Where generic-brand moe may just be as good as the brand name…

Selection is important in some areas and not as important in others (like above). Can you get value with generic-brand moe or is moe something too refined to go for less?

Of the shows I’m watching this season, I started picking up the first few episodes of Akane Iro ni Somaru Saka. Even though it has quite the who’s-who of a seiyuu cast for a harem show, the show itself is not particularly impressive. Outside of Rie Kugimiya’s character being really annoying for a tsundere character, the other thing I’ll note is that I’m starting to really like Aya Hirano’s character, Minato. Part of it is because I tend to like a character which fits the motherly/housewife harem archetype. Part of it is the conclusion that came to me in the first episode: “Wait… She looks like a Nanoha knockoff.”

Coach’s Challenge… Clannad After Story Episode 1

Yep.  Figured I’d have to throw this out eventually this season.. didn’t think so soon though..

In the NFL, outside of the final two minutes of the first and second halves, coaches have the option to challenge a play, to have a certain play reviewed by the officials because they believe the boys in the zebra shirts got the call on the field wrong. Anyway, Here’s my challenge flag pointed at KyotoAni for a play during the baseball episode of Clannad After Story.

With a touch of class.. Sakura Sunday with the JASGP

5 cm per second got’s nothing on real life.

If you’re a regular to Anime Academy (And if so, many thanks for supporting us!), then you should know that we love to take ourselves outside the boundaries of anime. So when the annual Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival, organized by Japanese American Society of Greater Philadelphia (JASGP), with the highlight Sakura Sunday event rolling in last Sunday, my excitement was palpable (when I wasn’t bogged down with this, that, and the other thing for that matter anyway). Even if peanut (kame) and bro-ham choosing not to come down to check it out as well, I wasn’t going to let that rain on my festival (even if it was forecasted to, literally, rain on the festival). Anyway, I’m back, with pictures (mega thanks to my friend Greg for letting me borrow his camera), ready to talk about the culture behind the subculture. Let’s start!

Dude, your mom is hot… Mothers in Anime

Stacy’s mom has got it goin’ on
She’s all I want and I’ve waited for so long
Stacy, can’t you see you’re just not the girl for me
I know it might be wrong but I’m in love with Stacy’s mom

So I’ve kinda disappeared from blogging for a while as bro and sis have taken over a bit (with the exception of my kyonko-love post). The reasons are many (work, mom acquiring a new car and a recent Atlantic City trip) and I kinda don’t feel like going into all of that. I’m back (along with $90 of AC winnings) and ready blurt out my random thoughts once again.

Last week, I’ve stumbled upon CCY’s interesting post on the convenient disappearance of parents in anime over at Mega Megane Moe. That is certainly a solid read worth at least a look (as I am willing once again to prop my fellow anime blogger’s article and thus saving myself from rewriting stuff already said). My thought on it is that anime centered on teenagers and young adults is kinda a given with anime’s target audience often pointed at that direction. It is also makes things alot easier for storytelling since teenagers unsure of themselves often makes a good starting palette for character development. However, anime with the child-parent dynamic is usually a really intriguing element and I kinda wish anime explores it more often. As long as it doesn’t get too angsty (another good article in the anime blogger community).

Also last week, I just had the opportunity to watch True Tears episode 9 (again, I’m behind on my anime as well). And in the various scenes we see her character in this episode, one of the things that I randomly come to my mind: Shin’s mom is quite hot. After reading the non-existence of anime parents post, this has me asking: Where are all the hot anime moms? This is the question I’ll explore somewhat this week.

Downin’ some Guinness: Anime Characters that would make good drinking buddies

Kanpai!

In honor of St. Pattie’s day, a holiday that is almost irrevocably linked to alcohol and alcoholism, I stopped to think, “Hmm.. if I could go to a bar and down a couple of cold ones with an anime character, who would I pick?” Well, I came up with quite a few to pick from, but I’d love to hear who else would probably be good. Anyway, without further adieu, we toast to you, anime men and women of genius.