Shin Sekai Yori: A Review

HELLLLLLLLLO READERS. You have been warned.

*MAJOR SPOILERS ALERT*

Shin Sekai Yori: 'looked' promising.

The first thing that comes to my mind upon the completion of Shin Sekai Yori is this: HAVE YOU EVER WATCHED AN ANIME WITH A MORE ANNOYING FEMALE MAIN CHARACTER?

*stabs and kills her ten thousand times over*

Hello! Long time no blog and I bet you guys miss me. Hehehe. So I recently watched this anime Shin Sekai Yori and I have to say… the first few episodes are strongly reminiscent of Higurashi no Naku Koro Ni which is an absolute PLUS point because I love them spooky spooks. But upon further inspection, Shin Sekai Yori annoys the freaking hell out of me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the music, the BGM, the whole psychokinetic thingy in which the story revolves around but I went WTF when THIS main female character Saki-san annoyed me like hell.

BEHOLD. The annoying Saki-san. Don't let her innocent look deceive you, for I have awarded her with the most-annoying-female-character-in-an-anime title.

*stabbing and killing ten thousand times over is an understatement. Let’s make that ten MILLION times over*

This feeling I have is so, so real… never have I been so AGITATED in my attempt to finish an anime -_-

How the mangaka created such a ridiculous, foolish, blank, slow-thinking, idiot of a main character left me somewhat stupefied. Not only once does she STAND STILL in the face of danger (for like, what, 5 minutes?) but she probably did that 9,845 times throughout the course of this anime’s short 25 episodes. (I may have exaggerated that but, yeah. I don’t feel sorry.) Do you know how many frames they used just to show her standing there –BLANKLY STARING at the enemy… practically USELESS? Yeah, for that effect they probably invested 15 anime episodes out of the few 25. The show was too slow, too draggy, too immature for one of its genre. Seriously, I am disappointed.

Other Saki defects? Allow me to rant on. She asks the question “Why?” when the answer is dead clear in her face – yeah, she’s probably mentally challenged. And to some answers in which she asked “why” to, she was too scared to know the truth. THEN WHY ASK IF YOU HAVE NO BALLS. Not to mention, do you know how many times she spaces out when her Powers and concentration are MOST required? WTF woman, you need to bloody stop dreaming about the dead because they aren’t coming back. Save your concentration for those who are alive – wait a minute – were you even serious about trying to protect them the same way they vowed to protect you? Because this same Saki-san… she caused the DEATH of some of the most useful characters in the anime, for example (SPOILER) Inui-san because she was just too useless.

The reason why Tomiko-san (SPOILER) chose her to be the next Ethic Committee chairwoman is once again beyond my comprehension. Saki is so bloody weak she cries like the world’s greatest weakling over the stupidest reasons of all. And yet in the anime everyone labels her as ‘strong’. I just… I can’t…

(why not Maria-san? At least she’s attractive enough. And VERY MUCH LESS ANNOYING.)

The beautiful Maria-san. With... that girl I do not like. Did I mention this anime has some yuri elements in it? :O

Although the storyline is good – it builds its foundation on several principals such as:

Fear of the unknown

Oppression and democracy 

Telekinesis 

Myths and superstitions 

…it really is good.

Not forgetting. The sex appeal. LOL. Yuri, yaoi, normal relationships? Name it. This anime has it alllllllllll.

A taste of yaoi <3 td="">

Or would you prefer just the normal sex relationship?

At first, I loved the entire setting in which the events took place. Everything started at such a mysterious note that it leaves you wanting for more.

The development was good… until the whole story focused on bloody rats. Uh… yeah. I fell asleep from episodes 4-5, I think? It would be better if they built the story on Karmic Demons and Ogres rather than rats but… the ending was acceptable. Yeah. I kind of liked the way it unfolds at the end. It would be a moment of… OOOOOH, REVELATION. BUT SAKI, OH SAKI. She destroyed the entire anime and in the end, the best rating I can give this anime is this: 2.5/10. Just because she IS that annoying.

The Death of Democracy

It’s way past 1am and I am heartbroken, cheated. My heart weeps. Never before have I ever been so disappointed in Malaysia.

Let me ask. Why hold general elections at all? Where is your integrity? Where is the transparency? How can you claim SPR to be an independent commission when it allows for all these blatant lies and trickery to proceed? How can there be 600,000 Banglas who hold Malaysian citizenship? How do you explain the extra ballot boxes? How do you explain the phantom voters? How do you explain the blackout in Bentong? And oh, the money politics.

I’m a first time voter – and this election has left me utterly crushed and disappointed.

