The Randomness of Chibi Jazzy

Just any random things in my life that I feel need to be put in a journal. Hope you have fun with me :)

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Today I will be talking about some series from the current season as well the previous season (in short: Summer 2016 and Fall 2016). I have not explicitly talked about anime on this blog before, other than the Fairy Tail merchandise review and a bit in the CDJapan review, and I am hoping to change that with this post.

The series that I want to do these first impressions (and possible reviews if I finished them) for are (but not limited to the 2 seasons listed):

                                                  [IN ORDER OF 'MY QUEUE' LIST ON CRUNCHYROLL, WHERE I'M WATCHING THEM]

Title                                                          Overall rating (5 points)                             1st Ep/Finished
Dream Festival                                                          3.5                                                       1st Ep


Cute High Earth Defense Club Love!                        3                                                         1st Ep


Amanchu!                                                                 4.5                                                       1st Ep

Nanbaka                                                                    4.5                                                       1st Ep

YURI!!! ON ICE                                                       5                                                         1st Ep

Magic-Kyun! Renaissance [Currently on episode 1. Video crashed a number of times before this post]

Bakuon!!                                                                   3.5                                                       1st Ep

Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless!                                 4                                                         1st Ep

Locodol                                                                      4                                                         1st Ep

Ojisan and Marshmallow                                          3.5                                                       1st Ep

Mr. Osomatsu                                                             5                                                         1st Ep

Haven't you heard? I'm Sakamoto                              4                                                         1st Ep

Tsukiuta. The Animation                                           3.5                                                       1st Ep
[watching on Daisuki.net]


                                            EVERYTHING FROM THIS POINT ON I HAVE FINISHED!

B-Project                                                                     4                                                    1st Ep+F (3.5)

Space Patrol Luluco                                                    5                                                    1st Ep+F(5)

Please tell me! Galko-chan                                         4                                                    1st Ep+F(5)

The Ancient Magus' Bride                                          5                                                    1st Ep+F(5)
[I read there's a 2nd part but it's not confirmed so it's on this part of the list]

School-Live!                                                               5                                                    1st Ep+F(4.5)

Yuki Yuna is a Hero!                                                   4                                                    1st Ep+F(4.5)

Komori-san can't decline                                           3.5                                                  1st Ep+F(4)

Tabimachi Lateshow                                                   5                                                    1st Ep+F(5)

            EVERYTHING FROM THIS POINT ON I HAVE FINISHED AND WATCHED ON DAISUKI.NET

One Punch Man                                                           5                                                      1st Ep+F(5)

Dance With Devils                                                     3.5                                                     1st Ep+F(4)

Starmyu                                                                       4                                                       1st Ep+F(4)

Love Live! Sunshine!!                                                3.5                                                     1st Ep+F(4)


Since it's quite a substance list I'll do another post (when it's time for anime stuff again) with the actual first impressions and possible review of the finished ones.

To end this post I'll talk about the types/genres of anime I enjoy and how I'll rate the listed series.

Types/Genres of anime I like/love/look for/have an obsession with:


         Top tier: Slice of life, Coming of age, Action, Romance, Fantasy, Music, Comedy, Magic
        
         Mid tier: Reverse-harem, Josei, Shoujo, Drama, Sports, Sci-Fi
       
         Lower tier: Adventure, Shounen, Supernatural, School, Parody

Note:
a) I don't limit my viewing to just those listed but they are the ones that I frequent the most

b) Genres I DO NOT watch are: Hentai, Yaoi, Yuri, Horror (if there is an element of it in a series then I'm fine but HELL NO to a series that it's the main element!), Ecchi (was a fan but as I got older it turned me off; but if it's interesting enough like a good story and characters then maybe), Shoujo-ai & Shounen-ai (I don't go out of my way to watch them but if it's interesting enough like a good story and characters, and more on the subtle side then I'll give it a shot).

c) I have guilty pleasure genres and series that may have ties into Shoujo-ai and Shounen-ai. These series are not explicitly in those genres. They are what you would call 'border line' series. The producers know what they are doing and it works.

How I'll be rating the series
[NB: I am no animation nor story writing expert. Everything is based on how I see things, my experience and my limited knowledge of Japan (its culture and animation industry)]

- Overall: 5 points
Basically how I felt after watching the first episode (entire series if I finished it) and if it was worth my time/if I continue the series.

