Thursday, January 19, 2012

Final Impressions: Mawaru Penguindrum

Janurary 19, 2011
Posted by DarrenW

Survival Strategy!

Listen you lowlifes who will never amount to anything!

Hi readers (Jokes aside),

It's been a LONG journey. Wow it seemed like yesterday that I was watching the very first episode of this anime.

So today I will review the final impressions of "Mawaru Penguindrum!"


Fate. If our lives are already set in stone by fate, then why are we even born?

Initially, the story starts off with a emotional death of one of the main characters, Himari Takakura. She has been suffering from a terminal illness in which she only had until a certain day in which she would eventually pass away.

And that day was Himari day, the day that she could get anything she wanted. Disappearing from her two brothers, Kanba and Shoma Takakura, she collapsed outside an aquarium, only to die in hospital a few hours later.

But, she suddenly awakes from her hospital bed? She's healthy and her condition is stable. It's a miracle!
OR IS IT?

Himari wakes up with a penguin hat that they bought at the aquarium earlier, and she suddenly shouts "SURVIVAL STRATEGY!"
In all honesty, my mouth is always OPEN when I'm watching the transition scene. What in THE WORLD is this? You can have a look, this is clip of it:



But i assure you, by episode 3, whenever this happens, you will just go "meh."

So the girl in the video, who looks like Himari had actually extended her life and would continue to let her lead her life, but on ONE condition. The two brothers have to seek out something called the PENGUINDRUM, and bring it back to her. Yes, none of us except the producers & directors of this anime have ANY idea what this is.

And there are three penguins to help them! How cute!... I mean... WTF?


The story continues when they find out that Oginome Ringo. Ever since she was born, her deceased sister, Momoka Oginome (Looks exactly like her), had given her her personal diary, with the ability to change the fate of people, even from the brink of death. The Penguindrum.

It then becomes very clear how the story is progressing. The boys have to get the diary otherwise their sister is going to die!



However, its complicated. Why I use that word is because everybody in this anime is either a) retarded, b) even more retarded. Why so? Well, first thing is Ringo's love for Tabuki Keiju, her school teacher, which goes HARDCORE wrong, to the point where she dressed up in bed as his fiance to have FABULOUS MAX.

And she isn't the only one. Tabuki tries to kill Himari, the fiance, Yuri Tokikago, loves Momoka to the extent she drugs ringo and almost has FABULOUS MAX in bed. Kanba's biological sister does nothing but shoots people till they forget their memory.

To keep in summary, the boys did not meet the deadline to obtain the penguindrum, and Himari collapses. However, she is saved by a weird doctor by the name of Sanetoshi Watase, electrifying isn't it? He has pink hair, and promises to save Himari from certain death by prescribing medicine to her.

The diary was also torn into half over the struggle.

It is also revealed later that a long time ago, a terrorist attack on the local train lead to hundreds dead, of which the cause was the terrorist organaisation KIGA, carried out by none other than the Takakuras' father. To obtain money for the medication, Kanba takes on his father's role in KIGA, and becomes more and more crazy by the episode, sacrificing everything (to the extent of shooting his brother) in order to save Himari's life.


Also, Sanetoshi was the leader of KIGA, and almost succeeded in the bombing operation, but was stopped by Momoka, who failed when conjuring the whole spell to prevent people from dying, and in result, both of them were killed.

In order to prevent Ringo from completing the spell, Sanetoshi gets Kanba to trick Ringo into bringing the other half of the book, and then, burnt both halves of the book into ashes.

In the finale, it comes as an epic and ultimately sad ending, as Kanba and Shoma sacrifice their own lives for Himari's happiness, and vanish from existence in the world.

Himari and Ringo continue their lives, not remembering that there were two important people in their lives. The two boys have changed their fates, and ultimately, saved everyone's fate, on the expense of their own.


Plot-wise, WOW. The development of this anime is truly fantastic, and appears to have been carefully thought over time and time again, to give watchers the sense of confusion, so that you will be thinking about what is going on in the anime and what will happen next.


