Menu Close

Tag: ergo proxy

Writing the Perfect M/M Romance Hero – Can It Be Done?

Perfect Hero for M/M RomanceHot guys come in all flavors and sizes. So as a writer of M/M romance books, I’m always striving to make the perfect hero. Of course, this means the perfect hero as I see the perfect hero, because, after all, I only have my own perception to rely on. And what is the perfect hero in my view? Usually a hero that’s not so perfect, if that makes any sense:)

To me, the perfect hero is a dichotomy – a man that’s strong and protective and yet flawed, sensitive and vulnerable. Yep, I said all those things in one sentence. It seems I’m always drawn to heroes I see in anime – Vincent Law of Ergo Proxy (do I talk enough about this dude, or what?), Kira Yamato in Gundam Seed, Cashhern in Casshern Sins. These guys are the best when it comes to fighting, killing, maiming, what have you. Hell, they aren’t even human, LOL. But they all possess a sort of humility about themselves and their abilities, a deep remorse from their wrong-doings or perceived wrong-doings and the ability to love deeply and give of themselves completely. Note I’m talking about Kira Yamato here and not Athrun Zala – get my drift?

And so as a writer of M/M romance, I draw upon what I see appealing in these characters in order to morph certain traits into my own, perfect-yet-flawed heroes. I strive to make a character that I find approachable, but not the type of guy you’d think was approachable if you met him in person. You know, the lonely guy in the corner of the bar who might look like he’s all that, but deep down he’s just the average Joe in his own mind.

I think women (and gay men) in general do dream of guys like this and so like to read about them in their M/M romances. At least I hope so since that’s what I try to write;) On the other hand, it’s a hard job. I’m always asking myself – is this guy too tough? Is he being too sensitive for this scene? Can I get the humanity out of this character and onto the page while he’s being a real asshole? Or the classic – did I just turn this dude into a lady? LOL

Yes, all of these things cross my mind and in the end, I find I just have to be true to myself and the story I’m writing. You can’t write a story everyone will like or a perfect hero everyone finds perfect, because he’s a moving target in the perception of everyone’s mind. Did that make sense? I hope so. Tell me, what is your perfect hero and why? And fellow authors, how the heck do you get that onto the written page?

My Top 10 Anime Opening JRock Songs

Okay, so I have updated my site, finally, after enduring much mental anguish because of a crashed hard drive:( That’s a whole blog in itself… and I’m still waiting to get my data back so I can finish my next book >.<

But, I did post on Twitter and Facebook about another blog that listed the “10 Best Anime Songs” and most of these songs were not to my taste, so I thought I would do my own. Granted, this is really hard because I like so many, but I’m giving it a shot. So here goes. Remember, I am no music critic. I like what I like and that’s about it. So please forgive some of my lamer comments, LOL. Let me know what you think!

Honorable Mention: Gundam 00 – Daybreak’s Bell by L’arc en Ciel

 

This song captures Gundum 00 so well, it’s just stunning. But I already have a place for a L’arc en Ciel song… alas…

10. D Gray Man – Innocent Sorrow by Abingdon Boys School

 

I just found this song (because I’m stupid and I just found D Gray Man, LOL) and it’s fast becoming a favorite.

9. Gankutsuou – We Were Lovers by Jean-Jaques Bernel

Okay, so not a JRock song specifically, but a very beautiful song for a really well-done anime. The artwork is fantastic and let’s face it, it’s yaoi:)

8.  Full Metal Alchemist –  Ready Steady Go by L’Arc en Ciel

This was the song that started it all for me. I literally fell in love with JRock after hearing this song for the first time and I’ve never looked back. I even stayed up one night until 4am turning this song into a ring tone for my old Motorola Razr cell phone. Yes, I’m that dedicated;) Thank you, L’arc en Ciel!

7. Bleach – Life is Like a Boat by Rie Fu

If you’ve never heard the full version of this beautiful song, you’re missing out.

6.  Casshern Sins – Aoi Hana by Color Bottle

What can I say? Awesome artwork and a very angst-ridden plot, but a happy sounding song. I have to say I listen to this song pretty much every day right now…

5. Death Note – The World by Nightmare

Ah, a cool song for an anime that has some of the best artwork ever (my opinion). I love the way the music gives you a feel for the story and how the opening follows it.

4. Blood + – Season’s Call by Hyde

Um… Hyde is a vampire, isn’t he?  This was also a ring tone of mine, he he he. I love Hyde’s voice…

3. Blood Trinity – Dress by Buck Tick

This song says vampire all over it. Haunting. Perfect. And love that bass line!

2. Bleach – D-Technolife by Uverworld

Just a plain cool song. The way they pull off the changes in tempo in the full version is awesome. They used this song back before Bleach turned into Inuyasha and had a million episodes that were all the same – just a new character to fight:( Sorry, but I got a bit tired of Bleach…

1. Ergo Proxy – Kiri by Monoral

I will never tire of this song and I must say this is in my top three all time favorite animes. The song fits the anime so well, it’s uncanny. The plot is just like the song – philosophical, dark and brooding and put together so well, every time I play it for my non-JRock friends, they all stop and listen in awe of it’s greatness:)

What’s up with American Animation?

Here’s one of my biggest pet peeves – American animation. It sucks, for the most part.
I mean really, the Japanese get Final Fantasy with its plethora of hot guys and cool motorcycles and long, thick…swords…
And we in America get what? Shrek 🙁
Don’t get me wrong, I do like Shrek. I have all three movies on DVD. I thought it was quite funny.
But I mean, come on people – these are characters you can draw, characters you make up, characters that can be as hot or not as you like, so why not make them hot? Why not give us some eye candy for crying out loud?
Why be happy with this:
When you can have this?:
 And what about the art? Most American animation has only one level of color (for lack of a technical way to describe it) while the Japanese use three. I’m talking about a main color, a shadow and a highlight. The details in the backgrounds on Japanese animation is incredible as well.
Think Family Guy or The Simpson’s versus, well, anything Japanese, Full Metal Alchemist, Death Note and holy cow, Ergo Proxy or Howl’s Moving Castle or Gankutsuou (yep, I’m an AlbertxFranz fan).

Is it just that most American animation is meant to be comical and therefore we just accept crappy cartoons? Many anime are funny as well – how about Fruit’s Basket and what about how many hot guys were in that show?

Bottom line here is, although I do adore The Simpson’s, Family Guy, and all those lovely Pixar movies for their comedic value, I really really really wish the forces that be in America would wake up and give us what the Japanese have gotten all along – truely artistic animation, intriguing storylines (hey, I didn’t even touch on that subject…) and lot and lots of eye candy.

Regards,

Christie