50 things you didn’t know about lvlln
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Well, we’re reaching the tail end of our 50 questions series, with Kyo, Fosh, Miyu, Cool, Hoshi, Hawt, Zabo, Jrow, Kara, Hime, and anaaga having gone already, so I guess it’s my turn now. I’m generally not big into these surveys, but here goes; let’s see what you’ll really learn about me from these answers. |
1. Who is your favorite male anime character?
Forgive me, for I tried very very hard to think of someone other than him. I trawled through my list of anime, searching far and wide, certain that I could find a male character that I liked more, but I just couldn’t find anyone better than Kokuto Mikiya from Kara no Kyoukai. His idealistic, perhaps naive, but definitely romantic trust, dedication, and love for Ryougi Shiki is something that warms this cynic’s heart. This main character is also the one “normal” in a cast of incredible, supernatural, magical humans and beings, but he does have one of the most interesting and neat powers, “to find things,” which proves to be a critical skill in a couple of the stories.
2. Who is your favorite female anime character?
Haruhara Haruko from FLCL. Talk about a con woman with charisma: she introduced herself to our protagonist by running over him, and she still managed to make him fall in love with her (ok, his blossoming adolescence was a major factor, but still). This also makes her my favorite villain of all time. She came into Naota’s life and changed it forever, for good, but purely for selfish reasons and almost destroyed the Earth in the process. The reveal of her true nature in the final episode is an unforgettable moment.
3. What is your favorite anime soundtrack?
FLCL. The Pillows’s light rock songs are great by themselves, and they’re used very well as background music to this anime. They also provide some incredible sequences, such as the Crazy Sunshine climax of episode 4. And Bran new lovesong right before the climax of episode 1 – “Never knows best” – was an example of a perfect mood setter.
4. What is your favorite anime opening + animation?
Goku Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei OVA episode 3, aka the Rumba Rap remix by Rap Bito (original song by Ootsuki Kenji and the Zetsubou Girls). To be honest, both Bure and Rumba are amazing, but this rap mix took it over the top, and Shaft’s absolutely insane and surreal paper cutout artwork in the animation sequence is a spectacular sight. As the description in the Youtube video above recommends, try checking out this extra psychedelic version.
5. What is your favorite anime ending song + animation?
Bakemonogatari, Tsubasa Cat version, aka Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari by supercell, sung by Yanagi Nagi. I enjoyed Hajime Ueda’s art in the FLCL manga, and this was him more refined than ever, with Shaft’s animation supporting him. I love the additions made in the Tsubasa Cat version, including Koyomi and Hitagi playing rock paper scissors at the start, and the scrolling 3 levels at the end with the upside down Tsubasa in the background, accelerating to the finish. And I don’t think I have to explain what a great song this is.
6. What is your favorite anime scene?
“Scene” is such an ambiguous word. Is it just a moment, Shinji pulling out Rei in Evangelion 2.22? A single music sequence, the Crazy Sunshine satellite baseball in FLCL episode 4? An entire episode spent with your girlfriend in her father’s car, then under the stars sharing a first kiss in Bakemonogatari episode 12? But you know what, I think this one has to take the cake:
7. If you could meet an anime character, who would it be?
I’ve had to think hard about this. Obviously characters who live forever or close to it, eg Oshino Shinobu from Nisemonogatari or Shana from Shakugan no Shana have a certain appeal thanks to the perspective they can provide. But more than anyone, I think I’d like to meet Lark Melk Mark from Diebuster, and ask her about her relationship with Nono and how it changed her perspective on life, how she felt about the goodbye, and what she hoped to take away from meeting Noriko.
8. What anime character is most similar to you in terms of personality?
Probably the protagonist from The Tatami Galaxy. His 500 miles per hour thought process of constantly questioning and overthinking every decision and every event is something with which I can identify.
9. What is your favorite thing about anime?
A tough question. I think it’s that the super-niche nature of it allows narrative tools to be used that would be unacceptable in most other media. Where else can you see an erotic brother-sister toothbrushing scene? Or an entire 1/3 of an episode dedicated to characters speaking in babble while subtitles (inaccurate to the events happening) are displayed?