The theme of family protection, friends and self-sacrifice never gets more projected by this anime than anything else.

Atmosphere wise, the way the different scenes are previewed to the watcher really gives you the sense of excitement of "whats going to happen next?" The music really complements the mood and setting, of which the art is simply astronomical.

Personally, I love this anime for the fact that it had a very twisting plot, slowing unraveling to you by each episode, with you confused and at the same time, thrilled that the result is completely the opposite of what you thought.


Another side-note, the music in this anime is truly fantastic. Especially the song they use for the epic scenes, "Children Of Fate". Oh my goodness, its the BEST soundtrack piece ever written! Make sure you guys check it out.

However, I have to say, watching this anime is sometimes irritating, because most of the people in the show are DEPRESSED or CRAZY. Another thing noted is some imagination scenes that I don't really get, like super random and lame scenes. Lastly, the constant constant CONSTANT use of 'UNMEI', or 'fate'. Please also expect loads of flashbacks. (with subway siren sounding every time).

For those looking for an INTERESTING anime, not wanting to commit suicide, or like FABULOUS MAX, this one is ALL4YOU!


Mawaru Penguindrum ended on 23rd December 2011, and had 24 episodes. Fansubs are provided by ggNutblazer and ZUM.



Gosh, I must crush them soon!!

Hint for next review: What do I do when I got no friends?

DarrenW
Edited by FayeA

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Closure Notice.

January 18, 2011
Posted by DarrenW

Dear Readers,


Hi, its me again, DarrenW of the WWHCurrent Anime & Manga Blog. I would like to thank all you readers out there, who have contributed to 15,000 views these past months since our renewal.

According to the schedule, MedusaS and I were supposed to have posted a review today. Unfortunately as the title shows, we will be closed.

Reasons? Well, actually WWHCurrent authors here like to use "Wikipedia" to cross check the information we have, no point telling you guys reviews that are untrue or flawed isn't it?

Again, not trying to side with them, please take some time to read their cause for the 24 hour shutdown. Imagine a world where information on the net, posted by contributors like ourselves, taking weeks on end just to verify the correct information we wish to post.

Of course, just to keep a side note, if Wiki does lose their support, please expect incorrect information if we do get it wrong.

Please expect the delayed reviews sometime after the 19th.

PS: Were you expecting something else? :D

DarrenW

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Long Awaited Anime Review: The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya

January 17, 2011
Posted by MedusaS

Hi everyone!

Yes, it HAS BEEN 2 MONTHS SINCE I WROTE A REVIEW. I humbly ask for your forgiveness!!
Well a lot of things have been happening in my life for the past 2 months so much so that I really had hardly any time to lay back in my room and do an honest review.

But don't worry guys! I've already discussed with DarrenW and I will posting 5 reviews to get back with the rest!

So for today, let us continue our adventure with "The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 2!"



Yes. Our story continues from season 1, and to begin off, its the summer holidays! An exhausted Kyon retires home to do his holiday homework, but gets a phone call from Haruhi Suzumiya. She wants the SOS Brigade to get together... to finish her list of summer activities

Kyon's always facepalming.
And so, the group of 5 spend their summer vacation sprawling through loads and loads of summer activities, be it swimming pools, bug catching, summer festivals or part-time jobs. I was actually very taken aback at how NORMAL this episode was, and that everything seemed fine because they were just having a good time. And so, with the checklist finally completed, Kyon realises he can FINALLY focus on his holiday homework. Only one problem:

It's due tomorrow and its already night. Gah, he'll just face the rant of his teacher tomorrow when school reopens.

So he gives up and goes to bed. As this is a haruhi anime we're talking about, don't be fooled by appearances!

At episode 2, which is titled "Endless Eight" again. (Got a suspicion already), Kyon wakes up to the START OF THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS, which is odd because it was supposed to have ended yesterday. Then, he gets a call from Haruhi AGAIN, and realises she wants to spend the summer vacation doing summer activities together. However, unfortunately for Kyon, he doesn't realise it at all until he gets the deja vu feeling. He then does all the same shit again and forgets to do his holiday homework, and once again, sleeps it off.

