We have failed to post for a long while and I truly apologise for that. I have acquired a Tumblr, so mainly I have been messing about with that, as well as a Twitter account, in which I have adopted my real name instead of this nickname.
Continuing onwards, recently Emily's been very into an anime called Clannad, but meanwhile I've been testing out the graphics tablet I got for Christmas. You can check out the art on my Tumblr, but you will have to wade through all the reblogged stuff to get to it. At first I was just going to leave it as my own so I wouldn't reblog anyone, but then I realised that wouldn't do. Following and reblogging is a way to move forward.
As well as to camouflage any of your own admittedly rubbish art.
But it's OK, I've only just started out really, so I'm still learning. I have an excuse to be rubbish.
Onto another subject, I haven't been playing much Xbox at the moment (nor any other console) because of my new addictions to various sites on the websites, as well as some superb Youtube channels. Mainly Shenmue36 and Tobuscus.
Oh my God, I must watch that (sorry, I'm easily distracted when finding links).
I will try to add more to this blog as I trundle along cyberspace, so I'll see you guys round.
Leilah
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Friday, 25 November 2011
Gakuen Heaven and the wonders of an infamous genre or two
So recently I have been watching an anime genre called shounen ai, so unfortunately boys, this blog isn't for you. Tonight's installment of the genre just so happened to be Gakuen Heaven, and at the moment I am up to episode 4. So far, we have been introduced to an all-boys school (classic) called Bell Liberty Academy, following the new student called Ito Keita (or Keita Ito, depending on your nationality) as he begins school life there.
I presume most of the main characters have been introduced now, including those evil twins. I really don't get their problem with Keita at the moment. But then again, so far it appears Keita has no special talent when other students are required to have some form of gift in order to attend the academy. So far the reason for Keita's acceptance into the academy is a complete mystery, but I bet the chairman (I have literally just SPOILED it for myself by Googling him and found out that Kazuki Endo, Keita's childhood friend [which he doesn't seem to remember at this stage] is actually the chairman) has some sort of link to him. Which - if you read the stuff in brackets, is indeed the case.
I'm not going to run over the plot because it has barely presented itself at this stage, but I believe one of the pages I have linked above will give you a summary of it. Instead I want to say just how funny I think some of the opening sequences are; they have such dirty innuendos that I thought I was watching a hardcore yaoi. Which leads onto the question: what is the difference between yaoi and shounen-ai? Don't worry, I have found a page here that will help you with that, although I have found evidence that they are practically the same genre (I will stick to the link's definition though).
But then I discover - like in episode 4 - they are doing something stupid like drinking tea or going through paperwork. Well dang it.
I mean, uh, thank God for that.
Onwards and upwards (and going onto a totally unrelated subject), I can't wait for tomorrow! I'm holding a fancy dress thing for my Birthday, and I'm doing a sort of steampunk thing. I think Emily's going as a pirate, so all's going to be very fun indeed.
Leilah
I presume most of the main characters have been introduced now, including those evil twins. I really don't get their problem with Keita at the moment. But then again, so far it appears Keita has no special talent when other students are required to have some form of gift in order to attend the academy. So far the reason for Keita's acceptance into the academy is a complete mystery, but I bet the chairman (I have literally just SPOILED it for myself by Googling him and found out that Kazuki Endo, Keita's childhood friend [which he doesn't seem to remember at this stage] is actually the chairman) has some sort of link to him. Which - if you read the stuff in brackets, is indeed the case.
I'm not going to run over the plot because it has barely presented itself at this stage, but I believe one of the pages I have linked above will give you a summary of it. Instead I want to say just how funny I think some of the opening sequences are; they have such dirty innuendos that I thought I was watching a hardcore yaoi. Which leads onto the question: what is the difference between yaoi and shounen-ai? Don't worry, I have found a page here that will help you with that, although I have found evidence that they are practically the same genre (I will stick to the link's definition though).
But then I discover - like in episode 4 - they are doing something stupid like drinking tea or going through paperwork. Well dang it.
I mean, uh, thank God for that.
Onwards and upwards (and going onto a totally unrelated subject), I can't wait for tomorrow! I'm holding a fancy dress thing for my Birthday, and I'm doing a sort of steampunk thing. I think Emily's going as a pirate, so all's going to be very fun indeed.
