Pardon the background but I got too excited and rushed to take some pictures ^^. After a long two weeks of waiting, my Ar Tonelico Qoga, a final installment of Ar Tonelico series, finally arrived in the mail. Since it was shipped from US through NIS America, it took sometime because of custom ^^;;

I played the Ar Tonelico 1 pretty thoroughly and I finished both Arcs but didn't finish Ar Tonelico 2 because I lost interest in it. Maybe, I will pick up where it was left one of these days since my PS2 just sits there and collects dust ^^;;.

Ar Tonelico Qoga (AR3) Cosmosphere calendar set includes AR3 premium box and a calendar for a total cost of $69.99 so the calendar is worth about $10 which I think it’s a pretty good price for a calendar and it’s a rare item. The premium box itself contains AR3: Knell of Ar Ciel for PS3, an art book and official OST CD. Even without the calendar, the premium box is well worth it considering how much PS3 games cost these days ranging from $59.99 to $69.99 for new games. Most of the time, there’s no extra items come with the game itself.

Finally, will the game worth the price tag considering AR1 was a pretty big success and AR2 was somewhat a flop or so I heard ? For those, who has started the game, what do you think ? is it better than the first two games ? Check what other people says about the game on NIS America official forum before you decide to buy the game.

Continuing from previous chapter, the organization , leading by Dae, continues with the experiment using previous single digit Claymores and turns them into the strongest warriors. Louvre stops by at Dae’s lab to check how things are going and suddenly Master Limt’s servant comes to ask Dae what the progress is on the project. He also mentions that the research facility in the northern mountains was attacked and the culprit is most likely the mysterious group which is no other than Deneve, Helenn and others.

Back to northern facility, Helenn’s group and Anastasia’s group are enjoying their time killing those abyssal beings. While slashing here and there, Deneve and Anastasia got into talking. Devene is still not sure if Anastasia is ready to go against the organization but Anastasia seems confident that she has what it takes and besides Anastasia states that she is just simply traveling with Devene and the rest.

At the organization, all Claymores gather and prepare to counter an attack from the mysterious group which is already considered as a rebel by the organization. All claymore prepares for battle without any hesitation and Louvre thinks that the previous battle with Phantom Miria reminds them how powerful the enemy is. However, Louvre is completely wrong because those claymores recall their battle with Miria. Miria was certainly too overwhelming even for current single digits in the organization but none of them is dead and they were just knocked off unconscious.

Suddenly, all Claymores stop moving and all of them steps aside for their leader and she is someone that’s familiar for us. That’s right, she is………….. (I don’t want to spoil it so go read chapter 133 )

Thoughts

I just couldn’t believe it after I finish reading this chapter. Nagi… you do love playing with our minds and I can honestly say that this is probably my favorite chapter among all others. Since I don’t want to spoil this chapter, it’s going to be a short ‘Thoughts’ . Enjoy the chapter everyone.

Riso Shaomei (Xiao-Mei?) is a character in a recent PSP game released by Sega called Shining Hearts. Characters were designed by Tony Taka. While browsing WonFes news, she easily caught my eyes because her pink-white colour theme and nekomimi ^^.

Atelier Totori is a sequal of Atelier Rorona, a PS3 game that was released last year by NIS America. She is totally adorable and look at how much details on this nendoroid especially on her clothing and staff.

Riela is one of protagonist in Valkyria Chronicles 3, a PSP game which just recently released. Does anyone play this game ? Her lance and shield definitely caught my eyes when I browsed through Wonder Festival Winter 2011 news from various blogs. You don't need to be a nendoroid fan in order to love nendoroid as they all are cute and adorable.

Elcea (Elsa) is our main heroine in The World God Only Knows. I think this figure truly represents how Elsa is portrayed with her trademark position. She has potentials but still needs to wait to see how the colouring goes, although, it's from GSC ,thus, no reason to doube it's quality.

I am looking forward to see the final version of Caster from Fate/Extra. I never own any figures by Phat! Company so I can't really comment on its quality. Does anyone know how good/bad Phat! Company is ?.

In this wish list, there is one figure that I would buy for sure and it's Saber Summer Ver. by Alter. Saber looks great in her summer clothing. Is it just me or not but does it look more like a pajama or lingerie ?

If Saber looks good in white, Tohsaka looks just as lovely in red. She is another must buy figure ^^.

Takamachi Vivio grabs my attention instantly even though she is unpainted. Since I enjoy Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Vivid manga, she is a good candidate to be in my figure collection but want to see the painted version before deciding and also the price.

If my budget allows me, I would really love to get this figure, Blanc Neige Swimsuit Ver. from Shining Wind series. Even Kotobukiya's quality is sometimes questionable, I would still love to purchase her if her paint quality is acceptable.

