I want the Eyeshield 21 artbook

[Incomplete] Scans of the artbook appeared on MT a few nights ago, and since I think Yusuke Murata is one of the best artists in Jump, naturally I downloaded it. I really, really wish it would be released here, but I doubt it. In general, if an artbook is released here for a series I read, I buy it. Even if I don’t think the artwork is particularly great, like Naruto. It’s a shame ES21 isn’t so popular internationally, because I really love it, it’s definitely better than most Jump sport mangas. I have up to volume 33 on my bookshelf right now. I’ve paused collecting them though, since to be honest the final arc is a complete letdown and I’m in no rush to buy it. I’ll wait till the series is complete and get them all together.
Speaking of artbooks, I checked my bookshelf last night – I have like 5 Code Geass artbooks. jfc.

Anyway, I just want to spam some of the best illustrations from the book.

Majisuka Gakuen 2 Ep7

KYAAAAAAAAAAA SAYAKA~!
It’s weird, I consider Tomochin my oshimen, but really it should be Sayaka, considering how damn excited I get over her.

Majisuka Gakuen 2 Ep 6

Haha wow only remebered I hadn’t posted this when Mayuyu updated her blog saying Ep7 broadcasts tonight.

Okabe came running up to make sure Gekikara was ok.
No sign of Acchan.
Hina <- not impressed.

Ultimate K-pop Intro Post

This is a post I’ve thought of making for a while. Just somewhere to direct my friends when I start talking about kpop.

First, a brief history of Korean pop. Pop music as you or I would know it only really became big in Korea in the late eighties, early nineties. It revolved around idol groups and the occaisional soloist, and indeed still does, with rock and indie artists struggling to gain a footing (unless they become band-idols, such as FTIsland.) Popular groups included g.o.d, H.O.T, Shinhwa, Fin.K.L, Sechskies, and Seo Taiji and the Boys. Although these bands were popular in Korea, there was never much of an international following.
Then along came the internet.
Most of the groups popular in international kpop fandom are later groups, from 2003 onwards. And since this is a guide for international fandom, I’ll focus on groups relevant to international fandom.

Idol groups are basically mass-produced pop groups or soloists. Idols start as trainees (equivelent to Johnny Juniors, H!P Eggs, 48 Kenkyuusei, etc) under production companies, where they are taught to sing, dance, MC, act, model, etc. Then if they are talented, lucky and hard-working enough, they will debut as part of a unit, alongside other trainees, or is they’re especially good, as a solo performer. The activities idols do vary from group to group. DBSK are famous for their singing skills, Super Junior do a lot of variety shows, Big Bang are known for writing and producing their own music, etc etc. Most groups include a member who’s a main vocalist, a main dancer, a rapper, and someone conventionally beautiful.

I mentioned production companies. The Big 3 are SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment and YG Entertainment. SM is the biggest, and the most popular and ‘mainstream’ idols come from it. YG is known for being very into hip-hop and R’n'B in the early days, and only recently started producing idol groups. JYP is generally solid and ambitious. Both YG and JYP are headed by ex-idols.
Of course there are also tonnes of smaller companies, but none have the prestige and power of the big 3. (Although Cube is looking very respectable these days.)

So, lets introduce some idols.

Majisuka Gakuen 2 Ep5

You will regret those words Comeback!

Majusuka Gakuen 2 Ep4

Insert fangirl squeal here.

Majisuka Gakuen 2 Ep3

Man, it’d been ages since I posted anything. But I need somewhere to fangirl over Majisuka Gakuen 2, so here we are.

Didn’t write up the first two eps, but basically:

I refuse to acknowledge Shaku as part of the Four Heavenly Queens over Choukoku and in fact the character annoys me so much it’s actually making my dislike Miichan.

The fact that Shibuya betrayed MajiJo to join Yabakune hurts my soul.

The extra Yuuko’s running around irritate me a lot. Not as much as Lyle Dylandy replacing Neil Dylandy did, but close to that.

Mukuchi is so fierce I can’t even.