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Orange Range - O2 (45MB, PSP/Quicktime format) | YouTube version
To be honest I didn't really like song the first time I heard it. While the lyric seems relevant to Lelouch and Nunnaly's situation in Code Geass R2, the actual melody and composition of the song are not really the best that I've heard coming Orange Range. I am actually kind of amused that the producers decided to use Orange Range and wondered if they want the viewers to be reminded of Orange-kun. I don't think that's the case but it's a bit amusing everytime I heard about it. Anyway, I still think the song is not as great as Colors but the full version seems to be better and less abrupt than the TV Size. The PV itself is very funny and features Orange Range members dressed up as Samurai in Edo period. They end up helping this one hapless Samurai to be with his lover when the hapless Samurai is beaten up by a bunch of henchmen. At one point, one of the members actually moves at a lightning speed and grabs all of the swords from the henchmen's hand. On a glance, it looks similar to what Rolo can do when he uses his geass. In general though, nothing about the PV gives any impression of Code Geass.
Wakeshima Kanon - still doll (22.2MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
This is a rather nice gothic PV that features cello, chains, praying mantis, voyeuristic old man, and of course, a gothic lolita. The girl who sings the song, Wakeshima Kanon, was apparently found by Malice Mazer's member, Mana. As a result, her image in the PV is influenced by their Gothic-Victorian style. In a lot of ways, the PV reminds me of ALI PROJECT and their various Rozen Maiden OP and ED theme. It's also interesting to know that the lyrics have this purposely stunted style to it so that it reflects the song title. Thanks to its creepiness, the song becomes a perfect ED theme for Vampire Knight. The PV itself shows a girl whose legs are chained so she can't go anywhere outside the house. Outside the house, an old man uses a small peephole to take a peek at the girl who now plays cello. Even without the reference to Vampire Knight, the PV does a good job of being creeptastic.
Suga Shikao - NOBODY KNOWS (45.6MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
"Jam" was not exactly the first thing that I had in mind when it comes down to this song but thanks to this PV, it probably will from now on. I think what's unfortunate is that the song does not exactly remind me of xxxHOLiC Kei, the very show that it was meant to represent. Even while the OP is playing, it seems like the song is just there and does not sync well with the imageries from the OP title. Having said that, it is indeed a rather pleasant song. It may not be Suga Shikao's strongest title but it's pretty good. The PV itself is about Jam for some reason. Maybe it's meant to be a pun for Jamming session? Which is an informal, semi-improvised performance by a group of rock or jazz musicians. At any rate, Suga Shikao certainly makes sure that he is lathered in Jam as the song intensifies. In a way it reminds me of that Nodame Cantabile PV where the pianist let himself be splashed with black paint.
First thing first, this song is not the theme song for Sunadokei (Sand Chronicles) TV series which was aired on TBS back in 2007. This is the main theme for the movie version of the series, which stars Matsushita Nao and Isaka Shunya. Interestingly enough, the actor who plays adult version of Daigo in the TV series was Takezai Terunosuke, who co-starred with Matsushita Nao in Mirai Yousozu movie. As for the original series, Sunadokei started out as a shoujo manga serialised in Betsucomi and is now licensed by VIZ for Shoujo Beat. The story is about a girl called Ann who moves to a small town with her mother. She quickly becomes friends with a boy called Daigo, who helps her going through tough time when her mother suddenly commits suicide. It seems there are lots of interest for this series in Japan because two live-action adaptation have been produced for it. It makes me wonder if an anime version will come soon. Anyway, the song itself is fantastic even though it's a bit depressing. I've always loved Ikimonogakari and this song is not an exception. The PV itself is a mixture of Kiyoe singing while surrounded by candles and snippets of the live-action movie (the YouTube version doesn't have these though). If you're interested in the film itself, check out the trailer below.