Leilah
Sunday, 6 November 2011
Rantings on Tekken
Check out this baby. Recently I've been getting all excited about matters concerning Tekken as I've finally started playing the scenario mode with Lars and Alisa on Tekken 6. It all looks so amazing. Not only is Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (or TTT2 as I will probably refer to it in the future) coming out, but the brand new movie, Blood Vengeance, is going to be screened all over the UK on the 26th November. Unfortunately for me, that is the date of my birthday party, and plus it is unlikely for me to get my parents to take me to London for one film. Oh, the sorrows.
So yes, I think the main reason to why I'm so excited about Blood Vengeance is because my two favourite female characters are going to be starring in it, those two being Ling Xiaoyu and Alisa Bosconovitch. And thankfully, they have lead roles. Check out the second clip from Tekken Blood Vengeance! And LOL at Ganryu... Really...
I really want to see that movie...
Onto more serious matters, it appears that Leo's gender has finally been decided. Before it was unknown because apparently the creators wanted Leo to be a character loved by both male and female players. I have to say, I am disappointed with their choice to have Leo as Eleonore Kliesen, because I thought she was a wonderful boy. Oh, I feel so sad and depressed! I only started playing as her yesterday when I thought I had never played as Leo before, and yet - despite the female voice - I just presumed she was a boy who was yet to reach adolescence. I do agree with some people's opinions on the subject though: it's good to have a tomboy character in Tekken.
Anyway, I still have Lars to admire, so onwards with this blog, and back to Blood Vengeance. I have seen many bad reviews for the movie, such as this one. I can understand what many people are saying about the dubbing; I do agree that they should have kept with the original Japanese speech and applied English subs rather than sacrifice the authenticity and had bad lip-syncing. If this is only aimed at Tekken fans as most of what I have seen hints at, then surely the fans would come regardless of what language it is in.
I can't wait until I can buy it on DVD.
And onto TTT2 again, I am so happy that Jun has returned to the Tekken series. Although I never really got on with the character very well, I didn't like how they neglected to add her to most of the Tekken games. I had always believed that she was Jin's sister, and was really surprised to discover at some point that she is Jin's mother. Wow. Relationships in Tekken are so dysfunctional.
Like there's this debate on whether Lars loves Alisa because of what Jin said after Alisa tried to protect Jin. I would like to think that Lars really did love Alisa, because I'm romantic like that, and don't like the idea of him almost holding her hand because she was just his fighting partner. I find that just a tad annoying. And then of course there's my opinion of Xiaoyu and Jin, who I think should get together. At the end of Tekken 6 she announces she'll always stand by his side, but really is having a dream and is asleep with Panda! And that makes me angry, because when I first saw Xiaoyu and Jin in the same school uniform in TTT, it made me wish that they ended up together in the franchise...
Aww...
Yes, so very dysfunctional.
Leilah
So yes, I think the main reason to why I'm so excited about Blood Vengeance is because my two favourite female characters are going to be starring in it, those two being Ling Xiaoyu and Alisa Bosconovitch. And thankfully, they have lead roles. Check out the second clip from Tekken Blood Vengeance! And LOL at Ganryu... Really...
I really want to see that movie...
Onto more serious matters, it appears that Leo's gender has finally been decided. Before it was unknown because apparently the creators wanted Leo to be a character loved by both male and female players. I have to say, I am disappointed with their choice to have Leo as Eleonore Kliesen, because I thought she was a wonderful boy. Oh, I feel so sad and depressed! I only started playing as her yesterday when I thought I had never played as Leo before, and yet - despite the female voice - I just presumed she was a boy who was yet to reach adolescence. I do agree with some people's opinions on the subject though: it's good to have a tomboy character in Tekken.
Anyway, I still have Lars to admire, so onwards with this blog, and back to Blood Vengeance. I have seen many bad reviews for the movie, such as this one. I can understand what many people are saying about the dubbing; I do agree that they should have kept with the original Japanese speech and applied English subs rather than sacrifice the authenticity and had bad lip-syncing. If this is only aimed at Tekken fans as most of what I have seen hints at, then surely the fans would come regardless of what language it is in.
I can't wait until I can buy it on DVD.
