Natsume Yuu-jin Chou Shi #1-2

The first episode is “Natsume Captured” and the second episode is “The Eastern Forest”. This is a two-parter so I am going to talk about both together. Some new Youkai are in town and they are after The Book of Friends. They even go so far as to show up at school which makes Natsume act strangely in front of his friends. Only Tanuma and Taki would have any idea what is really going on. Fortunately, no one else seems to mind in the end. Tanuma tells Taki that he understands why Natsume doesn’t want to tell his foster parents about what he can see. It isn’t that he thinks they wouldn’t believe him. It is that he doesn’t want them to worry. So Natsume and Nyanko-sensei go to check out the newcomers – and end up being captured by exortists. Specifically they are captured by Matoba. Matoba doesn’t get Natsume at all. Fortunately Natsume’s stubbornness is enough to protect Nyanko-sensei, one of the new Yokai who was captured by Matoba, and The Book of Friends. Nyanko-sensei is more powerful than Matoba counts on. It is also interesting how these new Yokai assume the worst of humans, though if Matoba is the type of human they are used to encountering I can’t blame them. In the end Matoba is worried about Natsume and how many powerful Yokai he commands, not realizing that Natsume doesn’t command them but they are friends he has helped in the past and now they want to help him. Matoba is probably going to get squashed by a Yokai one of these days with his attitude.

Interesting how for the intro they mix young Natsume with old Natsume. Can’t say it is my favorite opening song, but it is still fun. It reminds me a bit of the second opening song in that way. The ending is nice and mellow again with sketched scenes. Altogether, a great start! I wanted to see Matoba again!

Little Princess Sara #7 & #8

The first episode is: The Representative of the Class. Lavinia didn’t like Sara before, but after this episode she really doesn’t like Sara. Unfortunately it isn’t Sara’s fault. Miss Minchin decides that since Sara is showier she should be the new class representative, especially as she is trying to attract the attention of the Lord Mayor’s wife. Lavinia, the old class representative, is furious but can’t say anything to Miss Minchin. She doesn’t even have the satisfaction of answering questions correctly during their scholarly exhibition for the Lord Mayor’s wife. After, Sara gets permission for the other girls to ride her pony. Even Lavinia’s friends want to go have fun with the others. Lavinia gets her revenge by stabbing poor Chubby with a needle while Ermengard is riding him. Sara figures out what really happens but says nothing.

The second episode is: A Nice Little Lady. We see more of Becky’s life. The poor girl is run off her feat all day every day. Sara is the only one who shows her some kindness. She comes in to put coal on the fire while Sara is telling the girls the story of Cinderella. Later, Minette asks Becky to clean Sara’s room while she goes out. Sara comes in later after dance class (at which she also excels, much to Lavinia’s displeasure) only to find Becky asleep. Sarah lets Becky hold her doll Emily and gives her some candy for later.

New Year

I have bad news and good news. The bad news is my health is still iffy. The good news is we have a new season of anime! The one I am most excited for is Natsume Yuu-jin Chou Shi! Even better, all four seasons of Natsume are being released in the US!!!

In the mean time, I will be getting back to Little Women II and Little Princess Sarah. Hopefully I can get to some more things this year too! But let’s start with this for now.

Kobato Manga #5

We finally learn the truth about where Kobato and Ioryogi come from and why Kobato is on a quest to fill her magic bottle with broken hearts that were healed and why Ioryogi has to help her. However, Kobato finally realizes that she loves Fujimoto and is sacrificing her and Ioryogi’s future to try and help save the kindergarten at which they work. Finally, Kobato decides to go and confront Okiura about the kindergarten’s debt. . .

Xxxholic Manga #18

Watanuki is busy these days taking care of wishes in Yuko’s old shop. Doumeki helps as he can, particularly by doing the shopping. When the spirit of a child comes to be protected by Watanuki, however, even his own power and Domeki’s help might not be enough. Then a lady comes who wants Watanuki’s help securing the affection of the one she likes. The only problem is the one she likes is Doumeki! Finally, some long expected travelers return . . .

Natsume Yuu-jin Chou Manga #10

In this volume, first Natsume runs into someone who knew him back when he was much younger. This person wants Natsume’s help. I don’t think he really believed Natsume when the talked about the strange things, but now he wants Natsume to tell him whether the girl he likes is a Youkai or not . . . Then Natsume and Natori separately both are contacted to do the same job. It seems there are two gods, a harvest god and a destroyer god, who battle every ten years to see who will be dominant. Neither Youkai or exortists want the destroyer god to win and there is no sign of the harvest god, which is when both Natsume and Natori are contacted . . .

Little Women II: Jo’s Boys #15 & 16

In the first episode, Dan starts out trying to be good, but it is hard. He and Tommy get caught talking in class and are told to mend a fence as punishment. They only get part way through. The others are busy building fishing rods to go fishing with. Dan thinks this is boring. When he sees Mr. Bhaer’s prize cow he gets an idea. Okay, Demi had been reading about bull fighting and talked about that, but Dan was the one who with Tommy went into the pasture to provoke the cow. At first nothing happened, but then she got mad and the boys scrambled. Then she broke the pasture she was in. By the time the boys managed to catch up with her, she had a hurt shoulder. Even Dan is dismayed at this. Mr. Bhaer is not pleased, but does allow Dan to speak. Dan said he didn’t realize bull riding was against the rules. Mr. Bhaer didn’t realize they needed a rule for that^^; Mr. Bhaer is most disappointed that Dan would treat another living creature in this way. So Dan’s punishment is to take care of the cow until she is better.