10. What is your least favorite thing about anime?
Probably the misogyny. Strong female characters are hard to come by, and most works in the medium tend to reinforce traditional gender roles and stereotypes. I’m desensitized to most things, but displays of overt sexism sometimes still give me a negative physical reaction.
11. Who is your favorite anime couple?
This is a tough one. Obviously I love the classics like Mikiya and Shiki from Kara no Kyoukai, or Koyomi and Hitagi from Bakemonogatari, but my favorite has to be the one from the best show of 2010. I speak, of course, of the main character and Akashi from The Tatami Galaxy. “Nothing else is as boring to tell as the story of successful love.”
12. Who is your favorite anime animal?
13. What anime would make a good game?
Guilty Crown. Its storytelling failings are par for the course for video games – seriously, the narratives of Gears of War and Call of Duty make Guilty Crown look like Shakespeare in comparison – and it’s got a built in weapons and upgrade system. Creative weapons too, like the unlocking tool which can be used for puzzles.
14. What game would make a good anime?
I would’ve said Valkyria Chronicles, but that one has an anime that kind of sucks. Now, one easy option would be Record of Agarest War, which is basically a visual novel but with some strategy RPG fights in between and features some incredible character art and all the typical anime harem cliches to the brim. But I’ll have to go with the game that’s my current darling, Recettear: An Item Shop’s Tale. I could see the story of Recette and Tear collaborating to pay off her debt within a month by running a shop as working well for a 12 episode series, and the characters, especially Recette, are endearing and fun to watch.
15. What was the first anime you ever watched?
I don’t remember, since anime was just something on TV when I was growing up in Korea. But it’s probably one of 3: Mazinger Z, Gatchaman, or Voltron.
16. Do you think you’ll ever stop watching anime?
Yes. I couldn’t tell you when, though. Probably not anytime soon.
17. What is your favorite genre of anime?
Genre lines tend to be very blurry in anime, but if I had to name one genre most of my favorites have in common, it would be comedy.
18. What is your least favorite genre of anime?
The so-called “slice of life” (I dislike that term, but since it’s used so much in anime fandom, I’ve decided to embrace it). I want conflict, not cute girls being cute with each other.
19. Are you open about watching anime with people you know?
Generally, yes. Main exception is work, where it can have implications in promotions, raises, etc.
20. Have you ever been to Japan?
No. Closest was a layover at Narita airport for a few hours on my way to Korea.
21. What anime was the biggest let down for you?
Gunslinger Girl: il teatrino. If you’ve watched any of it, the reason should be obvious.
22. What anime was better than expected?
Quite a few, but the number one that sticks out is The iDOLM@STER. I didn’t have any expectations of this fluffy show based on a fluffy video game franchise, but it ended up being my number 2 anime of last year for the excellent connection it made with the characters. Strike Witches would probably be a close 2nd for similar reasons.
23. What is the best anime fight scene?
I had to think hard about this, because, quite frankly, there are very very few good anime fight scenes. One that immediately came to mind was Shichika’s “boss rush” in the Katanagatari finale, but that wasn’t that well animated or choreographed, just emotionally draining. Another was the entire 2nd half of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt episode 6 – i.e. Panty & Stocking vs. Scanty & Kneesocks, but that was more of an extended action sequence than a fight scene.
So I ended up landing on Ryougi Shiki’s takedown of dozens of zombies in the spiral building from Kara no Kyoukai 5: Paradox Paradigm. Incredible animation and choreography, over the top in how the waves and waves of relatively skilled zombies came at her, and a fitting if cliche finish. I think Enjou Tomoe put it best after watching this unfold before his eyes:
24. Who is your anime waifu?
I never got into the whole waifu thing. But, ahem, if you put a knife to my throat, I’d have to pick Ryougi Shiki from Kara no Kyoukai.
25. What was your favorite video game as a child?
Sonic CD. The music was amazing, had great boss fights and level design. The secret best Sonic game ever made.
26. Most Embarrassing moment?
I ran into a parked car once. I mean that literally; I was running in the streets, throwing a disc around with friends and ran into a bumper knee-first.
