When The Cicadas Cry

You think Ju-On was the scariest?
You think Death Note was the smartest?
Think again. Take the challenge, watch this when it premiers on May 10th.. and make ur best guess about what really happened XD

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni (translated When the Cicadas Cry/When They Cry) is originally a doujin soft visual novel that was adapted into an anime and released in 2006. In addition to the original series, new arcs have been added and published in manga form and also adapted in the anime.With the announcement of the live-action movie adaptation of the first arc, onikakushi-hen, came the news that over 500,000 copies of the games have been sold.

and if u're interested, watch the anime too.. there are two seasons, each with 26 episodes.. it's really nice.. unlike any other anime u've ever seen.. You might have thought that animes are just like cartoons, but you'll have to think again after u watch this. There are ratings for Japanese animes, ranging from all ages to 12+, to 18+ animes.. higurashi is rated as 17+

Who am I? I am Me. Who is me?

「私はだれ？あなたはだれ？」「私は私。私はあなたの心の中にいる私。」「あなたはあなた。あなたは私の心の中にいるあなた。」"Who am I? Who are you?" "I am I.I am the I who is inside your heart." "You are you.You are the you who is inside my heart."

「ここはどこ？ここは私の心の中にいるあなたの心。そして、あなたの心の中にいる私の心。」"Where is this?This is my heart which is inside your heart. And your heart which is inside my heart."

「あなたは何が怖い？」「自分が嫌われること？そうだ、捨てられたんだ。嫌われたんだ。嫌われたらどうしよう。どうしたらいいんだろう。」"What are you scared of?" "Of myself being hated? Yes, I was thrown away. I was hated. What should I do if I'm hated? What do I have to do??"

「なぜそんなことをやるの？」「みんながやれっていうんだから。みんなのためだ。みんなのためだからいいんじゃないか？そうすればみんなにほめてくれる。大事にしてくれるんだ。」「それは結局自分のためじゃないか？みんなに認められるためにやってるんじゃないの？幸せになるために、偽りの幸せを得るためじゃないの？」　　「あなたも同じでしょう？」"Why do you do these things?" "Because everyone asks me to do them. It's for them. It's okay because it's for them right? If I do them, everyone would praise me. Everyone would be good to me." "In the end, isn't that for your own sake? Just to be recognized by everyone? To be happy, to gain a false happiness?"　"Aren't you the same?"

「他人の中に自分を求めているのね？一人になるのはこわいんでしょう？他人と一緒に自分もいなくなるから、怖いんでしょう？」"So you're trying to find yourself in other people? Because you're afraid of being alone? Because you are afraid that when they disappear, you would disappear too?"

「私はだれ？私は私。私は今までの時間とほかの人たちの繋がりによって今の私になったの。人とのふれあいと時間の流れが私を変えていく。」「いいえ、それは本当のあなたじゃない。あなたはほかにもいるの。ただ見たくないだけ。いなくなるかもしれないから。ほかの人の心から消えてしまうかもしれないから。消えてしまうのが怖いんだろう？」"Who am I? I am me. I have become me through the time spent and the relationship I have build up with other people. I am changed by the flow of time and the communication I have with other people." "No, that is not the real you. There is more than one you. You just don't want to see it. Because they might disappear. Because you might disappear from the hearts of other people. You are afraid of disappearing, right?"

「そう、私が必要だからここにいる。ほかの人が望んでいるからここにいる。でも、私は死にたい。欲しいものは絶望。無へと帰りたい。でも、みんな返してくれない。みんなは必要だから返してくれない。私、みんなに捨てられるの？いなくなるの？今は怖い。」"Yes, I am here because I am needed. I am here because people want me to be here. But, I want to die. I wish for despair. I want to go back to nothingness. But, they don't let me. They don't let me because they need me. Would I be thrown away? Would I disappear? I am afraid now."

「認められようと演じている自分は本当の自分ではないのよ。私はこうして幸せなの？幸せなの。幸せなの？いや、幸せなんかじゃない。本当の自分じゃない。そう思い込んでるだけなの。」「そうしなきゃ、私たちは生きていけないのか？一緒にいないと怖いんだ。不安なの。」"The me that is always acting to earn recognition is not the real me. Am I happy like this? I am happy. Am I happy? No, this is no happiness. It is not the real me. I'm just under the impression that I'm happy." "We can't live on if we don't do that? We are afraid when we are not together with someone else. We become uneasy."

「現実って何だ？」「あなたの世界よ。時間と空間と他人とともにある君自身の世界のことだ。」「君がどう受け止め、どう認めるかは君自身が決める世界だ。」「今ただ与えられるあなたの世界よ。」「どうしようもないあなたの世界。」「いや、もう全て決まりきっている世界だろう？」「違うわ、あなたが決めた世界なのよ。君の心がそうと決めている世界なのだ。」"What is reality?" "It is your world. It is your own world where time and space and other people exist mutually." "It is a world in which the way you accept and respond to things decide the way things are." "It is your world which is simply given now" "It is your world that no one can do anything about." "No, it's a world where everything is already decided, isn't it?" "No, it's not. It is a world that you have decided. It is a world that your heart decides."

