Beat Of The Rising Sun

I'm feeling bright 

Come baby come on 

I say to you "it's all right" 

Just you and I 

We gotta fly 

Oh, baby feel it 

Music is power 

I wanna stay all the night 

I wanna hold you tonight 

Oh, baby let me stay now 

I'm all right, babe 

Because you want it 

Ready to dance 

whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh... 

Beat of the rising sun 

Beat of the rising sun 

You gotta feel the dance 

It's always in your heart 

Feeling the time to come 

Beat of the rising sun 

I wanna feel your heart 

The power of the sun 

I wanna fly 

With you in the sky 

Come take it easy, baby 

With you tonight, 

You're gonna shine 

Oh, baby listen 

Music is power 

I wanna stay all the night 

I wanna hold you tonight 

Oh, baby let me stay now 

I'm all right, babe 

Because you want it 

Ready to dance 

whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh... 

Beat of the rising sun 

Beat of the rising sun 

You gotta feel the dance 

It's always in your heart 

Feeling the time to come 

Beat of the rising sun 

I wanna feel your heart 

The power of the sun 

Beat of the rising sun 

Beat of the rising sun 

You gotta feel the dance 

It's always in your heart 

Feeling the time to come 

Beat of the rising sun 

I wanna feel your heart 

The power of the sun 

Beat of the rising sun 

Beat of the rising sun 

You gotta feel the dance 

It's always in your heart 

Feeling the time to come 

Beat of the rising sun 

I wanna feel your heart 

The power of the sun 

Beat of the rising sun 

Beat of the rising sun 

You gotta feel the dance 

It's always in your heart 

Feeling the time to come 

Beat of the rising sun 

I wanna feel your heart 

The power of the sun!

whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh... 

Nutopia Sports at it again..

Uh, guys, cut it out. I have a dynasty I need to update here. And this restaurant sucks, too.

Texas.

It's been a while, and I've been alone

and you've been the only thing I've known

Born in the South, at home in the North

We could be anywhere you want

Now you're taking me down where you grew up

I wish I had known you when we were young

You figured me out, I know I've said it enough

but waiting is just too much

So cover my skin with your sunkissed light

There's a bonfire burning tonight

We could be all right

Evaline, Evaline, Evaline, Evaline

Picture it now, down the road

Oh just say the word and I'll go

Wherever you are, whatever the coast

You are the one I care for the most

Remember the night we slept on the roof?

I didn't sleep much to tell the truth

Now we're the sand caught in the tide

We laugh until we cry

Won't you cover my skin with your sunkissed light

There's a bonfire burning tonight

We could be all right

Evaline, Evaline, Evaline, Evaline

Pull me closer, hold me tighter

The nights are long but the stars are brighter

Pull me closer, hold me tighter

Take me down, take me down, take me down

Won't you cover my skin with your sunkissed light

There's a bonfire burning tonight

We could be all right

Evaline, Evaline, Evaline, Evaline...

Won't you cover my skin with your sunkissed light

Won't you cover my skin with your sunkissed light

Won't you cover my skin with your sunkissed light

Evaline, Evaline, Evaline, Evaline...

KanColle Anime Is Over, So Now What?

As I wait for my money to arrive so I can finish paying my bill and buy some clothes for Hana R on Pangya Wiki, I quietly reflect on what looks like the first season of KanColle. A second season is in development (can't be an April Fools Joke because it's not on April Fools Day and it was announced after the final scene in the anime), and it received sharp amounts of criticism for the scriptwriting, series direction and the choice of character.

First off, the real-life Admiral of this show, Kensuke Tanaka, is, like the main character Fubuki, a rookie when it comes to working in the anime business. If this was under the direction of Akiyuki Shinbo or Gen Urobuchi or even Mari Okada, we would see a far more convincing series based on experience and track record. Second, there is a reason Fubuki, a generic-based starter/destroyer, is the main character. If a well-known shipgirl like Kongou or Kaga or Tenryuu (who did not appear in the anime at all) or even Shimakaze was the main character, it would divide the fanbase further than it did.

