Blogs - MyAnimeList.net

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6_l059kx0g The above is the first opening of the Bleach anime. The intro, while at first glance is at odds with the series' narrative, paints a picture that so few of us actually realized. The song talks about looking up into the sky and seeing countless stars shining brightly, and to never stop holding onto one's own dreams even if the world rejects them. Keep fighting for that day when your dreams are realized, and it will come. Each opening tells Kubo's story as it happens, and Ichigo is the vessel with which the narrative of how one magaka entered the industry despite being stopped at every turn. If we consider Ichigo to be an avatar for Kubo (a talented youth misunderstood and feeling out of place in a world that rejects his vision), then it stands to reason that Urahara is Toriyama. Taken literally, Rukia is an unknown element (possible Kubo's other work, Zombie Power "giving its power" so Kubo might have a chance to succeed) that forces Ichigo to become something he wasn't quite ready for. When faced with an insurmountable task (Grand Fisher represents this) Ichigo is overwhelmed and indeed fails to avenge that which was most valuable. Later, Ichigo is defeated once more and forced to watch as Rukia is taken from him (Kubo's earlier work, Zombie Powder, was never finished and perhaps was "taken" from his focus for a series most shounen audiences would feel drawn to). Cue Urahara. Urahara is our Toriyama; providing Ichigo a fighting chance. His lessons and such make appearances later on as Ichigo grows stronger and discovers his own power, but the "foot in the door" started here. Ichigo becomes a full-fledged Shinigami and, alongside his friends (or, for Kubo, the other magaka in WSJ), gets into SS. The second opening is where Kubo shows us his early days in the industry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWmIxjjIGls The song is simple, short, and to the point. Kubo is still stuck on the rejection he experienced and refuses to let go of it. He is afraid to move forward with his series because it might end abruptly for any reason the editors/publishers decide. He reminds himself he needs to move forward and that the future isn't so bleak, so he needs to keep going and hope for the best. In much the same way, we see in the series that Ichigo faces trials at every turn. His friends are defeated one by one (with a couple not getting to really fight) until only he is left to complete the mission. Renji represents his doubts about the future, and he doesn't necessarily win so much as his doubts are set aside. Ikkaku is his melancholy made manifest. Ichigo/Kubo is melancholic and refuses to sit still, even at the risk of harm to self. Again, it's not defeated, but simply "dealt with". Kenpachi represents his overwhelming self-doubt. A presence, a body that he couldn't overcome without digging deep and finding the strength within. The draw represents an acceptance of self while "befriending" the demon that is self-doubt. And now, we enter the final Soul Society Arc opening. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvfbrYQoAyE Kubo has embraced Bleach as his one and only series. Zombie Powder, your stuff is by the door. The resolve to face scrutiny at the risk of losing favor with fans and others in the industry alike is a serious one. Ichigo's battle with Byakuya is reflective not just of this resolve, but the outcome being an actual victory shows Kubo has won in some way. It's clear that around this time, Bleach had hit its highest point in popularity, and the staff of WSJ weren't happy. How did this upstart mangaka nobody even heard of until now get so big and sacrifice so little? In truth, Kubo seems poised to answer this, too, with how the Soul Society Arc ends. Ichigo is defeated. A wounded Ichigo is soundly defeated by Aizen and the central antagonist of the second act escapes unscathed. The end of the first act is joyous, albeit with a looming threat on the horizon. Basking in his victory and taking a much-needed rest, IchiKubo gets set to continue forward. ((For the interest of saving time and space, and maintaining coherence, filler arcs won't be analyzed)) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-XLkjqYhZU Rolling Days is a less-coherent opening, but it does give us some insight. Doubt is once more rearing its ugly head. Kubo focuses and presses forward, even at the risk of losing narrative cohesion. Rukia's return following a depressing defeat signals Ichigo's need to continue forward and get stronger. The Vizared (Henceforth known as the "V Club") provide Ichigo an outlet to further improve himself. This requires a transformation and embracing a part of himself that he had tried to reject all this time. For Kubo, he is trying to write the story he wants, but also embracing (reluctantly) the things his superiors are demanding of him. Some peers come in to help him embrace them in a way that doesn't compromise his style while making it easier for him long-term. The end result isn't necessarily IchiKubo fully embracing these things, but using them to make his struggle easier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_bETu3XOao This opening is a bit more coherent than Rolling Star, and a lot more cynical. Kubo now feels alone, as if his story is longer his own. He has lost his innocence and now hates everything about his work. Ichigo's journey repeats itself here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUlpEUbsHw8 A Kubo that has begun to detach himself from the "dreams" of a vision he once held for Bleach now tries to move forward and resolve things. He has noticed his work is repeating itself and the part about "run away from my shadow as it lengthens" reflects this. He realizes with growing frustration and deteriorating health that he is repeating himself because the story worked once before and it made him successful as a result. He hates being stuck in this rut, but how else can he rebel against the people in charge when they're trying to break him down? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knMBxk4pUbo Velonica tells the story of Kubo's own inner turmoil. Failing health, deadlines, and confrontational editors are tearing away at his psyche. His story repeats itself and a desperate Kubo, realizing this, is running in a circle. The part about not being about to live on truth alone is telling, since it sets the precedent that not only is Kubo trying to face his problems like an adult, but in doing so he's only hurting himself more. He doesn't need to be that strong, to fight those battles; but, he does it because he did it before. The problem is, the game has changed and he hasn't realized it yet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxrOrZSrpZw Shoujo S tells the story of love lost. Kubo is losing his love of writing Bleach, and in turn, Bleach is "feeling" unattractive to Kubo. It's shown some of its potential to him via his vision for it; but, the forces that be have determined it wasn't meant to be. Kubo still loves the series and wants to continue forward, and it assures him that the feeling is mutual. The man's dream is attempting another shot at making him realize it properly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCJhOGVIm4s ChAnge is, like Ichirin No Hana, Kubo sounding off on a personal victory. He has become melancholic once more, but embraces it whole-heartedly. Sure, his art style is suffering as does his health; but, there is no longer a compromise. He is telling the story he wants, and editors be damned! Hell, the fans are a whimsical bunch and he needs to be honest with himself more than he ought to appease others. This shift in mentality coincides with the sudden resurgence in Bleach's popularity, further validating the "victory" Kubo attains once more. Unfortunately, a staff that was ready to can his series are once more upset that this mangaka has bested them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBLQqVG6Cfs Around this time, Kubo had received a letter from a fan who had recently passed away due to an unspecified terminal illness. ChAnge and Melody show a resurgence of Kubo's desire to tell the story he originally started out with, but has unfortunately lost along the way. A desperate effort to remember that precious vision and realize it is stated. The "enemy" Kubo faces are the forces in his life which would undermine him and his vision. He promises that once that enemy is dealt with, he'll focus on telling the rest of the story. Unfortunately, it doesn't go that way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGN2BbG_Lmw This final intro is Kubo ready to give up. The anime is cancelled around this time and an all-too-cynical Kubo is saying his final farewells to his dream. He holds fast to something he cherishes and reminisces all the good and bad times. Perhaps, too, he remembers the "other series" and contemplates returning to that. At the end, though, he accepts things as they are and is ready to move on. Thankfully, the series was continued in manga form until recently, wherein Kubo was told he had "5 chapters left" to wrap things up. A rushed finish with parts that could have used more time and resolutions that left a bad taste in the mouths of fans isn't solely one-sided. Each opening to the canon parts of the series tells the story of a man trying to overcome adversity and tell the story he wants to tell while being hounded and put down by an industry that rejected him. Kubo's journey didn't end with Harukaze, but it certainly was the punctuation mark on Bleach's future. And next, we'll be getting into what that meant!

