Heheh, damn. I was bad recently and had a friend pick up the first four volumes of the Mahoraba manga for me. I love Iove the manga for this series, and i feel dumb saying this but i think Mahoraba is my favorite series this year. I don’t expect others to really share that view, but thats ok. It reminds me of what i do for some reason. Its nice to be a fan of works that are not light years beyond what you yourself might be capable of doing. The art’s good, but its not Akamatsu-level, the story is good but it’s not so serious that it’s A-level worship material. I just… like it.
Enough drooling. I’ll paw thru them later. Able also managed to find a Potato plushie for me. Uwahh… its cute, and it’s guarding my desk right now.
Comic stuff seems to be going ok, finally managed to get traction on this current arc, now it’s just the labor of drawing it all (which i dont mind, its the time that kills me. The last comic took 15 hours to draw and put together, give or take an hour). Need to help Seraphim with store stuff today, lots of errands to run. Must put Mahoraba manga in locked cabinet and give sarah the key… yeah. 
Now i just need for the Mahoraba soundtrack to come out. I already have one of the Drama disks… heh. At least its not the mountain of stuff that there is to collect is monster series like Air. 
- pirotunes: Spineshank - Slavery -
Mahoraba Manga.. might i ask where you got this from.. or were your friend did? =P
I’d have to say its my fav Anime this year too. Its just.. it makes me feel happy inside while watching it.
Hey, what’s up with placing Akamatsu up so high on the art scale? I mean, he’s pretty mediocre. If you compare him to, say, Range Murata (Character designs for Last Exile, Blue Submarine No. 6, etc), Akamatsu is just drawing scribbles on a napkin. Heck, compare Love-Hina to all of the published manga out there, and it’s only in the 50%-40% percentile … … well, maybe I’m just judging too harshly. I do that a lot.
Anyway, I’m looking forward to the rest of this arc — Miho has somehow gotten much sexier! Maybe I’ll do another Miho fanart? : D
i still need to do that sakura/tomoyo fan art too…
your talking about something that relates to me now… theres one really good anime that i like just because it almost like me and how my life is. i’m talking about the “comic party’” series.
hmmm… maybe you should check it out, (if you have not already) you just may be shocked to see how much it “may” relate to you. ^_^
Murata’s stuff is scary-good, but i’m still a total ABe fanboy.
Akamatsu’s stuff just seems…the same. *whips out a copy of “How NOT to Draw Manga”*
it’s almost as if he’s milking the same exact plot, again and again!
*leaps infront of shelf of LH manga*
NOTHING! YOU SEE NOTHING!
—
The amount of sheer…_stuff_ regarding AIR is mind-shattering. it makes me want a job.
…or a credit card
comic party is just plain fun — the ToHeart parody in the first episode had me laughing endlessly…though, i think Otaku no Video was better. [/gainax whoring]
great art in megatokyo today.
Hmmm, I tripped across a translated Ch. 1/2 of Mahoraba manga … I found it less compelling than the anime though nicely drawn. Perhaps it was the way the characters were introduced (different POV). Perhaps it is that the type of humor just comes across nicely in the anime (I particularly like the crayola tales and active 4-panel bits).
However, I’m not at a reading lvl of Nihongo by a long shot so I’m either going to have to buy the series as art (and later read) or painfully wait for Tokyopop or someone to xlate… I’m still waiting for the last half of the Ai Yori Aoshi manga to burp out of the tokyopop lairs.
I went ahead and ordered the whole TMP series from Nippon-export — my goal is to be able to read it by the end of the year. Out come my -kana Flashcards of Pain … oy…
(sigh) double post but I blame the software
Mmmmmmm, Mahoraba soundtrack — it *must* have Saki-chan’s theme… but then I’m a yutz for retro rock (somewhere in my closet is my tattered AC/DC teeshirt though I’m more of a Tull fan).
I have found about four locations that have at least SOME of the swag I seek as a rule. Fred has recommended Himeya among others … any particularly successful web businesses you’d recommend for *having stuff*?
http://www.animecastle.com is where I got TMP:OST Best Collection for $16.00 (incl. shipping) rather than the nearly $40 Amazon wanted (sheesh).
