Exam in 2 hours. Comments

Current status: Scared. Humiliated by the comment thing.
Currently listening to: "Ai wo torimodose" ("Get love back") sung my Masaki Endoh, the legendary opening theme to Fist of the North Star. (YOU wa SHOCK!!)
Quote of the day: "Hi there!

This may be the first comment I'm actually posting here, but I have to confess I've read your blog before...

I can totally understand your reasons for writing in English (my LiveJournal account is entirely in English as well), and I, too, was a bit disappointed by Romania's football team... (yes, I watched the last match...) But c'est la vie!

Good luck for the next two weeks, and trust me on this: after your first *real* exam session (at university), the Bac will seem just a piece of cake! Fingers crossed anyway! " - A should-have-been comment on the previous post. Before I realized my settings didn't allow everyone to post.


Well, what is there to say. Exam, exam, scare, scare... I'm trying every trick to get myself motivated. Let's hope nothing will ruin that. I'll need every bit of morale I can get. I'd quote one of the luck wishes I got last night, but hey, privacy. I can assure you, it was bloody original. It was perhaps the best description of how kids these days cope with the crap the Ministry gives us.

***

Also, about the comments: I'm an idiot. If it weren't for the commenter above, I'd be waiting for someone with a Google account to write. Whose bright idea was it to filter them like that? At any rate, now everybody can comment. Including porn site advertisers. The joys of internet.

***

I'll be back in the afternoon, to share impressions about this first exam. No matter what others say, this is not a piece of cake. To quote a "300" parody: "THIS IS DELICIOUS!" "Delicious? THIS! IS! CAKETOWN!!".

Signing off, the same guy.

One day till the exam begins

Current status: Oh, slightly worried by the following 2 weeks, nothing special. Other than that, happy that Russia won last night 3-1 after extra time!
Currently listening to: The Super Robot Wars Alpha 3 soundtrack. Instrumental versions of cheesy robot anime themes. Ain't it nice?
Quote of the day: "If he'd read communist poetry, Titu Maiorescu (famous Romanian critic who promoted our would-be great classics and started the association known as "Junimea") would roll in his grave." Never knew our Romanian teacher had such a sense of humour, even in his manual.

Someone once complained that my blog is written in English. Now, I don't necessarily consider this language to be the best or the classiest there is, but I like it: it has its charm, I guess. Why am I not writing in my own language? Romanian's nice too. It's a beautiful language born from Latin, Dacic and Slavic. And others. Including Turkish (like "baclava". I love those things). Problem is that very few people understand this wonderful language ("very few" is an understatement: even our bloody leaders have trouble with it). Bad enough that this blog has only one comment, the last thing I'd want would be for it to be even less read.

Another argument is that if I write in English, I can control my formality a little more. I'm quite convinced that if I were to write in Romanian, I'd end up swearing about some teacher or some classmate. Not you, you manipulative patriot, don't worry. At any rate, even if I do swear in English, it's not as effective as in Romanian. (Maybe because our people use the letter "P" a lot. Believe me, it adds quite an effect. In case you forget what you were gonna say, you can just spit him. Still a "P") On the other hand, if I were to write in Romanian, I'd probably censor myself in a silly way. I've seen the opposite in school, actually. Some girls were mentioning... err... you know. That-which-they-lack.

Lastly, it's a fact that Japanese cartoons use English terms. For example, Great Mazinger's melting beam called the Breast Burn (because it's fired from a V-shaped breast plate) Can you call it "arsura de piept" without laughing? No. Engrish (Japanese attempts at writing in English) is funny. Lomanian might not be. At any rate, I hope I've convinced you why I chose this blog to be in English.

***

Romania has left Euro 2008. After waiting 8 years to qualify to such a competition, we were close to getting out of an impossible group. We had to face France, Italy and the Netherlands. France being the finalist of the 2006 World Cup, Italy being the winner and Netherlands being the team we'd beaten in the qualifiers. What happened?

France-Romania 0-0. We defended like crazy and ended up having no chances on goal. As someone would say, we put our asses in front the goal.
Netherlands-Italy 3-0. Scary stuff. World champions lost badly. A simple calculation would lead us to think we'd beat Italy.
Italy-Romania 1-1. I was having private classes when I heard a shout of happiness. Romania scored! Within a minute, Italy equalised. Italy had a goal cancelled. Romania had a penalty. Adrian Mutu shot it. And what do you know, he missed. Everybody called him an idiot on the Messenger, but I defended him: it was he who scored the other goal too.
Netherlands-France 4-1. Chances were high. The former were qualified, which meant they had no reason to beat us in the last match. All we had to do was beat the Netherlands, or draw (if neither France nor Italy won).
Netherlands-Romania 2-0. We failed.
Italy-France 2-0. France failed too.

The aftermath: Raymond Domenech is going to get fired. Mutu got press-raped. Piturca got press-raped. Ionut Lupescu realised we don't have experience. The Dutch lost 3-1 to the Russians in the quarter-finals. Poetic justice? No. The neighbor's goat has just died. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Amen.

***

Ah, yes. The dreaded baccalaureate. Tomorrow, I'll be discussing with a woman near her menopause about the wonders of communication and, likely, some literary current. How lovely. Wednesday, I'll be talking German, in a sea of nincompoops or geniuses. That's what you get when there's just eight of you. There's no middle class here, folks. Friday, the indispensible Romanian writing paper. Ooooh, boy.

And that's just the first week. Second week has History, Latin and Psychology. In three days. Great. I'll be taking my leave then... Signing off, yours truly.

SRWZ and Giant Robo episode 1 review (part 1)

Current status: Very happy, for very various reasons

Currently listening to: Overman King Gainer from the series with the same name. I just can't believe Yoshiyuki Tomino could write such a hotblooded song.
Quote of the day: "Can't happiness be obtained without sacrifices?" - Kusama Daisaku from Giant Robo the Animation: The Day the Earth Stood Still.


Today I'll start with the announcement that Super Robot Wars is getting another episode for the PS2. Its name is Super Robot Wars Z and features the following series:

• Overman King Gainer (NEW): By Yoshiyuki Tomino. All I've watched is episodes 1-4 so far. Weird mech designs, catchy theme... Sounds promising.

• The Big O: Featuring Roger Smith the Negotiator and R.Dorothy Wayneright. Nicknamed 'Batman with mechs', The Big O was a bigger hit in the States than in Japan. And it has a Queen-ish opening. Was in SRW D for the GBA.
• The Big O 2nd Season (NEW): We should thank Toonami for this gem. Due to US success, Toonami asked the Japanese counterparts to make a new season. Finally, we'll see some real Action. It's Showtime! Especially since it has much more plot than Season 1. And more mechs. And [SPOILER] TOMATOES! [/SPOILER] I'm not kidding.
  

• Invincible Superman Zambot 3: Tomino's super robot returns. How can one not love a fat enemy called "Killer the Butcher"? That's really discrete, Tomino... Reaaally discrete. Last seen in SRWR for the GBA (and in Advance Portable, technically). Also of note is that [SPOILER]they kill everyone, and I mean everyone. Even the dog. Oh, right, the main character survives. And this is a kid's show?[/SPOILER]. I remember that in SRW4 they made a major route split on whether you were quick enough to save some kids from being bombed by Butcher. Needless to say that I failed majorly. Not much of a tragedy, I couldn't understand anything they said (I had that infamous translation patch. "Ogilk iscu" for the win!!

