Anime Review: No Game No Life

Anime Review: No Game No Life
Produced by: Madhouse
Manga and Art by: Yū Kamiya
By: Aliraluna
Review:

No Game No Life is the story of hikikomori siblings Shiro and Sora, incredible NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) that have become urban legends because of their mysterious gamer name “[   ]” (blank), but more importantly because they have never lost a game. One day, after defeating 1,200 players, they receive an email from an unknown sender with a question: “Have you two siblings ever felt like you were born in the wrong world? While Sora is wondering how does the person knows they are siblings, he notices a link which leads them to a chess game. After winning, they receive another email with questions such as what they would do if there was a world with clear rules and goals, and their answer is that if there’s a world like that then they were born on the wrong world. Suddenly after that, they are transported/reborn in Tet’s world, a world in which everything is decided by games and ten pledges. Sora decides that they will save Imanity and conquer the world in order to challenge again Tet, the last God.

What are the ten pledges? The ten pledges were made by Tet when he was named the One True God after winning in the eternal war in which the old gods and their creations fought for the right to be the One True God. In order for this pledges to apply the players need to raise their hands and say “Aschente”.

Characters Overview:
1)Sora: Older brother of Shiro, he’s eighteen years old. He’s excellent at analyzing the opponent’s expressions and next movements; he also seems to be good at love games. He has maroon hair and red eyes; he’s tall and thin and wears a shirt that says “I heart (love) Humanity”.

2)Shiro: She’s eleven years old and is excellent with calculations; she knows about twenty languages and can learn a new one in fifteen minutes. Seems to be excellent in chess and shooting games. Has long pale blue hair, red eyes and wear a purple sailor uniform.

3)Stephanie Dola: She’s eighteen years old and was a princess in the Imanity kingdom. She has short red hair with a blue flower, blue eyes and wears an elegant dress. She’s naïve, very social and can make friends very easy. She also handles Imanity state affairs… and makes good cookies.

Thoughts:
This anime is by far one of the best I have ever seen. I adore the colors, the characters and of course the plot. Even if I’m not a gamer I can still enjoy the amazing story and still understand some references through the story, like the game Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. My favorite character is the adorable genius Shiro because I adore her personally and her amazing abilities in games. Hope you enjoy it because this anime is AWESOME!

Manga Review: Fruits Basket vol #1

Manga Review: Fruits basket vol.1
Story and art by: Natsuki Takaya
By: Aliraluna

Tohru Honda, an orphan girl living in the woods suddenly sees a big, beautiful and peaceful house in which members of the Sohma family are living with an ancient curse, and to her surprise Yuki Sohma known in school as “Prince Charming’ is living there! Later on, when Yuki Sohma and Shigure Sohma are walking toward their house they see Tohru walking by herself and they wonder where she lives as the whole place is theirs and they haven’t rented any part of the land to anyone. When Tohru Honda arrives to her “home” (which is really a tent) she finds that Yuki and Shigure were waiting for her! They take her to their home and she asks if they can rent her a place to camp until the remodeling of her grandpa’s house is done. But Shigure explains that a landslide could happen, and it does covering everything with a mountain of mud. Tohru had to stay in the Sohma’s house as she got a fever from overworking but is really sad because she lost her mother’s picture and she explains to Shigure her goal of graduating from high-school as her mother didn’t do so. The next day Yuki gives her the surprise that he saved the picture of her mother but also that she’s welcome to stay in their house until the remodeling of her grandpa’s house is done and as she likes doing house-work she should stay; besides the Sohma house needs cleaning! But just as she’s entering her room, from nowhere a boy comes out of a wall to pick a fight with Yuki, calling him ‘rat-boy’; and when he was about to attack Tohru tries to stop him and accidently hugs him… and he transforms into a cat! And that’s when Tohru Honda’s “normal” life changes by knowing the curse of the Sohma family. Is Tohru Honda ready to get involved in the magical world of curses and legends of the Sohma family?

What is the curse of the Sohma family? For hundreds of years the Sohma family has been possessed by the twelve spirits found in the Chinese zodiac, but there’s the thirteen spirit: the cat (in total, only thirteen members of the family are possessed). They can communicate with their respective animals, but for some unknown reason when they are very tired and/or hugged by the opposite sex they transform. 

The legend of the Banquet: One day, God told the animals “I’m inviting you all to my banquet tomorrow. Don’t be late!” after hearing that the Rat lied to the Cat saying that the banquet was the day after. The next day the Rat, Ox, Tiger and the rest of the animals; but the Cat, who had been tricked, feasted until the morning, and so the Cat was never made a zodiac animal.

