The 4th (and last) opening sequence for the "Full Metal Alchemist" anime series.
I miss the days spent watching FMA. I remember it was in J1 and I got the series from Debra and Sharleen, and strangely enough, we were the only ones crazy over it. I don't usually hang out with them in school, but we got quite close over anime and manga. Then again, I'm one of those people who appears to have been quite good at making friends with all the different cliques in the class, so yeah, how typical of me.
I remember having this SUPERB ability in predicting plotlines and I remember breaking Sharleen's attempts in teasing me about future episodes by saying totally random stuff about the storyline, e.g. 'I bet this character is actually this character's mother/father/child.' and laughing at her 'HOW DID YOU KNOW!?!??!?' face. I even correctly guessed that the Homonculi in the anime were simply the failed human transmutations that developed further due to the aid of the Philosopher's stone, and that was like a major twist in the storyline. So really, things don't really surprise me unless they really are good twists!
Many thanks to Dory for lending me her FMA mangas! The mangas are so different from the anime that I'm a little confused right now. But despite the confusing differences in characters and occurrences, the story really sucks you in. Very entertaining and exciting.
"The world isn't perfect, and the law is incomplete. Equivalent Exchange doesn't encompass everything that goes on here. But I still choose to believe in its principle: that all things do come at a price. That there's an ebb, and a flow, a cycle. That the pain we went through did have a reward and that anyone who's determined and perseveres will get something of value in return, even if it's not what they expected." - Alphonse Elric
Very true indeed. And that my friends, is the principle of Equivalent Exchange.
"Fire is the element of power. The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want. Earth is the element of substance. The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humor! Water is the element of change. The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything.
It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole...It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful." - Iroh, from "The Legend of Aang, Avatar:The Last Airbender"
Nevermind that the speech above was from an animated series created by the West to glorify ancient Chinese culture. I still think the series rocks and the themes expressed by it are very very true.
The wonderful thing about Chinese culture is that, as much as detractors deride it to be overly archaic and traditionalistic, it really is an ocean of knowledge that continues to have its place and great relevance, even in today's modern society. I learn so much about the finer things in life, from it. It has so many aspects and facets: it comes in so many different forms that it never fails to surprise me. Be it art, music, or calligraphy; the different schools of martial arts; or religion and philosophy, Chinese culture never fails to teach you something. Take the study of the elements in something Western people call Feng Shui (and you say that with a Western slang!): I think its more of a form of philosophy in life. Its something that I find highly enlightening and highly intriguing, because it not only can be applied to so many things in real life, it can also be link to Western astrology as well.
Air is the element of freedom, it teaches you to evade and avoid all forms of danger and attacks, to outwit and outmaneuver the enemy and thus achieve victory via non-confrontation. Water is the element of change, it teaches you to redirect forces directed at you and turn them against the opponent, to turn your enemy's own offense against him, to achieve offense in defense. Earth is the element of substance, it teaches you to stand your ground and endure, to tolerate and absorb all attacks, to be still and wait til the right opportunity before striking with an attack of your own. Fire is the element of power, it teaches you to defend yourself using a pre-emptive first strike, to attack while the plate is hot, to strike before others do, because the best defense is in a strong offense.
If you think about it, you can apply this school of thought to everyday life and even personality. Just like astrology, which classifies different star signs into different elemental groups, Feng Shui also studies this as well. Each personality type (or elemental type) deals with problems or live life in different ways.
Air signs are more idealistic and contemplative, they live life in a rather pacifistic manner, avoiding conflict and maneuvering around life's constant changes, preferring not to care about earthly troubles, living life in their own carefree manner. Water signs are more emotional and adaptable, they live life while dealing with their everchanging emotions, but are highly understanding, caring individuals who flow and adapt through life, taking whatever comes and modifying it for their advantage. Earth signs are more materialistic and stoic, they live life rooted to things that give them purpose, standing their ground, letting their stubborn nature outmatch the changes around them, and forging their lives in slow steady steps. Fire signs are more aggressive and enthusiastic, they live life in a rather fast paced, fiery way, driven by a strong sense of desire, will and enthusiasm to achieve things that they strive to want, to create that exciting life they desire.
See! Its just perfect. And I think its so true. Learning and knowing such things really helps you understand how people think and act and do stuff! I think we have lots to learn from Chinese culture. There's still so much knowledge to share, like opposing elemental signs, more in depth analysis of each signs etc. And the good thing about 'Avatar' is that it makes all the four elements so different, but together, they are actually just the same parts of 1 whole, because you need to understand the nature of all 4 elements to achieve a kind of peace with the world.
Just in case you were wondering, I'm an air elemental kind of guy. Just like Aang, the protagonist of the animated series. Which means I should be a master of Airbending. But I think its quite true though, because I skirt through life without seemingly achieving anything at all. Just caught up in my lovely little air filled bubble.