「生きることも、死ぬこともあなた自身が決めることなのよ。自分の弱い心を守るために。自分の快楽を守るために。閉塞された空間では、あなた一人の世界では他の人は生きていけないもの。でも、あなたは世界の、自分を取り巻く世界の閉塞を願った。嫌いなものは排除し、より孤独な世界を願った、あなた自身の心。それが導き出された小さな心の安らぎの世界。」"Living and dying is your own decision. To protect your weak heart. To protect your own pleasure. In a closed space, your own world, other people can't live. But you wished for the closure of the world surrounding you. You remove the things that you don't like, and wished for a more lonely world, which is your own heart. That is the peaceful world of a small heart that has been guided by yourself."

This is some of the "interviews" in the 2nd last episode of Neon Genesis Evangelion which makes you think a lot about yourself. I'm sure everyone can find themselves in one of these passages. If you can't, that means you are free of the chains of modern civilization. If you don't understand it, you should watch the anime for yourself. But I don't really recommend it lar.. not that nice an anime.. Overall, I give Eva a 7/10. The best part is only the part where it makes you think a lot about yourself at the end. Well, I haven't watched the movie, End of Evangelion though. There should be more answers in that movie..
これらはエヴァンゲリオンのアニメの２５話にあった「面談会」の一部。自分によく考えさせた、自分のことをね。皆は必ずこれらの言葉の中で自分が見つけられるはず。見つけられなかったら、それはあなたが近代文明の考え方から抜かれているということを意味するだろう。分からなかったら、自分でこのアニメを見るべきだと思う。でも、お勧めというほどではない。そんなによいアニメではないと思う。全般的には、エヴァには７/１０しか点をあげられないね。まあ、自分に考えさせたことはとてもよかったと思いますが。でも、映画の End of Evangelion はまだ見てない。多分それには答えがもっとある。

アイドルマスター無敵

アイドルマスター超はまりました。どうしよう。。うん、機会があったら、是非アイドルマスターのアニメ見てください。超お勧めですよ。僕なんかもう何回も何回も再生しちゃった。好きなシーンを見るたびに元気になっちゃう。僕、もうだめです。。だれか助けて！天海春香から助けてください！

うん、また日本語でアイドルマスターのレビュー書こうか。まずは、アイドルマスターってなんだろう？ふん、XBoxでは確かにアイドル育てのようなゲームですよね。グラビアとかデビューとかやって。。でも、僕が話してるのはそのアニメ、アイドルマスターゼノグロシアのことだよ。このアニメではアイドルという重力を操れるロボットが登場する。そして、これに乗ってるパイロットというのがアイドルマスター。ただ、アイドルは女性だけを乗らせる、それにきちょうめん。。

ここで、ちょっとアイドルという外来語の使い方を話させてもらう。元々アイドルという言葉は崇拝された神以外のものをいうのですが、最近、芸能人のことを示すようになった。まあ、人気の芸能人は崇拝されるとも言えるか。。でも、とにかく意味が外れてます。別にそんなに気にしなくてもいいけど、本当の意味を知っておくべきだと思うね。

はい、アイドルマスターの話に戻る。アイドルマスターが好きだと言ったら、多分なぜと聞かれるだろう。インターネットでもあまり画像ないし、プラモデルなんかも売ってない。全然人気アニメじゃない。。まあ、僕なりには一番好きなところはゼノグロシアの歌。始めの歌とAMVを見るともうわくわくする。そして、最後の歌もぴったりのタイミングに入って、緊張感が上がる。

二つ目はゼノグロシアの全人物のそれぞれの成長と暖かい関係。主人公のセリフ「必要なの
はほんのちょっとの勇気と強い気持ち」はもう僕の心に刻まれてる。他にセリフはいくらでもある。。まあ、春香ちゃんはともかく、他の人物も面白くて、性格が強い。それに、アイドルもそれぞれの性格と心を持ってる。ポイ捨てのガンダムよりは何倍も強い印象をもたらす。

感動的なところもギャグのところもすごく自然で、心に直接伝わる。前にも言ったように、日曜日にアイドルマスターの最終回を見た。エンディングはとても満足だった。そして、この26話を2回も見終わって、いまだに文句なし。確かに戦闘シーンとかはあまり激しくないが、ゼノグロシアはそれを面白くて、思いがけないプロットで補う。空から始まったわりにはこんな豊かなプロットってちょっとがっかりだった。サブの供給者もこのことに驚嘆した。

今まで見てきたアニメは15個ほどありますが、このアニメが僕に一番強い印象を残した。単な
る言葉ではとても伝えられない。多分他の人にはあまり面白くないかもしれない。でも、僕にとってはとてもよいアニメだと思う。

