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Showing posts with label Rio - Rainbow Gate. Show all posts

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 13 Subbed

Opening Theme:
"Sekai to Issho ni Mawarou yo! (世界と一緒にまわろうよ！)" by Love Roulettes
Ending Theme:
"Miracle☆Chance (みらくる☆ちゃんす)" by ULTRA-PRISM

2011-03-01 9.
2011-03-08 10.
2011-03-15 11.
2011-03-22 12.

Animation Production: Xebec
Broadcaster:
AT-X (2011-01-08)
BS11 Digital (2011-01-07)
MBS (2011-01-06)
Tokyo MX TV (2011-01-04)
TV Aichi (2011-01-05)
Original Creator: KOEI (as Koei Tecmo Wave)

Fourteen years ago on the aerial continent of Neo-Verona, Lord Montague usurped control from the ruling Capulet family in a bloody coup and made a diligent effort to erase any trace of the Capulets. Only one survived: Juliet, toddler daughter of Prince Capulet, whisked away into hiding by loyal Capulet henchmen. Since that time Juliet has been raised incognito, ignorant of her true identity and importance and aware only that she must disguise herself as the boy Odin for her own safety. Discontent with Prince Montague's draconian rule, Juliet assumes the secret identity of the Red Whirlwind to champion the cause of the oppressed people, but on her 16th birthday she learns the full truth of her heritage and finds herself obligated to assume the broader role of leader of a rebellion. But there's one massive catch: as the Red Whirlwind she was once rescued by Romeo, the very decent 16-year-old son of Montague, and was lovestruck at first sight. When Juliet, in a rare appearance in gender-appropriate clothes, later encounters Romeo at a ball, he is similarly smitten. As they eventually learn who each other actually is, the complications only deepen. Even though Romeo does not share his father's desire to kill off the Capulets, can love possibly blossom under such circumstances?

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 12 Subbed

Opening Theme:
"Sekai to Issho ni Mawarou yo! (世界と一緒にまわろうよ！)" by Love Roulettes
Ending Theme:
"Miracle☆Chance (みらくる☆ちゃんす)" by ULTRA-PRISM

2011-03-01 9.
2011-03-08 10.
2011-03-15 11.
2011-03-22 12.

Animation Production: Xebec
Broadcaster:
AT-X (2011-01-08)
BS11 Digital (2011-01-07)
MBS (2011-01-06)
Tokyo MX TV (2011-01-04)
TV Aichi (2011-01-05)
Original Creator: KOEI (as Koei Tecmo Wave)

Whether or not Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet stands amongst the best of all of love stories has been much-debated over the course of time, but it is unquestionably one of the greatest and best-known, so much so that the very name “Romeo” has entered the English lexicon as slang for a romantic man. Its basic story thrust – a tale of two young lovers from opposing Houses whose relationship is tragically (and fatally) unable to escape the circumstances of said conflict – is so universal and deeply resonant that it translates well across different cultures and times, allowing it to be adapted into a vast variety of different forms, from the American play and movie West Side Story to the Japanese Basilisk franchise to the modernized 1996 movie version starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. That it took until 2007 to get a direct anime treatment is more surprising than that it actually got done.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 11 Subbed

Opening Theme:
"Sekai to Issho ni Mawarou yo! (世界と一緒にまわろうよ！)" by Love Roulettes
Ending Theme:
"Miracle☆Chance (みらくる☆ちゃんす)" by ULTRA-PRISM

2011-03-01 9.
2011-03-08 10.
2011-03-15 11.
2011-03-22 12.

Animation Production: Xebec
Broadcaster:
AT-X (2011-01-08)
BS11 Digital (2011-01-07)
MBS (2011-01-06)
Tokyo MX TV (2011-01-04)
TV Aichi (2011-01-05)
Original Creator: KOEI (as Koei Tecmo Wave)

Given that Gonzo, the same studio who made 2004-2005's brilliant anime reimagining of The Count of Monte Cristo, tackled the project, this endeavor also being a radical reinterpretation of the source material should come as no surprise. Gonzo has retained the names of major characters, the basic relationships, some of the underlying themes, and a few key scenes, but that's about it. Most new supporting cast members do have characters from other Shakespearean plays as namesakes, and the script does occasionally borrow lines from other Shakespearean plays, but the series also turns the structure of the story on its head by juxtaposing the roles of Romeo and Juliet. In this version, Juliet is the primary action star while Romeo is the wistful one who gets unwillingly betrothed to someone at his father's direction. That the Montagues and Capulets have a usurper House vs. hounded deposed House relationship, rather than standing as equal rivals as they do in the original play, also distinctly affects the story dynamic, as it adds an additional “my father killed your family” tension to the central relationship and gives the story a main villain in the form of Prince Montague, something that the original story did not have. This version even inserts William Shakespeare himself in a significant supporting role as a buffoonish but insightful playwright. Aging the title characters by two years does not significantly impact the original story, however.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 10 Subbed

