Love Letter A

Kouji Seo and his assistant's new work Love letter part one. It's a story of a couple in World war II, when Japan was viewed as the enemy of the world. The male character (穴澤利夫 Anasawa Toshio) looks a bit like Sasaoka and the female (智恵子 持田 Chieko Mochida) looks a lot like Honoka.




Showa era year 16 seventh month. Chieko, 17 years old, grew up in Tokyo and graduated from girl's school. She was a trainee student, practising in an university library to earn her qualificaion as a librarian. Anasawa called her suddenly and asked her to tidy the 200 new books. She was shocked but agreed to the task. Anasawa was a 19 years old university undergraduate who liked literature. He was appointed as the guide in Chieko's trainig. Chieko then remembered the day she was called out by him, the winter, half year after they known each other. Anasawa asked if she could go out with him. In the old days, dating was almost like marriage. Chieko was embarassed and ran away.

Back home, She didnt have much appetite and had some tiff with her brothers. After dinner, in her room, she thought of what Anasawa had said. Her mother came in and asked if she was hungry since she didnt eat much. Chieko rejected and asked her mother about schoolmates dating each other. Her mum answered it's shameful. Her mum then asked her why but Chieko told her she's just curious. Chieko decided to reject Anasawa. politely. The next day, she received a letter from Anasawa. Anasawa expressed his feeling and thoughts to her. After that, She wrote a letter back, deciding to go out with Anasawa. Since then, they started dating by mails.

Showa era year 17 fourth month. Chieko passed her national exam and found a job. Japan was at war with America. After work, she went to see Anasawa and wait for him. She always pretend that they met by coincidence. Anasawa would always show his happiness when he saw Chieko. Eventhough they didnt go out openly, Chieko was happy that she was always in his thought. One night, Chieko mum asked her about her constant letters from Anasawa. Chieko told her he was her senior before and he's an undergraduate. Her mum then told her not to get married. He mum wanted her to find someone who has entered society and also counsel her not to initiate anything.

One afternoon, Chieko need to bring some flowers to the library. She opened the door and saw Anasawa without his shirt on. She apologized and asked if he's angry. Anasawa said no and asked her out for coffee. Anasawa told her that he has enlisted the air force in the military. Chieko asked why he wanted to join the air force which is more risky. Anasawa told her that Japan needed pilots most at the moment and he would do his part to protect important things.
Two months later, Anasawa passed his military training and successfully accepted into the air force.

Showa era year 18 First October. Japan was at war and most family only get to have rice. Chieko still corresponded with Anasawa but she anticipated to see him.

Showa era year 19 twelveth month, Chieko went to the 246 squadron to meet Anasawa. She was worried that he would be angry but she really longeth to see him. She later met Anasawa but was worried that she would be scolded. Anasawa said that he wanted to borrow her scarf. He took off his, put on hers and the his on top of hers. Apparently, Chieko has mentioned, if Anasawa was willing to let her be his scarf and accompany him all the time, in her letter. Thus, having the scarf on him meant they could get married and be together always. However, Japan has started its offensive movements. The special attack force would also proceed with their military tasks. Anasawa wrote that he would be carrying out the "no-return" mission and he hope to see her. Chieko read the letter and was shocked, with her hands shaking. She then thought of the meaning of "special attack unit".

P/S: What a long summary, considering its 48 pages work. I searched the dictionary and 特攻隊員, special attack unit is also known as "Kamikaze unit" in the past. So it meant that Anasawa will be proceed with a mission that would most probably cost his life.

Suzuka Calendar 2007

I do not own this. It's courtesy of Eric from Elitist Wannabe, another favourite website of mine. Do visit his webpage, I like his scans and his simple layout of anime & manga collection.

Visit Elitist Wannabe. Suzuka calendar 2007 scans can be found at his Goods section.

Suzuka 132 Reply

凉风 #132 返答 へんとう

Yamato and Saotome reached the airport. Saotome insisted that she wanted to go home but Yamato grabbed her and wont let go of her. Saotome told him that Sasaoka wont believe what Yamato was about to say. Yamato insisted that he would make Sasaoka believe him. They had a quarrel and Sasaoka appeared. He was shocked to see both Yamato and Sasaoka there. Saotome told him that they were there to send him off because Yamato insisted on it. Yamato interrupted and told Sasaoka that that was not correct. Yamato told Sasaoka that Saotome loved Sasaoka very much and why he wouldn't believe her. Saotome ordered Yamato to stop. Sasaoka thanked Yamato for his concern. He continued that it was as he had told him that morning, there's nothing between Saotome and him. He added that they only live clos together and their parents were good friends. Sasaoka further remarked that they were only normal childhood friends, like siblings and it wouldn't change. He concluded that's all and he liked Yuuka-chan very much too. Saotome approached Sasaoka and gave him a slap (Ouch! heavy one). Yamato was shocked. With tears, Saotome shouted, "It was only you who think it that way". She then turned around and left. Sasaoka called her Yuuka-chan but she ignored him . He then called out Saotome and told her that he would be getting married the next year. He apologized and told her he couldn't return her feeling. Saotome ran away.

Following Saotome, Yamato apologized to Saotome and told her that he didnt expect to turn out so. Saotome stopped walking and thanked Yamato, telling him that she couldnt finally give up. Saotome told him that she thought it would be painful to be rejected but she didnt have any tears at all. With a smile, She commented that she wanted to be more beautiful and find something a lot better than Sasaoka. Saotome grabbed Yamato and asked him to accompany her to the pub, though Yamato didnt want to go.

P/S: Guess that settles Saotome matter. After 2 weeks break, this is all we got.