Ikimonogakari - Kaerikunatta yo (40.4MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version (doesn't have snippets of the film)
Sunadokei movie - Theatrical Trailer (YouTube)
February 16, 2008 | 
7 Comments
Hirai Ken - Canvas (55.2MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
Released in time for Valentine's Day, Canvas is a song about one's inability to let go. Because of this, it's not surprising that the song is a perfect company for Honey and Clover's heart-wrenching moments, especially those involving Takemoto or Yamada. Unfortunately, the PV doesn't seem to have any relation whatsoever to Honey and Clover. If anything, I'm confused about the story that the PV tries to tell. If I had a choice, I'd rather see Ken singing in front of a big ferris wheel like the one shown on the cover of his newest single. I guess it'd be too close to Suneohair's Waltz PV but anything resembling Honey and Clover motif is better than a generic narrative. Anyway, regardless of the PV, it's still a hauntingly beautiful song that captures the essence of the series. Now, if only the live-action could up its game, I'll be happier.
Hirai Ken - Fake Star (30MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
For a Japanese person, Hirai Ken sure doesn't look like one. I remember being surprised the first time I saw him singing in Japanese because here's a caucasian-looking guy singing perfect Japanese. Anyway, after Canvas, I tried to go through some of Hirai Ken's past discography and some of them turned out to be pretty good. Fake Star is basically the latest single that he came up with prior to Canvas. It's a pretty good song although I'm not sure if you'd like it if you don't like jazz/r&b style song. I just find it amazing that he can sing this kind of song and then switch into a ballad-style song like Canvas. The PV itself is your standard pseudo soft-core music video featuring the singer engaging in intimate poses with the pretty model. I kind of like the ending which shows him going through the backdoor in an attempt to avoid the paparazzi.
October 22, 2007 | 12 Comments
DREAMS COME TRUE - Aishiteru no Sign (50MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | Aishiteru no Sign (YouTube version) | Mirai Yosouzu II ~VERSION '07~ (YouTube version)
During the last few weeks of my Japanese trip this year, I kept hearing this song playing in several combini and department store. I didn't actually like the song right away but after a couple of repetition, I started to like it. I found out that the song is actually called A·i·shi·te·ru no Sign ~Watashitachi no Mirai Yosouzu~. Yeah, what a title. The fun thing is that this is a theme song for a film called Mirai Yosouzu ~A·i·shi·te·ru no Sign starring Matsushita Nao (Taiyou no Uta) and Takezai Terunosuke (Kamen Rider Blade). Personally, I don't think the two stars have much chemistry. It shows that simply putting two good-looking actors do not always produce chemistry. Moreover, the PV is extremely frothy. It's about a couple of people telling Matsushita's character how they usually express their love to their significant other. Oh well, the song is pretty good and while we're at it, I'll also recommend another song which comes in the same album called Mirai Yosouzu II ~VERSION '07~, to make things even more confusing.
Mirai Yosouzu: www.miraiyosouzu.jp
Ikimonogakari - Natsuzora Graffiti (30MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
I've been a fan of this group ever since I heard their first single, Sakura. This latest single is actually apart of two tracks single, Natsuzora Graffiti/Seishun Line. Seishun Line is pretty good as well but between the two, I prefer Natsuzora Graffiti mostly because it has more energy and the upbeat tune is pleasant to listen to. The PV is also pretty good even though it's not extraordinary. I always love PV which shows quiet beach/seaside area and this one has it in spade. The group also has undergone a slight transformation with the lead singer, Yoshioka Kiyoe, looking a lot more mature than her appearance in the group's other PV. Looking at the PV makes me want to just pack my travel bag and go to some secluded beach somewhere.
HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR - Dreams (24.8MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
This is basically the new ED theme for Darker than Black. I'm not a big fan of the group so this is actually the first time I've heard their song. They're actually pretty good singers but the song, at least the longer version, doesn't sound as good as Tsukiakari. The PV itself is nothing special. I like the marble imageries but not so keen on the hair cutting part. There are so many things they can do with the PV but they instead settle down with many shots of a girl (who is the lead singer) getting her hair cut and styled by a hair dresser. Dreams will be released as a single on the 1st of August this year.
