Catching Fire Tenchi Review

Happy Hunger Games everyone. And may the odds be ever in your favor. Well except if your name is Peeta. Or Katniss. Or the other 22 Victors in the 3rd Quarter Quell. Really anyone in District 12 or any of the Districts....

How will all the people in this picture fare in the second movie?

So yes. The second movie in the Hunger Games trilogy (oh wait, gotta milk the franchise more, make Mockingjay 2 parts!) has come to theater. And so far it looks like it is blowing all the competition out of the water. Take that Thor. When the Hunger Games came to theater last year I researched the movie a bit before I went to see it. Immediately after said movie we ran to the bookstore and bought all three books in a 24 hour period the next chance I got and the rest was history. Slowing waiting for the next movie, picking apart the last movie, and trying to find out any info/pics before Catching Fire came out. Oh and the fanfics. So many fanfics. So much wasted time...sorry anime blog.

Well after a minor set back (thanks food poisoning) and battling rude movie neighbors (why do people have to talk the entire time?!) we have finally seen Catching Fire. Rejoice the world, there will always be horrible ways to torture and maim people. So what is the Tenchi verdict?

Well...I don't know. Catching Fire was better than the Hunger Games. Well at least maybe visually anyway. But is that fair because the arena was so much more grand in the second book anyway? I went into the first movie not knowing about the book but now I can see how things were skipped over. A lot was skipped over for the second one as well (which I will cover) but at the core the message was there. I mean at the end of the first movie nonbook readers didn't KNOW that Katniss was not in love with Peeta. Kinda a big deal. This movie felt much more dire when things were supposed to be bad in the first. I don't know, I just know the second one was better.

Where was this Finnick in the arena?!

The thing that bothered me the most about the movie was Finnick. Almost all about him and his scenes. I think the actress playing Katniss is too tall and imposing to be Katniss but (at times) she played Katniss how Katniss would be. The actor who played Finnick was...not Finnick. I don't think he was handsome enough. That might sound vain for me to stay but in the book it is like Finnick is Adonis. People in the Capital are tripping over themselves to sleep with him. The man playing Finnick is cute yes but not...Capital sex god. Perhaps it was all too much to live up to. However there was not enough Finnick The scene with the sugar cubes was almost a check list scene. Like got the sugar cubes, check. Like the real meaning of the scene was lost since it was forced. I know scenes were cut but this one almost played out in full and it was off. Finnick in the arena was almost robotic, borderline...something. Not evil but you know. I mean the Finnick that everyone knows and loves would not say cannons are music to his ears, even if it was for the cameras. I did like the glance after Peeta was brought back to life but...unforgivable Finnick didn't cry after Mag's death. How hard would it have been to add Katniss taking watch and having her hear Finnick cry? Him saying that Mags didn't have a chance and not following it up with his real feelings....it made Finnick look cold hearted. He didn't have time to shine.

Oh Katniss is having a bad day? Poor Katniss. GET IN LINE!

Johanna on the other hand was shining all over the place. She didn't get the memo she was a sidekick and not the actual Mockingjay. I thought her Caesar interview was way too in your face when I saw it. Then when I thought about it later....if other things were going get cut adding that in there made sense. Perhaps a bit more subtle after the Jabberjays as her simple message in the book was enough. I don't think anyone walked away confused on Johanna though. It was clear she was annoyed at this whole thing but went out of her way to help Katniss. While I thought it made no sense to have Johanna and Katniss alone backstage it set the tone well. Katniss thought all the Victors were crazy, especially after the elevator scene (MOG Katniss' face) but Johanna reminded Katniss who the real enemy was again.

We are a team.

Another super positive in the movie was Effie. Don't ask me why we got one less stylist (any clue?) but 2 and Effie were enough to get the point home. Like okay you thought the Capital was bad before, welcome to crazy town. Effie just smiling away despite riots in the street and people getting shot. But not getting greeted by warm party people at the train station, the nerve! So clearly Effie and most of the citizens of the Capital are harmless yet...well brainless. It wasn't until the Quarter Quell tributes were revealed that Effie started to realizes how bad things were. Well sorta. It was still about the Capital. How they felt losing THEIR Victors. But Effie showed how (in added scene) how cracks were forming. That maybe tributes are people...so good job Snow. Instead of putting out the fire you turned on some light bulbs in the Capital's otherwise empty heads. The scene where Effie pulled out Haymitch 's name...her face of OH they can still be together and then when Peeta volunteered...sadness but back to perky because they are on camera.

I think that the trailers showed way too much though. Katniss' speech to Rue's family before this wasn't spoiled though so yay?

Another positive like I said before was the actual scenes. Makes the Hunger Games look like a student project. But almost all deaths in the Hunger Games.....wait all deaths were tribute related (well maybe not Thresh). This arena was meant to wow. 75th anniversary, dead Victors, no expense too grand. But since the first Hunger Games movie was successful they spent a lot more money on other things. District 12 actually has people. District 11 was beyond out of the book with being more grand and awful. Everyone was looking tore up that needed to and everyone that needed to look strange and colorful did. Why they even sprang for some hovercrafts to pick up the bodies. It was a visually appealing movie which sometimes that gets confused with a good movie.

Everyone is rooting for you Peeta. Well at least Katniss. I guess everyone else is rooting for the other one. XD

So do I think it was a good movie? Obviously since I ready the books I can't help but compare the two. I try to separate the two and just focus on did this movie make sense on it's own? I think it gets a solid 4 out of 5 Tenchi Stars. Major points were made, some smaller points were covered, and necessary cuts were made. If I were just watching the movie though I think I would still have questions. Does Katniss like Gale more? It seems like it to me. Then why does she want to die to save Peeta? Peeta is a good person but why would Katniss want to die for him? Why was Peeta telling the Morpling to look at the pretty colors when she was dying? How do nasty blisters that nearly kill you magically poof away and leave no scars? Why didn't the Capital shoot down the hovercraft that saved Katniss, Beetee, and Finnick? To me it feels like more was filmed for this movie and then things were taken out that would have explained that. Especially Katniss dying for Peeta. What about her family?

