Final Review: Guilty Crown

This is a very long post.

One of the best things about GC is its art. But not their character design.

Guilty Crown is a...Love It or Hate It show to say the least. Critics strongly criticized the weak characters, incomprehensible plot (not to mentioned how rushed it was), and its pure delusion of grandeur. It has an inappropriate awkward use of fanservice.

The pictures and bold underlined letters will be in sections. I'll try to keep it spoiler-free.

*cringes*

While my criticisms are pretty much the same, I couldn't help but cringe at the sight of such potential wasted. My number one pet peeve is the waste of potential a series actually have. See my rants on Elementary on previous entries.

The plot itself tilts heavily towards Code Geass and soon enough Neon Genesis Evangelion. They are trying to bring themselves some depth but the bad writing doesn't prove its capabilities. It's a bad mesh of both series.

Code Geass

Suzaku, Lelouch, and Akito respectively

Code Geass knows its world is weird and over-the-top (see the hamminess of a lot of characters) and I appreciate that because it doesn't try to take itself seriously to a degree. The writers know the world takes place is an alternate one and thus the world can be as wacky as it. Guilty Crown starts off with an emo teen with no confidence, so weak-willed he's easily manipulated by his enemies and friends alike.

The reason why Code Geass works and Guilty Crown didn't is because the character we came to know in the former series stemmed from family and motivated his goals. He has the power at his will and control others at his own mental expense and tragic results. Guilty Crown does not work because he did not bring together as his name intended. He is no Yusei Fudo (I know that 5D's is a reconstruction of the Yu-Gi-Oh mythos but allowing such plot twist to waste away...). He's an innocent involved in this no matter how much his backstory says otherwise. His connection to the Void is nonsense. Even the Void itself is idiotic because how the hell people knows that such a disease work enough for it to have treatment in a decade. Geass remained a secret for so long.

He's an innocent caught up in all the mess much like Lelouch. He was suddenly thrown into an escalating mess. Shu is just an innocent bystander before he was even born. Lelouch was caught up in the mess since he was a kid and he did not know it.

The blatant supposed rivalry of Gai and Shu is nonsensical. It's so sudden that I hardly believe it to happen. I know from his point of view, Gai is awesome and charismatic but from a self-induced "no-friends" Shu is too forced. It doesn't flow naturally like Suzaku and Lelouch. Gai is forcing Shu into the mess. Yes, Shu has the power and be useful but the plot makes it seem like Shu has to do it for the world's sake but he had his own chance to see the world in a whole new perspective but chooses to remain out of trouble. Why? We only get moping and even gets moping when he was called an insult in jest from a friend. We never knew him beyond his moping and it doesn't help that most of his development is forced. No matter how 'kind' he is, he's forced to look up to Gai. Why? Gai had earned the admiration but what did Shu did beside following his plans? I understand why he's jealous but for god's sake all we are shown is just moping he's not good enough when we could see him more than just a moping character. Not even Shinji Ikari mope this much. Suzaku and Lelouch works because they are doing it for a reason. Their ways to see light in the brutal world is radical and it proves by their extreme methods.

C.C. and Lelouch are bounded because the latter does not want to die. And it's a rash decision nonetheless. Inori and Shu is so unbelievably forced. Both situations have near-death experiences and mastered their skill easily. Except C.C. and Lelouch has a lot of chemistry unlike Shu and Inori. They balanced each other out. Shu and Inori did not work together well. It's so forced that I am expected to feel sad for him when he realized that Inori honey-trapped him into joining the Funeral Parlor. The romance is just too forced. It was expected from the beginning the two would be love interests. However, what we only get from the both of them is just that they are nice to each other and not get to know each other's flaws and virtues. It's hard for me to take their romance seriously.

By the by, I would choose Lelouch over Light over any day. At least, Lelouch knows he cannot turn back on his horrible deeds, embracing himself as the freaking Devil. On Light... To quote JesuOtaku on Formspring, "ugh, do his world a favor there, I'm sure he would approve upon reflection," Light did not turn back on any of his actions or hesitate unless they are with his family (but even then...). He did not regret his actions at all if the ending is any indication.

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Just watch the Mind Screw Chart of Insanity.

Evangelion was originally a typical mecha anime until it devolves into a psychological cosmic horror apocalypic dissertation. Though the former's writing is decent, the latter is a great piece of writing. Both series had top-notched pacing and suspense for the viewer to keep going.

My biggest beef with GC is with the character-driven plot. The characters were meant to drive the story but when the characters are so bland the plot very questionable and rushed, it's hard to believe the story would work. There is one development there and then that just doesn't fit well in the dynamics. They are trying to squeeze it all in twenty-two episode timeslot with Code Geass R2's plotline.

Evangelion is very influential as there are Rei, Shinji, and Asuka expies. Some anime didn't take Eva route but they did take the disturbing and psychological route. Yu-Gi-Oh GX took this direction in S3. Breaking Judai in that season made a large impact because all this time he had been fighting for his life with a children's card game.

Shinji works and Shu doesn't because Shinji lost everything (mother died, father left) and had not grown up with love and encouragement. Even with Misato and his natural talent piloting his EVA, he hates it. Shu on the other hand had not lost everything. He blocks everything therefore he should be able to build a happy life. Ignorance is bliss after all. Meeting Inori shouldn't make him remember bits. I don't know if Shinji genuinely love Rei or projects his mother's love but it defines just how unloved he felt. Shu grew up with love if his harem and his stepmother was any sign of it. His father do love him but he died and Shu kept loving his deceased father...as far as I could gather.

Inori was supposed an another Rei expy. She's emotionless that her backstory doesn't help. Rei is the way she is because she believes herself to be expendable. Inori is too important, she knows. In the opening or at least its first few seconds, Inori has more emotions than that. She's capable of emotions if we can allow her uneven actions. I understand stoicism but the emotionless doesn't seem right on that face if she does have emotions she can act on. It would actually be subtle if she knows that she is just a vessel for Mana. Her singing are commonly seen as some kind of spell.

Her expertise of guns didn't even fit with her personality. Why she decided to have the best of marksmanship? Is she trying to reassure herself that she doesn't have blood in her hands?

Ayase was quite an interesting figure if you ask me. She's a strong character (well as strong as GC can give us) but wheelchair-bound. That makes her fall to harassment a lot because that. She's the more human of the characters and I feel for her more than any character. She's trying to be strong yet she had to accept that she's not as strong as she wanted to be. Her Void is just stupid. Why not make a wheelchair-bound machinery and let her kick butt? She's strong and the wheelchair may be her obstacle but it's also her strength. I hate her liking Shu and Gai. I actually prefer her just going off and meeting other people, preferably those who wasn't in the Funeral Parlor mess. Normalcy would do well with her. She's not a Blood Knight.

That's as far as I can go with praises.

