Random Curiosity

Light Novels: Kino no Tabi v01

By Patrik May 18, 2009

Full title: Kino no Tabi - The Beautiful World Author: Shigusawa Keiichi Illustrator: Kuroboshi Kouhaku Label: Dengeki Bunko Year of publication: 2000 Pages: 238

Nearly ten years old, with six million units sold over 12 volumes and an anime adaptation in 2003, the Kino no Tabi series is one of the few light novels that have been published in English. It's the debut title by author Shigusawa Keiichi, and was first published chapter by chapter in a magazine called Dengeki hp. When these were collected and put into paperback form, an extra chapter was added, along with the illustrations by Kuroboshi Kouhaku. These two fellows also went on to work together on the light novel series Allison and Lilia & Treize, which had an anime adaptation just last year.

Light Novels

Light Novels: Introduction

By Patrik May 18, 2009

Random Curiosity hasn't been intellectually sophisticated enough, so I've taken it upon myself to bring Japan's utmost cultural excellence to the site in the form of light novels. Since you may not be familiar with the concept, allow me to explain it in simpler terms: text anime.

First Impressions Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – 07

By Omni May 17, 2009

Summary: Ed is devastated to find that Marcoh's research materials were destroyed in a fire, unaware that it was Lust who intentionally burned the building down.

First Impressions Hatsukoi Limited

Hatsukoi Limited – 06

By Omni May 16, 2009

Summary: With Christmas coming up, Kusuda and Sogabe decide to get the girls in their class to have a Christmas party with them.

First Impressions Tears to Tiara

Tears to Tiara – 05, 06

By Omni May 16, 2009

Summary: Arthur drags Arawn and the others out for another hunt, but they realize that another group has already claimed the nearby hunting grounds.

First Impressions K-ON!

K-ON! – 07

By jaalin May 15, 2009

Gahhhh melting from the white-hot moe energy

Eden of the East First Impressions

Eden of the East – 06

By Omni May 15, 2009

Summary: Shiratori has brought Oosugi to her hotel room and has him restrained in a chair.

Basquash! First Impressions

Basquash! – 06

By Omni May 12, 2009

Summary: Although Dan has brought about the birth of Basquash, it's hard for anyone to play it because the police are now everywhere.

First Impressions Valkyria Chronicles

Valkyria Chronicles – 06

By Omni May 11, 2009

Summary: When Radio GBS war correspondent Irene Ellet shows up to do a story on Welkin and Squad 7, Alicia tries to get in her way at every turn.

PV Valkyria Chronicles

HIMEKA – Asu he no Kizuna PV (Valkyria Chronicles OP)

By Omni May 10, 2009

Asu he no Kizuna is one of those songs that I knew I'd like as soon as I heard it, and I've been enjoying the full version of it quite a bit recently. As I mentioned a week ago, I had seen a commercial for single and had been very interested in the PV, but the reason for that was because of the way HIMEKA had been dressed up. It was, to put it delicately, not the most flattering. In fact, I found the actual PV kind of difficult to watch because the outfit and the excessive make-up was very distracting, especially since this is one of those videos that focuses a lot on the singer. It feels like they're trying too hard to market her as a classically beautiful idol, and that just doesn't suit her. There's just so much more they could do with someone who has a background like hers (her real name is Catherine St. Onge, and she's French Canadian) and has such a great voice. Anyway, to its credit, the video isn't entirely made up of shots of her and mixes things up a bit with that little boy and the painting. Plus, as I said, I still really like the song itself, and that alone made the PV worth a watch.

The single for Asu he no Kizuna is due out May 27th, 2009. You can also keep track of what HIMEKA is up to via her blog which is written in English, Japanese, and sometimes French.

Edit: I've re-encoded and re-uploaded the PV so that the audio and video are in sync.