Born to Win. In Na'Vi We Trust?

So yeah, in Na'Vi we trust? They have been on a slump, having lots of losses recently. Their lack of practice and perhaps motivation is affecting their games. But every Na'Vi fanboy would probably think that they're trying out new strats or purposely losing so that they can do a big comeback during the SL Finals in Kiev later. Wishful thinking.

I decided to still watch some of their games, like against Fnatic, XX5 and SHz. I am big Na'Vi fan. I have been cheering for them ever since I saw their awesome plays back in TI1. But with the recent outcomes of their games, I'm quite disappointed with their performance. I ask myself, is it because they're burned out after the massive amount of pressure they had during the last TI2? Is it an internal conflict? Is it because XBOCT fail as a carry hero? Are they really losing on purpose? Are they trying out some new strats? Are they trying to perfect a Wisp strat?

Right now, I don't think it matters. As a fan of arguably the most stable team of the EU Dota 2 scene, I should support them whether they win or lose. I cheer for them when they win. I should still cheer for them when they lose. And I am still hoping they make a great comeback. I am still hoping that sometime soon, their inner beasts would wake up and they return to their former glory.

UPDATE:
Na'Vi 2-0 versus Fntic. Fuck yeah! 

UPDATE 2:
Na'Vi 2-0 versus Empire. I'm sorry Na'Vi if I doubted you. I didn't realize you had to go through the same scenario back in pre-TI2. 

UPDATE 3:
Na'Vi 3-1 versus Empire. Na'Vi the StarSeries champs once again. I don't know what to say. They've done it again. GG WP Empire!

Oro? Thoughts About Rurouni Kenshin Live Adaptation *spoilers included*

I was stoked to learn that RuroKen Live will be screened in local cinemas but a little apprehensive as well. I'm a big fan of RK and I don't wish to see one of my favorite series of all time get massacred by some cheap live adaptation.

Well, Rurouni Kenshin Live Adaptation did not disappoint. Great!

The flow of the story is smooth. One new to the series will be able to acquaint himself to the characters and the general story. Although it did not really follow the manga's story and the sequence of the characters' appearance. But hey, still good stuff.

The characters are lovable. Saito is admittedly not as badass compared to the anime/manga but still decent. Sano was funny and really looks like a street-fighter. When Sano was first introduced during the prison scene, the crowd was very delighted. Kaoru-dono and Megumi are also lovable. Yahiko though is a bit thin. And of course, the main man Kenshin. Takeru Satoh did a good job IMO. He's not really that lovable. Not a lot of people can appreciate him but he was good. His moves, the way he holds the sakabatou, his Hiten Mitsurugi stance, I think it's all nice to see. Especially with all the wirework to perform the stunts, it was refreshing.

The background music is superb. Some are gritty. Some are mellow. And the fight scene themes are well-placed. And the OST by ONE OK ROCK is a really nice addition. Or maybe I'm just biased :P

And the fight scenes are excellent. The crowd laughed so hard and were clapping at Sano's fight. It was really entertaining and funny. Inui's line "Poor bird. I'm a vegetarian" was the killer! Gein's fight with Kenshin is also nice with those awesome dagger stunts. Although one Hiten Mitsurugi technique has been shown, it was saved for the last boss, Jin'e. Soryusen. Not bad. One thing though, I thought it would be awesome if Saito used his Gatotsu to destroy the gatling gun. Instead he went flying to knock the chandelier towards Takeda. Lol!

The film gives you that authentic Japanese film while retelling Kenshin's story. And it is a great film overall. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the crowd's reaction. I enjoyed the crowd's enthusiasm. And surprisingly, I enjoyed hearing even those new fans that thought they know a lot about Kenshin. There were some smartasses talking about the story, the manga, the OVA like they were some boss about RuroKen information. And there are those people who would speak loudly, just so you can hear them introduce the characters. "Oh that's Saito!" "Oh that's probably Shishio!" But you don't really let them get into your head and mess up your viewing pleasure, do you? :D

Needs moar Oro! Oro?

On Happy Endings and The After Story *spoilers included*

It has been years since I last watched Clannad: After Story. The last episode I saw was Episode 4. It just kind of got left behind as I found new things to spend my time to, such as love life and DoTA.

3 days ago, my Tactics Ogre save file got corrupted. With nothing better to do, I decided to watch it again. It has been sitting in my PSP for quite a while now. I didn't delete it knowing that time would come that I would be able to watch it again. And so it came.

I was able to finish it last night. Thoughts on the series? I love the series. I love the comedy, the drama, the characters, the artwork, even the meh parts. I love it. Did I say I love it?

Normally, I would not like it when happy endings are, sort of, forced. When characters need to die, they should die. Not like Game of Thrones sort of death, where almost every good character dies. But if the story needs it, then it should be a sad ending.

But this one made me appreciate the happy ending. I was telling myself halfway Episode 21 that this better be a happy ending. Why? I believe that Nagisa and Tomoya's love story is too beautiful to destroy. Same as the relationship that developed between Tomoya and his daughter, Ushio. It is really heartbreaking to see their lives end with such misery and sadness. So after all the hardships they've been through, I think they deserve to live happily ever after.

So yeah, I almost cried manly tears.

Starting Episode 16, every episode has it's heartbreaking and tearjerking moments that one has to endure. And one must endure. For after the hardships, tears and heartbreaks, one will achieve happiness.