The Adam and Eve plot is just stupidity beyond belief. I would understand if they will 'cleanse' the world of the Void or rebuilting the world in their own favor but nothing was explained clear enough for me to understand. Daa'th might have said then and there about the Adam and Eve plot that I doubt that the GHQ knows the true details.

Daa'th would work better as the bigger bad, manipulating GHQ and all that. His station in the entire scheme is implied yet it utterly failed. He has reasons he could carry through without a second thought unlike a human being. Segai and Keido didn't really work because their motivations just doesn't work (okay, maybe the former...).

Evangelion works because it uses our suspension of disbelief quite well. The plot works just because. GC just doesn't work as well.

Characterization and Development

Theoretically, the death should push Shu to become a kind king, not send him down the slippery slope.

They try to make the characters as realistic as they possibly can or as close to a marker as they can. Most characters aren't that realistic, being idiots that they are.

Shu, the protagonist, is a mopey angsty teenager who is so socially awkward and bland I wanted him to make him see Shinji Ikari for psychotherapy lessons. Shinji Ikari is someone I can understand right from the start and his angst is something I can excused. I do like Evangelion (I cannot believe a majority of my school's anime club do not know NGE, knowing how influential it was and I would gladly watch dubs unlike them because they wouldn't be able to watch anime if it wasn't for dubs no matter how terrible it was) and Code Geass (while it has some flowing drama issues and other problems, it's not all that bad.). I could see a lot of shoutouts from both series into GC.

"I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away, I mustn't run away..."

He doesn't do anything but act like Shinji, maybe even worse. Inori is a failure of a Rei Ayanami expy. Gai has the charisma but the backing of stupid plot and stupid side characters, his character was dragged down with it all. I do like Jun, Segai, Dan, Ayase & Hare and perhaps guiltily Tsugumi and Daryl. The only consistent characterization is Dan, Segai, Ayase, Hare, Daryl, and Gai. Maybe Mana and Daa'th.

The characterization is at best forced and at worst satellite. The Class Representative (I can't recall her name) is only defined by her crush on Yahiro. Inori has such a change of personality (first she's the stoic, then she's emotional, then she has C.C's characterization of all sudden) that I just settle down and watch her uneven actions. Arisa, of all her real insecurities, is just a bitch (she thinks she's in love with Gai when she's not.) Her grandfather, as cool as he is, is only defined by that. Yahiro is just polarizing to me.

Dan Eagleman, a satellite and static character, may be the only character aside from Ayase to be interesting. He's hilarious. Dan may not be well-developed but he shows lots of emotions and prove himself to be good, showing more than just being a "bad guy".

Shu has very forced character development. All of a sudden, he went all strong when it shows just how mentally weak he is. He just clung to Inori especially when he slipped off the slope. He's badly written and doesn't come off as a true character. He was meant to be the Heart of the Funeral Parlor, asking questions about morality and casualties. His kindness was his strong point. It would have been best shown if he at least show kindness to other people outside of his friends. He's shy yes but he should at least help those on the street. We were never shown anything beyond moping and the morality Shu has as a person. We only knows he mopes and he clungs to people close to him because we know it makes him strong to be close to friends. Friends we never seen him interact friendly beyond just moping.

I know Shu isn't the only weak-willed character. Hell, in Gosick, the main lead was weak-willed but we are shown more than just his weak will and understand more about him. Shu never actually developed beyond his original characterization of moping angst.

Inori's character goes all over the place. Inori was never developed enough and her character development is very  forced. We never knew her more than just a blank slate. We never knew the implication of any kind of other personality traits or what she truly was. We just never knew her beyond her silence.

Gai could have been a good character but he too failed. He has the motivation to be with the one he loves but we never knew him beyond his goals and seriousness. We learn so much about Light and Lelouch's personalities and there really are more than just meet the eye.

Most characters aren't really developed enough even though sometimes I can understand their motivation. Like the rest of the characters, we never knew much about them with the exception of Ayase and possibly Daryl. Sure Dan and the other characters aforementioned aren't developed enough but they're consistent.

Most of the so-called character development are mostly 'deus ex machina'. They give us cool scenes and unfortunately a delusion of grandeur. It's best shown in season 1 penultimate episode. All are big and large that we're supposed to be in awe. The animation is very well-done in this series which I'll admit.

Side characters became convenient and sometimes to the point of idiocy. The best example is Souta. I don't need to say anything else, don't I? They were pulled into the mess because they're associated to Shu. Like Shu, they are just there watching from the sidelines until they are forced into the battlefield.

The series is mainly character-driven with Shu, Inori, and Gai. When the story is mostly this, the story is just rushed with a timeslot that wouldn't be able to squeeze in more development.

Code Geass had been expected to fail since the beginning with no executives giving a damn about it. They originally request 50 episodes but then they have to squeeze details in 25. Here's the thing: The characterization isn't forced, the development is decent, and very good pacing. Guilty Crown has none of these.

Void

She moans when he pulls out that sword of hers.

Void sounds promising if used well. The premise of such a thing had been used before in many other works. It would presents the mind or wish of the character into weapons. How would the characters feel that their heart in a sense is used as a weapon so carelessly?

In the series, the writers didn't examine it. Shugo Chara! used dreams therefore they are not harming themselves. They are growing. They were in no way harmed. However, this is placed with growing oneself. That was the highest point of SC: their subtle character development. This is a magical girl series (a genre I enjoy) so they don't tend to go into details of the ethics of that. However, when an X Egg is destroyed, another would be born with it. A Void cannot be reborn.

Void was meant to represent their inner self and could change if there's any sign of character development. Not forced character development.

It will make sense if Lost Christmas actually mutates the Japanese lending them into crystalized bodies.

The characters' Voids are too convenient. All the weapons are almost too useful. And measuring one's Void is just pointless. They can test its strength but to measure one person by its Void is stupid beyond belief.

The Void Genome is supposedly called the "Power of the King". Look, it makes sense in Code Geass; C.C. wanted to be loved like an idolized queen, Lelouch's word is law, Charles's Geass is to rewrite memories much like kings rewriting history, Mao knows what people are thinking like a monitoring king, Marianne's was to live ideals through a successor, and there's a power to control people like puppets through bureaucracy. Geass was to ultimately become immortal much like how a ruler become immortalized in what they had done.

Yeah, you get it.

It doesn't make a single sense in this one. Why "Power of the King"?

Is it using people like expendable tools? It sounds like a king...except it's handed to the wrong person. He doesn't have anything to be a king. I definitely agree with Gai on that respect.

There are weapons in each person (even harmless ones) but it's just made for either rule of funny or drama (EP 15, people!).

There are no laws dictating the Void. A high school student who can put up a rule is so ridiculous. If I was there and in the student council, I'll practically snap at them what gives them the right to set rules on an unknown ability. Not even Shu's father know about the true extent of the Void. He may made up some theories but those are theories, something that can be changed.

