My blog, your input

I thought I would make this blog post something a little more personal, seen as previously I have not talked about myself. If this is one of those types of blog posts you hate, then I respect your choice to close the browser window now.

This year at university I have been studying Feature Journalism as my main and favourite subject. A goal I have set for myself is to somehow get published in Neo Magazine. For those who do not know, Neo Magazine is a UK based anime and manga magazine that, within its pages has tones of reviews and articles that someday I hope to write. After calling up and being told to email a specific person with my proposal, I heard nothing back. This made me want to try even harder.

I have a great passion at the moment for the Japanese entertainment industry and hope for it to be my speciality. I would like to take this time to ask the few readers I have, if there is anything within my blog they think I could do better. This could be anything from layout, to general writing issues.

Paprika

Before I start this review, I would like to let you all know, that I am now doing a mid-week short review that you will not get updates for. Each short review will be on the first episode of an anime or perhaps a manga that I want to share with you- so look out for that (it is in the ‘Short reviews’ section up at the top).

A device has been created that will allow you to view and record your own dreams- named the DC Mini. Usually used in psycho-therapy, the device is used to analyse the dreams of people we would not normally be able to understand. Paprika is a dream alter-ego and is used to council the patients, but complications arise… in the form of a dream terrorist.

Created by the director of the well known Perfect Blue, Paprika is an exceptional film. The art direction for Paprika is of a very high quality, not to mention the excellent music that gives the surreal aspects of the film that extra special edge.


Paprika is one of those films were you ask yourself: ‘Where the hell did they get these ideas from?’ It’s on league with Akira and Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi. If you like these sorts of anime then Paprika is for you.

Miyuki Hatoyama- A little crazy

Miyuki Hatoyama is one of those people that can make a really rubbish day a good one. I have been following her antics since her husband became Prime Minister, and let me tell you, she has said some interesting stuff. Let me fill you in:

The former actress stated in her book Strange Things I have Encountered, 'While my body was asleep, I think my soul rode on a triangular- shaped UFO and went to Venus. It was a very beautiful place and it was really green,' I think I want to read this book.

In an interview she claimed that Tom Cruise was Japanese in a former life and she knew him. She stated, "I believe he'd get it if I said to him, Long time no see, when we meet." She is now looking forward to making a Hollywood film with the actor… I am not so sure.

She has also mentioned that she likes to eat the sun, it gives her energy. “When the sun is up, I always eat it... I tear it off and eat it like this,' she said, gesturing as if clawing at the sky, tearing pieces off the sun and putting them in her mouth. 'That gives me great power,’ she said.

Although Miyuki is a little crazy, she has authored a number of cook books, and if often invited to talk on chat show hosts. Although I think there may be a reason for this.

Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days

I have been a follower of the Kingdom Hearts franchise since it started- the idea of combining my childhood with action, magic and even a darker side is perfect. Now, finally after almost three years of agonising, we have Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. This game is for the DS and I am lucky enough to have one.

So I have only just started playing the game, after buying it just yesterday. But I love it. The graphics are excellent for such a small screen and the cut scenes are wonderful. The game follows Roxas, a character we see in the second Kingdom Hearts, game and takes place between the first and second games. Basically we get to see the enemy’s point of view.


The first thing I noticed with switching on the game was the music; it had the same music as I’m used to, and every time you click on a button the same sound fills your ears. It was so exciting I had to stop myself from turning the game on and off just so I could do it again.

I don’t want to spoil the game but seen as I have only just started I will have to give you another update on what I think as time goes on. Hopefully my opinion remains the same.