Since my latest article still isn’t finished, here’s my version of the latest community meme that’s doing the rounds. They’re pretty interesting to read and I don’t have anything better to do right now, so…

1. Who is your favourite male anime character?

A toughie, but I’d say Ginko from Mushishi. He has this cool air about him and uses his knowledge wisely…a genuinely admirable and awesome guy who knows how and when to do the right thing. His backstory’s interesting too.

2. Who is your favourite female anime character?

Again, a few to choose from but it has to be Shiki Ryougi from Kara no Kyoukai – her character is one of the most fascinating and thoughtfully-written and she isn’t simply the usual tsundere or badass archetype either. I named my favourite guitar after her, so yeah…

3. What is your favourite anime soundtrack?

Le Portrait de Petit Cossette is spectacularly haunting…as is anything that Yuki Kajiura’s done actually.

4. What is your favourite anime opening + animation?

The opener to Paranoia Agent is amazing. It’s the product of a collaboration I have an immense amount of admiration for: Susumu Hirasawa and the sorely-missed Satoshi Kon.

5. What is your favourite anime ending + animation?

I really like the end sequence for Higashi no Eden. The song’s cool but I really admire the stop-motion paper animation; a lot of time and effort must’ve gone into creating it, and the end result is so unusual.

6. What is your favourite anime scene?

There’s a point in The place Promised In Our Early Days where Hiroki and Sayuri are facing each other in the same room, but their consciousnesses are in separate parallel universes. They can’t see each other, but they both somehow know that the other one is there. It’s a really moving and powerful scene that stuck in my memory.

7. If you could meet an anime character, who would it be?

I’d have to say either Saber (Fate/Stay Night) or Schneizel el Britannia (Code Geass). Both are badass characters but crucially are of British descent. My Japanese isn’t of a good enough standard to make casual conversation, especially with topics of world domination over tea and biscuits.

8. What anime character is most similar to you in terms of personality?

My personality isn’t the sort that you’d associate with the memorable hero of a story so I don’t really have a proper answer to that. I recall being able to relate to Ryusuke from Beck though, mainly because he’s a scruffy rock and roll type who lives on his own in a house full of guitar equipment. I really need to finish watching that show. I can identify with Kaiji sometimes too.

9. What is your favourite thing about anime?

The imagination and visual weirdness that animation can offer…specifically, the way that it comes across when seen through the lens of Japanese culture. I really dig the cultural/geographic aspect that it brings to the medium.

10. What is your least favourite thing about anime?

The way that entertainment value and artistic integrity are all too often hamstrung by budget constraints, corporate politics, scheduling and all the other related stuff that gives rise to the formulaic shows we all know and hate. The current economic climate has resulted in less creativity and originality, and the staff are poorly paid for the hard work they do. The underlying reasons are complex, but it’s still sad to see it hit the people who matter: the ones making it and the viewers who watch it.

11. Who’s your favourite anime couple?

So many to choose from…probably Aka and Fumihiko from REC. Firstly, they’re simply nice people who deserve to be together; secondly, they’re adults who are portrayed realistically; thirdly, REC is a really underrated show.

12. Who is your favourite anime animal?

The dog in Sword of the Stranger. Most badass pet ever.

13. What anime would make a good game?

A gaming expert friend of mine suggested that Rideback would make an awesome video game. I’m not a gamer at all, but I’m inclined to agree with him.

14. What game would make a good anime?

Since I don’t play video games, I’ll cheat and say a VN. Mahou Tsukai no Yoru needs to be made into a movie or OAV. Video games generally make rubbish movies or TV shows, whether they’re animated or otherwise.

15. What is the first anime you ever watched?

I remember Mysterious Cities of Gold when I was really young, but the first completely Japanese animation I ever watched was Miyazaki’s Laputa on TV sometime in the late 80s. It’s still awesome to me now.

16. Do you think you’ll ever stop watching anime?

It’s part of my fascination with TV, overseas cinema and storytelling in general so I don’t think I’ll ever tire of it. If no more anime I enjoyed was ever made again I’d just rewatch old favourites occasionally. I’ll probably tire of the fans before I tire of the medium itself.

17. What is your favourite genre of anime?

Psychological thrillers with a SF slant and lots of headscratching weirdness.

18. What is your least favourite genre of anime?

I’m not really into sports of any sort, so a sports anime wouldn’t interest me either. That or any shounen stuff that drags out for zillions of episodes.

19. Are you open about watching anime with people you know?

If they themselves are open about what they watch, yeah. For people like my family and co-workers who have no interest, there’s not much point discussing it and trying to explain away the misconceptions isn’t worth the hassle. Watching it with friends is a lot of fun though.

20. Have you ever been to Japan?

Yes, once in 2009 and again last year. Loved it – a beautiful country with welcoming people and nice food. I intend to visit again and see people and places I didn’t get chance to before.

21. What anime was the biggest letdown for you?

The movie adaptation of Loups Garous. It was based on a novel by Natsuhiko Kyogoku but didn’t do his writing justice at all. Seriously, read the book and avoid the movie. Or, if you want to see his work animated well, watch Mouryou no Hako instead.

