Lo vengo anunciando desde el año pasado, y después reconfirmando la noticia desde Enero de este año: Cobra renace con majestuosidad al lanzar tres nuevos proyectos, dos OVA's y una serie animada para televisión.

Todo esto parte debido a que el manga de Cobra cumple 30 años desde su primera edición (bien viejo ya está Cobra parece), ahora 26 años después del lanzamiento de la primera serie animada que fue lanzada por televisión, nos llega este regalo del cielo, un video adelantando un poco sobre esta nueva entrega animada, pero solamente imágenes de la primera OVA. A primera vista la animación y diseño de personajes es casi idéntico a su antecesor, pero siempre hay que recordar que los clásicos son insuperables, pero también hay que tener en cuenta las bondades de las nuevas técnicas de animación y que los diseñadores son cada vez más aplicados a la hora de crear.

Ahora vamos a los detalles de estas nuevas animaciones, primero las OVA's: La primera OVA se titula "Cobra The Animation: The Psycho-Gun", contendrá 4 nuevos episodios y se lanzará este 29 de Agosto (no queda nada para ese día), la segunda OVA se titula "Cobra The Animation: Time Drive", incluirá 2 nuevos episodios pero sin fecha de lanzamiento anunciada.
Lo más esperado (la serie de TV) se titula "Cobra The Animation: Rokunin no Yūshi" y serán solo 13 episodios que saldrán al aire, esperemos que en un futuro cercano haya una segunda temporada. Sobre la fecha de lanzamiento será pronto muy pronto, todavía no hay indicios de ello. Así que a esperar como todo en el Anime.

Link | COBRA THE ANIMATION (Cobra 30th Anime)

I had a dream. A dream about her. Again. We finally met. She was smiling - a smile I've never seen for more than 3 years now. The smile that I was searching for all this time. The smile that filled my life once. I approached her as she approach me. We had a nice time together while walking and sharing some stories. But I never noticed how it ended. It's like one day you're here and wham! You're gone again.

Despite that, I feel like I've seen her in reality again. It was like she was so close to me that it was that very moment I was looking for all this time - even though it's a dream. And so, I finally decided to watch 5 cm/sec. And wow! I MEAN WOW! To my surprise, it was like patterned to my real life. Almost as exact as it can get. Not only that, the future it held could be my future too (Comparisons to be discussed later on). And so, here's Byousoku 5 cm:

13:51:02

18 Aug 08

Byousoku 5 cm

5 centimeters per second - this is the estimated speed that a sakura petal falls to the ground. In this three-episode movie, the separation of the petal from the tree is greatly explored. Why did the petal have to leave the tree and where will the petal drop off? Will the distance between the tree and the sakura petal have any significance at all? This is a chain of short stories about love, people, time, space, distance, longing, memories, and pain. These are the everyday struggles that we, human beings, don't seem to notice until one day, the most important things in our lives will be gone.

The arts and the animation of the series is really visually stunning. The staff really made a wonderful job to make it look as real as possible. The voice acting weren't bad also, as the emotions can also be felt in the tone and how the speech was delivered. Although the movie is quite short (only three episodes), it is self-sufficient in a sense that it conveyed everything it holds. All the possibilities and the amazing potentials it brought out were realized in the end in a good manner. The conclusion, half expected-half not (although it favors me that the conclusion be the one I expected), was really good.

The three episodes were all connected to each other as it brings about the main theme of the story - moving on. The past is the past and what is important now is living on with the present.

Takaki Tono never really realized this until the final seconds of the movie when he though he saw Akari again across the railroads (where he never really did confirmed it because of the trains passing by). Their relationship started at a good pace and a good foundation - friendship. But as time goes, this relationship grows further, eventually surpassing friendship itself and moving on towards love.

The first deeply emotional scene was when Takaki and Akari met again after nearly 1 year being separated since the end of middle school. Takaki arrived at the station they were supposed to meet more than 4 hours later because of the delays in the train stations due to a strong  blizzard. As soon as Akari saw Takaki, Akari teared - of joy, surprise, and probably the disappearance of disappointment, fear, doubt, and worries. They shared stories of immeasurable amount as they went to sleep together.

But before they slept, Takaki and Akari kissed - and this changed the view of Takaki, and as well as Akari. They knew that it was because of that moment, they would never see each other again. Everything would be different from now on. Now why is that? One, because friendship ends and probably, love starts. Second, it would be very hard for love to survive in such a scenario lacking time for each other. Their true enemies are time and distance. Takaki said that he would call and he would write, but that may never be enough. Love needs nurturing and this could not be done in its full form without the presence of the other.

