Surpise! Book haul for March. ^^

Books are peculiar things. They can make you happy, sad, amused, angry, frustrated and so many emotions you never thought you could feel. I once cried while reading 'The Happy Prince'. And books, they have a different story altogether about how they came to be. Sometimes the titles were born from a whim, the books may be written out of desperation, the prose created out of anger and ideas may have come from hope. Books are such treasures that we sometimes have yet to discover the diamond buried in it.

I finally met my friend, Nithiya since we finished college and started working. We're both kind of like 'teachers' now. We both teach kids. We also love books. A trip or meetup at KLCC is never complete without a making a stop (note: looong stop) at Kinokuniya.

So today, there were so many books that caught our interest. If we could, I think we would have bought all the books in the store. I'm serious. We're serial book lovers.

I had to hold myself back. Here's what I bought:
1) Manga: Shitsuren Chocolatier (or rather, my friend paid for it as my birthday present)
2) Light novel: Tokyo Ravens 3 - Chimera Dance
3) I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

aaand! heads up!

4) Junketsu Kareshi 純血+彼氏 Vol. 7 (Yes! You read right!)

I bought 'I Capture the Castle' because it was recommended at the store for writers with writers block. I've yet to see if it's true. (Rating: TBA)

As for Tokyo Ravens LN, I'm buying one book a month. Thanks to my friend, Jian, I didn't have to buy the 2nd book. hehe. I love you. Seriously. (Rating: *****)

I was actually reading Shitsuren Chocolatier while stuck in traffic. Seems interesting. Might follow this one! ^^b Thumbs up! (Rating: *****)

It's been a while since I read Junketsu Kareshi. I actually lost interest in it, but thanks to the cover of volume 7 depicting Eriya and Aki together, I bought it. I am well aware that it's actually time for volume 9 now but really, I fell out of love with it. I'm trying to get back to it... and so I hope the mangaka will make it more interesting.

Here's a pretty spoiler from the volume 7 (please highlight):
(START SPOILER)
Eriya and Aki had a 'conversation'. Earlier, Aki told Kana that he loved her too. Because Kana confessed to Aki that she loves him (upset that Aki's 'fiance' was all over him and Aki was cool with it). So when Aki turned up with Kana in his arms and called out Eriya on the school's rooftop (Eriya enrolled in the same school), Eriya said that Aki was being mean. I didn't pay attention to their conversation but the last page mentioned Eriya saying that the 3 of them are finally together.

Just one thing: Aki, please make up your mind. I get it. You're kinda like the figure that has a precarious situation and lower vampires and other nobles might take every opportunity to bring you down. But please don't play with Kana's heart. You're handsome. But Eriya and Jin are too. 
(END OF SPOILER)

That said, I'm giving Junketsu Kareshi vol.7 the rating: ****

I'm giving this volume a chance because Eriya is now in it. Seems interesting. Hopefully, the mangaka will keep up the momentum and then, there may be a chance of 4.5 stars.

Anyhow... time for me to get back to real life. Work. Work. Work. Responsibility calls.

K anime, Episode 13 [FINAL] in a nutshell (Spoiler warning)

It's Friday, December 28th. Which means 'K' anime has ended.

[WARNING: Spoilers ahead. Proceed at your own risk!] *Screenshots are added to this post*

In a nutshell, the battle between Kings continues with two new additions of Sword of Damocles. I'm sure you already anticipate who those two are. Weismann, as we already know, takes in Kuroh as his clansman on top of Neko. However, in the end, only a King can kill another King. We see a lot of self-sacrifice in this episode (and cue fans crying). Weismann asking Mikoto to kill him (implicitly) and after that, Mikoto making Munakata kill him. We don't know for sure if Weismann is really dead... because Weismann is, after all, the Immortal King.

Shiro saying that he is the Immortal King before he goes off to the fight

Shiro/Weismann intervening the fight

Shiro kept the colorless king inside him... to allow Mikoto to kill him :'(

My thoughts?

Why??? Why?? Oh why??

It's been a while since I cried watching anime. The final episode of the pilot season of K made me cry. I want to see Shiro, Weismann and Mikoto again! [Just so... if you notice, I did say PILOT season. They've received the green light for a 2nd season] Well, they better do a 2nd season... lots of things went into my mind... if they did die, what happened to the bodies? And then there's the light in the sky... they better not give me hope and take it away...

By the way, I concur with Munakata when he said, 'Don't give me that garbage with that peaceful look on your face' in reply to Mikoto who said, 'Sorry for making you do the dirty work.'

The aftermath... Awashima was so happy to see him alive

Munakata and Mikoto... T_T

Really... I feel you Munakata. C'mon, Mikoto... seriously? [and I feel Munakata is a nice person, who, bar all the King nonsense, would've been friends with Mikoto.] Just look at Munakata's expression as he said, 'Wasn't there something else that you could have done?'

And the scene between the two of them... T_T uwaaa!!!

Anna and Neko's reactions to the loss of their Kings really made me cry. [Neko: I'm bringing this back to Shiro!!, Ana: Mikoto!]

Also, I do agree with Awashima's view on the Kings. Theirs is a sad existence - to the point that only other Kings can relate to them. Weissman's thoughts on his research back then on the King powers really got to me. It reminds me that sometimes, even the best intentions can bring devastating consequences.

I hope that a second season of K does come to fruition. I want to watch more, I want to see Weismann, I want Shiro!! Oh, and another helping of Munakata and Kuroh. =P

Some more screenshots for your viewing pleasure!

Kuroh's expression when he tries to explain to Neko that Shiro isn't around anymore

Fushimi's expression... are? Isn't that Kuroh and Neko? Probably one of Neko's illusions

Brought tears to my eyes! As Mikoto's right hand man, this tribute couldn't have been more fitting.

Anna saying, 'A lovely red'. Couldn't agree more... :')

For now, I'll just enjoy the incredible songs from K. So if the producers are listening, please, please, don't go back on your promise for a 2nd season!

To feed you K fans' appetites, visit takosekuhara's Tumblr where lots of K related stuff are posted. Don't forget to like kAnimeGoRaProject on Facebook too! Lots of news and whatnots are posted there. Until then, mata ne~!