27a. Can you drive?
Yes.
27b. Do you own a car?
Yes.
28. Are you mature?
I like to think so, but the fact that I’m answering this means that I’m an anime fan, so who knows?
29. What year were you born?
1985
30. Do you prefer cats or dogs?
Cats. They’re calm, stoic, and fluffy, while dogs are too enthusiastic.
31. Describe yourself physically.
Asian male with glasses. Generally keep my hair very short, but never buzzed. 5′ 9″, 155lbs. Athletic build and damn good looking, if I say so myself.
32. What would you name your first child?
I don’t have anything picked out, to be honest. I would trust the mother to make the right choice.
33. What is the worst injury you have ever had?
Broken left kneecap. I had a nasty fall from about 6 feet onto concrete while vaulting over a wall. I had surgery to screw the bone pieces back together. Good news is, now after a little over a year of rehab, I’m back out there doing parkour again.
34. What is your worst habit?
Procrastination. But everyone has that to an extent. So I’ll go with my tendency to push myself too hard in physical activities. But as I grow, I’m learning to keep at the right pace.
35. Do you drink or smoke?
I drink. In copious quantities if celebrations and friends are involved. I don’t smoke.
36. Do you have a tattoo?
No. If I had to get one, it’d be this either on my arm or my chest. Bonus points if you get the reference without reading the filename!
37. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Night. At school, I always struggled to stay awake. My current work shift of 10:30-7 works pretty well for me.
38. Have you ever slept past midday?
All the time. In school, almost every weekend. Nowadays, after a particularly eventful evening.
39. Do you regret anything?
Yes. Lots of things. Youth is wasted on the young.
40. Can you count the number of friends you have on one hand?
Yes.
41. Do you wear glasses?
Yes.
42. Are you a picky eater?
Yes and no. There are some foods that I refuse to touch, such as shrimp, mushrooms, or steak that’s not crispy well-done, but in general I’m pretty open to trying new foods or a variety of foods.
43. Would you die for someone?
Yes. Only one person, though, my little sister.
44. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Control of time (and therefore space as well) is such a game breaking power that that’s the one I want.
45. Do you believe in the supernatural?
No.
46. Would you rather be rich or famous?
To paraphrase a certain Calvin, I’d like to be famous for just how rich I am. But really, I’d prefer a quiet affluent life. Influence things from behind the scenes instead of getting my face out everywhere.
47. Have you ever committed a crime?
Yes. All the time.
48. Pirates or ninjas? Time Traveler or ghost?
Ninja. Pirates are kind of… regular criminals, just at sea. Ninja have the whole stealth and martial arts mastery going for them, not to mention the parkour. As for the other question, I’d prefer a ghost who can time travel.
49. Does someone have a crush on you?
Someone did once, but it didn’t work out.
50. Are you in a relationship?
No.
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Hope you enjoyed going through these. If you have a 51st or 52nd or even more questions you’d like to ask me, please leave a comment! |
About lvlln
A math/science geek and a self-dubbed cynical optimist. I don't care if it's deep, if it can make me feel something or laugh, it's fine in my book. @lvlln
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
Hehe, we disagree about the slice of life dealio. I love slice of life! It’s not just cute girls being cute! (Sometimes it is though…) Did you ever watch Ano Hana?
Also, oh my god, I LOVE Tatami Galaxy! Such a good show! *high five*
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
I have watched Ano Hana, thought it had its moments. But that’s not at all a slice-of-life show…
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
Yah it is… xD
POWUH: iLurker with 5 comments
I wouldn’t call AnoHana a Slice of Life either…it wasjust Drama.
And teen angst. Lots and lots of teen angst.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
Uff uff this post is full of Nanaya Shiki’s pictures I’m officially in heaven now. It makes me wonder whether you look like him or not.
I don’t get it. What does “being mature” and “being an anime fan” have anything to do with each other?
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
With the glasses, I’m closer to Tohno Shiki in appearance than to Nanaya, though I think most relatively fit Asian guys fit the profile as long as the haircut is correct.
