Maenos' Otakon Journal - Part 2: FMA: Brotherhood: Sacred Star of Milos

Well...my original idea was to do a post every day I was at the con, but honestly, I was exhausted. Utterly wiped out. Friday night I could barely make it back to my hotel room to pass out. So that got scrapped. So here, instead, is one of two posts about thoughts I had.

On Saturday afternoon, I decided to head for the big ballroom that would be the location of the (legit) premiere of the FMA: Brotherhood movie, the Sacred Star of Milos. Thankfully I got there pretty early, was probably in the first hundred people in but good lord was it unpleasant. At first it wasn't too bad, waiting, as we could sit down on the floor, but after a while the Otakon staff had us mash together to try and make room because the line got HUGE (see pictures). And though the convention center had AC, it wasn't working very well where we were, and the sheer mass of people was making it hard. I nearly passed out myself. I pitied the poor cosplayer next to me, he was wearing a full Al armor set made out of foam rubber. At one point five of us, myself included, were fanning him to keep him from passing out.

Somehow, I didn't keel over and made it inside, where I promptly chose a chair (thank god, a CHAIR!) near the back (more for the water cooler that was right next to me, I needed a lot of water to rehydrate myself). I promptly sat back and prepared for...whatever would come.

Now, don't worry guys, I won't include any spoilers here. If you want it, ask me for it and I'll get in contact in some way if you want, but this is spoiler free.

First and foremost, it was emphasized that the movie takes place around episode 20 of Brotherhood, specifically shortly after Ed returned home to Risembool and dug up what he thought was his mother's remains. This also means that Hughes is no more so there's no hope for him being in the movie (pity, that *sigh*).

Ok, so, movie. I don't know what your opinion is of the first series' movie. I was very underwhelmed by it. I mean, more FMA is always welcome in my book (so long as its good) but that...eh. Not a fan of it, really.

Sacred Star of Milos, in my own opinion, is extremely better than that one. The animation is extremely good (But hey, what were we expecting?), the storytelling is also quite good, the characters (new ones) interesting. All in all, I think they did a pretty good job of working the location (Table City) into the world of Amestris (and Creta, as well, which is involved).

I can also say that the crowds (packed hall) loved it too, lots of cheering, cat calls at certain points, and all, just a great atmosphere. I stuck around a bit for the Q&A afterward as well. Nothing major to report there, though the director did hint that they may make more movies in the future. Nothing concrete, but they are all huge fans of the show too and would love to make more. The director (whose name escapes me) was also extremely overwhelmed by everyone's reactions at the hall. Just very happy about it.

I saw it subbed, as FUNi had to crank it out really fast, but it was a bang up job, and I would highly recommend getting it when they do release it.

Also, in a bit (maybe today, maybe tomorrow) I'll have a post up about the rest of Otakon, including pictures, heh. Enjoy it :)

Maenos' Otakon Journal - Part 1: Preparations

Figured since I'm going to Otakon, I'd run a bit of a journal of sorts for you guys, heh. Nothing too major, like most announcements you'd find on ANN and other such sites, but little tidbits, gossip, what-have-you that happens there.

Otakon this year runs from Friday, July 29th through the 31st. I'm attending all three days, got a hotel closer by so I don't have as far a drive as I would otherwise. I'm taking my camera with me, plan to attend as many panels as I can (well, as many, plus autograph sessions, plus shopping there...my poor wallet). We'll see what I get, eh? Expect pictures, at least :)

Now I do have a question. I did attend Otakon last year but the way I did it was rather unorganized (didn't think until the day before to try and reason out the schedule). I'm determined to be more prepared this year, trying ot set up a schedule and whatnot. I'm bringing some snacks in a backpack, some water too (going to be near 100 again, joy. Though at least I'm not cosplaying), a few things to have autographed, poster tube (for any posters I may get, don't want to fold it up). Anyone with any experience, or even non-experience but good advice, can you think of stuff?

I'll let you guys know how it goes :)

Wolf's Rain, eps 7 & 8

Anyone else weirded out by Cheza yet (gotta love the talking in third person)? We learn a little bit more about her in these next two episodes, including a little bit more about her origin. So, Darcia was just taking back what was rightfully his as Cheza was born/created/what-have-you by the Darcia family. It seems that Cheza is a pretty popular individual, desired by wolves (even Tsume is starting to be won over by her), Darcia, and whoever Cher works for. The question we all have is why?