Anime review: Magi: the Labyrinth of Magic/ Magi: The Kingdom of Magic

Anime review: Magi: the Labyrinth of Magic/ Magi: The Kingdom of Magic
Anime produced by: A-1 Pictures
Story and art by: Shinobu Ohtaka 
By: Aliraluna

My review:

The story starts with a blue-hair boy named Aladdin demanding to know what he is, but the djinn, called Ugo, can’t say the answer. Instead, he offers Aladdin the chance to grant him a wish. Later on, Aladdin meets Alibaba; a young servant who is trying to get rich; while eating all the watermelons Alibaba was supposed to take care of. At Alibaba’s house he explains to Aladdin that fourteen years ago strange magical structures called Dungeons started to appear around the world; and that the person who clears the dungeon can gain wealth and power such as: gold, jewelry and magical items- just what Alibaba needs. But, he also mentions that the best items are the metal djinn vessels. At the streets they see a girl with an enormous basket of fruits, and to make things worst she has chains in her feet, a symbol of being a slave. She notices they are looking at her feet and while trying to hide them she stumbles onto the ground. Aladdin doesn’t like the way Alibaba’s master treats her and decides to call for a short time Ugo to scare them. Afterwards, an accidents occurs in the desert while trying to deliver wine and they see again the powers of Aladdin: his enormous djinn Ugo and his magic turban that transforms into a magic carpet- he can fly! After seeing this Alibaba sees him as someone who could help him complete the dungeon and they decide to become friends along with the girl Morgiana. After some adventures they decide to part ways for training and in doing so they will encounter many risks, experiences and gain knowledge by working hard. But will this help them when a dark, secret organization attacks them? 

My thoughts:

The first thing I liked about this anime was the setting. As a person of the Caribbean it made me happy to see an environment that I can identify with: the heat, the jungle/forests, caves, the ocean and much more. My favorite characters are: Aladdin, Ugo and Titus. The story is fantastic with many things to learn from such as not giving up, friendship and how to defeat your past and move on. My favorite part was when the three of them were training (season two) especially Aladdin as it was a school of magic and where he met Titus. The plot is really good and I can’t wait to know more about Aladdin and Sinbad’s past and about the secret organization. Also, you will noticed how much Aladdin has changed over the course of the story, growing more mature and determined as well Alibaba. Alibaba’s task will be, in my opinion, far more difficult for him for two reasons: his past and that he can’t summon his djinn! Will he be able to do so? Find out!... 

Anime Review: Sword Art Online (season #1)

Anime Review: Sword Art Online 

Produced by: A-1 Pictures 

Story by: Reki Kawahara

Art by: abec

Anime available in: Crunchyroll

By: Aliraluna

Review:

It’s the year 2022 and Sword Art Online (SAO for short), a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) has been released, selling 10,000 copies. But this game is like no other, as player can control their avatars with their bodies using the NerveGear. The story follows a beta player called Kirito, when one day after practicing with another player; Klein; they realize the log-out button is gone. While discussing the issue they hear a bell and they are suddenly teleported without their will to the principal town. In there, the creator of the game and NerveGear called Kayaba Akihiko explains to the players that he removed the log-out option in order for them to complete the one hundred levels of the game. Meaning, is the only way to be free; but also that if the NerveGear is removed in real life it can end your life because of the powerful radiation the NerveGear will produce toward your brain; an example of this are the first 213 persons that have perish in SAO and in real life. But also, you can die in the game if your HP gets to zero; in other words, the auto-revival or other means can’t be used anymore. Before going away, the Game Master gives them a present: a mirror that transforms your avatar the way you look in real life. Instead of getting together, as time passes the majority of the players doesn’t like the beta players- but even worst the players start to notice they can kill each other even in “safe areas”. Will they ever be able to get out alive? In the second game, called ALfheim Online, Kirito and his friends will encounter more issues than dying in the game and in real life. Kirito’s appearance will change and this new game is about races and magic. In there, he will meet new friends and enemies…in order to save someone really important. 

Thoughts:

This anime is not only great because of the graphics, plot and story itself but because something like this could happen in a future not so far away! Have you ever imagined having the chance to play a game in which you can control your avatar and feel everything as if it were real? I also liked this anime because it talked about different emotional issues and taboos. My favorite characters are: Kirito, Yui and Leafa- don’t get me wrong Asuna is awesome in fighting. Give this anime a try and it will change your life forever. Yes, this is one of those anime.

