So, this is where I’d put some caption on the image about Liang Ji really getting into the Wii. Seriously, she’s the freakin’ conductor of the crazy train.

Liang is such an insane character it’s hard not to like her. This is anime, so it is completely possible that they will work in some sympathetic story line for her that will justify all of her pure evilness. In all honesty, I really hope that isn’t the case. It would ruin her essence, her allure, her shining mental warped-ness that defines her.

Also, I seem to have started a perverse guessing game about when she will finally just kill Cummings (betting on ep 10, no real reason).

Like many others have stated, the show is worth watching on its production values alone. It’s a rather good work of animation. I can’t say that I find the story interesting at this point, but I find myself enjoying the characters. To that end, we all know that animation doesn’t necessarily a good anime make. Therefore, I’ll be waiting for something else to set this one apart. Six episodes in, they’re going to have to work for it, though.

It was a normal day just like any other day. I found myself reading through the myirad and random posts on the front page of reddit, whilst preparing to watch another episode of Haruhi 2009.  As I wondered through the various postings of a troubled world and nation, I came to the realization that I had done this before.

…because, I had, every day, for the last year. It’s basically been work, internet, television, and then anime. I’ve manage to sneak a book in every once in a while, but I haven’t managed to actually finish one.

But, all that is besides the point here. I would really like to get angry over the Haruhi mess that is Endless Eight, but I just don’t have the wherewithal. I would be lying if I said that I hadn’t been awaiting, with a childlike anticipation, for the next season of Haruhi. I’ve grown a little less vigilant in awaiting each new episode, and I find that to be a very sad thing, indeed.

The odd thing–I’m sure it has been pointed out–is that we regularly re-watch the same anime repeatedly. It’s not unusal for an anime fan to compulsively digest something they enjoy over and over again. For that matter, it isn’t really that odd for us to re-watch a movie, reread a book, or re-imagine an event in our live. It’s all about examining and finding new ways to see these things along with gaining new insight.

That is the prerequisite, though. There has to be some insight. Lately, I’ve found Haruhi to be lacking. I’m sure many will argue that the Endless Eight arc is full of tiny hints that tell of a larger…something. No doubt, there are many people who have noticed subtle changes between the episodes that in themselves tell something, but overall mean another.

Is it interesting? Yes.

Is it artistic? Yes.

Could it have been accomplished in one episode? Unfortunately, Yes. In hindsight, we should have expected something of this nature to amuse and confound our tastes. After all, this is the show that aired “out of order,” the first season. To which, many were peeved.

I guess, the fact that I’m still watching it speaks volumes for the show.

On another note, I’ve been fairly pleased with Yuki’s emotional range throughout Endless Eight.

Here we see Yuki is surprised to be stopped by Kyon. Sure, it’s happened about 15K times, but she’s still a bit surprised each time, which shows through her excellent body language. Yuki knows how to emote.

Yuki is giving that, “so, what’s up?” look. Excellent animation.

Notice, the posture and body positioning. It says, “I’m waiting to leave.” You can tell a lot of thought went into this one scene.

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Linked to lk’s blog, in his recent repeated post on Endless Eight and rewatchability. I meant to link to him originally, but I forgot when I first posted last night.

Well, maybe not “all kinds” of awesome…but, it’s at least two or three types of awesome.

I’ve only two more episodes left, but I already know I’m going to miss this one. I broke down, finding myself on a frantic google search for the plot summary a few moments ago.  I usually don’t try and spoil the ending of a show for myself; yet, I found myself eager to know what was going to happen.

It isn’t really a spectacular plot or intricate story. It is incredibly fun. There are lots of explosions and such.

Plus, there are giant robots. I was starting to go through a bit of giant robot withdraw.

I like everything about Eden of the East. The Op and Ed are done very well. The characters are interesting enough. The story is getting off to a good start. After three episodes there is enough information with abundance of mystery to keep me awaiting each new installment.

I found it interesting that the show starts off in the US and quickly returns to good ‘ol Japan. Although, I struggle to find the reasoning behind it. Other than the benefit of unique scenery (for an anime), what was the reason? I can’t see it being a big part of the plot, unless the US is bombing Japan. That would be interesting, but I don’t think they’ve made any allusion to that. It was mentioned that some of the Japanese population thought this, but that doesn’t really count.

Eden has highlighted one thing very explicitly.  Apparently, the best way to pick up cute Japanese girls is to expose yourself. Also, the best way to get pants (trousers for you English folks) in the US is to show off your fun parts.  Without a doubt, the best way to get out of trouble with a female police officer is to whip out Johnny.

…I learn so much from anime.

You’d probably think me odd if I told you that I had a friend nobody else could see. Perhaps, I hear voices. Maybe, I let my imagination get the better of me from time to time…well, it happens.

Watching Chaos;Head is a rather unusual experience. I’m sure other bloggers have already expressed this sentiment in some way or form. It isn’t that we’re crazy, or that we’re out of touch with reality, much. Okay, we may be a bit out of touch with reality for short periods of time, but it’s all in good fun.

What I find most interesting is that the show seems to hit on a certain aspect of myself. That aspect being how closely I am to being completely out of touch with reality. Sometimes I feel that I have to really give it some effort to stay grounded, or I’ll may let myself wonder off. I find myself talking to myself from time to time. I have to admit, I’ve had a few rather rigorous conversations and arguments with myself before I realized that I was sitting in traffic and others were watching me. Hopefully, they just thought I was singing.

We all live in our own little worlds. That really should not be understated, because they are rather little when you think about it. I’ve spent time talking about how our “little worlds’ affect the perception of a story, but usually I take the stance that there is a majority similarity in the way things are viewed, despite there being difference of opinion based on personal history.

What would it be like to see the world differently, to such a great extent that the perception might as well be an orthogonal reality? Could one function or, at least, pretend to be normal? Probably not. That is if they were unaware of what others perceived as reality and what it was like. That alone entails that they had experienced something similar.

This is something along the lines of the old addage about walking in someone else’s shoes, just without the moral construct. Likewise, in my opinion, if one truly wants to understand then the only path is experience. Just walk up to the edge of insanity and jump right on over. Who knows? The fall may be worth it.