Any series with a 3 and above, I'll be more likely to watch the 2nd episode but it's not definite.

- Animations: 5 points
I'm looking for decent flow and coordination of the characters and such, not perfection.

- Story: 5 points
If there's a story to tell I want to be able to follow it as each minute passes. If it's not supposed to be obvious then it need to make me intrigued enough to want to watch the 2nd episode. If there's no story, i.e it's supposed to be nonsensical, then be so and not something else.

- Characters: 5 points
Are the leads obvious and fulfilling their roles? Same with secondary characters: are they fulfilling their roles or unnecessary to the movement of the episode/series? Is there any hint of character development or shows potential to grow?

- Opening/Closing scenes: 5 points
Do they capture the attention of the viewer? Is it related to the series or just there to grab your attention? MUSIC!!!!

- World building/Progression: 5 points
Is there a sense that the series will build on its world/story?

Phew! That's a mouthful. But that's it for now.
See you next time! May the Lord Jesus continue to keep and carry you through your days.

Bye!!

Sunday, October 9, 2016

After much trial and error, with the way I post on this blog, I think I have found a solution:

A THOUGHT OUT SCHEDULE!!

Yes......a schedule........I think.........let's leave it at that.

Here's my idea:

Monthly schedule
Week 1 - personal life
Week 2 - kpop, jpop or any entertainment wise (idol phone games)
Week 3 - faith related
Week 4 - review of something

I actually really like how I laid it out.
Hopefully once I start I can keep up with.....hmmmm.

Well, here goes nothing.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Image link
Hello to all who read this simple but random blog.

It will be three months in a few days since I posted something here and it'll be very rude of me to just leave you high and dry without an explanation (regardless of how small a number you represent).

My life has taken a drastic turn, in a positive direction mind you, and I am still trying to get accustomed to it.

I'll also be going through another drastic change in a couple of days and I'm definitely going to need time to adjust myself to that as well.

I have many posts that are already drafted and many more in the making, but I just don't have the time to complete them at this present moment.

That is why I'll be taking an indefinite hiatus till I can say for sure that my life is on the right track.

I apologize to you who look forward to my random pieces.


I can promise you, that by the grace of God, I'll be back (not sure when though).

I hope all is well with you and that you keep moving forward in whatever situation you may be in.

Take care and until next time.

May the Lord God continue to keep and guide you through this crazy ride called life.

Jasmine


Image link


Friday, February 19, 2016

Hello to everyone that reads this or just stumbled onto it.

Today I'll be doing a review for some fan merchandise designed by Grace Tran (who is famously known as Blanania in the Fairy Tail fandom) for the anime/manga series "Fairy Tail" created by Hiro Mashima. Before I go into the review I'm just going to talk a bit about my love and passion for the series.

All the items together!!

It was in 2010 that I started to watch the anime (after putting it off since it's release). I watched it fully till the grand magic games, where it went on a hiatus as it caught up with the manga. In
2011, after the series went on a break, I decided reread the manga from the beginning. This was due to the fact that I had previously started the manga and got bored, then later after seeing fan art of character pairings that had me like "what!" made me want to investigate. Now I'm obsessed with series even with it's obvious imperfections and annoyances. After finding more fan art and their respective artists I stumbled upon Grace's tumblr account. From that moment, I have been a solid and firm fan of her work. She is constantly working to improve her art and it definitely shows.

The items I purchased were key chains of a good chunk of the Fairy Tail cast including the Dragons for the Dragon Slayers. I bought the complete set of key chains totaling 28 (excluding the 3 Dragons making it total 31). They were purchased on her Storenvy page (which can be found below). I used Pay Pal to buy them (I won't be going into detail about the purchasing process on Storenvy nor Pay Pal as this review is only for the products themselves. I also believe that there's instructions for using them on their respective sites for newbies).

In cases (+ extras)

Out of cases
Grace packaged them like it was the end of the world! Hahaha! Something I'm very grateful for as I know that nothing was getting in or out of the package. The key chains are very well made and the illustrations are clearly visibly without any blemishes. Whoever Grace got to produce these key chains are an A+ in my books. My one nitpick is the actual hooks for the key chains. About a few of them were slightly beginning to peel but that is nothing serious. Like I said, it's only a slight nitpick.







