There are people in this world that are able to walk a short distance (say from the entrance of a classroom, to their seat all the way across the room) without stumbling or tripping or falling. I am most certainly...not one of them. I am both a self-proclaimed and a certified klutz.
I suppose it all started when I was a very little boy at the young age of five. Having older siblings meant that I could watch mature movies at a young age, and so I took the opportunity to watch as many of Bruce Willis’s films as possible. From Die Hard to The Fifth Element, watching Mr. Willis being hurled across a room into a window, or going into close combat on a chain in between two train cars, inspired me. And so, being the rascal I was, I would fall whenever I had the chance. Everything from a touch by sister to just falling over my own two feet, I deemed worthy of a great dramatic performance. It eventually transferred over into using it as a tactic for getting bullies into more trouble for pushing me. I mean, what would look worse, a scratch on the leg or a bleeding knee complete with dirt and other various elements from the ground?
Well Karma came back to me for all of my antics. For awhile, I had the hardest time doing anything without falling or failing miserably in some way or another. My dad was playing guitar for a festival at Stanford when I was ten years old and I remember this very elegant, elaborate fountain right in front of where he was performing. I remember my mom warning me about what might happen if I ran around on the edge of it. I remember running around the edge of the fountain, and just to have a laugh with my dear mum, I stopped occasionally and acted as if I was about to fall in. However, what I remember most, what is the most vivid in my own mind, is the biting cold of the water that followed, and the frantic rush to find a blow drier for my clothes.
In eighth grade, I would fall a lot during the day. Tree roots, garbage cans, poles, other people, textbooks, desks and anything else you could possibly name at school, I tripped over. My friends got it in their minds that they should do a fall count, to see how many times I made myself look like a fool throughout the day. I promised myself that I would not fall even once, and that I would be incredibly careful about my movements. So first period comes...and goes...and not a single trip or fall. In my confidence, I neglected to step down a stair by the office building, and ended up on my back, with my friends hovering of me, neither laughing nor looking concerned. All they had to say was “One.” I believe the final count that day was somewhere around one-hundred-and-eighty-two. It is a big number sure, but my friends and I all look back on that day, and have ourselves a mighty good laugh. After all, I have nothing to be ashamed of.
It gets even better, especially when speaking of my most recent follies. This past January, I was in a show called The Mousetrap and I played the part of the wildly eccentric Christopher Wren, a character not too far off from myself. In one scene, I was to hide behind the curtains and pop out when two other characters began to converse in front of them. One night, I got behind the curtains, but the cushion of the bench that I was standing on shifted and I went backwards through the windows behind me, banging my head with a loud thunk on an artificial tree. The other two rushed on to see if I was alright, but we all played it off as if it was part of the show and purely intentional. When I was later asked about my tumble through the windows, I was told that everyone watching that night thought that it was supposed to happen. Of course, I told them all it that it was improvised, and they were even more impressed with the performance.
What I am conveying here, saying that I am proud to be a klutz, is only half of the message. I am proud to be a klutz that can recover with quick thinking and charm. In essence, I am proud to be someone who falls and is not afraid to admit when he does so, and in turn is also able to pick himself up, and continue on with the day, with the show, and with life.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
オレの病気になる頃に〜（When I'm Sick)
Hello everyone!
I'm terribly apologetic about my absence on the Blogger Scene. This past week I have felt so sick and nauseous that I would go to school, rehearse after school until 6:30, then I would come home and pass out on my bed, until about 5 am the next morning. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, I woke up an hour earlier as the days went on. As in: Wednesday: awoke at 5:48, Thursday: awoke at 4:26, Friday: awoke at 3:28...
But I'm feeling somewhat better now, although my mom has what I had now... =/
So let's see...I should update you about the past TWO weeks.
