The anime about an exceptionally nice and caring girl to the point where she will not even talk much for the sake of trying to be kind, Morita Mayu, is getting a second season.

Sources: [Anime News Network via Saishin Anime Joho]

Author’s Note: Well, this series is not really popular but I find it quite enjoyable for some reason. Maybe it’s because I like Hanazawa Kana and Tomatsu Haruka a lot.

Kimi ni Todoke is a popular romantic comedy series that first started off as a manga. It then got an animated series which gradually got the series a bit more popularity. NIS America has confirmed with Anime News Network that the second season will be released in North America next year, continuing where it left off from the first season.

Sources: [Anime News Network]

From left to right: Ruiko Saten, Mikoto Misaka, Shirai Kuroko, Kazari Uiharu

“Academy City is the best place to be – it’s where we can be ourselves. Things we can’t do by ourselves, we can do together with everyone." -Mikoto Misaka.

People encounter challenges everyday because of limitations, emotions, and expectations that are set against them. Having friends that will support one another through their struggles creates an empowering relationship, enabling a person to improve themselves from the bonds they share together. Toaru Kagaku no Railgun/とある科学の超電磁砲（レールガン） (“A Certain Scientific Railgun”) is a side story to A Certain Magical Index/Toaru Majutsu no Index. The anime revolves around four main heroines: Mikoto Misaka, Shirai Kuroko, Kazari Uiharu, and Ruiko Saten. Together they encounter challenges and problems in the technologically advanced city that they live in, called “Academy City”. Many people go to Academy City to become ability users, or espers as they call it, which leads to many conflicts in the city because of the powers people have. Through the conflicts that the four heroines overcome, their ties of friendship become stronger and they help each other get through each of their own problems. Viewers will be entertained by the interesting setting and concept of Academy City, along with relationships between the four girls. This setup creates a strong plot with action, sci-fi, and comedic elements. The anime aired from October 2^nd, 2009 to March 19^th, 2010. Spoilers will be little to none in this review, as people generally do not like spoilers after all!

Due to emergency demand, I will be reviewing three character image song singles from the anime, Sora no Woto (So•Ra•No•Wo•To/Sounds of the Skies/Sound from the Sky). The first single released, “Negai go to Kimi to” is sung by Kanata Sorami (Juri Aikawa/Hisako Kanemoto) while the second single, “Yooi Tei!” has Noël Kannagi (Aoi Yuki), Kureha Suminoya (Hisako Kanemoto), and Kanata once again doing the vocals. The third single released, “Adoration”, features Rio Kazumiya (Yu Kobayashi) and Filicia Heideman (Aya Endo) as the vocalists.

Character Image Song Single #1 “Negai go to Kimi to”

CD Length: 5:06 (+ 3:57), 1 Vocal, 1 Instrumental Arrange (+ karaoke track).

Our first track is non-other than Negai go to Kimi to, which vaguely translates to “A Wish With You”. It is a lighthearted song that got my legs moving and fit perfectly with Kanata’s character. The instrumentals are quite fitting as the tone and timbre of the instruments go along quite well with Kanata’s bright and positive personality and that; it establishes a dream like feeling. Compared to other songs with light and fluffy tones, this song is distinct from the rest because of the vocalist’s unique voice and the great use of instruments.

The second track is an instrumental arrangement of Negai go to Kimi to. It brings a more symphonic feel while still expressing the lighthearted feeling of the original song. The song ends with a music box version of song as an added bonus to the wishful feelings from the track.

 

"Toy Story". Say those two words to any 18-25 year old and watch as he or she takes a stroll down memory lane. The Toy Story movies have been an iconic series for Pixar. The first Toy Story, released in 1995, introduced the world to the future of movies, and treated children to a whole new world filled with toys with secret lives (See my review on the first movie HERE). The Toy Story series has grossed over a billion dollars in ticket sales alone. This is a huge cash cow for Disney and Pixar, so obviously Disney would want to make a third one. However, is Toy Story 3 as good as its predecessors, or is it just a cheap cash-in? Thankfully, it is the former by far.

Toy Story 3 takes place years after the previous movie. Andy is grown-up and is about to go away for college. However, what is to become of Woody and gang? They end up getting donated to Sunnyside Day Care. A day care is a place for toys to always get played with and never ignored. Sounds great on paper, but would the toys truly enjoy this?

As seen in the trailers and clips, the toys obviously don't like it there and want to escape. The fact that something as pleasant as a day care gets turned into a prison at night is quite humorous. Seeing a sandbox being a prison or a slide becoming a watchtower shows how Pixar pays attention to detail. Then again, when don't they? Every little thing in the movie has had special thought put into it.

Some people would argue that Toy Story is too kiddy. This is completely false. Toy Story isn't a kids movie, it's a family movie. This means that there is no upper age limit to enjoy this movie.

Coincidentally, one of the major themes of the film is growing up. Since Andy is going to college, his toys are being neglected. The relationship between toys and their owner is a special one and one that everyone is familiar with from their childhood. Playing with toys in a certain magical, fantastic way brings about joy and wonder to both kids and toys. However, as a kid grows up, there is going to be a point in which the kid has to say goodbye to the toys and grow up. It's a very symbolic moment in life and this is how the movie gets to you.

While Toy Story is a very enjoyable movie, it is also very sad. There are moments that will make you choke up. Don't be afraid to show your less-than-macho side with this movie. No one in 18-25 (+/- a few years) range can escape this movie without expressing any sadness. These parts are targeted right at the audience that grew up with Buzz and Woody. If you first watched Toy Story when it was first released in theaters or on a VHS tape (DVD or blu-ray doesn't count!), you are essentially required to watch this movie. It'll make you feel a roller coaster of emotions, but you will be feeling joy on the side the whole time.

Mr. Pie's rating: 8 out of 8 slices.

Info
Air Date: Apr 2, 2009
Website: http://www.tbs.co.jp/anime/k-on/
Animation Company: Kyoto Animation

Summary
An adaption of Kakifly's Seinen Yonkoma manga series K-ON!. The story revolves around four Japanese high school girls who join their school's light music club to try to save it from being closed despite being unable to read music or play instruments. However they are the only members. (AniDB/Wikipedia)

YES!

Yes Man is a great comedy to get the edge off and may possibly change the way you view things in life. Carl Allen (played by Jim Carrey), has been saying no his entire life. But after a bad dream, he decides to go to a seminar and he gets challenged to say "Yes" to every opportunity that arises. No matter what it is. This brings up some pretty unique situations and provides lots of laughs without feeling forced. At the same time, you as a viewer sees how powerful the word "Yes" really is and it may make you rethink how you do things in life. Yes Man is a movie that'll make you make you laugh, feel good, try out a few things and maybe even inspire you to learn Korean.