Well, I haven’t ordered *too* much from them yet, but YesAsia (http://www.yesasia.com) did have the first of the CLAMP 15th anniversary collectors artbooks. They seem to have a decent selection of stuff, but I haven’t bothered to browse through all of it yet. I’ll second the Himeya and Anime Castle recommendations, though; haven’t had a problem with either yet.
Completely off-topic: I just listened to a…decidedly unique ‘instrumental’ version of “Tori no Uta”, the Air opening theme: someone made a .NSF (NES sound format) version of the theme, which actually sounds pretty darn good. (http://www.2a03.org/browse.php/2A03/archive/covers/1-1 — a player capable of playing .nsf files needed, such as foobar2000 (windows) or Audio Overload (mac).
Well… if animeten.com has Mahoraba manga, they appear the only ones on the planet that do. Searching every site ever mentioned only brought up Chinese Language versions of the comics.
Sad face… well, I’m swinging by the local Kinokuniya Bookstore tomorrow - we’ll see what they have. I always love going in there (curious stares at the 6ft shoulder-length haired white guy browsing in the non-porn section).
I’ve decided my mental block on -kana reading was stupid — I spent two years in college learning Russian and Cyrillic doesn’t really have a lot to do with the anglo-saxon alphabet…
Jlist.com / Jbox.com has a lot of stuff. Art books, manga, dvds, toys, shirts, snacks and clocks (amongst other things)…
I’ll have to make a trip down to the Asahiya, see if they’ve got anything interesting recently…heck, I might just take a drive up to LA to the Kinokuniya (though I use the name loosely…) there and see what they’ve got. That’ll be tomorrow, though…after payday, so I’ll actually have money to spend for a day or so.
Curses, no money to buy manga or soundtracks and shared satellite connection with four other people, who would not appreciate attempts to download large files (like anime episodes)
I love the current story arc. I don’t think Miho got sexier, she’s always been like that in my mind. Maybe its just a tad more obvious now. Maybe I read to alot into stuff she’s done before. Just goes to show, people see things differently.
@ vexx, Jethro Tull is great. I also like them more then AC/DC, but admit an addiction to Black Sabbath. N.I.B rocks! I’ll probably be deaf in ten years. Now lets go a little further back. Cream is better then the Doors.
(goes off to work on MT fan art)
A bit off topic here
I would like to do some fan art to quite a few things, but whenever I do, it just looks like total crap… So far, I’ve only managed to do 1 that looked remotely decent, and that was a picture of Chii, and I used so much for reference that I pretty much just ended up copying the whole thing. Everything else i’ve done looks like an insult to the origional…
And it’s not because I can’t draw… I draw quite often, and my own characteres (generally) look fine…
I’d like you to know your megatokyo manga strip is very inspiring to me, and i’m using your artstyle to practice with and improve my own drawing abilities at the moment. To be honest, your comic is extremely addictive and interesting and makes me want to have a shot at making a comic strip too. Of course it would be a singlar effort to start with. I don’t know if I could keep the schedule you do, even when i get to your consistant level of art. In fact I find it impressive and amazing how you can keep such a tight schedule for so long, and it be just another part of your life, for so long. Anyhow, Miho is definetly my fave character aside from Piro and Largo of course. I find her an interesting character, who has a great potential of her own. You probably havn’t decided, and obviously don’t want to ruin anything for your readers, but I have a theory Miho and Largo would make an ULTRA cute couple ^_^ heh heh. I want to wish you and your closest the best of luck in your career’s. I think that Megatokyo would make an AWSOME anime by the way.
It’d be on my most fave anime list instantly. I’m sorry if you’ve heard what i’m saying all before. P.S: Have you ever played Super Smash Brothers Melee? It rules!
Super Smash Bros? Super Smash Bros?????
Melee ? Melee…
(that caught my eye…. must rant about how I dont win everytime anymore)
I mean cmon… Kirby used to win EVERY time… I was able to win against 3 humans … and not lame push overs either… why is he not able to do this anymore? CMON!! where has the altimate (spelling?) Power of Cute Gone!!! WHERE!!!
