tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-378029902024-03-13T07:03:58.929+08:00On the Verge of LunacyRamblings on anything and everything from anime to books to video gamesCassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.comBlogger442125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-89320647215789789242020-08-27T13:45:00.000+08:002020-08-27T13:45:40.825+08:00Rest in Peace, Cowl<p> There are connections you make in life you do not know will change you. That is how I describe the impact made by a tiny white mouse we named Cowl. One of my sisters brought him home with a second male mouse we named Topper because they did not have anywhere to go. The mice were bought as specimen for a class activity, but the buyer (or perhaps the seller) have mistaken them for female mice. They were supposed to get females, not males; and because there was no use for two male mice, my sister who is a university instructor, brought them home.</p><p><br /></p><p>My mother is scared of rodents, so we did not know about her decision until she came home and called me to see what she brought. I thought it was funny but I was also scared for the mice because I knew my mother would object. Plus we were already raising two dogs so it might not be a good idea to house mice that they would usually hunt (my dogs have killed mice and rats before). They already had their own tiny cage and names. We decided to place them outside with the other dog, Chichi. We thought they would be safe because the front area is roofed and clean. It has tables and chairs for a sit-out.</p><p><br /></p><p>Topper did not even last for days with us as one morning, Chichi somehow opened the cage and killed one of the mice. When my other sister noticed, Cowl was already at Chichi’s feet, held down by the tail. Cowl was able to get away when we interfered but he almost ran to the road outside and could have been lost forever. Luckily, my sister, the one who brought the mice, caught him.</p><p><br /></p><p>It was not the only time Cowl was saved from certain death as one evening when we placed the cage outside, thinking it would be safely guarded by the dog (by this time they have accepted him as pet), a cat got to the cage somehow. Cowl was safe and the cage was unopened. But I heard a commotion and when I looked, a cat was perched on top of the cage. It was then that we decided Cowl should never be taken outside completely. My mother has accepted the mouse by then and was also terrified by the incident.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now, anyone reading this might think we are cruel for placing the mouse’s enclosure outside, but we have a difficult circumstance with the situation between our two dogs. But the area in front of the house is like the extension of the living room complete with furniture. Only the front and right sides are open, but the mouse is safe from the elements. As for the dogs, we had to separate them completely because they will fight to the death. There have been a few encounters where blood was drawn, and so to save them from each other, they have designated areas at home and they must never see each other. But that is a subject for another article.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cowl is safer inside as the other dog, Tonton, is more accepting. She does not even try to get close to the mouse once we have introduced him properly. It was then that Cowl grew closer to the family members. At first, we were hesitant because it is the first time we took in a mouse. Previously, we had mostly dogs and one hen growing up. Everything about the mouse was new to us. Sometimes we would sit and observe Cowl nesting, mesmerized and relaxed. He looked so fragile and small as if he would break if we tried picking him up.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cowl was also scared of us at first. Probably from the trauma of the previous experiences with the dog and the cat. Only my sister, the biologist, tried picking him up to clean the tiny cage. We had to learn a lot of things for raising a mouse to give it the best life possible. It was also when we learned they had short lives. But we did not think of that. We just wanted Cowl to be healthy and happy even if he does not have a companion anymore. We contemplated getting another mouse but as Cowl was male, we did not want to take chances. </p><p><br /></p><p>Surprisingly, Cowl adjusted well and was able to cope even if he was the only pet mouse. At first he would not socialize, but he got used to eating from our hands when we give him food. I was delighted the first time Cowl took a small piece from my finger and when his toes touched my skin. Because everything was new and exciting, someone was always watching the mouse.</p><p><br /></p><p>As everyone grew accustomed to his presence, we would sometimes move him to the center table in the living room where he can roam freely. He did not try to jump off or escape so instead of being confined to a small cage, he had plenty of area to explore on the table. We provided toys, learned the best way to feed and find food he likes, and adjusted to his unique personality.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cowl was affectionate. He would come over and sniff if you called to him or got close to him. He also liked being petted and would tilt his head sideways so you can scratch under the side of his head. He would even come near your hands if you just put it on the table to sniff, nibble, and snuggle.</p><p><br /></p><p>The guides say mice are not high-maintenance pets. While that is true, Cowl had a personality and lots of preferences. We found out he did not like the muesli we bought him. The second time, he did not like the brand. He would also only pick the seeds and he would rather eat food freshly served from the hands of humans. As for his bedding, we tried different options but mostly, we would try to leave a clean space in his enclosure and sleep away from the bedding. He was okay with shredded paper and tissue sometimes, but he would mostly use the tissue to wipe his urine. Yup, a mouse wiping off his urine. We caught him doing that a few times. He also does not like the wheel attached to his cage. He used it mostly to watch himself pee. He would get on it, look down, then pee. Afterwards, he goes down, gathers tissue, and then wipe the pee. The soiled tissue he would dispose by placing it on one of his food bowls or stick it to the walls of his cage. Every time I cleaned, I would see a pile of soaked tissue stuck to the walls or in the bowls.</p><p><br /></p><p>When Cowl was younger, he spent a lot of time nesting. He would collect everything that was put on the table, that was why we learned not to leave anything that might be harmful. He even tried to carry a five peso coin to his cage. As he got older, his preferences changed. When the cage is soiled, he would not sleep inside anymore (we leave the cage open so he can roam on the table). After we clean the cage, that is the only time he would sleep in it. We also did not bother adding bedding except for some shredded paper and tissue because he likes a floor clean from any of it. </p><p><br /></p><p>Cowl also liked climbing up to the top of his cage and watch us. On the table, he would sit near the edges and observe. If someone came over, he would tilt his head and come close to the hand you offer so you can pet him.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>He will also make sounds if you give him his favorite treats. It was so funny the first time. He also had favorite places to hang out on, like the slide in his cage or the hole leading to it. When he wants to chill, he climbs up to the roof of the cage. His most favorite, however, is the figurine of an angel on a rocking chair. We put it on the table because he did not accept all the other wooden toys we gave him for chewing on. He did chew the legs a bit but he would sit under it and sleep instead. My mother laughed when she saw it; my mother who is scared of rodents. Since then, he would claim and sleep on the items anyone places on the table.</p><p><br /></p><p>It took him a while to start eating the muesli we brought him. In fact, it was only during the last several weeks of his life that he took a liking to sunflower seeds in the mix. He would dig it up then scatter the rest he did not like on the floor of his cage.</p><p><br /></p><p>2019 for us was both challenging but also full of blessings. Tonton had her major surgery for pyometra that year, and Chichi was confined to the hospital before New Year’s. When there was a commotion, Cowl would come out of his nest and observe. There were also some personal milestones and achievements. There were even incidents where black mice entered the house and attacked Cowl. One morning my sister found blood on his body, but the injury was minor because some of the blood was probably from the attacker. There was also an incident where I saw the attacker enter the cage. Cowl made the loudest noise I heard from him. We got rid of the mice (even if we were sorry) for his safety.</p><p><br /></p><p>2020 of course was a difficult year. Like I mentioned, we started the New Year with a sick pet. Chichi recovered, thankfully. But then there was COVID-19. Throughout the six months we were stuck at home, we grew closer with Cowl. Now that my sisters spend more time at home, our affection and closeness for the tiny member of the family grew. However, Cowl was getting old and we noticed some health problems. The first was the itchiness, then he gained weight. Sometime in April we noticed a growth on his rear and my sister said it was most likely a rectal prolapse. We tried looking for a solution but since most veterinarians were not available during the lockdown, we did not have a lot of options. My sister is also familiar with the condition and she said it might need surgery. We changed Cowl’s diet to control his weight and to manage the prolapse.</p><p><br /></p><p>By this time, I think we have fully bonded with Cowl. He does not like being put in a dark corner to sleep because he wants to see humans. He would gnaw on his cage, make sounds until someone noticed. We had a corner for Cowl in the mornings to sleep in. It was okay with him when he was a bit younger but he preferred to be on the table at all times. So we had to adjust the setup to protect him from noise and light. He liked being around us. You could tell because he would just wait and stare if you place him in an area where he cannot see humans, even during times when he is supposed to sleep.</p><p><br /></p><p>Maybe he did like us, but my sister and I think he was lonely too because there are no other mice (except for the invaders who attacked him). If someone was near the table, expect Cowl to come over, sniff, and ask for a petting. He was more affectionate than Tonton even. Whenever I worked on my laptop, I sometimes used his table. He would come over, sit on the laptop keyboard, and then try to get under my palms. Yes, he wanted to be petted and cuddled. That was so cute. We did not expect it would be possible with a mouse. I am happy Cowl came to our life to make everything magical. Cowl was there whenever I played video games, typed my articles for work, made art, or whenever we watched movies and TV.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are so many things I would like to remember and share about him. I do not want to remember how he got sick the night of August 20, 2020 and his health deteriorated until he passed away the night of August 25. We brought Cowl to three different veterinarians in the city, but all of them confessed they do not have the equipment or expertise to deal with an “exotic” pet. It was heartbreaking to hear that pets that are neither dogs nor cats will have little chance to survive conditions that need medical attention. I think they also phrased their words in a way to tell us that since mice have short lives, it was not worth getting medical services.</p><p><br /></p><p>Cowl died laying on my sister’s hand. We were trying to comfort him. I will never forget that image in my mind. I wish I could take the pain away. Sure, he did not suffer long, but I cannot help but think there must be something we could have done. We felt helpless because there was no help. We did our best for the next five days, researching, trying methods to ease the pain or maybe finally treat him. The second vet we visited managed ease some of Cowl’s symptoms. She suspected it was megacolon but was hoping it was only the result of overeating and constipation. The next day, we went for another checkup and Cowl got better he was able to poop. More research indicate that it was megacolon. His constipation was followed by diarrhea. The deterioration was fast even if we were always around to comfort him. We tried the tummy massage they instructed and then the stimulation to the rear to help him poop. We also cut down on some food and concentrated on giving him fresh veggies. It did work but on his last day, he was bloated again and weak. We tried again that night, but I think Cowl gave up.</p><p><br /></p><p>Maybe we could have done better. Maybe the illness was already a part of his line. We do not know. His time with us was so short, even if we knew most mice would not live past three years. One year and five months (not counting the one or two months since his birth) seemed like a long time because of the memories. But it was still short especially after we got extremely close with Cowl during the lockdown. It all felt so sudden as if the universe took him from us out of spite. That same week, he learned a new trick. We would offer our palms up so he could climb on them and sort of cuddle with out hands. Sadly, we will never experience that again. The suddenness of it was devastating. And his manner of death was like a punishment for such a gentle creature. I hate megacolon, the disease that took away our little friend. </p><p><br /></p><p>I hope one day I will be strong enough to remember Cowl without crying. I do not want to work yet near the table where he lives. Maybe one day the memories will bring smiles only, not smiles and tears. I miss him terribly because he was part of my daily routine. Then he was wrenched away so suddenly. But I am thinking of one day adopting another mouse, not to replace Cowl but to honor his memory. Maybe by bringing attention to mice to my friends on social media, more people will also adopt them and give them loving homes.</p><p><br /></p><p>There is a mouse-sized hole in my heart but I would not exchange anything for the good memories and the lessons left by my friend Cowl. Rest in peace and thank you, dear Cowl.</p><div><br /></div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-54785814865388548432017-04-21T16:54:00.000+08:002017-04-21T16:54:23.514+08:00Honey and Clover Seasons 1 and 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yuuta Takemoto is an art school student who lives in the same apartment complex with two other schoolmates. He had a passion for building things such as sculptures. He is friends with Shinobu Morita and Takumi Mayama. Morita is five years older than Takemoto and is unable to graduate because he always missed his classes. Takumi Mayama is an architecture student in the same university. Mayama was in love with Rika Harada, an older woman and a well-known architect.</div>
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When Takemoto was introduced to Hagumi Hanamoto, he fell in love at first sight. Morita also likes the girl and was more expressive of his feelings than Takemoto. Unfortunately for Takemoto, Morita and Hagumi seem to like each other a lot. Hagumi is considered a genius at painting and was greatly drawn to Morita’s creativity.</div>
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They’re also friends with a pottery student Yamada Ayumi who is head-over-heels with Mayama. Unfortunately, Mayama doesn’t share her feelings and constantly rejects her expressions of love. Hagumi sympathizes with her.</div>
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The24-episode series revolves on the friendship, love and heart break that these individuals deal with in college. The sequel Honey and Clover II runs for 12 episodes and focuses on Takemoto’s journey as he deals with rejection.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuuta Takemoto</td></tr>
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What makes the series endearing is its portrayal of ordinary college students. It has none of the excitement of high school love and courtship, so its approach at romance was a breath of fresh air. It also doesn’t follow the mantra “love conquers all” because of its surprising ending. While most romantic stories tell us that love will find a way, Honey and Clover deals with rejection, heart break and moving on. Not everything has to have a happy ending, but even sad endings are nothing compared to the friendships and good memories that will last for a lifetime.</div>
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I loved how it included in the story the reality of losing inspiration while in the middle of completing a project. The struggles of understanding what you want to do in the future as you transition into an adult was also shown. It’s not all about hearts and roses all the time. A grownup has to make painful choices, find a job, and accept that rejection is a reality.</div>
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<b>Rating: 7.5 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-51618781894532663552017-04-20T16:56:00.001+08:002017-04-20T16:56:49.036+08:00An Analysis of the Enuma Elish (The Epic of Creation) or The Seven Tablets of Creation, A Babylonian Creation Myth*Note: This was a term paper for a class. Since I don't know what grade the professor gave me (or of she even read the paper at all), I decided to post it here.<br />
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The Enuma Elish is also called The Seven Tablets of Creation. It documents the Babylonian creation epic. It was recorded in seven clay tablets found at various locations including the infamous library of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh, discovered by Austen Henry Layard. The name of the hero of the epic varies depending on where the tablet is found. The most common version tells of Marduk as the hero. In other versions, the god of the city is considered the hero.<br />
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<b>Introduction</b><br />
The title of the epic is taken from its opening line “When in the height, heaven was not named...” The epic chronicles Marduk’s war against Tiamat. He leads the other gods against the old divinity who had turned against her children.<br />
Besides Marduk’s exploits, the epic also tells about the birth of the gods and goddesses and the creation of the universe.<br />
The epic is generally divided into three sections. These are: the creation myth, the conflict between Marduk and Tiamat, and the invocation to Marduk.<br />
According to the researchers, the purpose of the epic was not to explain the ancient Mesopotamian theology but to glorify Marduk as the chief god, as evidenced by the list of his fifty names. The epic was also used during rituals and celebrations especially on the Babylonian New Year or Akitu.<br />
This paper examines the contents of the epic and how the hero Marduk replaced an old tradition in the form of a battle against Tiamat.<br />
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<b>Questions</b><br />
To understand the significance of the epic, the paper will discuss the important parts such as the creation of the universe and analyze the two characters Tiamat and Marduk. In particular this paper will answer the following questions:<br />
