Nurarihyon no Mago: Sennen Makyou

Nura Rikuo now knows that in order to preserve harmony between humans and yokai he has to take the helm and lead by example to the members of the Nura Clan. Just as things are going smoothly for Rikuo, doubts about his ability to lead the clan resurface as rumors of an old enemy reach them. Hagoromo Gitsune, the youkai who was defeated and sealed by Rikuo's grandfather and the onmyouji Hidemoto of Keikain clan, is resurrected and unleashes her fury at Kyoto to fulfill her wish of giving birth to a son long since lost to her. Although Rikuo was able to defeat the Shikoku youkai in the past (prequel Nurarihyon no Mago), he has not mastered his powers yet. This time however, he finds allies in the onmyouji of the Keikain clan in which one his friends, Yura, is the heir. Rikuo also finds new friends at Tono village where he is sent to train before the fight at Kyoto. Rikuo and Yura realize that co-existence between humans and youkai is possible and they can also work together to preserve that.

Yura of the Keikain clan; also a friend of Rikuo

The Tono youkai with Rikuo

The resurrected  Hagoromo Gitsune

The gifted onmyouji of Keikain clan. From left Mamoru, Ryuuji, Hidemoto, and Akifusa

The 24-episode sequel to Nurarihyon no Mago has stronger opponents and more characters. I commend the series for having managed to sustain a huge cast each easily recognizable for their unique characteristics.  There is also a background story of the creation of Nenekirimaru blade and the exploits of Rikuo's father and his grandfather, a bonus not given in the prequel and which gives weight to Rikuo's responsibility as the new leader. Compared to the prequel, the fight scenes are better and more explosive, consistent with the hype about the Nura clan having to face tough opponents from Kyoto that was set up in the first few episodes after the flashbacks. This time the promise of great fights did not disappoint. Overall, Nurarihyon no Mago: Sennen Makyou is much better than its prequel. Although the Rikuo in the prequel was not annoying, his indecisiveness can sometimes be a letdown. This time however he is more fun to watch.

Rating: 7 out of 10

From left Nurarihyon, Rikuo (red), and Rihan

Nura Rikuo with some members of his clan

Nurarihyon no Mago

Nura Rikuo looks like an average middle schooler with no remarkable traits but he is a different person when he is at home. Part human and 3/4 youkai, Rikuo is the successor of the Nura Clan --- an alliance of several youkai gathered by his grandfather Nurarihyon and his father Rihan before him. However, Rikuo does not want to acknowledge that part of his blood, choosing to live like a normal human instead. Some members of the clan see this as a weakness and begin to challenge Rikuo's abilities as a fighter and a leader. But Rikuo would gladly give up that post. This he cannot do and it would soon dawn on him that in order to protect his human friends and even his youkai family, he has to use his youkai powers to protect everyone. His ultimate test came at the hands of the wily Inugamigyoubu Tamazuki, leader of the Shikoku Hachijuhakki Yako faction.

The Kiyojuji Paranormal Patrol, Rikuo's friends and classmates. From left Shima, Kana, Torii, Kiyotsugu,  and Magi. Not included in photo, Yura

Some members of the Nura clan with Nurarihyon (center)

Inugamigyoubu Tamazuki

The premise of the story is promising although a main character who enjoys privileges of two different worlds might seem cliche. The mood in the first half of this 24-episode series is light and as the story progresses, formidable enemies appear which allows for a lot of improvement in Rikuo's abilities. Although plenty of characters are introduced the story never lost focus on Rikuo's internal conflict.