• Invincible Iron Man Daitarn 3: Roger is not the only rich guy in SRWZ. Banjou is back with his 120m tall bot. And with a new voice, I suppose, considering his original one died about a year ago. Last seen in SRW Alpha 3 and Advance Portable. I hope we get to fight the Meganoids again. Daitarn's plot was actually original in that aspect. Banjou is the son of a scientist, who created the Meganoids, robots with an ego. For that, Banjou can never forgive neither his daddy, nor them robots. In fact, [SPOILER] in the last episode, his father talks to him in his mind, cheering on him to win. Banjou tells him to he road, that he doesn't need his dad's help, and beats Don Zauser with his Sun Attack.[/SPOILER]. Awesome.

• Combat Mecha Xabungle: "Xabungle wa otoko no ko!" (Xabungle is a boy!) yells Jiron while piloting the 2-part real robot. One of the comebacks from Alpha Gaiden, this series had one attack involving Xabungle's upgrade throwing a giant missile at the enemy. Yes, that's right. Throwing it. P.S. Not a great cut-in...
  

• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation: One of Kill'em all Tomino's masterpieces, albeit graphically and plot-wise updated. "Believe in the sign of Zeta, beyond the hard times from noooow!" (from the first opening theme). It's been shown in SRW so much, that describing its plot is useless.

• Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack: Char and Amuro, Universal Century Gundam's biggest rivals, duke it out one last time, with the Earth's fate at stake. Philosophy, passion, mobile suits with funnels, drama... Except that Terada (the producer) announced that the plot won't be used. Again. It's here just for the mechs. Pictured is the Nu Gundam, Amuro's custom mech. I have a figure of it! ^_^
  

• After War Gundam X: Considered a failed series because it was cancelled after 39 episodes. In fact, it had a good plot and better yet, it had a reaaaally strong mech with an obscene MAP attack. Gundam X and Gundam Double X can use their Satellite Cannons only when the full moon is out (since the beam is fired from a moon satellite, onto the Gundam). Last seen in SRWR, was in Alpha Gaiden as well.

• Turn A Gundam: A moustached Gundam, a post-apocalyptic 19th century-like society, a pilot who's a talent at crossdressing, a samurai in an ancient mobile suit and most importantly, Moonlight Butterflies. Another Tomino work, with bizarre mecha and only one appearance in SRW - Alpha Gaiden again.

• Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: The Fukuda (I know you're thinking of the same dirty word) couple's sequel to Gundam Seed. Fans hate it for its many flashback episodes (one is as late as episode 40ish) and for the sudden change of main character and sides (Shinn Asuka becomes an Anakin-like bad guy when Kira Yamato, Seed's retired hero comes back). Memorable for Shinn's beating of Freedom Gundam and killing of Kira. And Kira lives. Again. And gets a bigger shinier mobile suit. And kicks Shinn's sorry ass. We get to see Freedom's stabbing in the preview, which means Banpresto liked it. And the fans liked it. Worst case scenario, we'll replay some missions.

• Mazinger Z: Grandpa Zed is back again. And he looks chubby, like in the '72 series. Initiator or piloted mecha series, of super robots and of female robots with breast missiles (Believe me, there's a lot of them out there). There, I've said it. Hope we get to play its plot, he's been shafted these last few years.

• Great Mazinger: Z's worthy successor, piloted by a highly trained orphan pilot called Tsurugi Tetsuya. Initiator of angst? At any rate, what can be cooler than a robot that directs lightning through its finger and fires it at the enemy?
  

• Getter Robo G: Strangely enough, this is all we get this time around. I suppose we'll be fighting the Hyakki Empire. At any rate, I like the mech, and its finisher, the Shine Spark, kicked major ass. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a post-movement Getter Change Attack. Compact 3 and MX really kicked us in the teeth with that one.

• UFO Robo Grendizer: My childhood hero is back to kick ass, yay! He'll make good friends with Marin from Baldios. Heck, they could even be from the same Solar System or something.

• Space Emperor GodSigma (NEW): A 3-robot combiner, powered by new miracle energy called Trinity Energy. Like all things miraculous, aliens want it badly. The Eldars, led by a lady general (yay!) want to get their grimy hands on it, and GodSigma won't let them do it. Notable that it has a crapload of sword techniques. Let's see how cheap Banpresto will be.

• Genesis of Aquarion (NEW): A CG-mecha anime, more of a tribute to Getter. Oh, and they fight angels (not an Eva reference). And whenever the Get Machin... errrr, Vectors combine, the pilots get an orgasm.... Neat, huh? Also, this is perhaps the sickest twist to the classic Rocket Punch yet. A fist that extends and follows the enemy in a pure Itano Circus manner (a name for the Macross missile massacre - basically, when swarms of missiles follow a mech, moving at unlikely angles). Can reach the moon (Fly me to the moon... er-hem. Not an Eva reference) and is called Mugen Punch (Infinite Punch).

• Eureka Seven (NEW): I don't know a lot about it, but I've heard it's really good. And it has mechs on surfboards. Woo-hoo.
  

• Super Dimension Century Orguss (NEW): Made by the creators of Macross, this series has a plotline about dimensional problems. Sounds like a plausible way to bring so many wacky series together.

• Space Warrior Baldios (NEW): The other plausible way to bring them together. Marin, the pilot, is brough to Earth because of a hyperspace problem. And is followed by the enemies. Marin wants to save his second home from these bastards. I'll bet they'll go hand in hand with Dizer's Vegans.

• Gravion (NEW): Finally, Klein Sandman and the Gran Knights join the ever-larger and wackier SRW Universe. I don't think I'd mind any of the themes, frankly. "Gran Knights no shoukun, gasshin se yo!" (Gentlemen of the Gran Knights, combine!)
• Gravion Zwei (NEW): And the sequel to it, featuring even more Super Robots. And some Brave Series tributes. Yay!

***

Time for a review now.

First off is Giant Robo the Animation: The Day the Earth Stood Still. We'll start with Wikipedia's description.

Giant Robo is an homage to Mitsuteru Yokoyama's career. The series features characters and plotlines from the manga artist's entire canon of work, effectively creating an all-new story. The events take place in the near future, ten years after the advent of the Shizuma Drive triggers the third energy revolution. The series follows the master of the titular Robo, Daisaku Kusama, and the Experts of Justice, an international police organization locked in battle with the BF Group, a secret society hell-bent on world domination.

The OVA is recognized for its "retro" style and operatic score. The character designs emulate Yokoyama's drawing style and the mechanics are inspired by steampunk literature. The action set pieces are influenced by Hong Kong action cinema, specifically the new school of wuxia and the 1970s kung fu wave.

The first installment of the series, "The Black Attaché Case," was released July 22, 1992. Originally intended to finish within 36 months, the seven volumes series was ultimately released over the span of six years. "The Grand Finale" was released January 25, 1998.