1.What is the type of creation found in the epic?<br />
2.How does this story differ from other creation myths?<br />
3.What are the qualities of the mother Tiamat? What does she represent?<br />
4.What are the qualities of the hero Marduk? What does he represent?<br />
5.How does Marduk differ from other epic heroes?<br />
6.Why is the protagonist a mother instead of a father like in the Kronos myth of the Greeks?<br />
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<b>Summary of Enuma Elish</b><br />
When the heavens and earth did not yet exist, the primeval Apsu came. The chaos Tiamat was next to appear and became the mother of everything. Apsu also symbolized fresh water and Tiamat represented the ocean. When Apsu and Tiamat mingled, Lahmu and Lahamu were formed. They were followed by Ansar and Kisar, who bore Anu. Anu in turn gave birth to Nudimmud, also called Ea, who equaled his strength. It is said that Anu became more powerful than all his forbears.<br />
When Tiamat’s offspring became too loud and obnoxious, she and Apsu became displeased. Apsu decided to kill the young gods even if Tiamat tried to protest. The vizier Mummu, “the fog floating above water,” was summoned and he agreed with Apsu’s plan. Tiamat told Ea about Apsu’s plan. Ea placed Apsu in deep sleep then split Apsu’s sinews and took his crown. Then he bound Apsu and killed him. Mummu was imprisoned.<br />
Ea built his home on Apsu and married Damkina. They had a son named Marduk, sometimes replaced with the name Bel, who was nursed by goddesses and clothed with the aura of the ten gods. He was described as a mighty warrior with dazzling eyes. He had four eyes, four ears and flame shot forth from his mouth. Ea, greatly delighted formed four winds and gave them to his son. While Marduk played with the winds, a hurricane was formed and this angered Tiamat. The other gods were also disturbed so they urged Tiamat to take revenge upon the death of her husband.<br />
These gods conspired with Tiamat to create demons, also called the eleven monsters. These are Basmu, a venomous snake, Usumgallu, a dragon, Musmahhu, an exalted serpent, Mushussu, a furious snake, Lahmu, the Hairy One, Ugallu, Big Weather-Beast, Uridimmu, mad lion, Gitablullu, scorpion-man, Umu dabrutu, violent storms, Kulullu, fish-man, Kusarikku and bull-man. Some versions have different translations of the names.<br />
Tiamat then took Kingu as her husband and was given control of everything including the Tablet of Destinies or Dup Shimati. The other gods, the Igigi and Anunnaki, who were not on Tiamat’s side could not defeat the demons. Soon after, Marduk was summoned when Ea discussed the threat with Ansar. Marduk said that he would deal with the monsters if he becomes their leader. The vizier Kaka was sent to talk to Lahmu and Lahamu. Marduk was finally designated their champion.<br />
Marduk took a bow and arrows, a club, lightning, tongues of flame, a net to trap the entrails of Tiamat, and the four winds. He also fashioned Seven Winds which were placed behind him. He also took his weapon Storm-Flood and rode his chariot of irresistible storm which had four venom-filled horses yoked to it. Beside his chariot were placed raging battle, strife and conflict. He wore a tunic and mail and an aura of terror.<br />
When he came near Tiamat, he used a plant to counter the poison. The other gods milled around Marduk. Kingu fled but was later destroyed by Marduk. His blood was used to create humans who serve the gods.<br />
Tiamat was defeated when Marduk shot her with an arrow. Marduk split her corpse into two, one half became the earth and the other made up the skies. Next, he created the planets, stars, moon, sun and the weather. He also created the calendar. From Tiamat’s eyes flowed the Tigris and Euphrates. He takes the Tablets of Destiny from Kingu as well.<br />
Ea created the first man Lullu from Kingu’s blood.<br />
Marduk became the king of the gods. He divided the gods into upper and lower groups. The gods and goddesses praised him, created Esagil for him, and exalted Marduk by invoking his names.<br />
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<b>Analysis of the Myth</b><br />
To examine Enuma Elish, this paper has divided the epic into three major sections. One will look more closely at the creation of the universe and the next two sections will profile two major characters, Tiamat and Marduk.<br />
I. The Creation of the Universe<br />
This version of the epic is the Babylonian version. Babylon is one of the major cities in the area known as Mesopotamia. It is situated nearest the Euphrates and divided into two along its banks. The land was created through siltation, where the fresh water meet the salt water. The myth takes this inspiration when describing the primary creators Apsu and Tiamat. Apsu was the fresh water, Tiamat the salt water. For the ancients of this region, the mixing of the fresh and salt water symbolized creation. It also places Babylon on the spotlight as the city created by the gods where Marduk reigned supreme.<br />
The cosmic order in the epic reflects the social reality of Mesopotamia. The hierarchy of the gods was very important, especially after Marduk defeated Tiamat. He divided the roles of the gods and even grouped them according to tasks such as the supervision of the netherworld for example. This cosmic hierarchy reflects the need of the ancients in Mesopotamia for a clear political structure because they are made up of different ethnic groups often at conflict with one another. The history of that part of the world is evidence of its chaotic ethnic and political struggles. Marduk’s victory and reorganization of the universe symbolizes a return to order after defeating a threat in the form of Tiamat and her allies.<br />
The conflict between Tiamat and Marduk is considered part of the creation process. It was not until Kingu died that humans were created after all. The conflict between an old deity and a new hero signifies the annual flooding of the rivers. The elements of the wind and water added to the event that the ancients witnessed. For them, it was like the battle of the gods. The water symbolized Tiamat, the chaos, while the wind represented Marduk. In the epic, Marduk was said to have played with the four winds. There was also a passage indicating he created seven winds to guard his back.<br />
The Enuma Elish also explains the purpose of the creation of humans. It was stated clearly that the humans were made to take over the tasks previously done by the gods and goddesses. Humans were the servants of the gods.<br />
II. Tiamat as the Mother and the Enemy<br />
Tiamat represented the primordial ocean in the time of creation as opposed to Apsu who symbolized fresh water. She is described as a glistening, beautiful woman typical of a mother goddess. Sometimes she is referred to as a dragon or a serpent or a body of water.<br />
Tiamat has two aspects in her personality. She is both a creator but she also symbolizes chaos. Without her, creation would not begin. She is even considered more powerful than her first husband and was even the one who designated Kingu as the ruler of the universe and the dispenser of fates to the gods. One of her names was Ummu-Hubur meaning “she who formed all things” which points to her as the primary agent of creation. She was also able to create monsters even after her husband Apsu’s death.<br />
Perhaps Tiamat’s death heralded the shift from a matriarchal society to patriarchal. There are other great goddesses like her in parallel myths who were powerful but were also the agents of violence and destruction.<br />
Tiamat’s name also point out her association with other gods in the region. Perhaps she is a syncretized form of all these deities. Outside the Enuma Elish however, Tiamat is no longer mentioned in other stories. She is similar for example to the Leviathan or Yamm and Tannin of the Hebrew legends.<br />
The eleven monsters she created symbolized different elements. The dragon and serpents represented fire and water. Lahamu was the lightning. The hurricanes symbolized the storm, water, and air. These monsters oppose cosmic order but were later transformed into beneficial forces after Tiamat’s defeat.<br />
When Tiamat gave the Tablets of Destiny to Kingu, she gave up the emblem of supreme authority of the universe. The act symbolized Tiamat giving up her power over the foundations of civilization such as technology, social and religious institutions, and moral and human institutions.<br />
III. Marduk as A Hero<br />
Marduk has the qualities of a creator god. He was the son of Ea the “image fashioner.” Ea was supposedly stronger than his father Anu but Marduk was the strongest of them all. When the gods convened to plan to stop Tiamat, it was Marduk who was confident enough to face her.<br />
Marduk was not a chief god at first, but when the Babylonians became the rulers, his status was elevated. It was therefore necessary to connect him with the other deities. The purpose of the epic after all was to exalt Marduk as the king of the gods.<br />
Marduk is considered a solar deity. His name means “son of the sun.” His physical appearance recalls to mind a dragon. But he also represented the wind.<br />
Even though Marduk officially became part of the Babylonian pantheon, his various attributes point out to his recent origin. He has acquired qualities already present in other gods. His numerous weapons also point to qualities absorbed from other heroes. Perhaps this was needed to make his rule unchallenged. He was even said to have been the one who created and designated Babylon as the “gate of god.” The last part of the epic show the gods giving fealty to Marduk, probably also symbolizing the people’s submission to the Babylonians.<br />
One important aspect of Marduk is how specific he was when he continued the creation of the universe, especially by designating roles to the gods. This is reminiscent of a ruler who has just gained new territory and needed an established network of administrators.<br />
Unlike other epic heroes, Marduk is special because (1) he did not need convincing to face Tiamat; (2) he only had to undergo one test when the gods asked him to make a constellation disappear; (3) he easily defeated Tiamat and encountered very few challenges; (4) and he did not have to die and resurrect. When examined using Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Marduk fulfills only a few points.<br />
<br />
<b>Conclusion</b><br />
The Enuma Elish offers us an insight into the beliefs of the Babylonians. The epic is an important contribution to the plethora of ancient Asian literature. It offers a point of comparison for other myths and creation stories including those of the Judeo-Christian beliefs.<br />
To answer the questions stated above, here are the insights gleaned from the text.<br />
(1)What is the type of creation found in the epic? (2) and how does this story differ from other creation myths?<br />
The Babylonian creation myth is similar to other myths that begin with a formless state or void. One example is the Greek creation story in Hesiod’s Theogony and the Egyptian version where nothing existed at first.<br />
Like the Greek version, the Babylonian myth began the process of creation when a female and a male deity appeared. Tiamat and Apsu’s offspring came in pairs of one female and one male as well. Lahmu and Lahamu meant the mud and the silt, respectively. Anshar was the sky while Kishar was the earth. Their son Anu was the sky. Anu in turn created Nudimmud or Ea or Enki in other dialects.<br />
One major difference of the Babylonian creation myth from others is that there are at least two more pairs of gods and goddesses before the appearance of the hero Marduk, the deity who will eventually replace Tiamat. Although Tiamat was not explicitly given the title the ruler of the universe, it was she who gave the Tablets of Destiny to her second husband Kingu who became the ruler of the universe for a time.<br />
Tiamat was also a mother goddess, quite different from Kronos in the Greek myths who was the king and the father of the gods.<br />
<br />
(3)What are the qualities of the mother Tiamat? What does she represent?<br />
Tiamat represented both creation and chaos. Her nature however as the salt water as opposed to Apsu the fresh water already foreshadows her role in the battle with other gods for power.<br />
Her surrender of the Tablets of Destiny to her second husband Kingu may have represented the transition from a matriarchal society to patriarchal.<br />
<br />
(4)What are the qualities of the hero Marduk? What does he represent? (5) and how does Marduk differ from other epic heroes?<br />
Marduk is a solar deity who has the qualities of a culture hero. Unlike other heroes however, he does not fulfill all the qualities in Campbell’s definition. Marduk (1) did not need convincing to face Tiamat, (2) only had to undergo one test when the gods asked him to make a constellation disappear, (3) easily defeated Tiamat and encountered very few challenges, (4) and did not have to die and resurrect.<br />
<br />
(6)Why is the protagonist a mother instead of a father like in the Kronos myth of the Greeks?<br />
This perhaps reflects the religious and political climate of the region. Mesopotamia and most of the ancient world had various other powerful goddesses besides Tiamat like Ishtar or Inanna and Cybele, all part of the mother goddess cults that probably existed then. These goddesses embodied the Mother Earth.<br />
Tiamat probably represented the matriarchal society that revered a mother goddess. Ths shift to a patriarchal society was perhaps symbolized by Marduk taking over the kingship of the gods and taking the Tablets of Destiny.<br />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
King, L.W. Enûma Eliš: The Seven Tablets of Creation. London: Fq Classics, 1902.<br />
Wallis Budge, E.A. The Babylonian Legends of Creation. 1921.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-58276300104904291602017-04-20T16:54:00.000+08:002017-04-20T16:54:17.499+08:00Alamut by Vladimir Bartol*Note: This was a term paper for a class. Decided to post it here because I don't know what grade the professor gave me.<br />
<br />
<b>Introduction</b><br />
Alamut is a novel by the Slovenian writer Vladimir Bartol. It was published in 1938 and the author dedicated it to Benito Mussolini as a form of sarcasm.<br />
<br />
The book chronicles the story of Hassan-i Sabbah and the forces of the Ismaili sect at Alamut fortress from which the title of the book was taken.<br />
<br />
The story has helped popularize the Hashshashin or the assassins. Its maxim is “Nothing is true, everything is permitted.” The book is also considered the most popular Slovenian novel. It was also said to be an allegory of the Revolutionary Organization of the Julian March TIGR, an anti-fascist group, and the Italian repression of the Slovene minority in Italy.<br />
<br />
<b>Vladimir Bartol</b><br />
Bartol grew up in a middle class Slovene minority in an Austro-Hungarian city. His mother was probably an influence to him because she was a teacher and editor. He was a child whose interests ranged from biology to art.<br />
<br />
His other influences include Friedrich Nietzsche, Slovene philosopher Klement Jug and Sigmund Freud.<br />
<br />
Scholars think that the rise of totalitarian dictators at the time of the book’s printing may have influenced Bartol. Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini were the big names at that time.<br />
<br />
<b>Background of Alamut</b><br />
The novel by Bartol is based on the historical figure Hassan-i Sabbah and on the work The Travels of Marco Polo. One of the tales details a warlord who trained young men to become assassins by convincing them that he has the power to take them to paradise. He had a secret however. He constructed a garden and filled it with beautiful women to serve as houris and made the young trainees take hashish. This account is considered fictional by some scholars, however the idea has taken deep root in the minds of readers. The brotherhood of assassins has inspired numerous adaptations not just in books but also in other forms of media like films, graphic novels, animation, and video games.<br />
<br />
The real Hassan-i Sabbah in 1090 had acquired the fortress of Alamut, famous for its impregnable defenses and location. He used it when he led the revolt against the Seljuk Turks who had invaded Persia and ousted the Sassanid Empire.<br />
<br />
In Bartol’s novel, one of the young assassins neutralized Nizam al-Mulk but historical evidence suggest that one of Hassan’s men may have assassinated the vizier. Political assassinations were common at that time. Those stories, along with Hassan’s reputation provided the inspiration for the novel.<br />
<br />
The Nizari Ismailis<br />
There are names mentioned in the book that need explanation to understand the novel better. Most of these names are taken from real-life people and concepts. This section will give a brief description of each.<br />
<br />
1) Ismailism - a branch of Shia Islam. The members of the sect cater to the idea that Imam Isma’il ibn Jafar was the spiritual successor to Ja’far al-Sadiq. They differ from the Twelvers who believe that Musa al-Kadhim was the true Imam. However, they both share the belief that the descendants of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima were the true imams.<br />
<br />
2) Nizari Ismaili - a branch of Shia Islam that emphasizes reasoning, pluralism and social justice. The Fatimid Caliph-Imam al-Mustansir Billah had designated his son Nizar as the heir. Of the Fatimid State. Among those who knew of this plan was Hassan-i Sabbah. When al-Mustansir died however, the Armenian vizier Al-Afdal Shahanshah staged a coup for al-Musta’li and placed him on the throne. Nizar fled but was later taken prisoner and executed. Because of this, the Nizari Ismailis split from the Mustaali Ismailis.<br />
<br />
Al-Hadi ibn Nizar, Nizar’s son, was taken to Alamut Fort in the Alborz mountains and was under the regency of Hassan.<br />
<br />
3) Assassin - taken from the word hashshashin or assassiyun, which means “those faithful to the foundation.” It originally referred to the Nizari Ismailis led by the Old Man of the Mountain.<br />
<br />
4) Fidai or Fedayeen - the term is often used in the novel Alamut. It refers to the the hashshashins.<br />
<br />
5) Hashish or hash - part of the cannabis family of drugs. It can be smoked or consumed orally.<br />
<br />
6) Houris - “companions” in paradise who welcome believers who have performed good deeds. In the novel Alamut, they are described as young, beautiful virgins.<br />
<br />
<b>Questions</b><br />
To further understand the novel Alamut, the following questions will serve as guides:<br />
<br />
1)What does the sect’s maxim mean?<br />
2)Can Hassan’s actions be considered good or evil?<br />
3) What is the message of the novel?<br />
<br />
<b>Summary</b><br />
The novel is told from three perspectives: one is Halima, a young girl, bought and transported to Alamut; another is by Avani ibn Tahir whose grandfather was a martyr for Persia. He was sent to Hassan to train and avenge his grandfather’s death; and finally, Hassan, called Sayyiduna who led the Ismailis.<br />
<br />
Halima was sold off in Bukhara then bought by one of the followers of Hassan to Alamut. There she sees the most beautiful garden with the loveliest of women. They live in an isolated area behind the castle where the women are trained in the arts. Halima however does not know why she was taken to the paradise-like garden. She was the youngest among the girls and was treated like a princess. She has yet to meet her benefactor Sayyiduna.<br />
