DUMC

PRESENTING D.U.M.C.



Main Sanctuary on 2nd September, 2007


Meh had this urged to promote my church... Cheers...

-ZS-

I live???

After having a constant nagging on the back on my head to update. I finally sat down and start doing a post again. Actually, I have lots to write about. I'm just lazy to organize them properly.

So what's been eating up my time? Well, I been spending rather a lot of time of playing games and reading a manga. So yeah for the last few weeks, I been doing that.

I been actually playing back FFIX. For those who don't know what it is. It's consider as one of the most popular RPG (Role Playing Games) series. For those who like to read it more, can do also at wikipedia. I actually got addicted to it since this is only one I haven't finish yet. That and counting FFX-2 and FFXII (I know I'm slow =.=). So yeah, that took plenty of my time, since I was playing on my laptop via an emulator program.

Also the manga that I was hooked on to was "Mahou Sensei Negima" by Ken Akamatsu. The author previous work was the famous "Love Hina" (to help those who just can't remember). Well, "Love Hina" is actually one the manga that is rather "ecchi" (Jap term for naughty or perv). However, there is no XXX or whatever scenes like that. It's just things that are like up skirt or crashing into the woman's bath (with humorous ways).

What's so great about of this manga, it's that has plan like an entire universe. The story is opens with young boy by the name Negima who is magi or a mage send to a Japanese all-girl school to teach them for a year. Here's an overview from wikipedia:

Overview

Negi Springfield is a ten year old wizard from Wales, who dreams of becoming a Magister Magi (Approximate Latin translation: "Master Mage"), a special wizard who uses his powers to help normal people using covers such as working for NGOs.

Negi's reason for becoming a Magister Magi is to find his father, Nagi Springfield, the legendary mage also known as the "Thousand Master" who many believe to be dead.

After graduating from the Merdiana Magic Academy in Wales, Negi is given a duty as a cover in the real world, and training, before he actually becomes a Magister Magi. That duty is to become an English teacher at Mahora Academy in Japan. The task will not be easy, however, as Negi will become a teacher to a Middle School class of 31 older girls, each very special in her own way. The series details his time and adventures in Japan as he gains acceptance and respect from his students, helps them in their problems, and faces magical threats from inside and outside Mahora Academy. His main relationship is with Asuna Kagurazaka, his student and roommate, who dislikes him initially but later accepts him as a friend and becomes his partner, helping find clues about his father and his life.

The series, while initially appearing to be another bishōjo work like Love Hina, has progressed into a mix of bishōjo, shōnen action, fantasy, horror, romance and comedy. Akamatsu stated that he specifically wanted to do something "different" than Love Hina. Negi himself is prepubescent, and many of his scenes with Asuna are specific subversions of the "awkward romantic scene" tendency of bishōjo manga, quickly diffused and only played for laughs. In addition, many of the girls are able to fawn over him in a childish sense without any romantic expectations from the reader.

In keeping with this style, Negi himself is seen as a contrast to Love Hina's Keitaro and other typical male leads of bishōjo manga. He is hardworking, capable, and treated kindly, but due to his appearance and age (well below most of his students), he feels completely non-threatening and finds it difficult to be taken seriously as a teacher; many of his students treat him as a cute little kid, if not a playmate.

What I enjoy about the series is that, Ken has planned out all 31 girl's character and their own personalities. I have to admit that even it is hard to go over 5 sometimes. The action is also well done, as when I was reading the first arc final battle I was taken at how huge the scale of the battle is. Also this is one of his longest work ever done, as it is now only the second arc of the storyline. Currently it is now at chapter 216 and so far show no signs of it ending yet. You can read them for free at www.onemanga.com

I recommend reading it when you have the time, since it can get you really hooked on it. Anyway that's all for now. Still lots to write, hopefully will done soon. Ciaoz...

-ZS-