Review: Karin the Blood-Giving Vampire (2005-2006)

Karin the Blood-Giving Vampire (2005-2006) is a Japanese teen vampire series based in contemporary Japan. It derives from the manga, Chibi Vampire, and the anime adaptation contains 24 episodes.

Karin Maaka is the eldest daughter of a family of blood-sucking vampires. She is not a normal vampire. She suffers from an odd condition: she does not feed on blood; she actually over-produces it! She must bite others to control her condition (nose-bleeds are the side effects). Unlike her family, she can attend school like a normal teenage girl in the daytime. However, her life changes forever when a new transfer student arrives at her school.

Kenta Usui is the new transfer kid who has big eyes and spiky hair. Unfortunately, Karin suffers nose-bleeds around his presence. She tries to avoid him but they share the same class and work schedule. Karin's older brother, Ren, wants to erase his memory but Anju, Karin's younger sister, stops him. The family decide Kenta can be Karin's ally during the daytime while they are asleep and vulnerable. As they become friends, they eventually fall in love with each other.

More obstacles lay in their way. Per the request of her uncle, Yuriya, a human-vampire hybrid, spies on her. She disapproves of the relationship because hybrids are sterile. Furthermore, someone kidnaps Karin when it is later revealed her strange condition can cure the sterility that plagues vampires at the cost of her life. Can Kenta rescue his love before it is too late?

Karin, the Blood-Giving Vampire is an amusing teen vampire drama that will please everyone. The animation may seem weird in the beginning, but it has its funny moments as the storyline progresses. The Maaka family is not evil; they care very much for Karin, and, to a lesser extent, Kenta. You can't help but think Karin is cute with her unusual condition and outspoken personality. I would say this show was one of the best teen vampire dramas. I highly recommend this series.

It is now licensed and available to buy and rent on DVD.



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World's Largest Pyramid ~Mirador~ Discovered

This was reported last month on CNN. The world's largest pyramid in Latin America was discovered a by a team of archaeologists. Scientists are hypothesizing this could be the legendary lost ancient Mayan city of Mirador.







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Vanished Ancient Persian Army Found in Desert

I am very sorry I have not posted in weeks. I have been extremely busy with schoolwork (I'm a graduate student now!). I found this MSNBC article which is a major monumental discovery. Archaeologists have recovered the grave site of an ancient Persian army that was destroyed in a powerful sandstorm nearly 2500 years ago. The area has 50,000 skeletal remains in Egypt.

The remains of a mighty Persian army said to have drowned in the sands of the western Egyptian desert 2,500 years ago might have been finally located, solving one of archaeology's biggest outstanding mysteries, according to Italian researchers.

Bronze weapons, a silver bracelet, an earring and hundreds of human bones found in the vast desolate wilderness of the Sahara desert have raised hopes of finally finding the lost army of Persian King Cambyses II. The 50,000 warriors were said to be buried by a cataclysmic sandstorm in 525 B.C.

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Reminder: Legend of the Seeker Season 2 Premiers November 7/8

This is a reminder that the second season of Legend of the Seeker premieres November 7/8. Do not miss this! Check your local listings for channel and time. I added the trailer below:



Season 2 Trailer

(The Legend of the Seeker TV series is based on the critically-acclaimed Sword of Truth fantasy novel series by Terry Goodkind.)
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Review: Blood Promise (Vampire Academy #4)

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

Blood Promise, by Richelle Mead, is the fourth novel in the Vampire Academy series. Rose Hathaway travels to Russia to find and kill Dmitri, her lost love who has turned Strigoi. She leaves everything behind at St. Vladimir Academy, including her guardianship and friendship to Lissa Dragomir. She finds herself in situations that she would have never imagined -- hunting Strigoi for pertinent information, meeting mysterious characters who understand the Russian underground scene, encountering a dhampir commune in Siberia, meeting other dhampirs who share similar common occurrences with Strigois, and finally witnessing Dmitri up close and personal.

Before she can carry out her plan, she meets new people who she depends for assistance after she learns new clues on her journey. First, she must emotionally find the strength within herself to understand who she is and what is her purpose in life. Meanwhile, Lissa is exhibiting erratic behaviors and losing her mind slowly at St. Vladimir's Academy. Rose can only helplessly watch from afar. Can a new person take over her former friendship role, even if Lissa and Rose are both shadow-kissed? Does Rose have the courage to kill the man she still loves deeply within her heart? You can find out the answers in this thrilling novel by reading it today!

I simply have four words to say: I LOVE THIS BOOK.

I am so happy I finished this nicely thick novel. The hardcover book was almost 500 pages long, but the storyline flowed very well. Rose has flashbacks of her memories and times with Dmitri throughout the story. Although he is now a Strigoi, he still exhibits human-like characteristics and remembers her favorite treats. Strigoi are undead vampires who are evil and soulless (red eyes, pale skin, superhuman strength). Moroi are living vampires who suck blood to survive and have elemental magic. Throughout the novel, he consistently wants Rose to be his eternal partner. Rose has a challenging dilemma!