This is the translated version of its Super Robot Encyclopedia entry (credits go to me for the translation and editing)

My first encounter with the titular Robo was in Super Robot Wars 64 and Super Robot Wars Alpha, for the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 1 respectively. I'll have to admit, Daisaku's voice sounded so annoying, that I considered this series to be weak and for kids. Sure, I made the same mistake when I first heard Shishioh Gai's (The King of Braves GaoGaiGar) voice in Alpha 2 for the PlayStation 2.

Luckily for me, I was wrong in both cases. You might recall I reviewed some of the GaoGaiGar FINAL episodes earlier in my blog (still incomplete, but I'll attempt to finish it). GaoGaiGar turned out to be a heart-warming story about courage, friendship and perseverance. And big bots kicking ass left and right.

Giant Robo, however, amazed me. First, with its opening theme. The narration really fits the orchestral melody. Here, we find out about the rise of a new type of energy, the Shizuma Drive, about the 2 groups fighting each other (the BF Group and the Interpol) and about the titular Robo. Nothing special so far, apart the fact that the theme was the only thing that wasn't retro-style.

Episode 1: The Black Attaché Case (55:26)

The episode kicks off with the disappearance of Dr. Shizuma. Then, during a thunderstorm, we are introduced to the (still unnamed) villains: Genya (the long-haired leader), Koenshaku (his silent samurai-like guard), Alberto the Shockwave (one of the Magnificent 10) and Ivan of Russia (with his huge nose). It seems they are gathering 3 "samples", of which they only have 2 (both in suitcases), much to Ivan's dismay.

Then, we see somebody running in the dark. In fact, it's Dr. Shizuma, running on top of a caterpillar-like train, holding on to his suitcase. Calmly following him is Q-Boss, a dandy-looking fellow with a sock-like mask (like all BF Groupies). Upon asking Shizuma to give him the case, the scientist replies "Never! Do you know what'll happen to the world once I give this up?". Q-Boss laughingly tells him that it all started with him inventing this drive-system. Shizuma explains that this is why he is trying to pay for his sins with his own life. Q-Boss just wants the case and takes his gun out. As Shizuma prays to God to protect his case, Q-Boss replies that he should have prayed to 10-years ago self (this is significant, as we'll find out later). We hear a gunshot as the train enters a tunnel. We see blood dripping, and it's apparently coming from Q-Boss, as Shizuma is still cowering at the end of the train. Someone has apparently shot Q-Boss's hand. It looks like a tall robot-like being, holding a gun. This someone has come to save Shizuma. As Q Boss wonders where it had been hiding, we hear someone yell for "Ginrei!". The yeller is dark-skinned muscle-man Tetsugyu (translatable as "Iron Ox"), standing on another train, coming on a parallel line. Shizuma's saviour takes the costume off, revealing long-legged China dress-wearing beauty, Ginrei ("Silver Bell"), who jumps off the train, along with Shizuma. Tetsugyu seems kind of disappointed to have caught just the professor, and not the girl. Q-Boss's train had bunches of helicopters stored inside the wagons (what?). Ginrei disposes of one of them via gun (they just don't seem to make helicopters like they used to... ^_^;;). She seems to want to use some kind of power, because there's no end to this enemy. Tetsugyu asks her to leave it to him, because she shouldn't use that power. He fights the enemy, while having the professor and the case on his back. He disposes of quite a number of helicopters using his axes (which are extendable, nevertheless) and a technique called the "Black Whirlwind". That doesn't change the fact that Ginrei calls him a stupid ox (name pun), because he put Shizuma in danger. Their train is destroyed by Q-Boss, whose train turns into a caterpillar-like robot, with a giant drill for a nose. A kid tells Tetsugyu via telecommunication to run faster, which makes him angry. Ginrei is contacted as well (via ring) and is told to keep running straight ahead (where there is a bascule bridge). When they get there, it parts, due to a ship coming that way. They jump, followed by Q-Boss. Suddenly, a giant hand (coming out of the ship) catches them and punches the robot. The train bot flies off, and Q-Boss tries to make it move (uselessly). We can see a gigantic silhouette moving in the distance (steps SFX and all). It's a huge pharaoh-headed robot, and next to its head is a boy. It's... Giant Robo! Q-Boss does a desperate attack "for Big Fire", and the boy, Kusama Daisaku orders Robo to punch it. Q-Boss flies off, saying this is impossible (tell me about it... one hit kill punch?). Tetsugyu and Ginrei recognize Daisaku, as Giant Robo takes off, holding them in its hand. We hear Ginrei's voice-over. "Come to think of it, this was my first encounter with Daisaku-kun. I think it was the first day of the incident. Yes, the seven days that nobody can ever forget."

Unfortunately, due to the length of the episode and to my lack of time, I'll have to halt the review here. So far, so good. This is a battle that can be seen in either SRW appearance Giant Robo has had. Incidentally, in SRW64, Q Boss doesn't stay dead, whereas in SRW Alpha they mass-produce that machine (which does get a name, not that I would remember it). I'll give my marks when I finish the review.

***

This should've been the part where I reviewed my new toys, but it's been almost 2 months since I was supposed to do that. At any rate, I have a new camera, so I'll even take photos of each one of them. Here's a tentative list of the following review-posts.

1. Revoltech Getter 1 (from New Getter Robo)

2. HCM Pro Nu Gundam (from Gundam: Char's Counterattack)

3. Revoltech Shin Getter 1 (from Change!! Getter Robo: The Last Day of the Earth)

4. HCM Pro Sazabi (from Gundam: Char's Counterattack)

5. Revoltech Mazinkaiser (from Mazinkaiser and Mazinkaiser vs the General of Darkness)

6. HCM Pro Force Impulse Gundam (from Gundam Seed Destiny)

7. Revoltech Giant Robo and GR-2 (from Giant Robo the Animation: The Day the Earth Stood Still)

8. HCM Pro Freedom Gundam (from Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny)

9. HCM Pro Strike Freedom Gundam (from Gundam Seed Destiny)

10. HCM Pro Destiny Gundam (from Gundam Seed Destiny)

***

Before I sign off, I'd like to express my thanks to my high-school classmates. Thanks for these 4 years, thanks for the wonderful prom, thanks for being the crackpots they are and hopefully will always be. This particular screwball will never forget you! (You get a cookie if you guess which one I am)

Signing off, yours truly.

Gundams, vampires and friends, oh my!

