Disaster For Sale

There goes another year. Even though I never did have an idea of what this place really ought to be about, over the years I feel like I've strayed from its intended purpose. The start is always nice and simple, but the journey in the arbitrary utopia is a long and strange one.

So in an effort to return to the roots, let me talk about music for a bit. Amazingly enough it's almost been more than half a year since the last time I did something like this.

Guitarists On Demand, a group of young and aspiring guitarists who seem to have gathered together under the leadership of the ever proactive Godspeed, released their debut album G.O.D. (Guitarists On Demand) a few months ago. The concept behind the group appears to be bringing a new generation of guitar heroes to the scene, as they explore new forms of electric guitar music. Certainly waste no time in talking up the project, don't they? Having listened to the record extensively and played along to the tracks however, I have to say that while the album is quite good, it doesn't really live up to its hype.

Morning View

Why is Nietzsche so cute?

The Princess of Tennis

I must admit that it feels rather strange to be hearing the characters' voices in Date A Live - Rinne Utopia, as I haven't watched the anime adaptation. The game is like a bad case of déjà vu for me. Go ahead, spoil yourselves and enjoy the game CG. The quality might not be the greatest but it's a lot more complete than what you'd find elsewhere (for now). There isn't much to spoil anyway in my unprofessional opinion, the story is about as subtle as a spacequake. Although the appearance of Phantom further hints at some convoluted plan that will probably come to fruition in future volumes.

Right In Two

What's your rush now?

Casually reading Dies Irae again because I can't wait for 相州戦神館學園 八命陣 to be released sometime this year. My body will not be ready for these stylish uniforms. It's going to be interesting to see how Masada handles writing a story that takes place between modern-day Japan and a dream world called Canaan (probably something to do with it being the "Promised Land"), which is made up of eight levels with the last four set in the Meiji and Taishou periods. Personally I would have preferred it to be just set in the past, but I guess I'll be quite happy as long as I can have my Rinko. I need my fix of high-spec ojou-sama right now.

So apparently Date A Live is getting a second season. Considering that it is and has been one of Fujimi Fantasia Bunko's best sellers, another season being green-lit isn't exactly unexpected. To celebrate this monumental moment, you should've already heard this before, have some clean scans of the Volume 5 and 6 illustrations.

Nothing that you haven't seen before but hopefully the more consistent quality with fewer compression artefacts is enough to leave you satisfied. You've got the two bustiest Spirits right there.

Wish You Were Here

Although it feels like there isn't much of a difference whether they are here or not, my pre-orders have finally arrived after what seemed like a few months and a little more due to unforeseen circumstances. Everything must be delayed these days. No exception.

Occasionally I wonder why I keep buying merchandise from series that I don't even follow. Along with the scantily clad Cryska Barchenowa (Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse), I've got Wakana Sakai (Tari Tari) and Ultimate Madoka nendoroids as well. Cute, if not slightly underwhelming compared with my other nendoroids for reasons I can't quite explain. I just hope Madoka doesn't suddenly fall and break one day, I can't deal with that.

Lately I've been masochistically reading quite a number of light novels, meanwhile my backlog of visual novels keeps growing at a frighteningly steady pace. Hopefully there will be a couple of actually worthwhile titles this month with the much anticipated releases of グリザイアの楽園 and レミニセンス. Although we all know what usually happens when the expectations are too high. For now I will just try to finish 僕とツンデレとハイデガー, provided that I don't get distracted by 月見月理解の探偵殺人 again. The funny thing with Heidegger, Tsundere, and Me is that I've probably spent more time reading about the gender-bent philosophers and their philosophies than the light novel itself.

Certain Uncertainty

Remind me to take an umbrella next time. I feel like I've been posting walls of text for far too long, so I'll make this one short and sweet.

After a few days of (unfounded) anxiety, I have finally overcome all obstacles and accomplished my goals. To celebrate this monumental moment that no one else cares about, here's a little treat for Date A Live fans from me.

 

Yes, higher quality scans of the Volume 4 illustrations. As far as I know, the existing scans online are badly compressed and thus look quite horrid. You just don't do that to Tsunako's art. And it's good news for Kotori fans, the fourth volume is her story after all.