Most importantly, this is my favorite Vampire Academy novel because readers can see all the major characters develop and form their own personalities through self-actualization. The ending of Shadow-Kissed was depressing because Rose saw Dmitri disappear before her own eyes. This novel goes through many twists and adventures that sometimes I wanted to yell at Rose often because she was losing her concentration and sense of justice. She also finds herself in dangerous situations and unravels new mysteries around her past. The cliff-hanging ending has set the stage for another exciting adventure that leaves many readers hungry for more Rose + Dmitri! There is a high possibility there will be a positive ending in this series.

Stay tuned for the next novel in the Vampire Academy series, Spirit Bound.
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5th Vampire Academy Novel (Spirit Bound) Expected Release May 2010

The fifth novel, Spirit Bound, of the spectacular vampire teen fantasy series, Vampire Academy, has an expected release date of May 2010.

Here is a summary of the plot below:

Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong...

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's-and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him... forever.

In the meantime, enjoy the first four books (Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kissed, and Blood Promise) by Richelle Mead. Stay tuned to New Moon and the third season of True Blood! Click here to read the rest of this post...

Music Video: "My Last Breath" by Evanesence

Amy Lee (yes, I know she has a new last name) of Evanescence produced this rare rock song, "My Last Breath." You can find this song on the Fallen (2003) album. Amy is an amazing singer and songwriter in this video.



Click on the link below for the lyrics.

Hold on to me, love
You know I can't stay long
All I wanted to say was
I love you and I'm not afraid, oh

Can you hear me?
Can you feel me in your arms?

Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light, it ends here tonight

I'll miss the winter
A world of fragile things
Look for me in the white forest
Hiding in a hollow tree
(Come and find me)

I know you hear me
I can taste it in your tears

Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light, it ends here tonight

Closing your eyes to disappear
You pray your dreams will leave you here
But still you wake and know the truth
No one's there

Say goodnight
Don't be afraid
Calling me, calling me
As you fade to black

Holding my last breath
(Say goodnight)
Safe inside myself
(Don't be afraid)
Are all my thoughts of you
(Calling me, calling me)
Sweet raptured light, it ends here tonight

Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light, it ends here tonight
Holding my last breath

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Review: Witch Heart (Elemental Witches #3)

With a strange and powerful type of elemental magick, Clare isn't destined to remain a demon's handmaiden. Yet this has been her fate since she was six, when her warlock mother brought her to Eudae. Now an adult, she's about to discover her true power -- and how far others are willing to go to take it away...

Witch Heart, by Anya Bast, is the third novel in the Elemental Witches series. It has been a year since Thomas escaped Eudae with the assistance of Claire, a human servant who has been living in Eudae since her childhood. She belongs to Rue, who is the leader of the Ytrayi race in Eudae. Over the years, he has treated Claire as an experiment by tampering with her earth magick. As a result, she can release bits of air, fire, and water magick. During an Atrika surprise attack, Rue forces the elium into Claire's chest against her will and shoves her into a portal to Earth. Unfortunately, two Atrika military warriors also follow her. Tevan, a lieutenant, and Kai, a captain, want to capture her because the elium is a very powerful weapon. They need the elium to finish their mission: destroy the Ytrayi race in Eudae.

When the Coven witches hear about Claire's whereabouts on Earth, they rush to the asylum hospital to rescue her. Adam and Theo take Claire as fast and far as they possibly could. These Atrika warriors have amazing superhuman and super-healing powers. Meanwhile, Adam finds Claire attractive in a non-conventional way. He finds her very erotic and has urges to seduce her. As their journey becomes more dangerous, Claire has become reacquainted with Earth traditions and wants to establish a life with Adam. Does she have the determination to always live on the run, or will she sacrifice herself so that no one can use her as a weapon?

The Elemental Witches series is geared toward an adult audience. The sexual imagery is very descriptive and not suitable for children. Some of the major returning characters return: Thomas, Isabelle, Jack, Mira, Adam, and Micah. Since the second novel, the Coven has been training hard to fight against their archnemesis, the Duskoff, and other daemons who enter the human world.

Readers will learn a few new items. It seems the aaemon (Coven witches) and daemons have a common ancestor. The Coven witches descend from the Ytrayi (leader) daemons, and the Duskoff witches descend from the Atrika (warrior) daemons. There are two other daemon classes (scholar and builder). Thomas and Isabelle are now married, and so are Jack and Mira. There is a surprise at the end when Claire learns her real identity.

I found this novel did not flow very well. There were certain sections that bored me, and other cast members had very minor roles. Readers will learn more about Adam's past. The storyline did not instantly gravitate to me like the previous two novels. The sexual details were also redundant. Yes, we know that Claire and Adam love each other, but they are trying to survive too! I believe it didn't mesh well because the enemies were daemons from another dimension (instead of the usual Duskoff warlocks). On the bright side, I think the ending hints a new twist -- highlighting what may happen in the next novel.