In the next episode, things start well. For several days Dan studies, takes care of the cow, and is relatively nice. Jo is optimistic. Asia doubts it will last. Mr. Bhaer has a business trip overnight to Boston. Unfortunately it is just about this time that Dan starts getting restless. Late that night he gets Nat up and Tommy to sneak to the attic to drink, smoke, and play cards. The drink gets spilled, and the boys aren’t too good at cards or smoking. They are too tired anyway. I think Dan regretted doing this, realizing such past-times weren’t really as fun as he remembered. Demi notices Tommy isn’t in his bed but the others manage to get back to their rooms before he comes back with Jo. This is where things might have ended except Tommy ended up with the cigar but he doesn’t realize it is still alive and he falls asleep. When Nan gets up in the middle of the night she notices smoke coming from Tommy and Demi’s room . . .

Little Women II: Jo’s Boys #13 & #14

In the first episode, Dan doesn’t come to breakfast, doesn’t help with morning chores, and when he is brought his text books he tears them up. For Emil this is the last straw. He can’t stand to have his beloved Aunt insulted, so he challenges Dan. Fighting is not allowed and Demi soon spreads the alarm, but not before Dan and Emil have really gone at it. Actually, Dan thought Emil would back down at the first hit, but this doesn’t happen. Dan is surprised to find that Emil is sincere in how he views his aunt. In fact. Dan keeps Emil from getting into real trouble. Later, Mr. Bhaer talks with Dan who says he thought the other boys were wimps for not fighting. When Mr. Bhaer asks if he still feels that way, well let’s just say he doesn’t. As for his punishment, Jo tells him she will put a new flower by his bed every day until he feels part of their family and pins the flower on himself. Nan tells Dan she saw how he was in the fight and while she still doesn’t like him and will tell him things he does that she disapproves of she will now also tell him his good qualities.

In the next episode, Dan is nice to Teddy, who is the youngest at the school. He gets into a fight with Nan though when she compliments him on it and she is rude back. Rob goes off flying a kite and Teddy wants to as well but there is only one kite and he is told he is too small, which makes Teddy quite upset. Nan goes off to make Teddy a kite, but in the mean while he annoys her and so he wanders off to where Dan is. Dan is actually quite taken with Teddy. Unknown to him. Mr. and Mrs. Bhaer notice this. Dan sends Teddy off when the kite is finally done, but the kite flies off. Dan goes and gets the kite down, which Nan also sees much to his annoyance. Still, it seems Dan does have a softer side after all.

Little Women II: Jo’s Boys #11 & 12

In the first episode, Nat and Nan are being taken to a concert by Mr. Lawrence, Jo’s old friend and Plumfield’s benefactor. Nat I can understand but I wonder how Nan got to go. They both look great – yes Nan can dress up nicely. That doesn’t stop her from still acting like her normal clumsy, tomboy self though^^; Once in town they stop at a store first. Nan wanders off and sees a boy take some fliers and money to deliver the fliers, but he leaves them behind. Nan chases after him outraged, but before things go too far some other boys show up and the first boy fights them. Nat and Mr. Lawrence come looking for Nan and Nat is surprised to see his old friend Dan. Nat thinks Dan should come to Plumfield. Nan thinks that is a horrible idea. When Dan is noncommittal they go off to the concert, but Nat is distracted. It turns out Dan was one of the few people who was kind to him when he was  a street musician with his father. That night Dan is in another fight. This time it is with men and he comes off the worse. So he does go to Plumfield, but his attitude is not promising. Still, Mrs. Bhaer decides Dan can stay, much to Nan’s consternation.

The next episode is Dan’s first day at Plumfied which does not go so well. Dan is frankly rude to everyone, especially the adults, which worries Nat. He also doesn’t find the other boys to be very interesting, making fun of their makeshift circus. However, while at first he is insulted Tommy at least becomes quite impressed because Dan is very physically skilled and is overall cool. Nan of course is disgusted with this. Dan plays a trick on Tommy which violates the spirit of the law even if it keeps the letter, but Nat gets Dan to return Tommy his pocket knife. When Dan is sent out into the field to help Silas, he doesn’t last long. Mrs. Bhaer tries to talk with Dan, but he insults her. He hasn’t met too many adults who genuinely  care for him. Mrs. Bhaer is just happy Dan is staying since he certainly needs an environment like Plumfield.

Kimi ni Todoke Manga #11

We finish getting the fallout from Sawako and Kazehaya publicly declaring that they are dating. Sawako gets some unexpected help from Kurumi, and Kurumi and Sawako come to an understanding of sorts. Kento is rude to Kurumi. Pin gets some new found respect for Yano. Ryu says something unexpected to Yoshida. And Sawako and Kazehaya go on their first official date. From Sawako’s perspective, she has a lot of catching up to do for Kazehaya – Christmas, Valentines, his birthday . . .