In The Beginning...

[pippichan]

Not very much different, I think. In manga, we get a detailed explanation related to a certain thing in the story.

When Ban figured out what was IL, there's a further information about the mechanism of atomic bomb. Or when it's stated that in Mugenjou people tended to heal quickly, the reason behind that also told in manga.

And in manga we can enjoy Ban and Ginji's miserable - yet funny - efforts to survive when they don't have money to buy food. Or Ban's hiding the car under great piles of garbage bags to avoid the police.

Btw, the drawings in manga are more graphic. Hevn and Himiko have to deal with it!

[Teahouse Keeper]

Hmm...why do Mugenjou people tend to heal quickly?

Also, in the anime, Ban said that he defeated Ginji before but it's not shown how. Did Ban actually defeat Ginji? Or did Ban simply talk to Ginji and convince him to leave Mugenjou?

When you say the drawings are more graphic, you mean Hevn and Himiko appear naked?

[pippichan]

Oh...I just remembered that there're some characters that didn't appear in the anime! But for stories that available in both manga and anime, I still think they're not very much different.

Well, not 100% naked but Hevn surely looks sexier in manga, I think. And Himiko, she gets her clothes ripped off in more extreme way. ;D

Why people in mugenjou heal quickly? It's got something to do with yin and yang matter. Warui yo, I can't explain it well.

Since you've decided to grab the manga, I think it's better if you find it yourself. I mean, that way you can get everything you wanna know correctly and accurately.

He..he...he... don't wanna spoil your fun!

[Teahouse Keeper]

Yin and yang...And Himiko gets her clothes ripped off in a more extreme way..Ooooh...I definitely must go get the manga...

[pippichan]

Yeah, you should! ;D

Btw, if you've read the manga, I'd like to know what's your opinion about the characters drawing. They're slightly differents from the anime.

Happy reading!

[Teahouse Keeper]

Oh...someone rented GetBackers volume 1 and 2, leaving me with volume 3 onwards. I've actually been waiting a long time for their return but they don't seem to be coming back soon.

I finally decided not to wait anymore and just rented volume 3 Haven't read it, although I've briefly flipped through.

At first glance, the character drawings do look somewhat different from the anime. I'll have a better look when I start reading Yeah, it'll be fun to compare anime and manga!!

Besides this volume, I also rented Yami no Matsuei volume 3. Hahaha...Finally, I proceed to number 3. I've been putting it off because it's quite a torture to read Taiwanese Chinese which is different from the simplified Chinese that I'm more familiar with.

Although the GetBackers manga is also written in Taiwanese Chinese, I think Getbackers may be easier to read because it seems there's less text and the words are larger

[pippichan]

Can't get the english version, eh?

Ganbatte ne!

[Teahouse Keeper]

The English version...you mean published by Tokyopop? I'm not sure if the stores have Tokyopop GB, but if they have, it'll be expensive. Much cheaper to rent the Chinese version.

Ah, I've finally finished reading volume 3 of the GB Chinese manga It's still very interesting even though I've already seen the anime! For the drawings, the characters are drawn very differently from the anime. I think only Ban looks more like his anime version. The others look quite different.

The difference is the way the faces are drawn. In the manga, the faces are shorter, so the characters appear child-like. In the anime, the characters have a more adult appearance.

Also, the eyes are different. In the manga, the characters' eyes are almond-shaped. But in the anime, the eyes are bigger, more rectangular. Ginji's eyes are bigger, longer and wider, more cute. Ban's eyes are also bigger and wider. Himiko looks sexier and cuter with bigger, wider eyes.

Overall, I prefer the anime drawings because the characters look much better. In the anime, Akabane looks more like a man, appears cooler and more dangerous. Himiko looks sexier and more feminine. Ban and Ginji look more professional. Hevn is sexier and more womanly.

Yeah, at certain points the manga is more graphic than the anime. The anime is "tamer" in this respect. For instance, in the manga, Ban squeezes Hevn's breasts with his hands. And when Ban was looking for the antidote, he put his hand inside Himiko's shirt and started rummaging, leaving the buttons undone and her right breast slightly exposed when he finished

[pippichan]

Well, in manga ban and ginji are 18 meanwhile in anime they are 21. So, of course in manga they look childish and in anime they look like adults.

Hm... you really pay attention to every details of the drawing, teahouse keeper. Yeah, I think I also like the anime drawing better. But for the humour, I prefer the manga. Though you said ban and ginji in manga aren't as professional as they are in anime, their less professionalism is pretty entertaining.

