Between Linux and Anime

So I was just down at Yin Obsessed Crazy Guy’s place trying to find some solace from the mindf*** episode 12 of DtB2 just put me through. And as usual, he and his throng of ~~DtB apologist~~ commenters did wonders to help disentangle the web of inconclusive nuances that malicious Bones keeps throwing at us. Sasuga desu!

Unfortunately I don’t have much to add to all of that discussion except a number more irresponsible questions. Hit the jump if you’d like to benevolently attempt to explain them to me. I should warn you though that if you’re here seeking answers, you’ll likely be disappointed :)

Who the HECK are you?

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Yokatta Nymph! Yokuyatta Ikaros!

By Jason "moofang"

On January 8, 2010

In Sora no Otoshimono

Finished Otoshimono! And here at the very end I must say I’m pretty glad after all that I didn’t drop this one. Who would’ve guessed, that character who started out as meh generic cutepoints jailbait blue-haired loli ended up becoming my favorite character in the show. It was the oldest cheat in the book – make a character look really adorable, give her some minor but cute and sweet developments, make the story treat her really (like really, REALLY) bad, then bring on the over-the-top-awesome we-will-save-you-cos-you’re-our-precious-friend thing. And oh did it sucker me :( I mean, even with all the nonsense we had to take watching this show up to this point, how can we help not tearfully smiling along when we see Nymph like this:

Oh, and I should add that that final episode at long last met and surpassed my bad-assery expectations. Good job Ikaros! And good job in general Sora no Otoshimono. You were actually pretty enjoyable, and if you ever reappear with a sequel, I’ll seriously consider picking you up again :)

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5 centimeters per second

By Jason "moofang"

On January 8, 2010

In 5 centimeters per second

“Life is but a fleeting reflection on the mirror of existence,
Permanence exists not, and if your heart speaks otherwise,
It lies to you.”

~ Kenneth Tang

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Geeklook: Eve no Jikan 02

By Jason "moofang"

On January 6, 2010

In Eve no Jikan, Geeklook

After epically failing my attempt at personally checking out all the new offerings last season, I’m gonna revert to my lazy-blogger’s method of doing seasonal picks – reading other people’s blogs :P I’m having too much fun with these other random shows to stop now anyway.

Episode 2 was another great episode. I’ll give plunging head-first into philosophy a pass for now since that’ll probably be further developed in later eps. So inspired by dai1313, I’m gonna attempt to do some geek-analysis of the going-ons instead.

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The skirt-lift that speaks ~ Railgun 12

By Jason "moofang"

On January 4, 2010

In Railgun

Mild spoilers ahead!

ただいま!

I know it’s like two weeks late but what a beautiful end of arc right there. I wrote not long ago about how the uniqueness of the character relationships is the central draw of the series for me. Well, we came back full circle here at the end. I held my breath when Uiharu went up to meet a recovered Saten, and when they defined the moment with the skirt lift that was immediate gold for me. And then pan to Misaka and Kuroko for that necessary bit of Yuri cheek. For me it’s not just good fun there’s something amazing about these familiar acts. A channel through which feelings incommunicable in regular language could be delivered. Remember what I said about these little surface comedic interactions having developed latent, deeper meanings? Great, satisfying affirmation right there. And ooh that amazing amazing song in the background..

Is this show perfect? No. Does everything make sense? No. Are there flaws? Tonnes. But is it enjoyable? Hell Friggin yeah. And that indescribable, familiar glow it leaves you with at the end of the episode. Here’s that oft-quoted, cliched remark again: Reminds me of why I love anime.

*happy sigh* Okay! Back to clearing the backlogs.

PS. What what what what? Did I just hear that this show is gonna be two seasons long? Champaign anyone?

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EVE NO JIKAN 01 AAAAAA

By Jason "moofang"

On January 3, 2010

In Eve no Jikan

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-

-AAAAA OMG JUST ONE EPISODE DIDN’T EVEN PLAN ON IT JUST THOUGHT I’D TAKE A QUICK LOOK AND OH GAH BLOWN AWAY CAN’T EVEN TALK COHERENTLY JUST ONE EPISODE AAAAAAAA THE PREMISE THE AWESOME ANIMATION THE DETAIL THE SMOOTHNESS THE PRESENTATION THE THREE LAWS OF ROBOTICS GAAAAH MUZ RECOMMEND TO FELLOW ASIMOV FANS NAO THE EXECUTION THE STYLE PREDICTABLE STORY BUT OH THE RICH SUBTLETY AND THE UNEXPECTED PRETTINESS THE SOUNDS THE FEEL OH HOW DESPICABLY TANTALIZING AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Dustin this is all your fault.

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Anisong: Smile Again

By Jason "moofang"

On December 24, 2009

In Anisong, Aria

I’m going out on a trip with my family soon, so this shall be the final post of the year ;) I’ve been playing with the idea of putting up something Christmas-themed, but never found anything quite suitable. Well, this is one’s still pretty close, I think.

Here’s another song from Aria, the second ED to Aria the Natural – the second season. In spite of what the lyrics say, I find the song happily suggestive of a cozy, sleepy winter’s night, though being a creature of the tropics I can’t say I’m all that confident about how accurate that impression is :P

In any case, I hope you’ll enjoy this one. The lyrics are nothing noteworthy, but the tune is as sweet and as calming as the series it graces. As always, hit F8 to play the song, and I have romaji lyrics, translations, and a picture after the jump.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from Between Linux and Anime!

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ARIA ~ Meeting, Miracles, and Embarassing Remarks

By Jason "moofang"

On December 23, 2009

In Aria

There is a class of anime that does not pretend to be deep, but operates under the modest ambition of unsophisticated but honest entertainment. That brings an easy smile and a sprinkle of laughs without demanding serious thought on the part of the viewer. But that nonetheless does not allow itself fall to inanity, but that dashes out with its simple tales a curious quality of joy and rejuvenating appreciation, for the world, and for the self.

Let me introduce a distinguished member of that family.

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