To summarize how I am feeling right now (a day since I finished the series) would be, "Wow". It's been awhile since I've seen an anime that is so good.. it was everything I had hoped for and more. I am very satisfied with how the series wrapped itself up, and how all of the characters developed and made the series so real and awesome. So many characters impressed me with how they developed, others I felt needed more development at the end but still that's just nitpicking. For example, what happened to Taika? They spent a decent amount of episodes introducing us to him but (i could be wrong on this please correct me if so) but there was nothing to show for all that, he didn't make any later appearances that I know of anyway. I apologize if I may have missed something along the way. Anyway, regardless of that, I can see why some people might get the wrong impression from watching it at the beginning. For me, Youko didn't start off as the most likeable character, actually come to think of it, neither did Shoukei.. but that completely reversed at the end. At first Shoukei irritated me and yet at the same time I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her when she was outcast and punished for being who she was. I couldn't help but think that it was going to be a very bad thing once she would finally meet Youko, but I was sure wrong about that. I liked how they got the 2 of those girls to get to know Youko good before they knew she was the Queen. Otherwise their initial presumptions about what Queen Kei was like might have influenced them into some bad decisions. I also really liked how Shoukei got introduced to Youko, by throwing the rock at the person who was getting executed. Not only was I thinking ("thank god Youko was aware of this happening") but also, I was thinking how it was a great way of introducing the 2 characters together, as before I was having visions of Shoukei being in the palace and seeing Youko sitting on the throne, and not seeing the good in her (and possibly making a bad decision because of that).
Anyway, I could go on and on about many other character developments but I guess this is what I feel the strongest about in this series, is how the plot and characters are molded into shape. Everyone has a unique perspective on things, and seeing through each characters unique perspective as they all came together in the end as the rebellion was one of the most satisfying moments in anime I've had.
Just finished watching the 12 Kingdoms
Moderator: zitch
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MajesticWarrior
- Ranka
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:33 pm
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AliceC
- Kanri
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Where it is summer all four seasons.
- Contact:
Welcome to the club 
~ The world of wonder, joy, and the unknown. Juuni Kokki, for me, is one of the best well-developed stories out there, character-wise as well as plot. It does have some pitfalls, but overall totally worth it. Taiki's story (novel-wise) is still in development, and there is a slight chance that the anime will be produced to finish off the story once the novel finishes.
We can all go on and on about this series. Heck, most of our posts-not that I'm speaking for anyone else-go on like essays. Not that I mind.
~ The world of wonder, joy, and the unknown. Juuni Kokki, for me, is one of the best well-developed stories out there, character-wise as well as plot. It does have some pitfalls, but overall totally worth it. Taiki's story (novel-wise) is still in development, and there is a slight chance that the anime will be produced to finish off the story once the novel finishes. We can all go on and on about this series. Heck, most of our posts-not that I'm speaking for anyone else-go on like essays. Not that I mind.
Hehe... I was in much the same stupor after watching it the first time a year or two ago... 
"Wow" succinctly described how I felt for a week after watching it, so I dropped all of my other anime and watched it again... Haibane Renmei is the only other anime to do that to me...
I'm now watching it with some people (9th time for me!). I try to answer as few questions as possible, since the series is largely self-explanitory. I find people's react better to the series when they discover stuff on their own. What's nice is its rewatch factor; I find myself catching new stuff almost everytime I watch it again. This last watch I found myself smacking my forehead as to when you actually meet Ribi for the first time!
As for writing essays on this anime, just check out my review of 12 Kokuki on AnimeNFO. In fact, I have plans to go back to it and edit it to make it seem less fan-boyish, organize it alot better, and to add a bit more objective information.
"Wow" succinctly described how I felt for a week after watching it, so I dropped all of my other anime and watched it again... Haibane Renmei is the only other anime to do that to me...I'm now watching it with some people (9th time for me!). I try to answer as few questions as possible, since the series is largely self-explanitory. I find people's react better to the series when they discover stuff on their own. What's nice is its rewatch factor; I find myself catching new stuff almost everytime I watch it again. This last watch I found myself smacking my forehead as to when you actually meet Ribi for the first time!