So the week of the 15th, we had auditions Mon-Wed after school for the fall show Noises Off. Those were delightful. Never have I had so much fun during an audition at school. I ended up using a monologue from my favorite David Seadris essay entitled: Santaland Diaries. Chose and memorized that same day. We also had the uber awesome sub Jason once more. I miss him. He was so fun to talk to, and so philosophical...Anyway, long story short, I got the part of Garry Lejeune/Roger Tramplemain. The EXACT part I wanted! YAY! On Friday I got my camera back. They caught the individual that "stole" it, and the police officer met me at my dad's work and gave it to me personally. Thank goodness I always have to have my Student Body Card on me, otherwise, I'd have had no identification... The only thing missing was the lenscap on my 18-55 mm lens. Everything else was still there. The next day, me and my family spent the firts half of the day driving to various beaches and seeing if they were good fishing spots for my dad. I used it as a photography opportunity. But due to my abrupt sickness that morning, I had difficulties with my artistic ability... Sunday I stayed home with a 99.3 F fever and spent the ENTIRE day in my room either sleeping or watching ひぐらしのなく頃に解(Higurashi: When They Cry -Answer-). It's not for kids, so I wouldn't suggest looking up the show until blood and gore and cute little anime girls dying doesn't affect you all that much. Although, the VERY last episode of the season was pretty funny and without death, but you're not going to understand ANY of it unless you watch all of the previous episodes. Don't say I didn't warn you...
To sum up this week:
Christina IS Brooke.
Alycia IS Belinda
and I
am a terrible influence.
OK, now I am off to lie down and watch some Angelic Layer. Have a great (however many hours are left of the) weekend!
~Cliffy
PS: Sarah, HERE I AM! *waves and laughs at the stairs*
I'm terribly apologetic about my absence on the Blogger Scene. This past week I have felt so sick and nauseous that I would go to school, rehearse after school until 6:30, then I would come home and pass out on my bed, until about 5 am the next morning. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, I woke up an hour earlier as the days went on. As in: Wednesday: awoke at 5:48, Thursday: awoke at 4:26, Friday: awoke at 3:28...
But I'm feeling somewhat better now, although my mom has what I had now... =/
So let's see...I should update you about the past TWO weeks.
So the week of the 15th, we had auditions Mon-Wed after school for the fall show Noises Off. Those were delightful. Never have I had so much fun during an audition at school. I ended up using a monologue from my favorite David Seadris essay entitled: Santaland Diaries. Chose and memorized that same day. We also had the uber awesome sub Jason once more. I miss him. He was so fun to talk to, and so philosophical...Anyway, long story short, I got the part of Garry Lejeune/Roger Tramplemain. The EXACT part I wanted! YAY! On Friday I got my camera back. They caught the individual that "stole" it, and the police officer met me at my dad's work and gave it to me personally. Thank goodness I always have to have my Student Body Card on me, otherwise, I'd have had no identification... The only thing missing was the lenscap on my 18-55 mm lens. Everything else was still there. The next day, me and my family spent the firts half of the day driving to various beaches and seeing if they were good fishing spots for my dad. I used it as a photography opportunity. But due to my abrupt sickness that morning, I had difficulties with my artistic ability... Sunday I stayed home with a 99.3 F fever and spent the ENTIRE day in my room either sleeping or watching ひぐらしのなく頃に解(Higurashi: When They Cry -Answer-). It's not for kids, so I wouldn't suggest looking up the show until blood and gore and cute little anime girls dying doesn't affect you all that much. Although, the VERY last episode of the season was pretty funny and without death, but you're not going to understand ANY of it unless you watch all of the previous episodes. Don't say I didn't warn you...
To sum up this week:
Christina IS Brooke.
Alycia IS Belinda
and I
am a terrible influence.
OK, now I am off to lie down and watch some Angelic Layer. Have a great (however many hours are left of the) weekend!
~Cliffy
PS: Sarah, HERE I AM! *waves and laughs at the stairs*
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Yesterday
I forgot to post an entry. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*ahem* anyway!
I woke up around 6:41 am and caught up on some anime that I had missed over the week. I then went back to sleep. Awaking with burning eyes because of my neglectful nature to not take out my contacts, I rummaged around my room for rewetting eye drops, only to blink and have an ant in the corner of my eye. I have no idea how it got there...but it stung so bad. After that crisis was averted with much rubbing and clawing next to my eye, I found my Pokemon Pearl version and started playing it, and caught the most difficult pokemon to catch in...5 turns...go DUSK BALLS.