And onto TTT2 again, I am so happy that Jun has returned to the Tekken series. Although I never really got on with the character very well, I didn't like how they neglected to add her to most of the Tekken games. I had always believed that she was Jin's sister, and was really surprised to discover at some point that she is Jin's mother. Wow. Relationships in Tekken are so dysfunctional.
 |
| Ling Xiaoyu & Alisa Bosconovitch Original pictures courtesy of Tekkenpedia |
Aww...
Yes, so very dysfunctional.
Leilah
Thursday, 13 October 2011
Tekken 6 vs Soulcalibur IV
Yes, I am aware that there has been other installments of Soulcalibur since Soulcalibur IV, but to be perfectly fair, I can't afford every game in the world that comes out. So, I have known Soul since Soul Blade on the PlayStation. Hell yeah, check out those sexy graphics.
And I have known Tekken since... God knows what game. In my opinion Tekken Tag Tournament on PlayStation 2 was probably the best one...
But that's another fight altogether.
Today I'm going to go through which I think is best: Tekken 6 or Soulcaliber IV (just because my father bought them around the same time for his PS3). So, let's discuss the pros and cons of each.
Tekken has always been very stylish in terms of the graphics and stages, and I really thought that they had outdone themselves with Tekken 6 in terms of creating original stages, and also giving them more levels if I just so happened to smash someone into a wall or into the floor.
Moving swiftly onto the characters, Tekken 6 kept some of the characters from previous games (like Anna and Nina Williams) but also introduced a lot of new ones (like Alisa Bosconovitch and Miguel Caballero Rojo) which keeps the game fresh, but also still very familiar. The good thing is that old favourites like Jin Kazama and Ling Xiaoyu (who used to be my best character) are still available to play as.
Soulcalibur IV on the - other hand - still has a lot of innovative staging, but the problem is that I personally am not as impressed with the game's graphics as I was with Tekken's. Perhaps I'm biased in the fact that I've been playing Tekken for longer, having more games of Tekken than Soul Project's. I don't know, I will have to ask for your agreement on that one. Also - I know Soulcalibur is somewhat otherworldly - but I prefer Tekken's stages as well. They're somewhat... brighter, and have more atmosphere. Sure, I like fantasy, but the stages aren't perhaps as stylish.
Onwards and upwards, Soulcalibur gives players the opportunity to battle with weapons, but also still has the choice to fight bare-handed. I like being able to hit people with rapiers and katanas and whatnot.
Anyway, there are still some original characters (like Astaroth and Cervantes) but there are a few newer ones to keep the game relatively new (like Ashlotte [she's my favourite, although she's so slow] and Hilde). Also available to play as - depending on your console - are Darth Vader and Yoda, which come with a Star Wars stage.
So in total, it depends on your preferences. Tekken is the more modern route, with mostly contemporary staging and characters. Soulcalibur is altogether more fantastical, with wacky weapons (and rather revealing costumes too).
It depends whether your prefer the android to the clockwork doll, I suppose.
Leilah
And I have known Tekken since... God knows what game. In my opinion Tekken Tag Tournament on PlayStation 2 was probably the best one...
But that's another fight altogether.
 |
| Anna & Nina Williams from Tekken 6 Original pictures courtesy of Google Images |
 |
| Amy & Tira from SoulCalibur IV Original pictures courtesy of Google Images |
Tekken has always been very stylish in terms of the graphics and stages, and I really thought that they had outdone themselves with Tekken 6 in terms of creating original stages, and also giving them more levels if I just so happened to smash someone into a wall or into the floor.
Moving swiftly onto the characters, Tekken 6 kept some of the characters from previous games (like Anna and Nina Williams) but also introduced a lot of new ones (like Alisa Bosconovitch and Miguel Caballero Rojo) which keeps the game fresh, but also still very familiar. The good thing is that old favourites like Jin Kazama and Ling Xiaoyu (who used to be my best character) are still available to play as.
Soulcalibur IV on the - other hand - still has a lot of innovative staging, but the problem is that I personally am not as impressed with the game's graphics as I was with Tekken's. Perhaps I'm biased in the fact that I've been playing Tekken for longer, having more games of Tekken than Soul Project's. I don't know, I will have to ask for your agreement on that one. Also - I know Soulcalibur is somewhat otherworldly - but I prefer Tekken's stages as well. They're somewhat... brighter, and have more atmosphere. Sure, I like fantasy, but the stages aren't perhaps as stylish.
