To whom?

On the 28th day of the seventh month of each year, someone somewhere grows a little bit more.

That someone is, Miss M. Happy birthday. While I prepare for yet another trip I remember at least that. Congratulations.

Maybe your music be passionate and your enemies in a sea of blood.

Toward The Terra DVD 1&2, or pretty boys in SPAAACE!

So, I had gone to the Anime Store intending to buy Gurren Lagann. But it was sold out, so instead of going home with a series of manliness, exhibiting Giant Robot drills, I instead found myself with the anime adaptation of a 70’s Shoujo series by Keiko Takemiya. Keiko Takemiya is somewhat of an Mangaka from what I’ve seen. I don’t think I’ve read anything by her which didn’t involve Boy Love, incest or worse. The last thing I saw from her, unfortunately, was the OAV Kaze to Ki no Uta, which involves the most disturbing rape scene EVER!

Oh damn, I’m off topic again, where was I? Oh yeah pretty boys in space. Toward the Terra is a pretty straightforward remake of the original manga. The story is as follows. The earth , or terra, has become polluted and human life is no longer sustainable. Humanity has left for the stars and is ruled by a supercomputer called Mother. There are rebellions towards the supercomputer, mainly a group of physics who have been persecuted by humans. By today’s standards this is the kind of Sci-Fi we’ve seen done before, so the real question is – is it done well?

This anime is a fairly straightforward adaptation of the manga. But basing a 26 episode series of a three volume manga demands some that some things must be stretched out. In these 8 episodes I watched there were some liberties taken. New characters have been added, relationships have been fleshed out and some new events have been added. Compared to the earlier anime adaptation this version is far less rushed .If I had to criticise it, at points it does feel kinda slow, which makes me all the more glad Bandai is releasing this series in 8 episode sets. The animation also drops in quality considerably around episode 6 with some very jerky movements and off model shots.

To Terra is often accused of being Shounen-Ai. This isn’t exactly right. For the most part To Terra is straightforward Science Fiction. It’s easy to forgive people for thinking this, though. Keiko Takemiya is one of the pioneers of the BL genre and the implications are obviously there. Along with the pretty boy character designs, the BL implications are probably one of the main reasons this series is as popular as it is. But if you’re willing to look deeper this is a Sci-Fi series with some great drama and character designs. No it’s not manly, and it might be little slow for some, but if your looking for some hard sci-fi, this may be for you.



Whew, can’t wait to see how tissuekins reacts to this.

Fashionably Late

I'm here at last. Probably slightly behind Miss M. as the most sane of the group. Though AgentQ did describe me as perverse which is always good.

What I think Area Graruru is!

AG is the embodiment of our journey to enlightenment through manliness!

quartears's Grammar tips to be a Pro!

If anyone is reading this then they are probably members of AG. As a show of gratitude a few grammar tips have been left behind. There is a difference between a good paper and a great paper. It is the same as the difference between an 93% and a 100%. It is always best to aim for 100% no matter what. These are just a few simple tips to help writers appear to be professional. However, they are also very good for persuasive documents and so on. If one's English teacher has already taught them these then they have already done their jobs. This exists as a simple reminder to those writers or as serious tips to folks whose English teachers have not yet taught them these tips to be professional.

Tip #1. Avoid first person and second person. This means the words 'I' and 'you'.
Tip #2. Avoid contractions. 'Can't' does not sound as professional as 'Can not'
Tip #3. Avoid words like 'might' or 'probably' as these words are neither certain or persuasive.
Tip #4. Avoid fragments and run-ons. This is a simple tip, but many writers fall into a pit of numerous fragments or run-ons.
Tip #5. If a sentence does not make any sense then just re-write the damn thing!
Tip #6. Mix up the sentence structure so that prose isn't so monotonous or boring. (this is especially important in Non-fiction and creative writing)
Tip #7. Make sure that what is written is consistent with the idea of the paper. Especially in articles that are lengthy. One can do this by reiterating their point (with different diction of course) after writing a point to support their claim.
Tip #8. Choose the right word, not his second cousin.
Tip #9. Be sure to make the sentences flow. While prose isn't necessarily poetry, rhythm is still important. Use transitions, etc.
Tip #10. Avoid using past tense. Stick to the present tense.
Tip #11. Be awesome (this is ambiguous, but it essentially means to find one's own writing style).

*** note to the readers. I have written this out of a morning daze. I feel as though I can speak a bit out of experience even though I'm only a 10th grader. Every essay I've written this year has gotten 100% while people much smarter than me have gotten only 90's or 80's. Of course there were people smarter than myself who got the same score, but that's not the point. The point is that being professional in non-Fiction and persuasive writing is extremely important. I suggest putting very American ideals into your papers to make them more convincing (when I mean American I mean Western Liberal ideas like Individualism). Nationalism also helps in persuasive papers/speeches (Nationalism has helped me win speech awards and speaker points in debate).