[Teahouse Keeper]

Oh! Their ages are different in the manga and anime!? I didn't know that! How come the ages are different? No wonder Ban and Ginji look older in the anime!

Yeah, I tend to look into details when comparing things...

Yeah, I noticed that the humour is different too. The manga is more light-hearted than the anime. It's fun in its own way Definitely very interesting.

Actually, come to think...except for the drawings, I think anime and manga are equally good.

Well, I'm wondering whether the first 2 volumes have returned...I think I'll probably rent them. Ah...I'm always very reluctant to read Chinese...But I heard that Chinese translations are more accurate than English ones. It seems that those English-translated manga sometimes translate wrongly

Oh, I just put up some GB avatars.

[pippichan]

He...he....I've seen your GB avatars. There's kazuki too, this time, eh? Yummy! Maybe I'll use it later ;D And Ginjifan is very cute! ;D

So, why they decided to make ban and ginji older in anime? I don't know, either. Maybe they thought just like you did.

Btw, thanks for the GB picture! It's taken from the episode when ban and ginji had to face the mighty monkey...again, right? Poor them! ;D

[Teahouse Keeper]

Yeah, I will add a few more GB avatars very soon. There's one very nice Kazuki avatar that I know you'll love...

At the moment, I'm burning vcds for those anime I've downloaded...I can't download anymore until I've cleared some of the anime from my computer

Hahaha...yeah, that picture is from the monkey business But, I'm not sure whether it's from their first encounter with the monkeys or their second...

[pippichan]

He...he...he.... I've changed my avatar! ;D

Another Kazuki's avatar? Very nice one and I'll love it? Hm...can't wait to see it!

Yeah, that picture's definitely from their second encounter with the monkeys. It's when they're invited to Madoka's villa. Remember? One of the monkey stole their bento made by Natsumi so they chased after it but it was they who got trapped and bruises, instead. ;D

Mm...Ban's sure kawaii there, with his shirt torn....

[Teahouse Keeper]

Ah, finally, I put in 2 more Kazuki avatars, including the nice one. I want to put in more but it's quite hard getting good quality/nice GB images...

Yeah, Madoka's villa...the episode where Shido became weird and joined the monkeys? So, the first encounter is the episode where Jubei, Kazuki, Ban and Ginji are in the hot spring trying to catch somebody who turns out to be the monkeys...? Ah...it's been a while, my memory is fading already

Yeah, Ban is sexy with his shirt ripped up like that Very cute. Unfortunately, Ban and Ginji are seldom without their shirts except when they are in the hot spring...

Oh yeah, I like your GB fiction!! Nice. It's interesting and fun to read

[pippichan]

Oh, you like my GB Fanfiction? I'm happy hearing that! ;D Thanks!

Last night there's power failure in my neighbourhood. Uugh, I hate power failure! Can't read, write, watch or play! Can't do nothing! Ginji, I wish you had been there. You could light up my night!

Hm...I'll check Kazuki avatar later, then.

Oh, nice Ginji avatar, teahouse keeper! Cute!

[Teahouse Keeper]

Hahaha...when you said light up your night, I was thinking of the other meaning... Gomen ne Ban-chan...you can punch me.

Yeah, if I was there, I'll be your powerful lightbulb!! But need to eat first...

Glad you like my avatar!

Yeah, I hate power failures too! I think we're too used to having modern conveniences. When there's power failure, it becomes really horrible because almost everything runs on electricity. It's worse when the water supply is cut off for whatever reason. Even if it's temporary, it's still awful. I wonder what would happen if we are stuck on a remote and deserted island like Robinson Crusoe...

[pippichan]

Hm...since you've given yourself to be my punching bag, I think I'm gonna forgive you this time. ;D

Uugh, Ginji, you're always thinking about eating, eating, eating.... We're broke, in case you haven't noticed. C'mon, let's hit the street and do some promotion work! And don't you dare to say we should find part time job!

If I'm stuck in a deserted island with no modern conveniences, I think I'm gonna get insane right away. Grumbling all day long and maybe destroying the island just to express my anger. ;D Gosh, I hope it never happens to me!

I think it'd be exciting if we can have our own power plant and water supply and other conveniences. And when there's power failure or water supply cut or any annoying things government does to its people, we wouldn't be affected. Hm...talking about being selfish!

