Okita

Conquering the world and ruling it is two entirely different things, to do the former is concievable to attempt the other laughable. Human nature tends tpwards greed and selfishness, we only learn kindness and love as we grow, to attempt to rule the world is like trying to block a leeking damn with chewing gum. Totalitarianism will succeed within a limited sphere, but a tyrant's justification for rule ends with his fist, and there are many more fist in the world than your own, no matter how big your fist really is (figuratively speaking of course). Thus to subdue the world you must first utter wipe civilization and the existence of humanity from the face of the earth and start everything from scratch, it's the only to succeed really, but since you'll be long dead before your pet project comes into fruition, it becomes a moot point. To destory the world... now that is very feasible: simple load volatile weapons of mass destruction into rocket and launch them into orbit, from there you may proceed to bomabrd earth until it resemble a swiss cheese... or better yet, drill into earth's core and plant an explosive their, presto! one toasted planet! And since I'm not insane or otherwise highly unstable, have no childhood trauma, is not possessed by evil entities of great power, is not innately malicious or enjoys the pain of other and not particularly stupid, i have no intention of ruling/destroying the world (or at least attempt to in the former's case). Besides, it is a cosmically enforcible decree that every super villains get a super hero to one up him/her... Just give up and settle for your little corner of the world, tyranny does work on small scale against a rather stupid population, you shouldn't have much trouble in becoming dictator of Paris ;)

[quote name='Sarangeyo]The ending of Escaflowne the movie. Tell me that didn't disappoint you. Talk about anticlimatic. Now, I love that movie. I do. I like the series more and the manga (though it differs unbelievably with the anime), but that's aside the point. However, I expected a killer battle between Van and Volken. Or perhaps maybe a battle fo words. [spoiler]But the Lion-man attacks him and doink. He's dead.[/spoiler'] WTF?! Also, the very end, while touching, was...well it left me...wanting something more...finishing I guess. Does anyone agree with me? I could be alone in this thought, but really...[/quote] I totally agree on the point about Volken's predicament, the ending just made you want to blink and check if you've accidently skipped a chapter or two, I bought the DVD when it came out as a R1 import which cost a fortune, and was extremely annoyed at the short and VERY anticlimatic ending. The Anime was loads better, the best thing about the movie was the cooler looking escaflawne and the gritty blood transfusion requirement for operating the escaflawne -which seems somehow fitting. (And the very well rendered intro)

I saw the first 2 episode of Champloo and am very much hooked, the style of the show remind me of bebop in it's execution, it *feels* like bebop and that alone is enough to warrant a look, the fight scenes is very nicely choreographed and the character refreshing, Samurai 7 will either flop or become another instance hit, the name alone will garner attention as the movie is somewhat legendary, i do hope that it will live up to it's reputation, since a game base on the movie was recently release that was simply abysmal. I have not heard of Otogizoushi before but you description sounds promsing, I'll be sure to check it out! thanks for the info! ps: for azumanga daioh lover, check out Sensei no Ojikan, which is a clone but still fairly funny! the main character is the teacher who looks like a she's 10 years old! @_@

[QUOTE=Dagger IX1] EDIT: Okita, am I correct in assuming you're a fan of Peacemaker Kurogane? :) ~Dagger~[/QUOTE] Very much so! :) though you would be more correct to say that I am a fan of the Shinsengumi, ever since kenshin (Saito!) I've being a huge fan, and Peacemaker was like a dream come true for me because it IS about the shinsengumi, Mystical mumbo jumbo aside, it actually followed the plot progression of the cannon Shinsengumi, which is to say, character weren't just being BS. (though their rendition of Okita is somewhat..... er Yoai-fied) The real life Okita would look more like the one in Samurai X, (or Soujiro from Kenshin since the character was based off Okita Souji) Finally will also like to give Kenshin's ending a complain, since it was utter garbage... I essential ignore everything after the Kyoto arc, and follow the story straight to 2nd OVA, since it was much more fitting an ending that breathtakingly beautiful...

