Eiga Sai 2010

The Japan Foundation Manila has posted the screening schedule for this year's Eiga Sai (Japanese Film Festival)  in celebration of the Philippines–Japan Friendship Month (July 2010) . More info from their website:

Now on its 12th year, “Eigasai,” which literally means ‘film festival’, aims to bolster further the diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan by continuously providing an opportunity for Filipinos to enhance the understanding and appreciation of Japanese arts and culture explored in this medium. This year’s offering brings together eight contemporary films and 2 anime films in 35mm and DVD format. An invitational screening of Always Sunset on Third Street 2 (Always zoku San-chome no yuhi, 2007) by director Yamazaki Takashi will be held on July 1 (Thursday) at 7:00 p.m. at the Shangri-La Plaza Cinema 4, Edsa, Mandaluyong City.

Source: The Japan Foundation, Manila Official Website

Though I've always been interested, I have never attended this event, I hope I can go this year with my friends. :)

For the complete screening shedule, please visit: EIGA SAI 2010 Screening Shedule.

Fairy Tail Updates: Episodes, Manga and Game

Yes, I should be sleeping, but I was hoping to catch Fairy Tail 187 before I turn in. All I got was a synopsis from its main page in Wikia proving my earlier guess that it was Erza Scarlet who won the Erza vs Erza battle... which I guess is good enough. Oh well.

Moving on, I just finished watching Fairy Tail episode 33. This episode marks the start of Tower of Heaven arc, which focuses mainly on Era's past. The first half of the episode won' t tell us anything much yet, but the second half introduces us new characters and a short flashback about Erza's childhood. I'm happy with how faithful the anime is from the manga so far. (Episode 33 is based off Manga chapters 75-77) It keeps improving and improving, and I just love it.

I was hoping to see more of Gerard, who, while I was weary of when he was introduced in the Manga, later became one of my most loved characters. We can see him from the last minutes of this episode offering a hand to a much younger Erza Scarlet. I'll be looking forward to the next episode seeing more of him :) Here's a few screenshots I took.



Just today, I learned that there is a Fairy Tail game. It's called Fairy Tail: Portable Guild and was developed by Konami for Play Station Portable. It was demonstrated last September on the Tokyo Game Show by Hiro Masima himself and was released just this month, (edit: June 3, 2010) but it's still only available in Japanese. Let's hope for an English patch soon :)



The first screenshot of the game I've seen so far. Yes, there's a multi-player option! Four players, as it seems. This makes me very happy. I can't wait to see if it's as good as it seems.

...oh, wait. I don't have a PSP! *le gasp* Despite wanting to play Birth by Sleep  and Crisis Core, well... let's just say frugality won. But considering this is Fairy Tail we're talking about... I'm very tempted! I guess I'll watch out for an english patch before I decide. :)

Erza vs Erza: Who really won?

At the end of the latest Fairy Tail manga chapter, we see Edoras Erza approaching Natsu and Gray. After mistaking her initially to be Earthland Erza, Gray and Natsu noticed her clothes and concluded that the Erza vs Erza battle has finally ended, and Edoras Erza won. Hmm?

I don't think so. [ Possible Fairy Tail spoiler below, although this is just my take on it, nothing official. ]

Aside from my initial, "No way Erza Scarlet would lose!" reaction, this panel really made me think that something fishy's going on:



She looks and talks just like Edoras erza, alright, but look at the scar on the side of her face... And then look here:



This one was from Fairy Tail 180: Erza vs Erza. Early in their battle, they scarred each other in the face... Earthland Erza's scar was slanted below her left eye, while Edoras Erza was scarred on the bridge of her nose.

If you'd look back to the first picture, the scar on this Erza's face is below her left eye. It's slanted upwards instead of Earthland Erza's downward-slanted scar (and slanted in a manner that is more similar to Edoras Erza's scar) but I think it's a minor mistake, and may even be made so it won't be too obvious.

So I have a hunch that the Erza that won is Earthland Erza... I really don't need the panels shown above. (It's just sort of a little evidence, in case someone wanted to challenge my hunch, haha.) Let's just say that I believe in Erza too much. ;)

If you want another, just look at the last panel on page 19. Doesn't that confident, all-knowing smile look very familiar? The next chapters could prove me wrong, but don't go telling me that I don't have faith in Erza Scarlet. She may not be my favorite character, but she's the one character I truly admire, and I just won't accept it if she lost.

I can't wait for Fairy Tail 187.