[Teahouse Keeper]

Ban-chaann...I'm too weak to do anything *leans against the wall* Arhh...so hungry...at least with part-time work, we'll have some food...*stomach growls* Ban-chhannn....

::)Yeah, that's what I thought too! We'd both go insane without basic modern stuff like electricity, water, nice-smelling shampoo and conditioner, properly cooked meals, soft bed and pillow....ah....

But! I think if we're really stuck on such an island, we should try getting out first. Keep calm. Ginji was very calm when he was all alone in the alleys of Mugenjou...uh, that's until he met Akabane...But still! We should be cool, look for stuff that'll keep us alive until we get rescued!!

Wow, you're going to turn the island into your own private city?!

Ah! Previously, I forgot to mention that after reading the vol.3 GB manga, I subsequently also finished reading the vol.3 Yami no Matsuei manga. Compared to the anime, the YnM manga has more details which explain things that the anime left out. It's very interesting this way. But story-wise, I think the anime is tighter and more gripping. I guess manga and anime both have their good points and it's hard to pick one over the other

[pippichan]

*punch Ginji on the head* Ginji! Don't you have pride!? We're Get Backers! We don't do part-time job! *eyes bulging* Now, stand up and give out these fliers! Find clients and we can eat! *grumbling*

Of course, finding escape way first. But, if we can't find any way to escape? And what if the island in which we're stuck is a very, very poor island?! Oh, NO! Teleport! Teleport! Oh, can't use magic! Darn it!

Btw, in order to survive in a deserted island, you suggest we do some hunting and gathering? Ah, we can play cave men rpg now!

Private city, eh? Not a bad idea! I'll become the divine ruler and everything must go as I wish! How nice!

Yeah, I think it's better if we read the manga and watch the anime as well. Like I said before, they complete each other. Details in the manga, great actions in the anime.

[Teahouse Keeper]

Ban-chaann...

Yeah! I was thinking of survival strategies, hunting and gathering Cavemen rpg! HAHAHAHA...!!! Use your snake bite to catch fish! At night, I'll be your lightbulb The whole island will light up

You know, getting stranded on a remote, deserted island is a rather attractive idea...something different from everyday life. Getting stranded may be horrible, but being optimistic Ginji, I imagine it to be a rare and fun experience. This may be the only time I get to experience complete freedom. Free from people's expectations, from society, from city life, from everything that I've come to know for so many years.

Ah, I guess a change of life would be good...

[pippichan]

Oh, Ginji.... *pull Ginji's ear* Don't hope for compassion! No free meal for you or for me!

Ah, change of life! That'd be good if we could lead different live everyday, don't you think? Not the same old daily routine all over again. Same shit different day, according to Stephen King in his novel Dreamcatcher. But then again, when we could have different lives each day, sooner or later we would miss the stable, secured life. Haahh, humans are confusing!

Hoi, Ginji, you're not serious about turning me, Midou Ban-sama, the invincible man into a fisherman, are you??!

You know, talking about being stranded in remote island somehow reminds me of Johnny Depp in Pirates of Carribean. Have you seen the movie? Everyone thinks he's an incredible man, being able to survive and come back in one piece. Turns out the island in which he's dumped is used by rum smugglers so it's not really a deserted island as everyone assumes. And he get supplies from the smugglers, too. That's his secret to survive! ;D

Btw, right now I'm in love with a male character in shoujo manga entitled HEART by Takada Rie. His name is Shoubu Matsukaze and he's so handsome, so cool, so masculine and so....sexy! *drooling*

[Teahouse Keeper]

Hahaha....Ban-chan, that snake bite of yours will finally be put to good use! *runs away before Ban throws a punch*

same shit different day...I was thinking of different, different, different. Just different Yeah, I suppose there would be a desire for stability when things keep being different everyday...but...

I guess it's not really about doing different things...it's about breaking free. Ah, I don't know. It's a mind thing. Being on a remote, deserted island is a physical expression of a mental freedom which I really want at the moment.

Yeah, I saw Pirates of the Caribbean. Very nice and funny. Yeah, I like Johnny Depp in there. I like Jack Sparrow's carefree and reckless attitude. But uh...Ban-chan...I don't remember about the smuggling thing...


Ah...you're always getting the good stuff ahead of me It's too bad I haven't heard of HEART and this is the first time I've heard of the author! Is there an anime?

Shoubu Matsukaze? You mean him?