As for writing essays on this anime, just check out my review of 12 Kokuki on AnimeNFO. In fact, I have plans to go back to it and edit it to make it seem less fan-boyish, organize it alot better, and to add a bit more objective information.
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nightchaser
- Shogun
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:20 pm
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Mercury Omega
- Kaikyaku
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2004 6:56 pm
- Location: The warm Caribbean
- Contact:
True. I'm constantly watching anime, but Junni Kokki still remains solid in my top three list. I'm yet to see another story so compelling and absorbing as this. The only other anime I've watched recently that has managed to absorb me as much is RahXephon, and it is mainly due to a excellent plot and character development, something in which JK excels.
I find sad that great works like these get buried beneath the hype of the newest Gundam or Naruto or Inu Yasha. Not that those aren't good series, but none of those captivate the viewer in such a way that you are completely immersed in a lavishly recreated world like it happens with JK. I just hope we manage the spread the word and let more fans know of this jewel of anime. After all, these are the type of series that makes us believe in the power of anime as a medium for great and original storytelling. Whenever I find myself jaded or disapointed by overhyped, mediocre offers, JK makes a believer out of me again.
I find sad that great works like these get buried beneath the hype of the newest Gundam or Naruto or Inu Yasha. Not that those aren't good series, but none of those captivate the viewer in such a way that you are completely immersed in a lavishly recreated world like it happens with JK. I just hope we manage the spread the word and let more fans know of this jewel of anime. After all, these are the type of series that makes us believe in the power of anime as a medium for great and original storytelling. Whenever I find myself jaded or disapointed by overhyped, mediocre offers, JK makes a believer out of me again.
"Every day above ground is a special day."
Sara Pezzini, Witchblade, the TV show
Shameless self promotion:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/115597/
Sara Pezzini, Witchblade, the TV show
Shameless self promotion:
http://www.fanfiction.net/u/115597/
damn....i don't know but they have cut the airing of JK in my place without even finishing it...damn...it would be only 3 weeks more and still they didn't finish it....now i really have to have my own copy of JK now.....damn....but yes...JK is one of the best thing that ever happened in an anime....hehehe...it's the best for me...
and i hope, when it's popularity will be awe-inspiring, i hope they could make a movie, a holly wood movie...and i want keiki to be....hehehe....
and i hope, when it's popularity will be awe-inspiring, i hope they could make a movie, a holly wood movie...and i want keiki to be....hehehe....I shall never leave your side. My eternal loyalty, I pledge unto you
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AliceC
- Kanri
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Where it is summer all four seasons.
- Contact:
After Juuni Kokki, I have become very spoiled with my anime and manga selections. I was already getting picking before Juuni Kokki, but afterwards, it just set too high of a bar.
I do agree stuff like Naruto and Bleach are good quality stuff, it doesn't have the solid foundation and depth that Juuni Kokki has reached (at least not yet, but those to are a lot longer episode wise). Then again, I have to constantly remind myself that Juuni Kokki was a novel adaptation, which usually means they are better.
The sad thing about Juuni Kokki in the US is the low promotion value. It is really a lot better than so many animes and mangas out there. But that is another conversation that we'll save for another place (general discussions) during a rainy day. ^__^
I do agree stuff like Naruto and Bleach are good quality stuff, it doesn't have the solid foundation and depth that Juuni Kokki has reached (at least not yet, but those to are a lot longer episode wise). Then again, I have to constantly remind myself that Juuni Kokki was a novel adaptation, which usually means they are better.
The sad thing about Juuni Kokki in the US is the low promotion value. It is really a lot better than so many animes and mangas out there. But that is another conversation that we'll save for another place (general discussions) during a rainy day. ^__^
Well, keep in mind that most of the really popular anime is largely marketed for teens and pre-teens. Yes, they may contain elements that adults may enjoy, but in the end, they are first and foremost, "kid" shows. I don't say this to mean that they are bad or of poor quality, but really just who they are aimed for.AliceC wrote:After Juuni Kokki, I have become very spoiled with my anime and manga selections. I was already getting picking before Juuni Kokki, but afterwards, it just set too high of a bar.