(end rant)
oh yeah… annd the comic is awesome too
I find that when drawing other peoples’ characters, It helps to not look at the character too much, but focus on what the character means to you. Try looking at it this way, you can’t draw “the” Miho (or anyone else), only the origional artist can do that, you can only draw your own version of the character. Not sure exactly what you’re trying to do, Drango, but that helps me. I just can’t draw the way Fread does, my style started before I found MT or got into manga, and drawing characters from vastly different styles is always hard.
Miho and Largo… Miho and Piro… Miho and anyone! Miho is just awesome. So long as she does not end up lonely, I’ll be happy.
Most of the characters are awesome actualy. Making good comics takes more then just drawings, and Fread seems to have a gift for characterization similar to that of Rumiko Takahashi. Takahashi’s ability to generate endless amounts of interesting characters is a big part of what makes her one of the best comic creators ever.
Wow. Long post.
Yeah… I can see your point… My style isn’t much like anyone elses that I can think of… But if I don’t at least have some reference next to me, I get worried that it’ll look nothing like the character I’m trying to draw… Which results in the situation with my Chii pic… Not what I like about her at all, just a copy made from several diferent pics…
I’m gonna try doing some more fan art, without using any references, just what I know, and like about the characters, and see how that turns out… (if I still think it’s bad, I’m probably just gonna give up fanart entirely…)
Well, thanks for the tips, Thales!
whoa… my copies of original Tsukuyomi Moon Phase arrived in the mail today from Japan…. that was faster than domestic delivery…
w00t, I can actually sound out about .. o well … its my primer now for -kana reading (outside of the ingredient packages at the Japanese grocery store)…
Artwork is very interesting, much different than anime, more abstract/artful … the anime goes for a much more realistic look in the characters IMO. Thumbed books one and two so far — the anime seems to track the manga pretty closely (some setting differences and an extended conversation at the hotspring … anime Vigo is more threatening looking than manga Vigo).
@Vexx: Anime Vigo might be more threatening, but Manga Vigo could give children nightmares.
I mean, could you see living with *that* following you around for two years? It’s no wonder Hazuki wanted out so badly.
More seriously, I thought the main characters (Kouhei and his grandfather in particular) were actually pretty close artistically between the two versions. The secondary characters (especially Hiromi — and Vigo, of course) are rather different, though.
Plot-wise, it does seem to explain a few things a bit better than the anime (like the “power-up” from drinking blood) but gives less attention to the secondary characters (Hiromi, Seji, etc.). There are also little bonus things here and there (with some development sketches and notes and such), I think. Those would be the only reasons I’d consider getting it (if it were ever licensed and translated).
On a somewhat different note: I want that little Hazuki helper Hiromi has on her computer in the anime.
I was convinced it was a placement ad for some Hazuki game CD .
I’ve found a few scanlations to help me “check my work” at least for volume 1.
You’re right manga-Vigo is repulsive, bleh.
I also notice the art improves in later volumes (less cartoony in non-deformed scenes).
The powerup in the anime is there but it is just implied rather than stated… more like a recharge than a powerup. I thought the thugs in the manga were better done — it was kind of hard to take them seriously in the anime (the three that beat up Kouhei). I noticed the same oddity in Ai Yori Aoshi — must be some wierd directive to hyper-cartoonize bad guys .
ah well… don’t want to drown Fred’s blog …
Oh, there’s an interview of the Air voice actors available “out there” concerning the AIR movie. Actually fairly interesting (along with the trailer) … they’re really going for “high art”.
The whole “various interpretations and retellings” that these stories go through reminds of the various incarnations of Hitchhiker’s Guide … bizarre but fascinating.,, non-American audiences must be much more comfortable with variances of the story plot and consider the art of the telling to be more important.
…..
You got a POTATO PLUSHIE?
Waaaaai~! No fair! ;.; Pictures! I demand pictures!
I second that motion
Potato freaks me out every time I see him.
I mean, what kind of animal *is* he?