<br />
Avani ibn Tahir’s grandfather was beheaded for the cause of the Ismailis. He went to Alamut and endured harsh physical and mental training. He was among the brilliant students in the group of young boys, excelling in a lot of areas and impressing his teachers. He was told he was going to become a fedayeen. Tahir also has not met Sayyiduna yet.<br />
<br />
Hassan-ibn Tahir has been planning for a long time. He has grand dreams no one has ever thought of before. He wanted “[t]o become feared by all potentates and foreign despots far and wide.” That plan explains the training that Halima and Tahir were undergoing separately.<br />
<br />
When he revealed this to his closest colleagues, they were stunned yet amazed. Hassan has embraced the idea that “[t]he truth is unknowable. Therefore we believe in nothing and have no limits on what we can do." But that doesn't stop him from using the teachings and the lore of Islam to get his way. He was going to test the limits of faith, he said.<br />
<br />
He explains that he will convince his fedayeen to overcome any fear of death. He has long thought of doing this by giving them a peek of what awaits them when they die a martyr's death for the cause --- a peek at paradise itself. Hassan believes, and by controlling even this part of their lives (by giving them a taste paradise) they conform completely to his will. He claims that he does not feel that he was being unfair to the boys. Moreover he justifies this by saying that “[t]hey (the believers) want us to get rid of the blank space of the unknown for them. They can't tolerate any uncertainty. But since we don't have any truth, we have to comfort them with fairy tales and fabrications.”<br />
<br />
That explains why he needed young, impressionable men like Tahir. These boys were trained to obey whatever orders were given to them and that by performing well, they will surely go to heaven. There were other soldiers besides the fedayeen, because he was gathering an army to oppose the Seljuk Turks. Some of the men doubt the rumors that Hassan had been given the key to paradise, after all you can only go to paradise after death. Hassan’s claim sounded preposterous even to some of his followers, but he was determined to show them that he indeed possessed the key.<br />
<br />
Hassan orders three of the best students to be given to him to try the experiment at last. He drugs Tahir and two of Tahir’s friends, Suleiman and Yusuf, with some hashish, and when they wake up they are in paradise itself. They were not yet aware that the paradise were the gardens of Alamut, populated by the fair maidens, including Halima, who have been instructed to do whatever was required of them, and to treat their guests as though they really were in heaven.<br />
<br />
After this, the three boys spread their story. The fedayeen finally believed that Allah granted Hassan the key to send anyone to heaven for a short time.<br />
<br />
His plan seemed to work for a while, but he did not foresee the effect it had on Halima and the boys. His enemies were scared and his followers were in awe after he ordered Yusuf and Suleiman to sacrifice themselves. The boys did not waver even when Yusuf was ordered to jump off a tower because they believed they could go to heaven. The boys had fallen in love with the houris and were obsessed with going back to paradise. The hashish also had affected their behavior. This scene happened when the Seljuk army besieged Alamut.<br />
<br />
When they survived and the enemies were wary of their power, Hassan ordered Tahir to kill the grand vizier Nizam al-Mulk. Tahir was able to see the vizier in the pretense of delivering a letter. Tahir stabbed Nizam with a poisoned dagger. Nizam lived long enough however to tell Tahir that he was being played at by Hassan.<br />
<br />
Tahir agreed to return to Alamut so he could kill Hassan. But Hassan also talked to Tahir of his true intentions. He said that Tahir had understood what his mission was. Hassan tells him about al-Araf or the wall that separates Heaven and Hell. He lectured about his motto "Nothing is an absolute reality, all is permitted." Hassan was so embedded in his own morality that he even consented to have his son executed for disobedience. He never felt remorse or pity for his son, the same way that he was detached to his two daughters.<br />
<br />
Tahir leaves Alamut. After another fedai assassinated the Seljuk sultan, political turmoil followed. Hassan decided to lock himself up in his tower and leave the affairs of state and military to his trusted men.<br />
<br />
<b>Analysis</b><br />
The questions written above will be used to analyze the important parts of the novel.<br />
<br />
1) What does the sect’s maxim mean?<br />
“Nothing is true, everything is permitted,” was the guiding principle of Hassan. In his explanation to his senior followers, he recounts his search for truth. He was young when he converted to Ismailism after he had left the Twelvers. To his dismay however, he discovered that Ismailism was just a bait used to rally the dissatisfied Persians against the Sunni Seljuk Turks. He concluded that Ismailism was a pure rationalist philosophy with no beliefs in any metaphysical or divine reality. The believers think that objective truth is unknowable, because our senses can be deceiving. This makes up the first phrase “nothing is true” and refers to the epistemological skepticism of the Ismailis. When all our perceptions of the world are delusional, no perception can be truer than the others. Therefore it depends entirely on one’s perception of the matter. The idea of good or bad depends entirely on what one sees, therefore “everything is permitted.” For Hassan, there is no evil intent in sending young boys to murder people and die in the process. The young men after all know that if they performed their tasks, they will go back to heaven.<br />
<br />
2) Can Hassan’s actions be considered good or evil?<br />
If one considers the creed stated above, Hassan can be said to have freed himself from any moral obligation. Because nothing is true and everything is permitted, Hassan can create his own idea of morality. He had achieved that by realizing that he should not be dragged down by norms and values in the society. He had transcended those ideas and do not need to act according to them. His own morality however is the basis for his behavior. It is ironic that he does not conform to the society’s norms and values but he was faithful to his own laws. One evidence is his indifference to his children, one of whom he had executed.<br />
<br />
3) What is the message of the novel?<br />
Alamut cautions the reader about a stateless organization led by a charismatic and ruthless individual who adopts suicide as a weapon. It warns about the abuse of faith and the ability to twist minds to obtain blind obedience. The novel is an eerie reminder that this kind of system is possible. The best example would be the religious extremists who sacrifice their lives to enter paradise or in the service of a cause. There have been instances in history more frightening than the assassins like the suicide bombers of modern-day terrorist attacks and the suicide pilots in World War II.<br />
<br />
The novel also looks closer at humanity’s conflicting quests for faith and doubt as well as for meaning and knowledge, and for power and morality.<br />
<br />
<b>Conclusion</b><br />
Hassan can be considered the prime example of Friedrich Nietzsche’s Ubermensch or superhuman. He no longer conforms to the society’s norms and morals but has created his own laws. His idea of good or bad is dictated by what conforms to his own laws, laws which he follows faithfully. He is an extreme rationalist. Although he worries about the world’s godlessness and materialism, his answer to the problem is to leave it behind and focus on his own world. His pursuit of knowledge is more important than the masses who understood nothing. This is similar to Nietzsche’s concept that “god is dead.”<br />
<br />
Hassan is an anti-realist who created his own “simulated reality” to deceive his followers. Despite his understanding, Hassan seems like a lonely man. It is further emphasized by his withdrawing into the tower and leaving the affairs of the world to other people.<br />
<br />
Alamut deals with questions about the nature of reality, the value of truth, and how to learn about it. Hassan embodied the person who has reached the pinnacle of his quest. In some ways, his withdrawal into the tower can be considered as his final act that will finally free him from the human world.<br />
<br />
When Hassan lectured about al-Araf to Tahir, he likened it to being able to transcend good and evil. Al-Araf was the wall that divides Heaven and Hell. When you stand on it, figuratively, you will be able to see everything from a different perspective. Your perception of the world, truth and knowledge are challenged. Tahir understood this and that was why he left so he could stand on al-Araf one day like Hassan to pursue knowledge.<br />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
Bartol, Vladimir. Alamut. Scala House Press, 1938.<br />
Nietzsche, Friedrich. Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Penguin Books, 1978.<br />
Nietzsche, Friedrich. The Gay Science. Random House, 1974.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-25566581508558724382017-04-20T16:51:00.003+08:002017-04-20T16:51:52.056+08:00Solaris by Stanislaw Lem*Note: This was my term paper for a class. Decided to post it here because I have no idea what my grade was for this paper.<br />
<br />
<b>Introduction</b><br />
<br />
Solaris is considered a philosophical science fiction novel by some readers because it explores the dilemmas following a contact with an alien life-form that does not conform to our idea of a sentient being.<br />
<br />
Some of its themes are ideas of identity and otherness, human memory and the reality of our experiences.<br />
<br />
<b>Stanislaw Lem</b><br />
<br />
Stanislaw Lem was born in Ukraine and died in Poland. He grew up in a Jewish family to well-to-do parents. Later in life, he said he was a Roman Catholic but he became an agnostic and then an atheist at some point.<br />
<br />
His family survived the Nazi occupation through false documents. He worked as a welder and mechanic. He even helped the Polish resistance by stealing munitions for them. After his family moved to Krakow, he took up medicine but did not become a full-fledged doctor.<br />
<br />
He was controversial at one point in his writing career when he lambasted the science fiction genre, despite being ironically a science fiction writer himself. His skepticism and sometimes indifference to the science fiction genre is reflected in Solaris.<br />
<br />
His book Solaris is available in English translation mostly as a French translation of an abridged Polish version.<br />
<br />
<b>Questions</b><br />
To understand Solaris better, the following points must be considered:<br />
<br />
1) What are the symbols used in the novel?<br />
2) What themes are explored in the novel?<br />
<br />
<b>The Setting</b><br />
<br />
Solaris is made up entirely of an ocean. The planet does not have other features and does not seem to harbor plant and animal life. A section of the book is dedicated to the studies done over the years on the planet Solaris. Observers have debated whether the ocean covering the planet is alive and perhaps even intelligent. Scientists have observed complex patterns of behavior, including an orbit that seems to correct itself. But since nothing of the ocean resembles human biochemistry and psychology, its sentience is hard to establish.<br />
<br />
<b>Summary</b><br />
<br />
When psychologist Kris Kelvin arrived at the Solaris station onboard Prometheus, he found it in a chaotic state. He later learned that the scientists had tried to expose the ocean to high-energy X-ray. The experiment was unauthorized. Its aftermath resulted in to the crew being traumatized by visitations and the recollections of their past that left them unable to function.<br />
<br />
He meets Snaut (sometimes written as Snow in other translations) who told him that Gibarian had committed suicide before his arrival. He encountered a strange woman in the hallway who ignored him. He later learned that it was Gibarian’s “visitor.” He also learned that the others are in a state of nervous collapse.<br />
<br />
A section of the book then details the history of Solaris and the studies done by the scientists over the years. Kelvin read some of the books but in the end he concluded that nothing useful has been learned of the nature of the planet. There were observations however that point to a possibility that the ocean itself is sentient.<br />
<br />
Kelvin will later meet the other resident in the station, Sartorius. Apparently, the station is haunted by apparitions that correspond to aspects of each of the researchers' fantasies. The sentient planet examined the humans aboard the station by revealing something of themselves. Ironically, this probing does not reveal anything about Solaris except expose the inability of the humans to understand life and the cosmos. The scientists think the ocean was testing them or perhaps it was a form of revenge for their earlier experimentation. Each of them was battling their own demons. The ocean has managed to conjure images of each of their past, painful memories that made them re-examine their feelings.<br />
<br />
Solaris brought out the most important memories by recreating them in a visually and physically accurate replicas. Kelvin himself soon becomes a victim. Kelvin sees his dead lover Harey (sometimes written as Rheya in other translations) and feels guilty all over again for her suicide. Kelvin had left her and that became the cause of her sadness. He tried to get rid of the visitor, knowing it was not the real Harey. First he launched her into outer space in a shuttle.<br />
<br />
Harey reappeared but this time she was confused by her identity and Kelvin has fallen in love with her. She knew she was not real and that she was only a manifestation of the planet that is used to get to know the humans, but even she cannot explain her origins. One evidence that she was created by the ocean is that her behavior changes when she Kelvin is out of her sight for some time. She discovered she possessed superhuman strength that frightened even her.<br />
<br />
This relationship makes Kelvin’s feelings about her more complicated. When she learned from a recording by Gibarian about her origin, she attempted suicide. She could not die however because she was made of neutrinos. She was able to regenerate. Later, she convinced Snaut to destroy her using a device that disrupts her sub-atomic structures.<br />
<br />
In the end they failed to understand what Solaris was trying to do. They even tried exposing the ocean to microwaves and brain waves but it responded by making waves as well. However, they didn’t know how to interpret those. They do not even know how to communicate with it. After Harey disappeared, the ocean stopped sending apparitions.<br />
<br />
The final scene shows that Snaut has decided to stay at the station and that Kelvin was waiting for a ship to pick him up. He still thinks about Harey and waited for her to return.<br />
<br />
<b>Analysis</b><br />
<br />
To analyze the novel Solaris, the following questions must be answered:<br />
1) What are the symbols used in the novel?<br />
2) What themes are explored in the novel?<br />
<br />
I. Symbolism<br />
The novel seems to have used a lot of symbols in the story. These are the melted tools, the studies on Solaris, the black woman apparition, the mimoids on the ocean and the planet itself.<br />
<br />
A.Melted Tools<br />
<br />
One of the symbols used are the melted tools that Kelvin found early in his exploration of the station. They were never explained in the book and there was no other mention of them later. It can be inferred that the tools symbolized the unknowable. Like Solaris, the melted tools cannot be explained. They are as alien as the planet itself.<br />
<br />
B. Studies on Solaris<br />
<br />
When Kelvin read the books detailing the researches on Solaris, he concluded that even after everything that was written, they still don’t know anything about the planet. It can be considered an attack on science that does not really explain anything. This perhaps reflects the author’s views on science fiction books which he said were “a joke.”<br />
<br />
C. The Black Woman Apparition<br />
<br />
The apparitions that followed the researchers in the station also point to meanings. The black woman who was Gibarian’s visitor show the stereotype given to the black woman. Kelvin described her as wearing a yellow skirt of plaited straw, with thick thighs and arms and enormous breasts. Kelvin considered her alien because she was a black woman. The author may have been taking a shot at how other authors have portrayed non-white peoples in other parts of the world.<br />
<br />
D. The Mimoids on the Ocean<br />
<br />
When Solaris was exposed to microwaves and brainwaves later in the novel, it conjured images on the ocean waves called mimoids. A researcher had discovered the phenomenon earlier and he claimed that the formations imitated objects that the ocean came into contact with. He even suggested that the mimoids might be a form of writing. This confirms the ocean’s ability to create replicas of the people the researchers knew and who were “haunting” them at the station. The problem however is that the scientists do not know what to make of the mimoids. If Solaris was trying to communicate with them, the effort is futile because they don’t know how to begin understanding each other.<br />
<br />
E. The Planet Itself<br />
<br />
The description of Solaris as a planet of a vast, alien ocean will remind the reader of the vast, unknowable universe. The researchers, although brilliant, were insignificant and so fragile compared to a planet that does not want to reveal its secrets. Solaris represents the universe that we still don’t understand. The scientists represent humanity as a whole. Despite advances in science and our collective history, we are just specks in the universe.<br />
<br />
<b>Themes</b><br />
<br />
I. The Identity and the Other<br />
<br />
The book challenges the reader to evaluate what Harey’s nature must have been. Sure, Harey was created by the ocean to test Kelvin, but Harey seemed just as human as the others. She was even horrified to find that she was a “monster” and not real. But her reaction, which seemed genuine, can make the reader pause. If Harey thinks she is not real, then who is she? Can she be considered the real Harey even if another Harey that Kelvin knew committed suicide?<br />
<br />
Even Kelvin himself gradually developed feelings for the Harey in Solaris even when he knew where she came from. If that is the case, then is his feelings for her also real?<br />
<br />
The appearance of these apparitions make the reader question what identity means. If Harey is just a replica of someone else, then why does everything seem genuine? Kelvin loved the Harey of old just as much as he loved the new Harey. The Harey of Solaris also loved Kelvin and is quite aware of her origins. If she was a mindless thing, then why was she horrified and even asked Snaut to destroy her?<br />
<br />
It also begs the reader to ask another question about the ocean. Is Harey part of the ocean or another separate, sentient being capable of loving, feeling hurt and experiencing loneliness?<br />
<br />
With Kelvin’s encounter with the supposedly dead Harey, the challenge of evaluating the nonhuman intelligence of the ocean suddenly becomes, for Kelvin, emotionally tangled.<br />