Current status: Doing a victory dance after completing my new figures. Damn they're smexy!
Currenly listening to: Swat On Dekaranger, from a sentai anime, Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (Special Investigation Squad Dekaranger), the inspiration for Power Rangers: S.P.D. A nice hot-blooded song to celebrate my first ever MS figures.
Quote of the day: A woman has a close male friend. This means that he is probably interested in her, which is why he hangs around so much. She sees him strictly as a friend. This always starts out with, you're a great guy, but I don't like you in that way. This is roughly the equivalent for the guy of going to a job interview and the company saying, You have a great resume, you have all the qualifications we are looking for, but we're not going to hire you. We will, however, use your resume as the basis for comparison for all other applicants. But, we're going to hire somebody who is far less qualified and is probably an alcoholic. And if he doesn't work out, we'll hire somebody else, but still not you. In fact, we will never hire you. But we will call you from time to time to complain about the person that we hired. - Some anonymous guy on Wikichan

Today, I picked my figures up from the post. First thing to note is that the boxes are bigger than those of the Revoltechs, although the figures are a few centimeters smaller (my camera is busted, so I'll post pictures later). The robots themselves are already built, but their weapons and accessories aren't. You need a knife or scissors to cut them free from the plastic support. Easier said than done. Earned me a cut finger (my middle finger, too... Daaaaamn, now I can't show it to anyone anymore...) and another cut (on the same finger. Neither was fatal... I think). Took me a whole hour to build Nu Gundam's signature Fin Funnels (long range remote-controlled beam launchers o' Doom), mainly because they were neatly matched on to another and ignoring the instructions would make the whole process useless. I also discovered that I am completely blind, not understanding the drawing that clearly showed the Funnel's connection to the figure. Nevertheless, Nu Gundam looks awesome with his beam saber and bazooka. They could've given him a stand, though. There's no way of displaying the Nu Gundam in flight, surrounded by the Funnels (same goes for Sazabi. It's a pity, really). The Sazabi was less of a pain to assemble, and even gets more weapons, I think. Also, you have 3 funnels, but I have NO idea how I'll display them or at least avoid losing them. I'll try hanging them from the ceiling. Anyway, let's see what accessories you get for each.

Nu Gundam
1x shield with Amuro's custom logo, containing 3 missiles. Attachable to arm
3x beam sabers: one is off (stored in the left arm), one is lit on one end, one is lit one both ends (though the second end is quite small)
1x beam rifle: even has ammo
1x bazooka: also has ammo, as well as an adjustable handle
6x fin funnels: can be stored on back
2x open hands
2x closed fists
2x holding fists

Sazabi
1x shield with Neo Zeon logo, containing 3 missiles. Attachable to arm
2x beam sabers: both are identical.
1x beam tomahawk: one-sided
1x beam tomahawk: two-sided
1x beam shotrifle: like a shotgun
6x closed funnels: immobile, stored on backpack.
3x open funnels
2x open hands
2x holding fists

All in all, I can give them 5/5 on mobility, 4/5 on accessories (why don't they have a stand?), 5/5 on design. Final score: 4.66/5 to these two figures. Now I can reenact Char and Amuro's final battle. Yay!

A new Hellsing chapter (91) has been released, and Hirano claims we are heading towards the end. Basically, nothing happens. Seras joins Integra to fight against Major, but we knew that since chapter 90 (2 months ago). All Major does is gloat over his wonderful victory against Alucard. He's really reminding me of Mojo Jojo. Finally, Integra orders Seras to shoot, but only on the last page. On the other hand, the fight between Walter and Heinkel continues. Walter tells Heinkel to shoot at him, only to slash his arm and leg off. Heinkel had become nothing more than a vengeful ruin, bent on killing Walter. On the other hand, Walter is close to his end, and attacks the zeppelin with his Deadly Floss o' Doom. What's he up to? Someone in the LJ Hellsing community thinks that Hirano initially wanted to kill him off this chapter, but he made up his mind. All I can hope is that Alucard comes back, because the manga series is crumbling to a disappointing ending. In fact, ever since Anderson died, nothing has been working like before. Let's just hope Hirano has one trick left for us... Unlikely, since he seems to make it up as he goes on.

The point of the quote is that it sounded very familiar. I've been through this quite a few times, and I'm getting sick of it. Sometimes you'd just want a girl who'd stop appreciating you and would just love you. Is it too hard? Well, if you want brains AND feelings, you're knocking on the wrong door. The best you'll get is their friendship. If you do get their love, it's almost never because you liked them in the first place. I do hope some persons recognize themselves in this portrait and act more carefully along boys. Who aren't perverts and assholes of their own choice. It's girls like these who make them like that. I do hope I won't hear anymore gossip about my inconstant choices. I'd gladly settle for one girl, if she'd stop saying that I'm such a "good friend, end of story". To quote Friends: friend zone = dead zone. I dare you people to prove me wrong.

That would be all for today. Signing off, yours truly.

Otaku

Current status: Ecstatic. My newest order from Hobbylink Japan has arrived! Tomorrow I'll go get them!

Currently listening to: TWO-MIX - Last Impression. The ending theme to Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz, the sequel OAV (and movie remake) to the popular Japanese mecha anime, New Mobile Report Gundam Wing. The song combines slow, ambiental vocal with very dynamic, rock-like instrumental every now and then. Kitsch? Who cares?
Quote of the day: "As long as people like you exist, there will be need for soldiers like us!" - Heero Yui, Gundam Wing's protagonist, in Super Robot Wars Alpha 2, when fighting against Neo Zeon units.

Being in my last high-school year and all, I have 2 large problems. One is that of love and stuff, which I haven't developed on this blog, for fear of snoopy classmates. The other is that of the upcoming exam. Regarding the first, all I can say is that I am sick and tired of the soap operas surrounding my and everybody's love-life. Who needs cable when you have twenty-f***ing-eight girls around you? I have seen everything. Absolutely everything. It's enough to make men go gay, sometimes. Till you realize you'll be forced to become a bit girly, which can have horrendous results. Mind you, I've known decent girls, and quite a few of those. Just that the majority has little pity for my braincells, which have been fried over and over.

The exams? Lessee... Romanian literature and non-literature, oral and written? Check. History? Check. Latin? Check. German oral? Check. Psychology? Check. 6 exams. Thank God I'm not Hungarian, else I'd have one MORE exam. Lots of work, stress and more work. Oh, and your friends and colleagues are of no help. Think you're calm, with your mind clear as a mirror and still as the water? (Copyright G Gundam) That's too bad. Everyone around me, except for pathological cases, is worried. "Will I pass?" "Will I get all 10s?" "How did you solve this Economy problem?" "Is this a subjective or a predicative clause?" "How am I gonna rephrase this?" "I haven't learned anything, I'm DOOOOOMED!" "I'm gonna die!!" "Tell him about Barbu's poem!" "HELP ME WITH THE LATIN QUIZZES, MIKE!" "YOU'LL NEVER PASS! "YES I WILL!". And so on, and so forth. The ministry helped us a lot too. They gave us all possible variants on the Internets (to quote Bush). 100 complete subjects, each containing 3 exercises. For the written exams, that's a total of 1200 exercises. And 200 published ones for oral. And 200 more that are unpublished. 1600 exercises. Stick'em up your asses, darlings.

There are two solutions. One is working all day, all night. That's what my classmates do. Look at them. Sure, I did it too, but in another way. I'm going to 3 national contests, all taking place in the same city, during Easter holiday. 3 more exams, in 2 days. French, Latin and Old Greek. Wish me luck, since I'm an arrogant bastard who wants to get some prizes. It's not like anybody else even reached the national phase. And, as if this performance wasn't enough, I don't need a college entry exam, being an international contestant in Latin. In your faces, people!

