Hana Yori Dango (anime) Review

Hey Potatots! I know it had been a while since I’ve posted any anime related content here. My semester break for my January semester had just came and went. I had spent my last weeks of my freedom watching a really old anime to fill up my time. OMG, why did I even do that?!

The anime that I had chosen to watch is Hana Yori Dango. It is better known as Boys Over Flowers; which is a classic 90s anime with all the cheesy and corny tropes found in modern shoujo manga series. However, most of us would better know this franchise as Live Action TV dramas instead due to the various, I repeat various adaptations found. Notable adaptations are Hana Yori Dango (same name, aired year 2005; Japanese); Meteor Garden (2001, Taiwanese) my personal favorite cause the boy-band F4 had been my crushes for 20 years Boys Over Flowers (2009, Korean) the rise of K Drama Last but not least, Meteor Garden (2018, Chinese) which is the remake of the 2001 version. I really don’t know why the fuck would I go and dig out the old anime to watch it.

HanaDan is filled with cringy lines and plot to put it briefly. However, I would not blame it too much as it was the 90s cringy and corny plots are common back then and it also helps define the modern shoujo genre that we all know. The story pacing of HanaDan is decent to understand, however all the would they won’t they moment really dragged the whole enjoyment to watch it with decent sanity. ISTG, each time the lead; Domyoji Tsukasa blurts out his undying love to Tsukushi the main girl I gagged each time. The plot is also somewhat predicable and its suffocating to watch with all the cheese and corn produced. HanaDan is a cringe fest and height of sappy romantic drama. I hate to admit it; I really do enjoy the anime even though I feel like gagging each time.

Lastly, Hana Yori Dango is a worth it anime for helpless romantics and those that could handle cringe of 90s anime.

Ratings

Story: 6/10

Character Development: 7/10

Music: 6/10

Overall: 6.5/10

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Minami’s Free Talk

Honestly saying, I really don’t know why the fuck that I re-watch meteor garden during my last days of freedom and went to the anime streaming sites to find this anime. I have to admit that I did shed a few tears when Domyoji declared his undying love for Tsukushi, GDI my romantic side.

Game of Thrones – A thought from a non fan to fan

Hello there Potatots, it had been a while. My Degree life is really taking a toll on me soon, I’ll be very busy with my Final Year Project preparations by next month to get an early start. However, the more busy I am with FYP prep; the more I’m straying from anime as always when I am VERY busy. Now, the ever popular TV show – Game of Thrones (GOT) caught my attention after so long cause it’s the final season, so why the hell not.

My thoughts on GOT is that, it’s a very interesting and good investment for people like me. The characters in GOT are really lovable despite being morons at times; I really enjoyed all 7 seasons of GOT when I’m doing my own mini marathon before watching the 8th season. I shameless could relate to Cersei, Sansa and Olenna in all sorts of way. The pacing of the story is really my kind of story, not all may enjoy what GOT gives. Not only that, I also took the initiative to buy the book series to read as well; I’m currently reading the first book. I’m taking my time to read cause I’m NEVER letting the fact that Robb Stark is dead go.

Lastly, GOT is really interesting and wonderful if you all took the time to understand the lore around the world of GOT. If you do watch or read GOT, who is your favorite character and why?

Nanami Haruka Photoshoot

I was not able to update anything lately here, my Degree life is draining a lot from me with assignments; I’m also working part time now and hardly have time for cosplay.

This Nanami Haruka was a photoshoot from a few weeks ago , I was requested by a friend to cosplay as Nanami as their group is doing UtaPri cosplay. By the way, do not ask me how did I survive in those heels, you really don’t want to know

Photographer: Minolta Rokkor / Minor Editing: Me

Dinah Lance Cosplay

ATTENTION TO BUTTHURT SJWs: Please do not flame my blog post JUST BECAUSE I am NOT Caucasian DOESN’T MEAN I can’t cosplay my favorite character. I AM A COSPLAYER FOR A LONG TIME.

