6 Months Loot (Original Soundtrack Version)

February 1, 2007 | 22 Comments

Yesterday I decided to do something genius: unpacking some of the DVDs/CDs that I've bought in the last few months. The reason for this is that even though I've been buying them for the past 6 months, I haven't had the chance to open most of them. Work has just been really busy and with full time blogging on top of it, I barely have the time to relax. It's actually kind of scary doing it all at once. It reminds me of how much money I spend on these things. And I don't actually buy that many merchandises since I only buy limited edition CDs/DVDs of my favourite eseries. I can actually look at my collection and never wonder why I bought some of those in the first place. Anyway, as you'll notice, my collection is heavily biased towards Suzumiya Haruhi and Honey and Clover. Between those two, I feel that Honey and Clover merchandises are always the ones that give me the best value for money when it comes down to DVDs/CDs extras.

CDs and DVDs
Manga and books
Honey and Clover extras
Honey and Clover complete best

I haven't actually gone through every single one of them but I did open the Honey and Clover: Complete Best collection. This is basically a CD/DVD pack which features OP/ED songs from Honey and Clover. As you can see below, the Original Soundtrack version of the songs are indeed the Piano version that everyone has been looking for. I've included Dramatic and Waltz version of the songs here. Anyway, the CD/DVDs come inside a nicely packed case featuring the characters. The case is then packed together with two 40-page booklets, love amulet, and two bookmarks in the limited edition version and one 40-page booklet if you just buy the limited pressing edition. Upon checking CD Japan, I realise that there is actually a special new footage in the DVD but I haven't had the chance to look at it at the moment. These items are housed in a large, book-like case. The presentation is amazing and to me is a real value for money.

Dramatic and Waltz (Original Soundtrack Version) (3.5MB, MP3)

I also bought the limited edition of the The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya DVDs. Unfortunately the majority of extras for this series are DVD-based. What I meant by this is that Kyoto Animation reworked some of the scenes so that they'd look better on the DVDs or have more details. Occasionally they'd include special feature like the Hare Hare Yukai full dance version but the only non-DVDs extras you get are these stickers featuring screenshots from the series. The other thing that I got was the Honey and Clover manga vol.8. On its own there's nothing special about it but I happened to buy it in Japan when the movie was being screened. As a result, I got a nifty cross-promotion plastic sleeve and a pin to go with it. Also, thanks to CD Japan's kindness, for some reason I got a free postcard when I bought the Depapepe's Honey and Clover single. The rest of the stuffs that I purchased are just limited editions CDs. Most of the time the only extra you get is a sticker.

The only exception to this is the single version of FLOW, the OP theme to Code Geass. I was actually quite lucky to be able to get this limited edition version because when I bought it, CD Japan already run out of this version. I thought since I've already lost the chance to score the first press version, I may as well buy it in Amazon Japan. Since they usually don't tell you if you'll get the first press version or not, most people who want first pressed edition of a CD/DVD would usually go elsewhere. All I did was to make sure that my order ship immediately as soon as Amazon got their first stock of the single. This is because Amazon Japan does not set aside your order even if you purchased it first before someone else. If you have other order waiting to be released, even if they have a copy of the CDs that you ordered, they'll give it to someone else whose order is ready to be shipped. I think it sucks but can be used to one's advantage in scenario I described above.

Posted by Garten

Comments

February 1, 2007 | Lalita wrote:

I am so jelaous of your CDs, DVD's and all the good stuff you have from Honey and Clover! It's soooo cute! Thanks for sharing Dramatic and Waltz! :)

February 1, 2007 | Mianah wrote:

Hey Garten, nice collection =] Can't wait for the DVD releases for HnC in the U.S.

Do you think they'll release the special DVD editions for it in English as well?

And also, does the Best of HnC OST have all of the songs from the original OST + the piano version for OP and ED? Or are there other songs from it? :D

By the way, thanks very much for the HnC link: the piano version. Greatly appreciate it =]

February 1, 2007 | Lenners wrote:

I SEE HEAVEN WHEN I LOOK AT YOUR COLLECTION XD

Wahh, awesomeness in a picture ;A;

February 1, 2007 | Garten wrote:

Do you think they'll release the special DVD editions for it in English as well?

I hope so but this is VIZ we're talking about so I'm not holding my breath.

And also, does the Best of HnC OST have all of the songs from the original OST + the piano version for OP and ED? Or are there other songs from it? :D

The complete list can be found here (and you can also listen to the song):

http://www.neowing.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ESCL-2917

February 1, 2007 | June wrote:

thanks for the piano version of Dramatic and Waltz! Dramatic sounds nice. moods kinda different tho.
Listening to them makes me wanna rewatch the series =)

February 1, 2007 | wackedfoo wrote:

i really hope they keep the R2 covers for the R1 haruhi dvds.

February 1, 2007 | Pakxenon wrote:

>>i really hope they keep the R2 covers for the R1 haruhi dvds.
Front and back of 4 DVDs. I'd hate to buy 2 episodes a DVD, instead of the standard 4 that R1 does (I think).

February 1, 2007 | lemondrops wrote:

No sure if im allowed to ask this or not but did you get all of those items from Amazon Japan? One more thing, the Ai Otsuka cd, which one is it?

February 1, 2007 | Garten wrote:

No sure if im allowed to ask this or not but did you get all of those items from Amazon Japan? One more thing, the Ai Otsuka cd, which one is it?

I got some from Amazon Japan, the others from CD Japan, while the rest are items which I bought while I was in Tokyo 6 months ago.

