Googleshng:
I've played VH2. I seem to recall that there IS a Vadalier type quest, but I don't remember the specifics. As for my thoughts on it, well, if it wasn't called Vandal Hearts 2, my thoughts would probably be quite different, but I consider it a travesty in light of the original. The simultanious initiative concept is cool, but falls flat in light of the AI. As for the rest, the customization isn't done well, and the great level design from VH1 is nowhere to be found. I know FF9 is coming to europe, but I'm not sure when exactly. Check our releases section or the news archives? The girl question is entirely beyond my field of expertise. I have no experience at all when it comes to love lives, and the people I know all have weird Rumiko Takahashi polygons going. Finally, sucks about the fanfic.

Googleshng:
Strangely enough, I find that the cheapest place to get anime, for me at least, is Amazon.com. They deliver fast too.

Googleshng:
Well, there's something to be said for bringing your defense down to 0. For starters, there's the bragging rights. Haha! Stupid boss! I can beat you wearing hawaiian clothes! Then of course there's the effects of having 0 defense. If you character build a lot, that's pretty much the only way you're going to go into trance. On top of all that, there's the treasure hunter rank bit.

Googleshng:
OK, you should definately watch Slayers before Slayers Next. All anime seres are at least a little serial, so watching seasons out of order just plain doesn't work. Oh, and skip the OAVs/movies entirely. I laugh at the whole PSX2 thing. People are so rabid for a $300 rock. Wonder how low the price will get before there's a decent game. FF9 is DEFINATELY worth the money if you aren't yet sick of the series. If you've played 4-6 an average of 5 times or so like everyone I know though, you honestly won't get much out of it. I believe frozen slimes shatter if you kick them, so don't.

Googleshng:
I agree with you on the slime concept. I guess the logic goes something like this. People don't know my gender. People know I like slimes. Slimes don't have genders. Therefore, I must be a slime. I've heard weirder theories. The PSO/PS1 thing is an interesting observation. FF has been tacked onto more than just movies to sell'em. Mystic Quest and the SaGa series for example. The movie actually looks pretty darn cool though, while the Shenmue movie, I'm told, is just a recording of someone playing the game... funky concept. Oh, and I already had those pics. Thanks anyway though.

The Last Laugh: