Geekend Round-up!

Alas, Dear Readers, I did not catch up on Blue Exorcist this weekend, but I did not neglect my many geekly duties (as I am afraid our wayward M has)!

Get back here and watch my exorcism antics, Ms. Shakespeare!

While our wily M is off drinking hooch and channeling fanfiction, I'm slaving away over one of the most fantastic books I've read in a while: The Passage by Justin Cronin. I'm half way through, and I guess I would call it Dystopian Vampire Apocalypse Fiction. You should read it. Seriously.

The book is epic, and well-written, which is a big complement coming from me.

Additionally, I saw the second part of the sixth addition of the Harry Potter franchise. Alas, it is over. Lone tear. The movie was passable, pretty good even, except for the directorial tendency toward slowness. Seriously, guys, you know you need to destroy the Horcrux. Why are you spending so much time staring at it before hand?

It's the diadem of Ravenclaw. Let us admire it while Voldemort's power grows.

Anyway, it was a movie. I wanted to see more of the Hogwart's defense scenes. It would have been rad to see all of the professors kicking the bad guys butts, but it is what it is. I can live with it.

And finally, news our besotted M can surely get behind. I have been watching that beloved show of hers: Supernatural.

We are the Winchesters. Everything we say or do will be the basis for steamy fanfiction.

This show is okay as well. M says there are Sam people, and there are Dean people. I guess I am not one of either of those people. Don't get me wrong, I totally like the show. I can even suspend my "consequences" problem -- these boys never seem to get in trouble for breaking every law know to God and Man. I'm just not fully invested yet.  We shall see how it pans out.

This week, I intend to catch up on my many neglected anime. I'm also looking for a new manga series to read. Suggestions welcome.

Blue Exorcist -- Through Episode 10

Hey, Blue Exorcist, I like you. I mean it. You are everything I like in an anime!

What is not to like about an exorcist cram school where the teenage son of Satan, a demon in human form, Rin, studies under the tutelage of his twin (younger) brother, Yukio, who just happens to already be an amazing exorcist himself? Absolutely nothing!

Though he may be the devil's spawn, Rin Okumura, plans on learning to harness his blue flame powers and demon dispelling sword, so that he can one day avenge the death of his adoptive father, a pretty bad ass priest and exorcist, Shiro Fujimoto. In order to do this he must attend exorcist cram school with a group of fellow (misfit-type) pupils.

Exorcist cram school, True Cross Academy, exists in a place called Academy Town where students can go to study anything. Rin's brother, Yukio, happens to be an instructor there, even though he is only fifteen. The chairman is a man named Mephisto Pheles (who I keep wanting to call Dr. Faustus). He's a bit off and seems to have some secret ties to the demon world. All of the students at the academy have their own special reasons for being there, mainly wanting to defeat Satan. Some have stories that will clearly emerge as time passes. Studying happens. Things ensue. Enjoyment is had.

This anime is a salty mix of high school comedy and supernatural hijinx. In some ways it reminds me of the best things I loved about Bleach in its first season. I hope Blue Exorcist doesn't lose its momentum but stays on course to remain a really fun show.

I love Rin's character. He's a sweet guy with a bit of a temper in service to the people he loves. He is not over the top angsty, though being Satan's kid, he's probably got some stuff to deal with.

Actually, I like all of the characters so far. They are all adorable, especially Shiemi, the budding tamer with her little demon familiar the infant greenman.

She reminds me of my little sister when she was a kid :)