Do you really think the general public consists of such idiots in which you can trample upon and utterly disregard? It is OUR right and OUR choice to pick OUR government. And you have robbed us of our every right.

My only consolation would be that Lim Guan Eng is still our Chief Minister. And he is still there because my fellow Penangites have done all that we can to defend him in his place. I saw unity in Penangites – and for this I commend the courageous Penang!

We will remember this GE13. The rakyat will become so strong that YOU, the government – will have to fear US. The more you oppress us, the more strongly we will stand up against you. Just. You. Wait.

Shame on you, Barisan Nasional. Next time, tilt your ‘dacing’ sideways – for justice just got headshot at point blank. Democracy is dead in Malaysia.

You shall see the repercussions of your injustice. Righteousness will always prevail. You may have won the country, but never our hearts.

Sincerely, PENANG LANG.

Selfish

I don't want things to change. Promises are not broken so easily.

My love for God rejuvenated through this.

It's hard for most to understand. Society is cruel - it's like going against the world. But please let me be selfish. I want to feel secure. Please let me heal. Give me til June.

Then I'll go away.

New Anime Season: Jormungand!

Exams are near and it is only during the study break that I am able to catch up with the newest anime season. OH YESSSSSS THE OTAKU IS IN THE HOUSE! And let me share with all of you guys a new fantastic anime that took my breath away this season.

And so I was sick and tired of all the ‘slice of life’ anime because there were JUST TOO MANY OF THEM. I hate them Shoujo genre because love in reality is yes, oh so sweet but never that happy ever after. I watch Shoujo only if it is hilarious, like Ouran or Nadeshiko (The Wallflower) or if it’s bishie-studded with the kind of men I like, for example: Uragiri no Namae wo Shitteru (Uraboku). I got tired of ecchi stuff and boys putting their gay act nonsense when they aren’t hot enough to BE gay. Examples? Medaka Box, Queen’s Blade (yes, there’s a new season) and No. 6.

I MISS Lelouch Lamperouge. (Possibility of a third season of Code Geass, yeahhhhh!) I miss BK201 in Darker than Black (A POSSIBLE THIRD SEASON TOOOOO!). I miss Tatakau Shishou: Book of Bantorra. Or Black Blood Brothers. I miss even, Seiken no Burakkumisu. I don’t want to watch another Eyeshield or another Prince of Tennis. My Gintama has ended again.

In the depths of my despair (LOL!)... Luckily I found Fate/Zero season 2 and of course, Jormungand!

Jormungand - the killing team!

“Ware-ware no Sekai no Hebi, JORMUNGAND.” Those were the words of Koko Hekmatyar during the first 2 minutes of the first episode of Jormungand.

KYAAAAAAAAAAAAH~! *insert fangirl squeals*

Das ist Koko. Sie ist verrückt. 

(This is Koko. She is crazy!)

Oh yesss, the main character is a female, not exactly my cup of tea as I am inclined to silver haired bishies - oh wait, I digress. The first 2 seconds of the anime left a bad taste in my mouth because I thought the art was horrid. No thanks to Koko’s long pointy nose. 

But upon closer inspection, it didn’t hurt that bad! At least the characters weren’t as elongated as them CLAMP characters like in Tsubasa or XXXHolic. And upon closer inspection, Koko Hekmatyar reminded me of a character I was once so fond of: ICHIMARU GIN.

Top: Koko Hekmatyar

Bottom: Ichimaru Gin

See the beautiful, cunning, silver-haired resemblance? :O <3 <3 <3

Ichimaru Gin, oh yes, the genius with a plan. The genius who is at the same time, a hopeless romantic. NYAAAAAAAAAH~! He makes my otaku tail stand with his overpowering awesomeness! O, my silver-haired bishie with those SEXY, pointy snake-eyes. O, that mysterious smile that exudes the devilish aura when he unleashes his Byaku-

…wait, was I about to type BYAKUGAN? LOL. What the heck, Rebecca. Otakus don’t make that kind of mistake.

BANKAI, I mean. It has been months since I last downloaded a Bleach anime episode. To my surprise, I started downloading it back on June the 1^st only to realise that the anime series ended at episode 366 in March. Sorry to disappoint you anime lovers with my ignorance. On the other hand, I’m still closely following every week’s release of Naruto Shippuden and Fairy Tail? :D

OKAY. Back to Koko Hekmatyar. Jormungand is a… MASTERPIECE. Honestly, it is. Like I said, I ABHOR female characters hogging the leading role with the exception of Black Lagoon, Tatakau Shisho and maybe, To Aru Kagaku no Railgun. But Koko Hekmatyar brought it to a totally different level. I LOVE HER. Her boobs are small and her waist is thin but her CUNNING, oh my God, her WITS - totally nailed it. Think of Jormungand as a combination of DeathNote’s wits and Full Metal Alchemist’s action scenes. Or Darker than Black’s fighting scenes. Or some shonen action anime.

