Once again, I have managed to find out about a series just as it's getting licensed, meaning that I'm going to have to wait quite a while before I can watch it!! Argh. The same thing happened with Initial D (which I'm not even sure I'm going to bother buying considering all the stuff I've heard about Tokyopop's treatement of the series), and Kare Kano (which took at least a couple of years from the announcement to the first release)!! =*( Ah well, at least this time I still have the manga, if not the anime.
A couple of weeks ago--right when I was heading into quizzes and mid-terms, again, good timing--I decided I'd try reading Hajime no Ippo, a boxing manga. As seems to be the case with a lot of the sports manga I've read, I was hooked. I guess it's effect on me is rather like that of Whistle! Same basic plotline if you think about it: a young guy whose determination and perseverance enables him to overcome trials and hardships, and against all expectations, to succeed in a sport he loves. Bad summary, as usual, I know. Sorry. =P
Anyway, I've read all the manga scanlations by SnoopyCool, and managed to download three fansubbed episodes before Geneon (formerly Pioneer) announced their acquisition of Ippo. *sigh* It's scheduled for a mid 2004 release, which is actually pretty good, if you're not extremely impatient to get your hands on it, as I am! Not only that, but I'm trying to be a little bit more self-controlled and to only buy box sets--which almost always come out to haunt you if you're impatient and buy individual discs, like Ayashi no Ceres and Princess Nine. Geh. And I don't think Ippo is going to get the first disc + box treatment because it's not as recent or acclaimed a series. Although, I believe it does have quite a fanbase, so I suppose there's always the chance.
So yeah, I just finished watching the three episodes (even though I should've been studying for my Japanese quiz, or working on my Japanese Poetry and Fiction essay), and now I feel like reading the manga all over again! Of course I just had to pick the time when all my essays are creeping up--Nov. 19th, 21st, 26th, Dec. 2nd--and knowing that I have very little to no self-control when it comes to my series of the moment. Aiya. If only Steph would nag me as much as I nag her... =P