I do agree stuff like Naruto and Bleach are good quality stuff, it doesn't have the solid foundation and depth that Juuni Kokki has reached (at least not yet, but those to are a lot longer episode wise). Then again, I have to constantly remind myself that Juuni Kokki was a novel adaptation, which usually means they are better.
Juuni Kokki is aimed for the "young adult" and above population. This cross-section of anime fans seems to be miniscule compared to the teen and pre-teen population of fans. These fans will also watch the "kid" shows, too. Hence, U.S. production companies will often not promote animes that are specifically aimed at the adult population all that much. Hell, animes like Naruto and Bleach already had a solid fan-base (Especially Naruto. The amount of Naruto cosplayers in U.S. cons was almost scary last year, from what I hear) in the U.S. before any U.S. production companies looked into liscencing them.
Quite right. We can actually continue this line of conversation here.The sad thing about Juuni Kokki in the US is the low promotion value. It is really a lot better than so many animes and mangas out there. But that is another conversation that we'll save for another place (general discussions) during a rainy day. ^__^
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nightchaser
- Shogun
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:20 pm
I found that Hack/Sign crossed the line between young adult and adult anime. Several of the main characters were older - from young teens to middle age. I found that to be one of the best parts of the anime - the interaction between adult and teenager to help each other instead of pick on each other 
I also saw that in 12 Kingdoms. We see Youko and Taiki who are children, but we also see Shoryou, Gekki, and many other older people.
It's hard to get people to watch anime when all they've ever seen is kids shows. I tell people about this great show I'm watching, and explain the plot, and they get all excited but as soon as they find out it is anime they want nothing to do with it. I was one of them for a long time because the only anime I saw was kids shows or late at night it was borderline porn. I didn't like either. But a co-worker talked me into renting some and I found out there is a better aspect of it. My netflix queue has 50 titles in it now! Yeah!
I also saw that in 12 Kingdoms. We see Youko and Taiki who are children, but we also see Shoryou, Gekki, and many other older people.
It's hard to get people to watch anime when all they've ever seen is kids shows. I tell people about this great show I'm watching, and explain the plot, and they get all excited but as soon as they find out it is anime they want nothing to do with it. I was one of them for a long time because the only anime I saw was kids shows or late at night it was borderline porn. I didn't like either. But a co-worker talked me into renting some and I found out there is a better aspect of it.
My netflix queue has 50 titles in it now! Yeah!-
AliceC
- Kanri
- Posts: 110
- Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2005 6:42 pm
- Location: Where it is summer all four seasons.
- Contact:
I actually feel Juuni Kokki does have staying power. It is on its third run in Japan. And you know, we're starting to see a few more cosplayers. I met quite a few Juuni Kokki fans at AX this year, which is a lot more than the years before. Some things really just stay for a long time. When Naruto and Bleach first came out, there were almost no cosplayers or merchandise. It only got popular in US mainstream the past two years (which is good, as others had pointed out).
Juuni Kokki may be targetted for older audiences, but a lot of younger audiences have really gotten into it. It's just about publicity stunts is all.
Juuni Kokki may be targetted for older audiences, but a lot of younger audiences have really gotten into it. It's just about publicity stunts is all.
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MajesticWarrior
- Ranka
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:33 pm
Hi again, I'm still lurking around here ^_^
First of all, nice to meet so many others who recognize the greatness of this series. I'm hoping to introduce this series to some of my friends soon, however they're the same people I also introduced Naruto to awhile back, and now I don't think so highly of that series anymore. Hopefully regardless of that they'll give it a chance. It was just a stroke of luck I chose this series to watch next.. not knowing at all what it was going to be about. I'm hoping that I get lucky again soon ^_^
I guess one more thing, in regards to Naruto, I stopped watching it after episode 150.. didn't seem like anything new and interesting was going to happen soon.. after watching the episode arc about Sasuke running away I just got bored of watching it.
Soooo.. I guess where I'm going with this is, if anyone has ideas for another "well-developed" series like this to watch that would be just wonderful. I'll also try not to have my expectations too high as that always gets me in trouble too, even if it was 3/4 as good as 12 Kingdoms I'd still watch it .