How in the holy hell does the "Power of the King" work enough for a Student Council to dominate? Yes, they need to protect themselves and all but it's pretty stupid that they need an entire system to dictate their actions with a Void. They do need to learn how to control their Void, each special to its own use. The only good thing is that because they are free, they revert back to their animalistic instincts, going towards murder and harassment.

They didn't go towards the "Child Soldier" route. They implied it but they just went towards the dystopia. I like the dystopian genre (heck one of my favorite books of all time is one). I like it when they apply it correctly. Guilty Crown was at the start of a dystopian Japan under the rule of the GHQ. The GHQ is an outside interference trying to help even with their means. Such an example would be the Afghan War with various countries from US to Britain.

Children fighting against a large system based on their naivety is such a good promise for psychology. They don't know the true details unlike the convenience Gai has. It was examined in Evangelion; however in that case, it's the fact that everyone is broken. Not everyone is broken in GC but they are exposed to warfare and bloody skirmishes. They are forced to give up any likelihood of a happy future if they do not survive.

Plot

I hope you two have a happy life together.

While I found the whole Adam and Eve thing completely idiotic, the premise sounds very promising even if the beginning was a downgrade version of Code Geass.

It's promising because the people of Japan are undergoing sickness and need the help of other countries, especially those prominent in medicinal research. As bizarre is the Void is, it will only affect the people of Japan since it did imply that Lost Christmas only impacted Japan and nowhere else. Countries will have to interfere to help the country get back on their feet again and try to discover the cause of the Void. By the way other countries react to Lost Christmas, most would try to help just why their body is crystalizing and people just disappear when they die.

Unlike Code Geass, the universe is trying to take a reality-grounded place which just doesn't work. People know that CG doesn't take itself seriously. Much. For the sake of God, there's episodes dedicated to save a cat and making a huge pizza with a mecha. How cheery and hopeful that series was? (Well yeah, it is hopeful and bittersweet in comparison to the absolute downer Death Note was)

We are expected to believe all these things to be taken seriously. As long as they take a different angle or bring something new into the mix, then we would be able to take it seriously to a degree.

While there are rebellions to regain one's true identity (see Vietnam and North Korea), it just doesn't work in Guilty Crown. The rest of the world interfered with Japan because Japan is in need. Sure their rules are totally different from Japan, but as long as they kept the people safe from the genome they can do it under the Japanese say. They were trying to help justifying Segai's words. They have to resort to means to make sure the disease doesn't spread. As cruel as the methods are, they are trying their best.

The rebellion is just complete nonsense. Gai is only looking towards the pieces and how the hell the GHQ knows about it is something I don't see. How do they know the pieces would cause an apocalypse? Daath might be an answer to them but even then they don't know the true extents of it if they trusts a mysterious waif. I know they are trying to play with the grounds of vices but I think these smart people would know who to trust. Would scientists trust a supernatural being that goes against their very scientific mind? They are too logical. Some might be open-minded but logic tends to win out in the end.

Grand yet so...dull

The series gave us the notion of delusion. There are so many shots of grandiose, failing to living up to itself as a grand anime it was hyped to be with Supercell and the minds behind Death Note and Code Geass. Please read Behind the Nihon Review's Rescuing Stranded Scenes in Guilty Crown for better information.

The plot twists are completely exasperating. For the sake of any deity out there, there's a Wham Episode page dedicated just for this series. Plot-wise, they didn't develop enough to actually shock us. That's the problem: it didn't develop enough. It only meant to drive the plot, not the characters. It examined what happened but it's too sudden. The series is character-driven. The characterization and plot are clashing at each other to tell which point of view should be taken. Some of the plot twists aren't even hinted beforehand. M. Night Shyamalan, no matter how bad he is right now, at least used plot twists when it makes sense.

They didn't explain anything about the Endlaves. So it's basically a robot you control with your mind? They didn't put more information and just leave it as that. Could they at least explain that? I don't get it.

All in all, the narrative is very awkward and pacing is so quick we don't have a chance to understand the characters as their own characters. The plot segued into a new plot point without giving the other point they established earlier any kind of closure or carry over with the new plot point.

Anime and other works had done this before, shrugging plot points away for new ones and not giving any damn about their previous plot points. I am not saying Guilty Crown is the epitome of bad writing. In fact, the series had loads of potential we could develop on if they take the time to immerse ourselves into the world and their characterization. Sure the series is badly written, but there are times it could've been good writing if its wasn't for the plot twists and the lack of actual real development in the characters.

We never had the chance to know the characters. Yes, we are shown their traits but did any of the traits developed beyond just part of their personality or learning more about them? The characters are static in their actual development. We never know beyond their established personalities. People are multi-faceted.

I know that not all anime or all works had to be strong in plot and character development. Guilty Crown is not the only one who had not very strong development. Look at Masters of Martial Hearts with their crude plot and lack of character development.

Guilty Crown is not the best of plot and character development but hey, don't we all view on narrative, pacing, characterization, etc are subjective even though those are objective reviewing basics?

What I do understand is that the series think they are bigger than they are. Again, plotting and character development may not be the best but they obviously think it's some kind of epic story with large expansive grounds.

Themes

Dance, you fiend!!!

Guilty Crown lack a certain focus... a central one. I wasn't even sure what the series was aiming for. Below are just guesses on what the main theme supposed to be. GC doesn't have a core to tell the story. The plot twists and turns without any idea where the hell is going. Code Geass R2 may have the same problem (the plot twists and some stupidity involves, yes) but I'm more forgiving because it had a central focus: Lelouch and his goal to create a world for his sister and basically everything Code Geass has Guilty Crown doesn't.

It's hard for me to see what they are trying to say. It's hard for me to even pick apart any kind of implication of themes. However, could anyone tell me what the themes might possibly are?

I don't really hold the book of criticism. Hell, I don't

Some of the themes I believe is in here: Humans as Weapons; Growth;

Humans as Weapons: That touched upon this somewhat. Since this is wartime, soldiers are believed to be expendable; the more you used, you don't have to worry because there are reinforcements. This time, it was the point of using the human's metaphorical heart as a weapon. If the Void is destroyed, then they'll die. Shu was reluctant to use such a thing to defeat the people, knowing the ethics. However, it was throw out of the window. They are willing to be used even if it meant dying.

Growth: Even though it's less than pleasing to see such failure of it, nonetheless it's still there if not rushed. Shu became a strong leader, attracting the people although he was always manipulated. Gai reunites with Mana twice, giving all it takes to be with his love. Arisa let love get the better of her. Tsugumi was let go of her shyness which I still don't understand. Inori grew to be loved and be human. Yahiro learned that his manipulative ways destroyed his life basically.

Culmination

The series just failed to live up to its hype. The story is nonsenscial since the very beginning, the characters are as dull as a brick, and it's a failure.