There's the other solution, much more peaceful: being an otaku. Yes, I mean manga and anime, not pornography. More specifically, mecha anime - anime with and about robots. I enjoy certain robot series because they're formulaic. You know that by the end of the episode, the good guys will use the big bot to beat the baddie of the day. And if they don't beat him, you know they'll get a bigger bot or a bigger gun. How can you not like that? This is why I play Super Robot Wars. This is a crossover game, almost 20 years old (since 1991), with many new versions. It's all about putting some mecha series together, combining their plots, making their characters interact and fighting their enemies. Sometimes, the story modifies the original plot, so that you can save some of the ones who die, especially in Gundam series. Playing a few of these games has reintroduced me to a childhood idol, UFO Robot Grendizer, a 70s anime about Duke Fleed, an alien prince who escapes his conquered planet with the invaders' robot, Grendizer. He is followed by the Vegans (the baddies), who are bent on conquering Earth as well. Duke (adopted by a scientist, under the name of Daisuke Umon) must give up his peaceful life to protect Earth. I'll give more details another day.

The main point of this post is action figures. I already possess 2 Revoltechs (highly articulated 6-inch figures), one of Getter 1 (from the 2004 New Getter Robo) and one of Shin Getter 1 (from 1998's Change Getter Robo: The Last Day of the Earth):

I received them in January, when I went to get them, despite my toenail surgery. I hope to make a similar photo for the HCM Pro Nu Gundam and HCM Pro Sazabi, both scale 1/200.

These are some photos of the two figures in action. As I said, they are highly posable. (In the third picture, you can notice Dr. House, by the way).

Tomorrow, I'll go pick up the two HCM Pro figures. Here are some pictures of them (credit goes to Hobbylink Japan).

Kore ga shouri no kagi da! - This is the key to victory!, to quote the narrator from The King of Braves GaoGaiGar.

I do hope I'll be able to keep posting here from now on. If anyone (among the ones I may or may not have insulted) feels offended, well... that's too bad. The last thing I'd want is censor myself in a blog.

Fellow otaku, Lion of Genesis, signing off once more.

The Lion of Genesis returns!

Current status: As always, divided between countless hobbies, feelings and school. Right now, I'm going to the British Council for English courses. And kendo after that. Insanity, as you can see, is still active.
Currently listening to: my iPod Shuffle, namely to Beyond the Time, from Gundam: Char's Counterattack.
Quote of the day: "Indubitabil", from a beer commercial spoof.

Remember me? The crazy, Vlad Tepes-loving, anime-loving, girl-loving guy from Romania? I'm back after a lengthy absence. Hopefully, I'll actually keep this blog updated. Odds are I wont, though.

I'll be short this time, since time is money, and money is the root of all evil. I've started 12th (and final) grade in school, and teachers are cutting us some slack, because we're gonna get our fair amount of mind-raping later on. Same old teachers, with some noteworthy exceptions. Like, for example, the fact that the Sports teacher ISN'T our main teacher anymore. After a brave action started by my classmates, the tyrant was finally deposed, and the Romanian teacher was called to rule upon this land of innocent girls and 3 boys. Finally, a new era of peace and love has started.

... Or something like that.

In fact, it's the same old shit, except they're selling coffee at the school store. Only 50 cents or so (1 leu, to the connaisseurs). There's still a ridiculous amount of girls in my class, half of them have boyfriends, and two thirds of the boys have a girlfriend (in other words, the other 2. This ain't China, boys are at a premium). Why am I single? Hell, why should I know? Ask the girls, they seem to know everything.

Anyways, love and war are very similar, except for teeny fact that war is safe. You have bunkers there and hide during a nuclear raid. In love, psychological attacks are in order. But I'll shut up, else Bush starts attacking high-schools.

Righty, now I'm practicing kendo, fencing's magnet-safe cousin. That's right, it's just you, a shallow armor, a bamboo stick and the opponent, who can beat the shit out of you in 2 minutes, but out of mercy will do it to you in 1. Ain't that lovely? No, really, it's not that bad, I don't even have an armor, and more often than not, my only opponent is myself who... Ah, fuck, even a third-grader can write a philosophical text about fighting your own instincts and surpassing your limits. Everyone knows that. At least they teach it very early in Japan.

Anime-wise, I've watched many shows, and I might talk about them when the occasion arises. Now I'm too bored to do that (oh, and I'm in a hurry too. Thank you, RATB).

I'll talk more about my achievements, under-achievements and other things another time.

Signing off once more, the revived Lion of Genesis.

Robots with a soul - a heartwarming idea?

Current status: Enjoying life. I've had my reasons to be happy these days. I'll get to that too.
Currently listening to: Black Diamond, the second ending theme to the anime serie called Brave Express Might Gaine. It is distinct from other endings from the Brave Fighter series. Those are normally calm or dynamic in a more child-oriented way. However this one is pure genius, being sung by a rocker from the series, who turns out to be the enemy's main henchman. The lyrics are pretty damn expressive:
Let's paint it black,
Let's paint the moon and the sun
Those who stand in the way will be dynamite(d).
Quote of the day: "Yuuta's kindness has given me new strength. I do not need an AI anymore" - J-Decker in the before last episode of Brave Police J-Decker.

Howdy there, I'm back at this blog after months of spouting nonsense about love and the like. I can't even give the links to classmates of mine without risking them finding these overly private thoughts. Ah, who cares. Their risk. *ER-HEM!*

Today's theme is an anime. I haven't done something similar in ages, it seems. This speciffic one is Brave Police J-Decker.



What are Brave Fighter series?
Most of the readers have at least heard one of the Americanized hit called Transformers. Well, in Japan, these Brave Fighter series were born from the desire of selling toys and more toys. Sounds commercial already, huh? Well, they had a few interesting common points.
1. Kid heroes in most series, always male (Excepting Might Gaine and Dagwon)
2. Humanoid robots (with AI or with a soul) - Dagwon is a slight exception, considering the characters themselves became robots, but there are 2 AI robots (I can't really say AI, considering they weren't made by humans)
3. Combinations - These robots could combine into stronger forms, which of course led to more toys being released.
4. Alien enemies, in most cases.
5. The friendship between the boy and these robots. (Dagwon is an exception once more)
6. Catchy plot, which spans over one year of airing the serie.

There are 8 Brave Fighter series to date:

1990 - Brave Exkaiser (Yūsha Exkaiser)
1991 - The Brave Fighter of Sun Fighbird (Taiyou no Yūsha Fighbird)
1992 - The Brave Fighter of Legend Da-Garn (Densetsu no Yūsha Da-Garn)
1993 - The Brave Express Might Gaine (Yūsha Toukyū Might Gaine)
1994 - Brave Police J-Decker (Yūsha Keisatsu J-Decker)
1995 - The Brave of Gold Goldran (Ougon Yūsha Goldran)
1996 - Brave Command Dagwon (Yūsha Shirei Dagwon)
1997 - The King of Braves GaoGaiGar (Yūsha-Oh GaoGaiGar)

After this introduction, let us advance to the point of this post.

