Ramblings of a Crowe

Recommended Manga

Eli asked me the other day what manga I would recommend. Sorry it's taken me so long to get around to answering the question, but I wanted to make a blog about it first and take some time to gather up some links and what not. I also wanted to add some novels as well, for those book nerds out there.

These are my personal preferences. Save the "OMG! That Sux!12one133t!!! UR DuM!" or any of that other otaku fanboi/gurl drivel. Have some pride, man.

I will be leaving out the obvious choices of Bleach and Naruto. Those who lurk around here know I am a fan of these series. No need to be redundant. Also, I'm not going to go into depth on these series either. I'll give you a link to their info and after that, it's all up to you. Those who want more links please feel free to email me at:

PLEASE put in a header along the lines of 'manga links' or 'zoso' or something like that because my email will dump you into my junkbox by default. I check it everyday (almost), but if you just write "Hi" or something along those lines, I won't even bother to open it up. To those who hate me, feel free to sign me up for as much porn and spam as necessary. This isn't my main email account. Really, do you think I'd be that stupid?

That said, here we go!

First up:

D. Gray-Man
I had heard that this story was really good, but after looking at it a few times I decided it wasn't something I would enjoy. One day, bored for something new to read, I happened upon it in the bookstore and decided, "What the hell." After taking the first novel home and reading it, I promptly went to Amazon.com and picked up the next one. I've been a fan ever since. The anime is OK. It doesn't follow the books, which is a shame. But it is still entertaining and worth watching.

One Piece
This is another hugely popular series I passed over a long time ago. I bought the first couple of novels, then donated them to library to make room for my growing collection of books and other crap. Stupid me. One Piece is a ton of fun. I can't believe I stopped reading it. Playing catch up is hard to do with this series, as it is hella long. After catching the Crocodile Arc on the Cartoon Network a few weeks in a row (and suffering through that horrible dub), I started to get interested in it again. Luffy just kicks ass. No two ways about it. And this series is damn funny. Who can go wrong with Pirates?

Air Gear
Oh Great is an aquired taste. His art work is stunning, but his stories tend to be border-line asinine. I mean that in a good way, though. They are seriously over the top, but somehow he makes them work and suck people in. I got hooked on Air Gear by watching the Anime (which rocks). There's just something super cool about high powered inline skates and explosive battles in the sky. Oh, did I mention the art work is stunning?

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
STOP! If you do not like stupid, ridiculous, sophomoric humor, just skip this section completely. This manga is sheer nonsense. And that, my friends, is the beauty of it. It aims to poke fun at pretty much everything in the entire world, including itself. No one is safe from ridicule--especially other manga and anime. I laugh my ass off every time I read it.

Oh, and the show on TV is pretty funny too...especially if you can read the Japanese. God, it kills me.

Skip Beat
Most of your Shojo manga is all the same. Wash, rinse, repeat. It gets a little old after awhile. But there are several gems that shine a little brighter than all the rest. Skip Beat is one of them. The main character, a girl hell bent on getting revenge against her childhood friend for using her and making a fool out of her, is halarious. She isn't the typical wishy washy helpless girl pining over her man. No, she wants to destroy him and anyone who gets in the way of her ambition to do so. It makes for some pretty funny scenes.

Mars
This manga made me cry. It's a beautifully done story that is actually very realistic. It has little humor and is very dark--but the ending is a surprise. I can't stress enough that this is one of the best shojo manga I've ever read.

Blade of the Immortal
Samura's art work is breathtaking. This manga isn't drawn in your conventional way. It's rough, jagged, violent, and beautiful. The pictures mirror the story that is being told. BotIM is a masterpiece that combines incredible art with a samurai story that includes old history and almost punkish gangster newness. And it doesn't come off as ridiculous. The novels are expensive, but they are worth every.single.penny.

I love this picture of Manji and Rin.

Full Metal Alchemist
We all know the anime, which was really good. Probably one of the best. But the manga completely destroys it. Read the manga. The anime only told part of the story and left out some MAJOR players.

Beck
I don't know why I like this manga so much. I really don't. But it's like crack. Once you start reading it, you can't stop. Maybe because it has a lot of guitars in it. I'm a sucker for guitars...

I've run out of steam, so I'll have to save the book list for later--because I'm a lazy slob like that. I hope this list gives those of you looking for something to read some hope. There's a ton of other great stories out there, but these are the ones that stand out the most to me. Good luck!

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - The adventures of boy wizard Harry Potter can stay in Gwinnett County school libraries, despite a mother's objections, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Laura Mallory, who argued the popular fiction series is an attempt to indoctrinate children in witchcraft, said she still wants the best-selling books removed and may take her case to federal court.

"I maybe need a whole new case from the ground up," Mallory said. The woman, who said two of her four children attend public schools in the county, was not represented by an attorney at the hearing.