That's why Junya Oota, a.k.a. ZUN of Team Shanghai Alice, does not want to do a Touhou Project anime, even though it would have a Naruto/ONE PIECE length with plenty of arcs and would have a Saimoe leverage stronger than Madoka and Saki combined. There's too many good characters in that series with strong, loyal followings to have it based around Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame, which would be the case by default. Fans will say, "Flandre should be the main!" or "What about Sakuya!" or "Patchouli's not the MC? Blasphemy!" and so on and so forth. Sooner or later, ZUN's gotta realize that making an anime of Touhou will keep the series relevant for a long time and it's already been around for a while.

But enough of that, let's talk about KanColle. Ah, Fubuki. I am starting to have a soft side for Fubuki, even though I prefer Shimakaze and Kongou. Indeed, those two were my badge art for what is currently my most recent Anime Expo staffed to date. But Fubuki has her charms. She refers the Admiral as "Commander," which is a far more intimate, more casual drop of formalities. It's almost like Fubuki treats the admiral like a big brother, and that's fine.

The anime did not improve Fubuki's popularity much; in fact, the fan support for the other characters also remained the same. In Kantai Collection (and this is coming from someone that can't play the game due to geoblock restrictions and having to win a lottery; get a global server going already!), admirals have their ship that they adore, and it affects them if it gets sunk while on event duty or doing some sortie mission because you can't get that ship back.

But it doesn't hurt to see the beauty of the ordinary. I see Fubuki as the Akari Akaza of KanColle. Ready salted, simple and delicious. She doesn't have to go over the top or what not to be awesome. To appreciate Fubuki is like appreciating a good bag of ready salted, kettle-cooked crisps or brown rice without anything placed on it. Or, a bowl of three scoops of vanilla ice cream without any toppings.

The way Fubuki was portrayed in the anime was noteworthy, except for one thing: her second remodel wasn't shown, just her first. Thus, my speculation is that the second season will introduce the second remodel with the black uniform with red trim and the green eyes. I am torn as to which Fubuki I like. Do I go for the first remodel? Or the second remodel?

It's a massive dilemma that will be resolved when the second season rolls around and the remodel is portrayed. I hope the eyes are just palette-swapped for Fubuki's Kai Ni. It's better that way. I don't like them in the style of Yamato, Yuudachi or the Big Seven NagaMutsu combo. So for now, the jury is still out. But it's temporary and unlike some gamers who are calling out the anime in general in an attempt to convince the 2ch Saimoe voters that the race is open now that Saki and Madoka are gone, I liked the KanColle anime and am eagerly awaiting the second season.

Dammit, Commander Izumi, stop staring at me and get back to work RIGHT NOW!

Anime Expo Decides To Go Younger And Inexperienced. Sigh!

All right, so, I've had a rough week this week. Not only did Pangya Global pull out the Hanbok Sets for the remodels on the day I receive my paycheck, but I received this email from Amy Miyamoto, who is the Registration and Exhibits Division Manager. See, I was wondering why I applied for staff in January, and I never received any e-mails or contacts. I had worked the Registration Department for my first three years at the con and wanted to come back for a fourth.

Jo-Ryan, We will respectfully decline your offer to join Registration.  You will remain [in] the open applicants to see if any other departments contact you.    Regards, Amy Miyamoto Registration & Exhibits Division ManagerSociety for the Promotion of Japanese Animation 1522 Brookhollow Dr, Suite 1, Santa Ana, CA 92705Anime Conji - AC | Anime Expo - AX | Project Anime – PA – Los Angeles & Tokyo     

Shortage of staffers...my ass.

While I did say in a follow-up that I intend to reapply next year, one thing that is important when working with experienced convention staffers like myself is that department managers need to be transparent and not withhold important information and conjecture/opinion regarding the direction of staffing a convention like AX. Otherwise, you end up with speculatory conclusions which may or may not be correct, and I don't like to do speculation in these circumstances but I am force to because Ms. Miyamoto did not disclose the exact reasons.