Hey Potatots! It’s the middle of January ~ The first event for me is the weekend! (26-27th Jan. 2019) and it’s a ComicCon-esque event which means I get to cosplay my favorite superhero again! Yay~ The last time I cosplayed a comic book origin character was in 2016, and it was very impromptu cosplay. The event is called PopCon, the highlight guest is Johnny Cruz the voice of Lucio from Overwatch!

My first Western cosplay was back in 2016, it was an impromptu cosplay as I wasn’t even supposed to cosplay that character. lol~ Now, I’m 100% prepared and I have serverly high expectations for this cosplay…

side body shot

selfie shot

I know I am nor curvatious enough, but I love Dinah more than my own life. I will keep cosplaying her. See you guys at PopCon! ❤

If I were to make posters, merchandises of my cosplays will you consider purchasing them? why?

Happy New Year 2019

Hi Potatots!

Happy New Year! I know, Baked Potatotes have not been active as of 2018, I apologize as University life is hard and being a degree student, I hardly had time for writing.

Anywho, may the year of the Pig bring us prosperity and luck~

あけましておめでとう!　みんなさん

　

Buying Merch – Original vs Non Original

Hi Potatots! It had been months, I am back with a heavy topic issues after staying quiet for so long no thanks to my Degree life in university. This topic is more of an Asian ACG community issue as buying merch in the Asian community is like a life and death problem. I am not sure how is the Western community on with buying merch. 

 We all know the ACG community is lowkey toxic with the fandoms sprouting from it. However; niche series are EXTREMELY toxic. The community is small and everyone in the community is sort of elitist on it. One of the sub fandom that caught my eye to start this post is the Chinese Animation fandom. Currently, the Chinese Animation fandom is a super niche market as it is still growing after the super popular animation Quan Zhi Gao Shou AKA The King’s Avatar. Now; a BL/Yaoi themed animation sprouted into instant popularity, Mo Dao Zhu Shi (MDZS). 

 The incident happened a few days after C3 Anime Festival Asia Singapore (C3 AFA SG) ended as a fan for MDZS called out a local Singaporean vendor in the event for selling non official merch from Taobao. It’s a common thing in SEA based event that vendors would sell Taobao bought things. Cause not EVERYONE could afford things from Taobao as THE PROCEDURE TO BUY FROM TAOBAO IS A PAIN IN THE FUCKING ASS! It is understable for sellers that buy from Taobao to charge a few buck more from what they initially bought from Taobao as SHIPPING from China is FUCKING EXPENSIVE. I am a Taobao agent myself, I know how much the shipping is NOT including the extra charges Alipay charges us as we buy the item. A Chinese saying sums up well on doing business, 商人不做虧本生意. Which means, merchants wouldn’t do a busniess deal that would make them lose profit. 

   My own thoughts on buying merch is simple, if you have the money and dedication; do buy the original merch to support and donate to the series itself. And if you don’t have the initiative, just do whatever you want with your money. It is your blood ,sweat and tears from working your ass off from your job. I learnt it the hard way on shunning people that can’t afford official merch.  However, if you are interested to buy official merchs. Do check out http://www.amiami.com  https://www.animate.shop/   

 In conclusion, there is nothing to be salty about others buying non official merch as NOBODY HAS THE MONEY TO AFFORD OFFICIAL MERCH. And yes, I am well aware that certain series doesn’t allow the selling of non official merchandises, but you are in no position to tell others to not do it ESPECIALLY in China which copyright claims are NOT VALID there. However, if you are hurt or offended after reading this, please change your attitude towards people who buy non official merch. It’s easier that way. 

I will be travelling to Taiwan on the 18th of December until 2nd of January 2019~ 

My itabag collection that is filled with official merch. I don’t have pictures for my unofficial merchs :C

Barely Alive

Hi Potatots

Hi Potatots! I know it had been SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long since my last post. My degree life had been keeping me very busy. I had no time to do overdue reviews from Summer season 2018; now I can’t even enjoy cosplay like I used to.  On the bright side, in December; I will be traveling to Taiwan again. 

 Look forward to my Taiwan trip to get away from this year’s bad experiences.  See you guys soon~