Also make sure to check this AFTER you have seen the first season:

1.Sword Art Online- Extra Edition

2.Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline (DVD/Blu-ray specials) 

3.SWORD ART ONLINE SEASON II IS AVAIBLE NOW! Streaming in: Crunchyroll (and other websites)

Reseña de Anime: Sword Art Online (termporada #1)

Reseña de Anime: Sword Art Online (Temporada #1)
Producido por: A-1 Pictures
Historia por: Reki Kawahara
Arte por: abec
Anime disponible en: Crunchyroll
Por: Aliraluna
Reseña:

Es el año 2022 y Sword Art Online (SAO como corto), un Video juego de Realidad Virtual y Rol Multijugador Masivo en Línea (VRMMORPG siglas en inglés) ha sido lanzado, vendiendo 10,000 copias. Pero este no es un juego cualquiera, ya que el jugador puede controlar su personaje con su cuerpo utilizando el ‘NerveGear’. La historia sigue a un jugador beta llamado Kirito, cuando un día luego de practicar con otro jugador; Klein; se percatan que el botón de salida no se encuentra. Mientras discuten sobre el problema ellos escuchan una campana y sin aviso alguno, son teletransportados a la ciudad principal. Ahy, el creador del juego y del ‘NerveGear’, llamado Kayaba Akihiko les explica a todos los jugadores que él removió la opción de salida para que todos completen los cien niveles del juego. En otras palabras, es la única manera de ser libre; pero si el ‘NerveGear’ es removido en vida real, puede acabar con tu vida por la poderosa radiación que el ‘NerveGear’ producirá hacia tu cerebro; un ejemplo de esto fueron las primeras 213 personas que murieron en SAO y en vida real. Pero también, puedes morir en el juego si tu HP (barra de vida) llega a cero; en otras palabras, la opción de revivir u otras maneras no se pueden utilizar ya que no tienen efecto. Antes de retirarse, el ‘Game Master’ les da un regalo: un espejo que transforma tu avatar en la manera en que te ves en vida real. En vez de unirse, mientras el tiempo pasa la mayoría de los jugadores no les cae bien los jugadores beta- pero algo peor es que los jugadores comienzan a percatarse que pueden matarse unos a los otros y hasta en lugares marcados como “seguros”. Lograrán salir con vida? En el segundo juego, llamado ‘ALfheim Online’Kirito y sus amigos encontraran más problemas que el de morirse en el juego y en vida real. La apariencia de Kirito cambiará, y este nuevo juego se basará sobre razas y magia. En él, conocerá nuevos amigos y enemigos…. Con el fin de salvar a alguien muy importante.

Opinión:

Este anime no es solo grandioso por sus gráficas, la trama y la historia misma sino que es algo que podría pasar en un futuro no muy lejano! Alguna vez haz imaginado tener la oportunidad de jugar un video juego en el cual puedas controlar tu avatar y sentir como si todo fuése real? También me gustó este anime porque habló de varios problemas emocionales y tabués. Mis personajes favoritos son: Kirito, Yui and Leafa- no me malinterpreten, Asuna es impresionante en las peleas. Dale una oportunidad a este anime y cambiará tu vida por siempre. Sí, este es uno de esos animes.

Asegúrense de chequiar esto LUEGO de haber visto la primera temporada:

1.Sword Art Online- Extra Edition (edición extra)

2.Sword Art Online: Sword Art Offline (Especiales de DVD/BD)

3.SWORD ART ONLINE TEMPORADA II ! Disponible en Crunchyroll (y otras páginas)

                                          

Sword Art Online has come to Mabinogi! Sword Art Online ha llegado a Mabinogi!

Hello fellow SAO fans!

Sword Art Online is already in Mabinogi!  Go and help Kirito and his friends in different quests; it ends in September 9, 2014.

What to do?

First, go to http://mabinogi.nexon.net/ make an account and download the game. Even if you downloaded the game you still have to go to the website and click "PLAY" in order to enter the game.

After you complete some of the "normal" related game missions, head to Dunbaton (here's the place for this event).

Have fun! <3
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Hola queridos fans de SAO!

Sword Art Online ya se encuentra en Mabinogi! Ve y ayuda a Kirito y a sus amigos en diferentes misiones; esto acabará en 9 de septiembre, 2014.

Qué hacer?

Primero, ve a este enlace  http://mabinogi.nexon.net/  haz una cuenta y baja el juego. Aunque hayas bajado el juego, tienes que ir a la página y darle clic en donde dice "PLAY" para poder entrar al juego.

Luego de que hayas completado algunas misiones "normales" en relación al juego principal, dirigete hacia Dunbaton (el lugar de este evento).

Diviértete! <3
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