I wanted to like it at first when I heard about it. Why not? Having Supercell, the writers of Code Geass and Death Note... What could possibly go wrong?

My brother told me not to watch it but my curiousity got the better of me and yeah....

It's not the worst anime I seen and again, looking back it doesn't seem that bad in comparison to some of the worst anime in recent years. School Days and Master of Martial Arts are still battling for that title. I think that title on that year was a little too harsh. The series just generate unintentional laughter.

For the rewatchability, well, I will give it a yes for those who just want to watch anime for the fun. Just watch and decide for yourself if it's good or not.

The music is great though. 

I judged something based on different standards. 

This is my opinion and please don't bash it. I'm only stating my own perspective on this particular work. I tend to ignore Fandom Rivalry, Flame Wars, any Internet Wars of any kind. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. If you send a Flame over my opinion, expect me to ignore your comment.

Respect the opinions of others no matter how much you want them to like what you want.

How we reviewed is completely subjective even though standards of critique is objective. There are no bad movies or good movies. We can acknowledge their impact on society and ambition but something we like or don't like is up to us to decide. 



FR: I Dare You to Move

Pages: 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10

...It's not complete yet. Maybe never, but it needs to be read.

This comic was the reason I even approach the idea of Jojo McDodd and Cindy Lou Who together...regardless of not meeting each other.

Written and drawn by ButterscotchWM, it tells the love story of the aforementioned couple in rom-com fashion taking place after the speck incident. A new student has recently transferred in Whoville High and caught the attention of Jojo's best friend, Adin (I just love this guy). Trying to get closer to the girl of his dreams, Adin also signed up for the Drama Club's new musical I Dare You to Move. Dragged into the fray, Jojo won one of the roles and Cindy, his opposite. As the story progresses, they fell in love. Though there are hiccups along the way in the form of Briana, the Queen B-word of the high school.

It's not the best but better than most stories out there. At least, it has a constructed story. Sure there are some stereotypes (Briana and possibly Cindy), but they have enough to distinguish themselves from the typical.

It's a boy meets girl story but it's a fresh air from OC X Jojo. Sorta. It's predictable but not by far of all rom-com-like fanfiction I read.

Still, I recommend just seeing the tsundere Jojo. I am ambivalent of tsunderes (I admit I am a tsundere in real life but you know how much tropes are deconstructed).

The Official Soundtrack (OST) as seen in the author's journal: (The Jesse McCartney Songs are expected)

1. In Too Deep - Sum 41
2. I'm with You - Avril Lavigne
3. Just So You Know - Jesse McCartney
4. Drops of Jupiter - Train
5. Sooner or Later - Breaking Benjamin
6. Can't Let You Go - Jesse McCartney
7. Moves - Alien Ant Farm
8. Ladies and Gentlemen - Saliva
9. Falling Down - Atreyu
10. Break My Fall - Breaking Benjamin
11. Invincible - Jesse McCartney
12. What I've Done - Linkin Park
13. No More Love - Shinedown
14. Never Too Late - Three Days Grace
15. The Reason - Hoobastank (Cringingly bad song in my opinion)
16. I Dare You To Move - Switchfoot

Due to how long comic needs to be drawn, the author decided to just tell you out right.

"To "I Dare You to Move"....

Well you know what?... HERE IT IS:
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Basically, all the people in the audition sing. Briana's was good, but not as good as Cindy's... JoJo goes last, and after he sings, everyone is completely awestruck by his voice - more importantly, Mr. Hernandez is. So, he assigns the roles, and the play is basically like the King and I (cuz that was the play I was in that my highschool was doing as I was writing this comic.) JoJo doesn't get the main role, but he gets a pretty big role of a young male lover who sings a lot in the play. Cindy beats Briana to the role of the young female lover (much to Briana's disgrace). OH! And Adin was assigned as a stagehand cuz... he sucks
As rehearsals go on, JoJo and Cindy find themselves in a few awkward intimate moments trying to get their roles right. They have to go over their kissing scene a few times O\o... Cindy is experienced and is used to acting and kissing boys on stage. JoJo, however, has never even kissed a girl before, stage or no stage. Therefore, he starts to feel confused about his feelings toward Cindy, and he isn't sure if the rehearsals were real or if they were just... rehearsals.. He tries to find some hints from Cindy to see if she really likes him, but is discouraged when he starts to believe that she really doesn't like him, and when Adin continues to flirt with her.
THENN... Adin finally gets a purpose in the story. Whoville High has a boy's volleyball game against Whyville High (or something...) JoJo and Cindy attend where the game takes place inside the Whoville High gym. The game is close, and Adin starts getting very competitive, especially when the Whyville team starts to show their lack of sportsmanship. After trying to put up with them for some time, Adin finally loses it, and serves the ball so hard that it bounces off the ceiling, around the gym, and breaks a bunch of stuff... Enough to where the gym needs to go back under construction. O.o (dont ask how, I think I was on something when I thought of that...)
So, Adin goes to court and has to pay for the damage he's done to the gym. But the worse part is... The Whoville High Winter Ball is coming up, and since the gym is destroyed, there's nowhere to host the dance.
This is where the evil Briana comes in... She absolutely hates Cindy for stealing her role (and therefore, she also hates JoJo..). So, she uses Adin's fuck-up and the unknown location to the Winter Ball as a way to get revenge on the two... One day, she stalks JoJo and Cindy (I forget why, but I'm SURE I HAD A GOOD REASON...) and she watches them make their way up to the abandoned observatory, where JoJo shows her what he does in his spare time... Briana realizes that the place is important to him. Therefore, she tells the school that the "abandoned observatory" is the perfect place to hold the Winter Ball while the gym is under construction!

DUN DUN DUN....

And on top of that, she hires these two evil, bulky, perverted, football-playing "henchmen" of hers to "kidnap" Cindy and hide her when she comes to the dance. JoJo decides that he doesn't want to go to the dance, but isn't aware that it's taking place in his observatory. When he goes up there, he discovers the party and is... well... THOROUGHLY PISSED. He finds Adin, who says that he tried to tell him sooner, but since his incident at the volleyball game, he got his phone taken away, so he couldn't tell him. He also tells JoJo that he witnessed Cindy being kidnapped by Briana's "henchmen." JoJo turns from extremely pissed to being BAT-SHIT-CRAZY pissed, plus terrified for Cindy.
*sigh*.... Soooo... in a supposedly horrific and epic climax of the story, JoJo, Adin, Cindy, and the "henchmen" are in an action-packed scene where the good guys win and the bad guys lose... JoJo saves Cindy while Adin distracts the "henchmen." It is then when Cindy reveals her true feelings for JoJo and kisses him... in a real kiss ... Yyeeaa...
I also had this scene in my head of JoJo using his contraptions in the observatory to blow out the speakers of the music playing for the Winter Ball and breaking everyone's eardrums while they run outside screaming.. Idk...
But anyways, they have the stupid play and.... JoJo and Cindy are 2GETHER 4EVER now... and yeah THUH-END!!