Brave Poice J-Decker

Already, in Might Gaine, the robots possessed AI, and were not vehicles possessed by justice-wanting spirits (In Exkaiser and Fighbird, they came from space, in Da-Garn, they were spirits who protected our blue planet). The approach was definitely more serious, if not dark, considering all the robots get destroyed in the last battle, except for Gaine, the main one. (Of course they are shown being repaired at the end). This time, the enemy was no alien. The foes were 4 villains from our world, one lone wolf-type rival and one evil entity, called suggestively Black Noir (noir is French for black)
Brave Police J-Decker explores a new theme. In the 21st century, due to recent crimes involving robots or biomachines, a new law enforcement method is required. It's name is the Brave Police!



They possess Super A.I.s which make them far more effective than manned machines. However, something unexpected happens very early on... A 10-year old, called Tomonaga Yuuta, stumbles upon such a robot, and accidentally activates it. The robot starts talking very machine-like, like we'd all expect, really, and tells the child that his name is Deckerd. Yuuta teaches Deckerd his name, and here starts a beautiful friendship. Yuuta starts visiting him constantly, and their relationship quickly develops. Among other nice scenes, Yuuta teaches him to walk properly, even to hold his badge and gun properly, while saying his (Deckerd's) future catchphrase: "Hold up! This is Brave Police's Deckerd!". However, one day, the normal police is finally surpassed by the enemy. It is time to awaken Deckerd, decides the Police Chief, Saejima. Deckerd senses that they are coming, and tells Yuuta to hide. He returns to his apparently frozen stance when they come. They were supposed to erase all his memories, in order to activate the AI (they didn't have the slightest idea that Deckerd was awakened and well). This meant that all his memories with Yuuta were going to be lost... Even though Yuuta knew that it was necessary, he jumps out of his hiding place and begs them to stop. Deckerd calls him by his name, causing the mechanics and Saejima to be dumbfounded by the fact that he had talked. He bids Yuuta farewell, as his eyes lose their glow...
Well, Deckerd is send in a transport truck to fight the enemy, but the truck is being attacked before Deckerd could make any move. Yuuta comes out of street, from where he was watching, and stands in front of the truck, as if wanting to stand in the enemy's way, demanding him to stop hurting Deckerd, who is important to him. Of course, the police officials are completely surprised by Yuuta's sudden display of courage and will to protect the now memoryless and robotic Deckerd. Just as the enemy is about to kill Yuuta as well, the latter asks Deckerd to open his eyes and fight. Unexpectedly, it happens just like that! Deckerd calls Yuuta's name, and gets out of the truck, standing tall and saying "Hold up! This is Brave Police's Deckerd!" according to the very way that Yuuta taught him. The main mechanic says that this sudden regain of memories is a miracle, but Saejima thinks that, in fact, Deckerd had just gained a soul. Deckerd performs very well when with Yuuta, which leads to Saejima naming Yuuta as the "Boss" of the Brave Police. From here starts a 48-episoded serie about friendship, love and courage (sounds cheesy, but that's it)
I'll say more next time, but for now, I am signing off with this picture of Deckerd and Yuuta:

Purposeless ranting today. No reviews.

Current status: Yawning... It's been a long day's night... Sheesh... School is nasty...
Currently listening to: Hammerfall - Hearts on fire. Repetitive as hell... Lyrics so-and-so... But damn, it's so hot-blooded~!
Quote of the day: "If I'm gonna die, I'm gonna be glad I met you" - Why would you wanna know where it's from? :P
Well, today I'm way too tired to write the review to the next GaoGaiGar Final episode... I'll just add this entry for the hell of it. NOT!

Today, I had to go to a Latin contest, THEN have a Biology test. A deadly combo that goes well only with a hidden bottle of vodka, to keep you awake... At any rate, the Latin contest itself was simple as hell. I can't complain, I finished it in half the time, and I'm pretty much confident I qualified for the next phase. I wanna get a national prize this year... Or at least reach national phase. I love these little field trips. FREE FOOD.

Biology was hell on Earth. That stupid test ought've ruined my morale for good, and it did, despite the fact that I copied from my deskmate. I know this won't end well... Oh, the heck, I'll pass anyway, considering I already have a 9/10.

The big thing is that I'm finally glad to have gone over a very damn period of my life. Last year, I was completely ruined by my grandma's illness and by my first love and first failure. I was damn stupid back then, and came up with the corniest way to confess to a girl that I liked her... It's true that she liked the other boy in the class already, and I knew it... I believed in the power of miracle and hoped that that was all a method to make me try harder. Tough luck, she was more simple-minded than I had thought... Poet(esse)s are too straightforward for my taste...
Last week precisely, I tried to tell a girl I like her the second time... NO, it's not the same girl... Jeez, I'm not completely stupid, y'know... At any rate, as usual, I planned it, replies included. The result was obvious: nothing worked out as expected. I wasn't able to do more than a mumble meaning the first letter of "I like you" in Romanian. In short, she might have caught on, but I tried after classes, and bloody hell, as I expected, this time, I was able to do it spontaneously, no planning included. The reply was of course negative... The reason different. While the other girl said the humongous load of bull that she had hoped I wasn't actually in love with her (and people call me feelingless?), this one had another reason, which I accepted quicklier: she said I didn't know her enough, and that she didn't want me to be hurt or something, and she obviously was concerned I'd give her a cold look and stay away from her for the rest of my days (which I would've done if she'd done the same crap the other did), and actually told me not to get angry, to which I plainly answered that I'm not angry, and that I'm perfectly fine. Later on, I realized at last that the failed love I had beared for the first girl, even though now dead (the love, not her, unfortunately :P), I had for a long time the obsession to get a better girlfriend than her. It seems that what the second girl told me (that thing that was the previous quote of the day) showed me that friendship matters more. A kiss or a caress won't help you. If your lover is all "yes, honey", you've got nothing. One needs the iron hand of a friend who tells you: you numbskull, you did it wrong!, not some faint-hearted poet who compares your eyebrows to endless waves of lovable love of lovely love, or who starts counting seconds until she sees you...

Today (actually, that'd be yesterday), a third girl (who was, say, my second option in case my most recent declaration failed. Of course, if she reads this, I'm screwed... >_<), who most obviously has a boyfriend, told me something, perhaps under the influence of illness, which is written at the Quote of the Day section. That thing was extremely interesting to hear. It seems that sounded more natural than a "I like you" or a "You're cute/funny". This is something of greater deepness. One can love someone, but feel regrets if we failed. However, to say something like this means that I've become a nice guy. Some idiot told me that the way to a girl's heart is badassness and not helping them. Frankly, if Casanova succeeded, why couldn't I? I don't think my grandpa told my grandma to scram when they were young. Really... Being nice is the best thing to do. The least you'll get is some nice info on someone else or on that speciffic person.

Ok, I think I've said a lot of crap today. Dunno what happened to me... I'll go draw a moustache on that guy's picture? Nah, perhaps that first girl's reading this. I think she forgot I even had a blog. I'll draw that moustache, for the hell of it. :D

Signing off for today, the Lion of Genesis~!