My speculation is as follows: Anime Expo is going younger to save costs regarding housing its staffers. They are going with inexperienced, unqualified newbies who have to pay part of their hotel room, which, unless pointed out, is the Radisson USC. As a veteran staff member, the hotel and perks are free, so long as the room is in good shape and I make a deposit. So by this, it would be more expensive for the penny-pinchers at SPJA to retain my services because I've served a string of cons. I was with them in Anaheim, I was with them in Long Beach. And I was with them when staff was housed at the Westin Bonaventure and the Radisson.

This is not meant to be an affront to SPJA or the convention, for the record. I had a great time staffing this con during my nine years. Good memories, it's forever a part of me, and everyone out there should get the chance to take part in it on Independence Day Weekend. Thank you, AX. But I strongly believe that Ms. Miyamoto or the others should have explained further the future direction of the convention's makeup in terms of staffers so that it will alllow me to make a decision as to whether or not I should do further business with them. I'll give them one more year for them to give me a chance, but if no department wants my services, I have no choice but to cut my ties by mutual agreement.

One of my personal beliefs is that I don't waste my time with people, organizations, groups, anyone who doesn't want my services. I wanted to do 10 years at AX and stop there, but if they wanted me to stop at nine, they could have just said so. They can give me a good reason, I'll consider it, and then my time staffing this con is history. Anyone that I know or work with, regardless of who it is, that doesn't come clean with me and leaves me out of the loop is essentially giving me a slap to the face, and that is something that businesses and companies should never do when communicating bad news.

End true story.

We Live

Live, die

and we learn to find 

the things we live and die for.

Cause We Live and we die 

and we learn to find 

the things we live and die for.

I don't wanna be an ordinary man.

No I don't wanna be as neat as a new pin.

I don't care about just being safe and calm.

(Give it all up for a little li li life 

Give it all up for a little li li life)

And the time that we have inside it keeps on ticking, 

(Give it all up for a little li li life)

till the end

(Give it all up for a little li li life)

So it's time that we live our lives and celebrating.

Cause We Live and we die 

and we learn to find 

the things we live and die for.

I don't wanna say I didn't take the chance.

I don't wanna say I never learned the dance.

I wanna be someone, someone they show respect.

(Give it all up for a little li li life 

Give it all up for a little li li life)

And the time that we have inside it keeps on ticking.

(Give it all up for a little li li life)

till the end

(Give it all up for a little li li life)

So it's time that we live our lives and celebrating.

Cause We Live and we die 

and we learn to find 

the things we live and die for.

Cause We Live and we die 

and we learn to find 

the things we live and die for.

Life is all too short

To spend on doing boring things, 

And I want,

And I want,

I want to have fun.

Holding on to be the one I am 

Holding on to be the one I am

Holding on to be the one I am

Holding on to be the one, on to be the one

Holding on to be the one I am 

(Give it all up for a little li li life)

Holding on to be the one I am

(li li life)

Holding on to be the one I am

Holding on to be the one, on to be the one!

Cause We Live and we die 

and we learn to find 

the things we live and die for.

Cause We Live and we die 

and we learn to find 

the things we live and die for...