While my articles are not as popular as others, they are well-written and in many cases more persuasive than others. Even if the ideas are old, they are presented in a smooth, glossed manner that makes them sound good. Either that or my English teacher is too far into the Eastern Conservative teachings and my Western Liberal ideas sound new, however, I suspect that idea to be far from the truth seeing that she is a very intelligent person and has taught many advanced students like myself.

I cannot tell you how much it annoys me to read the words "in my opinion" as it takes away less credibility to the writer and opens up other possibilities. To be persuasive you have to convince the reader that you are right. Not that other people could be right, but that you are right. Don't be afraid of controversy. Because in controversy is where we learn to think. Thinking is the key to true education. That is why I do not like science classes and why I often feel that History lessons are empty. They do not leave enough controversy to the mind. Maybe I'm too much of an advanced student, but I personally do not see why we can not teach all the students how to form their opinion and their own thought pattern.

I have been told that the idea of "how do you feel" about so and so topic is a terrible idea. However, if you give students a base to write from then the ideas can blossom. It is my personal educational philosophy that students should be taught to think first and find the facts on their own. It can be very good in classes like History where traditionally it is all just like a story.

There is great potential in History classes to develop a student into a more thoughtful creature. We teach that Helen Keller overcame great adversity and is a model for kids, however, she was also a die-hard Socialist. We teach that George Washington was a great man of military prowess and leadership, however he was also a sexist. Instead of just teaching the good parts, why not teach the truth and let the kid's come to their own opinion on the matter. The ability to think comes from controversy. It's like trying to teach a Christian about King Solomon and how wise he was, but ignoring the fact that he made some unwise choices like committing adultery, having multiple wives and having wives from nations God specifically told him and his people not to propagate with.

I'll be sure to come back with a good tale. Maybe even a picture or two. With hugs and kisses.

- quartears

Sam, Mike and Mary: The Area Graruru Extravaganza!

While the reader may think that they were safe since the policy episode, things have changed! While nothing interesting happened in today's episode, listen to it anyways! It's mostly just stuff my band of bloggers already know. Actually it's mostly just a little something that was put together for the AG listener (a.k.a. the host). It's difficult to explain, so folks will just have to listen for themselves...

right click save as to download mp3.

right click save as to download ogg.




Anyways, the suit just came back from the dry cleaners. It will see some more action in the upcoming week. The dry cleaner will have a hell of a time getting all the blood out from the debaters! However, they'll probably spend more time getting a dead corpse out of it first.

The music featured in this episode are:

"Chocolate Rain" by Tay Zonday (never again!)
"Moon Strobe" by Tripudio
flippant from Marathon
And the Marathon 3: Infinity Theme

Go play Marathon!

Huzzah? Area Graruru? Whuzzat?

I think Area Graruru's meaning is best summarized by this:

Miss M

what I think AG is

I think graruru is some crazy kid's podcast about stuff he thinks is important

but dioesn't have a form yet like water I've just compared you to bruce lee! ATA!

Resident evil 4- “why I hate this fucking game”