One of the more fable aspect of anime is hair colour, take sailor moon for example... how can a blond and black haired with a silver haired mother (and brunete after reincarnation mother) give birth to a pink hair daughter???? damn gene quirks... *mumble*

Okay, first off, this is a rant of sort, mainly become I am VERY annoyed after just finish watching Legend of Basara anime. There will be no spoiler because I won't be talking about the show content, only it's conlcusion, or lack of to be precise [SIZE=2]WTF IS WRONG WITH THOSE SOB?!?!?!?!??![/SIZE] Why oh why did the company decide to toture us with a half complete show that the don't EVER intend to pick up???? I mean the ending of Basara was just rediculous, they are halfway developing the plot, no resolution is made and suddenly they say Sayonara we decide to make you suffer so *nyah* *nyah* the show is cancel????? SCREW them! I really wish they get sent letter bombs or something Now to be fair I understand that their decision is based on profit, director cannot do anything that they are not giving approval off, and the Big Brass needs profit or rating to make a show worthwhile, but that doesn't make me any less pissed. I've been suckered in for this type of thing before, Kare Kano had the same painful finale as did beserk and Star Ocean.... though the later is not as bad as the the former two or my rant subject. Juuni Kokki suffer the same problem but at least it when far along the show to have a PROPER ending! ep 39 was good enough a resolution that 40-45 could just as well be consider an OVA and I would love the show just as much this has to stop! or someday I may really send a letter bomb to companies like NHK... And now I would also like to plead aid to anyone that suffer through the rant, please please please does anyone know how to get their hand on the Basara comic online? I don't live in the State, I live in hicksville down under (Australia) and no local store has Basara comic, import cost far too much for poor penniless me and if REALLY want to know what happens after episode 13.....

I can't believe only one person name bebop as their favourite(s) anime! that show has got to be the most polish and stylishly execute anime I've ever see! The character are superbly portayed, episodes are executed tastefully yet dissimliar enough in nature to be unique and enjoyable by themself and the main plot held suspence and action applenty.. I mean VICIOUS?!?!?! that character alone was enough to make this show cool but while it held alot of cliche theme it is so far from unoriginal as to be the other end of the spectrum. Plus it has the most AWESOME ending I have ever seen in any Anime, it was such a memerable moment to seen the finale of such a great show not only live up and exceed my expectation... other honourable mention: Witch Hunter Robin, Wolf's Rain, Juuni Kokki and LAST EXILE

