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In this episode we will witness the demise of one of the important characters in this series. Sadly enough, his death is caused by his own realization of the truth. Truly, ignorance IS bliss! In this episode, Hughes eventually realized the military conspiracy behind the establishment of Lab 5 and the creation of Philosopher’s Stone and how they were connected to the battle of Ishval. As revealed in episode 8, Philosopher’s Stone can only be manufactured by using human souls and during the battle of Ishval (or Ishbal) thousands of Ishvalans were killed as a result of ethnic cleansing executed by the military.

However, upon knowing the truth he was visited by one of the humonculi, named Lust. He was stabbed at the shoulder however he managed to give a good fight. With his bleeding shoulder he walked out from the building. And when he tried to call Colonel Roy Mustang and warned him about this, he was slaughtered by another shape-shifting humonculous named Envy who was disguising himself as Lt. Maria Ross.

Then, after the funeral, there was an investigation went on at the murder scene. Towards the end of the investigation, Major Armstrong came to see him regarding on what he knew about the murder. He spoke in code regarding the matter because earlier in this episode, Führer-President King Bradley visited Elric brothers and he had ordered everybody including Armstrong to keep anything they discovered under the radar. However, Col. Mustang understood that it had something to do with an organization and the philosopher’s stone when Armstrong said, quote-unquote…

“what THEY are looking for is almost LEGENDARY“.

Mustang also knew that someone with high rank in military had ordered Armstrong to keep his mouth shut. So, from the conversation it is revealed that an organization that has its power in the military and the philosopher’s stone is involved in the murder of Lt. Col. Hughes.

My two cents…

In my opinion, this episode is very unexpected as well as heart wrenching. I never thought that Hughes will be killed off in this episode and then, BAM!… it hit me. Regarding his demise, I guess I didn’t see that coming. Maybe if I read the manga first, this would not be a surprise at all. But then again that is THE reason why I restrain myself from reading it. I want it to be a surprise…

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Moreover, I really cried during the funeral when Hughes’ little daughter, Elicia, cried and asked her mother, Gracia, why was her father buried. And then, she kept on crying saying how could her father go to work if he was buried. And Gracia was hugging Elicia tightly in order to console her. That, imho, is an ultimate tear-jerker moment.

Also, I always thought that Maes Hughes is a major character in this series…. I wish he did not die or at least he should be given enough screen time to last up to 25th episode (as in the previous version of Fullmetal Alchemist). Well, I think his death is really important in the development of the plot. Because, based on the manga, the plot will be significantly developed after his death.

Lt. Col. Maes Hughes, may your soul be blessed, Amen…

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Plot summary:

The episode opens with Haruhi mentioning about Tanabata day to Kyon. Then she explained the importance of Tanabata celebration in Japanese culture. Hence she decided that SOS Brigade should throw a party just to celebrate the meeting of two stars Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair).

Then, during their daily meeting at the club room, Haruhi entered with a stalk of bamboo in her hand and several wishing cards in the other. She insisted everybody to write their wishes for the future and then hanged them among the bamboo leaves. Then using theory of relativity (yup, you read me right!), she explained in detail that the wishes could only reach Vega and Altair within 16 to 25 years and therefor everybody must NOT write wishes that would take place less than 16 years in the future.

After everybody wrote on the wish cards and hanged them among the bamboo leaves, Haruhi suddenly became melancholic and dejected. Then Mikuru secretly slipped a note to Kyon asking him to meet her in the club room right after everybody went home. Then Nagato also slipped a secret note to Kyon. Eventually, after everybody went home, Mikuru explained that she wished to take Kyon 3 years back. Back where he first met with Haruhi. When Kyon agreed, suddenly he fell asleep.

When Kyon opened his eyes, he was sleeping on Mikuru’s lap and they were at a park exactly three years ago. Then, out of the blue, Mikuru suddenly fell asleep. Apparently, the time-divergent (adult) variant Mikuru was trying to communicate with Kyon on what to expect. She instructed him to go to the nearby field.

Next, with Mikuru on his back, Kyon walked to the nearby field and then he saw the young Haruhi climbing the gate to the field. When she saw Kyon walking, she immediately urged him into helping her. Haruhi couldn’t identify Kyon’s face since it was night time and it was dark. Next, she made Kyon drew something on the field exactly like she ordered using some chalk she had prepared before hand. While drawing the strange sign Kyon realized that a message in a weird language. It was actually the message that Taniguchi once told him about. And what’s so interesting was, it was written by himself.

After he finished the task, Kyon and Haruhi had a conversation about alien, sliders, time travelers and espers. To Haruhi’s surprise, Kyon believed her and told her that he knew someone who believed in those stuffs back in his high school. In addition, he introduced himself as John Smith and Mikuru was her narcoleptic sister. Then, Haruhi left without even thanking him. To Kyon’s surprise, this was the exact moment that triggered Haruhi to choose North High where she would later in the future.

