoiled kid who knows nothing about the world. Who can blame him? He's been trapped in his mansion since he lost his memories 7 years ago. In the beginning, he's obnoxious, selfish, ignorant, reliant on others and is just plain idiotic, but he does occasionally show signs of kindness. However, he soon becomes a completely selfish brat just because he wants to get his freedom. That attitude got him in big trouble, REALLY BIG trouble. After that, he learns his lesson, but he became excessively pessimistic about himself, especially about his own existence. So, I guess I can summarise his character as being a guy who overdoes everything, which is why he usually gets on everybody else's nerves. And that's also why Jade and Anise enjoys picking on him.

Mystearica 'Tear' Grants
She first appeared as an assassin attempting to kill Luke's master, Van Grants (yes, her brother). Things didn't go as well as planned and she and Luke accidentally triggered a hyperresonance (very long explanation) and teleported both of them out of the mansion. Her character has been pretty consistent so far. She's calm, strong-willed and always pushes herself, well beyond an average human's limit. She does like cute things just like a normal girl and that's mostly the only gag we get about her. Her coldness towards many things also tends to be funny since she kills a joke before people can start it.

Anise: You two were alone in a place like this at night?
Natalia: Luke, you never told me you two had this kind of relationship!
Luke: What!? No.. we didn't...
Tear: The very idea is absurd. *walks off*
Luke: ...... Now I'm mad.
Guy: Ouch...

Jade Curtiss
Now this guy is just great. He's the main source of laughs in this game. He's a colonel in the Malkuth Imperial Forces and became the father of fomicry (some theory that would be the equivalent of electricity in our world) at the age of 9. They guy is cool, plainly said. He makes most of the hilarious remarks, whether in scenes or skits. Almost everything character, especially Luke, has been his target of teasing. He seems to know everything, but most of the time waits for things to unfold. He's thirty years old but he never makes up his mind whether that's considered young or old. Heck, he uses either as an excuse depending on the situation. Although old is used more often. Anyway, I am so going to put this guy's quotes on my Quote of the Week.

Gailardia 'Guy' Gladios
Servant of House Fabre and is Luke's best friend. From start to end, he's a very nice person who is always there to cheer his friends up whenever they feel down. He is always capable of seeing the bright side of things since he has experienced much worse things in the past. He has a phobia of women, or rather, physical contact with women but can't remember the reason except that it's related to his family's murder. This phobia is his primary weakness and is often exploited whenever he insults the girls.

Anise Tatlin
As a member of the Fon Master Guardians, she is Fon Master Ion's most trusted companion. She has a passion for money, always trying to marry herself into a rich and powerful family. Too bad she's only 12 and often displays her childish behaviours. It wasn't very obvious, but she also does show signs of romance towards Ion. She also often remarks on Jade's behaviour which often backfires. The both of them will then carry on their conversation by teasing Luke, Guy or Natalia.

Natalia Kimlasca-Lanvaldear
Princess of the kingdom of Kimlasca-Lanvaldear. She is in charge of public and civil services and hence, cares very much for the people of her country. She is also very hardworking and responsible, always prioritising the kingdom before herself. However, she is a little too innocent, often tricked by Anise's jokes (and never does find out). She is engaged to Luke, but shows more affection towards Asch. She has one of the most straightforward personalities of all the characters in the game.

Asch the Bloody
One of the Six God-Generals and the only one who doesn't support Van's cause. He becomes playable only twice in the game, but I'll put him in for kicks. Basically, the guy's a loner, preferring to do things on his own (which is why he is the party only twice). He volunteers information to the party but only to further his own gain. He despises Luke for stealing his home, his family and his friends (How Luke did that is a spoiler), often referring to Luke as "dreck". He does display some affection towards Natalia since they once swore to change their country together. Despite his generally unfriendly attitude, he often aids the party in times of need, especially Natalia. And he seems to be the only one who knows what's going on what needs to be done for more than half the game.

Mieu
I nearly forgot him since his presence was hardly felt throughouut the game... although he appears very often as your obstacle eliminator. The tiny guy has the power to breathe tiny flames, and later gains the power to smash objects and fly for a short while thanks to the magic ring it wears on its waist. Mieu was sentenced to one year of exile from his tribe because he burnt down the barrier seperating the cheagles (prey) from the ligers (predators) and now he follows Luke. Generally, Mieu is honest, innocent and cute. Luke refers to Mieu as 'Thing' and Mieu actually likes it... Mieu is often beaten up by Luke for acting stupid or just because Luke feels like it. Tear (since she likes cute things) often defends Mieu from Luke.

Here's a picture of him:


Okay, I'm done. That was tiring. Next up!

Go get the anime, people!

I'm still playing Tales of the Abyss and boy is the game long. They really know how to drag a story.

Or maybe it's because each random encounter takes about 40 seconds to win. And there are about 3 in a screen.

Whatever the case, if you didn't or can't get the game, get the anime. Heck, I'll probably get the anime too just for the fun of it.

The storyline is quite well done for a fantasy setting, which shouldn't surprise anyone considering that the Tales series has been around for quite some time. It's a pretty popular series to play amongst RPG buffs. And they've made anime versions for several Tales series. Abyss, Phantasia, Symphonia...

I wonder if some of the skits in the game were included in the anime, but they're quite funny. Regular conversations were mostly serious, so I think they should've added some in the anime. I enjoy how Jade and Anise always makes Luke sound at fault even if he did nothing.

Anise: It's not about size, y'know!? Big boobs will start to droop once you reach 30!
Tear: They will... *walks away depressed*
Jade: My, my, Luke. That wasn't a very nice thing to say.
Luke: There is NO WAY IN HELL that was my fault!

Haha...

The game also has an interesting battle system, which most people will miss if you pick the anime. Personally, I prefer the Star Ocean battle system, but this is almost the same.

Okay, gotta leave for work. Ja ne!

P.S. I got me a DS!!!!!!!

It's finally time...

The Clannad series has finally come to an official close. I know the final episode has been released for quite some time, but I couldn't get myself to click on the icon.

I just did 30 minutes ago. And it was a recap episode, though I already knew that from the preview of the previous episode. Still, the recap was great since I got to see the whole cast one last time.

*sob* (Obviously, I'm not really crying)

On the bright side, I tricked Winger today. Yay! Happy April Fool's Day.