What pocket watch?

Now if I were to incorporate the book...well where to begin? And yes I know not EVERYTHING from the book can be in the movie without it being Lord of the Rings forever. So I am not crying tears about everything. I don't like how Katniss got the pin in the first movie so obviously there was no real reason to show Haymitch's games and what not. The Avox situation just added another layer to the suck factor but it wasn't necessary. There was enough suck without it. Twill and Bonnie ...I always that was a bit farfetched anyway so them cutting that made sense along with the locked out of 12 scene.

Katniss is having a baby. Everyone scream and never mention it again.

But some scenes....were needed. Um hello so Peeta can paint now? I know he can frost a mean cake and make his arm look like mud but now we got Rue on the ground? Where are all the painting he did? I wanted vivid nightmares, not just waking up screaming. Without internal dialogue I can see how Rue's sister glaring might be hard to pull off but figure it out. I didn't like the Plutarch and Katniss scene. She was way too aggressive and open. The pocket watch was subtle and super low key. Once again not all the Hunger Games was..hard. Katniss knows what a spile is in 5 seconds. Peeta can swim. Peeta has two legs. Suddenly Peeta can use a sword. Suddenly we are escaping the arena without knowing WHAT TIME the rescue is. The Capital is not made of chumps. This was hard to pull off so make it look like it took effort. Um what about the baby? Again a check list scene. That comment was thrown away and never mentioned again. Also hello what about their scores? They are running around pissing people off and we aren't going to see their scores and how angry it made Haymitch?! I am sure there is more that was cut but that seems to cover it. Well there is the lack of Mag's death dance.... 

I do like some stuff that they added from the book. I think the first kiss between Gale and Katniss was....odd and out of nowhere but the third was done well. It could mean so many things. I loved the families standing up the picture of the fallen tributes instead of a busted down pen. Snow's granddaughter was almost a glimmer of hope that the world isn't sick...and how confused the Capital is. I like how Snow was personally watching the games, really showing how involved he is/worried. Since there is no Madge I like how Katniss saw the riots on the screen. I mean they are traveling on a train, Peacekeepers need to know what is going on around them. 

Overall I liked the movie despite any critics I might have written. When you have high expectations going into something of course you are going to have an opinion on the matter. Movies are not books or we would still be on the Lord of the Rings Two Towers. XD Especially books with inner character dialogue, told from one point of view, and unreliable because she is crazy. I thought the actress that played Katniss really stepped up, especially in the District 11, dead Peeta, and Haymitch is a liar scenes. Apparently 40 minutes of the movie is on the cutting room floor so maybe when the movie comes out on DVD most of my complaints will be pacified. So yes. The movie was 4 out of 5 Tenchi Stars and it was worth attempting to see it twice. But Peeta has one leg folks. One leg. 

On a side note the husband had a frowning face at the end of the movie.. He said why would you end a movie that way?! Wonder what he will think about how Mockingjay part 1's ending haha.....

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Nagi no Asukara episode 8

And that was Kaname's one line of the episode weeee!

Three in a row go me!!!! Today at work it was super dead at work so I actually got a lot accomplished. After the last couple weeks I deserved a break. Didn't stop the person who came in after we were closed from flicking me off because I wouldn't unlock the door though...in event it is officially Thanksgiving where I live. Happy Eat Turkey Then Buy Tons of Stuff Day weeee!!! To celebrate have another anime post. Up now is Nagi no Asukara episode 8. Spoilers for...ice storm? What ice storm?

Please save us Tsumugu. Buying tickets is way too hard.

Episode Summary: Hikari is pissed about all the sand in him/on him. Akari walks along behind him. Hikari starts to rant about Uroko being a crackhead and Dad is unreasonable. Akari tries to calm things down but Hikari says he won't give up on the festival, her, or Dad. Boyfriend and Miuna had been looking stoic outside but Boyfriend sensed something and runs to meet the two as they look a little tore up. He takes them home and attempts to make dinner. He is nervous and it shows. Hikari almost uses deceased mom's cup and that is a bit of a sad moment. Boyfriend worries about the sleeping arrangements and Hikari says he wants to stay at Tsumugu's house. Akari does that older sister thing and Hikari agrees to stay. The boys get one futon and the girls the other. Hikari and Miuna lay down while Akari and Boyfriend talk. Boyfriend is worried Akari won't be able to go to the sea again and Akari doesn't care. Still both want to make it official. Hikari and Miuna both hear this conversation and reflect on it. In the middle of the night Miuna wakes up because she hears Hikari making noise. He was attempting to make a salt bath because of his Ena. Miuna quietly talks about her mom and moves on to how she didn't properly greet and take in Akari, before and now. She says she is not great with words so they both figure she should get a present with all of Hikari's friends helping. They agree to go to the city in the morning to find something. When Hikari wakes up he sees no Miuna. She eventually shows up and is evasive about where she was. Akari muses the two seem close. Hikari denies it and proceeds to treat Miuna like an annoying little sister all day. They meet up with Kaname, Manaka, and Chisaki at the train station, all three boys looking nice while Hikari is wearing Boyfriend's clothes. They have trouble at the station since Hikari can't read or ask for directions. Of course Tsumugu shows up and of course he was going to do an errand in the city so he will come too. Off our adventure goes. Hikari closely monitors Tsumugu and Manaka's situation while Chisaki monitors him. They get to the massive city and Miuna is quick to point out that some stores have salt water for sea people to use. After that it is time for shopping. They look around and Miuna finds this super expensive necklace. She wants it but Hikari is like no too much. The girls are like meanie but head up to the next shopping floor. There are too many people on board the elevator so Chisaki is forced off and Hikari waits with her.