And I don’t think I’m saying anything controversial when I say that anime is a relatively juvenile hobby…
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
Ah, you misunderstood me. I literally didn’t get what you mean by that. But your answer cleared it up. Thanks.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Yōko Fanboy with 1246 comments
ARE YOU ACTUALLY DAI1313 IN DISGUISE!?!??! :O :O :O
44. Time control power for the WIND! ;D
6. What scene is that from? :O
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
6 is from Gunbuster. Anyone who’s seen it will know just how emotionally effecting that scene is.
POWUH: Meta Resident and Yōko Fanboy with 1246 comments
This Gunbuster?
http://myanimelist.net/anime/949/Top_wo_Nerae!
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
That’s the one. Gunbuster is also known as Aim for the Top! While its sequel, Diebuster, is also known as Aim for the Top! 2 or Gunbuster 2.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Rather than writing a long comment on how much I like most of your answers (Type-Moon/Tatami Galaxy ftw), I have to agree on the dearth of strong females in anime. At least we have Jormungand releasing this Spring.
I recognized the supercell logo of course. I once painted it on my left hand with henna. Also, your knee-cap injury, is it even safe for you to continue parkouring?
I so need to marathon Diebuster. ><
POWUH: and LOLi Defender with 10997 comments
I’ve attempted parkouring. It takes a mental stamina I never allowed myself to build. If he has that, then the knee-injury is part of the mental process. I broke my ankle in three spots falling from a free climb. Rehabed, then went back to the cliffs.
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
The main concern with parkour for me now is the impact on my knee during landings and such. I have to be more careful of that. My flexibility in that knee is also still not all the way back yet, though much of that can be worked around by better technique.
But as skylion says, much of parkour is mental. Yes, you do need to be fit to perform many of the techniques, but you’d be surprised at how low the bar is for performing a vast majority of them. It’s not even necessarily technique, though that’s something that you always work on to improve; it’s mental blocks and hurdles that get in the way. When I got hurt, it was because I was too timid and held back during the vault, not because the vault was a particularly difficult one.
And yeah, you gotta get to Diebuster. Only 6 episodes long, and it’s a truly worthy followup to Gunbuster (you have seen Gunbuster, right?).
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
woaa…i see supercell
why answer Record of Agarest War ..i can imagine if it would be a RPG game ..best of all …base on the answer i can tell that ivlin is an awesome person
＼(゜ロ＼)ココハドコ? (／ロ゜)／アタシハダアレ?
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
Record of Agarest War IS an RPG. Just with tactical turn based battles on a grid.
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 192 comments
Wow, my impression of you from before is totally different now, in a good way. =) Hope to read more from you and your ultra-detailed posts!
Anyway, I have to agree, anime still has a long way to go in terms of females taking the lead and breaking the mold. Still, there are signs of hope though, it just needs time.
I guessed ‘Black Rock Shooter’ for your picture, looks like I was half-right. XD I can’t seem to get into their music though, wonder why?
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I really, really need to watch Tatami Galaxy. I’ve heard nothing but praise about it. I’ve got it on my external HD, all that’s left is to actually click on it and watch it.
So many injuries…Even your embarrassing moment includes getting hurt somehow! Are traceurs more in danger of injuries than other sports? I used to practice martial arts with a friend who did parkour (he taught me some rolling and breaking falls…that’s about it) and he got hurt…a lot. I think he broke his leg too. I know all sports are dangerous to an extent, but parkour has always seemed particularly dangerous to me.
I have to admit, that tattoo would be pretty damn cool if you ever got it. As long as it isn’t obnoxiously big. :3
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
Well, the danger of parkour comes largely from the fact that it’s mostly done on hard surfaces, which means greater likelihood that IF you get injured, it will be a major one. But a core principle of parkour is that your actions are as SAFE as possible, so a lot of training is spent on ways to fall properly, having escape strategies when you mess up and such. In my experience, traceurs don’t get injured more, but they suffer a lot more scrapes and bruises and injuries tend to be more severe.
POWUH: 1000-1099 and Critique with 1024 comments
#2 I’m with you all the way. Everything about FLCL is amazing, and she’s no exception!