The Ai Otsuka CD is Renai Shashin (the main theme for Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru) 2 discs single:

http://www.cdjapan.jp/detailview.html?KEY=AVCD-31065

It comes with a DVD containing the PV of Renai Shashin.

February 1, 2007 | Ener wrote:

Thanks so much for this, Garten! I'm severely inspired to shell out and buy all the H&C DVDs.

February 1, 2007 | KyoshiroM wrote:

Nice swag Garten! ^_^ I love it when my orders finally arrive! :D I received Death Note vol.2 and Honey and Clover II vol.4 just yesterday. Got the Light figure, once again, it looks much better than on the official site's pic. I was kinda disappointed by the Hachikuro DVDs for the second season though, except from the Hoipp-chan strap from the first volume. The rest were stickers, a mousepad sticker and postcards *sigh* I remember all those cool things you got from its first season. I've missed out on the first season's limited edition volumes. Oh well! The CD single of Split looks amazing! Such a great idea to have the cover "ripped". I was wondering, does the Hachikuro Complete Best collection only have instrumental tunes? If so, since I don't like music without words aside from classical, I would be relieved that I didn't buy it. That charm looks nice though :D

February 1, 2007 | Garten wrote:

I was wondering, does the Hachikuro Complete Best collection only have instrumental tunes? If so, since I don't like music without words aside from classical, I would be relieved that I didn't buy it.

Yeah, the CD only contains the instrumental version of the songs. The DVD features the creditless version of all 6 OP/ED themes. However, these are pointless for those of us who have bought the 1st and 2nd seasons of the DVDs. The photobook worth it though although I think there's a misadvertising on CD Japan site. I can't find the "original footage" that they advertise on their site.

February 1, 2007 | chanpon wrote:

And much to my relief, I only wanted the instrumental version of the Hachikuro songs. I already have all the openings and endings. Thanks for the preview. My AmazonJP package with the cd isn't coming for a few days and I am dying to hear these tunes (finally!)

I also read that Kamiya Hiroshi went back to re-dub his Takemoto for the last episode, and I am really looking forward to hearing him finish off this role properly. I did like Nojima Kenji's version too, so I hope the dvd actually gives us both. Probably wishful thinking there.

February 1, 2007 | Steven Den Beste wrote:

Mikuru in a frog costume! Kawaiiii!

February 2, 2007 | jason wrote:

I can confirm that Kamiya Hiroshi did indeed re-dub Takemoto for the last episode. No sign of Kenji's version on the dvd, though.

February 2, 2007 | shine wrote:

So glad the Hachikuro Complete Best has all instrumental. I was hoping they would release another soundtrack of the series with this. I guess they heard enough of our whining :D

On Amazon Japan shipments, I'm a bit concerned about them prioritizing ready to ship versus early reserved items, especially since I'm rather particular about getting the first press of an item and often reserve asap.

Since I usually order multiple things, I often have them shipped together and they often have to wait. Now I don't know if I'll be doing that anymore. Well my shopping on Amazon jp was largely Honey and Clover stuff and since that series is over, I guess I won't really have to worry too much.

Can't wait to get my hands on my Honey and Clover bulk package (came in two days ago and couldn't be left on my porch!). Freaking ay. Now I have to go to the stupid DHL place and pick it up. *sigh*

February 2, 2007 | Naddie wrote:

So jealous of your collection *_* Hopefully I'll be able to collect enough money by the time the first DVD for both Haruhi & Hachikuro comes out xD;

Oh & thanks for sharing the piano versions! :D

February 4, 2007 | Michelle wrote:

I completely agree about the great value of H&C merchandise-wise -- plus it just makes me so happy that it`s definitely worth it... after reading this I went out and picked up the Best Collection and am very satisfied with it -- the presentation and extras are wonderful, though I couldn`t find any `original footage` either...

February 4, 2007 | xinsanexdreamerx wrote:

Looking at your collection, make me jealous XDDD I've been spending so much money on "NANA" related music that I forgot the beloved H&C goodies. O_o Anyways, did you happen to get the first press of Suneohair's split single? Since on CDJapan it only says "Special feature/blah" =/ IT's too vague for me to know ^^; Oh and thanks for sharing the piano versions, they're so lovely. Hopefully I can track down the limited version of the Complete Best, since it's sold out on CDJapan and YesAsia *sighs*. (Damn you "NANA" for making me broke)

February 5, 2007 | milkberry wrote:

hey garten! i just watched hey!hey!hey! music champ bangumi on tv and the number 10 spot was "kyon's little sister" from melancholy of haruhi suzumiya.

you know anything about that? i wonder if it's just nothing or something they're doing to rake more money in. LOL.

anyways, just thought you knew something about it?

February 5, 2007 | setsumei wrote:

Speaking of Honey and Clover. I rented the live action movie on DVD last night. I'm telling you this because I was pleasantly surprised by the additional of English subtitles. Thought this bit of info
might interest those of you who want to buy/see the movie but don’t understand Japanese.

February 5, 2007 | Garten wrote:

hey garten! i just watched hey!hey!hey! music champ bangumi on tv and the number 10 spot was "kyon's little sister" from melancholy of haruhi suzumiya.

you know anything about that? i wonder if it's just nothing or something they're doing to rake more money in. LOL.

It's nothing. I think you have to be obsessed with the series (or the voice actress/actors) to want to buy this one. It's basically a single CD in the same line as Haruhi's, Mikuru's, Yuki's (and now Kyon's and Itsuki's). One of the songs in the single is Kyon's sister version of Hare Hare Yukai. I personally love the show but I'd rather spend my money on other, better merchandises than these CDs.