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All the little angels rise up, rise up
All the little angels rise up high
How do they rise up, rise up, rise up
How do they rise up, rise up high

I get the distinct impression that KyoAni is messing with us.

Received I in the mail today my long-delayed box set of the Limited Edition Lucky Star R1 DVD. I remember pre-ordering it a few months ago, and to be honest, its appearance at my doorstep was something of a surprise, especially since it had an ominous-looking label attached onto it declaring it to be free of any hazardous materials and/or contraband, so spake the Singapore Customs Office, and thus was it written, amen.

Little do they know.

Enclosed inside the magnetic-flapped box is the first DVD containing the four episodes, as well as the OP single and Konata's character album. Unlike the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya box set, there is no little drawer this time to contain the CDs, thus relying on our own ingenuity to store these treasures. Being that I wasn't kidding when I said that I was out of shelf space, I am momentarily at a loss.

A screen cleaner in the form of a small plush chocolate cornet may be found in the box. Do not eat it from either head or tail, for it is not edible.

Also included is what appears to be a T-shirt bearing a print of the (female) school uniform. I am tempted to send this as a prize to the first person who can come up with a halfway-decent interpretation of the laws of the alternate universe in which this marketing decision made any sort of sense.

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Episode 20 of Card Captor Sakura, "Transfer Student vs. Sakura", introduces probably the most popular anime-original character in CCS, Li Meiling, voiced by one Yukana Nogami, before she decided to change her listed name to simply Yukana, and voiced notables as Teletha Testarossa (Full Metal Panic), Reinforce Zwei (Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS), and Honoka Yukishiro/Cure White (Pretty Cure). This does mean that whenever Meiling opens her mouth, I suddenly hear traces of Rein Zwei in there somewhere.

It makes for some odd mental images.

Not many Tomoyo screenshots this time, but plenty of Meiling ones, since this is her primary debut episode (not counting the cameo in the previous). Also, plenty of comedically super-deformed facial expressions, keeping the overall feel of the episode light-hearted, despite the Kung Fu Action going on.

I don't have a great deal to say in this summary, because it's fifteen minutes to midnight on Friday, and I just managed to eke out enough time this week to write this entry. I'm looping Ievann Polkka to keep awake; tomorrow I shall no longer be sane.

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So one of the things I've been doing recently is trying to convert various anime characters to the HERO System, which has a reputation for extreme customizability. The upside is that you can make anything you want; the downside is that you can make anything you want.

How the system works is that it has a number of actual power effects, and then we tack on all sorts of variations and modifiers to it, then we add in what the power actually is. For example, any ranged attack which isn't a bullet or something obviously designed to kill is an Energy Blast. (Those which are designed to kill or injure are Ranged Killing Attacks.) It can be an actual blast of energy, it can be fire, or ice, or rubber bullets, it's all Energy Blast. The specifics are pasted(e on yay) onto the basic Energy Blast, which gives the HERO System the customizability so vaunted.

It also gives the HERO System the Deep Complexity so very much complained about. You will need a calculator for this, as well as several pages of notes on what your newly-designed power does, in great detail, along with how it interacts with other powers. The GM will need to be highly intelligent, level-headed, and quite possibly psychic, both telepathically and precognitively. For the rulebooks themselves place an enormous onus on the GM to veto, ex cathedra, any creative use of the rules which appear to be done for the sole purpose of munchkinning, while simultaneously allowing the very same thing if wielded responsibly by the hands of a dedicated roleplayer.

It is a narrow, some might add microscopically so, line to tread. With great power, etc.

My most recent attempt at converting a known fictional character to the HERO System involved the infamous Nanoha Takamichi of the titular Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha trilogy of anime, a lady who has had her unofficial nickname (not worksafe, since it's Danbooru) apply as fittingly as a well-worn glove (+5 Enhancement). Those unfamiliar with the character in question have questioned my need for a 600 Active Point Starlight Breaker, since surely no character would have such a powerful attack, would they?

Little do they know.

I've already given up on statting Lina Inverse, because I'm not sure what kind of damage is needed to level a mountain. Which, if I remember my Slayers correctly, Lina did. Twice.

Finally, yes, I know that I haven't had a Card Captor Sakura episode summary for some time. Let's just say that the more people nag at me to do one, the less motivation I have. Whenever I read a "why aren't you working on a CCS episode summary?" comment, my desire to actually do so drops to about zero.

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