I've got the normal Q&A down below for those less inclined to read this essay (I'm pretty sure I wouldn't! I didn't realize there was a bit of a form for this until I typed it up, and it seemed like a waste to delete it.) but I am glad I could share my story with IDOLM@STERS with you all!
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Wordwall:
Hi! I'm new here, but I haven't had a chance to introduce myself here properly yet! I'm a Canadian bro and I'm really happy to have found a... semi-active forum about IDOLM@STERS. I just have so much to gush about, so sorry if I dump a word wall about all my favorite things here!
I'm not a huge manga or anime fan, but I really do love the quirky, bright and fun culture Japanese is so in tune with. I've only ever watched one true anime, (Unless you count old 4kids dubs anime! >_<) and I loved it. I was originally introduced to it by Katamari Damacy, more specifically Beautiful Katamari for the Xbox 360 with the song "Danketsu". I went to go find a translation, and I really loved the characters! Even in just the few short verses each of them got, I thought they were all really unique, which always captivates me. Each one was special and had a seperate personality.
After a pain-staking search (I didn't know you had such a fabulous, complete wiki! Also apparently I am very bad at searching. Now that I know what to look for, that solid week spent pursuit of it seems quite wasted.) I managed to find some information on the game, and that there was an anime. I mulled it over a bit, but decided it was worth a shot. Normally streaming anime is a huge disappointment for me. Every site feels virus-ridden and some pathetic YouTube rip-off. But I finally decided I could handle it, and although the experience was just as bad as I thought, the anime was amazing. I could go on for hours about how in enamoured me, but I'm sure everyone here hsa already watched it and felt the same. I know a lot of people perferred it when things got more dramatic and the plot picked up, I sure did, but the fun little episodes that peered into everyone's lives were just as good to me.
In particular, I think... Episode 15, was it? The one with Are We Live?! Saturday. That entire episode was adorable and hilarious. Obviously, I nearly crushed a lung laughing so hard when Haruka got whapped with the box lid, and Chihaya's expression made it priceless considering I didn't think it was possible to make her smile, let alone a giggle-fit. I love that episode to tears. Takane's (She looked like such a boss with that gun) comes a close second, as do both finales. The season finales were both so beautifully animated! The dances and songs were amazing and it really tied together that feeling of progression as the girls reach climb closer to their goal of top idol. I nearly broke down at the end, not because it was all that sad (Really, a very fitting end) but because it was over. I still wished some episodes were done a little better (Hibiki's was the only truly bad one, I believe) but otherwise it was really enjoyable.
I'm not sure why Miki receives all the flack for taking up so much screen time, though I understand it'd be annoying if she was your least favorite character, but personally I found her to be very cute and funny. Personally, what irked me in terms of sharing the screen time was the fact that Hibiki was very rarely seen, even in the background, and that Chihaya got such a huge spotlight despite being so one-dimensional. She’s so dreary it’s almost insufferable watching her. Haruka’s on the other hand was amazing. It really brought out depth to a character I only really saw two traits in. (She bakes and she trips, we get it!)
Overall, the anime was fantastic, and the animation itself was beautiful, and the whole thing was magnificent. I could jaw on about it for hours, but I’ll save you an in-depth review of every episode. I’m currently in the process of trying to obtain the English translation hack of Perfect Sun, learning to play IDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls as well as acquire as much IDOLM@STER goodness as I can afford, from buying CD’s to figurines and etcetera. I have a lot of questions regarding this stuff, so I’m sorry if I’m asking a lot of simple questions here, I’ve never become so invested in something overseas!
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Oh my goodness that was a word wall. Kudos to anyone who suffered through that, but nice to meet you all anyways!
Tl;dr:
I love IDOLM@STERS and hi:
Real Name: Tyson
Sex: Male
Country of Origin: Canada, Alberta
Hobbies: Roleplaying, talking and playing games of various variety. (As of posting? GETAMPED 2)
=Q&A=
Q: How did you come across this site?
A: A long and hard search in attempt to find more about IDOLM@STERS, after watching the video Danketsu from Beautiful Katamari.
Q: Why did you join this site?
A: I wanted to gush about IDOLM@STERS. I don't know anyone anywhere else who I could relate it to.
Q: Do you play it?
A: I want to! But not as of yet. I'm currently trying to get the English translation of Perfect Sun, but if I can't work that out I'll certainly tough it through the language barrier and pick up the Japanese copy.
Q: Do you wish you could play it? (Ignore this part if above answer is "Yes")
A: Oh yes. Duh. Yes yes yes.
Q: Who is your fave idol?
A: Hibiki! She's so spunky and cute <3 I really wish she had more screen time in the anime, and maybe that'd add some more depth to her, but I love girls with fangs so I don't care! <3
Q: Why is your username "Bro"?
A: From the webcomic, Homestuck, off of Dave's... well, Bro. I would tell you more, but spoilers! If you'd like to read it or talk about it with me, I have a lot to say about it too!
Q: What are you in to right now?
A: GETAMPED 2 and IDOLM@STERS. Why are so many titles in all capitals nowadays?
Q: What is your motto?
A: Jeez... I don't know. Probably something akin to Yayoi's.
Q: Who's your favorite singer(s) right now?
A: All of them. Right now, I'm listening to some fanmade medleys that are truly dizzying to hear. I'm suprised I can identify almost every song already!
Q: What are you up to right now?
A: Typing this and watching TV. It's currently 1 AM, so I'm tired and it's getting troublesome to type this! Afu.
Q: Do you have any expectations from this site?
A: A friendly, enthusiastic and active community.
I hope I can get to know you all well! Thanks for reading.