Update: I already got alot of ideas for what to watch next just reading the posts in this topic and the rest of the forum.
I guess one more thing, in regards to Naruto, I stopped watching it after episode 150.. didn't seem like anything new and interesting was going to happen soon.. after watching the episode arc about Sasuke running away I just got bored of watching it.
Soooo.. I guess where I'm going with this is, if anyone has ideas for another "well-developed" series like this to watch that would be just wonderful. I'll also try not to have my expectations too high as that always gets me in trouble too, even if it was 3/4 as good as 12 Kingdoms I'd still watch it .
Update: I already got alot of ideas for what to watch next just reading the posts in this topic and the rest of the forum.
MajesticWarrior
I'm afraid i'm a bit late on this one, but welcome to the club!
Yeh, those are the series you can talk about for years to come.
Frankly speaking, when i just started to watch them (from the middle) i initially thought that it's good only for one viewing. Interesting story and characters, but i'll just find out what happens in the end and that'll be it.
Well...
Let me just tell - Boy, was i wrong!
The more you see it, the more you find.
It's such a pity so many of it's target public (adults) won't give it even a try just because "it's anime, so it's just for kids". Really-really depressing.
I'm afraid i'm a bit late on this one, but welcome to the club!
Yeh, those are the series you can talk about for years to come.
Frankly speaking, when i just started to watch them (from the middle) i initially thought that it's good only for one viewing. Interesting story and characters, but i'll just find out what happens in the end and that'll be it.
Well...
Let me just tell - Boy, was i wrong!
The more you see it, the more you find.
It's such a pity so many of it's target public (adults) won't give it even a try just because "it's anime, so it's just for kids". Really-really depressing.
beranda
No need to feel depressed about something like that. There is no need for you to validate your interests to your peers if they are not interested.
And I think Juuni Kokuki's real target audience are really older teenagers, especially 17 and up or so, but it contains elements that any age can truly enjoy.
And I know several pieces that would immediately counter that "it's anime, so it's just for kids"... Unfortunately, they may change it to "it's anime, so it's just for kids and sickos"...
No need to feel depressed about something like that. There is no need for you to validate your interests to your peers if they are not interested.
And I think Juuni Kokuki's real target audience are really older teenagers, especially 17 and up or so, but it contains elements that any age can truly enjoy.
And I know several pieces that would immediately counter that "it's anime, so it's just for kids"... Unfortunately, they may change it to "it's anime, so it's just for kids and sickos"...
Oo! Buttons hurray! ^-^
Carmolita Wrote:
Here's a piece of the email he sent me:
Carmolita Wrote:
Lol. he didn't say all that much. This was back a few years ago, at the time he was working on Magic Knight Rayearth and I was a big fan of one of the characters he'd voiced for it. I made a character shrine which also had a section dedicated to his voicework. He came across my site and thanked me-it was really cool. ^-^REALLY!!! What did he say if you don't mind me asking?
Here's a piece of the email he sent me:
Hi,
thanks for the tribute page, a friend emailed it to me. Thank you for the compliments...Thought I would let you know about my newer web site - www.lexlang.com recently updated...
got new stuff on it. let me know what you think,
all the best,
Lex
I know this is a little into the post, but anyway. I just finished watching the series this weekend. I'm completely in love with the series. The only other series that is as good as this one is Fullmetal alchemist! anyway, I was kinda sad that they didn't do anything more with Taiki, I felt kinda empty that they didn't finish his story , so I've been looking for translations . Especially since Taiki was my favorite character. I just couldn't stop thinking about hugging him, he's so cute! It left me with that kind of emptiness that Inuyasha did, they could have wrapped it up, but they didn't. Overall, I can hardly wait till summer to show it to all my friends
, so I've been looking for translations . Especially since Taiki was my favorite character. I just couldn't stop thinking about hugging him, he's so cute! It left me with that kind of emptiness that Inuyasha did, they could have wrapped it up, but they didn't. Overall, I can hardly wait till summer to show it to all my friends *sigh*
I started watching 12k at the start Dec in 2005.
I am so ADDICTED.
It's soooooo damn good. I've even read all the Japanese books of the series 2 times.