Opening Theme:
"Sekai to Issho ni Mawarou yo! (世界と一緒にまわろうよ！)" by Love Roulettes
Ending Theme:
"Miracle☆Chance (みらくる☆ちゃんす)" by ULTRA-PRISM

2011-03-01 9.
2011-03-08 10.
2011-03-15 11.
2011-03-22 12.

Animation Production: Xebec
Broadcaster:
AT-X (2011-01-08)
BS11 Digital (2011-01-07)
MBS (2011-01-06)
Tokyo MX TV (2011-01-04)
TV Aichi (2011-01-05)
Original Creator: KOEI (as Koei Tecmo Wave)

Thus this series should be evaluated entirely on its own merits rather than as an extension of the overall Romeo and Juliet franchise. Looked at that way, the first half stands up quite well. It spins an effectively dramatic, sometimes beautiful, and occasionally even emotional story stocked with plenty of action and all of the requisite romantic moments, one which tells of a young woman's struggle to come to terms with who she is and what she must do while contending with the first flowering of spontaneous love. It also details a young man's increasing dissatisfaction with what his father has wrought and willingness to favor matters of the heart over matters of familial loyalty. Throughout it all, the inherent tragedy of these two specific individuals falling in love, given their circumstances, ever lingers, and the writing equally emphasizes both the pain and the joy such fresh love can bring. As a result, the almost desperate first kiss of Romeo and Juliet, framed by fireworks and tinged by heartbreak for the well-meaning person who gets left out, will stand as one of the all-time great anime smooches. For all the theatrics involved in setting that scene up (but this is Romeo and Juliet, so where better to use theatrics?), the way Juliet initially resists and only reluctantly accedes to her own desire gives the scene a sense of realism and conviction. Later scenes where Romeo and Juliet are together alone also show a convincing chemistry.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 9 Subbed

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 4 Subbed

watch Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 4 part 2

Rio - Rainbow Gate! 04 http://www.mediafire.com/?a20q73peehlcx5z

Sand Chronicles
manga 1-2
The story then progresses with a well-paced and leisurely trip through the seasons and the final years of Ann's childhood. Volume one, for example, concludes with a multi-part story arc that takes Ann (age fourteen) and her friends to a summer camp. Ayumu, who is jealous of Ann's close, easy relationship with Daigo, steals Ann's miniature hourglass (once a memento of her mother, now replaced by Daigo) and sends her out into a raging thunderstorm on a wild goose chase looking for it. Though Ann takes a bit of tumble off a cliff, all's well that ends well, and on the bus ride home she and Daigo cement their love for each other with a poignant kiss. Which, it should be added, rival for Ann's affections Fuji notes without comment.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 1 Subbed

watch Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 1 part 2

Sand Chronicles
manga 1-2

Those who have been following the English-translated shoujo manga scene for several years now may remember Hinako Ashihara for the fast-forgotten and soon out-of-print ballet title Forbidden Dance published by Tokyopop. Sand Chronicles is the winner of a Shougakukan Manga Award and Ashihara's second series to be released in North America. This time the publisher is Viz Media, which has been serializing the manga in its monthly magazine Shojo Beat. Let's hope that this time Ashihara's work is remembered—Sand Chronicles is a modest yet enthralling slice-of-life drama that deserves to be entered into the chronicles of history.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 3 Subbed

watch Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 3 part 2

Rio - Rainbow Gate! 03 http://www.mediafire.com/?19i3pz122bczf8c
Sand Chronicles
manga 1-2
However, Ann behaves not at all how she looks; this frail-looking teen is anything but a shrinking, spoiled city girl. She's got a mean right hook that lands a mean first impression on her eventual love interest Daigo. Okay now, granted, she gets nauseous at the thought of turning bunny rabbits into stew meat, and her tearful, impassioned defense of that which is destined to be dinner is rather silly. More importantly, however, Ann faces the blizzards of the snow country and the tragic death of her mother head on with enviable—and admirable—courage. The latter in particular is a beautiful, heart wrenching scene that lays the characters' souls bare. Their loyalty to each other is tested, and the survivors emerge victorious.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 2 Subbed