That pretty much sums up what I was gonna write/draw about a year ago... ... Sorry I didn't finish it... But I REALLY reallly really really really really really really really really really REEEAAAALLLLYYYY do think it suckz >.< Plus I'm over hhaw now sadly enough for some of you..... sorry...

Hope this somewhat satisfied you "

- ButterscotchWM's Deviant Art Journal, November 8, 2009

And Rodger and Hammerstein's The King and I is a very Disneyfied version of actual events, but even then the book is not reliable either.

Watch Nostalgia Critic's review.



Favorite Anime/Manga: Ouran High School Host Club

Look at all those boys!!!

I love this anime/manga with all my heart. I love everything about it from the twins to the drama. It has an equal dose of humor and romance that I think romance comedies should have. It has believable characters, likeable in their own ways especially Tamaki.

I don't have anything against rom-coms since some fanfiction I like are rom-coms...even though they are just a part of a huge plotty fic *cough*Walk*cough*on*cough*in*cough*Phantom*cough*HighSchool*cough*HostClub*cough*. I like the easy air of rom-coms.

The story is told well and strong enough to hold its own in the shoujo genre. I generally prefer shounen/seinen but I dabble on shoujo then and there when I feel like it. I like some shoujo series.

I got into it when I watched it out of recommendation. I was so glad I did so because it's just such a good manga/anime.

I recommend it to anyone.

After: Psycho-Pass and Katekyo Hitman Reborn

Warning: Spoilers

Read at your own risk!

There are a few things that I will put in parts.

Shinya Kougami X Akane Tsunemori

...Nothing came out of this. At least we can get something out of Shion and Yayoi. As far as I get, there's respect and protection between them both. I highly doubt that it would grow into something more at this rate. I understand why it's called a Ship (from a certain angle) but remember shipping is subjective. It's based on one's perception about one's interaction with another.

My friends constantly mistakes the time I spend time with some of male friends (particularly one) as a couple, but it's nothing more than friendship. Denials would be seen as something else, really. I saw 1827 yet people don't see that, seeing 27K or even 5927 instead. I don't mind it because it's opinion.

I am well-aware of Flame Wars. I don't like to step into the battlefield, preferring to watch from the sidelines even though I know which I support. I am well-aware of the downsides of the relationship and whether or not the relationship would turn for the better or worst, ranging from idealistic to cynical. Not every relationship would turn out okay but if they love each other, they'll make it through. Let fans have their idealism and their OTP's, having fun. I just don't like when other people's opinions are incinerated. I like arguments as long as they are polite and civil, with evidence backing up with them. Shipping is subjective after all.

So, I don't see them in that light (sorta) but I don't care because I'm still shocked at Urobuchi's betterment with idealism and not killing everyone off.

That fits well with KHR since nobody was killed off for real. They are usually brought back in some way or another but if they're dead, they're dead.

Hoping to see Yayoi's Resolution

Her backstory was revealed in episode 12. We got some sort of ending with Ginoza, Akane, and Shinya but never got something that would likely put her at peace with her former friends. Urobuchi was never the one to waste characters as seen with Mami Tomoe.

Amano never wastes a single character in her life, hoping to bring them back in one way or another. Time travelling is an special tidbit in a certain arc and an arc afterwards.

For that matter, I (and a majority of people) was right she's a lesbian. There's hinting that she still likes her friend but put it all behind her now...

I like to see some resolution to see her actually shooting her former friend now after more killings are executed in the region where she once live at. I highly doubt her friend is criminally asymptomatic since the Dominator that Shinya gave her and told her that she's its owner, didn't recognize her as an Enforcer.

...I even imagined Urobuchi killing her off for that matter... At least he did show his respect for yuri/yaoi with the epilogue at least...

Killing Everyone Off

Knowing Urobutcher, he will kill off everyone. He got better with Psycho-Pass since only two of Division One, the Big Bad, his accomplices, the victims, and a minor character died. I expected so many people in the show to get killed off in the show but I already realized the show is ending with Makishima's grave injury. There's no way there's a new arc when the villain that makes the most influence throughout the show is dead.

Unlike KHR, there's actual deaths...rather not really pleasant deaths. When one dies in that series, they dies. When one looks like they die, they would get back some way or another.

I have no trouble with the ending which much like Madoka is a right ending. It just feels right even if one expect Division One to dismantle the Sibyl System but dismantling it would cause chaos.

However, the series feel incomplete in some ways since I couldn't get a resolution from some characters like Shion and Yayoi. It's not one of Urobuchi's best works, but it's still good.

...Imagine if he created a Boy's Love next?

FR: Yaoi Galore!

Yes, this is an actual JDrama.

I really want to make long yaoi fanfic recs posts. The first fanfic rec post I did was a oneshot with Johnlock and the other is ongoing which sorta counts as long but I want a long, long list. For that matter, I'm very harsh towards the ever growing population of such fics since I really can't find a decent fic without sexual intercourse involved. I prefer it subtle and hidden with undertones. Since the growing number kept on coming, I let myself be caustic. There are several cliches I kept seeing everywhere that doesn't work well in context of the characters or it's just shameless.

By the by, I only see yaoi/yuri when I think I can see it happen in some particular works.


I see this happening in the fanfic when the truth is revealed. Sorta.

First up: Walk On In by Tainted Ink And Paper

Summary: AU. SuzaLulu. Lelouch had an odd habit of taking strays… especially unwanted ones. Suzaku, the Japanese biker who waltzes into his home without permission, comes with more baggage than he can handle... like the Black Knights, like Zero.

Review: This is the best SuzaLulu fic I had ever read. It tells an alternate story of canon but still remains a great fic. It hadn't been updated in awhile. It's most likely be deleted next year so read it quick! It's a great read to keep things canon while maintaining a respect for the characters. Things are just setting off.



A Skylark's Wings by TnM aka Touya no miko

Summary: At age 8, Hibari Kyouya has a run in with the past leader of Namimori's disciplinary committee.As he learns under the perfect, parts of his past are revealed, connecting to the Hibari we know in the present time. Hibari-centric, OC, and implied 1827

Review: Granted, it's more implied but it's still there. Remember we don't know anything about Hibari's backstory? This fanfic provides a great backstory why Hibari hates crowds, his catchphrase, his rampage in the Kokuyo Arc, his hatred for Mukuro, his er...refusal to be part of the mafia, and his willingness to protect Tsuna, his chain to sanity. It has some errors but doesn't detract from the story. The character Tsubasa, mentor and chairman of the Disciplinary Committee is very good and the world doesn't revolve around her. She's the woman of the house, taking care of her aunt and cousin but better than Iemitsu. It has great drama to keep it going.

It does look like a wedding photo.