Large images will follow later. I'm kind of strapped for time at the moment
Maroon 5 - Makes Me Wonder (external site's AVI) | YouTube video
I fully realized that this has nothing to do with anime and it's not even a Japanese pop. However, this song has been on the back of my mind for the last month. It started when I was trying to write my research proposal and decided to turn on the TV as some kind of background noise. It was then that the song was playing and I've been hooked ever since. It's been a while since I like a non JPop music this obsessively so I figured it deserves a mention on the blog. I've actually never heard Maroon 5 prior to Makes Me Wonder so I was pleasantly surprised by this song. It has that cool, jazzy style to it. The PV helps to accentuate the song's cool factor by associating sexiness with airport, airplane, and stewardess. I never thought that I could associate airport with sexiness prior to this PV.
Ketsumeishi - Mata Kimi ni Aeru (43.9MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
I become a 「ケツメイシ」(Ketsumeishi) fan when I heard their 12th single, 「旅人」- Tabiudo (yeah, I know it's normally read "Tabibito" but "Tabiudo" is the official Hiragana reading given by the band). I continued to be impressed by their next single, 「男女6人夏物語」- Danjo 6-nin Natsu Monogatari. And although I'm not too crazy about their 14th single, 「トレイン」- Train, it was still a good song. They've just released a new single on the 12th of this month titled 「また君に会える」- Mata Kimi ni Aeru. I have to say that this is definitely on-par with both Tabiudo and Danjo 6-nin Natsu Monogatari. In general, their song have that lazy, summer feel which make them perfect songs to listen to on summer vacation. Anyway, this PV itself features a popular Japanese model, Ebihara Yuri, or "Ebi-chan" as her fans called her. If you're interested, this site has more information about her. You can even see some of the CMs which feature her.
Rie Fu - Tsukiakari (45MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
Tsukiakari is the ED theme for Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha. The song is performed by Rie Fu, whom most people knew after her single, Life is Like a Boat. I've been looking forward to this PV but unfortunately the full song doesn't feel as powerful as the short version. I keep hoping that there will be a crescendo part of the song but it always ends on a plateu. The PV itself is nothing special but it's better than just showing the actress singing the song. It basically shows Rie Fu in various locales and in one instance, she can be seen jumping from a real world to a canvass. It makes me wonder if this has any significance to the actual Darker than Black plot.
Tsukiakari will be released on the 23rd of May this year.
Kobukuro - Tsubomi (27.8MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
It is spring time now in Japan that means most pop artist are on their way to release spring-related singles (mostly has to do with Sakura). Kobukuro is not any different but their new single, Tsubomi, is clearly a lot better than other offerings because it currently sits at number one in the Oricon's Weekly Top 30 singles. The song really gives me a nostalgic feel of what it feels like in Japan when it's spring time with cherry blossom falling all over the place. The PV itself is quite interesting because it uses shadow play to feature various animals in their (not so) natural habitat. There is even one of those distressing "Bambi moments' involving a squirrel getting eaten by a large snake. It's definitely one of the more creative PVs I've seen thus far. As a sidenote, this song is apparently a theme song for a Japanese Drama called Tokyo Tower 2007. Unfortunately I haven't seen the drama so I can't say if it's any good or not.
February 26, 2007 | 11 Comments
Noto Mamiko - Aizome (54MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Aizome is the ending theme for Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori. The song was actually written specifically by Savage Genius for Noto Mamiko to perform in the series. However, they decide to release their own version of the single a month before Noto Mamiko's version came out. Between the two, Noto Mamiko's version is the better one of the two. I just think this song is not meant to be performed in upbeat tempo. Noto Mamiko's version is perfectly haunting and melancholy, which is very appropriate for the series. The PV itself is creep-tastic and morbid right from the start when the video zooms in on what looks like an accident/murder site. I won't say the rest but the ending startled me a little bit when I first saw it.