Something that I didn't realize (or at least, that I don't remember from watching Wolf's Rain before) is that Cheza is blind. She corrects herself just as she's about to go over a steep edge. What other unique characteristics or qualities have you observed about her thus far? I suppose that the wolves have what they need as far as the scent of lunar flowers goes because won't having her accompany them drown out the scent from anywhere else? Or am I not giving wolf noses enough credit?

Additional thoughts, comments, or insight?

Usagi Drop

In addition to our continuing discussions on anime we are following together, I know that many of us are watching other series on our own. Since the intent behind the creation of this blog was to discuss all things anime (and I might even add manga to that, since for me anime and manga are so interconnected), we should also discuss our recommendations, recent discoveries, etc.


A new anime that I started watching last week is Usagi Drop. It is available on crunchyroll, with a new episode out each Thursday. The manga that the anime is based on is being released under the name Bunny Drop and has had positive reviews (here and here among others). The story is about a 30-year-old bachelor, Daikichi, who finds himself taking in his grandfather's illegitimate daughter when the rest of the family avoids taking responsibility at his grandfather's funeral. The art for the story is so unique - soft and sometimes incomplete watercolors and a simple approach to design - that sets a such a calm relaxing tone in contrast to the oftentimes over-saturated stories that abound these days.

Only one episode in, I find myself completely drawn into the story. If the anime continues to hold my interest on such a level, I might just have to check out the manga next!

Wolf's Rain, episodes 5+6

My turn this week, heh.

The group of wolves continues on their journey, following the faint smell of Lunar Flowers. Following it, they arrive at the ocean and, thanks to a well placed train track, arrive at a run down city. Here we meet a surprisingly large pack of wolves, all masquerading as human. The wolves live a rather meager life, doing a dog's work to get food. Yet while some of them call it a dog's work, they seem very testy about being called one, don't they? Why do you think that is?

This new pack also shows us the first sight of new wolves after our meeting Kiba, Hige, Tsume, and Toboe. Aside from the differences in pack size, what other differences do you note among the other group? Not just in mentality, but in their membership. What would you say that shows about the surviving wolves in this world?

Prior to arriving at the city, our boys could hardly be called a Pack, and yet, as they leave, its obvious something has changed. They look out for one another. They're a true pack now. Would you say this is a good thing for them?

And finally, there's the mystery about that book. Destruction of the moon, seemingly eternal winter, at least from what we've seen. Any thoughts on any of that?

Wolf's Rain, Episodes 3-4

Slowly, the story is starting to unfold: the myth of the wolves and their journey to paradise, the Nobles, Cheza and the smell of moon flowers, Hubb, Cher, and the laboratory where Cheza was...created? And Quent and Blue, who hunt wolves for revenge. The artwork continues to be beautiful, I remember thinking what intense eyes Kiba has, and the wolves have all met up and seem to be adopting much more of a pack mentality. Thoughts on that? Thoughts on paradise and it's relation to Cheza? Apparently the machines in that abandoned military base saw the wolves as wolves, no fooling them. That leads me to think that the human/wolf forms all have to do with the human mind and how it perceives things, at least to some extent, since things like machines and even dogs like Blue can't be fooled. Feel free to post on any or all of these things, and if anyone is interested in posting the discussion next Friday, go for it.

Two Minor Housekeeping Issues

More like a couple of random thoughts. I was thinking about the episodes we've already watched, and the comments that have been made, and it dawned on me that it might be a good idea for people to take turns leading discussion on episodes, if they're willing, because there's always something we didn't see or notice, or a different way of thinking of things. I don't want to set a schedule, so no one feels any pressure, but I do think that it would be nice if people wanted to volunteer to lead eps some weeks other than me. I'd say just volunteer week by week if you want to lead the next set, and we can go from there. I also thought it might be a good idea to consider other anime or anime movies we want to watch as a group, so that people have time to acquire them before we get to them. If people have no objection, I see no reason why we can't every so often in the middle of a series break for a movie, especially if it's a longer series and we need a change of pace. Just my thoughts, post yours below and we can decide from there.