Onwards and upwards, Soulcalibur gives players the opportunity to battle with weapons, but also still has the choice to fight bare-handed. I like being able to hit people with rapiers and katanas and whatnot.
 |
| Ashlotte & Alisa Original pictures courtesy of Google Images |
So in total, it depends on your preferences. Tekken is the more modern route, with mostly contemporary staging and characters. Soulcalibur is altogether more fantastical, with wacky weapons (and rather revealing costumes too).
It depends whether your prefer the android to the clockwork doll, I suppose.
Leilah
Monday, 3 October 2011
My Purchases
Of late I felt the need to do some retail therapy. On Ebay. Yes, I am so adventurous I know. Stupidly I typed in Black Butler (or Kuroshitsuji) just out of curiosity as to what might pop up. Not only did it have Black Butler plushies on sale, but also the soundtrack! And it was then I realised (or realized depending on what nationality you are) the mistake I had made.
I am supposed to be saving up for Assassin's Creed Revelations, so then the problem starts. I admit I am very sad and love anime music and theme tunes, so I've been wanting these three CDs for a hell of a long while. So obviously I am put on the spot.
I mean, how could one choose between Sebastian Michaelis and Ezio Auditore?
So naturally I was just like, well, my savings can partly go down the drain for a bit.
But really I don't need to worry that much, seeing as the release date for AC is mid-November, and plus I'll have enough by then to purchase it. Not that I haven't pre-ordered it. Game has the Special Edition, so naturally I felt the need to pre-order that one, seeing as I was led to believe it has the soundtrack with it (I don't know for definite whether it does).
I can't wait to start playing!
Anyway, back on-subject with the Black Butler Soundtrack... Emily will be glad to know that Lacrimosa, the end theme of the second half of the first season, will be included on the last disc. Yes, yes, I will send that to you my dear.
Rather confusingly the song is named like Evanescence's Lacrymosa, or Mozart's Lacrimosa, so I understand if you were momentarily thrown.
Mind you, the soundtrack does include all sorts of genres. Like classical, jazz etc. Here is La Gardenia and Si Deus Me Relinquit or similarly here and here for the ones actually featured in the anime. But just an example of the diversity of the music, here's Dark Crow Smiles, and yes, he is rapping in English...
I've probably bored you enough for today, or left you with enough to do, so I shall go, and ramble on about Ciel Phantomhive another day..
Ja mata!
Leilah
I am supposed to be saving up for Assassin's Creed Revelations, so then the problem starts. I admit I am very sad and love anime music and theme tunes, so I've been wanting these three CDs for a hell of a long while. So obviously I am put on the spot.
 |
| The Demon Butler and the Italian Assassin Original Pictures courtesy of Google Images |
So naturally I was just like, well, my savings can partly go down the drain for a bit.
But really I don't need to worry that much, seeing as the release date for AC is mid-November, and plus I'll have enough by then to purchase it. Not that I haven't pre-ordered it. Game has the Special Edition, so naturally I felt the need to pre-order that one, seeing as I was led to believe it has the soundtrack with it (I don't know for definite whether it does).
I can't wait to start playing!
Anyway, back on-subject with the Black Butler Soundtrack... Emily will be glad to know that Lacrimosa, the end theme of the second half of the first season, will be included on the last disc. Yes, yes, I will send that to you my dear.
Rather confusingly the song is named like Evanescence's Lacrymosa, or Mozart's Lacrimosa, so I understand if you were momentarily thrown.
Mind you, the soundtrack does include all sorts of genres. Like classical, jazz etc. Here is La Gardenia and Si Deus Me Relinquit or similarly here and here for the ones actually featured in the anime. But just an example of the diversity of the music, here's Dark Crow Smiles, and yes, he is rapping in English...
I've probably bored you enough for today, or left you with enough to do, so I shall go, and ramble on about Ciel Phantomhive another day..
Ja mata!
Leilah
Sunday, 2 October 2011
MINECRAFT
I've finally gone and bought Minecraft. Well half of it, my sister paid the other half and we're sharing an account. This could be interesting. I'm more of a build a shelter ASAP type, she prefers to explore and get killed multiple times.
Unfortunately my poor, slow PC can't handle how awesome Minecraft is, so it crashes every ten minutes.
Luckily, due to my talents, I managed to get it working properly. By deleting every Sims 2 expansion pack, every Harry Potter game and all my Tomb Raiders...
