Monday, November 30, 2009

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.



Opening Theme: "scarlet" by BRACE;d

Saturday, November 28, 2009

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.



Saturday, November 14, 2009

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.


Sunday, November 1, 2009

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.)