Then my mom knocks on my door at around 11:45 and tells me that we're going in 45 minutes to "Uncle Richard's Birthday Party." I'm sitting on my bed, listening to music and watching anime, and I'm thinking a few things. 45 minutes, I can't finish this series! , I don't remember hearing about this at all... , and I have an Uncle Richard?!
Well, I did finish the series thanks to my dad's inability to be ready on time (which also almost makes me late every Wednesday morning to school...), my parents had been telling us about it for the past month and had forgotten that virtually nothing but school has been on our minds the past month, and I don't have an Uncle Richard but I do have a Great-Uncle Richard. But I always call him Grandpa Richard because....it's what Filipino culture dictates: 1 generation ahead=uncle/auntie, 2 generatons ahead=grandma/grandpa, same generation=cousin, 1 generation behind=niece/nephew. Even if they're not related to you. Seriously. It gets confusing sometimes...
So at the party, which was held at the Sunnyvale Rec Center, who did I happen to see but Mr. Gianotti. Not even Mr, just Gianotti. He was staff at the Senior Center and helped set-up/tear down chairs and tables for our party. Thank God he wasn't a waiter. It would've been awkward to see have seen him that often...
With my ankle finally better, I was able to dance to almost every song. For the YMCA, there was a group of us at the front, and my dad and I were chosen for it. So we were both on the far left of the group, and my dad was dancing so awkwardly. I danced like a beast. I jumped and clapped and sang along, and at the part where we point at the audience and the DJ told us to get sexy, I clawed and growled and popped my hip like there was no freakin' tomorrow. And then came the Macarena. It didn't speed up and I was sad. But the DJ noticed that I did it really well, and made me the leader of the conga line, and then the first person in the middle for the circle dance.
It's weird, I usually don't feel like I belong in the family, but when I dance at the parties, and all of my relatives are cheering me on and laughing and doing play-catcalls, I feel that I do.
My cousin (by blood) Ricky is creepy. He watched this anime ひぐらしのなく頃に(Higurashi: When They Cry), and he immitates the characters. So he basically runs around, pretending to be a Japanese school girl, and then hits someone really hard, or says something really creepy in terrible Japanese with his eyes closed and does something like follow you around or whack you with his razr scooter. That hurt.
But I love playing with my cousins' children. It makes me eager to have my own. My little sister saw our eldest sister give birth front and center, and now she never wants to have babies. I don't blame her...
When I got home, I watched the most recent episode of another anime series, Blassreiter, and I gotta say one thing to Gonzo about it: STOP KILLING EVERYONE OFF. It all started with Gerd, and now Hermann dies a SECOND time. The last 5 episodes, someone that played a vital role in the plot has died. Although, I must say that the Minister's death was awesome, and Mei -Fung's breakdown when she found him was beautifully animated. I'm even sad over Beatrice, a villian, dying. She was so devoted to Xargin for his help he gave her in the past...I felt bad for her. At least Malek is back in all his Amalgam Glory. Amanda is going to be the ultimate Blassreiter. The ending has all of the Blassreiters and Xargin at the penultimate level of the pictures, then a red, feminine-looking one. I can't wait for Amanda to kick some major butt.
Then I ate toast on Strawberry Jam for Dinner and watched SNL and laughed until my sides ached.
This sums up Today's funniest moment:
*ahem* anyway!
I woke up around 6:41 am and caught up on some anime that I had missed over the week. I then went back to sleep. Awaking with burning eyes because of my neglectful nature to not take out my contacts, I rummaged around my room for rewetting eye drops, only to blink and have an ant in the corner of my eye. I have no idea how it got there...but it stung so bad. After that crisis was averted with much rubbing and clawing next to my eye, I found my Pokemon Pearl version and started playing it, and caught the most difficult pokemon to catch in...5 turns...go DUSK BALLS.
Then my mom knocks on my door at around 11:45 and tells me that we're going in 45 minutes to "Uncle Richard's Birthday Party." I'm sitting on my bed, listening to music and watching anime, and I'm thinking a few things. 45 minutes, I can't finish this series! , I don't remember hearing about this at all... , and I have an Uncle Richard?!