ISML 2015: Nomination Results

Nova Division

No. Name Series Ballots 1 Tokisaki Kurumi Date A Live 420 2 Yoshino Date A Live 261 3 Nishikino Maki Love Live! 254 4 Miyazono Kaori Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso 232 5 Yukinoshita Yukino OreGairu 223 6 Yatogami Tōka Date A Live 212 7 Minami Kotori Love Live! 211 8 Yazawa Nico Love Live! 195 9 Jibril No Game No Life 180 10 Kafū Chino Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? 171 11 Ayase Eli Love Live! 171 12 Sonoda Umi Love Live! 161 13 Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko Hentai Ōji to Warawanai Neko. 157 14 Akame Akame ga Kill! 155 15 Tina Sprout Black Bullet 152 16 Kuriyama Mirai Kyōkai no Kanata 151 17 Shiba Miyuki Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei 148 18 Tōjō Nozomi Love Live! 135 19 Kōsaka Honoka Love Live! 129 20 Akatsuki Log Horizon 124 21 Latifa Fleuranza Amagi Brilliant Park 123 22 Yaya Machine-Doll wa Kizutsukanai 120 23 Terminus Est Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance 119 24 Kirishima Tōka Tokyo Ghoul 119 25 Tachibana Marika Nisekoi 118 26 Hoshizora Rin Love Live! 117 27 Noel Sora no Method 115 28 Asseylum Vers Allusia Aldnoah.Zero 114 29 Mine Akame ga Kill! 113 30 Fujimiya Kaori Isshūkan Friends. 106 31 Shiodome Miuna Nagi no Asukara 106 32 Shichimiya Satone Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! 104 33 Tobiichi Origami Date A Live 104 34 Celty Sturluson Durarara!! 100 35 Tateyama Ayano Mekakucity Actors 98 36 Shokuhō Misaki Toaru Majutsu no Index 98 37 Kurousagi Mondaiji 94 38 Koizumi Hanayo Love Live! 93 39 Yona Akatsuki no Yona 92 40 Miyauchi Renge Non Non Biyori 91

No. Name Series Ballots 41 Misaki Mei Another 90 42 Kanzaki Tomoyo Inō-Battle wa Nichijō-kei no Naka de 89 43 Stephanie Dola No Game No Life 89 44 Miyamori Aoi Shirobako 86 45 Azuki Azusa Hentai Ōji to Warawanai Neko. 85 46 Esdeath Akame ga Kill! 84 47 Yasuhara Ema Shirobako 84 48 Kitashirakawa Tamako Tamako Market 84 49 Suō Amane Grisaia no Kajitsu 82 50 Tedeza Rize Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? 81 51 Seo Yuzuki Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun 79 52 Kawai Ritsu Bokura wa Minna Kawai-sō 78 53 Kaname Madoka Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica 78 54 Izayoi Miku Date A Live 77 55 Kujō Karen Kin'iro Mosaic 77 56 Chaika Trabant Hitsugi no Chaika 76 57 Gasai Yuno Mirai Nikki 76 58 Mukaido Manaka Nagi no Asukara 76 59 Himeragi Yukina Strike the Blood 75 60 Mikasa Ackerman Shingeki no Kyojin 74 61 Himeki Chifuyu Inō-Battle wa Nichijō-kei no Naka de 73 62 Hiradaira Chisaki Nagi no Asukara 72 63 Sakura Kyōko Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica 71 64 Hoto Kokoa Gochūmon wa Usagi Desu ka? 67 65 Kushikawa Hatoko Inō-Battle wa Nichijō-kei no Naka de 67 66 Tsunemori Akane Psycho-Pass 66 67 Saegusa Mayumi Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei 62 68 Enomoto Takane Mekakucity Actors 62 69 Inaba Himeko Kokoro Connect 61 70 Yuigahama Yui OreGairu 60 71 Yonomori Kobeni Mikakunin de Shinkōkei 59 72 Asami Lilith Trinity Seven 59 Auto Kirisaki Chitoge Nisekoi - Auto Onodera Kosaki Nisekoi - Auto Shiro No Game No Life - Auto Aihara Enju Black Bullet - Auto Sakura Chiyo Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun - Auto Asada Shino Sword Art Online - Auto Sento Isuzu Amagi Brilliant Park - Auto Konno Yūki Sword Art Online -