Now all this waiting for a sequel is KILLING ME!!!
How have fans from when it was originally produced survived
Anyways.. just wanted to say my hello. I'll be lurking around the forums
I started watching 12k at the start Dec in 2005.
I am so ADDICTED.
It's soooooo damn good. I've even read all the Japanese books of the series 2 times.
Now all this waiting for a sequel is KILLING ME!!!
How have fans from when it was originally produced survived
Anyways.. just wanted to say my hello. I'll be lurking around the forums
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nightchaser
- Shogun
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:20 pm
[quote="sk"]*sigh*
It's soooooo damn good. I've even read all the Japanese books of the series 2 times.
[/quote]
You can read Japanese ? Have you been to http://www.otyaku.com/animeObserver/index.php yet? He's looking for translation help...
It's soooooo damn good. I've even read all the Japanese books of the series 2 times.
[/quote]
You can read Japanese
? Have you been to http://www.otyaku.com/animeObserver/index.php yet? He's looking for translation help...Wow, i knew there were individual tl projects of the 12 books out there.. but this one seems the only one that still going...
(I've seen rumors that someone did the first 2 books. and Tonan no Tsubasa)
unfortunatly I'm busy right now with other translation projects Sorry.
Maybe when i'm done with the others.. I'll look into tling something from 12k ..
(I've seen rumors that someone did the first 2 books. and Tonan no Tsubasa)
unfortunatly I'm busy right now with other translation projects
Sorry.Maybe when i'm done with the others.. I'll look into tling something from 12k ..
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Carrie Asagiri
- Ranka
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 5:08 pm
- Contact:
Today I finished the series, and I'm very hype with this since the beginning because the series hooked me since the first episode. In these last days I saw till 8 episodes per day O_O.
I've got some series that are my sacred ones, they are Evangelion, Fushigi Yuugi, Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, RahXephon and now Juuni Kokki. And I must confesed that the five of them hooked in the same way.
But Juuni Kokki is special and great for other reasons, the character development and the way the story is told. The fact that is based in novels and not a manga is something very important. I could see the literary vein in the through the story. This series works in so many levels and goes beyond. You can read it and see it in all those levels without lost richness.
When I started to see JK, I started Naruto too (Yeah I know I get later to the Naruto era XD). I wasn't in a rush to see Naruto since is a long series and is currently airing, but I was intecaliting both series, watching one day a couple of episodes of one and the next day a couple of episodes of another. But I dropped Naruto in favor of JK since I was totally trapped by the story and I couldn't let it. Now I'm converting some people into this madness, but I know that isn't a series for any people. I'm selecting my victims XD.
Well, I just can say that I had the honor to see one of the greatest series ever made.
I've got some series that are my sacred ones, they are Evangelion, Fushigi Yuugi, Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040, RahXephon and now Juuni Kokki. And I must confesed that the five of them hooked in the same way.
But Juuni Kokki is special and great for other reasons, the character development and the way the story is told. The fact that is based in novels and not a manga is something very important. I could see the literary vein in the through the story. This series works in so many levels and goes beyond. You can read it and see it in all those levels without lost richness.
When I started to see JK, I started Naruto too (Yeah I know I get later to the Naruto era XD). I wasn't in a rush to see Naruto since is a long series and is currently airing, but I was intecaliting both series, watching one day a couple of episodes of one and the next day a couple of episodes of another. But I dropped Naruto in favor of JK since I was totally trapped by the story and I couldn't let it. Now I'm converting some people into this madness, but I know that isn't a series for any people. I'm selecting my victims XD.
Well, I just can say that I had the honor to see one of the greatest series ever made.
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MajesticWarrior
- Ranka
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Oct 20, 2005 11:33 pm
Hello again everybody!
Hey guys, I was just browsing the forum again tonight, hoping that someone had news of reviving the continuation of the animated series.. so I signed up to the petition that they had in one of the other topics.
Also, I have gotten both my sisters into the series, and they are both almost finished with it and like it alot. I am hoping to get more people into the series as well, I think that the more people that get into it, the more chance of success it will have if they ever decide to release more of it here in NA. (Whether it be more anime or the novels.)
