Hachi: A Dog's Story

This beautiful tale of loyalty and friendship will surely make dog lovers cry. It is a remake of the Japanese film Hachiko Monogatari about an Akita named Hachiko who found love and friendship with a music professor named Parker Wilson. Parker tried to find the owners of the puppy who he found wandering in the train station and he even offered it to other people. But no one claimed Hachi. Even then he was becoming more attached to the dog. His wife was reluctant at first but she soon accepted the loving Hachi into the family as well.

For the next two years, Hachi grew more attached to Parker. He would often accompany the professor to the train station every morning and then wait for him to come home. It became their habit to meet outside the station. Hachi would wait for his master on the same spot. Some people near the train station noticed this too.

Then one day, his master never came back. Hachi did not know that Parker has passed away. Parker's daughter decided to take him in but he would still go back to the station and wait for his master. The people who knew Hachi took pity on the dog. They decided to watch over him as he continues to wait for Parker. Hachi waited for nine years.

I cannot begin to fathom what it must have been like for him all those years. Waiting and not knowing when that familiar voice would be heard again is an experience even humans would find unbearable. What was it like for someone who can't talk and ask the people around him 'where is my master and friend'? Did he even begin to understand after so many years that he would never see Parker again?

Hachi's loyalty and the sadness he experienced through all those years brought tears to my eyes. It's common knowledge that dogs are loyal companions, but what Hachi did is just unimaginable. I've never cried as much since I watched Marley and Me.

For the story alone, I'd give this movie a 10 out of 10 rating. This is one of those movies that remind us why dogs are called 'man's best friend'.

Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race by T.W. Rolleston

This book is a great introduction to Celtic culture and mythology. One of the highlights is the introduction of Celtic culture based on written accounts and archaeological evidence. Most books about myths often proceed to the recounting of the stories right after a brief introduction. Knowing about the culture and background of the people behind it will make it easier for the readers to understand the motivation and inspirations behind the tales.

The book is divided into eight chapters. The ff. is the list of the titles of those sections:
1. The Celts in Ancient History
2. The Religion of the Celts
3. The Irish Invasion Myths
4. The Early Milesian Kings
5. Tales of the Ultonian Cycle
6. Tales of the Ossianic Cycle
7. The Voyage of Maeldun
8. Myths and Tales of the Cymry

The second chapter discusses the possible origin of the religious practices and worship of the Celts. While the third chapter is about the first of the four main divisions of the Irish mythical and legendary literature. The fourth  mentions the Geis for the first time which is essential in the Ulster cycle. The fifth chapter is about one of the popular mythical heroes in literature, Cuchulain. And chapter six completes the three main divisions through the stories of Finn and Oisin.

The last chapter is slightly diferrent from the other chapters and it is explained briefly in the first part. It contains the stories in the Mabinogion.

There is also a section dedicated to explaining the possible origins of the Arthurian legends and how the tales differ from those sources. The book however does not compile the stories of the later versions of Arthur.

Overall, the book is easy to understand. I recommend this to readers who don't have a background in mythology. Although the first chapter has a few commentaries that seem biased, this is one of the best compilation of myths I've read so far.

I'm giving this book a 9 out of 10 rating.

Greek and Roman Ghost Stories by Lacy Collison-Morley

This book outlines the general idea of what the people in ancient Greece and Rome thought about afterlife in general. The soul is distinct from the body and has a place assigned to it in the center of the earth after it has departed the body. It is important to bury the dead or else they will wander the earth forever.

There are three types of the dead based on Apuleius' classification: the Manes, Lemures and Larva. The last two are the 'bad spirits'  and are associated with the hauntings.

There is also an interesting section about Necromancy. It is the practice of calling up spirits so the living can consult with them. People also believed that the dead have the power to see the future. The rest of the book contains stories of ghost sightings and excerpts of written accounts from various sources.

This book is divided into 7 parts. The following is the list of those sections:
1. The Power of the Dead to Return to Earth
2.Belief in Ghosts in Greece and Rome
3. Stories of Haunting
4. Necromancy
5. Visions of the Dead in Sleep
6. Apparitions of the Dead
7. Warning Apparitions.

The book is pretty easy to understand if you're already familiar with Greek and Roman mythology. Some historical figures are also mentioned, so reading a little bit about history would come in handy. It would have been much helpful though if the author provided notes about the people and events that are mentioned. This isn't meant as a compilation of horror stories however. Those who are expecting to read creepy stories will be disappointed.

I'm giving this book a 6 out of 10 rating.

Stonewielder by Ian. C. Esslemont

Stonewielder is the 3rd book from the Novels of the Malazan Empire series by Ian C. Esslemont. The book is divided into three parts: Book 1: The Sea; Book 2: The Land; and Book 3: And All the Shores Between.

There are six interconnected stories that can be found. First is Greymane's re-admission into the command structure of the Empire. He was offered to lead the Malazan Army to Korel. Readers will get to know what had happened to Greymane during his campaign in the past.

Meanwhile, the Stormguard is having some problems in their defenses. The foundations of the Wall are weakening and they have a shortage of recruits.

Murders in Banith have caught someone's attention. It seems like the killings have a pattern. But this discovery will endanger someone's life.

An Army is massing to attack Ring. They are opposing the so-called Lady or Protectress. But the history of uprisings are in odds against the success of this campaign.

All these stories all lead to the mystery that is the Protectress whose old name was Shri Kasmil the Destroyer. Apparently there are three relics that can be found all over Korel. These relics are the sources of her power. These are found in the ff. areas: one in Ring, the second one in Sky Tower and the last is in Thol.

The continuation of Kiska's journey was also included here. She and her companions had an encounter with the Tiste Liosan army who seemed to have succeeded in defeating their enemy. How they did it was never explained.