Potato is supposed to be a dog of some sort… a dog that goes ‘piko’ instead of ‘woof’, but still a dog…
If I got a Potato plushie, my neice would steal it from me the second she saw it… I’d have to hide it if I do get one…
I love your comics Fred.
Hmmm, apparently there are more than 8 books in the Tsukuyomi Moon Phase series.. but I can’t find book 9 or later anywhere? Anyone have a clue? I thought it was a finished series, is it still in progress?
Sorry for talking to myself … apparently book 9 of TMP is just now out or about to be — the parallelism has me blinking… I thought manga series usually completed before the anime came out… (www.comicgum.com for details: may require babelfish).
Hmm. The anime seems to have finished airing in Japan (25 episodes). When was Volume 8 released? If the episode to volume ratio from the first few kept up (~3 episodes per volume), then 25 episodes would be just about right for eight volumes. If that’s correct, I would hope all of those volumes were out before October (when the anime started airing). Otherwise that would be strange indeed.
Either way, it’s odd if they want to make a second season with the new material. They’d have to wait for another eight or so volumes to be produced, which could take a few years.
Books 1-8 covered all the way up to the climax at the castle with Keihou arriving. Book 9 (just out in print according to Gum), I’m guessing covers the aftermath. There’s probably more than what made it into ep. 25 (which seemed rushed or “reader’s digest”-mode now that I think about it).
I admit I’m parsing this out of the japanese webpages (some Nihongo, some english, some babelfish). Perhaps there’s a version prior to Gum’s publishing????? But their webpage is currently touting Book Nine (which appears to the last book). Maybe it contains a wad of omake.
It’s been interesting on my first pass of the series to see what is different. The story order is fairly close but things like when the two “fiancees” get introduced are very different and some of the stuff that made no sense in the anime usually turned out to be silly censor stuff.
I’m definitely hoping for an OVA version or that the DVDs coming out clean up some of the “late animation” issues and add more scenes. There’s even a nod to the age diffence (some old ladies jesting at Keihou’s expense while Hazuki glomps on him as they are out walking).
I’ve asked nippon-export.com to hunt around for me (also for the Mahoraba manga series which I’ve only been able to find in Chinese language series so far). They’ve been real courteous and helpful — not my first choice for dvd/cd but their book rates are competitive.
Fern: “Completely off-topic: I just listened to a…decidedly unique ‘instrumental’ version of “Tori no Uta”, the Air opening theme: someone made a .NSF (NES sound format) version of the theme, which actually sounds pretty darn good. (http://www.2a03.org/browse.php/2A03/archive/covers/1-1 — a player capable of playing .nsf files needed, such as foobar2000 (windows) or Audio Overload (mac).”
Just got around to downloading that and giving it a listen. Very unique arrangement, but as was said, it sounds excellent. Did not expect that level of quality from NES hardware (or emulation thereof).
This weekend has been a “w00t” day. I got my DVD imports of Tsukuyomi Moon Phase Part One (eps 1-13) and the whole series of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha. This morning I got a bump from the releases of TMP 16 subbed and Negima 14 subbed. Negima’s quality has improved dramatically from the animation misfires of the early episodes… its still a silly show but fun. Watched Futukoi Alternative ep 1 last night… can’t decide what I think yet… I loved half of it and loathed half of it… not really a fan of “yakuza” stuff and the law characters are just Loony wierd.
The AIR trailer and interviews make the AIR movie look *really* interesting … but I think I’m still looking forward more to the “ancient tale” prequel planned for later this year.
(yes, I’m completely under Hazuki’s spell…)
Now you can watch Mahoraba online instantly!
http://homepage.mac.com/pockyrevolution/azumanga.html
dude you shouldn’t think like that. other people like that anime series. i like it and there are many other guys who like it too. (no its not cause they are perverts)
Hmmm, if you’re talking about Futukoi Alternative and my comments… you didn’t really read my comments — the only elements I wasn’t fond of were the police characters and the gangster characters … I found the lead characters interesting and no I don’t mind the freewheeling relationships. It just seemed to me that the police and Yakuza were hyper surreal/cartoony and it kind of clashed with the twins and lead character. Yakuza == gangsters if that wasn’t clear. I’m also confident that not only guys like the anime (a few of my son’s acquaintenances of the female persuasion are anime fans though I’ve not asked them about this one yet).