The supporting characters are likeable and there are a handful of funny and light scenes. The animation is good as well as the opening and ending themes. The only drawback is that the last few episodes did not sustain the buildup of the tension in the previous episodes. There is an expectation of an explosive ending but  the fight scenes preceding  Inugamigyoubu Tamazuki and Rikuo's fight are drawn out. That fight itself failed to deliver that promise. There are so many things lacking in the series that it is almost a chore to watch.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Persian Literature

Full title: Persian Literature Comprising the Shah Nameh, The Rubaiyat, The Divan and The Gulistan

Various authors; with introduction by Richard J.H. Gottheil, PhD

As the title says, this anthology features four of the best of Persian literature. Each section has introductory notes that provide the background of each author and the piece, the social climate in which the work was created, and its reception. The following are included in the two volumes of the e-book version*:

Volume 1:

The Shah Nameh (Book of Kings) by Firdusi (Abul Kasim Mansur), translated by James Atkinson

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, translated by Edward Fitzgerald

The Divan by Hafiz (Khwajeh Shams al-Din Muhammad Hafez-e Shirazi), translated by H. Bicknell

Volume 2:

The Gulistan (Flower-Garden) by Sa'di (Muslih-al-Din), translated by James Ross

The book may seem like a challenging read at first glance but the translators did a good job and the introduction in each section will help give the reader some ideas on how best to appreciate these classics. Shah Nameh is a historical fiction account of the Persian kings; Rubaiyat and Divan are poems; and Gulistan is a collection of poems and stories.

My favorite would have to be Shah Nameh because it is the best version I have read so far. The other translations of Shah Nameh are watered down versions of the sequence of wars and succession of kings without the drama which makes it more interesting to read.

I recommend this to classic and history enthusiasts. Take note however that some of the original names, phrases, and words were retained but not translated or explained, so make sure you keep a reference handy. 

Rating: 10 out of 10

*Note: E-book is available at manybooks.net

Another

Sakakibara Kouichi's first few days at Yomiyama North Middle School as a new student are dampened by bizarre events and the seemingly cold treatment he gets from his classmates. When starts talking to Misaki Mei more frequently, his classmates act more suspicious by telling him to "stop seeking things that do not exist." Instead of leaving the matter alone, he begins to ask more questions which eventually lead to his discovery of the 26 year-old curse of class 3. This curse which began after 1972 has claimed lives of a number students from class 3 and their immediate relatives. A fan of horror and mystery, Kouichi indulges his curiosity by asking the people involved with class 3 in the past few years in the hopes of discovering a way to stop the curse.They eventually learn that a pattern exists when they examine the records provided by the adviser of class 1972, but finding the means of stopping the curse has chilling prospects.

Misaki Mei and Sakakibara Kouichi

Class 3

This 12-episode series (it also has a special episode 0; Another: The Other-Inga which is about Mei and her twin) is a well-crafted mix of horror and mystery. There's a handful of bloody scenes as well so I do not recommend this to those who do not like to witness bloody deaths. The premise of the curse of class 3 is in itself a disturbing idea that got me hooked right away. The main characters and the overall mood of the series helped in creating a solemn atmosphere so that even during the fun and light moments there is an anticipation of bad things to come. Clues to the mystery are handed out to the viewer expertly by also providing false trails. In some scenes, the clues seem to point to one character but then more questions pop up later that will make the viewer reconsider everything. Except for the apathetic reaction of Kouichi and Mei at the beginning of the last episode, I think the series is very well done.

As a horror fan, Another did not disappoint. It is a fresh take of an overexploited genre that I enjoyed immensely.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Tiger and Bunny

Saving distressed residents of Sternbild City and earning points as part of the show Hero TV has become a routine for most of its heroes. It seems like saving people is just a means to earning points to become the King of Heroes and please the sponsors. These heroes are endowed with super powers and are called Next. However the heroes "Wild Tiger" Kaburagi Koutetsu, "Blue Rose" Karina Lyle, "Sky High" Keith Goodman, "Fire Emblem" Nathan Seymour, "Dragon Kid" Huang Pao-Lin, "Rock Bison" Antonio Lopez, and "Origami Cyclone" Ivan Karelin are about to face tougher opponents that will make them question their motivation in becoming heroes.

