For Chinese, the Lunar New Year is fast approaching Kartun will like to wish all the Chinese a Happy New Year and may the God of Fortune bring the much needed money to all

Getting into the festive mood, I can’t help but search for some Chinese New Year goodies in youtube. And look what I found, a pig delivering money So cute!

I’m sure this was made 2 years ago, when it was the year of the pig. Do they have one made for the year of the cow as well?

I can’t believe it! 2008 has whisked past like a bullet and I am now in a new year, nearing the end of the 1st decade of the 21st century. Okay.. that was indeed a mouthful

For those of you who have been enjoyng your holidays,  I have a piece of sad news for you – school’s gonna start soon! Hehe.. Well.. If you look at this from a different angle, it may not be so bad. Gone are the lonely hours you spend in front of this monitor! And welcome the social – friends, the challenge – tests and the perserverence – tonnes of homework.

Of course, being around people inevitably will  develop relationship and perhaps, spark off some chemistry. Kartun likes to watch animes that involve high / middle school romance They give you this sappy warmth that other animes seldom evoke. Here’s some of my favourite romance animes happening at the education centres:

1) Gakuen Alice

This  is the story of a 10-year old girl Mikan Sakura who was transferred to Gakuen Alice, a school for children with  special abilities  called an “Alice”. The story focusses  on Mikan and what happens in the Academy. However, Mikan manages to meet a boy named Natsume, whom hates at first sight but  came to care for him later. Eventually she became someone whom he loves. Awwww…..

Here’s a touching scene from the anime:

Romantic [rating: 3/5] 

2) Marmalade Boy

Although this anime was aired more than a decade ago, it remains one of my favourites. The story revoles around Miki Koishikawa and the tough choices that she has to make, the challenges of her love life. It began with Miki’s  parents announcing  divorce in order to swap partners with a couple they met in Hawaii. To add to that, they even wanted to stay in the same house albeit the change in spouses. The other couple have a son named Yuu, who became Miki’s boyfriend in the series. Complicated? More’s to come! 

Throughout the series, Miki and Yuu’s relationship is challenged and shaped by other characters around them. Here’s a glimpse of Miki in one of her “tough” moments, when Yuu is away…

Romantic [rating: 4.5/5] 

3) Kimi ga Nozomu Ei En (Rumbling hearts)

A sad story, out of the norm high school romance. At first, Takayuki Narumi, the man,  is befriended by Mitsuki Hayase only because Mitsuki’s best friend, Haruka Suzumiya has a crush on him.   Harukathen  confesses her love  to Takayuki. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, Takayuki agrees to go out with her. After a few incidents, their relationship gets intimate, even while Takayuki and Mitsuki begin to realize their feelings for each other. Sounds liek he’s two-timing! That’s not the best part! Ttragedy strikes (boom! I’m not telling you what) and things began to change…

Here’s the 1st episode of the anime:

Romantic [rating: 4/5] 

4) Kareshi Kanojo no Jijou

A very comical romance series that will have you laughing at almost all the episodes! Yukino Miyazawa is a girl who is the envy of her classmates for her excellent grades and immaculate appearance. However, in the privacy of her own home, she is spoiled, stubborn, and a slob! She studies non-stop to maintain her grades. On entering high school, she is overthrown from her position at the top of the class by Soichiro Arima. She vows to destroy him! When Soichiro confesses his love to her, Yukino rejects him… And the story  continues from there…

Romantic [rating: 3.5/5] 

There you go, my favourite high / middle school animes. I hope they will help those who find school boring. Hehe