At episode 3, which is titled "Endless Eight" AGAIN. Kyon wakes up to the START OF THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS, which is odd because it was supposed to have ended yesterday. Then, he gets a call from Haruhi AGAIN, and realises she wants to spend the summer vacation doing summer activities together. However, unfortunately for Kyon, he doesn't realise it at all until he gets the deja vu feeling. He then does all the same shit again and forgets to do his holiday homework, and once again, sleeps it off.

At Episode 4, 5, 6, 7 AND 8 its THE SAME THING. IN WHAT OF ALL THATS SENSIBLE does it take EIGHT EPISODES to reach a point. Okay, its novel, but honestly,


to ANY OF YOU GUYS WATCHING THIS SHOW NOW, watch the 1st and 2nd episode, then skip ALL THE WAY to the end of episode 8.

I'M NOT JOKING. EVERY EPISODE IS THE SAME THING, JUST DIFFERENT CAMERA ANGLES.

Yes, then at episode 9 ~ 14, its all normal again. The story now progresses towards the making of the SOS Club video! Which is that same video in episode 1!

I don't like to complain about this anime, for the very reason that it is IMMENSELY POPULAR (Even more popular than Naruto). Compared to other animes, I suppose you can relate more to the characters in this one. This anime is also funny and there are a lot of random unexpected scenes.

Plot-wise, unsurprisingly, did quite badly because all the first 8 episodes have the same plot. For theme, I think they have achieved what they wanted to do, for whatever reason.

Personally, its a good wrap if you wanted to know how that first episode video was filmed in episode 1. Personally Haruhi is a good anime if you simple want to relax. Don't bother about any plot lines though.

Yuki doing Miharu XD
The Melancholy Of Haruhi Suzumiya Season 2 premiered on the 3rd of April, 2009 with the original Season 1 before it, and consists of 28 episodes in total.. Heaven knows who subbed it. As usual, they rearranged the episodes so I have no idea how the story actually progresses. There is also a movie "The Disappearance Of Haruhi Suzumiya which premiered not long ago."





Next Review: Amano Strawberrys??
MedusaS signing off.
Edited by FayeA :)

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Manga Review: Lock On!

January 12, 2012
Posted by DaBrenz

Hey everyone! It’s DaBrenz back with another review! ☺ School has started for many of us, so I’m here to introduce a short read with some boobs and pretty girls to kill time. (What better way to relax after a long day of school work?)
Introducing the manga "Lock On!"

Author: Tsuchida Kenta
Artist: Tsuchida Kenta

If you’ve ever wanted a photographic memory, a great job photographing pretty and hot girls, a super eye and the ability to guess a girl’s three sizes with just a look, then Utsuru Sanada is the idol to look to. At 17, he’s a famous photographer who has enrolled in a new school because of his work. He meets the school’s rose and thorns, Shirai Yuki and Kurihara Niko respectively.

Niko fascinates Sanada like no other, with her cold piercing stare and attitude. He’s suddenly determined to capture all of Niko, especially her smile and when she drops her guard.

With some boob action and lots of nosebleeds, watch as Sanada and Niko get closer to one another as he slowly wears away her heart’s walls.


With 19 chapters, Lock On is complete! It is an example of how a oneshot can turn into a series. However, Lock On ended so early because it wasn’t well received in Japan. Nonetheless, it garners a 5 star review on MangaFox, where the complete series can be found and is scanlated mostly by Red Hawk Scanlations.

Keep loving manga and anime by taking small steps to maintain this passion!

DaBrenz, signing off.
(School starts tomorrow ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. ☹ )

Next review: Introducing one of my absolute favourite, and in my opinion most unconventional shoujo manga ever!! ☺

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Final Impressions: C³ - CubexCursedxCurious

January 8, 2012
Posted by DarrenW

Yo Readers,

Very sorry with the delay. I am in the midst of preparing for the new year.