<br />
The researchers’, especially Kelvin’s, ideas about what constitutes a person is undermined.<br />
<br />
II. Memory and Reality<br />
<br />
When Kelvin developed feelings for the Harey on Solaris, the reader might also ask, is he in love with Harey or just the memory of Harey? Because the new Harey seemed so real, it is difficult to tell what Kelvin felt for her. Sure, she loved the old Harey but he also left her and that was why she committed suicide. Perhaps Kelvin felt guilty for her death. But that also is questionable because he sent the first apparition of Harey to space to try to kill her. If it was guilt he felt, then he should have been firm in his belief that the new Harey was just an imitation. At the end of the novel however he missed the new Harey and even went to the ocean to wait for her.<br />
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If he fell in love with the new Harey then that opens up more questions. Which version of Harey is more real to him? He loved the first but left her. He also tried to kill the second but when she disappeared, he waited for her. Her origin did not bother him anymore. Dreams in Solaris become reality. The planet examined the researchers and created for them what was the most precious or painful of their memories. There were also instances when Kelvin thought he was dreaming. He remembered falling asleep many times that he was no longer able to establish if he was awake or still sleeping.<br />
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<b>Conclusion</b><br />
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The novel challenges the reader to rethink the ideas of identity, memory and reality. It does not explain why the ocean conjured up those images for the researches and for what purpose. In the end, the humans gained nothing from their studies. Maybe it tried to torment the humans as a response of the experiment with the X-rays. Or maybe the experiment was able to communicate with the planet what the humans were trying to do and that the humans just did not know how to interpret the planet’s response. It can also be said that the planet may have been trying to make the researchers face their most painful and precious memories. If it was done to make them stronger or maybe give them another chance by creating a new reality, there is no definite answer. The novel leaves it to the reader to interpret what Solaris was trying to tell the humans.<br />
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It wasn’t clear if the planet tried to communicate with them and then decided to give up when it stopped creating apparitions at the end of the novel when Harey didn’t reappear. Perhaps it had given up or maybe it was toying with Kelvin’s feelings of longing and guilt by not letting him reunite with Harry.<br />
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If there is an important lesson imparted in the novel, it is that humanity’s understanding of the universe is so limited. The planet Solaris was able to expose the weakness of the supposedly brilliant minds. They were educated and intelligent indeed, but their knowledge was limited. They could not even come to terms with a sentient ocean. They even passed off the apparitions as ghosts, monsters or agents sent by the planet to attack them. It should serve as a reminder that in order to conquer the universe, an achievement always dreamed of by humanity, we need to rethink all our ideas beginning with ourselves.<br />
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The planet Solaris represented the unknowable universe. Our paltry knowledge about our origins and our supposed purpose of exploring space are so insignificant compared to what the entirety of the universe holds for us. The human society in Solaris was technologically advanced, but the humans were limited by their narrow views about intelligence, life and the meaning of the universe.<br />
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<b>Reference</b><br />
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Lem, Stanislaw. Solaris. MON, Walker (US), 1961.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-69883569838199359422017-01-11T11:02:00.001+08:002017-01-11T11:02:10.241+08:00Assassin's Creed (Movie)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When Callum Lynch saw his mother die at the hands of his father, his life was never the same again. Years later, Lynch is in death row and scheduled to be executed, but he woke up a facility in Madrid, Spain where a woman who introduced herself as Sophia Rikkin told him they needed his past to find an end to violence. Lynch does not know anything about the conflict of the Assassins and the Templars.</div>
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Aguilar de Nerha was an ancestor of Lynch believed to have been the last person to possess an Apple of Eden. He and other assassins were supposed to protect the Prince Ahmed of Granada from becoming a pawn by Tomas de Torquemada to force Sultan Muhammad XII to surrender the Apple.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Callum Lynch wakes up at Abstergo after he was executed</td></tr>
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The movie is a great addition to the Assassin’s Creed lore. I think it was a good idea that they created a new character instead of choosing one of the lead characters in the series. Fan service would have been good, but it’s a double-edged sword. Either the fans would like it or not, and I'm pretty sure there would be a lot of complaints.</div>
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One thing I enjoyed about the film was its focus on the modern Assassins and Templars. Though some of the arch was covered in the game series and other media, its relevance has almost ceased to exist when Desmond Miles died in AC III. Although I would have loved to see more action during the Spanish Inquisition period, I don’t see any merit in extending that sequence. The mission was quite clear to me. They did it justice by showing action-packed sequences blended seamlessly with Lynch synchronizing with Aguilar in the Animus.</div>
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There are a few points in the film however that made it less friendly to viewers without prior knowledge of the series. First, you can’t cram everything into two hours to explain everything about the series. They only covered a few important parts and didn’t even mention the conflict with the First Civilization. It did explain however how the animus was supposed to work. But first-timers will need to pay close attention to piece everything together. For gamers however, no new insight was given to how it works although the new model looks quite nice when you see how it’s supposed to work. Instead of explaining synchronization (like completing all the conditions in a mission) they showed how it’s done by letting Lynch act out the action sequences.</div>
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Lynch’s progress however mirrors Desmond’s experience with using the Animus. In fact, his capture and confinement was almost similar to Desmond's experience in the first game. He progressed quickly to experiencing the Bleeding Effect. The Apple of Eden was also explained although there’s still a lot of mystery to those objects. Those points stayed true to the game.</div>
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Beginners might also wonder about Sophia’s decision near the end of the film. The result however is not so different from the games. No wonder why some assassins become templars and vice versa.</div>
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If you’re already familiar with the lore however, you’d pay more attention to new things and finding Easter eggs. Pay close attention to the items on display in the background and the descriptions of the ancestors of some of the people confined in the facility.</div>
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In the end, you will come to realize that the conflict between the Assassins and Templars isn’t as simple as who gets to dominate the world. They have the same goals but different means, another point you’d come to realize while playing the game if you’re paying attention to more than just the assassinations.</div>
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There are so many more things I wanted the movie to show because it has only scratched the surface. But I enjoyed the ancestor sequences because they were able to squeeze in a lot of action. They showed that the Assassins were not the regular superheroes. They can make mistakes and pay with their lives. And that even Templars had noble missions and made statements that made sense.</div>
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I liked how they included a chariot chase (seems like Ubisoft loves this type of scene so much), the leap of faith (although they cut them too short), an escape scene just before they were burnt at the stake and an air assassination. One reason why the Prince of Persia movie failed for me is because they showed too little action sequences reminiscent of the game. Then again, Prince of Persia had a story that's pretty simple to explain. Assassin's Creed is a bit more complicated than that.</div>
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You can write off the series as shallow but it’s quite enjoyable for its historic references and beautiful settings. The movie is a great addition, no matter what the critics say. I think the production had newcomers in mind while shooting the film but I think it was made for fans. I’m hoping for a sequel that will surpass the first and tell us more about the modern world and maybe hint at what will happen with the issue of the First Civilization.</div>
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<b>Rating: 9 out of 10</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Directed by Justin Kurzel</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Producers: Jean-Julien Baronnet</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Gérard Guillemot</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Frank Marshall</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Patrick Crowley</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Michael Fassbender</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Conor McCaughan</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arnon Milchan</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Screenplay: Michael Lesslie</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Adam Cooper</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Music: Jed Kurzel</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cinematography: Adam Arkapaw</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Edited by<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Christopher Tellefsen</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cast:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Michael Fassbender as Callum Lynch and Aguilar de Nerha</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Marion Cotillard as Sophia Rikkin</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Jeremy Irons as Alan Rikkin</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Maria Labed as Maria</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Charlotte Rampling as Ellen Kaye</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Michelle Lin as Lin</span></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-88051326604812079302016-11-23T17:19:00.001+08:002016-11-23T17:25:45.043+08:00A Spotlight on Asian Epics<div style="text-align: justify;">
Most of the studies on folklore focus on European literature. But just as rich are Asian tales of deities, monsters and heroes. Let’s take a look at some of these.</div>
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The most well-known are the <b>Epic of Gilgamesh</b> which has two versions in Sumerian and Akkadian; <b>Mahabharata</b> by Veda Vyasa; the Persian epic<b> Shahnameh</b> by Ferdowsi; and <b>Ramayana</b> by Valmiki. Ramayana has different versions in the region including the Burmese version Yama Zatdaw, the Malay Hikayat Seri Rama, the Javanese Kakawin Ramayana and the Cambodian version Reamker.</div>
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To document all the epics of Asia would fill a book. I’ve picked some examples from each country below.</div>
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The<b> Book of Dede Korkut</b> is an epic of the Oghuz Turks or Turkomans. It is made up of twelve legends. The first story is about Boghach Khan, while the twelfth narrates the rebellion of the Outer Oghuz. Dede Korkut is supposed to be the narrator of these tales.</div>
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The<b> Epic of King Gesar</b>, is the epic cycle of the culture hero Gesar of the kingdom of Ling. The story is told in Tibet, Central Asia and Mongolia. His stories in Tibet are known as Drung. Gesar defeated the demons that surrounded his kingdom. Some believe that he is a manifestation of Padmasambhava.</div>
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The <b>Epic of Manas</b> is a trilogy of the Kyrgyz about the hero Manas and his descendants Seytek and Semetey. They fought to unite the different tribes of the Kyrgyz people against the Khitan and Oirat.</div>
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<b>Hei An Zhuan</b> or The Epic of Darkness is a compilation of stories from the Chinese Tang Dynasty. It is composed of eight manuscripts (at least those that have survived today). The tales include the creation of the universe, the world, and the humans. It was first compiled by Hu Chongjun.</div>
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<b>Heike Monogatari</b> or The Tale of the Heike is a Japanese account of the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans. The stories from the epic is compiled from different oral stories. The monks chanted these stories to the accompaniment of a biwa.</div>
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<b>Hikayat Hang Tuah</b> is a Malay epic of the warrior Hang Tuah and his four warrior friends Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir, and Hang Lekiu. Hang Tuah was a servant of the sultan and rose to a prominent position at the end of the epic.</div>
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<b>Jewang Ungi</b> by Yi Seung-hyu chronicles the history of Korea from Dangun to King Chungnyeol. Jewang Ungi means Songs of Emperors and Kings or Rhymed Chronicles of Emperors and Kings.</div>
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The <b>Jangar Epic</b> (or Janggar) of the Kalmyk people is about the hero Khan Jangar and his twelve warrior companions. This epic is told by chanters called Jangarqi throughout Mongolia, Russia and China. There are a lot of tales related to Jangar are collectively called an epic cycle.</div>
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<b>Kutune Shirka</b> is an epic of the Ainu. In Japanese it’s called Itadorimaru no Kyoku. The epic is about the protagonist who wields the magic sword kutune shirka from which the title of the epic is taken. He begins his adventure by catching a golden sea otter who had a bounty on its head. Kutune Shirka is a part of the yukar, the Ainu sagas.</div>
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<b>Olaging</b> or Ulahingan of the Manobo, a tribe in the Philippines, is one of the many Lumad epics in Mindanao. The epic has different versions and titles in other tribes related to the Manobo. It tells the story of the hero Agyu and his family. It’s a mythical historical account of the tribe’s conflicts and warfare. There are many more epics among the Lumad, ethnic tribes in Mindanao, besides Olaging.</div>
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<b>Panji Cycle</b> of East Java, Indonesia has different versions and is called by different names. It is part of a genre of shadow puppetry called wayang gedog. Panji Asmarabangun was supposed to marry the princess Candra Kirana who disappeared before the wedding. His search took him to four kingdoms and encountered many adversaries.</div>
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<b>Phra Aphai Mani</b> by Sunthorn Phu is an epic of Thailand. It is about Prince Aphai Mani’s love adventures. At first, he and his brother Sisuwan were sent away by their father to learn, but they came back disappointing him so they left again. He fell in love with four women (The Mermaid, Princess Suvarnamali, Princess Laweng and the Sea Giantess).</div>
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<b>Sang Sinxay</b> is a Lao epic by Pang Kham. Sinxay is the son of King Koutsaraj and the youngest daughter of the merchant Sethi. He is the twin of Sangthong, a golden snail. They were exiled by their father along with their half sibling from the eldest daughter of Sethi because they were monsters. In spite of that, they enlisted Sinxay’s help in the search for Soumantha, sister of Koutsaraj.</div>
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<b>Sureq Galigo</b> is an epic creation myth of the Bugis of South Sulawesi. It became well-known when it was adapted into a stage production I La Galigo. The lead characters of the story are siblings Sawerigading and We Tenriabeng.</div>
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<b>Taghribat Bani Hilal</b> or Sirat Abou Zeid Al Hilali is an Arabic epic of Banu Hilal’s journey from Najd to Tunisia. It was inspired by historical events based on Tunisia’s breaking away from the Fatimid Empire.</div>
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<b>Thao Hung</b> or Cheuang is a Lao epic, which has versions in both Lao and Northern Thai, tells about Thao Hung and the struggle of the Lao against the Dai Viet. He was a son of Khun Chomtham of the Suantan (Nakhong Kingdom). In the Northern Thai version his name is Thutiyawangsamalini or Phraya Cheung.</div>
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<b>Truyện Kiều </b>or The Tale of Kieu is a Vietnamese epic by Nguyen Du. It was based on the Chinese novel Kim Van Kieu. It’s about the life of Thuy Kieu who had to become a prostitute to save her father. Her sad life reflects the cruel society she lived in. Note that she is one of the four female lead characters of an epic included in this list.</div>
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The <b>Five Great Epics of Tamil</b> are the Cilappatikāram by Ilango Adigal, Manimekalai by Sithalai Sattanar, Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi by Tirutakkatevar, Valayapathi, and Kuṇṭalakēci by Naguthanar. Cilappatikāram is about Kannagi, Manimekalai is taken from the name of the lead character and Cīvaka Cintāmaṇi tells the story of Jivakan. All three are women. Valayapathi and Kuṇṭalakēci were named after their authors.</div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-43486280446528390422016-11-16T17:57:00.001+08:002016-11-16T17:57:28.027+08:00Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Developer: Ubisoft Montreal</div>
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Publisher: Ubisoft</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edward Kenway disguises as Duncan Walpole and meets the Templars who are looking for the Sage. The Templars use the excuse of cleaning out of pirates in the Caribbean while they search.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Research cubicle at Abstergo Entertainment</td></tr>
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The Story</div>