I also got 3 illustrations from her as well. I squealed like I had just met my K-pop bias or something. I was so happy to get them. When her had store reopened last year I had tried purchasing them before but had problems with my Pay Pal and missed out on the chance to pick the illustrations I wanted. Now look here, I got some.



Illustrations

I want to talk a little bit on the contact and service that was offered. Whenever I had a question or concern I would just shoot Grace an email (you'll get an address after your order is confirmed) and most of the time get a quick response between 30 minutes to 24 hours depending on the time (remember, those who live in the West, she lives in the East which is approximately 12 hours ahead). It took less than a week to arrive. However, due to the fact that the tracking site was in Vietnamese I got a little confused after it seemed to stop updating but I got the package surprising on time it seems.

Overall I'm pleased with my purchase and the service provided by Grace. I plan to purchase from her in the future (wanted to this month but unfortunately can't :( ). I hope you give her store a look one day and support her. To keep to date with the openings and closings of her store I suggest following her tumblr page (at this point in time she's on an indefinite hiatus).

Business cards
Inside of case 

Handwritten note from Grace

Case that I also bought


Close ups of Key chains

 



 






[P.S To Grace (if you ever read this): Thank you so much for your work in the Fairy Tail fandom. I have been a fan since I found out you were the artist behind some of my favorite Fairy Tail fan art. I have seen some the negative responses to your art (especially for crack pairings like Bixanna, which I'm personally a fan of and thank you for it!) and to see you not only handle them with such maturity and rightful hurt but to rise above that and continue to strive and grow. I, and your other supporters, will be waiting patiently for your return because you are a wonderful person and deserve the love and support that you get. Take care of yourself. Jasmine]


Blanania's Contact Info: 
 Storenvy: http://blanania.storenvy.com/
Tumblr: http://blanania.tumblr.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/blanania

NEVER REPOST HER OR ANYONE ELSE'S ARTWORK ANYWHERE!!
ALWAYS REBLOG!! ALWAYS CREDIT!!! ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION FIRST FOR USE!! (Not by saying "Credit goes to the respective owners"!!! These artists most likely have Tumblr, Instagram, Pixiv or Deviant Art art accounts!! Also saying it's from Google is NOT crediting a content creator!! Just take some time to do the research. It's the respectful and legal thing to do. It also shows that you support them and the pieces they work hard to produce.)

Thank you to those who read and take care.
May the Lord God continue to keep and carry you through this life.

Jasmine

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Hello random people who read or stumbled onto my blog!!

This a random post that I have been putting off since September 2015.

So here it is: Some lovely finds in the J-Pop world.

I won't be going in dept into why they caught my attention but I'll give a slight summary.

Mind you that I am not the most well-versed individual in music genres so my descriptions might be slightly off but close enough.


Date                          Groups/Artists                                                 Description

1st Aug                   Lyrical School                                              Slightly cutesy hip-hop/pop feel



                              Especia (personal fav)                                  80s to late 90s funk feel



                              Negicco                                                          Old school 80s to late 90s funk feel


                              Curumi Chronicle                                          Solo female EDM/electronic

I also learned today (pretty late if you ask me) that she has quit the music industry. (Source: http://hooful.tumblr.com/post/121430447354/curumi-chronicle-is-quitting-music-in-july)


                              Steamgirls                                                    Rock/pop with cute steam-punk outfits


9th Sept                 Predia                                                          Mature & sophisticated themed J-Pop


                              Band-Maid                                             Rock/metal, cute maid outfits



Early 1/2 2015      LinQ                                                       J-Pop, full of energy and a local idol group






If anyone has any suggestions for me I'll be really grateful. It's so hard to find source material for acts in Japan. I like many genres so you can just throw all you got at me and who knows I might find a gem.

Till next time.
 Bye!!

Friday, January 1, 2016



It's 2016!!!
Happy New Year to everyone!!


Now that 2015 has come to an end and a new year with unknown possibilities has begun, I will like to look back and talk a bit about my personal life in 2015.