The ruling by Superior Judge Ronnie Batchelor upheld a decision by the Georgia Board of Education, which had supported local school officials.

County school board members have said the books are good tools to encourage children to read and to spark creativity and imagination.

J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, published by London-based Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, tell stories of children with magic powers. They are the most challenged texts of the 21st century, according to the American Library Association.

At Tuesday's hearing, Mallory argued in part that witchcraft is a religion practiced by some people and, therefore, the books should be banned because reading them in school violates the constitutional separation of church and state.

"I have a dream that God will be welcomed back in our schools again," Mallory said. "I think we need him."

Victoria Sweeny, an attorney representing county school officials, said the judge has to respect their authority to leave the books on library shelves.

"I'm not here to defend Harry Potter," Sweeny said. "I'm here to defend the Gwinnett County Board of Education's right to make lawful decisions."

(bolding is mine, original article is here)

Only a Fundie would have this sort of logic.

You know, I'd rather have a million literate satanists running around than all the dumbass kids I see every day right now. People should be bitching about cartoons like Ed, Edd, and Eddie, not friggen novels like Harry Potter or Narnia.

BTW, Ms. Mallory, your god isn't my god.

FSM 4EVA!

くそー

I am so pissed the concert was sold out. I'm on vacation, so this was a perfect time to see Miyavi in concert. Damn it again!

I'm glad to see his English is improving dramatically.

****

And here's the skinny on what Miyavi will be up to this year. He's re-joining a band. A 'super-band'. The name of this band is, "SKIN". This bad consists of Miyavi, Gackt, Yoshiki, and Sugizo. On June 29th, in Long Beach California at Anime Expo 2007, they will perform. Sadly, I won't be buying tickets due to life things going on right now...it almost makes me want to cry...(not really, but it is depressing). I am excited to see what these guys bring to the table, Miyavi a guitar genius and Gackt, Sugizo, and Yoshiki are all musical geniuses in their own right. Gackt is by far the best singer of them all. It will be interesting to see how well these "big dawgs" work together.

Gackt singing Last Song and playing piano

Miyavi on guitar

Sugizo PV

Yoshiki on drums

The vapid fangirls are already out in force, wailing and stomping their feet at the very idea their beloved < insert name here > has dared join a band with < insert name her e>. I kinda hope they end up killing each other so those of us who actually ENJOY music can sit back and, you know, enjoy it with out having to sift through all the drama.

One can only dream.

Movies that Make You Cry (spoilers)

I recently watched "The Joy Luck Club" and cried my eyes out at the end. After, I got to thinking about all the movies that have turned on the waterworks for me...and discovered that these days they are far and few between. Are movies just not as touching these days, or am I just getting a stone cold heart in my old age?

So, what movies made you guys cry? Men, don't be shy--we know it happens to you too. :P

Here's mine (behind the cut):

Return to Snowy River when Denny gets shot as he's racing down the mountain. Damn it all, I friggen bawl like a baby every-single-time.

Gladiator at the very end as he crosses into the Summerlands and when his friend is burying the figurines in the sand. "But not yet. Not yet."

The Green Mile. I don't think I've ever cried so hard during a movie. I remember sitting in the movie theater, sobbing hysterically, and looking over to see my good friend Mike pulling his hat down over his eyes, shoulders shaking. People all around us were crying. Of course, that made me cry even harder. I bought the movie, but I don't think it I ever watched it at home--I couldn't. It was just too damn sad and made me feel horrible about being human.

Full Metal Alchemist. I watch a lot of cartoons and a few have made me cry, but not like the episode in this show where Hugues dies. I mean, one minute he's on the phone and Envy appears in the form of his wife, the next we're looking at a coffin at a funeral. I just sort of sat there thinking, "No way. Cool characters like this aren't picked off. It has to be fake," because we all know that cartoons don't kill off the best characters, right? They always come back later to surprise us. Then his little girl starts screaming as the put the dirt over his casket, and for some reason I realized Hugues wasn't coming back--ever. "Mommy! Mommy! Why are they doing that? Make them stop! Why are they burying Daddy! Stop it! Stop it!" God, I lost it. I was still crying when Ed, the main character who had no clue his friend was dead, caught a glimpse of Hugues (ghost?) standing at a train station and waving to him. *f@$#ing bawl bawl bawl*

God damn that bastard, Envy. And damn that show for being one of the most depressing I've ever seen.

Dances With Wolves. "I am Wind in his Hair! I'll always be your friend! Can't you see that I will always be your friend!" Just * sob *.

Where the Heart Is made me cry at the end, when she finally realizes she is worth something and goes to find Forney.

"It's just that, I lied because--I thought that you deserved something better than me."

"Something better than you? Novalee, there's nothing better than you."