Rorolina Frixel or known as Rorona in Atelier Rorona game on PS3. Too bad there is no picture of her . I do hope MegaHouse delivers my expectation.

Another Blanc Neige figure by Orchid Seed. Even though it piqued my interest, I have to see the painted version before deciding to buy it. In addition since I never own any figure by Orchid Seed, I am little bit worried about the quality.

Source: Nitohei Twitpic, AkibaHobby, Hobby Stock’s Blog, Moeyo via Wcloudx(kumo)’s blog.

Skoop On Somebody’s music combine R&B with African-American Gospel music which makes them quite popular back in Japan.

In Dare ka ga Kimi wo Omotteru, the Gospel part is really noticeable from 2:30 to 2:40.

Further information about this concert can be found below

Date: Saturday March 12, 2011
Time: 7:00pm
Tickets: JCCC members $30.97, Non-members $35.40 (plus tax)

Tickets are now on sale at the JCCC Reception Desk.
Tickets are non-refundable, no exceptions.

The Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
6 Garamond Court Toronto ON M3C 1Z5
Tel: (416) 441-2345

Note that there will be another artist, Akiko Yano, performing with Skoop On Somebody so the above ticket price includes for both musicians/artists.

If anyone is planning on going, let me know and we can meet up there ^^.

Picking up from last chapter, Denieve and the rest continue on their journey to destroy the organization and on their way, they run into a group of Claymores lead by Anastasia who is being attacked by Awakened Beings of half-man and half-youma. Cynthia and Uma come to rescue for Keira and Phina who got injured. Tabitha starts healing Phina but it’s taking a while since Phina is an offensive type. Uma keeps herself on guard so that Cynthia can heal Phina without any worries. Even though Phina is safe and recovering, Keira still worries about Anastasia and Nike,however, Uma does not show even a slightest bit of worry. Denieve, Helenn and Tabitha easily overwhelm the group of awakened beings.

Anastasia and Nike are amazed with the strength and coordination that Denieve, Helenn and Tabitha show dealing with those awakened beings. While Anastasia and Nike stand on side line watching, an awakened being tries to sneak up behind them and fail to do so because Dietrich comes from above and slashes it in half. Dietrich briefly tells them who Denieve and friends are and pondering on a question whether they should be purged as enemies of organization or they are their allies. Deitrich had not realized that she sees Denieve and the rest as her friend until Anastasia mentions it. Hearing this,  Nike smiles and gets ready to help Denieve and the rest so that the current warriors on duty won’t look bad.

Despite their effort, one injured awakened being still manages to escape and runs toward Uma’s group. Since Cynthia is busy healing Phina and is immobile, it’s all up to Uma to defeat the awakened being. There is nothing to worry about since Uma does her job perfectly even though Helenn was little bit worried and hurried back over where Uma’s group is. As Helenn arrives, Cynthia is also done healing Phia who just needs a bit of rest before she can open her eyes.

As a leader, Anastasia expresses her gratefulness for the help but Denieve replies back and says that they are just happen to be passing by which is so Denieve-like. While discussing what their next step is, Anastasia brings up a question whether or not they attempt to destroy the organization and what Denieve and the rest would do when there are other Claymores raising their swords against them. Denieve’s answer is short and simple as she mentions that she will fight and cut them down, however, she will not kill fellow Claymores in respect to Miria. After hearing Denieve’s answer, Anastasia decides that she will join with Denieve and the rest despite the fact that she may be purged by the organization. Apparently, it’s the last thing that Anastasia is worried about since she technically has died once if Denieve and the rest didn’t come to rescue her and her teammates.

And so they continue their journey to where the organization is.

Thoughts

After reading this chapter, I felt relieved that the ‘filler’ is only two chapters and didn’t prolong as I thought it’s going to be. As I mentioned briefly in previous chapter, I think that this Anastasia’s arc or introduction is a filler by Nagi who is obviously trying to prolong the series and postponing it from the real climax where Denieve and the rest are up against the organization. I may sound too eager to see the end but I want this manga, one of my favorites manga, to end with a normal amount of chapters and have a good ending.

Talking about this chapter, Cynthia is an irreplaceable member of the group with her healing capabilities. Her healing has saved lives in too many occasion. In addition, it’s nice to see that Uma has grown up and matured during their journey. Not to mention that she is given a page to show her skills for a bit ^^. Back in previous chapter especially just before they left the North, she was kind of a person who will just follow whatever others are doing and cannot stand on her own so it’s great that Uma’s character develops well through out chapters. If you think that this is not the case, how do you explain that Cynthia manages to stay calm and healing Phia if she does not trust Uma ? Even Denieve, who is known to have this ‘tough’ attitude toward everyone, believes that Uma can handle the injured awakened being with no problem.