Wishing you a MARRY and HOT CHRISTMAS!!!! *wink*

Browsing around i came across a pretty “hot” Sei x Youko fan art! I mean, Sei’s really cool to start with, but this takes it to a whole new level?! HAHAHA Yeah, I’m sorry for not posting for you for a month, i’ve had so much school that I did not have time to read any manga or watch anime… *sob* But now i’m back and i will try to update every day! SO LET US HAVE A GREAT YEAR AHEAD!!!!

*hands out yuri fans for all Yasashii sekai… readers*

Btw, I don’t remember where I found this fan art. If you are the owner and wish to have it removed, please let me know. I apologize if I’ve offended you but hey, this is a picture too HOT to miss!!!!!

[manga] Girl Friends ~ best friends falling slowly and clumsily for each other…

As I mentioned in the original post, I was intending to prepare a post that would highlight any key moments so far. But while I was flicking through, I realised that it’s actually very hard!! It’s hard because much of the manga focuses on little daily / ordinary things where there is no BIG WOW factor but are protrayals of what happens in reality (ok I might be stretching it JUST a little…hehe). It’s only once we’ve gone through all these small “doki doki” moments that we eventually get to the BIG BANG in chapter 14!! Hehehe =P

For example:

1. Chapter 8 - this is after Mari secretly kissed Akko when she fell asleep. Mari is embarrassed and cannot bring herself to look at Akko. This disturbs Akko who eventually finds a friend to explain her worries – she thinks she pissed Mari off when she was drunk but cannot remember. She’s worried that Mari is now mad at her. Her friend basically responds promptly and says, “this isn’t as important as you made it sound in the SMS. This just sounds like a lover’s quarrel. Anyway, you guys are friends – just ask her about it. That’s what you usually do.” Though this is a dead simple conversation – I like how it planted a seed in Akko’s mind.

Why am I not behaving like I usually do?

This kind of stuff maked me smile. ^___^ However, I must admit that too much of these tiny sprinklings can slow down the pace and bore the reader. Up until chapter 10, the story was a tad bit slow but still acceptable.

Now moving on, this must have been the highlight to chapter 8!

Haha! Geez! When I read this, I feel like whacking Akko on the head!! Aaaah!!

2. Chapter 10 - another moment of reality…

I think this sums up Girl Friends well… “One of the more realistic coming of age stories by Morinaga Milk with two best friends slowly and clumsily falling for each other in the cutest possible way”.

I think I am biased in my view of Girl Friends. When I was reading it, it reminded me of my friend and I. I was surprised that there were many moments that I had gone through before. Although I knew I was very attached to my friend, I never really expected thouse incidents to be found in a yuri manga!

Don’t worry – more Girl Friends moments to come!! Ooooh! I wonder what awaits us!?!? Can’t wait!!

[manga] Girl Friends ~ it’s not bad…hehe

Status: Still running

Genre: yuri, shoujo-ai, high school

Published: 2007 by Morinaga Milk

Impression so far: Nice art and character designs, very cute and a truckload of  “blush” moments – I like!! ^_^

Where available: MakiMaki Scanlations

What a cute picture! ^_^ Btw, I picked this manga up cos someone mentioned it as a worthy check for yuri fans out there! Also, I recall that a friend had highly recommended works of Milk Morinaga. She also recommended another work of Milk Morinaga called Kuchibiru Tameiki Sakurairo – which I will check out later!! Thanks guys!

I actually don’t usually read manga – the only one i’ve read from beginning to end is Love Hina! *GASP* hahaha Yes I did read it after seeing the anime! *SECOND GASP* I’m not a big fan of reading manga as I seem to have some inability of comprehending which direction I read the squares and dialogue! LOL Yes – I’m pretty hopeless. BUT, after some training with love hina and now Girl Friends – I’m better. You must be thinking – “About time! You probably should also get your head checked!!” hahaha

Sorry – now back to Girl Friends. This is a running yuri manga that centres on two girls (now that’s not very surprising) in a highschool setting (yes – they’ve used this formula a number of times…) Although the key themes are nothing new, I’m still more than happy to give it a go – anyone disagree? haha

So Mari-chan is a new student to the school -  she has long dark hair and is the quiet type who likes to read and has good grades. On the otherhand, there’s Akko-chan who’s blonde, a bit ditzy and crazy and you guessed right! Academics? hahaha Let’s just say that she has other priorities in life – like eating at Mister Donut, shopping and taking sticker photos! LOL Anyway, they become good friends thanks to Akko-chan’s proactiveness and all is marry until suddenly Mari-chan seems to show signs of “yuri”. This was a surprise to me as I was expecting Akko-chan to make the first move. Well no complaints from me! LOL

Now let me grab your attention with a cheeky screen shot from one of the pages… =P

Now surely you’re gonna have to check this one out!! haha As long as you don’t object to the idea about high school girls and you want to read some light yuri – then I don’t think you can go wrong with this one!! haha I hope it gets better…!!