Only that Jormungand’s action-packed scenes are strictly using guns. Basically, because sly Koko Hekmatyar is – an arms dealer. <3

NYAAAAAAAAAAH~! Okay SPOILERS ALERT FROM HERE ON!

Koko travels the world with her team of 8 professionals. There’s Jonah, a child soldier, the awesome Valmet who’s slick and skilled, Lehm with his experience on the battlefield and so many more. A computer geek, bullets that don’t miss,  a crazy ass driver, a sniper with disgusting skills and a man who serves as a tank – he launches RPG missiles and makes it look as if there is no rebound. All highly skilled people, put together as one killing team.

What I love about this anime is not just the brains behind it, or the action but also its substance. The killing team of nine are interlinked with beautiful history behind each and every one of them. As they travel the world with Koko, they encounter their past nemesis and overcome their past with courage and diligence.

Also, the arms market is filled with reality bites – corruption, politics, condescending corporations, secrets and grudges. To brain it all really takes some thinking.

And… the rest of it is for you to find out. HAHAHAHA I should stop blogging before I squander my whole holidays doing things that will never be tested in my impending finals.

Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor

Girls here are less annoying because they are Contractors with no feelings/emotions. No KYAAA KYAAAA over some random guy in school, phew!

On another note, I recently finished Darker than Black: Gemini of the Meteor. I’M SORRY I AM TWO YEARS LATE, PROBABLY, but I couldn’t find time to watch this series I downloaded some 20 months ago. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Otaku kononnya? But I am glad I took time to finish this. Because, it was pretty awesome. I miss my Contractors and their renumerations and I hate to see them die off – but the reality for them was always death.

ANYWAY, I purposely highlighted anime titles in dark blue and italics just to scare myself as to how much anime I've watched. And yes, I DID scare myself. LOL. Off to download Jormungand's 9th episode now! Hope you guys have as much fun as I did watching this awesome series. <3

Heaven Sent

There has been ups and downs in life but I discovered the one thing that makes living on Earth so real and unforgettable. I found love.

I first found love in Him, the Sovereign God, in Jesus as he died on the cross to save each and everyone of us, long before we were even born. He has cleansed our sins and made us pure so that we may ascend to the Heavens to live in joy with Him. He is love itself.

I was blessed to have found love in relationships. Not only love from parents, but also love from someone of the opposite sex who would have won the world for me once. But things fell apart as we both took each other for granted. In the midst of my despair, my wonderful friend Huiying backed me up in everything my insane heart drove me to do. She was my sidekick who would go through thick and thin for me. And I love her infinitely - because she was the only one who could understand the raw pain that stabs me in the chest and stings my eyes second after second.

I thought I could pretend that I have moved on by banning myself from speaking about it in front of my friends. Truth is, I missed him like hell.

I thought I would hate him for all of my life and would never forgive him for what he did. Truth is, I loved him so much it was almost impossible to hate. The irony of it was that I overflowed with concern for his well-being. Something he probably wouldn't know. :)

But then I gained strength, courage and wisdom today. From there I learnt it was important to give and take. To love someone means so many things. So many things that demand so much from you.

To love one, you must prepare to get hurt. To love one, you must be prepared to give. To love one, you must trust with all of your heart. And most importantly, loving means continually giving out without expecting anything  in return. The anticipation of receiving means that one does not fully understand what it is like to love. To love, you can continually pour your emotions out - without receiving anything in return. That, is true love.

I would change my ways for the better. I only hope he will do the same. Love makes us vulnerable -but with all the hurt it caused, it also makes us stronger.

Communication is the key to success. Please don't think of talking to one another as giving the other false hope - because talking is a way of tying loose ends. And eventually, and understanding can be reached so that one can continue to move on. And no, it is absolutely unfair to leave loose ends hanging. Because it'll be so distracting that neither one of them involved are able to move on. So please, TALK.

The three stages to moving on is preposterous. There's no way you can hate someone you love so much. It all boils down to just wanting that person's company. The only way to move on is to reach a mutual understanding by communicating - and then letting time take on its role and heal.

Loving also means being ready to hurt yourself by letting go. If you want that person just all to yourself, that's called being possessive. Being selfish doesn't help. Wanting one all to yourself is a sign of obsession, not love.