[pippichan]

Ginji!!! *run after Ginji!* You're not supposed to have strength left to run! And how dare you mock my snake bite! Just wait until I get you...!

Hey, I understand what you're feeling. Same here. Sometimes I feel like running away, leaving all the things I know in my sorry life behind and just going to somewhere new and making a brand new start. I wish I could only be me and people didn't expect much from me.

Ah, you've got the HEART manga! And yeah, it's Shoubu all right! I wonder why didn't you put the picture of him in leather jacket or him wiping his sweat with his T-Shirt... ;D

Now, now, don't get envious. You always get good stuffs in anime ahead of me, teahouse keeper.

HEART anime? There isn't, as far as I know. Well, the story is typical shoujo manga story. It's about love and its silly problems. *roll eyes* But Yume, the female lead, is an unexperienced girl in love and that makes her acts funny. Like when she misunderstands 'making love' with 'biting'. She thinks she's actually making love with Shoubu by biting him! How hillarious! Very nice love bite, eh, Shoubu!?

[Teahouse Keeper]

*runs faster* You're the one with no strength left, Ban-chan!! *looks back* Hey, Ban-chan!!! Do you smell food??!

Ahahaha...I don't have the HEART manga. I wanted to see what Shoubu looked like and looked for him online. Found the picture of him at a website Too bad, there wasn't a picture of him wiping sweat with his T-shirt

I went to the rental shop and saw the manga! I think volume 1 has been rented out, so I flipped through volume 6 and 7 I'm not sure if the guy I'm seeing is Shoubu...but the girl looks very young, almost a child whereas Shoubu looks much older and bigger. There's also another guy with a cross scar on his cheek...who's that?

Why does Shoubu like Yume?

Pippichan, if you could go somewhere new and make a brand new start....where will you go? Will you really go to an island?

[pippichan]

*grab Ginji and punch him* "Gotcha! You're slow, Ginji! Did you really think you could get away from me, huh!? Now, it's payback time! *cruficy Ginji* What!? Forgive you?? No way! Eh...? *sniff, sniff* Takoyaki!? Where? Where? *look around*

Where will I go? Hm.... *thinking hard* Hmmm.... *thinking really, really hard* Yeah, I guess I really wanna go to an island, but I prefer an island with modern facilities. Better, my own island! ;D But seriously, I think I wanna go to some nice countryside in Switzerland. Owning a mansion in the middle of a green field with some black and white cows which have giant bells around their necks and a huge saint bernard dog. Or maybe I'm just gonna watch the neighbour's cows grassing because I don't really think I'm into farming. ;D

How about you, teahouse keeper? Where will you go?

Oh, you can find Shoubu pics online? Guy with cross scar on his cheek is Katsumi, Shoubu's rival in love. He used to be Shoubu's friend in L&B gang but when he kidnaps Yume (in order to force Shoubu back to L&B) he falls for her instead.

Yeah, Yume is very childish. The reason why Shoubu loves Yume? Well, it's been a while since I read the first volume and my poor memory is slightly fading but I remember that Yume tries hard to get Shoubu's attention. I guess it's because of her persistence that he finally accepts her. ;D Hm... in manga Shoubu wears hairgel most of the times. The only time I remember seeing Shoubu with his hair down naturally is when he meets Yume's parents.

I'll check the first manga again when I have chance.

[Teahouse Keeper]

img10.exs.cx/img10/1149/getbackers_ginji2.gif [/img] Argh, ARGH!! Ban-chaannn!!! Ban-Chaaannnn...!!!

Wow...your imagination of your escape place is so beautiful!! *eyes become dreamy with stars inside* Cows...

Mm...I don't know where I can escape to....Can't think of a place at the moment...I wouldn't mind some farming though, if it can make me happy.

Yeah, Shoubu and HEART are easy to find online. Just type "Shoubu Matsukaze" in Google and he's there Ah, so that's Katsumi!! Sexy!! So he's Shoubu's friend and rival in love, kidnaps Yume and falls for her? Oohh....I love the story already Looks like I must get volume 1.

Oh, so Shoubu puts on hair gel!! No wonder he looks different from the picture I posted here. But which volume is this picture from? Is it the time when he visits Yume's parents?

Well then, if Yume has been trying so hard to get Shoubu's attention, why does Yume like Shoubu? Because Shoubu looks so cool and handsome?

