The postman cometh . . .

. . . bearing gifts!

It’ll probably be more of the same from Kanon Volumes 3 and 4 (in terms of content/features, that is), so expect the LE version of Lucky Star Volume 1 to be reviewed first.

Incidentally, now that I’ve upgraded my photographic armament to a Sony DSC T-300, I plan to start doing what other bloggers have always done: link the small images in my posts to bigger, sharper versions of the same. (Don’t bother clicking on the image above, though – this change will only be implemented in future posts, and certainly not in all cases. Storage and bandwith limits remain critical considerations.) (I decided to give it a shot, so click away.)

Cheerio.

UPDATE (01 June 2008): I’m still rather busy on weekdays, so I’ve only gotten around to opening the DVD cases. Turns out there’s a major defect (not quite fatal, but very unwelcome) in the Lucky Star disc. I’ve contacted the customer service department of YesAsia (where I bought all this stuff from) and I’m currently waiting for their reply. This of course means that my review will be significantly delayed. Sorry ’bout that.

Anime Matsuri in Manila

Back from my HK-Macau holiday – but we’ll save the travel stories for future posts. Right now, I have some news that Manila-based otaku will probably find more interesting than an extended essay on Portuguese colonial architecture and Lord Stow’s egg tarts.

As part of this year’s Eiga Sai – an annual event showcasing the work of Japanese film-makers – the Embassy of Japan and the Japan Foundation (Manila) are hosting a two-day J-Pop Anime Matsuri featuring the 2006 animated film Toki o Kakeru Shoujo.

The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist 2

I’m off to HK tomorrow and I won’t be back for a week, so here’s a parting gift of artbook eye candy to tide you over.

Today the spotlight falls on The Art of Fullmetal Alchemist 2, featuring the work of well-known mangaka Arakawa Hiromu.

Flights of fancy

I’m jetting off to Hong Kong and Macau this weekend for a bit of much-needed R&R. Directions to good bookshops, camera stores and otaku hotspots in either city are much appreciated.

I want one

If you’re in Akiba, head on over to AsoBit City and fritter away your life savings on the complete Lucky Star DVD series (the Japanese release, not the U.S. version). You’ll get a very special treat in return: a phone card depicting the four lovely ladies from Saitama (plus everyone’s favourite she-devil) in the now-classic Hare Hare Yukai pose, illustrated by none other than Yoshimizu Kagami.

For the record, I’m on track to buy every limited-edition volume of the U.S. release. Doesn’t that bloody count?

Links – Anime News Network; AsoBit City

Summer shopping list

Time to blow past yesterday’s emo moment and go through my latest batch of shelf stuffers.

Retaking control

In the last several years, I have forged ahead without any regard, just to touch what I cannot reach. . . . Without understanding the sources from which this menacing thought surged forth, I continued working. When I at last noticed, my heart had already become hard from the gradual loss of its youthful vitality.

I haven’t sunk all the way to the state Takaki found himself in when he said these words, but if I don’t force my feet off the rut I’ve dug out for myself in the last year or so, I may soon find it impossible to regain control of my life.

And on a certain morning, when I at last came to an earnest realisation that I had lost everything that was beautiful, I knew I was at my limits, and quit the company.

I saw the writing on the wall not long ago. It’s just a matter of time now.

Life imitates art.