Well, I did finish the series thanks to my dad's inability to be ready on time (which also almost makes me late every Wednesday morning to school...), my parents had been telling us about it for the past month and had forgotten that virtually nothing but school has been on our minds the past month, and I don't have an Uncle Richard but I do have a Great-Uncle Richard. But I always call him Grandpa Richard because....it's what Filipino culture dictates: 1 generation ahead=uncle/auntie, 2 generatons ahead=grandma/grandpa, same generation=cousin, 1 generation behind=niece/nephew. Even if they're not related to you. Seriously. It gets confusing sometimes...
So at the party, which was held at the Sunnyvale Rec Center, who did I happen to see but Mr. Gianotti. Not even Mr, just Gianotti. He was staff at the Senior Center and helped set-up/tear down chairs and tables for our party. Thank God he wasn't a waiter. It would've been awkward to see have seen him that often...
With my ankle finally better, I was able to dance to almost every song. For the YMCA, there was a group of us at the front, and my dad and I were chosen for it. So we were both on the far left of the group, and my dad was dancing so awkwardly. I danced like a beast. I jumped and clapped and sang along, and at the part where we point at the audience and the DJ told us to get sexy, I clawed and growled and popped my hip like there was no freakin' tomorrow. And then came the Macarena. It didn't speed up and I was sad. But the DJ noticed that I did it really well, and made me the leader of the conga line, and then the first person in the middle for the circle dance.
It's weird, I usually don't feel like I belong in the family, but when I dance at the parties, and all of my relatives are cheering me on and laughing and doing play-catcalls, I feel that I do.
My cousin (by blood) Ricky is creepy. He watched this anime ひぐらしのなく頃に(Higurashi: When They Cry), and he immitates the characters. So he basically runs around, pretending to be a Japanese school girl, and then hits someone really hard, or says something really creepy in terrible Japanese with his eyes closed and does something like follow you around or whack you with his razr scooter. That hurt.
But I love playing with my cousins' children. It makes me eager to have my own. My little sister saw our eldest sister give birth front and center, and now she never wants to have babies. I don't blame her...
When I got home, I watched the most recent episode of another anime series, Blassreiter, and I gotta say one thing to Gonzo about it: STOP KILLING EVERYONE OFF. It all started with Gerd, and now Hermann dies a SECOND time. The last 5 episodes, someone that played a vital role in the plot has died. Although, I must say that the Minister's death was awesome, and Mei -Fung's breakdown when she found him was beautifully animated. I'm even sad over Beatrice, a villian, dying. She was so devoted to Xargin for his help he gave her in the past...I felt bad for her. At least Malek is back in all his Amalgam Glory. Amanda is going to be the ultimate Blassreiter. The ending has all of the Blassreiters and Xargin at the penultimate level of the pictures, then a red, feminine-looking one. I can't wait for Amanda to kick some major butt.
Then I ate toast on Strawberry Jam for Dinner and watched SNL and laughed until my sides ached.
This sums up Today's funniest moment:
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Last Five Years
I am tremendously proud of everyone who was involved with The Last Five Years. Megan, great job. Alycia excellent work. Alex..I gotta step up my game a bit...
Really, great work all of you.
PS: I don't know all of the techies involved (lost my program) but great job as well! Nice kilts.
~Clifford
Thursday, September 11, 2008
この歌を聞くの時、泣いてしまった。
"When I listen to this song, I cry."
When I say 'this song,' I mean this song.
Did you listen? If not, at least look up the lyrics.
I don't cry because it's necessarily an issue of not being able to be with someone, but we all have those goals in our lives that we're not always sure we'll fulfill. Knowing that some things are unfortunately futile keeps me awake at night...
~Clifford
When I say 'this song,' I mean this song.
Did you listen? If not, at least look up the lyrics.
I don't cry because it's necessarily an issue of not being able to be with someone, but we all have those goals in our lives that we're not always sure we'll fulfill. Knowing that some things are unfortunately futile keeps me awake at night...