watch Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 2 part 2

Sand Chronicles
manga 1-2
Do not be deceived. This is the best new shoujo manga of its type to be published in graphic novel format so far this year, yet it cruised onto the bookstore shelves virtually in stealth mode. Its cover illustration, though reasonably pretty and cute, is basically unremarkable. Viz Media does not even bother to mention anywhere on the cover that it is an award winner, which is a bizarre omission, given publishers' obsession with having award winners on their lists. And quickly fanning through the pages likewise reveals nothing remarkable. Artwork is, admittedly, not Ashihara's strong suit. While entirely satisfactory with its professional layouts, well-considered sequences, and rarefied mainstream shoujo style, dozens of other mangaka merit the same praise…using near-identical technique. Ashihara's manga look a tiny bit like Ai Yazawa's, a good bit more like Miki Aihara's, quite a lot like Masami Tsuda's…you get the point. If anything about the visuals is memorable, it would be the delicate, waifish character designs.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 5 Subbed

watch Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 5 part 2

Rio - Rainbow Gate! 05 http://www.mediafire.com/?6cdwfn57syxk5bm

Rio -Rainbow Gate!- OP Single – Sekai to Issho ni Mawarou yo!
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OSIK4977

Sand Chronicles
manga 1-2
Volume two reunites Ann with her father, and after much consideration and Daigo's unspoken blessing, she goes to live with her father in Tokyo in order to attend high school. She vows to return to Shimane after graduation, but in the meantime, it's, for the most part, a long distance relationship. When spring and Ann's sixteenth birthday roll around, Daigo visits for a day. The two enjoy a picnic beneath the cherry blossoms. But is another picnic later in that evening that Ann shares with Fuji that really hits home. Since the first volume of the series, Fuji has been obsessing over the possibility that he may be an illegitimate child. In Tokyo, he meets the creep who might be his real father but learns nothing definitive. Ann, unknowing, remarks that she loves the cherry trees even if, as Fuji flatly points out, they are all clones. “No matter how they were brought into the world,” she affirms, “To me, they are all beautiful.” This understandably hits a nerve with Fuji and, unable to contain himself any longer, he kisses Ann on the lips. What a low-key, yet poetic way to leave readers aching for more.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 6 Subbed

Synopsis
Anime featuring Rio, a character from slot machines.

Opening Theme
"Sekai to Issho ni Mawarou yo! (世界と一緒にまわろうよ！)" by Love Roulettes

Ending Theme
"Miracle☆Chance (みらくる☆ちゃんす)" by ULTRA-PRISM

Sand Chronicles
manga 1-2
Sand Chronicles is an intimate, unpresumptuous series profoundly situated in its Japanese setting, where the weight of tradition and culture wears like a warm, cherished blanket over the shoulders and where human love, laughter, and loss are most important. It is, as mentioned above (and well worth reiterating), one of the best shoujo manga to be published this year. Simply not to be missed.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 7 Subbed

Synopsis
Anime featuring Rio, a character from slot machines.

Opening Theme
"Sekai to Issho ni Mawarou yo! (世界と一緒にまわろうよ！)" by Love Roulettes

Ending Theme
"Miracle☆Chance (みらくる☆ちゃんす)" by ULTRA-PRISM

Shakugan no Shana DVD 2
Though its plotting follows a predictable course, its story execution always squeezes out just a bit more depth here, just a wee bit more character development there. It consistently at least slightly exceeds expectations.

Rio - Rainbow Gate! Episode 8 Subbed

Synopsis
Anime featuring Rio, a character from slot machines.

Opening Theme
"Sekai to Issho ni Mawarou yo! (世界と一緒にまわろうよ！)" by Love Roulettes

Ending Theme
"Miracle☆Chance (みらくる☆ちゃんす)" by ULTRA-PRISM

Shakugan no Shana
DVD 2
Shana's sound defeat at the hands of a fellow Flame Haze has left her out of sorts, while Margery Daw and “Stupid Marco” recruit two of Yuji's classmates to help her track down the Corpse Collector, a Denizen who only claims dying Torches. In the process both Flame Hazes run into the Denizen Hunter Friagne and his beloved subordinate Marianne, who must be stopped from executing a plan that will allow him to consume the existence of the entire city. Although initially she and Alastor feel that Yuji is a major distraction, Shana gradually discovers that she actually feels stronger and fights better in Yuji's presence. Yuji's desire to help her in a fight leads him to request training, but it also draws him away from a potential love interest. A second confrontation with Magery Daw and “Stupid Marco” is inevitable when they insist on the potentially very destructive course of trying to take out the Corpse Collector, but along the way the nature of the Treasure Yuji contains, by virtue of being a Mystes, comes out.

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