After that, he woke Mikuru up and she was in panic when she realised that she had lost her TPDD. TPDD was actually the device that helped her to travel through time. At that moment, Kyon recalled that the secret note given by Nagato. Turned out, the note was the strange message that he drew on the field. That note actually led them to meet Nagato, the present variant, who was in stand-by mode for three-year long.

After explaining the predicament, Nagato led them to a room and asked them to sleep on seperate tatami. Both of them slept but only for less that 30 seconds. Nagato had actually manipulated time and space continuum. She helped them to return to the present time by freezing the time inside the room. Mikuru realised this when she checked her atomic-clock powered wrist watch and apparently, they had returned to their own period.

The Verdict.

After 3 years hiatus, I believe this first episode has justified the wait. I like it because it answers some of the weird things done by Haruhi in season 1. Maybe not all. But it does answer several questions, like:

• What or who actually influenced Haruhi to choose the high school? (It was Kyon, of course! After their short conversation at the field.)

• Why did she say, she was only interested in meeting aliens, time travelers as well as aliens and people who have the same interest as her? (Because, Kyon told her that the school was swarmed with that kind of people. And he mentioned that he knew a person who has the same interest.)

• Why did she ask Kyon: ‘have we met before?‘ when they had their early conversation in class. (Of course they had met before! However, it was dark and she could recognise his face, though.)

• Next, this episode reveals to us on who is the real ‘culprit’ who wrote the strange sign on the field as mentioned by Taniguchi in Season 1.

Too bad, the next episode will only be aired on 18th June. Maji ka?! I really can’t wait that long for it. Sheesh!

In this episode as well, we can see that Haruhi is a very intelligent student when she utilises theory of relativity in explaining her idea about the speed that the wishes will take to reach Vega and Altair.

Other than that, I would like to comment is the ED theme. It seems that it doesn’t have the similar impact like the first season Hare Hare Dance… However, I do enjoyed the montage. It is very dazzling and it complements the whole theme mood of the series. The graphics are so fluid and realistic.

For the first episode, sadly enough, there is no OP theme. Well, it looks like we have to wait for it in the next episode. I hope it would be a blast! At least something catchy….

[Note]
Haruhi’s wishes are, the world will rotate in the opposite direction and the world will revolve around her.

Nonetheless, I’m not exactly sure the exact time-line of this movie. I am a tad confused whether this movie takes place in between the Arrancar Arc or Amagai-taichou Arc. This is left for you to make your own assumption. Then again, that is not really significant since it doesn’t affect the whole plot of the movie. In fact, I am 101% sure that the fans are constantly at edge of their seats watching this awe-inspiring movie!

To the fans of visual art, you will be mesmerized by the dazzling display of colors. This movie consolidates detailed emotional actions with comprehensive characteristics that are sometimes ignored in full length features. In my honest opinion, the animation and the graphics of this movie are absolutely breathtaking. The sound effects and the musical element are crystal clear. Noriyuki Abe really put his effort at great length in demonstrating the extremity of emotion and feeling of battle and honor which are the integral part of Bleach serialization. What’s more, I become more emotionally invested as the plot progresses. Michiko Yokote and Masahiro Ōkubo wrote an in-depth and detailed plot line that is not cut up and flows very well. Bleach fans and non-fans alike will enjoy the nifty and splendid themes.

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Synopsis

The scene opens as Hitsugaya-Taichou and his vice captain, Matsumoto Rangiku, are escorting an over-the-top procession (that is similar to Jidai Matsuri) of an important and sacred artifact called the “King’s Seal” across the real world when suddenly they are waylaid and attacked by a masked shinigami and two visoreds (or arrancars). Apparently, these two visoreds / arrancars are merely henchmen of a masked shinigami. Hitsugaya meets head-on the masked shinigami. However he is critically wounded by the shinigami’s zanpaku-tou. At that moment, Hitsugaya believes that he is a deceased friend from his early days named Kusaka Soujiro. Kusaka, however, manages to escape and without much ado, Hitsugaya chases after him in order to retrieve King’s Seal from Kusaka.

Because of his sudden action, he is thought to be in-cahoots with Kusaka in the whole debauchery. As a result, the entire 10th division is placed under arrest and Hitsugaya action is declared treason by Yamamoto Genryusai Shegekuni, the so-taichou. It is Ichigo who finds him and seeks answers to the strange behavior that Hitsugaya is showing.

Meanwhile, the entire Soul Society is in ultimate upheaval. Kusaka is revealed to be the scheming and devious shinigami who has stolen the King’s Seal and has plotted a dangerous scheme to not only Hitsugaya but the entire Soul Society in general. Why did Kusaka steal the King’s Seal in the first place? Will he be able to execute his evil scheme? Will Hitsugaya manage to explain his action in time? And most importantly, who is actually Kusaka Soujiro?