Taken Since 22/11/2015

IRL Girlfriend/Partner

Private Entry

As the sky brightened over Elfheim, six adventurers rode their horses on the long, winding road from the main gate that was said to pass by the dark, Tenebria Forest. But the road was kind enough to gift the adventurers a relaxing view as it passed through the plains of Dwarftree, a wide expanse of land covered by lush vegetation and inhabited by small wildlife. The plains were so named because of the weird, man-height trees that dotted the landscape, often clustered around broken-down brick structures that marred the otherwise natural scenery. The adventurers’ notes told of a large, trade town that had once covered a large percentage of the plains. The notes also told of the event that had caused the town to disappear. “Arrrgh! How long do we have to wear these things?”, one of the adventurers exclaimed, reaching for a face mask she wore. “Until we’re back at the guild hall. I’d recommend you get used to battling with it on.” “I’ve had them on for so many hours now; I can hardly breathe! Are you sure we need them? I think we’re being too cautious.” “You’d breathe better if you spoke less, Sybyl”, said the dour-faced Elf that rode behind Sybyl. Faeyla rarely passed up the opportunity to play the ‘straight man’ to Sybyl’s constant complaining even though she risked drawing the same ire from the leader of their group. “Shouldn’t you be listening to your own advice, Faeyla? There are no stops between here and the forest.” “I have to disagree with you, Jains. Herra might be out of breath.” Herra was the horse that belonged to Eryl, a lithe, male half-elf whose dark secrets Sybyl was always trying to pry when she wasn’t concerned about herself. “Okay. We rest here. Do not take off your masks!” “That warning makes me want to take mine off. I don’t remember reading anything about wearing masks in the notes.” After a few minutes of searching, the adventurers eventually stopped by one of the brick structures that still had a roof. “These must be the one of the weirdest looking trees I’ve ever seen. What are those holes?”, remarked Tya, as she pointed at a dwarf tree that seemed to be blocking the entrance of the structure. “Woodpecker nests?”

Private Entry

As you can tell, i'm quite obsessed with both series's, but i might like the Tales series a tad bit more :P as far as the games in general, my favorites goes: 1. Xillia, 2. Vesperia, 3. Abyss, 4. Zestiria, 5. Symphonia, 6. Graces (Beseria unranked because it hasn't come out in NA yet). As far as Danganronpa goes, I like 2nd game far more than the first.

I don't know if I'm stupid and don't know how to post in the thread or it's MAL itself, but i can't see my post, but I can see people who posted 3 minutes ago on the same thread

Private Entry

Rurouni Kenshin (57 - 62) So the battles were pretty good and they finished the arc nicely with some emotional moments. But it also had moments of stupid:

Nevertheless, the series definitely improved since season 1, upgraded from a 6/10 to a 7/10. Rurouni Kenshin (63 - 67) Wow, most of that was pointless/boring. At least it looks like a new arc is starting so things picked up in the last episode of the bunch.

Private

Bleach: Part II-Ichigo's Journey

Relationship Status

Private

Private

0101 - The Witch of Arbormalum

Fave hentai

Private

Favorite Game Characters

Help

More Cool Male Characters!

Private

Private

Private

Private

Private

Private

Private

Private

Viewing Blog Entry 2 - 25/03/13