Peace.
-MajesticWarrior
Also, I have gotten both my sisters into the series, and they are both almost finished with it and like it alot. I am hoping to get more people into the series as well, I think that the more people that get into it, the more chance of success it will have if they ever decide to release more of it here in NA. (Whether it be more anime or the novels.)
Peace.
-MajesticWarrior
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YoukoFanboy
- Kaikyaku
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:03 am
I know this is a very late post...I see the date of the last post and is like a year ago LOL... but I am new at this site and I registered because I watched Twelve kingdoms just recently and wanted to express to ppl that are fan of this incredible anime my experience watching it. I dont know if anyone will read this or reply, but still I need to tell about my journey
It begans when I bought the first DVD of the series for my girlfriend's son. He is 10 and a fan of anime. I know next to nothing about anime, (I am an old guy in my 30's) but me wanting to get in his good side, wanted to buy him some. But because me knowing next to nothing about anime, I bought the one with a nice cover label LOL. Also I asked the lady in the counter if this anime was appropiate (didn't want to get a violent or sexist anime) and luckily she said great things about it, although she advised me about others I could buy, for some reason I was drawn to pick TK as soon as I saw the name. My gf's son didnt know about TK either when i gave it to him, but it was anime.. let's watch!
And watch we did... and all of the sudden, I was incredibly drawn to it, so I went and bought all other volumes and we watched them together. And let me tell you... amaizing! I am a big fan of sci fi, fantasy, history and drama and I got all of it from this anime. I became obsessed by it, so much that I even got in here and started reading the posts and got all emotional seen people that discuss this great piece of art with such fervor. I am always researching for anything TK related and finally decided to register on this forum so I can discuss with people that are passionate about it as I am.
I am thinking of creating a thread about the social, political and religious connontations and motivations about this anime, I wish people will join in and discusse with me about it... if already done, i apologize... TK is and always will be a very special experience for me... and btw, he liked it so much we always talk about it, I even use it as example of how to live a healthy and productive live and explain to him what does everything mean in a larger view...
Thanx for the opportunity to express myself, I know it was done poorly, but still, I wanted to say something
It begans when I bought the first DVD of the series for my girlfriend's son. He is 10 and a fan of anime. I know next to nothing about anime, (I am an old guy in my 30's) but me wanting to get in his good side, wanted to buy him some. But because me knowing next to nothing about anime, I bought the one with a nice cover label LOL. Also I asked the lady in the counter if this anime was appropiate (didn't want to get a violent or sexist anime) and luckily she said great things about it, although she advised me about others I could buy, for some reason I was drawn to pick TK as soon as I saw the name. My gf's son didnt know about TK either when i gave it to him, but it was anime.. let's watch!
And watch we did... and all of the sudden, I was incredibly drawn to it, so I went and bought all other volumes and we watched them together. And let me tell you... amaizing! I am a big fan of sci fi, fantasy, history and drama and I got all of it from this anime. I became obsessed by it, so much that I even got in here and started reading the posts and got all emotional seen people that discuss this great piece of art with such fervor. I am always researching for anything TK related and finally decided to register on this forum so I can discuss with people that are passionate about it as I am.
I am thinking of creating a thread about the social, political and religious connontations and motivations about this anime, I wish people will join in and discusse with me about it... if already done, i apologize... TK is and always will be a very special experience for me... and btw, he liked it so much we always talk about it, I even use it as example of how to live a healthy and productive live and explain to him what does everything mean in a larger view...
Thanx for the opportunity to express myself, I know it was done poorly, but still, I wanted to say something
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YoukoFanboy
- Kaikyaku
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 7:03 am
Thank you for your kind words...
i have read the 3 novels that deal with the Youko Ark (although shore of twilight is about both her and taiki) and i loved them. As you can see by my not so gracefull nick, i am a rabid fan of her character... her transformation is one of the greatest in fiction in a long time.
i have read the 3 novels that deal with the Youko Ark (although shore of twilight is about both her and taiki) and i loved them. As you can see by my not so gracefull nick, i am a rabid fan of her character... her transformation is one of the greatest in fiction in a long time.