The Verdict

In the final analysis, I would love to recommend this movie to all and especially if you are Hitsugaya Toushiro fans. It is filled with action-packed scene from the start till the end. In fact this is far much better than the first Bleach movie, Memory of Nobody … The DiamondDust Rebellion rocks, bigtime!

I really enjoyed the earlier plot. I think it was rather comical and romantic at the same time. I really love the portrayal of Aihara Kotoko. She is ditsy bumbling idiot and at the same time sweet and sensitive. Then enters Irie Naoki a cold and indifferent boy. He is popular because he is genius and very good looking. He is the exact opposite of Kotoko.

The story opens with Kotoko’s rejection by Irie. She tried to give him a love letter, a confession of her true feelings for him. She was rejected coldly in front of so many students…

Then, Kotoko and her father were forced to move into Irie’s family mansion because her house was damaged during a mild earthquake. It seems that Kotoko’s father and Irie’s father were best friends so Irie’s father insisted them to move into their mansion…

Then it all began, the well-expected love-hate relationship between the two…

Let’s cut to the chase, shall we!

Well, one thing led to another, Irie and Kotoko got married. Irie worked as a doctor and Kotoko worked as a nurse. That’s so lame! Anyway, I have to admit that the ending is rather sweet and definitely has the ‘awwww‘ effect. They finally have a daughter, Kotomi, who has Kotoko’s cuteness and charm as well as Irie’s wit.

So much I hate to admit it, the reason why I don’t quite fancy this anime is because the plot doesn’t seem ‘normal’. I thought it is forced and unnatural. Plus, they don’t look aged at all. Considering that the marriage has reached its 8th year. Plus, I believe, in order to make a story interesting, the protagonist should undergo a serious conflict. And it seems that the conflicts in this series are too simple and not so profound. In my humble opinion, I think the creator should focus on more serious conflicts that can really test their love.

FYI, my interest of this anime stops after episode 14 when Irie, after much deliberation and obvious denial, confessed his love for Kotoko. He said, and quote unquote:

“You love ME. You won’t be able to love anyone else!”

At that exact moment, my heart skipped a beat….LOL. However after episode 14, my interest suddenly heads south. Somehow the idea of marriage in shoujo anime doesn’t appeal to me. Maybe, the episode should stop there and let the audience imaginations run free, or rather, run wild…

Another reason for my dislike of this series is, imh, the animation as well as the graphic of this anime are not good enough. The facial expressions are not so realistic and not well-drawn. Sometimes, the looks on the characters’ face can be quite weird. Well, that’s my love-hate relationship with this series. My two cents!

Anyway, I would like to recommend this series to all since it is clean from any profanity as well as nudity. Check out this LINK for the episodes download. Have fun!

[Note]
There is also a Taiwanese drama based on this anime / manga entitled ‘It Started With A Kiss’… I wonder if it shares similar plot…

This anime is set in an alternative universe which emulating the middle-age world. The main protagonist, Riannon, is kidnapped and set to be sacrificed in order appease a resurrected demon lord, Arawn. She then is rescued by her brother, Arthur. As her brother Arthur attempts to rescue her, Arawn is finally resurected. He, in turn, anihilates those who resurrected him and eventually frees Riannon from her captors. Because of this herioc act Riannon admires him and hence names him as the next leader of her clan by wrapping a red muffler around Arawn’s neck. Which means he must marry her, one way or another.

This anime is focusing on war as the main theme. This eventually leads to a party of companions being assembled for adventure, with Arawn acting as the leader.

Frankly speaking, I’m still watching this anime and it is way too early to do a review. So this post is merely to recommend the anime. Currently, this anime is aired on Animax every Sunday at 12.35 a.m. Since the episodes are aired at wee hour I have been missing 4 out of 6 episodes. So, if you are missing the episodes and want to start from scratch, you can download the episodes HERE. Have fun!

Check out the opening video!

[Note]
Since this anime is adapted from an eroge, so there are some characters that are scantily clad. Therefore viewers discretion is advised.

I am not a fan of FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST a.k.a FMA, in fact I never had the chance to watch the series, but from what I heard, the old FMA (2003 – 2005) is a lot different from the manga version.The earlier plot was similar to the anime nonetheless, somewhere in the middle of the anime the plot started to deviate from the manga. In fact this version was resolved at the 54th episode . However, at the same time the manga is still progressing.

Due to so many issues and conflicts as well as fans demand to bring the series back on air, FUNimation and Aniplex re-produce FMA. For the new production it is given the title FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST BROTHERHOOD. According to ANIMAX, FMA Brotherhood is 2009′s most anticipated anime (???).

[Note]
If there are any discrepancies regarding the info, do inform me a.s.a.p…

[Update]
If you wish to see the latest episodes, try this LINK… For now, there are only five episodes and these episodes are released simultaneously worldwide. Have fun downloading!

Enjoy!