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Edward Kenway woke up to discover that he was shipwrecked near an island and that another survivor, the assassin they faced earlier, was with him. He claims that he needs to get to Havana and tried to negotiate with Edward. The assassin runs off and Edward chases the guy, later discovered to be Duncan Walpole. Edward kills Walpole then decided to take the latter’s place and meet the Templars at Havana. Walpole was a rogue Assassin working for the Templars.</div>
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Edward wasn’t aware however that the Assassins were also watching him. They knew about Walpole’s deceit but the Order was put in danger because of Edward’s involvement. He learns that the Templars were looking for the Sage and that they were only using the pretense of eradicating the pirates in Caribbean to aid the search.</div>
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As the piracy in the Caribbean grows to unprecedented levels, the pirate leaders want to establish a so-called Republic of Pirates that answer neither to the British nor the Spanish. Havana was largely controlled by the Spanish, Kingston by the British, while Nassau was influenced by the pirates.</div>
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The game features historical figures like Edward “Blackbeard” Thatch, Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny, Benjamin Hornigold and Charles Vane.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adewale and Edward. Adewala was rescued by Edward early in the game.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edward explores the wonders of the sea.</td></tr>
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The Gameplay</div>
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In the modern world, the player controls a new employee of Abstergo Entertainment. The employee is a research analyst. The player learns that the Animus is no longer needed to relive genetic memories.</div>
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While in the Animus, the player controls the father of Haytham Kenway and the grandfather of Ratonhnhaké:ton or Connor Kenway, Edward Kenway. Edward’s exploits is set in the 18th century Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean. Edward visits Havana, Kingston and Nassau.</div>
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Miscellaneous activities include hunting, harpooning, capturing forts, upgrading the hideout, completing naval contracts, collecting all the memories found throughout the office of Abstergo, crafting, trading, fighting ships, exploring shipwrecks, upgrading the Jackdaw and recruiting men, visiting taverns, playing board games, hunting Templars and looking for treasures. The treasures can be found in various locations on the map from sandbanks to villages.</div>
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The viewpoints serve as fast-travel locations. Once you synchronize, all the available items and missions are shown on the map. Additional weapons, more types of guns and swords are available. My favorite is the blowpipe. Combat-wise auto-aim is no longer used. Dual-wielding is also possible.</div>
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One of the best features of the game are the naval combats. Nearly half the game is spent on the waters. You can board and take ships. You can also choose to add them to your fleet, Edward’s Fleet if you don’t want them destroyed. The ship is upgraded by collecting items and accomplishing missions. The player can use the spyglass to examine a ship or an island. The ship now has more options for combat than in Assassin’s Creed III.</div>
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A notoriety system is also employed in the naval adventures much like when you walk around town when you’re wanted. Weather patterns also affect naval combat.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Left: Jack Rackham, Adewale, Edward, Blackbeard and a crew</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess who?</td></tr>
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I’ve never had so much fun exploring since Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. There were so many things to do and to discover. The naval combats alone took so much of my time. I didn’t even want to fast-travel because that would take away the enjoyment of fighting and boarding ships. This is the kind of game that could get addictive once you discover how fun it was to be a pirate.</div>
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I also enjoyed all the other features of the game like the side missions and collectibles. I easily spent more hours on side missions alone than continuing the main missions. I love that I was able to explore underwater too. The only thing I didn’t like was whaling. I’m not against the idea of introducing the activity in the game, after all it’s still happening today, unfortunately. I tried it once and never bothered again. I just don’t like the activity itself. If showing the player how cruel whaling was was one of their objectives, then it has served its purpose because it had that effect on me. I chose to purchase the needed items instead of obtaining them myself. I’m also a bit uneasy about hunting land animals so sometimes I bought supplies from shops when I needed them.</div>
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There were a lot of weapons to choose from, although I enjoyed naval combats more than fighting other characters.</div>
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The naval combats were the best part of the game. They were so fun that they were addictive. There was a whole week when I didn’t continue with the main missions because I’d rather go pirating.</div>
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And who could ignore the quality of the animation? They were able to capture the feeling whenever you’re near the water. On bright days, the water seemed hot to my eyes. They were even able to capture how the sunlight reflects on the water from different angles.</div>
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I was a lot more excited about the story unfolding in the modern world. Granted, the lives of pirates was interesting but I’m still heartbroken with Desmond’s death in AC III. I wanted to know what happened to his companions and his father. Plus hacking Abstergo’s files were fun. I enjoyed the puzzles a lot and being able to learn something more about Desmond also made me happy.</div>
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Edward was a fun character but he lacked that tragic aspect that made Ezio and Connor much easier to like.</div>
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What else can I say? I enjoyed this game immensely. That’s what really matters after all. It may have been lacking in the story but there were so many things I could do.</div>
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<b>Rating: 9 out of 10</b></div>
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Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-30129782302268296692016-11-14T17:36:00.002+08:002016-11-14T17:36:53.849+08:00Ajin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nagai Kei only hears about the Ajin in the news and during discussions in his biology class although they have been known to exist for 17 years since they were discovered in Africa. Considered dangerous because they cannot be killed easily, Kei develops a fear for them when he learned from his class teacher that Ajin are not human. He feels horrified at learning they were used for experiments.</div>
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In a freak accident while on his way home, Kei is hit by a truck. With a lot of eyewitnesses present, Kei realizes he wasn’t killed. He recovers fast, still covered in blood, and stands up to look at the people on the sidewalk. He announces to them that he isn’t an Ajin and runs away after stunning the audience with a scream.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kei just before he was hit by a truck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kei is pursued by authorities. Who will he turn to for help?</td></tr>
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Kei becomes the third Ajin to be discovered in Japan. A manhunt ensues led by the law enforcement and Tosaki Yuu, a government official of the Ministry of Health.</div>
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In this 13-episode series, Kei grapples with the dilemma that he isn’t human after all. No one in the world would be willing to help him. But is an Ajin really not human?</div>
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This type of series has been done before. Although not visually stunning, Ajin far surpasses both <i>Tokyo Ghoul</i> and <i>Kiseijuu: Sei no Kakuritsu</i> (Parasyte) when it comes to story-telling. It’s easier to like Kei than the protagonists of those two series mentioned. Kei isn’t overly emotional and is in fact cold and detached most of the time. That is also his strength, plus he’s a smart boy. There are no emotional strings to tie him down so his point of view doesn’t come with teenage issues about love and growing up and all that brouhaha. What’s even greater is that he doesn’t appear to have a love interest. That makes you wonder if being an Ajin comes with those qualities.</div>
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The 13-episode series didn’t give exact details about what an Ajin really is and what were the limits of Kei’s abilities. But in leaving some of the mystery unanswered it was able to focus on another important aspect of the story, something that <i>Tokyo Ghoul</i> wasn’t able to do---examine the psychological and emotional transformation of the character without overdoing it with theatric displays of anguish. <i>Tokyo Ghoul</i> only managed to isolate its lead character. A detached troubled being who doesn’t arouse any emotional sympathy because he was concerned only with his own hurts. Ajin brought down Kei to a more human level because he was able to speak to the audience through his fears, his weaknesses and his strengths. He was superhuman but he was still human.</div>
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The supporting cast is solid. Satou, another Ajin, was the most interesting of all. His motivations, which I will not spoil here, also examines an aspect ignored by the two series I mentioned---its effect on the society. The sequence of the action scenes were pretty exciting despite the quality of the animation.</div>
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If the animation alone is the problem and the reason to ignore this series, then you’re ignoring the best half of the series. The story more than makes up for the mediocre graphics. Besides, I’ve seen dozens of series with great animation but trashy stories and they don’t really make any difference overall. By the time I was engrossed with Ajin, the animation didn’t bother me anymore.</div>
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As an added bonus, Kei was voiced by Miyano Mamoru and the ending song was sung by him. Sometimes Kei reminds me of Light Yagami from Death Note. It’s only appropriate that both characters have the same voice actor. That should be enough to make you watch, right?</div>
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<b>Rating: 9 out of 10</b></div>
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Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-63859385777339006612016-11-14T16:42:00.000+08:002016-11-14T16:42:28.212+08:00Perdido Street Station by China Mieville<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Isaac Dan der Grimnebulin found a new exciting project when a Garuda named Yagharek asked him to make him fly again.</div>
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Isaac asked his friend Lemuel Pigeon to get word across the criminal underworld that he needed samples of species that can fly. It didn’t matter what it looked like.</div>
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Meanwhile, his girlfriend Lin, a khepri, was commissioned by a Mr. Motley to make a sculpture of his likeness. Lin was terrified when she got a good look at her new patron. Isaac doesn’t know about it and Lin was ignorant of Isaac’s research. Isaac unknowingly unleashed a terror in the city unheard of before. His rush to recapture an escaped specimen unearthed the city’s dirty secrets including sentient beings from unlikely places.</div>
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<a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/87/PerdidoStreetStation(1stEd).jpg/220px-PerdidoStreetStation(1stEd).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/87/PerdidoStreetStation(1stEd).jpg/220px-PerdidoStreetStation(1stEd).jpg" width="210" /></a>Set in the city of New Crobuzon, Perdido Street Station is the first of the three novels set in Bas-Lag. In Bas-Lag, thaumaturgy and steampunk technology exist side by side. It has blurred the lines of different genres including horror, fantasy and science fiction.</div>
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China Mieville’s writing is a treat for a jaded reader. I thought I’ve seen every possible innovation in the speculative fiction genre, but Perdido Street Station was a pleasant surprise. The story doesn’t have anything new to offer--careless scientist causes trouble---but the setting of the story is unusual.</div>
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It’s a beautiful read. The novel is lengthy, but the imagery, the stories and the characters made it all worthwhile.</div>
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<b>Rating: 9.5 out of 10</b></div>
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Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-69608282827301493222016-11-14T16:40:00.001+08:002016-11-14T16:40:12.753+08:00Durarara!!x2 Shou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This 12-episode sequel to Durarara!! features the same cast of characters and a few additions.</div>
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Celty Sturluson seems to have become a favorite target of the enforcers and the media following the chases. Apparently, there is a bounty on her head and the police were not the only ones looking for her.</div>
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The murders of a serial criminal named Hollywood is also a favorite subject by the media. The killer wears a different getup in every crime scene.</div>
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Ryuugamine Mikado is approached by a classmate who claims to know his connection to the Dollars. </div>
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Ikebukuro seemed peaceful six months after the events of the first season, but there is a lot going on in the background.</div>
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The series retained its signature storytelling which uses different perspectives from so many characters then tie them all up towards the end. It tried to replicate the pace and the intensity of the first season but it has failed in its job to keep me interested. They just added a few more characters that did not really make a splash.</div>
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<b>Rating: 5.5 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-60791407980765294972016-11-14T16:39:00.000+08:002016-11-14T16:39:52.315+08:00Minecraft<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.pushsquare.com/games/ps3/minecraft_playstation_3_edition/cover_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.pushsquare.com/games/ps3/minecraft_playstation_3_edition/cover_large.jpg" height="320" width="275" /></a></div>
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<i>Developer: Mojang</i></div>
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<i>Publishers: Mojang, Microsoft Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment</i></div>
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<i>Minecraft</i> has five game modes to choose from. These are Survival, Creative, Adventure, Spectator and Hardcore.</div>
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In Survival Mode, the player gathers blocks and builds to gain experience points as well as try to survive different physical dangers. He has a health bar, hunger bar, and armor level. You could die in Survival. In Creative Mode, the players cannot be attacked by creatures or be killed. Some unique items are available for crafting. Hardcore Mode is the same as Survival Mode but the difficulty level is harder. When the player dies he can be sent to the Spectator Mode, wherein you can’t interact with any object. In Adventure Mode, you cannot break or place blocks like in Creative and Survival Modes. You can interact with objects however.</div>
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The best way to experience the game is to pick Survival Mode. Survival has difficulty levels. I picked this one so I can create as well as fight the creatures. Survival Mode has several features that you can explore in the game. These are crafting, smelting, brewing, enchanting, and collecting items in your inventory.</div>
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It can be a single-player game with no specific goal or multiplayer, depending on your preference.</div>
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The health bar can lower when the player is hungry or injured. When you’re hungry, then of course you have to eat. If you have a house, you can build a stove where you can cook the foodstuffs you have gathered.</div>
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To create items and structures, you need to collect resources from anywhere in the map. Destroy blocks so you can collect them. Everything on the map is made of these blocks. Some blocks can be destroyed by specific materials.</div>
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The map has different biomes. Each area has flora and fauna specific to that terrain. There are also mountains, caves, bodies of water and forests. While you explore the map, you may encounter NPCs known as mobs like animals, villagers and other creatures. Some can be hostile. Some animals can be taken as pets and fenced like the wolf, horse, donkey, ocelot, mule and skeleton horse. The name of the dimension where the player spawns the first time is the Overworld.</div>
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There are also two other dimensions in the game, the Nether and the End, which can be accessed through portals.</div>
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There is a day and night cycle in the world. At night, there are more hostile creatures such as zombies, skeletons, spiders, and creepers. Mobs can be killed to acquire items.</div>
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(I played <i>Minecraft</i> on PS3 so it took me while to get used to the controls when building. I’ve had no other problems besides that slow, confusing start. I have not tried multiplayer or online so I can’t really comment on that. This short review is about my experience in Survival Mode.)</div>
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<i>Minecraft</i> was very addictive. It took me months to build a home with rooftop gardens but even that was not enough. There’s always something you want to add or another project you want to start. </div>