February 16, 2007 | 10 Comments
Crystal Kay - Konna ni Chikaku de... (43.3MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
「こんなに近くで...」- Konna ni Chikaku de... is the ending theme for Nodame Cantabile anime series. The song is performed by Crystal Kay, the same singer who performed FullMetal Alchemist 4th ED theme, Motherland. To be honest, I didn't like the song at first until I heard the full version on the PV. I just think the short version feels abruptly cut. As for the PV itself, this along with Allegro Cantabile have to be some of the more creative PVs I've seen. At first you see a mannequin inside a store followed by a shot of Crystal Kay coming back home. However, she doesn't come home on her own because a group of orchestra comes into her room as well. The rest are basically a singing/orchestral performance inside the room. I think the idea is simple but there is a sense of narrative to it, which makes it a lot more entertaining than a run-of-the-mill PVs where the singer just move around the set and sing the song.
Konna ni Chikaku de... will be released on the 28th of February 2007.
February 16, 2007 | 22 Comments
Suemitsu and the Suemith - Allegro Cantabile (25.5MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
Allegro Cantabile is the OP theme for Nodame Cantabile anime. To be honest, this is the first time I heard Suemitsu and the Suemith. Since this is the only exposure I have to their song, I would have to say that based on this song alone, the group's strength lies in their piano skill instead of their singing, which is not bad but not exactly outstanding either. The PV, on the other hand, is pretty stylish and creative. At first it looks like a generic PV where the singer just plays piano while performing. However, as he plays the white piano, the piano and the singer get splashed with black paint. This continues throughout the entire PV until the piano looks a bit of a mess. Interestingly enough, the piano wouldn't look bad if it's coloured all black so I assume they'll just repaint it all black once they've done with the shooting.
Allegro Cantabile will be released on the 21th of February 2007.
February 8, 2007 | 18 Comments
Sunset Swish - Mozaic Kakera (48MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
Mozaic Kakera is the 2nd ED theme for Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch. The song is definitely the better half of the new OP/ED for that series. The full version sounds a bit weird to me since I'm not used to the elongated lyrics but in general it's still good. As I suspected, however, the lyrics used in the ED theme are actually the last few lines in the full song. The PV itself is okay. I generally dislike collage-styled graphics and this one is not an exception. I just don't think they blend well with the shots of the singers walking/performing on screen. Anyway, I've provided the PSP version of the video but if you want the fullscreen version, you can either check Butterfly Dreams or Tokyo Toshokan. If you're looking for the lyrics, the Kanji and Romaji versions are available after the cut as usual.
January 25, 2007 | 91 Comments
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya ED Theme: 「ハレ晴れユカイ」 - Hare Hare Yukai
AVI version (43.8MB, XViD) | AVI mirror (43.8MB, XViD) | PSP version (12.6MB) | PSP mirror (12.6MB) | YouTube version
I remember saying how it would have been awesome if one of the extras in the last DVD is the full dance version of Hare Hare Yukai. What I meant by this is instead of static stills in between, I want to see Haruhi, Mikuru, Yuki, Kyon, and Itsuki doing their silly dance from start to finish. Imagine my surprise when I went to the official site and finds out that one of the extras in the last DVD is indeed the full dance version of Hare Hare Yukai. With that in mind, here is the full version. I think it's really nice to see the animators going out of their way to animate the rest of the dance sequence. I wonder if they had done this right from the beginning and intended to put the full version only on DVD. I suspect, however, that this is just a reaction to all of those dance moves that people upload on YouTube.