So the next morning, as they woke up, Takaki left the station. Akari never gave the letter she was suppose to give Takaki while Takaki's letter for Akari also never reached her (because he accidentally dropped the letter in one of the stations, causing the letter to fly into emptiness).

The story continues in the second episode where Takaki is now in high school where he met Kanae Sumida, a friend of his. Takaki doesn't know that Kanae had fallen for him - but this is a fact that will never reach Takaki. Although at one point in the story, Kanae was centimeters away from confessing to Takaki about her love for him, she hesitated. And in the end, she never got to tell him the truth that she had been keeping to herself (and to some of her friends). Why?

Because she knew that she was not the one Takaki is looking at. Everytime Kanae would look at Takaki, he seems to be looking at a far away distance where he seems to be waiting for someone. This alone let Kanae feel that maybe, just maybe, she was not the one for him - aside from the fact that Kanae always sees Takaki sending a message through his phone (although Takaki never really sends any of those messages to anyone - he just types then and then deletes it afterwards).

So in the end of that day, Kanae just rested in her bed, crying of pain, because she knew, that even though she will not tell Takaki the truth and that Takaki will be with someone else, she will still continue to love Takaki as much as yesterday or even greater tomorrow than any of the previous days.

The story concluded in the final episode that is self-entitled. Kanae, Akari, and Takaki lived their own lives according to the path they have chosen. Takaki became a computer programmer while Akari was engaged to another man. Takaki had a girlfriend but the movie never really explored on this much. The last episode was shown with just a set of clips - of the past and the present - together with a very beautiful and masterful song One More Time, One More Chance. THIS IS THE BEST EPISODE IN ANIME EVER, together with the song. IT IS ADVISED THAT YOU WATCH THIS SCENCE AT LEAST TWICE. One for the lyrics of the song, and the other at least once for the clips shown, as it gives a ton of info in the story.

In the end, Takaki was shown wandering around that same area where he and Akari last met at the end of middle school. As he crossed the railroads, he also crossed a woman and after crossing the railroad he thought to himself, "I know deep inside and I can feel that this woman would also look back at me as I will look back at her". And as Takaki looks back at the woman, two trains pass by the railroads and as soon as the view clears up, the woman was not there anymore. This is the highlight of the story. How? Because as soon as she sees that the woman was never there anymore, he knew that he had moved on, because he smiled. The woman was strongly hinted as Akari, though there was no confirmation. But then, he smiled, turned around, and walked his way as the present would continue on its path. The way cleared up for him and it was just up for him to run and follow that woman to confirm and to see for himself. But, and a very big but, he did not. He had the choice. And he chose the better one.

Living on the present and then not regretting what was over. This is what I like about the story. A lesson which I wish I had learned eons ago. Now, I'm confined in this entity called time and now I'm trapped. From the movie, I can clearly see my life and myself as Takaki.

In a sense, let's just recall my memories. I have also been in love with someone in high school. Though she knew what I felt, I never really got the chance of what I really felt, say the intensity or whatever. But the point is that, I never told her. Then, we got separated. Their family moved to a farther place, so we only exchanged thoughts through text messaging. Back in the later parts of high school, I also had a girlfriend (and still is up to now) where she also fell in love with me as I fall in love with her too. But at times, she always talks to me about how she was inappropriate for me and that how I would be happy with someone else. Why? Because I'm also looking at a distant, far away place. I'm also waiting for someone to return.

And now, it's been more than 3 years since we haven't met face to face. It is only in dreams that I can talk to her and see her. But that's ok. At least there's a chance.

This truly contradicts my perspectives - the fact that Takaki lived with the present. I can't even think about that. I'm still trapped by the past. A moment that has passed and I was carried away with it. Takaki had no regrets while I had mine - because he has something which I don't have, or have not found yet - and that is courage. The courage to move and live in the present and be satisfied. Unlike in ef ~A Tale of Memories~, there are memories which we don't want to forget. Yes, I do not want to forget those memories with her, but heck, those memories will never come to life again, nor will there be a conclusion to it, unless everything gets cleared up in the near future. And I need the courage to do that. In Fate/stay night, Shiro could eventually forget Saber's tangible everythings, but not the fact that someday, she loved Saber. And now, here in Byousoku 5 cm, Takaki lived with it, and continued on the path that he has chosen. Akari also lived the life she chose.

The excellent metaphor of the petals and us human beings gave Byousoku 5 cm something to think about. As the petals drop 5 cm per second, we human beings are also unaware that we drift apart from each other at a slow rate. But in fact, this is not that important. What's important is the time it takes for this drifting to take place. It doesn't matter if a petal drops for 5 cm per second, or a space shuttle to travel at 5 kilometers per hour - the time it takes to travel makes the distance wider. The longer time it takes, the farther you distance from the other. This will leave you with a lot of pain to deal with. And although other people are ready to help, support, and love you, you will be covered with the pain. It will be like a barrier that will prevent you from waking up to reality and be constantly trapped in the time where now, you regret the most.