~Clifford
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Friendship...
I have some incredibly talented and funny friends. I used to view them as just people I knew, and never really let myself get too close/attatched, but I have come to find some of them as superb people, and all of the times they have let me down, surely cannot compare to all of the good times we have had together.
Bryan, the manga (Japanese comic) artist. He is going to be successful. Plus even though we have an unfortunate past, we're still really close. He's also greatly improved as an actor, and I have had a grand time seeing him mature in every way possible for the last 6 years...
Blake, the INCREDIBLE. That's all that can and should be said. (It's a joke between us.)
Megan, the Magnificent. She and I have known each other since 6th grade, but we first met in summer school way back in Elementary School. Incredible actress. Wonderful Vocalist. Superb Student. And a terrific person. She is the Sally to my Charlie. (Once again, another joke between us.)
Christina, the Crazy. As in good crazy. She has been there for me through a lot in the past year, and she is one of my most cherished friends. I can't wait to see her when she grows up. I sometimes forget that she's 2 years younger than me...
Alex, the Awesome. Yeah. We have a convoluted, complicated past, but I still see him as a great friend. Even though we'll never be the same type of actor, I see him as my rival. He drives me to become better at everything I do.
Alycia, the other Admirable. Out friend Stephanie perhaps put it the best: "Everyone falls off of the horse, but few get back on." I'm so proud of this girl. I first met her through AIM because her cousin, who was also my friend, convinced her that I was a robot. And, as you would with ANY robot, her first words to me were "I love you."
Chris. This boy has changed who I am forever. I'll always care for him, even if it might not be mutual. He is my better half, moving halfway across the World...
Simply Sarah. She is the most wonderful person I have had the honor of knowing. I hope we never lose touch. She has everything going for her. A wonderful boyfriend, an awesome family, and her college education began a short while ago. Like I said, honored to be considered her friend. PS: My favorite picture ever.
I don't have pictures of all of my friends, mainly because some are super camera shy, but I love every single one of them dearly. Even if I don't always show it, or become somewhat of a jerk. I care for them. Unconditionally.
~Clifford
Bryan, the manga (Japanese comic) artist. He is going to be successful. Plus even though we have an unfortunate past, we're still really close. He's also greatly improved as an actor, and I have had a grand time seeing him mature in every way possible for the last 6 years...
Blake, the INCREDIBLE. That's all that can and should be said. (It's a joke between us.)
Megan, the Magnificent. She and I have known each other since 6th grade, but we first met in summer school way back in Elementary School. Incredible actress. Wonderful Vocalist. Superb Student. And a terrific person. She is the Sally to my Charlie. (Once again, another joke between us.)
Christina, the Crazy. As in good crazy. She has been there for me through a lot in the past year, and she is one of my most cherished friends. I can't wait to see her when she grows up. I sometimes forget that she's 2 years younger than me...
Alex, the Awesome. Yeah. We have a convoluted, complicated past, but I still see him as a great friend. Even though we'll never be the same type of actor, I see him as my rival. He drives me to become better at everything I do.
Alycia, the other Admirable. Out friend Stephanie perhaps put it the best: "Everyone falls off of the horse, but few get back on." I'm so proud of this girl. I first met her through AIM because her cousin, who was also my friend, convinced her that I was a robot. And, as you would with ANY robot, her first words to me were "I love you."
Chris. This boy has changed who I am forever. I'll always care for him, even if it might not be mutual. He is my better half, moving halfway across the World...
Simply Sarah. She is the most wonderful person I have had the honor of knowing. I hope we never lose touch. She has everything going for her. A wonderful boyfriend, an awesome family, and her college education began a short while ago. Like I said, honored to be considered her friend. PS: My favorite picture ever.
I don't have pictures of all of my friends, mainly because some are super camera shy, but I love every single one of them dearly. Even if I don't always show it, or become somewhat of a jerk. I care for them. Unconditionally.
~Clifford
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
HELLO!
Haven't used this in awhile...XD
I suppose I should introduce myself, yeah?
Hi! My name is Clifford (friends call me pretty much anything they want...but NEVER Cliff).