Nakashima Mika - Mienai Hoshi (33MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
I think it's been a while since I last wrote a non-episode reviews entry so I think one is overdue by now. With that in mind, I should start with something small. Nakashima Mika's Mienai Hoshi is her latest single. Apparently the song is used for a Japanese drama called Haken no Hinkaku. Unfortunately I haven't seen the drama and has no intention to do so, I have no idea if this is true or not. The wiki points out that the drama is basically a story about an OL (office lady) so I assume it's similar to Hataraki-man. Anyway, the last Nakashima Mika song which I like was Sakurairo Mau Koro. This one is not as memorable or heart-wrenching as that one but I think I prefer this a lot more than her NANA songs. The PV itself looks expensive but doesn't show anything apart from Nakashima Mika in various costumes and poses.
December 15, 2006 | 16 Comments
Chris Cornell - You Know My Name (23.8MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version | Casino Royale trailer
I realise that this is quite late but I haven't had the chance to write this up till now. Besides, I believe several countries still haven't had the chance to see this film. If this applies to you then this entry is spoilery for you. The rest of you are probably aware that You Know My Name is the opening theme to the latest cinematic adventure of James Bond 007, Casino Royale. The first time I heard the song I didn't like it. Thankfully I rarely like James Bond songs upon first exposure so I didn't dismiss it right away. I'm glad that I gave it another listen because the more I hear the song, the more I realise that the song is a perfect fit for the film. This PV is not as stylish as the OP sequence but I think it's a rather good PV that alternates between showing Chris Cornell (Audioslave) performing the song and the actual shots from the film. If you're interested, I have the lyric to the song and a short review of the actual film after the cut.
SNoW - NightmaRe (25.4MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
If you're wondering about the next episode of Jigoku Shoujo Futakomori, rest assured that it'll come as soon as I can stop laughing at the ridiculousness of the plot. If you're a big fan of traps, then episode 9 is a must see episode for you. :P First thing first, however, there is this PV for the opening theme of the series, NightmaRe. The song is performed by the same group who did the first OP, SNoW. The full song still contains repetition which is trademark of SNoW's previous OP theme, Sakasama no Chou but I feel that it's not as annoying as that song. I also think the PV is a lot more interesting. The basic plot of the PV is about a girl whose soul leaves the body and starts chasing around a stuffed animal turned rabbit. In other words, it's a take on Alice in Wonderland albeit in a rather darker, Silent Hill-ish settings.
November 22, 2006 | 9 Comments
FictionJunction YUUKA - Kouya Ruten (YouTube video)
Kouya Ruten is the OP Theme for Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Iroha ni Hoheto. The song is performed by FictionJunction YUUKA, a group which was formed to feature collaboration work between Kajiura Yuki and Nanri Yuuka. One of the unique features of this particular song is its combination of traditional Japanese instruments and contemporary beat/tempo. The PV itself is equally good and features slightly abstract imageries of Nanri Yuuka in various traditional settings. Unfortunately I haven't seen the actual series apart from the OP theme so I have no idea if the song's lyric describes the story in the series or not. Anyway, if you're looking for the PV, Tokyo Tosho should have it by now.
November 9, 2006 | 46 Comments
REIRA starring YUNA ITO - TRUTH (43MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
NANA the MOVIE 2 teaser (YouTube video)
This is basically the main theme for the second NANA MOVIE starring Nakashima Mika and Ichikawa Yui. I am a bit disappointed to know that Miyazaki Aoi doesn't reprise her role as Hachi in the second film since I thought she's perfect as the character. As it turns out, many other actors from the original film won't reprise their role. Nobuo Kyo has taken over the role of Ren from Matsuda Ryuhei. Matsuyama Kenichi who plays Shin in the first film (and L from Death Note movie) has been replaced by Kanata Hongo. Anyway, this is a beautiful looking PV that was shot in Scotland and features the actors who will play the TRAPNEST members in the second film. The song itself is nice but it's not as good or sad as Endless Story, which I think is one of the best songs I've ever heard. As a side note, I haven't had the chance to go through the lyrics with great care since I'm strapped for time so any correction is welcome as usual.