More GaoGaiGar Final cheesiness: 6/8. Also, a nice story about teen problems.

Current status: swearing. I was dumb enough to select THE WHOLE TEXT and then have the wits to type C instead of CTRL+C. All my previous post is gone. I hate IE. Right now, I'll just have to settle with one review, because I don't have the guts to rewrite everything again.
Currently listening to: Nope, not anime. This time, it's Led Zeppelin - Stairway to Heaven. Nice song.
What I ate: Nothing notable.
Quote of the day: "I care too much about our friendship to risk it for another kind of relationship. Really, I don't want to hurt your feelings." - it's a secret where it's from.

Well, I had written reviews for all the remaining GGGF episodes. Today, let's see episode 6:

Episode 6: The battle between the mind-controlled Gai and J rages on. The J Quoth is destroyed, and, by the looks of things, Renais, Mikoto and Mamoru are going to turn into light very soon. However, the clone AI Robots get in the Goldion Hammer's path, saying they haven't forgotten their purpose and memories and that they're heroes. Of course, they get disintegrated, and even Goldymarg self-destructs. Gai is purified and encouraged to go on by Mamoru and Mikoto. The Pia Decem (the battleship) attacks the J-Ark, stabs J-der, and destroys the clone GFG. Mamoru and Mikoto go to look for the G Crystal, where the true Galeon, Genesic Galeon, is hidden. Conveniently, GaoGaiGar was originally designed to beat the Sol Masters. Anyway, they attack, and Gai fuses into Genesic GaiGar, who, unlike his predecessors, kicks major ass and Gai even yells out the attack name (Genesic Claw). Gai is out for Palparepa's neck, but it seems they'd need the Genesic Gao Machines. Mikoto performs Genesic Drive, and we see the 5 (!) Gao Machines. Straight and Spiral Gao (who are the basis for Drill Gao; these are the legs) are based on moles, Broken and Protect Gao (who are the basis for Liner Gao; the shoulders) are based on a shark and a dolphin respectively, while Gadget Gao (the basis for Stealth Gao; also the wings and forearms) looks like a bird and the tail contains the Gadget Tools, required for some attacks. Genesic GaoGaiGar is formed, and uses it's signature attack, the Broken Magnum (the rocket punch), as well as the barrier (Protect Shade). Abel swears to destroy Genesic, no matter what. 4 out of 5. Not long left till the end. I think the next battles are going to be memorable. Gai shows he means business, and I doubt his reborn courage will die too soon. I gave it less than perfect for the useless destruction of the clone GFG... It was kinda pointless... Unless you consider seeing it blown to bits two episodes in a row interesting... But it excludes a Genesic vs GFG... Sad

Also, I'd like to add that I'm not going to rant about not having a girlfriend anymore. I told her I like her, and she rejected me. What's good in this? We're still just as good friends as before. That's better. Also, today I helped some girls at Latin. Guess it's useful. FREE FOOD!

Today's theme: GaoGaiGar Final 1-5

Current status: Looking at the snowy weather and ranting that it melts as soon as it reaches ground. I want a white Christmas, not a wet one. Also, I read that if they don't solve with the teachers' strike, it will go on until New Year. Bumbling idiots. >_>;;
Currently listening to: Yuusha Oh Tanjou! Mythology version, 2005 remix - The remix is just as good, if not better than the old version. Basically, still Masaki Endou singing, but there is a male chorus in the background at points. Now this fits the title of the TV version of the series, aired in 2005 - Grand Glorious Gathering.
Breakfast: Same old, same old. Still sandwiches.
Lunch: Grandpa came, so we had a good meal. I'll note fries, sausages and meat.
Dinner: Milk.
Quote of the day: "Have you forgotten, Mamoru? Victory goes only to those with courage!" Guy Shishio, episode 2 of GaoGaiGar FINAL.

While it was snowing, I noted that Anime-in-Action added their newest sub: GaoGaiGar Final episode 5. This happens to be one of my favorite serie, so I used the moment to download it, and watched it. As such, I want to review the OAV itself, up to episode 5, episode-by-episode.

Episode 1: Basically, it introduces the new characters - Renee Shishio Cardiff, Guy's cousin; Koryu and Anryu - the new Enryu/Hyoryu class female robots, as well as Papillon Noir, a new Orbit Base member and also the new chief and Leo's replacement. Old characters return too. GaoFar proves to be as useless as possible, so this offers a plot motive for the new Final Fusion to be performed. The Fighting Mechanoid, GaoFighGar, is formed, an proceeds to kick Gimlet's ass with his spankin' new attacks, like the new Broken Phantom, or good old Goldion Hammer. By far the only episode which has the old series' feeling. From here start the major problems. I'll rate it at 3.5 out of 5 because of the good battle, but the introduction of the new chief disappointed me, cause he lacked the 'oomph' that Taiga had. Figures.

Episode 2: We finally get in the plot, and in quite a dynamic way. Papillon dies while protecting the Q Parts possessed by GGG, Mamoru steals the Q Parts from all over the world, then the old Gao Machines, brings a white Galeon and attacks. Guy launches and performs Fusion into GaoFar. GaiGar and GaoFar clash, but Guy sees that it's hopeless, so both call their respective Gao Machines. Cue parallel Final Fusion. Star GaoGaiGar and GaoFighGar destroy each other's Phantom Rings because of firing Broken Phantom at each other. Then, Star GGG beats up GFG by throwing him around, because Guy had his second thoughts. Now, however, Guy calls for Goldymarg and starts the Hammer Hell and Heaven attack. This is where it goes wrong. Mamoru uses Hell and Heaven Vita (it seems to be stronger than the regular one), and destroys Goldion Hammer and Goldymarg, of course. Guy then is caught with GFG by the paralysis thing caused by H&H. Choryujin comes out of nowhere and blocks H&H with the Eraser Head - the energy absorbtion tool, unused since episode 27 of GGG. However, Star GGG breaks it and trashes Choryujin. Guy goes postal, and uses H&H himself. The two mechanoids clash and Star GGG still seems to win. Mamoru says that he's surpassed Guy-niichan. Guy yells back at him that only those with courage win, and destroys Star GGG. Arma returns and reveals that that was a Mamoru clone. Right then, they discover the true enemy: The 11 Sol Masters. 5 out of 5 for this excellent active and dark episode.

Episode 3: We find out that the 11 Sol Masters want to reform the Trinary Solar system by using the empty space inside the Universe, meaning that they'll destroy the Universe. GGG has to travel with the Galleolia Comet to reach the old Trinary Solar System. However, the UN refuse to let them go, and try to block'em. They delete the Final Fusion program, making GaoFar unable to move. Things look nasty until the old missing GGG members, Taiga, Stallion, Swan and Liger, return. Taiga uses his golf club as a key to reactivate the program and GFG is able to use the Gattling Driver and block the enemy's movements. As a result, the UN representative, an old hag, decides to banish them from the Solar System, as a sign of not being allowed to retreat from battle with the Sol Masters. They go with the Comet, and receive a transmission from what seems to be Papillon. Only 2.5 out of 5, because it's a bit anticlimatic, compared to the previous one. The fact that GaoFighGar is used only for that is silly, and not much happens. I expected to find out more about those Sol Masters, but we'll have to wait for episode 4.