But I want this one!!! It is pretty, good advertising ad.

The other kids take Miuna shopping while Chisaki and Kaname wait for the next elevator that is taking forever to come. Chisaki asks what Hikari thinks about his sister and he says he just wants her to be happy. Chisaki thinks that Manaka might leave the sea too but Hikari has decided making Manaka smile is more important than his feelings. Chisaki gets weepy and doesn't want Hikari to change and says she will support him. Hikari says Chisaki is nice but she insists she isn't. They reach the floor where Miuna has decided she only wants that expensive necklace. It is perfect to her. Hikari finally gives in and allows her to call her father for a year advance on her allowance which he can magically transfer over to her credit card. Dad is like what but Akari is like yes give her the money. Miuna gets down to the floor where she saw the poster but surprise it is sold out. Heartbroken. The girls realize that Miuna wants one that looks like it, even if it's not the exact one. So they run around the entire city looking, Hikari often leaving Miuna in the dust. Miuna at one point panics when Hikari falls down and pours salt water on his head, revealing this morning she went out to collect said salt water for Hikari. She looks embarrassed so the sea kids start a water fight claiming they all need it. They never find the necklace or one close to it. Tsumugu never does his errand as only Kaname remembers. Miuna sits sadly on the train with no present when she and Hikari have an idea at the same time. At home Boyfriend and Akari sit worried as it is late. Akari goes to wait at the train station when all the kids walk up dirty. Miuna presents Akari with the necklace. Instead of buying the special sea shell Miuna and the other kids spent all this time looking for it. Miuna manages to croak out that she cares about Akari and Akari is touched. Then Hikari makes fun of Miuna for crying. Just one big happy family THE END! Oh wait no it started to snow salt crystals which has everyone but Miuna worried....

On the eve of Black Thanksgiving...HOW DARE YOU!

I really wasn't expecting the episode to go that way. Sometimes I wonder why I expect anything at all in animes. They have so many twists and turns it is hard to keep up, let alone guess what is going to happen next. So yeah...I was actually expecting a lot of sadness in this episode but really didn't get any.

Punch someone in the face!

Hikari was a bit bitter at the beginning of the episode while Akari was the quiet kind of sad. If I was either of them I would have gone all Johanna Mason interview on someone's ass. Like hello you were almost killed. Dad was sitting by letting it happen. They are unaware that he stopped it so they should assume he was okay with them almost getting squished. Big deal folks. Surely this doesn't happen when everyone tries to leave the village right? They must know something is up. I was expecting more anger and tears. Yet Hikari just had his moment and then vowed not to give up on anyone or anything. Pretty mature thinking for someone who was nearly Frozen. Coming out Thanksgiving Day.

So many different versions of subbing and what not. The first version I saw made it seem like Hikari was staying with Tsumugu forever.

Boyfriend (whose name was actually said this episode....san indeed Ms. I am dating him) and Miuna were waiting for Akari to show up. She must have given them a head's up on her plans. Hikari showing up made Boyfriend rather nervous. I would be too if I were him. He has “made” three people leave the sea now woohoo. I kid I kid. Okay not really. So Boyfriend being all awkward, Miuna got all weird, and Akari was just pensive as she should have been. I love Hikari said he was going to stay at Tsumugu's house. Like punk you didn't even ask him.

Um you can. Everyone is in a tough spot, don't feel bad for him and be rational.

There was a slight serious moment where Boyfriend mentioned once again how he doesn't want things to end badly for Akari. An ice twister is not bad enough. He is under the delusional impression that Akari hasn't been totally banished and he can get the father on their side and they can do this right. I am not sure if that is possible....it is the system you know. Akari says she doesn't care about the sea which is sorta sad. I mean...technically she is giving up her life for a guy which I frown upon but of course the circumstances are different. Basically shunned instead instead of running away like a dumb girl. Still I would appreciate a bit of sadness. It looks like Dead Mom was a bit sad so just admit it. Still maybe she is just trying to protect Boyfriend's feelings even though he knows the truth. Maybe they are both lying to themselves in saying things will work out.

Family is hard work.

Miuna and Hikari both overhear this because the apartment is as big as my closet. I mean where was Akari going to sleep without Hikari in the picture? No privacy and poor light sleepers. Anyway the two kids talk about this situation over some salt water later. You would think salt water would be plenty in a house that has seen two sea ladies. Despite being a little kid who has been through a lot. Miuna realizes that she hasn't really...expressed her emotions to Akari well. All that crying was in front of others. So since Miuna can't say things to Akari she wants to show her. Every Kiss begins with Kay Okay? Since Hikari is on a mission to make those around him happy smile he agrees.

We are touching!!! Who cares if Hikari is banished from the sea weee!

This is where the episode gets weird. I know a show that has people living under the sea (under the sea) isn't based in reality but this episode took away from the reality that has been established in this world. Akari and Hikari left the sea. Perhaps were banished. Maybe being banished is a separate thing but Uroko tried to kill them. Okay stop them in such a way that could have killed them. Maybe even associating with them is bad news. So why is it that none of the kids brought it up? Okay maybe Chisaki said something small later but it was mainly shopping time. I would think leaving the ocean is a big deal. You live there. You are running out of people. Yet Manaka is willing to leave if she falls in love. I don't know. I just felt as if this was a big issue and no one else was making a deal at all. At all. Like Hikari you okay? You are so stupid. I am backing you up. Wow Uroko almost splatted you? The villagers are so pissed. We aren't allowed to talk to you. Something! Anything! Instead we get nothing. Not one thing.