Anyway, yes dear readers, today I will be posting the final impressions for a Autumn 2011 anime, "C³ - CubexCursedxCurious"!


Main Cast

For those who may have been captivated by the cute loli in the picture above, do not be fooled! She is actually a mass murdering tool!!!

Don't believe me? Well let me explain!

To start things off is Haruaki Yachi, our main protagonist. (Yes in every classic ECCHI there only the ONE BOY that everybody loves. A weird package in the shape of a large metal cube has appeared. It was sent by his father, who normally travels overseas. It's super heavy, and Yachi gets annoyed with carrying it around, so he gets rid of it... in the storeroom.

However, in the night, he suddenly wakes to the sound of a weird noise coming from the kitchen. Yes, he goes there to take a look, and what does he find?


A FULLY NAKED GIRL STEALING RICE CRACKERS (Japanese Snack) (Don't worry important bits are covered...)

I swear I almost dropped this anime after that 1st episode. Anyway, later in the story, it is revealed that the girl is actually THE CUBE! Fear Kubrick, is a cursed tool, that has been used in centuries to murder and torture humans. She is labelled as the same name as other cursed tools, Waas, but Fear is the most dangerous of them all. She has the ability to draw weapons of mass torture out of practically nothing but thin air. She has come to the house seeking a way to rid herself of the curse, and find a better life.

Well, she's come to the right place! Along with Konoha Muramasa (other main character), they will help any cursed tool relieve themselves of their curse, and live their lives as better humans!

So the story revolves around Fear, trying to outwit her own subconscious, to remove the ongoing thoughts of murder and replace them with peaceful thoughts. Fighting for a purpose to live and not simply fighting for the purpose to enjoy tormenting.

Bivorio Families
And did I mention that the organisation who forced her to carry out the sinful deeds is after her? Yes, in the anime, there are three factions featured , the "Knights of Gathering", the "Bivorio Families", and "The Laboratory Kingdom." You can label them as "evil forces" in the anime.

The story also focuses on other cursed tools, which I shouldn't mention because it''d be too much spoilers. Fear now becomes part of the process helping other waas recover from their cursed fates and in essence, that helps herself recover.

Ueno Kirika
Plot-wise, I would give it a moderately good score. It was well elaborated and easy to understand, but due to it being a short anime, there was not much to go on. If it was given a full season, it would've have been interesting to see how things could develop further.

Theme-wise it has done quite a good job, illustrating fully how hope and faith can transpire into a new future for the waas (no I'm not bullshitting), and that there is always light at the end of that dark tunnel.

Atmosphere-wise they have REASONABLY managed to maintain the ECCHI and the action all in one, (Much like Hidan no Aria, but with blood this time). Though I was very disturbed whenever Yachi tried to slip a divergence disc into Fear...

Unfortunately Impression falls SUPER short this time. This is because while there is ECCHI, emotional moments and all, I'm afraid I have to say I don't have the guts to watch this kind of genre. In the action scenes, you WILL FIND a lot of blood, the enemy dying, or losing a limb in front of the "insane" Fear, and lots of super horrible things that will turn your stomach inside-out. I am not kidding here. I almost couldn't handle the Ueno Kirika bone-breaking scene. Ughhh....

Maybe for those who watch this type of genre will enjoy it, but not me. I'm out.

Please also note that this anime's ECCHI is slightly more unnerving than previous ECCHI animes that I have reviewed on. :(

For the bright side, it is the first time I have ever encountered a serious loli, (well since Index) which looks kind of cool when they are showing their brave side. And Fear is SUPER CUTE.


C3 premiered in the Autumn 2011 Season, and has 12 episodes, without OVA or Bonus stuff. You can find its fansub from UTW, Hatsuyuki and Hadena. There's also a manga available but its not really as good as the anime.



It's great to be back from the holidays, and let's look forward to a great year ahead!