I'm a Senior in High School now (which means College Applications are coming up...yay...)
I'm heavily involved in the Theatre Program at my school, and have done every single show possible since my Freshman year there. I want to further study Theatre and Theatre History when I go to college, and hope to become a Theatre Teacher.
Besides Theatre, my other hobbies include Photography, Japanese, and Reading.
I have a flickr (photo hosting account) if you're interested in seeing any of my work.
I have been learning Japanese since my Freshman year, and am now in the highly elite, AP Japanese 4 course (with the most awesome teach ever :-D).
My favorite books are anything by Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club), David Sedaris (Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim), Haruki Murakami (Kafka on the Shore), and The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh.
I have...seven birds I believe... and one cat with too much excess skin named Mira.
I have three siblings, two of whom have moved out, one of which is my half-sister. But I rarely ever remember that...she is the eldest and also has two wonderful children named Jaydyn(4) and Maleah(3). My older sister, who shares the middle child spot with me, is currently a full-time student, working to get her Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Development. She's my hero. My little sister, the youngest, is currently attending school with me and hope to become a Doctor or some person in the field of Medicine.
My parents have never been divorced (from each other), and are extremely busy. My dad is a freelance musician and musical educator around the Bay Area, and my mom goes to his schools with him, runs his business, and is also a published author, under the name Karen Kennedy Samoranos.
I think that's about it for me...I'm sure there's more I could say...but I don't remember anything at the moment.
OH! I'm a total Facebook Fiend.
Yeah...that's all.
~Cliffy <3
I suppose I should introduce myself, yeah?
Hi! My name is Clifford (friends call me pretty much anything they want...but NEVER Cliff).
I'm a Senior in High School now (which means College Applications are coming up...yay...)
I'm heavily involved in the Theatre Program at my school, and have done every single show possible since my Freshman year there. I want to further study Theatre and Theatre History when I go to college, and hope to become a Theatre Teacher.
Besides Theatre, my other hobbies include Photography, Japanese, and Reading.
I have a flickr (photo hosting account) if you're interested in seeing any of my work.
I have been learning Japanese since my Freshman year, and am now in the highly elite, AP Japanese 4 course (with the most awesome teach ever :-D).
My favorite books are anything by Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club), David Sedaris (Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim), Haruki Murakami (Kafka on the Shore), and The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh.
I have...seven birds I believe... and one cat with too much excess skin named Mira.
I have three siblings, two of whom have moved out, one of which is my half-sister. But I rarely ever remember that...she is the eldest and also has two wonderful children named Jaydyn(4) and Maleah(3). My older sister, who shares the middle child spot with me, is currently a full-time student, working to get her Doctorate in Child and Adolescent Development. She's my hero. My little sister, the youngest, is currently attending school with me and hope to become a Doctor or some person in the field of Medicine.
My parents have never been divorced (from each other), and are extremely busy. My dad is a freelance musician and musical educator around the Bay Area, and my mom goes to his schools with him, runs his business, and is also a published author, under the name Karen Kennedy Samoranos.
I think that's about it for me...I'm sure there's more I could say...but I don't remember anything at the moment.
OH! I'm a total Facebook Fiend.
Yeah...that's all.
~Cliffy <3
Thursday, July 10, 2008
天元突破グレンラガン (Tengen Toppa GURREN LAGANN)
Or, Gurren Lagann for short.
The history of this anime's migration to the States is a bit confusing...well more just complicated, and uselessly so.
It first premiered in Japan in April of 2007 and was quickly licensed by ADV, with an official statement issued in June at Anime Expo 07. It was even cast for voiceover actors and promos came out advertising the release. Back in February, official cover art for the DVD was released, and so all we were left to do was wait until its (supposed) June 2008 release. June came and went, with almost no word on the release, until June 30. It was, for reasons unkown, removed from ADV's catalog of future releases. It was then announced at New York Comic Con 08 that Bandai now held the license.