We are just two sad people with loves that can't love us back woe is us.

Well I guess I could talk about the one tiny thing. The passing thing that might not have happened if Chisaki didn't weigh 1,000 pounds. Gosh break the elevator why don't you? But yes while Chisaki and Hikari were alone she asked about Akari. Not Hikari. I mean maybe Hikari didn't talk about the ice storm from Uroko but surely someone or a lot of someone's saw it. This is news yes? More people leaving the ocean, your friends? Chisaki did ask how Akari was if only to compare it to Manaka's situation. You know the romance with Tsumugu that is going nowhere. But Hikari was all ready with his going to make them smile answer. Whatever people want I will support. If you love a bird let it go. Now Chisaki was having a hard time accepting that answer because she loves Hikari, wants to let him go but thinks her feelings make her a bad person. I mean I am not calling her a bad person. Just she is really feeling sorry for herself through Hikari. That if Hikari gives up Manaka that means she should give up on him...despite her winning by default? Yeah Chisaki is a basketcase despite being the most mature one. Love triangles sheesh.

No Miuna left behind!

That was only about 1 minute of the episode anyway. We will worry about Akari and Hikari after shopping. One wonders why Kaname and Tsumugu couldn't have gone and done the errand while Hikari was busy leaving Miuna all over the place. Like my gosh you aren't on the Amazing Race slow down. She is little ya'll. Instead everyone was running around for the shopping trip. Miuna got focused on one things pretty fast which is what kids do. I don't think it was the price tag. More like the picture was a reminder of the ocean, a girl from the ocean, and a treasure from the ocean. Damn you stores for selling out of something and not taking down the sign. Bad customer service!! Still that is what Miuna wanted. Even if she had no allowance forever. Boyfriend needs to get another job.

We are family!!!!

There was a touching moment when Miuna tried to drown Hikari in the streets. See the kid must have run out to the ocean and back with bottles of sea water. She was probably too young to remember how her mom would make the baths and since Hikari fails at making his own water she went and got him some. She didn't want Hikari to lose more than he already has. Like no, you need to keep your ena. Miuna is bad with words so she does this as a way of showing Hikari she cares. Like we are family. Ohana bitches. I care about you and since everyone is a lovely being they partook in the salt water too. Like great job kid. Thanks for thinking of us. Now Hikari should feel bad he was running around and leaving Miuna behind because she was carrying all that water for him. Feel bad now!

Everyone go BAWWW!

In the end it was not to be. There was no necklace to be found. Except all those other similar looking necklaces. All that running like a child was missing was for naught. Woe is our characters. Miuna sat upset on the train while Hikari failed to make everyone smile despite it maybe being out of his control. Then it hits him!! And her!!! The real meaning of Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas is a little bit more. Or you know it is the meaning behind the gift. The idea that someone thought so much of you that it brings a tear to your eye. Like I knew you would love this so I got it for you. For Miuna she wanted that specific shell to give to Akari and by spending all that time looking and putting it together just made it more precious right?

Um....I hope grasshoppers and the death of the first born isn't next....

Boyfriend and Akari might be in for tough times. More so Boyfriend as he is stealing all the woman haha. But no Miuna is okay with Akari. She isn't a replacement mom. She is someone different who won't leave her. There are promises of it will be okay. An annoying Hikari brother type who points out Miuna was crying her eyes out when she found the shell. The Boyfriend was willing to scuba to the bottom of the ocean to talk things out. Just everyone say awww at a whole day of shopping ending up at the beach looking for shells. It was pretty though. However the episode ends in ohhhs as it snows....sea salt? Um what is going on here? Sea god mad? Sea god giving out a warning? Let me people go or a plague on all your houses? XO Maybe flooding the whole Earth? Guess we will find out next time when things are back to being serious...like it should have been this episode?

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Nagi no Asukara episode 7

I'm the piggie...:(

Post number 2 weee!!! I am glad that random sickness went away as fast as it appeared. There is turkey to eat tomorrow folks. I am going to someone's house that I don't know very well so cross yo fingers for the parade AND socially awkward me. I am contributing...pumpkin pie. That I bought. That is how I roll. XD Up now though is Nagi no Asukara episode 7. Spoilers for adults just not getting it part 2!

HMMMMM the sea and land coming together...not going to happen.

Episode Summary: There is much rejoicing. At long last the doll has been finished. Rejoice the masses. Saya and jerk kid seem to celebrate the most which is laughable for several reasons. Teach offers to take the kids out but that doesn't seem enough for Manaka and Tsumugu who wish for the festival to actually happen. Things get serious as apparently Teach hasn't thought that far in advance. The kids all sit down and come together to think how they can make this happen. Both the land adults in charge and sea ones seem okay with not having a festival due to problems lately. Hikari grows frustrated as he wants to make this happen for Manaka and Tsumugu's happiness. It is decided that they need to show the adults how important the festival is to all. They take to the streets and ask for signatures. A few people pass them by but soon all the kids play to the strengths (minus Chisaki and Miuna) to get a lot of signatures. Most people seem happy to sign but surprised as they thought the festival was called off. They get Akari to put a sign in the store and she offers to help in other ways. After a while Hikari presents his father with tons of signatures. Ta da festival time yes? No. Dad simply says no. Hikari has the rage. Wants to know why. Dad says it is more complicated than Hikari knows. Akari argues it's not that hard and they need to put on this festival. Dad is like no. Even Akari tries to add two cents. Still Hikari has to report back to this little group that his dad (therefore the entire elders of sea people) have said no go. The land kids weren't any better convincing their people. There is more outrage, wondering why people can't get along. We are all humans right? Put aside those differences now. Hikari really does want to do this for Tsumugu and Manaka's happiness while Akari wants to show Miuna a real Ofunekiki.

