AMVs

If you like anime (which you probably do, if you're reading my blog) then unless you're relatively new in the community, you most likely know at least what an AMV is. If you do, then just hang in there while I explain to everyone else.

An AMV (or anime music video) is basically clips from an anime rearranged and put to music. You don't need any special software for it, and it can be quite fun, so if you haven't already, I would give it a try. There a lot of tutorials on the internet - I'm sure you'll be able to find one explaining the basics.

Anyways, I decided to try my hand at making an AMV! I made a Madoka Magica one. Here it is for you all to enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ9rhH_TYGM
Note - this link is unavailable on some devices due to copyright claims. If you can't view it, try another device.

I'm only new to this, but I'm quite proud of the end result. If anyone has any tips for me, please tell me.

Anyways, that's all I really had to say for this post. Bye :)

Otaku Monthly Favourites: October - January

It's been a while - but I'm back now. And welcome to Otaku Monthly Favourites! I think we need a new name though... anyone with a better idea, comment it please.
These two months have been lumped together because I can't really remember when I got most of these things. I also didn't want to make two posts. So I now bestow upon you: two months' worth of anime crap to waste your money on!

For an explanation of what Otaku Monthly Favourites is, see this post

Puella Magi Madoka Magica
I'm pretty sure I mentioned this in my very first post, but I only talked about the manga, and very briefly (the post is here). I couldn't watch it on Crunchyroll due to regional limitations, but my sister bought me the DVD for Christmas. It was wonderful.
This anime is the most innocent thing you could ever see - until you take a closer look. In fact, it has some very dark themes, unlike pretty much all other magical girl animes. The story is about the bleak truth behind the life of a magical girl. I won't tell you much more than that so I don't ruin the story for you.
I actually watched this in English dub rather than sub, and I have to say, they did a very good job with the dubbing. The (English) voice acting was actually pretty good, which is rare in anime.

This Homura T-shirt
I went a bit Madoka-crazy after watching the anime. However, this T-shirt is really a very good find. RedBubble products are extremely good quality, and this artist really did well with the design.

Assassination Classroom (anime)
I only finished this recently, and I have to say, this anime is very well done. It was originally a manga (which I may talk about more in depth in a separate post), and the story has definitely stayed true to the original source, and the emotions and personalities of the different characters were portrayed with so many layers. But be warned - there are feels at the end.

No Game No Life Collectors Edition (this link goes to the British version)
I talked about No Game No Life in my first ever Otaku Monthly Favourites, but now I've found the collector's edition! Admittedly, this version isn't as good as the American one (missing posters, stickers etc) but it is a lot cheaper. But it's great. I love it. It's wonderful. And I just~
Anyway, back to NGNL. The version I bought includes Blu-Ray and DVD of the anime, and the soundtrack and art prints as well. The prints are great, with some done in the art style of the anime, and some in a more detailed design. If you were looking for a review of the anime itself, you can see one here.

Wolf Children
This is a beautiful anime film. I'm pretty sure there's a lot of philosophical meaning in it as well, but I'm not really good at that kind of thing so I'll just leave it open. It was by the same director (?) as Summer Wars and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, so if you enjoyed those then you should like this, too.
Description from Amazon: Hana is a 19-year-old student who falls in a fairy-tale like love with a wolf man. Over the course of the 13-year story Hana gives birth to two children - older sister Yuki, and younger brother Ame, or 'Snow and Rain'. At first the family quietly lives in the city trying to hide their wolf heritage, but when the "wolf man" suddenly dies Hana makes the decision to move to a rural town, far from their previous city life.

The animation is beautiful, and the story is very well thought out.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Although this does have a few plot holes, I think that this is more about a teenager struggling with her emotions rather than a girl actually gaining the power to go back in time. It was directed (?) by the same person as Summer Wars and Wolf Children (see above), and with art direction being handled by Studio Ghibli, how could this be anything other than a masterpiece? You do have to watch it a couple of times to understand some of the really deep stuff, but that's what I love about anime.

Is there anything here you've tried or that, on second thoughts, actually might be worth a try? Or if there's something in particular you want me to mention, just tell me! And if you can think of a better name for Otaku Monthly Favourites, I swear I will love you forever.