I was lucky enough to be out yesterday at Best Buy (because I rarely ever get a chance to go there) and was just browsing through the anime titles, with the intent to buy the Cowboy BeBop collection for $40. I was about to leave when I saw that they didn't have any, and I look back for a second and the words in bold and all caps stare me right in the face. GURREN LAGANN. I nearly leaped for joy like a giddy little school girl. I grabbed it, bought it, watched it.
My one complaint is that...there's no dub. This is has both its pros and its cons.
The pros:
~DVDs will be released more quickly (vol 2 is due out early next month)
~DVDs have more episodes (vol 1 was two DVDs with 9 eps)
~No complaints about how they say names wrong, or just FAIL at Kamina's voice.
The cons:
~Reading is required unless you know Japanese
~No option to hear awesome English Kamina voice (if it even exists)
~Those names in the Japanese version that you have no idea how to pronounce, well...you still won't...
Other than those cons, there's really no reason why one shouldn't go out and buy the Vol 1 as soon as humanly possible. Bandai did a great job subbing it, although I do wish they had subbed the lyrics for the opening and closing sequences. And if you want to dish out about $10 more, you can get the Special Edition vol 1 which comes with the Sorairo Days single album. It's not necessary (considering that gendou.com has all the songs on the CD available for download...) but it's a fun/cool thing to have if you like all things Gurren Lagann. The CD has the opening song, Sorairo Days in three different versions. The full version, the first opening cut, and the second opening cut. It also has the insert song Happily Ever After, as well as the Romanized and Translated lyrics for the songs.
But this is an okay buy at $35 for 9 episodes and a CD.
If you're not up to spending $35 on the Special Edition, the normal edition runs anywhere from $19-$25.
Of course, if you actually want the dubbed version, you can watch the series premiere on July 28 on Sci-Fi. And then buy the DVDs NEXT YEAR...
The history of this anime's migration to the States is a bit confusing...well more just complicated, and uselessly so.
It first premiered in Japan in April of 2007 and was quickly licensed by ADV, with an official statement issued in June at Anime Expo 07. It was even cast for voiceover actors and promos came out advertising the release. Back in February, official cover art for the DVD was released, and so all we were left to do was wait until its (supposed) June 2008 release. June came and went, with almost no word on the release, until June 30. It was, for reasons unkown, removed from ADV's catalog of future releases. It was then announced at New York Comic Con 08 that Bandai now held the license.
I was lucky enough to be out yesterday at Best Buy (because I rarely ever get a chance to go there) and was just browsing through the anime titles, with the intent to buy the Cowboy BeBop collection for $40. I was about to leave when I saw that they didn't have any, and I look back for a second and the words in bold and all caps stare me right in the face. GURREN LAGANN. I nearly leaped for joy like a giddy little school girl. I grabbed it, bought it, watched it.
My one complaint is that...there's no dub. This is has both its pros and its cons.
The pros:
~DVDs will be released more quickly (vol 2 is due out early next month)
~DVDs have more episodes (vol 1 was two DVDs with 9 eps)
~No complaints about how they say names wrong, or just FAIL at Kamina's voice.
The cons:
~Reading is required unless you know Japanese
~No option to hear awesome English Kamina voice (if it even exists)
~Those names in the Japanese version that you have no idea how to pronounce, well...you still won't...
Other than those cons, there's really no reason why one shouldn't go out and buy the Vol 1 as soon as humanly possible. Bandai did a great job subbing it, although I do wish they had subbed the lyrics for the opening and closing sequences. And if you want to dish out about $10 more, you can get the Special Edition vol 1 which comes with the Sorairo Days single album. It's not necessary (considering that gendou.com has all the songs on the CD available for download...) but it's a fun/cool thing to have if you like all things Gurren Lagann. The CD has the opening song, Sorairo Days in three different versions. The full version, the first opening cut, and the second opening cut. It also has the insert song Happily Ever After, as well as the Romanized and Translated lyrics for the songs.
But this is an okay buy at $35 for 9 episodes and a CD.
If you're not up to spending $35 on the Special Edition, the normal edition runs anywhere from $19-$25.
Of course, if you actually want the dubbed version, you can watch the series premiere on July 28 on Sci-Fi. And then buy the DVDs NEXT YEAR...
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