I am too actually...thought it would take a lot longer.

Somehow Tsumugu and Hikari keep working on being annoying and manage to bring together the fishing company and the older sea people. Hikari and Tsumugu are apart of the meeting whereas the other kids watch outside. Teach is there to mediate any problems. First all the adults look over the doll. Most of the men seem impressed but Dad points out the robe is backwards. Hikari is like quick fix, no problem. Things start off rather rocky but Hikari really leads with we must do this for tradition. Even though it was touch and go at times it was agreed that they should put on the Ofunekiki. Everyone rejoices.....until the other two sea people ask for an apology. What? The land people are like what?!?! The two sea people list their reasons for why they want an apology and the land people list their feeble complaints. This leads to pushing and shoving. Akari and Boyfriend pick that moment to show up to the meeting which ends well. And by well I mean that someone pushes Hikari into the doll and its head breaks. Festival off. Game over. After this disaster Dad is forced to talk to Akari. He tells her to break up with Boyfriend. She said she has no plans to do that and mom would have married Dad if he had been from the surface. That night Hikari is pissed and decides he is leaving too. Akari is like what but decides this is what he wants, that being home alone with Dad would be awkward. For some reason Akari sees Uroko before she goes. Dad is there. Akari is super respectful saying she was leaving. Hikari is like peace out. As they walk away Uroko says they are related to HIM he can't let them leave. He turns on the magic which starts off as a tame water spout but soon there is ice and crazy. Akari and Hikari continue walking despite the conditions. They are going to freeze but Akari sees Miuna's face and is like no I am going to be her mom. Dad asks for mercy and Uroko stops the attack. Akari and Hikari then run off. THE END!

In the face of freedom. X___X

Well then. I know most animes are teenage/young person centric as that is their core audience. That is when a person has “freedom” in their lives in Japan. Before they have to grow up, get very long/boring jobs, and pop babies out. Adults are so old and stuck in their ways. Only kids can be free to think of new ways, go against the grain. Oh what a fantasy Japan.

You ALL did it?

Before I get too far I want to say I am rather slow. The doll is called Ofunekiki right? The wooden doll that replaces the virgin maiden being tossed into the sea to die because virgin men...don't exist? Now the festival is also called Ofunekiki right? Like a Christmas tree is for Christmas? I am just going to say wooden doll and Ofunekiki for the festival as to not confuse myself. Or other people. Mainly just me though.

.....Were they making the doll for fun?

So due to there being a lot of new kids helping the wooden doll gets finished pretty fast. I like the random offerings too. I was going to say there was way too many people helping for a small project but it's not like I can carve anything. Maybe it does take a long time. I don't know. Hey little punks that were missing with Hikari? You two were new to the project. So don't be calling Popsicle cheap. Free stuff from a teacher is free. Goes for you too Saya, you doll breaker acting the most excited.

Wait now I am confused. I thought the festival was out and out cancelled....

So...if the festival was canceled why did the teacher ask the kids to make the wooden doll? Did he think if the adults saw how much work the kids put into it they would be like oh wow!!! We totally need to put on the festival since the doll is the hardest part. Nor the stalls and other preparations and working with other people's schedules. No no, the doll we didn't ask to be made is done for us. So the festival is back on? Is that how the teacher thought things were going to go down? Because....yeah it doesn't sound like he did. More like he wanted the sea kids and land kids to come together by making said doll. Only that really didn't happen. Not with the first doll anyway. So yeah wouldn't the purpose of making the wooden doll to be to have the festival? Why are the kids wishing for it and not Teach? He is such a wet noodle. I mean he means well but he has no backbone. Like can't we all just get along with no effort at all?

Everyone needs to smile or else!

The driving force behind wanting the Ofunekiki was....Hikari. Both Manaka and Tsumugu both wished for it out loud which got cat calls and woohoos from the crowd. Hikari has decided to see Chisaki's maryter card and raise her a twenty. Like oh Manaka doesn't love me? Well I am going to do everything in my power to make Tsumugu and Manaka happy. Because making the person I love happy is more important than me being happy by being with them. Oh Peeta how giving of you. So Hikari took out his determined face and was like eff you adults we will make this happen.

Sign this or there will be NO festival at all...or the sea people won't help AT ALL. So confused.

Only the kids themselves can't actually do it all alone. They can only show the adults how important the festival is to all. Now...the kids did this by collecting signatures from land people and most of the people they talked to were interested in helping. I guess it doesn't take much to give a signature. I just thought that since there was such bad blood between the land and sea (except for those vixens who leave) that everyone was going to avoid talk about the Ofunekiki. But hello this is an anime made in Japan. They live for festivals and old traditions. Everyone sign those papers. I's for your own good land people who are all probably former sea people 5 times removed. This is to make sure the sea god doesn't kill you.

Kaname seducing older woman for signatures nice.

So yeah.....the kids got quite a few signatures. While there might be some tension between the land and sea...it is hard to pinpoint where. I mean all the kids in class were rude at first. Well some were rude. And the others said nothing. Which is almost the same thing. Kids learn this behavior from their parents. So there has to be some tension or there wouldn't be this kind of issues. So maybe they got happy signatures from people who either don't care or actually like the festival part of this delimia so they will sign. Again not so much effort to sign a paper that requires you to do nothing. Land people might not have a problem with sea people but still prefer to be with “their own kind”. Change is bad. Which is almost as bad as outright hatred but...when you are use to things it is hard to change. Thus the kids embracing it. Plush...this ceremony is mainly for land people to kiss sea god's butt. Just accept the help.

The older sea people listen so well....