So I've built a house, albeit a very shitty house made of wooden planks, but a zombie repeller nonetheless.
I've learnt how to make torches, pickaxes and other utensils. My sister spent half an hour on the Minecraft Wiki, looking up other things you can craft.
Bear in mind it's only going to be £13 until 18th October (my Dad's birthday incidently), when the full version will be out for £17.
-Emily
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Various Forms of Torture and What to Expect in the Future
Upon realising I have been becoming a little porkier as of late, I made the mistake of asking my brother what I could do to become less so. Now, I'm not sure if you've ever come across one of those bodybuilders who are reasonably new and experimenting with different types of exercises, foods and protein shakes and who seem to be a walking encyclopedia of toning research, but my brother is probably one of these sorts of people. I mean no offence, dear boy.
Anyway, so what he suggested - as I'm not meant to put any strain on my heart at the moment - is that I should do 60 abdominal crunches, taking 30 second breaks between each set of 20. And then he suggested something he referred to as "side-to-sides", which I really didn't get, but they seem extremely difficult. Has anyone else heard of them? Basically he said to get in the sit-up position (getting a bit technical there) and try to lean over and touch your toes.
Well considering the space in my messy bedroom, my first attempt did not go well.
Onto more relevant matters, Emily and I have began to compile some clips of PS3 games, and are planning to film some Xbox 360 clips in order to produce our first vlog.
Now if you're one of those people put off by the idea of PS3 and Xbox 360, please don't panic. We're not just all about gaming (OK, so maybe we are; we are self-confessed nerds after all) and want to post some other random stuff as well.
Like general news (as you may have guessed from my announcement on exercise) and maybe short stories and just anything that pops into our minds. Like food.
You can tell that my plan on losing fat is not going to go well. However, I do plan to lose some of my stomach before prom, which is ages away really, but I need to get into a routine. I'm used to people being like "Shut up, you're not fat", and I know I'm not, but it's getting to that point now when you know you have somewhat expanded from your normal size.
Onto more optimistic news...
Um.
Yes.
Oh! I've almost finished a massive story over two notepads. Very almost. Probably about two more chapters. I'm sorry, I'm probably going to say random stuff like this in blogs, and you won't know what I'm referring to, because I'm not really planning on posting any of my main stuff on here. Sorry to disappoint, if that news does indeed disappoint you.
But anyway, I feel I have rambled a bit too much for tonight.
I'll speak soon, and leave any exercise or vlog/blog suggestions in the comments section, or email us.
Leilah
Urgh; I completely despise exercise.
Anyway, so what he suggested - as I'm not meant to put any strain on my heart at the moment - is that I should do 60 abdominal crunches, taking 30 second breaks between each set of 20. And then he suggested something he referred to as "side-to-sides", which I really didn't get, but they seem extremely difficult. Has anyone else heard of them? Basically he said to get in the sit-up position (getting a bit technical there) and try to lean over and touch your toes.
Well considering the space in my messy bedroom, my first attempt did not go well.
Onto more relevant matters, Emily and I have began to compile some clips of PS3 games, and are planning to film some Xbox 360 clips in order to produce our first vlog.
Now if you're one of those people put off by the idea of PS3 and Xbox 360, please don't panic. We're not just all about gaming (OK, so maybe we are; we are self-confessed nerds after all) and want to post some other random stuff as well.
Like general news (as you may have guessed from my announcement on exercise) and maybe short stories and just anything that pops into our minds. Like food.
You can tell that my plan on losing fat is not going to go well. However, I do plan to lose some of my stomach before prom, which is ages away really, but I need to get into a routine. I'm used to people being like "Shut up, you're not fat", and I know I'm not, but it's getting to that point now when you know you have somewhat expanded from your normal size.
Onto more optimistic news...
Um.
Yes.
Oh! I've almost finished a massive story over two notepads. Very almost. Probably about two more chapters. I'm sorry, I'm probably going to say random stuff like this in blogs, and you won't know what I'm referring to, because I'm not really planning on posting any of my main stuff on here. Sorry to disappoint, if that news does indeed disappoint you.
But anyway, I feel I have rambled a bit too much for tonight.
I'll speak soon, and leave any exercise or vlog/blog suggestions in the comments section, or email us.
Leilah
Urgh; I completely despise exercise.
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