The Adventure of the Unknown Number by Trillsabells

Summary: It was far from the first time Lestrade had received a text message from Sherlock Holmes that he had no idea what it was about, and it almost certainly wasn’t going to be the last.

Review: Small but sweet. John and Sherlock are getting married and Lestrade is Sherlock's best man. Except he didn't know that. It's sweet that Sherlock regards Lestrade highly and I like how Stamford is at least a part of this. He introduced the pair you know and just a plot device for the two to meet. Well, if you haven't met Stamford, John, then you wouldn't have recovered. It's small and sweet, nothing overdone.

A Deduction of Love by welovethebeekeeper:

Summary: We know the legacy left by of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters in our world, but what if John and Sherlock of 2010 had been the first Holmes and Watson? What would their legacy be? 120 years in the future a reflection of their lives and legacy.

Review: Short and sweet. History and canon are placed well in this place. It say exactly on the tin and it's a wonderful read.

More to come!

Before: Psycho-Pass and Katekyo Hitman Reborn

I'm very surprised that Akira Amano chose to work for the character designs of Gene Urobuchi's Psycho-Pass. You could tell why I'm surprised. I waiting for another one of Amano's works to see if her writing improved. Not that I don't like KHR (I do), but there are several issues that I have to address if I ever do a video retrospective on things that I love or at least like because there are different categories out there (there will be lots of retrospectives, something like a mesh of JesuOtaku's Digimon Retrospective, Linkara's History of Power Rangers, and Welshy's Horror Franchises).

Akira Amano created the series Katekyo Hitman Reborn, a popular shonen series that ended last year. It tells the story of a normal pathetic boy Tsunayoshi Sawada just living life until his mother called in a tutor Reborn to help with his studies. In fact, the flier is fake and Reborn is actually the greatest hitman ever lived and he's here in Namimori to train No-Good Tsuna into a perfect mafia boss. Along the way, he met his friends and gathered a resolve to protect his friends and family. All the while, he is also trying to preserve his sanity and not trying to break under the pressure and darkness of the mafia.

Gen Urobuchi is a famous writer, best know for his dark and often tragic works. His workings include Puella Magi Madoka Magica (thank god I don't have to say the summary or I'll spoil it...yeah), Fate/Zero, and recently Psycho-Pass. He got better at least with the tragedies.

I think Amano is trying to work on darker series now from the overtly...I wouldn't say any synonyms related to cheery but I could say unnerving KHR. I'm pretty sure she heard of Madoka.

Anyways, I think I remember reading somewhere she ships a yaoi couple in KHR but she withholds the information because she didn't want people to see through different eyes. She's protecting the integrity of her work and I admire her for that despite the many, many problems with the KHR fandom.

I bring this up because Psycho-Pass' main leads resemble Tsunayoshi Sawada and Kyoya Hibari to a decree that 1827 shippers are positive they are reincarnations or a disguised plot to pair alternate versions of 1827. I stand by my case that the Decimo generation is the reincarnation of Primo generation, but not neither of those two options. I like to think them as their own characters.

My brother and friends knows I'm a closeted yaoi/yuri fangirl...except more mature in their point of view. They find those yaoi fangirls to be annoying generally. I acknowledge the homoerotic subtext in many works. For KHR, yes I do acknowledge the subtext (I don't know why I'm attracted to 1827 among 8659, 6996, LalColo, 1120, 8733, 7783, 1496, and R88...yeah, this is the only homosexual coupling on the list...) now matter what but there are so many teasing between characters how can one see which one is Amano's OTP? 27K doesn't count since it's heavily implied in her comment to have Tsuna with a guy.

Those who shipped 1827 noticed the Tsunemori Akane and Kougami Shinya. I doubt she had a hand on the names since Urobuchi created the story in the first place and wanted Amano (I think?) for a reason or two. Just look at what happened to Ume Aoki during the production of Madoka. I don't know if Amano know the story very well to intentionally design the characters to look like Tsuna and Hibari respectively. Similar personality or no, Amano took advantage of the personalities and designed the characters (and not only Kougami reminds me of TYL!Hibari but also Spike from Cowboy Bebop). It's just as Ume Aoki did so with the designs on Madoka.

Taking in Urobuchi's voice on sexuality:

"For me, perhaps there is part in my thought that said whatever relationship that could exist between male and female it should also exist between couples of same sex. Inside me, I could not imagine a model in which there is something that absolutely could only exist between male and female. Notwithstanding the extra element of sex, I do not believe male-female relationship is such a special thing among all the different inter-human relationships. Therefore if I really feel like doing, I may even try a melodrama between male couples, something like BL."

- Black Past Interview with Gen Urobuchi

Regardless of his support and the subtextual hinting in his works, there are no textual hints. This goes with Amano's KHR as well.

I am currently watching Psycho-Pass for two reasons. Other than being written by Urobuchi and character-designed by Amano (do you think that he will try to break Amano as he did with the women on Madoka's production?), I wanted to see what the gist about the Ship Tease. No matter who is the writer or designer, the fans better be right about it (even if this is another Urobutcher). If Kougami ended up like Homura or Spike...

 Because I am only reaching the third episode so far, I might as well make you see this:

:0... EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!?!??!?!?!?!??!

I normally don't use internet slang but I will use it now because I'm speechless!

O_O

FR: Vir Magi Jack Frost

I could rant about Puella Magi Madoka Magica all day long if I want to. The rant would be composed of praises, smiles, and the dying recommendation to watch it. I will watch the movies even though I will cry again. It's definitely one of my favorite anime out there, higher than Digimon Tamers and Yugioh! GX (the former is higher than the latter by the way). I don't have an official list because I can't put things superior than the other. I just like things, okay. The reason why I said the higher on the favorites are mostly due to the fact people wanted a list if they ever ask what it is my list of favorite anime of all time. It will give them an idea of a list. They can put together how my list goes.

The show gives us so much despair just watching the girls... The entire series would be spoiled if I say anymore.

At least you know that the show is very sad in a brutal contrast with Rise of the Guardians.

The movie is about hope and dreams, getting what you want to come true. Given how much Jack was going through to have wishes, would he think he would go to the extremes to become a Magical Boy? It does concide with the selfishness in Magi.

This art goes well with some of official art of Madoka Magica.

Given that this is a children's film, of course it have to be positive. The Guardians are full of hope and wonder...which unfortunately make them susceptible to negative emotions. They can show them but I think with children's belief they will heal.

Until they realize that giving hope to many young children will eventually kill them.

Here in this story, Vir Magi Jack Frost,
Jack became a Vir Magi, the male counterpart of Puella Magi.

Given that this story is just as depressing as the anime, I won't spoil anything.

However since Kyubey is so cute, children and the Guardians would easily trust him.

The writer have enough knowledge of literature to give Witches/Wizards their name. Her chapters are named after Titus Andronicus characters.

Given how my mouth runs off, I will say that it gets worse after a single event of misfortune.