The real issue that Hikari found out about is....the older sea people. Hikari went to his father with all his signatures and it was a giant nope. Do not want. Now I do understand his stance and..anger? Resentment? I am sure the sea village was once full of people and happiness. But over the years the population has shrank. We can't blame the land people for being too sexy as it takes two to tango. And maybe the land has a lot to offer. I haven't seen other sea villages. But besides the population issues there are other things that the land has done. Population of fishes, pollution in the water (salt and what not), and their inability to take responsibility. So I can see why Hikari's dad is like...no. I mean why should he help, putting aside the Akari issue? This ceremony is the land's job right? My memory is a little rusty but it is for land people to say sorry for leaving the sea yes? The sea people are still there so....I guess it would be a good gesture to help anyway.

We can do this guys woohoo!!!

Despite Akari trying to help dad said no and Hikari wasn't taking that for an answer. They are doing this Ofunekiki for Tsumugu and Manaka mainly. I guess with this issue some good has come out of it. By seeing how the adults are acting the kids have slowly changed their behavior. We are not fish or pigs. We have voices and we can understand each other. Just a few days there was hostility for these kids. More like no one really knew how to act and they were behaving how they were taught. It would be a great time for the teacher to make this into a giant learning lesson. Like lead the new generation. Still the kids are trying. Got it out of their system and moving on.

Except you know.....when you did....

Eventually Tsumugu, Hikari, and the lead brat land kid manages to wrangle the fishing company men and the head sea villagers into a meeting. I am surprised the two boys were allowed to sit in on the meeting. More like um we are trying to make this happen, we deserve to be here. Ther other kids were forced to spy. At least they go see things. Not that it went well. At first it did,....well maybe not. It was going poorly in an expected way. People were not willing to budge, hate each other, just nos all around. Teach was again useless. But Hikari and maybe 5 percent of Tsumugu were able to convince them how everyone needs to come together. Tradition. Do it for the kids. That is why Akari was walking to the meeting, she wanted Miuna to see a real Ofunekiki. It was like Hikari was also putting a Band-aid on the wound. They were going to do the festival and work on everything else later.

Why bother coming to the meeting if you were going to end things this way....

As quickly as things were resolved that is how quick things hit the fan. Now....I can really understand why it went like this. See I am a big fan of apologizes. Like okay we can move on but I need my sorry or it will eat away at me. So...while the sea people were a bit....assholish about it...they thought they deserved an apology. Now do I think they thought they were going to get one? No. I thnk it was done in a way to cause a fight and for them to say SEE they are always causing problems!!! It's not us. We have mainly only seen one side of this feud but with my limited knowledge it looks like the land people do take, take, take. The land people didn't really have much to back up their claims. You nitpicked our plans last time and we will never do it again? Yeah I can see how the sea people think they are coming up short.

What a positive view on life weee!

This all blew up into a big fight in which Akari and the wooden doll were caught up in the cross fire. Well Hikari too since he was pushed into said wooden doll. All that hard work again and the doll is ruined. Um glue her head back on and it will be okay with a scarf? But it is more the feeling behind it. Like have destroyed the festival again. Akari just walked in at the wrong time. I mean the conversation between her and dad was going to happen anyway. Because he doesn't want to lose lose her. He saw the Littler Mermaid original version. This doesn't end well. In the cafe Akari was pretty respectful. Like she knew what he was going to say and knew she was going to break his heart. But now she wants to follow her own heart. I am not sure if it was a cheap shot to mention Mom or not. I mean the truth is the truth. If that is what Mom said then she said it. Tug at the heart strings a bit.

Wait what?! X__X

In the end it didn't matter. Didn't work. But here is the real shocker. Hikari was like peace out too. I was not expecting that. I mean he does love his sister and is super pissed at his dad. I just didn't think it was going to be on that level. Like why not just run away to Kaname's house? Hikari doesn't want to leave the sea right? I just didn't think he was going to go that far. Or that his sister would let him. You can never go back!! well I am sure he will go back but still. He doesn't know it. I was just like XO for real?!

So let me go or else....err.....

The episode ends with Uroko using his magical powers to try and stop Hikari and Akari from leaving. Like actual magical powers. Again Akari was polite in how she wanted to leave. Hikari maybe not so much. But Dad was worried as Uroko pulled out the fireworks. Waterworks? I mean obviously Uroko wasn't going to kill them. Unless he was setting an example since things are “changing” now. But Akari and Hikari leaving meant something. Other people have left the village and apparently they were just banished. So why all the ice and tornadoes of water? Uroko hinted they were ancestors of HIM and I don't think it was Dad himself. Maybe the sea god? I don't know. All I do know is it would be rude to point out Hikari and Akari were walking way when they could have swam up. Because that would take away from the seriousness of the moment. Akari and Hikari took turns being each other's rock but Akari had resolved to be Miuna's mom so she was determined to go. Dad was able to get Uroko to spare them for now but where does this leave things? Change is coming and Chisaki hates change. Manaka cried because the doll's head fell. How is she going to react to Hikari's banishment? Guess we will have to find out next time.....

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Nagi no Asukara episode 6

Behold for I am alive. X___X Been a long time since I posted anything in anime land. Last week at work was tough and then when I tried to take 5 seconds to go to the movies I got hit with something. I believe food poisoning. I don't think I have ever gotten so sick so fast before. It ain't no joke folks. Like bam can't watch the Catching Fire reapings, time to go home and die.

How did you see through our clever disguise?!

So here I am, zombie Tenchi trying to post things I started last week. Oh silly me. I have about 4 for tonight and 3 for tomorrow that I will try to knock out during the parade. Cross yo fingers there is no wind. Up now (finally) is Nagi no Asukara episode 6. Spoilers for grown-ups just not getting it.

What do you mean my eyes just exploded out of my head?!