This book shed some light about the people in Korel and the Stormguard. I still have so many questions but I think Stonewielder has delivered. The battle scenes and the description of the destruction wrought by the Great Flood were good. It was easier to sympathize with the characters here than the previous books. There's more emphasis on the emotional impact of the events on the people involved.

I recommend this book to those who have read the Malazan books. This is a great follow-up on the last 2 books of Erikson's series. First time readers will find this confusing however, so I suggest they read the other books first. I'm giving Stonewielder a 9 out of 10 rating.

Return of the Crimson Guard by Ian C. Esslemont

Return of the Crimson Guard is the second installment of Ian C. Esslemont's Novels of the Malazan Empire. Although the title of the book pertains to the Empire's old nemesis, it also marks the start of the changes for the Empire.

The book is divided into 3 major parts:
Book 1: Diaspora's End; Book 2: The Eternal Return and; Book 3: Fates and Chances. The major players can also be divided into three major groups: those loyal to the empire, the Old Guard along with the groups who rose up in rebellion (the Talian League) and the Crimson Guard.

It tells us about the history of the Crimson Guard and their determination to find the Duke - K'azz D'Avore. It will also show the present conditions and sentiments of the Avowed. In Book 3 when K'azz finally announced that he has returned, the Guard split into two factions. The other group is led by Skinner.

The book also provides a background of the Stormriders, the flowering of the first human civilization and Kallor's rise to power. One character also shed some light about the Seguleh society.

Those who have read The Bonehunters might be curious to know what happened to the Wickans. This book will provide some answers.

The battle scenes were epic. There were also instances where the opposing forces had to merge and fight together. When the Malazans defeated the Talian forces, they both opposed the Crimson Guard.

Readers will also get to see Greymane in action for the first time against Skinner. Dassem also showed up.

What I liked most about this book is Laseen's active participation in the events. In other books, she's said to have been a deadly assassin. She showed her skills this time by going against Cowl. An unexpected death however will change Malazan Empire.

The only confusing part was the mention of a Primogenatrix in chapter 3. In was not explained in the latter part of the book.

The story is told from different point-of-views, the most imporant of which are Kyle's, Possum's, Rillish's, Shimmer's and Nait's (or Jumpy).

The multiple battle scenes were handled very well even if the scale is almost ambitious. I liked the match-ups as well. I was happy to see Laseen participating, as well as Tayschrenn.

Overall, it's a great book. I think I'll even add it to my favorites. The flow of the narrative is smooth and the action scenes are well-written. It's comparable to the scope of battles that took place in Memories of Ice but in a much shorter book. I don't recommend this to anyone who has not read a Malazan book yet. Esslemont has a habit of leaving only teasers that readers who haven't experienced reading his and Steven Erikson's works will have a hard time understanding.

I'm giving Return of the Crimson Guard a 10 out of 10 rating.

Prince of Tennis: The National Tournament Finals

After all the trials Seishun Gakuen has gone through, they have finally reached the greatest trial of their journey. In this OVA, they face an old nemesis and the current champions Rikkaidai Fuzoku.

WARNING: SPOILERS!

Here are the highlights from each episode:

Episode 1: New opening and ending songs.

Sanada and Tezuka's match turned out to be a battle of wills (and with a little bit of luck). Tezuka lost although Sanada was also at his limit.

Episode 2: Ryoma has an amnesia. No one knows why.

Doubles match between Inui and Kaidoh versus Renji and Kirihara.

Inui's Data Tennis is challenged. He's forced to make the impossible possible. Seigaku forfeited the match due to Inui's condition.

Episode 3: It seemed like Fuji was losing to Niou - but it was all just Inui's dream.

Niou used the Tezuka illusion to challenge Fuji. The match is essentially a battle between Fuji and Tezuka. Later, Niou used a Shiraishi illusion but Fuji surprised everyone with his 6th Counter, the Hoshi Hanabi, and won.

Episode 4: The Golden Pair versus Jackal and Marui. They have been stalling all along to give Ryoma plenty of time to recover his memory. Most of the episode was about the events that transpired before Ryoma had his amnesia. Nanjiro was training him and asked if his son enjoys tennis.

Several players helped Ryoma by having matches with him.

Oishi and Eiji won by using Synchro.

Episode 5: First of the two-part episode of the match between Ryoma and Yukimura.

Since Ryoma was late, Kintaro had a chance to duel with Yukimura.

Ryoma showed his ability to redirect the aura at will.

Episode 6: Continuation of the match.

Ryoma lost his five senses. It seemed like Yukimura was going to win.

Then Ryoma remembered Nanjiro's words. The Final Door is opened - the Tenimouho no Kiwami or Flawless Unity.

The Prince prevails over the Demi-god and wins the championship for Seigaku.

***

This is a great ending to a great series. I love the simplicity of the explanation that Nanjiro has given to the other Seigaku players about achieving Flawless Unity. Just wanting to win the game and working hard are not enough. In Rikkai's determination to hold on to the title they forgot one important thing - enjoying the game itself. It's no longer about tennis for them. Instead it's just winning the title the 3rd straight time. Yukimura never lost a game and so he had one disadvantage. He does not know the feeling of having failed and risen up to take the challenge again and again.

It was also fitting that Ryoma finished the match with a new move - and splitting the ball too!

There are a few things I would have liked to see but overall, I'm quite satisfied with this OVA. I just wish they could have wrapped it up more nicely. Those reporters who have witnessed Seigaku's journey were not present in the ending. They could have had a line or two after the last match. They were important characters too. I didn't see Jyousei Shounan and why was Ryoma's mom absent?

It seemed like things happened so fast but I'm still giving this a 10 out of 10 rating.

~Thank you Takeshi Konomi for this great series!~