Idolm@ster Xenoglossia

Idolm@ster Xenoglossia.. This anime has officially entered my best animes list(Eh, I had a list?)! It's not a very popular anime actually. It's more popular as an Xbox game, in which you guide the girls to become top idols.. Right.. But in the anime, it is a whole different story. It's about girls piloting robots! What's so special about that, you ask? Well, first of all, the name of the robot is Idol(shows how ignorant Japanese are of native usage of English words), an armored mecha which is built around a Core capable of controlling gravity. Ah, I revealed too much..heh..Secondly, the robots only let girls pilot them(eh, cheeky robots? lol). But not just any girl, too.(Picky robots) The pilots are called Idolmasters(as the title suggests) So yeah, girl power! ^^;
Well, to be truly honest, the main attraction is of course the girls.. The girls are fun and cute, and their pure friendship is just plain beautiful. However, somehow I feel that in this anime, this very special anime, the robots are not left out(unlike in Gundam Series). You feel like you know them very well and understand them. In Gundam, I feel like they're scrap metal.. once defeated, they're just thrown away and replaced.
My personal favourite (Idol) robot, Prometheus 4, codename Tempestas, who only managed to show off his mecha body in 1 episode and got his whole armor fried trying to protect two girls. It is true that the battle scenes are not as cool as in Gundam and other mecha animes. The best battle scenes I have seen yet is in Eureka Seven. However, Idolm@ster covers it well with many unexpected twists and makes you want to see more. Everytime I watch the next episode, just the opening prologue and Opening Song(which is the first one on the player on the right) is enough to get you high with tension and ecstasy.I personally like the Ending Song and First Opening Song, but overall, all 3 songs are very nice and encouraging.
And the main Idol and Idolmaster, Prometheus 1(first Idol found), Imber, and Haruka Amami(the one on the right). Haruka's character is interesting and delightful. A very true and honest role model of an imperfect person who strives to do her best. The other girls are also very fun and cute too.. and the very few guys also do very good jobs supporting the anime. The anime also features lots of laughs and some tears, which is very good for mental health. heh

The last episode was just released on Anime-Eden yesterday. I was sooooooo happy when I saw it.. and after watching it, I have so far no complaints for this anime whatsoever.

The fansub community left this message at the end of the anime, "And life goes on in the most unique game spin-off for the past years. We were all amazed at this wonderful series that created a strong story out of nothing."-Serin Staff(subtitle providers)
You might not understand the last sentence.. Usually, anime series are made according to a manga series, which means it follows the storyline and drawings in the manga. But in this series, there is no manga, no storyline, no art. And yet it was an excellent production nevertheless. I have seen a lot of animes which are based on mangas and yet fail to impress me. But Idolm@ster receives a full, honest 10/10 from me.

Note : I am now watching Evangelion in the Japanese version. It's worst than I expected. The opening song just doesn't get you expecting anything, and the main character is just dull..The only saviour might be Misato.. Well, we'll see how it turns out..

あなたの怨み晴らします。 She will take revenge on your behalf

Do you hate someone now? Do you wish for he/her to be gone from this world forever? Send him/her to hell. Just type his/her name in, and the Jigoku Shoujo, Enma Ai will help you take your revenge.

いっぺん死んでみる？ Would you like to know what it's like to die?

Okay, so you must be thinking I lost my mind. Hehe. Nah, I'm just too addicted to anime and manga nowadays.. not a good habit, but it's quite fun.. haha..

Like I mentioned, I watched this anime, Jigoku Shoujo a while ago. Finished watching the two seasons last last week in fact.

Basically, it's a very simple anime, which talks about Enma Ai, the Hell Girl who has the power to send people to hell, and she does this at the request of the people who access her website, the Hell Hotline.


Please look at her carefully.. Her eyes, her face expression. What do you see? I see pain and loneliness, and an insecurity.

As the story develops, we see more character in Enma Ai. What would you feel if you had to send people to hell for all your life? Well, without aging that is..

It is interesting to know that the beginning of the Hell Girl history as an urban legend in Japan can be traced to the end of the Azuchimomoyama Age (1568 to 1598) till the Edo Period (1603 to 1867). Before the internet was used, it was said that there was a blank white space in the newspapers' missing person corner. A person with a strong grudge will be able to see on that blank space a pre-addressed letter, and write the hated person's name and send it by post. In this way, the person is able to make contact with the Hell Girl.There were several other ways to make contact with the Hell Girl too.

Whether she really exists or not, I don't really care. I just like the anime. Enma Ai is cute and attractive in a way.. Probably it's the insecurity and mystery that wraps around her.

I particularly liked the first season of the anime, because in the second season, she doesn't feel that mysterious anymore.. haha.. the drawing was nicer in the second season though.. And the second season also has more variation in the storyline, which actually made me laugh. haha..

Her appearance with her long silky hair in a kimono is also quite refreshing. Usually, a Japanese woman wears a kimono with her hair tied up, in order to flash off her white skin on the back of her neck.

And I love the soundtracks too! They sound kind of sad, and yet full of hope.
I end my review with a 9/10 rating for Jigoku Shoujo.