Episode Summary: The group waits on Manaka as she sews her name tag on her swimsuit. The boys wait outside as Hikari is upset that his sister's store didn't have swimsuits and he had to get them somewhere else. Kaname and Chisaki tease Hikari, saying he relies on Akari too much. Hikari insists he has grown up and wasn't used to buying a swimsuit. The group makes it to school and the girls are slightly made fun of for not knowing where to change. But then in the locker room they aren't made fun of for not having these weird looking cape towels. The girls do warn Chisaki she is going to have a lot of attention because she has big boobies. Outside the boys wait in the girls and they are complaining there is no one hot in their class. But when the girls emerge they see Chisaki and her big boobies and start....making fun of her. Hikari goes to defend her honor but one girl starts molesting Chisaki and her awesome boobies. The boys are like...girls are weird. The teacher finally appears and asks all the kids to stretch and that they will be timed swimming. Hikari does not want to stretch because hello how hard can swimming be? Once in the water Hikari talks to Tsumugu about what he is doing and agrees to race/go up against him. The girls sit back and watch, actually talking to Chisaki and Manaka. They talk about who they should root for. They all know that Tsumugu is a good swimmer but obviously Hikari is from the sea. Oh and I guess so is Kaname...after thought friend. They ask who Manaka is going to root for and she tries to bring Chisaki into the conversation who gets a bit put off. The boys get set up to race...and off they go. Only Tsumugu really is winning. Hikari is pretty much losing and Manaka starts to defend him, saying swimming on the surface is really different. Hikari is distracted by Manaka whom is cheering on someone. He doesn't know who and he ends up crashing into the wall. Manaka doesn't hesitate to jump in to help him while Chisaki does. When he emerges from the water his toe is really bleeding. The teacher is like um the person on duty needs to take care of this before I pass out. That turns out to be Manaka. She is like I would really like Chisaki to come help please! But Chisaki is like...I am going to swim next goodbye. Manaka has her feelings hurt but helps Hikari to the nurses office. Because this is anime there is no nurse in the office and Manaka tries to help Hikari on her own. Hikari might lose the toe thanks to her help. He tells her to stop and she goes on and on about how if Hikari was swimming deep in the ocean he would have won. She goes on and on, even bringing up Chisaki but Hikari is like can you leave? Your help in multiple ways is not helpful. Manaka leaves all sad while Hikari is all rarw. Manaka goes back to the classroom to find people cleaning up. Some of the boys make fun of Manaka, saying that Hikari and Manaka must have done naughty things. She flees as everyone stares.

STOP BEING NICE!!!!

After school Kaname (remember him?!) takes the trash out with another girl from class. She says he seems way different than Hikari but Kaname defends his friend. He also points out that Saya and Miuna are following them. They all want to work on the wooden doll together as different people have crushes on each other. So when Hikari hobbles into the room he is surprised to see so many people. Even the boys that like Chisaki are there. Tsumugu has gone home to help his gramps but still it is a lot of people. Hikari pretends to put on airs that he is in charge and everyone else is his minion. He stubs his toe 5 seconds into his reign and of course Manaka is all BOO HOO take care of Hikari mode. Manaka tries to drag Chisaki into this again and Chisaki is like oh look at the time I must go. She walks out and Manaka follows leaving everyone confused. Kaname is like Manaka really is the heart of our group. Manaka catches up with Chisaki and Chisaki explodes on her. Like you promised to forget what I said and stop trying to make things happen. You have no idea what I want. She runs off and thinks how Manaka is such a better person that her and woe is the world. Manaka walks home at a very slow pace and Tsumugu eventually runs into her. She starts to cry about all her problems and Tsumugu awkwardly takes her home. He asks about an event that is sorta like a rainbow of the sea moment. Manaka explains how it happens and that it is rare. Her friends saw one once but when they ran to get her she had no idea what words were anymore and missed out. She remembered Chisaki screaming at her and Manaka crying. Manaka talks more about her current problem and Tsumugu says she should finish her sentences, like when she was taking care of Hikari in the pool. He drops her off but Hikari and Kaname see said drop off which makes Hikari mad. While Manaka is sitting in the ocean feeling bad for herself she sees the weather changing into the sea rainbow thing. She runs to get Chisaki which the boys see and follow. She drags Chisaki to watch the pretty three “suns” and sparkles. Chisaki listens while Manaka explains how sad she was to ruin the event so long ago. Chisaki then talks about how she wishes to stop time, that they could be working on the wooden forever. That things would stay the same. The girls wish the boys were with them right now. Well they are sitting under the structure the girls are standing on. Kaname muses that Manaka has once again gone ahead of them and Hikari begrudgingly agrees even though Manaka is a crybaby. THE END!

Manaka and her crybaby ways have always been around I see.....

It was another exciting episode of Manaka sucks but because she is cute all is forgiven. Okay maybe not really but you know....it feels like it. Also we don't get to see Akari this episode. I guess she got one whole day off from suffering. Looks like next episode she and Miuna might have some tears which...is expected given the law of the land.

SO MUCH TO LEARN!

But for now it is about our core sea kids. Who don't own bathing suits. Which makes sense. Sewing the tags on is very important business. Shouldn't they have bought them at the school store since they have to match? I don't know. Still part of me was like....why do these kids even have to take swim classes? Makes no sense to me. Only then I was like oh it's a class activity. Teacher doesn't want the sea kids to be any more isolated than they already are. Okay I will allow it.

Look people talking to the sea kids!