#10 This <3 It is such a shame that you can pretty much count all the badass female characters in anime on the one hand, but I have to say that when they do appear they are usually very, very good. I hate it when it’s used as a gag, though. Still, this is a great point.
POWUH: and Vampire Lover with 11746 comments
#7: Meeting a character that can live forever? I’d go with Oshino Shinobu, especially in her teenager form.
#11: I think Koyomi and Hitagi make the best couple.
If you somehow had the ability to manipulate an anime’s story, would you do it, which anime and in what way would you see fit? Would you put your favorite character or creature in a story where it doesn’t belong?
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
That’s a very open-ended question! There are plenty of works for which I’d love to change the stories, though they’re generally huge changes, bordering on fanfic-level.
For one, how about changing A Certain Magical Index – or at least the end of the 1st season and all of the 2nd one – to make Accelerator the protagonist? I’d be most interested in his journey to redemption after murdering so many girls, with Last Order the one person he loves and protects. He’s a much more interesting character than Touma, and his past as a monster since childhood would be fun to see explored.
A much more simple change? Make Shana and Yuuji die in the end of the 1st season of Shakugan no Shana instead of that necklace handwaving it as her being strong enough to survive. A beautiful, romantic ending to a fun action packed series, with no 2 crappy sequel seasons.
Speaking of Shana, how about a small change to Zero no Tsukaima F so that Tabitha decides to murder Joseph instead of letting him explode with his ship? I like it when shows take a darker turn and I’m usually disappointed when they miss an opportunity to do so.
Um, give Natsuru a brain and a sex drive in Kampfer maybe? I mean, Natsuru’s sheer density is part of the charm of the show, but that would make for an even more entertaining piece of work, though perhaps in a different way…
Have Keitaro end up with anyone other than Naru in Love Hina. I’d go for the Kanako “faux little sister” route myself because I love her style, but having Motoko win (as is rumored was originally the plan) would’ve been nice.
POWUH: 800-899 and Flying Sage with 856 comments
#10 I know. In my experience the world is full of strong women. Then when I watch anime, the girls are always ashamed that they can’t bake cookies, as if that diminishes their worth as a human being.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
#10 I know what you mean and I feel the same, I wonder if it has anything to do with the differences in the culture of Japan and America as far as traditional gender roles go? I’m no expert in the least on Japanese culture though so I can’t really say. I just wrote a paper on gender roles which is why that kind of interests me. -_- But yeah, I understand that!
23. Awesome choice! Panty and Stocking had some really cool looking fight scenes. I’m still working through Kara no Kyoukai, but that scene you described sounds pretty intense as well.
POWUH: 700-799 and Parkouring Fanboy with 776 comments
The difference in cultures and social norms definitely has something to do with it, but still, this is 2012, and Japan is a 1st world nation. In some ways, anime producers still seem stuck in the past. Look at this season’s Ano Natsu, where everyone has cell phones but they still use a traditional film camera and use real physical maps. Or Hidamari Sketch where the girls are stunned to find that one of them has her own home PC!
Anyway, that fight scene in Kara no Kyoukai 5 is something else. Believe me, you’ll recognize it when you see it.
POWUH: Meta Team and PreCure Mastah with 9203 comments
Woooooooo! 50 answers from Lvlln
#2- I think I had a huge ass crush on Haruka for a long time after watching FLCL over and over and over again thanks to it running on Adult Swim! That character is fantastic <3
#6- LOLOL That baseball episode was great! Did you ever see Denpa onna? They had a nice baseball themed episode too, but FLCL was far greater cause the main guy saves the world! And uses a guitar as a bat? Pure win.
#23- HELL YES! I loved watching all those Kara no Kyokai movies...oh my god they are beautiful to look at and filled with the best characters <3
#29- Ku Ku Ku you are older than me by one year?! Awesome! You are now officially in the 20+ Metanorn club.
Great answers xDD
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
[…] the Meta Team as a whole. Kyo, Fosh, Miyu, OC, Hoshi, Hawt, Zabo, Jrow, Kara, Hime, anaaga and lvlln already threw their anime fandom on the table. I guess it’s finally my turn. The awesome […]