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For someone who spent most of her childhood building miniature houses, this was like a dream game for me. I was gonna pick Creative Mode initially but I figured a little challenge would be more welcome. It was confusing the first time I played. Even when I started with the Tutorial, I had two bad starts. The first time I was killed by a skeleton. I was trapped in a forest at night and didn’t know where to go. I also realized later that I should have picked a different site for my house. I built mine on the beach so when I started digging, a section of the beach collapsed because there was water underneath.</div>
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It’s a game that you master through experience. I don’t read manuals or tutorials so sometimes I had to redo projects when I realize I could have picked better materials.</div>
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It can be time-consuming. I don’t remember how many hours I spent in a cave the first time I found one. The more you learn about the types of materials you can create, the more reason to explore to gather items. For me it was a cycle. Whenever I finished a project, I always had another new idea. The only limit is your imagination. I could play from evening until morning and not know about it.</div>
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The graphics was not bad for my eyes. Some games trigger motion sickness when I try to look around, but<i> Minecraft</i>’s animation isn’t high definition so I could play for hours at a time.</div>
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<b>Rating: 9.5 out of 10</b></div>
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(Note: This review is long overdue. I've been busy the past few months so some of my latest game reviews are quite late.)</div>
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Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-72393932575711709202016-11-11T17:41:00.002+08:002016-11-11T17:41:16.905+08:00Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img1.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spire3/b320cf05482edabddc2737bd427acd041420480756_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img1.ak.crunchyroll.com/i/spire3/b320cf05482edabddc2737bd427acd041420480756_full.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE! Is a parody of the magical girl genre. Never has any series made me laugh at the concept alone. I was expecting a lot of funny scenes and most surely, the anime didn’t disappoint. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Naruko Io, Zaou Ryuu, Hakone Yumoto, Kinugawa Atsushi, Yufuin En and Wombat</td></tr>
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The Earth Defense Club of Binan High School had no activities whatsoever. The club members loved to chill out at the Kurotama onsen (bathhouse) owned by Hakone Yumoto. While discussing an ingredient used in oden, a creature that looks like a pink wombat falls into the water. He calls himself Wombat and said he wanted to protect Earth. The boys protested and when the commotion caught Yumoto’s attention he spotted Wombat and proceeded to cuddle him, much to Wombat’s horror.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawarayama Mangan-sensei passed out</td></tr>
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Wombat later takes control of the teacher Mr. Tawarayama and forms the five-man club. The boys suspected that the teacher had died and that Wombat had to be close by the body to keep it from decomposing.</div>
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Wombat showed them the five magical bracelets called Loveracets. Every time the bracelets glowed, it meant that trouble was nearby. They fought their first enemy with the guidance of Wombat, although they mostly disagreed.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Akoya "Chevalier Perlite" Gero, Kinshirou "Chevalier White" Kusatsu and Ibushi "Chevalier Argent" Arima </td></tr>
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Binan Koukou Chikyuu Bouei-bu LOVE! Has 12 episodes of fun. I could not stop laughing at their transformation sequence before every fight. Even the monsters they needed to defeat were funny. My most favorite episode is the one with a student obsessed with even numbers and splitting his chopsticks right. </div>
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The theme of their powers was love, a power that should overcome any negative energy coming from fellow students or their surroundings.</div>
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I think the humor worked for me because the situations weren’t senseless. The humor wasn’t forced but came naturally through the characters and the people they encountered. There is reality hidden underneath all the fun.</div>
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I know it’s not exactly a series that’s life changing but it was still fun. It wasn’t nonsense fun either because it was able to get its message across. It’s parody done right.</div>
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<b>Rating: 8 out of 10</b></div>
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Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-45883822805006252572016-11-11T17:01:00.000+08:002016-11-11T17:01:55.665+08:00Joker Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just before World War II began, the most powerful countries of the world were wary of each other's powers. One strategy to gather information is through sending spies. For such a purpose, Lieutenant Colonel Yuuki has created the D Agency to select and train the best. Applicants were screened through various tests. Those who survived were trained in various fields essential for their future missions.</div>
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To be effective spies, they must be able to blend into the background and convince people of who they are. First Lieutenant Sakuma was sent to D Agency for a mission. He describes the men as monsters because they were calm, cold and calculating.</div>
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The series has 12 episodes, each one about a different mission. The characters all look plain and almost indistinguishable, staying true to the series's objective of presenting Japan's ultimate spies.</div>
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The first thing that came to mind was that the characters all looked the same. Each still had a distinct feature but they were not remarkable when placed next to other characters. Not that that was an entirely bad idea. If each spy had distinctive hairstyles and eye color it would defeat the purpose of infiltrating different countries as a spy. The drawback however is that such a method makes it more difficult for the audience to remember the characters after watching the series.</div>
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The series is too short as well. There is no recall at all. Impressive though each story was, it's a pity you will easily forget the previous episode when you proceed to the next. It could easily surpass other anime of the same theme when it comes to storytelling and quality. Yet all of that is lost because everything happened so fast. It's not often that a historical fiction of this quality is made. I think the characterization and story-telling could have been improved. Except for Sakuma from the first episode, no one else stood out. All the other series of the genre I have seen so far were distorted and bent for purposes of attracting more viewers who are not particular about the details of history.</div>
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It had a lot of promise, especially because the impending Second World War served as a backdrop. The series was a wasted potential.</div>
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<b>Rating: 6.5 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-18593945646323501932016-11-10T16:53:00.003+08:002016-11-11T17:58:24.277+08:00Darksiders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Developer: Vigil Games</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Publisher: THQ</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Released on January 2010</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Darksiders is inspired by the idea of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse from the Book of John in which was stated that there were seven seals held by God. Opening the first four of these seals will bring out the harbingers of destruction, heralding the Last Judgment. These creatures ride horses of different colors and symbolize events leading to the Apocalypse. The four beings come out in the following order: Conquest (riding the white horse), War (red horse), Famine (black horse) and Death (pale horse). Collectively, they are called the Four Horsemen.</span></div>
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The Story</div>
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In Darksiders, the player takes on the role of War. The mythology behind the Four Horsemen is slightly different from the one in the Bible.</div>
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Heaven and Hell have been in a constant war with neither one gaining enough advantage to secure victory. Because of this stalemate, the Charred Council was created to serve as a bridge between the two factions. Its aim was to secure balance in the world. It was the Charred Council who created the Four Horsemen to serve them in times of disaster. The Horsemen will act as enforcers of the Council.</div>
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In time, a third party emerged---humans. Because humans were frail, the Seven Seals were created and will be broken only when the Endwar between Heaven and Hell begins.</div>
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When War appeared, he thought that the final battle has started but he learned from the angel Abaddon that the last seal has not been broken yet and that he was the only one of the Four Horsemen who arrived. The humans have all but vanished on the face of the earth.</div>
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The demon Straga killed Abaddon and defeated War. But War appeared before the Charred Council and was accused of starting the Endwar. The Horsemen were supposed to be neutral but the Council claimed that War is fighting for Hell. War insisted he had no hand in the disaster and he did not know why he was summoned even when the seventh seal is still intact. He asked the Charred Council to give him a chance to clear his name. The Council agreed to let War find the real perpetrators but he will lose all his power and will be bound to The Watcher. The Watcher will follow him closely but will only interfere, and even possesses the power to destroy him, if he forgets his mission.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><u>Gameplay</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i>Darksiders</i> is a third-person hack and slash game. War has physical and magical combat skills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The world, now destroyed by the premature war, is divided into several areas that can be visited later. Some areas become accessible only after War acquires certain weapons or abilities to unlock the passages. Once the area is unlocked, War can travel easily. Traveling involves hurdling environmental puzzles, fighting warriors both from Heaven and Hell, and collecting items like the artifacts. War has to climb, jump, swim and fly. War has a phantom horse named Ruin which he will be able to summon later on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Some fights can last longer because puzzles are incorporated in the chase.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">War replenishes his health and mana by absorbing souls from defeated enemies. The souls can also be used a currency when purchasing from Vulgrim.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">His main weapon is the Chaoseater but he can acquire other weapons later in the game, both melee and projectile weapons. Once the enemy has weakened, a prompt appears for a QTE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">His magic attacks are divided into four, namely; Affliction, Blade Geyser, Immolation and Stoneskin. Collectively, they are called Wrath powers. When unlocked, he can also use a form known as Chaos when the Chaos meter is filled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Items and upgrades are purchased from Vulgrim, a demon merchant recommended by the Charred Council. He appears in specific locations on the map that need to be unlocked. Later, he will also provide War a way to travel faster through the Serpent Holes. </span></div>
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<i>Darksiders</i> reminds me of <i>God of War</i> and <i>Dante’s Inferno</i>. All three have used elements in religion in creating the stories. In terms of gameplay, <i>Darksiders</i> was more fun overall because of the variety of obstacles I had to overcome to beat the game.</div>
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The puzzles were harder, the bosses were more difficult to beat and the map well-planned. I did not have to pass through an area once but I had to explore the nooks and crannies just so I would not miss anything. Some areas after all can only be opened later so it was easy to try to remember the map. I like how it maximized the use of the environment throughout the game, not a site you just pass through and forget. The puzzles in particular were fun because they were as challenging as those found in Prince of Persia.</div>
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I enjoyed fighting as well because of the variety of enemies I encountered. I had to cycle through all the weapons and magic abilities to find the right one, never relying on just one approach to attacking.</div>
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War was not exactly the type of character you’d remember even after you’re done playing. There was no emotional appeal and so I was not particularly attached to the story.</div>
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The music and graphics were both good. I like how the different environments were planned. I went through an abandoned human city, the desert, and a lake of fire.</div>
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Although it was obviously made in response to the success of the <i>God of War</i> franchise, Darksiders can stand on its own. When it felt alright spending hours playing a linear game like this, then it must be good. It’s such a shame that both the developer and publisher are now defunct (Nordic Games has acquired THQ and is now known as THQ Nordic) and they were not able to complete a series.</div>
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<b>Rating: 9 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-77269362261556325672016-11-09T17:17:00.000+08:002016-11-09T17:17:15.603+08:00Kimi no Na wa.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Miyamizu Mitsuha from Itomori is bored with her life. When she wakes up one day, everyone around her was weird, claiming she was acting silly the previous day. Clueless as to what they meant, Mistuha didn’t think there was anything wrong with her. </div>
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Tachibana Taki from Tokyo woke up feeling strange. He was quite sure he was a girl. His suspicion was confirmed when everything that he did that day seemed unusual. He realizes that he must be another person placed in the wrong body.</div>
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They got used to it eventually until one day the switch stopped. Taki tried to contact Mitsuha but he couldn’t so he decided to visit her hometown. His discovery rocked his world.</div>
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The story didn’t seem to have anything special. The only thing I looked forward to was how it was executed. Body switching isn’t new and so is tampering with time. Perhaps the last one was what has drawn a lot of fans. Kimi no Na wa used a different approach from what I sometimes read in science fiction, but it’s not something I’d gush over. Being a science fiction fan admittedly took the fun out of the movie for me. It’s not as complex to me as the others made it out to be. For this short review, I will look instead at the narrative and the animation.</div>
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The introduction didn’t have enough time to create characters with very distinct personalities but it was enough to set the mood. There was a portion in the movie showing parts of Mitsuha’s and Taki’s daily activities that showed they began to genuinely care about each other and are actually enjoying the body switch. It’s a formula for either a heartwarming or devastating ending.</div>
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I cannot question the quality of the animation and sound. Shinkai Makoto has been recognized in those departments. I had misgivings about his other films so I was skeptical of this one (I don’t care if you hate me for that statement).</div>
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I initially had an issue about the paradox created by the different timelines of Mitsuha and Taki. But I guess you could cancel out the problems with the appearance of the Kuchikamizake.</div>
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Overall, it was a good film though I would not rank it among the best I’ve seen. The story has an emotional draw and the animation is beautiful. It didn’t have the wow factor I was looking for. The story didn’t shock or sadden me and the lead characters were generic. The pace towards the end was good and I was excited for a while until I started questioning the mechanism. It’s one of those movies which results in divided opinions.</div>
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<b>Rating: 8 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-61759762833744878262016-11-09T16:28:00.001+08:002016-11-09T16:28:12.288+08:00Orange<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Takamiya Naho received a letter ten years from the future. What was even more uncanny was that she wrote the letter for herself. There were instructions in the letter about saving a transfer student named Naruse Kakeru.</div>
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At first she didn’t believe it. The Naho from the future expressed her regret of failing to do a lot of things and for not making the right decisions. The letter tells the young Naho to do her best to make Naruse happy. She found out how important the message was when she read that Naruse would no longer be around ten years from now.</div>
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Orange is a sad tale of friendship, loss and young love. It takes the character type of Naruse, a lead male character who has a painful past, even further. It explored the helplessness of depression, a psychological illness greatly misunderstood by most people. Naho on the other hand does not have qualities that set her apart from other lead female characters of the romance genre.</div>
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The idea of altering the past is not a new approach to storytelling but it was still refreshing considering how it’s rarely used in romance. I like that it didn’t dwell much on the mechanism of time travel because it did away with the trouble of explaining how it works (it’s not the focus of the story after all). Instead it highlighted the emotional and psychological impact on the characters from the past and the future. I was skeptic about the paradox created by such an idea but I was given a satisfying answer (well, more like I came up with the solutions myself) towards the end.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left back: Hagita Saku, Chino Takako, Suwa<br />From left botton: Naho, Naruse and Murasaka Azusa</td></tr>