[pippichan]

Ah, there! I can see the Takoyaki vendor! *eyes sparkling naughtily* Yosh! Got a perfect plan! *run towards the takoyaki vendor*

Oh, you like my escape place imagination, huh?! Well, I've got more! There's gonna be a lake next to my mansion. where on a fine, warm day I can sit on its bank and do my reading or just do a small picnic. Hm.. maybe I'm gonna have a small boat, too. Rowing till the middle of the lake and taking a short nap on the gently floating boat. Nice!!! ;D

Ah, talking about Switzerland countryside reminds me of Heidi story I read when I was little. Everytime I read the story, somehow it gives me a comfortable feeling. Guess that's where I've got my picture about Switzerland countryside in the first place.

I've rechecked the first volume of HEART. The picture you put here is Shoubu in the morning (after taking a shower, I presume ;D). Silly me, of course every morning before going to school or part time work or elsewhere, he doesn't wear hairgel.

You like Katsumi? Hmm.... he surely looks better with straight hair. In first and second volume his hair is a little bit curly (or is it wavy??)

[Teahouse Keeper]

*Drops to the ground and bounces into big Ginji* Takoyaki? Plan? What plan? Ban-chan!! Eh!! Wait for me!!! *runs after Ban*

Oohhh...your dream paradise is soo nice...Mmm...*hugs Pippichan's dream like a pillow*. While you're taking a short nap in your boat in the middle of the lake, I can eat the food in the picnic basket...Mmmm...

Shoubu in the shower....*smiles naughtily*I think he looks much better without hair gel. With the gel, he looks too old and funny He looks cuter and more handsome with his hair natural.

Oh, Katsumi's hairstyle changes? That's interesting. Did he go to the salon in the manga or did it just happen suddenly? Sometimes, manga authors will make some changes to their drawings while the series is going on.

I haven't checked out volume 1 of HEART yet. Tomorrow, I'll go to the shop and have a look.

You know, I've been thinking about the question. If I could go somewhere new, leave everything behind....I think I wouldn't mind getting stuck forever in an anime series that I love! The anime characters may have their own problems and tough situations, but I really wouldn't mind being in there with them. Which anime? I'll have to think about that...

[pippichan]

The plan is giving the vendor jagan so he dreams of beautiful, sexy girls flirting with him while we grab some takoyaki!

Teahouse keeper! You... you can't do that! Eating all the food by yourself! Very well, I'll take the meal with me on boat, then! That way, you can't steal my food! ;D

Katsumi's changing hairstyle just happens suddenly in volume 4. Mmm, in volume 5 we can see Shoubu naked at a hot spring. I don't really mind he use hairgel or not. Either way, he's still handsome, I think.

Getting stuck forever in anime series, huh? How about if the anime reaches its end? You're gonna write your own story?

Hey, what if you by any chance get a secret map to a lost treasure hidden in somewhere far and dangerous, will you go there and look for it?

[Teahouse Keeper]

Ban-chan, you're fabulous!! This is the best Takoyaki I've ever eaten!! I can't remember when we last ate but I'll forever remember this Takoyaki I'll forever think of it when I'm hungry....

Ban-chan?....I'm still hungry....

Arhhhh!!! Pippichan!! You're taking all the food to your boat!!!

Hahaha....if Shoubu is going to be naked, it won't matter if he puts on hair gel or not!! In fact, it doesn't even matter if he's at a hotspring or not!! But, hotspring is better because of the steam and the water dripping down his naked body....

I just rented volume 1 of HEART!! I haven't read it yet but yeah, I saw the picture of him that I posted here. Somehow, Yume ended up in his bed and in the morning, she's shocked to see Shoubu standing there.

Yume is really very cute! She looks so small sleeping in Shoubu's bed. It was really funny when Shoubu came home, laid down tiredly on his bed and suddenly discovered her sleeping under the covers She looks sooo cuute!! I love her already!! Mm...I think after this, I'll be renting volume 2...

Nice picture of Shoubu on the back cover of volume 1:

Ah, the anime that I'm stuck in never reaches its end! It's got a life of its own and grows, but the characters never grow old. The storyline just keeps building...like a never-ending anime series!

Secret map, lost treasure? Are you coming along with me? If you are, then I'll go and look for the treasure If not, I'm too lazy.. But if the map is genuine, I might consider. But what if the location is the deep sea?? Ah, is the treasure worth it?? I'm very lazy, you know...If there's an easy way to get the treasure, it'll be good....