2015 was the continuation of the "crossroad year of 2014" for me.
In 2014, I dropped out of the university I was attending in the Caribbean . I was studying Accounting and I was not happy. I was barely understanding the courses, barely passing them and actually failing one twice. I was in a country I had never been to, prior to my enrollment at said school, and was having trouble settling and interacting with people. However, my time there was not entirely horrible. My roommate was a lovely girl from Jamaica, who was two years younger than me. She was an engineering student and I really liked to conversing with her. I managed to somewhat get out of my shell makes a good number of "acquaintances-almost-friends" there. I met different people that helped me along during my time there (from the taxi driver my mom and I got at the airport, to a lovely lady I met at the church my roommate went to, a former student of my mother and many more). The crossroads appeared when I failed one of my courses for the second time. I had honestly thought I was well prepared and was going to at least get a decent grade. So it was a knife in my heart and multiple slaps to my face when I got my results. I'm not to lie and say I was well prepared for the university life that I was in but it was an eye-opener to see how ill-prepared and unmotivated I was. Basically after talking with my mom, she decided to send me to the states to try for art colleges (I will be making a post on what I want to pursue career wise if you're interested sometime soon) and maybe find a job as well. And that is where I am currently. I had to take the GED (known as HiSet in Boston now) as well as my SAT (a requirement for one of the colleges I applied for). For both of these tests I had to take classes (less than 3 months for the HiSet and less than 2 months for the SAT) and I passed both (even though I was a little disappointed in my SAT grades). After getting through those steps I was left feeling frustrated with the college I was applying to because they kept adding on things they wanted from me; from one reference letter to three, to pieces for a portfolio which they said I didn't need earlier and so much more. So by the time I was getting ready to come back home (St.Vincent) I had sent everything they wanted and was only waiting patiently to hear back from them. Instead of a response on my acceptance, I got requested to provide more material . Now I'm waiting once again to hear if they accepted me or not.

2015 also was a year of literally throwing crap at me to drag me out of my comfort zone. It started with my HiSet classes. I had to interact with people who were at least 4 years younger than me who had lives that I only read online about and saw on TV. It was quite nerve-wracking but my mom and aunt prayed for me and told me to not be afraid, hold head up high and that the Lord will keep and carry me. I trusted in their words and decided to make the best of my experience. Going to those classes allowed me to meet people who actually care about helping young people make it in life and these people are still assisting to this day over a year later. I'm extremely grateful to them and the program I went to for the classes. Currently they are helping me in job searches and my college applications.

2015 was also a year of celebrations. Many people and friends I know were getting married, engaged, graduating college, getting jobs, announcing pregnancies and moving forward with theirs lives. It was so uplifting and encouraging to see people continue to strive, dream and work hard to get where they are now. It was a source of encouragement. However, 2015 turned into a year ending in mourning for my family and myself. I lost two family members in the month of December. One from a sister from church. She passed away on Christmas day from cancer. And the other was my cousin who passed a few days before the new year from an auto immune disease. At times it seems like I have become numb and immune to deaths that it sickens me. How much more do I, my family, my friends and everyone else, have to cry......to endure this pain.......why does the world seem to only acknowledge death when they deem it worthy. Death is indeed a fact of life. I don't expect nor want the world to mourn my loss but can't I hope and pray that they don't dismiss my pain, dismiss the mutual connection that links us. Life is too short to just waste frivolously on unnecessary drama, material items that we'll become bored of in no time at all and the non comprehensibility hate, detest and disrespect we give to each other.....other human beings......for having different thinking processes, ideas, beliefs, attire, skin color, appearance, social status, backgrounds and so much more. It needs to stop. Hate can only bring hate. Humanity is constantly in a cycle and always fails to see it. We fail to try and identify the real source of humanity's problems. We only bandage the branches that come from the root. 

Only Love can solve the source problem and I believe the source of the True and Authentic Love is from God the Creator shown through His Son Jesus Christ who came to this world to give humanity it's final chance at redemption.

For 2016 I am not making resolutions (as I never or barely keep them anyway), instead I am just going to keep doing what I started in 2015: breaking old and hazardous habits and developing new ones, eating better and healthier, exercising, attempting to get out of my "underweight" corner, immersing myself in the Word of God, learning that it's okay to be out of my comfort zone, writing (journaling) more, etc.

If you have something you want to tell someone, tell them before it's too late.
Time and our lives has never and will never be in our hands.
We didn't choose when, to whom nor where we were born.
Meaning we also don't get to choose when it's our time to go (but lifestyle and our choices do contribute).

For those who made it this far, thank you for reading.
My hopes and prayers are that your hard work, dreams, hopes and ambitions are all met by the grace of God this year.

Till next time,
take care and may the Lord Jesus bless and carry you through 2016 as well.

Bye!!!