*bursts into tears*

Edit

I wanted to add to my list just about any animal movie ever made. The animals always get me. Every. Single. Time. 8 Below, Seabiscuit, Hildalgo, K-9, Never Cry Wolf, Born Free, Phar Lap, Free Willy, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, Thunderhead, The Black Stallion, the Snowy River movies, The Incredible Journey, etc. Hell, I cried when they blew up Jaws. I was like 5 at the time, but it still pissed me off they killed the man eating shark because he was just doing what sharks do--eating things.

Animals get to me. I don't know why. Maybe because they just do what they have to do without all the drama us humans tend to drag around. It's not about living or dying in these movies, it's about trying until you've given it your all. That sort of stuff tugs at my heartstrings.

Why Cats Will Never Rule the World

...but we love them anyway.

You can do it too!

Paris Hilton

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has refused to be drawn into Paris Hilton's jail appeal, insisting he has more pressing matters to deal with. The desperate socialite, who was sentenced to serve 45 days in jail earlier this month after violating terms of her 2006 drunk-driving arrest, has teamed up with a pal to pioneer an online petition begging the politician for a pardon. The appeal, which is addressed to Schwarzenegger, claims "the American public who support Paris are shocked, dismayed and appalled by how Paris has been the person to be used as an example that drunk driving is wrong." Earlier last week Schwarzenegger's press secretary insisted it was premature to comment on the case, but his boss hinted on Friday her campaign was likely to end in disappointment. Schwarzenegger said, "I've never got any request. But I have many more important things to think about."

Send that skank to JAIL. She broke the law, not once, not twice, but three times! Why the hell should this coke-ho get special treatment? Because she has money? Because she's famous? Thank God for the Govenator.

Asta la vista, Paris.

And you know what's scary? That there is an entire calling of young people who idolize this--thing (I can't bring myself to call her a woman). It says something about our country when our young idolize someone who is only famous for being a stupid whore. WTF has she ever done, besides make that asinine reality show, flash her twat to the press, and give head on camera? Christ on a cracker, lock that bitch up and throw away the key.

Boo fucking whoo.

Star Ocean 4

"Yamagishi noted that a brand-new entry in the series, Star Ocean 4, is currently in joint development between Square and longtime series developer Tri-Ace. Specific information on the release date and platforms is set to be announced in the near future."

This is the best news I've heard all year.

I love Buckcherry

Because I'm Evil

...and have been cranky and sick for a week, I was lying on my bed, watching TV when my son comes in to talk about his homework. We talked for a minute, then he went back out to the kitchen to do his homework. I could see him sitting at the table through the doorway of my room, leaving me to wallow in my bored misery.

A plan began to form.

You see, my son always does his homework at the kitchen table or next to the computer in the dining room. Both places have phones, so it's a sure thing that if it rings, he'll answer.

My idea growing in my head like a beast wanting to be free, I rummaged around for my cellphone which was on the floor next to my bed. I got up and went into the bathroom, but this was only a ruse so when I returned to my room I could shut my door without looking too suspicious.

I didn't shut the door all the way though. No, that would ruin the effect of my plan, as I wanted to see my poor kids face when he answered the phone to the sound of "The Grudge". Note, my son and I watched both movies. It's sort of "our thing" to watch creepy movies together. "The Grudge" was one of the few that scared the pants off of him. He's always joking about that freaky noise the ghost makes when calling people. My voice was rough enough to get it right because of my illness, so the timing was perfect. I left the door open enough that I could peer out and watch as he answered the phone.

I wasn't disappointed. I called the home phone using my cell and proceeded to make "Grudge noises" into the phone when the kiddo answered. I could only manage a few seconds. The horrified look on his face sent me into a fit of laughter so profound I thought I'd puke up my lungs. I think I laughed for ten minutes straight.

I'm so going to hell.

(For the record, my son thought it was pretty funny too, after he got over his initial shock. Now I'm waiting for the payback. I have to be on my guard, as he's a cunning little sprog when he wants to be...)

Shonen Jump IS Out this Week

So there is a Jump this week. I too, was under the assumption there would be a two week delay due to Golden Week. I'm happy to say that last night I discovered the newest chapter of One Piece and today Naruto, Bleach, and D. Gray-Man are out in Raw form.

Sadly, nothing too exciting happened in Naruto or Bleach. A lot of talking and planning, a little fighting. Orihime heals the two wenches Grimm smushed. One of them took a Cero point blank...this is an interesting development...Anyway, the ungrateful dark haired ho-bag calls her a monster. Meanwhile, Ishida's shot to the back does nothing to stop the Allancar, whatever the hell his name is. He annoys me. I wish he would just die already. Ishida and Renji decide to team up. No clue on what's going on with Ichigo...