A side story or roleplay (Absence of Hope) that starts out with the truth Jack had been fighting Walpurgisnacht at the time of Blizzard of '69. Of course, he didn't defeat it... Those who know that Witch would know.

This story officially became a parallel universe of Rise of the Guardians in my personal canon. Please read watch Madoka Magica after the Finale.

In order and I'm sorry that there's no links.

Part 1: Kyubey (1888)

Part 2: Titus

Part 3: Tamora

Part 4: Sibyl Vane

Part 5: Finale (Epilogue)

There are several tags of headcanon on the tumblr and accompanying roleplays (bonus material on the blog) alongside its sister tumblr site, Rene Von Schrodinger. Guess who this site for.

Favorite Anime/Manga: Detective Conan

Just a short fun entry, a breather for me after undergoing lots of stress this week.

Name them all!

It's a given I'm a Holmesian/Sherlockian, so it's best I tell you I love Detective Conan/Case Closed.

It didn't bode well on me when I realize this series would likely not end. Heck, so far on the manga (at least I remember reading), a new character Sera came.

I can name my favorite cases and movies at the top of my head. I can't quote something exactly extraordinary because I really can't quote something unless I am looking back on the source. I love any episode starring Shinichi in his true form and Kaitou Kid. I will swoon if they are working together as a team.

The characters are fun and likable (especially Sato), the cases are fun (even if they are always murders), and the series is a procedural designed cleverly to work a mind of a genius (Holmes would be in heaven...he would be heaven going case after case).

Why, this new section is to just gush about my favorite anime/manga or a anime/manga title I like. I just want to do these entries to just make me breathe. I just want to relax...

Entries will be sporadic at most or this blog would the source for me to vent my stress.

Glee Covers

As far as common knowledge can give us, Glee make horrible covers. I slap myself during Rocky Horror Glee Show. Guest stars cannot save this show either. All the themes hit us over the head! They got some good ideas only to have many characters lose potential! GLBT goodies aside, the writers never seem to take any kind of other risk than GLBT, sex, and drugs! Mostly, GLBT because Kurt's story definitely points there...

While more realistic than High School Musical (ridiculous piece of idiocy) to an extent, they seem to fail to grasp what else they could have done with the plot and characters. Cheating became so predictable I easily announced the OTP be broken up.

I'm not here to rant how many sharks Glee jumped.

Everyone knows how bad the covers are. I let it slide with Adele's "Rolling in the Deep". The cover was half bad because Rachel sounds horrible.

I listened to many covers, "Friday" included. I will brave the covers to get the potential that the writers need to get.

I pretty much snapped when I heard their cover of one of my favorite songs of 2012, fun.'s "Some Nights" at the same time Glee yet again jumped the shark (no, won't discuss because I easily deleted all information I know of Glee...yeah, forgot). I haven't heard any covers of Ellie Goulding's songs yet, but hearing a cover of "Lights" will make my ears bleed.

The potential is lost at this point (especially when the characters still act like a**holes) and I refuse to watch anymore.

Glee used to make good covers in their first season which was admittedly a good season until they began using popular songs interchangeably without a second thought of what they had done earlier. They used a good mash of songs that fit well with the story.

The show just became laughable afterwards. The covers just didn't help.

The Review Must Go On

WARNING: SPOILERS

Read at your own risk.

I am a fan of Nostalgia Critic and firmly believes To Boldly Flee was the perfect swan song for Critic.

The Review Must Go On, while good in its own right, has one singular problem.

Why make Demo Reel a purgatory for Critic? We have a chance to see another one of Doug Walker's well-developed characters in a form of Donnie DuPre. We have five episodes going and learned why every film in Demo Reel is intentionally bad. The anniversary specials are not bad, in fact they kept escalating in sweetness and awesomeness (critical-acclaim).

Donnie could have been a good character alongside with Chester A. Bum, Ma-Ti, everyone on the show.

I won't blame on anyone for this because Doug's turmoil is a real event. I'm a mature adult. Which I admit may be caused by the aggressive fans.

Nostalgia Critic learned his lesson already and to make the purgatory is cruel to Critic. Becoming and being the good god was something NC deserves for all he did in Suburban Knights and Kickassia. Donnie was established as his own character when we saw that he can act (Wreck-It Ralph vs. Angry Birds) and why Demo Reel was trying too hard to act.

While admittedly Demo Reel wasn't terrible (mixed reaction), the story is building. It's so...

Critic is dead to me by To Boldly Flee. He matures and learns his lesson. He shouldn't have been brought back. For the record, the Walkers know this because they have to bring NC back somehow.

Admittedly, I awaits his review on The Odd Life of Timothy Green. This unintentionally creepy movie should be ripped to shreds.

I mean, come on!

Growing a child when there is an orphanage right there! I'm not going to rant, I'm not going to rant, I'm not going to rant *repeats mantra*



On a side note, Tales of Graces is a lighter and softer Code Geass told in the point of view of an Idiot Hero...Gosh, should we be lucky that Asbel didn't go through too many tragedies for it to be a deconstruction? Lloyd is a deconstruction. I mean it, it's CG only told in Tales form! I was watching the walkthrough out of boredom and I seen CG on and off lately. I even tally mark how many unwittingly CG references.

Resemblance aside, there are some plot points that reminds too much of CG. Such plot points such as Lambda and Emeraude reminds me of C.C. and Mao, Cedric - Charles!, Sophie - C.C. (immortal obsessed over trademark favorite food), Hubert - Rolo!, and let's not get into the dynamic of Richard/Lelouch and Asbel/Suzaku. These are some points, but there are many.

Its Fan Nickname Tales of Code Geass for good reason.

I'm not a Cheria X Asbel shipper nor am I a Shirley/Kallen X Lelouch shipper. Then again, Shirley is a good match for Lelouch but it's too short even though it definitely develop over time but I never really fall in love with the couple. Word of God had already said that the C.C./Lelouch pairing is like a surrogate son and mother relationship...which doesn't help since the show tends to have a lot of relationship writing fumble. For god's sake, I prefer Kallen X Gino over Kallen X Lelouch.

I am still waiting for a crossover or a CG-inspired fic. *deflates* I ended up ranting, did I?


Passion Projects

Guess what happened to the girls.

Love projects or better yet known as passion projects are products of love obviously. If something is dictated with care, even for all they done, then it's passion.

The picture above is Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Gen Urobuchi. He always wanted to create Magical Girls anime with a more realistic touch. May I tell you that the endings change frequently, especially the third episode? The anime is a deconstruction or a Faustian anime. Geothe's Faust is one of my favorite legends.