Now, I’m not a big video game guy, I know what I like, I like things that explodes, women and gun fire (a perfect present would be a mine throwing gun-firing deathdroid that can also serve other “ahem” needs, but that’s beside the point). Now I actually like resident evil 4, it’s awesome, cause it asks you a question every true man comes across in his life “are you a bad enough dude to save the president’s totally hot daughter?” And the answer is a residing yes. That is, if you play normal mode, where you can basically knife some Spanish people in the face for half the game, shoot leather face rip-offs and knife more Spaniards in the face. Now, you ask ‘but my manly man bro tissuekins, why do you hate this game. There’s the pres’ daughter, you with a suitcase of weaponry, and a bunch of (Spanish) people to kill, shouldn’t you be glad? Thankful to the gods that Capcom has given you a chance to shoot some poor parasite infected farmer in the face with an antique gun? Or even a gun that shoots modified mine darts?” I say hither unto thee that yes, it is all good, IF YOU CAN FUCKING BEAT IT ON PREOFESSIONAL MODE. Now, there are two modes, normal, where you can knife people half the time (if you’re a manly man, man, man-man, like me). Then there’s professional mode, which is physically, emotionally and mentally draining. This made me feel like I was insignificant, like my balls weren’t made of super alloy z irradiated with getter beams. This game made me cry, and question my own self worth. The difficulty difference is so high, that let’s say, Kenshiro, was able to beat Shin, but then when he faced Souther, he couldn’t beat him, cause well, cause Souther’s a dick and his nerve points were all reversed (I know that makes no fucking sense, but it’s FOTNS, it’s like trying to find deeper meaning in Riki-Oh). An example would be when I go into this room, with a bunch of hooded zealot church people, they all come towards me and thankfully, the pres’ daughter is wearing armor (I unlocked the different costumes yo, it made the sting also much worse the fact that I didn’t even need to protect her). And I’d use her as bait, lure them and the shoot them in the face and kick them right? WRONG YOU SONS OF BITCHES, BECAUSE IF ONE GUY JUST FUUCKING HITS YOU, YOU AUTOMATICALLY BECOME SLOW BECAUSE YOU’RE SOME WEAK ASS ANEMIC FUCKER FOR SOME ODD REASON. THEN, YOU’RE SUSCEPTIBLE TO MORE ENEMY ATTACKS, AND THERE’S NO FUCKING HERBS MAN! NO MORE FUCKING HERBS! AND THEN THERE’S THESE FUCKERS WITH SHIELDS, OH JESUS CHRIST HAVE MERCY ON ME! So, basically, capcom expects you to be this awesome super player who doesn’t even get touched since you’re so fucking awesome and even playing professional mode feels more like a chore than a game. I grumble having to beat professional mode, and it makes me feel like I’m in school. It makes me cry and worst of all, it emasculates me. Oh jesus, please kill Shinji Murakami, cause he’s finally done something to me that everyone should’ve told hard-core modern moe loving otaku, that your games and your anime hates you just like everybody else in the real world! Fuck you Murakami. But like a beatened wife, I keep coming back to this game, wussing out and playing normal mode. I fucking love you resident evil 4, cause I’m a fucking masochist.

Lucky ☆ Star

Uh-oh. Here I go. Destroying the vibe of this blog with this show.

The girls of Lucky ☆ Star.

I'll give an honest opinion: this is not the best anime ever made. Yes, it is very charming and casts a magical, sugary spell over its viewer, sucking it in until the karaoke ending themes. The animation you will either hate, or hate to love it. The plot you will either despise or not really care about it. The characters will be annoying, fun, or genius. The first few episodes are weak. The episodes after it are glorious. Pick your poison.

Kyoto Animation hit it big again when Lucky ☆ Star aired Spring 2007. Still relishing in the huge hit of Haruhi Suzumiya, they shot at us again with another sure-fire. And, this time, the dance is in the opening theme.

Lucky ☆ Star's premise is like that of Azumanga Daioh. "Having fun in school, doing homework together, cooking and eating, playing videogames, watching anime. All those little things make up the daily life of the anime- and chocolate-loving Izumi Konata and her friends. Sometimes relaxing but more than often simply funny!" (Thank you, MAL.) But, unlike Azumanga, the main character is someone that, frighteningly, we all can relate to...

Izumi Konata

Konata is... an average otaku personality. She would much rather stay awake to the wee hours of the morning playing MMORPGs with her teacher (no joke) than study, or do homework. She works at a cosplay cafe. She is extremely passionate about Haruhi Suzumiya. (Kyoto Animation injected Haruhi into every crevice of this show. See the Mikuru figure on Konata's television?) She would much rather read manga, as too much text and not enough pictures hurt her eyes. A light novel has too much text for her, even! She is voiced by Aya Hirano, who also brought to life Haruhi Suzumiya. Her best friends are Miyuki Takara, Tsukasa Hiiragi, and Kagami Hiiragi.

(From left to right) Tsukasa Hiiragi, Izumi Konata, Kagami Hiiragi, and Miyuko Takara.

The Hiiragi twins remind me of several I actually known in real life. Each different, yet similar looking, with their own ideas and adorable, or annoying quirks. Kagami, however harsh her comment may be, she's quite the tsundere and loves her friends, even Konata, who really irritates and baffles her. Next to Konata, Kagami is the next favourite character of the show to many. Not mine... We'll get to that later.

Tsukasa and Miyuki and cute characters. (I dare not say the "M" word...) Miyuki is a rich individual from the city, with constant problems involving her teeth. Tsukasa is a little like Konata. She can't do her homework, has the same favourite manga as her ("Sgt. Frog!"), and possibly gets along the best with her. When it comes time to, she often forgets to switch into her summer uniform...

Let's move on to what really made this show special for me. It wasn't the "actual" show, but the show within the show. Let me introduce you all to Lucky Channel!

Minoru Shiraishi and Akira Kogami!! <3

Lucky Channel is the best. More entertaining than the actual show itself, more awesome, more unique... And all in three minutes time. This is what made me go on and continue watching Lucky ☆ Star. I don't think I can fully describe how amazing these skits are. With Minoru Shiraishi doing the voice of... Minoru Shiraishi... and Hiromi Konno as Akira Kogami, who, in a flash can turn from a sweet, peppy idol character to a harsh, chain-smoker personality type. Lucky Channel is epic.