Stella Division

No. Name Series Ballots 1 Yūki Asuna Sword Art Online 492 2 Shiina Mashiro Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo 458 3 Shana Shakugan no Shana 441 4 Aisaka Taiga Toradora! 342 5 Saber Fate Series 332 6 Takanashi Rikka Chūnibyō Demo Koi ga Shitai! 323 7 Itsuka Kotori Date A Live 299 8 Chitanda Eru Hyōka 291 9 Tōsaka Rin Fate Series 282 10 Nakano Azusa K-ON! 264 11 Kuroyukihime Accel World 248 12 Yuzuriha Inori Guilty Crown 242 13 Makise Kurisu Steins;Gate 229 14 Aoyama Nanami Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo 220 15 Eucliwood Hellscythe Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? 218 16 Nagato Yuki Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu 199 17 Akemi Homura Puella Magi Madoka ☆ Magica 193 18 Suzumiya Haruhi Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu 178 19 Oshino Shinobu Monogatari Series 177 20 Holo Spice and Wolf 177 21 Aragaki Ayase Ore no Imōto 172 22 Hirasawa Yui K-ON! 161 23 Furukawa Nagisa CLANNAD 159 24 Illyasviel von Einzbern Fate Series 154 25 Victorique de Blois GOSICK 152 26 Senjōgahara Hitagi Monogatari Series 149 27 Nakamura Yuri Angel Beats! 138 28 Kasugano Sora Yosuga no Sora 127 29 Honma Meiko AnoHana 127 30 C.C. Code Geass 125 31 Momo Belia Deviluke To LOVE-Ru 122 32 Yui Sword Art Online 120 33 Konjiki no Yami To LOVE-Ru 119 34 Yui-nyan Angel Beats! 113 35 Kanzaki H. Aria Hidan no Aria 113 36 Charlotte Dunois IS 110 37 Shirai Kuroko Toaru Majutsu no Index 110 38 Nibutani Shinka Chūnibyō Demo Koi ga Shitai! 106 39 Sakagami Tomoyo CLANNAD 102 40 Kōsaka Kirino Ore no Imōto 98

No. Name Series Ballots 41 Fujibayashi Kyō CLANNAD 94 42 Natsume Rin Little Busters! 91 43 Kashiwazaki Sena Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai 89 44 Shirakiin Ririchiyo Inu x Boku SS 89 45 Louise Vallière Zero no Tsukaima 87 46 Ikaros Sora no Otoshimono 85 47 Last Order Toaru Majutsu no Index 84 48 Hasegawa Kobato Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai 82 49 Nōmi Kudryavka Little Busters! 73 50 Tōwa Erio Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko 67 51 Kinomoto Sakura Cardcaptor Sakura 67 52 Hiiragi Kagami Lucky ☆ Star 67 53 Nyarlatholep Haiyore! Nyaruko-san 66 54 Kotobuki Tsumugi K-ON! 63 55 Ryōgi Shiki Kara no Kyōkai 62 56 Izumi Konata Lucky ☆ Star 61 57 Kirigaya Suguha Sword Art Online 61 58 Sanzen'in Nagi Hayate no Gotoku! 59 59 Saten Ruiko Toaru Kagaku no Railgun 59 60 Sengoku Nadeko Monogatari Series 55 61 Yūki Mikan To LOVE-Ru 55 62 Ichinose Kotomi CLANNAD 52 63 Roromiya Karuta Inu x Boku SS 52 64 Index L. Prohibitorum Toaru Majutsu no Index 51 65 Haqua du Lot Herminium Kami nomi zu Shiru sekai 50 66 Mikazuki Yozora Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai 48 67 Iwasawa Masami Angel Beats! 47 68 Nymph Sora no Otoshimono 44 69 Suigintō Rozen Maiden 43 70 Laura Bodewig IS 42 71 Kuroi Mato Black★Rock Shooter 39 72 Shiomiya Shiori Kami nomi zo Shiru sekai 38 73 Kamio Misuzu AIR 37 74 Takamachi Nanoha Mahō Shōjo Lyrical Nanoha 37 75 Ibuki Fūko CLANNAD 36 76 Okazaki Ushio CLANNAD 36 77 Furude Rika Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 33 78 Kirishima Shōko Baka to Test to Shōkanjū 32 79 Ryūgū Rena Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 32 80 Matō Sakura Fate Series 27