As for me, I hope I find the way to live the life I chose, or the life that was here, destined for me. It's like, something is so unclear.

Oh wait, now I get it. It just passed my head just now. I NOW KNOW why I am feeling like this right now. In ef ~A Tale of Memories~, I can strongly relate to Kei Shindou. Why Kei? Because she is in so much pain. A pain caused by the unclear feelings of Hirono for her. Hirono never told Kei what he really felt, until Kei finally understood that it was just sisterly and brotherly love and that the feelings she had for him is at wrong place. After that, Kei was contented with what the situation is, and Hirono then chose to love Miyako.

Like Kei, I really don't know on what ground I am currently standing at. Because, she never told me. I know she knew what I felt, but she in fact, come to think of it, never ever told me what her feelings are or were all these time. Now I know - because I don't know.

So overall, I gave this movie a rating of 9.7 and relational rating of 10. If you haven't watched this movie yet, then you are definitely missing something. This movie is one of the best anime movie ever made.

One More Time, One More Chance
Lyrics and Vocals: Masayoshi Yamazaki
Arrangement: Toshiyuki Mori

Koreijou nani wo ushinaeba kokoro wa yurusareru no
Dore hodo no itami naraba mou ichido kimi ni aeru
One more time kisetsu yo utsurowanaide
One more time fuzake atta jikan yo

Kuichigau toki wa itsumo boku ga saki ni oreta ne
Wagamama na seikaku ga naosara itoshiku saseta
One more chance kioku ni ashi wo torarete
One more chance tsugi no basho wo erabenai

Itsudemo sagashite iru yo dokka ni kimi no sugata wo
Mukai no HOOMU rojiura no mado
Konna toko ni iru hazu mo nai no ni
Negai ga moshimo kanau nara ima sugu kimi no moto e
Dekinai koto wa mou nanimo nai
Subete kakete dakishimete miseru yo

Sabishisa magirasu dake nara
Dare demo ii hazu na no ni
Hoshi ga ochisou na yoru dakara
Jibun wo itsuwarenai
One more time kisetsu yo utsurowanaide
One more time fuzake atta jikan yo

Itsudemo sagashite iru yo dokka ni kimi no sugata wo
Kousaten demo yume no naka demo
Konna toko ni iru hazu mo nai no ni
Kiseki ga moshimo okoru nara ima sugu kimi ni misetai
Atarashii asa korekara no boku
Ienakatta suki to iu kotoba mo

Natsu no omoide ga mawaru fui ni kieta kodou

Itsudemo sagashite iru yo dokka ni kimi no sugata wo
Akegata no machi sakuragichou de
Konna toko ni kuru hazu mo nai no ni
Negai ga moshimo kanau nara ima sugu kimi no moto e
Dekinai koto wa mou nanimo nai
Subete kakete dakishimete miseru yo

Itsudemo sagashite iru yo dokka ni kimi no kakera wo
Tabisaki no mise shinbun no sumi
Konna toko ni aru hazu mo nai no ni
Kiseki ga moshimo okoru nara ima sugu kimi ni misetai
Atarashii asa kore kara no boku
Ienakatta suki to iu kotoba mo

Itsu demo sagashite shimau dokka ni kimi no egao wo
Kyuukou machi no fumikiri atari
Konna toko ni iru hazu mo nai no ni
Inochi ga kurikaesu naraba nandomo kimi no moto e
Hoshii mono nado mou nanimo nai
Kimi no hoka ni taisetsu na mono nado

One More Time, One More Chance
Transliteration and translation: daike
Translation support: Emma
Translation edit: icie:

How much more do I have to lose, before my heart is forgiven?
How many more pains do I have to suffer, to meet you once again?
One more time, oh seasons, fade not
One more time, when we were messing around

Whenever we disagreed, I would always give in first
Your selfish nature made me love you even more
One more chance, the memories restrain my steps
One more chance, I cannot choose my next destination

I’m always searching, for your figure to appear somewhere
On the opposite platform, in the windows along the lane
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place
If my wish were to come true, I would be at your side right away
There would be nothing I couldn’t do
I would put everything on the line and hold you tight
________________________________________
If I just wanted to avoid loneliness, anybody would have been enough.
Because the night looks like the stars will fall, I cannot lie to myself.
One more time, oh seasons, fade not.
One more time, when we were messing around

I’m always searching, for your figure to appear somewhere
At a street crossing, in the midst of dreams
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place
If a miracle were to happen here, I would show you right away
The new morning, who I’ll be from now on
And the words I never said: “I love you.”
________________________________________
The memories of summer are revolving
The throbbing which suddenly disappeared

I’m always searching, for your figure to appear somewhere
At dawn on the streets, at Sakuragi-cho
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place
If my wish were to come true, I would be at your side right away
There would be nothing I couldn’t do
I would put everything on the line and hold you tight

I’m always searching, for fragments of you to appear somewhere
At a traveller’s store, in the corner of newspaper,
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place
If a miracle were to happen here, I would show you right away
The new morning, who I’ll be from now on
And the words I never said: “I love you.”