And if you want relationships to last, you need to work on every single stage of a relationship. Starting from being friends, to dating to partners. Skipping the friend-zone causes a lack of understanding and a forward boost to a lusty relationship and not one of true love.

I only wish that whatever promises made would be kept. Or else it would be like stepping on shattered glass. Trust and respect would be broken too.

True love. I think I found mine. Probably the right person, but the wrong timing. But we need to let time run its course. Because loving one also means you would spend an eternity waiting for him.

Thank You, Lord. For constantly blessing me abundantly with perpetual comfort and love.

I grew up today. Did you?

A Gemstone

You

make me feel

like a precious gem

its shimmer everlasting

its potential limitless

its worth immeasurable.

And I love you.

I

although a gem

am tough but vulnerable

am unscathed but scratched

am proud but shy

beautiful on the outside

but inside

am hideously tough to mend.

And I am sorry.

Until the day the ocean doesn't touch the sand -

please care for this gem

until I am worthy enough

to adorn your hand.

And all in due time.

Social and Moral Concerns

This semester in USM, I’ve been exposed much to what I can do and the many social concerns around us. I feel like the time could not be any more suitable for these actions to ring true. Society is quickly falling into a moral decline that most of us cannot even fathom.

Just recently in the news was coverage on Yue Yue the toddler who was run over by 2 different vans in one night. She laid there bloodied and severed for 7 minutes. During that span there were at least 18 passer-bys in which NONE of them chose to help and instead ignored the whole situation.

Today, Yue Yue passed away.

Had she made it to the hospital in time, had she not such a severe bleeding, she would have made it. Do not underestimate the power of a single individual to change the world. She could have had a future, she could have changed the world.

She was another victim to the immoralities of this cruel world.

Moving on to issues closer to home, I was deeply moved by a speech that I heard yesterday concerning human rights by this guy who's a Commissioner for SUHAKAM . He voiced out concerns for the indigenous people especially in Sabah and Sarawak, for refugees, immigration matters and on religious issues.

Today, on the 22nd of October, several hundred members from over 10 NGOs are to gather in Shah Alam for the Himpunan Sejuta Umat (HIMPUN) supposedly to protect Malaysian Muslims from apostasy, especially to Christianity. HIMPUN’s other objectives include stressing on the importance of unity among the Muslims, the core importance of Islam in our Constitution as well as the essential role of royalties in protecting the status quo of Malays in Malaysia.

The basis on which HIMPUN operates is vague. They say that the small charitable things done to help society are actually Christians promoting evangelism to the community. In reality, there is little information if Christians are the only non-Muslims evangelising.

Is seeking out the poor and the needy and helping them get by with their daily lives a condemnable act? Is getting involved with social concerns in this country now a crime? In the first place, if people were given proper attention and sufficient welfare to live a sustainable life, there would be no need for charity. But in the reality of this world, no amount of social welfare by any government in any country is ever enough to care for the needs of the hardcore poor.

I believe also that Muslims are of good faith, and that faith that they hold are not so brittle that they may fall prey so easily. They are strong in their belief, and with that, I give them all due respect.

If HIMPUN is just another political ploy, then I must say that I find it utterly humiliating and appalling. Article 2 in The Universal Declaration of Human rights states that: “everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.” We ask for our right to live by the religion we choose freely without fear of being discriminated or intimidated.

Fighting for justice and equality is a ongoing war that started some thousand years ago. From the times of Egyptian slavery to Napoleon’s conquer to World Wars until today – we are still facing and fighting for the same cause in different ways. All it takes is the willingness and the commitment for a genuine change.

Keeping true to what the speaker would want me to do, I will immortalize the speaker’s words in my heart. What I heard was really life-changing and it made me want to be an activist to fight for human rights and equality. As Malaysians, we have a long way to go. But through collective effort, we can make things change for the betterment of people.

And through His glory and grace – and with His blessings – nothing is impossible.

References: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Patrice Chan :)

I once wrote this about you when I we were leaving Form 5:

"To my greatest pal since Std 1, who has stood with me through thick and thin, unwavering, my pillar of strength: PATRICE! We've had too many memories together, eh? But I won't forget how people weren't able to tell us apart, how you polluted my brain, how we so often share and keep each other's secrets, how we had the Pokemon Club together (I was secretary, Jas was Vice President or something), how we stopped each other's tears, how we laughed together in school, how we broke the school rules, how we talked about the past, present and future, how we drool over men that will never enter our lives, how we crazed over anime... I'm sure to miss you! I guess I'll have to learn to start walking on my own now without you... (note: most of the pictures I have - has you in the picture)... Without you, I might not have made it past secondary school. I remember how I used to cry in Std 6 when your mum said you were gonna transfer school. And how your mum frightened me again by saying you'll leave our school after Form 3. But I'm glad that you've stayed and made my school life so much more memorable, so much more fun. I hope that we'll still keep in touch with one another through and through til then end!