I might post some of my favorite scenes so far in a separate post… =P

 

[anime] Candy☆Boy Ep 8 ~ Body PILLOW CASES!!!

Well in this final episode (*sob*), Saku invites the twins and Shi-chan to this pool before it is opened to the public. Of course she has something sinister in mind!!! To take pictures of her precious Kanade-senpai in swimwear and use those pictures for a body pillow!!! hehehe Of course, Saku had to be brought back under control… in good old Candy Boy style… hahaha

After the havoc, there is a sweet quiet moment between Yuki and Kana-chan. *BEAM* Turns out Kana-chan is a bit of a stalker!! hehe But Yuki doesn’t really mind. : )

Finally, we need a bit of Shi-chan screen time!! I’m so glad that Shi-chan made a final appaerance!! I’d be so sad otherwise!!!! She’s a traitor here and gives the enemy a invaluable treasure… hehe

*sigh* I can’t believe we’re finally at the end of Candy Boy. Overall it was a pleasant and cute yuri anime to watch!! We’ve finally reached the end. Bye to the Candy Boy gang!!

[anime] Candy☆Boy ~ a summary of Ep 7!!

I loved this episode so much, it was so touching and wonderful!! I recommend that you read the wonderful summary that Blue Blue Wave has posted!
Check it out!!!

[anime] Candy☆Boy Episode 6

There was a change to the ending squence. Rather than the usual re-capping, this time, it’s a short take of Yuki walking away from Kana!! What is this meant to imply!?! There is only ONE more episode waiting for us!!

[anime] Candy☆Boy Episode 5: CUTE!

I really liked this episode. I’ve actually gotten a little tired with the whole “nothing happens”. The lack of frames in the previous two episodes also annoyed me.
But! The action is back! There were a good handful of squealing/LOL moments! Let’s go through some of them!

First they give us this kawaii scene backed with some pretty “I’m on a distant planet” kind of music. Then there’s the “jump out of nowhere” fox scene!?! HA! When i saw this, I was like, “what??” They just want to find any random excuse to throw in a moment where Yuki-chan suddenly possesses the signature fox ears and tail! I never wuite understood this Japanese fetish – BUY, i must admit that Yuki looks kinda cute here… ^_^

I also liked the part where Kana and Yuki both expose their own stash of embarrassing pictures of each other. LOL Obviously their fight/struggle puts them in a “slightly embarrassing situation” causing them to be labelled as the “shameless couple”!! AHAHAHA For some reason, I thought there were more “enjoyable” moments than usual… haha Maybe I was just in the mood. *shrug*

Aside from the moments between Kana and Yuki – our freshman Saku also provided a good couple of laughs! The poor girl! The way Kana treats her!! She’s like a puppy here! Now go FETCH!! Hahaha! Good Saku… Now here’s a new toy for you! Kana’s personal pillow!

I’m actually looking foward to the two next episodes to come. It’s actually a tad bit sad to know that it’s all coming to an end. *sigh* But i’ve enjoyed in so far and it has been very cute and good!
Please let me know if there are any worthwhile yuri works on the way!!

It’s no wonder Kana-chan flunked her assignment!!! LOL

This is quite a breathtaking picture!

[anime] Candy☆Boy ~ Episode 4 ~ It’s Hepatica, right…

This episode were even more touching than the last one! To tell the truth, it almost drove me to tears… Poor Shi-chan! *sob* I must say that for a series of 10 minute episode, the character development is one of the best i’ve ever seen. I really recomend this series from the bottom of my heart!
And thanks again to Shin-gx for thier great subbing!

[anime] Candy☆Boy ~ Episode 3 ~ Crossing Barriers!

We got introduced to a new character, Yukino and Kanade’s sister Shi-chan and she’s really cute! But there’s definitely some sister complex in this story… Poor Shi-chan!

[anime] Candy☆Boy ~ Episode 2 & lyrics

Before i start typing away, let me explain that i don’t really plan to review every episode of  Candy☆Boy – mainly because each episode in only 8 minutes long so by the time I explain it, all the story will be revealed! BUT, I am going to write if something should catch my eye. hehehe Like what i am about to write…

In this episode there was a particular sequence that i liked and was perfactly matched with the lyrics of the music! I did not notice this until I was taking screen shots of the scene i liked. The lyrics of the song is actually capturing Kanade’s inner struggle. Accompanying screenshots below.

恋のカタチ ~ Koi no Katachi

I can’t speak out the words, it’s a mysterious feeling right?

You to have noticed this usual life

If you let go even for a second

I’ll photograph yesterday’s smile while desperately in pain

We share the same thoughts so stop being doubtful

Let us line up and decorate that honest feeling

This isn’t some imagination, this is the shape of love

Let our shadows cross over while walking, happily believing

It won’t disappaer because it was visualized

I honestly thought this part was quite sweet and cute! It touched me for a while! *sigh*

Ah and just to demonstrate the silliness of this anime, here’s a pretty hilarious scene… HAHAHAHA

Btw, the translated lyrics are thanks to the hard work of Shin-gx!