It's already 2016. I didn't finish this post yesterday and I accidentally deleted the draft post and I had to redo it. But as they say, better late than never! Let's take a look with what happened last year with the trends and highlights of the year.
The year 2014 was an explosion of stageplay adaptations and it continues with 2015 with more plays joining the bandwagon from Akatuski no Yona, La Corda d'Oro, Hana Yori Dango, Dance with Devils and Diabolik Lovers. And one is just not enough as we get second stage adaptations from Heart no Kuni no Alice and Kamisama Hajimemashita. Meanwhile, Fushigi Yugi and Hakuouki added two more additional stage play versions on its belt.
Last year, the it word was 'multimedia' projects which consists of multiple projects of anime/manga/game/drama cd/stage play etc. with the likes of Dance with Devils and still unconfirmed reverse harem, Idolish 7, Kirimi and Ensemble Cast. Let's hope they are reverse harem too.
There's also a new trend in Korea of boy bands and web dramas with Dream Knight, To Be Continued and Exo Nights. But I have not yet watched the latter two.
In otomes, there were also English versions of the games Code: Realize, Norn 9 and Amnesia. Meanwhile, Quinrose announced its closure due to bankruptcy.
In shoujo mangas, three of the classic reverse harem mangas all received sequels with Fushigi Yugi Byakko Ibun, Hana Yori Dango Season 2 and Fruits Basket another. There's also an increase with shoujo manga adaptations for last year with Strobe Edge live action movie, Kamisama Hajimemashita season 2, Akagami Shirayuki-Hime and From 5 to 9 drama (unconfirmed).
The year was also marked with OVAs and sequels, particularly Kamisama Hajimemashita second season, Uta Prince no Sama Revolution and Diabolik Lovers, More Blood. Hakuouki proves to be the most prolific with two plays, drama, live action movie and chibi anime spinoff. And that's not including the otome games.
Last year, we also learned of two couples who met through reverse harem projects. Horikita Maki marries Yamamoto Kaji who she first worked in Atashinchi no Danchi. Fujigaya Taisuke and Takimoto Miori have also been reportedly dating since they met in jdrama's, Ikemen no Desu.
My favorite anime for the year is Kamisama Hajimemashita season 2. It should have been Akatuski no Yona but it started airing 2014. Take note, I have not seen Dance with Devils and Meiji Tokyo Renka. I'm almost current with the animes but I have to pass with dramas as I have only seen Strobe Edge and Dream Knight. Good luck with me if I can watch Hana Moyu with its fifty episodes. For books, the only two new books that I've read are The Heir and The Boyfriend List Quartet. The rest are sequels to books which I've already reviewed before. And so far I have yet to read a book that will surpass or match The Ghost Bird series. For mangas, I've prioritized completed mangas and out of the five measly mangas I've read, my favorite is Savage Garden. I also got my first reverse harem book signed by E. Lockheart. Sadly, I missed Keira Cass' booksigning as I was heavily pregnant at that time.
There you go and it's a new year again and with so many upcoming projects to look forward to! I know I have made a promises in the past that's really hard to live up to since I came back to work again and then later finding out I was also pregnant. I do appreciate your patience with me when know its ages before I get to post again. And I just come up with a new tagline that sums up perfectly of my dilemma with reverse harem: So many reverse harem, so little time! But I'm not complaining since that's good news for us but just a bit pressured to hasten my very slow pacing. Thanks again for visiting this blog and happy new year!