eh I made a character... please please please let me join, I really like the setting and your history is so neat! I promise I'll make a good attempt! here is my bio -judge and find me worthy :) [B]Name[/B]: [B]Lilith Cecile Kain [/B] aka Lily [B]Age[/B]: Unknown *The sole daughter of Kain the Betrayer (ie VERY OLD) [B]Side[/B]: Blood Brood *non-formal affiliation* (ie she is stalking them for fun) *Note: as a story tie, she has a case of major hero worship toward Nicoleta, believing her to be the perfect 'lady' and is currently follwoing her from afar like a lost puppy * [B]Gender[/B]: Female [B]Species[/B]: (half) Vampire (Dhampire, Dhampeal etc) [B]Race[/B]: Aramaic??? [B]Description[/B]: [URL=http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Animation/cossette/image/top04.jpg]*See picture here please!!!*[/URL] Fair haired Lilith, daughter of the betrayer, progeny of Kain, draped in gowns of sable black, supple and straight of limbs, violet eyes that haunts the stars, sweet melody that soothe the dead, malice draped in innocence, hate smothered in love, despoiled purity, fallen grace, angel without wings, devil unworthy. She who is internal youth, forever stasis, forever still. The eternal maiden trapped before bloom. [B]Personality[/B]: She is very knowledgeable but also extremely naïve, spoiled rotten from an early age as befitting a noble of one of the first great house, she is a indirect sire of the ancient vampire propagator (who gave undeath to immortal Kain, son of Adam and Eve, her father) She likes to be pampered but also likes people that can boss her around (and can stay alive afterward) she enjoys stalking her ?playmates? (aka victims) and has a great passion for objects of beauty. She is also COMPELETLY AMORAL and does not understand the remotest concept of good and evil, this is a result of her upbringing as well as heritage, Kain wanted his daughter to be a living doll, perfection in form and pure of spirit. (see more detail in biography [B]Weapons[/B]: [B]Dues ex Machina[/B]: (see biography for more detail) This ancient Golem that once served the ?First? was the shell of the Armageddon beast ?Death?, who once roamed the earth under servitude of the first house. When the first house felled, Kain having dethroned his sire to become first house himself (the house of Kain) the beast along with its brethren cease working as the magik that binds it to earth fell apart along with the ?First? and his minion. The machine was reawakened decades later in a ritual of binding to serve the Lady Lilith, daughter of Kain. The ritual was in actual fact a seal by Kain to lock away his daughter?s power, for Kain fear that his perfect doll would one day rebel just as he did to rid him as he had the ?First?. What he failed to anticipate however was a portion of Lilith?s mortality (she being a half breed) also binding with the lifeless machine, it?s effect was unnoticeable at first, but soon the Golem had gain a conscious and awareness of it?s own, much to the delight of Lilith who had finally gain an eternal playmate. The golem is very powerful, having the ability to become invisibile, is virtually immune to any form of magik (including holy) and is also nearly indestructible. It is also fiercely protective of it?s mistress (Lilith) (And a lot smarter than her too) Deus lower abdominal is hollow and contain a hatched that acts as a coffin, while Lilith does not require one being a Daywalker, it is her most comfortable type of bedding as well as being the safest. [B]Daywalker[/B]: As Lilith is half mortal (and direct descendent of Adam through both her parents) she is able to walk in daylight and is immune to most typical vampiric bane [B]*Note[/B]: Lilith has very little power, she is immune to holy weapon but she has very little offensive capability save to command Deus. (which more than make up for it) She is about as powerful as newborn fledging vampire, she has faster healing factor, night vision etc, but not much else. [B]Place of Birth[/B]: The Black Sea, near the border of modern day Turkey and Romania [B]Biography[/B]: Born to the illustrious house of Kain, Lilith Kain was sole daughter of Kain the Betrayer, who never wanted an heir, but rather a plaything to be paraded before his minions. Born a half breed who?s mother was a direct descended of Adam through Able, the daughter of Kain grew up in complete isolation as a gentle, sheltered and very much naïve doll, completely innocent and completely pure, just as Kain had always wanted. At the age of twelve however, fate decided to spice things up, and Lilith?s till then torment vampiric power began to surface, slowly and with increasing dread, Kain watch as she grew more and more powerful, until a wild surge accidental destroyed a servant so utterly that no even dust was left in the aftermath. This was the last straw and Kain began plans to nip the bud of his fledging would-be-heir. Completely unaware of these event, the lonely and despondent child continue as she normally did, never making any choice (for there was no to make) and thus never to grow and discover morality. So it is then, that the door to good and evil are thus close, for the child slipped pass and now walked the road of ambiguity. Kain meanwhile had finally found a way to seal off his daughter?s power, and was overjoyed, for by now he had began to fear the potential of his daughter who grew leaps and bounds, a doll was not meant to have power, a doll was meant to sit and look pretty, nothing else. Thus the ceremony commenced, and Kain would bind his daughter?s power to the core of an Ancient golem that once house ?Death? of the Armageddon beast. The ritual was prepared with fastidious care, hundreds of sacrifices both human and vampire along with strong blood magik went into the formulation of the circle of rune. Kain would accept nothing but success. And thus fate decree: Kain would get his success. Ah! But it was hollow victory despite appearance, and latter he would reap the bitter reward. Kain had wanted to bind Lilith vampiric power, all that which is required of her vampire origin was eternal beauty and grace, but what he failed to anticipate was Lilith?s humanity. Part of her human soul was also absorbed by the golem, who not at first but slowly throughout the centuries began to develop awareness. Lilith was delighted by her new playmate, for never having being giving a pet nor friend, the monstrously giant golem-beast became her first and only talkative friend -an eternal companion. Even more amazingly, the former Armageddon beast reciprocated the love of the child, finding in her his missing half and desperately yearning to please and protect. Century past and little change, the golem served faithfully while Lilith slowly began dreaming of freedom. The Golem took notice Kain meanwhile was far too busy to take notice of his charge, involved as he was in a vicious battle with an upstart noble who had the gall to imitate the ?First? this worm, this so called ?Nosferatu? was becoming a bigger thorn to his side by the day. Thus was he blissfully unaware of his Daughter?s fate, or the fact that his perfect sentinel had achieve sentience and had decided that it?s mistress came first. And so it was during the middle of THIS hazardous and long running war that Deus and Lilith made the flight from Castle Nazareth and venture out into the wide wide world. Kain quickly became aware of the escape, furious that his perfect doll had somehow rebelled he order his minions to bring her back at all cost. At first one went, for a war was still on and it would not do to waste men on silly errand, but when the one fail to return, two was sent, then four, then six, then a dozen until the frothing mad Betrayer diverted his entire attention and resource to bringing back ?nay- DESTROY his stupid broken doll! This proved to be his last mistake. Within a short month and in a titanic battle that left scar still present till this day, the house of Kain was eradicated, and Nosferatu now lord of the first house by virtue of being the victor, stood supreme and unchallenged. Kain was no more. This was the foundation of House Tepes (the impaler) who would later born the legendary Vladimir Tepes aka Dracula, the terror of the Turks and greatest of Walachia?s prince. Of Lilith?s fate none knew, for the Golem and it?s mistress had long wonder out of the reach of even Nosferatu, traveling through middle-east to reach the unformed land of India then China and Russia before crossing the sea to reach modern day Canada. Thus did fate spins it?s tale and thus did the house of Kain fell, but the name of Kain yet lives, for Lilith yet lives, the sighting of the eternal maiden has occurred frequently throughout history, often being confused with that of the Virgin Mary, a great irony that bears no justice to the former and little comfort to the later. The most recent sighting is not even a year old, VAC agent reported someone of her description in London, the heart of the modern day conflict between Vampire and Humans? *Note: Lilith is a born vampire and would have stopped aging upon maturity, but the binding of her power stopped the aging process early, she is stuck eternally in a 12 years old's in body... FIN ~*~*~*~ ~_~ Few that took me a while!!! [I]*edit - tone down the power level after realizing that this will be more like Ann Rice than Hellsing...[/I]