I always end up looking for your smile, to appear somewhere
At the railroad crossing, waiting for the express to pass
Even though I know you couldn’t be at such a place
If our lives could be repeated, I would be at your side every time
I would want nothing else
Besides you, nothing else matters

Yeah, the lyrics of the song pierced my heart and tore it to pieces. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful. I can say the same for HER. Though you could never really be there...

P.S. Makoto Shinkai, you're a genius!

So, damit haben wir das auch mal gesehen... war sehr interessant, hat mich aber auch sehr an viele Dinge erinnert, und war - vermutlich, weil ich nur ein paar Manga von xxxHolic kenn, auch leicht verwirrend. Aber fangen wir mal an...

Watanuki kann Geister sehen, und aus dem Grund hat er sich Hilfe bei Yuuko geholt. Allerdings verlangt Yuuko eine Gegenleistung, die sich darin zeigt, dass Watanuki ihr als "Haushaltshilfe" in ihrem Tempel aushilft.

Eines Tages kam ein Mädel in den Tempel und bat ebenfalls um Yuukos Hilfe. Sie übergab ihr einen Schlüssel, und meinte, dass sie nicht mehr in das Haus hineinkommen könnte, und wüsste nicht weiter.

Zusammen mit Watanuki und Shizuka, der irgendwie das komplette Gegenteil von Watanuki ist, zieht Yuuko los zu dem Haus. Das Haus selbst erinnert total an das Winchester Mystery House [Link] und es wird im Verlauf der OVA sogar nochmal drauf hingewiesen. (^_-) (Für Mystery-Interessierte: Die Geschichte von dem Haus ist allgemein sehr interessant (^.^)) Im Haus treffen die drei auf eine Truppe von Leuten, die alles mögliche sammeln. Seltsamerweise aber verschwinden nach und nach diese Sammler im Haus und Watanuki trifft auf einmal auf ein mysteriöses, kleines, gruseliges Mädchen. Aus Angst rennt er weg und verirrt sich kurzerhand in dem wirklich, WIRKLICH seltsamen Haus.

Mit der Zeit allerdings trifft er wieder auf Shizuka, der sich ebenfalls im Haus verirrt hat, und sie gehen weiter auf Erkundungstour. Auf einmal entdecken sie einen Raum voller Türen und hinter jeder Tür verbirgt sich das Portrait eines Sammlers und was er genau gesammelt hat. Doch nicht nur Shizuka und Watanuki sind wach, auch zwei Sammler vom Raum am Anfang des Filmes sind wach geworden und durch das Haus spaziert. Leider wird ein Mechanismus ausgelöst, der bestimmt, dass die vier den Besitzer des Hauses, den sie bis dato noch nicht gefunden haben, finden sollen, und zwar innerhalb von weniger Minuten, ansonsten droht ihnen "etwaws schlimmes". Shizuka und Watanuki rennen los und treffen nach einiger Zeit auch auf den Besitzer des Hauses.

Auch taucht Yuuko dann hinter ihnen auf, die scheinbar ebenfalls durch das Haus spaziert ist. Es stellt sich heraus, dass der Hausbesitzer "Sammler" sammelt, und sie dann in Portraits verbannt.

Als Yuuko dann aber den wunden Punkt des Sammlers herausfindet, konnten sie so den Fluch vom Haus lösen. Auch das Mädel, das am Anfang bei Yuuko um Hilfe bat, erschien wieder, allerdings war sie alt, gebrechlich und saß im Rollstuhl. Aber sie bedankte sich dafür, dass "der Fluch" von ihrem Haus genommen wurde (^_-)

Fazit:
Mit dem Zeichenstil konnt ich mal absolut nichts anfangen. Nichts gegen Clamp, aber das war wirklich ein wenig "zu" lang gezogen.
Die Story aber fand ich recht schön und gut gemacht, hat mir richtig gefallen - aber ich mag Mysteriösen Kram eh ziemlich gern...
Gibt 7/10 Asupunkten.