Male Division

No. Name Series Ballots 1 Sora No Game No Life 211 2 Accelerator Toaru Majutsu no Index 158 3 Hikigaya Hachiman OreGairu 147 4 Kanie Seiya Amagi Brilliant Park 136 5 Kaneki Ken Tokyo Ghoul 131 6 Araragi Koyomi Monogatari Series 120 7 Sakamaki Izayoi Mondaiji 118 8 Itsuka Shidō Date A Live 116 9 Shiba Tatsuya Mahōka Kōkō no Rettōsei 109 10 Kamijō Tōma Toaru Majutsu no Index 109 11 Okabe Rintarō Steins;Gate 108 12 Katsuragi Keima Kami nomi zo Shiru Sekai 107 13 Kaizuka Inaho Aldnoah.Zero 105 14 Mikoshiba Mikoto Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun 102 15 Orihara Izaya Durarara!! 99 16 Okazaki Tomoya CLANNAD 97 17 Sakata Gintoki Gintama 90 18 Archer Fate Series 82 19 Heiwajima Shizuo Durarara!! 77 20 Kyon Suzumiya Haruhi no Yūutsu 75 21 Levi Shingeki no Kyojin 73 22 Yato Noragami 71 23 Slaine Troyard Aldnoah.Zero 65 24 Otonashi Yuzuru Angel Beats! 63 25 Kuroko Tetsuya Kuroko no Basket 61 26 Kanda Sorata Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo 60 27 Nozaki Umetarō Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun 58 28 Shirogane Kei Log Horizon 57 29 Togashi Yūta Chūnibyō demo Koi ga Shitai! 56 30 Mitsuka Sōji Ore, Twintails ni Narimasu. 56 31 Satomi Rentarō Black Bullet 55 32 Ōma Shū Guilty Crown 54 33 Akasaka Ryūnosuke Sakura-sō no Pet na Kanojo 53 34 Takasu Ryūji Toradora! 53 35 Andō Jurai Inō-Battle wa Nichijō-kei no Naka de 53 36 Kōgami Shin'ya Psycho-Pass 52 37 Gilgamesh Fate Series 49 38 Kazami Yūji Grisaia no Kajitsu 48 39 Ichijō Raku Nisekoi 48 40 Emiya Shirō Fate Series 47

No. Name Series Ballots 41 Emiya Kiritsugu Fate Series 47 42 Kazehaya Kamito Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance 47 43 Maō Sadao Hataraku Maō-sama! 45 44 Nanase Haruka Free! 44 45 Natsume Kyōsuke Little Busters! 42 46 Edward Elric Fullmetal Alchemist 40 47 Izumi Shin'ichi Kiseijū 40 48 Akashi Seijūrō Kuroko no Basket 39 49 Ayasaki Hayate Hayate no Gotoku! 37 50 Kaiki Deishū Monogatari Series 37 51 Matsuoka Rin Free! 36 52 Usui Takumi Kaichō wa Maid-sama! 36 53 Meliodas Nanatsu no Taizai 36 54 Tatsumi Akame ga Kill! 35 55 Tachibana Makoto Free! 35 56 Natsume Takashi Natsume Yūjin-chō 35 57 Handa Seishū Barakamon 34 58 Killua Zoldyck Hunter x Hunter 32 59 Ciel Phantomhive Kuroshitsuji 31 60 Kisaragi Shintarō Mekakucity Actors 31 61 Kida Masaomi Durarara!! 30 62 Natsu Dragneel Fairy Tail 30 63 Hori Masayuki Gekkan Shōjo Nozaki-kun 30 64 Sugisaki Ken Seitokai no Ichizon 30 65 L Lawliet Death Note 29 66 Tomoe Kamisama Hajimemashita 28 67 Kise Ryōta Kuroko no Basket 28 68 Naoe Riki Little Busters! 28 69 Kuroba Kaito Detective Conan 27 70 Kamina Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann 27 71 Kasuga Arata Trinity Seven 27 72 Son Hak Akatsuki no Yona 26 73 Hyōdō Issei Highschool DxD 26 74 Aikawa Ayumu Kore wa Zombie Desu ka? 25 75 Ginko Mushishi 25 76 Sakai Yūji Shakugan no Shana 24 77 Kano Shūya Mekakucity Actors 24 78 Sebastian Michaelis Kuroshitsuji 23 79 Hei Darker than Black 23 80 Hinata Shōyō Haikyū!!