that's a very loaded question really, love is so wide and encompassing a word that has so many meaning you might as well be deciphering the meaning of life through the dictionary... In a purely analytical way of speaking, I would say love is an positive emotion emitted by our body's chemsitry, it is the next step up from liking someone (or REALLY liking someone) and can range from anything like love of kin, to love of spouse or love of particular object or subject or even life in general. The particular love that I think you're referring to is the type of love of two mutually attracted conecntual adult, if you don't believe that this type of love exist, then you have a good chance of never considering lifelong companion since when you're old and crummy and cranky and snappish, who else but your spouse and your offspring would enjoy your company and intimacy (and not that way) but the one you love? Being in love is something that can't be proxied, love happens, just as sorrow or hatred, everyone has a different way of expressing it, everyone has a different way of feeling it... if need the ask what love is, then you've most likely never felt it.

uh is it too late to signup? sorry but I'm new, and would like a go at this....

Annoying trait about the series is that it packs less and less content into each new book, as the story progress, the main characters' journy diverge and before you know it, around 6 simultanous stories are going on at once, while I have nothing wrong with this style of writting in general, as it tends to spice up the plot and give unique perspective, when it gets to the point that and entire book is roughly 5-6 huge chunk that seemed stuck together and not entirely interwovened then it gets a tad bit desperate. I know that Cross Road of Twilight is simply a building block to the series end, but I can't help but feel cheated. I agree that the female characters a slight... repetitive, but speaking of characters in general, I have to say that it's one of the story highlight for me. My favourite character is Matt, and I believe alot of reader also share my view that he one of the few male character in the book that has common sense. (though not as much as I'd hope) But seriously, I've been following this series since book one and I while it has it's fault, I still feel that it's a classic and well worth reading. as a side note, yes I believe Robert Jordan is an old pervert too, just see his review for the Kushiel series by Jacqueline Carey.... (though I freely admit I too love the series :) )

What makes a good anime? ...Hayao Miyazaki.... ...or rather a successful anime, Seriously a good Anime is like one's favourite food, you can't please everyone. However I must say that the most important aspect is the plot and character, get a sympathetic character and decent plot and I'll sit through the worst animation and sound or even dubbed voice!

the only portable system out now is the Nintendo GBA,(and don't your dare mention N-Gage!) and I don't particularly recomment it since it will be supercede soon by the nextgen pocket console, wait a year and get the newer gear, I personally recomment the PSP but I am pretty sure that the DS won't be that bad, My main grip with the DS is that it's additional feature instead of adding to a game's quality might take it away, it is very easy to be too emersed in new technology to forget about core concept of gaming such as gameplay and (most important of all) fun... take the Virtual boy as a warning to tried and fail innovation, new features are good only if one does not fall into the traphole of ignoring what has been achieved before...

Almost everyone here believe Ki/Chi to be purely a mystical force, it is not, it is more of a concept than energy that can be harness, too much anime tends to exagerate or distort what it really is about... Personally I've never study enough to actually give a definite answer, but ki/chi represent life in general, it's meant to be a term to symbolise an individual's lifeforce, that's why everything living is suppose to have it even earth since it's technically a living thing. Heard of the Gaea Theory? That's virtually saying that earth is alive, and it's a scientific approach to the concept of living earth, lifestream isn't some bs that final fantasy made up, it has real life connection Chi/Ki does exist, or at least what it represent, to deny it is like denying that Buddhism exist...

While nintendo do have the edge in market as far as current handheld goes, I am very sceptical about the success of the DS, firstly the issue of handheld touchscreen and twin LCD having a high gimmick factor, (I can almost see a repeat of virtual boy) I've seen screen shots of working products and while they look okay I can't help but feel that gonna go the way of the N64 and GC. PSP is annoyingly exclusive up to the point that it has it's own media brand ie: there will be movies coming out for the PSP, I'm wondering now how they'll keep the operation time up and battery consuption down, but the prospect of watching Advents Children on the train is very nice indeed