(This is not the double postings we are looking for, move along)
Okay, Fred — I give up. Where in the hell might one acquire Mahoraba manga?
Blahh… need help finding anime torrents again. This time I’m hunting down Angel Sanctuary. Any suggestions?
wai… Mahoraba ep 11 (subbed) is out.
All I can suggest is either Google or hang out at some of the IRC channels related to subbing sites and ask. Amidst the derision and catcalls, someone usually answers the question.
I think I’m taking a break from MT:SD for a day or two… in the quest for enlightenment, I took a karma hit.
oye!!! I found someone who exports Mahoraba manga… wheee (may take 2-4 weeks to obtain) awwww.
Ah well… .
I’m in love with episode 11 of Mahoraba, its just so beautiful & and sooo lovleh. ^^;
re: TMP volume 9 — They must have worked with the author of the manga if the anime covers more than what was out at the time of production. I do think it’s weird that the anime would show the ending before it was released in print (unless they were roughly simultaneous).
re: Mahoraba 11 — Momono’s reaction to the rectangle things (Kojima?) was about the same as mine XD
And, Vexx, take a break from SD if you think you need it. I’ve certainly done so plenty of times before (I find it gets really repetitive after a few months).
Just saw Mahoraba #11 this morning - won’t spoil for it anyone but was, well, very sweet. Certainly improved the character study of one of the tenants.
I think they’re artist erasers… my other theories require the ingestion of large amounts of LSD.
The TMP #9 situation is very strange … I have vol 1-8 and am awaiting my usual source to capture vol 9 but I’m wondering if I’m picking up a re-release of some kind (no evidence of it though). I’m not good enough at reading to know if this is a 2nd edition release or not. I certainly wouldn’t mind a second season of TMP assuming they could develop good material and grow the relationships.
bam… Mahoraba 12 is subbed and out… makes up for the slow pace of the poor subber who’s trying to get TMP done. No complaints … just wish I could help more.
WAAAaaaah!!!
Mahoraba 11 finally comes out (along with a few others I’ve been following) and I suddenly get firewall issues! It decided AOL is a virus or something… (yes AOL… sucks, but not my decision)
I’ve only just been able to get back on the internet recently because of such problems… But I had to switch to using Windows firewall… (yes… pc user, but I do want a Mac which I just can’t get at the mo)…
Which has got a problem with bittornado…
Error is:
“Couldn’t listen - unable to forward port via UPnP”
whatever that means… If someone can help, I’d appreciate it!! (the only thing I can think of is turning it off)
OK… Double post…
But the issue I mentioned above doesn’t seem to be a firewall problem… (I actually turned the firewall off to find this out…)
I haven’t made any changes to the settings except for when it asks where to save to…
Visit the following sites:
http://club.cdfreaks.com/lite/t-113094.html
http://btfaq.com/serve/cache/1.html
There may be clues there…
It *sounds* like you’ve still got a NAT/firewall issue (something is not port forwarding properly).
Find out what your modem model is and google for:
(model name), NAT, torrent, port forwarding — there should be some nice guides.
(Hope that wasn’t too simplistic)
Thanks for the tip vexx… And I’m sorry fred, I know I probably shouldn’t be asking these things here… But I really didn’t know where else I could ask…
I fixed it by dissabling UPnP port Forwarding in BitTornados settings, and it seems to be working fine now… If this is a bad thing to do then tell me
(I really dont know a thing about this)
Yay! TMP 16! I’ve been waiting for that…
No, that’s fine (UPnP is kind of a security dog anyway) and I should have mentioned that.
I’m all excited now (Mahoraba 12 is about to be viewed). My favorite excuse is that I blame Fred for exposing me to all this wonderful stuff he likes. My prior exposure to anime was the “really bad stuff” imported in the 60s and 70s (sorry, I hated Speed Racer, Astroboy, and Gigantor as a kid — I was a Looneytoons snob).
If I don’t say it enough - thanks, Fred for all the recommendations, not a miss yet.