October 25, 2006 | 22 Comments
Nightmare - Alumina (40MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
Between the two songs performed by Nightmare for Death Note TV series, I actually prefer the ED theme. There is some kind of melancholy note in this one that I think is far more appropriate for the series. The song is also a lot more pleasant to listen to than the WORLD. Unfortunately the PV is as bad if not worse than the PV for the WORLD. Maybe I'm just not the target market for this kind of PV but then again, I never like PV which mostly just shows the band performing the song. I mostly just lament the lost opportunity for the band to incorporate some Death Note imagery. Maybe a Shinigami or even an apple like in Manatsu no Yoru no Yume, Suga Shikao's PV for Death Note movie. Come to think of it, the band members here look a lot more like Akuma from D.Gray-man but I think I digress.
FLOW - COLORS (27MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
Yeah, I realise it's kind of late but with everything that happened during the weekend I could not find the time to insert an extra entry for this. In addition to this, I wasn't sure if I had enough bandwidth to spare for the month. Anyway, this is basically a PV for Code Geass OP theme. Unfortunately as far as PV goes, this is one of the least interesting ones I've seen lately. The only thing that entertains me is the antics of its two lead singers, Kohshi and Keigo, as they jump around from one area to another. I realise that this song has been criticised for its similarity to Days, but I think the two lead singers have really powerful vocals that make this song worth listening on its own. Between the two, I actually prefer Keigo's singing voice since I think it is far more refined and easier to listen to than Kohshi's voice. Having said that, the combination of their voice is the reason why their group stands out from other similar J-pop groups.
Nightmare - the WORLD (27.7MB, for PSP/Quicktime)
To be honest this is not the kind of music I normally listen to but because it's the opening theme for Death Note, I can't help but being interested in the PV. Unfortunately the PV is pretty much a standard JP rock type of PV. Having said that, I think the mood that the PV conveys is appropriate for Death Note. The lyric even include a reference about a broken messiah, a reflection of Light's flawed intention. In addition to this, there is a scene which shows a person being blindfolded. This is actually a spoiler to a sub story in the series. However, if you haven't read the manga then you wouldn't know what this spoiler is all about. The last shot of the PV showing the Judgement tarot card for some reason reminds me of X series. At the same time, it's also a reflection of Light's nature to act as the judge, jury, and executioner.
September 28, 2006 | 4 Comments
Suara - Musouka (26.9MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
I haven't actually watched Utawarerumono beyond the first two episodes since I got turned off by the character design and setting. Having said that I think the opening theme is one of the best OST I've had the pleasure to hear this season. I find the full song to be very addictive and often have it on a loop for up to eigth or nine times in one go. The best thing about the song is the accoustic, which gives the song a little bit of Okinawan style to it. The only thing I don't like about the song is the electric guitar sound which appears near the end of the song. It just feels off and out of sync with the rest of the song. In general, however, the song is pretty nice to listen to even when it's taken out of the series' context. Unfortunately, the PV is quite plain and only shows the singer performing in a desert, mixed with some scenes from Utawarerumono. As a side note, if you're looking for the large version of the PV, PV Fans has it on Tokyo Toshokan.
September 18, 2006 | 8 Comments
Sukima Switch - Guarana (51.6MB, for PSP/Quicktime) | YouTube version
This is the theme song for a live-action adaptation of a manga series titled 「ローフ」- Rough, starring Nagasawa Masami and Hayami Mokomichi. Here is an excellent review of the film if you're interested to read it (required simple registration). I really want to see this film since the acting seems to be good and the story looks interesting. The PV itself is bright, attractive, and energetic with lots of colour bubbles inserted in between scenes. I also rarely see performers who are this excited about their music to the point that they kicked the piano chair that they sat on. Sukima Switch also happens to have Oohashi Takuya, a singer with a powerful vocal, something of a rarity in group singers these days. Overall, this is a nice PV and the inclusion of the film cut scenes help to accentuate the dramatic tone of the song as it reaches its apex.
September 15, 2006 | 12 Comments