Overall, this novel disappointed me, but I was able to finish it. Stay tuned for the next novel in the Elemental Witches series, Witch Fury.


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Music Video: "Show Me the Light" by Lunaspace

Unfortunately, not much is known about this band, Lunaspace, other than they have produced other popular hits such as "Where's the Party? (2006)" I believe the German eurodance label, Beatwerk Records, was their label company. If anyone has a link to their biography, I would definitely appreciate it. Nonetheless, this is a great song I highly recommend. Click on the link below for the lyrics.



Here are the lyrics below:

Calling the dreams of yesterday
In a world so far away
Show me that love is here to stay
Can we find another way
Please take me far away
To the world of yesterday

I'll wait for my dreams to come true
It's another point of view
Turn back time and you'll find
You are always on my mind
You'll be here
And I have no fear
The time is right
Just show me the light
you show me light (you show me light)

Maybe I'm too blind to see
There's no chance for you and me
But you're always in my heart
And I knew it from the start
Just come back to me and stay
We will find another way

I'll wait for my dreams to come true
It's another point of view
Turn back time and you'll find
You are always on my mind
You'll be here
And I have no fear
The time is right
Just show me the light

I'll wait for my dreams to come true
It's another point of view
Turn back time and you'll find
You are always on my mind

I'll wait for my dreams to come true
It's another point of view
Turn back time and you'll find
You are always on my mind
You'll be here
And I have no fear
The time is right
Just show me the light

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Cast of True Blood Thanks Loyal Fans

CNN posted a special video where the cast of True Blood thanks fans for another successful season. You can watch it below:



Stay tuned for season 3 of HBO's hit series, True Blood!

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Review: Kannazaki no Miko (2004)

Kannazuki no Miko (~Destiny of the Shrine Maiden~) is a Japanese supernatural anime series about the reincarnations of the Solar and Lunar priestesses as they wage a cosmic battle against an evil god in contemporary Japan. It contains 12 episodes.

Himeko Kurusugawa and Chikane Himemiya are two high school teens attending a prestigious academy in Mahoroba, Japan. When an ancient evil awakens on their birthdays (in Japanese folklore, October means "godless month"), the girls are plunged into their destined roles: defending the world against the eight-headed Yamata no Orochi, an evil god who wishes to destroy the world of humanity and create its own realm.

The first Orochi ("follower of the evil god") who tries to kill to kill the priestess ("miko" in Japanese) is Soma Ogami, who is in love with Himeko. However, he rejects his fate and vows to defend her against the other seven Orochi. Each Orochi has a mecha with superhuman physical strength and endurance, and they eventually become totally evil as they progress in power. Those who resist the curse receive a painful punishment.

As the girls train for their roles as priestesses, the series takes a twist for the worse as the battle becomes more intense and complicated. Although the girls have a very close relationship, Chikane is hiding something important from Himeko. Can the girls defeat the Orochi together, or will the world forever live in darkness?

I had high expectations for this show because it is about two reincarnated girls who must save the world from evil destruction. I immediately thought of the series, Blue Seed, because it also contains Japanese mythology and the Yamata no Orochi character. The music (by artist KOTOKO) is also lively and upbeat with a trance background. I love watching shows where the girls have magical powers. More interestingly, they both love each other like yin and yang (two opposite personalities who become whole when combined). If you are not comfortable with yuri themes (lesbian scenes), you may want to ignore this show.

Unfortunately, the plot disappointed me. There was definitely a lot of fan service, but the storyline overall fell flat. The female protagonists even annoyed me because their character development was lackluster and stereotypical. There are several mecha scenes, so the primary audience is teens (boys and girls). The ending did surprise me with Chikane turning evil, but it did not save the show. The only thing I will take away from this show is the music (excellent tracks, but completely forgettable.)

You may buy or rent this show on Amazon.

• Opening Theme: "Re-sublimity" by KOTOKO
  
• Ending Theme: "Agony" by KOTOKO
  

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Mysterious Lake Creature Found in Latin America

Forgive me for not posting much on my blog this month. I have returned to graduate school, and it is kicking my behind workload-wise. I have finally managed to get my assignments under control, so I will add some new posts later this week.

I found this article in the Sun UK magazine. Apparently, a group of teens in Latin America discover a lake creature on the beach. It terrifies the entire town:

TERRIFIED locals in a South American town are running scared after a strange creature they describe as "Gollum" crawled out of a lake and charged schoolkids.

The beast — which has "sparked fear and confusion" in the small town of Cerro Azul, Panama — was spotted on Saturday when four 14 to 16-year-olds were playing by the waterfront.

This is so weird. The link also includes photos and a video of the scene. It does look like a lake monster. But what is it exactly? =/


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