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The implications of changing the past can be both painful and inspiring. When one gains something, someone loses. It can’t be an even exchange. That I think was what had drawn me to the series.</div>
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This 13-episode series is not exactly the best I’ve seen but Naruse’s character was the best portrayal of a person suffering depression and anxiety. It’s a subject that has been misinterpreted and avoided in media. Some portrayals are simply insulting and the so-called depressed characters are just sulky in general. Naruse is the best example I’ve seen so far. It won’t surprise me if viewers cannot sympathize with him. The depressed are usually so deep into their condition that reaching out will take a lot of effort on the part of friends and loved ones. What seems stubborn and overreaction is almost exactly what happens when a depressed person reacts. Bravo for that!</div>
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The effect of changing the past might be able to help Naruse but another character, Suwa Hiroto, also has to make a painful choice. I believe in giving love a chance so I was also rooting for Naruse. But sacrificing someone’s happiness is something I wouldn’t want anyone to do so I feel Suwa’s pain. I will leave it up to you to decide if it’s unfair for Suwa or if it’s a valiant move. That is the appeal of the series after all.</div>
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<b>Rating: 8 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-28109992512892762462016-11-09T16:14:00.000+08:002016-11-09T16:14:35.085+08:00Noragami Aragoto<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The sequel of Noragami introduces new characters and a new complication in Yato and Iki Hiyori’s relationship. Yukine is now at peace with his role as Yato’s Regalia and they have become close friends and companions. However, Yato is still poor and struggling. Despite that, Hiyori refuses to leave Yato’s side even if the others have advised her to have her soul fixed. The danger of severing her soul is still present.</div>
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In the previous season, Bishamon was introduced as a deity who held a grudge against Yato. In Noragami Aragoto, that past is explored as it was revealed that Yato made a terrible crime. There were hints about Yato’s dark past in the prequel, but it was not until Bishamon decided to go for a full pursuit that Yato’s sins were exposed. Bishamon had a problem with one of her Regalia, similar to what happened to Yato and Yukine earlier.</div>
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Will they be able to stop Bishamon? How will Hiyori react? And what other forces are after Yato?</div>
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In my review of the first season, I complained about the lack of purpose of the series. It focused too much on the relationship of Yato, Hiyori and Yukine. Now that that is out of the way, this 13-episode series has shown a lot of potential. I like the humor even more instead of being distracted.</div>
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It incorporates mythology and religion in the story. The direction of the narrative is much clearer to me now because Yato has more stories to tell. I enjoyed the fight scenes as well. It’s interesting how the creator interpreted divine power and punishment. As a mythology fan, I approve of its approach to magic and the idea of godhood. Yukine’s devotion to her friends is both touching and frightening because of the inherent danger.</div>
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<b>Rating: 9.5 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-78238716131516464812016-11-08T17:40:00.001+08:002016-11-08T17:40:10.749+08:00Rokka no Yuusha<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the rise of the Demon God, it was prophesied that six heroes called the Braves of the Six Flowers will rise to meet the challenge. They are chosen by the Goddess of Fate and given a mark to distinguish them from other people.</div>
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You cannot wish to become a Brave but that did not stop Adlet Mayer from wanting to be among the chosen. He proclaims himself as the strongest man in the world. When he was captured and detained after interrupting a competition between two warriors, he met Princess Nashetania who claimed she is one of the Braves. Adlet was chosen as a Brave that night while in detention when a mark appeared on his body. They travel together.</div>
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On their journey they heard tales about the Brave killer on the loose. They meet Flamie who was revealed to be the Brave killer by the knight Goldov, Nashetanya’s sworn protector. Flamie wanted to fight the Demon God herself, being a Brave as well, but Adlet was relentless in convincing her that they should all travel as a group</div>
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They meet three more people who claim to be Braves. Chamo is a Saint of Swamps with a peculiar fighting ability. Mora is the Saint of Mountains, a formidable woman who speaks her mind. Hans is an assassin who acts like a cat.</div>
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All the Braves have met at last, but there were seven of them. The legends said there would be six, so one of them is pretending to be a Brave. The story shifts to the mystery of finding the seventh member. Adlet was the natural suspect. He had to flee to save his life and somehow find a way to convince the others that he wasn’t the liar.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Goldov, Nashetanya, Chamo, Adlet, Mora, Flamie and Hans</td></tr>
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Rokka no Yuusha is a mystery series masquerading as an adventure story. The sudden shift in the focus of the story was so obvious that it was a different, though not unpleasant, experience for me. I like this new approach to the over saturated mystery genre. I didn’t read the synopsis of this 12-episode series so I got a nice surprise.</div>
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The tension leading up to the final confrontation was done nicely. Adlet was trapped slowly in a net of suspicion and mistrust nearly without an escape. The pace of the narrative went from slow to fast as soon as the seven Braves met. It was almost like reading a well-written suspense short story inspired by Poe. There were intense moments interspersed with the dialogues that seemed well-planned overall. I’m not sure if it was intentional but the narrative of this series is one of the best planned that I have watched.</div>
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Jaded mystery fans might find the series interesting. You can even finish the series in one day because it’s that good. I don’t think it was mostly just figuring out who the seventh member was (because I already had a good idea who it was) but it focused on the characters’s abilities to take advantage of situations. Adlet didn’t have the subtlety that everyone else seemed to have so he fell into the trap so easily.</div>
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<b>Rating: 9 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-83044605538962822882016-11-08T16:41:00.005+08:002016-11-08T16:41:41.954+08:00Aoharu x Kikanjuu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QzO6xb3_xcIeL772sPueGzFSNeA5qQCde5jHaK8huHack3SsSPxmh2CHoJKWcpHEEqGL27o36_lRoMqn6XrOl2XTmYiWPCpXCyvB1S9Pym1AVgtEKc2BuE9_aIzMxRBmR_aNrw/s1600/aoharuxkikanjuu01.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QzO6xb3_xcIeL772sPueGzFSNeA5qQCde5jHaK8huHack3SsSPxmh2CHoJKWcpHEEqGL27o36_lRoMqn6XrOl2XTmYiWPCpXCyvB1S9Pym1AVgtEKc2BuE9_aIzMxRBmR_aNrw/s320/aoharuxkikanjuu01.webp" width="217" /></a></div>
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Tachibana Hotaru believes in fighting for the right. As the high school Student Council President she believes it is part of her duty to protect the weak from bullies and malcontents. She is sometimes mistaken as a boy because of her short hair and demeanor. It was therefore not surprising that she wanted to avenge her best friend Kanae when she was conned by a host. Hotaru looked for the host Matsuoka Masamune. She was challenged by Masamune to a survival game.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tachibana Hotaru</td></tr>
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Hotaru lost when she took a bullet from a toy gun so she was forced to join Masamune’s team Toy Gun Gun to pay the damages in the host club during the confrontation. She was introduced to the other member Yukimura Tooru, an erotic mangaka, who at first refused to accept her. When they won for the first time together, Yukimura relented and accepted Hotaru as a member.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matsuoka Masamune</td></tr>
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Hotaru didn’t think so badly about the survival game anymore. In fact she was starting to enjoy it. Toy Gun Gun was invited for a special tournament when they received a black envelop. But this is the start of troubles to come. Hotaru will be entangled in Masamune’s and Yuuki’s past where her sense of justice will be put to the test. Futhermore, she learns that Toy Gun Gun wasn’t supposed to take in a female member, but Masamune and Yuuki both think she’s a guy.</div>
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I enjoyed this 12-episode series for its humor and action. Hotaru’s antics were so fun to watch. She wasn’t a girl to be stepped on.</div>
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The series was also able to squeeze as much action as well because its highlight were the survival games. There were a lot of things to look forward to besides the result of the competitions. Will Hotaru improve and become the best in the game? Will Masamune and Yuuki finally discover that she’s a girl and still accept her? Will they be able to beat their worst enemy?</div>
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There were also hints of a budding romance between the characters. It was funny how Masamune reacted as he became close friends with Hotaru and developed feelings for her all the while thinking she’s a boy. I wish a TV series sequel is possible. Although masked as a boy, Hotaru is one badass female. She’s neither cute nor a vixen so I can easily identify with her as a normal girl with interesting hobbies. Seeing her enjoy the game made me remember that feeling I experienced when I played a shooter for the first time. Masamune and Yuuki were fun to watch as well.</div>
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If the mechanics of the survival game seems different from real life, remember that it’s fictionalized. Sports anime are still able to pull it off despite the exaggeration and superhuman feats. Nit-picking about the details of the survival game shows you don’t understand the purpose of fiction at all. Aoharu X Kikanjuu was fun and there were no boring moments.</div>
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<b>Rating: 9 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-84067611485990744372016-11-07T16:58:00.000+08:002016-11-07T16:58:52.068+08:00Fall of Light by Steven Erikson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This second installment of the <i>Kharkanas Trilogy</i> explores the effects of Draconus’s gift to Mother Dark. In particular, it delves further into the emotional torture brought about by war, a war that began because of one man’s love.</div>
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Kurald Galain is in the throes of a civil war. Anomander Rake leaves Kharkanas to seek for his brother Andarist who is still mourning the brutal murder of his betrothed. Silchas Ruin tries to shoulder the responsibility left by his older brothers by gathering the Houseblades of the noble families and recreate the Hust Legion. But will this be enough to stop Vatha Urusander’s Legion led by Hunn Raal? Rall wants Urusander to marry Mother Dark to depose Draconus. Moreover, those opposing Mother Dark’s power found an ally in the former high priestess Syntara who is forming the Cult of Light.</div>
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Meanwhile, Hood gathers an army to fight Death. The Jaghut, Jheck, Dog-Runners, and Toblakai and those seeking for answers join Hood. Magic is also bleeding unchecked into the world. K’rul and Skillen Droe set out to heal the wounds where this terrible sorcery came from but they were not the only entities out to seek these untamed powers.</div>
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In Forge of Darkness (first book in the trilogy), Erikson went a step further by exploring the human psyche as it was affected by love, war, violence and jealousy. If it is possible to go up another notch, Erikson has done that in Fall of Light. Every character seemed intent on pouring his or her heart out. If you’re into this type of narrative, I think you’ll get a full treat. But for those who are looking for action, the book starts with a slow pace at the first half. It picks up gradually towards the end just before the battle between Silchas Ruin’s gathered forces and Urusander’s Legion. It all would have been worth it if he did not choose to gloss over that battle though.</div>
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I would not have minded if all the characters were philosophers-wannabe, but it lacked the quality and variation that distinguished the <i>Malazan Book of the Fallen</i> series from others in the genre. It was like listening to the same problem over and over again, although Erikson still does this better than most other writers who have attempted this. I wish it was spread out evenly throughout the book but I guess it was his intention to begin with that pace. I did not have to know what every character thought. He could have picked evenly from among the characters and did not decide to give everyone a chance to speak.</div>
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If you’re reading the series to gain more information, the book has plenty of easter eggs. There are some light moments in the book, which I’m glad was interspersed between the monotonous droning of some characters. I still enjoyed the book despite my misgivings. The only real problem I had was the last fight. I was looking forward to it because he was building up to that last scene slowly.</div>
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Once again, Erikson proves that he’s the best in the high fantasy genre. He’s quite ahead above the others when it comes to storytelling and world-building.</div>
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<b>Rating: 8 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-30667283591789473392016-11-07T16:10:00.002+08:002016-11-08T16:42:44.240+08:00Ping Pong The Animation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Childhood best friends Tsukimoto Makoto and Hoshino Yutaka have a passion for table tennis. Tsukimoto is nicknamed Smile, the complete opposite of his cool and calm personality. Hoshino or Peko on the other hand is carefree and confident. The coach of the Katase High School table tennis team, Koizumi “Butterfly Joe” Jou, took an interest in the unpolished talent of Smile. Smile was not interested however. He just wants to play but has no dreams of doing competitive table tennis. Butterfly Joe was able to convince Smile later on and a lot players and coaches looked forward to matches with him. Peko slowly faded into the background although he initially started as the best player in the Katase team. His nonchalant attitude towards training and competition resulted in a loss against the Chinese student Kong Wenge. Instead of training harder, Peko decided to spend his time eating junk food and skipping practice matches.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsukimoto "Smile" Makoto with coach Koizumi Jou</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kazam Ryuuichi</td></tr>
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While the story seems to revolve on Smile overcoming his psychological barrier, his attitude was revealed to have stemmed from an event in the past. His love for the game was connected to his best friend Peco’s passion for table tennis.</div>
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The series was able to show how it was like for the talented and passionate players to lose and then find the courage to keep going. The effect of the intense competition goes beyond just numbers and spectacular moves, like most sports anime series focus on. It was not about techniques or the desire to win in the nationals alone. It was about the losers and winners. A naturally talented athlete like Peko is contrasted with Smile who works harder than his best friend. At first it seemed that Peko was jealous of his best friend, but the silent competition changed both boys for the better. It’s touching because they brought the athletes down to a level where I can understand their feelings. They were not superhumans with amazing abilities only found in fiction. That was what made the ending even more touching.</div>
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If you’re looking for a different approach to sports, I recommend this 11-episode series. Not only is it a treat for the eyes because of the beautiful animation, but the characters are unforgettable as well.</div>