'The perfect life? Hmmmm? There is no perfection in this world. It's a cliche expression, but its the truth; thus ordinary people yearn for 'perfection' and seek it out. But what meaning is there in perfection? None. I abhor perfection. If something is perfect, then there is nothing better than it, there is no room for creation within it, it means there is no opening for talent or wisdom to enter into it. Do you understand? For us scientists, perfection is despair. Something can be more wonderful than anything that has existed thus far, but it can never be perfect. A scientist is an organism that must continually suffer under this contradiction and even find pleasure in it. In other words, you had already lost to me, the instant you uttered that crazy word, "Perfection". This is of course, assuming that you were a scientist in the first place.' - Mayuri Kurotsuchi, Captain of the 12th Shinigami Division & Head of the Shinigami Research Institute
Mayuri Kurotsuchi is one of the most perverse and creepy characters in Bleach, given the fact that he is the embodiment of what it is to be a mad scientist. He is despicable, he is immoral, he is downright crazy. But behind the madness, there lies a superior intellect and an amazingly perceptive mind. This speech of his was given in the latest manga chapter of Bleach, chapter 306 entitled 'Not Perfect is GOoD', and after reading it, I felt compiled to agree with what he says. And it applies to anyone who calls himself/herself a follower of science. We really simply can assume that we know everything that the world has to offer.
I humble myself to the all encompassing power of Science.
First thing's first: Federer lost to Djokovic! I am in a dilemma here because both are my idols in tennis! So sad for Federer, but so happy for Djokovic as well! And now, to business!
One of the many aspects that a hit anime series should have is an amazing opening song and sequence. And thats why I love Bleach, because it has amazing opening sequences with amazing songs! Take the 6th Bleach Opening, 'Alonez' by Aqua Timez (my favourite so far) for instance! Man, its one of the best opening sequence for an anime series since the release of 4th opening sequence of Full Metal Alchemist ('Rewrite' by Asian Kung Fu Generation) like over two years ago. I love both opening sequences because the scenes and images used were of amazing sequences that totally fit the dynamics of the song, and the songs chosen on both instances had power and a certain quality to it, totally capturing the essence of each series.
I know the anime of Bleach is awfully slow, but in terms of the manga chapters, I've read up to the latest chapter, which is chapter 306 & entitled 'Not Perfect is GOoD', which is way ahead of what the anime is showing right now. I must say that I love the manga more than the anime, which suffered from unnecessary filler arcs that did nothing but serve to drag story away from the main plot-lines. Thats why I prefer reading the manga online; no distractions from the main plot of Aizen and his Arrancars against Ichigo and his Shinigamis.
That said, I am absolutely fanatical over the Espada, the 10 most powerful Arrancars of Aizen's growing army. They are practically an institution on their own right! I love the politics behind them, that they are given ranks based on power (1 being the most powerful, 10 being the least of the elite ten), and how they bicker and bitch and scheme their way to the top! And the fact that we still have no idea whatsoever of the specific rankings for the top 3 Espada yet! All due to the revelation that Ulquiorra, the strongest Arrancar we've seen so far, is only the 4th ranked Espada. (My bet is that Stark is numero uno, which explains why he is so lazy in the few scenes that feature him.)
Though I am a bit disappointed that a number of the lower ranked Espadas have been killed and defeated in recent chapters, which leaves me to wonder how Aizen's army can ever be a threat to Soul Society, because if his elite warriors aren't able to defeat some of the Shinigami Captains, they absolutely have no freaking way of defeating Soul Society. But then again, Aizen has not completed the conversion of the most power hollow types (Vasto Lordes) into Arrancars yet, and I am sure that most of the current Espada now aren't of Vasto Lorde class, so we might see an evolution of the Espada into a more powerful group of 10. That and the fact that Aizen is so freakingly powerful, he could be a God or something. Yup, when he finishes building up his army of Vasto Lorde class Arrancars, then the fun will start! Woo hoo!
Apart from the whole politics of the Espada and the evolution of the Arrancar army, other interesting things that continues make me so excited about Bleach include the unveiling of more Shikais and even Bankais of the Shinigamis, and the specific extent of their powers and abilities. We still no knowledge of the abilities of most of the Shinigami Lieutenants, let alone those of the Shinigami Captains. And the fact that those with revealed Shikais could possibly learn new moves with them, or even develop new Bankais! This creates a whole new element for fans to speculate and get fanatical to! To prove my point, I was so happy when Rukia's Shikai was revealed, and that it had like multiple abilities that were quite cool! If she has such a cool Shikais, I shudder to think what some of the amazing Zanpaktou powers that are still unknowns are like! I can hardly wait!
And the Vizard! Those Shinigamis with Arrancar powers definitely have something up their sleeves. They are an element of Bleach that has so far been kept a total mystery and I am sure we would be finding alot more stuff about them. Who they are really are, who (or even what) they really fight for, the true extent of their powers etc. Again, only whole new world for us fanatics to fantasize and be fanatical over.
I should stop here right now, as I foresee that this can go on for ages because I am in a fanatical mood right now! So yes, I am off to doddle some fanart!
My mom and brother are both back from the USA! And they brought me loads of presents! On top of that, I finally got my Ipod Classic! Woo-hoo!