This episode there was slight improvement on the land kids being nice to the sea kids. Tsumugu has done nothing to bridge the gap. He's actually mostly useless. Like look at me, I was nice once and Manaka loves me forever. But this episode other kids acknowledged that the sea kids existed. Which is odd since girls are usually more...hateful with words than boys yet it has been the boys talking about fish and stuff. No no the girls refrain from talking about how stupid Manaka and Chisaki were by almost changing in front of the boys. Then some of the girls warned Chisaki her boobies were going to get her attention. I mean they overlooked the fact Manaka and Chisaki had no changing towels. Which I thought were awesome and I want one for hotel stays now. XD And to top it all off the girls bonded over touching Chisaki's massive tatas. You know a little sexual harassment can bond an entire group. Of course it did make the boys look at Chisaki and no one else.....Still the girls acknowledged Manaka and Chisaki existed, even talking about the race and such. Baby steps for all.

Don't mess with Chisaki!

So Chisaki might have missed it but Hikari was totally coming to her defense. Like I shall defend your honor. Stop talking about Chisaki that way. Of course if Chisaki had heard she would have assumed Hikari was just being nice and would have gone even more berserk had it been Manaka being teased. Or that Hikari was just looking for a fight. Still...look Chisaki. Caring feelings.

....Some of these boys need some personal growth too.

Despite Hikari having some personal growth last week he is still Hikari. Which I can appreciate. Change doesn't happen overnight. Except on The Walking Dead. So Hikari can change over time, more baby steps. So Hikari might not be calling Tsumugu names but he is still competitive with him. I don't think he blames Tsumugu for Manaka's feelings. And if he does I am sure he knows how illogical that is. But swimming? People saying Tsumugu is the best? He gots it!! I mean he lives in the sea, how can he not win?!

Swimming is hard folks. :(

Even if Hikari had stretched and if the race hadn't ended with a broken gross bleeding toenail Hikari would have lost. Kaname (who?) was second place after the second lap and I don't think Hikari was going to catch up. So why were the two sea kids not winning at swimming? Well because the style was invented by land people. Most swimming competitions have nothing to do with depth or staying under water for a great deal of time. No no it is swimming on the surface. Something the sea kids probably never do. I am sure they can do it but not for long distances and not all the time. So there was no real laughing when Hikari wasn't doing so well. It was just...you know....a sad and deserving moment that he did so bad because he bragged?

That was in your face harsh. X___X

Manaka....a sweet girl. Too sweet. Too nice. Like oh my goodness shut up no one can be this perfect. Stop making the rest of us look so bad. Because at the same time you just want to stab her in the face. Like stop. Just stop. Chisaki wasn't happy when you suggested that she take Hikari to the clinic too. Nor did Hikari want to hear Manaka make excuses on why he lost/got hurt. He probably has a bruised ego on multiple fronts. Like I lost at swimming and who knows who Manaka was cheering for. So Hikari didn't want Manaka's kind words. Because Hikari wants to be special in Manaka's eyes. Like she is only doing this for me. But since she is like this for everyone it is cruel right? Okay now this is sounding familiar......like a commenter said this to me once when a character was getting picked on for being nice.

What? We all get along now. Duh.

While Manaka was being overly annoying more land people were talking to sea people. Shocking. One might even like Kaname. You know, the other sea kid who gets no attention at all? Of course.....the girl who likes him was a bit rude to Hikari. Like Kaname isn't like Hikari. Because people are different. Just like all land kids aren't the same. So that was insulting. Also is the girl stupid? The land kids were rude first. Hikari reacted. Acting like all sea boys are harsh. Eye rolling. Also we got Miuna and company who rushed over after school to spend time with Hikari because they like him. Add in the two boys that super hate Hikari but love Manaka's boobies and we have tons of people to work on that wooden doll. Minus Tsumugu because sometimes he is a super nonfactor.

...that I hate Manaka's cheery attitude.

After that brief break Manaka was back annoying people. She doesn't mean to but she does. The heart is in the right place but since Manaka is clueless of the feelings around her she is I will help Chisaki be with Hikari. Because Hikari is in Manaka's friend zone. She has no idea that Chisaki is being the annoying martyr for her and that Hikari likes Manaka. Everyone is yelling at Manaka and it is almost sad because she is sorta too dumb to figure it out. Chisaki said don't try so don't. Even if you are being a good friend. I guess that one could blame Hikari for not being honest with his feelings. Soap Opera sea style. No QueerRats though.

I forgot to take a pic of Tsumugu and his cart...so have some boobies. That is what anime is good for duh!

Tsumugu and his little cart did make an appearance long enough to give some advice to Manaka. Be firm. Everyone is trying to protect their own hearts since they know feelings won't be shared and Manaka is too....lala. She probably does need to be more firm and not such a crybaby. Actually the lot of them should be more honest but since Chisaki and Hikari have eyes. Being honest really won't work for them. So...I am not sure how to fix this. Maybe I am too harsh on Manaka. But come on, even when she was younger she was dumb and a crybaby. Chisaki wanted her to see that magical sea phenomenon and Manaka didn't understand? Even if she didn't know the word she could still run and open her eyes right? I would be pissed too.

Just take in the moment and don't focus too much on...how much things might suck.

The episode ends on an okay note. Everything is not fixed. More like a bandaid. It will do for now but more is required to fix things. Not sure what. Manaka got to see that rare sea phenomenon with Chisaki and apologize for missing it the first time. By going with Manaka Chisaki was sorta....forgiving her. Even thought she should probably apologize too. Both the boys were there so technically they all saw it together. Manaka might have taken a baby step in the path of adulthood. Kaname and his one line usually uses it to talk about how Manaka is the one who bonds their group together and is growing up ahead of them. Hikari is like thanks for reminding me. While Chisaki's woe is me act might be special I can understand her not wanting things to change. Some people hate change. Keep things the same. Don't grow up and leave me behind. I can understand that. So while the kids ponder that next episode seems to be about Akari and her man again? Oh boy more tears weeee!!!

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