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<b>Rating: 9.5 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-35309757006055097702016-11-02T17:45:00.000+08:002016-11-02T17:45:00.822+08:00Thank You Tim Duncan!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s been months since Tim Duncan announced his retirement this year. As you may have guessed I have been avoiding the subject for a long time (look at the date of the last article I posted on this blog). When I watched the San Antonio Spurs play on opening night for the 2016-2017 season, I was not sure how I felt. With Tim gone, I did not have a reason to keep watching. And yet, not watching would also mean an insult to what he had built for 19 years. The team is still a top competitor, although it gets more attention now than it used to when Tim was still at his best. I feel both sad and grateful. Sad because it took years and then a heartbreaking loss in 2013 for Tim to be recognized. Yes, he had multiple awards in the past, but he was snubbed and even dubbed the most boring superstar. The recognition came in so late. I am happy because he had built a foundation of winning that has rubbed off on the younger roster. I am glad we have a Kawhi Leonard but I’m not sure if he’d stick to the Spurs like Tim did. Tim was the Spurs. He was the reason I kept watching even when the league slowly became a more commercialized sports media where timid players who hated the spotlight don’t shine at all no matter how talented. I am relieved that Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are still around. I have watched them throughout their NBA careers (I was five years late for Tim) so if they decide to retire too, I’d probably feel the same. I’m scared too that I’m seeing a new team in the Spurs. They still haven’t lost their signature defense and passing but there’s one familiar spot that is now missing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m not very athletic myself though I have competed in table tennis when I was younger and I danced for several occasions. If you ask me to play one-on-one basketball, you’d easily beat me. It was Tim who lit my interest in basketball when I was 14. Before Tim, I was a fan of the local basketball league in my country so I’m not entirely ignorant about the game. In grade school I was a fan of Benjie Paras, another big man. But I was too young then and I did not pay attention to a lot of details. I was most excited during the finals but I ignored regular games (hey, a kid has to do other things too besides watch TV).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I saw a guy wearing a Tim Duncan jersey in the music video It’s Going Down by The X-Ecutioners featuring Wayne Static, Mike Shinoda and Mr. Hahn. I must admit I have never heard of the Spurs then. The jersey looked really cool because of the colors and the logo, something different from the usual NBA jerseys I see. I wanted to know who that Duncan was and why was that guy wearing his jersey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first time I watched Tim play was in the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs in 2002 several days after my 14th birthday. I was scanning through different channels on the television because I was bored. Then I saw familiar jerseys running around against egg yellow jerseys. I called my sister and said I found the Spurs. They were down 2-1 against the Los Angeles Lakers in that series. I did not care about Kobe or Shaq. I was intrigued by the player wearing number 21 in the other team. Hell, I did not care that they were losing. The tall guy looked so graceful. His defense was effective and he was even one of the best big man passers in the league. They lost that game by the way and were eliminated in the Playoffs. I did not care at all. I found a reason to watch the next season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My sisters and I vowed we would watch the first Spurs game on TV next time. But before that, we researched and watched other basketball games on television. Where the hell was Duncan? We could not even find a lot of articles about him. He was rarely featured in sports segments too. Wasn’t he the 2002 regular season MVP? That’s when I learned how elusive Tim was to the media. Oh, I liked the guy even more. Contrary to the superstar athletes who make it a point to tell everyone almost everything, Tim was a private person. So how would I get news about him? I bought magazines to research about his career. Even before the 2003 season began, I already had posters of Tim. During offseason I watched the World Basketball Championship or FIBA World Championship. Yugoslavia and Argentina played in the finals. That was the first time I saw Manu Ginobili. When it was announced in the news that he was joining the Spurs, I was so happy because I knew they got a great player.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2003 was a great year for the Spurs and for new fans like myself. Tim became a back-to-back MVP and the Spurs won the championship against New Jersey Nets for what was David Robinson’s farewell season. Even after that great season though, people talked about how Tim did not deserve the MVP; that he was still boring and he would not do as well without Robinson next time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But Parker and Ginobili blossomed into superstars. In 2005 and 2007, they won championships together and became known as the Big Three. The 2005 Finals was the most intense series I have ever watched. Anyone who considers himself a basketball lover would have appreciated the battle of two of the best defensive teams in the league. Both the Spurs and the Detroit Pistons were the only teams to have dismantled the Lakers, and yet as expected, no one wanted to watch. It was like everyone ignored the downfall of the superstar team. In 2007, LeBron James arrived in the league with so much hype. Although he was quite deserving of the accolades, I did not understand how people were saying the Cleveland Cavaliers might beat the boring Spurs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After that came the long years of waiting and hoping. I never gave up. I stayed with them. Although there were a lot of exciting talents in the league, no one else was like Tim. I stayed with the Spurs no matter how many times I read or heard that they were old and washed up. It was even difficult to get Spurs merchandise in my country. There were years I refused to watch the Playoffs and the Finals when they were eliminated. Even expecting a good spot at the All-Star was not something I looked forward to because I know Tim would be the least of their concerns when covering the events. But I took what was handed to me. If there was a chance that I’d get to watch them on TV I’d stay up late or put off what I was doing. I even watch the replay of losing games in the Playoffs just so I could see them until they were eliminated. I did not care. I took the heartbreak and the joys. The more they were ignored, the more I supported them. I think it’s also part of the reason why I did not choose to cheer for other teams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over the years, it became easier to read news online about the Spurs. I could also talk to fans from other parts of the world and share our love for the team. Tim was still elusive but at least I had more photos and articles about the Spurs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When Kawhi Leonard came to the Spurs, I thought he’d be just like any other rookie. But she showed promise. His personality also reminded me of someone. Hey, maybe the Spurs found another Tim. His play style is a lot different but yes, he does seem like another Tim, albeit a quieter version of Tim. The younger players provided me hope. Maybe Tim will get another shot at the title before he retires. They always had the chance after all. Throughout his career, the Spurs were always in the Playoffs, something not every superstar can brag about. When they finally reached the Finals in 2013 after 7 years I was thrilled and also fearful. I knew that LeBron was way better than when the Spurs beat his team in 2007. My Spurs were composed of veterans and young alike, but would that be enough against a super team? I was scared that it might be Tim’s last series. Although they eventually lost that Finals, the first time the Spurs lost in a Finals series, they gained the long-overdue respect from basketball fans everywhere. They saw how Tim worked. They saw how his leadership and composure has rubbed off on his teammates. They were not troublemakers and trash-talkers out to get good photo angles for dunk shots. Almost everyone called them a classy team.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was impressed with their performance. No one expected that they could give Miami Heat a hard time. They had to earn that trophy. They had to fight through 7 games.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was a heartbreaking loss though. I cried after games 6 and 7. Especially after game 7. Seeing Tim work so hard after game 6 was something I could not take off my mind for months. There were so many questions after that too. Will they disband? Will Tim and Manu retire? Will coach Pop be fired? It did not help in my recovery at all. So it was like being raised from the dead when I heard that no major changes will be made in the team. Tim and Manu stayed and it looked like they were going to recover.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2014 was a journey to redemption. The regular season went by so fast. It was like a prelude to the twilight of Tim’s career. The younger guys put up excellent numbers. Tim provided reliable support but he was no longer the go-to guy. It was still heartbreaking but I’m glad that there is an assurance that he will leave the Spurs still a competitive team. The journey to the 2014 Finals seemed so easy. Their frustration became their fuel. Spurs fans like me did not worry about the regular season or the Playoffs. We knew we were going to get to the Finals because we had something to prove. The competition was not as intense as the previous year. Spurs won easily (and it was slightly disappointing). They wowed everyone with their passing and defense. Their passes in particular looked like poetry in motion, something that other fans have ignored for years but are now starting to appreciate. Yes, it has been one of the team’s strengths for years. Their defensive plays as well. But a key to all that is Tim. I sometimes forget that he has not won the Defensive Player of the Year award despite being named to the NBA ALL-defensive teams several times. With that win in 2014, Tim became the only player to have won at least one championship in three different decades.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His last Playoffs game in 2016 was very difficult for me. No one knew what he was planning except perhaps for his coaches and teammates. When my sister kept telling me it might be his last game, I was trying not to cry. He could still play another year if he wanted. The team was in good shape and he does not have to play as many minutes as he used to. It was a very Tim way to retire without the farewell tour and the spotlight.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I respect him for his decision even if it broke my heart. It’s going to be more difficult now to find news about him and I will miss voting religiously for an All-Star spot. I will miss watching him play. I’ll miss staying up late at night to watch replays of games I have missed or wake up early to watch him on television live. There are so many things I wish I could have done. I wish I had the opportunity to watch one of his games in person. I wish I had more merchandise. I wish I watched more games.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I will be forever thankful though for what he has done for me. I am a complete stranger to him but he has touched my life, and I’m sure many Tim fans feel the same way. I’m sure his teammates, coaches and other players will miss him more. He was part of my turbulent teenage years. I watched his joys and sorrows while I struggled through college and got a job. He was one of my favorite topics among friends and family. He was even one of my favorite subjects whenever I draw or paint. His strong character inspired me. It’s like losing a friend or family member now that I can’t see him play anymore. But I am thankful for everything that he has done. I hope he is happy with his great contributions to the sport and with the inspiration he provided for the fans. I hope is he happy with his friends and his family. I hope to see him till he grows old and have grandkids. Maybe one day I’ll get to meet him and ask for an autograph and have a photo together. I wish him the best. He deserves happiness for all that he has given to fans like me. Thank you for the tears and smiles. Thank you for the funny commercials you were in and for being in that Tony Parker music video that made me giggle. Thank you for staying with the Spurs. Thank you for being a model of a class athlete. Thank you and see you around, big man!</span></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-4807498506590690922016-04-11T18:15:00.000+08:002016-04-11T18:15:27.955+08:00Dear Boys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Mizuho High School men's basketball team was non-existent when Aikawa Kazuhiko transfered from Tendouji High. Mizuho had only four members in the team after the previous coach left when he was attacked by one of the players, Fujiwara Takumi. The team was banned from competing in any tournament for a year as a consequence.</div>
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Aikawa's persistence gave hope to the four remaining players Fujiwara, Miura Ranmanru, Ishii Tsutomu and Dobashi Kenji. They would have to face opposition from school officials however who are wary of another embarrassing incident. But Aikawa was not just a good player. He was rumored to be a genius and can jump higher than most people. Perhaps there is hope yet to redeem the basketball club's image.</div>
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Mizuho boys' basketball team would have to overcome personal issues, face confrontations from hurt upperclassmen and most especially endure the ridicule of other teams. Mizuho now has five players but they are inexperienced, undermanned and untrained. They want a shot at the national tournaments but the journey is far more difficult than they anticipated.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aikawa Kazuhiko transfers to Mizuho High School</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Dobashi Kenji, Ishii Tsutomu, Fujiwara Takumi, Miura Ranmaru and Aikawa Kazuhiko</td></tr>
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For most sports anime, going to the national tournament is the foremost goal. Dear Boys has a different problem at the outset---they don't have a team. This 26-episode series focuses on Mizuho High School's boys' basketball team's struggle to understand themselves and the new team. A promising player in Aikawa comes to their rescue but even with such a player, a five-man team sounds ridiculous. The story now shifts from personal issues among members to consequences of a physically-taxing mission. Talented as they are, they always have that one weakness that other teams will exploit.</div>
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There is also some hint at romance in this series. Most sports anime I've seen so far do not emphasize the role of females especially if the series is about a male sports team. Consequently, there's little focus on romance. If you want a little variety, you might enjoy this distraction. Furthermore, Mizuho's girls' basketball team is also given importance, something you don't see often.</div>
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The animation isn't among the best. Some angles look off especially during matches. There are also instances that make you question the mangaka's knowledge of basketball.</div>
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Some matches take a few episodes to complete. There were match-ups that could have been shortened though. The drama in every match is almost predictable as well. </div>
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The story is still something to look forward to however. After all, who wouldn't want to know the fate of a five-man basketball team trying to get to the nationals?</div>
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<b>Rating: 6.5 out of 10</b></div>
Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37802990.post-20656599912007780782016-04-11T17:17:00.003+08:002016-04-11T17:17:38.474+08:00Dancer's Lament by Ian C. Esslemont<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/malazan/images/a/ab/Dancer's_Lament_cover.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160117092946" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/malazan/images/a/ab/Dancer's_Lament_cover.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160117092946" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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Set in Li Heng, this first installment of the Path to Ascendancy series follows the story of Dorin Rav, an ambitious young assassin, who is stumped by an elusive young mage proving to be an annoyance. An earthquake in the Seti Plains exposed a cave and Dorin wanted to be the first to discover its secrets. To his dismay, he learned someone has been lurking about in the shadows. No one has ever beaten him yet until now. He watched for a time, waiting for the person to appear. When he finally got inside the cave he found that it was occupied by a talking corpse and a monkey-looking thing. To Dorin's surprise, the person he was following was just standing behind him. A young Dal Honese mage, Wu, who professed he was the one following Dorin. When they got out of the structure, the mage Wu suddenly disappeared. Since then, Dorin called the mage his rival and vowed he would find and eliminate him. </div>
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Li Heng is ruled by a mage known as Protectress who has a cabal of five. Li Heng has been relatively peaceful despite the prominence of gangs, but Silk is worried for the Protectress Shalmanat. Strange events are happening and even stranger people are showing up. The cult of Hood for example, long outlawed in Li Heng, are gathering new believers. Foremost among their worries however are the rumors that Itko Kan and its king, Chulalorn the Third, are marching.</div>
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Iko's first impression of the city was disappointment. A member of Itko Kan's Sword-Dancers, she and her sisters were sent on a political mission to the Protectress to escort a diplomat who will deliver terms to Li Heng. Her time at the palace grounds however proved to be fruitless. What's more, her sisters have become obsessed with rivalries and gossips among themselves. Iko did not want to be involved in any of that, but as a result she has isolated herself. </div>
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Meanwhile, Dorin's obsession at capturing Wu is proving difficult. Dorin is used to working alone but he could not find Wu that way. He decided that he has to gain a reputation in the city and involve himself with the local gangs. His arrogance however might attract the attention of people more skilled and experienced than him.</div>
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Dancer's Lament is Ian C. Esslemont's best book so far. I enjoyed everything in the book from start to finish. Not only was it amusing to follow Dorin and Wu's misadventures, I've also learned a lot of things about Dancer and Kellanved in general. They were already among the most interesting pairs in Malazan so my initial worry was how Esslemont would be able to add to their famous story. There was nothing to worry at all. He knew them very well. Only those who haven't paid attention to the books would fail to recognize them right away.</div>
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I loved all the cameos too. Most of the characters who are in the Novels of the Malazan Empire series had back stories that were not fully explored. It's exciting to finally get a glimpse of their past.</div>
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The action scenes, the intrigues and the humor are all signature Malazan. One of Esslemont's strongest qualities is his description and imagery. I loved Blood and Bone but this is even better. If you don't enjoy (or fall in love with!) the adventures of Dorin and Wu after reading this then I'd have to question your bad taste. Also, if you've been skipping Esslemont (I've heard some Malazan fans don't want to read his books) then you're missing a lot.</div>
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He's also not given to philosophizing. Broody characters can be tedious sometimes when not done properly. That does not make his work shallow however. Esslemont's storytelling is smooth, concise and clear.</div>
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The only drawback I see is how he'd be able to fit everything in just three books. Dancer's Lament covered only a small part of Dorin and Wu's past. They were just getting to know each other. The book felt more like an introduction and a set-up for the next two books, but I hope that there is still enough room to not leave out any important event.</div>
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<b>Rating: 10 out of 10</b></div>
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Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01706442164592730818noreply@blogger.com0