If I were to rank my top 5 favorite LotGH characters, Yang would be the only FPA character to make the list. My fondness for Attenborough, Schenkopp and Cazellnu combined can't even compare with how much I love Reuenthal. It goes without saying that I absolutely adore the characters of the Empire, particularly the admirals under Reinhard's command. They're like the knights of the Lohengramm Dynasty, bound to honor and glory.

I'm not going to talk about every single admiral but all of them deserve a mention:
VICE-COMMANDER OF THE FLEET - Siegfried Kircheis
FLEET ADMIRALS - Wolfgang Mittermeyer & Oskar von Reuenthal
ADMIRALS - Fritz Josef Bittenfeld, Ernst von Eisenach, Adalbert von Fahrenheit, Cornelius Lutz, Neidhardt Muller, Karl Robert Steinmetz & August Samuel Wahlen
CHIEF POLICE SUPERINTENDENT - Ulrich Kessler
CHIEF OF THE ROYAL GUARDS - Gunter Kiβling
CHIEF OF STAFF - Paul von Oberstein

MAJOR SPOILERS from here on

( A quick take on Hilda and Bittenfield )



( Oberstein rocks because he doesn't give a damn what you think of his methods )

Finally found some time to make a series of posts post about this underappreciated masterpiece.

The moment I finished Legend of the Galactic Heroes (LotGH), I couldn't really think of anything to describe it mainly because my head so full of ideas and information that I couldn't even begin to form a coherent opinion. Now that I've seen the two LotGH movies (My Conquest is the Sea of Stars and Overture to a New War) and the Hundred Billion Stars; Hundred Billion Lights Gaiden OVAs, I am finally a little more organized in my thoughts.

What a ridiculously amazing anime.
In fact, this is possibly the best space opera I've ever seen. If you enjoy Babylon 5, BSG, Star Wars, Star Trek, or series that touch on war and politics with a strong human element, I highly recommend Legend of the Galactic Heroes.

LotGH is, without a doubt, EPIC in every sense of the word. Despite its length, the story moves at a relatively fast pace and not a single episode is wasted on filler material. LotGH takes you straight into the action from the get-go by opening in the middle of a war which has lasted for 150 years. Although I like war dramas, I'm not usually interested in the political side of things but LotGH has such a compelling narrative on the government systems of the dictatorial Galactic Empire and the democratic Free Planets Alliance that it's hard not to care about them. The anime doesn't try to drown the viewer with political jargon or convoluted conspiracies, but rather, present the advantages and shortcomings of the two different systems from a very human perspective.

"Sometimes I have my doubts. The Empire, with a few nobles ruling the masses, is a bad government. The Alliance, with a government chosen by the people, is badly governed. Which one do you think is wrong?" - Yang, on the Goldenbaum Dynasty and the FPA.

( Read more... )

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Kagetora and Kiyomasa escape; Kotarou and Naoe are trying to rescue Kagetora

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( Translation... )

¹washi - hand made Japanese paper
²Kiji - literally translates to 'demon character'

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Kousaka continues with his stories; Naoe and Kotarou make their decisions

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( Translation... )

Mirage of Blaze Prequel Manga
Chapter: #02
Content: Comedy, Worksafe
Scans: Cobalt Magazine, March 2009 issue

Download: Megaupload | Sendspace | Mediafire


♥ Happy Birthday, Takaya-san! ♥

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Motoharu and company discuss Kihachi; Motoharu tries to help Kagetora remember

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( Translation... )

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: Ayako speaks with Kaizaki and 'Kaizaki'; Irobe and Mikuriya

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( Translation... )

I'm not much of a writer but I had quite a bit of fun with this meme. :) Would actually love to see other fans' take on this. :D

Write 10 different categories of fic, each in 10 words or less.

Fandom: Mirage of Blaze

Angst
Understanding that his ego encumbered their love, Naoe laughed bitterly.

AU
He heard the gunshot; Kagetora’s body slumped against his chest.

Crack!fic
Kousaka’s incantation had Naoe chibi-fied, forcing Kagetora to reconsider operations.

Crossover
"Was it an onryou?" Ayako asked.
"Hollow," replied the shinigami.

First Time
His bare torso incited unease in the usually dispassionate ninja.

Fluff
Naoe smiled at Takaya as they ran towards the sunset.

Humour
"Kagetora dreamed of a long-haired Naoe yesterday." Chiaki told Kotarou.
"......"

Hurt/Comfort
Kagetora wrapped his arms around Naoe’s trembling shoulders. "I know."

Smut
Naoe’s fingers knew the exact way to make him scream.

UST
"Someday, you will succumb to your own desires."
"Make me."

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: so where is Kagetora anyway?

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( Translation... )

Japanese to Chinese translation by Hinako. Chinese to English translation by me.

Basics of this chapter: A look at the Miike family and the legend of Kihachi

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( Translation... )