Went with my dad to pick them up from the airport today. My mom was actually on the same flight as Vic Zhou aka 仔仔 of F4 fame, so there was a HUGE barricade where we were waiting. I had no idea what the commotion about, and rather stupidly chose to walk through the barricade with my half eaten double mushroom swiss in hand, when (talk about bad timing!), Mr 仔仔 decided to choose that exact moment to make his grand entrance into Singapore! So there I was, like a deer caught in front of a pair of glaring headlights, frozen with shock as a mad crowd of screaming girls came stampeding in my direction. For the next few minutes or so, I was caught in the mess of human body parts, struggling to squeeze out of the crowd without losing the precious remnants of my lunch, all the while cursing Mr Zhou's (and my very own) bad timing.
It was a good thing that Mr Zhou seemed rather embarrassed at the reception he got, and decided not to stay overtly long at the arrival hall. Instead, he was efficiently whisked away by a overly excessive entourage of security guards and policemen, through the barricade to the get away car at the entrance of the arrival hall, made for his disposal. And upon his quick exit, the ravenous crowd of girls disappeared after him as well. Which was for the better because I swear, if the crowd had gathered for another minute more or so, I would have given up and just smashed my half eaten burger into the mouth of the nearest screeching woman.
Since today's the day where my mom and brother arrive home, I decided to forgo mugging today, a kind of self-proclaimed holiday if you will! So I had a whole day of meddling with my Ipod, of watching TV, eating the goodies from America, and marveling at the amount of stuff my mom bought, and snickering as my brother recounted the exasperation he faced as he tried to stop my mother from buying even more over the top stuff. Granted that she bought more than 15 shirts for me, but some of the stuff she bought were holy redundant - stuff like rugs, frames, soap holders etc. But oh well, I guess women will always be women. Made to spend money.
And to wrap off this entry, lets have a Japanese song! A first on this blog! This happens to be the 6th opening of the Bleach Anime series, an extremely nice J-rock song called 'ALONES' by AquaTimez. I love the song, but unfortunately, my Japanese is so elementary that I cannot make out a single thing that the song is saying. Anyone with the song in mp3 format, please contact me and pass it to me to put on my Ipod! Arigato-gozaimasu!
'Kekkaishi' is one of the few Japanese anime/manga series I am following right now. It airs every weekday from 1900 to 1930, and its one of the many factors contributing to my slow progress in studying. Anyway, its another supernatural type Japanese anime, about a boy destined to slay demons and protect his family from evil, somewhat like 'Bleach'. I love watching animes that have such themes - ghosts, demons, spiritual powers etc. It has a quality that really appeals to me.
Here's the synopsis from Wikipedia: "Five hundred years ago, a feudal lord was attacked by demons wanting to retrieve his mysterious inner power, the invincible power that can help them take over the human world. The famous mage, Tokimori Hazama, was called upon, and with his 2 students, managed to save the whole land. But due to their sickness, the feudal lord was killed, his power buried with him at a site called Karasumori.
In the present day, Yoshimori Sumimura and Tokine Yukimura, heirs of the Hazama clan, became the Kekkaishi protecting the land and the power. They use a technique called Kekkai, a form of magical barrier, used to capture and destroy Ayakashi (monsters/demons) that are drawn to this land. Any demons that come near the power will become stronger and therefore Yoshimori and Tokine are to guard the land from intrusion of the Ayakashi.
But some of the demons form a powerful organization to take over that mysterious power. Yoshimori plans to destroy not only the demons, but also to gain the power to completely save the world from being controlled by demons. To do that, he first needs to know what the power actually is, and also strengthen his poor kekkai skills."
The story has progressed to quite an interesting stage. The animation and battle sequences are so much better than 'Bleach', very exciting. 'Bleach' is like a whole new mythology, whereas 'Kekkaishi' is quite a new story, and the plot has yet to reach epic proportions yet, so its still easy to try and catch up. But the story's getting interesting! The characters are quite funny as well, I love the demon dogs the two protagonists keep as companions in their demon hunts. Watching the anime is good stress relief, makes me wanna be Japanese and have supernatural powers to slay demons as well.
That said, I dunno how I am going to survive the upcoming CAs. I've heard from seniors that M2 is also known as the 'Burnt Out Year', and as we fast approach the first half of the year, I can already see why. There's just too much things being taught and tested in too short a span of time. Pathology is making me sick. So is Neurology. Thank god the workload for Pharmacology isn't that big and I managed to finish it over the weekend already. I really feel sad that I have to go back to reading Pathology instead of surfing the net for more 'Kekkaishi' related stuff.
And here's something interesting that I picked up from Yisheng's blog!
Name: voldemort33
XY, 01/06/1987, s'porean typical geminian free-thinker moody & eccentric thinks far too much for his own good med student (be afraid. be very afraid!) demon45_6f@hotmail.com
crazy craves
music (jazz, rock and lounge) day-dreaming drawing & photography animals (sheep!) chocolate and tea! seafood, noodles and soup!
pet peeves
noisy crowds over-possessive, insecure, whiny people two-faced hypocrites housework and homework being called 'rich' rushing to do stuff crying, pesky kids
deepest darkest desires! (aka wishlist!)
to be a doctor (with a heart of gold!) a dog my own condo apartment a driving license and my own four wheel drive my own comic line someone to hug