The veteran Koutetsu is having troubles getting points, add to that his tendency to destroy buildings and property while saving people. That cost him and he now has to work with a new employer. He becomes a sidekick of the new hero, Barnaby Brooks Jr. Unlike Barnaby however, Koutetsu does not care much about pleasing the sponsors and viewers. It's no wonder they can't get along. It takes a while for them to trust each other but it soon becomes clear that Tiger and Bunny make up a great team. 

As the eight heroes face formidable foes, they start to question their real intention for saving people especially when Lunatic, a vigilante with his own brand of justice, appears to challenge the heroes. Meanwhile Koutetsu tests the limits of his ability and determination and Barnaby is set to find clues to the death of his parents. As they look into the mystery of Barnaby's parents' murderer they realize that they are up against something more sinister than troublesome Next and ordinary criminals.

From left: Origami Cyclone, Rock Bison, Dragon Kid, Barnaby Brooks Jr., Wild Tiger, Blue Rose, Fire Emblem, and Sky High

Tiger and Bunny is one of those few series that gets you hooked after a few episodes. Although at first look it seems like a typical superhero series full of cliche, its memorable characters and surprising twists makes it stand out. There are scenes that give clues related to later episodes leaving just enough information to make the viewer want to keep watching. The supporting cast is already established in the preceding episodes before the story delves deeper into the into the dilemma of  Koutetsu and Barnaby. Sure, there are plenty of funny scenes but overall the series does not deviate from the point of the story. What's more, Tiger and Bunny make up an interesting tandem. Koutetsu is a caring, sensitive guy. He is bit reckless but he always has everyone's best interests in mind. He complements Barnaby's stubborn and sometimes emotional character. Barnaby however has better self-control which makes up for Koutetsu's easygoing pace.

Passing up this 25-episode series would be a bad idea. My first impression of it was definitely wrong.

Rating: 10 out of 10

God of War Origins Collection

Anyone who has played the God of War Trilogy knows about Kratos' past. More than Ares' betrayal however are the wounds inflicted on Kratos by the other gods. His unquenchable anger may seem irrational to some but once you have played Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta, you will understand what made him a desperate, hateful, and lonely man.

If one were to follow the timeline based on the trilogy, Chains of Olympus is set before the first God of War while Ghost of Sparta include events before God of War II.

In Chains of Olympus, Helios goes missing. Kratos' investigation led him to Hades where Helios' steeds brought him. There he discovers that a plan to destroy Olympus is nearing its completion. Near the end of the game he is asked to make a heartbreaking decision.

At the beginning of the game, Kratos gets to fight live, human soldiers and their king. It is something new because you do not get to fight normal humans in this series. The battles leading to the boss fight are helpful in preparation for the final boss. The spaces are usually cramped and the enemies vary in each room, forcing the player to exploit and practice every possible combo and defensive tactics. Among the weapons, magic, and relics in this game, the most useful for me is the Sun Shield because it can return projectiles.

Ghost of Sparta shows a hopeful Kratos who sees an opportunity to change one of the visions from his past that still haunts him. His younger brother Deimos was taken away by the gods when they were young. He believed all along that Deimos is dead but upon learning that he is still alive, he goes in search of his brother. It did not matter if he destroys Atlantis in the process and angers more gods. Maybe he can still change something, and that alone is sufficient reason for him. He also meets another family member who discloses the identity of his father. In this game, Kratos has plenty of underwater adventures --- one of the things that I liked in the first God of War game. There are plenty of new weapons and magic, one of which is the Arms of Sparta (a combo of a spear and a shield) which is good for fighting a few enemies (not good for fighting a horde) and can also come in handy as a projectile. The aftermath of Ghost of Sparta is more emotional than Chains of Olympus as Kratos finally realizes that his request to erase the bad memories will never be fulfilled and that the gods will only keep using him.

Overall, Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta live up to the quality and intensity of the God of War Trilogy. Kratos' desire for revenge on all the gods in God of War II will be understood more when both these games are played.

Rating: Chains of Olympus - 10 out of 10

Ghost of Sparta - 10 out of 10