22. What anime was better than expected?

I started Madoka Magica purely because Yuki Kajiura and Kalafina did the soundtrack, but didn’t expect it to turn out like it did. I don’t think anyone expected it, actually.

23. What is the best anime fight scene?

I was going to say Asuka’s last stand in End of Evangelion but I’ve not had the chance to voice my love of Macross and Yoko Kanno yet so I’ll say the final battle between Isamu and Guld in Macross Plus. It’s visually and musically spectacular, but resolves their story so well.

24. Who is your anime waifu?

Most female anime characters are too young for me but Holo from Spice and Wolf would be great company. She has a quick wit and would be loads of fun to go out drinking with.

25. What was your favourite video game as a child?

I remember Lemmings on the Amiga and even bought it on PSP recently, but I was a sucker for platform games back in the 90s. Magic Pockets ruled.

26. Most embarrassing moment?

There was a certain cosplay incident in a convention last year…it was a good laugh but I fear the day when any pics make it public.

27. Can you drive?

Yes, badly. I’ve never had (nor been responsible for) an accident but I’m not a confident driver so it’s more for convenience and necessity than enjoyment. I’ve managed for a while without owning a car though.

28. Are you mature?

Usually. I try to be sensible and responsible, but I was apparently born without an ounce of common sense.

29. What year were you born?

1982. I’m TEH OLDZ. OTL

30. Do you prefer dogs or cats?

Cats, hands-down. Dogs often scare me, but cats are like small furry humans with loads of character and attitude.

31. Describe yourself physically

Short (1m 70) and I look chronically underweight, even though I eat normally and I’m in perfectly good health. I’ve not been mistaken for anyone famous though, so I can’t really say what – or who – I look like, apart from a younger-looking version of my dad. Or just substitute Miku for Luka here:

32. What would you name your first child?

I’ve never considered having children – the responsibility of it all terrifies me. Anything normal-sounding that won’t get him/her picked on at school I guess.

33. What is the worst injury you’ve ever had?

I was bitten by a dog at the age of seven (Re.: question 30) and although I was lucky to not lose an eye or my nose, I’ve had an annoying scar ever since. The only lasting effect is occasionally getting asked dumb questions like “did it hurt?” (yes, duh) or “are you Harry Potter?” (no. Now sod off).

34. What is your worst habit?

Worrying too much.

35. Do you drink or smoke?

I used to smoke during my student days, but fortunately had the willpower to stop and don’t miss it at all now. I enjoy a glass of whisky or pint of ale/cider but since I’m a lightweight I can’t handle too much. Moderation is good.

36. Do you have a tattoo?

Nope. Never felt the need to get one.

37. Are you a morning or a night person?

I’m more of a night person. I think better in the mornings, but I’m not very good at getting up early unless it’s for a good reason (work, etc.)

38. Have you ever slept past midday?

Yes, rarely. Usually when ill, jet-lagged or after a really late night. I try to avoid doing it because sleeping through the daytime feels weird.

39. Do you regret anything?

Lots of things. Too many to count.

40. Can you count the number of friends that you have on one hand?

Out of the friends I have who I’m able to meet face-to-face regularly, yes. I have a small group of good friends, but don’t get chance to see them very often. One of the many problems of living in a small rural town, sadly.

41. Do you wear glasses?

Yes. I’m very short-sighted, but often wear contacts because they’re more convenient.

42. Are you a picky eater?

No. I eat most things and I’m willing to try something new, but I don’t like milk or eggs unless they’re ingredients in something else.

43. Would you die for someone?

I couldn’t rule it out if it was necessary, but my answer would still be ‘probably not’. If I did, it would be a pretty extreme set of circumstances that I can’t really imagine. I don’t have a very strong sense of self-preservation but I don’t know how I’d react if such a situation arose.

44. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

I think being able to move objects with the power of my mind would be pretty cool. I’d like to think I’d use it for the good of humanity, but when I’m not saving lives I’d end up as Lazy Bastard Man instead because I’d do the housework while sitting on the sofa.

45. Do you believe in the supernatural?

No, not really. My education is really science-based so I don’t have much religious or supernatural belief left. There’s a lot that science can’t explain though, which isn’t quite the same thing.

46. Would you rather be rich or famous?

Being rich would be very helpful. Money can’t buy you happiness, but it gives you one less thing to worry about so you can concentrate on other things…like being happy and making the world a better place. I wouldn’t want to be famous because I like my privacy. There are too many celebrities around as it is.

47. Have you ever committed a crime?

I drove slightly over the speed limit a few times and have downloaded music, movies and TV that I couldn’t buy through legal means. Pretty much everyone I know has done those things as well though, so I’m not sure if they count.

48. Time traveller or ghost?

Time traveller. I’m fascinated by history, so would jump back to various times and places to see what really happened. I wouldn’t interfere and change the course of history, but it would be awesome to see what the people and events were really like.

49. Does anybody have a crush on you?

I don’t think so…if anyone does, they’ve kept quiet about it.

50. Are you in a relationship?

No.