Btw, you too owe me a Khoosh ball cos it was your fault too that you were too tall. :p"

I was flipping around unnecessarily (MUAHAHAHAHA) recently and I found this recollection of you. And you know what? It's funny that after all this years I still feel the same way - that you shall always be one of those besties whose value would never depreciate with time. :)

You are among the few people who seem to know me better than myself. And I love how you read my mind even when I don't say a thing. I love it even more - because you know exactly what to say at the right times.

I'm glad to have known you in my lifetime - and am privileged to be your friend. Know that I'll always be there for you through thick and thin as you have been for me.


Friends forever! You can count on me. :)

(Though I regret I couldn't protect you from the toothbrush. LOL XD)

Meeting

It begins, unsuspecting, unpredictable as life is,
when a shadow steps in with red beats.
A memory rekindled of a childhood I miss,
when a boy and a girl - now grown up, meets.

A union was found with the shake of hands.
An endless intertwined loop of similarities.
With his silver tongue, her wounded heart mends -
You patched me up piece by piece.

Standing on a veranda overlooking the sun
as it sets, slowly, a mesmerizing view.
When this day ends, will it take with it my fun?
Or does it promise happier days anew?

Underestimate not, the power of a gentle gesture,
even a simple smile would suffice.
It shakes the roots even of my nature -
over an extravagant dinner of seafood and rice.

My idle footsteps are heard under the velvet night,
that was when I first got lost in your eyes.
Am overpowered with the urge to hold you tight -
to feel your warmth beneath the pitch dark skies.

A dreaded moment of when we had to part,
as the stars came to take their place.
Little did I know, this was just a start -
as you continue to amaze.

:)

1 Chr 16: 10-11

I am but a human being
flesh and blood
mortal.

But I have within me
an inextinguishable flame
that ever burns
with an insatiable passion
a ceaseless hunger
a piqued curiosity
of Your endless love and compassion.

For You are beautiful
glorious in holiness
fearful in praises
(Exodus 15:11) doing wonders
so majestic
all sufficient.

With You
I feel no solitude
I taste no grief
I fear no evil.

In You
I have found strength
I am lent wisdom
I acquired faith
all renewed.

You work wonders
and now
the ones I love
are inching closer to salvation.

Friends
rejoice in the Lord!
For He hears, sees and speaks
right into the heart of those He chose to touch
and would change them for a lifetime
for the better good.
:)

"How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" - Romans 10:14

This is my testimony of how He spoke to me in 1 Chr 16:10-11. The Lord truly is amazing by helping me pull the ones I love closer to Him. You work wonders in ways that I can never comprehend. And in the end, I just know that I love You all the more. Thank you, Lord for all that you do. :)

BERSIH 2.0

Yes, the 9th of July rally is over and done with but that does not mean that we should stop talking about Bersih 2.0.

The desired outcomes of Bersih are relevant and necessary towards a healthy and successful nation building. It does not end unless there is a true electoral reformation that will see us Malaysians basking in the light of an impartial and clean election.

There are 8 issues that Bersih calls for a change:

1. Clean the electoral roll
2. Reform postal ballot
3. Use of indelible ink
4. A minimum of 21 days campaigning period
5. Free and fair access to media
6. Strengthening of public institutions
7. Stop corruption
8. Stop dirty politics

(Reference: About Bersih 2.0 )

I think that if you label yourself a patriot; a real Malaysian, you would be fighting to protect the calls of change in which Bersih is fighting for. The assumption that rallying on the streets, or a demonstration (as they call it, whilst slyly dropping the word 'peaceful' selectively) can only lead to public fear is nothing but an outright lie.

Why so? Because this rally has dug up the genuine beauty of us Malaysians - as ONE.

I believe that it is through rallying that our voices can truly be heard. And it is through this sort of gathering that we can see the bright colours of our fellow Malaysians shine - in times of support and trouble. If you would take the time to read this article (click here) you will see that so many of our countrymen actually love Malaysia so much and that we do all we can to fight for a better Malaysia.

The 9th of July 2011 made me proud - that I am a patriot - striving for a maturing nation, fighting for the better good and loving the courageous people who dared to voice out.