As for Naruto, Itachi and Kisame are chatting it up under a tree. We learn they're saving the Kyuubi for last. They get a 'call' from headquarters and they're beamed to the bridge of the SS Akatsuki. There they learn that Oro-chan is dead and Sasuke is the killer. Itachi is warned that he is quite possibly Sasuke's target (Wow! What a genius assumption!). Kisame also learns that Suigetsu is in Sasuke's group...and Suigetsu has quite the reputation.

The end...

One Piece was a bit more interesting. Everyone is still running around the theme park of doom. I have to say, pirates fighting zombies is fun for everyone. Except when Luffy, trapped in webs and a suit of armor, gets his shadow chopped off. The sinister plan? To make Luffy the strongest zombie pirate in the world! How cool is that?

Actually, Luffy wasn't too keen on the idea. I wonder how they'll get out of this mess?

D. Gray-Man is the winner this week for most exciting chapter. Allen and Tiki are facing off, and the Crown Clown holds even more surprises for the Noah Clan. Deadly surprises. I was so happy to see that stupid smile wiped off Road's face. Who's laughing now, huh?

Does this sword look familiar to anyone? Take a long, hard look...

Road recognizes it--and she's scared...

Tiki fails to see the danger. He taunts Allen, confident that his ability to pass through objects will protect him. And Allen's sword does pass through him, though Tiki once again envisions himself being sliced in two...

But unlike last time, Tiki isn't unscathed. The sword has cut him, a blow that is meant to destroy evil. Not even Tiki's body is immune. He starts to go mad, something is broken inside him. Allen watches passively.

His Innocence, the sword he now carries, is the exact opposite of the Earl's blade.

D. Gray-man

Since I've been home sick for two days, I've had some time to catch up with a few other manga: One Piece and D. Gray-man. If you people haven't been following these stories, you really should because they are fantasic.

Here's some D. Gray-man snippets:

Allen gets a power-up after Tiki Mick destroyed his Innocence. The "Crowned Clown" makes its first appearance.

A power-up indeed...

See ya, level 3 Akuma!

So after that, Allen takes the Arc to Japan to find his companions and Tiki Mick. He has a brief battle with the Earl, who then traps them all inside the old Arc. Kanda and Krory fall first--but not without taking down two of the Noah. All that are left inside the old Arc are Road and Tiki. It's up to Lavi and Allen to get the survivors out...

Tiki learns a little about fear. Of course, this is a Shonen manga, so that doesn't stop him for long...

Since Allen's Innocence fused with his heart, Tiki decides not to pull his punches this time...Crowned Clown or no, Allen is going down.

Or maybe not...Allen calls on his Innocence to synchronize to the Max, but it exceeds 100%. Back at headquarters, Helvaska is preparing the Order for something big...

Synchronization complete! Has a new General of the Order just been born?

We'll have to wait to see...There won't be any Shonen Jump until next week, thanks to the holiday (or rather, week of holidays) in Japan. But can't help but wonder, if Allen becomes a General, does this absolve him of his masters debt? Ha ha ha ha ha~

Not Pleased With Mighty Mouse

I'm on the hunt for a new mouse for my computer. My scrolling has died, which isn't a big deal, but bugs the hell out of me. I was hoping I could find my old mouse, which was cheap but loveable. Alas, it is no where to be found.

Apparently, the fussy, breaking scroll ball is a problem with Mighty Mouse. After reading the reviews, I decided mine breaking after barely a month of use was no fluke. I won't be buying another one. Especially for the price of $50.00.

Shame on Apple. And here I've heard nothing but good things about their hardware.

The Fine Line

President Bush, an American President or a dictator in training?

"President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution."

I'm proud to say I didn't vote for this asshole.

Bleach

No Bleach this week, but I figured I'd post a few pictures of things that have happened recently:

I'm surprised Ully is #4. I was expecting at least #2. However, four isn't a bad number, and it makes me wonder who the first three are...and how in the hell Ichigo and company plan on defeating them.

What is Grimmjow up to? I think Aizen has a traitor among is group, which would serve him right. But just what is Grimm's objective? He's not exactly a 'good guy'...

Everyone always complains about Ishida being weak. He might not be a powerhouse like Chad or Ichigo, but he is certainly more ruthless. While those two stand around and chat up the enemy, Ishida isn't afraid to fight dirty, and he doesn't apologize for it. That makes me like him--a lot.

More Religious Stupidity

Ah, Amazon, I love your review boards.

Muslim and Christian idiocy across the board! Great fun for everyone!

And the stupidest comment award goes to A. Hajric:

And christianity gives us inquisitions, crusades, Pope tyranny, drugs, crime, violence, women abuse, beatings, illegitimate children, colonization, gangs, prostitution, AIDS, sexual abuse, transgenders, alcoholism, slavery and adultery. Peace!

There's so much stupid in this comment I can't decide whether to laugh or cry.