Since last Christmas I haven't really gotten a lot in terms of games. I bought my Wii at the beginning of January with the money I received and thereafter I enjoyed Wii Sports, and the three games I got that Christmas - The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess, Wind Waker and Super Smash Bros. Melee. Until today those were the only games I had that I played on my Nintendo Wii. Well, it may have taken an entire year but finally I have a new game to occupy my time with along with many other neat little gifts that's overall made this Christmas a very good one and one of the better ones in my seventeen years on this planet.

Now, this year I didn't ask for a lot, considering everything that I got but despite that short list I made. The morning proved very satisfying. I pretty much got everything I asked for with the exception of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya DVDs, which I knew would be a problem to find. However, what I did receive was fantastic and to start off this blog of gifts, I think it's only right that I start off with what may be the greatest 3D platformer since Super Mario 64. And of course I'm talking about Super Mario Galaxy!

I haven't played it a lot yet but I must say, I am thoroughly impressed and am having a great deal of fun. The various planets are so awesome to explore, and I can't help to make the comparison of Shigeru Miyamoto being the Hayao Miyazaki of gaming because some of these planets are simply amazing, not to mention Miyamoto's games are all unique and are of the highest quality. And this is where the title of this blog comes into play. Last year my blog noted a Christmas featuring only The Legend of Zelda and Fullmetal Alchemist. This time however it features all of the people who've influenced my life greatly.

To begin, let's start with Shigeru Miyamoto, aside from Super Mario Galaxy. I got another game, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Unfortunately, my DS went dead, so my time with it was limited, thus spending more time with Galaxy however the game seems to carry the same great charm as The Wind Waker and looks to be one of my favourites in the series.

Moving on, the person who I just noted a comparison to Shigeru Miyamoto also had a place in my Christmas. Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke made its way into my hands this morning upon shredding the gift-wrapping. I was so happy to finally own such a great film. It's probably my favourite movie behind Grave of the Fireflies and is undoubtedly one of the greatest films of all time. However, this wasn't the only bit of anime I got.

For someone who's known as Edward Elric, it'd be just wrong to not have a bit of Fullmetal Alchemist involved in my Christmas. And the Fullmetal Alchemist Box Set Season 1/Part 1 is certainly more than a bit of Fullmetal Alchemist. It includes four DVDs, consisting of the first sixteen episodes, thus eight hours of viewing pleasure, all placed comfortably in the shin box that sheltered them and the guidebooks. I haven't begun watching them yet but I'm definitely familiar with Hiromu Arakawa's brilliant story and it's only a matter of time before I experience it again.

Besides those four gifts there wasn't much else, I got a really nice sweater, a third-party GameCube memory card, an Axe gift set, some chocolate coins and the most surprising of gifts, a 5-pack of Pringles! Yes, Pringles! However, that all changed when I decided to see if anyone was online today. It just so happens, that my good friend queen_valentine was online and wouldn't you know it, she got the first Cowboy Bebop OST and the second, titled Vitaminless. And, thanks to her kind heart, the songs were ripped and sent to me, thus adding the last of my greatest influences in Yoko Kanno.

So overall this was a great Christmas! Some of Shigeru Miyamoto, Hayao Miyazaki, Hiromu Arakawa and Yoko Kanno's greatest works made up all the gifts I received this Christmas and I certainly can't complain. For everyone else, I hope that you also had a Merry Christmas and that the holidays will treat you nicely. In addition, I'd like to thank queen_valentine (Celes) once more for the great music.

~Edward Elric