Then... the karaoke ending credits begin to roll. For a time, the voice actresses of the four main characters sing themes to popular anime shows (From Sazae-san to Dragon Ball). But, then, it really kicks up as Minoru Shiraishi takes the stage, singing it up with songs like "Dentistman", "The Minoru Legend of Love", and "Hare Hare Yukai". Hiromi Kanno even sings a song her character Akira has in the show, going from really high-pitched to low and growling. Absolutely hilarious in every way.

... I love Minoru Shiraishi. Go watch Lucky ☆ Star now. He'll steal your heart. And, if not him, then Lucky Channel will.

Reflections on the New Arrivals (13/07/08)

As I am preparing for a week of (seclusion) in preparation for camp and to get a better understanding of Aristotle and Kant I am glad to note that AG is in the hands of a few companions. Another one will be coming soon. These three people will help expand AG. There will no longer just be a monotonous quartears blogging away. There will also be the voluptuous Miss M and the Manly Podcaster in Arms tissuekins.

So while I'll be away becoming like the Monk who secluded himself in the mountains to master his Kung-fu and staving off hikikomori ideas like "I have logically proven that I am God!" I'll be training my own method of argument. It's about time I get serious about studying over this Summer (also I have some English homework that needs done. That's right I get homework over the Summer. That's because I'm an Honors Student). Even though I only have about a month left of Summer. I realize that I will be on and off checking up on the blog and seeing the developments of the current Thai and Khmer conflict because of that temple (the sad thing is that I realized that I shouldn't use Firefox to research, because of all my bookmarks I constantly get distracted). However I must refrain, this addiction to social networking I have developed over the Summer will only hinder my Internet researching (I should also put away my Aleph One folders so that I won't be tempted to play Marathon instead of writing up my case).

*To the Team, you all know what to do.

Remember that AG has found its voice, it's not meant to be as stiff as its opposite brother The Dread Hero. It's meant to be funz and awesome. Remember that we're not AWO and we're not WMP (no offense to you tissuekins, but I'd like to preserve AG's spirit). That's why we're becoming like the Revolutionary Army.

Good luck in handling this crazy blog. I'll be back with the podcast later. People out there think that I don't make any sense at all and that I'm like the greatest Wrestler, The ULTIMATE WARRIOR!

I'll get to work on more awesome promos, I have one that is currently in post production and I have about 5 more ideas that I'm working with that are a lot less humiliating. While I'm resting my brain in anger at some ideas that Aristotle may have I'll probably get to work on more Microsoft Sam, Mary and Mike Promos.

Hello manly reader men

Oh, hey dudes, my name is I'm the host of the WMP, a podcast filled with things of the masculine, but not homosexual, persuasion. I'm here to tell you that I'll be writing things for this blog, whilst blowing things up and playing rock music. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and pilot giant robots while punching king kong in the face.

An Introduction, If I May?

Why, hello there! I'm a new writer for this little thingy-whatsit. You may call me Miss M. I am also known as "That Cool Chick with a LJ." I am quite cool, to pimp my collar for a moment. I will be posting anime news, reviews... or whatever I feel like.

To finish off this introduction, I would like to take offense to the description up in the right hand corner. I am not a gentleman, thank you.

I am a Fembot.

An Emergency Policy Episode

Area Graruru is not h31--lthy

3433333#$#
3433333#$#
3433333#$#
3$%&# @*$% failed transmission.

rght clck sav as 2 dwnlod mp3.

go her for ogg.

Sorry

Hikikomori's Hiatus

As few have noticed, Area Graruru is on hiatus. For various reasons Area Graruru will be put on hold. Another episode will be released soon. The hikikomori life style sounds as though it would bring a lot of free time, but it mostly brings time in misery. It is an incredibly lonely existence. While the Dread Hero is not a full hikikomori the complete form feels to be only a few moments away. It seemed to be so far away, but over the past few weeks it's come incredibly close.

Does anyone read this? Does anyone give this meaning? Does anyone give this value? I doubt there is meaning or value that can come about this podcast or blog. There is no love and there is no hate here. There's nothing here.

4th of July

Happy America Day folks,

America pwns. F*** you terrorists! As many of you know I am a proud American. And I would proudly throw any Communist off a cliff to prove it. However I have noticed disturbing trends such as the acceptance of New Zealanders as Timber Sports champions and how trading of titles such as fattest or most polluting nations. However we are proud of one thing. We are proud that we're not as old as John McCain. America is only 232 years old. I think.

Anyways, enjoy America already!!

Yours truly,
AG Staff

p.s. we <3 America