DarrenW

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Anime & Manga Review: Freezing

January 2, 2012
Posted by DaBrenz
  
Hey guys! I haven’t seen you all since last year!! (Geddit? Hahaha.) Well, a new year brings us one step closer to our never-ending destination known as the future! So let me introduce to you to a possible path in our future, via the manga "Freezing"!


Author: Im Dal Young
Artist: Kim Kwang Hyun
  
Be warned, the manga, released in 2007, is coated with blood and revolves around mature themes unsuited for the faint-hearted/young, but if you think you are up for it and want to venture into the Sci-Fi genre, Freezing is a good way to make a start.
  
This manga is really one of a kind, because while the protagonist of the story is our dashing young Kazuya Aoi, all the butt-kicking action is dished out by the gorgeous, busty women known as Pandoras. Females play the unusual role of the main fighter, while males take a step back (for once) and play a supporting (but nonetheless important) role in the long and tiring fight against the enemy Nova.
  
Kazuya Aoi is our typical male hero- warm, kind. These heroes are usually the clumsiest around: resulting in poor Kazuya Aoi mistaking the back of beautiful yet cold Satellizer el Bridget for that of his late sister, Kazuha Aoi. He screws up big time, on the very first day after enrolling in a specialized school known as the West Genetics Academy, too. *facepalm*
  
Following Kazuya Aoi closely, we are introduced into a world of Pandoras and their trusty partners, Limiters. With awesome weapons named Volt Weapons, cool techniques like Accel and Tempest Turn, Kazuya discovers his rare ability and thus his potential as a Limiter. Everyone is interested in making him their Limiter except our Satellizer el Bridget - which makes Kazuya all the more determined for him to be accepted as Satellizer’s Limiter.
Of course, when surrounded by gorgeous girls, a love triangle is inevitable. Lana Linchen, our sweet ditzy countryside girl enters the fray with her powerful abilities and plays that key role in allowing feelings to be realized.
  
There really isn’t any other way to describe Freezing. You really have to read it for yourself to be able to capture and understand the full essence of it. Take note that there are a lot of terminologies within the book that the author has created!
  
I REPEAT. Be warned that Freezing is a mature manga with many of the darker themes within it. It is NOT for the faint-hearted or underaged. :D


Nonetheless, it is a good and different read and can be found on MangaFox and MangaReader, where majority of the chapters are scanlated by The Halibut&Vexed Scans and Ala-Atra Scans respectively.


With 62 chapters, Freezing has rather irregular updates so that acts as a deterrent in your manga-reading, be warned. Freezing also has an ANIME!! With 12 episodes and 6 OVAs, the anime of Freezing aired JUST THIS YEAR!! It is completed and the anime can be found on AnimeDreaming.
Let Satellizer and Kazuya take you into a new futuristic world, of what may be in the day that will never come: Tomorrow ☺






Next review: Looking for a quick read with bits and pieces of ECCHI? Stay tuned!


DaBrenz, signing off.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

100th Post & Happy New Year!!!! XD XD XD

January 1, 2012
Posted by WWHCurrent

Dear Readers!


We'd like to take this time to say:

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! @$!$!@$$@%%&^%&^%$

We at WWHCurrent would like to wish you all readers a wonderful year ahead filled with success and we all hope you all achieve your goals and dreams!

What about our dream? Well its been fulfilled already! With you readers reading this post, we have already achieved our dream: To allow people to enjoy sharing the anime and manga that they love for no cost, so that more people may enjoy them! You reading this website is helping us share!

It has been an awesome year from what I've experienced. We started from one person, to a staggering 8 people now. It has been filled with joy and excitement sharing each others anime and working together to post our favorite reviews online.

From just 50 views a month, now a jaw dropping 2, 500.

Thank you for visiting our website and we hope you find what you want here!

ハッピーニューイヤー!
Happy New Year!
On Behalf of the WWHC Team,
Darren Wan Wei Han

Faye here,
Well, if you are wondering why this is posting at 12:26, its because our provider is lagging... (LOL) (And in Japan, Its already 1 hour too late for me...)