Ambrosias Rae's Anime Corner

Welcome to the first installment of Ambrosia Rae's Anime Corner!
I have always been a fan of cartoons of all kinds. Being an animator I tend to have an affinity for the medium in general. So, it's not too terribly surprising that I enjoy anime.
What I love most about anime is that the stories are limitless. Animation, in this context, is truly used as just a medium to tell a story, and no story is off limits. :)

For todays first installment I wanted to talk about the anime Angel Beats.
This is currenlty available on Netflix instant stream if anyone is interested in checking it out.

If you haven't heard of it, the premise is that one of the main characters, Otonashi, wakes up in a limbo realm for the dead. He is there with several other High School age kids (also dead) who enlist his help to fight Angel (later to find her real name is Kanade), a Non Player Character of the limbo realm, who they believe is there for the sole purpose of helping them 'move on' to the afterlife. However, these kids believe that 'moving on' is just another way of saying obliterated, so they've decided to fight back. Instead of conforming to the world set up, attend school, eat and sleep; they decide to skip class and plot attacks and try to keep from following any daily routine that might make them too comfortable and lead to obliteration.

The series originated as a manga, as most animes do, before being transformed into an anime adventure. I have not had the pleasure of reading the books, however, I'm sure the anime series has done them justice. The original managa, released in Nov 2009 was written by Jun Maeda with original character designs by Na-Ga. Both of whom are from the company Key. Key is popular for titles such as Kanon, Air,and Clannad. To which I will review at a later date. Key is great at balancing humor with serious emotion. To which you'll see if you chose to watch either of these famous titles.

The anime series was released in April 2010 and was directed by Seiji Kishi. The series totals 13 episodes. The intro to the series where they set up the whole 'afterlife' scenario did not ensnare me as much as perhaps it should have. Instead, what really caught my attention was the opening song. "My soul, Your beats!" By Lia. This song encompasses the show in many ways and just feels like it is "Angel Beats". The song has a lot of emotion but isn't depressing or sad. It is inspiring and yet not without hinting that there is something serious about it all.

Throughout the series music is played by a band the kids use as a distraction for the NPC's. This band plays songs by Marina and LiSA that are equally impactful to the episodes design. Albeit, the bands performance isn't necessarily the main plot line they have incorporated it well into the episodes. Some parts of the drama definitely wouldn't be as dramatic without this spectacular music.

The other twist to the series is that the main characters that have come to this limbo realm cannot remember thier living lives. Everyone who comes to this waystation has experienced a traumatic death and perhaps even a harsh life. As the series goes on, these past memories are revealed and the characters are given more depth and purpose. The question, however, is will solving the problems of their living life lead to their obliteration?

There are more twists and turns that I'll let you learn for yourself as this is not a forum for spoilers. But if you enjoy a good comedy that is not above getting serious to explain the nitty gritty drama, this is something you don't want to miss. Be warned some episodes may make you cry. :)

Tiger Lily (Work In Progress)

Commission piece for a girl who likes tigers and princesses. Can't go wrong there.

Devil May Cry Reboot - Review

Friday, I reluctantly purchased the Devil May Cry reboot after playing the demo. I say reluctantly, because like many of you, I didn't believe the Capcom/Ninja Theory reboot was going to be any good. Turning classic Dante into an ugly punk demon slayer with a bad attitude wasn't my idea of a great game. All I could ask myself was "What happened to the Dante I used to know?" Thankfully, I have some good news.

I have played and beat the game in its entirety on the Human or easy level. Mainly, to learn the story line and game mechanics. Within the first mission Ninja Theory pays a big homage to the original Dante character design by landing a white wig on the younger version. "Not in a million years." Dante quotes, throwing the wig aside. But, this instantly drew the majority of my skepticism aside. Not only did Ninja Theory show major respect for the classic Dante, it also made me realize that their new punk character model wasn't that far off from the Dante of old. With the long white hair he looks almost exactly like the Dante we're all used to. So, take away the punk haircut and the younger features and you're still left with the classic. Not bad.

The world itself, another area that I thought would be an annoyance, is actually very unique and fresh. With all the strange level layouts I expected the game to be caught in a niche for players who are attracted to the punk genre, but the story arc makes this weird layout easily acceptable. Throughout the game there is the real world and limbo, the halfway point where demons walk the earth unseen. It is in this limbo that Dante mainly plays throughout the game. This gave the game developers free reign to create unique worlds and levels to keep you guessing as you play through the story. And although, some of the maps are quite creative, it is not a free world and the story leads you easily to where you need to be.

The game mechanics are also very easy to use and create an outlet for gamers to play almost any way they prefer. Dante, who acquires a series of eight different weapons, can kill almost anything with either variance. Albeit, there are a few demons that require a certain weapons to be used to break their shields or powers, fighting style becomes the control of the player.

Without revealing any spoilers, the story arc was very well put together and continues to draw back on classic Devil May Cry basics that we know and love. They had a lot of background to put into a short game and are able to catch up first time Devil May Cry players into the worlds history, game mechanics, and plot without leaving the player questioning. In the end, although this story has wrapped up, any player can tell it is open for many sequels to come.

Overall, for any of you who are still questioning if Ninja Theory ruined a good thing, I'm glad to say they haven't. The DMC reboot although very edgy has done a great job of reviving a classic and creating something new at the same time.

Website Renew

Hi Everyone! :)

Just in time for the new year I have completed the redesign of my website. Not only is it updated with the new logo designs, it is much more streamline. Cut out all the extra junk and just left the best of the best.

Cross my fingers and hope for the best this upcoming new year. And as always, let me know your thoughts!

                                                                                                                               ~ Ambrosia Rae

Check out the website now!

Logo

Finally nailed down my logo design after many previous failed attempts. Keep a look out for new and improved website, facebook, and blog designs. Feeling crafty. :)

The grass is always greener - poem

The grass is always greener
The jealous girl says to me
The grass is always greener
Why can't you be me?

The grass is always greener?
I question the girl
The grass is always greener?
Let me introduce you to my world

I may be young
But I work more than required
And with my education
I won't be fired

But with all these opportunities
You think you see
I'm still on the bottom
Our pay is equal you and me

Always the good girl
Always on time
But no one appreciates me
No one thanks my kind

Good behavior is expected
No one notices their school
Not unless it's complimented
By those who bend the rules

You think things are handed to me
On a silver platter
Well I'm still paying
For the education that I've gathered

I've earned all the things I have
I'm sorry if that's not your path
But you asked and wished to see
What it's like to be me

I work too hard, I'm always good
Deep in debt and no finish in sight
So tell me now, jealous fool
What is it for which you think you fight?

I can't move on
I can't retire
But I'm already
So damn tired

Trade my life
And try to see
Exactly how rough
It is to be me?

The grass is always greener
Well I'd like to see
Cause the grass is not greener
At least not for me

Nail Art - Simple Flowers

This is a nail art design I did last week. Going for a summer theme I feel I hit a more spring like feel instead.

I choose a light pink base and decorated my ring and thumb fingers with white flowers. The design concept itself is simple and can be applied to any combination of fingers and colors.

With a small brush paint half a flower at the middle of the nail chose to the cuticle. All my flowers had five petals, so here i drew four.

For the middle flower you want to align to the edge of the nail but in the middle vertically. (i chose the left side but the right would work too)

The last flower hangs over the tip of the nail and should be offset in between the left and middle flowers. Complete each flower with a dot in the center the same color as the base.

Repeat for every nail you want designed. Enjoy!