Another is Kung Fu Panda, Dreamworks. Unlike Shrek or HTTYD, the writers know what they are doing with philosophy and martial arts. The Chinese philosophy in this are as close as doing it for art. It's A:TLA in movie form. A:TLA have so much research put into it that KFP can be put in for its reverence of Asian culture. There are a total of six films and it's planned. The HTTYD have twelve books, but I highly doubt that they will follow the process since they deviated. KFP have too much precise care in it, not since Prince of Egypt.

Sherlock, Moffat and Gatiss, is declared one of the best adaptations yet. Many already point out the development of everything. The stories are a mix of different cases, something already done. The writers admitted that as well, but they revere the source material so much that lines from the books are dialogue. Even more so than Doctor Who, it's one of their best works to date.

It's not as epic as you think it would be.

 Sometimes, there are passion projects that utterly fails. Epically.

The obvious one is the picture there. Yeah, The Last Airbender, M. Night Shyamalan. Shyamalan called it his Magnum Opus. People beg to differ, doubting him as an actual fan of the series. If you are a fan, you would keep to the original, right? Purist I am not, but even I know that fans that love something would keep to the spirit even when telling from a different angle. He literally told the story in a way that he thinks should be told. Worshipping the Fire Nation in which instead of Chinese culture but Indian (see the palaces, wardrobe!), deliberately no martial arts and gibberish (I'm part Chinese, but even I can tell that's no Chinese!), it's an offense to fans of the series, martial artists, and races.

The Room. Tommy Wiseau literally put every effort into this, getting a stage play, novel, and movie. I still recommend this movie. Its badness is already been put together by many reviewers, so I don't have to add much.

Look at Tigress, Po. You still have your Love Chunk.

Apologies if there is only one example, but I'm not exactly sure I wanted to add The Brown Bunny and Trash Humpers.

There are passion projects, well-made or horrible. Spielberg is trying to get an Evangelion film into the Hollywood silver screen. Jackson's Hobbit Trilogy would been called a passion project too.

All in all, passion projects are still one of the best the arthouse of media can give us.

Books and Reviews

The blood and tears poured into fanfiction is the same as those written officially.

Anything. I can read anything. I can read horror books without flinching. I can read romance books with nothing on my mind about romance. I can read crack fanfiction with no expectations.



I can read crack!

Hey, I read Twilight without losing brain cells (this is a joke in Frozen Apples wikia). I can read long-running manga if I was bored.

...Maybe that's why I can stand Mary Sues and Gary Stus. I love bashing Mary Russell for all the books' worth. I still have my own opinions about Mary Sues even though its vary from character. Remember, ymmv..

I'm an incredibly nice reviewer. I sometimes go into caustic when something doesn't live up to its potential or not doing something that could have been better. I'm not like Confused Matthew or even 70% of TGWTG. I'm like Paw Dugan, JesuOtaku, or even JewWario for that matter. Yeah, I'm subscribed to TGWTG.

I often thoughtfully put together my reviews (which are often long. If short, it's not me. I can't bring myself to write something without constructive criticism) rather than just say "Yay! Good! Update!" or simply "AUGH!!!". I rather give information that would help the author, constructive criticism that would help in later projects. If something that had not been updated in a long time, expect me to put up a review on my thoughts so far... Not to sound arrogant, but I'm sincerely shocked that the stories I actually reviewed inspired the author and later made the story better than expected. Then again, most of the reviews they got were praises or just outright flames.

Harry Potter: Ginny x Harry

...I just realized something.

I subconsciously don't ship Harry with Ginny.

I was rereading the previous fanfic recommendations and went to my profile to see the fanfics I chose from the Harry Potter as favorites and alerts... Only in alert, there is only one that has Ginny X Harry and it's infidelity! Harry cheated on her with someone else! He loves her but not the extent of romance you expect. And it's yaoi too!

No, I won't tell you the title of such story.

Even though this couple doesn't have much development other than its private moments between the two, I acknowledge Rowling's wishes they are soulmates even though I dislike the soulmates part. They spent so few screen time together both in the book and the film. Still would choose Harry Potter over Frozen any time of the day..

The two are compatible, alright. Only if Ginny got the development she deserved and Harry actually fall in love with her instead of obsessing over her and seeing her as a way of being part of the Weasley Family subconsciously. I love the Weasley clan with all my heart but I feel that Harry doesn't have to marry into them because he's already part of their family. Hell even in DH, there were textual evidence that he's still uncomfortable with her. Neville and Luna from her year got loads of development and I felt Harry only feel for her this because she reminds him so much of Cho Chang. Remember that Cho Chang and Harry won't be happy in the long run, I feel that Hinny would be the same. I don't think they're equals as well since partners should be treated with respect and love and communication, knowing each other to the T and I feel Harry only love Ginny because he reminds her so much of Cho and so much of the Burrow, a safe haven for him.

I still can't see them together. Heck in my favorites, there is Hermione and Harry but no Ginny x Harry (okay, maybe there's one but it's not the focus of the story but rather the love of his friends will suffer with him).

Then again, I might like CCH because the reflection of Ginny with Harry!Mirror seems like how I always saw the couple. Just an innocent crush. A mirror reflection of Mirror's love for Touya.

Aside from that, I think Fei Lee from CCH is an equal for him. Not only she and he respected each other (even though they would not admit it), they are treated as equals. Not only that she actually got him out of his funk of losing the Nimbus 2000. They communicate well through the eyes for the god's sake, thinking alike and I highly doubt that being with each other make them uncomfortable. They showed from time to time they are comfortable in close proximity and it's because of their rivalry for the Clow Cards make them nasty towards each other. Even then, they don't hate each other as much as the other claimed. They made it clear that the shouting was just an outlet and many times they had proven that.

FR: Card Captor Harry

This poster is not the author's artwork.

There's a lot of CCS crossovers with Harry Potter. Some work better than most. Most are ridiculous and personally to me, don't honor both material.

I love CCS (not the hellish dub, mind you even though I acknowledge the dub for being a gateway to anime for some) and it's one of my personal favorite anime. Perhaps the reason for that was its introduction to CLAMP and I think better than Sailor Moon in my opinion.

I grew up with Harry Potter. That's all I can say.

It's inevitable since both works dealt with magic, eastern and western. Heck even Clow Reed is borne from a western father and an eastern mother. He combines both magic so it's obvious. Eriol also came from England.

By Shadow Crystal Mage, the Lord of Crack!

Links: Card Captor Harry: Season 1; Card Captor Harry: Hong Kong; Card Captor Harry: Season 2

On the side, there are:

The original one-shot before expansion: Harry Potter and the Magic Book: Release!

It's basically Harry Potter with CCS elements. The author has so much with crack with interspersing moment of serious. He's sticking to canon events but there are deviations from the books.

It's clear that Ginny won't be the love interest of Harry from Season Two, but rather Ginny's interest is which she think it is Harry when it is Mirror. That's a nice thought behind Touya and Mirror's relationship.

Who knows who might actually be Harry's wife by the epilogue/DH?

Please help with Card Captor Harry TV Tropes page.