Even the finest acts must eventually come to an end. But I’d sure like to be there when the curtain drops, so I can rise to my feet and join in the thunderous applause.
Nozomi Entertainment have just announced that they will release a box set containing the last series of the ARIA anime franchise sometime next year. It’s very welcome news indeed, as I’ve already made my way through the first two seasons – both absolutely incredible – and, given the harsh economic climate (compounded by the lack of any fresh announcements), I’ve been fast losing hope of the third season seeing an R1 DVD release anytime soon.
I would have hoped to see more of Aria before the end of this year, but one can’t have everything. Moreover, in view of the very serious challenges that production and distribution companies are currently facing, this is probably the best that one can hope for and I’m very grateful for it.
Kadokawa’s YouTube channel now has the first eight episodes of this year’s “rebroadcast” of Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu, complete with English subtitles and arranged in chronological order. Not that this matters to those who have already seen the fansubs or purchased the R1 DVDs, but if you’ve done neither then this is the perfect opportunity to watch them for free (and with no legal qualms whatsoever).
If I remember correctly, the raw Japanese versions of the original 2006 episodes that were previously posted on the Kadokawa channel included various extra/corrected scenes that had, before that time, only been released on DVD. I’ll do a quick check on one of the newly subbed episodes to make sure, but I imagine these English versions will also contain the additional DVD-only material. [UPDATE: Episode 4 had something that wasn't on the original broadcast version, so yeah - it looks like the YouTube vids are based on the extended DVD versions.]
Kadokawa will almost certainly yank these episodes off YouTube after a few days or so (in accordance with established procedure), so enjoy them while they last.
The blissful, halcyon days of my self-imposed exile from work are fast approaching their end. In a few weeks, I shall return to the not-quite-as-wonderful world of labour, toiling five days out of seven – and possibly more when the occasion calls for it – just to make enough money to support my insatiable profligacy. My silence over the past week is due in part to my having to rush this way and that, collecting documents and preparing the paperwork needed before I once more assume the crushing yoke of white-collar servitude.
The Mainichi Daily Newsreports that young Japanese women are embracing the Sengoku era with an ardent thirst. Books, magazines, even “armour” underwear based on historical themes are flying off the shelves. Reki-jo (”history girls”) are turning to the likes of Uesugi Kenshin and Sanada Yukimura as paragons of masculinity: a rejection, it seems, of the man-in-the-kitchen image that appears to have gained popularity in recent years.
Our mission is clear, lads. Forget about getting in touch with your feminine side. Leave the puppies at home and dump the frilly apron. To impress the modern Japanese woman, we need to embrace the bloodthirsty, merciless, town-sacking, head-chopping warlord within.
Now excuse me for a moment – I need to see a man about a full suit of Sengoku-era armour.