Episode 4: Well, GGG (the TV series gang, not the new replacements) reaches a replica of Earth, where they meet a clone of Papillon, who has her memories. They shut down the AIs of the robots, and start being careless and having fun and sleeping. Only Guy, Renee and Arma, as well as Papillon, are unaffected. Renee and Arma get beaten up by Pillnus and Abel (!), both Sol Masters, and Guy goes against the other Sol Masters, including Palparepa, their leader. Palparepa is a doctor look-alike, but that's beyond the point. He performs Chemical Fusion and becomes Palparepa Plus, while Guy realizes he can't Final Fuse, since Mikoto and co. are asleep. He begs for their help, and Mamoru does the Program Drive in order to make GFG be formed. Palparepa uses God and Devil (another H&H look-alike) and GFG uses H&H. However, Cain (!) takes him by surprise and Palparepa destroys GFG's top half. 3 out of 5 because of the ammounts of time lost for Swan fanservice (she's shown in a bath), and for the GGG members fooling around. The only bright point is Guy's defeat.

Episode 5: GFG's battle goes on, Guy uses Drill Knee, which is destroyed along with the leg that flies off. Then, Palparepa blows GFG up by using a sword, and apparently kills Guy. Mikoto snaps out of the euphoric state and is found by the Papillon replica and Mamoru. They encourage her to help everyone else, because she's an Evoluder too. They save Renee, who had been captured by Pillnus, and then, after being a little repaired and having some sad memories, Renee goes to Mont-Saint Michel and finds J. Then, both fight Pia Decem and Pillnus, followed by Abel, after which Mikoto comes with Mamoru, GunDober and GunGlue and they find the J-Ark. Cue Mega Fusion (enhanced) into King J-der,and the discovery that Arma is the core of Pia Decem's battleship. They fight in space, where they're attacked by a copy of the Orbit Base and the AI robots, and, surprise, by Guy-niichan (GFG) and Goldy, who vow to destroy King J-der. Episode ends with J-Quath and Goldion Hammer clashing. 4 out of 5 because J returns, and Mamoru's back, and Mikoto's alive.

Well, to make it short, GGGF is a great OAV, and it's well worth getting.

Signing off for today.

Vlad the Impaler was not a blood-thristy maniac!

Current status: Happy at the news that it's gonna snow
Currently listening to: The Biggest Dreamer - Digimon Tamers opening theme. Yeah, it's Digimon, I know, but it's the best out of the other themes. It's really catchy, and it has rhythm - that matters a lot in my song reviews, but not always. Digimon Tamers was perhaps the decentest of all Digimon seasons, and I'm refering to the German dub version, because that's all I saw out of Tamers.
Dinner: A cup of milk and another sandwich.
Quote of the Day: "If your name is fake, so is your existance, isn't it so, Alex Dino... no, Athrun Zala?" Chairman Dullindal, Gundam Seed Destiny. - nothing new, but I'll comment it on another occasion.

First of all, there's something I see in common for everyone who asks about Romania. They say either that it's where Dracula is from, and I whack'em over the head, or that it's where the blood-thirsty Vlad the Impaler ruled and I still whack'em. I know this is their only known thing about Romania, next to Hagi, Ceausescu and "Numa Numa", but I'm getting sick of this confusion. I wanna make this clear: Vlad the Impaler wasn't a monster.

He lived in an era when the Turks were attempting to conquer Wallachia (one of the three principalities forming today's Romania; by the way, Vlad wasn't ruler of Transylvania) and were appointing some of our Voivods (a term for Prince - in Romanian, voievod [voh-ee-eh-voh-d]), but from time to time, there was a ruler who'd fight back. In the end, our only direct victory against a sultan on battlefield was about a century before Vlad ruled, and that was the battle of Rovine [Roh-vee-neh] in 1396, due to the fact that it was a swampy place. However, under that same ruler, Mircea the Great, we were forced to pay the tribute. Well, this Vlad guy was just one of those few Princes who stood up. You do realize he couldn't afford to have criminals and bandits roaming the streets in addition to the existent chaos caused by the Turks. We were at the geographical northern limit of the Empire, and from getting us to getting Vienna was just a step. Just that we were stubborn bastards.

Now, Vlad's methods were condemnable, yes, but had he not been a lot harsher, then this would have made us an easy target. Also, there was a problem: during his father's reign, Vlad had been emprisoned by the Turks along with his brother. It's then that he got a pesimistic view on life, and this became even worse when he returned and found out that the noblemen, under the rival prince's (Vladislav) command, but with their support, killed Vlad's father (Vlad II Dracul, _not_ Dracula) as well as his own eldest son, Mircea. When the Turks got bored with Vladislav, they sent Vlad, Dracul's son, to take over. Of course, he got his vengeance on all the noblemen that had killed two persons he prized, his father and his son, and killed the older ones through impalement (that is, he had them be dropped in a giant spike, not having them fall right on the heart or the head, but making the spike go through their asses, which meant they would get some pretty painful and long suffering). The younger ones were forced to march for 100 km, during which many died, and the survivors were never left to rest a second. When they reached their destination, they had to build a fortress. This way, Vlad got his vengeance in full AND had a new fortress.

Beyond the vengeance, yes, he killed many criminals and the like, in the most sadistic of ways, by cutting off noses, genitals, tongues or ears, or other pleasant tortures. Many accuse him of mercilessly killing German (well, Saxon, since they are called "sasi" [sahsh], which is different from "germani" or the popular form of "germani", "nemti" [nemtzi]) merchants. But they seem to ignore the minor detail that they weren't respecting the commerce laws. He also dared refuse to pay Mehmed II (a.k.a. the conqueror of Constantinople) the tribute, and killed his emissaries. Mehmed launched an all-out attack on Wallachia with an army thrice bigger than that of Vlad. Vlad burned everything that would've been in Mehmed's path, and on top of that, left a huge amount of spikes impaling clothes of 20000 captured Turks in the Capital. Now, the Ottoman forces were exhausted, and now they saw THIS scary sight. It seems they retreated in shame.

However, Mehmed sent Vlad's brother against him, and all of Vlad's internal enemies sabotaged him, forcing him to retreat to a castle. Some people say he committed suicide there, but in fact he ran to Hungary (which had Transylvania under it's control), where king Matthias Corvin emprisoned him. Vlad returned for a short period as Prince, but he was caught, beheaded, then impaled as proof of his death.

By the way, "Dracula"'s ethymology has nothing to do with vampires and such. Vlad the Impaler's father, Vlad II Dracul, bore the name of Dracul from the fact that he was part of the Order of the Dragon. "Drac" had the meaning of "dragon" (cf German "drachen"), and, extending the meaning, of "demon". However, the demon definition is much more recent. "Dracula" comes from "Draculea", showing the fact that he was his son. Kinda like the Norse name technique: Andersson = son of Anders.

The purpose of this history lesson is to make sure that the few people who read this blog will know WHO the ever-so-demonic Vlad the Impaler really was.