My Anime 2006 Review

My 2006 Anime Review

These are my personal opinion and only on those anime that I watched. :)

My Anime of the Year
ARIA The Natural, Code Geass, Fate Stay Night, Mai Otome

My Manga of the Year
Suzuka, Tsubasa Chronicles, ARIA

My Soundtrack of the Year
AMG sorezore no Tsubasa
Fate Stay Night
Gundam SEED Destiny Best The Bridge
Binboushimai Monogatari
Aria The Natural

My Theme of the Year
Colour ~ Code Geass [OP ]
We are not alone ~ Crescent Love [OP]
Hoshi no Tobira ~ Gundam SEED Stargazer [OP]

I decided to rate the anime with my expectation and enjoyment, rather than the quality or the anime as a whole, which is often disputable and differ with people's interest.

Enjoyment:
Enjoyable: Anime which is enjoyable to watch
Fair/Content: Anime which is average or content to watch
Disappointed: Anime which is disappointing to watch

Expectation:
Above Expectation: Anime which exceed expectation or impression
As Expected: Anime which match expectation or impression
Below Expectation: Anime which fall short expectation or impression

Exceptional: Anime worth watching and enjoyable.
Terrible: Anime which is terrible. Not recommended



Ah! My Goddess Sorezore no Tsubasa
I am an avid fan of AMG but the second season really performed below my expectation, especially how it was concluded. Animation quality, soundtracks and settings were great. The way the material was delivered was weak.


Air Gear
Air Gear, had high expectation due to the manga but the quality in the anime degrade over time. Weeks after weeks, I gradually lost interest in it.


ARIA The Natural
Better than the first season and comprised 26 episodes. The settings, background and the music certainly make the anime enjoyable to watch. Surprised that spice-of-life anime could be so enjoyable.


Bartender
Didnt have much expectation but it is enjoyable to watch especially the information on the liquor and alchohol.


Binboushimai Monogatari
As expected.. wasn't much of interest and the quality degrade over time. Though the background music matched the anime veyr well.


Binchotan
Nice animation and simple story plot. Good for learning Japanese with the simple and short conversation. Kawaii is the cue of this anime.


Code Geass
Didnt expect Code geass to be this good. Although people mentioned several reference to GSD, I didnt really notice much similarity. Even so, it's distinct and interesting to watch. Not to mention that an antagonist is the main character.


Crescent Love
The one thing that sustain my interest in this anime is Feena, that's all. Animation quality degrade over time and a bit cheesy at the end. I rather have Tatsuya hurt critically but didnt die and was saved by magic, than having alien resurrect him.


Fate Stay Night
Already had high expectation but the duel choreography and the animation quality made it superb. Love Saber most. Excellent music background accompanying the emotion of each scenes.


Gun Parade Orchestra
Wonder why I bother watching it? Only the first part is acceptable, the 3rd part is crap. In general not an enjoyable anime to watch.


Gundam Stargazer
Expected a lot from Gundam but it's just 3 short OVAs. Gundam Noir is average but certainly Gundam Stargazer concept is new. Though simple but I like the quality and the gundam as always. Hope they would continue Stargazer as a series.


I"s Pure
Expected a lot from I"s pure since it's 6 DVDs release and the promo looked promising. There were too many silent scenes and much of the story/characters ommitted. But it's enjoyable to watch the manga animated, especially the previous OVA failed severely.


Kanon
Kanon, better than expected but not that exciting to watch for me. Superb quality, background music and character development. But something's missing that I didnt longeth for it every week. Strange...


Lemon Angel Project
A fairly good animation with musical idols as theme. Enjoyable to watch though not to eager. Background setting was good but the bacground music and themes were lame, considering it's an anime with music as the core.


Mai Otome
Mai Otome Zwei
Included Mai Otome since a large part of it was broadcasted in 2006. Really enjoy Mai Otome, especially the otome robe design. Though storywise not a good as Mai Hime but it interesting and enjoyable to watch. Superb quality and also excellent background music. Really eager to watch more of Mai Otome Zwei.


Muteki Kanban Musume
An average anime but really love the humour, although it always repetitive. Wish there were more food elements in the anime than constant unaccomplished duels.


Primo Passo
Finally, an anime with heroine as the lead character of anime and classical music as the theme. Excellent quality and really enjoy the anime. Love the concluding Seed of Knowledge by the fairy Lili.


Super Robot Wars
I picked it up half-way after I saw the robots. The robots are nice, the characters are bad, the story is worse. Too many characters, bad animation quality, too many failed reference to GSD and poor story plot.


Soul Link
Fall below my expectation and didnt understand what's going on until the end of the series. Animation degrade severely over time.


Suzumiya Haruhi
Main deficit is the order of the anime. Would you like to watch a drama series that is not in order? Yes, humour's there, superb animation quality from Kyoto animation, what else? Didnt find the story too interesting. I must be the minority since it's a hit in Japan!


Tokimeki Memorial Only Love
Repetition of chasing event, chick fight and of course, Tokimeki Memorial is famous for its harem theme. Animation quality is quite good. The story plot's not that interesting but I just eager to watch it every week. Other people also felt this way. Why?


Tsubasa Chronicles II
Season II's a big disappointment. Not only quality dropped near the end, they added several new arcs that's not in the manga. Two or three would be acceptable but ending the series with an arc that's not in manga is disputable, not to mention that it was poorly concluded. Hope they'd follow the manga more closely in season III.


Zegapain
The animation quality is excellent especially the Zega. In fact, it has one of the best animated quality this year. The story got more exciting and interesting towards the middle of the anime, just in time before people start to lose interest in it.


Zero no Tsukaima
Excellent humour and really enjoyable to watch, although too much of the pants joke for me. Animation quality is fairly good. It's not an anime that copy Harry potter, it does have distinct storyline and I really like the concept on how the noble people treat earthly stuff as treasure.